Health and Nutrition for Dog Trainers

Health Concerns and First Aid

• Professional dog trainers should understand common canine health issues and recognize when to refer clients to veterinarians.
• A healthy dog is essential for effective behavior training and learning.

Canine Anatomy and Physiology

• Dogs possess approximately 319 bones, varying significantly due to selective breeding.
• Each dog has 13 ribs protecting the heart and lungs; tail structure varies by breed.

Skull Types

• Dolichocephalic (long snout): e.g., Greyhounds, bred for excellent sight.
• Mesocephalic (broader snout): e.g., scent hounds, improving scenting abilities.
• Brachycephalic (compact skull): e.g., Pugs, prone to overheating and dental issues due to constricted jaw structures.

Ear Health

• Dogs are exceptionally sensitive to sound; ear inflammation often indicates allergies or skin issues.
• Floppy ears increase the risk of infections due to limited airflow.
• Ear mites often affect dogs via contact with infected cats; signs include head shaking and red, inflamed ear canals.

Dental Health

• Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth; puppies begin teething at 3-4 weeks.
• Periodontal disease is prevalent, caused by misaligned teeth, poor hygiene, or diet.
• Dental care involves monitoring for signs like bleeding gums and foul breath.

Lyme Disease

• Caused by the bacteria from tick bites; symptoms include joint pain, fever, and loss of appetite.
• Daily tick inspections are crucial to reduce infection risk.

Giardiasis

• An intestinal infection caused by Giardia, often contracted from contaminated water.
• Symptoms include diarrhea and malnutrition; treatment is essential to prevent spreading.

Parasites

• Worms like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms can severely affect health.
• Roundworms are common in puppies; signs include a bloated abdomen and poor growth.
• Heartworms, spread by mosquitoes, can lead to serious respiratory issues and heart failure.

Skin Parasites

• Ticks: small parasites that feed on blood; prevention is vital due to their reproductive potential.

Nutrition and Feeding

• Nutritional health affects skin, coat, energy levels, and overall well-being.
• Types of Food:
  • Commercial diets: range from low-quality grocery store options to premium foods.
  • Homemade diets: offer control over ingredients but require careful planning for balance and nutrition.
  • Raw diets: involve uncooked meat and can aid in various health issues but must be handled safely.
• Obesity is a significant health issue affecting many dogs, leading to severe health problems; preventative care includes careful diet monitoring and regular exercise.

Common Ailments

• Ear infections: Particularly frequent in floppy-eared dogs; signs include head shaking and discomfort when ears are touched. Regular cleaning and monitoring are essential to prevent infections.### Dog Health Concerns: Vomiting and Diarrhea
• Phobic dogs may exhibit symptoms like drooling, trembling, and vomiting, which can arise from acute or chronic infectious diseases, including kidney failure.
• Repeated vomiting should be assessed for frequency; sporadic vomiting may indicate different issues compared to persistent vomiting.
• Vomiting red blood suggests an active gastrointestinal bleeding point, while vomit resembling feces signals potential intestinal obstruction, necessitating immediate veterinary attention.
• Acute gastritis manifests suddenly, with severe continuous vomiting as the main symptom and may be linked to life-threatening conditions, warranting urgent veterinary evaluation.

Motion Sickness in Dogs

• Motion sickness impacts many young dogs, resulting from overstimulation in the inner ear's labyrinth.
• Veterinarians may recommend medications like Dramamine to alleviate symptoms of motion sickness.
• Dogs fare better during travel on an empty stomach, so it is advisable to withhold food and water prior to trips.
• Transporting dogs in a covered crate can reduce motion sickness, and many dogs tend to acclimate to car rides and eventually overcome this condition.

Enteritis and Diarrhea

• Diarrhea's primary triggers in dogs are dietary indiscretion and intestinal parasites, though many infectious diseases also contribute to acute diarrhea.
• Additional causes of diarrhea include food intolerance, adverse drug effects, and abrupt changes in diet or living conditions.
• Diarrhea is categorized into acute (sudden onset, short duration) and chronic forms, with chronic diarrhea persisting for a longer time and requiring further investigation.

Growth and Development of Dogs

• Large and giant breed dogs should be at least 12 to 18 months old before engaging in high-impact activities.
• Growth plates are soft regions at the ends of leg bones, responsible for longitudinal growth until about 8 months.
• Injury to growth plates can lead to improper bone growth or cessation of growth; postpone intense activities until they’re closed.
• Agility training is typically reserved for older dogs to avoid injury to immature growth plates.

Respiratory System

• The upper respiratory system includes the nasal passages, throat, larynx, and trachea, while the bronchi and lungs form the lower tract.
• Healthy resting respiratory rate for dogs is about 10 to 30 breaths per minute; smaller breeds tend to breathe faster.
• Dogs primarily cool down by panting; labored breathing in addition to rapid breathing indicates distress and warrants veterinary attention.
• Choke chains can cause severe injuries, including fracture of the hyoid bone; consider using a head halter or chest harness instead.
• Cough characteristics help indicate conditions:
  • Deep hacking cough suggests kennel cough.
  • Moist cough may indicate pneumonia.
  • Goose honk cough in toy breeds could imply a collapsing trachea.

Urinary Tract Health

• Signs of urinary tract issues include painful urination (dysuria), blood in urine (hematuria), excessive urination (polyuria), and urinary incontinence.
• Early detection of urinary problems is crucial for effective treatment.

Reproductive Health

• Female dogs experience their first heat between 6 to 12 months, repeating every 5 to 9 months.
• Male dogs typically reach sexual maturity and sperm production between 6 to 12 months, with an average of 9 months.
• Spaying reduces the risks of certain reproductive diseases and lowers the incidence of mammary tumors.
• Neutering eliminates risks of testicular tumors and can help mitigate problematic behaviors.

Canine Senses

• Dogs see in colors similar to red-green color blindness in humans and have excellent vision in low light conditions.
• Puppies are deaf at birth; they develop hearing over about 21 days, capable of detecting higher pitch sounds than humans.

Common Canine Diseases

• Distemper: Highly contagious, can result in severe symptoms like fever, eye inflammation, and diarrhea; unvaccinated puppies are at highest risk.
• Adenovirus (hepatitis): Infectious, potentially fatal; symptoms include vomiting, jaundice, and abdominal swelling.
• Canine parainfluenza: Main virus in canine respiratory disease; exhibits coughing and is prevalent among unvaccinated dogs.
• Parvovirus: Serious, often fatal, especially in young puppies; symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid dehydration.
• Rabies: Fatal disease transmitted through saliva; prevention through vaccination is crucial.

Nutrition

• Proper nutrition is essential for health, influencing skin, coat, weight, energy levels, and overall well-being.
• High-quality, balanced food tailored to the dog's age, size, and activity level is crucial for maintaining optimal health.
• Obesity is defined as being 15-20% above normal body weight and can stress joints and organs, increasing health risks.
• Signs of malnourishment include a bloated abdomen and visible ribs, indicating serious nutritional deficiencies.

Types of Dog Food

• Commercial diets: Available as dry or wet; range from inexpensive generic to premium brands.
• Homemade diets: Allow control over ingredients but require careful recipe adherence and necessary supplements.
• Raw diets: Focus on uncooked meat and whole foods; must ensure proper handling to prevent contamination.

Behavior Changes and Veterinary Care

• Owners should monitor their dogs for behavioral changes as early signs of health issues.
• Immediate veterinary attention is necessary for severe symptoms like blue gums, labored breathing, collapse, and extreme bloating.
• Consult a veterinarian for any abnormal signs lasting more than a couple of days, such as vomiting, lethargy, or changes in urination habits.