Watch for Signs
When it comes to identifying and treating health problems, trust your veterinarian, not a book or Web site. Specific canine health conditions are not easy for owners to recognize since dogs can’t tell you exactly what they are feeling and canine conditions differ from the human health conditions most owners know. So the best thing you can do is watch for signs and, if you spot anything amiss, visit your veterinarian.

Signs to watch for include:

• Listlessness
• Obvious pain
• Loss of appetite
• Feels cold
• Fever – learn how to take your dog’s temperature
• Frequent coughing or sneezing
• Frequent upset stomach
• Frequent loose bowels
  

These signs may not always indicate a health condition in your dog – there might be environmental or other causes – but they are signs that something is wrong. Don’t delay in seeing your veterinarian.

Prevention
Prevention is essential. Puppies should get three rounds of vaccinations in their first three or four months of life to guard against health conditions like distemper, canine parvovirus, rabies, etc. Check with your veterinarian for recommended prevention and vaccination schedules for your dog.

You can also help guard your dog against certain health conditions by:

• Monitoring his contact with other dogs. Keep your pet away from dogs that don't look healthy, from other animal's waste, and from those you know nothing about.
• Monitoring what he eats. Avoid unfamiliar foods. One of the best things you can do for your dog is to feed him a food that is complete and balanced for his life stage.
• Monitoring his chew toys. Don't allow your dog to chew up fabric or plastic and swallow it. Avoid sharing chew toys with dogs outside your household.