A dog for a pet and a pal can be a great joy. They provide us with so much, and ask for nothing in return but that we care for them. They require of us food, water, shelter, and, of course, love. Therefore, keeping your dog healthy is a priority. This information is being provided to you to help keep your dog both happy and healthy.

Fleas & Ticks

External parasites are not only extremely annoying to your best friend, but they can also be a healthy hazard. Fleas are thought to be extremely common among dogs, while this true, what you may not understand is that fleas can lead to a variety of health problems. Fleas can carry tapeworm to your dog, they can also cause hair loss, infections of the skin, allergic reactions, and even anemia. Ticks are also a big cause for concern for your dog because they can carry the disease known as Lyme disease, which is a fatal disease to both humans and animals. Another thing to watch for is ear mites, which can be extremely annoying and painful to your dog. It is important to check for and rid your dog of these external parasites regularly if necessary. Even if your dog is an inside, when they are outside relieving themselves or on walks they can become infected by fleas, ticks, and ear mites.

Internal Parasites

Worms are one of the most common infestations of dogs, next to fleas. Tapeworms, whipworms, hookworms, heartworms, and roundworms are all internal parasites to watch for. Worms can cause a great deal of harm to your dog include, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, anemia, and perhaps even death. The worst thing about worms is that most are not noticeable without some sort of stool examination or blood tests. An annual check for worms is necessary for all dogs; this will help in controlling or preventing any infestations.

Disease

There are many diseases that can affect dogs, just as there are with humans. However, some breeds of dogs are more prone to certain diseases than others are. It is important to understand the disease risk of your specific dog breed and watch closely for any signs. Some diseases that effect dogs include:

Canine Distemper ? This is a disease that is bacterial for the most part and will effect the nervous and organ system in the body. For the most part, this disease is fatal, if a dog does survive it will have some form of impairment, which is why vets require vaccination against the disease.

Rabies ? This is generally transmitted from one animal to another via a bite from an infected animal. Rabies is almost always fatal and can be transmitted to humans, vaccination is required against rabies.

Other diseases to watch for include Kennel Cough, Leptospirosis, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Coronavirus, and Canine Parvovirus (Parvo). It is important to watch your dog for any signs of labored breathing, bloody stools, coughing, vomiting, fever, weakness, stiffness, nose or eye discharge, appetite loss, or diarrhea.

Keep Your Pets Vaccinated

A lot of diseases these days can be prevented through vaccinations. If you are starting out with a puppy, be sure to get their first shots done as soon as recommended and follow up as necessary to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Feed Your Dog Properly

Keeping your dog on the right diet, eating the right foods, will keep them active, healthy, and getting the proper nutrition. It is important that you feed the right foods for puppies and adults, as each has a specific make giving the dog exactly what they need during their growing period. You should also make sure you are feeding the dog the right amount of times per day. For example, a puppy will need to be fed more often than an adult dog.

By following these tips, you will keep your dog healthy. Remember, a healthy dog is a happy one.