Strays Anatomy

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…)

Dogs are very curious animals and as omnivores and natural scavengers, can get into and eat just about anything. However, there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. The following is a list of ten common household substances that you should make sure to keep out of your dog’s reach.

1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. Make sure to keep your antifreeze out of your dog’s reach. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

2) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death does occur with smaller amounts ingested. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and increased activity. This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog’s reach. Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach and contact your veterinarian immediately.

4) Tylenol: As little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog. Dogs lack the proper liver enzymes to break down acetaminophen. Signs of toxicity include drooling, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog has ingested Tylenol, call your veterinarian immediately.

5) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has ingested a watch battery, contact your vet immediately. (more…)

Many people do not realize the importance of caring for their dog’s teeth.  As dogs age, the need for dental care increases.  The best way to ensure proper dental health for your dog is to start while they are very young.

Many dogs do not like their mouths touched.  It is important for you as a dog owner to desensitize them to being handled like this at a very young age.  The veterinarian is always going to need to examine your dog’s mouth and you do not want to have problems with this.  The best way for you to get your dog used to having his mouth touched is to begin touching it when you first get your pup.  Make sure to touch the lips, open the mouth, and touch the teeth in a calm and relaxing way for about five minutes each day until your pup is used to being handled in this way.  Make this a regular part of your interaction with your dog so he remains calm when you are doing any kind of preventive dental care.

Most veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily.  Many manufacturers make special toothpaste and brushes for dogs.  You do not ever want to use human toothpaste on dogs as it may be harmful to them.  To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, you may want to start by putting a dab of dog toothpaste on a cotton ball and rubbing it over his teeth.  Toothpaste for dogs is usually quite tasty to them, so he shouldn’t mind this. 

You can then try a finger brush, available at your veterinarian’s office or pet supply store.  Eventually, especially for larger breeds, you will want to graduate to a regular dog toothbrush.  Regular brushing will help prevent the buildup of calculus and debris on your dog’s teeth.

Another way to help prevent calculus and buildup on your dog’s teeth is by using rawhide chews specially formulated for dental care.  Many companies manufacture these chews.  One of the best available is by C.E.T.  Most veterinarians carry C.E.T. dental health products.  C.E.T. chews are formulated with an enzyme that helps keep plaque from forming and prevents the buildup of bacteria.  Also, the natural abrasion of rawhide chews helps keep teeth healthy.  C.E.T. also makes a chew that contains chlorhexadine which has antimicrobial properties. (more…)

WHAT ARE THEY?
Anal sacs are small paired pockets located between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, one on each side of the anus at the 4 and 8 o’clock position.  The sac empties through a short and narrow duct to the surface near the inside edge of the anus.  Each sac is lined with abundant sebaceous (oil) glands and numerous apocrine (sweat) glands.  The secreted substance is a semi-oily, brownish fluid that packs an odor strong enough to gag a maggot!  For unknown reasons some dogs’ anal sacs produce a rather thick, semi-solid material which is much more prone to impacting the sac due to the sac’s inability to pass this semi-solid material through the narrow duct to the outside.  In many of these cases the sac will become infected, cause pain and inflammation and even break through to the skin surface.  The abscessed anal sac may need surgery to provide drainage and curettage of the damaged and infected sac and surrounding tissue.  Antibiotics are indicated in abscessed anal sac disease.

WHAT THEY DO?
One study indicated that anal sac disorders affects about 12% of dogs. (more…)

This is one of the most common dog health questions that come up. After all, you don’t want to appear like a hypochondriac parent nor do you want to be a slack one who’s dismissed important signs as just a tummy ache that will go away. In general, you know your dog best and if your gut feel tells you something is amiss, I’d say to play on the safe side and go in for vet check up. That way, you will sleep easier knowing full well that your dog’s health isn’t compromised. Having said that, there are many dogs (generally the larger breeds) who are terribly stoic and will not let on that they are sick till they are at death’s door. If you have one of these, then I’d say any small sign eg going off his food, looking depressed is reason for you to take him into the vet. So the rule of thumb is know your dog and be alert to any changes in general appearance, behavior, feeding/drinking habits or voiding. These are the common signs that something is not right with your dog:
* inappetence ie stops eating.
* changes in water consumption ie drinks a lot
* changes in consistency of feces ie starts getting the runs. Note that puppies dehydrate easily and even a mild case of diarrhoea could be life threatening.
* vomiting – if it persists then it’s time to take the dog in for check up. If it’s just one episode after eating garbage then I’d say it’s probably something he’ll get over.
* changes in behavior – stops playing with the ball, moping around, refuses to go for walks.
* losing weight for no apparent reason
* urinates a lot more Of course there are other more obvious signs you get which are indications of you dog being sick eg whimpering in pain and limping, but the above should alert to you take further action to seek help from your vet.