Prescription for Your Brittany's Health

Since the Brittany is a hard working tenacious hunter, he has his share of mishaps in the field. Because he is such a valiant worker, he will continue the hunt on three legs if necessary. Therefore it behooves you, the handler, to know what to do to prevent mishaps as well as how to care for your dog in general. The intelligent owner should know his own limitations in handling ailments. He should know when to seek the help of one who knows more his veterinarian.

Let us consider first the general care of the Brittany­care that will help to keep him healthy, hearty and happy. This is no more than the application of a little common sense -that sense which people often fail to apply to themselves. Look your dog over as often as necessary with a critical eye for trouble, particularly after a trip to the field. Check his eyes for particles of bark, etc., and if necessary flush the eyes with warm water. Examine the nose and ear flaps for abrasions which when found may be swabbed with an anti­septic such as tincture of iodine. Run your hands over his body to find skin abrasions, burrs, snarls, etc., and if they are a problem in your area check for ticks at this time. Last, but not least, check his feet, his pads and nails for difficul­ties. This examination should take perhaps sixty seconds and may save many future headaches. Other than after a run, you should examine your dog at regular intervals for developments which can and do occur in all dogs. Examine the ears; they should be clean and of a healthy pink color. If they are otherwise, smell them for the telltale sour odor of ear canker. For help with this and the following maladies, consult your veterinarian. Examine those important organs -the teeth. If they appear stained, they may need to have tartar removed. The gums should be a healthy pink color and with healthy teeth and gums, you will note his breath is not offensive. The coat of the Brittany is "a thing of beauty." If dull and lifeless, all is not well. It is simple to discover the presence of fleas, lice and ticks and when found, they should be eliminated. Motheaten-like areas on the head and front of the front legs should not be passed off as briar or cat scratches. Have them examined by a professional.

The two anal glands located on either side and slightly below the center of the anus may give your dog trouble. An indication of difficulty here may be the dog's dragging him­self along in a sitting position with rear legs extended. This symptom is one sign that the glands should be emptied. Oc­casionally, one of the anal glands may swell and rupture. This is an exceedingly painful condition and requires treat­ment.

In addition to the general considerations, let us consider the prevention of infectious diseases. In this case your veter­inarian will tell you the proper method of vaccination for the prevention of distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, rabies and leptospirosis. In some areas, veterinarians do not recommend preventative inoculations for all four of these diseases.