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Health

Puppies

• As soon as you get your puppy, register him with a Vet and make an appointment for a general health check-up and to talk about vaccinations, worming and flea treatment.
• Start a routine of daily grooming and tooth brushing as soon as possible.
• Your puppy will shed his baby teeth from the age of 3 to 6 months, to be replaced by adult teeth by the age of 7 months. Please remember that this will make his mouth sore and he will need to chew to ease the pain during this time.
• If your puppy shows any sign of illness, have him checked by the Vet. At this vulnerable age it is much better to be safe than sorry.

Adolescent dogs

• Regular grooming and tooth brushing should be well under way.
• At around 6 – 9 months of age your dog will be entering puberty, which may have an effect on behaviour. Now is the time to discuss neutering with your Vet. See neutering for more information.

Adult dogs

• Continue regular grooming and tooth brushing. Check monthly to make sure that he hasn’t developed any new lumps or bumps.
• Take your dog to the Vet for his booster vaccinations. Make sure that you treat him regularly for fleas and worms.

Geriatric dogs

• With old age comes a higher risk of falling ill. As well as life threatening conditions, old age may also bring problems such as failing eyesight, hearing and possibly incontinence, so you will need to be prepared for this and make allowances. You should continue with vaccinations and worming and flea treatment programmes as directed by your Vet. Please keep a special eye on the condition of his teeth.
• It is common for owners of elderly dogs to put off taking their pets to the Vet if they believe there is something wrong with them, as they fear that euthanasia will be the only option available. However, if problems are spotted early enough then treatment can often be given to prolong a good quality of life.
• Twice yearly veterinary check-ups and immediate attention for possible problems are essential for an ageing dog, in order to pick up any life-threatening conditions before they become untreatable.

• Look out for the following symptoms and notify your Vet, as they could be signs of a problem.
  
  o Loss of weight or appetite
  o Coughing, or difficulty with breathing
  o A growth or lump anywhere on the body
  o Any unusual discharge from any body opening
  o Weakness or reluctance to exercise
  o An increased thirst /or urination
  o Diarrhoea or constipation
  o Fever, increased heart rate, or an increased breathing rate
  

Associated factsheets:

Help your hound stay happy and healthy factsheet (opens new browser window)