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One of the primary responsibilities of any dog owner is to ensure the health and wellbeing of their pet. While a portion of that duty is outsourced to veterinary professionals, at the end of the day ultimate responsibility remains with the owner.
It is therefore incumbent on each owner being able to properly assess which veterinary practice will best suit the needs of their animal, and to take the necessary preventative steps to mitigate against the need for veterinary care in the first place.
There is so much to think about when getting a new puppy or dog that when it comes to making that first visit to the vet, most people tend to head to the nearest clinic to them. And while that, in and of itself, might not be the wrong choice, is it necessarily the right one?
What should you take into consideration when looking for a veterinary clinic to register your new furry family member? And if you’re already a bona fide dog owner, is the veterinary practice where your pet is currently registered meeting all of its needs when considering your pet’s current age and health status?
Your first visit to a veterinary practice will give the vet an opportunity to meet and assess the health of your dog, but it is also a great time for you to assess the health of the practice itself.
Even before you make that first appointment, you should check that practice’s website and the webpage about their team. What qualifications do the lead vets hold, and how long have they been at that practice? It’s all well and good building a rapport with a qualified veterinary surgeon, but if that vet were to up-stakes and leave, all that would be for naught. So what is the average turnover of vets at that practice? A practice that is regularly turning over key staff might suggest an underlying issue within that practice and may not be the best place for your pooch.
How much care and consideration do the surgeons and nurses show toward your pet? Knowledgeable staff is one thing, but there should also be a sense of genuine care and interest, best expressed by how they relate to your dog in what can be for the animal a strange and stressful environment. A great opportunity to gauge this is when, on your first visit, you will be asked for your dog’s weight. Most practices have a set of walk-on scales, which some dogs find difficult to settle on. Seeking assistance from one of the nurses will give you the opportunity to evaluate how they positively interact with your animal.
While you may not own a cat, let alone a ferret or a rat, veterinary practices tend not to be so discriminating. They see all manner of pets, and how they accommodate for this vast array of animal-incomers may indicate how mindful they are of those under their charge. So even as a dog owner, a reception area that is able to accommodate separate areas for dogs and cats should be seen as a definite plus.
Similarly, separate consulting rooms for dogs and cats should be considered a good sign that the practice is considering the wellbeing of all its animals. An animal’s olfactory sense is far greater than any human’s sense of smell, so for one species to follow another into the same consult room can easily cause distress or excitation to the pet that is ushered in after the other, and is best mitigated by having separate areas.
Are the consult and surgical rooms all on the ground floor, or can they only be reached by a set of stairs, and how will this impact on a pet suffering from arthritis or other limb issues? Be sure to question a member of the team, as they may have discovered a workaround for such a situation, but if not this could be an indication of the degree to which that practice is patient-focused.
One point that is often missed by owners is how their pet will be treated in the lead-up to surgery. If you have a large-size dog, for instance, you have to ask yourself: How do they safely lift the dead-weight of a heavy, anaesthetised animal onto the surgical table – safe not only for the animal, but also for those doing the heavy-lifting? A reputable practice will have at least two, if not three, staff in attendance to help in this regard, or will have a height-adjustable surgical table.
Finally, where will your dog be kept post-surgery? Most surgeries offer wards where animals can rest and recuperate post-op. Again, a sign of a good practice is one where they have separate areas for cats and dogs.
Post-operative Care & Follow-ups:
Providing a safe place for your pet to recuperate is one thing, but what other post-operative care does the practice provide? Do they give appropriate information when your pet is released to you, be that for how long it should be rested or how to dispense medication? Do they offer a follow-up consultation or contact details of a nurse should you have some basic question regarding your pet’s aftercare?
Image © Monkey Business Images / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
While most veterinary practices state that they offer 24-hour emergency care, it is worth enquiring as to who will be covering those shifts, as it tends not to be the veterinary staff from the practice itself. It is important, too, to note whether that cover pertains to that practice’s premises or if it means having to take your pet to another clinic or hospital, and how far away that is.
Some practices might state that they only offer out of hours care for recuperating patients, but does this mean that a member of staff will be present throughout the night, or simply that the animal will be left to recuperate in the ward alone while the practice is closed?
Knowing exactly what a practice means by ‘out of hours care’, and factoring in the associated cost, is are important considerations when deciding where to register your pet.
Don’t base your decision solely on any upfront promotional scheme that may be on offer. Many practices are resorting to pet healthcare plans and membership schemes to help owners manage costs; but know what it is that you are paying for and do the math. Are you, in fact, better off for signing up and locking yourself in with that practice for the duration of that scheme? If, after having researched your pets needs in relation to what is on offer, you decide that you are, then by all means consider it, but do not be tempted to make this the overriding reason for your decision to choose that practice.
No doubt you will have begun to walk your new best friend in your local park, and that is the perfect time to meet other dog walkers in your area. Find out from them where they take their dogs, and how they find the service there. A bunch of good referrals far outweighs any proficient marketing put out by a veterinary practice. It’s better to get it straight from the horse’s mouth; or in this case from the dog’s lips, so to speak.
A lot of your dog’s potential health issues can be prevented, or any long-term effects mitigated, if caught early. Simply by monitoring your pet, being aware of its appearance and any changes in its behavior, can save you and your beloved pooch a lot of pain and expense.
Providing your dog with the appropriate quality and quantity of food and water is essential for maintaining good health. Sadly, obesity in pets is a growing trend, and the cause for much of this is down to owners not providing their pets with the correct diet or overfeeding them.
Overfeeding your dog can risk gastric torsion, in which the stomach rotates on its axis, causing a blockage at either end. This can quickly lead to bloating and a painful death unless dealt with straight away. Do not feed your dog either immediately after or before any energetic activity. While deep-chested, tall dogs and those that have already suffered from a twisted stomach are most at risk, it would be wise to exercise caution for all breeds of dog.
Many pet owners are drawn to marketing labels that include the words ‘natural’ or ‘grain-free’, but fail to read the fine print of what is actually included as ingredients, most notably whether the percentage of protein is meat-based or plant-based; and all too often treats are used as a means of entertaining a dog when the owner is too busy to take it on walks. Feeding your dog table scraps as well as their nutritionally balanced kibble can quickly lead to an unbalanced diet.
A poor diet impacts not only an animal’s weight but also its ability to fend off disease and can have knock-on consequences for its bones, joints and internal organs. Reduced stamina and breathing difficulties means the animal may end up exercising less, and this can lead to a vicious cycle in which it keeps putting on more weight, thereby exacerbating the condition. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine reports that overweight dogs could die two-and-a-half years earlier than those of the same breed at ideal body weight!
Learning more about your dog’s dietary and nutritional requirements, and providing it with the correct sustenance is key to preventative care. We would urge anyone interested in learning more to read our page on ‘Dog Feeding & Nutrition’.
A dog should always have access to fresh water, so be sure to keep that water bowl topped up. Water is essential for a dog to maintain its natural body temperature, carry nutrients throughout its body, help with lubrication, and remove waste from its system. The water bowl should be cleaned regularly to avoid the introduction of contaminants.
And while we are talking about food, be aware of those products that are for human consumption but toxic to dogs, like chocolates and grapes, and keep them out of paw reach.
Even if you are planning to take your dog to a groomer, you should take the time to regularly groom your pet yourself, and for good reason. Not only is it a great way to bond with your animal, but it also affords you the opportunity to get to know its body, to feel out any lumps that might be developing, lesions that may have occurred, or areas that may have become sensitive, and take action when required.
By their very nature, animals are predisposed to mask any discomfort or injury. An injured animal in the wild is more liable to be picked off by a predator. So whom more likely for your pet to show a degree of discomfort than to its owner or to a stranger that is grooming it? That doesn’t mean you have to dismiss the professional groomer and do it all yourself, simply that you involve yourself with your pet by maintaining a clean coat between parlour sessions.
There is a positive aspect to grooming, as well. By removing excess fur, trimming nails, cleaning ears and gums, you are reducing chances of infection and inflammation in all these areas of your pet’s body. You can find out more about grooming best practices by reading our page on ‘Dog Grooming’.
Fight Parasitic Infection Through Grooming:
Another key benefit of regular grooming is that it gives you the opportunity to check for parasites in your dog’s coat. Both fleas and ticks can infest a dog’s fur, while different types of mites can be found inside the ear canal and on the skin. Fleas and ticks are especially prevalent, and can carry with them a range of diseases. Regular grooming will help ensure your dog remains parasite-free.
Image © Busy Animal / courtesy of BusyAnimal.com
Having your pet neutered not only forestalls the possibility of an unwanted litter, it also mitigates a range of potential health issues that can arise in an intact animal. These include both uterine infections and breast tumors in females, as well as testicular cancer and a number of prostate problems in male dogs. In fact, a study that spanned both the UK and US, which was originally set up to discover whether female dogs aged differently than male dogs, concluded that, when it comes to longevity, having one’s pet neutered made more substantial difference than the actual sex of the animal.
Most male dogs lose the urge to wander and overtime are less likely to show aggression toward other male dogs. Spayed females tend to shed all year round, rather than having their heavier coat loss occur twice a year, in line with their seasons.
While there is the associated risk of potential weight gain in a bitch, this is far easier to control through proper dietary management than dealing with the associated risks of not getting your dog neutered.
Historically, spaying of bitches have tended to be more invasive than castrating male dogs, resulting in a longer recuperation period, but the advent of keyhole surgery has helped reduce both the trauma and recovery time for female dogs.
There are differences of opinion as to at what is the best age to get your dog neutered, with many behaviourists recommending that you allow a female to go through at least one season and with males waiting until they begin to fully cock their leg to mark. The benefit of this is that your dog will have been able to fully mature, both physically and mentally, through the production of sex hormones, which can affect both a dog’s outlook and behaviour.
The flip-side to this is that by allowing your female to experience a season you will run the risk of having an unplanned litter. Certainly you would need to lead-walk her for the duration of her season, but even then you may very well attract the unwanted attention of male dogs in the area. Males that remain intact will become more wanderlust and there is some risk of their becoming lost or even hurt in their pursuit after a female’s scent.
If you are able to manage your dog more closely over this period, then waiting until after the first season before undergoing the neutering procedure would be the decidedly better option. However, if you cannot see yourself lead-walking every day for up to a month (the duration of a season), then consider getting her spayed just prior to entering that season to give maximum opportunity for her physical and mental development. Females that are spayed any earlier may become susceptible to urinary incontinence, as there may have been insufficient time for their bladder control to have developed.
Vaccinations and annual booster injections for dogs have become a contentious issue of late, with both sides providing seemingly sound arguments for and against routine annual vaccinations.
The fact of the matter is that all puppies should receive vaccinations against a range of viral diseases, some of which are dependent on country and region. These include vaccinations against:
These injections are given in two stages, usually with the first at around eight weeks of age, followed by a second dose at between ten to twelve weeks of age, with the puppy only receiving full protection around two weeks after that second injection.
The most contentious of these vaccines is the Leptospirosis, as it is actually a bacterial vaccine, with a low efficacy rate and with a greater risk of adverse reactions. This is further complicated by the many different strains that can be found in nature, not all of which will necessarily be covered, and many of which are region-specific.
Suspicions over the motivations of the veterinary industry in pushing further booster injections are due primarily to the frequency that is generally promoted within individual practices. While most core vaccines should not be supplemented more than every three to four years, some veterinary practices still prescribe annual boosters for such core vaccines – see our previous reference to pet healthcare plans and membership schemes.
Similarly, other less vital vaccinations – such as those against kennel cough – have been raised to same-status as core and non-core vaccines – being pushed as a necessity, whereas in reality they should be at the discretion of the owner.
These two factors combined have made such vaccinations seem to be more of a money-grabbing venture than as a necessary precaution for the welfare of the animal.
Ideally what would happen is that at the time a booster injection is required that a Titer test, which is a simple blood test, be run to check on the level of antibodies still present in the animal. If those antibodies are indeed still present, then no re-vaccination should be required. A reason why this is generally not offered to owners is that running such a test can be just as costly as applying the re-vaccination, in fact even more so if the outcome of the test is to say that a booster is indeed required. But it would most certainly be the better option for the animal.
Another point that should be considered more often is the age and health of the individual dog, as well as its level of risk to infection borne out of its personal activity. An elderly dog that rarely leaves its home environment and for whom there is greater risk of suffering an adverse reaction should not be automatically presumed to be a good recipient for re-vaccination.
These genuine concerns have led to fallacious arguments being presented that booster injections should be banned, owing to the fact that most of these diseases are now less common. While this is true, the problem with that argument is that the only reason these diseases have become less prominent is owing to dogs having been vaccinated in the first place, and as more and more dogs are being left unvaccinated there runs the risk of future outbreaks.
While antiparasitics haven’t received the same level of mistrust as vaccinations have in recent years, there is nonetheless a growing antipathy toward their use by dog owners, as well. This mistrust is borne out of the same generalised perception that we are overmedicating our pets, and has led to misconceptions such as because parasitic outbreaks tend to be seasonal that associated treatments should be seasonally administered.
The fact of the matter is preventative care should occur where the threat to life is great and the risk of contagion is strong. For instance, lungworms pose a serious threat to the lives of dogs, and hence should be treated seriously. Where there is a prevalence of parasites – for instances of ticks, which carry with them the risk of Lyme disease – these too should be medicated against.
A number of products now incorporate treatments against a range of parasites in a single dose. As long as you are providing the correct dose according to the weight of your pet and sticking to the advised timeframe between doses, the risk to the animal’s health are minimal.
Providing your dog with a basic level of training – ensuring it has a good recall, for instance – is also a form of preventative care. Being mindful of your pet while out on a walk and being able to call it back from danger, such as from a busy road or an aggressive looking dog, can help prevent injury and harm. For more information on how to train your dog, please visit our page: ‘Training Your Dog’.
Vigilance is not only for while you are out in public but also at home. Be aware of the toys and treats that you give your pet. Has your dog destroyed the squeaky soft toy that you’ve provided and is at risk of swallowing the plastic squeak? Has the bone that you’ve given it splintered so that a sharp fragment could be ingested? Have you tossed the husk of your corn-on-the-cob into the waste container, and is your pooch in the process of routing through the bin to get to it?
To sum up, there are a whole host of things you can be doing to keep your dog from a visit to the vet, other than going in for its annual health check. Simply take these few things into account and keep an eye out for potential issues that may arise, through monitoring:
Taking these few things into account will help you prevent your pet from having to pay a visit to the vet, or more to the point, put up with the stress of such a visit while you pay for the privilege!
Health problems in dogs can be brought on through breed-specific genetic issues as well as environmental, or activity-based, outcomes. While neither of these is necessarily or wholly preventable, there is much that the responsible owner can do to prepare themselves for such eventualities.
All purebred dogs are predisposed to certain ailments for two reasons.
The first is that in order to establish and maintain those breed-lines, breeders have had to select from a very limited gene pool, which over time has led to a reduction of the genetic diversity within each population group. This has resulted in not only an increased prevalence of genetic disorders but also the propagation of negative hereditary traits that may have cropped up during the breeding process. An example of this would be patella luxation in Pugs, in which the kneecap can dislocate or move out of its normal location.
The second reason is that purebred dogs were bred for a reason, and sometimes that reason was only to establish a ‘look’.
Brachycephaly in Dogs:
Brachycephalic dogs, like the Boxer, Bulldog, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, have been bred to have shorter muzzles and noses in order to give them a more flat-faced appearance. As a consequence of this, though, the throat and windpipe in these dogs are frequently undersized and can even become partially blocked, resulting in difficulty breathing.
Image © Nukul Chanada / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
It’s not only companion dogs that suffer from health issues borne out of inbreeding. For instance, hip dysplasia is common across a large number of working and hunting breeds.
While crossbreeds are naturally less prone to such genetic ailments, they are still susceptible to hereditary issues that may have been passed down from their father or mother. Depending on what common hereditary issues the parents may have had, however, there is the chance that their susceptibility to any one condition could be at most halved.
For these reasons it is strongly advised that when you get a dog – even a crossbreed or mongrel – that you try to ascertain its lineage as best you can. It may not necessarily suffer any of the genetic or hereditary ailments that it is predisposed to, but at least you would be on the lookout for any early warning signs and be able to take steps to reduce the more harmful aspects of that condition.
While your vet would be able to provide you with a more rounded programme of prevention, just some of the steps you would take to alleviate hip dysplasia, for example, would be to ensure your dog maintained an optimum weight, avoided exercises or play that involved jumping or sliding, and perhaps considered providing joint supplements.
There is no getting away from the fact that accidents will happen. At some point a paw pad will be scraped on a walk, vomiting and diarrhea will occur after your dog eats something disgusting in the park, and even if you somehow manage to escape all this, the inevitability of age will bring with it stiffness and pain for your beloved pooch.
Not all ailments will require an immediate rush to the vet, but close observation would be advised, along with some commonsense intervention:
There are times when, with the best will in the world, no amount of care can be considered fully corrective, and your pet will be coping with their ailment as a lifelong condition. Conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, and osteoarthritis may require daily medication in conjunction with maintaining a specific diet and supervised activity. It is for eventualities such as these that having the right pet insurance means you are able to provide the best possible lifelong treatment to your faithful friend. For more information, feel free to visit our page on ‘Pet Insurance’.
An important factor when giving medication to a dog with specific dietary needs is how that medication is administered. There is no point in maintaining a diet that is nutritionally balanced for a certain condition if the tablets are then parceled in a highly palatable foodstuff whose nutritional value is contraindicated. Consult with your vet about what food the tablet can best be wrapped in to be acceptable to your pet while also maintaining the dietary needs for that condition.
Suffice to say that, while a good vet is essential to a dog’s welfare, there is still plenty that the responsible owner can do for their pet in terms of general ailments, both those created from without and those borne from within.
Taking your dog in for surgery can be a stressful time for both you and your pet. While it is easier said than done, remaining calm and offering your pooch plenty of support and affection without being too overwhelming is the best salve that you can provide at this time. Animals are great at reading the subtlest of emotions, and are keen observers of body language and human behaviour. Being both strong for and supportive of them is the best antidote you can provide for their pain or discomfort.
Be sure to speak with your vet about when to stop providing your pet with food prior to surgery. In most instances, your vet will advise that your dog not be fed the morning of the operation, but in some cases that might be extended, with fasting times ranging anywhere between six to twelve hours prior to surgery.
Your ability to exercise your pet and its willingness to go out will be dependent on its condition and the nature of the upcoming surgery. But inasmuch as it is possible, try to give it the opportunity to toilet to reduce discomfort and stress.
Depending on the nature of the surgery, there is the reasonable chance that your dog will have to stay a short time to recuperate and be monitored post-surgery. Check with the vet practice whether it would be okay for you to bring one of your dog’s favourite blankets, or perhaps something with your own scent on it, to provide as bedding for their post-op care. After all, what better way to help the recuperative process than for your pet to have the familiar scent of home?
It’s well documented that those pets that receive adequate pain management post-surgery enjoy a shorter recovery period, which can then lead to an earlier release to home-care.
It is important, though, to bear in mind that such pain management needs to be carefully handled by both the veterinarian as well as the owner. If the pain is sufficiently masked so that the dog believes it is well enough to resume its normal activities, this can lead to a relapse of its condition or to further injury. The owner should stick to short, slow walks, so as to exercise the muscles and joints, allowing for normal bodily functioning, but without overextending the recovering animal.
All dressings should be kept both dry and clean, and an appropriate Elizabethan collar, or Buster collar, should be worn at all times if the animal seems keen to lick the wound.
Bandage Socks:
While your vet will have released your pet to you with appropriate bandaging in place, invariably you will need to change it from time to time. Check the wound and take action if there are signs of infection or leaking. Be sure to have sufficient gauze bandaging and adhesive tape on-hand for these occasions, or invest in a couple of bandage socks, as pictured here.
Image © Sattahipbeach / courtesy of Shutterstock.com
When it comes to giving medication, it is preferable that it be given orally as opposed to mixing it in with the dog’s food. This way you can be more assured of ingestion, and should the dog vomit the food later you need not worry as to how much of the medication has been absorbed into its system. If you would like to learn how to get your dog to accept medication, please refer to the information on our page: ‘Training Your Dog’.
Veterinary science, especially as it pertains to dogs, is a dynamic field, with ongoing research and breakthroughs. Whether it is in the field of pharmacology, diet and nutrition, or surgical practices, new drugs, better-formulated food, and improved medical procedures are constantly being tested and rolled out.
In order to keep abreast of all these innovations, those employed within the veterinary industry will regularly attend lectures and workshops – often referred to as CPDs, which stands for Continuing Professional Development.
While it may be difficult to contemplate right now, it is worth considering whether you would be prepared to donate your dog’s body toward this further education of veterinary surgeons once your beloved pooch has passed on. Much as with humans who donate their bodies to science, your dog would be able to help both the vets of today to learn new and more advanced procedures, as well as the vets of tomorrow to improve their skill and knowledge of animal anatomy. What better legacy can your furry friend bestow once it is gone than to assist those who will be caring for the next generation of dogs?
Mull it over while in the company of your pet, and if you feel this would be the right path to take, then speak with your veterinary surgeon to see if they know of any local veterinary colleges or universities that would accept or collect your pet’s body once it has passed on.
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