Cancer is one of the most frightening diagnosis pet owners will ever hear. Although there are steps you can take to give your dog the best chance of surviving this scenario. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the chance of remission or cure. Regular wellness examinations and routine screening are crucial to detecting cancer as early as possible. This is especially true since our dogs cannot communicate to us when something is bothering them; they’re experiencing pain. We have to rely on our observation as well as routine visits with the veterinarian.

Cancer is the process in which normal cells in the body undergo excessive or uncontrolled growth. Cancer can occur in any organ of the body and can spread from one part of the body to another through the blood or lymph system; this process is called a metastasis. It is best for the animal if the cancer is treated prior to the point where it has spread to other organs. You increase your dog’s chances of beating the cancer if caught prior to the disease passing to other parts of the body.

Cancer is caused by a variety of factors, potentially involving viruses, genetic components, exposure to carcinogens, and other unknown causes. Cancer in pets is the same as cancer in humans. Some cancers are preventable, such as breast cancer and dogs, which rarely occurs after early spaying or neutering. Many of the signs of cancer are nonspecific, indicating problems that could be caused by another condition or disease, so a visit to your primary care veterinarian is always the first step when you suspect something amiss in your pet.

If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, your vet may suggest a biopsy, lymph node evaluation, x-rays, standard blood tests, and a urinalysis, as well as more complicated procedures. Your vet will use these tests to determine how sick the animal is, what stage the cancer is in, and determine the best possible treatment strategy.

The advanced treatments now available for our dogs are very comparable to the treatments available to humans with just a few differences. Most dog owners prefer to avoid severe side effects and prolonged hospitalization for quality of life reasons. Therapies are often primarily directed at maximizing quality of life, and the aim is usually tumor control, or remission, rather than cure at any cost. In some cancer cases, he or she can enjoy a high quality of life even though the cancer may not be curable. In this scenario, cancer is similar to other chronic illnesses such as kidney or heart disease.

Cancer therapies can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemo-therapy, in addition to complementary treatments, diet, and supportive care. This type of medical approach requires a cancer care team that will develop, coordinate, and monitor all aspects of the treatment plan set up for your dog. The dedication of your veterinary healthcare team will have a huge impact on your dog’s quality of life and remission time. Your primary veterinarian is an essential part of the cancer care team. This is logical since he is familiar with your dog’s medical history and you are probably already comfortable in your dealings with your current veterinarian.

Before the best treatment plan can be decided, a careful evaluation is necessary. Once they perform a thorough physical exam and a review of test results is reviewed, your veterinarian can begin to formulate a treatment plan that they’ll discuss with you in detail. It’s possible that your veterinarian recommends that you take your pet to a specialist in oncology. These veterinarians have gone through extensive training in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Depending on your dog’s situation, your healthcare team may include a veterinary oncologist, a veterinary radiation oncologist, or a veterinary surgeon. It depends on the type of cancer and possibly the stage of the cancer.

What to Watch For

The symptoms of cancer vary but possible signs to look for include:

• A mass on the dog’s body Enlarged lymph nodes
• Reduced appetite
• Less energy
• Changes in bowel movement
• Unusual odor from the mouth

Any of these signals are reason to have your veterinarian take a look at your dog and decide if further testing is required.

Cancer Treatment for Dogs

Treatment for cancer may include traditional and nontraditional means, or it may involve relieving symptoms to maintain quality of life.

Factors the Influence your Dog’s Prognosis:

• Whether your dog is feeling sick or not.
• The stage of the disease. That would reflect the location, the number, and the size of the tumors.
• The presence of tumor associated conditions
• The specific appearance of tumor cells and their pattern of infiltration in various tissues
• The treatment chosen and the care given by the owner and the medical team looking after the dog
• The dog’s response to therapy

In general, dogs that are not feeling sick and are diagnosed early in the course of tumor growth have a better chance of remission with treatment. Some dogs can be cured of cancer, but this is mostly dependent on the cancer type. By taking your dog to the veterinarian for regular visits and routine screening as well as any time you suspect something might not be quite right – you give your dog the best chance of living a longer, more comfortable life.

Thyroid glands are flat, flounder-shaped glands located on both sides of the neck near the throat. The majority of dogs that have thyroid problems will have hypothyroidism. This occurs when the thyroid glands don’t produce enough thyroid hormone.

Canine hypothyroidism can be a subtle disease. The symptoms may develop gradually so a lot of owners don’t recognize that their animal is becoming ill, or they may mistake their dog’s lethargy, weight gain, and inactivity for signs of aging rather than hypothyroidism.

In most cases, hypothyroidism affects middle aged dogs, but the disease can affect dogs younger than one year. Three to seven years is the average age of onset, which is why testing dogs starting at a young age is recommended.

The symptoms of canine hypothyroidism vary widely, but the most common are weight gain or obesity, hair loss or poor coat, rough or scaly skin, and exercise intolerance. Hypothyroidism is particularly common in many purebreds. The breeds particularly at risk are Doberman pinschers, English setters, and Rhodesian ridgebacks.

List of Typical Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

He sleeps more than usual

His hair is falling out, or his coat is dull and brittle.

He lags behind on walks.

He as put on weight

He gets cold easily and prefers warm spots

His skin seems rough and scaly and may appear darker in color

Test for Hypothyroidism

Veterinarians can sometimes feel the enlarged glands during an exam.  Blood tests should be done to confirm the diagnosis and to measure the levels of the thyroid hormones. Your veterinarian may also order a diagnostic scan to be used to diagnose and view the location and size of the affected thyroid.

Blood tests help determine levels of thyroid hormones. The most common test is a T4 test, which is a measurement of blood levels of total thyroxine, the main hormone that is secreted from the thyroid glands. Other tests that are run concurrently are TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and free T4. These two tests provide supportive information because T4 levels can vary and ay be low due to illness unrelated to thyroid problems.

Treatment for Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is treated with a lifelong supplementation with a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine; blood tests are used to determine any necessary dosage adjustments.  Most pet owners report seeing improvement in attitude and activity level within a week or two of beginning treatment.

Golden Retriever Being Walked

The hip is a ball and socket joint where the ball fits snugly in the socket allowing for smooth rotation and movement. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the fit is loose. This causes instability, wear and tear on the joint structures, and arthritis. Although some dogs may show physical signs while they are still puppies, other dogs may not show joint discomfort until they’re in their senior years. The pain is evidenced by limping, trouble rising, difficulty mounting stairs, and a tendency to lag behind on walks.

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic disorders of dogs. Large dog breeds such as Golden retrievers and German shepherds are often affected but it can also occur in smaller dogs.  It is an inherited condition which sometimes emerges during puppy’s developmental stages. Hip dysplasia can be exasperated by improper nutrition, obesity, and abnormal forces on the joint.

Early Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia

With early diagnosis, hip dysplasia can be corrected to prevent or delay the progression of degenerative joint disease.

Veterinarians are speaking very favorably about a new preventive surgery that shows great promise. It is called the juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) procedure.  It is minimally invasive. The trick is that it must be performed before the puppy reaches 8 to 20 weeks of age. The procedure seals adjoining sections of the pelvis early, so that the hip sockets rotate during development, creating a tighter fit for the joints. Special x-rays should first be obtained to determine if your dog is prone to developing arthritis later in life. If that is the case, there is a small window of opportunity between when they radiographs are obtained and the JPS procedure must be performed. If your dog is older than 20 weeks there are other options that you can discuss with your veterinarian.

Another new procedure that has been developed is called sensory denervation. With this procedure the sensory nerves around hip joint arts attached which helps the dog with the pain. It doesn’t cure hip dysplasia or stop the progression of arthritis but instead relieves the dog of discomfort and lets them lead more active lives.

Once a dog develops arthritis it’s difficult to stop the progression of hip dysplasia. In some instances, losing weight can help diminish the signs of lameness. In some cases pain medications and cartilage protectants can also help relieve the symptoms but these treatments won’t stop further joint degeneration. When your dog reaches this point you are often faced with total hip replacement, a reconstructive surgical procedure, that may require months of recovery and significant financial investment on your part. Hip replacement remains the preferred procedure for correcting hip dysplasia. It is advised that if your dog has hip dysplasia, you should talk to your veterinarian about what options would be best for your dog.

Little Girl and Her Dog

Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be passed between humans and animals. Everyone is vulnerable to zoonotic diseases but if your immune system is weakened or a person is very young or very old you are more susceptible to these potentially dangerous diseases. Immune systems can be weakened due to cancer treatment, diabetes, kidney disease, or conditions like AIDS. It is important to be aware of these diseases especially if you are one of the people that have a weakened immune system.

An example of a zoonotic disease that I’m sure you’re familiar with is rabies. Every year more than 50,000 human lives are lost due to rabies. Avian flu and anthrax are to two other examples of animal to human diseases. The Centers for Disease Control categorizes more than 75% of newly identified infectious diseases as being zoonotic.

Parasitic diseases are among the most frequently occurring zoonotic diseases in pets. The most common intestinal parasite in dogs, the roundworm, can pose a threat to children. Infected dogs shed the roundworm eggs in their feces. Kids that are playing in dirt or sand might accidentally ingest the eggs. Once the roundworms are in the body they migrate through tissues and organs including the eyes. Roundworms can cause injury and even blindness.

It’s possible to get infected with these diseases just through skin contact. A larval stage hook worm bore through skin and causes an itchy rash. Cat scratch disease organisms are found in flea feces. These feces can get into the body through scratches, bites, or wounds and can lead to full-blown illness.

Another way that these diseases get passed onto people is when they are exposed to infectious agents by eating contaminated food or undercooked meat. Eggs are very tiny and easily become airborne during any activity that exposes fecal material such as digging in the soil. Then the particles are airborne and can land on the mouth or be present in the dirt that gets rubbed across the face and accidently swallowed. Statistics show that 15% of Americans have been exposed to roundworms this way.

These diseases can also be transmitted through bug bites. A tick can transmit Lyme disease to you or your dog.  Your dog cannot transmit it to you. But it is true that your dog may potentially carry ticks into your home. Exposing you to more risk.  By using flea and tick control you eliminate your dog’s discomfort and protect your family at the same time.

Being infected or exposed to zoonotic diseases may require medical care or ongoing treatment for what can become a chronic illness. There is a great variation in the prevalence and severity of these diseases and, for some, the occurrence is very rare. Some can even be fatal and others as easy to treat as a skin infection.

You can take some simple steps to minimize the risk of catching these diseases from your pets. The first and best way is to use parasite control on your pets. They should be kept on an all year round monthly parasite control program.

Take your pet to the vet for wellness exams at least once a year to make sure your pet is healthy. When you take proper care of your pet is unlikely that you will ever be exposed to these diseases. Your veterinarian will surely discuss any preventive steps that are suitable for your dog.

Simple prevention measures like promptly disposing of dog feces and always thoroughly washing your hands will also go a long way to avoid coming down with any of these zoonotic diseases.

Sometimes it’s difficult to decide on what medical situation constitutes an emergency. This is especially true with dogs since they can’t communicate any problems. We have to trust our instincts and our familiarity with our dog to discern potentially serious health issues from minor incidents.

If you have been a responsible pet owner you no doubt have a good clinic and veterinarian treating your dog.  You should be comfortable in calling your vet with any medical issues you need to discuss.  Don’t hesitate to give your veterinarian a call with questions before taking your dog in.

To avoid medical problems, be sure that your dog is all up to date on their regular vaccinations and checkups.  Adult dogs should be seen at least once a year and senior dogs or dogs with medical conditions should be seen a couple times a year.

One of the true benefits of bringing your pet to the vet for regular appointments is that the medical office gets familiar with your pet and learns what is normal for them.  This is one of the crucial preparation steps when faced with a medical emergency. During the annual exam, your vet should be able to educate you as to what potential health concerns would be typical for the breed of your dog.  He can also point out what to expect for the future when it comes to their health as well as behavior.

It is also up to you to observe and relay any changes in your dog to your vet. They rely heavily on the information you give them to diagnose any problems.

When your pet experiences any sort of trauma, you should get them to the vet. Excessive bleeding, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, seizures, distended abdomen, difficulty walking, collapse, pale gums, and lethargy should all be considered serious symptoms and warrant a visit to the veterinarian.

If you suspect that your dog has swallowed a foreign object take your dog to the vet asap!

Precautions That May Avert a Trip to the Veterinarian

Pet-Proof Your Home – You can take steps to avoid injuries and accidents. Be sure the dog doesn’t have access to open windows, electrical cords, high balconies, household trash, prescription meds, and household toxins.

Outdoors – Make sure any fenced in areas are secure and in good condition.  Look for any potential escape routes and correct them.

Avoid giving your dog foods that may sicken him.  These include grapes, raisins, onions,  and chocolate.

Provide adequate seasonal protection for your dog. This is an easy one and something that common sense tells you to be doing for your pet to begin with. In the summer, provide adequate shade and plenty of water. This will prevent heat exhaustion and other related health problems. During the cold of winter, provide warm shelter to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.   Be sure the water dish hasn’t frozen up. Dogs should have access to fresh, clean water at all times.

In an Emergency

Optimally, you’ll want to take your dog into your veterinarian if an emergency situation arises.  So, find out whether your veterinarian offers after hours or 24 hour emergency care.  It’s good to know just when your vet’s office would be available in case you had an emergency on your hands. Some medical offices don’t offer emergency care but they should be able to recommend an office that does.

Once you have the names of a couple emergency facilities, make sure you keep their number and directions handy so you aren’t scrambling when an emergency comes up.

If the problem is urgent, traveling to the closest office may be of the utmost importance but if the condition is less urgent, then visiting a facility that is farther away but better equipped for your particular emergency is your best bet.

If you find yourself with the need to bring your dog in for emergency treatment, call ahead of time or en route to inform them you’re bringing in your dog.  Depending on your dog’s emergency and the clinic’s capacity, they may even recommend you go to a different facility. Some clinics cannot handle more than one emergency at one time and they may be forced to redirect you to a different vet’s office.

Some of these emergency offices handle the cases that come in similar to an emergency room for humans. They evaluate the problem and treat the most critical cases first.  If you are forced to wait, it may be a good sign.  That means your dog is not the most critical case in the hospital or clinic.

Emergencies are scary but with proper precaution and planning, you’ll be ready to handle most medical emergencies that your dog may experience.

Vomiting is a mechanism for our bodies to protect itself against things that can cause it harm. This is also true for dogs. Vomiting can help eliminate items that are toxic or indigestible from the body before it can cause further damage. Vomiting is a tool for dogs to defend their bodies against harm.

Not Too Serious – Use Common Sense

1. If your dog is vomiting after eating grass or other non-toxic plant material, and your dog is eating, drinking, and acting normally then there is no reason for concern.

2. If the vomiting is preceded by gagging or retching and produces a hairball then vomiting is normal. Once the hairball comes up, the vomiting should cease.

3. If you dog experiences vomiting after changing their food or giving them table scraps that they are not used to, then the vomiting is not a serious worry. As long as your dog is acting normally in other respects and the vomiting ceases quickly, then your dog is not seriously ill.

4. Infrequent vomiting that only occurs once a month or so and is not accompanied by any other signs or symptoms, is probably nothing to worry about.

More Serious – Contact Veterinarian

Sometimes a dog vomiting can point to a more serious health issue and get be potentially dangerous. The following scenarios may point to concern and would be a good time to take your dog to the vet.

1. If you dog vomits on a regular and frequent basis or the frequency of the vomiting is increasing it may, it should be reported to your vet. It’s not normal for your dog to vomit every day or nearly every day, even when maintaining a normal appetite and activity level.

2. If your dog is losing weight in addition to vomiting then this may be a sign of a serious health problem.

3. If the vomiting is also coupled with a lack of appetite, lethargy, lack of thirst, or other signs of illness, get the dog to the vet.

4. If you notice any blood in the vomit,  then call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of stomach ulceration.

5. If you’re dog is not eating well or drinking and also has diarrhea, then you should take your dog to the vet. The fluid loss can lead to dehydration.

6. If your dog is showing signs of abdominal pain, difficulty in lying down, pacing, excessive panting, difficulty breathing, or moaning or groaning or other strange sounds, then get the dog to the vet.

7. If you notice abdominal distention in your pet along with the vomiting or if they are continually retching or dry heaving, get the dog to the vet.

8. If the vomiting produces a foreign object or begins after an object is consumed, then get  your pet to the vet.

Common Causes of Vomiting

Eating foreign objects or plant material

Infection with parasites, viruses, or bacteria

Hairballs

Liver Disease

Gall Bladder Disease

Pancreatitis

Food Allergy

New food, especially rich and greasy foods

Eating Toxins or Toxic Items

Food Intolerance or Aversion

Ulcers

Kidney Failure

IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Cancer

Side Effects from Medication

Chowing Down on Dry Food

Canine Nutritional Needs

Nutrition is critically important for your dog. The volume of information about feeding your dog, as well as the vast amount of choices found on the market, make deciding on a dog food product or diet to follow more than a bit confusing.

Dog food can be homemade or be commercially bought brands. Then there is a choice between wet or dry – or use a combination of the two. Another option which has become popular with pet owners is a completely raw diet.

Dogs require a balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

They need fat for certain biochemical processes, especially in the brain and nervous system.  A bit of stored fat allows the body to properly process fat-soluble vitamins.

Protein provides nutrients and energy. It also supports muscle development and maintenance. Carbohydrates provide both nutrients and energy.

Most high-end dog food brands also include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote good health, including a lush coat and healthy skin. Good quality foods provide the nutrients, vitamins, minerals that are needed to keep pets healthy. When you feed your dog a good quality diet, vitamin supplements are not normally necessary.

The levels and balance of the ingredients and nutrients that dogs need change as they mature. Puppies, for example, need more calories than adult dogs to help them grow. Adult dog foods don’t just have fewer calories; other nutrient shifts are also needed. As dogs enter their senior years, they need a diet that contains yet another mix of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Senior dogs also generally need higher levels of fiber and fewer calories, although it’s possible that some will require extra calories.

It’s also important to match the food not only to your dog’s life stage but also to their lifestyle. An athletic dog has different dietary needs than an apartment dog.

Large Breeds vs. Small Breeds

Large breed puppies should be fed differently than small puppies.  Large breeds need to be able to grow at a steady state as their growth plates are open so there aren’t any changes in the angles of the joints.  Not supplying the correct diet can lead to serious orthopedic problems. Large breed puppies physically grow faster than smaller breeds although the smaller breeds reach adulthood faster than the larger breeds.

Diet Issues

A low-grade tolerance to a food, even if it’s intermittent or crops up after years of doing well, might indicate that a change in diet is needed. Speak with your veterinarian to find and treat any medical issues and to discuss food options if you notice any of these symptoms in your dog.

Chronic ear and skin infections

Inability to lose weight, despite strict portion control

Inability to thrive or sudden weight loss

Intermittent vomiting or diarrhea

Picky eating

Poor appearance of skin and coat

Tartar buildup on teeth, despite regular brushing and professional cleaning

There’s a difference in opinion in regard to giving dogs a diet of varied foods. There’s no proof that they get tired of the same dinner day in and day out but many pet owners think offering dog’s a variety is the right thing to do and will help to keep your dog interested in his food.  One of the advantages of giving your dog a variety of food choices is that it’s easier to make changes or alterations if necessary in the future.

What is a Therapeutic Diet for Dogs?

A therapeutic diet is formulated to reverse or control signs of disease or to slow down the aggression of a disease. For example, a kidney failure diet can slow down the progression of kidney disease and improve the quality of your pet’s life. A therapeutic diet usually uses higher-quality ingredients and has tighter quality control. Usually these products, therapeutic diets, are only available through veterinarians and should only be used only if it is suggested by your veterinarian.

The Wrong Diet

Is it dangerous to feed your dog the wrong type of food? It can be. Without proper dog nutrition, your dog can be sickly and susceptible to health issues. Your dog should be given the appropriate food for the stage of their life. Puppy, adult, and senior dogs are three typical categories. Their activity level should also be considered. Some dogs are more physically active and therefore will need more calories than a dog that sleeps his days away.

Pudgy Pug

Overweight Pets

This country has an obesity epidemic. We’re getting fatter and so are our dogs! Obesity has become the biggest nutritional problem with dogs according to veterinarians surveyed. As we know from our own medical knowledge, being an overweight dog can lead to a host of other physical problems. Being obese can result in the development of arthritis, heart disease, endocrine problems, urinary problems, cancer, and intestinal issues. Sadly, obesity also will likely shorten the life of your dog. The good news is obesity is a health problem that can be rectified. You can change the direction of your dog’s health with proper diet, exercise and possibly medication.

Your veterinarian will likely recommend a diet that is high in fiber and lower in fat to fight the obesity in your dog. It’s also recommended that you don’t leave food down all day. It’s also recommended to decrease or eliminate entirely any treats that offer no nutritional value and just add extra calories to your dog’s diet. Taking the dog for a long walk every day are increasing its exercise level I some level will help get the weight off your dog as well as help deplete his energy.

In most cases a correction in diet and an increase in exercise are the best ways to attack obesity in a dog. However, a new diet drug for dogs called Slentrol can also help decrease a dog’s weight.  Think of it as a diet pill for dogs. The problem with giving your dog medication, as with human meds, is that it comes with possible side effects and risks. This can all be discussed with your veterinarian.

Table Scraps

Table scraps are probably one of the largest problems when it comes to controlling a dog’s weight. It’s not all necessarily bad. It depends on what food is being fed and the quantity that you are measuring out. Doggie treats and table foods should not exceed 5% of your dog’s daily food intake. An increase over that 5% can unbalance your pet’s diet. Some people foods are actually toxic and unsafe to feed your dog. They include chocolate, butter and oil, onions, any dairy products, and raw eggs.

Raw Food Diets for Dogs

A trend that has grown in past years is the raw food diet. The risk of a raw food diet is a potential nutritional imbalance or a deficiency. There’s also the risk of salmonella. You should always avoid feeding raw food to puppies. A raw diet can be formulated for an adult dog and contain sufficient nutrition. Proper hygiene and storage is essential to minimize the risk of any infections. A raw food diet offers dogs more digestible ingredients.

You should ask a veterinarian nutritionist to help you come up with a formula for your homemade raw food diet. You can also buy commercial raw ingredient diets but just be sure to look for ones that are approved by the Association of American Feed control officials.

What to Look For When Shopping for Dog Food

Not all dog foods are created equally. I’m sure you know that by now. So it’s important to read the ingredients on the label. The label will provide a nutritional adequacy statement. You should also look at the guaranteed analysis. This will include the minimum or maximum amounts of essential nutrients.  These include water, fiber, protein, and fat. If at all possible choose food that has been through feeding trials. This means that they actually fed the food and tested it with dogs prior to putting it on the market. Your veterinarian can help steer you towards the food that will meet any special nutritional requirements your dog has.

Canned or Dry Dog Food

Canned or dried dog food is both nutritionally acceptable for your dog. Canned dog foods usually contain wet ingredients such as whole meat or whole vegetables. Wet food is usually easier for dogs to digest. Dry foods usually made by mixing dry gradients with water, then the dough is baked and cut into shapes. There’s really no proof that dry foods help prevent teeth problems so feeding your dog a dry diet for that reason is not really helping dental health.

Your veterinarian is usually the person to talk to when you’re not sure just how to approach your pet’s diet. They can suggest the type of dog food to use as well as the quantities you should feed your dog. They are most familiar with your dog and his requirements.

Tick Feeding on a Dog

Fleas and ticks have been around from the time mammals appear on the earth.  They were a source of discomfort and disease back then and they remain so today.

Even though these nasty creatures find it hard to survive in locations that experience extreme cold or hot and dry weather, remember that humans don’t live outdoors. We alter our environment through air conditioning, humidifiers, and by heating our homes so that we remain comfortable.  This gives fleas the perfect microclimate to survive and thrive.

Infestations have lessened over the years as safe and effective control products have come on the market.  It’s best to practice year round flea and tick treatment by following your veterinarian’s directions. This usually means a monthly application with a topical treatment.

Deter these pests from getting in your home by removing brush debris around the foundation. This is a favorite location for tick and flea carrying animals to nest and provide a source of infestation. Also get rid of any old upholstered furniture located on a porch or in a garage. These are also a favorite hangout for flea nests.

Myths Regarding Ticks and Fleas

#1 – Fleas and Ticks are Only an Issue for Pets

Fleas and ticks can pose a health problem for both your dog and yourself.  An infestation can lead to disease and illness so it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Fleas can transmit rickettsiosis and bartonellosis to people and can serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms.

Ticks can also transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans.

#2 – If They’re Not Visible, They’re Gone

Adult fleas and ticks live most of their lives on the host, but part of their life cycle happens in the environment.  Adult fleas living on your dog count for only 5% of the total number of fleas likely to be living in your home. Eradicating fleas and ticks at every stage of their existence isn’t easy and they often re-infest homes before eradication is complete.  It is imperative to be as thorough as possible.

#3 – Fleas and Ticks are a Problem in the Warmer Weather

Most people believe that fleas and ticks are a summer problem. They come out in the warmer temperatures and die off when winter arrives. We think freezing temperatures will mark the end of these pests.  The truth is that these bugs find underground burrows in outbuildings, under decks, and around a home’s foundation. There they find overall conditions sufficient to maintain and reproduce.

Fleas and ticks possess a strong ability to survive.  When conditions are ideal their population explodes.  Cold weather slows them down but does not kill them off.

#4 – Indoor Pets Don’t Require Protection

Ticks and fleas are able to sneak their way into your home via other means besides riding in on your pet. Ticks and fleas can be brought in on an individual’s clothing, another outdoor pet, and through other pests like mice and rats.

The trick to controlling fleas and ticks is to not let down your guard. Treatment should be applied to all household pets no matter when they’re environment and no matter what the weather is like. Discuss appropriate products with your veterinarian.

Life cycle of the Flea and Tick

The life cycle of the flea – egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Once they reach the adult stage the fleas feed on the dog’s blood then they mate and product eggs. The larvae emerge from the eggs and then feed on the blood particles in the flea feces (disgusting).  The larvae then develop into adult fleas inside cocoons.

Once these fleas emerge from the cocoons, they jump on the dog and start to feed. These are such hardy creatures that even if you remove the dog from the house, the fleas will survive without having a host. They can survive for some time without having a host to feed on. Once the animal returns home, the infestation begins anew.

The life cycle of the tick – egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Adult female ticks drop from their host after feeding and mating. They then lay hundreds to thousands of eggs which develop into larvae which molt into eight-legged nymphs.  The nymphs then molt into adult ticks.

Checking Glucose Levels

Along with the increase in diabetes in humans, veterinarians tell us that more and more family dogs are being diagnosed with the same condition.   The experts estimate that one in every 300 to 400 dogs will be diagnosed with diabetes. This is probably related to the fact that pets are having an increasing problem with obesity – just like their human counterparts.

Diabetes in dogs is caused by an autoimmune disease that attacks the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Without enough insulin to control blood glucose levels their sugar rises. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to diabetes. Other dogs can come down with diabetes as a result of long-term use of some drugs or hyperadrenocorticism.

Diabetes affects female dogs more than males. And the number increases if the females aren’t spayed. So you can already see how you can take steps to help lessen the chance that your dog will come down with this disease. You can be sure that your female dogs are fixed and encourage a healthy weight with healthy food and enough exercise.

Signs of Diabetes

There are certain physical signs your dog may display that will indicate a chance that they are diabetic. They are interchangeable with human symptoms.  If you notice your dog displaying any of the following make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. They need to be tested.

1. Weight loss

2. Excessive urination

3. Excessive drinking

4. Vision problems

Diagnose

Once you bring your dog into your veterinarian they will collect blood and urine samples to look for high blood sugar levels along with the presence of glucose in the urine.

What can I do for my pet now that they have been diagnosed with diabetes?

The recommended treatment for a diabetic dog generally comes from two areas. You will likely have to adjust their diet and also administer insulin injections.

Your veterinarian will recommend a change in diet for your dog. It is up to you to follow the directions of your veterinarian. If you change their food without consulting with the vet, you may negatively affect the blood glucose level in your dog, therefore causing them harm. Proper diets for pets help insulin work more efficiently and also helps with keeping the dog fit.

In dogs, a high-fiber diet is one of the key elements to controlling diabetes. A high-fiber diet helps fight obesity and works with insulin to lower the blood sugar level. In most cases it is recommended that diabetic dogs be fed twice a day just before they are given their insulin.

Insulin Shots

To control diabetes dogs tend to need intermediate-acting insulin that pet owners have to administer twice a day.

The technique in administering this shot is easy to learn and your veterinarian will provide you with detailed instructions on how to store, measure, and administer the insulin. You will also have to monitor your dog’s diabetes the same way human diabetics have to monitor their levels. It will just require a short amount of time before the pet owner feels 100% comfortable with the routine. Diabetes requires lifelong commitment.

Veterinarians usually encouraged pet owners to manage the dog’s diabetes by taking blood samples using portable, handheld glucose meters. In this way the veterinarian can obtain accurate measurements while the dog remains at home in a comfortable environment where it is more relaxed. The pet owner doesn’t have to make multiple trips to the veterinarian to get sugar levels tested. This reduces the stress on the dog and helps reduce costs for the owner.

Although diabetes is a chronic disease, it is manageable over the long term. By working with your veterinarian, you will come up with an optimal treatment plan for your dog allowing it a long and full life.

Eating grass is a fairly common behavior for dogs.  Contrary to the common perception that dogs eat grass because they have an upset stomach and are feeling nauseous, it is actually a behavior unrelated to illness.  A recent survey revealed that most dogs do not vomit after eating grass and show no signs of illness.

A dog’s diet is also not related to eating grass. There is no indication that dogs fed primarily table scraps or raw food are more prone to this habit than dogs that ate commercial dog food.  There is also no proof that dog’s that receive less fiber in their food tend to eat grass more than dogs receiving abundant fiber.

Plant consumption may be a trait inherited from a dog’s wild ancestors where it helped purge parasites.

Be sure that if your dog is a grass eater that you keep your pet away from chemically treated lawns.