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How to build calmness in your dog using their meal. Tips on Dog Care
Tips on understanding what dog allergies are all about. Entertainment and Beauty Tips
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25 popular dog breeds video. Tips on Dog Care
Showing posts with label dog health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog health. Show all posts
Friday, 26 June 2009
Sunday, 21 June 2009
The Elderly Dog: Care and Maintenance
It’s difficult to imagine the first time you are holding that irrepressibly cute little fur-ball that is your new puppy that one day he will be an older dog, a senior, with certain physical and mental needs. He won’t be as a quick as he once was; he might have a harder time hearing you come in the door; or he might take a few more minutes to get up off the floor, but there are special things you can do for your older dog to make his golden years comfortable and happy. Depending on the size of your dog (larger dogs age faster), by the time he has reached 6 years of age, he will be medically classified as a senior dog. It is not always readily apparent, but his body will have already started to change before your eyes. Prevention and additional care go a long way to caring for the senior dog and keeping his mind and body in good shape. Here are ten ways to keep your senior dog active and comfortable:
1. Make sure to schedule your veterinarian visits each year. In very geriatric animals, every six months might be appropriate. Just because he doesn’t act sick doesn’t mean he doesn’t need to go. In addition to annual vaccinations, be sure to have a full examination and geriatric blood work panel done. Blood work reveals how well his body is aging and if there is any problems in organs like the kidneys.
2. Keep his teeth very clean with preventative brushing, chew toys, and professional cleanings when necessary. Plaque and tartar buildup allow a breeding ground for bacteria, which can damage organs as they move throughout the body.
3. Keep his body in a good weight and maintain his muscle tone through consistent exercise. He might not be able to go for as long a walk as he once did, but exercise should still be an important part of his daily regimen. Elderly dogs loose muscle mass and strength, so it is important to keep them fit.
4. Many senior dogs benefit from supplemental products like Cosequin or other joint care products with glucosamine and chondroitin. They help lubricate stiff joints, which are ripe for arthritis.
5. Don’t forget to continue giving preventative medications like monthly heartworm pills, but if your dog is very old, sick, or disabled, you might want to ask your vet about giving monthly topical flea and tick preventatives. Many of them are not recommended for these kinds of dogs.
6. Make sure to provide plenty of warm sleeping locations in the home where he will not be disturbed. Older dogs sleep more as they age, so providing them an opportunity without high traffic for quality sleep is a good idea. A thick, soft pet bed provides them with joint support and extra warmth.
7. Don’t forget about his mental health! Sometimes when a dog ages, people forget all about training and working with the dog. Old dogs still like to do their tricks and be active. For example, if you’ve got an old hunting dog, let him do field work for an hour or two before switching off to the younger dog. He will still feel useful and part of the team.
8. Make grooming sessions special times by taking the extra time to brush and massage your dog. Not only does the grooming and massage feel great to the dog, but it also gives an owner a good opportunity to do body inspections: check his ears for odors, check his mouth and gums for growths or changes, and thoroughly inspect and feel his body. Many older dogs develop growths as they age, and some cancers start with just a simple bump.
9. Pay attention to your dog’s personality and routine and take note of any changes. Some dogs are very stoic and don’t show pain or illness easily. If you notice even the slightest change in your dog’s eating, drinking, restroom usage, sleeping, or general personality, go to the vet. Trust your judgment, and if something doesn’t seem right, follow your instincts.
10. Really think it through before getting a new puppy. A lot of people want to get a new puppy when a dog becomes older, but some older dogs might not want to put up with the nuisance of a brand new puppy that only wants to play. An old dog still has a lot of life in him, and mostly they just ask for a little love and comfort in return for the unconditional companionship. With a little preventative work and extra care, you can keep your senior in great shape for many years to come!
Article written by Ron Ayalon http://www.worldwidepups.com
Monday, 25 May 2009
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.
Source: Free Articles
Sunday, 24 May 2009
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall
Friday, 22 May 2009
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall
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