Vitamin C is needed for healthy teeth and gums as well as for a strong immune system to fight diseases. While dogs can produce their own vitamin C, it is not enough and therefore needs to be part of the diet. Vitamin B is needed for energy and to break down protein and carbohydrates. Minerals are a critical component of a diet but they make up less than 2% of most formulated dog food products. Since more than half of the necessary minerals are lost in manufacturing processes, adding mineral supplements to your pet’s food is recommended. Ready access to fresh and clean is necessary for your dog to maintain proper body functions as well as to aid the body to break down hard-to-digest food like meats. Whether you make your own dog food or buy them off the shelf, it is necessary to make sure the proper nutrients in the right amounts are given to your dog. Just a little effort goes a long way in helping our pets lead a healthy life as your companion. Kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis is a common and highly communicable respiratory disease in dogs. The disease is characterized by a dry, hacking cough that sounds as if something is lodged in the dog’s throat, and can be quite forceful that its leads to retching or heaving. Healthy dogs can easily acquire the disease in vaccination clinics, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, local parks, kennels, dog shows, grooming parlors or animal boarding places with infected dogs. Crowded situations where the air is very warm and ventilation is poor are a potential source of kennel cough. Kennel cough can be caused by one or a combination of the following airborne agents (either as the causative or secondary agent): canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus 2, canine parainfluenza virus, the bordetella bronchiseptica or other gram negative bacteria. The condition is triggered when two or more of these pathogens attack the dog at the same time, leading to bronchial and tracheal inflammation. Other signs of kennel cough include thick yellow or green nasal discharge, rhinitis and conjunctivitis in some dogs. A dog will exhibit clinical signs of kennel cough between five to 10 days following infection from carriers. Although the condition sounds serious, the self-limiting nature of the disease makes it generally harmless, with dogs recovering without any major effect a week or two after. Kennel cough symptoms can persist for up to 20 days. Owners should note that extremely young and old dogs may develop serious respiratory complications from the disease. The disease is usually diagnosed by a veterinarian by checking on the dog’s history and a physical exam. The trademark cough can be triggered by simply massaging the animal’s trachea or larynx. In cases where dogs have fever, depression or unusual lung sounds, veterinarians may require a chest x-ray, complete blood count and a laboratory analysis to check for microorganisms in the airways. These diagnostic tests will help establish if pneumonia is already developed or canine distemper and other infections have already set in. Affected dogs usually remain active and maintain appetite levels despite kennel cough. However, since the trachea becomes highly sensitive, owners should loosen or avoid leashes and collars to minimize the possibility of tracheal damage, particularly when their pets have a coughing spasm. Since dogs often recover from the disease by themselves shortly after contraction, treatment usually focuses on cough control. Butorphanol and hydrocodone are two common control drugs given for kennel cough, although pet owners should first consult their veterinarians for advice on the best treatment for their dogs, particularly for antibiotics in more severe cases. These cases – some of which could lead to pneumonia – typically call for isolation of the infected pet to prevent the disease from spreading. Vaccinations are another preventive step. There is a subcutaneous vaccine of modified live parainfluenza, distemper and adenovirus 2 and an intranasal B bronchochiseptica vaccination. Similar to human patients, vaccination schedule and dosage varies across dogs in terms of age, with activities also considered by veterinarians. Aggressive dogs are the ideal patient for injectable vaccination, particularly if they are the type that bites when their muzzle is handled. Owners should remember that this treatment will not prevent kennel cough 100%, but will make infection less severe. Two-week old puppies can already receive intranasal vaccination, which gives 10-12 months immunity and followed with annual booster shots. This form offers faster immunity compared to injectables, as it stimulates local immunity by targeting the site where the infection naturally occurs. The DHLLP vaccine is the standard vaccine for kennel cough, with the treatment for adenovirus 2 applicable also to adenovirus 1 – the canine hepatitis agent. Owners must remember that vaccination will no longer be effective if their dogs are already incubating kennel cough. Some veterinarians prescribe a cough suppressant-antibiotic combinations following diagnosis. One recently developed antibiotic, azithromycin, has been found highly effective, particularly for mycoplasmal tracheobronchitis. Another option is the sulfa or trimethoprim combination. Since multiple organisms cause kennel cough, immunization may not eliminate totally eliminate the problem. Owners should also consider preventive measures to limit exposure, including refraining other dogs – both familiar and unfamiliar – from sharing food and toys with their pets. In addition, a good number of veterinarians feel that no treatment may actually be the best course of action, as antibiotics could later weaken a dog’s resistance and increase exposure to pneumonia and other more serious complications.
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Some dog lovers spend a great deal of time choosing the right dog breed before they decide to purchase a dog. For them, the dog’s breed is one contributing factor to its value. That is why most families who decide to get a dog, they know that choosing the right breed is crucial. Today, there are 70 million dogs in the United States but the American Kennel Club only recognizes 143 breeds of dogs. Still, with these numbers, choosing the right kind of dog breed for the family can be very tedious. However, most pet shop owners contend that the reasons why the preference of the people in choosing their dogs may vary from one person to another is because each person has its own pre-conceived idea what he wants in a dog. It all depends on the physical attributes. There are those who fancy the size, the shape of the face, the looks, or even the temper. But whatever preference an individual has regarding his choice for dogs, there are important factors that you must remember in choosing a particular dog breed. Here’s a list of the things that must be considered first: 1. The size of the house Many people tend to forget this factor. The area of the house should be the primary factor to consider before buying the best dog breed available. For example, if a future dog owner is living in an apartment, there’s no sense is buying a large dog. Obviously, it’s better to opt for those cute little canines that don’t need too much space to raise them. 2. The children If a future dog owner has children, it’s best to consider the children rather than his own preference. Delicate dogs like Chihuahua are not advisable because they are too frail to let the children take care of them. Big dogs like Saint Bernard could also pose some risk on the children. The bottom line is to choose a breed of dog depending on the age of the children and how many there are in the house. 3. The nature of the job For people who would love to have a dog but don’t have time to devote to grooming, consider a dog that doesn’t need a great deal of grooming like Terriers. Most Terriers have short hair and they don’t need a lot of fuss on their hair. Boiled down, the best dog breed is the one that fits the kind of life the future owner has. Compatibility is the key in this kind of situation.
People use accessories to accentuate the beauty of a certain thing. There are also times that they buy accessories in order to protect the product against harmful elements in the environment. These concepts are also true when applied to taking care of dogs. Pet owners tend to pamper their dogs and many dog lovers even contend that buying dog accessories gives the same satisfaction as shopping for loved ones. Today, there many dog accessories available on the market and choosing the best dog accessories can be challenging. Here are some tips on what to look for when buying accessories for your pet: 1. Dog collars There are varieties of dog collars available in the market today, ranging from plain to fancy. Whatever type or design one may prefer, the most important thing to consider is that it should properly fit the dog. It should never be too loose or too tight. Experts say that the ideal space between the dog’s neck and the collar should be two fingers wide. 2. Dog leash It is always best to buy a good leash and not scrimp on the price. There are many types available. The most important factor to keep in mind is the size of the leash. Depending on the size of you dog, you want to make certain you buy one strong enough to hold him. If your dog is smaller, you don’t want to buy a leash that is too large. 3. Food and water bowls It’s important to purchase food ad water bowls that are not easily tipped over. Also, some people purchase those large watering systems that are similar to what some humans have bottled water delivered in. They are large and are supposed to keep your pet in drinking water for a longer period of time. Depending on the size of your dog, make certain that the water will be consumed fairly quickly. Water for your pet should be fresh and clean. Water that has been left standing isn’t a good idea to feed your pet. 4. Dog toys Most dogs are fond of playing, so, it’s best to give them toys to gnash, chew, or bite with. Having his own things will make him more behaved instead of chewing slippers or shoes. Again, make certain that the toys are appropriate for the size of the dog. Too small, and just like a child, they could choke. If the toy is too large for a smaller animal they won’t be able to lift it. 5. Doghouses When placed outside, dogs should have their own place for shelter. This is to keep them away from direct sunlight or from the rain or snow. If your dog is left alone for long periods of time, make certain that his “home” is the right size and will protect him from the elements. One last thought . . . never, never leave your dog in a locked vehicle. It can be a death sentence.
Buying a new pet, especially a dog can be very exciting. It is worth considering your lifestyle choices and those who live with you before choosing a dog breed. Choosing any family pet may depend on several factors which must be taken into account. Perhaps the most important question is: are you prepared to take good care of the animal and treat it accordingly?
If the answer to the above question is yes, the next step is to decide the reason you would like a dog. There can be many reasons such as protection, as a pet for a child, as a show dog or simply for the sake of companionship. This is an important factor in choosing the correct breed.
After that you should consider your living circumstances as many of the other decisions will depend on this. You should consider the area in which you live: do you live in the town or countryside? This can limit how often and where you can take a dog for walks. Next you should consider the size of your house: do you have ample space for the new dog to cohabit with the owners and any existing pets? Does your house have a garden where the creature can play or rest? It is also worth thinking about how often the pet will be left alone each day. If you are going for an expensive rare breed this will obviously have to be very limited; however on the flipside if you decide to choose a big energetic dog then you still may not be able to leave it alone for extended periods.
Another side of lifestyle considerations is the associated costs with raising a pet. Ideally you should have a budget for basic needs such as foods and cleaning products. You should also take into account the possibility of other events happening. For example a situation may arise where you will need to leave the dog with somebody for an extended period of time on a paid basis. You should also think about health costs and possible veterinary services. A limited budget also means that your ability in choosing specially bred dogs may be more limited. However this should not stop you from being able to find a good pet.
Pets like human beings require attention and care. To many people their dog is a normal member of the household. Dogs must be given regular exercise and training to keep them active and in a healthy state. They must have necessarily health checks and be given essential vaccinations. Taking the dog down to the park for a walk is something you should fit into your weekly schedule.
Once you have acknowledged the extent of your lifestyle and your ability in raising a pet, it is time to decide the type of breed. The first thing to think about is the size. Make sure to discuss this with other members of the family as this is a big limitation on what breed of dog you may choose. Do you really have enough space for a German Shepard? Or are you prepared to deal with small Chihuahuas running around the house and having to look for them from time to time?
Perhaps one of the most underestimated things about any pet is the aging of the animal. Animals have a different lifespan to human beings. The reason that this is important is as important as buying the pet in the first place. Considering many people buy dogs for company, a family can very easily become attached to the animal. The pet becomes a ‘member’ of the family. For many people loosing a pet can be as shocking as loosing a very close relative.
Once you have planned and taken into account all factors, its time to make the exciting trip down the pet store or going to see a few dogs with other family members. Then you can hopefully make a decision as to who you would like to welcome to your house as new member.