Pawdoption Guide Podcast - How to Avoid Adopting a Dog with Preexisting Health Conditions | Ep. 10

You may have noticed that I’ve been rotating through topics on this show to make sure there’s something for every one of you no matter where you are in your dog adoption journey. There’s been the occasional tangent and some shows help with multiple aspects of the process but in general, there’s the search, the adoption and the integration of your dog into your home.

This episode is mainly about the dog adoption search and even the decision to adopt versus purchase a puppy. I often hear that people have fears about getting a rescue dog and that’s why they go the other route. Well, one of the most common fears amongst people looking to adopt is adopting a rescue dog with pre-existing health conditions. This could mean getting a dog that has undiagnosed issues, chronic issues or concerns that are not disclosed to the adopter.

Certainly, this fear is not unfounded. I myself adopted two sick cats that had to be euthanized just months following adoption. However, I look back now and know there are some questions I could have asked that may have helped me avoid this. So, I have some great tips in this episode to serve you well while you do your best to get a healthy new member of the family.

As an RVT working in an animal hospital, I’ve seen many puppy owners struggle with chronic diarrhea, allergies and malocclusions (teeth abnormalities) among other things, shortly after they settle into their new home. So let’s just agree that no matter what way you choose to get a dog, there can be health concerns that arise - you will not always know what is coming down the pipe. This is why I think it’s best to be prepared and get pet insurance, have money allocated monthly toward your pet or have an emergency fund set aside to cover routine healthcare concerns and emergency expenses as well.

Tips To Avoid Adopting A Dog With Preexisting Health Conditions:
BREED - If you’re looking for a specific breed or come across a mixed or purebred dog that you’re interested in, look up the common health concerns for that breed. This way you can be aware of possible conditions that could arise or that can aid you in asking more specific health questions prior to adoption. For example, I knew some of the main health concerns for dalmatians when I was considering adopting Rory: bladder stones, allergies, blindness/deafness and epilepsy were among them. This helped me ask detailed questions to the rescue about her diet and if she has shown any symptoms of any of these conditions. It also helped me watch for any signs of those conditions during the meet and greet. The Discovery Planet list of dog breeds I mention in this episode is no longer available. However, Petfinder has a comprehensive resource for dog breeds that includes a health section under each breed, this is a great place to start your research.

RECENT VETTING - Only adopt a dog that has been seen by a veterinarian recently. Reputable rescues will ensure that any dog they take in is up to date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered. These occasions require physical exams and ensure that any health concerns that are observed are communicated with the rescue. Make sure to ask outright that the dog has been given a clean bill of health from a vet and when they were last seen.

REPUTABLE RESCUES - A reputable dog rescue will be upfront with potential adopters about health concerns in the dog’s adoption profile. This is because they have the rescue dog’s best interest at heart and want to ensure the adoptive family is ready and willing to take on any preexisting conditions. Check out this episode to help you understand how to avoid shady rescue organizations: https://www.pawdoptionguide.com/pawdoptionguidepodcast/how-to-use-petfinder-and-avoid-petfinder-scams

CHECKLIST - Use a checklist during your search and even during the meet & greet to remind you to assess the rescue dog’s health. When you become a member of the Pawdoption Guide Membership Experience, you get access to a detailed checklist that walks you through what to look for during your meet and greet and what questions to ask before and during it to be as informed as possible before deciding to adopt a rescue dog. https://www.pawdoptionguide.com/#membershipexperience-section

For now, make sure you have assessed the dog’s skin, hair coat, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, feet and walk. If you notice any abnormalities, ask about them!

In all honesty, you can do all of these things and still find health concerns following adoption but this is no different than the health concerns that could arise with a puppy. This is simply a possibility with dog ownership.

The great news is that reputable rescues have improved their transparency about health conditions as well as their response. However, being a responsible dog owner means being there for your dog through sickness and health and the best way to do that is by having secure funds which support you in taking them to the vet whenever the need arises.