Last updated: 28 September 2026
With a new puppy, the most important things are screening for parvo and Giardia in the first few days, and a vet examination, vaccination plan and deworming plan in the first week. Legal requirements such as microchipping, the minimum age for leaving the mother and rabies vaccination differ from country to country – in Hungary, for example, a puppy stays with its mother until 8 weeks of age, must be microchipped when handed over, and must be vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after reaching 3 months of age.
You can print the checklist below and tick items off as you go.
What should you check when you collect your puppy?
Ask for the puppy's papers when you collect it, because the vaccination and deworming plans are based on them.
- Microchip: in many European countries a puppy must be microchipped before it changes owner; in Hungary, under Government Decree 41/2010, a dog may only be sold or given away if it is microchipped, regardless of age. The chip number should appear in its papers.
- Age: puppies should stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks of age (a legal requirement in Hungary, for example).
- Vaccination record / pet passport: which vaccinations it received, when and with which vaccine.
- Deworming: when and with what it was last dewormed.
- Health of the litter: whether any puppy in the litter had diarrhoea, vomiting or eye discharge, and whether any tests were done.
Checklist for the first two weeks
In the first few days, screening for infectious diarrhoea is the priority; in the first week, a vet examination.
| When? | What to do | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Day of arrival | Check that it eats and drinks, is lively, and what its stool looks like. If you have another dog at home, keep them apart. | The stress of moving often brings a latent infection to the surface. |
| Days 1–3 | Parvo and Giardia screening from a fresh stool sample: CPV Ag test or the CPV/CCV/Giardia 3-in-1 test. | The two most common infectious causes of diarrhoea that are dangerous in puppies. |
| Days 3–7 | First vet visit: full examination, vaccination and deworming plan, stool examination. Bring the test results with you. | The vet puts together the plan based on the papers and the examination. |
| Days 10–14 | If there was diarrhoea, discuss a follow-up with your vet; repeat the test if symptoms appear. | Shedding of virus and cysts is intermittent; one negative sample is not always enough. |
| Any time | With sudden vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or lethargy, see a vet immediately – out of hours, an emergency clinic. | In puppies, parvo can become life-threatening within hours. |
Vaccination, microchip and deworming by age
Apart from legally required rabies vaccination and microchipping, the schedule follows the recommendations of WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) and ESCCAP; your vet will draw up the exact plan. Legal requirements vary by country – the Hungarian rules are shown below as an example.
| Age | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| From 2 weeks | Deworming every two weeks until 2 weeks after weaning; with increased infection risk (e.g. puppy groups), monthly until 6 months of age | ESCCAP GL1 (2025) |
| From 6 weeks | Combined core vaccinations (parvo, distemper and others) repeated every few weeks; the last dose at 16 weeks of age or older | WSAVA (2024) |
| 8 weeks | The earliest age at which the puppy may be separated from its mother | Hungary: Government Decree 41/2010 |
| Within 30 days after 3 months of age | Rabies vaccination, which may only be given to a microchipped dog; second vaccination within 6 months | Hungary: FVM Decree 164/2008 |
| 4 months | Dogs older than this may only be kept if microchipped | Hungary: Government Decree 41/2010 |
| 26 weeks | Combined booster vaccination | WSAVA (2024) |
You can find the week-by-week vaccination calendar here: Puppy vaccination schedule 2026: order and core vaccinations.
Which infections should you screen your puppy for?
In puppies, parvo, Giardia, canine coronavirus and distemper are the most important infectious diseases that can also be screened for with a rapid test.
| Pathogen | Typical symptoms | Test | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parvovirus (CPV) | Sudden vomiting, often bloody diarrhoea, lethargy | CPV Ag | Faeces |
| Giardia | Recurring, pale, mucousy, foul-smelling diarrhoea, often with a good appetite | Giardia Ag | Faeces |
| Canine coronavirus (CCV) | Usually mild diarrhoea, more severe together with parvo | CPV/CCV/Giardia 3-in-1 | Faeces |
| Distemper (CDV) | Eye and nasal discharge, cough, fever, later neurological signs | CPV/CDV 2-in-1 | Eye, nasal or oral discharge |
The 4-in-1 rapid test checks for all four pathogens with one kit. Intestinal worms (such as roundworms) are not detected by a rapid test: a stool examination by your vet and regular deworming are the right tools for that.
When should you test for parvo and Giardia?
Test for parvo if the puppy has diarrhoea or vomiting, or if it comes from a shelter or an unknown background or its vaccination status is unclear; test for Giardia if its stool is soft, mucousy, foul-smelling, or improves and then gets worse again.
- Parvo: if positive, see a vet immediately. After a parvo vaccination with a modified live virus, a false positive result can occur for 4–10 days (Merck Veterinary Manual), so tell your vet when the puppy was vaccinated.
- Giardia: cysts are shed intermittently, so if the test is negative but suspicion remains, repeat it after 2–3 days. According to CAPC, the antigen test can stay positive for a while even after successful treatment, so your vet will decide on the follow-up after treatment. Details: Giardia in dogs: symptoms, stool, testing and treatment.
How do you introduce the puppy to your existing dog?
Keep the two dogs apart for the first few days, and only start a gradual introduction after negative tests and symptom-free days.
- separate bowls, separate beds and, if possible, separate walks in the first few days,
- wash your hands between caring for the two dogs, and pick up the puppy's faeces immediately,
- if either dog shows suspicious symptoms, treat both as suspect and talk to your vet.
We wrote about hygiene rules for multi-pet households here: Multi-pet households: how to stop infections spreading.
Rescue or shelter puppy: what else to watch for?
A puppy with an unknown background has a higher risk of infection, so a stricter protocol is needed:
- immediate parvo and Giardia screening on arrival, and a vet examination in the first few days,
- stricter hygiene: pick up fresh faeces immediately and wash the bed frequently,
- disinfection that is effective against parvo: according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, diluted household bleach (1:30) or products based on peroxygen, potassium peroxymonosulfate or accelerated hydrogen peroxide,
- repeat testing and a follow-up examination if symptoms appear.
Which rapid tests are worth having ready?
For one puppy, one CPV Ag (parvo) and one Giardia test are usually enough – or a single CPV/CCV/Giardia 3-in-1 test, which checks one stool sample for all three. For several puppies or a whole litter, the 5-pack is better value. All dog tests in one place: rapid tests for dogs.
Frequently asked questions about screening puppies
At what age can a puppy be taken home?
Puppies should stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks of age; in Hungary, for example, Government Decree 41/2010 requires this, so that is the earliest age a puppy can be taken home. Rules may differ in your country.
Does a puppy need a microchip if it is not yet 4 months old?
In Hungary, yes, if it is sold or given away: a dog may only be handed over with a microchip, regardless of age, and any dog older than 4 months may only be kept if microchipped. Many other EU countries have similar rules – ask your vet about the requirements where you live.
When should a puppy be dewormed?
According to ESCCAP, first at 2 weeks of age, then every two weeks until 2 weeks after weaning. With increased infection risk, for example when attending puppy groups, monthly until 6 months of age. The product and dose are determined by your vet.
Can the parvo test be positive after vaccination?
Yes. For 4–10 days after a modified live parvo vaccine, the vaccine virus may also be detectable in the faeces. If your puppy was recently vaccinated, tell your vet.
When can you take your puppy around other dogs?
Careful socialisation can start before the vaccination series is complete, with known, vaccinated dogs. Avoid unknown dogs and places visited by many dogs, such as dog parks, until the vaccination series is complete.
Summary
When your puppy arrives, ask for its papers, screen for parvo and Giardia in the first few days, take it to the vet in the first week, and stick to the vaccination and deworming plan. With sudden vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or lethargy, do not wait: in puppies these can become serious within hours.
Sources
- Hungarian Government Decree 41/2010 (II. 26.) on the keeping and trade of pet animals. Nemzeti Jogszabálytár
- Hungarian FVM Decree 164/2008 (XII. 20.) on the detailed rules of rabies control. Nemzeti Jogszabálytár
- WSAVA: 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. wsava.org
- ESCCAP Guideline 01: Worm Control in Dogs and Cats (7th edition, 2025). esccap.org
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Canine Parvovirus Infection. merckvetmanual.com
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC): Giardia. capcvet.org
Important: this article provides general information and does not replace veterinary advice. Vaccination and deworming plans, treatment and follow-up checks must always be decided by a vet. MancsLab rapid tests are intended for preliminary screening at home.