Keeping a healthy dog

Coat, skin and ears

Q.Why does my dog have scurf?
If there is little or no itchiness it may just be a case of increasing the omega essential oils in his diet. A good quality dog shampoo every few weeks, combined with a daily oil supplementation can be very effective.
Q.My dog shakes his head a lot. What should I do?
Dogs with 'flop ears', such as Spaniels, are particularly prone to ear problems. A well ventilated ear canal is less likely to become infected, so always check by looking and sniffing. Yes, sniffing! It's the best test for a healthy ear; the unhealthy one can pong. And get it checked by a vet if it does start to smell.

Eyes and nose

Q.Why does my Retriever have tears running down his face, staining his fur?
Sometimes tears can overflow down the cheek because the tear duct is blocked. If it has just happened, it may be due to a slight infection. Keep the eye clean with a moist saline wipe and if it gets worse get your vet to take a look at him.
Q.My Wire Hair Fox Terrier is getting older and his eyes are a bit milky coloured. Why?
If he can still see quite well then it may just be that he is getting older and his eye lens reflects this. If he is finding it difficult to get around and bumps into things then it may be a cataract. In some breeds cataracts are inherited and in others, it can be due to diabetes. Getting your dog's eyes checked by a vet is a good idea.
Q.My dog has a slightly runny nose. Is that something to worry about?
Most dogs have clear drips from the nostril and that's perfectly normal. Sneezing frequently or a clouded discharge is not normal and means you need to take your dog to the vet. It's a surprise that with all that nose drip, dogs don't need to 'blow it' like us!

Mouth and teeth

Q.What's the best way to keep my dog's teeth white and shiny?
Stain or tartar accumulating on teeth is the residue of soft food, so make sure he chews well. Chewy food like a hard biscuit or even rawhide can help. When he is a puppy, train him to get used to daily brushing with a dog toothbrush and paste. It works well and prevents teeth falling out in later life.

Digestion

Q.Why does my dog have 'wind'?
Passing 'wind' out the back end is common to all animals; it's just that some have it more than others. The wind comes from bacteria fermenting food. If your dog's wind is really bad, then changing its diet may help. Do try a different type of food for a week or two before changing it to a new type. It sometimes takes a while for things to 'settle down'.
Q.My dog has intermittent diarrhoea. What's the best food to give to it?
Most stool looseness is caused by an incompatibility with a food. Changing the diet is often a cure, but it must be done carefully to be effective. Make the diet as simple as possible by cutting out all dairy products, treats, chews and titbits. Stick to either a dry diet or tinned for two to three weeks before the next change. If that doesn't work, get further advice.

Heart, lungs and fitness

Q.My old dog has a chronic cough. What's likely to be wrong with him?
It's difficult to be precise because there are lots of causes of cough. In an old dog, it can be something as simple as chronic bronchitis, but is more likely to be due to his heart not working too well. Often poorly working old hearts cause congestion in the lung and this fluid needs to be brought up. It's best he sees a vet who can diagnose the condition and give the right medication.

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Bones, muscles and joints

Q.What is 'hip dysplasia'?
Hip dysplasia is an inherited malformation of the hip and is often accompanied by arthritis. It can be diagnosed by x-raying the hip joints. If the condition gives rise to lameness, difficulty in rising or jumping, your vet may prescribe useful medicines to help your dog. Some people swear that dietary supplements containing glucosamine and essential omega oils are useful.
Q.My vet says my dog has arthritis in his knees. What causes it?
Arthritis is a very common complaint for both dogs, cats, horses and humans. For instance, one in five Labradors suffer from it and in later life, almost four out of ten dogs get it. Arthritis in the knee can be caused by injury to cartilage or ligaments from puppy-hood to old age. Infections are less common. The condition is treatable with surgery and in some cases; short or long-term medicines given by mouth or injection will help. Keep your dog's weight down and give it moderate exercise.

Brain and nerves

Q.My dog has been diagnosed as having fits. What does that mean?
Fits, medical term epilepsy, are not uncommon and affect certain breeds or types more than others. Vets used to see fits in dogs more in the days before universal vaccination against distemper/hardpad. These attacks can be well-controlled with medicines. Sometimes changing the diet to a lower or single protein ration can help. Always take your vet's advice on how to manage your dog's future, which is still very positive.
Q.My German Shepherd dog drags his hind legs a bit. Why is that?
German Shepherds are prone to spinal nerve degeneration in later life. A condition, going by the acronym CDRM, interferes with his ability to command his muscles to work. Also, he doesn't quite know where his hind feet are, so he won't pick them up and will wear out the tops of his nails. Take him to your vet, who may be able to alleviate some of the signs.

Diseases and antibodies

Q.I've been told canine distemper is rare now. So why do I need to vaccinate my dog?
Distemper or hardpad is uncommon but not gone for good. It's seen less nowadays, simply because vets vaccinate and immunise dogs to keep the disease down, this shields unvaccinated dogs. It is always right to vaccinate your dog and must be done before you take it into kennels or to shows.
Q.What common contagious diseases should I vaccinate my puppy against?
You should vaccinate your puppy against distemper/hardpad, adenoviral hepatitis, bacterial leptospiral diseases, canine virus and bacterial influenzas, parvovirus ('parvo'), and, if going abroad vaccinate it against rabies. All dogs need an annual booster, but please follow the advice of your vet.

Puppyhood and growing up

Q.My puppy wants to chew everything he can get his teeth on. Why is that?
It's natural for a puppy to chew non-food objects, much like a child will put its mouth on things when 'teething'. Between two and six months of age, the pup will go through its own 'teething' shedding its milk teeth to be replaced by permanent teeth. Chewing objects is like practising for the real thing, which is bones and raw meat although nowadays that shouldn't be on the menu!
Q.My vet says I need to take my dog to her for an annual check-up. Is this really necessary?
A general health check-up is strongly recommended once a year. In the first two years, and when a senior dog is over 7 years of age, all manner of health issues arise, so it's wise to identify them sooner than later. A 'stitch in time' may prevent something from worsening or cure it. Annual vaccination, particularly before going into kennels, is a great preventive.

Spaying and neutering

Q.How do I stop my bitch coming into season and attracting all the local dogs?
Having her 'spayed' removes both ovaries and the womb, it stops seasons (oestrus) and makes her sterile. If you don't want to breed from her, it's the best option over giving pills or injections to suppress or postpone seasons. Also, if she is 'spayed' before her first season, the chance of breast cancer is greatly reduced.
Q.My male dog is always trying to get out. I'm worried he will get into an accident. What should I do?
Dogs are by nature great hunters, but the more likely cause of him straying from home is that he's looking for a bitch. There is a real danger that while he is crossing roads in the search, a car will hit him, or he could get involved in a fight. If you don't intend to breed from him, think about having him neutered (castrated). Contrary to 'old wives' tales' his temperament will not worsen; instead he may become cleaner around the house. More to the point, he may stay closer to home.

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