HEALTH CARE

Often the difference between a long and happy life and a short and difficult one is health care. With proper medical attention most dogs are extremely healthy and sturdy beings. Without it, they — and you — will suffer.

CHOOSING A VETERINARIAN

Even before you select your dog or puppy, select your veterinarian. Get recommendations from friends and then visit one or two vets.

The real differentiating factors among veterinarians are office location, office hours, fees, and — most important — bedside manner. You want a vet who shows a personal interest in your dog, and who will take a few minutes to explain things. An abrupt or uncommunicative D.V.M., no matter how technically expert, probably won’t be satisfactory.

IMMUNIZATIONS

If your puppy hasn’t been immunized before he joins your family, he will need shots to protect him from a variety of dangers, including canine distemper (a usually fatal viral disease), canine hepatitis (a viral disease of the liver), parvo virus (a dangerous intestinal virus), leptospirosis (which affects the liver and kidneys), kennel cough (a collection of a dozen or so viruses that cause the equivalent of a very nasty human cold) and — most deadly of all — rabies. The first rabies shot is given at three to five months, and is good for one year. After the first year, the rabies shot can be given once every three years. Typically, state laws require only rabies immunizations. Most cities require proof of rabies immunization as a condition of granting a dog license. And many campgrounds won’t accept dogs without proof of rabies immunization.

Clearly, a rabies immunization is important, but don’t stop there. Get all the shots recommended by your vet — most of these other diseases are potentially fatal — and set up a schedule for return visits and booster shots. Keep track of the immunizations your puppy receives (including those received before you got him) and make sure you follow up with boosters at the recommended times throughout your dog’s life.

Many vets offer low-cost immunization clinics on evenings or weekends, where an assistant immunizes cats and dogs at a reduced rate. You save money, but the downside is that your dog is not seen by the vet. Even if you use clinics for immunization, at least once a year take your dog to the vet, who will examine him for parasites and check his overall health. Bring along a stool sample, which will be analyzed for the presence of internal parasites.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PARASITES

Puppies and dogs are often susceptible to internal and external parasites. Among them:

HEARTWORM, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and resides in a dog’s heart or nearby major blood vessels. An infected animal lacks energy and may have a chronic cough. Prevention is much easier than a cure, so ask your vet if your dog should be medicated against heartworm during the mosquito season.

HOOKWORM, which can be transmitted from the mother to the puppy before birth or during nursing. This parasite fastens itself to the walls of the small intestine, and drains the dog’s energy by causing anemia and loss of appetite. A black tarry stool, often with traces of blood, is another symptom.

ROUNDWORM, which also can be transmitted from mother to puppy before birth or during nursing. Infected puppies usually develop potbellies; the larvae spread through the body, causing dehydration, diarrhea, pneumonia, stunted growth and vomiting.

TAPEWORM, which is contracted when a puppy swallows larva-laden fleas. Symptoms include ricelike deposits that turn up in the puppy’s feces.

WHIPWORM, which causes diarrhea, chronic bowel inflammation, mucus in the stool, and ultimately weight loss.

The most common external parasites are wingless bloodsucking insects, and the most common of these is the flea. Symptoms are continual scratching and loss of fur. Over time, fleas have become resistant to many flea-control products, so ask your vet, groomer, kennel or pet store professional to recommend an effective flea-control plan. Be sure you read and follow the label directions carefully. A once-a-month pill, available by prescription, prevents flea eggs in your dog’s fur from maturing. Unfortunately, it won’t eliminate grown fleas, and it requires 30 to 60 days to become effective. But it will kill eggs, which are a source of future infestations. Long-lasting, topically applied products can also be effective, and are available over the counter.

Lice are less common than fleas and usually easier to control. Your breeder, groomer, vet or pet store manager can recommend a packaged medication. Follow the label instructions carefully.

Ticks are far more dangerous than fleas because they can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and other serious diseases. Ticks must be removed carefully, one at a time, with tweezers. It’s best to avoid doing this yourself unless a vet has shown you how. If you do remove the tick, be sure to submerge it in a can of water with soap, ensuring against further bites.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD WATCH FOR

In between visits to the vet, you should regularly examine your dog. Watch for:

DIARRHEA. This is most often caused by an improper diet, but bacteria, viruses, parasites and even food allergies are other causes. In any event, consult your vet. He or she will probably suggest you impose a 24-hour feeding moratorium on your dog, then resume feeding him only high-quality dog food such as one of MAX®, Ultra™ or Natural Choice® brand Puppy or Large Breed Puppy formulas.

VOMITING. A dog’s reputation for eating just about anything is well deserved, and usually vomiting is just his way of getting rid of something that he shouldn’t have swallowed in the first place. So don’t worry about occasional incidents. But if your dog is vomiting several times a day, the cause may be parasites or other serious problems — including the swallowing of forbidden objects like toys or small plastic objects. See your vet.

EYE OR EAR INFECTIONS. Examine your dog’s ears frequently. Infections are manifested typically by redness, followed by a runny discharge as the problem advances. Be alert, and visit your vet before the infection reaches this point. When ears become infected, they may smell bad or be red and itchy. A dog will probably scratch them often or vigorously shake his head. Ear mites can also cause this symptom.

DENTAL CARE. See your groomer or vet to learn proper brushing and dental hygiene techniques. As you learn to brush your puppy’s teeth, you’ll see that it’s not that hard (for you or your puppy!). In addition to feeding dry puppy food, you should also incorporate Nutro® Puppy Drumsticks™ and Nutro Tartar Control Biscuits into a snack feeding routine. When your puppy becomes an adult dog, you may want to feed him Natural Choice Dental Care — an adult dog food that fights plaque and freshens breath.

OTHER SYMPTOMS. At any stage of your dog’s life, watch for any changes such as: difficulty eating, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss or gain, bad breath, drooling, hair loss or dull coat, changes in skin condition, red or watery eyes, runny nose, labored breathing, blood in urine or stool, difficulty in urinating, sluggish or unusual behavior, and a temperature higher than normal (normal for a dog is 101.0° F to 102.5° F rectally). Call your vet and be prepared to promptly take your dog in for an examination.

HEALTH CARE YOU CAN PROVIDE

There are many health-care procedures you can do yourself. Your dog may not always show his gratitude, but rest assured that in his heart he still loves you:

PILLS: Greenies® Pill Pockets® treats for dogs are a nutritious treat that contain a built-in pocket, perfect for hiding a pill or supplement. Dogs love the taste so much – they won’t even notice there’s medicine inside!

BATHING, BRUSHING, AND COMBING

Bathing a dog can be a challenge, and it’s important that your puppy’s first bath be a pleasant experience for him. To make sure future baths go smoothly, consider having the first one given by a professional groomer.

If you decide to do the job yourself, find a basin, the bathtub, a deep sink, laundry tub, plastic dish-washing pan or even a large shallow pail. Place a rubber mat or towel on the bottom and fill partially with lukewarm water. Hold your puppy very firmly and place him into the water. Then wet him down, starting from the head and working back to his tail. Next, apply a pet shampoo and work the lather until the dog is clean. There are a variety of shampoos specifically for dogs — your breeder, vet or pet store manager can make recommendations. Avoid getting lather in the eyes or ears (cotton balls in the ears can help). Rinse thoroughly twice with warm water — a spray hose works best. Dry thoroughly with a heavy, fluffy towel. If it’s cold outside, make sure your puppy stays indoors until his coat is completely dry.

Don’t forget to brush and comb your puppy regularly, and especially before you bathe him. Most dogs love this, assuming you use a tool that’s appropriate for your dog’s coat. For longhaired puppies, use a soft brush with natural bristles and a wide-tooth comb. If your puppy has medium-length hair, use a wire brush and a wide-tooth comb. Short hair requires soft or medium bristles and a fine-tooth comb. Special mat combs are available if the coat is terribly matted, but with routine care, you can avoid this problem fairly easily. Always brush first, and follow up with combing.

TRIMMING NAILS

Clipping a dog’s nails is difficult and often dangerous. The quick is usually hard to see, which makes bloody cuts all too common. It’s best to leave this task to the experienced — your groomer or vet. If you choose to tackle the task yourself, be careful. Watch your vet or a professional groomer do it at least once or twice before attempting it yourself.

The best position is kneeling on the floor with the dog between your elbow and body. Grasp a forepaw firmly to spread out the toes, and then — using only a nail clipper sold by pet professionals, clip off the tip of the nail only. Basic instructions will be included with the clippers.

If you visit the groomer for nail clipping, discuss tooth brushing techniques while you’re there. You may even want to have your dog’s teeth brushed at the same time. And, as a special treat at home, offer your dog Nutro Tartar Control Biscuits to maintain his healthy smile.

AVOIDING ACCIDENTS

Like people, dogs can be injured seriously by accident. Puppyhood is the time to anticipate such incidents and try to keep them from happening. Car accidents are less likely if you fence your property, or devise another way to keep your dog from getting out. You can avoid burns or shocks by making sure electrical cords are out of your puppy’s reach so he can’t chew through them, and by teaching your dog not to stand near the stove while you’re cooking. Never leave your puppy in an unsecured pool area without supervision. If your dog has been injured, rush him to a vet immediately. Be as gentle as you can while transporting him. Put a towel over him to keep him warm. Use gauze bandages or a clean piece of cloth (such as a handkerchief) to minimize blood loss from wounds.

In the case of drowning or electrical shock (such as that caused by chewing through an electrical cord), the dog’s breathing may stop. It’s a good idea to become trained in animal CPR before the need arises. Contact your local Red Cross for course information.

POISONING

Automotive antifreeze, insecticides, chocolate and certain indoor and outdoor plants all can poison dogs. Unfortunately, poisoning is difficult to diagnose unless you witnessed the incident. If you did, bring a sample of the poison to the veterinarian, if possible. In any event, wrap the dog in a towel or blanket to fight off shock, and rush him to medical help.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING

Should your dog be spayed or neutered? Unless you are a breeder, the answer is absolutely yes. As a responsible and compassionate dog owner, you want to ensure that no unwanted puppies a re brought into the world. Besides, both you and your dog will be much happier after the proc dure. Neutered males have lower incidence of testicular cancer. And females spayed before the age of two rarely develop breast cancer (which otherwise is a relatively common disease of aging female dogs).

The operation is simple for males, and you can expect to pick him up later the same day. Females may require an overnight hospital stay followed by several days of rest at home.

As a responsible dog owner, you don’t want to contribute to the growing population of unwanted dogs in America. According to the Humane Society of America, at least 3 million dogs are put to sleep at shelters each year. Other authorities place the figure even higher. This toll could be reduced significantly if owners neutered and spayed their animals.

You can determine the appropriate timing for your puppy with your vet or breeder.