Health Knowledge

Dogs can lead a longer, healthier life with our help.

We all want our dogs to achieve optimal wellness, for a long and happy life together. Fortunately, there's plenty we can do to support a dog's health - from keeping up with your dog's vaccinations to planning for unexpected emergencies, providing dental care, ear and eye care, parasite and pest preventatives, and even understanding toileting issues, like incontinence. Keeping a dog's coat healthy starts with good nutrition as well as regular coat care.

First aid for dogs

First aid care of your pet is not meant to be a replacement for veterinary care; however, you can always be prepared for minor medical issues that may arise.

How to handle a dog that is injured

• If your dog is injured, do not try to hug, kiss, or comfort him in any way. Even the most docile family pet can become agitated and potentially aggressive and bite if injured.
• Move slowly and watch your dog’s body language for signs of stress or agitation. Because dogs often do not outwardly show or express that they are in pain, you may miss the signals that your dog is hurting.
• Stay calm. Your tension and panic will transmit directly onto your dog.
• Contact your veterinarian immediately. If the injury occurs after hours, find the closest emergency vet in your area.
• Enroll in a first aid course so that you know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Although the rare event of an emergency with your pet can be frightening, if you are prepared beforehand with a pet first aid kid and the knowledge of how to handle the situation, you will be able to keep yourself and your dog calm.

Prepare a first aid kit for your dog

Plan ahead for times when you need to help your pet. Here are some things to keep in your "Dog First Aid" kit:

• The phone number to your primary veterinarian and an emergency veterinary clinic
• Dry gauze pads
• Rolled gauze
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Elastic, adhesive bandage
• Triple antibiotic ointment for placing bandages on minor scrapes, cuts, or burns
• Stretchable bandage material

For more information on what you should or could place in your pet first aid kit, please contact your primary veterinarian for their recommendations.

Dental care for dogs

Did you know that 85% of our pet dog population has some degree of dental disease?

Dental disease begins with a build-up of tartar on the teeth. If left untreated, tartar buildup leads to gingivitis, a painful inflammation of the gum line. Once the gum line is inflamed, tooth roots are susceptible to bacterial infection and abscess (painful collection of pus). Tooth root abscesses lead to destruction of the tooth root, causing tooth loss. The detrimental effects of dental disease do not stop at the mouth. Bacteria in the gum line are released into the blood stream and can cause damage to internal organs. If left untreated, dental disease will have serious negative long-term effects on your pet’s health and overall well-being.

Dog dental health starts at home

The good news is you can take steps at home to maintain good dental health in your pet. Daily tooth brushing is the best way to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy. The simplest method is to use a finger brush (literally fits over the end of your finger) and a pet approved tooth paste. (Caution: do not use human toothpaste products as these contain fluoride, which is dangerous for pets.)

5 steps for dog tooth-brushing success

• Have your dog sit facing you.
• Place the finger brush on your index finger.
• Apply a pea-sized amount of tooth paste to the brush.
• With the other hand, gently hold your pet’s muzzle from the side of the face.
• Insert the finger brush up under the upper lip and make tiny circles with the brush over the outer surface of the upper teeth.

Do not expect your pet’s complete compliance right away. Start by doing just a few seconds of brushing each day, then praise your pet and let him go. Make it a part of your daily routine. That way, your pet will become accustomed to the process and perhaps even begin to enjoy it.

As a last note, remember to take your pet in to see his veterinarian for regular wellness visits. Discuss your pet’s dental health and ask for advice. Remember, prevention is the key to a long life of good dental health!

Flea and tick prevention for dogs

There are all sorts of nasty parasites that would love nothing more than to use the inside and the outside of your dog as a host.

Parasites are not only a danger to your pet, but are also a danger to your family and your home.

Prevention is the best solution to avoiding the stress and inconvenience of an infestation, because what starts as a flea or two on your dog can quickly turn into a house full of fleas that are difficult to eliminate.

5 tips to keep your dog healthy and your home pest-free

1. Keep your dog primarily indoors, except for supervised play outside. Outdoor dogs can be exposed to all sorts of nasty parasites and insects when left for long hours in the yard.
2. Never miss a month of flea and tick prevention for your dogs. Even in the winter months, dogs can bring in fleas and ticks. Make sure to use a trusted brand recommended by your vet; cheap knockoff brands may cause painful and potentially harmful reactions.
3. Invest in heartworm prevention. Heartworm disease is caused by a bite from an infected mosquito, and is fatal if left untreated. Treatment is expensive and potentially fatal for your dog. Do not take the risk: keep your dog on a trusted brand of preventative year-round. Ask your vet for a prescription.
4. Do not let your dog eat poop! This unappealing habit is an easy way for your dog to pick up internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. If you see any worms in your dog’s stool, get him to your vet immediately for a de-worming.
5. Take your dog once or (twice a year for older dogs) for a checkup and routine de-worming. Your vet will also test your dog for heartworms; as long as you have been keeping him up-to-date on preventatives, the test should be negative.

Be flea-treatment flexible!

If you suspect that your dog has a parasite problem despite being on preventatives, you may need to switch brands or dosages. Not all dogs tolerate the same types of preventatives in the same way. If your dog has an adverse reaction to a preventative, talk to your vet about alternative treatment options.

Dog ear care

Dogs have adorable ears along with an excellent sense of hearing.

That keen hearing enables them to be better hunters and watch dogs. To function properly, their ears must first be healthy. Here are some common ear challenges in dogs:

• The most commonly diagnosed ear problem of pet dogs is ear infection (also known as “otitis externa”). Ears may become infected for a number of different reasons, but most often yeast or bacteria are the cause.
• Dogs with sensitive skin or allergies are more susceptible to ear infections. Unlike humans, dogs have L-shaped ear canals. This makes it easy for water to stay trapped inside the ears after bathing or swimming. A moist, warm environment is the perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.
• Certain breeds of dog are more prone to ear infection because of the shape of the outer ear. Dogs with droopy, heavy, or shaggy ears (Labrador and golden retrievers, Bassett hounds, cocker spaniels) tend to develop ear infections as their ear canals stay warm and moist with very little exposure to fresh air.

Signs of a potential ear infection in dogs

• If your dog is shaking his head a lot, scratching constantly at the ears, or if the inner part of the ear looks red with a lot of waxy debris, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian.
• Remember, only a veterinarian can diagnose and prescribe treatment for an ear infection.

If your dog’s inner ear looks pink with little to no debris, chances are his ears are healthy. To keep them that way:

• Be sure to flush out the ears with a veterinary approved flushing/drying solution after bathing or swimming.
• Never use alcohol, peroxide or soap to clean the ears. Ears are sensitive organs, so only use soft cotton balls to wipe out debris.

Healthy ears are vital to a dog’s comfort and well-being. Follow these steps to provide your dog with years of trouble free ears.

Eye care for dogs

Although most dogs rely on keen hearing and an excellent sense of smell to guide them, they still need healthy vision.

Most dogs go through life without eye problems, but it’s helpful to know the signs of unhealthy eyes.

Some breeds are more susceptible to eye problems because of the shape of their face. For instance, dogs with short muzzles (like Pekingese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and pugs) tend to have prominent bulging eyes, leaving them more vulnerable to traumatic injury and increased dryness. Of course, any breed of dog can suffer from eye trouble, so it is best to be aware of the signs that your dog’s eyes are causing him discomfort.

Protecting canine eye health

• Normally, dogs produce a small amount of clear ocular discharge to keep the eyes moist, just like human tears.
• If your dog develops thick yellow or green discharge, he needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian.
• Never use over-the-counter products intended for human use unless your pet’s doctor advises you to do so.
• When a dog’s eyes are uncomfortable, whether from dryness or infection, he may squint, paw at the eye or rub his face on the floor. Such behavior can lead to a scratch on the surface, or cornea, of the eye. This is a very painful condition that can only be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian.

As dogs age, they may suffer a decline in visual ability. Fortunately, dogs do very well in this situation as they rely more on their hearing and sense of smell to find their way around.

Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) in dogs

Over time, many dogs develop issues with bladder control. This bothersome problem is often easily-treated with proper medical care. It is urgent that veterinary assistance be sought for this issue.

Your dog may be suffering from urinary incontinence if urine is found on his bedding after lying down for prolonged periods of time, or if urine is constantly 'leaking' from your pet’s penis or vulva.

5 reasons why dogs might lose control of their peeing and develop urinary incontinence

• Urinary tract infection
• Increased water consumption
• Spinal cord damage/trauma
• A weak bladder sphincter (most common in female pets)
• Cancer, or other medical issue

How should I handle my incontinent dog?

Understandably, many dog guardians get frustrated and angry if their previously housetrained dog begins having regular accidents in the house. However, yelling or reacting angrily can cause the dog to have further behavioral problems, and even provoke fear peeing from stress.

• Do not punish an incontinent dog for toileting in the house! In most cases, the dog has no physical control over its bodily functions.
• Give your incontinent dog as much opportunity as possible to get outside. It is as stressful for a housetrained dog to toilet indoors as it is for you to deal with cleaning it up.

Be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you fear your pet is suffering from incontinence. You may be surprised at the ease of treatment.

Treatments for urinary incontinence in dogs

• Medical treatment is available with medications such as estrogens, alpha-adrenergic drugs, or gonadotropin-releasing hormones.
• Surgical treatment has also been explored in extreme cases of urinary incontinence.
• Consider using potty pads for a senior dog with incurable incontinence issues. This will make things easier and less stressful for both you and your dog.
• Many dog owners choose to use a belly band to prevent urine from leaking inside the house. The velcro strap on belly bands holds an absorbent pad or fabric in place, and combo acts much like a baby diaper. If you choose to use a belly band, make sure you change the pad regularly to prevent further infections from developing.

If your veterinarian can find no medical reason for the lack of bladder control, the problem may be behavioral in nature.