Brucellosis
Canine Herpes
Dental Care
Hypoglycemia
Teeth Crowding
Vaccination
Worming

Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella canis, which is a bacteria that can infect bitches and their fetuses. Brucella canis is a public health hazard since it is transmissible to humans, especially those handling aborted fetuses. Brucella canis is sexually transmitted by the mating of infected males and females. Brucella canis in the female dog will live in the vaginal and uterine tissue and secretions for years, and except in rare cases, for life.  She can spread the bacteria to other animals through her urine, aborted fetuses, or most commonly through the act of breeding. Once pregnant, the bacteria will also infect the developing fetuses causing illness.  In males, the Brucella bacteria live in the testicles and seminal fluids. An infected male is just as dangerous as the female as he can spread the Brucella bacteria via his urine or semen. Testing for Brucellosis usually requires a blood test by your veterinarian and all positives should be retested for a confirmation. Testing is the only sure way to detect carriers. All positive males and females should not be bred. Spaying and neutering is highly recommended, since there is no reliable treatment for Brucellosis.  

Canine Herpes is more of a reproductive problem that is transmitted through direct contact (sexual contact will do it but the usual route is simply normal nosing, licking, and sniffing) between an infected and uninfected dog. For this reason, it is recommended that a pregnant female dog be isolated from other dogs for the last three weeks of pregnancy and the first three weeks after birth. 

Puppies, Toy Breeds and Hypoglycemia in Dogs (low blood sugar)

If you see the symptoms listed below such as weakness or listlessness then your puppy may be suffering from hypoglycemia. If your puppy or toy breed isn't eating then you can try feeding some Nutri-cal off your fingers. It is a malt paste filled with vitamins and sugar designed to be highly palatable to your dog. If the hypoglycemia persists, it could result in a medical emergency, particularly if you see severe symptoms such as seizure and collapse. Complicating Factors - Sometimes there is more to hypoglycemia than just low blood sugar. While being extra small and extra young is enough to drop one’s blood sugar, sometimes there is more to the story.

* Bacterial infection - Bacteria can be tremendous consumers of glucose (blood sugar). For this reason, hypoglycemic puppies frequently are given antibiotics. * Porto systemic (Liver) shunt this is a problem for the Yorkshire terrier in particular. In this congenital malformation of the liver circulation, blood travels from the GI tract to the general circulation by-passing the liver. The liver does not develop properly and has abnormal function. One of the liver’s functions is to maintain the body’s blood sugar level. An abnormal liver leads to low blood sugar. This condition can frequently be cured with surgery. A liver function blood test is an easy way to rule this condition out as a complicating factor. Parasitism/Diarrhea/Stress - Stress from any cause increases the body’s demand for sugar. This is why it is especially important to insure the general health of the toy breed puppy. When stressors are present, maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is all the more difficult. When your puppy comes home again after a hypoglycemic episode, it is important to watch food intake and be aware of any changes in energy level. As the puppy gets bigger, risk factors diminish. Teeth get stronger, body fat stores develop, and the immune system matures. Eventually, hypoglycemia risks become minimal and the puppy can continue life as any other puppy, playing, chewing things up, and learning the behavior control necessary to be a good house pet. Symptoms of Canine Hypoglycemia:

* Stupor, disorientation, reduced level of consciousness
* Coma
* Seizures - particularly in dogs 4 years of age or older
* Weakness
* Anxiety
* Severe depression

Treatment of Canine Hypoglycemia - Treatment of hypoglycemia involves getting your dog the glucose to reverse the low blood sugar levels. One approach to try is to feed your dog small meals throughout the day vs. fewer large meals. A blood test to monitor glucose levels will be helpful in arriving at a diagnosis of the condition and if a change in feeding habits corrected the condition. If your dog is suffering from a pancreatic tumor it can be surgically removed (called an insulinoma). If you need to take your dog to the veterinary hospital the attending veterinarian will warm your puppy and immediately check blood sugar levels. Intravenous glucose (dextrose) will be provided and inserted directly into the blood stream. Your veterinarian will not release your dog until your dog is behaving and eating normally for a 24 hour period. Glucose comes in many forms: * Oral monosaccharide’s (glucose): absorbed through the mucous membranes. * Dextrose: can be given through intravenous feeding (tube into the body) or orally. In the case of emergency you can use:* Karo syrup
* Honey
* Fruit Juices
* Colas (Pepsi, Coke)
* Gatorade

For toy breeds or small dogs place a small amount of Karo syrup on the gums. The gums will absorb the sugar. If your puppy or dog does not quickly respond then rush him or her to the veterinarian.

Dental Care - Good dental care helps keep your dog in top form. Your dog depends on you to help him stay healthy. Good dental hygiene can play an important role in keeping your dog in top form. Clean your dog's teeth and check his gums regularly. Healthy gums are firm and pink, black, or spotted. Young dogs have smooth white teeth that tend to darken with age. Puppies have 23 baby teeth, and adults have around 42 permanent teeth, depending on the breed. As adult teeth come in, they push baby teeth out of the mouth. To check your dog's mouth, talk to him gently, then put your hand over the muzzle and lift up the sides of his mouth. Check that adult teeth are coming in as they should, and are not being crowded by baby teeth. Look for soft white matter or hard white, yellow, or brown matter on the teeth. This is plaque or tartar and should be brushed away. Make sure your dog’s gums are healthy and his breath is not foul-smelling. Mouth infections can lead to serious problems in the gums and other parts of the body, including the heart, so it's important to give your dog's teeth and mouth special attention. Clean your dog's teeth frequently with special toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs. If your dog balks at having his teeth brushed, get him used to it by rubbing his teeth and gums with your finger. Then put a little of the toothpaste on your finger and let him sniff and lick it; do the same with the toothbrush. Make sure to provide chew toys or other products that will help clean his teeth. As your dog gets older, he may have a buildup of tartar that requires special cleaning by a veterinarian.

Teeth Crowding – Some puppies retain their puppy teeth and need to be removed. A good time to do this is at the time your puppy is being neutered or spayed since they need anesthesia. Puppies and adult dogs need dental exams and cleaning once every two years or as needed.

Vaccination – is the only way to protect your dog against certain viral diseases that are highly contagious, and can be fatal. Because viruses cause them, there is no cure and treatment can be expensive, distressing for both you and your dog, and not always successful. The 3 major viral diseases that affect dogs are Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper and Canine Hepatitis. Kennel Cough is another disease that has a viral component.

 Schedule for Vaccination:
-5 weeks: Parvovirus For puppies at high risk. Check with you local veterinarian
-7 to 13 weeks: Combination vaccine without leptospirosis in every 3 weeks total of 4 set of vaccine. Corona virus where corona virus is a concern
-After 16 weeks: Rabies is given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination determined by local law). Also at this age I recommend Spaying or neutering your puppy.

Annual vaccination is recommended to keep antibody levels high throughout life. Vaccination programs will vary with age of first vaccination and the type of vaccine used. Your vet will advise you of the best program for your dog. Reactions to vaccinations are rare. Your dog may be a little 'off color' for a day or two after vaccination. Sometimes there may be a little swelling or tenderness at the injection site. These are not causes for alarm but if you are concerned about your dog or if there are more serious signs then it is advisable to contact your veterinarian immediately. 

Worming - Many puppies are born with worms. Since roundworm can cause illness in humans, especially children, puppies need to be wormed every 2 weeks from 2 to 12 weeks of age, then monthly to 6 months, then at 3 monthly intervals afterwards. If hydrated tapeworms are a problem (if your dog has access to raw offal), then worming every 6 weeks is a good idea.

Schedule for de-worming
-4 weeks to 3 months: once every two weeks
-3 to 6 months: once a month
-After 6 months: treat regularly, considering potential exposure to parasites (ex: four times a year)