If you haven’t groomed your dog all winter, do not expect the spring thaw to make the situation any easier or cheaper! Grooming your pet must be an affair of all seasons, not just the warmer months. For many, it is something that is considered part of a daily routine, and this is really the perfect way to get rid of that thick winter coat. (Not yours, your dog’s!) Dogs with heavy coats can get very mattted, making the groomer’s back and job grueling, more difficult and more expensive. Now before the weather really changes, is the time for all sincere pet owners to come to the aid of their groomers and their pets!
According to veterinary surgeon, Dr. Cam Day, the Zoom Groom, which is a large nylon brush, makes grooming a lot easier. Large soft tongs gently strip dead hair and the nylon fabric can be used to massage shampoos and flea rinses into your pet’s coat. If your animal has really long and thick hair, a professional clip may be in order. Be prepared for the fact that the groomer might have to give your dog a very close haircut after which skin may be a little sensitive. Sometimes skin problems can be caused by matted hair, which prevents the proper circulation of air under a very thick coat.
Although it may not be exactly the season, it’s never to early to protect your pet against the onslaught of those creepy, crawly nasty little ticks and fleas! Spot of the neck preparations such as Frontline Plus, Advantage, Advocate and Resolution are easily applied from a small vial onto your pet’s neck once a month. If you prefer flea rinses, according to Dr. Day, Permoxin is the best one on the market today. It can be used either weekly or daily as a spray. If it is used once a week, it will also help to control ticks. Flea shampoos will also do the trick and they do kill fleas effectively. The only problem is that they offer no residual action.
Heartworm disease is spread by those ubiquitous mosquitoes, and even though they are much more prevalent in summer, they are still there lurking about in the winter and spring months. Do not make the mistake of thinking that your pet is safe and doesn’t need preventive medication just because it’s not the high season for these nasty pests. An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of the cure, and monthly preventives such as Heartgard, Advantage Duo, Advocate, Revolution and Sentinel will effectively do the trick. There are also 12-month prevention medications that a vet can administer via injection, which can be used for all dogs 6 months of age and older.
Flies are also a pain in impolite areas and their bites can cause a dermititis on the tips of dogs’ ears. This condition can also occur around the eyes, mouth and nose of the animal if discharges are present. Permoxin is a big help here as well, and it can be mixed with Vaseline or baby oil or both and then smeared onto the ears.
Another rule of thumb to remember is that the beginning of each new season (about every three months) is the best time for worming an animal. Dogs and cats really suffer from roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms during the warmer months and dogs can also be infected by whipworms. Generally, adult pets should be wormed every three months. All-wormer medications, such as Drontal or Canex are every effective in eliminating all types of intestinal worms your pets may have. There are also tablets available, which protect against heartworm when used every six weeks.
If your animal has gained weight during the winter months, now might be a good time for it to shed some of those extra pounds. Speak to your vet about a weight reduction program. Obesity in dogs and cats can present some serious health issues, such as diabetes, pancreatitis and in some cases, even cardiovascular disease.
So don’t forget that old adage about an ounce of prevention and a pound of cure when preparing your pet for the change in seasons. Take care of your animals this spring. They will return the favor and love you unconditionally for the rest of their happy lives!
Happy Spring!
For more information, visit:
http://www.pethealth.com.AU, “Pet Health.comAU”