Learn What Steps To Take When You Find A Stray Dog You Want To Keep
When a dog arrives at your home, it can be hard to know what to do. If you have tried to find the owner for the dog unsuccessfully and are considering keeping it, it is important to take it to the vet to be checked out first. The following guide walks you through a few things that you may be able to learn about the dog when you take it to the vet.
Find Out Approximately How Old the Dog Is
When you take the dog to the veterinarian, he or she can determine approximately how old the dog is. It is important to know how old the dog is because many dogs require specific care when they get older. If the dog is in the prime of their life, you need to be sure that you are prepared to give them the care that they will need later on in life. If they are older and only have a short time to live, it may be difficult for you because you will know that you will not be able to have much time with them.
Find Out the Condition of the Dog's Health
The veterinarian will be able to evaluate the dog to determine if he or she has any health concerns that need to be addressed. This is an important step because if the dog requires certain medications and does not get them on a regular basis it could lead to their death.
Find Out If the Dog is Microchipped
The veterinarian will have a machine at the office that can scan the dog to search for a microchip. If there is a microchip in place, you will be able to determine who the owners of the dog are and the veterinarian can contact them and tell them where they can come to get their dog. If the dog is not microchipped and you plan to keep it, you may want to have the doctor microchip him or her while you are in the office so that they do not get lost again.
If you choose to keep the dog, you need to make sure that it gets all of its shots, any treatments that it needs, and that the doctor lets you know what type of food he or she should be eating. You want to be sure to do everything that you can to nurse the dog back to health and ensure that it has as happy of a life that it possibly can. Contact a vet hospital, like After Hours Veterinary Emergency Clinic Inc, for
more help.
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