Pet Owners Archives - Edie MacKenzie

Understanding The Various Health Complications Of Tick Bites

August 22, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Dogs are man’s favorite pet. Some are even raised and adopted to be part of the family. Pet owners nourish and care about their pets just as a parent to a young kid. Pet dogs are lucky because they are fed, groomed and well taken care of. When a dog is queasy, it is brought to a veterinarian who specially cares for animals. One of the most conventional health problems of dogs is tick invasion.

Ticks are blood sucking pests. They belong to the family of spiders and mites. They are not insects, but rather arachnids. Ticks are perilous because they carry certain diseases. As formerly mentioned, they fed on their hosts by sucking on its blood. By sucking, they get to transmit diseases from one host to another.

Ordinarily, when a dog is affected by ticks, the most common symptoms distinguishable are fever, sudden loss of appetite, irritation, swelling in the area, lethargy and depression. For proper prognosis and treatment, pet owners should report these symptoms rightaway to their vet.

If tick bites are ignored, it can advance and become serious. Complications from tick bites often have general symptoms. It is consequential to know the various complications of tick bites in order to arrest the condition as soon as possible. Cited below are some of them:

Ehrlichiosis
This disease is passed on via brown dog tick bites and lone star tick bites. The causative agent is rickettsia organism. It is bacteria. But some say that it is a virus because it produces flu-like symptoms. The common symptoms of this disease range from loss of appetite to fever, joint discomfort, anemia and bruising. Other possible symptoms are eye swelling and decrease levels of all types of blood cells. This disease is treated by antibiotic therapy like doxycycline or tetrachycline.

Anaplasmosis
Anasplasmosis is often mistaken as Ehrlichiosis because they have almost the same symptoms. Pets that are anguished from Anasplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis can exhibit signs of fever, headache, muscle discomfort, chils, queasiness and fatigue. On the other hand, they have different causative factors. If Anasplasmosis is caused by rickettsial parasite of ruminants. Same management with Ehrlichiosis, antibiotic therapy is the best management for Anaplasmosis.

Tick Bite Paralysis
This particular disease is very rare in dogs. It occurs when a poison is released by the female wood or mountain ticks. This poison blocks the signal between the nervous system and the muscles. Paralysis is the usual effect when the nerve function is stopped. Watch out for signs of weakness, difficulty of breathing and walking. The best management for tick bite paralysis is elimination of ticks. As soon as the tick is removed, the pet is on its way to recovery. Nevertheless, full recuperation is achieved in twenty four to seventy two hours. If symptoms on the other hand become critical or if the paralysis has progressed intravenous fluid may be given or the pet may need a ventilator to assist in breathing.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
This is a dangerous complication and most of the time fatal. Some countries call this disease as tick typhus and Tobia fever. The disease is transmitted by the bite of the Rocky Mountain wood tick or the American dog tick. Rickettsia then enters the dog in the tick spit. The most common signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are hyperthermia, nausea and vomiting, decrease in appetite, muscle pain and headache. Late signs of the disease are Petechial and maculopapular rash, abdominal and joint pain. Doxycycline is the drug of choice for the management of this disease.

Tick bites must be solved rightaway. It can cause complications and the symptoms are very disheartening. Prevention is still best key to manage tick invasion. So be sure to maintain a tick free home surroundings!

Treat fleas and ticks and use Frontline for dogs. Frontline flea and tick is effective in killing all stages of fleas and ticks.

Canine Ticks – Simple Ways To Remove Ticks

August 4, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Ticks can cause serious health problems for dogs, including humans. When it comes to transmitting communicable diseases, they rank second to mosquitoes. To identify if your dog is infested by ticks, following are the signs and symptoms to lookout for: irritation, inflammation, local infection, hypersensitivity, fever, lameness, loss of appetite, sharp pain in legs or body, arthritis, malaise or lethargy, cough, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.

Since ticks are hard to detect if the dog’s fur is long, most pet owners would maintain their pet’s hair short for easy tick detection. In searching for the presence of ticks, it is advisable to don gloves. Rub your hands against the dog’s hair and feel for bumps. Visually check if it is a tick.

Removing Ticks – Common Practice

To get rid of ticks, spray alcohol or pour one to two drops of mineral oil at the tick. It will immobilize the tick in seconds. It also helps loosen its clasp to the dog’s skin. Carefully, grip the head of the tick, as close to its mouth as possible. Carefully apply pressure. Carefully, remove the tick away from your pet’s skin. Avoid gripping the tick at its head as not to twist the tick. Twisting can leave tick debris or other parts behind. Be conscientious not to crush the tick. Crushing the tick can spread more microorganism, or worse, it can cause the blood of the tick to access the dog’s stab. If the head or any part of it remains in the dog’s skin, remove them cautiously. Although the immune system of the dog can usually banish these remainders, an infection or swelling might occur, so it is best to contact your veterinarian if uncertain.

After removing the tick, drop the parasite to a mineral oil or alcohol, ensure that it is dead before disposing it to a nearby garbage bin. To avoid transfer of infection, wipe the mineral oil in the dog’s fur and then disinfect the area with alcohol.

Efficient Tools For Tick Removal

It is not expedient to directly takeout the tick with your bare hands. Doing so can transfer bacteria from the tick to your nails. Although removing dog’s tick might not be as easy as you think, there are other strategies to readily remove ticks by using different tools such as curved hemostats, tick spoon, tick slider, tick nipper, tick noose, and tick pincers. Curved thermostats are traditionally used by physicians or veterinarians. Tick spoon on the other hand, is an impressively well-crafted little plastic spoon with a notch at the end. Tick spoon is used by sliding the notch under the tick before levering it off. The tick slider is very similar to the tick spoon. Simply, slide the instrument under the tick before lifting it off. Tick nipper is a little plastic instrument with a curved jaw, which enables you to grasp the tick by its head before lifting it off. Tick forceps is just like an instrument used by ophthalmologists. It can readily grasp the head of the tick because of its fine tipped end. Never use sharp objects when removing ticks as not to poke holes in your pet’s skin.

Although ticks might be removed easily using various instruments, prevention is still far better than cure. Regular bathing and other preventive tick medications are still the most excellent ways in keeping the ticks off your pet.

Manage fleas with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.

Dog Fleas – How To Handle This Parasite At Home

July 25, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Do you own a pet dog? Apprehensive about fleas? Worry no more. This article is all about dog fleas. Its causes, symptoms to watch out for and a couple of helpful home treatments that you can try.

If there is one thing pet owners dreaded the most, it is dog flea. Fleas are yucky. It can trigger mild to severe itching and scratching to its host. They are not easy to eliminate. They measure approximately 1.5 to 3.3 mm long. They do not have wings. They suck on blood. There are about 2,000 species of fleas, but the most common is the Ctenocephalides felis, also known as the cat flea. Dogs are their linchpin prey.

Causes of Dog Fleas

Did you know that a dog can still fall victim to fleas though it stays at home all the time? Yes, your pet can get fleas particularly in a hot and humid weather. Since fleas are so miniscule, they can come into small screens or windows. But the most common way of transmission is via direct contact with other pets.

Fleas are generally found in dogs and cats. Tragically, human beings are not spared. When a pet is out or is already gone, fleas can plague humans. Without pets at home, fleas are in a hunt for a new host and this is when they begin to attack humans. They normally bite humans at the waist area, ankles, and armpits.

Symptoms To Lookout For

Can you identify if a pet is suffering from fleas? In fact, you can tell right away if the dog is suffering from flea infestation with just one look. First, you will see your dog itching and scratching. Then the affected skin of your canine friend may turn red and inflamed as a result of flea bites and the continual scratching and biting. Also, flea dirt is evident on your pet’s skin, on its sheets and bed-dings, or in other areas where your pet frequently hangs out. Flea dirt looks like little dark specks. Flea dirt is a mixture of desiccated blood and flea fragments.

To check if your dogs have fleas, get your pet’s comb and carefully run it through your little friend’s fur. If you spot tiny black insects finding its way back to your dog’s fur then it is confirmed. Your dog is infested with fleas.

Home Treatment For Dog Fleas

After confirming that your dog has fleas, do not lengthen your dog’s agony. Do something about these infuriating little critters. Following are some of the most common household treatments for dog fleas.

Avon Product – Skin So Soft
According to one analysis conducted in the University of Florida in Gainesville, this extraordinary bath oil, is an excellent flea repellent product. Basically cleanse your canine friend in the solution of Avon’s Skin So Soft. Your dog will surely be relieved in an instant.

Rosemary
Rosemary has anti-inflammatory property. It also helps stimulate the growth of hair. With constant scratching and biting, your dog can experience mild to severe hair loss. Restore your dog’s natural fur and use rosemary consistently.

Brewer’s Yeast
This commercial product is not yet proven nonetheless according to many pet owners this product can help keep fleas away.

Seeing your pets suffer because of flea infestation is very sad. Yes, fleas in dogs are very common. On the other hand there is something that you can do to deal with the condition. Follow the tips above and your pet will be relieved from fleas in no time.

Control ticks with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.

How To Care For A Senior Canine

July 23, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Taking care of an old dog is far way different when compared to taking care of a puppy or a younger dog. The major reason behind this is associated with the older dogs’ health, as they are more prone to catching diseases or get injured. Due to this fact, you should increase the attention you give your dog as he ages. It is pretty painful for pet owners seeing their dogs suffer from any form of pain triggered by getting old. Because of this, you should prioritize giving your dog the optimum convenience he can get. Here are some factors that needs consideration for senior-dog owners:

Is your dog getting enough physical activities?

If physical activities are important to humans, the same goes with dogs. Deprivation of such will lead to the dog’s body’s regression and poor health. Likewise, physical exercises such as walking and running will not just give the dog a healthier body, it will as well provide enjoyment and fun for dogs in their senior ages.. Try placing yourself in a canine’s feet, apart from walking, what else can you do to enjoy? Pretty much none right? So give your canine enough exercise, for his wellness and for his leisure.

Does your canine show signs of arthritis?

Arthritis is the most common culprit of the pain felt by older dogs. Because of arthritis, a dog could no longer enjoy his usual habits. Mere getting up or moving places can be very painful. If you see that your pet’s usual routine seems very hard for him to follow, or he suddenly became weak and lazy, then he might be attacked by arthritis. In cases like this, bring him to a vet. Remember, a pet owner’s best friend would always be the veterinarian. With the help of a vet, you would get to find out the appropriate medicines for your pet. Common arthritis medicines for dogs would be Etodolac 400 mg, Rimadyl, and many more. Avoid rushing to give your dog any med you discover online. A vet’s prescription is an important thing to give your dog safe medicines. Arthritis is a painful condition for dogs and negligence to deal with it can result to difficulty in curing.

Is your canine getting enough attention and affection?

If you own many dogs, aged and young, always deal with them all equally. Canines can be sensitive and when they get smaller attention, they feel bad. When dogs feel bad, their wellness might get affected. If they lack love and attention they could possibly result to having bad behaviors just to capture your focus. They could possibly likewise lose their appetite in eating, therefore resulting to poor wellness and lifestyle. So give your canine enough love and attention. For your younger canine, reading Secrets to dog training review can help. But with your senior canine, mere caring and continuous attention will be enough.

Having a senior canine is a challenge. In dogs’ senior years, more meds and different maintenance will come as well. This is the time that you say hello to a lot of issues like home treatment medicines such as aspirin for dogs and much more vet checkups due to a lot of random issues such as arthritis. But as a whole, attention and love will turn out to be the basis of your canine’s healthier and longer life.

The Right Food For Your Dalmatian: Part 1

December 24, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Having the proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy Dalmatian and yet it is often the source of controversy among breeders, veterinarians, pet owners and dog food manufacturers.

All Dalmatians are susceptible to forming life-threatening urinary tract “stones” though these can be effectively managed with diet. Although susceptibility to forming these “stones” is present in almost all Dalmatians, keep in mind that not all Dalmatians will necessarily form “stones” in their lifetime.

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Most dog foods are sold based on how to make a product appealing to owners instead of what would meet the needs of dogs, like a Dalmatian. Some foods are marketed on the basis of their protein content, others based on a “special” ingredient and some are sold because they do not contain certain ingredients such as preservatives. We want a dog food that specifically meets our dog’s needs, economical and causes few, if any, problems.

Most foods come in dry, semi-moist and canned forms, and some can now be purchased frozen. The dry food is the most economical, contain the least fat and the most preservatives. The canned food is the most expensive, contain 75% water, usually contain the most fat, and have the least preservatives. Semi-moist foods are also expensive and high in sugar content. In feeding the Dalmatian, the critical part of the diet is not the amount of protein but rather the type of protein.

Purines are a form of protein known to promote urinary “stones” in Dalmatians. We need to provide our Dalmatian with a diet that is low in purine, not necessarily a low-protein diet. Vegetable-based diets are not always satisfactory. While broccoli, kale, tomatoes, and carrots are low in purines, asparagus, cauliflower, beans, peas, mushrooms, spinach and whole grains are high in purines. The same is true for meats and dairy. Cheese, milk and eggs are low in purines, but most fish such as herring, mackerel, or sardines, organ meats such as liver, kidney, sweetbreads, poultry such as chicken, duck, or turkey, and meats such as beef, lamb, pork, and veal, are high in purines. The worst offenders are organ meats, and fish. In most commercial diets suitable for Dalmatians, poultry, lamb and eggs are usually the preferred sources for protein while rice is considered as the main source for carbohydrate.

There are commercial low purine diets available from veterinarians. You can also select other diets by paying close attention to their ingredients. In addition, it is also important to pay attention to treats that you give to your Dalmatian. The best treats for this breed includes fruits and cottage cheese. Last but not least, Dalmatians should be encouraged to drink large amounts of fresh, clean water. This not only keeps a Dalmatian hydrated, but it helps flush out their urinary tracts to keep large “stones” from forming.

Physical Traits Of A Standard Dalmatian

December 12, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

The Dalmatian’s spotted coat makes him instantly recognizable. He has a global reputation as a fun loving fashion statement. But more than a movie star, the Dalmatian is a tireless dog who has the energy to jog for miles, as his carriage escorting ancestors did for years.

The information provided in this article is not intended for show dogs and does not deal with the conformation of champions and how to select one. The description given here provides basic information about the stature of a Dalmatian and qualities of a physical nature. Since standards come and standards go, measuring your Dalmatian against some imaginary yardstick does little for you or your dog. Just because your dog is not a show champion, it does not mean that he is any less of a family member. And just because a dog is a champion does not mean that he is not a genetic time bomb waiting to go off.

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When breeders and those interested in showing Dalmatians are selecting dogs, they are looking for those qualities that match the breed “standard.” This standard changes from time to time and from country to country. Thus, the conformation and physical characteristics that pet owners should concentrate on are somewhat different and much more practical.

Dalmatians were originally bred to be medium-sized dogs. However, as they were used for more and more guard work, they were bred to become much larger. Most adult males are between 22 and 24 inches at the withers and female Dalmatians are about 1-2 inches smaller. The normal weight range for the breed is between 40 and 70 pounds.

It is not unusual to see dogs considerably larger than the breed standard allows and some males may be 27 inches at the withers and 90 pounds. Dalmatians in Britain tend to be larger than American varieties. Larger dogs are not necessarily better dogs. Dalmatians were never intended to be considered “giants” and the increased size might promote some medical problems which tend to be more common in larger dogs. Evidence shows that the larger members of the breed might be more susceptible to orthopedic disorders such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia.

There are two “approved” colors for Dalmatian: white with black spots and white with liver/brown spots. The “spots” tend to be focal and less than 5 cm (2 inches). Larger areas of color are referred to as patches and will disqualify a Dalmatian from the conformation show ring, though these patches have no health impact.

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