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Heathcare Primer
 Here are a few health problems that you may encounter over the lifetime of your new dog. These are things everyone should know who has a dog in their home as part of the family. While it is far from comprehensive, it will give you a good start. In our Links/Resources section we have listed several websites maintained by veterinarians that contain detailed information. However, nothing beats regular checkups at your vet. Remember, when in doubt seek medical advice from your veterinarian or take the dog to the Emergency Vet in your area after hours. Dogs need medical attention just as much as humans and rely soley on you to keep them healthy.
Table of Contents:
- The Importance of Vaccinations (Distemper & Parvo)
- The Truth About the Cold Wet Nose
- Poisonous Plants & Substances
- Chocolate is Poisonous to Dogs
- Hot Weather Tips
- Ticks, Bee Stings & Fox Tails
- The Essential First Aid Kit
- Signs of Illness in your dog
 The Importance of Vaccinations
We can not stress enough the importance of vaccinating your puppies and dogs. In addition you should always keep your puppy out of public areas until at least 6 months of age as their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off diseases even if vaccinated. The two most common viruses are distemper and pravo. Both of these are deadly disease, most pups will not survive and even adult dogs only have a 50% survival rate. With proper precautions these deadly diseases can be prevented.
- Canine Distemper Facts
- Distemper occurs everywhere there are dogs... it is the greatest threat to the dog population
- Young dogs and puppies are the most susceptible to infection.
- Mortality rate for distemper is 80% among pups and 50% for adult dogs
- Even if the dog survives, the disease can permanently damage a dog's nervous system, along with its sense of smell, hearing or sight. Partial or total paralysis is not uncommon.
- Distemper is a highly contagious disease. Can be transmitted through contact with mucous and watery secretions discharged from eyes and noses of infected dogs. Also can be transmitted though contact with the urine and fecal of infected an dog.
- A healthy dog can be infected without coming in contact with an infected animal.
- The first signs of distemper include squinting, congestion of the eyes, and a discharge of pus from the eye, weight loss, coughing, vomiting, nasal discharge, and diarrhea.
- Later stages of distemper include partial or complete paralysis as well as twitching. Usually the dog is listless and has loss of appetite.
- Pregnant dogs that are exposed to distemper can pass it ot their pups. Another important reason among many to spay your dog.
Read more details on distemper at AVMA Network -- Distemper Info. If you suspect your puppy or dog has distemper please consult your veterinary immediately
- Parvo Virus Facts
- Young dogs and puppies are more susceptible to the virus, most vulnerable time 2-6 months.
- Parvovirus can into existance in the late 1970s.
- The virus is extremely hardy and can survive up to 6 months outside of its host, it can even survive inclimate weather.
- It is transmitted by oral ingestion of viral contaminated feces
- Bleach is the only effective disinfecting agent
- Signs of parvo include vomiting and diarrhea followed by dehydration. signs usually show up within 5 to 6 days of contact.
Certain breeds are more suspectible to parvo, i.e. Rottweilers, Dobermans, Greyhounds and possibly black Labrador retrievers.
Read more details on Parvo Virus at ~Veterinary Information Service -- Parvo Virus. If you suspect your dog or puppy has pavro, please consult your veterinary immediately... time is of the essense this is a quick moving disease.
Preventing Distemper and Parvo
- Adult dogs need to be vaccinated annually and Puppies need to be vaccinated every 3 weeks starting at 6-8 weeks old until 17 weeks old.
- Read more about Vaccination Protocol.
- Puppies should not be exposed to public areas until they have had their full set of vaccanations and their immune systems are fully developed around 6 months of age.
- If you adopt a new dog or puppy from a shelter and currently have another dog, keep the new pet isolated for 14 days (this includes having a separate area for them to go to the bathroom in. And it goes without saying your current dog should be up to date with its vaccinations.
- If you have had incidents of distemper or parvo the affected should be cleaned thoroughly with bleach
- If you've had a dog/puppy with parvo... PLEASE wait 6 months before bringing in a new animal
- As always you should consult your own veterinary regarding health care for your puppy or dog.
 The Truth About the Cold, Wet Nose
It's true that a cold, wet nose can be a sign of good health in a dog, but it's not a completely reliable barometer. It is a good idea to keep your pup's nose in check. If you notice any of the following, you'll want to consult your vet right away: discharges that last more than 24 hours, swelling, odor & difficulty breathing. These things can be symptomatic of the presence of a foreign object, tumors, or sinus/respiratory infections.
Poisonous Plants
Be on the look out for dangerous plants. It's not unusual for animals to chew on greenery of all sorts and they do this for many reasons: It's a way of keeping their digestive system clean; it's a symptom of teething; they could have a hair ball they're trying to expel by inducing vomiting; they could have a nutritional deficiency; or they could be bored.
Once you bring an animal into your household, you'll need to be aware of the plants you own, cultivate, or that simply grow wild--many of them are poisonous to the animal.
Symptoms of poisoning include the following: vomiting (beyond the normal little upchuck that often accompanies eating grass), diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, contracted pupils (pin pointed), trembling, twitching, staggering, convulsions, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst or salivation, weakness in rear legs, or paralysis. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned (plant or other substance), rush him or her to a vet immediately and, if possible, try to identify the substance.
The following is a list of plants that may be poisonous to your pet:
Aconite; Anemone (Windflower); Autumn Crocus; Black Locust; Buttercup; Caladium; Castor Oil Plants (Castor Bean, Palma, Christi, Koli); Cherry trees; Christmas Pepper; Christmas Rose (Hellebore); Clematis (Virgins' Bower); Cycads; Daffodil (Narcissus); Daphne; Delphinium (Larkspur, Staggerweed); Dicerna (Bleeding Heart, Dutchman's Breeches, Squirrel Corn, Turkey Corn); Dieffembachia; Elderberry; Euphorbia (Annual Poinsettia, Mexican fire Plant, Fire-on-the Mountain); Four O'Clocks; Foxglove (Digitalis--pets can be poisoned from drinking vase water of the flower); Garland Flower; Blory Lily; Golden Chain; Holly; Hydrangea; Iris; Indian Spurge Tree; Jack-in-the-Pulpit; Jerusalem Cherry; Jassemine; Lantana Camara (Red Sage); Laurels; Lilac; Lily of the Valley; Marsh Marigold (Cowslip); Matrimoney Vine; Mayapple; Meadow; Saffron; Mistletoe; Monkshood; Mountain Laurel; Mushrooms; Nightshade; Oaks; Oleander; Oxala; Philodendron; Phytolacca; Pine; Poincian (Bird of Paradise); Poison Hemlock; Pothos; Privet; Pyracantha (Firethorn); Rhododendron; Rhubarb; Rosary Pea; Snowdrop; Spring Adonis; Star-of-Bethlehem; Strelitzia; Sweet Pea; Trumpet Flower (Chalice Vine); Water Hemlock; Wisteria; Yellow Oleander; Yew.
To obtain a more complete list of plants, toxic and non-toxic, including their scientific names and associated problems/hazards, write the NAPCC, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801. Enclose a check for $10, payable to NAPCC. When you believe that plant poisoning of your animal has occurred, it is essential that the substance be accurately identified. Local floral shop and plant nursery personnel are valuable sources of information in assisting with plant identification.
Man-made substances that are highly lethal to animals:
Antifreeze is very sweet tasting and dogs and cats will readily drink it. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol (which quickly causes kidney failure) and it is DEADLY! The lethal dose for a cat is 2 tablespoons and for a for a twenty pound dog only a quarter of a cup will kill.
It is not unusual for antifreeze to leak from radiators and pool on driveways or street surfaces & gutters. If you suspect that your pet has been exposed to antifreeze do not wait for symptoms to appear, by then it may be too late. Get help immediately. Signs that should alert you to the possibility of antifreeze poisoning are delirium, stupor, breathing problems, drooling, mouth sores, vomiting, convulsions, comas, and death. Treatment includes pumping the stomach, intravenous injections of alcohol and fluids to help save the kidneys, and an extended period of hospitalization.
Snail Bait is a commonly used garden product. The active ingredients, metadehyde, is highly toxic to all mammals, as well as snail. This product, like antifreeze, is very tasty and, therefore, attractive to animals. The signs of snail bait poisoning are lack of coordination and muscle tremors, salivation & anxiety, generalized seizures. If your pet shows symptoms such as these, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. If none are available call your local Animal Care & Control facility. Stay calm and minimize noise and stimuli, to reduce anxiety in the animal, while transporting it immediately to the vet. Chances of recovery are good with prompt medical treatment.
Medications--Store medications for all family members and pets in high cabinets, out of reach. With their curiosity and strong teeth, dogs can crack open a pill bottle and swallow the entire contents in a very short time. Even if a medicine prescribed for your pet, too large a dose could cause problems.
Medications that come in tubes may also pose a large risk. Most pets have sharp teeth and can chew into a tube within seconds. Creams and ointments that may be quite safe when applied to the skin can cause serious problems when eaten.
 OH YES, CHOCOLATE IS POISONOUS TO YOUR DOG!!
Don't give the pooch that piece of milky way...she may love it but her body won't. One of the most common toxicities in animals seen by veterinarians is chocolate toxicity. Chocolate contains the chemical theobromine which is in the same chemical family as caffeine. Chocolate poisoning can occur with as little as a quarter ounce of baking chocolate ingested per pound of body weight. Baking chocolate contains higher amounts of theobromine than other forms of chocolate, but toxicity can occur with any form of chocolate or cocoa.
Signs of theobromine toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, hyperactivity (though some dogs can become lethargic), and rapid heart rate. Progressively, the signs include muscle tremors, seizures, coma, and death. Get your dog to the vet right away upon first occurrence of any of these symptoms to increase; survival is possible with immediate treatment which is aimed at eliminating the Chocolate from the gastro-intestinal tract, supporting the animal on intravenous fluids and with drugs to treat heart arrhythmias.
Hot Weather Tips for Your Pets
For many of us, a long hot summer day is ideal--it means fun & relaxation. But, please remember to take into consideration the needs of your canine companion. Below is a list of do's and don'ts that we hope you will find helpful. (Courtesy of the the ASPCA, NY.)
THE DON'Ts:
- Never leave an animal unattended in a car. While a slightly opened window provides ample ventilation when the car is moving, a parked care can quickly become a furnace to any animal on the inside. Parking in the shade offers some protection, but remember, the sun is constantly shifting during the day. Some days, it only takes 10 minutes for a car to heat up to 160 degrees.
- Never force your pet to exercise after feeding, especially in very hot, humid weather; always exercise your dog in the cool of the day--early morning or evening.
- Never tie an animal outside on a choke collar (any season) as he or she may choke to death; use a buckle collar instead.
- Never leave your dog standing on the street and keep walks on hot asphalt to a minimum--their feet can burn and they easily heat up.
- Never let your pet run loose as this is a good way for the animal become injured, stolen, or killed; in particular, make sure there are no open windows or doors that the animal can jump through when you're not looking.
- Never walk your pet in areas you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals; dog poisoning increase considerably during the summer months when gardens, lawns & trees are sprayed for the control of weeds, insects & other pests; observe areas closely and get immediate medical attention if your suspect that the animal has been exposed.
- Never take your pet to the beach unless you can provide him or her with a shaded spot to lie in & plenty of fresh water to drink; remember to hose the pup down after he or she has been swimming in salt water.
THE DOs:
- Always provide plenty of cool, clean water for your pet. When traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled with clean water.
- Always provide plenty of shade for a pet staying outside the house. A properly constructed dog house is best. Whenever possible, bring your pet inside during the heat of the day and let him or her rest in a cool part of the house. Always have plenty of water readily available for the pup.
- Always keep your pet well groomed. If your pet is a large heavy dog with long, thick hair, shaving his or her coat down to a one-inch length will help prevent your pet from overheating and it will make it easier to groom him or her for fleas; a clean coat also helps prevent summer skin problems--though, don't shave your dog's hair down to the skin. This robs the dog of protection from the sun.
- Always check for fleas or ticks that may infest your pet; bring him or her to your vet for a thorough summer checkup, including heartworm tests, and use a good, safe flea & tick repellent.
- Always keep current license and identification tags on your dog in case he or she gets lost--a license does no good at home in a drawer.
- Always be extra sensitive to old & overweight dogs in hot weather. Those with heart or lung diseases and brachycephallic (snub-nose dogs like Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus) are more susceptible to the heat and should be kept indoors and air-conditioned as much as possible.
- Always be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle's engine. During the summer cars are more likely to overheat & overflow. Antifreezes & coolants are deadly!!
If, in spite of the extra care you give your dog during the hot days of summer, you observe twitching, rapid panting, agitated barking or a wild "staring" expression, call your vet. Don't immerse your pet in water or use ice packs to counteract heatstroke. Do pour water on the animal every 3 to 5 minutes and then place him or her in a draft or under a fan.
Insects & Parasites
Ticks: These little buggers can be a real problem, especially in regions where serious infectious diseases are transmitted, such as Lyme Disease. All animals, domesticated and wild, are sources of these parasites. Check your animals thoroughly, especially if they have been in wooded areas. If you find a tick, don't try to remove it with any of the mythical methods you may have heard of, such as cleaning fluid, nail polish, petroleum jelly, hot matches, or goddess forbid, lit cigarettes. Beside causing minor to major irritation to the dog's skin, you will also kill the tick making it more difficult to remove intact (be sure to kill it after you remove it).
Ticks secrete a glue that holds the mouthpiece in place while feeding so that it is not easily dislodged. It has to be removed carefully:
- First, swab the area with alcohol. Then, using tissue or tweezers, gently grasp the body of the tick and pull directly away from the point of attachment. Don't jerk or twist.
- If the mouthpiece breaks off in the skin, use a sterilized needle to remove as you would a splinter.
- Wash the bite area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Mark the date of the tick bite on your calendar and watch for symptoms of disease in the following weeks.
- Lyme Disease, transmitted by the dear tick, causes enlarged lymph glands and inflammation of the joints. Humans are susceptible to Lyme Disease and exposure to the disease can cause life-long consequences for both you and your pet.
Bee stings cause pain and swelling. The mouth and face are usual sites of stings. Some dogs are allergic to stings and can react badly. Immediate veterinary care is essential if there is acute swelling to the mouth or throat. If you know your dog to be allergic to bee sting, keep over-the-counter Benadryl available and if you see your dog get stung, give him or her two tablets immediately. Be sure to inform the vet that you have administered the Benadryl--the treatment for bee sting will most likely be an intravenous antihistamine, and since Benadryl is an antihistamine the vet may want to adjust his or her own dosage.
Bees leave a stinger embedded in the skin. With a magnifying glass, remove the stinger with tweezers. Ice the area with an icepack to reduce the swelling.
Foxtails are barbed seeds of dried grasses and weeds, most common during the dry season. They are easily inhaled simply by your pooch sniffing around the grass or brush. Because they are barbed, they can easily become embedded between toes or lodged inside the ears or work their way into the animal's eyes and can be very difficult to remove. Once inside the animal, the foxtail can travel through the body, causing severe abscesses and infections. Besides being very painful for your animal, removal can be a costly procedure depending on how deeply embedded in the skin or how far back in the dog's ear, throat or sinuses it becomes embedded.
Be very proactive in protecting your dog from foxtails. Remove dried weeds from the yard and keep your dog away from weeds in other locations. After every outing, be sure to examine your pet, especially between the toes, under the tail, and in the ears.
 First Aid Kit
Be sure to have a first aid kit with you when you take your pup on a hiking or camping trip, or when you leave your pet in the care of others. This is what the Marin Humane Society recommends for a well-stocked first aid kit for your pet (name brand products are capitalized):
Bandages:
Clinging gauze rolls
2-inch square compression pads
rolled cotton batting to apply to a splint and clean ears
1-inch bandage tape
2-inch elastic tape
Telfa pads for wounds
Other Recommended items:
small scissors - nice and sharp
nail clippers
thermometer
tweezers
bulb syringe
Q-tips
nitrate strips or styptic powder for nails
Pepto Bismol (and we recommend Benadryl, if your dog is allergic to bee sting)
antibiotic ointments for small wounds
hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting as well as for cleaning of deep wounds
Betadine for cleaning deep wounds
ear cleaning solutions such as ChlorhexiDem, Epi-otic, Nolvasan
eye wash solutions (saline/any contact lens solution)
K-Y Jelly-water soluble
any special medications prescribed by your vet
Signs of Illness in Your Dog
 In case of illness, keep the number of your veterinarian or the local animal clinic close at hand; be sure to provide these numbers to anyone caring for your dog in your absence. Strive to become intimately familiar with your dog; touch the animal a lot, not only as a show of affection but also as a way of learning the terrain of his or her body--if you know what feels normal in touching your pet, you will be able to identify when obvious abnormalities, such as lump in the dog's neck or a lesion on his skin beneath the fur. Has your pup suddenly taken on an odd scent? Would you call it an odor? What do the inside of her ears smell like from one time to the next? And, another reason to poop scoop on your customary walks is not only out of courtesy to others and compliance with local laws, but it also provides you an opportunity to see if there are parasites present in the animals feces. (No, we're not saying you have to get that up close and personal and root around in the poop pile, but the presence of worms in your dog's intestines is often apparent in the feces at first glance [looks like rice].)
The following is a list of signs of ill health. You may already do this, but if you don't, consider keeping a journal with information about your pet(s).
The journal could include medical information, such as a history of inoculations and other vet visits. What was the purpose of the visit? If the visit was other than a routine checkup, why did you take the animal to the vet and what was the diagnosis? Were any medications prescribed? If so, list the medications, and were there any obvious side affects? You could also keep a record of flea & tick treatment, the last time you gave the pup a bath, or went to the groomer--so on and so forth.
If your doggie demonstrates any of the following signs of ill health, jot it down and date your observations in the journal. If any of these conditions persist, seek medical attention for your pet.
Eye Disorders:
Discharge from the eyes
Blue-gray cloudiness
Bloodshot inflammation
Squinting
Failing Vision
Ear Disorders:
Difficulty in hearing
Unpleasant or suspicious odor
Discharges from the ear canal
Swelling of the ear flap
Head Shaking
Loss of Balance
Mouth and Tooth Disorders:
Bad breath
Dribbling saliva
Reluctance to eat
Inflamed gums
Loose or broken teeth
Constant licking and smacking
Respiratory Disorders:
Nasal Discharge
Persistent Sneezing
Coughing, gagging
Excessive snoring
Labored breathing
Nervous Disorders:
Fits, convulsions, or seizures
Staggering gate
Partial or complete paralysis
Behavioral changes
Loss of balance
Skin & Coat Disorders:
Persistent scratching
Sudden chewing or licking
Redness, inflammation, or rash
Increased hair loss
External Parasites:
Scratching
Excessive licking
Dandruff
Hair loss
Visible parasites
Blood & Heart Disorders:
Nonproductive coughing
Reluctance to exercise
Reduced stamina
Fainting
Reproductive Disorders:
Any unusual genital discharges
Swelling in the mammary glands
Swelling in the testicles
Failure to conceive
Difficulties at birth
Bone, Muscle, & Joint Disorders:
Lameness and limping
Swelling around affected area
Paralysis
Tenderness when limb is touched
Urinary Disorders:
Straining to pass urine
Blood in the urine
Incontinence
Increased urination
Increased thirst
Digestive Disorders:
Projective, bloody, or painful vomiting
Persistent, bloody or explosive diarrhea
Constipation
Weight loss or excessive weight gain
Listlessness and abdominal discomfort
External Parasites:
Visible worms in feces
Pot-bellied appearance
persistent or blood diarrhea
Loss of weight.
Remember: Whenever you notice any changes in your pet's demeanor, behavior, or routines, contact your vet for advice.
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Fax: (310) 860-9362