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Posts Tagged ‘dog health’

While the main interest is focused on dog breeding and dog grooming, we as owners should not forget about the dog’s health. Acunpuncture is a method renowned for its healing effects. But did you know this form of therapy not only works on humans but could also be used on your pet dogs? Canine acupuncture is a common form of therapy used by many pet owners to help their dogs.

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese therapy which has been used for over 3000 years. This method of treatment is carried out by inserting thin needles into various points of the body, {along certain paths known as  meridians~into particular acupuncture points in the body on pathways called meridians} , to provide relief for several disorders~diseases}. The acupuncture therapy relies on the theory that in order to heal, the energy in the body needs to be well-balanced.

If you are considering canine acupuncture for your dog, you would want to visit a canine acupuncturist, who would commence canine acupuncture treatment after asking you several important questions relating to your dog, and will also check to see whether the animal shows any external signs of illness. It is important that you go to a canine acupuncturist who is licensed, as you do not want to take any risks. It is best that you first take your dog to its regular doctor who will refer you to an acupuncturist. Several websites online also have lists of veterinarian acupuncturists.

As most patients find acupuncture therapy very relaxing, it is likely that you would find your dog fast asleep while going through canine acupuncture. Canine acupuncture not at all painful. Pet owners therefore need not worry about their dogs suffering while canine acupuncture is being carried out.

Canine acupuncture could treat other diseases such as arthritis, various allergies and problems with regard to fertility, to name a few. Canine acupuncture therapy is quite short. It generally takes around 10 to 15 minutes, provided the animal does not struggle too much, but it could go on for even half an hour. The number of times that you would need to implement canine acupuncture would depend on your dogs  ailment and its history of various ailments and condition in general. Usually it would take around 5 sessions to cure the dog of its ailments. Not only does canine acupuncture cure physical diseases, but is guaranteed to help improve psychological and emotional ailments. What better way to keep your dog healthy!

As a nation of dog lovers, we’re all aware of the curious nature of our pets, which can lead them to eat anything but some things are really bad for them. There are many things outside the home that dogs end up eating, but the same also applies inside the home, and with a number of toxic chemicals lying around, there is a great risk of harm coming to your dog. So, if you read on you’ll see that there is a list of 4 very important home-based products that should be kept out of your dog’s reach. Follow these steps and you won’t compromise on dog health care.

1) Antifreeze: Something like antifreeze can kill pets quickly and painfully.   It’s the sweet smell of the antifreeze that attracts dogs. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. Once ingested, antifreeze can cause seizures and other horrific symptoms which put your dog through lots of pain. So, to prevent this, simply keep antifreeze far away from your dog. Of course,  if the worse does happen, take your dog to a vet for a health check.

2) Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a prime example of something very dangerous to dogs. People assume that only large amounts kill pets, but in fact any amount can prove dangerous. Chocolate poisoning has horrific symptoms for dogs, including frequent urination and hyper-activity.   This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Even the slightest suspicion that your dog might have even chocolate means you have to visit the vet to get checked out. Chocolate ingestion is very dangerous for your dog’s health.

3) Bleach: Its not difficult to comprehend that bleach is toxic.   Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog’s reach. If your dog does drink bleach, the symptoms are nasty, including abdominal pain. It is an owner’s common instinct to try and make the dog be sick to get rid of the product it has eaten, but doing this can be fatal for your pooch, so please don’t try it. Just by following these tips, you can feel confident that you’re doing all you can to keep on top of your dog health care routine.

4) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. There are some symptoms associated with mouthwash which are very unpleasant, and these include drooling and seizures. You should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning by mouthwash or other household item containing boric acid like contact lens solution or denture cleaner.

It is an owner’s responsibility to make sure dogs don’t get anywhere near to toxic substances. As owners, we try our best to keep on top of a dog health care routine, but its no good washing them and grooming them if you then poison them accidentally with household substances. As long as you stay vigilant, you shouldn’t need to visit the vet with a sick dog that has just ingested something toxic.

If you own a puppy, you’ll know how stressful it can be to clean him. However, in order to stay on top of good dog health care, it is important that you bathe your puppy on a regular basis. Your puppy will learn what the cleaning process involves at an early age, and this is good. So, in order to have a clean, happy dog at the end, the way you go about your pet health practices is important and you should take the following advice:

The first thing – before you even run the bathwater – is to collect all the supplies you will need. Get a dog coat conditioner and a decent sized brush if your dog has a long coat. Also get a generously-sized towel to wrap your pooch in later. Then you need to make sure you’re wearing clothes that you don’t mind about getting wet. It is advisable to bathe the puppy when he is hungry, as he will be more attentive then. Call your puppy to you and offer a treat, remove his collar and give him a few more treats. Remember, you want this to be fun. Then its time to get the brush out, which some dogs don’t like. Any knots or tangles in your puppy’s coat will tighten and become worse when wet, so you want to comb out all tangles before turning on the tap. Get some conditioner on the fur and brush this through all the way to the ends.

Pay attention to the areas behind your dog’s ears. Tell your puppy how good he is at having a bath and reward him with treats. Show him his toy and let him play with it a little in the tub before you turn on the water. Bear in mind that a puppy with skin sensitivities should have a baby shampoo used on its head. You don’t want to burn your puppy’s delicate skin, so always test the water temperature before filling the bath tub. Once checked, gently soak the puppy’s coat with luke warm water. The trick with shampoo is massaging it, and this should be done in short circles. It is also useful to use a scrub brush to massage the shampoo in. After completing this once, make sure you do it again to make sure your puppy is extra clean. You’ll always find that there’s more soap to get out! The final step is to condition the fur and rinse, and when this is complete its time for the towel to dry your puppy off.

According to the AMVA (the vets’ association), canine diarrhea is the third most common problem they see in their offices. If your pup has ever had this issue, you know how much your day is changed around. Canine stomach problems may results from an overgrowth of bacteria in their digestive system or intestinal tract, or they may simply be due to excessive feeding and dietary indiscretion. More troublesome cases can include bloating of the stomach and intestines or stomach cancer.

If your doggy’s tummy problems are not showing up with vomiting and/or lack of appetite, the problem might be mild and you can handle it yourself. And here’s some tips you might be able to use if your dog has diarrhea. But if your dog has diarrhea and is showing signs of blood in his stool or even vomiting, you need to be sure to bring your dog right away to the vet.

Loose bowels, diarrhea, and other stomach ailments can sometimes simply be the result of changes in dog food, allergies, chomping up table scraps, or eating from the trash outside. Other reasons for this might involve worms that can make bacteria grow in your dog’s intestinal tract.

If you look in your dog’s feces and see worms, (they can look like spaghetti or rice), you might be able to just get an OTC dewormer medication and this might clear everything up. But some parasites like Giardia or other worms you can’t see are not so easily dealt with by pet owners. This will probably cause further stomach problems and more diarrhea. In cases like these, you must bring samples of your dog’s excrement to the vet’s office so he or she can run the right tests.

Its possible that you can handle mild stomach problems just by withholding food from your pet for a day. This is assuming that everything else is normal with your dog except for the diarrhea and that there are no other symptoms.

After a day of no food at all for your dog, give him or her a meal made of boiled hamburger, chicken and white rice with all the fat drained off of the meat. Just give your little dog friend small portions of food a half a dozen times a day until his feces are normal again. Sometimes, the vet would recommend small bits of yogurt so that beneficial bacteria can grow safely in the dog’s stomach.

What Your Canine Is Saying With His Eyes

Your dog has emotions and feelings just like you. At any given time, he’ll try to communicate them with his body language and expressions. Most owners never learn to identify these signs; the fact that their pooch is sad, anxious, mad, or happy completely escapes them. As a result, they often fail to give the attention their pets need or crave.

The good news is that you can easily recognize the emotions your canine is feeling by watching his eyes. If you know what to look for, not only will you be able to recognize signals, but you’ll also be able to interpret them accurately. In this article, we’ll give you a crash course on how to read and decipher what your pooch is trying to tell you with his looks.

Looking For Signals

Most of us are accustomed to inferring intention and meaning from watching the faces of our friends and family. Slight changes or nuances alert us to specific feelings. For the most part, this is a learned trait. You can learn to do the same by identifying the nonverbal signals your pooch uses to express his feelings.

In the same way people can open their eyes wide and shut them, so too, can your canine. Also, keep in mind that shape varies between breeds. If your dog opens his eyes wide, it is usually a sign that he feels vulnerable. That can include feeling stressed or scared regarding something he finds threatening. He might express these same emotions by squinting a bit, though this might also suggest that he is being submissive to you.

The manner in which he is looking at – or away – from you will also suggest emotions and intent. If a dog stares at you with an intense, anxious look he probably perceives you as a threat. This should not be mistaken for a friendly dog that is looking at his owner and craves his attention. If a canine looks away from you, that usually signals he wants to be submissive.

If he is looking at you from the corners of his eyes and you notice a large amount of white, be wary. He might perceive you as a threat, or be highly agitated. In both cases, he might respond aggressively. It’s common for dogs to do this when you approach them while they’re eating or playing with their favorite toy. This is another signal that is often misinterpreted. If your canine is looking up at you or from the side, seeing the sclera (the white area) of his eyes may not connote aggression. You’ll know the difference because his body will seem relaxed rather than tense.

Owners who take the time to learn how to read their dogs’ eyes will benefit from understanding their feelings. Remember, the only way your pooch can communicate with you is through nonverbal means. Learning how to identify them will strengthen the friendship you share. Remember to give your dog health dog treats and dog chews

If you were to ask pet owners to guess the number one reason canines end up in the emergency room, most would guess incorrectly. Some would say bites from other animals. Others would confidently claim that getting hit by vehicles tops the list. Still others would speculate about a number of health issues. The most common reason owners take their pooches to the ER is vomiting. It can be caused by a number of catalysts and it's often difficult to tell whether the problem is minor or a sign of something serious.

We will explore different reasons why your dog might vomit. We'll also explain how the condition is treated by veterinarians. The topic might not be pleasant, but it is worth discussing so that you can be prepared in the event your dog gets sick.

What Causes Vomiting In Canines?

Vomiting occurs when something triggers the expulsion of your dog's stomach contents through his mouth. This can be caused by a number of stimuli. For example, a virus within his gastrointestinal tract can trigger the vomit reflex. Vomiting can also be triggered if your pooch eats foods that don’t agree with his stomach, or if he eats too quickly and exercises too vigorously immediately afterward.

You might be able to identify whether the problem is serious or minor simply by observing your dog’s behavior after he vomits. If he does it once, seems active afterward, and has a routine bowel movement, you can be reasonably confident that the problem is minor. But, if your dog has recurring bouts, seems listless, or loses his appetite, make sure to call your veterinarian. The vomiting could be a sign of a more serious health issue.

Treatments

If a veterinarian determines the condition is minor, he or she will often administer subcutaneous fluids (for example, Plasmalyte and 0.9% saline) and medications to reduce any nausea. The vet will also suggest that you review your canine’s diet and eating patterns, including any plants and foreign substances he may be consuming.

If your dog has diarrhea or is apathetic, your veterinarian might choose a different treatment path. He or she may decide to administer intravenous fluids as well as one or more forms of drug therapy.

You can help your pooch avoid suffering bouts of vomiting by restricting the items he eats. Remember that dogs instinctively chew foreign objects. That can include plants, trash, and even feces. The more exposure he has to such things, the greater the likelihood he’ll eat something that causes him to vomit. Limit his exposure to these items. Avoid feeding table scraps to him; keep trash cans securely closed; watch him closely to discourage his eating plants and other items. In doing so, you’ll dramatically reduce his susceptibility to vomiting.

Have you begun to notice that your dog is looking a little overweight, or simply less lean than he should be? It might be time to start considering what your options are to help him get into shape. We’re going to talk about a few ways you can discover where your pet’s health is suffering and how to get it back up.

You must realize that all dogs require exercise. Whether you have a Pomeranian or a Great Dane, every breed and size of dog must maintain certain levels of activity on a daily basis. Think about your dog’s average day from beginning to finish. If you can’t bring it to mind, keep an eye on him for a few days and write down his usual activities. For my dog, I drew a time line of his average day. In my timeline I wrote down when he woke up, his meal times, his usual trips outside, nap times, etc. This really helps to put into perspective whether your dog is truly lacking exercise or if a change of diet is required.

That brings us to our next topic: the great outdoors. Have you ever stepped outside on a nice crisp morning, taken a deep breath of cool air and revelled in how good it feels to connect with nature? Maybe you don’t do this all the time, but for a dog, this is a common comparison of how natural it is for them to crave the outdoors—because dogs are natively the “outdoorsy type.” Being outdoors can cause inspiration, not just ideas, but for activity—and this is what your dog needs. If your dog doesn’t get to go outside often enough, this could be an answer for why his spirit for activity has shrunk. Try taking him outside at least twice a day, and not just for a bathroom break. Encourage him to run about and play with toys. It might help to remember that your dog is more likely to want to play if he has someone to play with. If you don’t have a private yard, try taking him on pet-friendly walking trails or to do a dog park where he can socialize and spend some alone time with you. Walking is a great way to improve your owner-dog bond as well as lose weight. Going outside isn’t the only activity you can do. Dog steps are a great tool to use to give your dog a bit of exercise while staying in the comfort of your home (especially on rainy or snowy days!). Make a game of running him up and down the steps, such as pushing the stairs against your bed and hiding treats in your covers. This is a favourite of mine as I love watching my dog go crazy as he paws through the covers!

After you have made your assessment of your dog’s activity level, you might be surprised to find that he gets sufficient exercise but still doesn’t seem to be as lean as he should be. This is a very common scenario among people who feed their dog table scraps or gets a bit too liberal with the doggy treats. Regardless of the fact that human food is a lot more fattening to dogs, it’s also down-right unhealthy for them. A dog’s diet should consist primarily of meat, raw vegetables, and certain types of grain. Could you imagine a dog in the wild snarfing down some spaghetti? If you are guilty of feeding your dog human food—as most of us are—try to cut back on that altogether. If you don’t notice a difference in your dog’s weight, switching to a name brand kibble specifically designed for overweight dogs may be the right solution.

If you have any worries that your dog’s health might be in jeopardy, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian. There could be underlying health issues causing a shift in your dog’s weight, or numerous other possibilities.

For more great information about caring properly for a dog, or to buy a durable set of dog stairs, please visit Help Your Pets.

If you’re a first time puppy owner, you’re probably starting to wonder about your new responsibilities. Now that you’re responsible for another life, it’s important that you understand what these responsibilities entail.

Your puppy’s diet is first on our list. Puppies are on their mother’s milk until they are about six to eight weeks old. This weaning age is usually when breeders allow the puppies to be taken home by their new owner. Ask your breeder what the pup is currently eating and continue to feed him that. Usually they will be eating a soft canned food mixed with puppy milk replacer. Use less and less milk until your puppy is on pure canned food. You can do the same when switching to dry food by mixing in a little soft food and then cutting back a little each day until the puppy is on dry food only. Dry food is recommended as the best type of food for dogs as it has less fat content and keeps your dog’s teeth strong and free of plaque build up. This should happen gradually over the course of about 7 – 10 days. You should never feed your dog human food (ie: table scraps) at any time during his life. A dog’s diet requires a specific balance of certain nutrients and feeding your dog table scraps will upset this balance. Also remember to keep a water bowl filled for your pup at all times.

The next item on the list is vaccinations. If your dog’s breeder hasn’t taken care of the vaccinations, then it’s up to you to see that your dog gets immunized. There are three separate shots given to cover the “core” illnesses, which are: distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. The first shot is usually given at 6 weeks of age with the other shots following in three week intervals at 9 and 12 weeks. Your veterinarian will be able to take care of the vaccinations for you, as well as recommend any non-core vaccines that they feel your dog should have. The importance of non-core vaccines differs depending on your dog’s breed and where you live. You will need to return to the vet every year of your dog’s life for an adult “booster” shot. You should be aware that social interaction with other dogs is not recommended until after your puppy has completed his round of vaccinations, with an additional 5 – 10 days for the immunization to become effective.

Our next health tip is grooming. Regardless of the breed of your puppy, all dogs require a certain amount of grooming. For instance, long-haired dogs will require much more brushing and haircuts than other breeds, but there are also some breeds, particularly the ones with long ears, that need their ears cleaned frequently to avoid infection. All dogs need to have their nails clipped every so often, but we recommend that you have this done professionally if you aren’t experienced at the job, as clipping too close to the quick in your dog’s nails causes a great deal of pain and bleeding. Do a bit of research on your puppy’s breed to get a good idea as to what your grooming responsibilities will be.

Last but not least is exercise. Puppies are energetic by nature and need an outlet. Take extra care to spend time playing with your pup and make sure he gets plenty of time outdoors (other than trips to relieve himself!). Boredom can often result in excessive chewing as well as destructive behaviour, so the more time you dedicate to wearing out your spirited companion, the happier he will be! A great exercise trick is to buy dog steps and teach your dog fun games that incorporate running up and down the stairs. Pet stairs are also handy to have around if you allow your dog on the couch or bed so he doesn’t have to jump to and from the furniture.

For more tips on raising a healthy pup, visit HelpYourPets.com.

Dog owners should know a bit about the various common dog health problems that their pet couild get over the course of their lives. An oldtime belief, still held onto by many people, is that if their dog has a cold and wet nose, the dog is healthy. There are no scientific basis for this belief as no one can tell from how wet or how cold a dog’s is has anything to do with hereditary heart problems, parasites, intestinal worms, blindness, deafness and every other health problems that dogs can contract.

Responsible owners should disregard such beliefs without scientific basis and focus on looking at the overall condition of the dog including regular physical checks of the eyes, teeth, ears, mouth and skin for any abnormalities that could be signs and symptoms of a particular disease. On top of that, the dog owner should be responsible enough to provide all the care and attention that their dogs need including proper nutrition, preventative medicine and good grooming to ensure that their pets will be in good and healthy condition for years to come.   

Signs Of Common Dog Health Problems

There are a number of signs and signals that might be telling you that your dog has specific dog health symptoms or problems or diseases. Dog owners should be familiarized with these potential signs of abnormalities in their pets so quick and proper action can be done immediately to avoid any complications later on.

* Your dog’s fur needs to be fluffy, soft and shiny. Dogs with wire coats should have springy and thick strands. Breeds with double coats should have no indication of thinning on the undercoats.

* Redness or inflammation, open sores, scabs, flakes, lumps or cyst like growths on the skin can be signs of health issues. The skin and coat should be free from parasites including fleas, ticks and mites. An overabundance of scartching or biting of their own skin could mean your dog is infested with parasites like mange mites.

* Just like in humans, bright and shiny eyes are a sign of good health. In dogs, there is an area in the eyes particularly in the perimeter of the eyeballs that should always have a health pink color. This region is called the conjunvtiva and if its pale in color, this could mean some hidden health challenges. There should also be no abnormal discharges from the eyes, particular yellow or green colored fluids.

* Bad odors and/or bloody discharge from the ears is good symptom that something is wrong. Its important to keep the ears clean and free of parasites like mange mites.

* Dog gums that maintain a healthy rosy pink color and which might have a bit of black color as well is a pretty good indication of good health. Pale gums might mean your dog has a problem with anemia. Inflamed and bleeding gums can be signs of periodontal diseases while a foul odor emanating from the breath can be indicative of some underlying health problems.

* Thinking back to the old time thinking about a dog’s nose, a dog full of health usually has a cold, wet nose but this is really only due to the kind of clear and watery discharge that are normal in dogs. If your dog has a bad smeling and icky colored discharge coming form the nose, you need to have your dog looked at right away. These kinds of discharges in young puppies could indicate canine distemper and may turn out to be fatal.

A few other things that indicate a healthy dog are the weight – normal for the breed, body temperature – dogs get fevers just like children, and how the urine and feces look and smell. Its very important to know and understand these health signals and symptoms so that you can help your dog right away if you see that something is wrong.

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Dog owners always have lots of questions about how to look after their pets, so here are some useful FAQs to help look after your pet.

1. I’m getting my puppy today – what supplies should I have ready at home?

One of the most important things to take with you on puppy-picking-up day is a travel crate or cage. Be sure to have some good puppy food at home and small bowls for food and water, as these are your puppy’s essentials. If you need some advice about which food to buy, ask your vet. The vet will also recommend some other things that you need to have ready at home, such as a lead, collar and suitable bedding. Make your first appointment with the vet to get your puppy checked over.

2. Tell me more about microchips.

If you’re trying to be good and look at a wide variety of dog health care tips, one important tip is to get your dog microchipped. The vet will place a small device under your pet’s skin near the neck. Then, should your dog ever run off and get picked up by a shelter, they can read the microchip and place it back in your safe hands. Do you need to microchip your dog? If you are always with your dog, then a microchip might not be necessary. Please remember though that microchipping is harmless and safe, so it is definitely worth considering. Even those dogs that spend most of their time with you can slip their collar and run off.

4. I’m concerned that my dog might have worms – how can I tell for sure?

If you need to know more about dog health care, you should take into consideration troublesome worms. Just like their owners, dogs can get worms too and some of the ones you need to look out for include the common hookworm and tapeworm. Many of these worms can be dangerous for your dog and cause internal irritation. Get your vet to check for worms on a regular basis so your dog can stay fit and healthy.

5. Why should I get my dog fixed?

Unless you plan to professionally breed your dog, you should get him or her neutered or spayed (fixed). There are just not enough homes for all of the puppies and kittens born each year; and, as a result, over 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized annually. Neutering and spaying don’t take very long at all these days and providing there are no complications, your dog will be able to come home the same day.

By getting your pet fixed it can also help with its health in the long-term. If you have your dog neutered or spayed before it reaches 6 months of age, then its risk of developing certain types of cancers and infections will be cut in half.