Over time his eye had begun to weep and a very small black lump formesd on his eye which wasnt looking good. It didn’t seem to bother him or irritate him in anyway at all however it would seem that because we have to keep wiping it that it was starting to get to him which is why we thought we had better take him to the vet. the first time we took him they said he was fine but he would need to come back after we had used some eye drops on him.

It wasn’t until taking him back that we learned that he would need a small operation on the eye just to make sure it stayed away. The cost that came out was a large £300 sum. Although this doesnt sound likea very big bill around the Chrisrtmas season it can be quite hard to pay out for and I have to say I was a bit shocked. All I can say is that we were very lucky we had some pet insurance as we were going to cancel it a couple of months back because it looked like we were never going to need it.

So it just goes to show that you may need insurance when you don’t think you do. You can even get things like puppy insurance which of course are based around the younger dogs.

If you are thinking about going away to a colder climate this year then make sure you do not forget your ski insurance.

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Dog and puppy owners need to be sure they understand a few dog health problems basics so they can help their pets if by chance they contract one of the common dog health problems.

Take a look at  Dog Secrets for a list of common pet health problems and treatments you can apply

An oldtime belief, still held onto by many people, is that if their dog has a cold and wet nose, the dog is healthy. The plain truth here is that no one can tell with any scientific certainty from how cold or wet a dog’s nose is, whether or not the dog has any hereditary heart issues, parasites, worms, deafness or any other health condition.

Pet owners should totally repudiate such beliefs that have no scientific basis and instead pay strict attention to the physical condition of their dog in general making sure they regularly check for disease symptoms or signs in the eyes, teeth, ears, mouth and skin regions. The dog owner should also be responsible to make sure their dog eats well, gets regular checkups and is groomed on a regular basis so that their dog will stay healthy for a long time to come.

Symptoms of Dog Health Problems

There are a number of signs and signals that might be telling you that your dog has specific dog health symptoms or problems or diseases. Owners of dogs should be sure they know about these signals of potential health issues in their dogs so they can prompt action if needed.

• Your dog’s fur needs to be fluffy, soft and shiny. If your dog has a wiry coat, the strands should spring back up whne touched and should be thick. Breeds with double coats should have no indication of thinning on the undercoats.

• Redness, sores, scabs, scales, flakes, lumps and growths on the dog’s skin can be signs of health problems. Its importatn that both your dog’s fur and skin remain free of parasites – little organisms like fleas or ticks or mites. Frequent scratching or even biting of the skin is an indication of potential parasites.

• Just like us, bright, shiny eyes in your dog means good health. Around their eyeballs, dogs have an area that needs to be pink to show that they are healthy. This area is called the conjunctiva and a pale color in this area could signify some underlying health problems. Make sure there are no out of the ordinary discharges seeping from your dog’s eyes, particularly nothing green or yellow.

• A foul smell or bloody discharge from your dog’s ears means something is not right with your dog’s health. Its important to keep the ears clean and free of parasites like mange mites.

• Gums that have a healthy pink color which may contain some black pigmentation is a sign of good health. Pale colored gums can be a sign or symptom of anemia. Reddish gums that leak droplets of blood can often be signals that there is something amiss peridontally and this combined with a rank breath odor can spell trouble with a hidden health problem.

• Remembering back to hearing about the belief about a dog’s nose, that a healthy canine almost always has achiily, damp nose but this is really caused only by a relatively clear and runny nasal discharge that is fairly common in dogs. If your dog has a bad smeling and icky colored discharge coming form the nose, you need to have your dog looked at right away. Such discharges in young pups can be a sign of canine distemper and may prove to be fatal.

There are still other factors to consider and to look at to determine the health of the dog, and these include his weight, bodily temperature, the appearance of urine and feces. The most important thing is to understand these symptoms of dog health problems so that the minute you spot something out of the ordinary, you can take action right away.

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Reduce Swelling

Heated orthopedic dog beds combine two great practices into one package. The heat helps to relieve swelling, improve blood flow, and generally counteract the harsh effects of arthritis. While it won’t be able to provide full relief, it will greatly reduce the discomfort that your dog feels. Another great technology is orthopedics, which have been developed for many years now. You might be familiar with orthopedic pillows and the like for humans, helping to increase comfort while sleeping as the materials work to support human bone structure. Orthopedic beds for dogs help to conform to the dog’s body so that every point of the body is supported, and there are less aches as a result.

Another great piece of furniture that you might want to consider purchasing for your dog is a heated outdoor dog bed. You’ll give your dog the same great health benefits in a package that will be able to survive the outdoors. This way, you can leave your dog outside for an hour or two without worrying about the temperature outside. Still, heated orthopedic dog beds are the superior choice for indoors, as the extra orthopedic benefits far outweigh the extra sturdiness built into exterior models. Unfortunately, heated orthopedic dog beds can cost hundreds of dollars, though chances are that you can find one for not much more than any other dog bed.

If you are still up in the air, just imagine how painful arthritis can be at times. A heated orthopedic dog bed will combat it in two different ways for a very effective relief of that pain, and your dog will be all the happier for it. Even if your dog doesn’t have arthritis, a heated orthopedic dog bed can help it have more energy and get more restful sleep, and your dog will be friendlier as a result. Instead of just using medicine, try to combat the affliction itself, and the pain relief efforts will be much more effective.

About Author: David Hueber is an experienced dog trainer. He also offers top quality Dog training and puppy training tips online.

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You can protect your pet from heartworms with a number of treatment options. One is Heartgard Plus for Dogs. This medication is used for defending against the early tissue stage of the heart worm. It’s also an essential role in stopping a developed case of heartworm disease. For developed cases of heart worm disease, a medication called Lufenuron is a trusted option. You’ll also get the added benefit of flea and pest control with Lufenuron. Yet another brand that is effective to treat heartworm infestations is Interceptor Medicine for Dogs.

You can shelter the well-being and energy of your dog with heartworm medicine for dogs. Always ensure that you take your pooch to be checked by a veterinary clinic before administering any medicine. Your pet doctor can aid you to decide upon the best heart worm pills that will be the most beneficial for your dog. They will also guide you about giving the ideal dosage and treatment schedule. Through using your canine’s size as a guide, your vet will determine the correct dosage. Always be sure that you are familiar with any known side effects from these pills.

Heartworm is among the top killers of dogs every year. Using heart worm medication can be extraordinarily helpful in the prevention of heartworms. All it requires is a yearly heart worm check to determine that your pooch is healthy and not showing heart worm symptoms. Give your pet the best life possible – take them to the veterinary clinic for yearly heart worm disease checks.

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Bloat is recognised to be the second leading killer of dogs after the number one killer, cancer. If you know or suspect that your dog may have bloat it is advisable to call your veterinarian or emergency service immediately and not to rely on home remedies

It is unfortunate that many people, even dog owners are still naiive about dog bloat.

Perhaps many thought that this ailment is only experienced by human beings.

However, it is a lucky thing for those dog owners who have saved their dog’s life because they are well-versed in this ailment.

Maybe they have read from dog health guide about how to deal and overcome this type of ailment in dogs.

If you are not familiar with canine bloat or gastric dilation-volvulus(GDV), then you should know that this is actually a life-threatening condition which commonly happens to large, deep-chest dog breeds.

Examples of these breeds are German Shepherds, Great Danes, Greyhounds, and any type of Setter. However, if you own a small dog breed, do not be too relieved. Canine bloat can actually occur to any breed of dog.

Dog bloat occurs when air, fluid or foam accumulates abnormally in the stomach of a dog causing it to expand.

There are instances when the dog’s stomach twists. This case is considered to be gastric dilatation-volvulus which only about 50% of the dogs survive. GDV is a more serious case than dilation of the stomach only. Causes of dog stomach bloat are not yet determined that is why you have to be keen at determining the symptoms of dog diseases like this one.

Be watchful when your dog’s stomach seems to expand beyond normal. Usually, dogs that suffer this ailment will have several unsuccessful attempts at vomiting. They will also be seen drooling and having abdominal discomfort. Oftentimes, the dog is restless when it’s experiencing bloat. Situation like this would require you to bring your pet to the veterinarian the soonest time possible. Only a veterinarian can provide a remedy to canine bloat.

Do not try treating this type of disease at home.

On the other hand, there is always a prevention of dog bloats. Veterinarians are recommending that you feed a dog multiple small meals in a day.

It is discouraged to feed the dog one large meal in a day. Also, you should also avoid giving the dog an exercise within two hours after eating. Smaller dog breeds are equally susceptible to dog bloat with improper way of feeding. If you visit a veterinarian regularly, you may ask further on what to do when a dog is suffering from bloat. As a responsible dog owner and pet lover, you must know the dangers of dog diseases such as dog bloat. If your dog’s breed belongs to the list of breeds that are prone to canine bloat, then you have to be well-aware of the situation.

You may ask your veterinarian on what to do the moment you see the aforementioned symptoms in your pet. Just remember the famous quote, ‘What you don’t know, can kill you’. So, apply this saying to this situation. Your lack of knowledge may just lead to your pet’s sorry demise. Keep yourself informed about bloat in dogs in order for you to reduce the risk of developing this devastating fate.

By: Alex de la Cruz

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The author of this article Alex De La Cruz is a Dog Trainer who has been successful with several dog training courses for many years. Alex decided to share his knowledge and tips through his website www.doggyweb.info. You can sign up for his free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and submissive dog.

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It’s a shame that many pets are given up or abandoned every week, as animal lovers fight to cope with today’s financial climate.

Living through the credit crunch is difficult enough, but add animals which rely on you for sustenance, a home and medical care, every little bit helps.

Abandoning pets is extremely problematic for pet charities who have to look after pets when money is scarce, living off on donations to keep their pets in good shape.
Here are a few points which could help make looking after a animal on a tight budget a little easier:

1. Consider every pet cost? Do you need that branded pet food or product? It is always a good idea to bring pets up with variety, equally dry and wet, as well as different brands and flavours. Keep an eye on promotions. You can stock up. Investigate vouchers, search on the net for some promotions. Buy based on price per pound / Kg, as sometimes, especially with promotions, the smaller pack can be cheaper.

2. Wherever possible, pet owners can often club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the total price and passing on savings to all.

3. Veterinary bills are an unknown factor but must be considered. If money s a little stretched, you may find a lot of Vets will consider spreading the costs, and pay in instalments. If you can, afford it have or keep pet insurance.

4. Most people can make lifestyle changes! It s not all about finding ways to keep your pet more economically, see if you can do it for yourself!

5. What about earning some cash? Why not offer to walk other peoples pet? Become a Dog Walker. Good companies will require you do it regularly. There is also the possibility of becoming a pet sitter, though professional companies such as London Pet Sitting will require you also to do dog walking.

6. What about your other pets, you may have put your cats in a cattery, what about using a cat sitter? The animal may prefer it and the pet sitters often do other things.

7. Do you use external stabling or boarding? Many horses can exist quite contentedly outside for most of the year, just make sure there’s food, water and shelter available. Could this be an option for your horse, it should reduce the outlay on stabling significantly.

8. Are you thinking of choosing a pet, certainly consider rescuing a pet from a charity, they are suffering during this crisis.

Enjoy your animal, they are worth the cost.

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Basics of cat diseases:

You can pick up fleas or ticks from a pet that is not kept clean. But diseases like cancer, diabetes and cystitis are non-communicable. Even diseases that come too close for comfort like Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus can affect cats and ONLY cats! Also, your cat’s runny nose, cold and sneezing will not get passed to you, or vice versa.

Cats have a reputation of being cleaner than most other pets. So, it’s easy to see why people tend to overlook symptoms and signs till matters get worse. Some of the most common diseases that cats ail from include:

Upper respiratory diseases: We know this as the common cold and cats are subject to different kinds of ‘cold’ viruses, just like humans. Signs include severely inflamed eyes, high fever, sneezing, snotty noses, excessive tearing, depression and difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Secondary infections like pneumonia may set in if the cat’s resistance is lowered and the disease is not treated soon.

Parasitical infections: Cats can get infected with internal and external parasites. External parasites include ticks, fleas, mites, and lice. These parasites can cause pesky itching problems which may lead to secondary infections and skin rashes. Coats, ears and eyes have to be kept clean and infected cats will have to be treated with chemicals or medicine. Among the most common internal parasites, roundworms and tapeworms cause the most harm. Diagnosis can be made by inspecting the feces. Cats have to be de-wormed periodically to keep such parasites away.

Some other common problems seen in cats are Feline Urological Syndrome (infecting the urinary system), Abscesses (caused due to trauma to the skin) and ringworm. Ringworm is contagious and can pass on to humans.

Basics of dog diseases:

Just because you are feeding him well and exercising him regularly, don’t think that your dog is immune to diseases. Dogs are vulnerable to a number of common diseases. Some varieties of dogs also carry strains of inherited disorders that will surface as they grow older. While there is nothing much you can do about inherited diseases, you can help effect speedy recovery in other cases. As always, early detection is the key to good health. Some of the common diseases in dogs are:

Diarrhea: This is more often seen in pups than adult dogs and may be triggered by stress, a sudden change in food or a viral or bacterial attack. Diarrhea is deadly because it can lead to death due to dehydration. Older dogs may suffer from bloat and occurrence increases with age.

Upper respiratory infections: Discharge from the eyes/nose, coughing or sneezing is indicative of respiratory diseases. Airborne viruses and bacteria transfer the disease which is highly contagious between dogs. ‘Kennel Cough’ is a respiratory disorder that can be prevented through vaccinations.

Other common ailments like rabies, distemper and parvovirus can be prevented through timely vaccinations and booster doses. Just like cats, dogs also play hosts to a number of internal and external parasites. Good grooming and proper treatment can help prevent damage. Dogs also suffer from periodontal diseases as they grow older. Proper dental hygiene is the only way to prevent this.

Pet birds also suffer from a number of diseases; the most common among these is the Proventricular Dilatation Disease also called the ‘Macaw Wasting Disease’. This causes seizures, weight loss and regurgitation. ‘Parrot Fever’ or ‘Psittacosis’ is another common bird disease which can infect people too.

Most pet owners love their pets to distraction, and when disease strikes, they feel helpless and unsure. Take your sick pet to the vet as early as possible. Always be vigilant and try to catch symptoms as soon as they appear. Since your pet cannot tell you about its headaches, tummy disorders or toothaches, you have to be extra careful.

By: Vaughn Balchunas -

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We can help you find a way to remember your pet’s memory with specially made cremation jewelry and our wide selection of pet cremation urns.

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Here a list of things every dog owner should know:

Antifreeze: Yes, dogs like the taste of antifreeze and will drink it up. Keep antifreeze away from your dog. Don’t let your dog wander the hood where antifreeze could be available for them to drink. Dogs that drink antifreeze usually don’t survive.

Acetaminophen (over the counter pain reliever): don’t give these to your dog if trying to treat him without the advice of a veterinary and make sure the bottles are away from where they could spill and your dog will eat them. Mild poisoning has a possibility of recovering, but severe poisoning will cause the dog to die.

Alcohol: if your pet has drunk enough, this develops into slow breathing, possibly coma and cardiac arrest, or heart attack.

Bread Dough: the dough fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract results in the formation of an alcohol which in turn develops into slow breathing, possibly coma and cardiac arrest, or heart attack.

Amitraz (tick control): Make sure your dog can’t chew it’s flea/tick collar or if you pour on tick control, be sure to use it correctly. If diagnosed quickly, most dogs will recover. Please remember when using this to prevent ticks, it is also very toxic to your pet.

Asprin: do not give to your dog for home treatment. If you simply must give your dog aspirin, use one of the buffered products to help protect his stomach, give the aspirin with a meal, and use it in close consultation with your vet.

Carbon Monoxide: don’t run your car in a garage if your dog is in there, also watch out using heaters in closed rooms or area with low ventilation. The prognosis is good if poisoning is mild; however it may take up to 6 weeks for signs of brain damage due to oxygen starvation to develop. This is irreversible.

Chocolate: Your dog will show symptoms of chocolate poisoning within 6-12 hours of eating it. Vomiting, diarrhea and hyperactivity are common. Prevention of chocolate poisoning is easy – eat all the chocolate yourself!! Whether or not a dog recovers from theobromine poisoning depends on how much he has eaten, and how severe the symptoms.

Grapes: As much as dogs seem to like them, grapes, sultanas and raisins can be very toxic to dogs, if enough of them are eaten. If poisoning is caught early, before your dog shows any symptoms of kidney failure, he should survive. However, if his kidneys have shut down and he’s not producing any urine, the prognosis is poor, and he’s unlikely to survive.

Lead Poisoning: If you’re doing any home renovations and the paint on your walls contains lead, sanding the walls can leave paint residue around the floor. Your dog may inadvertently lick the lead containing dust from his paws or coat. In the past, there have been recalls of children’s toys because of excess lead content; a puppy may chew a toy and become unwell. Lead poisoning can certainly be fatal to your dog, and some dogs that recover may show permanent neurological changes.

Molds (or moulds): The main species of mold which grows on foods your dog may eat is Aspergillus, and the toxin is called aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is one of the most poisonous substances found in nature. This can also be fatal. Some veterinarians believe that this slow poisoning by low doses of aflatoxin is under diagnosed, and occurs more frequently than we think.

Mothballs: Naphthalene is the active ingredient in most mothballs. Dogs with mild symptoms usually recover with treatment, however if your dog has liver failure, the prognosis isn’t as good. Keep your dog away from sources of naphthalene.

Onions: It doesn’t matter if they are cooked or raw, onions and garlic both contain thiosulphate. While poisoning isn’t all that common, it still occurs and it can kill, in high doses onions and garlic are quite poisonous to him.

Organophosphates: found in some older flea and tick rinses, and although there are many newer and safer alternatives, organophosphate poisoning is still one of the top three chemical agents responsible for deaths in animals. The other two are the anticoagulant rodenticides, and ethylene glycol (antifreeze). Use one of the newer flea control products which are often more effective and much safer.

By: Chris McGee

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Keep your dog happy and healthy by preventing poison in the first place. ezinearticles.com/?Training-You-and-Your-Dog-to-Be-Happy&id=1584514 KeepYourDogHappy.com

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Distemper is usually a disease of young cats, which, having once had it and having recovered, are protected from future attacks. It is however, sometimes seen in older cats, especially so when the disease occurs when the disease is constantly present in an animal community but only occurs in a small number of cases or affecting a large number of animals at the same time.

The first symptoms of distemper are those of fever, with the combination of symptoms such as an inflammation of one of the organs, or an injury which is somewhat serious, it shows that it is ill more decidedly than any other animal. It appears sicker with troubles of the same severity than do other animals.

In the beginning the cat loses its appetite, and seeks a dark corner, where it wants to remain out of sight. These may be more or less severe according to the gravity of the attack. Shortly after the beginning of the fever you will find a watery discharge from the eyes, which may become crusty later: a discharge from the nostrils of thick mucus at first, and crusty later which may even be tinged with blood.

The disease may be followed later by diseases of the respiratory system or of the digestive system, which in their local appearance are Gastritis, Constipation and Diarrhea, including those of the stomach, the intestines, but which are more severe than they are in their sporadic form, because they are grafted onto the body of an animal already suffering from fever and weakened by it.

Let it be understood, however, that in cases which have been going on for some little time, while the present condition of the animal is perfectly evident, it is not possible to make a diagnosis between these two following conditions;

1. A cat which has been infected first with distemper, has developed fever, and has the complication of a severe bronchi-pneumonia or of a severe diarrhea, or is excessively debilitated and weak; or

2. A cat which has been affected with a severe bronchitis and bronchi-pneumonia , or a severe diarrhea which is continued for some little time, and has produced by the local irritation and inflammation a fever which is secondary, and the cat has been weakened and is greatly debilitated.

These two cases are absolutely identical, and the treatment for it is practically the same. Suppose, however, that not one cat alone, but several, are found in the same house or stable in the same condition, or in variable degrees pointing toward the same disease, or other cats have been presenting the same symptoms, then you can assume it to be distemper.

The cat with distemper must be isolated at once, and put into a quiet room where it is well protected from drafts of air, while still supplied with fresh air. Consult with your veterinarian distemper can be very contagious. The strength of the cat must be kept up, but do not force food unless it is absolutely necessary.

This information is intended as an informational guide only. This is not to be substituted for professional veterinary care. Always ask your Veterinary for advice and have them explain why they have chosen that treatment and what the side affects are.

By: Alice Gines

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Providing healthy alternatives for people and pets with natural health products and natural health solutions without harmful side effects. www.peopletopets.com/health-food-for-cats.html Keep you up with all the news that is happening in your world as well as your pets world. www.people-to-pets.com/Blog

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For example, a 1 year old dog is comparable to a 15 year old kid, at age 6, he is comparable to 40 years old in human terms. By 12, it is consider a geriatric dog and is equivalent to an 80 year old man.

It is generally believed that the smaller the dog breeds, the longer they live. Small breeds such as Terrier and Poodle may not slow down until 13 or 14 and could live to 17. On the other hand, larger breeds such as Great Dane and Wolfhounds rarely live pass 9 years.

Diet
A healthy diet for the older dog should be senior food that are formulated with low in fat and salt for a healthy heart, lower calories to help combat obesity since they are less active, lower protein to help the kidneys and liver, and higher fiber for the bowels to prevent constipation.

A switch to a specially formulated commercial diet for the older dog will usually perk him up. If you have no clues about your older dog’s diet, you should consult your vet for advice.

Medical attention
You’ll probably find that your older dog needs more medical attention than before because this is the time where age-related problems start to kick in. If possible, try to make more than just an annual visit to the vet and keep vaccinations up to date. A yearly geriatric screen, including blood and x-ray would also be useful to keep a closer eye on his health.

Patience
Patience is a key factor on your part when you deal with your beloved dog as he grows older. More often than not, he will develop age related problems such as tooth decay, periodontal diseases, vision impairment, hearing loss and also less active than before.

In any case, try to give them more time and understanding because they are not in their prime anymore. With enough love and care, older dogs can still continue their enjoyment of life well into old age.

Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels. ~ unknown dog

By: Moses Chia

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Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website.

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