Adoption Fees

Your dog has or will be spayed or neutered. Our companion animals currently face an overpopulation crisis. Each year, millions of healthy cats and dogs are euthanized because the shelters have no room and there are no homes for them. Therefore every animal that is adopted out of our programs cannot further add to this sad and frustrating situation. Your contract will state if the animal was spayed/neutered prior to our receiving the dog or it will list the date our vet performed the operation.

Spay/neuter not only helps keep the shelters from euthanizing even more animals, but has physical benefits as well. Females have a lower risk of ovarian, uterine and breast cancers and she will never develop pyometria, an infection of the uterus, which occurs often in older unspayed females. Males are less likely to develop prostate, perianal, and testicular tumors and cancers.

Neutered pets have twice the average life expectancy of unneutered pets, partly due to a much lower chance of suffering from breast, uterine, prostate and, testicular cancers. Many express concern that spaying and neutering makes a pet fat. Actually, overeating and lack of exercise are the only things that can make a pet fat. If you have another pet you would like spayed or neutered but find the price an obstacle, please check out our low cost clinics in Kerrville.

Canine Distemper Vaccination

All Lucky Ones dogs receive their first DA2PPv-CVK vaccination - Canine Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, modified-live Parvovirus, killed Coronavirus. This is probably the most important vaccine your dog receives. Puppies receive a series of three shots before they are fully protected so it is important you do not expose your puppy to areas where other dogs have been until this series is complete. After adoption, you must consult your vet about the need for booster shots, and to establish a future vaccination schedule. Please see “Parvovirus” for more information.

Canine distemper is a virus, which affects a number of organs and causes symptoms such as nasal and eye discharge, diarrhea, vomiting and seizures. It is approximately 75% fatal in dogs.

Adenovirus-2 causes canine infectious hepatitis, which is a disease of the liver and other body organs. It is a quick killer and death may follow even two hours after the onset of symptoms.

Parainfluenza is the most common viral causative agent of “kennel cough”, which is otherwise known as tracheobronchitis.

Parvovirus is a highly contagious and often deadly disease. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and loss of appetite. The virus can remain in the environment at least 5 months since it is very stable and resistant to environmental stresses. Also, dogs recovered from an infection may shed the virus for up to 10 months. This is why it is important to have the series of shots and have your puppy fully protected before allowing him to walk on floors and grass, etc where other dogs were present.

Coronavirus infects the cells lining the dog’s intestines and causes diarrhea. It is not as fatal as the other disease this vaccine prevents but left untreated can kill especially weak or young animals.

Bordatella or “Kennel Cough” Vaccination

Usually administered at animal control upon arrival and 50% of the dogs come down with kennel cough (it is like our flu vaccine)

Kennel cough is the most common upper respiratory disease in dogs today. This vaccine protects against canine infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB). ITB may be caused by several different infectious agents either working alone or in concert. Those agents are parainfluenza, adenovirus-2, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Flea Control

All dogs are administered Frontline Top SpotTM. When you apply FRONTLINE® to your pet, the active ingredient Fipronil is stored in the natural oils of his/her skin and coat. This provides your pet with protection against fleas and ticks for a month. Talk to your vet about the best choice for you and your pet in flea and tick control. For more information about Frontline® please visit frontline.com

Fecal Exam

Checks are performed for the presence of hookworms, pinworms, roundworms as well as other intestinal parasites that may be present and need treatment.

Heartworm

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs. It is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a worm found in the heart and large adjacent vessels of infected dogs.. All Lucky Ones dogs have tested negative for heartworm with the Idex Snap test. Dogs over 4 months of age have received their first month’s heartworm preventative in the form of ivermectin, which is the active ingredient in Heartguard®. Collie’s and collie crosses need a weaker form of heartworm preventative. Please see the contract for more information on which medication was given to your dog.

Deworm

We use the broad spectrum wormer Strongid® which contains the chemical pyrantel tartrate. Since this is a broad spectrum wormer it may not kill all worms your dog may have. This is one reason why the follow up vet visit is so important to your pet’s health

Rabies Vaccination

All dogs 3 months of age and older receive a rabies vaccine. You should receive a rabies tag as well as a certificate of vaccination. Please keep this certificate for your records. The next rabies vaccination is due in 1 year. This is a mandatory vaccination and you will need the certificate to license your dog.

Why should my dog still see a vet after all this vet work has been done?

First, it helps you establish a relationship with a vet. This is a wonderful forum for all your questions about your pet’s needs. A vet is trained to help you keep your new pet healthy and happy.

Second, not all possible vet work has been given to your pet. The broad spectrum wormer may not have removed ALL parasites from your dog or puppy. The vet will determine if any are present, identify which one(s) and prescribe a more targeted drug. The Frontline flea control and Heartworm preventative lasts optimally for one month. You may obtain more by visiting your vet.

Thirdly, as stated in the adoption contract, "These pets were given up by their owners, or were strays. Most have come from Animal Control (Dog Pounds) and we do NOT know their prior medical histories." For this very reason it is important to get a check up from your vet.

Hill Country Pet Rescue