Food allergies in pets are something that is difficult to identify unless one is well aware of the baseline information with regard to this type of allergy. The main symptoms of food allergies in dogs include the facial itching, limb chewing, belly itching, recurrent ear infections or skin infections.

Since dogs consume lots of prepared food materials including various kinds of proteins, fillers, coloring agents and more in the commercial food materials, the incidences of food allergies are more than one can imagine. Allergic reactions mostly involve the skin or the gastro intestinal tract.

If you come across your dog itching after the provision of specific food materials, then suspect the food allergy in this animal. However, conditions like fungal infections need to be ruled out in general before the conclusion of itching as a sign of food allergy.

There are many recorded incidences of allergies of dogs to corn or to wheat. However, the food allergies vary from dog to dog. Read the labels clearly before feeding your dogs with pet food materials, in such occasions. Too much colored food materials may be avoided since they may cause allergies to your dog.

Food allergies are often linked to the hyper active behavior noticed in the dogs. Added colors, preservatives, and high fat diet might cause such food allergies in the dogs and hence, one has to be careful in providing new kind of diet to their dogs and closely monitor the dog for any signs of allergy.

There are many occasions that food allergies might be diagnosed in the dogs but the dog may have other problems like pancreatitis. To rule out the food allergies, observation your dogs everytime you feed them, look for reasons to link the signs of dog with food given, specific signs encountered, differential diagnosis etc. are the important features to be given emphasis.

When fleas are spotted in the home, it’s our pets that take the blame. But did you know that for every flea you see, there could be a much bigger problem hiding in the bedding, carpets, furniture and floorboards of your home? The truth is, flea eggs, maggot-like larvae and pupae represent 95 percent of a flea infestation, and they thrive not on your pet, but in the places your pet likes to snuggle – on the couch, under the porch, even in your bed.

A problem waiting to hatch
Within as little as eight weeks, just two fleas can produce up to 2,000 eggs. Your pet shakes these tiny white specs off himself and into your home where they quickly develop into maggot-like larvae and spin silken cocoons, becoming pupae. In their pupae stage, fleas can lay dormant for up to a year waiting for the right conditions to hatch into adults. That means, as long as you have eggs, larvae and pupae hiding in your home, you’re always at risk for a sudden, itchy infestation. Consider these uncomfortable facts from SentinelPet.com:

* The adult fleas a pet owner sees represent only 5 percent of the flea population. The other 95 percent – eggs, maggot-like larvae and pupae – hide in your home.

* A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day.

* Eggs hatch into maggot-like larvae in two to four days.

* Larvae are repelled by light and burrow into the fibers, cracks and crevasses of your home.

* In their cocoon stage, fleas can lie dormant in your home for up to a year.

Why infestations thrive
Most flea products only treat adult fleas. The eggs, larvae and pupae are allowed to thrive in your home, hatching into repeated adult infestations. Not only do many products fail to prevent an infestation, they also leave a sticky residue on your pet that can wash away, or rub off onto furniture, carpets and even children. To truly prevent an infestation, you must break the flea life cycle. And that means killing flea eggs and larvae before they become adults.

Break the cycle
The way to prevent a flea infestation is to rid your home of developing flea populations. That means making sure those flea eggs never develop into nasty maggot-like larvae. Many veterinarians prescribe an insect growth regulator to stop flea eggs from hatching. When female fleas feed on your pet’s blood, they’ll pass on potent killing power to their eggs and any existing larvae that feed on excreted blood. Products like SENTINEL (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) Flavor Tabs even combine flea prevention with heartworm and internal parasite protection in one monthly tablet.

Before peak flea season hits, talk to your veterinarian about making sure your home isn’t playing host to a vicious flea infestation cycle. To locate a veterinarian or get more information on protecting your pet and family from parasites, visit www.SentinelPet.com.

Dogs must be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive, neurologic, and skin side effects may occur. Please see full product insert for more information.

(Article courtesy of ARAContent.com)

Fleas and other parasites

Fleas and other parasites need to be given always a priority by the dog owners. The common incidences of flea bite allergy in case of dogs cause worries among the dog owners. Flea bite induces allergic reactions in the concerned area bitten by the fleas. Hence, the affected area looks like hairless area and the animal starts scratching.

Fleas cause severe dermatitis in dogs with severe flea infestations. Many times, the flea bite causes allergic reactions in the dogs. In many occasions, dogs experience severe discomforts due to these allergic reactions. Medicated collars are available to treat and prevent the infestation with external parasites like ticks or fleas.

Other parasites like ticks, lice in addition to the internal parasites like hook worms, round worms, whip worms etc. cause affections in the health status of the animal. For example, if hookworm affects the animal, most of the times, the dog has anemia. The anemic signs become more prominent depending on the degree of affection by the hookworm.

Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause problems in the affected ones. Such dogs may reveal lesions pertaining to the dermatitis in the feet region and in the skin areas. Skin rashes may be seen frequently in such cases and the affected animal passes loose stool, which is of red tinged and mixed with blood material.

If the round worms are seen in more numbers, the affected puppies reveal a potbelly condition, which is easily recognized by the dog owners themselves. Piperazine salts are given by oral route for the treatment of this problem. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. are given to treat these conditions.

Many drugs have come in market to treat the fleas and other parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called as ivermectin is highly preferred by many dog owners to treat the fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. Even the drug is available for the external application also.

If you are a pet owner, your pet is a beloved member of your family. You buy treats and toys and sometimes even costumes to keep your pet happy and an integral part of the family. But, what about your pet’s health? In the midst of all the fun, it is vital that pet owners work with their veterinarians to keep their pets healthy.

Over the past decade, as the population of dog and cat owners has increased, the number of pets that are receiving proper veterinary care has seen an alarming decline. A two-phase study of pet owners and veterinarians, which was commissioned by Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division and conducted by Brakke Consulting in collaboration with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, assessed this disturbing trend.

Data from the Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study suggests that the decline in veterinary visits could be due to misconceptions pet owners have about their pet’s health. Below is a list of pet health myths along with facts that can help pet owners understand the importance of veterinary care:

* Myth: Annual wellness exams are unnecessary and do not help my pet.

Fact: The recent Bayer study found that 95 percent of veterinarians surveyed believe that companion animals – both dogs and cats – require at least one veterinary well-visit annually. Yet many owners think that their pets only need to go to the veterinarian for vaccinations or shots. During routine check-ups, veterinarians evaluate health status using a number of tools such as ear and eye checks, listening to the pet’s heart, X-rays and blood work. By using a range of medical techniques, veterinarians can catch conditions that, if undetected, can become costly-to-treat or chronic illnesses.

* Myth: All it takes is a click of the computer mouse and I can figure out what’s wrong with my pet.  

Fact: All too often, pet owners look to the Internet for answers regarding their sick pet. According to the Bayer study, 39 percent of pet owners look online before consulting their veterinarian if the pet gets sick or injured. With the availability of online resources – some helpful and some not – pet owners are waiting too long to bring their pets in for care, and the pets are sicker than they would have been if the pet owner brought their pet in at the first sign of concern. The Internet can’t cure whatever issue your pet is having, and this delay could lead to costlier and more time intensive treatment.

* Myth: It is simply not as important to bring your cat to the vet as it is your dog, and the stress of taking the cat isn’t worth it.

Fact: Cat owners know all too well the challenge of putting a cat in a carrier and transporting it to the veterinarian, and the stress cats sometimes exhibit once you actually get them there. In the battle between cats and humans to get to the vet, cats are clearly winning. The Bayer study found that more than one-third of cats had not been to the veterinarian in the last year, missing out on necessary care.

With this in mind, many veterinarians are taking steps to create more “cat-friendly” areas in their clinics. For example, some veterinarians have separate entrances for cats, or quiet rooms away from dogs for cats and their owners.

* Myth: Older pets need less care than younger pets.

Fact: There is a perception that, since older pets require fewer vaccinations, they need less veterinary care. But, older animals are more susceptible to a range of chronic and costly illnesses like diabetes, cancer and arthritis. Much like humans, as pets age, they need frequent medical care and observation to ensure continued optimum health.

* Myth: I just need to bring my pet in when it is sick; the value of an annual wellness exam is not comparable to the cost of a visit.

Fact: Think about all the doctors you see during the year. From an ophthalmologist to a dentist to your internist or family doctor. For your pet, the veterinarian provides all these services. When your pet goes for an annual wellness exam, that veterinarian needs to play the role of every doctor a human would see. So, for every veterinarian visit, Fluffy or Fido is getting a full check up with the skills of a number of doctors combined into one.

In addition to these important facts, veterinarians are working to keep up with their clients increasing use of social media. Some veterinarians are integrating new marketing strategies and tools, including using Facebook and Twitter or texting to connect with pet owners.

“When looking at these myths and facts, it is important to remember that the life span of pets is much shorter than that of humans, so skipping out on the veterinary visit for even one year, is similar to a human skipping doctor visits for seven years,” said Sheldon Rubin, DVM and Oprah’s former veterinarian of 15 years. “With this in mind, it is imperative that pets get the healthcare they need to live long and healthy lives, and don’t go more than a year without seeing a veterinarian.”

(Article courtesy of ARAContent.com)

Chew treats. You’ve probably given dozens of them to your dog and they love them. They clean their teeth and keep them occupied for hours. Its a perfectly harmless canine treat right? Wrong. Chew treats can harm or even kill your dog. If you are concerned about your dogs health read on.

Why are chew treats dangerous?

The two most popular kind of edible chew treats are those made of rawhide and those made from compressed vegetable protein. When your dog chews these treats, they may swallow large pieces of them. These pieces of chew treat cannot be digested by your pet and they can become lodged in their intestines. Intestinal blockages can kill your dog in hours. They can cause a condition called intestinal strangulation which is when blood flow is cut off to the intestines. The intestinal tissue then begins to die and rot.

How do I know if my dog has a blockage?

If your dog has a blockage, you may see some of the following symptoms. They may vomit, refuse to eat, regurgitate food, have diarrhea or abdominal pain. If your dog has any of these symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. If they get a blockage, it will not clear itself. They will require surgery.

Should I stop giving my dog chew treats?

You do not have to stop giving your dog chew treats altogether. You should however monitor the use of these treats. When you can not be around your pet, take the treats away. When your dog has worn the treats down into small pieces, replace them.

Are bones dangerous for my dog?

There is a difference of opinion among canine experts as to whether bones should be given to a dog raw, cooked, hard, or soft, and even whether they should be given at all. On one point, however, there is total agreement, never give a dog splintering bones from chicken, pork, fowl, and rabbit, (although chicken bones that have been cooked in a pressure cooker until they are very soft can be quite nourishing and safe).

A marrow bone is the traditional symbol of a treat for a dog, and he obviously appreciates it. It may be too big and hard for small dogs. In fact, large breeds generally handle bones much better than small ones. Bones that are mostly cartilage, such as spinal and shoulder bones of veal, knuckle bones, and soft rib bones, are good chewing material that can be entirely consumed.

The real danger is intestinal compaction, especially in small dogs, if the masticated bone has not been mixed with other residue in the dog’s stomach. A small amount should cause no trouble if it is given right after a meal. Chop and steak bones are more dangerous. Careful eaters simply clean off the meat and fat, but greedy gobblers run the risk of internal injury from jagged bone splinters. The same is true of a leg of lamb bone.

What is the best policy to follow with a dog of your own?

A teething puppy between four and six months of age should always have a bone, real or imitation, to chew on. You might give an adult dog a suitable bone as on occasional treat – for example, once a week. It will give him enormous pleasure, will help to keep his teeth clean and free from tartar, and will occupy him for several hours. But a nylon bone offers the same advantages without the risk!

Remember, as a pet owner it is your responsibility to look after your dog’s health. We all love out pets and it would be a shame to lose them over something as simple as a chew treat. So keep a watchful eye on your pet and help them live a long and happy life.

When Michele Sebesto, of Staten Island, N.Y., adopted JC 10 years ago, she said the chihuahua was an invaluable source of comfort. As a New Yorker, she’d just gone through the 9/11 attacks, and the two developed a special bond. Unfortunately, JC had some minor but persistent health problems.

About twice a year, JC would get a urinary tract infection. During an annual preventive care appointment when JC was about 4, Sebesto’s veterinarian took an X-ray and made a startling discovery.

“When she showed me the X-ray, I couldn’t believe it. The kidney stone was the size of a grape, which is pretty big for a chihuahua,” Sebesto says. “My veterinarian did surgery to remove it, and I was pleasantly surprised at how fast JC bounced back.”

After the surgery, JC was put on a special diet, and the dog, now 10, sees the veterinarian for regular checkups and has been healthy and free of urinary tract infections since the surgery.

Unfortunately, Sebesto is part of a shrinking population in the United States. Recent studies show that while the number of pets in America is increasing, fewer pet owners are bringing their pets in for regular checkups, and this could be causing a rise in preventable diseases.

“Despite the ever-increasing emotional bond we have with our pets, research shows pets are getting less preventive health care,” says Dr. Rene A. Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “At the same time, illnesses that are totally preventable, such as dental infections, ear infections, diabetes, intestinal worms and heartworms, are increasing.”

Troubling trends
AVMA research shows that veterinary visits for cats and dogs have been on the decline for at least a decade. The average number of annual veterinary visits dropped between 2001 and 2006 from two visits a year for dogs to 1.5 and from one visit per year for cats to 0.7 visits, according to the AVMA’s 2007 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that, while veterinary care appointments have been declining, incidents of pet diseases have increased. In particular, totally preventable diseases are on the increase. The Banfield Pet Hospital’s State of Pet Health 2011 Report found that since 2006 flea infestations were up in dogs by 16 percent and 12 percent in cats, diabetes increased 32 percent in dogs and 16 percent in cats, and hookworm infections in dogs were up 30 percent and 3.5 percent in cats.

An ounce of prevention
The vast majority of pet owners care deeply about their pet’s health, says Carlson. In fact 59 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners say they would, in fact, take their pets to the veterinarian more often if they thought it would help their pet live longer, according to the Veterinary Care Usage Study.

“This study shows us that pet owners really do care about their pet’s health and well-being, but they may not correlate the importance of regular checkups with maintaining health,” Carlson says. “Pet owners shouldn’t wait until a pet is sick to take it to the veterinarian, because pets, particularly cats, will often hide the symptoms of illness when they are sick. So your pet may be sick or in a great deal of pain and it would be very difficult for you to know.”

Pets – excluding tortoises and some exotic birds – have much shorter lifespans than humans, and, as a result, diseases can develop more quickly. An annual checkup for dogs and cats is like a person going to see their doctor once every seven years. What’s more, pets with existing health problems, like obesity, are at an even greater risk of developing a chronic condition.

“It is estimated that 40 percent of dogs and cats are obese. That’s 54 million dogs and cats. Obesity can result in life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis,” Dr. Carlson says. With so much information now available on the Internet, it is estimated that about 40 percent of pet owners turn to the Internet before their veterinarian for pet health care information. But are they getting the right information from credible sources?

“While some websites may provide valuable background information on diseases, many do not. And relying on what may be misinformation may delay the inevitable visit to the veterinarian. By the time the owner finally gives up on what might likely be incorrect information from an untrained source or advice from other pet owners in a chat room, the pet may be twice as sick or the cure may be many times more difficult or costly. Your pet’s veterinarian is the best source for advice on how you can keep your pets healthy, happy and with your family for a lifetime,” Carlson says.

Sebesto agrees.

“I think that when you own an animal, you have to make a commitment to provide them with veterinary care,” Sebesto says. “I take my dog into the veterinarian every year.”

For more information, visit www.avma.org/ounceofprevention.

(Article courtesy of ARAContent.com)