STORY TO BE TOLD

How to Get Rid of Ticks on Your Dog

Ticks are bad news: They transmit several diseases that can cause severe illness and even death in both dogs and humans, so keeping your dog tick-free is a top priority.

Huge numbers of tick eggs hatch each spring, and the young ticks climb onto grasses and other vegetation. Their sticky shells help them to cling to passing animals, including your adventurous pet dog.

Ticks quickly climb down the hair, attach to the skin, and begin to suck blood, only dropping off hours or days later when they are engorged. In the meantime, any microorganisms that were hitching a ride inside this insect traveler are transmitted to your dog through the tick’s mouth.

Keeping your dog as free of ticks as possible is always the safest bet — not only for your dog, but for you as well. Here are some tick-prevention tips:

During the tick season (April through September), limit your dog’s exposure to known tick-infested areas. Ticks often hide in tall grasses and dense vegetation.

Use a tick preventive during the spring and summer months. Several products on the market kill both fleas and ticks (and why not knock out both at the same time?). You can apply these products monthly to the skin at the back of your dog’s neck. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the most effective product for your dog.

Examine your dog for ticks daily during tick season. If you suspect he has been romping in a tick-infested area, examine him for ticks immediately. Be sure to check inside and behind his ears and around his eyes, all favorite tick hiding places.



To remove a tick, follow these steps:

1.Use a pair of tweezers to grasp the head of the tick where it attaches to the skin.
Wear gloves if you plan to use your fingers to remove the tick.

2.Pull on the tick gently and steadily. If you yank the tick away from your dog too quickly, you’ll leave part of the tick’s mouth behind, which can cause an infection.

In about 20 to 30 seconds, the tick’s mouth will release its grasp and the tick will come away cleanly

3.Dab some disinfectant on your dog on the bitten area, being extremely careful if you’re around your dog’s eyes.

4.Kill the tick by placing it in alcohol.

5.
Save the dead tick in a resealable plastic bag, labeled with the date on which the tick was found.

This may sound weird, but if your dog becomes ill, you may need to identify the species of tick that bit him.

Never remove a tick with your bare hands, and never crush a tick between your fingers. If you do, you put yourself at risk of contracting Lyme disease or one of the other tick-borne diseases.

If your dog becomes ill and you recently found a tick on him, seek veterinary attention immediately. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated successfully if a diagnosis is made immediately and appropriate treatment initiated. If the tick-borne organisms are allowed to gain a foothold, however, these bad bugs can cause serious illness or even death.

source taken from: http://www.dummies.com/

What Crystle a.k.a. can and can't eat?


Homemade Dog Food Dangers

Good nutrition for us does not always mean good for our dogs. Many foods, including grapes, walnuts, and milk can be dangerous for canines.

In the wake of recent pet food recalls, many dog owners have resorted to cooking for their dogs. A homemade diet is one way to know exactly what you are feeding your best friend. However, not all human foods are good for dogs. If you are cooking for your dog or just sharing a snack, make sure he’s not getting something that can cause illness or death.

Alcohol can cause breathing difficulties, abnormal blood acidity, coma and death in dogs. At parties, don’t let anyone offer your dog a ‘drink.’

Avocadoes contain persin which can cause digestive upsets and heart problems.

Bones may splinter and puncture or obstruct the digestive tract.

Broccoli in large amounts can cause illness in dogs.

Chocolate, coffee and tea all contain stimulants that cause abnormal heartbeat, seizures and death in dogs. Chocolate is especially dangerous for dogs.

Corn on the cob is dangerous. Even though the corn will be digested, chunks of cob may obstruct the digestive tract

Grapes and raisins contain an unknown substance that causes kidney failure in dogs.

Liver in large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity.

Macadamia nuts contain an unidentified toxin that causes weakness, tremors, panting and swelling in the legs.

Walnuts may have a fungus or mold which causes drooling, jaundice, lack of coordination, and vomiting.

Milk is difficult for some dogs to digest effectively, which leads to G.I. upsets.

Mushrooms and molds can be toxic to dogs. Some varieties are more toxic than others.

Nutmeg is a seasoning that causes tremors, seizures, and death in dogs.

Onions and garlic, both cooked and raw, contain thiosulphate which can cause digestive upsets, hemolytic anemia, and death. Onions contain more of the toxin than garlic does.

Raw egg whites contain avidin which causes B vitamin deficiency, skin problems and skeletal deformities Raw eggs can also harbor salmonella or e.coli.

Raw fish, especially salmon, may contain parasites that are dangerous for dogs.

Seeds and fruit pits can cause choking or intestinal blockages and some contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs.

Xylitol causes an insulin reaction in dogs which can lead to liver failure within a few days. It’s found in many candies, gums, toothpastes, and pastries.

Greasy, fatty table scraps can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused when too much digestive enzyme is produced. Affected dogs may have bloody vomit or diarrhea and suffer dehydration and even death.

Snacks shared with your dog need to be checked for hidden ingredients. Some foods such as cookies, gravies, and even some baby foods, can contain chocolate, nuts, onions, excessive salt or sugar, or other items dangerous for dogs. Keeping garbage cans secured is a good idea too.

Pennies are another danger to dogs worth mentioning. Those dated after 1981 are made from zinc with a thin copper coating. A dog swallowing just one of these pennies can suffer damage to red blood cells and kidney failure, due to zinc poisoning.

If you suspect your dog has consumed something toxic, call your vet right away. Hesitation can prove fatal.

Most doting dog owners, especially children, love to share snacks with their best friend but these should be healthful foods, approved by a veterinarian. A little awareness and caution can prevent a tragedy.

Source :

AskAboutCoins.com

Related Reading:

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source taken from:http://dog-care.suite101.com/

The age of tradition giving the dog a bone is now under scrutiny. Should dogs eat bones? Chicken bones, rawhide bones, and bones that are brittle and can break into shreds should absolutely be avoided according to veterinarians who have been in practice for ten years or less. Other veterinarians claim that they are essential. Dogs who eat bones generally tend to just eat the bone, no fuss, no muss. Dog owners that encourage their dogs to chomp down a big meaty bone every now and then claim that those who restrict their dogs are being overly cautious.

However, there have been an increasing number of dog bone incidents that lead veterinarians to deem bone chomping a danger to dogs. This can be viewed two different ways. Let’s say that dog bones are as safe as walking your dog. While you are walking your dog things can happen. Another dog might decide to come out of nowhere and attack your dog, a car could cut the corner too close and clip your guy on the way by, or you could trip, lose control of your dog’s leash, and deal with havoc in the aftermath. These are all possibilities and unfortunate things happen while walking a dog at about the same degree that unfortunate things happen while dogs are eating the bones. They might choke, they might not digest the bone properly, and they may end up with a sensitive stomach and end up with a case of dog diarrhea.

When we were kids, it was okay to eat the cookie batter while we were waiting for the real thing. For many of us, the batter was the best part. Now, we are warned of the dangers of this scrumptious treat. When many of us were kids, car seats were rarely used and car accidents were more often fatal to small children. Are we becoming an overly safety conscious society or are we simply learning more about the consequences of our actions? This is the question when we wonder should dogs eat bones?

Dogs are carnivorous and we rarely give them the essential meaty nutrients they require. Bones have been proven to keep teeth clean, reverse periodontal disease in dogs, and maintain a balance of essential proteins and minerals they can’t get from their wheat based dog food. Thus, there are many benefits to allowing the dog to have a bone. In fact, many veterinarians recommend a trip to the butcher shop once a month for the knotted elbow of a meaty bone. The elbow is less likely to splinter while providing a dog with the natural essentials he needs for good health and chewing habits. Other vets state that meaty bones are a danger to the dog, providing samples of lacerated esophagi, tummies, and bowels. Again it comes down to what percentage of dogs have been injured by the bone eating dilemma.

Many veterinarians state that they see more problems and health complications dealing with dog toys, chewed clothing, Christmas ornaments, and plastic bags than they do from bones. Is this because few people are giving their dogs the bones based on veterinarian advice or is this because bones are actually safer in reality than we have been led to believe?

Bones chewing can provide good sources of proteins and essential nutrients and can be about as safe as any other activity provided there is ample supervision. Before giving your dog a bone, teach him to give up his prized possessions. If you feel you can take anything away from your dog without consequence, you are definitely on the right track. This way you can take the bone from him if you feel he is able to shred it into unsafe pieces.

Know your bones. Go to the butcher shop or the grocer and ask for the specific bones you are seeking. You want to avoid bones that have been cooked, those which have been previously cut into little pieces, bones without sufficient meat, those big leg marrowbones, or bones with fragments, angles that come to a sharp point, and bones which can be swallowed whole.

Neck bones from chickens, turkey, or beef, as well as tail or rib bones from beef, low fat with high meat content, and large bones with smooth edges are the safest for your dog to eat.

While there will always be a dispute as to should dogs eat bones, it is not equally appropriate for a responsible human to weigh the pros and cons, supervise bone chewing sessions, and determine what they believe is right for their dog. Raw bones spoil after at the most, 2 days, and thus dogs should not be left for an indefinite amount of time with their bone. For the humans who are uncomfortable with their dog chewing on a bone, there are other meaty alternatives that provide the protein and nutrients but are lacking in some of the minerals.

source taken from: http://www.professorshouse.com/


Homemade Dog Food Recipes

The best way to know what goes into your dog’s food is to make it yourself. With the recent pet food recall, many pet owners are doing just that. Though some experts argue that a homemade diet is best for dogs, this is best done temporarily until you can consult your veterinarian, as canines have definite nutritional requirements. Dietary changes should be done slowly to avoid digestive upsets. Recipes or ingredients may be rotated to ensure nutritional variety.

Do not feed your dog bones, especially cooked bones. Fragments can become lodged in the digestive tract. Canines in the wild who eat bones have the benefit of consuming hair and hide too, which have been found to ‘pad’ the bone fragments and aid in their passing. Other foods to avoid that are dangerous for dogs are chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic.

Try one of these easy dog food recipes and watch your pup smile.

Doggy Hamburger Helper

1 cup hamburger meat, stir-fried in 1 tbsp canola oil

2 boiled eggs, chopped

½ cup cooked plain oatmeal

1 jar baby food green beans

jar baby food carrots

2 Tbsp cottage cheese

Combine all ingredients and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard any remains after 3 days.
Doggy Casserole

1 cup boiled poultry, chopped

½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup boiled mixed vegetables

3 to 4 Tbsp unsalted chicken broth

(Note: Salmon may occasionally be substituted for boiled poultry, with chicken broth omitted.)

Stir together and serve at room temperature. A good doggy multivitamin/mineral supplement may be added for good measure. Be sure to store unused portions in a covered container in the refrigerator and discard remains after 3 days.

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http://dog-care.suite101.com/

How to Get Rid of Ticks on Your Dog

Ticks are bad news: They transmit several diseases that can cause severe illness and even death in both dogs and humans, so keeping your dog tick-free is a top priority.

Huge numbers of tick eggs hatch each spring, and the young ticks climb onto grasses and other vegetation. Their sticky shells help them to cling to passing animals, including your adventurous pet dog.

Ticks quickly climb down the hair, attach to the skin, and begin to suck blood, only dropping off hours or days later when they are engorged. In the meantime, any microorganisms that were hitching a ride inside this insect traveler are transmitted to your dog through the tick’s mouth.

Keeping your dog as free of ticks as possible is always the safest bet — not only for your dog, but for you as well. Here are some tick-prevention tips:

*

During the tick season (April through September), limit your dog’s exposure to known tick-infested areas. Ticks often hide in tall grasses and dense vegetation.
*

Use a tick preventive during the spring and summer months. Several products on the market kill both fleas and ticks (and why not knock out both at the same time?). You can apply these products monthly to the skin at the back of your dog’s neck. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the most effective product for your dog.
*

Examine your dog for ticks daily during tick season. If you suspect he has been romping in a tick-infested area, examine him for ticks immediately. Be sure to check inside and behind his ears and around his eyes, all favorite tick hiding places.

To remove a tick, follow these steps:

1.

Use a pair of tweezers to grasp the head of the tick where it attaches to the skin.

Wear gloves if you plan to use your fingers to remove the tick.
2.

Pull on the tick gently and steadily. If you yank the tick away from your dog too quickly, you’ll leave part of the tick’s mouth behind, which can cause an infection.

In about 20 to 30 seconds, the tick’s mouth will release its grasp and the tick will come away cleanly.
3.

Dab some disinfectant on your dog on the bitten area, being extremely careful if you’re around your dog’s eyes.
4.

Kill the tick by placing it in alcohol.
5.

Save the dead tick in a resealable plastic bag, labeled with the date on which the tick was found.

This may sound weird, but if your dog
becomes ill, you may need to identify the species of tick that bit him.

Never remove a tick with your bare hands, and never crush a tick between your fingers. If you do, you put yourself at risk of contracting Lyme disease or one of the other tick-borne diseases.

If your dog becomes ill and you recently found a tick on him, seek veterinary attention immediately. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated successfully if a diagnosis is made immediately and appropriate treatment initiated. If the tick-borne organisms are allowed to gain a foothold, however, these bad bugs can cause serious illness or even death.

source taken from: http://www.dummies.com/

How Smart is a Fish?
by Melissa Breyer

Dogs are easy. You talk, they respond–smart! Fish, not so easy. It’s not like we get the frequent opportunity to really interact with them–and for anyone who’s seen a goldfish repetitively doing the rounds in its bowl, it’s easy to buy into the old adage that fish have only a three-second memory. (Although, do you remember Gus, Central Park Zoo’s “neurotic” polar bear? Much like a goldfish in a bowl, the old guy repetitively circled his habitat in the same exact manner day in and day out. But no-one accused him of having only a three-second memory–he got diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder caused by boredom, and got an animal therapist. Only in New York…)

Anyway, recent research may suggest the possibility that a fish circles its bowl because it is really is just impossibly bored, not because it doesn’t remember that it just did it again and again and again. What does Dr. Kevin Warburton, adjunct researcher with Charles Sturt University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society, have to say about the three-second memory of a fish? “Rubbish!”

Warburton, who has been studying fish behavior for years says, “There’s been a lot of work done over the last 15 years on learning and memory in fish and it as been found that fish are quite sophisticated. Fish can remember prey types for months; they can learn to avoid predators after being attacked once and they retain this memory for several months; and carp that have been caught by fishers avoid hooks for at least a year. That fish have only a three second memory is just rubbish.”

Research suggests fish are actually quite sophisticated (Source: stock.xchng)

I've heard many people say fish have only split seconds memory but through out my experience after buying yellow cichlit fishes, I think they can remember very well especially when it is dinner time. They will swim real fast up and down waiting for me to feed them.

I guess different fish just have different memory spans. They are smarter than what we thought.

Here is an article about the fish's memory that I read
News in Science - Three-second fish memory 'rubbish'
Darren Osborne
ABC

Forget what you know: Fish have a memory that lasts much more than three seconds and are capable of deception and learning, say Australian researchers.

Dr Kevin Warbuton, an adjunct researcher at the Institute for Land, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University in Albury, New South Wales has been studying fish for more than three decades and says they're much better at memory than we give them credit for.

Warbuton's research has been focused on Australian freshwater fish, particularly in southeast Queensland.

He says the idea that fish have a short memory is wrong.

"It's absolute rubbish," says Warbuton. "There's been a lot of work done over the last 15 years on learning and memory in fish and it has been found that fish are quite sophisticated.

"Fish can remember prey types for months; they can learn to avoid predators after being attacked once and they retain this memory for several months."

Warbuton believes fish are capable of learning, albeit at a cost. For example, his research on the silver perch revealed something unexpected.

"With one type of prey, the fish got more and more efficient at catching their food," he says. "But when we put two different types of prey in together, their overall efficiency dropped. We think it was because they suffered from divided attention. It's a cost of learning."
Art of deception

According to Warbuton, fish are also capable of exhibiting human-like behaviours, such as deception.

"Fish can recognise other individuals and modify their own behaviour after observing interactions between other individuals.

"Siamese fighting fish will attack other members of the same species more aggressively if they've seen them lose contests with other fighters."

Warbuton says cleaner fish - reef fish that eat parasites off other larger fish - will also be on the lookout to assess the situation and work out how best to take advantage.

"What's fascinating is that they cooperate more with clients when they are being observed by other potential clients," says Warburton. "This improves their image and their chances of attracting clients."
Misguided belief

Dr Ashley Ward, a fish biologist at the University of Sydney says where the three-second memory urban myth came from is hard to find.

"It seems to come from an advert many years ago, but nobody is sure what it was for," he says.

Ward believes the misconceptions surrounding the intelligence of fish may stem from the early days of zoology.

"Back then [zoologists] tested their abilities based on what a human could do … so obviously the fish would fail."

Ward says we now know of numerous of examples of fish displaying amazing memory skills.

He refers to one anecdote from the United States, where a Professor Charles Eriksen spent several months feeding a pond of fish while calling out "fish-fish".

After a break of five years, Eriksen returned to the pond and called out "fish-fish". Immediately a number of the surviving fish swam to the surface waiting to be fed.

According to Ward, the frillfin gobbie, which during low tide lives in rock pools that are spaced apart, has an amazing memory.

"If it gets frightened by a bird it jumps from one rock pool to another. To do this, it has to remember the topographic layout of the pools without being able to see them," says Ward.

"Another example is the trigger fish, which is found around northern Australia," he says. "They have been shown to use tools and other smart tricks to outwit their prey."

source taken from: http://www.abc.net.au/

New Home For My Terrapins and A New Aquarium For My three New Cichlit Fishes (Electric Yellow Fish)


Haven't name them yet because I do not know how many will be left in the end. I heard people said Cichlit are mean fishes.. But some say they are known as "Peaceful Fishes" - Hope mine will not be so aggresive and mean


"Where is our food" for today says Mork.



Mork, Da DA and Ka Ka so facinated with their new villa.

Did not cook today because I was too excited having two new home in a single day.. but the new home are for my pets not me..



Seems that very few people cook at home today. Just look at the crowd.


Had dinner at 101 Commerical Centre Hawker Stalls. Ordered "Ikan Bakar" yummy yummy. It has been quite sometime since I had "Ikan Bakar"

Dog Diarrhea - Treatment and Prevention of Diarrhea

The presence of diarrhea in dogs should always be cause for concern. There are a plethora of causes of both acute and chronic diarrhea in dogs, including infectious causes, toxins, inflammation or disease of the intestinal tract and parasites. Diarrhea can have a devastating effect on the body due to its dehydrating effect, and left untreated it can lead to blood sugar depletion, circulatory collapse and death. Although mild cases of diarrhea may resolve without intervention, diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, lethargy or any other behavioral changes should be treated as a medical emergency. Because the severity of the cause of diarrhea is not immediately present at onset, prompt medical attention must be sought to quickly diagnose and treat the underlying problem.

Diarrhea is always a symptom of an underlying problem, and not a disease in itself. Diarrhea can be used to describe a varying severity of a problem, from occasional loose stools to a continuous watery stream of feces. Unfortunately there are many potential causes of diarrhea in dogs, and determining the cause can require a joint effort by you and your veterinarian.

One of the most common causes of diarrhea is intestinal upset. A sudden change in the type of food, giving an unfamiliar treat, or feeding table scraps can cause a bout of diarrhea. Diarrhea caused by food changes can often be resolved at home, so long as the diarrhea is not severe, and the dog continues to act and feel normally. Withholding food for 24 hours will allow the dogs digestive system to settle down (while continuing to encourage water consumption). After 24 hours, small amounts of a bland diet, such as white rice and chicken, can be offered. If the diarrhea subsides, you can gradually place the dog back on their original diet, and transition slowly to the new diet. If the diarrhea does not improve, or gets worse, veterinary treatment may be required.

In order to avoid intestinal upsets due to dietary changes, all changes in food should take place over several days, to allow the dog to get used to the new food. For the first three days of a food switch, feed ¼ of the new diet and ¾ of the old food. If your dog is doing well, then feed a half portion new food and half old food for another three days, then ¼ old food and ¾ new food for another three days. This slow transition will help to minimize intestinal upsets and decrease the chances of an episode of diarrhea.

Although many dogs regularly receive table scraps, care must be taken to ensure that the types of human foods are not too rich for the dogs system. Fatty foods especially can cause diarrhea and vomiting, and can also cause pancreatitis, a form of inflammation in the pancreas that can lead to chronic digestive problems. In addition, while dogs love most of the types of meat that we may be eating, the form they are accustomed to (in their dog food) is highly processed. Giving large amounts of meat from human plates can be far too rich for the dog, and cause diarrhea. It is also important to remember that dogs should NEVER be given turkey or chicken bones, as these can splinter into small pieces and puncture the stomach and intestines.

Intestinal parasites are a very common cause of diarrhea in dogs. There are many types of parasites that can infect dogs, and diarrhea is often one of the most common symptoms of a parasite infection.

Roundworms are one of the most commonly seen intestinal parasites in puppies. Although roundworms are not commonly active in most adult dogs, puppies are especially susceptible to their presence and side effects. Dogs ingest the roundworm egg in the soil, and puppies can be passed the worm from their mothers. As the eggs hatch in the intestine, the larva is then carried to the lungs via the bloodstream. From the lungs, the worms crawl up the windpipe and cause gagging and coughing, before returning to the intestine to grow into adults. Roundworms can grow to up to seven inches long and appear spaghetti-like, long and thin. A pot-bellied appearance, poor growth and a rough, dull hair coat are signs of a worm infestation. Diarrhea and vomiting may be present as well, and the dog may expel worms in their stool or vomitus. If allowed to continue unchecked, the worms can cause pneumonia, intestinal obstructions and death.

Hookworms can be seen in dogs of all ages, but are most common in warmer, humid climates. Transmitted by ingestion of contaminated feces, mature hookworms attach to the lining of the intestinal tract and feed on the blood supply there. In pregnant dogs, the hookworms migrate into the fetuses, and begin to infest the puppies before they are even born. Hookworms in puppies can be devastating, as they can cause severe anemia, weakness and bloody diarrhea.

While not a worm, Giardia is an intestinal parasite caused by a single-celled organism that lives in the intestines of infected animals. Recent research has shown that Giardia is present in up to 11% of the general population of pets, and as many as 50% of puppies. Giardia can be transmitted from pet to pet, through contaminated feed or water, and through the soil. Pets who attend dog-park, doggy day care or are kenneled are at higher risk for infection. The most common symptom of Giardia is diarrhea of varying severity. However, many animals who are infected with Giardia can show no symptoms for extended periods of time, which makes routine testing even more important.

Coccidia is another single-celled organism that infects the small intestine of dogs. Dogs with coccidia may show know signs of illness, and some may have severe bouts of watery stools and bloody diarrhea, vomiting, depression and fever, and even death as a result of severe dehydration. These severe side effects of coccidia are most common in puppies and adult dogs suffering from other illnesses.

Diarrhea in puppies and young is of particular concern, because if is often the first symptom of severe and potentially fatal viral diseases such as the parvovirus, coronavirus and distemper.

Parvovirus is most commonly found in young dogs than adults, and puppies that are unvaccinated, or have not yet completed their vaccination series are most susceptible. The parvovirus attacks and kills the cells in the intestinal lining, rendering the dog unable to absorb nutrients or liquids. Dogs with parvo develop a high fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. Profuse, liquid diarrhea occurs as the damage to the intestinal tract progresses, and may be foul smelling, or have blood in the stool. The diarrhea leads to severe dehydration, shock and death, and is often fatal, even in dogs diagnosed and aggressively treated for the disease. Vaccination is the best prevention for development of Parvo.

Like Parvo, the coronavirus is a highly contagious virus causes gastrointestinal problems. Although adult dogs that contract corona may simply show symptoms like stomach flu, and recover within a few days without treatment, puppies can develop far more serious infections and complications. The signs of corona are similar to those of parvo- profuse watery diarrhea, which if left untreated can cause severe dehydration and secondary complications.

Canine Distemper Virus is a devastating disease that is highly contagious, and infects unvaccinated dogs and puppies. This virus normally localizes in the brain, intestinal tract and upper respiratory tract. A high fever is usually the first sign of infection, along with a cough, sneezing, and green discharge from the nostrils. The virus then affects the intestinal tract, causing vomiting, and dark, tar colored diarrhea. Finally the virus travels to the brain and spinal cord, causing seizures and uncontrollable twitching.

There is no cure for distemper- medical treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms and supporting the dogs body to help survive the infection. Even with aggressive treatment, Distemper is often fatal, and dogs that do survive are often left with lifelong seizure disorders and other nervous system problems. Vaccination is the best way to prevent distemper.

Other causes of acute diarrhea in dogs can include bacterial infections, such as salmonella and E.coli, toxin exposure, such as from insecticide and lead, and even stress.

Treatment of acute diarrhea in dogs is aimed at diagnosing the underlying problem, and correcting that. If your dog has had loose stools for less than 24 hours, but is otherwise acting normally (normal energy level, eating and drinking normally), you may be able to take a conservative approach, and wait and see how he does. However, if your dog is showing any additional signs of distress, or has had increasing amounts of diarrhea for any length of time, a visit to your veterinarian in required.

Your veterinarian will first take a full history on your dogs condition, when the diarrhea first started, were there any precipitating factors, etc. After a comprehensive physical exam, your veterinarian may recommend:

Fecal testing- a sample of the diarrhea will be obtained, and checked for evidence of parasites such as roundworms and coccidia. In addition, an antigen test may be run on the fecal sample to check for the presence of Giardia.

Fecal Cultures may be recommended to test for the presence of bacteria in the stool, such as salmonella.

Blood work- Blood chemistries look at a variety of body systems, and will give your vet a reading as to the basic health of your dogs major organs such as the kidneys and liver. The CBC evaluates the components of your dogs blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC will help to diagnose or rule out infection as a potential cause of your dogs diarrhea.

Parvo test- In puppies, a parvovirus antigen test may be run. This quick “snap” type test is run on a small sample of feces, and results may be available within minutes. The sooner parvo can be diagnosed and treated, the greater chance your puppy has for a favorable outcome.

X-rays- Radiographs of your dogs abdomen may be recommended to rule out potential intestinal obstructions, or foreign bodies that your dog may have ingested.

Treatment of your dogs diarrhea depends on what your vet suspects may be the cause. In cases of intestinal upset, a bland diet may be all that’s needed to settle the stomach. Parasites can be treated with de-wormers, and a drug may be prescribed to help return the digestive system to working order. Treatment of severe diarrhea will begin with intravenous fluid therapy, and balancing of electrolyte levels to combat the fluid loss caused by the diarrhea.

While acute cases of diarrhea can be cause for great concern, chronic diarrhea, while less common, is also reason for a visit to your veterinarian.

Diarrhea that persists for three or more weeks is considered chronic. Often the stool may begin to firm, only to become soft and unformed again. It is not uncommon to see mucous or even small amounts of blood in the sample. Because chronic diarrhea can lead to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients, often dogs will not eat well, have a low energy level and poor quality hair coat.

Food allergies and intolerances are a common cause of mild chronic diarrhea. Similar to lactose intolerance in people, dogs may have or develop allergies or sensitivities to variety of ingredients in dog food, leading to chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract.

Pancreatitis can present in dogs in both an acute form, as well as a chronic problem. The pancreatic gland is responsible for secreting hormones such as insulin and glucagons into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels, as well as making the digestive enzymes that break down food for digestion. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, can cause these digestive enzymes to decrease, and in severe cases the enzymes may begin to digest the actual organs of the dog instead of digesta. Diarreha, abdominal pain, vomiting and a poor appetite are the symptoms of pancreatitis, but because these symptoms are shared with so many other gastrointestinal problems, it can be hard to diagnose.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can also be a cause of chronic diarrhea in dogs. In affected dogs, the intestine is taken over by inflammatory cells, eventually leading to scar tissue throughout the lining of the digestive system. Although the exact cause of IBD is unknown, nutrition, genetics and the immune system are thought to play a role in its development. Dogs with a long history of diarrhea or weight loss that have been found to be free of parasites and diarrhea causing agents should be considered for IBD. Diagnosis of IBD can be difficult, and often requires an intestinal biopsy to confirm. Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation, as well as dietary changes to provide a more easily digestible food source.

Whether chronic or acute, diarrhea is almost always a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed. Because diarrhea in itself has the potential to be life threatening, any dog suffering from more than a short-term bout of diarrhea, or dogs showing signs of other medical problems, should immediately be seen by a veterinarian. In addition, because young are so susceptible to several potentially fatal viruses, the presence of diarrhea in any puppy should be treated as a medical emergency until proven otherwise.

source taken from: http://www.professorshouse.com/

How to Treat Kidney Failure in Dogs

Healthy kidneys excrete waste products from the body in the form of urine. Kidney failure, often called renal failure, occurs when the kidneys stop functioning properly. There are two types of kidney failure: acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure happens suddenly and is typically the result of dehydration, poisoning, shock, heat stroke or infection. Chronic kidney failure progresses over many years, and dogs often don't exhibit symptoms until the kidney failure is well advanced. Chronic renal failure is usually caused by old age, a genetic kidney defect, cancer, an immune system disease or canine kidney stones. With proper treatment, dogs suffering from kidney failure can live happily for many years.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

* Special diet
* Veterinarian
* Fresh water
* Blood and urine tests
* Multivitamin
* Hypertension medicine

Feed your dog a special diet. Dogs suffering from kidney failure need to eat dog food that is low in protein, salt and phosphorous. Foods high in protein can lead to increased nausea and vomiting, while high levels of phosphorous can cause mineral deposits to form in the malfunctioning kidneys. Because a low-protein diet can lead to malnutrition, many vets suggest feeding your dog a canned dog food designed for senior dogs. Hill's Prescription Diet offers a dog food especially formulated for dogs with kidney problems. (See Resources section.) Have your vet monitor your dog's weight and routinely check her for anemia, which is decreased red blood cell production.

Step 2
Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times. Dogs suffering from renal failure urinate frequently, so they must drink a lot of water to keep from becoming dehydrated. Ask your vet about adding potassium to your dog's water to keep her electrolytes at the proper levels.

Step 3
Take your dog to the vet for periodic blood and urine tests. Urine and blood samples are used to test the various kidney functions and make sure your dog's condition hasn't worsened. Be sure to tell your vet about any changes in your dog's drinking, eating and elimination habits so he can make proper adjustments to your dog's diet, vitamins or medications.

Step 4
Give your dog a daily multivitamin supplement containing Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C. These supplements will help replenish the nutrients lost because of the inability of your dog's renal system to recycle and retain these vitamins in the body. Vitamin E taken along with Omega-3 supplements might slow the progression of kidney failure in your dog.

Step 5
Treat your dog's hypertension. Kidney failure can cause hypertension, or high blood pressure, in dogs. Treat this condition immediately since hypertension can increase the progression of kidney failure. Your veterinarian might choose to prescribe your dog an ACE inhibitor to keep the blood pressure levels in the normal range.

Step 6
Reduce your dog's stress levels. Because stress can cause increased blood pressure levels, it is important to keep your dog's life as stress free as possible. Keep your dog out of extreme heat and cold. Don't make any new changes to your dog's environment. Don't introduce any new pets to your household until your dog's health has improved.

Tips & Warnings

Consider asking your vet about holistic remedies that support canine kidneys. Some herbs, such as nettle, ginger root and golden seal, might help strengthen your dog's entire renal system. Regular acupuncture sessions might help slow the progression of kidney failure in dogs.

Kidney failure is a common cause of death in older dogs. Their kidneys just "wear out."

source taken from: http://www.ehow.com/

A pet can be a great friend. Even if you're having a bad day, if you don't feel popular, or if you're having trouble at school, your pet loves you. No strings attached. Millions of families throughout the world own pets, which means that every day someone goes through the heartbreak of losing an animal friend.

Whether it's old age, illness, or because of an accident, animals — like people — will die sometime. Veterinarians can do wonderful things for pets. But sometimes all the medical skill in the world can't save an animal. And if a pet is in a lot of pain and will never get better, the vet may have to put it to sleep. This is known as euthanasia (pronounced: yoo-thuh-nay-zhuh). The vet will give the animal an injection (shot) that first puts it to sleep and then stops the heart from beating. Euthanasia allows pets to die peacefully without any pain or fear. But deciding to help a pet die is still a hard thing to do.

Coping With the Death of a Pet

Emotions can get pretty complicated when a pet dies. You probably expect to feel sad, but you may have other emotions, too. For example, you may feel angry if your friends don't seem to realize how much losing your pet means to you. Or perhaps you feel guilty that you didn't spend more time with your pet before he or she died. It's natural to feel a range of emotions when a pet dies.

Grief can show up in many ways. Some people cry a lot. For others, the death may take a while to sink in. Some people temporarily lose interest in the things they enjoy doing or want to spend some quiet time alone. Others will want to keep busy to take their minds off the loss. It's also natural to feel like avoiding situations that involved your pet — such as the park where you used to walk your dog or the trail where you rode your horse.

For many people, losing a pet can be their first experience with death. Recognizing and sorting out feelings can be a big help. Talking about a loss is one of the best ways to cope, which is why people get together after a funeral and share memories or stories about the person who has died. Acknowledging your grief by talking about it with friends and family members can help you begin to feel better.

There are also additional ways to express your feelings and thoughts. Recording them in a journal is helpful to many people, as is keeping a scrapbook. You can also write about your pet in a story or poem, draw a picture, or compose music. Or plan a funeral or memorial service for your pet. Some people choose to make a donation in a pet's memory to an animal shelter or even volunteer there. All of these ideas can help you hold on to the good and happy memories.

Everyone has to deal with grief sometime, and most people work through it given time. But if you're under stress or trying to deal with other serious problems at the same time, grief can feel overwhelming. If your sadness is intense or you think you're upset about more than the death of your pet, it can be a good idea to talk with a professional counselor or therapist to help sort everything out. It's normal for a death to raise questions about our own lives, but you may also want to talk to someone if you find yourself focusing on death a lot.

You'll never forget your pet. But in time the painful feelings will ease. And when the time comes, you may even find yourself ready to open your home to a new pet in need of a loving family.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Shroff-Pendley, PhD
Date reviewed: October 2007

If you're like a lot of people, you may have had someone say to you, "Sorry, but it was only an animal." So is it normal to get upset over the death of a pet? Absolutely. After all, by the time we reach our teenage years, many of us have grown up with our pets, and they're part of the family. Just like losing a family member, when a pet dies people can go through a period of grieving.

source taken from: http://kidshealth.org/

The worst a Hershey bar can do to you is add an inch to your hips. But that same candy – even in relatively small amounts – can make a dog very sick. Make no mistake: For them, chocolate is poison.

In addition to a high fat content, chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, two different types of stimulants that affect the central nervous system and the heart muscle, as well as increasing the frequency of urination.

Symptoms of Poisoning

If your 50-pound dog gets his paws on a single chocolate-chip cookie, it probably won't cause him serious problems. However, if he gobbles up more – a pan of brownies, say – he may develop vomiting or diarrhea.

Once toxic levels are reached, the stimulants kick in, and this is when you really have to worry. Symptoms include: restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and/or excessive panting.

If your pet isn't treated, he could go into a seizure – possibly even die.

How Much Is Toxic?

The amount of chocolate that it takes to poison your pet depends on the type of chocolate he's eaten and his weight. White chocolate has the least amount of stimulants and baking chocolate or cocoa beans have the highest. Here is a list of the most common sources of chocolate and the amount that leads to toxicity:


source taken from: http://www.petplace.com/

Thanks to Buddy, firefighters got to the scene in time to save the Heinrichs home.
source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/

By Mike Celizic
TODAYshow.com contributor
updated 9:12 a.m. ET April 23, 2010

It’s not just people who have to be tough and resourceful to live in Alaska; even the pets have to be made of sterner stuff. After all, those woods are full of bears and wolves and moose.

Enter Buddy, a German shepherd who lives in Caswell Lakes, Alaska, considerably north of Anchorage, with his best friend, a 23-year-old human named Ben Heinrichs, and Ben’s parents, Lynnette and Thomas Heinrichs.

Buddy is the star of a 1-minute video shot on a state trooper’s dashcam, and it’s one of the most amazing things you’ve seen this side of the old “Lassie” and “Rin Tin Tin” TV shows and films. Except this wasn’t a movie, and Buddy wasn’t taking cues from trainers off-camera.

‘Get help’
Ben lives with his family in an area of winding country roads. On April 4, he was working in a workshop in a shed when a heater touched off a fire fueled by chemicals in the shop.

According to the Anchorage Daily News, Ben, who suffered minor flash burns on his face, fled the shop and slammed the door to confine the flames. Realizing that Buddy was still inside, Ben went back in to rescue his pet.

When he got Buddy outside, he told the dog, “We need to get help.”

That’s pretty much what TV’s Timmy used to say: “Lassie, go get help!” And, like the star collie, Buddy took the advice to heart and took off running.

The Daily News reported that Ben initially thought Buddy may have run off to hide. The dog is rather shy, according to the family.

Instead, Buddy was actually looking for help. The dog dashed off and down the road, looking for someone — anyone — to help.

Lost trooper
Meanwhile, neighbors has seen the fireball erupting on the Heinrichs' property and called the state police. Trooper Terrence Shanigan was dispatched to check it out, but his GPS froze up on him, and he was semi-lost in the twisting rural roads and about to take a turn in the wrong direction when he saw a dog in the road.

The dog was our hero, Buddy. When Buddy saw the trooper’s car, he turned and started running back home.

Shanigan’s dashcam caught it all. A German shepherd takes off running down partially snow-covered roads, but keeps looking over his shoulder to make sure the car is keeping up.

Buddy sprints along for about a minute in a black-and-white landscape, the only things visible being what is illuminated by the police car’s lights. Finally, the dog takes one last turn. As Shanigan turns with the dog, his windshield lights up with a bright yellow ball of fire that used to be the Heinrichs’ workshed.

When Shanigan got out of his car, Buddy jumped up and made sure the trooper continued to the house. Then, according to the newspaper, Buddy retreated into the woods, seeing that his work as done.

A hero’s reward
Shanigan was able to guide fire trucks to the scene, in time for firefighters to save the Heinrich’s home. The workshop was a total loss.

"Buddy's valiant actions saved Trooper Shanigan valuable time in responding to the fire," the Daily News quotes Alaska State Police Director Col. Audie Holloway as saying. "Buddy's pluckiness is a bright spot among an otherwise tragic event for the Heinrichs family."

In recognition of Buddy’s Lassie-like heroism, the dog and his best friends were to be at state police headquarters in Anchorage Friday afternoon, where Buddy will be honored for his heroism.

He’ll even get a prize — a silver-plated dog bowl engraved with his exploit.

He’ll probably be more impressed if there’s a fresh steak in it.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.

source taken from: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/

"We are sure that (Lady) never left my dad for seven days, staying alive by drinking water from the creek," said Terry Nichols, a surviving son of Parley Nichols, pictured inset.

Dog stayed by owner’s side for 7 days
Golden retriever guarded deceased man, who had dementia
updated 4:30 p.m. ET April 21, 2010

Through the last six years of his life, Parley Nichols, 81, never left his Hartville, Ohio, home without his dog Lady. The two were best friends, soul mates and constant companions who took care of each other.

So when Parley, who had developed dementia, went missing on April 8, it was no surprise that Lady, his 6-year-old golden retriever that he bought as a puppy, was also gone.

"Dad had been wandering around, and we kept looking for him for a solid week, sending out flyers, doing whatever we could," Terry Nichols, one of Parley's two sons, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "With his dementia, he would struggle to hear you talk to him, then four hours later he seemed okay. We were very worried."

Finally, a neighbor called saying someone had driven by a field outside of town and heard a dog barking, trying to attract attention. But when Nichols and other family members drove to the area, they found nothing.

"When we went a second time to a different place by a creek, we found Lady and my dad, who was already dead," Nichols tells PEOPLEPets.com. "Lady was standing by his side protecting him. We are sure that she never left my dad for seven days, staying alive by drinking water from the creek."

Lady didn't know what to do when she saw other members of the Nichols family arrive at the scene on April 14. They had to pull her away from her master and place her in the back of their pickup truck.

"I don't know how dogs perceive things but she knew she had to stay with dad no matter what," says Nichols. "And she did."

Lady may not have eaten for a week, but the sturdy dog (who weighed 75 pounds before the incident) was in great condition.

The preliminary autopsy conducted by the Stark County coroner found that Parley Nichols, whose story was first reported by WKYC-TV, passed away from heart failure. He could have been dead for the full week.

With the sad loss of her owner now behind her, Lady has been able to move on. She is living with other Nichols family members in the immediate area, enjoying a similar lifestyle that she had with Parley.

"Lady seems fine now ... she is a friendly, happy dog," Nichols tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I don't know if she misses my dad, but she is responding well to the rest of us. She did the right thing for dad, and we will always be comforted by that."

source taken from: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/