Canine Leukemia

Leukemia is one type of cancer that affects the blood. This disease is characterized by a significant increase of the leukocytes, popularly called white blood cells.

The first symptom is a large number of these cells in the blood marrow or even in the circulation. Leukemia is a result of a genetic malfunction, a mutation that happens inside the bone?s marrow. This disease has several types. It is classified taking into consideration the type of the white blood cells that are involved and also the way in which the disease is progressing.

Leukemia can derive from the bone marrow and it is called myelogenous or granulocytic leukemia and also lymphocytic leukemia when it involves the lymph nodes.

Leukemia disease can either be chronic or acute. It all depends on the kind of white cells that are affected. The chronic one is named chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL in pets like dogs and cats has a lot of similarities with the human disease but still some major differences too.

The ALL, or acute lymphoid leukemia is a disease that progresses quite rapidly. A few of the symptoms include fever, anemia, random bleeding, loosing the appetite, swollen lymph nodes, panting, anxiousness, vomiting, pale gums, shifting limb lameness, lack of coordination, some infections that appear because of the week immune system. All these symptoms can cause death if the disease is not treated.

At a clinical examination, if the dog has fever or a bigger than usual spleen or liver, it is a good sign of the disease. Many mature animals develop the acute lymphoid leukemia rather then the young. This is a difference from the human disease which is quite common in children. Another important fact is that this disease can cause some ocular lesions in dogs.

The chronic leukemia has many cancer white cells that are affecting the body?s ability to fight the infections. The disease progresses slowly and it is fatal. It suppresses the immune system and then the bone marrow fails to function. The bag cells then infiltrate the other organs. The disease easily spreads into the blood, the lymph nodes, liver or spleen and into the central nervous system. The disease doesn?t create solid tumors or other solid masses. The death can be quite painful.

Discovering the leukemia can be done ding a simple blood examination and then, if there are suspicions, a bone marrow analysis.

Leukemia is one type of cancer that affects the blood. This disease is characterized by a significant increase of the leukocytes, popularly called white blood cells.

The first symptom is a large number of these cells in the blood marrow or even in the circulation. Leukemia is a result of a genetic malfunction, a mutation that happens inside the bone?s marrow. This disease has several types. It is classified taking into consideration the type of the white blood cells that are involved and also the way in which the disease is progressing.

Leukemia can derive from the bone marrow and it is called myelogenous or granulocytic leukemia and also lymphocytic leukemia when it involves the lymph nodes.

Leukemia disease can either be chronic or acute. It all depends on the kind of white cells that are affected. The chronic one is named chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL in pets like dogs and cats has a lot of similarities with the human disease but still some major differences too.

The ALL, or acute lymphoid leukemia is a disease that progresses quite rapidly. A few of the symptoms include fever, anemia, random bleeding, loosing the appetite, swollen lymph nodes, panting, anxiousness, vomiting, pale gums, shifting limb lameness, lack of coordination, some infections that appear because of the week immune system. All these symptoms can cause death if the disease is not treated.

At a clinical examination, if the dog has fever or a bigger than usual spleen or liver, it is a good sign of the disease. Many mature animals develop the acute lymphoid leukemia rather then the young. This is a difference from the human disease which is quite common in children. Another important fact is that this disease can cause some ocular lesions in dogs.

The chronic leukemia has many cancer white cells that are affecting the body?s ability to fight the infections. The disease progresses slowly and it is fatal. It suppresses the immune system and then the bone marrow fails to function. The bag cells then infiltrate the other organs. The disease easily spreads into the blood, the lymph nodes, liver or spleen and into the central nervous system. The disease doesn?t create solid tumors or other solid masses. The death can be quite painful.

Discovering the leukemia can be done ding a simple blood examination and then, if there are suspicions, a bone marrow analysis.

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Read more about canine leukemia , symptoms of canine leukemia and canine leukemia diagnosis at CanineLeukemia.Net.

How To Treat Dogs With Hemorrhoids

Dogs are great pets; they are always there when you reach for them with a wagging tail and welcoming face; that must be the reason why they are the number one choice of pet with families in the US. Dogs have the same type of diseases that we do and one of them is hemorrhoids.

In dogs just like in humans hemorrhoids occur due to strain during bowel movement and sometimes, in dogs due to sitting down. Hemorrhoids are formed in the rectum area due to straining of the blood vessels and in dog just like in humans they can also occur due to a medical condition, old age, pregnancy and even due to poor diet; here are a few guidelines that will help you recognize the disorder and get treatments as soon as possible.

symptoms Of Dog Hemorrhoids

Blood in the stool is the first symptoms you should watch for in dog hemorrhoids especially if you take your dog in public places to do his needs and therefore need to clean after him, which will bring you in close proximity of the stool. If the dog has external hemorrhoids then he may face itching, burning and even pain due to the irritation that can occur when the dog will try to deal with the itching and burning by dragging his torso on the ground in an attempt to stop the itching and burning.

Treating Dog Hemorrhoids

If you have the slightest doubt that your dog is suffering from hemorrhoids you need to see a vet right away in order to determine the diagnostic because there are a few other diseases that may have similar symptoms therefore don't try to medicate your dog at home. Dog hemorrhoids are treated very similar to human hemorrhoids and that is through suppository is they are internal and through cream if they are external; you can also get them removed through surgery if the vet suggests it to be the best form of treatment. Hemorrhoids are not a life threatening disease if treated as soon as it is diagnosed however, it can promote cancer when left untreated for long periods of time not to mention the discomfort and pain that can increase in the process.

Other Helpful Tips On Dog Hemorrhoids

A closer look at your dog's diet may help your pet in the future to prevent hemorrhoids; ensure your dog has a healthy diet with the necessary fiber, water and plenty of exercise. Also watching the treats that you feed your dog may help, as often they are the ones that promote constipation and/or diarrhea.

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Scott Goodman writes about many different subjects. For more information and articles about Pets and Hemorrhoids please visit Hemorrhoids Exposed! .

Does Your Dog Suffer From Allergies?

Dogs can get allergies for a variety of reasons, but there are a few culprits that lead to a state of a weakened immune system. Once a dog has a weakened immune system, he may start having allergic reactions to things that would not normally bother a healthy, strong dog. And he may develop a serious autoimmune problem like inflammatory bowel disease or hyperthyroidism.

According to Richard Pitcairn, these things may lead to a dog developing a weakened immune system:

* combination injections used a lot * excessive use of cortisone drugs * commercial dog food diets

The latter is an interesting point, as even in miler cases of allergy, dogs may be allergic to some of the commercial foods we feed them. He suggests switching to a special healing diet, made from food you prepare yourself, for about 2 or 3 months. If after this time there is no improvement, then it is safe to safe that food is not causing the allergy. Dr Pitcairn's recommended allergy diet includes grains like brown rice, bone meal, meat, and vitamins.

Once the dog has been on this diet for a few months, you can start introducing foods that he used to eat, gradually. It's best to introduce the foods one at a time, so you have a chance to see whether a reaction occurs after he eats it. Once a food, or ingredient has been identified, the option exists to find a good quality dog food that doesn't contain those ingredients. There exist special foods that are formulated for dogs with skin conditions, and these might be more suitable.

Foods are not the only substances that can trigger an allergy however. Your dog may be allergic to:

* chlorine or other household chemical agents * cleaning chemicals, either in your house or yard * gases released from chemicals in our furniture or buildings * synthetic carpets * plastic food bowls * some types of grass or plants * regular dog care products like heartworm or flea products * flea bites

The symptoms of a dog suffering from an allergy could be one or more of the following:

* itchy skin * skin eruptions (especially at the base of the tail and on the lower part of his back) * inflamed ears * too much licking of the front feet * problems in the digestive tract including gas, gurgling of the stomach, loose stools or diarrhea * inflammation of the toes * his rear end is irritated * licking and dragging his rear end on the floor

References: Dr Pitcairn, Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs And Cats

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If you're interested in feeding your dog a natural diet, learn about dogs and carbohydrates here. Rebecca presents dog tips and articles here.

Heartworms: An Ounce of Prevention?

Imagine - worms actually living inside your dog's beating heart. It's not something out of a sci-fi movie - it's real, and it's not at all pleasant.

The way dogs develop heartworms is fairly simple: Heartworm larvae travel inside mosquitoes - and when the carriers bite your pooch, the larvae makes their way to your dog's heart, where they feed on the lining of the heart and block life-sustaining arteries.

As with a lot of diseases and disorders, prevention is the key. So, having your dog tested for heartworm, then - if he gets a clean bill of health - starting him on a heartworm prevention/parasite barrier regimen is important.

According to PETCO, some of the preventive medications available (by prescription only) that offer superior protection against heartworms are: - Interceptor - a chewable tablet that guards against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. - Sentinel - combines Interceptor with Program, a flea-control agent. - Heartgard Plus - a chewable cube that guards against heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. - Proheart - a tablet that protects against heartworms. - Revolution - a topical liquid medication that guards against heartworms, fleas, ticks, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange mites. Of course, in some cases, prevention might come too late. So if your dog is experiencing symptoms such as: - Difficulty breathing - Coughing - Fatigue - Listlessness - Weight loss - Rough coat

You should see your veterinarian immediately. The cause could be heartworms - or one of any number of other treatable diseases. If your dog has been infected with heartworms, the treatment won't be easy, inexpensive or risk free, but if you - and your pooch are fighters, then your vet can help you through the situation.

_______________________________________________________ Jed Yorkshire is a retired teacher and pet enthusiast who writes about canine health topics, specialty breeds, animal training and grooming. An avid pet lover and breeder, he owns four beautiful Giant Schnauzers. Yorkshire also works as a private pet behavior consultant.

Visit Site: http://www.petco.com Keyword(s): petco

_______________________________________________________

Imagine - worms actually living inside your dog's beating heart. It's not something out of a sci-fi movie - it's real, and it's not at all pleasant.

The way dogs develop heartworms is fairly simple: Heartworm larvae travel inside mosquitoes - and when the carriers bite your pooch, the larvae makes their way to your dog's heart, where they feed on the lining of the heart and block life-sustaining arteries.

As with a lot of diseases and disorders, prevention is the key. So, having your dog tested for heartworm, then - if he gets a clean bill of health - starting him on a heartworm prevention/parasite barrier regimen is important.

According to PETCO, some of the preventive medications available (by prescription only) that offer superior protection against heartworms are: - Interceptor - a chewable tablet that guards against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. - Sentinel - combines Interceptor with Program, a flea-control agent. - Heartgard Plus - a chewable cube that guards against heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. - Proheart - a tablet that protects against heartworms. - Revolution - a topical liquid medication that guards against heartworms, fleas, ticks, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange mites. Of course, in some cases, prevention might come too late. So if your dog is experiencing symptoms such as: - Difficulty breathing - Coughing - Fatigue - Listlessness - Weight loss - Rough coat

You should see your veterinarian immediately. The cause could be heartworms - or one of any number of other treatable diseases. If your dog has been infected with heartworms, the treatment won't be easy, inexpensive or risk free, but if you - and your pooch are fighters, then your vet can help you through the situation.

_______________________________________________________ Jed Yorkshire is a retired teacher and pet enthusiast who writes about canine health topics, specialty breeds, animal training and grooming. An avid pet lover and breeder, he owns four beautiful Giant Schnauzers. Yorkshire also works as a private pet behavior consultant.

Visit Site: http://www.petco.com Keyword(s): petco

_______________________________________________________

Article Source : http://www.articlewarehouse.com

You Never Have to Have Any Dog Health Problems

While any dog owner recognizes that there are certain chores that he must leave strictly to the veterinarian, he wants, at the same time, to be given at least some idea of the role he can play in preventing dog health problems. Below are a few tips owners can use to avoid problems common problems.

Feeding Your Dog To Keep Optimum Health

The basic principle to be understood in the feeding of dogs is that, with only minor variations, they have the same nutritive requirements as man. A dog apparently has less need for starches and its digestive juices do not handle fatty foods well. Thus, the dog`s meat should always be quite lean, otherwise it will commonly cause a stomach upset with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea

Most animals will get along perfectly well on dry or canned commercial dog foods. Great strides have been made in the improvement of commercial dog foods in recent years. Their formulae are specially prepared by trained scientists to meet all of the dog`s needs and the federal government, on the basis of careful experiment to furnish normal maintenance diets, guarantees all nationally known brands. This means that the dog can live its entire life without eating anything but dog food.

While some companies will claim that their biscuits are a complete food and are often justified in their claim, most experts agree that the large majority of the biscuits that are manufactured serve best only as a supplementary food

Caring For Your Pets Eyes To Prevent Illness

In the general care of the eyes, the average dog owner can be advised to keep them clean. This can be done by washing them once a day with a lukewarm solution of boric acid (made by dissolving one teaspoonful of boric acid powder in a glass of hot water) or by the application of boric acid eye ointment direct to the eyeball.

The care of any significant eye diseases is strictly a job for the veterinarian. For safety`s sake, any injury to the eye should be considered an emergency and the veterinarian should be contacted immediately. Professional attention should be given even to very mild eye irritations that do not readily respond to simple treatment with washings of boric acid solution or applications of boric acid eye ointment.

How To Prevent Ear Ailments

Proper ear hygiene consists in keeping the hair of the ear clean and thoroughly combed out, free from parasites at all times and in maintaining the cleanliness of the inside of the ear. To clean the inside of the ear, dampen a piece of absorbent cotton with alcohol, squeeze out the excess moisture and clean out all the accumulated scurf as far down into the ear as the finger can conveniently reach.

Have no fear of doing damage to the inner ear, for the finger simply cannot penetrate that far. The cleaned surface should be dried with a piece of cotton. The next step is to put some boric acid powder on the back of a spoon handle or other convenient object and dump the powder into the ear. Then manipulate the ear so that the powder will penetrate as far into the ear canal as possible. After this is done to both ears, allow the animal to shake out the excess powder.

If this procedure is followed about two or three times a week, it is very unlikely that the dog ever will be affected by the common ear ailments.

Prevention Is The Best Cure

By taking steps to avoid dog health problems, you are less likely to have to suffer the consequences of an ill pet. If you are concerned about your pet or notice any strange symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian immediately. Regular check ups will also help detect potential illness or health problems early. Check ups should be given about every 6 months.

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Discover The Secrets To Keeping Your Dog Happy, Fit And Healthy Because Your Best Friend`s Worth It FREE For A Limited Time doghealthproblems.org/

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!