Kidney Disease in Dogs

By Geraldine Dimarco

A serious and common disease affecting a number of dogs is kidney disease. In older dogs it is probably one of the leading causes of death. Acute or chronic are the two forms that this disease can take. While the acute form happens very suddenly the chronic form starts slowly and gets worse with time. For the owner getting the news of either one is an upsetting thing.

This disease causes a loss of approximately seventy percent of normal kidney function and it is these organs that act as the body's filtration system. If these do not work properly, toxins and waste products slowly build up in the blood. This can lead to a variety of problems, and sadly, eventual death. This unfortunately is the harsh reality of canine kidney disease.

Kidney failure in dogs stops the ability of the body to function properly. Toxins begin to build up in their bodies and once this starts, a number of symptoms and warning signs will more than likely become apparent. These two chronic diseases show different symptoms, the acute form can appear more suddenly. Often, dogs suffering from this type of kidney disease will possibly have become dehydrated. For the owner to test for hydration, gently pull on the skin of your dog's stomach. This should spring back. If it doesn't, there may be a possibility that your dog is dehydrated.

Another telltale sign of the acute kidney disease is the extreme reduction or total stoppage of urine. Your dog would suddenly stop urinating. It is a very excruciating process as the kidneys become quite painful. This is the most obvious sign. You would notice your pet's arched back or stiff leg movement. In such a case, you would need to rush your precious pet to a veterinarian immediately.

Chronic kidney disease shows different symptoms. They may well have a change of appetite with no desire to eat where normally they would gulp food. They may perhaps go off their food altogether. This will, over time, lead to weight loss. The first warning signs which highlight the start of the disease are increased thirst and water consumption. These are frequent exhibits of the condition. Sadly the dog may lose control of its bladder with frequent increased urination occurring. As time goes on urination will become painful, some cases impossible and blood may appear in the urine. Canine kidney disease can be deadly and serious, any signs of urine symptoms, vomiting, lethargic or depressed in your pet treat this as a warning sign and alert your vet straight away. If caught quickly it may be possible to gain control over the disease.

If the veterinarian suspects kidney disease he will usually follow four steps to decide if the dog has the disease or not. A thorough physical examination is what he will normally do first. The dogs relevant history will be gone over with the owner next, things such as their home behavior and symptoms. A blood test and urinary test are the two steps he will take after the first two steps are done. Both tests have to be done to make sure of a correct diagnosis. Whether or not your dog has acute or chronic kidney disease will be confirmed by both of these tests.

About the Author:

Veterinary medicine has limited answers for treating kidney failure in dogs, but the good news is that there are natural alternatives that can even reverse dog kidney failure.

Do You Make Homemade Dog Food?

By Jennifer Poultson

Dogs are considered to be like best friends to many pet owners. These pet owners might not even think about the quality of the food that they serve their dogs. Many pet owners are confused by the health issues that their dogs face. A lot of times the owners have no idea why the health problems occur.

You could also opt to make your own dog food. Flint River ranch dog food is also advisable as they manufacture their pet foods under rigorously controlled conditions. This is a top level dog food that will make your pet lick his bowl clean.

A number of people will turn to professionals for dog information. Sometimes, the first suggestion will be supplements or pharmaceuticals. However, this may be unnecessary. If you have been feeding your pet grocery store brands, all you may need to do is switch to a premium food. The results will be quickly apparent. Many dog foods contain the scraps and waste left from food processors. It doesn't sound very appetizing, and is not considered the healthiest type of food.

There are alternatives for those dog owners that are seeking dog information regarding a healthy diet. One option is to make your own dog food. You can use the foods you prepare for yourself and your family. Simply cool the food to room temperature in the refrigerator before feeding it to your pet. However, there are several drawbacks to this arrangement.

Most importantly, unless you are knowledgeable regarding dog information and nutrition, there's no guarantee that your dog is getting the proper nutrients from your diet. Additionally, it can be time consuming and costly to feed an extra mouth at your table. A dog food containing human grade, natural ingredients would be a good alternative. The food for pets given by Flint River Ranch, is made under controlled conditions.

Their product is highly digestible and its crucial vitamins and minerals are easily absorbed. This is a top level dog food that will make your pet lick his bowl clean. If you want a healthier dog, and are trying to improve your dog's energy level and appearance, you should try Flint River Ranch pet foods. The Flint River Ranch owners are committed to producing a high quality pet product, and are happy to answer questions and give assistance to dog owners who are looking for the healthiest lifestyle possible for their beloved pets. Your dog can have the gift of health if you feed human grade, high quality dog food.

About the Author:

If you're interested in the kind of dog food you'd like to give your dog, consider Flint River Ranch dog food. And for other kinds of dog information you can't go past www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

Round Worms Symptoms and Other Types of Dog Worms

By Jennefer Poultson

One of the most common ailments in dogs is worm infestations. Worms are parasites that live inside the animal and cause different problems, depending on the type of worm your pet has. Generally, there are five major types of worms, roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm and the dreaded heartworm. All of these can cause light to serious complications and should never be left untreated. First, let's look at the different types of parasite and what they do.

The most common type of infestation comes from the roundworm. This parasite is usually passed to puppies from their mothers either before birth or in her breast milk. This intestinal worm can be passed to humans. In dogs, the worm will cause weight loss and a potbellied appearance. Left untreated these worms multiply at an alarming rate. An adult female roundworm can lay up to 200,000 eggs per day for a year. This can cause an obstruction in the dogs' intestinal tract and lead to death. It is recommended that you treat your animals with a regular schedule of de-wormer starting when they are weaned. There are commercial as well as natural treatment options available.

Hookworms are similar to roundworms because they are intestinal parasites. The hookworm is smaller and feeds on blood from your dog's intestinal wall. Hookworm dog worms symptoms are anemia which may lead to death. Some symptoms are not visible in the vomit or stool. To make sure if your dog is infested with hookworms, you must take in a stool sample to your vet for analysis. The hookworm can be passed to humans but it will not cause the same problems as in canines. In humans, the hookworm penetrates just under the skin's surface causing an itchy rash with a worm like appearance.

The tapeworm is so named due to its appearance. It is flat and long and looks like a piece of tape. The tapeworm is spread to dogs by the ingestion of an infected flea. For instance, the flea feeds off of an infected animal and picks up the tapeworm egg. Your dog eats the flea while grooming itself. dog worms symptoms of the tapeworm include nervousness, itching, particularly around the anus, weight loss, abdominal pain and vomiting. Get your dog to the vet if any of these symptoms appear.

The whipworms live in the dogs' colon and are not visible to the naked eye. They too feed off the intestinal wall and cause many ailments. Symptoms of this type of dog worm are anemia, weight loss, flatulence and diarrhea which contains blood or mucous. This parasite is the hardest of the intestinal worms to remove but there are treatment options available both natural and pharmaceutical.

The most serious of dog worms is the heartworm. It is passed from one animal to another through mosquitoes. If you want your dog to be free of heartworms, you must seek prevention. People need to be concerned who live in warm, damp climates and are prone to heavy mosquito activity. Once your dog is infected, you have a few treatment options available. Most of them amount to giving the dog limited amounts of arsenic. This alone can kill the dog. The heartworm will take up residence in the heart and its arteries causing it to enlarge and eventually fail. dog worms symptoms of the heart worm include weight loss, coughing as well as a potbellied appearance. No matter what kind of parasite you may be dealing with seek either natural advice or that of a veterinarian. Be proactive for better canine health. Your dog will give you a big lick in thanks!

About the Author:

Dog worms are can be prevented. Dog worms symptoms depend upon the type of dog worms that are present in your dog. Heartworm is without doubt the most serious parasite, but all types of canine worms can make your dog sick. Discover how to prevent symptoms of dog worms by preventing the worms.

Online Pet Shop

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it seems like there just aren't enough hours in each day.  You can make life much easier by doing much of your shopping, including for your pet supplies online.  It is easy and in most cases costs the same or often even less than driving across town to pickup what you need.

PetEssentialsDepot.com is an online pet shop that offers top quality pet supplies for your dog, cat, birds, aquarium and other small animals. 

Best yet, a portion of every sale is donated to homeless animal shelters to help animals in need.  Do yourself a favor and take a look at the more than 15,000 pet products they offer, and find something for your pet.  You'll feel good to know that you are also helping homeless animals, too!

Stop Your Dog From Pulling On The Leash - Top Trainer Shares Method Now

By Remco van Reenen

This is such a common problem and sometimes quite entertaining, especially if you see a youngster being pulled along by a strong dog. Or even a grown up being pulled for that matter. But you love walking your dog and it's really not a joke if he won't listen to your commands. To stop your dog from pulling on the leash you need to know a few tricks.

Why they pull on their leashes is because they actually can walk faster than we can and they just can't wait up. There basic instinct kicks in to chase when they see other animals or pick up strong scents. It's natural and we have to just work around it.

Naturally it's best to start with your training when he's still a puppy, but if this is not possible you can teach an old dog new tricks. A word of advise, it's better for the dog's health if you don't use a choke collar. They are known to cause damage to the throat and vocal cords.

It is best to commence with training indoors and in the house where there are no distractions. You need undivided attention from your dog. He will not need his harness and leash right away because you are first going to teach him to follow you on your command. Firstly, hold out the palm of your hand and place a small object in the center. Let your dog see this and let him touch it with his nose when you say the command word "touch". Once you get him to touch the object with his nose, then walk away for a few steps and let him follow you. Hold the object at a height which is comfortable for him to touch with his nose. He must now follow you and touch the object with his nose and stay behind you every time you walk further. Give lots of confirming hugs or rubs as he will now identify what you want from you. This will take a few lessons with lots of patience and love from your side.

You will obviously show a lot of patience with your dog as he is learning a completely new command and behavior - this takes some time. Remember to give him a treat and a hug every time he manages to touch the object but stays behind you.

If you are happy that he can now follow you on command, then put a harness on him and let him follow you and touching the object again. He now needs to get used to the harness while following your command. Gradually take him outdoors into the garden and keep on practicing. Once he is used to the harness, clip on the leash and now he has to follow you, touch the object and stay behind or next to all the time. Give him a treat intermittently. He will soon realize what you want and will then happily walk with you in the garden. You are now ready to take him on a walk outside of your yard.

Always keep in mind that to stop your dog from pulling on the leash is something that must be taught with great patience and lots of love and understanding, this will be so rewarding when you walk on the street and your dog is well behaved.

About the Author:

About the author: Remco van Reenen is an expert on dogtraining and on his website positieve hondentraining you can find all sorts of tips. You can also get lots of accessories to help you with dog training in the section puppytraining

Dog Cage Training Tips

By Pete Cordingley

Dog cages are thought of by many people as a prison or jail but this is not what they are used for. A dog cage is not to limit the movement of your dog, instead it is a place provided to be secure and safe. The designing of cages to look like a dogs house will help change the thinking of people who are of the opinion that dog cages are for punishment purposes, where the dog is put to confine their movement.

It has been discovered from recent studies that pet dogs feel safe when in their dog cage and are very comfortable. Dogs happily spend time sleeping in a dog cage. It is advisable to train the pups in their early stage of life to use a dog cage so that they are comfortable utilising it as they grow.

A dog cage should never be employed for punishment purposes when your dog is behaving badly, since your pet dog will get ill-feeling for the cage and will be reluctant to go into it. Dogs invariably will get a resentment to stay in the dog cage.

Locking up dogs in cages for punishment will only make them a lot more aggressive, they will not listen to you, and will not follow your commands. A pet dog is a sensitive pet and for cage training it is recommended to get a feeling that dog cages are safe places to be. The main idea behind using the dog cage for your pet dog is to make him feel comfortable.

When your pet feels comfortable staying in its dog cage it will be much easier to take your dog from one place to another. One of the all-important reasons for acquiring a good attitude for their dog cage is this as well. Before you provide training to your dog to stay in the dog cage, it is necessary to get the cage equipped with a few things that will give added comfort of your pet.

Some thing you want to do is add some blankets to provide a softer base on the floor of their cage for your pet dog to rest on. Next is to provide some water so that your dog can drink when needed. Furthermore, place some playthings for your dog to play with. So the size of the dog cage needs to be such that all these things can be accommodated in it as these things will make your dog feel that it is in safe place and dog cage is not a prison.

Initially keep the door of the cage open, but in time slowly keep the door closed for a short time. Once your dog feels the cage is safe you can step by step increase the time for keeping door of the cage closed. The main intent of dog cage training is to make your dog feel secure in it rather than applying the dog cage for punishment.

About the Author:

Looking to find the cheapest deals on Dog Cages, then try visiting Crates for Dogs.

Valuable And Effective Tips For Choosing A Kid-Friendly Dog

By Gerald Tommey

We are all dog people, even if we don't know it. When you look at how cute they are and think about the fact that they give you unconditional love then it is hard not to be. But when you want to get a dog for the family then it is a really good idea to know about the best dogs for kids You will need to take various considerations into account when making your decision.

When looking at the age of the dog for the family, it is necessary to take into consideration the energy levels of the dog. For example, an old married couple shouldn't get a 3 month old Collie puppy as Collies are dogs that need lots of attention and have limitless energy. This 3 month old Collie would be better suited to a family with young children who are able to play with the puppy and help consume some of that energy that Collies are so famous for!

You need to find a breed that is suitable to your family and there are a couple of favourites out there. The Labrador or Golden Retriever breeds are very popular. One of the reasons for this could be due to the Lassie films, but it is also simply because they are such well natured dogs. They are not too big and they are just so loveable and gentle that they make one's heart melt when you meet them. Best of all they are patient and loyal and these are the best qualities in a dog.

German Shepherds are also great dogs for families. They will act as a wonderful companion and will also be a good watch dog if that is what you require. For those people that perhaps are thinking of something much smaller, then a lap dog would make sense and the Maltese Poodle breed is perfect for that. These little attention lovers will soon have you wrapped around their paws. If size is not a consideration then one should definitely have a think about getting Great Danes. These gigantic dogs are actually just great big softies and will become a great friend.

These dogs are not of any particular breed but rather a melting pot with a little bit of everything. More often than not, these dogs can be found at a local shelter or adopting kennel. These dogs are hardy, loyal, patient and protective because they know all too well that you have given them another chance at a happy life.

Training for the dog is going to be an essential part of ensuring that it is indeed a suitable choice for your family. This training will assist them in understanding their place in the family and will also be a good way of helping all the family members to learn how to better interact with the dog.

So when you look for the best dogs for kids it is a good idea to know that almost any dog can be a good family pet. You need to let the animal know that it is loved and it will show you all the unconditional love you have ever wanted and soon you will wonder why you didn't get one earlier.

About the Author:

He enjoys writing about home improvement, marketing, and health subjects. Check out his newest web site where he covers frames for pictures, acrylic picture frames.