Dog Health Care Information

Parvovirus and Your Dog

2005-10-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Parvovirus (commonly called Parvo) is a viral disease that affects dogs. It is far more common in puppies than adult dogs and can have serious ramifications for the infected animal, including death. Parvo grows best in the rapidly dividing cells of the dog’s intestines. As the virus attacks and kills these cells it causes massive diarrhea and halts or slows the creation of white blood cells. In young puppies it can often directly infect the heart, leading to death.

The symptoms of Parvo start with fever, depression, and lethargy. The dog will usually experience a loss of appetite as well and then eventually show more sever signs like vomiting and diarrhea which is often bloody. Once the virus reaches this stage dehydration and death usually follow.

Parvo is carried and transmitted by dogs. The vomit and feces of an infected animal will also carry the virus which is rather resilient and can survive outside the dog’s body in the surrounding environment for as long as nine months. Sometimes an adult dog can be infected by the virus and show no symptoms but act as a carrier transmitting the virus to the other animals it comes into contact with.

There is no cure for Parvo. Dogs that are infected will die of dehydration without treatment. That treatment primarily consists of providing fluids, giving repeated blood transfusions, and preventing dehydration. The mortality rate in dogs affected by Parvo is about 20% if the dog receives treatment in time. Without treatment, about 80% of those infected will die from it. It is a very serious disease.

Parvo tends to affect some dog breeds more than others. Dobermans, Rottweilers, and other black and tan dogs have a greater chance of contracting the virus. The reason for this is unknown but the fact that these dogs are at higher risk does not mean that owners of other types of dogs can rest easily. Dogs of any breed can become infected.

While there is no cure for Parvo, puppies can (and should) be vaccinated against it at an early age. Most vets recommend puppies be immunized starting at six weeks of age with vaccinations continuing until twenty weeks of age. Proper immunization is the best way to prevent a dog from contracting Parvo.

Doggie Hygiene

2005-09-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

A lot of people neglect cleaning their furbabies totally. Others go overboard. This post will set it straight. In order to maintain optimal health for your dog, you need to maintain their hygiene.

Dog Washing

Washing your dog is important, but not as important as some people think. Healthy dogs actually don’t need to be washed all that often, but humans prefer to bathe them so that they have a more pleasing smell and appearance.

Doggie bath day is good quality time spent with the dog, however. Although most of them don’t like to be washed, they will appreciate the contact and attention that they receive from their owners during a bath. It's also a good time to perform some other necessary “dog maintenance” such as cleaning the ears, checking for ticks and fleas, and brushing the teeth. Since many dogs do not like to sit still for any of these activities, it can be a good idea to do them all at once.

Brushing Dog's Teeth

Brushing your dog's teeth is just good dental hygiene. Most vets recommend that it be done at least twice a week to ensure your dog maintains healthy teeth and gums. If you’ve not been doing this (and, unfortunately, many people don’t) it’s never too late to start. The dog should have its own toothbrush and special toothpaste designed for dogs. Make sure you brush the back teeth in small circles, the same way you would your own, and brush up and down the length of the “pointy” canine teeth. Dog toothpaste is made to have a pleasing taste (for the dog...don’t try it yourself!) and this should make the dog willing to let you perform this activity.

Checking for Ticks & Fleas

Ticks are nasty little arachnids (they’re eight-legged creatures like spiders, and therefore are not insects) that will latch onto your dog’s skin and make its blood their meal ticket. They are most common in wooded areas, but your dog should be checked for them regularly because they can carry a number of diseases. The best place to look for these bugs is under the collar or on the dog’s underbelly, buried in the fur. If found they can be removed with tweezers.

Fleas can be found in the same places, under the fur. The presence of fleas can be betrayed by the sight of their droppings on the dog’s coat. They look like flecks of pepper. The fleas themselves look like bits of brown rice. They’re about an eighth of an inch long. They can’t simply be picked off of the dog like ticks can, but finding them will let you know its time to start the dog on a program to control and eliminate the insects.

Cleaning the Ears

Pet supply stores sell special solutions for cleansing a dog’s ears. Dogs can easily get ear mites, small insects which live in the ears and feed of the waxy secretions there. Over time the bodies of these short-lived creatures build up and form a black, dirty substance. Using a cotton swab dipped in a bit of this solution, gently clean the inner ear. It may be difficult to hold the dog still for this procedure, but it doesn’t take long. And the result will be clean ears and the avoidance of potential infection and earaches in the dog.

Dog CPR

2005-09-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has been to a CPR class is familiar with the basics of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. First you’ll check to be sure the patient has a clear airway, then check to see if the patient is breathing, check whether the patient has a heartbeat and, if the patient awakens during the process, be careful that you don’t get bitten by the patient.

The American Red Cross has been instructing people in CPR for dogs for quite some time now and has classes that include all manner of first aid, including mouth-to-snout resuscitation. (You read that correctly: mouth-to-snout.)

The procedure is similar to traditional mouth-to-mouth resuscitation between humans, the chief difference being that the person performing the CPR procedure will close the dog’s mouth and instead provide breaths into the dog’s nose. The process sounds humorous in theory, but it works. And knowing how to perform mouth-to-snout resuscitation on your pet could literally save their life.

According to a March 2002 story from The Scoop, a website that reports on dogs in the news (you know the theory – “DOG BITES MAN” is not news while “MAN BITES DOG” is), a dog in Walla Walla, Washington that was accidentally choked nearly to death was saved by a quick-acting Good Samaritan who was trained in mouth-to-snout.

After being revived, the dog was treated at the Walla Walla Associated Veterinary Clinic and released.

In addition to the mouth-to-snout procedure, dogs can have emergency chest compressions performed when their hearts stop. Learning and knowing these CPR techniques can save the life of a dog in distress and let them live to chase rabbits or play fetch another day.

The concept of dog CPR is gaining much notoriety and is starting to be taught by organizations all over the country that formerly provided traditional CPR training and certification. If you’re interested in taking these classes yourself, contact your local Red Cross. The life you save may be your dog’s.

Dental Care for Dogs

2005-09-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

Some people don’t realize that dental hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for human beings. Just like in people, dogs’ teeth can gather plaque after eating.

When plaque builds up and hardens it becomes a coarse brown substance called tartar. As tartar accumulates it can work its way under the gums and cause painful bacterial infections and gum disease. This goes on in the mouths of dogs just like it does in people. You brush your teeth every day, probably two or three times. Many dogs never have their teeth brushed.

Teeth Brushing for Doggies

Veterinarians recommend that dog owners brush their dog’s teeth at least twice a week to keep the buildup of tartar at a minimum. Most pet supply stores carry specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste just for dogs. Remember that a dog’s sense of taste and smell is far more acute than that of a human and the zesty, tingly, mint taste of toothpastes for people will be extremely awful to a dog.

Try brushing Rover’s teeth with Crest just once and it will likely be the last time he lets you anywhere near him with a toothbrush. Use the specially designed doggie toothpaste instead.

Dental Chew

Some people don’t have the time or patience to brush their dog's teeth on a regular basis. If you’re one of these, you’ll want to care for Chopper’s choppers in another way. For one thing, a dog’s natural tendency to chew is a built-in dental care mechanism.

Dog biscuits break into small chunks when chewed and rub against the teeth, providing a cleaning service. There’s no substitute for brushing your dog’s teeth, but if you can’t do that, make sure he gets some sort of crunchy dog biscuit on a regular basis.

Mouth Diseases in Dogs

Dogs that do not receive proper dental care and do not have access to crunchy teeth cleaning foods run the risk of several types of mouth disease. These can be as mild as gingivitis (a gum disease that results in swollen, inflamed gums) and as serious as a bacterial infection that can spread through the dog’s bloodstream causing damage to vital organs. You owe it to yourself and your dog to take care of his teeth.

Doggie Dentistry

Dental services are available for dogs, just like they are for people. A dog’s teeth can be filled, capped, and extracted if necessary, just like a human’s.

The best course of action, however, is to avoid the need for such services by properly caring for your dog’s teeth. Plus preventative doggie dental care can save you money. Yuo see, doggie dental procedures can be quite costly. But, most importantly, if you can avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort for your furry friend, you should do so.

Should You Buy Dog Health Insurance?

2005-09-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

By Steve Austin

Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy? Yes, you should. Here's why health insurance for dogs is a good idea:

Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately, veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups, preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of dollars. Why not get some help?

Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts

Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums and deductibles. Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the first policy.

Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual deductible is about $100. You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dog’s age, breed, and pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dog’s lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.

Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts

Dog insurance healthcare plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others only cover unexpected sickness or injuries.

Dog insurance coverage for emergencies begins immediately on most new dog health plans, with a 30-day waiting period for illness and other claims.

Your dog’s age can affect your dog's health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin veterinary healthcare coverage when the dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, although some will start when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8.

Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable, usually for 6 months.

With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog healthcare plans.

In short, if you care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.

If you love dogs and puppies, visit I-Love-Dogs.com now! You can get, free dog email, send a free dog postcard, learn about the different dog breeds and so much more!

Canine Distemper Virus

2005-09-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

The canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a highly contagious disease in dogs known as distemper. Dogs who contract distemper suffer damage to their gastrointestinal, central nervous and respiratory systems. Distemper is incurable and often fatal.

Puppies between the ages of three and six months are most susceptible to the disease, although older dogs and other carnivorous mammals can also contract distemper. At one time, distemper was the leading cause of death among puppies that had not been vaccinated. Since the distemper vaccine was created in the early 60s, incidents of distemper and distemper related deaths have dropped considerably.

CDV is transmitted via airborne viral particles that dogs inhale. Infected dogs also shed the virus through bodily secretions and excretions. In this manner it is easy for an infected dog to cause the infection of another dog.

Distemper causes a multitude of symptoms that include various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms to central nervous system disorders. In fact, dogs that die as a result of distemper actually die from central nervous complications caused by the disease or from secondary bacterial infections.

Diagnosing distemper is difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose as blood tests are not helpful in detecting the presence of CDV. Successful diagnosis often relies on the ruling out of comparative disorders whose symptoms can often suggest the presence of CDV.

Because there is no cure for distemper, treatment for the disease is supportive and a vet will attempt to treat the symptoms as best as possible. A clean, warm, and draft free environment should be created and maintained to ensure the dog is as comfortable as possible. The eyes and nose should be kept free of discharge, and medication to treat diarrhea should be administered. Dogs suffering from distemper must be given plenty of fluids to help reduce fever and prevent dehydration. Other symptoms are treated as they appear if possible.

Like any viral disease, prevention is a much better and more successful option than treatment and the best option is vaccination during the early weeks of life. The distemper vaccination creates a long lasting immunity to the virus, but it is not permanent. Annual inoculations are recommended to maintain the dog’s immunity to distemper. Most puppies are given vaccinations that include distemper vaccine along with vaccines for several other diseases.

World's Ugliest Dog

2005-08-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Whoa! Prepare to be shocked. This is Sam, the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.

I feel sorry for this dog and really admire his owner. She says that Sam is the sweetest dog she has ever known.

She gives him bottled water and feeds him home-cooked meals of buffalo meat and cheeseballs.

Sadly, Sam has eye problems, heart problems, and kidney disease.

Here's the story from yahoo news.

More pics...

Caring for Your Dog's Teeth

2005-08-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

Interesting article I came across today that covers the introductory basics of dog teeth cleaning. Enjoy.

-John "The Dog Dude"

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Caring for Your Dog's Teeth
By Arlene Mason

A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through his mouth, by tasting and chewing on things. But, he also uses his mouth is as his hands. He carries and pulls with it as well as defends himself. Therefore healthy teeth and gums are very important.

A dog’s teeth need the same care as a human’s. Therefore, it’s important that you take care of his teeth as you would your own. The best way to do this, of course, is to brush them, which should be done at least twice a week. There are special tooth brushes designed to fit in a dog’s mouth as well as special chicken flavored tooth paste to make the task easier. But sometimes, brushing your dog’s teeth can be a real hassle. For instance, there are some dogs that will flee at the sight of a toothbrush and it is very had to coax a seventy pound Rottweiler from under the bed.

So, how can you get Bruno the Rottweiler to care for his teeth? Here are several alternatives to toothbrushing.

Dog Food

Dog food is a major cause of tooth decay. Believe it or not, canned dog food, though it tastes real good, is not good for Bruno’s teeth. Therefore, you should not feed it to him all the time; once in awhile, as a treat, or on a special occasion is fine. Instead, Bruno should eat a good quality hard dry dog food. This will keep his teeth and gums exercised, as well as cleaned.

Bones

Of course, Bruno needs more than just dry dog food to keep his teeth white and his gums healthy. Chewing on things, such as sticks, the furniture and golf balls, though it is good exercise for his gums, is not very healthy, especially if he were to swallow the wrong thing. Or, in the case of the furniture, just chewing on it is not a good idea on his part. So, you can provide him with a bone, either rawhide or real, as a diversion. These come in various sizes to fit your dog. Bruno will want a larger one, while a smaller dog would necessarily need a smaller bone. Either way, he can exercise and clean his teeth without fear of choking.

Enzymatic Rawhide Chips

You can try some of the rawhide chips that are infused with enzymes designed to kill your dog’s bad breath as well as remove tartar and plaque. However, the taste leaves something to be desired and Bruno may not like them, thus leaving them untouched. If he does not use them, they won’t work.

Regular Visits to the Veterinarian

Of course, the veterinarian is the best person to keep Bruno’s teeth in perfect health. As much as he will protest, regular visits insure good oral and physical health. Your dog’s veterinarian will provide him the proper care that will keep him healthy and happy for years to come.

Arlene Mason is a freelance writer living outside of Dallas, Texas with her husband and two dogs. She has written and published the following e-books: "Understanding Low-Carb Dieting", "On the Edge" and "Stepping Stones" which are all available at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com

The Real Deal on Pet Insurance

2005-08-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

I came across the following article which gives good advice when it comes to getting health insurance for your dog.

- John "the dog dude"

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What's the Real Deal on Pet Insurance?
By Blake Kritzberg

Even if you haven’t had a run-in involving your pet of late, pet insurance has probably crossed your mind. And if you have, the bill for any non-routine care may have cost you anywhere from a cool couple hundred to nearly a grand.

You might have wondered why people have health insurance and most pets don’t, when the medical costs seem practically the same! And yet, navigating through the underbrush of fine print involved in pet insurance may have put you off. Is it worth the money? What do insurers really cover? And why do some plans cost the moon while others seem much more affordable? We’ll try to clear a path through the paper jungle.

Tip #1: Get Them in Young

Ideally, you’ll want to identify right pet insurance plan for you, and get your pet in young while she’s still quite healthy. The reason is, should your pet develop a long-term health issue such as a thyroid problem, she won’t be eligible for many programs, having a “pre-existing condition.” If you stick with one quality program, though, you’ll probably be fine.

Tip #2: You Get What You Pay For

This may stick in the craw a bit, when you start looking at insurance premiums. Some of them cost an awful lot! Be sure to look ahead too, at estimated increases down the road. The older your pet grows, the more the premiums will cost. They will get quite stiff for an older pet, even a healthy one.

So why should you pay out a mint for plan A, when plan B offers coverage for half the price? The answer is: lack of nasty surprises.

Let’s face it, no one but an insurance adjuster can tell what the fine print means when it comes to covering your pet. But we do know this: on the cheaper plans, unhappy things happen. Let’s give an example – let’s say you have two pugs, both covered by an inexpensive plan. One sadly breaks his leg and needs several surgeries, costing two thousand altogether.

You may think your inexpensive plan – which happily, covers 2K of expenses – will handle it all. But when you submit your claim, you discover that 2K is the maximum coverage for both dogs, and your pug is only eligible for half. Even worse, but very common, is a lower limit per incident. In this case, Low Cost Pet Plan will respond that it only covers $500 for this “incident,” but if your poor pug breaks his leg three more times this year, they’ll be happy to help.

Tip #3: You Get What You Pay For

Yes, we know we said that already – but we didn’t say it enough.

Here’s a horror story that happens often on a low-cost plan: you have an insurer. You pay your premiums. But one day, your aging pet develops diabetes. That year, when it comes time to renew the plan and update the premiums, your insurer sticks in an exclusion. As of that moment, they no longer cover diabetes in your pet. Yes, they can do that – and you’re out in the cold.

No less common -- and no more pleasant -- is the limited payout per condition problem. Your low-cost insurer may cover the first three years of your diabetic pet’s vet bills, but after that, you’ve run through her lifetime allowance for diabetes. Now in her golden years, all her medical costs come straight from your pocket.

What you want is a reputable company that agrees to insure your pet for life, period. No tricks, no last-minute exclusions, no lifetime condition limits. But to have these things, you’ll need to pay for them.

Tip #4: Follow the Wagging Tails

Pet insurance costs too much to be throwing darts in the dark. You need to know which plans will come through for you down the road after you’ve paid their premiums for years. So do your research – look for good word of mouth. You can learn a lot with some smart surfing and Googling.

Although we haven’t used either, we found many satisfied buyers with PetPlan and Marks & Spencer. There are other good plans as well, and plans that are best avoided. The tip we like most is to ask your vet what she uses. Yes! – many vets insure their beloved animals, and are scrupulous in who they choose.

Tip #5: Do You Even Need Insurance?

There’s an argument – and it’s a good one – that pet insurance really serves no purpose. You can see the force of this line of thought when you check out the premiums of quality, reliable plans – they’re high. So why should you pay out all that cash for what *might* happen, instead of stashing it each month in your own high-interest savings account and simply withdrawing what you need?

The answer is simple: discipline. Some people have the discipline to pay their premiums, but not to establish a separate account they won’t touch except for emergency pet expenses. Other than discipline, there’s probably no real reason why you shouldn’t self-insure.

With one exception – liability. Some plans offer extra coverage if your dog injures someone and you get sued. These aren’t the kinds of things you can effectively save up for on your own, so if you think it might be a problem, pet insurance might truly be the route for you.

Tip #6: One More For the Road

Is your pet a prize purebred, with a pedigree reaching back before William of Orange? Expect more vet costs over its lifetime – it’s just a statistical fact. Perhaps this subtle factor will help you decide whether you should self-insure or go for a plan.

Peace of Mind: Priceless

We’re animal lovers. And in the back of our minds lurks the fear that Fido will someday come down with something we can’t afford to treat – simultaneous renal failure and diabetes, for example (to cite a sad chapter from my own pet annals). The peace of mind in knowing you can afford to care for your furry companion, no matter what the future brings, is profound. That’s why insurance was developed, and that’s why pet insurance might be the right choice for you.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.

http://www.poodle-oo.com/

Petting a Dog is Good For Both of You

2005-08-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a person the following benefits:

Lower blood pressure
Lower cholesterol
Lower risk of heart disease
Improvement in chronic illnesses (such as Alzheimer's or AIDS)
Improvement in emotional condition -- easing of stress, sadness, and pain.

A lot of that is common knowledge. Pick up any book on pet ownership and it will tell you these things. But what about the dogs themselves?

Well, a recent study at the University of Missouri showed that after a round of petting, both the human and the dog had a 10% decrease in blood pressure.

For the dog, it didn't end there. Levels of cortisol, the hormone released by the body when it's under stress, decreased.

In another study (cited in the Vet Med Today journal), researchers explored this question directly. They found that when a dog gets frightened, their fear (as measured by their heart rate and blood pressure) would drop dramatically when a person petted them.

So pet your dog as much as possible... everyday... but especially when he or she is under stress (such as during 4th of July fireworks). It's one of the best things you can do for your dog's health.

Watch out though. There are times when petting can be detrimental to your dog. This can be the case when it becomes unpleasant for them, like when you pet them too much.

Look for the following warning signs that the petting has become unpleasant for your dog (and when you see them, stop):

Growling.
Staring at you.
Wiggling away from you.
Starting to pant.
Yawning.
Rolling over.

As long as you don't see any of those warning signs, you and your dog will be okay.

On a daily basis, one of the best things you can do for your dog's health. So to sum up, make daily petting an action plan for you and your dog. Make time to pet your dog multiple times a day. Not only will it deepen the love between the two of you, but it also will ease your (and your dog's) stress and help your circulation.

Dogs Also Suffer From Allergies

2005-08-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

Many people don’t realize that their dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies.

In fact, about 20% of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types include

Atopic dermatitis
Food allergies
Inhalant allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often marked by...

persistent itching and discoloration of the skin (most common in skin allergies)
coughing
sneezing, wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common in inhalant allergies)
nausea
lethargy
vomiting
diarrhea (common to food allergies and other ailments.)

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments.

Consultation with a vet is the best first course of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat the symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may be required.

There is also the chance that the dog does not have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.

If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult your vet. They will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the proper treatment will be.

If the dog has an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to restrict the animal’s diet to eliminate those items that cause a reaction. The vet’s testing methods can help to determine whether this type of allergy exists as well.

If the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves), an extreme flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies can live comfortably with them if they are detected and treated properly. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a time to “play doctor” by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is suffering from allergies and what course of action to take.

Welcome to My New Dog Health Care Blog

2005-08-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

In here I'll be providing the details of dog health from a natural perspective. My other blog is the Natural Dog Food Information Center which focuses on wholesome, natural foods that are healthiest for your dog.

This blog will be packed with advanced information, week after week, about caring for your dog so that he or she lives a long, happy, and healthy live. So stay tuned.

Enjoy!