how to have a healthy dog

8/12/2019 How to Have a Healthy Dog

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How To Have A Healthy Dog

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DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner

and is for educational and informational purposes only The content is

not intended to be a substitute for professional medical ad!ice"

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re#ardin# a medical condition 'e!er disre#ard professional medical

ad!ice or delay in see%in# it because of somethin# you ha!e read

Since natural and(or dietary supplements are not )DA appro!ed they must

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intended to *dia#nose" treat" cure or pre!ent any disease*

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Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

2. What is Canine Distemper?

3. Selecting a roper Diet !or Your Dog

". What is #ennel Cough?

$. Dental H%giene !or Your Dog

&. Should %ou 'ive Your Dog Heart(orm )edicine?

*. Intestinal arasites in Your Dog

+. What ,reeds Are rone to Hip D%sphasia?

-. Ho( to Control leas

1/. arvovirus Is Deadl%

11. Ho( to 'ive Your et C0

12. Do Dogs 'et Hepatitis?

13. rotect Your Dog !rom eptospirosis

1". 0egular accinations and Your Dog

1$. he ,est o%s or Your Dogs


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Introduction

A!ter our !amil%4 nothing comes closer to stro5ing our heartstrings

than our pets. ,oth !elines and canines are the !avorites !or most

!ol5s. ,ut !or our discussion toda%4 (e are going to help %ou

determine (hether %ou have a health% dog.

6ido7 can8t spea5 !or himsel! and relies on %ou to 9e his e%es and ears

!or ever%thing in his or her (orld. hat means ever%thing !rom (hat is

the 9est diet to reading the signs o! illness.

In How to Have a Healthy Dog%ou (ill !ind ans(ers to the

:uestions that %our pet isn8t a9le to as5. Hope!ull% our input (ill

create a long and health% li!e !or %our revered pet. et8s get started;


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Chapter 1. Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

Constant scratching4 tail i! these s%mptoms can 9e o9served on %our pet dog4

chances are ver% li5el% that heshe is su!!ering !rom allergies.

Yes4 dogs4 @ust li5e their masters can su!!er !rom allergies. 0oughl%

a9out 2/ percent o! the dogs living in our homes su!!er !rom some

allerg% t%pe. )a@or classi!ications o! canine allergies are atopic

dermatitis4 !lea allerg%4 !ood allerg% and inhalant allerg%.

Atopic Deratitis

Atopic dermatitis is s5in allerg% disease caused 9% h%persensitivit%

developed 9% %our dogs immune s%stem to several and ver% common

su9stances li5e molds and dust mites.

I! %our dog scratches and lic5s himsel! ver% o!ten Bparticularl% lic5ing

and che(ing the pa(s4 a9domen and legs4 and hisher ears are hot to

the touch4 heshe ma% 9e su!!ering !rom atopic dermatitis.


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Chec5 to see i! %our dog8s saliva causes stains. A red to 9ro(n stain is

another indicator that %our dog is atopic. In persistent cases4 the s5in

on the a9domen changes color !rom pin54 to a 9right red then to 9lac5.

!lea Allergy

lea allerg% is the most common !orm o! canine allerg%. Ho(ever4 it is

not the !lea 9ut the !lea8s saliva that %our dog ma% 9e allergic to.

o !ind out i! %our dog has !lea allergies4 a s5in allerg% test is

pre!ormed. I! it heshe is tested positive4 a strict control regimen can

reduce s%mptoms. Consult %ou8re %our vet as to (hat t%pe o!

treatment is 9est !or %our pet. here is a (ide arra% o! choices ranging

!rom pills to spra%s to shampoos

Inhalant Allergy

ust li5e their masters4 dogs are suscepti9le to allergens inhaled !rom

the air. ollen !rom trees4 grass4 and !lo(ers4 dust mites and molds

are @ust some o! the common culprits.

Ho(ever4 unli5e their masters (ho eEhi9it inhalant allergies through

snee=ing and coughing4 dogs sho( their reactions through scratching


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and 9iting as (ell as che(ing o! !eet and lic5ing constantl%. A less

common reaction is recurrent in!ections in %our dog8s ears.

You can help alleviate the allerg% 9% vacuuming !re:uentl% and dusting

the areas %our dog spends much time in Bli5e his sleeping area.

!ood Allergy

Dogs also eEhi9it allergies to the !ood the% eat. And this is perhaps the

most tedious to diagnose 9ecause !ood allergies can mimic an% o! the

other allergies mentioned in this article.

irst thing to do is to remove all possi9le allerg% causing ingredients

!rom %our pet8s diet. You can do this 9% using a homemade meal o! a

protein and starch source %our dog has not had 9e!ore. Add graduall%

Bone at a time !or a9out a (ee54 more ingredients into it. I!

s%mptoms return a!ter adding a particular ingredient4 then the possi9le

allergen could 9e identi!ied.

Ho(ever4 allergic reactions ma% not appear !or a9out a (ee5 a!ter

consuming the allergen so 9e sure to con!irm %our !indings (ith %our

vet. Fnce it has 9een veri!ied4 avoid the ingredient in the dog !oods

%ou8ll su9se:uentl% !eed %our pet (ith.


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Fther s%mptoms o! !ood allergies are vomiting4 diarrhea4 (hee=ing and

sometimes4 even changes in 9ehavior.

"elief

You can help %our pet and alleviate his allerg% (oes 9% 9athing and

conditioning %our dog regularl%. Contrar% to (hat most people (ill tell

%ou4 %ou can never 9athe %our dog too o!ten. Water helps to relieve

%our dogs s5in and 5eeps it health%. It also rinses o!! allergens !rom

their 9od%. Di!!erent 5inds o! shampoos are availa9le to treat allergies4

depending4 o! course4 on %our pet8s particular condition.

Treatent

Corticosteroids are also a use!ul !or controlling allergies 9% reducing

the in!lammation in %our dog8s s5in. Although it (ill (ea5en the

immune s%stem a 9it4 it is o!ten necessar% in order to treat the allerg%.

Some side e!!ects are increased appetite and drin5ing4 and higher

chances o! developing in!ections. It is there!ore not recommended !or

long


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rednisone4 a short


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Chapter #. $hat is Canine Disteper?

Canine distemper is a serious disease caused 9% a highl% contagious

virus that attac5s the respirator%4 gastrointestinal4 and nervous

s%stems o! dogs. he virus also in!ects !oEes4 (olves4 co%otes4

raccoons and other (ild animals in the canine !amil%. uvenile dogs are

most prone to in!ection. Flder dogs can also 9e in!ected although (ith

much less !re:uenc%.

)ore than $/G o! dogs that ac:uire the disease die !rom canine

distemper. An even lo(er 2/G survival rate is present !or puppies.

And even i! the dog survives the disease4 it is ver% li5el% that its health

(ill 9e permanentl% damaged.

A case o! canine distemper leaves the nervous s%stem impaired (ith

little to no hope !or total recover. artial or complete paral%sis is

common as (ell as other e!!ects on sense o! smell4 and hearing and

sight acuit%. In!ected dogs are more prone to other diseases such as

pneumonia. he canine distemper virus BCD is not transmissi9le to

man.


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Canine distemper virus is transmitted most o!ten through getting in

contact (ith mucous and discharges !rom the in!ected dogs e%es and

noses. Eposure to the urine and !eces o! dogs (ith this in!ection can

also cause it.

ven (ithout coming in contact (ith in!ected dogs4 a health% one can

still contract the disease through eEposure to 5ennels and other areas

(here in!ected dogs have 9een in. hese areas can still har9or the

virus since it is air9orne and can sta% alive outside a host !or long

periods o! time.

It is almost impossi9le to prevent %our pet !rom eEposure to the virus.

Some scientists predict that ever% dog living !or 12 months has had

contact (ith the virus at one point in time.

he s%mptoms o! canine distemper are not necessaril% easil% detected.

And it is 9ecause o! this that immediate treatment is rarel% given. he

disease is commonl% disguised as something li5e a 9ad cold (ith most

o! the dogs (ith the in!ection running a !ever and a stu!!% head.

Complications such as pneumonia4 9ronchitis and severe in!lammation

o! the stomach and intestines can also develop !rom the disease.


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What an o(ner should 9e on the loo5 out !or in (atching !or signs o!

distemper such as s:uinting andor a discharge !rom the e%es. I! this

occurs in tandem to loss o! (eight4 vomiting4 coughing4 nasal drips4

and diarrhea4 there is more cause !or concern.

he virus then a!!ects the nervous s%stem in more advanced stages o!

the disease4 (hich can cause nervous tic5s and t(itches as (ell as

partial to complete paral%sis. In!ected dogs ma% also displa% listless

9ehavior and have poor to no appetites. here have 9een cases (hen

the virus causes sudden gro(th o! the !ootpads tough 5eratin cells4

(hich results in a hardened pad.

%revention

Canine distemper is so (ell


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accination is still the sa!est and surest protection. And until scientists

develop a distemper vaccine that guarantees li!e


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suggest consulting immediatel% (ith %our veterinarian i! %our pet

sho(s signs o!J

< A9normal e%e andor nose discharge

< oss o! appetite

< luctuating (eight losses and gains

< Ecessive (ater consumption

< A9normal and uncontrolled stool production

< A9normal viciousness or letharg%

< A9normal limping

< Di!!icult% getting up or l%ing do(n

< Constant head sha5ing4 scratching4 lic5ing or 9iting o! 9od%

< oss o! hair4 open sores4 ragged or dull coat

< oul 9reath

< Ecessive tarter deposits on teeth

It is possi9le that even (ith these s%mptoms4 CD in!ection ma% not

9e the case. ,ut it is still 9etter to 9e sure to 9ring these concerns to

an eEpert so that the pro9lem can 9e addressed right a(a%.

ven (ith a disease this serious4 %ou can turn the tide o! canine

distemper to %our pet8s !avor (ith prudence !or %our pet8s health4

ta5ing the correct actions to s%mptoms o9served and 9eing in constant

consultation (ith %our vet.


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Chapter &. 'electing a %roper Diet for Your Dog

Ho( and (hat (e !eed our dog has a 9ig e!!ect on our pet8s health and

over


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and minerals4 as (ell as (ater. hese nutrients have to 9e in the right

amounts so that the% are properl% digested and a9sor9ed 9% the 9od%.

%rotein

0emem9er that %our dog4 or an% dog !or that matter4 is a carnivore4

meaning his 9od% mainl% uses meat. hat also means that vegeta9les

and grains are not supposed to have a ma@or contri9ution to %our pet8s

diet.

Fn dog !ood pac5ages ho( much protein is in the !ood is indicated. ,ut

!inding out ho( much protein is in the !ood is not as important as

5no(ing (hat source the protein came !rom.

Dog !ood ma5ers have a (ide choice o! protein sources to choose

!rom. Aside !rom meats B9ee!4 chic5en4 lam94 etc.4 plants and grains

li5e corn4 (heat and so% are used as sources.

o !ind out (hat sources have 9een used most in the pac5age %ou8re

9u%ing4 loo5 at the ingredients list. ,% la(4 the largest amount o!

ingredient used is listed !irst and others !ollo( in decreasing amounts.

You should see 3 meat sources on the !irst $ items mentioned. An%


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less than that and %ou ma% not 9e giving %our dog the proper protein

!or his diet.

Carbohydrates

Your dog (ill also need car9oh%drates primaril% !or energ%. ,ut unli5e

their masters4 dogs do not need a lot o! car9oh%drates to 9e health%. A

diet high in protein and lo( in car9oh%drates is ideal !or %our pet.

Since dogs are meat


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cancers can also develop. In reading the la9el4 loo5 !or a product that

has a good 9alance 9et(een animal and vegeta9le !at in it.

(itains

itamins are necessar% to release nutrients !rom the !ood that the

9od% can use. here are t(o t%pes o! vitaminsJ (ater


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itamin , is needed !or energ% and to 9rea5 do(n protein and

car9oh%drates.

)inerals

)inerals are a critical component o! a diet 9ut the% ma5e up less than

2G o! most !ormulated dog !ood products. Since more than hal! o! the

necessar% minerals are lost in manu!acturing processes4 adding

mineral supplements to %our pet8s !ood is recommended.

$ater

0ead% access to !resh and clean is necessar% !or %our dog to maintain

proper 9od% !unctions as (ell as to aid the 9od% to 9rea5 do(n hard "

inches long4 tan or (hite creatures (ith tapered ends that loo5 li5e

spaghetti.

How they are ac3uired

uppies are usuall% 9orn (ith them. hose in!ected (ith round(orms

have a pot9ell% or a 9loated loo5 and dr%4 scal% coat. When %our pets

are in unsanitar% conditions4 don8t 9e surprised i! %our dog 9ecomes

in!ested. Knli5e hoo5(orm eggs4 round(orm eggs are ver% resistant to

dr%ing4 sunlight or antiseptics. he% can last !or %ears in soil and still

9e in!ectious.


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Harful ffects to your Dog

I! in huge num9ers4 a dog ma% vomit these (orms or discharge them

all as a (hole in the !ecal matter. 0ound(orms can cause diarrhea >

the in!estation8s e!!ect is evident on %our pet8s general appearance.

he% can also cause intestinal 9loc5age and stool cannot pass i! the%

9ecome too man%.

Harful ffects to )an

Since round(orms are =oonotic4 the% can 9e trans!erred to humans.

he% cause an in!ection 5no(n as 6isceral arva )igrans74 (hich

result in in!lammation o! muscle tissue. Young children are suscepti9le

to trans!er and can eEperience e%e in!lammations leading to 9lindness.

Treatent

Ksuall% used to treat round(orms are p%rantel pamoate4 !en9enda=ole

and pipera=ine4 9oth classi!ied as Anthelmintics or de(ormers.

TA%$0")'BDip%lidium caninum

Description

ape(orms can 9e seen unli5e other parasites. ape(orm segments4

usuall% (hite in color4 can 9e seen a!ter in the dog8s !eces or rectum

a!ter elimination that 9ro5e o!! !rom the adult.


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leas can carr% tape(orm eggs4 so the ingestion o! parasite eggs is the

onl% (a% to in!ection.


Although the% don8t cause much harm to our canine !riends4

tape(orms cause pet o(ners to s:uirm at their ghastl% sight. Dogs

eEperience cramping and sometimes gas.


Children can accidentall% s(allo( !leas that have eggs4 causing intense

discom!ort. ish can also 9e an intermediate host > so 9e care!ul in

eating ra( !ish.

Treatent

Antiparasitic agents4 pra=i:uantel and epsiprantel are 9oth used 9oth

9% oral medication or in@ection.


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H00+$0")'BAnc%lostoma caninium

Description

Hoo5(orms are 9lood


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!eet. )ore so4 (hen severe4 the% can cause a9dominal pains and e%e

pro9lems.

Treatent

Hoo5(orms can 9e diagnosed 9% the eEamination o! the pet8s !ecal

matter. De(ormers include p%rantel pamoate and !en9enda=ole. An

eEample o! a product is Heartgard.

$HI%$0")'Brichuris vulpis

Description

Another unseen !reeloader is the (hip(orm4 (hich is the most di!!icult

to eEterminate. he% do not need to leave the intestines to complete a

li!e c%cle.

ggs are passed in the dog8s stool and a!ter 2


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)ost common in adult animals especiall% those housed in groups or

5ennels 9ecause the% can 9ecome in!ectious to other dogs a!ter a !e(

(ee5s in a (arm environment.


he s%mptoms ma% include severe diarrhea4 !latulence4 loss o! (eight

and general overall condition. Whip(orms can cause chronic 9o(el

in!lammation.


uc5il%4 these parasites onl% adhere to our canine !riends.

Treatent

en9enda=ole Banacur is usuall% prescri9ed a!ter diagnosis. o

regulate these parasites4 give doses o! mil9em%cin oEime ever%

month4 a heart(orm preventive medication.


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Chapter 4. $hat breeds are prone Hip Displasia?

Ksuall%4 large 9reeds o! dogs are more prone to hip d%sphasia.

a9radors4 'reat %renees4 'reat Danes4 0etrievers4 'erman

Shepherds4 Saint ,ernards4 0ott(eilers and Sporting Dog ,reeds are

eEamples. Ho(ever4 small dogs can also ac:uire this. I! %our dogs

9elong to an% o! the mentioned 9reeds4 the !ollo(ing in!ormation

might help %ou.

$hat is Hip Displasia?

Hip Displasia4 a degenerative condition4 is an a9normalit% in the

eEpansion o! the hip @oint4 (here the 9all @oint o! the dogs hips are

misshapen4 caused 9% too much laEit% in the @oint. his in turn results

to (ear and tear o! the a9normal arthritic 9ones causing eEtreme pain.

ot onl% can this cause pain4 the @oint can also come right out o! the

soc5et.

How did y dog ac3uire this?

Hip displasia is a genetic disease4 meaning the pup can inherit it !rom

its parents. ote that not all dogs inclined to get this disease (ill

ac:uire it. Fther !actors also contri9ute4 li5e environmental !actors4


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rapid (eight changes and other genetic !actors as (ell. racing %our

pet8s !amil% lineage (ill help %ou determine i! %our dog is prone to this

disease. I! there is no incidence o! hip displasia in %our pet8s !amil%4

then %our dog (ill not get it.

$hat are its syptos?

It is di!!icult to diagnose 9ecause it ma% or ma% not sho( clinical signs.

Common signs eEhi9ited are lameness on one or 9oth rear lim9s4

di!!icult% in standing or (al5ing4 hopping li5e a 9unn%4 and decrease in

mo9ilit%. A!ter the @oint8s gro(th period4 man% pups displa% pain

sporadicall% even 9e!ore arthritis 9egins to eEhi9it. It can lead to

severe arthritis4 in (hich %our pet can 9e in eEtreme pain. 0arel%4

puppies as %oung as $ or & months can sho( these s%mptoms.

$hat is the treatent?

I! %ou suspect %our dog has hip displasia4 9ring to the clinic and have

%our pet L the Frthopedic oundation !or Animals BFA testing uses a

standard vie( and another developed 9% the Kniversit% o!

enns%lvania Hip Improvement rogram BennHip4 (hich sho(s to 9e

more e!!ective in detecting Hip Disphasia in puppies.


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here are t(o treatment plans 9ased on the time the disease has

occurred > 9e!ore and a!ter the gro(th o! the hip @oint. riple elvic

Fsteotom%4 the surgical reconstruction o! the hip @oint4 is

recommended !or puppies less than a %ear o! age. ,e care!ul though >

clinical s%mptoms related to hip d%spasia can 9e caused 9% other

illnesses such as osteochondrosis4 strain or sprain in one o! the @oints4

or 9ac5 and pelvis in@ur%.

Ho(ever4 dogs that sho( s%mptoms a!ter the gro(th4 it is 9est to !irst

!ind out o! it can 9e treated through medication or surger%. )edical

treatment includes aspirin4 phen%l9uta=one or gl%cosaminogl%cosans.

arcotics can 9e used to eliminate pain. here is a strong connection

9et(een the administration o! gl%cosaminogl%cans and a considera9le

decrease in the dog8s arthritis.

Although non


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otal Hip 0eplacement is most eEcellent4 especiall% !or severe hip

displasia. his is ver% e!!ective 9ecause the hip @oint is replaced (ith

arti!icial parts to eradicate pain. emoral Head Fstectom% or emoral

head and nec5 eEcision is also an option (herein @ust the !emoral head

is removed4 (hich can 9e per!ormed at an% age. It eliminates most o!

the pain associated (ith hip arthritis 9ecause there is a reduced

contact 9et(een the 9ones4 9ut not all dogs are cut out !or this

method. Surger% is more costl% primaril%4 9ut in the long run4 it (ill

save the dog o(ner on pain relievers. Fnce the surger% has

completed4 a recuperation period o! a9out 3


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Chapter 5. How to Control !leas

leas are parasites that !eed o!! %our dog8s 9lood. lea eggs can 9e

!ound almost ever%(here > in %our couch4 carpet4 etc. so the li5elihood

o! in!ection is ver% high. o 5no( i! %our dog has !leas4 loo5 !or !lea

eEcrement > small4 dar54 curl% dots that are also 5no(n as 6!lea dirt.7

o do this4 9rush %our pet8s coat (ith a (hite cloth or sheet and loo5

!or these 9lac5 spec5s4 (hich contains digested 9lood that loo5s

reddish 9ro(n (hen (et. I! %our dog has a dar5er coat4 eggs that

resem9le dandru!! is visi9le (hen a magni!%ing glass is used.

Dangers of !leas

,esides reall% anno%ing %our dog4 !leas can also cause an allergic

reaction called !lea allerg% dermatitis BAD (hich leads to hair loss4

s5in in!lammation and irritation. or severe cases4 %our pet can

eEperience anemia due to 9lood loss. his can 9e !atal i! %our pet is

%oung or de9ilitated. Also4 !leas are carriers o! common tape(orms4

(hich can cause cramping and gas.


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%reventing Infection

utting !lea po(der on %our vacuum cleaner (ill eEterminate all the

!leas inside the 9ag. )onthl% topicals is an eas% and ineEpensive

approach to protect %our house !rom !leas. ,io Spot or rontline lus

are recommended topical 9rands availa9le. You might also (ant to

9uild a doghouse or spot !or %our dog that is elevated since !leas can8t

@ump higher than a !oot. Water is a !lea8s top enem%4 so (ash the

areas that a dog might run around > li5e %our 9ac5%ard. )inimal

contact (ith grasses and (oods (ill lessen the possi9ilit% o! in!ection.

I! %ou have a garden4 trim leaves and clear 9rushes4 as (ell as grass%

and 5ennel areas.

I! %ou have a home grooming 5it !or %our dog4 it is 9est to include a

!lea com9. Kse it regularl% on %our pet. Its so!t4 !ine 9ristles4 it (ill

catch the !lea. Start com9ing around the hind:uarters and the pet8s

head4 (here !lea dirt can also 9e seen. When %ou trap a !lea4

immediatel% put it in soap


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Treatent

A !lea 9ath is the !irst step to a parasite

!lea shampoo 9ecause most products are too harsh on puppies.

Consult %our veterinarian on (hat to use i! %our pupp% has !leas. It

can also relieve irritation and itching. Don8t stop at shampooing

9ecause it doesn8t reall% protect %our dog a!ter getting a 9ath.

Fne alternative is using !lea dips that 5eep !leas at 9a% !or some time

a!ter dipping4 9ut it is not recommended 9% most veterinarians. he

do(nside is that %our dog might eat or s(allo( these parasites a!ter

lic5ing4 since a !lea dip sta%s on the dog8s hair coat. Another option is

a !lea collar. It (ill onl% 5ill all the !leas in the dog8s nec5 and !ace >

not the (hole 9od%. Some also dogs develop a rash (hen using !lea

collars. While !lea medallions can contaminate the dog8s drin5ing

(ater4 since it hangs loose !rom the collar.

A good choice is the use o! !lea spra%s and po(ders > 9oth !or %our

dog and %our house4 so 9e care!ul in reading the instructions to 5no(

(hich is (hich. roducts intended !or %our home is too strong to use

on %our pet. Ksing t(o or three di!!erent !lea products at the same

time can 9e toEic !or %our dog.


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I! there are numerous !leas that in!ested %our dog4 it is recommended

that %ou treat %our home too. )ethoprene and !enoE%car94 t(o active

ingredients contained in !lea spra%s are e!!icient and sa!e. It stops the

gro(th o! eggs into adult !leas. As mentioned4 spra%s are too strong

!or dogs4 so ta5e them outside !or a (al5 (hen %ou treat %our home.

Some products are designed to destro% adult !leas > one product is

Insect 'ro(th 0egulators BI'0 can help 5ill !lea eggs and larvae.

,e!ore appl%ing such products4 vacuum %our carpet or !urniture !irst to

rouse eggs and larvae !rom their cocoons.

eterinarians recommend these products to !or !lea controlJ

%riproE%!en B%lor4 Archer4 Imidacloprid BAdvantage4 u!enuron

Brogram4 ipronil Brontline op Spot4 C%thioate Bro9an4 and

enthion Bro


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disease among dogs in the Knited States. Aside !rom 9eing common4 it

also is ver% deadl%. Ignoring the s%mptoms o! such (ill certainl% result

in death among canines.

Dog o(ners have to remain vigilant to signs and s%mptoms that point

to the disease. arvovirus is a highl% contagious disease that mani!ests

itsel! through diarrhea and 9lood% stool. It is caused 9% the canine

parvovirus BC


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A!ter the onset o! this disease4 the dog could die in as little as t(o

da%s i! not given immediate and proper treatment. he virus t%picall%

ta5es * to 1" da%s to incu9ate. Active eEcretion o! this virus through

!eces could 9egin as earl% as 3 da%s.

How the (irus 'preads.

arvovirus can survive even on inanimate o9@ects !or up to !ive

months. he% particularl% thrive on animals such as rats and insects.

o prevent dogs !rom 9eing in!ected4 o(ners must 5eep 5ennels and

surroundings clean. he virus can 9e spread through in!ected items

such as clothing4 !ood pans4 cages4 etc.

o disin!ect such4 cleaning the a9ove mentioned articles (ith a 1J32

dilution o! 9leach or MN cup per gallon is necessar%. Fne ma% also

eEpose the articles to Kltraviolet ra%s. ots o! sunlight can help

eliminate the presence o! these viruses.

It (ould do (ell to ma5e sure that ever%thing the dog (ill come in

contact (ith is clean. r% avoiding having %our dog come into contact

(ith in!ected dogs and articles.


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Diagnosis and Treatent

Although not all vomiting and 9lood% diarrhea is caused 9% parvovirus4

it (ould still pa% to ta5e a trip to the veterinarian !or a chec5 up. he

onl% (a% to veri!% (hether a dog has parvovirus or not is clinical and

la9orator% diagnosis. It (ould 9e 9etter to err on the side o! sa!et% on

this matter. I! %ou thin5 %our dog has the parvovirus4 a :uic5 trip to

the veterinarian (on8t 9e in vain.

o treat the disease4 a veterinarian (ill most li5el% recommend

supportive therap%. his (ill involve replacing the !luids lost due to

diarrhea and vomiting. his (ill pro9a9l% 9e an electrol%te solution

administered intravenousl%. In less severe cases4 oral solutions (ill

su!!ice. Anti9iotics ma% 9e given to control secondar% in!ections.

)edicines to control vomiting ma% also 9e given.

When the parvovirus s%mptoms su9side4 a de


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You ma% also (ant to consider vaccines !or %our puppies. You (ill (ant

to consult %our veterinarian on the right circumstances and e!!ects o! a

vaccination !or %ou dog. accination ma% prove to 9e the 9est line o!

de!ense against parvovirus.

In the nd

arvovirus is not one disease to 9e ta5en lightl%. It is a disease (ith a

high rate o! mortalit%4 especiall% among puppies. Although one should

not panic at the !irst hint o! the disease4 it should4 at least4 9e ta5en

seriousl%. ortunatel%4 through proper care and medication4 the

chances !or survival a!ter an in!ection are relativel% high. ,ut 9e

(arned that some cases4 even (ith the 9est care and attention

availa9le4 prove to 9e !atal. he 9est chance !or preventing this

disease is good in!ormation and vigilant h%giene.

Chapter 11. How to 7ive Your %et C%"

here (ill 9e instances (here %ou might have to per!orm a C0 on

%our pet. What? A C0 on %our pet? Are %ou serious? Yes4 it is serious

< serious enough that it ma% save %our pet8s li!e.


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here are some instances (here a pet ma% accidentall% get something

stuc5 in its air(a%.

his (ill cause cho5ing and ultimatel%4 death. Also4 pet C0 (ill prove

vital in cases (here the pet has lost 9reathing or pulse. his is the

case o! most pets that go into arrest. I! this happens4 it is urgent that

the pet8s air(a%4 9reathing4 and circulation is maintained.

o per!orm such4 o(ners must 9e a(are o! the proper procedure o!

per!orming a C0. )ost trained veterinarians (ill 9e 5no(ledgea9le in

this procedure. You ma% (ant to consult (ith them !or proper advice

on the procedures outlined here.

A. Airway

A!ter determining that the animal is non


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ull out the tongue o! %our pet care!ull%. he emphasis here is on

care!ull%. ets4 even (hen unconscious can 9ite 9% instinct. #eep the

pet8s nec5 straight4 and line up the nec5 and the 9ac5. In case there is

nec5 trauma4 do not h%pereEtend the nec5.

A!ter(ards4 tr% giving the animal t(o rescue 9reaths. er!orm this 9%

putting %our mouth to its nose4 and 5eeping the animals mouth closed.

I! %our 9reaths go in then %ou can continue. Ho(ever4 i! the% do not

go in4 it means that there is an o9struction in the animals air(a%.

In this case4 inspect the animals air(a%4 and tr% to eEtract the

o9structing o9@ects. I! %ou cannot4 tr% doing a modi!ied Heimlich

maneuver. urn the animal over (ith its 9ac5 against %our chest and

its head to(ards the ground in a 9ear hug. Deliver !ive thrusts to the

a9domenO imagine ma5ing each thrust dislodge the o9@ect. ,e care!ul

that %ou do not deliver too much pressure as it ma% cause damage i!

overdone.

Do not stop until %ou are a9le to clear the air(a%. ven i! the animal

goes into arrest4 the primar% concern !or %ou is to 5eep the air(a%

clear.


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8. 8reathing

With the air(a% is cleared4 determine i! the animal is 9reathing on its

o(n. ull out its tongue again Bagain ver% care!ull% so that the tongue

does not itsel! o9struct the air(a%4 and per!orm mouth to nose

respiration. Do this t(ent% times a minute. I! the animal 9egins to

9reathe on its o(n4 use a high

C. Circulation

he last step o! animal C0 should onl% 9e done i! the air(a% and

9reathing are sta9ili=ed. irst o! all ma5e sure there are no pools o!

9lood or spurting. I! there is4 control these as necessar%.

a% the animal on its right side4 no( put %our hands on the part (here

the animals le!t el9o( touches its chest. his is the mar5er !or the

middle o! the animals ri9 cage. Compress this part !i!teen times then

administer t(o rescue 9reaths per minute. his rate ma% have to

change according to the si=e o! the animal. I! the pet is small use

compressions that are hal! an inch deep4 !or medium dogs one inch4

and !or large dogs4 one and a hal! inches. 0epeat this as necessar%

until emergenc% assistance arrives.


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When administering animal C04 %ou must ma5e a deli9erate decision

to 9e calm and collected. Doing such in panic (ill onl% result in (rong

decisions that ma% !urther imperil the li!e o! the animal. Your pet ma%

not have a strong carotid pulse4 so %ou might have to rel% on its

!emoral pulse (hen assessing circulation.

0emem9er that %our C0 actions are !irst


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a ver% compleE and vital organ a disease that incapacitates it (ill

prove to 9e !atal. he livers primar% !unctions are the detoEi!ication4

meta9olism4 the storage o! gl%cogen and the s%nthesis o! plasma

protein. It also produces the 9ile that aids in digestion. he good ne(s

is4 the liver is a large organ (ith plent% o! reserves. he 9ad ne(s is4

since it has a large reserve4 it (on8t sho( apparent s%mptoms unless

the liver is seriousl% damaged.

Although dogs do get hepatitis4 it ma% 9e di!!erent in cause and e!!ect

!rom human hepatitis. here is (hat is called In!ectious Canine

Hepatitis. his disease is caused 9% a virus4 and ma% prove to 9e a

!atal disease in some dogs.

$hat is It?

his disease is caused 9% the CA


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his condition (ill reduce the liver8s capa9ilit% to per!orm !unctions

necessar% !or li!e. hese !unctions include !iltering harm!ul and toEic

elements !rom the 9lood4 storing 9lood sugar !or conversion into

usa9le energ%4 and creating man% proteins that are necessar% in the

s%stem.

Kn!ortunatel%4 there is no (a% to destro% the virus a!ter it has entered

the dog8s s%stem. eterinarians (ill treat the disease 9% good

supportive therap% intravenous !luids4 good diet4 rest4 medicines to

lighten the liver8s (or5load4 and good care all aimed to strengthen the

dog8s a9ilit% to recuperate. he% (ill also give anti9iotics to treat

secondar% in!ections.

here is a vaccine !or this disease. It is a routine part o! a pupp%8s

vaccination plan. And partl% due to its e!!icienc%4 the cases o! canine

hepatitis in the Knited States are lo(. here!ore4 the 9est (a% to 5eep

%our dogs !ree !rom this disease is a proper vaccination plan4 and

prompt and periodic visits (ith the veterinarian.

Canine hepatitis can prove to 9e a trou9lesome disease that4 i!

unattended4 (ill surel% result in a dog8s death. With proper in!ormation


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a9out this disease dog o(ners (ill 9e a9le to ta5e preemptive steps to

assure themselves that their pets are sa!e !rom this de9ilitating

diseases.

Chronic Active Hepatitis9

As opposed to the previous disease4 this !orm o! hepatitis is harder to

treat and the prognoses are not ver% promising. his usuall% occurs in

dogs o! advanced age. he disease is caused 9% other !actors such as

toEins and molds in the dog8s diet. In!ectious Canine Hepatitis can also

cause this.

he s%mptoms o! this disease are hard to pinpoint4 9ut generall% the%

(ill include letharg%4 diarrhea4 loss o! appetite4 s(ollen a9domen4

@aundice Bor %ello(ing e%es4 gums4 and s5in. his disease could

advance into the nervous s%stem and render the dog 9lind. Sei=ures4

coma and death usuall% !ollo(.

o avoid this disease4 good health ha9its including a good diet that

emphasi=es !oods screened !or toEins and molds should 9e eEercised.


58/73

Chapter 1&. %rotect Your Dog !ro :eptospirosis

eptospirosis is a contagious disease that a!!ects animals as (ell as

humans. Caused 9% a group o! organisms called lepterospira

interrogans B(ithin such species there are di!!erent strains4 the

disease can lead to chronic liver and 5idne% disease and even death in

dogs. ight o! the di!!erent strains give o!! di!!erent t%pes and levels

o! disease (hich depends upon the animal that the% in!ect. he

disease causes more pro9lems in dogs. ot until recentl%4 the

vaccines that (ere availa9le are onl% !or t(o t%pes o! 9acteria namel%4

eptospirosis canicola and . icterhaemorrhagiae4 has virtuall% (iped

out the clinical ailment associated (ith these strains 9et(een the

immuni=ed dog population. accines !or t(o other additional t%pes o!

9acteria4 . grippot%phosa and . omona are no( readil% availa9le.

he leptospira organism

eptospires gro( (ell in (ater4 appearing in a spiral shaped long 9od%

(ith hoo5s on 9oth ends. he% are called 6a:uatic spirochetes7. he%

are o! t(o species4 eptospira 9i!leEa and eptospira interogans (hich

cause disease in animals and humans. eptospira interogans is

divided into strains 9ased upon antigen Bstimulates the production o!


59/73

anti9odies t%pes4 providing ver% little cross immunit% opposed to one

serovar and the host4 (hich is the dog that has developed resistance

to one strain either 9% vaccination or through !ormer in!ection4 (ill not

9e capa9le in repelling an in!ection 9rought a9out 9% a di!!erent strain.

'ources of infection

,acteria carriers are generall% rats and other rodents4 though an

in!ected dog can also 9e a source o! in!ection. he most signi!icant

means o! transmitting the disease is through urine ingestion and other

!orms o! 9acteria (ill penetrate ver% thin s5in.

:eptospirosis transission

he disease is transmitted (hen the animal comes in contact (ith the

urine o! other in!ected animals4 through 9ite (ounds and a9sorption o!

an in!ected tissue.

Indirect transmission happens (hen dogs (ade in or drin5

contaminated (ater or !ood. Since stagnant (ater provides a ver%

appropriate environment !or the leptospira4 dogs that (ade in it get

in!ected.


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!ormer immuni=ation shots ma% give an elevated titer and should 9e

ta5en into consideration during the interpretation o! the titers.

In dogs that are severel% in!ected4 the% are eEpected to shed the

leptospira organism in their urine4 thus (hen a urine sample is ta5en

and cultured4 it can give a positive diagnosis. his is not the 9est (a%

ho(ever4 9ecause the individual getting the sample ma% 9e at ris5.

Treatent

reatment usuall% (ill consist o! anti9iotics4 !luid replacement !or

reh%dration through intravenous as (ell as controlling the dog8s

vomiting through antiemetics and other pro9lems related to liver or

5idne% in!ections. ote that deh%dration must 9e correct (ithin siE to

t(elve hours.

enicillin or one o! its 9%product is the anti9iotic that is given to treat

earl% in!ection4 a!ter (hich4 doE%c%cline is used !or cure and

prevention o! possi9le continuing carrier state.


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accination is a sure (a% to protect %our dog against viral diseases

and ensure a longer happ% li!e.

A mother dog protects her pupp% around siE to t(elve (ee5s a!ter

9irth. She has passed on her immunit% mechanism to her puppies 9%

providing disease

)aternall% Derived Anti9od% B)DA or 5no(n as Ppassive immunit%.P

A!ter those (ee5s o! immunit%4 )DA !ades and the pupp% is le!t to

protect itsel! and soon4 vaccination ta5es over the mother8s role in

providing protection.

Immunit% means that there is little or no ris5 o! !alling ill to a certain

disease. In adult dogs immunit% can result !rom either vaccination or

the dog su!!ering and survived the disease.

accination stimulates the dog8s immune s%stem to produce its

disease

protect against diseases. 0egular and repeated vaccinations are

re:uired. here are vaccination schedules !or certain t%pes o! diseases

!or puppies and adult dogs.


64/73

or the !irst vaccination4 a course o! t(o vaccinations are usuall% given

as a primar% course. his ma% 9e administered starting !rom the siEth

(ee5 o! %our dog.

he vaccination histor% o! %our dog is an important document. I! %ou

happen to not 5no( the histor%4 %ou ma% (ant to consult %our

veterinar% surgeon regarding vaccination right a(a%. A general chec5

up (ill also 9e help!ul to see i! %our pupp% is in good health condition

9e!ore giving the vaccines. Having a good health is an important !actor

to ma5e the vaccines (or5 !or %our dog or pupp%.

0e


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accinations are made !or the protection o! %our dog !rom certain

t%pes o! diseases. ,e guided and 5eep an e%e on the earl% s%mptomsJ

CA2I2 %A"(0(I"' DI'A'.his is cause 9% an eEtremel%

hard% virus that can last !or long periods o! time in an environment.

he main source o! this in!ection is the !eces o! in!ected dogs. Highl%

contagious and (ea5ening. S%mptoms o! this disease are as !ollo(sJ

high !ever4 severe vomiting4 listlessness4 re!usal o! !ood and (ater and

pro!use smell%4 9lood% diarrhea. Common among %oung puppies and

elderl% dogs. Com9ination vaccines are due on the !i!th to ninth (ee5

o! %our dog.

CA2I2 DI'T)%".his hard


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close contact. Signs are a distressing dr% cough4 tiredness and loss o!

appetite and moderatel% raised temperature. his disease ma% lead to

pneumonia.

"A8I'.An incura9le4 viral disease that attac5s the central nervous

s%stem o! almost all mammals including humans. his disease can 9e

transmitted through 9ites4 (hile the saliva is in contact (ith the s5in.

Fnce %ou have this disease4 there is no cure and (ould alread% lead to

death. accine during the t(el!th (ee5 is a great ounce o! prevention.

I2!CTI0' CA2I2 H%ATITI'. his is caused 9% Canine

Adenovirus %pe I. iver is the attac5ed organ and can 9e rapidl% !atal.

ransmission is through secretions li5e saliva4 in!ected urine or !eces.

arl% s%mptoms are general discom!ort and lac5 o! appetite4 high

temperature4 pale gums4 vomiting4 diarrhea and a9dominal pain. his

can cause also liver !ailure4 clouding o! cornea 5no(n as 69lue e%e7

and 9reathing pro9lems.

Fther vaccinations that need 9ooster recommendations !rom %our

veterinarian are as !ollo(sJ


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:%T0'%I"0'I'4 a 9acterial disease (hich attac5s the 5idne%s and

the liverO vaccines are due on the t(el!th to !i!teenth (ee5 o! %our

dogO

CA2I2 C0"02A(I"'4 (hich attac5s the intestinal s%stemO and4

%me Disease4 transmitted 9% tic5s to 9oth dogs and humans (hich

results in chronic arthritis and4 sometimes4 death.

It is important to consult %our veterinarian to determine the

appropriate vaccination and schedule !or %our dog. 0ecommendations

on (hat vaccines to give ma% var% on the age4 9reed and health

condition o! the dog4 suscepti9ilit% and ris54 t%pe o! vaccine and the

geographical setting.

Issues on vaccines having side e!!ects are lur5ing 9ut the 9ene!its

out(eigh tremendousl% the danger o! having it. !!ectivit% ma% not 9e

guaranteed 1//G 9ut (ith the com9ination o! proper nutrition and

eating ha9its4 a good and saniti=ed environment4 vaccination is a great

(a% to protect %our dog and other o! %our pets as (ell.


68/73

Chapter 1,. The 8est Toys !or Your Dogs

Dogs is a ma@or status s%m9ol in American pet


69/73

spra(ling? You ma% (ant to tr% eEperimenting !irst to !ind out (hich

to%s ma5e %our dogs the happiest.

,e!ore going on a to% hunt4 ta5e a loo5 at this list o! to%s that ma%

help %ou identi!% the right 5ind o! to% !or %our dog.

CH$ T0Y'. hese are per!ect !or the dog that li5es to che( a lot.

Instead o! %our dog che(ing %our !urniture4 (h% not 9u% these FK'H

little 9a9ies !or them. hese t%pes o! dog to% are usuall% made o!

n%lon or lateE ru99er. he P#ing #ong o%sP are among the popular

9rands o! che( to%s. You can eEperiment 9% stu!!ing these to%s (ith

peanut 9utter or cheese spread4 !ree=e them and give them to %our

dog !or hours o! lic5ing and che(ing !un.

Doggie 6potato chips7 is also a !avorite. hese Pedi9le chipsP can last

to a minimum o! an hour to a couple o! da%s. he% are availa9le in

di!!erent shapes li5e pig ears4 snouts4 co( 5nuc5les4 !emurs4 hooves

and 9ull% stic5s. Fthers are 9one


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thro( a(a% (hen the% get sogg%4 and give %our dog a ne( one. Some

ra(hides are 9asted (ith a variet% o! !lavorings. ,e sure to get the

6KSA ra(hide7 (ith a little !lag stic5er on the la9el 9ecause these do

not contain preservative !lavorings that are harm!ul !or %our dogs.

'>A+Y T0Y'. or these to%s4 choose the ru99er over the stu!!ed

to%s !or dura9ilit% and to avoid s%nthetic materials. hese little

noisema5ers are good !or training %our dog8s hunting s5ills.

"T"I(I27 T0Y'. hese are per!ect !or the chase


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1. !or Chewers of all 'ies

'>I"": DD> tough4 dura9le and !un tooO this hollo( ru99er

che( to% ta5es on a ne( level in innovationO this helps to eEercise

%our dog8s @a( a little more (ith the !our little ru99er prongs 9loc5ing

the hole slightl% that the dog has to (or5 a little harder to get the

goodies out.

#. 8all :aunchers and Throwers ;"etrieve Toys=

!"I'8'> is an all


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&. '3uea@y Toys

'>A+"' > availa9le in pac5ages o! ten eachO dogs that love to

silence s:uea5ers are the 9est !or this to%O eEcellent as attention and

poc5et s:uea5er as (ellO prices go lo(er i! %ou 9u% in pac5ages4 !rom

!ive to three dollars each 9oEpac5age.

*. Tug Toys

:ATH" T7'> great !or tug


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DC+ 77 8A8Y< egg ,a9ies are a plush to% (ith three s:uea5er

eggs insideO there is an opening on the 9ottom o! the to% so %our dog

can get the hidden treasures insideO this is a to% that challenges and

develops %our dogs intelligence and pu==le solving s5ills too.

o%s are a !un (a% to en@o% (ith %our dog in a sunn% da% at the par5.

,ut 9e sure to appl% proper sa!et% measures especiall% (hen pla%ing

(ith 9alls4 stic5s and stones. You do not (ant to harm them in an%

(a%. 0emem9er4 this is a dog

how to have a healthy dog

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