We Love Our Labrador Retrievers » Dog Nutrition and Health http://www.weloveourlabs.com Labrador retriever dogs and puppies pictures, stories, training and health blog. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:14:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How To Remove a Tick http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/how-to-remove-a-tick/ http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/how-to-remove-a-tick/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:18:53 +0000 Love Labs http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/how-to-remove-a-tick/
  • Examine your dog using good lighting.
  • When is tick is found embedded in the skin, use a fine pointed tweezers at the point of attachment, and grasp the tick head firmly. Wear latex gloves if possible when doing this (especially if you live in a high-risk area).
  • Using slow, steady, and firm traction, pull the tick straight out from the skin.
  • It is critical to NOT squeeze the tick body at any time — this can inject more potential pathogens in to you or your pet while the tick is embedded.
  • Cleanse the skin with mild soap and water.
  • If a small part of the tick breaks off, you can try to remove it as you would a splinter, but it is probably best to leave it alone. The body will 'eject' it in time. If you live in a high risk area you should contact your vet and ask their advice about partially remaining ticks.
  • Place the tick in a jar of alcohol, noting the date, in case of future illness. Tick identification and location of tick infestation will be important in case of illness.

    • Important things to remember:

    • Do NOT use a match or caustic materials to try to smother the tick or get the tick to 'back out'. This doesn't work, and may be causing the tick to regurgitate more saliva (and potential pathogens) into the skin.
    • Talk to your vet about effective tick control.
    • Check pet daily, especially in the spring when ticks are most common.

      This note was originally posted at the Labrador Retriever Chatboard in Health Section of the Forums. Please visit the chatboard community for more information on Labrador Retriever dog health, diet, nutrition and training.

    ]]>     http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/how-to-remove-a-tick/feed/ 0     Dog Fleas and Ticks http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/dog-fleas-and-ticks/ http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/dog-fleas-and-ticks/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:07:30 +0000 Love Labs http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/dog-fleas-and-ticks/ Fleas

    Dog fleas are different to those which infest humans and cats. When a flea bites, it injects saliva to stop the blood clotting whilst it sucks it up. The saliva contains chemicals which often cause an allergic reaction in the dog.

    The signs are :-
    Bites which look like small red pimples.
    Black, gritty material in the coat, and areas of inflammation on the animals back.
    Scratching.

    What is the treatment ?
    Spring-clean the house and treat the dog's favorite places with a suitable insecticidal spray. Flea tablets or collars are a good extra precaution, and spray badly affected animals frequently with insecticide during the summer months. (the flea season)

    Ticks

    The common tick seen on dogs is the sheep tick. this has a large abdomen that stretches as it fills with blood. It hangs on to the dog's hair and sticks it's mouth parts through the skin to suck blood.Ticks are usually found on the underside of the dog, under the forelegs and on the head.

    What is the treatment ?
    Try to remove every tick when you see it. It is important to extract the head, otherwise an abscess may form. If the head is left in, warm compresses help draw out the infection, combined with antibacterial washes and creams.

    Removing a tick.
    A good method is to get the tick's head to relax or die by dabbing it with alcohol. Wait a couple of minutes, then use fine-pointed tweezers to extract the tick. Grasp it near the mouth parts, and give it a sharp jerk. This should dislodge it.

    Alternatively, flea sprays can be used locally on ticks. The tick will then die and can be removed the following day. Regular use of a flea spray in tick areas often keeps them away.

    When my own dogs have suffered with ticks or fleas in the past, I've always managed to deal with them myself, but if you've any concerns at all with your own dog, then consult your vet as a precaution.

    Author John Moore ..please use my link
    http://www.pet-dog-cat.com

    ]]>     http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/dog-fleas-and-ticks/feed/ 0     Hip Dysphasia in Dogs http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/hip-dysphasia-in-dogs/ http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/hip-dysphasia-in-dogs/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:05:33 +0000 Love Labs http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/hip-dysphasia-in-dogs/ Hip dysphasia is a crippling and painful disease seen most often in larger purebred dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd, St.Bernard's, and Labrador Retrievers. The occurrence in German Shepherds alone is almost 80%.

    Classified as an arthritic condition, it is usually hereditary and presents itself in one or both hip joints. The cartilage lining of the hip joints wear down due to a partial and sometimes complete dislocation of the hip joints.

    Signs of hip dysphasia may appear as early as 4 weeks of age, with most appearing around 8 to 12 months. Early warning signs are posterior pain, difficulty rising from a prone position, and a general hesitance to move or exercise. A definite diagnosis can only be made by an x-ray from you veterinarian.

    Surgical techniques have been developed to help relieve the pain and lameness caused by the disease. In severe cases hip or joint reconstruction and or replacement has been done, with the best results seen in smaller, younger animals. Since hip dysphasia is an inherited disease, infected dogs should be neutered to prevent spreading to further generations.

    In older dogs, anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone and aspirin can be used to relieve the pain, as older dogs aren't good surgical candidates. Reducing the affected dog's weight with a strict diet and moderate exercise can also go along way in reducing the pain and discomfort. With any debilitating disease, early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important. You should seek veterinary care at the first signs of pain and loss of mobility.

    Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

    Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest dog clothes, dog collars, dog carriers and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at www.joncopets.com Submitted with Article Distributor.

    ]]>     http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/hip-dysphasia-in-dogs/feed/ 0     Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/grapes-nuts-and-your-dogs-health/ http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/grapes-nuts-and-your-dogs-health/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:01:47 +0000 Love Labs http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/grapes-nuts-and-your-dogs-health/ "Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got himself into sticky situations…" So begins a story in the latest report from the ASPCA on foods that may be toxic to dogs. It turns out that Magoo got into the pantry and snagged himself about a pound of raisins. He ate the whole thing, of course. The ASPCA never mentions Magoo's fate. But they do tell us that as little as a handful of raisins can impair a dogs health and has been fatal for some. Ditto for the grape.

    Who Knew? Growing up, I regarded our family dogs as "the first cycle of the dishwasher". They were good about waiting their turn for whatever we left on our plates, and we weren't too concerned about offering them "people food". It never crossed our minds that our dogs health could be affected by a few measly table scraps. What was safe for us, we figured, was safe for our pets. What's more, whenever I ate grapes, I liked to give one or two to our German Shepherd "Tiffany". The grapes always popped out of her mouth when she tried to bite into them and Tiffany, ever the good sport, refused to give up until she'd squashed each one into submission. It guaranteed at least 60 seconds of harmless fun. Tiffany was also fond of chewing gum (she chewed it — wrapper and all — but didn't swallow it!) We had the sugarless kind, which is often sweetened these days with xylitol. Little did I know that I might have been poisoning our family pet! (More on xylitol below).

    Why are grapes harmful? As far as grapes and raisins go, no one is sure why they're harmful. It's been confirmed that even grapes grown without fertilizers or pesticides can be toxic to dogs. But not to every dog, and not every time. It's also not known whether small amounts eaten over a long time period could have a cumulative effect.

    What we do know is that the end result in nearly all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity is acute kidney failure. (The term "acute" means that the condition is severe and comes on quickly.) The dog ultimately can't produce urine, which means they can't filter toxins out of their systems — a process essential to life.  During the twelve-month period in which the effects of grapes were studied, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 140 cases involving one or more dogs. Over a third of the dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven dogs died. The ASPCA based their study on reported cases, so naturally there may be cases where a dogs health is entirely unaffected by eating grapes. But until they know all the facts, the Society advises against feeding pets grapes or raisins in any amount.

    An ounce of prevention. So, your dog just scored himself a big box of raisins. What's a pet owner to do? The first line of defense, if the grapes or raisins were eaten recently, is to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal (it absorbs toxins in the GI tract). Vomiting is also the first sign that your dog is in trouble, so skip right to the activated charcoal if vomiting has already occurred. (In a pinch you can make your own activated charcoal by charring a piece of toast until it's blackened and crumbles easily.) Then call your vet right away.

    Can't reach the vet? Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435

    The vet will keep your dog on intravenous fluids for at least 48 hours and monitor blood chemistry daily. Normal blood work after 3 days usually means your dog is in the clear.

    Keeping a watchful eye out, of course, is the best way to keep your pet out of trouble. Like children, dogs (and other pets) have a knack for getting into mischief when we're not looking.

    It's Not Just the Grapes… There are other foods your dog should be kept away from, and some of them may surprise you. Here are some other foods that can put a dogs health in harms way:

    Chocolate

    Who can resist chocolate? Like it your not, your dog. Chocolate is made with cocoa beans and cocoa beans contain a chemical called Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. So on Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind to your best buddy if you eat all the chocolates yourself! Read my special report on chocolate at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/chocolate to learn more, and see how different types of chocolate have varying effects on dogs health.

    Cocoa Mulch

    Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production (which is how mulch made it into the "foods" category) and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer. However, some dogs like to eat it and it contains Theobromine.

    Fatty foods

    Fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can can overtax the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. This can threaten your dogs health and is potentially fatal.

    Nuts

    Macadamia nuts should be avoided. In fact most nuts are not good for a dogs health since their high phosporus content is said to lead to bladder stones.

    Mulch

    Mulch isn't food, but there's one type tempting enough for dogs to eat. Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.

    Onions

    Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. (Stephen J Ettinger, D.V.M and Edward C. Fieldman, D.V.M. 's book: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 2 pg 1884.) Stay away from onion powder too.

    Potatoes

    Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible.

    Artificial Sweeteners

    Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugarless gum and candies. Ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. According to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center, "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product" states Dr. Dunayer, "…therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."

    Turkey

    Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to it's high fat content.

    Other foods listed by the ASPCA as harmful:
    Alcoholic beverages
    Avocado (the only "fatty" member of the vegetable family)
    Coffee (all forms of coffee)
    Moldy or spoiled foods 
    Salt
    Yeast dough
    Garlic

    The Bottom Line

    Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days. But it's important to keep up with what's currently known about foods and their effects on dogs health. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were only discovered very recently to have harmful effects. Check frequently with sources like the ASPCA, or sign up for the "Cold Noses News" and we'll keep you informed. (You'll also get a bunch of cool dog stuff along with your free registration).

    Of course, being alert and getting your pet to the vet promptly will help assure a happy outcome if something unfortunate should happen. Here's to your dogs health and good nutrition!

    Carolyn Schweitzer, a former family dentsit, is owner and editor of several websites, including http://www.Great-Dog-Gift.com. Visit http://www.great-dog-gift.com/foodarticle to view the full illustrated article with links to resource articles from the ASPCA such as "How to Poison Proof your Home". Sign up for the "Cold Noses News" at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/noses to have information like this delivered to your mailbox.
    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Schweitzer

    ]]>     http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/grapes-nuts-and-your-dogs-health/feed/ 0     Choosing the Right Dog Food http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/choosing-the-right-dog-food/ http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/choosing-the-right-dog-food/#comments Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:12:04 +0000 Love Labs http://www.weloveourlabs.com/dog-nutrition-and-health/choosing-the-right-dog-food/ When choosing the type of dog food to feed your dog, you need to consider his age, breed, your dog’s activity level and also his health condition. For instance, puppies and older dogs will have different types of nutritional needs and you need to ensure your dog or puppy has sufficient consumption of these nutrition for a long and healthy live. It is best if you seek advice from your veterinarian before deciding on which dog food to feed your dog or puppy.

    Two most popular choices of dog foods are:

    Dry Dog Food. Feeding your dog with dry dog food, usually in small pieces of kibbles, is perhaps one of the most popular choices among dog owners. However, not all dog food brands use high quality natural ingredients. Ensure to read the label of ingredients listed before purchasing any brands of dog food. Here are some guidelines to help you to have some ideas of what the label actually tells you:

    No Preservative, Artificial Colors and Flavors. Generally, natural dog food contains no preservative, artificial colors and flavors. Consumption of these components may be harmful to your dog’s health if taken in a long run. Avoid those that labeled “chemical additives as a source of flavor”.

    Color. Lookout for the color of the dog food, generally dog food made from natural ingredients is in soft earth tones. Existence of other colors may contain some source of additives.

    Type of Meat. Avoid brands that labeled “ingredients include meat by-product”. Choose one that made from natural meat such as chicken, lamb or liver.

    Raw Dog Food. According to veterinarian, feeding your dog with raw dog food is the healthiest and the best. Raw dog food contains all natural and unprocessed ingredients. A healthy raw dog food meal usually contains 40% meat, 30% fiber and 30% starch. Thereby, when preparing a meal for your dog, be sure to include some source of vegetables and starch in addition to the uncooked meat such as liver, beef, lamb and etc. Types of vegetables like broccoli, carrots and yams are all good sources of fibers and starches for your dog.

    Author Emillie Loh is a dog lover and owner of a dog-related website. Visit Dog Obedience Training for more information on dog behavior and training.

    Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory http://www.dognewscenter.com

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