Dog Chocolate Symptoms
How many times have you been eating those chocolate chip cookies with milk when you look over and see those soulful puppy dog eyes staring at you? While the saddest begging look creeps across his face and he lets out the most pathetic whimper, a dog wanting chocolate can weaken the most stoic dog owner.
Don't give in, ever. You must stay firm.
First and foremost, it must be said that dogs must NOT eat chocolate. No matter how pathetic he looks at you, no matter how much he whines, let me repeat, dogs must NOT eat chocolate. Keep ALL forms of chocolate out of his reach and locked away at all times.
Don't let them get the taste for chocolate. Keep in mind that once dogs have tasted chocolate, they want more. The problem, according to veterinary experts, is that eating just a speck of chocolate leads a dog to crave more. They become addicted to it very easily. It can mean that your dog will jump at any opportunity to get any type of chocolate and chocolate can kill.
Causes
Chocolate poisoning is caused by excessive intake of the methylxanthine alkaloids . Methylxanthine alkaloids are naturally occurring drugs (primarily theobromine and caffeine) that can be found in chocolate, coffee, tea, cola beverages and some over-the-counter stimulants. Chocolate preparations contain different concentrations of these active compounds. One of the methylxanthine alkaloids is an element called theobromine, which is lethal to dogs, and another is theophylline, which is similar to caffeine.
The amount of theobromine found in chocolate is small enough that chocolate can be safely consumed by humans in large quantities, but dogs metabolize theobromine slower and can easily consume enough chocolate to cause chocolate poisoning. Dogs are the most common victims of theobromine chocolate poisoning.
The poisoning affects many organ systems, and animals of all ages are susceptible. These drugs cause constricted blood vessels; rapid and weak heart beat; and stimulate the nervous system. Nervous system stimulation leads to hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. The heart rate becomes increasingly rapid and irregular. The theobromine will remain in their bloodstream for up to 20 hours.
In most cases, dogs are poisoned by eating the processed chocolate used in sweets, baked goods, and chocolate bars. Since these products contain high concentrations of theobromine and caffeine, and dogs love the way they taste, poisoning is common because of the way they gobble down just about anything and everything.
Puppies and young dogs are especially susceptible as they may be more likely to ingest large amounts of unusual foods. Since chocolate is very often available and dogs enjoy the taste, access to chocolate goodies has become a real problem, with more and more cases of dog chocolate poisoning on the uprise.
The quantity of theobromine will vary with the different types of chocolate. This list starts with the type of chocolate that has the largest quantity and moves down to the type of chocolate with the least amount.
Cocoa Beans
Cocoa Powder
Baking Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
Chocolate Cocktail Mixes
Chocolate Syrup
Milk Chocolate
Chocolate Milk Mixes
White Chocolate
Symptoms
The first symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination. These symptoms will occur 2 to 4 hours after intake, and chocolate in the vomit may be obvious. Excessive urination may result from the diuretic (water clearing) action of the chocolate.
Advanced signs of chocolate poisoning include cardiac arrhythmias, hallucinations, stiffness, epileptic seizures, muscle twitching, excitement, extreme responses to noise, light, and touch.
Internal bleeding, heart failure, weakness, coma, and eventually death can occur 12 to 36 hours after intake.
Chocolate poisoning can be confused with many other types of poisoning or conditions. Life threatening chemical poisoning can cause very similar effects.
Chemicals such as strychnine, amphetamines, pesticides, and some rodenticides can have mirror effects.
A typical 40 pound dog will normally experience intestinal distress after eating less than 8 ounces of dark chocolate, but won't necessarily experience bradycardia (a slow heartbeat rate) or tachyarrhythmia (an increase in heart rate) unless it eats at least a pound of milk chocolate.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, approximately 0.023 ounces of baker's chocolate per pound of a dog's body weight is sufficient to cause symptoms of toxicity. For example, a typical 1 ounce baker's chocolate piece would be enough to bring out symptoms in a 40 pound dog.
What You Should Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate
If a dog eats chocolate, immediate induction of vomiting is the best. This can only be done within the first two hours of ingestion. Vomiting can be induced by putting a small amount of vanilla ice cream in a bowl (for taste!) mixed with hydrogen peroxide (amount depends on the weight of the dog) and a teaspoon of salt.
Whatever you do, DO NOT induce vomiting with salt water. You will induce salt toxicity instead of vomiting and can cause seizures.
Save a sample of the vomit, for analysis, and take both the dog and the sample to the veterinarian immediately.
If, on the other hand, your dog is having a seizure, DO NOT attempt to induce vomiting.
Call your veterinarian immediately for advice, before bringing him in to the clinic.
If a combination of chocolate ingestion, vomiting, nervousness, or weakness are seen, take your dog to your vet immediately and again, if possible, bring a sample of the vomit with you for analysis, since this may aid in rapid identification of the toxic substance.
Your veterenarian will examine your dog's nervous system and cardiac function. He may want to test the blood and urine for concentrations of sugar(glucose) and the active ingredient in the chocolate.
This type of poisoning progresses rapidly and symptoms may need to be treated symptomatically until a laboratory diagnosis is confirmed.
Cure
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning.
Your veterinarian may use drugs to induce vomiting if the chocolate was consumed within the previous 2 - 4 hours. He may also use a stomach tube and fluids to flush the stomach of the chocolate, followed by an activated charcoal treatment, to prevent any of the drugs from being absorbed into the system.
In dogs with advanced symptoms, specialized medications are needed to control the seizures and to correct the rapid and weak heartbeat in order to prevent heart failure.
Prognosis
The expected course of chocolate poisoning is 12 to 36 hours depending on the dosage and effectiveness of treatment. Prognosis is good if the chocolate is removed within 2 to 4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis is guarded in animals with advanced signs such as seizures and serious heart dysfunction.
Prevention
The ASPCA, Susan Thorpe-Vargas, M.S, Ph.D. in her article "Poisoned," strongly encourages pet owners to be prepared for a poisoning.
When time can make the difference between life and death, it is important that you know the immediate steps to take and have the first-aid tools on hand to take those steps.
To be prepared, get knowledgeable. You'll avoid panic if you have educated yourself. Keep your vet's phone number handy. Keep the phone number close to the phone at home and enter your vet's phone number into your cell phone.
Last, but not least, keep the chocolate up high, in locked cupboards, away from your dog. If you leave it lying around within reach, you are tempting even the best trained dog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=June_Tanner
Dog Birthday Cake Recipe
This Free Easy Dog Birthday Cake Recipe is coming from my "hiking" friend Lori.She loves dogs (some think more than her husband). I didn't say that however :-)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup of flour
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients together. Add the remaining ingredients and mix.
Bake in a greased ring mold at 350 F for 35-40 minutes.
Frost this cake with cottage cheese and decorate (see sources below). Store in the refrigerator.
Tips
Of course, if you want your beloved pooch to actually be able to eat their special birthday cake; skip the honey it this recipe then.
Also, be sure not to make a chocolate dog birthday cake.
Most dogs won’t complain about eating a sweet birthday cake, but they actually prefer something with a bit of a meaty taste to it.
Try crumbling up some cooked bacon on the dog birthday cake you make using this easy free birthday cake recipe. Your beloved pooch will really lap up his birthday cake when it tastes like smoky hickory. Just one little tip.
Make sure you take off the candle before you give your best friend his special birthday cake.
It really is true that chocolate isn’t good for dogs. In fact, too much chocolate can be fatal. I think I read somewhere that a dog would have to actually eat a lot of chocolate for it to be fatal, but why take the chance?
source: http://www.cakechannel.com/
Giardia Symptoms in Dog
If your dog has had any contact with dirty soil and/or potentially contaminated water you might expect the symptoms of sick dog. If you see your dog can't stay still, has diarrhea and lost many pounds, then you should be concerned. The combination of the above is a classic case of Giardiasis. Don't worry, in this article I will tell you all about the giardia symptoms dog and how you can learn to fight against it.
Giardia are small parasites, that while some canines are only carriers and are not affected by them, in some dogs they can cause very complicated illness and you should know how to treat your dog immediately.
I will not go too deep into the technical and medical details, but basically when your dog takes in these parasites, found in dirty water and other polluted material, they will go into the victims organism and release a more advanced parasite called trophozoite.
Giardia Symptoms Dog
It is very important that you are able to identify symptoms of sick dog with this disease, as taking your dog to the vet is not enough, it must be taken care of right away by yourself. If the feces of your dog is greasy and soft with some mucus, that indicates the swelling of the large intestine, which means there is Giardia present. Anemic symptoms may also appear.
The problem with Giardiasis is that it can cause sudden death in your dog or puppy if you are not able to identify it right away, taking him to the vet might not be enough...
Symptoms of sick dog are really complicated, specially if your pet is a giardia symptoms dog. This is why I strongly suggest you go to a website I found where there are a few reviews for the best of the best dog health and training information products. If you are really interested in the health and well being of your dog, don't hold back on the purchase of these e-books, they are a must have, otherwise you will regret it when your dog falls seriously ill and dies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Molano
Diabetic Dog Food
What Is The Benefit Of Diabetic Dog Food?
If you note changes in your dog, like consuming an unusual amount of water, urinating frequently and gaining weight without eating any more food, there is a chance that the dog is sick with canine diabetes. Canine diabetes comes about when the body is not able to process insulin. If not treated, the dog may begging to experience diverse health troubles that may end up fatal.
So, when your dog is suffering from diabetes, you not only have to administer insulin to him, but you also have to include diabetic dog food in his diet. If you use diabetic dog food as a part of your dogs nutritional program, don't have to be concerned about your dog's nutrient necessities.
With Diabetic Dog Food, There Is No Need For Any More Supplements
Aside from this, there are other advantages to diabetic dog food. The main advantage this presents is you not having to give supplements to your dog. The increase in fiber and antioxidants is another benefit of utilizing this type of food. In the event that you choose to feed your dog traditional dog food when diabetes is a problem for them, your dogs nutritional requirement will include supplements or insulin.
Moreover, with dog food like this, the complete dietary needs of the dog are more than adequately met. Most of the different types of diabetic dog food have more nutritional value than other dog foods.
Diabetic Dog Foods Provide Higher Antioxidant Levels For Your Dog
Feeding your dog with diabetic dog food provides it with the reward of getting increased totals of antioxidants. It is important to have antioxidants in the food to clear the dog's body of germs and free radicals. This is necessary as they can only complicate the status of the diabetic dog's body.
Higher levels of antioxidants can usually be found in homemade dog food. However, fruits and vegetables are higher in antioxidants but also higher in sugars, it has the potential to worsen the dog's diabetes status. It is different with commercial diabetic dog food, since chemical procedures are involved in mixing the essential antioxidants. The high fiber contained in custom-made dog foods make them a fitter selection for most dogs. Blood sugar levels are actually lowered by the presence of fiber.
This is just another way that the high fiber content is advantageous. Diabetic dogs require specialized food. The amount of carbohydrates that finds its way into most commercial brands makes the average store bought brand of dog food entirely unhealthy for the diabetic dog.
Get the information you need to protect your pet. Many commercial foods can cause not only allergies, but can actually decrease your pets comfort, quality of life and shorten their life span. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teddy_Paseo
Dog Symptoms Dry Nose
Dog symptoms dry nose does not necessarily indicate a dog that is sick. My dog's nose goes from moist to dry all the time. By examining their behavior you should be able to tell they are not feeling well. They will act depressed or lethargic. If they are vomiting or have diarrhea then it's pretty obvious they aren't feeling well. When a dog is sick he/she will usually have a dry nose which correlates with a fever. At that point you should call your vet.
Changes in texture (crusty, flaky) and color (loss of pigmentation) of a pet's nose should be looked at by your veterinarian. A prolonged dry, cracked nose, particularly with loss of pigmentation, scabs or open sores should be examined by your veterinarian sooner rather than later. An ill animal will often have a warm, dry nose in addition to other symptoms, such as: lethargy, decreased or absent appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and so on. In the absence of other physical signs, there are a host of dermatological (skin) problems that can be seen in this area, such as Pemphigus Foliaceus.
If the nose changes in color or texture that is another issue and once again you need to contact your veterinarian. Also if your dog has light skin such as a pink nose you should talk to your vet about skin protection. Dogs or any species for that matter can get skin cancer just like humans. It is perfectly normal for a dog's nose to dry out in the sun, or go from cool and moist to warm and reasonably dry and back again. In the course of a day, this is perfectly normal. However, if the dog's nose stays dry for a prolonged period, there may be cause for concern.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zachary_A_Nyakundi
Chocolate Lab Dog Names
A new puppy is always fun, especially when it's a lovable chocolate Lab. One of the first things puppy gets, in most cases, is a new name. Giving your chocolate Lab a name can be a lot of fun. A name may just come to you with little effort, or you may labor to find precisely the right name.
Female chocolate Lab names can be comical, sweet (as in chocolate), or dignified. There are many choices, and many ways to make those choices. Below are some names and their meanings. You may find the exact name you want, or you may see a name that gives you an idea for your chocolate Lab name.
Whatever you call your female chocolate Lab, chances are good that she will grow into it, and it will soon be as normal as though no other name existed.
Female Chocolate Lab Names Chosen for Meaning
One way to name your female chocolate Lab is to think of names that have an appropriate meaning. The name may focus on your chocolate Lab's color. It may call attention to the Lab temperament. And, if your chocolate Lab is a gun dog, the name's meaning may hint at hunting. Here are 37 examples drawn from countries around the world.
1. Female Chocolate Lab Names Linked to the "Chocolate" Color:
When focusing a name on the chocolate Lab's color, you can go with the brown hue or the sweetness of chocolate.
* Anoush – sweet, sweetness
* Blanda – sweet and friendly
* Brownie – brown
* Brune – brown
* Candy – sweet
* Carob – chocolaty-tasting carob tree pod
* Ceinlys – beautiful, sweet
* Chocolata – chocolate
* Cocoa – cocoa
* Dulciana – sweet
* Kamea – sweet darling
* Mandisa – sweet
* Sisel – sweet
* Truffles – as in chocolate truffles
2. Female Chocolate Lab Names Linked to the Lab Temperament
The chocolate Lab, although soft and delicious in appearance, has a boisterous, fun-loving temperament. When you consider female chocolate Lab names, you may want to focus on your chocolate Lab's energetic, amusing personality.
* Babianne – fun-loving
* Buffy – clown
* Chaka – energy
* Cuckoo – silly
* Energizer – keeps going
* Escapade – adventure
* Eshe – energy
* Funny Girl – from the play
* Mahira – energy
* Quirky – fun-loving
* Reah – water-lover
* Ria – water-lover
* Umi – energy
* Venita – loving
* Venus – loving
* Wacky – crazy
* Zula – one that loves the country
3. Female Chocolate Lab Names Linked to Hunting
* Gunnerette – female gunner
* Huntress – female that hunts
* Kainda – hunter's daughter
* Quicksilver – winged retriever
* Synergy – working together
* Winda –hunter
Miscellaneous Female Chocolate Lab Names
Female chocolate Lab names that are not linked to the dog's color, temperament, or gun-dog abilities may still be the best for your puppy. At Next Day Pets, you can learn what dog names are currently in the top twenty. You can also do an alphabetical search there, looking at dog names that begin with a particular letter of the alphabet.
An Australian website, Bowwow is another good place to look for female chocolate Lab names. Bowwow lets you search in various ways, and gives you information about the name if you do a meaning search. For example, a search on "Fido" produced results showing that this name means faithful and loyal. Bowwow also showed that one US President owned a dog named Fido, and that this is a perfect name for a faithful companion.
Tips in Choosing Chocolate Lab Names
You will use the name you choose for your chocolate Lab many times every day. You will use it in a praising voice and in a scolding voice. Be sure you like the way it sounds. Be sure you like the shortened version, too, because nicknames will inevitably happen.
Your chocolate Lab will respond better to a name with only one or two syllables. Such a name will be easier for you to call, too. Steer clear of names that may sound like the commands you will be using with your chocolate Lab. "Fay" is too close to "Stay" for regular use. Your puppy may have trouble distinguishing between its name and the command.
Whatever name you give your chocolate Lab puppy, help her learn it by using it often and in a friendly tone of voice.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart
Symptoms of Dog Poisoning
To start with lets go through some of the things that are potentially dangerous for a dog to eat. Most dog owners are aware that chocolate should not be fed to dogs, but there are also plenty of house plants that can cause a rash for the dog when touched, and some that can even cause vomiting, cramps and kidney problems. If you are unsure which plants are unsafe to have in your house, be on the safe safe and contact your local vet who will be able to advise you. There is always the chance that a dog might ingest a poisonous household chemical, in which case you should contact your vet immediately.
There are also outdoor plants that can have a toxic effect on your dog, such as rhubarb, spinach and nutmeg.
Common reactions to being poisoned are:
Rash on the mouth or skin after contact
Swollen mouth or tongue
Vomiting, cramps
Diarrhea
Convulsions
Internal problems that are difficult to observe
If your dog exhibits any of the previous symptoms of dog poisoning then you should contact your local vet immediately. The best way to eliminate poison from your dogs stomach is to induce vomiting, but this should only be attempted if the owner feels able to do it, and even then only if the dog is not depressed, unable to swallow or experiencing convulsions. This is best left to a vet in all but the most extreme cases.
If the dog has come into contact with the poisonous substance on the skin, a bath in warm water with soap is the best way to clean the dog and stop it from licking the poison off. Even if the dog is not showing any signs of discomfort with the poison on its skin or coat, it should be washed off immediately.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Cross_Terris
Dog Symptom Knowledge - More information
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Dog Diarrhea Symptoms - Dog.com
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Dog Food Allergy Dog Skin Rashes Dog Allergy Symptoms Flea Allergies
Find out various ways to treat your puppy's allergies including skin rashes, itching, ear infection, food allergy, and flea allergy.
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Heartworm Medicine for Dogs & Cats. Save $$$ Heartworm Medication
Wide range of dog heartworm medication, including heartworm pills, heart worm ... Learn More About Prevention, Symptoms & Treatment of Cat & Dog Heartworms ...
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Dog Parvo Virus Symptoms and Treatments
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Bloat in Dogs
Bloat is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. Symptoms, breeds at risk, causes, and things to do to prevent bloat are described.
www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
All Dog Breeds
all dog breeds is your one stop for dog breed information and much more ... Learn about the symptoms of dog worms so you can get your dog treatment right away. ...
www.alldogbreeds.net/index.html
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www.dogtrainingguide.org/dog/training/behavior/aggression/inheat.html
Dog Diseases, Dog Sickness, Dog Illness Symptoms
What is really behind labeling every dog health problem with a name of a dog disease? ... Life is complicated enough, simplify dog diseases ...
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Dog Owner's guide; Dog Diseases
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The Symptoms of Canine Diabetes - DogBreedz.com
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Common Allergies and Symptoms - DogBreedz.com
Common Allergies and Symptoms - Free Dog Articles at DogBreedz.com ... Normally, dogs will manifest symptoms of respiratory tract allergies like ...
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Symptoms and treatments of ... initial phase, the symptoms of dog distemper may be ... When such symptoms develop get the dog to a veterinarian and ...
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Dog Allergies - Symptoms and Solutions
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www.cleanairplus.com/articles/dog-allergies.html
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Arthritic symptoms in dogs. Dogs with arthritic symptoms. Arthritis and the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Free veterinarian help
www.geocities.com/warmpets/vetnarian_arthritis.html
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Dog Care/Signs and symptoms. From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection ... Check to see if the dog's nose is wet and cold as it should be. ...
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Dog_Care:Signs_and_symptoms
Dog symptoms vomiting
A very common problem that virtually all of us see as dog owners is dog vomiting.
There are potentially many different causes of dog vomiting. The most common cause is garbage gut, where your dog consumes something he shouldn't have, resulting in vomiting. Other causes include food allergies, parasites, medications, infectious causes (i.e. parvovirus), cancer, liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, metabolic disorders (thyroid disease or diabetes), physical obstructions such as a ball or a bone, and primary motility disorders (the stomach doesn't contract normally).
Any vomiting dog must be evaluated for dehydration. If your dog is vomiting persistently and unable to retain even water, wait no longer than 24 hours before going to your veterinarian. This indicates a severe problem, such as an obstruction, that needs to be treated with IV fluids and possibly surgery. If your dog is still consuming water and occasionally vomiting, then you can try some of the home remedies.
Fasting. A 24 hour fast is the most important thing you can do to allow your pet's inflamed stomach to heal. Allow access to controlled amounts of water, but no food. After 24 hours offer bland food such as plain cooked white rice; give equivalent amounts of rice as you do dog or cat food. After 48 hours mix their regular food with rice and don't fully go to regular food until after 72 hours.
For Food Allergens. For dogs and cats with chronic vomiting, I strongly recommend a diet change. Preferably switch to a hypoallergenic food or homemade allergy diet. At the very least, change to a premium quality food - I find that some pets respond to a more natural diet. In light of the recent Pet Food Recall, paying close your dog’s diet is even more important than ever.
Homeopathic. Nux Vomica is an effective homeopathic remedy for dog vomiting. Give 1 tablet of the 30C strength per 40lbs once daily for 3-5 days.
Herbal - Ginger. A tasty addition for a curry is also effective for vomiting. The dried herb dose is 25mg per lb or 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.
Acupressure Point. The ST36 point, located on the outside of the hind leg below the knee may be effective; press it for 1 minute twice daily for 3-5 days to see if it helps.
Flowers to the Rescue: Bach Rescue Remedy can make your pet feel a little better about their illness. Give your pet 3-4 drops by mouth every 6 hours.
Herbal - Chamomile. This is commonly used in people with mild stomach upset and it may help your pet. Give 30mg per lb of the dried herb, or 2 drops per lb of the tincture three times daily.
The treatments I covered may be all that you need for now. But I guarantee that you will use many of the thousands of at home remedies in my book.
I use them every day in practice. They work. No side effects.
You should try it.
To your pet's good health,
Dr. Andrew Jones
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Andrew_Jones
Dog Symptoms Panting - How To Diagnose
The average dog in good health takes approximately 15to 20 breaths per minute. Being familiar with your dog’s normal breathing patterns will help you to spot any irregularities. Some of the more serious causes of panting can be pain, heat stroke, anemia, or internal hemorrhaging. If your dog is panting in the extreme or appears to be suffering seek veterinarian assistance.
Panting can also be a symptom of lungworm or heartworm, both of which require medical treatment, but more often frequent dog panting is caused by obesity or stress. An obese dog may literally feel crushed by his weight. Obese dogs are increasingly becoming a problem in the US. Luckily, controlling your obese dog diet is much easier than controlling your own! Just as for humans, the treatment for obese dogs is more exercise and less food. Make sure your obese dog is getting the exercise he needs. Not only will a daily walk help his weight, but regular exercise can prevent many of the painful and expensive to treat ailments that frequently occur as a dog ages. Exercise in a large backyard is not enough for an obese dog; instead obese dogs need you as a personal trainer to help them get the exercise they need. In investigating our panting dog and consulting with vets and other dog people we heard about several dogs who, even when relaxed, healthy, and cool just panted frequently. Apparently, some deep chested dogs may pant for no other reason than it’s comfortable for them.
Get more information on how to treat your pet’s health problems at home. Read on to discover all the veterinary secrets to having all the information you need on How To Diagnose Dog Symptoms Panting here
source: http://www.articlerefill.com/pets-articles/779/how-to-diagnose-dog-symptoms-panting/
Symptoms of dog worms
There are 5 different types of dog worms (internal parasites), which your dog can fall prey to. These are: heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm and whipworm. As a dog owner, I recommend that you educate yourself on these worms in order to be able to recognize the symptoms if they should become evident in your dog.
Early worm detection is important because each type of dog worm requires a different form of treatment. You should also be aware of the fact that roundworm and hookworm are zoonotic, which means that these worms can be transmitted to humans. Some worm infestations may show little to no symptoms, whereas others can demonstrate severe symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Some dog worms can be seen by the naked eye while some cannot, therefore it is a good idea to ask your vet to perform a stool test for dog worms once a year.
Below you can find a list of common telltale symptoms of dog worm infestation, but keep in mind that these symptoms can also be a sign of a more serious problem. Either way, always consult a veterinarian whenever your dog is not “his usual self.”
Dull coat
Weight loss
Appetite loss
Pot-bellied appearance
Coughing
Low energy level
Diarrhea
Vomiting
ROUNDWORMS (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina)
There are two types of Roundworm: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine. This is the most common type of dog worm, which affects the intestines and causes a pot-bellied appearance, mostly in puppies. There are a few ways puppies can become infected. Puppies are often infected before birth through the mother’s uterus or through her milk. Puppies can also contract these worms through the ingestion of an infected animal (such as a rodent) or infected soil. Roundworm eggs can live in soil for many years. Once a puppy has ingested the infected soil, the eggs will hatch in his intestines, allowing the worms to live there and grow to adulthood. These adults will then produce more eggs.
Roundworms may be found in your dog’s stool or vomit. They can grow to about 7 inches in length and have a spaghetti-like appearance. If this type of infestation is not detected early and is allowed a chance to develop, a buildup of worms in the intestines can cause an obstruction which may result in death. The symptoms of a severe infestation are: pot-belly appearance, diarrhea, vomiting, dull coat and weight loss.
Puppies should be dewormed every 2 weeks between 2 and 12 weeks of age, then monthly until he is 6 months old. Once your puppy has reached 6 months of age, he is less susceptible to contracting these worms but should continue yearly exams (or more often if considered high-risk).
Because Roundworm can be transmitted to humans, it is important to promote good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly. Transmission of this dog worm to humans is usually through infected soil, which may be in your backyard or front lawn. Because the eggs are sticky and can easily adhere to hands or clothing, make sure children (and adults) wash their hands after playing outside (especially at a park or playground), after playing with the dog and before it’s time to eat.
Treatment generally involves administering oral medication (dewormer) with follow-up fecal exams and a monthly heartworm medication. Try 1-800-PetMeds - America's Pet Health Resource
Prevent your dog from contracting roundworms by cleaning up fecal matter from the backyard as often as possible. Also, administering a heartworm medication such as HeartGard - Prescription Heartworm medication for Dogs & Cats is a good preventive. Do not mix wormers and consult your vet before giving your dog any medication. And last, but not least, always remember annual exams.
HOOKWORMS (Ancylostoma caninium)
Like Roundworm, Hookworm harbors in the intestines and can also be transmitted to humans. Hookworms can affect a dog at any age. It is a small, thin worm that hooks on to the intestinal wall and sucks the blood from its victim, which cause anemia and perhaps death. Due to their sharp teeth, they also cause bleeding in the intestines. Hookworms are not visible by the naked eye, therefore should be diagnosed by a vet. As with roundworm, hookworms also live and grow to adulthood in the intestines. They can also be transmitted to pups while in the mother’s uterus or through her breast milk. A dog infected with hookworm would experience bloody stool, anemia, weight loss, pale gums, diarrhea and low energy level. Skin irritation can be a sign of a severe infestation.
Hookworms can be transmitted to humans by penetration of the skin, making it is possible for people to become infected simply by walking barefoot on infected soil. Hookworms, when transmitted to humans, can cause bleeding in the intestines along with abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Treatment usually consists of oral medications (dewormer), follow-up fecal exams, intravenous therapy and, if necessary, a blood transfusion. Hookworm infestation can kill your pup before the worm is ever detected. This is why it is so important to keep up with veterinary visits and exams.
TAPEWORMS (Dipylidium caninum)
The tapeworm gets its name from its long, flat, tape-like appearance. It is yet another parasite that affects the intestines, and like the roundworm, can be seen by the naked eye. Broke pieces of this dog worm would be found in the dog’s fecal matter, which give it a rice-like appearance. These pieces of worm, although broken, can be found (still moving) around the dog’s anus, in his stool or in his bed. Common symptoms of severe tapeworm infestation are abdominal pain, nervousness, severe itching around the anus, vomiting and weight loss.
Transmission to dogs is often caused by the ingestion of infected fleas. Although, humans are susceptible to being infected, a dog cannot transmit the dog worm to a human directly.
Regular over-the-counter deworming medication is not effective in eliminating this type of dog worm. A prescription dewormer is administered orally or by injection (praziquantel or epsiprantel). Consult your vet. Try 1-800-PetMeds - America's Pet Health Resource
WHIPWORMS (Trichuris vulpis)
Whipworms are long, thin (whip-shaped) dog worms that live in the dog's colon and are not visible by the naked eye. They attach themselves to the intestinal walls and feed off of them which, in turn, causes intestinal bleeding. Common symptoms of whipworm infestation are anemia, weight loss, flatulence, diarrhea with blood or mucus in the stool and lack of energy.
Although whipworms are the most difficult to eliminate among the families of dog worms, there is effective treatment available.
Whipworm is most effectively treated with fenbendazole (panacur), but febantel can also be used. Prescription medications are usually more effective. The treatment lasts for up to 5 days and is repeated after 3 weeks. After this treatment is finished, consult your vet about recommending a heartworm medication (containing milbemycin oxime) as a prophylactic to future infestation. Try 1-800-PetMeds - America's Pet Health Resource
Along with administering heartworm medication regularly, here are other ways to prevent reinfection:
Remove feces from backyard every few days
Clean yard with a safe cleaning agent (which kills worms)
Have feces tested every 6 months (more often if previously infected)
HEARTWORMS (Dirofilaria immitis)
Heartworm, although highly preventable, has the potential to be fatal, if contracted and left untreated.
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, mostly during the warm months when mosquitoes are most active. The mosquito becomes infected from biting dogs that carry the disease. These dog worms destroy the muscle and tissue of the heart, which can cause congestive heart failure and result in death. At this advanced stage, your dog would experience the typical signs of worms, such as pot-belly, coughing, lack of energy and dull coat.
Unfortunately, there are no symptoms of this disease until it has progressed to an advanced stage. For this reason, it is important to start your dog on a heartworm preventative such as HeartGard - Prescription Heartworm medication for Dogs & Cats at 6 months of age (after the first stage deworming process is complete. Check with your vet). Prevention is the best medicine.
General guidelines for dog worm prevention
When walking your dog in a park, picking up his feces as a standard practice not only prevents soil contamination, but also prevents the spread of many other dog diseases.
Regular visits to the vet and stool testing is a great way to prevent dog worms, as well as other illnesses. Twice-yearly worm testing is recommended. Make sure your dog is tested for worms before starting a heartworm preventative.
High-risk dogs should be screened more often (check with your vet).
Flea control is important because fleas are responsible for the spread of tapeworms.
Most puppies find feces quite appetizing. Keep your dog away from feces: his own as well as others. This is the most common form of worm infestation.
When cleaning your dog’s area, such as his bed or crate, spray it with a strong saltwater solution and let dry. This aids in the prevention of worms.
Before traveling with your dog to obscure destinations, consult your vet of the potential risks to your dog.
Avoid exposing your dog to stray animals, birds and dead rodents, which often harbor immature tapeworms that can mature inside your dog.
Contact your vet if your dog displays any symptoms after receiving worm medication.
This information is NOT intended to replace the advice of a veterinarian, dog trainer or pet care professional.
Nancy Settecasi, Owner of Happy K-9 Dog Care Proud owner of Cookie and Skippy, Cocker Spaniels, Dog Lover http://www.happyk-9.com
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Dog Illness Symptoms
Here are a few initial signs of dog sickness that you can check and notice by yourself.
1) Behaviour Change
First sign of illness is having depression feeling, clear sign of anxiety, tired and fatigue easily, sleep often, shaking or trembling etc.
2) Change in Temperature, Heart and Respiratory Rate
Normal body temperature for new born little puppies is usually around 94 to 97 degree fahrenheit (34 to 36 degree celsius) while adult dog is 101 degree fahrenheit (38 degree celsius). For measuring method you must insert the thermometer into your puppies rectum. Dog body temperature can change by 2 to 3 degree if they are excited so you should keep your pet calm first before the measurement. If the result went over 105 degree fahrenheit (40 degree celsius) then you must take your dog to your local veterinarian as quick as possible because this is the initial signs of serious illness.
3) Sing of Pain
When your dog is hurt, having some kind of pain or injury, they will usually give a clue to their owner for example if your dog is having stomach pain then they will often look at the spot which cause pain and try to relieve the spot or area by licking, biting, scratching etc. They will usually stay in bed when they feel that they are having some kind of illness.
4) Other sign of dog illness symptoms
Vomiting, significant decrease or increase in weight, unwilling to eat food, drink less water, loss of appetite, change in skin color, hair drop, sign of burn, eye become red, blood in urine, bad mouth smell etc.
The dog illness symptoms mentions above is only initial signs to show that you dog is getting sick. You as their owner must spend most of your times staying with them to learn their normal behaviours so when they get sick you can easily notice by the change in their action and behaviours.
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Pregnant dog symptoms
There are instances when you as owner don't realize your dog is pregnant. Dog breeding occurs even without you being aware of it. Majority of owners are wary about taking their pets under confinement especially when delivering puppies. To determine if conception is taking place, you should know the pregnant dog symptoms. Before anything else, try to identify if your do has reached sexual maturity which is determined between six months and 16 months depending on the breed of your dog. Usually, a dog should be between 18 and 24 months old before getting pregnant and conceive a puppy or puppies.
Pregnant dog symptoms can manifest in female dogs if she's bred in her heat succession. Pregnancy can hang on for 63 days since the day your dog's first breeding. However, it can shorter or longer than that. The heat cycle starts with release of eggs shown when her vulva is swollen and she discharges some blood. It is during this time when a male dog is attracted to her. Next heat phase is when the dog is fertile for 2 to 20 days. Vulva is still swollen but softer and bloody discharge is light red. In this phase, she doesn't want any male to mate her maybe because she's pregnant or her cycle has lapsed. Majority of dogs can cycle two times per year.
Early on, you can already detect pregnant dog symptoms. If you notice your dog being less enthusiastic to take her meal, then she might be pregnant. Other early indicators include nipple growth, sudden weakness to undertake physical activities, and behavioral shift like she wants to be alone most of the time. These signs are apparent enough to get noticed.
As your dog's pregnancy steps forward, you will notice progressing dog pregnant symptoms. You will notice your dog will likely wanting to eat more than usual. Her body starts to increase in size as manifested in her thickening belly. Late-term indicators of pregnancy are mostly obvious as your dog flaunts a definite abdomen size increase, puppy starts to move and milk is starting to leak a bit from your dog's nipples. The most secured and certain means of identifying whether your dog is pregnant is visiting your veterinarian. You don't want any false conclusions.
Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author.To learn more about pregnant dog symptoms, please visit Owners and Their Dogs Site for current articles and discussions.
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Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Making Dog Treats is a Labor of Love Making peanut butter dog treats is definitely a labor of love for your dog. While they are not difficult to make, you'll find that they do take a bit of time. However, if you love your dog, no doubt you'll be thrilled to do this little thing for him. This way you'll be able to show him your love and affection by offering him some great treats when he's a "good boy."
Dog Foods Can Be Dangerous - So Making Treats is a Great Idea Another reason that you should definitely consider making your own peanut butter dog treats is because dog foods can be dangerous. Many studies are now showing how dangerous commercial dog foods can really be for our dogs. In fact, many dogs actually die prematurely or end up with horrible diseases from eating dog foods that are on the market today. If you want to make sure that you keep your dog protected from this problem, consider making your dog food and dog treats instead of purchasing them at the store.
How to Make Peanut Butter Dog Treats Wondering how to make these dog treats? Well, here are some instructions that will help. First of all, you'll want to make sure that you have all the ingredients that you need. You'll need to have whole wheat flour, regular all purpose flour, peanut butter, milk, and baking powder.
You'll be baking the treats in the oven at 400 degrees. While you are preheating the oven, go ahead and mix 1 and ¼ cup of milk and 1 and ¼ cup of peanut butter together until the mixture is nice and smooth. In another bowl, combine together 1 ¼ tables spoons of baking powder along with two cups of whole wheat flour and a cup of all purpose flour. Then add the wet ingredients in. Start kneading the dough you have with your hands, and if it gets to dry, add a bit of mile. Roll the dough out, then cut out the peanut butter dog treats and bake them.
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Dog Labor Symptoms - What You Need to Know
During the pregnancy you might have seen her rearranging her most comfortable spot. The spot where she will most likely have her pups. Maybe she took her little stuffed animal toys in there and simulated guarding and nurturing them like she will be doing in a few days or perhaps a few hours when the little ones arrive. It's time now to start looking for dog labor symptoms.
Well if you're a dog breeder, you probably have a thermometer for your dog to take your dogs temperature. If you do and you notice a drastic decline in your dogs body temperature, that's the first sign of dog labor symptoms.
After that watch her for a while! If she starts vomiting to empty her stomach, that's the second sign of dog labor symptoms. This may happen anywhere between two days and a couple of hours before she starts to go into labor.
If you notice signs of erratic behavior, digging up the blankets in her favorite spot, turning everything in her den upside down, looking like she's trying to do everything to make herself comfortable but it just doesn't seem to be working, these are signs of dog labor symptoms.
She'll be nice and quit one moment, then the next she's following you around the house consistently, trying to be close to you, maybe sleeping under your bed for long periods of time then staying up half the night pacing around with the feeling she just can't get comfortable.
She's definitely going to stay close to her favorite spot during this period of time, and don't be alarmed if she gets very protective of her den and maybe even a little aggressive of anybody in the house that she's not familiar with.
Noticing these signs of dog labor symptoms will allow you to be prepared and ready, and you will also be able to show your dog with compassion and confident actions that you know she's ready and this in turn will give her the comfort she needs to begin.
So remember, check her body temperature, if there's a drop in body temperature, keep a close eye on her. If she empties her stomach around this time the labor will start anywhere between a couple of hours and a few days.
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Dog heat symptoms
Female dog heat symptoms can be recognized during what experts call the estrous cycle. While the estrous cycle takes place, your female dog has a high chance of getting pregnant if she has intercourse. In this article I will tell you all about the 3 most common symptoms of dog in heat and were you must learn all about them.
Female Dog Heat Symptoms
1. The most common dog heat symptom takes place during the first part of the estrous cycle. You can recognize it because she will have a high increase in urination and also the female dog's vulva will swell. It is not as easy to detect in smaller dogs so you will have to pay close attention.
2. Another very common heat symptom is blood discharge from the dog's vagina. So don't worry if this happens, it is a common, natural symptoms of dog in heat. It doesn't mean that she is sick.
3. Sometimes female dog heat symptoms are hard to recognize, but this one you can't miss. Male dogs will follow the female dog like a magnet, they can easily recognize female dog heat from a distance, so they will even hang around your house. Be careful, during the heat cycle the female dog will allow the male to mount her, so don't let her out of sight or not only will she end up pregnant, but she can get disease from street dogs.
The heat cycle lasts around 90 days and they have it approximately every 7 months. You can check for pregnancy by monitoring her progesterone levels.
Female dog heat symptoms are not to be taken lightly. Dog health and training can be a very complicated subject if you don't know what you are doing. That is why I will point you towards a website that has a few reviews on the best dog information products out there, don't think twice about purchasing them, they are a must have if you want your dog in good health (not only the symptoms of dog in heat) and properly trained.
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Dog Pregnancy Symptoms - How to identify
The following list is the progressive signs of dog pregnancy. It is important to note that not every bitch will experience each and every symptom. It is usually the presence of a group of symptoms that gives owners a decent idea of whether their dog is truly pregnant.
1. Anything that deviates from your bitch's normal behavior might be an early indication of pregnancy. For example, a stand-offish bitch may suddenly become clingy, while a normally affectionate bitch may seek to be left alone.
2. Many bitches will experience a drop in their appetite during the first few weeks of pregnancy, becoming reluctant to eat anything. Eventually, their appetite returns with gusto and they will require nearly twice their normal amount of food to support the pups.
3. Some, but not all, bitches will vomit intermittently during the first few weeks of pregnancy. This can range from clear mucous to actual food. The use of the word "morning" can be a bit misleading since the vomiting can occur at any time of day.
4. Many females will show some level of breast development after a heat cycle. However, continued breast growth is a good indicator that a pregnancy is under way.
5. Many bitches will spend a good deal of their time resting, if not fully sleeping. This is mainly noticed during the early and final stages with the bitch rebounding a bit during mid-pregnancy.
6. This is natural and should only be cause for alarm if the discharge develops a foul odor or a brownish color. Green discharge, especially late in the pregnancy is usually a sign that a pup has defecated in uterus.
7. As the pregnancy progresses, the growing pups will naturally cause the bitch's abdomen to grow in size. This growth usually isn't noticeable until mid-pregnancy.
8. The continued breast development noted in early and mid-pregnancy typically leads to milk production during the last stage of gestation. However, some females won't produce milk until the puppies actually begin to nurse, so a lack of milk is nothing to worry about at this point.
9. Once the puppies reach decent size, they can be felt by gently laying your hand on your bitch's abdomen. You won't feel movement if the pups are asleep, so the best time to check is after your bitch has had some mild exercise, such as right after a walk.
The surest way to know if your dog is pregnant is to visit the vet. At 20-30 days post conception, an experienced vet will be able to feel the dog's abdomen and know if she is pregnant. 25 days after breeding, the vet will be able to detect fetuses with an ultrasound, and 45 days after breeding, the number of pups can be determined by an X-ray. A dog's pregnancy lasts, on average, 63 days. There is lots of room for variation in this, with some birthing as early as 54 days or as late as 74 days.
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Dog Parvo Symptoms - Dog Illnesses Symptoms
Dog Parvo Symptoms
1. The most common symptoms of dog parvo are when your dog has high diarrhea and vomiting. If you start seeing these symptoms in your dog or puppy, you better start to get worried about your dog illnesses symptoms.
2. Another way the parvorious virus manifests itself is when your dog has depression, lack of hunger and high fevers. Don't worry I will tell you exactly how you can help your .dog illnesses symptoms.
3. Secondary dog parvo symptoms, are more intense, you will identify high levels of vomit and bloody diarrhea. Parvorious is a very complicated viral disease, if you start to observe such symptoms your dog is in danger of dying. There is a way to treat it, but you better be able to identify these symptoms.
When you see these types of symptoms take your dog or puppy immediately to your veterinary. Although that is not enough...
If you don't know how to treat dog parvo symptoms, the victims will die of dehydration. This is why I will show you a webpage that reviews the best dog health and dog training information products. If I were you, I wouldn't think twice about purchasing these books. They are a must have to know about your dog's health, otherwise it might be too late, even if you are able to take him to the vet, if you don't know what to do when observing these dog illnesses symptoms, your puppy is most likely to die.
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