Taking Good Care of German Shepherds in Wisconsin

Your dog doesn’t have the ability to go down to the local pharmacy and get a prescription for whatever is ailing it, so it’s up to you as an owner to pay careful attention to what your dog needs to be healthy. Most of the time, dog owners are good about covering the basics: keeping up with vaccinations and shots, staying on top of vet appointments and keeping an animal groomed. However, sometimes it can be easy to miss some of the crucial things that can befall German Shepherds in Wisconsin.

Ticks

Ticks are very prevalent in Wisconsin and surrounding Midwest states. Having a dog means checking it for ticks periodically, especially after it’s been out and about in high brush or wooded areas. Ticks can cling on to German Shepherds in Wisconsin and burrow under the skin, creating health problems for the dog, such as infection or disease. Managing ticks is easier said than done, however there are a few ways that you can prevent the problem before it even becomes one.

First, topical creams can do the trick for guarding your dog against ticks that may want to make a home within its fur. Some topical creams can also even eliminate ticks once they’ve nested, allowing them to simply drop off during a thorough brushing after they’ve been killed. Topical creams are available through most vets as over the counter medication and aren’t all that expensive.

Flea and tick collars are another great way to kill off the threat of ticks on German Shepherds in Wisconsin. These collars have a fairly good success rate when it comes to warding off small pests and can be the saving grace you need if your dog is an outdoor scavenger who’s always getting into a mess.

Heartworms

Heartworms are a severe issue for dogs and cats alike, however they’re also very preventable if the right measures are taken. Some heartworm medications can be taken as little as once per month by your dog and they protect it for a full 30-days against heartworms and hookworms. Heartworm medications can be given topically or orally, depending on what brand you’re using, however both are effective when applied correctly.

Heartworms are generally caused by mosquitos and even indoor pets have the ability to encounter them, so it’s a good idea for pet owners to treat their dogs no matter what. Younger dogs are susceptible to heart worms more so than older dogs, but again, this isn’t exclusive to younger dogs, so it’s best to treat animals of all ages.

Do the right thing for your German Shepherd in Wisconsin and have it treated for both ticks and heartworms regularly. You’ll save your pet a world of pain and yourself a heaping pile of vet bills by taking preventative measures against ticks and heartworms. What’s more, your dog will live a longer, more fulfilled life if you’re responsible in keeping its health maintained, especially preventatively.