Responsible dog owners need to be aware of what kind of veterinary care is necessary to keep their pet happy, healthy and give them good quality of life. Which vaccinations, the choice to spay or neuter, and what tests and procedures to approve during annual examinations are all decisions that owners should discuss with their veterinarian over the lifetime of their pet.
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Initial Vaccines
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Veterinarians commonly recommend a series of vaccines beginning in puppies between 6 to 8 weeks of age. Because this is normally the time the mother's colostrum becomes an ineffective deterrent to disease, puppies should be inoculated against canine adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus and the canine distemper virus. Bordatella vaccine (kennel cough) also is recommended if your puppy is going to be around unfamiliar dogs. The rabies vaccine will be administered between the ages of 16 and 26 weeks depending on state law.
About 6 weeks after the initial inoculation series, veterinarians will "booster" your puppy with a second set of shots to fully protect him from disease until he comes in to the clinic for his first annual checkup. According to "The Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians" by Dr. Dennis M. McCurnin and Dr. Joanna M. Bassert, veterinarians also might recommend vaccinating your puppy against coronavirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis depending upon the incidence of those particular diseases in your area.
Yearly Exams
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During your dog's annual checkups your veterinarian will commonly perform a full physical examination, including checking his ears, eyes and mouth for any signs of disease. The vet also will palpate your dog's abdomen, listen to his heart and lungs and feel his body structure looking for lumps and tumors. Your pet's temperature, weight and respiration rate will be noted in his chart for year-to-year comparisons.
Depending on your dog's age and health, the veterinarian might recommend running blood tests. For a young dog, these tests will set a baseline for the veterinarian to use in determining disease as your dog ages; in an older dog, blood tests show any developing signs of organ disease or failure. A fecal test to check for intestinal parasites and a blood test for heartworms is usually run during the annual exam if your dog has not been on heartworm preventatives continuously during the previous year. Your vet will administer vaccinations at this visit depending on the veterinary protocols of the state where you live and your own personal preference.
Common Surgical Procedures
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If your veterinarian discovers signs of periodontal disease during your dog's annual exam, he normally will recommend that a dental cleaning procedure (called dental prophylaxis) be performed. Your pet will be completely anesthetized while his teeth are scaled and polished and any diseased or broken teeth might be removed. Cleaning your dog's teeth prevents any bacteria traveling from his mouth to his heart or other organs and causing disease.
The veterinarian might recommend spaying or neutering your young dog at the same time if this has not been done already to prevent having to anesthetize him twice. In their article "Pros and Cons of Spaying and Neutering in Dogs," the veterinarians at PetPlace.com say that sterilizing your dog early prevents ovarian and uterine diseases in older females and testicular cancer and prostatitis in older males.
Common Disease Symptoms
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In her book "Common Diseases of Companion Animals," Dr. Alleice Summers writes about the numerous symptoms of canine disease that require veterinary intervention. Lethargy, unwillingness to eat and a cough can be signs of pneumonia and/or cardiovascular disease. Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of parvovirus contamination, intestinal parasites and pancreatitis. Excessive urination, drinking more water that usual and weight loss can be signs of diabetes, hyperthyroidism and kidney failure. With regular veterinary care, most of these illnesses can be treated and/or prevented. Without veterinary care, all of these diseases can be fatal to your dog.
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