Early Preventative Dog Health Care, Reduces Dog Health Problems

(Find the recommended natural products, supplies, and medicines for dog health care at the end of this page)

It is important to understand preventative dog health care, now that you have picked out your pet, be it young, old, or some where in between. As you know, dogs cannot vocalize to us that they are ill. Dogs will however give us subtle hints that something isn't quite right. The key to recovery is to be alert to your dog's symptoms and treat them appropriately. Pay attention to their sleeping and eating habits, also their activity levels, if your dog is running a fever all of these things will be affected.

What About my puppy?

If you have picked out a puppy, the first dog health care decision to make is to establish a vaccination schedule. Just like children's vaccines the "puppy shots" work the same way. vaccines contain substances called antigens that kick in a response from the immune system. This helps to prevent dog health problems and diseases in the future as they have built up anti-bodies in their systems.

Core vaccines for good dog health care:

• Distemper- The largest disease threat to dogs. More half the adult dogs that contract distemper will die. The death rate often grows to 80% in puppies.
• Parvovirus- A deadly virus that attacks the canine digestive system, often killing puppies within 48 hours.
• Rabies- A preventable viral disease that causes acute encephalitis (swelling of the brain). If left untreated, rabies is fatal.
• Adenovirus- Or canine hepatitis is aquired by inhaling or ingesting it. This virus targets the liver, kidney, eyes, and the cells in the inner surface of the blood vessels.

With out these vaccines your dog will most certainly acquire dog health problems. It is rare that that a dog will have an adverse effect to a vaccine, but there have been a few breeds that have been reported to have allergic reactions.

Breeds that may have an allergic reaction to vaccines

Miniature Dachshunds
• West Highland Whie Terriers
• Old English Sheepdogs
• Akitas
• Weimaraners
• Shetland Sheepdogs
• Harlequin Great Danes

A mild reaction to vaccines can include fever, loss of appetite and sluggish behavior. A more pronounced affect would be urticaria, a vascular reaction of the skin with hives, rapid swelling, redness of the lips, eyes, and neck area. This can be very itchy and can worsen to a more severe reaction anaphylaxis, a swelling of the larnyx, which can be fatal.


Go to Dog Breed Information

Your Older Dog

If you acquire an older dog (good for you), they will benefit from more specialized dog health care. With proper care, dogs can live from 8-18 years and sometimes longer. Arthritis in dogs is very common once they start to age. We suggest giving your dog supplements of glucosamine, multivitamins, and a good diet along with regular exercise and routine veterinarian visits will all increase the life of your dog.

Always consult your vet before making any drastic changes to your dogs healthcare and lifestyle.

Find More Information On How to Care for an Older Dog

Recommended Natural Products, Supplies And Medicines For Excellent Dog Health Care