For emergencies between the hours of 5:30PM and 8AM:
If you are unsure if it is an emergency, refer to your foster contact sheet for a list of current foster mentors for guidance.
Take the pet to one of the following approved after hours veterinary clinic.
Dove Lewis
1945 NW Pettygrove St
Portland, OR 97209
503-228-7281
NW Veterinary Specialists
16756 SE 82nd Dr
Clackamas, OR 97015
503-656-3999
If possible, bring your foster’s medical records with you.
Notify the clinic that this is a foster pet with MCAS and they will not charge you for the care they provide.
Notify MCAS as soon as possible that you have taken an animal to an after-hours veterinarian via email at [email protected] and a call to 503-988-9075. Please include the animal number.
Not Immediately Concerning
Appropriate to monitor
Kennel Cough (mild to moderate)
Clear ocular/nasal discharge, sneezing or coughing
Dog is otherwise eating and active
Poor appetite of less than 48 hours (dog is otherwise doing well)
Lethargy (low energy) of less than 48 hours
Vomiting of less than 24 hours (dog still active and eating)
Diarrhea of less than 3 days (dog still active and eating)
Lack of bowel movement for less than 48 hours
Weight loss of less than 10%
Non-Emergency
Contact Animal Health at [email protected] to see if an appointment is needed.
Kennel Cough (severe)
Significant ocular/nasal discharge, sneezing or coughing
Any degree of signs where the dog is also lethargic or anorexic
Diarrhea
No stool improvement after 3 days (if dog is active and eating)
Diarrhea lasting 24 hours (if dog is lethargic and anorexic)
Vomiting
No improvement after 24 hours (if dog is active and eating)
Vomiting of less than 24 hours (if dog is lethargic and anorexic)
Poor appetite of over 48 hours
Lethargy of more than 48 hours
Lack of bowel movement of over 48 hours
Weight loss of more than 10%
Hair loss
Skin, ear or eye infections
Mild trauma, pain or lameness
Mild bleeding that is no longer active
Seizures (a single, short-lasting one)
Puppies: 24 hours of diarrhea, lethargy or poor appetite
Emergency
Requires immediate attention – See “Emergencies” on previous page for guidance
Unresponsive or collapsed
Severe trauma or pain
Labored or difficulty breathing
No urine production after 24 hours of straining to urinate
Significant active bleeding
Seizures (more than 3 in a 24 hour period or one lasting more than 3 minutes)
Continuous vomiting over 24 hours and unable to hold down food/water
Fear
Fear can be the result of a lack of proper socialization or as the result of a negative correlation. There are several indicators that a dog is uncomfortable with a situation. See the infographic on page ___ for some guidance on body language. Seeing the more subtle signs of fear can help you protect your foster dog from being put in situations where they may feel the need for a more exaggerated response such as growling, snapping, or biting. When fostering, we hope to reduce the situations where you find your dog to be uncomfortable. For example, if they are showing signs of fear in regards to children, keep them separated from the children. Communicate with the Foster Coordinator regarding situations that make your foster dog uncomfortable.
Find Out Why The Dog Bite – What Happened?
If your foster dog bites you or someone else, or nearly bites, you cannot brush it off as no big deal. You/your agency must invest in this dog before adoption. Find out WHY the bite, and find out why before you adopt your foster dog to anyone. Telling an interested party, “Oh by the way, he bit my neighbor, we aren’t really sure why. But he didn’t break the skin. She wasn’t mad about it, but you should be careful.”, isn’t enough, and honestly? It is reckless.
What Happens if my Dog Bites Someone? A Legal Perspective