AA Pet Insurance has teamed up with our partner PetSure and Rufus - an iconic New Zealand Border Collie breed, to bring you the ‘Woofer WoF’. Think of it as a basic ‘checklist of tune-ups’ for your precious pooch.
Check out the Woofer WoF below and also some further information on what to look for and what to do if you have any concerns.
![The Woofer WoF FINAL VetChat](/assets/insurance/pet-insurance/Woofer-WoF/The-Woofer-WoF-FINAL-VetChat.png?m=1725926653" class="type:{png} size:{865 KB} file)
Ears
Shaking the head, scratching the ears and smelly ears are some of the signs that your pup could be suffering from an ear problem. Irritated ears can quickly become infected, and complications can arise including narrowing of the ear canals and ruptured ear drums, not to mention a lot of pain and discomfort for your best friend.
Weekly checks of your pet’s ears can help prevent big problems later. Look for signs of redness, discharge, moisture, or bad smells. Clean your dog’s ears with dog ear cleaner every fortnight and every time your dog has been for a bath or a swim. You may need to clean the ears more frequently if your dog has existing ear problems already, or if your vet has recommended it.
Eyes
It’s a good idea to check your dog’s eyes as part of their regular grooming routine. You want to see their eyes looking clear, moist, and bright.
Common eye issues in dogs include infections, cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye, which can lead to discomfort, impaired vision, or even blindness if left untreated. Your dog's eyes can also be damaged by foreign objects when they are out walking - particularly if they love a good roll around and play.
If you notice that your dog is squinting or closing their eye, or they may be rubbing or pawing at it, it could be a sign that something is not right.
Mouth
A common issue affecting dogs is dental disease (periodontal disease). It involves the build-up of plaque on the teeth, which fosters the ideal conditions for bacterial growth below the gum line. This leads to gum infection and inflammation, which can cause pain for the animal and increase their risk of other diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys that are particularly sensitive to spreading oral bacteria.
If untreated, dental disease in pets can result in foul smell, tooth loss, gum bleeding and difficulty chewing. Luckily, dental illness can be avoided with at-home care and regular veterinary check-ups. The best way to avoid dental disease is by brushing your pet’s teeth.
Coat
Grooming doesn’t have to mean ‘a battle of the wills’ to the bathtub. Most dogs will love a simple brushing or going over with a grooming mitt. This has numerous benefits including helping your dog look and feel clean and refreshed, ensuring their coat is not matted, removing loose fur, checking for and removing any parasites and checking for signs of skin irritation (lumps and bumps that may need a vet assessment). Brushing also helps circulate natural oils through the coat and stimulate blood flow, which can improve skin and coat health.
While the signs of mass lesion vary greatly, it’s important to regularly check your dog for any abnormalities, lumps, or bumps, and to keep an eye out for any sores that do not heal. If you notice anything unusual on your dog’s skin, take your dog to the vet for examination.
Mental Wellness
Did you know that our dogs can suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Separation anxiety is very common and may manifest in ways that you may mistake as “being naughty” such as barking and/or destructive behaviour. Check out PetSure’s webinar with Dr Kersti Seksel, Veterinary Behavioural Specialist ‘Helping pets avoid separation anxiety’. Dogs can also experience signs of PTSD after a traumatic experience. If you have concerns about your dog’s behaviour, get in touch with your vet for advice.
Vaccinations
For your dogs, the core diseases that vaccines target are canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine infectious hepatitis, canine parainfluenza, and canine (kennel) cough. In at-risk areas, the vet may also recommend a leptospirosis vaccination to protect against the potentially deadly infectious disease which can be carried by rodents.
Weight
While we might have a giggle at those extra rolls or succumb to those big puppy dog eyes looking longingly at us for a snack, obesity in pets is no laughing matter. Being overweight can predispose our beloved pets to a variety of serious diseases including arthritis, cruciate disease, intervertebral disk disease, endocrine (hormonal) diseases, diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, urinary tract diseases, cancers and more.
While ensuring our pets aren’t overweight doesn’t guarantee they won’t get ill, it’s something that you can control at home and can lead to a happier, healthier, and longer life for your pets.
Some key ways to ensure your pet maintains a healthy weight include:
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Follow the feeding guidelines on food packaging rather than free pouring food.
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Avoid giving pets snacks, especially high calorie ones like cheese.
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Remember that bones often contain a lot of fat, and this contributes to daily intake of calories.
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Keep up daily exercise, including walks, at-home play and other stimulating activities.
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Watch out for sudden weight gain which can be caused by hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, liver disease or other medical issues which requires immediate veterinary attention.
All information above is sourced from the PetSure website.
AA Pet Insurance offers a complimentary VetChat Membership, when you hold an AA Pet Insurance policy.
Get access to trusted vet care anytime, anywhere with a complimentary VetChat Membership. VetChat connects you with experienced New Zealand vets to provide vet advice and at-home treatment plans when you need it.