At your puppy's or kitten's first vet visit, your job is twofold: hand over every document from the breeder or shelter, and leave with every document the vet generates. The first visit sets the foundation for your pet's lifetime health record — getting it right takes about five minutes of preparation but pays off for the next fifteen years.
The checklist below covers puppies and kittens from breeders, rescues, and shelters. Bring what applies; ask for everything listed under "what to request."
- Bring every document the breeder or shelter gave you — even if you're not sure it's relevant.
- Ask your vet to send the visit summary and vaccine certificate to your pet's private Voocie address — it files automatically into their health story.
- The 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines recommend a puppy's first wellness visit at 6–8 weeks; core vaccines continue every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks of age (accessed Sep 21, 2026).
What records should I bring to my puppy's first vet visit?
Gather everything your breeder or shelter gave you at pickup. Even if you're not sure what it is, let your vet sort it — they'll know whether it's clinically relevant. Here's the complete list of what to bring:
From a breeder
- Vaccine records / puppy shot record — any vaccines administered before pickup (typically the first distemper-parvovirus combination)
- Deworming history — medication name, dosage, and dates (most breeders deworm at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks)
- Breeder health certificate — a licensed vet's written statement that the puppy was examined and healthy at time of sale
- Genetic health test results — OFA, PennHIP, CAER, or breed-specific screening results for the parents; copies of any genetic panel tests run on the puppy
- Microchip documentation — the chip number and which registry it's enrolled in
- AKC or breed registry papers — registration application and litter certificate (if applicable)
- Parasite prevention history — any flea, tick, or heartworm preventives given before pickup
- Diet information — current food brand, formula, and feeding schedule (your vet will want this)
From a rescue or shelter
- Shelter intake records — what the shelter found at intake, including estimated age and any observations
- Shelter vaccine records — most shelters administer DA2PP (distemper combo) and rabies at or shortly after intake
- Fecal test results — if performed at the shelter
- Spay/neuter certificate — if the puppy or kitten was already altered before adoption
- Microchip number — and the shelter's registry enrollment (you'll need to transfer registration to your name)
- Any known medical history — conditions treated during the shelter stay, medications given
What should I ask for at the end of the first vet visit?
Before you leave the exam room, ask for or confirm delivery of these documents:
- Visit summary / SOAP notes — what the vet found in the physical exam, any concerns noted, and recommendations
- Vaccine certificates — official certificates for every vaccine given today, with batch number, expiration date, and next-due date; rabies certificates must be signed by a licensed veterinarian in most states
- Vaccine schedule — the full series of upcoming boosters your puppy or kitten needs, with dates
- Fecal test results — if a fecal exam was performed (most vets recommend one at the first puppy visit)
- Microchip confirmation — if a chip was implanted today, the chip number and the registry used
- Heartworm prevention prescription (dogs) — start date, product, and dosing schedule
- Parasite prevention recommendations — your vet's specific product and schedule recommendations for your region
The simplest way to capture all of this automatically: give your vet your pet's private Voocie address and ask them to CC it on today's summary. Everything routes directly into your pet's health story — no uploading, no scanning, no losing paperwork.
What vaccines does a puppy need at the first vet visit?
According to the AKC puppy vaccination schedule (accessed Sep 21, 2026) and the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (accessed Sep 21, 2026), puppies need a series of core vaccines starting between 6 and 8 weeks of age:
| Vaccine | Type | Initial series | Booster |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza) | Core | Every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks | 1 year, then every 1–3 years |
| Rabies | Core (required by law in most states) | Once at 12–16 weeks | 1 year, then every 1–3 years |
| Bordetella (kennel cough) | Non-core (recommended if boarding/dog parks) | 6–8 weeks | Annually or per boarding requirements |
| Leptospirosis | Non-core (recommended in high-risk areas) | Two doses, 3–4 weeks apart | Annually |
| Lyme | Non-core (recommended in tick-endemic areas) | Two doses, 3–4 weeks apart | Annually |
Talk to your vet about which non-core vaccines are appropriate for your puppy's lifestyle and your region. The vaccine schedule above is a general framework — your vet will tailor it based on your puppy's specific situation.
What vaccines does a kitten need at the first vet visit?
The 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines (accessed Sep 21, 2026) recommend the following core vaccines for kittens:
| Vaccine | Type | Initial series | Booster |
|---|---|---|---|
| FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) | Core | Every 3–4 weeks from 6–8 weeks until 16–20 weeks | 1 year, then every 1–3 years |
| Rabies | Core (legally required in many states) | Once at 12–16 weeks | 1 year, then annually or every 3 years depending on product |
| FeLV (feline leukemia virus) | Recommended for all kittens; non-core for adult indoor-only cats | Two doses, 3–4 weeks apart | Based on lifestyle risk |
Your vet will also recommend FIV and FeLV testing at or before the first vaccine series — particularly important for kittens from unknown backgrounds. Ask your vet what they recommend for your specific kitten's age and situation.
What should I do with all these records after the visit?
The first vet visit generates a lot of paper. Here's how to handle it so nothing gets lost:
- Give your vet your pet's private Voocie address. Ask them to CC it on every visit summary, vaccine certificate, and lab result going forward. That's all you need to do — Voocie routes everything automatically into the right pet's health story.
- Photograph any paper records the vet hands you. Physical certificates (especially rabies) can fade and get lost. A photo backup takes thirty seconds.
- Note the next vaccine due dates on your calendar or in Voocie — the puppy or kitten series requires follow-up visits every 3–4 weeks until they're fully vaccinated.
- Update microchip registration to your contact information if you haven't already — the chip is only useful in an emergency if it's registered to you.
FAQ
Can I go to the first vet visit without any records?
Yes, but bring whatever you have. Even a partial vaccine record helps your vet understand where your puppy or kitten is in their vaccination series. If you have nothing, your vet will start from scratch, which may mean retesting or repeating vaccines to be safe. Talk to your vet about the best approach when records are incomplete or missing.
What if the breeder's vet already gave vaccines — does my vet need to repeat them?
Usually not, as long as the documentation is clear and verifiable. Bring the original vaccine certificate with the batch number and administering vet's license information. Your vet will review it and decide whether to continue from where the series left off or restart, depending on the puppy's age and which products were used.
Does my kitten need a fecal test at the first visit?
Most vets recommend it, especially for kittens from shelters or unknown backgrounds. Intestinal parasites are common in young cats and often asymptomatic. A fecal float takes only a day or two for results and tells your vet whether treatment is needed. Ask your vet if they recommend one at the first visit for your specific kitten.
How do I get my vet to send records to Voocie?
When you set up your pet's Voocie record, they're assigned a private Voocie address. Share that address with your vet (the front desk can add it to your contact info) and ask them to CC it on visit summaries and certificates. Most clinics email these documents routinely — it's one extra address in the CC field.
My puppy's first vet visit is tomorrow — can I still start a Voocie record?
Yes. Start your pet's record before you leave for the appointment, bring their private Voocie address to share with the clinic, and your first visit summary will file automatically when the vet sends it.