The pet industry expenditures in the US have been increasing for decades. In 2023, pet industry expenditures reached over $147 billion dollars. This number includes pet food, vet care, pet supplies, services and live animal purchases. It is of paramount importance to take proper care of your emotional and financial investment. This article will focus on basic care for your new puppy. As a responsible pet owner, you’ll want to protect your pet with appropriate vaccinations and deworming.
Upon receiving your new pet, it is necessary to stop at your local veterinarian. This is to ensure your new companion is healthy and free of congenital or infectious diseases. Puppy vaccinations are critical to prevent contagious/infectious diseases. This is a list of viruses and bacteria and how they affect your pet.
Leptospira and hepatitis are infectious agents that affect the kidney and liver of pets. However, Leptospira is a bacterium that can also affect the kidneys of humans. Lyme disease affects dogs and humans and is carried by a specific tick species. Lyme causing bacteria damages many organs including the liver, heart, nervous system and kidneys.
Parvovirus, coronavirus, panleukopenia, and are highly contagious and debilitating viruses to pets that can lead to shock and death. These viruses affect the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Some of the most prominent clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and decreased appetite. Contagious respiratory tract disease affecting dogs includes kennel cough, parainfluenza, and canine influenza. These viruses cause coughing, nasal discharge, eye infections, infection and inflammation of the lungs or respiratory passage and some can lead to death.
There are viruses that affect the nervous system of dogs. These viruses are distemper and rabies. Rabies is a fatal viral disease of all mammals. Because rabies is a significant health hazard, it is extremely important to vaccinate your pet.
A fecal exam and heartworm testing should be performed routinely to ensure your pet is free of internal parasites. Internal parasites include heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, giardia, coccidia, tapeworms, lung worms and strongyloides are some of the more common worms. Roundworms and hookworms are transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected feces. Children are more susceptible because they play in the dirt that may be contaminated and are more likely to put dirty objects into their mouths. These worms can cause permanent nerve or eye damage, skin infection and even blindness.
Heartworms are invisible but can be a fatal disease. These worms are transmitted by mosquitoes. They live in the heart and lungs of affected pets and cause obstruction to the normal flow of blood. Coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting and sluggishness are some of the common signs exhibited by the infected pet. Tapeworms, giardia and coccidia cause diarrhea, weight loss and overall failure to thrive.
Fleas and ticks are of grave concern to pets and pet owners. At a minimum, they are a nuisance, however they can cause serious and life-threatening illnesses to your pet. Fleas are one of the carriers for tapeworms, the internal parasite that causes weight loss and failure to thrive. Ticks transmit diseases that can affect pets and people including Lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever. Other diseases affecting dogs includes ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and hepatozoonosis. Tick-borne diseases cause lameness, anorexia, fever, joint pain, and swelling or inflammation leading to vital organ malfunction.
We think of our pets as family members; therefore, their diets should be made of the finest natural ingredients, enhanced with vitamins and minerals. I think a good diet should consist of real meat, veggies and fruits, rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. Avoiding artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, corn, wheat and soy as the latter three creates food allergic reactions in pets.
Always keep in mind that proper vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick prevention, along with a healthy diet, can extend and enhance your pet's quality of life.
Good luck!
Dr. G
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