Dog Health Info You Should Know

When you adopt a dog, you bring a new family member into your world. It is very important that you do everything possible to keep that family member safe and healthy. This means educating yourself about the health needs of your pet so you can be aware of what needs to be done to keep your dog in good shape and help him or her to live a long and healthy life.

General Dog Health Tips

The first things to be aware of are some general tips that are helpful to any new dog owner:

Dogs need to be vaccinated against common canine illnesses. When you adopt a puppy, the breeder should already have started your dog on a course of puppy shots to protect against things like parvo virus and kennel cough. You should continue these shots at a schedule recommended by your veterinarian and be sure not to expose your pet to strange dogs until after he or she has been vaccinated. The rabies vaccine is also required by law and should be administered when your dog is old enough.

Spaying and neutering will help with a number of behavioral issues as well as help to keep your dog healthier by reducing the risk of certain cancers and other hormonal problems. Dogs are generally spayed when they are around six months old for full development while pre-empting sexual maturity.

Dogs need their teeth brushed, just like people do. You should start your dog on a grooming regimen that includes teeth brushing, nail clippings and regular brushings as a puppy in order to make sure that your dog becomes comfortable with these things since they will be a routine part of his or her life.

Signs of Trouble

Every dog owner hopes that everything will go well. However, dogs are prone to illnesses, just as people are. Dogs are more likely to become ill when they are older and can develop the same types of diseases that people can, including cancer and diabetes and arthritis. Even young pups can develop conditions, however, and there are certain illnesses that only pets get that you need to watch out for. Some examples include:

Bloat. Bloat can happen when your dog's stomach becomes twisted. Bloat is more likely to develop in dogs with large front chest areas (labs are prone to bloat, for example) and the risk of bloat can be reduced by having your dog consume his food from an elevated position and having your dog eat more slowly. Signs and symptoms of bloat including pacing, discomfort, repeated failed attempts to vomit and inability to pass stool should be checked out immediately since bloat can be fatal.

Canine hip dysplasia. While certain breeds are more prone to this problem with the hip socket, any dog can be affected. The condition can be hereditary, so if you know who your puppies parents are, check with the breeder to make sure that there is no hip dysplasia in your dog's lineage. Hip dysplasia may be treatable, but it can be crippling if not addressed, so be sure to speak with your vet if you see signs of dysplasia.

To learn more dog health tips, it is a good idea to find a trusted veterinarian as well as a reliable online source of information and answers.