Medical Treatments for Dogs
Our canine companions need regular medical treatment to maintain a long and healthy life. Dogs should be taken to the veterinarian every six months for wellness checkups as well as receive immunizations on a regular basis and preventative care. Your dog will be happy and safe and so will you be, knowing you've provided him with the appropriate medical treatment.
-
Wellness Checks
-
Puppies should be checked by a vet soon after being brought home from the breeder or adopted from an animal shelter. Dogs grow older faster than humans, so six months is a much longer time for them than for us. Knowing what's normal for your dog is important in spotting problems. After you've been to the vet, check over your dog so you know what he looks like when he's healthy. Check his ears, eyes and teeth. Rub your hands over his joints, tummy and legs. Do this once a month to get to know your dog when he's healthy.
Immunizations
-
The most important immunization and the one that is legally required is to prevent rabies. Rabies is invariably fatal if contracted. It is also contagious among animals and between animals and humans. According to the American Animal Hospital Association of America, core immunizations prevent diseases that are serious, life threatening or contagious such as distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and rabies.
Non-core diseases are immunizations that may be necessary depending on where you live and how you live with your dog. For example, if your dog is often kenneled with other dogs such as in an overnight facility or visits the off-leash dog park on a regular basis, it may be a good idea to give him a Bordetella vaccination. Location specific immunizations include those against Lyme disease and rattlesnake bite.
Preventative Care
-
Many diseases can be prevented or caught early in dogs just as in humans. Keeping your pooch at a healthy weight helps prevents diabetes, heart problems and arthritis. Medical treatments such as heart worm medicines help prevent heart worms. Flea and tick treatments obviously prevent flea and tick infestation, but also complications from bites such as infection or diseases spread by the insects. Brushing your dog's teeth helps prevent the buildup of tarter, plaque and gum disease. Even so, it may be necessary for a professional medical treatment of teeth cleaning under general anesthesia. Gently cleaning ears prevents ear infections.
Illness
-
Dogs can't tell us when they're sick, they can only show us. If your dog stops eating, drinking or changes his elimination habits, it could be a warning sign. Other warning signs include hiding, cowering and mood changes. Scratching or licking an area or avoiding having that area touched may be a problem. Unusual changes such as swelling, bumps, hair loss or fluid discharges could mean a disease and require medical treatment.
There are treatments now for many chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancers, infections, diabetes, Cushings disease and more. The treatments range from surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and drugs.
The most common medical treatments for dogs based on dog health insurance claims include ear infections, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, urinary tract infections, conjunctivitis, skin infections and pyoderma.
-
