Your Veterinarian is the Best Source of Information About All Dog Health Matters

Veterinary examinations are critical to optimum dog health. It is important to keep a detailed medical history and establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship to ensure a long, healthy life for your dog.

Vaccination for rabies is basic to preventive dog health care, and required in most areas. Rabies is a deadly disease, transmitted by saliva, and frequently found in wild animals, such as skunks, foxes, and racoons.

For the health of yourself, your family and neighbors, and your dog, it is essential to keep the rabies vaccination up-to-date. Your veterinarian may recommend other vaccines, such as a combination of distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, coronavirus, or parainfluenza, depending on your dog's activities and expected travel.

Parasite control is another area to discuss with your veterinarian. A stool sample can be tested for the presence of harmful parasites, such as ascarids (roundworms), whipworms, tapeworms and hookworms. Your veterinarian will prescribe treatment if necessary, and may recommend heartworm prevention medication following a negative blood test to determine the existence of heartworms. Many of the new heartworm preventatives also prevent some of the most common intestinal parasites.

Flea control may also be discussed, as there are new products which may be prescribed by veterinarians to control or prevent flea infestation. Veterinarians may prescribe specific diets determined by your dog's needs, and a dental exam is always recommended, to detect periodontal disease, loose or abscessed teeth, receding gums, or other indications which require attention.

In a medical crisis situation, call your veterinarian immediately if you detect any of the following symptoms.