Dog Health Care

Be sure to take as much care choosing your vet as you would choosing your family physician. It's important to find someone you can communicate easily with, since you will both play extremely important roles in your pet's care.

Once you've established who your pet's care provider will be, it's time to begin the routine of health care that should be carried out for the rest of your dog's life.

Vaccinations

Vaccinating your dog against common illnesses is typically the first step in any dog health care plan. Pets are routinely given their first shots between six and eight weeks old, followed by two boosters given three to four weeks apart to help them build up their immunities. Some vets also feel it is necessary to administer follow up boosters once a year to keep immunity levels high, but this practice has come under considerable debate over the last decade.

Dogs are routinely vaccinated against:

• Canine Distemper
• Adenovirus
• Parainfluenza
• Parvo
• Coronavirus

Additionally, nearly every country has regulations for vaccinating your pet against the rabies virus. The first shot is usually required between three and six months of age, followed by an annual rabies booster thereafter.

De-Worming

Dogs are susceptible to picking up internal parasites that can rob them of their nutrition, leaving them underweight and scruffy in appearance. Worms can also cause internal bleeding once they attach themselves to your pet's stomach lining and intestinal tract. For this reason, many vets recommend routine de-worming on an annual or semi-annual basis.

Common signs of worm infestation include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Dull, dry coat
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Blood in stools
• Worm segments in stools (looks like rice or spaghetti)

Your dog health care professional can diagnose a case of worm infestation by examining a stool sample from your pet. After determining which type of worms are present, your vet will then administer the correct de-worming medication to dissolve the current population. A follow up de-worming is usually recommended, as some worm ova are not affected by medication and must develop to the adult stage before they can be eliminated.

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm prevention is another important part of any dog health care regimen. These internal parasites are transmitted through mosquito exposure and lodge themselves in your dog's heart and pulmonary system. If left untreated, the results are fatal.

Prevention is by far the best method for combatting heartworm. Your vet will first do a blood test to see if heartworms are already present, and if the test is negative, he can then your dog on preventative medication, usually in the form of a pill that only needs to be taken once a month during mosquito season.

If your dog tests positive, your vet will assess the extent of the infestation and begin the appropriate method of treatment.

Flea and Tick Control

Adult Flea

There's no doubt about it, fleas and ticks are a menace to your pet's well being. Not only do they cause your dog discomfort, they can actually make him sick.

Adult Tick

Fleas can cause your dog to get worms, which wreak havoc with his digestive system. Using a spot on flea preventative, or a flea collar are just two ways to control these pesky pests.

Ticks are far worse, causing infection at the bite site and also transferring dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease. Ticks also enjoy human hosts, so it's important to have your dog on a tick control program such as Frontline.

Regular Grooming

You might not immediately think of grooming as a part of your dog health care routine, but it truly can be. Grooming sessions are a great time to inspect every inch of your dog, giving you a chance to notice any recent changes or developments that may signal trouble on the horizon.

Follow these tips:

• As you brush your pet, look for and remove parasites.
• Inspect your dog's body for abnormal growths every time you shampoo him.
• When you trim your pet's nails, inspect the pads for cracks and trapped debris, and look between the toes for cysts.
• Check your dog's mouth, teeth, and gums for abnormalities when you brush his teeth.
• When cleaning your dog's ears, look for signs of mite infestation or infection, including brown residue, redness, or a foul smell.

About Emergency Care

It's a good idea to do a bit of planning ahead of time in case your pet ever needs emergency care.

• Find out what hours your veterinary clinic is open and if they have their own system for providing after hours emergency care.
• If necessary, locate the nearest emergency vet in your area and save the address and phone number in your wallet, where you can easily find it should an emergency arise.

Conclusion

Feeding your dog a healthy diet, making sure he gets plenty of exercise, and following a regular health care regimen can go a long way toward heading off the potential for more serious illnesses later on.

Remember, no one knows your dog better than you do, so when you notice changes in his condition, be on the alert and take him to your vet for a check up. Better to be safe than sorry.