BASIC CARE FOR DOG & VACCINATION

BASIC INFORMATION ON CARE FOR DOGS
VACCINATION
Dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies every year! This may even be a legal requirement. If you can afford it, dogs should also receive vaccinations against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and other diseases. The first Vaccine is at 8 weeks of age.
FEEDING
Dogs have a varied diet, and will eat most food that humans do. A balanced diet for dogs should include proteins like meat, offal, chicken, eggs or beans. They also require carbohydrates like maize meal, rice or commercial dogfood and vegetable matter such as carrots, cabbage or spinach for their vitamins and roughage.Adult dogs need to be fed once a day. Puppies need at least three meals a day so that they develop properly.Dogs need drinking water available at all times.
SHELTER
Dogs need access to suitable shelter that provides shade and cover, with fresh air, throughout the day. If possible they should never be locked up. However, if you need to confine your dog then build a fenced enclosure around its kennel.
EXERCISE & REPRODUCTION
Dogs require regular daily exercise. Dogs can breed every 6 months, however this will weaken the bitch. Once a year should be minimum time between litters. It is best to sterilise all bitches in order to avoid unwanted puppies. This needs to be done by a qualified vet, and if you need assistance contact your local ASPA (Arusha Society for the Protection of Animals)
DISEASES
WORMS
Dogs need to be de-wormed every 3 months (make sure that you use enough de-wormer). Different worms have different dewormer, hence contact your Vet for advise..
RABBIES
This is a killer disease which cannot be treated after the clinical signs are evident. It attacks the mammalian class of animals including human beings. It is spread through biting from an infected animal like cat, dog, wild dog etc. The disease is characterised by change of behaviour, like docile animal appear fierce and vice versa. Inform your Vet immediately in case of suscipicion of any animal having been infected.

BABESIOSIS/ Tick Fever
This is a tick fever without a vaccine. Washing/dipping dogs once a week should help prevent them from being infected with ticks and fleas. It is best to use an acaricide solution, but take care to read the instructions carefully.

REMEMBER! ALWAYS BE KIND TO YOUR DOG!