The importance of spaying and neutering
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the
U.S. Sadly, there are more than 4 million more dogs in the U.S. than there
are homes available. You can help to keep from exacerbating the overpopulation
problem by having your dog spayed or neutered. The procedure is simple
and painless while done under general anesthesia, and may take as little
as a few hours.
Spaying/neutering improves your dog's temperament
and reduces its tendency to stray from home. Many people notice their
dogs become more calm, gentle, and affectionate after being spayed or
neutered. Female dogs are prone to breast cancer later in life. Spaying
your dog before her first heat will reduce the risk to less than 5%. After
the first heat, the risk rises to approximately 28%, increasing with each
heat. Neutering your male dog at a young age will eliminate painful prostate
problems later in life.
Dental health
Between 4 and 7 months of age, puppies replace
their baby teeth with permanent teeth. You should clean your dog's teeth
with a dog toothpaste or paste made from baking soda and water once or
twice a week. Use a child's toothbrush, gauze pad, or piece of nylon pantyhose
stretched over your finger. Veterinarians can clean teeth also as a regular
part of your dog's health program.
Some dogs develop periodontal disease when a pocket
of infection occurs between the tooth and the gum. This can result in
tooth loss and creates a source of infection for the rest of the body.
Left untreated, mouth infections can lead to serious problems in the gums
and other parts of the body, including the heart. So it's important
to give your dog's teeth and mouth special attention.
To check your dog's mouth, talk to him gently,
then put your hand over the muzzle and lift up the sides of his mouth.
Check that adult teeth are coming in as they should and are not being
crowded by baby teeth. Look for soft white matter or hard white, yellow
or brown matter. This is plaque or tartar that should be brushed away.
Make sure the gums are healthy and the breath is not foul-smelling.
Bad breath is most commonly an indication that
a trip to the veterinarian is needed for a dental checkup. Once odor becomes
noticeable, it's too late to simply brush the teeth. After a professional
cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a healthy state by brushing
teeth regularly, feeding some of the specially formulated dental diets
and treats, avoiding table scraps or leaving the food out all day.
Some breath odors may be indicative of more serious,
chronic health problems. Foul breath may be caused by liver or intestinal
disease. Sweet, fruity breath may be caused by diabetes. Breath that smells
of ammonia or urine may be caused by kidney disease. Any time bad breath
accompanies other signs of illness such as loss of appetite, vomiting,
weight loss, depression, excessive drinking or urinating, make an appointment
with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
