The natural way:
• Vacuum your home frequently and seal vacuum bags before disposing.
• Wash the bedding of your dog weekly in warm soapy water. This is where fleas usually breed.
• Bathing your pet weekly with a mild dog shampoo prevents flea invasion.
• Use cedar shampoo for your dog, and put cedar oil in their sleeping mats. Cedar will repel fleas and other insects.
• Fleas are attracted to dry skin, so to avoid it, give your dog Linatone oil mixed with its food. Excessive shampooing should be avoided.
• A mixture of brewer’s yeast and garlic, available in powder or tablet form can be given in small doses to your pet. This creates a certain odor in pets, and fleas are surely to avoid them.
• Fresh or dried pennyroyal leaves is a natural flea repellent. Use this in carpets to avoid the abundance of fleas in the home. Do not use it if you have small children around, as this could be toxic.
• A mixture of 60 ml of lavender oil with 2.8 liters of rock salt can also be placed in areas where dogs usually come in contact with and this solution could also be used to wash your dog.
• Planting marigolds in the yard is helpful too, it repels certain types of bugs as well as fleas.
• Boiled lemon or orange peel in water can be used as a dip for dogs and can be used too to soak in dog bedding for a few hours, then washed with warm soapy water.
• Lukewarm water with little shampoo and detergent is a good way to prevent fleas. A dog’s body may be dipped into the solution for fifteen minutes and then rinsed. This only works if flea infestation is light. The natural way of treating fleas is effective only if the level of flea infestation is average to very few. This method usually is recommended for prevention only.
Different commercially available products with chemical contents:
• Advantage. Active ingredient is imidacloprid. This is a flea poison, from Bayer. It is in a liquid form and applied to the skin, at the back of the dog, and works for about a month. This works by upsetting the nervous system of fleas when they come in contact with the liquid. This product is fast acting and is not absorbed into the internal organs and bloodstream of the dog.
Studies indicate that this product is highly toxic to fleas and other insects as well. A dog will be free from fleas in just a couple of days.
Ingredients are: imidacloprid -- a chloronicotinyl nitroguanidine integrated from the nitromethylene class of a compound. This joins the nicotinyl receptor sites of insects, thus upsetting normal nerve transmission which causes death. A set of two vials costs 15-20 dollars.
• Frontline. This product is very similar to Advantage, but is not water soluble, so alcohol is needed to wash it off. This can safely be used in pups, dogs, cats and kittens.
Efficiency in repelling lasts up to four months.
Active ingredients include: Fipronil 5-amino -1- (2, 6-dichloro-4 [trifluoromethyl]phenyl) -4- (1,R,S)- (trifluoromethyl0sulfinyl) -1H-pryazole-3-carbonitrile 0.29% inert ingredients 99.71%.
Fipronil works as a nervous transmission interruptor, which causes quick death to fleas and ticks. It is proven to kills 96% of fleas for the first two hours and 100% within 24 hours. Ticks die sooner than they attach themselves to the host. Fipronil is from the new phenylpyrazole class.
Very effective and can be considered safe, so long as dogs are not allergic to fipronil.
• Knockout. Performs like Frontline and is as effective, but can only be used in dogs. Active ingredients: Pyriproxyfen: 21[1-methyl-2-(phenoxyphenoxy)ethyoxy] pyridine.... 0.05% cyclopropanecarboxylate 2.00% inert ingredients 97.95% Also has NYLAR, which is flea growth regulator.
• Biospot. This is for topical application and kills up to 75 percent of fleas, eggs, and ticks. It also is a good repellant of mosquitoes and works for about a month. Temporarily, at times, it turns white hair to yellow. This can not be used in cats and contains permethrins and IGR.
• Proban (cythioate) and Prospot (Fenthion). While not to be used in cats, they are widely used in dogs. This is absorbed by the bloodstream and fleas die due to the poison that is present in the blood. For it to work, it requires the bitting of fleas. There are certain conditions to be considered though. You are injecting a small dose of poison into your dog’s body and side effects are not known. Then this does not help if a dog has flea allergy, and can not risk to be bitten.
Generally fleas abound during the summer months, when it is their breeding season. These commercial products can greatly help in fighting heavy flea infestation and needed where severe invasion occurs. However, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian as the choice of flea control will greatly depend on your life style.
Dental Care for Your Dog
Clean teeth and gums are very important of the overall health of your dog. Here are some information on the most common dental problems of dogs and ways in treating them.
Dog's common dental problems:
Periodontitis
It is very common among dogs to have gum disease. At the age of two or three, many dogs have either periodontitis or gingivitis.
The most common dental problem for canines is periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease. The disease is caused by various factors: plaque, food debris, cell mucus, and a mixture of bacteria. This results to a film characterized by milky-white on the dog's teeth as well as the gums. When this film gets combined with saliva, the plaque it causes becomes tartar, and very hard to remove.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis, also known as gum disease, happens when gum tissue suffers from an inflammation. Without treatment, it can lead to periodontitis, teeth loosening, bone loss, and ultimately, loss of teeth.
Tooth fractures
Tooth fractures occur when dogs chew hard substances, such as hard rocks and cow hooves. The fractures can result in infection inside the broken tooth, which is known as the endodontic disease.
How to prevent dental problems
Your dog can fight off these dental problems by removing the plaque before it actually develops as tartar. How to do it? The most effective way is by brushing his teeth. The brushing would reduce much of the bacteria presence in the mouth, not to mention making your dog's breath smell sweeter. Make it a habit of brushing your teeth on a daily basis.
Toothpaste.
There are toothpaste products made especially for dogs. Brush your pet's teeth using dog toothpaste. Human toothpaste is specifically designed for humans to spit the paste washings out. Dogs cannot do that, so pick a dog toothpaste that is safe enough for dogs to swallow.
Toothbrush.
Using a toothbrush in its teeth would take some time for the dog to get used to. Let your dog be acquainted and get used to this is by putting some garlic salt, mix the salt with water, and dip the solution in an old toothbrush. Hold the old brush, and let your pet taste and chew it. Your dog will start to realize that chewing a toothbrush is fun and tastes good. Make it a habit a few times, until it feels comfortable brushing with it.
Finger brush.
You could also use a finger brush instead of a toothbrush. A finger brush is a good alternative, although nothing could replace the good ol' toothbrush. The finger brush just fits onto one's fingertip and can let you brush the dog's teeth without the dog knowing it. Well, at least almost. The disadvantage of getting a finger brush to clean your dog's teeth is that its bristles are quite large for the brush to go under the gum line’s margin as effectively compared with regular toothbrush.
Professional cleaning.
If you don't want to do the cleaning by yourself, you could take your dog to a veterinarian and have its teeth professionally cleaned. A good veterinarian will take additional measures in ensuring your dog's clean teeth by anesthetizing your dog, scraping the buildup of plaque from all over the gum line areas, and polishing the teeth for a sparkling finish.
Home checkup.
Try to make it a regular habit of checking the teeth of your dog for any cracked or broken teeth. If you see some problematic teeth, check promptly with the veterinarian.
Home safety.
Of course, cleaning your dog's teeth does not mean you should disregard other areas of concern. Tough substances, such as bones, rocks, hard nylon, or cow hooves should be removed from areas where your dog could see. Buy your dog chewing toys that are safer like rubber-made toys. You could also provide bones that are soft enough for your dog to chew.
Mouthwash.
There are some products in the market that deal very well in helping to kill the bacteria in your dog's mouth and could actually help heal damaged gum tissues. Do not forget to ask your veterinarian on the best products in the market.
Dental problems do not only happen to humans. Dogs also have dental issues as well. It is up to the owners on how to help their pet dogs overcome their dental problems.
Dog's common dental problems:
Periodontitis
It is very common among dogs to have gum disease. At the age of two or three, many dogs have either periodontitis or gingivitis.
The most common dental problem for canines is periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease. The disease is caused by various factors: plaque, food debris, cell mucus, and a mixture of bacteria. This results to a film characterized by milky-white on the dog's teeth as well as the gums. When this film gets combined with saliva, the plaque it causes becomes tartar, and very hard to remove.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis, also known as gum disease, happens when gum tissue suffers from an inflammation. Without treatment, it can lead to periodontitis, teeth loosening, bone loss, and ultimately, loss of teeth.
Tooth fractures
Tooth fractures occur when dogs chew hard substances, such as hard rocks and cow hooves. The fractures can result in infection inside the broken tooth, which is known as the endodontic disease.
How to prevent dental problems
Your dog can fight off these dental problems by removing the plaque before it actually develops as tartar. How to do it? The most effective way is by brushing his teeth. The brushing would reduce much of the bacteria presence in the mouth, not to mention making your dog's breath smell sweeter. Make it a habit of brushing your teeth on a daily basis.
Toothpaste.
There are toothpaste products made especially for dogs. Brush your pet's teeth using dog toothpaste. Human toothpaste is specifically designed for humans to spit the paste washings out. Dogs cannot do that, so pick a dog toothpaste that is safe enough for dogs to swallow.
Toothbrush.
Using a toothbrush in its teeth would take some time for the dog to get used to. Let your dog be acquainted and get used to this is by putting some garlic salt, mix the salt with water, and dip the solution in an old toothbrush. Hold the old brush, and let your pet taste and chew it. Your dog will start to realize that chewing a toothbrush is fun and tastes good. Make it a habit a few times, until it feels comfortable brushing with it.
Finger brush.
You could also use a finger brush instead of a toothbrush. A finger brush is a good alternative, although nothing could replace the good ol' toothbrush. The finger brush just fits onto one's fingertip and can let you brush the dog's teeth without the dog knowing it. Well, at least almost. The disadvantage of getting a finger brush to clean your dog's teeth is that its bristles are quite large for the brush to go under the gum line’s margin as effectively compared with regular toothbrush.
Professional cleaning.
If you don't want to do the cleaning by yourself, you could take your dog to a veterinarian and have its teeth professionally cleaned. A good veterinarian will take additional measures in ensuring your dog's clean teeth by anesthetizing your dog, scraping the buildup of plaque from all over the gum line areas, and polishing the teeth for a sparkling finish.
Home checkup.
Try to make it a regular habit of checking the teeth of your dog for any cracked or broken teeth. If you see some problematic teeth, check promptly with the veterinarian.
Home safety.
Of course, cleaning your dog's teeth does not mean you should disregard other areas of concern. Tough substances, such as bones, rocks, hard nylon, or cow hooves should be removed from areas where your dog could see. Buy your dog chewing toys that are safer like rubber-made toys. You could also provide bones that are soft enough for your dog to chew.
Mouthwash.
There are some products in the market that deal very well in helping to kill the bacteria in your dog's mouth and could actually help heal damaged gum tissues. Do not forget to ask your veterinarian on the best products in the market.
Dental problems do not only happen to humans. Dogs also have dental issues as well. It is up to the owners on how to help their pet dogs overcome their dental problems.
All About Heartworms in Your Dog
Dog heartworm is a common disease among canines in the United States. Discovered in 1856, the worms mainly live in your dog's heart and major blood vessels.
The worms, especially on worst cases, seriously impair the heart's operations. Worse, they could also clog your dog's blood vessels. These infections result to body weight losses, chronic cough, dropsy, breath shortness, chronic heart failure, vision disturbances, and ultimately, death.
Since the symptoms of heartworm disease vary among dogs, it would be best that a veterinarian check your dog to evaluate a final analysis. Most dogs show visible symptoms only when the disease has reached the point where it would be almost improbable to be cured by treatment. To help you see early symptoms and to hopefully save your dog, look out for these signs:
- Dogs that have been quite active usually tend to be tired easily.
- Dogs that would have been otherwise healthy usually gasp for breath.
- Coughing of your dog has suddenly become a common occurrence.
- Dogs bred for hunting could no longer keep up with rapid chases and usually fall from exhaustion.
- In some rare instances, the dog experiences convulsions, jaundice, and problems in the vision.
- Before it dies, the dog experiences emaciation. often precedes death.
Who gets infected by the heartworm infection?
Previously, it was thought that only long-haired dogs were more resistant to heartworms because of the high difficulty of mosquitoes (which bring the worms) to penetrate through the dogs' hair. Since then, it has been proven that this was not true. Mosquitoes even have a hard time penetrating through short-haired dogs. Actually, mosquitoes feed on the abdominal region of the dog. That is why both long-haired and short-haired dogs are susceptible to an infection, since both types have little hair on this region. Some mosquitoes also feed on the muzzle area or the ears where the dog's hair is quite matted down.
Can heartworm infection be treated?
Heartworm infection can be treated through chemical therapy if diagnosed early. Most of the chemical treatments kill the worms over some period of time. Killing all the worms in one swoop is no better: If all the heartworms were killed in just one treatment, the dead bodies would deposit in the lungs and kill the dog.
Remember also that the chemicals used in treating the worms are also as dangerous to your dog as the worms. That is why treating the disease using chemical therapy should be used with utmost care and should be handled by a veterinarian.
There also cases when surgery is needed. In most cases, this could be a feasible option.
Consult with the veterinarian if surgical correction or any other method that can cure the infection.
There are also drugs that can prevent your dog from getting heartworms. These drugs attack the parasite in its early stages and stop the worms from being full-blown adults later.
This doesn't mean that your dog would be free from infection. This only means that dogs can still get infected during the season of mosquitoes and yet remain unscathed of heartworms.
Preventative medication using drugs, on the other hand, can cause serious complications if your dog has already heartworm infections in a higher level. That is why the use of drugs should be under the supervision of veterinarians. Taking drugs is also combined with regular blood texts. This has shown to be quite effective in saving many dogs with heartworm infection.
In order for your dog to avoid heartworm infection, protect your pet from mosquito bites especially if there is a high mosquito population in your area or if it is mosquito season.
You might want to screen the sleeping quarters of your dogs to avoid repeated bites.
Repellent sprays can also be used, but these only have limited effects.
You might also want to consult your vet for preventive medication. In addition, you might want regular blood tests on your dog to assess early symptoms of infection. This is quite tricky, especially that the symptoms of heartworm infection could not be seen immediately.
In short, your pet dog which looked healthy may be having early symptoms of heartworm infection. It would be best that you checked.
The worms, especially on worst cases, seriously impair the heart's operations. Worse, they could also clog your dog's blood vessels. These infections result to body weight losses, chronic cough, dropsy, breath shortness, chronic heart failure, vision disturbances, and ultimately, death.
Since the symptoms of heartworm disease vary among dogs, it would be best that a veterinarian check your dog to evaluate a final analysis. Most dogs show visible symptoms only when the disease has reached the point where it would be almost improbable to be cured by treatment. To help you see early symptoms and to hopefully save your dog, look out for these signs:
- Dogs that have been quite active usually tend to be tired easily.
- Dogs that would have been otherwise healthy usually gasp for breath.
- Coughing of your dog has suddenly become a common occurrence.
- Dogs bred for hunting could no longer keep up with rapid chases and usually fall from exhaustion.
- In some rare instances, the dog experiences convulsions, jaundice, and problems in the vision.
- Before it dies, the dog experiences emaciation. often precedes death.
Who gets infected by the heartworm infection?
Previously, it was thought that only long-haired dogs were more resistant to heartworms because of the high difficulty of mosquitoes (which bring the worms) to penetrate through the dogs' hair. Since then, it has been proven that this was not true. Mosquitoes even have a hard time penetrating through short-haired dogs. Actually, mosquitoes feed on the abdominal region of the dog. That is why both long-haired and short-haired dogs are susceptible to an infection, since both types have little hair on this region. Some mosquitoes also feed on the muzzle area or the ears where the dog's hair is quite matted down.
Can heartworm infection be treated?
Heartworm infection can be treated through chemical therapy if diagnosed early. Most of the chemical treatments kill the worms over some period of time. Killing all the worms in one swoop is no better: If all the heartworms were killed in just one treatment, the dead bodies would deposit in the lungs and kill the dog.
Remember also that the chemicals used in treating the worms are also as dangerous to your dog as the worms. That is why treating the disease using chemical therapy should be used with utmost care and should be handled by a veterinarian.
There also cases when surgery is needed. In most cases, this could be a feasible option.
Consult with the veterinarian if surgical correction or any other method that can cure the infection.
There are also drugs that can prevent your dog from getting heartworms. These drugs attack the parasite in its early stages and stop the worms from being full-blown adults later.
This doesn't mean that your dog would be free from infection. This only means that dogs can still get infected during the season of mosquitoes and yet remain unscathed of heartworms.
Preventative medication using drugs, on the other hand, can cause serious complications if your dog has already heartworm infections in a higher level. That is why the use of drugs should be under the supervision of veterinarians. Taking drugs is also combined with regular blood texts. This has shown to be quite effective in saving many dogs with heartworm infection.
In order for your dog to avoid heartworm infection, protect your pet from mosquito bites especially if there is a high mosquito population in your area or if it is mosquito season.
You might want to screen the sleeping quarters of your dogs to avoid repeated bites.
Repellent sprays can also be used, but these only have limited effects.
You might also want to consult your vet for preventive medication. In addition, you might want regular blood tests on your dog to assess early symptoms of infection. This is quite tricky, especially that the symptoms of heartworm infection could not be seen immediately.
In short, your pet dog which looked healthy may be having early symptoms of heartworm infection. It would be best that you checked.
Canine Vaccinations Are Essential
Active immunization is the introduction into the body of microorganisms for the purpose of stimulating the body’s defense mechanism. This concept is also applicable to other species like cats.
Veterinary medicine has come a long way toward better understanding the potential benefits of vaccinations. Veterinary experts have formulated certain solutions so as to combat the alarming increase of death in dogs which are usually caused by viral infections.
Since the creation of certain medications, many dogs are now saved from probable death brought about by many diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, and parvovirus.
Like humans, dogs need vaccinations at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies so that they will survive until they are fully grown.
Basically, puppies get their immunity from their mother’s milk, which is also the same as that of human beings. However, these immunities tend to lose its effects by the time the puppies are already 6 to 20 weeks old. So, it is during this time that they have to be immunized.
Hence, in order to protect the puppies against infectious diseases, it is best to give them their shots and should be re-immunized after 3 to 4 weeks. In this way, the puppies will be able to endure any infectious disease that may come their way.
Rabies and Immunization
Rabies is an acute and almost invariably fatal disease communicated to man through the saliva of a rabid animal, usually dogs, foxes, squirrels, and bats.
Dogs, fortunately, always present evidence of the disease before becoming infective. The etiologic agent is an ultramicroscopic virus present in the saliva and the central nervous system.
The course of rabies in dogs is characterized by an incubation period of 20 to 30 days. This is followed by a period of excitement, when the animal becomes vicious. The excitement stage may be evident or may be entirely absent. Paralysis then develops, first involving the hind legs and thereafter becoming general. Death occurs within 10 days following the first symptom.
Alternatively, the effects of rabies in human beings can be very fatal as it is with dogs. In order to avoid these problems, it is best to have your dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies shots.
Rabies vaccines can be given during the 16th to the 26th week of the puppies. This requires a follow up shot one year after for total protection.
Also, dog owners should take note that some vaccinations will generate adverse effects in their dogs. So, it is best to always observe your dogs every after vaccination. When certain reactions occur like vomiting, facial swelling, or trembling, it is best to discuss these matters immediately to your veterinarian.
Moreover, certain precautions should also be made when the age of the dogs are taken into consideration. Here are some tips to consider:
1. The age of puppies
It is best to consider the puppies age before subjecting them to their shots.
For puppies that are 4 to 20 weeks old, their first shots should be given during their 6th to 8th weeks of age. The last shots shall be given on the 14th to 16th week of age. These date apply to all primary vaccines.
For rabies, puppies should be 16 to 26 weeks old.
2. For dogs that are 20 weeks old up to 2 years old
During this age, dogs should have received their booster shots already. This is essential so as to lengthen the immunity of the vaccines in the dog’s system. At this stage, additional vaccines are recommended for added protection such as vaccines against bordetella and other newer vaccines.
3. For dogs that are older than 2 years
By this time, the dogs should have been through with their booster shots. What comes next is the annual revaccination. These kinds of vaccines are still recommended so as to lengthen their protection against certain diseases.
The bottom line is that vaccinations are extremely important to your dog’s life. Like the way they function in human beings, vaccines are needed in order to protect the dogs from imminent risk of acquiring diseases brought about by viruses.
With dog vaccines, you can be assured that your dog will be at its peak of health for a longer period of time, free from any life-threatening diseases.
Veterinary medicine has come a long way toward better understanding the potential benefits of vaccinations. Veterinary experts have formulated certain solutions so as to combat the alarming increase of death in dogs which are usually caused by viral infections.
Since the creation of certain medications, many dogs are now saved from probable death brought about by many diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, and parvovirus.
Like humans, dogs need vaccinations at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies so that they will survive until they are fully grown.
Basically, puppies get their immunity from their mother’s milk, which is also the same as that of human beings. However, these immunities tend to lose its effects by the time the puppies are already 6 to 20 weeks old. So, it is during this time that they have to be immunized.
Hence, in order to protect the puppies against infectious diseases, it is best to give them their shots and should be re-immunized after 3 to 4 weeks. In this way, the puppies will be able to endure any infectious disease that may come their way.
Rabies and Immunization
Rabies is an acute and almost invariably fatal disease communicated to man through the saliva of a rabid animal, usually dogs, foxes, squirrels, and bats.
Dogs, fortunately, always present evidence of the disease before becoming infective. The etiologic agent is an ultramicroscopic virus present in the saliva and the central nervous system.
The course of rabies in dogs is characterized by an incubation period of 20 to 30 days. This is followed by a period of excitement, when the animal becomes vicious. The excitement stage may be evident or may be entirely absent. Paralysis then develops, first involving the hind legs and thereafter becoming general. Death occurs within 10 days following the first symptom.
Alternatively, the effects of rabies in human beings can be very fatal as it is with dogs. In order to avoid these problems, it is best to have your dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies shots.
Rabies vaccines can be given during the 16th to the 26th week of the puppies. This requires a follow up shot one year after for total protection.
Also, dog owners should take note that some vaccinations will generate adverse effects in their dogs. So, it is best to always observe your dogs every after vaccination. When certain reactions occur like vomiting, facial swelling, or trembling, it is best to discuss these matters immediately to your veterinarian.
Moreover, certain precautions should also be made when the age of the dogs are taken into consideration. Here are some tips to consider:
1. The age of puppies
It is best to consider the puppies age before subjecting them to their shots.
For puppies that are 4 to 20 weeks old, their first shots should be given during their 6th to 8th weeks of age. The last shots shall be given on the 14th to 16th week of age. These date apply to all primary vaccines.
For rabies, puppies should be 16 to 26 weeks old.
2. For dogs that are 20 weeks old up to 2 years old
During this age, dogs should have received their booster shots already. This is essential so as to lengthen the immunity of the vaccines in the dog’s system. At this stage, additional vaccines are recommended for added protection such as vaccines against bordetella and other newer vaccines.
3. For dogs that are older than 2 years
By this time, the dogs should have been through with their booster shots. What comes next is the annual revaccination. These kinds of vaccines are still recommended so as to lengthen their protection against certain diseases.
The bottom line is that vaccinations are extremely important to your dog’s life. Like the way they function in human beings, vaccines are needed in order to protect the dogs from imminent risk of acquiring diseases brought about by viruses.
With dog vaccines, you can be assured that your dog will be at its peak of health for a longer period of time, free from any life-threatening diseases.
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