Archive for the ‘Dog Health’ Category
Vaccinations for Your Dogs – Parainfluenza Virus
This is a non-core vaccination.
Cause: Airborne
Symptons: Nasal discharge, persistent cough, often ending with a gagging sound.
Prognosis: A self-limiting disease, lasting only a few weeks with treatment. Only becomes serious if left untreated or if a secondary bacterial infection sets in.
Schedule Guidelines: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years, or as needed.
If your dog has barking or other behavior problems, be sure to visit my site at http://smartdogcollars.com, and select a collar that is right for you.
Goodbye to All My Readers
I am writing my last blog on this site pertaining to dog care, dog training and dog collars. Unfortunately, my business was doing too poorly to continue the costs of maintaining it. I just want to thank all of my readers for following the blog and for your comments and contributions to it. Good luck with your wonderful companions – remember that love and understanding are the keys to your relationships with your “best friends,”
Vaccinations for Your Dogs – Bordatella
This is a non-core vaccination.
Cause: Highly contagious usually spread via coughing or sneezing. Also called “kennel cough.”
Symptoms: Harsh cough
Prognosis: Seldom fatal. In some dogs it can lead to pneumonia.
Schedule Guidelines: Annually or more if at risk for infection – at least one week prior to known exposure. Usually required by boarding kennels. Recommended if you take your dog to dog parks.
If your dog has barking or other behavior problems, be sure to visit my site at http://smartdogcollars.com, and select a collar that is right for you.
Vaccinations for Your Dogs – Canine Adenovirus-2
This is a core vaccination.
Cause: Contact with infected animals’ bodily secretions. Sometimes airborne.
Symptoms: Dry, hacking cough
Prognosis: Poor to good, depending upon dog’s condition and age.
Schedule Guidelines: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years. Dog’s breed, lifestyle, geographic location, and type of vaccine used should be taken into account. Vaccine also guards against canine adenovirus-1.
If your dog has barking or other behavior problems, be sure to visit my site at http://smartdogcollars.com, and select a collar that is right for you.
Vaccinations for Your Dogs – Rabies
This is a core vaccination.
Cause: Body fluids of an infected animal toch the broken skin or mucus membranes, mouth, nose or eyes of other animals.
Symptoms: Vague to severe changes in temperament, restlessness, nervousness, viciousness, chewing and biting viciously, frothing at the mouth, bloody saliva, oblivious to pain, and/or paralysis of vocal chords.
Prognosis: Death – there is no cure.
Schedule Guidelines: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years depending on local laws. Check with your vet and animal control agency to determine legal requirements.
If your dog has barking or other behavior problems, be sure to visit my site at http://smartdogcollars.com, and select a collar that is right for you.
Vaccinations for Your Dogs – Canine Parvovirus
This is a core vaccination!
Cause: Ingestion of feces with an incubation period of 3-10 days. This virus can live for many months outside the host.
Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, high fever, loss of appetite, and depression. It can attack the heart, leading to congestive heart failure. It is sometimes mistaken for “doggie flu.”
Prognosis: Usually fatal to puppies, especially without immediate treatment. Older dogs face a 50/50 chance of survival with treatment.
Schedule Guidelines: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years.
If your dog has barking or other behavior problems, be sure to visit my site at http://smartdogcollars.com, and select a collar that is right for you.
Vaccinations for Your Dog – Canine Distemper
This is a core vaccination!
Cause: Virus-Contacted with bodily secretions of infected animals. It is sometimes airborne.
Symptoms: Red eyes, nasal discharge, and cold-like symptoms, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and neurological complications, such as convulsions
Prognosis: More than half of affected dogs and 3/4 of affected puppies will die. Survivors may develop chronic or fatal nervous system problems.
Schedule Guidelines: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years.
If you need help with problem barking or other behavior problems, please visit my website at http://smartdogcollars.com.
Common Dog Behavior Problems – #7: Chasing
A dog’s desire to chase moving things is simply a display of predatory instinct. Many dogs will chase other animals, people and cars. All of these can lead to dangerous and devastating outcomes! While you may not be able to stop your dog from trying to chase, you can take steps to prevent disaster.
- Keep your dog on a leash at all times (unless directly supervised indoors).
- Train your dog to come when called
- Have a dog whistle or noisemaker on hand to get your dog’s attention.
- Use a remote dog training collar
- Stay aware and watch for potential triggers, like joggers.
Your best chance at success is to keep the chase from getting out of control. Dedicated training over the course of your dog’s life will teach him to focus his attention on you first – before running off.
Common Dog Behavior Problems – #5: Inappropriate Elimination
Inappropriate urination and defecation are among the most frustrating dog behaviors. They can damage areas of your home and make your dog unwelcome in public places or at the homes of others. It is most important that you discuss this behavior with your veterinarian first to rule out health problems. Next, determine the reason for the behavior, which can come down to one of the following:
- Submissive/Excitement Urination
- Territorial Marking
- Anxiety
- Attention-seeking
- Lack of proper housebreaking
Inappropriate elimination is unavoidable in puppies, especially before 12 weeks of age. Older dogs are another story – many require serious behavior modification to rid them of the habit because you must often alter their perception of themselves. The use of a remote dog training collar might be very useful with this problem.
Common Dog Behavior Problems – #2: Chewing
Chewing is a natural action for all dogs – it’s just a part of the way they are wired. However, chewing can quickly become a behavior problem if your dog causes destruction. The most common reasons dogs to chew are as follows:
- Puppy Teething
- Boredom / Excess Energy
- Anxiety
- Curiosity (especially puppies)
Encourage your dog to chew on the right things by providing plenty of chew toys. Keep personal items away from your dog. When you are not home, keep your dog crated or confined to an area where less destruction can be caused. If you catch your dog chewing the wrong thing, quickly correct him with a sharp noise, or a remote dog training collar. Then, replace the item with a chew toy. One of the most important things you can do: make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise!