Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
When a human being is on his back, there's a good chance he's in a relaxed mood, whether he's watching a movie on the couch or trying to catch a quick afternoon siesta. Rolling over and laying on the back usually means something pretty different in canine land, however -- like submission, for one.
Handicap aid dogs, officially called service dogs, perform various tasks for people with disabilities. A service dog may let a hearing-impaired person know a phone is ringing, calm someone having an anxiety attack or pull a person into a wheelchair. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010 outlines the legal requirements for service dogs, their owners, businesses and the general public. The federal act overrides any state or local law that is more restrictive of disabled individuals’ rights.
Dogs use their voice, body and teeth to assert authority over people and other animals. Domesticated dogs don't rely on a dominance-based social structure as much as their wild brethren, but their desire to position themselves within a household's social hierarchy is a common source of problems for pet owners.
Dogs lift their paws for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they do it deliberately and sometimes it’s instinctive, but paw position and movement always give away something about their mood, intentions or physical well-being. By observing your dog’s accompanying body language and the context in which he raises his paw, you can decode this gesture to find the true meaning.
Earring irritation has a tendency to cause itchy earlobes if you're not careful. Stop itchy earlobes from earring irritation with help from the owner, creator and designer of Classic Hardware in this free video clip.
The formation of granulation tissue is a necessary step in healing process of any type of physical wound. The granulation process produces new tissue, such as skin, after a short period of inflammation. Normally the granulation of a wound is not a detrimental process, but some injuries lead to the over-granulation of tissue. Tissue composed of excess granulated tissue, called hypergranulation tissue, can interfere with the normal healing process of your dog and leave protruding scars. The precise causes of hypergranulation tissue are not entirely understood, but medical researchers have identified several factors that contribute to this problem.
Dogs suffering from mange and folliculitis may exhibit similar symptoms, but the causes and treatments of these two conditions are quite different. The exact symptoms are distinctly different, but some of the more obvious signs, including itching and hair loss, are common to both. These skin conditions are rarely deadly, but they will only get worse until they are treated. Folliculitis can spread from your dog's skin to his glands and mouth, which makes it a significant threat. Both conditions make your dog very uncomfortable, perhaps even irritable, and lead to severe cosmetic issues.
Certain genetics, blood loss from trauma or old age may lead to anemia in your dog. This condition occurs when your pooch does not get enough iron in his diet. Red blood cells may not develop properly, leading to poor oxygen transportation throughout his body. Over time, anemia can lead to problems with such a dog's vision. When this occurs, you need to take extra measures and precautions to care for your beloved family member.
Many dogs will experience the discomfort of a broken nail or two at some point in their lives. Dogs’ nails have an outer layer, the claw, which is composed of keratin. Under the claw is a spongy layer that, combined with the hard claw, protects the blood supply and sensitive nerves contained in the quick, which runs down the center of the dog’s nail. Injuries involving the quick can be very painful and are often accompanied by profuse bleeding. Accidents, illnesses, dietary insufficiency, grooming or neglect may cause dogs to suffer nail injuries.
Pink, irritated dog paws can be unfortunately painful for the animal. Sooth pink, irritated dog paws with help from a partner in the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic in this free video clip.
You can recognize constipation in a dog by being on the lookout for a few basic signs. Recognize constipation in a dog with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
Dogs, like humans, can suffer from spinal problems that cause pain and lack of mobility. Some breeds, such as dachshunds and shih tzus, have specific structural weaknesses that can lead to severe spinal deformities. A number of other conditions can cause this calcification, which may lead to bulging discs and progressive deterioration of the spine. Surgery is often the only recourse to relieve pain and restore mobility in recurring cases.
Parvovirus is an infectious canine disease that, left untreated, results in death for close to 80 percent of affected animals. The illness typically affects puppies and is transmitted through contact with the feces of an infected animal. Symptoms of parvovirus include loss of appetite, fever, vomiting and often-bloody diarrhea. Infected animals that receive treatment and survive can lose a lot of weight because of parvo.
A dog’s nails help him to run and maneuver his positions quickly, to dig and to protect himself against enemies. When a dog’s toenails have been injured from accident or illness, it can cause pain and discomfort. Broken nails often become progressively worse and they must be removed from the nail bed. Nail amputations cause little difficulty for an animal, and the nail generally grows back quickly.
Dogs occasionally suffer nail injuries that can be very painful. These injuries can bleed, catch on cloth materials and make it difficult to walk. Though most nail injuries are minor, you should ensure proper care to prevent infection or other additional problems. A close inspection of the affected paw will help you to identify the nail injury to determine whether professional veterinary care is required.
Located on the sides of the anus, a dog's anal glands contain a pungent fluid that a dog expresses when he defecates to mark territory and that helps him identify other dogs. If the glands become inflamed, an unpleasant smell may develop in this area, indicating there is a problem. Take your dog to a veterinarian at the first signs of an odor to properly diagnose a potential health issue.
Spaying your dog protects against pregnancy and prevents her from contributing to the homeless animal problem. Spaying also helps your dog avoid reproductive cancers, uterine rupture and infections. Many trainers also advocate spaying dogs to prevent aggression and other behavioral problems. But many pet owners are still hesitant about sending their beloved pets into the vet's office for a mysterious surgery. The procedure for spaying dogs is relatively simple and rarely results in complications.
Canine constipation is a condition in which a dog has difficulty passing stools, has incomplete bowel movements or has painful elimination of solid waste. There are a variety of reasons a dog might have constipation, ranging from stress or a change in diet to certain medications or digestive health issues. If left untreated, severe constipation can result in intestinal blockage. While a vet will need to treat health-related severe constipation, you can help relieve your dog’s symptoms using a variety of natural remedies.
Ginger is a popular herbal remedy for human digestive upsets such as nausea and vomiting, and is also used for similar problems in dogs. An article in the "British Journal of Anesthesia" reports that a compound in ginger that creates the familiar taste has been shown to "enhance gastrointestinal transport in animals" or move things along, exactly what is needed in constipation. Ginger also seems to soothe an irritated digestive tract and decrease muscle spasms in the intestines that can interfere with normal elimination.
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors typically found under the dog's skin. While any dog can be affected, certain dogs are more predisposed. While the cause for the development of lipomas is still misunderstood, a few causes appear to make their appearance more likely. Understanding what may cause the eruption of such tumors may help dog owners better understand this condition. Always consult an experienced veterinarian should you notice any unusual lumps or bumps on your dog.
A cervical slot surgery is a highly invasive procedure designed to alleviate a dog's neck pain caused by vertebrae that are slipped out of alignment in the spinal column. A dog undergoing this surgery requires extensive postoperative care for several weeks to avoid any reherniation of vertebral discs.
It’s always best to have your veterinarian check any abnormality in your dog’s appearance to make sure it isn’t something serious. If your dog’s eyelid is swollen and appears red or purple, she probably has a hematoma, or bruise. While it may be harmless and easily treatable, a hematoma on the eyelid could be an indication of a more serious condition. Regardless of the cause, seeking immediate medical attention is always in your dog’s best interest.
Equine leg injuries are a major reason for temporary or permanent loss of use of the animal. For this reason, prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment are important to achieving the best possible long-term outcome. Fortunately, modern veterinary medicine offers an array of advanced techniques for discovering the cause of equine lameness and treating the problem. Always consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and treatment of your pet.
Ear mites are tiny crablike parasites that thrive on the warmth and moisture of a dog's ear canal. Because ear mites are microscopic in size, chances are you won't be able to see them -- so you will not realize your canine companion has ear mites until the dog continually scratches at its ears, or the waste accumulation from the mites' activity shows up as dark dirt particles on the dog's ears. Due to the close proximity between a mother dog and her nursing pups, transmission of mites to the youngsters is quite likely if the mother has them, as…
Just like kids, dogs are prone to occasional cuts and scrapes on their noses. Cuts can arise from such events as an eager romp through the bushes, a scuffle with another animal, a dig through a trash can or from trying to acquire a morsel from a tin can. Most treatment methods focus on cleaning the cuts and preventing infection, but it’s important that you're aware of how the cuts occurred to ensure there is no need for further treatment or other intervention.
The nose-to-tail sleeping position is an ideal napping state for dogs. Most dog owners will find that their canine companion has a favorite sleeping position. Some prefer sleeping stretched out, others prefer sleeping on their bellies or curled up nose-to-tail, and then there are the amusing paws-in-the-air back-sleepers. The curled position promotes warmth and safety and all breeds of dogs might use it while napping throughout the day.
Trimming a dog's nails can be one of the most challenging tasks in pet grooming. Most dogs don't like it, but you can avoid resistance if you start restraining the dog for nail trimming when it's a puppy, so it is used to having its paws handled from an early age. Small dogs are easier to position for trimming than large ones, but once a dog is taught to remain quiet, any dog can easily be restrained. The conditioning process takes some time, but the result is a dog that will let you trim its nails without fuss.
Your dog's paws are vital to its health and comfort. Since a dog spends all its time barefoot, it's not uncommon for its pads to become dry or cracked. Winter is especially hard on paw pads, when dogs walk on chemical treatments for ice and snow. Summer can be equally challenging with lawn fertilizers and weed killers. It's important to check your dog's paws frequently to see whether they are irritated, red, cracked or swollen. But even if they aren't, they will benefit from the use of a moisturizing, protective treatment. Before you reach for your own moisturizer, though, remember…
April showers bring May flowers, but for dog owners, the showers may bring muddy paws and necessitate spending time and effort removing muddy paw prints from the carpets, rugs and floor. However, you can minimize the work and make your life easier by cleaning muddy paws before your dog comes into the house.
Unlike humans, which can express themselves through language, dogs must rely on barking, whining and growling. While growling is a natural form of communication for canines, excessive amounts of growling may denote an underlying problem that your dog is trying to convey. Figuring out why your dog is growling requires attentiveness to its daily behaviors.
Dogs are a member of the family, granted a dirty member of the family if the yard is muddy. The pet cannot take its paws off when it comes inside the way you would take off your shoes. It is up to you to come up with mud and dirt prevention steps to limit the amount of dirt your dog tracks into the house and car.
Many dogs have sensitive feet because of breed, exposure to the elements, allergies or past experiences. If humans walked around barefoot all the time, we too might have sensitive feet. In the winter in particular, a dog's paws are exposed to extreme cold and are prone to forming balls of ice between the toes, trapped by the fur. During other seasons, your dog's paws are subjected to rough pavement, sharp rocks, burrs and thorns. Protect your dog's paws with easy-to-make socks or booties.
Many things can cause a dog's paws to chaff, dry and crack. For example, vitamin deficiencies, weather conditions and general wear and tear can all affect canine paws. You can take some simple and inexpensive steps to treat and prevent many causes of your dog's dry paws. Because the health and makeup of each dog is different, it is always wise to consult with a veterinarian regarding specific canine care questions.
If your yellow Labrador constantly scratches, licks and chews its fur or skin, there could be several reasons. Parasites such as fleas are attracted to dogs and live on their skin. Or your dog could be suffering from allergies. It's a good idea to take your dog to a veterinarian to seek solutions.
Your dog's paws provide protection to the bones and joints, as well as insulate the feet from the weather conditions. Because of these facts, it is important to care for your dog's paws. There are different paw cleaners on the market, but the only method that works is performing the maintenance yourself.
Your dog's paws can benefit from the use of lotion, cream or ointment for certain conditions. If the dog has sore, cracked or dry paw pads, applying a lotion for dogs can help. Avoid using human lotions such hand or skin creams. Most dogs will immediately lick it off their paws. Many human lotions and creams have ingredients that can make a dog sick. Some dogs will lick medicated treatments designed for animals as well, but they don't contain harmful ingredients.
Dogs possess a keen eye for treats and chew toys, but your canine pet also can help with crafts, such as painting projects. If designing a large mural about your pet or you just want to see your pup play with paint, set up a painting area in a large space. You can also use paints that are friendly to animals and monitor your dog while creating the art to prevent any accidental licking or tasting of the paint.
All games have their bugs, and "Fable 2" is no exception. Your character's dog is an integral part of the game, aiding you through combat and helping you find hidden treasure. Some players have reported glitches in which their dog gets stuck or disappears. If your dog is no longer functioning normally, there are a few different ways to fix the problem. Once you hit on the correct solution, you should have your dog back in no time.
Just like people, dogs can experience medical conditions that affect their skin, resulting in itchy skin that may scab over. These symptoms can indicate one of several conditions that may be affecting your dog. If you notice that your dog has been scratching and has scabs on its skin, a trip to the veterinarian can give you the answers regarding your dog's problem.
Puppies are subject to many viruses and illnesses, but as a dog grows up and gets regular shots, his immune system strengthens and certain diseases no longer affect him. Adult dogs suffering from severe diarrhea and respiratory problems may have canine distemper or several conditions causing these symptoms. As with any serious problems with your dog, check with your veterinarian to diagnose and properly treat your dog.
Spots, the two-headed puppy, is a virtual pet you can purchase in "DragonFable," an online role-playing game. Your character must be at least level 35 and own a Dragon Amulet, which you obtain by purchasing the lifetime standard upgrade account for the game, to purchase Spots. Spots costs 50 Dragon Coins, which is virtual currency you must purchase with real money. Spots helps you battle enemies as your pet companion.
Anal sacs provide an dog's equivalent of a driver's license or passport in canine world. The scent produced by the glands is specific to each animal, and allows dogs to identify each other with one sniff. However, pet dogs sometimes have health problems with anal sac impactions, and infections that may need to be resolved with surgical removal.
The trick to folding and tying a bandana around the dog's neck is to first iron the fabric. Ironing the bandanna softens the fabric and boosts its folding ability. A soft bandana also means no sharp edges that will bother your dog while wearing its neckwear. Once the bandana is folded and tied, take your dog out for a walk to show off your pets' sense of fashion.
Old porches with maintenance issues are often difficult to screen again. By making repairs and improving any structural problems, freshen up the porch and install brand new screening. You will need to check out the space from top to bottom before making changes. You don't want to fix up walls and door areas -- only to find out the roof requires repair.
Most dogs, like humans, are right-handed, or in this case, right-pawed, says a 1987 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience. A 2004 study published in Behavioural Brain Research isolated a gender difference in paw preference with males preferring their left and females their right. The former study used adhesive plaster on the eyes and the latter, adhesive paper on the snout. The paw chosen to remove the substance determined the dog's preference. Dog owners can use simpler tests for dog handedness.
Make your dog look extra snazzy with a homemade customized dog neck tie. Create a variety of dog ties in multiple colors to place on your dog for holidays and photo opportunities. The tie attaches to your dog's collar and stays out of the way it won't be annoyed with it like other costumes. The neck ties are great gifts for dog lovers and a special way to show your pet-loving friends that you care about them.
Dogs can lick their paws excessively for a variety of reasons. From nutritional to environmental problems and allergic dermatitis, there is usually an underlying reason. This is why it is important to find out the reason so that the source of the licking can be addressed. Meanwhile, even after the cause has been eradicated, the dog may have developed a habit that is tough to stop. The below remedies can assist with getting a dog to stop licking his paws.
The picture your dog presents to the judge gaiting around the show ring can make the difference between winning and losing. Gaiting shows the dog's movement, which tells the judge a great deal about its conformation -- the basis for judging in the breed ring.The dog must move smoothly and fluidly to present the best outline. A dog who gaits with its head down will shorten the length of its stride and round the appearance of its topline, making movement look choppy.
Shedding occurs when dogs lose their old or damaged hair, replacing it with new hair. Dogs also shed in the spring when they lose their winter coat of fur. Sometimes shedding becomes a problem when the dog develops a skin infection or allergies; the dog's hair can come out prematurely or the dog may pull it out while scratching or biting at the itchy spots. This leaves the skin raw, oozing and later flaky as it starts to heal. However, many causes of shedding and flaky skin exist.
Tooth problems in dogs are prevalent. In fact, periodontal disease in particular is the most common dental problem affecting canines. At the time of publication, over 85 percent of dogs over 2 years of age have some form of periodontal disease, according to Petplace.com. By educating yourself regarding general information on tooth problems for dogs, you can become a more-responsible dog owner.
