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The puppy vaccination series
is one of the most important aspects of your puppy's early life.
Vaccinating pets has been a controversial subject for years. Many people
worry that we are over-vaccinating out pets, possibly putting them at
risk for auto-immune issues and vaccine reactions. That's part of the reason many vets
are moving towards a three-year protocol (rather than annual) for adult
dogs. However, when it comes to puppies it's a different story. Just
like human babies, puppies (and kittens) need basic immunizations at the
very least. Plus, the vaccine visits allow your vet to examine your
puppy every few weeks and monitor his growth and overall health. Talk to
your vet about the best immunization schedule for your puppy.
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Your
new puppy will need certain items from the very start. Some are
essential for your pup's well-being, while others are quite helpful.
Most important items include a leash and collar with identification,
food and water bowls, and chew toys. You should also get a nice dog bed
and, preferably, a crate or kennel. Some if these items can last as
your puppy ages, but bear in mind that most of them will need to be
replaced when your puppy grows. Collars may be adjustable to a certain
point. A kennel can be purchased in a larger size for the future, but
should be blocked off with boxes or other objects to make it the right size for the puppy. Be prepared for the expenses associated with dog ownership so you can budget accordingly.
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Your puppy's diet can make all the difference in his future health and well-being. Before you decide on a puppy food,
do your research. Talk to your vet, other pet professionals, and fellow
dog owners. Remember that if the food you initially choose does not
meet your expectations, you can gradually switch to another food. In
today's dog-friendly world, the choices of diet seem endless. Some
owners like to feed premium foods, while many feel that holistic/natural diets are best. However, homemade and raw diets
are becoming increasingly popular. While researching puppy food,
consider the quality of ingredients, inclusion of proper nutrients, and
taste. Basically, the food should be good for your puppy and he should
like eating it.
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Preferably, you will find a veterinarian
before you get a puppy. Within a few days of taking your new puppy
home, you should bring him to your vet for a general exam. Your vet can
help identify any potential heath issues early on, and advise you on
caring for your puppy long-term. This initial visit also opens the doors
of communication
with you and your vet. Over the course of your puppy's first six
months, you will see a lot of your vet. This begins with vaccines and
usually leads to spay or neuter.
Typically, puppies should be spayed or neutered around six months of
age. To help keep your puppy's expenses down, you may consider
purchasing pet health insurance, which could cover up to 80% of your dog's health care costs.
Bringing a new puppy into your home will change your life forever.
Puppies are definitely a lot of work, but the also bring plenty of joy
to your world. Whether you are getting your first puppy
or just need a refresher course, this is what you'll need to know. From
welcoming your new puppy home, to training and health information,
these tips will help you get your puppy on the right track to adulthood.
Question: Should I induce vomiting after my dog ingests a toxin? Answer: Sometimes, but not always.
If you believe that your dog has ingested a dangerous substance, it is essential to act right away. However, you should never
induce vomiting without first speaking with a veterinary professional.
Begin by calling a veterinarian's office or an animal poison control
hotline. You should have the package and a sample of the toxin with you
during the phone call, if available. The quicker you can explain what
your pet ate, the faster therapy can begin.
Heartworm disease
is a life-threatening parasitic infection that invades the hearts and
lungs of dogs. Because heartworms are spread solely by the mosquito, any
dog exposed to mosquitos is at risk. Heartworm disease is a relatively common disease in dogs that has been seen everywhere in the United States. Because of this, the American Heartworm Society
currently recommends year-round treatment with a heartworm preventative
for all dogs in the US regardless of climate. However, dogs in the
Southeast are at the highest risk.
Obesity in dogs
is a growing problem. As with humans, overweight pets are at a high
risk for a variety of health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.
Weight loss is the key to preventing these health problems or helping to
treat them if they have already begun.
Weight loss for dogs is clearly not a matter of willpower for the
dog. Owners, however, may need to use willpower to resist those begging
eyes. Remember, food is not love! As a reward to your dog, try offering
personal attention and toys.
Question: How long is a dog's pregnancy (gestation)?
Answer: Pregnancy in dogs, also called gestation,
typically lasts 63 days (about nine weeks). The duration of a dog's
pregnancy can fall in the range of 58 to 68 days.
Though estrus (heat cycles) can vary from breed to breed, the normal gestation period falls within the same range for all dogs, regardless of breed.
The command “look” is used to get your dog’s attention. It is useful for
times when you need your dog to focus on you, such as during obedience training. It is especially helpful for those who work as a team with their dogs. For instance, people who compete in dog agility or those who are involved in search and rescue
can use the “look” command to get their dog’s attention in order to
give them instructions on what to do next. It is also useful for working
on behavior problems. Having your dog focus his attention on you can divert his attention away from the things that bring out fearful or aggressive behaviors.
Here’s how to teach your dog the “look” command:
Getting Started
“Look” is a very simple command to teach. You will need some treats, and your clicker if you are working on clicker training.
Teaching “look” is a great way to introduce your dog to the clicker if
you have not already done so. You should begin training in a quiet spot
with very little to distract your dog. Once you have your clicker and
treats ready, say your dog’s name followed by the command “look.”
This
should be a no-brainer. While dog parks are fun and all, they are a
breeding ground for germs and diseases. It's kind of an unspoken code,
but every pet owner has the responsibility of keeping their pups up to
date on all of their vaccinations. Of course, not everyone plays by the
rules, so if you feel the need, don't be afraid to ask other pet parents
if their dogs are fully vaccinated.
Dogs of any age can be susceptible
to hemangiosarcomas - malignant tumors arising from blood vessels - but those
middle-aged and over 8 are especially vulnerable. The aggressively spreading
cancer may go undetected until the last stages, making it a silent killer.
Although they can be found almost anywhere in the body, about 80 percent of all
heman giosarcomas begin in the spleen, said John Berg, DVM, chair of the
Department of Clinical Sciences at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
at Tufts University. The spleen, a large organ in the abdomen, stores blood,
among other functions. “Fewer hemangiosarcomas arise in the heart and fewer
still in other sites, such as the skin, “he said. “And although not directly
heritable, there appears to be a predisposition among purebreds - particularly large
breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers. “Surgery can
often cure the form of the disease affecting the skin. In that location, the
tumor often doesn’t metastasize, or spread, to distant sites. Otherwise,
hemangiosarcomas are rarely curable. As long as expectations are realistic,
however, temporary remissions are possible. “Many dogs recover quickly from
tumor removal surgery and, although they may only have a short time left, the
quality of life during this time can be excellent, “said Dr. Berg, a surgical specialist.
Because splenic hemangiosarcomas develop internally, they often give little warning
until they become quite advanced. The spleen may suddenly begin bleeding, and
blood may enter the abdomen. “A dog may exhibit sudden weakness or he may
collapse,”Dr. Berg said. “His gums look pale and his pulse is rapid. He is in
danger of going into shock or even dying. If this happens, consider it an
emergency and get your dog to a veterinarian.”
Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, a specialist in emergency and critical care at the Cummings
School, has this advice for owners worried about canine influenza:
“Don’t panic. The flu in people and dogs has high morbidity - many get sick - but it
has very, very low mortality.”As of this writing, outbreaks of the virus, which began in horses and crossed to racing Greyhounds and other dogs, have been identified in a half dozen states, including
Florida, New York and Washington. Few deaths from complications, such as pneumonia,
have been reported.However, owners should limit their dog’s exposure the same as they would with any other infectious disease, Dr. Rozanski said. “Avoid high volume boarding kennels and
pet store puppies. Very old, very young dogs and immunosuppressed dogs - from chemotherapy, diabetes or prednisone - are at risk. Dog parks should be fine. They tend to
cater to dog lovers who take good care of their dogs.”
The signs are coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and loss of appetite. Treatment consists of supportive care. Assessing the public health impact, Dr. Rubin Donis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a briefing that horses have had equine
influenza virus for more than 40 years. “In all these years, we have never been able to
document a single case of human infection with this virus.”
Said Dr. Rozanski:“The informed owner will recognize this is a minor crisis unlikely, except in rare circumstances, to cause problems.”
No matter your canine companion’s
age, breed or disposition, he needs to learn good household manners. The most
important of these is housetraining. A dog who eliminates indiscriminately will
cause headaches for his humans and himself. Luckily, a consistent
behavioral program can give your dog
perfect elimination etiquette.- By C.C. Holland Advice for every stage of your
dog’s life.
The Key: Watchfulness and Frequent
Trips Outdoors
The best advice when housetraining a
puppy:
“You can go with the flow of using
the puppy’s natural instinct to keep his den area or bedding clean,”
said Nicholas Dodman, BVMS,
MRCVS, director of the Behavior
Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
To begin, keep your puppy in a dry,
secure area, such as an exercise pen or kitchen. Several times during the day,
take him on-leash to a designated elimination area. Put the puppy down, keep
him focused and let him move back and forth. When he eliminates, immediately
offer a food treat and lavish praise. If he doesn’t eliminate within 10
minutes,
take him inside and keep an eye on
him. Either confine him or attach his leash to your belt, wait 15 minutes and
then, repeat the exercise.
“It may take two or three 15-minute
blocks,”
Dr. Dodman said, “but if at first
you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Stay with the puppy outside to teach
him the correct behavior.
“So many people just turn
them out in the yard and wait for 30
minutes, let them in, and they urinateon the floor,” said Dr. Dodman. In
general, puppies can hold their bladders for their age in months plus one; a
2-month-old puppy can go a maximum of three hours without a potty break. This
means you’ll need to
make frequent trips outside during
the day and usually at least once overnight. In addition, offer elimination
opportunities 20 to 30 minutes after a meal and when the dog transitions from
one activity to another, Dr. Dodman said.
WHEN ACCIDENTS OCCUR, DON’T MASK THE
ODOR-REMOVE IT
Never punish your dog for an
accident, Dr. Dodman said. He can’t associate the punishment with the deed, or
worse, he’ll simply learn not to eliminate in front of you - and that means
outdoors as well.
If your dog begins to squat or
urinate in the house, make a sudden, loud noise to distract him and interrupt
what he’s doing, then calmly and happily attach a leash and take him outside,
Dr. Dodman said. encourage him to eliminate there, and if he does, praise him
to
the heavens and give him a treat. If you’ve adopted an older dog, especially one who’s been in a
shelter, even if he’s supposedly housetrained it’s wise to act as if he isn’t
and begin at square one. Stress or changes in environment may cause some
backsliding. Once he’s reliable, a dog door can be a great aid to both owner
and pet. “A dog door means the dog can now take charge of his or her own life,
which is stress-relieving,” Dr. Dodman said. If a dog does have accidents in
the house, you must clean up the mess and - most importantly - eliminate any
associated scent. Once an area is soiled, it’s marked as an elimination
spot and a dog may tend to use it
again. “Don’t try to mask the odor with another scent,” Dr. Dodman cautioned, “because your dog will
still smell it. Use a solution that will destroy the compounds that cause those
odors.” He recommends Zero Odor (www.zeroodorpet.com), an oxidizing agent that
removes both scent and stains.
HEALTH PROBLEMS AND MEDICINE CAN CAUSE
HIS INCONTINENCE
Incontinence can plague older dogs,
but it’s usually associated with medical problems rather than age, Dr. Dodman
said. While kidney function may decline as a dog gets on in years, that alone
usually won’t cause accidents. However, a variety of health challenges
can cause incontinence or more
frequent urination, including cystitis and various metabolic disorders. Also,
Dr. Dodman said,
“If you get a dog who is 10 or older
and suddenly starts to have
accidents, think about canine
cognitive dysfunction.”
House soiling is one of the
hallmarks of the disorder, which can also cause disorientation and changes in
sleep patterns and behavior. excellent medications are available that can
either eliminate or alleviate the symptoms in about two-thirds of treated dogs,
Dr. Dodman said.In addition, certain medications - such as cortisone and
bromide - can cause the dog to drink more, which can also lead to accidents. “Don’t
immediately blame the dog - think about the circumstances,” Dr. Dodman said.
The bottom line: If your older dog begins to soil the house, have your vet
check him out. If your dog has a medical condition that’s incurable and causes
incontinence, diapers designed for dogs can provide a good solution.
Trimming your dog’s nails is a necessary chore and should be done every three or four weeks. You can do it yourself or have a groomer or vet
clip your dog's nails for you. Most groomers will be happy to show you
how it’s done and it might be a good idea to do this the first time
around. If your dog absolutely detests the process and it turns into a
huge struggle, my advice is to let the pros do it. This unhappy scenario
can be avoided by getting your dog used to having his paws handled when
he’s a pup.
An important part of helping a sick dog heal is to detoxify her body.
Toxins can build up in the body, either because of chronic disease or
extensive use of medications, such as corticosteroids, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs.
Using gentle herbal and homeopathic remedies and nutritional
supplements, veterinarians who practice integrative medicine help
cleanse the dog’s body and allow greater healing to occur. The following
tips can help you with your pet’s detoxification:
Virginia Parker Guidry
Strong, handsome and powerful, the adult Rottweiler stands out in a
crowd. Its distinct, self-assured presence is evident to onlookers,
regardless of their familiarity with the breed. As puppies,
however, this awesome dog breed is round, fuzzy and reminiscent of a
little bear. This look, combined with their puppyish antics, make these
dogs incredibly endearing-perhaps to a fault, for who can resist a cute,
bear-like creature?
Choosing a Rottweiler puppy, however, is a much more involved process
than simply giving into temptation. It's a process that requires
critical thinking and careful evaluation. Following are a few thoughts
and ideas from breed enthusiasts to help you do just that.
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(Murphy)