Aging Dogs Need Special Care

Looking for the basic facts about aging dogs ? This is where you will find them as we like to print articles that are knowledgeable and to the point.

The article below is an easy read and makes older dogs easy to understand as well. It covers the main issues and hopefully answers your questions.

Aging Dogs – Comfort For Old Dogs

By Donna Boras

Bruno

Aging dogs that are happy and comfortable are a beautiful sight. It means that someone has done an excellent job of taking care of their dog and made his life worthwhile; it says very good things about the dog’s owner.

Arthritis in dogs is common as they age, they suffer from the same inconveniences that old humans do: Their joints get stiff, energy levels diminish, their hearing lessens and eyesight becomes less acute. Dog incontinence may also be a problem in old dogs. Fortunately a dog’s sense of smell seems to be most resistant to aging changes.

There are many products in today’s world to make your aging dog more comfortable.

Caring for Older Dogs

An Old dog appreciates a warm, comfortable bed. An orthopedic bed is a good choice, they provide maximum support and are specifically made to cushion joints and bones. For arthritic dogs this is ideal and they are available in various styles. For added comfort consider a heated dog bed, bed warmer or a heated blanket for your aging best friend. The combination of a supportive bed and heat will have a very therapeutic affect on your dog. Place the bed in an area free of drafts.

Food for Older Dogs

Choose food for an elderly dog carefully. Older dogs tend to put on extra pounds because of reduced activity and they burn calories less efficiently. They do best on fewer calories because they use less energy. But do not reduce the amount of food for your aging dog; just choose lower-calorie foods. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on diet and a vitamin/mineral regimen based on your dog’s health. It may make a difference to his energy level. Be sure your senior dog has plenty of water at all times. Older dogs can become dehydrated more easily then younger ones.

Exercise is important but do not over tax your best buddy. Let him smell the flowers or the “fire hydrant.” Short walks several times a day, rather than one long one may be a good idea.

Checkups for Aging Dogs

Regular checkups are a must for older dogs. In addition to annual vaccinations and health checkups, pay special attention to dental care. He is likely to lose some teeth and may develop bad breath. Keep his teeth clean and free of plaque build up and have his teeth routinely checked. This will decrease the chance that he will develop serious problems, such as heart disease resulting from tooth decay or gum disease.

Incontinence in Older Dogs

Incontinence is sometimes a problem for old dogs. The causes are many. Do not scold him for something that is not his fault. Do see your veterinarian, it may be treatable. A temporary way of dealing with urination caused by incontinence is the use of doggy diapers and training pads to eliminate those messes in your home. Diapers for dogs are available is several sizes and styles designed for male and female dogs. Training pads may be placed under your dog to protect carpet, furniture and his bed.

Grooming for Older Dogs

Finally, good grooming for your senior dog is useful. Brush daily to keep the coat healthy and to discover any problems such as dry skin, sore spots, body odor, fleas and ticks. Check your dog’s ears for odor or discharge produced by infection.

Genetics do play a part. Generally speaking; small dogs (20 lbs) live longer and don’t show signs of aging until around 12 years of age. While with medium sized dogs (20 – 50 lbs), the affects of aging will be seen around 10 years. For larger breeds (90 lbs and up) aging generally begins to show around 8 years of age. There are exceptions to this, of course. With advances in geriatric veterinary care, good nutrition and excellent care for aging dogs, the process of aging may be slowed down.

About the Author: Donna Boras is the webmaster of http://dog-beds-n-beyond.com and a life long dog lover. For more information on orthopedic dog beds – http://www.dog-beds-n-beyond.com/orthopedicdogbeds.html heated dog beds – http://www.dog-beds-n-beyond.com/heateddogbeds.html and

advice on caring for your dog and product review.Copyright Dog-Beds-n-Beyond. All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full as long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=243580&ca=Pets

Although this article covers a lot of ground, obviously, there is a lot more to know about older dogs. This information is just a starting point. It always pays to browse the internet for information but we all know that is easier said than done!


With that in mind we invite you to leave a comment so that we can improve the information we give you and make your visit here more worthwhile. It is the Vet Nurse goal and ultimate aim to make this site the "go to" resource for aging dogs and related information. With your help we will achieve that goal no doubt!

If You Are Looking For Accurate Information About Urinary Tract Infection You Just Found It!

This is a handy little article about Urinary Tract Infection from one of our colleagues who has a lot of experience with this problem. This bladder cancer article is a bit different and is proving to be quite a popular read. See what you think.

Alternative Treatments For Canine Bladder Cancer

By Tess Thompson

A large number of companion dogs live inside the house and are trained to urinate out in the open. When such dogs start urinating or dribbling in the house, it is time for owners to visit the veterinarian for a thorough check up of the urinary tract for any signs of bacterial infection. Canine and feline urinary incontinence is the most significant symptom of a urinary tract infection.

Incontinence, however, must be differentiated from frequent urination. It is this differentiation that often helps to differentiate a bacterial infection from serious conditions like bladder stones or cancer. Frequent urination is not involuntary and the dog is aware of it. There is just a strong uncontrollable urge to urinate caused by canine or feline urinary infection. Incontinence is involuntary urination and is caused by a blockage in the passage that causes accumulated urine to put back pressure resulting in leakage.

Blockage in the urinary passage may be caused by migratory bladder stones that obstruct free flow of urine or may be due to a cancerous growth. Cancer is a malignant growth caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division that forms a mass (tumor) of unwanted cells that perform no function. A tumor in the bladder may increase in size and block the passage. Bladder cancer in dogs is mostly malignant, invasive and difficult to operate. Medication involves toxic drugs that have serious side effects.

Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection

It is indeed an unlucky dog who is diagnosed with malignant growth in the bladder since the conventional treatment options are so limited and relatively ineffective. Dog owners can only hope to prolong survival time with medication.

Alternative Treatments For Bladder Cancer

Alternative medicine can help in improving the quality of life by providing significant relief from symptoms. Some herbs that can provide symptomatic treatment and help in slowing the growth of cancer and boosting the immune system include:

Astragalus – Chemotherapy and radiation used for treatment of bladder cancer often compromise the patient’s immune system. Astralalus is a recommended herb that helps to restore immune functioning and may prevent spread of the tumor.

Mistletoe – This herb has long been used for its anti-cancer properties and proves to be a good supportive treatment.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) -This Ayurvedic herb is highly recommended for improving general health. Regular use of Ashwagandha also increases hemoglobin levels. Its anti cancer, anti-inflammatory and calming properties can help in providing the dog with a better quality of life.

Milk Thistle – Milk thistle is an ancient herb that has been subjected to numerous clinical trials. It can be used to counter the toxic side effects of conventional drugs. Its ingredients are strong antioxidants that can block the entry of toxins in the liver.

In addition to the above herbs, the following herbs need to be mentioned as they can also play an important role in preventing and treating urinary tract infection in dogs along with managing bladder cancer.

  • Echinacea purpurea
  • Bladderack
  • Buchu
  • Dandelion
  • Golden Seal

Even though bladder cancer is not completely curable, effective management of the disease can go a long way in enabling the unlucky animal to lead a comfortable life.

 

UTI FreeRecommended product for urinary tract infection: UTI-Free Formula

  • Relieves frequent urination and bladder discomfort
  • Soothes and comforts the bladder and urinary tract
  • Improves urine leakage
  • Helps maintain healthy urine flow
  • Improves long-term urinary tract and bladder health
  • Promotes immune system health for healthier pets
  • Easy to administer dissolvable granules
  • Safe for cats, dogs and small pets

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Always take veterinary advice if you are in any doubt about your dog’s well-being.

References:

http://www.herbal-treatments.com/dog_cancer_bladder.html

http://www.herbal-treatments.com/king.html

http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_cancer_bladder.html

http://www.dog-health-guide.org/bladdercancerfordog.html

So what did you think about that urinary tract infection article? It has some useful information but obviously it only scratches the surface and no doubt you will want to read more.

Our goal at Vet Nurse is to develop our website into the top resource for our readers. We would love to know if you found the bladder cancer in dogs article informative enough and if you would like more articles like this one. We aim to please so leave a comment and let us know what you think.

The Straight Forward Answers About Symptoms Of Ear Infection In Dogs And How To Treat It Homeopathically

We are especially pleased to welcome you if you are looking for information about Symptoms Of Ear Infection In Dogs because there is a useful article below dealing with that problem.

We have included photos, videos and resource links for ear mites where appropriate, which we hope you find beneficial to find even more information.

Symptoms Of Ear Infection In Dogs

Ear Infection

An ear infection in your dog’s ears are not uncommon. Your dog will shake its head, flapping its ears, paw or scratch it’s ears and will be sensitive to them being touched in a more severe case. So if you see any of this type of behavior your ears should prick up because the chances are he or she has an ear infection.

A dog with an ear infection may also whine, rub its ears along the ground or floor, against the furniture and often can less energy than usual. Symptoms of the ear itself are swelling, discharge, redness and a even an unpleasant smell. These then are the symptoms of ear infection in dogs so let’s look at the causes.

Causes

The most common causes of ear infection are ear mites, allergies and yeast infection. Allergies often occur in wet conditions. As most dogs have a flap that covers the ear canal it is important that the ears are dried thoroughly should they get very wet. This also applies in the hot weather when humid conditions make dampness in the ear a problem to sensitive dogs. Please bear in mind that real allergies are to do with the immune system so if you feed a good healthy diet you will be less likely to encounter that problem.

If your dog, for whatever reason is in the getting wet business it is likely to be more susceptible to ear infection. To help prevent this you should make every effort to keep the ears clean and dry. This helps to avoid the build up of wax and clipping the hair in the inner ear is a good idea too.

There is a lack of air with long eared breeds which prevents the inside of the ear to get dry naturally. Moist wax is a breeding ground for mites and infections. Therefore it is important to clip hair in the ears periodically so that a hygienic environment is created because too much hair in the ears traps the dust and dirt and helps in causing infections. Ear Mites

Ear mites are the other common reason for ear infections in dogs. Ear mites are very contagious meaning they can easily be passed from one pet to another. Dog ear mites live their entire life inside your dog’s ears and can cause severe inflammation. If your dog is displaying any of the symptoms of ear infection be sure to gently feel for any inflammation of thickening.

In all cases you should be able to see the ear canal clearly. Any small discharge and wax is natural so do not be too alarmed but any abnormal accumulation of muck or a bad smell indicates an infection. A yellow discharge is indicative of a yeast infection while a black one indicates dog ear mites.

Ear Mite Remedies

You can kill ear mites by smothering them in a natural oil like olive or almond oil. Mixing that with a little vitamin E and/or garlic and applying it to the inside of the ear is held by many to be one of the better remedies for ear mites in dogs. If there is an excessive build up of rubbish in the ear than cleaning it with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water does the trick. Just apply a little at a time and clean with a cotton swab. Continue until all debris is removed. You will need to continue the treatment for a week or ten days until any discharges cease.

If you prefer a done for you remedy which is much easier of course, Ear Dr. may be just the thing for you. It contains a blend of natural, herbal ingredients in a medicinal olive oil base. The ingredients are all specially selected to support the health of the skin and structures inside the ear.

Always watch for symptoms of ear infection in dogs with regular grooming . I always like to tell my clients that prevention is better that cure and careful grooming will go a long way in detecting early signs of infections. Knowing your dog’s normal behavior and spotting abnormalities will make his or her life more comfortable.

Ear Dr.™

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Get more info on Ear Dr. for dog and cat ear mites and ear infections.

I hope you enjoyed reading that symptoms of ear infection in dogs article and got the information you were looking for. I think the it pulls together in an easy to understand way and explains most of what you need to know about ear mites.

We welcome your input to the Vet Nurse website so please leave a comment if you would like to share your thoughts and ideas. Thank you.
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