DOG CARE PLAN

Dogs can sometimes be plenty of work. We all love our dogs, however being confident that they will obtain the most from their lives takes a great deal more thought than one might consider to begin with. Continuing to keep your dog well and correctly fed, observing its wellness, as well as continuing to keep him or her physically and mentally active are a few of the fundamental things we must take into account when planing to look after our four-legged friends. 

FEEDING YOUR DOG

It’s vital that your pet dog is fed quality food that provides the correct balance of nutrition applicable to its specific period of life (you will notice that there are distinct foods designed for large, small, puppy, adult dogs, etc.). 

Dogs are inclined to overeat and to bloat, therefore it is recommended to give food to your dog two times a day and never an excessive amount at one time. Additionally it is crucial to always keep clean fresh drinking water available for your dog at all times. 

The giving of bones to your dog from time to time is ideal for their dental health, so long as the meat is of a high quality, the bone is large enough to prevent it being swallowed whole by the dog, and that it is raw. Never on ant account give your dog a cooked bone, as it is possible for them to break and splinter - causing intestinal damage or choking. Don’t overdo it on the bones either; ensure that, the normal food continues to be basis of your dog’s healthy diet. 

EXAMINATIONS AND VACCINATIONS 

It is essential that you have your dog vaccinated early on in its life for the health and well being of both your pet as well as those around him or her. Listed below are some of the more common health problems that will need a vaccination: 

• Canine parvovirus - an extremely infectious and potentially deadly viral gastroenteritis which induces vomiting and diarrhea 

• Canine distemper - an incredibly contagious health problem with symptoms which include conjunctivitis, convulsive seizures, and spinal cord damage. It should be noted that Canine distemper can also be transferred to humans, and even though this causes no symptoms or issues in humans, you could still act as a carrier to other pets. 

• Canine infectious hepatitis - a result of canine adenovirus, this is a severe liver infection that can cause fever, depression, loss of appetite, coughing, jaundice, vomiting as well as death. 

• Canine cough - a disease caused by bacteria and a virus, resulting in a hacking and distressing cough. Even though it could be transferred to humans, it is really quite unlikely except in cases where the human has a weakened immune system. 

It’s equally important to give worm and flea-prevention drugs to your dog routinely, whilst keeping up regular appointments with the veterinarian - who is able to accurately keep track of your pooch’s health and wellbeing each and every phase of it's life. 

HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOUR DOG HAPPY

The training of your dog is an important component of continuing to keep them happy and nicely socialized. Continual training gives mental stimulation, as well as the physical stimulation he or she should get every day from exercise. 

Reward based training is recommended, simply because yelling at dogs every time they do something incorrectly can easily unintentionally strengthen unfavorable behaviors if it is misinterpreted as just providing them with attention. 

Include an organized training plan while they are young, and proceed with mental tasks as they grow older.

Maintaining Your Puppy

The key to keeping your puppy fit throughout his life is to never delay any required medical treatment.

From puppy vaccinations to grooming and treatments, here's all you'll need to know about puppy care.

Vaccinations

Before vaccinating your puppy, two things need to be done to ensure your puppy's medical visit goes smoothly:

1) Carry out a complete medical examination. 

2) Deworming, eight days before the vaccination is given.

It is mandatory to vaccinate your puppy at the right time. You have to wait till your puppy is at least 2 months old for him to be vaccinated. If the vaccine were given any time before, it would be of no use, as the maternal antibodies will neutralize the vaccine.

The best age for the first vaccination is when your puppy is eight weeks old. Since it is the first time, two injections need to be given, with a gap of 3 or 5 weeks apart.

The next round of shots begins only a year after the first vaccination. These are known as Booster shots and they need to be renewed regularly according to the vaccine used, the puppy's age and the current law.

Hygiene

Eyes

Clean your puppy's eyes and ears regularly. Use puppy-cleaning products such as an ocular solution for eyes and lotion meant for cleaning ears. Follow the instructions of the cleaning procedure carefully for best results.

Teeth

Protect your puppy's teeth from the formation of dental plaque, by brushing his teeth regularly. This will help prevent gum inflammation and foul breath. A natural remedy is kibble, when your puppy crunches on kibble it has a natural brushing effect.

Coat

Brushing your puppy's coat regularly will get rid of any unwanted parasites. Use shampoos adapted to your puppy's skin only. Human shampoo must not be used on puppies as it causes the skin to itch. Special puppy shampoos are now available in the market. These shampoos have a low acid content and do not cause your puppy's skin to itch. When you use soap, made for humans, on puppies you remove a protective oily layer, which protects your puppy from the cold and rain.

Bathing

How often you bathe your pup depends entirely on his lifestyle. Active puppies need to bathe more often to remove dirt, ticks and fleas since they are exposed to pest more than other pups that stay indoors. Use anti-tick and anti-flea shampoos to remove ticks and fleas.

Treatments

Measure can be taken to prevent transmission of internal and external parasites. While internal parasites are those which are found in soil and meat, can be transmitted from the mother to the puppy by simple contact between two pups, external parasites such as ticks and fleas are found outdoors and capable of transmitting diseases from one puppy to another.

Deworming

Deworming should be done every 6 months for a puppy. Monthly deworming until the age of 6 months should be done. Ask your vet for the best advice on the latest products and treatments available for puppy care.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Maintaining-Your-Puppy&id=9164905

Veterinary Care For Your Puppy

So, you finally gave in a got a puppy. Now you need to know what to do next. Puppies are at risk for many different diseases, but they can be prevented. One of the first things you need to do after bringing your puppy home, is make an appointment with a veterinarian for a check-up and vaccinations.

Your puppy will need a fecal exam to screen for parasites. Worms can make your pup very sick but they can easily be treated with medication. There is a series of vaccines to be given between 8 weeks and 16-20 weeks of age. The first shot your puppy will get protects against several different diseases. It is known as DHLPPCv. The vaccine covers the following:

D- Canine Distemper - A viral infection which can be fatal. Affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.

H- Hepatitis - Affects the liver

L- Leptospirosis - Bacterial infection of the kidneys

P- Parainfluenza- upper respiratory infection

P- Parvovirus - Potentially fatal, affects the lining of the intestines. Many veterinarians recommend that certain breeds, such as Dobermans and Rottweilers, should have 2 parvo vaccines. The final vaccine should be given at 20 weeks of age.

Cv- Coronavirus - similar to parvovirus but not usually fatal.

After the puppy is a year old, this vaccine should be given yearly. There are several other vaccines your pup will need to stay healthy. The rabies vaccine is given to pups at 4 months of age and repeated the following year. After the second year, the rabies vaccine is given every 2 years. 

If you are going to board your puppy (or dog), the vet will give a Bordetella vaccine. This is given as a spray in the nose and protects the dog from kennel cough, which is exactly what it says...a cough, and is highly contagious. The Lyme vaccine is given to protect from a tick-borne illness. Lyme disease causes joint pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It is given in a series of 2 doses, one at 8 weeks and one at 12 weeks.

Besides the vaccinations, your puppy, at 6 months of age will have a blood test for heartworm. If the test comes back clear, he will start on a monthly dose of heartworm prevention medication. Finally, between 6 and 12 months of age, veterinarians recommend your puppy be spayed or neutered.

Together, you and your vet can ensure a long and healthy life for your new puppy.

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Everything Your Dog Needs You To Know About Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is very similar to a cold. It may be caused by both viral and bacterial infections and affects the upper respiratory system including the trachea and bronchial tubes. Tracheobronchitis and Bordetella are other names for this condition. It is highly contagious and most dogs will experience it at least once in their lives.

What Are The Symptoms Of Kennel Cough?

A common sign that a dog has kennel cough is the presence of a dry hack often accompanied by a honking noise. A light mucus nasal discharge is often present. In mild cases, affected animals will continue to have an appetite and remain active. However, pups that are not vaccinated and dogs that are immuno-compromised are at higher risk for complications.

It is not uncommon for sick dogs to hack up large white balls of phlegm. A mild fever may be present. It may progress to pneumonia with the risk of death.

How To Treat Kennel Cough?

The best treatment is prevention. Dog owners should see the vet as soon as possible to arrange for vaccinations. Unfortunately, once a dog has contracted Bordetella, the vaccines are not an effective way to treat the condition.

In most cases, a vet will recommend that the disease be allowed to run its course. Dogs should be encouraged to eat and drink to maintain their strength. Moist environments are good for these sick dogs, so consider having your dog come into the bathroom while you shower. The steam will help relieve clogged up passages.

Your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to alleviate the worst symptoms. Antimicrobials are often prescribed when your pet is running a fever or having a difficult time breathing. Be sure to remove collars or other items from around your dog's neck during this time.

How Is Kennel Cough Spread?

This disease has earned its name because it is rapidly spread when dogs come into contact with each other. In kennels, where dogs are in close quarters, the spread is very rapid. In fact, most kennel owners require their clients to bring paperwork proving that their dogs have received vaccinations before they will agree to board them.

Kennel cough can be caught at a busy dog park or by simply sharing a bowl of water with another infected dog. And, since dogs have such a tendency to drool, it is easy to understand why it is so contagious since the virus or bacteria is also a waterborne infection.

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10 Things You Should Know About Your New Puppy

Just about everybody loves a puppy. What's not to love? Okay, maybe there are a few things -- like accidents in the house, chewing your things, nipping...

Here are a few things that you should know about your new puppy:

1. When you bring your new puppy home he doesn't know very much. He's spent most of the first weeks of his life living with his mother and siblings, who are dogs. That means he knows some basic dog things, like how to whimper and bark to get attention. He knows how to poop on papers. His breeder may have taught him a few things but there wasn't time to teach him very much. Your puppy is pretty much a blank slate. It's up to you to teach him everything he needs to know.

2. Your puppy is a little animal, not a small person in a furry suit. He has animal instincts and will always react as an animal when he doesn't know what to do. That means that your puppy can bite and scratch and hurt somebody if he's not supervised and trained. He needs training while he's young so that he doesn't grow up to be a badly-behaved dog.

3. Puppies need socialization. Socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to the big, wide world and everything in it. Your puppy needs to go places, see new things and meet people. He should learn that new things and new people are good. Socialization teaches a puppy to be confident and helps him later in life. Puppies that are well-socialized tend not to develop behavior problems later on.

4. You should begin training your puppy early. You can train a dog throughout his life but it's always easier and advisable to start training a puppy when he's young. Teach your puppy good manners and some basic obedience skills like Sit and Come. You can take him to Puppy Preschool or Puppy Kindergarten classes where he can learn some simple obedience and enjoy some socialization at the same time.

5. Your puppy will most likely chew on things so you should try to "puppy proof" your house as much as possible. Put away your shoes and other things that he can reach. When your puppy chews on things take them away. If you catch your puppy in the act of chewing on something he's not supposed to chew on, you can correct him (no physical punishments). Otherwise, if you don't catch him, you should let it go. There is no point in correcting a puppy or dog for something that has already happened. Your puppy or dog won't know why they're being corrected.

6. Puppies may nip, bite too hard when playing or simply get too raucous. When they do, you should stop playing with them and ignore them. If they continue, you should call a time-out. Time-outs work with puppies just as they do with children. If your puppy nips you, you should yelp and let him know it hurts. If he even touches his teeth to your skin, yelp and don't play with him. If you stop playing with him whenever he tries to nip he will stop nipping.

7. If you have children teach them that they can't mistreat a puppy. Tell them not to stare at a puppy or otherwise make the puppy uncomfortable. They puppy may lunge at them. And, if they run away screaming from a puppy, the puppy will chase them. Not all kids are happy about that fact. Children under six should be supervised when they play with puppies.

8. Puppies may whine and bark and whimper for attention. Sometimes you will have to ignore them, especially if you want to get any sleep.

9. Do make sure that your puppy gets all of his vaccinations on schedule. See that he takes heartworm preventive and flea medication if he needs it in your area. Your puppy's health and well-being depend on proper veterinary care. You should also make sure that you are feeding him a good dog food with meat protein sources.

10. Puppies are adorable and they will make you do whatever they want.

Those are a few things you should know about puppies. Have fun with your puppy and may he (or she) grow up to be a wonderful dog.

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The Basics Of Dog Care

When you decide to bring a dog into your home, you make a commitment to his or her health. You have to make sure that he or she is healthy in every stage of life. You are now responsible for pet's health and happiness.

The health care needs for your dog change over the years, evolve at every stage of life. Here are some of your dog's health care needs at every stage and age.

The Right Health Care For Young Puppies

Vaccinations are very important during the first few months of your puppy's life. Your puppy will receive a few series of vaccinations and booster shots every three weeks until they are four to five months old. And these formative years are the perfect time to develop good dog health care habits like protecting them from heart worm and fleas.

According to Dr. Mark Stickney, DVM, clinical assistant professor, chair of the internship selection committee and director of general surgery services at the College of Veterinary Medicine's department of small animal medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University in College Station, "These vaccines protect your puppy against diseases."

Another pet health care is neutering or spaying. It is an operation that removes the reproductive organs of your pets. Early spaying or neutering prevents accidental pregnancies and diminishes health and behavioural problems.

Dental health is likewise very important. It keeps your dog's teeth strong and healthy. The current recommendation is to have the teeth brushed daily and cleaned yearly.

The Suitable Health Care For Adult Dogs

Your favorite domesticated animal is considered an adult from age two to age seven. During this period, the health care revolves around preventing problems (illnesses) and treating them. It is recommended that you meet a veterinarian yearly for a physical examination. The expert veterinarian will check carefully the possible health problems.

Rabies vaccinations should be given from one up to three years. The veterinarian may determine other vaccinations that your dog might need. Even though heart worm preventatives effectively work 100%, the pet health expert might like to repeat the test every year or two to make sure everything pertinent to the animal's health.

The Ultimate Health Care For Senior Dogs

Dogs are considered senior when they reach the age of seven years. That is the time when the veterinarians recommend yearly blood check-up to look for any disease, like kidney disease. If your favorite pet develops any health problem during this age and stage, you may need to visit the vet twice or more a year.

The veterinarian may immediately determine that your pet animal is showing worrisome symptoms, like limping, lameness, appetite changes, inactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe itching. These things need regular check-ups. By following your vets' advices and recommendations, your pet can have the optimum health and wellness.

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