dog vaccination

dog health: dog vaccination

puppies have a natural immunity to diseases which they get from their mother's milk. however this immunity can last for only up to 6 - 8 weeks, after which, the puppies would need to get the required series of dog vaccination to be protected against (common) dog diseases, which are also often deadly.

dog vaccination schedule:

first your puppy would undergo a course of 3 shots given after every two weeks starting from 6 weeks of age. (first shot at 6 weeks old, second shot at 8 weeks old, and third shot at 10 weeks old). the three series of shots are needed to give the dog maximum (not totally one hundred percent guaranteed) immunization against Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvo-virus, Canine Para-influenza, and Kennel Cough.

and starting at three months of age (12 weeks), your puppy can now be administered vaccine for anti rabies (to be repeated annually or yearly).

Puppy's First Vaccinations
Image Credit: Pups India

important dog vaccination tips:

remember that you shouldn't let your puppy off your property or get near other (possibly infected) dogs while his vaccinations aren't complete yet. ideally you should allow your dog out only after two weeks since his final vaccination.

bathe your puppy before taking him to the vet to get his shots. he can't get any more baths within one week (5 to 7 days) after his shots because it will greatly stress him out. neither should you let your puppy tire from playing or being carried often after just getting his shots.

ticks and fleas in dogs

dog health: ticks and fleas in dogs

if you love your dog then you shouldn't let him to be bothered by fleas and ticks. ticks and fleas are a major concern in dogs, and it can cause several diseases aside from discomfort.

since june is flea and tick awareness month, i have dedicated this post to provide information on how to detect, treat, and prevent fleas and ticks in dogs.

symptoms of ticks and fleas:

Scratching Dog
Image credit: Find a Vet U.S.

the number one symptom that your dog has fleas or ticks is that if he's scratching (or biting around his skin). your dog may also have several scabs and bumps as well as black specks ("flea dirt") around your dog's neck or at his back. all of these are indications that your dog has ticks or fleas.

other signs of ticks and fleas:

there are also signs that your dog is already having an illness caused by fleas or ticks. if your dog is exhibiting any of the following, then he might be having a serious case of ticks or fleas:

• loss of appetite
• lethargy or depression
• weakness
• fever
• cough
• pale gums
• pain in the legs or body
• arthritis or swelling in the joints

related health problems:

the following are the known flea related illnesses:

• FAD - Flea Allergy Dermatitis
• Anemia
• Tapeworm

Dog Skin Parasites
Image credit: Kimberly Vet

on the other hand these are the most common tick transmitted diseases:

   - Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Moutain Spotted Fever, and Cytauxzoonosis




treating fleas and ticks:

treating fleas and ticks first and foremost requires patience and scrutiny. take the following steps on how to remove ticks and fleas:

1. kill the adult ticks/ fleas that are already on your dog - wear latex gloves or use tweezers to remove the ticks/ fleas from your dog. check the head, paws, and around the neck, tail, and groin first, and then the rest of the body. place the ticks/ fleas in a small container with alcohol. do not squash or burn the ticks/ fleas because they may just release more potential pathogens on your dog's skin. 
2. kill or prevent flea/ tick eggs, larvae, or pupae from hatching or preventing it from developing into adults - bathe your dog using a dog soap that has anti-flea/tick formulation. it is very important to bathe your dog regularly (at least every other week).
3. clean your home and environment to stop further tick/flea infestation - wash your pet's bedding and belongings regularly in hot water. also vacuum the places where your dog hangs around frequently - the carpet or even the car. clean rugs and doormats and place then place them under direct sunlight. also clean your yard. trim tall grass and brushes as these are common breeding grounds for ticks. mow your lawn and clear the area of any leaves or clippings. 
4. lastly, pay special attention to flea and tick prevention during flea/ tick season (spring and early summer). this is when flea and tick populations explode as the weather starts to warm up. 

exercising your dog

dog facts: exercising your dog

dogs roaming free is indeed a wonderful sight. but did you know that there's more to letting your dogs roam free? letting your dog(s) run and play outdoors has a lot of benefits.

Running Dogs
Image Credit: chef-de-projet-multimedia

benefits of exercising your dog:

running and playing are great ways for dogs to exercise. it develops their muscles and is good for their cardio-respiratory health. it also provides them enough mental stimulation especially for dogs that are under dog training. 

additionally, letting your dog play outdoors improves their sociability. dogs having enough playtime prevents dog aggression by letting them use up all their pent up energy in a positive way.

not only is exercising your dog good for their health; it also promotes good behavior in them, plus, it's fun!

dogs' daily exercise requirements:

most grown-up dogs generally can get the most out of a daily 40-minute moderate exercise. you can enjoy brisk walking with your dog while teaching him how to heel. then, supplement it with a fun game of fetch, which could double as a reward for your dog's participation. 

different dog breeds and their exercise requirements:

you should remember though that some dog breeds are more high-energy hence they need more exercise. other dogs on the other hand should not be over-exercised because they are more genetically at risk of developing skeletal and joint problems. thus, your should do your research first about your particular dog's needs, or, talk to your vet about about your dog's daily exercise requirements. 

first aid kit for dogs

dog health and safety: first aid kit for dogs

Dog First Aid Kit
Image Credit: istockphot

in case of emergency, refer to this dog first aid kit list:

1. to be able to know when your dog might be ill, always have a digital rectal thermometer ready in your dog's first aid kit. the normal temperature for dogs is 101-102 degrees F (37.9 - 39.9 degrees C). any reading higher than this indicates that your dog is sick. 
2. you should also have hydrogen peroxide in your dog's kit in case of dog poisoning. use this to induce vomiting within 29 minutes of ingesting poisonous substance. use 2 tablespoons per 60 pounds of dog weight. follow this up by giving your dog activated charcoal. 
3. also prepare a (purified) water-diluted iodine for disinfecting wounds. 
4. you should also have cotton balls, sterilized gauze bandage, and blunt-nosed scissor for trimming your dog's fur before applying bandage, as well as tweezers for removing splinters.
5. finally, your veterinarian's phone number. once you know you can't handle your dog's emergency, call your dog's vet immediately. 

remember that emergencies can happen any time, so better be prepared at all times. 

heartworm in dogs

dog health: heartworm in dogs

Heartworm Awareness Month - April
Image Credit: Support Our Ribbons

april is heartworm awareness month. even if it's not april, all dog owners should be aware of the dangers of heartworm especially to dogs. heartworm is a serious illness that can harm a dog's health and life. it can even spread to others animals like cats and other mammals.

what is heartworm disease in dogs

heartworm is a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes from a heartworm larvae infected dog to an uninfected dog.

how heartworm is transmitted

Heartworm Life Cycle in Dogs
Image Credit: 29th Animal Hospital

the mosquito bites the infected dog and ingests the tiny heartworm larvae (microfilariae) along with the blood, and then, the mosquito transmits this larvae by biting an uninfected dog and then infecting his bloodstream. the parasitic larvae will then grow inside the dog's body and move to the dog's heart and lungs.

usually, by the time a dog is taken to the veterinary, his heartworm is already in its advanced stages, which means your dog having to get an expensive, arduous, and distressing critical treatment. it's better to be aware and alert of the early signs of heartworm, so you can take your dog to be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs:

• coughing or wheezing
• tiredness
• unwillingness to play

to confirm that your dog indeed has canine heartworm disease, you should let your vet perform a heartworm test on your dog, then, you can immediately proceed with treatment, or else the illness would surely cost your dog's life.

if you don't want to undergo any of these problems, then you should at least know how to prevent heartworm in dogs. 

heartworm prevention:

your should consult your vet for the right heartworm preventative medication for your dog. remember that you should not let your dog skip his monthly preventive dose as this is where the effectiveness of the preventive medicine would depend on. once completed, any mosquito transmitted heartworm larvae would no longer be able to live and thrive inside your dog's body. 

heartworm treatment:

if your dog wasn't able to get any preventive measure against heartworm, then he could be infected by the disease and would need to undergo treatment. to treat a dog's heartworm, the vet would administer a series of arsenic-based shots to kill the heartworms. the dog should be in a stress-free environment and should receive intensive care and be in constant observation.

if heartworm is not prevented and left untreated, it will cause severe problems with the dog's heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver which would eventually lead to death. 

list of dangerous foods for dogs

dog health: list of dangerous foods for dogs

Dangerous Foods for Dogs
Image Credit: Keat's Ordinary Life

1. chocolates. large doses of chocolates are toxic and lethal to dogs (and cats). chocolates have a chemical stimulants called theobromine which can't be metabolized by dogs effectively, hence poisonous for their health. it causes severe diarrhea, internal bleeding, epileptic seizure, hallucinations, fast heart rate, heart attack, and eventually death. 
2. candy, chewing gum, chewable vitamins, or toothpaste that have xylitol. these could be really toxic to dogs and could possibly lead to serious liver damage which is fatal to dogs.
3. macadamia nuts. this particular type of nuts cause abdominal pain, stiffness, tremors, and hyperthermia (extremely high body temperature leading to disability and also death.)
4. grapes and raisins. grapes and raisins cause high toxicity in dogs which leads to anuria (deficiency in urine production) and acute renal / kidney failure. early symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea.
5. onions and garlic. onions have thiosulfate which is bad for dogs (and cats). this substance causes hemolytic anemia or anemia caused by a failure of red blood cells (hemolysis). garlic also has thiosulfate and often cause diarrhea and vomiting to dogs.
6. green tomatoes. green tomatoes have tomatine that is just as harmful to dogs as the toxic tomato plants itself. ripened red tomatoes are safe since it has already lost its tomatine. 
7. pits or seeds of apples, apricots, or peaches. once these pits or seeds are chewed, cyanide will be released and would lead to (cyanide) poisoning.
8. beer. beer has hops or the type of plant ingredient that cause malignant hyperthermia which is a deadly reaction to dogs. among the symptoms include increased temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate.
9. salmon. some dogs could be allergic to salmon, just like some humans have fatal allergies to seafoods.
10. chicken or fish bones. chicken or fish bones are not poisonous to dogs. on the other hand, eating broken sharp chicken or fish bones may cause dogs to injure their digestive system especially their intestines, leading to internal bleeding which is life-threatening. 

so those are the 10 most dangerous foods for dogs. don't feed the above mentioned foods to your dogs. keep them away at all times. dogs eating those foods would cause them serious illness and eventually death.