Select your veterinarian
If you don't already have a veterinarian, you should select one before you get your Puggle puppy. Get recommendations from people you know and feel are responsible pet owners. Ask them if they visit the vet regularly and how long they've been seeing that particular vet, so you know that they have an ongoing relationship with the vet and that they care enough to take their pet(s) for regular visits. Ask several people for recommendations and don't be hesitant about going to the vet's office to check it out and interview the staff and the vet. You don't want to take up a lot of their time, but you do want to select a vet you feel is competent and caring.
Puppy visits
You should take your Puggle to the vet within 72 hours of bringing him or her home from the breeder. A reputable breeder will have had the puppy thoroughly examined prior to selling it. This examination is to acquaint you and the vet with your new family member and provide a second set of eyes and hands to ensure that the puppy is healthy.
Your veterinarian should be willing to accept the health certificate and immunization record provided by the breeder. Although another complete exam is warranted, another set of shots is not. If your vet insists, then you should reconsider your choice of vet.
If your vet offers microchip ID implants, this would be an excellent time to get one. Spaying or neutering should also be discussed. Many breeders have spay/neuter requirements as part of the purchase contract; you should not plan on breeding your puppy unless purchased as a breeder and agreed upon with the selling breeder. Your puppy will recover quickly from any of these procedures, so the sooner it's done, the better.
Keeping your puppy healthy
Protect your new puppy when you go to the vet's office. Keep him or her in a crate or carrier until you're in the exam room. Sick animals are in and out of the waiting room and even the cleanest of offices can't keep up. Letting your puppy out on the floor may expose him or her to germs that are more dangerous to a puppy than to a full-grown dog. Do not allow other people in the waiting room to touch the puppy. More sterile precautions are taken by the vet and staff in the exam rooms and of course, you will need to uncrate your puppy for the vet to conduct the exam.
Health maintenance
Discuss with your vet the schedule for shots and routine health checkups for your puppy, as well as any possible concerns you may have.
The breeder will have given you a feeding schedule and let you know what kind of food your puppy is used to eating. You should discuss this with the vet, as well. If you are unable to find the same kind of food in your area, ask the vet for recommendations and tips on changing the puppy to a new kind of food.
