Probably the most important thing is to select a veterinarian and schedule appropriate check-ups. By having a good relationship with a canine health expert who knows your dog, you will be able to catch potential problems earlier and be better prepared to deal with them.
Heartworm
One of the most common problems for dogs is heartworm, a dangerous mosquito-borne disease. Getting rid of heartworms once a dog has become infected takes powerful drugs and even hospitalization. Start with an annual test to see if your dog is already carrying these deadly worms. If the test is negative, your veterinarian will recommend a preventive heartworm medication. This may be given either once a month or daily. These medications keep heartworms from maturing. Some veterinarians recommend giving your dog the medication year-round, but it should definitely be given during the months when mosquitoes are active.
Fleas and Other Allergies
Allergies are also fairly common among dogs. Watch your dog for typical allergic reactions, such as excessive scratching, licking or rubbing. (Naturally, all of these are typical dog activities when practiced in moderation. You want to watch for near constant scratching or other signs, such as hair loss or reddened skin.) The most common allergy is from flea bites. Consult your veterinarian about how best to control fleas, be it collars, shampoos or area foggers.
The latest research suggests that fleas spend most of their time on your pet, but are constantly shedding their eggs in the house and yard. This provides a continuous source of re-infestation. So if you don't treat the environment, you may never get the fleas under control. Be sure to consider area treatment as well as treating your dog directly, but consult your vet before using multiple treatment methods; the combinations can be harmful to your dog.
Other common allergies include inhalant allergies (such as pollen, ragweed, dust and mold), contact allergies (such as paint, soap, wool nylon carpets and insecticides), and, less frequently, food allergies. If your pet is exhibiting behavior or symptoms associated with allergies, work with your veterinarian to identify the cause of the allergy and eliminate it, if possible. If it is not possible to eliminate the allergen, your vet may be able to recommend drugs to help your dog live more comfortably.
Rare allergies include hormonal hypersensitivity (where the dog is allergic to its own hormones), parasitic hypersensitivity (where the dog becomes allergic to numerous parasites), and autoimmune diseases, in which the dog becomes allergic to itself. There are more complex treatments for these allergies that your vet can recommend.
Administering Medication
Giving pills to your dog is simple when you know how. You can fool most dogs most of the time by hiding it in a bit of food. Usually the dog won't even notice. If the medication is liquid, simply put it in a spoon and hold it out to the dog. Usually, he will just lick it right off. If that doesn't work, try disguising it in some applesauce or other food.
Emergency First Aid
In an emergency, keep a level head and quickly get your dog to the veterinarian. Call first. If your doctor's office is not open, call the nearest emergency pet clinic. Keep emergency phone numbers near your telephone. In all cases, the objective is to get your dog to a professional AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. However, there are some things you can do to help your dog before you get him to the hospital/clinic:
- Wrap your dog in a heavy towel or blanket to keep him warm and restrict his movements. Having assistance would be helpful.
- Apply a pressure bandage (sterile gauze or a clean handkerchief) to stem or stop the bleeding of a cut or bite.
- Apply cold compress to a burn and gently hold it there until you get to the veterinary clinic.
- Do not induce vomiting if you suspect or know your dog has swallowed a poisonous substance.
- At any sign of choking (drooling, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, gagging), do not attempt to remove the item.
- If your dog suffers heatstroke, take him to a cool spot and sponge him with cold water. Encourage your dog to drink small amounts of water.
- If your dog suffers frostbite, place him in a warm room immediately. Thaw out the frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm moist towels that are changed frequently until the area becomes flushed. Severe frostbite can result in damaged paws and ear tips, so it is best to let your veterinarian determine the extent of the damage as soon as possible.
For the most part, let common sense guide you when taking your dog out is very hot and very cold weather.
For example Dogs don't experience heat the same way that humans do. Unlike humans, dogs can't sweat, making their ability to dissipate heat very poor. And most dogs are wearing a fur coat that they unfortunately can't take off. Many times when you are comfortable, your canine companion can be overheating.
So be careful when exercising with your best friend. Monitor breathing levels. Watch for signs of fatigue. And you may even consider offering him sips of water along the way to help him keep cool.
In cold weather, make sure your dog has adequate housing. Remove snow and ice from paws as soon as possible to avoid frostbite. And remember, staying warm takes extra calories. Be generous with the food if your dog is going to be outside in the cold for any length of time.
