Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘dog health’

That is a little misleading since no disease is 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

One common disease of the adrenal gland is Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol 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, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions, hair loss and some times diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Several drugs are can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to remove the adrenal gland if it is cancerous. Cushing’s disease can affect other breeds of dogs as well.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or hypoadrenocorticsim (low cortisol). Whereas, Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to to low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for cortisone injections and fluid therapy to correct the imbalances. Addison’s  is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Treatment of Addison’s disease is life-long treatment with prednisone (cortisone) and electrolytes.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a gradual deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. The degeneration results with gradual vision loss and blindness. PRA is a genetic trait and because it often does not show up until the dog is older, the dog may have already been bred and passed the condition to the puppies. Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve hypoplasia, distichiasis (abnormal eyelashes) as well as other conditions. 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 some times calcifies, or hardens, and sometimes ruptures. The herniated disc causes swelling and pain around the spinal cord and the nerves coming out from the spinal canal. Early signs of a herniated disc are pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and sometimes total paralysis or the rear legs,. The majority of Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Holistic medicine, such as chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture, is sometimes used to relieve the pain. With a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The sooner the surgery is preformed, the greater the chances of full recovery.

Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Because this is such a common problem in the Dachshund, 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 that 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 face and muzzle and occasional hives. Vaccine reactions do occur with any dog, so it is wise to observe your pet for a few hours after receiving. Vaccines have improved over the past few years so reactions are fewer and the benefits of protecting your pet against the diseases outweighs the risks.

With good health care, Dachshunds can lead a long and healthy life. Proper diets, preventive health checks, vaccinations, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

While dogs are best-known as man’s best friend, you, as the dog owner, are reliable for the training of your dog, if you wish him to live up to that lofty moniker. When you bring that cute puppy home, he’s a unruly and loving character. What he lacks is discipline and that is where you come in. You need to fulfill your end of the bargain.

On the whole dogs are ordinarily the most lovable of pets, inherently loyal, fun loving, comforting and always entertaining. Nevertheless, you have to face the fact that dogs are three years old standing in terms of discipline. That is why a training program early is crucial. Dogs absolutely love their owners fondness and like to please them. It is up to you to make your pup recognise what is expected of him in the way he behaves. In their view, life is in a never-ending state of fun. They have no idea what is good or bad behavior, unless you let them know what is. One of the most everyday dog behavior problems you will have stop is the biting puppy syndrome.

Pups like chewing on everything, as any dog owner will tell you. The biting pup may have a nice time chewing on your carpet slippers, a book or a tasty bone. He should be able to enjoy any of his bones, but you want to provide the guidance to their behaviour, so it keeps your pet away from your slippers. They do not know that there is a difference, unless you let them know. If you let your pet do as they want, you may soon have an disrespectful biting pup, with everything in their approved list of biting behaviour. If you are an irresponsible dog owner you will have no one to blame but yourself, when he graduates to bite you, your kids or your neighbour every time he wants to. A biting puppy that is unchecked, will become a dog that bites, landing you both in a lot of problems.

Like kids, dogs need behavioral counseling. To get a biting puppy to realise their are constraints is very easy. Where do you draw the line? Biting food and bones is a good rule. Anything else is breaking any understanding you have with your dog. If you permit them to chew on a old worn out pair of slippers, this is giving them a permission to bite and chew a variety of household items. He can not distinguish between things that are good to bite and those that they are not.

Pups, when teething, are prone to be biting puppies. However cute you might think his decimation of yesterday’s newspaper, you have got to put your foot down. Dogs only understand rules in terms of the absolute. It’s either OK or not OK. The punishment must also fit the crime. In the case of inanimate objects, a rolled up paper, with a sharp noise report, will get your message across.

You must hold in reserve the most serious punishment for infractions which involve your puppy biting a human. No matter how fun loving, lacking in malice or whatever, a puppy must be dissuaded from the idea that biting a human is acceptable. Let’s say your daughter decides to share some fat scraps from her dinner plate with her puppy. He’s certainly eager to share in this largess, inadvertently biting her in his haste. While he means no harm, if you let this pass undisciplined, you are giving him a green light for behavior that spells trouble down the road.

In order to cut off immediately and unequivocally puppy biting behavior, you will have to come down on him hard. A strong blow to the nose, the removal of the food and a dog version of time out is what we have to impose. Slip on his leash and give him a taste of isolation on his own, along with a “bad dog.” This is the language and action that he can understand. He knows that his conduct resulted in a punishment, the loss of the desired item and isolation from his family.

With this strategy, you can quickly and easily train your biting pup out of its bad habits. By the time your pet is six months old, you will have a small dog that knows its limits!

One training program, that many dog owner’s have hound invaluable is Sit Stay Fetch if you are have training problems or behaviour problems with your dog them SitStayFetch is what you are looking for further Free information visit Free Dog Diet Tips..

Does your pets skin and coat look shiny and healthy, if not this could point to the need for more fatty acids to be in your dogs diet.

A dogs diet affects all aspects of his body including the skin and coat. If your dogs diet contains satisfactory amounts of fatty acids, his coat and skin should look healthy. Fatty acids in your dogs diet will prevent problems with dry skin and dandruff, for example. A dull coat may suggest a need for supplements of fatty acids in your dogs diet.

Studies indicate that essential fatty acids, called EFAs, contribute to healthy skin and coat, as well as general health. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, for instance, can play a crucial role in your dogs overall well being.

Do not just assume that adding fatty acid supplements to your dogs diet is always the better thing to do. If your dogs coat is already in a good condition, adding more EFAs will not aid improve your dogs health. The fatty acid supplements, such as omega 6 and 3, should only used for dogs with diagnosed skin problems. Always take advice from your veterinary surgeon before adding any supplement to your dogs diet. Your veterinarian will be happy to speak with you about the better form of EFAs and let you know the proper dose you should add to your dogs diet.

Fatty acids are not produced by your dogs body. For this reason, you must provide EFAs to your pet through your dogs diet. If your vet advocates extra supplements of fatty acids, you may want to ask about linseed or sunflower oil.

Inside as little as four weeks, you should notice a improvement in your dogs coat and skin. Watch the wonder of fatty acids at work in your dogs diet. By the time seven weeks have gone, you will notice a dramatic change in your pets health.

High levels of omega 3 fatty acids are supposed to ward off some forms of cancer. Cardiovascular health and joint health will improve, as well, with higher levels of omega 3 in your dogs diet.

Omega 6 fatty acids is present in store-bought dog food at effective levels. Supplementing omega 3 will aid to improve the ratio and make a difference in your pets health. Fish and flax seed are really good sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Just always be cautious and ask your veterinarian before you do any form of supplementation. Also take note that some varieties of fish may not be safe to be part of your dogs diet.

Supplementing your dogs diet may or may not be necessary. The only for sure way to make up one’s mind if your dogs diet needs additional essential fatty acids is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to speak about your pets health. Never medicate your dog without advice from a professional because your dogs diet must contain the correct balance of nutrients. Sources of EFAs include flaxseed, linseed, and sunflower oil. Higher doses of essential fatty acids can improve skin and coat issues within several weeks. Your dogs diet is the first step in providing your overall health and a happy life with your pet for years to come.

If you would like to know more about Wellness Brand Dog Food then be sure to visit the Free Dog Diet Tips Blog..

For some time now people have been playing around with the idea of the green bean dog diet. You may already know about this and are thinking about trying it. Lets take a look at the green bean dog diet and discuss some of the problems and advantages of it.

If you choose to feed your dog the green bean diet, you need to know that you can not entirely feed your pet green beans. Only supplying your dog with this green vegetable will not be a healthy choice for your dogs diet. Pet owners will require to get a balance between dog food, for example and green beans that will produce the desired results.  

The green bean dog diet involves regular kibble for your pet mixed with a helping of green beans. The green beans are a healthy way to keep your dog full between meals. For example, your pet may only require two cups of high quality dog food per day to maintain a healthy weight, but he or she is always scrounging about and hungry. Adding some green beans to the food at meal time will aid your dogs diet stay on track and keep your dog feeling full and happy.   

Should all dogs be eating the green bean diet? No not all dogs should have green beans added to their meals. The green bean dog diet is perfect for dogs who need to lose weight. Numerous pet owners remain to use the green bean dog diet to aid keep a healthy weight for their pet. This is after the initial weight loss.

Both dogs and owners are often pleased with the effects of the green bean dog diet. Pet owners feel good about supporting the health of their dog. As Well, it is comforting for us humans to see a large serving of food for our pet. Looking into the dog dish and seeing a few sparse kibbles totaling a half cup does not appear as generous as that same amount of kibble surrounded by a healthy portion of fancy cut green beans.

It is not often that your dog will turn their nose up at the green beans. Dogs feel fuller and will have more of a happy attitude towards you. Also a gain in health and vitality.

One negative factor to consider when changing your dogs diet over to the green bean diet, is the added fiber. Some dogs systems react to this, so monitor your pets outputs. Begin adding the green beans slowly and then step by step increasing them. Some pet owners find it preferential to only add the green beans to their dogs diet at one particular time during the day to keep their dogs potty schedule in order.

If you do make up one’s mind to use the green bean dog diet as your dogs diet, then there are a few tips to keep in mind. You will need to purchase a re sealable lid to cover the open can of green beans, this is for easier storage in between meals. You should measure the amount of green beans in your dogs diet just the same as you would measure kibble or treats that you give your dog.

If you notice the store has green beans on sale, by all means, purchase a few cans ahead and stock up. Although green beans are not in particular expensive, it never hurts to save some cash.

When ever manageable you should buy your canned green beans with no added salt. This is a healthy alternative for your dogs diet.

The green bean dog diet does have many advantages. But you will need to monitor your dogs intake of them to help prevent unpredictable outputs. The green bean dog diet will help to lose and maintain weight while keeping your pet healthy and happy.

For more Free information on The Raw Dog Diet ot the Vegetarian Dog Diet be sure to visit Free Dog Diet Tips….

When selecting a healthy dog diet it can frequently be difficult and confusing, that is if you let it be. The packaging and marketing of the products you wish to buy will often blur your perception of it. Your dogs diet is the easiest and best way to keep your pet in good health and happy for the many years you will have together. It is advisable for you to find a diet that will supply all the essential nutrients that are required for your pet to thrive rather than just survive.

So here are some basic guidelines for you to follow when you are selecting the food for your dogs diet. you should know that each dog is different and what is the satisfactory diet for your neighbours dog may not be exactly what your pet requires.

The first step when considering your dogs diet, is to talk to your veterinary surgeon. This trusted person has your pets interest at heart, just like you. Your veterinarians recommendations will steer you in the right direction.

Find a reputable brand of dog food to be the main part of your dogs diet. It is not impossible to stumble across a high quality dog food that you have never heard of, but a well known and prominent manufacturer supplies an amount of safety and security about the decision to give your dog a healthy diet. Recognized and reputable dog food manufacturers take the time to research the matter of pet nutrition. Allow your pet to benefit from the company’s wealth of information rather than going it alone.

What you need to do is select a dog food that is appropriate for your pets age. With a aging that is showing signs of aging, then it is better to consider a dog diet that is particularly produced for older dogs. On the other hand puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. You will need to find a variety of food that meets your dogs needs. Even the breed and size of your pet will make a difference in the type of diet you should feed it. Diets developed specifically for small dogs and large breeds are readily available. You will need to keep this in mind when selecting your dogs diet.

Activity level and weight are other factors to consider when making the decision of what to feed your dog. If your dog is exceedingly active or obese, you may want to pick a type of dog diet that accommodates such situations. When you decide on a specific diet for your dog, pay attention to the helping size. Obesity is a serious problem in pets. It can lead to hip trouble and take years off your pets life.

Table scraps are definitely out for a healthy diet. Your dogs diet should consist of a high quality food specially designed to meet your pets dietary needs. Begging is encouraged with table scraps and obesity is likely to be the result.

Only supplement a high quality diet when recommended by your vet. If you give your pet too many supplementations in your dogs diet, then this can result in poor of health.

Always consult your vet for advice on what to feed your dog. Your dogs diet will fuel his health, so select your dogs diet wisely. Choose a brand of food that is reputable and suitable to your dog.  Getting the right diet for your pet will promote good health and allow your dog to thrive.

For more Free information on a Senior Dog Diet Be sure to visit Dog Diet Tips..

The vast amount of all new puppy owners ask the question “How big will my puppy get?” To determine puppy growth rate, a person has to consider a lot of variables to ever be able to get an accurate answer for any individual breed of dog.And even then, you will still only be able to get an average “puppy growth rate” range…or that ballpark figure.

But how does a person try to estimate just how big their puppy is going to get?What you have to understand is that puppies at different ages grow at different rates.The very same way that dogs of different breeds are going to grow at different rates.This makes it very difficult to pin point exactly to the pound, how big that puppy of yours is going to be at one year.And, if it will continue to grow larger the following year.

Determine Puppy Growth Rate

Generally speaking, here is one way to determine puppy growth rate.An average adult dog will weigh around twice as much as it did when it reached 4 months of age.  And the rule of thumb for the giant breeds, your dog will double what they weigh at 5 months. 

So, before you purchase a puppy, you really need to do your research on the different dog breeds.  You need to know if your new canine is going to reach 9 pounds or 109 pounds.You have to educate yourself with the puppy growth rate of the different dog breeds. 

Different Breeds Grow At Different Rates

An average small breed dog, like a toy poodle will reach full weight by year one, at 8 pounds.A bulldog will reach 20# at one year, and 35 by their second year.A larger breed dog, like a german shepherd will reach 70 pounds by year one, and 75 pounds by year two.And the largest breeds, like the great dane is going to reach 110 pounds by year one, and 130 pounds by year two.

But also understand that 2 male puppies from the same liter can also vary in size, the same way your 2 brothers can be very different in size.  (I’m three inches taller, and fifty pounds lighter than either of my brothers)

What About Genetics

This then tells me, that genetics can also play a big part in puppy growth rate.I have a thin, long legged toy poodle that was not suppose to get any larger than her 6 pound mother.Instead, she had the genes of her moms sister, and she topped out at eleven pounds.Just realize that puppy growth rate is an average estimate of what your dog will grow up to be.(And I wouldn’t trade in my eleven pound poodle for any six pound poodle in the world.)

Find out everything you need to know about your puppy’s health.