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Plaque is the soft gummy deposit that grows on teeth. Plaque is made from saliva bacteria mixed in with minerals and food residue. Although plaque is initially soft, it can become hard and discolored if left on the teeth. When it hardens it is known as tartar. If this deposit is not removed it will eventually affect the gums, causing infection, which can lead to teeth loosening and falling out. It is a very painful condition in both dogs and humans.

The key to controlling plaque is to get rid of it before it turns to tartar. In dogs, this is a very simple procedure. Three methods are recommended for keeping your dog’s teeth clean.

1. Give your dog raw bones to chew on. Chewing on a bone will ensure tartar does not build up on your dog’s teeth. Make sure the bone is raw as cooked bones can splinter and get stuck in the dog’s mouth and bowel. Hard biscuits or kibble are also good for your dog to chew on and aid in the removal of plaque.
2. Brushing you dog’s teeth is the second method. There are various tooth brushes available and toothpaste flavored to a dog’s tastes. Some people use a finger brush (a rubber sleeve with soft bristles, slipped over your finger), others use regular human toothbrushes or you can buy a special dog toothbrush. You should brush your dog’s teeth regularly – about once a week. So now you are going to brush his teeth. Make sure your dog is in a relaxed mood before you start. Get him used to the procedure before you introduce the toothbrush. Stroke the outside of his cheeks and then let him taste a bit of toothpaste off the end of your finger. Do this a few times before you try it with the brush. Now try it with the paste on the brush. Brushing only one or two teeth at first, move the brush in a circular motion – take your time. Build up the amount of teeth you brush over the next few sessions until you are brushing all the teeth, especially the ones at the back. Thirty seconds is long enough to be brushing your dog’s teeth.
3. Once a year you should consider getting your dog’s teeth scaled at the veterinarian’s. If you take care of your dog’s teeth, an annual scale and polish is all your dog will require.

Looking after your dog’s teeth will help in his overall well-being and will result in your dog having fresher breath, being healthier and living longer.

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A dog’s nails are different from humans. They have a hard outer covering which is there to protect the inner part of the nail. This part (the quick) is softer and has veins and nerve endings running through it. Some dogs have lighter or white colored nails. These ones are easier to see the quick as it is a faint pink color. However the quick is difficult to see in dogs with black nails. You need to be extra careful when cutting these nails so as not to nip the quick. Not only will there be blood but it will be painful for your dog.

If you want to carry out the nail clipping procedure yourself, you will need a few tools. Firstly, purchase a good set of nail clippers, either a guillotine type or a claw cutter (for bigger dogs). You may need a file for rough edges and some clotting powder in case you cut too far and cause bleeding.

Okay, you are ready to start clipping. Here’s what you should do:

1. Dogs may not take kindly to this procedure so it’s a good idea to introduce them to nail clipping when they are puppies. Get your dog used to having his paws held and stroked. You may also like to apply light pressure to his nails by pinching them softly. Give your dog a treat when he lets you do this successfully.

2. When you are ready to trim the nails, put a towel under the paw, in the event you cut the nail too close. Have your clotting powder at the ready for this event.

3. Get your dog to lie on the floor and hold him firmly. Pick up his paw and ready yourself to cut the nail from front on. Talk in a soothing voice to relax your dog.

4. Get your clippers and slide the opening over the nail. Clip smoothly and quickly with a steady hand.

5. If your dog’s nails are white, you will be able to see the vein that run through it. Clip off the nail to just before the vein. With black nails, you will have to go carefully. Cut a small bit off the end of the nail. Look for a small dot in the centre of the nail – this is the vein. Keep clipping off small amounts until you see this dot. When you see it, stop clipping. If you accidentally cut this part, apply pressure on the nail to stop the bleeding or use your clotting powder.

6. Don’t forget to clip the dew claw (above the dog’s ankle).

When you’ve finished the clipping procedure, reward your dog with a treat and a cuddle. Hopefully both you and he will soon become experts at this procedure!

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Roundworm – this worm is the most common parasite found in animals. Dogs can often be born with roundworm as they become infected when the roundworm is transferred through the placenta from the mother. These worms may be vomited up by the dog or passed in the stools. Anthelmintics or dewormers are used to treat roundworm.

Heartworm – is fatal to dogs if left untreated. Dogs should be given preventative heartworm treatment regularly, as prescribed by your veterinarian. If a dog is found to have heartworm, the treatment is very traumatic for your dog.

Tapeworm – this parasite is transmitted through fleas. If you keep your dog free from fleas, this worm will not be a problem. You will know if your dog has tapeworm if you see egg sacks (which look like grains of rice) around your dog’s anus. A trip to the veterinarian will be necessary for a prescription to rid your dog of tapeworm. Owners can either use a deworming medication or injection on their dog to help control this parasite.

Hookworm – these tiny worms are found in the dog’s intestine and hook on to the intestinal wall where they suck out large amounts of blood. This parasite will kill a puppy quickly. It is very contagious to other pets and humans and needs to be checked for regularly. Deworming medications are used to treat hookworm.

Whipworm – these are long worms shaped like whips living in your dog’s colon. Their presence may go undetected except through a stool examination. Your dog may show signs of anemia, weight loss and blood in his stools if whipworms have taken up residence. If you are giving your dog regular heartworm preventative medicine then you will find that whipworm is kept under control as well.

Coccida – this tiny organism is not a worm but is invasive in the dog’s intestinal tract. Your dog will suffer from diarrhea and possibly a reduced immune system. This parasite can be removed with a daily treatment of an antimicrobial agent.

Fleas – these insects can cause skin problems and allergies in dogs. They can also carry disease and are often hard to keep under control, especially in hot weather. Flea collars, shampoos and combs can help keep this problem under control. Regular maintenance of your dog’s coat will help keep these insects away.

Your dog will need regular check ups at the veterinarian to ensure parasites do not become a problem. Keep a look out for these nasty little creatures to ensure your dog stays healthy.

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