Dog Information and Advice

Does My Dog Have Worms?

If you are wondering if your dog has worms then you probably have one or both of these questions in mind… How do I know if my dog has worms? How to treat worms in dogs?

There are several types of worms that dogs can and do get. However, the two that you are likely to encounter most often are the roundworms and tapeworms. But it is VERY important to the health of your dog to get rid of ANY type of worms it may have.

Roundworms are typically the ones you will commonly find the most in dogs. They generally look like small white pieces of string up to 7 inches in length. They live in the small intestines and stomach of the dog, and can become so concentrated that they may even block the passages.

It is relatively easy for them to be spread from one dog to another. A female may lay 200,000 eggs in a single day and the eggs can live for months or years in the soil. And the speed by which they can multiply is one of the reasons why it was assumed in the past that puppies were actually born with round worms. Although that has since been proven to be false.

Tapeworms are nasty little things that also live in the small intestines of your pet. Their size varies from less than an inch up to several feet in length. It fastens to the wall by hooks and suckers on its head. The body is composed of segments that contain the egg packets. In order to cure tapeworm infection, the head has to be destroyed. If that isn’t done the worm will continue to regenerate.

The body segments containing the eggs are passed in the feces. When they are fresh the segments are moist and about a quarter of an inch in length, and have the ability to move. Sometimes you can see them crawling through the fur near your dog’s anus. They look very much like kernels of rice when they are dry, and you may find them around areas where your dog sits or lays a lot. Some dogs will also experience anal itching from them.

There are quite a variety of symptoms that can appear when a dog has any type of worms, so anything you notice outside of the ordinary should be examined. Your dog’s behavior or appearance may change in different ways. Worms may also be seen in the vomit or in the feces. They will usually appear to be something like white earthworms, strings, or moving strands of spaghetti. Any of these things should be addressed by a visit to your vet. An infested dog can become very unhealthy and unhappy quite quickly.

It is also possible for worms to kill a dog if they are left untreated. It is much better to be safe than sorry if you suspect your furry friend might have worms or if you know it has been in contact with other dogs that do have worms.

Worms in dogs are usually very easy to get rid of and relatively inexpensive to treat, so there is NO excuse for leaving them untreated! A simple call to your vet will get your pet started on the path back to great health.

Dangerous Foods for Dogs – Don’t Feed Your Dog These Foods

Most people aren’t aware that many of the foods that we humans eat on regular basis can be harmful or even deadly to your dog. These are dangerous dog foods that you should avoid feeding your dog at all times. Even a small amount of certain foods can be toxic and fatal to your furry friend.

* Chocolate – A little bit can cause seizures, coma and death. Even a small piece of chocolate is dangerous. This is typically one of the only foods that people know is bad for dogs. But there are many more.

* Caffeine – Can have a similar effect as chocolate so never give it to your dog. That includes coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and anything else containing caffeine.

* Grapes and raisins – These can cause kidney failure and even a single serving of raisins can make your dog very ill or even kill him.

* Salt – Eating too much salt can cause kidney problems and several other problems as well. Death is also a possibility.

* Bread Dough – It needs to rise and if you feed it to your dog it will rise inside his stomach. This can cause severe pain and alcohol poisoning as it ferments.

* Human Medicine – This is one of the leading causes of dog poisoning. Don’t give your dog over the counter medicine unless your vet tells you to. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can both be deadly when given to a dog.

* Onions – Poisonous to dogs and can cause anemia. This can lead to weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and more.

* Garlic – Many of the same issues as onions (see above).

* Tomatoes – Hard to believe but these are toxic to dogs. They can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias.

* Avocados – Highly toxic and can cause breathing difficulty and fluid accumulation around the abdomen chest and heart.

* Alcohol – It takes far less beer, liquor, wine or other alcohol to damage a dog that it does a human. Just a small amount can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and several other issues including coma or death.

* Bones – If you give your dog bones be sure that they are raw because cooked bones can splinter and damage their internal organs. They can also choke on them, whether they are cooked or not.

* Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis, so it is not wise to feed your dog a diet of fatty foods.

* Fried foods – Just as with humans these are not good for retaining maximum health in your dog.

* Nuts – Certain nuts, such as Macadamia nuts and walnuts can cause weakness, paralysis, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors and other major problems.

* Fruits – The core and pits of fruits such as apples, cherries and peaches contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs and can kill them very quickly without warning.

* Raw Eggs – Possibility of food poisoning and interferes with the absorption of some vitamins, which can cause skin problems.

And that’s not all. There are plenty of other foods that can be harmful or fatal to your dog. When in doubt, always refrain from feeding your dog any human foods. Never assume that it will be okay unless you know for certain that it is. Many foods that are safe for humans can kill your dog within hours, even if he’s had them before without any problems.

Remember, if your dog has eaten some of these foods in the past and nothing happened to him that doesn’t mean he will be okay if he eats them again. It’s very possible that you just got lucky the first time and this time your dog could get very sick or even die. All it takes is once for something to go horribly wrong. Don’t take the chance; it’s not worth the risk. Human food is not for dogs — stick to the real dog food and be safe!

On top of all that, even if you aren’t feeding your dog any foods that are directly dangerous, it is still unhealthy for them to eat human food. They can much more easily become overweight and have other health problems from consuming it on a regular basis.

Is Your Dog Depressed? Get Him A Treadmill!

It’s actually very common for dogs to become depressed, stressed, and anxious. This is usually due to lack of exercise and also stimulation of their mind and body. They need to be able to release their built up energy. If not, they can easily become bored and when that happens for extended periods of time it can lead to depression or many other problems. Dogs are similar to humans in many ways and that is one of them.

The more intelligent the individual dog is the more stimulation it needs or it is more likely to get depressed. They need some form of work or activities that can keep their mind active. This is usually done through long walks, training sessions, or playing rigorously.

This is actually one of the main reasons why dog training is so important. A dog that is well-trained will get a lot more stimulation in life by pleasing its owner. It will also have a true pack leader that it can look to for security and guidance. Every dog should be trained properly and training should continue throughout its lifetime. It’s not just something you do when they are a puppy!

Often the weather in the area we live in can be a huge obstacle when trying to keep a dog active. The cold winter months and shorter daylight hours make it difficult to exercise the dog. The scorching hot summer days can be just as bad for going on walks. Then, you have to factor in busy schedules and so many other things that life brings our way. It can be very easy to overlook the exercise needs of your dog.

Luckily, there is exercise equipment for dogs just as there are for humans that can be great alternatives in these conditions. Most people are unaware that there is such a thing as a dog treadmill. Yes, they do exist, and they can be very useful in helping you get your dog the exercise he (or she) needs no matter what the conditions are like outside or how tired you are after a long day at work.

Some people that do know about them seem to think that dog treadmills are cruel to use or bad in some way. It’s actually quite the opposite if they are used PROPERLY and safely! They can be a great stress reliever for your dog and give him the exercise he needs. Top trainers and dog experts around the world use and recommend them.

Treadmills can also be perfect for people who live in apartments, elderly, people with disabilities, someone who is unable to take their dog out for walks at night due to safety reasons, or anyone else with a dog that needs more exercise. Even the fittest person in a great neighborhood with a fenced in yard can often benefit from the conveniences of a treadmill for dogs.

Side Note: Just letting your dog out in a fenced yard does NOT give him (or her) the exercise and mental stimulation he needs. That is a huge misconception among many dog owners. Yards are great for letting your pet out to go to the bathroom but they still need long walks, proper exercise and training!

To get the convenience and assurance that your dog is healthy and happy, and free of depression or stress, a K9 treadmill could certainly be exactly what you need. I recommend looking into getting one right now if you can. Just remember to use it properly as directed. Also, don’t substitute a treadmill for all the exercise needs of your dog. You should still take him on walks when you can, play with him as much as possible, and give him all the love and attention he deserves for being such a loyal and loving companion!

How To Stop Dog Vomiting

Dog vomiting is annoying and messy, and in some cases also damaging for the dog’s health. So how do we stop it? This article considers how to deal with a dog throwing up, and prevent it from happening again.

Many things can cause a dog to vomit. It may be something that they have eaten, and in that case it will probably just happen once. It your dog is vomiting repeatedly, it could be a sign of another disease. This could include distemper, allergies, parvovirus, worms, or something more serious like hepatitis or kidney disease. If you are not sure why your dog is having this problem, it would be wise to take a trip to the veterinarian’s office.

Like diarrhea, repeated dog vomiting can lead to dehydration. In some cases this can be fatal. If the vomiting continues and especially if it is accompanied by diarrhea, see the veterinarian for treatment to prevent dehydration. A small dose of Pepto Bismol works on many dogs but you should only give medications with your veterinarian’s approval.

Some dogs just seem to have a delicate digestion that makes them throw up occasionally. It is likely to happen any time they eat too much or get a little over excited after a meal. Kids often do the same thing. If your dog is like this, try feeding them a little less, with more frequent meals. Do not feed them anything but regular dog food or something very bland like plain boiled rice.

Vomiting in dogs is often caused by eating too fast. This often happens when you have more than one dog in the household. They finish their food as fast as possible so the other dogs cannot compete for it. If this is happening in your house, try feeding each dog in a different part of the house.

You can also watch out for signs that the dog is about to vomit so you can cover floors or furniture. Many dogs will salivate a lot, lick their lips and swallow excessively when they are feeling nauseous. They will then start to heave right before the stomach contents come up.

Stop dog vomiting after the first episode by keeping the dog calm. Help him to rest and relax by speaking to him calmly. Do not show any anger or fear about what he has done. In hot weather, try to keep him cool by encouraging him to stay in a cool place or switching on air conditioning. Remove all food and edible toys from his environment for a few hours, and do not exercise him. If he needs to go outside for potty, keep him on a leash, even in the backyard.

After a couple of hours you can offer ice and see if he wants to lick it. If that does not cause a problem, he will probably be ready for some water after 4-6 hours and a small portion of his regular food after 8-12 hours. This will usually prevent a recurrence of dog vomiting.

Why Is My Dog Sneezing?

Seeing a dog sneezing can be funny when it just happens once or twice, but if your pet is starting to sneeze a lot, you may begin to wonder why. Is it just a normal part of a dog’s life, or could it be a sign of something more serious?

Like humans, when animals sneeze it is because their nasal passages are irritated or inflamed. This may be caused by something getting into the nose, like pepper, or it could be a symptom of a viral infection that is causing inflammation. If your dog also has a runny nose it is likely that he is going down with some kind of virus.

An infection of the sinuses is another possible cause of repeated sneezing. Sometimes this can be caused by a tooth infection. An abscess in the upper jaw can easily spread to the sinuses. In this situation you will probably realize that the dog is in pain and needs treatment.

More rarely, a cyst or polyp in the nose might cause a dog to sneeze. If this happens, the dog sneezing could gradually become more and more frequent and you might not even notice that your pet’s habits had changed for a while.

Of course, sometimes dog sneezing may be one symptom of a more serious problem. In this case there will usually be other symptoms too. Consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible if your pet is panting, coughing or wheezing, or appears to have breathing difficulties.

It is also a good idea to see the vet if any viral infection lasts for longer than a couple of days, or if the dog is very tired and lethargic, or is running a fever. Some viruses are more serious than others and may require treatment.

Another sign that means a trip to the vet’s office is if your pet has nosebleeds along with the sneezing. It’s not unusual to have a few drops of blood when a sneeze causes a small capillary to burst, but a flow of blood could be a sign of mites, exposure to rat poison or even a tumor in the sinuses.

Of course, a canine sneeze from time to time is usually nothing to worry about. Dogs like to poke their noses and sniff in all kinds of places, so it is not surprising if sometimes they pick up something that irritates. This could be pollen from a plant, smoke, dust or a small foreign object.

Occasionally, they will get something larger stuck in the nose. If the sneezing continues and the dog is also pawing at its nose or shaking its head, it is probably trying to dislodge something. Most times, the dog sneezing will get rid of the irritant but if the problem continues, see your vet because there may be something there that needs to be removed.