A Small Lesson In Getting Rid Of Fleas

By J Anne Moore

Being a responsible pet owner means that you must take your pet's health and welfare seriously. One such aspect that must be taken very seriously is the inevitable experiences with dog fleas. Dog fleas can seriously affect your pet's health. Your dog's ability to get a good sleep will be hampered. In addition, the itching and biting can take a serious toll on your dog's coat and skin.

The first steps involve ridding your pet of fleas. The next steps involve ridding your pet's environment of fleas. If you do not get rid of fleas in your home, your pet will quickly get re-infested. Once you have gotten rid of fleas on your pet and cleaned your home of fleas, you should take some preventative steps. These last steps will minimize your pet's chances of getting fleas in the future.

Thankfully, ridding your pet of fleas has gotten easier. There are now readily available products that can be applied to your pet's coat. These products, including Frontline and Advantage, can rid your pet of fleas within 2-3 days. You simply apply a small amount of the solution to the back base of the animal's neck. With natural scratching and licking your animal will spread this solution around their entire body. The solutions are non-toxic and very effective.

Some people prefer to use natural means to rid their pet of fleas. These natural or homeopathic methods work well but are slightly less effective, more time consuming per individual application, can be slightly messy and may take a longer period of time to actually work. If your pet is not suffering too much then you have nothing to lose by trying one of the natural methods. Some people use olive oil to get rid of fleas while other people use baby powder/talcum powder to get rid of fleas.

As previously mentioned it is critical that you also get rid of any lingering fleas in your house. The extent of house cleaning will depend on the extent of the infestation. At the very least all areas where the animal sleeps must be vacuumed or even stem cleaned. All bedding, blankets, and linens that have come into contact with the animal must be washed.

Once your pet and home are free of fleas you can take some steps to prevent future infestations. There are a number of ways to avoid future infestations. Some people add small amounts of garlic to their pet food. Other people like to douse a bandanna in citronella oil and tie it around the animal's neck. There are also commercially available flea prevention medications that your pets can ingest once every few months. For more information on getting rid of fleas or flea prevention speak to your vet. - 31975

About the Author:

Read more about finding a cure for dog fleas at my dog has fleas.

Is Acupuncture Right For Your Dog?

By Lee Reid

Acupuncture is a method renowned for its healing effects. But did you know it works equally well on animals? Canine acupuncture is a common form of therapy used by many pet owners to help their dogs.

Acupuncture has been around for over thousands of years and is known to have originated in China. This form of therapy is implemented by inserting thin needles into identified acupuncture points in the body along pathways called meridians , to provide relief for several diseases. This is based on the theory that in order to heal, the energy in the body needs to be well-balanced.

If you are thinking about canine acupuncture for your dog,you should visit a canine acupuncturist, who would commence canine acupuncture treatment after carrying out a thorough check up. It is essential that you go to a canine acupuncturist who is licensed, so as to ensure safe treatment. It is best that you first take your dog to its regular doctor who will refer you to an acupuncturist. Several websites online also have lists of veterinarian acupuncturists.

Canine acupuncture is said to be relaxing and may therefore make your dog drowsy. Canine acupuncture is said to be relatively painless. Pet owners therefore need not worry about their dogs suffering while canine acupuncture is being done.

Canine acupuncture could handle other disorders such as arthritis, various allergies and problems with regard to fertility, among others. Canine acupuncture treatment does not last very long. It lasts a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes. Based on your dogs condition and other important matters regarding your dogs health, the number of sittings will be specified. Usually it would take around 5 sessions to cure the dog of its ailments. Not only does canine acupuncture help deal with physical ailments, but is also known to help improve psychological and emotional ailments. What better way to keep your dog healthy! - 31975

About the Author:

Lee is a fan of all things about pets and travel. Visit his latest site about where to find the best values for rolling duffle bag luggage online at low prices.

Canine Influenza

By Joanne Gallagher

The Flu and the Swine Flu have been the hot topic during the last few months. Dogs are not exempt from catching the flu. Canine Influenza is an A H3N8 influenza virus that has been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years. In 2004, however, cases of an unknown respiratory illness in dogs (initially greyhounds) were reported. This virus has spread to dogs and can now spread between dogs.

Because this flu virus is new to dogs, most dogs will not have a natural immunity. The signs of canine flu are similar to kennel cough, with a thick nasal discharge and mild low grade fever.

Canine influenza is spread by airborne discharge and contaminated surfaces. The virus can stay alive on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours, and on hands for 12 hours. Therefore kennels, crates, food and water bowls, collars and leashes and people moving between infected and uninfected dogs have ample time to spread the virus.

There are comparable respiratory infections that imitate the Dog Flu. Two different blood samples can verify that it is indeed canine influenza. The first is taken while the dog is ill and the second a couple of weeks later.

There currently a vaccine for this virus called H3N8. It has been established to lessen the occurrence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the extent of the cough and length of the virus. The vaccine is made from the non-active virus and is administered by injection in two doses, separated by two to four weeks. The Canine Flu vaccine can be given annually to dogs older than six weeks. Owners should seek the advice of their local veterinarian to ascertain whether the vaccine is appropriate for their dog.

Presently, there is no proof that humans can contract the canine influenza virus from dogs. There are no recognized cases of humans infected with the virus. This virus is only known to infect and spread between dogs.

Just like the Swine Flu and the Seasonal Flu, it is likely that the Dog Flu will continue to spread. Taking precautions and taking proper care of your pet, should keep your dog healthy during this flu season. There is no need for alarm and avoiding dog parks, kennels, grooming or other places you typically take your dog. Reputable Pet Professionals keep their establishments sanitized and are aware of unhealthy symptoms of their clients.

For additional data on Canine Influenza, look into these additional websites: Dr. Cynda Crawford (University of Florida) at www.canineflu.org and information from the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org. - 31975

About the Author:

We as human are always vigilant about our health and that of our family and sometimes don't realize that our pets may be living in unhealthy circumstances. As a expert in dog health and care Joanne Gallagher at Jake's Dog House suggests visiting your veterinarian when you notice any signs of canine influenza.

Parvo in Puppies

By Geraldine Dimarco

Before we look at the symptoms of parvovirus in your dog lets take a look at what it is, what it does and how it is spread. Parvovirus is a virus first identified in'78 that spread worldwide in just two years. Over the years, the virus has mutated into two distinct strains and there is evidence of a third strain in Spain, Italy and Vietnam. All cases of canine parvovirus or CPV come from the first two strains. It was originally thought that the virus would mutate into the feline panleukopenia, a feline parvovirus but this was found to be untrue. All species have their own parvovirus but it is not spread outside the species.

Parvo virus cannot be spread directly from a dog to a cat or from a bird to a cat, but it can be spread by contact. For example if you cat happens to wander through your neighbor's yard and picks up the virus on her feet, she can bring it into your home and may infect your dog that way. Unfortunately, our 8 month old puppy that we acquired from the pound recently came down with parvo virus. She had all of the classic dog parvo symptoms, yet we did not realize what was wrong. We took her to our vet and treatment was commenced immediately. After a four day stay at the veterinary hospital, Lucy was ready to come home. And although we have since found out about more natural parvo virus treatments, we were actually very pleasantly surprised by our vet bill!

The parvo virus works in one of two ways ? through the heart or the intestines. The intestinal infection is picked up by an animal through oral contact with contaminated feces. In other words, a dog has to come into contaminated feces from another dog. The intestinal dog parvo symptoms happen when the virus attacks rapidly dividing cells in the intestinal crypts, lymph nodes and bone marrow. This allows normally occurring bacteria from the intestine to enter the blood stream make the animal contagious. The virus is shed in the stool for up to three weeks making this disease very contagious to non-vaccinated pets.

The cardio form of this infection is often seen in puppies that are infected from the womb or shortly after birth. It is well worth noting that the cardiac form of CPV is not as common since the mother passes immunity on to her puppies from birth. The parvo virus then attacks the heart in the infected pup and death results shortly thereafter.

Dog parvo symptoms usually present themselves within 3 to 10 days of contact. They include the following: lethargy, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. The diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and secondary infections. The dog will not usually die from the virus but from a secondary infection.

The survival rate depends upon how swiftly parvo virus is diagnosed and treatment is begun. If the virus is not caught early on, the usual treatment is given through an IV line in which fluids are pushed to re-hydrate the puppy or dog more quickly. In addition to giving fluids, anti-nausea and antibiotic shots may be given intramuscularly. Given the proper care, the prognosis is good, but if care is withheld your dog will die prematurely. Most vets will strongly suggest that your pet be vaccinated against parvo about eight weeks after a puppy is weaned. - 31975

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To discover the facts about parvo symptoms and ideas on how to treat parvo without needles and potentially harmful chemicals, consider treating parvo symptoms naturally.

Urinary Tract Infection in Dog

By Geraldine Dimarco

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs has become common. This condition arises when bacteria gains access inside your dog?s body and overcomes its immune system. As a responsible dog owner, it is our responsibility to ensure that our dog is in top shape and free from health risks such as this.

There are several ways to tell if your dog is suffering from urinary tract infection. It is important that as a dog owner, you be alert and knowledgeable enough to know the telltale signs of urinary tract infection in your dog. Some symptoms may include blood in the dog?s urine, a foul smell in the dog?s urine, a change in its urinating pattern, and an abrupt change in its behavior. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian so your dog would immediately be given proper medication.

There are two classifications of dog urinary tract infections. One is upper urinary tract infection and the other is lower urinary tract infection. These two kinds of dog urinary problems produce different signs and symptoms. Upper urinary tract infection is usually associated with weight loss, anorexia, and vomiting. On the other hand, lower urinary tract infection is associated mostly with abnormalities and incontinence or a change in the dog?s urinating pattern.

The most effective way to tell if your dog is suffering from dog urinary tract infections is to observe your dog?s urinating habits. Check if your dog has enough urine every time he pees. If you notice that your dog has to make several attempts before it can excrete urine out of its body, chances are it is suffering from dog urinary problems. A worst scenario is your dog not being able to urinate at all. In this instance, you have to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately as it may already be suffering from a serious case of bladder problem.

Another way to tell if your dog is showing signs of dog urinary problems in their early stages is to observe your dog while taking it out for a walk. Any sign of irregularity, such as cringing in pain, may be a sign that your dog has urinary problems. Foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine, tender bladder, and a reduction of the amount of the dog?s urine are signs that you should bring your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If left untreated, your dog could suffer from a more severe case of infection and eventually die.

A combination of these natural ingredients can bring effective relief to canine urinary tract infection.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then chances are your dog has UTI. In such cases, it is best to bring your dog to the veterinarian so that it will be given proper medication. Do not try to give your dog antibiotics from your shelf, which are usually prescribed for humans as such medicines may not be advisable for dogs. It is always best to consult a veterinarian before giving your dog any medication.

Dog urinary tract infections are life-threatening for dogs. However, they are highly curable. The most important thing is that as a dog owner, you are able to suppress the growth of the infection by knowing its different signs and symptoms. - 31975

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Trying to find a solution to dog urinary tract infection or looking for information on canine incontinence, look no further.

Dog Mouth Health Problems

By Geraldine Dimarco

Ideally, dog teeth cleaning should be a routine part of your pet's regular care and their teeth should be brushed on a daily basis, or at least every other day or so. Because dog teeth are just as susceptible to disease and decay as are human teeth, it's extremely important keep tartar and plaque at bay to protect your dog's precious health.

Dental Disease and Your Dog's Health

Dogs can get many of the same tooth, gum and mouth diseases as we can - and since your dog can't tell you if they have a toothache, pet owners have to make sure to take care of their dog's teeth. Left alone, a tooth infection can lead to more serious problems with their vital organs.

You dog's diet has a real impact on their dental health. Dog food and treats which are fortified and made specifically to keep your dogs' teeth in good shape are a healthy choice for your pet. While you can have your dogs' teeth cleaned by your vet, this is very expensive and since your dog must be anesthetized for this to be done, can actually be dangerous for your pet! Professional cleaning should only be done in extreme cases.

Getting Your Pet Used to Dog Teeth Cleaning

Even if your dog is no longer a puppy you can train them to accept having their teeth brushed with some patience and perseverance. Both dogs and puppies alike can be acclimated to having the toothbrush in their mouths simply by starting out using your finger and a dab of peanut butter.

Your pet will lick your finger (and the peanut butter). You can start rubbing their teeth and gums while praising your dog. After a few days you r dog will become accustomed to this and you can start trying it with a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. Rub the teeth and gums with your finger just as you would with a toothbrush. When your dog gets used to this procedure, you can start using a real toothbrush.

Don't use toothpaste made for people - this will give your dog an upset stomach. Use dog toothpaste instead; these are designed to be appealing to dogs. Let your dog lick some off of the brush, then add more and start brushing.

Lift your dogs' gums so that you can reach their teeth, especially the canines. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle for the best result. This lets you clean the gums and teeth at the same time. Brush using a circular motion and don't forget your dogs' back teeth, which are more susceptible to disease and decay.

Make dog teeth cleaning a happy occasion for your dog. Keep low key to prevent your dog from getting too excited to hold still. You should only need abut a minute to get your dogs' teeth clean and make sure that they stay healthy and happy. - 31975

About the Author:

Canine teeth cleaning is important to your dog's health, and dog teeth cleaning can be effected in a number of ways. Keep your dog's teeth clean by brushing your dog's teeth, by a healthy diet, and by adding a dog teeth cleaning agent to your dog's drinking water. All can play a part in keeping your dog's teeth healthy.

Canine Urinary Tract Infections

By Geraldine Dimarco

Raising a dog is like raising a baby. Like our own children, they look up to us to give them food, shelter, and proper nourishment. As a responsible dog owner, it is our responsibility to give them the best care we can and to make sure they are given proper health care.

There are several ways to tell if your dog is suffering from urinary tract infection. It is important that as a dog owner, you be alert and knowledgeable enough to know the telltale signs of urinary tract infection in your dog. Some symptoms may include blood in the dog?s urine, a foul smell in the dog?s urine, a change in its urinating pattern, and an abrupt change in its behavior. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian so your dog would immediately be given proper medication.

Dog urinary tract infection is a rising health problem in today?s society. Previous studies have revealed that approximately--% of the entire dog population in the whole world is bound to contract canine urinary tract infection.

The most effective way to tell if your dog is suffering from dog urinary tract infections is to observe your dog?s urinating habits. Check if your dog has enough urine every time he pees. If you notice that your dog has to make several attempts before it can excrete urine out of its body, chances are it is suffering from dog urinary problems. A worst scenario is your dog not being able to urinate at all. In this instance, you have to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately as it may already be suffering from a serious case of bladder problem.

As in the case of humans, female dogs are more likely to develop UTI than male dogs. This is because bacteria can develop more rapidly in female dogs because they have a shorter urethra compared to their male counterparts.

A combination of these natural ingredients can bring effective relief to canine urinary tract infection.

Other than the herbal methods mentioned above, another natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs is to give your dog ample amount of clean water to drink everyday. Water flushes out bacteria and prevents them from staying and causing further damage to the gall bladder. Also, give your dog a regular bath. This will prevent the bacteria from spreading into the dog?s urethra and thus minimizes the spread of infection. Giving your dog dietary supplements which could boost its overall health and well-being is also a great way to help reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Dietary supplements rich in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids could help improve your dog?s immune system. Examples of these are apple cider vinegar and citrus juices such as lime juice and orange juice. Cider vinegar and citrus juices neutralize bacteria in the urine and in the process, prevent them from causing more harm.

Dog urinary tract infections are life-threatening for dogs. However, they are highly curable. The most important thing is that as a dog owner, you are able to suppress the growth of the infection by knowing its different signs and symptoms. - 31975

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If you are looking for a solution to urinary tract infection in dogs or searching for a remedy for dog incontinence, look to the experts.