On this page  Ear infections  Worms in puppies  Hip dysplasia  Taking the Pulse and Temperature

Hip dysplasia

If there was just one cause of Hip dysplasia (HD) it would almost certainly have been eradicated by now. HD of the hip joint affects the head of the femur and the socket in which the head sits.

There seems to be two generally accepted causes. One is genetic where both parents pass on the disorder. The other is environmental and covers all the external influences which change and effect the growth of the bones, cartilage etc. Factors such a diet too rich in proteins and over exercise at a young age and physical injury can all be contributors. Read about how  Diet can infuence Hip dysplasia

No dog with poor hips or dysplasia should be bred from, and neither should any of the siblings because dysplasia also has genetic roots. Strict rules regarding dysplasia and breeding are enforced by the official Hovawart Breed Clubs. Read more about  breeding Hovawarts for improved health. Most countries have authorised schemes to x-ray and grade the hips of individual animals and other joint disorders are often tested for as well.

Otitis Externa - Ear Infection

Luckily Hovawarts are not prone to ear infections. Common reasons for ear infections are allergies, a build up of ear wax, grass seeds, and ear mites. Another is swimming, caused by not drying the ears.

Shaking the head and scratching excessively, red ears, or a discharge from the ears can all be signs of Otitis Externa an infection in the outer ear canal, and is the most common of all ear infections.

Dogs get ear infections mainly because of the anatomy of their ears. They have an outer ear, a middle ear and an inner ear, with horizontal and vertical parts to them. This makes it difficult for water and debris to drain out and provides the perfect environment for bacteria and yeasts to grow, so clean your dog's ears regularly.

To clean your dog's ears, place a few drops of a proprietary ear cleanser into the ear and massage the ear to help loosen any debris that is in the ear. Then use a cloth or cotton gauze to whip the dirt out, do not use cotton buds/tips. discover more about ear cleaning and grooming a Hovawart

Ear infections can be serious and must be treated by your vet
Left untreated ear infections can progress deeper into the ear, and can cause a great deal of pain. He may hold his head as still as possible, often to one side. Sometimes just opening his mouth, or touching his head, can cause him pain. They can become dizzy and have poor balance and coordination, when the infection progresses to the inner ear. The treatment the veterinarian will prescribe will vary depending on the cause of the ear infection. With yeast infections they prescribe anti-fungals, while for bacterial infections they prescribe antibiotics.

Normally the treatment is applied directly into the ears, but in severe cases you may have to give your dog pills by mouth. Occasionally with severe ear problems, the veterinarian may cut the hair around the ear to help let more air into the ear

Worms are a common problem and puppies get worms more than adult dogs.

An extremely thin puppy, a very poor looking coat, and a potbelly could all be an indication that the puppy is infested. Symptoms of puppies with worms include weight loss,weakness, being listless, stomach upset, not growing well, and sometimes even lung and breathing problems.

An otherwise healthy adult dogs may not show many outward signs if they have worms, though they spread them more than puppies do, because they pass large amounts of worm larvae, or eggs, through their faeces.

There are several different types of worms that are harmful your dog's health: Tapeworm and roundworm, being the most common.

Tapeworms have flat, segmented bodies and can sometimes be seen as rice-like segments or chains in the faeces. These are often combined with flea infestations,so you may find remedies designed to treat fleas and tapeworms together.

Roundworms (Toxocara canis) live and produce hundreds of eggs in the intestine. Roundworm eggs are very tough, resistant to heat and cold, and can survive five years or more in the soil. Typically puppies up to around 8 months old are easily infected. Symptoms include poor growth, weight loss, a pot bellied appearance, coughing, occasional vomiting, slimy diarrhoea with the worms sometimes visible.

Roundworms eggs are easily passed onto children through ingestion. It is a good idea to train your puppy to defecate in an area which is not played in by children. Having a specific area makes it easier for you to clear up after your dog. Teach children to wash their hands after handling puppies, and teach children not to kiss the pup and puppies not to lick the hands or face.

Your veterinarian will be able to advise you and prescribe effective treatments against worms. All dogs should be "wormed" every 6-12 months.

How to take a Hovawart's pulse.

Ensure that he is quiet and relaxed, and using the tips of two fingers place them inside his thigh close to the body on either rear leg. Gently but firmly move your fingers until you can feel a distinctive pulse, and then count the pulse beat for one minute.
The normal pulse rate is between 60–90 beats per minute.

How to take a Hovawart's temperature.

Use a digital thermometer.Check the thermometer registers zero, and have another person quietly hold the dog in a standing position.

Lubricate the thermometer with vaseline (petroleum jelly) and insert it 2.5cm into your dog's rectum, holding it there for about one minute in order to get an accurate reading. (Do not use a glass thermometer in case of breakage) - Clean the thermometer with a mild antiseptic afterwards.

The normal temperature for dogs is 38.3ºC - 38.8º C. If it is higher or lower than normal, seek veterinary advice