Your Dog’s Health Is Your Responsibility

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience, so you should
take the time to educate yourself on the proper care of dogs.
The two main areas to focus on while examining dog health are
disease preventative care as well as being able to recognize the
signs of potential problems. Having a little education helps you
know what to look for in changes to your furry friend, allowing
you to seek professional help quickly.

Preventative medicine is essential in effective dog care. Around
six weeks old puppies must begin a series of four DHLPP/CCV
vaccinations spaced three or four weeks apart. Puppies must be
de-wormed frequently and started on a heartworm preventative
around four months of age. This program should be indefinitely
maintained, as recommended by your vet. Annual visits to the
local veterinarian is mandatory to maintain your dog’s health.
In addition to the administration of vaccinations, the vet will
examine the dog’s teeth and stool, and look for any obvious
illness. They are also familiar with each breed, as many health
problems are specific to certain breeds.

What kind of dog health problems should I be on the look out
for?

It is very important for new pet owners to be able to recognize
signs of potential health risks. Skin problems are very common
and announce themselves in a variety of ways. Skin allergies are
extremely common in dogs that may cause hair loss or even hot
spots. Hot spots show up as sores on the skin surface that ooze
and can be very painful and hard to treat because of the dog’s
constant licking. Skin allergies that cause hot spots are often
mistaken for flea infestation problems. An easy way to determine
the difference is by watching the dog closely. Always consult
your veterinarian should any things like these show themselves.

Chewing the top of his behind is an indication of flea problems,
while scratching his head, neck and front legs tend to indicate
allergies. Signs of potential health problems are also present
in a dogs stool. If the stool appears runny or discolored you
should call the vet and setup a visit. Parasites as well as
change in diet are usually culprits and are most often easily
remedied. Another uncommon but very serious threat to your dog’s
health is Gastric Dilatation Volvulus. A larger dog can be
predisposed with this condition which ultimately cause their
stomachs to flip if they exert themselves after drinking large
amounts of fluid.

Your dog’s health should never be taken lightly. It is an
enormous responsibility you have takin on but it doesn’t have to
be hard. Make sure you take your dog for his annual check up and
be aware of certain health problem. If you follow your
veterinarian’s advice completely your dog should lead a happy,
healthy, and long life.