Your Dogs Health

Every member of your family deserves the best health care, and your dog is certainly no exception. If you own a dog or are planning to welcome one to your family, you must be aware of the signs of illness and disease.

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 the initial puppy care, your dog should visit the veterinarian once a year. The annual checkup will involve an examination of your pet's teeth and stool, administration of vaccinations, and a general examination to rule out any obvious maladies.

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.

The skin allergies that cause 'hot spots' are often mistaken for flea infestation problems, so you need to know the signs and symptoms to make the right diagnoses. A dog that scratches his neck, head and front legs will generally be suffering from skin allergies, while chewing at the top of the rump is a good indication that fleas are present.

Many health problem clues can be found in your pet's stool. Runny or discolored stool should be prompt you to call the vet. The solution may be as simple as altering the diet, but it may also call for treatment of parasites. If parasites are found, they can be easily remedied. Gastric dilatation volvulus is less common, but very serious. This condition can occur when a dog exerts himself or herself after consuming a large amount of water. Large breeds with deep chests are most prone to developing gastric dilation volvulus.

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.