Archive for the ‘Dog Health’ Category

Ways On How to Tell if a Female Dog is Having a False Pregnancy

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Annually, a female dog will have to experience at least 2 heat cycles. Their bodies will go through a lot of things during this time including a type of canine menses that can cause pregnancy, given that she has already mated with a male dog. But there are also times when female dogs will just show signs of pregnancy but they are not actually carrying a baby/babies inside her womb. So what are the ways on how to tell if a female dog is having a false pregnancy? The next few paragraphs are some tips on how to determine false pregnancy. Take time to read please.

A female dog is pregnant if there is already signs of milk production. People may think that enlarged mammary glands and swollen breasts are sure signs of pregnancy but do not be fooled as this is a sign that your dog is not pregnant, especially if it begins to seep milk even if there’s no live birth.

If your dog is trying to put up a comfortable fort made out of rugs and sheets on a corner of your house, then that is another way of telling false pregnancy. This is also a very depressing time for her because she is ready to nurse some puppies but only without the young puppies.

Another way on how to tell if your female dog is showing signs of false pregnancy is when you have observed that she’s been carrying stuffed toys around like if she’s having her own babies. This is a very stressful time for her because she has to use some soft and tiny objects just to fill the void of missing her puppies.

It is times like these that your dog just needs a little extra TLC because they are preparing for babies that are not going to ever come. However, if your dog is not spayed and gets outdoors a lot of the time, then chances are that the next one will be a real pregnancy.

How To Treat Dog Incontinence

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Dog incontinence happens when your dog can’t have the control over his urination and you must know how to treat dog incontinence if he has it. So how one can possibly know if your dog has it? When your dog, no matter how trained he is, will urinate in different spots of the house. There several causes why your dog is having incontinence and these include dog aging, hormonal imbalance, UTI, diabetes, and kidney and prostate disorders among others. Consult your vet first if your dog has incontinence. To help you out, here are the ways on how to treat dog incontinence.

If your vet diagnoses your dog for having dog incontinence, he will give him some treatment right away. Medicines will perhaps be given like phenylpropanolamine (PPA). This can be given to both male and female dogs and is non-hormonal and proven to be effective. If the dog incontinence is already worse by the time you bring your dog to the vet, your vet may recommend some surgery when your dog is having a case of protruding case, spinal injury, congenital abnormalities, and bladder stones.

If your dog is still suffering from dog incontinence, have a little patience. Provide extra care by using waterproof pads and extra towels for soaking up the urine when your dog sleeps.

And that is the way how to treat dog incontinence. Your dog is pretty much your family already so always give him care especially at times when he needs it. You will never regret it as it is very rewarding.

What Are Some Common Older Dog Health Problems?

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Your dog will be the most active creature you will ever know. They seem to never run out of energy as they can go do something here and there and then they will rest but just for a bit and there they go again. But not all things last forever so I was told. Not even your dog’s energy. When he becomes old, he is, more often than not, become prone to a lot of health problems. Here are some common older dog health problems.

Heart and Lung Problems – Heart and lung problems is among the common older dog health problems and these can be really fatal at times. You should check a veterinarian whenever you observe and feel that he is having some problems on these two vital organs. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty in breathing, way too much coughing, gray gums, fluid build up, and weight loss.

Diabetes – This really serious health problem is most observed in dogs when they are older. So how does one know if his dog has diabetes? The diabetes can be traced if these symptoms show: weight loss despite appetite, urinating again and again, and when his coat is dull and unhealthy looking. If your dog shows sign of diabetes, feed him healthy meals from then on. Meals should be high in fiber and feed him in small meals three times a day.

Bland Diet For Dogs: Recipes

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Last article I have been taking about the importance of bland diet for dogs (read here if you haven’t yet). And now I am going to give you some recipes of bland diet for dogs. If you are not so convinced with the bland dog foods that are available in the market today, you can rather cook it yourself. And here are some recipes of bland diet for dogs.

Boil four and a half cups of water in a large skillet. You have to then add two cups of rice, half a cup of vegetables (except onions or garlics), one and a half pounds of boneless chicken – chopped and mix it well and cover. Cook for a few minutes under medium heat and keep stirring occasionally. Let it then simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken and rice are cooked well. Cool it down so that you can serve it to your dog later. This recipe is good for dogs who are having sensitive stomach.

And here is another recipe of bland diet dog food which is best for dogs having diarrhea. First thing you need to do is to chop two cups of boneless chicken and put it aside. Then you need to boil 5 cups in a skittle. When it starts boiling, you can add two cups of rice and the chicken and stir it thoroughly. Keep cooking until the chicken is already tender and the rice is cooked well.

Facts About Bland Diet for Dogs

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Another common problems that dogs experience is upset stomach. There are a number of signs that you can observe to determine that your dog is experiencing such inconvenience. Common signs are vomiting, diarrhea, do not have much appetite to eat, and loose bowel movement among others. One way to heal upset stomach is to give them bland diets. What is a bland diet and how does it help in upset stomach in dogs? Here are some facts about bland diet for dogs.

As I have stated, digestive problems are common to dogs that is why there are various dog experts debate on which is the best diet for dogs who are suffering from such pain. But all of them all boils down to bland diet for dogs. This kind of diet consists of foods that have mild taste and soft in texture so that it would be easy to be digested by your dog. Bland diet for dogs are recommended by most vets when your dog is experiencing upset stomach as well as dybosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and bacterial and viral infections among others.

There are two choices for bland diet for dogs should you choose to opt for this. One option is to select a commercial dog food specially formulated and prepared just like what the vets usually suggest. Another one is to do it your self home cooked dog food – the option that is chosen more often than not. But even though, you still need to be careful; do not use food that you know your dog is allergic to.