| Dogs have long been known as "man's best friend". If | | | | you find evidence of them on your dog. Luckily, |
| you own a dog, you've likely already discovered the | | | | there are a number of very effective flea and tick |
| truth of that statement. Our dogs bring us hours of | | | | medications which are not only safe but easy to use. |
| joy and companionship, provide unconditional love, | | | | These products can help keep your dog free of fleas |
| and ask very little in return. But your dog does rely | | | | and ticks and assist you in keeping your dog healthy |
| on you to provide the care required to keep your | | | | and happy.Keeping your dog free of internal |
| dog healthy, safe, and happy.Fortunately, there are | | | | parasites, frequently called "worms", is another task |
| many simple things you can do to help maintain your | | | | which is necessary to keep your dog healthy. Finding |
| dog's health.One of the most important things you | | | | out whether your dog is infected with worms is as |
| can do for your dog is to make sure your dog is | | | | easy as collecting a small fecal sample to be tested |
| kept up-to-date on all necessary | | | | by your dog's veterinarian. Do not assume that your |
| vaccinations.Vaccinations, often simply called "shots", | | | | dog has no worms because you do not see them in |
| work to protect your dog against many different | | | | the stool. Your dog's veterinarian has special |
| illnesses which could be quite serious, even fatal, for | | | | laboratory techniques which find the worm eggs in |
| your dog should your dog catch these diseases. | | | | your dog's feces. These eggs are too small for you |
| When your dog is fully vaccinated, these diseases no | | | | to be able to see. If your dog's veterinarian finds |
| longer pose a significant threat to your dog. Your | | | | worms in your dog's feces, there are medications |
| dog's veterinarian can easily help you determine which | | | | which can safely and effectively be used to rid your |
| vaccinations your dog needs and how often your | | | | dog of these worms. Your dog's veterinarian can |
| dog needs to be vaccinated. This will vary depending | | | | provide the proper medication for your dog.Besides |
| on your dog's individual lifestyle, your dog's risk of | | | | preventing the birth of unwanted puppies, spaying or |
| exposure, your dog's age, and your dog's previous | | | | neutering your dog has a number of health benefits |
| vaccination history. If you are unsure which | | | | for your dog also.Female dogs that are spayed at a |
| vaccinations your dog needs, or are not sure | | | | young age are less likely to develop breast cancers |
| whether your dog is vaccinated properly, please | | | | later in life and cannot develop the serious, |
| contact your dog's veterinarian at once.Another very | | | | life-threatening uterine infections that unspayed |
| simple thing that you can do for your dog's health is | | | | female dogs frequently suffer from.Neutered male |
| to make sure your dog is protected against | | | | dogs are less likely to develop prostate problems |
| heartworms. Heartworms are, as the name suggests, | | | | later in life. In addition, your dog's personality and |
| worms which live inside of your dog's heart. They | | | | behavior will only improve when spayed or |
| can cause a great deal of damage to your dog's | | | | neutered.Lastly, regular physical examinations by your |
| heart in a very short period of time. Your dog can be | | | | dog's veterinarian can help detect subtle signs of |
| exposed to heartworms very easily through the bite | | | | illness in your dog before the illness becomes serious. |
| of a mosquito.Fortunately, preventing heartworms is | | | | Often, early intervention and treatment can solve |
| easy and safe, through the use of medications which | | | | medical problems even before your dog's health |
| only need to be administered on a monthly basis. If | | | | begins to suffer as a result of them. In some |
| your dog has not previously been tested for | | | | instances, early intervention and treatment may |
| heartworms, a simple blood test performed by your | | | | drastically prolong the life of your dog.Copyright 2006 |
| dog's veterinarian can determine whether or not your | | | | The Pet Med SiteLorie Huston has been a |
| dog is already infected before starting the preventive | | | | veterinarian for over 20 years, working with both |
| medication.Fleas and ticks are another risk to your | | | | dogs and cats. She emphasizes the use of routine |
| dog's health. Both fleas and ticks can cause significant | | | | preventive pet health care to keep your pets healthy |
| health problems for your dog. Your dog can also | | | | and safe. Lorie is the owner, editor, and webmaster |
| carry these insects into your home where they may | | | | of The Pet Med Site where you will find a library of |
| also pose a health threat to you and our family. You | | | | information pertaining to pet health care, including |
| should check your dog's skin and hair coat regularly | | | | free audio recordings describing the secrets to |
| for evidence of fleas and ticks and act immediately if | | | | keeping your dog or cat healthy. |