Nov
24
2009
0

Dog Health Symptoms You Should Know About

When you are concerned, making sure that you are looking the right dog health symptoms can tell you a lot of important information about your dog’s health and what you need to do about it. If you are a concerned pet owner you may find yourself wondering if your dog is experiencing something normal, or if he is having a problem that might need immediate veterinary attention. If you are worried about your dog, take a look at some basic things to watch out for.

Always remember that early detection of health problems is a key in successful treatment. To detect things early pay attention to even small changes in personality or behavior. For instance if your pet is normally outgoing and friendly and all the sudden is hiding beneath the furniture or whining when you pet him that is a good indication he may be sick. The better in tune with your pet you are the better health detective you will be. You will also be prepared with times and dates should your veterinarian need them.

There are a few symptoms that unquestioningly need medical assistance and one of them is blood in the urine. Blood in your dog’s urine can be an indication of kidney disease or failure. If that is the case, he will need immediate medical treatment. Your quick action could save your animal’s life so do not delay even a moment. Similarly, blood in the feces can point to a common illness called parvo. This virus if caught early can be cured but if left to long will be fatal.

Nausea and vomiting is common in all pets and usually means they have eaten something that does not agree with them. However if the nausea is coupled with fever, lethargy or pain this could be a sign that veterinary attention is required. Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration and allow secondary infections, which may be fatal. Again, this is where paying close attention to their health and symptoms of common illnesses is vital. Remember too that many times your pet will look fine but be gravely ill they have evolved to be that way.

When thinking about dog health symptoms, you’ll find that one thing that you can keep in mind is to check the coat. Remember that a dog’s coat, whether it is thick or thin, should be relatively glossy and healthy looking. If you pet your dog and realize that he or she is a lot rougher or that there are some bald patches underneath your hands, you need to think about what might be causing it. In many cases, you may find that there is a problem with your dog’s diet or a skin problem.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible health problems your dog may face. So always, take the time to examine what is normal for your pet and what is not. This will keep you leaps ahead of the game and could possibly head off serious issues.

Discover the facts about dog health symptoms and dog health care information to maintain your dog’s health, go to HealthierDogs.com

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Nov
21
2009
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Dog Arthritis – the Facts

Dog arthritis can be caused by injury, congenital defects, or ageing. Surprisingly, injury is a major cause of arthritis in dogs, and therefore affects many younger dogs. Quite minor injuries can result in the condition. A predisposition to conditions such as hip dysplasia can cause early onset of an arthritic condition in dogs. Older dogs who have never suffered an injury are likely to develop arthritis as they age.

Dog arthritis comes in various forms. Just as in humans, arthritis is an inflammation in the joints. A dog may develop arthritis anywhere that they have a joint. The cartilage in the joint may be inflamed or it may be synovial fluid which is at issue in some cases. The most common types of dog arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective, immune mediated and idiopathic arthritis.

Dog arthritis begins as a gradual limpness in the affected limb or limbs and may progress to lameness. An advanced case will reveal itself as a dog that is less active in play, on walks and generally has difficulty walking. The stiffness and pain are more likely to be pronounced in the morning or after a nap ? when the dog has been sleeping in the same position for some time. During the day when the dog is most active, the pain is generally minimal.

A dog afflicted with arthritis will tend to feel pain if their limbs are touched near to where the joint is inflamed. There is usually swelling as well, and you may be able to feel this.

Dogs with arthritis can be treated with medications which are available to help manage the inflammation. However, a lot of dog owners prefer to take a more natural route for the treatment of their pet’s arthritis. In a lot of cases, these treatments are more effective for the animal. The most popular natural remedies for arthritis in dogs are Glucosamine and MSM. Many experts believe MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin to be the three essential ingredients in a dog arthritis treatment regimen.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. However, the ageing process is thought to diminish the body’s ability to produce sufficient glucosamine for the body’s needs. Glucosamine is not found in any primary food source, but is derived from the shell of shellfish. It has anti inflammatory properties that can be very effective in managing osteoarthritis in both humans and animals.

Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.

For some dogs, arthritis remedies must be used in conjunction with a change in the animal’s diet to best treat the symptoms of dog arthritis.

Conventional veterinary medicine has limited answers for treating arthritis in dogs, but there are natural alternatives that can even reverse canine arthritis.

categories: Dog Arthritis,Arthritis in Dogs,Glucosamine for Dogs,MSM for Dogs,Dog Arthritis Medicine,Dog Health,Dogs,Pet Health,Pets,Pets and Animals,Animals,Home and Family,Home

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Nov
09
2009
0

All Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Fleas

There’s a wide variety of different myths surrounding pet care that have continued to spread amongst pet owners, some as old as the’50’s. One of the big ones involves a cure-all “organic” dog flea solution. This flea removal myth comes from the belief that organic practices are somehow more ‘pure’ and sometimes even more effective than any synthetic/non-organic pet product. The organic dog flea solution may also come from the misguided principle that all the currently available flea treatment products are potentially harmful to your pet. After a recent email asking for clarification on whether or not using all organic/natural flea treatments can be an effective alternative to chemical based products we decided to weigh in on the phenomenon.

Will using only organic or natural flea remedies work with your pet? There’s not really any sort of definitive way of answering that other than by saying the answer depends on a few factors such as the level of involvement you’re willing to dedicate to treating your pets’ flea problem, the current living-space that the pet lives in and the type of treatment you choose to go with. By choosing to go the organic route you need to realize that it doesn’t just limit your options to organic-based flea shampoos and by-hand flea removal, there are a few other natural treatments that you can use in combination with each other.

If you think that only using organic-based flea products will get rid of your flea problem in just a single treatment or shampoo-bath then you might want to reconsider your options. In some cases limiting yourself to this small window of treatment options can result in worsening the flea problem rather than solving it. Temporarily getting rid of the fleas that are bothering your dog is an easy task that can be achieved in countless ways (baths, sprays, etc..), the main hurdle that you’ll face is making sure that the fleas are gone for good. Relying on regular baths to keep any fleas at bay is simply not a plausible option for most pet-owners. Sometimes using a small amount of non-organic pet products is recommended in conjunction with the initial organic-pet-shampoo remedy. You can find more information on flea treatment products at Flea Treatment Reviews

In order to ensure that the fleas stay away once you’ve given your pet their initial flea-shampoo bath you’ll need to make sure that their living environment is free from any lurking parasites waiting for a second chance to infest your pet. This means cleaning your home from top-to-bottom to make sure that there are no remaining batches of flea eggs and larvae around to re-infest your pet.

Important steps for a successful ‘natural’ flea prevention starts with washing your pets bedding with hot water, letting it dry in the sun completely before putting it back where it belongs. Make sure to vacuum your carpets and/or rugs, steam cleaning them if possible, to kill any growing flea larvae. You might hate to read this next part but another key step in preventing flea and tick attacks involves keeping a clean lawn, so don’t skimp on your weekly lawn-mowing. What mowing does is it removes all possible flea or tick breeding grounds that might be lurking just outside your backdoor.

As far as manually removing any visible flea and ticks using a special brush or comb, this will only temporarily help ease any discomfort your pet is going through, it won’t actually prevent it from quickly returning because the larvae and eggs will still be there. Those fine toothed flea combs never really pick up anything smaller than the half-grown bugs. I’d be a fool by not also adding that the amount of effort involved in keeping your pet flea-free by hand really gets tiresome by the third and fourth day of manual flea-removal (Yes, they really can come back that fast without proper treatment). Instead something to try is to add other organic solutions (e.g. applying diatomaceous earth) to prevent the possibility that the fleas will be able to lay any new eggs in combination with the flea-shampoo bath. You can find more information on flea treatment products at Flea Treatment Reviews

For more information on flea treatments and other pet-care questions visit I Love My Dogs Pet Care Blog

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Written by Jeff Conner in: Dogs | Tags: , , , ,
Nov
01
2009
0

Healing Stones Dog Necklaces

There are some interesting websites on the net that specialize in creating fabulous pet jewelery. You can find cat and dog necklaces made with a combination of lamp work, beads, healing stones and crystals. Finding a cool dog necklace for your best friend is a lot of fun.

Healing stones and crystals are created from the power of the earth’s natural energy. Over thousands of years, the stones are naturally forged from the earth’s forces – wind, rain, and fire. Ancient cultures believed that semi-precious stones and crystals held healing powers. The bearer of a healing stone or crystal experienced long life and good health.

There now exist websites on the internet today that research the power of various healing stones and crystals. Such websites make and sell gorgeous pet jewelery designed to suit the health needs of your individual pet. Different healing stones have different properties, and you can pick the healing stone or crystal that fits the needs of your pet!

The following healing stones are samples of those used in the cat and dog necklaces:

- Bloodstone – Said to help with melancholy and depression. – Quartz – Said to be a general healer. – Lapis Lazuli – Believed to help the heart, and aid in depression. – Tiger’s Eye – Relieves tension and helps with digestion and respiratory problems. – Garnet – Helps heal infected wounds, and believed to relief pain caused by arthritis. – Rose Quartz – Believed to help with nervousness and fear.

Other healing stones used are said to provide relief for conditions such as asthma, obesity, joint and muscle pain, arthritis, and blood disorders.

Not only are the cat and dog necklaces believed to possess healing powers, they are beautiful as well! Some of the pet jewelery designs are gorgeous, and look incredible on your pet. Your cat or dog will be the envy of the neighborhood, and feel great with a pet necklace made from healing stones and crystals!

Not only are the cat and dog necklaces believed to hold healing powers, they are beautiful as well! Pet jewelery designs are beautiful, and look terrific on your pet. Your cat or dog will be the talk of the neighborhood, and feel great with a pet necklace made from healing stones and crystals!

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Oct
31
2009
0

DIY Dog Training

Looking after a new dog not only entails giving it food and shelter, but also being able to train it to adjust to its surroundings. It should be able to coexist peacefully with you and even the strangers it meets on the street when you take it out on walks. Dogs are not born with good behavior. It has to be instilled upon them. There are only a few basic rules when it comes to teaching dogs to be good pets in and outside the home. These are guiding principles that should show you how to help your dog learn.

There are about four kinds of thinking when teaching dogs. The first one is to leave it to do as it please when you’re out for a walk provided it cooperates. Guess what? It’s unreasonable to leave it to the dog to know better. It will walk you instead. You’ll find yourself following a dog that goes to any direction. That is fundamentally wrong because as the pet owner, you should assume authority and responsibility for your dog. You are supposed to be the one leading and not the one following. You can’t just let your dog do whatever it wants. It will try to push the limits every chance it gets.

Trainers would encourage good behavior by positive reinforcements such as the use of praise and treats. Praising a dog that deserves it is good and encouraging. Doing it too much would be distracting if you are still in training. It would make the dog forget you’re still in the serious business of training it.

Giving treats is a classic and works pretty well with animals that exert a lot of energy doing tricks such as seals and dolphins but you’re only teaching a dog to sit or behave a certain way around people or other dogs. It may not have a voracious enough appetite to find the treats rewarding especially when you’re training it after dinner.

The best way to teach your dogs is to first assume the alpha dog position. Dogs do have a sense of hierarchy in a group. When you are the group leader, you have the authority to tell the dog how to behave and watch itself. Remember, you have to be seen as the leader so it follows your verbal and non-verbal commands. No amount of begging would bring a dog back when it places itself in danger such as running into the traffic on the road.

Find out more about dog training problems to easily and effectively train your dog. James K. Bosley will give you many more potty training problems & essentials about training your dog correctly.

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Written by James K. Bosley in: Dogs | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Oct
24
2009
0

Dog Health Tips: How to Raise a Healthy Companion

As your loyal companion, you worry about your dog’s health. Some breeds have more health issues than others. This is a concern for the pet owner. You love your dog and want the best health care for him. And senior dogs have greater health concerns than a puppy. Some things are easy to provide for your dog.

Exercise is a important part of your dog’s health, however, where you live and the type of job you have can effect the amount of exercise that your dog can get. If you work eight hours a day, work down town or far away from work, or if you have a apartment where residences are built close together and you can barely find some grassy area, let alone walk your dog, he probably won’t get a lot of exercise. Exercises depend on your dog’s sex, age, and health level. A dog likes to jog, fetch, and race-walk a lot.

Exercise in a fenced in yard or at a local park is best. Offer your dog some good dog toys to play with during exercise time. Exercise will help the heart, lungs and muscles to assist in overall good health. By the way, those benefits help you, too.

Once started, feeding your dog table scraps is a hard habit to break. Do yourself a favor and don’t start! All breeds of dogs require a quality, nutritionally sound food source. Consult with your vet if your dog has any conditions that may require special foods. Otherwise there are many good, trusted dog foods on the market. If you do choose to feed your dog “people” food, beef liver is a good choice. It is high in iron, and rich in protien, B complex and B12 vitamins. If your dog is extremely finicky, consult your vet as there may be other issues going on.

To help your dog live a long and healthy life, preventive medicine is the key. Schedule regular check ups, professional cleanings, and give scheduled heart worm and other medicines. Start these good habits as soon as you bring home that cute, cuddly new puppy. If you provide regular visits to your vet for vaccinations, dental care, heart worm checkups, your dog will provide you with love and devotion always.

Learn more about how to care for your dog’s health. Stop by All Your Dog Health Questions Answered where you can find out all about OnLine Vet Services and what it can do for you.

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Oct
10
2009
0

Find Out How To Effectively House Train Those Obstinate Little Yorkies!

Certain breeds, especially smaller dogs like Yorkies are known to be more challenging when it comes time to housebreak them. House training puppies can be time intensive, and requires focus, but it will be well worth the investment. With the smaller breeds sometimes it takes a wee bit longer to develop perfect potty habits.

You should begin by first determining if the potty spot will be located inside the home or outside. People who live in condos and apartments tend to favor Yorkies since they don’t need much space. You might find that your Yorkie prefers an indoor potty if he is resistant to going outside during cold weather. Another consideration to remember is that these dogs have small bladders, so they can only hold so much! if you are regularly out of the house each day for more than a few hours, you cannot expect your dog to be able to control his bladder for extended periods of time. In this case, choose a discreet area of your home for the puppy training pads. Otherwise, any small strip of grass should do the trick, as long as you use that same spot all the time.

Starting and ending the walk with an opportunity to go potty is the best approach until you begin to understand your little one?s potty schedule. Going to the same location is important to help your Yorkie associate that location as the potty area and if he can smell urine, that sends a signal that this is the place to go. Being a good neighbor is important, so always carry litter bags so you can scoop the poop. It’s fine if your Yorkie happens to go while you are out on the walk, this is not considered an “accident” since it didn’t happen on the floor or other unwanted area.

It’s not uncommon to find that your pup refuses to go outside in cold weather, and then goes on the floor inside the home. Adapt to poor weather conditions by having a warm little sweater available. Otherwise, an indoor backup location may be needed.

Rewards and praise do wonders in helping your little Yorkie learn quickly. Verbal praise should be given immediately and enthusiastically after they are done with their business. Tasty treats can be very effective when house training puppies, just remember to feed them a bit less dinner!

Anywhere from a week to a month house training a dog is common, and for Yorkies it could be a little longer, so have patience with your little one! If you want to develop a great relationship with your Yorkshire Terrier, learning how to train a puppy is the best thing you can possibly do.

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Oct
09
2009
0

Review: Pet Jewelry

There are many of fabulous websites available that provide gorgeous pet jewelery at affordable prices. Many believe that semi-precious stones and crystals possess the potential to heal. Some websites are also combining holistic healing stones with their pet jewelery, providing an alternative healing solution if your pet is ill.

The ancient Egyptians are a great example of a culture that believed in the power of crystals and precious stones. They believed that crystals and stones brought longevity to life, and strong health. Now pet jewelery is available that incorporates healing stones and crystals into bead work and lamp-work to create a cool pet necklace.

There are many different types of crystals and semi-precious stones that possess a variety of healing properties. You can now have pet jewelry custom made that will match the exact health and healing needs of your pet. The following is a list of of the type of stones used to create cat and dog necklaces:

Quartz ” A powerful general healer that eliminates toxins in the body, Quartz is a cleansing stone. Amethyst ” believed to help with sleep and relieve stress. It boosts the immune, respiratory, and digestive systems. Bloodstone ” Believed to help with detoxification, and help with melancholy. Jasper ” Believed to energize the body! Flourite ” Said to decrease nerve related pain, and boost the immune system.

Although the above mentioned crystals and stones are believed to posses some healing properties, they can never replace a good veterinarian. You need to consult your vet if your pet is feeling ill, but if you are looking for an alternative or a substitute solution that will look great on your pet, then some pet jewelery made of healing stones could be an answer.

Various websites are making some great pet jewelery. You can find the right bling for your pet by conducting some more research, and taking a look at what crystals and stones are used to make the jewelery.

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Written by Danielle Gregory in: Dogs | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Oct
09
2009
0

Learn To Effectively House Train A Hard-nosed Yorkie!

Certain breeds, especially smaller dogs like Yorkies are known to be more challenging when it comes time to housebreak them. House training puppies can be time intensive, and requires focus, but it will be well worth the investment. With the smaller breeds sometimes it takes a wee bit longer to develop perfect potty habits.

You should begin by first determining if the potty spot will be located inside the home or outside. People who live in condos and apartments tend to favor Yorkies since they don’t need much space. You might find that your Yorkie prefers an indoor potty if he is resistant to going outside during cold weather. Another consideration to remember is that these dogs have small bladders, so they can only hold so much! if you are regularly out of the house each day for more than a few hours, you cannot expect your dog to be able to control his bladder for extended periods of time. In this case, choose a discreet area of your home for the puppy training pads. Otherwise, any small strip of grass should do the trick, as long as you use that same spot all the time.

Daily walks are a great way to get into a regular potty routine, as the exercise helps things “get moving” so always offer an opportunity at the beginning and ending of each walk to use the toilet. The scent of urine is an indication to your dog that this is the potty spot, and by using the same area this builds a strong habit. Keep your neighborhood clean by always taking litter bags (baggies work just fine) to clean up any little messes left behind. It’s fine if your Yorkie happens to go while you are out on the walk, this is not considered an “accident” since it didn’t happen on the floor or other unwanted area.

Sometimes dogs avoid going outside in bad weather and then will have an accident in a discreet location indoors. A sweater is a great way to address that situation and make going out in poor weather more tolerable. Otherwise, an indoor backup location may be needed.

Enthusiastic praise, affection and treats will speed up your dog’s understanding of proper toilet techniques and help build good habits. When your pup has done his business, offer him lots of verbal praise and affection. Do not be afraid to offer a delicious treat as a training incentive!

Anywhere from a week to a month house training a dog is common, and for Yorkies it could be a little longer, so have patience with your little one! If you want to develop a great relationship with your Yorkshire Terrier, learning how to train a puppy is the best thing you can possibly do.

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Oct
03
2009
0

Diabetic Dogs: Keeping The Disorder Under Control

In the same way that millions of people cope with diabetes, so too, does the disease affect canines. Specifically, the disorder is called diabetes mellitus (DM). An insulin deficiency prevents your pooch’s body from metabolizing glucose effectively. There are two varieties of DM: Type I and Type II. The former is the most prevalent type (99% of dogs with DM suffer from this type) and occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. The latter occurs when insulin is manufactured but your pooch’s body isn’t able to use it properly.

In this article, we’ll describe the warning signs that may suggest your canine has developed diabetes mellitus. It’s a potentially life-threatening condition, so catching it early is critical. We’ll also explain how the disease is diagnosed and treated as well as what you can do at home to help your dog manage the disorder.

Possible Warning Signs

The most common symptoms of DM include a marked increase in the amount of water your canine drinks and as a result, the frequency with which he urinates. You might also notice that he is losing weight even though he maintains a strong appetite. Other signs include a general apathy or decrease in physical activity and the sudden onset of blindness.

Treatment After Diagnosis

The health of your pooch can decline rapidly once diabetes mellitus develops. His body’s inability to process glucose effectively can lead to severe dehydration and other health issues. It is important that you have a veterinarian perform a full physical exam if you notice any of the warning signs described in the section above.

The veterinarian will ask you about your dog’s eating routine as well as his elimination activity. You’ll also be asked to describe any changes in his weight and disposition. Then, a urine analysis is performed to identify possible infections and review glucose levels.

Once diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will teach you how to administer daily insulin injections for your pooch. He or she will also create a diet and exercise routine that will help your canine manage his weight. During the first several weeks of treatment, the amount of insulin administered will likely change. Most veterinarians prefer to start cautiously with small doses and increase them gradually.

What You Can Do At Home

Providing care for your dog involves administering daily insulin shots (sometimes, twice daily) as well as any other medications that your veterinarian has recommended. You’ll also need to be vigilant regarding your canine’s eating and exercise routine in order to ensure he maintains a healthy weight level. If your dog experiences an insulin overdose (he might seem weak or disoriented), give him food right away.

As noted, diabetes mellitus can be potentially deadly. However, once it has been diagnosed, you can help your dog live a healthy, happy, and problem-free life.

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Written by Robert Runkel in: Dogs | Tags: , , , , ,
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