How to Keep Your Dog Healthy

Regular exams - who needs them?

Once your dog is past its primary puppy vaccinations, a regular physical examination is the most important thing you can do to keep your dog healthy.  It's a chance to detect and prevent health problems early.  During the exam, your veterinarian might call for laboratory tests or diagnostic workups of blood, stool, urine or skin.  You'll discuss parasite control, nutrition and dental care.  Your veterinarian will consider your dog's risk factors and recommend appropriate vaccinations.

Dog acting strange?  Call the clinic if you see these signs.

• Unusual behavior, including aggression or lethargy
• Unusual discharge from the nose, eyes or other body openings
• An increase or decrease in appetite that lasts more than a few days
• Excessive head shaking, scratching or licking
• Swelling or abnormal lumps
• Limping or difficulty getting up or lying down
• Foul breath or excessive deposits on teeth
• Changes in urination or drinking habits
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Obvious injury or illness

In an emergency, call your veterinary clinic immediately.  After hours, a message may refer you to an emergency clinic.

What's normal anyway?

Body temperature = 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F (38 to 39.2 degrees C)

Heart rate = 70 to 120 beats per minute

Respiration = 18 to 34 breaths per minute

It's house-cleaning time.

Keep the following toxins out of your dog's reach.  Signs of poisoning vary, but often include vomiting, excess salivation and ulcers in the mouth.

• Antifreeze
• Rat poison
• Snail bait (even if hidden under plants in the yard)
• Insecticides
• Petroleum products
• Household cleaners, such as leave-in toilet bowl cleaners
• Many plants, including philodendron, lilies, poinsettia and mistletoe
• Prescription medicines
• Onions
• Chocolate (especially bakers or unsweetened chocolate)
• Moldy walnuts or moldy dairy products
• Grapes and raisins

ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435

Sterilization is a loving choice.

Spaying or neutering your dog is a one-time expense that provides lifelong benefits.  Here's how.

Good for Your Dog

• Helps dogs live longer, healthier lives
• Can eliminate or reduce health problems, including certain cancers and prostate disease

Good for You

• Makes dogs more affectionate companions
• May reduce behavior and temperament problems, such as biting and running away
• Eliminates the stress and mess of a female's heat cycle

Good for the Community

• Saves millions of dollars spent controlling unwanted animals
• Reduces pressure on animal shelters
• Reduces the number of stray and homeless dogs that get into trash bins, defecate in parks and yards, and threaten people and wildlife

Spay and neuter surgeries are routinely performed in the clinic using general anesthesia.  Ask your veterinarian to explain the procedure.