Frequently Asked Questions about the Health of your Dog What are the common illnesses the affect dogs and how can they be prevented? Dogs can have almost any illness a human can have including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. There are other illnesses as well that are unique to canines. Vaccinations are available to protect against many common diseases including distemper, parvovirus, canine adenovirus and leptoespirosis. Your dog can get these from interacting with other dogs or animals and staying in an area that is not clean. It is important to avoid contact with other dogs or the places they frequent before the puppy is three months old. Special care should be given when visiting dog parks no matter what the age of you dog. What age is ideal for a dog to get his first vaccine? Veterinarians recommend that puppies start vaccinations when they are six weeks old. This is the time when they lose the antibodies that they get from their moms. So after six weeks, they are left unprotected from diseases. Of course, there are some vaccines that can be given as early as three weeks such as the bordetella vaccine. The parvo vaccine, on the other hand, is often administered at the eighth week. Rabies shots are often given when after the puppy is three months old. Rabies vaccinations are required by law and are also administered every one to three years, depending on the dosage. Distemper is one of the most common illnesses in dogs. Is it true that only young dogs can get this disease? No. It may seem like it as young dogs are more susceptible to this problem but older dogs can certainly catch the disease. Any dog, old or young can have distemper if they are not protected by vaccination. How can a I tell if my dog is ill? If your dog is lethargic, reclusive or refuses to eat, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. Be ready to tell the vet about your pet's activities, diet and behavior during your visit. Also inform your vet of any unusual circumstances that may have contributed to the illness such as interaction with other animals or an accident. The veterinarian will assess the dog's condition by checking your dog's temperature and other physical features for anything amiss. The condition may be treatable with medication or other therapy but your vet may have to keep the animal in the clinic for observation should the condition be serious. What causes diarrhea in pets and how can I avoid this? Diarrhea is almost always due to some food that they have ingested. It can be a case of food poisoning or allergy. The condition may also be due to a virus. such as distemper or parvo. Whatever the reason, it is important that you call your vet immediately as diarrhea can weaken your pet’s immune system and cause dehydration. What are the signs of an inflammation in the ears or what is medically called otitis externa? Dogs that are afflicted with this condition will constantly be shaking their heads as if they are trying to shake something out. You should have your pet checked by the vet as this can also mean that there are ear mites or some foreign organisms near the ear that is causing the inflammation. What are the symptoms of anemia in dogs? Anemic dogs may have very pale gums and their lips are colorless, sometimes even blue. You can also check their tongue and the inner lining of their eyelids for signs of anemia. Pale color in these areas may indicate anemia. What if my dog is injured? In cases of a fracture or dislocation, your pet may not be able to move. Even if they can, the animal should be kept still and warm by wrapping them in a blanket and transported to the vet immediately. What should I do if my dog has a splinter or other fragments of foreign objects? There are some things you can do for your pet without going to the veterinarian. If the item lodged is small, you can use some tweezers to carefully remove it. It may be necessary to acquire assistance to hold the dog still. However, if the object is large or has punctured deeply, it should only be removed by a veterinarian. If the foreign objects is in the eye, seek immediate medical assistance. What special care should I give my dog in extreme climates? Like people, dogs run the risk of getting hypothermia when exposed to the cold and sunstroke or heat exhaustion in hot climates. You should always provide adequate water, shelter and shade to your animal or keep them indoors in extreme temperatures. Dogs can also get sunburn because the hair may not be enough to protect them. Limit exposure to the sun if your dog has thin hair. They also run the risk of frostbite in extremely cold conditions. Be sure to protect their feet when walking them in such conditions. If your pet exhibits symptoms of either heat exhaustion or hypothermia, keep them indoors and give lots of water to prevent dehydration. (See also our Safety Tips regarding Temperature Troubles.) Is it normal for dogs to shed their hair? Yes. Like people, it is normal that they shed hair everyday. But of course, if you feel that your pet seems to be shedding more than normal or they have patches of hair loss, you should try to contact your veterinarian for consultation. These could be symptoms of a skin infection or flea infestation. It is better to be safe than sorry. You may have many more questions, especially if this is the first time you have owned a dog. You will want to learn more about taking care of a dog by reading up on the subject and consulting your veterinarian about other concerns. This and other websites can also provide you with a wealth of information. It is very important that you remember your dog depends on you for all their needs. 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