Dog Health Management
Doggy world aim at making Dog parenting an enjoyable process. This can be achieved only when a regular update regarding the care and management of dogs for all the stages is provided to the parents beforehand. Vets at doggy world regularly update the owners regarding the care and management during different Dog stages.
» Care and Health Management of Puppy: Bringing home a new pup is very easy task but making him a part of a family is a very difficult and tedious job. It require a lot of responsibility and care to make him part of the family. Many things need to be taken care of like:
ο Feeding: Like a small child a pup needs to be fed at short intervals. An interval of 4-5 hours is good enough to begin with that is to be increased as the pup grows. The suggested feeding time as per the age is as below:
| Age (Months) | Feeding (No. of Times in a Day) |
| 1-3 | 5 |
| 3-6 | 4 |
| 6-12 | 3 |
| Above 12 | 2 |
Suggested food to begin with-cerelac, curd, porridge, puppy dog food (starter diets), paneer etc.
A pup´s feed should be very different from a child´s feed hence a vet opinion is to be taken for formulating the pups diet. A pup´s diet should be rich in protein and good fats apart from having sufficient energy hence adequate provision should be made to fulfill the need of these nutrients.
Most of the pups cannot digest milk hence it can be avoided in case of problem. Instead curd can be included.
» Water: Fresh water should be available round the clock. It should neither be very chilled nor too hot.
» Grooming: A pup should be kept neat and clean but bathing should be avoided at least till 2- 2.5 months. A sponge with mild antiseptic can be an appropriate option in the young age (dry shampoos available commercially can be used). After 2- 2.5 month pups can be bathed at a gap of every 1 month. To keep pup clean and free from infection regular brushing or combing is a must. Once in a while flea comb should be used to check flea infestation. Antiseptic/antimicrobial dusting powders can be used to check skin affection/allergy but a thorough brushing is required so as to prevent the blockage of the pores of sebaceous glands. For hairy breed timely trimming of hair is required to keep hair coat in good health. Trimming of hair from the front of eyes will prevent eye problems. The grown up puppy (especially short hair) should be massaged to improve the skin health. The shampoo with insecticidal agents should only be used on special recommendation of the vets since they may deteriorate skin health if used on healthy skin.
Doggy World provide facilities for dry grooming during the period for which bathing is not recommended.
» Bedding: Provide him with a space of his own in the form of kennel, baskets or just a small wooden box depending upon the season. Right from the very first day he must identify where he is supposed to sleep. To make him acquainted with his bedding put his toys and chewing objects on his bed.
Doggy World´s Dog shop provides a wide range of beds to choose from. Even water proof beds are available which are best during the toilet training period.
» House preparation: Before bringing the pup home prepare the house to make sure that the house is ready for the puppy. Clean the house of any and every small and big items that could be hazardous for the pup let it be small cacti or thorned indoor plants or poisonous things like rat kill, mosquito mats, paints, varnish, insecticides even nails, sharp objects and low lying electricity lines etc. By picking some toxic substance the pup´s life could be in danger.
» Security: Pups should be kept in a secured place wherein the chances of theft, accidents and poisoning are nil. Young pups have a habit of scavenging everything. Also they love to run away from home to explore the outside world. These conditions can turn to be very serious for the pup. Also there remains a possibility of road accident, as pups may not have road sense. At the same time, pup should not be kept locked in a room or crowded messy place. A over restrained pup will not grow as a healthy and disciplined dog.
» Supplementation: To cope up with the growth requirement the Dog needs diet rich in minerals (especially Ca & P), vitamins and fatty acids. If diet is low in these elements additional supplementation is recommended to fulfill the need.
Suggested supplements:
» Multivitamins
» Liver tonics
» Calcium tonics
Doggy World´s pharmacy has different brands of all supplements and tonics to choosen from depending upon the pup´s requirement.
» Vaccination: The pup should be duly vaccinated for all the important diseases which could otherwise be life threatening. Vaccination should start as early as 40- 42 days. The vaccination schedule can be procured from the vet and should be strictly followed. The major diseases from which the dog is to be protected are Parvo virus, Canine distemper, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, Infectious canine hepatitis and Corona virus infection. The vaccination schedule is to be annually repeated after the initial shots. The vaccines are very safe if given in a stress free and healthy animal.
Doggy world provide registration for the annual Vaccinations that should be done as per the prescribed schedule.
» Training - The first thing to be taught to the pup is potty training. For this pup should be taken to the place where you want him to ease early in the morning and after every meal. Do not take the pup back until he has eased but take him back as soon as he has eased. Within 15 days pup would recognize the place and time of easing himself. The potty training will only be successful if the feeding time and feeding quantity of the pup is fixed.
Doggy World´s Dog shop also has puppy diapers in case they needed to be taken out to the guests place.
» Exercise - A pup should start with a gentle exercise at home. Outdoor exercise should be avoided till he is properly vaccinated. This may finally take the shape of a rigorous exercise when he approaches adult hood. The transition phase should be simultaneous so that undue pressure on the joints and muscles is prevented. An exercise in the soil surface is always better than the exercise in a hard surface.
» Prevention from ectoparasites - Pups may catch ectoparasites (Ticks, Lice & Fleas) from their environment. Hence it should be ensured that the place where pup is kept or taken should be free from ectoparasitic infestation.
» Exposure to infectious diseases - Certain serious infectious diseases may be transmitted to the Dog in the company of infected dogs. Hence until complete vaccination is over pups should not be kept in the company of other dogs.
» Maintenance during Growth: This is the hassle free stage of the Dog´s life where the Dog is in the prime of its life. He is most active and healthy during this phase. But to maintain this phase for the longer time, delay the aging process and reduce the chances of diseases in older ages lot of management during this phase is needed. For the same the vets help in formulating special diets and exercise regimen during this phase.
ο Exercise: This is most important during the maintenance phase. Exercise requirement varies according to the breed, season, age etc. so a close contact with the vet is needed during this phase.
ο Diet: ApDogite normally reduces considerably during this phase of life so a careful combination of all the essential nutrients need to be maintained. Even slight deficiency fastens the aging process and complicates the later stages of life.
At Doggy World we help in formulation the diets according to the Dog´s age and health.
» Tendency of obesity start during this stage of life so proper rationing is a must.
» Proper balance of the exercise and diet is must to maintain the proper health of the Dog.
» Prevention from ectoparasites - Dogs in their active life love to play around in grassy areas and socialize with other Dogs. This increases the chances of Dogs getting ticks and other ectoparasites. Prevention of them is always good as they transmit many diseases.
Doggy World´s grooming parlour help in removing different parasites and also help in preventing new parasites from coming back.
» Sexual Maturity also occurs during this phase leading to many temperamental changes in the Dogs. Patiently handling them with care and affection while understanding the need during this stage of life.
» Senior Citizen (aged animal) Management : As Dogs become senior citizen there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they face like weight and mobility problems, osteoarthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; tumors and cancers; hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalance; and many others.
» It is important for the owner to know when his Dog is called a senior dog. Some small dog breeds may be considered senior at 10-13 years, while giant breeds are classified as seniors at ages as young as five. Your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your Dog reaches the golden years.
» Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps Dog owners can take to keep their Dogs in perfect shape. It is recommended that healthy senior dogs should visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete examination and laboratory testing. At least the following tests are recommended at the :
» Complete Blood Count: This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a given sample of blood. It helps diagnose anemia, infections and leukemia.
» Urine analysis: Assists the veterinarian in the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and many other conditions.
» Blood-Chemistry Panel: It measures electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium and phosphorous. This information helps your veterinarian determine how various organs, such as kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are functioning.
» Parasite Evaluation: Microscopic examination of your Dog´s feces can provide information about many different kinds of diseases, and confirms the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and giardia.
The regular Veterinary examination is one of the best steps of owners to know about their canine. Senior dog needs examination in every six months. The following test is recommended:
ο Complete Blood Count: To measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a given sample of blood. It helps diagnose anemia, infections and leukemia.
ο Urine Analysis: In the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and many other conditions.
ο Blood-Chemistry Panel: It measures electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium and phosphorous. This information helps to determine how various organs, such as kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are functioning.
ο Parasite Evaluation: An examination of your Dog´s feces can provide information about many different kinds of diseases, and confirms the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and giardia.
Doggy World provides facilities for all sorts of blood, chemical and parasitic examinations.
Depending on individual Dog´s condition and other factors, other tests and assessments might be recommended. These include heartworm tests; blood pressure evaluation; urine protein evaluation; cultures; imaging such as x-rays, ultrasound, and echocardiography; electrocardiography, and special ophthalmic evaluations, among others.
With the senior years comes a general "slowing down" in Dogs. This loss of sensory perception often is a slow, progressive process, and it may even escape your notice.
The best remedy for gradual sensory reduction is to keep your Dog active-playing and training are excellent ways to keep their senses sharp.
Dogs may also be affected mentally as they age. Regular senior health exams can help catch and treat these problems before they control your Dog´s life.
As the body wears out, its ability to respond to infection is reduced, and the healing process takes longer. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian if you notice a significant change in behavior or the physical condition of your Dog.
Various signs which needs to be informed to the veterinarian are:
» Sustained, significant increase in water consumption or urination
» Sudden weight loss or gain
» Significant decrease or increase in apDogite
» Repeated vomiting or diarrhea lasting over three days
» Difficulty in passing stool or urine
» Change in housebreaking
» Lameness lasting more than five days
» Noticeable decrease in vision
» Open sores or scabs on the skin that persist for more than one week
» Foul mouth odor or drooling that lasts more than two days
» Increasing size of the abdomen
» Increasing inactivity or amount of time spent sleeping
» Hair loss
» Excessive panting
» Inability to chew dry food
» Blood in stool or urine
» Sudden collapse or bout of weakness
» Seizure (convulsion)
» Persistent coughing or gagging
ο Nutrition: Aging dogs generally eat less so it could be helpful to divide up the meals into two or three meals. Try a morning/evening schedule or a breakfast, lunch and dinner. Timed feedings have the added benefit of increasing the metabolism, which will help her maintain her ideal weight.
ο Exercise: Exercise is yet another aspect of preventive geriatric care for your Dogs. You should definitely keep them going as they get older if they are cooped up or kept lying down, their bodies will deteriorate much more quickly. You may want to ease up a bit on the exercise with an arthritic or debilitated cat or dog. Otherwise, you should keep them as active mentally and physically as possible in order to keep them sharp.
» Management during Summers: Summer is worst season for the Dogs. Their normal body temperature is very high in the range of 101- 102O F. Even a slight rise in the temperature can cause serious problems.
» Fresh water should always be available to avoid dehydration
» Do not leave your dog unsupervised for long hours in the summer heat. So keep your Dog out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
» Long hair dog should trimmed short to brave through the summer but make sure not to shave the Dog completely as it lead to many skin infections. Hair thinning can also be done in heavy haired dogs.
Doggy World´s grooming parlour has facility for dog trimming by machines to maintain their looks and also provide facilities for different summer special baths to pamper them during these days.
» Extra care needs to be taken on humid days. Humidity interferes with animals' ability to rid them of excess body heat
» Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days.
» Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can't pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat
» Dry eye condition is very common in dogs like pugs. Do not take the canine out during the day. Regularly administer eye drops to avoid drying.
» Never leave a dog unattended in a closed area like car with closed windows as even 15 minutes in such place can be life threatening.
» Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Consult a vet immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body.
» Signs of Heatstroke
» Panting
» Staring and anxious expression
» Refusal to obey commands
» Warm, dry skin
» High fever & rapid heartbeat
» Vomiting
» Collapse
» Care and Management during Winters :
» Take your animals for a winter check-up before winter starts the veterinarian can check to make sure they don't have any medical problems that will make them more vulnerable to the cold
» Winter clothes ranging from t shirts, sweat shirts, jackets, coats, blankets, beddings, dog houses etc is a must during this season to keep them in comfortable condition.
Doggy World´s Dog shop has a complete range of winter wear i.e. sweaters, jackets, t shirts, coats etc. also available is a wide range of beds and blankets.
» Keep the Dogs inside as much as possible when the mercury drops. If at all it has to be left outside for a significant length of time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water.
» Very young and very old animals are more vulnerable to the cold. Animals that are not in good health shouldn't be exposed to winter weather for a long period of time.
» Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can compromise a Dog's ability to regulate her own body heat.
» Keep an eye on your Dog's water. Animals that don't have access to clean, unfrozen water are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters.
» Be particularly gentle with elderly and arthritic Dogs during the winter. The cold can leave their joints extremely stiff and tender. Make sure they have a thick, soft bed in a warm room for the chilly nights.
» Watch the Dog for signs of discomfort during exercise. If they whine, shiver, seem anxious, slow down or stop moving, they should be brought in.
» You can also keep an eye out for two serious conditions caused by cold weather:
» Frostbite & hypothermia. Frostbite is less common and happens due to reduce blood supply to the extremities in extreme cold. In such cases bring the Dog into a warm environment. Wrap the dog in blanket and see a veterinarian.
» Hypothermia, or a body temperature that is below normal, is a condition that occurs when an animal is not able to keep the body temperature from falling below normal. It happens when an animal stays for long in cold temperatures, or when poor health animal is exposed to cold. In mild cases, animals will shiver and show signs of depression, lethargy, and weakness. As the condition progresses, an animal's muscles will stiffen, her heart and breathing rates will slow down, and she will stop responding to stimuli. It is necessary to consult a veterinarian when you observe the signs as this condition can be fatal.
» General Grooming Management : One of the major benefits of a regular grooming regimen is that the owner becomes familiar with the Dog's body. This allows the owner to quickly recognize problems with his health leading to early therapeutic attention
ο Brushing:
» The Dogs need to be brushed out to make sure there are no tangles or matting.
» Brushing removes dead hair and skin, spreads out natural oils in their coat, and helps keep off the bad odor
» During shedding seasons, increase the brushing frequency as needed to remove the excess dead hair
» A Dog´s minimum brushing needs depend on hair type
- Long-haired dogs usually require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling of hair.
- Medium-haired dogs may be prone to matting and tangles and should be brushed at least weekly
- Short-haired dogs can typically go up to a month in-between brushing.
Doggy World´s Dog shop provides different type of brushes and grooming equipments to take care of different hair type.
» Hair Cutting:
» Dogs with continuously growing hair, such as the Poodle or Shih Tzu, typically needs their hair cut every 2-4 weeks depending on the breed of the dog and the style of the cut.
» Dogs with shorter coats like spitz, cocker spanial, german shepherd etc. need seasonal cutting. In summers their coat need to be trimmed short.
Doggy World´s grooming parlour has facility for dog trimming by machines to maintain their looks and give them different styles.
ο Bathing:
» Dogs need to be bathed not more than once a month
» It is best to bathe the dog only when its coat becomes greasy. Dog odor is also a sign that your dog needs a bath.
» Do not bathe puppies younger than 8 wks. Very young puppies can be rinsed with plain water. Avoid using shampoos on them. The puppy should be at least 3 months old, if the owner chooses to use a flea and tick shampoo on the puppy.
» It should be noted that puppies should not be bathed anymore than once a month.
» An adult dog should be bathed not more than twice a month.
» Be careful not to get water and shampoo in the ears, eyes and mouth when bathing the Dog. Put cotton balls in the Dog's ears to help prevent water from getting in the ear canal.
Doggy World´s grooming parlour has facility for different types of baths ranging from herbal bath, conditioning bath, anti-tick bath, fungal bath etc. We even have facility for sauna bath.
ο Foot Care:
» It is necessary to make sure the fur between Dog´s toes and pads do not become matted or infected. Regular trimming is necessary in such cases.
» Trimming of nails should be done every few weeks. Trim only the hook of the nail.
» Cut the nails until you see a dark circle appearing in the center of the nail to avoid bleeding.
» Dewclaws trimming prevents the claw curl up and pinch the skin
Doggy World´s grooming parlour has facility for plain nail cutting and manicure pedicure- each procedure is done under the strict supervision of professionals
ο Teeth Cleaning:
» Approximately 80 percent of all three-year-old cats and dogs show some sign of periodontal disease, characterized by a build-up of plaque and tarter on their teeth above and below the gum line. This can lead to gum infection and tooth loss.
» For information on cleaning your Dog's teeth, consult the vet at doggy world. In addition to the home care, the yearly dental check-ups on the dog should be done by the vet.
» After a particular age regular scaling under vets supervision is a must. It also helps in elongating the life span of the dog.
Doggy World´s dental clinic is fully equipped with ultrasonic scalar and polisher to professionally take care of the dental hygiene. Dental scaling and polishing is recommended every six month after attaining a particular age.
ο Ear cleaning:
» Your Dog´s ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast if not kept clean. Ear problems can often be traced back to genetics. Dogs with floppy ears or long hair tend to be predisposed to ear problems because the ear canal simply does not have as much air exposure.
» Regularly pick up the Dog´s ear flaps and examine the inside. Make sure that they are a healthy pink color. If everything looks good, wipe the outer flap of the ear with a cotton ball, being careful not to touch any part of the ear that you cannot easily see.
» If you notice any symptoms (sensitivity to touch; brown, black, or yellow discharge; foul odor; shaking or continuously tilting head; or circling in one direction) take your Dog to the veterinarian to have his ears examined.
» Another option for cleaning the ears is to use a liquid ear cleanser. The cleansers could cause severe damage if your Dog has an inner ear infection or if something has damaged his ear drum.
Doggy World´s clinic takes care of the ear hygiene, ranging from normal wax removal to pus debridement following proper examination using sophisticated equipments like otoscope
ο Eye Care:
» Be extremely careful with your Dog's eyes during all parts of the grooming process. You might consider applying protection, ointment or drops, to your little buddy's eyes before bathing.
» Dogs and cats have very sensitive eyes, and soap-even "tearless" soap-can damage their corneas.
» Trim away any hair that is falling into your animal's eyes so that it doesn't inflict damage. Make sure to use blunt scissors when trimming the hair close to their eyes to minimize the chance of injury.
Doggy World´s clinic is equipped with opthalmoscope for the proper examination of internal parts of eye so that even a slight problem can be detected as early as possible
ο Tips to remember while grooming your Dog:
» Never punish the Dog for not responding to the grooming schedule.
» Never let your Dog mistake grooming tools as toys. Don't let it play with brush or clippers because otherwise Dog will start treating grooming session as play time.
» Never hit your Dog with a grooming tool else Dog will start associating grooming tool with punishment and will try to avoid grooming session.
» Start grooming from an early age. That way Dog will get use to grooming easily
» Care and management of pregnant and lactating Dogs : Pregnancy and lactation are the phases when extra care has to be done. For the proper development of the fetus and subsequently babies the extra care is needed
During pregnancy owner should ensure
ο Vaccination: Make sure her vaccination for distemper, parvovirus and heDogisis is up to date as this will ensure she passes on some immunity to the pups. This will give them some resistance to these diseases until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves.
ο Feeding: Her apDogite will increase dramatically especially in the last three weeks of pregnancy. You may need to feed her 2-3 times a day because late in pregnancy there isn't room in her stomach for a large meal. Ensure the diet is high in protein, vitamins and energy by supplementing if required. Also taper off exercise as whelping (labour in dogs) approaches. Calcium supplement in the last week of pregnancy and the first couple of weeks of feeding is also very important.
ο Worming: Worms get passed on through the placenta and milk, therefore it is important to deworm regularly against roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. As a thumb rule, deworm your bitch two weeks before whelping and again two weeks after.
ο Whelping Area: Prepare a clean, dry, warm and quiet area for whelping. Bedding should be changed daily although the bitch will clean up most of the puppies mess herself in the first two weeks. Be aware that by about 3 weeks the pups are very mobile and the area will need to be cleaned every day.
ο Bathing: Bath her carefully before whelping as she can´t be bathed immediately afterwards. Longhaired dogs should also be clipped around the backend and abdomen.
» During lactation owner should ensure:
ο Feeding: Special attention needs to be given during this time as they feed the pups. Protein rich diet needs to be given during this phase. For proper milking high calcium and multivitamins need to be supplemented that can be done with proper vets consultation.
ο Behavior change: Post delivery the female becomes very possessive for the pups because of which it can even attack the strangers and lesser known people. Special care needs to be done in this phase for which continuous tips from the veterinarian needs to be taken.
ο Uterine Infections: They are very common in case of complicated parturition. Even a slight infection can lead to fatal problems for the pups that are on mother milk. The infection gets transferred to the pups. Veterinarian advice is must to prevent and treat these complications.
» Care and Health Management of Chronic Diseases : There are certain chronic diseases that are more of a managemental problem. Some of such diseases are:
» Liver problems.
» Kidney and urinary problems.
» Cardiac problems.
» Hormonal problems.
They can be treated only up to a certain limit and the rest can be achieved only by proper management. These diseases can be managed by proper diet and certain precautions for which a close consultation with the vet is needed.
» Management of Skin problems : Skin is the first line of defense that protects the dog and act as the barrier for various skin ailments. Skin is one of the most important organ and requires good care. Even a slight negligence can lead to big problems. General tips for maintaining good skin condition:
» Daily brushing of dog with a suitable brush/comb to remove dead hair and keep hair coat shiny.
» Regularly check for Ectoparasites (Ticks, Fleas, Lice) as their control is very important to keep a Dog healthy. These ectoparasites apart from deteriorating the physical health condition can transmit various diseases. Apart from Dog, the environment should be freed from the ectoparasites.
» Maintenance of proper hygiene is most important in keeping the Dog healthy. This can be achieved by cleaning of the paws regularly by dry cloth or wipes especially after walks.
» Bathing should not be done very frequently as it removes the essential oils from the body leading to dryness. Occasional bath as per vet´s advice with a suitable dog shampoo should be done to maintain skin hygiene and check skin infection.
» In case of any skin affections, the frequency of bath can be increased as per the vets advice.
» Bath should be given only with the dog shampoo as it is friendly to the Dog´s skin.
» In normal skin condition, only mild shampoos without chemical agents to be used.
» Medicated (antifungal, antidandruff, anti tick) bath to be given in case of specific problem.
» Ear should be plugged with cotton for bathing to avoid entry of froth or water in the ear canal.
» Eye, mouth and nostrils should not be exposed to shampoo or soap.
» After bath the dog should be completely dried with the help of cotton towel or drier.
» Dogs should be massaged daily with finger tips or with massage glove to improve circulation and remove dust.
» Dogs should be brushed or combed daily with an appropriate brush/comb.
» Hair matting should be gently removed with the help of brush or the hair clipper.
Doggy World´s grooming parlour run various hygiene packages that take care of the complete grooming aspect of the dog grooming and hygiene.
