|
Dogs develop incisors – 12 small front teeth – that they use for grooming themselves and for picking up small objects. For larger pieces, including food, dogs use four canine or cuspid teeth that are long and pointed.
When the dog performs its functions properly, it should be rewarded by a profusion of endearing words, by petting, or even with a tidbit. When the dog performs its functions improperly, it should be grasped by the scruff of the neck, told briskly and in no uncertain terms that it has done the wrong thing, shown what it has done, and then put back on its paper. The animal also may be slapped over the haunches with a piece of folded newspaper; this will cause the animal no pain, but will make a loud and impressive noise. Since, however, some trainers feel that the newspaper routine may tend to cow the animal or somehow break its spirit, it should be used only as a last resort.
The situation has changed drastically in the last few decades. Remarkable discoveries in the form of lifesaving drugs and refinements in surgical techniques have so substantially increased life expectancy that dogs have continued to live into hoary old age in increasingly larger numbers, until they now account for a respectable percentage of our canine population. The mere presence of such overwhelming numbers of old dogs supplied the interest, the opportunity, and the necessity for the systematic study of the diseases of old age. Though geriatrics is still in its infancy, its achievements have already been noteworthy and it continues in everwidening measure to contribute to our understanding of the diseases of old age, with its consequent prolongation of the life of our favorite pet, the dog. In this regard, veterinary science owes an inestimable debt to human medical research.
dog dental care
But when all is said and done, what has been the overall debilitating effect of this lack of exercise on dogs? Amazingly enough, not very much. In spite of the physical disadvantage we have imposed on most of our dogs in not keeping them tuned up to athletic razorsharpness, they still seem to be clean, sleek, vigorous, happy, and healthy, and they generally live to a ripe old age. Only occasionally will difficulties arise that are directly attributable to lack of exercise. When animals such as Great Danes are raised in one or tworoom city apartments, they will sometimes have physical breakdowns after several years of such preposterous confinement. But even such occurrences are not as common as is generally believed.
©2000-2006 www.advancesinhealth.com
|
|
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is essential to the preservation of muscles and is reputed to improve reproductivity in animals. It is present in liver, lettuce, and especially in wheat germ oil. It is well to mention that codliver oil may destroy the vitamin E in the dog. Thus large doses of codliver oil should be judiciously avoided.
dog dental care
Common sense should be used in regard to injuries. If it is nothing more than a simple scratch, then the application of any household antiseptic is all that is required. A simple bruise can simply be ignored. A slight burn will be healed by daily applications of vaseline. More extensive burns should also be covered with vaseline and then given veterinary attention. In his evaluation of an injury, the owner should be guided by the same sort of reasoning that he would use if he himself were injured. If the injury is obviously minor, the same sort of household treatment that would be used with a human being will work just as well with the dog. If the injury is obviously severe, only the simplest firstaid measures can be applied while waiting for the veterinarian to take over. If there is the slightest doubt as to the extent or significance of an injury, a veterinarian should make an examination at the earliest possible moment.
|
