Fleas and ticks are external parasites that cause annoyance and health problems on your pets. The following are two questions answered about fleas and ticks.

How Can I Keep My Dogs Free Of These Parasites?

Flea control products such as Prevention and Frontline works very well for most pets. In areas of heavy parasite concentration, constant supervision is necessary. When used according to instructions supplied by the veterinarian or product manufacturer, fine collars are fine to use in mild to moderate flea infestations.

Caution must be taken to use only those products designed for felines on your cats and to avoid wetting the flea control collar which, when moistened, release dangerous concentrations of poison too rapidly for the animal's body to tolerate.

Houses with rugs and carpets should consider flea stoppers. These products, when applied to rugs and carpeted areas, will kill flea eggs and larvae for up to one year. Vacuum the carpet at least twice a week, focusing in areas where your pet frequents.

For ticks or very heavy flea infestation, more extreme methods such as routine dipping, spraying, or powdering may be necessary to keep the situation from getting out of hand. In areas where Rocky Mountain spotted fever is not widespread, individual ticks may be soaked with alcohol and removed with tweezers. However, spraying and dipping act not only to kill ticks present on the pet's body but serve also to prevent another infestation for at least ten days following treatment.

Oral medications are also available that work internally to kill any flea or tick that bites your pet but these medications must be given under strict veterinary supervision. In fact, before using any flea control product, especially pesticide, it is wise to consult your vet for suggestions and instructions to ensure safety applications of these potentially dangerous products.

What About Fleas & Ticks In The House?

This can be quite a problem. Many products have been used to try to prevent fleas and ticks from nesting and breeding in human living quarters, doghouses, and shrubbery. However, there are strains of fleas and ticks resistant to commonly used chemicals. Consult your vet for the best flea prevention product to use for your home. When applying a flea prevention product, special care should be taken that all window casings, wall boards, and door sills be thoroughly treated.

Since many of these products are toxic to your pet, as well as the fleas, humans and all pets should be removed from the area for several hours after treatment. This is an ideal time to treat the animals themselves so that no parasites are reintroduced into the house when they return. Many clients and pet owners find it easier to hire a professional exterminator to rid their homes, kennels, shrubbery, or cattery of fleas and ticks.

Keeping your dog free of fleas and ticks this summer may not be the easiest or most enjoyable task to accomplish, however, because of the many problems related to infestation with external parasites, eradication of fleas and ticks is an important goal, both for your dog's health and comfort, as well as your own. Your vet can provide specific information and resources on controlling particular parasites common in your area.

Luxated Patella: Caring For Your Dog During & After Treatment

Although Luxated patella is not a condition that needs to be treated in the emergency room, getting your dog tested for this disorder prevents it from becoming worse.

All dogs should be tested because a slipped kneecap can affect dogs of all breeds and sizes. However, if you own a small or a toy dog breed, you should have him tested for luxated patella as soon as possible.

Responsible breeders should know that this condition is hereditary, and therefore, have their puppies tested at around six weeks of age, preferable before sending them to their new homes.

Treatment Options For A Slipped Kneecap

Physical tests, along with the length of time that the dog is showing symptoms such as limping, skipping, and carrying his leg, will determine his diagnosis. To indicate the severity of the condition, an X-ray of the thigh bone and the knee will be performed.

Treatment is not required for Grade I, although you should check your dog in case the problem gets worse. For Grades II, III, and IV, surgery can be performed in order to repair the malformation.

Surgery is done by an Orthopedic surgeon and includes correcting the dog's bone alignment, tightening his joint capsule, and/or deepening the groove where the kneecap rides.

The cost for this kind of surgery is between $1,500 to $3,000, depending on the severity of the case.

Although not a dire emergency, it is best to consult your vet as soon as possible if your dog is suffering from a slipped kneecap. If surgery is needed, your vet will refer you to an orthopedic specialist who will perform the operation.

Don't wait! If your dog has a condition of Grade II, Grade III, or Grade IV, it is better to give him the surgery now before the condition worsens. Further damage of the bone and joint may make the outcome of the surgery less successful.

Caring For Your Dog After The Surgery

After surgery, your vet will prescribe medications for your dog's pain as well as anti-inflammation to be taken for an average of one week. Your dog will need plenty of rest during this time, meaning very little activity for at least 1 weeks.

He should be kept on the leash when outside the house. Keep him in a small and comfortable room to avoid jumping, running around, or other types of activities that can put pressure on his knee.

Physical therapy will begin around 1 week after the surgery. Take him for a slow walk for about five minutes. If possible, take him swimming. Your dog should be able to handle longer walks on the leash six weeks after the surgery and be able to have complete recovery and normal use of his knee approximately ǯ weeks after the surgery.

Natural Dog Cures: 2 All-Natural Supplements Used To Combat Stress & Fleas

Melatonin: Used To Treat Your Dog's Fear Of Thunderstorms

Many dogs are scared of loud noises, specifically thunderstorms and other similar, unexpected sounds that rattles their ears. This is especially true for puppies. They are not used to hearing loud booming sounds and their ears are sharper and more sensitive than adult dog's ears.

Dealing with the possibility of having a panicked stricken, nervous puppy, some owners use tranquilizers as a last resort during an impending thunderstorm. Of course this is an extreme treatment that is not highly recommended, but now there is a new alternative: A safe, drug-free, over-the-counter supplement that is available to to dogs with anxiety. It is called melatonin.

You have probably heard of melatonin already, as many people use it. It is a naturally occurring hormone that is secreted by a small endocrine gland called the pineal gland, located at the base of the brain.

Melatonin helps regulate and maintain the body's circadian rhythm (the body's 24-hour internal clock that tells mammals what time to fall asleep and when to wake up). In humans, melatonin is used as a natural sleeping aid, whereas in dogs, this natural hormone is administered to alleviate the fear of thunder and other various loud noises. Some dog owners also use melatonin to treat other stress issues that their dogs may have.

Melatonin is said to have a positive result with at least 75% of dogs who take the supplement. With some dogs, melatonin is most effective when it is given just before the storm hits. Other dogs, however, do best when the supplement is given as they are starting to show signs of anxiety and fear.

Melatonin works in the body for about eight hours and should not be used on pregnant dogs. Consult your veterinarian prior to using for the recommended safety dose.

Natural Plant Oils To Get Rid Of Fleas

A second all-natural product which can help cure one of your dog's worst enemies is a natural plan oil used to combat fleas. A new option has finally arrived for many dog owners who are looking for a safer and more natural approach in treating fleas.

It is called aromatherapy: A mixture of different plant oils as a natural alternative to strong chemicals used in controlling fleas.

These powerful oils are extracted from plants using a special type of distillation process called steam distillation. The formula is rubbed into the dog's coat and is believed to be very effective in treating and preventing fleas.

Many of these natural plant oil products also contain essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint, which all helps to create a very soothing sensation on your pet's skin and coat. These ingredients are also effective in repelling mosquitoes.

Stroke - Your Dog's Chances Of Recovering From A Stroke

If your dog has had a stroke and you have sought out the proper medical attention, the good news at this point is knowing that your dog will recover from his stroke much faster than a person would. In fact, all dogs seem to progress to better health after having a stroke than humans who suffer the same experience.

Most dogs who are suffering from vestibular disease and responds to treatment within a few days has an excellent chance of recovering. However, he may be left with a slight physical dysfunction such as a tilted head or dizziness. Some dogs are unfortunately left with seizure episodes for the rest of their lives. And if the animal has cancer which was the cause of the stroke to begin with, his seizures will increase in quantity as time goes on.

Two thirds of all dogs who suffer from strokes (not strokes related to vestibular disease) are found to recover well. Only about one third of these dogs will experience further medical complications in the future. As with all deep rooted diseases, the number one influence on a dog's recovery is the treatment of the underlying cause itself and if left untreated, there is a higher chance of more strokes to come.

Preventing Strokes

Prevention is one of those ideas that most people think of after it's too late. But if you are reading this article and are still lucky enough to have a healthy dog at home who has not suffered from a stroke then it is your duty to do what you can keep them healthy.

This is especially true if your dog has already suffered a stroke in the past. He will need extra preventive measures taken from you so that he does not suffer more stroke-related complications. In addition to regular checkups and specific blood tests which can detect diseases contributing to strokes, your veterinarian can also recommend other products which may be helpful.

Two such prevention items are antioxidants and aspirin. Antioxidants are considered a nutraceutical that can be given to older dogs. And aspirin is good for decreasing clot formation. However, aspirin should never be given to a dog whose previous stroke involved bleeding. Contact your veterinarian for further details and never give your dog anything unless approved by the doctor.

Dog Health - 5 Natural Ways To Increase Your Puppy's Energy Levels

Does your puppy have the attention span of a two-year-old child? And does he seem a little too fatigued and tired throughout the day? If you have already taken your dog to the veterinarian for a full examination and he checks out okay, you may want to take it upon yourself to help increase his energy levels and attention span by going the "natural" route.

Of course animal medicines do have their place, but if your veterinarian does not see a major health problem then your best choice is to follow some of the guidelines below to get your puppy feeling better and acting more alert:

1. As long as your puppy is more than six weeks old, try reducing his feeding times to only twice per day. In an attempt to keep our puppies growing and healthy, some dog owners make the mistake of overfeeding the little pups, which can result in lethargic energy levels as well as very short attention spans. You can help your puppy by cutting back on his meals.

2. Check the food labels and be sure that the food you are feeding your puppy has a complete digestibility level of at least 85% to 90%.

3. Protein is a very important nutrient for good health and energy in dogs. Unfortunately, many dog foods sold in stores are made up of mostly carbohydrates. Dogs need meat and lots of protein to be at their best. This is especially true of young puppies. So be sure that each meal has a high level protein source when feeding your puppy.

4. As far as supplements are concerned, is always smart to first check with your veterinarian. But we have a recommendation that may help your dog and that is to supplement his food with brewers yeast. Brewers yeast is chock full of B vitamins and protein.

5. Last but not least, the latest trend in supplements for both people and animals are omega-3 fatty acids. But there is good reason for this popular trend and that is because these oils are extremely healthy and are known to raise concentration levels in dogs as well as create a healthy shine on their coat. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils and flaxseed oils.

Raw Food Diet

For nearly 6 months straight my dog became violently ill with terrible episodes of diarrhea anytime he ate his meals. We tried feeding him all types of dog food and eventually came to the understanding that he was allergic to every type of protein he was eating. Is there any thing that I can do to get my dog the necessary nutrients it needs without resorting to commercial dog food?

While it appears that all hope is lost for getting your dog back on track with a nutritional plan that will not make him sick, the good news is that you have tried every option except for the most important one: all natural raw foods.

Consider feeding your dog raw protein from now on. Totally raw, whole food diets, are the natural way our pets were meant to eat. It has only been the increased commercialism from pet food companies that has caused dog and cat owners to believe that their animals must eat food that comes in a can or large plastic bag. This could not be further from the truth!

Be sure to start a raw food diet in small portions. In addition to clean raw meats, consider raw fish, lamb, wheat, dairy, and yeast. These types of ingredients can be found in most whole food recipes. Calcium would be a supplement to consider as well, especially if the raw food you are feeding your dog does not have "crushed bone" or any other source of calcium in it. A vitamin/mineral supplement and fish oil are also recommended.

Dog Cough

I have a German Shepherd that is going to be seven years old come this Christmas and he has had a seasonal cough his entire life. After taking him to the vet year after year, I was instructed to give the dog Robitussin. This cough syrup did not seem to help and he eventually started coughing the entire winter season. Specialists after specialist had me give my dog antibiotics, diarrhea pills which were supposed to help, Cipro, and even theophylline. Nothing seems to help.

Veterinarians that prefer to take a more holistic approach to dog care generally disapprove of trying to suppress a dog's cough unless it is absolutely mandatory. There has been a lot of success with treating these types of coughing conditions with homeopathics and herbal remedies.

If you have not began such treatments then consider researching some of these all-natural products that are on the market today, such as Astragalus 16 and Pinellia 16. These products are only recommendations so please do your research and find one that you feel comfortable with.

It is believed that canine hip dysplasia has increased since large breeds of dogs evolved into companion dogs from the hunting or guard functions for which they were bred and kept for in the past. One piece of evidence is the way breeders had selectively bred aggressiveness out, and tamed the dog down, so as to create a desirable trait.

This was strikingly apparent in the German Shepherd from the time of its post-World War 1 introduction into the United States until its present role of popularity. A study of the canine hip dysplasia breed frequency figures published by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals shows a genuine relationship between calm disposition and occurrence of hip dysplasia.

Another unexplained aspect of the occurrence of canine hip dysplasia was discovered at an Animal Hospital in Boston (Angell Memorial). The first recorded diagnosed cases of the disease took place in the early 1930's, from a kennel of Setters and Pointers bred and kept solely for work in the field. Three English Setters had recognizable hip dysplasia and the owner, being an intensely practical man, had the dogs put to sleep.

For about a period of fifteen years or so, this kennel was kept on close track and not another case of canine hip dysplasia turned up. Although no x-ray diagnostic program was carried out, the owner started working his dogs at about three or four months of age and would surely have noticed any dogs that were incapacitated in one way or another.

A similar, but not the same circumstance, was in 1954 when a record of 80 x-ray diagnosed cases of canine hip dysplasia turned up, mostly by the Boxer breed. Subsequent to this, although boxers were popular in the city of Boston, the incidence of diagnosed hip dysplasia cases declined in this breed. There was no breed effort at hip dysplasia reduction similar to that of the Swedish Kennel Club, although there was a change in the general type of the breed during those years.

While an x-ray test is the only accepted method of accurate diagnosis of the mild case of canine hip dysplasia, the breeder should decide whether radiographic deviation from perfection of the hip joint is a characteristic so undesirable to the breed involved that, it should not be bred, regardless of the other desirable traits of the dog.

Canine hip dysplasia will be around until we discover much more about its cause. For now, breeders should select dogs for breeding that are entirely sound of body and mind, and judged at maturity on all aspects of their movement, form, temperament, and any qualities that make them desirable companion for humans.

Stroke - Signs, Symptoms, And Causes Of Strokes In Dogs

Everybody is familiar with the fact that humans have strokes. It is a serious medical issue that people must be aware of when it comes to their own health. However, most of us do not realize that our pets can also suffer a stroke and receive severe brain damage. Experts use to claim that dog strokes were very rare, however during recent MRI scanning documentation, it appears that strokes in dogs is a lot more prevalent than we think.

What Exactly Is A Stroke?

A stroke is caused when the brain becomes suddenly damaged by a lack of blood supply. This could be caused by a blood clot or bleeding to the brain from a ruptured vessel (hemorrhaging). If the bleeding is not stopped as soon as possible, further damage will occur. The extra pressure against the skull from swelling can cause a lot of brain tissue to be destroyed in the process.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Dog Stroke?

The most common signs of dog stroke will be in the form of vestibular disease. The vestibular system includes the brain stem, cerebellum, inner ear nerves, and position detectors which run to the joints and tendons. Stroke, parasites, trauma, infection, or inflammation in any part of this system will cause a variety of symptoms. Such symptoms include staggering, falling, circling, dizziness, vomiting, eyes rolling back and forth, and the inability to get up on all fours.

If your dog has a stroke then it will happen very quickly, but if the bleeding is slow then the signs may come on a bit gradual. Some dogs have very minor strokes which shows signs that only last a couple of days. Although parts of their brain is damaged, you may not notice what has happened until he has a more serious stroke.

If the stroke happens in a different part of the dog's brain, he may show slightly more subtle signs of the stroke. Of course this depends on which part of his brain is damaged and how bad the damage is. Such symptoms include drooling, seizures, collapsing, stiff neck, blindness, having a dazed look, and the inability to get up on all four legs.

What Are The Causes Of Dog Stroke?

The end result of a stroke is caused directly by clotting or severe bleeding to the brain. And this clotting or bleeding can be caused by a variety of diseases. Such diseases may include but are not limited to infection, toxins, cancer, high blood pressure, amyloidosis, cardiac disease, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, inflammation, kidney disease, and septicemia.

Parasites - Get To Know These Annoying And Harmful Bugs

Dog Fleas - Itchy!

At one point or another, your dog will catch a flea, and sometimes maybe even two. However, it only takes two fleas to create an entire army. Regardless of where you live, how often you take him outside, and how careful you are, there is a 99% chance that your dog will get a flea in his lifetime.

So how do you deal with this parasite issue? Getting rid of fleas is a big factor for dog owners. Some dogs are allergic and sensitive to flea bites and can get flea bite dermatitis, which is a skin condition that is painful and difficult to cure.

These nasty fleas can also cause tapeworms and anemia in your pet. In rare but serious circumstances, fleas can carry bubonic plague to humans. On a less serious but nonetheless very annoying case, they can infest your home and live and breed underneath your carpet, your sofa, your furniture, and even under your bed!

Dog Ticks - Ouch!

This is another type of parasite that frequently attacks your dog. More than irritating your dog, ticks can transmit Lyme disease as well as other forms of illnesses. The tick has to attach itself to your pet for up to 72 hours to be able to transmit the disease. Although many illnesses that are associated with ticks are easily treatable, it is better to prevent it from happening.

Worms - Yuck!

These are also common parasites, but live inside your dog. Your pet can get these nasty pests by eating fleas, sniffing on other dog feces, or through a mosquito bite. Your dog may even encountered one by simply walking, since some types of worms are easily absorbed through his feet (and also through yours.)

There are several types of worms that can infest your dog. The most common ones are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and heartworms. Roundworms and tapeworms are easily detected in your dog's feces. Roundworms look like a spaghetti noodle and are transmitted to your dog by sniffing the feces of an infected dog.

Tapeworms look like grains of white rice, and your dog catches them when they eat the infected fleas. Hookworms are transmitted to your dog through the feces of roundworms and is carried to the intestinal tract. Heartworms are contracted by mosquitoes and are common during summertime and in places with warm climates.

Heartworms can be fatal. There is a preventive medicine that your dog can take in order to prevent this parasite from living inside his body. Also, have you vet test your pet for this type of worm as well as other worms during his yearly examination.

First Aid - The Dangers Of Snakes & Insect Bites Your Dog May Face

When your dog is having fun running around in nature's great outdoors, there is always a good possibility that he will be bit by bugs or even a snake, as well as stung by creatures like scorpions and bees.

Most of these outdoor injuries are minor and although your dog may experience some discomfort, these small bites and stings will pass after a day or two. But if you are a little more concerned about your dog safety and the possibility that he may be suffering more pain than he lets on, the following information can help you prepare for these types of injuries:

When your dog is stung or bitten by insects

Most insect bites are just a minor annoyance to a dog, similar to how it feels when you or I get bit by a mosquito. There is just a small red spot with some swelling, but life goes on, and after a day or so, the bite mark subsides. On the other hand, if your dog is allergic to the bite or sting that he experiences, this may cause a severe reaction that is often proved to be life-threatening. You'll know if your dog is allergic to specific types of insect bites and stings if he is showing such conditions as joint pain, vomiting, swelling, diarrhea, and fever.

On the extreme side, if your dog is highly allergic to any number of bug bites and stings, there is the possibility that he will go into respiratory failure. If this does happen, there is a real chance that he could die within minutes. There is a term for this reaction and it is called "anaphylaxis" which requires the immediate attention of your veterinarian.

When your dog is bitten by a snake

Snake bites are rare in most locations but in some areas where there is an abundance of bushes and trees, and even streams of water, snakes may pose a serious threat to your dog. The good news is that most makes are not poisonous and many dogs suffer only mild pain for a few days after being bitten. However, there are those venomous snakes which can cause severe illness if your dog is bitten by one.

How can you tell if the snakes in your area are poisonous? You will know if you are living around poisonous snakes by reading the following basic guidelines:

1. In North America, most of the snakes that are solid in color or have stripes that run down the entire length of their body are considered to be nonpoisonous.

2. Poisonous snakes in North America include water moccasins, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, and copperheads. Most of the snakes will display stripes of color that run around their body. Blotchy color patterns are also signs of a venomous snake. And of course, the classic diamondback design on a snake is a most definitely a poisonous threat to your dog.