If you’ve recently adopted a dog, especially a stray, you’re probably unaware of their vaccination history. Having this information is vital to protecting your furry friend from serious and preventable diseases, so what should you do? A knowledgeable dog hospital will help you figure out exactly what your pup needs. Crescent Springs, Kentucky’s resident animal experts at Crescent Springs Animal Hospital explain. 

Since most pet owners are leery of handling a dog with an unknown vaccine history, titer tests are an excellent option for checking up on your pet. A titer test is a quick, simple, and safe blood draw that checks for immunity to a wide range of diseases to see if certain vaccinations are even necessary. Titer tests can detect rabies and the two most common diseases in dogs, distemper and parvovirus. 

If these tests come back negative, you have nothing to worry about. If a disease is detected, however, vaccination is vital to keep your furry friend healthy. A dog hospital will administer these vaccines safely and efficiently. If you do need to vaccinate, wait a month before scheduling any other shots or surgeries, including spaying or neutering. Scheduling these procedures too close together could easily result in a pet emergency, so it’s worth the wait. 

Deciding whether to spay or neuter also has a major impact on your pet, so you should figure out whether pregnancy or disease is a bigger issue for you. If you’re most concerned about pregnancy, spay or neuter first. If you’re worried about disease, do the titer test and vaccinations first. If you pick the second option, keep your dog away from animals of the opposite sex to prevent pregnancy, and adhere to the month-long wait. 

If you’re unsure of your new dog’s vaccine history, take them to a dog hospital you can rely on. Whether you require titer tests, vaccinations, or help with a pet emergency, turn to the caring professionals at Crescent Springs Animal Hospital. Visit them online to learn more, or call (859) 331-6608 to schedule your new pet’s appointment today.