Five Ways to Prevent Congenital Problems in Dogs

Prevention is the main key in order to avoid diseases and illness from attacking your dog. In fact, the best prevention begins even before you start breeding the dog. But what do you do if your pet was born with a health problem? There are a few options for you to choose from when helping your dog that is born with a congenital defect. Often times, surgery can correct a structural defect. Other aspects such as good feeding, good amount of exercise, proper grooming and veterinary care all help in controlling certain disorder and symptoms from occurring. But the most effective treatment for congenital defects is in preventing them from happening in the first place.

Here are five ways on how you can prevent congenital problems in your dog:

1. Never breed unhealthy dogs. Get together two unhealthy dogs and you have the perfect recipe for unhealthy offspring. Even if one dog is in good health, mating that healthy dog with one that is in poor condition still produces a very high risk of congenital problems to develop in their offspring. You must avoid breeding pets that have obvious birth defects or behavior problems. Although the dog may not have a specific genetic problem, its overall support system is not a good candidate for developing healthy offspring. In addition, avoid acquiring such pets unless you are willing to give them the special care they require.

2. Avoid breeding or selecting dogs with family health disorders. Do not breed dogs if their close relatives have congenital defects, physical problems, or inheritable behavior and temperament. Try to find out the medical histories of both parents and what percentage of related puppies has had birth defects. If the percentage of birth defects is less than 5 percent, chances are they have a very low risk of producing unhealthy offspring.

3. Avoid breeding close relatives. Breeding two dogs within the same family such as siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles has a tendency to ?fix? latent defects into their offspring.

4. Do not select or breed inbred dogs. Be extra careful with dogs that are currently popular in your area because it is likely that they have been weakened by intensive inbreeding.

5. Choose breeds that best resemble their canine ancestors. Features to look for are face shape, size, color, ear shape, coat texture and length, tail shape, and limb proportion that most closely resemble that of wolves. See if you can match at least four or five of these traits. Examples of such breeds include most of the retrievers, basenjis, shepherds, sled dogs, spitzs, and pointers.

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John Edwards is a long time dog lover. Visit his website for more helpful advice on dog health and disease at: www.dogcaretraining.com

Is Your Dog At Risk For Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Canine hip dysphasia (CHD) is a genetic disease that affects the hip bones in dogs. While pretty much any dog can get it, some dogs are predisposed to this condition and it is more common in larger breed dogs due to the greater weight on the joints of the hip. some breeds at risk for this disease include Dalmations, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers and Blood Hounds.

This disease affects the hips way ahead of the thighbone does not fit into the hip socket as it should. Wear of the cartilage and damage to the joint occurs causing swelling and pain. Canine hip dysphasia itself is not arthritis but it is the most common cause of hip arthritis.

This is a disease that is inherited from the dog's parents. Therefore the only way to eradicate the disease is through good breeding practices and not letting dogs with CHD have puppies. this presents a challenge though is not all dogs show that they have this disease and in fact, dogs that show no sign of it may still possess the gene that passes it to their offspring.

symptoms of canine hip dysplasia present themselves as your dog not being able to get up is easy. Perhaps he's not as energetic or doesn't want to run as much and has a hard time standing up after sitting or lying down for awhile. His back legs may look lame and when he runs he might use them both like a rabbit. CHD might cause your dog to be reluctant to go upstairs. And most dogs the symptoms don't show up until middle age but some may show the disease when they are puppies.

There and no test to tell if a dog carries the gene for CHD but the presence of hip dysplasia can be tested through x-rays and physical exams. An x-ray can let you know how bad the condition has become and using future x-rays to monitor it will let you know If the treatment path you have chosen is working. there are actually two types of x-rays that are performed one gives you an idea of how severe arthritis says in the joint and the other will tell you how loose the hip joint itself is.

Canine hip dysphasia can be treated with surgical and nonsurgical methods. Nonsurgical methods include drugs to help relieve the pain and inflammation of the hip joint. These drugs, Rimadyl, Deramaxx and Ectogesic can be very effectivee and have helped many dogs live happy normal lives. In addition making sure your dog gets good exercise and physical therapy to work the hips and keeping your dog at a slim weight can help relieve symptoms.

Surgical treatments for CHD can also be effective. There are two methods of treatment for canine hip dysplasia one which treats hips which Re: show a lot of arthritis and another which tries to help prevent the progresssion of the arthritis.

One of the procedures- triple pelvic astronomy - is most effective before the joint becomes damaged with arthritis. This involves cuttingg the pelvis and then rotating hip sockets to get them to work better. One new type of surgery, pubic symphysiodesis, is still being studied but hopeful to be effective for very young dogs with canine hip dysphasia.

In some dogs a full hip replacement might be the way to go. This involves replacing both the ball in the socket to allow the dog to enjoy a full life with normal activity. This procedure is used mostly in larger dogs they can be very effective.

Another procedure which is called a femoral head ostectomy removes the top portion of the femur in order to stop a painful grinding at the hip joint. the femur then floats freely forming scar tissue which then acts as the joint. This procedure is recommended for smaller well muscled dogs.

Canine hip dysplasia is not easy to prevent and it's hard to tell if your dog will become a victim of this. Your best bet is to make sure you buy from a reputable breeder and be sure that the parents of your dog are free from CHD. Make sure that puppies do not have undue stress placed on their hips and that your dog does not gain too much weight and these things can help delay the onset of his disease should your dog be prone to it.

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Lee Dobbins writes for www.dogbreeds123.com where you can learn more about dog breeds and dog care .

Dog Allergies Are More Common Than You May Think

Many people may not realize that dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from allergy at any one time, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergy in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, inhalant allergies, and food allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often marked by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin (most common with skin allergies), coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common with inhalant allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea (common with food allergies.)

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. 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. He or she will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the appropriate treatment should 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 strict flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

The vet may also recommend cortisone or steroids. Many vets are conventionally trained and do not offer holistic alternatives, which can be just as good as the toxic drugs which vets routinely prescribe. So before you accept your vet?s recommendations for drugs, do investigate the alternatives:

1. Natural Flea Treatments

2. Natural Worm Treatments

3. Detoxification of Your Dog?s System if your dog has taken toxic drugs or been exposed to chemicals (household cleaners, insecticides, etc.) in the past.

4. Past steroid use may have compromised Your Dog?s Immune System (characterized by such chronic illness as Lyme?s Disease and many others). Your dog's immune system can also be boosted by natural means.

5. Treat your dog's skin allergies naturally from the inside and out.

You should always discuss your intentions with your vet, when proceeding with any new regime, whether natural or otherwise, but knowledge is power. And being armed with the knowledge of the harm that conventional medicines can cause, and the effectiveness of holistic, natural, alternative methods, will stand you in good stead. Many vets are open to such alternatives when asked directly about them by a pet owner who has done research and is looking for a more natural way of dealing with illness, and this case specifically, allergies, in their dog.

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 bear 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. What course of action to take, however, may well be a matter for discussion between you and your vet.

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

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Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in natural dog health, including: Natural Flea and Worm Treatments Detoxifying Your Dog's System Immune Support for Your Dog Skin Allergies

A Guide To Dental Care For Your Dog

Have you ever come across a case where your dog is having awfully bad breath? So awful that you wish you do not own a dog? If it is the case, then it is time to take you pet to the veterinary. Like human, healthy dogs do not have smelly breath. According to a finding by the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs show some signs of gum disease by age three, a full grown dog. This shows the lack of oral hygiene in people having dogs at home.

Why dental care? Lack of dental care can cause severe dental diseases in dogs, which can prove fatal. After dog finishes his meal, minute food particles remain inside his mouth. These food particles, and bacteria accumulate on the surface of the tooth causing plaque. Continuous formation of plaque can cause tartar (or calculus) to form, and the gums get swollen up and become red color. This stage is called gingivitis. If the tartar is not removed, it accumulates up under the gums, and this slowly separates gums from teeth. This encourages more bacteria. This stage is called "periodontal" disease. The dog has awfully bad breath (halitosis) at this time, and it is necessary to see your veterinary.

Worse, the bacteria in mouth pass to intestine with food, and can cause heart, liver or kidney failure in dogs. The bacteria in mouth can go to the heart through the blood stream. These bacteria cause valve failure in heart, and your pet will get severely ill. Diseases of mouth are very painful for the dog, and being a dog lover you would certainly not want your dog to suffer this torture. It is therefore important that you practice oral hygiene for your dog, and protect him from severe diseases.

symptoms of dental diseases Bad breath is arguably the most common symptom of dental disease; there are many other ways to find out that your dog has a dental problem. Open the mouth of your dog, and check the teeth. If they are yellow colored, and have brown deposits on them, it indicates dental problem. Check if the dog gums are red and look swollen. More over, if the dog is unable to eat food, or cries in pain while eating, it means that there is severe dental problem with the dog.

Prevention and cure You might already be wondering what could be the remedy. Well "Prevention is better than cure". The best thing is to regularly brush your dog's teeth. It is your first line of defense against plaque, and tartar. Regular brushing keeps teeth healthy, and stops bad breath. Start brushing teeth from the time your pet is young. This will make him accustomed to your finger, and the taste of paste. Later you can start using toothbrushes.

There are also a number of commercially available dog-foods approved by vets, and these can be provided sometimes to your dog. These foods are made such that your dog chews them well, and in the process, the plaque and tartar gets removed.

In case of gingivitis, and "periodontal" disease the vets give anesthesia to the dog, and mechanically remove the tartar. Scaling is often done to remove the tartar that is accumulated under the gums. Once this is done the teeth are polished so that it is difficult for bacterial to develop on the teeth. After treatment, you need to regularly brush dog's teeth, feed hard food, and regular checkup is necessary.

It is therefore very necessary that you regularly brush your dog's teeth just like taking care of our own and our baby's, and maintain proper oral hygiene. Dental care is very important for the well being of your dog.

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More about dogs caring can be found in dogandpuppy.simpleusermanual.com/

Dog Diseases Copper Storage Disease

Copper Storage Disease or hepatotoxicosis is an ailment few dog breeds are prone to, but it is also very debilitating for those breeds that are. Basically Copper Storage Disease is where there are extra amounts of copper in the liver that the dog?s system cannot breakdown. When this disease is left untreated you will find it is fatal. Certain breeds are more at risk for this disease. These breeds are Bedlington Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Skye Terrier, and the Western Highland White Terrier. You will also find that some other diseases can spring up because of the Copper Storage Disease. For Bedlington Terriers they can develop chronic hepatitis because of the genetic metabolic defect. For Doberman Pinschers you will find they can develop hepatitis or cirrhosis. For most of the breeds you will find the disease is genetically linked.

The cause of the disease, although genetically linked has not been determined for the exact genetic issue. Vets just know that the accumulation of copper in the liver begins to take an effect because certain proteins bind the copper or there is an abnormal secretion of copper in the bile. The good news is once you understand the cause of the disease and that your dog can be a carrier of the genetic disorder you can take precautions.

Part of the precautions you should take is in the care of your dog. It is important to be able to recognize the symptoms so that an early diagnosis is possible and the dog can be treated. symptoms associated with Copper Storage Disease include bleeding from the gums and nose, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. A symptom that is harder to see is anemia, which means the blood is actually affected and does not have the hemoglobin it needs. In some cases this can cause blood in the urine. If your dog experiences any of the symptoms you should take them to a vet right away for proper diagnosis. They will test the liver enzymes or do a biopsy of the liver to see if copper is present or if something else may be causing the symptoms. One of the things that can make diagnosis of the Copper Storage Disease harder is the actual symptoms because they are often common with certain types of cancer so there are a lot of things that need to be ruled out.

Prevention is very important in the dog breeds that are susceptible. You can closely monitor the food they eat to make sure it contains the proper enzymes and protein and you can also check to make sure your dog?s parents were not in the registry for having the disease.

For treatment of the Copper Storage Disease you have a few options. First pencillamine is offered to help the excretion of the copper. Zinc acetate can also help prevent the absorption of copper into the liver. Most often a low copper diet is preferable and extra vitamin E. Things to avoid are Vitamin C and a high copper diet for dogs that are susceptible. There is no surgery or other invasive treatments for the dogs. Mostly you just have to be aware of the disease potential and take the precautions of the proper diet. Most often when you are taking care with your dog you will find they can live a full and happy life even with the disease. It is only when the disease is ignored or the diet is not changed that can cause the illness to be fatal.

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Gerry Ronson writes articles for dog accessories and Hypnosis CDs .

Dog Worming

All dogs need a routine worming program to stay healthy. A stool sample should be examined by your veterinarian at least once a year to help identify if parasites exist and the type of worms present in your dog.

Although it is not difficult to worm your dog yourself, it is sometimes hard to diagnose which type of worm has infected your dog, it is therefore best to leave this task to a professional veterinarian.

Regular worming is essential to protect your dog against internal parasites. Medication can be in tablet (dry) or liquid form. Worming tablets can be bought cheaply at your local supermarket or pet shop, so there is no excuse for not treating your own dog on a regular basis.

Worms are not serious if you treat them promptly and correctly. Adult dogs should be wormed at least once a year, and at least once every 6 months if they are in contact with children. Please take note that some parasites can be passed on to humans especially young children so if your dog shows any signs of infection, he should be wormed immediately. All breeding bitches should also be wormed prior to mating, another time after giving birth and once again shortly before the puppies are weaned.

The most common worms in a dog are roundworms, tapeworms and whiteworms. The symptoms include a swollen stomach (especially in puppies with a potbellied appearance), persistent vomiting, loose bowels, runny eyes or nose. Some dogs will drag their bottoms along the floor or try to bite at their tails. This normally indicates that worms are irritating your dog?s rectum and he is trying to remove the worms or scratch to relieve the irritation. If you see any worm segments in your dog's faeces, treat it as soon as possible. Sometimes you may see sections of tapeworm around the dog?s bed or clinging to his coat around or close to the tail area in the form of brown pieces of dried rice. Weight loss (these parasites live off the host dog and affect its nutritional intake), poor coat of fur and having blood in your dog?s faeces may also indicate the presence of worms.

Roundworms - Several of these parasites affect dogs but the most important are the ones that belong to the Ascarid family that live in the small intestines of the host dog. Other roundworms infest the large intestine, blood vessels and respiratory tract. Ascarids feed on digesting food in the dog's gut, and are particularly harmful to puppies. They penetrate a puppies gut wall and pass via the blood to the liver and then to the lungs. From there they crawl up the trachea to be coughed up and swallowed, again ending up in the gut. Infected puppies may develop hepatitis, pneumonia, fits, and obstruction to the gut, so regular treatment is absolutely crucial. As the puppy gets older most of the worms travel to the muscles where they form cysts. These lie dormant until the puppy bitch becomes an adult and is pregnant. They then migrate to the puppies? lungs, and this is why virtually every puppy is born with roundworms, and must be wormed regularly.

Roundworms can infect humans and in a very low number of cases, cause disease. Good hygiene and common sense concerning children and puppies should control the problem. As adult roundworms can be found in a puppy as early as 2 weeks of its age, this is usually the time when you should start your de-worming program.

To help reduce the chances of worms and other various diseases such as Parvo and Distemper, the following steps should be taken:

* Maintain a strict treatment program. Talk to your veterinarian. * Collect all droppings. * Reduce exposure to other animals and areas frequented by other animals.

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For more information and tips on Dog advice and care, check out our website: www.dog-advice.net

Is a Raw Diet For Dogs Really Better?

Is a raw diet for dogs really the answer to concerns over commercial dog food? Ask yourself this: What does a dog in the wild eat? Of course, domesticated animals tend to live longer than their counterparts in the wild. But this is mainly due to the fact that in the wild animals have to compete with others for a sometimes very limited supply of food.

Here's an even more important consideration when considering a raw diet for dogs: dogs in the wild, at least what researcher have been able to find, do not suffer from chronic disease like so many domesticated dogs do. Dogs in the wild don't get diabetes or arthritis. This would lead you to believe that it is what we feed our pet that is responsible for their poor health in quality of life in their later years.

We conclude that a raw diet for dogs is indeed much better than commercial dog food. However, there would not be a whole lot of difference if you were to cook that food as well. The key is that the ingredients are fresh and as close to organic as possible.

Please remember, though, that there are some loop holes in the law that allows food producers to slap the 'organic' label on food that really isn't organic. Do your homework.

Benefits Of Raw Diets For Dogs

Many dog owners have noticed considerable improvements in various aspects of their dog's health when fed a raw diet. For example, dull coats and skin were observed to become more shiny and healthy looking. The notorious bad breath that dogs was cleared up and became fresh and clean-smelling. Allergy symptoms were seen to decline or completely disappear. Better digestion and healthier looking stools have also been observed in dogs fed a raw diet.

So what kinds of food are part of a good raw diet for dogs? Any part of a chicken is good for your dog. However, do not give your dog chicken bones. These can splinter and harm the stomach and intestines. Turkey, hens and quail are also good. Like chicken, you should remove the bones from these animals before giving them to your dog.

Beef and buffalo are also good parts of a raw diet for dogs. Feel free to include the bones. They are ok for the dog to eat and digest. However, DO NOT give your dog cooked beef or buffalo bones. These can splinter and harm your dog.

A raw diet for dogs is not complete with just meat and protein. Your dog will be nutrient deficient if you don't also feed him or her vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Experiment with various fruits, vegetables and grains until you find all the ones your dog enjoys eating.

The Dangers Of A Raw Diet For Dogs

If your dog will not eat fruit, vegetables and grains, then you must supplement their raw meat diet with a healthy commercial dog food that doesn't use meat by-products, but rather real meat. Your dog will not get the proper nutrients they need to be healthy on meat alone.

Of course, cooked meats are a good alternative to a raw diet for dogs. The damage commercial dog food does to our pets is not in the cooking, it's the heavy processing. Lightly cooking meats before feeding them to your pet is ok.

Raw diets are appropriate for puppies, as well. However, be careful giving bones to a puppy. They can't deal with bones like an adult dog can. Raw diets are gaining popularity with pet owners who are concerned with the harm commercial dog food can do to pets. Raw diets allow your dog to live a happier and healthier life.

Is a raw diet for dogs healthy for your pet? How do they compare with commercial dog food? Are they safe for your pet or can they cause more health problems? What are the dangers of feeding your dog a raw diet? Here are the benefits of a raw diet for dogs and some precautions you should take when implementing them.

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