Tips & tricks for dogs

Last meal before anesthesia

Before anesthesia, our team will provide you with individual instructions regarding food and water for your dog. Please follow these guidelines, and feel free to ask if your dog is on any medication or has pre-existing conditions.

Medication on the day of surgery

Please do not administer any anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medication on the day of surgery. If your dog requires daily medication such as antibiotics, heart medication, thyroid medication, or insulin, please discuss with a veterinarian at the Veterinärmedizinisches Zentrum Berlin when scheduling the anesthesia whether you or a member of our team should administer the medication on the day of the procedure.

Condition after anesthesia

Following anesthesia, your dog will remain in the dedicated recovery room at the Veterinärmedizinisches Zentrum Berlin under veterinary supervision until any anesthesia-related complications can be ruled out. In rare cases, you may notice "after-effects" of the anesthesia, such as slight wobbliness, increased sensitivity to noise, or restlessness; these are no cause for concern. Set up a quiet, warm spot on the floor for your pet and keep an eye on them until they have fully slept off the anesthesia.

Feeding after anesthesia

In general, you may offer your dog water one hour after pick-up. We typically recommend waiting until the morning after anesthesia before providing the first meal. In special cases, such as after gastrointestinal surgery or for very small dog breeds, there may be exceptions to this rule.

Caring for your dog after surgery

After minor procedures such as endoscopies or dental cleanings, your dog should be kept quiet for one to two days. After major surgeries, we recommend keeping your dog on a leash for the first 7 days and avoiding any play. Following orthopedic surgery, several weeks of restricted activity on a leash may be necessary. Please do not bathe your dog until the stitches have been removed (generally on the 10th day after surgery).

Wound healing

Your dog must not lick or chew at the surgical wound. If they do, they will need to wear a plastic collar until the stitches are removed (or until the 10th day for intracutaneous sutures). Minor swelling or redness around the wound edges is normal; however, if you notice significant swelling or redness, please bring your pet to the Veterinärmedizinisches Zentrum Berlin as a precaution. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call us—it is always better to be safe than sorry.

What emergencies should you be prepared for?

• Acute trauma (car accident, dog fight, fall from a window)
• Poisoning (rat poison, antifreeze, medication overdose)
• Acute illnesses (gastric torsion, parvovirus, distemper)
• Post-operative complications (post-operative bleeding, circulatory failure, wound dehiscence)

Your prompt and correct initial care for these patients can significantly influence the further course of their recovery!

How can you prepare for an emergency?

A standard first-aid kit (like the one in your car) is helpful. Supplement it with: a blanket, thermometer, flashlight, povidone-iodine solution, instant cold pack, concentrated (40%) glucose solution, your vet's phone number, and the poison control center number (emergency/consultation 030-19240).

Emergency A B C

A for Airway: Ensure the airways are free of mucus, dirt, vomit, or foreign objects. To inspect, carefully extend the head and neck and pull the tongue out of the mouth. Do not overextend if a head or neck injury is suspected!

B for Breathing: Normal breathing is calm and regular (10–20 breaths per minute). A bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes indicates a lack of oxygen. If no breathing is detectable: perform mouth-to-nose resuscitation – extend the head and neck, pull the tongue forward, blow air in over 2–3 seconds, at intervals of 3–5 seconds, until spontaneous breathing begins or you reach a clinic.

C for Cardiovascular: Check mucous membrane color (normally pale pink) and capillary refill time (max. 1.5–2 seconds), and measure pulse/heart rate. If there is no heartbeat/pulse and breathing: perform chest compressions and artificial respiration – ratio for dogs under 10 kg 1:3, 10–20 kg 1:5, over 20 kg 1:7.

Bleeding: Apply pressure bandages to limbs (from distal to proximal, including toes), abdomen, ears, and tail. Do not remove a bandage that has soaked through; wrap over it. Use a tourniquet only in extreme emergencies (loosen every 5 minutes). Internal bleeding requires veterinary care.

Other emergencies: In case of respiratory distress, keep the animal calm, carry it, remove the collar, and protect it from heat. If chemicals come into contact with the eyes, rinse for 5 minutes and go to the vet immediately. Treat burns with cold water/cool compresses and seek immediate veterinary attention. In case of poisoning, secure the poison and call a poison control center. In case of trauma, ensure your own safety first; if a fracture is suspected, transport on a board/blanket, then perform an ABC check.

Plants and substances toxic to dogs: alcoholic foods, eggplants/tomatoes and other nightshades, azalea, gasoline, Brunfelsia, primrose, snake plant, boxwood, Dieffenbachia, dragon tree, yew, peanuts, vehicle antifreeze, monstera, ficus, laburnum, rubber tree, hydrangea, cocoa, carbolineum, false morels, lily of the valley, meninges, mistletoe, fruit pits, oleander, kerosene, horse manure from horses recently treated with mectins, philodendron, rhododendron, raisins, sago palm, chocolate (the darker, the more dangerous), turpentine, deadly nightshade, walnuts, toilet cleaner, poinsettia, grapes, xylitol (sugar substitute), yucca palm, onions (raw).

If your dog has ingested a poisonous plant or substance, please follow these instructions:

• Do not administer any human medications to your animal without consulting a veterinarian, even in an emergency!
• If you suspect poisoning, please bring your animal to the veterinary center immediately. If possible, bring the suspected source of poison (ideally with packaging), as well as any chewed material or vomit!
• All pesticides, insecticides, and rodenticides must be treated as highly toxic. The same applies to fertilizers and cleaning agents of all kinds!

Checking genetic predispositions via genetic testing now allows responsible breeders, in consultation with their veterinarian, to plan matings in such a way that many diseases caused by known gene mutations can be ruled out in puppies. With responsible and intelligent mating, carriers of recessive mutations do not necessarily have to be excluded from breeding. The tests are performed using a cheek swab or blood sample.

Available genetic tests include: Brachyury (bobtail), Bully Whippets, CD (German Shorthaired Pointer), CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly), Chondrodysplasia, CMR 1/CMR 2, CORD 1, CRD, CSNB (Briard), CT (Bedlington Terrier), Cystinuria (Newfoundland), Degenerative Myelopathy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Factor VII Deficiency, Fucosidosis, GM1 Gangliosidosis, Gray Collie Syndrome, GRMD, GZL (Krabbe disease), HMLR (Labrador), Hyperuricosuria, Cataract, MH (Malignant Hyperthermia), MPS VII, Narcolepsy, NCL, NEWS, Nephropathy (Alport Syndrome), Osteogenesis imperfecta, PDP1, PFKD, PRCD-PRA, rcd1, rcd3, SCID, vWD 2, vWD 3, X-SCID.

The MDR1 gene defect is a mutation particularly common in herding dogs, resulting in deficient or absent synthesis of the P-gp protein. This protein is a key component of the MDR1 transporter, which is essential for the proper functioning of the blood-brain barrier. If this transporter is missing, affected dogs can experience severe neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, or hepatotoxic side effects—potentially leading to death—after ingesting certain medications. For all dogs of at-risk breeds, a genetic test via blood sample is strongly recommended to check for the presence of an MDR1 mutation.

MDR1 results: MDR1 +/+ no MDR1 defect; MDR1 +/- heterozygous carrier; MDR1 -/- homozygous carrier with total failure of the MDR1 transporter, numerous drug hypersensitivities, risk of severe drug poisoning, sometimes fatal.

Affected Breeds (Frequency of MDR1(-)): Smooth Collie (68%), Rough Collie (55-57%), Longhaired Whippet (42-65%), Australian Miniature Shepherd (20-50%), Shetland Sheepdog (7-35%), Silken Windhound (18-30%), Australian Shepherd (17-46%), McNab (17-30%), Wäller (17-19%), White Swiss Shepherd (14%), Old English Sheepdog (1-11%), English Shepherd (7-15%), German Shepherd (6-10%), Border Collie (1-2%), Herding dog mixes (6-7%), Mixed breeds in general (2-7%).

Critical Drugs: Macrocyclic lactones (e.g., Ivomec, Equest, Cydectin, etc.) can lead to sometimes life-threatening poisoning in MDR1 -/- dogs. Loperamide (Imodium), emodepside (Profender), cytostatics, immunosuppressants (cyclosporine A, tacrolimus), opioids, antiemetics, ulcer medications, antifungals, and certain antibiotics should be avoided or used only under strict indication and at a reduced dose. During walks, the ingestion of horse manure must be strictly prevented.

For dogs that spend a lot of time running free in forests, fields, and meadows, we recommend deworming every 4 weeks with a product effective against the fox tapeworm (e.g., Droncit or Drontal Plus). For dogs that are primarily walked on a leash, we recommend deworming at two-month intervals, in accordance with EU guidelines.

The fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) is a parasite that, in addition to its primary host, the fox, and its intermediate host, small rodents, can also infect cats and, in rarer cases, dogs and humans. For the human intermediate host, a fox tapeworm infection is life-threatening, and a cure is hardly possible. When handling our four-legged friends, hygiene and regular, prophylactic deworming are the best forms of infection protection for humans. Since the fox tapeworm requires 4–5 weeks of development time in the dog's intestine, deworming at 4-week intervals is recommended for dogs at risk.

In principle, all dogs should be vaccinated against the following—sometimes fatal—infectious diseases: distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis (HCC), leptospirosis, and rabies. For dogs at risk of ticks, we additionally recommend vaccination against Lyme disease. We recommend a kennel cough vaccination for dogs kept in groups. For breeding females, we advise vaccination against canine herpesvirus infection (CHV-1). Dogs traveling to Southeast Europe, Southern Europe, or tropical countries should be immunized against leishmaniasis.

Standard Vaccination Schedule (Puppies): 8 weeks old: distemper/parvovirus/HCC/leptospirosis; 12 weeks old: additionally rabies; 16 weeks old; 15 months old. For adult dogs, after the initial immunization, annual boosters are required for distemper/parvovirus/leptospirosis/HCC, and rabies boosters are required every two years.

Lyme disease: Initial vaccination from 12 weeks, second dose 3–5 weeks later, third after six months, then annually before the start of tick season. The vaccine does not protect against ticks, so a spot-on product should be used in addition. Leishmaniasis: 1st vaccination from 6 months, 2nd after 3 weeks, 3rd after another 3 weeks, with annual boosters; additionally, use permethrin protection against sandflies. CHV-1 (Puppy fading syndrome): 1st vaccination during heat or 7–10 days after mating, 2nd vaccination 1–2 weeks before the expected birth date.

Travel-related diseases in dogs, particularly babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmaniasis, and dirofilariasis (heartworm disease), have increased in Germany in recent years. Their pathogens are transmitted by blood-sucking microorganisms: babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis by ticks, leishmaniasis by sandflies, and dirofilariasis by mosquitoes.

Babesiosis: Transmitted by ticks; the Babesia parasites colonize red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia with pale mucous membranes, red/brown discoloration of the urine, fever, weight loss, and apathy. The most important prevention is tick prophylaxis (spot-on), possibly using imidocarb dipropionate (providing 4–6 weeks of protection); vaccines are available abroad.

Anaplasmosis: Caused by the pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum, transmitted by Ixodes ricinus (the castor bean tick). Symptoms appear 1–3 weeks after infection: bouts of fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and nasal/eye discharge. Prevention is achieved through tick prophylaxis; therapy is possible if diagnosed in time.

Ehrlichiosis: Caused by the pathogen Ehrlichia canis, transmitted by the brown dog tick. The progression, prophylaxis, and therapy are similar to those for anaplasmosis.

Leishmaniasis: Caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, transmitted by sandflies. Symptoms: skin lesions (hair loss, scaling, ulcers, nodules, especially on the ear margins, nose, and around the eyes), weight loss, organ inflammation, and kidney failure. Prevention: keep dogs in a mosquito-proof room at dusk and use repellent collars/spot-on treatments. Without treatment, up to 90% of dogs die within a year.

Dirofilariasis (Heartworm): Caused by the pathogen Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted by mosquitoes; worms settle in the right ventricle of the heart (growing up to 35 cm long). Symptoms: weight loss, shortness of breath, chronic cough, ascites (fluid in the abdomen), and liver/kidney failure. Prevention: protection against mosquitoes and chemoprophylaxis using spot-on treatments (at least every 30 days).

Diabetes mellitus is a common hormonal disease in dogs. It increasingly affects unspayed middle-aged to older female dogs. Symptoms include: weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite, increased thirst, and increased urination. Untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, liver disease, kidney failure, cataracts resulting in blindness, and ultimately death. Diagnosis is usually performed via blood work and often a urinalysis. Treatment generally involves once-daily subcutaneous insulin injections, regular lifelong check-ups, and a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Increased risk is found in breeds including: Alaskan Malamute, Beagle, Cairn Terrier, Chow Chow, Dachshund, Doberman, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Keeshond, Labrador, Poodle, Puli, Samoyed, Schipperke, West Highland White Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, and Miniature Schnauzer.

Cushing's syndrome is one of the most frequently diagnosed hormonal disorders in dogs. Affected dogs produce an excessive amount of cortisol. In most cases, the cause is a pituitary (80–85%) or adrenal (15–20%) tumor. Signs include: increased water intake/urination, muscle weakness/wasting, lethargy, increased appetite, a "pot-bellied" appearance, excessive panting, hair loss, skin conditions, and thinning skin. Diagnosis is made via a special blood test (three blood draws over 8 hours). Lifelong therapy with Vetoryl (active ingredient trilostane) is required; check-ups are scheduled after 2, 4, and 12 weeks, and then at 3-month intervals. Initial improvements are typically seen starting from the second week of therapy.