Preventing Lyme Disease in dogs

It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme disease in your own dog. The first sign of lyme disease in humans is a rash, well; animals do not develop this rash. Lyme disease is also not one of the first illnesses that the veterinarian looks for when you take your dog in for a visit. Many other common illnesses can produce some of the same symptoms, so it can be hard to detect.

Lyme disease does affect each dog different as it does with humans. Many dogs that are affected with lyme disease seem to be in pain and many stop eating. They may even run very high fevers. Lyme disease affects the entire body and some dogs may become lame and then even if untreated the lameness can disappear but can reappear later on. Your dog may not even show any signs of an illness for a long period of time and in fact have lyme disease, and then the symptoms can show up a year later.

Diagnosis of lyme disease can be done with a blood test. But, if your dog has had the illness for a long time even confirming that it is, in fact lyme disease can be hard to prove. In many cases, the antibodies that are present when a dog has lyme disease may have already disappeared or have not been created yet.

So, of course, the best way to go to ensure that your dog does not contract lyme disease is in the prevention. Always groom your dog after they have been outdoors in and around where ticks live, high grass, thick brush, or even in the woods.

_______________________________________________________ by Niall Kennedy http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net Pet Medication Supplies can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names. _______________________________________________________

It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme disease in your own dog. The first sign of lyme disease in humans is a rash, well; animals do not develop this rash. Lyme disease is also not one of the first illnesses that the veterinarian looks for when you take your dog in for a visit. Many other common illnesses can produce some of the same symptoms, so it can be hard to detect.

Lyme disease does affect each dog different as it does with humans. Many dogs that are affected with lyme disease seem to be in pain and many stop eating. They may even run very high fevers. Lyme disease affects the entire body and some dogs may become lame and then even if untreated the lameness can disappear but can reappear later on. Your dog may not even show any signs of an illness for a long period of time and in fact have lyme disease, and then the symptoms can show up a year later.

Diagnosis of lyme disease can be done with a blood test. But, if your dog has had the illness for a long time even confirming that it is, in fact lyme disease can be hard to prove. In many cases, the antibodies that are present when a dog has lyme disease may have already disappeared or have not been created yet.

So, of course, the best way to go to ensure that your dog does not contract lyme disease is in the prevention. Always groom your dog after they have been outdoors in and around where ticks live, high grass, thick brush, or even in the woods.

_______________________________________________________ by Niall Kennedy http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net Pet Medication Supplies can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names. _______________________________________________________

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Common Dog Diseases and Parasites

A good diet and plenty of exercise are important to a dog's health, but they can't make a dog totally immune to illness. Early detection is the key to helping your dog overcome any health problem. If your pet's stools become very loose, or you notice a marked decrease in your dog's appetite and/or that she is very lethargic, she may just have a short-term "bug." On the other hand, if any symptoms continue for more than a few days, you should have your veterinarian examine her for parasites and infections.

Diarrhea is a common symptom in dogs, especially puppies. It can be triggered by stress or a sudden change in food, but also by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Diarrhea causes dehydration, which can be deadly to dogs. It is extremely dangerous in puppies, because they dehydrate faster than mature dogs.

If your dog has diarrhea for more than a day, contact your veterinarian for further instructions. You will probably be asked to collect a sample and bring it in so they can examine it to determine the cause and proper treatment.

Coughing, sneezing, and discharge from your dog's nose and/or eyes often indicate a respiratory infection. A lethargic dog with no appetite is likely fighting an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). URI, caused by airborne viruses and bacteria, is highly contagious among dogs, but is not transmitted between dogs and humans. Early detection of URI is important; ignored dogs suffer from severe dehydration and risk developing pneumonia.

Bortadella, also called 'kennel cough" is another contagious respiratory disease commonly contracted in animal shelters, boarding kennels, or anywhere groups of dogs have close contact with one another. It is a short-term disease, and most dogs get over it with a few days of rest and tender loving care from you. It is possible to have your dog vaccinated against Bortadella - a good idea if you plan on boarding her or placing her in "doggie daycare."

Vaccinations are also available to protect your dog against more deadly diseases such as rabies, distemper and parvovirus. Most municipalities require that all dogs are vaccinated against rabies; some include distemper and parvovirus as well. Making these vaccinations mandatory protects the health of all dogs, and, in the case of rabies, human health as well. If your dog was vaccinated as a puppy, she's off to a good start. However, without yearly booster shots, your dog is at risk of great suffering from one of these diseases.

Dogs serve as hosts to a number of parasites. You will probably be asked to bring a fecal sample to your dog's yearly vet appointment, so that the staff can check for the presence of internal parasites. If you notice small, rice-like granules on your pet's bedding or around her anus, she is suffering from an infestation of worms and needs to be seen by your vet to get proper treatment. Other parasites take up residence on the outside of your dog's body. Mange and sarcoptic mites live on the hair follicles and skin of dogs, while ear mites live on the inside of the ear. These parasites are so small you might not see them, but they cause your dog extreme discomfort. Head shaking and pawing at ears are signs of ear mites. Frequent scratching and skin-biting can indicate either skin mites or a dog's worst enemy: fleas.

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© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Would you like to learn more about caring for and training your adorable dog ? Visit MyPetAnimals.com now!

Natural Treatment of Cancer in Dogs and Feline Cancer

Cancer in dogs and cats occurs just as frequently as in human beings. Cancer in dogs and feline cancer is a worrisome and frightening diagnosis for any pet and its' owner. There are many theories as to the cause of cancer in dogs and cats, and how it comes to inflict ones pet. Carcinogens are thought to be cancer causing exposures with some sort of direct relationship that are causative in the development of cancer. This can vary from certain chemicals and fumes that can be found in environmental exposures. There can also be genetic or familial carcinomas that can be found in certain litters and breeds. Some breeds being more prone to certain cancers.

Signs and symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats vary depending on the type of cancer which the pet has suffered. Loss of appetite, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, nausea and vomiting are just some of the symptoms that would suggest a malignancy in your cat or dog. If cancer in cats and dogs is suspected in your pet, a visit to the veterinarian is in order.

Diagnosis of canine cancer or feline cancer can be made by physical exam if there is a palpable mass, biopsy which requires sampling of tissue, x-rays and /or blood work. Since there are so many different types of cancer, the presentation can vary. Treatment of canine and feline cancer can consist of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, steroids or a combination of the above mentioned depending on the cancer type and stage. All of these factors are taken into consideration before treatment of the cancer is initiated.

The one thing that your pet does have when cancer has been diagnosed is a true stress on the immune system. This is a major factor in the treatment of all cancers in cats and dogs. It is important for your cat or dog to keep the immune system strong to prevent further weakness and fatigue associated with a carcinoma. The immune system allows your pet to fight off the cancer cells which usually continue to multiply and help your pet to remain strong when the immune system has been weakened from this debilitating disease.

There are other treatment options available to be used in conjunction with conventional treatment of cancer in your dog or cat. Homeopathic and natural remedies can be used to help boost your pets' immune system and aid in the natural and effective treatment of cancer in dogs and cats. Pet Alive C-Caps are an all natural and safe natural and homeopathic remedy for the treatment of cancer in cats and dogs. This treatment has no known side effects and has been found to be effective in the treatment of cancer in cats and dogs. This remedy does not promise cure, but alleviation of symptoms and a boost to the immune system which allows your pet to fight the cancer and remain resilient through other conventional or conservative treatments. This is a wonderful alternative approach for the treatment of both canine cancer and feline cancer.

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HOME TREATMENT FOR KENNEL COUGH | PROVEN WAYS

Have you ever wished you knew what you could do to treat kennel cough at home instead of spending a fortune on vet bills every time your pet contracted kennel cough? You are intelligent enough to know that every case of kennel cough does not mean you need to make a trip to the vet. Imagine what it would like to be able to safely and effectively treat your pet at home. They are more comfortable at home in the first place. What if you could finally treat a number of pet illnesses at home without breaking the bank on vet bills? We will first look at what kennel cough is.

KENNEL COUGH:

Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection your pet has contracted that causes, among other things, a dry hacking cough. It is caused by a bacterial infection in most cases. In mild cases you can treat your pet at home and use many ingredients you might already have in your home.

MILDER symptoms OF KENNEL COUGH ARE:

Dry harsh cough

Gagging and/or vomiting

Loss of appetite

MORE SEVERE symptoms ARE:

Nasal discharge

Fever

Cough that produces phlegm

Depression

Green mucus

If your dog or cat has developed coughing with green mucus then take it to your vet right away. If you pet has the milder symptoms then you can probably treat at home.

HOME REMEDIES:

Pediatric robitussen is being used for puppies to help soothe throat tissues that have become sore due to the inflammation of the throat that occurs from the infection. Just like we would do for our children cough syrups are being used on pets.

Certain herbal remedies are also being used to expel mucus. One is plantango lanceolata .

Another herbal remedy being used to clear mucus is Bryonia C6 which is also reported to be able to soothe sore throat tissues.

For small puppies many people also use honey to soothe irritated throats. The honey can be mixed in the pet?s water bowl. Most report using this first before the cough syrups.

Run a humidifier to help keep the air moist or boil a pan of water to add moisture.

Give your pet a vitamin supplement to boost their immune system and practice good nutrition.

Some people are reporting using Vitamin C but be cautious here as too much has been known to cause irritable bowel syndrome.

Loosen collars ? your pet?s throat is sore and irritated.

To learn about other home remedies and treatment secrets that can save you a ton of money in vet bills read on through the last paragraph

Have you ever wished you knew what you could do to treat kennel cough at home instead of spending a fortune on vet bills every time your pet contracted kennel cough? You are intelligent enough to know that every case of kennel cough does not mean you need to make a trip to the vet. Imagine what it would like to be able to safely and effectively treat your pet at home. They are more comfortable at home in the first place. What if you could finally treat a number of pet illnesses at home without breaking the bank on vet bills? We will first look at what kennel cough is.

KENNEL COUGH:

Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection your pet has contracted that causes, among other things, a dry hacking cough. It is caused by a bacterial infection in most cases. In mild cases you can treat your pet at home and use many ingredients you might already have in your home.

MILDER symptoms OF KENNEL COUGH ARE:

Dry harsh cough

Gagging and/or vomiting

Loss of appetite

MORE SEVERE symptoms ARE:

Nasal discharge

Fever

Cough that produces phlegm

Depression

Green mucus

If your dog or cat has developed coughing with green mucus then take it to your vet right away. If you pet has the milder symptoms then you can probably treat at home.

HOME REMEDIES:

Pediatric robitussen is being used for puppies to help soothe throat tissues that have become sore due to the inflammation of the throat that occurs from the infection. Just like we would do for our children cough syrups are being used on pets.

Certain herbal remedies are also being used to expel mucus. One is plantango lanceolata .

Another herbal remedy being used to clear mucus is Bryonia C6 which is also reported to be able to soothe sore throat tissues.

For small puppies many people also use honey to soothe irritated throats. The honey can be mixed in the pet?s water bowl. Most report using this first before the cough syrups.

Run a humidifier to help keep the air moist or boil a pan of water to add moisture.

Give your pet a vitamin supplement to boost their immune system and practice good nutrition.

Some people are reporting using Vitamin C but be cautious here as too much has been known to cause irritable bowel syndrome.

Loosen collars ? your pet?s throat is sore and irritated.

To learn about other home remedies and treatment secrets that can save you a ton of money in vet bills read on through the last paragraph

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Are you making any of the classic pet treatment mistakes which will cause you to improperly treat www.Catanddogcures.com ?>kennel cough? I hate to admit it but I have made most if not all of them myself. Find out what they are and how to avoid them by visiting www.catanddogcures.com right now before you do any serious harm to your pet. They are a member of the family also.

Brain Cancer in Dogs

symptoms of brain cancer include personality changes, stress, aggression, shyness, or depression. They are also appetite changes, lethargy, lameness, muscle twitches, eye and facial issues, coordination problems, bleeding in the nasal cavity, respiratory issues, and heart problems. The early symptoms are usually related to the appetite, weight loss, and personality changes. As the brain cancer progresses you will see more changes and of course extremely muscle weakness. The brain is the center for all things in the body. If a small section is affected it can through off the other functions of the body such as the liver, heart, lungs, and immune system. Sometimes brain cancer is a result of another cancer forming somewhere in the body and moving through the blood cells until it creates a second mass on the brain. Some of the symptoms will be determined by the location fo the actual brain cancer.

Brain cancer or meningioma is a tumor cell that can form in several areas of the brain. The cancer can form at the base of the spine, or any part of the brain. The cells will mutate and the cancer will grow if left untreated. You should know that this type of cancer is malignant. This means that the cancer will continue to grow in the brain until the dog either dies from the cancer or from the pressure on the brain causing an aneurism. It is important that you know and recognize the early symptoms to prevent suffering and of course death of your loved one.

Your dog is very important to you and I bet you have treated your dog carefully, making sure they have the proper nutrition, exercise, and of course love. Even owners who spend all their time trying to prevent cancer in their dog will be shocked to find out that their dog has cancer. In some cases you just can?t prevent cancer no matter how careful you are. In these cases you just have to learn how to care for your sick dog and understand the progression of the disease to help treat it. With brain cancer you will find there really is no cause science has been able to find. They believe that brain cancer is usually a result of a genetic disorder in the cells that allow them to mutate and form.

As I mentioned above there really is no known prevention making the treatment for your dog extremely important. You will have a few choices in treatment and therefore care. Surgery is often very difficult on dogs with brain cancer as they have to go in to remove the actual mass. This can cause lasting effects, so most often an owner will decide care and medication are the best choices. There are medications that have been created to prevent the actual mutation of cells. Keep in mind that the medication usually does not reduce the cells already formed; therefore you may need to try radiation or chemotherapy with your dog to reduce the cells that have already formed and prevent the cells from re- growing. If you choose medication and radiation you will need to make adjustments for care. The dog will need a different diet, more care from you while you are home, and less exercise. Exercise is important, but when they are feeling ill they tend to want to lie around. So allowing for more rest is as important as short five minute walks. You also need to realize that they can be sick from the treatment so they need you to be there to help them get over the vomiting and other issues of the treatment.

In this article you will find information on care and prevention of brain cancer. You will also find treatment and symptoms of brain cancer in dogs. Cancer is one of the biggest causes of deaths in dogs and taking preventative methods is essential to your dogs care.

*Information about the Author:*

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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 .