NEVER WORM YOUR DOG WITH IVERMECTIN... 

IT CAN BE LETHAL!

pet health, dog health, cat health
PREVENTION

A well cared for mother, free of genetic defect bred to a well cared for father, free of genetic defect, both of good representation of the breed standard will typically produce puppies of the same quality. 

Mothers will pass their immunities to the puppies for the first 8-10 weeks if the mother has been properly vaccinated and dewormed prior to her pregnancy. 

Proper flea and tick treatment used according to instructions will help alleviate issues due to external parasites.  (DO NOT use pesticides on a pregnant bitch)  Routine deworming with a product such as pyrantel pamoate will alleviate internal parasite infestations.  Monthly heartworm preventative will prevent trouble from heartworm and tapeworm.  Seek assistance from your veterinarian for doses and products.

Diet is especially important, as good health starts from the inside.  See my dog food ratings.  We recommend using the best food possible to meet the needs of your dog.  A healthy body and mind start with good diet.  Most commercial dog foods at grocery stores and supercenters are not of acceptable quality.  They often contain animal byproducts (leftovers... bones, organs, digests, etc.), preservatives, chemicals, and less than acceptable grade ingredients (human grade is important... otherwise is could be laden with medicines, hormones, etc).  With a proper diet supplementation should not be necessary, but if it is, discuss your dog's needs with your veterinarian before adding supplements to ensure you don't overdue on something and cause problems that way.  Never feed your dog chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, raw eggs.  Cooked eggs are a natural source of Omegas and protein.  Yogurt is a natural source of probiotics and calcium, vitamin D, among other vitamins.  Vitamin B complex & Ester C can aid in immune support.  Glucosamine and chondriotin aid in healthy joints and connective tissue.  Remember that a pregnant, lactating, growing or older dog require special consideration.  Pregnant, lactating and growing dogs need increased protein and calcium.  Aged dogs may require more protein, joint supplements, etc.

Recommended Vaccination Schedule

  • 6-8 weeks:  DHLPP + Corona ( Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptosporosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
  • 11-12 weeks: DHLPP + Corona, Bordatella, Lyme Disease
  • 15-16 weeks: DHLLP + Corona, Bordatella, Lyme Disease
  • 16+ weeks, then every 3 years: Rabies
  • 7-9 months: Heartworm test, begin preventative monthly
  • 1+ year, annually: DHLPP, Bordetella, Lyme Disease
Recommended Deworming Schedule:
  • Before conception
  • Pups & bitch: 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks then monthly until 6 months
  • Adult dogs, every 3 months

Home remedies that work:

  • AVON Skin So Soft for topical parasites
  • Amber collars, real amber stones make a decorative and safe natural flea and tick repellent
  • Dawn dish soap as flea bath
  • Garlic and Brewer's Yeast tablets especially meant for dogs (too much garlic is harmful) to keep fleas and ticks at bay

HEALTH CARE

Information on pet health insurance. 

Reviews on health insurance for pets based on consumer ratings for most major plans

Imagine, you bring home your perfect puppy, everything is wonderful.  Now, your puppy gets hurt or becomes ill.  The vet tells you the bill will be $300.  Can you afford it?  With pet insurance you can.  Many options are available.  Some plans allow for spay/neutering, preventative care, accident and more.  Some allow genetic or congenital defects.  Some offer death benefits.  Benefits vary from company to company, but all offer similar levels of coverage.  Listed below are some of the more reputable companies, listed alphabetically.  This is meant as a tool for you reference.  We do not endorse any particular company, but do think insurance is vital for your bulldog.

Things to be aware of when shopping for pet insurance:

  • Insurers often offer discounts for multi-pet households, some for shopping online, some for micro-chipping, some for being spayed/neutered, among others.  Many offer a annual premium discount if you pay annually rather than monthly.
  • Be aware of waiting periods before coverage becomes effective.
  • Enroll before your pet gets too old.  Most insurers offer senior coverage, but it may be pricier than if you have coverage through them from a younger age.
  • Preventative care is an option most insurers offer.  Weigh your expenses against the cost of this insurance.  Usually the insurance is much less than what you would pay otherwise.  Remember, prevention is usually the best insurance.
  • Be aware of networks.  if you must use a veterinarian within the network you may not be able to use the veterinarian you are familiar with.
  • Be aware of exclusions.  Many of these are breed specific.
  • Know your limits.  What does the plan say is your per incident cap or annual limit?
  • Is there coverage for prescriptions?
  • Is dental covered?
  • Are genetic, congenital, chronic diseases covered?
INSURANCE PROVIDERS, listed alphabetically:

24 Pet Watch Insurance  Offers reward, preventative, euthanasia, emergency, death, $1 for 1st mo, from $10.95, renters coverage, microchip...

AKC Pet Insurance  Free 60 day trial membership, (do not need to be registered... also avail for cats), offers preventative, emergency, euthanasia, spay/neuter...

ASPCA Health Insurance  Offers preventative, spay/neuter, emergency...

Embrace Pet Insurance  Offers genetic, alternative, emergency, preventative, multi-pet, microchip, spay/neuter, prepay discounts...

Global Pet Insurance  Offers emergency, preventative, behavioral, pregnancy, hereditary, burial, alternative...

Pet First Insurance  Offers reward, loss, burial, preventative, multi-pet discount...

PetPlan Health Insurance  Offers online, microchip, multi-pet, employee discounts, reward, alternative care, loss, death, emergency... Top rated

Pets Best insurance  Offers alternative, emergency, from $5.75/mo...

Pets Health Plan  Offers preventative, emergency...

Premier pet Insurance  Offers spay/neuter, preventative...

Progressive Pet Coverage   Offers alternative, emergency, preventative...

Purina Care Health Insurance   Offers preventative care, hereditary coverage, spay/neuter, emergency...

Quick Care Pet Insurance  Offers death benefit, rental liability, multi-pet discount, covers homeopathic/chiropractic, emergency, hereditary disease coverage, reward... From $10.95/mo

VPI Pet Insurance   Offers coverage for spay/neuter, preventative care, emergency...


IDENTIFICATION

Tattoos are commonly used to identify animals.  These are typically located under the upper lip or along the animal's body.  Tattoos are usually in the form of an identification number.  This is a permanent identification.  The difficulty is that tattoos can become distorted over time rendering them unreadable.  Further tattoos may be modified by over-tattooing.

Tags are probably the most common form of identification used, however tags can be lost or removed.

Microchips are a form of permanent identification that is unchangeable and cannot easily be removed.  It is a rice-sized glass covered microchip that is bio-acceptable which is injected under the skin on the neck.  Microchip readers are then scanned over the animal's neck and the number assigned to that individual microchip is displayed.  The microchips can be registered with the owner's contact info as well as an alternate contact and veterinary info.  If the animal is found and turned in to a shelter or humane society or veterinarian, they will scan and be provided the contact info to the owner, thus resulting in the animal's return home.  Microchip placement is no more painful than vaccinating your animal.  Microchips are safe and up to 98% reliable.  Many registries and certifying agencies require permanent identification.  Here are links to the most common microchip companies:


How To Compare Dog Insurance

Author: Ricky Lim

When you compare dog insurance, one of the questions you ask is how much it will cost you. You have to stick to your budget and at the same time make sure that your dog gets the best insurance that he deserves and you can afford.

Dog health insurance policies start at about $10 a month. But there are add-ons to the plans so that may cost you more. Nonetheless, dog lovers are okay with this setting.

They just want the best for their dogs and want to make sure that if something happens, it wouldn’t cost them a lot. They make their decision on which insurance to go for by first taking the step to compare dog insurance.

They can make a claim to the dog insurance that they want by making a call. They can also sign up online. In fact, some insurance providers offer a discount if the transaction is done over the web.

They can still compare dog insurance by going through the possible benefits that they can enjoy for each plan. They just have to keep a record of all their vet bills so that they can present this to their insurance.

Sometimes, there’s a skill when you compare dog insurance because there are owners with two or more dogs.

They must be insured separately. However, there are insurance providers that make it easy for the owners and provide a discount when they are insuring more than one dog.

There are advantages when you compare dog insurance. From anyone’s perspective, the main benefit of getting a dog insurance is so that the owner can have the peace of mind for his dog’s situation.

Just in case something happens, then the dog will receive the best treatment and the best care as soon as possible. This is more important than the payment that has to be made every month.

When one has to compare dog insurance, he must read the policy thoroughly so that he can determine what exactly he is signing up for. If he has any questions, he must settle all these with the insurance agent.

One shouldn’t settle. If possible, he should go for the best dog insurance. At least with the quotes that are available online, he will be able to compare dog insurance with just the click of his mouse.

He can also check the benefits of each insurance and ask himself whether this is what is best for his dog and whether he could afford it.

About the Author:

Visit my site today to compare dog insurance online. Discover where to buy cheap dog insurance online.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How To Compare Dog Insurance

Dogs and Heatstroke

Author: Kelly Marshall

It is very important to make sure that your dog is protected as much as possible from getting heatstroke. Whether you are out hiking with your dog or simply letting it run around the yard during the summer, there are things you need to know about this life threatening condition.

What Is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke happens when the body temperature exceeds a safe range. Humans sweat and dogs do not which makes it harder for them to cool off. Dogs with a temperature of up to one hundred and six degrees Fahrenheit can recover if they are given proper first aid and are quickly seen by a vet. Any temperature over that is considered severe and can be deadly.

Signs of Heatstroke

There are many signs to watch for regarding heatstroke. Some include rapid painting, thick saliva, weakness, bright red tongue and dizziness. But those are not the only signs your dog could show when suffering from heatstroke. Also watch out for shock, diarrhea, vomiting, depression and coma.

First Aid

The first thing you will want to do is to remove the dog from the heat immediately. You must lower his temperature by using cold water. For small dogs, such as toy breeds, you should use lukewarm water so that further shock to the system does not occur. Even though you will be using cold water, make sure that it is not ice cold, even for larger breeds. You do not want the body temperature to cool too quickly. Once you have used water for cooling the dog, you will want to use a fan to increase the movement of air around him. Even if you think your dog is recovering well from the heatstroke, you must still take him to the veterinarian. This is because your dog could be dehydrated or have some other kinds of complications that you would not be able to detect.

Prevention

Keep a special watch on dogs with heart disease, breathing problems or who are obese or in their retirement years. These dogs must be kept in the shade at all times, even for what would normally be routine activity. It is also vital to make sure that your pet has access to cool water at all times. If your dog is spending any length of time outdoors in the heat, make sure that you periodically wet your dog with cool water to keep a level body temperature. When relaxing in the home, make sure that the dog is in a room with air conditioning. For homes without air conditioning, place frozen ice packs, frozen water bottles or sealed packs of ice into a tube sock and allow the dog to lay on it. This will keep the body temperature down.

In the end, the battle with heat stroke is all on your shoulders. There is nothing your dog can do to protect himself if you are not providing him with adequate shelter and water. Make sure that you are keeping your dog in mind during the hot months so that he is safe.

About the Author:
This article was written by Kelly Marshall of ohmydogsupplies.com - home to fully washable, high quality dog car seat covers.

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What should pet owners know about dog dental care and periodontal disease?

Author: malad

An important aspect of the good dog dental care is proper dental hygiene. One of the most common ailments treated by veterinarians is periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is progressive. It starts out with the formation of plaque, a sticky bacterial film that forms in the mouth at the gum line. If not removed plaque will harden into tartar above and below the gum line. This build up causes the gums to become red and swollen, a condition known as gingivitis.

If gingivitis is left untreated it can lead to advanced gum disease. Red swollen gums will begin to recede as the infection travels down into the root of the tooth and the jawbone. Once the gums have receded the damage is irreversible and the gums will not grow back. This is known as periodontal disease and results in loss of bone and loss of teeth. At this advanced stage the bacteria from the oral infection may now enter the bloodstream. This can lead to more serious problems such as heart, liver and kidney disease. These conditions if left untreated can eventually become life threatening. These problems can also be prevented by implementing a good dog dental care routine.

Why should I routinely inspect my dog's mouth?

By two or three years of age many pets start to show signs of oral disease. By implementing a home dog dental care routine you can assure that your dog’s mouth stays healthy, clean and pain free. Start by routinely inspecting your dog’s mouth. A healthy mouth will not smell offensive. The teeth will be clean and will not have any yellow or brown spots. The gums will be a healthy pink color and will hug the teeth.

What are the signs of gum disease in dogs?

Persistent bad breath, brownish deposits around the gum line, especially on back teeth, red swollen gums, loose teeth, painful and or bleeding gums are all indicators of oral disease. Although bad breath or “doggy breath” is the most obvious sign of a problem, many pet owners fail to recognize it as an indicator of dental problems until it’s too late. As part of a good dog dental care routine check your dog’s mouth at the slightest sign of a persistent offensive odor. Other indications can be decreased appetite and weight loss, a change in chewing habits, lethargy, and pawing of the mouth or the face.

What should I do if my dog's mouth shows signs of gum disease?

Dog dental care starts by checking your dog’s mouth regularly. If you see any of these signs call your vet to schedule a dental exam. Your dog may just need a routine cleaning. The cleaning process is performed under general anesthesia. If the condition is minor, it’s not much different than a dental cleaning that you or I would have done. Your dog’s teeth will be scaled to remove tartar above and below the gum line and then they will be polished. Since your dog can’t rinse and spit the mouth area will be flushed to clear it of any loosened debris.

If the condition is more serious your vet may need to administer an antibiotic to clear up any gum infection before cleaning your dog’s teeth. Blood work will usually be taken so that your vet can determine if the infection has spread into the bloodstream. If the disease is in the advanced stages your vet may also need to extract some teeth. Whatever the outcome, your dog is sure to feel a lot better after receiving some much needed dog dental care.

Remember to regularly inspect your pet's mouth, schedule periodic dental check ups, and perform routine home dental care.

How important is home dog dental care?

Regular cleanings by your vet followed up by a home dental care program can help keep your dog’s mouth healthy and disease free. Even if your dog’s teeth are currently in good condition a preventative home dental care routine is essential to your dog’s health. If not regularly removed, plaque and tartar build up can progress very quickly into full blown periodontal disease.

If you’re new to dog dental care ask your vet to show you how to brush your dog’s teeth. Also find out if there is anything else that your vet would recommend adding to your dog’s preventative home dental care routine.

One recommendation is to entice your dog to chew. Daily chewing exercises will help remove food debris and prevent tartar build up. They're also great for relieving boredom and separation anxiety. So put your pet to work. Give your dog plenty of fun and yummy real bones, dental dog chew toys, and edible dog chews as part of your home dog dental care routine.

Do I need to brush my dog's teeth?

The most direct method of preventative dog dental care is brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. Vets usually recommend that you brush your dog’s teeth at least two times a week. If your dog is prone to dental disease you may need to do this more often.

What should I use to brush my dog's teeth?

If you have a young puppy introducing a tooth brushing routine will probably be much easier then if you have an adult dog. In either case start slow, keep the sessions short, and be very gentle while working in your dog’s mouth. Use lots of praise and reassurance to reinforce good behavior. You will not want to give your dog treats during this task for obvious reasons.

Since a dog will swallow whatever you use never brush your dog’s teeth with “people” toothpaste. This toothpaste is not formulated to be ingested and can upset your dog’s stomach. It’s also designed to foam which is not desirable when brushing a dog’s teeth. So use a pet toothpaste formulated for dog dental care that does not require rinsing.

You will also need a pet toothbrush. There's a great triple sided pet toothbrush that will get the job done faster than a traditional style toothbrush. Or if you have a small dog you may want to try a pet finger toothbrush. Finger toothbrushes slip right onto your finger and are easily controlled to reach the common trouble spots up near the gum line. Add some specially formulated tartar removing toothpaste and you’re all set. Dog toothpaste is even available in all-natural formulas and yummy flavors like chicken and vanilla.

If this is your dog’s first toothbrush look for a pet dental care kit to get you started. These kits typically include a pet toothbrush, a tube of pet toothpaste and a pet finger toothbrush.

Pet dental wipes are great for use on dogs that resist brushing. These easy-to-use pet teeth cleaning pads help remove food debris and plaque, kill germs and help to control bad breath. If your dog will not allow you to use the toothbrush method try using dental wipes regularly as part of your dog’s home dental care program.

You may also want to try to increase the amount of time your dog spends chewing on real bones, dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews.

This type of chewing helps remove food debris and prevents tartar build up. If your dog chews enough you may be able to reduce how often you need to manually brush your dog’s teeth.

How do dog's in the wild keep their teeth clean and healthy?

Dogs in the wild are generally much more active than our domesticated pets because they must hunt for their food. They also spend much more time chewing and gnawing on fresh bones, which helps to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Our domesticated dogs can spend a lot of time sleeping with their mouths closed while passing long period of time alone. It is commonly believed that the lack of fresh air circulating over the teeth and gums can encourage certain types of bacterial growth in the mouth. And since our pet dogs get their daily rations served to them in bowls it isn’t necessary for them to spend much time chewing. Although gnawing on bones is how dogs in the wild keep their teeth free from food debris, bacterial accumulation and tartar buildup, our domesticated friends rarely spend as much time at such pursuits.

Encouraging your dog to chew will make a big difference in the effectiveness of your dog dental care routine. Real bones are nature's edible dog chews. But if you prefer not to give your dog real bones there are plenty of wonderful dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews that will get the job done.

Will real bones help keep clean my dog's teeth?

Give your dog some real bones – Nature’s own edible dog chews. Most people don’t provide their dog with quantities of real bones, so as to avoid the mess and unsanitary residue. It’s great if you have an environment in which your dog can indulge in working on a fresh bone. But if not, you can buy some natural sterilized marrowbones. These hollow bones are also available pre-filled with tasty treats like beef, chicken, cheese, and granola.

If you get some unfilled bones you may want to try filling them with your dog’s favorite treats. Try peanut butter, cheese or one of the yummy pre-made fillings available at pet shops and online stores.

If you would rather not give your dog real bones there are many enticing dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews available that will encourage your dog to chew.

Besides real bones what other types of dog chews will help keep my dog's teeth clean?

Traditional chew toys are still available and are just as popular as ever. But there are also a variety of very good dental chew toys, rope bone chew toys and edible dog chews designed to keep your dog engaged, with the added benefit of cleaning the teeth. These toys will entice your dog into playfully attending to the required dental hygiene. They can also keep your dog entertained and out of mischief during those times when you must leave your dog alone.

Rope Bone Chew Toys -Try a dental rope chew toy for great flossing action. As your dog happily chews on these toys the rope fibers clean between the teeth. Spray on some dog dental care spray or rub on a little flavored pet toothpaste to really enhance the cleaning action of this enticing dental chew toy. Check out a pet dental care spray & rope chew toy kit and get your dog dental care routine going today.

Dental Chew Toys - For long lasting chewing fun, and a great dental workout, get your dog a dental chew toy. Some brands are manufactured with grooves that make these dental toys real winners for cleaning your dog’s teeth. Some dental chew toys can also be stuffed with your dog’s favorite treats for hours of stimulating chewing. And for smaller dogs there are dental chew toys that not only have teeth cleaning grooves but also are combined with a rope chew. Just add some pet toothpaste to the dental grooves and your dogs will eagerly participate in their daily dog dental care routine.

Edible Dog Chews - Are you concerned about giving your dog rawhide chews because they can "ribbon" and cause your dog to choke? Many pet hops and online stores now carry a variety of composite chews. These all natural rawhide dog chews can't ribbon, are easy to digest and dogs love the baked in flavor. There is even an edible dog chew treat available that contains no animal by-products.

Dogs, like people, have different tastes and preferences. Choose whichever dental dog toy or dog chew treat that will keep your dog happily chewing his or her way to clean and healthy teeth and gums.

And remember that there are many convenient dog dental care products available that will help you to keep your dog’s teeth and gums in great shape between regular visits to the vet and grooming salon. Unattended dental health problems cannot only distress your beloved pet, but can lead to serious conditions and ailments. Many of these problems can be prevented by implementing a regular home dog dental care routine.

About the Author:

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Getting Rid Of Dog Skin Problems

Author: Stacey Reid

Many dog owners are having a problem with dog skin problems which comes in the form of a constant itch or skin infections. The only remedy pet owners think they have is going to see their local veterinarian not knowing that there are simple steps they should consider. Pet owners already know their vet is only going to prescribe medications that will work but only lasts as long as the prescription lasts. Once the prescription runs out, the dog skin problems return. This can be very frustrating for any pet owner who loves their pet dog.

Honestly, the key to ridding your pet of dog skin problems is not with prescriptions but with observation. You want to know exactly what is causing your dog to have an itch or to have a skin breakout. The average pet owner doesn’t realize that their dogs skin problems most of the time is the result of something they are doing or are not aware of. The vet should tell pet owners this but they don’t. It’s easier for them to prescribe the dog prescriptions rather than offer preventive tips.

If you are noticing reoccurring dog skin problems, the first thing you should do before you see a vet is to analyze the types of foods you’ve been giving your dog. For your particular breed of dog, certain dog treats he may not be able to eat. Many of the popular dog treats that you find in stores have a lot of preservatives in them that agitate dogs and cause dog skin problems. This is the first thing you want to consider with your dog. Make sure you research the ingredients in the dog food and dog treats to determine if it causes the dog skin problems. You can also research the brand of dog food to see if other pet owners have experienced the same problems.

Another tip to consider is the material your dog sleeps on or lies on. This could be a big contributing factor to your dog skin problems. There are a number of reasons to be considered that will ultimately stop the problems you are seeing in your dog. Sure the vet can give your pet a shot or prescription but there are other measures you can take to stop some of your dogs problems yourself with a little observation.

About the Author:

For more information on common sense prevention methods for dog skin problems Visit Dog Skin Problems

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Dogs and Heartworms

Author: anup singh

It is surprising how many people are still confused about heartworms and the effects that a heartworm can have on

your dog.

First lets look at what heartworms are and how your dog can become infected.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes into the dog’s blood stream. The immature heartworms called microfilaria

travel through the blood stream.

The microfilaria settle into the heart chambers and major pulmonary blood vessels. This causes a blockage of the

blood flow and pathological changes to the surrounding tissues.

This blockage happens when the larvae grow into adult worms. An adult female heartworm can grow up to fourteen

inches and can live as long as five years.

A female heartworm can produce thousands of microfilariae, which is transmitted into a mosquito when it bites an

infected dog, and subsequently injected into the next dog that that mosquito dines on.

What Are The Signs That A Dog May Have Heartworms?

ØUsually the first system is weight loss. The dogs’ hair may become dull and brittle.

ØThe infected dog also may tier easily.

ØA persistent coughs and or labored breathing.

ØIn more progressed cases victims may vomit blood from ruptured lungs.

If the disease is not prevented or caught in time the result will be a slow painful death from congestive heart

failure.

What Do I Do If My Dog Is Infected?

Treatment is available but it can cost hundreds of dollars, and may be ineffective depending on the degree of

infestation.

The best defense against heartworms is routine checkups with your vet. Giving your dog heartworm medication once

a month easily prevents heartworms.

This blockage happens when the larvae grow into adult worms. An adult female heartworm can grow up to fourteen

inches and can live as long as five years.

A female heartworm can produce thousands of microfilariae, which is transmitted into a mosquito when it bites an

infected dog, and subsequently injected into the next dog that that mosquito dines on.

Warning: You Must Have Your Dog Tested For Heartworms Before Starting Heartworm Medication!

About the Author:

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