Keeping your dog healthy : Part 1

First signs of illness
If you dog or puppy isn’t interested in its food or loses weight, you should contact your vet. Any obvious signs of ill health, such as constant scratching, or running eyes or nose should also be investigated by a vet. Puppies with diarrhea can become weak very quickly and should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Adult dogs with the same problem need treatment and possibly a change of diet. Older dogs do not require high protein foods and special dietary foods, available at pet supply store or your veterinary clinic, can be better for them. Ask your vet for advice.

Ears
One of the most vulnerable areas in a dog is its outer ear. If infections are not spotted they can spread to the middle and inner ear and be difficult to treat. It is important to get your puppy or dog used to having its ears examined regularly for signs of soreness or excessive dirt. If your dog has long, floppy ears it is likely to get more infections than breeds with small ears and regular cleaning is important to keep your pet healthy.

Eyes
Regularly wipe the area around your dog’s eyes clean. If your pet’s eyes are watering or are irritated or its tear ducts look blocked, contact your vet, because this can lead to serious eye infections.