Pet-Rx

http://pets.webmd.com/default.htm

Bloat in Dogs

Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners know very little about it.  According to the links below, it is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer.  It is frequently reported that deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans are particularly at risk.  This page provides links to information on bloat and summarizes some of the key points we found in the sites we researched.  Although we have summarized information we found about possible symptoms, causes, methods of prevention, and breeds at risk, we cannot attest to the accuracy.  Please consult with your veterinarian for medical information. 

If you believe your dog is experiencing bloat, please get your dog to a veterinarian immediately!  Bloat can kill in less than an hour, so time is of the essence.   Call your vet to alert them you're on your way with a suspected bloat case.  Better to be safe than sorry!

The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV").  Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present).  It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation").    Stress can be a significant contributing factor also.  Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting).  As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine).  The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach.  The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs.  The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.

Be prepared!  Know in advance what you would do if your dog bloated.

If your regular vet doesn't have 24-hour emergency service, know which nearby vet you would use.  Keep the phone number handy.
Always keep a product with simethicone on hand (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Gas-X, etc.) in case your dog has gas.  If you can reduce or slow the gas, you've probably bought yourself a little more time to get to a vet if your dog is bloating.

This information is not intended to replace advice or guidance from veterinarians or other pet care professionals.  It is simply being shared as an aid to assist you with your own research on this very serious problem.

Symptoms

Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-30 minutes
This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been referred to as the "hallmark symptom"
"Unsuccessful vomiting" means either nothing comes up or possibly just foam and/or mucous comes up
Doesn't act like usual self

Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that almost always occurs
We've had several reports that dogs who bloated asked to go outside in the middle of the night.  If this is combined with frequent attempts to vomit, and if your dog doesn't typically ask to go outside in the middle of the night, bloat is a very real possibility.
Significant anxiety and restlessness
One of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical
"Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance
This seems to occur fairly frequently
Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy
Many dog owners report this after putting their ear to their dog's tummy.
If your dog shows any bloat symptoms, you may want to try this immediately.
Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)
Despite the term "bloat," many times this symptom never occurs or is not apparent
Pale or off-color gums
Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages
Coughing
Unproductive gagging
Heavy salivating or drooling
Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous
Unproductive attempts to defecate
Whining
Pacing
Licking the air
Seeking a hiding place
Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort
May refuse to lie down or even sit down
May curl up in a ball or go into a praying or crouched position
May attempt to eat small stones and twigs
Drinking excessively
Heavy or rapid panting
Shallow breathing
Cold mouth membranes
Apparent weakness; unable to stand or has a spread-legged stance
Especially in advanced stage
Accelerated heartbeat
Heart rate increases as bloating progresses
Weak pulse
Collapse

Causes

Stress
Dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, change in routine, new dog in household, etc.
Although purely anecdotal, we've heard of too many cases where a dog bloated after another dog (particularly a 3rd dog) was brought into the household; perhaps due to stress regarding pack order.
Activities that result in gulping air

Eating habits, especially...
Elevated food bowls
Rapid eating
Eating dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative (the risk is even worse if the owner moistens the food)
Eating dry foods that contain fat among the first four ingredients
Insufficient pancreatic enzymes, such as Trypsin (a pancreatic enzyme present in meat)
Dogs with untreated Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) and/or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) generally produce more gas and thus are at greater risk.  New
Dilution of gastric juices necessary for complete digestion by drinking too much water before or after eating
Eating gas-producing foods (especially soybean products, brewer's yeast, and alfalfa)
Drinking too much water too quickly (can cause gulping of air)
Exercise before and especially after eating

Heredity

Especially having a first-degree relative who has bloated
Dogs who have untreated Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) are considered more prone to bloat 

New Gas is associated with incomplete digestion. 

Built & Physical Characteristics

Having a deep and narrow chest compared to other dogs of the same breed
Older dogs
Big dogs
Males
Being underweight

Disposition

Fearful or anxious temperament
Prone to stress
History of aggression toward other dogs or people

Prevention

Avoid highly stressful situations.  If you can't avoid them, try to minimize the stress as much as possible.  Be extra watchful.
Can be brought on by visits to the vet, dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, new dog in household, change in routine, etc. 
Do not use an elevated food bowl
Do not exercise for at least an hour (longer if possible) before and especially after eating
Particularly avoid vigorous exercise and don't permit your dog to roll over, which could cause the stomach to twist.
Do not permit rapid eating or drinking
Especially a consideration on hot days
Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one
Do not give water one hour before or after a meal
It dilutes the gastric juices necessary for proper digestion, which leads to gas production.
Always keep a product with simethicone (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Phazyme, Gas-X, etc.) on hand to treat gas symptoms.
Some recommend giving your dog simethicone immediately if your dog burps more than once or shows other signs of gas.
Some report relief of gas symptoms with 1/2 tsp of nutmeg or the homeopathic remedy Nux moschata 30
Allow access to fresh water at all times, except before and after meals
Make meals a peaceful, stress-free time
When switching dog food, do so gradually (allow several weeks)
Do not feed dry food exclusively
Feed a high-protein (>30%) diet, particularly of raw meat
If feeding dry food, avoid foods that contain fat as one of the first four ingredients
If feeding dry foods, avoid foods that contain citric acid
If you must use a dry food containing citric acid, do not pre-moisten the food
If feeding dry food, select one that includes rendered meat meal with bone product among the first four ingredients
Reduce carbohydrates as much as possible (e.g., typical in many commercial dog biscuits)
Feed a high-quality diet
Whole, unprocessed foods are especially beneficial
Feed adequate amount of fiber (for commercial dog food, at least 3.00% crude fiber)
Add an enzyme product to food (e.g., Prozyme)
Include herbs specially mixed for pets that reduce gas (e.g., N.R. Special Blend)
Avoid brewer's yeast, alfalfa, and soybean products
Promote an acidic environment in the intestine
Some recommend 1-2 Tbs of Aloe Vera Gel or 1 Tbs of apple cider vinegar given right after each meal
Promote "friendly" bacteria in the intestine, e.g. from supplemental acidophilus
Avoids fermentation of carbohydrates, which can cause gas quickly.  This is especially a concern when antibiotics are given since they tend to reduce levels of "friendly" bacteria.

Links

Sorry, some of the links above are discontinued.

Breeds At Greatest Risk

Get Rid Of Fleas!

All About Fleas, Flea Bites, and Flea Control

The adult dog flea (either Ctenocephalides felis or C. canis) is a wingless insect equipped with a set of powerful hind legs that enable it to jump nine inches straight up or five feet sideways.

Fleas survive by sucking blood from your dog. To get this blood, the flea bites by drilling their mouthparts into the dog's skin and inject special anticoagulant saliva into the site to keep blood flowing while they engorge. This saliva is highly irritating to some dogs. These pets do not only itch at the site of the flea bite, they itch all over. The pads of their feet are often itchy, puffy and inflamed. Areas between the toe pads as well as the ears often become infected with bacteria due to the dog's constant licking and chewing. This constant licking, chewing, and scratching, especially around the base of the tail, is an allergic reaction to the flea saliva, known as flea bite dermatitis.

Recent scientific studies have shown that flea saliva contains approximately 15 different allergens that can cause reactions.

A flea allergy will also be noticeably seasonal and cause worse symptoms during summer and fall when fleas are most prolific.

More Flea Information

The female flea prefers to lay her eggs not on your dog, but in dark, damp places such as cracks in the floor, or a corner of the basement. (Most of the few eggs that do get laid on host animals soon fall off.) The flea lays up to 20 eggs at a setting and may deposit as many as 400 during her lifetime. Most flea eggs are laid when humidity is high and temperatures are moderate (65° to 85°F). It takes only about a week for the eggs to hatch. The eggs are dormant in cool weather, but, with the advent of milder days, they hatch into worm-like larvae, which eventually become fleas.

This larval form feeds on feces, debris, hair and vegetation. Its growth cycle, depending on environmental conditions, takes from 10 to 200 days. Each larva then spins a cocoon and pupates for a period that can range from seven days to a year.

Thus, one pair of adult fleas can cause the three stages of offspring - egg, larva, and adult - to be present in your home for almost two years!

Combine this with the fact that many commercial pesticides kill only adult fleas, leaving deposits of eggs scattered around your home, and it becomes easy to understand how it is that you can "kill every flea in the house" one week and be greeted by a whole new generation of fleas the very next week.

Flea control will not be effective just by killing the dog's fleas if you don't simultaneously cleanse their sleeping quarters and other equipment, in addition to treating your yard with effective sprays or powders designed to kill fleas. Regular and thorough vacuum cleaning of the dog's living area also helps to get rid of the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae. Make sure that you are sealing the vacuum bag in plastic and throwing it away each time you vacuum. You may also want to steam clean your carpets if you are infested. Flea control not only makes your dog more comfortable, it also reduces their chances of acquiring tapeworms since many fleas harbor tapeworm eggs.

 A Natural Way To Kill Fleas
Just like a homemade recipe to kill fleas, but BETTER!

As soon as fleas come into contact with it they become dehydrated and die. It's that simple!

And fleas cannot build up an immunity to it because it works mechanically, not chemically.

This alternative pet medicine also has a 100% money back guarantee - if you are not completely satisfied with the results of Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy they will refund your money in full!

Thousands of pet owners have used this natural approach to flea control with complete success.

1 in 5 Dogs Will Suffer from Arthritis

Is your dog one of them?

Joint and hip problems can stop an active dog in his tracks. Studies show that 1 in every 5 dogs will develop painful arthritis causing joint and hip problems, lameness, swollen joints and muscle atrophy.

And if you have a Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Newfoundland or St. Bernard the risk for arthritis skyrockets to 70 or 80 percent – that's 4 out of every 5 dogs!

If your dog seems to be "slowing down," don't assume it's just because he's getting older. There's a good chance it could be arthritis. And if your dog has arthritis, he's probably in a lot of pain – even if he doesn't show it.

Arthritis pain will make your dog less active. He'll slow down and stop doing the things that make him happy. But a good glucosamine supplement like Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint can make a world of difference – and the sooner he starts taking it, the better.

Dogs are good at "hiding" their pain

When dogs are ill or injured, they are very good at hiding their pain. It’s a survival mechanism. In the wild, a sick dog becomes easy prey for other predatory animals. So dogs have become quite skilled at masking their pain.

If your dog has painful arthritis, he may show it … but chances are he may not. It’s up to you to be on the lookout for symptoms and to also understand your dog’s risk factors so this disease can be diagnosed as early as possible.

If your dog is symptomatic, you may notice that he is less active. He may move slower. He may have trouble climbing, jumping or running. Maybe he can’t jump up on the sofa or get into the car as easily as he did before. You may also notice a dry crackling sound when your dog’s joints move.

Risk factors for arthritis and joint problems
Certain risk factors increase a dog's likelihood for painful joint conditions. They include:

Genetics / breed
Obesity
Joint abnormalities like hip dysplasia
Trauma / injury
Excessive joint stress in highly active dogs
Infection
Age (problems develop from years of wear and tear on cartilage and joints)
Diet (Dogs eat primarily red meat. It is high in uric acid, which has been shown to cause arthritic-type conditions.)

If your dog is at risk for arthritis, a good glucosamine supplement can make a world of difference. Glucosamine is a natural compound found in healthy cartilage. Recent studies prove that glucosamine supplements have an anti-inflammatory effect and can be a very beneficial treatment for arthritic conditions in humans and animals. This daily supplement can help keep your dog’s joints and bones healthy and strong.

Even if your dog is not symptomatic, if he has any of the risk factors for arthritis, he could already have the disease or he is quite likely to develop it. The sooner he begins taking glucosamine the better. It will give his bones and joints the healthy support they need to stay healthy longer so he can enjoy a full active life without pain and mobility problems.

Veterinarians recommend Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint Chewables. They have the tasty liver flavor dogs love and they give your dog the healthy joint support he needs to live a happy, active pain-free life.

Painful arthritis ... what you can do to help

Extra weight puts extra stress on your dog's bones and joints. If your dog is overweight, put him on a healthy weight loss program. Cut back on food portions or switch to a food that is designed for weight management. Cut out unhealthy treats. Help your dog burn more calories by making sure he gets plenty of healthy exercise.

If your dog's weight, age or breed put him at risk for developing arthritis, be on the lookout for the earliest sign of problems.

If your dog has arthritis, get him a soft comfy bed. If you have slippery tile or wood floors,

cover them with carpet. Ramps and soft modular cubes can help your dog get into the car and climb stairs more easily. A good massage can help increase your dog's flexibility and circulation while helping to relieve the pain of aching joints.

Start your dog on Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint as soon as possible. This healthy glucosamine supplement will support healthy joints and help ease your dog's pain so he can enjoy a full active life.

Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint supplements can help improve your dog's joint function – whether he is at risk for developing arthritis, mildly symptomatic or already suffering from this painful joint condition.

Choose the formula that's right for your dog based on the severity of his symptoms, or ask your veterinarian to recommend the correct dosage for your dog.

Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint Supplements:

Powerful support for canine joints

Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint chewable glucosamine tablets help support healthy joints and connective tissue, so your dog stay active longer and continue to do the things that make him happy. Made right here in the USA, Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint tablets have the tasty liver flavor dogs love and they come in 3 different formulas.

Choose the right support for your dog.

You should select the right formula for your dog based on the severity of his condition and follow the dosage instructions. When in doubt, check with your veterinarian.

All 3 Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint formulas contain 500 mg of glucosamine to support healthy joints and connective tissue – and 2 formulas contain additional joint support ingredients (like chondroitin) to treat more advanced conditions. Find the one that’s right for your dog.

Worming Cats & Dogs – Reasons for doing so and tips on how to do it!

Dogs and cats need to be regularly wormed against both tapeworms and roundworms. These worms live in the intestines of your pet and can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss. In some severe cases, especially in very young animals, the worms can cause lethargy and even death.

 Many people that own pets also have young children, it is important to remember that roundworm larvae and tapeworms can infect people. Although health problems in people e.g. eye damage or blindness from worms is uncommon, worming your pets regularly and keeping it free from fleas will help keep it healthy and minimize any potential risks to the family.

 As puppies and kittens can get roundworm from their mother, you should assume all young kittens and puppies have worms. Worming should be carried out using a veterinary recommended product. The worming regime can vary but as an idea, young should be wormed every 2-3 weeks until around 3-4 months and then monthly until they are 6months. After 6 months of age, worming should be carried out every 3-4 months. Worming medication comes in different shapes and sizes from tablets to spot-on preparations to palatable pastes. Which preparation you use depends on a number of factors and you should consult a veterinary surgeon if in any doubt.

 At some stage in the course of owning a cat you are likely to need to give it tablets. For some cat owners the thought of trying to give the cat a tablet can bring them out into a cold sweat. We offer the following tips…

1. If your cat is likely to wriggle, sit them on a towel and then use this to wrap them in ensuring all four feet are enclosed.

2. Sit your cat either on your lap or hold them between your knees. Getting someone else to hold the cat for you, taking hold of both elbows can be very useful to prevent them scratching with their front legs.

3. Place your left hand (if right handed) over the top of the cats head with the thumb and forefinger resting on either cheekbone.

4. Tilt the head backwards until the nose is pointing to the ceiling.

5. The mouth should drop open slightly. Using the middle finger of the other hand depress the lower jaw whilst holding the pill between the thumb and forefinger

6. Place the pill as far back as possible into the center of the mouth; shut the cats’ mouth immediately and hold closed in a natural head position.

7. Rub the cats’ neck gently to encourage it to swallow; blowing gently on the nose can help.

8. Pill poppers are available from most veterinary practices to enable you to put the tablet as far back into the cats throat as possible without the use of (or losing) fingers.

 If you are finding it difficult to give your cat a tablet, ask your vet or vet nurse to show you how to do it. Some medications can be hidden in a tasty treat or smothering the tablet in butter can help your cat to swallow. If you really struggle, it is always best to consult a veterinary surgeon as there may be alternatives to tablets that can be used instead.  

Ticks, Mosquitoes and Fleas - Pest Problems For Your Dog

Summer is here and we all love to be outside as much as possible. Our dogs love to play outside too. Along with beautiful weather, summer brings outdoor barbecues, vacation and the pests that like to snack on us and our canine companions. These blood sucking creatures are everywhere we like be. Ticks, mosquitoes and fleas can cause serious health problems for our us and especially for our dogs.

 The deer tick, also known as the black legged tick can infect your dog with Lyme disease. The tick carries a bacteria that infects the dog when it bites and starts feeding. Although Lyme disease was first diagnosed in 1975 and named for the town of Lyme, Connecticut, it was first documented in a medical journal in 1847. Although Lyme disease has been found in all 50 states, it is most prevalent in the Northeast along the coastal states. The deer tick is so small, it is almost impossible to see on your dog. So, how do you know if your dog has this bacterial illness? The symptoms of the disease in dogs are the same as they are in humans. This first shows itself as joint pain. You will notice you dog going from his usual active self one day, to limping a day or two later. He will most likely be favoring one of his front paws. This joint pain can involve the whole body. Your dog may have a fever and lose his appetite. The sooner you get him to the vet the better. If not treated, Lyme disease can cause kidney damage, nerve damage or heart problems. Lyme disease can be detected by a blood test and is treated with a long course of antibiotics. You can protect your dog from this tick borne illness with vaccines and prevention medications available from your veterinarian.

 Another common summertime pest that can make your pooch sick is the mosquito. Mosquitoes carry larvae of the heart worm, which they pick up when they bite an infected animal. The mosquito then bites your dog and transfers the larvae him (or her). It takes about 3 months for the larvae or microfilaraie to get through the bloodstream to the heart where they mature and then mate. This process can take 6-7 months. Dogs can have several hundred of the heart worms in their heart and blood vessels if they do not receive treatment. The worms obstruct the blood flow through the heart and vessels to the lungs. Dogs may not show symptoms of infection, but if they do, they will have decreased appetite and weight loss, and have no energy. As the infection becomes worse, you may notice the dog will have decreased endurance during play or exercise. The dog could also show a pot bellied look from fluid in the abdomen. There are blood tests available to test for heart worms and if the test is positive, there is a medication that must be injected several times over several months. There is a chance of blood clots so there is some risk in the treatment. If the infection is severe, the worms may need to be removed by surgery. The best thing you can do for your dog is to give him a regular heartworm prevention medication. After your dog is tested and determined to be negative, he should be started on a year round monthly dose of the preventative prescribed by your vet.

 Another common pest that we are all familiar with is the flea. Fleas become very active in the summer months and it is almost certain your pooch will end up bringing these nasty pests into your home. The only way to protect your dog and your family from these biting blood suckers is to treat your dog with a flea control product. There are several types of flea control products available. The most common and longest lasting is the topical liquid applied monthly. There are also, sprays, powders, dips and shampoos. When you check your dog for fleas, you may not see any, but you will probably see the flea dirt. Fleas will make your dog uncomfortable, but if the dog is allergic to the flea saliva, he can have severe itching, hair loss, red lesions or even ulcers. Severely infected dogs can become anemic from the blood loss and young puppies can die from severe, untreated flea infestation.

 There are many good products available from your veterinarian to protect your dog and your family from these common summer pests. Prevention is the absolute best thing you can do to care for your canine family member during these fun filled summer day. 

About Us          Affiliates          Blog          Business Associates          Business Links          Contact          Pet Links          Site Map

Copyright © 2009 Moopaw, All Rights Reserved
By using this website, you agree to our Conditions contained in our Privacy Policy  

Back to Top