May 25th, 2009 by admin

Dogs suffer many of the same physical illnesses as people. They might even share many of the same psychological problems. Since people usually know more about human diseases than canine maladies. Many of the terms used in this chapter will be familiar but not necessarily those used by veterinary surgeons. We will use the term x-ray, instead of the more acceptable term radiograph. We will also use the familiar term symptoms even though dogs don’t have symptoms, which are verbal descriptions of the patient’s feelings; dogs have clinical signs. Since dogs can’t speak, we have to look for clinical sings….but we still use the term symptoms in this book.

As a general rule, medicine is practiced. That term is not arbitrary. Medicine is a constantly changing art as we learn more and more about generics, electronic aids (like CAT scans) and daily laboratory advances. There are many dog maladies, like canine hip dysplasia, which are not universally treated in the same manner. Some veterinary surgeons opt for surgery more often than others do.

SELECTING A VETENARY SURGEON

Your selection of a veterinary surgeon should not be based upon personality (as most are) but upon their convenience to your home. You want a vet who is close because you might have emergencies or need to make multiple visits for treatments. You want a vet who has services that you might require usch as tattooing and grooming, as well as sophisticated pet supplies and a good reputation for ability and responsiveness. There is nothing more frustrating that having to wait a day or more to get a response from your veterinary surgeon.

All veterinary surgeons are licensed and their diplomas and /or certificates should be displayed in their waiting rooms. There are, however, many veterinary ospecialities that usually require further studies and internships. There are specialists in heart problems (veterinary dentists), eye peoblems (veterinary ophthamologists) and x-rays (veterinary radiologists), as well as vets who have specialities in bones, muscles or other organs. Most veterinary surgeons do routine surgery such as neutering stitching up wounds and docking tails for those breeds in which such is required for show purposes. When the problem affecting your dog is serious, it is not unusual or impudent to get another medical opinion, although in Britain you are obliged to advise the vets concerned about this. You might also want to compare costs among several veterinary surgeons.

DID YOU KNOW?

Male dogs are neutered. The operation removes the testicles and required that the dog be anaesthetized. Recovery takes about one week. Femals are spayed. This is major surgery and it usually takes a bitch two weeks to recover

Sophisticated health care and veterinary services can be very costly. Important decisions are often based upon financial considerations.

PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

It is much easier, less costly and more effective to practice preventative medicine than to fight bouts of illness and disease. Properly bred puppies come from parents who were selected based upon their genetic disease profile. Their mothers should have been vaccinated, free of all internal and external parasites and properly nourished. For these reasons, a visit to the veterinary surgeon who cared for the dam is recommended. The dam can pass on disease resistance to her puppies, which can last for eight to ten weeks. She can also pass on parasites and many infections. That’s why you should visit the veterinary surgeon who cared for the dam.

VACCINATION SCHEDULING

`Most vaccinations are given by injection and should only be done by a veterinary surgeon. Both he and you should keep a record of the date of the injection, the identification of the vaccine and the amount given. Some vets give a first vaccination at eight weeks, but most dog breeders prefer the course not to commence until about ten weeks because of negating any antibodies passed on by the dam. The vaccination scheduling is usually based one 15 day cycle. You must take your vet’s advice regarding when to vaccinate as this may differ according to the vaccine used. Most vaccinations immunize your puppy against viruses.

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU WALK YOUR DOG

Dogs who have been exposed to lawns sprayed with herbicides have double and triple the rate of malignant lymphoma. Town dogs are especially at risk, as they are exposed to tailored lawns and gardens. Dogs perspire and absorb through their footpads. Be careful where your dog walks and always avoid any area that appears yellowed from chemical overspray.

KNOW WHEN TO POSTPONE A VACCINATION

While the visit to the vet is costly, it is never advisable to update a vaccination when visiting with a sick or pregnant dog. Vaccinations should be avoided for all elderly dogs. If your dog is showing the signs of any illness or any medical condition, no matter how serious or mild, including skin irritations, do not vaccinate. Likewise, a lame dog should never be vaccinated; any dog on any immunosuppressant drugs should not be vaccinated until fully recoverd.

Immunizing doses of several different viruses such as distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza and hepatitis although some veterinary surgeons recommend separate vaccines for each disease. There are other vaccines available when the puppy is at risk. You should rely upon professional advice. This is especially true for the booster-shot programme. Require a booster when the puppy is a year old and once a year thereafter. In require more or less frequent immunizachitis, is treated with a vaccine that is sprayed into the dog’s Nostrils. Kennel cough is usually included in routine vaccination, but this is often not so effective as for other major diseases.

CARETAKER OF TEETH

You are your dog’s caretaker and his dentist. Vets warn that plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth will damage the gums and allow bacteria to enter the dog’s bloodstream, causing serious damage to the animal’s vital organs. Studies show that over 50 percent of dogs have some form of gum dis3ease before age three. Daily or weekly tooth cleaning (with a brush or soft gauze pad wipes) can add years to your dog’s life

WEANING TO MONTHS OLD

Puppies should be weaned by the time they are about two months old. A puppy that remains for at least eight weeks with its mother and littermates usually adapts better to other dogs and people later in its life.
Some new owners have their puppy examined by a veterinary surhen immediately, which is a good idea. Vaccination programmes usually begin when the puppy is very young.

The puppy will have its teeth examined and have its skeletal conformation and general health checked prior to certification by certain breeds surgeon. Puppies in their kneecaps, cataracts and other eye problems, heart murmurs and undescended testicles. They may also have personality problems and your veterinary surgeon might have training in temperament evaluation.

FIVE TO TWELVE MONTHS OF AGE

Unless you intend to breed or show your dog, neutering the puppy at six months of age is recommended. Discuss this with your veterinary surgeon. Neutering has proven to be extremely beneficial to both male and female puppies. Besides eliminating the possibility of pregnancy. It inhibits (but does not prevent ) berast cancer in bitches and prostate cancer in male dogs. Under no circum-stances should a bitch be spayed prior to her first season. Your veterinary surgeon should provide your puppy with a thorough dental evaluation at six months of age. Ascertaining whether all the permanent teeth have erupted properly. A home dental care regimen should be initiated at six months, including brushing weekly and providing good dental devices (such as nylon bones). Regular dental care breath and a longer life.

ONE TO SEVEN YEAR

Once a year, your grown dog should visit the vet for an examination and vaccination boosters, If needed. Some vets recommend blood tests, thyroid level check and dental evaluation to accompany tese annual visits. A thorough clinical evaluation by background information for your dog. Blood tests are often perfomed at one year of age, and dental examinations around the third or fourth birthday. In the long run, quality preventative, teeth and lives.