Archive for the 'Dogs' Category
Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV), or bloat. New facts as to the possible cause
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Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV), or bloat is serious for a dog; the stomach can fill with gas because the dog has gulped in air, or the stomach is blocked. Whilst everyone has heard of bloat it can kill your dog in half an hour because the gases make the stomach turn - anything from ninety degrees to 360, which is a full circle. It is capable of killing an otherwise healthy animal in thirty minutes unless the correct action is taken immediately.
The symptoms you may see is a bloated abdomen, sudden weakness, collapse, attempt to vomit or actual vomiting. It used to be said that a vegetarian diet encouraged bloat. However in 2006 The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association reported that feeding a dog vegetables does not increase the risk of bloat. Dogs are not carnivores they need vegetables in their diet.
Large dogs are more at risk of bloat than the smaller breeds. JAAHA investigated whether or not there was a link cereal and Soya protein based dry foods. They were working on the premise that a decreasing number of animal to protein ingredients among the first four ingredients in dry dog food aggravated the condition.
Using food label information, they tested 85 GDV cases and 194 dogs as a control eating a single brand and variety of dry food. They concluded that it did not increase the risk of bloat. However a by product of the study was that dry foods that list fats as one of the most predominant ingredients can trigger a higher incidence of GDV in dogs that have a high risk of suffering from bloat. In simple English, the foods, which contain animal fat or sunflower oil amongst the top four ingredients, were associated with a higher risk of bloat, often doubling the risk.
The cause of this is less clear though there is a certain amount of unsupported speculation that the weight of the fat in the food as a ratio weighs down the stomach and causes the ligaments to distend.
This entry was written by Alex Triplett. Alex is the main contributor on Comedy hogwash and has been quoted often concerning oak windows.
Heart worm is a parasitic disease, predominantly affecting dogs but also occurring in cats, it is caused by Dirofilaria immitis. Infective larvae or microfilariae develop in mosquitoes, and are transmitted to dogs when they are bitten. In dogs, they develop and migrate to the right side of the heart, where they mature. Adult worms attain lengths of 17–27 cm (7–11 inches), and they can survive for three to five years in the heart. As the number of heartworms in the dog's heart increases, the blood flow is compromised, and the animal shows signs of respiratory distress when it runs or exercises.
A dog may tolerate as many as 100 worms with minimal health problems unless it has excess stress. However whilst you cannot stop the dog bei8ng bitten in recent years drugs can stop the infected larvae developing in the dog. Treatment is more difficult as fragments of dead worms break off and can block the lung vessels and cause respiratory distress. Diagnosis is an X ray of the heart and lungs, an antigen test, and examination of a blood sample for microfilariae produced by adult females.
Cats can also be infected by Dirofilaria larvae. They do not tolerate a large worm load, and a single worm can be life-threatening.
This entry was written by Myra Price, she is a contributor to Bratling . Myra is fast becoming an online authority on eyelid surgery . Read her blog here.
The mosquito serves as the intermediate host for the larval stage of the heartworm. The mosquito ingests the larva when it bites an infected dog and deposits its cargo in an uninfected dog when seeking another blood meal.
The larva burrows into the dog and undergo several changes to reach adult form, then travel to the right side of the heart through a vein and await the opportunity to reproduce. Adult heartworms can reach 12 inches in length and can remain in the dog’s heart for several years.
Dogs can have some larva in their blood and worms in their lungs without manifesting the disease. Once the number of worms exceeds a certain number based on the size and activity level of the dog, however, the adult worms move to the heart and symptoms begin to occur. Very active dogs may experience symptoms with lower numbers of worms than couch-potato dogs.
The time lag between the initial infestation of larva and reproduction by adult worms living in the heart is six-to-seven months in dogs.
Female heartworms bear live young – thousands of them in a day. These young circulate in the bloodstream for as long as three years, waiting to hitch a ride in a bloodsucking mosquito. They undergo changes in the mosquito that prepare them to infect a dog, and they transfer back to the original host species the next time the mosquito bites. The process of change in the mosquito takes about 10 days in warm climates, but can take six weeks in colder temperatures.
The worms grow and multiply, infesting the chambers on the right side of the heart and the arteries in the lungs. They can also lodge in the veins of the liver and the veins entering the heart. The first sign of heartworm infestation may not manifest for a year after infection, and even then the soft cough that increases with exercise may be dismissed as unimportant by the owner.
But the cough worsens and the dog may actually faint from exertion; he tires easily, is weak and listless, loses weight and condition, and may cough up blood. Breathing becomes more difficult as the disease progresses. The progression is traumatic: the dog’s quality of life diminishes drastically and he can no longer retrieve a Frisbee or take a long walk in the park without respiratory distress. Congestive heart failure ensues, and the once-active, outgoing pet is in grave danger.
Heartworms can be detected by blood test.
If a blood test or the onset of symptoms alert owner and veterinarian to the presence of this devastating parasite, treatment is possible and successful if the disease has not progressed too far.
Surgical removal of the adult heartworms is possible and may be indicated in advanced cases with heart involvement.
Preventive doses come in oral and topical versions and are only available from a veterinarian.
This entry was written by Dakota Sawbridge, she is a contributor to Idle tymes and CoffeePop. Dakota is fast becoming an authority on omnilux. Read her online journal here.
The moment a dog enters our lives, he will find out what emotions are all about, because in Nature, dogs do not show emotions. But we shower them with affection, while they see us as getting excited. This is exactly why dogs do not listen to humans. Their mother didn’t act like this. Where did the calm and assertive leadership go?
We often come up with a different agenda for our dogs. We make these puppies our babies. When we see a nervous or shy dog, we see him as human and comfort him like we would comfort another person.
In the animal world this creates instability, because this is something a pack of dogs would never do. From day one the human fulfills his own needs and ignores what is important to the dog.
The dog, even if submissive, will fill what he sees as a vacant role. He will ignore you or act out in other ways. This is the start of turning over control to the dog. One of the most important things you need to remember is that dogs are animals.
If you don’t fulfill him as a species, he won’t live a balanced life. Understanding and projecting a pack leader’s calm and assertive energy will create a positive and lasting connection with your dog.
This entry has been submitted by Steven Bice. Steven is also one of the three orginal writer on Modern Cleo and has been quoted often on the topic of oak tables.
The most common internal parasites of dogs are:
Coccidia - Giardia - Hookworms - Roundworms - Tapeworms - Whipworms
Coccidia are small protozoans that multiply in the intestinal tracts of most commonly puppies and kittens less than six months of age. Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable with drugs your Vet will have handy.
Giardia are protozoa that live in the small intestine of dogs and cats. In the rare cases in which disease occurs, younger animals are usually affected, and the usual sign is diarrhea. Usually the infected animals will not lose their appetite, but they may lose weight. The feces are often abnormal, being pale, having a bad odor, and appearing greasy. In the intestine, Giardia prevents proper absorption of nutrients, damages the delicate intestinal lining, and interferes with digestion. There are several treatments for giardiasis at your Vet’s office.
Hookworms have either teeth-like structures or cutting plates with which they attach themselves to the wall of the intestine and feed on the animal's blood. Hookworms can cause a skin disease in humans called cutaneous larval migrans. Hookworms, especially A. Caninum can cause severe disease. By feeding on the oxygen-carrying blood of the host, hookworms can rapidly cause anemia. The mucous membranes e.G., gums will appear pale, the animal will become weak, and sometimes black, tarry stools can be seen. Growth in young animals is stunted, and the hair coat may appear dull and dry. Animals may become emaciated and eventually die from the infection. Most of the wormers that kill roundworms will also kill hookworms. Common wormers and their effectiveness against hookworms work as well.
Roundworms, are the most common parasite of the digestive tract in dogs and cats. Animals with more severe infestations may be thin, have dull hair coats, and develop a pot-bellied appearance. Some may become anemic and have vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. There are many wormers that kill roundworms. Most wormers, however, kill the adult worms but do not affect the migrating or encysted larvae.
Tapeworms are flat worms that are segmented. The head usually has suckers or muscular grooves that enable the tapeworm to attach itself to the animal's intestine. In heavy infections, we may notice abdominal discomfort or nervousness in the animal. The animal may vomit and sometimes have convulsions. It is thought that the convulsions are due to toxins produced by the tapeworm. The active segments around the anal area may cause an animal to lick or 'scoot' on the floor. There are several treatments for giardiasis at your Vet’s office.
Whipworms are common in dogs and found throughout the
This entry was written by Joeanne Garvin, she regularly contributes to Pet Haven . Joeanne is building up herself up as a online specialist on home information packs.
Once your new puppy has had all of his required vaccinations, check out whether there are any puppy obedience training. You can usually find a notice about these in your veterinary’s waiting room.
Most puppy owners at this stage are going through a number of issues regarding barking, chewing and other anti-social behaviour and so are not really keen on attending. They are afraid that their puppy will be the worst behaved in the group! The truth of the matter is that most puppies are going through the same stage and so the emphasis isn’t really so much on obedience at this age, but rather about getting your puppy to socialize well with other puppies as well as learn some basic training commands. It’s also about teaching you as his owner how to give those commands so that even the most mischievous of puppies will stop whatever he’s doing when you tell him to, and to come when called!
Apart from the basic instruction, your puppy will also become accustomed to the training environment and so when he’s a little older, will be more settled if you then choose to enrol him into a more advanced.
This entry was composed by David Faulkner. David also regularly contributes to the Pet Haven and has published many articles to do with cosmetic surgery.