Most Serious Diseases in Pets

Despite all the energy they have and how they always seem to have the best attitudes, our pets are not resistant to illness. A large problem in the pet industry is pet parents who avoid going to the vet for regular checkups and preventative care. Vaccinations, blood draws, dental cleaning, and even dog grooming are all easy ways to help your pets live a longer, healthier life. Vets can provide a lot of information on disease prevention, cures, and care.

 

10: Kidney Disease

This is most commonly found in older cats and dogs of all ages. The pet industry doesn’t talk about it much, but it’s important to note that cats with kidney disease can be cured and kept healthy for several years most of the time. However dog with kidney disease will typically have quickly deteriorating health.

 

cute_doberman_puppy9: Diabetes

It’s no surprise that diabetes is a big problem in the pet industry considering more than 50% of dogs and cats are considered overweight or obese. It can be part of the aging process and/or poor diet and exercise habits.

 

8: Arthritis

This is usually found in older pets and generally a simple part of aging. There isn’t much the pet industry can do to prevent arthritis. However your vet can diagnose it early on and help ease the pain or provide other treatments such as acupuncture. Cure and treatment should be taken seriously as your dog’s mobility is important.

 

7: Flea and Tick Borne Diseases

These little pests don’t just bite and itch but they can carry diseases with them that they inject into your dog. The pet industry and vets are great about preventative vaccinations.

 

6: Rabies

It’s incredible that this is such a threat in the pet industry when rabies shots are so readily available tall pet parents. Rabies can be found in wild animals and it is always fatal so keep your pets well vaccinated.

 

5: Distemper

Thankfully vets in the pet industry have developed a distemper vaccine for dogs, young and old, because this disease is often fatal. If your puppy is too young to have their distemper vaccine, avoid exposing them to other dogs. This disease is usually accompanied with neurological symptoms, nasal discharge, and high fevers. Even if your dog survives distemper, there are always long-term effects like seizures and hardened paw pads.

 

4: Parvovirusdog_grooming_towl_dry

Vets in the pet industry have created a vaccination for preventative care, however parvo is still a commonly contracted disease in areas of the country that do not value vaccination. It is incredibly contagious, especially to puppies and kittens. If the symptoms are not caught early on, it can be incredibly fatal.

 

3: Dental Disease

Bad breath isn’t just an uncomfortable thing in your face, but it might be a sign that there’s some dental health deterioration in your dog. Tartar, gum disease, and cavities are all things dogs are equally as eligible to develop as humans. Regular dental cleaning at dog grooming, vets, or other pet industry professionals can help prevent dental disease.

 

2: Heartworms

All too common, this spaghetti-like worm is spread only one way: through the infected bite of a mosquito. What’s an infected mosquito look like? Like every other mosquito. That’s why this is so dangerous. It’s easy to prevent with a regular vaccination. However if your pet contracts heartworms, they could take anywhere up to three months to show symptoms as the worms mature and grow in your dog or cat’s heart, reproducing, and eventually causing congested heart failure. There is a cure if your dog or cat catches heartworms, but in order to prevent it all together, talk to your vet in the pet industry about preventative vaccinations or medications.

 

1: Obesity

As mentioned before, obesity is a huge problem house pets are facing nowadays at over 50% of them being overweight or obese. Pet industry professionals can help you if your dog or cat is having problems maintaining a healthy weight. A healthy weight is important for all stages of your dog’s life as obesity overtime can cause your pet to be more prone to develop heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and premature death.

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K9 Heroes – More Than Just a House Pet

Dogs are more than just companions at home. They are and have always been working companions whether on the farm or battle field. They are happy to serve by our side and that is what earned them the title, “Man’s Best Friend”. There’s nothing they wouldn’t do for their human companions with the appropriate dog training. Just as we take the time to thank the human soldiers for their contribution, let’s not forget what the canine soldiers have done for us.

 

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This isn’t the name of the fried potato you serve with your sandwiches, but of a Collie-German Shepherd-Siberian Husky mix who accompanied our soldiers during World War II. Imagine a major scene in a war movie and this dog lived it. With his dog training, he was able to assault an Italian machine gun nest and assisted in capturing ten Italian soldiers. He was later given the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star awards. However shortly after being given the awards, they were taken back as animals weren’t allowed such recognition at the time. He returned home to Pleasantville, NY in 1945, after the war and later died of old age.

 

Kaiser

This German Shepherd received dog training and served in Vietnam with his handler Marine Lance Cpl. Alfredo Salazar and was the first dog killed in action during the Vietnam war. Together, the two did more than 30 combat patrols and 12 major tactical operations. They later joined “D” Company for search-and-destroy missions where they ambushed enemy forces in 1966. He was not fortunate enough to make it home as he died after being hit in the initial barrage. He spent his final moments trying to lick Salazar’s hand.

 

Nemo

Nemo received dog training and was then partnered with Airman 2nd Class Bob Thornburg. They were assigned to patrol at the cemetery near the company’s airbase in Vietnam. While patrolling, they came under fire. Nemo took a shot to his eye and his partner, Thornburg, was shot in the shoulder. Nevertheless, Nemo continued to attack the enemy which gave Thornburg the time he needed to call for reinforcements.  Shortly thereafter, Thornburg fell unconscious and Nemo crawled up beside him, protecting him from harm until he was later forcefully removed from Thornburg’s side. He made it back from Vietnam and was given a permanent retirement kennel. He lived to be 11 years old, dying in December of 1972.

 

Smoky

Not all famous war dogs are big guys like German Shepherds and Husky mixes. Smoky was a tiny Yorkie who participated in World War II without the assistance of traditional dog training. After dog training, Smoky found an abandoned foxhole in the jungles of New Guinea in February of 1944. Smoky was also involved in twelve combat missions and survived through more than one hundred and fifty air raids. She had an extremely sharp sense of hearing and would also warn soldiers of incoming artillery shells. One of Smoky’s most infamous stories takes place on an airstrip of Luzon. She pulled a telegraph wire through a narrow 70-foot pipe which results in saved construction time and kept engineers out of enemy fire. Smoky also entertained troops, relieved stress among soldiers, and kept the spirit up. She died in 1957 at the age of 14 and later had a story written about her by her pet parent.

 

Stubbyjack_brutus

This American Pit Bull Terrier received the rank of sergeant with his dog training and is a true story of zero to hero. He was a stray found on the Yale campus back in 1917. During the First World War, his adoptive owner, Cpl. John Robert Conroy, smuggled him into France. From there, Stubby took part in 17 battles, four offensive strikes, and improved troop morale. With his incredible senses, he warned his unit of poison-gas attacks, incoming artillery fire, and helped locate down soldiers in the battlefield. He later died in his owner’s arms in 1926 after proving it doesn’t matter where you come from or how you start. Everyone has the potential to do something great. Anyone can become a hero.

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Great Ingredients that make for Great Dog Foods

Having the right dog food is one of the most important things your dog needs in their daily routine for good health. However what makes dog food good? Professionals in the pet industry might tell you different things, especially if they’re makers of dog food, because many put products in their food that are not so great for dog health. If you’re in the market for dog food and you want to know the best of what the pet industry has to offer your pup in the way of kibble, look for these things on the label:

High-Quality, Digestible Animal Protein Sources

Most dogs are very athletic, very active creatures. They need a good source of easy-to-digest protein in all of their meals. There are many animal protein sources that are excellent for your dog food including:

 

  • Buffalo
  • Cow
  • Fish
  • Fowl
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Venison

 

When you’re reading the labels for dog food, you want the animal protein to be one of the first ingredients if not the very first one listed for best results.

Whole Foods

Like humans, dogs benefit from whole foods like fruits and vegetables. When you’re looking at an ingredients list on dog food or you’re considering recipes of your own, you should be fully aware of the types of fruits and vegetables dogs can’t have as there are many that are not only bad for their health, but can also put them in danger. Some of the whole fruits and vegetables good for dog food include:

 

  • Apples
  • Beats
  • Blueberries
  • Garbanzo Beans
  • Kelp
  • Peas
  • Pumpkin
  • Zucchini

Healthy Fats

You might have heard it from fitness and nutrition professionals in regards to human nutrition: not all fats are bad. This is true for dogs to. When you’re creating or managing a healthy dog diet, look for dog food with healthy fats in the list. Some sources for good fats include:

 

  • Canola Oil
  • Fish Oils
  • Flaxseed

What to Avoid in Dog Food

There are the three major things you should always keep in mind when you’re shopping around for healthy dog food for your pet. If there was anything else to look for in a good dog food, it would be to avoid grains in dog food as most cats and dogs are allergic to grain and having too much grain in their diet can cause stomach issues among other problems. Despite this, many dog food manufacturers put grain products in their food as fillers because grain is so cheap. Another thing to avoid would be animal byproducts snuck into your dog food.

 

By following these guidelines for healthy dog food, you’ll help your dog live a longer, happier, and healthier life.

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Dog Grooming – Why Do Dogs Shed?

After vacuuming for the umpteenth time this week, you’re probably looking at your dog going, “Why do you shed so much?!” Perhaps you’re even more curious about why your dog is shedding because it’s not like the seasons are changing. It’s not like there is any legitimate, environmental reason that your dog should be shedding—at least that’s how it appears. Scientists have wondered for the longest time what makes dogs shed and why do their coats grow in and out in an endless cycle?

 

full_service_small_pet_groomersThe Length of the Hair Growth Cycle

When you investigate dog grooming and shedding, you’re going to find that all dog breeds have different cycles when it comes to when they shed. Some dogs go through 30 day cycles and some dogs go through yearly cycles depending on their breed.

 

What Your Dog’s Coat Can Tell You About Your Dog

  • Allergies
  • Chemical Imbalances
  • Dietary Deficiencies
  • Fevers
  • Hormonal Issues
  • Parasites
  • Skin Conditions
  • Spinal Issues
  • Stress

Reasons for Shedding

If your dog is shedding excessively or in an unexpected pattern, your dog could be suffering from one of the following:

 

Allergies

If you’ve noticed increased shedding and you attend regular dog grooming in your town, then the shedding may be due to an allergic reaction. If you recently went in for dog grooming, it could be in response to the shampoo. If you recently changed your dog’s diet, it may be due to an ingredient. Through process of elimination, you should be able to find the reason behind the shedding.

 

Hormonal Reasons

Your dog’s shedding may have changed due to changes in your dog’s hormones. If you believe your dog is having hormonal imbalances in any small_dog_groomingway, you should see your local vets immediately.

 

Lactation and Pregnancy

If your dog has recently given birth, your mama dog may be shedding more than normal and this would also be due to hormone imbalances. You will want to keep up with your vet as your mother dog goes through the pregnancy or nursing phases. Talk to your vet before taking your pregnant or lactating dog to dog grooming because your dame may be sensitive physically or emotionally.

 

Seasonal Shedding

You will likely notice increased shedding a few times a year. This is due to the season need for more or less fur that is instilled in the genetics of every dog. You should take notice every time your dog increases shedding throughout the year so you know when to expect increased shedding in your dog and when something might be off. With seasonal shedding, dog grooming can help lighten the litter in your house and remove the excess coat.

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Dog Behaviors that May Be Back with Back to School

When back to school comes around, you may notice that your dog’s behavior is changing from what you expect. Maybe they see the bags that you’re packing in anticipation for the first day. Perhaps school has already gotten started and you’ve noticed an increased level of aggression or mischief from your dog. Perhaps you expect behavioral changes with back to school because you witness them every year. Due to back to school, your dog has to get used to the empty house they forgot about over the summer. Here are some behaviors that may show your dog is having a hard time with back to school blues.

 

1aa7df41bb8eaa2a4386ceede31e0ba8Anxious

Dogs show anxiety typically by panting, pacing, and their eyes darting to the point that you can see the whites in them. They often have their ears back and their heads down. Dogs may not know what changes are happening, but they often can tell when something is going to change. This actually makes back to school scarier because they don’t know what’s coming, but they know something is going to change. Just like when you move, your dog may become anxious by watching you pack bags, prepare lunches, and lay out shoes or clothing.

 

Mischief

When back to school comes around, it’s easy for families to become tired and forget to put as much attention on their dog as their pet needs. This can mean a lack of playtime, walks, or just regular petting. When dogs don’t receive the attention they want or need, they often turn to mischief as a way of saying ‘look at me!’ If you notice your dog is getting into laundry, taking things, or showing other mischievous, but playful behavior that gets you chasing after them, it’s likely because they feel neglected and just want some attention and playtime. This is easy to solve by throwing a ball around, taking a walk, or playing tug rope for 10-15 minute intervals every once in a while.

 

Aggression

When dogs become frustrated, they can often become aggressive. If your dog is showing aggression due to back to school, it may be because mischief didn’t work. It may be because they feel anxious. It’s also often due to a buildup of energy. With the energy from sleeping overnight and sleeping all day while you’re at work and school, that energy can just build and build and with no outlet, your dog will become frustrated from the overpowering feeling of spastic energy growing inside of him.

 

What to Do if You Experience Back to School Blues

Whether your dog is suffering from aggression, anxiety, mischief, or some other unusual beh

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avior, it’s often relatively easy to fix by remembering to give your dog the appropriate amount of attention when you are at home. Remember that your dog doesn’t get any warning that there is going to be a change, it just happens and he has to get used to it in his own time. If you notice that your dog is not adjusting very well to the back to school change, consider talking to your vet or a dog behaviorist about different solutions. You can also head over here and read about a few different options for easing pets back into the back to school mood.

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