Archive for December, 2010

Like children, dogs are a huge responsibility and require plenty of care. The difference between the two is that dogs don’t grow up to be rebellious teens. Unfortunately, though, they sometimes end up in harmful situations that result in injury. If your dog got injured and had to be bandaged, here are some guidelines to remember that can help speed up the healing process.

1. When you bring your pet home from the vet, see to it that the bandage is still in place. Your dog might have tried to chew or scratch it off. Make sure that the bandage is secure and did not become loose. If it telescopes down a body part such as the abdomen or a leg, it could bunch up and abrade the area. Change the bandage when this happens.

2. The bandage must always be clean and dry, so make sure that your pet stays indoors most of the time. If the bandage is on an area that could get wet when your dog pees or poops, use a plastic covering such as a trash bag or empty bread bag to protect it. Replace a dirty or wet bandage right away. Check the bandaged area twice a day to ensure that it is clean and dry. Also be alert for foul odors or discharge and call your vet immediately if there are any.

3. If the bandage is on a leg, see to it that it isn’t too tight. Observe your dog’s toes at least twice a day to spot any swelling, pain, or sweating. Look out for redness, skin chafing, swelling, or discharge before and after the bandage is applied.

4. The bandage might cause discomfort in your pet, so put him in an Elizabethan collar or cone to keep him from chewing on it. If you see your dog chewing or scratching the bandage excessively, ask your vet if there might be any problems.

If you see any of the following below, take your dog to the vet immediately:

* Swelling
* Bandage is often wet
* Bleeding or discharge
* Your pet won’t stop chewing the bandage

One of your most important responsibilities as a dog owner is to keep your pet clean. Your dog depends on you for his general hygiene. Clean teeth and ears, and a coat free from ticks and fleas are all indications of a healthy dog. Bath time is not only a time to clean your dog but a great opportunity to bond with him as well.

Most dogs don’t enjoy being washed, but they appreciate the attention and contact they receive from their owner during a bath. This is also a good time to do other maintenance tasks such as brushing the teeth, checking for ticks and fleas, and cleaning the ears. Since a lot of canines don’t like to sit still for these activities, you should do them all at the same time.

Brushing Teeth

Most vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice a week to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Your pet should have his own toothbrush and toothpaste especially formulated for canines. You can buy these things at your local pet supply store.

Brush your dog’s back teeth in small circles as you would your own. Brush up and down the length of pointy canine teeth. Dog toothpaste tastes nice to dogs and should make your pet more cooperative. If for some reason you cannot brush his teeth, you can give him teeth cleaning dog biscuits. However, brushing is still more preferred.

Checking for Ticks and Fleas

Ticks are small, nasty arachnids that will latch on to your dog’s skin and feed off his blood. They are most commonly found in wooded areas, but you should check for them regularly as they can carry several diseases. The best places to look for ticks are under the collar and in underbelly fur. If you find one, use tweezers to remove it by the head.

Fleas can also be found under the fur. Their droppings, which look like flecks of pepper on your dog’s coat can indicate their presence. Fleas can be of various sizes, from tiny infants to bigger adults, which are about an eighth of an inch long. Unlike ticks, fleas can’t be simply picked off your pet, as they will jump before you can get them. If you spot fleas or their droppings, it’s time to put your dog on a flea elimination program.

Cleaning Ears

Canines can get ear mites easily. These tiny creatures live inside the ears and feed off the waxy secretions in there. Over time, the bodies of these short-lived insects accumulate and form a black, dirty substance.

You should be able to find dog ear cleaning solution at your local pet supply store. Dip a cotton bud in a bit of solution and swab the inside of your pet’s ear. You may not be able to get your dog to hold still for this, but the process doesn’t take very long. It’s important to clean his ears to prevent infections and earaches.

Housebreaking your beloved canine companion means deciding when and where you want your dog to eliminate. Once you have determined the type of routine you want your pet to follow, the next step is to select the specific spot where you want your dog to do his business. Having a designated potty area will help make the toilet training process a whole lot easier!

Whenever your dog goes potty, chemicals within his waste are released. These chemicals are called pheromones and are what tell him to poop again when he goes back to his potty area. These chemicals are also what let other canines know that this particular spot has already been taken and so they will have to find another one.

Establishing a potty area is crucial to housebreaking your dog. Now what if he is having difficulty understanding where his potty area is and is constantly eliminating inside the house or in places where he isn’t supposed to go? What you can do is try feeding him where he is having these accidents. Generally, dogs are clean animals and will not dirty the place where they eat or sleep, so by feeding your pet in the accident areas, you can reduce the chances of your dog peeing or pooping again in those spots.

As much as you want your pet to be accident-free from day one, you have to understand that all dogs have accidents, so expect one every now and then at first. Housebreaking your canine friend is a process, not an instant solution. It’s more like running a marathon than running around your block once.

Keep in mind that positive reinforcement will always give you better results than any other training method. Punishment does not work because your dog will be unable to make the connection between his mess and the reason for your anger. In fact, getting mad at him will only lead him to become afraid of you.

I highly encourage you to practice patience and be positive. Your dog will pick up on your positive energy and this will keep him from resisting your training or getting frustrated.

Oh yes, the holidays kicked off last week with Thanksgiving and now Christmas is just around the corner! A time to be grateful for the things we have and for those we love, including our canine companions. Many dog owners share their holiday meals with their pet as a sign of thanks and love, and while this may be a seemingly innocent gesture, it will actually be better to refrain from doing so. We know how fast the pounds can add up over the holidays, and dogs are not exempt from this rule. A high fat diet and being overweight is just as unhealthy for them as it is for us.

Pancreatitis is only one of the many health problems that are caused by poor diet. The typical victim is at least middle aged and overweight, and very often the disease strikes following a party or big holiday meal. So if you regularly give your pet table scraps and unhealthy snacks, you should practice extra caution, as the risk of an acute pancreatitis attack may already be high. This also doesn’t mean that it’s okay to indulge him “once in a while” or “just for the holidays”, as you may not be as alert to the symptoms during this time and things can turn bad pretty quickly.

The warning signs of pancreatitis include severe and regular vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea that may contain blood, weakness, reluctance to walk, crying, pain, restlessness, and irritability. The disease can occur once or be chronic. It can also cause some serious side effects such as liver or kidney damage, shock, blood clots, and heart arrhythmia. If you spot any pancreatitis symptoms, no matter how mild, get your dog to the vet at once.

During the holidays, however, several animal clinics may be closed, which is all the more reason why you shouldn’t share the family feast with your pet. But do have an emergency number on hand in case you need it.

Make sure that no foods are left on the tables and counters which your dog can get to. When you’re done cleaning up the kitchen and dining area, take the trash out and dispose of it in a place that your pet cannot access.

Cooked turkey, goose, duck, and other bird bones are dangerous to your dog as they are hollow and can easily break into sharp pieces that can cause choking or tear the intestines. This is especially unsafe because symptoms can start showing only after a few days. Chocolate is another danger to canines. In fact, it can be fatal to them!

Remember, the best way to thank your pets during this holiday season is by keeping them healthy!