Is it normal for dogs to shed their hair?
Yes. Like people, it is normal that they shed hair everyday. But of course, if you feel that your pet seems to be shedding an awful lot, you should try to contact your veterinarian and some consultation. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.
What causes diarrhea in pets and how can I avoid this?
Diarrhea is almost always due to some food that they eat. It can be a case of food poisoning or allergy. The condition may also be due to a virus that has strike. This could be distemper or parvo. Whatever the reason why, it is important that you call your vet immediately as diarrhea can weaken your pet’s body.
Are there breeds that are just plain illness-prone?
Well, as much as it is painful to say… yes. There are certain breeds that are more susceptible to a specific kind of illness. Some may even be passed from the parents to the child. Hereditary cataract for instance often afflicts breeds such as Old English Sheepdogs, American Cocker Spaniel, and American Cocker Spaniel. Cataract may lead to permanent loss of vision if not taken cared of immediately.
Another illness that may be found in some breeds is the Collie eye anomaly, which, from the name itself, affects collies. Another is the hip dysplasia. This affects Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Chihuahuas, on the other hand are more prone to developing hydrocephalus while deafness is more prevalent in dogs that have white furs.
What are the signs of an inflammation in the ears or what is medically called otitis externa?
Dogs that are afflicted with this condition will constantly be shaking their heads as if they are trying to shake something out. Of course, you should also try to have it checked by the vet as this can also mean that there are ear mites or some foreign organisms near the ear that is causing the inflammation.
What are the symptoms of anemia in pets?
Anemic dogs may have very pale gums and their lips are colorless, sometimes even blue. You can also check their tongue as well as the inner lining of their eyelids for some sign of anemia. Pale color in these areas may indicate anemia.
Distemper is one of the most common illnesses in dogs. Is it true that only young dogs can get this disease?
No. It may seem like it as young dogs are more susceptible to this problem but older dogs can certainly catch the disease. Any dog, old or young can have distemper if they are not protected by vaccines.
What age is ideal for a dog to get his first vaccine?
It is good that you start the vaccination when they are six weeks old. This is the time when they lose the antibodies that they get from their moms. This means that after six weeks, they are left unprotected from diseases. The parvo vaccine on the other hand is often vaccinated at the eighth week. Of course, there are some vaccines that can be given as early as three weeks such as the bordetella vaccine. Rabies shots are often given when they have already gone past the three months mark.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The Problems that May Affect the Dog’s Health
A lot of people consider dogs as man’s best friend. These creatures are smart and can be trained to do almost anything but taking care of a pet isn’t just about feeding it or taking it out on walks.Dogs are prone to sicknesses from parasites, fungus, viruses and protozoa. The owner should keep a watchful eye since these animals are very sensitive and if left untreated, could affect the health long term or become fatal.
The best defense against any disease is vaccination. This may not eliminate the threat but veterinarians strongly believe strongly this is better than not doing anything at all for the animal.
There are many diseases and the dog is not the only one that will be affected if proper care is not given. A person can die if bitten by a dog that has rabies. This is the reason that state laws require all dogs to be vaccinated to prevent incidents like this from happening.
Distemper is another major disease that affects dogs of all ages. The animal can get this from the urine and feces of other dogs. The pet can also get this from toys, bedding and kennels.
The person will notice something is wrong if the dog has gunky eyes, experiences vomiting or nausea, coughing and weight loss. Unfortunately there is no cure once this begins and should the animal miraculously survive will experience some form of handicap for the long term.
The parvovirus is another disease which is prevalent in dogs. The symptoms are similar to that of distemper. An infected pet will die within 2 to 3 days and the best thing for the owner to do will be to give fluids to ease the pain.
There are other diseases that a dog can get even as a puppy. These are parainfluenza, coronavirus, hepatitis, Lyme disease and leptospirosis.This makes it very important for the owner to also bring the dog for vaccinations during the first few months after birth. Some of the drugs will be effective for three years which will save time and money bringing the animal annually.
A vaccination drug is designed to create antibodies to fight against a specific disease. These are usually adminstered using a syringe and may contain a small sample of the disease that is either active or inactive.
There are pros and cons of using the two types. The active version may last longer so the next visit to the vet could be in three years. The downside is that if the immune system of the dog is weak, then the animal could fall to the disease. The inactive version of the vaccination has proven not to show any side effects but the dog should be brought in to the vet for another injection.
When a female dog is gives birth, the milk that comes out serves as the best defense against viruses and bacteria. The owner should have done this to increase the chances of survival for the puppies during the first 3 months. This should be followed up by bringing the puppies for shots after three to six months.
Taking care of the dog is not easy. The person should make sure the animal is clean and the sleeping area has been sanitized. The owner should also avoid letting the pet come in contact with others that could be carriers of life threatening diseases.
Providing the Dog Some Health Care
Dogs are sometimes considered a member of the family especially when the animal is brought to vacations and other activities. The best way to ensure the pet is strong is by implementing some measures to reduce the chances of getting sick.
The person can get all the information and guidance from the veterinarian including choosing the right dog for the family.
The person might find the right dog at the pet shop. Some of the people in the neighborhood may also be selling or giving the pups away. In some cases, a stray will follow the individual home and this is the beginning of the relationship.
There are a few things that person must pay attention to before getting a dog. If there are papers, the family line will be a strong indicator that this pet will not fall easily to disease. If this is a stray, this will also do as long as the tail wags and the eyes are bright.
The dog should be brought to the vet immediately for closer examination. The veterinarian will run some tests to make sure there are no parasites or viruses present and perhaps even administer a booster shot if necessary.
Booster shots especially for puppies usually happen over a period three months. During this time, the animal must be kept away from other dogs and other places. The best way will be to keep the dog on a leash to prevent the animal from running around or digging in the yard and eating something that could be harmful.
The owner must find some nice warm shelter such as bedding if the dog will stay inside the house and a kennel when the pet is left outdoors. The pet should also be given proper exercise by walking it in the morning and in the evening.
There are many food products around. The person can check with the veterinarian, which is the best that gives the right amount of nutrients. Proper nutrition may include giving the pet some multivitamins as long as these are recommended by the veterinarian.
The owner should just be careful not to feed the animal too much since obesity can also lead to other problems for the dog.
Aside from checking for any visible signs of problem with the dog, the person can do better by bringing the pet in for the regular examinations with the vet. Shots and other cleaning can be done once a year or every three years depending on the strength of the drug.
The dog should also be given a bath once a week. There are shampoos and soaps that are available in the supermarket, the clinic or at the pet shop. The person can try some brands and just replace it if the product isn’t that good as the others.
There are a lot of dogs that are not given proper care in the United States. The person can have the pet spayed or neutered to control the animal population. These services are available at the clinic or in the animal shelter nearby the home.
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. The best way to make sure this pet will live for many years will be to provide some preventive health care. The person can read up or learn some things from the vet which will surely be useful.
The person can get all the information and guidance from the veterinarian including choosing the right dog for the family.
The person might find the right dog at the pet shop. Some of the people in the neighborhood may also be selling or giving the pups away. In some cases, a stray will follow the individual home and this is the beginning of the relationship.
There are a few things that person must pay attention to before getting a dog. If there are papers, the family line will be a strong indicator that this pet will not fall easily to disease. If this is a stray, this will also do as long as the tail wags and the eyes are bright.
The dog should be brought to the vet immediately for closer examination. The veterinarian will run some tests to make sure there are no parasites or viruses present and perhaps even administer a booster shot if necessary.
Booster shots especially for puppies usually happen over a period three months. During this time, the animal must be kept away from other dogs and other places. The best way will be to keep the dog on a leash to prevent the animal from running around or digging in the yard and eating something that could be harmful.
The owner must find some nice warm shelter such as bedding if the dog will stay inside the house and a kennel when the pet is left outdoors. The pet should also be given proper exercise by walking it in the morning and in the evening.
There are many food products around. The person can check with the veterinarian, which is the best that gives the right amount of nutrients. Proper nutrition may include giving the pet some multivitamins as long as these are recommended by the veterinarian.
The owner should just be careful not to feed the animal too much since obesity can also lead to other problems for the dog.
Aside from checking for any visible signs of problem with the dog, the person can do better by bringing the pet in for the regular examinations with the vet. Shots and other cleaning can be done once a year or every three years depending on the strength of the drug.
The dog should also be given a bath once a week. There are shampoos and soaps that are available in the supermarket, the clinic or at the pet shop. The person can try some brands and just replace it if the product isn’t that good as the others.
There are a lot of dogs that are not given proper care in the United States. The person can have the pet spayed or neutered to control the animal population. These services are available at the clinic or in the animal shelter nearby the home.
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. The best way to make sure this pet will live for many years will be to provide some preventive health care. The person can read up or learn some things from the vet which will surely be useful.
Supplements for the Dog
The dog is considered a long term investment. This may not make the person that much money unless the owner decides to join dog shows or sell the puppies off when the se are born.
The best way aside from vaccinations to make sure the dog is healthy at all times will be to give supplements. There are many kinds around which work on something specific and it is best to ask the vet before buying and giving this to the animal.
Multivitamins are there to provide added nutrition to the dog. These also work to enhance the skin and the coat of the animal. There are many versions around which can be fed by hand to the animal or mixed in the food. The person can find these in 50 tablets to 180 tablets which cost from $5 to $12.
The dog needs calcium to develop strong bones and better posture. This can also be purchased in 60 to 180 tablets per bottle and given to the animal at least once a day. The price range is around $10 to $26.
Not all dog supplements can be found in tablet form. There are also some in liquid which can be mixed with the food or given using a spoon or a syringe. This is designed to help control flaking, itching and shedding at the same time adding luster to the coat. These items range from $5 to $21.
Dog supplements are also available in powder form. These usually contain Omega 3 or 6 and some other fatty acids for normal digestion, proper bowel movement, balanced energy and make the skin and coat healthy. The person may buy a can for $5 to about $71.
Other supplements are designed to improve mental and physical performance by helping the dog deal with stress, aging, weakened immune system, free radical damage and poor oxygen availability.
Dogs need pain killers just like humans. These are designed to provide relief from joint stiffness, osteoarthritis, pains and inflammations. The person can give this orally or rub this on the part of the animal where the pain is located. Painkillers can be used as often as necessary until the pain goes away. These usually cost from $24 to $60.
Aside from the supplements made from artificial ingredients, there are also some that are 100% natural. These products sometimes perform better than other brands found in the market. These can be injected , mixed with the food or also rubbed on the body.
These are made from herbs and seeds which helps cleanse the body from within. Wild yam and corn silk will help the urinary tract while soy protein will slow down the process of aging. Cat’s claw will also help strengthen the immune system against diseases.
The products offered by the manufacturer’s covers everything from health to pain killers. The price ranges of these are reasonable to expensive so the individual should check the budget first before going on a shopping spree.
People who really love dogs only want the best products in the market for the dog. The person can ask the vet or other owners which are the best before buying this and giving to the pet. The person may order this online or get this straight from the clinic, the supermarket or the pet store.
The best way aside from vaccinations to make sure the dog is healthy at all times will be to give supplements. There are many kinds around which work on something specific and it is best to ask the vet before buying and giving this to the animal.
Multivitamins are there to provide added nutrition to the dog. These also work to enhance the skin and the coat of the animal. There are many versions around which can be fed by hand to the animal or mixed in the food. The person can find these in 50 tablets to 180 tablets which cost from $5 to $12.
The dog needs calcium to develop strong bones and better posture. This can also be purchased in 60 to 180 tablets per bottle and given to the animal at least once a day. The price range is around $10 to $26.
Not all dog supplements can be found in tablet form. There are also some in liquid which can be mixed with the food or given using a spoon or a syringe. This is designed to help control flaking, itching and shedding at the same time adding luster to the coat. These items range from $5 to $21.
Dog supplements are also available in powder form. These usually contain Omega 3 or 6 and some other fatty acids for normal digestion, proper bowel movement, balanced energy and make the skin and coat healthy. The person may buy a can for $5 to about $71.
Other supplements are designed to improve mental and physical performance by helping the dog deal with stress, aging, weakened immune system, free radical damage and poor oxygen availability.
Dogs need pain killers just like humans. These are designed to provide relief from joint stiffness, osteoarthritis, pains and inflammations. The person can give this orally or rub this on the part of the animal where the pain is located. Painkillers can be used as often as necessary until the pain goes away. These usually cost from $24 to $60.
Aside from the supplements made from artificial ingredients, there are also some that are 100% natural. These products sometimes perform better than other brands found in the market. These can be injected , mixed with the food or also rubbed on the body.
These are made from herbs and seeds which helps cleanse the body from within. Wild yam and corn silk will help the urinary tract while soy protein will slow down the process of aging. Cat’s claw will also help strengthen the immune system against diseases.
The products offered by the manufacturer’s covers everything from health to pain killers. The price ranges of these are reasonable to expensive so the individual should check the budget first before going on a shopping spree.
People who really love dogs only want the best products in the market for the dog. The person can ask the vet or other owners which are the best before buying this and giving to the pet. The person may order this online or get this straight from the clinic, the supermarket or the pet store.
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