Puppy Care

Bringing Your Puppy Home

Before They Arrive

Set up a safe, quiet space in your home before your puppy arrives. A small room or a puppy-proofed gated area works well, with a comfortable bed, water bowl, age-appropriate food, and a couple of safe chew toys. Remove anything that could be chewed and swallowed, including socks, hair ties, children’s toys, electrical cords, and houseplants.

Choose a veterinarian before pickup day so you have somewhere to call with questions. We recommend scheduling your puppy’s first wellness visit within the first week of bringing them home.

Schedule your puppy’s first visit at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

The First Week

Keep the first week calm. Limit visitors, maintain a predictable feeding and bathroom schedule, and give your puppy time to settle into their new environment.

During this first week, watch for signs that warrant a same-day call to our team:

• Refusing food for more than 12 hours
• Vomiting more than once
• Watery diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing

Puppies can become dehydrated quickly, so early intervention is important.

At-a-Glance Vaccine Schedule

We follow a core vaccination schedule designed to protect puppies from common and potentially serious diseases. Lifestyle vaccines are discussed and recommended based on your puppy’s individual risk factors and lifestyle.

We are happy to discuss each vaccine and explain why it is important for your puppy’s long-term health.

Learn more about pet care and vaccinations at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

Spay and Neuter

Spaying and neutering can help reduce the risk of certain diseases and support your puppy’s long-term health. Timing varies depending on breed and size, and our veterinarians will help determine the best timing for your pet.

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital performs spay and neuter procedures with:

• Pre-surgical bloodwork
• IV fluid therapy
• Advanced anesthesia monitoring
• Comprehensive pain management

Learn more about surgical services at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

Nutrition for Your Puppy’s First Year

Proper nutrition plays a critical role in growth, development, and lifelong health. Our veterinary team can help you select the right diet based on your puppy’s breed, size, and individual needs.

If you have questions about feeding your puppy, our team is happy to help.

Learn more about nutrition counseling at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

Parasite Prevention

Puppies in Daly City and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area require year-round protection from:

• Intestinal parasites
• Fleas
• Ticks
• Heartworms
• Giardia

The Bay Area’s mild climate allows many parasites to remain active throughout the year. Our team will create a customized prevention plan based on your puppy’s lifestyle and risk factors.

Foreign Body Ingestion Hazards

Puppies often explore the world with their mouths, making foreign body ingestion one of the most common emergencies we see.

Common items include:

• Socks and underwear
• Hair ties
• Children’s toys
• Corn cobs
• Bones
• Rocks
• Batteries
• Coins

Signs of an intestinal blockage include:

• Repeated vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Painful abdomen
• Lack of bowel movements

If you suspect your puppy has swallowed something they should not have, contact St. Francis Veterinary Hospital immediately at (650) 994-8670.

Learn more about emergency and urgent veterinary care.

Dental Development

Your puppy’s baby teeth begin appearing around three weeks of age, with adult teeth typically erupting between three and seven months.

Our veterinarians monitor:

• Teething progression
• Retained baby teeth
• Bite alignment
• Oral development

Learn more about dental care at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

Grooming Basics

Establishing positive grooming routines early can help your puppy remain comfortable with:

• Brushing
• Nail trims
• Ear cleaning
• Bathing
• Professional grooming

Low-Stress Veterinary Visits

At St. Francis Veterinary Hospital, we use low-stress handling techniques designed to make veterinary visits more comfortable and positive for puppies.

We encourage “happy visits,” which allow puppies to stop by for treats, weigh-ins, and positive interactions without receiving treatment. These visits help build confidence and reduce anxiety about future veterinary appointments.

Call (650) 994-8670 to schedule a happy visit.

When to Contact Us

If you have questions about your puppy’s health, contact:

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital
2201 Junipero Serra Blvd, Suite C
Daly City, CA 94014
Phone: (650) 994-8670
Email: hello@stfrancisveterinaryhospital.com

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 8 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Contact Us the Same Day For:

• Repeated vomiting
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Refusing food for more than 12 hours
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden lameness
• Suspected toxin ingestion
• Eye injuries
• Bloated or painful abdomen
• Seizures, collapse, or unresponsiveness

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital is proud to provide compassionate veterinary care for puppies, dogs, and families throughout Daly City and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area.