Dogs
If there were a way to treat diabetes other than with insulin injections, it would be much easier for a lot of people. Unfortunately, there is no other effective treatment.
Do not give up! This is usually the most difficult time for pet owners. The dog is getting irritable and you are getting a little frustrated.
First, relax. Often when giving injections, we get nervous or agitated and the dog picks up on those emotions. Then, the pet gets edgy and we both get jumpy. So, it helps to start the process by taking a deep breath and thinking positive thoughts.
Second, you need to reward your pet during all of this. For example, putting a dish of the dog’s favorite food down while you are administering the insulin injection often helps. Once you get good at the injections, with practice you should be able to give the injection with no more disturbance to your pet than petting it while it’s eating. In the meantime, if you must use a muzzle, be sure to give your dog a special treat and breakfast right after administering the shot.
A few other tips: Teach “sit and stay.” If your dog can do this, you can teach him to sit still for the injections. If you have not done this yet, it will take longer, but if you’re strong and persistent, you may literally save your dog’s life. Also, practice “sit and stay” and putting the muzzle on without giving shots. Eventually, your dog will not immediately assume that sitting, eating or wearing a muzzle means he’s getting a shot.
If you continue to have problems, consult your veterinarian for advice. Most diabetic pets and their owners become able to deal with the inconvenience of insulin injections, thus adding years more of enjoyable pet-owner companionship.
Your dog’s age and general health are important as well. If your dog doesn’t usually get much exercise, you won’t want to start him off with a three-mile jog. Gradually extend the length of your walks to build his endurance. Arthritis, heart disease, and a number of other health concerns could also affect the length of your walks. If your dog has health problems, discuss how far he can walk and how much exercise he should get with your veterinarian.
In the long run, your best bet is to observe your dog while you’re walking. When he starts panting excessively and acts tired, then he’s walked far enough. This is also a good way to keep an eye on your dog’s health. If he used to go three miles with you and now only walks a few blocks, you should consult your veterinarian. It could be a sign of a health problem.
That being said, if a dog has too much hair, the hair can stop being beneficial in hot weather and start retaining too much heat. You may be able to thin the coat out enough by brushing your dog thoroughly and consistently with a wire or “rake” type brush designed for heavy-coated breeds. These brushes can remove some of the fuzzy undercoat layer of fur, sometimes enough to make dogs comfortable in warm weather. If she still seems too hot, shaving won’t hurt her a bit. Just be careful to leave an inch or so of fur so that she still has some insulation and protection from sunburn.
Even if your dog is shaved, you’ll want to be careful with her when temperatures get really high. Don’t leave her in a parked car or leave her outside unsupervised for long periods of time. When she’s outdoors, she needs shade and plenty of water. Some people buy the drip-system “mister” hoses used to water plants and set them out for their dogs on hot days. You can even freeze water bottles full of water and put them where she lies to keep her cool. And, as with any dog, watch for signs of heatstroke. If your dog is panting, has a staring or anxious expression, does not obey commands, has warm, dry skin, a high fever, and a rapid heartbeat or is vomiting, lower her body temperature quickly with cool water–either by immersion or by spraying thoroughly with a garden hose–and call your veterinarian immediately.
In general, you can use your common sense to judge when your dog needs bathing. If you’re concerned about causing dry skin, there are moisturizing treatments available at most pet stores, which you rub into your dog’s skin after you shampoo him. If your dog seems uncomfortable or shows signs of skin problems, consult your veterinarian.
This is a common problem for pet owners, and it can cause a lot of frustration. Urine smells can be very difficult to eliminate inside the house. To make things worse, dogs will tend to return to an area they’ve already soiled, so the smells in your house may be making housetraining even harder than it already is. The good news is, there are products that can help reduce dog odors, depending on what kind of surface you are dealing with.
If you are trying to clean unsealed concrete floors, like those you might find in the garage or an unfinished basement, the urine may have seeped in and absorbed. You will need to clean with a disinfectant and allow the disinfectant to sit and seep into the floor. Once you’ve rinsed with water and allowed the floor to dry completely, you’ll want to seal it so that liquids won’t be absorbed in the future. Concrete sealant is widely available at hardware stores. Linoleum and sealed concrete floors can be cleaned with disinfectants that you can purchase from your veterinarian. Carpet can be a little more difficult–to remove the smell completely, you will probably have to pull up the carpet and replace the padding. You can then clean the carpet with an enzymatic cleaner, available from professional carpet cleaners.
Once you’ve cleaned the odors out of your floor, your best option is prevention. You may want to consider crate training for your puppy. Crate training gives you control over where and when he is eliminating, and it often housetrains dogs quickly and effectively.
If you’re using an anti-tick medication and you’re still finding ticks, talk to your veterinarian about a stronger treatment. Veterinarians have stronger tick medications than you can buy over the counter. Additionally, they can check your pooch’s ears, toes, and other hidden areas for sneaky ticks. Depending on where you live, you veterinarian may also recommend a vaccination against Lyme disease, which is transmitted by a species of tick.
Here are some ideas to help your dog make the adjustment to their crate:
- Get a crate of adequate size (large enough to allow your dog to stand and move comfortably) to accommodate your dog.
- Place a towel in the bottom of the crate to keep him warm.
- Give your dog appropriate toys (chew toys, kong, etc) to play with in the crate.
- Always feed your dog in his crate.
- At first, just get him used to going in the crate without closing the door or leaving him.
- Start by leaving him alone in the crate with the door closed for a few minutes and gradually build up to leaving him for several hours at a time.
- Don’t make a big deal of coming home. Don’t rush to let your dog out of the crate or he will look forward to the event too much. Let him out of the crate only after he has been quiet and calm for a few minutes.
If you’re worried that your dog’s salivation is excessive, you can take him to your veterinarian for an examination. Some health problems can cause drooling, including nausea, anxiety, and painful teeth; your veterinarian can rule these out.
Though it’s usually harmless, licking can be a problem if carried to an extreme. Sometimes dogs can lick compulsively or as a response to stress or boredom. Obsessive dogs that lick themselves non-stop can lick their fur off and even injure their skin. This is a behavioral problem that may require veterinary intervention. If you’re worried that your dog’s licking is unusual, consult your veterinarian.
Assuming other health concerns such as vaccinations and parasite elimination have been taken care of by your veterinarian, and your dog is on a well-balanced diet, then the idea that it comes from a vitamin deficiency can be ruled out.
At this point, your dog’s habit of eating feces should be approached from a behavioral perspective. The more a behavior occurs the more likely it will be repeated. That means physically preventing it from happening helps your dog forget about it. Whatever you do, it will take some time to modify the behavior.
That means letting your dog know that it is bad through a loud, firm, scolding voice. You can use this method when your pet sniffs or shows interest in feces. It helps to have your pet on a leash when outside to give you some physical control over movement as well.
Products such as monosodium glutamate (seasoning salt) added to a pet’s food makes the feces less desirable. A more direct approach includes putting tobasco or bitter lemon on the feces itself. Some pet owners simply clean the yard every day to remove any temptation.
The fact that your other two dogs are normal, and one pet is doing the damage seems to indicate that she is the one with the problem. However, that does not mean that your actions haven’t or don’t inadvertently encourage it. All dogs have different personalities and do not end up exactly the same just because they have the same owner, just like children with the same parents.
Your specific question is regarding anxiety relieving medications. Antidepressants, anxiety relieving, or mood altering drugs are seldom the definitive treatment for behavioral problems. Most of the time they are used as part of an overall behavioral modification program. Separation anxiety is a problem that is commonly treated with medications at least on a temporary basis.
In the meantime, try not to react when he chases his tail. Laughing or scolding him are forms of attention and this could be what he wants. If there are any incidences that seem to trigger the behavior, try to get him into a down-stay before he can chase his tail.
These suggestions may help, but some dogs, if they are causing harm to themselves, may need drug therapy in addition to behavior modification to solve the problem.
Dogs will also keep their tails tucked because of emotional distress. When they are depressed, frustrated, stressed, or afraid, they may tuck their tails to demonstrate their emotions. Stressful changes in a dog’s home environment could cause these emotional responses.
Talk to your veterinarian about the change in your dog’s behavior. He or she can check for physical problems that may be causing your dog discomfort, as well as investigating emotional and other causes.
Most of all, be patient and consistent. Develop a schedule of feeding, playing, walking, and sleeping, which will keep your dog on an elimination schedule as well. Learn the times when she will generally have to go: after eating, after waking up and, for puppies, about every 20-30 minutes when they are awake and playing. Watch for the cues your dog gives before urinating, like sniffing and circling, and place her in the pan when you see her getting ready to go. Praise her when she uses the pan.
Different dogs learn at different rates, so it may take a few days of accidents before your pet learns to use the pan. Eventually, though, with gentle persistence, she can learn to use the litter box consistently. Remember, though, the pan is not meant to replace trips outside, but to supplement them. Your dog still needs to go outside for exercise and fresh air every day.
The first thing you can do to stop your puppy from chewing on your furniture, wallet, remote control, and everything else in sight is not giving him the opportunity. This means you may want to confine him when you’re not around, in a crate, kennel, run, or puppy-safe room. Crate-training is the most feasible option for many people, and it can keep your puppy feeling safe and secure when you’re away. Whatever space you chose, fill it with safe and appropriate chew toys, as well as lots of comfortable bedding. As your pup spends a lot of time chewing on these toys, he’ll start to learn what objects are “his” for gnawing and which are not.
When you are around, watch him like a hawk. When you see him grabbing onto your leather loafers or a chair leg, distract him with some other, more attractive option. When he takes the rawhide chew or nylon bone or whatever “good” toy you want him to chew, give him lots of praise and petting. The idea here is not to punish your dog for the “bad” chewing, but to encourage him for the good behavior. By the same token, whenever you see him chewing away on one of his toys, give him lots of “good boys” and other positive attention. Pretty soon he’ll get the idea that the toys are what you want him to use.
You may have to switch his toys around to keep him interested–a rubber ball may do the trick one day, while the next day nothing will do but a sock tied up in a knot. Some household materials can make very good chew toys, but make sure that they can’t be chewed into bits and swallowed. An excellent option that will keep almost any dog’s attention is the hollow rubber balls sold at pet stores. You can fill them with food or your dog’s favorite treat, and he will spend hours gnawing at it, trying to get the goodies out.
Also, if he tends to chew on a surface that is color safe and won’t be damaged (like your fingers), you can coat the surface in white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. The smell and taste will make the object much less tempting.
Finally, and most importantly, don’t give up on your puppy. It can be hard to retrain an instinctive behavior like chewing, but it’s well worth it to have a happy, well-adjusted dog. If your dog seems to resist all efforts to retrain him, consult your veterinarian. He or she can refer you to a behavior specialist or even discuss anti-anxiety medication.
Regardless of why they do it, the best way for you to stop your doggy from diving into the garbage pile is never giving him the chance. Keep him fenced in your yard, pick up any manure in the area, and keep the garbage in trash cans that won’t pop open if he knocks them over. Keep him on a leash when you go on walks, and keep a sharp eye out for any smelly things that may strike his fancy. Working on the “come” command may help as well. Practice it over and over again in your yard, and give her a reward every time she comes. Repeat it until she comes consistently, so that the next time you see her start rolling, you can call her back. And, of course, you should invest in some very good doggie shampoo. Just in case.
The first question you need to answer is whether your dog has any physical problems. She could be having mild seizures, muscle cramps, or stomach or intestinal pains. Your veterinarian can investigate with a physical exam, blood test, and urinalysis.
If she checks out physically, you should look at whether she is receiving any reward for her “scaredy-cat” behavior. When she has an “attack,” do you pet her, cuddle her, and talk soothingly to her? Though it seems like the right thing to do, you’re actually praising her behavior and teaching her that being afraid will bring her love and affection. Instead, when she behaves this way, make sure she’s in a safe place and can’t hurt herself, then ignore her. When she calms down and comes back out, give her lots of praise and affection. Do this for several months consistently. If you still see no change in her behavior, you may want to consult with a behavior specialist.
You should only get a puppy if you want a puppy. Your bereaved dog may very well not like the noise and chaos that a new puppy will bring to the household. If you want to adopt a new dog, you might want to consider getting an older, adult animal. A quieter, more mature companion might be more reassuring to your dog. But remember, regardless of the new dog’s age, it won’t be an instant replacement for your pet’s lost companion. In fact, for some dogs, a stranger in the house will only make the situation worse. Your dog may or may not adjust to and bond to a new friend; it depends on his personality.
Whether or not you get a new companion for your dog, he’s probably going to need some time to adjust to life without his old friend. You can help him by keeping as many things the same as possible. Give him routine walks and feedings and keep his old, familiar toys and blankets around. And be sure to give him a little extra attention and love. If he’s still not eating, you can get him started by tempting him with some extra-yummy canned food or treats, but don’t let him eat them for too long. If days go by and he continues to resist even the tempting treats, it’s time to enlist your veterinarian’s help.
A Gentle Leader may be the simplest solution to this problem. Gentle Leaders hook onto a leash just like collars, but instead of wrapping around the dog’s neck, they attach with one nylon strap above her muzzle and one behind her ears. They look something like muzzles, but they don’t keep dogs’ mouths from opening unless the person holding the leash applies pressure. When your dog is wearing a Gentle Leader and tugs against her leash, the force turns her head back toward you. Tugging harder will only make her turn her head more sharply; she’ll learn pretty quickly that it won’t get her anywhere. You can find Gentle Leaders at almost any pet store.
Another option that works well with smaller dogs is taking away all the positive reinforcement they get from pulling on the leash. Your dog is tugging on the leash because she wants to go faster, so whenever she tugs, you can stop in your tracks and refuse to move. When she calms down and stops pulling, you can start walking again. If you’re patient and do this consistently, your dog can learn that the only way she’s going to get to walk around and sniff all the wonderful things she wants to sniff is by walking calmly and politely beside you.
But don’t lose hope; you can make your dog happier to see your brother by making sure his visits are associated with something pleasant. First off, you can ask your brother not to stand directly over your dog in a dominant position; this can be threatening to some dogs. Ask him to approach her from a sitting or kneeling position.
Supply your brother with a special treat that your dog particularly loves, and have no one but him give her that treat. He shouldn’t make a fuss over giving her the treats; the commotion might make her more nervous around him. Instead, he can just place the treats in front of her whenever she is calm and behaving well. Once she comes to associate him with getting an extra yummy treat, he can start giving her simple commands and giving her the treats as rewards. Over time, she should come to accept him. Who knows? She may even start to like him.
Some pet owners choose to allow the remaining pet a chance to view the body of the deceased pet after euthanasia. They believe that it helps the pet that’s left behind to understand what’s happened and to process the loss. You may want to discuss this option with your veterinarian before euthanizing the household pet that is ill.
At least for a while, you’ll need to keep a close eye on her whenever she’s outside and reprimand her when she picks up something inappropriate. If she’s not trained enough yet to heel or pay attention to you when she’s outside, you may want to try taking her to puppy school, where she can learn to follow basic commands. One of the most important commands for her to learn will be “drop it,” which will teach her to immediately spit out whatever is in her mouth. Your veterinarian will be able to help you find a good puppy school.
You can avoid the problem by making sure your dog’s toys and treats always stay inside. Only give him toys when you’re in the house, and make sure he doesn’t smuggle any in his mouth when you take him outside. Some determined pooches will carry on their digging behavior inside, “burying” toys and bones under pillows and behind the couch, where you can find and reuse them.
Finding out what your dog is allergic to can sometimes be challenging. Dogs can be allergic to all kinds of things in their environments or diets. The most common allergy dogs experience is a reaction to flea bites, called flea allergy dermatitis. Even if your dog is protected against flea by a collar or treatment, one flea can secrete enough saliva in a bite to cause itching and discomfort. Dogs can also be allergic to ingredients in their food or the shampoo they’re bathed with. They can even have reactions to some of the same things that cause human hayfever: pollen, dust, mold, and grasses.
Your veterinarian can help you determine which of these allergies is bothering your dog. If it is a food allergy, you may be able to simply change your dog’s diet. Other allergies can be treated with an antihistamine or steroid prescription. Consult your veterinarian about the best way to make your dog more comfortable.
Most behavior problems can be successfully treated with a strict training regimen. In addition to your veterinarian’s advice, follow these tips to reduce aggression in your dog:
- Socialize your dog so she feels at ease around people and other animals.
- Don’t put your dog in situations where she may feel threatened or teased.
- Obey leash laws—don’t let your dog roam free.
- Train your dog to obey basic commands such as “stay,” “sit” and “come.”
The most important thing is whether or not he is eating enough to maintain a healthy weight in spite of the behavior. If he is, then you need to decide if his behavior is upsetting enough to warrant trying to change it.
There are many solid health reasons for spaying and neutering our pets. Early spaying prevents mammary cancer and a uterine disease called pyometra. Both of these conditions can be fatal in the female dog. Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostate and testicular disease.
Preventing unwanted litters is another common reason veterinarians recommend spaying both cats and dogs at six to 12 months of age, preferably before the first heat.
Keeping our pets at home and healthy will provide longer and more pleasurable companionship!
The behavioral factor is a contraction of the muscles that empty the bladder when she is placed in a very submissive situation or is very excited. She is probably naturally submissive, which makes these experiences stronger stimulants to her.
There is little we can do about the physical part. There are medications which can increase the tone, but I would not recommend them for a puppy. The best control is dealing with the behavioral aspect. Maturity will lessen her submissiveness, but you must work to ensure she becomes more confident in herself.
Avoid situations where the urination occurs. When you come home, instead of greeting her at the door and making a big deal about the reunion, try to diffuse the situation by ignoring her. Just walk right by her, and let her outside before you acknowledge her. Eventually, she will learn not to become too excited about your returns.
Other situations can be dealt with the same way. When strangers approach her, give her a treat or get her attention some other way to diffuse the excitement or threat of the approach. Consult with your veterinarian on this topic as well.
That being said, while many dogs are lactose intolerant, some are not. Some dogs love the taste of milk and other dairy products and won’t have any stomach or intestinal problems when they get some as a treat. The bottom line is, it may be okay to give your dog a small amount of milk if it doesn’t cause her any vomiting, diarrhea, or other discomfort. Check with your veterinarian first to be sure it won’t cause your pooch any health problems or interfere with his diet.
You can keep your pups’ trips to the pool to a minimum by making sure they have lots of fresh water both inside and outside and by keeping the pool fenced off or covered when you aren’t swimming. You can also watch your dogs for diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, or other signs of stomach problems. If their health and behavior seem fine, then their little chlorine habit is probably not a problem.
Still, even cooked fish can be dangerous to your pup, particularly because it contains a lot of small bones, which are hard for even the most careful cook to remove. These sharp little bones can choke your dog or even damage his esophagus or the rest of his digestive tract. So it’s probably best that you not get your dog into the habit of eating fish. He’ll be best off sticking with a high-quality commercial dog food.
By the way, while cat food is generally okay for dogs, dog diets lack essential nutrients that cats need to stay healthy, so cats can’t live on dog food. Overall, it’s safest to feed your pets the kind of food formulated to be healthiest for their specific species. (Ferrets may be the exception. They are the only pets other than cats that are entirely carnivorous, which is why ferrets can live on cat food.)
The one case where you might worry about too much water is if your pooch suddenly starts to drink much more than usual, or if she seems constantly thirsty. This could be a sign of a serious health problem, so let your veterinarian know if your pet’s drinking habits seem unusual or have changed.
If your dog has already been diagnosed with fatty tumors, it’s very possible that she will develop more over time. If new lumps develop, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure that they are also lipomas. This can be done through a relatively simple process called a fine-needle aspirate. Your veterinarian will insert a very thin needle into the lump and withdraw a small amount of materialämuch like giving an injection in reverse. The material can then be checked to make sure it is benign fatty tissue.
All of these problems need veterinary attention, as they can all become chronic, painful conditions. Your veterinarian can perform a physical exam, take X rays, and perform other diagnostic procedures to find out what’s causing your dog’s pain. He may also prescribe pain medication to help your dog walk.
Any dog that has a seizure should have a complete examination. Your veterinarian will evaluate heart function and general body condition. A complete history is also taken to rule out trauma and toxic exposure. If the physical examination is normal, blood profiles are generally administered to rule out diseases of the kidneys and liver. If the profile and exam are normal and the dog is under four years of age, epilepsy is generally the diagnosis. Epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in dogs. Medications may be prescribed for these cases.
Older dogs that have normal lab and exam findings may be referred to a neurologist for a second opinion, as these dogs can have brain tumors and other conditions.
If your dog has a seizure, make sure to schedule an examination with your veterinarian to keep your pet in good health.
When the anal glands become full or impacted, the dog may experience some discomfort. The glands become VERY itchy and irritated. Actual pain is difficult to assess, but some believe that they can be painful in some cases. When the dog licks, chews or scoots on its bottom, it is attempting to express the glands on its own.
To express anal glands does not require a veterinarian. Many groomers will do this as part of their service, and some pet owners will do it themselves. However, expressing anal glands is not a very pleasant task to perform, and many pet owners will give up after one try. Before trying this on your own, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.
If anal glands become a common problem, they can be surgically removed. The glands serve no real purpose and, like a human appendix, the dog may do much better without them. Many veterinarians are uncomfortable performing this surgery; however, many others do the procedure with a great deal of success and minimal complications.
It is important that you take your dog to the veterinarian for a complete physical examination as soon as possible. The symptoms you describe could indicate one of a number of problems, from something very treatable, such as a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, to something more serious like diabetes or kidney failure. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening if not treated in a timely fashion. Your veterinarian can run routine laboratory tests to determine your dog’s condition and the best way to treat him.
The best treatment for calluses is to protect your dog from abrasive surfaces. Monitor where he sits and lies; put padding down in his favorite sleeping places. If he is confined to an area such as a dog run or a basement for periods during the day, make sure he has a soft, clean, comfortable area to lie down, so he won’t lie on the concrete or the hard floor.
Aloe lotion can also soften the calluses and improve the appearance of your dog’s skin, but be careful when softening calluses. They develop as a way for the skin to protect itself against damage. If you soften your dog’s skin and it keeps coming into contact with rough surfaces, the skin could develop scrapes, sores, or other problems.
Canine distemper is a member of the parymyxovirus class. It is spread from dog to dog in secretions like saliva, urine and tears. It affects a variety of systems within the dog, such as the immune system (by suppressing the ability to make white blood cells and fight off infection), the central nervous system (resulting in seizures and erratic behavior), the gastrointestinal system (resulting in vomiting and diarrhea), and the respiratory system (resulting in coughing). In short, canine distemper is a very nasty little virus.
Classically, however, canine distemper affects puppies and dogs that have not been vaccinated against it. Most dogs are presented to the veterinarian for depression, lethargy and thick green eye discharge. Some dogs will come in for seizures. Dogs that recover initially from the disease may have seizures or other central nervous system disorders later in their old age.
There are many ways you can protect your dog from parvovirus. Most veterinarians recommend multiple vaccinations for growing puppies. As dogs get older, their immunity is maintained with annual booster shots. Use a solution of one part bleach to thirty parts water to clean areas frequented by other dogs, and use the solution on the soles of your shoes if you think you’ve walked through an infected area. If your dog experiences vomiting, severe diarrhea, depression, or loss of appetite, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Though there are presently no drugs to kill the virus, there are treatments proven to control its symptoms.
The good news is that mange is treatable. There is a topical product on the market approved by the FDA, as well as a regimen of medicated shampoo baths followed by body dips that may take care of the problem. Unfortunately, getting rid of the mites entirely can be difficult and costly, and the medication can have side effects. If one dog in a multi-dog household is diagnosed for mites, the other dogs will generally have to be treated as well. The best solution to mange is to catch the condition early, while it’s still easy to treat. If you notice your dog scratching or losing hair, consult your veterinarian right away to decide on the best course of action for your pet.
One word of cautionähumans can develop an itchy rash from contact with a mange-infected dog. The rash will result in small raised bumps on the surface of the body. Usually this condition is only temporary and will go away once the affected dog has been treated. Consult a physician if the problem persists.
A vasectomy doesn’t provide all of the benefits of a full castration, however, which is why some veterinarians won’t perform it. It doesn’t protect against testicular tumors, which are common in older, intact males. It also doesn’t protect against testosterone-influenced diseases, such as perianal hernia and perianal adenomas.
Also, because testosterone is still present in a dog’s system after a vasectomy, your dog would still exhibit the behavior of a dog that hasn’t been neutered. He would still try to go through the motions of mating with female dogs, for example. He would probably fight with other dogs to defend his territory and breeding rights, and he would mark his territory (inside and outside) with urine. He would also have the urge to roam to find mating partners.
If your main concern is having your dog look intact after surgery, you can have him castrated and have testicle implants placed in his scrotum. These are surgically placed inside your dog’s tissue, much like breast implants. With these implants, your dog can be castrated without changing in appearance.
While most dogs will have an uneventful pregnancy, sometimes problems occur that may necessitate early birth or a veterinarian-assisted birth (such as a caesarian section). For instance, toy breeds that are bred with larger dogs may have puppies that are too big to pass through the mother’s birth canal; bulldogs may have complications because they have large heads relative to the size of the birth canal; and death of one or more fetuses can cause complications warranting early removal of the puppies.
If your dog is pregnant, or if you’re planning to breed her, be sure to talk with your veterinarian so you know what to expect and what changes you may need to make in your dog’s care and feeding.
As with any surgery, your dog should have some basic bloodwork performed beforehand to rule out any conditions that could make anesthesia dangerous. With these tests, the risks associated with routine surgeries like spays and neuters are small, even in older pets.
To protect your carpet and furniture from the blood, you can buy “doggie diapers” at most pet stores. They come in range of sizes, and most dogs adjust to them fairly quickly.
Unless you are planning on breeding your dog, you may want to consider having her spayed. There are several health advantages to spaying female dogs and cats.
Most veterinarians prefer to delay spaying a dog until she has been out of estrus for a month or so. And, since a recently spayed dog may still be attractive to males, performing the surgery during heat won’t do anything to keep the neighbors’ dogs out of your yard. The best thing for your dog’s health is to keep her safe inside for now and to have your veterinarian perform surgery in a month or so.
There are some medications and home remedies available for dogs that users claim will keep the grass green. These treatments have never been scientifically proven to work, however.
The best thing you can do for your lawn is to pick one area that you’re willing to sacrifice and train him to use that area exclusively. Just go out with him for a while and stand by the area you want him to use. Reward him every time he uses the spot for a few weeks, until you’re confident he’s gotten the idea.
Poodles and Bichons and some of the terriers do rank high on the list of “hypo-allergenic” dogs, but allergies can be very individualized. A breed that may trigger life-threatening reactions in one person may only cause a few sniffles in another individual. If your kids are allergic to dander and not hair, a poodle may not work at all. Allergies are not only determined by the type of dog and the person’s tolerance, but can be moderated by exposure (keeping the dog out of the children’s bedrooms), frequency of bathing and grooming, etc. Discuss control measures with your children’s physician. Then make a list of breeds that you might be interested in owning. You would probably want to avoid long, heavy-coated breeds that require a lot of grooming unless you are willing to do the grooming yourself or have it done professionally.
Visit a dog show and talk to breeders and people that own the breeds that you are interested in. If possible, have the children pet or play with one breed per show and see how their allergies are. If you can narrow it down to a few different breeds, you may be able to “borrow” a dog from a breeder for a few days to see how your children react to it in the home. This may take a while, but will be worth it in the long run to your children and a new dog.
Just a reminderäsince you have a child in the house, you should be careful to make sure your dog doesn’t become infected with worms. These parasites are not passed by saliva, but children can pick them up by playing on the ground and the floor. A good rule of thumb is, if children are in the house, have your dog dewormed regularly! And even if you don’t have children at home, regular deworming will help your dog stay healthy and will help protect any children or adults who come to visit.
- Don’t look the dog directly in the eyes, as dogs can interpret this as a sign of aggression.
- Stand up straight and look confident.
- Watch the dog for signs of aggression, like growling, staring you straight in the eyes, or having stiff legs and a stiff tail. If the dog looks aggressive, back away slowly. Don’t turn around and run.
- If loose dogs are often a problem in your neighborhood, consider carrying citronella spray. Dogs hate the smell of citronella, but it doesn’t harm them, so it makes a good deterrent. You can find the spray at some pet stores and sports/running equipment stores.
- Once you are safely away from the loose dog, call your local humane society or the non-emergency number for your local police and tell them where to find the loose dog. Not only will you save the other walkers and joggers in your neighborhood from encountering the dog, but you may well save him from being hit by a car.
How many litterboxes do you have? What kind of litter are you using? The litterbox should be cleaned at least once daily. If you’ve recently changed litter brands, change back! Cats can be very particular about the kind of litter they use. If you haven’t changed litter, try adding another box with a completely different type of litter in it. Most cats prefer scoopable (clumping), unscented litter in uncovered boxes. Stay away from litters with lots of fragrance. As an experiment, try putting three (at least) litterboxes in your house. Place them right at or near the exact spots where he’s urinating inappropriately, and scoop all boxes daily. This is just one example of things you can try.
If your cat is still urinating outside the box, consult with your veterinarian or a pet behaviorist. Another option is medical therapy. Discuss medications with your veterinarian. You may need to give your cat a pill once a day or once a week, depending on the medication. Some of the medications have side effects and some don’t work very well. It really depends on the cat, and it may take some experimentation to solve the problem.
Litterbox problems can be very difficult to correct, especially if they have been going on for awhile. In most cases, however, they CAN be solved, so don’t give up too easily!
Cats
If the cat is hiding in your house somewhere, you might want to make sure that you deliver small meals to her several times daily to get her used to you and your voice being associated with food. Keep a litter pan there for her, and clean it daily. A large bowl of water should also be available at all times. It may take a while for her to trust you enough to approach you. Try not to pick her up or even touch her until you are sure she is comfortable with it.
For health reasons, get a list of vaccinations or worming treatments that have been done in the past and have your veterinarian review the medical history. There may be things that need to brought up to date to make your cat a safe and healthy member of your family. Live traps are sometimes necessary to confine cats that are not safe to handle. If the cat has not been vaccinated for rabies, it should be strictly confined with no physical exposure to anyone for 10 days.
With some time and attention, your new cat may very well warm up to you, but expect it to take some time.
The key to introducing a new pet is to GO SLOW! Give the new cat about 1-2 weeks in her own room where the two cats can sniff each other under the door. Once they are doing this with minimal hissing, switch the situation. Put your cat in the room for a few hours and let the new kitty roam the house. This allows the resident cat to smell the new cat’s scent and explore without worrying about having to fight the newcomer. It also allows the new cat to explore the new house and become familiar with hiding areas.
The next step is to let them see each other from across a room or through a tall baby gate you put across the doorway of the room where the new kitty is. Then, when they’re used to this, let the cats out together SUPERVISED, and put down a treat (canned cat food, tuna, etc.). Use two dishes on opposite sides of the room so that both cats are in the same room eating their special treat. Do this at roughly the same time every day, and soon the cats will be running to be in the same place at the same time. When hissing and growling subsides, then start moving the dishes closer together. If they start growling at each other, you have moved the dishes too close, too quickly and need to back off. Soon they will associate a good thing with seeing each other.
Do not let them together unsupervised, as they could fight and hurt each other. The entire process will probably take about 6 weeks, and even then they may not be buddies but can be in the same room without hissing at each other. Good luck, and remember — patience!
Have you tried putting something distasteful on the cords? Cayenne pepper spray or bitter apple spray can deter some cats from chewing. You can also cover the cords with paper towel tubing or PVC pipe. Your kitty should lose house privileges unless someone is home to supervise him. When you’re not at home, put him in a room with no cords.
Also, make sure that your kitten has plenty of appropriate toys to play with. One way you can make his toys go further is to put a few out for him to play with, and put the rest away. A few days later, hide the toys that were left out, and leave out some new toys that had been put away. Even old toys will look new to your cat after they’ve been hidden for a few days.
With a bit of persistence, your kitten will start to leave the cords alone. If, in spite of all these precautions, you catch him chewing on the cords, chase him away with a squirt of water from a spray bottle. Don’t yell at him or spank him; just calmly squirt him until he leaves the cords alone. Good luck with your kitten!
Try keeping her confined to one room in your new place when you aren’t home. As much as possible, keep your daily routine the same, since dogs and cats live for routine and changes can upset them. If your cat doesn’t want to explore her new home, don’t force the issue. She’ll explore on her own as she becomes more comfortable. Keeping her in one room with familiar furniture will help her become more relaxed.
Most cats adjust pretty quickly to new surroundings as long as their family remains intact. Some skittish cats may take a little longer, but they will eventually come around.
Normal or not, you may still want to stop her late-night meowing so you can get some sleep! She is most likely looking for attention, and she has learned that if she cries long enough, you will get up and let her in the bedroom. The most effective step toward changing her undesired behavior is not to reward it. If you consistently refuse to respond to her crying, she may eventually stop. It may take a lot of patience and persistence to retrain her, but she can eventually learn to entertain herself at night.
It may also help to tire her out before bedtime. Let her chase a string or a feather toy for twenty minutes before bedtime, and she may sleep later the next morning. It may also satisfy her need for attention enough to last her through the night. Another idea is to place some of her favorite toys near your bedroom door, to distract her when she comes looking for a playmate. You may even want to consider getting another cat. A second pet could keep her from feeling bored or lonely at night, and make her feel more secure. Introducing a new cat to the household can be challenging, however. Depending on your cat’s age and personality, she may be hostile to the “intruder.” Older and fussier cats can have a hard time adjusting to new family members. Consider your cat’s personality before you adopt a new pet, or you could have fighting cats waking you up instead of meowing.
If none of these solutions are effective, you may have to shut your cat in a room far enough away from yours that you can get some sleep. You may want to take her to a veterinarian to discuss whether she should be treated for an anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. In extreme cases, veterinarians can prescribe antianxiety medication to stop compulsive behavior.
Hiding food can be an instinctive behavior. If she were in the wild, your cat would eat what she needed and hide the rest of her food until she was hungry again. So this may be her way of hiding from predators and scavengers. Also, she could just be doing it to play. Cats are experts at finding endless ways to entertain themselves; this may be something she does to make eating more of an adventure, much like children who draw smiley faces in their mashed potatoes.
At any rate, your cat’s food hiding is nothing to worry about. You can think of it as a cute little personality quirk–one that’s probably a lot of fun to watch.
The bad news is that it’s nearly impossible-not to mention possibly unhealthy-to teach an animal to ignore her instincts. It’s much, much easier to let your cat be a cat by growing her some plants it’s okay to eat. You can buy seeds for cat-friendly plant mixes in many pet stores. Wheat grass, bird seed sprouts, and catnip are also good alternatives. You can make your kitty her own private garden by growing any of these plants, or a combination of them, in a window box or large pot away from your other plants. Hopefully, these greens will be so tempting that she’ll have no desire to go after your other, more decorative plants. If she still needs a little extra nudge to keep her away from the philodendron, you can dab the leaves with something that has a bitter taste, such as white vinegar or one of the animal deterrent sprays available from some pet stores and plant nurseries. You may want to do some research first, however. Some sprays can be harmful to some plants.
Finally, don’t dismiss the power of keeping kitty distracted. You’ll do your plants a great service by making sure your cat has plenty of toy mice, plastic balls, bells, and scratching posts to keep her busy. When you see her going for a plant, try waving a chase toy at her or rolling a ball in her direction. Most likely, she’ll see it as a much more fun alternative.
If your kitten has a clean bill of health, you can check to see if the box is appropriate for him. Young kittens may be too small to climb over the sides of a full-sized litter box easily. Using an old cake pan as a box may help. Also, since it’s harder for kittens to move around, make sure there is at least one box on every floor of your house–ideally, you should have one in every room your kitty spends time in, until he gets a little older. Make a point of showing the kitten where the boxes are; set him right inside them so he can dig around in the litter. Often the texture of the litter itself will stimulate cats to relieve themselves in it. If you have the opportunity, you also could have your kitty spend some time with a (kitten-friendly) older cat in your home. Kittens can learn well from example.
A good rule of thumb for litter boxes is that you should have one more box than you do cats.
Make absolutely sure your cat stays current on all his vaccinations, particularly his rabies vaccination. Species that are at risk for carrying rabies include skunks, raccoons, foxes and occasionally coyotes. Although your cat does not prey on these animals, he could come into contact with them if he spends a lot of time outdoors.
If anyone in your household is pregnant or planning pregnancy, she should avoid contact with the cat’s feces (have someone else do the litterbox cleaning and the gardening), and wash her hands after petting him.
Other things your kitty could contract are mostly minor, such as bacterial and fungal infections and some parasites. Check your cat often for fleas and ticks, and have a stool sample checked by a veterinarian every six to 12 months to determine the presence of intestinal parasites.
As long as your cat goes outdoors, he will always hunt, and not much you do will change that. A bell collar may help a bit to alert prey to the cat’s presence, but plenty of cats hunt quite effectively with such collars.
It’s possible, however, that your cat’s gagging is a sign of a more serious problem. There are some disorders that can affect the muscles of cats’ throats, making it harder for them to swallow correctly. These disorders aren’t common, but if your cat is gagging or vomiting frequently you should definitely bring him to the veterinarian for a checkup.
Get Help Quickly if Your Male Cat is Straining in the Litterbox! Male cats are prone to blockages, which can be a life threatening situation.
A cat’s feet can swell for many reasons, from walking across hot asphalt, to trauma from climbing fences in a hurry. Sometimes things like allergic reactions to bugs, medications, etc. can also cause swelling. I would get her examined by a veterinarian because some of these problems need medications to get better.
The two most common scenarios in which well cats vomit are (1) from eating too much or too fast, which results in vomiting undigested food very soon after eating, and (2) hairballs, which usually cause vomiting of the hairball itself. Hairballs have no sure-fire remedy, but the most popular thing to try is a hairball lubricant (make sure you give this on an empty stomach, not with food); also frequent combing, brushing, or even a “lion clip” (for a long-haired cat) will be helpful. Any hair you can remove is hair that your cat will not end up swallowing. There is also a new hairball formula cat food on the market that may help. Ask your veterinarian about this.
As for eating too much or too fast, this problem is usually worse in cases where cats have their food taken away and are only permitted to eat at certain times of the day, causing them to gorge when food is available. Trials of different brands of food may help. Anything else you can do (portioning the food out gradually, for example) to encourage eating smaller amounts frequently might also be helpful. If the vomiting is daily, you might want to try medication. However, most people don’t want to medicate their cats daily if vomiting only occurs once a week or less.
If these ideas don’t help you, the only way to get a certain answer as far as any medical cause, such as inflammatory bowel disease, would be to have biopsies of the stomach and intestinal tract done. Your veterinarian can tell you more about this.
Watery, dripping eyes are a relatively common problem in cats, particularly kittens. They can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, specifically a viral infection. One sore eye could also be a sign of a foreign body, something that’s irritating your cat’s eye. There’s also the possibility that an upper respiratory infection earlier in your cat’s life left his tear ducts clogged or scarred shut.
The best thing you can do for your cat is to seek veterinary care right away. Viral infections can cause corneal ulcers or progress to more serious disease if left untreated, and foreign bodies in the eye can cause damage or disease of the eye. All of these problems are preventable if you see your veterinarian. A veterinarian can treat a viral infection, remove a foreign body from the eye, or flush out clogged tear ducts. In some cases, occular problems can be a sign of more serious systemic conditions (problems that affect many systems in an animal’s body), so it’s very important that you seek veterinary care.
There is no way to prevent hyperthyroidism, but you can catch it early by bringing your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups and keeping a close eye on his health. As your cat gets older, watch him for the symptoms of overactive thyroid: weight loss, hyperactivity, and an increased appetite. Other common symptoms include vomiting, unkempt fur, patches of hair loss, and increased water intake and urination.
The good new is that hyperthyroidism is usually not difficult to diagnose or treat. Veterinarians can generally diagnose the disorder through a physical exam and routine blood test. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, by surgically removing thyroid tissue, or by destroying thyroid tissue through radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment is often very successful.
Whenever cats are having unusual toilet habits, it’s also important to check for physical problems that may be causing it. Infections, diabetes, and other diseases can change the behavior of a normally litterbox trained cat. Check with your veterinarian on these issues so that you don’t just clean the carpet and overlook a possible physical problem.
In older cats, a common cause is a difficulty in maintaining adequate levels of hydration. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but usually low hydration levels are due to problems with the kidneys-they can no longer properly concentrate the urine, and an overall loss of fluid occurs.
Another possible cause of constipation in cats is a disease called “megacolon.” Megacolon is a muscular disease of the large intestine in which the intestine cannot contract properly, leading to a backup of feces and thus, constipation.
So you see, there is no simple remedy for constipation without finding out specifically why the cat is having trouble with its bowel movements. Your cat should be taken to a veterinarian for a complete physical. The doctor may recommend some tests based on what he or she finds. Reasonable tests include bloodwork to check liver and kidney functions, and perhaps X-rays to look for megacolon. In the meantime, a high fiber diet can be fed to help promote intestinal (colon) motility.
Birds
Female birds (most commonly budgerigars/parakeets, cockatiels, finches and some other species) can become stimulated to lay eggs without breeding. This can happen in response to the presence of a male, hormonal imbalances, exposure to constant periods of light and dark that mimic springtime, or actual breeding with a male bird. The eggs are often sterile; i.e. they contain no viable chick.
This egg laying will often continue if the egg is sterile, or if the egg is removed immediately, but the stimulus to lay still exists. Such chronic egg laying can deplete the female bird’s stores of calcium and other nutrients. Calcium is necessary for muscle contractions, which push the egg through the birth canal. Therefore, lack of calcium from chronic egg laying can potentially result in the egg becoming lodged in the birth canal because the muscles no longer work well enough to push the egg out. The final result: a bird in dire need of immediate veterinary care!
It’s also a smart move to contact wildlife rescue. To locate a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator, contact your veterinarian or Audubon Society office. Also, make sure to carefully look over the bird and call the veterinarian immediately if you spot any obvious physical wounds.
Cockatiels are proficient egg layers and generally start in early spring. They are stimulated to begin laying by the lengthening daylight hours. Taking away the eggs will most likely stimulated them to lay more. It’s probably best to leave the eggs in the cage in a quiet box that they can use as a nest box. Whether the eggs are fertile or not, I’d let them “play house” with them as a means of keeping them focused and busy.
One very important consideration is nutrition. Birds that are heavy egg layers, like cockatiels, need diets that are adequate in calcium and other nutrients. Half or less of their food each day should be seed. The other half should be all of the table foods that you eat everyday with the exception of chocolate and avocados. Emphasize high calcium foods like cheese, tofu, kale, bok choy. A separate tray of crushed oyster shells should always be available. With a well-balanced diet, you can help to avoid problems such as egg binding. Don’t be surprised if you see more eggs this spring and summer. The only way to prevent egg laying is to have your female birds surgically spayed. Another alternative that decreases egg production is to cover the cage early each evening to decrease the total daylight hours available.
Reptiles
Exotics
If none of those ideas work, you could try a heavy, hard-to-tip ceramic water bowl. These bowls make a lot more mess than water bottles, so you’ll need to clean her cage more often to make sure her feet stay dry and clean.
If you try all these options and your guinea pig still doesn’t seem to be drinking, you can take her to your veterinarian for an examination.
Neutering can be performed at any age. It’s a good idea, however, to wait until the guinea pig has reached his mature weight. This way his organs will be developed enough to process the anesthesia well. The guinea pig will feel some discomfort at the surgery site for about a day or so, but these pets, like most other animals, usually don’t let a little pain stop them from taking part in all of their normal daily activities. Talk to your veterinarian about providing post-surgical pain relief so that your guinea pig is as comfortable as possible.
First, you might consider putting your hamster’s cage somewhere other than in your bedroom. Remember, though, that because she’s nocturnal, putting her cage in a room that is busy or noisy during daylight hours will make her stressed and could negatively affect her health. Second, your hamster needs healthy things to chew on (besides her cage!), such as soft woods that are designed for chewing and that can be purchased at larger pet supply stores for hamsters and other rodents. Even the fruit-flavored softwood chews for parrots may work. If her cage is chewable (made of plastic, for instance), you should seriously think about replacing it with a hamster-proof cage designed for her species.
Rabbits’ front teeth grow throughout their lives and chewing helps prevent the teeth from getting too long. If they don’t have anything to chew, their long teeth will eventually make it difficult for them to eat. Give your rabbit a piece of wood, such as a 2 x 4, or a chew toy for rabbits to help keep his teeth at a healthy length.