Third Street Veterinary Hospital, PC
McMinnville, Oregon 97128
Office phone: (503) 472-9418
Pet ownership carries with
it the responsibility of being proactive in health care. There are certain steps that you should take
to prevent health problems. We
recommend the following:
1. Keep vaccinations current
2. Brush frequently to keep hair coat from matting.
3. Clip toenails as needed to prevent overgrowth.
4. Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor its
consumption.
5. Keep other pets from preventing this one from free access to
food and water.
6. Weigh your dog on the same scale and record results at least
every 60 days.
7. Give heartworm prevention year-round.
There are many early signs
of disease that can easily be interpreted as insignificant or even normal. We recommend that you present your dog for
an examination for any of the following:
1. Sustained, significant
increase in water consumption.
(Abnormal is intake greater than 50 ml/#/day or approximately 1.5 cups
(8 oz cups)/day or 12 oz total 10 pounds of body weight.)
2. Sustained, significant
increase in urination.
3. Weight loss.
4. Significant decrease in
appetite or failure to eat for more than two consecutive days.
5. Significant increase in
appetite.
6. Repeated vomiting.
7. Diarrhea that lasts over
3 days.
8. Difficulty in passing
stool or urine.
9. A break in housetraining
habits.
10. Lameness that lasts more
than 5 days, or lameness in more than one leg.
11. Noticeable decrease in
vision, especially if sudden in onset or pupils that do not constrict in bright
light.
12. Masses, ulcerations (open
sores), or multiple scabs on the skin that persist more than 1 week.
13. Foul mouth odor or
drooling that lasts over 2 days.
14. Increasing size of the
abdomen.
15. Increasing inactivity or
amount of time spent sleeping.
16. Hair loss, especially if
accompanied by scratching or if in specific areas (as opposed to generalized).
17. Breathing heavily or
rapid at rest.
18. Inability to chew or eat
dry food.