Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Vet

Top 5 Dog Health Questions to Ask Your Vet

Do you ever go to the vet for a routine check-up for your canine and wonder what questions you should ask? To narrow things down for the sake of simplicity, here are 5 easy and informative questions to ask your vet about your prized pooch:

1. What vaccinations should my animal have?

This is an important question to ask your vet because not every pet is exposed to the same diseases and viruses as other pets. Disease and infection is always a risk to any pet, whether they are restricted to the indoors or outdoors. Your vet will be able to assess your pet’s individual situation and prescribe the right vaccinations so your pet can stay happy and healthy. Also, be sure to ask your vet how often your pet will need their vaccinations, so that you can put it down on your calendar. You should also be aware of the dangers of annual pet vaccinations.

2. Do you recommend a flea control program?

There are many flea control program for pets available, some of which include Advantage, K9 Advantix, Program, and Frontline brands. Most vets will have a personal preference, and it is always helpful to listen to a professional opinion. Some brands also may be better suited for your pet than others; if your dog is an outdoor pet, he will need a higher degree of flea protection than that of an indoor dog. Also be sure to ask your vet how often you should apply the flea control. And if you prefer a natural flea control, discuss this with your vet and clearly express your preference in this area.

3. Are there any common diseases and/or condition particular to my
dog’s breed that I should be aware of?

Different breeds of dogs are susceptible to different diseases and/or medical conditions. For example, dogs with long limbs are prone to arthritis in their later years. Your vet will be familiar with the diseases and conditions that your pet may be susceptible to. It will be extremely beneficial for you to be aware of these issues and symptoms, so that you may be able to recognize them should they appear.

4. Is there a specific diet or brand of pet food that you recommend for
my pet?

There are hundreds of pet food brands and diets available for your canine. Sometimes it may be overwhelming to see all of the pet food variants and brands when making the best choice for your pet. Again, some diets presented in pet food may be better suited for one particular age or breed of your pet than another. Ask your vet what they recommend. Again, it is always helpful to receive advice from a professional.

5. What is the emergency procedure for this clinic in case there should
be one?

Each Veterinary clinic has their own procedure for pet emergencies. Make sure you keep the clinic’s contact information in an accessible place, such as your wallet or a piece of paper taped on the inside panel of a cabinet door. It never hurts to keep a pet first aid kit handy as well in case you have difficulty getting in touch with your vet.

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Training Your Dog to Come

Dog training does not have to be complicated, nor does it take enormous amounts of time to teach your pet the basics. Speaking of basics, we all want our dogs to come to us when called. There are many ways to go about this dog training procedure, below is perhaps the easiest way.

The following instructions will have your dog responding to your "come" command in no time.  This easy technique revolves around luring your dog and then rewarding him. Please note that this will be a lot easier if your dog is hungry before beginning training. Also, have handy small dog treats that you will use as a training aid.

1. First stand in front of your dog and hold a dog treat in between your thumb and index finger so it can easily be seen. Your arm should be in front of you but resting on your leg.

2. Now simply get the atmosphere exciting to your dog by putting on a great big smile and with a sweet and fun tone of voice, say "Sparky, Come!"  Do not overdo the come command with too much excitement, just enough to get him to notice you and realize that you are happy.

3. Your puppy should start running towards you, especially at the sight of the dog treat in your hand. Most dogs come running at the first hint of food, but your puppy may need a little more motivation. If after a moment he does not respond, your next move is to squat down and reach out with the treat just slightly, while calling his name again and getting the "come" command.

4. Once your puppy does arrive at the treat and in front of you, try to lure him into the sitting position by stroking his neck and upper back with one hand and applying pressure on his hind for him to sit, while slowly moving the treat to his mouth with your other hand. Now is the perfect time to start praising him in a loving voice and creating a positive feeling that he will want to experience again when you call his name and ask them to come to you.

5. Eventually drop the dog treats altogether and repeat the above steps, but offering praise instead of food when your dog comes to you.

Always Give Your Dog Plenty of Water!

Dog Nutrition - The Powerful Role Of Water In Your Dog's Health

Your dog's body is made up of 70% water. He can live even if he loses all the fat and half of the protein in his body. However, he will die if his body loses even just 1/10 of his water.

In order to survive, a full-grown dog requires, at the very least, two milliliters (mls) of water for every pound he weighs every single day (keeping in mind that there are 30 milliliters of water per 1 ounce). The two milliliters are just enough for the dog to produce urine in his body. Without enough water necessary for urine production, your dog, any dog, will not be able to live.

When given an unlimited amount of water, your dog will drink much more than the required two millimeters. This is especially true when you always keep a fresh bowl of water. Giving your dog just the least amount of water every day may be enough for him to survive, but not for long.  Deficiency in water harms the body and gradually terminates its functions. He will eventually turn weak, get sick, and die.

The importance of giving your dog more water than the least amount needed is used in several ways:

1. Water is used to help digest and absorb nutrients.

2. It is used to burn fuel, which is turned into energy.

3. Water is responsible for maintaining a normal body temperature.

4. Drinking enough water replaces the fluids that are lost in the body during secretions.

5. Water is also responsible for mixing different types of chemicals in the body as they dissolve and transform into different chemical reactions.

6. Water carries nutrients to the cells and also transfers toxic waste products from the cells to the organs for proper elimination. With the absence of water, these organs will not be able to get rid of toxins from the body.

7. Last but not least, water is needed to regulate the blood's acid level.

As you can see, water is almost always required for every function that takes place in the dog's body. And because of its versatility and the degree to which it is used, water is considered to be the most important nutrient that is required on all breeds of dogs.

 

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Pet Massage - Part 2

Indulge Your Dog By Giving Him A Pet Massage (Part 2)

This step by step process teaches you how to give your dog a lower body massage, starting from his neck, down to his toes.

1. Begin with a neck rub. This move releases a lot of tension in that area. Slide your hand down to the back of his neck. It is easier for you to find the muscles there because the skin around that area is much looser. Using your fingers, gently rub the muscles up the back and sides of his neck, and make sure that you are not putting pressure on the dog's windpipe.

2. Move your hands to his back. With both hands, gently press down on both sides of his spine (not directly on the spine). Do this for about a minute, then rub your palms along his sides for another minute.

3. Next, walk your fingers in an up and down motion on both sides of his spine, followed by several long and gentle (yet firm) strokes.

4. Help him lie down on his side. With gentle pressure, slide your hands down the top portion of his legs about five times. Then, hold onto each of the upper legs and give them a good, gentle squeeze for 10 seconds for each leg. Next, with your fingers, rub his leg tendons.

5. Lift up his foot (one at a time) and rub on and around his nails and paw pads in a small, circular motion.

6. Carefully flex and straighten each of your dog's leg joints several times. If he is suffering from a bone or joint problem such as hip dysplasia, steer away from those affected areas that can be very painful to the touch. If he suddenly screams, yelps, or jolts, then you know you have touched a sensitive area. You need to calm him first, maybe give him a hug and a pet, before you can continue with the massage. Remember the sensitive spot so you won't make the same mistake in the future.

7. Now, turn your dog on his other side and repeat the same process with the other two legs.

8. The final step is to give him long, gentle strokes, from the top of his head to the tip of his toes. Do this several times.

Your dog has probably fallen asleep by now. If so, then you did a great job. If he is not sleeping, then he is probably very calm and relaxed.

 

For your free Dog Health Report , don't forget to click here! 

Pet Massage - Part 1

Indulge Your Dog By Giving Him A Pet Massage (Part 1)

Besides giving your dog love and attention, another great gift that you can give is a soothing pet massage. A pet massage, just as the name suggests, is a type of physical therapy that is similar to acupressure or chiropractic care.

This type of pet bodywork gives your dog an instant gratification of comfort, relaxation, and the feeling of being loved. When given to your dog on a regular basis, a pet massage helps minimize his sensitivity to touch, either by you or a stranger. This makes him easier to groom, handle, and also makes it faster and easier for the vet to examine and treat him.

The growing popularity of pet massage makes it widely available all over the country, especially if you live in a major city. However, you can learn the basic technique of this type of bodywork and give it to your dog, making the experience more enjoyable for the both of you.

Treating your dog to a relaxing pet massage is an excellent way to bond with him. Not only will he love the way it feels, but he will appreciate the time and attention that you are giving him, a true treat that will make your dog's heart melt with joy.

Below is a simple step-by-step procedure to giving your dog a relaxing massage, starting from the top of his head down to his muzzle.

1. Call your dog and tell him to sit.

2. Ease your way into the massage. Start by giving him a light caress the way you would normally do. This way, he won't think that you are about to do something different that might even scare him away.

3. Give him an overall petting, from head to toe. Apply firm but gentle long strokes. The stroking prepares his muscles for more intense work and makes your dog feel more relaxed. Do this for about two more minutes.

4. Put your hands over his head, moving one hand gently underneath his muzzle while your other hand is stroking the top of his head.

5. Next, massage his ears, one ear at a time. Your dog's ears contain a lot of nerve endings and massaging them will feel very good to him. Do this for at least one minute per ear.

6. Lightly massage his forehead for about 30 seconds, sliding down to his cheeks also for 30 seconds, and then to his muzzle for another 30 seconds.

 

For your free Dog Health Report , click here . 

Pet Insurance

Dog Insurance – How To Shop For The Right Dog Insurance Policy

Did you know that you can purchase health insurance to cover your puppy or dog? It is absolutely true! You can get a health plan for all of your dogs. However, just like shopping for insurance premiums for things like car insurance, rental insurance, etc., shopping for dog insurance takes a little research to find the right company.

Below are a few basic questions that can help you get a better understanding of the type of insurance plan a company can offer for your dog.

1. Find out if the insurance company covers any pre-existing health conditions. This is very important because should your dog become ill or have an injury that stemmed from a previous condition, and the insurance company does not cover pre-existing health problems, you may be paying the expense out of your pocket.

2. Be sure to ask if the company is licensed to offer their services in your state. You generally will not have a problem with this issue, but there is the occasional rogue insurance company that covers pets but is not fully legal to do so. In that case, you may come out on the loosing end of an insurance claim.

3. Ask how many years the company has been in business and how long they have offered insurance plans that cover dogs. A fairly new company may not have the experience or the coverage that an older, more experienced service provider would.

4. Ask what the insurance policy does NOT include, such as checkups, heartworm tests, dental care, worms, etc. Obviously these items are important so you know what to expect to pay if a particular health condition with your dog springs up.

5. Find out if the insurance for your dog will cover bone scans, medications, reconstructive surgery, and CAT scans. If your dog gets seriously injured and is suspected of having a major condition as a result from the injury, he may need the above mentioned procedures and tests. These can be quite expensive if the insurance plan does not include them in the service.

6. And of course, be sure to know what your deductible will be. In addition, ask if there is a cap on any specific type of illness or accidents your dog may possibly be in.