You are viewing entries tagged 'vet'.
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If a dog that is not normally aggressive suddenly begins showing signs of aggression, you must get to the vet right away so that physical pain can be ruled out. Dental problems are high on the list of triggers for aggression in dogs.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.
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Dog people across the country may finally get definitive answers to the one question they hear everyday at the dog park – “cute dog, what kind is it?” Thanks to a handful of new DNA testing programs, you just may even be able to answer it, or at the least learn what breeds dominate your dog’s family tree. But with up to four competing DNA companies who promise to analyze doggie cheek cell swabs or blood samples, how do you choose which test is most accurate?
That’s where Paula Szuchman and The Wall Street Journal come in. Szuchman had her pup’s DNA tested with four popular dog DNA services. See her full article on the topic here, as well as her helpful chart on how the tests compare.
Woof Report is a free weekday email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products & more! Sign up at www.woofreport.com or become a Facebook Fan. |
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If you’ve got more than one dog, be very careful when you return from the vet with one of them if the others have stayed home. The dog that has been at the vet smells different from being there and it is not uncommon to see raised hackles or growls on the first return.
You can avoid possible tense moments when reuniting your dogs if you let the dogs run loose in a wide open space so that they have room to get re-acquainted without things getting ugly.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Does your dog seem to have an extra sensitive stomach? Often times a dose of acidophilus can help – humans take it all the time, too!
Acidophilus is a probiotic often found in yogurt that aids in digestion: it puts the good bacteria in your system! Check with your vet to see if giving your buddy this supplement will help that sensitive stomach. |
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Some veterinary clinics also do pet rescue, which overburdens staff already tasked with caring for patients. When there isn’t a no-kill shelter in the area or the shelter is full, most vets do their best to care for and find homes for abandoned pets. Having a volunteer come in to spend time with rescue animals, especially on weekends, allows the doctor and their staff to concentrate on getting their patients well while the volunteer deals with the rescue pets. Veterinary schools and hospitals often face the same quandary and would welcome volunteers to help care for pets abandoned at their facility. You get to spend time with dogs and make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. |
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Antibiotics are often prescribed to deal with all forms of infection or illness. They keep bad bacteria from building in the dog’s system, or kill off any bacteria that may be causing a problem.
But our dogs need some bacteria to remain healthy. In order to ensure that the good bacteria is not depleted by a dose of antibiotics, it is a good idea to administer a probiotic to your dog after a round of antibiotics. It won’t do any good to give probiotics at the same time as antibiotics, but once the antibiotics are completed, probiotics should be given for roughly the same length of time that the antibiotics were prescribed. It is possible to purchase dog-specific probiotics, but human quality probiotics will work as well.
Always discuss use of pet medications with your vet before you make any decisions as to treatment.
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Before you find yourself in need of an emergency vet or animal hospital, take this opportunity to research the closest one to your home, as well as inquiring with your vet as to whom he or she recommends. Having this information handy should you need it will save you essential time when it comes to emergency vet services for your pet. Those extra minutes you would have spent searching could mean a major difference.
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Recent genetic research has found that a mutation in the MDR1 gene, present in many herding and sight hound breeds or mixes, is related to adverse reactions when that dog is exposed to certain flea/tick treatments (preparations with Ivermectin), pain medications (acepromazine), and various other drugs. If your dog carries this genetic variant, they could be at serious risk when it comes time to protect against pests or treat illnesses. Testing is available to determine if your dog is safe to use these common pharmaceuticals.
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Does Rover have a crusty, dry, or scaly nose? Some dogs, like some people, have naturally dry skin. This can be genetically influenced, or due to environment, diet, medication, or allergies. A simple and affordable fix is applying propylene glycol to the nose each day. You should be able to purchase propylene glycol from your favorite health store or pharmacy for next to nothing, literally! And it is unscented so won’t bother your dog’s sensitive sense of smell. |
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Responsible Dog Ownership Tip #4: A healthy dog is a thing of beauty!
Appropriate health care for your canine companion is critical. This includes, but is not limited to: regular appropriate exercise, good nutrition, veterinary support, parasite prevention, and dental care. |
