Havanese Health Problems: What To Look For
You are serious about learning more about how to care for the Havanese puppy you wish to purchase. It may have been many years since a dog has been in your home, or perhaps this will be the first do you have ever owned, or perhaps you have never spent much time with small breeds.
You will want very much to learn about common puppy health problems in general and common Havanese health problems in particular. You should also know about arranging regular veterinary care for your Havanese puppy as well as how to arrange emergency care for your Havanese. Havanese care is a new adventure in your life.
Do you know what you would do if needed to arrange emergency care for your Havanese? What should you do if your Havanese suffers an injury such as a broken bone? Do you know how to talk to your veterinarian about the injury?
Some health problems are common to any breed of dog. You should keep your Havanese’s eyes and ears clean to prevent infection or infestation with ear mites. Also, many puppies develop internal parasites, such as worms. Regularly check your pet’s coat for ticks and fleas. Even indoor animals can get them. Your veterinarian can provide treatments for worms and can provide you with the best treatments for fleas.
Luckily, Havanese breeders regularly test their stock of sires, dams and puppies for these disorders. The Havanese Club of America recommends breeders perform annual examinations of eyes, knees and hips, and hearing for their dogs. Eye test results are registered with Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and knee and hip tests with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). An honest breeder should be able to provide you with the results concerning your Havanese.
Be sure that you have a regular veterinarian for your Havanese’s health care. As part of regular veterinary care, your Havanese puppy should receive vaccinations against common animal diseases and examinations for parasites such as worms and ear mites.
You are the first line of defense against Havanese health problems. You should keep an eye on your Havanese and notice any changes in behavior or appearance. An animal that is usually lively and playful who becomes dull and listless may be unwell. A loss of appetite or weight may also signal illness. Regularly check your Havanese’s coat for fleas and ticks. A mass under the skin may be a sign of an abscessed wound and should receive prompt veterinary care.
You should seek emergency care for your Havanese if any of the following occur: a suspected broken limb, suspected poisoning, trouble breathing, massive bleeding, poisoning, or seizures. Keep your vetrinarian’s phone number on hand for any such emergency.