Dog Basics for NEWBIES





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Table of Contents:

1. Understanding ingredients
2. Dogs need different diets at different ages
3. Vitamin and mineral supplements
4. Boredom and variety
5. Cost of feeds
6. Dry vs. Canned food
7. Home made diets
8. Food allergies
9. How much should I feed my dog?
10. How often should I feed my dog?
11. Signs of Ill health
12. Heart worm, fleas and other parasites
13. Heart worm prevention
14. Common questions about heart worm
15. Fleas and other parasites
16. Do parasites cause “Scooting”?
17. Preventing dental disease
18. Home dental care
19. Veterinary dental treatments
20. The importance of the physical examination
21. Why are regular check-ups important?
22. What happens during an examination?
23. How often should my pet be examined?
24. How to administer medicine
25. Nursing a sick dog
26. Vaccinations
27. Common questions about vaccinations
28. Spaying and neutering
29. Spaying of the Female dog
30. Surgical neutering of the male dog
31. Pet health insurance
32. Clipping a dog
33. First steps in grooming
34. Bathing a dog
35. Pet Identification
































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This book is a common sense guide to dog owner basics. In practical advice
books, like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of any kind
made. Readers are cautioned to reply on their own judgment about their
individual circumstances to act accordingly.

This book is not intended for use as a source of basics of dog ownership.
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1. Understanding ingredients

Understanding the ingredients of your dog's food items is a must for
the dog lovers or dog owners. Whenever you feed the dog with different
kinds of food items, you should always read the label and understand the
contents about the dog feed types that are being used in such commercial
preparations. You should understand the ingredients while buying food for
your dog and also know what to look for.

Feed items include dry and fresh food. The fresh dog food that is
prepared in homes generally consists of ingredients like freshly cut
chicken pieces in addition to the cranberry juices, blue-green algae, etc.

If you come across any different kinds of preservatives and if the
dog develops all of a sudden signs pertaining to the food allergy, suspect
the unwanted ingredient in the feed items given. Similarly, understand
about the moisture status. If the food item is having more moisture, then
the dog may prefer this as well.

Beet pulp, pasta, Soy bean oil, wheat middlings, calcium carbonate,
magnesium oxide, copper sulphate, iron sulphate, zinc oxide, choline
chloride, etc. are often the ingredients in case of vegetarian based diet
items offered to the pet animals like dogs.

Raw egg, chicken, beef, mutton, fish, quail etc. are often the
preferred ingredients in case of dog diets that are prepared on the basis
of the non-vegetarian items. Taurine is one of the essential ingredients
for the dog’s nutrition. Like wise, in the case of dogs feed with frozen
fish items, the vitamin called thiamine needs to be supplemented as an
ingredient.

Many premium type of dog food preparations contain essential fatty
acids, carbohydrates with adequate fiber contents, vitamins like A, D, E
and B complex vitamins.

Furthermore, minerals like zinc, is an essential ingredient for skin
health status and calcium, which is an essential ingredient for bone
growth, tonicity of muscles. They should be enriched in these food items.
However, the cost of those food preparations are comparatively more
expensive than the food preparations with general ingredients. Though it
may be better for your dog's health.

























2. Dogs need different diets at different ages

Dogs need different diets at different ages. Yes. This is true. For
example, the puppy needs milk as the major food item while an adult dog may
need beef or chicken in addition to the boiled egg and milk. So depending
on the age factor, the diet schedule varies in reality for the dogs like
any other species.

Puppies need greater amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates than
an adult dogs. Furthermore, puppies need more frequent feeding schedules
in a day, unlike an adult dog. The movement based requirements of diet are
more in the case of puppies, since they are often more active than the
adult dogs.

Elder dogs need restricted protein but the protein needs to be easily
digestible and easily assimilated in the body. The diet schedule should
have ample supply of water for them. Feeding aged dogs too much protein may
finally lead to over burden to the renal structures and ultimately, the dog
may end up damaging filters in the kidney.

This is true especially when the immune system of these dogs is
compromised due to many factors. Similarly, the elderly dogs need less
food only because the movements of the adult dogs are highly restricted and
hence, they have to spend a limited of energy.

Female dogs in the pregnancy stage need not be fed a full stomach
since it may cause some discomforts to the animal. However, the pregnant
animal and the nursing animal need special type of food items that deliver
a balanced type of nutrition with proper supplementation of vitamins and
minerals.

The nursing animal with puppies need to be fed with enough amounts of
calcium and hence, there will not be any calcium based deficiency and the
bones of the puppies will be strong without any curving.
3. Vitamin and mineral supplements

Vitamin and mineral supplements are the most important components in
any dog’s feeding. If there is a balance in the vitamin and mineral
supplements, then the animal will have a healthy life and hence, the
immunity is not compromised in an unwanted way. This simply means that
there the dog will be more disease resistance against various diseases.

Pet owners should know that vitamins A, D, E, and K are the fat-
soluble vitamins and others are water-soluble vitamins. Vitamins like
thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin are important for the functions of
nervous system. Deficiency of vitamin A leads to night blindness and skin
lesions and deficiency of vitamin D leads to the softening and weakening of
the bones.

These problems are many a time encountered by the dog owners. Among
these, vitamin A toxicities may occur if you feed them in excessive
amounts, like vitamin D. Hence, give emphasis on this while you are using
these vitamins in the dogs. Cod liver oil from selected fishes has more
vitamin A in them and are universally good feed for dogs.

All dogs may not need supplements of minerals or vitamins to live
well for the moment, but it is important for their future. If they become
sick or aged or very young without proper feeding, supplementations are
required for the upkeep of health status in them. However, one has to
follow the instructions of veterinarian in this regard.

If the dogs are fed with fish in frozen conditions, then they may be
suffering constantly from vitamin B1 deficiency and hence, such dogs need
to be given specifically B1. Careless supplementations of minerals may lead
to diseases and hence, veterinarians always need to be consulted on the
supplementation of minerals or vitamins.

Minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper etc.
are given more emphasis in addition to sodium and potassium. Zinc is
related to skin health and potassium is related to the muscle health and
calcium with phosphorus is related to the bone health.

However, if you feed the dog with chicken, mutton or beef along with
required vegetables, artificial supplementation of mineral or vitamin
tablets may be highly reduced but supplements need to be thought of when
you are not able to maintain a balanced nutrition as this happens with most
of the dogs, due to multifaceted causes.


4. Boredom and variety

Boredom and variety are always inter connected in case of dog
misbehaving. Yes. This is true. Many a times, boredom can be managed with
variety of materials that will distract the animals to a greater extent.
Hence, the dog may not do the abnormal or unwanted activity arising out of
the boredom experienced by it.

Boredom experienced dogs may have different types of behavioral
patterns. For example, some dogs will be seen barking continuously and
some may be engaged always in some digging activities.

There are many ways to get your dog out of its boredom activities.
Many toys are available which simulated duck, dog, rodent etc.

These may be kept inside the crate and in particular, puppies love
these items. A buster cube with multiple treats may be placed in the dog’s
shelter and the animal soon understands on how to roll the buster cube to
get the treats it prefers. A Buster Cube is an ingenious toy use for
simulating and activating your dog during play and feed time. Instead of
placing the food monotonously in one place, change the place of feeding
suddenly.

Such actions will be helpful for removing the boredom like activity
in your dog. Activities pertaining to boredom need to be redefined well by
the dog owners. This will help them to a greater extent to drive away the
unwanted behavior patterns in their pet dogs.

For example, some dogs may often have destructive biting characters
and will be seen biting chair, cloth, mats, and everything that can see.
After ruling out the teething problem if it is a puppy, provide it with
some large sized balls, mineral mixture based bone materials, etc. Such
variety of materials help to reduce the boredom related activities.



5. Cost of feeds

The cost of dog feed is one factor that is most important in the case
of feeding of dogs with different kinds of food items. Yes. This is true.
The cost factor needs to be looked into in various perspectives during the
preparation of the food items, required for the balanced feeding of dogs
with proper vitamin and mineral supplementations in the food.

Cost will not always matter much because the dog’s value is being
assessed in terms of companionship and the happiness derived from the dog
to the dog owner. Though the cost of the food items is comparatively more,
many dog owners don’t mind much due to the increased benefits derived from
their dogs in terms of protection, guiding, etc.

Selection of ingredients for the home made food needs to be however
based on the quality factor. Even when the quality is more, general persons
may seek some cheaper items only. Recommended nutrient contents may be
obtained from the national nutrient academies in all nations and this will
provide guidelines.

One can correlate the cost factor with items available in their own
country. Generally, the commercial food items are expensive especially the
ones that use the modern technologies of food preparation like oven-baking,
sterilization of cans, air drying or freeze drying of contents etc.

Canned items cost more than the dry food items. However, the cost of
the items depends on what kind of food item to be used for the dogs. Food
allergies need to be monitored during usage of different food items in case
of dogs due to the cheaper cost of the items. Often the quality need not be
compromised because of the cost factor.

Most of the dog food items nowadays have mentioned their cost in the
label itself. Hence, the dog owner need not have any problem in taking a
decision on the purchase.


6. Dry vs. Canned food

These types of food materials are different with different grades of
liking by the dogs. Dogs like dry foods only if they are tasty only and
however, on comparison, the dogs prefer only the canned food items. Reason
for such preference by the dogs is that in case of canned food items, the
moisture is about seventy to eighty per cent but in case of dry food, it is
only about ten per cent.

However, if you view it in terms of nutrients, often the dry food
contains nearly ninety per cent nutrients whereas the canned food items
contain only less per cent of nutrients and most of the times. It is only
soy products that are structured so well to look like meat pieces.

Hence, to make up the nutritional balance in the body systems, the
dog has to eat more amounts of canned food materials than the dry food
materials. Hence, just compare the cost factor related to this feature by
you. Many dry food items are soybean and rice based.

Now some dry food items are based on corn. Sometimes, beef based or
chicken based food items come in the cans along with mineral and vitamin
supplements suited for the upkeep of the dog’s health status. Larger dogs
that weigh more than thirty pounds need to be fed with semi moist food
items or dry food items in most of the occasions.

This is to satisfy the food receptors in the stomach. This is due to
the fact that the larger dogs need to eat plenty of moist food or the
canned food items to satisfy these criteria. But it may not be practically
possible in these larger dogs. The small sized dogs may have a
satisfactory level of nutrients if fed even the moist food items.
However, the caloric density of the dry food should not be forgotten.
Enriched dry food items are highly welcome ones than the non -enriched food
items.

7. Home made diets

Home made diets are important in the dog feeding. Many a times, the
commercial diets consist of food items that have artificial coloring agents
and flavoring agents that are harmful to the dog's body. Home made food
items have the guarantee of freshness in the preparation unlike the ready-
made commercial items.

The preservatives added in the commercial food items may not be the
suitable ones to the dogs from the health point of view. Even in case of
renal diseases in dogs, the home made diets may be made with ground beef,
slices of bread, calcium carbonate, boiled eggs etc.

The purpose is to have the restricted protein supply in the feed
items prepared. This should be carried out with home made diets prepared
exclusively for the dogs suffering from renal diseases. Water is added in
sufficient quantities to help the proper metabolism in the digestion-
impaired renal cases.

The dog may have allergic symptoms like severe itching, which may not
get corrected by different kinds of medications employed over a period of
time. Such cases may get easily treated once the dog food is changed from
the commercial type of food to the home made food items.

Often, the home made food items are prepared using the freezing
procedures to kill the germs or by adding grape seed extracts to provide
sufficient antioxidants to the home made food items. Food grade vinegar is
also added in many times to the meat pieces prepared in a fresh manner.
All these can be enriched with vitamin supplements that are available in
fruit essences, fish oil etc.

Cranberry juice, bananas, fish and meat are prepared in a quality
manner and no preservatives are added during the preparation of these kinds
of food items and the dog becomes more active after the consumption of such
food items.


8. Food allergies

Food allergies are something that is difficult to identify unless one
is well aware of the baseline information with regard to this type of
allergy. The main symptoms of food allergies in dogs include the facial
itching, limb chewing, belly itching, recurrent ear infections or skin
infections.

Since the dogs consume lot of prepared food materials including
various kinds of proteins, fillers, coloring agents and more; in the
commercial food materials, the incidences of food allergies are more than
one can imagine. Allergic reactions mostly involve the skin or the gastro
intestinal tract.

If you come across your dog itching after the provision of specific
food materials, then suspect the food allergy in this animal. However,
conditions like fungal infections need to be ruled out in general before
the conclusion of itching as a sign of food allergy.

There are many recorded incidences of allergies of dogs to corn or to
wheat. However, the food allergies vary from dog to dog. Read the labels
clearly before feeding your dogs with pet food materials, in such
occasions. Too much colored food materials may be avoided since they may
cause allergies to your dog.

Food allergies are often linked to the hyper active behavior noticed
in the dogs. Added colors, preservatives, and high fat diet might cause
such food allergies in the dogs and hence, one has to be careful in
providing new kind of diet to their dogs and closely monitor the dog for
any signs of allergy.

There are many occasions that food allergies might be diagnosed in
the dogs but the dog may have other problems like pancreatitis. To rule out
the food allergies, observation your dogs everytime you feed them, look for
reasons to link the signs of dog with food given, specific signs
encountered, differential diagnosis etc. are the important features to be
given emphasis.

9. How much should I feed my dog?

Many people will give different types of answers based on their
experience with their dogs. However, the scientific facts related to the
feeding aspects in case of dogs need to be given emphasis during the
feeding activities maintained in case of dogs.

Usually the puppies should not be separated before they are eight
weeks old. However, some times the orphaned puppies may exist. Usually
about five percent of the body weight may be taken as criteria for the
quantity of food to be given to the puppies. However, the amount that is
consumed by the dog varies with size of the dogs also.

However, one can have a thumb rule of feeding the puppy goes until
you see visible fullness of the abdomen to a moderate degree. If you are
going on feeding the animal without giving emphasis to the animal’s stomach
appearance, then the puppy may experience some kinds of digestive upsets
and the diarrhea may occur in them.

This may cause many inconveniences to the owner as well as the puppy.
Unlike adult dogs, the puppies need to be fed with restricted amounts of
food but in more frequencies. However, once the age advances, the amount
may be increased to some extent but the frequency of feeding is often
decreased in many occasions.

A dog on a raw diet may consume only two to four percent of their
body weight. Just observe closely the feeding pattern of the dog and the
body condition of the animal. If the dog becomes obese, just reduce the
quantity of food and if the dog becomes thin, then have an increase in the
feeding items.

As mentioned earlier, puppies and adolescent dogs eat more than the
adult dogs. Likewise the geriatric dog eats less than the adult dog due to
the reduced movements of the dog. However, remember to restrict the amounts
of protein during the feeding of diet to the aged dogs.

10. How often should I feed my dog?

This often becomes an important question asked by many dog lovers and
dog owners. If it is a puppy within age of the first six weeks, the
puppies need to be given milk at the rate of five to seven times per day.
The puppy will make some sound if it wants to feed in general.

However, the feeding frequency may be reduced when the dog becomes
six to eight weeks old. By the time the dog assumes the age of four weeks,
it may start taking of some solid food. Hence, mix the solid food with
water in majority and feed your puppy once or twice in the beginning and if
the dog develops some diarrhea, then delay the feeding.

Most of the times, it is due to trial and error but taking some basic
steps in feeding, so you need to watch out. The feeding frequency may be
changed to two to three times after the assumption of age of eight weeks.
However, if the dog is seen hungry craving for food, then provide food once
than the estimated numbers. This varies with different breeds of dogs.

However, avoid feeding too many times in this age group of dogs.
Around three months to six months of age, the puppy will be teething.
Hence, restrict the feeding to two times only but the balanced type of
nutrition needs to be provided to the dogs of this age group to avoid the
deficiency based symptoms in them.

From six months to one year, try using puppy food that is available
commercially. However, from first year onwards, the adult food may be
given gradually. However, when the dog becomes an elder dog, restrict the
frequency of feeding since the movements of such adult dogs are highly
reduced due to multiple reasons. However, the pregnant animal may be fed
an extra time depending on the willingness of the animal and restrict the
quantity of the food but without compromising on the quality of food.

































11. Signs of Ill health

Signs of ill health are the most important signs of the health status
in your dogs. For example, if the dog has continuous nasal discharge, it
indicates the presence of nasal congestion and if the discharge is thick,
most of the times, the dog may have pneumonia.

If the dog vomits one or two times occasionally, this may not be
taken as a serious sign of ill health but if the dog continues this
vomiting, then this is something significant to be looked into.

If the dog has continuous itching, then one needs to check up the dog
first by closer observation and examination of skin by separating the hair
material especially in case of long haired breeds. You may also come across
a lot of ticks or lice on skin, which may look apparently normal at a
distance.

If the dog passes loose stool for one or two times, this need not be
given more emphasis but if there is continuous passing of loose stool, then
the dog is understood to suffer from bowel disorders. If the dog does not
pass stool for two to three days, the digestive upsets needs to be ruled
out carefully.

Just patiently observe the dog’s walking movements and rule out any
abnormal movements in the dog. If the dog is limping, the animal may have
foot lesions. Similarly, if the aged dog has reluctant walking and less
feed intake along with repeated vomiting, then acute renal disorders like
nephritis needs to be ruled out.

If there is whiteness in eyes, suspect the corneal opacity that may
occur in diseases like trypanasomosis. When the dog becomes anemic, the
mucous membrane of the eyes becomes paler and in severe cases, this may
have wall white color. If the dog bites chain and owners or others, look
for behavior disorders and rabies needs to be ruled out.
12. Heart worm, fleas and other parasites

Heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs need to be eliminated
by following appropriate medications in them. Many products have come up
in the commercial fields to protect the dogs from heart worms, fleas and
other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc.

Among the heart worm, fleas and other parasites, the fleas produce
the hyper sensitive reactions in the affected animals. Hence, the animals
infested with fleas start severely scratching of body. Many times, the
scratching is so severe and the skin becomes more hyperemic and dermatitis
occurs in the affected areas.

Animal will not lie down or sleep comfortably due to the constant
bites by the fleas. Hence, animal looks as if affected by some severe skin
disease. If the animal is not properly attended for this tick bite
problem, there will be often secondary bacterial invasions in these sites
and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the skin areas.

Close observation of the dog is highly essential to rule out the
occurrence of fleas disturbing the animal to a greater extent. Similarly,
the skin of the animal needs to be tested for the presence of ticks, lice
etc. For this, the hair materials need to be separated and the close
observation with patience is required for the proper diagnosis.

In many incidences, if anemia is present, the blood protozoa need to
be ruled out in addition to the hookworm problems. The clinical problems
like anemia, loose motion, pot belly etc. might be recognized by the dog
owners themselves and however, the dog needs to undergo the routine health
related examination involving fecal examination, hematological examination
and blood smear examination.

Many commercial products have come up in the market, which are useful
to deal with all these conditions by single dose. Drugs like ivermectin
are highly useful and are available in both injection and oral form in
addition to the solution form that can be applied on the skin. These drugs
in dogs can lead to the prophylaxis of these conditions also.
























13. Heart worm prevention

Beef flavored chunks are available in addition to the beef flavored
tablets or solutions that can be given orally to the dogs as a measure
against the incidence of heart worms. Avoid mosquito bites by providing
proper mosquito-proof shelter facilities to the dogs.

Just plan whether there is any need to go for the heart worm
prevention though out the year or only in some months of the year. For
example, in case of some countries, the mosquitoes may be dormant in most
of the colder months.

However, in some countries, this is not a position. Many a times,
medications are available for oral administration to prevent heart worms
along with hookworms etc. Such oral medications need to be taken as per
the instructions. However, be cautious about the occurrence of any adverse
drug reactions in the dog given with such prophylactic therapy.

Adverse event reports need to be sent if you come across any sorts of
adverse drug reactions in your dog during the preventive treatment.
Soft beef flavored tablets are highly preferred by the pet animals as the
preventive measure against heart worms. The pet owner needs to consult a
veterinarian if the dose for the prophylaxis of heart worm is missed for
few months. In such occasions, the pet animal needs to undergo the heart
worm test.

Heartgard, sentinel, interceptor, revolution, etc. are available in
the commercial fields as drugs for the preventive measure. Avoid water
stagnation around the dog shelter and the bushes around the area that
facilitate mosquito breeding. This test needs to be carried out in
consultation with a veterinarian who is specialized in the pet animal
health care and medicine.

As a preventive measure for the heart worms, the dogs need to be
tested for the evidence of these worms at an age of six months. Real beef
chew able tablets are available containing medical agent like ivermectin.



14. Common questions about heart worm

The common questions about heart worm are often related to the
species affected by heart worms in addition to the dogs. One should know
that in addition to dogs, the cat, fox, wolf, horse, sea lion etc. are also
affected. Can this be cured or not? Yes. This can be treated.

What is the drug used often for the prevention of heart worm in dogs?
Ivermectin is the drug used often to have preventive actions for these
heart worms. Dogs affected reveal constant coughing, panting and dullness
in many occasions.

What will be the size of the worms? In the case of the females, it is
about twenty-seven centimeters and in the case of males, it is about
seventeen centimeters in length. Is there any vector involve in the
transmission of the disease? Yes. Mosquitoes often get associated as
vectors in which the early development of larvae of heart worms occur in
them.

Is the prophylaxis meant only for heart worms or others also? The
prophylaxis is meant not only for the heart worms but also for the hook
worms, whip worms, and round worms. What is the infective type of larvae
that is associated with the transmission of these heart worms? The third
stage larva that is transmitted by the mosquito bites.

This occurs through out the world. In some areas, the incidences are
less in colder months in which the mosquito breeding will not be there and
may be dormant during these periods. What is the name of the drug used for
therapy and prevention? Ivermectin and milbemycin oxime may be used for
both purposes. Ivermectin is available in injection form and oral form.

Additionally, the forms for external application are also available.
The cost factor needs to be worked out for all these treatments. What is
the frequency of drug used for prophylaxis? One month before the mosquito
season and up to two months after the mosquito season, ivermectin or
milbemycin oxime may be given once monthly for the prophylaxis.
Diethylcarbamazine may be used for therapy purpose.

15. Fleas and other parasites

Fleas and other parasites need to be given always a priority by the
dog owners. The common incidences of flea bite allergy in case of dogs
cause worries among the dog owners. Flea bite induces allergic reactions
in the concerned area bitten by the fleas. Hence, the affected area looks
like hairless area and the animal starts scratching.

Fleas cause severe dermatitis in dogs with severe flea infestations.
Many times, the flea bite causes allergic reactions in the dogs. In many
occasions, dogs experience severe discomforts due to these allergic
reactions. Medicated collars are available to treat and prevent the
infestation with external parasites like ticks or fleas.

Other parasites like ticks, lice in addition to the internal
parasites like hook worms, round worms, whip worms etc. cause affections in
the health status of the animal. For example, if hookworm affects the
animal, most of the times, the dog has anemia. The anemic signs become more
prominent depending on the degree of affection by the hookworm.

Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause problems
in the affected ones. Such dogs may reveal lesions pertaining to the
dermatitis in the feet region and in the skin areas. Skin rashes may be
seen frequently in such cases and the affected animal passes loose stool,
which is of red tinged and mixed with blood material.

If the round worms are seen in more numbers, the affected puppies
reveal a potbelly condition, which is easily recognized by the dog owners
themselves. Piperazine salts are given by oral route for the treatment of
this problem. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate,
fenbendazole etc. are given to treat these conditions.

Many drugs have come in market to treat the fleas and other
parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called as ivermectin is highly
preferred by many dog owners to treat the fleas and other parasites in
dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. Even the drug
is available for the external application also.


16. Do parasites cause “Scooting”?

Parasites too cause the scooting. Scooting is a an anal sac disease.
First let's understand what scooting is in detail. This is the dragging of
anus with the hind limbs in an extended state. Parasites causing irritation
in the anus regions lead to such type of actions in animals like dogs.

However, one should not be under the impression that it is the
parasite that alone causes such scooting in case of dogs. There are many
occasions in which the dog may have the scooting without any parasite based
etiological agent. For example, the anal gland infections, tumors at the
anus and injuries near the anal regions also may lead to such type of
dragging of anus region, frequently by the affected dogs.

Flea bite allergy often causes irritation at the anus region and the
animal may try to bite the anus region and the irritations due to these
factors lead to the final dragging of anus region on the ground.
Cestodiasis in dogs is the condition caused by tapeworms.

In such occasions, if the animal is not treated in time, the animal
may be seen exhibiting the scooting activities. Tapeworm segments passed
in the stool create crawling like activities near anus.

Such crawling activities of the tapeworm segments lead to severe
itching at these regions. Hence, to make a relief from this type of
constant irritation, the animal starts pressing the anus region on the
ground first and then tries to drag it on the ground with typical extension
of rear limbs.

Usually there is a packet of eggs when the fecal sample is examined
by microscope. However, the flotation technique leads to breakage of these
packets to burst and hence, diagnosis is difficult in such occasions.
Scooting dogs need to be examined to rule out tapeworm segments, which look
like rice like pieces.

These segments are white in color and turn yellow when taken from the
body. Tapeworms themselves may be seen in the motion or near anus below
the tail regions. Consult your veterinarian for specific cures for this.



17. Preventing dental disease

Preventing dental disease is an important feature, which is to be
paid more emphasis by the dog lovers or dog owners. Dental disease is given
priority in the health schedule of the dog nowadays because of the
association of the dental diseases with systemic diseases in the dogs.

Antibiotics need to be given in the initial stage of teeth infection
itself and if not, this may cause specific infections and the organisms may
spread to the other nearby regions like the oral mucous membrane and
pharyngeal region etc.

More acidic or alkaline food materials need not be given to the dogs
to avoid the possible teeth damage. Antibiotics need to be given in the
initial stage of teeth infection itself and if not, this may cause specific
infections and the organisms may spread to the other nearby regions like
the oral mucous membrane and pharyngeal region etc. More acidic or
alkaline food materials need not be given to the dogs to avoid the possible
teeth damage. If the dog is not given at its young age some bony material
to bite on, the dog may develop some dental diseases later. The teething
action often causes the animal to go for biting in an indiscriminate
manner. Hence, the animal has to be given some biting materials to avoid
the occurrence of dental diseases.

If there is an evidence of bleeding from the oral region, the dog
needs to be examined thoroughly for any dental abnormality. Mainly the
puppies or some times, the adult dogs also may have teeth injuries. They
need to be attended immediately as a preventive step. If not, the animal
may end up in secondary bacterial infections.

Hunting dogs need additional care associated with the dental
structures and such care is needed to avoid the future dental problems in
such dogs. Brushes are available to provide better dental care to dogs.
However, one has to allot more time and should have patience to use such
brushes in case of dogs. This may lead into further problems. Centers
for disease control and prevention are trying to put up guidelines to
prevent the dental diseases in dogs in many nations. However, the oral
examination needs to be carried out frequently in dogs and such activities
help to rule out the emerging problems pertaining to the dentine structures
in the beginning itself.





























18. Home dental care

Home dental care is to be given more emphasis nowadays because of the
fact that the dental diseases are emerging in the case of pet animals like
dogs to a greater extent. Though you are giving home dental care, if you
suspect on the extension of the dental diseases, then immediately approach
the veterinarian for intervention.

Try to provide bone materials without very sharp points to the dogs
and they may love to chew them and then swallow the bitten products. Such
activities help them to go for the development of strong teeth structures
in a natural manner.

Mind that the breeds of dogs like Pekingese, etc. are more prone for
the development of teeth diseases because the teeth are closely crowned in
the oral cavity be to the small size of the these dogs. Hence, these dogs
need to be checked up for the excessive plaque formation in the home
itself.

Recreational raw beef bones are wonderful materials to keep the teeth
structures of your dog clean and free from formation of plaque with build
up of bacterial organisms. Teeth brushes are available for use with care
in case of dogs and one has to be careful during the usage of these brushes
in dogs. Teeth brushes are to be used with special kinds of pastes
recommended by the veterinarians for home use in case of dogs.

Specially prepared food materials are available in the pet shops to
remove the tartar and the plaque materials from the teeth structures. Dry
dog food and toys that are specially made to add strength to the teeth
structures are often used at home for better teeth cleaning.

The plaque materials are intermittently to be removed at home to
avoid any occurrence of the periodontal diseases, which are more common
among the dogs. Dental wipes are available in the pet shops and they may
be used carefully in the home. This helps to remove more plaque and the
tartar like materials that are loosely attached.
19. Veterinary dental treatments

Veterinary dental treatments are more important. If the dental
structures are not being looked carefully, there are more chances for the
development of periodontal diseases in dogs. Hence, the veterinary dental
treatments need to be paid maximum importance during the life of your dogs.


There are many advanced systems that deal with dental treatments that
have come up in the market. Many systems are available with built in water
spray systems, double filter systems, auto clavable clips, and more.

Many veterinarians use high speed fiber optic hand pieces with push
button turbines, two hand piece water jet systems, soundless water
compressors and more. The diagnosis of a condition pertaining to the
periodontal structure based diseases are more important before the
treatment.

Periodontal diseases are graded into minimal and moderate and severe
diseases. Accordingly the therapy is carried out, it is impossible to
check all teeth by basic oral examination in the dog patient. Hence,
general anesthesia is required before the examination of the teeth inside
structures. Surgical curettage is done in case of advanced periodontal
diseases using flaps and the teeth extractions are also carried out using
moderate force and more care is taken to avoid the continuous bleeding.

Oral surgeries are undertaken after obtaining of the dental radio
graphs in the dogs and by comparing the tissue damage with normal teeth
structures. The concerned veterinarians assess the extent of damage in a
systematic manner.

The periodontal diseases are controlled by administration of broad-
spectrum antibiotics in an effective manner. Along with the dental
surgeries, the oral treatment is done with many products that are helpful
to prevent the attachment of the tartar or plaque on the teeth. However,
reputable products should be used in the veterinary practice and the dog
owner’s satisfaction is given more priority during the veterinary dental
therapy.
20. The importance of the physical examination

The importance of the physical examination need not be underestimated
in case of dogs. Simple but systematic physical examination techniques may
diagnose most of the disorders in dogs and hence, without physical
examination of the dog, one should not resort to knowing the status of your
dog's health.

Simply observe the dog with scratching. Catch the dog and simply
separate the hair material from the itching site. To the surprise you may
come across a big wound in the scratched site. The wound might be the main
reason for the scratching of the dog at that site. However, one has to rule
out the occurrence of wound by severe itching itself.

Many times, when the scratching dog is examined physically, one can
come across plenty of lice infestation or tick problem in the skin and
coat. The parasitic condition might not be diagnosed at all if one has not
carried out the physical examination. Similarly, the dog may reveal the
signs of pain when the physical examination is carried out by deep
palpation technique. The dog show signs of pain when the dog is examined
at the stomach or the back regions.

Even if it is possible that by pressure based palpation, one can
detect the acute renal disorders in the affected dogs turn to the examined
site at the region of kidney or at the back region. The dog affected by the
Cystitis with severe retention of urine is often diagnosed by mere physical
examination.

The filled bladder together with signs of pain during the examination
at the site of urinary bladder indicates that the animal is affected by
Cystitis. Auscultation of the heart in both right and left sides helps to
rule out the abnormal heart sounds and the pulmonary area based
auscultation reveals the respiratory system disorder like pneumonia.

21. Why are regular check-ups important?

Why are regular check-ups important? Every dog owner asks this type
of question, often. If you failed to do the regular check-ups, then the dog
may end up having some major diseases that you don't know about. Hence,
you need to pay lot of money both to the veterinarians for consultancy and
for the required drugs useful for the therapy of the clinical condition.

One may not be able to find out the very commonly occurring clinical
conditions in case of their dogs because of less experience with dog
diseases or dog rearing. This is why check ups are important. For
example, if the dog has potbelly, the condition may not look abnormal many
times. But if the dog is subjected to the regular check-up, then the
veterinarian immediately finds it out and gives the appropriate therapy. If
not, the animal may experience diarrhea and the dehydration.

If the dog has any signs of illness, then don’t wait for the regular
check-up. Instead, you need to approach the veterinarian immediately. Check
ups if done in a regular manner will help to give vaccinations against
canine distemper, parvovirus, corona virus, rabies virus, hepatitis virus,
and more.

Booster vaccinations will be carried out in such cases without any
delay in the injections and this helps to improve the immunity level of the
dog against such diseases in a remarkable degree. Regular check up is the
essential one with proper stools examination. Hence, the deworming may be
carried out with drugs like fenbendazole, albendazole, etc.

Abnormalities like signs of pain may be ruled out during such
examinations. If not, helminthiasis may affect the animal and diarrhea may
occur in addition to the other types of digestive upsets and anemia.
Regular examinations help to rule out the external parasitic conditions
like lice or tick infestations. Dental problems are also found out during
the regular check ups in reputed veterinary hospitals.


22. What happens during an examination?

This question often looks so simple but holds more meanings in that.
During the examination of your dog, first you need to prepare the dog first
psychologically for a better-restrained status. For this, you need to take
a leash and place the dog on table by the careful delivery of suitable
command.

When the dog is trying to avoid the thorough examination by the
veterinarian, just try to distract the dog by simple scratching of your dog
behind the ears, etc. Hence, the dog’s attention is some what diverted from
the examination procedures that are carried out often in a systematic
manner.

However, there are obedient dogs, which will remain calm during an
examination. Such dogs need to be given some patting on the shoulder or
the body and praises. Perhaps, many owners may try to provide some treats
that are liked so much by the concerned dogs. However, it all depends on
the trainings offered to the concerned dog earlier and the effective follow
up procedures by the owner for the maintenance of such reflexes during the
examination.

Muzzles are required for some dogs if they behave in a different
manner by objecting the examination procedures by the frequent movements of
the body or trying to bite the veterinarian doing the examination of the
dog. Hence, the owner needs to observe the dog closely during the
examination to rule out any abnormal activity by the dog.

Restraining activities in a proper manner during the clinical
examination of the dog are of highly appreciable if they are successful
with the concerned dogs. Such control will be of highly helpful for the
effective examination of the patient by the concerned veterinarian in the
pet clinic.
If the dog gets more distracted during examination by means of
restlessness, then one may even use the electronic equipments which will
make some sound that are audible to the dogs’ ear. Such things will be
helpful in the proper distraction of the animal during the examination.


23. How often should my pet be examined?

Most of the dog owners try to find this answer in a serious manner.
Whatever the schedule we have for the examination of your pet animal, if
there is any abnormality noticed in your animal, without delay, you need to
subject the animal for a thorough clinical examination. It can be
suggested that even before the purchase of a puppy, just consult a pet
animal care specialist and try to understand about the schedules to be
maintained for the examination of the animal. This will help a lot in
solving many health related problems in the concerned animal.

Though once in two or three months is the general schedule for the
examination of the dog, as soon as the puppy is procured the dog needs to
be taken to the veterinarian for a thorough examination. Hence, the health
care measures related program will be obtained in time. Most of the time,
the dog is to be taken to the veterinarian at fifth or sixth week of age
because in this period only, the vaccinations against diseases will be
systematically carried out. The period of vaccination in the first year
will be continued up to the sixteenth week of age and the schedule needs to
be maintained accordingly.

However, if you have the pregnant dog, the dog need not be stressed
by long distance based transportation for examination purposes. Hence,
consult the veterinarian by phone and try to reduce the travel for the dog.
However, the veterinary advice needs to be obtained in terms of health
maintenance. If the dog has met with an accident either during travel or
during routine movements, the animal needs to be taken to the pet hospital
immediately.

Though no disease is evident, it does not mean that the dog is
healthy. There are occasions wherein the animal may look like a normal dog
but may have some diseases, which can be found out during the routine
health check ups. Hence, the owner has to decide on when to take the dog
to the hospital depending on necessity.

24. How to administer medicine

Most of the times, the dogs are so intelligent to find out the drug
mixed water or food materials offered to them by the dog owners. Hence,
often it becomes a headache for the dog owners to give medicines to their
dogs. To the possible extent, the animal need not be forced for taking of
the drug. If the medicine is to be given by mouth, first decide whether it
is better to give it along with water or food. Many times, the medicines
are mixed with food materials and are kept in concealed position by proper
mixing of the medicine with the food materials.

Before administering the medicine, just delay the feeding time in the
particular dog. Hence, the dog may be hungry to some extent. At that time,
give little quantity of normal food without medicine and the dog may eat it
well without any suspicion and now provide the medicine mixed food and the
dog may voluntarily eat it most of the times. If the dog resists, first
restraint the dog well and open the mouth. Place the tablet behind the fang
teeth and almost behind the bulb of the tongue. However, take care that the
medicine what you are administering in the dog should not enter directly
into the respiratory organ like lungs.

If so, the dog will experience many bouts like activities and may end
up in aspiration pneumonia with severe nasal discharge and panting like
activities. In puppies, just swab the medicine around the upper lip. The
puppy will lick automatically the drug by tongue. Hence, the administration
becomes perfect in such cases.

If the medicine is in liquid form, don’t raise the head of dog too
much and place medicine by a syringe. Just by using a dropper, fill the
medicine in the lip pocket. The continuous rubbing at the throat side may
stimulate the swallowing. Making the animal thirsty and then offering of
medicine mixed water may many times help the intake of the medicine.


25. Nursing a sick dog

Nursing a sick dog is one of the vital measures that a dog owner
needs to understand. Similarly, when a dog becomes sick, the dog is in
need of more care and affection based activities by the dog owners. Nursing
a sick animal is often considered as an art and this should not be taken as
a causal measure.

Yes. You need to take extra care to the dog when it becomes sick. For
example, the sick dog with high fever needs to be given only some bread
pieces and bulky non-vegetarian items may be avoided. Such dogs should be
kept in some calm place after medications are taken and should not be
disturbed. During the nursing of the dog who has taken the drug, the
animal needs coaxing and stroking by the owner. Don’t raise the dog’s head
too much to avoid the passing of drugs given by the mouth directly into the
respiratory organs like lungs. During the nursing measures, take care by
giving warm fluids.

Safety is to be given more priority during the nursing activity in
any dog. When the dog has severe diarrhea, the animal may start showing
signs of dehydration. Hence, the nursing care for dehydration includes an
addition of small doses of salt and glucose to water in a careful manner.
Similarly, the vomiting dog also needs proper nursing care. Ice cubes may
be given in such cases along with egg whites to smooth the esophageal
passage.

Nowadays, a non-contact based infrared thermometer has come up in the
market to obtain the temperature of the animal without much stress. Place
the dog in a shaded place if the temperature is so high and provide good
ventilation to the suffering animal. If the animal is suffering from
hypothermia, provide warm blankets to given comfort to the animal.



26. Vaccinations

Vaccinations need to be undertaken always by the pet owners and the
dogs need to be vaccinated at the appropriate time. This helps to improve
the resistance of the animal against some specific diseases causing
frequently problems in dogs. The dogs that are orphaned due to the death
of the mother have lesser protection in their immune system.
Such animals are to be particularly protected against various diseases.

Vaccination is usually started at the age of five to six weeks and
prior to this age, the maternal immunity will be helping the animal to have
natural disease resistance. It is always better to deworm the animal
before the vaccination and this is given emphasis many times. Vaccination
against the parvo virus is done at an early age because pups are often
being affected by parvo viral infections. The booster dose for each
vaccine needs to be given at appropriate time and this helps to build up
the immune status to an appreciable manner. Vaccination is carried out in
many countries against rabies disease.

Hence, vaccination against rabies is given more emphasis always. Even
rabies tags are fixed on to the dog collar of most of the dogs. Rabies
vaccine is given at age of thirteen to fifteenth weeks of age and is
repeated in fifteenth months time. However, this depends on the type of
vaccine used. Once in three years, this is repeated.

In dogs that have not received colostrums or dogs at high risk areas,
give measles virus vaccine and killed parvovirus vaccine before five weeks
of age itself. Leptospira serovar vaccine is given at six to eight weeks
of age and again at tenth to twelfth weeks and at thirteenth to sixteenth
weeks.

Then annually repeat this. Bordetella and lyme disease vaccinations
are only optional ones in case of dogs. Vaccinations against the canine
parainfluenza, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus type- two is
similar to the schedule maintained with leptospiral serovars.


27. Common questions about vaccinations

Common questions about vaccinations are to be understood by the dog
owners, as a priority. One of the common questions is whether the dog needs
to be given vaccination on the first week of age or not. The dogs need not
be vaccinated within five to six weeks of age. But, if they did not
receive vaccinations, then the vaccination against the parvoviral
infections used to kill viral vaccines and measles disease may be given.

Another common question is whether dog is to be given bordetella
disease vaccine and lyme disease vaccine. No, these vaccines are only
optional. Can the parvoviral vaccine can be used in first week of life?
No. This will interfere with maternal antibody levels.

Can a pregnant animal be vaccinated? Yes. Two to three weeks earlier
to pregnancy activity that is expected, the pregnant animal may be
vaccinated against viral diseases. This helps to provide maternal
antibodies to the young one to be given birth. Is there any need to give
rabies vaccine to dogs? Yes. It is a must to go for the anti rabies
vaccine for dogs.

When this anti-rabies vaccine is given to the dogs, what precaution
does one need to undertake in this regard? Rabies vaccine is given at age
of thirteen to fifteen weeks of age and should to be repeated in fifteen
months and then once in three years. It is important that the dog is given
this vaccine.

However, this depends on the risk area. Is there any need for canine
distemper vaccination in case of dogs? Yes. There is a specific requirement
in the case of dogs for the vaccination against the canine distemper. This
disease is more prevalent in most of the countries.

Is there any vaccination against leptospirosis and at what age, the
dog is to be vaccinated? This is to be given at age of at six to eight
weeks of age, again at tenth to twelfth weeks, and again at thirteenth to
sixteenth weeks of age.


28. Spaying and neutering

Spaying and neutering of dogs are highly wanted if you don’t want to
breed the dogs and however, these activities need to be carried out by
qualified veterinarians specialized in pet care and management. Anesthesia
is required along with due surgical procedures for carrying out the spaying
and neutering.

One has to understand first the terms like spaying or neutering. Both
are related to the surgical approaches of sterilization in case of females
and males respectively. However, the term neutering is also related to
such procedures in both sexes. Accidental pregnancies that are not wanted
can be highly minimized by these procedures.

Spaying and neutering helps to prevent occurrence of pyometra, which
is a common reproductive disorder-giving problem to the dog owners. In
male dogs, the neutering helps to prevent the occurrence of prostate
enlargement or cancer. Hence, these help to minimize the incidences of
reproductive disorders in dogs.

By these spaying and neutering, the male dog’s desire in search of
female dog in heat is highly minimized and hence, wandering of male dog is
reduced. The animal becomes calm also by these surgical remedies.
Territorial behavior of these animals is also highly minimized by these in
case of male dogs.

Spaying of your dog before the occurrence of first heat is the best
one to avoid the incidence of breast cancer. If the dog is spayed after the
first heat, the chances of occurrence of breast cancer in them is more and
has been proved by research. Younger group of dogs need to be subjected to
these operations to avoid complications in future.

Many veterinarians prefer the spaying and neutering of dogs only at
the age of five to six years. However, these can be performed even at the
age of three to five years. Postoperative care needs to be followed
meticulously to avoid the occurrence of infections by microbial organisms.



29. Spaying of the Female dog

Spaying of the female dog is undertaken to control the unwanted
pregnancy by crossing of some unknown or country or non-descript dogs. The
spaying of the dog reduces the aggressiveness of the dog. By spaying, one
can reduce the incidences of the commonly encountered reproductive diseases
like pyometra.

Spaying also helps to control the population in case of stray animals
and many nations are doing these operations by removing the ovaries from
the female animals. Experienced veterinarians are required to do the
spaying in case of female dogs and the postoperative care is to be given
more emphasis. If proper control measures are not taken after the surgical
operation for the removal of ovary, then the infections may start setting
in and the animal may end up in development of peritonitis and then toxemia
sets in, causing unwanted health problems.

Death of the dog may finally occur, if the dog is not provided an
effective and proper veterinary care. A female dog that is spayed before
the occurrence of first heat will have almost a zero chance of development
of mammary cancer, which is more common with the dogs that are not spayed.

A female dog generally comes to heat once in eight months or so.
During the heat occurrence, there is bleeding from vagina and the dog may
cross with the unwanted male and the spaying activity prevents all these.
In case of aged dogs, the dog may often get signs of increased thirst,
anorexia, vomiting etc. that are so common with pyometra.

Pyometra means the presence of pus in the uterus. Once pyometra
occurs, it involves many discomforts to the animal in addition to the cost
factor involved for the therapy also. Such pyometra is totally prevented by
spaying because in the case of spaying, you are removing both ovaries and
the uterus.

30. Surgical neutering of the male dog

Surgical neutering of the male dog is important in helping the dog
owners to control the male dog’s aggressive behavior. Yes. By doing the
surgical neutering, it becomes possible to control the dog’s restlessness,
which might have caused so much agony for the owner and hence, neutering
corrects such activity to the benefit of the dog owner.
When the dog is in puppy stage, the dog may be subjected to the surgical
neutering technique. Hence, the hormonal impact is highly minimized in such
male dogs.

The surgical neutering of the male dog helps to prevent the
incidences of prostate gland diseases. Generally, in case of male dogs,
the prostate enlargement is more common. In canine patients undergone the
surgical neutering, the incidences of such prostate enlargement are totally
minimized.

Sometimes, the adult male dog has more difficulties during
defecation. However, one has to rule out the feed borne constipation like
lack of fibers etc. before resorting to the fixation of prostate
enlargement as a cause for this. Constipation is mainly due to the
increased size of the prostate gland. Neutering makes shrinkage of the
prostate gland. In surgical neutering, the incision is placed in front of
the scrotum and the testicles are removed in a surgical manner using
aseptic techniques.

The wound need not be closed except the tying up of the cord after
cutting of the testicle. However, in two to three days time, as a routine
tissue reaction, some swelling may occur in the scrotum. However, once you
administer the antibiotic that has a broader spectrum of activities, the
condition gets recovered in a satisfactory condition. Septic shock may
occur if the surgical site gets infected with some microbial infections and
in these cases, the wound needs a thorough dressing procedure and the
patient needs to be continuously monitored in a clinical environment.

Take note that local animal organizations perform the surgical
neutering when the stray male dogs are captured by them.


31. Pet health insurance

Pet health insurance is highly required nowadays because of the
escalating cost factors pertaining to the health maintenance in dogs and
other animals. Dog owners need to find pet insurance firms that settle
dues to the pet owners without much delay and in a more appropriate manner.
Pet health insurance firms recently come forward to settle the dues in a
proper manner after the due verification of the claim. If anything
happens, dog care costs can add up without insurance.

Hence, know the approved list of your local animal care hospitals.
Even have the list of veterinary experts who are specialized in dog’s
health care and disease management measures. Many firms cover up the cost
made towards undertaking of surgeries, radiographic examinations, treatment
of specific conditions, laboratory fees towards undertaking of various
laboratory examinations, and more. There is a weighting period before the
approval of your policy by most of the insurance firms after the enrolling
from you so it's good to start early.

If you don’t like the insurance firm, at any time, you can cancel the
insurance policy. A licensed veterinarian list should be available with
all insurance firms. Many payment options are available for the pet owners.


It is better to enroll the dogs or other pets before they become
adults. The animals when they are young need to be enrolled as a priority.

It is always better to the consumers who are the dog owners. Before the
dogs have any illness, accidents, or get into the pre-existing conditions
as quoted by many pet health insurance firms, insurance coverage needs to
be entered by the dog owners. The medical history of your dog will be
subjected to the full review by the insurance firms, so start soon.

32. Clipping a dog

Many dog owners generally think of clipping as only a mechanical
activity. Few understand that clipping a dog is an art. Clipping a coat or
nail needs to be carried out in a careful manner to avoid the injuries to
the skin or nail. Clipping of the coat is to be taken care of as per the
breed characteristics. If the coat is not properly clipped, this may lead
to the dust accumulation in the coat and the animal may start showing signs
of skin diseases. This is true especially when the grooming activities are
not done in a proper manner.

Clipping of coat helps to get rid of the parasitic burden to a
greater extent and also, the clipping of your dog is of more useful to
expose on the type of parasitic problem that the dog is likely to suffer.
Many pet health parlors are available wherein the clipping of dog will be
carried out in a more systematic manner.

Always make use of a sharp clipper and in the winter regions, avoid
the close clipping. This is due to the fact that the closer clipping in the
winter seasons may expose the dog to the environmental stresses like the
cold climate. Hence, the dog may become more vulnerable to the frostbite.
Avoid the close clipping of coat or nail because this may cause injury to
the underlying tissues and may cause bleeding in the concerned animal.

Many pet owners need to avoid any clipping activity when the animal
is not in healthy status. Clipping instruments are available to a greater
extent in many pet shops. Avoid the blunt instruments because they may not
clip well and hence, repetition is required often. Always use modern
equipments for clipping activities.





33. First steps in grooming

Grooming is one of the important activities to be known well by the
dog owner. If the dog owner is not aware of the grooming, then the dog may
encounter many types of diseases. First steps of grooming consists of
activities like maintenance of coat, nails and ears. The maintenance of
the coat mainly consists of enrichment measures like proper bathing,
combing, drying of skin by dryers, and more. The animal need not be bathed
daily and this helps to protect the skin’s characteristics like insulation
feature.

Use conditioners and shampoos that are meant for dogs. Combing needs
to be carried out with a soft brush meant for use in case of dogs. There
are varieties of brushes available and depending on the type of breeds, one
can use the concerned brush. This grooming of the coat by a comb needs to
be carried out daily and the fallen hair if any needs to be placed in dust
bin always.

Otherwise, when the dog owners switch on the fan, the hair will fly
and may enter the nostrils of persons. Always don’t clip too much because
this may lead to injuries of nail always. Similarly, you need to carry all
the materials required for the clipping with you before the start of the
procedure.

Use a sharp clipper designed for use in case of dogs. It is better to
have the dog on the raised place and hence, the control of the animal is
easier. Ear canals are to be checked up frequently and sterile cotton may
be used for cleaning purposes. Grooming associated guidelines need to be
followed strictly by the dog owners.

Nail-maintenance is one of the first steps of grooming activities.
Live nail areas can be easily clipped away and are always light colored
than the reddish area of the nail in the higher position. During the
holding of your dog's feet by you, always have a firm grip. If not, the dog
will take an upper hand during the clipping and some injury may occur.


34. Bathing a dog

Bathing a dog needs to be given more emphasis. This is because of the
fact that if you are careless in bathing, the animal may end up having some
infections. For example, if you don’t close the ears with large cotton
ball, the water may enter into ear canals and may cause some ear infections
with signs like constant discharge from the ears and shaking of head.

Frequency of bathing actually depends on the breed of the dog. If the
dog is of a hairy type like the cocker spaniel, then the bathing is to be
carried out once in six to eight weeks. If these breeds are bathed too
frequently, then the skin and coat loose the protective characters.
However, when the dog has defecated on the skin due to the frequent
digestive upsets leading to diarrhea, to avoid the bad smell, the dog may
be subjected to frequent bathing some times by the owners.

Take more care in avoiding some irritant soaps or human soaps. The
soap materials used for human beings are not suitable for dogs. Similarly,
many human shampoo products are having some ingredients that are not
suitable in the proportions that are to be used in case of dogs. Hence,
always try to use the shampoo products that are mentioned mainly for use in
dogs. Take more care in using any new product.

Always have good time and patience for products required for bathing
in one place with availability of water source. Dogs love the sprinkling
of water, river, and oceans. Even when you are using bathtub, have
everything in one place and then start bathing of the dog. Try to have a
leash, conditioner, towel, and shampoo in the bath place.

Conditioner is of helpful to make the combing activity easier later.
Bathing should be a convenient activity to both the dog and the owner. This
should not be a burden.





35. Pet Identification

Pet identification is highly required in these days because of the
need for the licensing of the dog in a proper manner and to reduce the
numbers of the stray dog menace in streets. Pet identification is done by
many methods, which are different from each other. The cost factor for that
also has variations accordingly.

The identification of your pet may be done by personalized tags, some
times by the municipal license tag, rabies tag, and more. Most of the time,
your telephone number and your name will be on a place in the personalized
tags of the dogs. If any body encounters the dog accidentally during the
event of missing of the dog will become capable of reporting the facts to
the concerned officials.

Plastic and metal pet identification tags are available in multiple
colors and the dog owners can choose the color they want. However, many
select the reflective type of dog tags along with the collars. Hence, the
dogs can be identified even in darkness to a greater extent.

Nowadays, many electronic gadgets are available like microchips which
are embedded into the dog. However, these kinds of electronic chips need to
be implanted behind the ears and once implanted, this will reveal all the
data embedded in this in the computer. A collard and tagged animal makes
an indication that it is not a stray animal and this gives more security to
the dog.

Traditional forms of identification of the animal like tattooing is
now a day not carried in dogs. Thus tracing the missed animal will become
easier for the pet owners mainly due to the identification-based dog
collars.


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