Health

Cerebral hemorrhage

Rare Diseases That Strike The Aging Dog

Fortunately, the aging dog has relatively few disorders of the brain and spinal cord associated with the process of growing old. Arteriosclerosis, that bane of human aging and a primary cause of senility, is quite rare in dogs. Hence it is unusual indeed to meet a truly senile dog.

Cerebral hemorrhage, also called apoplexy or stroke, is likewise a very infrequent occurrence in the canine. Rabies is caused by a virus which is attracted specifically to nerve tissue and is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, there have also been rare reports in recent years of airborne transmission.

It has been traditionally believed for centuries that once symptoms of rabies develop, death is inescapable, and because of the hazard to other animals and people, such dogs are euthanized if they have not yet bitten anyone.

Recent reports of two human rabies cases which were treated successfully and survived the development of rabid symptoms, if confirmed, may possibly alter the present grim outlook for rabid dogs. With the extremely effective and safe vaccines available today to protect your aging dog, however, there is no excuse for you to ever have to worry about this disease.

Cerebral hemorrhage

Sensitive Dog Skin

Your dog’s skin is one of his most sensitive and easily damaged organs. If he develops a skin problem such as an allergy or a negative reaction to grooming products, his skin can initiate a cycle of other conditions that can be difficult to cure. Some breeds in particular have very sensitive skin that would require special care and handling. For example, if your dog has a white or light-colored coat and pink skin, he may be more sensitive to just about everything, from dry air and sun, to irritation from grooming products. In addition, dogs with short coats are more likely to have reactions to certain products. Other examples of skin disorders that can result from improper grooming are as follows:

Hot Spots: Hot spots are moist, hot wound-like areas that develop rapidly and can be very painful. This type of skin problem may be caused by a variety of triggers such as fleas, allergies, irritants, infections, or lack of proper grooming. Hot spots build up and grow because the dog compulsively licks and scratches at the itchy, painful spots, making it increasingly worse until it becomes infected. Vets have to treat hot spots by clipping hair away to disinfect and treat the area. The dog will probably be treated for itching and may have to wear an “Elizabethan collar” in order to prevent the hot spots from becoming irritated while it heals.

Product Reactions: Some breeds are sensitive to certain products like shampoos, conditioners, coat sprays, or flea or tick control. If your dog has an inexplicable skin reaction, check if you have recently changed grooming products or food. If your dog has sensitive skin, you may want to try mild, hypoallergenic, and/or natural products containing skin-soothing ingredients. If you are not sure of which product to get, ask a vet for recommendation.

Skin Diseases: Dogs can develop many different skin diseases, some inherited, some caused by environmental factors. Your vet should always address skin diseases in your dog and can advise you how to properly groom them. Whether relatively minor but inconvenient, such as greasy, scaly skin resulting from overactive sebaceous glands (called oily seborrhea), something cosmetic, like a disease that causes hair loss (like color mutant alopecia), or something potentially life-threatening, like skin cancer, skin disease in dogs must be treated immediately.

Skin Infections: Skin infections can be caused by bacteria introduced into a wound, either by unsanitary conditions, or by poor grooming. From impetigo, which is common in puppies, skin-fold pyoderma which is common in loose-skinned breeds like Chinese Sharpei, to abscesses of uncertain origin, skin infections should be treated with antibiotics, which your vet can prescribe. Never groom over an infected area. Hair should be cut or carefully clipped from the area in order for the infection can heal.

Sensitive Dog Skin

Dog Teeth

A pretty smile may not be on your dog’s priority list, but having sound teeth to chew his food certainly is. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s teeth as part of his annual checkup, but don’t wait until a yearly exam to help prevent your dog from developing dental disease. Tartar and plaque can form on your dog’s teeth as they can on your own, and tooth loss and gum disease can just as easily develop.

Some dental problems may be a result of genetic manipulation and breeding. Some miniature dogs, for example, may have tooth problems from birth due to having the same number of teeth as a large dog being crammed into their smaller jaws. Other dogs develop dental problems as they age. Whatever the cause, help your dog in the dental department by cleaning his teeth twice weekly and following some of these suggestions.

1. Accustom your dog to having his teeth cleaned early in life. Make the session a game and reward your dog with a tartar-control treat.

2. Two types of teeth-cleaning products exist that fit over the pet owner’s fingertips. One is a rubber device a little larger than a thimble with tiny rubber spikes on it. The other has an actual brush on it so that you can brush your dog’s teeth, using only tooth- paste that is intended for dogs. The brush can be sterilized in a microwave oven after each use.

3. If you prefer to use an actual brush, use a soft toothbrush meant for a baby.

4. If your dog has a very small mouth, use a human eyebrow brush.

5. Try a little baking soda instead of pet toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth. Caution: Human toothpaste is intended to be spit out and will make your dog sick if he swallows it.

6. An alternative way to clean your dog’s teeth is to rub them several times a week with a dampened terrycloth washcloth. To make it more enjoyable for your dog, rub a little garlic on the cloth.

7. If your dog runs in the other direction when he sees you whip out the toothbrush and paste, offer him treats or food products that are designed to remove plaque and prevent the buildup of tartar. Give him some hard, dry, crunchy food as a part of his normal diet to help clean plaque deposits. Manufacturers have developed foods and treats to reduce the amount of tartar and plaque. Most are available in grocery stores and supermarkets.

8. Discuss with your veterinarian having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally. Teeth cleaning requires that your dog be anesthetized.

9. If your dog has bad breath, it could signal the sign of disease. Have your dog checked by a veterinarian. To help reduce bad doggie breath, purchase products intended to make your dog’s breath smell better. They are available at pet stores.

10. As an alternative way to improve your dog’s breath, mix three parts water to one part non mint liquid chlorophyl (available in health food stores) in a medicine bottle. Liquid chlorophyl is a natural deodorant. Give your dog one dropper full daily to fight bad breath from the inside.

Dog Teeth

Dog Ticks

Ticks are flat insects that are more or less the size of a small kernel of corn. Although they are small at first, ticks actually expand to many times their normal size right after a good meal. Dog ticks can live from anywhere between ten and twenty three weeks, depending on their ability to find a victim on which they would prey on.

Ticks usually attach themselves around the areas of the head, chest, belly, and front legs. The female tick needs to suck on blood not only for feeding but also for mating. Once the female tick finds a host, it fastens its legs to a hair shaft and then buries its mouths through the skin.

When the female tick is firmly locked with the host, it is then ready to feed and to mate with a male tick. A female tick significantly swells up after feeding, about fifty times more than its regular size.

After the female tick has mated, it will begin laying eggs. Female ticks lay an enormous number of eggs, usually up to 5,000 of them. These massive numbers of eggs are able to incubate in cracks and crevices all around the house. With enough warm climates, ticks can breed at any time, all year round.

Ticks are very dangerous parasites. They pose a threat not only to dogs and other animals but also to people that they come in contact with. They are responsible for transmitting certain types of illness to humans such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, encephalitis, and tularemia.

In addition to causing skin irritation and itching, ticks can do severe damage to a dog. There are certain types of dog ticks that emit a poisonous substance that can actually paralyze their hosts. Among these types are the scrub ticks and the bush ticks.

Once the tick problem becomes more than just a skin irritation and turns into Lyme disease, symptoms of this illness include fever, listlessness, and sudden start of lameness along with pain, warmth and swelling in one or more joints. Also, a circular area or skin inflammation around the tick bite may be visible, although it may be hard to detect because of the dog’s coat.

To prevent tick exposure, use a flea and tick spray that is recommended by your vet before taking your dog into an area containing thick vegetation. Also keep your grass and plants well trimmed. This decreases the amount of ticks you and your dog may run into.

Dog Ticks

Ear Mites Cure

Have you noticed that your dog has been scratching his ears a lot lately? When you took a closer look at his ear to find out what is causing him to develop this new habit, you noticed that his ear has a dark discoloration? You probably also noticed a foul smelling discharge emanating from the stained ear. Your dog just might have ear mites.

What exactly are ear mites and how do you get rid of them? Will ear mites affect your dog’s hearing ability? If you have other dogs in the house, should you be worried that they might also catch ear mites? Today’s article will answer these questions for you.

Ear mites are speck like parasites that feed on skin particles inside your dog’s ear. They have tentacles that irritate the ear canal, making your dog vulnerable to bacterial or fungi infection.

Ear mites are very contagious. They have the tendency to frequently wander away from the dog’s ear and into the dog’s coat until eventually landing into another dog’s ears. And because they can easily shift their way from one dog to another, they are easily transferred from mother to her puppies. This makes ear mites the most common offender of ear infection in puppies and young dogs.

Symptoms of ear mites include excessive scratching of the ear, head shaking, constant rubbing of the ear against the wall or any objects, and a waxy, dark-colored discharge. The ear may also look dark and crusty and usually emits a foul smelling odor.

If you think that your dog has a problem with ear mites, take him to the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment is crucial to prevent a more serious ear infection. Once your vet determines the presence of ear mites, treatment includes washing out the debris with an insecticidal preparation that will kill the mites. Your vet will also instruct you to continue on with the treatment at home on a daily basis. This daily treatment of ear mites usually goes on for about three full weeks.

In addition to prescribing medication for ear mites, your vet may also direct you to get a flea powder and sprinkle it on the dog’s skin. This process will kill leftover mites that were able to travel away from your dog’s ear. Your vet may also suggest that you treat other dogs and cats in your home that may have become infected through direct contact. Make sure to carry on with the entire time of treatment. Since mites lay their eggs in the ears, a new crop will again infect your dog if you stop the treatment too soon.

Ear Mites

Dog Fleas Natural Remedy

How can I stop dog fleas from attacking my dog? Is there a natural solution to ward off dog fleas? Are there any ways to prevent dog flea before it starts to spread and become a serious problem?

Dog fleas have been around since the earliest times, welcoming your dog during spring and summer seasons. There are number of ways you can cure your dog of dog fleas. You can either use an insecticide dip, a dog flea spray, an anti-flea drug, a dog flea collar, or a dog flea shampoo.

When using any kind of dog flea treatment, you have to check your dog’s skin for any sign of allergic or sensitive reaction. Also, talk to your vet before starting any kind of dog flea treatment to puppies and older dogs.

Puppies should never wear dog flea collars nor should they be powdered until they are at least eight weeks old. In addition, dog flea treatment for older dogs may be more challenging because certain changes associated with aging make them bad candidates to certain dog flea chemicals. Older dogs are also prone to dog flea allergy dermatitis.

There have been many different methods people have used over the years to fight off dog fleas. Many people believe that it is possible that one teaspoon of brewer’s yeast may keep dog fleas away when mixed into the dog’s regular meal. And because brewer’s yeast is rich in various B vitamins, it is also beneficial for your dog regardless of its effect on dog fleas.

You can also ask your vet about dog flea products that can kill a dog flea right after biting your dog, thereby minimizing the rate of infestation around your house. It is also important to check your dog for infestation every day, especially during dog flea season. When checking your dog for dog fleas, give special attention to his neck, his belly, his inner thighs, and his legs.

There is one method of getting rid of dog fleas that does not involve the use of any chemical. To begin with the treatment, wash your dog in warm water (making sure that it is not hot), scrubbing him down with soap at the same time. Next, have him sit in the water for about fifteen minutes.

Make sure that you keep him relaxed and busy, otherwise, it will be hard for him to stay put. This process should get rid of all the dog fleas that have thus far been underwater. For your last step, wash other body parts of your dog that have not been submerged using a cooled mixture of one teaspoon of dried rosemary boiled in water. This dog flea treatment is very effective and also gives off a very pleasant smell to your dog.

Dog Fleas

Keep Your Pit Bull Safe in the Car

Most dogs, including your Pit Bull, get a thrill of being inside the car and going for a ride. They love the feel of the wind against their face and the excitement of the cars passing by as they hang their heads out of the window to enjoy the view.

But while riding in a car is pure bliss for your Pit Bull, accidents can and do happen. You have a responsibility as their owners to take precautions to ensure their safety and comfort while inside the car.

Also, having your Pit Bull ride in the back of a pick-up truck is very irresponsible. No matter how well balanced your dog may appear to be, she cannot stay in the pick-up bed if you happen to slam on your brakes, suddenly swerve into another direction, or get into an accident. He will surely be thrown from the truck and is very likely to be killed.

Tying your dog in place by his collar is also an unsafe move – it is just a way for him to get a broken neck. A doggy seatbelt is a very good investment that you can provide for your dog. It is widely available online and in pet stores.

Lastly, a sturdy cage is also effective in keeping your Pit Bull safe inside the car. Make sure that it is securely fastened to the car for both his and your safety.

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Full Veterinarian Examination

Your dog can’t tell you when he is sick or let you know that something is hurting. So it’s up to you to be able to tell when you dog is in need of medical attention.

Before going to the vet gather a list of symptoms or signs that something unusual is going on with your dog. Your vet will do the best he can to figure out the problem but any information you can provide is crucial.

It’s always good to go for a full veterinarian examination regardless of whether your dog is sick or not.

Below are the areas your vet will will look into during the full examination:

1. Eyes – Many dogs will inherit eye diseases. Sudden changes in the eyes of your dog may indicate a more complicated disease elsewhere in his body. A thorough eye examination will help give the vet clues about where else he may need to look for problems.

2. Skin & Coat – By checking the coat and the skin of your dog, the vet can determine the possibility of other issues. For example, if the coat is dull in color, then this may be an indication of parasites or a minor infection that may exist anywhere else in the body.

3. Nose – Dogs typically have cold and wet noses. Your vet will be looking for any discharge and/or physical changes in the appearance of the nose. However, the vet will not be too concerned if your dog’s nose is hot or dry.

4. Genitals – If your dog is female, then the vet will check the vulva for discharge or inflammation. Either of these two could represent a disorder of the urinary system or the reproductive system. Likewise, a male dog’s testicles and penis are examined for possible inflammation and swelling.

5. Mouth – The mouth area is checked for gum inflammation and tooth decay. Examining the dog’s mouth will also give the vet a chance to check his blood pressure. This is done by pressing his finger up against the gums. If your dog has pale gums, then it could be anemia. If there is a yellowish color on your then this is possibly a liver problem.

6. Nails – The vet will take a look at your dog’s nails and also the nail bed for damage, if he shows signs of licking or lameness. Some dogs have uneven wear and tear on their nails which means that the dog has been favoring one leg and may have an injury. If the vet finds that the nails are flaky, then further steps can be taken for a possible metabolic disorder.

Veterinarian Examination

Pet Plastic Surgery

How far will you go to enhance your pets looks?

Well apparently for some surgery is not out of the question.

A Brazilian vet Mr.Brito says he has performed hundreds of operations on pets to enhance their looks.

He says it is just as important to have healthy pet as it is to have one that is ascetically pleasing. He claims that if the owner thinks the pet is attractive the relationship between the owner and the pet will be better.

To each his own but I don’t think I will be having the wrinkles taken out of my Bulldogs face anytime soon!

If you want to read the full article you can check it out here