Keeping Your Dog Healthy

There are plenty of preventive steps to take to keep your dog healthy and avoid vet costs. And most vets agree that the best medical care is preventive care. Most of us know the typical types of preventive care such as, providing a good diet, exercise, and regular grooming all of which will go a long way in keeping your dog healthy and happy. But there are a number of other preventive steps to keep your dog healthy that you can do also.

The first one is to make sure your dog has all of the required shots and gets each one on time. Most of these vaccinations are done within the first year of the dog’s life but check with your veterinarian to learn how often and what shots your dog needs. Most shots are given at the veterinarian’s office, although you can buy vaccines and syringes from pet supply companies, such as the Omaha Vaccine Company.

The next approach to keep your dog healthy is to give your dog a body rub. Pets love to be rubbed and it relaxes them. Body rubs can be beneficial in discovering things that the eye cannot see such as, flaking or scabs, which can be a sign of parasites or a skin disorder. Lumps and bumps, which is usually a sign of aging but can be something much more serious. Feeling the vertebrae may indicate a significant weight loss. However, if you can’t feel the backbone it may be an indication that your pet is too fat. Swelling can be a sign of parasites, heart trouble, or even cancer. Also, it maybe difficult to see ticks on the dog’s body rubbing the dog’s coat thoroughly will catch any ticks that maybe hidden. Ticks are more likely to be found around and in the ear. Take the tick out as soon as possible, which can be done with tweezers.

The next step in keeping your dog healthy is to listen to your dog’s breathing unless they are panting or have been running or barking, the breathing should be smooth and quiet. Labored breathing could be a sign of respiratory problems. Check your pet’s pulse. The heartbeat should be strong and regular. You can check the pulse by placing your hand against their chest near the left elbow. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds, and then multiply by four. In dogs, the pulse ranges between 60 and 160 beats minute. In cats, the pulse runs about 120 beats a minute. Pulses in puppies and kittens always runs faster.

Examine the ears they should be light pink. Foul odors or discharge could be a sign of infection. Examine the eyes they should be clear. Constant discharge and redness needs to be checked by your vet. And examine the mouth, healthy gums either pink or brownish black. The last approach in keeping your dog healthy is to keep household cleaning products and medications away from your pet, although, most adult dogs stay away from these products, puppies and kittens don’t know the difference and their curiosity can get the best of them.

Preventing problems is so much easier than trying to cure problems. A watchful eye on your dog’s behavior and noticing anything unfamiliar with their body by giving them a nose to tail checkup every week is the best way to keep your dog healthy and prevent expenses.