Canine Health

A dog is more than a pet; it's a part of the family. That's why your dog deserves the kind of care that you loving provide all family members. To really care for your dog, be aware of signs that can indicate disease or illness.

It's important that you educate yourself on the proper care of dogs, before you bring your new best friend home. The main areas that you must focus on are how to recognize signs of potential health problems, and how to provide preventative care.

The key to good health is preventative medicine. It's essential that puppies, like children, see a health care specialist regularly. Puppies must begin a series of four DHLPP/CCV vaccinations at about six weeks of age. These essential shots are given at intervals of three to four weeks. Make sure that your puppy is de-wormed often, and receives heartworm prevention medication at four months of age. A dog can acquire heartworm at any age, so it's important to continue providing this treatment throughout his or her lifetime.

After your puppy has received these initial treatments, be sure to keep a regular schedule of visits with the vet. Annual checkups are a must for all dogs. The vet will check your pet's teeth and examine the stool. He or she will give perform an overall examination to check for medical problems and will administer necessary vaccinations.

Preventative medicine is the best way to provide a healthy life for your dog. Therefore, you need to know the signs of illness or disease, and be alert for any symptoms.

Many dogs experience skin problems from time to time, and pets can present these conditions in different ways. "Hot spots" and hair loss, for example, are usually indicative of a skin allergy. Hot spots are painful, oozing sores that appear on the surface of the skin. Treatment can be difficult, as many dogs will deal with the discomfort by licking the area.

Flea infestations are a common misdiagnosis of skin allergy causing hot spots. Know the signs and symptoms of skin allergies so that you can make the right diagnosis and begin treatment. If your dog tends to scratch his or her neck, head and front legs will usually be suffering a skin allergy. Chewing at the top of the rump is a typical indication of a flea infestation.

Your pet's stool may hold clues to health problems. Discolored, runny stool can be a sign of trouble and warrants a trip to the vet. While this can be caused by something as simple as improper diet, it can also be indicative of parasites. Both causes are easily treatable and the condition can be quickly reversed. If your dog has parasites, these are easily remedied with proper medication. Another condition, called gastric dilatation volvulus is rare but quite serious. Large, deep chested breeds of dogs may suffer with gastric dilatation volvulus, which occurs with physical exertion following the consumption of large amounts of water.

Like any member of your family, your dog's health is extremely important. While caring for your pet can be a big responsibility, it isn't necessarily a difficult one. Take your pet for an annual checkup and know the warning signs of potential illness. By covering the healthcare bases, you will provide your best friend with a long, happy and healthy life.