Health topics that begin with “D”

Health topics that begin with “D” Dental formula, Diarrhea, Dietary fiber, Diets – Veterinary, Dog sport, Dressing Dental formula

The dental formula describes the number and range of teeth for a puppy or an adult dog. And here is where it gets a bit scientific: Teeth can be divided into 4 groups: canines, incisors, premolars and molars. A puppy's temporary teeth consist of: Upper jaw - 6 incisors, 2 canines, 3 premolars. Lower jaw - 6 incisors, 2 canines, 3 premolars.

An adult dog, after he’s lost his puppy teeth, has: 3 incisors per quadrant, 1 canine per quadrant, 4 premolars per quadrant and additionally 2 molars (cheek teeth) per quadrant in the maxilla and 3 molars per quadrant in the mandibula.

Loss of teeth (often due to genetic causes) can lead to exceptions from the above dental formula.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an increase in frequency, fluidity or volume of feces.

In dogs, diarrhea has various possible causes: infectious diseases, allergies, intolerance, intestinal activity disorders, and many others.

In puppies, the condition is particularly serious, because the puppy can quickly become dehydrated – which can in turn lead to organ damage, even death.

In puppies, the causes of diarrhea are primarily infectious diseases, worms, incorrect feeding, or stress due to a change in environment. If your puppy is suffering from diarrhea consult your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

Dietary fiber

Raw fiber is contained in vegetables and grain. Fiber is necessary in food products in order to stimulate bowel movements (peristalsis) and thereby ensure good digestion.

Diets-Veterinary

A special diet can be used as a sole therapy for a health problem or it can support another form of therapy, such as chemotherapy. Use of a diet will be recommended by a vet after diagnosis of an illness, and can be used to support the affected organ. Diets are used, solely or in combination with other therapies, to treat the following conditions, among others:

• Kidney diseases
• Liver disorders
• Obesity
• Cardiac disorders
• Diabetes melletius
• Diarrhea

If your puppy has a health problem your vet may prescribe a diet. If this happens the diet should be followed exactly.

Dog sport

This is beneficial for dogs and their owners, as sport is a way of spending your leisure time naturally with “man’s best friend”. Sports such as agility, sheepdog trials, fly-ball, and many others enable dog owner and dog to work and play together. But care must be taken with the amount of exercise puppies and young dogs get, as they shouldn't be over-exercised, especially large breeds. Their bodies are growing, so the dog sport chosen should be appropriate to the dog’s developmental stage. Contact with other dogs is of particular benefit to a dog’s development, particularly his social development.

Dressing

A dressing serves to protect a wound, to cover an area of the body or to fix a part of the body in position. Materials for dressings include: bandages, cellulose, gauze, cotton batting or similar things. For fixing a limb in position, materials such as splints or cuffs are used.