Additional Information

The Art of Giving Tablets to your Puppy
Every pet dog must be taught to take tablets as a pup so that the task of tablet "popping" becomes a natural routine. The necessity of giving monthly heartworm tablets, regular worm tablets and other medications throughout the life of your pet dog means that tablet "popping" must first be a pleasant experience for you and your dog. The puppy must first be taught to trust you to open his mouth and this is achieved by gently elevating the head and then pulling the lower jaw downwards. Touch the base of the tongue gently with your index finger, retract your finger and then allow the dog to feed. After 4 meals, you will find it very easy to open the mouth and your puppy will consider it a normal part of his meal and not resist. On the 5th meal you can place a small flavoured tablet (e.g. calcium tablet) on the back of his tongue, close the mouth and let him swallow.

It is all so easy! The regular heartworm tablet and worming medications can be given without fuss. There are some dogs, such as the Pug and Corgi, who have big tongues, which makes tablet giving quite difficult even for experienced hands. It may be necessary to give either a liquid medication or a flavoured heartworm tablet to these dogs. It is not advisable to mix tablets with the food.

Hernias
Many small breed puppies are born with an umbilical hernia (a small soft lump on the belly button). Very few of these hernias cause a worry in the young dog and are removed at 5-6 months of age. However, it is still important to monitor the hernia swelling, and if it becomes hard and shiny, immediate action is advised.

Dental Care
It is very important to look after the health of your dog's teeth and gums. Puppies have 38 deciduous (baby) teeth, which are replaced between 4 and 7 months of age with a full set of 42 permanent teeth. Just as with humans, plaque and tartar can build up on your dog's teeth, leading to problems such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Some breeds are particularly prone to dental problems at a young age, and many dogs need to have their teeth thoroughly cleaned and scaled by a veterinarian once or twice a year. Regular feeding of raw bones can help prevent plaque and tartar building up on your dog's teeth, and special toothbrushes and toothpaste are also available for dogs.

Responsible Pet Ownership
Owning a dog can bring a lot of joy and happiness, as well as providing benefits to human health. Responsible pet ownership is all about ensuring that your dog is a well-adjusted members of the family as well as the broader community, and avoiding any potential problems that might arise. It is important to talk to your veterinarian about the following issues to ensure that you are a responsible pet owner:

• Desexing
• Microchipping
• Training and behaviour
• Restraint in public places
• Care of the environment

Your local council can also provide information about dog registration and local leash laws.

Copyright © 2002 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.