Dog Care
Puppies
It makes no difference whether you are a new dog owner or an experienced dog owner; bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time for you and your family. As exciting as it is to have a new puppy, it is also a good bit of work! At Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, we are here to help you and your new puppy get off to a great start.
When you bring your new puppy in for their first visit, we will perform a comprehensive examination. This exam will help us discover whether your new puppy has any potential health issues. It will also allow us to evaluate your new puppy’s overall current health.
A typical first exam for your puppy will include:
- A complete physical examination
- Weighing your puppy
- Diet and nutritional counseling
- Administering the proper vaccines for your puppy
- Heartworm screening and prevention
- Parasite screening and prevention
- Behavior and training recommendations
During your wellness visit, we will also cover other topics with you, such as:
- Behavioral issues or problems
- Socialization of your puppy
- Housetraining
- Pet insurance
Your puppy’s wellness exam is an excellent time to ask us any questions you might have regarding the care of your puppy. We welcome any questions you have.
Microchipping
Just as vaccines protect your puppy from disease and illness, a microchip helps keep your puppy safe if he or she is ever lost or stolen. A microchip is a permanent way to identify your dog using radiofrequency. It is roughly the size of a grain of rice and has a unique identifier that connects your puppy or dog to you. Many lost or stolen dogs have been reunited with their owners because of microchip technology.
The First Visit
In preparation for your puppy’s first visit with us, it helps if you bring the health information provided by the seller or shelter. We also ask that you bring a fresh stool sample and bring your puppy on a leash or in a secure carrier.
If you have any questions about your puppy’s first wellness exam or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us (334-745-0060).
Recommended Supplies for Your Puppy
Below is a list of supplies we recommend for your new puppy. Chew toys will be invaluable, especially because puppies like to chew on almost anything they get can their teeth in.
- Food and water bowls
- Collar, leash, and ID tag
- Safe chew toys
- Kennel or crate
- Training treats
- High-quality puppy food
- Pet gate(s)
- Pet bed
- Grooming supplies
Give us a call today (334-745-0060) to schedule your new puppy’s wellness exam. We are thrilled to start this new journey with you.
Dog Care
Senior Dog Care
At Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, we love providing senior dogs with the care and support they need to age gracefully and comfortably. We understand that caring for senior dogs can be immensely rewarding and can enhance and enrich their lives. We also love providing insight and guidance into caring for senior dogs.
It is important to remember that many changes can occur as your dog ages. These include:
- Changes in eyesight
- Diminished hearing
- Cardiac and kidney disease
- Arthritis and muscle mass loss
- Cognitive dysfunction
- And many others
Some of these changes may not become noticeable until your dog is very old. Our veterinarian is accomplished at detecting subtle changes in a dog’s body that might easily go unnoticed by its owner. Early detection of these changes can help prevent the progression of disease and minimize the suffering of a senior dog.
Schedule Regular Veterinarian Visits for Senior Dogs
Because many of these conditions will develop gradually, it can be difficult for an owner to notice the changes occurring. During the senior wellness exam, our doctors and staff will ask you questions that specifically target medical issues common to senior dogs. Working together with you, we will develop a great plan to ensure optimal health for your dog.
It is important to remember that dogs age much more quickly than humans. Therefore, we recommend all senior dogs visit their veterinarian at least twice a year.
Senior dog care visits provide an opportunity to discuss your dog’s well-being as he or she ages. This visit typically includes discovery regarding:
- Behavior
- Daily schedule
- Sleep patterns
- Family interactions
- Nutrition
- Exercise and changes in movement
In addition, during a complete physical examination for senior dogs, we analyze your senior dog’s:
- Blood work
- Ears and eyes
- Weight and body condition
- Skin and coat quality
- Mouth, gums, and teeth
- Thyroid gland
- Heart and circulatory system
- Lungs and nose
- Abdomen
- Joints and muscles
- Any condition changes since the last visit
Your Senior Dog’s Physical Condition
Evaluating your dog’s physical condition is an essential part of a senior dog’s healthcare program. Your senior dog’s physical condition can be crucial in determining whether they are overweight, underweight, or at the ideal body weight.
Carrying extra weight is especially difficult for a senior dog and will impact their quality of life. At the same time, too much weight loss may be a sign of illness.
Making Wise Food Choices for Your Senior Dog
Good nutrition is essential throughout your dog’s life. However, making wise food choices for your senior dog is an integral part of senior dog care. Due to decreased physical activity and a slower metabolism, aging dogs may need 20 percent fewer total calories than middle-aged adult dogs. However, some older dogs may not be able to digest proteins as well as they used to.
Generally speaking, aging dogs tend to gain weight, and as they do, they become at risk for possible health complications. For example, it may take obese dogs longer for their blood glucose concentrations to return to normal. This disrupted carbohydrate metabolism can lead to diabetes.
For these reasons, it is important to consult your veterinarian about the best food option for your senior canine companion. Specially formulated senior dog foods:
- are easier to digest;
- might address liver, kidney, or urinary issues; and
- can help with the general nutritional needs specific to senior dogs.
Your Senior Dog and Exercise
Although your senior dog cannot jump as high or run as fast as he or she could in their prime, exercise is still an essential component of any senior dog care regimen. Dogs tend to age better both physically and mentally when daily exercise, such as a short walk, is a part of their routine. However, an important rule of thumb is to keep their exercise both regular and moderate. Keep up with daily or every-other-day walks and limit the duration according to the dog’s fitness level and fatigue. Just as in humans, exercise can also:
- Help maintain a healthy weight
- Heighten motor skills and coordination faculties
- Slow the progression of arthritis
- Stimulate cognitive capacity
Of course, the physical condition of your senior dog will ultimately determine exercise duration and frequency. We recommend consulting your veterinarian about the most appropriate and effective exercise routine for your canine friend.
Schedule your senior dog for an appointment today. Call us at 334-745-0060.
Dog Emergencies
Although every loving dog owner hopes it never happens, emergencies do occur, and when they do, we’ll be here to help any time—day or night. We are well-trained in emergency medicine, including life-saving treatments and surgery.
There are pet emergencies, and then there are issues that can wait until morning. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for more insight. You know your dog best—especially if you suspect an emergency.
Symptoms that Can be Life-Threatening without Immediate Attention
- The inability to urinate. Your dog will probably be in obvious discomfort and may even start to panic. There may be a complete blockage somewhere in the urinary tract, and our veterinarian should see your dog as quickly as possible. The inability to pass waste is a life-threatening emergency.
- Unconsciousness or coma.
- Seizure—especially if your dog doesn’t come out of it promptly.
- Loss of balance, such as when your dog can’t right itself or cannot maintain its balance and is falling over.
- Changes in respiration, including when your dog is gagging, his mouth or tongue is turning blue, or if he collapses and can’t get up (these can mean he’s not getting enough oxygen).
- Penetrating wounds to the chest; deep lacerations or punctures to the chest cavity.
- Ingestion of known poisons.
- Uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.
- Uncontrolled bleeding.
- A fever greater than 104 and profound lethargy.
- Bulging eyes and sudden blindness, or any significant trauma to the eyes.
- Burns or injuries in which a bone becomes exposed
Safely Transporting Your Dog
If your dog is injured or in extreme pain, they may act aggressively. The first step is to protect yourself and then support your dog’s neck and back if they’ve suffered a spinal injury.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) shares the following approach to transporting a hurt dog:
“Approach your dog slowly and calmly; kneel and say his name. If the dog shows aggression, call for help. If he’s passive, fashion a makeshift stretcher and gently lift him onto it. Take care to support his neck and back if he’s suffered any spinal injuries.”
Once you feel confident and safe transporting your dog, immediately bring him to our office. Ask a friend or family member to call the clinic (334-745-0060) so that our staff knows to expect you and your dog.
We promise to treat you and your dog with the utmost respect and kindness—the kind of care you both deserve. Our mission is to not only help pets live happy, healthy lives but to help nurture the human-animal bond as well. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on client education and take time to answer any questions you have about your pet’s health and at-home care.
If your dog has an emergency, we are here to help. Call Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, for emergency assistance at 334-745-0060. Please call before bringing your dog in; if critical care is needed, we can direct you to the PARC Emergency facility, where critical care is available 24/7.