Guide choose Shampoo for Dogs

Shampoo for Dogs

Anyone who has ever tried to buy dog shampoo will know there are almost as many different types of shampoo for dogs as there are for humans. In a market flooded with numerous brands of dog shampoos on offer it is imperative to be very keen when identifying the shampoo that best suits your dog. So you need to know what kind of shampoo you need for your dog. This article is a guide to the various uses and benefits of dog shampoo, and it also talks about some of the different kinds available.
How is Pet Shampoo different to Our Shampoo?
The most important thing to remember when shampooing a dog is that you should never use human shampoo. That is because shampoos designed for human skin have a higher PH level than those designed for dogs, and this will cause irritation and allergic reactions on their skin.
+Quality ingredients:
When the composition of the shampoos is not good for your dog numerous things will go wrong. Read through the product label to check if your dog is allergic for any elements in the shampoo composition. Efficacy‐ Every pet owner wishes to leave a bright, soft and ecto‐parasite free skin coat after every bath of the pet. The shampoo must achieve its wanted objective within the shortest time possible without having to use much of the shampoo.
+Physical Properties of the shampoos:
This is because shampoos designed for human skin have a higher PH level than those designed for dogs, and this will cause irritation and allergic reactions on their skin. Good dog shampoos should lather very easily, there low PH, have a best scent and retain moisture to the surface of the skin. Different shampoos are formulated according to the different needs of various skin types, so there are many products suitable for normal skin, a few suitable for dry skin, and some designed for particularly oily skin.
If you're looking for something to treat a skin condition, you will discover dog shampoos that help with this as well. Medicated shampoos are prescribed by the doctor in serious cases of pruritis such as part of the management .They is also prescribed in the event of the mange. They include anti inflammatory elements like non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and corticoids derivatives like hydrocortisone. For example, Allergic dogs could have the hypo‐allergic shampoos that decrease the amount of irritation on the skin. These types of shampoos are helpful in the event of hypersensitivity of the skin that results in varied skin reactions manifesting such as rashes with no specific etiology.
+Cost effectiveness:
Some dogs shampoos are designed to cater for the dirt removal and hair brightening while others are purposely for parasites elimination. One shampoo which has both characteristics is the best since it is relatively priced yet it achieves two main objectives.
Safety and Buying Tips for Dog Shampoo
Be sure to look at the ingredients of your dog shampoo and check for anything that might irritate your dog. Heavy scents and some flea and ticks shampoo may irritate the skin. Follow the guidelines on the bottle and always keep even tearless shampoos out of your dog's eyes. If you try a new shampoo on your dog and it does not react well to it, you must cease applying it immediately. I hope this guide has helped you.
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All about Dog Pregnancy

Dog Pregnancy

To understand dog pregnancy, you should first get a general comprehension of how her body works. If you have a dog that is pregnant, it is a great idea to learn about the dog pregnancy stages so you know what to expect during the approximately 63 days that your dog will be pregnant.  It averages 63 days from the day of ovulation (the normal range is 56 to 66 days). Note that the day of ovulation is not usually the same as the day of breeding.  Pregnant dog symptoms are the same from dog to dog.
The Signs of Dog Pregnancy
Your dog could be pregnant and you may not notice anything at all, because the first symptoms are more subtle than any other time. The first pregnant dog symptoms might include a few different things.
+First Stages with Morning Sickness
One of the first things that you will realize in your pregnant dog is a change in your dog’s behavior. You could see your dog vomiting from morning sickness or you might notice that you dog is hungrier than usual. If your dog has morning sickness, your dog may not want to eat much, yet it is important that you feed your dog small meals throughout the day. You need to certainly keep track of how much your dog is drinking to be sure that she does not get dehydrated. Almost dogs won't skip more than one day or two without eating at least a little bit. If your dog decline to eat 3 days in a row, it will eventually then be time to call your vet for a few advice.
+Second Stage with Little Babies in the Belly & Increased Appetite
The second stage occurs at about 30 days. Now, it is very important to see that your dog is eating regularly and well. Some dogs practical experience a marked increase in their appetite nearly immediately on becoming pregnant. If this is the case, your dog may gobble down her food quickly and then remain by her bowl as though asking for much more. It is important to talk to your vet about your dog and what she should be eating and if there are vitamins or anything else you dog should be eating.
+Check Your Dog’s Temperature
The final pregnant dog symptoms that you will notice is a temperature change just before your dog gives birth. If you know the day that your dog mated, you may have a small window of time that your dog will give birth. If you will not know the day, then the best way to tell when your dog is ready to give birth is to monitor her temperature. Dogs have a standard temperature, just as humans, but dogs have a temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. When your dog goes into labor, the dog’s temperature will raises and then drop to under 98 degrees Fahrenheit. When your dog’s temperature drops, you will expect to see puppies during the next 24 hours of time.
In summary, if you think that your dog may be pregnant, you should take your dog to the vet who will do an ultrasound to determine if your dog really is pregnant. Almost vets will want to wait until your dog is at least 21 days into the pregnancy, since it is easier to see the little puppies in the uterus.
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Canine Skin Allergies- Cause, Symptoms and Treament of Skin Allergies in Dogs

Canine skin allergy is a common condition that causes inflamed and itchy skin. The number of dogs with allergies has increased dramatically in recent years. It is now estimated that one in ten dogs suffer from allergic symptoms. The skin is the largest organ in the body and so it is not entirely surprising that skin diseases account for a significant proportion of visits to both doctors and vets. A wide range of causes including external parasites, infections and allergies, or metabolic problems and stress, or a combination of these might be affecting your dog’s skin.

Canine skin allergies

Causes of Canine Skin Allergies
The main causes of skin allergies in dogs are – atopy (allergies to things that are breathed in), food allergies and contact allergies, as well as flea allergies. Atopic allergies are the most common and are caused by allergic reactions to inhaled allergens such as pollen from trees and grass, which tends to be around for some weeks at a particular time of year. There are many causes of skin abnormalities in dogs, and identifying the main cause is not always simple. Thus, you should visit your vet for an exam as soon as you notice any abnormality in your pet’s skin or hair.
Symptoms of Skin Allergies in Dogs
Skin allergies are common in dogs. There might be all or some of these symptoms. A typical itchiness so that the dog is chewing, licking and scratching in a stressful way, often even stopping to scratch during eating or during a walk. The skin becomes red and inflamed and in extreme cases the skin is broken. The damaged skin eventually will become darkened and thickened. The damaged spots then get bacterial or fungal infections and may begin to smell.
Treatment for Canine Skin Allergies
Treating skin allergies in dogs is never easy and can often be a lifelong battle. Effective treatment of allergic skin reactions depends on the cause of the condition. For instance, if the dog has flea bite hypersensitivity, where by the allergen is flea saliva, treatment needs eliminating the dog’s exposure to fleas. Allergies cannot be cured and require lifelong treatment. Even so, with the appropriate treatments the prognosis is generally very good. If a food allergy is partly or wholly involved, a non allergic diet must be chosen. There are several measures that dog owners can take to help ease a dog’s skin allergy symptoms. They may be include:
+Immunotherapy
If the cause of the allergy has been identified, then the dog is usually treated by injecting it with increasing amounts of the allergen. This may take up to ten months of treatment and works in two thirds of the cases. The initial injections will probably be given at a vet's surgery, to make sure your dog doesn't have an allergic shock reaction. Althought this treatment is going on, your dog continues to need treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs like antihistamines or steroids. Shampoos and ear cleaners may also be useful
+Anti-inflammatory treatment
1. Essential Fatty Acids:These are fish and plant (e.g. Evening Primrose or Borage) oils.
2. Antihistamines:These are the same drugs used to treat allergies and sea sickness in humans, though they should only be given under veterinary supervision. Your vet might want to try several different drugs to find which works the best.
3.Steroids: These are very effective in stopping skin inflammation but in the long run may have side effects
4. Local applications: Peppermint oil or menthol compounds and camomile lotions can be soothing when put on skin that is acutely inflamed.
There is no realistic way to prevent a dog from becoming hypersensitive to things in its environment, which finally may cause intense, randomly skin itchiness and the licking, scratching, biting and self-trauma very often accompany skin allergies. Even so, once the inciting causes of skin allergies are identified, owners will prevent further allergic outbreaks by keeping their dogs away from those allergens.
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Feline Distemper- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Distemper in Cats

Feline distemper(Feline Panleukopenia virus or call FPV) is a contagious viral disease that affects cats' digestive systems, nervous systems or bone marrow and lymph tissues. This particular virus affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body, mostly the cells inside intestinal tract or bone marrow and in the stem cells of the developing fetus. Since the blood cells are under attack, this virus will lead to an anemic condition and can be fatal to the affected cat. Kittens should be vaccinated who are older than 4 to 6 weeks for panleukopenia and receive booster shots each year.
Symptoms of Feline Distemper
Symptoms typically show up within 10 days of infection. The first symptoms to seem are usually a high fever and loss of appetite. Symptoms will vary, they may also include vomiting or diarrhea and dehydration. This disease will kill very rapidly, and is really common. Any cat which is behaving abnormally or has any symptoms should be taken to a vet immediately.
Symptoms other may include:
+Vomiting
+Diarrhea or bloody diarrhea
+Dehydration
+Weight loss
+Sometimes high fever                                              
+Anemia (cause by lowered red blood cells)
+Rough hair coat
+Depression
+Complete loss of interest in food
+Some other cats may hide themselves for a day or two
Causes of Feline Distemper
Feline disetemper is primarily spread through contact with an infected animal's bodily fluids, feces, or other fomites, along with by fleas. The virus is shed in the bodily excretions of affected animals for up to 6 weeks following infection and has a particular affinity for feline feces. Feline parvovirus is very resistant to many disinfectants and can survive in the environment for months to years. Cats turn into infected by direct exposure to infected feces, salivary secretions and viral particles on inanimate objects (shoes, food and water dishes, towels or clothing).
Treatment for Feline Distemper
There is no cure for feline distemper. This is why it is important to get kittens vaccinated with the feline distemper vaccine. If your cat affected will require immediate live saving treatment. The primary effects of feline distemper - vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, depression and dangerous secondary bacterial infections - will quickly become life-threatening if not treated swiftly and aggressively.  And because this virus affects the immune system, your veterinarian may prescribe prophylactic antibiotics to prevent opportunistic infections from taking hold. Provide a quiet, warm space for your cat to recover, away from active areas of the house, and separate from other animals and active children. Follow your veterinarian's guidelines as far as dispensing medication, household disinfection, and necessity for quarantine.
Vaccination is the most important tool in the prevention of this disease. Before you carry a cat into your home be sure to ask your veterinarian to include the FPV vaccine in the standard vaccination package.
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Distemper in Dogs- Cause, Symptoms and Treatment of Canine Distemper

What is Canine Distemper?
Canine Distemper is a very contagious, popular disease which is often fatal. It is a virus that affects a dog’s respiratory, along with gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, along with the conjunctival membranes of the eye. Worldwide, it is the leading cause of infectious disease deaths in dogs, while in the United States it occurs only sporadically. Though its incidence has diminished greatly caused by vaccination, distemper cases and outbreaks are still found sporadically.
Cause of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is caused by the canine distemper virus. This virus mayinfect several other species including ferrets and wild animals like coyotes, foxes or wolves, skunks and raccoons. Animals often become infected by primary contact with virus particles from the secretions of other infected animals (typically via inhalation). Indirect transmission (ie., carried on food or other objects) isn't popular because the virus will not survive for long in the environment. The virus is usually shed by dogs for several weeks after recovery.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper

In the initial stages of Canine Distemper, the major symptoms include high fever (103 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 to 41C), reddened eyes and a watery discharge from the nose or eyes. An infected dog becomes lethargic and tired, and in most cases become anorexic. Persistent coughing and vomiting or diarrhea can also occur. In the later stages of the disease, the virus begins attacking the other systems of the dog’s body, especially the nervous system. The brain and spinal cord might be affected and the dog can begin having fits, seizures or paralysis and attacks of hysteria.
Symptoms may be include:

Canine Distemper

+Fever 39C to 41C (103 to106 degrees Fahrenheit)
+Loss of appetite
+Depression
+Cough
+Nasal discharge                                
+Vomiting
+Diarrhea
+Eye infection
+Pneumonia
Other symptoms: Nerve Symptoms of dog distemper include:
+Seizures
+Muscle twitching
+Deterioration of mental abilities
+Loss of motor skills
+Complete or partial paralysis
+Increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, like pain or touch (Hyperesthesia)
A fever is sometimes the initial symptom but will go unnoticed. Symptoms become much more severe and noticeable as the disease progresses. Canine distemper is sometimes also know as “hard pad disease” because certain strains of the virus can cause an abnormal enlargement or thickening of the pads of an animal’s feet. In dogs with weak immune systems, death may result 2 to 4 weeks after the initial infection.
Treatment for Canine Distemper
Unfortunately, there is no treatment specific to the distemper virus, so treatment include managing the various symptoms and secondary infections. If the dog has become anorexic or has diarrhea, intravenous supportive fluids might be given. Discharge from the eyes and nose need to be cleaned away regularly. Antibiotics might be prescribed to control the symptoms caused by a secondary infection, and phenobarbitals and potassium bromide may be needed to control convulsions and seizures.
Prevention
There is no specific treatment for canine distemper, though supportive therapy in the form of intravenous fluids are often given to correct the fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhoea. The most effective form of protection against this virus is by way of vaccination. You are pleased to know that there are some vaccines that offer a duration of immunity of three years, meaning your dog is protected for a full three years.
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Arthritis in Dogs- Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Arthritis

Arthritis in dogs is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians. When we talk about arthritis in dogs, we're often referring to the leg joints, as well as describing dogs who are stiff and sore when they move. Arthritis affects one out of every five dogs. There are two types of arthritis that affects dogs. The first is known as Osteoarthritis, or OA, and the second is known as Degenerative Joint Disease, or DJD. Some cases of arthritis are related to an immune-mediated joint disease or a joint infection.
Symptoms Of Dog Arthritis
Dogs with degenerative arthritis experience varying degrees of lameness, stiffness, and joint pain, that is more apparent in the morning and after getting up from a nap. They usually exhibit irritability and behavioral changes associated with increasing disability. Cold and damp environment increase pain and stiffness. Degenerative arthritis is progressive, along with in time makes the dog’s life miserable. If a dog has infective arthritis, he shows the symptoms described above, but the affected joints are also often swollen and painful. He usually have a fever, and be quite unwell. The lymph nodes in areas of the infected joints will be enlarged. Similarly, dogs with immune mediated arthritis also have symtoms of fever and reduced appetite or lethargy. The lameness comes and go, and it may appear to affect legs.
Some other symptoms include:

Dog Arthritis

+Favoring a limb                    
+Difficulty sitting or standing
+Sleeping more
+Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
+Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs
+Weight gain
+Decreased activity
+Attitude or behavior changes
+Being less alert
If your dog usually have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks take him to your veterinarian for an arthritis evaluation.
Treatment of Dog Arthritis
Once you have determined your dog has arthritis, it is important to start treatment right away. Canine arthritis treatment options can include physical therapy, medications or natural supplements and sometimes even surgery. Acupuncture is another therapy that has shown good results for arthritic dogs. All these should be used at the same time.
+Physical Therapy
Moderate exercise is beneficial because it maintains muscle mass and preserves joint flexibility. Excessive exercise, even so, is counterproductive. Swimming is an excellent exercise that improves muscle mass without overstressing the joints. Exercise is usually increased as the dog improves with the use of medications. Overweight dogs must be encouraged to lose weight. Being overweight very seriously complicates the treatment of arthritis.
+Immune-Mediated Arthritis
Immune-mediated arthritis reacts to anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy agents. Treatment need to be continued for eight weeks or longer. Your vet will use several drugs or drug combinations before determining which protocol works best for your dog.
In cases where conventional and alternative methods of medical management are not effective, surgical intervention might be considered. The sort of surgery needed will depend on the joint involved. Some surgeries may include: joint replacement (hip, elbow, etc.), fusing damaged joints and
arthroscopy.
In summary, arthritis in dogs is almost always progressive and irreversible. Fortunately, diet, medication, appropriate exercise are just three of the most effective areas to focus on for arthritis in dogs and help most affected dogs maintain a good quality of life.
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Lyphoma in Dogs- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Canine Lyphoma

Lymphoma (called Lymphosarcoma or Malignant Lymphoma) is one of the most common forms of cancer in dogs. There are between 1 to 5 cases per 10,000 of all dogs per year. Lymphoma in dogs is a common cancer of lymphocytes. Between 15% and 20% of malignant tumors in dogs are lymphomas. Lymphomas may appear in the lymph nodes, spleen or liver, and other organs. The cancer is usually aggressive and if left untreated, can cause to a high mortality. Treatment with chemotherapy has become very successful, adding months and sometimes years to the dog's life.
Symptoms of Canine Lymphoma
The symptoms of lymphoma in dogs usually commonly mimic the symptoms of many other diseases or disorders. Almost owners of dogs with multicentric or disseminated lymphoma first find pronounced enlargement of the lymph nodes on the underside of their dog’s neck or beneath and slightly behind the chin. These include the submandibular lymph nodes (the mandible is the lower jaw bone). Affected dogs usually do not seem painful when their submandibular lymph nodes are palpated and show no other unusual symptoms. Some other signs that owners could notice include one or more of the following:
+Depression

Lyphoma in Dogs
photo by: veterinarycancer.com

+Lethargy (profound)                      
+Exercise intolerance
+Fever
+Dehydration
+Weight loss
+Loss of appetite
+Vomiting
+Diarrhea
+Constipation
+Dark tarry stool (melena; digested blood showing up in the stool)
+Distended abdomen
+Abdominal discomfort
+Increased thirst and intake of water (polydypsia)
+Increased volume of urinate (polyuria)
+Cough
+Difficulty breathing
+Difficulty swallowing
+Drooling
+Skin nodules and masses (single or multiple)
+Skin scaling
+Bruised or ulcerated skin lesions
+Hair loss (alopecia; uncommon)
+Itchiness (pruritis; uncommon)
Diagnosis
You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health and onset of symptoms. The blood tests may reveal anemia, abnormally low amounts of lymphocytes in the blood (lymphopenia), an abnormally high amount of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood (neutrophilia), an abnormally high amount of monocyts (a type of white blood cell) in the blood, and abnormally low amounts of platelets (cells that are important in blood clotting), a condition named thrombocytopenia. The biochemistry profile could show abnormally high amounts of liver enzymes and calcium, a frequent finding with lymphomas. Urinalysis results are often found to be at normal levels in these patients.
Treatment for Canine Lymphoma
The treatment approach is determined by the stage of the disease. In the absence of treatment, almost of the dogs with lymphoma succumb to the disease in 4-6 weeks. The treatment for lymphoma in the dog consists of chemotherapy. Lymphoma is know as a systemic disease, making surgery and radiation impractical and ineffective. There may be a wide variety of chemotherapy protocols and drugs that are currently being used to treat lymphoma. The treatment commonly consists of a combination of oral and injectable drugs given on a weekly basis. Some other commonly used drugs include cyclophosphamide, vincristine or doxorubicin, and prednisone.  During chemotherapy, patients are more prone to various infections, which can quickly become complicated, so you will need to watch your dog for any signs of infection. Call your veterinarian immediately if you observe any untoward symptom in your dog. While most veterinarians can administer the treatment protocols, owners of a dog with lymphoma could initially want to look for a consultation with a veterinary oncologist to inform themselves of any new treatment recommendations.

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