Thankfully, more families are deciding to adopt their pets from rescues or shelter facilities nowadays. This has been described as one of the most rewarding experiences, while also providing a much-needed home for a defenceless animal. While there are things to consider before adopting, like the animal’s size and age, it is important not to overlook the animal’s physical health.
The animal’s health status should not be a reason not to adopt but should be addressed. Most accredited rescue facilities will work with a veterinarian to ensure that all animals are examined and attended to. It is becoming popular to adopt directly from a friend, family member or someone on social media, meaning some health issues might go unnoticed.
General health check
When adopting a new pet, there are a few general things to look out for. Once again, most of these conditions are easy to manage and should not keep you from adopting. First, ask for proof of vaccination. All animals should have a vaccination card showing proof that they were vaccinated by a veterinarian against the most common diseases.
Cats and dogs in South Africa must be vaccinated against rabies, a deadly virus that can affect animals and humans. Never assume that your new pet’s vaccinations are up to date. Ask your local veterinary clinic to double check if your pet needs any vaccinations. It is strongly recommended that all rescued pets should be spayed or neutered. Most rescue facilities work with a veterinarian to ensure all animals are sterilised before being adopted.
Give your new pet a thorough examination by looking and feeling all over his body. Look at the skin and coat and feel for any lumps or bumps that need to be investigated. Often rescued pets were saved from dire circumstances, meaning their nutrition was not ideal. Poor nutrition can manifest as a dull, dry coat and poor weight.
When a pet is at his ideal weight you will be able to feel his ribs, spine, and hip bones with a degree of fat covering them, but you should not be able to obviously see these bones. Luckily, poor nutrition can easily be addressed with the help of your veterinarian and a quality diet.
Parasite check
Parasites love feeding on our pets and rescue pets are no exception. Worms can often go unseen, especially in adult pets, and it is strongly recommended to deworm any rescued pet before introducing him to your home. Common signs of severe worm infestations include a dull coat, poor weight, a ‘potbellied’ appearance in puppies and even soft stools. Veterinarians can also detect worm eggs by examining a stool sample under the microscope. Luckily, there are many broad spectrum dewormers available to solve the problem.
External parasites might be more obvious to spot. Run your hand through the coat to feel for any attached ticks and possibly fleas. Fleas are small, dark brown parasites that are more difficult to spot. Dogs with fleas will often itch and lose hair in the region from the middle of the back to the tail. Also look out for mange, a skin disease caused by microscopic mites that burrow into skin causing a crusty skin and hair loss. There are many products effective against external parasites in the form of tablets, spot-ons, shampoos and even collars.
Chronic conditions
It might happen that you consider adopting a pet with a pre-existing chronic condition. This often happens when someone we know is unable to care for their pet anymore and we decide to adopt him.
This might mean the world to the animal but should not be done without making sure that you have the time and resources to provide the needed care. It might mean that the pet needs to get daily medication in the form of a tablet, oral solution or even an injection, which might clash with your schedule.
Pets with conditions like epilepsy should ideally not be left unattended, which is not ideal for someone who needs to be at work all day. Keep in mind that with this chronic condition there will likely be added expenses like medication, a special diet or frequent veterinary visits. This can turn out to be expensive, especially if not budgeted for.
Adopting a pet in need of medical attention can be fulfilling, but only if you have the resources to provide this needed attention. As with the adoption of any pet, thorough consideration should go into the decision as this is a serious long-term commitment. If you are considering adding a pet to your family, seriously consider adoption from a reputable rescue facility. Remember, ‘not all homes should have a dog or cat, but all dogs and cats should have a home.’
