Animals Library: Taking Care of a Dog

Showing posts with label Taking Care of a Dog. Show all posts

Benefits of using Hydrotherapy on Dogs

Swimming has always been used as a form of therapy. Hydrotherapy is not only being used on humans, it has been found to yield benefits for animals as well. Dogs for example, can use hydrotherapy to minimize the damage and symptoms of arthritis, muscular strains, and DM in dogs, just to name a few. Hydrotherapy is easier to use since it does not hurt as much as using a treadmill. Water’s buoyancy helps support and lessens stress, encourages freer movements and keeps the dog in a safe ad controlled therapy environment. Below are other benefits when using hydrotherapy.

It is Cooler

When using a treadmill, a dog may have a hard time because of the heat created by their body and the heat of the environment. With hydrotherapy, the dog is placed in a water tank or small pool, keeping them cool as they go through the exercises of their therapy session. This makes it perfect for the summer time when it’s too hot to have therapy activities outside.

It’s Less Stressful

Resistance and muscle tension is reduced by up 15 to 20 times when under water. Regular walking is too painful and tiring, especially for dogs that have arthritis, DM in dogs and hip dysplasia. With hydrotherapy, dogs can build stronger muscles without too much tension. Dogs who have physical disabilities will also find hydrotherapy easier

It Calms the Nervous System

Water helps soothe and calm the body and nervous system. It can also decrease stress and let the dog have fun. Water also helps stimulate joint position sensation and re-establish broken sensation channels.

Helps the Circulatory and Immune System

Water also helps stimulate blood circulation. Warm water is commonly used to increase the dog’s body temperature to dilate blood vessels and increase blood circulation. This helps detoxify the dog’s blood, removing any toxic substances that could have entered their system and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the organs. Soft tissues are also compresses which help increase lymph movement which decrease inflammation, increase drainage and improve the dog’s immune system.

Improves Apatite and Digestion

Hydrotherapy can actually help you improve your dog’s eating habits. Most of the time, sick dogs become very picky and do not eat as much as they should. This is one way to help it establish an ideal weight and keep it well built. Water also increases smooth muscle or digestion activities, making it easier to eliminate unneeded materials through feces.

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Care for Dogs during summer

When the warmer seasons start rolling in, expect a lot of people going out and enjoying the sun. Many of these people would bring their dogs out to enjoy themselves and also have a good time. However, too much heat might cause the dog to get sick. Below are a few tips that can help your keep your beloved pet dog safe during summer.

No parking

You should never, in under any circumstance, leave your dog inside the car. It does not matter if you parked in the shade or in a covered car park. The interior of your car will heat up and it’s very dangerous for dogs to stay in very hot places. If you are off running errands, leave your dog or bring a leash so you can take it around with you. When taking your pet out, also make sure that its leash is securely on it so that it will not run off or get lost.

Give it a lot of water

Make sure your dog is well hydrated. Give it a good amount of water and make sure their water bowl is full with clean water all the time. Dogs that are paralyzes, such as the ones suffering from dm in dogs, will need assistance in keeping them hydrated. You can use a feeding tube and squirt water into their mouth so it goes into their system. If you are planning to go out with your pet dog, bring a small container of water along with you.

Cut their hair

Grooming your pet will not only make it look good, it will also help them keep cool. Dogs that have long and shaggy hair commonly suffer from heat strokes. Keeping their fur well kept, clean and trimmed will be a big help. Bigger dogs are more prone to heat strokes during summer. Other illnesses that dogs also be prone due to the heat are DM in dogs, arthritis, and bone and muscle problems. A dog who is suffering from a heat stroke are constantly panting, staring at blank spaces, refuse to obey any commands, has dry skin, being tired all the time, and vomiting.

Crank up the cooling system

Dogs who are more use in living in colder areas will love you for it. Boost the temperature of your cooling system to a relaxing and comfortable temperature. Another way to keep them cool is to give them a bath. Once or twice a week should cover it.

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Puppy Care – Setting the Right Diet

One of the most frequently asked questions dog owners ask their veterinarians is what to feed to their puppies. Puppies, like human babies, required a more complex diet in order for them to grow well. They are still growing and need more than the usual combination and amount of nutrients to develop normally. Giving them the right diet will also help prevent them from developing any genetic illnesses such as degenerative myelopathy. Below are a few common food choices that dog owners give to their puppies and their pros and cons.

Table Scraps

Many people give their puppy table scraps thinking that they are enough to give them the nutrients they need. It’s also a very cheap way to feet you pets—you basically cook for yourself and your dog. However, table scraps are not enough for a growing puppy. Scraps still lack the nutrients they need to develop strong muscles and bones. If you are planning to give your puppy table scraps, you will need to give it food supplements to make up for the lacking vitamins and minerals.

Meat

Meat is also another common thing that dog owners give to their pets. Some vets have also recommended giving dogs meat because of its high protein content. A down side when it comes to serving meat to puppies everyday is that the protein content of meat can be too much for their kidneys. Also, you have to prepare and cook the meat properly to prevent the puppy from getting food poisoning. It can also be a bit expensive over time if you go with an all-meat diet.

Dog Food

This is the best type of food to give to dogs, no matter how old they are. High quality dog food contains all the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals specifically formulated for growing puppies. There are even dog food brands that offer a specific blend for puppy size and breeds. Dog food becomes very cheap if you buy it in sacks of bulks and its available everywhere. However, care must be taken when switching dog food, since puppies have sensitive stomachs and may react negatively when introduced to a new brand. A good way to stop this is to integrate the new dog food slowly into their diet so that their system can get used to it.

Since puppies are still developing, it is a good idea to give them supplements to make sure they are getting enough nutrients. Another thing to be careful about is their diet. Puppies grow very fast, and you have to make sure you do not over feed them. Over weight dogs are more prone to illnesses like cardio vascular problems, degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia and bone disease.

Puppy Care Video

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3 Tips for Keeping your in Top Shape

Keeping our pet dogs healthy is one of our top priorities. We treat our pets like a part of our family and we want them to live a long and happy life. Many dog owners would go the extra mile when it comes to taking care of their pet dogs. Some even buy the best and most expensive necessities, accessories and toys just to keep their dogs cheerful. However, health and proper care is still the best thing we can give to our pets. There are many things to consider in making sure that our pet dogs are always healthy.

1.    Expert Vet Care

The best veterinary care covers the overall health of our pet dogs. We need to make sure that our vet is trustworthy. Dogs also need to be given regular checkup; a routine wellness test should be given to the dog twice a year. Moreover, senior dogs and puppies need more visits to the vet because of their age. Dogs that have special needs, such as the ones that have degenerative myelopathy, might need an on call vet in case of emergencies.

2.    Optimum Nutrition and Exercise

Picking out the right diet is one of the pillars of keeping a healthy. We can’t just feed them table scraps and bones. They need a balanced diet to stay in good physical shape. There are hundreds of brands of dog food that offers a special formula for certain types of dogs. Ask the vet which one is the best for your dog’s breed and age. Along with a balanced diet, dogs also need a good amount of exercise. Exercise is also a form of therapy for dogs that have joint diseases and degenerative myelopathy. Besides, taking your dog out for a walk will let you bond and build a stronger relationship.

3.    Dental Care and Grooming

Taking care of your dog’s teeth is one of the most forgotten tasks. Just as in humans, tartar and plaque can build up in dog teeth, leading to mouth and gum problems. Most find it difficult to brush their dog’s teeth since dogs move around a lot. A simple solution to this is to give the dog a dental treat that they can chew on that doubles as a way for them to clean their teeth remove oral odor.

Grooming is also important. Besides giving the dog regular baths to keep them clean, their fur also needs to be brushed. Depending on the breed, some dogs might also need to be taken to a grooming parlor to get their fur trimmed and have matted fur removed.

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Taking Care of a Dog with DM in the Late Stages

Degenerative myelopathy, or DM, is an illness that commonly affects bigger dogs. This is a neurological disease that targets the dog’s lower limbs and moves up to its body, resulting to full paralysis. Sadly, this illness does not have a cure or vaccine as of yet, and no one can really tell if a puppy will grow up to have DM. During its later stages, dogs with DM can be difficult to take care of. This is why many dog owners that have pets with DM would prefer to put their beloved pets to sleep for moral reasons. But if you do decide to keep your dog until the very end, here are some tips to help you take care of your dog through the late stages of DM.

Prepare the Dog’s Bed

During the late stages of degenerative myelopathy, your dog will spend most of its time lying down. The best thing to do is to prepare a nice mat with a cushion on top where the dog can stay. Since the illness targets the dog’s lower body first, its bladder control will soon become weaker and bathroom accidents will surely happen.

Keep it Clean

A good way to keep its sleeping area clean is to cover the cushion with material that is waterproof and easy to clean. This way, it will not get soiled very easily. Keep the area clean and dry so that the dog stays clean and no foul odour develops. Give it regular baths and make sure to dry the dog completely.

Play and Feeding Time

Just because the dog cannot run around and play anymore, does not mean that you still can’t have fun. Play with it and show it that you are still there to take care of it. During meal time, depending on how the illness has already affected the dog, you might need to help it eat. If the dog can still lift its head up, then get a feeding bowl that’s a little lower so that it will not have any trouble eating.

Be Emotionally Ready

Sooner or later, you dog will pass away and you have to move on. It is very difficult to lose a pet, especially if you have been very close and emotionally attached to it. You will have to accept the fact that it soon will be leaving you. The earlier you accept this, the easier for you to move on.