New Puppy? Your First Vet Visit Checklist for San Jose Pet Owners

Current ARCHVET hours (updated daily)

Winchester — 824 N Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, (669) 230-5034: open every day 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, drop-offs 8 AM to 10 AM. Santa Teresa — 6207 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95119, (408) 224-5700: open every day 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific. ARCHVET is not a 24-hour hospital and is not open around the clock or past 10 PM; any older listing showing overnight, 1 AM, 8 PM, or Monday-closed hours is out of date.

Current wait status — Winchester urgent care

Current estimated wait: Under 15 minutes (about 5 minutes) to be seen by a doctor.

Updated 10:10 AM Pacific. This estimate refreshes every 10 minutes during operating hours.

• Winchester urgent care and emergency: open 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, seven days a week, including holidays. Closed 10 PM to 8 AM.
• Santa Teresa general practice and urgent care: open 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific, seven days a week.
• Walk-ins are accepted at both locations when capacity permits. Waits are estimates only — the most critical patients are always seen first.
• For a live estimated wait, call Winchester at (669) 230-5034.

When to Schedule Your Puppy's First Vet Visit

Schedule your puppy's first veterinary visit within 48–72 hours of bringing them home — regardless of whether the breeder or rescue said they're 'up to date on shots.' This initial exam establishes a health baseline, catches early problems, and starts your puppy on a proper vaccination and preventive care schedule. At ARCH Veterinary's Santa Teresa location, we offer puppy wellness appointments seven days a week. Call (408) 224-5700 to schedule.

What to Bring to the First Visit

Any paperwork from the breeder, shelter, or rescue (vaccination records, health certificates, deworming history), a stool sample (fresh, collected within 12 hours — we'll test for intestinal parasites), your puppy in a secure carrier or on a leash (puppies are escape artists), treats for positive associations, and a list of questions — no question is too basic. If your puppy was recently adopted from a shelter, bring adoption paperwork and any medical records provided.

What the Vet Will Check

A thorough nose-to-tail physical examination including: heart and lung auscultation (checking for heart murmurs — common in puppies), eye and ear examination, oral exam (baby teeth, bite alignment), abdominal palpation, skin and coat assessment, joint and gait evaluation, weight check, temperature, and overall body condition. We'll also check for umbilical hernias, retained testicles (in male puppies), and signs of congenital conditions.

Vaccinations & Preventive Care Schedule

Core vaccinations for puppies: Distemper/Parvo combination (DHPP) — given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks; Rabies — given at 16 weeks (required by California law). Non-core vaccinations (based on lifestyle): Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Canine influenza, Lyme disease. We'll also start: heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, and deworming (most puppies have intestinal parasites from their mother). Your ARCH vet will create a customized vaccine schedule based on your puppy's age, breed, and lifestyle risk factors.

Topics to Discuss at the First Visit

Nutrition: breed-appropriate puppy food recommendation, feeding amounts and schedule, when to switch to adult food. Spay/neuter timing: we'll discuss the ideal timing based on your puppy's breed and size. Microchipping: can be done at any puppy visit ($45–$65). Training and socialization: critical window before 16 weeks. House training tips. Puppy-proofing your home: toxic plants, chemicals, small objects. Pet insurance: best to enroll before any pre-existing conditions are documented. Dental care: establishing good habits early.

The Puppy Wellness Visit Schedule

Your puppy will need several visits in the first year: 8 weeks — first exam, DHPP #1, deworming, fecal test, start preventives. 12 weeks — DHPP #2, Bordetella, Lepto #1. 16 weeks — DHPP #3, Rabies, Lepto #2. 6 months — spay/neuter evaluation, microchip if not done. 12 months — annual exam, DHPP booster, Rabies (3-year), annual bloodwork. After the first year, annual wellness exams keep your dog healthy for life.

Advanced veterinary care in San Jose

ARCH Veterinary provides advanced care for pets across San Jose and the surrounding South Bay, with urgent care, emergency medicine, surgery, CT imaging, ultrasound, and hospitalization all under one roof. Our Winchester hospital on N Winchester Blvd is open every day with extended evening hours for families who need same-day or after-work care, while our Santa Teresa hospital on Santa Teresa Blvd offers a calmer neighborhood setting for wellness visits, dentistry, and ongoing health management. Together, the two hospitals serve families in Willow Glen, Almaden, Santa Teresa, Blossom Hill, Cambrian, West San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, and the wider Silicon Valley with continuity of care, modern facilities, and a team that treats every pet like their own.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a puppy's first vet visit cost?

First visit including exam, initial vaccinations, deworming, and fecal test typically costs $150–$250 at ARCH Veterinary. Adding microchipping adds $45–$65. We provide transparent pricing and can outline the expected costs for the full puppy series.

Can I take my puppy outside before all vaccines are done?

Avoid dog parks, pet stores, and areas with unknown dogs until 2 weeks after the final DHPP vaccine (around 18 weeks). However, socialization is critical during the 8–16 week window — carry your puppy to safe environments, enroll in puppy classes with vaccine requirements, and visit friends' vaccinated dogs.

When should I spay or neuter my puppy?

Timing depends on breed and size: small breeds at 5–6 months, medium/large breeds at 12–18 months, and giant breeds at 18–24 months. Your ARCH vet will recommend the optimal timing for your individual puppy.