Can anyone recommend a vet checklist for new pup?

rj1204 · 09-01-2008, 11:25 PM

I searched the forum for a little while and did not find any specific answers (found some broad answers), so I figured I would just ask the experts......for those who finally get there pups, I know it is recommended that they take it to the vet within a few days to get a checkup. Is there a standard checklist on what to ask the vet to check for (VW, Hips, thyroid, DNA, eyes, heart)? What can be tested on an 8-12 week old pup? Thanks for any advice.

MaryAndDobes · 09-01-2008, 11:39 PM

You don't really test an 8-12 week old puppy for anything beyond bringing in a fecal sample to check for parasites. The vet just gives it a general physical exam, starts its file, checks the vax record you bring from the breeder so s/he can set up your next appt.

rj1204 · 09-02-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryAndDobes

You don't really test an 8-12 week old puppy for anything beyond bringing in a fecal sample to check for parasites. The vet just gives it a general physical exam, starts its file, checks the vax record you bring from the breeder so s/he can set up your next appt.

They cannot test for VW, DNA, HIPS? Many years ago, I bought a "champion" bloodline Bullmastiff from a good breeder and spent a lot of money on her (more then the going rate). The breeders fit ALL the criteria advised here on DT, only thing was I could not see the stud because he lived in Oklahoma (5 hours away) but they did show pics and video along with plenty of documentation. I got her at 9 weeks old just after her 2nd set of vaccinations so I didn't have to bring her in for 3 more weeks. When I did, the vet detected a STRONG, horrible heart murmer. He advised if I brought her in when I got her, he could have detected it and would have recommended I bring her back to the breeder. After $4,000 of ultrasounds and medications (over her first 1-2 years of age), the heart doctor advised she may just live a normal life but I should at least report her condition to the breeders so they can stop using the parents (if they were reputale breeders that cared for the "better of the breed"). They didn't stop. My girl passed at 7 years of age and was no where near as old as she should have gone.

At what age can you test for most of the Dobe problems? What exactly does "health screening" on pups mean other then physical exams? Should I NOT bring the pup into the vet until he is due for his next set of vaccinations at 9 weeks (I am getting him at 8 weeks and 2 days of age) so he can do the shots and exam at the same time? Sorry if I sound a little bitter, I am trying to cover EVERYTHING I possibly can.

DLS · 09-02-2008, 11:50 PM

If your puppy seems to be healthy and happy right now, then yes, wait until the next vaccinations are due and your Vet will do the basic physical check when you are in. You may want to discuss future health testing with your Vet at that time.

MaryAndDobes · 09-02-2008, 11:52 PM

During a routine physical exam, a vet listens to the heart but they aren't exactly "testing" it for anything. They are listening for murmurs, which are not uncommon in puppies as sometimes valves haven't sealed up yet (and do as they mature).

You don't need a vet for vWD testing. If the parents were tested, you should have an idea of what status the puppy will be, and if you wish to do the test, you order it from VetGen and do it yourself.

You don't do hips on little puppies. Aren't the parents done? Hips generally aren't a huge problem in Dobermans thanks to the efforts of responsible breeders who do test the parents over continual generations. If you have generations of good hips behind the puppy, it's probably going to be ok and you can have the hips done at the age of 2.

A lot of responsible breeders have it in their contract that you should visit your vet with the puppy within 72 hours of purchase for a general health check, and saying you can return the puppy if the vet finds it unhealthy or unsuitable for sale.

rj1204 · 09-03-2008, 09:07 AM

Thanks for all the advice, didn't know you couldn't test for so many things until later. As far as testing the parents, yes, they were tested, I just do not believe because the parents don't have something the pup may not be born with it. Im sure we all know pups (and even children) born with diseases (life threatening and non) and the parents never had any.......ex: asthma, heart murmors, various heart disease, cancers, allergies, etc. We don't get our pup for 2 more weeks and I'm sure he will be healthy. Thanks again!

GunnersMum · 09-03-2008, 10:04 AM

I know my vet has a complementary "new pet" check up. They make sure that the new pet is not "ill" with fever and or parasites. As for the hereditary diseases, most of the time you won't see them until later in the pets life. I would advise having the breeder show you the original test results on it's parents and further back in lines if they're available.

Good luck with your new pup, make sure you post LOTS of pics for us when you get your new fur baby home!

Travis · 09-03-2008, 10:41 AM

I would bring in a fecal sample and have the vet check out the pup, just to make sure that they don't have any parasites and so on.

We took Athena to the vet as soon as we got her and it turns out that she had coccidia. A little bit of Albon and now she's doing great.