Our Veterinary Intake & Vetting Standards

At Dogwood Doberman Rescue, every dog who enters our care receives thorough veterinary evaluation and age-appropriate testing to help us understand their health needs and ensure they are set up for the best possible future. We believe in being proactive, not reactive. Our intake process is designed to identify medical concerns early, create a treatment plan when needed, and make sure each dog is properly vetted before adoption.

What Every Dog Receives

All dogs brought into our care are:

● Given a full veterinary exam and checked for a microchip

● Brought up to date on vaccines

● Tested for heartworms as age-appropriate

● Evaluated for parasites and general health concerns

● Spayed or neutered if not already altered

● Provided any necessary treatment plans while in rescue care

Our Standard Vetting by Age

Dogs 5–7 Years

Dogs 5-7 years of age typically receive:

● Physical exam

● SuperChem 27 & CBC with SDMA & TT4, or equivalent bloodwork

● Fecal test

● 4DX test, or equivalent, for dogs 6 months and older

● Dental/tooth exam

● Vaccine booster as needed

● Microchip check

● Heartworm test

● Prostate exam for males

Additional Screening for Heartworm-Positive Dogs

Any dog over 2 years of age that tests positive for heartworms receives chest X-rays as part of their workup.

Why This Matters

Many of the dogs who come into rescue have had inconsistent veterinary care, and some arrive with untreated or unknown medical needs. Our vetting process helps us catch concerns early, begin treatment quickly, and give adopters a clearer picture of each dog’s health.

This level of care is one of the many ways we advocate for every Doberman who comes through our program.