|
Your Dogs Health - The Basics Every Pet Owner Should know
by: Randy Jones
Your dog is probably stronger and healthier than most humans that you know. However, by taking him from his natural environment, where only the strongest survive, to the artificial one in which most pet dogs live, we have exposed him to an entirely new set of dangers which their instincts are not designed to cope with.
A dogs health is influenced by the genes inherited from his parents and by the care given to his mother during the prenatal period, as well as to the puppy during his first 2 or 3 months of life. A puppy, whose mother was properly cared for during pregnancy, will be more able to handle the hazards of growing up.
The majority of dogs lead perfectly healthy, normal lives. They overcome occasional skin rashes, chills, and upset stomachs, recover from cuts and bruises with ordinary care, sensible first aid when necessary, and professional diagnosis and treatment of serious ailments. Chances are that if you give you dog a normal diet, a healthy home environment, a well balanced life, you will only need to see the vet for check-ups and vaccinations.
A healthy dogs temperature, taken rectally when he is rested, is about 101.2 degrees in an adult dog, 102 in small breeds, and 102.5 in a puppy. It can fluctuate one way or the other, being lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon. Long-coated breeds have a slightly higher normal temperature than short-coated ones. His pulse is taken at the femoral artery, high inside the thigh. There is no normal pulse rate for dogs. It can range from 120 beats per minute in a young puppy, to 70 or 80 in an older dog. Count the beats during 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Normal respiration ranges from 20 or 30 respirations per minute for a puppy to 16 per minute in an older dog.
A normal eye is bright and clear, although the lens becomes pale blue as he ages. His nose is moist and cool most of the time, but a dry, warm nose doesnt always mean a fever or illness. His tail wags and he carries himself normally. His coat is shiny and sheds normally. He eats his meals without gulping compulsively and without being coaxed, drinks a normal amount of water after meals and exercise, and more during hot weather. His bowel movements are regular and well-formed, his urine is clear and both processs are painless. As a puppy he sleeps most of the time, but as an adult only about half the time, and he is generally friendly, alert, and inquisitive.
A sick or ailing dog will have a temperature over 102 degrees, a sign of fever, or under a 100, a sign of weakness. If it does not return to normal within 24 hours, call the vet. If his temperature is as low as 99, or as high as 104, call the vet immediately. His pulse may be weak or irregular, his respiration at rest may be irregular or labored, panting or weak. His eye may appear dull, red or yellow with a sticky discharge. His nose may be dry and hot, also with a discharge.
His tail may be immobile, carried stiffly or between the legs, his coat may be dry and stand up when it should lay flat, the skin may be itchy and flaky and there may be bald spots, or red patches. He may eat with a good appetite but usually doesnt want food at all, and is usually reluctant to swallow any water. His bowel movements may be abnormal in form or color, have a bad odor, and contain blood or mucus, or he may be constipated with no movement at all. The urine may be dark, cloudy, or painfully produced.
MORE RESOURCES:Click on this link!Articles about:Dog, dog pile, snoop dog, dog breed, dog training basics, dog show, dog breeders, westminster dog show, dog name, dog training, dog picture, dog for sale, dog grooming, dog gift, hot dog, dog bed, dog supply, nate dog, dog collar, dog food, boxer dog, dog boarding, dog toy, dog the bounty hunter, dog house, dog health, dog kennel, dog whisperer, small dog, dog care, dog clothes, dog rescue, pitbull dog, big dog, dog show picture, dog adoption, dog tag, type of dog, shaggy dog, dog treat, cat and dog, small dog breed, year of the dog, bernese mountain dog, dog coat, 2006 dog show westminster, dog door, dog breeding, dog fence, dog shelter, german shepherd dog, dog has, newfoundland dog, big dog motorcycle, world ugliest dog, alpha dog, hunting dog, dog crate, dog book, must love dog, yerf dog, maltese dog, girl with dog, dog photo, who let the dog out,
chihuahua dog, prairie dog, sled dog, hot dog cart, australian cattle dog, westminister dog show, dog breed picture, dog trainer, black dog, dog pile search engine, cat day dog folklore night, reservoir dog, cartoon dog, clifford the big red dog, dog insurance, three dog night, female dog name, adopt a dog, dog behavior training, dog stencil, yellow dog democrat, dog training collar, westminster kennel club dog show, cancer dog mouth, boxer dog im selling, search in rescue dog, dog sactuary wolf, dodge dog fort shot, bull dog, dog carrier, pomeranian dog, pug dog, dog day care, dog lover gift, miniature dog, pictures of dogs, dogs for sale, small dogs, pitbull dogs, boxer dogs, reservoir dogs, types of dogs, names for dogs, breeding dogs, pictures of cute dogs, cats and dogs, free dogs, maltese dogs, types of small house dogs, toy dogs, dirt dogs, miniature dogs, hot dogs, german shepherd dogs, dogs for adoption,
akc dogs, big dogs, husky dogs, beagle dogs, blue heeler dogs, bull dogs, newfoundland dogs, best dogs for kids, list of types of dogs, hypoallergenic dogs, hunting dogs, prairie dogs, pomeranian dogs, pug dogs, teacup dogs, kinds of dogs, dogs that don't shed, cheap dogs for sale, long beach ice dogs, bernese mountain dogs, labrador dogs, dogs and chocolate, corgi dogs, havanese dogs, jack russell dogs, rescue dogs, pet dogs, funny dogs, sheltie dogs, training dogs, sharpei dogs, terrier dogs, resivor dogs, chow dogs, chihuahua dogs, dogs health, papillon dogs, hound dogs, yorkie dogs, tap dogs, ringworm in dogs, weiner dogs, guard dogs, best family dogs, lost dogs, information on dogs, old english sheep dogs, lab dogs, worms in dogs, coon dogs, puppy dogs, barking dogs, weimaraner dogs, police dogs, fighting dogs, little dogs, cartoon dogs, cool dogs, lyme disease in dogs, snow dogs, dogs playing poker,
akita dogs, search and rescue dogs, hog dogs, portland sea dogs, nintendo dogs, dalmatian dogs, shih tzu dogs, guide dogs, sled dogs, therapy dogs, bird dogs, cancer in dogs, rottweiler dogs, pekingese dogs, designer dogs, ugly dogs, cane corso dogs, buy dogs, pregnancy in dogs
|