Dog - Ringworm Is The Common Dog Illness

A common dog illness is ringworm and can be prevented and treated if your dog has the problem. Many illnesses affect dogs, some are very common and happen no matter how well cared for your dog is at any time. Dogs are creatures of the outside, and they can get into anything. Ringworm seems to be common in puppies and older dogs. Other common dog illness can be prevented with proper vaccinations and proper health care. Ringworm is a fungal infection that targets the overall health of the dog. Diagnosis of Ringworm Infection The common dog illness ringworm has several different ways to be detected and diagnose. The common way to detect ringworm is with a black light. The ringworms glow in the black light when the light hits them. Sometimes this practice does work and a vet will perform another test to detect ringworm. Signs of Having Ringworm If you see small areas of the body without hair, chances are your dog has ringworm. The skin will appear scaly and display pus in the area. After time the areas become larger when they receive no medical treatment. You will notice this parasite on the tail, head and legs. Treating the Common Dog Illness Ringworm If the health of the dog is healthy then the ringworm will clear up by itself in about four months. However, when severe cases exist, medical treatments are required. If your dog has the lesion, clipping the hair around the area is needed, but do not touch the lesion or it will spread. Apply a tropical anti fungal cream after clipping the hair away. Such creams like miconazole and lotrimin creams are used for this purpose. Do not let the dog lick the area where you apply the cream. A dog funnel collar may be required to prevent the dog from reaching the area. If the cream alone does not work, antifungal shampoos and antifungal dips will benefit your dog and help the area to heal faster. Some other antifungal agents are griseofulvin and itraconazole, which work well on a dog. Common Dog Illness Issues Keeping your dog in perfect health and protected from bacterial, fungal and viral infections is your responsibility. The number one need of the dog is regular vaccines and proper care. Dogs need vaccines against rabies, parvovirus and distemper. Dogs also need to be checked yearly for heartworm, which can cause death to the dog if not properly prevented. Keep in mind that rabies vaccinations are given every two years and distemper vaccinations are received yearly. Many conditions result in health problems and in some breeds of dogs, the breed is prone to more health problems then others. Joint problems and heart problems account for some of these more serious health problems. When looking for a dog, you need to be aware of some of the problems that can arise in a dog's life. Besides the everyday parasites and injuries from rough play, some dogs are prone to eye infections, ear infections and mange. You can also find more info on diagnose dog sickness symptoms and common dog illness problems. AboutDogHealth.org is a comprehensive resource to help dog owners identify their dog's illness symptoms and treatment options. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Wellsworth

Dog - Tips for Training an Older Dog

There is a saying that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". For many people with an older dog that was never properly trained they probably think this is true. Just like people do, when dogs get older they get pretty set in their ways. Think old and stubborn. This of course is not entirely true; it is possible to train an older dog but it will take more time and patience. The thing with older dogs is they have been behaving in a certain way their entire life and to them that is the way things are. They do not distinguish between right and wrong like people do. For a dog repetition is their primary way of learning and if all they've done is the wrong thing their whole life their behavior will reflect that. One thing you can try with an older dog is to make the training you are doing seem like it is actually the dogs idea. If he thinks it's his idea he will more than likely keep doing it. He probably will resist your attempts to force him to do something like sit. But if he sits on his own give the command "sit" at the same time and reward or praise him. If you keep doing this, repetition, before long your old dog will be sitting when you tell him to. You can use this technique with a variety of commands such as come, heel, and stay. It is certainly not true that all older dogs are more difficult to train but for the vast majority of dog owners this is the case. Dealing with the stubbornness of a dog set in their ways can be difficult and frustrating but if your dog is exhibiting bad habits and behavior it is important to break them of that. In the long run have a well trained and obedient dog will make both you and your dog much happier and will lead to a stronger bond. If your old dog is being particularly stubborn and your not making any head way on your own then consider joining a dog training class or working with a professional dog trainer. This will give you the benefit of working with people who have experience with all sorts of dogs and their different behaviors. You might be amazed how quickly your dog responds to someone who knows how to deal with their behavior problems. These are also lessons you can take home and continue to use as you train your old dog to do new tricks. For more dog training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bicknell

Dog - Wireless Dog Containment Systems

There are various types of dog containment systems found for keeping your dog restricted to a certain area. Of the lot, the wireless dog containment system is the most flexible and easy to install. It consists of a transmitter working with a collar receiver. You can take the transmitter of the wireless containment system and use it anywhere you like. The only drawback here is that the area covered by it is usually smaller, and in a pre-defined shape. To install the wireless dog containment system, you have to put the transmitter in the required room and turn it on. Then the receiver collar has to be put on the dog. If you want to restrict the dog to only one part of the home or garden, you should use a single transmitter, but if you plan to define two or more areas that are either conjoined or completely separate, you have to use double or multiple transmitter installations. As these transmitters are installed separately, you can put the dog in one place or another, without actually having to re-set the transmitter each time. Maintenance of the wireless containment system includes periodic monitoring to ensure its proper working, and physical checking of the wires for signs of wear. Have back-up systems charged regularly and replace used batteries in the receiver on a regular basis. The transmitter of the wireless dog containment system emits a radio signal from the room it is located in. This defines the boundary for the dog. There is a lightweight collar on the dog that listens to this signal, so that the dog knows that it is free to run and play in the yard with the signal. However, if the dog reaches the boundary of the signal, the dog receives a warning beep; and if it still does not retreat from the boundary, a correction is given to him. With some training, the dog is bound to learn its boundaries. Dog Containment Systems provides detailed information on Dog Containment Systems, Wireless Dog Containment Systems, Wire Dog Containment Systems, Indoor Pet Containment Systems and more. Dog Containment Systems is affiliated with Invisible Dog Fences. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Morris

Dog - Dog Emergencies - Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit

Knowing dog first aid skills are very important, just as with humans and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency may mean the difference between life and death for your dog. Dog emergencies or any other extreme medical situations require that you get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. Of course, not every possible ailment will need professional treatment but better safe than sorry. If your dog ever receives any kind of injury it is always best that you be aware of what to do in advance (depending on what type of injury the dog has received). Different kinds of injuries require different kinds of treatments. Many kinds of injuries may require immediate medical assistance. It is a very good idea to know how to prevent any dog emergencies, treat various minor injuries with first aid and just when you need to seek immediate veterinary assistance and care. In case an emergency ever were to happen it is easy to prepare for it in advance by creating your own dog first aid kit. It is very easy to create. Good ideas for containers could be a lunch box, a tackle box or some other shoe box sized plastic container. Water-proof and strong enough to withstand mild pressure is the best idea. It would be a great idea to label the first aid kit on all sides with something such as "Dog First Aid Kit". It's also a very good idea to list a description of your dog(s) including it's name, color, weight, any health issues, distinguishing characteristics with a recent photo labeled with the name of every pet that you own. An index card with the numbers of your local veterinarian, poison control, and other canine emergency numbers for your dog (emergency vet, etc) is also a good thing to include in the dog first aid kit. Here is a list of several items you should put in your dog first aid kit with brief explanations as to what each item is for. Remember, your dog's health may depend on it. Dog First Aid Kit Basic Ingredients List: Activated charcoal: for poisonings (1 gram per pound, mixed with water), Antihistamine tablets: for insect stings and allergic reactions, Betadine or Nolvasan: cleaning open wounds, Blankets: several if possible, to help prevent against shock in the event of an accident or injury as well as a good way to transport an injured dog, Blunt nosed scissors: to cut tape and clip. Keep these scissors with the kit. Canine rectal thermometer: to take the dog or puppies temperature, Cortisone ointment: Used as a topical anti-inflammatory, Cotton balls and swabs: Used mainly to clean wounds, Eyedropper or dosage syringe: to apply medications to your dog, Eyewash: to irrigate the eyes of your dog, First-aid cream: to sooth and protect wounds, Gauze bandage: for wrapping wounds, Gloves: both thin plastic to avoid contamination and thicker ones if you have a fear of being bitten, Hand towels: to dry hands, for clean up, etc., Hydrogen peroxide (3%): has various uses, one of which is to induce vomiting, Kaolin and pectin: to help diarrhea (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds), Magnifying glass: to help locate any tiny objects Muzzle: even the best dog may bite when in extreme pain. If you don't have one you can also make one from strips of soft long fabric, tube socks, etc., Nail clippers: best case scenario, have both human and canine nail clippers, Non-stick adhesive tape: to help tape bandages in place, Non-stinging antiseptic spray: to help clean wounds, Pepto-Bismol , Maalox or Kaopectate: to help relieve minor stomach upsets, Petroleum jelly: for use with the rectal thermometer, also an aid in constipation (1/2 teaspoon per 10 pounds), Saline solution: can be used for many things such as irrigating wounds, Stretch bandages: for wound dressing, Styptic pencil: to stop minor bleeding, Syrup of Ipecac: used to induce vomiting (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds), Tweezers or hemostat: use to pull our splinters or other small foreign objects, Vegetable oil: for mild constipation (1 teaspoon per 5 pounds, mix it in with food) If you can think of other items to add to your dog first aid kit, feel free to do so. This list is just a place to get you started in creating your own dog first aid kit. Any of the following symptoms or injuries require IMMEDIATE medical action from your veterinarian. Contact your vet immediately if your dog or puppy has any of the following: Been hit by a vehicle, No pulse or heart beat, Broken bones, Puncture wounds to the abdomen or chest, Spurting blood, Bleeding from nose or mouth, Bloated abdomen, Repeated vomiting, Pale gums, Diarrhea for more than 18 hours, Muscle tremors, Problems with breathing or swallowing, Refusal to eat for 48 hours, Seizures or disorientation, Unusual swellings (especially ones that are sudden, hard or fast growing) In any emergency situation try and keep as calm as possible and to get your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. If anything ever happens, call first to see if the office is open, and to let the vet know what has happened and that you and your dog are on your way. If your veterinarians office is not open for whatever the reason, call your nearest emergency vet clinic. Always keep all emergency phone numbers, including those of your veterinarian and emergency veterinarian clinic, near your telephone. Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com , http://www.cheap-legal-help.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com is a lifelong dog owner, teacher and internet business owner. Want to learn more about internet business? Purebred dogs? Let me teach you. Copyright 2007 . Debbie Ray . All Rights Reserved Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Ray