Eczema for Dogs

Eczema for Dogs

Canine Hot Spots (Moist Dermatitis/Eczema)

Author: Matthew Homfray

Also known as Acute Moist Dermatitis or Moist Eczema, Hot Spots can seemingly appear spontaneously anywhere on a dogs body and the area involved can rapidly spread. This raw, unsightly skin disorder has a variety of causes but the most consistent factor is a bacterial infection. There are a number of kinds of bacteria that can be cultured from a hot spot and fortunately most respond to oral and topical antibiotics. Anything that irritates or breaks the skin can create the right environment for bacterial contamination if the skin surface is wet. The bodys response is either to itch or become inflamed. The itching then causes the dog to lick or chew the area, which further damages the skin, and creates a cycle of itching, scratching and chewing. If left to develop the infection goes into the deep layers of the skin.

Hot spots tend to occur most often in the summer months, and dogs with matted, dirty coats are at greater risk of developing them. Some owners keep their long haired dogs shaved in the summer, which helps prevent the thick coat from covering any dampness on the surface of the skin. Regular grooming enables swift intervention if a hot spot is developing; often they will simply get worse and worse until treated so veterinary help is advisable. A hot spot that is left untreated may turn into a lick granuloma, which can be difficult to get rid of.

Typical locations for "hot spots" are the side of the face and the flank areas. Golden retrievers and young dogs seem to be predisposed, while they are seldom, if ever, found in cats.

What to look out for – Scratching or biting at one area incessantly – A patch of hair loss with reddened moist skin, often with a film of pus – Scabs and crusts – Surrounding hair wet from saliva

Diagnosis is usually obvious from the clinical signs, but your veterinarian may be inclined to search for any contributing factors by doing allergy testing, or take a bacteriology swab so that antibiotic selection is targeted specifically at the bacterium responsible. If the hot spot is on the dogs back leg it is worth checking the anal glands are not the source of the discomfort by emptying them.

Treatment – Clip the hair around the hot spot. The hot spot may be more extensive than it originally appears. Clipping will expose the area to the air and accelerate healing (scabbing over) – Topical medication: the area can be cleaned with an antiseptic solution suchas chlorhexidine, and a topical antibiotic cream applied. There is little point of this if the dog will simply lick the cream off (i.e. use buster collar, or only use topical cream if hot spot on face) – Break the scratch cycle. To allow the hot spot to heal, the dog must stop scratching at it. A one off steroid injection is usually very effective, but sometimes a short course of oral steroids is necessary. Your dog may be more hungry and thirsty while receiving corticosteroids, this is a common side effect. As a consequence, the dog may need to urinate more frequently than normal. – Oral antibiotics. The best way to deal with a deep skin infection is to deliver antibiotics to the site of the hot spot via the blood stream. If a hot spot is quite advanced, at least a 10-14 day course of a broad spectrum antibiotic is required to prevent immediate recurrence. – Elimination of predisposing factors: aggressive flea control, investigation to rule out food and pollen allergies etc.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/canine-hot-spots-moist-dermatitiseczema-70962.html

About the Author

Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the experts at www.WhyDoesMyPet.com - Expert Answers for all your Pet Questions

Visit them today, you will be impressed by the quality of their pet experts and the speed with which your question is answered!

Dog Eczema - Everything There Is To Know About It

Author: Charles Perkins

It is only normal that you are troubled by the rashes that's plaguing your pet dog's skin. After all, dog eczema is no laughing matter as it causes hair loss in your dog and leaves him constantly pestered by the itchiness of these rashes. As a dog owner, it is only logical that you seek everything that there is to know about dog eczema. A complete understanding of this canine dilemma will be useful in quelling it.

Dog eczema is no different to the same eczema that affects us humans. The only difference is that it affects dogs and their skin. What happens with dog eczema is that the skin underneath their fur becomes irritated, causing these distinct rashes to appear on your dog's skin. Particularly, it is only your dog's epidermal skin layer that becomes irritated and inflamed.

Whether your dog has long or short hair, hair loss is among the first signs of dog eczema. Your dog won't be losing all of his hair but will lose it on skin areas that are affected by eczema. Following hair loss, you will immediately notice bald patches on your dog's skin. These bald patches are often accompanied by your dog's persistent licking, scratching, or nibbling on these same areas. If you notice your dog licking, scratching, or nibbling on these bald skin areas, then you can assume that your dog is irritated by them and that there is some form of underlying skin irritation.

When you look closely at your dog's bald skin spots, you will also notice that the skin looks different. It will be dry and flaky. Aside from the obvious itchiness of these spots, you can determine if they really are rashes by comparing the skin on these areas to the skin of your dog which still has fur on it. If the skin on the bald spots look thicker and dryer compared to skin on the rest of your dog, then it is possible that your pet has dog eczema.

Later on, dog eczema may progress to its wet stage when left untreated. The dog eczema symptoms which were earlier mentioned only belong to the dry stage of this canine condition. During the wet stage of this condition, your dog's bald skin spots will no longer appear dry. While the rashes may still be thick, you will notice that they are already oozing and possibly even bleeding. Basically, during this wet stage of dog eczema, your dog's rashes are already wounded. These wounds leave your dog more prone to infections since their skin is already broken.

As soon as you notice that your dog is losing hair or if you suspect that your dog is already suffering from the dry stage of dog eczema, calling the vet is your safest option. It is not advisable that you use steroid eczema creams or ointments that are prescribed for humans on dogs. There are specific eczema creams and ointments designed for use on dog eczema. With regards to natural eczema treatments, you can consult these with the veterinarian as to which products might help with your dog's condition.

The best way to control dog eczema is not with the use of any eczema treatment though. It is always better that you identify what irritated your dog's skin in the first place. This may require you to put your dog on a "trial and error" in order to identify what caused his dog eczema. However, the reward will be fruitful with the identification of these causes since you will be able to keep skin irritants away from your dog in the long run.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/dog-eczema-everything-there-is-to-know-about-it-4483421.html

About the Author

Charles Perkins is a skin care expert. For more information related to dog eczema, visit http://www.GoodbyeEczema.com/Dog-Eczema/

Games to play with your dog

Games to play with your dog

Playing games with your dog is a great way to bond. Here are a couple great games to play with your dog.

The Trading Game
To play the trading game, you trade items of various values with your dog. The trading game teaches your dog to give up items to you upon command.

To play the trading game, you first identify your dog's favorite items. Make sure you use a variety of items, such as food treats, balls stuffed toys, and squeaky toys. To encourage your dog to give up objects, you begin with his least favorite items and trade for ones that he enjoys more.

The lessons learned by playing the trading game can be helpful in everyday situations. For example, your dog may get a hold of a new item that has high reward potential, such as a piece of pizza. If your dog is comfortable with the trading game, you should have little trouble getting the pizza away from him.

Here are the steps to learn to play the trading game with your dog

* Make a list of your dog's 10 favorite items, in order from least to favorite. The items on this list should include a variety of items, such as toys, bones and food items.

* Obtain one of your dog's least favorite items from the list

* Give the item to your dog and allow him to play with the item for a few seconds.

* Place your hand on the item and say the command "Give".

* When your dog releases the item into your hand, praise your dog and give them one of their favorite items as a reward.

* When you start playing this game, trade a less favorite item for a more favorite item. After your dog becomes comfortable, you can start trading them on the list in different orders,

The front and Center dog game
When walking your dog, you can play the front and center game to practice their skills of walking on a loose leash, paying attention to their owner and coming when called. The front and center game is a safe and easy way to practice the come command when there are distractions around, since your dog is on a leash during the game.

To begin playing the front and center game with your dog. Take your dog for a walk on a loose leash at your side and then say the "Let's Go" command and begin walking forward quickly. You then say the "Come" command and jog backwards for at least five steps to have your dog practice coming to you. When your dog turns and runs towards you, you should praise them as a reward.

When playing front and center with your dog, make sure you jog backwards instead of turning around and running away from your dog. You should also make sure you do not pull your dog toward you with the leash. Your dog should turn and come to you on their own.

Here are the steps to play the front and center game while walking your dog

* With your dog on a loose leash at your left side, say the command "Let's Go" and then walk forward at a quick pace.

* Call your dog's name and say the command "Come"

* Jog backwards at least five steps away from your dog

* As your dog turns and runs toward you, encourage him to keep him moving toward you

* When your dog is right in front of you, praise him.

Hope you enjoyed. Check back to see more dog tricks, tips, games etc.

Here is the link back to the main page for much more valuable dog training tips and tricks. Enjoy

10 Commandments of Owning a Dog

10 Canine Commandments

I just love this one so much and the image is very hard to read (because the writing is so small) I just love my dog so much and this one touches my heart so I am retyping the commandments (right from my dog's mouth :-)

1) My life is likely to be 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful to me. Remember that before you buy me.

2) Give me time to understand what you want from me.

3) Place your trust in me. it's crucial to my well being.

4) Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.

5) Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words. I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6) Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7) Remember before you hit me, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand but I choose not to bite you.

8) Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something may be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak.

9) Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old.

10) Go with me on difficult journeys, Never say "I can't bear to watch it" or "let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there.

Remember that I am your dog and I love you.

This is just one that I had to make sure that every dog owner could read :-)


Visit the main page of the blog for lots of information in caring for your dog
Here is the link

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs

Author: AnneMing

If you are a dog lover or you own a dog, then you want to know all of the signs that your dog is not healthy. If your dog is not feeling good, then you want to know the signs and symptoms that your dog is experiencing so you can help your dog get healthy. UTI (urinary tract infection) is very painful for us humans and it is just the same for dogs. Uti infections in dogs come in many stages. Here are some of the warning signs that you can observe in your dog if your dog has UTI.

Since there are many different degrees of this disease, the warning signs vary due to the severity of the illness. If your dog has a mild case of UTI, then your dog might whimper or yelp due to the discomfort or pain. If your dog has a mild case of UTI, then this can be dealt with very easily as long as you catch it right away.

The Urinary tract infection in dogs can be classified into 2 categories. The first category is called an upper urinary tract infection and the other category is called a lower urinary tract infection. Even though these are both urinary tract infection, the symptoms of these infections are very different.

Some of the symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection in dogs is weight loss and vomiting. Another symptom is anorexia. If your dog is vomiting and you don’t know why you might want to take your dog to the vet. It might be a urinary tract infection or it could be something else but you do not want to take the chance because it could be something serious in your dog’s health.

Symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection can be found or observed while the dog is going its business. Discomfort in peeing and dancing around while trying to go to the bathroom is a very good sign that your dog has a lower urinary tract infection. If you notice this then you need to bring your dog into the vet to make sure it is just a urinary tract infection instead of something else that can be more harmful to your dog.

There are some symptoms that you can notice if your dog starts acting out of the ordinary and having troubles going to the bathroom. These symptoms can be very hard for your dog to deal with but if your dog has these indications, bring your pet into the vet to get them looked at to make sure there is nothing else wrong with your pet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/symptoms-of-urinary-tract-infection-in-dogs-1400893.html

About the Author

Want to learn more about UTI in dogs? On UrinaryTractInfectionInDogs.Com you can find articles about urinary tract infection in dogs, causes of urinary tract infection in dogs and symptoms of urinary tract infection in dogs.

For some good laughs, check out my funnies blog
Here is the link

http://mostfunnyfacebookstatus.blogspot.com/

A few thoughts to ponder prior to getting a dog

A dog can be a very welcome addition to a family; however, there is also a certain amount of responsibility that comes along with becoming a dog owner. You want to be fair to both yourself and your dog, so it's important to really make sure you are ready for the commitment of being a pet parent.

Consider the time, money and lifestyle commitments that having a dog requires. You need to make sure that are going to have the time and patience to exercise and train your dog properly. Make sure you are going to have time to spend with your dog and to love them the way that they deserve.

Proper exercise and stimulation are essential to your dog's well being. Early and proper training helps your dog become a valued and loved member of your family. Regular grooming is also very important in keeping your dog clean and healthy. Make sure you are ready for all the responsibility that comes along with adding a dog to your family. Even if your children promise to help you perform these tasks and take care of the pet, as the adult, the ultimate responsibility is going to fall on you. I definately know this one first hand LOL. I have had my dog for 10 years. My daughter was three when I got her, so my daughter really wanted the dog but was too young to promise to help take care of her :-) so I accept that responsibility. Of course, I have shared 10 wonderful years with my little yorkie and wouldn't trade her for the world. About 5 years ago (when my daughter was 8), she begged me and begged me to get a cat. She promised that she would feed it, take care of the litter box etc so I got the cat (also a very loved member of the family :-) but I will say that the times that she has cleaned the litter box has been few and far in between. I am the one scooping it daily, cleaning it, feeding it etc. Don't get me wrong, my animals know who takes care of them. They love me the most in the house LOL. They are commitments of my time, money, patience and they do add daily chores to my chore list. I just ask people to consider this before going off and getting a pet. It's not fair to the animal to get them if you are going to be unable to provide for them financially and emotionally.

Also, consider what type of dog will fit your family best. Would a puppy, adolescent or older dog be more suited for you? Puppies under 6 months old require a lot of time, effort and patience. Adolescent dogs (between 6 and 18 months old) are full of energy and will test the boundaries and your patience. An older dog may already be housetrained, socialized and trained in basic training commands.

What type of dog is right for you?

What type of dog best fits into your life? Selecting the puppy that best suits your lifestyle is going to play a key factor in having a happy future with your newfound little bundle of joy.

First, you should decide if you want a dog or a puppy? Puppies are cute but again, they are alot like babies. They need alot of attention and patience. They need more care and training than a grown dog does. A puppy also has plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of energy. They will need play time with you. They will needs toys to keep themselves entertained when you cannot play.

Another key factor in determining which type of dog is the best dog suited for your lifestyle is the breed of dog you decide to get. Some dogs are naturally better for children than other dogs. You can learn so much about breeds of dogs by doing simple dog breed types through an internet search engine (such as google (my personal favorite) or yahoo or bing etc.

Where will you get your dog from? A good first stop should be the local animal shelter. You will find cute and loving puppies and dogs whom are in need of a home. The people at the shelter will have gotten to know the dog and their personality type. They can help match you with the puppy/dog that will most likely be the best choice for your family. If yo find that you desire a breed that is not currently at that shelter, ask the workers there for recommendations of a reputable place that you may be able to find one.

Pet stores and dog breeders are also popular choices but be prepared to pay more.

How your attitude affects your dog

Believe it or not, your attitude affects how your dog behaves and reacts. It also affects how successfully that your dog will learn new commands and tricks. Do you find yourself becoming anxious and agitated whenever your dog does something wrong or can't seem to get the concept of a trick (no matter how much time you spend dog training)? Are you too quick to be harsh with the little guy? Remember, dogs are like children. It takes time and patience to effectively train a dog. Tone of voice is so important. I can't stress this enough. Set boundaries with your dog as far as what you want and what you don't want but be understanding. Dogs are like humans. They are going to make mistakes (just as you do in life). Caring for a dog is going to be frustrating and annoying at times. Success and failure is a normal part of the learning process for your dog.

Here is the link back to the main page of the blog for more care and training tips for your dog