Dogs and Christmas Holidays Seasons

Christmas is around the corner. You have your christmas tree up and all those decorative items around. All set for Christmas holiday seasons.

Well just a reminder to those who have dogs which likes to bite at anything. It is very dangerous for them.

Decorative items like tinsels, ornament cause can cause choking. The electrical cords are hazards to dogs. Chewing the cord can result in serious electric shock and burns.

Chocolate are favorites for all young or old. But it is a no no for dogs. Poisoning of dogs by chocolate is not as uncommon as you might think.

Chocolate contains theobromine which increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. The amounts vary by type of chocolate.

Keep your dogs indoors during cold weather. If you really have to keep them outside, then at least keep them protected from the elements. The wind-chill can still kill. There are heating pads and raised dog beds that can be purchased to make your dog more comfortable.

Do hypoallergenic dogs really exist?

Much attention has been drawn to President-elect Barack Obama’s promise that a new puppy will have a place in the White House.

Obama’s 10-year-old daughter, Malia, suffers from allergies to dogs. But the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology says there is no truly “hypoallergenic” dog.

It is a common misconception that people are allergic to a dog’s hair, the group says. Allergies to pets are caused by protein found in the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine. As all dogs posses these proteins, there is no allergy-free dog.

There are ways to minimize allergy symptoms, however, such as working with an allergist on treatment, reducing the allergic person’s exposure to dander, and properly cleaning the environment to reduce allergens.

-- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Dog Tail Injuries

We all know that when the dog is waging it's tail means a happy dog. What else does a dog's tail tell us? A dog’s tail is also important for maintaining balance while running, turning quickly or while walking on narrow surfaces.

Common Dog Tail Injuries
My dog has a wound on his tail and is biting it, making it worse. How can I keep him from biting his tail?

Some dogs, especially dogs who had their tails improperly cropped may occasionally experience bleeding at the end of the tails. These injuries are very difficult to treat and the healing process is often slow.

Dog tails have a strong supply of blood and if the end of tail is injured it can bleed for a long time.Also, some breeds have tails that may get dry at the tip and may crack and bleed. You may consider a tail bandage for your dog. These bandages may be difficult to apply and you should consult a vet before using one. You don’t want it to be loose as it may come off but you also don’t want it to be too tight as it may restrict blood flow causing even more problems. Applying cream or lotions to cracked skin can sometimes help with cracked skin. You vet can recommend an appropriate cream.

Some vets may recommend a hard protective cover that can be strapped on the end of a dog’s tail to protect it.

Why does my puppy chase her tail all the time?

1 - They are playing. For dogs and puppies to chase their tails, especially puppies, it’s like babies sticking their big toe in their mouth They do it because it’s there.

2- The do it because they are itchy.

3- They do it (mostly adult dogs) because their anal glands are full. This is a medical condition that needs to be addressed

The Dog's Tongue

We usually sees a dog's tongue licking its owner or lapping up food and water. But do you know that the dog's tongue is the most important part of its body. It serves as an essential heat regulator. When dogs exercise, their tongues becomes larger and due to increased blood flow usually hang out of the mouth. Thus, when a dog pants, it's actually cooling the dog's entire body. The dog's quick shallow breaths cause moisture on the tongue to evaporate thus cooling the tongue that in turn cools the blood flow through the tongue and the respiratory system.

Common tongue injury may occur with dogs that chew on wood an this may lead to getting a splinter. Get him to a vet that can help you remove it.

It's funny as some of the time, accidents like these ones below do happen!!!

I snipped my dog's tongue
"I was cutting the hair on my dog's face and when he went out to lick, I accidentally snipped a tiniest bit of his tongue. It was horrible, he's bleeding of course...."

Dog loses tongue to Chew Toy
"Chai, a 10-year-old Lab mix, was playing with a Four Paws pimple ball with bell, when his tongue got stuck in the hole in the ball. He had to be taken to the vet to have the ball removed because his tongue was so swollen. Eventually his tongue had to be amputated, making it very difficult for him to eat and drink."

Dog Gets Tongue Caught in Shredder
"He was hovering over the shredder and I kept trying to push him away and he stuck his tongue out. I still shudder just thinking about it. The shredder makes noise, the dog goes to check it out, he sniffs it and licks it, and his tongue starts feeding through the shredder."

My dog's nose is dry, Is he sick?

A dog's nose is usually cool and moist. It can be black, pink, or self-colored (the same color as the coat), depending on the breed. Nasal discharge should be clear, never yellowish, thick, bubbly, or foul smelling. A cool, wet nose does not necessarily mean the dog is healthy, and a dry, warm nose doesn't necessarily mean he's sick. Taking his temperature is a better indication of illness.

Keeping Your Dog’s Ears Healthy

Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Excessive wax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive matting of hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against other objects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs of ear problems.

Inspect Your Dog’s Ears Regularly. Use a petscope to check for redness, excessive wax build up or any other foreign matter. Sniffing your dog’s ears is another way to detect problems early. If you see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears.

Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. Excess ear hair is a problem, try plucking just a few hairs at a time will be less irritating for the dog.

Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dog’s ears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other home dog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If your dog has open sores it's best not to use the vinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation. A dog ear wash containing Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the ear canal is an excellent choice. Try using a pet ear-drying agent after bathing or swimming especially if your dog's ears retain moisture and don't dry promptly.

A dog’s ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and it makes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything into the ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actually push dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handled properly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal.

Dont put off your dog’s ears cleaning job. Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately.

Keeping Your Dalmatians Healthy

Dalmatians should be raised on a high-quality diet because the breed is known to have high uric acid content in the urine, a condition that can be worsened by too much protein in the food. Some experts recommend having meats like chicken and turkey as the protein source, with 20% to 24% protein content. You would not to depend on commercial dog foods and make an effort to add the right ingredients to your Dalmatian’s daily meal.

In addition, the Dalmatian’s meal should always be accompanied by water or if the food is dry to begin with softened and mixed with water. This will help ensure that your pet gets enough liquid to help prevent the uric acid problems inherent in this breed. Breeders sometimes recommend rice and vegetables in the proper amounts. Sometimes it helps to change to distilled water for your pet as well.

Dalmatians can also be especially sensitive to skin allergies and irritations and seem to react negatively to some of the synthetic fibers and treatments for carpets and other fabrics. There may also be some problems with the pet inhaling the vapors or fumes from synthetics or fabrics.

Dalmatians will need, and want, quite a bit of exercise. They love to run and play outside, so frequent walks and free time in the park should be provided from the beginning.

Make Your Own Dog Biscuit

Perhaps you would like to bake your own dog biscuit. Why not try out this recipe? And perhaps you can give some feedback.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup corn meal
1/2 cup soy flour
1/2 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon iodized salt
1 teaspoon bonemeal
2 tablespoons corn oil or soy oil
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk

Directions:

Beat eggs and milk in a small mixing bowl.

Then in a large mixing bowl, mix together all dry ingredients and mix.

Then add oil, malasses and all but 1 tablespoon of the milk and egg mixture to the dry ingredients.

Knead until you have a firm dough, add a little more milk if needed. Let the dough sit for 30 minutes or more.

Roll out dough 1/2 inch thick and brush with the remaining egg/milk. Cut into biscuit sized pieces.

Bake on a cookie sheet at 350F for 30 minutes for soft biscuits. For harder biscuits, turn off the oven and let the them sit for another hour in the hot oven.

Grooming Fido: Professionals provide a few tips for do-it-yourself care

Want to keep your dog healthy, happy and handsome? It’s fun to take your pooch to a doggy salon for a shampoo and a shave from time to time, but it’s also important to groom your pet at home on a regular basis.

Routine grooming doesn’t require much more than a good brush, a quality shampoo, doggy toothpaste, a pair of nail clippers, some ear cleaner and cotton balls — all available at veterinarians’ offices or pet supply stores. And, always, a lot of patience and a gentle touch.

Three Asheville-area grooming experts offered some tips on keeping your canine companion clean and comfortable.

Here are suggestions from Marthe Worley, owner of Canine Shear Heaven at 422 McDowell St., — an institution in Asheville for nearly 30 years; Roni Davis, owner of The Soapy Dog at 270 Depot St.; and Michelle Hirsch, owner of Hair of the Dog Pet Salon at 1210 Hendersonville Road.
Bathing

Use a shampoo specially formulated for dogs, and rinse, rinse and rinse,’’ Worley said. “And if your dog has longish hair, brush it both before and after the bath. A dog’s hair is like a wool sweater; it will tighten up when wet and any tangles will only get worse.”

Keep the ears dry inside to prevent infection, Davis said. And be careful while using a hair dryer so you don’t burn the dog’s skin.

Hirsch begins a bath by brushing with a slicker brush to stimulate oil glands and loosen dirt and loose hair. She uses stretchy bath gloves to distribute the shampoo evenly and get the dog cleaner.
Brushing

It’s important to choose the right brush to match the dog’s coat, Davis said. She recommends shedding blades for short-hairs; a soft bristled slicker brush for longer, silkier coats that tangle easily; and a firm bristled slicker brush and an undercoat rake for a dense undercoat.
Nails

Davis recommends clipping as often as once a month. Get help from a vet or groomer if you’re nervous about doing it yourself.

Also check the pads on the underside of their feet, Hirsch said. Look for gum or tar (Goo Gone works well for removal), sores or an abundance of hair that could cause the dog to slip and slide.
Teeth

“Tooth brushing is important,’’ Worley said. “I like the kind that come pre-loaded with toothpaste, and are disposable.”

Davis added, “Human toothpaste will make them sick.”
Ears

Keep a canine ear cleaner on hand, and check the insides of the ears weekly, Davis said. When needed, use a clean cotton ball for each ear, and be gentle.
Anal glands

“It’s not a fun topic, but it’s important,” Davis said.

Dogs have internal glands on either side of their anus that are expressed to mark their territory or in self-defense.

Some dogs are unable to express their glands (a sign is scooting their rear ends across a floor), and a pet care professional should be consulted.
Diet

“One of the best things you can do for your dog is feed him a high-quality dog food,” Worley said. “That does more for the skin and coat than any amount of brushing or grooming.”

By Barbara Blake
BBLAKE@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

Your dog relies on you for dental care. Dry food and chew toys help but they do not entirely remove tartar at the gum line where dental problems begin. Using a soft, pediatric toothbrush or finger brush and toothpaste designed for dogs and cats will help prevent dental disease. Most dogs, and ferrets accept the taste of these toothpastes readily. It is important to start the tooth brushing routine between 3-6 months of age. Most dogs dislike human toothpaste so do not use it.

Start by simply massaging your pets lips and mouth with your fingers – then give him a treat. When he is used to this, get him accustomed to having his lips and teeth rubbed. Then place a little of the toothpaste on your fingers as you do this. Most of the tartar (80%) forms on the outer (bucal) surface of the teeth so you do not need to spend large amounts of time cleaning the inner surfaces. Concentrate on the rear teeth and the base of the canine teeth (fangs). Begin brushing for very short periods; very gently and very slowly. When you are done, give your pet a treat for being a good patient. Proceed longer and more thoroughly gradually from day to day and stop when your pet begins to squirm or show resentment.

Within a few weeks you should be able to do a rather thorough job. A good time to brush your dog’s teeth in first thing in the morning. Some dogs by nature resent tooth brushing more than others. Difficult dogs will have to rely more on hospital cleaning and specialty diets and treats.

Treat your pet's dental problems

Look out for Dental Disease

Bacteria from your pet's teeth can get into the bloodstream and cause serious heart problems - so keep the teeth clean.

WHAT ARE THEIR SIGNS

Your pet has bad breath with yellow or brown teeth. His gums may be red and he may have difficulty chewing.

AND THE CAUSES

Pets don’t brush their teeth and dental problems are the result. Plaque, a thin coat of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth, it progresses to tartar, leading to gum inflammation. Bacteria also grows under the gum-line, causing gum infection (gingivitis) which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. Cats are prone to a specific type of dental problem called a FORL (Feline Odonotocalstic Resorbptive Lesion). This is equivalent to a cavity where the tooth decays at the gum line.

SOLUTIONS

DENTAL DIET. Ensure that your dog eats a dry kibble with larger pieces that have to be chewed. Some food companies now produce specific dental diets which will lower tartar buildup. They are more abrasive on the teeth and some contain an enzyme which lowers tartar formation. These foods are available at your local veterinarian.

NATURAL DIETS. Raw meaty bones and windpipes from cows or pigs can help keep teeth clean. If your dog splinters and swallows large pieces of bone, he is at risk of obstruction, so don’t give him bones. Some cats love chicken necks. To rule out the risk of Salmonella (a bacterial infection), put the bones or windpipes in boiling water for 30 seconds first.

IN THE GARDEN. Raw vegetables, such as carrots are a great, low calorie treat which can help clean the teeth. If your dog likes them, then feed away.

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