Is Your Dog Healthy

Is Your Dog Healthy

Here at DogLoversAlley we want your pet to be healthy. We want you to be aware of certain things about your dog. We also know that you are probably aware of these things, but, it doesn't hurt to refresh our memories.
While I was reading up on the information to pass along to you, I learned a thing or two that I didn't know before I started to write this article.
One of the main and probably the most common problem that we encounter with our pets is parasites.
Fleas! Ticks! Ear mites! Heartworm! Sarcoptic mites! This group is the most common of the parasites. I am going to do an article on a couple of other parasites that pets can catch at a later date.
These may seem like minor nuisances to us, but left untreated, they can be fatal in some cases. They can spread from pet to pet and even in some instances, from your pet to you, the owner. But, that will be in a later article.
Now, let's take a quick look at some of these little problems. However, what you are going to read is by far not the whole picture. If you suspect that your pet has any of these problems, PLEASE, check with your vet.
Fleas! Little creatures. Big problem for your pet and for you. They transmit diseases to your pet and, possibly to you. They cause itching, scratching and a lot of discomfort to your pet. I've been told, that just two of these little creatures on your pet can lead to thousands of them in your home if left untreated.
Heartworm! A very serious problem for your pet. This little guy can cause heart and lung diseases. He can kill your little friend if left untreated. It can be costly to treat and can be very difficult to do so. PLEASE see your vet on a regular basis. He/she can hopefully detect this little creature in its earliest stages.
Ear mites! These little creatures can pass from pet to pet. They can cause your pet a lot of pain and discomfort.
Sarcoptic mites! I, myself, didn't know what these were. I've never encountered these with any of my dogs. They are better known as mange mites. They can cause scabies, itchy skin, hair loss and a serious rash. These little guys can infest humans as well.
American dog tick! These guys are found in fields, woods and grassy areas. They can cause many serious canine diseases. A point of interest is that whenever I walk or run my dog in these types of areas, I check her thoroughly and I brush her.
Again, if you suspect any of these problems, PLEASE take your little friend to the vet. The vet can decide the best course of treatment for the particular problem.
I would like to thank my vet for the information that he supplied to me through his handouts and pamphlets.
Remember: a healthy pet is a happy and friendly pet.