Dogs & Puppies Blog

Archive for the ‘Dog Health’ Category

Year after year, veterinarians brace for a disease that has seriously affected our pets for many years. Yet this affliction is easily preventable by using inexpensive and safe medications. Occurrences of Heartworms both in dogs and cats continue to grow and the expense to begin treating (if detected soon enough) can be much more that the amount to prevent. Consequently, how can you defend your furry friend from the fatal repercussions of this now widespread parasite?

Flash back to 150 years ago when a scientist first detected the heartworm parasite in a dog. Then the parasite evolved and was then discovered within our cats 80 years ago. With heartworm prevention available for both cats and dogs you would reckon that we would experience a decrease in the number of cases, nevertheless every year thousands and thousands of dogs and cats are diagnosed and quite often perish too soon from this dreaded parasite. Many researchers approximate that in North America alone, cases of heartworms in our pets could possibly be in the millions.

The disease brought on by this heartworm living inside your pet’s heart is devastating. Your pet could be infected with the one-time bite of just one mosquito. The worm may then migrate through your pet’s entire body finally taking up residence in your pet’s heart chamber and the blood vessels leading to the lungs. This results in your pet’s heart having to pump harder to circulate the blood through his tiny body. The effects on the lungs is much more serious with many pets gasping for breath as the lungs fill with fluid and tiny blood clots clog the vessels. Early symptoms can include coughing and exercise intolerance that some owners just attribute to the dog being lazy. Often, symptoms do not surface until the disease is well advanced and the dog is suffering from heart failure, fluid accumulation in the lungs and belly which can eventually result in death.

In cats, it takes only one heartworm to result in harm. The early signs are asthma like symptoms and occasionally vomiting that the owners can attribute to hairballs. If that heartworm lodges in the lungs, it may result in a sudden death of the cat.

Treatment for heartworms is pricey ranging from $500 for the smaller dogs, to well over $1500 for the larger breeds. Complicated heartworm disease with heart failure is much more expensive and oftentimes there is only a 10% chance of recovery in the severely affected pets. As of yet, there is no treatment for cat heartworm disease, just supportive care.

Amazingly, veterinarians do have an answer for this problem. Safe, effective heartworm preventatives are available in a variety of easy to use applications. What is even more amazing is that the cost of a lifetime of prevention for many pets is considerably less that the single treatment for the disease. And so, why do pets continue to suffer and die from such a preventable malady?

With all internet myths, two major notions believe, that either the heartworm medications are failing or that the parasites are developing a resistance to the medicines. While conspiracy theorists love these types of ideas, medical proof for either hypothesis is lacking. Heartworm preventives have a failure rate of less than 1 in 1 million doses. Moreover, the complicated life cycle of the heartworm does not lend itself to creating a natural resistance to the drugs. The truth likely lies in the lack of remembrance in the owner to dispense the dose in a timely manner and the climate.

Increasing temperatures in our climate has led to an extended mosquito season and a larger possibility of transmission to our pets. Here in Houston, our mosquito season is all year round. Some areas are now finding significantly more mosquitoes in previously mosquito-free locations. Irrigation of dry areas and increased plantings of trees in certain locations can in fact help to increase mosquito population. With a larger number of mosquitoes, there is a larger chance of transmission of heartworm disease.

When all the facts are analyzed, the simplest reason behind our failure to manage this dangerous parasite falls on the humans themselves. We simply do not supply the preventive as we must. It might be due to forgetfulness, or maybe one husband or wife thought the other one gave it or perhaps it may be a result of the economic conditions along with the monetary limitations imposed on the household. Regardless of what the cause might be, it can trigger serious repercussions for the sake of our pets.

Luckily, as pet lovers, you do have powerful allies to help you combat the war against heartworms. Through the help of your veterinarian, you can pick the best heartworm medication for your pet and your price range. Oral medications, such as Heartgard, Sentinel, and Iverhart can be purchased. There are also topical medications such as Advantage-Multi and Revolution that are formulated to also safeguard your pet from both heartworms and fleas. Proheart 6 is additionally available as a long lasting injection. The prevention of this disease rests entirely on the pet’s owners to make certain the pet will get the prevention before the pet is exposed to the parasite. That means that this prevention must get started in puppy-hood and be provided on a monthly basis, throughout the year.

You should not waste time trying to find “natural” or organic solutions to protect against heartworms; they just do not exist. Many people believe they can formulate ivermectin to give to their pets, but improper dilution and storage can cause overdosing or underdosing. Abide by the advice of your veterinarian and the American Heartworm Society (www.heartwormsociety.org) Your pet is counting on you and prevention is far better and less expensive compared to treatment.

When your animal is sick, hurt or just in need of routine care you need a good animal hospital Maryland where you can take him or her and get appropriate medical attention. It is always a good idea to check into a good care facility before you make the decision to take your pet there. There are many things that you will want to look for in a good animal hospital. Here are some tips on things to look for in an animal hospital to help you in making the right choice.

The staff at the animal hospital should be knowledgeable, willing to help you and attentive. The hospital should provide services 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Many animal hospitals are open during regular daytime hours and provide emergency care after hours. This is a good way to do things because you never know when an emergency will occur and your pet might need immediate veterinary care at any time of the day or night.

The hospital should be focused on wellness care. You should be able to get valuable information and suggestions from the hospital on how to keep your pet healthy. This includes access to immunizations, options in medications for heart worm and fleas, and the ability to ask questions and get answers to your questions about caring for your pet and keeping him or her healthy.

The hospital should offer surgery options. It is much easier on you and your pet if your animal hospital offers surgery on site. The hospital should be equipped with all the right equipment to monitor and care for a pet during and after surgery. You should also check to see if the hospital provides around the clock care for animals who have to stay in the hospital after surgery or while recovering.

You should have access to safety options. Many animal hospitals will offer micro chipping services that can be done on site. You should be able to get information on these services and have access to them should you decide upon getting your pet micro chipped.

Make sure that the animal hospital you choose sells veterinary products that you can purchase and take home. There should be a display of products that you can buy. If not, the hospital’s staff should be able to help you locate the products you need right there on site, preventing you from needing to make several trips to other locations to buy the items you want.

At some point you will need veterinary hospice or euthanasia services, although you might not want to think about that now. It would be good if the animal hospital you select offers these services also. Your pet’s final days will be most comfortable if it is receiving care from people it knows. You’ll be more comfortable as well, because when your animal hospital provides these services you already know and trust the people who are providing the care.

Choosing an animal hospital for your pet is a big decision. Many people take cost or location into consideration, but those things are not always the most important things to focus on. You should check out the type of care the animal hospital offers and make sure that the one you choose is properly equipped to provide the best possible care to your pet.

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Dogs and humans have the same physical reactions to allergens – itching, watery eyes and runny noses. Our bodies respond to the foreign substance in the same way. The difference is dogs can’t tell us about their discomfort; they don’t complain, at least not always in a way that make sense to us. Pet owners need to recognize the symptoms when they occur.

Relieving allergies in humans

Fighting off allergies involves an approach on two levels – treating the symptoms and finding out what is causing the reaction so it can be avoided.

Anti-histamines provide the quickest relief because they act directly to suppress histamine. Histamine is a chemical messenger that acts at the cellular level to produce the itching, swelling, and redness associated with allergies. Unfortunately, the use of anti-histamine has other problems.

Anti-histamines don’t actually cure allergies. As soon as you quit taking them, the allergic reaction will come right back. Only by removing the allergen from the environment will symptoms resolve completely. Another problem is that anti-histamines have troublesome side effects – these include drowsiness (enough so that driving should be avoided) and over drying of tissues.

Air purification is a better long-term solution than anti-histamines because it removes the allergy causing substance. It is ideal for allergens that are airborne. Pollen and dust that cause redness of the eye and swelling of the nasal passages can be filtered out of the air completely. Along with this, getting plenty of water for fluid replacement and increasing anti-oxidants aids recovery.

Another method to relieve allergy symptoms is to take a powerful antioxidant drink. Take it regularly as it may take a week or two for you to see results. Fortunately it’s good for humans and all your pets.

Unfiltered water is yet another source of free radicals which also cause allergy symptoms

Relieving allergy symptoms in dogs

When dogs show excessive scratching or licking, an allergic reaction should be expected. This is most commonly a contact reaction to an allergen as opposed to a sinus/nasal reaction. In these cases, they may scratch so much that fur is removed in an area they can reach. When eyes or ears are affected, they may show frequent rubbing of the area or a discharge. If the discharge is smelly, suspect an infection over an allergy.

Anti-histamines are sometimes used in dogs, and they can provide short-term relief. However, just as in humans, they are not recommended for long-term control and do not offer a real solution. They are also difficult to dose properly because dogs vary so much in size and weight. Using air purification and hydrocortisone creams is better, but along with this, bedding has to be cleaned and a check for mites or fleas is warranted. If commercial creams or ointments are used, take care to prevent your pet from licking them off. While they are safe for external use, they are not safe to eat!

Home remedies

Poultices are moist vegetable based remedies that can help sooth involved areas on the skin. These can provide quick relief without the concerns that come with commercial preparations. They are best when a small area of skin is involved and they work well for both humans and dogs.

• A paste made of ground sandalwood with lime juice.

• Almond leaves ground fine and mixed with water.

• Baking soda as a thick paste can be used for insect bites or small areas of contact allergic reaction. Let the paste dry to help draw out toxins.

• Poppy seeds crushed and mixed with lime juice and water.

• Citrus fruit juices (lime, orange, and lemon) are often used because of the vitamin content and acidity – fresh squeezed is best.

• Vitamin E oil can be used to promote healing when an allergic reaction has damaged the skin.
Long-term relief for both humans and dogs

The two most effective ways of dealing with chronic allergy symptoms are to avoid the causative agent and to retrain the body so that exposure doesn’t lead to a full blown attack. Both of these require some investigation to find out just what is causing the problem. Is it pollen or something else that is airborne? Is it some chemical in the food or on clothing or bedding?

The way to track down the specific allergen is to remove possible causes until the reaction goes away, and then reintroduce the suspect to see if the allergy returns. Understandably, this can be an involved process. However, the information you obtain will be important if you ever want to get a ‘cure’.

When a specific cause is known, you can then work on prevention or acclimation. Prevention comes by way of air purification and avoidance. This works best for seasonal type reactions where the allergen will only appear for a short time. Acclimation is the process of retraining the body to accept the foreign substance without responding with symptoms. Gradual exposure with small amounts of the allergen over time can build up a tolerance, but great patience and dedication to the process is required. Because of this, the method is usually reserved for allergens that cannot be avoided.

Some common suspects:

• Coloring agents used in foodstuffs (both humans and dogs)

• Dust or mites in bedding, carpets and air ducts.

• Soaps and detergent products.

• Any newly used product or material that coincides with the onset of allergy symptoms.

If you are having trouble with housetraining your dog, the quickest way to get around the problem and make a diagnosis is to know your pet’s history. Knowing how your dog has been playacting at home yields important information to the veterinarian and helps narrow the diagnosis. Here’s how you can help:

1) For urinary accidents, note if your dog is wetting more oft; producing normal, littler or larger amounts of urine; dribbling while walking; leaking while relaxed or sleeping; or wetting when excited or scared.

2) For fecal accidents, take a sample to the veterinarian. If your dog defecates in front of you, doe she appear to be straining or pooping while he’s walking upright? Look at the stools: Are they loose, runny, firm, hard, blood or mucousy? Are stool volumes less or more often than normal? Is your dog defecating more often?

3) Report any changes you’ve noticed in your dog, such as increased drinking or vomiting; reduced or increased appetite; weight, skin or coat changes; lethargy; panting; anxiety; fear; lameness or difficulty getting up; or reluctance to play or exercise.

4) Think about any changes or new events in your dog’s life that preceded or coincided with his housetraining accidents. A new member in the household? A change in diet, supplements or medications? A horrific event? Be sure to report anything new to your dog’s veterinarian.

Do Not Withhold Water

What goes in must come out, so some dog owners might find it tantalizing to simply reduce the amount of water their dog drinks or withhold water completely at night or while they’re absent.

This could be a very dangerous thing to do. There are medical issues such as kidney problems or urinary tract infections where the dog actually needs to drink more water. Withholding water from a dog with low-grade kidney problems might lead to life-threatening kidney failure.

Depriving a healthy or ill dog of water could also lead to new or worse pre-existing problems. That said, there are some young dogs that just love to drink water, so they wet far more often. In those cases, restricting water to some extent is the only way that the dog can be a happy, functional member of the family. Unfortunately, many dogs do not outgrow this.

If you suspect that your dog is lapping up water because it makes him happy to do so, discuss your suspicions with your veterinarian and get a vet exam to rule out any conditions that could cause increased thirst.

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Responsible dog owners should understand the consequences of worms in dogs and the potential harm they can cause to people too. Worms in dogs are internal parasites which can lead to ill health in dogs as well as humans.

Although worms in dogs do cause damage to their health, there are often no symptoms until the damage is already being done. Worms in dogs are undoubtedly hard to spot but look out for vomiting and diarrhea as well as general loss of condition. Roundworms and tapeworms are the two types of worms in dogs.

Roundworms

Pale white or beige in color, roundworms look as though they are coiled like a spring and may grow up to 100mm long. You may be able to see them in your pet’s feces or vomit. The way in which dogs become infected with roundworms is by eating their larvae, allowing adult worms to develop inside the body. Later, new eggs are passed through the dog in his feces, restarting the chain again. The most common form of roundworm, Toxocara Canis, sadly affects the health of people, and notably children. When children ingest eggs as a result of contact with contaminated soil, larvae can grow in their bodies and migrate around the body. If they reach the eyes, the larvae can potentially damage the eyesight. This is one of the main reasons why dog owners should always pick up after their pet.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms look like flat segments filled with moving eggs which look a lot like grains of rice and you might be able to see them in the dog’s feces or around his anus. Dogs become infected with tapeworms by swallowing fleas carrying their larvae whilst grooming. Once inside the dog, the adult worm can grow up to 5 meters in length.

With worms in dogs, as with many conditions, it is true that prevention is better than cure. It is therefore important to ensure your dog is wormed every three months. Young puppies require worming even more regularly than that. You can buy effective worming medication from both pet shops and the vet’s surgery: your vet will be able to advise you which is best.