You Have Adopted A Shelter or Rescue Dog, Now What?
Health Check & Baseline Bloodwork
This can be a great inside look into your newly adopted adult pet. Bloodwork can show potential issues before symptoms even start to show. If everything is normal with your pet’s bloodwork that is reason to celebrate! These values can also help to give your veterinarian invaluable information in the future if problems arise.
Vaccinations
We recommend that needed vaccinations are up to date. Most shelter or adoptive dogs will have received their required vaccinations. We recommend that your pet be 100% healthy and a strong immune system is established before future vaccinations are given.
Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Canine Flu vaccine & other optional vaccines should be researched based on lifestyle & location.
Can too many vaccines be a bad thing?
Vaccinosis can be a real danger to pets. Dr. Richard Pitcairn defines vaccinosis this way: “Vaccinosis is to be understood as the disturbance of the vital force by vaccination that results in mental, emotional, and a physical change that can, in some cases, be a permanent condition.” We do see recently vaccinated dogs that have become ultra-reactive shortly after vaccines and there are long-term symptoms & diseases that can be linked back to vaccines in the veterinary holistic arena. We are seeing way too many immune-related diseases, allergies, and cancers and the forecast is that this will only continue to worsen.
What can you do?
We recommend that you become your own pet’s advocate. Research side effects and consider titer testing. Titer testing tests the levels of antibodies in your pet’s system to see if they have built up an appropriate resistance or have been exposed to the disease in the past.
Spaying & Neutering
Most adopted pets will already have had this surgery before adoption.
There are studies showing an increase in hip dysplasia in male larger, breeds that are neutered before 12 months of age. Negative behaviors can arise from unaltered pets and certain cancers are eliminated with spaying & neutering. We recommend you ask the professionals in your life, such as your veterinarian, trainer, and do your own research.
Nutrition Matters!
Nutrition can play a role in your pet’s entire health including mental & emotional well-being. When we are working with dogs, we like to look at the entire dog’s system. 80-90% of your dog’s immune system is regulated by their gut. A healthy gut microbiome will support their entire health system including allergies, anxieties, immunity and prevention of disease.
What Breed Are You & Does It Matter?
Are you just curious or is there a bigger reason to consider DNA testing? Dog DNA testing can help you identify possible predisposition to diseases, personalities and behaviors. Two of our favorites are Embark Pet & Wisdom Health.
Resources & Additional Reading
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-simple-guide-to-titer-testing-dogs/
http://www.akcchf.org/news-events/news/health-implications-in-early.html
https://www.caninejournal.com/dna-testing-for-dogs/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_the_benefits_of_proper_nutrition
