From Krista Mifflin, former About.com Guide
Your Dog's Health
By Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com Guide to Dogs
Nutrition, bone developement, preventive care and routine health maintenance; all things you should know about and practice to keep your dog in peak performance and condition. Whenever your dog's health and well-being are in doubt, please do not hesitate to call your veterinarian, or one nearby.
Getting Your Puppy To A Healthy Start
Your dog's start in life will help set the course for his adult years in everything, including his physical well-being. You can start your puppy off on a healthy note before he even comes home.
Preventative Health Care
Many problems that older dogs face are preventable to a certain degree. Of course, often dog breeds are predisposed to certain conditions, but you can take measures to lesen the likelihood that your dog will develope some of these conditions.
Common Problems
No dog is naturally immune from these common problems. We, as responsible dog owners, must take steps to immunize our dogs by using the vaccines developed to protect them from the common parasites, contagious, and sometimes fatal diseases.
'I Think My Dog Is Sick.'
If you suspect your dog is ill, or think he has a serious problem, you can do nothing better than get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. This section will not diagnose your dog for you, or tell you to make him feel better, but it will help you narrow the down the possibilities and help you to make the most of your veterinarian visit.
- Cushing's Disease
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
- Roundworm
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Bowel Obstruction - Intestinal Blockage
- Blastomycosis
- Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
- Luxating Patella
- Red, Itchy, Flakey Skin
- Emergency Signs
- Collecting a Urine Sample
- Sudden Aggressive Dog Behavior
Dealing With Health Problems
Behavior changes, physiotherapy, and other considerations you"ll have to face when your dog is diagnosed with a serious problem.
