As with humans the skin communicates sensations such as pain, heat, cold, touch, etc. to the brain. An animals skin also processes vitamin D just as we do. When we take our pet to the veterinarian, one of the usual examinations done is one of the skin. When the veterinarian back brushes the fur he/she is not only looking for parasites such as fleas and mites, but they are also looking at the skin. Dry skin and fur can indicate illness. Yellow skin can indicate jaundice and blue skin can indicate heart problems. Rashes can mean allergies.

Dogs can have seasonal and environmental allergies as well as food allergies. Food allergies may not always be associated with new foods but can also come from foods they have eaten for years and have become sensitive to due to many reasons. So called “hot-spots”, for example may be a result of a dog no longer being able to digest a certain food. Your veterinarian will recommend ways to test your dogs diet and recommend a course of treatment. Many dogs such as spaniels have seasonal and environmental allergies which can manifest themselves not only with sneezing and watery eyes, but also with skin rashes.

Allergies to fleas and medicines can also cause skin rashes. There are now veterinarians who are specializing in animal allergies and dermatology. Should your veterinarian find it necessary a referral could be made for diagnosis and treatment.

There are also genetic skin disorders and glandular skin disorders. There are several diseases associated with ovarian and testicular problems. Diagnosis and treatment can be made by your veterinarian. Dogs are also susceptible to various types of skin fungus. They are highly contagious to humans and other animals. Mange is another skin disease that is contagious. Quick diagnosis and treatment is essential.

In addition to the previously mentioned skin problems, there are also seborreic (seborrhea) skin diseases, tumors, melanomas, infected sores, mites, etc., that can be diagnosed by your veterinarian.

The purpose of this article is to make owners aware that the care and regular examination of your dogs skin is essential. Before buying a dog, consult with the breeder and a veterinarian. Know the diseases which are specific to the breed you desire. Know your dogs body as you should know your own. Check for skin problems during regular grooming.

If you find an area of concern, consult your veterinarian immediately. Do not make a self diagnosis and start a course of treatment. Only a veterinarian can make a proper diagnosis and recommend oral and/or topical treatments. Delay in proper diagnosis and treatment can cause delay in recovery and possible spread of the ailment and unnecessary prolonged discomfort for your beloved pet.

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First of all, here is a thought of interest: felines are classified carnivores, and dogs are classified omnivores. This means that cats must have meat in their diet to survive, and dogs must have meat and vegetables in their diet to prosper. Because dogs are omnivores, they can survive on either plant or animal diets; however, for your pet to achieve their ultimate health, a combination of the two is necessary.

So what are some signs of a poor diet in dogs? Obesity or excess weight, dull or coarse coat, itchy or flaky skin, and low energy and sometimes low resistance to infection are often common signs of a poor diet. If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, change their diet; if any symptoms still continue, take your pet to the vet immediately.

So, here is the key to your dog’s diet. Dogs thrive on meat-based diets. This means dog foods that are based in meat are healthier for your pet than those that are composed of primarily grains or only-meat diets that have no grains or vegetables. A balanced diet is the best diet for your pet.

Why are whole grain diets harmful for your pet? Grains such as corn, barley, wheat, oats and soybean meal primarily supply carbohydrates. While carbohydrates are good for your pet (and necessary), if grain is their primary source of food consumption, excess carbohydrate intake often leads to the storage of extra carbs, which simply turns into fat. If you then add protein to your pet’s diet, it takes the carbohydrates through the kidneys and out of the body! Basically, this creates instant weight loss. If you’re wondering about kidney damage to your pet…don’t. Dogs are specifically built to tolerate lots of protein in their diet, because they need it. Unless your dog is getting excess amount of protein in their diet, then their kidneys should remain safe from protein damage.

Also, if you have a young puppy or an elderly dog, an increase in protein in their diet can be beneficial to them. Puppies are rapidly growing into full-grown adult dogs. Therefore, they need protein to build their muscles, strength, and to simply grow like they are supposed to! Older dogs need higher levels of protein in their diet to help retain their muscle mass and to keep it strong.

So, what is in your pet’s diet? Is your pet demonstrating symptoms of a poor diet? Consider changing your pet’s diet if you are concerned. Though this article is a general guideline to dogs’ diets, conducting your own research is always helpful. Feel free to contact your vet or a pet nutritional specialist if you have any other concerns. Remember, an excellent diet makes for a happy dog!

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Here are some dog health care tips to be used when dealing with worms, fleas or various poisons the dog comes into contact. Puppies need de-worming as early as two or three weeks with the procedure repeated at four or six weeks of age. Dog health care specialists claim that worm immunity in puppies does not appear sooner than six months of age, and the worm larvae pass from mother to puppies. In order to meet the dog health care requirements you need to remove all stools from your garden, keep the lawn cut short and make sure you feed your dog on thoroughly cooked meat.

Fleas are the next dog health care problem under discussion here, and to a certain extent they are responsible for the possible tapeworms they may carry. Fleas and lice are easy to deal with; thanks to the many shampoos, collars or special drops, this dog health care issue has become piece of cake. Do not use human shampoo to wash your dog as it will completely degrease the fur and afterwards the dogs skin would have to secret even more oil to compensate for the deficit. Anti-flea sprays, powders, collars or any other products can be purchased from any dog health care store. However, it is good to ask the vet in the first place too.

Make sure that you keep your dog away from any potentially harmful substances that may lead to poisoning. Dog health care specialists point out that rapid intervention in the poisoning cases is crucial for saving the animals life. If you think your dog may have ingested some toxic chemical, try to give it some fresh milk as a first aid measure and call your vet immediately.

If you live in a tick prone area, be sure to keep a tick collar on your dog at all times. Mark the renewal date on the calendar so you don’t forget to renew it. Your pet’s life may depend on it! Grass ticks cause itchy lumps that can become infected when scratched. If not removed quickly, the paralysis tick can cause death in three to five days.

If your dog seems to suddenly have weak back legs and falls over often, inspect it immediately for a tick and get it to the vet as soon as possible. Luckily, the tick vaccine works well and quickly and can save a dog that looks like it is gasping its last breath.

With attention to these few details, your pet should live a long and happy life, rewarding you with years of fun and companionship.

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As medical science makes tremendous progress in all aspects, animal health care provisions have also improved. Many rare and complicated diseases which were earlier incurable in animals are now curable under the treatment of a competent veterinary. However, the cost of such treatments also has a high cost association which may not always be in the affordable range of every pet owner. As a result, the pet may not receive the required treatment simply due to lack of funds. A dog health insurance plan will help you avoid such heart breaking situations where you see your pet suffer due to lack of financial resources. You can save on you finances and provide better care for your pet by selecting the best dog health insurance plan.

Many companies provide various pet insurance plans and it is up to the owner to select the best dog health insurance plan according to the requirements of his pet. The breed, gender, age and physical health of your pet plays a major role in selection of the right insurance plan. The financial benefit of the insurance plan is that, you end up paying only a nominal amount of premium each month, which is much cheaper than what you would have to shell out, in case you were paying all the actual expenses of treatment from your own pocket.

The dog health insurance plan covers almost every kind of disease and illness, but yet it is advisable to check out the coverage offered before you sign the deal. In case your dog suffers from any pre-existing disease, the plan may have some additional clauses in it, so make sure you check the details of the plan well. Once you have insured your pet with a reputed and reliable pet insurance company, you can rest assured that your beloved dog will get all the benefits and care that ensures a happy and healthy life for him.

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Avoid Dog Poisoning

Antifreeze kills dogs. It is reported that antifreeze has a taste that

dogs like so they are naturally attracted to it. As a responsible dog

owner, this dog care tips is one of the most important dog health care

tips that I can give you. Make sure that antifreeze is stored in a sealed

container and when flushing your radiator that you are quick to thoroughly wash

away any spills that may occur.

Protect Your Dogs Paws

Protect your dogs paws from harmful irritants such as salt when walking your dog

in the winter. You should know that both ice and salt can be harmful to

the pads on your dogs paws. Both can damage the skin leading to tears or

possible infections on the pad of the paw. Also, most dogs will lick the

salt off of their paws thus digesting the chemicals found in the road salt. pet

supply store. Your dog may resist wearing the booties at first but you

should be persistent in order to protect their sensitive paw pads. Play it safe

and train your dog to wear dog booties.

Provide Dry Bedding and Check Water Sources Regularly

If your dog spends any amount of time outdoors in the winter months

their are two things that you must be aware of. The first is providing

proper bedding and replacing it regularly so that it does not get wet and

freeze. Straw is great to use for bedding because it can easily be

replaced and it is a great insulator.

The second thing that you must pay careful attention to if your dog stays

outside in the winter months is their water bowl. A dogs water bowl will

quickly freeze in winter months so you must keep a close eye on it to assure

that your dog has access to fresh water.

By following these dog care tips for winter, you can assure that your dog

will be happy and healthy when warmer months roll around.

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