Does Your Dog Have Diabetes?

One of the most common hormonal disorders in dogs, diabetes is disease where the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin.

Juvenile onset occurs before the dog reaches one year of age. For this type of diabetes, the most common symptoms are:

- the puppy will be small in size - he will not grow properly even though he eats ravenously - may begin to loose weight and become weak

Maturity onset diabetes occurs after one year of age, with most cases being found in dogs aged five to seven years. If your dog is obese, he stands a greater chance of being affected by it.

The most common symptoms are:

- drinking lots of water - urinates more frequently - unexplained loss of weight

If you dog displays these symptoms, get him to the vet right away. The earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to control. Your vet can do a simple blood test can tell if your dog has diabetes.

Treatment

Diet and medication can control the disease in most dogs, although in dogs, diet alone is not sufficient. Also, oral insulin tablets do not work so injections must be used. Once your vet has the disease under control, you need to set up a schedule to medicate your dog and stick to it. Your vet will help you learn how to administer insulin. They are easy to do and will quickly become a routine task.

Your dog must be carefully monitored with blood and urine sugar tests to help determine the proper amount of insulin. Testing his urine with test strips that you can get from a nearby drug store or pet shop does this. This strip will denote the level of sugar in his system-if it is too much, you reduce the insulin level and if it is low, you scale up the insulin dosage.

If you maintain a record of the results of these test strips, the dosage of insulin given and your dog's eating patterns and attitude, it will help you in understanding his condition, besides also helping your vet predict any future problems.

Feeding must be on a regular schedule to provide a consistent supply of sugar so that insulin remains at the required level. Make sure you follow the recommendations of your vet regarding the food to use and when to feed your dog.

One potential problem is an insulin overdose. The symptoms of this are confusion, dinorientation, drowsiness, shivering or your dog may collapse. If your dog is concious, you can give him sugar in water, candy (not chocolate) or orange juice. If your dog is uncnocious, get professional help immediatetly.

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B.L Hill is a dog-lover and has owned dogs for over 20 years. For more articles, tips and tricks visit the Dog Training Tips website.

Information About Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Dogs?

When a dog is incapable of releasing heat from his body and warms himself up too much, it is commonly known as a heatstroke. This can lead to harm to his body organs as they also end up getting heated. This heating up can even result in a dog?s untimely death.

You must look for signs that tell you whether he is suffering from a heatstroke or not. If he is panting too much and the panting appears to be very heavy, if he has a high pulse rate or if he has intense red gums, he has a heatstroke. Your dog might also look lifeless and drained, which is similar to the human condition during a heatstroke. If you ignore these signs, your dog might even fall unconscious.

House him in an airy and cool place. Also keep him constantly soaking in water so that the heat wears off. Another good idea would be to put him in a tub of ice for a little while. But do not overdo this. If his temperature comes back to a normal 103 degree Celsius then pull him out of the tub. If you do not maintain vigilance, then he might end up with hypothermia.

The dog should be taken to a vet as soon as he cools down and it is all right to move him. Young dogs and older ones are more susceptible to heatstroke and should be carefully looked after.

Even once the heating period is over, the dog faces risks of brain damage and lack of fluids, so look out for the symptoms. But if he doesn?t already suffer from it, it is very easy to avoid a heatstroke. You must give him plenty of water to drink and keep him in a cool place. He should not be overworked on a hot day. These simple things will keep him cool and healthy.

When a dog is incapable of releasing heat from his body and warms himself up too much, it is commonly known as a heatstroke. This can lead to harm to his body organs as they also end up getting heated. This heating up can even result in a dog?s untimely death.

You must look for signs that tell you whether he is suffering from a heatstroke or not. If he is panting too much and the panting appears to be very heavy, if he has a high pulse rate or if he has intense red gums, he has a heatstroke. Your dog might also look lifeless and drained, which is similar to the human condition during a heatstroke. If you ignore these signs, your dog might even fall unconscious.

House him in an airy and cool place. Also keep him constantly soaking in water so that the heat wears off. Another good idea would be to put him in a tub of ice for a little while. But do not overdo this. If his temperature comes back to a normal 103 degree Celsius then pull him out of the tub. If you do not maintain vigilance, then he might end up with hypothermia.

The dog should be taken to a vet as soon as he cools down and it is all right to move him. Young dogs and older ones are more susceptible to heatstroke and should be carefully looked after.

Even once the heating period is over, the dog faces risks of brain damage and lack of fluids, so look out for the symptoms. But if he doesn?t already suffer from it, it is very easy to avoid a heatstroke. You must give him plenty of water to drink and keep him in a cool place. He should not be overworked on a hot day. These simple things will keep him cool and healthy.

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In an attempt to understand their best companion - their dog, most dog owners prefer dog books that contain everything that one would ever want to know about dogs. Besides tips on grooming and training pet dogs, these also include information on various dog diseases to help you keep your pet healthy and safe.

Ten Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

As a dog owner, we all want what's best for our dog. With the newest reports about the proper diet for your dog, they should have carbohydrates, vegtables, etc., more and more dog owners are giving their dog table scraps without realizing that there are certain foods a dog should never have. Before you put your left-overs in your dog's bowl be sure to read the top ten foods they shouldn't eat.

1. Chocolate - To dogs, chocolate acts as a stimulant, making your dog's heartbeat accelerate or beat irregularly, leading to seizures and even cardiac arrest. To compound things further, it also acts as a severe diuretic, causing frequent urination, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you even suspect your dog has consumed chocolate, take him to an animal hospital immediately.

2. Grapes and Raisins - Grapes and raisins create havoc with your dog's kidneys and digestive system. What's worse is that the amount of grapes needed to cause problems can vary greatly among individual dogs. symptoms include frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Onions - Onions cause the breakdown of a dog's red blood cells, which deprives his cells of much-needed oxygen. If you're in the habit of feeding your dog table scraps, make sure the dish was not prepared with onions, as the effects can be cumulative over a period of time. symptoms can vary greatly, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to loss of appetite, fever, or exhaustion.

4. Macadamia Nuts - While the exact chemical compound is still unknown, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can cause fever, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or mild paralysis.

5. Alcoholic Beverages - Dogs' physiologies are not equipped to handle alcohol consumption. They are extremely susceptible to alcohol poisoning, and even small amounts can lead to digestive problems or even death.

6. Bread Dough - Because it is soft, dogs will often swallow the dough without chewing it. When the dough hits your dog's stomach, his body heat will cause the dough to rise inside his stomach. This rising action can cause bloating or vomiting. To compound things further, the rising action creates alcohol as a by-product, and your dog may experience the symptoms listed in the previous paragraph.

7. Caffeinated Beverages - Similar to the effects of chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant and can negatively impact your dog's heart rate, causing seizures or heart attacks.

8. Avocadoes- Avocadoes are toxic to many animals. The offensive chemical damages heart, lung, and other essential tissues. Be aware since guacamole's main ingredient is avocado, that you keep any such dips well out of your dog's reach.

9. Pitted Fruits - (Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots) The pits of these fruits contain small doses of cyanide, which can be fatal to smaller dogs. Also, if the pit is swallowed whole, it may become lodged in the intestinal tract, where the blockage will have to be surgically removed.

10. Raw Fish - Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain parasites, usually fluke larvae. The dog consumes the fish, and the larvae hatch in your dog's digestive tract, attaching themselves to his intestinal walls. symptoms can take up to a week to exhibit and usually mimic other canine diseases, such as distemper or parvovirus. The hazard here is misdiagnosis by the veterinarian, leading to an improper or ineffective treatment. If you choose to feed your dog fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly to kill any bad critters that could be hiding inside.

This is of vital information for your dog care. If you want your dog to have the proper diet, take a small amount of what your making before you add the onions and the extra spices and make him up his own little plate and add it with his dog food.

Remember a good dog is a happy and healthy dog.

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Michelle Johnson is highly respected in her community for her knowledge on dog care. She owns www.tailwaggingprices.com find all your dog care needs at discounted prices. If you would like to read more of her articles visit dogandpetcare.wordpress.com while your there be sure to leave a comment.

Pregnancy Stages in Dogs

Just like human females, your dog has a pregnancy schedule, and a uterine calendar that can pinpoint which pregnancy stage she is in according to her body's symptoms.

In a dog's first pregnancy stage, for example, when she is in the first two weeks of since copulation, the dog's nipples start to enlarge. When you notice this phenomenon your dog should see a veterinarian, to determine if there is a pregnancy and if so what pregnancy stage she is in.

The veterinarian will be able to tell if puppies have been conceived just by feeling the dog's stomach. Just as with human pregnancy tests, the dog's pregnancy or lack of it can be verified through a blood test. Of course, the pregnancy stage for a canine is shorter than that of humans because dogs give birth only sixty three to sixty five days after conception.

Each pregnancy stage for a dog, therefore, is only about 21 days long as compared with a woman's pregnancy trimester of three months. In the dogs sixth week of pregnancy her need for nutrition will increase as will her appetite. At this point she is truly eating for several little ones including herself, and should be fed more food accordingly. Her food consumption will increase approximately 50 percent over what she normally consumes. It is very important that her diet be balanced. For this you should take the advice of your veterinarian.

A dog that is going to have a litter of many puppies will have a visibly enlarged tummy, although there are some dogs - especially those giving birth to just a few - whose abdomen won't enlarge noticeably. For these dogs, the pregnancy stage where they are showing is about one week long. Dogs who deliver a great number of puppies tend to deliver them prematurely.

In general, your dog can deliver her own puppies without the intervention of a veterinarian. There are exceptions to this, of course, and it's important to be able to know what these exceptions are and when they are occurring.

You should call the vet if your dog has been carrying the puppies for more than 65 days, or has been having contractions for more than two hours without delivering any puppies. If your dog has given birth to a puppy or puppies but not all, and now three hours have elapsed since the last birth, call the vet. This is especially crucial if you see your dog pushing and putting in a lot of effort. If your dog is very tired and her contractions are so slight that they don't bring on delivery you should call the vet.

Once your dog has advanced to the stage of pregnancy where she has given birth you'll need to step in to give some care to the newborns. It's important that the babies have heat. A puppy crib is ideal, somewhere away from any circulating air. As puppies are still being delivered those that have been born can be pushed towards their mom for warmth and comfort.

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Dustin Cannon is owner of JustArticlesVIP.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Dustin recommends you visit: The Miracle Within

Foods Your Pets Should Avoid

If your pets are anything like mine, they may come off as omnivores. My Akita mix is likely to eat anything that does not eat him first. One of my cats has acquired a taste for tomato bisque and all of my dogs enjoy green pepper, zucchini and lettuce. As for my horse, she would drink all of my beer if she had the chance.

There is not much harm in feeding our pets human foods. However, there are some foods that our animal friends should definitely avoid. In addition to foods, certain plants can be downright deadly for our pets.

Chocolate and Pets Do Not Mix

Chocolate has long been considered a human food that dogs should avoid, and with good reason. Chocolate contains a chemical known as theobromine. Theobromine is similar in chemical composition to caffeine and is tolerated by humans in small amounts and is used as a therapeutic drug for certain medical conditions. Like many types of stimulate chemicals, theobromine can be harmful to humans to large doses. When it comes to animals, theobromine poses a significant health risk.

Though the danger to dogs is widely known, theobromine also poses a risk to cats and horses and other domestic pets. The metabolic process for cats, dogs and horses is significantly slower than it is for humans. An animals inability to quickly metabolize theobromine allows toxic levels of the chemical to buildup. symptoms can range from diarrhea to muscle spasms and vomiting.

No antidote exists for treating theobromine poisoning and it is important to seek immediate veterinary help for any pet who has ingested chocolate. The vet can administer a variety of treatment options that can help reverse the toxic effects of theobromine. The key is to not wait until your pet starts to exhibit symptoms. Seek professional veterinary services immediately.

Since caffeine is similar to theobromine, avoid exposing your pet to sources of caffeine like coffee, tea, coffee beans and tea leaves.

Vegetables and Fruits to Avoid

In addition to chocolate, there are variety of fruit and vegetables that are potentially harmful to domestic pets. Just a few of the fruits and vegetables that your pet should avoid include onions, avocados, mushrooms, grapes and raisons. There are a number of fruit seeds that can cause toxicity problems for your pet including, but not limited to apple seeds, peach and apricot pits, cherry and avocados pits, and mustard seeds.

Fruit seeds and pits contain various levels of cyanide compounds. Though the amount of cyanide may not be fatal to your pet, the effects can be serious enough to require veterinary care. The best advice is to play it safe and avoid exposing your pets to these foods. Onions and similar foods such as leeks and scallions are not poisonous but can cause digestive problems and anemia in some animals so it is best to avoid them.

Candy is Sweet but Not for Your Pet

Sugar and candy may seem like a harmless treat for your pet. Problems can arise when the candy contains any type of artificial sweetener such as Xylitol. Some candy may contain cacao-based ingredients which can expose your pet to toxic levels of theobromine. If you choose to indulge your pet with the occasional sweet, make certain of the ingredients and do so only in moderation.

Other Foods to Avoid

Dogs love peanut butter and giving them peanuts in moderation can make for a tasty treat. While peanuts do not pose a risk for most dogs, other varieties of nuts should be avoided. Among the nut varieties that you should not give to your pet include macadamias and walnuts. If you have walnut trees on your property or walk your dog where walnut trees grow, make sure your dog does not ingest the nut meat or the shells. Either can cause moderate to severe digestive problems that may not show for a day or two.

The best rule of thumb when it comes to your pets and food is when in doubt, throw it out. Take a look around the kitchen and make sure that you pet-proof cabinets and pantries. It is much easier to prevent exposure to harmful foods than it is to see your pet suffer.

If you are ever in doubt about your pets health, seek professional veterinary help immediately.

There is not much harm in occasionally feeding our pets human foods. However, there are some foods that our animal friends should definitely avoid.

*Information about the Author:*

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Aging Dogs and Some Common Issues

How old should a bitch be when weaning her last litter? In general, a female should not be more than five years old when weaning her last litter, nor younger than the second heat, which means between one and two years old. She should also be bred only every other heat, which means a total of three or four litters throughout a female's lifetime.

How old should a male dog be before he should be prevented from copulating? Dogs generally have a self-checking mechanism, which means that they would not ordinarily pursue sex beyond their abilities and fortitude. If they did attempt copulation beyond their physical stamina, they would simply pass out. As dogs get older, they have a lower sperm count, so for selective breeding purposes you are better off using a younger dog with not only fine conformation but stable temperament as well.

Do female dogs experience a change of life? Not that we are aware of. Female dogs can remain fertile until they die. We know of a cocker spaniel that had puppies at the age of fourteen. For the most part females simply stop coming into heat, or come into heat less often, without any menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, etc.

What is the oldest a dog can live? We have heard of dogs living to eighteen years. In general, these cases occur among the smaller breeds.

How does a dog's hearing or sight change as he gets older? It generally gets worse. Barring any medical problems, it is not uncommon to see normal longevity of nine to fifteen years in a dog that has become deaf. The older dog will lose his hearing gradually, so that his owner is often not aware of it until the dog is deaf or almost deaf. Dogs very rarely become blind, but many will experience a clouding of the lens as they get older. A dog's sight is comprised of rods but no cones, so they don't see color - only shades of black, white, and gray.

Do older dogs tend to get fat? Dogs in general tend to be overfed. They are being killed with kindness through frequent snacking. However, older dogs, like people, will tend to loose muscle tone. Overfeeding and lack of exercise will cause any age dog to become overweight.

How common is the problem of gastric torsion? It seems to occur primarily in big dogs. The condition usually is precipitated by a heavy, fatty meal, eaten hastily, followed closely 'by a lot of water then by exercise. The stomach is contracting, trying to digest food and building up fermentation momentum until, in the big chested dog, the stomach literally flips over, twists, and closes off the openings at both ends. It can be remedied only by immediate surgery to unclip the stomach and sew it to the stomach wall if necessary. If not caught in time, the dog goes into shock and dies.

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Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com

Dog Separation Anxiety

One of the greatest joys of dog ownership is the tight bond we experience and encourage with our dogs. However, if your dog becomes too reliant or dependant on you, dog separation anxiety can develop.

Dog Separation Anxiety is an enormous problem to an estimated 10% of all puppy's and older dogs. Somewhat ironically, it is the major cause for dogs ending up in animal shelters. I wish I could say dog separation anxiety is easily fixed , but the truth is it can be a very difficult and time consuming problem to turn around.

Let's take a look at separation anxiety from your dogs perspective. You are the most important thing in your dogs life. Dogs are very sociable creatures and thrive on company for many reasons. If your dog had a choice he/she would spend every bit of his time with you. So it's only natural that when you go out, your dog can experience varying degrees of distress and anxiety. He becomes confused, vulnerable, doesn't know where you are going, why he can't be with you and if you will be coming back to him. When you are separated all he wants is to be reunited with his pack - which is you.

Punishment is never the answer to treating dog separation anxiety!

Does Your Dog Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

There's every chance your dog is suffering from a Separation Anxiety disorder rather than another dog behavior problem if:

1. Your dog gets really worked up and anxious when you are preparing to leave the house. Things like picking up your car keys or putting on your coat can trigger the behavior.

2. Your dog engages in inappropriate behavior only when you are separated. I expand on this topic further down the page, but behavior such as urinating inside, excessive barking and destructive behavior are common symptoms of Separation Anxiety in dogs.

3. Your dog follows you everywhere you go and immediately becomes distressed if he can't be near you.

4. When you arrive home your dog is over the top with his greeting and takes a while to calm down.

Why Do Dogs Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

There are many theories on this one. In some cases the cause or trigger can be pinpointed to a particular event, but often there appears to be no explanation for the Separation Anxiety to commence. What I can say is that Separation Anxiety in dogs regularly occurs:

- Straight after a change in routine. Such as your work hours changing or a family member leaves home. Remember dogs are creatures of habit and any changes can be very unsettling to them.

- If you have been on vacation or unemployed for some time and have been spending heaps of time with your dog. When you go back to work your dog becomes anxious and distressed.

- Unfortunately dog's rescued from animal shelters contribute a highly disproportionate number of Separation Anxiety cases.

- After your dog experiences a traumatic event while on his own. If a thunderstorm lashes your home while your dog is alone, this can trigger Separation Anxiety in the future.

- If your dog is rarely left alone and becomes overly reliant on his pack.

- When you move house to a new neighbourhood.

How Does Dog Separation Anxiety Manifest Itself?

- Barking - Whining - Licking - Destructive Behavior - Chewing - Howling - Panic Attacks - Digging - Inappropriate Urinating - House Soiling - Self Mutilation - Escaping - Diarrhea - Loss Of Appetite - Excessive Salivation - Vomiting - Jumping Through Windows - Crying

What Can You Do To Help Your Dog Overcome Separation?

The treatment administered to your dogs separation anxiety problem depends on its severity. You will find lots of theories and suggestions regarding the correct way to treat separation anxiety - I'll just inform you of what's worked for me.

The 4 Step Program I Used To Fix My Dalmation's Separation Anxiety Problem

My dalmation Harrison developed Separation Anxiety seemingly for no reason when he was about 7 years old. He would start digging and crying as soon as I left the house, even if my other family members were home. My Veterinarian suggested this training process, it achieved the desired result but took plenty of time and patience.

Aside from the 4 step program listed below, I continued to practice the general day to day duties of responsible dog ownership. By this I mean things like providing a safe and comfortable bed, plenty of exercise and obedience training.

Harry would start to get anxious (his whole body would shake) at the very first sign of me leaving the house. This typically would be putting my shoe's on or turning off the TV or heater. It became a real problem for Harry, myself and the rest of my family, this is how we eventually solved it:

Step 1

Since Harry was always by my side when I was home I had to slowly teach him that he didn't always need to be close to me. I started out by ignoring his attention seeking behavior (jumping up, barking etc.) and then did some solid practice of his down stay. Little by little we extended the time and distance we spent apart, until he was happy to be alone for up to 30 minutes. Of course, we still spent lots of fun time together.

Step 2

The next step was to get him used to being outside when I was inside. Again we started off with very small periods apart and gradually lengthened the time over a couple of weeks. If you try this Separation Anxiety treatment make sure that you don't just leave your dog outside to get all worked up and stressed. The trick is to start out leaving your dog out for a few seconds, then going out and reuniting before he shows any signs of Separation Anxiety. Give your dog a treat or dog toy to keep his mind off missing you. Only initiate contact with your dog when he is calm and quiet.

Step 3

The next step in fixing Harry's Separation Anxiety problem was to eliminate the distress caused by me getting ready to leave the house for work. What I did was write a list of all the triggers that started Harry's anxiety. I then set about desensitizing him to these triggers. I'd put my shoe's on, and not go anywhere. Put my coat on, then sit down to read the paper. Pick up my car keys and just carry them around with me, jangling along as I went about my business. After a while (about 3 weeks) Harry barely offered a sideways glance at my shenanigans.

Step 4

When Harry was completely calm in situations that would have unsettled him in the past, I left the house. At first I just stepped outside, shut the door and came back inside within 20 seconds - before he made a sound. Again this was a slow process, similar to step 2. I extended the time outside the front door and then graduated to starting the car, then driving around the block before I came back inside. You can provide a tasty treat to your dog on your way out the door, something that he can work on for a while. Harry's favorite was a frozen Kong stuffed full of peanut butter and a few liver treats, this eventually kept him occupied for hours. Remember that when you return home, don't make a huge fuss. Come inside, get changed, pour yourself a nice hot coffee, then greet your calm dog.

This process did prove effective for me and my anxious dalmation. All up the 4 steps took about 5 weeks to work through and fix Harry's Separation Anxiety problem. My Vet suggested that I supplement this training with some medication. I didn't go down that path, but it would have been my next step if required.

Whichever method you choose to treat dog separation anxiety, be sure to stick with it and don't expect any immediate results.

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Chris Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of www.dog-obedience-training-review.com Discover the best way to obedience train your dog at home.