Dog 360

When winter arrives, it comes in fast and furious. Along with it we often shift gears in our thinking about our furry friends and their health issues. Cold temperatures, snow, ice and short days create some well-known challenges for the human-animal bond. Following are some of the more obvious issues and some you may not have thought of.

If you have a child, you've probably heard those familiar words, "Can we keep him?" Dog's aren't just a man's best friend anymore; they've become the whole family's friend. If you're like any typical family, the children will probably spend the most time with your new dog. This is why it's very important you teach your child how to take care of him. Here are a few dog rules to teach them:

You leave and he howls. Not just for a moment, but seemingly forever. When the howling finally abates, it is replaced by a whine. When you return, you find your home a mess-he has engaged in destructive behavior that is completely out of character. Your dog has a real problem: separation anxiety.

For many of us, when our dogs are ill, it is often quite difficult to know whether or not their condition warrants a trip to the emergency room.

In an emergency, the first thing you should know is where to take your dog. Many veterinarians offer 24 hour emergency service. Please make sure to ask your vet if this is a service offered by their practice. If your vet does not offer this service, know where your local veterinary emergency hospital is located.

Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important part of our families. We care for them as we care for ourselves. That includes taking a greater interest in our dogs' health care. In response, there have been many advances in dog health care in recent years: