Dog Infections 101 Secret

A dog might suffer a number of diseases during its lifetime. Being attentive of these illnesses and the correct method to care for them can assist you greatly in caring for your dog better. Dogs should be vaccinated and given booster at least once every 6 months to keep them safe.

Your dog can be vaccinated against hepatitis, distemper, rabies, corona, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. He could suffer at some point from domestic or outdoor parasites and there are many different types of infections which a dog owner should know about.

You might consider getting Pet Insurance if you have one or more pets. A small occasional investment and decent care for your pet usually cost much less than risking an infection and having to fork out hundreds of dollars to treat them later.

The Parvo strain of virus is the most common and deadliest dog infection. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and eventually death.

Distemper is another viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharges.

Canine hepatitis also causes comparable symptoms which should be treated with IV fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional support(consult your vet first).

Rabies is often spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave oddly. A dog can be vaccinated against Rabies from 4 months of age. There is no cure, vaccination is vital.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial virus infection which attacks the dog’s kidneys and liver. Consuming contaminated liquids or infected urine from another dog can cause Leptospirosis. Fever, yellow gums, depression and blood in the dog’s urine might mean leptospirosis.

Kennel cough, or Bordatella, is a respiratory tract disease. Kennel cough symptoms often include a loud and coarse cough nasal and eye discharges. The treatment is usually anti-inflammatory medication, cough suppressants and antibiotics.

The dog infection Coronavirus or Corona for short is one of the more contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning symptoms and should be looked into. Antibiotics and IV fluids are used in the treatment of Corona.

Another highly common dog infection is the infection to it’s ears. Symptoms include pawing at the ears and shaking of the head constantly. You should examine your dog’s ears every month and take him to your local vet for treatment if you spot any signs, as soon as possible. Even common ear infections like blood clots may cause deafness and even lead to extreme blindness if not treated properly.

A few more obvious indications of a dog infection are heat, swelling and sluggishness. Appearing to be in hurt or pain, fretfulness or listlessness are also some more obvious indications.

If the infection is intense, then the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around the neck, armpits or groin area. If you are unable to get to a vet straight away, you should keep the dog lying down to avoid any physical exertion that might lead to the infection spreading more quickly.

Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek your vet’s advice.

Infections can be dangerous anywhere in a dog’s body but especially if they are around the body’s ‘wet’ regions like the nose or mouth as they could spread quicker to the blood stream and eventually to the vital organs. The key thing is to get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough. Also be sure to follow up with a yearly injected or oral course booster.

Remember, your dog is part of the family and if you find your dog acting a little unusual or a bit ill, call the vet to schedule an appointment immediately. A dog’s body doesn’t work like a human body, dog infections can become severe very quickly and it won’t be a good idea to wait and see if the infection or illness heals itself.

Food Toxics to Dogs

Some human foods that should not be consumed by dogs include:

Intoxicating Beverages, Such as Beer, Wine, Spirits:

Consumption of these beverages may lead to coma or possibly death. Symptoms of alcoholic beverage overdose may include, excitement, depression, sadness, stumbling, cardiac arrest, and death.

Chocolate, Tea, Coffee, Coffee Beans:

Their content of caffeine, theophylline, or theobromine affects the nervous system and the heart. Chocolate overdose symptoms may include, excessive panting, hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and death.

Grapes, Raisins:

Kidney failure may be caused by an unknown toxin which is present in grapes in raisins. Syptoms of poisening from grapes or raisins may include abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and a halt in the production of urine. Ingestion by your pet may be fatal and even cause death.

Macadamia Nuts:

An unknown toxin present in macadamia nuts may experience undesired affects of the nervous and digestive systems. They may also have negative affects on muscles. Symptoms may include muscle tremors, stiffness, weakness, sadness, gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and lethargy.

Garlic, Onions:

Onions and Garlic contain contain substances which damage red blood cells. Symptoms include, anemia, lethargy, weakness, discolored urine, diarrhea, and vomiting. Processed, fresh, cooked, and powdered forms should be avoided.

Mushrooms:

Different mushrooms contain different toxins which affect several body systems. Symptoms may include, abdominal pain, shock, kidney failure, liver failure, hallucinations, diarrhea, vomiting, coma, and even death.

Prevention is the key, keeping these foods away from your pet to avoid possible toxic poisoning and overdose. If your dog is suspected of eating any of these foods get them to a veterinarian immediately.

Pet Insurance - Pros and Cons

The deep emotional bond we share with our dogs and cats is one of life’s most simple pleasures.

In return for unconditional love, many pet owners do everything they can to ensure our pets have long, productive, and healthy lives.

Veterinary science has kept up with our willingness to provide life long quality healthcare for our special friends. Treatments and diagnostic procedures once unheard of in the veterinary world are now commonplace: MRIs, radiation therapy, and specialized screenings, to name but a few.

Veterinary Care Inflation and the Effect on Your Wallet

Much like the human health care sector, medical care breakthroughs result in higher costs for vets and pet owners alike. Conservatively, veterinary costs have risen over 60% in the past five years, per the American Kennel Club. Conditions that normally went undiagnosed and untreated are now becoming routine.

While veterinary medical advances extend our pet’s quality of life, the financial impact for pet owners cannot be overlooked.

Recently, our neighbor’s German Shephard “Duke” suffered from hip dysplacia. Duke is now happily on the mend, but not until his owners paid over $2000 in vet bills. Another friend’s cat “Missy” developed a stubborn kidney infection at 18 months which required extensive diagnostic and follow up treatment. Our friend was amazed at Missy’s vets proficiency, but the $1400+ in costs left our friend juggling her finances to pay the vet bills.

What is Pet Insurance, and Does it Make Sense For You?

Pet insurance has been around for decades in Europe, but is relatively uncommon in the United States and Canada. Much like health insurance for us, pet insurance drastically reduces the risk of caring for your pet. Perhaps most importantly, it can eliminate the heart wrenching decision of euthanizing your pet vs. incurring a large financial hardship.

There are several different pet insurance companies. Some policies pay for all types of veterinary care. Others pay only for accidents and illnesses. Some will cover your pet regardless of age, while certain plans have numerous deductibles and restrictions.

Anyone considering pet insurance should ask themselves this question: “Will I devote a reasonable amount of time and money to treat and heal my pet?”. If your answer is “yes”, you’re a good candidate for pet insurance. Sadly, many pet owners are forced to choose between finances and their pet’s health. Worse, other pet owners view their pets as disposable, and simply won’t treat the animal if it becomes too ill.

Typical Plans and Costs

Most pet insurance plans offer coverage for as low as $10 per month. Typically, there is a $50 deductible, and an annual cap of about $10,000. Pet insurance plans for senior pets (normally 8 years and older) will run a bit more, normally $29.95 per month. Costs for cats and dogs generally run the same.

Remember, pet insurance is designed to help you and your pet through significant illnesses and injuries. It’s easy to budget for routine expenses like annual check-ups, shots, flea preventative, etc. Some pet insurance plans offer discounts on routine care, but be prepared to use a contracted (network) veterinarian, similar to a PPO/HMO set up for humans.

Two Real Life Financial Examples

A business associate told us of his two beloved pets, 6 year old cat “Whiskers” and his 12 year old border collie mix “Diamond”. Whiskers was diagnosed with an ongoing respiratory ailment, and just a few months later, Diamond was found to have a malignant tumor and needed immediate treatment. Luckily, he had taken out pet insurance on both pets just weeks before Whiskers’ visit to the vet. With coverage through Instant Pet Insurance, he was paying $9.95/mo. for Whiskers and $29.95/mo. for Diamond, less a small multi-pet discount. All told, Whiskers veterinary bills totaled $1330, and Diamond racked up an $1100 tab.

Fortunately, he was reimbursed $1280 for Whiskers, and $900 for Diamond, accounting for a normal $50 deductible for an adult cat and a $200 senior dog deductible. Therefore, instead of an unplanned $2430 veterinary expense, his total cost was only $250.

Do Your Homework

There are several pet insurers in the marketplace, so do your homework and make sure your policy is right for your pet. If you feel comfortable budgeting for routine annual costs like check-ups, immunizations, flea preventative, etc. there’s no need to pay for routine coverage.

Our experience as pet owners and animal lovers has shown us that most pets will require some form of unexpected medical treatment in their lifetimes. If it’s important to you as a pet owner to be prepared, consider taking out a pet insurance policy. Here are some special factors to look for when taking out a pet insurance policy:

1. Guaranteed Acceptance, no matter the age of your pet.

2. The ability to use the veterinarian of your choosing.

3. Fixed Premiums and Deductibles. Make sure your premium doesn’t increase along with the age of your pet.

4. Unlimited Accident Coverage

5. Comprehensive Coverage of Veterinary Services – some pet insurers exclude common hereditary conditions for certain breeds.

6. State Licensing – Make sure your pet insurer is licensed.

Dog Training Tips - From Doggone Naughty To Good Dog

Everyone has some dog training tips when your dog is "naughty." But few actually give you good advice.

Let's face it, your dog wasn't born knowing how to behave. Different breeds are bred for certain tasks, be it hunting, herding, guarding, killing or chasing. Therefore careful selection of your dog is the first step towards an enjoyable life with your dog.

After that there's work to do, dog house training often being the first task. And if you don't get your dog as a pup you may be buying some behavior problems with it. Excessive barking, jumping up, biting, whining, not listening? You usually can do something about it.

Just as with raising children it pays to know a bit about how to do this, and why. Getting someone in for some basic dog training can set you back anything between $300 and $2,000.

But there ain't no free dog training like your own. After all if you and your dog want to enjoy life together why not work on this together right from the word go.

Oops! Did I say "go". "Sit", and read on...

Yes, dog training is a two-way street. Your dog has to take its cues from you as to what's "good" or "bad". If you are confused or inconsistent you'll both pay for that. So, owner training is important too.

Here are some commensense dog training tips:

* Did you realise it's natural for your dog to obey your command in one setting and not necessarily in another?

* Did you realise that pups are often allowed, even encouraged to jump up, chase and bite trouser cuffs because it's so much fun and later this same behavior is not wanted?

* Use the same command words for the desired behavior every time! You may may believe your dog is an Einstein but even he believed in elegant simplicity.

* Stop your dog from jumping up by putting your open hand in front of its face every time or use your knee if a bigger dog. Then say "sit" and physically sit it down if it does not obey.

* And, of course tire out your dog with exercise. She will reward you with better behavior.

A simple and consistent approach can prevent future problems. It's not rocket science but you do need to know what you're doing. Options are joining dog training classes, getting a dog trainer to come to you, or read dog training books if you don't already know how to train your dog. And, let's face it, you would not be reading these tips if you're confident that you do.

Yes, some dogs drive you crazy but never forget that the reverse can be true too. Among the best of dog training tips is always the advice that dog training is not just for the dog!

Rescue Chihuahua: Is It For You?

When we say Chihuahua rescue, the first thing that comes into our minds is a pitiful dog abandoned because of sickness, behavior problem or old age. But that is not the truth. Dogs in a rescue are not necessarily problem dogs. Some of them were abandoned because of their owner's incapability to provide proper care, either they can not afford to procure the dog's needs or they find the breed unfit to their way of living.

Nevertheless, there are more reasons why a rescue Chihuahua can still be a good household pet. Most dogs in the rescue are older dogs and are already housebroken so you will never have to go through ardurous task of housebreaking. They will less likely commit accidents and the possibility of you cleaning their dirt and urine stain is minimal.

When they are turned over to the rescue, the rescue staff gathers as much information as possible from the previous owner. This information includes the temperament, whether its good with children or other dogs and animals, how much it barks and other important information. Most of them are already vaccinated so you will never have to worry about the vaccination procedure and the possible side effects of it to the dog.

Some people think that rescue dogs are turned over to ther rescue because they are sick or are already very old and dying. Another wrong connotation I must say! Why? Dogs in the rescue are older but not very old. They usually range from one to three years of age.

The rescue don't just give out Chihuahuas just like giving out of freebies or food samples in the grocery stores. Before anyone can get a rescue, they make sure you can provide proper care for the Chihuahua. Dogs at a rescue may sometimes need medical services, so they will make sure that you are aware of that and you are willing to provide care the best way you can.

While it is true that the rescue shelter requires adoption fee, it is not true however that they are doing it for a profit. The fee is to cover up the expenses spent for the dog while in the shelter. Whether it's spent for the basic needs or the medical needs, the rescue shelter has the right to require adoption fee so that they can continue helping more abandoned dogs. They earn their money to take care of their animals through donations and adoption fees.

Getting a rescue dog will not only benefit you. Rescue shelters can accommodate limited number of dogs. By getting a dog from the rescue, you help the community by freeing one space for another dog that needs the care of the rescue shelter. Thus you help minimize the number of stray dogs in the community. You will also save the dog from possible death on the pound.

Spitz. Determined, Focused And Hardy. The Spitz Type Dog Is No Fool!

Spitz. History of the Spitz-type dog breed

With their thick fluffy coats and sharp intelligent faces, it is easy to see how Spitzes have become an enduring companion to humans. There are many dog breeds that can be categorized as Spitz-type dogs, but most of them share some basic characteristics.

It is not known where Spitzes originally came from, but many of the modern dog breeds which can be classified as Spitz today trace their origins back to the Arctic.

The Spitz-type dog goes back almost 5000 years, and there is some belief that the breed has been regularly bred with wolves to promote a greater degree of intelligence and hardiness.

The Alaskan Malemute, for example, is thought to be descended from the crossing of the Spitz with wolves.

For most of history, the Spitz has been used as a hunting dog, a herding dog or a guard dog, and as such has proven itself quite valuable to human in a number of different ways. Around 1000 BC, Spitze migrated south from their native Arctic climes, and they were soon common in Europe, North America and Asia. They even traveled as far south as northern Africa.

>From there, you can see the development of the variety of dog breeds that are considered Spitz-type dogs. One highly recognizable dog breed is the German Spitz and the Finnish Spitz. They have the characteristic thick coat, triangular ears and lupine face of the breed. In Japan, one can see that the Akito Inu is a direct descendant of the Arctic Spitz breed. The Pomeranian

If you enjoy the looks of the Spitz dog breeds, there is probably a breed out there that will suit you and match this phenotype.

For instance, the Pomeranian that was mentioned above is a well-known favorite of apartment dwellers and those who live a lone. While these dogs can be a little high strung and difficult around children, they make excellent pets for single people with a limited amount of space.

If you are interested in a small dog that is good with children, think about Corgi, which can be quite good with small children, provided the children are taught how to handle dogs. For a more energetic family, consider the Siberian Husky, which has a gentle temperament and, due to its strong pack instinct, thrives on both social and physical activity.

Make sure that you will be able to tend to the various needs of the breed that you choose. Corgis, for example, do require a certain amount of grooming, and because they are a little fractious, will benefit from thorough handling as puppies.

Huskies require a certain amount of fish oil in their diets to keep their coat and nails looking their best while.

Chows, another Spitz breed, need an owner who understands their stubborn, independent nature as well as one who will watch them for the breed's elbow dysplasia.

If you are interested in a Spitz, do some research to find out what breed of Spitz is best for you and your situation.

By getting to know the breeds involved, you can figure out which type of Spitz will be ideal for you and your home.

Dog Training Tips

One of the reasons for doing an obedience dog training is to establish a foundation between you and your dog. Many dog owners believe that dog training is only for those who wish to compete in obedience trials, but they are wrong.

Dog training requires only a simple persistence to be successful and can be useful to help fulfill some of your dog's basic and social interaction needs. Here are some dog training tips to guide you along the way.

1. Firm and Friendly

When you give commands such as come, you want to use a happy and friendly voice. While on the other hand, you'll want a lower firmer voice for sit, down, and stay commands.

2. Praise & Reward

Always praise your dog or offer him when he learned new commands.

3. Be Patient

Patience is the key when you are training your dog. Focus on a single command a session and end it on a positive note. Dog's are incredibly smart and will pick up all your commands. After each session, spend some time playing. He will associate the time with you as positive and anticipate his training again.

4. Use the correct dog training equipments

If you have a well-behaved dog, a lead and a buckle will do on your obedience training. However, if your dog is uncontrollable with undesirable and distracting behaviors, you should use a training collar. You don't have to worry about the size as most electronic training collar now clearly indicate what size of dog the training collar is intended for.

5. No Distractions

Try to pick a quiet area when training your dog to do tricks or commands. A secluded back yard works best if you want to train your dog for basic obedience commands only.

6. Reprimand

Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog has undesirable behavior, be firm and friendly. Remember, dogs are man's best friend.

7. Be Positive

It is necessary to use positive reinforcement when training your dog by offering some dog treats and a lot of praise if he performs correctly and learn new commands.

8. Play with your dog

Dogs which are trained are a pleasure to take for a walk and a pleasure to own.

How To Ease Separation Anxiety Between You And Your Pup: Three Easy Steps

Let's face it; as much as our dogs depend on us, we depend on them just as much. Love, companionship, and playtime are all things that people depend on their dogs for just as much as their dogs may depend on them. For this reason, leaving your dog home alone for extended periods of time while at work or on vacation can cause a variety of problems for both pet and pet owner.

Separation anxiety is real, and it affects our four-legged friends too. The difference between you and your pet in this instance is that while you know that the two of you will soon be reunited, your pet probably doesn't have this type of forethought and so it is important for humans to be as accommodating to their canine companion as possible in this aspect.

Pets experience separation anxiety on a variety of levels. Some pets are perfectly fine with being away from their owners for extended lengths of time whereas other pets may fall into a deep depression. Even worse, there are those mischievous little guys out there who seek to tear up everything in your home that is important to you, perhaps in the hope that you will rethink leaving them alone ever again.

If any of the above sound like the situation between you and your pet, it is time for you to take action. Even though it may not seem like it at times, there is a way for you and your pet to handle separation in a much easier, more constructive way. Here are a few tips on how to help your pet handle his down-time.

Provide Them With a Comfort Zone

Providing your pet with a comfort zone is one of the most successful ways of making sure that they are as comfortable as possible when you can't be together. For every pet, this comfort zone is different; for some, it may require the confinement of a kennel or dog crate in order to be successful. Either way, having a place for them to call their own might help in the long run.

Make their area as comfortable as possible, even if it is a form of caging them to protect your home. Old pillows, a dog bed, their favorite toy, maybe even a tee shirt or something that smells of your scent—these are all things that could help them to feel a bit more at ease in their area, and perhaps make the hours until you come home that much more bearable.

Keep Them Entertained

A bored pet is a bad pet, plain and simple. If they don't have something of their own to keep them busy, chances are that they will find something of yours to accommodate their interest. Stop a disaster in its tracks by making sure that your pet has plenty of their own toys and items to entertain them while you are gone. This doesn't mean using old shoes and things of yours as it just confuses the difference between what items are okay for them to have and what are not okay for them to have.

Keeping your pet entertains not only gives them something to keep them away from your things, but something to help them pass the time while they don't have you around to keep them company.

Consider Getting Them a Pal

While this may be a big one for some households, sometimes the only surefire way to cure separation anxiety between you and your pet is to give them a playmate. If your household cannot handle two pets, by all means do not get into something that your family may potentially be unable to handle. However, if you do have the means this is a great way to get rid of otherwise seemingly incurable separation anxiety on the part of your pet.

These are just a few ways to help keep the time your pet spends alone as pain-free as possible, and you are encouraged to think of some of your own. Now that you know your pet will survive without you, now it is just a matter of handling yourself when the two of you are apart.