To add to the previous blog I wrote on walking dogs safely, walks are also a good time to check on your dog’s/dogs’ urine and stool. If your dog is straining to urinate or urinating too much, it’s time to take him to the veterinarian - straining to urinate is an emergency! A blockage is fatal unless treated. Urinating often can be a urinary tract infection, which is painful and if left untreated can cause damage to the kidneys.

Diarrhea can be a sign that your dog ate something he shouldn’t have, or could be worms, or his diet needs to be adjusted. Constipation is common in dogs, and can be corrected by adding fiber to his diet, such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, some spinach, cooked oats, and the like. Dogs are often not too picky, and will eat most things, unlike cats. Pumpkin in packets for dogs is available in pet supply stores or online, if canned pumpkin is too large.

If you fear your dog is ill and you can’t afford a high veterinary bill, there are low-cost and affordable veterinarians available. There are also charities and foundations who offer help to pet owners whose dogs have cancer or have been severely injured. Check this link from Mayor’s Alliance, if you need help: http://animalalliancenyc.org/needhelp/vetcare.htm

Remember to spay and neuter your pets! It’s important to prevent unwanted litters, (who can end up euthanized, or other pets are euthanized in shelters to make room for them) as well as preventing certain cancers that occur when a pet is unneutered, such as testicular cancer, mammary cancer. Female dogs and cats also can get pyometra, a uterine infection, which can be deadly. Spaying and neutering also prevents pets from becoming lost when they have a desire to roam and search for a mate. Unneutered dogs are often attacked by other dogs - be careful!