Choosing a Vet

Veterinarians are doctors for animals.  When puppy joins the family he needs to find a doctor, too.    A vet will care for your pet throughout his life.  He will be the second line of defense against disease and illness.  In an effort to find the right vet, ask questions.  Learn how to find the veterinarian that will care for your new puppy the best.

Interviewing veterinarians is okay.  They expect potential clients to check them out.  You don’t have to take your spy kit with you, but be thorough in your investigation.

Ask friends and family for recommendations.  When you choose a vet, remember to call ahead to schedule an appointment for a walking tour.  Take your list of questions with you.

The first person you will meet is the receptionist.  Did they let you stand there for five minutes or more before acknowledging your presence or did they smile and offer to help immediately?  A pleasant staff is a good sign.

During the tour, check out the facility.  Is there a pervasive smell of animals or do you smell cleaner?  It’s normal for a vet’s office to smell like animals, but it shouldn’t be so overpowering that you want to run for the nearest oxygen mask.  Exam rooms should be cleaned between patients and at the end of the day.

Ask the veterinarian about the policies of the facility.  Is there a vet always on call in case of emergencies?  Do they offer boarding for pets?  How much are the fees for routine care?  Don’t worry about asking too many questions.  Puppy is important to you so do what you must for him.  

Once you decide on a vet, it is time for puppy’s first visit.  Bring him on a leash.  Puppy can’t be allowed to roam free around the waiting room inciting a riot. 

Puppy may be a bit out of sorts at first, but be patient with him.  Just like with his training, resist the urge to become excited around him.  If you stay calm at the vet’s office, puppy will learn to do the same.  Stay with him throughout the visit so he knows that you have not abandoned him.  Going to the vet is a part of life for puppy.  Making him comfortable here is necessary so he won’t become anxious when it’s time for his checkups.

Choose a vet before you need him.  Waiting until an emergency arises is too late.  Keep your puppy safe from day one.

Common Dog Diseases and Tips for Preventing Them

Part of caring for your dog involves his health.  All dogs get sick at some point in their lives.  But, there are preventive measures that you can take to protect his health from the time he is a puppy.  Here are a few of the more common dog conditions and how to prevent or combat them.

When talking about dogs you may have heard the word “distemper”.  Distemper is a condition common to dogs.  It can cause damage to the lungs or the brain and spinal cord similar to the human polio virus.  Distemper shots are recommended for puppies as a preventative measure against the disease.

Rabies is a common disease that is also deadly to human beings.  Rabies results in death for any animal infected with it.  The disease is passed through saliva of an infected animal.  One animal bites another and the disease is contracted.

The sign of the disease that most people are familiar with is foaming around the mouth.  If rabies is suspected, have your dog checked out immediately.  Dogs should be vaccinated as pups.  Booster shots are recommended every few years to keep up immunity.

Leptospirosis is one of those conditions that can be passed from animal to people.  Before you smother too many kisses on your puppy, protect him from the disease particularly if he is an outdoor dog.  The disease can be acquired from infected wild animals like opossums and raccoons.  Vaccinations are available so protect your dog and yourself.

Dogs are susceptible to worm infestations.  It’s disgusting yes, so imagine how your dog will feel if he has them.  Your veterinarian can recommend medications and other measures to guard against worms.

Heartworms can be introduced to your dog through a mosquito bite.  Outdoor dogs need to be especially careful.  Dogs can be given tablets once a month to guard against heartworm infestations.  They can be added to his food bowl so that you don’t have to fight to get him to take it.  If your dog already has heartworms, seek medical attention right away to save his life.

Regularly examine your dog’s stool.  Worms can show up there.  Diarrhea may be a sign that something is wrong with your dog.  Starting worming medications from your vet as soon as puppy is old enough can keep you from having to sift through doggie doo for the nasty parasites.

Dogs get sick too.  Just like people, there are things that you can do to prevent certain diseases from coming to pass.  Ask your veterinarian about prophylactic pet care now to avoid costly medical care later.

Get Rid of Fleas on Puppy

When you have pets that live both indoors and outdoors, you run the risk of fleas.  Fleas not only attack your pets, but also the other people living in the house.  Here are a few ways to rid your puppy and yourself of this miniscule menace.

Fleas are a fact of life for animals.  Your puppy will get them if he ever goes outdoors.  Fleas are small, so they can jump from puppy to another surface like the couch and then to you.  

Fleas bite - hard.  For most puppies, the bites are irritating and cause scratching.  For some puppies, the bites cause flea bite dermatitis.  This condition is miserable for puppy.  The bites result in a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anemia and even tapeworm infestation.

Once fleas have infested your puppy, they can be the devil to get rid of.  Some owners use flea baths, over-the-counter pesticides, and flea collars.  These work for some, but not for all.  Also, over-the-counter remedies can be dangerous to puppy and your family.

Flea products like growth regulators and pesticides attack the flea eggs and the adult insect, respectively.  Growth regulators take a few weeks to work, but produce non-viable egg offspring from the adult fleas.  Killing the adult insects doesn’t guarantee that the eggs will die as well. 

If the infestation is severe, a stronger substance may be warranted.  Before buying anything, consult with your veterinarian to find out the best course of treatment.  The items that they carry are safer than what is found in the stores.

Flea combs are also a good course of treatment.  Combing puppy’s fur once or twice a week can rid him of harmful fleas.  Comb him when he comes in from outdoors before he has a chance to jump on everything in the house.

Cleaning puppy’s normal haunts on a regular basis will cut down on problems with fleas as well.  This includes puppy’s bed, his blanket, his crate, and his toys.  Vacuuming the rugs and the furniture keeps fleas away from others in the household.

If you decide to treat your home for fleas consult a professional.  Using substances like borate powder can be dangerous.  Inhaling the powder can make everyone very sick.  Professional application is the only way to go.

Fleas are a nuisance.  They can love puppy to an irritating distraction.  Protect puppy as best you can through routine cleaning, combing and visits to the vet.