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Canine Health

By: Larissa Levise

Caring for a pet involves more than proper feeding and the odd flea bath. To really care for your pet you need to provide the best health care, and that means being able to spot the warning signs for illness and disease.

Before you bring your new puppy or dog home, take the time to learn about proper canine care. Know the signs and symptoms of potential health problems, and be aware of how you can 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.

By keeping up on preventative medicine needs, you will be helping to ensure your dog's health. But it's also essential that you are able to watch for signs of potential health troubles.

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.

Pet owners are often quick to misdiagnose a skin allergy as a flea infestation, so it's important to know the difference in symptoms. Dogs who tend to scratch their heads, necks and front legs typically have skin allergies. Those that chew on the top of the rump will likely have a flea infestation. Know the difference so that you may administer proper treatment.

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.

Article Source: http://www.taffs-article-directory.com

Larissa Levise is an author for a variety of web sites, on family history and family video topics.
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