Dog Hospital

While in Europe President Obama has received gifts from the Czech Government which were given to the Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek to give to the First Family for their First Dog.  The bowls and beds were made by the Lillibed Company of Europe made especially for First Dogs of America -namely the Obama’s First Dog.

The Presidential First Dog’s Bowl

You have to had it to the Europeans -they have class.  This dog bowl for instance is just exquisite and made from fine porcelain of the best quality -not Chinese cheap made of lead.  No no…not so.  The Presidents First Dog bowl is fired 4 times and hard kilned made from Czech raw production materials.

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There may be no warning before dog worms strike.

It was about two AM, when beneath our bed the new puppy we’d brought home from the pound just a month earlier began screaming.

Not yipping or whining — this was the kind of agonized screams that’ll stand your hair up on end. Our cute, playful new puppy was being eaten alive from inside.

He had worms, even though he’d received all the right shots just a few weeks before.

Now he was dying, right there under our bed, and we weren’t able to save him. The worms were just too advanced.

He had been a happy little guy, playful and filled with fun. So that night — and those screams — have stayed with me a very long time.

An experience like that will change your attitude fast. It sure changed mine. Up till then I’d been a bit cavalier about health care for my pets.

However, dog worms are serious business. They need to be treated as soon as possible. And even if you’re not sure, get your dog tested anyway, just to be safe. Being safe is far better than listening helplessly to your dog die in the night.

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A microchip is a glass bead about the size of a grain of rice which is implanted between an animal’s shoulder blades. It contains a radio transmitter, an antenna, and a computer chip with a 10-digit code. The information contained in a microchip has to be read by a scanner — it is not a GPS system that will allow you to track and locate your pet.

Most humane societies and rescue organizations require that adopted pets be microchipped, so if your pet came from a shelter there’s a good chance he or she already has one.

For those of you who are still considering a microchip for your pet, there are a few important items you should first consider.

With or Without Anesthetic?
Most veterinarians will likely tell you that microchipping your pet is painless. But at my practice we would never even consider microchipping without some local anesthetic.

And I highly recommend that if your pet gets a microchip, you insist on anesthetic. No matter what you have been told, the procedure hurts — the chip is inserted with a really big 12-gauge needle!

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Signs of ill health are the most important signs of the health status in your dogs. For example, if the dog has continuous nasal discharge, it indicates the presence of nasal congestion and if the discharge is thick, most of the times, the dog may have pneumonia.

If the dog vomits one or two times occasionally, this may not be taken as a serious sign of ill health but if the dog continues this vomiting, then this is something significant to be looked into.

If the dog has continuous itching, then one needs to check up the dog first by closer observation and examination of skin by separating the hair material especially in case of long haired breeds. You may also come across a lot of ticks or lice on skin, which may look apparently normal at a distance.

If the dog passes loose stool for one or two times, this need not be given more emphasis but if there is continuous passing of loose stool, then the dog is understood to suffer from bowel disorders. If the dog does not pass stool for two to three days, the digestive upsets needs to be ruled out carefully.

Just patiently observe the dog’s walking movements and rule out any abnormal movements in the dog. If the dog is limping, the animal may have foot lesions. Similarly, if the aged dog has reluctant walking and less feed intake along with repeated vomiting, then acute renal disorders like nephritis needs to be ruled out.

If there is whiteness in eyes, suspect the corneal opacity that may occur in diseases like trypanasomosis. When the dog becomes anemic, the mucous membrane of the eyes becomes paler and in severe cases, this may have wall white color. If the dog bites chain and owners or others, look for behavior disorders and rabies needs to be ruled out.

The obesity epidemic that we are experiencing in our society, is beginning to surge to the forefront of cause for concern for our pet population. Dogs world wide are overindulging thanks to their owners spoiling them with treats, and access food.

Killing our pets with sheer kindness is a statement that may sound humorous to some but is the truth. The growth of product sales relating to pet treats has quadrupled this decade compared to the last and as a result, we are seeing in influx in overweight pets.

Like Humans, pets that are overweight are prone to ill health and will be more susceptible to conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, stroke, etc.

Keeping our pet’s diet under control is simple. Put it this way, if your dog does not have access to it, then they will not miss it. Simply speaking, if you dont feed your dog access treats on a regular basis, then your dog will not beg for them frequently.

Exercise will also help keep your dog slim. Walking your dog daily is a great way for you to also get your daily exercise. By walking your dog regularly, both you and your dog will benefit, and although you may not see results immediately, overtime you will.

Regular at-home physical exams can help you learn what is normal for your pet’s body, and therefore allow you to detect when something is not normal.

While it’s still important to take your pet for a professional exam at your vet’s office at least once a year, you can keep watch on your pet’s health in between visits by getting to know what’s normal, and what’s not, for your individual pet.

Steps for Performing an At-Home Pet Exam

Perform the exam in a relaxed environment when your pet is not stressed or excited, or after an exercise session or nap (when they’re likely to be sleepy and ready to relax). Put them on your lap, start with the tip of their nose, and work your way to the tip of their tail.

• First check the nose for debris and take note of whether it is wet or dry. Your pet’s nose will not always be wet, it will typically vary from moist to dry throughout the day, depending on your pet’s body temperature, activity level and hydration.

• Then, take a look to see whether there is abnormal eye discharge. Again, you will likely know what is normal for your pet. For instance if your cat or dog never gets eye discharge and suddenly has it, it’s a sign that there could be a problem.

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The danger of dogs and cats contracting the H1N1 virus is small. The virus only appears to be transmitted from human to human or human to swine. Could your pet come down with H1N1? Not unless you’re the owner of a Vietnamese potbelly, African pygmy or other pet pig, experts say.

All swine are susceptible to the virus.  There are reported incidences throughout the country of pigs being infected with the virus. They have the risk of contracting the virus as they can host both avian and mammalian influenza viruses. It’s been theorized that pigs could actually allow avian influenza to adapt to mammalian species, and for flu viruses to change and mutate into completely different viruses, according to the Chronicle.

But dogs and cats are not at risk. “At this time, there is no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of virus, “Dr. Louise Murray. Director of medicine at the American Veterinary Medical Association ( AVMA) said. “However, owners of pet pigs should monitor their animal’s health carefully.”

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Jennifer Aniston is sick with worry over the health her beloved dog, Norman.

The 14-year-old Corgi-Terrier, is one of the most pampered pooches in Hollywood, but Norman was recently diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening digestive problem, according to OK! Magazine.

“Norman is old and hasn”t been doing well. She’’s terrified her best friend could soon be gone,” a tipster divulged.

The 40-year-old actress is very fond of animals and also has a three-year-old white shepherd named Dolly.

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If your dog has doggy odor there could be many causes. There are many solutions. Doggy odor can be caused by the dog rolling in decomposing organic material. It's a favourite fragrance of most dogs, and is usually cured by a good bath.

Doggy odor might be due to excessive skin oil. Usually shampoo will get rid of this and strip it out, some dogs will require weekly baths. Between baths you can use dry shampoo. You can cover up the smell with any number of colognes for dogs ( never use human cologne) most vets stock 'Desodorante para perros' there is also a deodorant for cats.

A change in diet could be in order. The food you are using could result in an excess of oil in the skin and coat. You could try a food with a lower fat content. Some foods contain Yucca schideriga extract. This extract from the yukka plant results in stools and urine, which is less smelly. Eagle is one brand, which includes yucca in the formula.

Better nutrition, in general, could be a solution. If your buying a cheap food form a Supermarket try feeding a better quality dog food, such as a Super Premium like Hills Science Diet or Euakanuba (Eams) Purina or Pedigree. An addition of vitamins and minerals and particularly biotin has been found to help dogs with odor.

Excessive body odor could be a sign of illness. Offensive odor is a sign of cancer, seborrhea, mange and a variety of other diseases. Be sure to have your vet check your dog thoroughly.

Yeast infections and other infections in the ears are quite common and cause odor, so seek experienced help. Mange is quite nasty smelling, and if your dog smells in the hindquarters, it could be a problem with hair matted around the rectum, or with the anal sacs. The anal sacs are located to the left and right of the anus. The sacs produce a sour or rancid-smelling, watery secretion that is brownish in colour. They usually empty to make your dogs stool with the identifying smell. Sometime the sacs empty in an explosive way when the dog is frightened or stressed. Other times the anal sacs do not empty at all, and you or your vet must empty them. The big clue is when you see your dog 'scooting' along the floor, dragging his rear on the ground.

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If your dog doesn’t like water, read this for tips on how to bathe your pet without fuss or muss.

Dogs seem to love water or hate it. If your pet falls into the latter group, here are a few helpful hints that may make bath time easier for all.

1. Plan ahead. Start with a freestanding tub, unless you plan to use a stationary tub in the basement or your bathtub. If your dog is large, you may want to set aside a special place for bath time to save splashing and scratching on interior walls. The garage, shed, basement, or breezeway provides shelter and limited space for an excitable pet to make a wet mess.

2. Choose dog-friendly cleaning
agents. You will need dog shampoo, though a human product works well, too. A citrus scent helps to repel fleas as does Avon’s Skin-so-soft product. Try to avoid commercial flea preparations as they can be toxic if mishandled. Don’t use anything that is heavily perfumed. Most dogs dislike artificial floral aromas and will roll in the grass or dirt to remove the smell from its coat.

3. Purchase and organize supplies so you have everything handy when you need it. In addition to the tub and soap, get a de-tangling comb to suit your dog’s coat and a canine toothbrush for teeth care, although toothpaste isn’t needed. Use moist cotton swabs or cotton balls to gently clean debris from inside your pet’s ears and nostrils, or under his nails or tail. Also have on hand a washcloth, soft-bristled body brush, and two towels; a large one to drape over your pet after leaving the tub and another to spot-dry individual body areas like the face, ears, head, neck, torso, legs, and tail. Keep supplies clean by washing them after each use.

4. Lay out everything you will need in the bathing area. You may want to put Fido on a leash, as dogs have an uncanny way of knowing that something is up and may hide under the sofa. Remove doggie clothing and tags, if worn, leaving the collar for something to hold on to unless you can manage without it.

5. Offer your pet a treat and get started. Associating bath time with fun or flavor can help to coax a reluctant pet into the water. Lather the washcloth and quickly wipe your dog’s face with special attention to the eyes and ears. Next, lather the body brush and gently stroke against the lay of the fur to loosen old hair and dust. Soap your pet well, moving the brush briskly over legs, chest, and tail. Use the washcloth to wipe away the loosened debris, dunking the cloth repeatedly into the water and squeezing excess over the dog’s body. Look for fleas on the skin and remove these manually, drowning them in the water.

6. Rinse. When you are satisfied that your pet is clean, use clear water to rinse out residual soap and debris until the coat looks smooth and soap-free.

7. Dry. Remove your pet from the water and drape with the large towel. Use the cotton swabs to gently clear oral cavities. With the smaller towel, wipe each body part, resisting your dog’s efforts to shake off excess moisture. You may want to use a blow dryer if it doesn’t excite your pet. Use the comb to smooth fur and remove tangles.

8. Release! Give your dog some space to run around as he continues to dry, preferably indoors, as he will want to shake off extra water periodically. Take him outdoors if this poses a problem for your home.

Voila! You have a clean, odor-free pet to enjoy for the time being. Depending on how active your dog is, you may want to schedule a monthly or bi-monthly bath. Plan to wash his bedding and furniture that he uses to get rid of pet smells. Both your dog and you can now relax until the next time.