Dog Lover Community

Everyone with pets, whether dogs or puppies, needs to have a veterinary surgeon to turn to in an emergency. They do a wonderful job, and you should never ignore a pet’s suffering. However, it is a waste of money to attend the Vet’s surgery when the problem is one you can solve at home. This is a short guide to dealing with minor ailments as a form of Pets’ First Aid. If the symptoms persist you can still contact the vet. Dog health need not always be a costly worry to the wise pet owner.

Some dog breeds do not like being handled: pitbull dogs and bull terriers for example. This should be key element of dog obedience training so that the dog accepts that you are entitled to treat him for his own good. After a country walk it is a good idea to give your dog a quick grooming or rub down, and check for any lumps or bumps that he may have picked up along the way. My own dog, a Collie - German Shepherd cross, gets twigs and sticks caught in round his rear and his bushy tail. Left unchecked, these can cause the fur to mat around them. The dog will worry at it and probably lick the area bare, leaving it open to infection. You can avoid this with a few minutes’ attention.

Ticks are nasty. They have a one-piece body and the harpoon-like mouth barbs attach to a host (your dog) for feeding. Crablike legs and a sticky secretion help the tick to hold on. Long-haired dogs like Schnauzers often suffer badly from ticks. When attempting to remove a tick, the aim is to prevent the mouth section from coming off and remaining embedded in the skin. The home remedy is simple and cheap - petroleum jelly, which is what you would get if you went to a pet shop and paid for a proprietary tick remover! The most effective way to remove the tick is to put a big lump of petroleum jelly over the area where it has attached itself. Leave this for at least ten minutes. Once the tick’s grip loosens, you can wipe it out of the way with a tissue.

Ear mites - if your pet has ear mites, then place two drops of corn oil into its ears (an eye dropper will do the trick), massage the ear gently then clean with a cotton ball. This will suffocate the mites. Repeat for 3 days. Regular ear bathing with oil is recommended by vets, to avoid a buildup of wax and irritants.

Constipation - try this quick fix for a constipated pet. For a large dog, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mineral oil to its food. For a small dog reduce the dose to 1 to 2 teaspoons. Do this for two days and the problem should clear up.

Diarrhoea - mix one heaped teaspoon of carob powder with a little water and mix into your dog’s dinner. Use half a teaspoon if you have a puppy.

Urinary tract infections - mix 30-40ml of cranberry juice into your pet’s food. This will boost the acidity of its urine, reduce bacteria and help relieve the discomfort.

And if you’re not sure what’s wrong - say your pet seems ‘off colour’ - then here’s a tip we use all the time. Add half a dissolved aspirin or children’s liquid analgesic to your pet’s food. It can perk up a German Shepherd in minutes!

Adrienne Davis runs Dog Health Training and Care, at http://dogs.homebusinessadvisers.com offering tips on Care and Training for Dogs and Puppies of all breeds. Advice on Obedience Training, Dog Breeds and Characteristics. Where to find a dog and how to care for him.

Find your Matchmaker Online http://www.myasianpartner.com

Tags: Bull Terrier, dog health, dogs, german shepherd, german shepherd breeders, pitbull dogs, SchnauzerBull Terrier, dog health, dogs, german shepherd, german shepherd breeders, pitbull dogs, Schnauzer

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For many of us owning a dog is more than having a pet, it is an extension to our family. There is a special bond between a dog and his owner that is rarely seen with other animals. Most dog owners are very concerned about their pet’s wellbeing and there are a few key disorders that all dog owners should know about.

Skin Allergies
One of the common skin disorders with dogs is allergies. If you think you are the only one with allergies, well think again. Many people are unaware that their dog can also develop allergies. Dog’s can be allergic to different types of food, mold, pollen and fleas just like we can. In many cases the dog can develop skin irritations which result in loss of hair, redness of the skin and even soar on the skin due to allergies.

In most cases a change in the environment or the dog’s diet leads to the allergic reactions. The key is to recognize the problem and work with your vet on resolving the issue.

Mange
Mange is another skin disorder that should be of concern to dog owners. When most of us think about mange we think about the dog’s hair falling out in patches. However, there are two different types of mange that can affect your dog: Demodectic mange and Sarcoptic mange. Demodectic mange is where the parasites live on the hair follicles of the dog and Sarcoptic mange, also known as Scabies, is a condition where the parasites burrow themselves into the dog’s skin. Both forms of mange are treated differently and it is important that you work with your vet if you suspect your dog does have mange.

Fleas and Ticks
We are all familiar with fleas and ticks but what people don’t know is that there are cases where a dog has fleas and/or ticks so bad they develop a form of anemia. Also, fleas are known to carry tapeworms. Your dog can come down with a case of tapeworms by eating the flea and introducing the parasite into his system. Your local pet store has a variety of different foggers, dips and other products that can get rid of fleas and ticks. You should always consult with your vet if you are unsure whether a particular product is right for your pet.

Bloat
Skin disorders are not the only issue that dog owners should be aware of. Your dogs eating and exercise habits could lead to a potentially fatal condition called bloat. Bloat is a condition where the dog’s abdomen becomes enlarged by swallowed air or gas production. In extreme cases of bloat, the dog’s stomach will twist, a condition known as torsion, and start to die. In order to save their pet the dog owner needs to be able to quickly recognize the symptoms of bloat and get the dog to a vet as soon as possible.

Tying it all together
As a pet owner it is important that you recognize potential risk and issues in your dog’s health. Early recognition of some conditions such as bloat can help save your dog’s life. Even if the issue is not life threatening recognizing the disorder and how to solve it will increase your dogs well being.

For more detailed information about potential health issues, the symptoms and treatments check out http://www.dog-health.power-of-knowledge.com/

Tags: bloat, dog health, fleas, mange, pet, skin allergies, ticksbloat, dog health, fleas, mange, pet, skin allergies, ticks

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Can you imagine letting a toddler run along the edge of a mountain? Would you leave your elderly grandparent who suffers from dementia alone on a bench in the hot sun? Would you let your mom whose eyesight is failing, walk around the edge of your pool? Of course not!

However, many loving pet owners make the same mistakes with their elderly dogs. As a dog ages his eyesight fails along with his mind and energy. Things that were easy for him to navigate such as the edge of a hill or a walk through the woods are now extremely difficult. He can’t always see the edge of a pool or cliff and his joints won’t allow him to recover from a misstep as easily as when he was a young pup. Older dogs, like elderly people, tend to be more susceptible to heat and need to be kept comfortable during extremely hot days.

Here are a few reminders of what are dangers to your older pet and some ideas on how to keep them safe.

Daily Walk Safety

Retractable leashes are a great way to let your dog run a bit without getting away from you. Many older dogs get a little “puppy” in them and they will take-off running only to get into trouble because they can no longer see you very well or hear your commands. Some older dogs also develop dementia and cannot sense danger. They need to be kept from wandering too far. A retractable leash will keep you in control but allow your dog the ability to roam.

Flashing safety collars or bright safety vests are also a great way to keep your dog visible to you and others. The collars can be seen up to one mile away and the vests are reflective. If your dog does wander off during his nighttime business, your dog will be less likely to be hit by a car and he will be easier for you to locate.

Water Safety

Accidental drowning is a major problem for older dogs. Many older dogs develop cataracts because they are no longer able to determine the edge of the pool. Once in the pool, they often do not have the energy to swim long enough to be noticed, nor the strength and agility to jump out. There are several options to keep your dog safe. There are pool alarms designed to float on the water and react to motion in the water. Another alarm attaches to your dogs collar and sounds if they fall in to the water. There are also life vests for dogs which are great for boating or when your dog is around a lake or river.

Extreme Temperatures

No dog is comfortable in extremely hot or cold weather but again, just as elderly adults are more vulnerable to the excessive temperatures, it can also be deadly for your dog. Keep them in air conditioning as much as possible on extremely warm days. Make certain that they have access to plenty of water. Avoid taking your dog in the car with you if you cannot bring him inside at your destination. If your dog is long-haired or tends to be easily overheated, consider a cooling bed or collar.

In the extreme cold, make the outdoor visits as brief as possible. Remember, dogs can get frostbite on their paws and noses. Outdoor dogs need to be brought in from the cold when the temperatures are significantly below zero.

Car Rides

Your dog might still love to ride with you in the car but now his safety is more important than ever. Getting your beloved pooch into the car can be a challenge. Arthritis can mean his jumping-in-to-the-backseat day are over! Ramps are available to help your dog into his co-pilot chair. There is also a lifting aid that will wrap comfortably around his middle to give you a way to assist him into the car. Remember, his balance is not as good as when he was younger so consider a seat belt harness to keep him from falling off the seat.

Household Dangers

It is as important as ever to keep your dog away from any plants, foods, or poisons that are toxic to canines. As dogs age, their systems won’t be able to tolerate the damage from the poison or the treatment.

ASPCA is warning dog owners the newly discovered danger posed by is grapes and raisins. These fruits have been used as a training treat for dogs, but have been recently found to cause renal failure if eaten in large doses. If your older pet was trained using grapes and raisins or you have used these fruits as treats for your dog, he may have developed a taste for them. You will need to store grapes and raisins where your dog cannot get into them. Of the 10 dogs that were reported poisoned by overeating grapes/raisins, only 5 survived. And that was with early, aggressive treatment. An older dog would not have much of a chance of survival from an accidental poisioning. Please visit the ASCPA Animal Poison Control Center Website, www.napcc.aspca.org for addition information.

Copyright 2006 Dave Eckholm/Old Dog Paws

Dave Eckholm is the owner and creator of http://www.olddogpaws.com, a site dedicated to the care and comfort of our old friends. As our dog Tikki began to lose his eyesight and became grey around his muzzle, we were concerned for his quality of life. As a senior dog, he started to have special needs. We searched for new ideas, resources and products to enhance his life. Old Dog Paws shares this information, including a national pet sitter directory, with all dog lovers so your friend can enjoy wonderful senior years too!

Tags: canine, dog health, dog safety, elderly dog, eyesight, old dog, older dog, senior dogcanine, dog health, dog safety, elderly dog, eyesight, old dog, older dog, senior dog

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