EXAMINATION OF DOGS

As a responsible dog owner or breeder. It's important you  examine your dog's body everyday. Just the way you examine yourself or your child, to know the health status and condition of the body.

The Following parts are important to be examined in dogs.

1. Eyes
2. Ears
3. Skin Coat
4. Nail and Dew Claw
5. Teeths
6. Head 
7. Anal Sac.

              EXAMINATION OF EYES

It is important you examine the eyes of your dog everyday against occurrence of occular discharge (Colour & density), foreign object or infection.
     Eyes are important body organ of all living creature. Various factors such as injury, infections or deficiency may affect the eyes of dogs leading to conjunctivitis, glaucoma and other aliments including blindness. The eye should not show tinge of yellow discolouration nor redness.
     In puppies, eyes are opened on the 9th to 10th day after they are born but if the pup does not open their eyes on the 12th day and if there is discharge along the edges of the lids, then it require a quick medical attention  of the Vet against infection or causes of thr discharge.
    The eyes of the dog should be washed regularly with clean fresh water and should be examined for the presence of any disorder or abnormal discharge.
    In some long haired dogs, eyes lashes may drop over  the eyes causing great irritation. In such cases trouble lashes should be plucked out to avoid the impending damage of the eyes. Sore eyes in dogs can be as a result of a diet low in Vitamin A. Puppies tend to get sore eyes if the diet of the mother is not adequate in Vitamin A during lactation period.
    Sometimes dogs suffer with blindness can be diagnosed on the basis of a Cloudiness of the eye.

      PREDOMINANT EYE DISEASE IN DOGS.

Dogs                          Disease
Afghan hound  ---   Cataract
Beagle -----       Cataract, Glaucoma
Boston terrier - Cataract, Entropion
Mastiff ----- Entropion
Chow chow -- Entropion.
Cocker Spaniel   Glaucoma.
Daschaund -- Retinal atrophy.
Fox terrier --- Disrinchiasis.
German Shepherd -- Cataract.
Golden retriever -- Cataract.
Great Dane --- Ectropion, Entropion

DOG GROOMING

Dog of any breed should be groomed daily with a suitable grooming equipment to have a good coat on the body of the dog. A shinning body coat is the beauty of a dog.
   Large breeds require more grooming attention than soft-coated small breeds and Care must be taken when grooming long haired dogs.
  
   Grooming is a must for dogs because it helps in the following areas or ascept;
1.  It helps in removing old dead hairs and prevent formation of matting or dreadlocks in long-coated dogs.
 2. It helps in keeping away ectoparasites (ticks, lice, fleas. e.t.c).
3. It helps in cleanliness and prevention of various skin problems.
4. It stimulates blood supply to the skin and improve the coat condition.

A grooming kit should include the brush, comb, rake, thinning shear, electric clipper, stripping comb and a piece of velvet.
There are different varieties of brushes and combs. The best ones are fairly robust and substantial. Do not use brushes with sharp points or anything that can damage skin and hair. Combs need to be strong, it would help to remove dead hairs and prevent matting or locking of hairs.
Dogs of large breeds with coarse coats are best groomed with strong bristle or nylon brushes while a nylon baby brush is effective in grooming small breeds.

      GROOMING PROCEDURE

Have the dog stand in a comfortable position and relaxed, then start brushing from one of the hind legs, use the brush to go through all the under-coat of the thigh and down the lower leg, then groom the top coat. Repeat this procedure for the other hind leg, then thoroughly groom the back down to the entire length of the tail.
Brush out the front legs and the body hair from the shoulder, back over the ribs to the hips, neck and chest.

After grooming, clean the dog's ear by using dry cotton bud to wipe accumulated dust and wax from the folds inside the ear flap.
Note: Never use these bud to clean the ear canal.

BATHING OF DOGS

All Dogs should be bathed to keep the skin coat clean, to remove odours and avoid skin problems. However, fewer skin and coat problems are seen in clean dogs.
Dog should be bathed once or twice in a week.
    BATHING PROCEDURE
1. The dog should be placed in a bowel or bath.
2. Both ears should be plugged with cotton wool (Do this with care)
3. Water should be poured on the body until the coat is wet.
4. Good quality shampoo should be used, the shampoo should be applied and rubbed over the coat until it lather all over it body.
5. The dog should then be thoroughly rinsed with clean water then washed perfectly with water.
6. Finally, the dog should be dried with towel or clothes and kept in warm place to make it body dry.

Note: Dog should not be bathed everyday, it may result in removal of natural oils and thus make the skin coat dull.

Pups should not be bathed until they attain the age of 8-12 weeks. Any dirty part of the body of young pups can be mob with clean towel.

Bitches should not be given bath after four weeks of pregnancy.

A nervous dog may fright at the sight of the preparation for a bath, therefore, everything should be ready before he is brought to bowel or tub.

Some dogs may bite out fear while being bathed.

            MEDICATED BATH

When parasite such as fleas, lice, ticks are present, a special medicated bath is required the use of ectoparasiticidal which has to be used under the supervision of a specialist or veterinarian.

Don't bath Pregnant bitch with ectoparasiticidal.

Don't try it yourself when you don't have the skills. A small or little trial at the wrong dosage of the ectoparasiticial can send your dogs to their early grave.

When the whole kennel is infested with ticks, call a specialist to fumigate the entire kennel(s) and it surroundings. Ensure all dogs are kept away from the kennel and area during fumigation and hours after fumigation.