Dog Diarrhea Causes and Symptoms

This illness is a greatly common occurrence in dogs because of their habits of eating, chewing, and licking everything mildly of interest to them or to any other dog, cat, or mammal they see with a similar interest.

Dog diarrhea can be a serious or not so serious in dogs, I this because there are so many different types and causes of diarrhea that making any kind of assumption of your dogs cause of diarrhea would be a complete guess and only based on the most common cause of the illness.

So what is the most common cause of dog diarrhea I hear you ask? Well its usually from eating or trying to digest something unfamiliar or uncomfortable to the dogs digestive system. This could include parts of a favourite but badly designed chew toy that have broken off and been swallowed causing an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach, from gone off foods such as the types many dogs discover and drag out of bins or trash, or not uncommonly because your dogs stomach is just not used to the particular type of food you are giving them.

If your dog is used to a pretty bland diet or the same diet for a long period of time then the last option in the previous paragraph may be the cause and is very similar to what we call a Delhi belly (unwell, being sick, diarrhea) from encountering different types of foods or diet when we go to places similar to India which have spicier and more unfamiliar foods to our systems.

The treatment for such an illness is dependent on the diagnosis from a qualified vt, but in most cases it will be to stop the dog eating for a period of about one day or twenty four hours so that the dogs system has time to get rid of all the waste and possible offending 'poisons' and can return to normal again.

In the attempt to rid of all the bad substance in the dogs body it will continue to cause the dog to vomit or have diarrhea until everything has been cleared out of the body. If the dog is still being fed on a normal diet then the body will continue to think there is more excess waste to get rid of and the diarrhea and vomiting will continue unnecessarily for long periods of time.

Bear in mind this is a guide to dog diarrhea and you should always get the dog checked out by a professional vet before hand so they get the correct treatment and there is nothing else causing the illness.

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Help Cure Bad Dog Breath

It never fails does it, you get a new puppy all warm and fuzzy and he just loves to show you affection by licking your face, and that is when you notice that fuzzy has a problem, horrible dog breath! The first thing you want to do is teach him to gargle or brush his teeth. The first thing to determine however is the source of the odor. Just like people, dogs get halitosis, or bad breath. The causes are also similar to the causes in people. Dogs can have bad breath due to poor oral hygiene or because of other underlying conditions. You should first have your dog checked out by the vet to be sure the cause is not medical.

Causes

Causes of bad breath in dogs runs from bad teeth to severe underlying medical conditions. Things like gum disease, tooth decay, gastrointestinal problems and sinus infections can all produce bad breath in your dog. Be sure you have ruled out an issue that would demand medical attention before utilizing any of the tips found below.

To prevent bad dog breath that is not medically caused it is important to begin oral hygiene practices when you first get your new puppy. This accomplishes two things at once, number one your new dog will become accustomed to the routine and not fight you as time progresses and you will likely prevent the number one cause of bad dog breath, which is gum disease. According to the American Veterinary Association 80% of all dogs have some form of gum disease.

Oral Hygiene

In the beginning, your dog may balk at having his or her teeth brushed. To start them gently you could use your fingers only for a few days, rubbing slightly on the gums to allow him to become accustomed to your touch. It can also be helpful to give a small treat for cooperation.
In order to keep your pets mouth in the best condition and prevent bad dog breath you will need a few tools.

• Doggy toothpaste- Never use your toothpaste for your pet as many brands contain Xylitol, which is harmful to dogs. Moreover, since dogs will swallow the paste it is better to use a product specifically designed for them.

• Doggy toothbrush- There are many varieties of toothbrushes you can use for your dog. There are mini, finger and dual ended dog toothbrushes to choose from and you may have to experiment to find the one your pet tolerates the best.

• Dry Cloth- Some dogs will object strongly to the use of any kind of brush in their mouth. In this case, you can use a small dry cloth to clean their teeth.

Brushing

To brush your dog's teeth effectively you should begin at the gum line and work the brush in small circles to the end of the tooth. While brushing your dog might start to squirm and get away from you, the best thing to do is to stop for the moment and revisit the tooth brushing at another time. If you force them to sit while you brush, Fido will become harder to find after he eats!

Dental Chews

You can also purchase dental chews for use after your dog's regular meal. These will help remove tough plaque and tartar that can build up over time and cause bad dog breath. Choose a chew that is double the size of your dog's mouth, but check for product recalls before purchasing, as some brands have been known to cause injury.

Conclusion

Keep your pet fit with annual veterinary visits. You vet should check the mouth for tooth decay and other oral problems and if they do not you should request one. Dogs do not always need teeth cleaning like we do, but it is a good idea to check at least once a year to be sure. Cure bad dog breath by never letting it get started in the first place!

Article written by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - the leading dog supplies online store for dog grooming supplies.

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Food Allergies That Dogs Have

Food allergies make up about ten percent of all the allergies occurring in dogs and cats, coming in after inhalants and flea bites. Many people feel that diets based on lamb and rice are helping them treat or prevent allergies in their pets, but they may not be. We don't really understand how dogs become sensitive to particular foods or food ingredients. Fortunately, there are still plenty of things we do know. Let's look at the way we diagnose food allergies, how we treat them, and what the symptoms are.

Unlike inhalant allergies, there isn't a strong link between a dog being a particular breed and developing particular allergies. Male and female animals are equally affected, and neutering seems to have no effect. Allergies can show up as young as five months of age, and as late as twelve, but most dogs show their symptoms between the ages of two and six. The majority of animals with allergies to foods will also have other allergic reactions as well.

We do need to distinguish between real allergies and mere food intolerances. Food allergies involve skin problems and itching, while food intolerances tend to involve digestive issues and don't have a standard allergic response. Fortunately, the best way to treat both types of problem is to remove the food causing the allergy or insensitivity from the diet.

There are a number of ingredients that are most likely to cause allergies, including dairy, wheat, corn, chicken, eggs, soy and beef. Of course, these are also the most common ingredients in dog food. The incidence of reactions is likely associated with exposure. Lamb and rice diets have been produced to attempt to combat allergies, but there is nothing special about those ingredients except that they are uncommon in pet foods. If lamb and rice become the most common ingredients, more dogs will have reactions to them.

Most allergies in dogs have the same symptom - itchy skin. Other symptoms that come up often include scratching, skin infections, hair loss and chronic ear infections. Dogs with allergies may also have more bowel movements than non allergic dogs. Unfortunately, the fact that most allergies appear the same means that it can be hard to tell what your dog is allergic to. If your pet has recurrent ear problems, has allergies year round, has moderate to severe skin problems or doesn't respond to steroid or antihistamine treatment, food allergies might be the culprit.

Once you've ruled out all other causes of allergy and have determined the problem is definitely food, it's time to do a food trial. The method used is to feed a new source of protein and carbohydrates for twelve weeks, using foods the animal has not eaten in the past. Venison and potato, rabbit and rice, and duck and rutabaga have all been used by people making homemade diets. There are some commercial diets, too.

The pet must eat nothing else for twelve weeks, even treats. If the symptoms disappear or are reduced, the next step is to try the old food again, to make sure they return. If this happens, a food allergy is confirmed. Blood tests and skin testing may also be performed, and once a positive diagnosis is made, you can then choose a new commercial diet or a homemade diet to prevent allergies from happening again. Specific ingredients can be tested one at a time till you find the perfect diet for your pet.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies your top spot to buy orthopedic dog beds online.

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