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Dog Health Problem Symptom Article

Understanding Dog Health

Does your dog have lively eyes, full energy and lots of vitality? Is your dog's coat shiny and bright? These visible signs of a healthy dog are pretty easy to spot. And, as a dog owner, your role in getting your dog into this healthy state and keeping your dog in this condition is important.

The most basic way to keep your dog healthy is through food. Every animal requires water and food to live. We realize from a human standpoint the importance of a healthy diet and how food affects our energy. These conditions are important in a dog's diet too or else they encounter malnutrition. Our much-loved dogs require a diet full of vitamins, minerals and canine nutrients for a proper diet. Since the majority of today's top brand-name dog foods are complete with these ingredients, this health requirement for our dogs is easy to fulfill. Steer away from cheaper brands as they often contain too much cornmeal and little nutrition.

It is also now well known from human experience that it is possible for animals to overeat and become obese. This never happens in the wild - an animal that is so out of shape that it cannot fend for itself does not last long - in fact we only ever see obesity in humans and in their pets. It may be something that kind hearted owners do to their pets, thinking the dog will be happier if it eats plenty. But they should remember that overweight pets do not live as long as their lean counterparts, and (like humans) they are more susceptible to heart disease, respiratory problems, arthritic pain and diabetes. What's more they are more likely to die if they have to be put under anaesthetic for surgery (again, this applies to obese human beings too). Feeding your dog the right food, and at the right amount, is the first key to keeping your dog healthy.

As attentive owners there are several things we should be on the look out for that can be seen on a dog's fur, skin and stools. Fleas and tics can both cause dog illnesses so should be treated. Flea collars are not great at treating fleas, but there are any number of good powders and spray that will do the job - the only thing is that you must follow the instructions exactly. If you have had a flea problem it is vital that you thoroughly clean all the areas where the dog hangs out - if you vacuum carpets empty the bags outside straight afterwards, if the dog lounges on the bedding, wash it. This is so that you dog is not immediately re-infected from the fleas or eggs in the carpets and fabrics around the house.

Be careful to check your dog's fur after a walk in the country, since this is when they are most likely to have picked up ticks. Finally check your dog's stools for evidence of worms. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms all can infest a dog's intestinal tract, though not all are visible to the naked eye - this is why a regular worming schedule needs to be followed.

These few steps create a much healthier and happier dog. Further steps like keeping veterinarian visits and keeping your dog's vaccinations up to date also increase your dog's health factor. By following these caring and healthy steps, you are creating a fit and content dog that is sure to live a much longer and healthier life.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 Sally Ricco. All rights reserved.

Sally Ricco's internet site Pet Dog Health is an informative site which has topics about common dog health problems and more serious ailments such as canine cancer. View her complete archive of articles here: http://www.petdoghealth.com/

Written by: Sally Ricco

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Dog Health Problem Symptom Article

Your dog is probably stronger and healthier than most humans that you know. However, by taking him from his natural environment, where only the strongest survive, to the artificial one in which most pet dogs live, we have exposed him to an entirely new set of dangers which their instincts are not designed to cope with.

A dog's health is influenced by the genes inherited from his parents and by the care given to his mother during the prenatal period, as well as to the puppy during his first 2 or 3 months of life. A puppy, whose mother was properly cared for during pregnancy, will be more able to handle the hazards of growing up.

The majority of dogs lead perfectly healthy, normal lives. They overcome occasional skin rashes, chills, and upset stomachs, recover from cuts and bruises with ordinary care, sensible first aid when necessary, and professional diagnosis and treatment of serious ailments. Chances are that if you give you dog a normal diet, a healthy home environment, a well balanced life, you will only need to see the vet for check-ups and vaccinations.

A healthy dog's temperature, taken rectally when he is rested, is about 101.2 degrees in an adult dog, 102 in small breeds, and 102.5 in a puppy. It can fluctuate one way or the other, being lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon. Long-coated breeds have a slightly higher normal temperature than short-coated ones. His pulse is taken at the femoral artery, high inside the thigh. There is no normal pulse rate for dogs. It can range from 120 beats per minute in a young puppy, to 70 or 80 in an older dog. Count the beats during 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Normal respiration ranges from 20 or 30 respirations per minute for a puppy to 16 per minute in an older dog.

A normal eye is bright and clear, although the lens becomes pale blue as he ages. His nose is moist and cool most of the time, but a dry, warm nose doesn't always mean a fever or illness. His tail wags and he carries himself normally. His coat is shiny and sheds normally. He eats his meals without gulping compulsively and without being coaxed, drinks a normal amount of water after meals and exercise, and more during hot weather. His bowel movements are regular and well-formed, his urine is clear and both process's are painless. As a puppy he sleeps most of the time, but as an adult only about half the time, and he is generally friendly, alert, and inquisitive.

A sick or ailing dog will have a temperature over 102 degrees, a sign of fever, or under a 100, a sign of weakness. If it does not return to normal within 24 hours, call the vet. If his temperature is as low as 99, or as high as 104, call the vet immediately. His pulse may be weak or irregular, his respiration at rest may be irregular or labored, panting or weak. His eye may appear dull, red or yellow with a sticky discharge. His nose may be dry and hot, also with a discharge.

His tail may be immobile, carried stiffly or between the legs, his coat may be dry and stand up when it should lay flat, the skin may be itchy and flaky and there may be bald spots, or red patches. He may eat with a good appetite but usually doesn't want food at all, and is usually reluctant to swallow any water. His bowel movements may be abnormal in form or color, have a bad odor, and contain blood or mucus, or he may be constipated with no movement at all. The urine may be dark, cloudy, or painfully produced.

He may sleep all of the time and hide in dark corners; his breath may have a bad odor and be labored. He may show very obvious symptoms of disorder such as swellings, protuberances, lameness, pain, prolonged wheezing or coughing, and unusual sensitivity in some part of his body. His overall general behavior will be lethargic and unresponsive when he is normally friendly and active, or nervous and excitable when he is the quite type with snapping or snarling for no apparent reason.

The symptoms offered here which are fairly obvious and not too far from our own human symptoms, (good and bad). It's the severity of the symptoms for an ailing dog that will determine whether you should call the vet. Far sighted dog and cat owners select a veterinarian as soon as they become a pet parent, for sooner or later they get sick to some degree, and your chances of prompt attention are better if the vet already knows your pet.

About the author:

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest fancy dog collars, dog dresses, fancy dog beds, and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at http://www.joncopets.com

Written by: Randy Jones

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