Canine Bloat

Canine Bloat By Ron Swerdfiger

www.web-rover.com

What is Canine Bloat?

Bloat refers to the bloating of the stomach. Essentially it is a build up of gas in the stomach which is unable to be released. Bloat with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists 180 to 360 degrees on it's axis between the esophagus and duodenum or the entrance and exit parts of the stomach. Bloat is a very serious problem in large breed dogs. When combined with the complications of GDV, bloat is a leading cause of death of dogs, second only to cancer.

The exact cause of bloat is still unknown. Generally, it is believed that excessive eating and drinking of water followed by exercise can cause bloat. It is thought that exercise causes food or fluid in the stomach to cause a build up of gas. The severity of the conditions is more serious when the stomach twists upon itself within the abdomen in a clockwise rotation causing the inlet and outlet of the stomach as well as blood vessels which supply the stomach to become constricted at both ends. As a result, the constriction will cause the stomach tissue to die. In a very short time, the stomach becomes restricted of nutrients and oxygen. If not treated, the dog can die.

. What Are the symptoms of Canine Bloat?

- Anxious, restless - Distended abdomen - Attempting to vomit - Excessive drooling - Whining - Pale gums - Increase in heart rate. - Difficult breathing

What Causes Bloat?

The stomach becomes filled with gas and because of several possible factors; the dog is unable to relieve the pressure. Bloat, with GDV, is when the stomach goes in to a Atwist.@ This closes both the esophagus and pylorus, preventing the dog from relieving the gas pressure which can quickly build up after a large meal. This condition is extremely fatal, causing shock, coma and eventually death. Like many other conditions which affect our dogs, the actual cause of bloat is still unknown. Several factor seem to contribute to a dogs chances of getting bloat

- Stress - Eating or drinking too fast. - Exercise before and immediately after eating - Having a large deep chest - Elevated food bowls - Hereditary - Disposition

Are All Dogs At Risk Cannine Bloat?

Canine bloat and GDV usually only effects large breed dogs, but smaller dogs are still susceptible.. It is thought that some lines of breeds are genetically at a higher risk. Though bloat can occur in puppies, it is a condition which usually occurs in adult dogs. Furthermore, male dogs are more likely to suffer from bloat than female dogs. Here is a list of some breeds that have a higher chance of being effected by bloat and GDV.

- German Shepherd - Great Dane - Standard Poodle - Rottweiler - Akita - Bloodhound - Great Pyrenees - Irish Setter - Old English Sheepdog - Boxer - Golden Retriever - Irish Wolfhound - St. Bernards - Labrador Retriever - Newfoundland - Doberman

What Is the Treatment of Dog Bloat?

Canine bloat is a very serious problem. If you suspect your dog of having bloat, contact your vet immediately. Every second counts! If caught and diagnosed quick enough, initial treatment will involve inserting a tube or tochar in to the stomach wall to remove the gas. If necessary, the vet will then operate, attempting to untwist the stomach. Secondary treatment will involve treating shock, dehydration, fatigue, and other complications resulting from the distension of the stomach.

Is There Any Way To Prevent Dog Bloat?

Prevention of bloat can be difficult. Because there are so many possible causes for this condition, prevention must be examined on an individual basis. If you have a dog that is at risk there are a couple of things that you can do to decrease the chances of this fatal condition. Since bloat is believed to be connected with genetics and hereditary, these preventive measures can only decrease the chances of bloat.

- Do not overfeed. Feed 2-3 small meals a day. - Do not use elevated food bowls - Do not allow your dog to drink large amounts of water after eating. - Add an enzyme product to your dogs food - Keep emergency veterinary contact handy - Gastropexy surgery

Ths website only provides BASIC information about canine bloat. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Canine Bloat and GDV and its prevention. _______________________________________________________ For more great articles and tons of other cool dog info, visit http://www.web-rover.com _______________________________________________________

Canine Bloat By Ron Swerdfiger

www.web-rover.com

What is Canine Bloat?

Bloat refers to the bloating of the stomach. Essentially it is a build up of gas in the stomach which is unable to be released. Bloat with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists 180 to 360 degrees on it's axis between the esophagus and duodenum or the entrance and exit parts of the stomach. Bloat is a very serious problem in large breed dogs. When combined with the complications of GDV, bloat is a leading cause of death of dogs, second only to cancer.

The exact cause of bloat is still unknown. Generally, it is believed that excessive eating and drinking of water followed by exercise can cause bloat. It is thought that exercise causes food or fluid in the stomach to cause a build up of gas. The severity of the conditions is more serious when the stomach twists upon itself within the abdomen in a clockwise rotation causing the inlet and outlet of the stomach as well as blood vessels which supply the stomach to become constricted at both ends. As a result, the constriction will cause the stomach tissue to die. In a very short time, the stomach becomes restricted of nutrients and oxygen. If not treated, the dog can die.

. What Are the symptoms of Canine Bloat?

- Anxious, restless - Distended abdomen - Attempting to vomit - Excessive drooling - Whining - Pale gums - Increase in heart rate. - Difficult breathing

What Causes Bloat?

The stomach becomes filled with gas and because of several possible factors; the dog is unable to relieve the pressure. Bloat, with GDV, is when the stomach goes in to a Atwist.@ This closes both the esophagus and pylorus, preventing the dog from relieving the gas pressure which can quickly build up after a large meal. This condition is extremely fatal, causing shock, coma and eventually death. Like many other conditions which affect our dogs, the actual cause of bloat is still unknown. Several factor seem to contribute to a dogs chances of getting bloat

- Stress - Eating or drinking too fast. - Exercise before and immediately after eating - Having a large deep chest - Elevated food bowls - Hereditary - Disposition

Are All Dogs At Risk Cannine Bloat?

Canine bloat and GDV usually only effects large breed dogs, but smaller dogs are still susceptible.. It is thought that some lines of breeds are genetically at a higher risk. Though bloat can occur in puppies, it is a condition which usually occurs in adult dogs. Furthermore, male dogs are more likely to suffer from bloat than female dogs. Here is a list of some breeds that have a higher chance of being effected by bloat and GDV.

- German Shepherd - Great Dane - Standard Poodle - Rottweiler - Akita - Bloodhound - Great Pyrenees - Irish Setter - Old English Sheepdog - Boxer - Golden Retriever - Irish Wolfhound - St. Bernards - Labrador Retriever - Newfoundland - Doberman

What Is the Treatment of Dog Bloat?

Canine bloat is a very serious problem. If you suspect your dog of having bloat, contact your vet immediately. Every second counts! If caught and diagnosed quick enough, initial treatment will involve inserting a tube or tochar in to the stomach wall to remove the gas. If necessary, the vet will then operate, attempting to untwist the stomach. Secondary treatment will involve treating shock, dehydration, fatigue, and other complications resulting from the distension of the stomach.

Is There Any Way To Prevent Dog Bloat?

Prevention of bloat can be difficult. Because there are so many possible causes for this condition, prevention must be examined on an individual basis. If you have a dog that is at risk there are a couple of things that you can do to decrease the chances of this fatal condition. Since bloat is believed to be connected with genetics and hereditary, these preventive measures can only decrease the chances of bloat.

- Do not overfeed. Feed 2-3 small meals a day. - Do not use elevated food bowls - Do not allow your dog to drink large amounts of water after eating. - Add an enzyme product to your dogs food - Keep emergency veterinary contact handy - Gastropexy surgery

Ths website only provides BASIC information about canine bloat. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Canine Bloat and GDV and its prevention. _______________________________________________________ For more great articles and tons of other cool dog info, visit http://www.web-rover.com _______________________________________________________

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Natural Tick Control

Spring and summer months bring out a variety of insects and one of the most common is the tick. Ticks are found almost everywhere in North America and all ticks have one behavior in common, they feed on the blood of mammals. The American dog tick is a common variety of these parasites as is the black-legged tick. Ticks can carry several potentially serious bacterial diseases including Lyme Disease and Spotted or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The potential for you to be exposed to these illnesses make control of ticks important you, your family as well as your pets and other domesticated animals and livestock.

In order to effectively control ticks you must first understand how they develop and where you or your pets are mostly to be exposed. The small tick larva usually feed on mice and other small rodents until they mature to what is called the nymph stage, fall off and begin to look for other small mammals to feed on. This process can take anywhere from two to three weeks. When they reach the adult stage of their growth, the ticks will usually look for even larger mammals like dogs and humans.

Ticks will find you any time you are walking through fields and grassy areas, usually during the time between April and August. Your pet can pickup ticks on their fur and bring them into your home as well. Once the tick attaches itself to the skin, it will burrow in and begin to feed.

Since ticks can transmit diseases, you must be careful to examine yourself and your pet after every trip to an area where ticks may be present. If your dog has a thick fur coat the task can be rather tedious but cannot be ignored. A tick who has decided to make a meal out of your blood may not be obvious at first. Finding this parasite may mean looking through your clothing for crawling ticks and even going through your hair and scalp. If the kids have been playing outdoors they must be checked as well.

If you find a tick attached to the skin, there is a necessary but simple way to remove the tick and keep it intact. Since the spread of bacteria is often associated with exposure to the ticks body fluids it is important not to crush the tick. Do not, under any circumstances use a heat source like a hot match head or cigarette to remove it. This method is a popular myth and should never be used. Heating the tick may cause it to burst open, exposing you or your pet to any bacteria the tick may be carrying. The bacteria can enter your bloodstream through the area of the skin where the tick has feeding.

The preferred method is to use a pair of tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Without twisting or crushing the tick, gently pull the tick straight back away from the skin. Try not to handle the tick with your bare hands. Once removed you can place the tick in a container of rubbing alcohol, rinse it down the sink or flush it down the toilet. Be sure to clean the bite area with a disinfectant like rubbing alcohol and do not forget to wash your hands. Watch for any signs of swelling around the bite area and always seek medical attention if there is redness, swelling or you experience signs of fever or other adverse symptoms.

Preventing exposing yourself or your pet to ticks involves several things. First, make sure that the grass where you or pets walk is kept cut short. Ticks like it a bit on the humid side and keeping grasses and weeds cut reduces moisture. Clearing the area of leaves and other organic clutter provides a less hospitable place for female ticks to deposit their eggs. Chemical pesticides are an option but should be avoided in areas where kids and animals play.

Spring and summer months bring out a variety of insects and one of the most common is the tick. Ticks are found almost everywhere in North America and all ticks have one behavior in common, they feed on the blood of mammals. The American dog tick is a common variety of these parasites as is the black-legged tick.

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Could Your Dog Have Whipworm? How To Detect And Treat Whipworm in Your

Dog

When it comes to keeping your canine companion healthy both inside and out, it's important for owners to know which parasites see your dog as the perfect host.

One of the lesser-known parasites that pose a danger to dogs is the whipworm. Whipworms, like most parasites, are resilient. In egg form, their hard shells allow them to survive outdoors in the soil for years in the time. In many ways, whipworms are like hookworms, but instead of ending in a hook shape, one end of this worm tapers to a narrow, whip-like point.

Unlike hookworms, whipworms can't enter the body through the skin. The only way for your dog to contract them is by eating the eggs. Whipworms exist throughout North America, and transmission is easy if your dog has any contact with other dogs. The long-lived eggs can show up in the soil, dog toys, discarded bones and water dishes. Once eaten, whipworms then grow to maturity inside your dog's digestive system.

When they reach maturity, the adult worms fasten themselves to the large intestine and the cecum, a transitional pouch between the large and small intestine. Here, these nasty little parasites slash and puncture the intestinal walls in order to feed. The female starts to lay her eggs, which the dog excretes through the feces.

symptoms for whipworm resemble those for other worms, such as hookworm. Many dogs can carry a certain number of whipworms without showing distress, but past a certain point, your dog may begin to exhibit signs such as a dull coat, anemia, rapid weight loss, and a loose and bloody stool. He may also begin vomiting up a yellow-green substance. In very severe cases, the worms may begin to puncture the intestinal wall, to the degree that the intestine begins to stick to the body wall. In this case, you might see your dog licking and worrying his right flank.

When you take your dog to the vet, it may take some time to diagnose him with whipworm. Whipworms lay eggs only intermittently, and even when they?re actively releasing eggs, any diarrhea in your dog can make the eggs hard to find. Typically, vets will perform four stool samples over four days before ruling out whipworm.

If your vet finds whipworm eggs, she'll administer a potent dewormer. But all whipworm dewormers on the market are only effective against worms in their adult form. As a result, you'll probably need to re-treat your dog.

There are no simple and effective ways of removing whipworm eggs from the soil around your house. However, a contaminated environment can infect your dog over and over again. The best way to combat reinfestation is to make sure your dog's quarters are sunny and dry, since whipworm eggs require moisture. Try to place him in an area of fresh new gravel, pavement or soil.

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About The Author: Nathan Fischer writes for Poodle-oo, a site for small dog clothes and wedding dresses for dogs. www.poodle-oo.com/