By Cindy McKie

Do you like eating foods laced with preservatives, fillers and potentially dangerous chemicals? I’m going to take a safe guess and say no—but most dog owners serve this to their beloved pets every day.

Death Due to Dog Food

Commercial dog food health concerns are being raised as more and more people are exposing the potentially harmful practices of commercial dog food manufacturing. On Friday March 16th a major dog and cat food recall was announced by Menu Foods, the company that makes 48 brands of pet foods including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba pet food. The Menu Foods recall was announced after it was discovered that 10 dogs and cats died and an unknown number affected from kidney failure as a result of eating these pet foods.

Do you know what’s in Your Dog’s Food?

The truth is many commercial dog foods have ingredients that would shock you.

Your Dog’s Food Could Contain:

Worms

Rancid Animal Fats

Diseased or cancerous meat

And…

Sodium Pentobarbital used to euthanize animals!

Yes, I’m sorry to tell you but dead animals could be in your dog’s dinner bowl. According to author Ann Martin, author of “Protect Your Pet” and “Food Pets Die For” it is a common practice that euthanized animals are routinely rounded up from veterinary clinics and sent to processing plants to become your dog’s food.

Now tell me—would you knowingly feed your beloved pet this type of food? Of course not! But commercial dog food health concerns stem from the fact that the manufacturers don’t have to tell you what happens to the meat before they get their hands on it.

Discover How To Feed Your Dog a Healthy, Life Enhancing Diet

The key to providing dog food health benefits is to feed your beloved pet the nutrients and vitamins they need—without the preservatives, fillers and tainted meat. Just as you take care to cook healthy meals for you and the rest of your family, you can easily create healthy recipes for your dog. Making homemade meals for your dog isn’t expensive, it isn’t difficult and it will dramatically improve the health and well being of your dog.

On the days that you may not be able to “cook” for your pet you can substitute a safe brand of kibble. You will have to study up on your pet food labels but there are a precious few commercial dog foods on the market that are designed with your pet’s health in mind…but you need to read those labels to be sure you’re giving them the correct brands.

Feed your dog a healthier, chemical free diet and they will:

Have stronger immune systems

Suffer less skin conditions

Better all over health including less chance of heart conditions and kidney failure

Live much longer

If you have a dog you know what a cherished member of the family they become. What you may not know is that you may be putting them at risk for disease and a significantly shorter life span every time you serve them their dog food. Health and happiness for your dog can be as simple as taking the time to learn the truth about commercial dog foods and learning how you can better feed your four legged friend

Cindy McKie is a freelance writer and owner of a 15 year old Bichon Frise named Molly. Learn how to start feeding your dog a healthier diet today with the 5 Free Tips to a Better Dog's Diet mini-course.

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Labels: Dog Food, Dog Health

By Jay Jacovitz

If we want to avoid a dog or cat health problem and quickly get our pet health questions answered, be prepared to take an active role in avoiding dog or cat health problems with more informed communication with your veterinarian when needed. Avoiding dog and cat health problems and extending their life is not an accident. This can be accomplished by simply knowing how to examine, diagnose and often treat your pet at home.

Today there is such a manual available to effectively deal with pet health problems that can save you a tremendous amount of money while drastically improving the overall health of your pets.

In some cases, this could be a matter of life or death for your pet.

Unlike anything ever seen or available before now, veterinary doctor Andrew Jones writes without medical jargon, without complicated procedures, and without an eye on the pharmaceutical companies' bottom line. With the help and guidance of this manual, all that is required is the willingness to comfort and care for your sick or injured pet so you can alleviate pain or begin treatment before you even reach your vet.

The truth is that veterinarians have STRONGLY discouraged pet owners from treating their dog and cat health problems at home. The entire pet health industry has a vested interest in discrediting alternative medicines which can safely, naturally and effectively allow pet owners to care for their pets at home.

Dr. Jones, owner of the Nelson Animal Hospital in Nelson, BC, Canada, unequivocally states: "If you're not ready to make some simple changes to the way you provide veterinary care to your pet, beginning today, your dog or cat could be seriously ill and live a shortened life. I came to realize that I and most other veterinarians are not 'getting it' - that in the process of trying to heal pets through technological advances, we are actually making them sicker!" Dr. Jones further states: "Regular veterinary care has lost it's effectiveness over the years, and in some cases is causing illness in our pets".

Veterinarians for the most part are wonderful people who want only the best for their clients and your pets that are their patients. Like in any profession, there are terrific, good, passable and poor practitioners and this has nothing to do with their personalities.

Too many pets, both dogs and cats, and their owners suffer with a health problem because they relied exclusively on their vets to receive medical care.

When a vet is the only care option for a dog or cat health problem, guardians sometimes delay bringing their pet in for treatment because the pet becomes ill "after hours".

A dog or cat may have a health problem exasperated due to exclusive reliance on harsh drug treatments because guardians (and their vets) are unaware of effective, gentle, and natural treatments; or, treatment for chronic illnesses was discontinued by the owner because it was complicated or expensive, or the guardian was unable to afford the follow-up office visits and treatment.

There are some very real and common dangers your veterinarian will not tell you about for various reasons that result in dog health problems including the fact that he or she may not even know about them. However, given the opportunity, most pet guardians would want to know all the information that affects or could affect their companions.

Would you as a pet guardian give your dog something that might cause a "side effect" health problem such as: cancerous sarcomas, autoimmune diseases of the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system, including anaphylactic shock, aggression, seizures, and epilepsy? Believe it or not, shockingly these are adverse reactions to the RABIES VACCINE, especially from unnecessary over-vaccination.

Many pet owners have no idea that numerous dog health problems are a result of rabies over-vaccination.

Vets will often give a 3-YEAR dose of the rabies vaccine once a year, although the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) instructs them of the toxic dangers of this type of over-vaccination. Even more alarming, dogs may not need the vaccination for 5 years, and older dogs don't need it at all. You can avoid the dangers and associated health problems for your dog by asking if the rabies vaccine is a 3-year dose, which it should be. If "yes", and the vet insists on giving it annually, direct them to the AAHA website which is clear on the danger and states the extra vaccination is proven to not improve the dog's resistance to the rabies and can pose a health problem to your dog.

Certain dog health problems are caused by vets themselves, such as vaccinosis which requires hospitalization with IV fluids. The onset of vaccinosis is typically two weeks to a month following vaccinations. Symptoms that can appear in the dog include autoimmune diseases, such as irritable bowel disorders, lupus, pemphigus, hypothyroidism, chronic skin disease or allergic dermatitis.

Avoid over-immunization and you can avoid a health problem for your canine.

Have vaccine titers tested measuring the number of antibodies in your dog's bloodstream, for a particular viral disease. If the titers are adequate, no vaccine is needed. Both the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and the AAHA now say vaccinations should be assessed yearly and tailored to an animal's age, health and lifestyle.

Often misdiagnosed as a sign of older age, Cushing's syndrome is another example of a dog health problem often caused by a vet's medication or over-medication of cortico-steroids.

Dr. Jean Dodds, one of the world's foremost experts in canine vaccine reactions, says: "Recent vaccinations with single or combination modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are increasingly recognized contributors to immune-mediated blood diseases, bone marrow failure, organ dysfunction and cancer". Dr. Wendell O. Belfield, author of "How to Have a Healthier Dog", further contributes that: "BHA and BHT [preservatives] are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and are banned in some European countries. Ethoxyquin is suspected of causing cancer, and that propylene glycol, another common pet food ingredient, causes the destruction of red blood cells."

It doesn't matter what category your pet's health problem falls under.

Dr. Andrew Jones, in his manual, discusses these dog and cat health problem issues, and reveals simple secrets to safeguard your pet's health. His purpose was to make available an informative manual that instructs dog and cat owners to care for and treat their pets on their own, and to help slash vet bills and even save your dog or cat's life, with over 1,000 safe, natural and effective solutions and information for healing your pet. The manual may well be one of the best investments you ever make for your pet's health.

To those who are truly devoted to their dogs or cats and want to give the best possible care in dealing with or avoiding health problems, the manual offers every available treatment option if your pet becomes sick. It will also help you prevent diseases so your pet is less likely to become ill and require veterinary care in the first place.

We have existed as a company since 1985, but it was a love of dogs, the dogs that have been a part of our life, and the passing of one dog in particular, Rusty, that inspired the creation of http://www.CalloftheDog.com and http://www.CalloftheDogShop.com - created to provide the things your dogs and pets need. Visit us for great information and quality dog supplies! Be sure to see our About Us page as well.

The two sites are dedicated to the dogs we have loved so deeply, and who have given us so much love in return. Purebreds and mixed breeds, but mostly rescues in need of a home. We educated them, but each one has had something to teach us in exchange.

Interested pet owners can find out more Here.

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Labels: Dog Health

By Jim McKiel

This article focuses on some of the nutritional foundations needed to insure your puppy grows into a healthy adult.

The mother's milk provides the puppy with all the nutrients and antibodies he needs for the first four weeks of life. You can introduce moistened puppy kibble around the age of four weeks. This will be introduced to the puppy as he continues to nurse. You may feed the puppy his kibble twice a day as long as he is still getting enough of his mother's milk. Whenever he gives up his nursing, which will be around the age of seven to eight weeks, his dry food feeding will increase. It is still advisable to moisten his dry food with warm water for a few weeks until he has adjusted. Unless your breeder or vet advises, it is not necessary to add canned puppy food to your puppy's dry kibble. The dry puppy kibble is sufficient as long as you use a high quality puppy food.

Giving your puppy the right nutrition will provide him a healthy beginning for a healthy life. During a puppy's first six months, he will need a highly digestible diet consisting of more protein and fat. A puppy is usually fed three to four small meals a day until he is about four months old. The amount at each feeding will be determined by the brand of food and the advice of the breeder and your vet. It is very important not to over feed the puppy as this may lead to problems later in their life. Along with the vet, your breeder will be able to guide you on the proper feeding plan of your new puppy.

When the puppy is four months old, you may start feeding him three times a day. Once again, the amount of each feeding will be determined by many factors including brand of food, breeder and vet advice. Around nine months of age a puppy is fed twice a day. Some vets recommend feeding a puppy once a day when they reach a year in age. There are some who think you should continue feeding a dog twice a day; just feed them smaller amounts in the morning and evening. This will help avoid gastro-intestinal problems, especially in larger breed dogs. This varies of course and should be discussed with the vet and breeder.

There are many commercial pet foods available for puppies and the quality of these foods vary. Normally the higher quality foods cost more as they use higher quality ingredients and less fillers. This means your puppy will be able to get more nutrients while consuming less food. During a puppy's growing stage is not the time to try to save money on cheaper pet food or to feed your puppy table scraps. A quality puppy food will have all the necessary vitamins, proteins and nutrients the animal needs. Also, it is not necessary to give your puppy extra vitamins or supplements if the animal is on a quality pet food unless your vet advises you to do so. Along with quality puppy food make sure your puppy has fresh water at all times.

Large breed puppies actually need less calories and calcium in their diets. A puppy who consumes too many calories and too much calcium may develop joint problems. Large breed dogs have a slower metabolic rate and actually reach their adult weight later then smaller breed dogs. It is essential that large breed puppies don't grow too fast or put on too much weight as puppies as this could cause developmental skeletal problems in later life. Large breeds are usually kept on puppy food longer then smaller breeds; sometimes from one year to eighteen months. Ask your vet or breeder when the large breed puppy should be switched to adult dog food.

As discussed before, table scraps are not recommended for dogs. Any human food that contains salt, sugar or other addictives may upset the puppies or dogs gastro system. Animals don't need salt or sugar in their diet and human food is loaded in these ingredients.

Good nutrition for your puppy is the stepping stone to a healthy, happy dog. A well cared for puppy is easier to train and will make an obedient and trusted member of the family.

Jim McKiel lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Doris and their pet family members Buddy and Buster. They have devoted their lives to the betterment of pet ownership. For more information, visit Large Breed Family Dogs

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Labels: Dog Health

By Charley Hwang

Are vitamin and mineral supplements that necessary for your pregnant dog? Yes. Besides a balanced and healthy diet, pregnant dogs that are into their fourth week of pregnancy need more vitamins and minerals in their system. Also, a balanced di-calcium phosphate may be needed to be added into their diet as well.

“Where should I purchase these dog supplements?”

Di-calcium phosphate tablets and vitamin/mineral supplements can be obtained from most veterinarians or animal hospitals, and even some grocery stores. Health food stores are common to carry these types of animal supplements as well, so you should not have too many problems trying to locate some for your dog.

“What forms do these prenatal supplements come in?”

Just like what is supplied for humans, vitamins and minerals for prenatal dogs are sold in both powder and tablet forms. A lot of dog owners get bothered over choosing the right kind of supplements for their dogs, but it is an individual choice for you and your dog. Regardless if its form, the quality of both types of supplements is the same.

“How do I know what dosage of supplement to administer to my pregnant dog?”

You will find the correct supplement for your dog by looking at the labels of the supplements. The correct supplement for your pregnant dog will be stated clearly, and there are supplements for matrons as well as puppies. It is very important that you realize that prenatal dog supplements have gone through lab testing before they are approved to be marketed and sold in stores. There will also be specific instructions on the labels on how to give the supplements to your dog regarding the dosages or stages of pregnancy.

Your dog may not be used to swallowing tablets, or the tablet may be too big for a dog its size. What you can do is crush the tablet up into powder form and then putting it into your dog’s food for it to consume. If your dog has no problems with swallowing tablets, like my Chihuahua for instance, who swallows tablets easily when I place it at the back of his throat, you may want to choose that. But powder form supplements is also a good choice if that is what your dog is better at ingesting. See below for more information on Vitamins for Dogs.

For more information on Supplements For Pregnant Dogs or visit http://www.puppydogobedience.com/dog-pregnancy-3-common-questions-regarding-vitamin-mineral-supplementation/, a popular website that offers information on Dogs, Dog Training, and Dog Breeds. Please leave the links intact if you wish to reprint this article. Thanks

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Labels: Dog Health

Recent reports of wheat gluten tainted with aminopterin in commercial dog food manufactured by Menu Foods has spurred a nationwide recall of at least 95 private label and major dog food brands.

Aminopterin is a rat poison that has been used to induce abortions in the past and is prohibited for use in the United States. The aminopterin apparently found its way into the dog food via wheat gluten produced in China by a new supplier of the ingredient to Menu Foods.

As a result more than 16 pets have died to date. Reports of Kidney failure in dogs who have eaten the contaminated dog food is spreading in news flashes around the globe.

Now a new potentially fatal dog killer has been discovered in the recalled food by the FDA. Government tests have uncovered a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics in the recalled dog food.

Melamine has been discovered in tested samples of recalled dog food from Menu Foods and in the previously suspect wheat gluten. This chemical which is also utilized as a fertilizer has been discovered in the urine of sick pets and in the kidney of a pet that died.

If you buy any of the commercial dog food manufactured by menu Foods and listed at menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

Then you have been feeding rat poison, and now a chemical that is used to make plastics to your dog.

It should be no surprise that dogs live shorter lives than possible. In fact, dogs have a potential life expectancy of close to 25 years but most dogs live only an average of 10 years.

We stopped buying commercial dog food such as those listed in the recall years ago after we discovered skin conditions and other ailments in our dogs.

The change for the better was evident in a few short weeks as the junk in their system was replaced by healthy and nutritious foods.

Take the initiative now. Stop buying toxic poison and killing your dogs with junk that in our view is not suitable as food.

Your dog will give you a hug and be healthier for it.

Our dogs were sickly and we couldn’t figure out why. We took them off commercial dog food and are we ever glad we did. See what is in your dog food at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html This article may be reproduced unedited with the author's link displayed

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Labels: Dog Health

An ongoing debate has been waging among dog owners, dog breeders, dog trainers and veterinarians for some time with regard to the safety of feeding raw meat and raw food to dogs.

Advocates of the Bones and Raw Food ( BARF) regimen argue that feeding dogs raw meat is essential in order to deliver the nutrients in a state most closely resembling those that dogs ingested in the wild 10,000 years ago.

BARF aficionados argue that by cooking, even partially, the food that we feed our dogs, we are removing critical nutrients and therefore not delivering a healthy and balanced diet to our best friend.

The result according to BARF advocates is that a dog which is not on a properly balanced dog diet will be less resistant to disease and will likely live a shorter life.

This is the essence of BARF as I understand it. I am sure that there is more to it but our discussion here is with regards to the safety as opposed to the nutrient value of the raw food.

I would acknowledge that raw meat, raw vegetables and raw fruits will contain higher nutrient levels than those that are cooked. Nutritionists have been telling us this for years.

But what if we eat raw meat? And what if Fido does?

The FDA has issued Safety Guidance with regard to the use of raw meat for pet diets.

This FDA guidance is published in the Federal Register and gives safety and nutrition information. The reason for the FDA action was due to the upswing in raw dog food diets and the fact that dog owners may not be aware of the nutritional and safety issues.

It is the finding of the FDA that raw dog food diets are not new and in fact have been used by dog racing facilities for many years.

Now the trend toward raw dog food for companion dogs presents new challenges as these dog owners may be unaware of the possible danger of using raw meat dog food.

One of the problems is that raw meat diets are classified as “foods” and as such does not need pre-marketing approval or certification.

The FDA goes on to state that data “… from commercial raw meat pet foods are sparse, the potential for risk to public health from such products is significant given the microbiological results from studies of ingredients that could compose such products….”.

There is the danger of contamination from bacteria as well as potential harm that can be caused to the dogs teeth and gastrointestinal system if bone is ingested with the raw meat.

Further risks exist with regard to the possibility of raw meat dog food contamination and associated disease. These risks exist as a result of transportation, distributors and retailers. The FDA recommends minimizing these risks by the use of irradiation and proper transport and storage.

So the FDA has chimed in and the question remains. Is a raw meat diet safe food for your dog? Maybe and maybe not. It depends on a variety of factors such as the as the source and health of the slaughtered food animal, the conditions of transport, and storage both pre and post sale.

Absent Federal legislation which has to date failed to materialize and protect dogs from the potentially unsafe and toxic additives and ingredients in commercial dog food, I would be hesitant to risk it.

It is imperative that every dog owner know exactly what his or her dog is eating, what the ingredients are and whether it is safe. Ultimately the choice is yours. If you are feeding your dog commercial dog food you must become familiar with what is in the commercial dog food you buy.

You can’t wait for a law to protect you. You must become educated in this area. Your dog’s life may depend on it !

My dog suffered from skin conditions. I did some research and found out that many commercial dog foods are full of junk and may even be toxic. I stopped using the dog food I was feeding and the results were dramatic. Do you know what your dog is eating?Find out at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html This article may be reproduced unedited with the author's link displayed

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Labels: Dog Health

Dogs are highly intelligent animals and they often detect abnormalities in their feeds and liquids offered to them by their owners. Hence, this often becomes a challenge for many dog owners to administer medication in the proper fashion. Here are a few tips for those difficult moments.

Do not force a stubborn dog to take its medicine; doing so may eventually lead to a more difficult administering in the future. Depending on the type of medicine and texture, mix them properly with either food or liquid and delay their feeding or drinking time by an hour or two.

Your dog should be hungrier or thirstier by this time. Start off by feeding them with a small portion of medicated feed. If this technique doesn't work, start off with a small portion of normal unmixed feed and progressively introduce and increase the portions of medicated feeding.

Administer Medicine by Mouth

First, restraint the dog well and open its mouth. Next, place the tablet behind the back teeth (behind the bulb of the tongue) and close its mouth. Rub at the dog's throat side to stimulate swallowing. The dog should sallow it naturally.

Administering Liquid Medicine

Administer the medicine by using a syringe or dropper and try not to raise the dog's head too much. Open the dog's mouth and spray/drop gently on its tongue. Close the dog's mouth and rub continuously at the dog's throat side to stimulate swallowing. You can also administer liquid medicine slowly by rubbing a small quantity on the dog's upper lip and having them automatically lick it up. This method works especially well with puppies and younger dogs.

I hoped you've enjoyed this article. For more insightful information about dog health and dog care, please visit => http://www.dognpuppies.com

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Labels: Dog Health

It does not matter if it is tasty, edible, disgusting or not, it will always end up in a dog's mouth. There seems to be no limit as to what our precious dogs find interesting to chew upon or eat.

Dogs seem to have an oral obsession for anything that looks of interest.

Young dogs seem to be the worst offenders; you can consider them young toddlers, as children seem prone to put things into their mouths, too.

Some researchers say it is an inherent throwback to the days when dogs had to hunt for a living.

For some reason undergarments, socks, stockings and pantyhose seem to be the most offending items our dogs like. Some say it is just a "ripe' smell that attracts the dogs, however, it can be embarrassing and expensive all at the same time.

Food related objects also have a great appeal, from corncobs to plastic pop-up timers used for roasting meats.

Many dogs just chew and eat things because they are curious about them. Sometimes it becomes an addiction for certain dogs. When I speak of an addiction I am meaning a dog becoming addicted to say, chewing and swallowing small stones or gravel. These items create serious intestinal problems that require surgery and expensive veterinary bills,

What can we do? Actually nothing, other than keeping things out of our dog's reach, there is not much you can do. I know of no type of training that will teach a dog to keep things out of its mouth. A dog uses its mouth as we use our hands, so anything is fair game.

Here is a list of some of the common hazards that can be found in the home besides the dirty laundry (which needs to be kept in a hamper or in a closet with the door shut.)

Things rescued from the trash like diapers or tampons. Keep these things in closed containers, if your dog should decide to swallow either of these things, surgery would be necessary.

Sewing needles, things with thread on them, fishing hooks, safety pins, bottle caps, for some reason these bright shiny objects become an attraction. Should you see a thread or string hanging out of your dog's mouth, do not pull it out as you do not know where or what is on the other end. Call your vet at once.

Coins - pennies minted after 1982 contain zinc, not good for a puppy or dog's tummy and they need to be removed. Keep loose change up and out of reach.

Small toys or even rubber duckies have a way of finding their way into a dog's innards. Make certain any dog toys are large enough and do not have any eyes or other things that a dog can chew off.

Most household glues will not cause problems, but Gorilla Glue expands and creates a large glob of stuff. Surgery is required and at once.

Batteries, now who would want to chew a battery, not I say the mouse, but your dog might find it interesting and if it leaked and was swallowed it can cause serious problems. If it was a small battery and you are certain it was swallowed whole, you can try to induce vomiting by giving your dog a dose of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Call your vet for the exact amount, as it has to be given according to the dog's body weight.

I cannot imagine a dog swallowing refrigerator magnets, but it has been done and it has been known that they can swallow more than one. This is also very serious and you need to call and see your vet at once.

Well, who said that having a dog can be boring? Having a dog is one way to keep you alert and on your toes, especially through the first few years, when a dog's curiosity is at its peak.

The best advice I can give is to keep things picked up, do a double check on the floors and keep dirty laundry put away and out of reach. If you look at having a young dog around with the same insight, that you would have if you had a toddler around, you will save yourself a lot of money and a great deal of wear and tear on your dog.

Keeping our pets healthy is very beneficial not only to the pet, but to our pocketbooks. If the only time you need to visit the veterinarian is for yearly check ups and necessary shots you are saving money. Nutrition is very important in keeping a dog healthy, proper quality food that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals is a good way to start. If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

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Labels: Dog Health

Kate, my 'grandpuppy' went to see the Veterinarian today. This was her regular checkup and time for her vaccinations. Both her human parents went with her and she was a trooper. She hardly even notices when the doctor takes blood or gives her the vaccination. The Veterinarian is really very kind and professional. He has a good relationship with his clients. I went with them the last time she needed to go and I was surprised how well she behaved. In fact she was excited to see the doctor and his staff. That says a lot about the Veterinarian and his staff. Kate is a very friendly puppy and she just loves the attention and so does not mind it when the doctor handles her.

When I went with her, they drew blood in front of me and I did not really notice it and Kate did not whimper at all. The vaccinations helps her build up immunity so that she will not catch any of the serious illnesses that a dog may catch. When she was a tiny puppy and feeding from her mom, she would have gotten some immunity from her, but after they are separated and human parents step in, it is important for your pet to:

1. Have their regular vaccinations

2. Have regular checkups with the Veterinarian

3. Treat for heart worms

4. Treat for allergies

Kate actually has allergies, and her tears stain her face. It is important to clean her tears before it gets too dry. I use wet wipes and she does not mind that at all. However, there are products on the market to clear the stains from the tears. Kate has a dark body (Yorkie coloration) and so it does not show up too bad. But her brothers are pure white Maltese, and I am sure that the tear stains are much more visible than Kate's, but it still needs to be cleaned and her allergy medications have to be administered regularly.

Evangeline Samuel PhD. is a retired nurse who enjoys her daughter's dog, Kate's company, and loves dressing her up in designer dog clothes, unique dog collars and designer dog beds.

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Labels: Dog Health

You already know that your mastiff is an individual animal with needs that might not be best served by putting him into a regimented environment when he is unnerved, so make sure that when you are looking for a good mastiff boarding solution for him that you explore all of the options. When you are looking for mastiff kennels, you are already under the assumption that you will be leaving your dog behind for a matter of weeks or even month. As you already know, mastiffs will bond very strongly with their owners and their property, so the switch can be very difficult for your dog. Make sure that when you are looking to board your mastiff that you ask yourself a few simple questions.

1.Who has used this kennel before?

A good kennel will have references, but you'll find that it is usually for the best to pick up personal recommendations. Grill your friends, especially ones that also have mastiffs, on where they have boarded their dogs before. Go beyond just getting the name of the place; ask for the names of staff members that were particularly good to them, and find out whether or not they still work their. You'll also find that your veterinarian will often have good recommendations, and occasionally might be willing to board your pet herself.

2.What do the mastiff kennels look like?

When you go to take a look at the mastiff boarding kennels that are available, take a look at what kind of conditions that they are kept in. Does the space smell badly, or do the dogs seem listless or irritable? In either case, it might be good to give this place a pass. Remember that when you are looking into a kennel that the staff there should be very helpful and organized. Ask to set up an appointment to see the place and see what they have to offer.

3.What kind of schedule can your dog keep?

You'll find that the better types of mastiff kennels will give you some say over the schedule if you only ask. You'll find that if your mastiff can have his meals at the time when he is the most used to them, this will lessen his stress a little as well as keep him eating well. Similarly, ask how often the dogs are exercised and whether they receive any socialization beyond that. This is profoundly important if you are going to be out of town for a while. Mastiffs are an intelligent, social breed and need a high degree of mental stimulation.

Take some time to make sure that the situation where you are sending your mastiff is the best one that you can find. With just a little bit of research, you can guarantee that your dog will receive excellent care while you're away.

Barbara Joseph is a loving and experienced Mastiff owner who, for a limited time, is offering her extensive Mastiff Care Secrets course free of charge. It is jam-packed full of must-have information for Mastiff owners! To learn more about finding the right kennel for your mastiff just go here http://www.mastiff-care-secrets.com/finding-the-right-mastiff-kennels.html

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Labels: Dog Health

Mastiffs were made to attack various animals that were chained up and bound.

These animals consisted of lions, bears, bulls and even other dogs. A lot of the time, they were even fed the remains of the carcase they killed. Back then they were even known for getting an elephant down.Some claim that the mastiff has been around during the ancient Babylonian era. There are pictures that appear to be depicted from about 5000 years ago even. Some writers have even included them in their stories.

Those writers include Caesar, Marco polo, Herodotus, Chaucer and Shakespeare. As time went on the Mastiff became more like a guard dog then anything. they would guard the castle grounds.In 1873 the Mastiff was crossbred with various other dogs. This is when the pedigree initially started.

Then a club called the Old English Mastiff Club had launched. Then again they were used in the many blood sporting events. For all of those Mastiff lovers, there is a man from Canada named C.W. Dickinson that you can thank for preserving this awesome breed. Then the Mastiff Club of America was born, in 1929. America holds more Mastiffs then any other country in the world.

You may be curious as to what famous people happen to own a Mastiff. Those people include Kubla Khan, Randy Bish, Hannibal, FLEA (bass guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, King Henry VII, Bob Dylan, George C Scott, Kirsty Alley and Marlon Brando.

The different breeds of Mastiff that have come about over the years also brings about a little bit of personality differences. For instance, the Bullmastiff has taken on the pit bull stance. Most of the Mastiff breeds are extremely friendly and loving towards their own family. Certain others are not friendly towards anyone other then their family. Good news for those who have children because despite it's huge size, the Mastiff is actually very gentle towards kids. Some of the Mastiff breeds are totally aggressive towards other dogs. Then there are those that have been raised, say around a cat. They grow up together and are the best of friends. You will find that most Mastiffs are on average about 27-31 inches from their shoulders to the ground. That is for both male and female. Their average weight is about 120-220 pounds. You will find one quality that is the same in all of the Mastiff breeds and that quality is the fact that they are very well behaved.

Not to mention they are extremely loyal to their master and gentle with their family. There is even one in particular that will not bark, not even with an intruder. However, if you leave him his separation anxiety kicks in and he barks, just ask your neighbors.The Mastiff breed is very easy to manage. They have short fur that can easily be brushed. They do have a tendency to be a little bit on the slobbery side.

They are full of courage and pride. With their obedience comes train ability. The biggest dog ever recorded was a Mastiff. He weighed about 315 pounds and when stretched from nose to tip of tail, he was over eight feet long. Then there was another record broken when a Neapolitan Mastiff gave birth to twenty four puppies. They had to be the most beautiful puppies, with blue fur and cure wrinkly faces.

Most of the different Mastiff breeds are actually short haired. Then there is the Tibetan Mastiff. he has a longer coat and is one of the smaller of the Mastiff family.

Rest assured that whichever Mastiff that you decide is the best for you and your family, they all are a great family dog. They are well rounded dogs. So if you have energy and room for a huge dog, the Mastiff is perfect!

Tom Ambrozewicz is a caring and loving mastiff dog owner. He also owns and maintains Mastiff Secrets website at http://www.mastiffwhisperer.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Ambrozewicz

Labels: Dog Health

There are many arthritis supplements for dogs on the market today. Many claim they can help and even cure arthritis in dogs. Supplements are a wonderful addition to helping a dog with arthritis, but they are not a cure all. The first step is to get your dog in to the best of health. Here are a few tips...

Before starting any supplements, make sure you have your dog on a good holistic food. Improper nutrition is one of the leading causes of many diseases in dogs including arthritis. Many dog foods on the market today are filled with inferior ingredients and by-products, such as... chicken feet, chicken heads, etc... things that you would not knowingly feed your dog. So if you see the word by-product, don't buy the food!

Look for a food with quality protein like chicken meal. Make sure you also stay away from any food that has corn, wheat, soy, wheat gluten or milk products in it. These ingredients have no nutritional value and are generally only used as a cheap filler. They can also contribute to allergies in dogs. So remember, don't underestimate the power of a good quality dog food! It can do miracles...

Besides good quality dog food, make sure they are getting plenty of exercise. Exercise is key in maintaining their health and helping with arthritis symptoms.

When a quality dog food has been started and you have your dog on a good exercise schedule, THEN add a high quality, natural supplement to their diet. When choosing a supplement make sure it is all natural and has glucosamine and MSM in it.

Research studies suggest that Glucosamine supports healthy joint flexibility, mobility and lubrication. MSM, which is short for Methylsulfonylmethane, is a natural source of organic sulfur, an element vital to the maintenance of healthy joints, bones, ligaments and tendons.

Also look for arthritis supplements that have high levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oil. Fish oil is known to help improve healthy joint function.

So remember... quality food, plenty of exercise and supplementation all work together to get your dog in the best of health. They'll love ya for it!

Looking for high quality, natural arthritis supplements for dogs? Visit us at http://AgilityForDogs.blogspot.com and get a free dog food sample!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Candice_Lee

Labels: Dog Health

The symptoms to look out for in case of suspected Dog Pyometra or uterine/womb infections are the following:

1. Loss of appetite 2. The dog is urinating and drinking more water than usual 3. Diarrhea and vomiting. 4. Only happens in female dogs and usually ones that are older or middle aged. 5. An open cervix, that is when a dog is in heat or season, may result in pus discharge from the vagina. This may be hard to notice as the dog may usually lick this off.

Pyometra will only happen or initiate during the dog's season or heat because when a female dog reaches this time it releases eggs from its ovaries which are used for fertilisation. Then, if the dog gets mated and the egg becomes fertilised by the sperm, the bitch will become pregnant and an embryo will develop. After this, these embryos will travel into the dog's womb where they will stay for up to about seven days for a placenta to develop. Once the placenta is developed it will attach itself to the side of the womb allowing the embryos to have food and oxygen from the mother. During the time the embryo is not attached to the placenta, the wall of the womb produces a fluid to accommodate for the lack of food and oxygen and to help the placenta grow.

When cells that attach themselves with the line of the womb and produce food and oxygen for the embryo become overactive and start producing too much fluid it causes pyometra. Stray bacteria from the body find this as the idea environment to breed. Over time, this worsens and turns into an infection.

When the dog's body realises that it has been infected and discovers this infection it releases thousands of white blood cells in order to fight the infection. As the white blood cells combat this infection those that have done their job will die and form the puss. In large quantities, puss can be very toxic to the dog's body and can make them very sick.

The dog will drink more water in order to flush this unwanted puss out. Drinking more water than usual will cause more urinating, vomiting and diarrhea and if the dog is still in season it may also cause a discharge through the vaginal area. Open cervix pyometra occurs when a dogs vagina is still open and leakage of unwanted puss is possible where as closed cervix pyometra occurs when the dog is out of season and thus the unwanted puss cannot leak out of the vagina in which case the puss builds up inside the dog and worsens the toxic effects.

The symptoms in your dog will start off as being mild and barely noticeable but over time they will start getting worse and reach a point where the toxins in the dog's body will cause it to collapse. Hence, the earlier you visit the vet and get treatment the better and safer the cure will be.

If your dog has been infected by open cervix pyometra the vet may want to know when your dog was last in season. If this was within the last two months or so and the dog had all the symptoms listed above such as diarrhea, drinking more water, vaginal discharge and vomiting it will confirm that the dog has been infected.

The symptoms get harder to prove if the dog has closed cervix pyometra because of no vaginal discharge. The vet will probably look out for a slightly sagging belly and if the other symptoms listed above also occur this will confirm their suspicion. Furthermore, the vet may also use ultrasound or X-ray in order to look for an enlarged womb and confirm whether the dog is infected by this condition or not.

After the vet has confirmed that your dog is infected by pyometra intravenous fluids via a drip line and antibiotics will be used to get the dog as healthy as possible before performing surgery. The surgery will consist of removing the diseased womb and ovaries and will be very similar to routine sterilisation although there will be a higher risk involved because of the illness of the dog and because all the toxins that have been built up inside of the dogs body will need to be removed completely after the surgery in order to avoid any damage or possible infections to the kidneys.

After the surgery the dog will be left on antibiotics and intravenous fluids so that any remaining toxins can be killed off. Once it seems as though the dog is recovering and eating and drinking consistently your vet will discharge the dog so it can go home and recover.

It may be important to note that in high value breeding dogs or in rare breeds the vet may make an effort and try to save the dog's womb and ovaries so it can continue breeding but this procedure is highly risky and can have further side effects that may end up worsening the dog's condition.

For more information on Dog Pyometra and Uterine or Womb Infections or Dog Health take a look at this Dog Training website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_M_Williams

Labels: Dog Health