Tapeworms in Dogs

Tapeworms are parasites that are found in a dog's intestine. It attaches itself by using it's hook-like mouth and sucks the nutrients from the poor dog. You wouldn't want this to happen to your dog, would you? Well, this article is about giving you information that you definitely need to know to get rid and prevent tapeworms in dog.

That said, how does a dog get tapeworms in the first place? Well, it starts with the flea larvae that eats on fecal matter that has tapeworm eggs. As these eggs hatch inside the flea, they become cysticercoids. They are then swallowed by dogs when they bite or chew at an itchy part on their bodies. As soon as the flea gets to the intestine, it is broken down thus releasing the cysticercoids that develop into tapeworms. That is when they start to attach themselves and start to feed off the dog's nutrients. As the tapeworms in dog mature, their tail segments, which contains the eggs, drop off. These are then passed off the dog's feces and the cycle starts all over again. Keep in mind though that dogs may also get tapeworms by eating infected rodents and lizards. The eggs would likely be found in your dog's beddings or in your carpet.

If you are having a hard time trying to figure out if your dog has tapeworms or not, here are a few tips. If you look at your dog's anus, you would see the dried segments of tapeworm that would resemble rice grains. Your dog would also be scooting around on it's rear end because of the irritation on it's anus. Try to look at the dog's feces if you could see the moving segments on it. Finally, the easiest thing to do would be to bring your dog to a vet for a thorough examination.

Don't worry, treatment for tapeworms in dogs is very effective and has no side effects. These are tablets that you can purchase from your local vet.

If your dog doesn't have tapeworms, lucky you. To prevent tapeworms though, you have to control the fleas. Regular de-worming is also a must. It's a small price to pay for the health of man's best friend, wouldn't you say?

Lastly, although tapeworms in dogs are a rare occurrence, there have been cases where a human became infected with tapeworms. So, just like your dog, stay away from fleas and try to maintain a clean environment in your homes.

Hyperthyroidism in Dogs

Are you familiar with hyperthyroidism in dogs? Do you want to know if your dog is sufferings from it?

When you say hyperthyroidism in dogs, there is something wrong with your dog's health, specifically their endocrine system. The system overproduces hormone thyroxin (growth hormone) that causes their thyroids to swell and enlarge. This enlargement is often referred to as functional thyroid edematous hyperplasia.

As this is a rare case in dogs, hyperthyroidism in dogs symptoms are hard to distinguish and is tagged as a slow progressive disease and it is not a benign condition like many believed. Since very few dogs are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, the underlying cause of the thyroid enlargement is unknown but may be due to the combined effects of several factors circulating in the blood.

Hyperthyroidism in Dogs Symptoms
The following are the basic signs and symptoms of a dog suffering from hyperthyroidism:

• Increased Heart Rate
  
• Weight Loss
• Nervousness
• Increase Appetite
• Frequent Urination
• Frequent Water Intake
• Heavy Breathing
• Unexplainable Fatigue
• Hyperactivity
  

If your dog has one of the symptoms indicated above, you need to bring your dog to your trusted vet so he can immediately start the physical examination of your dog health. To be more effective, a blood sample is required. You know, unexpected results occur all the time. Sometimes, the condition of the thyroid hormones will remain normal during the check up, sometimes it's not.The best solution to this variation is a follow up check-up as directed by your vet.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Most cases, your dogs are diagnosed using a blood test procedure known as T4 and Free T4. The former yields unreliable results due to cheap quality of the instrument but the latter is said to be better but expensive on the part of the owner. If your dog is under presciption, blood test are usually given in an interval to monitor the changes in the hormonal level of the dog.

Hyperthyroidism in dogs is is curable. Your vet may only prescribed medications to stabilize the production of thyroid hormones. However, when it's not detected early, another option you need to consider is surgery.

However before giving in to surgery, it's better to ask your vet about the complications. There are times when one of thyroid glands are removed, it will results to a condition which is commonly called as hypothyroidism. This is a condition wherein there are only little production of thyroid hormones and will be discussed on a separate post.

Roundworms in dogs: Nasty Sight to Behold

Unlike a tapeworms in dogs where they only generally feed off the dog's nutrients and make the anus irritated, roundworms in dogs on the other hand take it a notch higher. These spaghetti-looking worms can have several negative effects on your dog's health.

Aside from feeding on the dog's food from inside, leading to a pot-bellied look, they also cause diarrhea and vomiting. Sometimes, when the dog is vomiting, the worms end up vomited as well and can be a really nasty sight to behold. If your dog is heavily infected, it may lead to pneumonia. Worse still, is there are too many worms, the intestines may get blocked. And worst of all, humans may get infected too and is considered a serious matter.

What you've read earlier can be vary scary, especially for dog lovers such as yourself. But fear not because this article will give you a few tips to help combat roundworms in dogs.

Symptoms of Roundworms in dogs

Finding out if your dog has roundworms is the first thing you should do. How? Obviously, if your dog throws up a worm, that could be a good indication right there. Also, a fecal check up is a must. Also have your dog de-wormed. It's a good habit to have it done on a regular basis because you may never know what your pet picked up along the way.

Treatment for Roundworms in dogs

If you are positive that your dog has roundworms then you need to know how to get rid of them. There are several de-worming dogs products in the market today. Some may be bought over-the-counter while some need a prescription.

There are basically two ways of de-worming dogs. The first one pumps anesthesia on the worms so that they will let go of their grip on the intestine and will be flushed out of the body together with the stool. Be ready though for a nasty sight.

The second one stems from the fact that all the larvae in migration cannot be killed by any of these products. After the worms are cleared from the intestine, they will be replaced by new worms completing their migration.

A second, and sometimes even a third de-worming might be needed to keep the intestine clear. The follow-up de-worming is generally given several weeks following the first de-worming to allow for migrating worms to arrive in the intestine where they are vulnerable. Do not ever forget the follow up de-worming.

Bo - The Presidential Dog

WASHINGTON – Bo? No jest. The first family has settled on a first pet — a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog that the Obama girls are naming Bo.

The selection was one of the White House's most tightly kept secrets.

President Barack Obama's daughters, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha, picked a black and white pup, a White House official speaking on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press Saturday night.

The dog is a gift from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who owns several Portuguese water dogs himself.

"We couldnt be happier to see the joy that Bo is bringing to Malia and Sasha," Kennedy said in a statement. "We love our Portuguese water dogs and know that the girls — and their parents — will love theirs, too."

The Washington Post reported in its online editions Saturday night that Obama's daughters chose the name Bo for the pup because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley. The name for the dog was an apparent reference to the singer "Bo" Diddley.

White House aides told the AP that the office of the first lady arranged an exclusive deal on the dog story with the Post. The officials, who demanded anonymity because of the deal with the Post on exclusive details, said the dog was not in the White House as of Saturday evening.

Throughout the day Saturday, celebrity Web sites and bloggers were abuzz with rumors of the first family's selection of a Portuguese water dog; one site even claimed it had pictures of the future first pet.

The president had embraced the frenzy: "Oh, man, now, that's top secret," Obama joked Friday to reporters.

Obama promised his daughters a puppy during the campaign.

"This is Washington. That was a campaign promise," Obama said when he appeared on Jay Leno's talk show last month, as the audience roared with laughter. "No, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly."

The president and first lady had said their choice was down to either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle because they were considered good pets for children who have allergies, as Malia does.

Article by PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer

Tonsillitis in Dogs: Information, Treatment and Prevention

Like humans, dogs have pair of tonsils.If you take a look inside your dog's mouth, they appeared like lymph nodes. Same to human, the role of these tonsils is to combat infection to protect dog health. Now when these tonsils are swollen, your dog may experience pain. They gag and the lick their lips regularly. They can't eat well. Dog suffering from tonsillitis usually experience loss in appetite due to pain and frequently, swollen tonsils results to extreme fatigue.

You see, there are millions of bacteria inside a dog's mouth. When these dogs suffer from chronic cough and chronic vomitting, it results to tonsillitis. There came to be a point when your dog experiences depression due to the inflamed tonsils and even in your naked eye, you can observe this condition.

You need to be aware that tonsillitis in small dogs are common than in the large ones. Seeing them suffer breaks your heart that's why; you need to immediately bring them to the nearest veterinarian and seek help.

Prednisone Tonsillitis in Dogs

What can you give a dog for tonsillitis? Usually, the first method to treating dog tonsillitis is to find out what truly causes the disease. It's better not take them to veterinarian than diagnosing them all by yourself. The vet will not administer medication unless he cures the underlying cause of the disease.

If the symptoms of the tonsilitis in dogs are vomiting or coughing, the veterinarian administers prednisone antibiotic to be taken for two to three weeks. The role of the antibotics is to treat the infections only. If the existence of tonsilitis is only caused by tartar, your dog's teeth must only be cleaned by a professional dentist for dogs and no further medication is needed.

When you use prednisone to treat your dog's tonsillitis, this means your dog is experiencing the worst type of tonsillitis. Dogs should not take prednisone or other steroidal drugs for a long period if possible. Some people say tonsillitis in dogs can be contagious to humans. This is not true. Only the tonsillitis caused by unusual bacterium can be harmful to humans. Other than that, it's safe.

If antibiotic-treatment is not enough, your veterinarian might suggest of a tonsillectomy. This is another surgical procedure where the infected tonsils are removed. Tonsillectomy is only done when it's only necessary depending on the chronic severity of the condition.

Preventive Measure

Therefore, to avoid tonsillitis in your dogs, keep their oral hygiene clean. It will be better if you take them in their dentist twice in two months. I know it will be expensive but better be in this condition than seeing them suffer. Treating tonsillitis in dogs is possible but avoiding the disease is even better.

Pet Products - A new challenged in your dog's health

There are estimated more than 71.1 millions pet owners in US alone. And majority of these people are willing to spend $43.4 billion to get the best Pet Products for their beloved pet. This can range from Pet Health Products, Accessories, Pet Insurance and the regular visit to veterinary clinics. Pet owners are expected to most likely have sufficient if not excessive budgets specific to pamper their pet in different ways.

However making the right choice when it comes to their pet’s diet, especially dog foods is a new challenged for dog lovers. They are more careful and vigilant when it comes to choosing the best and reliable brand of dog food. Personally I have a preference for a pedigree dog food for my beagle which can actually be purchase in cans or dry. Be careful when purchasing your dog food though because there are actually Pedigree foods which are specifically for Adult Dogs only and pedigree for puppies which is designed for all types and needs.

Keep in mind that dog food is supposed to provide the dog's nutrient necessities and not to jeopardize your dog’s health. It’s important to read and check the nutrition facts in the bag of your dog food. After all it always pays to check the label.

Facts about Prostate Cancer in Dogs: In the Eyes of Rosol & Millan

Prostate cancer - your dogs can have it too and this type of cancer must not be ignored. Dogs with prostate cancer are a serious dog health conditions and if not medically treated, it results to death.

Statistics shows that prostate cancer in old dogs are more common. Some studies claim that if your dog suffers from prostate cancer, the disease spreads to the bones. Once the signs and symptoms exist, some dogs can die in two months. One year is in fact the longest time frame your dogs can have.

A veterinarian in Ohio State University, Dr. Tom Rosol, said;

“There are only two animals in all of nature that get prostate cancer… dogs and humans.”

In reference to this statement, the prostate of a male human being is similarly structured to canines. You see, your dog’s prostate produces bioactive elements that are of significance to metastasizing diseases.

To Rosol, conducting an experiment relating to prostate cancer in dogs seems complicated. The development of cancer cells in human protate is fairly different than in canines.

Signs and Symptoms

Weight Loss

Presence of blood in the urine

Difficulty in peeing

Weak Hind Legs

Walking in shorter steps

General Pain

Your fog might be suffering from prostate cancer if you observe him behaving differently. So, it is a must to see your vet in the early days of these signs and symptoms to make sure your dog's health is not affected by this kind of problem.

If you think these symptoms are okay, think again. Non-neutered or non-castrated male dogs are heavily prone to prostate problems and can always lead to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Even benign and not entirely cancerous, it’s still best to consult your vet for to get more dog health information.

Treatment and Preventive Measures

Usually, when you think your canine has prostate cancer, they need to undergo series of laboratory tests. These are ultrasound, urinalysis, contrast x-rays and biopsy.

Rosol is still investigating the various ways of treating cancers both in humans and in dogs. He even tries to develop new techniques such as transferring of human cancer cells to dogs and dogs’ cancer cells to mice. According to Science Daily, dogs are possibly the nearest type of mammals to humans and with further and elaborate experiments, scientist can uncover the mysteries behind prostate cancer.

For these reasons, the most effective treatment procedure to prostate cancer in dogs is surgery. Yet, various vets claimed surgical procedures are risky to dogs. A dog surgery can only take ten to twenty minutes but there are still complications to look at.Some studies claim before committing your dog to surgery, you might consider chemotherapy and radiation. These procedures may not be as effective as surgery but these can certainly fight the risks of cancer.

According to Cesar Millan, the famous dog psychologist in the hit TV Reality Show “Dog Whisperer,” the risk of prostate cancer in male dogs is massively reduced if you sterilize them.

“Many people, particularly men, have a hard time sterilizing their pets, imposing upon their dogs their own feelings on losing reproductive abilities. A dog will not feel like less of a “man” or “woman” after being sterilized. It will not suffer an identity crisis or mourn the loss of its reproductive capability. Your dog will simply have one less need to fulfill,” he wrote in his website.

Ringworm in Dogs– What is it Really?

Contrary to it's name, it is not really a worm. It is a fungus called dermatophytes which basically means, “plants that live on the skin.” It got it's name from the circular lesions on the skin that were thought to have been inflicted by worms. This fungi lives on the skin surface and feeds on dead skin tissue and hair. Ringworm in dogs would look like a circular and hairless lesion. As it grows in size, it's shape may not remain circular anymore and becomes irregular.

Contraction happens by direct contact with an infected animal or person. It can be passed from dogs to cats, cats to dogs, animals to human and vice versa. The fungal spores can also live in for quite some time and can be found in carpets, grooming equipment, beddings and the like. There are also some rare cases where ringworms were spread through infected soil. It takes about 10-12 days after contact for the lesions to appear. Fortunately, these spores are easily killed with a solution of bleach and water. So better start cleaning those items.

If you have an adult dog, the chances of contracting ringworms are small. Ringworms in dogs are more often seen in puppies and young dogs. Many dogs are also carriers but show no symptoms of ringworms. However, they may infect another animal or human.

Vets have several tests where they can positively diagnose a ringworm in dogs. Just looking at the lesions won't do. They may use a black light as 50% of these spores will glow under the lamp. A vet may also use a microscope to look at a part of the hair or skin from the lesion. Lastly, he may scrape the lesion and send it to a laboratory to see what the culture grows.

In two to four months, if no treatment is done, the ringworm in dogs will run it's course and the problem will resolve itself. Treatment though is highly recommended to ease the suffering and to cut down the period of contamination. Your vet may prescribe Griseofulvin for your dog's health. It does have some side effects though so be sure to consult your vet before giving any medication. Griseofulvin inhibits fungal reproduction. Lime sulfur dips are also recommended. Dips should be given twice a week and can be performed either by your vet or at home. Please be aware that Lime Sulfur will stain clothing and jewelry and will cause temporary yellowing of the dogs hair. Ignore the bad odor and always follow your vet's instruction on mixing the dip.

Cystitis in Dog – Answers To Your Burning Questions

The medical term cystitis simply means inflammation of the urinary bladder. This is usually caused by an infection due to bacteria. Other causes of cystitis are bladder stones, tumors in the bladder and diverticula.

The most common sign of cystitis in dog is hematuria or blood in the urine. Many dogs will also have discomfort when urinating making them spend a few minutes to pass through a small amount of urine making them urinate more often than normal. Signs of cystitis in dogs are also determined by the specific cause. Bacterial infections usually cause hematuria and dysuria or straining to urinate. Bladder stones are often very rough causing irritation to the bladder as they rub against the bladder wall. They also create hematuria and dysuria. Tumors or polyps are usually not highly irritating to the dog’s bladder, but they can cause bleeding and mild straining to urinate. A diverticulum is a small pouch in the wall of the bladder that usually causes hematuria and dysuria secondary to the chronic bacterial infection that occurs. Bacteria often reside deep in the diverticulum and are nearly impossible to remove without surgery.

To diagnose for possible cystitis in dog, check the dog's history for hematuria, dysuria, and increased frequency of urination. These a very strong indications that the dog may have cystitis. If these symptoms are seen, several tests are then needed.

The first group of tests include urinalysis, urine culture, and bladder palpation. A urinalysis consists of several tests to detect abnormalities in the urine, including abnormalities in the urine sediment. These are usually enough to confirm cystitis in dogs, but they are not enough to determine the exact cause. A urine culture determines if bacteria are present and what antibiotics are likely to be effective in killing them. This is appropriate because most cases of cystitis are caused by bacteria which may be eliminated easily with antibiotics. Bladder palpation is the first test for bladder stones, since many are large enough to be felt by experienced fingers.

There may be times when cystitis is present but the culture is negative and no stones can be felt. This would require more tests such as x-rays, ultrasound and contrast radiographs. These tests will show what other tests will not.

Treatment for cystitis in dogs may depend on the cause. If it was caused by bacteria, it is easily treated with antibiotics. As for bladder stones, some of them may be dissolved through a special diet while some may require surgery. Benign bladder polyps can usually be surgically removed, but malignant bladder tumors are difficult to treat successfully. A bladder diverticulum should be removed surgically.