Make an appointment with a local veterinarian soon after adoption, even if the records are current. Bring the health record from the adoption packet. Shaw PBR dogs leave spayed or neutered, vaccinated — including bordetella and rabies — treated for heartworms and other parasites, and on heartworm and flea-and-tick preventive. Those preventives have to continue every month. We do not cover veterinary care after the dog leaves.

Call a veterinarian rather than waiting these out.

Puppies under 12 weeks:

• Diarrhea lasting more than a day
• Vomiting and diarrhea for more than 6 hours
• Vomiting more than once in an hour
• Not eating for more than 12 to 24 hours
• Lethargy without fever for more than 12 hours
• Lethargy with fever

Dogs older than 12 weeks:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 1 to 2 days
• Diarrhea with occasional vomiting for more than a day
• Vomiting more than two or three times in an hour
• Not eating for more than 24 hours
• Lethargy without fever for more than a day
• Lethargy with fever

A new dog may skip a meal or have mild diarrhea for a day from stress. Cooked white rice, with a little boiled chicken, is reasonable for a mild case. If it is severe or has not improved in a day or so, call Shaw PBR or your veterinarian. Coughing or wheezing may be kennel cough and should be checked.

Many household products are toxic. Before the dog comes home, remove rat and mouse poison, antifreeze, and windshield-wiper fluid, and store cleaners out of reach. Common foods that are poisonous to dogs include chocolate, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, caffeine, grapes and raisins, and onion and garlic. Cooked bones splinter and can lodge in the throat or intestine. Do not feed them.

See also Common Illnesses and Vaccinations & Worming.