Is Kennel Cough Really That Big Of A Deal?

April 30th, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments Off   

Unfortunately, kennel cough does not get nearly the kind of exposure it deserves when it comes to television advertising. You won’t find any ads about the dangers of the cough or what it can lead to when sandwiched between commercials for ADT security reviews and the like, and that’s really a shame when you think about it. Of course, truth be told, it’s not so much the cough itself that poses the danger – it’s how it can weaken the dog’s immune system and lead to other more serious complications.

Kennel cough, like its name, is a respiratory condition most dogs pick up whenever people decide to board their animals or place them in kennels where they are in constant, close proximity to other dogs. This is usually how the disease spreads so fast, but like I said earlier, it’s not the cough that is the problem, it’s what can develop. Diseases like pneumonia and a serious breakdown in your canine’s ability to resist illness are all some of the more major results of kennel cough. That’s why kennel cough should be treated the minute symptoms present. Otherwise, it could be too late for your canine companion and nobody wants that.

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What is the proper diet for a diabetic dog?

August 6th, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off   

Like people, dogs can get diabetes. It can be a genetic problem or due largely to poor diet, also like in humans. If is due to diet and the dog is overweight, putting him on a weight loss diet and increasing its exercise is essential or he will die young. Carefully consult with your veterinarian for a healthy weight loss diet for your dog.

If the dog has developed diabetes as a genetic predisposition, it is also essential to maintain a proper diet. Insulin shots may need to be given every twelve hours and diet and feeding times will Continue reading

Can cat food really give your dog cataracts?

August 3rd, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off   

Not really. Although cataracts in dogs can be caused by insufficient nutrition, they are more often a sign of diabetes or simple aging. Diabetes in dogs is a result of the same thing it is in humans…genetics and obesity. As cat food is not optimized for dogs, it could cause ‘insufficient nutrition’ if fed to a dog as a sole diet.

However, feeding cat food, which tends to be richer and more concentrated, to a dog could cause obesity, thus diabetes, thus indirectly result in cataracts. Dogs should also not be fed cat food for several other Continue reading

Why should you express a dog’s anal gland?

July 30th, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off   

An important step in dog grooming and health care is making sure your dog’s anal glands are expressed on a regular basis. Every dog has two small glands just inside their anus, which produce a secretion that has a unique odor the dog uses for marking their territory and communicating with other animals. These glands are normally expressed each time your pet has a normal bowel movement. However, if your dog has soft stool or diarrhea, the anal sacs may not empty on their own. This causes impacted anal glands, which may lead to infection and Continue reading

How to determine and treat a dog with parvo?

July 28th, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off   

Parvovirus, which is often shortened to “Parvo”, is a serious illness that inflicts the canine species. It usually strikes during the puppy years, but a dog of any age is susceptible. Dogs contract this disease through oral contact with a previously infected dogs feces. This contact does not have to be direct, as this virus can survive in soil for over a year. An infected dog will display symptoms of the illness 5 to 10 days later. These symptoms Continue reading