Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘dog health’

If you’re considering the purchase of a new pooch this Christmas, just think about what you’re going to let yourself in for. There are increasing numbers of dogs and puppies that are bought on a whim and then the owners find they cant handle them, so they get sent to a shelter. Sometimes, the outcome is even worse and some dogs just get sent out onto the streets. This is the harsh reality, but thankfully there are many pet lovers that wouldn’t dream of hurting an animal like this.

Pets bought at Christmas time are often bought on a whim and no-one considers the long-term impact of owning a pet. Boyfriends buying a puppy for a girlfriend should carefully consider it to make sure the dog will be brought up in a suitable environment and that it is going to get enough attention. If this isn’t something you can be sure of, don’t buy a pet as a Christmas present. The reason is due to the high number of people that split up in the New Year and they view the pet they have been given as a token of past affection. There are some people that will mistreat the dog and it can be rescued in very bad condition. Buying pets as gifts often ends in tears, so its best not to risk it. The pet is a family member in its own right.

In many respects, what we need is a more pro-active approach to dog health care, so that the dog doesn’t get sent to a shelter or end up on the streets. Learn about what the dog needs and how it needs affection just like everyone else in the family. Regular food, playtimes and walks will help to keep your dog happy and healthy. Spend some time with your dog and swot up on dog health care tips so that the chances of it ending up onto the streets are less likely, as you understand what it takes to care for your pooch. Lets stop the number of homeless, shelterless and mistreated dogs there are, and the first step is understanding basic dog health care so you know how to look after it. Pets only make good Christmas presents when the dog health care is considered, and if not, don’t buy one.

there is no denial of the fact that homemade food is the best form of food. The same goes for your dog too. The market has plethora of commercial dog foods that you can give to your dog. such foods are typically discovered to be less on the nourishment value. So they are not able to give the required nutrition to your dog. For this reason it is advisable your dog. For Because of that you should give your dog only home made food. Let’s have a look at some of the important things you want to appreciate about preparing handcrafted food for your dog.

When cooking for your dog, your primary intention should be to serve a well balanced meal to your pet. The homemade should contain all the nutrients in the desired quantities. It should include carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins and some amount of fats as well. To ensure that you are giving your pet a quantities. It should some quantity of food items in his daily diet.

Though human beings can ingest almost every edible thing, this does not hold true for dogs. There are food items that should never be fed to dogs. Some such food items include onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, bread and the like. Thus, you should try to avoid these foods completely when cooking for your dog.

Another thing that you must completely stay away from when cooking for your pooch is salt. Avoid salts at all costs if you do not want your pet to shed all his hair. To make when cooking for the absences of salt, you can include different kind of ingredients to give a distinct flavor to the food. For instance, you can include crispy vegetables like bell peppers along with the sweet ones such as carrot so that your dog enjoys the different flavors.

On one hand there are particular food items that are a complete no-no for your dog. On the other hand there are certain food items that are mandatory for your dog. Amongst a variety of obligatory food items for you dog; eggs are the most serious. They are preferable over meat due to their appropriate fat content. Also eggs are a good source of proteins. Your pooche’s daily meal is incomplete without a good quantity of vegetables in it. Vegatables are a natural source of the critical nutrients and so help to contribute to the healthiness of your pet.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind while cooking for your dog is that you follow healthy cooking methods.Do not give deep fried food or overly cooked food to your dog. Instead, try healthy cooking practices such as baking or boiling. These healthy cooking methods not just preserve the taste of the food but they must for the calorie consumption of your pet.

Cooking food for your dog at home is indeed a preferable option. It is a pocket friendly method that helps to keep your dog in the best of health. So wait no more? Serve your dog with some home made food while following these cooking instructions.

There are a number of common health issues that your Golden Retriever can experience from time to time.  Most of these ailments are nothing serious, providing you know how they must be treated and prevented.  Below, we tend to will take a look at the most common ailments, and tell you the way to stop your Golden from obtaining them.

Distemper virus
The distemper virus is an airborne disease that poses a high risk.  This virus will be prevented by obtaining your Golden three different vaccinations when he is between half dozen and sixteen weeks of age, along along with his regular annual booster shot.  The symptoms from this virus embrace fever, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting.  If your Golden Retriever has these symptoms, you must immediately take him to determine the vet.

Heartworms
Heartworms are among the most common ailment with all dog breeds.  They can reach lengths of up to 12 inches in the heart and the lung arteries, leading to heart failure, a decrease in blood circulation, and even death in some cases.  The symptoms with heartworms may not seem until it is too late, so you are higher off preventing them with the right heartworm medicines. 

Heatstroke
Throughout the summer months or hot days, your Golden Retriever will get a heatstroke.  You’ll be able to prevent this from happening by giving your dog plenty of water, and never leaving him in direct sunlight.  If you’re playing together on a hot day, you should provide him plenty of time to rest thus he doesn’t overdo it.  The symptoms indicating a heatstroke embrace a lot of panting or drooling, dark gums, a glazed expression, fast pulse, and even vomiting.  If your dog starts to indicate any of those symptoms, you must immediately take him to the vet.

Rabies
Rabies is one in all the additional serious ailments that your Golden Retriever can get, as it has an adverse have an effect on on your dog’s nervous system.  Normally, dogs get rabies through a bite of another animal that’s infected with the disease.  There are rabies shots that helps to forestall the disease, and your dog ought to get them a minimum of once a year.  The symptoms of rabies include seizures, aggression, and foaming at the mouth.  If you suspect your Golden has rabies, you should call the vet immediately.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are normally caused by fleas, and have an effect on your dog’s stomach.  The symptoms for tapeworms embody a loss in weight, diarrhea, and even biting of the rectal area.  You can easily stop your Golden from tapeworms by using a rigid flea control.  If your Golden Retriever exhibits symptoms for tapeworms, you ought to take him to the vet immediately.  If the vet catches them in time, he might be able to kill the tapeworms with an oral medicine.

Hookworms
Hookworms result from your Golden coming involved with feces, his mother, or the worm simply burrowing beneath exposed skin.  You can prevent your dog from getting hookworms by cleaning his living area and keeping his skin clean.  The symptoms that accompany hookworms embody a dry coat, weight loss, weakness, and blood within the stool.  As with all other ailments, you ought to immediately contact your vet if your Golden Retriever starts to point out any of those symptoms.

Although these are simply some of the foremost common ailments for Golden Retrievers, there are other ailments and health problems that your dog can get.  If your Golden starts to point out any signs of ailment, disease, or health downside, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your vet and set up an appointment.  A number of these diseases and ailments will be pretty serious – though they can be treated if you catch them in time.

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Once you have determined that your dog is pregnant you have approximately 62 days from the date of conception before the puppies arrive. This is just a generalization, some females will whelp earlier and some may whelp later. What you will need to look for is a change in behavior or nesting behavior, along with a frop in body temperature. Start taking her temperature two to three times a day at the same time each day when she is calm and relaxed at about day 58 to day 60. A regular (normal) temperature is between 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. When her temperature drops to 98 to 99 degrees the puppies will typically be born within 24 hours.

After an initial drop in body temperature, it is important to give your vet a call to check in. You need to let him or her know that whelping will happen with a day so that he or she is prepared should you need to bring the dog in. You’ll want to make sure you have transportation available and someone that can either drive or help move the dog. A good idea is to line the backseat or the crate with heavy towels and remove any or all dog dresses she might be wearing, as this can be a very messy time to move the dog. You’ll want to

Prepare a whelping box that has sides high enough to keep the puppies in but low enough to allow the mother dog to get out. An indoor doggie gate may be used to keep puppies from wandering. Use some kind of disposable absorbant material, such as papaer towels, during the whelping process. Don’t use anything that may irritate the female or the puppies and avoid using anything with chemical treatment such as fabric softener or deodorizers.

Although most females will know what to do you should also have thread, sharp scissors, iodine or antibacterial solution, surgical gloves and several towels on hand. If the mother does not lick the puppies the towels can be used to dry them and clear the mucus and materials from their nose after whelping. The thread and iodine is used to tie off and disinfect the umbilical cord and the scissors are used to cut it if the mother does bite through the cord.

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 has been around for over thousands of years and is known to have originated in China. This form of therapy is implemented by inserting thin needles into various points of the body, {along certain paths known as  meridians~into identified acupuncture points in the body on pathways called meridians} , to provide relief for several disorders~diseases}. The acupuncture therapy relies on the theory that the vital energy in the body should be balanced for efficient healing.

If you are thinking about 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, so as to ensure safe treatment. 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.

Canine acupuncture is said to be relaxing and may therefore make your dog drowsy. 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 handle other diseases such as arthritis, various allergies and problems with regard to fertility, to name a few. Canine acupuncture treatment does not last very long. It lasts a minum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 30 mintues. Based on your dogs condition and other important matters regarding your dogs health, the number of sittings will be established. Usually it would take around 5 sessions to cure the dog of its ailments. Not only does canine acupuncture cure physical ailments, but is also known to help improve psychological and emotional disorders. What better way to keep your dog healthy!

Keeping puppies clean is one hard task, and if you have ever tried it, you’ll know what I mean. Please persevere Normal 0   with puppy bathing though, if only for the sake of your dog health care routine. The way you bathe your puppy matters because you are teaching them, here and now, exactly what bath time will be like for the rest of his days. Cleaning your dog can be a fun pet health process though, and if you’re planning on bathing your puppy, read on…

The first thing – before you even run the bathwater – is to collect all the supplies you will need. These include a coat-conditioning spray (for long-haired dogs) and a natural-bristle brush during times of heavy shedding. Don’t forget a towel either. Then you need to make sure you’re wearing clothes that you don’t mind about getting wet. The entire affair will work better if your puppy is hungry; so do not feed him 6 hours before the bath. If you call your puppy over and give him some treats he will be well behaved in the bath. Remember, you want this to be fun. Now it’s time for a thorough brush-and-comb. Its important to make sure the puppy’s coat gets brushed properly before the tap comes on. Get some conditioner on the fur and brush this through all the way to the ends.

Something important to remember is that the dog’s ears need cleaning at the back. 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. If your puppy has sensitive eyes, use a baby shampoo on his head area. You don’t want to burn your puppy’s delicate skin, so always test the water temperature before filling the bath tub. Then the fun part! Gently spray mild warm water onto its fur. Apply some shampoo to your dog’s coat by massaging in circles for short coats, or massaging in long strokes with the growth of hair in long coats, to prevent tangling. Providing you have a gentle brush, this can be used to massage the shampoo in all over the puppy’s coat. When you are sure you’ve rinsed out all the soap, do it again. You’ll always find that there’s more soap to get out! Lastly, condition the fur and rinse – then your dog is ready to be wrapped up in a towel and dried off.

The inquisitive nature of dogs often means we see them eating lots of varied things and they really don’t care what it is they eat.   However, there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. With this in mind, keep reading and find out exactly what household products should be kept out of a dog’s reach.   Take the advice below and it will help you make sure your dog health care routine isn’t compromised.

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. The symptoms of ingesting a toxic substance are awful, and your dog will end up with kidney failure. You can prevent this painful death by just making sure the product is kept far out of reach. If your dog does end up ingesting some antifreeze, call the vet immediately.

2) Chocolate: Don’t ever let your dog eat chocolate, as it is poisonous to dogs. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death do occur with smaller amounts ingested. Chocolate poisoning has horrific symptoms for dogs, including frequent urination and hyper-activity.   This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate. This is not good for a dog’s health.

3) Bleach: Its not difficult to comprehend that bleach is toxic. All bleach-related products are to be kept high up out of a dog’s reach. If your dog does drink bleach, the symptoms are nasty, including abdominal pain. However, one important thing to remember is that vomiting should not be induced s this can make the situation worse. Remember that by doing these simple things, your dog health care routine stays in check.

4) Mouthwash: Highly toxic to dogs is an owner’s mouthwash, and this is commonly found in the home. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. Just like with the other household products, a dog that’s drunk mouthwash should be taken to see the vet.

With diligence on our part, we can help prevent our dogs from getting into substances that are toxic to them. Pet owners do a lot for their pets in terms of feeding and grooming, but a proper dog health care routine isn’t complete without making sure dangerous products are kept away from the pet. As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.

What Your Dog Says 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. The slightest change or nuance can alert you to specific feelings. For the most part, this is a learned trait. Since he can’t talk, you can learn to do the same by identifying the signals he uses to express his feelings.

In the same way people can open their eyes wide and shut them, so too, can your canine. Remember that shape varies according to breed. If your dog’s eyes are wide it is probably 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.

Dog owners will benefit from taking the time to learn how to read their dogs’ eyes. 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. Many would claim that getting hit by a car 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. Many things can cause it and sometimes it's hard to tell whether the problem is minor or the sign of a more serious condition.

In this article, we'll describe a few factors that can cause your pooch to vomit. We'll also explain how veterinarians treat the condition. 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 is 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. On the other hand, if your canine experiences recurring bouts, seems apathetic afterward, and loses his appetite, 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.

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Look after your dog by following these simple tips and understand more about the importance of pet health.

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

The first thing you’ll need is a travel crate for your dog’s trip home. Be sure to have some good puppy food at home and small bowls for food and water, as these are your puppy’s essentials. Your vet, breeder or shelter personnel can tell you which brands of food are the best. Other items you’ll need to get in advance of the new puppy’s arrival are: an adjustable collar, a lead, toys and bedding. Don’t forget to make an appointment with your veterinarian for your puppy’s first check-up!

2. Tell me more about microchips.

Microchipping is very popular these days and it is an essential part of dog health care. A microchip is a very tiny device that is injected underneath the dog’s skin, usually at the neck. If your dog is lost, then any veterinarian or shelter can use a scanner to read the information on the microchip and then return the dog to you. 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 think my dog has worms – how do I know for certain?

Every owner that is trying to look after their dog with dog health care advice should consider the potential for worms. Some of the most common worms that a dog can potentially have are: heartworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms. Many of these worms can be dangerous for your dog and cause internal irritation. It is therefore essential that your vet routinely checks for worms.

5. Is there a good enough reason why I should get my dog fixed?

It is true that unless you are planning to breed from your pet dog, getting it spayed or neutered is the right route to go down. Just think of all the millions of stray animals and those that get kicked out of homes – don’t add to this problem, which is why getting your pet ‘fixed’ is the best solution. 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.

In addition to its being an effective pet population control measure, spaying and neutering can also benefit your dog’s health. 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.