Archive for the 'Dog Health' Category



What is canine stem cell research

Sunday 1 January 2012 @ 2:48 pm
by Ken Brock

Canine adult stem cell applications are rapidly improving and adapting to the times. Adult stem cell therapies are utilized to treat many diseases today. The most well known stem cell therapy use is the umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants and also the peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow stem cell transplants.

Cell therapy has the ability to clone organs which can be transplanted into humans whose livers, kidneys and heart is failing. The most crucial potential use of human stem cells is the generation of cells and problems that might be employed for cell-based therapies.

When your canine friend gets sick by old age or tears a ligament or his bones don’t heal, adult stem cells are the body’s natural system of renewal. Fewer stem cells are released into circulation as the dog reaches an adult or old age. If you find a high number of circulating stem cells in the canine or human, the faster and much more complete is the repair and renewal. More stem cells in circulation, better overall health. Who’d want our canine friends to become ill?

What are the common sicknesses that adult stem cells can cure?

Surprisingly, adult stem cells can cure stroke and traumatic bran injury. In healthy adult animals, progenitor cells migrate inside the brain and function primarily to keep neuron populations for olfaction (the sense of smell). In case of a brain injury, substantial recovery is rarely seen in adults, suggesting deficiencies in robustness.

Stem cells are harvested in the dog’s fat. The stem cells harvested are injected in to the dog’s most painful body part. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate between tissues. Since the stem cells originated from the pet they’re injected to, it is almost impossible for rejection.

If ever the stem cell gets rejected, an ovum will be harvested from an animal and it’s DNA is going to be sucked out. Then new DNA would be extracted from a cell in the patient and inserted into the evacuated ovum, creating the patients embryonic clone.

Is the dog a candidate for canine adult stem cell treatment? Dogs that have not responded or cannot tolerate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and dogs that aren’t good candidates for orthopedic surgery are the candidates for stem cell treatment. While dogs with early arthritis or have multiple joints afflicted with arthritis will also be candidates for stem cell treatment.

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Knowing the Different Types of Dog Skin Problems

Friday 30 December 2011 @ 5:33 pm
by Jennifer Gretson

There are different kinds of dog skin problems that you can possibly encounter. No dog is really safe from these so as a pet owner, you should take it upon yourself to protect your pets. Knowing the illnesses would also render you more knowledgeable with the symptoms that they would display.

Allergies are the most common among these dog skin problems. They often manifest themselves as canine atopy. This allergy is caused by certain agents like pollen or dust mites that get inhaled by pets. The allergies often come out right at the muzzle and feet as well as around the eyes and ear area.

The autoimmune system may also be the main cause of allergies. In this case, the vet often prescribed immunotherapy whereby shots are administered to help boost the dog’s immune system. This is being done on a regular basis.

Even the weather is known to help increase the chances of dog skin problems. Summer days can easily trigger the appearance of hot spots wherein the dogs would have these red patched right on their skin. These spots can be easily prevented through the use of corticosteroids but you should never use these meds without the prescription of a vet.

Dogs who often lick themselves clean may also cause dog skin problems known as dog lick granulomas. The excessive saliva can eventually ulcerate portions of the dog’s coat usually around the wrist or ankles of their body. Sometimes, an underlying medical condition becomes the root of this granuloma.

Aside from these documented cases of dog skin problems, there are also certain illnesses which may be caused by infectious viruses. When this happens, you need to bring them soonest to the vet so that you would easily counter the effects of the illness. Among the usual are canine scabies.

In addition to this, dog fleas are also quite a common problem encountered. The flea bites become irritating because of the saliva that gets left behind and this becomes too itchy for the dog to bear.

Dog skin problems can be soothed temporarily but permanent relief may only be prescribed by a vet. So if you suspect your dog to have a case of any of the illnesses mentioned, you need to be wary and bring them to the vet the soonest time possible.

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Types and Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies

Thursday 29 December 2011 @ 5:52 pm
by Jennifer Gretson

Dog skin allergies happen in different ways and because of different causes. No dog is totally safe from them so as a dog owner, you may want to take it into consideration to know what these common types of allergies are and how they are likely to appear on your dogs.

The common causes of allergies are biting insects. More specifically, among dogs they are known to be fleas. It’s not the bite that actually causes the hives or dog skin allergies but rather the saliva of these fleas that get left behind when they bite.

Aside from this, dogs can also have canine atopy. Atopy is the type of allergy wherein inhalants can be the trigger. Among the most common causes of atopy are pollen, dust mites, and other particles that can get mixed with the air your pets breathe.

Of course, there are also those who experience allergic reactions with certain food types. In here, it would be important to get your pets into some allergy test to be able to identify what specific food types should be avoided.

There are also different ways in which these dog skin allergies would manifest themselves. The most obvious is frequent scratching especially right on the ears of the dog and the hind legs. If you observe that your dog seem to be scratching too much and gnawing on their body parts, better check those areas for any wounds or current infestations.

You can also observe that dogs with allergic reactions would tend to have reddish spots on their skin. This is why it is important to give your dog a regular bath not just to prevent bacteria and fleas from settling into their coats but so that you can also inspect the condition of their skin.

Skin infections, if left untreated, can eventually become dermatitis. These cases are often caused by flea infestations that have been untreated. This can be very uncomfortable and can lead to further infection if the dogs are simply allowed to scratch and lick them.

When your dog is suspected to have dog skin allergies, you need to make it a point to bring them to the vet. This would be the best way for their condition to be further assessed so that the right solution and prescriptions would be given to your dog.

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Oral Health For Canines: Learn The Way To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Wednesday 28 December 2011 @ 7:51 pm
by Steven Nelson

With your dog’s head in your lap, hold it’s muzzle. With your other hand stroke it a number of times and then lift its top lip, exposing the teeth. Do this softly a number of times to get your dog used to this new area being handled. Every time it permits you to lift the gum without shaking, give a treat!

Do this regularly for the following couple of days until your dog becomes used to your hands being over his muzzle and lifting its lip. Next, put a dab of toothpaste on your finger and let your dog smell and lick it. Then put more on its gums and teeth. Although it’s unlikely, if your dog doesn’t like it try something you know it'll like and continue rubbing it softly on its teeth and gums. Later , once it’s cosy, switch and use the dog toothpaste.

I really don't think they're going to enjoy mint-flavored toothpaste as much, though you can try! Poultry-flavor or beef seem to be the absolute best. Whenever you put a little toothpaste on its teeth and gums reward it with a treat, along with your regular oral love-talk! It'll learn that this novel experience is neither a threat nor painful. Do this for the next few days to get it used to the process.

With a small piece of the compress or dental pad, dab on a little bit of toothpaste and gently rub your dog’s gums and teeth. Slow, circular movements won't frighten your dog. Spend only one or two seconds doing this to start with. Praise your dog and give it a treat. Do this for the following couple of days till you believe your pet is ready for dog teeth cleaning.

Time for cleaning your dog’s teeth: Fill up one side of the toothbrush with the dog’s toothpaste. Get positioned comfortably with your dog’s head on your lap. With one hand hold his muzzle and with your finger gradually lift his lip on one side. With a rounded motion, gently brush the teeth, going down so far as the gum line. As your dog licks off the dog toothpaste dab a touch more on the brush and continue where you left off, ensuring you get all of the way along the side onto the back teeth.

Have a little break, give your treat and do the same on the other side. Don’t hurry, be gentle and loving. Dogs are creatures of regular habit like us, and daily dog teeth cleaning would be an excellent thing. Handling this every day will be a pleasant habit to start. You will both be spending special time together and it’s favourable and fun.

A minute or two of your time isn't that much when you think of what you'll save in vet fees and your dog’s discomfort and pain. Do not forget that this is a fun time for you and your dog. Do not forget to reward it often! With only a few days practice and a small amount of patience, your dog will cooperate and may even predict his teeth cleaning. Kissing your dog on his muzzle will be a treat for you too…no more bad breath and a clean set of expensive china!

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Dog Limping: The Causes and Possible Treatments For Limping In Dogs

Wednesday 28 December 2011 @ 3:34 pm
by Steve Weber

Many dogs are brought to the vet because they have started limping. Some heal through rest and others require treatment at some point. We want to find out whether we should visit the veterinarian or perhaps wait to see if healing happens or not.

There are many things you can do to help decide. These are just ideas and if you're uncomfortable with them it’s best to arrange an appointment with the vet to grasp more about dog limping and its causes.

If your dog starts holding up one leg it is feasible there's a foreign object stuck between the toes, or maybe there's a distended are on the pad due to inflammation. Your dog may have been bitten by an ant or spider. Conscientiously and softly examine the toes and pad. Determine the quantity of agony your dog is showing. Infrequently it is best to wait and watch for a day or so. If it hasn't improved after this time, or gets even worse, go on and take him to the vet as soon as you can.

If you can see nothing strange in the foot, look for sensitivity in the dog’s leg by carefully running your hands all of the way up. Flex the joints thoroughly to establish sensitivity. If pain is spotted, it’s possible your dog twisted a joint or partially ripped a tendon. If it still walks with the tender leg, allow it to be for a day or 2 so that you can watch for changes. Just let your dog outside when necessary and otherwise let it rest. If it does not improve after this time then schedule a trip to the vet.

If your dog’s leg is plainly damaged or evidently agonizing, don’t hesitate at all in going to the vet. Your dog may limp sometimes, be Alright for some time, but then start limping again. This is tough to resolve. Older dogs can have infrequent joint agony in their legs or back and may need liquid glucosamine 1500, but if your dog isn't old, it may have trained a muscle either in the back or legs. Rest is recommended till it either recovers or a visit to the vet is made.

He can prescribe medicine for the agony and it would be best to do a comprehensive enquiry into complications beforehand. There are natural additions, herbal remedies and acupuncture available that treat lameness.

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