Introduction
This report is devised to help potential new dog owners understand all there is to know before taking that final decision to go ahead and bring their new dog home and “go in with your eyes open”. This consists of; An appropriate environment for keeping a dog; How to provide exercise or physical activity; Vaccination regime; Ectoparasite prevention and treatment; Endoparasite prevention and treatment. It aims to provide an appropriate understanding of the requirements and needs of your dog, be it a Puppy, an adult dog or a geriatric dog. Some conclusions will be drawn as to the importance of a suitable health care programme for a dog,
An appropriate environment for keeping a dog
Puppy.
Puppies make a lot of mess so bedding needs to be safe, easy to clean/disposable. Towels/blankets (without any stuffing as puppies are likely to chew/swallow). Newspaper/ incontinence pads are a good idea when toilet training. Puppies need a warmer environment as they cannot regulate their body temperature like adult dogs so their bed/cage should be away from drafts but with easy access to outdoors to help reduce the chances of toilet accidents. The kitchen or hall is the most suitable.
Adult dog.
Adult dogs bed/cage should also be away from drafts the kitchen/hall is the most suitable and maybe the living room once fully trained. Bedding should be a blanket/towel and padding can be considered also so long as it is safe and unlikely to be chewed/swallowed.
Geriatric dog:
Geriatric dogs require to have extra padding/comfort to protect their joints. They are also likely to find it difficult /painful to walk on hard surfaces such as wood/laminate/tiles. Like puppies they need extra warmth and require access to the outdoors. It is often difficult for geriatric dogs to climb stairs as they get older so it is best to keep their bed/cage downstairs.
How to provide exercise or physical activity.
Puppy.
Puppies should ideally be taken out after eating to encourage them to go to the toilet outside although not on long walks or off the lead until fully vaccinated to reduce the risk of catching any infection etc. Once vaccinated they can go for longer walks, be careful not to over exercise as this can cause joint/bone problems. Best to be little and often with plenty play/interaction. As they grow they can be taken longer walks so they get used to the noises, other dogs, humans etc. As much interaction/play as possible will help the puppy adapt to everyday activities.
Adult dog.
Adult dogs can be taken for longer walks, it is recommended that they are taken for the toilet every 4 hours or so and that they have regular walk/exercise time. This varies depending on the breed. It is not recommended that you take an adult dog out on a long walk/exercise immediately after eating.
Geriatric dog:
Geriatric dogs cannot normally manage long walks/exercise so it is best to give them several short walks daily to allow them to go to the toilet, as like puppies they require to go to the toilet more often approx. every 3 – 4 hours.
Vaccination regime
It is important that your dog is vaccinated against infectious diseases. The table below aims to provide details of important diseases you should have your dog vaccinated against.
Disease Description/
Signs Severity Initial Inoculation Follow up Continuation
Distemper
(“Hard Pad”) Increase temp, anorexia, depression
Coughing, nasal and ocular (eye) discharge, (hard pad): build up of skin on pads (and nose) lameness
Ridge formation on enamel in young Small number recover but go on to develop nervous signs at a later date 6 – 8 weeks 10 – 12 weeks 1 year then every 3 years
Hepatitis
(“Blue Eye”) Haemorrhagic diarrhoea, vomiting Increase temp, haze over eye Pale mucous membrane, jaundice, severe abdominal pain Sudden death seen in neonates (newborn Euthanasia often required Often called “Blue eye” as a haze forms over the eye in dogs that survive 6 – 8 weeks 10 – 12 weeks Every 3 years
Parvovirus
Severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea, vomiting Anorexia, depression, increased temp Dehydration, abdominal pain euthanasia often required (especially in pups) Can cause heart disease in young dogs 6 – 8 weeks 10 – 12 weeks
(some breeds given extra at 16 weeks) 1 year booster then every 3 years
Leptospirosis
(“Weil’s Disease”)
Anorexia, increased temp, vomiting increased urination, painful abdomen diarrhoea, jaundice, pin prick haemorrhages in mucous membrane and skin euthanasia may be required in severe cases can cause fatal meningitis in humans 6 – 8 weeks 10 – 12 weeks Yearly booster
Kennel Cough
Dry cough, nasal discharge, increase temp, anorexia Called “kennel cough” as often picked up while in kennels but can be picked up anywhere Kennel cough can be fought off by the dog on its own if otherwise healthy Very rarely life threatening, but can be uncomfortable/ painful and distressing for owner Prevention isn’t available for all causes
Vaccination inj @ 12 weeks for 2 viruses Intranasal vaccine for bacteria if high risk (going into kennels) +/- yearly boosters or when at risk (bacterial cause not always vaccinated against) followed by yearly booster vaccinations
Rabies UK is rabies free, so there should be no need for Vaccination regime Transmission is by direct contact: Infected Saliva (bites), mainly predators; Highly contagious, extremely potent. Difficulty breathing, vomiting, anorexia
Increased salivation, dilated pupils, change in temperament, random snapping Hydrophobia (in humans), fits, stumbling, paralysis. Our risk comes from animals entering from other countries
Treatment is not possible once the clinical signs are seen
In animals euthanasia, as risk of spread
In humans, before clinical signs are seen:
Flushing of wound, medical advice, anti-rabies vaccination program (very successful)
In humans once clinical signs are seen:
Supportive – sedation, analgesia until death We do not routinely vaccinate against Rabies as there is such a low risk in the UK
Prevention of Rabies entering the UK important
Import legislation (PETS or quarantine)
Vaccination of dogs entering UK, can start vaccinations @ 3mths then
1-2 yearly boosters
Vaccination of “at risk workers” (quarantine/lab staff etc.)
Ectoparasite prevention and treatment
Ectoparasites live outside the animal and are usually insects (3 pairs of legs) or arachnids (4 pairs). Some are visible to the naked eye and some can only be seen under the microscope.
Fleas are the most common parasites found on the dog and are blood sucking tiny brown insects. Puppies can start being treated from as young as 2 days old. Regular treatment is required throughout the year (check the label for frequency). There is a wide range of treatments available from pet shops and supermarkets etc. It is likely that the vets will be more effective than treatments bought from a pet shop or supermarket.
Ticks, these are big enough to be seen and look like warts. Individual ticks can be carefully removed by using a gentle twisting motion (do not pull out with tweezers as the head parts are usually left behind). Some flee treatments also work against ticks.
Lice, many different types of lice can be found on your dog. They are only passed on by close/intimate contact. Youngsters are likely to pick them up from their mothers.
Lice can also pass on other diseases to pets. Most flea treatments also work against lice. Regular treatment is required.
Mites, many different types of mites can be found on dogs, cats and rabbits. Close/intimate contact is required for them to be passed on. Youngsters usually pick them up from their mother. They live under the surface of the skin and their burrowing can cause intense itching. Specific treatment for particular mites is required. (see http://www.puppy-training-solutions.com/dog-mites.html) they require several treatments over a period of time.
Endoparasite prevention and treatment.
Endoparasites live inside the animal. The two most common ones found in dogs are: the roundworm (Toxocara canis) and the tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum).
Roundworm are pretty impossible to remove completely because of the many ways they can be passed on/picked up. Treat puppies: weekly/fortnightly, monthly. Treat adult and geriatric dogs every 1 – 3 months as they will pick them up throughout their lives. Some worms can be transmitted to humans. Worming treatments only work on the worms/larvae that are active at the time of treatment, which is why treatment is required regularly. Feaces must be picked up and disposed of to keep the environment as clean as possible preventing dogs from licking the face. Washing your hands after handling dogs or their faeces. Dogs can pick up lots of other roundworms (and other types of worms) and the treatment we use needs to kill a range of worms. NB. This worm is zoonotic and can be passed on to children and it can cause blindness
Tapeworm Treatment in pups from 3 months old and dogs throughout their life, adults and geriatrics with wormer every 3 months to kill off the worms in the dogs intestines (again the wormer will only kill the worms that are in the intestines at that time). NB: Picking up and disposing of faeces, keep the environment as clean as possible. Prevent dogs from licking the face, wash your hands after handling dogs or their faeces.
Conclusion
It is important to ensure that points covered in this report are taken on board when deciding to get a dog for the first time as not everyone is fully understanding of the importance of health care for you and your dog. Hopefully by following these guidelines you should enjoy a long, happy and loving relationship for years to come with your dog.