Does Your Dog Have Otitis Externa?

Does your dog shake his head excessively? Are his ears red? Is there discharge from the ears? If you answered yes to any of these then he could have Otitis Externa which is simply another name for a doggy ear infection.

The dogs ear has 3 parts, the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Otitis Externa is an infection in the outer ear canal where 90% of ear infections in dogs occur. Dogs are prone to ear infections because of the anatomy of their ears. They have a horizontal and a vertical component to them, so it is hard for anything in there to drain out, like water or debris.

There are several causes of ear infections. The most common cause of ear infections are due to allergies. Some dogs are more prone to allergies than others; therefore they get more ear infections.

Another common cause is sporting dogs that swim. They get water inside their ears, and provided their difficult anatomy, the water in the ears cannot drain out. Therefore, this provides the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. It is recommenced that if you let your dog play in the water you dry your dog's ears thoroughly afterwards.

If your dog does have an ear infection it is important to properly clean your dog's ears before applying any medication.

To clean your dog's ears, start by placing a few drops of an ear cleanser into the ear and massage the ear to help loosen any debris that is in the ear. Then use a cloth or cotton gauze to whip the dirt out.

After your dog's ears are thoroughly clean, then you can apply your medication. Follow your veterinarian's advice about how much medication to apply to the ear, usually a few drops.

The treatment your veterinarian will prescribe will vary depending on the cause of the ear infection. For yeast infections they prescribe anti-fungals, for bacterial infections they will prescribe antibiotics. Normally treatment is applied directly into the ears, but in severe cases systemic treatment may be needed. This usually means have to give your dog pills orally.

In some dogs with severe ear problems, the veterinarian will usually clip the hair around the ear to help let more air into the ear. In extreme cases your veterinarian may recommend surgery to reconstruct the ear canal to let it drain easier.

Some dog breeds are more prone to ear infections than others, although all dogs can be get them. Dogs with large ears and ears that flop over as well as dogs with a small ear canal can be more susceptible than others. Ear infections in dogs need to be treated by your vet, so the next time you see any symptoms in your

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Lee Dobbins writes for E Pet Center where you can learn more about pets and caring for dogs .

Dog Diseases: Rabies

We have all heard about rabies affecting dogs and cats when we first adopted a pet. We even hear of cases happening around our city or town on occasion. The state often has laws that you must follow, especially with dogs regarding rabies shots to make sure there are no outbreaks, but what is rabies? Why can it be such a traumatic experience for both you and your dog?

Rabies is a virus. The dog or human can actually contract the virus, which is why many states have made the vaccinations a law. A carrier of the disease can spread it through biting. This means if your dog comes into contact with a rabid animal and is bitten the virus will be transmitted. You will find that rabies does not live long outside of the host and therefore the transmission via air is usually impossible unless you are in some enclosed space like a cave with bats. Most often the rabies is shed by the saliva and that is why when bitten it transfers to the new animal. For dogs the disease can be deadly and there are really no ways of testing for rabies in animals without harming the dog. For humans there is treatment.

One of the reasons I keep mentioning humans along with dogs is that most dogs have owners and when they become infected it will affect your care just as much as the dogs. It is important to understand that you and your dog can be harmed if you don?t take the proper care. When you are out walking with your dog you should take care that they don?t run off in the woods, or that they don?t engage another animal in a fight or play that could be a carrier. It is best to always pay close attention to your dog and make sure you stay in the safe zones. Even if you are in the woods there are precautions you can take. You will also find that the vaccinations of rabies required for your dog will help them be immune to the disease in the unlikely event they do come into contact with a carrier. There are about 15% of exposed individuals that will contract the disease. For dogs there has been only about 100,000 cases a year that contract rabies in the entire world.

There are symptoms to look for if you believe your dog has come into contact with a rabies carrying animal. First the incubation can last for 3 to 8 weeks. Then they will experience the first stage, which last 2-3 days. There is a difference in character from apprehension nervousness, anxiety, and fever. They then move to the second stage that last 1 to 7. They become restless and irritable. The third stay is marked by an inability to swallow, face muscle weakness, and labored breathing. They then go into respiratory failure and can die.

To test for rabies a brain exam is needed. In some new testing the skin or blood can be studies, but this is not as effective as doing a microscopic exam of the brain. Unfortunately there is no treatment once the disease develops and most often death will occur. There have been rare cases that a dog has survived. This means that it is very important for the vaccination and prevention of the disease. If you do not take care you are at risk in life as well once infected. Make sure that you speak with your vet about the proper vaccinations and if there are requirements for more than one vaccination in the life of the dog. Usually there are stages in the growth period where the rabies vaccination should be given.

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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

_______________________________________________________

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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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