Pet Care Club

For those who love their pets...

Before You Get Attached


By Marilyn Mackenzie

It does not take long for that bundle of fur to become a part of your family. For some, it takes just a matter of minutes for their new puppy, kitten or adult animal to form a heart connection. Because of that, and because of the rising cost of acquiring a pet, not to mention the rising cost of medical care, choosing the right animal is important. It is also important that you set out to find a reputable place for finding that new family member.

There are many reasons to select each kind of breeder, shelter or pet store. But if the health of the animal you are about to allow to touch your heart is important, there are some things to consider.

1) If your new pet is coming from a shelter, make sure that you know what medical procedures and shots have been given to your new pet. Find out if there is a guarantee of any kind or length. Some shelters offer a 10-day or 30-day guarantee on the health of the pet. Although it will break your heart to discover that the pet you have adopted and had in your home for two weeks is sick, if that pet has been with you for months, the bond is even greater. Find out early on what, if any, health issues you have adopted with that pet, and make an informed decision about whether or not your family is ready to face these issues.

2) Take precautions when acquiring a pet from a private home or breeder. Ask for proof of shots and veterinarian visits. Ask about the health of your pet's mother and father. Arrange a visit to your own family vet immediately after bringing your pet home, before you have become fully attached to that bundle of fur.

3) Be really cautious of pets purchased at pet stores. Ask about the conditions of professional breeding facilities that furnish pets to your local pet store. If the store clerk is not fully aware of those conditions, you might want to pass on getting your pet from that store.

Even with precautions, families can still end up adopting sick pets without knowing it, and the cost can be tremendous.

Our family adopted a ten-month old kitten just before Christmas, and she is really not thriving. Although she eats constantly, she has not gained much weight. In fact, she is all skin and bones. Our own family vet still has not discovered the cause of this, even though extensive tests have been performed. Each day, we wonder how long she will be with us, especially if we cannot discover the reason for her inability to gain weight.

And the family across the street from us just lost their beloved pet. Their puppy had been a part of the family for six months when she died at the vet's office. She stopped eating on a Friday night, vomited and had loose stools on Saturday and was dead by Monday morning. The cause appeared to be parvovirus. This family is devastated. They do plan on getting another pet of the same breed and from the same mother dog. This time, however, they have arranged to pay for a complete check-up of the mother dog. They will not take possession of the new puppy until it has been through two shot periods. They also plan on immediately taking the puppy to their own veterinarian for a check-up before allowing the puppy to attach to their heartstrings.

There are no real guarantees of the health of any pet. But certain precautions can help assure that your pet will be a part of the family for many years.



About The Author

Marilyn Mackenzie has been writing about home, family, faith and nature for over 40 years. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

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