Pet ownership carries with it the
responsibility of being proactive in health care. There are certain steps
that you should take to prevent health problems. We recommend the
following:
1. An annual exam is essential…remember,
one year to us is an average of 6 to 8 years to your dog. That’s a
long time to go without a thorough physical exam.
2. Keep vaccinations current. A
vaccination program should be individualized to meet the needs of your
dog.
3. Test for and eradicate parasites.
Heartworm testing
and
fecal parasite exams
should be done at least every other year. Monthly heartworm
preventatives and flea/tick preventatives are recommended year-round for
all dogs.
4. Brush frequently to keep hair coat from
matting. Many long haired dogs do not groom themselves well.
5. Clip toenails as needed to prevent
overgrowth.
6. Keep plenty of fresh water available
and monitor its consumption.
7. Monitor urine output by paying
attention to how often and how much your dog is urinating.
8. Keep other pets from preventing this
one from free access to food and water.
9. Limit your dog’s exposure to hot cars
and severe weather. Heat stroke and frostbite are real concerns.
10. Weigh your dog on the same scale and
record results at least every 60 days. Both weight loss and weight gains
are noteworthy. Obesity is a very serious condition that is becoming more
and more common in our canine population. You are welcome to come use our
walk-on scale anytime.
11. Clean teeth are essential to continued
good health. Some dogs require yearly or every other year teeth
cleanings.
12. Different life stages and health
conditions often require special diets. We can help you pick a diet that
is appropriate for your dog’s needs.
The following are early signs of disease.
Some of these are so minor that they may not seem significant. However,
our goal is to diagnose and treat diseases in their early stages when the
success rate is much higher. Present your dog for an examination for any
of the following:
1. Sustained, significant increase in
water consumption.
2. Sustained, significant increase in how
much or often your dog urinates.
3. Weight loss.
4. Significant decrease in appetite or
failure to eat for more than two consecutive days.
5. Significant increase in appetite.
6. Repeated vomiting.
7. Diarrhea that lasts over 3 days.
8. Difficulty in passing stool or urine.
9. Change in bathroom habits.
10. Lameness that lasts more than 5 days,
or lameness in more than one leg.
11. Noticeable decrease in vision,
especially if sudden in onset or pupils that do not constrict in bright
light.
12. Masses, ulcerations (open sores), or
multiple scabs on the skin that persist more than 1 week.
13. Foul mouth odor or drooling that lasts
over 2 days.
14. Increasing size of the abdomen.
15. Increasing inactivity or amount of
time spent sleeping.
16. Hair loss, especially if accompanied
by scratching or if in specific areas (as opposed to normal shedding).
17. Breathing heavily or rapid at rest.
18. Inability to chew or eat dry food.
The Behaviorally Healthy
Dog
