Just like a baby’s first consultation with their doctor, your pet’s first vet consultation can be daunting and stressful, but knowing what to expect from it can ease your mind and help you calm your pet down too! 

When your pet first comes home, they may take some time to adjust to their new home. Since the pet is very young, it is advised to keep them indoors to reduce exposure to other humans and pets, but it’s important to consult with a vet for their care as soon as you can. In this case, it’s best to book an online vet consultation, where you’re able to speak to an experienced vet from the safety of your home. At Supertails, our patient coordinators call you before the appointment is scheduled, do let them know that they will be seeing a new pet, since they may want to allocate a little more time for your companion. 

1. Before the consultation, you will receive a pre-session call wherein a patient coordinator will make some quick enquiries about your pet and their medical history. This will help the vet get a basic idea of your pet and the environment you are moving them into.  
   
   
2. When you log in to the session, make sure to inform the vet about any previous treatments or vaccinations that your pet may have had. These will help the vet in understanding their medical history better. These details can be found with the rescue centre from where you got your pet. 
   
   
3. At the appointment, the vet will help you understand your pet’s wellbeing better and will guide you through taking a close look at your pet’s skin and coat, examining their teeth and gums, listening to their heartbeat and breathing, weighing them, and taking their temperature. As they do this, they will also talk to you about any questions you have about common problems such as worms or fleas, including how to treat and prevent them. They may also ask questions about your pet’s diet so far. This will help you understand your own pet’s health better.
   
   To prepare yourself better, feel free to keep note of questions about the common parasites/insects in the area that you should look out for, any specific ailments specific to the breed of your pet, as well as the emergency services that the vet offers. You might talk to the vet about feeding, exercising and grooming as well.
   
   
4. After the consultation, the healthcare team would send detailed medical notes and a digital prescription to your registered email ID. This will be your course of action in helping your pet get healthy and fit quickly. Depending on the medical concern and the prescribed treatment, the vet would book a follow up session with you and details of the session will also be sent to you by email. Since our goal at Supertails is to support you through your pet’s recovery, the follow up consultation to your first appointment is on us. 

There are a few things you can do to make your vet appointments a little smoother. First, always keep some treats, their favourite toy, or a blanket close, so that your pet can remain calm through the appointment. It also helps your pets if you stay calm while examining them with the vet. Fortunately, being in your own home - with no strangers or other pets around - can make your consultation much easier and less stressful for both you and your pet. 

At Supertails, we want you and your pet to enjoy speaking to a veterinarian instead of dreading vet clinics. Book your first online consultation with Supertails for free at https://supertails.com/pages/consult-a-vet today!