A Healthy Dog is a Happy Dog
Knowing your dog well and recognizing any signs that your dog is a little off color will help you to detect, at an early stage that your dog has a sickness. Not only is this better for your dog as it can save prolonged suffering but it can help save you time and because an early detection can more often than not mean a speedier recovery, you will save cash on vet's bills as well.
Signs that your dogs is off color can be a loss of sheen on his coat, dull, lifeless eyes ,a dry mouth or any change in color of his/her gums and tongue.
A dog's normal temperature is about 102 degrees F. If your dog starts to pant for no reason, on it's own it is no cause for alarm but your dog should settle to 15 to 20 breaths per minute. If your dog has breathing that is much labored or a shortness of breath then you should call your vet.
Also call your vet without fail if you notice strange or foul smells from the ears, nose or mouth, runny or encrusted nose or a discharge from the nose; twitching ears: red, swollen eyes or gagging or vomiting.
Become familiar with the normal bowel movements of your dog, so you will be able to detect any abnormalities in the appearance or frequency of his digestive activity. Also, observe your dog for any signs that he is having trouble urinating.
Check your dog's coat frequently for any bumps, scratches, bites, parasites or hair loss. If your dog is not behaving normally for example loss of balance or lethargy then you need to mention this to your vet.
Observing the early signs of sickness go a long way toward helping your veterinarian effectively treat your dog.Keep a note as to whether your dogs symptoms are intermittent or ongoing.This will be helpful to your vet in his diagnosis.
You will need to give your dog some medication,the easiest way to accomplish this is through the dog's mouth, and the sooner you can master this fundamental technique, the better.
Put your dog in a sitting position and, with your left hand over the bridge of the nose with fingers on either side, apply pressure to your dog's cheeks so the insides push against the upper teeth. While you maintain this pressure, use the middle finger of your right hand (the hand that is holding the pill) to gently open your dog's mouth. Your dog will likely not try to close his mouth, because that would cause him to bite down on his own cheeks. When your dogs mouth is open push the pill back into his mouth as far as it will go. Allow his mouth to close, and he will swallow the pill. You can encourage swallowing by lightly tickling his throat after his mouth is closed.
If you have to administer liquid medication, once the dog's mouth is open place the vial or bottle in the pocket of loose skin between the teeth and lips. Pour the medicine slowly and make sure your dog's head isn't up too high. Your veterinarian can help explain this procedure if you have questions. If necessary ask him to demonstrate.
It's best to let your vet administer any medication that isn't given orally.
Related Tags: dogs, dog training, dog health, dog food secrets, cared for dogs, dog dieting dog biting, all about dogs
Jayne Waldorf invites you to visit http://www.caredfordogs.com today to download your free gift "Dog Care by David & Shery Russ". Jaynes' web site includes information covering the following subjects -All about dogs, Dog training, Dog Health, Dog food secrets, Dog dieting, Dog biting and much more. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea