Tracksie and Tiggles: Dog Health and Wellness

Showing posts with label Dog Health and Wellness. Show all posts

Protect Your Pup from Pesticides

Protect Your Pup from Pesticides

Using fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides to keep your yard green? If so, handle them with care, because many can be toxic to your dog. Applying the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, in particular, four or more times per season has been shown to double a dog's risk of developing lymphoma. To reduce your pet's exposure to these chemicals:

•	Keep all lawn chemicals safely out of reach.
•	Take any food bowls and water dishes inside when applying outdoor chemicals.
•	Avoid overdosing your lawn with products, which can leave behind residue and increase the odds of your dog coming in contact with toxins.
•	Wait until all treatments have dried before allowing your dog back on the lawn.

An Answer to Achy Paws

Ever wonder why dogs are so susceptible to developing arthritic conditions?

Arthritis occurs with age in dogs as well as in people. One of the most important things that dog owners can do to delay the onset or reduce the severity of arthritis is to keep their dogs lean. Excess body weight not only adds stress to the joints but also is associated with an increase in inflammation. In obese dogs, the fat cells secrete chemicals that actually increase inflammation in the joints, causing or aggravating arthritis. In addition to weight control, gentle exercise and a diet that contains fish oil or supplements of glucosamine may help.

Signs that your dog may have arthritis:

Favoring a limb
Difficulty sitting or standing
Sleeping more
Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs
Weight gain
Decreased activity or less interest in play
Attitude or behavior changes
Being less alert

How to Protect Dogs From Cancer

Cancer not only affects humans. In fact, it's among the leading causes of death in pets, especially dogs. According to Parade magazine, half of all dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime.

So how can you protect your dog from cancer? Interestingly, in many of the same ways you can protect yourself. Like humans, dogs and other pets can develop cancer from exposure to all of the following:

Smoke
Sunlight
Radiation
Hormones
Chemicals
Immune System Failure
Viruses

Canine cancers are the most common. With over 100 varieties, canine cancer is the most prevalent among all domesticated pet species. In fact, according to the Canine Cancer Campaign, a non-profit organization focused on curing canine cancer, one in four dogs will die from the effects of cancer.

Many dog breeds even carry hereditary risk factors. Golden retrievers are at high risk for Lymphoma and cancers of the blood vessels and spleen. Retrievers are susceptible to Transitional Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma (skin/mouth) cancers. Boxers have been known to inherit Lymphoma and brain cancers. See which dog breeds are at risk for certain cancers, visit http://curecaninecancer.org/why_help.html

Despite the many risk factors facing your dog, there's a lot you can do to help make sure they stay cancer free. Below are six critical steps you can take to protect your pets from cancer.

Visit the Vet: Make sure you and your dog visit the veterinarian on a regular basis for cancer screenings and checkups. The sooner cancer is detected, the sooner it can be treated. This vastly improves the chances that your dog will beat the disease. Vets recommend a checkup every six months for dogs over 7. For younger dogs, an annual exam is a safe precautionary measure. The Canine Cancer Campaign and the Pet Cancer Foundation are now offering Free Cancer Consultations for pets, visit http://www.curecaninecancer.org/free_screening.html for more information.
Doggy Exercise: To stay healthy, dogs need regular exercise. Studies have shown that exercise strengthens immunity to a range of diseases, including cancer. In fact, overweight pets are twice as likely to develop cancer than their healthy counterparts.
Avoid Chemical Exposure: There are many known carcinogens that your dog interacts with everyday, but by keeping them away from herbicides, insecticides, and tobacco smoke, you can make sure they won't develop cancer from chemical exposure. Instead of using toxic house and garden products, choose non-toxic products and keep your pets away from secondhand smoke. Most importantly, don't use unnatural flea products on your pet, as many flea collars, sprays, and shampoos are full of poisons. Use natural, less-toxic methods of flea control. These include natural flea shampoos and frequent vacuuming. Pyrethins are a natural means of flea control.
Spay and Neuter Pets: Simply spaying or neutering your dog can decrease the risk of breast cancer in females to almost zero; the risk of testicular cancer is zero for neutered males.
Prevent Sunburn: While all dogs can get sunburned, short-haired and light-haired dogs carry a greater risk for developing skin cancers caused by overexposure to sunlight. Dogs need sunscreen just like their owners. Rub a bit on your dog's nose and ears.
Avoid Contaminated Water: Keep your pet from drinking stagnant water in street puddles, which can contain cancer-causing toxins. Change your pets water daily, and make sure the bowl is clean and fresh.

Remember, even if your dog is diagnosed with cancer, all is not lost. Many cancers can be cured if they're discovered early. There are many other options too, including:

Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Hyperthermia
Cyrosurgery

Don't forget that if your pet already has cancer, you should avoid all vaccinations because they can stress your pet's immune system. Still, active prevention is the best defense. Follow the tips above to reduce the risk of your pets developing cancer during their lifetime, and you'll enjoy more time together.

Vaccinations: Helpful or Harmful?

We all love our pets and want to do the best thing for them, right?

My suggestion is that before you get your dogs' vaccinations, get a titer test done to check her levels of immune defenses .

At your next vet appointment, talk with your veterinarian about a titer test.

Check out the links below for more information about vaccines and titers:

The Dangers of Xylitol

Did you know that Xylitol, a sugar substitute (artificial sweetener) that's found in chewing gum, hard candy, gum drops, sugar-free pudding, jello, diabetic foods, baked goods and toothpaste, can be fatal to pets?

To keep your pets safe from this harmful substance, please keep foods containing Xylitol, well out of their reach. It could save their lives. Even a very small amount of Xylitol can be potentially life-threatening.

Xylitol causes mass insulin release in dogs, leading to sudden hypoglycemia, a drop in blood sugar levels. Dogs can show symptoms in as little as 20 minutes, or as late as 12 hours. Symptoms include ataxia (staggering gait), depression, lethargy, confusion, seizures & in some cases, death.

If you suspect your pet has eaten a food or candy containing Xylitol, call your local emergency vet immediately to let them know you're on your way, and go straight there for urgent treatment. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for advice, on (888) 426-4435 but it is crucial not to delay medical attention because of the very sudden effects of consumption.

Keeping Your Dog's Teeth Healthy

Yes, it's true-- dogs needs regular dental care too! I thought I'd post this article about doggie dental hygiene. I have recently seen older dogs suffering because their owners never did anything for their teeth...It is quite sad watching them struggle to eat--so here are a few tips on how to keep your dog’s teeth healthy!

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs have some sign of oral disease by the age of three.

You can help to keep your dog’s teeth healthy by:
1. Having professional dental exam and care provided by your veterinarian
2. Providing dental care at home based on your vet’s recommendations
3. Maintaining regular professional check ups
4. Treating any symptoms quickly

Symptoms of Dental Problems
If your dog is displaying any of the following symptoms, please seek professional dental care:
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Broken or missing teeth
• Changes in eating (usually decreasing)
• Chewing habits
• Depression
• Gum issues – red or swollen or painful (gingivitis, periodontal disease)
• Nasal discharge
• Pawing at the face or mouth
• Swelling or tearing below one eye
• Weight loss
• Yellow teeth

Why is Dental Health So Important?
Dental health also affects other parts of the body. Plaque which is made up of bacteria, saliva and cellular debris builds up on the enamel of the teeth. When combined with food particles, it becomes calcified and is now tartar. Tartar can lead to tooth decay and other oral diseases if not treated. In addition, it can cause a bacterial infection which then travels through the blood to other vital organs and can result in serious illness and even death.

I highly recommend giving RMB's (Raw Meaty Bones) often. I give TnT things such as turkey necks or drumsticks one or twice a week. Due to the act of pulling, ripping, shearing, and shredding of the meat, connective tissue, and fat that cling to the bone--their teeth brighten and lose plaque, eliminating the need for cleaning. The dental benefits of RMB's are unbelievable...We highly recommend 'em!