How to Prepare Your Dog before Visiting a Dog Park?

If you are fortunate to live near the dog park and you have a dog, it is a best place for both of you to take healthy exercise and socialization. You can bring your dog at the dog park every weekend and let him play with other dogs. But before going to the park you should be prepared to make your visits safe and fun. First, know the rules of the park and follow guidance on how to use the park. Your dogs must be properly inoculated. He is license, wearing a dog collar with ID and rabies tags, and free of viral infections. Your dogs must be leashed until they are inside the fenced, off leash area.

You should recognize risks associated with interactions with other dogs and take protection to minimize these risks. The common risk is the spread of infectious disease. To avoid this kind of risk make sure all your dog vaccinations are up to date.

At Dog Park dog fight can’t be avoided and it happens sometime. To lessen this situation you need to train your dog well. Make sure your dog always comes when called and is well-behaved when interacting with other dogs, new people, and children.

When playing in the hot sun, your dog may not notice that it is getting overheated. Make sure your dog takes breaks in the shade, gets plenty of water, and does not play for long periods in the hot mid-day sun. Remember these tips when you go to a dog park for you to have a happy visit.

Canine Diabetes

Like humans, dogs can acquire diabetes too. Dogs with diabetes need utmost care and support because it is a life-threatening disease that every pet owner should be very concerned about.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the beta cells of the endocrine pancreas either stop producing insulin or can no longer produce it in enough quantity for the body's needs. The body's energy "fuel" is glucose; without insulin, cells are not able to use the glucose for its intended purpose, so glucose begins building up in the blood where it can be seen as hyperglycemia or high blood glucose levels. This most common form of diabetes (There is another form not covered here, Diabetes insipidus.) strikes 1 in 500 dogs. The condition is treatable, and need not shorten the animal's life span or interfere with quality of life. If left untreated, the condition can lead to cataracts, increasing weakness in the legs (neuropathy), malnutrition, ketoacidosis and/or dehydration, and death. Diabetes mainly affects middle-aged and older dogs, but there have also been juvenile cases. The typical canine diabetes patient is middle-aged, female and overweight at diagnosis.

There are two types of diabetes, and dogs may acquire either of these types if they’re not cared for properly. The two types are diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is an endocrine disease that is brought about by the malfunction of the endocrine glands.

Diabetes insipidus is characterized by the lack of vasopressin. Vasopressin is an anti-diuretic hormone whose job is to control the kidney’s absorption of water.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin deficiency. It is a condition where the dog’s body can’t metabolize sugar well. This is the more common and more dangerous type of diabetes that dogs can possibly acquire.

Generally there's a gradual onset of the disease over a few weeks, and it may escape notice for a while. The main symptoms are:

* excessive water consumption-- Polydipsia
* frequent and/or excessive urination-- Polyuria --possible house "accidents"
* greater than average appetite-- Polyphagia --with either weight loss or maintenance of current weight
* cloudy eyes-- Cataracts

Early diagnosis and interventive treatment can mean reduced incidence of complications such as cataracts and neuropathy. Since dogs are insulin-dependent, oral drugs are not effective for them,[9][15][16] and must instead be placed on insulin replacement therapy. Approved oral diabetes drugs can be helpful to sufferers of Type 2 diabetes because they work in one of three ways-by inducing the pancreas to produce more insulin, to allow the bodies to more effectively utilize the insulin it produces, or by slowing the glucose absorption rate from the GI tract. Unapproved and so-called "natural" remedies make similar claims for their products. All of this is based on the premise of having an endocrine pancreas which has beta cells capable of producing insulin. Those with type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes, have beta cells which are permanently damaged, thus unable to produce insulin. This is the form diabetes takes in dogs-insulin-dependency-and the reason why nothing except using insulin by injections, insulin pump, or islet transplants can be considered real and effective treatment.

The most common form of this treatment is an intermediate-acting basal insulin (NPH/isophane, Caninsulin/Vetsulin), with a regimen of food and insulin every 12 hours, insulin following the meal. With Lantus (insulin glargine) being unreliable in dogs, it is rarely used to treat canine diabetes. Most dogs don't require basal/bolus insulin injections.

The management of dog diabetes starts with a proper diet. There are foods that your dog should eat in order to help this condition. On the other hand, there are certain foods that can possibly make your dog's diabetes become worse. When your dog is suffering from diabetes, regular visits to the vet are essential. You may also be required to start using prepared meals instead of giving your dog its regular food.

Which Foods Could be Dangerous for My Dog?

Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat.

Items to avoid	Reasons to avoid
Alcoholic beverages	Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Baby food	Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources	Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Cat food	Generally too high in protein and fats.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine	Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
Citrus oil extracts	Can cause vomiting.
Fat trimmings	Can cause pancreatitis.
Grapes and raisins	Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.
Hops	Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron	Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Large amounts of liver	Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia nuts	Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Marijuana	Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
Milk and other dairy products	Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Moldy or spoiled food, garbage	Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
Mushrooms	Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder)	Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Persimmons	Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Pits from peaches and plums	Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems	Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.
Raw eggs	Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
Raw fish	Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.
Salt	If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
String	Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."
Sugary foods	Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Table scraps (in large amounts)	Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.
Tobacco	Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.
Yeast dough	Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
Xylitol (artificial sweetener)	Can cause liver failure.

Source: http://www.peteducation.com/

How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop

Dog poop eating is gross, but not necessarily detrimental to your dog’s health, and it can generally be stopped. Many dogs, particularly puppies, partake in a habit known as coprophagy – eating their own feces or the feces of other animals. Sometimes Coprophagia, can be an indication of more serious problems though, and you should have your pal checked out by a vet.

Most common reasons dogs eat their own waste are:

* Problem: lack of nutrients in his diet - Dogs that have parasites or worms do not digest food properly, because the parasites consume many of the nutrients. Dogs may try to re-digest the food to get all of the nutrients they can from it.
Solution: Have your dog tested for worms.

* Problem: Stress - When dogs are in high stress situations they may behave differently. These differences include eating, which includes eating their own waste.
Solution: Did you just adopt your dog? If so, give him some time to adjust! Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress.

Here are some tips on how to stop a dog from eating feces:

*The living or wandering area of the dog should be properly maintained. Pet owners should train the dog to defecate in a designated area. A dog might be forced to eat his feces in order to keep his surroundings clean.

*Consult a veterinarian specializing in animal behavior about this complex problem, called coprophagia. Although veterinarians and animal behaviorists are unsure what causes the disorder, it can often be controlled with behavioral modification or drug therapy when it's properly diagnosed.

*Dogs should be fed in a timely manner. Twice a day of equal servings is ideal. This practice is advisable to prevent a dog from eating feces because of hunger.

*Buy a food additive - such as Deter or Forbid - or dry kibble that makes feces unappetizing to dogs, and add it to your dog's food if he's into eating his own. These products contain a chemical, monosodium glutamate, which is made bitter tasting during the digestive process.

*Teach basic obedience training. Say "off" if the dog is starting to taste his poop.

*Take your dog out on a leash. Jerk the leash when he heads toward feces, and reward him when he doesn't approach it. Use this method until your dog learns not to approach feces.

How to Prepare Your Dog before Visiting a Dog Park?

If you are fortunate to live near the dog park and you have a dog, it is a best place for both of you to take healthy exercise and socialization. You can bring your dog at the dog park every weekend and let him play with other dogs. But before going to the park you should be prepared to make your visits safe and fun. First, know the rules of the park and follow guidance on how to use the park. Your dogs must be properly inoculated. He is license, wearing a dog collar with ID and rabies tags, and free of viral infections. Your dogs must be leashed until they are inside the fenced, off leash area.

You should recognize risks associated with interactions with other dogs and take protection to minimize these risks. The common risk is the spread of infectious disease. To avoid this kind of risk make sure all your dog vaccinations are up to date.

At Dog Park dog fight can’t be avoided and it happens sometime. To lessen this situation you need to train your dog well. Make sure your dog always comes when called and is well-behaved when interacting with other dogs, new people, and children.

When playing in the hot sun, your dog may not notice that it is getting overheated. Make sure your dog takes breaks in the shade, gets plenty of water, and does not play for long periods in the hot mid-day sun. Remember these tips when you go to a dog park for you to have a happy visit.

**This article also published in Laila Smith ArticlesBase Account here: Laila Smith - Authors Articles - ArticlesBase.com

Antifreeze Poisoning In Dogs and Cats

Antifreeze poisoning is one of the most common forms of poisoning in small animals, and this is because it is so commonly found in households. Antifreeze poisoning typically happens when antifreeze drips from a car’s radiator, where it is licked off the ground and ingested by a pet. Your dog may also come into contact with antifreeze that has been added to a toilet bowl. This occurs in homes where the residents will use antifreeze during the cold months to "winterize" their pipes. Even if you do not take this action in your own home, it is something to be aware of when visiting other homes, or when vacationing at a winter residence.

Antifreeze products usually contain one of three active ingredients:

* Ethylene glycol
* Propylene glycol
* Methanol

Signs of Antifreeze Poisoning:

Stage One

*Staggering
*Vomiting
*Confusion/disorientation
*Listlessness
*Excessive drinking and urination

The first stage of antifreeze poisoning starts approximately thirty minutes after ingestion. Your dog will be appearing to be drunk, he may vomit, stagger and suffer from confusion and disorientation. This stage of the poisoning may last for several hours.

Stage Two

* Diarrhea
* Convulsions
* Unconsciousness

Stage two will commence after your dog will have gone through what appears to be a recovery period. He'll seem to be getting better, but shortly (possibly a day or longer) afterwards, the toxins will permanently damage his liver and kidneys as these organs try to metabolize the poison.

Diagnosis:

Dogs and cats can only be cured when the poisoning is detected before extensive kidney damage has occurred. Diagnosis is not difficult when an owner presents a pet that is staggering and drunken in appearance and has seen the animal drink the poison. It is much more difficult when the ethylene glycol first reaches the liver because early in this stage the pet will appear healthy while later in this stage symptoms are multisystem and nonspecific. We often confuse these signs with other diseases such as pancreatitis, acute gastroenteritis, diabetes or other forms of kidney disease. By the time ethylene glycol metabolites have attacked the kidneys it is too late for a cure. By this time the animal is very sick from uremia and acidic blood (acidosis). In unfortunate animals that die, it is the six-sided or Maltese-cross shaped crystals of calcium oxalate within kidney tubules that allow pathologists to make the diagnosis. Sometimes the urine of affected pets will glow when exposed to a woods or ultraviolet lamp.

Emergency First Aid

Immediate veterinary assistance is the only thing that will save your dog. Inducing vomiting and giving your dog activated charcoal will not cure your dog, but it will lessen the poison that is in his system. Save any of vomited material, and bring it with you to the vet's.

Prevention

Antifreeze poisoning can be easily avoided by following a few simple precautions:

1. Keep antifreeze containers tightly closed and stored out of the reach of pets.

2. Take care not to spill antifreeze, and if it is spilled, ensure that it is immediately and thoroughly cleaned up.

3. Dispose of used antifreeze containers properly.

4. Check the radiator of your car regularly, and repair leaks immediately.

5. Do not allow your dog to wander unattended where there is access to antifreeze (e.g., roads, gutters, garages, and driveways).

6. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has labeled propylene glycol safe and it is now used for antifreeze. Look for antifreeze with this ingredient instead, to keep your pet safer from accidental poisoning.

Safety Traveling Tips for Dogs

Riding is the second nature of dogs and that is what they like to do most. To see them enjoy riding with us is the best moment we can treasure and ensuring their safety is very important. We need to be aware in some safety tips while traveling with pets. When we are on the road we always fastened our seat belt, so as our pet for their protections. Dog car seat is a very popular item for small pets to travel comfortably and if your pet can't fit in a dog car seat restrain the pet within a crate, or use a very well padded crate.

When traveling with your pet never allow your dog’s head out the car window because this can cause eye irritations and other ailments. Also it has a possibility that your dog will jump at the window and can be hit. Don’t leave your dog in the car during the summer months even with the windows down because cars can heat up very quickly causing heatstroke, brain damage or even death. It is also better if you could bring your dogs favorite toys and comforter while traveling to provide familiarity in unfamiliar surroundings.

Is Broccoli Toxic for Dogs?

There’s a bit of confusion in regard to broccoli toxicity to dogs. There are plenty of other human foods that can be given to dogs that will not cause any problems and there are also foods that can harm them if they are given in a large amount of it. Actually broccoli is not bad for dogs, as with any food, the key is in the amount of food given to the pup. If the percentage of broccoli in the diet exceeds 10% it can cause gastrointestinal upsets and if it exceeds 25% it is fatal. The toxic ingredient in broccoli is isothiocyanate and it is reported to be a pretty potent gastrointestinal irritant.

Broccoli contain high amount of oxalic acid which interferes with calcium absorption. So you should only give your dog quite small quantities for it to be safe. So, if your Lab were to get into a piece of broccoli, it wouldn’t do any damage. However, if it were to get into a large bag of broccoli, then I would suggest you seek a veterinarian’s assistance immediately. It is all about monitoring the intake of any human foods even though they may give us those puppy dog eyes when we are eating one of those foods, we need to resist them in order to keep our dogs safe and healthy.

Providing Your Pet Needs

Being a pet owner it is our obligation to provide all our pet needs, from its food to its toys. Giving all our pet needs is quite expensive but everything has a solution if we are eager to solve it. There are lots of options to give them what they need.

In regards to a pet supplies you can look for a discount item. You can also look for a store that offer pet product at a very affordable price. In looking for a cheaper product don’t neglect the quality of it. Mostly we get blinded of the price over the quality. Of course we want the cheaper one but always remember that quality matter most. Keep in mind that the price and the quality is always the basis in buying pet product.

In grooming your dog or cat, you can do it by yourself. You can search in the internet on how to groom your pet. There are lots of article there that gives step by step procedure of grooming your pet.

You can also make your own dog/cat food if you have a time. It is much cheaper and healthier than the commercial dog/cat food. Providing your pet with natural healthy food that contains vegetables, rice, meat and other unprocessed ingredients will give him the necessary nutrients and vitamins he needs.

Are Mushrooms Bad for Dogs?

They said mushrooms can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death of your beloved pet. Actually there is no exact answer if all mushrooms have bad effect to dogs. I read a lot of forums and articles but pet owners have different point of view about this matter. However we need to be aware to the fact that poisonous and edible mushrooms are hard to distinguish. If there is a mushrooms growing in your backyard or garden be very careful to your pet. Dogs who like to graze will sometimes eat wild mushrooms along with lawn grasses, leading to mushroom poisoning. Dogs can sometimes become ill by just licking a poisonous mushroom.

If you see your dog eats poisonous mushrooms immediately remove it from your dog’s mouth. Induce vomiting by giving a Syrup of Ipecac (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight), or giving a Hydrogen Peroxide 3% (1 tablespoon every 10 minutes, repeat 3 times). And call your vet or one that is a doggie ER open on weekends just to be safe.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten a dangerous mushroom, contact your veterinarian immediately. Sometimes symptoms can pop up as late as several days after ingestion. Watch your dog carefully for any signs of lethargy or shock (pale gums, dry mouth or excessive drooling, vomiting, shivering, confusion, weakness, rapid heart rate). Take special care to see that your dog is urinating properly for the next few days. If you see those symptoms then bring your dog to your vet immediately.

Most of the problems with dogs and mushrooms stem from toxic wild mushrooms. But some dogs are sensitive to other foods especially mushrooms. This little fungus can be a threat to your dog’s life because dogs are like human they can have a food allergy.

There is no adequate home care for poisonous mushroom ingestion. The best way to prevent ingestion of poisonous mushrooms is to keep your dog away from mushrooms. Periodically check your yard and remove any mushrooms, and do not allow your dog to roam unattended through the neighborhood.

Is Your Dog's Nose Healthy?

You can determine your dog health by simply looking at its nose. Your dog nose has its usual color if it is black then it should be black forever. If the color of your dog nose change there's something wrong to your dog and you should bring him to your vet for check-up. However, it doesn't mean that your dog has a more serious health problem.

There are lots of misconceptions about dog nose. Like people thought that if your dog nose it dry your dog is ill. And if the nose is wet your dog is healthy. That is not true and the best to explain that phenomenon is wet nose means that the air is plenty humid, when it’s muggy outside your dog’s nose gets wet. If the climate is too dry, so will be your dog’s nose. Another one is that people say if your dog nose is hot it might have fever. You should know that dog nose temperature changes based on the environment. If the ambiance is warm your dog will be warm too and its nose and vice versa. If you want to know your dog temperature you should get a thermometer with cover and insert it anally into your dog. Note that the normal dog’s temperature is 100.5 to 101.5 degrees F.

How Often Should We Bath Our Dog?

There is no strict recommendation on how often we need to bathe our dog. Actually bathing frequency is depend on the dog if it need to take a bath or not, usually it depend on the breed and what type of activities the dog is involved in. Also some factor like when your dog is really dirty, when it need a flea bath and if the smell is not good for your nose.

Most dogs usually never really require a bath. Baths can be given as often as is necessary, although regular grooming, by way of combing and brushing, is often all that is required. Two or three baths a month is not considered excessive. If a dog is bathed too often the skin will be stripped of its natural, protective oils. This will result in dry itchy skin, which will cause your dog to scratch, further irritating the already sensitive skin. If you need to bathe your dog more frequently make sure to use a pet shampoo that will also moisturize your dog’s skin. You may also want to follow up with an after bath pet coat conditioner specifically formulated for dry skin.

Dog skin is different from human skin because dog skin is thinner and has no sweat glands. Also it has a different pH compared to human skin, and as such, a pet’s skin is much more sensitive than human skin. Human shampoo should never be used on dogs and heavily perfumed shampoos should also be avoided, since they may cause an allergic reaction. For much better grooming result consult your veterinarian, he/she can advise you on which shampoo is ideal for your pet.

How to Get Rid from Dog Lice?

Even a clean and well-groomed dog can play a host to different types of unwanted guests and one of these unwanted guests is called dog lice. These parasites can cause severe irritation and illness to your dog. In addition, dog lice carry disease and complications such as anemia. So you should be aware of their symptoms and know how to deal with it when the problem occurs.

There are two types of dog lice that exist, the first one concentrates on biting the skin and feeding on skin flakes and the second feed on your dog's blood. Blood sucking lice causes severe irritation because they penetrate the skin of your dog in order to feed. The signs that your dog is infected by these lice are heavy, intense scratching, and irritation that often results in bald patches. Dog lice are usually found on the area around the ears, neck, shoulders, and anus. Although dog lice are relatively large, you are more likely to spot their eggs in your dog's hair. Lice eggs are easier to see because they are attached to the dog's hair and look like white tiny flakes of dust.

To treat dog lice is simple and very easy due to the fact that they have not built up a resistance to insecticides. A vet is more likely to recommend insecticide spray or bath to kill those dog lice. Sometime vet may require cutting off matted hair and washing the dog about once every week with the insecticide. This procedure is then repeated until the itching is gone and there are no more visible lice eggs. In case of puppy infected by lice better to consult your vet first before starting on any kind of pesticide treatment or other type of medication.

To prevent further lice infestation and make sure that all the lice eggs have been completely eliminated, it is a better to throw away all bedding that your dog has lain on during lice infestation because maybe there is some lice eggs fallen or stick there. That way you can disinfect the area where he sleeps.