Access Elevation

Our sense of sight should never be taken for granted; the same goes for our dog’s sense of sight. One of the responsibilities of dog ownership is maintaining optimum eye health in your dog. While your dog might be at a greater risk for eye health issues because of his breed or age, there are some things you can do on a regular basis to keep his eyes healthy and strong. Read the steps below for the actions you need to take with regard to your dog’s eye health. 

Step 1: Get informed about the eye health issues that are common to your dog’s breed. Whether it’s genetics, poor breeding history or some other factor, some dog breeds are more prone to eye health issues than others. Do some research on the eye conditions that your dog might be prone to based on his breed. Being more informed will allow you to identify possible problems before they become more serious. It is especially important to do your research if you have a puppy, as puppies are susceptible to even more eye health issues than you might think.

Step 2: Prevention is the key. One way to prevent your dog from getting eye infections or corneal scratches is to never let him hang his head out the window while you’re driving. While it may look like the dog is enjoying this small act, it is the cause of many eye health issues. Also, do not allow him to sit in the back of a truck, as he will be constantly exposed to the dust and debris that circulates through the air while driving.

Step 3: Trim his bangs. Keep the area around your dog’s eye nice and neat. Some breeds naturally have longer hair around their eyes; dog owners should not be afraid to trim this hair. If you don’t like the idea of having a pair of clippers or scissors so close to your dog’s eye, make regular appointments for him at the groomer.
 
Step 4: Keep your dog’s eyes clean. Mucus tends to build up in the corners of many dog’s eyes. Rather than pick at it with your fingers, take a cloth that is moistened with warm water and simply rub it over the eyes. There are also several eye wash products on the market that are safe to use on your pet’s eyes on a regular basis. (Eye cleansing should only be used to maintain regular eye health; do not do this if you suspect your dog has an eye issue, as you could irritate the eye further.)

Step 5: Wipe those tears away. Many breeds have an increased tear production that results in stains beneath their eyes. These are usually referred to as tear stains or eye drainage stains. If your dog is prone to these stains, purchase a tear stain remover and work it into your dog’s regular grooming routine.

Step 6: Check for cloudiness. Some dog owners fail to recognize the symptoms that can indicate Glaucoma, as many of the symptoms are similar to those found in conjunctivitis. Dog owners need to make an appointment with a veterinarian immediately upon noticing a cloudy look to their dog’s eyes.

Step 7: Be alert for discharge or reddening. Conjunctivitis is one of the most commonly treated eye health issues in dogs. If you notice your dog’s eyes are red, irritated and have increased discharge, make an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian.

Be vigilant about any changes in your dog’s appearance or behavior. If your dog is squinting, swollen, or pawing at his eyes this might indicate an eye health issue. Be alert for any discoloration or haziness of the eye, as well as an increase in tear or mucus production. Sometimes even a loss of appetite or lethargic behavior can indicate an eye health issue. You know your dog better than anyone. If he has any of these symptoms and/or he doesn’t seem like himself, get him checked out immediately.

Article submitted by pet super store – a pet site carrrying shock collar, pet door and wood dog crates.

While we can’t catch each others colds, dog and human medicine have more in common than you might think. Dogs and humans share diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even depression. Some illnesses are unique to dogs, but others are similar to those we face. Here are the 8 most common health problems our dogs face:

1. Heart Disease: Dogs are just like people in that they can be born with inherent heart problems or develop them in middle age. Heart disease in dogs manifests itself in two forms. On one hand the valves lose the ability to close properly, causing abnormal blood flow. On the other hand, the muscle walls of the heart become thin and weak leading to possible heart failure. Dogs are also just like people in the respect that moderate exercise and a healthy diet help to minimize the risks of acquiring hear disease.

2. Heartworm Disease: This disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae of a parasitic worm known as Dirofilaria immitis. The larvae enter the dog and grow and settle in his heart and lungs. This can cause lung disease and heart failure. Heartworms are easily preventable with a monthly pill or topical treatment available from your Vet for a nominal cost.

3. Canine Distemper: Distemper is a virus that occurs wherever there are dogs. It is extremely contagious through respiratory secretions and can be obtained through contact with excrement. Fatality rates among puppies can reach 80%. While the disease is not as common in older dogs a bout with Distemper can permanently damage their nervous system, cause blindness and paralysis. This disease is easy to prevent through proper vaccinations of puppies and continued yearly vaccinations throughout the dog’s life.

4. Canine Parvovirus: Also known as CPV, this virus is highly contagious and attacks the intestinal track, white blood cells and the heart muscle. It is spread by dog to dog contact and fecal matter and can survive for long periods of time outside of the body. Thankfully, yearly vaccinations will prevent this disease.

5. Canine Bordetellosis: Also known as Bordetella or Kennel Cough, Bordetellosis is caused by bacteria present in the respiratory tracts of animals and can result is a condition which presents a severe and chronic cough accompanied by nasal discharge. While most cases of kennel cough are treatable with antibiotics, the condition can cause death in young dogs or dogs with weakened immune systems. The best cause of prevention is nasal spray administered by your Veterinarian during your dog’s annual check up. Most kennels and boarding facilities require Bordetella prevention before accepting your dogs for boarding as the condition is common in boarding facilities, hence the name kennel cough.

6. Canine Parainfluenza: Similar to the human flu, Parainfluenza is a virus causing respiratory tract infection. This condition is preventable through a combination of vaccinations and is not typically fatal.

7. Canine Leptospirosis: This disease is bacterial and impairs renal (kidney) functions in dogs. It is spread through contact with urine and can cause impaired vision, convulsions and kidney failure. This is one of the diseases preventable through yearly vaccinations and can be completely prevented.

8. Rabies: Rabies is an acute viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. The disease is fatal and can go undetected for months in some cases. Rabies is spread through animal bites and can be contagious and fatal to humans as well. Most counties in the United States require proof of rabies vaccination in household pets because of the deadly nature of the disease and its threat to humans. This requirement has caused a significant decline in rabies cases occurring within the US. Most cases of rabies are reported from wild animal bites rather than dog bites.

While many of these diseases are deadly, prevention is relatively painless and inexpensive. Routine annual exams and vaccinations can completely protect your pet from most of the conditions on this list. While there are many other conditions effecting health of our pets, protection against these common diseases is the cornerstone of our dog’s good health.

This article was submitted by the authors at pet-super-store – visit this site for dog ramps, dog carriers and raised dog feeders.

Most of us can relate to the warm fuzzy feelings associated with the relationship between children and dogs. Movies and Television have shown classic relationships of this sort for decades because of the popularity of dogs among children. Every time a dog walks by most toddlers and young children point and exclaim, “Look Mommy, puppies”! While we love the idea of our children growing up with their special canine friend, the reality of its practice is not as perfect as it sounds. We have all seen the stories on the news. Every year in America dog bites are among the top 10 reasons for injuries to children. In fact, dog bites account for more emergency room visits per year than roller skating, skateboarding, all-terrain vehicles and horseback riding accidents combined. While there can never be a guarantee that your child will not be bitten by a dog; there are steps that you can take to dramatically reduce the risks.

First it is important to understand why dogs bite children in the first place. Most dogs are safe and loyal companions, but even the friendliest of dogs can bite if they feel threatened, afraid or hurt. Dogs can be protective over the things they care about including their food and toys or spaces such as their yard, their owner’s parked car or their puppies. Children often make the mistake of inserting their arm into a fence to pet a dog who might be concerned about protecting his space and bite the unsuspecting child. Children need to understand that it is in a dog’s nature to be protectors. Another reason dogs bite children is because children have a tendency to crowd, chase, corner or stand too closely over a dog. These behaviors are all considered threats in the dog’s world. Children must be taught that they need to respect the dog’s space and avoid threatening behavior.

Now that we have a better understanding of why dogs bite children we can begin a step by step education program for our children. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and an national non-profit called Prevent the Bite have worked together to come up with a list of safety tips for children to avoid being bitten by dogs. Here is a basic list of the tips included in this guide:

1. Always remember that no owner means no petting. Your children should know that if there is no one with the dog or closely supervising the dog then it is never acceptable to pet the dog.

2. Always practice the WAIT theory when meeting new dogs
W – Wait to see if the dog is with its owner and the dog and owner appear friendly
A – Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog
I – Invite the dog to sniff or greet you first
T – Touch the dog gently to pet and never pet the face or head of strange dogs

3. Remember that hugs are for people and not for dogs. Children should not drape themselves around the dogs neck as the dog may consider this a threat. Hugs also place the children face to near the dog’s mouth and can result in serious injury.

4. Do not scream or run around dogs, this will agitate them. Dogs also have a tendency to chase running objects so this behavior can be dangerous.

5. Never go near a dog who is eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy or not feeling well. Children sometimes want to innocently play with the dog, but the dog might be protective of its food, toy or bed and choose to bite.

6. Do not go near a dog when he is in a car, behind a fence or tied up even if your child knows the dog as he will want to protect his space.

7. Teach your children what to do when being chased by a strange dog. They should stop running and stand completely still like a tree. If they have a bike or a skateboard they should put it between them and the dog and stand still while looking directly at the ground. Eye contact can sometimes antagonize an angry dog. If they have been knocked over by the dog teach them to lie on the ground with their knees to their chest, hands over their ears and arms covering their face.
 
This might sound scary to you, but most bite cases can be prevented by teaching your children about how dogs think and making sure they follow these tips. This article was submitted by pet-super-store authors – visit this site for savings on dog fences, petsafe and dog doors.