Hyperthyroidism in Dogs Early Detection

Dog health is very important to all dog lovers out there. Knowing some of the diseases that might affect our dogs will help in the prevention and in curing our canine companion. One of the rare diseases that affect dogs is hyperthyroidism, which we'll be going into further in a moment.

The Thyroid gland is one of the largest Endocrine gland in the body. It produces thyroid hormones which are important in regulating many metabolic processes in the body by producing thyroid hormones the most primary of which are the triiodothyronine (T3) and the thyroxine (T4). It is important to dogs as it regulates the rate of metabolism and also affects their growth. Although rare in dogs, one ailment which have been documented to affect the thyroid glands of dogs is hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism in dogs occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormones, particularly thyroxin, usually because of a tumor in the gland. It is bad for dog health because it can cause weight loss, hyperactivity, and restlessness.

If you want to check your dog to see if it is suffering from hyperthyroidism and to catch it early on, be sure to watch out for the following symptoms or changes in dog health.

1. Weight Loss – Despite eating the same amount of food or even more, dogs that have
hyperthyroidism may lose weight. This is probably one of the symptoms which can easily be observed. If your dog is eating a lot of food yet is losing weight then you better consult your vet right away.

2. Increased Activity or Restlessness – Dogs that have hyperthyroidism tend to be hyperactive. An increase in the activity of your dog or increased restlessness can be caused by the high thyroid hormones. Take note of any surprising hyperactive or restless behavior in your pooch and report any prolonged peculiar behavior immediately.

3. Increased Heart Rate – the high production of T3 in the body causes the heart rate of the canine to rise. Check your pet's heartbeat from time to time to catch any abnormal increase in heartbeat early.

4. Increase in Water Intake and Urination – Water is important to dog health. But if you observe that your canine is drinking more water than usual for an extended period of time it may be caused by hyperthyroidism.

If you notice any of the above symptoms pay a visit to your veterinarian immediately. There are several treatments available in order to cure your pet and to improve your dog's health. Options which are practicable range from medication to the more intensive option of surgery. Discuss with your veterinarian what option you would like to take. A healthy dog is a happy dog so be sure to pay close attention to the dog health of your pet so that you may catch hyperthyroidism early and stop it in its
tracks.

Dog Health Care Guide

1) Create a safe surrounding in your house – This is just like making your place safe for a baby before you bring one home. You also have to do it for your pets as well. Since all our pets have the tendency to end up getting access to so many of our stuffs, it would be better if we could make sure none of the dangerous things ever reach them. The usual items secured from pets would be cleaning materials, medicines and other drugs, incompatible foods, garbage and electrical cords.

2) Ensure your pet undergoes regular medical check-ups – It sure may be expensive, but do try your best to go to the veterinarian often. And while you're at it, see to it that your pets go through a complete examination to make sure they're hip and healthy. Ask your vet questions, if there's anything bothering you about your pets. Inquire if there's any need for pet medicines like Sentinel or Frontline Plus. These are the medicines you will need to help maintain their hearts' and bodies' normal functions.

3)Take care to give your pets the right food – different kinds of foods have different effects to animals, that's why it's good to find out what your pets can eat. Just to be sure,there are certain foods and drinks that should never be given to your pets. These are chocolates, garlic, onions, grapes, raw yeast, alcohol, any moldy foods, and garbage.

4) Create an exercise system for your pet – all household pets tend to grow fat when they get older, a very good example would be cats. That's why you need to give an extra effort to make them fit. If your pet's a dog, frequent outside walks would be good for them. Cats are also easy to manage, since you can also play with them using items they like, for example, a laser pointer.

5) Castration – research has show that castrated animals have a much higher rate of survival and often more likely to life longer and healthier. You don't have to worry if money is your issue. You can always get in touch with local animal shelters who would be happy to do it for you  for as little as ten dollars.  A lot of them are actually state programs that aims to make pet care more convenient for more people.

Colitis in Dogs

Does your dog find it hard to poop? Perhaps, he might have Colitis. Colitis is defined as a colon inflammation and in most cases; it is usually caused by bacteria, too much stress, allergies and parasites.

Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs

At first sight, you might not suspect your dog of having colitis. Most of them with this disease appear normal but once you notice irregular bowel patterns and the feces are accompanied by red blood, your dog might be positive of having colitis.

Depending on the situation, some dogs experience chronic colitis due to the absence of symptoms. Especially boxers, they are susceptible to this disease for unknown reasons and they need long-term treatment to stay alive. There are also cases when the dogs with severe colitis, they suppressed the urge to poop and the resulting condition is constipation.

Causes of Colitis in Dogs

• Eating the wrong type of food. 
• Eating food scattered everywhere, in the garbage can, in the park etc.
• Dietary Intolerance
• Stress
• Undigested food
• Bacterial growth in the gut area
• Drinking not fresh water
  

Treatment for Colitis in Dogs

Since most of the causes of Colitis in dogs are the improper handling of their food intake, a change in healthier diet plan is required. The treatment usually lasts for two to six weeks depending on the severity of the case.

Cases of colitis in dogs shows no hazardous signs and symptoms in early stages. Perhaps, the best thing you can do is observe. Always be aware of your dog’s health and well being. Observe when he regularly poops, when he loses his diet and when he feels stressed.

If you decided to bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian, it will be better if you collect some fresh stool samples before your scheduled visit. Colitis can only be detected if it undergone radiography, biopsy or colonoscopy.

The best thing to do is just follow what your vet’s recommended treatments are and if there are prescribed antibiotics, let the dog drink it religiously no matter how weird or bitter the taste.

The most common antibiotics to cure colitis is Metronidazole or rather be called as Flagyl. The role of Metronidazole once ingested by your dog is to control the production of bacteria causing the disease. The sulfa-containing Azulfadine are used to treat chronic colitis.

The eating patterns should also be change. Your dog must only eat types of food that are easily digested. In most cases, tender slices of chicken, rice, eggs and cottage cheese are suggested. But for those with chronic colitis, vets usually make a lifelong dietary system appropriate for your dog health condition.

February is Pet Dental Health Month

Dog health, cat health and generally, our pet's health is very important but often overlooked or forgotten in this busy times of economic struggle. This is why February is the time for our pet's dental health because just like their owners, they need the dental attention too. It is a known fact that eighty percent of dogs and seventy percent of cats show signs of oral disease as early as age three and dental health doesn't just affect the mouth. It may actually lead to more serious health problems such as heart, lungs and kidney disease. We definitely wouldn't want that to happen to our precious babies. So let’s look at what you can do and try to break it down so that you would know how to go about the task.

One very serious disease is called the Periodontal Disease. It is an infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth that can take hold during the progressive stages. It starts out as mere plaque and eventually, as the bacteria in the plaque dies, it becomes calcified by the calcium found in saliva. It now becomes tartar and invites more plaque and will lead to gingivitis which causes the gums to swell and bleed. If left untreated, it can spread around the root of the tooth. Finally, the surrounding tissues are destroyed and the bone socket holding the tooth erodes and the tooth becomes loose. This is very painful for your canine friend but luckily, it can be prevented by gaining information on your dog's health as well as other pets.

The two critical components of your pet's dental care are oral examinations and dental cleanings. It is highly recommended that you have your pet checked early because then, as your pet ages, your veterinarian will look for developmental anomalies, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease and oral tumors. Basic oral examinations can be performed while the patient is awake but anesthetics may be required for a more thorough and complete examination as well as the cleaning itself. It is also recommended by the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) that general anesthesia should be used for oral examinations as well as dental cleanings for all cats and dogs. Furthermore, these procedures should be done at least annually at one year of age for cats and small breed dogs and at two years of age for large breed dogs. This is not much to do for our pet's sake knowing that you would do anything for you cat's or dog's health any day.

Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds for 2009

Every year the American Kennel Club declares top 10 of the most popular dog breeds in the US. Even though the Top 10 Popular Dog Breeds for 2009 were not yet announce, it is clearly evident that Labrador Retriever will again be the victor for 19 years in a row. AKC Dog Registration Statistic for 2009 shows that Labrador retriever is unanimously the number one in the top 10 Most Popular Breeds in the 50 Largest U.S. Cities for 2008 and most probably will continue until the end of 2009.

Below are the list of American Kennel Club Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds for 2008 in 50 Major US Cities

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terriers
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagles
6. Boxers
7. Dachshunds
8. Bulldogs
9. Poodles
10. Shih Tzu
    

Dog Health Tip for Holidays

As families all around the country start pulling out their favorite holiday recipes, and shopping lists, and decorations, it's easy to overlook one hairy detail: the family pets. Between vacationing out-of-town and readying the house for a veritable invasion of friends and family members, it is really no surprise that pets feel left out, but more than that, the general upheaval of the holidays can be a dangerous time for cats and dogs.

Nationally recognized veterinarian Dr. Bernadine Cruz, DVM, and one of the resident veterinarian advisors on MyPetCareTV.com, encourages pet owners everywhere to add "pet safety" to their holiday list and check it twice.

Year-round every room in a house can pose a potential threat to your dog health when human foods, cleaning products, insecticides and rodenticides, and medicines meant for people are left out where pets can get into them. During the holidays inattention to things left unattended can double. Everyone is busy, caught up in the celebration of good food and good company: house guests may unwittingly allow the dog into a room he is usually forbidden to go, or feed the dog a "treat" to which he is allergic. The holidays bring out so many more potential hazards to pets than we may think. Dogs may ingest tinsel, ribbons, and string, harming their digestion and intestinal tract. Especially harmful is fertilizer used in the water of Christmas tree stands which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

To pass the holidays in celebration, companionship, and good health, Dr. Bernadine Cruz offer these tips to add to every dog owner's list:

* Remind houseguests not to feed your dogs human food, especially fatty foods and candy.
* Restrict dogs to "safe areas" or outdoors during dinner parties when you are too occupied to watch them.
* If you have not already, install child safety locks on cabinets that contain cleaning supplies, paints, and medicines. Even hand soap and toothpaste can harm your dog health.
* Try to give your dog some focused attention each day to keep her or him calm, relaxed, and less likely to misbehave.
* Be sure dogs wear identification tags at all times. That includes indoor pets, because with the hustle and bustle of having visitors, pets can wander outside without their owners being aware of their escape.
* To protect curious pets, be sure to keep candles safely out of the reach of paws, whiskers, and tails.
* Pets, especially dogs, tend to eat first and think later. A dangling, shinny tree ornament or holiday table decorations may be more than your pet can ignore. A nibble of a plant can lead to an upset stomach or worse. Decorations can lead to an obstruction in the digestive tract and require a visit to the veterinary emergency room.

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