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 Basic Health Care for Your Dog
Neutering, vaccinations, worming, flea control and grooming are all part of routine dog care.
Neutering
All dogs have the right to a caring home, but there are already many homeless dogs. For this reason alone, all dogs should be neutered. Neutering also brings health benefits. Spaying females under a year of age reduces the risk of breast cancer, which is more common in dogs than in people. Without spaying, older bitches are at risk of a life-threatening pyometra (a pus-filled womb). And spaying prevents `false pregnancy' moodiness and milk production that can occur after a season. Although drugs are available to suppress heat, there is a risk of side effects. It is not necessary for a bitch to have a litter before being spayed. The operation cannot be performed when the bitch is actually in heat, or if she is producing milk following false pregnancy or whelping. For males too there are health advantages, with both prostatic disease and some cancers become less likely. And there is less risk from fighting or accidents whilst roaming. Many owners worry that neutering their pet will make it fat, but correct feeding easily prevents this. Over-feeding, not neutering, is the real cause of obesity. Occasionally, older bitches may leak a little urine whilst sleeping, but this can easily be controlled. Fortunately, bitches don't get sentimental over not having pups. Neutering can be done at any age (exact timing should be discussed with your vet) but for the greatest benefit should be done at under one year.
Help! My bitch has been `caught' by a male dog!
In these circumstances an injection can be given to prevent pregnancy, but it needs to be given within a few days of mating. Contact your vet. It is possible to spay a bitch in very early pregnancy.
Vaccination
Vaccination can protect your dog against killer diseases, including distemper and parvovirus. Two initial shots are required, so consult your vet as soon as you obtain a new pet. These two shots are followed by annual boosters. Don't take your dog out until vaccination is complete - your vet will advise how long to wait. Vaccinations may be controversial, but these diseases are still around and still kill. If you don't know if your pet has been vaccinated, it doesn't hurt to repeat the course.
Worming
Several types of worms infect dogs. Roundworms may cause illness in humans and dogs pups are infected by their mother. The worms live in the gut and shed eggs in the feces. Contaminated soil is then a source of infection for both people and dogs. Puppies need worming every two to four weeks until six months old. Adult dogs should be wormed two to four times a year and when they are pregnant or feeding pups. Tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms are less of a health threat but should be treated twice yearly. Some tapeworms, which look like grains of rice in the feces, are caught from fleas, so flea treatment is also necessary. A single tablet for all worms can be purchased at the vet. With pet shop products, dose for the correct body weight and check which worms are controlled.
Flea control
Most dogs get fleas at some point. They are common in summer and are hard to spot as they spend little time on the animal. Even if you have no other pets, fleas can be picked up outside in the summer months. Routine treatment is recommended, especially for an itchy animal. Treatment, which usually needs to be repeated monthly, is best obtained from the vet and is often also effective against ticks. Most pet shop and supermarket products are less effective. Your home and all other pets need to be treated as well. It is best to vacuum the house first as the vibration stimulates hatching of flea eggs. When spraying, pay particular attention to dark crevices, such as down the sides of chair cushions and around skirting boards, as fleas crawl away from light to breed.
Grooming
It is a good idea to get your dog used to being groomed, particularly if it is long haired. The backs of the hindlegs and the belly are important areas that are often missed, so hair becomes matted and soiled. If there is a lot of hair round the ears, this also needs to be groomed and the ears should be checked for discharge. |
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