Kennel Cough in Dogs


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The condition commonly known as "Kennel Cough" is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases that dogs can contract. The disease is not serious in most cases, however, and often resolves itself after one to two weeks. The accepted medical term for kennel cough is tracheobronchitis, indicating a form of bronchitis that affects the dog's trachea.

Kennel cough can be caused by several airborne bacteria and viruses. It is generally accepted that most cases of kennel cough are caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica but it has also been associated with the canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parainfluenza. It is the general consensus of the veterinary medical community that in order to cause the illness, an animal must be virtually bombarded by multiple versions of these pathogens at one time. For this reason it is dogs that spend a lot of time around other dogs that are most at risk for the disease. Dogs that participate in dog shows or spend a lot of time in kennels are the highest risks for kennel cough.

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The primary symptom of kennel cough is a dry, spasmodic cough which is caused by the inflammation of the dog's trachea and bronchi. Coughing spells will often result in the dog coughing up a white and foamy discharge. Some dogs will also develop conjunctivitis - an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids. Nasal discharge may also be present. In effect, the dog appears to have a very nasty cold or flu. As stated above, the disease is rarely serious and almost never life-threatening. Still, if you have seen any of these symptoms or have reason to believe that your dog has or has been exposed to kennel cough, you should consult your vet immediately.

Your vet will be able to diagnose kennel cough with a physical examination and medical history. The cough associated with the ailment is very characteristic and a simple massage of the dog's throat can usually cause it to cough on cue. In some cases, such as if the dog is depressed or feverish or expelling a yellow or green discharge, the doctor may require additional diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) and laboratory testing of microorganisms in the dog's airway. These tests will help the doctor rule out other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, or canine distemper.

Immunization can help prevent kennel cough and is recommended. When kenneling your dog or traveling it may be required before your dog will be admitted. Effective immunization can be difficult, however, because the disease can be caused by so many different pathogens. Active prevention on your part can be accomplished by not allowing your dog's toys or water and food bowls to be accessed by unfamiliar dogs. If participating in dog shows make sure that the area is well ventilated to assist with the expulsion of airborne pathogens.

Kennel cough is treated with antibiotics in most cases. Antibiotics will help prevent any secondary illnesses from developing while the dog gets over its case of kennel cough.

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Parvovirus and Your Dog


What you're about to read is a 'labor of love' on parovirus in dogs It didn't happen easily. Hours and hours of learning and research went into gaining this experience and compiling it in a form you can benefit from. This article was meant to be a useful, educational and instructive resource for anyone interested in this topic on parovirus in dogs.

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Parvovirus (commonly called Parvo) is a viral disease that affects dogs. It is far more common in puppies than adult dogs and can have serious ramifications for the infected animal, including death. Parvo grows best in the rapidly dividing cells of the dog's intestines. As the virus attacks and kills these cells it causes massive diarrhea and halts or slows the creation of white blood cells. In young puppies it can often directly infect the heart, leading to death.

The symptoms of Parvo start with fever, depression, and lethargy. The dog will usually experience a loss of appetite as well and then eventually show more sever signs like vomiting and diarrhea which is often bloody. Once the virus reaches this stage dehydration and death usually follow.

Parvo is carried and transmitted by dogs. The vomit and feces of an infected animal will also carry the virus which is rather resilient and can survive outside the dog's body in the surrounding environment for as long as nine months. Sometimes an adult dog can be infected by the virus and show no symptoms but act as a carrier transmitting the virus to the other animals it comes into contact with.

There is no cure for Parvo. Dogs that are infected will die of dehydration without treatment. That treatment primarily consists of providing fluids, giving repeated blood transfusions, and preventing dehydration. The mortality rate in dogs affected by Parvo is about 20% if the dog receives treatment in time. Without treatment, about 80% of those infected will die from it. It is a very serious disease.

Parvo tends to affect some dog breeds more than others. Dobermans, Rottweilers, and other black and tan dogs have a greater chance of contracting the virus. The reason for this is unknown but the fact that these dogs are at higher risk does not mean that owners of other types of dogs can rest easily. Dogs of any breed can become infected.

While there is no cure for Parvo, puppies can (and should) be vaccinated against it at an early age. Most vets recommend puppies be immunized starting at six weeks of age with vaccinations continuing until twenty weeks of age. Proper immunization is the best way to prevent a dog from contracting Parvo.





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Dog Health: Treating Your Dog for Dehydration

Concerned about dog health? Dehydration in dogs can be a dangerous situation. Whether caused by illness, too much heat, or a privation of fluid intake, dehydration should be treated immediately and, if left untreated, can cause many other health problems including organ failure and death. It is not difficult for a
dog to become dehydrated; easier than many dog owners realize. Luckily it's also not difficult to prevent dehydration in dogs and it's very crucial to do so.

Dehydration is an deficit of fluids in the body. It most often pertains to the loss of water and minerals such as sodium, chloride, and potassium; the loss of water; collectively called electrolytes. Dehydration in dogs can be caused by the dog being ill (especially if the dog has a fever), too much extreme heat, and other factors. A dog's inherent execution of panting causes a loss of fluids and can result in dehydration if the fluids aren't replaced. The fact is that dogs lack sweat glands to keep them cool. They pant in an undertaking to contol their body temperature.

Now On to How to Prevent Dog Dehydration.

Preventing Dog Dehydration

To avert dehydration, make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water daily. The dog should always have one full bowl of water to drink throughout the day rather inside or outside of the house. Consider having bowls of water in different parts of the house if the dog has the run of the house and this also goes with outside too. Dogs living in a dry climate should be kept indoors as much as possible. Moist dog foods also help keep proper levels of fluids in your dog. Dry foods are relevant for a dog's dental health, but moist foods should be given to dogs too.


How to Treating Dehydrated Dogs

If you think that your dog is dehydrated, get it some water as quickly as possible and then get it to the veterinarian. Symtoms of dehydration are a lack of elasticity to the skin, dry and sunken eyes, and a dry mouth and nose. Dehydrated dogs will also encounter a lag in capillary refill time. To check to see if this is the problem, pull the dog's lip away from its gum and press a finger gently against the gum until the area whitens. Draw back your finger and the color should return to the area almost immediately. A delay could be evidence of dehydration.

Giving the dog lots of water is the excellent way to replace bodily fluids, but a extremely dehydrated dog should not be allowed to drink large amounts all at once. This could induce vomiting and a further loss of fluids. Rather let the dog drink small amounts over a period of time. Electrolytes can be recovered with a hydrating solution. Also, Pedialyte, a water and electrolyte solution for infants is desirable for dogs as well.

Of course any dog that seems dehydrated or refuses to drink should be seen by a vet to determine appropriate treatment and whether the dehydration is a symptom of some other ailment.


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How Much and How Often do dogs need vaccination?

How often do you find yourself saying: "I wish I knew how to learn more about vaccinating dogs"

Well, we were listening! And this article is the result.

Pet lovers know that it is very important to vaccinate their dogs, but how early and how often are two questions that are currently much on their minds as well as on the minds of the veterinary community at large. While vets agree that it is still vital to vaccinate puppies at 6 weeks for distemper and measles if they did not nurse during the first few hours after they were born and again at 8, 12, and 16 weeks for
Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Coronavirus (DHLPPC), there have been questions as to whether the traditionally recommended (and in some states required) annual vaccinations are necessary. Puppies are also vaccinated for rabies at six months and this, too, is repeated annually.

The concerns that some dog owners have is whether the repeated dog vaccinations are really necessary and whether they are, in fact, doing more harm than good. Vaccinations work by stimulating the dog's immune system, encouraging it to readily produce antibodies to fight against specific types of bacteria and viruses. Stimulating the immune system this way comes at a price - the actual introduction of the offending agent in some form to the dog's system, leading to the concerns of dog lovers and vets alike.

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The questions on the minds of those concerned are "is it dangerous to repeatedly vaccinate my dog each year" and "how much vaccine should a dog receive and how often?" Fortunately the experts do agree that the answer to the first question is a resounding "no." While there are rare cases of dogs that have become very ill or even died as a result of vaccination, there is no evidence to suggest that this practice poses any real danger to the dog. The animals adversely affected may have already been sick unbeknownst to their owners of had some form of allergy to a specific part of the vaccine. The answer to the second question is less encouraging because, the truth is; no one knows for sure how much vaccine is really necessary and how often it really should be given. This is currently a topic of much discussion and debate in veterinary circles.

The best advice that dog owners can take is to continue vaccinating their dogs according to local laws and the recommendations of their vets. Since the annual vaccines are not harming the dogs in any evident way, there is no cause for alarm and no harm in continuing the same routine until the veterinary community makes up its collective mind that a change is in order with regard to dog vaccinations.

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Dog - Pet Doors Can Solve Many Problems For You and Your Dog


Pet doors are advantageous for both dogs and the owners. Because with pet doors, a dog is given the freedom to come and go as he pleases, he gets a new sense of security! He will not have to ‘hold it’ while he waits for his owner to open the door for the pet to go out or come in the house. The pet can play outside when the weather is nice and come in when it is not.

Pet doors have also gives dog owners a new sense of freedom. They do not have to leave a party early anymore because they feel guilty knowing their dog is about to pop. This door puts an end to accidents, incessant door scratching, and three a.m. wake up calls from your dog. These doors are the best kept secret, but why?

Many people disallow considering pet doors because they are afraid intruders will use them to get entry into the house. Even though this is a legitimate fear, there are ways around this. Possibly an excellent way around this is an electronic pet door. This door opens automatically from a censor device placed on the dog’s collar; stopping anything not wearing the collar from coming into the house.

Placing a pet door on the backside of the house where intruders are less likely to be is another possibility. For the truly frightened person, you can hide the pet door. How do you do this? With a doghouse! If you want to hide it, a dog house with a door cut in the back can be pushed against the wall covering up the pet door; no one will ever know it is there, except of course, the dog.

I'd like a pet door in my house, but I am a renter! Do I have any options?

Many renters are uncertain about installing pet doors in fear of displeasing the home owners. Now days there is even a solution for that. Sliding glass pet doors for your dog! These doors are cut in an actual sliding glass door. You simply take off the existing door from its hinges and hang the one with the pet door in its place. When it is no longer needed the original door can be put back in.

Some people are very selective about their homes and do not desire to compromise the aesthetics with unattractive pet doors. These people have a excellent alternative in wall installation. The home owner can install it into the wall of a room that has hardly any traffic. If the idea of the door being visible from the outside bothers them, the door can go undetected by putting the doghouse against it.

There are so many new innovative products on the market these days that consumers has the capacity to have the dog problems solved. Pet doors are an astonishing product that people with inside/outside dogs should know about! Check them out, your dog will love you for it.

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