Train the Dog Blog

Do you have concerns about parasites or what type of diet is best for your furry companion? In the world of canine ownership, dog health questions abound. This article will cover the most widely asked about topics.

What vaccinations does your dog need? Around the ages of six to eight weeks, pups should be given shots to protect against these often fatal diseases: adenovirus, parainfluenza, distemper, parvovirus, and rabies. Bordatella is also recommended though it is not usually fatal. Boosters should be given every one to three years respectively as a dog ages. Rabies shots, however, are required yearly by law. There are also vaccines available for problems associated to the different regions you live in.

What do you do if your dog has worms in his stool? Your dog can pick up many different types of worms that can make him sick. These include hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms and can be passed to us. Take him to your veterinarian. They will do a fecal test to see what type of parasite it is and then de-worm the animal. It is a good idea to go ahead and have this done at their yearly exam each year.

How do you prevent fleas and ticks? Fleas and ticks are both parasites that feed off your pet and cause them discomfort. If you see fleas or evidence of them in the coat or if the canine is constantly scratching, a good flea dip can do the trick. If there is a tick, pull it off carefully with tweezers and flush it. They can carry diseases. After a dip, put him on flea and tick topical medication for prevention.

Have you checked for fleas and your dog is still scratching? He may have allergies to something that is around the yard or the house. Ear mites could also have settled in his ears and cause him to constantly itch. See your veterinarian if you suspect either of these problems. The last conclusion is that it could be just dry skin. This is especially true in the cool months. Find a shampoo made from tea tree oil or oatmeal to soothe his skin.

What should you feed your pet? Dry food should always be your number one choice. It is ninety percent meat, grains, vitamins, and minerals. On the other hand, canned meat is mostly water based. Dogs that live off wet food have the most cases of bad teeth and gums and obesity. When you choose your kibbles, be sure that meat is the main ingredient and not wheat or animal byproducts.

Does your dog have arthritis? If he is a senior, it is very likely. Trouble rising, walking, jumping or generally being stiff are all signs of this condition. Arthritis is the result of friction on joints due to the cushioning cartilage wearing down. Medicine to relieve symptoms is available. Also, have your vet check for hip dysplasia if you own the breeds predisposed to it.

Canines are wonderful companions. However, we have to take care of them. You have already started just by getting answers to some of your dog health questions here!

If you want to get some FREE answers to some of the more common dog health questions, then please click on any of these given links: dog health questions answers to dog health questions

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.