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Archive for the ‘Dog Health Symptoms’ Category

When your dog eats, particles of food can become lodged between his teeth and the gumline. If those food particles are allowed to remain, bacteria will accumulate and plaque will form. Plaque can be removed relatively easily. However, if you don’t take steps to do so, it can turn into tartar, which is far more difficult to remove.

Unlike plaque, tartar will irritate your pooch’s gums. If it is not removed, it will cause gingivitis, which will result in inflamed or bleeding gums, and bad breath. But, the problem can become much worse. Given enough time, the amount of tartar beneath the gums can grow, forming pockets that collect bacteria. This marks the onset of periodontal disease (PD) and can eventually cause your dog to lose his teeth or suffer infection as the bacteria enters his bloodstream.

Below, we’ll describe some of the leading causes of periodontal disease in canines. We’ll also explain how veterinarians treat the problem.

What Causes The Problem?

There are several factors that play a role in the development of PD. For example, how old your dog is can have a significant influence. Because periodontal disease takes time to develop, it is most prevalent in older canines, though it also occurs in younger dogs. The texture of the foods they eat also has an impact. Harder foods are more effective for rubbing plaque off the teeth than soft, canned foods.

Usually, the smaller a dog is, the more susceptible it is to dental problems. Their teeth are usually positioned close together making it more difficult for the plaque to be rubbed off by harder foods or removed through brushing. Also, if owners neglect to brush their dogs' teeth, there is a greater likelihood of the formation of tartar.

Canines that suffer from periodontal disease will often paw at their gums, drool, or show a heightened sensitivity around their mouths. One of the most obvious signs of PD is also the most often overlooked: bad breath. Take your dog to your veterinarian if you notice him or her showing any of these signs.

Forms Of Treatment

Periodontal disease in canines is diagnosed in four grades from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. The treatment prescribed by a veterinarian will depend on the grade. Grades 1 and 2 will normally be treated by a thorough dental cleaning whereby any existing tartar will be removed with scalers. Grades 3 and 4 require more intensive treatment. A veterinarian might perform root planing, subgingival curettage, and even extraction of one or more teeth.

Owners should consider their dog’s oral health a priority. A minor issue such as bad breath might signal the onset of gingivitis. If it is not resolved in a timely manner, it will eventually turn into periodontal disease. However, with a regular routine of brushing and periodic dental exams, owners can help keep their canines’ teeth problems at bay.

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Canines are affected by diabetes in the same way that millions of people are everyday. 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. As a potentionally fatal disorder, it is crucial to recognize is as soon as possible. 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

Once diabetes mellitus develops, your dog's overall condition can decrease rapidly. 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. The level of insulin administered will probably change during the first several weeks of treatment. 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. Give your dog food right away if he starts to experience signs of an insulin overdose such as weakness or being disoriented.

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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The health of your family’s dogs should be a top concern. At times we have to take steps to ensure that our canines are given the care that they deserve. This includes taking them to a animal doctor for check-ups at regular intervals and on time. This simple step helps to confirm that our canines will keep healthy and protected from getting heart worm. Heartworm is a parasitic worm that are able to infect canines and may lead to very life-threatening health issues. Commonly occurring symptoms of heartworm disease include diarrhea, weight loss, and throwing up.

You can defend your pet from this type of disease with a variety of treatment options. An example is Heartgard Chewables. It works by blocking the vital tissue stage of heart worm. It also aids in the blocking of a full case of heart worm. Using Lufenuron medication can be very beneficial for pets who are suffering from developed heart worm infestations. Additionally, it gives protection against fleas . An alternative pill that’s often recommended is Interceptor Heartworm Medicine.

An effective way of stopping this disease is by administering heartworm medication. It’s important to consult with a pet doctor before providing any treatment to your pets. Since all heartworm treatments should first be prescribed by a veterinarian, talk to them to decide on the best one. You will be given detailed advice for the schedule and amount of the pills to give to your canine. Pills should be provided by doses based on the pet’s weight. Most pills have side effects, so be sure that you’re aware of what to expect.

One of the significant reasons that dogs die can be attributed to heart worm infestation. Using heart worm medication can be extraordinarily helpful in the prevention of heartworm in dogs. A yearly check up with your animal doctor can reveal any problems or symptoms of heartworm infection. Prolong your pet’s life with a yearly check-ups for heartworm disease.

The health and care of your dog begins even before you bring your puppy home.  Whether you get your dog from the pound or from an accredited breeder, you need to begin caring for your dog’s health from day one.

Whether you get a new puppy from a breeder, or adopt a dog or puppy from the pound, you need to choose a good veterinarian with whom you and your dog will feel comfortable with for all of your dog’s health care needs.  Before you bring your new puppy home it is important that you know what vaccination and de-worming program your puppy had previously.  You’ll need to continue on this program until your puppy is fully vaccinated and protected from puppy illnesses like parvo and distemper.  If you are getting your dog or puppy from a shelter, they also need to be started on a good health care regime, so see your veterinarian right away. Good nutrition is also important in your dog’s health: again, check with your veterinarian; they will be able to recommend the best food for your dog or puppy.

Once you have established a relationship with your veterinarian, they will tell you when to bring your dog or puppy back to be spayed or neutered.  Spaying and neutering prevents unwanted puppies and may also avoid problems later on like urinating or marking by male dogs, and heat cycles in female dogs.

Another essential part of your dog’s health is exercise. Giving your dog daily or twice daily exercise is very important not only for your dog’s health but also for his happiness.  Dogs of all sizes love to go for walks with their families.  Exercise is good not only for weight maintenance but to release excess energy and build strong minds and bodies.

Maintaining a good health care program can maximize the life of your pet and ensures that your pet will lead a quality life in your home.

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Did you know that dog skin problems add up to nearly half of vet’s visits? Skin problems are hard to diagnose in dogs so a visit to the vet is usually necessary. If you have an older dog, it’s important to have any lumps and bumps on your dog’s skin examined in case of tumors.

If your dog is constantly scratching, you need to find the cause. It’s not enough to treat the itching alone because the problem will keep on recurring. Untreated skin problems can also lead to personality changes and aggression and will ultimately affect your dog’s general health.

There are two main types of skin diseases in dogs, immune mediated and autoimmune. Immune mediated skin diseases stem from a weak immune system, while autoimmine diseases are largely caused by allergies. The main symptoms of dog skin problems are inflammation, itching. Hair loss, lesions and lumps on the skin. In an attempt to relieve the aggravation, your dog will scratch, lick, roll on the ground or bite himself continuously.

Your vet will examine the dog’s skin with and ultra violet light and may take a scraping of skin for more accurate diagnosis. Where the problem is hard to diagnose, a sample of blood may be taken as well.

Treatment will depend on the type of skin disease affecting your dog. For allergic skin reactions, antihistamines are usually recommended. Anti funfal products, such as shampoo, are used for fungal skin diseases, for instance ringworm. Bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) will need antibiotics.

Dog skin problems can be partly prevented by a healthy diet and by washing and grooming your dog regularly. For mild skin irritations, here’s a few natural solutions…

Run some water through a bag containing colloidal oatmeal and use this to wash your dog.

Rub your dog’s skin with aloe vera gel after grooming

Mix some garlic with your dog’s food to keep fleas away.

For itchy skin and insect bites, add some baking soda to your dog’s bath.

For itchy feet, dissolve Epsom salts in some cool water.

Hopefully these suggestions will help. However if the problem doesn’t respond, don’t hesitate to consult your vet. Dog skin problems can become serious and an infection may develop if not treated promptly.

Puppy eye care is one of the most important duties for a new owner because puppies often develop serious eye conditions that could lead to disastrous results in the life of a puppy.  The problems of puppy eye care can vary widely from an insignificant soreness to a serious disease.  Puppy eye care should continue constantly, and any problem that is not resolved quickly should be referred to a qualified veterinarian.Many people in the office of a good veterinarian are advised to pay careful attention to any eye condition.Puppies like their human equivalents cannot tell anyone if their vision is affected in some way.  Owners should pay careful attention to any eye problems.

Puppy eye care includes observation of any potential problems which might be indicated by squinting, redness or watering of the eyes.  Squinting, for example, could mean a piece of dust in the eye or the first signs of cancer.A condition that does not seem too serious could impact the dog forever if not treated properly and quickly.  When buying a new puppy, each person should find out about eye conditions that are common to the breed.  Puppy care includes knowing the possibilities for the breed and watching carefully for signs of these conditions.  Some dog breeds are prone to glaucoma while others are prone to dry eye.  The breed of the dog will make a difference in puppy eye care. 

Puppy Eye Care Includes Vigilance In Looking For Common Disorders

There are many eye disorders which should be discovered early to provide proper eye care.  Some puppies from certain breeds end up with a folding of the eyelid which means that the eyelashes affect the eye of the dog.  Other dogs often develop problems with the glands of the eyes.  Some breeds are susceptible to dry eye because they do not produce enough tears.  These conditions and several others can make life more difficult for a puppy.

Puppy eye care should start with the first visit to the breeder.  Each potential owner should look very carefully at the eyes of each puppy.  Any kind of specks on the eyes of the puppy could signal significant problems in puppy eye care.  There should not be any problems with the eyelashes of the dog disturbing the eye of the dog.  Puppy eye care starts with prevention.  There are many clichés about prevention, but prevention is very important to puppy eye care.