According to surveys made by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the third most common problem that veterinarians treat among dogs that are brought to them is canine diarrhea. If your dog has ever had this problem, you know how much this can affect your daily routine. Your dog’s stomach problem may come from an overgrowth of bacteria in their intestines, but its also possible that this might be due to overfeeding. 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. Here are some helpful tips you might use to help your dog’s 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.
But sometimes stomach problems and loose bowels are just side effects from diet changes, super snacking or digging through the trash in the kitchen. Other causes might involve parasites such as worms that cause a bacterial overgrowth or imbalance in the stomach.
If you see worms in your dog’s feces, either spaghetti looking or rice like in appearance, you can get an OTC de-wormer medicine and this might just do the trick. However, certain parasites like Giardia and other non-visible worms are not easily treated by dewormers. This will probably cause further stomach problems and more diarrhea. When this happens, you need to scoop up some of your dog’s stool and carry it off to the vet office for further testing.
You can probably handle mild stomach problems yourself simply by letting your dog fast without anything to eat just for one whole day. This with the assumption that all else is normal with your dog’s health, with the exception of the loose stool.
After the 24-hour fast, feed your dog with a prepared meal of boiled chicken or hamburger with all the fat drained off in a preparation mixed with boiled white rice. Give your dog small portions of food 5 or 6 times a day until his bowels are normal and the stool turns firm again. Sometimes, the vet would recommend small bits of yogurt so that beneficial bacteria can grow safely in the dog’s stomach.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Technorati Tags: canine diarrhea, dog, Dog Health
If you have never owned a puppy before, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with the sudden responsibility of caring for the wellbeing of your new pal. In this article you will learn about the basic health responsibilities you should attend to and how you can go about doing so.
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.
Your next concern should be to see that your dog gets all of the required vaccinations. Some breeders may start the vaccination process, so check with your dog’s breeder to find out if any vaccinations have been given to your pup. There are three shots given three weeks apart. These shots are referred to as the “core” injections. They help to prevent your pup from contracting distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. You can have the first shot administered when your puppy is 6 weeks old. Your veterinarian may suggest vaccinations to prevent illnesses that are a concern for certain breeds or demographic regions. These are called non-core vaccinations as they are not a requirement for all dogs. To be on the safe side, we recommend you keep your dog away from other dogs (that are not in your home) until your puppy has completed his round of core vaccines. They will become effective about 10 days after the last vaccination.
Grooming is another important aspect of owning a puppy. Some dogs have stricter grooming requirements than others, particularly ones with long or curly fur. Certain breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to ear infections and require that their ears be cleaned frequently. All dogs should have their nails clipped periodically (usually when you hear their paws click on the floor you know it’s time for a trim!). It’s very important that this is done in the correct fashion using proper canine nail clippers, as cutting to deeply in your dog’s claws can result in severe pain and bleeding.
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.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Technorati Tags: animal, dog, dog exercise, dog grooming, Dog Health, new dog, new puppy, pet, puppy, puppy diet
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.
One important thing to consider is this: does your dog get to spend regular time outdoors aside from potty breaks? If not, this could be a huge clue as to why your dog might not be looking as lean as he ought to be. Dogs love to be outside—it’s natural for them and it’s a good inspiration to be active. If you haven’t been able to take your dog outside in the past, set time aside for him or arrange for a friend or family member to do let him out several times throughout the day. Try to get involved with him when he’s outdoors to encourage him to move around. Throwing his favourite ball or toy around is great, as is a quick jog around the yard. If you aren’t in the best of shape yourself, you and your dog could go to a dog park or on walking trails and both of you can reap the health benefits of walking. This is also great for strengthening the relationship between you and your dog. You can even try getting a set of pet steps to train your dog on. Not only will he get a great workout from going up and down the steps, but being proactive will boost his happiness and confidence.
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.
Technorati Tags: animal, dog, Dog Health, dog weight loss, new dog, new puppy, overweight dog, pet, pet steps
Dog and puppy owners need to be sure they understand a few dog health problems basics so they can help their pets if by chance they contract one of the common dog health problems. There is an old wives’ tale that many people still believe that the way to tell if a dog is healthy is if their nose is cold and wet. 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 several dog health symptoms that signify certain canine health problems and particular 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. Its importatn that both your dog’s fur and skin remain free of parasites - little organisms like fleas or ticks or mites. If your dog is scratching or biting him or herslef a lot this could mean they have skin parasites.
* Just like people, if your dog’s eyes are bright and shiny, this is a good healthy sign. Dogs have a certain area around the outside of the eyeball that should be pinkish to indicate good health. This area is called the conjunctiva and a pale color in this area could signify some underlying health problems. There should also be no abnormal discharges from the eyes, particular yellow or green colored fluids.
* A foul smell or bloody discharge from your dog’s ears means something is not right with your dog’s health. The ears should be clean with no signs of parasitic activities.
* Gum regions that have that healful pink glow to them but that may have some black coloring mixed in is a healthy sign. Pale colored gums can be a sign or symptom of anemia. Sore looking red gums that bleed could be sending you the signal that you dog has a peridontal problem while emphasizing that your dog has some health issues with really bad breath.
* 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 discharge coming from the nose, this could be trouble and you need to get your dog examined. Such discharges in young pups can be a sign of canine distemper and may prove 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. The important thing here is to know and understand these signs and symptoms of health problems so that the moment you notice something abnormal, you can immediately take action.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Technorati Tags: Dog Health, dog health problems, dog health questions, dog health symptoms
During the times your dog or cat needs to take vet prescribed medication you may have to confront choices like which medicine suits your pet better, fluid or powder? Commercial or holistic? Making the right choice can be critical to your pet’s health, and sometimes you have to consider many factors and not only just what your vet recommends.
Important considerations:
The medicines your vet prescribes may have some minor side effects, but at times it is possible that medication reacts severely against the health of pet.It is a good idea to ask the vet the optimal duration of the medication necessary for the best result for your pet.Tell your vet in advance about any allergies your pet might suffer from in order to prevent any side effects from the medications prescribed to you.Do not forget to ask your vet about the variety and options regarding pet meds available in the market which suit you the best.Finally, some pet meds may be harmful and reactive to human body as well, so take appropriate precautions. At a minimum, keep them out of the reach of children and be attentive to their storage.
So how do I know what pet meds with suit me?
You need to look after the medication chart for your pet, so be sure to ask your vet to give you only those dog drugs which fit in with your daily routine and allow you to manage to administer in a timely manner for better health of your pet.
Methods of ensuring the best cat or dog med selection:
The best dog or medications for cats for your pet is the one which has least and less serious side effects, is most effective and long lasting, and impacts your pocket the least.Do not forget to consider factors such as of the age ,breed and sex of your pet when deciding on a medication.Don’t forget that there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to meds, like comparing other brands or even opting for home natural remedies including a more balanced diet for your dog or cat.Remember that not all medications are effective for all pets all of the time. If you try a new medication and it seems not to be working, or are using a familiar drug but noticing no effect, consult your local vet and consider a different one.
Caveats:
When handling medications for your pet always remember to read and follow the instructions mentioned on the label carefully. Reviewing the instructions help you deal better with the condition and any situations that might arise from the use of the medication.Make sure the medicine suits the size, age and breed of your pet. Don’t ‘double the dosage’ if your pet weighs twice as much as the medicine is designed for - buy the proper medicine for that weight range.Additionally, the blind belief that ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ medications are better than commercial ones can lead to serious complications.Consult your vet before giving any holistic medications or supplements to your dog or cat. While some home remedies work well, others can harm your pet and even cause its death, particularly with small dogs and, especially, cats. Herbal extracts for flea control are a good example.
Technorati Tags: Cat health, cat medication, cat meds, Dog Health, dog medication, dog meds, pet health, pet medication, pet meds
In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds The overwhelming majority are born healthy and live long, mostly disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.
However, there are some conditions that occur more frequently in Dachshunds than other breeds.
Diseases of the Adrenal Gland
Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by a primary tumor or the adrenal gland, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in excessive drinking and urination, hair loss, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions, and sometimes diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Several different drugs can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. If adrenal cancer is present, surgical excision of the gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease is not limited to Dachshunds and can be found in other breeds, too.
The opposite condition is called hypoadrenocorticism (low cortisol) or Addison’s disease. Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to an imbalance of the electrolytes and too low of blood sugar (glucose). The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for fluid therapy and cortisone injections to correct the imbalances. Being as the sudden collapse resembles many disorders, Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. The degeneration results with gradual vision loss and blindness. Because of the slow onset of the disease, it may not be diagnosed until the dog has already been bred, thus passing the condition to their offspring. Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases. Regular eye exams can help detect these eye-disorders early.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the spine (back). In Dachshunds, this material sometimes ruptures and sometimes calcifies, or hardens. The disc protrusion causes pain and swelling around the nerves coming out of the spinal cord and sometimes compresses the cord itself. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. Most of the Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication. Holistic medicine, such as chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture, is sometimes used to relieve the pain. Immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs when there is a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis. The faster the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.
Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Being as this is such a common problem in Doxies, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Spinal surgery for herniated discs is very expensive and I have had the uneasy task of performing euthanasia on several Dachshunds because the owner’s were unable to pay for the surgery. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. Some dogs may recover without surgery, but it is impossible to predict.
Vaccination Reactions
Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. Usually, the reaction is minor, resulting in swelling of the muzzle and face and occasional hives. Vaccine reactions can occur in any dog, so it always best to watch your pet for a few hours after a health check. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Good dental care, proper diets, preventive health checks, vaccinations, and heartworm/parasite prevention can help your Dachshund live longer. You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Technorati Tags: Dachshund, dog, dog breed, dog diseases, Dog Health, dogs, pet health, pets
In order that your dog grows properly and remains healthy, he needs access to certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. They provide him with energy and help support his metabolism. They also contribute to the rebuilding of muscles that have become inflamed or stressed. In effect, nutrients are the building blocks of your canine’s overall health.
The good news is that most of them can be found in high-quality dog foods that you can buy at nearly any pet supply store. One does not have to make extra or special meals for their dogs. Below, I’ll provide an overview of the most important nutrients that your pooch requires in order to stay healthy. Proteins
Amino acids are a component of proteins. Some of them are produced within your dog’s body, but most of them must be acquired by eating meat and plant products. These are important for processing the food intake into energy: active dogs need a regular supply. Chicken, turkey, fish, and many types of vegetables are great sources of protein.
Carbohydrates And Fiber
Carbohydrates - including fiber - are an important ingredient for the health of your dog’s tissues and intestinal tract. The key is fermentability. If it is too low, the fiber will not provide sufficient coverage of the intestines. On the other hand, if the fermentability is too high, the fiber can produce flatulence as well as mucus-related issues. Corn and soybeans are two food groups that will provide carbohydrates in your dogs diet.
Fats And Fatty Acids
Fats are leading factors of canine obesity. While it is true that fats can lead to excess weight gain in inactive dogs, they are also a potent source of energy (more so than proteins and carbohydrates). What’s more, fats are a critical component to the production of hormones in your canine.
Fatty acids are also important. They can help heal your pooch’s inflamed skin and protect him from dealing with a number of health issues (for example, inflammatory bowel disease).
Vitamins And Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential for your dog to absorb fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. They cannot be produced in sufficient amounts organically, so you must provide them in your canine’s diet. It is important to provide them with the proper amounts. An excess of vitamins can also lead to other health related problems. These are needed in addition to the minerals to contribute the most benefit. Commercial dog food is normally made with the proper ratios.
Water
Of course, water is one of the most important nutrients; every living organism needs it. Your pet dog must have these essentials at all times. Even a small decrease in the percentage of water in his body can have long-lasting health impacts.
You’ll notice that each of the nutrients above is necessary for humans just as they are essential for dogs. Make sure your canine has access to them every day. As noted, you don’t need to prepare special meals for him. A high-grade commercial dog food will contain everything he needs except water. Keep you dog healthy and happy.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Technorati Tags: Dog Diet, Dog Health, Dog Wellness. Dog Tips, Healthy Dog
