When your dog is under the weather or experiencing a more serious health issue, you probably dread the thought of an expensive veterinarian bill. However, as your dog can not tell you what he or she is experiencing, you will need to clearly watch your dog to make the best guess.Symptom Checker Could Help Diagnose Your Dog
The more information you can provide to your vet, the lower the bill may be, as you could eliminate unnecessary tests from being administered. This is why you should utilize a dog symptom checker on the Internet. Symptom Checker Could Help Diagnose Your Dog
A dog symptom checker will help you to narrow down what could be wrong with your pet. If your canine has obvious problems, such as a skin condition, you would think that your vet could immediately state what is wrong. However, even something as noticeable as a skin condition is not that easy to diagnose, as it could be caused by a thyroid problem or Cushing’s disease.
The key is know what signs you should look for, so that your vet can come up with the right diagnosis, while keeping your bill as low as possible. Some of the most common things to look for is any changes in their behavior, odors, whether or not their bowel movements are normal, and their nose and ears.
When you go online and start using this tool, you should look for those that let you type the various indicators you have noticed or choose them from a diagram. After choosing the symptom that describes your dog, it will then list out a variety of things that could cause this to happen to your dog.
While you should not use the dog symptom checker to diagnose and treat your dog yourself, it can be a very useful tool for every pet owner. Obviously, if you diagnose your dog with fleas, you should treat them yourself. However, most issues are going to need the assistance of a veterinarian and you should never not take your dog to a vet because you do not think it is a serious problem
Dog Health
Do you come home from work and find your dog’s food bowls are flipped over and water is all over the floor? Perhaps you find garbage strewn all over the house? Are there holes dug all over the yard? Do you find chew marks on your furniture? Has the stuffing been pulled out of your couch? Are all of these and other naughty things being done by your lovable pet pooch? The cause is simple. Your pet is bored! Mind Stimulation for Your Dog
Now a more challenging question; what do you do about it? All dogs need to do more than eat, sleep and love you. All dogs need exercise to start with. A walk isn’t just about having a pee or a poop. A walk is a fabulous way to build a strong bond between you and your dog, and an opportunity to demonstrate to your pet that YOU are the leader. As Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer, would say, “YOU need to be the Pack Leader”. Remember that when you walk your dog, you should be the first one out of the house, the first one back into the house, and your dog should walk beside you or slightly behind you.
I know that we all love our dogs and often think of them as our children… our babies. Truth be told, in order to provide your pet with what he/she truly needs it is important that you think of your dog first as a dog, and then consider the characteristics of the breed. Then you need to remember that your pet is also an individual. Mind Stimulation for Your Dog
Some breeds need more physical exercise than others. Some need more exercise than others. Herding dogs, as an example, were bred to herd or move livestock. This “job” requires intelligence and an enormous amount of running and endurance. There are dozens of breeds belonging to the “herding” family of dogs including the various types of Sheep dogs and Shepherd dogs, Collies, and Giant Schnauzers to name a few. Other breeds like Jack Russell Terriers, Shelties, and sporting dogs, although not herding breeds, are high energy breeds; requiring more exercise than some lower energy breeds. Think in terms of a 5 mile RUN (not walk) each day as a guide. Also, you can ride a bike or roller blade while your pet keeps up beside you.
On the other side of the spectrum; Poodles, Terriers, Shih Tzus, Schnauzers, Bull Dogs, and Pugs, for example have a much lower demand for exercise. Understand that these dogs still need to be walked, at least once each day for at least one hour.
You’ll know if your dog is getting enough exercise based on its’ behaviour and weight. If your dog is gaining weight you’re either feeding him way too much, offering too many treats, or not giving him enough exercise. If your dogs’ weight is fine and he’s behaving, then the exercise that you’re giving him is likely sufficient. Remember, too, that older dogs will need less exercise than puppies. If there is any question or concern, get advice from your Vet. Mind Stimulation for Your Dog
One thing to note about walks is that you do NOT want the walk to be about your dogs’ bathroom duties. Dogs absolutely LOVE their walks. If the walk is over immediately after the dog does his “business”, he will try to hold it so the walk will last longer. In fact he may wait until you give up and go home, then do his business in the house. It will work better for you if you wait for the dog to “potty”, and then reward that behaviour with a one hour walk.
If you have some reason that you’re not able to provide your dog with the kind of walks he requires, there are a couple of things you can do. For high energy dogs you can put a back pack on them filled with water bottles. The extra weight will add more of a challenge on their walk and tire them out quicker. You can also consider purchasing a treadmill. There are treadmills designed specifically for dogs that can also accommodate the speed that your canine companion needs. When using this type of device please do NOT leave your pet unattended. Any number of accidents can occur if no one is watching. Besides, you can still use the “pack leader” attitude and strengthen your bond while your dog is on the treadmill.
Now that covers the dog walking part of this segment. Here’s another newsflash. Dogs also need to be mentally stimulated. Again, the amount of stimulation necessary is dependent on the breed and the individual dog. If there’s any question or concern, remember your Vet is an excellent resource and can guide you appropriately.
Mental stimulation can take numerous forms. Rough housing with your pet can help to stimulate them mentally; as does training. Once they’re completely “behaviour” trained, you can work on fun tricks. Playing catch or fetch is also helpful. These activities can be fun for both of you, enhance the bond between you, and keep your pets mind active. You can also consider agility training for all the same reasons. NOTE that before you begin any serious, intense regimen you should consult your pets’ Veterinarian. Some agility drills can be harmful for your dog under certain conditions; like dogs suffering from arthritis, hip or joint problems, or young pups. Agility drills involving a lot of jumping can be too stressful for young developing joints. Intense weaves are another obstacle you’ll want to be careful of when training your puppy.
Swimming is a great activity for your dog. Most dogs enjoy it; it’s good exercise and builds strength. You can have a lot of fun with your dog while swimming. It can also be easier on the joints of an older dog. Again, please check with your best resource, your Vet to make sure this is a good activity for your specific dog. There may be a health issue that would be aggravated by a particular activity. I know, like any good parent, you want what’s best for your pet.
Remember to hug your dog today. Mind Stimulation for Your Dog
-Brigitte Synesael
Mind Stimulation for Your Dog
Most Common Dog Skin Problems
The symptoms of problems are very diverse. Key behaviors such as frantic scratching, frequent licking, or even chewing should not be ignored. Pets might also signal discomfort by rubbing up against furniture or carpets. When these behaviors are recognized, a closer look should be taken at the fur and skin of the animal.
If there are any scabs, scaly patches, bald spots, rashes or lesions, a veterinarian should be notified. Other reasons for concern include redness, blood, pus, swelling, lumps or discoloration. There are many different conditions that can cause these symptoms and they are best detected by a professional.
Pests may be the source of problems. The bites and droppings of fleas can create lingering irritation. Some pets may even be allergic to the saliva in a flea bite, making matters worse. In addition to this, certain flea control methods readily available on the market can be aggravating.
Different infections can plague the skins surface. These include fungal, bacterial or yeast type infections. Fungal infections can include ringworm. Ringworm can result in the presence of scaly patches, baldness and irritation. Ringworm is particularly troublesome as it can be passed to other animals as well as people if left untreated. Bacterial or yeast infections normally occur only after the skin is compromised, further exacerbating the original problem.
Allergies can affect skin as well. These may be aggravated by naturally occurring irritants from the outdoors or allergies to food. Outdoor allergies improve or worsen with the seasons, and depend on the circulating amounts of dust, pollen, grass, or mold. Foods that typically cause reactions contain chicken, beef, soy, corn or wheat based ingredients. Food additives, such as colorings, can also be aggravating.
Problems may also have a behavioral component. A dog living in a very loud environment may experience heightened levels of stress. As a result, it may lick and gnaw at itself. It can also perform the same behaviors simply if it is bored. This is one reason why daily exercise and attention are very important for pets.
Most of these issues are preventable. One method of prevention is using only dog appropriate products on a dog. A hypoallergenic diet ensures that pets receive a nutritious and healthy meal without any artificial or unnecessary ingredients. Dogs should live in a calm, clean and quiet environment to limit stress levels and discourage the proliferation of pests. A veterinarian can provide a series of suggestions on how to further prevent parasite infestation.