CARE OF SENIOR DOG

Veterinary care for older dogs:-


The healthier we can keep a dog when he is young, the more likely he will be healthy as he grows older. His vaccinations, deworming, nutrition, dental care and parasite control will have a direct effect on his current health.



1. Physical examination – Older dogs should be checked thoroughly and regularly at least twice a year. You must tell your veterinarian about any conditions you have observed and evaluated. You can ask your veterinarian during an examination if you have any queries.



Physical examination should include following:-



a. Oral and dental examination – It should include an examination of mouth, teeth, gums, tongue and throat.



b. Ophthalmic exam – Routine procedure may include eye examination for any initial signs of cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye.



c. Rectal exam – It is an important part of a physical examination for a dog. Vet will examine the inner pelvic area, lymph nodes, prostate gland and urinary system parts.



d. Hair and coat – Your vet will check for the skin, coat and hair condition.



e. Parasites – it should include an examination of the skin and ears for any sign of external parasites. A fecal examination should be done to find out any internal parasite, if present.



f. Vaccinations – It is important to keep your dog up-to-date on his vaccinations as the older dogs have less immunity towards infectious diseases.



g. Blood test – The blood should be tested for hemogram, liver function test, kidney function test, etc.



h. Blood Bio-chemistry – These tests will include the evaluation of various chemicals, enzymes, proteins, hormones and different electrolytes.



i. Radiographs – the chest and abdomen radiographs are useful to find out any signs of disease.



j. Diagnostic tests – Different diagnostic tests like endoscopy, ultrasound and electro surgery can be used to diagnose any heath problem.

k. Pain management – Pain killers can be used in older dogs to make them comfortable.

DOG - POST -OPERATIVE

These dogs are ready to go back to their locality after sterilization and vaccination.

CANINE DISTEMPER - SYMPTOMS

Distemper in dogs is caused by a virus and is most prevalent in the spring and fall months.
Vaccination against distemper in pups and dogs is the best defense.
symptoms -
Early signs and symptoms of dog distemper - fever, loss of appetite, eye inflammation, temperature above 103 degree F, depression, nasal discharge, Conjunctivitis.
symptoms when the intestinal tract is affected - vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy
symptoms when CDV affects the lungs and upper respiratory tract - coughing, sneezing, vomiting, green discharge from nostril, diarrhea, cough, labored breathing, fever
symptoms the brain and spinal cord are affected by virus - secondary bacterial infections, seizures, muscle incoordination, uncontrollable muscle twitch, hard pad disease,
depression, partial or incomplete paralysis, deterioration of mental abilities

PARVO SYMPTOMS IN PUP

common symptoms

1. Diarrhoea - The first and most distinctive symptom of parvo is diarrhoea which is bloody watery waste and with a very foul odor. While diarrhea is a symptom of many other diseases, it is better to be sure.

2. Dehydration - If your pet has diarrhea, dehydration will follow. If your dog sends out waste more than it takes in fluids, the effects of dehydration can be lethal.
3. Lethargy - Dogs that don’t like to run, exercise, and play around the house are probably sick. You can save your dog’s life if you act fast on any visible symptoms.
4. Vomiting - This symptom, when combined with the other symptoms, can be caused by parvo.
5. Loss of appetite  - A dogs that is not feeling well won’t want to touch its food. When your dog has skipped a meal or two, it’s time for you to be concerned.
6. Bloody discharges - This is the worst symptom to see in your pet, because the disease has taken over most of your dog’s body. At this point, dog parvo may be on its crucial stage and if your dog is three months or younger, it may not make it through this disease.
7. High fever - Bloody discharges and high fever usually go together. These two symptoms indicate that your dog is suffering from a severe infection.
If you see any one of these  parvo symptoms in your pet, take it to the veterinarian for further diagnosis and immediate attention.

PARVO VIRAL FACTS

A lot of pet owners think that parvo is such a very rare disease. Actually, it isn’t that rare. All dogs are prone to this disease, especially if they are exposed to the risk factors. If you have a dog, it isn’t enough to be informed about the disease. You also have to send your dog to the vet for the necessary vaccines.

A dog protected from parvo doesn’t necessarily mean that it is totally free from the virus itself. The dog can still be a carrier of the disease, without anyone else knowing about it. The most common way to transmit dog parvo is through sniffing, licking, or getting in contact with the feces of a dog that may have it.

When it comes to the dog parvo disease, prevention is always better than a cure. Dog parvo is a condition that can end your dog’s life. It is the dreaded disease that any breeder or pet owner doesn’t want their pets to suffer from. Dog parvo is much more easily prevented than treated. This is because the moment your pet acquires the disease, the chances are high that it may not survive.

Dog parvo is the most lethal to smaller and younger dogs. Even worse is the fact that these dogs are not qualified for immunization, and the antibodies found in their mother’s milk are not sufficient enough to ward off this infectious virus. As such, younger dogs affected by this disease could die within days from the time that their symptoms show.

so, dont wait for the things to happen. Take your pup to Vet and get all the information about vaccines and get your dog vaccinated annually to keep it protected.

WHEN TO VACCINATE THE PUP

I generally recommend that you should NOT vaccinate against rabies:

Puppies younger than 3 months

A pet that has reacted adversely to vaccination in the past

A sick pet, especially a dog with cancer or an autoimmune disease

Before, during or after surgery, chemotherapy or other major medical procedure

DOG BITE CASES

what to do after a dog bite -
# Firstly, the wound should be wiped clean of any saliva. The cloth used should be discarded and care should be taken, not to touch the saliva. Instead, the wound should be washed well with soap and running water.


# After drying, the wound should not be closed if it is a puncture wound, but it may be covered with a dry dressing if there is a cut or laceration.
# The person should be taken to the doctor immediately.


# Since there is a chance of being infected with tetanus, the doctor will administer an injection containing tetanus vaccine.


# The dog should not be killed, but should be kept under observation for 10-15 days to see whether it develops symptoms of rabies. If it does not develop symptoms within 10 days, then chances are that it is not infected by rabies. There have been cases reported where the dog does not show symptoms of rabies, but still carried the virus. That is why it is important to ask the owner, whether the dog has been vaccinated and whether it has been behaving normally. In every case, a dog bite should be judged by its own merits. As per WHO recommendations, it is better to take the course of anti-rabies treatment to provide immunity against the disease.

vaccination for your dog

Vaccinations are a very important part of dog ownership. Your dog should be properly vaccinated against certain diseases at certain times to help protect him and other animals he may come in to contact with. The following is an explanation of vaccinations and why they should be given.

When you get a puppy, your veterinarian will most likely recommend a series of three sets of vaccinations. These will generally be given at four week intervals starting at eight weeks of age. The first vaccine will most likely be referred to as “distemper.” This is usually a combination shot that will protect your dog against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and coronavirus.

At your second visit (or at age 12 weeks), booster shot will be given to the first vaccine.
At age 16 weeks, your dog can be vaccinated for Rabies. Rabies is usually transmitted to dogs through saliva - most often in the form of a bite from an infected animal. Rabies affects all warm blooded animals but is most often found in bats, skunks, and raccoons. Rabies is always fatal.Check with your veterinarian on how often this immunization is recommended as protocols may vary.
By properly vaccinating your dog, you are helping to ensure both his safety and the safety of other pets and humans.

Anti-Rabies Vaccination in pets - Mandatory and useful

Vaccination against rabies is mandatory and you can do it starting the age of three months.
The second vaccination of the dog is necessary once every year with the same type of vaccine, in order to avoid your dog contact the diseases above mentioned.

For cats, vaccination starts when they reach six-eight weeks, because they too have natural protection from the mother in their body up to that point. The second mandatory vaccination is necessary when your cat reaches the age of ten - twelve weeks, then every year.
vaccination schedule:
5 weeks old : Puppy DP vaccination
8 weeks old: 9 in 1 vaccine
10 weeks old: vaccine against corona viruses
12 weeks old: 9 in 1 vaccine
14 weeks old: vaccine against corona viruses
You cannot keep the puppy in the same place with another animal, excepting the siblings, even if that other pet is worm free and vaccinated, and under no circumstances, you must not keep the dog in a place where an animal has died.
You cannot transport the puppy in extreme temperature or humid conditions.
When the puppy becomes an adult, it must receive the second vaccination. Ask your vet how often your dog must be vaccinated and what exactly types of vaccines must it get.

Vets recommend that your dogs should get vaccination every year, throughout their entire life.

pet insurance - necessary

Is Pet Insurance Necessary?
Learn about pet insurance, including the types of policies and whether it makes sense for you.
Pet health insurance is becoming more and more popular. pet insurance can be expensive. Before you buy, consider the various policies available, the cost, and what kind of care your pet is likely to need.
Can I sue the vet for malpractice?
Why so much? Health care costs have increased dramatically in recent years, in part because vets use more sophisticated diagnostic tools (MRIs and CAT scans, for example). These tools, which are pricey in themselves, detect problems that require further treatment. And those treatments, which now include such previously unavailable procedures as radiation and kidney transplants, are expensive.
Types of Policies
Several companies offer pet insurance these days, with a large variety of policy types and premium levels.
“Safety” plans. The cheapest policies cover only treatment for injuries, such as broken bones and bee stings.
“Wellness” plans. Wellness plans include routine care, such as physicals and vaccinations. Some experts say that the premiums, deductibles, and copays for these plans usually cost a bit more than paying out-of-pocket. Of course, if your pet gets injured, such a plan may save you money.
Comprehensive plans. On the pricier side, some policies cover a broad range of treatments, from cancer medications to acupuncture.
HMOs. HMOs for pets work like HMOs for humans. The pet owner pays a monthly fee. If the pet is treated by a vet participating in the HMO, the vet submits the insurance paperwork and gets reimbursed directly (if the services are covered by the plan). The downside to an HMO: it may limit your choice of vet, as many don’t participate in HMO plans.
Policy Exclusions and Limits
In addition to premiums, consider the coverage exclusions, limits, and other costs that are common to pet insurance plans:
Copayments -- for example, the plan may cover only 50% of treatment costs.
Annual and lifetime caps -- once you go over the cap, you pay out-of-pocket.
Exclusions for pre-existing problems, medicines, dental care, and other things.
Exclusions for hereditary conditions -- often, coverage does not include health problems that commonly occur in certain breeds
Benefit schedules -- the insurance company often sets limits on how much it will pay for a certain procedure.

free anti-rabies vaccination camp

free ARV camp was conducted by jeevashram on World Rabies Day - September 28, 2008. we vaccinated 150 dogs on that day. we educated school children and other people abour Rabies. i think it was a great effort from us.