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. Preventative medicine is paramount in effective health care. Just like children, puppies need to see a health care specialist on a regular basis. At six weeks of age, your puppy should begin a series of four DHLPP/CCV vaccinations. These shots are administered at three- to four-week intervals. Your puppy also needs to be de-wormed often, and should begin receiving heartworm preventative medication at four months old. Heartworm prevention is an ongoing necessity that's vital to providing your dog with a long and happy life. 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. Keeping up on preventative medicine needs is the best way to ensure your dog's health. It's also important to know the signs of potential trouble, and keep a close eye for any existing symptoms. 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. Signs of some health problems will present themselves in the dog's stool. If the stool is runny or discolored, your pet should probably see the vet. Although it could be as simple as a change in diet, these types of stools can be indicative of parasites. Both of these conditions are easily remedied. Less common but very serious is a condition called gastric dilatation volvulus, a condition that can occur if a dog exerts himself after consuming a large amount of water. Gastric dilation volvulus generally appears in large, deep chested breeds of dogs. Your dog is a cherished family member and deserves to receive the best health benefits. It's not difficult to provide good preventative care for your pet, although it may take an occasional investment of time or money. See to it that your dog has a yearly checkup with the vet. It's just as important that you're aware of the signs and symptoms of illness and disease. If so, you and your pet will enjoy a happy and healthy life together.
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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.
Writer Larissa Levise writes regularly for several online magazines, on family history and family video themes. Click here for other unique pet health conditions & diseases articles.
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