Health & Veterinary Care

You will want to give the new member of your family tip top care!  You'll be companions for years to come, and you'll want to ensure he has the best start possible, both physically and mentally.  BUT if you've never raised a puppy, this responsibility will seem quite daunting.  There are six major aspects of care:  feeding, grooming, exercise, play, training, and veterinary care.

  1. Feeding.  It's recommended to feed your pup a quality diet formulated for his age and activity level.  Premium brands versus store brands, although more expensive, tend to contain a higher grade of ingredients.  The younger the puppy, the more frequent he will need to be fed.  A young puppy has high nutritional demands, but his stomach can't handle very much at one time!  Even adults benefit from having their daily nutritional requirements divided into two or more feedings per day, rather than one huge meal.  Don't forget your puppy will require ready access to fresh drinking water, most especially in the warm months of summer.  Even if his bowl isn't quite empty, rinse it out and refill it at least once per day to limit the growth of bacteria and keep it as fresh as possible.
  2. Grooming.  No matter his breed, your puppy will benefit from regular grooming.  Brushing encourages healthy skin and helps keep him free from mats.  Grooming time also provides an opportunity to visually inspect your dog all over, to keep watch for parasites, to look at his teeth, check ear canals, inspect footpads and trim his nails.  It's important that your dog become accustomed to be handled all over.  This will prepare him for trips to the vet or even the occasional boarding kennel.
  3. Exercise.  Another major aspect of your dog's care is ensuring he gets enough exercise.  Sufficient activity is very important during development.  Plus, it gives the additional benefit of burning off the "crazies" of a youngster, and helps with training!  But you shouldn't force your pet to exercise, look for signs of tiring:  lagging behind, panting excessively; either of these and you know it's time to quit!
  4. Play.  The best time of exercise is playtime!  By nature, dogs are playful beings, social creatures, and their minds are very attuned to interacting with their people.  Your dog needs and even craves your attention.  He doesn't want to spend his time alone, but wants most of all to be with you!  Also, try to provide your puppy with a wide assortment of safe toys.  Toys will help to keep him occupied and will provide a safe outlet for his urge to chew.
  5. Training.   Playtime and training can be all rolled into one!  Teaching basic manners is essential, but this process can be fun.  In addition to making him a good companion, learning behaviors gives your puppy a job to do, and dogs thrive on this!  Try to set a goal towards an activity, agility, for example, or frisbee, and you'll find out how much fun this training time can be!
  6. Veterinary Care.  For your dog to live a long and healthy life, he must be protected against parasites and diseases.  Be sure to keep up with scheduled veterinary visits.  Make sure and educate yourself about health matters, so if you have any questions, you can discuss them with your vet on your next visit.

There are several diseases for which vaccination can help prevent.  Some of these dreadful diseases are Bordetella Bronchisepta, Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Corona Virus, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease, Parvovirus, Rabies, and Heartworm.  Always discuss vaccine schedules with  your vet, since not all dogs need every vaccination.

Certain things can signify that a health problem may be brewing.  Call your vet within 24 hours if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • sudden listlessness, or loss of interest in favorite activities
  • uncharacteristic house soiling
  • limping
  • disinterest in food for more than 8 hours
  • continued weight loss
  • repeated vomiting
  • persistent diarrhea
  • lack of bowel movement for 48 hours
  • worms visible in stool
  • increase in thirst and urination
  • blood in urine
  • cloudy eye
  • eye held closed or squinting
  • swelling of the lids or surrounding tissue
  • redness in the white of the eye
  • vision impairment
  • shaking head
  • drainage of the ear or foul odor
  • swelling of the ear flap
  • hearing impairment
  • broken tooth
  • pawing at the mouth
  • foul odor from the mouth
  • persistent coughing or wheezing
  • severe itching
  • skin that is inflamed or oozing
  • areas of hair loss
  • a sore that won't heal
  • a lump that wasn't there before

What you should know:

  1. Your vet's telephone number and address
  2. Telephone number for a 24-hour emergency clinic
  3. Poison control telephone number
  4. Your dog's age, breed, and sex
  5. Any current health conditions your dog has and his health history
  6. Any medications your dog is currently taking
  7. Any conditions the breed is prone to

   

                          Copyright 2008 NV Cockers                              
   Updated 03/23/08