Pet Information > Others > Pet Articles > Dogs – Understanding Their Needs

Dogs – Understanding Their Needs

29 13:50:35

What a Dog REALLY Needs

Loyal, friendly, protective, affectionate, fun. Those qualities
have earned dogs a special place in the lives and hearts of
humans. Most dogs now are owned as pets mainly because they are
THE ideal pets. A dog will always try to keep you pleased and
smiling. It will never hold grudges against you, and will never
judge you for your looks or mistakes. It isn’t called man’s best
friend for nothing.

Dogs have a basic need for shelter, good nutrition, exercise and
companionship. A dog will rely on its owner for all of these
needs, in addition to training and protection. These are all
basic needs, but a dog also needs veterinary care.

If a person has a dog for a pet, it is a good idea to ensure
that it is seen by a vet regularly. Dogs are prone to a wide
array of illnesses and diseases and it is best that he gets
vaccinated against these diseases. Some of the most fatal
diseases that a dog can contract are listed below along with the
proper vaccination to prevent them:

1. Canine Adenovirus – or Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH). ICH
is an extremely contagious disease that is only dogs transmitted
to other canine animals. This disease is transmitted in urine
and eye or nasal secretions of animals with this disease and
affects the liver, kidneys and lining of the blood vessels. Dogs
of all ages are prone to acquire this disease, although puppies
and younger dogs are at a higher risk.

2. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) – It is transmitted through
contact with infected dogs and affects the gastrointestinal,
respiratory and central nervous systems. This disease is often
fatal to puppies and adult dogs.

3. Para Influenza – Also known as tracheobronchitis, it is a
contagious infection of dogs seriously affecting young puppies’
upper respiratory system. Its symptoms are gagging and coughing.
Dogs in stressful and crowded conditions are at the highest risk
for this disease.

4. Parvovirus – This is an extremely contagious viral disease
that affects white blood cells, the intestines, and heart. It is
characterized by vomiting, severe diarrhea and fever. It is
often fatal in puppies. At the highest risk for this disease are
dogs in crowded places such as dog shows and kennels.

5. Rabies – Rabies can affect all warm-blooded animals that are
unvaccinated against the disease, including humans. It affects
the brain and is always deadly. Pets get exposed to rabies from
the bites of wild animals which include bats, raccoons, foxes
and skunks.

The bottom line is to keep a dog disease-free. Have it
vaccinated. After all, what a dog really needs is. . .good
health!