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Dog Health Questions

Information to Answer the Questions you have about your Dogs Health.

It is very important for the owner to be familiar with their dog's normal behavior. The reason for this is that the dog can not tell the owner that they are sick and any sudden change in the dog may represent sickness, which the owner must recognize in order that the dog be treated. Changes in the dog can include physical and social behavior. It's important for owners to be at least familiar with symptoms to look for and some basic emergency car treatments to prevent harm to their dogs.

How often should you give your dog a veterinary check-up?

Once per year is usually enough unless the dog has chronic medical problems that require more frequent attention. It is important for any dog over six years of age to be examined thoroughly every six months.

How do I test if my dog is deaf?
A quick test that owners can use is clapping your hands while the dog is not looking or aware of your presence and watch for a response. Beyond this method of testing, only a vet can assess deafness via medical means, such as a 'Brain Auditory Evoked Response Test'. This test is based on monitoring brain activity of the dog, measuring sensitivity to electrical impulses and will give you the answers to your hearing related dog health questions.

How can I tell if my dog has heatstroke?

The main signs of heatstroke are: (1) rapid or heavy breathing, (2) bright red tongue, (3) vomiting (4) bloody diarrhea, (5) unsteadiness (6) hot, dry nose (7) thick saliva.

Dogs are more susceptible to heat exposure that humans. In a hot climate, ensure there is sufficient shade and water is available. If you have to leave your dog in the car, be sure to park in the shade and leave windows open for air flow. Be sure to return to your car as soon as possible.

What can I do for skin irritations that do not respond to treatment?

Skin irritations caused by allergies can become infested with staph bacteria, causing a slow healing wound. This is a common occurrence which many vets aren't familiar with. The staph infection may stay around long after the allergy is gone.

See your vet for treatment or a referral.

What does it mean when my dogs eyes are cloudy?
This is one of the most common dog health questions of senior dog owners. Cloudy eyes could result from cataracts, which will impair the vision of your dog. Cataracts will require veterinary inspection.

What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel Cough produces a deep hacking cough which is usually short lived, lasting 5-8 days. However, its duration is a function of the healthy state of the dogs immune system. Generally cause by a bacteria and an influenza virus, there are some cases where the condition can worsen into pneumonia, requiring intensive treatment.

When is the best time to consider castration for a dog?

The general rule is to neuter / castrate the dog around 6 months of age. However, there is no hard and fast rule, with many dogs being neutered after this time with no ill effects. Vet clinics will either use a local or general anesthetic to remove the testicles. Stitches are used to close the wound up and the scrotum will soon disappear after the operation.

When is the best time to spay a Bitch?

From a health point of view, the earlier the bitch spayed, the better. She should be spayed before her first heat. Complications can result in a bitch that is spayed late in life, including a dramatic rise in the risk of breast cancer. She must be put under general anesthesia and the entry wound will be on her lower abdomen.

What is Parvo and how do you diagnose it?
Parvo is a sickness resulting in vomiting and diarrhea and in some cases it can leave dogs very lethargic.

If my dog vomits a yellow substance, is this a concern or is this normal?
The fact that your dog is vomiting is not initially a major concern. Some dogs will eat almost anything, and consequently they are conditioned to vomit as an instinctive protective mechanism to reject bad food it may have ingested. Yellow in a dog vomit is likely bile from the stomach. However, should vomiting occur on a regular basis, then see your vet.

What do you recommend for chronic ear infections?
Your dog's ears should be clean, slightly pink-gray and have no odor. The most common problems with ears are ear infections (yeast or bacterial). Ear infections can be very difficult to treat, usually requiring daily ear drops for a week or so and weekly drops for some time after that. Some dogs prone to ear infections need to have ear drops on a regular basis. Drop-eared dogs are a bit more prone to ear infections, as prick ears normally allow more air circulation. For infections that do not respond to medical treatment, surgery is the only option. Depending on the damage to the ear, either a lateral ear resection or a total ablation is performed. It may be the only way to keep your pet comfortable.

How do I know which dog food is best for my dog?

There are many dog food formulations out there, ranging from inexpensive grocery-brands to expensive premium food. You should find out what suits your dog best.

Here's a tool to perform your own dog food ratings.

There are many variables that must be weighed up to determine the best dog foods for your pet. These variables can be summarized into two main areas, (1) what life stage is you dog in (eg. Puppy, adult, senior) and (2) does your dog have a preference for canned or dry food.

 

Please note the information above is presented for informative purposes only, and should NOT be used to "replace" normal veterinary care.

 

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