August 8th, 2008
Many dog owners do not realize that the dog can have many of the same health issues as humans do. Almost everyone has heard a dog sneeze, but very few people will associate it with a health condition. Dogs can get colds, just like their masters.
Dogs just like humans can also become overweight and even obese. This happens because the dog is not fed the proper food, the correct portions and or does not receive adequate amounts of exercise. Very similar to the reasons a human can become overweight and obese.
Dogs and humans can also have the same diseases. Mostly stemming from eating unhealthy foods and the wrong amount of the right foods. Some of these diseases are heart disease and diabetes. These can be treatable and maintained through a change in the dogs diet, lifestyle and possibly medication as well. However, you can minimize your dogs chance of being diagnosed with a disease because you failed to take proper care of him.
Allergies can also effect dogs, so don’t be misled into thinking that humans are the only ones that suffer from allergies. Our loving companions can also have severe allergies. Dogs will usually begin to scratch if they are suffering from an allergic reaction. However, they can also have problems with their respiratory system due to allergies.
If your dog begins to sneeze, cough and or wheeze, this could be a sign of respiratory related issues. You should contact your vet and bring your dog in for a check up. Your dog can also begin to show signs of runny nose, eyes and other similar cold like symptoms in humans.
It is estimated that about 20% of dogs in the U.S. have an allergy of some type. Many owners do not even realize that their dog is showing symptoms of allergies. Here are some of the most common allergies dogs suffer from.
Flea allergies are among the most popular and common allergies for an animal to suffer from. The flea itself does not give the reaction to the dog. It is actually the bite the flea gives. The saliva can cause an allergic reaction in many dogs.
Food allergies is another common allergy among dogs. This is usually because the dog has consumed a food that its system can not handle. Among the food allergies in dogs, it is most common to notice a reaction after the dog has eaten pork, soy products, wheat, milk, eggs, corn, beef, fish, artificial sweeteners and whey. If you know your dog has an allergy to a specific food, be sure to read the labels on the food you purchase.
After you have given your dog a new brand of food or a new food you should watch for some changes in behavior. They can be showing signs of an allergic reaction. Of you are aware of the change in behavior after consuming new food, you might want to contact your vet. At a bare minimum discontinue feeding the food that might have been the cause for the allergic reaction.
Some behavior changes can be scratching the ears more frequently than usual. Vigorous shaking of the dogs head can be the dog trying to rid himself of the feeling he does not understand. Other symptoms can include, diarrhea, vomiting, sneezing, biting at rear feet or licking them continuously.
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February 16th, 2008
Your pet’s health issues are one of the most important things you need to know about your furry, feathered, or scaled animal friends. A healthy pet is a happy pet, and you should be able to recognize some of the signs of trouble brewing in the health of your pet. It is for the sake of your pet, as well as for the sake of your family and any other animals that live in your household.
If you have a pet you must be aware of everything about that animal. Everything. If your pet lives, like most pets, inside our houses and closely around us and our children (and other pets as well) poor health trouble for one pet could spell trouble for the entire household. Take, for instance, the problem of fleas. If one of your nonhuman family members has fleas it becomes a plague upon the household. It is one of those contagious pet health issues that can make everyone suffer. The first sign of fleas is, of course, scratching, particularly around the ears and rubbing the eyes. This is because fleas need water just like every other living thing, and where is the water on an animal’s body the easiest to access?
That being said, scratching incessantly can also mean that your furry, feathered, or scaled friend has a skin problem, such as an allergy, that can make its life - as well as yours - terribly uncomfortable. If there are no signs of fleas, try to analyze anything in the pet’s environment that has changed just before the scratching started. It may be something as simple as washing the bedding in a different soap. If nothing comes readily to mind, please take your pet to the veterinarian to make sure that the itching is not contagious so that you can get some relief for the poor, scratching animal!
Another thing that may not be so obvious is a sudden change in your pet’s behavior. Has your otherwise docile pet become suddenly very aggressive toward others? This could be a sign of a developing health problem, such as the onset of an illness or perhaps the poisoning of your pet by a commercial dog food. Since this is becoming more of a problem these days, it should be checked by your veterinarian before it gets any worse. There are new studies suggesting that the pet food we serve our pets can be hazardous to their health due to the large quantities of chemical that are being added to the base ingredient, either by design or by accident when using salvaged parts of other animals that already have the chemicals in their system.
Your first line of defense in keeping your pet healthy is you. You need to know your animal, their habits, and their health to the extent that you know your children’s. If you choose to have an animal be a part of your family you must remember that the animal can be a detriment to the health of the humans in the household if it becomes ill. Be fair to you family. Be fair to your pets. It was not their choice to be there, so it is your responsibility to take care of them. Stay in contact with the veterinarian, make sure your pet has all their shots, and give them all the love and attention you can. Be proactive, not reactive. Try not to have to worry about your pet’s health issues. You will all be healthier and happier for it!
Having always had pets of one sort or another it is very important to me to know everyone is taking good care of their own pets and knowing any pet health issues prevelant today. We can start with what goes into our pets with help from http://pethealthreviews.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_Cossey
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