Dog Health

How to take care of your Dog

Exercise
Dogs need exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and keep healthy. Exercise helps dogs avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors. Individual exercise needs vary based on the breed type, sex, age and degree of health. If your dog is an adolescent, or an active breed more regular exercise will be required. Check out the breed section of this web site to learn more.

Grooming
The amount of grooming required depends on a number of factors such as, the dog breed type, the amount of physical activity, the weather conditions, and if you are showing the dog. Many breeds only require a weekly brushing to clean and reduce shedding. You should check for fleas and ticks daily during warm weather. Most dogs only require bathing a few times a year. Some breeds require frequent grooming to maintain proper appearance and in some cases professional groomers are required. Many wirehair dog breeds require coat stripping and this technique requires a high degree of skill. Check out the breed section of this web site to learn more.

Housing
A crate is great way to train a puppy. You can also purchase a dog bed. Always place a clean blanket or pillow inside the bed or crate and wash the bedding often. If your dog will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make certain there is shade and fresh water in hot weather and a comfortable and dry dog house is available when it's cold.

Licensing and Identification
Follow your community’s licensing regulations. Be sure to attach the license to your dog’s collar. This, along with an ID tag, an implanted microchip, or a tattoo, can help secure your dog’s return if lost.

Training
All dogs should be well behaved and socialized with people and other pets starting at an early age. Teaching your dog the basics such as "Sit," "Stay," "Come," "Down," "Heel," "Off" and "Leave it" will improve your relationship with your dog and it is your responsibility to your community. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for training class recommendations. You should always keep your puppy or dog on a leash in public. Just be sure your pet will come to you at all times whenever you say the word. A dog that is disobedient or aggressive is not ready to be introduced into your community and is a liability risk.

Health
Your dog should see the Veterinarian for a full check-up, shots and a heartworm blood test every year, and immediately if sick or injured.

Dental Health
Dental plaque caused by bacteria results in a foul smell that requires professional treatment. After a professional cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly. Your Veterinarian can give you more tips on minimizing dental disease and bad breath. You can clean your canine’s teeth with dog toothpaste or a baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Some dogs are prone to periodontal disease, a pocket of infection between the tooth and the gum. This painful condition can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean the teeth as a regular part of your dog's health program.

Bad Breath
While bad breath caused by dental disease may not be too serious if caught early enough, some odors may be indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. Liver or intestinal diseases may cause foul breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell may be indicative of diabetes. If your dog’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you notice your pet has bad breath accompanied by other signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, depression, excessive drinking or urinating, schedule a visit to your Veterinarian.

Fleas and Ticks
Daily inspections of your dog for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are important. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are several new methods of flea and tick control. Speak to your Veterinarian about these and other options.

Heartworm
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from dog to dog by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be fatal. Your dog should have a blood test for heartworm every spring. Veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication throughout the year. Please consult you Veterinarian.

Medicines and Poisons
Never give your dog medication that has not been prescribed by a Veterinarian. If you suspect that your animal has ingested a poisonous substance, call your Veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour animal poison information at (888) 426-4435. Please check out the poison section of this web site for information on foods that can harm your dog.

Spaying and Neutering
Females should be spayed (the removal of the ovaries and uterus), and males neutered (the removal of the testicles) by six months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently fatal disease of older female dogs. Spaying also eliminates the risk of an infected uterus, a very serious problem in older females that requires surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males prevents testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.

Vaccinations
There are a variety of vaccines that may or may not be appropriate for your pet. Your Veterinarian can tell you about them.

Worms
Dogs are commonly exposed to worms through an infected dog. Microscopic eggs are produced by intestinal worms and are typically passed by infected dogs feces. Your Veterinarian should be consulted to determine the appropriate action.