Keeping Fido Healthy
1. Never give a dog chocolate. It is poison to them.
2. Dogs are like kids- curious- when you bring home
a bag of groceries. Put it up where he cannot get in
it.
3. Keep all pesticides, chemicals, prescriptions,
household cleaners, auto products, etc. out of their
snout reach. They cannot read the Caution label.
4. Keep pets away from plants.
Some health problems:
Heartworms:
Symptoms: A soft, deep cough. Weakness, fatigue,
loss of appetite and weight.
These worms slowly damage the heart and lungs and
eventually kill.
Transmission: A bite from infected mosquitoes
Treatment: An Arsenic compound used to kill the
worms.
Prevention: Tests are done first as preventive pills
given to a dog already infected can be fatal.
Lyme Disease:
Symptoms: Some dogs show no symptoms. Others
show arthritic symptoms and lameness.
Transmission: Infected ticks
Treatment: Antibiotics
Prevention: Vaccination
Parvovirus:
Symptoms: Severe diarrhea and vomiting
Transmission: By feces or other discharges from an
infected animal. Also from contaminated cages,
sidewalks & clothing.
Treatment: Drugs to control the vomiting and
diarrhea and drinking of fluids.
Prevention: Vaccines.
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Health Prevention:
1. Regular check-ups
2. Dental care
3. Regular brushing and grooming
4. Cleaning the ears.
5. Flea & tick prevention - whether it be, over the
counter, Got from the vet, Home brew, homeopathic.
6. Nail Clipping
7. Anal gland cleaning.
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Caring
for an Older Pet
How old is old?
Between 5 and ten years, depending on the size of the pet
Small breeds and cats is usually aound 9 years whereas
larger breeds is usually arounf 5 years.
When they are considered gertiatic- a regular check-up
should be scheduled twice a year. More often if they have
health problems.
With regular visits the following can usually be detected
before it has gone to far:
Heart Murmurs - beginnings of serious heart problems
Abdominal palpation: enlargement of organs or tumors
Eyes: the onset of cataracts.
Dental: gum disease(that can cause problems in the
heart, kidneys & liver once it hits the blood stream)
Changes to watch for: Appitetite. weight loss, increased
thirst and urination, intermittent vomiting, diarrhea
or coughing or even sneezing.
Blood in the stool or urine. Withdrawal.
These all need to be reported to your vetetinarian.
With regular check-ups and proper care and
love- your pet can live a long and happy life
(Most of mine lived to be from 15 to 22)
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