Vaccinations Cause Vaccinosis - Your Pet is Being Harmed

Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?

Are they really necessary? - In a word, NO!

You probably receive an annual reminder from your vet that your dog is due for his/her annual checkup and vaccinations. I do.

But I don't have my dogs vaccinated any more.

For years I was hoodwinked into believing that vaccinations were essential to my dogs' health. Why else would my vet tell me my dogs needed an annual booster vaccination shot?

Why indeed.

I learned the answer when, after careful research, I decided not to expose my dogs to what I believe is unnecessary, and potentially dangerous, toxins, any more.

I received the letter from my vet as usual, advising that my dogs' annual checkup and vaccinations were due.

I made an appointment and arrived ready to do battle. I advised the vet that I had decided not to have my dogs vaccinated any more. She said "Fine."

That's right - after years of leading me to believe that these vaccinations were essential to my dogs' wellbeing, the vet agreed that they were not in fact necessary at all! She went on to stress the importance of still bringing the dogs in for their annual physical checkup (which was what I was doing, and certainly intended to continue to do).

So that's why we're all told that our dogs need annual vaccinations - it's simply a ploy to get us in so our dogs can be given a physical. Why not just tell us how important these annual checkups are instead of slowly but surely poisoning our dogs with these vaccines?

I don't have the answer to that, but I can tell you I was speechless.

I've now found out that all across America a new protocol for vaccinating dogs has now been issued and is slowly making its way to vets. (I haven't been able to locate a similar protocol for Australia, but I'm sure it's in the pipeline). This protocol does not recommend any vaccinations for dogs beyond 1 year of age!
Make sure you ask your vet next time a vaccination has been recommended for your dog - it this really necessary? And if you're not satisfied with the answer, consider getting a second opinion from another vet.

Side effects of this appalling over-vaccination which has been going on for years can be significant and severe.

You can clear your dog's system from all toxins by Removing Toxins Naturally - Click Here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/RemoveToxinsNaturally
(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Her site, Healthy Happy Dogs, has pages and pages of information on improving your dog's health naturally. Brigitte is the author of a number of reports, articles, and the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

For your special FREE report - "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!", Click Here for Your Free Dog Health Report! - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

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Dog Vaccination Schedule - A Guide

In this article we will provide you with a guide to the appropriate Dog Vaccination Schedule that you should follow with your pooch. It is very important to follow your Vet's advice as dogs and specifically puppies are more prone to certain diseases if the are not treated with the most effective and appropriate vaccine and at the right age. Anyway lets get started with some basic information for you to follow.

Distemper - This is one of the most deadly diseases out there and needs to be vaccinated against at the earliest opportunity. Puppies need to be vaccinated at the age of about 9 weeks. Although there can be some side effects these are rare and will normally only appear if your puppy is vaccinated below the recommended age. A booster is not needed as vaccines will last for about 7 1/2 years.

Rabies - This is another deadly disease that needs to be vaccinated against. Vets recommend that puppies are given the vaccine at 9 weeks of age. A one year booster is advised and this will need to be repeated at intervals of three to four weeks. In some States in the USA dogs are expected to be vaccinated again in 3 years. It is vital that dogs are vaccinated against this disease as they can infect other dogs and even people.

Bordetella - This is highly recommended by medical professionals as dogs and puppies may be exposed to it when they are placed in Kennels as the disease is highly prevalent in that environment. This vaccine should be given to your pooch about three days before he goes into the Kennels. It will last about six months but will only protect against three out of eight of the causes of Kennel Cough.

As you can see, an effective dog vaccination schedule is vital for your pooch to remain healthy. For more information on when your dog or puppy should be vaccinated and the possible side effects that your pooch may experience you should speak to your local vet.

Tobias Charles writes on all aspects of dog obedience training, puppy training and dog health care. For more information visit his website for the best dog obedience training tips, health care advice and recipes for homemade dog foods for more great tips and information.

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Dog Vaccination - Current Recommendations

The custom of yearly vaccination took hold back in the 1950's. It wasn't based on scientific research and, at the time, it was believed there were no risks.

But there are risks with vaccines. In fact there can be serious adverse reactions. Every Veterinary school in North America as well US and World industry associations have updated their recommendations based on more current science.

Current recommendations for re-vaccination range from "3 or more years" to "7 or more years" to never...

Dr Ronald Schultz, expert in immunology and member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group and American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force: If a puppy is immunized for parvovirus, distemper virus and adenovirus "there is every reason to believe the vaccinated animal will have up to life-long immunity".

Adverse Reactions To Vaccines

Vets generally only see immediate reactions while the dog is still in their office. The range of symptoms that develop later - perhaps an hour, a week, or even years are often not linked to the vaccine.

Ideally, the vaccine virus is destroyed by the pets' immune response. That doesn't always happen - particularly with repeated vaccines. These toxins and foreign substances can remain and accumulate in organs, muscle and joints, creating low-grade inflammation and weakened immune system.

Reactions can be immediate, or they may not be obvious for some time. They can be minor, but they can also be a severe as death.

Reactions include:

Allergies, chronic skin problems, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, pancreatitis, kidney failure, liver failure, arthritis, thyroid disease, epilepsy, seizures, paralysis, auto-immune disease, cancer.

Also behavior problems such as aggression, suspiciousness, restlessness, aloofness, separation anxiety, excessive barking, destructive behavior, tail chewing.

Vaccine Protocol

A vaccine protocol should be individualized for each dog and include:
-Which vaccines
-How often

Common dog vaccines are: Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza. Bordatella, Coronavirus and Lyme disease are less often given.

Parvovirus can kill puppies but rarely effects adult dogs.
Distemper is rare, but can kill.

The Hepatitis vaccine (Adenovirus) only protects against some causes and hepatitis isn't common.

Leptospirosis is rare and there are hundreds of strains. The vaccine is for only a few strains and lasts only 3-6 months. The Leptospirosis vaccine is also prone to side effects.

The Parainfluenza vaccine doesn't protect against all causes and the flu rarely is serious.

Bordatella vaccine is for kennel cough which is not serious and not likely if your dog isn't in close contact with other dogs such as would be the case in a kennel.

Corona results in mild diarrhea. The vaccine isn't fully protective.

The risk of Lyme disease is location and lifestyle dependent.

Vaccine schedule

Maternal antibodies protect a puppy for 16-22 weeks. So the earliest you want to start vaccinating is 16 weeks.

Dr Pitcairn's recommends a conservative approach:

- First Distemper shot at 16 weeks
- First Parvovirus shot at 20 weeks
- Second Distemper shot at 24 weeks
- Second Parvovirus shot at 28 weeks
- Rabies shot a month later.

If your municipality requires a rabies shot sooner than 8 months, he recommends you start with the rabies shot and then begin the rest of the schedule 4 weeks later.

It's best to get a single vaccination at a time.

You can for rabies; however, most of the other vaccines come as a combination.

For dogs you'll likely get DH - Distemper and Hepatitis. At least limit the vaccine schedule to one shot at a time.

Additional recommendations:

• Don't vaccinate if your dog is sick or immune compromised.
• Don't vaccinate if your dog is receiving pharmaceuticals, especially steroids.
• Don't vaccinate near or at the same time as surgery such as spaying/neutering.
• If there's any adverse reaction at all stop or at least slow down the schedule.

Are you concerned about providing the best care for your dog or cat?

Dog and cat nutrition - what you feed your companions - matters to their health.

Learn about pet vaccines, nutrition and safe herbal solutions for pet health and behavioral problems at DogAndCatZone.com. They depend on you.

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The Dangers of Dog Vaccines You Need to Know Now

There is a lot of conflicting information about the benefits or dangers of dog vaccines. This short article will help shed some light on what the World's top veterinarians think about vaccines for dogs. You'll also learn of an easy test, called a titer test, your dog could take to minimize the chances of bad reactions. There are many different types of dog vaccinations. They include dog vaccines for parovirus, canine distemper virus, rabies, canine adenovirus, lyme disease, canine parainfluenza virus, leptospirosis, giardiasis, canine coronavirus, bordetella bronchiseptica and a few others.

The simple fact is that many of these vaccinations for dogs are unneeded. Over-vaccinating your canine is very common today. Its most likely that vaccinating your dog does not have to be a yearly ritual. That's probably too much. After vaccinating your dog for the first time ever, they should probably be given a "booster" vaccination about a year later. After that, dog vaccinations should probably only be given about once every three years.

Dog vaccination dangers, bad reactions and side effects include neurological disorders, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, skin disorders and disease, thyroid problems, seizures and overly aggressive behavior. The most important dog vaccines that should be given to your dog are for rabies, canine distemper and parovirus. Parovirous is a particularly nasty disease that could be fatal. When vaccinating your dog, try to spread the vaccinations out over a period of a few weeks instead of giving them to your furry friend all at once.

This will allow your dog's immune system to not get overwhelmed and decrease the chances of a bad reaction. Another great thing to do is to have your canine buddy take a "Titer Test" before getting any dog vaccination. A titer test is a test that reveals whether or not your dog has enough antibodies to the disease that the dog vaccine is supposed to prevent. If the titer test shows that your dog does have enough antibodies to the disease, then you don't have to vaccinate your dog that year. Whats more important than not over vaccinating your dog is making sure to feed him or her a truly healthy dog food everyday, but that's a whole other article.

Robert Riley is an investigative dog health researcher and the Author of the most downloaded pet health PDF in history, The Dog Food Doctrine. The Dog Food Doctrine reveals the exact reasons why the health of the dogs we love has declined so much since the 1960's. For a limited time, Ezine Article readers can get a copy of The Dog Food Doctrine absolutely FREE by visiting: http://www.DogFoodDoctrine.com

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Importance and Side Effects of Dog Vaccines

For any new pet owner, and the owners of new dogs, vaccines are often a matter of some confusion. Which vaccines is the dog supposed to get? What are the vaccines for? Will my dog react badly to them? These are all questions frequently asked.

Most veterinarians will advise dog owners to give the DHLPP vaccination once their puppies are weened off their mother's milk. This vaccine covers a number of fairly common canine conditions: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Depending on the veterinarian and the geographical location, your dog may be given only some of these vaccinations. Typically, all five, or a combination of them, are lumped together in a single shot that is administered subcutaneously, or under the skin, once every two or three weeks for about two months.

Each of these diseases can be very difficult to manage, and a vaccination is your best bet to avoid them all together. Unfortunately, some dogs do experience adverse reactions to some of these vaccines. For that reason, many vets have moved from giving this shot yearly, to giving it every three years. All of the vaccines have been shown in limited studies to last more than a year with the exception of the leptospirosis vaccine, which may last less than a year. But unless this bacterial disease is prevalent in your area, it may not be necessary.

Kennels and Vaccines

Many boarding facilities have very strict policies when it comes to admitting dogs. These policies nearly always state that if your dog has not been vaccinated,it will not be boarded. Unfortunately, each kennel may have slightly different rules when it comes to which vaccines your pup will need. Beyond the DHLPP shot, your dog may need to be vaccinated against adenovirus or bordatella.

Because of the great number of dogs coming from a great number of different backgrounds, the likelihood that the animals at the kennel would be exposed to at least one type of communicable canine disease is fairly high. Some viruses, like parvovirus, are very tough and will not die easily. The disease is transmitted through dog poo, which is usually all over the place in a kennel environment. For this reason it is very important that you not only have your pet vaccinated, but that the kennel require vaccinations.

When is the vaccine effective?

If you planned to put your dog in a kennel or start exposing him to other dogs, it is important that you give the necessary vaccination early. It can take several weeks for a puppy or dog to build up immunity after a full course of vaccine.

Rabies

Rabies is a particular worrisome disease that unfortunately has no cure for dogs. A dog that is infected with rabid will have to be euthanize without any doubt. Vaccination should be a high priority for a dog owner. This vaccine should be administered once between three and six months of age, and again at one year old to ensure immunity. It should also be given yearly. Vaccinating your pup against rabies will also protect you, your family, and neighbors from this deadly disease.

Adverse Reactions

Occasionally, a dog will have an adverse reaction to a vaccine it has received. You need to take extra care to monitor your pet condition after every vaccination, making sure that there is no change in his activity level, diet pattern or personality. If you notice these symptoms and they persist, get in contact with your veterinarian right away.

When toilet training your puppy, take note that she is not able to control her bladder overnight before she reaches four months old. To learn more about canine dog health and canine dog care, visit us at CanineTouch.com.

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Dog Vaccinations Defined

Knowing what to vaccinate your dog for and how often to give your dog a vaccination are two very important issues. Regular vaccinations can prevent your dog from contracting many different types of diseases. Vaccinating your dog is a very important part of your total dog health care program. Overall, two of the most important viruses to vaccinate your dog for are parvovirus and distemper.

Most vets agree that it is vital to vaccinate puppies at 6 weeks of age and again at 8, 12, and 16 weeks for Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Coronavirus (DHLPPC). It is also suggested that puppies are vaccinated for rabies at six months of age and then to repeat it annually.

Although your new puppy may squirm or even cry when getting his vaccinations, it is just as important for your dog as it is for your children to receive these "annual shots". In fact, by keeping up to date on your dog's vaccinations, you could be saving his life. Basically, dog vaccinations are injections of a small dose of a specific disease, which should prevent your puppy from developing that very disease later in life by creating the necessary antibodies to fight it off.

Some dog owners have concerns whether the repeated dog vaccinations are really necessary and whether they are doing more harm than good. Vaccinations work by stimulating the dog's immune system, encouraging it to readily produce antibodies to fight against many specific types of bacterias and viruses.

Stimulating the dogs immune system this way does come at a price when the actual introduction of the offending agent in some form to the dog's system leads to illness. Once vaccinations are given, your dog's immune system will recognize the presence of a disease and will then create antibodies to fight it off. These antibodies only last from six months to a year, which makes regular vaccinations extremely important for your puppy or dog.

The question on the minds of many pet owners is usually - "is it dangerous to repeatedly vaccinate my dog each year"? Fortunately the experts do agree that the answer to this question is a resounding "no."
While there are rare cases of dogs that have become very ill or even died as a result of receiving a vaccination, there is no evidence to suggest that this practice poses any real danger generally speaking. Oftentimes, the dogs that are adversely affected to vaccines may have already been sick or have some form of allergy to a specific part of the vaccine.

When using a vaccine that must be mixed first, there are four simple steps to follow. First: mix the vaccine by withdrawing all of the liquid from the one vial and then injecting it iback into the vial containing the dried portion of the vaccine. Remove the syringe, shake the vial to mix up the vaccination, re-insert the needle and then withdraw the entire 1 ml contents of the mixed vaccination.

Two different types of vaccinations exist which are a Killed Vaccine and a Modified Live Vaccine. A Modified Live Vaccine is the live disease being injected, while having been altered by the drug company to be unable to cause the disease it is protecting against. A Killed Vaccine is when the virus itself has been killed before any injection occurs.

Most vaccinations are administered subcutaneously (by injecting the vaccine just under the skin). One of the best areas is located in the shoulder or neck area. Simply lift a tent of skin into a triangle with one hand, and inject the vaccine with the other hand. Note: always use a different sterile needle and syringe for each dog and also for each individual injection, and then dispose of all used needles and syringes in a safe location.

I feel that the best advice I can offer is that dog owners continue vaccinating their dogs according to local laws and the recommendations of their veterinarians. Since the annual vaccines are not seemingly harming dogs in any way, there is no cause for alarm and no harm in continuing the same routine until the veterinary community makes up its mind that a real change is needed in regard to dog vaccinations. In the mean time, a little prevention can go a long way to keep your dog healthy.

Copyright 2007 Debbie Ray All Rights Reserved.

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com is a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Interested in the German Shepherd Dog in particular? Need to promote your dog related website and get additional in bound links? Check out pedigreedpups.com, total-german-shepherd.com or canine-hotline.com (dog only products store) for more information.

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Natural Heartworm Treatment or Conventional Heartworm Treatment?

Heartworm is parasitic worm that can grow to be twelve inches or longer, and left untreated, will kill your pet. Heartworm is primarily a canine disease but cats can be infected as well. Heartworm is a serious, life-threatening disease requiring painful conventional treatment once infection has occurred. Herbal heartworm treatments and other natural heartworm treatments are certainly available, though less well known. Although these natural heartworm treatment regimes are nowhere near as painful or risky as conventional heartworm treatments, recovery from well established heartworm can be very uncomfortable for your pet.

Infected mosquitoes transmit heartworm. And once a mosquito is infected, whenever the mosquito bites another animal, heartworm is spread. Although heartworm is not contagious, it is certainly possible, and relatively common, that more than one animal in the household can contract heartworm. This is obviously because an infected mosquito is likely to bite more than one of your pets, and/or if there is one infected mosquito in or around your yard, there are very likely to be more of them. There is no risk, however, to housing a heartworm positive dog with an uninfected animal, as there is no risk of direct infection from the infected dog to an uninfected animal.

Heartworm is a parasitic problem common to dogs (and other pets) in warmer climates. Heartworm is therefore prevalent in southern France, Spain, Italy and the Mediterranean, as well as to a greater or lesser extent in every State in the U.S., and countries as far flung as Australia and Hong Kong. In fact, some experts believe that heartworm is now present on every continent of this planet, with the exception of Antarctica. While that may be, heartworm is as yet relatively unknown in the U.K. and some other cooler climactic areas. There does appear to be a growing awareness of the problem, but many people have very little knowledge of how heartworm is spread, and why preventative medications are so important.

Heartworm is caused by the bite of a mosquito and the adult heartworm is found in the right ventricle and the nearby blood vessels of the dog's heart. Heartworm is a disease that every dog that is ever exposed to mosquitoes is susceptible to.

Symptoms of heartworm disease usually include coughing, weight loss, lack of energy and breathing difficulties. However, during the early stages of infestation, there may be few, if any, symptoms. Indeed, heartworm can develop to a very advanced stage before your pet shows any symptoms at all. This is one of the reasons why a heartworm diagnosis is such a serious matter - by the time your pet is diagnosed, he or she is likely to have a mass of heartworm clogging up his/her heart and surrounding blood vessels.

Heartworm can be diagnosed with blood tests, and/or X-rays, as well as various other types of tests. Heartworm testing will only be carried out as a matter of course in areas where heartworm is prevalent. However, you have every right to request that your pet be tested for heartworm, and to expect your vet to adhere to your wishes in this regard.

Heartworm is a completely preventable disease. Do not ignore your vet when he or she tells you that heartworm prevention is important for your dog. It IS. In fact, it can literally save your dog's life, or at the very least, save your dog from an expensive and painful treatment regime.

The heartworm prevention your vet will recommend will likely be one of the well known brands such as Heartgard. Such preventative medications do work very well, but then again, so do natural alternatives such as herbs.

Healthy Happy Dogs is a resource containing a wealth of information on keeping your dog healthy. If your dog has existing heartworm, click here for information on the very best herbal heartworm treatment available: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/heartworm
And for your dog health report, sign up here - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com.

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Heartworm Medication For Dogs - Simple Prevention Avoids Costly Treatments

Monthly use of heartworm medications for dogs can prevent this disease for the life of your pet. Effective preventive medications are available as spot on products (Revolution), tasty wafers (Heartgard), or flavored tablets (Sentinel and Interceptor). Some, like Heartgard, focus only on prevention of heartworm disease while other products have added benefits of killing roundworms, hookworms and fleas.

Treatment is available for dogs suffering heartworm disease but is an expensive option that is easily avoided. The treatment is straightforward with the goal of destroying the parasites living in the animal but treating dogs with severe cases of the disease or with other health problems can be challenging.

The number of worms present in the animal indicates the severity of the disease but the activity level of the dog also plays an important role. As the heartworms die they decompose and the fragments can lodge in pulmonary arteries and block blood flow. This blood flow increases during period of physical activity which can increase the chances of clogged arteries that potentially can cause heart failure. Dogs undergoing treatment must be restricted or confined to prevent high levels of activity that could increase blood flow.

The only approved heartworm disease treatment for dogs is Melarsomine. For years the treatment protocol consisted of two injections 24 hours apart. Results of recent studies have led to changes in the way Melarsomine is administered.

The three dose system currently recommended is composed of one injection followed at least one month later by two more injections 24 hours apart. This is the treatment recommended by the American Heartworm Society and a recent development in treatment of the problem.

One shortfall with the previous two dose treatment is that Melarsomine may not kill heartworms that are less than four months old. A dog testing positive for this parasitic disease probably has worms that range from less than one month to seven years old in his body.

When a dog tests positive your veterinarian may advise the use of Heartgard medication for 2-3 months prior to administering Melasaromine. The goal is to prevent development of young heartworms so that the aggressive treatment will be more effective.

Your veterinarian will assess the overall health of your canine before administering treatment for heartworm disease. Melasaromine acts as a poison (arsenic) to kill the parasites in your dog's body and any additional health problems could endanger your pet. Treatment for dogs is similar to chemotherapy for humans. Clearly you don't want to expose your dog to aggressive treatment if you can prevent the disease with a monthly medication.

Dogs with other health complications may not be able to tolerate the standard treatment for dogs. An alternative therapy of ivermectin and doxycycline weekly for 36 weeks greatly reduces the number of heartworms in the animal. Administering doxycycline for a four week period every four months keeps heartworm at low levels in the animal.

In extreme cases the diagnosis is not made until the dog suffers a life threatening heart problem. This may be indicated by sudden onset of severe weakness and lethargy. The cause is heartworms obstructing blood flow through a heart valve and interfering with the closing of that valve. The only course of treatment is surgery to remove the majority of worms from the dog's heart. This is accomplished using a tool inserted in the jugular vein. If the surgery is successful, the standard heartworm treatment will eliminate any remaining heartworms.

There is no reason your pet should need to undergo drastic surgery or suffer the side effects of chemotherapy for heartworm disease. Heartworm medication for dogs is readily available through your veterinarian and can also be purchased at a cost effective online site specializing in canine medicines.

Twelve doses of Heartgard, Sentinel, Revolution or Interceptor each year will fully protect your best friend from heartworm disease the damage it can cause. Ask your vet to test your dog for heartworm and buy preventive heartworm medicine for dogs at a reputable online pet pharmacy.

Heartworm medication for dogs is part of your pet's routine health care. Buy recommended heartworm prevention products from a licensed veterinarian at http://www.petscriptsdirect.com.

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Common Dog Diseases - Help For Owners of Older Dogs

All reputable rescue shelters provide their wards with proper veterinarian care. Diseases such as distemper, parvo, rabies, leptospirosis, are detected and treatment administered if treatment exists and does not come too late to offer a cure. The mission of these shelters is to find loving, caring homes for these unfortunate creatures; and, delivering an unhealthy animal serves no one. But, it is advisable for the perspective adopting family to be aware of the signs and the prognosis of the most common ailments in the event that something was overlooked at the shelter. The sooner detection occurs, the better chance for a full recovery.

So, here is a brief primer that will help you screen for any unhealthy condition your new family member could possibly be harboring. Please understand that this is in no way a substitute for veterinarian care. I try to cover a very broad range of maladies so all have been given only cursory coverage. Hopefully enough that will enable you to at least suspect your dog may require treatment and what that treatment might entail and how serious the infirmity is.

Distemper 

Look for symptoms similar to the common cold - like runny nose and eyes, coughing, high temperature, and diarrhea. These are early symptoms. If the disease has progressed, you may observe nervous twitching, convulsions and even paralysis. This is a very serious disease for which no treatment or cure exists. Canine distemper is caused by a very contagious virus transmitted by air. Dogs are normally vaccinated against distemper. So, a neglected rescue dog may not have had such treatment.

Parvovirus

If your pup or dog is lethargic, feverish, exhibits vomiting, bloody diarrhea and rapid dehydration, he could be suffering from canine parvovirus. It is spread by contact with infected stools. It is deadly and highly contagious. Treatment will entail rigorous intravenous fluids to combat the diarrhea and resulting dehydration. Supportive therapy may also be required. Like distemper, cared for animals are vaccinated against parvo.

Tracheobronchitis (aka Kennel Cough)

This ailment is caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. It attacks the respiratory system and inflicts a chronic, dry, hacking cough. Its very transmittable but generally remains a mild infection. However, in young pups and older dogs, if untreated, it could develop into pneumonia. There is treatment and recovery is the norm. Shots can be administered as a prevention.

Leptospirosis 

Infects the kidneys and is caused by bacteria and spread through contact with mucous, urine or saliva of infected animals. Leptospirosis is of particular concern since it can infect humans. Symptoms in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (detected by yellow color to gums, whites of the eyes and skin, excessive drinking, and extension of the dog's abdomen).   Intensive care treatment requires antibiotics and intravenous fluids. Animals that do recover are often left with permanent kidney damage. Vaccinations do exist, but the multitude of strains of this disease often thwart the effectiveness of preventive measures.

Canine Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus) 

Transmitted through most animal excretions - urine, feces, saliva. Look for fever, depression, loss of appetite, coughing, and a tender abdomen. It affects the liver and kidney as well as the blood vessels. Intensive care will most likely be required which may include blood transfusions. A complete recovery is not at all certain.

Corona (Canine coronavirus)

This disease is far more prevalent in puppies since older dogs have built up immunity. Very similar in symptoms to parvovirus, except it is normally milder and more treatable. It's highly contagious and attacks the gastrointestinal tract. It causes moderate to severe vomiting and diarrhea and will lead to dehydration if not treated. Loss of appetite and depression and blood in the stool are also signs of the disease. It may even mimic poisoning. Treatment generally attempts to prevent the symptoms from worsening. Specifically, dehydration needs to be prevented through IV fluids, or even force-fed water.

Rabies 

A well-known viral infection of all mammals, including man, transmitted by the bite of an in­fected animal. Rabies attacks the central nervous system and causes encephalitis, and infection of the brain. It's a slow moving disease that causes the animal to go through several stages of varying symptoms, starting with nervousness, anxiety, and solitude. Next comes restlessness, irritability and extra sensitivity to noise and light. Then over salivation and difficulty swallowing. Finally, deep labored breathing, paralysis, and respiratory failure. If a dog isn't vaccinated and contracts rabies, death is certain.

A primary responsibility of a conscientious owner of a rescue dog is to maintain your new dog's health. While many of viral and bacterial diseases are fatal if left untreated - and several cannot be treated at all after contraction - early detection certainly increases the chances of a successful cure, if one exists. Knowing the symptoms will help you with this early detection. I strongly recommend you immediately take your dog to the vet should you observe any unusual behavior or any of the aforementioned symptoms. Best of luck.
 

To reach and encourage others who may be considering bringing a rescue dog - or any dog or pup - into their home, I created a blog -- DogsRpeople2. In it, I provide visitors with useful information, wonderful stories about successful adoptions, resources that will enable them to help others; and, even the opportunity to post pictures and a story of their own dog. I invite you to visit and join the conversation - http://butdogsrpeople2.blogspot.com

If you have adopted, or soon will be adopting an older dog - or even a pup - you'll want to make sure the experience is a positive one for both you and your dog. Having adopted several rescue dogs myself, I've found an excellent resource that will enable you to provide your dog with all the training required to make them a happy, devoted and enjoyable member of your family.
To learn more about this very affordable, comprehensive manual of dog training techniques click the following link: http://butdogsrpeople2.blogspot.com/2009/05/easy-dyi-dog-training-for-well-behaved.html And, if you'd like to order, it's available for immediate download. The Gold Membership is currently being offered at a 58% discount for a limited time. So act now before regular pricing goes into effect.

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Natural Remedies For Dogs - Why Should I Consider Natural Remedies For Dogs?

In order to better understand why natural remedies for dogs should be considered one should first take a look at the philosophy behind naturopathic medicine along with some its benefits. It is important to recognize that a natural approach may not be the best solution in all cases and this style of treatment tends to be slower to show results. It is basically a way of thinking about dog health that is different from conventional veterinary medicine. Let's get started by looking at the five time tested principles which guide naturopathic medicine:

* Do no harm: A very important rule that is often missed by conventional medicine, with the myriad of side effects often seen the cure is sometimes worse than the ailment.

* Nature is the most effective way of healing: Naturopathic physicians believe that the body has considerable power to heal itself. It is the job of the doctor to do everything in his/her power to assist in helping this process along.

* Identify the root of the problem: Most natural remedies for dogs seek to treat the underlying cause of the disease rather than to simply suppress the symptoms. An important concept that produces long term results rather than temporary results.

* See the big picture: Natural health remedies use a broad spectrum approach rather than focusing in on one symptom or disease.

* Prevention is the best cure: Most natural remedies for dogs contain at least one ingredient which boosts immune system function or works in some other way to decrease the chances of future or recurring illness.

Complementary aspects of natural remedies for dogs

Perhaps one of the most compelling advantages of dog natural remedies is their ability to be used both as a primary treatment and a secondary complimentary treatment. This is especially true with more severe illnesses such as urinary tract blockage, cancer or tumors, or any other condition which may require surgery. While things are changing it is still sometimes difficult for veterinarians to see the value in using natural remedies for dogs as a compliment to their extensive life saving skills.

Prevention may be the most valuable attribute

Ultimately dog natural remedies may prove most valuable in the prevention of disease. The broad spectrum approach encompasses such aspect of a healthy lifestyle as exercise, diet and risk of disease combined forward looking action designed to reduce controllable risk factors.

Exploring two examples of canine diseases, and how natural remedies for dogs are applied.

* Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is known as degenerative joint disease. Conventional treatment consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation. Corticosteroids or surgery are also options. Surgery is invasive and the prescription drugs designed to reduce pain and inflammation are only temporary fixes. On the other hand the natural health approach would be to combine supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin with moderate hydrotherapy to both rebuild lost cartilage and strengthen the supporting muscles; a much more permanent or lasting solution.

* Cancer: Your veterinarian will have three options for treating dogs with cancer; surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Despite the best efforts of your veterinarian normally a complete cure is not possible. Natural remedies can't make the claim they cure cancer. Nevertheless there are cancer supplements containing ingredients which have shown promising results in clinical trials. This is an example where using natural dog remedies as a supportive therapy to maintain overall health and vitality is a viable option to consider.

In summary, there are many other examples which mimic the ones above and ultimately as pet parents it up to your to make the best decision for both you and your beloved dog. In the quest for treating and preventing disease natural remedies for dogs are excellent options to consider, especially when used as compliment to existing conventional treatment.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about natural remedies for better pet health visit Purchase Remedies.com

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Alternative Cancer Treatments For Dogs - Are They Effective?

Dog cancers are primarily found on the skin or internal organs such as canine liver cancer, spleen or in the digestive tract. The problem with internal cancers is that the related symptoms are generalized, meaning, they don't necessarily indicate the presence of cancer. Unfortunately the key to treatment is early detection.

As most of you might be probably aware of, cancer in dogs is usually treated with chemotherapy, surgery, cryosurgery (freezing) and radiation. The problem, however, with these treatments is that there are potential side effects involved with them. This is why a lot of people these days opt for alternative cancer treatments for dog with the hope that the quality of life can be sustained for as long as possible.

o Nausea and bleeding problems are some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

o Radiation might damage not only the cancerous cells, but the healthy cells as well. It might also cause some skin problems.

o Both chemotherapy and radiation tend to weaken the immune system of the affected dog. This makes it vulnerable to a wide range of health problems.

o In case of surgery, the affected dog might not be able to recover from the trauma of surgery in some cases. Moreover, your dog will be in a lot of pain during the recuperation period.

o Last but not least, they are pretty expensive.

This is not to discourage any owner from pursuing treatment, but to have an informed conversation with the veterinarian regarding the quality of life the dog will have, and the prognosis or lifespan after treatment. This is why a lot of people these days have started looking beyond conventional treatment methods to help a dog with cancer.

Canine Cancer Diet

Diet has been shown in studies to help control canine cancer. These diets tend to minimize simple sugar, limit carbohydrates, and to include digestible proteins. The idea is to limit food components that help cancerous cell growth. Commercial foods made with this formulation include Hill's Prescription Diet n/d.

Natural Homeopathic Supplements as a Supportive Therapy

Homeopathic supplements contain a mixture of powerful herbs and natural ingredients that can boost the affected dog's immune system and hopefully slow down the growth of cancerous tumors. Many contain antioxidants which can help strengthen healthy cells. It is debated regarding their effect on unhealthy or cancerous cells.

Only your vet can help you decide the right treatment for your dog depending on its health condition and the extent of the disease. The important thing you need to remember is that irrespective of the treatment given to your dog - surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy - or alternatives, its the dogs quality of life that matters.

You should not expect alternative cancer treatments for dog to cure canine cancer. They can, however, reduce your dog's pain and suffering to a great extent and increase its lifespan. So, consider the pros and cons of various treatment options available to treat dog cancer and do what is best for your dog.

Jeff Grill is an editor of the Dog Health Handbook which has additional information on alternative cancer treatments for dog. See this site for additional information on natural and alternative dog treatment options.

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Spaying of the Changeable Dog

Female Spaying of the dog is undertaken to order the pregnancy non desired by the crossing of some unknown or country or indefinable dogs. Spaying of the dog reduces the aggressiveness of the dog. By spaying, one can reduce the incidences of the reproductive diseases generally produced like the pyometry.

Spaying also assistance to order the population in the event of parasitic animals and much of nations make these operations by removing the ovaries of the animals females. Experienced veterinary surgeons are necessary to make spaying in the event of dogs females and the postoperative care must be attached more importance. So suitable control measures are not taken after surgical operation for the displacement of the ovary, then the infections can start to place inside and the animal can finish to the top with the study of peritonitis and then the toxemia place inside, posing non desired problems of health.

The death of the dog can finally occur, if the dog is not provided an effective and adapted veterinary care. A dog female which spayed before the occurrence of the first heat has almost a possibility zero of the development of the cancer mammaire, which is more common with the dogs which not spayed.

A dog female generally comes to heat once in eight month or thus. During the occurrence of heat, there bleeds of the vagina and the dog can cross with the non desired male and the spaying activity prevents all the latter. In the event of old dogs, the dog can often obtain signs of thirst, anorexia increased, vomiting etc which are so common with the pyometry.
The pyometry means the presence of the pus in the uterus. Once the pyometry occurs, it implies many faintnesses to the animal in addition to the factor of cost implied for the therapy also. Such a pyometry is completely prevented by spaying because in the case of spaying, you remove the ovaries and the uterus.

Spaying and to change dogs is strongly desired if you do not want to multiply the dogs and however, these activities must be carried out by the qualified veterinary surgeons specialized in the care and the management of familiar animal. The anaesthesia is required with surgical procedures due to carry out spaying and change.

One must include/understand the limits like spaying initially or change. Both are related to the surgical approaches of sterilization in the event of females and males respectively. However, the limit changing is also related to such procedures in the two sexes.ý Accidental pregnancies which are not desired can be strongly to the minimum reduced by these procedures.

Spaying and changing assistances to prevent the occurrence of the pyometry, which is a problem disorder-giving reproductive common run to the owners of dog. In the male dogs, to change assistance to prevent the occurrence of the enlarging or cancer of prostate.ý Consequently, these assistance to the minimum to reduce the incidences of the disorders of the reproduction in the dogs.

By the latter which spaying and which change, the desire of the male dog to the female research of the dog in heat is strongly at least reduced and consequently, to wander of the male dog is reduced. The animal also becomes calm by these surgical remedies. The territorial behavior of these animals is also strongly at least reduced by the latter in the event of male dogs.

Spaying of your dog before the occurrence of the first heat is the best to avoid the incidence of breast cancer. If the dog spayed after the first heat, the possibilities of the occurrence of breast cancer in them is more and were proven by research. The lower group of dogs must be subjected to these operations to avoid complications in the future.

Many veterinary surgeons prefer spaying and to change dogs only at the age from five to six years. However, those can be carried out even at the age from three to five years. The postoperative care must be followed to avoid the occurrence of the infections of the microbial organizations.

Max Young is an information researcher whom presents working information to be used for every day experiences. To get the inside word on preventing and dealing with problem behaviors like aggression and dominance in your dog, click now on the following link.
http://www.squidoo.com/dog-life

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How To Give The Perfect Dog Bath

Most pet owners do not think twice about spending big dollars to buy their dog premium dog food, the best health care or even blissful days at a doggie day care facility. Most pet owners also don't think twice when it's time to give Bowser a bath. Grab the Head and Shoulders and fire up the backyard garden hose. But lets give it a bit more thought than that.

But a proper dog bath is key to maintaining your pet's vigorous good health. The skin is the body's largest organ and a perfect dog bath is key to stimulating blood circulation and keeping the skin healthy. Improper bathing can cause a matted condition in the coat which is uncomfortable to your dog. The first step in the
perfect dog bath is a good brushing.

For short-haired dogs brush in a circular motion with a curry comb made of rubber with teeth cut into the edges. It will pull the dead coat out. Slicker brushes will take out the dead undercoat. Start on the legs and hold the outer hair so that you can brush from the skin outward. If it is not removed, the coat will easily mat.
Use this technique all over the dog - legs, body and tail. Dogs resent the tail being brushed so save it for last. For fine-haired dogs use a natural bristle brush. Moisten the area to be worked with a good coat conditioner.

For long-haired dogs use a pin brush if the coat is not tangled, a slicker brush if the coat is tangled. Start at the legs, again brushing from the skin out and brushing only a few hairs at a time. The secret to thorough brushing is to brush only a few hairs at a time. Check each area with a comb; if the comb goes through without stress continue all the way up to the middle of the dog's back. Go to the loin area and to the back legs; then move to each side of the back of the dog.

You are now ready to wash. Never use human shampoos to wash your dog. Dog shampoos are specially formulated to match the pH level of a dog's skin. Human shampoos can strip a dog's coat of essential oils. The right way to bathe a dog is determined by the texture and length of the coat. Short-haired dogs are washed with a vigorous circular motion which will pull out the dirt. On dogs with a medium- length coast, use a back-and-forth motion. As the hair gets longer, go only in the direction the hair grows.

Step 1. Rinse the dog completely.

Step 2. Apply the shampoo along the back, working up as much lather as possible; do the same with the belly, legs and tail.

Step 3. Rinse the coat with one hand to run water on the dog and the other hand in a kneading fashion to work the soap out. Make certain all the soap is out as dried soap will dull a coat and cause skin problems.

Step 4. Before towel-drying, squeeze as much water out of the coat as possible by pulling the hair straight out and squeezing at the same time.

Step 5. Use a washcloth to clean the dog's face and avoid getting water in his ears. Moisture inside the ears provides the conditions for fungus infections.

Step 6. Towel dry your dog and use a hand-held hair dryer on thick-coated dogs but never use a human hair dryer as they run too hot and can burn the dog and damage the coat.

Voila! A clean, healthy dog.
copyright 2006

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Orthopedic Surgery For Dogs

Dogs and cats get orthopedic injuries just like we do. In fact, it may surprise you to find out that almost any surgery that can be performed in human medicine has a corresponding animal procedure for your pet. Veterinary medicine has changed--and improved--drastically over the years as the human-animal bond has increased.

Working with veterinary surgical specialists over the last several years has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that exist. Not to mention the fact that I have had to take advantage of some of these "possibilities" for not only personal pets, but also for rescue animals in my care.

So, what kinds of injuries require specialty orthopedic surgery?

Broken bones, of course, come instantly to mind. But, does your pet need to be seen by a surgical specialist, or can your primary veterinarian repair the fracture? Well, this depends not only on the complexity of the fracture and the procedure to repair it, but also on the skill and experience of your veterinarian. I have seen cases where the pet had to undergo additional surgery by a specialist after a first attempt by a primary care physician. Think of it this way: if you had been hit by a car and required major surgery, would you go to your GP, or would you want to be operated on by a surgeon?

Joint injuries are also very common, especially in large, athletic breeds, and in overweight dogs. We routinely operate to correct torn cruciate ligaments and luxating patellas. These procedures are usually fairly costly, and the last thing you want to do is try to save a few dollars by having an inexperienced doctor perform these procedures. I have seen hip surgeries go so badly that there is no longer anything for a specialist to work with. There is nothing as difficult as telling a client that you could have helped their pet -- if you had been able to operate first, or sooner.

Recovery and rehabilitation are difficult for many pets, and for their owners! It takes a long time for bones to heal properly. So, if you pet needs orthopedic surgery, you are looking at approximately 12 to 16 weeks -- yes, that's 3 or 4 months! -- before "Roscoe" will be able to go back to normal, off leash activity. I'm not sure who this is more difficult on, the patient, or the owner. But, the worst thing you can do is assume that because "Roscoe" doesn't seem to be in any pain, you can relax on the exercise restrictions. You don't want "Roscoe" to end up back in the operating room, or worse, end up not being able to be restored to normal activity at all.

Not only have I seen pets have to come back for second, third, even fourth surgeries, I have also seen dogs that had to be put down because their prognosis for recovery was so poor when exercise restrictions were not followed. When the surgeon says 2 weeks in a crate, and an additional 8 weeks of on-leash walking only, she means it!

The use of orthotic devices is an option for pet owners when surgery is risky or to help in your pet's recovery process. Custom braces can support the operated limb and allow proper healing to take place. They can also help correct the limb's function without surgery. Your surgeon will be able to let you know whether this is an option for your pet.

Baby Girl is a beautiful Australian Shepherd at Mill Creek Animal Rescue. She came to us when she was about six months old with a horrible limp. I took her to an orthopedic surgeon. X-rays showed that she had suffered a fracture of her front left leg at some point in the past. Unfortunately, this was never treated, and there was a mal-union of the radius/ulna. Her ulna had tried to grow, but was growing out, rather than in length, while the radius continued to grow normally. This resulted in her paw being pushed sideways at a terrible angle. The doctor felt that although she had probably attained 65% of her full size, that surgery would benefit her and provide improved quality of life.

Baby Girl underwent surgery in early January. A 1 centimeter segment of the ulna was removed, and then the bone stabilized by divergent pins. The x-rays looked promising, and her foot appeared much straighter than it had pre-surgery. Now, Baby Girl thought she was better immediately. She wanted to romp and play the day after surgery. But, having seen post-surgery disasters, I followed the aftercare instructions to the letter. Two weeks post surgery, the splint came off. Baby Girl was walking much more normally, but still remained crated except for 3 or 4 daily leash walks.

Last month, Baby Girl returned for x-rays to determine whether or not the bone had healed. The x-rays revealed: SUCCESS! Although a pin had migrated and had to be removed, Baby Girl was released back to full, unrestricted activity -- much to her joy and mine!
In closing, orthopedic surgery can greatly improve your dog's quality of life. If your dog requires surgery, first find a good orthopedic surgeon. If your primary care veterinarian doesn't have a recommendation for you, visit the ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons) website for the name of a specialist near you. And, whatever you do, follow the aftercare instructions. It may be difficult on both of you, but in the long run, you'll be glad you did!

CD Miller is the founder of Mill Creek Animal Rescue. You can view pets available for adoption at Petfinder.com Also, be sure to visit The New Pet Zone for the latest news and product reviews for a healthier happier pet!

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5 Simple Dog Bath Tips For Bathing Your Dog at Home

Do you absolutely hate the thought of giving your dog a bath? It is such a messy and usually very unpleasant task

Admit it, do you just kind of let your dog go without a bath until it becomes unbearable and you have to bathe him/her.

Welcome to our world. That is how most dog owners feel about giving our dogs a bath. You do not ever mention the word bath, because then your dog will run and hide.

It usually takes more then one person and a lot of work for this ordeal to take place.

The size of the dog can also be a hassle. A large dog is definitely not easy to bathe. If your dog has a thick coat it is hard to clean the fur down to the skin.

Many of us do not have yards and water hookups outside.

However, when the time comes and your dog starts smelling like a dog, it has to be done. For your dogs sake as well as yours, a bath is necessary.

Some people have the luxury of having their dog bathed by professionals, but that can be expensive and out or reach for many people.

If you are like many of us and must this job yourself here are some simple tips to make it easier

1. Begin regularly bathing your dog from an early age, or as soon as you adopt one. This way they will get use to the whole process. Never give a puppy at bath until they are least 8 weeks old, and only if necessary.

2. Always make sure your home is warm before starting an indoor bath. If needed turn your thermostat up a few degrees. Get all your prep work done this includes towels, shampoo and whatever you need to begin the bath.

3. Combing and brushing out all the mats. Do this before your dog gets wet, to prevent the mats from turning into solid clumps that can only be removed with clippers.

If your dog has gotten into some sort of sticky materials like tar or paint, trim away the effected area of hair or soak it with vegetable or mineral oil for 24 hours. If it is a large area, you might be better off consulting a professional groomer.

4. Preparing the patient (dog). To keep their eyes safe from suds, put a small drop of mineral oil in them. You can also place cotton balls in their ears. When using cotton balls make sure of the size if they are too small for your dogs ears they could slip down the ear canal.

5. Bathe your dog as quickly as you can. This will alleviate the stress on both of you.

Do a thorough and good cleaning, be it outdoors or indoors especially rinsing all the shampoo off.

Soap residue can cause itching and irritation to their skin. Always dry your dog off immediately. Using a pet shammy and soft towels. If your dog does not mind a blow dryer on a low setting works quite well.
Be prepared for the big shake off your dog will do. It is good to let them shake the water off, just be prepared and keep them in a small area like your bathroom to control the water going all over.

Your dog will be much happier when he/she is clean and fresh smelling, of course do not expect them to let you know they liked it. With the right preparation bathing your dog does not have to been a battle, it can be almost fun when done with love, kindness and patience.

Get a free guide on pet care and pet recipes. Click Here http://www.allthingspets.info

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Pregnant Dog Symptoms - How to Spot the Best Diet For Healthy Pups

Spotting pregnant dog symptoms is not just a responsibility for those who breed dogs but for any pet owner who insists on not spaying their females. Even though females only go into heat twice a year, all it takes for a pregnancy to occur is for the right elements to be in the right place at the right time.

Because dogs will always tenaciously follow their instincts, even the most careful of owners can find themselves in such a situation. Regardless of the circumstances, if the goal is a successful canine pregnancy, then all attention must turn to the issue of providing proper nutrition.

A pet owner that makes it a point to know his or her dog well is often better at spotting pregnant dog symptoms. Nonetheless, early indicators can still be rather hard to spot. For the most part, there is a decrease in appetite or energy as hormone levels fluctuate and there are often behavioral changes to go with it.

A minor swelling in the nipples may be the only other outwardly physical sign until hormone levels stabilize and the mother to be's appetite returns. As she begins putting on weight, there will soon be the telltale signs of a swelling abdomen and teats. A trip to the vet to test for the pregnancy hormone relaxing will help determine whether or not a female is pregnant for sure.

Whereas the expectant mother previously only had herself to worry, now comes the issue of meeting the nutritional demands of her unborn pups. Those who breed dogs know that pregnancies are demanding and a female must have proper nutrition before pregnant dog symptoms ever make an appearance. For dogs fortunate enough to be on a wholesome natural diet of raw meat and bone, this will not be an issue. This is because a diet of raw meat and bone provides all the proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the exact form the canine physiology was designed to live on.

However, most dogs are made to subsist on a commercial diet that contains rendered down waste mixed with flavor enhancers and other dangerous additives. The nutrients that are often added to such a toxic recipe rarely come in a form that can be used efficiently.

As stated by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, Esq., "commercial pet foods have repeatedly shown themselves to be subject to serious contamination and catastrophic imbalances of various nutrients."   When a mother to be is getting less than adequate nutrition, what chance do her unborn pups have? Luckily, it is never too late to switch.

There can be nothing more exciting than the day when a beloved canine companion brings her babies into the world. The sooner pregnant dog symptoms are spotted and a pet owner can start offering the proper nutrition, the more likely he or she is to see the vision of a healthy litter become reality. For all our canine companions offer us, offering a diet of raw meat and bone from the very beginning is simply the right thing to do.

Dan Scott, author of "Real Food for Dogs", has lived, trained, studied, worked and very much loved dogs for over 43 years. His burning passion for Canine Nutrition - "what your dog eats" through research and practice of natural diets for dogs is helping people the world over to have a healthy dog for life.

For a wealth of information and videos go to http://healthydogforlife.com/blog and sign up for the free controversial report.
(c) Copyright - Dan Scott. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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You and Pregnant Dogs

A pregnant dog has a full litter of puppies growing within her which will have her going through several changes. The needs for your pregnant dog are going to increase. Before the big day of delivery for pregnant dogs, it will be highly important of you to be sure she will be in tip top health condition. So if you are planning to breed your dog, it is important that you know some of the important things about pregnant dogs. Here are some of them:

Signs or Symptoms of Dog Pregnancy

Three weeks after the female dog has mated, she may have an upset stomach and may be difficult to feed for about 1 week to 10 days. You can tell if your dog is pregnant by checking her vulva. The swelling of the vulva would not go down after her heat and the vulva looks enlarged. 30 days after mating, you can have your dog do a blood test to confirm if she is really pregnant. The nipples of pregnant dogs usually develop around 5 weeks after mating. By the 5th week, the nipples should look broader and bigger. At the 21st day after mating, you can have a veterinarian perform an ultrasound test on your dog and at the 45th day, a radiograph test can be taken to check how many puppies are inside.

How long does dog pregnancy take?

The gestation or pregnancy period for dogs is between 60 and 63 days. Start counting from the day she first mated.

The Right Diet for Pregnant Dogs

On her first 30 days or first month of pregnancy, you can give your dog her normal diet as long as the food contents are of high quality. On her last month, you can switch her diet to high-quality puppy foods but make sure to change the diet over a week's time. Never give your pregnant dog vitamin supplements because high quality foods already have the necessary nutrients she needs. You should also be aware that some vitamins may only cause birth defects.

Exercise

Walking is the best exercise for pregnant dogs. It is very important that she doesn't become overweight during her pregnancy and because of her sensitive condition, walking is the only way to keep her in tip top shape for delivery.

Vaccinations

Pregnant dogs do not ever get vaccination as some shots cause abortion. Remember to give
vaccination before the breeding process so that the protection from the vaccinations can be passed on to the puppies through the mother's milk.

Whelping Box

Two weeks before the expected delivery, you start preparing your pregnant dog's whelping box. The whelping box should be deep and wide enough to house the puppies until they are 4 to 6 weeks old. Cover the whelping box with sheets, newspapers, towels, etc. Never use anything that's important to you as puppy whelping is such a dirty business.

Body Temperature

One week before the whelping starts, it is advisable that the mother's temperature is taken rectally. A normal temperature of pregnant dogs is between 100.5 and 102.5; however, 24 hours before the whelping process, expect her temperature to drop by a few degrees.

Additional Information 

Pregnant dogs that are about whelp are never left alone. Many pregnant dogs need help in giving birth to their puppies and in some cases; a caesarian may be required to save both the life of the mother and the puppies.

Click Here to learn all the information you should about birthing puppies of pregnant dogs and know all the things you should have in your birthing kit!
I love all animals but have a special passion for dogs. I have several and breed. I want to help others who share the same passion as me.
Click here and get the facts you should know about pregnant dogs.

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Essential Steps in Puppy Health Care

No doubt it is very exciting to have a new puppy at home; however this also adds a lot of responsibilities to your daily life. In order to have a trouble free breeding of your dog you first of all learn the basics of puppy health care. Just like human beings, puppies are susceptible to illness; in order to ensure that the puppy remains healthy and vibrant you may have to take certain precautions. The first and foremost thing is that they should not be separated from their mothers until they attain the age of eight weeks. This is because of the fact that puppies are protected from many illnesses from the colostrum in their mother's milk.

Find a Good Veterinarian

One of the important initial steps in puppy health care is to locate a good veterinarian in your locality with whom you can confide. It is preferable if your veterinarian has experience in dealing with the kind of breed you have. It is also essential that you are comfortable in dealing with this veterinarian. Write down his phone number and contact details so that you are in a position to contact him whenever emergency arises.

Immediately after you get your puppy, you should take him for detailed check-up; he also has to be given necessary vaccinations. You should discuss with your vet about the vaccines requirements for your dog; also ensure that your dog is given necessary booster shots as per schedule. It is also advisable in puppy health care that you get the stool sample of the dog tested for worms during your first visit to your vet.

Another important aspect in puppy health care is following a special diet for your dog; check with your veterinarian about any special diet requirement for your dog. In general, it is necessary that puppies eat more often than older dogs; puppies have to be given only dry foods to eat with adequate quantity of water. In any household there is tendency to feed the family dogs with table scraps without knowing the implications; human foods are not suited for consumption of dogs and they cause digestive problems. This also creates behavioral problems such as begging.

Getting breed specific information for a particular breed is an important part of puppy health care. You should purchase a book which gives details on caring, grooming and training the specific breed you intend to procure; this has to be done before you bring the puppy to your home. Further purchase all required materials and accessories such as crate, nail clippers, brush and chewing toys before bringing it home.

To conclude, puppy health care and baby health care are similar and both pose challenges. You should take enough efforts on puppy care to have a smooth ride. You must ensure during the first few weeks that you are in touch with a veterinarian. Educate yourself on taking care of your puppy; train the puppy after reading the books and also consulting your veterinarian. Finally, remember that your new puppy requires lots of love and affection in order to foster good health.

Chang has developed a variety of information web sites. Come visit her latest website over at http://cushioncutengagementringsreview.com/ which helps people find the best emerald Cut Engagement Rings and information they are looking for when buying a cushion cut or emerald cut engagement ring.

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Why Does Our Puppy Need Socialization?

What do we mean with "puppy socialization"?

When we talk about puppy socialization we actually refer to the first 16 weeks of the dog's life. These 16 weeks are quite important for our puppy's life and they define our dog's character in the future.

During these weeks we will develop the character and behaviour habits of our puppy and this will last for his whole life. It will define how our puppy will relate to his family, our friends, strangers, other animals and the environment where he lives.

Socialization stimulates all the senses of the dog. It introduces and exposes our puppy to the smells, sounds, sights, tastes, and touch of his everyday life. The period of socialization prepares our puppy for many different situations and things he needs to be familiar with and makes him comfortable with them. Also it prepares our puppy to deal with new challenges which show up throughout his life in the good manner.

During socialization you build a close and very special bond with your dog that will last for the rest of his life. It depends on you whether your puppy will become an adjusted and reliable member of society or not.

We have an obligation to give our puppies a whole course of socialization and training-all dogs need them regardless of breed, regardless of where we got them. (Pet shop, shelter, etc.)

There are two basic types of puppy socialization:

Active- When we introduce our dog to several things such as walks in the park, visiting new people, car rides, obedience training, etc.

Passive- Things our puppies meet and get to know by themselves, like playing with new toys, exploring the garden, etc.

Note: Before starting your puppy's socialization you should always consult with your veterinarian because the need for educating our puppy mustn't come against the necessity of keeping him safe from diseases.

Why do we have to socialize our puppy?

- The first 16 weeks of our puppy's life is a very critical period, it's when we will shape our dog's temper, character and behaviour habits. If we fail to socialize our puppy during this period it will be very difficult to change bad habits later and fix the problems he may show in the future.

- Taking care of possible problems before they appear through socialization is much easier and tempting than trying to correct them afterwards (separation anxiety, uncontrollable barking, chewing objects, aggression towards people and other dogs etc)

- Puppy socialization is very important if we want to build a strong bond with our dog, a bond we will share with him for all his life. The more time we spend with our puppy during socialization the more benefits we'll obtain in the future.

Puppies that haven't been socialized can end up being very difficult characters than puppies that received a proper socialization.

- Your puppy's socialization has a bigger influence on its behaviour that the breed he is- it is very important.

-A puppy that is properly socialized can learn, think and process problems easier than a stressed dog or a dog full of fear- in fact the latter is very restricted to these issues.

- A socialized dog can easily accept new people or new dogs, or changes (house change) or challenges.

- Socialization prepares our dog for the challenges of everyday life. Items in the house such as the TV, the dishwasher or other animals in the house such as cats and birds will be easy for him to deal with.

- Socialization also teaches your dog how to interact without problems with other people or animals and eliminates aggression towards them.

- Last but not least, socialization feeds all the dog's senses and provides him with positive emotional and mental stimulation.

What are the problems we may face if we don't socialize our puppy?
Unfortunately the number one reason why dogs are euthanized is the lack of socialization. It is really sad that this thing happens, since it's very easy to socialize a puppy.

- If you don't socialize your dog during the first 16 weeks of its life it will be much more difficult, if impossible to do it later.

- You end up with a dog full of problems that can't fit in properly in society and can't be trusted either. It is really very sad, especially for the dog that will end up living for the rest of his life in a confined space.

- Dogs that don't get socialized are often shy, aggressive and fearful of people and animals. They also aren't very good at relating with other dogs.

- Your puppy's physical and emotional health can be endangered if he doesn't receive early social stimulation.

- Changes, unexpected events or experiences are not received well by dogs that aren't socialized. We must find the balance between making them cautious and also confident to explore and learn new things.

When does the puppy start socializing?

The puppy starts socialization from the moment he comes into this world. The puppy's mother begins this process by massaging the puppy to control the elimination, also through smell, sound and body language. Also the mother teaches the puppy discipline. The puppy's siblings also help each other by playing and interacting. They all learn to inhibit their bite and they also learn the language of dominance and submission.

The breeder's role is also crucial in the first weeks of the puppy's life. He must get them used to human contact and scent. Also he must help our puppy get accustomed with basic training.

How can we socialize our puppy?

When the puppy is about 8 weeks old we usually get it home. Right after that we must start the process of socialization. We must also be careful during his first weeks at home to avoid things that may scare our puppy (a big dog approaching, aggressive children etc) and traumatize him for ever.

House and crate training, chew toy training must start immediately and it can strengthen the behaviour we desire and also stop bad habits from appearing.
We must cuddle our puppy while talking gently to it, stroke its belly and even invite other people to do so.

Some basic training and commands such as sit, down, stay and the recall are also important during the first weeks and help build up a close bond with the puppy and also keep him safe.

Involve the puppy to your daily routine, everything you do and keep a close eye to him. The puppy must get familiar with your routine and everything that happens in the house, so that he can be relaxed in this environment and things in it like dishwasher, TV and kids.

Also the puppy must get familiar with other people in order to feel comfortable with them, ideally in the puppy's environment until his vaccinations are completed.

Most of all, we must keep in mind that all the work we do in order to socialize our puppy must have fun. It's not only a task that must be completed, but it's an excellent change to watch your puppy grow and experience new things every day. So, have a lot of fun with it.

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