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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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Congratulations -
you have a new puppy!
You’ve anticipated the new arrival by
‘puppyproofing’ your home and had lots of fun choosing the crate,
bed, blanket, toys and other supplies he or she will need. This
frisky little creature is sure to bring you much joy. In return, you
can make a major contribution to your pet’s longevity, happiness and
quality of life by providing him or her with good nutrition, loving
attention in a safe, sanitary environment and regular checkups at
your veterinarian’s.
Spaying or Neutering your
puppy
Many veterinarians believe that spaying or
neutering not only helps solve the serious problem of unwanted pet
overpopulation but also makes for friendlier, easier-to-live-with
pets. Spayed female dogs are more relaxed, while neutered males are
less likely to roam, urine-mark their territory, or fight with other
males. Plus, sterilization has health benefits - it helps to
minimize the risk of cancers of the reproductive organs and the
mammary glands in females and reduces the incidence of prostate
problems in males.
Spaying removes the uterus and ovaries of a female dog, usually
after the age of six months. A major surgical procedure, it is
performed under general anesthesia and most often involves an
overnight stay at an animal hospital. Complications are rare and
recovery normally is complete within two weeks.
Neutering, also carried out under general anesthesia, removes the
testicles of a male dog through an incision at the base of the
scrotum. Usually performed when the puppy is about six months old,
it necessitates an overnight stay at the animal hospital. Full
recovery takes about seven to ten days.
Your puppy’s basic health check
| Your new puppy
should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. The first visit
will probably include: |
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Thorough physical examination to
determine his or her state of health. |
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Check for external parasites (fleas,
ticks, lice, ear mites). |
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Check for internal parasites
(tapeworm, roundworm, etc.), if you can bring a stool sample
for analysis. Blood tests may also be done. |
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Initial vaccination and/or a
discussion of the types of vaccinations your puppy needs and
when they should be scheduled. |
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Discussion about whether your puppy
should be sterilized (spayed or neutered) and when. |
This first health check will give your
veterinarian the information he needs to advise you on your
puppy’s immediate diet and care. Plus, it will give him a
“knowledge base” from which, on subsequent checkups throughout
your pup’s life, he can better evaluate, monitor and manage your
pet’s health.
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Make your new puppy feel
at home
Show your puppy the special places where he
can eat, sleep and eliminate and, since he’s probably quite
overwhelmed, give him some quiet time to himself to let him adjust
to the unfamiliar sights and sounds of his new home. Be sure, if
there are also young children in the home, that they are taught that
a puppy is not a toy but a living creature who must be treated with
gentleness and respect. As early as 8 weeks old, your puppy is
capable of learning specific lessons - so start house-breaking and
teaching simple obedience commands the day you bring him home. Your
veterinarian can suggest the best training methods and, if you wish,
recommend a good obedience school. Your pup will find learning fun
and easy and, with your positive reinforcement, he should remember
his lessons well!
Your
Geriatric Dog
When is the best time to start caring for
your aging pet? When he’s a puppy. Starting off your dog’s life with
good nutrition, regular exercise, scheduled veterinary appointments
and a happy home life sets the blueprint for a high quality of life
in his older years. However, as your dog ages, much like humans,
changes to the metabolism will occur. Paying attention to your dog’s
behavior will make detecting problems easier.
What you can do at home
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Check your dog’s mouth, eyes and ears
regularly. Watch for loose teeth, redness, swelling or
discharge. |
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Keep your pet’s sleeping area clean and
warm. |
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Groom your pet often. You’ll detect any
unusual sores or lumps and keep his coat healthy. |
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Make fresh water available at all times. |
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Maintain a regime of proper nutrition,
exercise and loving attention. |
How old
is your dog?
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If your dog is...
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In
human terms, that's |
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6 months
8 months
10 months
12 months
18 months
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
7 years
8 years
9 years
10 years
11 years
12 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
16 years
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10 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
20 years
23 years
26 years
32 years
36 years
40 years
44 years
48 years
52 years
56 years
60 years
64 years
68 years
72 years
76 years
80 years
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Please note, these equivalencies refer to small breeds |
Common
Problems
Obesity is a
big health risk. An older dog is a less active dog, so adjustments
to your pet’s diet to reduce caloric intake are imperative. This
will relieve pressure on his joints as well as manage the risks of
heart failure, kidney or liver disease, digestive problems and more.
Other changes to his nutrition should include increasing fiber,
fatty acids and vitamins while decreasing sodium, protein and fat.
Arthritis’
severity can range from slight stiffness to debilitation. An
exercise program, also to maintain muscle tone and mass, can be
adjusted to suit his condition. Anti-inflammatory medication can
help relieve the pain. Your veterinarian will prescribe any
necessary medication.
Intolerance to hot and cold temperatures
occurs because your dog produces less of
the hormones which regulate the body’s normal temperature. Move his
bed closer to a heater and bring him indoors on cold days.
Tooth loss or decay
not only makes it harder to chew but also
increases the likelihood of infection or tumors. Brushing and
cleaning the teeth will help keep these to a minimum.
Prostate enlargement or Mammary Gland Tumors
is mostly diagnosed in unneutered or
unspayed dogs. Have the prostate or mammary glands examined at
checkups.
Separation Anxiety
presents itself when older dogs can’t cope
with stress. Aggressive behavior, noise phobia, increased barking
and whining or restless sleep are a few signs. Medication combined
with behavior modification techniques are key.
Skin or coat problems
in aging dogs means the skin loses
elasticity, making your pet more susceptible to injury while the
coat’s hair thins and dulls over time. Grooming more often and fatty
acid supplements are highly beneficial.
Canine Cognitive
Dysfunction manifests itself in
confusion, disorientation or decreased activity. Medication can help
solve some of these issues.
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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