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Dog Health
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Published: October 2, 2006
Most people think a dog is healthy if it has a moist nose.
Dr. Richard P. Green laughs when he thinks how many times he has heard this dog health tale in his 33 years at Mont Clare Animal Hospital in Chicago.
"If a dog licks its nose, it will be wet. If a dog doesn't lick its nose, it will be dry. That's all it means. There's no relationship between nose moisture and dog health," Dr. Green says.
All kidding aside, dog health is no laughing matter for dog owners. A seriously ill dog can easily run up a veterinary bill of several thousand dollars, without guarantee of a cure. What makes this so sad and unnecessary is that many dog health problems and diseases can be prevented if an owner follows some basic dog health care principles.
For instance, Dr. Green says, good dog health routines should begin at puppyhood. Puppies need early inoculations against deadly virus-induced diseases like distemper, parvo and rabies. Puppies are especially susceptible to these diseases because their immune systems are underdeveloped. However, older dogs also can catch these diseases. It is a wise dog health care practice to follow up the early puppy shots for these diseases with yearly vaccinations. (Note: All U.S. states have required rabies vaccinations since 2002, according to the Encyclopedia of Canine Veterinary Medical Information.)
Heartworm is another threat to good dog health. Mosquitoes transmit the disease, infecting dogs with worms which grow in the heart's right ventricle. Heartworm, which can be fatal, is easily preventable and can be treated if diagnosed early. Dr. Green suggests dog owners follow the guidelines of the American Heartworm Society regarding prevention.
The AHS recommends dog owners give their puppies and adult dogs heartworm prevention medicine once a month all year long to thwart this dangerous dog health condition. Dogs one year and older also should be annually tested for heartworm.
Good nutrition plays a vital role in dog health. Plenty of fresh water is as important to Fido's well-being as it is to humans. A host of companies make quality dog food products capable of providing all the vitamins, minerals and proteins a dog needs at every stage of its life. Some also make special-formula products for dog health problems such as food allergies or urinary tract infections. Your veterinarian can help you determine which products are best for your furry friend. He or she can also give some direction if you decide to prepare your dog's food from scratch at home.
Just remember to take it easy on the treats, whether homemade, store-bought or coming directly from the family dinner table. Too many canine calories not only make Fido obese, but also predispose him to long-term dog health problems such as diabetes. Exercise care with feeding habits, and then exercise your dog with a brisk daily walk or two to burn off those calories.
Unless you have a show dog you are planning to breed, seriously consider having your dog spayed or neutered between when they are four and six months old. Spayed female dogs are less likely to develop breast cancer and uterine disease later in life. Neutering decreases the chances that your male dog will develop testicular cancer and hernias.
Afraid your "fixed" dog will get fat and lazy? That is just another old dog health tale which can be quelled with enough exercise and a proper diet.
Finally, know the signs of good dog health, so you can consult your veterinarian if your dog does not exhibit them.
"Bright eyes, good appetite, alertness, shiny coat, a wagging tail when you speak and physical response to your call---these are all signs of a healthy dog," Dr. Green says. "If you feed and water your dog properly, exercise him regularly, keep him clean and well-groomed, and keep up with annual inoculations, you and he can look forward to a long lifetime of good dog health.
"With or without a moist nose.
Dr. Richard P. Green laughs when he thinks how many times he has heard this dog health tale in his 33 years at Mont Clare Animal Hospital in Chicago.
"If a dog licks its nose, it will be wet. If a dog doesn't lick its nose, it will be dry. That's all it means. There's no relationship between nose moisture and dog health," Dr. Green says.
All kidding aside, dog health is no laughing matter for dog owners. A seriously ill dog can easily run up a veterinary bill of several thousand dollars, without guarantee of a cure. What makes this so sad and unnecessary is that many dog health problems and diseases can be prevented if an owner follows some basic dog health care principles.
For instance, Dr. Green says, good dog health routines should begin at puppyhood. Puppies need early inoculations against deadly virus-induced diseases like distemper, parvo and rabies. Puppies are especially susceptible to these diseases because their immune systems are underdeveloped. However, older dogs also can catch these diseases. It is a wise dog health care practice to follow up the early puppy shots for these diseases with yearly vaccinations. (Note: All U.S. states have required rabies vaccinations since 2002, according to the Encyclopedia of Canine Veterinary Medical Information.)
Heartworm is another threat to good dog health. Mosquitoes transmit the disease, infecting dogs with worms which grow in the heart's right ventricle. Heartworm, which can be fatal, is easily preventable and can be treated if diagnosed early. Dr. Green suggests dog owners follow the guidelines of the American Heartworm Society regarding prevention.
The AHS recommends dog owners give their puppies and adult dogs heartworm prevention medicine once a month all year long to thwart this dangerous dog health condition. Dogs one year and older also should be annually tested for heartworm.
Good nutrition plays a vital role in dog health. Plenty of fresh water is as important to Fido's well-being as it is to humans. A host of companies make quality dog food products capable of providing all the vitamins, minerals and proteins a dog needs at every stage of its life. Some also make special-formula products for dog health problems such as food allergies or urinary tract infections. Your veterinarian can help you determine which products are best for your furry friend. He or she can also give some direction if you decide to prepare your dog's food from scratch at home.
Just remember to take it easy on the treats, whether homemade, store-bought or coming directly from the family dinner table. Too many canine calories not only make Fido obese, but also predispose him to long-term dog health problems such as diabetes. Exercise care with feeding habits, and then exercise your dog with a brisk daily walk or two to burn off those calories.
Unless you have a show dog you are planning to breed, seriously consider having your dog spayed or neutered between when they are four and six months old. Spayed female dogs are less likely to develop breast cancer and uterine disease later in life. Neutering decreases the chances that your male dog will develop testicular cancer and hernias.
Afraid your "fixed" dog will get fat and lazy? That is just another old dog health tale which can be quelled with enough exercise and a proper diet.
Finally, know the signs of good dog health, so you can consult your veterinarian if your dog does not exhibit them.
"Bright eyes, good appetite, alertness, shiny coat, a wagging tail when you speak and physical response to your call---these are all signs of a healthy dog," Dr. Green says. "If you feed and water your dog properly, exercise him regularly, keep him clean and well-groomed, and keep up with annual inoculations, you and he can look forward to a long lifetime of good dog health.
"With or without a moist nose.
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