All About Dog Health, Food and Different Kinds of Dog Related Stories

A simple coughing for dogs must need an attention. You might think that it is just a cough, a normal cough, but later you will know it will harm the health of your dog to the extent that it will not be treatable. It happened to my friend's dog. He asked me if it's just normal for dogs to cough and I told him to bring the pooch to the Vet right away. Luckily, the dog was treated.

Just like humans, dog's health is sensitive too. They also need supplements such as vitamins to protect them plus the very powerful tender love and care. Most dogs are prone to infections, it could be infections on Tooth and Mouth, infection on their tonsillitis also known as Infectious tonsillitis or Infectious Tracheobronchitis better known as Kennel Cough . Among these infections, Kennel Cough is the most common one.

What is Kennel Cough and how it affects your Dog's health?

Basically it is cause by the bacteria known as Bordatella Bronchiseptica. It is highly contagious illness which is characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory system. It is contagious in the sense that it passes directly from dog to dog at kennels or places such as dog grooming parlors, pet stores, dog shows, parks and other humane societies. The most common sign of this disease is having soft dry coughs and sneezing are the two most common signs of this disease. Coughs occur due to the allergic or cancerous conditions. Symptoms can include a harsh, dry coughing, retching and sneezing.

To prevent your dogs from this disease, antibiotics are the most common medicine given. This is to treat the bacterial infection that is present. Others use humidifiers which help clear the mucous from the throat. This allows the dog to breath easier. Cough suppressants can also be used only if the cough is not productive.

It is good if you try to isolate your dogs to avoid infection of others, keep all the cages disinfected, give them proper rest, monitor their temperatures and if the coughing is severe, over-the-counter cough syrup can be use. If your dogs have been exposed to other pets, it is better for them to have their kennel cough vaccination for every six to twelve months to avoid it from coming back.

It is always good for your dogs to be healthy. Protecting your dog's health is something that they will thank you for. Giving them the attention, providing them foods and shelter are one of the best things we could ever give to them. Surely they deserve those treatments!

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Eight of the water-soluble vitamins are known as the B-complex group: thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin and pantothenic acid. These vitamins are widely distributed in foods. They function as coenzymes that help the body obtain energy from food. They also are important for normal appetite, good vision, healthy skin, a healthy nervous system and red blood cell formation.

Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
Signs of deficiency: Neurological impairments including altered reflexes and convulsive seizures; heart-rate disorders; pathological changes in the central nervous system

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Signs of deficiency: Cataracts; fatty livers; testicular atrophy

Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Signs of deficiency: Poor appetite; weight loss; fiery red tongue, with ulceration and congestion

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Signs of deficiency: Stunted growth; fatty changes in liver; small bowel lesions

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Signs of deficiency: Stunted growth; convulsive seizures; kidney lesions

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) and Folic Acid
Signs of deficiency: Weight loss; vomiting; diarrhea; intestinal disorders

Biotin is a co-enzyme necessary for many reactions in the body. It assists in the making of fatty acids, and in the burning up of fatty acids and carbohydrates for body heat and energy. It also aids in the utilization of amino acids, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B12.
Signs of deficiency: dermatitis and muscle pains

Minerals are found in the bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells. They act as catalysts for many biological reactions within the body, including digestion and metabolism of food, transmission of messages throughout the nervous system, and muscle response. They are also important in the production of hormones. There is a synergism that occurs between minerals and other nutrients in the body, and the actions of specific minerals are dependent on the presence and proper amounts of other nutrients.

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When I first had my pet, when he's still a puppy, he was so fragile. I guess most of puppies are. They are prone to sickness/diseases. It's always great to take the puppies away from those health problems for all time. And best way to get rid of those problems is to prevent the infections or other health problems basic to intermediate knowledge about caring for your new born puppy is very important.

Here are some of the few common puppy health problems and diseases that a weak puppy might be susceptible to.

Hypothermia:

Hypothermia is one of the major problems. A tiny new born puppy has difficulty regulating it's body temperature as it's thermoregulatory system may not be fully developed yet. One common solution is to keep a new born puppy in a moderate heated environment of 85-90F degrees for the first two to three weeks.

How can you do that? Simple, use a heated dog lamp or warming lamp. Also, it is a good practice to use warm bottles (not hot as they might be dangerous) and a puppy warming blanket. Use hypoallergenic cotton blankets as an alternative because they retain some body heat.

Parvovirus:

This is a common diseases for a young puppy and a dog. As a dog owner, ensure that your puppy is adequately protected against the deadly Parvovirus disease. Parvovirus is a contagious disease that attacks the lining of the dog or puppy's digestive system. It is usually spread through feces of another infected dog. Parvo can also be carried on kennels, crates and accessories of another dog.

Symptoms include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weariness and putrid smelling dog stool. These symptoms have also been linked to high fever which could lead to congestive heart failure.

Make sure that your puppies are vaccinated under a proper program and a health time table. Veterinarians recommend that infected puppies should not be taken to the dog park or even the yard where they can interact with other dogs, until the proper vaccination and injections are administered.

Colostrum:

This is an anti-body that can be given to your new born puppy at approximately 24 hours after birth.

How? Simple, by feeding your puppy the full-bodied first milk of it's mother. This step if available, is critical to your puppy's health and health problems prevention.

If you are concerned about your new born puppy' slower absorption rate; it is quite common, visit your local vet for a consultation about their Colustum's absorption rate. Your vet will usually do a blood test to check your puppy's anti-body absorption rate and if needed, your vet will then proceed to inject some serum from it's mother to speed up the process.