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Heartworm Disease
Heartworms are killers. Once thought to be a problem
only in the South, the disease is now found in all states and Canada.
Heartworms can be detected by a simple blood test.
Most vets recommend a heartworm check once a year.
Since mosquitoes transmit the heartworm larvae to the dog,
your dog must be on heartworm preventive during the mosquito season.
In some areas, owners use preventive year-round. Whether you choose
to give a daily or a once-per-month preventive, follow your vet's advice
to keep your dog free of this disease.
Teething
As soon as permanent teeth begin to erupt, watch for retained
puppy teeth, as they may deflect the permanent teeth to form an unsatisfactory
bite.
Stubborn puppy teeth can often be worked lose by wiggling
them back and forth over a period of several days. In extreme cases,
they may have to be extracted by your vet.
Do not wait too long, as permanent damage to your puppy's
bite could occur from retained puppy teeth.
Anesthetics
The Belgian Sheepdog population is very small, yet we hear of
one or two Belgians' dying under anesthesia each year. Because Belgians
do not usually carry much body fat, it is thought they have difficulty ridding
their systems of drugs. Never take any surgery for
granted. There is always a risk when anesthetizing an animal., so
elective surgery should be avoided if at all possible. Sedatives should be administered "to effect" and never based on
the dog's weight alone. Meet with your vet and discuss your
dog's special problems in advance of any surgery. Since many of today's
vets are very busy and in large, multi veterinarian practices, it is worth an
extra appointment to reacquaint the vet who will perform the surgery with your
dog and to remind him or her of your concerns. By all means,
choose a vet who has a good reputation with dog show people. They tend
to be a fussy lot! Also look for a vet who has experience with your
breed. You'd be surprised at how many vets have never treated a Belgian.
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