Dog Allergies Are More Common Than You May Think

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

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

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments. Consultation with a vet is the best first course of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat the symptoms. There is also the chance that the dog does not have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.

If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult your vet. He or she will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the appropriate treatment should be. If the dog has an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to restrict the animal?s diet to eliminate those items that cause a reaction. The vet?s testing methods can help to determine whether this type of allergy exists as well. If the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves), an strict flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

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

1. Natural Flea Treatments

2. Natural Worm Treatments

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

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

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

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

Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies can live comfortably with them if they are detected and treated properly. It is important to bear in mind that this is not a time to ?play doctor? by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is suffering from allergies. What course of action to take, however, may well be a matter for discussion between you and your vet.

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

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

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

A Guide To Dental Care For Your Dog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dog Diseases Copper Storage Disease

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gerry Ronson writes articles for dog accessories and Hypnosis CDs .

Dog Worming

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is a Raw Diet For Dogs Really Better?

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

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

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

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

Benefits Of Raw Diets For Dogs

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

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

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

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

The Dangers Of A Raw Diet For Dogs

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

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

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

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

*Information about the Author:*

Pets Articles : http://www.article-buzz.com

How To Deal With Arthritis In Your Dog

Arthritis is a health problem that not only humans have to deal with, but so do our pets. In fact, one-fifth of dogs in the US, over the age of seven, suffer with painful DJD (degenerative joint disease) as veterinarians like to say. It is also one of the top recurring pains in dogs that they treat. Arthritis in dogs can affect their back, elbows, shoulders, hip and neck.

If you are not sure if your dog has arthritis, here are a few of the more obvious signs:

Does he tend to favor once side over another (His joints could be too painful on one side, so he will tend to put more pressure on the other to avoid pain. He may even show discomfort while standing or even sitting on a particular side)

Unusual weight gain (Because of the painful joints, he may tend to be more lethargic or even sleep more not getting the exercise a healthy dog would generally get)

Not as active (If you have noticed he is not as playful or unusually hesitant in his movements. This is due to stiff joints)

If you have noticed your dog with any one of the above symptoms for more than a week, do not hesitate to take him to a veterinarian. This way he can be properly diagnosed and treated.

There are home remedies that you might even want to try to ease his pain.

Diet

Your dog's diet is one area that you might want to look into. Dry dog food is made up mostly of grains which cause inflammation of the joints. A better choice would be to try preparing his meals with raw or cooked meat as well as cooked vegetables. They are not only healthier for him but should help alleviate some of the swelling in his joints. (Stay away from anything spicy such as peppers and even onions). Omega 3 fatty acids can be used as a supplement in order to decrease the amount of inflammation in the joints. Try giving him fish capsules. Flax seed is also a great anti-inflammatory.

Exercise

Even thought your dog may be in pain, it is still important that he gets a short amount of exercise. If he is not skittish to water, try having him swim. For smaller dogs, a kiddy pool would work great. This way, there is no pressure on the joints, yet he is still being mobile. Also take him for short 15 minute walks. Do not expect too much from him such as running after a ball or jumping.

Warm and Comfortable rest area

Provide a soft, comfortable area for your dog to rest. In the winter time, when the cool air can stiffen joints, try placing an old sleeping bag or pillow on the floor to help keep his joints warm. If your dog is an outside dog, you may want to bring him into the garage at night, to avoid the temperature drops.

These are just a few ways that we can help make our pets lives more comfortable. Although, visiting a veterinarian should also be considered. Your veterinarian will probably take an x-ray to see the damage to the joints. With the rising amount of animals that are developing arthritis, there are medications that have been developed to alleviate and even help repair the joints.

A popular medication for dogs in alleviating pain is glucosamine. It is a sugar that is generated from shell fish that motivates joint repair and lessens joint pain. Glucosamine is a natural ingredient that is found in animals, but with age, the body has a decrease in production of this essential element. Glucosamine works by stimulating your body to produce Synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is needed for healthy joints. It lubricates the cartilage to aid in mobility.

Never take matters into your own hands by giving your dog human medications. They can be toxic to his body, especially if given in the wrong dosage form.

Animal care has come a long way in meeting the needs of our canines. Taking your dog to regular check ups at a veterinarian is one way to keep up with your dog's health needs. If we want our animals to have happy and healthy lives, taking care of their bodies is important. They cannot do it without us.

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

Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Pet Care. You can read more of his articles at Dog Care and Training and Pet Care Centre Download Your www.my-dog.co.uk/dogmasters.htm "> Free Dog Training Report

Helping Our Pet Companions Recover and Maintain Natural Health

Anyone who has experienced having a pet, knows beyond a doubt of their vital importance for our lives and emotional health. Whether it's a dog that warns us of danger, protects us or comforts us when we're feeling "down" or it's a cat in a hospice that curls up beside a dying patient to be with and comfort them in a time of deep, mystical transition beyond words and cognitive understanding. Pets have been a important part of providing companionship and comfort for elderly people. Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals have been our children's teachers providing lessons of love, responsibility, confidence, sharing, comfort, strength, courage, play, communication, laughter and many other essential life lessons. It has been shown that the touch of a pet literally improves our physical health as well as our emotional health.

We share so much in common with our animal friends. We realize that part of what we share with our pets are health concerns. Just as we do, our pets can suffer from allergies, infections, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, kidney and urinary distress, wounds, excess weight gain, joint pain, eye conditions, skin disorders and other health concerns or chronic disease. It is extremely painful to be in close relationship with our pet for years and then lose it to an illness that cannot be reversed or treated. Often the powerful drugs that carry the risk of harmful side effects also carry that risk for our pets. Often these drugs only suppress the symptoms of an unwanted health condition. In time, these health conditions can become worse and require more frequent does of drugs or stronger drugs. Often the drugs seem to have cured the health disorder only to have the health disorder return with increased discomfort when the drugs are stopped.

Because of this, many of us have chosen to actively treat and prevent our pet's health disorders with alternative therapies that are fulling a large gap left by conventional animal medicine. Many alternative natural pet care supplements and remedies are a measure of prevention that will save our pets unnecessary suffering and discomfort and provide our pets a general healthy well being that greatly improves our lives and enhances our relationship with our pet companions. It is our responsibility to do for our pet friends what they are unable to do for themselves.

We can help our pet companions by avoiding feeding them foods with high fat content or excess grain. Even then, many pet foods lack essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids vital for our pet's health. We have available to us, many natural vitamin and mineral supplements. Some of these natural vitamins and mineral supplements are in "treat" form that excite and please our pets and afford us a chance for playful interaction with our pet friends. Natural pet health care products help with joint pain recovery, motion sickness, nerve calming, muscle relaxants, digestive health, skin and fur health and eye drops for clarity, oral health, weight control and bladder i.e. urinary health. Also available are natural shampoos and insect repellents for our pet's comfort and health. We even have available to us, natural aromatherapy products to control unwanted order and enhance our pet's emotional wellbeing.

We are grateful for all the wonderful ways that our pet companions enhance our lives and help improve and our physical and emotional health and well being. We are grateful for the lessons that our pets have taught and continue to teach us. We can actively demonstrate our appreciation, respect and responsibility for our animal friends, by attending to their physical and, yes, emotional health by providing our pets with natural pet health care products that keep them safe, healthy, vibrant, and active. Our efforts are beyond obligation. Our caring for our pets is motivated by our gratitude and love.

Natural health care for pets.

*Information about the Author:*

Pets Articles : http://www.article-buzz.com