Treatment Options When A Dog Has Very Dry Skin
Caring for dogs with dry skin
Skin conditions are a very common problem when it comes to dog health, and a source of constant concern and irritation for dogs as well as their family. When a dog owner sees that his or her pet is suffering from ‘dry skin ‘, it commonly indicates that the skin is just starting to feel itchy and flaky. This irritation and flakiness, which is also called ‘dry seborrhea ‘, can either be one of the many primary dog skin diseases, or a secondary condition caused by another medical issue.
As long as the disorder is just starting and your dog is not in any pain from the condition, you might need to try some home remedies to get your dog some relief. Bathing, the food your dog eats and the use of supplements and moisturizing products are all parts of home care. Just follow some of the suggestions below and the specific online page that describes how to eliminate a dry skin condition in dogs and you’ll be able to bring your dog’s skin condition back to normal.
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Bathing is a very important part of your dog’s upkeep. If your dog is affected by dry skin, you may need to alter your bathing routine. First, take a look at the shampoo you have selected. Don’t use shampoos made for humans on your dog unless specifically mentioned by your vet, as human products are not properly pH-balanced for dogs and can add to your dogs irritation. Don’t use over the counter flea shampoos or any products that contain alcohol. Those products can be particularly irritating and typically don’t serve to benefit the dog in any way. The best OTC shampoos for canine dry skin are products that contain colloidal oatmeal. These shampoos help to bring back skin moisture and reduce flakiness of the skin. The shampoos might also contain pramoxine, an antihistamine or hydrocortisone, a steroid, which can improve the effectiveness of the colloidal oatmeal. Bathe your dog a few times weekly, ensuring to totally lather the shampoo in and allow it to contact the skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing thoroughly. You can also follow the shampoo with a moisturizing conditioner or a spot-on moisturising product that will help extend the advantages of the shampooing.
Balanced nutrition is important for pets with dry skin or other skin problems, so be sure you are providing a first quality balanced dog diet. Some supplements absolutely will also be helpful in maintaining or restoring healthy skin. Top quality salmon oil is commonly used for both dogs and humans, and contains omega fatty acids which can help contribute to relief to dogs with dry skin. Another supplement that helps in a number of cases of skin disease is Zinc Methionine. Zinc is very important to standard cellular function which includes the normal flaking of old epidermal cells and the creation of newer ones. Ask your dog health advisor before beginning any supplements, as they would possibly not be appropriate in each case.
If your dog’s dry skin is a bit more than a bit of flaking or itching, it is maybe time for a veterinary visit. Any red blemishes thinning of the hair or oozing of the skin are all warning signs that more specialized care is required for your pet. Your vet may recommend some the above, and could also prescribe oral steroids to help with the itchiness and red skin areas, or oral antibiotics to help with any infections that have developed in the skin. Your doctor can also outline potential triggers for your dog’s dry skin, and make suggestions to prevent flare ups in the future.
Cathy Doggins, has authored variety of helpful articles for the well known online dog health resources, the Dog Health Guide. She frequently writes on common issues and useful guidance which can be helpful at home such as ways to cure dog dry skin. When not caring for her 2 dogs, Cathy is a famous activist for the humane treatment of dogs.
Important Dog Vaccinations to Protect Your Pet
Which dog vaccinations are necessary and at what age?
Wherever you stand on the issue of vaccinations for humans, dog vaccinations are absolutely necessary because your dog could become very sick or even die if they are not protected from a wide range of canine diseases. Dogs can also pass on deadly diseases, such as rabies if they ever bite a human, so it’s vital to have your young puppy vaccinated against specific diseases at the right time. This article explains what age to have your puppy vaccinated and the diseases in question. Please note that different countries may have different schedules, so check with your vet.
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Part of your obligation as a good dog owner is to have your puppy vaccinated. This will not only protect your own pet, but other people’s, too. So, if you just adopted a new puppy, you should be informed of the important dog vaccinations which are required, depending on your pup’s age, breed, size, as well as medical history.
Just like us, puppies need to be vaccinated at an early age. This is to prevent the dog from developing or catching a range of diseases. Some vaccinations are also good for boosting a dog’s body’s disease fighting capability. This way, it is possible for you to take your dog to various places without risking him getting sick. Moreover, there are shots that are necessary for dogs to be safe to be with humans and to avoid being a danger to humans when they get bitten.
The necessary vaccines that puppies need to have are Distemper, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Corona. These are dangerous diseases you need to protect your dog from. Shots for these vaccines are generally available at your local veterinary clinic. Your pet should get these shots when he is just around 6-8 weeks old, then another shot at around nine to eleven weeks old, once more between 12-14 weeks old, and lastly at 16-17 weeks old. Every year thereafter, you should bring your pet to the veterinarian again for the same shots, so he’ll stay protected.
Bordetella is another type of important dog vaccinations that you must not forget for your pet when he reaches 14 weeks, and then every six months thereafter. This vaccination is to prevent your furry friend from acquiring kennel cough and the outbreaks of such disease. Although not deadly, it can make your pet suffer not to mention that the disease can spread to other dogs.
On the other hand, you must have anti-Rabies vaccination administered on your dog at 16 weeks old initially. Then, every year or every 2 yrs, he must have this again. This is essential since Rabies is a viral disease that can infect the animals and their owners they scratch or bite, which can be deadly. Rabies can easily be caught through contact with a sick dog’s saliva. Other essential dog vaccinations include Lyme and Giardia, which are both given at fourteen weeks and then once more at seventeen weeks. These shots are likewise maintained each year.
Of course, you should also take care of your pet by giving his other needs while finishing his vaccinations. Be sure to give healthy dog food and clean water, and also to regularly bathe as well as groom the dog properly. It is vital to clean its ears, brush its teeth, and trim his nails often. You may have such cleaning done by a professional in pet grooming centers.
As a responsible pet owner, it’s a good idea that you consult your dog’s vet regularly about how to care for your dog. Also, ask more about other important dog vaccinations. This is a smart way of showing love and care for your pet.
Aside from penning posts, you should also look at some of this author’s specific websites related to mosquito repellent plants and funky shaped eye wear.
Intestinal Worms in Dogs – What Are They and How to Get Rid of Them
Intestinal worms in dogs – how to prevent and eradicate them
There are several different kinds of worms that your dog could be affected by. Most can be taken care of by a broad spectrum worming treatment, but some need treating separately. Below we will discuss the most common intestinal worms in dogs and how to handle them. Please note that heart-worms are a completely different canine disorder are are not to be confused with the more common worms. Heart-worms are fatal to dogs and must be treated by a veterinarian.
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Although intestinal worms in dogs are common enough, left untreated they can cause serious health problems and even death. Also some species of canine worms can be passed on to humans, so be aware of that and wash your hands frequently if you suspect you dog may be infected with worms.
If you think your dog may have worms and are unsure how to treat them, take your dog to the vet together with a stool sample that your vet can examine. He or she can then advise of which medication or treatment you will need.
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There are many intestinal and non-intestinal worms that can infect dogs, including heartworms. Preventative care is key but we also describe the common signs of worms in dogs and ways to treat the problem in case your dog …
So how do worms get passed on to humans? Believe it or not they can actually pass through the skin. So which ones should we worry about? This article explains…
Diseases You Can Get From Your Pets: Worms, Rabies, and More …
www.wgbeacon.com8/1/10
These are intestinal parasites routinely found in dogs and cats, particularly kittens and puppies. The worms’ eggs or larvae are passed from pets through stool. You can pick them up through your skin from walking barefoot or playing outside.
The following video tells how to check if your dogs has worms and gives tips on de-worming.
Dog Health Care : Checking for Worms & Deworming Your Dog
Learn how to check for worms in your dog and how to de-worm your dog or puppy in this free video. Expert: Sarah Tingle Contact: www.extracareanimalhospital.net Bio: Sarah Tingle is a resident exotic animal health technician specializing in dog health …
Finally some tips on preventing worms:
Keep your dog’s area as clean as possible. Wash blankets and bedding frequently
Watch what your dogs eats. Some foods promote worms, such as raw meat.
Keep your dog flea ree by using a recommended flea treatment.
Make sure you yard is free from rats and mice
This should prevent many infestations of intestinal worms in dogs, however make sure your dog is treated regularly for worms and other canine diseases.
Common Dog Diseases and Health Problems You’ll Want to Know About
Common dog diseases and health problems explained
As a dog owner, you’ll probably need some information on common dog diseases and health problems and how to prevent them. There are many diseases in dogs and some we can prevent by vaccination. However puppies can’t be vaccinated against most diseases until they reach a certain age, so be sure to keep your puppy away from other dogs until they have been fully immunized from most of the common and infectious canine diseases.
The following video explains how human diseases and canine diseases have a lot in common and how to prevent many health disorders in your dog.
People and Pets: Common Diseases – Disease Prevention
The spectrum of diseases that affect the human body is vast. Companion pets, particularly dogs, experience many of these same diseases, and more that are specific to canines. Disease prevention and preventive care is better than cure. This program is…
For a list of common dog diseases and health problems, go to Wikipedia and click on the blue links for a detailed explanation on each disease.
Canine distemper is a particularly nasty viral disease which has similar symptoms to the flu and also effects the dog’s central nervous system. Unfortunately it may be on the increase, according to this article.
Is Canine Distemper on the Rise? | Vet Depot Blog
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There is no data to back up claims that the disease is on the rise on a national level, but there have been many outbreaks of distemper covered in the local news media. Genetic studies of the canine distemper viruses in the …
Parvovirus or dog parvo is another nasty canine disease which requires fast diagnosis and treatment, or it can become fatal. You can immunize your dog against parvovirus and this should be done as soon as he’s old enough.
All about Dog Parvo | Holistic Pet Care 101
www.holisticpetcare101.com7/3/11
In the long list of dog diseases, dog parvo is one of very few which can become fatal if not treated quickly. Parvo or canine parvovirus is an illness which is highly contagious … animal to another through indirect contact with an infected dog’s feces. Though Dog parvo can be found in both young and adult dogs it most commonly affects puppies who at birth are not protected by natural immunity antibodies. A male Golden Retriever named Tucker. Image via Wikipedia …
Parvovirus is extremly contagious disease. In the following video Dr Kwane tells us how we can protect our dog against parvo.
Parvo; The Most Common & Deadly Dog Disease
www.drkwane.com Do you have a question about your pet, Ask Dr Kwane! Your pup can catch it in the park, in the street, or even your own front yard… Dr. Kwane tells you how to protect your pooch from this common and deadly dog disease. ASK DR. KWANE…
Canine influenza or dog flu is an extremely contagious viral disease which can be spread via contact with infected dogs. It is reasonably new compared with other common dog diseases and health problems, only recognized in 2004. Read about prevention and treatment here…
Canine influenza virus (CIV) is caused by a highly contagious …
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Causative Agent – Natural Distribution – Transmission – Pathology And Clinical Signs – Diagnosis – Treatment – Morbidity and Mortality – Prevention and Control – Links – References.
Canine influenza can be prevented and this video shows how.
How To Protect Your Dog from Dog Flu: Canine Influenza (CIV) In Dogs
In this pet care video we learn about dog flu (Canine Influenza). Yes, just like people, dogs can get the flu. Canine influenza has emerged as a serious cause of canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) complex in recent years. Dr. Mike explains …
Dog owners frequently worry about catching a disease from their dog. Can pets transmit viral or bacterial diseases to human. Yes they can and here are some examples…
3 Diseases Dogs Can Pass To Us , Dog, Cat and other Pet Friendly …
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Dogs give us a lot: companionship, love, laughs, and drooly licks. There are so many wonderful reasons to having a dog and so many reasons we love them.
If your dog ever needs emergency health assistance, you can type your zip code in here to find an emergency vet (USA only)
I hope the above information has helped you to find out more about common dog diseases and health problems, so that you can more easily identify health problems in your dogs and what to do about them.