Archive for July, 2009

Owner’s Guide To Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs

Dogs are susceptible to urinary tract infections just like humans. Females usually develop UTIs more often than males. Bacteria can invade more easily since females have a shorter urethra than males. Keep reading to learn all about urinary tract infections in canines.

Cause

Various species of bacteria cause urinary tract infections. In particular, E. coli bacteria are responsible for these infections. These are strains similar to the ones that infect humans. You may be wondering what are some of the common symptoms of a UTI.

Symptoms

Dogs that have a urinary tract infection will display a range of signs. Increased urination is common. It can be difficult and painful for your dog to urinate while he suffers from this condition. Sometimes, your dog’s urine will contain blood. Some dogs also develop fever and lethargy. You’ll need to take your dog to a vet if he begins displaying these symptoms.

Diagnosis

A urinalysis is needed in order to diganose a UTI. The analysis measures the amount of sugar, white blood cells, protein, and blood in the urine. The test may also show the presence of bacteria. Urine samples can be collected by inserting a catheter in your dog, or removing urine from the bladder with a needle. Or, your dog can simply urinate in a container.

Treatment

It’s best to treat this condition quickly. If left unchecked, the infection can travel up to the kidneys. This can cause serious harm. Treatment of these infections is through the use of antibiotics taken for a couple of weeks.

Prevention

There are things you can do to help prevent canine urinary tract infections. Always make sure that your dog has plenty of fresh water. If you keep him inside, make sure you let him out every few hours so he can use the bathroom. The risk of infection is increase as bacteria multiply when urine stays in the bladder for too long.

Dogs can be affected by many different conditions such as canine constipation. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at dog-illnesses.com. Click over right now to start reading about some of these conditions such as pancreatitis in canines.

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Different Types Of Seizures In Dogs

Your dog can suffer a seizure when there is abnormal electrical activity in his brain. There are different types of seizures. Grand mal, petiti mal, status epilepticus, and cluster are these different types. Let’s take a look at these types of seizures in dogs.

Petit Mal

The first type of seizure is the petit mal. Dogs that experience this type of seizure usually don’t have a lot of uncontrolled movement. Your dog will simply have a blank look on his face. Some dogs blink will suffering a petit mal seizure.

Grand Mal

Grand mal dog seizures are a bit more serious. Most dogs stiffen their muscles and lie down on their sides with their legs out. Your dog may also chomp his jaws. This type of seizure can also cause your dog to lose control over bowel movements, urination, and salivation. Your dog may be disoriented for a little while after the episode is over.

Cluster

Cluster seizure can be life-threatening. Cluster refers to the fact that multiple seizures occur within hours of each other. He will have no time to fully recover before he suffers another one.

Status Epilepticus

These seizures also occur within hours of each other. However, with these seizures, there is no break in time between episodes. They occur continuously. This condition is an extreme emergency and requires veterinarian assistance quickly.

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Owner’s Guide To Shedding Problems In Canines

Although all breeds of dogs shed, some do so much more than others. The best way to keep excess hair to a minimum is to groom your dog regularly. This is the best way to keep hair from ending up in your carpeting, furniture, or anywhere else your dog goes. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do.

Brushing

It’s best to brush your dog’s hair on a regular basis. Depending on your specific breed, you will need to do brush your dog at least weekly. Others may have to do it on a daily basis. A slick brush will help trap hair so it doesn’t fall everywhere while you’re brushing. This will help save you the trouble of vacuuming.

Vacuum

Speaking of a vacuum, you can also use one to prevent dog shedding problems. To suck excess hair off of your dog, you can use one of the vacuum’s attachments. However, some dogs don’t like the noise produced by vacuums, so he may not let you use one to get hair off.

Skin

If your dog has extremely dry skin, he may experience shedding problems. Therefore, you should make sure your dog doesn’t have any skin conditions. These skin conditions can be very itchy or painful and prompt your dog to scratch himself excessively. Hair in the area may start to fall out due to the constant scratching. Oral medication or medicated shampoo can be used to treat most skin conditions.

Rollers

You may have one of those sticky lint rollers around your home. These rollers are great for removing excess hair. You can get rid of any loose hair by simply rubbing the roller all over his coat. This is a great alternative if your dog doesn’t like brushing or vacuuming.

Supplements

Another way to deal with shedding problems in canines is to use supplements. Fatty acid supplements work best for this purpose. Dogs that don’t get enough of these fatty acids may experience dull coats, dry skin, and excessive shedding. These supplements usually take at least a month before you can see a noticeable improvement in the amount of shedding.

Dogs can be affected by many different conditions such as canine cataracts. Fortunately, dog-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a range of these conditions. So, come by right now to learn about some of these problems like canine liver disease.

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A Look At Common Symptoms Of Poisoning In Dogs

If your dog has been poisoned, you need to seek treatment quickly. Poisoning causes a few signs that you should be aware of. These signs mainly depend on the amount of toxin that your dog ingested and his weight. Before we discuss these dog poisoning symptoms, let’s take a look at some of the common ways your dog can get poisoned.

Causes

Dogs usually eat or drink toxin materials. Antifreeze has a sweet taste to dogs, so they love to lick it up. Certain types of mushrooms can also be toxic to canines. Fumes can also be hazardous. In some cases, dogs absorb the materials through their skin.

Skin

It’s common for dogs that have been poisoned to develop a skin rash. The rash occurs when toxins enter through the skin and are absorbed in the bloodstream. However, a rash can also be caused by many different skin conditions.

Blood

The appearance of blood signals a more serious case of poisoning. Dogs that ingest certain toxins can develop internal bleeding. Blood may appear in the nose, vomit, or stool. Rat poison is a common substance that can cause internal bleeding. So, always be careful when using this around your home.

Brain

Various toxins can also cause damage to the brain. A common sign of brain damage due to poisoning is loss of coordination. It’s also common for canines to experience seizures and tremors. Another severe sign that the brain has been affected is the loss of consciousness. Some dogs remain conscious but have a blank stare on their faces. The poisoning usually results in death if a coma occurs.

Appetite

Loss of appetite is another sign of poisoning. Your dog’s tongue or mouth may become swollen. A swollen mouth or tongue will make it harder for him to eat. However, you should also be aware that loss of appetite can be brought on by many other conditions.

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Types Of Dermatitis In Canines

Canine dermatitis is a general term for various inflammatory skin diseases. Your dog’s overall health can be affected by some of these conditions. Others just affect the look of the coat. Moist, contact, atopic, and flea are some of the different types of dermatitis. Here’s a look at some of the different types.

Moist

One of the first types of canine dermatitis is moist. The skin will suddenly develop moist, raw areas. This type of dermatitis is most common in hot, humid weather. The raw areas of skin are caused by your dog scratching and licking constantly. This enables bacteria to invade the spot and worsen the infection.

Atopic

One of the next common types of canine dermatitis is atopic. Dogs may develop this type of dermatitis when they experience an allergic reaction to something. Grass is a common allergen. Your dog will constantly scratch at the red, irritated skin. Some dog’s also experience runny eyes and noses.

Contact

Another form of dermatitis is contact. Dogs can develop allergies to various materials that touch their skin. This includes substances such as fertilizer, bleach, acids, and carpet cleaner. Some dogs are even allergic to flea collars. This type of dermatitis causes red, itchy skin. The only part of the skin that’s affected is the part that came into contact with the offending material.

Flea

This form of dermatitis is caused by flea allergies. Your dog may experience a reaction upon being bitten by a flea. In addition to constant, severe itching, the dog may also lose his hair in the affected spots. These areas may become infected and lead to dog hot spots.

All owners should know their pet can fall victim to various health problems in their lifetime like hypothyroidism in canines. You can read up on many different potential health problems at dog-illnesses.com. Click over right now.

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All About Cherry Eye In Dogs

All dogs have a special protective eyelid on the inside corners of their eyes that is normally not visible. Cherry eye is a condition that develops when this eyelid swells and comes out of position. One or both eyes can be affected. You may be wondering what causes this problem.

Cause

Some dogs have weak connective tissue to the eyelid. This is a common cause for this condition. The tissue isn’t strong enough to hold the eyelid and place and allows it to drop out of position. This condition can also occur because of inflammation. In some cases, there is no known reason to explain the cause of the condition.

Symptoms

The main sign of cherry eye is the appearance of a pink or red mass in the inner corner of the eye. It’s also common for the affected eye to produce a thick, watery discharge. The gland will become more traumatized if your dog rubs at the eye to try to relieve the irritation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this condition is very straightforward. The veterinarian will visually inspect your dog’s eye to see if the eyelid has prolapsed. Sometimes both eyes will have problems although only one may appear to have a problem.

Treatment

Treatment of cherry eye in dogs usually begins with anti-inflammatory medications. After taking the medication, your dog’s conjunctiva and prolapsed gland shouldn’t be inflamed. However, anti-inflammatory medications won’t cause the prolapsed gland to return to its normal position.

Your dog will likely need to have the gland removed and replaced. There is also the option of simply removing the gland. However, removing the gland will greatly increase your dog’s risk of experiencing dry eye in the future.

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A Look At Dog Strokes

Strokes rarely occur in canines. They are brought on when blood flow to the brain is impaired. There are two types of strokes, namely hemorrhagic and schemic. Schemic strokes occur when blood flow is impeded for some reason. The hemorrhagic variety occur when a blood vessel breaks.

Causes

There are a variety of reasons why your dog can experience a stroke. Some occur because of severe trauma to the head, such as being hit by a car. This problem can also be caused by ingesting various toxins. Underlying medical conditions can also be to blame like cushings disease in canines. Other common conditions include heart disease, diabetes, brain tumors, and dog kidney disease.

Symptoms

Dogs experiencing a stroke display some of the same symptoms caused by other conditions. Constant circling, difficulty walking, and head tilting are common. Dogs may also experience loss of bowel control, behavior changes, and sudden blindness.

Diagnosis

You will need to seek medical assistance quickly if your dog displays some of these symptoms. Quick diagnosis and treatment goes a long way towards a complete recovery. Your dog will likely have a physical exam at first. If your dog has had a stroke, he will perform a CT scan or MRI to try to determine the cause. These two procedures require that your dog be anesthetized.

Treatment

Canine strokes are treated by determining the underlying medical condition and treated it if possible. Your dog shouldn’t experience anymore strokes if the underlying cause can be identified and treated. The damage done by a stroke is typically irreparable. Most dogs recover within a few weeks though. However, your dog may have certain behavioral changes after having one.

All owners should know a little something about various diseases that can affect their dog. You can read up on many different potential health problems at dog-illnesses.com. Click over right now.

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Dedicated Owners Only Use Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes For Their Dog

All dog owners want the very best for the canine friend. This includes the nutritional needs of their dog. While most owners will spend the necessary amount of money it takes to purchase high- end quality dog food, others are not able to do due to constraints placed on their financial budget. For many in this situation, is a great option. Often generic dog food will not supply the necessary nutrients to support a healthy lifestyle.

Because of this, one must purchase the more expensive, greater quality dog food to give their pet the best nutrition available. If you are a motivated dog owner, you may choose to make healthy homemade dog food. Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

By preparing your dog’s meals at home, you know exactly what goes into each bite he takes. Nevertheless, creating homemade dog food is not for the faint of heart or for someone that is not willing to give a little extra time to secure their dog’s healthy eating habits. There is a lot of time and research that must go into learning how to make homemade dry dog food. However, as with everything in life, once you master the process it becomes easier and quicker for you to prepare. Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

To offer well rounded meals, you must provide digestible forms of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. These nutrients are required to be served in a balanced manner. One prominent canine diet is BARF. These initials represent different words depending on your opinion or web site, but they meet the same end point. One translation is bones and raw food, while the other is biologically appropriate raw foods. Whichever name you chose to call your homemade dog food, they both intend to achieve a diet similar to the ancestors of your dog.

This diet will include raw whole foods, muscle meat, organ meat, bone, fat and vegetables. Through dedication and education, you can learn how to prepare healthy, satisfying homemade dog food for your dog. If you follow the BARF diet closely and your dog is able to tolerate this form of nutritional input, then there is little need to supplement his diet with any other forms of nutrients. If you feel like you want to, you can add fish oil or flax seed oil for essential fatty acids, yogurt for bacteria and /or kelp for trace elements. However, do not over supplement your dog. On the other hand, if you find that you have a fussy eater or a dog that requires special diets, you may need to further research supplementation.To begin this process one must create a nutritious feeding plan that will include all of the necessary elements of a healthy homemade dog food. Then you will need to set aside a few hours a week to prepare weekly meals. You will find that by offering this type of diet to your dog not only will he be getting a safer more nutritious diet, the ingredients necessary to provide this will cost much less than a high end dog food. Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Dog Owner’s Guide To Parvovirus In Canines

Parvovirus is a deadly and highly contagious disease. It can be spread to your dog when he comes direct or indirect contact with infected feces. Young puppies are typically the ones affected since older dogs have usually been vaccinated. Keep reading to learn all about parvovirus in canines.

Signs

Dogs with parvovirus begin to display symptoms within ten days of being exposed to the virus. This virus can cause damage to the heart or the intestines. If the virus attacks the intestines, there will likely be bloody vomiting and diarrhea in canines. This can quickly cause dehydration and open up the dog to secondary infections.

If the virus attacks the intestinal tract, it may damage the intestinal lining. This will lead to loss of proteins and may cause dog anemia. Damage to the intestinal lining may also allow toxins to enter the bloodstream. Cardiovascular and respiratory failure are common complications when the heart is affected.

Diagnosis

Vets diagnose this disease mainly based on symptoms. A stool sample will be analyzed since the virus is shed in feces. However, dogs that have been vaccinated can cause a false-positive result within two weeks of vaccination. To make diagnosis even more difficult, dogs can also have a false negative if the test is done too late or too early in the progression of the disease. To make a conclusive diagnosis, a complete blood count is also usually done.

Treatment

It is important to start treatment for this disease as soon as possible. Dehydration needs to be prevented, so your dog will receive electrolytes and fluids. Medications will also be given to combat diarrhea and vomiting. It’s also common for dogs infected with this virus to develop secondary infections. Antibiotics will help prevent this. Some dogs also require blood transfusions to deal with anemia.

Parvovirus can’t be cured. Until the immune system is able to take over, these treatments will only provide support. However, without these treatments, dogs can easily die from dehydration.

All owners should know their pet can fall victim to various health problems in their lifetime. You can read up on many different potential health problems at dog-illnesses.com. So, come by right now to become informed.

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Check Out Dog Agility Training

So now that it’s summer, many people are looking to get their dogs(and themselves) more active. One topic that’s come up is Dog Agility Training. It’s a great way for an owner and dog to bond, through training and practice. I went in search of some rules to use when starting dog agility training.

1)Use the pet’s name after the command. This is a very helpful tool because not only does it get their attention, but it also lets them know that you want them to do something. If they are in the midst of doing the action required, their name keeps them focused.

2)Always use patience and positive reinforcement, rather than anything close to punishment. It’s a dog training rule that punishments doesn’t really do a whole lot to get the right behaviors out of your animal. It’s better to focus on what they are doing correctly and encourage it.

3)Use toys that teach as a precursor to Agility Training. Toys that require some maneuvering are great for your dog. Not only is he learning that behaviors get him rewards, he’s also working on focusing on that reward. He’s paying attention and learning to work until the job is complete.

4)Work through every element of the obstacle course. Use jumping, poles, tunnels and ramps to round-out your dog’s training. If he’s particularly wary of one exercise, take time to work with him slowly at it. A lot of dogs are afraid of the tunnels. It may take some consistent encouragement from the other side of the tunnel to get your dog to go completely through, but be sure to shower him with praise when he does it.

5)Never get angry on the course. Anger doesn’t work with dogs. It will only make them scared and unsure of what you really want. Be firm but be open with praise and encouragement. Use treats as rewards and verbal praises as extras.

6)Once your dog is accustomed to the course, work on perfecting movements. For example, the weave around cones should be done at certain angles to cut down on time. This is something a dog new to the course won’t get yet, but after a few successful practice runs, it’s time to start working on details.

7)Give commands before an object is reached. Let him know what exactly is going to be expected of him before you get to the apparatus. Your dog should be familiar with the element, but the command will only reinforce what he’s supposed to do.

8)Remember to work with your dog’s abilities. A puppy will need shorter training times. An older dog will need the same.

9)Be sure to give your pet plenty of positive affirmations and plenty of water breaks.

Agility Training is a great way to spend quality time with your canine and work up a sweat yourself!

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