Preparing your dog for vet's inspection:

It is essential that all dogs are regularly inoculated and wormed, that is; inoculations and boosters every year, worming treatments every 3 months your vet will advise. The only effective worming products are available from your vets.

Many pet owners encounter problems at the vet. The dogs and cats do not like to be examined. From an early age make it a pleasant experience for your pet to be handled and examined by different people. Always do this while you are present to reassure and reward the dog with praise and 'titbits'. Only ask sensible people, who are used to dogs to assist you with this exercise.

Some if not most vets prefer to examine their patients on a table. So, if you have a dog that can be lifted onto a suitable table, get the dog used to being put on the table. Hold him in a comfortable position for a few seconds, praising him and reassuring him, then give him a “small treat” and gently lift him off. Never let a dog jump off the table by himself. If you use a table make sure a mat or cover is placed on it so that it is not slippery for the dog. There is no quicker way to make a dog hate being picked up and put on a table than to place it on a slippery surface.

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Administering prescribed treatments:

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Often following a visit to your vet you will be required to continue a course of treatment at home. This can include giving pills or liquid medicine (orally); applying ointments to eyes, ears, and skin; giving the eye or ear drops.

The only reason dogs object to taking medicine is that they are not used to being handled. It is kinder to prepare your dog to the best of your ability for the occasion when this will probably arise. This is best done by training your dog to allow you to handle it and examine any part of its body under any circumstances without any resistance from your dog.

Pills can often be given by disguising the pill inside a little piece of butter, margarine or cheese. There are many “Do Not's” associated with this sort of training, all of which are common sense. Do not give dogs any medicine unless specifically prescribed for that dog by a vet. If in doubt about your dog's health, consult a vet, never take advice from unqualified people; this includes pet shops, dog breeders, dog trainers, behaviourists and the person a friend knows who had a dog with the same sort of symptoms.

Do not put anything in your dog's ear. Look don't poke! Report discharges or smells to your vet. Do not put any drops or ointment into your dog's eyes. Consult your vet. Do not interfere with any lumps, bumps, wounds, cysts, rashes or anything else on your dog's body. Consult your vet.