Health & Wellness

 Check back regularly for Health & Wellness updates!

 

Every dog deserves good health, and maintaining an assistance dog's well-being is vitally important for the men and women who rely on them. When an assistance dog's health is compromised, the lifestyle of the person they help is significantly impacted.

Here at NEADS, we provide our clients with education on how to make sure their assistance dogs are always in great shape! Here are some tips:

Seasonal Health Concerns for your Dogs:
Ticks & Lyme Disease

Preventing and controlling fleas and ticks on your dog is very important, particularly in the spring and summer months. Fleas and ticks can cause major discomfort for your dog and occasionally more serious illnesses.  Consider the below flea and tick control products.

  • Check your dog for any ticks every day.
  • Symptoms of Lyme disease include joint soreness, lameness, fever and loss of appetite.
  • Prevent tick exposure with topical and/or collar products.
  • Talk to your veterinarian about whether vaccinating against Lyme disease is right for your dog.

Skunk Spray
  • Mix one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a quarter cup of baking soda and one teaspoon liquid soap.
  • Work the solution thoroughly into your dog's coat, then rinse with water.
  • Caution: be prepared to use the solution immediately after mixing because it has no shelf life. Don't overdo it with the peroxide because it could bleach your dog's coat.
  • Don't expect complete or immediate results with any de-skunking concoction. The unpleasant smell may linger for days, especially when the dog's coat gets wet.

 

Weight

Obesity is as significant a health problem for dogs as it is for humans. With rare exceptions, the only way a dog will become overweight is if he/she is consuming too many calories. Obesity significantly reduces a dog's lifespan and can cause joint and heart problems. Once every six weeks a dog should be weighed on the same scale to monitor weight gain or loss. Three or more pounds are considered excessive weight gain for a 70 pound dog. Dogs should remain very close to their ideal weight -- 2 pounds above or 2 pounds below their ideal weight. Check out this handy body conditioning chart to evaluate your dog's weight management. Click the chart to download a PDF.

Microchipping

Every NEADS dog is microchipped with a HomeAgain microchip -- If a dog should get lost, animal control officers can scan the microchip to find out the owners of the dog and their address. Be sure to microchip your dog and remember to update your information with the microchipping company when you move.

Medications

It is essential to understand why your veterinarian has prescribed medications for your dog. The Food and Drug Administration provides a list of recommended questions to ask your vet in order to be fully informed. Click here to find out what to talk about with your vet.