Archive for the Category »Dog health problems «

Learning More About Dog Skin Problems

By Jennifer Gretson
09
Apr 2011

When it comes to health problems for dogs, having severe skin irritation is one of the most common. Some of the symptoms of this will include scratching frequently, and there may even be some open wounds along with severe hair loss. There could also be evidence of a flea bite or other parasites which are observed, and since it is important to properly treat this condition, it’s imperative to understand everything concerning different dog skin problems.

A hot spot is an area which is a moist sore that usually will develop due to a cut or irritation, and when the area is very wet than bacteria may begin to multiply which is what causes an infection. This is why it is important to keep your canine away from any type of source of moisture, and this would include such things as wet grass, pools and baths.

Something else that is very common is going to be ringworm, and it is usually signified by round patches that have loss of hair. This condition should be treated immediately as it is something that can be spread to other dogs, and in fact there are some types that can also be spread to humans. In addition to a prescription medication, there are also special shampoos and dips which are available.

Quite possibly one of the most common reasons for skin problems is due to allergies, and in many cases these are very difficult to detect and identify due to the fact that your pet may be allergic to just about anything in its environment. A very frequent reaction can come from being bit by a flea. This leads to frequent itching and scratching as well as biting on the infected area and is very uncomfortable.

There are many other types of allergies which may include such things as mites and grass and other types of substances, and although there currently is no cure for these, there are anti-histamines as well as sprays and ointments that can help to soothe the effects.

Other reasons may include such things as poor nutrition, there are certain pet foods that have ingredients which could cause a reaction. Having a good diet is going to be very important as far as improving not only their skin, but also their hair. There are a lot of very good commercial pet foods and some will have fruits and vegetables, as well as needed supplements and nutrients.

Proper grooming should be practiced at all times and this includes bathing as well as brushing your dog’s coat often. It is recommended not to use human shampoos as these are much harsher than those that are specially formulated for canines only. Brushing will help in your pet’s circulation and will help you spot check for any type of infections.

If you see wounds and lesions consistently then it is time for you to visit your veterinarian, especially if they last more than a few weeks. Your pet could very well have a serious medical condition and your vet will be able to diagnose and come up with a treatment program.

Jamie is a family pet health authority who specializes in dog rashes.


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    Common Hereditary Poodle Problems

    By Sandy Rutherforde
    09
    Dec 2010

    Poodles are a breed of dogs that originated in Germany and France. These dogs are known for their lovely fur. Their fur is long, tightly curled and thick in texture. There’s a distinct style in which poodle fur is trimmed for the show ring.

    These types of dogs are bred in three distinct sizes. They are known because of their involvement in shows and circus performances. Many people keep these dogs due to their elegance. Sadly, these types of dogs are in addition found to be impacted by a variety of health issues that in many instances are of a hereditary nature. Many of these problems are often seen in almost every second dog.

    The most frequent poodle problems consist of eye problems. It really is necessary that every single poodle needs to be checked by a veterinarian in order to manage this problem. Among many kinds of eye problems probably the most typically observed one is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This eye problem is quite harmful because it will grow worse as the dog ages. This condition can even bring about blindness in dogs.

    Distichiasis is one of the most prevalent poodle problems. With this problem an additional eyebrow starts developing. This disease can occur at virtually any age of the poodle’s life. Entropion is one more disease of the eye. With this condition, the eyelid becomes rolled in and as a result of this the eyeball is continually disturbed by the eyelashes. This issue is rather prevalent and can be quickly treated by any veterinarian.

    Among the poodle problems related to their eyes, microthalmos will be the most serious one. In this disorder the size of the eye gets smaller. The size of the eye very obviously seems to be smaller than normal. Abnormal tears or epiphora is in addition observed quite commonly. In this particular disease, spots develop starting from the corner of the eye and into the entire face. Few other eye issues produce this kind of condition. This disease will need to be taken care of just as quickly as possible or it will bring about severe trauma of the eye.

    Aside from these eye diseases, other typical issues involving poodles include the Von Willebrand’s disease. This condition is developed from blood disorders. The proteins that exist in the platelets are disturbed by this condition. Several kinds of allergies are in addition observed in poodles which are brought on for different reasons. These types of allergic reactions might also lead to other problems like pyoderma, pruritus and seborrhea.

    Short legs abnormality is in addition seen largely in poodles due to the long bone cartilage ossification. Epilepsy, gastric torsion, congenital deafness, retained testicles and hip dysplasia are other common conditions that poodles are prone to. These problems should be addressed as quickly as possible in order to keep the condition from becoming more serious and to keep the poodle healthy.

    Are you looking for expert poodle help? Be sure to visit my site for tips on poodle jumping and poodle crate training.


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      Dog Ticks – Why They Are So Hard To Get Rid Of

      By Sandy Rutherforde
      09
      Nov 2010

      Dog ticks, or more specifically brown dog ticks, start off as very tiny parasites seeking a blood meal. When they are first born, they tend to be very small and very hard to find. Through their life, they moult many times and finally, at maturity, develop into the big, unappealing critters many of us recognize. They are considered to be probably the most widespread tick found throughout the world.

      A female dog tick feeds only once. Her body engorges to many times its original size. Then, a smaller male tick attaches next to her for the purpose of reproduction. The female will then fall to the earth and lay her eggs. She might easily produce 10,000 eggs at one time.

      These newborn ticks, or larvae, are often known as seed ticks as a result of their tiny size. They are attracted to light, which in turn makes them climb up virtually any structure they come across. They wait on their lofty perch, sometimes a blade of grass or a tree branch, for the odor of carbon dioxide. This particular gas is introduced in every single breath a canine (or human being) takes. When they smell the gas, they let go and fall on the dog that’s passing below them.

      After they are on the dog’s body, they crawl towards the neck, back, ears or even in between the toes and attach themselves to the pet’s skin. They feed on the dog’s blood for 2-4 days then drop off the pet to moult directly into a nymph phase. The second stage tick needs to in addition acquire a blood meal from a pet prior to dropping off again to shed into an adult tick.

      Because it is actually quite a challenge for such a very small creature to get onto a quickly moving target such as a dog, ticks have incredible survival rates. A dog tick larva can easily survive up to 6 months with no feeding. An adult can survive for up to 19 months. This makes clear exactly why, in houses that haven’t been lived in for a long time, live ticks can easily even yet be found in the yard.

      Brown dog ticks bring about discomfort, particularly when in substantial amounts. They can be identified in many bushland locations and where other dogs have been located. Mainly because of the massive number of eggs a single female tick can produce, it really is easy to understand that they might be problematic to get rid of when they make it inside an environment. Prolonged survival rates combined with difficulty in finding and killing the ticks make them a concern and a nuisance for lots of dog owners.

      Control of these particular insect pests calls for treatment of both the dog and environment. Lots of different chemicals are offered but caution ought to be taken not to overdose the pet dog with toxic substances. A careful, extensive program of removal and vigilance will ultimately take care of the issue.

      Protect your dog! Find out more about lyme disease treatment and tick removal by visiting my site.

      categories: dog ticks,ticks on dogs,ticks,dog health problems,dog problems

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        Collie Problems You Should Watch Out For

        By Sandy Rutherforde
        22
        Sep 2010

        Amazingly energetic, Collies delight in nothing as much as they appreciate a lengthy run. This may perhaps give the perception that a Collie is usually a commonly healthy dog, nevertheless, just like quite a few other breeds of canines, Collies have a handful of familiar disorders that a lot of them may contend with in the course of their lifetime. Regardless of any ailments, the Collie is one of probably the most intelligent canines that one could own. This particular piece will discuss the top three most prevalent Collie problems.

        Probably by far the most widespread of all Collie problems is actually hip dysplasia. This particular genetic disease is usually passed down from the parents of the dog. Although genetic, environmental factors will in addition contribute to this condition. A pet that is plump or given an improper diet will suffer more than a dog that maintains the appropriate weight and is raised on a correct diet.

        The first symptoms of hip dysplasia generally appear as mild arthritis and may involve limping and seeing the pet having a difficult time standing from a prone position. Pet dogs do not need to display indicators and be clearly lame to pass it on to their puppies. When the Collie is younger, food supplements and nutritional vitamins could help keep this ailment manageable. As the dog ages, treatment can vary from pain management which includes prescription medication, physical exercise and rest, to surgery including the possibility for hip replacement.

        One more disorder that is frequent in Collies is an inherited ailment generally known as Collie eye anomaly. This might have an effect on the retina, the sclera, as well as the choroid inside the dog’s eye. The cause of this disorder is an abnormal development of the eye. Typically speaking it will not hinder the dog’s eyesight significantly, but, in the most severe instances, it may trigger blindness. When a puppy has this problem, it will not grow progressively worse. DNA checks can be carried out to help be certain that breeders aren’t producing Collies with this health problem. A litter of pups can be screened for this ailment somewhere between 6 and 10 weeks of age by a skilled veterinarian.

        One of essentially the most prevalent eye problems in Collies is known as progressive retinal atrophy. Signs and symptoms for this disease normally start to display themselves at about 2 years old. This hereditary problem is gradual and will proceed to get even worse as the pet grows older, possibly causing blindness in the dog.

        Most frequently, by the time it’s diagnosed it’s in a relatively advanced phase. To catch it early on, routine examinations are needed. If a canine has been diagnosed with or affected by progressive retinal atrophy, it really should not be made use of for breeding uses.

        Are you having problems with Collie chewing? To find how to handle this and other common problems such as Collie digging, be sure to visit my site.

        categories: collie problems,collies,collie,canine hip dysplasia,collie eye anomaly,dog health problems

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