1. What is Canine Heartworm and how do I prevent it?
2. I saw a stray dog. Can SPCA come and get it?
3. My dog is getting quite old. His eyes are looking cloudy. Is it ok?
4. My dog likes to bite himself continually. Why? What can I do?
5. My new puppy is terrified of my cat. How can I help him?
6. Thinking of Keeping A Dog?
7. My dog seems restless - should I take him for walks?
8. Our dog is always scratching himself...
9. Do I have to groom a short-coated dog?
10. Should I brush my dog’s teeth?
11. What are the dietary needs for older dogs?
12. Can my dog suffer from heat stroke?
13. How do I toilet train my puppy?
14. Why can't I feed my dog chocolate or grapes?
15. Getting a new puppy?
16. What age should I buy a puppy?
17. Let's get to know Labradors!
18. Can you help me find out more on a specific breed?

1.What Is Canine Heartworm - How Do I Prevent It?

Adult male and female heartworms live in the dog's heart and adjacent large blood vessels. The female releases microfilariae into the dog's circulating blood stream These larvae are ingested by mosquitoes as they take a blood meal. They will infect another dog when the mosquito takes another blood meal. They migrate from the skin to various tissues until they reach the heart and develop into the adult worms. This developmental period takes six months.

Canine Heartworm Disease is very common in South East Asia.
Early detection is essential for early treatment and prevention by a blood test.

Very Important - A blood test must be carried out BEFORE starting heartworm prevention. Most heartworm-infected dogs can be successfully treated if the condition is diagnosed early.

Prevention & Control
a) Control mosquitoes by screening and spraying; avoid keeping stagnant water and rubbish around
b) Preventative medications include once a month prevention tablets, or once a year injection.

Please consult your veterinarian if any further information is needed with regards to your dog's health.

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2. I Saw a Stray Dog. Can SPCA Come & Get It?

Yes, provided you can confine and stay with it and that you give us your full name, address and telephone number. However, the SPCA does not have the resources nor the manpower to catch stray animals on demand. Our vans' primary purpose is for emergency work, such as rescuing accident victims, sick and dying strays or very young kittens and puppies, so collecting `healthy' strays must take second priority.

So, if you can confine the dog on the day that the SPCA is in your area, (the SPCA visits certain areas on designated days - please call 6287 5355 during office hours for details) we will collect on the same day.

If the SPCA is unable to collect it on the same day and you are not able to bring it in yourself, the SPCA is able to arrange a pet transport service to pick it up, but you must pay the S$15 transport fee charged by them

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3. My Dog Is Getting Quite Old Now - About 7 Years I Think. His eyes are looking cloudy. Is It Ok?

As a dog ages there will be degeneration of the lenses (nucleus sclerosis) - this is a normal ageing process. He can also be developing cataracts or has an eye infection. Bring your dog for a vet check and seek veterinary treatment if needed.

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4. My Dog Likes to Bite Himself Continually. Why? What Can I Do?

This could be due to skin diseases, external parasite infestation or a bad habit. Consult a vet immediately.

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5. My New Puppy Is Terrified of My Cat. How Can I Help Him?

Put your new puppy in a cage and allow your cat to approach/explore the newcomer. As your cat is probably used to being the only pet around the house, it could also be jealous. Always supervise their interaction to avoid unnecessary injury.

Don’t thrust the cat or puppy at the other. Reassure and show the cat that you love him too – he could be jealous and hostile because you are ignoring him to play with the cute puppy!

Please note that some cats would never accept another newcomer. hence assess the personality of your cat carefully and honestly before getting another dog/cat.

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6. Thinking of Keeping A Dog?

Remember
It is a lifelong commitment. Never adopt a dog on the spur of the moment and never give a dog as a gift. The dog is totally dependent on you for its lifetime! Any decision therefore should lie with the entire family so that the dog does not end up unwanted or abandoned. You provide food, shelter, company and protection.

VETERINARY CARE 
Any new dog owner should seek veterinary advice. There is a list of veterinarians in the Yellow Pages. Dogs must be vaccinated annually to protect them from highly infectious disease which include the following:

Distemper - An incurable infectious viral disease. The infected dog may cough, lose appetite, have diarrhoea and  convulsions.

Parvovirus - A viral disease with symptoms of diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and dehydration. Treatment is not always successful.

Hepatitis - An often fatal viral infection. the dog can have fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and possibly accompanied by jaundice.

Leptospirosis - An infection causing gastroenteritis, jaundice and kidney problem.

STERILISATION
Unsterilised dogs often suffer from cancer of the reproductive organs, testicular tumours, prostate tumours (male dogs),ovarian tumours, mammory tumours and chronic unterine infections (female dogs). Sterilised animals have reduced chances of getting these ailments. Sterilisation may also modify aggressive behavior but is not 100 per cent guaranteed.

ACCOMMODATION
You need to ensure that the dog you choose suits your environment (and your personality!). Bigger breeds need more space and a garden to run around in. If you are staying in an apartment, your dog needs to be walked twice a day.

TIME
You must put aside time for basic care including grooming, feeding, exercise and training.

YOUR CHILDREN AND THE DOG
Not all dogs are okay with young children. Always supervise dog and child interaction. Some dogs have bad experience of children i.e. pulling their tails, hence they could develop a defensive behaviour towards any young children.

EXPENDITURE
Be prepared to spend on commercial food which provides a balanced diet , pet accessories, veterinary fees, annual vaccination,  worming treatment grooming equipment, toys and mandatory licence fees.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN OWNER
Do not allow your dog to stray off leash, harass or bite anybody.
Your dog should be leashed and under control in a public place.
Do not tie up or cage your dog. Confining him is not a kind act and may cause him to bark excessively.

DO NOT ABANDON YOUR DOG!
It is a cruel act to abandon a dog and is a crime. Under the Animal & Birds Act, you can be fined up to $10,000 or receive a jail term of up to one year, or both fine and imprisonment.

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7. My Dog Seems Restless - Should I Take Him For Walks?

YES. It is very important to exercise your dog daily. Even if he is in a compound he needs regular exercise outside your house like a brisk walk or a run in a park/at the beach for example.

This is not only good for his heart and physical well-being, but also prevents him from getting mentally tired. This is especially the case for most of our dogs who live with us in apartments. A ‘restless’ dog will become irritable and begin to destroy your belongings looking for excitement. He could turn vicious eventually.

Just remember, keep him on a leash at all times when outside. Enjoy yourselves - exercise is good for you too!

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8. Rocky, Our Dog, Is Always Scratching Himself - Why?

Rocky could be having skin irritation from allergy or external parasite infestation. Sometimes if it is left unattended Rocky may develop severe secondary bacterial and/or fungal infection. 

Bring him to a vet soonest - his problem should be easy to detect and easily cured - but left alone and it could mean a hairless, very sore Rocky soon - if not a major outbreak of fleas which you and your family can catch too.

Don’t try to treat him yourself until you have consulted your vet .

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9. How Often Should I Groom My Pet? Do I Have To Groom a Short-Coated Dog?

Grooming stimulates skin health, helps control parasite invasion and helps your dog look and feel good and should be provided for all dogs.

Here is a rough guide to the grooming needs for the different types of coats.

Long Coat (German Shepherd, Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Spitzes)
Dailybrushing

Short Coat (Corgi, Boxer, Whippet, Dachshund)
Daily to weekly brushing

Silky Coat (Yorkshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniels, Pekinese)
Daily brushing and combing
Strip the coat and bathe every 3 months

Curly Coat (Poodles)
Brushing every 2 days
Clip and bathe every 6-8 weeks

Wire-Haired Coat (Terriers, Schnauzers)
Daily Combing
Strip top coat and bathe every 3-4 months
Clip every 6-8 weeks

Note: All breeds can be bathed on a weekly basis (dogs with skin problems should follow vet instruction on frequency of bathing).

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10. Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

To prevent gum and tooth disease, it is wise to check your dog’s teeth and gums at once a week. If you can, brush your dog’s teeth daily using its own toothbrush, salt and water. Better yet, use a special canine toothpaste obtainable from a vet.

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11. What are the Dietary Needs for Older Dogs?

1. Feed your dog twice a day
2. Before starting a new diet, consult a veterinarian, especially if there are health problems to consider.
3. Increase the fibre intake if your dog is prone to constipation.
4. It is normal for dogs to eat small amounts of grass. Contrary to popular belief, this does not do them any harm.
5. Be prudent when giving your dog extra dietary supplements. Most good commercial dog foods provide ample amounts of nutrients. As such, excess supplements may cause nutritional imbalances and may even be toxic. If in doubt, check with your veterinarian.
6. Most pet foods now come in 'senior' version.

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12. Can My Dog Suffer from Heat Stroke?

The answer is YES, especially with the hot and humid climate in Singapore. Heat stroke occurs when the dog suffers from dehydration, exhaustion and uncontrollable rise in body temperature (normal body temperature of dogs: 38ºC-39.5ºC; when heat stroke occurs, the dog’s temperature can rise up to 42ºC and this is LIFE THREATENING!).

How can my dog suffer from heat stroke?
Heat stroke can occur when you over exert your dog by forcing it to run long distances or at high speed under hot and humid climate conditions. Heat stroke can also occur when your dog does not receive enough water before or during exercise.

Is my dog at risk?
In general, big breed dogs like German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers generally have better stamina than smaller breed dogs like Pomeranians or Chihuahuas. However, due to their thicker fur coat, they can also suffer from heat stroke if you are not careful.
Sporting or hunting dogs like Jack Russells and Beagles are generally more athletic hence they can cope with longer distances better. But care must also be given especially if they run too fast or when they are exercising under the hot sun.
Brachycephalic dogs like Bull dogs and Pugs (with shortened nasal passage, flat face and bulging eyes) will have respiratory distress when overexerted.

If your dog is dark or black coloured, take special note that they can absorb more heat more easily so it is important that you don’t walk/run your dog under the hot sun.

It is important to understand the breed and size of your dog and then decide sensibly how long and how fast he can walk/run. On an average it is advisable that you walk/run at a comfortable pace for about ½ hour during the cooler periods of the day.

How can I prevent my dog from suffering from heat stroke?
With the hot and humid weather in Singapore, it is important to take extra care when you bring your dog out for a walk or run. Do so when it is the cooler times of the day i.e. mornings or evenings. Allow your dog to drink sufficiently before exercise. You can also bring along a water bottle especially for your doggie! Always allow your dog to walk or run at its own pace and NEVER force it to over exert itself. Many people love to cycle while their dogs run alongside with them. This is safe only when you do it at a pace that is comfortable for your dog and when you do so during the cooler periods of the day. It is also important to understand the stamina and physique of your dog. If he has not run long distance or at high speed before, then be sure to allow sufficient time for your dog to ‘train up’. Dogs are like us, we all need time to build up our stamina and strength in any form of exercise or sports. 

How else can my dog get heat stroke?
Firstly, understand the physiological needs of your dog. If you have a big dog with long and thick fur coat, do not leave it out in the garden under the scorching hot sun without any decent shade or shelter. Always provide fresh water supply. It is preferable that dogs with long and thick fur coat be kept indoors with a fan or air con turned on for them. Secondly, assess the environment your pet is put in. If you have a big garden, always provide shelter (big trees, kennel: but take note the material of your kennel as zinc roof will trap heat making the air in the kennel too hot!). If you have a small dog in your apartment, make sure it is kept in a room that is well ventilated or does not have the heat of the afternoon sun searing through the windows. If your little dog is a highly excitable one, making sure it has plenty of fresh water and kept in a shaded/sheltered environment will be advisable. Thirdly, do not leave your pet dogs (cats or hamsters or birds, etc etc) in your car unattended! Even if you left the air con on or open the windows slightly, there is always the potential risk of heat stroke or stress. It is always wiser to take your pet along with you when you leave the car, or bring them back and settle them comfortably at home before doing a short errand.

Please note:
If your dog starts panting and salivating heavily during a walk, cool the animal down with a cold bath, and provide cold drinking water. If there is no improvement, please take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.

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13. How Do I Toilet Train My Puppy?

Toilet Training
The secret to successful toilet training lies in PREVENTION, not correction! Unless your dog is about 80-90% reliably toilet trained, it must not have the run of the house. Make sure you have a safe, puppy-proofed area where the dog will stay when you are unable to supervise him. This area will also serve as the dog’s toilet if it is to be trained to do its business on newspapers. A safe area could be either a playpen or the kitchen/laundry area.

• Decide if you want to train the dog to do its business on newspapers or grass. When using newspapers, don’t worry if your puppy shred and play with the papers. It will outgrow the habit. If it is grass, always go to the same area for the dog’s toilet. The smell will encourage the dog to do its business.



• Avoid free feeding (i.e. leaving food out all day). Puppies under 5 months old should be fed at least three meals a day. During meal times, leave the food on the floor for no more than 15 minutes. Remove the food after 15 minutes. This prevents a fussy eater and the dog will learn to eat during mealtimes. Having regular mealtimes will also enable you to monitor your dog’s food intake.



• Puppies are not able to control their bladder very well. They must be brought to do their toilet every hour or so whenever they are out of their confinement area.
• If the puppy makes a mistake, do NOT scream, yell or punish the puppy! The puppy didn't make a mistake. You made the mistake of not keeping a close eye on it.

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14. Why Can't I Feed My Dog Chocolate or Grapes?

Chocolate contains Theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs. Chocolate toxicity is dose-dependent. This means that it varies according to individual sensitivity, animal size, type of chocolate, and amount of chocolate ingested.

• - excitement
• - nervousness
• - restlessness
• - vomiting
• - diarrhoea
• - muscle spasm
• - seizures
• - increased thirst
• - increased urination
• - increased heart rate
• - heart rhythm abnormalities
• - coma, death

Grapes and raisins can cause toxic reactions in dogs. The toxicity is also dose-dependent. The exact mechanism is still unknown. Grape and raisin toxicity causes gastrointestinal upsets first then progresses to sudden kidney failure and death.

• - vomiting
• - diarrhea
• - anorexia
• - lethargy
• - depression
• - abdominal pain
• - tremors
• - increased urination and increased drinking.

Hence, it is safest not to feed your dog any amount of chocolate, grapes or raisins. Should your dog ingest any of the above, you need to contact your vet immediately.

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15. Getting a New Dog?

Now that you have decided to get a dog after serious consideration, the next step will be to choose the right one.

While most people tend to head straight for a pet shop, there are many advantages to adopting a dog from the SPCA. Firstly, you are giving a precious home to a stray or abandoned dog. You will be playing a role in reducing the number of unwanted pets in the city and thirdly, you will be rewarded with undying, unconditional love from a happy, well-adjusted dog. Even if you would rather have a puppy to bring up yourself, the SPCA also has puppies for adoption, so do visit the shelter before you decide to buy a puppy from a commercial pet shop.

However, do bear in mind that as the pet trade becomes increasingly commercialised, there are more unhealthy puppies being sold than healthy ones. Many pedigree dogs are inbred, and as a result may develop chronic health, skin and behavioural problems as they get older.

So, how do you avoid the pitfalls? It will not be entirely possible, but some common sense guidelines will help you to narrow the possibility of getting a sickly dog.

First, choose a reputable breeder or pet shop. AVA has started a grading scheme for pet shops so it would be a good idea to check its website to find out which are the most reputable shops. A good pet shop keeps the animals in clean surroundings, avoids too much handling by prospective buyers and provides veterinary care to the animal. A good pet shop will also give you a seven-day guarantee for the puppies. More often than not, puppies that seem well at the pet shop can fall seriously ill within the first few days after they are brought home. This can be attributed mostly to diseases that were incubating inside the puppy prior to purchase.

Here’s a checklist of other things to look out for:

Now that you have an idea of what to look out in a puppy, happy hunting!

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16. What Age Should I Get a Puppy?

You should never buy a puppy less than 7 weeks old.

Just prior to this age, a puppy learns how to interact with other dogs. Therefore it is important for a puppy to continue to interact with its mother and littermates. Studies have shown that puppies isolated at a very young age risk developing inappropriate or abnormal behaviours.

After this age, puppies do best learning how to interact with people and as they get older, how to interact in different environments. If deprived of such opportunities, these puppies may become fearful and never form close attachments.

Please consult a veterinarian on how to care properly for your puppy.

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17.Let's Get to Know Labradors!

Labs are both highly intelligent and obedient, and are thus relatively easy to train. The dog loves to play and retrieve, and has what can sometimes seem to be a limitless store of energy – daily exercise is an unquestionable requirement.

The Lab’s abundant energy can lead to destructive and hyperactive behavior if it is not sufficiently exercised, but aside from these minor shortcomings, the breed makes for a nearly perfect companion and friend.

Caring for a Labrador Retriever:
Labradors Retrievers are very active and among the most sociable of dogs. The breed should exercise with people and / or other dogs every day, and should be given every opportunity available to socialize.

Favorite pastimes of the Labrador Retriever include retrieving and maybe swimming. The dog is fairly adaptable to hot climates but is much happier living indoors with its family rather than in the yard.

Labrador Retrievers are average shedders, and should be brushed once a week.

Life expectancy: 11-12 years
Height: 53cm to 63cm
Weight: 25kg or more

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18.Can you help me find out more on a specific breed?

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19. Learn more about common skin diseases

Skin problems are one of the most common diseases encountered by a general veterinary practitioner. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It covers almost all of an animal's body, protecting it from the external environment. Any external insult would have to pass through the skin's defences first before making its way into the body. Occasionally, external insults do penetrate the skin and give rise to skin diseases.

Allergies make up a large portion of the cases seen in practice. The general mindset of most owners is that their dog has food allergies. They are always quick to blame the diet. However, environmental allergies and even flea bite allergies occur more frequently than food allergies.

Allergy is the hypersensitivity of the body's immune system to seemingly harmless allergens in the environment. The most common allergen for dogs in Singapore is house dust mites. Pollen allergy is also common in Singapore, particularly grasses and the oil palm tree.

Working up an allergic patient requires a good history from the owner. Information such as previous response to steroids and antibiotics would help in the diagnosis. There is no diagnostic test for allergies. Hence a systematic trial and elimination process is required to identify the allergies. Most owners usually bring their pets to the vets only when they are sick or if the skin problem gets too severe for them to handle. With allergies, I usually like to see the animal when it is doing well. This gives me a clue that a drug or treatment is working and helps with identifying the allergy.

Steroids, antibiotics, antifungals and antihistamines are usually used to treat infections associated with allergies. As allergy is an incurable disease, good owner compliance is required. A multi-centric approach is used to manage allergies, such as reducing exposure to allergens, skin barrier protectants, shampoos, conditioners, omega oil supplements and sometimes even alternative medicine such as traditional Chinese medicine.

Heat rash, moist dermatitis and Schnauzer bumps are some of the names given to the 'pimples' and bumps that we see on our dogs' skin. These are caused by external insults to the skin causing itching, which in turn results in scratching and secondary bacterial infection or even secondary fungal infection. External factors may include environmental allergens, contact allergens, warm weather and humidity or even procedures that may cause irritation to the skin such as grooming.

A good history is again required to assess if the skin rash is a short-term or long-term problem. This helps to differentiate between a recurring allergy and a simple bacterial infection. These conditions are often treated with steroids, antibiotics and antifungals. Shampoos with antiseptic properties are helpful in reducing the bacterial count on the skin to prevent recurrence. Omega oil supplements are used to help reduce skin inflammation.

Fleas, ticks and mites are some common parasites that cause skin problems. Ticks not only cause skin irritation with their bites, they also spread blood-borne diseases such as tick fever. In a tropical climate like Singapore's, it is impossible to completely eliminate the parasites from the environment. Flea bite allergy is common in Singapore. However, most owners I have met swear that they never see fleas. Unfortunately, even some vets deny their existence and their potential to cause allergies. The owners are only convinced of the flea problem after we have confirmed the flea bite allergy.

Fleas are also very difficult to eliminate from the environment. Their eggs are resistant to drying and they only stop reproducing at temperatures below 17 degrees Celsius. Due to our large stray cat population, the flea life-cycle persists in the environment. Prevention is the best form of control and there are many different products on the market that can be used. Beware of some pet shop ectoparasite medications, as they can cause seizures when applied. Check with your vet about which products are safe for your pet.

Hormonal skin problems are also commonly seen in private practice. The common hormonal diseases that cause skin problems are hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocoriticism. Hypothyroidism is the inadequate production of the thyroid hormone. This usually only happens in dogs. This would lead to the slowing down of the metabolic rate, lethargy, thinning of fur and hair loss, particularly over the body and sides of the animal. A blood test is required to check the thyroid function of the dog. If thyroid production is inadequate, lifelong supplementation of thyroid hormone is required.

Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing's disease, is the overproduction of a steroid hormone, cortisol, by the body. This leads to increased appetite, thirst and urination. It also causes thinning of the skin and fur. It gives the animal a pot-bellied appearance. Blood tests are required to confirm the disease. When diagnosed, long-term medication is again required to control the amount of cortisol production. Long-term management of these hormonal diseases is usually fair to good.

I have seen people who think that their dogs get skin problems because they were sterilized. Others have even claimed that their dogs were menopausal, and hence had developed skin problems. This is not true. Dogs do not get menopausal because they do not have a 28-day cycle like human females. They only get a three-week spike of hormones when they are on heat and the rest of the time nothing happens. Hence they are not as reliant on sex hormones as humans are. Besides, sex hormone-deficient skin diseases are rare.

Skin diseases can be frustrating, and different skin problems may often look the same. It is important to have a systematic approach to identify and then manage these skin diseases.

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