Entries Tagged 'Dog Health' ↓

(This is a guest post by from Dr Andrew Jones, author of Veterinary Secrets Revealed)

The veterinary name hot spots in dogs is Acute Moist Dermatitis.

I was pleased to try out a new remedy that worked well - and it was in my kitchen.

Here is some of what’s in my book:

SIGNS

A very itchy, smelly, oozy area on the skin. There may be more than one spot. They often form on the face and at the base of the ears. They are often very painful.

CAUSES

The technical name for a hot spot is acute moist dermatitis. They are a local area of bacterial infected hair follicles. They form most often during the warm summer months. Any scratch or wound can cause the skin to become infected and develop into a hot spot. Most hot spots are secondary to some type of skin allergy.

SOLUTIONS

REMOVE THE HAIR. This is the most important thing to do in order to allow hot spots to heal. Use a pair of blunt nosed scissors to trim as much hair as possible on and around the spot. If you have clippers use them for trimming.
These can be very painful and some dogs will not let you trim much hair.

CLEAN THE AREA. Use a mild, non-perfumed antiseptic soap (Hibitane) to clean the skin. Gently dab it on the spot, lather up and rinse well.

A CUP OF TEA. The key to curing hot spots is to get them to dry out. A very effective antiseptic drying solution is tea and aspirin. Brew up a strong cup of black tea and dissolve an aspirin tablet in it. Soak a cloth in this brew and apply it to the area for 5 minutes four times daily.

And my new remedy…

Apple Cider Vinegar - It can be applied directly to the Hot Spot- 4 times daily. I soaked it in a cloth and wiped the clipped area. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

As an aside, it is also high in potassium, making it beneficial for older, sometimes potassium deficient pets. As well, it can be consumed orally (after all it is fermented apples) - and it can give your pets an overall immune boost.

The MOST common cause of recurring Hot Spots is ONE thing.

Underlying allergies.

And the best way to decrease your pets allergic response:

Essential Fatty Acids.

In high enough doses to be beneficial.

Here is a supplement with EFA’s in high amounts to decrease your allergic pets signs:

–> Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula

***********************************

Dr Jones had personally tested K9 Klear Up for treatment of hot spot in a dog and acne in a cat, and found it to be effective in getting rid of both skin problems. See his testimonial at www.K9KlearUp.com

According to the manufacturer of K9 Klear Up, it can be used to treat 17 conditions:

1. hot spots and chronic skin rashes
2. cuts and scrathes
3. minor bleeding
4. split pads
5. surgery
6. skin allergies (eg. eczema)
7. burns
8. bug bites
9. general pad wear & tear
10. dull coat
11. coat growth after injury
12. infections
13. joint swelling
14. acne
15. dry, itchy and flaky skin
16. fungus infection
17. itching & scratching

Check out K9 Klear Up here:

www.K9KlearUp.com

Diatomaceous Earth is made up of fossilized skeletal remains of algae, especially diatoms. They are ground up into a fine powder, to be used for various purposes:

1. tick and flea control
2. pest control-ants, cocokroaches, slugs
3. filters - swimming pool, drinking water, fish tanks
4. abrasive - toothpaste, facial scrub, metal polish
5. absorbent - clean up liquid spills, used in cat litter
6. hydroponics - as growing medium
7. agriculture - anticaking agent in grain handling and storage areas
8. dewormer

Diatomaceous Earth for flea and tick control

While diatomaceous earth feels like talcum powder and harmless to human beings, it is lethal to fleas, ticks and other insects. The microscopic sharp edges of the powder cut through the protective layers of the body, causing adult fleas/ticks, their eggs and larvae to dry up and eventually die.

The powder can be applied to carpets, floors, furniture, bedding, in the yard and on your dog.

Make sure you get food grade Diatomaceous Earth. Do not use pool grade (for swimming pool) as it has been treated and therefore, toxic to animals.

Here’s a Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth powder:

Alternative Health & Herbs Remedies: Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

While it takes a few days for Diatomaceous Earth to kill off fleas/ticks, its natural flea/tick control effect is more lasting than that of chemical pesticides. It is a natural tick and flea killer that’s non toxic.

Since Diatomaceous Earth is a drying agent, avoid direct contact with eyes or mucuous membranes. Do not inhale the dust. Wear a mask or protective gear to cover your mouth and nose when applying it. If you are treating a large area, keep the dog away until the dust (if any) has settled.

Here’s a natural flea and tick remedy that contains Diatomaceous Earth:

Only Natural Pet All-In-One Flea Remedy

Lyme disease in dogs is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria. This bacteria is transmitted by ticks, especially deer ticks. Lyme disease is common in certain parts of the USA, particularly the Northeast, Midwest and the West.

Dogs that live in endemic areas are more likely to be infected. Besides dogs, human beings, horses and cattle can be develop Lyme disease.

How Lyme disease is transmitted to dogs

The bacteria is transmitted by 2 types of ticks: Ixodes and I. pacificus. The 3 stages of a tick are larva, nymph and adult. Larva and nymph feed on small mammals (such as mouse), while adult tick feeds on larger host (such as deer, dogs, humans, horses). Infected ticks attach to the host until they become engorged with its blood and then fall off.
It is during this time that a feeding tick transfers the bacteria from its mid-gut to the host. Transmission only occurs after at least 48 hours.

Lyme disease symptoms in dogs

About 95% of infected dogs do not show Lyme disease symptoms. It would take weeks or months after being infected before symptoms appear.

Some of the Lyme disease symptoms in dogs are:

- fever
- loss of appetite
- depression
- lameness in one limb or several limbs
- swollen joints
- pain on joints
- enlarged lymph nodes

Kidney failure, heart problem or nervous system disorder may occur in rare cases.

Other medical conditions may share these symptoms, so a proper diagnosis is necessary.

How to diagnosed Lyme disease in dogs

It is difficult to diagnose Lyme disease in dogs. There is no one test for diagnosing the disease. While the standard test is for the presence of Lyme disease antibodies, it is not able to differentiate between exposure and infection to the disease. A dog exposed to the bacteria does not always develop and show symptoms of Lyme disease. Treatment is only required for an active infection.

The presence of symptoms, exposure to endemic area and the response to treatment may sometimes be enough to diagnose Lyme disease in dogs.

Treatment for Lyme disease in dogs

Lyme disease in dogs is treated with antibiotics. Symptoms should improve within 1-2 days of starting treatment.

Antibiotics only suppress but do not kill the Borrelia burgdoferi bacteria. The bacteria remain dormant in the dog’s body where it doesn’t cause active infection. Lyme disease can recur in dogs if the immune system is low.

Natural remedies

If your pet does have Lyme disease, there are natural remedies available to help fight it and other flea and tick borne illnesses. These herbal remedies actually strengthen your pet’s immune system, and ultimately increase their natural ability to fight off infection. As an alternative to the dangerous side effects of prescription medications, these natural products can be very effective in helping keep your pet’s system clean and to boost their natural immune functioning in cases where prescription medications may be necessary.

• TF-Defense treats Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses
• Immunity & Liver Support strengthens and improves immune system and liver functioning.
• Muscle & Joint Support relieves stiffness in swollen joints, reduces pain and promotes healthy muscles and bones.
• LiverAid stimulates and improves liver functioning and prevents disease.

Prevention

• Check your dog regularly for ticks by brushing with a flea comb. If ticks are removed immediately or within 48 hours of attaching to your dog, transmission does not occur.

• Avoid tick infested areas such as wooded, bushy, leafy or grassy areas.

• Keep your lawn mowed, and clear of leaves and overgrowth trees.

• Use tick control products to repel ticks from your dog. See my previous post on: How to get rid of fleas without chemicals and pesticides

Here are the top 10 pet poisons of 2009 (source: ASCPA)

1. Human medications
Prescription and over the counter drugs: painkillers, cold meds, antidepressants and dietary supplements.

2. Insecticides
Most common is the misuse of flea and tick products, such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species.

There are alternative non toxic ways to eliminate fleas. Check out how to get rid of fleas and ticks without chemicals and pesticides.

3. Human food

Grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum can cause serious disability to pets.

Chocolate contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

4. Plants
Common harmful house plants: azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.

5. Veterinary medications
Although vet meds are meant for pets, the improper dosage or application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements by pet owners can be harmful.

6. Rodenticides
Pets can accidentally ingest rat and mouse poisons. Potential life threatening problems are bleeding, seizures or kidney damage. Be sure to keep baits away from the reach of pets.

7. Household cleaners
Toxic household cleaners such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract when inhaled by pets.

8. Heavy metals
Poisonous heavy metals: lead, zinc and mercury. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many
sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.

9 Garden products
Certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.

10. Chemical hazards
Chemical hazards–found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals–form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.

What you can do

The key is prevention, so make sure you keep potential hazards out of the reach of your pet.

Watch out for signs of poisoning and bring your pet to the vet for immediate treatment.

Vaccine is either made from killed or modified forms of microbe (bacteria and/or virus). It stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies that protect your dog against the disease-causing microbe. If your dog is infected with the microbe again, his body knows how to defend against it by producing antibodies.

Why over vaccination is dangerous

Vaccinations put excessive strain on the immune system. The latter responds by attacking itself (autoimmune diseases), attacking the site of injection or worsening inhalant allergies.

Some of the potential problems arising from vaccinations are:
- immune related diseases (including immune mediated hemolytic anemia and immune mediated skin disease)
- skin cancer
- skin allergies
- arthritis
- leukemia
- inflammatory bowel disease
- behaviour problems
- thyroid disease
- recurrent ear infections
- recurrent respiratory infections
- cancer

Should you give your dog any vaccination?

Vaccinations can prevent serious illnesses but use them with caution. Consider the risk before vaccinating your dog.

Do your own research before making your decision about dog vaccination. Don’t rely on your vet for up-to-date and unbiased advice. Most of them are motivated by profit from the quantity of vaccines given.

Dogs can be prone to urinary tract infection. Early detection and treatment help to keep the infection at bay. If a urinary tract infection in dogs isn’t detected quickly, it can be harder to treat and may potentially lead to more serious problems. The key effective treatment is to recognise the 7 early warning signs of dog urinary tract infection.

1. Frequent urination

If your dog suddenly needs to urinate more often than before, he can be suffering from urinary infection.

2. Accidents in the house

Dogs which have otherwise been fully house trained suddenly begin to eliminate everywhere except the potty area. Urinary tract infection can cause dogs to have accidents inside and outside the house as they often feel the need to go “right now”.

Before you dismiss this symptom in your dog as a behaviour or house training problem, please have him checked by the vet first.

3. Painful urination

This can be difficult to identify in dogs. However, you may notice your dog whimpers when he urinates.

4. Straining to urinate

Your dog may seem unable to eliminate. He tries to go but only urinate in small amounts or none at all.

5. Bad urine odor

Normal dog urine has little or no odor to it. If the urine smells badly, it can be symptom of dog urinary tract infection.

6. Blood in urine

Normal dog urine should be clear to slightly yellow in colour. Pink, reddish or very dark colour urine may indicate a bladder infection.

7. Weight loss and vomiting

There are various reasons why dogs vomit. If your dog vomits regularly and suffers from weight loss, it may be suffering from an upper urinary tract infection.

Unfortunately, dogs can’t tell us when they are in pain, not feeling well or something is wrong or bothering them. The best way of detecting an infection is to know your dog well. Be aware of his usual habits so that you will be able to spot when something is not right with him. The earlier you find and treat a dog urinary tract infection, the better the chances of a full recovery.

When you notice any of the above mentioned dog urinary tract infection symptoms, bring him to the vet immediately for proper diagnosis and early treatment.

A simple infection can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics. PetAlive UTI-Free is a natural treatment for urinary infection in dogs.

If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to recurrent infections or other more serious problems. Be sure to provide plenty of drinking water for your dog.

Fleas or ticks are annoying pests to the dog and its owner. They multiply very quickly and thrive in warm weather. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Most of the eggs laid on the host fall off onto the areas where your dog rests or spends most of its time. The eggs hatch into larvae, and larvae transform into pupae before becoming adult fleas.

Flea/tick bites are itchy and can cause allergic reaction in some dogs. The constant scratching can result in open sores and other skin problems. Ticks can transmit tapeworm and Lyme disease to dogs.

Getting rid of fleas involves treating your dog, house and outside environment. Flea products come in various brands and forms (sprays, powders, shampoos, collars, dips, etc). Flea pesticides are toxic and can cause side effects to your dog. Be sure to read the product label and follow the instructions carefully. Natural flea remedies are safer for you and your dog.

1. Treating your dog

Bathe your dog with a natural flea shampoo such as BeFree Flea Shampoo. Then, apply a natural flea powder made from diatomaceous earth to your dog. Diatomaceous powder kills fleas, larvae and eggs by dehydrating them. Alternatively, spray your dog with a natural flea spray such as Neem Protect Spray or Triple Sure to kill adult fleas and larvae.

For skin irritations or infections from flea bites, the vet usually prescribes steroid ointments. You may want to use herbal remedies like FleaDerm as safer and alternative treatments for the skin. They can disinfect, relieve itching and pain, and promote healing of your dog’s skin.

2. Treating your house

This involves killing adult fleas and inhibiting the flea growth cycle.

Vacuum carpet, wells, cracks and crevices on floor everyday to remove adult fleas, larvae and eggs. Put some flea powder into the vacuum bag in order to kill fleas in it. After vacuuming, remove and throw away bags from vacuum cleaner immediately.

Sprinkle diatomaceceous earth or borate powder onto carpet, furniture and floor, especially corners, cracks and crevices. Or spray with Triple Sure (before spraying on carpets or furniture fabric, you may want to spot test a small area out of plain sight to make sure the essential oils do not leave a stain).

Wash your dog’s bedding in hot, soapy water once a week. Add some flea shampoo to the water. If flea infestation is severe, throw away old bedding and replace with new one.

3. Treating your yard

Treat your yard with natural flea powders such as diatomaceceous earth or borate powder.
Nematodes are effective for getting rid of fleas in the yard. Nematodes are worms that prey on adult fleas, larvae and eggs. They are safe, non-toxic and fleas cannot develop resistance against them.  You can buy nematodes from certain pet stores, nurseries or gardening stores.

Spotty and Loofy will be wearing the Elizabethan collars (e-collars) until the stitches are taken out in 7-10 days.

This is the first time I’m using Elizabethan collars on my dogs. It has been challenging. I found it hard to keep removing and putting on the e-collars before and after meals. So, I decided to leave them on and let my dogs adjust to wearing them.

Here’s a trick I learned to help my dogs eat and drink with the e-collars on. Use a small bowl for food and water, so that the e-collar can cover over it when my dogs eat and drink. Hold on to the bowl until my dogs finish eating and drinking so they don’t knock it over (and spill the content) with the e-collar.

Initially, my dogs were banging into furniture, door, wall, etc. with the e-collars. I try to keep the area where they rest and walk as clear as possible.

They are slowly adapting to wearing the e-collars. Now they can eat, drink, sleep and go potty with the e-collars on. As I’m not able to watch my dogs 24/7 to ensure they don’t lick or bite the stitches/wound, the e-collar is certainly a godsend.

Canine Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition where the skin becomes darkened and thickened. There are 2 types of acanthosis nigricans: primary and secondary.

Primary Canine Acanthosis Nigricans

The initial sign of primary canine acanthosis nigricans is hyperpigmentation in the armpits. Eventually, the skin thickens and turns greasy with a nasty odor, with loss of hair. It may spread to the neck, chest, groin, abdomen, paw and ear. The itching is exacerbated by seborrhea, secondary bacterial and yeast infection. This condition usually affects dogs at around 6 months of age and is common in certain breeds, particularly the Daschund. This type of acanthosis nigricans is hereditary, so dogs with this condition should not be bred.Primary canine acanthosis nigricans can only be controlled, not cured. Anti-serborrheic bath and regular application of talc to intertrigo may provide temporary relief. Topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation, pain and itchiness while antibiotics is used to treat skin infection. Other treatments include vitamin E and injectable melatonin.

Primary canine acanthosis nigricans commonly affects the Daschund breed.

Secondary Canine Acanthosis Nigricans

Secondary canine acanthosis nigricans occurs in underlying disoders such as:

1. dysfunction of endocrine gland (Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism),
2. excessive chafing or rubbing (in overweight dogs), and
3. hypersensitivity to certain foods, and direct or indirect contact with allergens.

Any breed can develop secondary canine acanthosis nigricans and is determined by the dog’s susceptibility to the underlying disorders.

If the underlying disorder is identifiable and curable, then secondary canine acanthosis nigricans does not require treatment. It is cured once the underlying disorder is treated.

Should you notice any of the above signs canine acanthosis nigricans, consult your vet for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

While a serous nasal discharge may only be a sign of infection caused by bacteria or viruses, a mucoid, purulent or bloody nasal discharge can be indicative of nasal cancer in dogs . Young puppies and kittens must be checked for a cleft palette if they are discharging milk from their nasal passages.

The nasal cavity in dogs is a complex structure consisting of nostrils that open up in two air passages that are lined with scrolled spongy bones called turbinates. A clear serous discharge coming out from both the nostrils may also be caused by the presence of small mites but mucoid and purulent discharges need to be investigated since they can be signs of any of the following:

* Foreign matters such as grasses or weeds that may have enter the nose while sniffing.
* Dental infections, especially in the roots of upper teeth.
* Fungal infection.
* Nasal cancer.

If blood is present in the discharge, it is almost certain that the cause is either a fungal infection or nasal cancer that is taking root in the passage. Cats with fungal infection in the nose must be checked for prevalence of feline cancer or the leukemia virus. Final diagnosis is done only after ruling out that the bleeding is not caused by violent sneezing since that can also result in temporary bleeding.

Nasal cancer usually occurs as paranasal sinus fibrosarcomas (a sarcoma derived from fibroblast cells, often able to generate collagen) or paranasal sinus chondrosarcomas (a malignant neoplasm of cartilage cells). Both types of sarcomas grow slowly but are progressive and invasive in nature.

Diagnosis of nasal cancer involves routine blood and urine tests, biochemical profiling, biopsy and CT scans. Apart from the nasal discharge and bleeding, other symptoms that dog owners should keep a watch out for include:

* Excessive sneezing.
* Tears.
* Bad breath.
* Loss of appetite for a long period.
* Facial deformity.
* Bulging eyes.
* Seizures that indicate metastasis to the brain.

Nasal tumors usually do not respond to chemotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs. Surgery is also a difficult procedure since the structure of the nose is extremely complex. And therefore it is difficult to remove the tumor from the nose. Radiation therapy is available in select cities and veterinary schools but this method usually reduces the size of the tumor only. It is dangerous to ignore treatment as nasal tumors can spread to the brain and cause seizures and the condition may also breakout through facial bones and distort the dog’s appearance permanently.