A Lifetime of Wellness
Regular physical examinations and vaccinations can help your puppy live a healthy,happy life. You can help protect your puppy from the following common infectious diseases by following your veternarians recommended immunization schedule. Regular veterinary visits should begin as soon as you acquire your new puppy. Dogs of all ages should have an annual medical examination each year after.
DISTEMPER
A highly recommended contagious, often fatal virus that effects A dog's respiratory,gastrointestinal and nervous systems. The distemper virus Generally spreads as an airborne infection,so vaccination is the only effective control.
HEPATTIS
A viral disease that effects the liver and the cells lining the blood vessels,causing high feever,edema and hemorrhage. This disease is very serious in puppies and aged dogs.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
An extremely contagious disease that spreads through contact with nasal secretion,urine or saliva of infected animals. Symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease can cause permanent kidney damage.
PARVOVIRUS
A highly contagious viral infection spread by contact with virus infected body secretions. This disease strikes quickly, causing damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract,and can cause sudden death in some cases
PARAINFLUENZA
A highly contagious disease that spreads via contact or airborne transmission. This disease attacks the respiratory system.
RABIES
A fatal virus infection of thecentral nerous system that effect mammals,including humans. Though it is usually transmitted through the bite of an inected aniaml, it can be spread when the saliva of the rabid animal comes in contact with broken skin. Rabies vaccinations are required in most states.
CORONAVIRUS
A highly contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include vomiting, high fever,and dehydration.
BORDETELLA
A bacterial infection involved in infectous tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) and spread by airborne bacteria. A dog may catch this disease through contact with other dogs at places like kennels and dog shows and parks.
LYME DISEASE
A tick borne disease that effects both dogs and humans.
Help pretect your pet from these diseases with a regular health care program recommended by your veterinarian.
This is not intended as a subsititute for professioal veterinary medical care,but it should provide you with valuable infomation about your dog at any life stage. We wish you many wonderful years with your new pet
While genetics are determined at conception, you still have a great deal of influence on the quality of your new pets life in many other ways. Provide him with excellent nutrition veterinary care and training and help your dog grow to be healthy,happy pet and a faithful companion.
Knowing the basic facts about canine behavior and care will helpyou establish a good relationship with your dog. Take some time to learn about caring for your new dog and how to make your home safe for him. This can help ease the transition for him, and for the rest of the family.
3 factors will influence the quality and length of your dog's life
Genetics,nutrition and care
Bringing your puppy or new dog home
Remember your new puppy looks to you for direction, comfort and prtection. Everything is new to him, so he may not be playful and frisky at first. Be patient. Talk to him. Puppies may not know people vocabulary, but they soon learn to repond to your voice and commands. Speak to him often and gently,and always treat him kindly.
Introducingyour new dog to
NEW HOME
Introduce your puppy to his area as soon as you bring him home. Put toys in his crate and show him the location of his food and water bowls. Your puppy will soon know which special little area of yourhouse is his. Respect his right to be undisted while he is resting,sleeping or eating.
CHILDREN
Many children love puppies and vice versa. But it is important to teach your children about proper animal care. Introduce your puppy to children gradually, duringshort supervised periods of timely Children must learn not to pull a dog tail or ears,squeeze or poke him, make loud,threatening to noises or move toward him too rapidly.
visitors
Introducing your new puppy to visitors is an important part ofhis socialization. It will help lessen his fear of strangers and help make him friendly. Do not let him jump up on people. Give your new dog the command "sit" and help him into this position. Have him hold this position while being greeted. Have a treat ready for a reward. This will help him learn how to accept greeting and prase calmly.
OTHER PETS
When an older dog meets a puppy or a new dog, it is advisable not to leave them alone together until you are sure they are confortable with one another. A puppy or young dog can be too rambunctious for some older dogs or be easily intimidated by a much larger dog.
To a cat consider a gate or wire mesh in a doorway. This lets the 2 get to know each other while letting the cat to jumpout if she needs to get away from puppy. Do not allow the puppy to bark at or chase the cat. This may cause fear or anxiety.
SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED
CRATE
The crate will become your dogs safe place,and his special place to go to sleepand feel secure. Put it near or in the family hub and activity, so your dog feels like apart of the family. The key to successful use of the crate is to always use it in a postive manner.
COLLAR AND LEASH
Your puppies first collar and leash should be light weight. Check his collar frequently to make sure he hasn't out grown it.
FOOD AND WATER BOWLS
Bowls should be easy to clean and heavy enough to not tip over.
TOY'S
Safe toys are an important part of the of your pet equipment. They help your dog exercise and provide a safe way to satisfy your puppies need to chew
GROOMING TOOLS
The proper grooming tool will differ depending on your puppies coat. For short haired breeds use a brush with natural bristle's a rubber curry comb or grooming mitt. A study wide tooth metal comb and perhaps a slicker brush are needed for long haired breeds. Establish your dogs grooming programs as soon as possible so he'll get used to being groomed. IDENTIFCATION TAG
Attached to your dogs collar should be your name,address and phone number. Another option is available by microchip placing under your dogs skin
Keeping your puppy safe
Puppies are lively,curious,and they teethe.This can lead them into serious trouble unless you take preventive measures. It is important to do your best at puppy proofing your home so here are some suggestions.
Confine your puppy to a safe area insideand keep doors and windows closed.
Keep your puppy off balconies, upper porches and high decks
Securely store hazardous items such as cleaning supplies,paint,mothballs,insect and rodent poisons,and antifreeze.
Remove poisonous houseplants or place them in hanging baskets out of puppies rreach
Keep toilet lid down. Toilet bowl cleaners are harmful if swallowed.
Unplug,remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy's reach in confinement area.
Keep all plastic bags away from your puppy.
Keep small sewing supplies and hardware items such as buttons,needles,string,nails,aluminum can tabs and other sharp objects out of the reach of your new puppy.
Puppies Need Special Nutrition
Keeping your dog in ideal body condition and providing 100% complete balanced high quality nutrition is key to helping him live a happy, healthy life.
During his first year, your puppy need the best possible nutrition to help build strong bones and teeth,strong muscles,good vision and thick lustrous coat. Make sure you are feeding food that provide the vitamins,minerals, that is made for your dogs age. The general rule is to switch your puppy to an adult around his first bithday but some breeds may not be done growing and it could take longer. Check the ingedients and make sure it is the life stage you pet needs.
Here at Angelsyorkies.net we prefer to feed ours with Automatic Pet Feeders and waterers. Not the kind that dispense a specified amount of food at a designated time but one that keeps the bowl full at all time. Why you say?? Feeders meant to dispense a specified amount of food at a designated time are not always reliable and we like our dogs to eat when ever they like. Why? Because they learn it is alway there so it helps so they don't develop food aggression. They are more likely to be nibbler's not food inhalers and it keeps them from getting fat. It will also help when family want to go away for the weekend and they can't take the family pet when they have been raised on them.With all that said there may be reasons why this is not for you and you should talk to your family vet if you have a pet that has special needs.
Neutering/Spaying
Neutering is highly recommended when puppy is 5-6 months of age
Consult your veterinarian about the best age to neuter your puppy
Neutering is a responsible way to pervent the birth of unwanted littlers and avoid undesirable behaviors. There are many characteristics of a neutered dog that makes the procedure a positive choice.
- Is less concerned with marking his territory with urine both indoors and outdoors.
- Has less desire to run awayor roam in search of a mate.
- May be calmer,gentler pet.
- Is at lower risk for many female health problems such as breast cancer,pyometra a life threating uterine infection, tumors of reproductive system,false pregnancy'sand conditionsrelated to hormonal imbalances.
- Is at lower risk for prostate problems in males
Monitoring your dog's Health
One simple but very important way to care for your new dog is to watch for change in his appearance or behavior that may indicate illness. To do this, you need to become familiar with the following signs of normal health. You should also be familiar with you pets usual behavior so you can easily detect signs of illness injury.
Eyes should be clear and bright. The whites of the eye should have no red or yellow discoloration. If there is any discoloration, tearing cloudiness, take your dog to the veterinarian
Ears should be clean and free of discharge and odor. Check the ears at least once a week or more often for dogs more prone to ear promblems such as long haired dogs or those with pendulous ears like Cocker Spaniels.
- Trim away excess hair that might prevent air from getting into the ear. if the ear cana; is red, inflamed,hot,has a a foul odor or is sensitive to your touch, consult your veterinarian
- You veterinarian may recommend a cleaning solution and have him or her show you how to clean your dogs ear.
Mouth should have pink,healthy gums with no redness or swelling. Lip should be free of sores or growths. Teeth should be no bad breath.
Nose should be clean,with no discharge or sores.
Body And Hair Coat should be free of tumors,lumps,fleas and ticks. Check by running your hands over your dog's coat. A normmal coat is think,shiny and silky without greasiness dandruff or bare patches.
Legs should be checked for swellen joins. inspect feet between the toes for excess hair or ojects lodged there. Check the condition of nails
The Anus should be free of swelling and intestinal parsites of rice. Scooting along on the ground might be an attempt to relieve swollen anal glands. If you notice any of these conditions, see your vet.