Rescue Me
Taking in a Stray? Health Check Is a Priority
Please don't hesitate to take in a stray or abandoned dog. But make sure your new pet has a health check.
I recently wrote about Cadel, a dog that someone called us about saying he was found and had Demodex Mange. One reader asked me about what other health problems to look for when bringing a stray dog into the home. Let’s quickly go over the Demodex Mange. It is actually caused by a mite that one cannot see with the naked eye. According to www.pets.webmd.com, the Demodex Mange will occur mostly in dogs under one. It thins the fur/hair and acts a lot like Ringworm. It is mostly in puppies and adult dogs that have a lowered immune system for another reason. It typically is not contagious; however, it never hurts to be overly cautious. Some of the diseases that one needs to worry about in strays are Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, …
Shelly Maslak
5:49 am on Monday, February 20, 2012
Thank you Lynda and Cherlene! It means a lot that you enjoy the column. more ›