Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

12 Poodle Health Problems To Be Aware Of

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Poodle Health Issues

1. Cruciate ligament injury is a condition in which diagonally crossed ligaments in the rear leg are injured and must be corrected surgically. This condition in a Poodle is especially painful.

2. Elbow dysplasia, also known as osteochondrosis, is often found in young growing dogs. It is genetic. A Poodle allowed to exercise in excess are often at risk for this condition.

3. Abnormal elbows are graded based on the severity of the dysplasia, while normal elbows of a Poodle 24 months old and older receive OFA certification. This scheme is designed to help identify dysplastic dogs and to help breeders eliminate affected dogs from their breeding programs.

4. Hip dysplasia is similar to elbow dysplasia; it is a genetically acquired problem of the hips in which the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the hip joint. The OFA also has a screening program for hips, in which hip x-rays of dogs at least 24 months old are evaluated and graded in one of seven categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severe.

5. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a disorder of the hip joint, often seen in young small-breed dogs, which causes lameness and pain in one leg. Surgical removal of the femoral head is the usual treatment.

6. Kneecap dislocation or medial patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place and rests on the inside of the knee. This condition is mostly seen in small dogs. Therapy may help, but surgery is more frequently used to relieve the problem. It is most probably genetic in origin.

7. Bloat or stomach torsion is a condition in which the stomach twists over and fills with air, releasing toxins into the bloodstream. This requires immediate medical help. It can be fatal if not treated early enough. This condition is usually a concern for deep-chested breeds and may affect the Standard Poodle; your vet can advise you of precautionary measures against bloat.

8. Cushing’s syndrome is a pituitary disorder in which the body produces too much cortisone. It is medically treatable.

9. Hypothyroidism is a hormone problem usually seen in older dogs. It can be treated by a veterinarian.

10. Patent ductus heart disease is a congenital heart defect that is genetic. Surgery is required for correction.

11. Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by a seizure in the brain that can be controlled with medication.

12. Von Willebrand’s disease is genetic in nature. It is a bleeding disorder in which a low clotting factor can prove fatal.   A Poodle should be tested for clotting factor prior to surgery.

Dog Care And Its Components

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Dogs are man’s best friend. Like children, dogs are to be taken cared for just like people are. It takes a lot of responsibility to take care of your pooch.

The proper dog care must be applied to your pet so he or she remains to be healthy and free of any diseases. Dogs are loyal to their human counterpart.

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In return, we must provide them with the appropriate dog care essentials.

We should provide them healthy food, water, exercise and veterinary care like vaccinations.

Reading books for the best dog care information and health tips are useful for dog owners who need more education in maintaining a pet. While dogs offer unconditional love to their owners, the owners themselves must show their dogs how much they care for them.

Day To Day Dog Care Needs

The basic everyday need of a dog is obviously food. As an owner, one must feed the dog regularly with healthy food that is excessive in protein.

Grooming is another part of proper dog care. Bathing your dog regularly relieves them of fleas and ticks.

“Big and small dogs need exercise daily, big dogs more than smaller ones”

You can bathe them at least once a week for them not to have that foul smell. Grooming your dog gives you the bonding between owner and pet; and this can also emphasize your authority towards him.

Brushing the dog’s fur is relaxing in their part, they enjoy the strokes of the brush on their hair as you do it slowly.

Dogs should have vitamins too. Vitamin E can cure skin ailments. You can apply vitamin E oil to their skin to cure dry skin and any other skin ailments.

You can save some money if you try conventional and natural ways in giving the right dog care for your pets. Acidophilus in yogurt is not only good for humans but for dogs as well.

Consult with the veterinarian first if you plan on doing this because there are some factors that can harm them.

The Dog Care Supplies

Dog care provisions are classified as functional, basic and pampering. The fundamental dog supplies comprise of dog leashes, grooming kits, sleeping pads, dog house and most especially, food.

“It is not only people who will benefit from natural care but also our dogs. Natural pet care is now a growing trend that shows pet owners how to take care of their dogs in a way that is not harmful”

The practical but functional dog materials consist of doors, fences, and gates. The pampering kit is usually composed of toys, massage oils and treats for your dogs.

One of the most ascendant basic supplies provided is dog beds. It helps keep the dog’s bones healthy and strong.

Several pet shops have supplies such as training equipment and aid to make practices much easier for your dog to follow. Some may even include dog collars which are made to punish dogs for inappropriate behavior.

Kennels are also sold in the supplies too; and they come in different shapes, sizes and colors. Choosing a good one would mean picking out something that ‘ s spacious enough for your dogs to easily move about.

For better dog care, grooming kits are available in a variety of options too. The products include shampoos, nail clippers, brush, combs, and even conditioners.

Hygiene supplies are also made available for the best dog care that you can render.

Are you seeing the same recycled information on every website you visit? Try http://www.dogcaretruths.com for fresh information!

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Nutrition For Active Dogs – Supplements To Help Your Working Dog

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Even the best commercial dog foods available on the market today do not contain all of the ingredients that are necessary to sustain the nutritional needs of your working dog.

Active dogs need an extra boost of nutrition to support their busy lifestyle. A good example of their diet should contain a high-quality meal consisting of 40% – 45% fats and close to 50% protein.

In addition, active dogs should take extra supplements. Below is a list of four supplements to add to your dog’s diet.

Antioxidants: Regular, intense exercise increases the amount of free radicals and oxidative damage in the body. That is why it is beneficial to provide your dog with a daily dose of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are necessary to every dog’s diet, especially if you have an active dog. The power of antioxidants works to block the harmful effects of free radicals, therefore reducing their numbers. Antioxidants are also said to help strengthen blood vessel walls and improve circulation.

Antioxidants are acquired by eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in colors. Some examples are grapefruits, grapes, broccoli, peas, carrots, and dark green vegetables. If your dog is not into eating fruits and vegetables, he can still obtain antioxidants by taking supplements.

Most supplements also include vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and carotenoids such as lycopene, beta-carotene, and lutein. Some even contain amino acids, the building blocks of cells. Dosage will vary according to your dog’s weight.

Vitamins And Minerals: Increased exercise demands more vitamin C and B-complex. Vitamin C combats stress and helps support the immune system, while B-complex vitamins promote healthy skin, muscles, and blood.

Fruits and vegetables, as well as organ meats (kidney and liver), are high in vitamins and minerals. But for finicky dogs, you may need to give them vitamin and mineral supplements in chewable tablet form. Small dogs should take 50 mg of Vitamin C per day and 500 mg for large dogs. B-complex vitamins should contain 4-5 mg of niacin for a dog weighing 35 lb.

Probiotics And Enzymes: Probiotics and digestive enzymes aid in proper food digestion. They also prevent your dog from acquiring stress-related stomach problems such as diarrhea and nervous vomiting. These two supplements are best when given in tablet form.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These essential fatty acids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids prevent and cure skin problems and decrease arthritic stiffness in dogs. Excellent sources of Omega-3 include cod liver oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and animal sources.

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