You either have welcomed or will shortly welcome your new Havanese puppy into your home. She will adore you completely. You will be a hero simply for coming home from work. More importantly, your new Havanese puppy will trust you completely. Her wellbeing is entirely in your hands. In addition to providing her with food, water and attention, you know you want to do whatever it takes to keep her happy and healthy. Some health promotion measures are things you would want to do for any puppy. Other health promotion measures come with the extra fur on the Havanese.

What questions will you want to ask your Havanese breeder before you commit to the purchase of a particular animal? What simple, regular routines will you undertake to ensure your Havense's continued good health? What are the signs of health problems in any dog? What are the signs of particular Havanese health problems?

No one likes to think about it, but sometimes our beloved pets are injured-hit by a car or bicycle. Many dog owners are unprepared for emergencies, don't know how to find emergency care for their pet, and may not even have a regular veterinarian. Arranging emergency care for your Havanese, should it ever be needed, need not take you by surprise.

Common Havanese health problems include cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), dislocated kneecaps (luxating patellas), ear infections, poodle-eye, and dry skin. None of these problems is life threatening. Knee problems in the Havanese lead to bow-leggedness. Cataracts and retinal atrophy can lead to early blindness.

Luckily, Havanese breeders regularly test their stock of sires, dams and puppies for these disorders. The Havanese Club of America recommends breeders perform annual examinations of eyes, knees and hips, and hearing for their dogs. Eye test results are registered with Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and knee and hip tests with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). An honest breeder should be able to provide you with the results concerning your Havanese.

Be sure that you have a regular veterinarian for your Havanese's health care. As part of regular veterinary care, your Havanese puppy should receive vaccinations against common animal diseases and examinations for parasites such as worms and ear mites.

You are the first line of defense against Havanese health problems. You should keep an eye on your Havanese and notice any changes in behavior or appearance. An animal that is usually lively and playful who becomes dull and listless may be unwell. A loss of appetite or weight may also signal illness. Regularly check your Havanese's coat for fleas and ticks. A mass under the skin may be a sign of an abscessed wound and should receive prompt veterinary care.

Some pet owners forget to take their pet for regular veterinary checkups. Don't do this to your new Havanese. Additionally, be sure to keep your veterinarians contact information handy in case you need emergency care for your Havanese. You can also take your Havanese to the nearest emergency pet clinic. Additionally, many pet supply super stores have an on site veterinarian