| Rescued dogs health issues is something that any | | | | to several other problems that can be both health |
| potential owner will face when making a decision | | | | and behavioral related. This problem will be very |
| about adopting a dog, but most all of the issues | | | | easy for the shelters veterinarian to identify, but |
| can be easily handled. There is a huge | | | | there are also things that you can look for. |
| misconception that dogs taken from a rescue | | | | To check for malnourishment, immediately get |
| shelter have a lot more health issues than other | | | | the weight of the dog and than find out what the |
| dogs, but in most cases, they are the same | | | | common weight for the age and the breed should |
| challenges that any dog will face. | | | | be. Next, look at the quality of the dogs coat; if |
| Rescuing a dog is one of the most rewarding | | | | they are malnourished, it will show up immediately |
| experiences that any potential owner will ever | | | | in their coats. Finally, examine their eyes very |
| undertake as you will be rewarded with the most | | | | closely; eyes that are sunken in are also signs of |
| loyal companion you could ever find as well as | | | | malnourishment. If they are in this condition, your |
| one of the best friends you could ever ask for. | | | | job is actually very easy, but do not let them eat |
| The lists of positives could be endless, but it all | | | | large meals at first. Feed them smaller meals |
| starts with a dog placed in a situation where they | | | | more frequently. Your new loyal friend will love |
| are looking for the love and caring that they | | | | every minute of this special treatment. |
| absolutely crave to have in their lives. But there | | | | The next form of a rescued dogs health issues |
| are some potential health issues that you may | | | | will almost always be with fleas. If the dog has |
| have to deal with. | | | | been neglected or unwanted by their previous |
| Understanding Rescue Organizations: | | | | family, the chances are they have not been |
| Before undertaking the adoption of a dog and | | | | treated properly for fleas. This is very easy to |
| contending with the health issues, it is very helpful | | | | identify as you will see flea dirt which is very |
| to understand how most rescue organizations | | | | similar to salt and pepper, a lot of itching, as well |
| work and how a dog is placed there to begin with. | | | | as redness in the dogs skin. But this is very easily |
| Again, contrary to some misconception, stray | | | | corrected with flea dips initially and than a regular |
| dogs do not make up the majority of dogs in | | | | flea preventative monthly medication. |
| rescue shelters. In fact, the majority of all dogs in | | | | The next common issues involve intestinal |
| shelters were living with other owners but now | | | | parasites. These include roundworms, hookworms, |
| find themselves in a shelter through no fault of | | | | tapeworm, and whipworms. Once you have |
| their own. | | | | adopted your new friend, take a fecal sample to |
| There are several reasons for this, such as an | | | | your own veterinarian as quickly as you can. They |
| owner that is moving and can not take their pet | | | | can very easily test for all or these parasites, but |
| with them, an owner that may have developed a | | | | before the testing is final, it will be a very good |
| serious health issue and can no longer care for | | | | idea to keep them away from your children as |
| the dog, or the owner has died leaving the dog | | | | the parasites can be passed very easily. If your |
| without a home. In other cases it may be due to | | | | dog does test positive, the treatment your |
| a new baby in the house and the owner is afraid | | | | veterinarian will give is very rapid and very good |
| to have both the dog and the baby. Or it may be | | | | at eliminating them. |
| because the dog is new and could not get along | | | | The next potential health issue is with diarrhea, |
| with a long time family pet. | | | | which may be caused by these parasites. |
| However, in a very high number of cases, the | | | | However, it is most likely caused by the stress |
| current owner has reached the decision that they | | | | that your adopted friend has been under. Even if |
| should have never acquired a dog to start with, | | | | they have not been neglected, simply losing their |
| leaving the dog homeless. There are also the | | | | only known home is extremely stressful. If they |
| cases of Greyhounds that are basically cast out | | | | are also forced to change food as a result of the |
| after the racing career is over and no longer | | | | loss of their home, it can also cause diarrhea. Skin |
| wanted. But the saddest of all the cases are very | | | | problems, also the result of parasites, are another |
| loving and potentially wonderful dogs that have | | | | potential problem, but with the correct diet, and |
| been abused and thankfully they are still alive and | | | | elimination of the parasites, and eliminating the |
| taken into a shelter. | | | | diarrhea, it will correct itself very rapidly. |
| Once the dog is taken into the shelter, they are | | | | Kennel cough is another potential issue even in the |
| very quickly evaluated by someone within the | | | | cleanest of rescue shelters. It is extremely |
| shelter to determine if they will make a good pet. | | | | contagious but is very easy to identify. If your |
| If the dog has a history of biting, aggression, or | | | | new friend sounds more like a goose at times |
| other behavior problems, they may not be placed. | | | | than a dog, they have kennel cough. It can very |
| If they are placed, it will be usually in a home that | | | | easily lead to pneumonia, and once you identify it, |
| does not have another dog. Once all of this | | | | have your veterinarian treat it as there are very |
| happens, they are than examined by a | | | | effective treatments as well as a very good |
| veterinarian and depending on the species, several | | | | vaccination to prevent it in the future. |
| tests will be done. | | | | Summary: |
| All dogs will be tested for heart worms, and in | | | | Rescued dogs health issues have one more |
| almost every case they will be spayed or | | | | potential problem; heart worms. Heart worms are |
| neutered. As a result, a rescued dogs health | | | | vicious killers of dogs and only a couple of worms |
| issues may be less than a dog already living with | | | | can quickly take a dogs life. The good news is |
| an owner. | | | | that this is the first thing a rescued dog is tested |
| Health Issues: | | | | for. If they test positive for heart worms and it |
| Rescued dogs health issues are not nearly as | | | | can not be corrected, the dog will never be placed |
| extensive as some people would suggest, but | | | | for adoption. But as with any dog, you will need |
| there are some very common issues that may | | | | to place them on heart worm medication as |
| have to be addressed. It will all depend on their | | | | quickly as possible once you bring them into your |
| former owners and how they were treated. If | | | | home. |
| the dog was severely abused or lived in a | | | | Rescuing a dog is a wonderful experience for both |
| situation of neglect, there will obviously be more | | | | you and your new found friend. If they have |
| health issues. | | | | been neglected, the love that you show them will |
| The first potential health issue may be | | | | be given back ten fold for several years. Do not |
| malnourishment. This is the first thing to inquire | | | | let a few potential health issues stand in the way |
| about and attack as a new owner, as it can lead | | | | of the very special relationship. |