13 Most Prevalent Dog Illnesses & How to Prevent Them

While I'm a BIG supporter of spaying and neutering your animal companions, a new study has come out of UC Davis, showing a possible correlation between spaying and neutering as puppies, can perhaps later cause cancers in the Golden Retrievers. While this study used only Golden Retrievers as their subjects, this would (I'm sure) cross over to other breeds as well.
The theory, is that our Animal companions need their hormones, that their reproductive organs furnish these hormones, that contribute to the maturation and growth of the dog , including the growth plates in the bones, as many Retriever breeds get osteosarcomas, as well as other types of cancers . Some Vet's refer to the Golden , as "Cancer Retrievers", due to the number of dogs of this breed, being diagnosed with cancers.
The conclusion of the study keeps going back to the spaying and neutering of our animal companions, before they have fully matured.
Then, once that occurs, average one year for small to med sized dogs, and up to 18-20 months for large and giant breeds. this is not to say you should NEVER spay or neuter, but it should wait until the dog is completely mature, and bones have ossified..
Please do not misunderstand me...Spaying and Neutering is a MUST, for unwanted animal population, and for the health of your dog. However, I have to give some credence to this study, as it makes sense....Would anyone take a child as an infant or toddler, and castrate a male baby or remove the ovaries of female baby?
Hell no, because those hormones are necessary for their ultimate growth and maturity.
Once an adult, the canine has no need for their reproductive organs, unless you are a PROFESSIONAL breeder. One shouldn't wait beyond their maturation, however, as they will be more prone to mammary tumors (females) and testicular cancers (males), the older they get AFTER they've fully matured, and have NOT been altered.

It was a very interesting study. But I do agree that on the average, dogs will likely live longer, if they've been altered , once fully grown.
http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10498

I have a year old male Havaneese. A better dog, IM not sure I had found it. Would like to know the things I need to take care of so he is in our lives for many healthy years to come.

I would like to read about the 13 things mentioned, but the web pade layout is just to confusing. I couldnt follow the article or read the info cuz of the horrible layout. Very strange site...

Dawn is so CHEMICAL-HEAVY, i would never put that on my dog. It's created to "cut grease out of the way" -- think about how strong those chemicals have to be? It's also why the Hydrogen Peroxide/baking soda/Dawn mix is SO bad to get skunk smell out of pet's fur. I'm glad they didn't suggest that one (might as well just drown your dog in chemicals). Geez.

Wow nice. Some pets die because they're owner doesn't really know what there disease it. Where can we get more information when our pets is sick?

Never buy or give anything to a pet form any foreign country. We use Royal Canine and although it's an English brand it's made in America. Does China care how our pets fare. How are we going to sue them form this far away when we can't even sue our own local companies?
Keep a file on every article that comes up and take it to your vet. If they get snitty about it, that's not the vet for you. A good vet will thank you for it. Vets are busy and sometimes miss new findings. Also beware of rawhide chews. They get stuck in the dogs throat and kill them. Insurance is not that expensive. Our back neighbor's kids kept throwing toys over our fence and of course would not pay the $3000 plus bill for the surgery to save our Golden when he ate a rubber ball. Lock, don't just close gates. Have home sitters. Cheaper than kennels and safer.
Know the list of unsafe foods. Grapes, chocolate, Onions and garlic, Teach your dog the command; Leave it. It could save his life if you drop your medication. Do I sound like I am overprotective? You betcha!

have been told by a very experienced and competent vet that Parvo can be treated at home with a very dedicated and strongly motivated caregiver If the animal is kept comfortable and given fortified fluid every hour for at least 30 to 48 hours, the dog will probably survive. So if you cannot afford the inpatient IV care,this is an alternative for the caregiver with a lot of commitment. Ask a vet if you are in this position. Of course the dog must be kept away from other pets and the waste material safely disposed of in such a way that other animls are not made sick.

have been told by a vet that Parvo can be treated by intensive home care, this means giving the dog fortified fluid EVERY hour for at least 30 hours. SO don't give up on your parvo diagnosed dog if you cannot afford the expensive in patient care. This is only for the committed and strong dog caregiver. If you don't believe it ask a vet.

How about not buying any more pet toys or food from other countries? Bet they wouldn't want you to know what they allow those third world countries and China to put in those products.

after many expensive surgeries on dogs and bunnies in particular, i am now an advocate for keeping pets pain free and not trying to "fix or eliminate" the many things that can happen with animals, especially abscess problems due to teeth in rabbits that are extremely common. we love our pets so much that i think there are many vet specialists that do surgeries, knowing there are no real cures, but a life of constant complicated and hurting animals that owners are left with, needless to say the thousands upon thousands of dollars paid to no avail of a return to health for the poor animals. luckily, i do have a local vet that i have come to trust a great deal. He will mention the side effects and if he thinks a procedure is worth it in the long haul, which it usually isn't. Remember that the pets that depend on you count on you keeping them safe and as comfortable as possible, not just merely alive and hanging on!