Start at the Head
When your veterinarian does a clinical examination on a dog, they always do it in the same order. That way, it becomes a habit, and they can be sure they haven’t missed anything. You should do the same, and develop your own system of going over your dog from one end to the other. You may prefer to start on his body, and then examine each end, or you may want to start at his rear and move forward. That’s fine. It really doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you do the same thing every time.
The first thing to look at is your dog’s nose. It’s not true that if your dog’s nose is hot, he’s unwell. This is very much an old wives tale. However, it’s still worth having a close look at his nose.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Holiday Dangers to Dogs
Just as with humans, dogs tend to overeat on holidays because WE overfeed them or we feed them things they love but shouldn't have.
After consuming a hearty Christmas lunch, it's not uncommon for dogs to develop a temporary ailment known as pancreatitis . The pancreas is part of the digestive system, and produces enzymes which travel down a small duct into the small intestine. There it is involved in digesting food. The pancreas also produces insulin, which is important in glucose regulation. The exact cause of pancreatitis isn't known but it can often develop after a meal with a high fat content, such as ham or gravy. Dogs that are obese seem to be predisposed to pancreatitis, and again, the reason for this isn't known.
Though the cause of pancreatitis isn't known, we do know it's effect; when a dog develops pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes are activated before they should be, and start to digest the pancreas itself.
Symptoms of pancreatitis are vague. Dogs are usually depressed and restless, with a severe tummy ache. However, dogs may just have a bit of a fever and appear otherwise normal. The problem with this condition is that the severity of the symptoms doesn’t always correlate to the severity of the illness. Dogs have died of pancreatitis while showing virtually no sign of being unwell.
If you suspect your dog has pancreatitis, see your veterinarian as soon as you can. Treatment involves fluids, pain relief and often antibiotics. He may have to stay in hospital for several days. It can be fatal, so don't waste time.
To protect your dog, don't feed fatty table scraps, stick to his regular diet, and tell your visiting family and friends that your veterinarian forbids table scraps and leftovers.
Snow Globes and Antifreeze
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Safe Travel With Your Dog
Before You Leave
There are several things you can do to prepare for a holiday with your dog that will make the journey more pleasant and relaxing for both of you.
When you have found the perfect place for a vacation, make sure you make a note of the address and contact details for the nearest veterinary clinic. Find out their opening hours, and also ask how they handle after hours emergencies. They may have a vet available on call, or they may refer you to a nearby emergency hospital. It's harder to find this information when you're in a strange place and in a panic.
Although you're not likely to need them, ask for details of a reputable boarding kennel in the area. Again, unexpected things happen, and it may be that you will need to board your dog for a day or two.
Speak to your vet about whether or not your dog will need any particular medication while on holiday. For example, in some areas, your dog may be exposed to heartworm disease, and in other areas, ticks may spread Lyme disease. You may need to treat your dog while you're away to avoid him picking up a disease that isn't a risk to him at home.
Check his vaccination status – there are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, if you're traveling across country borders, you may need proof of vaccination, particularly with regard to rabies vaccination. Secondly, if for any reason you do need to put him in a boarding kennel for a day or two, he will need to be up to date with his routine vaccinations.
If your dog isn't micro chipped, visit your vet and one implanted. ID tags can come loose, but microchips don't fall out – your dog will have permanent identification should he lose his collar or tag. Speaking of tags, make sure it has your current cell phone number on it, and if it's damaged or hard to read, replace it.
Some dogs have a sensitive stomach and can get diarrhea if they're fed an unfamiliar food. Check online, and if your holiday destination doesn't have shops where you can buy your regular dog food, then you may need to take it with you. Be sure to take enough for the duration of your stay.
Traveling By Car
There are several things you can do to prepare for a holiday with your dog that will make the journey more pleasant and relaxing for both of you.
When you have found the perfect place for a vacation, make sure you make a note of the address and contact details for the nearest veterinary clinic. Find out their opening hours, and also ask how they handle after hours emergencies. They may have a vet available on call, or they may refer you to a nearby emergency hospital. It's harder to find this information when you're in a strange place and in a panic.
Although you're not likely to need them, ask for details of a reputable boarding kennel in the area. Again, unexpected things happen, and it may be that you will need to board your dog for a day or two.
Speak to your vet about whether or not your dog will need any particular medication while on holiday. For example, in some areas, your dog may be exposed to heartworm disease, and in other areas, ticks may spread Lyme disease. You may need to treat your dog while you're away to avoid him picking up a disease that isn't a risk to him at home.
Check his vaccination status – there are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, if you're traveling across country borders, you may need proof of vaccination, particularly with regard to rabies vaccination. Secondly, if for any reason you do need to put him in a boarding kennel for a day or two, he will need to be up to date with his routine vaccinations.
If your dog isn't micro chipped, visit your vet and one implanted. ID tags can come loose, but microchips don't fall out – your dog will have permanent identification should he lose his collar or tag. Speaking of tags, make sure it has your current cell phone number on it, and if it's damaged or hard to read, replace it.
Some dogs have a sensitive stomach and can get diarrhea if they're fed an unfamiliar food. Check online, and if your holiday destination doesn't have shops where you can buy your regular dog food, then you may need to take it with you. Be sure to take enough for the duration of your stay.
Traveling By Car
Monday, November 19, 2012
What's up with all the different dog foods?
Whenever you go to the supermarket, you’ll notice there are shelves
and shelves of dog food. Have you ever read the labels on the bags of
dog food? Are the dog foods available from your vet really better, or
are they just more expensive?
Choosing the right food for your dog is important. Feeding an inappropriate food may lead to low energy levels, reduced immune system, infertility, loose stools and a dull coat. What makes a dog food a good food?
An important difference between foods is the source of its protein content. Animal protein such as lamb or chicken has a better balance of amino acids for your dog, so food containing more animal protein is a much better choice. However, animal protein is also more expensive than plant protein, so these foods will cost you more. You can bet your bottom dollar that a cheap dog food contains cheap ingredients, and while it will keep your dog alive, he won’t be the best he can be.
Dog Food Review is a great web site where you can review and compare most brands of foods.
Choosing the right food for your dog is important. Feeding an inappropriate food may lead to low energy levels, reduced immune system, infertility, loose stools and a dull coat. What makes a dog food a good food?
An important difference between foods is the source of its protein content. Animal protein such as lamb or chicken has a better balance of amino acids for your dog, so food containing more animal protein is a much better choice. However, animal protein is also more expensive than plant protein, so these foods will cost you more. You can bet your bottom dollar that a cheap dog food contains cheap ingredients, and while it will keep your dog alive, he won’t be the best he can be.
Dog Food Review is a great web site where you can review and compare most brands of foods.
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