K9 Magazine » Dog Advice

How to Stop a Dog Shedding

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:22:48 +0000

Dog shedding is a real problem in my home. Having a black dog and a light furred dog, I experience a seasonal shedding problem that, for alternate weeks, sees my carpet covered in light dog hairs and then dark dog hairs. Further, my clothing gets the full brunt of this shedding problem. I go out and notice hairs sticking to shirts, jackets – even the seats and footwells of my car. The dogs get brushed regularly with a supposedly non shedding dog brush, but it has little effect. So what is the solution to the perennial problem of how to stop a dog shedding?

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

How to Stop a Dog Shedding

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Should You Pet That Guide Dog?

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:09:54 +0000

Assistance Dog Etiquette: It is often hard to resist petting a cute, floppy eared dog when you see one. So, what do you do when you see a guide dog curled under a restaurant table, or walking along side a person who is blind or visually impaired? The Pennsylvania Association for the Blind encourages following these guidelines when encountering these specially bred and trained dogs;

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Should You Pet That Guide Dog?

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Canine Diabetes Can’t Stop This Plucky Dog

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:53:41 +0000

Being diagnosed with canine diabetes and suffering with blindness hasn’t stopped thirteen-year-old Collie-cross, Shadow, from Glasgow, from living life to the full thanks to ongoing life-saving treatment from the city’s PDSA vets.

Loyal Shadow, who lives up to his name because he rarely leaves the side of his owner, Helen Bryce (75), was first diagnosed three-years-ago.

Unable to afford the ongoing, life-saving treatment Shadow required, Helen contacted PDSA and was able to register Shadow for treatment at the charity’s Glasgow East PetAid hospital. Shadow was put on insulin to control his blood sugar levels, which Helen now gives him twice a day. She also brings him into PDSA every month to collect his medication and for blood tests and general check-ups.

Canine Diabetes Can't Halt Shadow

Sadly, in September 2008, Shadow developed complications and his blood sugar levels caused cataracts to develop in his eyes. Over the next five months he slowly lost his sight and is now blind in both eyes.

Canine Diabetes

Helen from Croftfoot, Glasgow, was initially devastated at the diagnosis. “I thought that was the end. But the vet explained he would be fine with the right treatment.

“Shadow and I have been together for over 12 years. He was still just a puppy when we brought him home from a local rescue centre. He was quite timid and scared of men at first – even my late husband. The rescue centre told us he’d probably been mistreated. But he eventually learned to trust us both and we soon became inseparable, that’s why my husband named him Shadow, because that’s exactly what he acts like – my shadow.”

Diabetes in Dogs: No Reason for Dispair

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Dermot Mullen, says: “There is no reason why diabetic pets can’t live full, long and happy lives. Looking after a diabetic pet takes a lot of commitment from an owner as they play a vital role in their ongoing treatment at home as well as bringing them in for regular checks.”

Canine Diabetes Side Effects

Dermot continues: “Blindness is a common side-affect of diabetes. But most pets cope incredibly well with losing their sight and continue their life as they did before; Shadow is no exception.”

Helen adds: “Shadow has adapted very well since losing his sight. We still enjoy our daily walks together and he loves playing with his toys. Sometimes, when I talk to him, he leans his head to the side and looks straight at me, as though he can really see me.

“He loves visiting PDSA and especially looks forward to seeing Dermot, who has been great and taught me how to inject Shadow’s insulin. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without PDSA’s help and support.”

PDSA provides free veterinary treatment for the pets of eligible owners in need. For further information about PDSA PetAid services please call 0800 731 2502 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk

Treatment For Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes – Treatment Options For Your Diabetic Dog

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, early treatment by your veterinarian will help prevent further complications from this disease. Your pet may be saved from the painful experience of nerve damage as well as avoiding blindness. Conventional treatments will go a long way to keeping your dog healthy.

Insulin Injections

Depending upon your dog’s needs, insulin injections will be given one to two times daily. The amount of insulin used for each dose and how often these doses are given will depend upon your veterinarian. Some dogs will be able to take tablets instead of being given shots.

Insulin doses are typically given in smaller amounts at the start of treatment so that the blood sugar levels can slowly stabilize. Under extreme circumstances this may require your dog to be treated in the hospital for a few days. If his diabetes is more stable, then your dog may receive outpatient treatment.

During this period, your dog’s blood sugar will be monitored every hour in order to determine the exact dose of insulin he will need on a regular basis. Once the correct measurement of insulin has been reached, your veterinarian will instruct you to monitor your dog by testing his urine and/or blood.

Proper Diet and Diabetes in Dogs

With diabetes, there is nothing more important to increase your dog’s life expectancy than with a strict diet. In fact, it is so important to your dog to eat accordingly when he has this disease, that there is a chance that his diabetes can go into full remission just from the change of diet alone.

You should be feeding your diabetic dog meals that are high in fiber and low to moderate and carbohydrates. Now is the time to start cooking your dog’s meals from the home with meats and other raw ingredients.

Before you decide what to feed him, it would be wise to consult with a holistic veterinarian who has education on nutrition. Your goal should be to utilize food as “medication” so that hopefully one day your dog can stop taking “official” medication.

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Canine Diabetes Can’t Stop This Plucky Dog

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Include Veterinary Care In Holiday Plans Advises RCVS

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:45:58 +0000

If you are holidaying with your pet this summer, remember to find out about the arrangements for out-of-hours emergencies at a local veterinary practice before you go, advises the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Include Veterinary Care In Holiday Plans Advises RCVS

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Why Is My Dog Vomiting?

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:02:23 +0000

The dog vomits with ease, seemingly at will, and often without apparent cause. One thing that almost never causes a dog to vomit is eating too fast. Bolting food is the natural way for a dog.

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Why Is My Dog Vomiting?

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Help!! I Think I Am Allergic To My Dog

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:00:09 +0000

Does the presence of your dog cause you to sneeze unmercifully? Do your eyes fill with tears of misery instead of tears of joy when your canine companion wants to be close? Many of us who love animals find that we can’t even pet them without having severe allergic reactions. Miserable allergies prevent us from sharing our lives with the four-legged friends we adore.

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Help!! I Think I Am Allergic To My Dog

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On Trial: Butchers Chicken and Tripe

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:15:11 +0000

To get the summer off to a good start we have given one lucky K9 Magazine reader the chance to test Butchers Chicken and Tripe to see what benefits the change of diet has on their dog. With long days spent outside and sunny, summer outings to be had, what better time to implement changes to your dog’s diet where both you and your dog will see and feel the results.

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

On Trial: Butchers Chicken and Tripe

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Summer Care and Safety Tips For Dogs

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:52:02 +0000

As summer leads to warmer weather and more time outside, Bark Busters advises pet owners to take special precautions for their dogs. Bark Busters – the world’s largest dog training company offers some helpful tips for dog owners on how to keep their canine companions happy, cool and safe during the dog days of summer.

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Summer Care and Safety Tips For Dogs

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Can Dogs Get Hay Fever?

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:52:02 +0000

The emergence of Spring into Summer, with flowers, tree blossom, green shoots and singing birds will I’m sure uplift the spirit and bring joy to all. However, for some it also brings familiar symptoms of sneezes, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Do our dogs suffer with the same discomfort and what are the signs and symptoms?

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Can Dogs Get Hay Fever?

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Keep Your Dog Cool As Temperatures Soar

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:52:02 +0000

The RSPCA is urging pet owners to make sure their four-legged friends do not frazzle in the heat this summer. With temperatures set to rise this weekend, the charity is reminding dog owners to not leave their pets in cars, conservatories or caravans while they enjoy the sunshine.

Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog

Keep Your Dog Cool As Temperatures Soar

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