While basic grooming is the main key to cleanliness, sometimes it is not enough: especially for dogs. Like humans, dogs can get suffer in the hygiene department even with the best grooming policies. Dog dandruff is an annoyance some pet owners cannot seem to dismiss, no matter how extensive or expensive the treatment turns out to be.

Find an Easy Way to Treat Your Dogs Dandruff!

Thankfully, there is a simple [and inexpensive!] natural home remedy to treat dandruff and give them pain relief: a simple combination lemon juice mixed with vinegar. It’s true, vinegar dogs are not the best smelling dogs in the world, but thankfully, if the mixture is allowed to set in for only 5 minutes, you can wash your dog with the best smelling shampoo while still fighting that pesky dandruff and removing the pungent smell of vinegar. The execution is fairly simple and not very time consuming.

Get your dog wet, then get your lemon juice and vinegar mixture ready. The amount needed is dependent on the size of the dog, so guess according to your pet size. In this case, less is not always more, so make sure you have enough to cover the entire dog’s hairy body. Simply deep rub the mixture into your dog’s hair and let it set in for 5 minutes. Beware of the smell! Make sure to keep the dog isolated in the washing vessel being used so the mixture isn’t spread throughout.

After 5 minutes, rinse the mixture out and let it set for 2 more minutes. After the two minutes, feel free to re-wash the dog with any flowery-scented shampoo you like. Let the dog naturally dry, preferably outdoors, and all your dog dandruff problems were just mixed away! Your dog will be happy and carefree without dandruff there to cause problems, simply because of an inexpensive home remedy. Sadly, it has not been tested on human hair as of yet, so experiment on your own hair at your own risk.

Author: Michael Gentleman

Mike writes about dog dandruff with product reviews. If you are interested in dog dandruff then visit his website for further information and solutions. http://dogdandruffguide.com

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Fleas are parasites that feed off your dog’s blood. Flea eggs can be found almost everywhere – in your couch, carpet, etc. so the likelihood of infection is very high. To know if your dog has fleas, look for flea excrement – small, dark, curly dots that are also known as "flea dirt."

To do this, brush your pet’s coat with a white cloth or sheet and look for these black specks, which contains digested blood that looks reddish brown when wet. If your dog has a darker coat, eggs that resemble dandruff is visible when a magnifying glass is used.

Besides really annoying your dog, fleas can also cause an allergic reaction called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) which leads to hair loss, skin inflammation and irritation. For severe cases, your pet can experience anemia due to blood loss. This can be fatal if your pet is young or debilitated. Also, fleas are carriers of common tapeworms, which can cause cramping and gas.

Putting flea powder on your vacuum cleaner will exterminate all the fleas inside the bag. Monthly topicals is an easy and inexpensive approach to protect your house from fleas. Bio Spot or Frontline Plus are recommended topical brands available. You might also want to build a doghouse or spot for your dog that is elevated since fleas can’t jump higher than a foot. Water is a flea’s top enemy, so wash the areas that a dog might run around – like your backyard. Minimal contact with grasses and woods will lessen the possibility of infection. If you have a garden, trim leaves and clear brushes, as well as grassy and kennel areas.

If you have a home grooming kit for your dog, it is best to include a flea comb. Use it regularly on your pet. Its soft, fine bristles, it will catch the flea. Start combing around the hindquarters and the pet’s head, where flea dirt can also be seen. When you trap a flea, immediately put it in soap-water solution. Fleas thrive in warm conditions, that’s why in warmer climates, it is best to give your dog flea products the whole year. Although pupa stages can become dormant in cold climates, increasing the length of its lifespan composed of egg, larva, pupa and adult.

A flea bath is the first step to a parasite-free pet. Be careful in using a flea shampoo because most products are too harsh on puppies. Consult your veterinarian on what to use if your puppy has fleas. It can also relieve irritation and itching. Don’t stop at shampooing because it doesn’t really protect your dog after getting a bath.

One alternative is using flea dips that keep fleas at bay for some time after dipping, but it is not recommended by most veterinarians. The downside is that your dog might eat or swallow these parasites after licking, since a flea dip stays on the dog’s hair coat. Another option is a flea collar. It will only kill all the fleas in the dog’s neck and face – not the whole body. Some also dogs develop a rash when using flea collars. While flea medallions can contaminate the dog’s drinking water, since it hangs loose from the collar.

A good choice is the use of flea sprays and powders – both for your dog and your house, so be careful in reading the instructions to know which is which. Products intended for your home is too strong to use on your pet. Using two or three different flea products at the same time can be toxic for your dog.

If there are numerous fleas that infested your dog, it is recommended that you treat your home too. Methoprene and fenoxycarb, two active ingredients contained in flea sprays are efficient and safe. It stops the growth of eggs into adult fleas. As mentioned, sprays are too strong for dogs, so take them outside for a walk when you treat your home. Some products are designed to destroy adult fleas – one product is Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) can help kill flea eggs and larvae. Before applying such products, vacuum your carpet or furniture first to rouse eggs and larvae from their cocoons.

Veterinarians recommend these products to for flea control: Pyriproxyfen (Nylor, Archer), Imidacloprid (Advantage), Lufenuron (Program), Fipronil (Frontline Top Spot), Cythioate (Proban), and Fenthion (Pro-Spot).

By: John Samson

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While every dog is an individual, a few age-related maladies seem to strike many of them. You should of course discuss how they affect your dog – and the best approach to treating them – with your veterinarian, but knowing a little bit about what you’re dealing with before you go in is helpful.

Here are a few old-dog problems, along with some things you can do to help:

1. Stiffness: Your veterinarian can help you determine if the stiffness is because of temporary muscle soreness – say from overdoing it – or the onset of arthritis. Many dogs are worse in cold weather and first thing in the morning. Arthritis is common in older dogs, and while no cure exists, treatments are available that can make your pet’s life comfortable. Your veterinarian may prescribe buffered aspirin, food supplements, or anti-inflammatory medications, all of which your pet may need to take for the rest of her life. For your part, you need to be sure that your pet is not overweight and is kept consistently, but not strenuously, active.

2. Decline of the senses: Deaf and blind dogs do just fine, as long as you do your part to keep them out of any danger their disabilities may cause. Blindness, in particular, is a problem dogs adjust to with an ease that stuns their owners. But consider the following: Dogs don’t have to read the newspaper, they don’t care about TV, and they count on you to read the ingredients label on a bag of kibble. Sight isn’t their primary sense anyway; they put much greater stock in their sense of smell. After they learn the layout of the land, they rarely bump into things (as long as you don’t keep moving the furniture). Handicapped pets should never be allowed off-leash on walks, because they can’t see danger and cannot hear your warnings.

Even if your older dog is blind, there may be something that you can do. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a specialist like a veterinary ophthalmologist. Problems such as cataracts may be treatable with medications and surgery.

3. Incontinence: There are many inquiries all of the time from frustrated owners wondering why their older dogs are no longer house-trained – and how they can get them back on track. The first rule of any sudden-onset behavior problem is to make sure that it’s not a health problem, and we can think of no case where this rule is more true than with an older dog who’s suddenly urinating in the house. Your pet could have an infection or, if she’s an older spayed female, she may be suffering from the loss of muscle tone related to a decrease in her hormone levels. Both are treatable; see your veterinarian. At a certain age, a little dribbling of urine is practically inevitable, especially while your older dog is sleeping.

4. Lumps and bumps: Benign fatty tumors are common in older dogs, and the vast majority are nothing to worry about. Benign tumors are round and soft, with well-defined edges. You can usually get your fingers nearly around them, and they don’t seem well-anchored. Showing them to your veterinarian for a more complete evaluation is important, and you should inform her of any changes in size or shape, especially if they happen rapidly. Your veterinarian may be concerned enough about the size, appearance, or location of a mass to suggest its removal and a biopsy; most bumps, however, are left alone. The best time to check for lumps and bumps? During regular grooming, weekly, at least. Run your hand over every inch of your dog, and don’t forget to talk sweetly – she’ll think it’s petting.

By: Michael Whitman -

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Like people, dogs are vulnerable and prone to unhealthy conditions like diarrhea. Dog diarrhea is one of the most common issues pertaining to health. It can affect your dog at any chances and because of its prevalence, oftentimes this type of illness is considered not at all serious. But to some, especially to those who take high regard to their pet’s health, become somewhat worried. They eventually seek the help of a veterinarian and ask for some dog diarrhea medications that are apt for their pet’s condition.

Dog diarrhea, even if considered widespread, does not easily affect your dog if proper care measures in pet keeping are observed. However, this case is caused by various things. One main reason is giving inappropriate amount or type of food to your beloved dogs. As a pet owner, you should be very keen and careful in choosing the kind of food to be fed to your pet. Just like people, dogs have sensitive appetites. Their appetites also need to be given the right kind and amount of food every time. Well, there are cases that it is not the pet owners who wrongly feed their pets. It is the pets themselves that take in foods or anything that arouses their curiosity (very many like children). So be sure to take a closer look at your pets especially when they are outside the house.

Another possible cause is the result of vaccinations given to them. This is mostly due to the reactions of the vaccinations. Although considered normal, don’t just ignore when this happens.

Moreover, parasites and other types of viruses or worms can also trigger your dog’s stomach. These parasites easily transmit to the body when your dogs interact with the environment. Just like food, you should take heed in setting out your dogs outside. Be extra careful always.

A dog’s emotion can also make their stomach upset. They are really a lot like people. Due to excitement and nervousness especially when they are brought away from home, they have the possibility to experience diarrhea. But basically, this kind of diarrhea won’t last long because it is just only a result of too much pressure on their emotions.

How to recognize if your dog is experiencing this? If you see that your dog vomits, which is not a normal act of a healthy dog, then it is positively suffering from diarrhea. Like people, they also bowel unconditionally. This is due to the unwanted pressure in their digestive system.

Is it okay even if you won’t bring your dog to its vet? Well in most cases, it is. But if the situation gets worse even if ample dog diarrhea medication has already been given, then it is more advisable to bring your dog to his veterinarian for a thorough check up.

Taking care of dogs is just like taking care of kids. Sometimes because of their hyper sensitivity and hyper ability, they become more prone to infections and illnesses. Even if proper care is given, it is not 100% sure that your dog can’t be inflicted at any chance with diseases like dog diarrhea. Nevertheless, there’s no reason at all for us to fret about this. There are lots of dog diarrhea medications that are available at any pet health stores near your place or even online. You can even buy non-prescription meds for this illness. But bear in mind, if the symptoms still persist, it is better to seek the advice of your vets.

To learn more about the different types of pet meds for your dogs, cats, horse, etc., and how to get discount and cheap pet medications, make sure to visit http://www.callpetmeds.com where you will find everything on getting quality yet affordable pet medications.

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As a new puppy buyer you might be bring home more than you know. Giardia is commonly found in the intestines of many animals, including puppies, and can cause such symptoms as mild recurring diarrhea, soft light yellow colored stools, weight loss, listlessness, mucus in the stool, and can lead to other health risks.

So what is Giardia?

Giardia is microscopic parasites that form cysts. These cysts cling to the surface of the infected dog, or they can float free in the mucous lining and pass from the dog when he eliminates (poops). Once passed, the cysts can survive for several months outside the animal if sufficient moisture is present.

How could my puppy come in contact with these cysts?

If your new puppy shared a kennel with another dog that was infected with Giardia, chances are he ingested the cysts by licking the coat of the infected dog, the floor or surrounding area where the infected dog was kept, or he might have actually ingested the feces that contained the Giardia cysts. Once ingested, the cysts break open, in the new host, thus repeating the infection cycle.

Can my new puppy get Giardia even if he has not been around an infected dog?

Yes. Giardia can also be found in streams or other water sources, and a dog left in unclean conditions can actually re-infect itself causing a vicious cycle.

What type of treatments are available for Giardia?

If you suspect that your new puppy may have Giardia, it is always best to schedule a visit to your veterinary clinic. Be prepared for your visit by collecting a fecal sample to take with you. Using the sample you supply, your vet can perform the necessary tests to determine if your dog actually has Giardia, or some other disorder. If Giardia is diagnosed, some of the treatments available today include; Metronidazole (Flagyl), Furazolidone (Neftin), Tinadazole, Fenbendazole (Panacur), and Albendazole (Valbanzen). Your vet will prescribe the best treatment for your new puppy.

My dog is not infected now, but how can I prevent him from coming in contact with Giardia?

The best way to prevent contact with, and the spread of Giardia, is to be sure your new puppy does not drink from possible contaminated water sources such as; rivers, streams, and or stagnant standing water. Another way to help eliminate the risk of Giardia is to keep your pet away from pets that you don’t know, that could possibly be infected. Popular places like dog parks, dog beaches, and other pet meeting areas can be fun, but is it worth the risk of your puppy’s health?

 
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Giardia
General information on Giardia Giardia is a protozoan parasite (tiny, one-celled parasitic life form) found all over the world. Giardia living in the intestinal tract can result in gastrointestinal symptoms.

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