Alison Grimston asked:


(c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com

Animal health care is so vast and complex, and the central nervous system in particular is still largely uncertain territory. Diseases of the nervous system are rare, but sadly often severe.

The commonest neurological problems in cats and dogs are due to road accidents and other forms of head injuries, chemical poisoning, and infections such as rabies. Any of these can induce fits (seizures).

Seizures (fits) tend to be seen as uncontrolled shaking, although other sorts of fits with the dog going vacant can also occur.

It is important to try to find the reason for the fit. There may be signs of injury from car accident or fight. Evidence of having ingested poison may or may not be obvious – antifreeze with ethylene glycol is particularly dangerous, causing seizures.

Always call or take your animal to a vet. Your vet is essential in helping you to work out what the cause of the symptoms are. Neurological problems are so complex that even they may not be able to find the cause. Be guided by your vet on management.

If your cat or dog has a seizure: Keep away from your cat or dog’s mouth, as he or she may bite you accidentally. Try to move your animal away from hazards. If electricity is involved, use a stick or some other non conducting material. It may help to put a soft cushion or blanket under its head. If the fit lasts more than 6 minutes, take the animal to the vet immediately. Animals can die during prolonged seizures.

After a fit an animal may be sleepy but also anxious and confused. Comfort it; Rescue Remedy, healing and massage may be helpful here. If this is your animal’s first fit, take it to the vet anyway to try to find the cause. Also see you vet if you have any concerns, or there are changes to the pattern of fitting.

It is important that anyone who spends time looking after your pet for you is aware that he or she may have fits, and how to manage a seizure if one occurs. Make sure that your friend has a list of actions to take, as above, as well as the emergency phone number of your vet, or a nearby vet if your pet is being cared for further from home.

As with most illness, being calm and prepared in a crisis makes it easier for all concerned.

Ethan Parker asked:


Wouldn’t you rather learn how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones?  I know I would, because let’s face it, dogs are part of your family, and no one wants to see a part of your family get sick or even die.

Even if you’ve got the most easy-care dog in the world, she’ll still need some attention to be paid to her appearance every once in a while – so it’s worth spending a bit of time learning the best techniques for easy, stress-free grooming.

Here is some of the valuable advice I got from one of my favorite sites for dog health care solutions, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GROOMING MY DOG?

Not so long ago, the average American’s approach to canine grooming was somewhat cavalier. Dogs were seen as something that lived in the yard (usually in a dusty, hard-floored kennel), ate whatever was put in their bowls, and existed as a sometime-playmate for the household’s children.

Today, we tend to care for our dogs a lot more, and view them more as members of the household than the Thing in the Yard.

Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as an important facet of your dog’s regular health-care. It ensures that any skin-care problems are minimized (because grooming distributes the natural skin-oils evenly throughout the coat), and assists you in monitoring your dog’s overall condition – if you groom on a regular basis, you can’t help but notice the presence of any unusual lumps or bumps.

This preventative action has saved many a canine life. Our dogs can’t tell us where it hurts, but taking just a little bit of time every so often to check them over ourselves can save a lot of grief in the long run.

The trick is getting your dog to tolerate (and even enjoy!) the process …

THE FIRST STEP IN THE GROOMING PROCESS

Something that many owners lack experience in is how to wash their dogs. Dry-grooming (brushing and ‘buffing’ the coat) seems to present little problem for most people; the rot tends to set in when water is introduced to the mix.

Most dogs have a strong dislike of being bathed, and in many cases will become utterly panic-stricken when the tub comes out.

This article is going to deal with the basics of how to wash your dog in a way that’ll keep both of you relaxed and happy.

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR GROOMING

First of all, the absolute most important thing you can do is to accustom your dog to the grooming process. Now, starting this in puppyhood is the ideal way to handle the situation, but of course not all of us have this luxury; if you’ve got an adult dog, you’ll probably need to move a little slower, but you should still start getting her used to being touched and handled all over as soon as you can.

As your puppy or dog gets used to the sensation of being rubbed and handled, she’ll slowly come to enjoy it. Dogs are social creatures by instinct, and physical affection and contact is a big part of their lives – it shouldn’t take long before she begins to trust you, and allows herself to get some pleasure out of your touch.

All you have to do is start rubbing her slowly all over. Fondle her ears, touch her cheeks and neck, rub her back and belly, pick up her paws and – if she’ll let you – give each one a gentle squeeze (treating and praising her whenever she lets you do this, since paw touching is generally a pretty big deal for most dogs). If she has a tail, rub it between your fingers; get her to roll over on her back so you can rub and stroke her belly and hocks.

This might not seem like such a big deal, but it’s actually a really important part of the grooming process: the more your dog enjoys it, the less stressful the whole event will be for both of you, and so the more often you’re likely to groom her – which increases the health benefits for her.

HOW TO WASH YOUR DOG

Bathing always comes before dry-grooming, since it makes brushing and trimming a lot easier as well as a lot more effective (there’s not much point in brushing a tangled, dirty coat!)

You will need some basic tools: a tub, a non-slip mat, a plastic jug, some warm water, a small sponge, and some canine shampoo (not human shampoo: the pH is all wrong for dogs, and will give her dry and flaky skin.)

Stand her in the tub, on the non-slip mat. If she’s a large or unruly dog, you may want to wash her outside to minimize mess – either that, or you can restrain her by tying one end of a light nylon leash to her collar, and the other end to the faucet.

Pour jugs of warm water all over her until she’s good and wet. This breaks down the grease in her fur, and ensures a thorough shampooing.

Mix a little shampoo with another jug of warm water, and rub it thoroughly into your dog’s fur. Start off with her back and rub it into a good lather (but don’t be too harsh!)

Now you can move on to her head and face. Be very careful here – dogs’ eyes are sensitive too, and if you get any water in her ears, she’ll probably get an ear infection. (You can plug her ears with a small twist of cotton wool to help stop this from happening, if you like.)

Remember to clean under her tail before you wash her off – dip the sponge into the shampoo mixture to do this properly.

Now it’s time to rinse: using the jug and some clean, warm, shampoo-free water, carefully tip it all over her and use your fingers to help disperse the lather from her coat. Rinse her off thoroughly at least twice, since any residue that remains will irritate her skin.

Now you’ll need to dry her off: if she’s got short fur, you can use a towel (an old one will do just fine, although big dogs generally need two); for dogs with longer fur, give her a gentle toweling-off first, and then use a hair dryer to get rid of the last dampness. Be certain that it’s set on low heat, and hold it far away from your dog’s fur to prevent burning either the skin or the fur.

KEEP YOURSELF CALM

Remember that most dogs have an inherent dislike of being bathed, which can cause anxiety and even outright panic.

Your dog takes a lot of her emotional cues from you, so make sure you act like a good role model for the occasion. Reassure your dog frequently, keeping your voice well-modulated, low, and even; keep your movements slow and deliberate; praise her lavishly for good behavior, and give her a couple of treats throughout the process to make it more enjoyable for her.

The more she enjoys the process, the easier it’ll be for you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grooming your dog is just one tiny aspect of maintaining overall health and happiness. For a complete, encyclopedic survival guide to all aspects of dog health, from preventative care to choosing a vet to doggie First Aid (even the canine Heimlich maneuver!), you should take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

A survival guide for knowledgeable, effective, and life-saving dog care, this manual keeps your dog’s health and wellbeing firmly within your control – which is exactly where you want it to be.

It can’t hurt to look.

Brian Cosgrove asked:


Tough economic conditions have peaked the prices of all products and services. Pet care is no exception. We all want to pamper and love our pets. They are members of the family and there is nothing more important than their long-term health and happiness. But the escalating costs of dog care and cat care in these worsening economic conditions have forced many families to give up their beloved animals. Dog care and cat care is expensive and individuals or families that need pet insurance are often denied due to their animal’s age or breed, or pre-existing, chronic and hereditary conditions. Even those who do find cheap pet insurance are in for a rude awakening when their claims are denied due to coverage exclusions, benefits schedules and payout limits.

Studies indicate that the pet adoption rate has slowed down very much because of the rising prices of dog care and cat care. Many pet owners around the country are forced to give up their pets for adoption, as they are not able to afford the costs associated with pet care. Thankfully, now there is a perfect solution for this situation – programs that offer discount vet services. Just keep reading to learn more about how discount veterinary care can help you care for your pets.

What Is A Pet Care Discount Program?

You are well aware of the countless pet insurance plans that are currently available. Pet care discount programs are alternatives to pet insurance. When you compare pet insurance to discount veterinary care programs – you will see that pet insurance plans are becoming much more expensive. Pet care programs provide a competitive but cheap pet insurance alternative. Most of these pet insurance alternatives come with a very reasonable annual fee and multiple plans providing discount vet services that accommodate any budget. By becoming a member of such pet health care programs, you are eligible for discount veterinary care; discount veterinary medications and emergency vet discounts.

Becoming A Member Of Pet Care Discount Program

With the huge demand for pet insurance alternatives, various discount veterinary care programs have surfaced. It’s up to you to compare pet insurance benefits to discount vet services. Referring to client testimonials is a great way to compare pet insurance plans to what is available through a pet health care program. Client testimonials often help consumers identify the pros and cons of a given service. Make sure to spend considerable time online researching pet insurance companies or discount veterinary care programs before signing up.

Benefits Of Joining A Discount Pet Health Care Program

As already said, these discount veterinary care programs are pet insurance alternatives and hence will have all the benefits that apply to a pet insurance. However, discount vet services do not cover the entire costs involved in pet care, instead they provide some kind of discount relief. Some of the best discount Pet Health Care Programs offer discounts of up to 65%. Members are eligible for discount veterinary visits; discount veterinary medications and emergency vet discount. Even aging animals, those with pre-existing, chronic or hereditary conditions, are eligible for discount vet services up to 25%. Membership charges for these pet health care programs can be less than a dollar per day.

A discount pet health care program is really a great boon to the pets and the pet owners. Visit www.happytailsmembership.com to learn more specifics about their popular pet care discount program.

Sylvia Dickens asked:


h care must include regular rabies shots, although many dog owners do not keep their pets’ vaccinations up to date. The misconception is that since the dog doesn’t run free, it’s not important.

Even though you keep your dog restrained on a leash or in a yard, you can never guarantee he will not come in contact with this deadly disease.

Did you know that your dog can pick up the rabies virus simply by licking the ground? If a rabid animal has left saliva or other body fluid shortly before you passed, your dog is at risk.

Much of the focus for many owners is on obedience training. Dog health care is often only an issue when the dog first arrives at the home or when it becomes ill.

Rabies shots are essential if you want to ensure your dog stays healthy. But that’s not the only reason. If your dog comes in contact with a rabid animal, such as fighting with a raccoon, skunk or an infected dog, your pet could be euthanized.

And if that isn’t enough to get you to the vet, consider that rabies is a threat to your family as well.

What can you do to protect your dog and your family?

Rabies vaccines gradually lose their effectiveness over time. The longer it is since your dog was vaccinated, the more at risk he or she will become. In fact, within as a little as six months, your dog could be at risk. The maximum length of time the vaccine lasts is about two years, but by that time it’s effectiveness has deteriorated significantly.

Many people use this two-year point as the period when they give their dogs booster rabies shots. This is an unsafe practice.

For the best protection, you must have your dog vaccinated every year. Any good vet will send you a reminder every year that your dog’s shots are due.

Dog health care is important, but preventative health care is more important. It ensures your dog is protected against dangerous and painful diseases. Rabid animals suffer terribly. The disease affects their entire nervous system causing death. There is no cure.

Regular dog health care measures can protect your family from the rigors of taking the ‘cure’ if your dog does come in contact with the rabies virus.

And rabies dog health care can save your dog’s life.

Recently, two dogs in North Carolina suffered after fighting with a rabid fox. One was quarantined for 6 months, the other was euthanized. That state also had a cat and a raccoon that were rabid.

You can never be sure when rabies will be present. Infected neighborhood cats, raccoons and skunks can wander into any yard without your knowledge and leave rabies-laden saliva.

If you seldom hear about rabies, do not think that your dog is safe. Every year somewhere in the country there are reported cases of rabies in wild animals. Unprotected dogs have been euthanized after fighting with those rabid animals.

Protection is far better than treatment after the fact. There is no reason for your family or your dog to suffer. It takes about 15 minutes a year to get your dog vaccinated against rabies and other serious diseases.

Make sure your dog health care includes regular rabies vaccines to ensure your dog’s and your family’s safety.

Trevor Price asked:


Regular health care for pets is a crucial part of their ongoing development, health and well-being. Outside regular exercise and a healthy diet, your pet needs routine health care to ensure it has a long and happy life. Regular, routine health care should include proper grooming, good dental care, parasite prevention and regular visits to the veterinarian’s office. To learn more, read on.

Ongoing Veterinarian Visits

Your adult cat or dog should see the veterinarian at least annually. Puppies and kittens should have a vet visit at least once a month for the first 4 months and then as needed until they’re ready for annual check-ups. Cats and dogs over 7 or 8 years old should see the veterinarian every six months.

During your veterinarian visit, you can expect your veterinarian to look for signs of possible illness, disease or injury. They may also prescribe blood work, prescription drugs, vaccinations or a health care program such as hydrotherapy or physiotherapy.

Parasite Control

The primary intestinal parasites of dogs and cats include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. These worms damage the digestive tract or interfere with absorption of essential nutrients. Intestinal parasites are typically diagnosed after finding worm eggs or actual worms in your pet’s *****.

Fecal samples should be tested periodically – this is typically done at your annual veterinarian checkup or on an as-needed basis.

Heartworm is another type of internal parasite that is almost always deadly. The worms are contracted by mosquito bites, then the eggs later hatch and live in the blood vessels around the lungs and heart. It is painful and deadly, but also preventable. During mosquito season and sometimes year-round, your veterinarian will prescribe preventive heartworm health care for pets in the form of a pill.

Other external parasites include mites, ticks and fleas. These pests cannot only irritate your pet, but also cause infection. So, check your animal regularly for signs of flea bites, and treat for it accordingly.

Regular Tooth Maintenance

Cats and dogs need regular dental care to prevent tartar buildup and tooth decay. Typically, dogs require ongoing dental care, like a light, daily tooth brushing. Cats are typically fine with a few dental treats and the occasional vet visit.

You can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums in good condition by brushing their teeth regularly and providing them with certain toys like flossies or dental bones.

Good Grooming

Loose or shed hair cannot only mat and cause problems, but it can also be inhaled and lead to digestive issues or hair balls. Keep your pet well groomed to avoid skin irritation, which can also lead to bacterial or parasite infection.

Health care for pets is about more than an occasional visit to the vet or treating specific problems. Additionally, it includes ongoing maintenance and a regular health care routine. So, give your pet a long and happy life by practicing good grooming, regular dental care, parasite prevention and appropriate trips to the vet. It’s an investment well worth the time and cost for your beloved pet.

Terrie Simpson asked:


In this article, “How You Dog Gets Fleas And How To Get Rid Of Them”, we will discuss the methods by which your dog can become infested with fleas. In addition, we will discuss a bit about the life cycle of fleas and how flea and tick treatments can stop the flea life cycle dead.

Fleas are those nasty little insects that periodically infect our cats, dogs and homes. Fleas feed on the blood of our pets. They can irritate their skin not only from the bite and skin infections, but also some pets are allergic to fleas.

Fleas are the most common cause of skin problems in dogs and cats. If you notice your dog scratching and chewing the back half of its body, check for fleas around the base of the tail, the back side of the hind legs or the dogs stomach.

No matter how clean our homes are, our dogs can encounter fleas on their daily excursions outside. They then bring this insect home on their fur and the cycle of infestation starts. The adult flea lays eggs which drop off the dog all over the house: in the pets bed, on couches, in the carpet, around the baseboards, practically anywhere your dog is allowed to roam in the house and car. These eggs hatch, become larvae, and develop into cocoons where they develop into adult fleas, and the cycle begins again.

There are many over the counter preparations which can kill the flea, but do nothing to stop the cycle. Because there are still eggs, larvae and cocoons around the pets living environment. Through your veterinarian you can obtain either a topical or oral preparation. One method kills the fleas before they lay the eggs and the other kills the eggs that have been laid on your pet. Both are equally safe and harmless to the pet and its family. Both methods require monthly dosages of medication on a permanent basis to prevent re-infestation. Your veterinarian will prescribe the best medication for your particular pet and the dosage will be according to your pets weight. As your pet grows, the dosage will change. Not only will your pet and home be flea-free, but the chances for your pet being infected with tapeworms will also decrease.

Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to start a monthly routine to save your pet the irritations caused by fleas.