All Bulldog owners know the importance of maintaining its good health, the benefits of doing so, and how it works as an advantage for the relationship between them. A healthy dog is a happy one, keeping it in that state will make it love you more, strengthening its bond with you. This also lessens its chances of contracting diseases, which can be minor or fatal. A healthy pooch will of course lived longer than the other pooches that are usually neglected or deprived of basic needs. Maintaining its peak condition as much as possible will grant it more years to live.
Nutrition plays a major part in a Bulldog’s health. There are many owners who feel that giving it the leftovers from meals three times a day will be enough, but it never is. Filling its stomach till it isn’t hungry anymore just doesn’t cut it. Like people, they too have daily nutritional needs which has to be complied. Instead of feeding it table scraps, you can feed it commercial dog food instead. Read the nutritional facts on it and see if it’s compatible with your dogs nutritional diet as suggested by your veterinarian. In general, feeding it three times a day is recommended, rather than giving it one mountain meal a day.
Make this a habit, and remember never to overfeed your Bulldog. Having a stuffed balloon-like dog can be very cute and works well with catching the attention of others for your own personal benefit, but it can have many bad effects on the pooch. Overfeeding can cause it to bloat, which can lead to all sorts of problems that can be fatal if left unattended. (more…)
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, as it is called, is a version of artificial respiration that includes assisting the HEART to BEAT. The purpose of CPR is to keep oxygen moving to the lungs and blood circulating throughout the body. The directions contained here APPLY TO DOGS. While these instructions may be good in an emergency, it is wise to check with your VET to establish the procedure that is best for your DOG.
How To Administer CPR
If your DOG is NOT breathing use a finger to clear any mucus or other objects from the mouth. TILT the head back to straighten the airway passage.
Hold the mouth shut with one hand, and place your mouth over the DOG’S nose and mouth making sure the seal is tight.
Blow into the nose while watching to see if the chest expands.
If the chest DOES NOT EXPAND start over again by clearing the mouth. If the chest DOES EXPAND release your DOG’S mouth so it can exhale.
Repeat the breathing procedure once every five (5) seconds until your DOG is breathing normally, or until your Vet or other Emergency technician is available to begin treatment.
IF YOU CANNOT DETECT A HEARTBEAT YOU MUST PERFORM ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH CARDIAC RESUSCITATION. (more…)
When you bring a new puppy home; the most important thing is to get him vaccinated. You can either take him to a veterinarian or give him the required shots easily at home. Vaccinations make the immune system detect and respond to various infections and diseases, before they can cause any form of serious harm to the body. Most of the dog vaccinations are generally administered by subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into the muscle) injection and help to fight various lethal and incurable diseases. Thus, it becomes imperative that you vaccinate your pet with necessary vaccination shots and jabs at the proper time. Read this article to know about the various important dog vaccines and their schedule.
Types of Dog Vaccines
Generally there are two types of dog vaccines - Core Vaccines and Non-Core Vaccines.
Core Vaccines (Recommended for all Dogs)
Rabies Vaccine
Since rabies is an incurable disease that can even inflict humans, administering a rabies vaccine to your dog is required by law. A rabies vaccine is given when the dog is between 16-18 weeks of age. An additional jab is given after one year, after which boosters are given every three years.
Distemper Combination Vaccine
This vaccine covers diseases like Distemper Virus, Parvovirus, Adenovirus and Parainfluenza Virus in a single injection. This vaccination should be administered to the puppy after 6-8 weeks of age. A booster should also be given every 3-4 weeks, till the puppies are 16 weeks old.
Non-Core Vaccines (Depend on Risk Factors)
Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough Vaccine)
These vaccines fight against the bacteria called Bordetella Bronchiseptica that causes kennel cough in dogs. It should be generally administered to puppies that come in large contact with other dogs (during grooming or training classes). It can be taken either annually or semi-annually, depending on the requirement and the level of risk the pup is open to. (more…)
Approaching Dog Health Emergencies: Two Steps
In any dog health emergency, stay calm and think. Approach the dog cautiously. The dog may become aggressive because of fear or pain. You can’t help the dog if you’re hurt yourself.
Emergency 1: Traffic Accident
If possible, do not to move the dog. Call the nearest Humane Society or ASPCA office. If the animal workers can’t or won’t come and you must move the dog, slide a blanket under the animal. Lift the animal to safety with the help of another person. Check for a heartbeat and bleeding. Try to stop the excessive loss of blood by holding a clean cloth or pad over the wound and securing it tightly with a makeshift bandage. Take the dog to the nearest vet, calling ahead to prepare them for the emergency.
Emergency 2: Burns
1. Immerse the burned body part in cold running water for as long as possible. 2. If the burn is from a caustic substance, wash it off. 3. Call the vet.
Emergency 3: Heat stroke
Warning signs: The dog is overheated and without sufficient air. The dog might be panting, vomiting, frothing at the mouth, or already collapsed. 1. Remove the froth, 2. Place or douse the dog with cold water to lower body temperature. 3. Take the dog immediately to the veterinarian for treatment. Treatment usually consists of more cold water, drugs and observation. (more…)
For many dog owners, how to keep their dog warm during the cold winter is a big concern. Luckily for them, there are many ways to do this. If your dog is small, has short hair, or is older, you may want to consider purchasing a jacket to help keep him warm. In some climates, it is appropriate to choose a sweater for the fall months and a heavier jacket for the colder winter months. When choosing outerwear for your dog choose something simple that is easy for you to put on. You may need to acclimate your dog to wearing a coat as some dogs do not like to be dressed up. To do this, simply put the coat on for short periods each day making sure to give lots of good treats. Your dog will learn to associate wearing his coat with yummy treats making it much easier for you to dress him.
Choose a coat made from durable materials that are easy to care for. Just because it’s cute doesn’t necessarily mean that it is appropriate. Also, if snow is a concern, look for water resistant materials. Make sure to know your dog’s measurements and follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure proper fit.
Dogs that walk a lot, work outside, or are older, may also need to wear boots. Dog boots are available from many manufacturers and help keep feet protected from ice, snow, and salt. As with coats, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure proper fit. If you choose not to purchase boots for your dog, make sure to remove ice and snow from between his pads when he comes inside. This will help keep him warm as well as help prevent dry, cracked, irritated pads. (more…)
