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Canine
Health Care
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You’ve
anticipated the new arrival by ‘puppyproofing’ your home and
had lots of fun choosing the crate, bed, blanket, toys and
other supplies he or she will need. This frisky little
creature is sure to bring you much joy. In return, you can
make a major contribution to your pet’s longevity, happiness
and quality of life by providing him or her with good
nutrition, loving attention in a safe, sanitary environment
and regular checkups at your veterinarian’s.
Spaying or Neutering your
puppy
Many veterinarians believe that
spaying or neutering not only helps solve the serious
problem of unwanted pet overpopulation but also makes for
friendlier, easier-to-live-with pets. Spayed female dogs are
more relaxed, while neutered males are less likely to roam,
urine-mark their territory, or fight with other males. Plus,
sterilization has health benefits - it helps to minimize the
risk of cancers of the reproductive organs and the mammary
glands in females and reduces the incidence of prostate
problems in males.
Spaying removes the uterus and ovaries of a female dog,
usually after the age of six months. A major surgical
procedure, it is performed under general anesthesia and most
often involves an overnight stay at an animal hospital.
Complications are rare and recovery normally is complete
within two weeks.
Neutering, also carried out under general anesthesia,
removes the testicles of a male dog through an incision at
the base of the scrotum. Usually performed when the puppy is
about six months old, it necessitates an overnight stay at
the animal hospital. Full recovery takes about seven to ten
days.
Your puppy’s basic
health check
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Your new puppy should visit a
veterinarian as soon as possible. The first visit
will probably include: |
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Thorough physical examination to determine
his or her state of health. |
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Check
for external parasites (fleas, ticks, lice,
ear mites). |
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Check
for internal parasites (tapeworm, roundworm,
etc.), if you can bring a stool sample for
analysis. Blood tests may also be done. |
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Initial vaccination and/or a discussion of
the types of vaccinations your puppy needs
and when they should be scheduled. |
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Discussion about whether your puppy should
be sterilized (spayed or neutered) and when. |
This first health check
will give your veterinarian the information he needs
to advise you on your puppy’s immediate diet and
care. Plus, it will give him a “knowledge base” from
which, on subsequent checkups throughout your pup’s
life, he can better evaluate, monitor and manage
your pet’s health.
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Make your new puppy
feel at home
Show your puppy the special places
where he can eat, sleep and eliminate and, since he’s
probably quite overwhelmed, give him some quiet time to
himself to let him adjust to the unfamiliar sights and
sounds of his new home. Be sure, if there are also young
children in the home, that they are taught that a puppy is
not a toy but a living creature who must be treated with
gentleness and respect. As early as 8 weeks old, your puppy
is capable of learning specific lessons - so start
house-breaking and teaching simple obedience commands the
day you bring him home. Your veterinarian can suggest the
best training methods and, if you wish, recommend a good
obedience school. Your pup will find learning fun and easy
and, with your positive reinforcement, he should remember
his lessons well!
Your Geriatric Dog
When is the best time to start
caring for your aging pet? When he’s a puppy. Starting off
your dog’s life with good nutrition, regular exercise,
scheduled veterinary appointments and a happy home life sets
the blueprint for a high quality of life in his older years.
However, as your dog ages, much like humans, changes to the
metabolism will occur. Paying attention to your dog’s
behavior will make detecting problems easier.
What you can do at home
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Check your
dog’s mouth, eyes and ears regularly. Watch for
loose teeth, redness, swelling or discharge. |
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Keep your
pet’s sleeping area clean and warm. |
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Groom your pet
often. You’ll detect any unusual sores or lumps and
keep his coat healthy. |
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Make fresh
water available at all times. |
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Maintain a
regime of proper nutrition, exercise and loving
attention. |
How old is your dog?
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If your dog is...
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In human terms, that's |
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6 months
8 months
10 months
12 months
18 months
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
7 years
8 years
9 years
10 years
11 years
12 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
16 years
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10
years
13 years
14 years
15 years
20 years
23 years
26 years
32 years
36 years
40 years
44 years
48 years
52 years
56 years
60 years
64 years
68 years
72 years
76 years
80 years
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* Please note, these equivalencies
refer to small breeds |
Common Problems
Obesity
is a big health risk. An older dog
is a less active dog, so adjustments to your pet’s diet to
reduce caloric intake are imperative. This will relieve
pressure on his joints as well as manage the risks of heart
failure, kidney or liver disease, digestive problems and
more. Other changes to his nutrition should include
increasing fiber, fatty acids and vitamins while decreasing
sodium, protein and fat.
Arthritis’
severity can range from slight
stiffness to debilitation. An exercise program, also to
maintain muscle tone and mass, can be adjusted to suit his
condition. Anti-inflammatory medication can help relieve the
pain. Your veterinarian will prescribe any necessary
medication.
Intolerance to hot and cold
temperatures occurs because
your dog produces less of the hormones which regulate the
body’s normal temperature. Move his bed closer to a heater
and bring him indoors on cold days.
Tooth loss or decay
not only makes it harder to chew
but also increases the likelihood of infection or tumors.
Brushing and cleaning the teeth will help keep these to a
minimum.
Prostate enlargement or Mammary
Gland Tumors is mostly
diagnosed in unneutered or unspayed dogs. Have the prostate
or mammary glands examined at checkups.
Separation Anxiety
presents itself when older dogs
can’t cope with stress. Aggressive behavior, noise phobia,
increased barking and whining or restless sleep are a few
signs. Medication combined with behavior modification
techniques are key.
Skin or coat problems
in aging dogs means the skin loses
elasticity, making your pet more susceptible to injury while
the coat’s hair thins and dulls over time. Grooming more
often and fatty acid supplements are highly beneficial.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
manifests
itself in confusion, disorientation or decreased activity.
Medication can help solve some of these issues. |
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