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Sick dogs need more than love, they need help
Like humans, dogs need checks by a doctor. Timely precautions can avoid serious but common diseases.
Health Exam/Vaccinations:
Like all humans, your dog too requires regular medical attention.
Similarly, just like most families have a GP, dogs too need a veterinarian to ensure that they have no major health problems and are started on a program of preventive care.
Your dog’s health care plan includes a series of vaccinations against distemper, parvovirus and coronavirus (gastrointestinal diseases), infectious hepatitis, and respiratory infections (adenovirus, parainfluenza, and bordetella).
Vaccination protocols are designed on the basis of your dog’s risk of infection and may vary depending upon your dog’s age, breed, and environmental exposures (eg, in certain locales, vaccinations for Lyme disease and leptospirosis may be considered standard parts of the protocol).
Vaccinations are usually given at 3 week intervals from 6 to 16 weeks of age. At 15 to 16 weeks of age, the puppy receives its first rabies vaccination. Puppies should be checked for intestinal parasites (usually 2 stool samples 3 weeks apart), fleas, and heartworm disease (depending on age), and appropriate treatment or preventatives administered.
COMMON DOG INFECTIONS
Respiratory Infection
Respiratory infections usually occur in dogs when they are around a large number of other dogs, such as when they are boarded in kennels. Exposure to dust, mold, pollution, and smoke can also affect the dog's respiratory functions. A persistent dry cough and fever could indicate an infection and a veterinarian should be contacted.
Respiratory infection medications include cephalexin and doxycycline.
Skin Problems or Infection
One of the most common veterinarian complaints is irritated skin, which could be due to an allergic reaction or a skin infection. Dogs react to allergens in a different way than humans; instead of nasal symptoms, dogs react with skin problems. Pollen, dust, mold, shampoos, and carpet cleaners can all cause allergic reactions. Indications that your dog might be experiencing a skin infection and/or an allergy are poor coat texture, itching, chewing, and hot spots.
Bacterial skin infections and hormonal skin diseases also affect the dog's skin. Oral antibiotics and preparations can be used to control these conditions. Veterinarian visits are in order if symptoms persist.
See ringworm and fleas and ticks for more skin infections.
Skin medications for dogs include cephalexin, clindamycin, and enrofloxacin.
Urinary Tract Infection or Urinary Tract Problems
Like humans, dogs can suffer from urinary tract infections or problems. Symptoms include urinating frequently and producing small amounts of urine; crying or straining when urinating; and desiring to go outside often to urinate. If your dog shows these symptoms, contact your veterinarian for appropriate treatment. If it is due to bacteria, your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate antibiotics.
Urinary tract medications for dogs include cephalexin and enrofloxacin.
