Are you a new dog owner? Do you have a few dog health questions that you would like answered? Here are the most common topics where people have cares and concerns.
What vaccinations does your dog need? Around the ages of six to eight weeks, pups should be given shots to protect against these often fatal diseases: adenovirus, parainfluenza, distemper, parvovirus, and rabies. Bordatella is also recommended though it is not usually fatal. Boosters should be given every one to three years respectively as a dog ages. Rabies shots, however, are required yearly by law. There are also vaccines available for problems associated to the different regions you live in.
What do you do if your dog has worms in his stool? Your dog can pick up many different types of worms that can make him sick. These include hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms and can be passed to us. Take him to your veterinarian. They will do a fecal test to see what type of parasite it is and then de-worm the animal. It is a good idea to go ahead and have this done at their yearly exam each year.
How do you prevent fleas and ticks? Fleas and ticks are both parasites that feed off your pet and cause them discomfort. If you see fleas or evidence of them in the coat or if the canine is constantly scratching, a good flea dip can do the trick. If there is a tick, pull it off carefully with tweezers and flush it. They can carry diseases. After a dip, put him on flea and tick topical medication for prevention.
Is your pet constantly scratching but you know it's not fleas? There can be other causes of itchiness besides flea infestation. Ear mites can settle in your dog's ears and cause severe discomfort and infections. See your veterinarian for this. Dry skin can also be the cause, especially in the fall and winter. Bathe your dog in soothing shampoos containing oatmeal or tea tree oil. Animals can have allergies just like humans, so that could also be a cause.
What type of diet is best for your dog? The best food for your dog is always going to be dry food. It is packed with nutrients while canned food has more water content which can cause problems with the teeth and gums and cause your dog to become overweight. Canines that live off kibble have less problems with their teeth, gums, and obesity than those that do not. When you choose your kibbles, be sure that there is real meat. The first words on the nutrition label should not be wheat or corn or meat byproducts.
Does your senior pet have trouble rising? If you have an older dog, arthritis is a major issue. If he seems stiff and has trouble walking and jumping, that is most likely the problem. It is caused by the friction created in the joints by disappearing cartilage that acts as a cushion. Also, if you own a breed genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, your vet should test for that.
Canines are wonderful companions. However, we have to take care of them. You have already started just by getting answers to some of your dog health questions here!
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