HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR DOG?

Skin
Healthy skin is flexible and smooth, without scabs, growths, white flakes, or red areas. It ranges in color from pale pink to brown or black depending on the breed. Spotted skin is normal, whether the dog has a spotted or solid coat. Check your dog for fleas, ticks, lice, or other external parasites. To do this, blow gently on your dog's stomach or brush hair backward in a few places to see if any small specks scurry away or if ticks are clinging to the skin. Black "dirt" on your dog's skin or bedding may be a sign of flea droppings.

Coat
A healthy coat, whether short or long, is glossy and pliable, without dandruff, bald spots, or excessive oiliness.

Eyes
Healthy eyes are bright and shiny. Mucus and watery tears are normal but should be minimal and clear. The pink lining of the eyelids should not be inflamed, swollen, or have a yellow discharge. Sometimes you can see your dog's third eyelid, a light membrane, at the inside corner of an eye. It may slowly come up to cover his eye as he goes to sleep. The whites of your dog's eyes should not be yellowish. Eyelashes should not rub the eyeball.

Ears
The skin inside your dog's ears should be light pink and clean. There should be some yellow or brownish wax, but a large amount of wax or crust is abnormal. There should be no redness or swelling inside the ear, and your dog shouldn't scratch his ears or shake his head frequently. Dogs with long ears that hang down may need extra attention to keep the ears dry and clean inside and out.

Nose
A dog's nose is usually cool and moist. It can be black, pink, or self-colored (the same color as the coat), depending on the breed. Nasal discharge should be clear, never yellowish, thick, bubbly, or foul smelling. A cool, wet nose does not necessarily mean the dog is healthy, and a dry, warm nose doesn't necessarily mean he's sick. Taking his temperature is a better indication of illness.

Mouth, Teeth and Gums
Healthy gums are firm and pink, black, or spotted, just like the dog's skin. Young dogs have smooth white teeth that tend to darken with age. Puppies have 23 baby teeth and adults have around 42 permanent teeth, depending on the breed. As adult teeth come in, they push baby teeth out of the mouth.

To check your dog's mouth, talk to him gently, then put your hand over the muzzle and lift up the sides of his mouth. Check that adult teeth are coming in as they should, and not being crowded by baby teeth. Make sure the gums are healthy and the breath is not foul-smelling. Look for soft white matter or hard white, yellow, or brown matter. This is plaque or tartar and should be brushed away.

Mouth infections can lead to serious problems in the gums and other parts of the body, including the heart, so it's important to give your dog's teeth and mouth special attention.

Temperature
A dog's normal temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celcius). To take your dog's temperature, you'll need a rectal thermometer. Put some petroleum jelly on the bulb of the thermometer. Ask someone to hold your dog's head while you lift his tail and insert the thermometer about an inch or so into the rectum. Do not let go of the thermometer. Hold it in until the temperature is read (about 3 minutes for a mercury thermometer), and then remove gently.

Heartbeat and Pulse
Because dogs come in a wide range of sizes, their heartbeats vary. A normal heart beats from 50 to 130 times a minute in a resting dog. Puppies and small dogs have faster speeds, and large dogs in top condition have slower heartbeats. To check your dog's heartbeat, place your fingers over the left side of the chest, where you can feel the strongest beat. To check the pulse, which is the same speed as the heartbeat, press gently on the inside of the top of the hind leg. There is an artery there and the skin is thin, so it's easy to feel the pulse.

Elimination
Urine is a good indicator of a dog's health, and should be clear yellow. Most adult dogs have one or two bowel movements a day. Stools should be brown and firm. Runny, watery, or bloody stools, straining, or too much or too little urination warrant a call to the veterinarian.

Weight
A healthy dog's weight is the result of the balance between diet and exercise. If he is getting enough nutritious food and exercise but still seems over- or underweight, he may have a health problem. Don't let your dog get fat by giving him too many between-meal snacks; obese dogs often develop serious health problems. The best way to tell if your dog is overweight is to feel his rib-cage area. You should be able to feel the ribs below the surface of the skin without much padding.

VACCINATIONS
Regular vaccinations from your veterinarian can keep your dog from getting serious and sometimes fatal illnesses such as distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, coronavirus, and rabies. A vaccination is also available for kennel cough, a respiratory problem that affects young dogs or dogs exposed to many other dogs.

A puppy's first vaccines ideally should be given at five or six weeks of age and continue over a period of several weeks, up to sixteen weeks. Afterward, regular booster shots provide the protection your dog will need. Be sure to stick to the schedule your veterinarian gives you to ensure immunity.

WHEN TO CALL THE VET
You should alert your veterinarian if your dog exhibits any unusual behavior, including the following symptoms:
Vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive urination for more than twelve hours.
Fainting.
Loss of balance, staggering, falling.
Constipation or straining to urinate.
Runny eyes or nose.
Persistent scratching at eyes or ears.
Thick discharge from eyes, ears, nose, or sores.
Coughing or sneezing.
Difficulty breathing, prolonged panting.
Shivering.
Whining for no apparent reason.
Loss of appetite for 24 hours or more.
Weight loss.
Dramatic increase in appetite for 24 hours or more.
Increased restlessness.
Excessive sleeping or unusual lack of activity.
Limping, holding, or protecting part of the body.
Excessive drinking of water.
When the dogs gums are white.

Scoop that poop! Health risks.

Contrary to popular belief, dog waste does not make a good fertilizer . It is actually toxic to your lawn, causing burns and unsightly discolouring.

It has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million faecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhoea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans.

Dog faeces may contain...

Whipworms (a round worm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. It is commonly known as the whipworm which refers to the shape of the worm; it looks like a whip with wider "handles" at the posterior end.

Hookworms (a parasitic worm that lives in the small intestine of its host, which may be a mammal such as a dog, cat, or human)
In children hookworms cause intellectual, cognitive and growth retardation, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, and low birth weight among newborns born to infected mothers.

Roundworms (Roundworms can infest the human gut, where they live, feed and reproduce. Children are most likely to be infected)
If a large number of eggs have been ingested, or if the worms move from the small intestine to other parts of the body, they can cause serious complications, such as a bowel obstruction.

Tapeworms (Tapeworms are parasites that can live in a person's intestine(bowel). Tapeworms are known medically as cestodes. They are usually flat and ribbon-like and made up of segments.
They don't always cause symptoms and when they do they are often mistaken for another illness.) But tapeworms can lead to serious complications and those that develop as larvae in your body are more difficult to treat.

Parvovirus (a highly contagious viral disease that can produce a life-threatening illness).

Giardiasis (popularly known as beaver fever is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Giardia lamblia)
Diarrhoea is the most common symptom of giardiasis.
Other symptoms can include:
abdominal cramps
foul-smelling flatulence and belching
nausea (feeling sick)
bloating
indigestion
fatigue (extreme tiredness)
dehydration
loss of appetite
weight loss caused by malnutrition

Salmonellosis (an infection found in dogs caused by the Salmonella bacteria. It often leads to disorders, including gastroenteritis, spontaneous abortions, and septicemia. This bacterial disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans.)

Cryptosporidiosis (an intestinal disease caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite)
Cryptosporidium is a parasite (a tiny organism) that causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis affecting people and farm animals. Cryptosporidium is found in lakes, streams and rivers, untreated drinking water and sometimes in swimming pools.
For most people, the illness is unpleasant but self-limiting. However, it can be a serious illness in people who have immune systems that are not working properly

Campylobacteriosis ( bacterial intestinal infection. Up to 49 percent of dogs carry campylobacteriosis)
Campylobacter infection is a type of gastroenteritis (gastro) caused by a bacteria known as Campylobacter. Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Infection is more common in children under five years of age and young adults. Children's sandpits can become contaminated with Campylobacter through animal faeces.

If left unattended, these parasites will contaminate the water, soil, and can even cause infection in both pets and humans (especially children). The microscopic Hookworm larvae can be passed to another pet or person directly through the skin or by accidental ingestion as can other bacteria.

Hookworms, tapeworms, threadworms and campylobacteriosis can be passed on from dogs to humans. This is the most significant reason to avoid allowing dogs to lick your face and mouth.

If a dog has recently eaten faeces or groomed their hind quarters and come into contact with any of the above parasites, there is a chance these parasites will be passed directly into your mouth.
Children are especially vulnerable to infection because they tend to enjoy playing in the dirt, where parasites such as hookworm larvae lay dormant waiting for a new host. Young children may also put dirty hands or toys in their mouth.

Toxocariasis
Toxocariasis is an infestation of humans, usually children, with the larvae of Toxocara canis, a small threadlike worm that resides in a dog's intestine.

A dog harbouring the small round worm causes large numbers of worm eggs in its faeces, which can then contaminate the soil.

Children who then play with an infested dog or with soil contaminated with its faeces can then inadvertently put their fingers in their mouths and can swallow some of the worm eggs.

The swallowed eggs hatch in the intestine of the child to liberate larvae, which then travel towards the liver, lungs, brain and eyes.

Here they can trigger off allergic reactions such as asthma, and they also have more serious affects such as loss of vision at least partially.

Children generally run a much greater risk of coming into contact with Toxocara in public parks where there is no guarantee that the dogs which are allowed to roam free there are all wormed.

Out of interest, the diagnosis of toxocariasis is made from sputum analysis and from liver biopsy, and severe cases are treated in hospital with anthelmintic drugs (anti-worm drugs) to control the infestation.

Why you shouldn't punish a dog for growling...

Many people mistakenly think a growling dog is being 'bad' and punish them. If a dog growls at me, I will thank them and step away. Why? Because they were kind enough to warn me they were uncomfortable. That dog could have chosen to use much more force to give me the same message, but they gave me a warning growl rather than a bite. I will then look at what has made the dog uncomfortable and put some work into resolving that for the future.

For example, say I touched a dog's ear and he growled at me. I would stop touching and calmly step back. Why did he growl? Was it the ear touching and not another trigger around? If it is my dog and he has never had an issue before with ears, I may assume he has some pain and consult a vet. It might also be the dog has handling issues, I would then make a plan to do some simple handling exercises to help him feel more comfortable in future (starting with touch where he is comfortable and reward, moving slowly to the area in question - changing his association from a negative 'ouch' to a positive 'yum').

So yes, I am thankful that a dog warned me. Warnings are good! If I punished that dog for growling he might stop growling. But if he doesn't warn me he is uncomfortable, and I keep making him uncomfortable, he will have to move to his next step of defence and that could be a nasty bite. This is why people say "the bite came without warning". By punishing a growl you are removing the warning

Caring for your dog during cold weather

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind....

Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.

Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.

Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.

Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.

Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.

Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.

Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Health considerations
Just as humans often become more prone to viral infections such as coughs and colds during the winter months, your dog will be more susceptible to them as well. A strong immune system is important in helping your dog to fight off viruses and infections, so make sure that your dog is in tip top health coming into the winter. Consider feeding a vitamin supplement if needed to give your dog an extra boost.

Some medical conditions such as arthritis become much more pronounced during the cold weather, so you should account for this if your dog has any ongoing medical concerns or conditions. Keep them warm, be alert to the signs of pain or discomfort, and talk to your vet if you need a little extra help.

Potential winter toxins
The cold weather is often a hard time for motorists, who have to deal with the problems of iced windscreens, temperamental engines and frozen radiators. Antifreeze becomes a staple in many homes and garages during the winter months, and unfortunately antifreeze is highly toxic to dogs. It also has a sweet smell and taste, meaning that your dog is much more likely to consider drinking it than the majority of other toxins, which can be incredibly dangerous and sometimes fatal.

Never leave open containers of antifreeze lying around, clear up any spills quickly, and keep any and all toxins safely out of reach of your dog (and children).

Elderly dogs
Elderly and mature dogs are much less able to deal with the changing seasons and vagaries of the colder weather than their younger counterparts, and need special care and attention during the winter. Older dogs are unable to regulate their body temperature as effectively as young dogs, so take care to keep your mature dog warm enough at all times.

Issues such as muscle and joint strains caused by walking and playing on hard ground are all amplified in the older dog, and elderly dogs have a tendency to injure more easily. Remember your dog’s age when walking and playing, and make allowances accordingly. Keep an eye on your older dog’s health, wellness and general condition, as they may be more susceptible to winter coughs and colds.

KEEPING YOUR DOG HAPPY DURING THE WET WEATHER!

My dogs go out on an average of between 4 and 6 walks a day during fine weather, but when it's raining, for obvious reasons, the amount of walks they go on and the time they are out is limited....Although I have to say that my husband takes them out regardless of what the weather is like....Where as I am not quite as dedicated as he is when the weather is bad :/
If, like me, you really don't want to keep going through the routine of getting wet through and then spending half an hour drying your dogs off, not to mention cleaning all the mud off them, before allowing them back into the house! Here are some fun indoor exercises for your dog(s) 

If you have a flight of stairs in your home that are safe to go up and down rapidly, you might consider doing a few laps with your dog. If your dog is typical, he will follow you both up and down if you call him to -- if for nothing else than to see what you are doing “up there” and “down there.” If your dog is reluctant, have some training treats on hand to give him when he reaches the top and bottom of the stairway.

If you are not up for running up and down the stairs, (and I have to admit, to me this one sounds more appealing!!) but your dog is the active type that really needs his daily exercise, you can try sitting at the top of the stairway and tossing a ball or toy to the bottom so he can run down to get it and bring it back to you. You may even want to consider switching it up and throwing the ball up the stairs for a bit.

Hide and Go Snack
If your dog needs more of an incentive, you can set up a trail of small treats for him to search out and devour. You will have to lock him in a room, so that he doesn't cheat, while you hide the treats, unless (unlike my 2!) he is super well trained and is happy to sit obediently while you go around hiding the few snacks in strategic locations. I often play this game with my 2 dogs and they love it! 

Other variations on this game may include laying a trail of treats up and down the stairs, or hiding treats in a puzzle toy that releases the treats as the dog plays with the puzzle. Puzzle toys for dogs are a must on our list of toys, in fact, since they are stimulating for both the body and mind. Using his intelligence and sense of smell to search out each and every snack will be exhilarating for your pet -- and you'll have fun watching him do it.

The importance of grooming your dog

Grooming stimulates the skin, lifts out dead hair and allows you to examine your dog for cuts, bruises, and parasites such as ticks, fleas and lice.

Grooming also has an important social dimension for dogs.

In a pack the top-dog will, when he pleases, groom another dog lower in the hierarchy. This behaviour reinforces the top-dog's authority and comforts and soothes the under-dog.

When you groom your puppy you are reminding him, in the nicest possible way, that you are not only his superior but also a trustworthy leader who cares about him and takes responsible for his safety and well being.

Some puppies, if they are a little assertive, will resist grooming because they do not like to be submissive, in this case you should hold the puppy firmly but gently and make him lie still whilst you groom him all over.

Grooming is as much about social status within the pack as about hygiene and you will not be able train a puppy that will not allow you to groom him.

It also strengthens the bond between dog and owner, and grooming for long haired breeds is essential!

Being groomed makes a massive difference to dogs, they seem so much happier, especially if the dog's old.... getting out all their matts make them act like puppies again.

Your dog's health

If a dog shows any of the following signs it is likely to be ill and should be taken to see a vet:

Just seems generally off colour

Not eating

Not drinking

Vomiting and/or diarrhoea

Coughing or difficulty breathing

Discharge from ears, nose or eyes

Excessive scratching

Limping

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Notify your vet immediately about the following symptoms:

    1. Loss of weight or appetite (anorexia)

    2. Coughing, or difficulties breathing

    3. A growth or lump anywhere on the body

    4. An unusual discharge from any body opening

    5. Weakness or reluctance to exercise

    6. An increased thirst and/or urination

    7. Diarrhoea or constipation

    8. Fever, increased heart rate or increased breathing rate

Elderly dogs

Dogs over the age of 7 are considered to be old (geriatric), but this depends a lot on the breed. The life expectancy of an ‘average’ dog is 13 years, however smaller breeds tend to live longer and large breeds significantly less than this. Old age brings many changes; some sudden, others gradual, and you will need to be on the look-out for those that signal serious problems and be prepared to make allowances for those little inconveniences that come with caring for an elderly dog.

When your dog gets old he is likely to have the same problems as old people. They tend to get arthritis and cancer is more common. They can also get heart, liver and kidney disease. Therefore it is even more important your dog has regular health checks by your vet. He might recommend a different diet to help your dog’s ageing body cope better.

10 Rules for being a responsible dog owner

1. My life is likely to last up to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me – it is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as a punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I only have you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I’ve been out in the freezing cold or sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too, will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, “I can’t bear to watch it” or “Let it happen in my absence”. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you!

Keeping your dog cool

Keep your dogs well watered
Dogs need to drink a lot more when it is hot outside. Drinking will help your dog cool down, and enable better heat loss through panting.
Keep your dogs well sheltered.
It is best to allow your dogs access to the house during hot days. The temperature will always be much cooler in the house, because it gets good insulation from our roof and walls. Use air-conditioning and ceiling fans as necessary.
Get a plastic paddling  pool.
Taking a dip in the pool is a great way to cool off during the summer – for people as well as dogs.
Walk your dog earlier in the morning and later in the evening.
In the summer, it gets warm earlier in the morning, and does not cool down until later in the evening. The good news is that it also gets light earlier, and stays light for longer.
Provide a wet towel.
Let your dog lie on a wet towel, this really helps to bring their body temperature down.

Stay off Hot Pavements!

Stay off Hot Pavements!
One major thing that many dog owners overlook when it's sunny out is their dog's feet. Paw pads can be easily burned by hot pavement. Summer heat warms pavements just like a frying pan and if the pavement gets too hot it can burn your dog’s paws. Sand can also get very hot, so use the hand technique to check sandy surfaces too.
Press the back of your hand against the asphalt or concrete for 7 seconds to verify if it will be comfortable for your dog to walk on. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

Recognise the signs of heat exhaustion in dogs

Dogs can succumb to heat stroke very quickly in warm and humid weather because the only way dogs releases heat is by panting and sweating through the foot pads and nose. Prevention is key. Avoid vigorous exercise on hot days, keep your dog hydrated and do not leave him/her alone outside or in a warm space (eg car). That said, if you notice any of these signs in your dog or someone else's, they may be suffering heat stroke....

Vigorous panting
Dark red gums
Dry gums
bloody vomiting or diarrhea
lying down and unwilling or can’t get up
staggering gait
collapse and/or loss of consciousness
thick saliva
seizures
If the dog is suffering heat stroke:

move the dog out of the heat
cool them off with a shower or tap water or place cool wet rags on their footpads and head. Do NOT use ice cold water - this can actually harm the dog further.
offer the dog water but don’t force him/her to drink.
call or visit the vet right away.
Note: Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat especially elderly dogs, overweight dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like Pugs, Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Boxers and even Staffies. Take extreme precautions with these breeds during summer.