What to Expect During Your Pet’s First Visit
Bringing your pet to a new veterinary clinic can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time together. At St. Charles Animal Hospital, we work hard to make your first visit comfortable, informative, and stress-free for both you and your pet.
Whether you’ve just adopted a new puppy, kitten, or adult rescue, or you’re switching vets, your pet’s first visit sets the tone for future care. That’s why we focus on building trust, gathering important health information, and answering any questions you may have.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our friendly front desk staff and guided through a quick check-in process. To speed things up, you can fill out your new client paperwork in advance through our website.
Next, you’ll be brought to an exam room where one of our veterinary technicians will take a brief history of your pet’s health, lifestyle, and any current concerns. This includes questions about diet, exercise, behavior, previous veterinary care, and medications.
Our veterinarian will then perform a full physical exam, checking your pet’s eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, joints, skin, and abdomen. This baseline evaluation helps us understand your pet’s current health and identify any potential issues early.
Depending on your pet’s age and medical history, we may recommend vaccinations, lab work, parasite screening, or microchipping during the first visit. If your pet is due for spay/neuter surgery or dental care, we can also discuss scheduling those procedures.
Most importantly, we take the time to listen. Whether you have questions about training, feeding, allergies, or behavior, we’re here to help. Our goal is to partner with you in providing the best care for your pet throughout their life.
Your pet’s comfort matters to us, too. We use gentle handling techniques and positive reinforcement to reduce stress and create a calm environment. For nervous pets, we can provide tips or accommodations to make future visits easier.
From day one, we want you to feel confident and supported. Schedule your pet’s first appointment today and experience the warm, welcoming care of St. Charles Animal Hospital.
