Where can I find dog health and nutritional information on the web?

I'd like to know what's best to feed my dog (not necessarily specific brand recommendations, but just guidelines) and get some general information about dog health.

dogs

dogs

dog health

Someone told me its danger for your dogs health if you microchip them is this true?

Im wanting to microchip my siberian huskies but someone told me its bad for the health of your dog now i am having second thoughts
thanks everyone
They told me they put the chip in the head

dog health?

I took my dog to the vet like 2 weeks ago for a vaccine (rabies). Yesterday I felt a small mass just before his knee. Could this be caused by the vaccine or should I be worried?. I know I have to take him to the vet. I just need to save some money. The mass is soft and it does not causes him any pain. What could it be?

Talk about weight and obesity is everywhere these days. In fact, being overweight is bad for your health. We know it's true for humans. Doctors tell us it's true. Overweight and obese humans suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and bone and joint problems. It's common knowledge.

But did you know what your dog can be overweight, too? In fact, every extra pound costs your dog in risks to its health. As a responsible and loving dog owner, you should do everything you can to maintain a healthy diet and weight for your beloved pet.

You need to know that weight gain for dogs is even more harmful than it is for humans. Pound-for-pound, weight gain is more dangerous for your dog. When you gain a pound or two, your clothes may get tight, but generally things stay the same. When your dog gains a pound or two, he's adding a significant amount. This extra weight costs him in energy, makes his heart work harder, and puts relatively more pressure on his bones and joints. And your dog can't tell you what it's doing
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to him. You may not learn about emerging serious health problems until the annual exam at your vet's office.

Physical problems resulting from obesity are just, if not more, serious for dogs as they are for people. Dogs can't give you information about how they feel, so they must be diagnosed by a vet. If they are ill, the cost of care may be much more than you had ever thought of spending. Yet, if you love your pet, you will spend what is necessary to avoid pain and early death. It stands to reason that keeping your dog healthy before problems begin is a good way to save a lot of heartache and a lot of money!

As with humans, being over-weight can significantly reduce your dog's chances of living a long life. It can also create health problems that reduce the quality of his life throughout. Loving pet owners take care to feed their dog a consistent, measured amount of nutritious food each day, provide regular exercise, and visit the veterinarian regularly.

If your dog looks a bit chubbier than he did a few weeks ago, or if his tummy is bulging, you may want to take him to see his physician - the vet. Regular visits will help you and your vet keep track of changes in his weight over time so that you catch tendencies to gain more quickly. It's much easier to prevent weight-gain in dogs than to reduce it. Most vets keep weight and growth records for their patients, and your vet can compare your dog's information with that of other dogs from the same breed. Your vet is the best source of information on your dog's current condition, his ideal condition, and what you can do to assure a long, healthy life for your best friend.

Because you feed your dog, you are ultimately responsible for your dog's weight. If he's obese, it's because you feed him too much or don't give him the proper nutritious diet. It may also mean you're not paying enough attention to his exercise routine. If your dog is gaining weight despite a well-monitored diet, you should investigate the cause. He may have a medical condition that needs attention, or perhaps someone in your family is feeling him scraps from the table. Your neighbor could even been sneaking him treats while you're not looking!

Whatever the cause, it is very important that you control your dog's diet and maintain him at a healthy weight. Keeping your dog healthy will save you much money in the long run and give you a happy, healthy companion for years to come.

Abhishek Agarwal

Getting rid of fleas on a puppy involves getting topical flea prevention from a veterinarian or pet supply store, and treating the pet's environment is helpful in eliminating fleas completely from the home. Exterminate fleas on a puppy, as well as on the pet's bedding, the carpets and upholstered furniture, withhealth information from a veterinarian in this free video on pet care. Expert: Dr. Aimee Beger Bio: Dr. Aimee Beger works for McClintock Animal Care Center in Tempe, Ariz. Filmmaker: Ryan Quinn

All dog owners are familiar with the problems caused by pesky fleas. Fleas are very small wingless insects, brownish red in color, and have sharp mouths by which they obtain blood from their canine hosts. Flea bites usually cause your dog to scratch at affected areas and some dogs are more sensitive than others and can have allergic reactions to flea bites.

In general, fleas do not transmit diseases from dogs to humans, but the potential for this exists and they can and do bite humans as well as dogs and cats.

Fleas and flea larvae live in warm climates and will live until the ground freezes in cooler climates. They can live on in your home well past this time also.

If you suspect that your dog has fleas, you should take him to your veterinarian. Your veterinary staff member will first use a flea comb on your dog.

Flea combs are wide tooth combs and "flea dirt" or dried blood flea excrement is what they are looking for. If this is found, your veterinarian will recommend treatment.

Most veterinarians recommend preventive treatment for fleas as it is much easier to prevent them than to treat them.

For those of you that wish to treat your dog for fleas without commercial products, there are a few recommendations.

One way is to comb your dog with a flea comb regularly. You can put some petroleum jelly on the comb to help fleas stick to the comb. Other people recommend using rubbing alcohol to slow down the fleas so they are easier to catch.

Garlic and Brewers Yeast added as supplements to your dog's food are recommended by those who prefer the natural approach to treating fleas, however, the benefits of these treatments have yet to be proven.

There are several over the counter flea treatments available at your local pet store. However, many of these contain pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides derived from the chrysanthemum plant.

In the past, this kind of treatment of fleas was the only one available to veterinarians. If you choose to use a product containing pyrethrins, you should be aware of the potential side effects.

There is a potential threat of toxicity when using a product containing pyrethrins, not just to your dog, but to other animals in the house and humans as well. Make sure you follow the label usage directions and if you have any questions about using these products, consult your veterinarian.

Today, there are much safer products available. Most of these products are only available through your veterinarian. One of the most popular treatments for fleas is Frontline Plus by Merial. It is topically applied to the skin of your dog on the back of the neck.

According to Merial, Frontline Plus kills 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hour and will also kill eggs and larvae to prevent fleas from recurring. Frontline Plus is waterproof for up to 30 days and is safe to use on puppies as young as 8 weeks of age.

Another popular flea treatment is Sentinel by Novartis. Sentinel is a monthly pill that also prevents heartworms. Sentinel kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.

Novartis also makes the flea control products Program and Capstar. Program is a flavored tablet that is given monthly, and while it does not kill adult fleas, it does interrupt the flea life cycle by preventing the development of flea eggs.

Program is safe to use in dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older. Capstar is a pill that is given to kill adult fleas. It can be given as often as once per day. According to Novartis, Capstar will begin killing adult fleas within 30 minutes. One pill should kill all adult fleas.

Capstar is safe for dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older.

Remember that it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat them once your dog has them. As with all medications, follow the advice of your veterinarian.

If you need more information about fleas and flea prevention, contact a member of your veterinary staff or pet professional.

Colin Philips

Like all animals, as dogs age they tend to develop health problems unique to older dogs. Many dog owners have a difficult time accepting this fact and think that their lively pooch is not an older dog and will not have health problems.

Dogs can, however, show signs of aging as early as seven years old. Older dog health problems generally affect larger breeds earlier than small breeds that tend to show signs of aging around 10 to 12 years of age. The fact is that senior dog health problems will eventually be a concern for every dog owner.

Common Health Problems Facing Older Dogs

All dogs are different and, depending on their size, breed and activity level, will exhibit health problems differently. However, there are common health issues that may manifest in all senior dogs including the following:

Joint and bone problems
-An overall reduction in their metabolism
-Difficulty with their eyes and ears
-Liver and kidney dysfunctions
-Skin becomes thin and less pliable while the coat becomes mottled and patchy
-Problems with teeth and gums

Unlike a little puppy who has an endless supply of energy, an older dog will tend to slow down and take longer to lay down or stand up. Instead of bounding up the stairs your senior dog might take each stair one at a time.

Your dog may develop arthritis, an inflammation of the joints causing pain and discomfort, which is generally the cause of this slowing down. There are a host of anti-inflammatory drugs that your veterinarian can suggest to reduce the discomfort caused by arthritis.

In many cases, an older dog will have problems with their eyes as they develop cataracts or even glaucoma. A cataract will become obvious to the owner as the eyes have a cloudy appearance and tend to reflect light. Senior dogs may also develop glaucoma, an increased amount of pressure on the eyes, and can cause more serious problems if left untreated.

The entire circulation system and many of the major organs are taxed in older dogs. The heart, lungs, liver and kidneys all become less efficient and the immune systems can become weak and vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
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Serious health problems may develop in your senior dog as some of the symptoms develop gradually. It is your responsibility to maintain your older dog's health and remain informed of the possible senior dog health problems that commonly arise.

Helping Your Older Dog Overcome Health Problems

As an aging dog inevitably develops health problems, you can help alleviate many of the symptoms and keep your pet comfortable. The most basic thing you can do is simply pay more attention to your senior dog making sure you're aware of the changes taking place. Brush your dog's coat daily and ask your vet if there are special shampoos to help with her skin and coat. Spend time rubbing your hands on his coat feeling for bumps or lesions.

Be patient when your dog needs a little extra time walking up the stairs or jumping up into the car. Make sure you make regular visits to your vet and stay current on vaccinations. Brush your senior dog's teeth regularly and have them professionally cleaned occasionally. Provide regular exercise while also making adjustments needed for your dog as she ages.

As your older dog slows down, you might have to adjust her diet to help compensate for the reduction of energy for both her weight as well as her coat and her circulation system.

Not only must the overall calorie intake be reduced, but you can also feed your senior dog specially formulated foods made to fit their particular needs. Try to purchase the most expensive, best quality food you can afford and avoid greasy table scraps.

It's an inevitable fact that dogs age, but you can make a difference in helping your older dog overcome health problems. Keep in mind that in the last eighty years or so the average lifespan of dogs has increased from 7 years to 12. Expanding your knowledge and paying attention to your dogs health will help ensure your dog lives a long and comfortable life.

John Hinkle

Old age health care in dogs is a relatively new concept. Improvements in canine medical care, as well as an increase in our knowledge about how to take care of our pets, has lengthened the average canine lifespan. With a dog's average lifespan now twelve years, owners can reasonably expect their pets to be around for up to fifteen years. To ensure your dog has a long and happy life, there are a number of things you should know about caring for an older animal.

If you have a large dog, they may be considered old at around six to eight years. If your dog is a smaller breed they will not reach old age until around twelve years. Either way, there are a number of diseases that older dogs are more susceptible to. These include diabetes, cancerous tumors, kidney, heart or liver disease, cataracts and tooth and gum conditions.

You should plan frequent visits to your veterinarian once your dog reaches old age; regular blood tests can detect a lot of the above conditions in their early stages. Yearly appointments are essential, and some veterinarians may recommend a check up every six months.

In addition, you should look out for worrying symptoms of these conditions yourself. Contact your veterinarian if you notice rapid weight loss or gain, an unusual loss of appetite, excessive diarrhea or vomiting, extreme thirst and an increase in urine output, coughing and wheez
Dog Health Care : Treating Low Blood Sugar in Dogs & Puppies

ing, a rapid decline in hearing or vision, or acute fatigue.

Changes in behavior can be indicators of medical problems that only you will be able to spot. If your dog suddenly dislikes being alone, becomes unusually aggressive and barks loudly for no reason, seems confused and disorientated, or begins to urinate in the house, you should also seek medical advice.

There is one disease that is common in older dogs that does not have any of the warning signs listed above. This is known as Cushing's disease, although its correct name is Hyperadrenocorticism, and is caused by excessive production of hormones from the adrenal glands.

Signs of Cushing's disease are similar to those of old age and are often missed. They include muscle weakness, hair loss, lumpy skin, a bloated stomach, high blood pressure, and an increase in food intake, liquid intake and urine output.

There is no cure for Cushing's disease but several drugs such as Lysodren, Ketoconazoten and Anipryl relieve symptoms and will enable your dog to live a long and happy life. Left untreated, this condition can lead to all manner of other problems such as diabetes, heart disease and liver or kidney failure.

As well as looking out for symptoms of illness, you can improve your old dog's quality of life by giving them the best possible diet. Switch to a food designed specifically for seniors to ensure they get all the nutrition they need. Consult your vet to see if your dog has particular dietary requirements according to their medical state. Perhaps a supplement to delay the onset of arthritis would be a good idea. Don't over feed your pet, as obesity can be a real issue for older dogs. Make sure they get plenty of exercise but don't overdo it. Older dogs can't keep going for as long as they could in their younger days, but they will try!

The best thing you can do for your older dog to maintain his quality of life is to be aware of the changes he is going through. Be patient with him, he will need your emotional support as this can be a confusing time, and sticking to a daily routine can help. Make sure he is still a part of your life, even if he is not as active as he used to be. Pay attention to his diet, medical needs and cleanliness, and you will find that your relationship with your dog will be just as rewarding as when he was just a puppy.

Rebecca Prescott