What EXTRA do you do to keep your Doodle healthy???

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

With the discussions concerning illnesses and accidents lately on our list, I'm curious to find out what members do to help keep their Doodles healthy...other than high quality food, regular vet visits / immunizations, preventatives, exercise etc. I realize genetics play a big part...

Louie is turning 4 on the 17th and I just want him to live a LONG and healthy life with the most advantages I can give him. I DID just sign up for Pet insurance...something I've put off but I hope not to have to use it!

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

He's such a LOVE I want him around for a LONG time :)

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

What a beauty...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Louie is so, so handsome!  I've always thought I did everything possible to keep my guys healthy, but they've both had some serious illnesses.  The only thing I didn't see mentioned are the heartworm and flea and tick preventatives.  That said, I apply these faithfully each month and yet we almost lost Murphy to a tick borne illness.  You can do your best, but sometimes it's just out of your hands.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Beautiful dood, love his coloring.

 

[BG and Gavin]

CUTENESS!!

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

Thanks for all the" lovin" on my sweet man...he really is the best dog I've ever had as many of you have said about your Doodles. I do feel like I've dodged many bullets with his health as he eats socks, underwear, boxes of granola bars...consumes them and vomits them up! I''ve found the darnd'st things in the backyard and on our walks. He has gotten a lot better and we have also gotten better about keeping him away from things.

He also can open the doors by standing up, turning the handle, and pulling the door open...we always have the door locked! He can jump over the fence too if there's something worth leaping for! We have to be on our toes...

He's eaten 5 months of his Heartguard meds at once.. he.was OK.. He's had Lymes desease so he does get the vaccine for that now. Lepto is worth looking into I think I'll check on that.

As far as EPO...how much for a 65lb guy? From other discussions I've seen that you really can't give too much...As far as the apple cider vinegar...do you put it in their water?

I know you all go above and beyond with your doodles but the unexpected can always happen...it's always a gut check when I see a post about a sick or injured doodle. Thanks for your collective knowledge!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Wow, he's so beautiful!

[Leslie and Halas]

What a handsome boy!

[Bryce P]

What a cutie patootie.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The only extras my doodles get aside from what you've listed is Evening Primrose Oil , which helps keep Calla from scratching and seems to be a good source of some more omega fatty acids.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If Louie is 4 years old and no major illnesses have yet emerged, I'd say whatever you're doing is working just fine, lol. He's adorable, BTW!

Jack has a couple of immune-mediated diseases, at least one of which is genetic, and although he has received the best care possible, the best possible foods and treats, 3-year vaccines and/or blood titering to prevent overvaccinating, vet visits for any and every little thing, tooth-brushing, exercise 365 days a year regardless of weather, etc., he has never been healthy. His health problems were already showing up when I adopted him at 14 months old. He was from a puppy mill originally.

My last dog, who was a purebred with impeccable genetics got just-okay food, yearly vaccinations, vaccine cocktails, rawhide, garbage treats, never ever had her teeth brushed or cleaned, etc. and lived to be 16 with no illness or disease, and even at 16 her teeth and gums were healthy and perfect and she was still alert and playful.

I'd say to keep doing what you're doing, pay attention to information about recalls on foods or toys, stay away from any edible things that contain ingredients from China, make sure he doesn't get a hold of anything that might harm him, check gates before letting him into the yard, use a car harness, and vaccinate as infrequently as possible, i.e. 3-year vaccines rather than yearly. Beyond that, it's just luck and genetics, IMO.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Despite the current fears of over vaccination, which Im not too sure about, there are some "elective" vaccinations , which I think are worthwhile in our area. I vaccinate the dogs for Lyme disease and leptospirosis in addition to the usual shots.