Dog Ear Mites - Thing You Need to Know

Ear mites are an external parasite that can infect dogs, cats and more rarely, humans. The mite's name is Otodectes cynotis. Otodectes mites are large enough that they can sometimes be seen with the naked eye and are easy to see with magnification.

Ear mites live in the ears and on the skin of pets infected with them. The mite lives its entire life on the pet and it takes about 3 weeks for a mite egg to develop into an adult mite. The adult mites are very mobile and can live for some time off of a dog or cat, which enables it to be fairly contagious.

The most common sign of ear mite infection is shaking of the head and ears. Dogs may also scratch at their ears, rub their face and in severe cases may even cause bleeding sores behind their ears in their effort to relieve the discomfort from the mites. The intense itching associated with these mites is thought to be due to a hypersensitivity reaction, which is similar to an allergy. Some pets can be infected without showing signs of itching or head shaking, apparently because they don't develop the hypersensivity reaction.

Ear mites are more commonly diagnosed in cats than they are in dogs but they are a significant cause of ear infections in dogs, too. Dark brown to black debris accumulates in the ears of infected pets and the mites may be visible as small moving white specks on the debris. Secondary infection with bacteria or yeast is common in ear mite infections and may complicate the diagnosis. The mites can live on the skin and some dogs and cats appear to have infections that affect only the skin, causing small sores to develop in affected areas. It is important to treat the ears for mites and the whole pet with a product that is capable of killing the mites. Most flea and tick products will kill ear mites on the skin.

In multiple pet households it is important to treat all the pets and to clean the environment, considering the use of premise control insecticides in persistent cases. Ear mites are susceptible to many medications, including pyrethrins, rotenone, fibronil, thiabendazole and ivermectins. It is necessary to treat for at least three to four weeks in most instances to be sure to kill the adult mites and any eggs that may hatch later.

Many veterinary clients treat their dog's ears with over the counter products for ear mites based on the presence of ear inflammation or exudate in the ears, doing this for weeks or months prior to giving up and having their dog's ears examined. There are a number of causes of ear infection in dogs and it is best to have your vet examine your dog's ears to determine if the cause of ear irritation is ear mites or another infection. Doing this can save your dog from weeks of pain or discomfort.

Source: http://www.vetotoscope.com/ear_mite_information.htm

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Exercise For Dogs

If exercise is important to us and our health, does it not go without saying that exercise for dogs is just as important. Exercise helps to not only help your dog stay physically healthy, but also promotes better mental health for him.

Physically, exercise for dogs can improve their cardiovascular capacity, promote healthier blood pressure, allow for better digestion of food, tone muscles, increase bone strength and improve joint mobility. Exercise can also promote a healthier state of mind, provide stress relief while also burning off calories and decreasing body fat. Also, exercise can lessen the risk of contracting numerous diseases from heart attacks, diabetes, and arthritis, to cancer. As you can see, the benefits of a regular exercise routine for your dog can be enormous.

Exercise can also help your dog be better behaved. When your pet is involved in a regular exercise program he will be getting rid of all the pent-up energy he may otherwise have put into mischievous or unwanted behaviors, such as being aggressive, barking excessively or chewing.

And, providing a regular exercise program for your dog can help you and he bond better together. You will be sharing time with your pet when you walk him, or jog with him, or take him to the doggie day care centre—whatever you choose as his exercise routine. You can have fun playing with him or teaching him new tricks. This can only improve the relationship that you have together.

Including a daily exercise regime into your pet’s life does not have to be a complicated affair. All movement is exercise, so even if you do not have time to walk your dog for a mile or two everyday, don’t despair. Throw a ball across the room for him to chase. Play tug of war with him with a rope toy. Make him look for a treat you have hidden. Do doggie massage. There are many ways to get your dog moving that don’t take a lot of time. Find something fun for you both to do together.

Alternately, if you are really stuck for time, hire a service to help. There are numerous agencies that specialize in dog-walking, pet resorts, doggie day cares or you can hire a neighborhood child to help you walk your dog. You can purchase a treadmill made especially for dogs to help him get his exercise, or even getting a dog-door built into your house can give him access to his own exercise yard.

You can participate together in agility competitions or various other competitions available, such as dog sledding, sport hunting or herding dog competitions, lure coursing, fly tracking, or obedience competitions. Those are only a few of the ones available.

You can also sign up for various classes for you and your dog to share. A great new one that is becoming popular is doga – yoga for dogs. This type of exercise has all the calming benefits that people find with yoga, plus the stretching and movement for your dog.

The point of this article is that your dog, for his own sake, should not become a couch potato. Getting the proper amount of exercise can help him live a longer and happier life—one that you want to share in for a long time.

Rabies Vaccine Side Effects

Although your vet says vaccination is important in protecting your pet, note that there are side effects that your vet might not tell you. Rabies vaccine is legally required for a companion animal to have as not to be a threat to humans, hence this could cause side effects to your pet.

Your vet has an obligation to inform or discuss to you any side effects of a vaccine and not just the benefits of it.

Rabies vaccine side effects in dogs

After the shot your dog may experience malaise, fever or the worst possible adverse reaction is anaphylactic.  Vaccinosis is a non-immediate reaction that can result to:

Separation AnxietyVomiting
Fever
Facial Swelling
Aggression
Autoimmune diseases
Allergies
Digestive disorders
Fibrocarcinomas

Rabies Vaccine side effects in humans

A vaccine such as for rabies can cause serious problems for humans. The most common is allergic reaction.

Mild Rabies Vaccine side effects
 redness, swelling, headache, dizziness,  abdominal pain, muscle aches,

Moderate Rabies Vaccine side effects
 hives, joint pain, fever

Canine Rabies Disease and Vaccination

Rabies disease is more common in canine and can be prevented through vaccination. Rabies is caused by a virus found in the saliva of an infected animals and can be transmitted to other animals and humans through bite or an open wound contamination.

Rabies symptoms: Rabies in humans and animals causes acute encephalitis. Warm blooded animals are affected with rabies. Early symptoms are headache, fever and malaise. As rabies progresses infected animals or humans experience acute pain, aggressiveness, inability to drink water and depression.  For severe cases, it could lead to death.

For humans infected with rabies or been bitten by a suspected rabies carrier dog, it is important to get vaccinated to prevent the development of rabies symptoms.

Rabies prevention: The only way to prevent rabies is through vaccination. If you have a pet, rabies vaccination is important so ask your vet about it.

Rabies vaccination in dogs: Vaccinate dogs at three to four months of age. Revaccinate within one year and every year, thereafter.

Rabies vaccination in cats: Vaccinate cats at three to four months of age, then revaccinate every year, thereafter.

Ringworm in Dogs

Ringworm is a common illness in dogs that can be easily treated and prevented. You should just know how and what can treat ringworms in your dog.

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a fungus and not a worm that infect humans, dogs, and cats. It can be seen on the skin surface as a round spots though others is not.

Sign of Ringworms

Sign of ringworms in dogs, cats and humans can be characterized by having red round spot, patchy or oblong lesions in the skin though not all can be determined as ringworms. With other skin disease associated with round spots, ringworms makes hard to diagnose and can be misleading to other skin disease. An infected dog with ringworms would be seen with scaly skin and areas in the body with no hair. Ringworms in dogs may or may not be red and itching though may bring discomfort in your dog.

Diagnosis of Ringworms Infection in Dogs

There are many ways to diagnose ringworms in dogs. The common way to diagnose it is the use of ultraviolet light. Ringworms glow when hit with ultraviolet light though the vet may do another test just to make sure. The vet may get a hair sample or skin scrapping for further diagnosis. This process is the more accurate and may take up to 2-3 weeks to get a result.
 
Treating Ringworm in Dogs

Some healthy dogs infected with ringworms would have the capability of treating themselves for about four months. However in sever cases; treatment for dog ringworm is basically in the form of oral medication or topical creams or medicated shampoos.  The result and treatment may vary on the type of ringworm that your dog have.

Clipping the hair around the infected area is also helpful and needed just make sure to be careful not to irritate the skin or touch the infected area toavoid spreading it.

Griseofulvin
This anti-fungal medication is not prescribed for pregnant and nursing dogs and cats it may cause birth defects. Not also recommended for puppies for its high toxixcaty. Griseofulvin is used for a period of time until all the ringworm traces are gone. Possibleside effects are vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and depression.

Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Food allergy is common health problem of any dog breed. Changing the dog diet into hypoallergenic is usually the only way to eliminate or solve this problem. Hypoallergenic dog food is made especially for dogs with food allergy.

What is Hypoallergenic Dog Food?

The answer is in the ingredients. Unlike other dog foods, hypoallergenic are easier for dog’s digestive system to digest thus eliminating an upset stomach. Plus, it  don’t have beef, wheat, soy, chicken or pork in it instead it have brown rice, rabbit, salmon, duck or venison meat that are more easier to digest.


Find the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food

There are hundred of hypoallergenic dog food brands out in the market and finding one might be a great task, to find the best/appropriate hypoallergenic dog food for your dog try to:

• Ask your vet about hypoallergenic food for your dog

• Make a research of different hypoallergenic dog food brands out there and compare the price, ingredients and quality.

• Read other dog owners review about hypoallergenic dog food to help you choose. Reviews are great way to know what others experienced in the certain brand although different dogs have different reactions. Still it would be a great help in weighing things.

Remember that curing food allergy in dogs and finding the right hypoallergenic dog food is a matter of trial and error.

Overweight Dog:How to Cure it

Being overweight in humans can cause many health problems. Having an overweight dog can also be a cause for concern with respect to your pet’s health. Dogs can get some of the same diseases by being overweight that humans can, such as diabetes or heart disease. Other areas of concern may include: hip and joint problems (arthritis), pancreatic and liver disorders, difficulty breathing, reproductive and digestive disorders, circulatory problems, or even increased risk of cancer. As in humans, these can all lead to a decrease in the life expectancy of your pet.

In many ways you can judge your dog to be overweight just as you would a human. And, just as humans dogs come in all sizes and builds, so it is not how much the dog weighs on the scale that matters, but other factors that come into play. You can have a certain breed of dog, such as a black lab, that has a big-boned structure or one that has a smaller-boned build. These two dogs cannot strictly be compared by specific weight guidelines—one may be over the breed weight guidelines and the other may be under.

You will need to check several areas on your dog to determine if he is truly overweight, like the ribs, base of the tail, spine and shoulders, and his waist and abdomen measurement. There is a 5-point procedure that your vet can use to determine if your dog is overweight.
Certain breeds tend to be more prone to being an overweight dog than others. Typically these include: Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Shelties, and Bassett Hounds.

Although it is often thought that spaying or neutering your pet will cause him to be overweight, the procedure itself is not the cause. Spayed or neutered animals are generally less active and the decreased activity, or lack of exercise, is the cause of the weight gain (not the procedure).

Before you start your dog on any weight control program, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian to determine if your dog’s weight problem may be due to a medical condition. Your vet can also help you outline a weight reduction program for your dog to lose weight in a safe manner. Your vet can also provide vitamin supplements that your dog may require during his weight loss program.

As with humans, do not expect your dog to lose all his excess weight overnight. A good amount of weight loss for an overweight dog is to lose about 1-2% of his body weight each week.

Reducing the amount of calories that your pet intakes are usually the best method of weight reduction. That may mean restricting the amount of table scraps and treats that you feed him, or reducing the overall amount of food that he is currently being fed. Reducing your pet’s food 20-40% is a good guide to use.

There are also special ‘diet’ dog foods available on the market today that may help. By using these, you may be able to feed your dog roughly the same amount of food he is currently eating because these products contain lower calories.

A good tip to help your dog lose weight is to feed him more often, but smaller meals, during the day to help control his hunger feelings.

Exercise may also be a key factor in helping your dog to lose weight. Help your dog to stop being a ‘couch-potato’ and make him play and exercise more. You can throw a toy for him to fetch, take him for walks more frequently, or even purchase a treadmill especially designed to dog use.

Currently there are also dietary medications and nutraceuticals that are being examined to help your overweight dog lose weight. Ask your vet if these may now be available.

Potty train a Dog using Dirtbox

This method of potty train a dog using dirtbox is far better than the old custom newspaper potty train in terms of cleaning. As you know newspaper potty train could add up in the work once the paper got wet, it got messy and a little bit uncomfortable to your part to pick up the used newspaper.

This kind of potty train is normally done for puppies for their early training though dirtbox potty train in dogs are much appreciated by most pet owner. Ask a dog or cat owner and they would say that dirtbox is more practical to use compared to free newspaper as it can be used over and over again. 

Dirtbox is also called litter box is like a plastic tray that you could place soil or stone in it where your dog could do his business with out messing the house. So how this dog potty train using dirtbox makes it easier for you and your pet? Well the answer is your dog would be more comfortable peeing or the other business in a soil than a newspaper. 

At first it would be hard to housetrain your dog to pee in the dirtbox but remember patience is a virtue. The moment you noticed that your dog would do his business, place him in the dirtbox and hold him still just enough time till he is comfortable and let him do his thing.

Place him again if he jump off the dirtbox without doing what he is suppose to do and repeat the process again until he do it.  Make sure that he will use the dirtbox every time he would pee or poof. A week or two doing this potty train using dirtbox is enough time for your dog to learn that the dirtbox is his comfort room. 

Potty train a dog using dirtbox is helpful if your dog is left alone in the house most of the time just clean and replace the soil in the dirtbox once a day. You could also use baking soda to lessen the odor.

Simple Dog Safety Tips this Halloween

Okay Halloween is just around the corner and I'm sure your dog is just excited as you are but let's us not forget our dog safety in this occasion. Simple things like light stick the one that glows in the dark could actually stick your dog out of danger and also one great way to our dogs to be a fashionista.

Light stick is inexpensive, just taped one or two of it in the dog's collar or your dog costume. Once set up your dog is ready to parade out in the dark with you doing trick or threat. This simple gadget makes your dog visible in the streets from cars and other ghouls in this busy event. Hope this simple safety tips for your dog helps you in having trouble free Halloween.

Enjoy!!

Dog Costumes: Do’s and Don’ts

Boo! It is the time of the year again where witches and vampires are seen in busy streets and parties saying the famous line trick or treat. Just few days to wait and its Halloween time again. Almost all ages are excited in this time of the year and what really amazing to see are dogs in Halloween costumes. Indeed Halloween is a dog event as well as dogs baptism ceremony that need for your dog to dressed up.

Dogs in costume are the ones that are really cute and funny. But did you know not all costumes for dogs are good and safe, so before you buy dog costumes why not take time to read this lists of costumes for dogs do’s and don’ts and Simple Dog Safety Tips this Halloween for a fun trick and treat.

• Costumes not too low or hang that might tip your dog.

•  Choose dog costumes appropriate for your dog size and temperament. The costume must fit well  your dog body: not too tight and not too loose.

• Fabric is very important for your dog costumes. Cotton made costumes are the best choice for all dog type. Other fabric is warm in the body and might bring discomfort for your dog.

• Beaded costumes are not appropriate for a dog as it is might be swallowed and choking might  happen.

• Above all your dog should be comfortable in his costume and that the costumes will not hamper his field of vision. You never know what might happen in the dark with all the ghouls in the streets.

Enjoy and have a safe happy Halloween trick or treat from Its All About Dogs!

Dogs Diabetes:Facts You Should Know

Diabetes in dogs is common dog disease. In fact, one in 500 dogs develops diabetes. Although this can be a serious disease, it is also manageable. Diabetes in dogs is typically seen between the ages of 4-14 years old, with a peak incidence at 7-9 years of age. Although diabetes can occur in both male and female dogs, unsprayed females are at a slightly higher risk.

There are certain breeds of dogs that are more likely to develop diabetes than others. Samoyeds, Pugs, Golden Retrievers, Miniature or Toy Poodles, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Beagles, Cairn and Australian Terriers and Miniature Pinschers, Keeshonden, and Pulik breeds are known to be among that group.


Signs of Diabetes in Dogs

If you notice that your dog is drinking or eating excessively, or that he is urinating more than usual it may be a sign that he has diabetes. You may also notice that your dog may be losing weight.

A diabetic dog may also develop cataracts on their eyes. You may notice that your dog’s eyes seem to be turning white. This is an indication of cataract development. If this happens, the light is unable to pass through the lens in the eye and your dog will become blind. Although it is possible to have the cataracts surgically removed, vision is restored in only 75-80% of dogs. However, you will find that even if your dog does become blind, he will probably still be able to get around fairly well in his home environment.


How to know if your dog have diabetes

If you do note that your dog has any of the symptoms above, you should bring it to the attention of your veterinarian. By testing your dog’s blood glucose and urine, he will be able to confirm if your pet has this disease. Your veterinarian may do additional tests to see if your dog may have other medical problems that are associated diabetes in dogs. These may include tests for urinary tract infection, inflammation of the pancreas, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease or even cancer. Diabetic dogs can also suffer from heart or kidney disease and anemia. Your vet may do a chest x-ray, and an x-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen to test for these problems, as well as the typical blood and urine tests.

Diabetes is another dog health problem that needs attention. It is important to see signs and symptoms at the early stage.

Dogs diabetes medication

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, your vet will probably recommend a special diet and possibly injection or pharmaceutical intervention. Your dog may also be put on a reducing regime if he is overweight. Overweight dogs are typically more prone to developing diabetes, just like their human counterparts. Your dog’s weight will need to be reduced gradually through a diet and exercise program, probably over the course of a few months.

Exercise “burns up” blood glucose in the same way insulin does. By providing your dog with an exercise routine will also help manage dog’s diabetes. Your dog will need to be on a fairly consistent exercise routine because this can affect the amount of insulin your dog will need.

It is important to point out that if your dog is taking insulin regularly; changing his activity level may cause your dog to have a hypoglycemic episode (low blood sugar). This in turn can affect how much insulin he needs. It is up to you to monitor your dog’s blood glucose levels, especially if you plan on taking your dog out for extra exercise, like swimming or extra play at the dog park to lessen the risk of your dog diabetes; you should then change his insulin dose accordingly.

For Better Dog Health is through a Dog Massage

Chances are that in your dog’s lifetime, he has suffered some sort of muscle injury by jumping off the couch the wrong way, twisting his foot in a gopher hole, or wrenching his back while leaping to grab a Frisbee. The injury may not be apparent at first, but perhaps your dog has only seemed to slow down a little in his everyday motions or play. In one of these instances, dog massage could probably help your dog.

Let your Pet Dog be Dog

Dogs are dogs no matter how you like them be like you. I know sometimes you treat your dog like humans as they are part of your family. Out of consciousness you forgot that they are still domesticated animals that don’t have human understanding. So don’t expect too much from them even they are well trained and well behaved because they have still an animal nature in them.

Not all your words are understands by your dog and not all your command are obeyed, so what if they make mistakes sometimes. What matters is you correct it the right way. Don’t be over protected and strict to your pet dog. Let him be a dog that has freedom.

Dogs are naturally playful and full of energy and sometimes if you’re not an active pet parent, like walking your dog a couple times a day would make them run and play inside your house or backyard like crazy. If you don’t want havoc inside your house why not let them play in your backyard. You can even play with them and you will be surprise how enjoying it is to bond with your dog. You can even make it as an exercise as well.

You can also make them use their natural talent. For example if you have a terrier dog known for being an expert hunter and digger; you can train him if you are in the hobby of hunting. While digging might bring a problem, understand that it is in their nature so be patient and teach him not to dig in your backyard. In these ways you are not taking away your dog freedom and his purpose other than just being a pet and companion. It will make your relationship even healthier.

Face your Fear of Dogs now, its National Face Your Fears Day

Now is the time to face your fear of dogs in celebration of National Face your fears day made famous by Steve Hughes. According to faceyourfearstoday.com , fear of dogs is in 9 in the top ten list of America’s most common feared of. Cynophobia is the scientific term used to describe people’s fear of dogs. Children even adults may suffer fear of dogs.

Why this cute furry man’s best friend being feared of? It seems ironic that while some people spend thousands of dollars for their furry pet dogs, others are afraid of them. The percentage of people in America that have fear of dogs is only 11 percent, small it maybe but lets us ponder why this people have fear of dogs.

Behavior of Dogs

Naturally dogs before they are domesticated as pets, they are bon as hunters and strong wild animals. These reasons along brings fear to some people especially when they encountered dogs or have seen dogs that don’t behaved well when approached by strangers. Behavior of dogs differ towards certain circumstances, even well behaved dogs may act and be aggressive at certain times.

There are things that may provoke dogs to be aggressive and feel threatened by you. This should be avoided especially if the dog is not yours.

• Direct eye contact

• Quick approached to the dog

• Touching the dog in the head

• Taking away valuable possession from the dog ex. Toys and chew bone

Signs of dogs’ agitation are a cue for you to leave but not to run

• Growling

• Shown teeth

How to overcome fear of dogs?

There is no medicine that will cure fear of dogs. Just like any other fears, fear of dogs should be face. This means people with fear of dogs should be exposed to dogs; cute, friendly small dogs are a great head start. It doesn’t mean that the person should touch or hold the dog; this could be done when the person is well acquainted having dog or dogs with him.


Are you having fear of dogs or any other fears? Don’t hold back, take the challenge and face it. Celebrate National Face your Fears Day!