Your Dog’s Health is in Your Hands – Learn How to Spot the Warning Signs
Owning a dog can be a truly rewarding experience if you take the time to educate yourself on the proper care of dogs. There are two main areas of focus when examining dog health, disease preventative care and recognizing signs of potential problems.
Preventative medicine is paramount in effective dog care. At six weeks old puppies should begin a series of four DHLPP/CCV vaccinations three or four weeks apart. Puppies should be de-wormed often and started on heartworm preventative at four months old.
This program should be maintained indefinitely. An annual visit to a local veterinarian is necessary to maintain your dog’s health. In addition to administering vaccinations, the vet will examine the dog’s teeth and stool, and look for any obvious maladies.
What kind of dog health problems should I be on the look out for?
It is also important for new pet owners to be able to recognize any signs of potential dog health problems. Skin problems are quite common and can present themselves in a number of various ways. Skin allergies are very common in many dogs and can cause hair loss and ‘hot spots’. These ‘hot spots’ are sores on the skin surface that ooze and become easily infected.
They are also very painful and hard to deal with because of the dog’s constant licking. The skin allergies that cause ‘hot spots’ are often mistaken for flea infestation problems; an easy way to tell the difference is by watching the dog.
Chewing the top of his rump is a good indication of fleas, while scratching his head, neck and front legs indicate allergies. Signs of potential health problems also present themselves in the dogs stool. If the stool appears runny or discolored you may need to visit the vet.
Parasites or a change in diet are usually the culprit and most often easily remedied. Another less common but very serious threat to your dog’s health is Gastric Dilatation Volvulus. Large, deep crested dogs are predisposed for this condition which causes their stomachs to flip if they exert themselves after ingesting large amounts of water.
Your dog’s health is not something to be taken lightly. It is a huge responsibility you have chosen to bear, but it doesn’t mean that is has to be hard. Just make sure you take him for a check up every year and be attentive to any imminent health problems. If you follow your veterinarian’s advice your dog should have a happy, healthy, and long life.
Mike Long runs a dog training website that focuses on educating people about the different ways of training your dog or puppy. If you would like to learn more, including additional articles, and training tips, tricks, and ideas, check out his site at http://dogtraininginfo.wordpress.com.
Basic Signs of a Sick Dog
You don’t have to be a trained veterinarian to know when you have a sick dog on your hands.
As a dog owner, you know how your buddy acts, smells, and feels when he’s healthy, and any change from that norm should be a tip-off that something is wrong.
It is a gut feeling, that your dog might be sick. Here are some signs to look for.
What’s the norm?
First, like humans, dogs will often show signs of fever when their bodies are fighting off infection. Although exact norms vary by breed, most healthy dogs will have:
A rectal temperature between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
A respiratory rate between 15 and 20 breaths per minute.
A heart rate that falls between 80 and 120 beats per minute.
Pink mucous membranes on the gums, the tongue, the insides of the eyelids, and inside the lips.
Clean-smelling skin and ears, and clear, bright eyes.
When should I call the vet?
The short answer is: whenever you suspect there is a problem with your dog that you don’t know how to treat.
But there are also specific signs to look for, that should trigger a call to the vet, because they can indicate serious illness.
Do a quick check of your dog if you think something might be wrong.
Check the eyes: Is there redness, discharge, or swelling?
Check the nose: Is there discharge, running, or crusting?
Check the ears: Is there odor, debris, or discharge? Are they twitching or shaking?
Is your dog scratching at them?
If your check reveals anything out of the ordinary, call your animal health care center.
Warning signs
Warning signs that your dog is unhealthy and needs medical attention
Coughing, vomiting, gagging, and retching.
Heavy panting, shortness of breath, or irregular breathing patterns.
Discolored bowel movements, diarrhea, or constipation without a known cause.
Discolored urine, frequent urges to urinate, or straining during elimination; out-of-character “accidents.”
Unexplained changes in body weight, thirst, or appetite.
A change in your dog’s odor.
Lumps, cuts, scratches, or bite marks on your dog’s skin (self-inflicted or otherwise).
Hair loss or excessive dander, often accompanied by excessive licking.
Any evidence of parasites.
Even if there are no outward warning signs, changes in your dog’s behavior can be indicative of a serious problem.
Talk with your animal health provider if your dog displays signs of anxiety, depression, lethargy, fatigue, trembling, falling, stumbling, or sleepiness.
These behavioral cues, which may only be noticeable to you, may be your sick dog’s way of telling you he needs help.
Knowing your dog
You won’t always know the cause of your dog’s medical problem- but simply by caring for your dog and knowing his personality and daily routine, you will more often than not be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of pain, discomfort, and illness. Watch for changes in behavior, appearance, and appetite. Even if he can’t tell you why his stomach hurts, he will try to let you know – listen and watch, and you’ll get the message.
Lizzie Novotny R.N has an informative website about dogs, especially the hunting dog breeds. She raises, trains and shows dogs and horses, and is familiar with all aspects of their care. Find answers to your dog-related questions by visiting her website at http://www.the-hunting-dog.com
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