Although not as arduous for South Africans as our friends in northern climes, winter does reduce most of us to despair. We hate going outdoors, we lurk inside our homes wearing loads of jerseys, wrapping up in fleecy blankets, trying to climb into the heater and eating too much, and comforting ourselves that we will lose all this when summer comes. Humans and dogs can benefit from a spring-clean.
Weight Loss
Dogs can gain weight over winter, especially older dogs who may be suffering from arthritic complaints such as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). The pain causes dogs to become less mobile and the colder weather exacerbates the problem, so the dog becomes even more immobile and a vicious circle of weight gain begins with associated pain and loss of mobility.
The first step is to help your dog to lose weight, so ask your vet about a suitable weight-control diet. There are several excellent dog foods specifically formulated for older dogs such as Montego Senior, as well as Eukanuba Joint Mobility and Hill’s JD for dogs with joint disease. A daily dose of Ciplavet GCS dog to your dog’s diet will also help enhance mobility and improve quality of life for a dog suffering from DJD. Even your dog does have not joint disease but is looking decidedly portly, a weight-loss program is a good idea.
Dental Care
Contrary to popular belief, bad breath is not normal for dogs – it is a sign that all is not well in your dog’s mouth. Dogs cannot clean their teeth and remove the debris which causes dental disease and results in such problems as gingivitis, tartar and plaque. Regular dental check-ups will help prevent the formation of heavy calculus, that thick brown-baked substance at the base of the tooth. As dogs’ teeth are more like bone than our enameled teeth and have a very shallow root system, breakages often occur. A broken or damaged tooth exposes the nerves with the resultant excruciating toothache. Your vet may remove broken and badly diseased teeth, scale and polish them.
Train your dog from an early age to have his teeth brushed, and look for excellent dental hygiene products on the market such as Virbac’s Vet Aquadent, a fantastic anti-plaque solution for your pet’s drinking water, and Wampum anti-bacterial mouth spray. Correct dental care can extend your dog’s life exponentially as dental disease and grossly decayed mouths can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease.
Healthy Hearts
As in humans, the dog’s heart is a four-chambered muscular pump which delivers oxygenated blood to the body. This is a perfect system, but it can break down over time due to various factors such as heart disease.
As your dog approaches middle-age which is different in various breeds (a Cocker Spaniel at around six years; a Great Dane at around four years) you may notice some of the following symptoms in an otherwise healthy dog - listlessness, lack of energy and a dry cough which often occurs in the morning or early evening. There are numerous tests which your vet can use to diagnose heart disease, and a variety of treatment regimens available. For instance, therapeutic remedies such as tablets that regulate heart beats may be prescribed which will increase the amount of blood the heart pumps, reducing fluid buildup on the lungs and abdomen. Diet and exercise are also critical in maintaining a good quality of life - specific veterinary diets are available to assist dogs with heart disorders. Salty dried treats should be avoided as salt causes fluid retention. Always comply with the treatment regimen in order for your dog to receive maximum benefit from the medication.
Ticks and Fleas
Now that the weather is warming up all over South Africa and even before the spring rains have arrived, ticks and fleas are making a very unwelcome return. The secret to having a tick/ flea-free dog is the monthly application of a topical spot-on such as Frontline (Merial), Fiprotek (Ciplavet) or Advantix/Advantage(Bayer). These products offer protection against fleas and ticks for up to a month. If you live in an area where ticks are particularly prevalent and susceptible to contracting biliary, it may be wise to invest in a Virbac Tick Collar. The fight against these nasties is an ongoing one so be vigilant and protect your dogs.
Exercise
Taking your dog for a walk is really good for you and your dog. Even if only a stroll around your complex or putting your dog in the car and driving to a park, you will both benefit from the exercise. Consider others - always keep your dog on a leash (those wonderful extender leads are fabulous) and always carry plastic bags for picking up after your dog.
In our next issue we are going to be looking at parks and walks around South Africa. If you know of a good exercise park in your town or city that welcomes dogs please email the editor cherry@global.co.za
All About Dogs September/October 2010 19