A variety of factors affect the health of your dog. In addition to regular preventative veterinary care, a balanced diet, clean dry bedding in a draft free area, daily exercise, love and companionship will go a long way to keeping your pet healthy.
This chapter is not intended as a substitute for veterinary care.
This chapter is not intended as a substitute for veterinary care.
Finding a veterinarian
It is important to have confidence in your veterinarian. Find out if your vet is available for after-hours emergencies, and if not, who will be available. The time to establish a working relationship with a good veterinarian is before you need it, not when you have an emergency.
Pet Insurance
As the costs of maintaining a pet rise, it may be advisable to consider pet insurance. There are many different programs available. You can find information on pet insurance on the American Kennel Club Website. You should also consult your veterinarian regarding an appropriate policy for your Otterhound.
Seizures are one of the most serious health concerns for Otterhound owners. Please see this descriptive presentation from Dr. Karen Munana of North Carolina State University on this topic.
Health Concerns for Otterhounds
Compared with other breeds, the Otterhound has relatively few inherited genetic diseases.
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Otter Talks are topics of interest to our members. This one is done by members that have lived with dogs that have seized.
A presentation on an epilepsy research project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (below)
An Owner's Checklist
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Preventative Health Measures that Owners Can Take
- Buy an Otterhound from a reputable breeder who will stand behind the health of his/her dog. If you adopt from a rescue group, discuss the health issues which may or may not affect your new hound.
- Don’t overfeed your Otterhound. Obesity is harmful to your Otterhound’s heart, spine and joints.
- Religiously clean your Otterhound’s ears once a week.
- Trim toenails at least once every ten days to two weeks.
- Check for impacted anal glands.
- Brush teeth at least three times weekly.
- Depending on the part of the country you call home, or where you and your pet travel, give your Otterhound regular heartworm medication and check for fleas and ticks.
- Immunize your Otterhound for preventable diseases. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for your dog.
- Do not let puppies climb long flights of stairs or jump off objects such as beds, couches or porches, especially before 16-18 months of age.
- An Otterhound is safest in a secure, fenced area.
- Make sure you continually “puppy proof” your home to keep your pet safe from toxic substances. If there is any sign of a medical problem, contact your veterinarian immediately.
BEWARE of Unprofessional Advice
Your veterinarian should be consulted when your Otterhound becomes ill. NEVER medicate your dog without the advice of a veterinarian. Don’t try home remedies, remedies from the neighbor, internet chat rooms, etc. Don’t use human prescription or nonprescription medicines without the advice of a veterinarian. Even over the counter medicines can be deadly. For example, acetaminophen can cause liver failure in dogs.
Recognizing when your Otterhound is “not quite right”
It is your responsibility to monitor your hound’s general condition and learn the importance of recognizing when he is feeling a bit off. While you don’t want to assume a loss of appetite is an emergency, in some cases it may be. Because your Otterhound can’t “tell” you when he is ill, watch for any changes in behavior such as loss or increase of appetite, restlessness, an unwillingness to move or exercise as usual and withdrawal or depression.
Delays in obtaining necessary treatment can have tragic results for your Otterhound. Since your dog cannot speak, it is important that you be able to describe his symptoms as accurately as possible.
If you believe that your hound is not well, check his vital signs, especially his temperature.
Delays in obtaining necessary treatment can have tragic results for your Otterhound. Since your dog cannot speak, it is important that you be able to describe his symptoms as accurately as possible.
If you believe that your hound is not well, check his vital signs, especially his temperature.
Administering Medications
Giving A Prescribed Pill
There are several ways to give your dog a prescribed pill.
Hide the pill in a small piece of meat or cheese. If your Otterhound refuses this treat, open his mouth, place the pill at the back of the throat and close the mouth. Stroke the throat and watch for him to swallow, making sure the pill has been ingested. Allow the dog’s tongue to come out of his mouth slightly as he swallows. (Illustrated right) When giving prescribed medication, follow the directions carefully. Don’t stop the medication unless directed by your veterinarian! |
Administering Eye Drops or Ointment
- Hold one hand under your Otterhound’s muzzle and rest your hand with the eyedropper on the dog’s skull. This will help prevent an injury if your hound moves.
- Make sure you use the correct number of drops or amount of ointment.
- If giving more than one medication, wait 5 minutes between medications.
Keep your veterinarian’s telephone number next to the phone. Ask your vet to help you put together a first aid kit for your dog.
Health Care Schedule
Regularly scheduled checkups are a great way to monitor your Otterhound’s health. Ask your veterinarian what he/she recommends.
Preventable Diseases through Vaccination
Before you bring your new dog home, check with your vet to be sure that your new Otterhound has been adequately inoculated by the breeder.
The following chart describes the diseases that are preventable by regular vaccination. Maintaining your dog’s vaccinations is one of the most important things you can do for his or her health. Boosters are often given at your dog’s annual exam. Duration of immunity is currently being studied, and vaccination schedules may vary based on your vet’s recommendation.
Disease
1. Adenovirus Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) Very contagious 2. Bordatella or Kennel Cough Very contagious 3. Distemper Highly contagious. Ranges from mild to fatal. 4. Infectious Canine Hepatitis Canine adenovirus type 1 or (CAV-1) Highly contagious virus transmitted only to dogs. 5. Leptosporosis Humans can contract this from infected dogs. 6. Lyme Disease Good tick control is imperative to the health of you and your dog. As disease transmitted by the tick, most prevalent in wooded areas. 7. Parainfluenza Contagious 8. Parvovirus Highly contagious virus that can affect dogs of all ages. 9. Rabies Transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. |
Symptoms
1. Coughing with an occasional fever. In some cases an opportunistic bacterial infection will take control in the lungs causing pneumonia. (The CAV-1 Vaccine and the CAV-2 are not used together. The use of one will cover both CAV-1 and CAV-2. The CAV-1 vaccination is not recommended. 2. Dry cough, harsh in nature; in young puppies, nasal congestion may be present. The vaccine won't prevent all viruses which cause coughing, but it's a good first step, particularly if you dog is in frequent contact with other dogs. 3. Early signs include fever, followed by nasal and eye discharge. Later signs include epileptic-like seizures, slobbering and shaking of the head. Another form od distemper called hard-pad, causes callus-like pads to form on the feet and a thick skin to form on the nose. Unvaccinated puppies are most susceptible. 4. Symptoms may be confused with distemper. In its mild form, a dog may simply be lethargic or show a loss of appetite. In its fatal form, a dog may exhibit bloody diarrhea and die suddenly. In its acute form a dog may have a fever, bloody diarrhea and vomit blood. Bleeding under the skin and from the gums may occur. Jaundicing of the eyes and painful abdomen are also symptoms. Dogs sometimes develop a clouding of the cornea called "blue eye". Vaccination for CAV-2 will be protective and vaccination of CAV-1 is not recommended. 5. Fever, loss of appetite, listlessness and depression are early signs. As the disease progresses, ulcers may appear in the mouth or tongue; severe thirst, bloody diarrhea and vomiting may occur. Your dog may stand and look painful in the abdominal area if the kidneys become affected. Treatment usually includes antibiotics and supportive therapy. (some feel that leptospirosis vaccines are unnecessary. Check with your vet. 6. Lameness and fever are symptoms. some dogs may test positive for Lyme disease and show no outward symptoms. Damage to joints and the neurological system may occur. Early antibiotic treatment may prevent permanent damage. Some dogs will have permanent lameness due to joint damage. Vaccination isn't a guarantee that your dog will not contract this disease but it substantially reduces the risk. 7. Coughing is the primary symptom. Fever may develop in severe cases. Death is rare, and supportive treatment is generally all that is called for. 8. Symptoms may follow two paths. Diarrhea: depression followed by loss of appetite, vomiting and a painful abdomen. Fever and profuse (sometimes bloody) diarrhea follow. Cardiac: affects the muscle of the heart. Young puppies stop nursing. Death can occur suddenly. some who recover develop chronic congestive heart failure. Treatment successes vary depending on the form and severity of the disease, as well as the age and condition of the dog. Puppies under the age of five months have the highest mortality rate. 9. There is no treatment for dogs. Personality changes may occur, a friendly dog may become aggressive, and vice versa. As the disease progresses, the dog may stare into space, avoid light and seek its own space. Diarrhea, vomiting and fever may be present. Two types of encephalitis may occur; "Mad dog" type is when an animal is vicious, has spasms in the face and bites at any animal in its way. A paralytic form causes the mouth to drop open and tongue to hang out. Drooling and coughing as well as uncontrolled movements are present. |
Other Health Issues for Otterhounds
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Additional advice from some Otterhound Owners
Some Otterhound Owners like to make their own solution to treat those beautiful ears and avoid infection. They call it "the Purple stuff".
Combine
16 ounces of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
4 tablespoons boric acid powder
16 drops of Gentian Violet 1% solution (ask your pharmacist to order it)
Mix it well and shake it to mix it each time your use it or the powder will settle at the bottom.
Apply it to sore and infected ears using a large syringe. If ears are very sore do not rub them. Use for a week and then check to see how the ears are. If they are clean use the mixture either for maintenance every couple of weeks or when needed.
Helpful Hint: Your hound will shake its head after you apply it so be careful. Either wear purple or apply it outside.
You might want to consult the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website to learn more about vaccines and their application in your area or for the age of your hound. https://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/CanineVaccineGuidelines.pdf
Why use titers?
https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/frequently-asked-questions/www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/frequently-asked-questions/
An Otter Talk on the use of titers to determine when your dog needs a vaccine is presented by Joellen Gregory DVM, member of the OHCA.
Combine
16 ounces of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
4 tablespoons boric acid powder
16 drops of Gentian Violet 1% solution (ask your pharmacist to order it)
Mix it well and shake it to mix it each time your use it or the powder will settle at the bottom.
Apply it to sore and infected ears using a large syringe. If ears are very sore do not rub them. Use for a week and then check to see how the ears are. If they are clean use the mixture either for maintenance every couple of weeks or when needed.
Helpful Hint: Your hound will shake its head after you apply it so be careful. Either wear purple or apply it outside.
You might want to consult the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website to learn more about vaccines and their application in your area or for the age of your hound. https://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/CanineVaccineGuidelines.pdf
Why use titers?
https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/frequently-asked-questions/www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/frequently-asked-questions/
An Otter Talk on the use of titers to determine when your dog needs a vaccine is presented by Joellen Gregory DVM, member of the OHCA.
More thoughts on cleaning those big ears: Many Otterhounds have a lot of hair in their ears and owners have trouble cleaning it out. Talk to your veterinarian about using Nair (the product some women use on their legs to remove hair. Apply the Nair (I use Nair with Aloe) carefully so that a head shake does not result in the product getting on you causing you to lose hair in places you prefer not to! View the videos for instructions--left, right and then center below. This video was made with a Barbet that also has a large amount of ear hair. This was not the first time for her having this done so she did not have as much hair as she did the first time. Many thanks to my friend for demonstrating this process and my vet for making this suggestion to us.
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