Man's best friend - Part II, Health

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian or a lawyer, follow this advice at your own risk, consult your veterinarian rather than relying on anything you read on the 'net - including this post.

Top ten dog care tips from the Humane Society of the US. Read all of their pet care information.

Spay/Neuter. It's a one-time cost that pays dividends over the life of your pet. And if you've got an unwanted litter, for G*d's sake quit dumping them here, there, everywhere. It's cruel, it's illegal, it's a public health risk and a nuisance. Just because people live in the country doesn't mean they want more critters - especially from a doofus who wouldn't spay, or keep their pet inside when in heat, and probably didn't vaccinate or worm her either.

This includes cats. They cannot "take care of themselves," contrary to popular myth. The average lifespan of a stray cat is only two years.

If you must find a new home for your pet, consult the local shelters/humane societies (that's a great place to get a pet, too). And don't offer him "free to good home" unless you want him to end up in a laboratory cage or worse. Charge something - $30-50, say. It discourages the jerks and makes people stop and realize that owning a pet costs money; that little fee is only the beginning.

Rabies vaccination is required by law. For your dog, your own health and safety, and that of the community, get 'er done! It ain't expensive.

Vaccinate against other diseases, too, at the intervals recommended by your vet. Most dog owners have heard of the dreaded parvo and distemper. They are preventable. Some owners do it themselves, but remember that those shots from the local store don't include rabies.

Feeding bones to your dog is Russian roulette. Don't.

Heartworm is a preventable killer. Your vet carries Heartgard (tm) or another prescription med for it. Here's a link about DIY prevention. The dose the author is using is one-tenth of a cc per ten pounds, of one percent injectable ivermectin, given orally once per month.

This isn't much of a money saver for a single dog, but if you've got 3+ it can be. Do not give Ivermectin to Collies/herding breeds without veterinary advice! Ivermectin can be safely given to heartworm positive dogs, according to many apparently reliable sites, but will not cure them if they're already infested.

Inexpensive DIY treatment for intestinal parasites. Worms, blech.

And here's the Beagle guy's index of health articles.

Fleas and ticks. Ick! I use either Frontline or Advantix and also treat the yard with insecticide granules. Works well for us. Your vet is a good source of flea prevention and treatment info.

Mange. There are several different types, and a lay person can confuse flea allergy with mange. Please consult your vet, and don't use motor oil. Coating a dog with motor oil is cruelty and punishable in some places. Not to mention, it doesn't work. Motor oil curing mange is an old wive's tale, folks.

Do not allow your dog to run at large - either in town or in the country. You are required by law to keep your dog under your control at all times. That includes unincorporated areas of the parish - where he can be shot dead for harassing or killing livestock. Getting shot ain't good for a dog's health. And buying your neighbor a new heifer, or a coop full of purebred chickens, is real expensive. Plus anywhere, town or country, your dog can be hit by a car. Fence, leash, train, supervise.

Some good pet sites:

Petfinder - adopt, find, place in a home

Petfinder's Resource Library of information

Doctors Foster and Smith - pet supplies online. Beware: some "discount" online pet sites sell bootleg/fake stuff. Foster and Smith get good reviews. They also have a free pet care newsletter you can sign up for.

Merck Veterinary Manual online