Curing Your Dog Skin Problems and Fleas

Dear Fellow Dog Owners,

Let me first say, Thank You! to all who've come to my squidoo lens, I hope this information I've giving you on how to care for your dog's health and skin problems, was well worth it. It's taking much of my time and long hours to put this squidoo lens together for you, so you won't have to search for answers to your questions like I did when I was caring for my dog.

Recently there's been a rising epidemic in various communities across the country, even in my neighborhood and closes friends. I'm taking about "Canine Cancer" I really didn't think to much about it, until a buddy of mine german shepherd died of cancer. And my next door neighbors poodle died of the same symptoms and a few others dog's that I didn't know about too!

I knew I had to do something, so I contacted some of my people in the veterinarian business to see what was going on, because this has got me really concerned. What I found out was heart breaking and way to much to show pictures on.

It's called the "Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors"...which account for about one in five cases of skin tumors in dogs. While these tumors may appear small, they can be very life-threatening if not treated and removed immediately. This still wasn't enough for me, I felt a obligation to all of my dog owners across the country to find out more.

What I found was that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approve some sort of drug...called Palladia (toceranib phosphate) that used specifically to treat cancer in dogs. It's design to kill tumor cells and cut off the tumors blood supply, but there are side effects which includes diarrhea and possible weight loss.

The drug was introduce on June 03, 2009. But, I have to be honest with you, I don't trust anything the FDA has to say, as a matter of fact, I'm not advocate of using drugs on humans or pets in any shape or form ... but it does have it's place.

I prefer all natural for humans and pets, but that's just me, you have every right to use whatever means that's at your disposal to save your dog. Just remember to ask a lot of question of your veterinarian or whomever you get your advice from, this is your dogs life... Don't gamble with it!

P.S. Through my research I happen to come across a product, that I think would interest you. But do this first, grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea, because this web page is long and full of valuable information about canine cancer that will help you gain knowledge and be beneficial to your dog.

P.S.S. It is your decision to use the FDA drug "Palladia"... but know there are other alternatives. Please don't brush this off! Below is the link to the web page:

Here's the Link: Canine Cancer Secrets

Sincerely,
Terry Clark

Fleas are one of the worst problems that plagues every pet and frustrates every owner. Let me tell you, it's know fun for either of you. To start getting rid of these pesky little critter's you need to take some necessary steps to kill these fleas and help re-leave your dog from constantly itching and scratching.

But before you even think of spraying your dog with dangerous flea chemicals, it would be a good idea to get a scope of where the real problem lies. Majority of people don't realize that fleas living on and biting your dog and you, are statistically 7% of the total population of fleas in their various life stages that are in your dogs living space. This could be an area where your dog most frequently active in, such as (basement, back yard, patio, garage, cars etc). If you fail to take control of the fleas in these areas, your going to have a very serious problem.

Here are a few tips to help prepare you for getting rid of your flea problems:

1. Put your dog outside while you clean your house, so he won't continue infesting it with fleas when cleaning!

2. Clean the house from top to bottom!

3. Pickup all (dog toys, blankets, beds) and any of your clothing too!

4. Wash everything on "Hot Cycle" - wash anything your dog is in close contact with, make sure you hang items outside in the sunlight to dry.

5. Vacuum your entire house thoroughly inside closets, under beds, behind & underneath furniture, all upholstered items. Make sure you get close to the walls as possible when vacuuming!

6. Once you finish vacuuming, throw out the vacuum bag, so that fleas don't re-emerge again.

7. Give your dog a bath, you might have to this more often than usual, but it will help you keep the fleas from getting to far out of hand.

Remember these tips above are just the beginning process, for more detailed information to show you How to Quickly & Effectively - Cure Your Dog's Flea Problems without Dangerous Chemicals - Enter Here

Dog Scam:

There are somethings you need to watch out for when buying or selling a pet on classified ads.

June 2009. The scammers robbed another lady of $4100.00. They are placing ads on free ad sites like (www.vottle.co.za - www.moneyweb.co. za - www.gumtree.co.za, PuppyFindersSA. - myToko, etc).

The scammers choose breeds that are hard to get, like bulldogs, or other small breeds. The ad is placed amongst other innocent, normal ads. It will name a town in SA. If there is a phone number, it will be a cell #.

The victim sees the ad & says, "Wow, just the breed I've been looking for for years - and it's cheap!"

The "seller" emails photos of the dog he is pretending to sell. He copied the photos off other websites. They are not his puppies. Once 1 or 2 emails have been exchanged, the seller says he suddenly had to move to Cameroon or Nigeria on business, or charity work, but the buyer can still get this pedigreed puppy if they just pay for the transport, otherwise he'll have to put the pup down. The soft-hearted buyer deposits money in bank a/c & seller disappears.

Next day the scammer places another ad using another false name.

If you have been scammed, let's publish your story & warn others! Always tell the webmasters of the free classified ad websites of any suspicious ads, newspaper editors, & anyone who will listen! If you have been the victim of internet fraud, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov

Buyer beware! Watch out for crooks in the Free Classified columns!

Below are copies of ads posted on moneyweb/vottle but they can be on ANY website:

Ad #1: PUPPIES AVAILABLE.KUSA REG. ALL SMALL, MED, LRGE BREEDS
All puppies avail from top SA breeders. Kusa reg, innoc, dew, and delivery accross SA. Best pricesw and selection. Dont hesitate, call now to book your new puppy. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO Price on Request

Ad #2: Posted at 2008-08-06 12:41:51 in Kempton Park, Gauteng
MOST ADDORABLE SCOTTISH TERRIER PUPS
5 1/2 week old puppies. Both parents registered with KUSA. INNOC AND DEW. Will deliver anywhere in SA. Price on Request
Posted at 2008-08-06 12:19:46 in Kempton Park, Gauteng

Ad #3: 100% all pure breed puppies
Top selection of all 100%pure pedigreed puppies to offer in south-africa. Best prices, best service and delivery nation wide. call now Price on Request
Posted at 2008-08-06 18:32:26 in South Africa

Ad #4: YORKIE PUPPIES. CHAMP BLOODLINES
PURE Yorkie puppies now available. One male And one female. teacup size. VERY tiny. 3,000.00 (ZAR)
$ 403.25
£ 206.75
%u20AC 261.55
Posted at 2008-08-06 12:27:31 in Kyalami, GautengS

Watch out for "Free Classifieds ads" too! scammers are have their own dog websites which look okay at first glance. Also watch out for forms on websites that say they can get you any breed - a sort of "dial-a-dog" set up. These are not breeders. It is probably a crime syndicate.

Seller beware. Watch out for folk that seem over-eager to buy dogs!

Folk who place adverts on the internet for goods for sale (for example puppies) can be scammed. The "buyer" deposits more than the asking price in seller's bank a/c. The buyer says he made a mistake, & asks seller to refund excess, which he does. The "buyer" then disappears, & the seller discovers the "buyer" had deposited a fraudulent check in his account.

Beware of Newspaper Ads!

Don't believe it could happen to you, Read how one person was swindled: Zoey's Story

While visiting my daughter in Johannesburg, I answered an advertisement in the Star newspaper which read, "Pups - all breeds - delivery."

I spoke to a "Sally" & requested a female, miniature, long haired dachshund. Sally said the pup would be coming from a litter in Cape Town. (no papers) We agreed on $1,650.00, which included transport & inoculation. To confirm booking, I had to deposit half the amount into the Absa account of K C vd Merwe: a/c 9114930265. A "Natalie" phoned me from Cape Town (or so she said) & arranged to send the dog on Sunday May 8th. I was concerned that the dog was so young. She informed that the dog's mother had milk fever & the pups were weaned. She gave me a British Airways flight number and an arrival time of 3pm. I was told to deposit the balance of the money into another Absa a/c - N. vd Merwe a/c 9127499179. She had added a further $100.00 to my negotiated price. I phoned Port Elizabeth airport to confirm the arrival time & was told there was no such flight.

My husband phoned Natalie & was told Cape Town airport would not receive the puppy as it was too small. She said she would drive to Kimberley & put it on an Express Air flight.

When the puppy arrived, it was not a miniature long-haired dachshund. I took it to a vet who said it was a crossbreed. He estimated the puppy's age at 10 or 11 weeks. He inoculated the puppy as no vet papers were attached to the crate as discussed with Natalie. I took the puppy to Port Alfred SPCA who described it as a "township brak." A 2nd vet confirmed the opinion of the first. I had paid $1,750.00 for this puppy.

I asked the police what I could do. The station commander wasn't optimistic but told me to get a valuation of the dog, & he would take it from there. The two vets & SPCA valued it very generously at $300.00. I laid a charge against Sally vd Merwe. A police inspector took me seriously & phoned Sally vd Merwe. The woman was so rude to her & used such foul language that she lost patience. She told her she was issuing a warrant for her arrest & she was driving to Benoni to fetch her. It would appear that Sally took fright & after a 6 month battle, I was refunded $1,200.00 by her.

I told Carte Blanche about it who aired this scam. I know that in the interest of animals I should have taken the matter farther, but I felt threatened by these unscrupulous people. They now have 400 police dockets against them.

I never considered giving Zoey back to them. She is queen of my heart!

Again be very careful - Let's not be the victims of scammers! Let's learn to recognize spam and scam!

If you have been the victim of internet fraud, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov

Among companion animals, dogs are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty and friendship to humankind. Anyone who has ever loved a dog can attest to its hundred-fold return. The excitement your dog shows when you come home, the wagging tail at the sound of the leash being taken from its hook, the delight in the tossing of a tennis ball, and the head rested in your lap-those are only some of the rewards of being a dog owner. Owning a dog is not just a privilege-it's a responsibility. These animals depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. If you are considering taking a dog into your life, you need to think seriously about the commitment that dog ownership entails. If you already have a dog, you need to consider if you are fulfilling all your obligations as its owner.

I' am totally committed to helping dog owners raise happy, healthy dogs and become the best dog owner they can be. By joining "Dog Book of the Month Club" is a great start in becoming a super skilled dog owner - Enter Here!

If you do nothing else you should subscribe to the Petsumer Report Online - Get specific answers to your question's when shopping for your pet, the Do's and Don't's, so to speak!

It's Worth It! To Subscribe to the Petsumer Report Online - Enter Here

Did you know bites from mosquitoes and other insects can be very itchy and annoying to your pet, as well as stings from bees, wasps, and hornets. Although most bites and stings are not considered dangerous, they can cause a lot of pain and nuisance to your dog.

Below are some suggestions from veterinarians on how to alleviate your dog's pain and irritation that is caused by insect bites and stings:

1. Apply baking soda - An effective way to help soothe the discomfort is by gently rubbing on a paste of baking soda with water onto the bite or sting several times a day, says Larry Thompson, D.V.M., clinical veterinary toxicologist in New York. He stated that "the alkalinity helps relieve the itch."

2.Try some meat tenderizer - Dr. Thompson stated that meat tenderizers have enzymes that aid in breaking down the poison in insects stings and reduces the irritation. Create a paste by mixing the tenderizer with water, applying immediately to the sting. Repeat as necessary.

3. Break an aloe vera leaf - Aloe vera is great for minor skin irritation. Applying a thin coat of gel from the plant soothes discomfort and relieves irritation. You can also buy aloe vera gel from pharmacies and health food stores.

4. Find the culprit - If your dog was stung by a bee, chances are the stinger is still somewhere in his coat. To remove it, get a good view by parting his hair. Remove the stinger using your fingers or tweezers. If the stinger is in a visible area and can be easily removed, scrape it out with your fingernail. Doing this will prevent any added venom from entering the wound.

5. Aim for some ammonia - E. Murl Bailey, Jr., D.V.M., PhD, a professor of toxicology at the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine stated that ammonia helps relieve the pain from insect bites and stings. He suggests dabbing ammonia right on the area with cotton.

6. Relieve with some milk of magnesia - A medication that contains magnesium hydroxide which eases irritation and itchiness. Apply a thin coat a few times per day to your dog.

7. Cool it off - Just like a person, your dog can be helped by applying cold compress reduces the swelling and eases the pain. Hold it in the area for about five minutes or longer, making sure that your pet is comfortable.

8. Try some over the counter - Applying a thin coat of hydrocortisone cream is recommended for sore spots.

This is one of dog owners most concern when it comes to their pet. Ticks, Fleas and Lice are parasites that causes your dog worst skin problems, they live on the surface of the skin and feeds on your dogs blood. These ticks, fleas, lice irritate the skin that results in intense scratching.

Curing your dog skin problems takes time, but it's not easy to detect lice or ticks with the naked eye you must check your dogs fur. Look for red pimples on the skin and belly, you will notice a black gritty trail of dirt on your dog this is how you detect for ticks and lice.

You can remove the ticks or lice the hard way with "Tweezers" by applying alcohol to relax the ticks grip on your dog, but there are other methods that you can try that make it easier. Example below:

A. Special tick shampoo to eliminate ticks!
B. Flea sprays or Powder to kill parasites!

But all these require persistence on your part, and it will take a while before you see results.

If you want to make your dog comfortable try this method, it's much better than A or B above. Use spot -on products such as "FrontLine" or "BioSpot" apply these chemicals in small amounts onto the back of your dogs neck once a month. This will help treat plus spread throughout your dogs skin problems and kill any parasites that's on them including eggs.

When you do this treatment regularly... your dog becomes an unattractive host to Ticks, Lice and Fleas!

Mange is a dog skin problem caused by mites that digs underneath the dogs skin, causing your pet intense and agonizing itching. Bald spots or inflamed red skin, these are the most common symptoms of mange.

There are two types of Mange:

A. Sarcoptic (scabies) Mange
B. Demodectic (demodex) Mange

Majority of dogs the mites involved in demodectic mange, but however these mites don't cause itching except when they multiply into large numbers. This may happen in young puppies or in dogs with low natural body defenses, sometimes from being stressed out.

Sacroptic mange also causes intense itching in dogs as the mites digs underneath the skin and even lay their eggs there. You'll notice large Red Spots on the dogs skin, and most of the time fur loss on the ears and elbows. Research study has shown "Sacroptic" can infect humans as well and cause itching, although infection in humans will usually disappear by themselves after a while. But, it's a good idea and important to seek treatment by your doctor if you get infected.

Curing Your Dog Skin Problems - requires patience on your part, when trying to eliminate them from your dog and it takes time too.

If you think your dog has mange, the best way to treat it and kill mites is to soak your dog in Lime and Sulfur medicated dip for 15 to 20 minutes a few times in a week. Don't wash it off your dog, but let it dry on your dogs skin and fur, after that it's best to keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don't lick themselves to dry.

As a backup plan just in case your dog does start licking, you can feed your dog a raw egg to line their stomach before dipping them in the solution. This way if your dog does lick himself/her, the solution won't be absorbed on an empty stomach.

Note: When curing your dog skin problem, such as mange make sure your dog has the highest quality diet food that will improve their immune system in order to heal mange. Consider a raw diet for your dog and try to avoid corn or rice based product for the time being.

What is Ringworm?

A Ringworm is not a worm at all but a fungus called Dermatophytes. It's short for "Plants that live on the skin". In the past, because of the circular lesions made by the fungi they were thought to be caused by worms, hence the name ringworm.

Ringworm Diagnosis:

The usual symptom is a round hairless lesion. The characteristic "ring" that we see on humans doesn't always appear as a ring on dogs. This lesion will grow in size and often become irregular in shape, but the most accurate way to tell if your dog needs ringworm treatment is to take them to the vet and have a culture test done, the vet will simply take some of the crusty skin and scales and test them for ringworm infection.

Ringworm Treatment:

Here's is some wonderful news, most puppies and dogs that only have a few small lesions will get rid of the dog skin fungus in no more than 4 months. If the infection spreads, though, there are ways to "curing your dog skin problems" that will get rid of the ringworm. The hair surrounding each lesion should be clipped down near the skin but the clippers should avoid the lesion, as hitting the skin can make the infection spread. Topical antifungals such as Lotrimin cream, 1% chlorhexidine ointment, and miconazole cream are popular ringworm treatments.

If the lesions has spread over your dog entire body, you may want to try a dip or shampoo specially formulated to fight canine ringworm. These include ketoconazole shampoo, 0.5% chlorhexidine shampoo, and lime sulfur dips, among others. An option for the most severe of cases is oral medicines, such as griseofulvin, itraconzole, and ketoconazole. These must be prescribed by a veterinarian, and must be taken over several months. If your dog is pregnant, or you plan to use her for breeding, you should not use griseofulvin to treat ringworm.

Preventive Measure:

Always make sure your dogs living quarters is kept very clean and their bed is fresh and dry, this can help ringworm stay away from your dog.

Dogs can be allergic to many things - grass, nylon carpets, food additives. A skin rash can sometimes be soothed with petroleum jelly. Try to find the cause of the allergy by elimination. Try a different kind of food for a month to see if there is any improvement. A flea bite can cause an allergic reaction, so make sure your dog is always protected against fleas. Internal worms can also cause irritations so deworm your dog regularly.

One of the most effective ways to manage your dog's allergy symptoms is to give him regular baths with cool water. Using shampoos that contain eucalyptus and aloe vera can help relieve the itching that your dog experiences until the skin heals. Diets rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids also aid in keeping your dog's skin healthy.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness. Always protect your dog from ticks, especially in hot, wet weather. Not every tick that bites your dog makes it sick - but don't become complacent! Some ticks carry a smaller organism which passes into the dog's blood stream causing anaemia, loss of appetite, white gum's, swollen stomach and sometimes death.

Bad Breath can be caused by tooth decay and gum disease. The bacteria breeding in the dog's mouth can spread to infect his vital organs. Ask your vet to check teeth every time you go. Dogs over the age of three years start to get tooth trouble. Bad breath can also be caused by whatever food has been eaten. Sometimes a change of diet helps. Crunching dry biscuits can help to scrape the tartar of the teeth.

A sting can be fatal. Keep a close watch on your dog if stung. If his tongue or nose swells he may be unable to breathe. Be ready to rush him to the vet.

Note: For more details to "Curing Your Dog Skin Disorder" - scroll back to the very top by the German Shepherd and click on the "Holistic Pet Info" banner or Link.

Biliary is caused by ticks. It can be prevented by applying Frontline or similar every month. When a tick bites a dog, it injects a micro-organism into the dog's bloodstream. This eats the red blood cells, causing anemia, which is detected by white or pale gums & eyeballs. In females the whiteness can also be seen by opening the vulva. The dog becomes weaker, unable to eat, may vomit & have diarrhea. Inability to walk & distended stomach may follow. Complications like jaundice may follow. (yellow gums). Often the dog may be worse after treatment while the battle rages. If caught in time, the dog can be saved. Feeding liver may help recovery.

If injured, a dog can produce an alarming amount of blood! Avoid places where there may be broken glass, rusty tins, and thorns. A small cut should heal by itself. The dog keeps it clean and germ-free by licking it. But if the bleeding does not stop, stitches may be required. The vet may administer antibiotics to prevent infection in the wound. Slow clotting and von Willebrand's disease can lead to the dog loosing too much blood, so do not leave a dog alone if the bleeding is profuse.

Test eyesight by moving your hand at each side of his head to see if he notices movement. Some dogs become "night blind" and cannot see well at night. This may be caused by damage to the retina. It sometimes progresses to total blindness. Always place the food dishes in the same spot so the dog can find them. Blind dogs can live a happy, contented life in a familiar environment.

A swollen stomach can be due to a blockage in the intestines. A vet described bloat this way: the stomach was almost like
a hammock, and once full, could 'swing' around on itself, thereby cutting off incoming blood supply and also cutting off gases building up. Hence bloat, and the stomach starts of die off due to lack of blood.

Feeding large meals could weigh the stomach down and make it much easier to swing - and any excitement or a knock to the dog could cause the twisting turn, and then bloat.

Feeding several small meals a day instead of one large one can help to prevent bloat. The dog should rest and avoid running and horse-play after meals.

Sometimes when a dog has a swollen tummy, the dog tries to vomit and nothing comes out. He has a dreamy look. This can be caused by worm infestation. Deworming may work wonders. A swollen spleen can be a sign of biliary. If in doubt, ask the vet without delay. A swollen stomach is serious!

Keep the dog's weight down, and avoid steps and jumping. Gentle exercise is OK. A cheerful atmosphere in the home will help to keep a dog healthy!

Canine bronchitis, characterised by a cough, can be highly infectious. The dog must be isolated from other dogs and allowed to rest. The vet may prescribe a cough suppressant and antibiotics. Viruses attack the windpipe and lungs causing an irritating cough. Inoculations can prevent this illness.

Cancer is said to be the most common cause of death in dogs. Black pigmentation in the skin helps to prevent skin cancer but shade is still vital. White dogs are prone to skin cancer, especially those who sunbathe lying on their backs with tummy exposed.

Pink spots on a baby pup's nose could become sunburned, but they normally become darker on maturity.

This is not the same as human hepatitis. A dog can be dead within 24 hours of our noticing that it is sick. It starts with diarrhea and vomiting. Another sign is a blue, cloudy, far-away look in the dog's eyes. (When breeds normally have brown eyes, a baby puppy's eyes are sometimes blue at birth but they should turn brown by 7 weeks approximately.)

Don't feed the dog prior to going in the car. Always carry newspaper and cloths to clean up any mess. It can be helpful to put the dog in a travel crate. Try to get the dog accustomed to the car by taking him for short trips to pleasant places like a park. Vomiting can be triggered by fear.

Ask the vet for a high fibre diet food for the dog. If this does not work, here are some home remedies you can try mixing with the food: bran, pumpkin or other vegetables, apple sauce or stewed apples (not too much or it can make matters worse!) Try wetting the dry dog pellets. Make sure the dog has plenty clean water and gets lots of exercise. Constant straining can cause perineal hernia, which will need to be operated on. Straining can also be caused by a blockage in the intestine. The dog may have swallowed a stone, bone, or toy. Worms can block the intestine so try a dose of worm medicine.

If your dog is eating faeces (dog poo) he will probably come to no harm except in the event of the poos being from a sick animal. Dogs sometimes detect some nutritional stuff that has not been digested and have a second meal of food that has passed through the body. Dogs usually grow out of this habit. Make sure your dog is getting enough to eat. Giving the dog something to gnaw on may also satisfy his desire to eat. Remember to deworm your dog regularly as worms sap a dog's strength, causing him to need more food. Sprinkling curry powder on fresh faeces may give him a nasty shock and put him off trying to eat them in future.

Canine flu is a contagious illness, the signs of which are coughing, fever, gagging and runny nose. It can be deadly if not treated promptly with antibiotics. The dog should be isolated from other dogs as germs can be spread through coughing, in the same way that humans spread flu to each other. Hands should be washed after handling a sick dog. Germs can also be carried on clothes and shoes.

Tracheobronchitis is commonly called "Kennel Cough," though it has nothing to do with kennels! It is spread by a germ which the dog can get anywhere. In places where kennels are indoors, with air conditioning, it's something that the owners of boarding kennels dread. If a dog that has a cough is admitted to the kennel, all the dogs can get it! Dogs catch it when they go to places where they mix with other dogs, like parks, etc. All inoculations should be up to date before the dog is taken to a boarding kennel to ensure that the dog is protected from other dogs' germs and viruses. There is a vaccine to prevent kennel cough. It is sometimes called bordetella as it is caused by the bordetalla bronchiseptica bacteria. Disinfect the dog's environment twice daily with water & disinfectant. Mop up any accidents at once.

Coughing is not always a sign of illness. A dog may cough to dislodge something from its throat or stomach. Try offering something interesting to drink to wash the impediment out. If the dog won't drink, a piece of dry bread may dislodge the foreign body from the throat. Never force-feed, though!

A dog may eat grass and cough it up again to clean out the stomach. It may cough up yellow bile or froth. These things are natural.

Some dogs start coughing when excited. This is not an illness. But a persistent cough may be a sign of illness. It can be a sign of heart trouble. Tonsillitis can also cause a gagging cough. So can a collapsing trachea - usually in small breeds.

If the dog is scratching its ear constantly, it could have an ear infection. Look for wet matter inside the ear, or a foul smell. It can usually be rectified with ear drops.

If the dogs are shaking their heads constantly, they could have ear mites. Mites can breed inside dogs' ears (and cats' ears) and cause itchiness. Mites leave a dark, gritty discharge in the ear. They can only be seen with a microscope. Mites can travel from pet to pet, so treat all your pets if one has mites. A little wax inside the ear is nothing to worry about. Don't poke things inside the ear as it may damage the eardrum.

Walking with the head tilted to one side, or walking in circles, may indicate ear trouble, like vestibular disease, which causes dizziness disorientation, and nausea. Restless eyeballs is another indication of this. But it could also have been caused by a stroke or brain damage.

If eyes get an infection, yellow matter might be seen coming from the eye. This can often be cured easily with eye ointment from the pharmacy. The matter might be a sign of something else, though, like worms, ticks, fleas or a cold. Wipe the matter off the eyes with wet cotton wool or soft tissue. Use a separate tissue for each eye to prevent the spread of infection. It could also be caused by an irritation. Peel back the eyelids to see if there is a hair growing towards the eyeball, or a small growth like a pimple. A small op can save years of irritation and possible loss of sight.

Don't leave a dog in a parked car. The shade moves and the car heats up fast and can kill. Don't exercise the dog in hot weather. Shade must be provided in the garden.

When a dog over-heats, damage to internal organs may occur. The dog may collapse, pant, and have a wild look in his eyes. Douse him down with a hosepipe or plunge him into cool or cold water. Wet the groin. Ice will cause the arteries to contract and is to be avoided. The dog may lie on a wet towel, but don't cover him with the towel. It is better to allow the water to evaporate which has a cooling effect. Dogs with short noses, like pugs & bulldogs are prone to heat-stroke. So are fat & old dogs.

When too little insulin is present, the body can't use glucose for energy. It is forced to break down fat for energy. The body produces ketones (acids) and releases them into the blood and urine. When animals with diabetes do not take enough insulin, especially in times of stress or illness, ketones are produced. Ketones warn the diabetes may be out of control. Diet is important, do not give any food other than what is specified by vet. Healthy dogs can go for days without food, but if a diabetic dog skips two meals, - call the vet. Vomiting is another sign of trouble.

If dog is slow, sluggish, appears confused, with staggering walk, it could be insulin shock. Increased exercise lowers the blood sugar. No treats, in case they contain sugar!

Be very careful when dispensing the insulin, use exact amount only. - Must have water at all times. Dogs can live for years on insulin.

Dogs from smoking families have presented with malignant nasal tumours. Dogs (especially puppies) will eat cigarettes and cigarette ends dropped in the garden, so do consider pets before deciding to smoke.

Many illnesses can be prevented, or can be cured by early intervention. Teach yourself to recognize signs of illness.

Basic health rules that help prevent illness:

Feed the dog well

Pick up the dog poos daily & dispose of them out of the yard.

Taking the dog out for daily walks will improve his physical & mental health. (And your health!)

Attend to regular de-worming, inoculations and tick and flea control.

Sometimes just doing the little things can make the difference in your dog life!

Hip/elbow Dysplasia (Slack or loose hip or elbow joints) is common in large, active breeds like German Shepherds. Movement becomes gradually more and more painful. Good nutrition from puppyhood can help. Special foods have been developed for large breeds. This condition may or may not be hereditary, so some breeders have their dogs tested and get a certificate to show that their breeding stock is HD free. Hip replacement surgery is available.

Very Special Offer for a Limited Time Only: 60 Wonderful Nutritional Dog Food Recipes - Easy to Make at Home! Enter Here

Try these Homemade Dog Food Recipes Posted below:

Date: 08/31/2009 - BARF Breakfast (med size dog):

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup yogurt

1/4 cup vegetables -- *see Note

250 mgs vitamin C -- for dogs. Crushed

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon kelp seaweed powder -- *see Note

1 teaspoon alfalfa powder -- *see Note

1 digestive enzyme -- for dogs Optional

1 teaspoon flax seed oil -- *see Note

1/4 cup kibble -- optional

Preparation & Cooking

Soak rolled oats in yogurt overnight. Mix all ingredients and serve. Add kibble if desired.

Note: shredded, lightly steamed or pureed. carrots, celery, spinach, yams and/or broccoli, apples etc.

Note: items can be purchased at health food store or pet store.

Date: 08/24/2009 - Dog Alert! Do not feed your dog bones, especially cooked bones. fragments can become lodged in the digestive tract. Canines in the wild who eat bones have the benefit of consuming hair and hide too, which have been found to 'pad' the bone fragments and aid in their passing. Other foods to avoid that are dangerous for dogs are chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic.

Date: 08/24/2009 - Homemade Dog Biscuits "Tail Waggers"

3 Jars Baby Food - (1 carrot, 2 meat)

1/3 cup Wheat Germ

1/4 cup powdered milk

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix ingredients well and then press into small "patties". Bake in 350 oven for about 15 minutes.

Read more: http://dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/homemade_dog_biscuits#ixzz0P9YOHN7g

Date: 06/10/2009 - Liver lover's dog soup recipe

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 ¼ kilo beef liver, trimmed membranes and chop finely
2 liters basic dog broth
Salt
Ground black pepper
2 cups heavy cream
4 tablespoons all purpose flour

4 tablespoons Italian parsley chopped
Kibble

Heat up the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add in the liver and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Stir all this constantly. Add in the broth, salt, and pepper to taste, and let all this boil. Reduce the heat once it starts boiling and simmer it covered for 30 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream. This can be mixed with the flour if your dog likes heavier soups. Serve it over rice or kibble.

Makes 2 liters of soup

Option: If you have a dog that is on a diet, you can substitute the heavy cream for low fat plain yogurt.

Scottish dog soup

Date: 06/01/2009 - Chicken stock recipe for Dog

Ingredients
8 tablespoons corn oil
2 kilos chicken backs and necks
4 liters water
2 large cups baby cabbage chopped
2 cups carrots chopped
Parsley 5 strings
3 liters water

In a large kettle or pot, heat up 4 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add in the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides evenly. Remove the chicken and reserve. Add 1 cup of water to pot and deglaze it over medium heat. Make sure to loosen all the scrapings of browned bits. Add these dripping to the chicken and reserve this.

In the same pot, heat up the remaining oil over medium heat. Add in the baby cabbage and carrots and cook until baby cabbage are transparent. Add in the reserved chicken with the drippings, parsley, remaining water, and bring all this to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer covered for 2 hours.

To obtain stock, strain the mixture and let it cool down to room temperature. Refrigerate. Remove any fat from the top surface. This can be used within several days or freeze and use in portions.

To make soup, remove all the chicken parts and serve the vegetables
and broth over kibbles.

Makes 2 ½ liters.

Date: 05/31/2009 - Basic Dog Broth recipe

Ingredients
1 ½ kilos meaty beef bones
½ cup water
1 cup baby cabbage chopped
1 cup celery
chopped
1 cup carrots chopped
¼ cup tomato paste or blended tomatoes (about 3 - 4 tomatoes)
4 strings parsley
Salt
2 liters

Previously heat oven to 175C.
Put the beef bones in a big roasting pan and roast them during 1 hour. Turn them every so often so they brown on all sides. Once done, drain out the fat. Put the roaster on the stovetop burner and turn the stove on at medium heat. Add in ½ cup of water and loosen up the meat from roaster. Make sure to loosen all the browned bits left on the roaster. Keep all these drippings.

In a large pot, heat up the oil over medium heat. Add in the baby cabbage , celery, and the carrots, cook the baby cabbage too until they are transparent, make sure to stir constantly. Add in the roasted beef bones, the reserved dripping from the roaster, tomato paste, parsley, salt, and the water. Bring all these ingredients to a boil over high heat and let it simmer covered for 2 hours.

To use as a broth, strain the whole mixture, let it cool, and refrigerate. Take off any fat from the surface and either refrigerate this or freeze it.

To make soup, take out the beef bones, and pour the vegetables over some kibbles.

Makes about 2 liters of broth.

Date: 05/29/2009 - Vegetarian dog chowder recipe

Ingredients
3 potatoes
with skin, chopped
4 cups water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1½ cloves garlic, minced
1 big baby cabbage, chopped
6 cups fresh corn kernels (or frozen)
1½ cups kidney beans cooked
1½ cups milk
Salt
Ground black pepper

In a pot, put in the potatoes and water and bring these to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat once it starts boiling and cook the potatoes until they are tender. This should take approximately 15 - 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes once they are ready and put aside. Keep the liquid from the potatoes.

Heat up the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add in the garlic and baby cabbage. Cook until the baby cabbage is transparent. Add in the corn and cook for 3 - 4 minutes more. Stir in the beans and the liquid from the potatoes and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the corn is ready.

While the soup is cooking, blend the potatoes with the milk in the blender or food processor. Add this to the soup. Add in salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 2 ½ liters of soup.

Date: 04/19/2009 - Dog dumplings recipe:

1 tablespoons non salted butter
1 small baby cabbage, chopped finely
1 sprig parsley
1 cup chopped beef or chicken livers
¼ teaspoon marjoram
Salt
Ground black pepper
½ cup bread crumbs
¼ cup hot water
1 egg, beaten

Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Put in the small baby
cabbage, and parsley and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Put this mixture into a mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, moisten the bread crumbs with ¼ cup of hot water, or just enough to make it pasty. Mix bread crumbs into the liver and vegetables. Add in the egg next and mix it all well. Cover and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes so that it hardens a bit.

Moisten your hands with water or a little bit of oil and form dumplings into about 3 liters of boiling stock or broth and cook, uncovered for about 25 - 30 minutes.

Makes about 18 dumplings.

Date: 04/20/2009 - MACKEREL DINNER:

Heat 1 tsp. corn oil in a skillet and fry 1 small mackerel until it flakes apart easily. Remove and cool. Pour 1/2 cup hot water into the pan and scrape the brown bits into it. Remove the bones from the fish and mix with the juice. For dogs, serve in pieces with kibble; for cats, grind with the pan juices.

Date: 04/22/2009 - LIVER COOKIES:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 teaspoon honey on top.

Add one 3 1/3 oz. jar of strained liver baby food or homemade blended liver and stir until everything is well mixed.

Form the mixture into balls; place them on an oiled cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

Consistency should be fudgy.

Store in a jar in the fridge; freeze if keeping more than a few days.

Date: 04/23/2009 - Dog Hamburger Helper:

1 cup hamburger meat, stir-fried in 1 tbsp canola oil

2 boiled eggs, chopped

½ cup cooked plain oatmeal

1 jar baby food green beans

1 jar baby food carrots

2 Tbsp cottage cheese

You may serve at room temperature, add a good dog multivitamin/mineral supplement for good health. Refrigerate unused portions in a covered container, after 2 or 3 days throw away.

Date: 04/25/2009 - Dog Casserole:

1 cup boiled poultry, chopped

½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup boiled mixed vegetables

3 to 4 Tbsp unsalted chicken broth

(Note: Salmon may occasionally be substituted for boiled poultry, with chicken broth omitted.)

Stir it all together and serve at room temperature, add a good dog multivitamin/mineral supplement for good health. Refrigerate unused portions in a covered container, after 2 or 3 days throw away.

Date: 04/26/2009 - SAUTEED LIVER:

Heat 1 teaspoon corn oil in a pan.

Add 1/4 pound beef liver and fry on both sides until cooked but not dry inside.

Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits.

For dogs, cut the liver into pieces and serve... for cats, grind the liver in a blender, using the pan juices.

Date: 04/27/2009 - VEAL STEW:

Combine 1/2 pound stewing veal, 1 cup canned tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 chicken bouillon cube, 1/2 onion (chopped), parsley and a dash of garlic powder in a pot and simmer.

When meat is tender, remove all the bones.

For dogs, cut the meat in chunks, and mix stew with kibble or some other grain... for cats, grind the stew in blender, adding a tablespoon of wheat germ or 1/2 slice of whole wheat bread.

Special Note: Remember your dogs food should be served at room temperature, don't serve food cold from the refrigerator nor hot from the stove.

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Shampoo for animals (such as for dogs or cats) should be formulated especially for them, as their skin has fewer cell layers than human skin. Cats skin is 2-3 cell layers thick, while dogs skin is 3-5 layers. Human skin, by contrast, is 10-15 cell layers thick. This is the main reason why one should never use even something as mild as baby shampoo on a cat, dog, or other pet.

Shampoo intended for animals may contain insecticides or other medications for treatment of skin conditions or parasite infestations such as fleas or mange. These must never be used on humans. It is equally important to note that while some human shampoos may be harmful when used on animals, any haircare products that contain active ingredients/drugs (such as zinc in anti-dandruff shampoos) are potentially toxic when ingested by animals. Special care must be taken not to use those products on pets. Cats are at particular risk due to their instinctive method of grooming their fur with their tongues.

Dog shampoo is designed to cleanse away dirt and excess oils, just like human shampoo does. The main difference between the two is that dog shampoo has a lower pH level that is more suitable for canines skin they also include a non-tearing formula to prevent eye irritation, in case a little shampoo suds get into your dog's eyes during scrubbing. A good dog shampoo formula should also produce fewer suds for quicker rinsing. They should also preferably have deodorizing effect as well as leave your dog's coat shiny. If you're just looking for a cleaner dog, a standard dog shampoo will get you what you need.

When looking for dog shampoo and conditioners, look for a product that is easy to use, lathers well, rinses well, is tearless and leaves your dog with a shiny coat. Good dog shampoos have ingredients that hold moisture to the skin and are often natural.

Here are some good Dog Shampoos:

A. Perfect Coat
B. Excel "Hydrocortisone" Shampoo
C. Botanical Extract Shampoo
D. Dermagard "Hydrocortisone Medicated" Shampoo

It may be hard for you to believe, but you can train puppies and older dogs to go to the bathroom on command real easy. Many puppies can hear words that are repeated and associate them with what you want them to do. For example, when your puppy is outside relieving him or herself, say these words - "Go potty".

If you say this enough times, the puppy will soon associate the phrase "Go Potty" with relieving him or herself. This will train the puppy to go potty on command. Word association is the best way to train your puppy.

When your puppy tries to use the bathroom in your house, you can say, "No", go outside," then take the puppy outdoors. In know time, the puppy will use this word association with something they should not do indoors but outdoors.

Please, there is no need to hit or spank your puppy when you are using command training. The puppy will associate the word "No" with bad behavior and will learn to go outside rather than indoors.

Try this, when you take the puppy outside make sure you use the command - Go Potty. The puppy must stay outside until he or she goes. You will continue to instruct the puppy to "Go Potty" until they finally do. Make sure you praise the puppy for a good job by giving them their favorite treat. After a while, the puppy is going to learn that going potty outside makes you happy.

One more thing, find a good specific spot for command training to relieve themselves. They will associate this spot with going potty.

The way you praise your puppy and treat them will have a positive affect on command potty training. If you use the phrase "Go Potty", be precise and clear. Some puppies may hear the word as "No" if you are not clear.

This could be a hard decision for you to make, rather to buy or adopt a dog and one that shouldn't be taken lightly or made on impulse. There are many factors to consider before choosing a breed - example below.

1. Are you really ready?

As fun as it is to own a dog, it is very serious business. You are about
to take responsibility for a live animal that is completely dependent on you and other family members. Dogs require food, exercise, shelter, health care, attention, and money... which in today's economy there is a shortage of money. If you're not completely prepared to provide these things for your dog, you're not ready for dog ownership.

2. Do you have the time?

First, think about your lifestyle. All dogs require attention but some need more than others and will not do well if left alone for extended periods of time. This also goes hand in hand with providing your dog with exercise. Some breeds require a lot of time outside to run around while others can get by with less physical activity. If you're the kind of person who is not home a lot, make sure you choose a dog that will manage well in your absence.

For Example: Yorkshire Terriers, Welsh Corgis, Dachshunds and Mastiffs.

3. Dogs and Children?

When many of us think about the ideal family situation, there's usually a dog in the picture somewhere. When choosing a family dog you need to look for breeds that are non-aggressive and child-friendly. Typically speaking, smaller dogs and toy breeds are not a good match for kids. Always remember that dogs can be unpredictable and even the friendliest dog can bite if he/she feels threatened. To be on the safe side, you're usually best off waiting until a child is at least 5 years of age or older that can be trusted not to inadvertently hurt the dog while playing with it.

Example - Consider these kind of dogs that are good around children: Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Irish Setters, and Bichon Frises.

4. Puppy vs. Adult?

One thing for sure, there may be no denying that puppies are adorable. But ask yourself how adorable you'll think they are when they've chewed up your favorite pair of sneakers. Puppies, like children, require an enormous amount of attention and effort from housebreaking, to socializing, to teaching acceptable manners around others. On the other hand, adult dogs may come with their own baggage, so to speak. Some adult dogs have been abused or otherwise neglected and as a result have acquired some strange behaviors of their own.

5. To Buy or Adopt?

In my opinion you generally have two good choices to make, you can buy a dog from a reputable breeder or you can adopt or "rescue" a dog from an animal shelter. There are some really good reasons to adopt from a shelter. For starters, shelters screen all of their animals for health and temperament. For example - If you're looking for a dog that's good with children, the shelter can match you up with the appropriate animal. It's also nice to know you can adopt a pet with some degree of confidence that when you get it home they will be in good health. Another reason to adopt from a shelter is that, compared to the costs of buying from a breeder, adoption fees are considerably lower if not free in some instances.
Probably the most important reason to adopt from a shelter is you'll be giving an animal in need a home. But, one big drawback with shelters is you don't always find a huge selection of different breeds. So, if you're looking for a specific type of dog, a breeder is your next best bet.

Note Very Important:

Before you start looking for a breeder ask for references get all the information that you can. A good breeder will generally only produce 1 to 2 litters a year and will guarantee their dogs against most major health defects. Stay away from "backyard breeders", also known as "puppy mills". They are characterized by unreputable people who produce many litters a year, are only in interested in profit and have no real interest in the well being of animals. Puppies from these places are usually not socialized properly and are often plagued with health concerns due to neglect. Because pet stores tend to deal with large numbers of dogs they are usually the biggest consumers of dogs from puppy mills so be wary of buying from pet shops as well. When chosen for the right reasons, owning a dog can be a wholly satisfying and rewarding experience. Dogs can provide companionship and unconditional love. So, when you're ready to make that commitment, just do your research and make sure you're making the right choice for you.

Unwanted barking is one of the most common complaints I hear from dog owners. There are many reasons why your dog is barking, but before you can take any action to fix the problem you must first identify why he/she is barking.

It's very important to understand why do dogs bark, when they are puppies, barking for them is a great way to get attention. It's different for older dogs they already know that barking gets attention and they sometimes bark if they are bored or need exercise. They also bark due to a lack of mental stimulation or because they have been at home alone for too long.

If you believe that the cause mentioned above may be why your dog is barking, start to retrain your dog today. Participate in obedience training with your dog 3 - 4 times per week, try to find time to take your dog for a daily walk, and buy him some fun new toys so that when he is alone he still has something to entertain him.

Fear is another cause of barking. It's very common for dogs to bark when they hear loud noises such as thunder for example. If this happens, bring your dog inside and put him in a safe place such as his crate. Turn on the television or radio to provide some "normal" noise and give your dog his favorite toy to keep him occupied.

Separation anxiety is another common cause of barking. If your dog feels highly attached to you, it may start barking when you leave. Separation anxiety can also show up after a death in the family or after moving houses. The easiest way to treat this cause of barking is to train your dog that you will always return when you leave. You can do this by beginning to leave for a few minutes at a time and then coming back into the house. If your dog hasn't barked then you can give him a treat. Little by little start increasing the amount of time you have gone for. Slowly but surely your dog will learn that you will always return, even if you have gone for several house or more.

If you have tried the methods above and you haven't managed to stop your dog barking, you could try a Citronella collar. Not everyone is a fan of these collars including ( myself ) but they do seem to solve the problem in many cases. Before you give up and think there's no Hope, try this: Enter Here