How to Protect a Dog’s Skin in Winter

With the cold weather and cranked-up heat — comes the dry and itchy skin — and with the dry and itchy skin — comes the moisturizers. But while you’re protecting your own skin, you might want to think about Fido’s too. Dogs experience the same winter skin woes as us humans, but unfortunately, you can’t use Nivea or Jergens on them. Here are some other ways to protect your pooch from that pesky winter skin.

Instructions

1. • Brush your dog frequently to get rid of dead skin cells. Brushing stimulates circulation and the production of oil, which in turn provides moisture. This applies to both long and shorthaired dogs.

   • Use a moisturizing shampoo with an ingredient such as lanolin, that is specifically formulated for dogs. People shampoos can upset a dog’s pH balance (which is different from ours), and thus be harsh on their skin.

   • Shampoo your dog less frequently during the cold months. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Every few months is normally a good schedule, unless you have a dog that spends more time outdoors.

   • Feed your dog a quality brand of food (or homemade diet) with Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols are a source of Vitamin E) for a healthy skin and coat.

   • Add fish oil (Omega-3) to your dog’s diet. Fish oil is used to treat canine skin allergies and relieve itching, and may also treat a variety of conditions including high cholesterol, arthritis and kidney disease. You can purchase liquid fish oil or break open a fish oil capsule and add it to your dog’s food. Flaxseed oil is also a good source of Omega-3 for the coat and immune system, but make sure it’s organic for full benefits.

   • Use a room humidifier to moisten the air if your home is too dry from running the heat.

Why Do Dogs Chew Their Nails?

Nail chewing and biting is not standard dog behavior and could be a cause for concern, according to Dr. Page Wages at the Oberlin Animal Hospital. Boredom, anxiety, poor grooming, allergies and infections are common causes for the chewing habit, and should be addressed quickly to ease the dog’s distress. Some causes can easily be resolved by a trip to the pet store for allergy sensitive food and toys, while other conditions will require a prescription by a veterinarian.

Allergies

• Food and outdoor allergies can lead to nail biting in dogs. Allergies to grass, pollen and other outdoor items may be irritating the dogs paws and nails. Additives to the dog’s diet may also be causing discomfort, including corn. Chewing the nails is a way dogs relieve their itchy sensation. Allergy sensitive foods, including those without corn, are available at large pet retailers. Veterinarians can provide a prescription to ease the symptoms of outdoor allergies.

Infection

• If a nail is injured, and the wound is exposed, infection may result. If the area around the dog’s nails appears red, swollen, tender to the touch or is seeping, it may be infected. Dogs will chew the area to relieve the pressure and itchy feeling. An antibiotic is required to cure the infection, so a trip to the vet is necessary

Anxiety

• Leaving dogs alone can cause anxiety behaviors for some. Chewing nails, defecating in the house and destructive behavior are common signs of anxiety. Crate or kennel the dog when he will be left alone in the home. Dogs are den animals by nature, and need to feel secure. Consider leaving a radio or TV on so the dog can hear human interaction, and supply him with a few chew toys to ease his need to gnaw.

Boredom

• Stimulating a dog’s senses is essential. Exercise, playtime, talking and training are all essential. A bored dog will become destructive to himself and his surroundings. Nail biting is a common sign of boredom. Supply the pet with interactive play toys when dog or human interaction isn’t possible.

Poor Grooming

• Some dogs chew on their nails simply because they need to be trimmed. Visit the vet’s office, a grooming salon or invest in a dog nail clippers. The nails should be kept trimmed to just above the quick. Have a vet or grooming salon show you how to do this task if you wish to maintain the dog’s nails at home. Overgrown nails lead to cracks, chips and more nail chewing from your dog.

How to Feed a Dog That Has Food Allergies

Symptoms that indicate food allergies also occur with flea and other allergies. Dogs with food allergies often show symptoms such as ear drainage, skin rashes and skin, ear infections and itchy feet, according to Purdue University of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinarians typically advise the owner to either bring the dog in for allergy testing or put the dog on an elimination diet to determine the cause. Once you find the foods your dog needs to avoid, controlling its diet helps your dog decrease allergic responses.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5233243_feed-dog-food-allergies.html#ixzz2cdUe7HQv

Instructions

1. • Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding commercial food for dogs with allergies. Check with pet supply stores and online for further recommendations. Make a list of available prescription and nonprescription foods to evaluate for cost and availability.

   • Read the ingredients and eliminate any foods, including treats, containing substances that cause reactions with your dog. Select food and treats or contact a board certified veterinary nutritionist for recipes to prepare homemade food. Contact your veterinarian or local veterinary teaching hospital for nutritionist contact information or a referral.

   • Explain to household members and guest the need to avoid giving the dog any treats or table scraps without your approval. Provide a container with small pieces of raw vegetables, fruits, approved treats or kibble for others to give the dog. Avoid sharing restaurant and prepared foods that often contain flavorings from meat sources.

   • Continue to monitor your dog for indications of new allergies, as a new allergy may develop in months or years, warns veterinarian Wendy C. Brooks, VeterinaryPartner.com’s Educational Director.

   • Perform a new food trial if symptoms return, as some dogs develop additional allergies. Limit the dog to a single protein source, such as rabbit, fish or kangaroo, and carbohydrate, such potato or sweet potato and avoid flavored medications during the trial period.

12 Warning Signs of Dog Cancer

Dogs commonly get cancer. Cancer is a disease that is characterized by a group of cells that grow to invade and destroy adjacent tissues. It may also spread to distant areas through a process called metastasis.
Cancer can occur in the skin, under the skin and affect just about any location or organ in the body.

There are also several types of cancer that is possible at each location. The signs of cancer vary with the location and type of cancer. The aggressiveness of the cancer will depend on the type of cancer, the location and the individual pet.

Some common warning signs of cancer may include:

1. Lump or growth that grows quickly
2. A firm mass or a mass that seems attached to the underlying tissue
3. A pigmented mass or a mass that changes its character
4. A sore or wound that does not heal
5. Difficulty eating or swallowing

6. Weight loss or loss of appetite
7. Repeated vomiting – especially in an older pets

8. Coughing or difficult/labored breathing
9. Bloody urine or difficulty urinating
10. Persistent lameness
11. Lethargy or a decreased energy level
12. Straining or difficulty defecating

These are a few of the most common warning signs.

Unusual Lumps

• These may occur anywhere on the body or face. If the lump feels hard and seems to grow rapidly, this could be an indicator of cancer. A veterinarian will perform a needle biopsy to make a diagnosis. Often, these lumps are fatty tumors and no treatment is required.

Inability to Heal Quickly

• If the dog has an open sore that doesn’t heal within a reasonable time, canine cancer may be suspected. With this disease, the immune system becomes weakened, and the body is not able to heal quickly.

Loss of Appetite

• In canine cancer, the dog’s normal bodily functions may be suppressed or compromised. A loss of appetite may result, depending on the location of the cancerous cells. If the cancer is affecting any part of the digestive tract, this will be a primary symptom. If the cancer is in the bone or skin tissue, loss of appetite may occur in the latter stages of the disease as the body becomes severely weakened and is unable to recognize the need to eat.

Weight Loss

• While weight loss will naturally accompany a decreased appetite, a symptom of canine cancer is unexplained weight loss. In this situation, the dog may eat normally or may even be hungrier than usual, yet will lose weight. Depending on the type of cancer, normal metabolism may be affected, thereby burning calories inefficiently and leading to weight loss and weakness.

Joint Stiffness

• Although this sign is present in arthritis or muscle sprains, if the dog has difficulty walking or getting up from a prone position, bone cancer is a possibility. This type of cancer is fairly common, but the prognosis is usually poor.

Breathing Difficulty

• If the dog is excessively sneezing or coughing, cancer may be present in the respiratory tract. Because dogs spend a lot of time sniffing the ground, they are more susceptible to cancer of the respiratory system, particularly the sinus cavity. This occurs from inhaling carcinogens from herbicides, pesticides and other dangerous substances.

Because cancer can affect almost any organ or body system, the signs of cancer can include just about anything. For example, if the cancer involves a bone, some animals will be lame. If the cancer involves the skin, you may feel a mass. If the cancer involves the intestine, some pets will exhibit signs related to the intestinal tract such as not wanting to eat, loosing weight, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

If your dog has any of these problems or you have any other concerns, please visit your veterinarian for a complete examination.

Infection From Surgical Staples

Though every effort is made to be as sterile and clean as possible in surgical settings, no level of cleanliness can completely eliminate the possibility of infection. Surgical staples can play a role in how these infections come about.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_5498329_infection-surgical-staples.html#ixzz2baIkXVCR

Causes

• Infection following surgery can be caused by a reaction to the metals used in the surgical staples. Additionally, infections can come about due to improper care of the wound, tainted materials in the operating room or many other sources.

Identification

• As with any infection, detecting when an infection becomes established near a site where surgical staples have been used can be seen visibly, felt physically and detected by a doctor’s staff. A wound that is red, puffy and not healing may be infected. A patient who is suffering from an infection due to a problem post-surgery will often feel ill and could possibly develop a fever as the body attempts to fight off an infection

Treatment

• Treatment for post-operation infection varies on a case-by-case basis, but often the proper treatment is a course of antibiotics and proper wound care.

Prevention

• Preventing infection is the easiest way to avoid possible complications after surgery. Be sure to wash your hands often, especially if they are anywhere near the wound. Keep the wound as clean as possible within the guidelines your doctor has advised. Take any and all antibiotics prescribed to you.

Considerations

• Surgical staples are often considered superior to traditional sutures because of their greater closing power and other factors. If, however, you are allergic to nickel, discuss with your doctor prior to surgery the options available to you regarding closing the wound. While the amount of nickel in surgical steel staples is relatively low, it may be high enough to provoke a reaction, which may in turn spark an infection.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_5498329_infection-surgical-staples.html#ixzz2baIqfKeN

Infection From Surgical Staples

Though every effort is made to be as sterile and clean as possible in surgical settings, no level of cleanliness can completely eliminate the possibility of infection. Surgical staples can play a role in how these infections come about.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_5498329_infection-surgical-staples.html#ixzz2baIkXVCR

Causes

• Infection following surgery can be caused by a reaction to the metals used in the surgical staples. Additionally, infections can come about due to improper care of the wound, tainted materials in the operating room or many other sources.

Identification

• As with any infection, detecting when an infection becomes established near a site where surgical staples have been used can be seen visibly, felt physically and detected by a doctor’s staff. A wound that is red, puffy and not healing may be infected. A patient who is suffering from an infection due to a problem post-surgery will often feel ill and could possibly develop a fever as the body attempts to fight off an infection

Treatment

• Treatment for post-operation infection varies on a case-by-case basis, but often the proper treatment is a course of antibiotics and proper wound care.

Prevention

• Preventing infection is the easiest way to avoid possible complications after surgery. Be sure to wash your hands often, especially if they are anywhere near the wound. Keep the wound as clean as possible within the guidelines your doctor has advised. Take any and all antibiotics prescribed to you.

Considerations

• Surgical staples are often considered superior to traditional sutures because of their greater closing power and other factors. If, however, you are allergic to nickel, discuss with your doctor prior to surgery the options available to you regarding closing the wound. While the amount of nickel in surgical steel staples is relatively low, it may be high enough to provoke a reaction, which may in turn spark an infection.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_5498329_infection-surgical-staples.html#ixzz2baIqfKeN

How to Clean and Care for a Dog’s Incision

Has your dog just been neutered or spayed? Did your dog undergo another type of surgery? Proper care for a dog after surgery is vital to promote healing and prevent infection. Surgery after care for a dog must include cleaning the incision, but many owners are unsure of how to properly clean and care for the dog’s stitches and incision. Keep reading for tips on how to clean and care for a dog’s incision after surgery!

Instructions

1. • SOFTEN THE DRIED FLUID AROUND THE DOG’S INCISION: Saturate a washcloth with some very warm water. Hold it over the dog’s surgical incision for about 5-10 minutes. This will soften the dried fluid, making it easy to remove. This is usually only necessary for the first day or two after the surgery or injury. If you are seeing significant discharge from the dog’s incision or wound after the first 36-48 hours, there is a very good chance the dog has developed an infection in the surgical incision or wound – cause for a visit to the veterinarian.

   • REMOVE THE DRIED FLUID THAT’S FORMED AROUND THE DOG’S INCISION/WOUND AND STITCHES: Dampen a Q-tip with hot water and gently clean the dried fluids that have formed near the incision. The dried blood and dried fluids around the dog’s surgical incision should come right off; if not, reapply the warm washcloth for a few more minutes and then reattempt to clean the area around the incision.

     APPLY BETA-DINE ONTO THE INCISION OR WOUND: Clean the dog’s incision using a generous amount of beta-dine. The beta-dine can be applied to the incision by simply pouring a little bit onto the incision or wound. Dog owners can also apply a generous amount of beta-dine to a sterile gauze pad and dab the antiseptic onto the dog’s wound. Dabbing (rather than rubbing or wiping) is best when stitches are present. Beta-dine should be applied to the dog’s wound or incision, and to the area within a one-inch perimeter of the site to prevent infection.

     • ALLOW THE BETA-DINE TO AIR DRY: Allow the beta-dine to air dry. Do not blow on the incision or wound to dry the beta-dine; this will only transfer bacteria to the site.

     • REPEAT THIS WOUND OR INCISION CLEANING PROCESS FOR THE DOG 2-3 TIMES A DAY: Frequent cleanings are necessary to keep the dog’s surgical incision or sutured wound clean and free of infection. Monitor the dog’s incision or wound closely. The dog’s stitches should not appear taught; the edges of the wound or incision should not pull apart; the dog’s wound or incision should not increase in terms of swelling, redness or discharge after the first 24 hours. If you see any of these signs, it suggests that the dog’s incision or wound is infected.

     Tips & Warnings

     •  Always keep an e-collar on your dog until the healing process is complete. E-collars are also known as “lampshades” or “cones.” Pain can trigger licking; itchy skin later in the healing process can cause the dog to bite at the stitches, resulting in premature removal of the stitches.
     • Muzzle your dog during the first couple days when cleaning the dog’s surgical incision or wound with stitches. The wound will be tender and painful during the first couple of days and this can cause even a very loving, friendly dog to nip or bite.
     • NEVER USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO CLEAN AN INCISION OR WOUND! Hydrogen peroxide will damage the tissue; this will extend the healing period for the dog’s incision or sutured wound. Hydrogen peroxide may be used full-strength for the first 24 hours of cleaning; after that, it must be used at 50% strength (mixed with water.) Hydrogen peroxide should not be used unless absolutely necessary; it is much less effective than betadine, an orange-red fluid that’s used to disinfect a patient’s surgical site prior to surgery.

     Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4728639_clean-care-dogs-incision.html#ixzz2baHoPQzf

How to Make a Dog Vomit Using Hydrogen Peroxide

I have personally have had to do this on a couple of occasions when my dogs got into something they shouldn’t have, It really does work and I have NEVER had to wait the five minutes. You can find the peroxide and syringes at the dollar store, what I do is I buy a bottle of peroxide just for the dogs on an in-case basis I write the date I bought it and if I have not needed it in one full year at the year mark I throw it away! If your peroxide is old it will not work, and now is not the time to be wondering how old your peroxide is!

 

If you’re a dog owner, you know by now that dogs sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, many items they eat out of curiosity can hurt them and, in some cases, cause death. Use these steps to make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide to remove objects that can block a dog’s digestive system.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_2212541_make-dog-vomit-using-hydrogen.html#ixzz2br3klBcy

Instructions

1. • Call your veterinarian immediately once you’ve determined your dog has eaten something dangerous. Call a veterinarian emergency clinic if your vet is not available. Take their professional advice first before you make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide.

   • Trap your dog in a secure area, such as a bathroom, patio or kitchen to avoid having to chase it and having to clean up vomit from carpet. Ask someone to help you with restraint to make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide since the job isn’t as easy for one person (unless your dog is small

   • Give a small dog only about a capful of hydrogen peroxide. Use the cap of a regular sized bottle of hydrogen peroxide–about a teaspoon full. Administer more–around 2 tablespoons–to a larger dog. Fill a syringe so that you can use it to inject the liquid down into your dog’s throat.

   • Wait patiently and quietly until your dog vomits. Know that it occurs soon after you give it hydrogen peroxide, but it can take up to five minutes. Look for foreign objects in the vomit and make sure your dog has expelled the dangerous items it swallowed. Repeat the procedure if nothing substantial comes up. Realize there may be nothing obvious to see if you are trying to help your dog eliminate a poison.

How to Keep a Dog Calm After a Surgery

Dogs are loving companions that tend to be naturally high energy. After a surgery, however, it is important to listen to the vet’s instructions and keep a dog calm. Most dogs need to have their activity restricted after surgery to allow time for the wounds to heal–and this may be difficult for your four-footed friend. As a responsible owner, you can create the right setting to help your dog stay calm and recover faster.

Instructions

1. • Teach your dog to sleep or rest in a crate or dog pen. A crate or pen will keep the dog isolated if things become too noisy and may serve as a comfortable recovery area for your canine. This will help keep a dog calm by providing a quiet space to sleep and recover.

   • Sterilize bedding before the dog comes home from surgery. No matter what type of surgery a dog has, soft, clean bedding inside the crate and in the pet’s favorite room will encourage your post surgery canine to rest easy.

     • Add thick rugs to hard floors in case your dog is weak after surgery and cannot move far. Thick rugs are better for recovering dogs than hard flooring and will help keep them from getting stressed out about walking back to a crate or bed. Rugs also prevent dogs from slipping on slick floors, which helps them stay calm and recover.

     • Provide your dog with some new toys. If your dog is recovering, most likely you cannot give out treats and your pet cannot move around much. New toys in the crate and within easy reach of bedding will keep a dog entertained while recovering, which will help keep the canine calm and happy.

     • Apply warm compresses to any stitches as they heal to help reduce the itchiness. Along with plenty of TLC, this step will help make your dog more comfortable during the recovery.

     • Put a thick lead rope on your dog to prevent excessive motion if you cannot control your pet through training and commands. It is imperative your canine has restricted activity during recovery, and a thick lead will discourage movement and keep the dog controlled.

     Tips & Warnings

     • Pay attention as your dog recovers–stitches are itchy, and your dog may want to lick and scratch them. Follow your vet’s instructions regarding the e-collar to keep your dog from pulling out the stitches.
     • Do not leave your dog on a lead unsupervised because your pet could panic and try to break free, which will cause unspeakable harm to the recovery process.
     • Keeping your dog calm is vital to your pet’s health. If a dog becomes too excited after surgery and moves around too much, this could create complications, ranging from pulled stitches to internal damage.

     Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5919297_keep-dog-calm-after-surgery.html#ixzz2baH2Vdvt

THIS IS SO VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ! PLEASE, PLEASE

Okay so as many of you know we have just had a pretty rough four days with our big boy Daddy breaking his leg, today we met with the surgeon who did the operation and who is a orthopedist surgeon and specializes in nothing but bones. Here is what he told us and lets just say I am almost never speechless and he had me completely gob smacked. We found out that Daddy broke his leg most likely from his strong muscles that were developed over very weak and brittle bones, his exact words were Daddy’s bones are soft like ” swiss cheese ” we were shocked and then started asking so many questions, What? Why? how? Here is what we were told. Daddy being a large breed was either not put on puppy food ever or was taken off of it far, far to early. I would like to add that we rescued Daddy at 9-10 months old and not very familiar with his puppy hood as like most rescues we get little to no information on them. Also the specialist told us that another contributing factor may have been that we was left in a crate far to long ( more than 10 hours per day ) Let me tell you I was now feeling quite ill and very sad for Daddy.

 

We were told by this bone specialist that ALL puppies need to be on puppy food for a bare minimum of 12 months, the larger breeds of dogs who will be more than 100 pounds fully grown should be on puppy food for 18-24 months. Unfortunately most vets and breeders say take the puppy food away at 6-12 months depending on if your puppy is getting chubby. The specialist says if your puppy is getting chubby keep them on the food but increase their exercise. DR. BRODEUR the bone specialist says that even though we don’t see any more growing from our dogs again especially in the large breeds it’s what we are not seeing that is so important, their bone development! If Daddy had been on puppy food as a young puppy or had been kept on puppy food longer than 12 months his bones would not now be like swiss cheese. So where does that leave us now you may asking? Well we were told by the specialist to put him back on a high protein large breed puppy food for the next seven months but need to add a daily vitamin, plus a vitamin D supplement also a calcium supplement, add egg to his daily diet and to add whey powder for the amino acids. This is a regiment we will be following for the next 7 months until we have another bone scan to track his progress. Let me tell you this is in no way cheap on the wallet and could have all been avoided by simply keeping him on puppy for the 24 months.

 

SWISS CHEESE BONES AKA POROUS BONES

So you may also be asking your self ” why do vets recommend taking them off puppy food? ” I asked the same question from my specialist and this is what I was told, ” the vets are misinformed ” they do not do this with malice but from a bone perspective just uneducated, he also said that he is seeing more and more of this in the large breeds and is doing more  and more surgeries on these big boys because of the early removal of puppy food and from a bone specialist who does lots of these surgeries, he must know what he is talking about! It is now going to take me twice as long and cost me twice as much to try to reverse the hands of time, so take it from me and DR. BRODEUR leave your puppy food down a minimum of 12 months! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask me I had a very long conversation with the specialist and too long to write, but I will be happy to answer any questions I can. I would also like to add a P.S….. most people take puppy food away early because most times it’s more expensive than adult food per pound!! So you can pay for food as puppies, or pay in potential vet bills later! You decide!! THIS SURGERY MAY  HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY PROPER NUTRITION!

THE MILLION DOLLAR LEG

STITCHES ON THE INSIDE TO NOT HINDER HIS SEXINESS

TRYING TO SIT UP, DIDN’T GO WELL