Medical History & More

Before adopting, it is crucial to check the animal’s medical and travel history. Certain pets may not show symptoms at the time of adoption, but develop symptoms 2-3 days after they’ve been brought home. This is because different diseases have different incubation periods ranging from 2 to 28 days. 

That said, before you adopt, make sure you ask your shelter about the pet’s medical history and check for the following - 

Rabies
The incubation period for rabies is between seven to fourteen days. Dogs that haven’t been vaccinated against rabies can be infected through the bite of a rabid animal. Hence, it is important to check with your shelter whether your pet has been vaccinated against this deadly disease. However, if you choose to adopt from the road, make sure you get your pet’s vaccinations done immediately. 

Distemper
The incubation period for distemper is between three to six days. Like rabies, distemper can be prevented with vaccination. Distemper is characterized by fever, pus-like discharge, lethargy, sneezing, coughing, red eyes, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. Thus, it is crucial to ensure that your pet is vaccinated against this disease. 

Parvovirus
The incubation period for distemper is between three to six days. Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that is characterized by fever, runny stools, vomiting, and a loss of appetite. 

Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis has an 80% survival rate and is characterized by increased urination, increased thirst, yellowing of eyes, loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever. 

Heartworms
Heartworm disease, caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria Imimmitis, affects the organs of the animal, causing severe damage. This disease spreads through the bite of a mosquito and is characterized by a persistent cough, lethargy, weight loss, and bulging ribs. 

Remember, if you decide to adopt from the road, it is important that you get your pet vaccinated immediately as this decreases the likelihood of your pet ending up with a life-threatening disease.