WHAT IS A HOT SPOT?

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Todys tips-what is a hot spot
A hot spot is a painful circle of inflammation that occurs when pets rub, scratch, lick or bite their way into baldness. It usually occurs when something irritating, like fleas, starts bothering the skin. The more the spot itches, the more your dog will scratch and the larger the spot will get. Hot spots usually disappear on their own, but if the spot hasn't disappeared in 24 hours see a veterinarian.

Dog sometimes eats his own feces which is harmful but there is a way to stop it

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Todays Tips- Dog sometimes eat his own feces which is harmful
Coprophagia is a behavior problem and can be harmful if your dog eats other dog's feces which could infect your dog with parasites and various infections. Plus, the act is very disgusting. The best way to stop it is to not let your dog have access to the feces. You will need to remove the feces immediately after the dog defecates. You can also leash walk you pet, and move away from the feces as quickly as possible after your pet defecates. You can then reward your pet for good behavior with a tasty treat. Give your pet a wide variety of appropriate objects to chew and spend more time playing with or exercising him/her.

HOW SHOULD DEAL WITH HEAT STROKE IN DOGS

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Todays tips-How should deal with heat stroke in dogs
Immediately apply cold water to the dog's skin. If the animal is unconscious, it can be carefully placed in a cold bath or a small pool. Usually, there is an obvious improvement within five to ten minutes. Make sure you don't lower the dog's body temperature too much. If you have a rectal thermometer (and if you don't it is a good idea to get one) use it to determine your dogs temperature. When the dog's temperature has fallen to 102.5 F it is wise to stop the treatment. A dog's normal body temperature is around 101.5 F. Dry the dog and let it rest in a cool place with plenty of drinking water. If your dog's temperature begins to rise again....get the animal to your veterinarian.

WHAT OTHER WORM MIGHT INFECT YOUR DOG

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Todays Tips-What other worm might infect your dog
Tapeworms are long, flat worms attacked to the lining of the intestine with hooks and suckers, and in general they cause no signs of ill health. Hookworms inhabit the small intestine and infection can be caused by eating infected feces or by burrowing through the skin...particularly the feet. The whipworm inhabits the part of the large bowel called the caecum and usually causes no signs. Dogs become infected by the whipworm by eating infected feces. The lungworm inhabits the end of the trachea nearest to the lungs and may cause the infected animal to have a dry cough. The tracheal worm lives in the dog's windpipe and can cause coughing in an infected animal. The bladder worm is a fine hair-like worm found in the bladder, usually among packs of hounds. The hearworm infects dogs in the central and eastern parts of the United States, Australia and southern Europe. Mosquitos infect dogs with the heartworm and the damage by these worms can be severe. The giant kidney worm is the largest known nematode and dogs can become infected by eating raw or imperfectly cooked fish. The lung fluke can infect scavenger dogs that eat water snails and crayfish and causes intermittent coughing. And finally the Thelzia californiensis occasionally affects dogs and is transmitted by the deer fly. The worm lives beneath the third eyelid causing an intensely irritant conjunctivitis.

How does your dog get infected with roundworms and are they harmful?

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Todays Tips-How does your dog get infected with roundworms and are they harmful
Dogs can become infected by eating an infected dogs feces and by eating another animal that is infected. Puppies can become infected through their mothers. Toxocara canis infection can produce noisy breathing and coughing, especially during suckling in puppies under two weeks old. In older puppies, up to three months of age, there is persistent diarrhea with vomiting, whining and a pot-bellied appearance. In mature dogs clinical signs of ascarid infection are virtually non-existent.

APART FROM PARASITE ARE THERE ANY OTHER CAUSE OF SKIN DISEASE IN DOGS

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Todays Tips-Apart from Parasite are there any other cause of skin disease in Dog
Yes, itching or pruitus is an obvious sign of skin disease, and although frequently caused by parasites, itching occurs whenever the skin is damaged or inflamed. Itching is one of the major signs of allergic skin diseases. Important allergies in dogs are due to inhalation of pollens, moulds or house dust, insect bites and stings and direct skin contact with chemicals in soaps and detergents, carpets, flea collars, plastics etc. Although foodstuffs are often blamed they are rarely responsible. Bacterial infections can cause skin diseases. Hormonal disorders can cause loss of hair, which is identical on both sides of the body, occurring without any skin irritation. Skin can also be involved in the growth of tumors and at times is affected by very bizarre conditions such as cutaneous asthenia in which the skin can be stretched to extremes but also tears very easily and canine icthyosis where much of the body surface is covered with grey scales and feather-like projections.

WHAT OTHER SKIN PARASITE ATTACK DOGS

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Todays Tips-what other skin parasite attack dog
Cheyletiella yasguri or "walking dandruff" is a white mite that with it's eggs give the appearance of extensive dandruff, though on close observation with a magnifying glass you can see that this dandruff is moving. The Trichodectes canis or biting lice feeds mainly on skin debris. Linognathus setosus or common dog louse sucks the dogs blood. Trombicula autumnalis or the harvest mite and the Eutrombicula alfreddugesi or the North American chigger are parasitic larvae which attach themselves to thin-skinned regions as the dog walks through vegetation. Calliphorid flies or blow-flies may lay their eggs in open wounds or in the soiled coat of an ill or elderly animal.

HOW CAN YOU MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF CATHING A DISEASE FROM YOUR DOG

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Todays Tips-How can you minimize the chance of catching a disease from your dog
When you discover your dog is infected you should treat the infection as soon as possible. Your dog may need to be isolated depending upon the dangers inherent in the transfer of the disease. You should always wash your hands after handling your dogs. The kissing of pets should be discouraged. Dogs should not be allowed to lick the face or sleep with humans or on beds. Dogs should not be allowed to lick plates and utensils used for human use, and their own feeding bowls should be washed separately from dishes that are for human use. The dog's feces should be collected and disposed of as soon as possible. Regular grooming and bathing of your dog will reduce infection being spread. Never feed dogs raw foods such as meats or eggs. Carrots and other vegetables and fruits are fine.

CAN YOUR DOG PASS ON ANY DISEASE TO YOU

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Todays Tips-Your Dog pass any disease to you
Yes, external parasites transmissible to man include fleas, sarcoptic mange, the fur mite and ringworm fungi. Internal parasites are (as mentioned above) roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms and heartworms. Man can become infected with rabies, canicola fever caused by Leptospira canicola and Weil's disease due to L. icterohaemorrhagiae (this is more common than canicola fever). Bacteria may also be implanted in bite wounds. Salmonellosis, Campylobacter infection, and tuberculosis are other bacterial diseases which the dog may communicate to man.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO TREAT CANCER IN DOGS

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Todays tips -Treatment of cancer in dogs is possible
Yes, treatment of certain types of cancer (i.e. malignant neoplasia) by surgery, radiation therapy and drugs may be successful in eliminating the tumor and preventing recurrence, especially if commenced in teh early stages of the cancer.

What kind of tumors do dogs get most commonly?

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Todays tips -Kind of tumors do Dog get most commonly
Each year about four dogs in every thousand develop a tumor. Of these the most common are skin tumors, tumors of the mammary glands, tumors of bones, lymph nodes, testicles, one organ of the digestive tract (most commonly the gums of the mouth). Tumors appear earlier in Boxers than other breeds and is roughly four times as common. They occur tow or three times more frequently in Cocker Spaniels, Fox Terriers and Boston Terriers. Beagles have a very low incidence or tumor formation. Mammary tumors are 200 times less likely to occur in bitches spayed before their first heat.

GROOMING IS ESSENTIAL

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Todays tips-Dogs Grooming Tips
Grooming can be a special bonding time between you and your dog. You can also use this time to check your dog's health. Look carefully for signs of fleas, ticks, skin irritations, lumps or painful spots. Check your dog's eyes, ears and teeth regularly. Consult your veterinarian if you find anything unusual or concerning.

• Long-haired dogs generally need to be groomed daily while short-haired breeds may only need to be groomed weekly.Selecting a time when your dog is calm and you have adequate time will help make grooming a pleasurable experience for both you and your dog.Get your puppy accustomed to grooming early in life by handling your puppy often and touching its ears and paws. Be gentle and reassure your puppy constantly.Some areas of your dog's body may be more sensitive to combing and brushing than others. Be aware of these areas and be gentle.

Exercise tips for dogs

Here are 5 tips to help you exercise your dog and make sure that he reaches and maintains his ideal weight.
Adapted from healthypets professionals

1. Be aware of temperature and humidity. Spring weather can be unpredictable. It can be warm one day and cold the next. Be certain your dog has plenty of water available at all times, and provide a place to cool down out of the sun.

2. Start very slow. Spring is a time when dogs that aren't acclimated to the heat can actually develop heat stroke. The most common time dog's get this condition is in the early spring when they aren't used to it.

3. Almost all dogs, especially older dogs, those with heart and lung problems, and those with thick hair coats, are likely to have trouble with hot and humid conditions. As it gets warmer, it's better to exercise in the early morning or evening when the heat is less than 80 degrees and the humidity is less then 30 percent thus avoiding the hot and humid conditions.

4. Keep it simple and fun. Dogs love to play Frisbee in the park or take long walks in the neighborhood. Doing something (even if it is small) is better than allowing your dog to be sedentary.

5. Track your dog's weight. A site called PetFit.com gives you tools that allow you track your pet's weight and program.

WHAT DISEASE SHOULD YOUR DOG BE VACCINATED FOR

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Todays Tips-Disease for which dogs should be vaccinated against




There are eight important diseases your dog should be vaccinated against. These are canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus infection, rabies, leptospirosis and the three most common causes of kennel cough, namely canine adenoviruses, canine parainfluenza virus and bordetella bronchiseptica.

DO VACCINATIONS ALWAYS WORK?????????

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Todays Tips-Do vaccinations always work?

Regrettably no, it does not. There are a small portion of animals whose immune systems do not respond in the normal manner to vaccines, or for that matter to natural infections. If a vaccine is administered after its stated expiration date and/or hasn't been stored in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions it will not not be effective. By way of reassurance, a survey of over 15,000 dogs was vaccinated against distemper, in an area where is was common and less than 1/2 % contracted the disease.