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07/17/2009
07/15/2009
Kennel cough...don't let your dogs get it.
Kennel Cough is one of the leading causes of death in dogs. Kennel
cough goes by the scientific name tracheobronchitis. It's a very
contagious upper respiratory illness that can quickly move through a
kennel. It's a deadly illness that can be difficult to treat, if not
dealt with early. Kennel Cough is spread from dog to dog by coughing
and sneezing. In a closed and close environment like a kennel, this
disease can spread very rapidly. Kennel cough comes in both bacterial
and viral versions, depending on the underlying infection. Kennel cough
is high contagious. In fact, even several weeks after symptoms have
subsided, a dog may still be contagious. Kennel cough symptoms usually
begin within a few days to less than a week after exposure to the
contagion. Viral Kennel Cough can be prevented by ensuring that your
dog's immunizations are up to date. The viral version can be deadly in
extreme cases and is one of the biggest reason why it's so important
for your dog to keep his immunizations up to date. The alternative is
not acceptable to any dog lover. Bacterial Kennel Cough can be treated
with antibiotics. As long as antibiotics are started early then the
prognosis is good. To help calm a cough that can be irritating for your
dog
,
your vet may prescribe a cough suppressant to keep the cough from
getting out of hand. Dogs are man's best friend. A family dog is always
considered a member of the family. It's important to learn more about
your dog's health issues. Knowledge is power and knowledge of the
illnesses that could affect your dog means that you can take the
precautions needed to keep your dog healthy.
07/12/2009
Ticks and fleas
What are ticks?
Ticks are small, light grey, rounded insects which feed from the blood of animals. They vary in size and when engorged, can reach the size of a pea. They can be found anywhere on the dogs body but are most frequently found on the ears, face or abdomen where hair cover is relatively thin. Ticks will only feed at certain times of their life. Peak activity is between the months of March to June and from August to November. Most of their life cycle is spent outside in areas of long grasslands and moorland but they can also survive in cracks and crevices in the walls and floors of kennels.
How can I tell if my dog has ticks?
Adult ticks can be seen attached to the skin of your dog and will resemble a small, smooth wart or blood blister. If your dog has only a few ticks, they may have little effect on your dog. Occasionally your dog’s skin may become irritated due to an allergic reaction to the bite. If infestations are heavy, anaemia may develop. Ticks can however be carriers of Lymes disease, which can be transmitted to the dog when bitten.
How do I control ticks?
When a tick is removed from your dog’s body, it is important that its mouthparts do not remain embedded in your dogs skin or this may result in irritation, infection and abscess. To prevent this from happening, it is always best to get your vet to remove the tick. There are many insecticide sprays and shampoos available on the market that will kill ticks and if you use these regularly, they can help prevent infestation.
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