Health Creator

Just like humans, dogs may be prone to having vision and hearing problems as they age and move into their senior years. Sometimes owners fail to realize that the older dog is not able to hear their commands and assume that the dog is misbehaving or willful. Under these conditions the owners may punish the dog or even take him or her back through obedience training, both which can frighten and confuse the senior dog that is struggling to understand what is being asked.

There are some simple ways to check the hearing of your senior dog that will also provide you with some good information on changing your volume, tone or pitch when working with a senior dog. The first thing is to observe the dog in his or her natural setting. Are they responding to sounds, noises, birds and squirrels the way they used to or do they only respond when they are looking directly at an object or animal? If they seem to sleep through noises or not respond to a car coming up the drive when they used to bark and alert you, it may be that they are no longer able to hear. Keep in mind that dogs will rely on other senses such as vibrations on the ground, visual cues and even scents, so it may be hard to determine if hearing loss is actually occurring.

A very simple test is to have the dog inside in a quiet area. Turn off all sounds and wait until the dog is alert and awake but resting quietly. Very gently and softly move up behind the dog, about 5 to 6 feet from the hindquarters, taking care to not alert the dog that you are present. Clap your hands loudly together, watching the dogs ears and head for signs of hearing and response. If he or she does not respond, the hearing loss is significant. Move another foot forward and repeat until you have a clear picture of what sound level the dog can actually hear.

If he or she does respond, repeat the process using a lower volume of sound. Of course you have to allow the dog to settle back down and look away before you can do this. Don’t use to many tests in a short period of time as the dog may become disinterested and fail to respond not because he or she doesn’t hear. You can also try calling their name using different volumes, tones and pitches to your voice until you find the combination that ensures the best possible opportunity for the dog to hear. Keep in mind that hearing loss is not debilitating for your dog, he or she will just need some special accommodations. Once your dog has started to have hearing loss, they should always be kept on a lead or leash for safety reasons as they may not be able to hear vehicles, bicycles and other dangers approaching when outside of the yard.

About the Author

For more information recommended by Kelly Marshall, see these recent articles Find Out If Your Dog Can Recover From a Stroke and Finding a trainer for your Dog or Puppy.

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Puppies are curious, adventuresome and able to get into almost anything, no matter how secure you thought it was. Making your house safe for a puppy is important, not only to protect your valuables but also to protect the puppy. Since it is almost impossible to puppy proof an entire house, consider selecting a room or area that can be cordoned off to make a puppy safe area when little Fido is left alone or unsupervised. Baby gates or pet gates are a great idea to block off a doorway, but they have to be securely placed in the door and fastened or a bigger puppy will learn to push them down. If the puppy is prone to chewing, spray the gate with a produce such as Grannick’s Bitter Apple that will leave a bad taste in his or her mouth and prevent them from noshing on your enclosure. If you don’t have a specific room, a pet exercise pet is a perfect ideal. This easy to transport pens come in many different sizes and can be used either indoors or outdoors and come in a variety of models to meet your needs. If you are buying an exercise pen, get one that will suit the dog as it grows to prevent having to constant upgrade as the puppy get bigger.

Keeping your puppy and eventually your dog safe in your car or vehicle includes purchasing a dog seat belt or keeping your puppy in a carrier within a seatbelt when they are in the vehicle. For older dogs or large puppies the seatbelt is a great safety feature plus you can also add a window screen or barrier that prevents the puppy from squeezing out through the window. Since dogs and puppies should never be left alone in a vehicle, especially in the hot summer months, this window barrier is not suitable for turning your vehicle into a pet storage area. They are an excellent safety feature to allow your dog fresh air while traveling but preventing them from sticking their head or front quarters out of the window.

Managing your puppy also includes cleaning up his or her waste. Puppies may eat fecal material if it is not removed, leading to bad habits, nutritional problems and a worm and parasite problems if more than one puppy is kept in the same area. A pooper scooper is a simple to use plastic handled scoop that can pick up waste material to be deposited in the garbage. There are even systems that you can set up right on your own property that use natural enzymes to break down the feces without having to use plastic bags that end up in landfills. When you are walking your puppy remember to carry some small plastic bags that you can use as a way to pick up his or her waste. These bags are then sealed and deposited in the nearest trash can. Pet stores carry a wide variety of specialty bags that are discrete and provide good protection for picking up the waste.

About the Author

For more information recommended by Kelly Marshall, see these recent articles Dog Arthritis & Joint Health and Eliminating Skunk Odor From Your Dog.

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For some dog owners, bathing their pet can be very challenging, especially if they have to hunt the dog down when it is bath time. A regular bath is an important way to help prevent skin problems and keep the dog smelling and looking great. Comb and brush your dog’s hair prior to bathing to remove any loose hair, tangles, dirt and other sediments.

Before bathing your dog, gather up all the necessary bath supplies so they are within reach. If you place your dog in a bathtub full of running water and then have to go look for bath items you have forgotten such as shampoo or towels, the dog could escape and shake water around the house. It is far easier and safer to fill the tub ahead of time, gather up everything you need, have these within arms reach and then find your dog.

Some of the supplies necessary to bathe your dog include shampoo; brush or comb; bath mat or rubber mat for the dog to stand on in the sink or tub; hair conditioner; dry fluffy towels; sponge; large plastic cup or hand held sprayer; and a soft bristled brush. You may need to have a nylon leash and collar on the dog if it is difficult to keep in the tub or tries to bolt. Be sure to wear old clothes, a rubber apron for protection or even a bathing suite because chances are you will end up almost as wet as the dog. Keep all the required supplies are within arms reach.

At some point, many dog owners end up having to deal with a dog that rolled in something terribly smelly and unpleasant or a skunk sprayed their pet. If you live in an area where there are skunks or you like to be prepared in case of an emergency, there are several de-skunking preparations available at pet supply stores or often at your local veterinarians. An old remedy that many people swear by is pouring tomato juice over the dog’s fur if sprayed by a skunk. Leave this on the dogs coat for a few minutes, rinse and continue doing this as required. Dogs with white fur sometimes end up with temporary pink or orangey tinged coats. A little dog shampoo, one-quarter cup of baking soda and a quart of hydrogen peroxide also works well but may require several shampoos.

To avoid vet bills and to keep your dog as healthy as possible, clean your pet’s teeth, ears, eyes and watch for any signs of injury or infection. Some of the products or tools required for monthly grooming include:

• Moisturizing or canine eye drops• Cotton balls• Tear stain remover if necessary• Dog toothpaste and toothbrush• Mineral oil, ear wash or ear powder• Small scissors and/or tweezers• Heavy gauze or rags if anal glands require emptying

Along with these supplies, always keep a dog first aid kit handy in case of emergency.

About the Author

For more information recommended by Kelly Marshall, see these recent articles Chihuahua Dog Breed and Dental Care for Your Dog or Cat.

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There is nothing as frightening as having your dog accidentally come into contact with some type of poisonous substance. As with humans or any animal, dogs may eat poisonous items, inhale poisonous gases or vapors or get poisons on their skin or hair. Like humans, there are general emergencies procedures that dog owners should know to be able to treat their pet should they suspect poison. It is important to have a few general supplies on hand, but most of what you will need is likely to already be in your house.

Ingested Poisons

If you believe that your dog has eaten something poisonous, the first step is to find out what it was and then call your vet or an emergency treatment center that has information on poisons. If the poison was caustic you do not want to do anything that might cause further damage, so make sure the dog has not eaten anything that will cause a burn. If he or she has, get them to a vet immediately, do not induce vomiting or give them any food or drink unless specifically instructed to do so by the vet or poison control center.Typically the vet will recommend a dilute lemon juice or vinegar and water solution to attempt to neutralize the chemical until you can get the dog to the clinic or animal hospital. Do not give any human medications to a dog as they can have severe reactions to “people medicines”. Always bring the label form the item, whenever possible, to the vet with the dog.

If the substance is not caustic, it is important to try to get the dog to get the poison out of his or her system. The easiest way is to induce vomiting, which can be done through the oral administration of hydrogen peroxide. Be sure to only use the 3% hydrogen peroxide mixture and give about 1 teaspoon or 5ccs or 5mls per 10 pounds of dog’s body weight. Use an oral syringe if possible and squirt the hydrogen peroxide to the back of the mouth over the top of the tongue. If you don’t have a syringe, a turkey based can be used. Don’t give more than the recommended dosage as hydrogen peroxide can also cause complications. The dog will typically vomit within a few minutes. If the dog is not swallowing, is comatose or is having difficulty in breathing or standing don’t administer hydrogen peroxide unless under the direct supervision of your vet. Immediately get the dog to your vet after they have vomited.

Contact Poisons

If your dog has touched something poisonous the best option is usually to wash the area with warm, soapy water using baby shampoo or specialized dog shampoo. For tar or paint on the coat first apply a generous amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly to remove as much of the substance as possible. The coat may need to be clipped or even shaved to completely remove the substance if the Vaseline doesn’t do the trick. Follow with a soapy wash with warm but not hot water, followed by a thorough rinse with clear, warm water.

About the Author

For more information recommended by Kelly Marshall, see these recent articles Before You Bring Your Puppy Home, You Need Some Supplies and Cats and Dogs: Living Together as Brothers and Sisters.

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If an animal or other dog bites your dog, the possibility of it becoming serious is very likely. The saliva of other animals or dogs contains huge amounts of bacteria, which can certainly induce an infection throughout the wound. Even a little bite that does not look serious can critically damage your dogs underlying tissue. Regardless of the size of a bite wound, it is best to have a veterinarian check and treat the injury to make sure it remains infection free and does not end up worse. Here are five things you should know and do if your dog does end up bitten by another animal.

1. When a dog experiences pain, often it will lash out, even at their owners or family members. This is extremely common so the first thing you should do if your dog receives a bite is place a muzzle on your dog, which gives you protection in case the dog snaps and tries to bite you or someone else. Before touching the animal, use a muzzle, or if you do not have one available, use a makeshift one and carefully tie the dogs mouth closed using panty hose, gauze, or other material available but without covering the dog’s nostrils. If the dog suddenly gets stick or starts having trouble breathing, remove the muzzle immediately.

2. If the pet is tiny and cannot wear a muzzle, use a towel and place it around the dog’s head to protect you from a dog bite. You certainly want to avoid blocking the dog’s air supply, so wrap its head loosely and only leave the towel on for a short period.—

3. Once you have muzzled the dog, you should use K-Y or another type of water-soluble jelly and carefully put a thin layer directly on the dog’s bite wound. You are now ready to trim the hair near and around the bite wound area. This makes it simpler to clean the wound along with helping it air out so it heals quicker. Use electric clippers, a disposable razor or scissors to gently, carefully trim the hair. The K-Y jelly will protect the injury by preventing the hair from getting into the bite wound. After trimming the dog’s hair, clean the injury carefully to prevent infection. Use running, lukewarm water to flush the wound for approximately five minutes. If the bite is more than twenty-four hours old, use antibacterial soap to scrub the bite injury as there may already be bacteria in the wound. Flush with running, warm water and dry the wound.

4. Once you thoroughly clean and dry the injury, apply Neosporin or another antibiotic over-the-counter ointment on the wound. A clean cloth or gauze makes an excellent bandage but slip your finger under the bandage to be sure it is not too tight.

5. Always keep your dog’s rabies vaccination and other vaccinations up to date.

Watch the dog bites carefully and have your veterinarian examine the dog wounds for your own peace of mind.

About the Author

For more information recommended by Kelly Marshall, see these recent articles Aggression With Dogs: How It Came Into Being and All About Vitamins.

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