Dog Lovers Manual

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My dog keeps getting sore, wet patches on his legs and body – what can I do?

January 25th, 2012 · No Comments

Such ‘hot spots’ are usually caused by eczema, resulting from a nervous reaction or an allergy. The latter might be in response to such things as too rich a diet, an ingredient in the diet, carpet freshener powder or washing powder residues in bedding. ‘Hot spots’ can also be due to flea bite dermatitis. Whatever the cause, the condition is exacerbated by the dog licking, biting and scratching at the affected area.

Treatment comprises finding the cause, if possible, and eliminating it by trial and error. Your vet will supply an ointment to cool and soothe the area; udder cream designed for dairy cattle is also effective.

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My Dog Gets Itchy Paws in Summer. What is Causing This and Is there a Cure?

December 23rd, 2011 · No Comments

There could be a number of causes. The include a grass pollen allergy, other allergy, dust contamination, or an insect/parasite infestation obtained from grass. It could also be from walking on hot pavement/ground, or crop chemicals on fields.

After exercise, wash your dog’s paws with salt water to remove anything that may be causing the irritation. If grass pollen could be the culprit, stay off grass while exercising. Try changing his diet to a more natural one.

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Do dogs hurt each other when they fight? Should I separate fighting dogs?

December 13th, 2011 · No Comments

Fights often look and sound more ferocious than they actually are. Rarely do dogs injure themselves, or each other; fights are usually over swiftly, with one conceding defeat quickly and becoming submissive, or turning tail and fleeing.

Never try to break up a fight with your hands as you may be bitten, nor try to break up the fight by shouting as this may well encourage the dogs. See below for how to separate fighting dogs safely.

Don’t punish your pet for fighting, as some dogs associate their owners’ aggression with the other dog, so the behavior is perpetuated.

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What is Canine Distemper?

December 13th, 2011 · No Comments

Canine distemper is a potentially fatal viral infection in dogs. The virus affects a dog’s respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems, and it may also damage the conjunctival membranes in the eyes. The virus is usually transmitted from one dog to another via direct contact with blood, saliva, or urine, but it may also spread via sneezing and coughing or through sharing water or food bowls with an infected animal.

Young dogs are most susceptible to catching canine distemper, and any dog with an unknown vaccination history is at risk. Young dogs and puppies are also at higher risk of serious complications from the virus, with the rate of fatality highest in puppies younger than seven weeks that are born to unvaccinated mothers.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Canine Distemper:

Initially, canine distemper causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, and the drainage of thick mucus from the nose and eyes. Fever, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea may also develop.

Young puppies develop symptoms rapidly, becoming severely weakened much more quickly than older dogs. If the virus travels to the brain, seizures may develop. Secondary infections are common in dogs infected with canine distemper due to a weakened immune system.

See a veterinarian immediately if you believe your dog is infected with canine distemper, as the virus must be treated quickly and aggressively to prevent complications. Although there are tests available to help diagnose canine distemper, they are not always accurate. Because of this, your veterinarian will also perform a full examination of your dog, take a complete medical history, and consider all the signs and symptoms your dog is exhibiting before making a diagnosis.

Prevention and Treatment of Canine Distemper:

If your dog is diagnosed with canine distemper, treatment is focused on preventing secondary infections and other complications. There is no pet medication available to directly kill the virus responsible for canine distemper. Intravenous fluids are often given to prevent dehydration, especially when vomiting or diarrhea is present, and antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary infections, such as pneumonia, from developing.

Because there are no medications to treat canine distemper, prevention is crucial. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for dogs available to prevent infection, called the distemper shot, which is typically given to puppies between six and eight weeks of age. Keeping your unvaccinated dog away from other high-risk or infected animals will help prevent infection, and routine disinfection of your home and kennel will destroy any virus lingering around your dog’s living environment.

Surviving an infection with canine distemper does not mean your dog has suffered no permanent damage. Seizures and other nervous system disorders may not become apparent for years following infection with canine distemper, and infected dogs may develop permanent nerve and brain damage from the virus.

All dogs should be vaccinated early in life against canine distemper. Prompt veterinary care at the first sign of a suspected infection may help reduce the risks of long-term disability, and early treatment will definitely improve your dog’s chances of recovery.

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What’s the safest way to break up a dog fight?

September 14th, 2011 · No Comments

In cases where fights are sustained, try the short, sharp shock. Throwing a bucket of cold water or turning a hose on the squabbling pair won’t hurt them, but will cause them to stop fighting momentarily. In that moment you (and the other owner, if applicable) can get hold of the dogs to keep them apart, but only if it’s safe to do so, and take them their separate ways quickly and quietly.

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When accustoming my dog to sights and sounds, how much should I do in one session?

August 9th, 2011 · No Comments

Introduce your pet to things one at a time. Never present two things in one session as it will be too much for him to cope with mentally. To start with, one or two 10-minute sessions per day is enough. Be careful not to overwhelm your dog; take things at his pace.

Some areas of socialization may need more acclimatization that others, so be prepared for this and remember that time and patience work wonders. Rushing the process can result in your pet becoming nervous and timid or even aggressive, or it could make existing problem behaviors even worse rather than alleviating them.

Make introductions to new things short and always rewarding, so that your dog views them as good experiences.

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How can I get my dog used to other animals?

August 7th, 2011 · No Comments

Some training schools hold introduction classes, where dogs have the chance to meet other animals. It is worth making the effort to get to such a class, as they tend to have more success than trying to do this yourself. The class offers a controlled environment with expert help if you need it. It will boost your confidence and feeling of control, which is essential for successful training.

You may have to travel some distance to find such a class, but making that effort should pay dividends.

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Who can I turn to if I need help in socializing my dog?

August 5th, 2011 · No Comments

A good dog trainer will be of great help in this respect. If you join a socializing class, it will give you and your dog the opportunity to meet other people and dogs, as well as a chance to learn how to cope with different situations and problems. You will also have on-the-spot expert advice when situations crop up in company that you are not sure how to deal with correctly.

If you have problems have socializing  your pet, it can be a good idea to consult a canine behaviorist.

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What will happen if my dog is not socialized?

July 28th, 2011 · No Comments

Different breeds/types of dogs will enjoy the company of people and other animals to different events. However, all dogs like to live their lives in a pack, whether human or canine (or a bit of both). If denied social contact, dogs, like humans, can easily become depressed or ‘badly behaved’.

Imagine a world where you cannot speak the language, are afraid of someone walking towards you on a street, or meeting a group of people terrifies you. Without realizing, you can turn a dog into a nervous wreck simply by not socializing him.

A dog can be a nightmare to live with, handle and control if he hasn’t been socialized, so you need to do this properly for the safety and contentment of all concerned.

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Treating Dog Lice

March 7th, 2011 · 2 Comments

Dogs could possibly get lice even when they get groomed as well as cleaned everyday. This is the most common trouble with dogs because they have lice like a web host. Vet ought to be contacted when the symptoms appear. Treating dog lice from initial phases might help to get rid from this problem in a highly effective manner. Lice trouble offers many signs and symptoms of it’s event which should not be ignored. For instance, the trouble having lice can cause severe pain and can create signs and symptoms of illness. Lice in dogs can also provide another diseases in them as well as using them as complex diseases such as dog anemia.

Microscopic framework of dog lice emerges to become flat, grey as well as wingless. They’re scroungers which are close to One foot long. They really slowly change using their places and often stick to 1 place. 1 extremely important reality regarding dog lice is the fact that it cannot can be found without host’s entire body. It needs the cat or a dog to live on it and also to ensure it’s living.

They are associated with two different kinds. First of all of them bites the skin from the animal as well as rss feeds by itself on those skin flakes. And the additional type of dog lice attaches purely itself towards the pores and skin of the animal as well as rss feeds by itself with the blood. The 2nd kind of lice is much more dangerous as they not only pull the pet’s blood but also trigger serious irritation by busting through the skin as well as feeding by itself on it. If the dog scrapes difficult as well as harshly, then you ought to check him since it is a significant manifestation of getting dog lice.

The majority of dog lice discover its devote the actual rectum, ears, shoulder blades or even neck of the guitar. They’re pretty large in size as well as place their own ova about the pet’s locks. You can observe those clicks seated about the pet’s locks. They just seem like dirt items in the initial phase. Treating dog lice is not very hard. Dog lice can not avoid in order to pesticides and thus it ought to be spread within type of squirt to kill individuals lice. This is the simplest way in order to remedy these.

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