FAQ's
- Worming Guidelines
Dogs may suffer from a variety of intestinal worms, including; roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Worm infestations can lead to serious problems in a dog, so it is important to employ a prevention program from a young age. Young puppies are usually treated fortnightly; adult dogs should be treated every three months.
- Flea Treatment
The skin acts as a protective barrier against the harsh external environment. It also acts as a home for a number of external parasites, including fleas and ticks. One of the most common and damaging is the flea. Fleas may cause a number of problems in dogs such as: flea bite dermatitis, allergic reactions to flea bites, and anaemia in young puppies.
Fleas also carry tapeworm eggs and can cause tapeworm infestation. There are three different flea treaments available, Frontline, Advantix, and Revolution. These all work in the same way and should be used monthly.
- Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm is a very serious disease that is transmitted by mosquitos. Heartworm can be very difficult to treat and is often fatal. The symptoms may be loss of energy, loss of appetite, coughing, the development of a pot belly, and anaemia. Fortunately, this disease can be prevented. The most popular product on the market at the moment is Heartgard, and this should be given monthly. There is also an injectable form of heartworm prevention known as SR12, which is given yearly. Please ask your veterinarian for more information on this product.
- Feeding Your Labrador
A complete and balanced diet is crucial for the development of a healthy and happy dog. Puppies and adult dogs require a diet made up of meat, proteins, vegetables, and cereals to obtain all the essential nutrients. There is no need for vitamin or mineral supplements if your dog is receiving a balanced diet.
Many dogs in the community are overweight, which can lead to other health problems, so try not to overfeed your dog. You should be able to easily feel your dogs ribs with light pressure. If not, then your dog is overweight. There are a lot of foods on the market, however some of these should be avoided as they do not provide a complete balanced diet. The companies I recommend are: Hills, Eukanuba, Royal Canin, Pedigree Advance, Purina, Supercoat.
- Vaccinations can save their life!
Vaccines work by exposing your dogs immune system to a small amount of immunising agent (viruses or bacteria) by injection. The viruses and bacteria contained in vaccines are inactivated or weakened, so they are not capable of causing the disease when given correctly. Some vaccines require two or more doses before the maximum level of protection is provided. When to vaccinate is as follows:
1st vaccination: given at 6-8wks
2nd vaccination: given at 12-14wks
3rd vaccination: given at 16-18wks
An annual booster is then given every 12mths.
- Tick Paralysis
Paralysis ticks occur right along the east coast of Australia, particularly in bushland areas. Most cases of tick paralysis occur in Spring or Summer.
The signs of tick paralysis usually begins 3-6 days after attachment of the tick to the dogs skin, and may include vomiting, coughing, or weakness of the hindlegs, the condition rapidly progresses until the dog is unable to stand, if not treated promptly, tick paralysis is usually fatal.
Prevention of tick paralysis involves daily searching for ticks on your dog, as well as using an effective tick preventative. If you find a tick on your dog, or suspect tick paralysis is developing, please seek advice from your veterinarian immediately, as early treatment with tick antiserum is often successful.
- Why insure my Labrador?
Buying pet insurance is the number one option owners have that can help give their pet greater treatment options that otherwise might be cost-prohibitive. Significant medical advances in veterinary care have been made in the past 10 years and there are more options for diagnosis and treatment today than ever before. With these increased abilities to treat animals, costs for veterinary services have also increased.
Pet insurance is a 'must have' for the majority of pet owners, as the chance of their pooch getting ill or needing veterinary care is very high.
Just like other forms of insuance, pet insurance protects you and your pet from unexpected accidents, injuries or illness. Once owners decide they would like to take out pet insurance, they then need to decide what policy and coverage is right for them.
- Does my Labrador have hip dysplacia?
Like most large, heavy breeds, the labrador has a problem with Canine Hip Dysplacia. Hip dysplacia literaly means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. Hip dysplacia exists with or without clinical signs. It may or may not be bilateral. When a dog exhibits clinical signs of this problem they are usually lame on one or both rear legs. Severe arthritis can develop as a result of the malformations of the hip joint and this results in pain as the disease progresses. Many young dogs exhibit pain during or shortly after the growth period, often before arthritic changes appear to be present. It is not unusual for this pain to appear and disappear for several years and then to return when arthritic changes become obvious.
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