Posted on 29 December 2009. Tags: Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, dog, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, Dog Collar, Dog Ear Care, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, doggy, dogs, ear mites, good dog, owner, tips, Tips and Advice, Your Dog's Ear Care
The dog's ear is very sensitive and requires care to stay free from infections, ear mites and other ear problem. Their sharp sense of hearing has saved many lives, detecting sounds we cannot hear due to their acute hearing. Dogs themselves depend on their hearing more than their eyesight. Yet the ears and ear diseases make up 20% of the average veterinary practices. And dogs with lots of fur tend to have furry ears, which collect oil and infections – such as cocker spaniels or poodles. Got the picture?
Infections In The Ears
Wet ears cause ear infections in dogs, so try to insert cotton balls into the canal when bathing the dog, or allowing them to swim. If experienced, there are drying agents to insert into the dog’s ears if the eardrums are intact, such as ClearX or Panodry, which will dry the water in the canal. You can wipe out the dog’s ears with cotton balls, but a small amount of wax needs to stay in the dogs ear canal, so be careful.
Some breeds like the Poodle, the Cocker Spaniel, or the Schnauzer has hair plucked out of the ears by groomers. This causes serum to ooze from their pores, which causes the growth of bacteria. Also, the folded over ears of the cocker make them vulnerable to bacteria. After wiping the ears with mineral oil, and a “dirty look” reappears in a week or so – this could mean infection due to the growth of bacteria. Scratching at the ears, rubbing against things, or shying away if you touch the ear are also symptoms of ear conditions. You may want to have the dog checked at the vet if this occurs.
Posted in Dog Health
Posted on 29 December 2009. Tags: Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, Cataracts in Dogs, Cataracts in Dogs and Dog Vision Problems, dog, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, dog cataracts, Dog Collar, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, Dog Vision Problems, doggy, dogs, owner, tips, Tips and Advice
Cataracts are one of the more common vision problems that occur in dogs, humans and many other animals. Dog health issues such as cataracts and other vision issues can be corrected through a variety of treatments including drug therapies, surgery and genetic testing to prevent dogs with the hereditary condition from reproducing or being used in breeding programs. Since veterinary ophthalmology and general research into cataracts and vision problems in dogs continues to be high priority, this condition is one of the best understood vision problems within the canine population.
What Are Dog Cataracts?
Cataracts are the gradual clouding over or development of an opaque rather than clear lens in the eye. Cataracts can develop in one eye or both and they can range from small areas of the lens to the complete lens, which is the form that results in blindness. Small areas of opacity on the lens typically do not cause blindness and may or may not continue to expand to include the whole lens.
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Posted in Dog Health
Posted on 29 December 2009. Tags: Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, dog, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, Dog Collar, Dog Dental Care, Dog Dental Care And Nail Care, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, Dog Nail Care, dog nail clippers, doggy, dogs, good dog, Nail Care, owner, Psychology & Training, tips, Tips and Advice
It is now standard practice for owners to focus on both dental care as well as care for their dog's nails. This wasn't always so, however researchers and vets have proven that dogs with good dental care routines are less likely to have early tooth loss, digestive problems and problems with bad doggy breath. In addition good care of the nails helps to prevent lameness, infections of the feet and also skin infections that can develop with pressure from long nails and nails that scratch or cut the skin's surface.
Posted in Dog Health
Posted on 29 December 2009. Tags: Basic, Basic Grooming For Short Haired Dog Breeds, Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, dog, Dog Bathing, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, Dog Collar, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, doggy, dogs, Grooming, owner, Psychology & Training, Short Haired Dog Breeds, tips, Tips and Advice
Short haired dog breeds may not look like they shed as much and may not require as much grooming as longer haired breeds, but this is a true misconception. Often the dog grooming requirements of short haired breeds are just as demanding as longer haired breeds, especially those that have a double coat and "blow" each spring and fall. Blowing the coat refers to those breeds that shed out the inner coat over the hot summer months.
Posted in Dog Health
Posted on 29 December 2009. Tags: Basic, Basic Dog Grooming For Long Haired Dog Breeds, Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, dog, Dog Bathing, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, Dog Collar, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, doggy, dogs, Long Haired Dog Breeds, owner, tips, Tips and Advice
Long haired dog breeds do need more consistent dog grooming routines than their short haired counterparts. This is simply because longer hair is more likely to tangle and mat, making grooming a priority for owners. Mats and tangles in the hair are more than just a cosmetic issue, they can lead to skin irritations, lesions and infections, especially if they are on the underside, leg and belly areas. This is because the knots and tangles rub against the skin when the dog is sleeping or sitting, resulting in what would be the equivalent of bedsores on a person.
Posted in Dog Health
Posted on 29 December 2009. Tags: Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, dog, Dog Bathing, Dog Bathing & Dog Grooming, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, doggy, dogs, good dog, owner, tips, Tips and Advice
Dog grooming and dog bathing are both very important parts of the dog’s life, especially if your dog sleeps with you or lounges around on the couch with you. In addition to demonstrating what the dog’s health is, skin and coat conditions can indicate worms that are present, parasites on the skin, inadequate food intake, mites, ringworms, dehydration or other conditions. Clipping toenails, hair cuts, and cleaning the ears are just a few parts of the total grooming over the dog’s life – it will help if they like it and are mannerly while it is being done. And there are ways to train the dog when it is a puppy, to accept this as second-hand nature over time. Be gentle and make it fun, and before long a routine to bath your dog will be in place.
Why Groom A Dog?
One of the most important reasons to enjoy dog grooming is that it provides time to inspect the dog from top to bottom. It gives owners a chance to see just how their dog is doing and watch for any changes in skin, coat, nails or teeth. Most breeders start puppies out at two weeks of age to enjoy grooming, with their toenails being clipped and their first set of routine worming starting. Ears are checked at this time, also.
As you work with them, gently massaging their body and ears, gently talking to them so they spend most of the time positively listening. A dog can only focus on one thing at a time, and it is better they listen to you rather than stressing out over dog grooming routines. This removes fear from the picture, putting it on the backseat, and encourages a positive response from them. So, you can tell how much time your puppy spent being handled and groomed by its original breeder from its reaction to your own handling and grooming. When you first pick out a puppy, this is a good way to check out the puppy for socialization issues such as comfort with handling and grooming.
Avoiding Painful Situations
To hurt a dog or cause the dog pain is going to cause you trouble in the future, so for example, when clipping toenails know where to clip and be gentle. Also, pain in a certain area shows a medical problem that needs to be examined more thoroughly. Be observant and look carefully. If you think something looks infected or could be serious, go to the vet and have it examined. Things that are small can be ignored or missed, eventually leading into something bigger. Infections, torn toenails, or stickers in the paw, are only a few of the problems that can occur. Grooming is an excellent way to examine the dog for observation and prevention of these things.
Both dog grooming and dog bathing need to be routines that you establish with your pet. Routine grooming will also help in keeping on top of your dog's overall health and well being, which is definitely important to all owners.
Posted in Dog Health
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