Archives for dog problems category
I know i should just take my dog to the vet but what if your family cant? We have fleas all over my house now and i hate it!!!! But i need help so what do you think? if you think this is a retarted question dont answer please!!!
LIKE RIGHT NOW…clean your house from top to bottom. vaccum and get rid of the bag. THEN get ur dog a flea collar or some of that flea medicine that u pour down his/her back. next you get the flea shampoo too. i had the same problem about not being able 2 get 2 a vet, but if u clean really well, everything should be okay. so will your doggie! 
*beset wishes*
Jul 18, 2010 | | dog problems
While every dog is an individual, a few age-related maladies seem to strike many of them. You should of course discuss how they affect your dog – and the best approach to treating them – with your veterinarian, but knowing a little bit about what you’re dealing with before you go in is helpful.
Here are a few old-dog problems, along with some things you can do to help:
1. Stiffness: Your veterinarian can help you determine if the stiffness is because of temporary muscle soreness – say from overdoing it – or the onset of arthritis. Many dogs are worse in cold weather and first thing in the morning. Arthritis is common in older dogs, and while no cure exists, treatments are available that can make your pet’s life comfortable. Your veterinarian may prescribe buffered aspirin, food supplements, or anti-inflammatory medications, all of which your pet may need to take for the rest of her life. For your part, you need to be sure that your pet is not overweight and is kept consistently, but not strenuously, active.
2. Decline of the senses: Deaf and blind dogs do just fine, as long as you do your part to keep them out of any danger their disabilities may cause. Blindness, in particular, is a problem dogs adjust to with an ease that stuns their owners. But consider the following: Dogs don’t have to read the newspaper, they don’t care about TV, and they count on you to read the ingredients label on a bag of kibble. Sight isn’t their primary sense anyway; they put much greater stock in their sense of smell. After they learn the layout of the land, they rarely bump into things (as long as you don’t keep moving the furniture). Handicapped pets should never be allowed off-leash on walks, because they can’t see danger and cannot hear your warnings.
Even if your older dog is blind, there may be something that you can do. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a specialist like a veterinary ophthalmologist. Problems such as cataracts may be treatable with medications and surgery.
3. Incontinence: There are many inquiries all of the time from frustrated owners wondering why their older dogs are no longer house-trained – and how they can get them back on track. The first rule of any sudden-onset behavior problem is to make sure that it’s not a health problem, and we can think of no case where this rule is more true than with an older dog who’s suddenly urinating in the house. Your pet could have an infection or, if she’s an older spayed female, she may be suffering from the loss of muscle tone related to a decrease in her hormone levels. Both are treatable; see your veterinarian. At a certain age, a little dribbling of urine is practically inevitable, especially while your older dog is sleeping.
4. Lumps and bumps: Benign fatty tumors are common in older dogs, and the vast majority are nothing to worry about. Benign tumors are round and soft, with well-defined edges. You can usually get your fingers nearly around them, and they don’t seem well-anchored. Showing them to your veterinarian for a more complete evaluation is important, and you should inform her of any changes in size or shape, especially if they happen rapidly. Your veterinarian may be concerned enough about the size, appearance, or location of a mass to suggest its removal and a biopsy; most bumps, however, are left alone. The best time to check for lumps and bumps? During regular grooming, weekly, at least. Run your hand over every inch of your dog, and don’t forget to talk sweetly – she’ll think it’s petting.
Michael Whitman
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/4-common-aging-dog-problems-you-should-know-about-79651.html
Jul 17, 2010 | | dog problems
I adopted a Terrier a couple of weeks ago. He is three years old and roughly about 10 lbs. The problems started when I brought him home. I bought him Ia-ms dog food and that makes him sick. The place where he was, was feeding him Old Roy but from what I researched Old Roy causes loose stools in dogs. So Instead of the iams I bought him Purrina and now he has the runs. Should I mix the the 2 or just go get the old roy and hope he has gotten used to it. Any feed back would help.
I’d switch to a higher quality dog food. Ol’ Roy, Iams, and Purina are all poor quality dog foods (especially Ol’ Roy). What you have to remember is to switch foods /gradually/. Switching foods too fast will cause upset tummies.
Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to the dump cheap leftovers and things that aren’t safe for human consumption (from human food processing plants) into their foods. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.
Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.
Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.
Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.
Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae All Life Stages, Fromm Four Star, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety Prairie, Nature’s Logic, Artemis Fresh Mix, Timberwolf Organics.
Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material means more concentrated nutrients… this means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!
Before following your vet’s food recommendation, keep in mind that vets get /very/ little nutritional training during their schooling. Besides that, what training they /do/ get is usually sponsored or taught by the crappy pet food companies! They also often get paid to sell some of their products at their clinics (Science Diet, Royal Canin etc.)
A great option is to go with an entirely grainless diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grainless formulas. Some good grainless diets include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Horizon Legacy, Merrick Before Grain, Canidae Grain Free All Life Stages, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now! and Sold Gold Barking At The Moon, Taste of the Wild.
Some pretty decent foods can even be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain free diet Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness, Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Castor & Pollux Organix, Pinnacle, and Halo. If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality food brands have websites with store locators on them.
Another option, if you can’t find anywhere around you that sells good foods, is to order your pet food online. Here’s an excellent place to do so: http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/
Remember that foods should be switched gradually (mixing new slowly in with the old over about a two week period), especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies.
Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.barfworld.com/
http://www.rawfed.com/
http://www.rawlearning.com/
http://www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
Also remember that freefeeding (leaving food down) is the fast lane to canine obesity. Make sure to have scheduled feeding times based on the feeding instructions on your dog’s food.
More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Four stars is a decent food, five stars is a great food, and six stars is an excellent food.)
Darksong~
Jul 07, 2010 | | dog problems
i was watching Dogs 101 on animal planet it i have heard a few times "Due to over breeding, this dog breed has __ problems"
usually hip and joint
how does over breeding cause problems? i would just think it causes too many dogs
"Over breeding" is the term used for breeds that have had a very popular "run" which usually results in every byb and mill in the universe wanting in on the big$$$$ that they can make from breeding any example of the breed. So instead of the breed being in careful, dedicated hands, the majority end up with "breeders" that do no testing, and don’t really care to preserve, maintain or improve the integrety of the breed. They just breed for money, flooding the breed in question with poor specimens and genetic disasters.
Jun 29, 2010 | | dog problems
We have a pomeranian and a Llapso and both dogs have anal gland problems. I was told to add rice or pumpkin to their diet. Does that help? Can you tell me the name of a dry dog food that will help?
We do have their anal glands expressed regularly.
Don’t worry about food types to take care of anal gland care. Foods alone won’t do it. Even the "butt scoot boogie" done by the dog itself, won’t alleviate the problem. Manual expression of the glands is almost always the best way to handle the problem. Do it or have it done by your groomer when you get the dog bathed and groomed; have your vet do it, or best, do it yourself when you bathe the dog
Jun 18, 2010 | | dog problems
He’s a little muttley mix I’ve been told by some pseudo-experts is majority dachshund. Wikipedia says dachshunds have back problems because they have long spinal column and small ribcages, I can’t see to find any standard doxie measurments for these areas though. My dog is 18 inches long- neck to base of tail and his rib cage is 20 inches at the fullest part. He is 15 inches tall. Does he count as having a long spinal column and small ribcage?
My vet says he looks mostly beagle (2 beagle experts have told me no way- and I’ve been told vets aren’t good at breed ID anyway). I asked if he should be careful jumping in case he’s part doxie and I was kinda laughed at. My vet thinks I am a worry wart
Thanks for any help or people who have doxies and post measurements
Wow I finally found some sort of measurement online- a standard doxie’s chest should only be 35cm or 14inches. My dog’s is WAY bigger- that probably helps him support his length right?
The back problems are a result of the dwarfism, rather than the breed. Dwarfism occurs occasionally in "normal breeds" (like Malamutes), and these would also be prone to back injuries.
If your dog is not a dwarf (obviously short legs and long back) then he is no more prone to back injury than any other dog.
Of course, using common sense regarding jumping is ALWAYS a good idea, regardless of dog.
Jun 08, 2010 | | dog problems
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.
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
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/older-dog-health-problems-common-health-problems-facing-senior-dogs-78854.html
Jun 07, 2010 | | dog problems
i downloaded it recently and i just remember hearing it on TV.
i wanna say it was either the Today show or GMA when they have broadway shows perform a couple songs live. it was definitely like last summer or something too. is it spring awakening?
here are some of the lyrics…
B is for believing you’d always be here for me.
E is for everything, even when we see it though.
C, c is for seeing through you, you are a fake, which brings me to
A because, because, you always run away.
its definetly not spring awakening but im not sure what it is
May 30, 2010 | | dog problems
ok so my dad and sister and I want a dog and my mom is a maybe, but without a yes we can’t get a dog. I have tryed everything to convince her to get one after the summer. She knows I am very reasponisible and tells that to me all the time. HELP ME!!!
tell her its goin to be a small dog that you could cuddle with try a shih tzu my mom loves it
May 19, 2010 | | dog problems
Most dog behavior dilemmas may only put an impact on the dog owner itself. However, there times when some canine behavior problems can also affect the other people in the neighborhood. Behavioral problems such as extreme barking could result to neighborhood clashes or arguments, and the worst, infringement of some animal control laws in a given area. So to speak, the so-called barking dogs can be pretty much of a problem in the neighborhood.
In essence, it is typically natural for a dog to bark. After all, that is their nature and that is what dogs are for. Barking creates a warning that initially tells the dog owner about the present problem or any intruder that is trying to enter the vicinity.
On the other hand, excessive barking may result to noise problems. Besides, extreme barking suggests unacceptable canine behavioral problem and needs to be deal with as soon as possible.
Talking or discussing the matters with your neighbors may sound like a feasible idea. However, it will not cure the problem. Your dog will continue to bark and if the situation permits, tolerance may not be the greatest solution in clearing any dispute with your neighbors.
The first step in addressing this kind of dog behavioral problem is to identify the duration of your dog’s barking, the reasons for such behavior, and the exact time it usually starts to bark.
Identifying these factors is such a daunting task. Just imagine the tedious work of coordinating with your neighbors just to ask them about your dog’s barking problem. This could even be more of a problem if you are not at home most of the time.
Therefore, the only feasible solution to this kind of problem is to find an effective device that will minimize or control your dog’s barking.
Luckily, dog bark collars have been created to address this canine behavioral problem. Dog bark collars are exceptionally designed dog collars to provide an aversive every time your dog tries to bark aloud.
Dog bark collars are available in different types, with various ways of stopping your dog’s barking. Here’s the list:
1. Shock collars
This is the most expensive type of dog bark collars. However, in spite of its high-priced attribute, this collar is nothing more than that. According to various researches, shock collars are the least effective dog bark collars available in the market today.
Shock collars run an electric current that creates shock, thereby, hurting your dog. At some point, the pain may not effectively stop the barking because there are some dogs that can endure the pain and will still continue the said behavior.
The worst scenario would be on how your dog will try to divert his attention to other pets or to people who are within close proximity.
2. Aversive sound collar
Although considered a little better than shock collars, aversive sound collars do not pose high effective results as far as dog barking control is concerned.
Aversive sound collars try to produce a high-frequency sound whenever your dog barks. Usually, the sound is set off by the sound of the barking itself. The others are turned on manually.
3. Citronella dog bark collar
This is considered as the most effective of all types of dog bark collars. According to some research, citronella dog bark collars are twice as effective as the other types of dog bark collars particularly shock collars. The efficiency is well attributed to the citronella solution present in the collar.
This type of dog bark collar produces a gentle mist of citronella scent that is directed on your dog’s face, particularly to the nose whenever he barks. Dogs do not like the scent of citronella and will automatically stop barking whenever he smells this.
The only problem with this type of dog bark collar is that the microphone attached to the collar is very sensitive to noise. Hence, the aversive scent may be set off even if your dog is not barking, which is caused by the other barking sounds present within the area.
Dog bark collars can be effective in one way or another. However, the main point here is to correct the dog bark collar by determining the main cause of the problem. To be more effective, dog bark collars must be combined with the proper way of addressing the cause of dog barking once identified.
Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/using-a-dog-bark-collar-for-controlling-dog-behavior-problems-83942.html
May 17, 2010 | | dog problems
