How To Detect Common Illnesses In Dogs

Caring for a dog doesn't merely involve buying a comfy and stylish dog bed, throwing some toys together and stocking up on his favorite foods. Caring for a dog also involves looking after his health, which extends beyond getting him vaccinated in time, and taking him to the vet when he falls ill. As a dog owner it's always advisable that you observe your dog, watch what he eats and look out for little signs that he may be ill.

Look out for these small signs of an illness, and take appropriate measures.

Loss of Appetite

Dogs that are being switched from one type of food to another might refuse food. This is normal, and can be gotten around a little by offering a small amount of his previous food, and thestn decreasing the quantity till he gets used to his new diet. In some dogs however, a loss of an appetite could be the result of some deadly viral infection. Even an intestinal blockage or injury of any sort can cause a dog to skip meals. Before this refusal to eat begins to cause serious problems to his health like dehydration and fatigue, consult a doctor to rule out any major causes. Don't assume it's just a phase and he will grow out of it. Remember to use an elevated dog feeder for a tall dog. Make sure he gets plenty of rest by getting him an orthopedic dog bed for extra cushioning and support.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

Again dogs who are changing foods might suffer from a little diarrhea, and this is a perfectly natural reaction to the change in diet. But if you notice diarrhea or difficulty in passing stools, your dog might have eaten something that didn't agree with him, like garbage. If the diarrhea continues for a couple of days, it can cause dehydration and fatigue. If the diarrhea doesn't stop within a few hours, take the dog to your vet immediately.

Bloat

If you notice your dog walking with a strange gait, with his back arched up and his stomach distended. He may have what is commonly known as bloat. This condition tends to occur more frequently in dog breeds with longer bodies like Great Danes, German Shepherds and Irish Setters. When smaller sized dogs are fed in elevated bowls, they tend to gulp air in along with food causing this condition. Bloat can be fatal if left untreated, and if you noticed the above symptoms and observe your dog acting anxious and fidgety, take him to a vet immediately.

This author lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband and 5 month old daughter and is an expert contributing author for a luxury dog feeders boutique offering variety of dog beds and orthopedic dog beds.

Dog Health And Obstructions In The Digestive System

Obstructions in the dogs body are quite common in many pets especially dogs, and its not uncommon for a pet owner to find this problem reoccurring many times in a dogs life caused by many different situations.

An obstruction in the digestive system of your dog can be a very painful experience and may cause bout of quite serious retching, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is caused as the dog tries to release the foreign body from blocking the flow of the digestive system.

The digestive system obstruction is most commonly caused by stones that the dog swallows when playing fetch or just being curious around the garden or on walks. When they swallow stones or any other offending objects for that matter, it many become stuck in the tubes above the stomach where the dog will find it difficult to breath and wretch a lot, or it may flow down into the stomach and intestines where its possible it will get stuck and cause a very painful blockage while all the waste will start to compress behind the it and make for your dog to strain to pass feces or move the blockage.

In some cases the object or stone swallowed will be too large to move from the stomach and it will become blocked occasionally on the passage down in to the intestines, this cases infrequent spurts of pain as the dog tries to break down and move the object from the stomach into the intestines as normal, then as the dog moves it will free up again and the pain will temporarily disappear until the same happens again up to 2 days later at most.

Of course when you fear that this may be the problem you should report it to your vet as soon as possible. They will then undertake many different tests in hope to find the situation of the blockage and feel for foreign bodies so they can treat the symptoms accordingly. This treatment is normally to make sure the object will not free itself and then enter the dog's body through surgery to remove the unwanted object safely so the dog can resume normal life and dog health again.

Although the above treatment is normally only needed with larger objects in the dogs digestive system, it shows the extent of this condition so if you suspect this problem and the symptoms are their then its always best to inform you vet about the situation so they can asses what needs to be done next.

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Keep your Dog Healthy with Vaccinations

By: Ricardo d Argence

When owning a dog, you need to be sure to keep up to date with the vaccinations for your furry friend.

Vaccinations are important to help keep your pet in the best of heath. The vaccinations for puppies and full grown dogs are a bit different but very important none the less.

Puppies that are at least 6 to 8 weeks of age need to get to DHLPPC vaccinations. These vaccinations are done over a period of time, usually over a three to four week period until they're 16 weeks of age.

Once the puppy is 16 weeks of age, rabies vaccinations and immunizations are then recommended annually. When the shots are done in a series this is also called booster shots.

Puppies need a booster shots to help build their immunity. When puppies are firstborn they get their immunity from their mothers when they nurse. Once they stop nursing the immunity declines and that is where the booster shots come in handy.

The senior dogs are not as susceptible to getting distemper or parvo so your vet may recommend that they get this vaccination every other year. It is still good to take your dog in yearly for a checkup.

You need to be sure to get your dog checked regularly to make sure they're showing no signs of kidney disease or cancer. The earlier you catch things such as these, the better off your dog's chance of survival is.

The combo vaccination called the DHLPPC, covers a number of diseases in one shot.

The D stands for distemper, the H stands for hepatitis or adenovirus-2, L. stands were leptospirosis, the P stands for parainfluenza, the other P stands for parvovirus and the C stands for corona virus. This is a great vaccination to get for your dog is it covers the many illnesses in one injection.

Another type of vaccination that you may get for your dog is Bordetella. It is also known as kennel cough, which is a respiratory infection in dogs.

While it's not a fatal infection it can be hard to get rid of. It can spread fast through boarding and grooming places such as animal shelters or even a vet's office. They can do this vaccination in one of two ways. The first being nasal spray and a second and injection.

If you do the injection then you need to get a booster at one month after the date of the first one.

Unfortunately dogs have to deal with tick problems. Ticks can cause Lyme disease it if you live in an area where there is a lot of woods around then you need to be cautious of the tick problems.

The Lyme vaccine would be a vaccine that you want to get for your dog to protect him or her from Lyme disease.

There is a parasite that lives in the intestines and can be passed from the fecal matter from infected animals. That parasite is called Giardia. Dogs can become infected with this parasite by drinking contaminated water.

Many people don't realize that they can also be infected. The vaccination for Giardia is a good one for dogs that are outdoors a lot.

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Dog Diarrhea Symptoms and Causes

Dog diarrhea is one of the more common of conditions in the dog world and in the human world alike; the reason for this is because there are so many causes of diarrhea. It can be a dreadful condition for your dog to have and causes a lot of unwanted aggravation for the canine involved as well as increasing the risk of having unwanted accidents on carpets and furniture around the house.

There can be many causes for diarrhea but the most common is due to intolerances to a particular food, this is normally because of a change in diet or the dog having a particular food that they have not had before. Diarrhea can also be caused by other conditions like objects stuck in the digestive system or several other conditions derived or caused by problems in the digestive system of the dog.

The symptoms of this can be many things but diarrhea is normally coupled with your dog vomiting or retching this is because the digestive system of the dog begins at the mouth and ends at the anus as you might think, if the problem causing the diarrhea is in the stomach or upper intestines then the effects may be vomiting as well as or without diarrhea. This coincidently also acts as a way of finding the condition to help the vet. And if the problem is in the lower intestines then the symptoms will most probably be diarrhea only, but there may be other causes and this is not a confirmation to the vet that the problem is in the lower part of the digestive system.

From this situation there are many different ways that may work to improve and cure the health problems and diarrhea that your dog may be feeling. The first that is usually performed by the veterinarian in question is changing the dog's diet so that no food is given to the dog for at least twenty four hours so the body has enough time to clear all the offending substances within so the dog's body can return to normal. After this the dog should then be put on a very bland diet of and put gradually onto a more flavoured diet to avoid the same problem again.

All the information in this article is only a guideline as you may have guessed and if your dog is having serious diarrhea the vet should be contacted for a proper check-up and diagnosis of he condition in hand.

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For more information on Dog Diarrhea or Dog Health take a look at this Dog Training website.

Emergency First Aid For Dogs With A Snakebite

By: Jeff Clare

All animals are creatures of instinct and your dog is no exception. In spite of this some instincts have left dogs, creating situations where an owner needs to step in. With at least fifteen thousand years of domestication, many of the base instincts for survival have fallen by the wayside, making dogs more careless than their wild brethren and one such case is that of snake bites.

Knowing what to do in the event of a snake bite is especially important, as estimates show around 15,000 pets being bitten by snakes a year. A little research into the types of poisonous snakes in your area will help you immensely, since knowing the species of snake that bit your dog will be absolutely vital information for any treatment.

It will also save you the trouble of getting professional care for your dog if you can tell a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous one. If you're not familiar with the local serpents, try to notice what the snake looked like so you can relay the information to a veterinarian. Naturally, if the snake isn't poisonous, it's not a medical emergency.

Most of the time, a dog will startle a snake and the snake will lash back, usually sinking its fangs into a dog's face or legs. Afterwards, a poisonous bite will show swelling, pain, and redness, centered on a pair of tiny puncture wounds. Other possible signs of a poisonous snake bite are labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, an increased pulse, and shock. If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a venomous snake because of displaying these signs, look for the paired puncture wounds on your dog's flesh.

A poisoned dog should receive professional medical attention as soon as possible. Take special care not to excite the dog as you transport it. Keeping a bitten dog calm is of utmost importance, since a heightened pulse rate moves venom through the dog's body fast. You many also have to provide artificial respiration, particularly if your dog was bitten in the face. If your dog was bitten in a leg, placing that leg below the level of the heart, with the leg pointed towards the ground on a lower level than the dog's heart, will slow the movement of the venom into the dog's body.

Most home remedies for poisonings are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Incisions around the bite wound won't remove the venom, nor will ice pressed against the punctures or applying a tourniquet to slow the flow of venom in the dog's body. Most of these methods, along many others not listed here that occasionally crop up in urban myths, will cause more harm to your dog than the venom, partly because venom travels in a dog's lymph, not their blood.

Rather than leave the life of your dog in the hands of urban myths and folk medicine, you can try to slow the flow of venom through your dog's body by applying light pressure above the limb with either the flat of your hand or a loosely tied piece of cloth. True it might not be much, but every little bit helps when you are trying to buy some time.

Snake bites are both dangerous and common threats to man and animals. Dogs are particularly vulnerable, especially with their lack of certain instincts. As with any emergency, maintain a cool head - you can panic later after all is said and done. You need to think clearly and be well informed to help your dog.

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The Health Check - Keeping Your Golden Retriever Healthy

By: Peter Finch

Keeping your golden retriever healthy is of primary concern to all dog owners. As a dog owner, you need to ensure that your dog's immune system is doing well. You need to keep your dog healthy and happy. It is your duty as an owner to make sure that your dogs constitution is strong and can ward off any disease or sickness easily.

There are many ways of keeping your golden retriever healthy. The most important aspect of keeping your dog healthy is to give him a home-made food diet. Home-made food is far better than canned food. In fact, it has been known that most commercial dog food is made up of waste animal fat content or unusable grains, not fit for consumption by humans.

Hence, it makes a lot of sense to give your dog fresh food consisting of fruits and vegetables and fresh meat like chicken, mutton and beef. For water, you should ideally use spring water or filtered water instead of tap water. This is because tap water may contain traces of Lead and Mercury. Giving your dog fresh food will ensure that he gets the nutrition he deserves.

Bones by themselves are very good for your golden retriever, and will help them develop a strong set of teeth. Get him used to chewing on bones and make it a treat for him by leaving some meat on the bone. Golden retrievers are gifted with a great set of teeth. Chewing on a bone will really help in developing jaw strength.

Alternatively, you can also give him chew toys to chew upon. Either way, make sure that he doesn't end up chewing on your slippers or your curtains!

Anticipating health problems in your golden retriever are an essential part of keeping your golden retriever healthy. If you're careful, you will not need to go to the vet much. Lay special emphasis on any reproductive disorders, which you think your golden retriever may have.

Don't neglect these, as they can sometimes be fatal. Neutering your male golden retriever is a good idea if you don't want him to have too much contact with female Golden retrievers or are not trying to breed. Besides breeding, this will also help reduce any other problems related to tumors and tracked diseases your dog may have later on in life.

Keeping your golden retriever healthy also means having him around for a longer period of time. It is sad when your dog is old and falls sick. If you look after his health well, he will have a healthier life when he grows older.

Make sure your golden retriever has an excellent exercise regime. Keep your dog active and take it for walks, three to four times a day. If you have a yard let it run around as much as it can. This is the best exercise it can get. Taking him out will also get you some exercise. The better health he has, the longer he is going to stay by you

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Dog Health and Your Responsibility

By: MIKE SELVON

There are many advantages to owning a dog. It gives you loyalty and love. Yet so many people neglect its health as a way to return that love and affection.

Preventative dog health care goes a long way to ensuring that your friend stays healthy for years to come. If you decide to get one, then do him a favor and become educated on how to protect his health.

Dog health begins the very minute you take ownership of your canine companion. Before you even think about beginning puppy training you must make sure that you know what type of medication it takes to ensure its health.

Shots such as Distemper, Rabies, and Parvo are absolutely essential to a long and healthy life for your pet. There are other medications such as heart worm medicine and flea medicines that are important as well.

If you are unsure as to what is involved in dog health, check out dog forums for answers on some common questions. The best advice before buying or getting a pet is to do a thorough research to determine if having one is right for you.

There are some questions to ask yourself before you commit to owning a dog or any animal. The first is how much time do you have to devote to the pet? Do you have enough space to accommodate one? Is its health absolutely important to you? Do you have the money to devote to puppy training and to making sure that he or she receives regular veterinarian visits to ensure its proper health?

A dog is a big responsibility. If you are unsure of any of the above questions then now is the time to carefully ponder whether or not you are ready for a pet. Dogs cost money and this responsibility lies with the pet owner.

The puppy or dog is dependent on you for everything they need. This includes their emotional well-being as well. Humans and dogs are alike in that they need love and support. You, as the owner, must be that network of love and support for them.

Dog health is important to having a fully functioning family. Dog's can bring many things to their owner. They bring love and unfailing loyalty. They deserve to have that returned to them by an owner that truly wants what is best for them.

Before you go collect your new pet, take the time to become educated. You should talk to other pet owners and then make that life altering decision.

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Dog Diarrhea and Vommiting

This illness is a greatly common occurrence in dogs because of their habits of eating, chewing, and licking everything mildly of interest to them or to any other dog, cat, or mammal they see with a similar interest.

Dog diarrhea can be a serious or not so serious in dogs, I this because there are so many different types and causes of diarrhea that making any kind of assumption of your dogs cause of diarrhea would be a complete guess and only based on the most common cause of the illness.

So what is the most common cause of dog diarrhea I hear you ask? Well its usually from eating or trying to digest something unfamiliar or uncomfortable to the dogs digestive system. This could include parts of a favourite but badly designed chew toy that have broken off and been swallowed causing an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach, from gone off foods such as the types many dogs discover and drag out of bins or trash, or not uncommonly because your dogs stomach is just not used to the particular type of food you are giving them.

If your dog is used to a pretty bland diet or the same diet for a long period of time then the last option in the previous paragraph may be the cause and is very similar to what we call a Delhi belly (unwell, being sick, diarrhea) from encountering different types of foods or diet when we go to places similar to India which have spicier and more unfamiliar foods to our systems.

The treatment for such an illness is dependent on the diagnosis from a qualified vt, but in most cases it will be to stop the dog eating for a period of about one day or twenty four hours so that the dogs system has time to get rid of all the waste and possible offending 'poisons' and can return to normal again.

In the attempt to rid of all the bad substance in the dogs body it will continue to cause the dog to vomit or have diarrhea until everything has been cleared out of the body. If the dog is still being fed on a normal diet then the body will continue to think there is more excess waste to get rid of and the diarrhea and vomiting will continue unnecessarily for long periods of time.

Bear in mind this is a guide to dog diarrhea and you should always get the dog checked out by a professional vet before hand so they get the correct treatment and there is nothing else causing the illness.

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5 Doggy conditions that you must know about

When people are sick we notice their sickness.....right? Actually, not all ailments are noticeable but luckily, when we are depressed, tired or have a stiff neck, we can tell someone about it. Unfortunately, our animal friends do not possess the gift of speech. Unconditionally loving, our pets take their lot as it comes. Arthritis, depression, asthma and many common ailments become a way of life for them, and we often notice it only after it is too late.

As voluntary guardians of our pets we take interest in their wellbeing. Intent is all very well but without knowledge we are powerless. Here are some symptoms and information about five common ailments which our canine friends are susceptible to.

Asthma
Asthma is not just a human disease but can affect animals including dogs. Asthma is the inflammation and spasming of the airways as well as excessive production of mucus which results in difficulty in breathing. It affects dogs of any breed and age. In a severe asthma attack, respiratory distress may occur, the symptoms of which are: the dog breathing with difficulty through the mouth and a purple color to the tongue and gums due to lack of oxygen. This must be treated as an emergency and medical attention must be administered as soon as possible.
Symptoms: Coughing is normally the first sign. During an attack, wheezing is evident (whistling sound made by air traveling through narrowed airways, normally loudest on the exhale). Dogs breathing will be shallow, rapid and labored. There is lots of effort put into inhaling and exhaling as well as dramatic movement of the abdomen. Some dogs lose weight and become lethargic. In less severe cases the only symptom is a chronic cough. Most pets seem quite normal between attacks.

Aggression
Some breeds are more aggressive than others. Aggression is sometimes related to common problems such as past abuse, physical discomfort and related breeding problems. It is also normally related to specific situations such as only when eating. If your dog is constantly aggressive, this could be due to underlying causes like tension and stress.
Symptoms: Barking, snarling, snapping, raised fur along back of neck and along the ridge of the spine.

Joint and muscle disease
Sprains and strains are common in active canine though certain breeds may be more prone than others. Certain dogs may also be more prone due to their genealogy. Serious medical conditions are not uncommon. Arthritis (inflammation of joints), spinal diseases such as spondylosis and spondylitis are more likely to affect older dogs. Hip dysplasia (malformation of the hip ball and socket) can affect any dog but especially certain breeds.
Symptoms: Overall stiffness (especially after rest), whimpering when getting up, difficulty in climbing stairs or in and out of the car, reluctance to exercise, lameness, unusual movements, disjointed or wobbly gait, swelling and tenderness in limbs or spine, shying away from being stroked along back, thickening of joints of affected limb, favoring the use of one limb more than another and irritability.

Fleas
This is a common parasite among dogs. Some pets suffer very little from bites but some develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva which leads to severe skin reaction known as ‘flea bite dermatitus’. Flea saliva left under the dogs skin contains around 15 different allergens that can cause reactions in sensitive dogs. This can affect dogs of any age, gender and breed. The flea bites become red, swollen and itchy which leads to chronic inflammation, scratching of the skin and ongoing discomfort.
Symptoms: Signs of chronic biting, scratching and rubbing of the skin, especially around the base of the tail. This may in turn lead to hair loss and thinning of the coat. Skin may appear red and inflamed. Flea allergy will be noticeably seasonal causing worse symptoms in summer and fall when fleas are more common.

Ringworm
This is a contagious skin condition which is not caused by a worm but by a fungus. It causes various lesions on the skin though not always in the shape of a ring. The dog will scratch at areas which look scaly and inflamed. In time, hair on these patches may be lost. The problem is that it looks similar to other skin conditions like mange and allergic conditions. You should always take your do to the veterinarian to make sure.

Important note
It is important that any condition is diagnosed correctly so, always take your pet to the veterinarian to be certain about any ailment. Homeopathic medicines are very effective and can be used alongside conventional medicines or completely on its own, but, once again check with a veterinarian. Prevention is better than cure so be sure to supplement your pets’ diet with vitamin supplements formulated especially for animals and combine with a healthy lifestyle. This should contribute to happy, healthy and natural wellbeing.
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Natural Therapies for the Older Dog

By: Alison Grimston

Dogs are living to a much greater age nowadays than in the past. In the wild they would not have been able to survive beyond the age at which they could defend themselves from predators and rivals and find food. In common with other companion animals, they are living much longer, and, over this period of time, slow mental and physical changes take place.

In this article, I am going to outline some of the major physiological changes that occur, some ways in which we as caregivers can help them, some of the illnesses that affect older age groups, and some therapies that may be helpful.

Physiological Changes in Ageing: The nervous system: Messages travel down the nerve fibres of a dog in its prime at 6,000m per second. In older dogs these slow down to 1,300m per second.

The lungs: The lung tissue loses its elasticity with age, reducing the efficiency of respiration.

The circulatory system: The blood vessels lose their elasticity, making small haemorrhages more common e.g. in the brain tissue.

The brain: The consequent lack of oxygen to the brain reduces memory and learning. It can also affect personality and irritability.

Signs of Ageing: By the age of 16, most dogs will have lost some of their brain function. They may show signs of disorientation, changes in social relationships, changes to their diurnal rhythm, and incontinence. By the age of 16, 20% of dogs pass urine or faeces in the house, 25% of dogs sleep less at night and more in the daytime, and 60% interact less with their human companions (although they may go through a phase of increased attachment). More than 70% are disorientated, getting stuck in corners, going to the wrong side of the door when asking to go out, barking for no reason, and gazing into space. Neutered males get less aggressive with age, but neutered females tend to get more so.

Hormonal control and Ageing: Elderly dogs tend to secrete more stress hormones, even when relaxed. Training them to be more relaxed can help give them more control in later life. There is also a general reduction in brain neuroendocrine chemicals, especially dopamine.

How we can help with Ageing Dogs: We can help slow down ageing by gentle mental and physical stimulation. Massage has several benefits - it can improve circulation, loosen up stiff joints and induce relaxation. Mental stimulation can increase the number of connections between neurons in the brain.

Feeding a diet high in antioxidants and vitamins can help. An older dog needs about 20% fewer calories, and some dogs gain weight with maturity. As always, any change in diet should be made gradually.

We as care-givers need to accept that our dog is ageing.

Over-exercising does more harm than good, so we need to allow the dog to set the pace. Older dogs can become confused by a change to the usual routines. As the skin glands produce less oil with age, more frequent grooming will help your older dog. Consider brushing its teeth daily, and provide more frequent toilet breaks.

Complementary Therapies and Ageing: Acupuncture can be particularly helpful with the pain of arthritis etc. Like acupressure and shiatsu, it also reduces pain by relaxing muscles.

T Touch therapy is a touch therapy that can be learned by the care-giver, and can be very calming in anxiety as well as helping many stress -related problems - which, as we now know, can give any symptom.

Musculoskeletal problems can also be helped by osteopathy and chiropractic, as well as massage as discussed above. All these touch therapies are beneficial mainly in animals that enjoy touch, and can increase stress in those that do not.

Nutritional therapies involve altering the diet slightly to benefit the dog. The role of diet in helping ageing has already been discussed. It is notable however that when a dog declines to eat, for example during an infection, it does so for good reason, (such as to starve the invading organism, and concentrate energy on the immune system rather than digestion,) and should not be forced. The commonest nutritional problem in dogs is overfeeding, causing obesity, and it is important for us to help our animals and help educate caregivers where this is problematic. However, beware that any strict, unbalanced diet given over a prolonged period of time may lead to malnutrition.

Herbal remedies can help with specific ill health. Examples include comfrey to help ease sprains, marigold for digestive disorders, garlic for respiratory infections and digestive upset, and echinacea for stimulating the immune system.

Aromatics and aromatherapy oils used with animals should be selected by the animal from a choice made on the basis of symptoms - a trained animal aromatics therapist can be pivotal in selecting the right balance. The nature of homeopathy and other vibrational medicines leads to them being more effective when targeted at the whole spectrum of symptoms and personality rather than at a single region of the body.

The beauty of spiritual healing and Reiki is that the dog will take whatever healing energy is needed, without a specific diagnosis being made. It is absorbed into whatever parts of the body, mind and spirit require it, stimulating its immune system and other natural means of self-healing. It can help with physical, emotional and psychological conditions. As the dog nears the end of its life, healing can help both the dog and its caregivers to come to terms with this, which helps with the process of passing over and with bereavement. Healing can be supplemented with use of crystals such as amber and carnelian.

Summary: In this article I have discussed the physiological causes for the signs of ageing that we see, the symptoms & signs experienced, and ways in which we can help, particularly touching on complementary therapies.

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A Study on Canine Distemper And Places for Natural Remedy For Dogs

By: Cindy Heller

Today, there are many places provide natural remedy services for dogs and offers a less conventional form of treatment for illness or injury. The reasons why using Nature's herbs for pets:

- Majority of the remedies product have all been tested by Veterinarians.

- Usually the nature remedies are specifically formulated for cats or dogs

- The herbs that uses are safe plants and botanical extracts as proven by more than 2,000 years of clinical experience, continuing research and development.

Canine Distemper Is A Airborne Disease

Canine distemper is an extremely serious viral disease and highly contagious, it occurs in dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes and other wild canids, like raccoons, skunks and ferrets. Canine Distemper is an airborne virus, which affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous system of the canine animal. Puppies from 3 to 6 months and elderly animals are particularly at risk.

A Look On Conventional Treatment For Canine Distemper

From experience and pass record, it has shown that Canine Distemper is a highly contagious and serious illness. According to conventional vet treatment, about fifty percent of dogs that contract it will die. Those that survive and escape from this diseases will also suffer from the side effect, and left with debilitating conditions like seizure disorders, permanent digestive problems, neurological problems, deformities of the paw pads, etc. According to conventional veterinarian science, Canine Distemper 'cannot be cured' and conventional treatment is supportive only.

The cases of this serious disease have reduced since after using the vaccination programs against Canine Distemper on Dogs and canine. However, holistic veterinarians point out that there are serious concerns about the wisdom of routine vaccination and its long term effect on the health of dogs or canines.

Using Natural remedy For Canine Distemper

The Homeopathic veterinarians have managed to treat Canine Distemper far more successfully as compare to use their allopathic counterparts. By using the Distemperinum in homeopathic potency, both immunizations of dogs as well as the recovery rates in infected dogs has proved to be highly successful.

There is a wealth of evidence that this is the case and one can only wonder why allopathic veterinarians are not making use of and being trained in the use of homeopathic medicine for their patients.

Dr Horace B.F. Jervis, a veterinarian, who has published a monograph in 1929 called 'Treatment of Canine Distemper with the Potentized Virus'. He is the pioneer person who using the Distemperinum for Canine Distemper treatment. In his book, he reported his frustration over many failed attempts at treating Canine Distemper during years of conventional treatment in a veterinarian clinic. This make him moved away from conventional vet treatment and science and to begin treating the infected animals using the principles of homeopathic medicine. Since after he commencing the use of this product the death rate in distemper ward has been decreased, and he has really for the first time in his years of practice felt a sort of load being lifted from his shoulders.

Similarly, for Dr Dorothy Shepherd, in her book, named "Homeopathy in Epidemic Diseases", she said she has no hesitation in stating that from her own experience and observation, the homeopathic preventives are much safer in use, and absolutely certain in their effects. Even should the infectious, serious disease develop, it will be in a much milder form"

Where Can We Find A Place For Natural Remedy For Dogs?

One of these places you can find online is Only Natural Pet Store. This store is specially providing a natural remedy for animals, and they have products available for practically every possible ailment, including immune support, anxiety and stress, and emotional problems.

Woodland Natural Remedies shop
This is a popular place offer books and natural remedies for People, Pets, and Livestock. This shop also offers products to teat various ailments, like pregnancy, immune problems, kidney problems, liver problems, respiratory problems, prostate problems, thyroid problems and worms.

Dogs Worldwide
This shop offer products for such issues as arthritis, aggressiveness, allergies, nervousness, and various forms of nutrition.

DogsBreakfast.ca
At this shop, you can safely treat your pets for simple problems like travel sickness, diarrhea, constipation, parasites, nervousness, dental conditions, digestive and urinary problems, bad breath, and sometimes more complex problems such as arthritis, allergies, respiratory conditions and eye disorders with Nature Remedies for Pets.

Natural Pet Remedy
This shop is pleased to provide you with an extensive selection of natural herbal remedies for your pet. Their natural treatments offer an alternative to conventional or traditional pharmaceutical medicine for your pet's health care. They also offer products for ailments such as: arthritis, kidney and urinary support, joint relief, liver boost, senior vitality, stress soother, worms, and skin problems.

There are many different shops available where you can find natural remedies for not only dogs or cats but a variety of other animals as well, and informing yourself on the available options is the first step. You need to learn and know the benefits of nature remedies before you can gain confident to use them for your pet.

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How Does Heartworm Affect Your Dog?

By: Anthony Carter

Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes. Canine heartworms or more precisely, canine heartworm disease is a potentially fatal infestation of worms that travel throughout the body until maturity, at which time they take up residence in the dog's heart. They live in the right ventricle of the heart or in the major pulmonary arteries, surviving on nutrients which they 'steal' from the dog's bloodstream. On rare occasions, migrating heartworm larvae get 'lost' and end up in unusual sites such as the eye, brain or an artery in the leg, resulting in some unusual symptoms such as blindness, seizures and lameness.

Heartworm disease is actually caused by the body's immunologic reaction to the presence of the adult and offspring worms but many dogs will show little or no sign of infection even after the heartworms have matured.

Heartworms go through several life stages before they become adults infesting the heart of the host animal. Between 75 and 120 days after infection the immature worms enter the bloodstream and are carried through the heart to lodge in the arteries of the lungs. Infestation is extremely serious for the host; infected dogs that go untreated can die and even treated dogs must go through a long period of uncomfortable treatment (sometimes requiring surgery in advanced cases to remove the worms from the right ventricle). Adult heartworms can reach up to 12 inches in length and remain in the dog's heart for approximately 5 to 7 years. They bear live young, known as microfilariae, producing thousands of them every day.

The first sign of heartworm infestation may not manifest for a year after the initial infection, and even then one of the earliest symptoms of the disease in dogs, the soft cough, that normally appears and increases with exercise, may be dismissed as unimportant by the dog's owner. The disease may cause a combination of medical problems in the same dog including dysfunction of the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. Radiographs (X-rays) can detect the presence of adult heartworms in the heart and lungs and can also provide a good estimate of the amount of lung damage caused by the presence of the heartworms.

Heartworms can live in animals other than canines, mainly cats and ferrets, but often have a shorter life span, vary in size, or end up in odd locations due to aberrant migration. The life span of heartworms is considerably shorter in the case of cats for example, at only two to three years but most infections in cats do not have circulating microfilariae.

Heartworm disease has become a serious health problem for dogs throughout the United States. According to the Heartworm Society, the highest infection rates occur in dogs (not maintained on heartworm preventive) within 150 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries but have been reported in every state in America, including Alaska, and is also found in Canada as well as throughout most temperate regions of the world.

Preventing canine heartworm disease can be as simple as feeding your dog a cookie once a month. Prevention may be accomplished by either use of pre-packaged ivermectin tablets or by compounded liquid ivermectin. Many veterinarians recommend and many owners use, a year-round heartworm prevention program to guard against the occasional mosquito flying about in areas with mild winters. If the dog is parasite free, a prophylactic medication can be used to prevent heartworm infection.

Sometimes, to jog the concern of clients, veterinary clinics may display a preserved heart infected with heartworm in a jar and hang posters about heartworm life cycles in examining rooms, but seeing is not necessarily always believing; although clients can view the infested heart loaded with long, spaghetti-like worms every time they visit, many gamble that their dogs will never be bitten by an infected mosquito.

Heartworm testing is only performed on adult dogs as puppies do not require testing due to the fact that it takes six months after exposure for the heartworms to reach maturity and be detectable on a test. Heartworm positive dogs should also be tested for the presence of microfilariae, usually using a filter test. As we mentioned earlier in the article, heartworm infestation is dangerous as untreated dogs die and treated dogs go through weeks of discomfort while the worms are killed and expelled from their bodies. The disease is very preventable though but is potentially difficult and dangerous to treat. Surgical removal of the adult heartworms is possible and may be required in advanced cases with heart involvement. Heartworm infected dogs showing no signs or mild signs of the disease have a high success rate with treatment.

The first published evidence of heartworm disease in dogs was in The Western Journal of Medicine and Surgery in 1847 and feline variety was first described in the 1920s.

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Spotting Dog Ringworm And Looking After Your Dog

By: Jennifer King

A common canine illness is ringworm, and it can be prevented and cured if your dog has the problem. Many infections affect dogs, some are extremely frequent and occur no matter how well cared for your dog is at any time. Dogs are creatures of the outside world, and they can get involved in anything. Fungal skin infections to be common in puppies and older dogs. Other common canine illnesses can be prevented with the correct vaccinations and suitable health care. Ringworm is a skin infection that attacks the complete health of the dog.

The frequent canine illness ringworm has several different ways it can be spotted and diagnosed. The common way to identify ringworm is with a black light. The ringworms glow in the black light as soon the light hits them. Sometimes this practice won�t work and your vet will need to carry out another test to identify the ringworm.

If you see tiny areas of the body without hair, it�s probable your dog has ringworm. Your dog�s skin will be scaly and display pus in the area. After time the areas become larger when your pet receives no medical attention. You will notice this parasite on the tail, head and legs.

If the health of the dog is good then the ringworm will clear up by itself in approximately four months. However, when severe cases exist, medical treatments are required. If your dog has the lesion, trimming their hair that�s surrounding the infected patch is needed, but you mustn�t come into contact with the lesion or it will spread. Apply a topical anti fungal cream after trimming the hair away. Such anti fungal treatments like miconazole and lotrimin treatments are applied for this purpose, or you get the option to apply natural, drug free alternatives. You mustn�t allow your gog to lick the patch where you apply the cream. A dog funnel collar may be required to stop the dog from reaching the area.

If the cream doesn�t cure the infection on its own, anti fungal shampoos and anti fungal dips will benefit your dog, and help the infected area to heal quicker. A few other anti fungal active ingredients are itraconazole and griseofulvin, which work well on a dog.

Keeping your dog in excellent health and guarded from fungal, viral and bacterial infections is your responsibility. The most important need of the dog is regular vaccines and proper care. Your dog needs vaccines against provirus, distemper and rabies. Your pet also needs to be checked yearly for heartworm which can cause death to the dog if not correctly prevented. Remember that rabies vaccinations are administered every two years and distemper vaccinations are received yearly.

Many ailments result in health issues, and in a variety of dogs, the breed is prone to more health issues than others. Joint and heart problems account for a couple of these more extreme health issues. When looking to purchase a dog, you want to be wise to some of the health issues that can emerge in a dog�s life. Apart from the everyday parasites and injuries from playing rough, some dogs are prone to ear infections, eye infections and mange.

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How To Find And Choose The Right Hypoallergenic Dog For You

By: Gregg Hall

If you are looking to get a dog that is less likely to cause allergies look for the hypoallergenic dogs. These dogs since they tend to be smaller, will need more attention then other dogs. These dogs won't cause you to have allergies as bad as the other dogs you may have because they do onot shed and don't have undercoats. These dogs are dogs are very well liked by those that commonly suffer from allergies and are hypoallergenic: Irish Water Spaniel, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and Bedlington Terrier.

If you are one of those looking for a larger breed of hypoallergenic dogs the water spaniel will do. This breed has short hair and doesn't shed hair so they should be ok. If you were to get one of these dogs you would have to keep up with its coat and brush it every once and a while.

There are four main types of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, the Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American. The difference in each of these dogs is their sizes range. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has a short coat that does not shed much during the day. These dogs as well as any other dogs will need to be brushed to prevent rashes and such. This breed is a very good dog and they will be nice to anyone. They love to run outside and be around people inside the house as well. These dogs are not the best if you live in a condo or apartment, so you may need to move because they will love it if you get a house with a big backyard. This is the breed of dog if you are looking at these types of dogs.

For a smaller breed you may want to consider the Bedlington Terriers which are more diminutive than the Irish Water Spaniel and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier; they have shorter coats so they will need a good brushing every week to maintain a healthy coat. To insure a healthy coat you will need to either be able to groom your dog or take them and have them groomed.

These types are not the only hypoallergenic breeds that you can choose from there are many other breeds that will not aggravate your allergies at all. If you live in a small condo than you might just be considering to get a smaller dog. On the other hand if you are looking to buy a home then you can get one of these larger breeds of dogs. These dogs will need to be brushed to maintain their healthy coat because unlike other dogs they don't shed their coats. So if you get one be sure to take good care of it and feed it the right mixture of foods and be sure to exercise them too.

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What to Feed a Sick Dog

Everyone gets sick at one time or another and having someone to look after you, look after you, and guide you in the correct direction in this time of need can make all the difference in getting you back to your normal health and strength. Dogs are no exception to this rule and looking after and caring for your dog can make all the difference to their recovery.

But what happens if your dog has lost their appetite and you know they need some sort of food inside them before they run into more illness? Well this is a very common situation to be in with an ill dog so there are a few ideas that you might want to try and they might shorten your dogs suffering and help keep it bearable for the time being.

Give your dog bland food (food with little or no strong flavours, smells, and tastes) to start with, bland food will help them keep their food down with not too much in it to upset the stomach and cause more illness. Anything that makes it easier for your dog to eat without too much strain is best; if they have to put a lot of effort into eating when ill they will probably not bother in fear of causing more illness and sick feeling, try blending food up finely so they can lick it up instead of chewing and swallowing, as this often works well for a lot of pets.

If this works then you should build the tastes up slowly from bland food to normal stronger tasting foods but always keeping to what your dog is comfortable with, if you do too much too soon then your dog will become ill again so take it slowly.

If this doesn't work then try to feed them sufficient amounts of water if nothing else. When a dog is unwell they may have other symptoms like diarrhea which will cause them to become dehydrated easily and set them up for more misery so try to maintain good hydration levels, which in turn will maintain your dog's happiness.

If all else fails and nothing seems to be working then you should contact your vet and seek advice there, if you do not then you risk your dogs health and bodyweight deteriorating and there may be other difficulties to overcome before your dog will start to become better.

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Dog Health -- Arthritis In Dogs

Our pets experience many of the same maladies as we do. One of the more prevalent physical ailments in dogs is arthritis. Dogs will experience joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue; these symptoms are also found in humans who have arthritis. Here is some information on arthritis in dogs.

Symptoms

Dogs will develop the symptoms of arthritis as they age. The most prominent symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. The dog will have difficulty getting up from a lying position or walking for long distances. The dog may limp or hesitate to climb stairs. The joints may be deteriorating with age, or they may be inflamed. The symptoms of arthritis can be alleviated with medication, exercise, and diet.

Medication

Prescription medication can alleviate arthritis in dogs faster than exercise and diet. Veterinarians can prescribe medications that alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Some of the drugs currently being prescribed are Deramaxx, Metacam, Rimadyl, and Zubrin. These medications are available only through a veterinarian’s prescription, and they have been proven to be safe for long-term use. Medication will not provide a complete cure for a dog’s arthritis; however, it will improve the quality of the dog’s life, replace pain with comfort, and result in a happier, more content animal.

Exercise

When dogs experience arthritis, exercise is recommended to keep the animals’ joints limber and flexible. In addition, exercise provides weight control for older dogs, as they tend to acquire weight with age. Veterinarians recommend that owners who have dogs with arthritis give them light, limited exercise. The animal can withstand brief walks lasting about 15 to 20 minutes on flat surfaces. Walks can occur every two or three days. Energetic, strenuous activity should be avoided, and, if possible, dogs with arthritis should be walked on soft surfaces, such as grass or wet sand.

Diet

Diet is important for animals, regardless of their health. Dogs that experience arthritis should not be overweight because excess pounds can aggravate arthritic symptoms. In addition, a healthy diet can help sustain dental health. Two of the most popular and effective products are Iam’s Weight Control and Science Diet Oral Care. Iam’s products are sold in grocery stores, pet stores, and veterinarian’s offices. Science Diet products are sole in pet stores. In addition, Purina makes a dog food called JM Joint Mobility; this product is produced for dogs with arthritis, and it contains supplements that promote joint health.

An owner of a dog with arthritis can take a proactive approach to helping his or her pet. The owner can provide a comfortable, easily accessible place to sleep. Information on pet beds can be obtained from pet stores and on the internet. If the dog is living in an area with a cold winter climate, a heating source such as a space heater can help alleviate arthritic symptoms. Some dogs like to sleep under blankets, and they will make use of an old bedspread or comforter. Wearing a coat in inclement weather (cold, rain, or snow) will help alleviate the dog’s joint pain.

When an owner suspects that a dog is developing arthritis, it is recommended that they make an appointment with a veterinarian for a diagnostic checkup, medication, and home-care recommendations. A prompt appointment will prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort. Also, it will maintain and prolong the dog’s quality of life.
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dog health tip : What to Feed a Sick Dog

Everyone gets sick at one time or another and having someone to look after you, look after you, and guide you in the correct direction in this time of need can make all the difference in getting you back to your normal health and strength. Dogs are no exception to this rule and looking after and caring for your dog can make all the difference to their recovery.

But what happens if your dog has lost their appetite and you know they need some sort of food inside them before they run into more illness? Well this is a very common situation to be in with an ill dog so there are a few ideas that you might want to try and they might shorten your dogs suffering and help keep it bearable for the time being.

Give your dog bland food (food with little or no strong flavours, smells, and tastes) to start with, bland food will help them keep their food down with not too much in it to upset the stomach and cause more illness. Anything that makes it easier for your dog to eat without too much strain is best; if they have to put a lot of effort into eating when ill they will probably not bother in fear of causing more illness and sick feeling, try blending food up finely so they can lick it up instead of chewing and swallowing, as this often works well for a lot of pets.

If this works then you should build the tastes up slowly from bland food to normal stronger tasting foods but always keeping to what your dog is comfortable with, if you do too much too soon then your dog will become ill again so take it slowly.

If this doesn't work then try to feed them sufficient amounts of water if nothing else. When a dog is unwell they may have other symptoms like diarrhea which will cause them to become dehydrated easily and set them up for more misery so try to maintain good hydration levels, which in turn will maintain your dog's happiness.

If all else fails and nothing seems to be working then you should contact your vet and seek advice there, if you do not then you risk your dogs health and bodyweight deteriorating and there may be other difficulties to overcome before your dog will start to become better.

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DOG ACNE : Could your Dog be Suffering from Canine Acne?

Everyone knows of acne as a human condition suffered by unfortunate teenagers during adolescence, but it is in fact quite common in certain breeds of dog too. The most susceptible breeds are young adult boxers, English bulldogs, Doberman pinschers, Great Danes and Rottweilers. The condition starts at puberty around 5 to 8 months of age. Most dogs improve with age and the condition typically resolves after one year of age, though some dogs can develop chronic acne.

Dogs with canine acne develop multiple comedones (blackheads) on their chin, lips, and muzzle. Plugs of debris made of natural substances such as keratin and sebum block the hair follicles, causing focal swellings which can rupture to form scabs.

Dogs with this condition have swellings, scabs and blackheads on their lips, chin and muzzle. These usually do not bother the dog unless a secondary bacterial skin infection develops. This can cause pain and itching, leading the dog to scratch at his/her face or rub it along the carpet.

Diagnosis is usually straight forward: the characteristic appearance described above, in one of the known susceptible breeds is usually sufficient. Your vet may decide to take a skin biopsy for confirmation, which can be done under sedation, local or general anaesthetic and then sent off to a histopathologist for analysis.

Treatment

Canine acne cannot really be cured, but can be controlled. Mild cases are usually not treated. The first step is always to rule out other conditions such as demodecosis (a mite infestation), ringworm and puppy strangles. The latter also causes anorexia and depression so if your dog is bright with a good appetite, it is unlikely to be this. Also important is to uncover any predisposing factors such as underlying allergies. Some of the breeds mentioned above, such as Boxers, are particularly susceptible to food allergy. Regular cleaning with anti-acne products (eg benzoyl peroxide) or mild anti-seborrheic shampoos will be required to decrease the bacterial load of the skin and remove cellular debris which could contribute to blocking the pores.

If pustules have ruptured and a secondary bacterial infection develops, your dog will need to take antibiotics for 3 or 4 weeks. Most broad spectrum antibiotics are effective, but to avoid any resistance problems a bacteriology swab is advisable so that a suitable antibiotic can be chosen with certain efficacy against the bacterium in question.

If a dog is scratching at his/her face a lot, an anti-inflammatory drug such as a one off steroid injection is probably indicated to alleviate the discomfort.

Refractory and recurrent cases can sometimes respond to retinoid therapy, similar to the human drug Roaccutane, which essentially stops the sebaceous glands in the skin from producing sebum. This however requires a veterinary specialists consent.

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Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the experts at www.WhyDoesMyPet.com - Expert Answers for all your Pet Questions Visit them today, you will be impressed by the quality of their pet experts and the speed with which your question is answered!

Advanced dog training exercises

Tony Robinson

Coming when called is a vital skill that every dog must learn, both for its own safety and that of those around it. A disobedient dog that refuses to come when called could easily be hit by a car, get into a fight with another dog, or suffer a variety of other bad experiences. A well trained dog that comes when called can safely be taken out to play in the local park, at the beach, on the hiking trail, or anywhere else the owner and dog may wish to go.

Basic training to come when called is relatively easy and straightforward, and involves providing praise, treats and other perks when the dog does as his owner wants. After these basic come when called training exercises are mastered, there are a number of fun exercises that can be introduced to challenge the dog and pique its interest.

Making training into a fun game is one of the best ways to motivate dog and handler alike. It is easy for training sessions to become routine and boring, and it is important to keep them from degenerating into this state.

Before beginning any food based training exercise, it is important to make sure that the dog is properly motivated and ready to respond to treat based training. Testing the dog is simply a matter of taking a piece of his regular food and waving it in front of the dog's nose. If the dog shows great enthusiasm for the food, it is ready to start the training. If not, it is best to wait until the dog is in a more receptive mood.

The treats that work best for treat based training games like hide and seek are cut up quarter inch or smaller pieces of chicken, cheese or liver. In other words, something your dog will love. It is best to use very small pieces to avoid overfeeding the dog during he training sessions.

One great game for you and another family member or friend to play with your dog is simply back and forth recall. This is a great exercise for teaching your dog to come whenever it is called by a member of the family. Dogs often learn to only respond to one person, and this can be a problem when other people are watching the dog. That is one reason why professional dog trainers always insist on working with the owner as well as the dog. A well trained dog must learn to respond to whoever is in charge, not just the owner or usual handler.

In the back and forth recall game, two or more people stand approximately ten yards apart, in a safe place like a fenced in yard. One person calls the dog and asks him to sit and say until another person asks the dog to come. When the dog responds to the command to come, it is rewarded with a treat. Most dogs respond wonderfully to this exercise and love playing this game. When playing the back and forth recall game, it is important that only the person who called the dog be allowed to give the dog a treat.

After the dog has mastered the back and forth recall game, the humans in the game can start to spread further out, thus turning the back and forth recall game into a fun game of hide and seek. The hide and seek game starts with two or more people in the center room of the house. Every time they call the dog to come, they spread out further away from where they started. As the game continues, one person will be at one end of the house, while another may be at the opposite end. What makes the hide and seek game so much fun for the dog is that he must seek out the person to get the treat, instead of simply running up to a person in plain sight. This type of seeking behavior appeals to many of the dog's natural instincts. After all, dogs are naturally hunting animals, and seeking out food is second nature to them.

About the author:

Tony Robinson is an international author and dog lover. His website http://www.dogtraining4u.com contains valuable insights into the life of our canine friends.