A Golden Retriever archive to help with buying, adopting and caring for your Golden Retriever

Posts Tagged ‘Mites’

It is a must to check out Golden Retrievers information on health if you really love your golden fuzz ball. If you think you are doing your best in caring for your dog, read on this article to see if she is as healthy as she should be.

A healthy Golden’s coat is shiny, soft and lustrous, free from mats, bald spots and thinning. She should be well groomed and fur should be neatly trimmed from the head to the tail. Fleas, mites and ticks should be out of sight. Her skin should be smooth and supple, without any sores, scaling or scabs. Her muscles should be sturdy, free from lumps, redness or swelling.

Her legs should be straight and paws should be well aligned. She shouldn’t be limping and her nails and dew claws are neatly trimmed to the quick with no cracks. The sole of her paws should be clear from any cuts, burns or thorns.

Her eyes are clear, bright and free from inflammation and redness, green or yellow discharge. Her ears are pink on the inside, clean and neatly trimmed on the outside. No signs of thinning fur or scaling on the edges. It should be free from foul smell and discharge.

Her mouth, gums and tongue should be healthy pink and not pale. Sores, redness, cuts, bumps and bad breath should be absent. Her teeth should be sparkling white and free from plaque or any dark discoloration.

She should be eating normally, with no apparent signs of appetite or weight loss. She should be on the normal range at 55 to 65 pounds. Her water intake should be normal, an average of a gallon per day and depends on the weather and her activity. Her urine should be clear and not dark yellow. Her stool should be firm and brown, not loose, red or black in color. It should also be free from worms and rice grains. Her anal sac should be free from foul odor and dried stool.

She should be robust which is how a Golden should be with no signs of lethargy. She enjoys being surrounded with people and other animals. She is not aggressive and hostile when touched by strangers. She should be sociable and friendly.

Is your Golden looking healthy? Good health depends on her diet, water intake, exercise, lifestyle, vaccination and medical care. If you think you need to exert more effort on your Golden’s care, it is best to consult the one who knows best, the vet.

Incoming search terms:

• signs of a healthy golden retriever
• signs of a healthy retriever
• golden retriever rapid green stools
• golden retriever bare spot causes
• signs of a healthy golden retriever puppy
• spots of dark tones in mouth in golden retrievers

Golden Retriever Kennels are very helpful when you plan to go out of town and cannot bring your dog along. They provide a safe and caring abode for your Golden buddy when no one is available to care for him. But it depends on the kennel or doggie residence that you leave your dog into. You also have to be careful in choosing a home away from home.

At least two weeks before your planned travel, start looking for the right kennel for your dog. The best way you can find one is not on the yellow pages but by asking your vet, dog trainer or your dog owner friends. After getting a good list near your location, start visiting the kennels one by one.

Check the facilities. How does it smell? Are the dogs placed in different crates or just in one cage? Is the place clean? Is there a place where dogs can take a walk and potty? Is the facility well maintained and well lit? Is the staff courteous? How do they treat visitors and the dogs?

A good kennel is not just a place where you can leave your dog. It is also a welcoming residence. It is not just a comfortable place to stay, it should also give him reasons to be happy. They make sure that the dogs are well taken cared of while the owner is away and assures that they will also be given right exercise and treatment.

Ask if the kennel also provides additional services like grooming and training. This is to ensure that your dog will be given the best care and education even while you out.

Sadly though, even if the facilities are clean, kennel cough virus, fleas and mites are lurking even in the neatest and tidiest kennel. Ask your vet to immunize your Golden against kennel cough. Also inquire on how your dog can prevent fleas and mites infestation.

Before dropping off your dog, you also have to prepare him. Ensure a buckled collar with ID. Make sure that he is well socialized and will not show hostility when handled by strangers. It is also advisable to update all his vaccines especially his rabies shots. Pack his goodies like his toy, blankets, food and water bowl and his dog food. This is to make him more at home during his stay. Inform the staff if your dog needs special medical or geriatric treatment ahead or if he has some bad behavior that needs to be dealt with.

When you find the right kennel, make reservations and drop off your buddy on the set date. Make a swift good bye and have a safe and worry-free trip.