Dog Arthritis & Joint Health

Just like people, many dogs suffer from arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis. Unbelievably, up to thirty percent of family pets have arthritis. They experience pain, swelling and stiffness the same as humans do. Some people refer to it as degenerative joint disease and it has the ability to change your dog, from very playful and energetic, to pain ridden and listless. Arthritis is the breakdown of protective cartilage, which covers and protects the bone joints. By nature, many dogs are extremely active and because of this, subject their joints to trauma. Unlike humans, when a dog injures itself, pet arthritic conditions often develop within weeks. Older dogs are more prone to arthritis as their cartilage deteriorates, especially in the larger breeds. There is more stress put on the joints from their weight and this worsens over time. Some of the types of arthritis in dogs are osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, knee dysplasia, and Osteochondritis, hypertrophy and shoulder degeneration.

Because our pets cannot tell us they are in pain, here are some of the signs that may indicate that your dog is suffering from arthritis:

Limping – Your dog limps or favors a leg, but has no injury to its paws

Slow moving – Your usually active pet moves at a much slower pace, has trouble running and jumping, has difficulty climbing stairs or shies away from playing

Walking – They lag behind you when taking them for a walk or are very listless and hesitant to go walking at all.

Crying or yelping – If you touch then in a certain area, they yelp or do not want you touching them.

Difficulty rising - When the dog goes to get up from sleeping or laying down, they have great difficulty or yelp, making it obvious that they are having problems, are all signs of arthritis.

As upsetting as it is, do not panic if the vet diagnosis your dog with arthritis. Unlike years ago, there are many very good remedies to help alleviate and control your dog’s pain. If your dog is overweight, the first thing your vet will recommend is a weight loss program. Just like humans, the more weight you carry, the harder it is on your joints and this is no different for dogs. Have your vet recommend a healthy diet for your special companion that gradually helps them lose weight without being hungry all the time. As much as you hate having to cut down on their dog treats, this is for the health of your animal. There are several medications available to help control or end the pain. Always follow the vets instructions on the amount and frequency of the medication prescribed for your dog. They know exactly how much to give your dog and if you decide to up the dose or cut down on it, you could do more harm than good. Once you remove the pain, and your dog moves about easily, you can resume taking them for walks and getting exercise. You may want to discuss arthritis supplements for your dog, with your vet.

Find hundreds more articles like this at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can also find unique dog beds, dog supplies, and pet furniture that you'll never find at your local pet store. In fact, if you later find your order being sold at your local Petco, we'll refund your purchase plus an extra $20!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall

Older Dog Health Problems - Common Health Problems Facing Senior Dogs

Like all animals, as dogs age they tend to develop health problems unique to older dogs. Many dog owners have a difficult time accepting this fact and think that their lively pooch is not an older dog and will not have health problems. Dogs can, however, show signs of aging as early as seven years old. Older dog health problems generally affect larger breeds earlier than small breeds that tend to show signs of aging around 10 to 12 years of age. The fact is that senior dog health problems will eventually be a concern for every dog owner.

Common Health Problems Facing Older Dogs

All dogs are different and, depending on their size, breed and activity level, will exhibit health problems differently. However, there are common health issues that may manifest in all senior dogs including the following:

Joint and bone problems

An overall reduction in their metabolism

Difficulty with their eyes and ears

Liver and kidney dysfunctions

Skin becomes thin and less pliable while the coat becomes mottled and patchy

Problems with teeth and gums

Unlike a little puppy who has an endless supply of energy, an older dog will tend to slow down and take longer to lay down or stand up. Instead of bounding up the stairs your senior dog might take each stair one at a time. Your dog may develop arthritis, an inflammation of the joints causing pain and discomfort, which is generally the cause of this slowing down. There are a host of anti-inflammatory drugs that your veterinarian can suggest to reduce the discomfort caused by arthritis.

In many cases, an older dog will have problems with their eyes as they develop cataracts or even glaucoma. A cataract will become obvious to the owner as the eyes have a cloudy appearance and tend to reflect light. Senior dogs may also develop glaucoma, an increased amount of pressure on the eyes, and can cause more serious problems if left untreated.

The entire circulation system and many of the major organs are taxed in older dogs. The heart, lungs, liver and kidneys all become less efficient and the immune systems can become weak and vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. Serious health problems may develop in your senior dog as some of the symptoms develop gradually. It is your responsibility to maintain your older dog's health and remain informed of the possible senior dog health problems that commonly arise.

Helping Your Older Dog Overcome Health Problems

As an aging dog inevitably develops health problems, you can help alleviate many of the symptoms and keep your pet comfortable. The most basic thing you can do is simply pay more attention to your senior dog making sure you're aware of the changes taking place. Brush your dog's coat daily and ask your vet if there are special shampoos to help with her skin and coat. Spend time rubbing your hands on his coat feeling for bumps or lesions. Be patient when your dog needs a little extra time walking up the stairs or jumping up into the car. Make sure you make regular visits to your vet and stay current on vaccinations. Brush your senior dog's teeth regularly and have them professionally cleaned occasionally. Provide regular exercise while also making adjustments needed for your dog as she ages.

As your older dog slows down, you might have to adjust her diet to help compensate for the reduction of energy for both her weight as well as her coat and her circulation system. Not only must the overall calorie intake be reduced, but you can also feed your senior dog specially formulated foods made to fit their particular needs. Try to purchase the most expensive, best quality food you can afford and avoid greasy table scraps.

It's an inevitable fact that dogs age, but you can make a difference in helping your older dog overcome health problems. Keep in mind that in the last eighty years or so the average lifespan of dogs has increased from 7 years to 12. Expanding your knowledge and paying attention to your dogs health will help ensure your dog lives a long and comfortable life.

Your Large Dog Breed Information Gateway - For more tips and detailed for your older dogs health related problems and dog health care or dog nutritional program, visit us at our large dog breed specific website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Hinkley

TOXIN ALERT: GRAPES AND RAISINS

The following article is taken from a post in Chazhound Dog Forum. Click here to view the original post.

It has been a common practice to use grapes and raisins in various capacities with our pets—veterinarians have often suggested a grape or two as a low calorie snack for our weight conscious patients, and trainers have recommended using raisins as training treats for such events as obedience and agility. If a question had arisen just a few short years ago regarding potential grape or raisin toxicity, even the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) would have discounted any concern.

As a senior veterinary student at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spring of 2001, I avidly read all veterinary journals delivered to my doorstep. A May 15, 2001 letter to the editor in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) caught my eye. Written by Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, PhD, et al. from the ASPCA’s APCC, it summarized a review of cases from their database. They noted 10 dogs with evidence of ingestion of large amounts of grapes or raisins and a correlation with acute renal failure (ARF). I recall being surprised at the information but resolved to not recommend grapes or raisins to my clients as treats for their pets.

Unfortunately in April, 2004, that mentally filed snippet of knowledge became essential information. Scotchie, a 5-year-old, 56 pound, male castrated Labrador mix had indulged in some mischievous activity while his owners were at work. Sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Scotch removed a cardboard canister of raisins (15 ounce container) and ingested the remaining contents (approximately 8 ounces). When his owner, Michelle, returned from work that evening, she cleaned up the pieces of the container but didn’t give the contents a second thought. Most pet owners wouldn’t. After all, as humans, we consume raisins with no ill effects, so why should pets be any different? Scotch began vomiting and having diarrhea about 1 AM with some body tremors. Still thinking the signs were due to dietary indiscretion and not wanting to wake anyone at that time of night, his owner kept him comfortable until she called our service at 7 AM. Our receptionist, Lois, had fortunately also seen something about raisin toxicity at some point and advised Michelle to bring Scotchie in at 8 AM. She then called me.

“Acute renal failure,” I thought. I commended Lois for her quick and accurate thinking and said we would run a general health profile, electrolytes and CBC on presentation. I also called our local specialty/emergency referral center and talked to one of the ER doctors, a former classmate, who was on duty. He had also heard about ARF and raisins but knew no more than I. He recommended contacting poison control. Our owner called the North Shore Animal Protection League Poison Hotline and received a case number and treatment recommendations for Scotch—IV fluids at 1 ½ times maintenance and follow-up renal values for 48-72 hours. On presentation, Scotch was bright and alert, weight was 58#, temperature 99.9 degrees F, panting, HR 130. Blood profile abnormalities indicated ALT 126 u/L (10-100), BUN 32.8 mg/dl (7.0-12.0), calcium 12.01 ng/dl (7.90-12.0), creatinine 5.20 ng/dl (0.50-1.80) and glucose 145.3 mg/dl (77.0-125.0). Electolytes and CBC were within normal limits. An IV catheter was placed in the left cephalic vein and Scotchie was started on lactated Ringer’s solution at 93 ml/hr. He remained alert with no vomiting and was taken out on 3 occasions to urinate. He failed to produce any urine in any of the three trips. At 5 PM his renal functions and electrolytes were repeated. Electrolytes were still normal but BUN had increased to 43.7 mg/dl and creatinine to 7.1 mg/dl. He had received nearly a liter of fluids at this point. I felt it was in his best interest to send him to the referral clinic for overnight monitoring and a urinary catheter. The owners agreed and headed out for the hour plus drive with fluids still running. I called the center and spoke with the ER doctor then on duty to alert her to my concerns for Scotchie. She had also heard of a correlation between ARF and raisins but had never seen a case. She concurred with my thoughts of placing a urinary catheter and monitoring urine output as well as continuing fluid therapy.

On presentation to the referral center, Scotchie was ambulatory and alert, temperature was 100.3 degrees F, HR/pulse 124, respiration: panting, mucous membranes slightly injected, weight 56#. He had managed to chew his IV catheter out in the car so it was replaced. He had no abdominal pain but his bladder was not palpable. Heart sounds were normal and lungs were clear with normal respiratory effort.

Once the IV catheter was in place, he was started on 0.9% NaCl with 20 meq KCl at 140 ml/hr—2 times maintenance. He was given 15 mg famotidine IV and 600 mg keflin IV q 8 hr. (for the urinary catheter). A urinary catheter was placed and put on a closed collection system. An in house urinalysis was performed. Protein was 2+, pH 8 and specific gravity 1.012. All other values were normal. A urine culture/sensitivity (recommended by the Internal Medicine department) was sent out and was subsequently found to have no growth. Overnight Scotchie produced small amounts of urine (with lasix given) and began vomiting. At 1 AM he was bolused with 500 ml 0.9% NaCl and given 7.5 mg reglan IV. At 1:30 AM he vomited 3 more times. It was recommended then that he be transferred to Internal Medicine (IM) in the morning since the vomiting had become a problem. The owners agreed.


When I spoke to Scotchie’s IM doctor on the morning of the 15th, now two days after the exposure, he said the vomiting was still an issue and that urine production waxed and waned with lasix boluses. An abdominal ultrasound was planned as well as more bloodwork and continued aggressive fluid therapy and IV anti-emetics. That evening, I received a report of a normal ultrasound with minimal abdominal effusion and structurally normal kidneys. The blood chemistry profile, however, noted an ever-increasing BUN (76), creatinine (7.4), phosphorous (6.5) and potassium (6.3). On the CBC, hemoglobin was low at 12.8 gm/dl (14.0-18.0) as was plasma protein at 5.1 gm/dl (6.0-7.5) and lymphocytes at 0.66 x 1000 ul (1.20-5.20). Scotchie was bright and alert when his owners visited. At some point during hospitalization, Scotch’s fluids were switched to 0.45% NaCl with 2.5% dextrose, the rate in conjunction with urine output. He continued to receive IV keflin tid and blood pressures were monitored every 12 hours. His urine output was monitored every 2 hours.

On the morning of the 16th I learned that the vomiting had begun again. The plan was to continue with therapy as per the previous day and to recheck blood values. When I checked in that evening, I was told that Scotch was again bright and alert when his family visited. However, today his BUN rose to 106, creatinine to 8.5, phosphorous to 9.4 and potassium to 7.0. It had been decided to continue therapy through Saturday and then decide if any response to treatment had been achieved.

On Saturday morning I spoke to the technician assigned to Scotchie. She said the vomiting had subsided overnight but began again that morning. The plan was to repeat bloodwork and make a determination from there whether to continue treatment. She also said it was the first case of raisin toxicity they had ever seen at the center.

An electrolyte panel done at showed sodium at 141 mmol/L (145-157) and potassium at 6.1 mmol/L (3.7-5.3) with normal chloride. A CBC at 5 AM showed hemoglobin at 12.5 gm/dl (14.0-18.0), RDW at 10.9% (12.0-14.5) and lymphocytes at 0.36 x 1000 ul (1.20-5.20). The rest of the CBC was within normal limits. At 10 AM a profile was repeated. BUN was now 122, creatinine 10.0 and phosphorous 11.2. Throughout his hospitalization Scotchie’s urine production would vary between 150-200 ml per 2 hours to as little as 50 ml per 2 hours even with intermittent boluses of lasix to increase production. After 72 hours of aggressive fluid therapy, Scotchie’s level of azotemia continued to progress and his blood pressure rose to 230. Based on the poor response to therapy as well as the diuretics used to attempt to convert the oliguria and the overall poor prognosis, the owners made the heartwrenching decision to euthanize with private cremation. The next therapeutic step would have been an attempt at peritoneal dialysis. Cost estimates for this, even conservatively, could have run well over $10,000 with a very guarded to poor prognosis. I received the sad news from the attending DVM at 3 PM on Saturday afternoon.

That evening, I sent out a quick e-mail to about 25-30 people in my e-mail address book. Some are veterinarians, some breeders, but most just dog-loving pet owners. I asked that they please send the warning on to their friends. I included my name and clinic so anyone with questions could call to verify this was not another Internet hoax. Since then, we have been overwhelmed with calls from all over —veterinarians, breeders, groomers and pet owners—asking for confirmation of the story. I decided to write the case up with Michelle’s blessing and send the information back out to try to alert both animal care professionals and pet owners alike of the serious health risk.

When I called the North Shore Animal League’s to report Scotchie’s untimely passing, I learned more about grape/raisin toxicity. The spokesperson told me that the center has had reports of toxic episodes with as little as consumption of seven raisins. She also stated that initially it was thought imported grapes were the culprit (perhaps due to a specific pesticide being used). It has since been determined that domestically grown, untreated grapes were just as toxic.

Further literature investigation and communication by e-mail with Dr. Gwaltney-Brant revealed more published information. Dr. Charlotte Means, a veterinary toxicologist at the ASPCA’s APCC in, published “The Wrath of Grapes” in the ASPCA Animal Watch, Summer 2002, Volume 22, Number 2. There were 2 letters to the editor from veterinarians in the United Kingdom published in Veterinary Record on 3/8/03, p. 308; 152 (10) and 3/22/03, p. 376, 152 (12) recounting cases that were treated with aggressive fluid therapy, furosemide, dopamine and peritoneal dialysis. The animals were either euthanized or died from complications of renal failure.

In the Dr. Gwaltney-Brant article in JAVMA (Vol. 218, No. 10, May 15, 2001, p. 1555, Letter to the Editor) 10 cases reviewed from the ASPCA APCC computerized database noted 8 of the 10 were reported from 1999 through March, 2001. Various brands of commercial sun-dried raisins and grapes from various sources (the majority being red seedless) were involved. Vomiting began within the first few hours of ingestion in all dogs. Most passed partially digested raisins or grapes in the vomitus, feces or both. Some were reported to exhibit anorexia, diarrhea, lethargy or signs of abdominal pain. Some of the clinical signs continued from days to three weeks post ingestion.

Metabolically the animals exhibited hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased BUN and/or increased serum creatinine 24 hours to several days after ingestion. Oliguria (decreased urine production) or anuria (no urine production) with or without isothenuria was reported in several dogs. Three dogs were euthanized and two died. Five recovered with aggressive fluid therapy which lasted up to 3 weeks in some cases. One dog receiving peritoneal dialysis recovered completely. At the time the letter was written, screening for various contaminants (e.g. mycotoxins or heavy metals) was negative, with further results pending.

One dog who underwent necropsy examination exhibited mild renal tubular damage and metastatic mineralization of numerous tissues, but the pathologist felt the severity of the lesions was insufficient to explain the severity of the dog’s clinical illness.

The important point of this discussion is simply that ingestion of grapes or raisins is a medical emergency. Recent ingestion should be handled as with other toxin exposure: emesis, lavage and activated charcoal. According to poison control, fluids should be administered for a minimum of 48 hours and serum chemistries monitored for 72 hours for the development of acute renal failure. It has been stated that if all bloodwork is normal after 3 days, it is unlikely the animal will develop renal failure. It has also been reported that dogs who become oliguric or anuric have the poorest prognosis for recovery. Further speculation regarding the inciting cause of the toxicity has ranged from an unknown nephrotoxin, an idiosyncratic reaction, contamination with mold toxin (ochratoxin), the presence of high levels of Vitamin D or other similar compound, pesticides or other environmental toxin or some unknown intrinsic toxin. As yet, no specific agent or cause has been confirmed.

Sources for further information include the ASPCA website and the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), a members only site.

Chocolate And Your Dogs Health -- What You Should Know

Chocolate. Who can resist it?

Your dogs health depends on it! (resisting, that is). We humans get to indulge because most of us know when to stop. But your dog won't quit after just a few. Give her a chance and she'll down the whole box of Godivas in one gulp. So on Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind to your best buddy if you eat all the chocolates yourself!

**Why is chocolate harmful to a dogs health?**

Chocolate, as you know, is made with cocoa beans. And cocoa beans contain methylxanthine alkaloids in the form of theobromine and caffeinea, which are toxic to dogs. Chocolate can also contain high amounts of fat which can put your dogs health in jeopardy as well.

**How Much is Too Much?**

Though it's certain that dogs and chocolate don't mix, different dogs react differently to the methylxanthines. And reactions can vary according to the age, size and overall health of the dog. The smaller the dog the smaller the dose needed to produce an effect. And of course, if your dog's health is already weakened by other medical conditions, he's more susceptible. The same holds for older dogs.. Theobromine is present in differing amounts in different kinds of chocolate:

· White chocolate 1mg/oz
· Hot chocolate 12 mg /oz
· Milk chocolate 44-66 mg/oz
· Semi-sweet chocolate 260 mg/oz
· Dark chocolate 450 mg/oz (wow!)
· Baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder varies as much as 150-600 mg/oz.

**How much chocolate can a dog eat and survive?**

That depends in part on her weight.

Under 200 mg theobromine per kg body weight (91mg per lb) has not been observed to be fatal. A potentially lethal dose in a 16 pound. dog is only one pound of milk chocolate. Only two ounces of baking chocolate can cause serious problems in a 10-pound dog. People stop eating chocolate before getting to toxic levels, but dogs don't!

**What are the warning signs of a problem?**

Any dog who's eaten chocolate should be watched closely for symptoms, particularly smaller dogs, "seniors", and dogs with health problems. Symptoms may range from from vomiting and diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases.

While white chocolate may not be as likely to cause a methylxanthine poisoning, the high fat content of lighter chocolates could still lead to vomiting and diarrhea, and possibly the development of life-threatening pancreatitis. Too much fatty food will also affect a dogs health in the same way it does ours, by packing on the pounds!

**What can be done once chocolate is ingested?**

Make note of the type of chocolate ingested and how much was eaten, if possible.

Theobromine will stay in the bloodstream between 14 and 20 hours. Within two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting unless your dog is over stimulated, comatose, or has lost the gag reflex.

If your dog has eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or displays any of the above symptoms, take her to the vet right away. If her symptoms are minor, make her eat activated charcoal. The unabsorbed theobromine binds to it and be passed out of the system. (In a pinch, burnt - as in thoroughly blackened - toast will do.)

**Are there any other products I should worry about?**

Yes -- Cocoa Mulch!!

No, it's not chocolate, but the two products have something in common. They're both derived from the cocoa bean, and they're both hazardous to your dogs health.

Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer.

Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.

Eating cocoa mulch has four possible outcomes. The most common is vomiting, in 50% of cases. Next most common, in 33% of cases, is tremors (shaking). And 17% end up with tachycardia (rapid heart rate), hyperactivity or diarrhea. The fourth outcome is no effect on the dogs health at all, and this is the result in 33% of cases.

Although only 16 cases were reported in approximately one year (the duration of the study), reports are on the increase. California accounts for about 2/3 of cases reported so far. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities, and getting your friend to the vet promptly will assure a happy outcome.

**What's the Bottom Line?**

Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days.

Still, it pays to keep up with what's currently known about various foods and their effects on a dogs health and well being. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were discovered only recently to have harmful effects.

If your dogs health is important to you (and I'm betting it is!), then keep him away from the chocolates on Valentine's Day and other holidays as well. And watch out year round for products made from the cocoa bean.

In an emergency, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Carolyn Schweitzer, a former family dentist, is a PowerSeller on eBay and owner and editor of several websites, including http://www.Great-Dog-Gift.com Visit her there to read about other foods that can harm your dogs health, and check frequently with sources like the ASPCA for updates. Or sign up for her "Cold Noses News" and she'll keep you informed!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Schweitzer

Dog Health: About Worms and Their Side Effects

Your dog's health is a very important part of overall care, and when you have a dog: Worms are a common problem. Puppies tend to get worms more often than grown dogs do. Here are common types of worms puppies and dogs get, and the various side effects that can result:

In general, puppies or dog's with worms can become sick. Symptoms include weight loss, weakness, being listless, having an upset stomach, not growing well, and sometimes even lung and breathing problems.

A puppy who's extremely thin could be having health problems with worms. A very shoddy looking coat is another sign of health problems, and even a potbelly could be an indication the puppy is worm infested.

Grown dogs may not show any outward signs when they have worms, but unfortunately they tend to spread them more than puppies do, because they pass large amounts of worm larvae, or eggs, through their feces.

There are several different types of worms that can jeapordize your dog's health: Tapeworm, roundworm, ringworm and heartworm are the most common.

Tapeworms have flat, segmented bodies and can sometimes be seen as rice-like segments or chains in the droppings of your dog or puppy. These are a common type of dog health problem, and they tend to be combined with flea infestations. Because of this, you'll often find dog health remedies that treat both fleas and tapeworms together.

Roundworms (toxocara) live and produce hundreds of eggs in the intestine, and are easily passed onto children.

Roundworm eggs are very hardy, resistant to heat and cold, and can survive up to 7 years in the soil. The eggs can pass on to children through ingestion and cause them to fall sick as well.

As a precaution, it's a good idea to train your dog or puppy to use a bathroom area which is not played in by children. Having a specific area also makes it easier for you to pick up and dispose of the droppings safely. Also be sure to have children wash their hands after handling puppies, and teach both the children and puppies to not lick on the hands or face.

All dogs and puppies should be "de-wormed" every 6-12 months, depending on the area you live in. Consult with your veterinarian for the best schedule in your area.

A variety of all natural health care pet products are available as well. See http://www.mypetanimals.com/Pet-Health-Care/ for additional information and resources.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard

This article is provided courtesy of The My Pet Animals Pet Shopping & Information Portal - This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the links are live, and this notice is left intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Burns-Millyard

Your Dog's Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her how important by keeping her well fed and groomed, making sure she gets plenty of exercise and providing a collection of fun, safe toys for her entertainment. You don't skimp on the quality of his food. And to reward good boys and girls, there are always lots of delicious treats in the cupboard.

But if he has bad breath, you could be overlooking a serious problem with your dogs health.

"Dog Breath" is such a common condition that we make jokes about it. Sometimes we even tease our human "friends" using "dog breath" in play-ground style name-calling ( although hopefully this is limited to teenage boys.) And I know many pet owners who comment that they love their dog or cat like a child, but just can't stand the smell of the animal's breath! Well, guess what? "Dog Breath" isn't normal.

It's estimated that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over the age of three suffer from the periodontal disease — a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it's periodontal disease that's responsible for "dog breath". But the problem doesn't confine itself to your furry baby's mouth. It's an infection, and the tiny creatures responsible for it can break loose and enter the bloodstream. Once they do, they can infect vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, endangering your dogs health by causing a far more serious illness.

The best way to insure your dogs health, especially where periodontal disease is concerned, is with prevention. It can make all the difference.

Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, which is virtually harmless and completely treatable. If allowed to move to the next stage--Periodontitis-- it can be stopped, but not cured. And the worse it gets, the faster it progresses. This applies to all animals, two legged and four legged alike. Think of a car parked at the top of a hill. The emergency break is released, and the car begins to roll downhill. Now, if you hit the breaks right away, no harm done. But the farther the car rolls the faster it goes, and the more momentum it builds. It gets harder and harder to stop it. By the time it's halfway down the hill, you could be headed for disaster!

You can maintain your dogs health nicely with proper home care. But, like the rolling car, if disease is already present, stopping and controlling it is a bigger job.

Prevention involves, above all, regular veterinary checkups and professional cleanings beginning early in your dog or cat's life. I'll show you how you can help maintain oral health at home, but it's impossible to do a thorough cleaning on an animal who's awake. Trust me on this. It's hard enough to do a thorough job with a cooperative human patient. When we're talking about animals who don't understand what we're doing or why, forget about it.

Most veterinarians recommend annual cleanings, but more frequent or involved treatment may be needed depending on your animal's condition. Please, no matter what you're doing at home, follow the vet's recommendations. As for your part, introduce your dog or cat to the idea of having his teeth brushed as early as possible. I know, it's not easy, and it takes time and daily conditioning to get your little guy or gal used to it. But your dogs health is worth it!

So how do you prevent the most common of threats to your dogs health? Brush her teeth, of course! Every day. Just like you would your own (twice a day for you, and floss too!!). This isn't easy, but it can become an expected part of your dog's routine if you do it right. Here are some suggestions:

1.Start when your dog is a puppy. The earlier the better.

2.At first, you just want her to get used to you handling her head and looking inside her mouth. Practice lifting up her lips and looking at her teeth and gums--front, back and both sides of her mouth.

3.Now begin gently touching the gum tissue with your finger and rub along her gums and teeth as if your finger were a toothbrush. Let her get used to the sensation. This is exactly the way you would introduce a human baby to brushing, beginning with just her gums. Even before there are teeth, there are harmful bacteria. So don't worry about a tiny puppy who doesn't have a full set of teeth yet--rub her gums, swab out her little mouth with your finger, and get her used the this kind of contact from her owner.

4.Your next step is to wrap gauze or a soft washcloth around your finger and rub the gums on both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.

5. Finally, introduce a tooth brush in one small area. As your dog gets used to the brush, you will be able to use it in place of the gauze or washcloth. Remember to brush the inside surfaces!

A little brushing a day, beginning with the first step and working your way up gradually, will eventually lead to a one to two minute session. Your dog will learn that it doesn't hurt and that she gets a couple of minutes of your undivided attention every day. It generally takes 8 to 16 weeks to get there, but in the end your dog will accept brushing as part of her daily routine.

If a little brushing is done every day at a set time, eventually your pet gets used to it, and some will even look forward to it. It will take most pet owners from 8-16 weeks until the pet accepts it readily. Now the pet realizes it doesn't hurt and that it will get 1-2 minutes of your undivided attention. Your pet enjoys your attention, and will eventually wait patiently for you to brush his teeth.

There's a toothbrush with three heads that will allow you to brush all three surface of the tooth at one time, which makes life a lot easier for both of you! It also has nice, soft bristles so you won't harm your pet's delicate gum tissue.There are also products that can be rubbed on the gums and added to the drinking water to help reduce bacteria in an animal's mouth and promote the dogs health and healing. Bad breath is actually a by-product of the bacteria that populate the mouth. They break down proteins and carbohydrates from your dog or cat's diet, and produce something called "volatile sulfur compounds", or VSC's. It's the sulfur that make the breath smell extra special!

Certain dental products have an agent that neutralizes the VSC's. Many owners have commented that their cat or dog seems to like the drinking water better when these products are added--even though they have no flavor! And there's a gel available that, although formulated for the gums, can be very soothing for skin conditions, cuts, and surgical wounds thanks to the Aloe Vera it contains.

The best oral care products work without the use of fragrances and flavors, which entice human consumers, but don't benefit your cat or dogs health in any way!

I was a practicing dentist for over 20 years, and I saw a lot of human patients who had terrible breath (and periodontal disease) and weren't even aware of it. People don't like to tell each other about bad breath. Even the dentist has to be delicate with this piece of bad news.

At least when dealing with a pet, you don't have to worry about social embarrassment in order to address your dogs health problem! Don't be shy, get in there and do something about it. Not only can your dog get rid of her breath odor, but she could even live 2 to 5 years longer as a result. And you'll be able to get close again, without holding your breath.

© Copyright 2004 Carolyn Schweitzer DDS. Dr. Schweitzer was a family dentist for 20 years and is now owner and editor of several websites. You can learn more about specific dental care products by visiting her website at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dogs_health.html#LocationOXY

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Schweitzer

Dog Health Problems

If you're the proud owner of a dog health problems are no stranger to your household. They need not only be of the doggy variety either. By the very fact of owning a dog you open up your home to be bombarded by a myriad of different little health problems. Some of them might not be so bad, but for the most part if you have a dog health problems will also abound. You just can't stop that.

It's as natural as breathing, and although you might take steps to prevent this, there's really only so much that you can do, and so much germs and bacteria that you can fight. And for the most part you would be successful but there will still be unseen germs lingering around biding their time until they can strike. You might not even realize this, and you might not even realize when they do strike at you but rest assured that it will happen.

And that's not all, if you have a dog health problems of the canine variety will also abound as your dog will also get sick from time to time and you will need to take care of him as well. The best way is to start as you mean to go on, and getting the right shots for your dog as soon you get him, and giving him a thorough check-up at the same time is always good. You can't stop there however and will need to keep up the shots and the check-ups on a regular basis. Your vet can tell you how often you will need to bring in your dog. And your vet can also tell you what you need to do to keep your dog healthy.

Brushing his coat daily is a good way to get a silky and shiny coat. If your dog's coat starts to lose its luster then you know there's something wrong with your dog health problems shouldn't be left alone too long without treatment. You should make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible to see about proper treatment.

Then there's always doggy biscuits that are like toothbrushes and will keep your dog's mouth clean and fresh. Regular bathing will also help to ward off whatever dog health problems that may occur otherwise. Feeding him a balanced diet will be the best way to keep him healthy. Don't give your dog any of the junk food that's so bad for you, and definitely stay away from the chocolates, they're toxic to your dog health problems will abound if you ignore this.

If you own a dog health problems will arise, you can't get away from that fact, but there are a few things that you can do to avert mishaps. As long as you realize there's nothing you can do to completely eradicate the germs and bacteria that are sure to abound, and take action accordingly, you and your dog should get along like a house on fire.

About the Author

Krishan Bakhru is the editor of Natural Pet Care Home Remedies , Natural Pet Care Treatment

Online Vet

If you own a dog or a cat, or if you're the proud owner of any type of pet, then you know the importance of taking your pet for regular check ups. Your vet can also help you with the many questions that you have regarding pet care and pet health. But what if all you have is a simple question and you want answers? You could always go to your vet's practice and wait in line to get the answers, you could call up someone whom you think might know the answer or you could visit the library. There's however another resource that can come to your aid and that's the internet. With the internet you'll have the ability to check out many sites and you'll also find that there are a surprising number of online vet websites as well.

Naturally they can't diagnose any illness or conditions that your pet might be suffering from, but they can help you in a surprisingly different manner. For one thing with an online vet at your disposal you won't need to be forever rushing around trying to find out everything you need to know about your pet and what type of pet care is bet for them.

With the online vet you can get your information straight from the horse's mouth so to speak, and you can also be assured of getting the right information. Not something that you could only guess at. Your online vet can answer your questions in detail and tell you all about why something should be done this way and not the way you thought it should be done.

You'll be able to get great grooming tips, and can find out what type of foods your pet is supposed to eat. Your online vet can also tell you why chocolate is so toxic to dogs, cats, and birds alike. And if you're interested in becoming a vet yourself, you'll also be able to find the information that you need to start the process.

That's not all however, there are a host of things that you can learn from an online vet if you want to. You'll also have the benefit of talking with other people and sharing your pet experiences. You'll find out that most people went through the same trials and tribulations that you did and that they also managed to cope with it. Different ways and means of dealing with your pet can be revealed to you, and you can even pass on your knowledge of how to deal with your recalcitrant pet.

The one thing that you shouldn't do however by using an online vet, is try to diagnose and treat your pet by yourself. You don't have the necessary medical background so take your pet to see the veterinarian. It's the best thing that you could do - the online vet is no substitute for the real thing. Just like an online doctor is no substitute for the real thing either.

About the Author

Krishan Bakhru is the editor of Natural Pet Care Home Remedies , Natural Pet Care Treatment

Pet Health Quections

If you own a pet then you'll be bound to have many pet health questions. These can range from a simple, "how do I know if my dog is ill?" to a more complicated "what can I do for my molting spider?" All these pet health questions and more can be answered by your vet, or even the nice people down at the pet store.

Another good source for you to use to ask these vital pet health questions is the internet. Here you can find online vet websites which can help you in answering most of your pet health questions. You can ask any questions that you need to know the answer to and be assured of getting a reliable answer.

You can even find kindred spirits who have gone through the same things that you're going through now, with their own pets. These people might have found different ways of dealing with the same problem you have now, or perhaps they could tell you how to enhance your present method so that it works better. Whatever the case you can be assured of at least some help from this vast resource, and it's one of the best places to find information on your many pet health questions.

Then again if you don't like new fangled things and would rather do things the old fashioned way you can always go down to your veterinary clinic and find some answers to your pet health questions that way. The staff should all be able to help you and you should be able to get sound answers to all your pet health questions.

Then again another resource that you have is the library. This also works very well in your favor but you will need to find the correct reference section before you get anywhere. The information that you can gather at the library is vast and although it might be time consuming, you can get most of your pet health questions answered.

This is also a good place where you can check out some books on pet health which you want to buy. Afterwards it will be a simple matter for you to go to the bookstore and buy your reference guide to your pet health questions and keep it handy in your home.

If you're a conscientious pet owner then most of the time you will be having a few pet health questions. This is good as it shows that you care for your pet and only want the best for it. So ask as many questions as you like to be able to take care of your pets better.

About the Author

Krishan Bakhru is the editor of Natural Pet Care Home Remedies , Natural Pet Care Treatment