If you recently adopted a mixed breed puppy from an animal shelter and are planning to have your puppy vaccinated in the next few weeks, the following tips will help you care for your pet after they are inoculated and will help you identify a situation in which professional medical care is necessary. 

Provide Your Pet with a Comfortable, Accessible Area to Sleep

Before taking your pet to an animal hospital or veterinarian practice, prepare an area for your pet to sleep that is close to food and water dishes. Use a pet bed that has a breathable cover and that is low enough so that your puppy can enter and exit the bed without needing to strain.

If your puppy is relatively small, consider lifting your pet and placing them in the bed soon after you bring them home from the hospital or animal practice. Refill food and water bowls regularly and place soft pads on the flooring that is next to the bed so that your pet can relieve themselves in the middle of the night or during times that you are not at home.

Get Information About the Vaccines & Administer Medication

Prior to bringing your pet home from the hospital or animal practice, ask the veterinarian who treated your pet for some information about the inoculations that your puppy received and the areas on their body where injections were made.

Your pet's veterinarian may suggest that you administer medication to your pet that will reduce pain and swelling near the parts of their body where shots were administered. Ask the caregiver for printouts that include information about each of the vaccines and the dosage for each type of medication so that you can refresh your memory when needed. 

Notice Signs of Illness & Take Action

During the first few days after your puppy has received vaccines, it is important to pay close attention to your pet's actions and the amount of food and water that they eat and drink. Your pet's veterinarian may tell you to not expect your puppy to eat or drink as much as normal, but they will assure you that this situation is temporary and your puppy will feel better after they have received plenty of rest and the vaccines have worn off.  

It will also be helpful to observe if your pet can walk without aid or seems to be in constant pain when they attempt to get up. If your pet appears to be suffering or is not showing signs of improvement, contact an emergency veterinarian or visit resources like http://www.lansdaleveterinarian.com/ at your earliest convenience.