Our pet canines need a lot of care and love and in the absence of proper attention they can contract diseases. However, most common health problems that affect dogs can be prevented and also taken care of by an alert and caring owner.

This article deals with common viral, bacterial, and fungal infections that affect dogs.

Viral infections

Hydrophobia – One of the most common diseases associated with dogs, more commonly known as rabies. All mammals can get infected by rabies and since it is a zoonotic disease, canine rabies is especially dangerous for humans given our close proximity to dogs. An anti-rabies vaccine, if administered early, can prevent a fatality. A dog suffering from rabies goes through three distinct stages. The first stage has the animal showing distinct behavioral changes and can last from one to three days. During the second stage, the animal is at its most dangerous and prone to violent behavior, this stage is known as furious rabies. The third and last stage is the paralytic stage which leads to in-coordination between limbs, drooling, and difficulty in swallowing. It is followed by death which usually happens due to respiratory arrest.

Canine parvovirus – Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly infectious disease that is spread through contact with contaminated feces. The disease is a relatively new discovery; it was discovered in the late 70’s. It is an almost exclusively canine virus and is particularly deadly for puppies. Certain breeds such as Pit bull terriers and Doberman pinschers are more susceptible to the disease. Dogs do not exhibit any overt external symptoms of the disease which is why it is important that owners be sensitive to any changes in their pet’s behavior. The disease can prove fatal if the case is serious and no treatment is provided for 72 hours. Lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the symptoms shown by infected dogs.

Canine distemper – Canine distemper is a viral disease that affects the lymphoid, epithelial, and nervous tissues often with fatal consequences. Puppies are more susceptible to the disease. Humans are not at risk from canine distemper. The virus spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of the infected canine such as nasal secretions, tears, feces, and urine. Disease sets in within a fortnight of infection. Symptoms include runny nose, dehydration, loss of appetite, seizures, etc. There is no specific treatment for distemper; however the animal should be treated for secondary bacterial infections.

Bacterial infections

Brucellosis – This is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterial organism Brucella Canis. Humans can also get infected by transmissions from animals. Breeding with infected dogs and contact with aborted fetuses can cause infection. Dogs suffering from brucellosis are affected in the genital area and the lymphatic system. Symptoms of brucellosis include scrotal inflammation in male dogs and abortion in female dogs. A course of treatment with antibiotics is recommended for infected dogs.

Leptospirosis – Leptospirosis is a disease that can cause liver and kidney problems in canines. It is transmitted by contact with infected urine, sexual contact with an infected dog, and ingestion of infected tissue. Stagnant and slow moving water is an ideal habitat for the Leptospira bacteria. The bacteria enter the blood stream via abraded skin or mucous membranes; it multiplies quickly in the blood system and spreads to the kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, eyes, and genital tract. Dogs can recover from the infection on their own in a week provided the damage to the kidney or liver is not too harsh.

Lyme disease – Lyme disease in dogs is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that are harbored by deer ticks. Symptoms include acute arthritis, anorexia, swollen lymph nodes, high fever, and lethargy. Treatment includes a course with antibiotics and antimicrobials. Usually the prognosis is good and dogs respond quickly to treatment. However, in order to prevent a relapse, the entire course of medication should be completed.

Fungal infections

Blastomycosis – Blastomycosis infects dogs and humans; it is caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. Since the chances of catching the fungus by inhalation of spores are higher in sandy soils and wet areas, hunting and sporting breeds are at a greater risk than other breeds. Also, female dogs have a better survival rate than male dogs. Blastomycosis spreads to sites like the skin, eyes, bones, lymph nodes, subcutaneous tissue, brain, and testes after staying in the lungs for a few days. An accurate diagnosis can be tricky as the fungus mimics other disease processes such as bacterial pneumonia. Systemic corticosteroids are preferred for treatment of blastomycosis.

Ringworm – Dermatophytosis or ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It can spread quickly as the infected animals release fungus spores that can infect other animals and even humans. Clinical signs of ringworm include alopecia, patchy skin lesions, inflammation of hair follicles, itchy skin, and infection of the nails. In dogs, dermatophytosis can often be mistaken for eczema, dermatitis, pyoderma, dermatophilosis and mange. Treatment consists of antifungal medications and the course can last from 2 to 4 months.

Aspergillosis – Aspergillosis is an infection caused by a fungus; it develops in the nose and sinuses of dogs. The fungus attacks those dogs that have a poor immune system and can be difficult to detect. Although the disease rarely moves beyond the nasal area, it can have serious consequences such as destruction of the bony structures in the sinuses. Symptoms of aspergillosis include discharge from the nostrils and nose bleeding; pain in the nose; and ulcerations in the nose. Treatment with antifungal medicine is both topical and systemic.

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A well-trained dog is a thing of great beauty. I have a puppy and we are still mastering the stay! I want to cheer when I watch this.

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The season of giving and gifting (and hopefully getting some in return) is on us. Make this year special for your best friend, your pet dog. Surprise him with a gift he’ll cherish. The look of love in his big brown eyes and that joyful wag of his tail will surely tell you how much he appreciates your gesture. Lest this sound like a sales pitch let me tell you I am serious. Our pets deserve something special every once in a while and what better time to get something nice for Rover than now.

Here are 10 great gift ideas for your dog

1. Booda velvet bones – Dogs love to chew bones and Booda velvet bones are just perfect for your dog. These are an excellent alternative to rawhide, rubber, plastic bones and bones that have animal byproducts in them. Booda bones are made from corn starch, they have a velvet texture. Dogs love to chew on these. It helps dogs fight plaque and maintain healthy gums. They are available in a range of flavors like Bacon, Chicken, Roast Beef, and Carrot.

2. Designer dog collars – If you’re looking for a useful yet different gift for your dog, you could consider giving him a customized, made-to-order collar. A personalized collar with metal buckles, it can be embroidered with information you desire. It effectively eliminates the need for metal dog tags and looks way cooler too. You can choose from eleven color combinations including camouflage. A great dog gift, these personalized dog collars are crafted from sturdy, washable, nylon webbing.

3. Dog dresses – A gift for those special occasions when your canine friend has to look his best. The latest designer duds for your pet. Let him strut in style in a coat when you take him for a walk or lounge at home in a cool t-shirt. Pamper your pooch with threads to suit every mood. Custom-made sleepwear, walking harnesses, dog sweaters, and even hair accessories can be gifted to your pet.

4. Dog beds – Gift your dog a comfortable night’s sleep i.e. if he is not a guard dog. Designer dog beds, wooden dog beds, and pet tents offer your dog a spacious sleeping area that is very much his own. These beds are excellent complements to your room’s décor and your fur kid is going to love your for it.

5. Grooming Fido – Choose from a range of dog grooming products; herbal ear care, herbal dog shampoos, nail clippers, paw cleaners, shedding blades, de-shedding combs, flea combs and much more. The assortment of grooming devices and cleaning liquids has something for every dog lover who wishes to keep his dog’s fur clean and nails trimmed.

6. A tipple for your dog – This might sound like it’s straight out of Ripley’s but Happy Tail Ale is actually beer for dogs. Marketed as the ultimate liquid refreshment for your canine, this product is non-alcoholic and made with artesian water and malted barley. The ingredients used in this beverage are human grade and include beef drippings, glucosamine, and vitamin E.

7. Footwear – Yes, let’s take “crazy pampering” a little further. There is a range of footwear out there that you can choose for your dog. Footwear to suit the size, personality, and temperament of your pet. Wild West boots, slippers, cozy boots, Mary Janes, Gingham boots and much more.

8. Let his attitude show – If your dog feels that a tee or a coat does not go well with his species; we suggest you gift him a bandana. He’ll love it. And you’ll love it too coz’ dogs with bandanas do look cool. Choose from a range of sizes and designs such as paisley, patriotic prints, holiday bandanas, seasonal bandanas, and many more.

9. Glares for your dog – Protective eyewear for your dog. Doggles are doggie goggles designed to protect your dog from foreign objects and wind. Ideal for your pet when he’s riding pillion on your bike. Doggles offer protection from UV rays and the lenses are shatterproof. A useful accessory at all times for your dog and even more so if your pet happens to suffer from Pannus.

10. A gift basket – A little bit of everything for your dog. Gift baskets are always in fashion and well received by humans; there’s every reason to believe that our canine companions will also appreciate a gift basket created specifically for them. Each wicker basket is unique and contains items such as a spa towel, soap on a rope, conditioner, a bag of treats and much more.

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Come!

by Jenny Gill

A well trained obedient dog is something all dog owners desire. Training a dog to come when it is called is a vital, and potentially life saving, part of any successful dog training program.

All properly trained dogs must learn to respond instantly to the owner’s voice, and the sooner this lesson is learned the better.

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How to Socialize your Dog to other Family Pets

by Paul P. Duxbury

Socializing your dog to accept new animals into the household is not always an easy task. We all read the biblical account of Noah and his Ark and wondered just how he got the animals to survive in the ark together for five minutes let alone 40 days and nights of rain.

The dog usually has its own ideas of its territory and home and is generally not a generous creature when it come to sharing but would much rather chase the intruders away. We have to reprogram the dogs thinking to make it understand that chasing the cat or iguana or whatever other pet you may have, is not acceptable. So how about some instruction on just how it is done?

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How to Choose your New Puppy’s Name

by Bart LeToad

One of best things about buying a new puppy and owning a dog is the fun you can have with your family in choosing a name. If your pet dog is going to be just a family pet and you have no intentions of trying to train them to be a show dog. I personally like to stick with simple, one syllable names.

Your dog is going to learn several voice commands during its lifetime, and it’s always best to keep their names simple. For example, I personally have three dogs and their names are Norm, Bob and Gus. Now if you decide that your dog is going to be a show dog, there’s a little bit more to consider when choosing a name.

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What are puggles, labroodles and dorgis’? No, not characters from a Tolkien or a Harry Potter novel. These are designer dogs and the norm for naming them is to give them portmanteau names, i.e. a Daschund/Corgi combination gives you a dorgis.

Advocates of breeding designer dogs justify the idea saying that hybrids are carefully bred to display desired characteristics and weed out undesirable ones. Thus, if you are looking for a hybrid that sheds less and is gentle with kids, you would go for a cross obtained by pairing a poodle and a labrador. This, according to some, justifies the premium price that designer dogs attract.

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