Dogs are sometimes peculiar creatures. Where
some like water others detest it. Some will jump into a pool or
river without hesitation others will baulk at the suggestion.
Since everyone cannot take their dogs to the sea, river or pool
it’s better to bathe them properly at home.
As mentioned earlier one reason to bathe is to
put anti tick medicines on the dog. Sometimes this has to be
done monthly or even more often depending on the rarity of the
case.
Most tick medicines in the market today come in
concentrates. This means you have to make the prescribed
solution according to instructions given. Here the important
thing is to remember to read carefully and follow the
instructions to the letter. Sometime it may seem that the
medicine is not taking effect. At this time do not increase the
concentration. Because this alone can sometimes affect the dog
and kill it. If at a time the tick medicines are not working
remember that the tick may have got immune to it. Or that the
efficacy of the medicine must have died. In which case you must
change the brand. It is always better to rotate brands. This can
keep the tick from building immunity to a particular product.
One very important thing to remember is the dog after applying
the medicines have to be kept out to dry. In this time it must
not be allowed to lick the substance off itself. Certain brands
will render the dogs paralyzed and others may die of kidney
failure. Both ways are not very pleasant to man or dog.
In a case where there is more than one dog you
have to make sufficient solution for a fewer dogs at a time
rather than a lot at once. This is advised because the efficacy
of the chemical may break down fast. Every dog must have a fresh
batch of tick medicines mixed before its bath.
Remember the way to put the tick medicine on the
dog is;
1. Bathe the dog getting rid of all the dust and
dirt off its coat.
2. Wash any soap or shampoo off its coat
thoroughly.
3. Rinse the coat with fresh water.
4. Let the dog shake itself dry.
5. Towel off any water still left on the dog.
6. Apply the tick medicine with a sponge or
sprayer evenly avoiding the eye and ears.
7. Let the medicine dry on the dog.
After the bath the dog must either be dried by
hot air (blow dryer) or tied in the sun till it dries. When you
do this you must remember not to leave the animal too long in
the sun .Or it can get a heat stroke.
Another very important thing to remember while
bathing dogs is not to let water into its ears. Water in ears
can cause the dog to get a canker. If your dogs gets a canker in
its ears you had it. Firstly you will not know till its bad. You
may first see the dog cocking its’ head to a side and even think
it is cute. Then you will see it trying to scratch it hard.
After this you get a peculiar smell from the ear. At this stage
the pus has formed in the ear. This also causes the dog
considerable pain and discomfort. They also become very
irritable, and they may even bite anyone. This can be combated
by giving oral drugs, injections along with cleaning the
infected ear and putting medicine into the ear. Here the danger
is you have to clean the ear very very carefully as you might
accidentally injure the ears you are trying to cure.
To avoid all these problems when you bathe the
dog put some cotton wool in its ears. This is a very simple and
effective way of avoiding this.
To bathe a dog is not always easy. Some will
stand quietly others will imitate a wild horse jumping about and
getting you wet as well. Depending on the dog find a place where
the dog cannot bolt. If this is done near a garden tap make sure
there is some matting rubber or otherwise which will not slip
and cause the dog to fall. Make sure the place is secure where
it cannot spring sudden surprises.
For small dogs in other countries dogs are
bathed in the kitchen sink. For a bigger dog you may use a bath
tub. A dog must be, unless trained, secured while bathing. You
may have rings where the animal can be secured for the period of
the operation.
1. Avoid suddenly pouring water on the dog.
2. As this causes the dog to panic as it would
us if someone suddenly threw water on us.
3. Make sure the water is not cold and not too
hot. Water has to be at least body temperature when initially
poured on.
4. Start by pouring water on it gently.
5. If you are using an over head shower first
wet it and then open the shower.
6. Use a hand held shower if possible.
In the case of some dog with long coats they
enjoy a little cold water. Allow them to play with water if they
do it. Long coated dogs have double coats. It is vital that you
dry the dog thoroughly. Failing to do this may cause the dog to
catch a chill. Dampness can also cause fungus to grow on the
skin. This is one of the main reasons of the smell that some
dogs emanate.
When it comes to drying some use hair driers.
This is good but you must be sure to avoid being electrocuted.
Have the plug points above the tap levels at least. Some driers
give off a high pitched sound that irritates and hurts the dogs.
This may cause the dog to panic and bolt.
At the end one must remember that as mentioned
earlier bathing should be done only when its absolutely
necessary and should not be done purely for cosmetic reasons.
As stressed before dogs have natural oils
protecting them on their skin and coat. Washing this away to
suit you is not the best for the dog. Anyone knows that wild
dogs, foxes and wolves don’t go to the river for a bath with a
piece of soap or bottle of shampoo tucked in their armpits. It’s
the wild animals that have the best coats that sometimes they
are killed for. I know through personal experience with my dogs
that have competed here and aboard and won that bathing in not
as necessary as some advertisers try to make it out to be.*****
