Dr Ron's Animal Hospital & Emergency

Nowadays, there is a constant craze among millennials to adopt senior dogs and rightfully so. However, adopting a senior dog comes with its own set of responsibilities as they require proper medical care and attention in carrying out their day-to-day activities. This is why it is often said that one must be well aware of the needs of senior dogs so that the pet parents don’t face any problems in looking after them. Have a look at the infographics to know some tips for adopting a senior dog.

Winter is that time of the year that everyone looks forward to because of the snow and beautiful surroundings. However, sometimes it gets tough in the biting cold and this is true both for humans and animals. Most of the time dog owners complain that their dog is suffering from certain cold-related health condition.

Dogs are very fun-loving and curious creatures and they even like to spend time outdoors just like us and experience beautiful sights. However, there are several instances where dogs suffer frostbite due to staying outside for a long time in the snow and cold.

Most pet parents think that the thick fur of their pet dog would prevent frostbite; however, this is not true. Here in this article, we will discuss the ways to take care of your pet dog when he is suffering from frostbite.

What is frostbite?

Now, some dog owners might not be aware of what exactly is frostbite and how does it affect their four-legged friend? Frostbite is mainly caused due to long-time exposure to extreme cold that damages the tissue in your pet’s body.

Most of the time you will see that blood flow to the damaged area of your dog’s body will be restricted due to frostbite and this causes injuries that have some similarity with those caused due to thermal burns. This restriction of blood flow to the skin cause it to flow to the core areas of the body, thus moving away from the cooler parts of your pet’s body.

The cold temperature and restricted blood flow to the blood vessels on the skin cause the tissues to freeze and leads to severe injuries. Frostbite in dogs is mainly caused in the ear tips, tails, toes, nose, and scrotum as these parts are more exposed to the biting cold.

Signs of frostbite

The most difficult part about frostbite is that they are very difficult to detect in dogs. There is no doubt that the thick furs of your pet dog save it from getting frostbite instantly, however, it cannot be altogether ruled out.

Most likely if your dog is suffering from frostbite, you will observe that the affected area of the skin is completely discolored and has a gray or bluish appearance. Moreover, the area is going to feel cold to touch and your dog might flinch with pain when you touch the affected part.

In addition to this, swelling of the affected area and the formation of blisters & skin ulcers cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, if the affected part of the body is small like the tail, the tip of the nail, the ear tips, then it will take several days for the signs to be visible.

However, the problem lies with the fact that if the affected area is not detected early, then the damaged tissue starts to die and in fact, in a few days or weeks it will change its color to black and falls off. This is when there are high chances of the formation of puss and secondary bacterial infection in the affected part.

Diagnosing of Frostbite

While following some tips from YouTube dog owners might be able to detect frostbite in their pets. However, if you are a first-time pet owner then it will be very difficult for you to detect frostbite in your pet. This is why you must take your dog to a veterinarian where a physical examination by the vet can reveal the frostbite-affected area.

Moreover, the presence of discolored tissue in addition to low body temperature is a clear sign of your dog suffering from frostbite. An experienced vet will be able to detect frostbite in your dog with physical examination and taking into account the history findings of your dog.

Treating Frostbite

Providing proper treatment to your dog suffering from frostbite should be your immediate priority. You should immediately take your dog to a veterinarian and while traveling, you need to keep your dog warm with a towel wrapped around him and turn on the car’s heater.

In addition to this, you shouldn’t disturb the affected portion of your dog’s skin & desists from applying any sort of heat to the affected area because it can cause further damage to the underlying tissue. Your vet will first treat your dog for hypothermia if it is present and then start the treatment for frostbite.

Some serious forms of frostbite might require surgery for the removal of the affected tissue; however, if the damage is not serious, then your vet will prescribe certain medications to cure your dog.

Finally

Cats are one of the most beloved animals and people love to have them around in their homes. However, being a pet parent also comes with its own set of responsibilities because like humans cats have also got their own inherent needs. Moreover, cats also suffer from many diseases that also affect humans and one such serious health condition is related to leukemia in cats which is also known as feline leukemia. Have a look at the infographics to know the details about feline leukemia.

Dogs are one of the most preferred animals for a pet because they are obedient and faithful. However, being a dog owner comes with its own set of responsibilities because like humans dogs also suffer from various injury due to their highly active nature. Most of the time it is seen that dogs get their eye injured while playing and this can sometimes lead to a serious health scare. Have a look at the infographics to know the common eye injuries in dogs.

Dogs are one of the most sought-after animals for pet because they are obedient and trainable. However, owning a dog also comes with its own set of responsibilities and like humans, dogs also suffer from various health issues. One such concerning problem is related to the development of benign tumors in dogs. Benign tumors can develop because of various factors & needs to be treated quickly. Have a look at the infographics to know the typical causes of benign tumors in dogs.

Most people love to own a cat as they are small and fussy which makes them adorable and besides that, cats are easy to maintain in comparison to dogs. However, owning a cat also comes with its own set of responsibilities because being a pet parent you are responsible for the wellbeing of your cat. Like humans, cats can also suffer from health complications and require proper care. Go through the infographics to know the details about virtual veterinary care for your cat.

When it comes to choosing a pet, dogs are the most preferred animal over others. Dogs are loyal and obedient which makes them preferable over others. However, like humans, dogs have also got their own needs and it is the responsibility of the pet parent to see to it that all the needs of their pet dog get addressed. Dogs also require preventive health care checkups that ensure good health for them. Go through the infographics to know how preventive health care ensures optimum dog health.

People are fascinated by the idea of keeping a pet in their home and when it comes to choosing pet dogs are the most preferred ones over other animals. Due to their jovial nature, people prefer bringing home a dog and spending some quality time with him.

However, being a pet parent is not at all an easy task because you are responsible for the comfort and well-being of your pet. Most pet owners find it really difficult to handle their pet dogs if they are not well trained. However, apart from training which is obviously very important, looking after the health of your dog is also crucial.

Dogs like humans also encounter health issues ranging from minor ones to major health scares. A common health issue faced by most dogs is canine influenza which is also popularly known as dog flu. Most dog influenza cases are not serious, however, being a pet parent you need to be prepared to handle one when your dog gets affected.

If you are a new pet parent then you might find it very difficult to handle your four-legged friend’s flu when you don’t poses any adequate knowledge about the health issue. Here in this article, we will discuss in detail canine influenza to help you out.

What is Canine Influenza?

First of all, you must know what exactly canine influenza is and then only you will be able to deal with the problem. Like in humans, dog flu is a virus that affects the respiratory tract of your pet and is caused due to the influenza virus. There are two strains of canine influenza affecting dogs and they are H3N8 and H3N2.

The H3N8 variant was first discovered infecting dogs in the year 2004 when Greyhound breeds became infected and its origin is traced to horses. On the other hand, the H3N2 strain originated in Asia where it was transmitted to dogs from birds.

How Does Influenza Spread?

Influenza is a very contagious disease and canine influenza is also airborne like human influenza. Most of the time canine influenza spreads from respiratory secretions in the form of coughing, barking, and sneezing from one infected dog to your pet dog.

In addition to this, canine influenza can also spread through other ways like if your dog comes in contact with contaminated objects and environments like water bowls, kennel surfaces, and collars. Moreover, dog flu can also be transmitted from humans who had direct contact with an infected dog to their pet dogs.

Most of the time it is seen that people who take their dogs to grooming parlors, daycare centers, and dog parks report their pets getting infected with canine flu. There are numerous dogs present in these places and your dog can get easily infected by someone else.

Symptoms of Canine Influenza

You must keep an eye out for any unusual behaviors shown by your dog in his day-to-day activities. There are certain symptoms shown by your pet dog whenever he is suffering from canine influenza. The most common symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, purulent nasal discharge, runny eyes, fever, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.

Whenever you see any of these symptoms in your pet dog, then you need to immediately get in touch with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will conduct various tests on your dog to determine the extent of infection and will prescribe medication based on the test reports.

Moreover, it is seen that many pet parents fail to take these initial symptoms seriously and the negligence on their part leads to the development of serious health problems in their dogs. If the influenza is not treated in time, it might lead to pneumonia.

Treatment & Prevention

Canine influenza or dog flu is both preventable and treatable. Most of the time dogs suffering from canine influenza are treated with over-the-counter medicines that help in suppressing the symptoms associated with influenza. Moreover, in certain cases, antibiotics are also used if there are traces of secondary bacterial infection.

The best way to prevent canine influenza is to administer a canine influenza vaccine to your pet dog. Vaccines are very important for dogs as they help in preventing many diseases.

Finally

Dogs are one of the most preferred animals when it comes to bringing adopting a pet. However, becoming a pet parent is not at all an easy task because you have to look after all the needs of your pet dog. Most people are surprised to learn that dogs also suffer from the same kind of illness that affects humans. One such painful condition in dogs is arthritis which affects their joints when they grow older. Have a look at the infographics to know the common symptoms of arthritis affecting dogs.

Dogs are one of the most sought-after animals when it comes to adopting a pet. However, owning a pet dog is not at all an easy task because being a pet parent you have to look after the physical and mental well-being of your dog. One of the most cumbersome activities is to look after the oral health & hygiene of your dog. You must take your dog for regular dental check-ups to the vet. Have a look at the infographics to know the reasons behind taking your dog for a regular dental check-up.

Being a pet parent is an extremely demanding job and these multiply when you are having a dog. Dogs are one of the most popular animals to be adopted as pets as they are friendly and faithful. However, looking after a dog is extremely difficult as new pet parents don’t all the basics of pet parenting and end up messing everything. Looking after your dog’s health is extremely important. Have a look at the infographics to know the ways to look after your pet dog’s health without a fuss.

Among the various animals that are considered pets, dogs are the most preferred ones over others. Dogs are considered highly faithful and obedient. However, owning a dog is not at all an easy task because as a pet parent you have to look after the health & well-being of your pet. Most of the time pet parents make mistakes while choosing pet food for their dogs. Have a look at the infographics to know the ways to avoid mistakes while choosing pet food for your pet dog.

Looking after pets that too kittens is a very cumbersome task because as a pet parent you are responsible for the well-being of your kittens. Like humans, kittens have also got their own specific requirements and this varies as per the weather. Most of the time pet parents are not aware of the ways to take good care of their kittens during the summer season. Have a look at the infographics to know the ways to take care of your kitten during the summer season.

Nowadays, everyone wants to bring home a pet as they provide you with company and are also great in relieving stress. However, looking after pets is not at all an easy task as you are responsible for all their needs. Like humans pets also suffer from various diseases that require immediate attention. Due to this pet parents require proper pet education which will help them look after their pets. Have a look at the infographics to know about the top-rated vet clinic for educating your pet.

Nowadays, there is a huge interest in millennials to bring home a pet as they provide you with great company. Among the various animals you can choose as a pet, dogs are the most preferred ones over others because they are obedient and act as good stress busters when you spend time with them.

However, owning a dog also comes with its own set of responsibilities being a pet parent it is your responsibility to see to it that all the needs of your four-legged friend are fulfilled. Like humans, dogs have also got their own requirements ranging from food to health.

Most pet parents are not aware of the fact that dogs also suffer from anxiety disorders and there will be times when your dog will become anxious and behave weirdly. Most of the time pet parents find it difficult to calm their pet dog as they are aware of the natural techniques that can be used to calm an over-anxious dog.

Here in this article, we will discuss the natural ways you can adopt to calm your over-anxious pet dog without any fuss.

Workout

Dogs are fun-loving outdoor creatures and at times it is seen that pet parents are not able to take their canine for a regular visit to the park or for their regular outdoor exercises. Now, this has an adverse effect on the psychology of your pet.

Dogs are accustomed to their regular exercises and outdoor walks and if there is any interruption in their regular workout schedule, then they are bound to get anxious. The sudden change in their routine comes as a surprise for them and your dog becomes lonely and this increases stress in your pet.

This leads to anxiety in your dog and you might observe him behaving weirdly inside the home. Taking your dog outside reduces their stress levels and when they exercise it drastically reduces their anxiety levels in them.

Increasing mental alertness

There are several methods adopted by people on the advice of veterinarians to relieve the stress of their dogs. Stress is a major factor that causes over anxiousness in dogs and the best way to take the burden off your dog is by teaching your dog a few tricks that divert their attention from the thing that is causing over anxiousness.

Dogs suffering from anxiety crave attention and when you are engaging with your pet on a daily basis and then it will calm your dog down. Boredom is a major factor that causes stress in your dog and this can be easily avoided when you spend some quality time with your dog.

Getting your dog involved in various fun activities in the house is going to increase his mental alertness and this reduces the stress levels considerably. Anything that challenges the mental capacity of your dog in a positive way can be adopted for reducing anxiety in your pet.

Listening to music

Most people are surprised when they hear music can relieve stress in their dogs and help in dealing with anxiety. Music has a calming effect on most species and not just on humans and several kinds of research have also proved that music helps in calming the fraught nerves of dogs.

There are several kinds of music like soft rock and classical music that have a relaxing effect on dogs in stressful surroundings. Your pet dog will get accustomed to this new routine and this will act as a good method to reduce his anxiety levels and calm him down.

Giving supplements

Melatonin is a great reliever of stress in dogs. It is actually a hormone that rises in the blood when your dog takes a nap. It helps them in sleeping for a long time without any disturbances and can be used for keeping your canine friend calm for a short period of time.

However, giving anything to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian can be dangerous and you shouldn’t try it on your own. Consult your veterinarian regarding what supplements are safe for your dog and the adequate proportions that can be given to him.

Finally

Nowadays, having a pet in your home is considered great because pets give you company and you also get to spend some quality time with your beloved pet. Dogs are one of the most sought-after animals when it comes to choosing a pet. However, people often face problems in selecting the best products for their pet dogs and have to rely upon inconsistent advice. Go through the infographics to get your queries answered about the products that you need to buy for your pet dog.

Most people prefer a pet in their home because they provide ample opportunities to relax after a tiring day and you will also feel content when you are having a four-legged creature in your home. However, having a pet in your home also increases your responsibility as you need to provide for everything your pet requires. Most of the time when pets are ill, the pet parents find it difficult to select a reliable pharmacy. Go through the infographics to know the ways to find a reliable pet pharmacy under your budget.