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Providing Quality Care for your Dog

Dog Care Information

Puppy Care
Health Changes
Heartworm Disease
Canine Immunizations

Dog Care

You are probably well aware that dogs make great pets and companions. As pack animals, they have developed a unique bond with people and fit in well with the human family. Also, there is a wide range of dog breeds so that anyone should be able to find the perfect dog best suited for their current lifestyle. Before you acquire a dog, it is best to spend some time evaluating what you'd like from your new dog and what lifestyle constraints you have, such as time, living space, young children, etc. We have a Planned Puppyhood form to complete to assist you in this process. Once this is completed, present it to us. We can then help you identify the dog breeds that would be a good match. With just a little planning done beforehand, you will find the journey of dog ownership much more enjoyable.

Now that you have a pet dog there is much to know about its proper care to ensure a long and healthy life with you.

Let’s start with the basics. Just as people, dogs require access to fresh water, a good quality diet, adequate exercise, shelter from extreme weather, and some degree of grooming depending on the breed. In addition to this, dogs need protection from a wide variety of external (such as fleas and ticks) and internal (such as intestinal worms and heart worms) parasites. Dogs require vaccinations to protect them from a number of diseases from canine distemper, to lyme disease, to rabies. In addition to this, dogs also require dental care. The most important aspect of monitoring your dog’s health involves an annual to semi annual physical examination performed by Dr. Valese. We can tell you which schedule is best for your dog.

All of these care factors are influenced and modified by the age of the dog. The care requirements vary between a puppy, to a young adult, to a senior and finally a geriatric dog.

As an expert in the care of dogs, Dr. Valese will help to inform and educate you concerning the particular life stage care your dog requires. He will be sure to answer all of your questions, so write them down before your visit.

Unfortunately sometimes our dog friend becomes ill. When this happens, call us immediately. We will get both of you in right away to see Dr. Valese. We want them to feel better as soon as possible. To help you know when you should call to see Dr. Valese, see our list for some of the health change warning signs.

The bottom line is, if you ever have any questions concerning the health needs of your dog, don't hesitate to call our office at 570-839-8116.

Puppy Care

Puppyhood is a very special time in the life of a dog. It is a very rapid growth and high energy phase. Puppies are always cute and can be a lot of fun, but they also pose a lot of work and responsibility on the part of the owner. This can be made easier by selecting a dog breed that better fits your lifestyle. Print out and complete our Planned Puppyhood form. We can assist you in your new puppy selection.

Training is very crucial during this stage. Puppies need to learn the basics of house training and how to be a well behaved dog. Many puppies are never properly taught this and remain as hard to handle dogs. This training period requires time and commitment on the part of the owner. Behavior problems can be frustrating, whether you have a problem with chewing, biting, jumping, or house soiling, we can assist you with your puppy. We can help counsel you through this challenging stage. For example, we have an excellent publication on house training your puppy. Be sure to ask us for help as you work with your puppy’s training, we'll be glad to.

Puppies require a special diet formulated just for them. We recommend premium quality puppy food for optimum development of your pup. This is no time to opt for lower cost foods.

Intestinal worms are very common in puppies and are spread to them directly from their mother. Screening for these worms and providing routine deworming medication is very important for puppies. These worms do pose a potential health risk to people, especially young children. There are many over the counter dewormers on the market but prescription dewormers are much more effective. This is one of the reasons it is so important to have your young puppy examined by Dr. Valese soon after you acquire it.

Heartworm protection is also started in the young puppy and will continue throughout its life. Learn more about heartworm disease.

Vaccinations are given in a series to puppies much the same as they're given to young children. Puppies should start their vaccination program at about 6 weeks of age and continue on an every 3 week interval until the puppy is about 4 months old. Physical examinations are very important during this rapid developmental stage of your puppy’s life. Dr. Valese will discuss with you which vaccination program is most appropriate for your puppy.

Once your puppy reaches about 6 months of age, they are old enough to be neutered, unless you plan on breeding the dog of course. The neutering, or castration, of males helps protects them against future diseases of the prostate gland and avoid testicular tumors. The spaying of females (ovariohysterectomy) should be performed before their first heat. This helps to protect them against the development of breast cancer and avoids serious uterine infections. With proper diet and exercise, neutering should not make your dog become overweight. There are behavioral benefits to neutering your dog as well.

Dr. Valese can discuss this information in further detail with you at the time of your appointment.

Health Changes

Sometimes the first sign of a health problem is a change from normal activity or behavior in your pet. If you notice any of the following changes or you are just not sure, please call our office right away to schedule an exam appointment for your pet.

  • Seizures, unconsciousness, or any changes in level of alertness
  • Labored breathing or panting
  • Pale or bluish gums or tongue
  • Changes in level of activity (such as listlessness)
  • An increase or decrease in appetite
  • An increase or decrease in thirst
  • Changes in frequency, amount, or characteristics of urination
  • Any changes in bowel movements
  • Evidence of straining to defecate or urinate
  • Any vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Scratching, biting, shaking head
  • Mouth odor
  • Body odor
  • Hair loss and/or rash
  • Limping/lameness
  • Swelling, lumps or bumps
  • Discolored teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Behavior changes (such as increased aggression)
  • Acting painful or sensitive to touch
  • Experience trauma (such as a fall or hit by car)
  • Discharge from eyes, nose, ears, or any body opening
  • Presence of fleas or ticks

The sooner you can recognize these or any other changes in your pet’s health and bring this to our attention, the sooner we can start the health care your pet is in need of. If you have any questions about your pet, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is a mosquito spread parasite or worm which lives in the heart and major blood vessels of the dog. There it interferes with normal blood flow causing symptoms similar to congestive heart failure. Dogs with exposure to mosquitoes are at risk. In our area that includes all dogs, even indoor dogs. Once bitten by an infected mosquito, the heartworm larva makes a lengthy migration and maturation from the skin to eventually wind up in the heart as an adult. From there it reproduces releasing many hundreds of young (microfilaria) into the blood stream of its host, which are then taken in by another mosquito and so spread to other dogs. Symptoms can range from very mild, to coughing, to severe debilitation potentially leading to death. The severity of the disease is dependant for the most part on the number of worms (wormload) related to the size of the dog’s heart.

Although dogs are the primary host of heartworms, cats are also effected, even indoor cats. In cats the disease can be much more severe with very few heartworms involved. Their symptoms can range from very mild signs, to breathing difficulties, to sudden death.

Heartworm disease can be successfully treated in the dog but is much riskier to treat in the cat. In both dogs and cats it is far more easy and safer to prevent the disease in the first place. A once monthly prescription heartworm preventative is given to both dogs and cats. We recommend this be given to your pets year round.

Many of the monthly heartworm preventative medications also provide varying protection against intestinal parasite (worms) infestations as well. The take home point here is to make sure your dog and/or cat is receiving a monthly heartworm preventative. These medications are not available over the counter. Contact us today to get your pet started on a heartworm preventative program.

Canine Immunizations (Vaccinations)

Many infectious diseases of dogs can be prevented through vaccination. We will help prepare a vaccination schedule for your dog to aid in leading a longer and healthier life. The following are the most important diseases to protect your dog against.

  • Canine distemper is a widespread and often fatal disease. It can affect many organ systems, leading to serious illness.
  • Canine adenovirus causes infectious hepatitis (liver disease) and respiratory infection.
  • Canine leptospirosis is an infectious disease involving the kidneys and other organs such as the liver. It can be spread between pets and people.
  • Canine parainfluenza is a respiratory disease which can be severe in puppies and debilitated dogs.
  • Canine parvovirus causes severe intestinal disease involving diarrhea and dehydration. It can affect other organ systems as well. It is more severe in puppies.
  • Canine bordetella is involved in the disease known as kennel cough, a contagious respiratory infection.
  • Lyme disease is spread by ticks and can cause symptoms such as fever, joint disease, and chronic disease involving various organ systems.
  • Rabies is a severe viral disease which attacks the brain and central nervous system. It can be transmitted to people and is almost always fatal.