Friday, August 31, 2007
Dog Skin Problems: Hot Spots, What They Are and How to Avoid Them
Great article on hot spots in dogs and how to avoid them: Hot Spots
Diabetes in Dogs: Food Related?
Diabetes in dogs may occur when your dog ages or is given the wrong dog food. The biggest culprit would be the commercial type dog food.
Typical dog foods contains fillers that may contribute or even be the direct cause of diabetes. Ingredients in dog food that may lead to diabetes are sugar, rice (including rice flour and rice gluten) dried beet pulp, maple syrup and corn syrup .
Affected dogs develop increased appetite and thirst, increased urination, fatigue, weight loss and/or infections that are hard to heal. They normally have high sugar levels in the blood and also sugar in their urine.
There is no cure if your dog has developed diabetes. You can only control it. Controlling Diabetes in your dog includes changing your dog diet, regular exercise routine and in some severe cases may include daily insulin injection.
Diabetic Dog Food is high in fibre. Such type of dog food contains many grains such as millet, oats, cornmeal and brewer's yeast. Food that are high in fibre and complex carbohydrate will help to lower the blood sugar level.
Diabetic dog food are not cheap and cost very much more than normal dog food.
Some pet owners choose to go the natural route and feed their dog, homemade dog food or as some may call it, natural dog food. You can ensure that there is no risk of fillers that can enhance the illness. You select the food that are high in fibre and yet at the same time offer your dog variety. These type of homemade dog food or natural dog food is cost much cheaper than the commercially available diabetic dog food. Ensure that more than 40% of the calories comes from complex carbohydrate and less than 20% from fats.
Exercise is essential to dog health. Daily exercise routines such as long walks is necessary . This type of activity can help keep dog health in the best condition possible, even when diabetes is present. If your dog has good enough health, you will want to let them spend time outside running and playing, even if you cannot go on walks. You do not have to wait until your dog has diabetes to change his diet. Make the switch now to homemade dog food .
Do also remember that diabetic dogs may also develop cataracts ( in addition to other problems such as heart disease) which eventually leads to blindness . Keep your vet appointment do the necessary blood and urine test so that your dog health can be monitored properly.If you truly love your dog , do you want your dog to be healthy and with you as long as possible ?
Aprilliza Varsya http://domesticdogs.net
Take Notice of Your Dog's Skin Problems
Take Notice Of Your Dog's Skin Problems
It is beneath their beautiful fur coats that a world of uncomfortable and even painful skin conditions are often lurking. Dogs skin problems can be an indication of a more serious and even life threatening condition.
Some of the most common dog skin problems are dry skin, usually indicated by the appearance of “dandruff” or excessive shedding, various fungus infections, mite irritations, mange, and rashes that may be the result of seasonal, environmental or food allergies. Other dog skin problems include tumors, seborrhea skin diseases, melanomas and infected sores.
The fact is that many of these conditions are completely treatable and often preventable. Identifying the cause and preventing unnecessary dog skin problems is a responsibility that comes with the role of owning a dog. However, as a loving pet guardian, adequate care and treatment of an animal is a legal requirement.
Food And Seasonal Dog Allergies
Some of the most preventable dog skin problems are caused by dog allergies. Dog allergies may be the result of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet. A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years.
It is not an unusual occurrence for a dog to develop a food allergy when their immunity system may be compromised. Adding a digestive enzyme to a dog's daily diet of a premium all natural food is many times all that is needed to heal the skin. Dog food allergies are often an intolerance to unnatural additives and preservatives.
Seasonal dog allergies can include parasite allergies. Fleas for example are uncomfortable enough for a dog, but some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although, fleas may be present at any time of year, it's the hot dry conditions of summer when they are the worst. Other possible seasonal allergy irritants are spring pollens and dust mites. Rural dogs are at risk of developing further seasonal allergies where crop dusting occurs, or when other such chemicals are used around the farm or surrounding properties.
If your dog is uncomfortable and excessively chewing and biting his legs or rear end, scratching himself sore, or shows any signs or symptoms at all of a bothersome skin condition, please seek the advice of a veterinarian right away.
Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Dog owners should routinely check their dog's skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.
A Pittsburgh area resident with over 25 years of dog care experience. Janie is an avid dog lover and has written numerous articles on dog skin, nutrition and care.
Visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com
Find more information on dog skin conditions and care, visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com
It is beneath their beautiful fur coats that a world of uncomfortable and even painful skin conditions are often lurking. Dogs skin problems can be an indication of a more serious and even life threatening condition.
Some of the most common dog skin problems are dry skin, usually indicated by the appearance of “dandruff” or excessive shedding, various fungus infections, mite irritations, mange, and rashes that may be the result of seasonal, environmental or food allergies. Other dog skin problems include tumors, seborrhea skin diseases, melanomas and infected sores.
The fact is that many of these conditions are completely treatable and often preventable. Identifying the cause and preventing unnecessary dog skin problems is a responsibility that comes with the role of owning a dog. However, as a loving pet guardian, adequate care and treatment of an animal is a legal requirement.
Food And Seasonal Dog Allergies
Some of the most preventable dog skin problems are caused by dog allergies. Dog allergies may be the result of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet. A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years.
It is not an unusual occurrence for a dog to develop a food allergy when their immunity system may be compromised. Adding a digestive enzyme to a dog's daily diet of a premium all natural food is many times all that is needed to heal the skin. Dog food allergies are often an intolerance to unnatural additives and preservatives.
Seasonal dog allergies can include parasite allergies. Fleas for example are uncomfortable enough for a dog, but some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although, fleas may be present at any time of year, it's the hot dry conditions of summer when they are the worst. Other possible seasonal allergy irritants are spring pollens and dust mites. Rural dogs are at risk of developing further seasonal allergies where crop dusting occurs, or when other such chemicals are used around the farm or surrounding properties.
If your dog is uncomfortable and excessively chewing and biting his legs or rear end, scratching himself sore, or shows any signs or symptoms at all of a bothersome skin condition, please seek the advice of a veterinarian right away.
Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Dog owners should routinely check their dog's skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.
A Pittsburgh area resident with over 25 years of dog care experience. Janie is an avid dog lover and has written numerous articles on dog skin, nutrition and care.
Visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com
Find more information on dog skin conditions and care, visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Dog Skin Problems: Parasitic Dermatitis
Dog Skin Problems: Parasitic Dermatitis
Parasitic dermatitis refers to fleas or various mites and their bites that turn into itchy welts on a dog's skin. Most dog owners are familiar with fleas, they are dark colored, are in fact wingless and are very small in size (but big enough to be seen with the naked eye).
Your dog can get fleas from other animals, as fleas jump from one thing to the other, or simply through the environment. Flea bites cause severe itching and for dog's allergic to fleas, the itching is severe and can cause the loss of fur, swelling and skin infections. For dog's hypersensitive to fleas, they can experience full body itching from only one flee bite.
How do you know if your dog has fleas? Simply do a physical check. Look at your dog's skin and if they have fleas, you will see the flees moving across the surface of the skin. Be sure to look on your dog's belly and legs. Also check for flea feces.
Other common mites include ticks, chiggers, gnats, cheyletiella mites (walking dandruff), deer flies, sarcoptic mites (scabies, red mange:create pruritus, swollen skin, scabs, alopecia), demodex mites (Mange: most common in young dogs or adult dogs who are malnutritioned or have weak immune systems. Common symptoms include alopecia)
thepetcenter.com/gen/itch.html
thepetcenter.com/gen/itch.html
Fantastic Dog Resources
1. Dog Skin Solutions: Fast and dirt cheap remedies for your dog’s skin problems.
2. 1000 At-Home-Pet-Remedies: This book was written by Frustrated Veterinary Doctor. He provides simple secrets for pet owners to safeguard their pet's health, slash vetenarian bills, and even save your pet's life.
3. Dog Food Secrets: Could commercial dog food be killing your dog? Many people are beginning to think so.
4. Dog Food Recipes : 245 Dog food recipes. This book was written by John Miller, who is a professional dog-fancier. He provides 245 Secrets Recipes (you can only get them here) and he explains why he refused to sell them to Multinational Companies.
5. Puppy and Dog Training Systems: This system was created by Dove Cresswell, who is a professional Hollywood trainer, who trains dogs for television shows and movies. This works for all breeds of dogs as well as all sizes.
2. 1000 At-Home-Pet-Remedies: This book was written by Frustrated Veterinary Doctor. He provides simple secrets for pet owners to safeguard their pet's health, slash vetenarian bills, and even save your pet's life.
3. Dog Food Secrets: Could commercial dog food be killing your dog? Many people are beginning to think so.
4. Dog Food Recipes : 245 Dog food recipes. This book was written by John Miller, who is a professional dog-fancier. He provides 245 Secrets Recipes (you can only get them here) and he explains why he refused to sell them to Multinational Companies.
5. Puppy and Dog Training Systems: This system was created by Dove Cresswell, who is a professional Hollywood trainer, who trains dogs for television shows and movies. This works for all breeds of dogs as well as all sizes.
Dog Skin Problems: Nutritional Dermatitis
Dog Skin Problems: Nutritional Dermatitis
Many dogs are experiencing skin problems because of a poor diet. What is worse, many well-meaning dog owners are unknowingly providing their dogs with food that will not contribute to their optimal health. This is because most owners just feed their dogs commercial dog food. Commercial dog food touts itself as being "complete and balanced," but often times, this is far from the truth. Many dog foods include "meat by-products". Meat by-products are what is left after most of the real meat has been stripped from the bone.
These types of meat by-products include chicken by products, such as the head, feet, stomach, bones, and brains. Meat by-products can also include road kill or dead, disabled, diseased or dying livestock. Even other cats and dogs. That's right. A company in Canada, Sanimal Inc.,was using nealry 20 tons of deceased dogs and cats into their dog and cat food weekly, up until the year 2001. The vice president of the company claimed that it was healthy. So you see your dog, may not be able to live at his/her optimal health with commercial dog food and it may even lead to various dog skin problems.
Most dogs would be much healthier with a natural, meat-based diet. Supplements (omega fatty acids:Dermcaps) and vitamins are also good. If you must buy commercial dog food, look for dog food where the first ingredient listed is meat. Or if you are feeding your dog generic, dry food add a supplement, a good vitamin and table scraps. When a dog does not have proper nourishment, their coat and skin will be under continued stress and this will lead to dog skin problems.
For more information about what is in your pet food, read this article written by the Animal Protection Institute:http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1
dog skin problems
dog skin problems
Dog Skin Problems: Environmental Dermatitis
Dog Skin Problems:Environmental Dermatitis
Dogs who suffer from environmental dermatitis have fur loss, irritated skin and pruritus, but the cause is not physical or nutritional. To rule out these two elements, you may need to visit with your vetenarian. He/she can perform a physical exam and speak with you about your dog's recent activities. Your vet can take a look at your dog's skin and match it with a probable environmental irritant.
Dog Skin Problems
Dogs who suffer from environmental dermatitis have fur loss, irritated skin and pruritus, but the cause is not physical or nutritional. To rule out these two elements, you may need to visit with your vetenarian. He/she can perform a physical exam and speak with you about your dog's recent activities. Your vet can take a look at your dog's skin and match it with a probable environmental irritant.
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