My family is considering adopting a 3-year old boxer from a local shelter, but we're concerned about the health of the dog. The shelter's vet said that he may have neurological problems, evidenced by some head shaking and mis-steps, and that he may have been on medication before. He's also bi-cryptorchid (I thinks that's what he said - that's both testicles undescended, right?), and we would want to have him neutered. He was a stray, so there's no background on him. When I looked at him from behind the glass, I didn't notice any of the head shaking or mis-stepping, but I wasn't looking for it either. The vet called after we had come home. I am just worried aobut adopting him, and then shelling out tons of money that we don't have for vet fees and medication. Any ideas? - specifically related to the possible neurological disorder, but any other ideas will be welcomed. Thanks in advance.
Boxer in shelter
- Thread starter segbert
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Chris W.
Super Boxer
Shelter
Segbert,
I would suggest you notifying your local boxer rescue about this dog if you are worried. They evaluate, vet and really can tell you a lot more about a dog after they've had it for a couple weeks, also you could apply to adopt, and they may already have the perfect dog for you just waiting to meet you. Pulling any dog from a shelter can be a crapshoot, (for instance, many shelters do not do a heartworm test) and you don't sound like the gambling type. I'm not saying that pulling a dog from a shelter is a bad thing, but just that by your post, I would gather that you require a better evaluation of a dog before you'd want to bring it home and find out it was more than you bargained for.
Good luck!
Segbert,
I would suggest you notifying your local boxer rescue about this dog if you are worried. They evaluate, vet and really can tell you a lot more about a dog after they've had it for a couple weeks, also you could apply to adopt, and they may already have the perfect dog for you just waiting to meet you. Pulling any dog from a shelter can be a crapshoot, (for instance, many shelters do not do a heartworm test) and you don't sound like the gambling type. I'm not saying that pulling a dog from a shelter is a bad thing, but just that by your post, I would gather that you require a better evaluation of a dog before you'd want to bring it home and find out it was more than you bargained for.
Good luck!
loulou12571
Boxer Buddy
i agree!!!
segbert is right...it's a crapshoot when you get a dog from the shelter. i'm all for it, but you never know what you will get. you may end up with high vet bills and if you can't afford this i'd find a local boxer rescue and adopt a dog you'll get a bit more info about. again...no guarantees, but you'll get more info than from a shelter. let the rescue know about the boxer too...they might pull it and assess it before placing it!!!
good luck!!!
segbert is right...it's a crapshoot when you get a dog from the shelter. i'm all for it, but you never know what you will get. you may end up with high vet bills and if you can't afford this i'd find a local boxer rescue and adopt a dog you'll get a bit more info about. again...no guarantees, but you'll get more info than from a shelter. let the rescue know about the boxer too...they might pull it and assess it before placing it!!!
good luck!!!
loulou12571
Boxer Buddy
sorry!!
i said segbert was right...i meant chris w!!!!!!
i said segbert was right...i meant chris w!!!!!!
Unfortunately, the rescue group can't take the dog out because they're full of dogs that require medical attention, and I can't find anyone with more knowedge about dog health who can go with me. If there's anyone in Colorado Springs who's willing to meet me at the Humane Society to help out, send me a personal message or e-mail me. Thanks.
Chris W.
Super Boxer
segbert
hmmm... well, here's another suggestion then, in case you can't find anyone to go with you there.
Maybe you could ask the shelter when their vet comes in, and then you could go there at the same time and ask the questions to their vet. Of course, they may not like that idea, in case of some liability issue, "well the vet said...." type thing. But still, you won't know until bloodwork is done whether there's worms, heartworm or other things.
If you end up taking a dog out of the shelter, you should schedule an appointment with your vet immediately anyways.
hmmm... well, here's another suggestion then, in case you can't find anyone to go with you there.
Maybe you could ask the shelter when their vet comes in, and then you could go there at the same time and ask the questions to their vet. Of course, they may not like that idea, in case of some liability issue, "well the vet said...." type thing. But still, you won't know until bloodwork is done whether there's worms, heartworm or other things.
If you end up taking a dog out of the shelter, you should schedule an appointment with your vet immediately anyways.
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