Vet Minute: The Importance of Dental and Skin Care for Breeding Stud Dogs

Last updated: October 24, 2019

In this Vet Minute, Revival's Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Marty Greer, talks about why healthy teeth and skin are especially important for a breeding male dog.
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Video Transcript

Why is dental and skincare so important for a breeding male dog? Hi, I'm Doctor Greer, Director of Veterinary Services with Revival Animal Health. Proper dental health can help prevent against periodontal disease which can impact the dog's heart and a strong heart is very important for the overall health of your dog, especially a breeding male. And when it comes to skincare, if his skin is healthy, he will feel better and do a better job. Make sure your males are clear of dermatitis, manage, hot spots, acne, and other skin problems. I recommend Vet Basics Sebo Plus to help relieve any bacterial skin infections. If your stud dog is dealing with ringworm, yeast, pyoderma or bacterial dermatitis, chlorhexidine shampoos such as Vet Basics Chlorconazole are a good option. You want to make sure nothing is transferred to the female during breeding. Things like mange mites and fleas. Look for small black specks, that may be a sign of fleas. If you see that, use Capstar or another flea preventative. Before breeding, I recommend to schedule a spa day for your male and perform a comprehensive routine physical exam. It will make you both feel better knowing he is healthy on the outside and inside.

Marty Greer, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has 35+ years' experience in veterinary medicine, with special interests in canine reproduction and pediatrics. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1981. She's served as Revival's Director of Veterinary Services since 2019.