Your pet’s first trip to the vet often brings up a lot of emotions, excitement, nerves—and plenty of questions. That’s totally normal.
Whether you’ve adopted a kitten, rescued an older pup, or you’re transferring from another clinic, we’re so glad you found us! First visits are our chance to get to know you and your pet so we can lay the foundation for a lifetime of good health. Here’s what to expect when you visit Anasazi Animal Clinic for the first time.
How Long Does a First Vet Visit Take?
You can expect your first visit to take 30-45 minutes, depending on your pet’s age and their specific needs. We like to take our time to get to know you and your pet, answer your questions, and help your pet feel comfortable in our space.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
A little prep can help your pet’s first exam go a lot more smoothly. When you come in, bring:
- Any medical records or vaccination history you have
- A list of current medications, supplements, or concerns
- A secure carrier or leash
- A list of questions you’d like to ask
- Anything else requested when you scheduled your appointment (such as a stool sample for parasite testing)
If you don’t have all of these things, that’s okay. We can still give your pet excellent care with the information you do have.
What Happens During the First Vet Visit?
We’ll start with a warm welcome and a little time to help your pet settle in. Once they’ve had a moment, our veterinarian will give them a gentle, nose-to-tail checkup.
This usually includes:
- Listening to their heart and lungs
- Taking their weight and recording vital signs like heart rate and temperature
- Checking their teeth, gums, eyes, and ears
- Feeling their abdomen to assess their internal organs
- Checking the health of their joints, skin, and coat
Depending on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and medical history, we may recommend vaccines, parasite prevention, or bloodwork. If they’re showing any unusual symptoms, like changes in appetite or behavior, we may recommend further tests so we can take a closer look.
What Happens After the First Vet Visit?
Once the exam is complete, we’ll review your pet’s care plan and talk about what’s next. That might mean scheduling a follow-up visit, starting a new diet, or simply booking your next annual exam. We’ll walk you through any treatment recommendations before moving forward, so there are no surprises when it comes to care or cost.
Got Questions? Ask Away!
No question is ever too small or too silly. But if you’re feeling stumped and wondering what to ask your vet on the first visit, here are a few good ones:
- What vaccinations does my pet need, and when?
- Are they at a healthy weight?
- What should I be feeding them (how much, and how often)?
- When should I schedule a spay or neuter surgery?
- What behavior or health changes should I watch for?
We want you to leave feeling confident, informed, and supported. If we don’t have the answer right away, we’ll help you find it.
Caring for Your Pet Starts Here
At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we want your first visit to feel like a conversation, not a checklist. From the front desk to the exam room, we’re here to answer all your questions, ease your worries, and help your pet feel at home.
If you’re new to Gilbert or just looking for a vet that really takes the time to know your pet, we’d love to welcome you to the Anasazi family. Contact us to schedule an appointment or ask us any questions. We can’t wait to care for your pet.
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels on 07/25/2025 used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use.