| INTRODUCTION | | | | Right off the bat, you will want to find a veterinarian |
| You love your dog. And like most dog-owners, you | | | | that has a small animal practice, which will include dogs |
| likely consider your dog to be a part of your family. | | | | and cats and other common pets. These veterinarians |
| That is why your dogs health is so important. Just as | | | | will know the most about dog health. Most |
| you would be concerned about the health of a child, | | | | veterinarians are similar to a doctor who is a general |
| you should be concerned about the health of your dog. | | | | practitioner. These veterinarians will be able to deal |
| Fortunately, if youve already looked after your children, | | | | with and identify a wide range of problems related to |
| or even if you are concerned about your health, | | | | your dogs health, and are what you should use as |
| looking after your dogs health should be easy. It | | | | your main veterinarian. Once youve found a general |
| requires all the things that you would expect: | | | | small animal veterinarian to deal with your dogs health, |
| preventative care, paying attention to warning signs, | | | | they will be able to refer you to specialists as required. |
| knowing what to do when your dog is sick, and finding | | | | If youve identified some possible veterinarians, start |
| a veterinarian you and your dog can trust. If you follow | | | | asking your friends and colleagues with pets for |
| all these steps, you will help ensure that your dog has | | | | recommendations. And most importantly, talk to your |
| a long and healthy life. | | | | prospective veterinarian. Ask about prices and |
| KEEPING YOUR DOG HEALTHY | | | | availability for emergency care. Finally, before you |
| The key to keeping your dog health is, not surprisingly, | | | | chose any veterinarian to help you look after your |
| a healthy lifestyle right from the start. Most importantly, | | | | dogs health, be sure that you are comfortable with |
| this means only giving your dog nutritious dog food | | | | them and trust them to look after your pet. |
| throw those scraps away! Look for dog food that has | | | | WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN |
| been endorsed by veterinarian groups. While it may be | | | | After a lot of consideration, youve picked a |
| more expensive than generic or even some brand | | | | veterinarian that will keep track of your dogs health, |
| name dog foods, in the long run it will help with your | | | | and have started a preventative regime of good food |
| dogs health. | | | | and exercise. No matter how careful you are about |
| Along with good food, your dog will need a lot of | | | | your dogs health, however, you dog will get sick. Either |
| exercise. Although the amount of exercise each dog | | | | from contact with other dogs, or accidents while you |
| needs will vary according to the breed, no dogs health | | | | are out on your walks, something will likely happen to |
| will be improved by being stuck inside a cramped | | | | your dog that will require the attention of a veterinarian. |
| apartment everyday. Dogs need walks and time | | | | The problem is that it is not always obvious when your |
| outside to play. Incorporate your dogs exercise routine | | | | dog is sick. Unlike children, your dog cant tell you when |
| into your own. This will help your dogs health, and your | | | | it is feeling down. |
| own health. | | | | There are a number of sign you can look for, |
| Finally, get your dog a veterinarian and have your dogs | | | | however. Is your dog more tired then lately? Does it |
| health checked regularly. Along with spotting problems, | | | | seem depressed? Does it have a dry nose? Is it |
| your veterinarian will also be able to give you tips and | | | | limping? Does its faeces look off or runny? These are |
| suggestions on preventative dog health. | | | | just some warning signs. In the end, it all comes down |
| PICKING A VETERINARIAN | | | | to whether you think your dog is sick or not. This |
| So youve decided to pick a veterinarian. You open the | | | | requires you to have a close relationship with your dog |
| Yellow Pages and find dozens and dozens of | | | | to know when it is acting differently, and this attention |
| veterinarians to choose from. Where do you start? | | | | will be the best support for your dogs health. |