Care Recommendation For Adult Dogs
These suggestions will enable you to provide the best health care allowing your dog to live as long as possible.
- Annual physical examination
A year between physical examinations for your dog is like four to seven years between examinations for us.
- Nutrition
Feed the highest quality food you can afford. Premium pet foods such as Science Diet© or Eukanuba© are much more digestible and result in a healthier pet with less stool volume. Pets who eat high-quality food have lower risks for cancer, allergies, infectious diseases, and skin problems. DO NOT feed table scraps and snacks.
- Internal parasites
threaten your dog’s health. In large numbers, they can cause intestinal blockage, bloody diarrhea, and even death. Certain types can also affect you and your family. Microscopic examination of your pet’s stool needs to be done regularly. Almost all puppies are born with parasites and many harbor them into adulthood.
- Provide a constant supply of fresh, clean water
- Keep your pet under control.
Don’t let it run loose. Purchase and I.D. Tag to place on your pet’s collar and keep it on at all times. It is your pet’s “ticket home” if lost.
Consider a microchip or tattoo for permanent identification.
YOUR PET’S APPROXIMATE AGE IN HUMAN YEARS
6 months = 12 years
1 year = 15 years
2 years = 24 years
3 years = 28 years
4 years = 32 years
5 years = 36 years
6 years = 40 years
7 years = 44 years
8 years = 48 years
9 years = 52 years
10 years = 56 years
11 years = 60 years
12 years = 64 years
13 years = 68 years
14 years = 72 years
15 years = 76 years
16 years = 80 years
17 years = 84 years
18 years = 88 years
19 years = 92 years
20 years = 96 years
21 years = 100 years
(LARGER DOGS AGE MORE QUICKLY THAN SMALL ONES.)
- Vaccinations and boosters
Unfortunately, there is no safe, effective drug available to combat any of the major viral diseases of dogs. Vaccination is the only effective form of protection. Vaccination enables your dog to fight infection by stimulating the immune system so it makes antibodies against the viruses. To maintain this protection, dogs must be vaccinated regularly so the level of immunity is always high enough to prevent disease.
The immunity produced by vaccination does not last forever. It is very important that your dog be re-vaccinated regularly.
- Distemper, Hepatitis, and Leptospirosis are all widespread, contagious and deadly diseases. Nearly every dog will be exposed during its lifetime.
- Parainfluenza and Bordetella cause “kennel cough”, a common and debilitating upper respiratory infection. The more your dog comes in contact with other dogs (at the groomer’s, boarding, meeting other pets on the sidewalk or at Muttland Meadows) the greater the risk.
- Parvovirus causes bloody diarrhea as it destroys the immune system and intestinal lining. It is often fatal even with costly intensive care. Worldwide, Parvovirus is the deadliest virus, killing more dogs than any other disease.
- Giardia vaccination may be recommended to control this water-borne gastrointestinal disease. Unlike other vaccines, this one is used as part of Giardia treatment, rather than as a preventative.
- Rabies is a fatal infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals including humans. There is no cure. Rabies has been on the rise for the past several years.
- Lyme Disease, carried by ticks, poses a serious health risk to both dogs and people here in Wisconsin. Lyme disease causes crippling arthritis and heart, kidney and nervous system damage.
- Heartworm Disease is serious and deadly. It is carried by mosquitoes. Blood testing is needed to check for these parasites and monthly medication is given to prevent this disease. A six-month injection is also available and is the perfect choice for busy pet owners who may forget to give the monthly products.
- Dental Care
is just as important for your pet as it is for you. The average lifespan of a dog that receives timely dental care is 10-20% longer than one that doesn’t. Infected teeth and gums are very painful to your dog, and also spread the infection to the kidneys, heart, liver, and elsewhere. Dental cleanings are a necessary component of a long, happy life for your pet.
- Prevent Obesity
Extra pounds burden the heart, kidneys, joints & muscles, decreasing life expectancy 30-50%. Obesity also increases cancer risk.
- Exercise
Most dogs don’t get nearly enough exercise. Poor health, obesity and boredom-related behavior problems often result.
- Groom and trim nails as needed. Keep an eye out for fleas, dandruff, sores, lumps or bald spots. Report any skin problems to your veterinarian.
- Flea Control
is essential Preventing fleas with regular use of effective flea products is much less costly than treating a full-blown infestation of fleas in your home. DO NOT waste your money on over-the-counter flea products. Many do not work and some can even be harmful to your pet. Our products provide good control and we will take the time to individualize a flea program to suit your requirements and budget.
- Never give human medications to your dog without checking with us.
- Report any changes . . . or problems in your dog’s health or behavior to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Diseases or behavior problems usually are more successfully treated the earlier they are addressed.
- As your dog ages. Senior screening with blood and urine tests can help detect many of the problems caused by aging. Kidney, liver, heart, arthritis, and dental problems may be detected through various lab tests and X-rays. Early detection can lengthen your pet’s life. Proper treatment will improve your pet’s quality of life. Preventative health care is much more than just vaccinations! We are here to help you assist your pet in living a long, healthy life at the lowest cost to you.