Vets Work With Animals and People

Have You Taken A Stray In Off The Street? Why You Need To Take Them To A Veterinarian

If you've rescued a stray dog, the first thing you should do is take them to a local veterinarian. You might not realize this, but strays are often in immediate need of veterinary care, even if they don't have any visible issues. Here are just three of the ways a veterinarian can help the stray you've rescued:

1- Check for ID Microchips

If you've taken a stray dog into your care, and they have no tags, or their tags don't have any contact information, the best thing you can do is visit a nearby veterinarian. The dog you've rescued might be fitted with a microchip. If it is, the veterinarian can use the license information located on the ID tag to identify the owner and notify them that their dog has been found. 

2- Obtain Medical Care

If you've rescued a stray dog, it may be in immediate need of medical attention. Because of that, it's important that you take them to a veterinarian that provides emergency services. There are a number of medical issues that could be affecting the stray. 

The veterinarian will be able to identify and treat any injuries that the stray may have sustained while they were on their own. Strays can sustain injuries from fights with other animals, or from being struck by vehicles. The veterinarian can also check for any existing medical conditions that need to be treated. For instance, the stray may be suffering from malnutrition, heartworm, or dehydration. Providing treatment for these conditions can help your stray recover from their time on the street. 

3- Provide Grooming

If you've taken a stray into your home, who has been on its own for more than a few days, he or she is going to need some grooming. You may be tempted to give the dog a bath in your bathtub, but might not be good for the stray or for you for several reasons. First, the stray may be traumatized from a past event that you don't know about. If that's the case, they may try to bite during the bath. Second, they may have specific grooming needs that should be addressed. Some of those potential needs include matted hair and ingrown nails. They could also be infested with fleas or ticks. The best way to handle all of those concerns is to take the stray to a local veterinarian for grooming care.


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