DOGGIE ODOR

We love our dog, but sometimes he really smells. What can we do?

Dogs use various secretions to communicate with one another by scent. Typically, these odors are most prominent around the ears, paws and anus. Most people, especially pet lovers, do not find anything offensive about a dog’s “natural” scents, but there are cases when doggy odor makes it difficult to be around a pet. There are a variety of reasons why a dog can become unpleasantly odorous. For example, his skin and coat could have become very dirty, he could have rolled around in a smelly substance outside, he could have developed a skin condition, he could have an infection in his ear, or his anal sacs could have become impacted.

You should bathe the dog with an odor-fighting shampoo and clean the ears with an ear cleaner. This should clear up the odor problem. However if the odor persists, consult a veterinarian to eliminate any underlying medical causes, including an ear infection, or anal sac blockage.

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Your Dog’s Diabetic Lifestyle

It is important, especially as your dog ages, to be alert for warning signs that diabetes may be present. Clinical signs of diabetes include: excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive appetite and weight loss despite good appetite—a visit to the veterinarian is imperitive for the appropriate diagnosis.

The initial shock and fear one feels after hearing your dog has diabetes does not have to be frightening. This is not a death sentence for your pet. Much fear is caused by the lack of information on the disease.  The next challenge for you as a pet owner is learning how to adjust your pet’s diet, exercise and medication to support good health. A diabetic dog requires regular veterinary care and partnership to assist you in implementing the right program for your dog for proper nutrition, exercise and medication.

Diet plays a critical role in keeping your dog’s diabetes well regulated.  Because insulin requirements change depending on the amount and type of food eaten, a consistent high-quality diet is important. Research continues on the ideal diet composition or diabetic pets. However, many vets recommend special diets containing greater amounts of soluble fiber. Research has shown that a soluble fiber slows the absorption of glucose from the digestive system.

In spite of a more restrictive diet, treats can and should continue to play a part in your diabetic dog’s daily routine .Many pets are accustomed to receiving treats during the day and eliminating them from the daily routine makes your dog unhappy. Healthy treats made specifically for diabetic dogs are becoming more available to meet demand. Many owners even use them as treats after giving the insulin injections as a reward. A healthy diabetic treat is one that has no obvious source of sugar and has either complex grains (Whole Grains) or meat as its main ingredients.

Caring for a diabetic pet requires a strong commitment on your part to your dog, but it’s a rewarding challenge.  Once your dog becomes regulated to their insulin levels and diet, you quickly develop into a daily routine. With the help of products specially formulated for dogs with diabetes, your diabetic dog can lead a happy, healthy and long life.

DOGGIE BREATH

What do I have to do to get rid of my pet’s doggie breath?

Persistent doggie breath isn’t just unpleasant; it can also be a sign of a more serious problem. It is recommended that you take the dog to a veterinarian, who can look for gastrointestinal and dental causes of the bad breath. When a pet has recurring bad breath, chances are plaque has built up on his teeth to the point where it has hardened into tartar.

In addition to regular veterinary dental checkups, you should begin an at-home dental care program, brushing the pet’s teeth at home every day, or at least every other day. Brushing helps remove plaque before it turns to tartar. For immediate improvement in the dog’s breath, give the pet breath mints and dental bones. These products will also contribute to the overall dental health of a dog.

Dogs should be introduced to the routine of getting their teeth brushed early in life so they become more accepting of the idea. With older dogs, be patient and introduce the brushing gradually.

DIRTY EARS

My dog keeps shaking her head and scratching her ears. Is something wrong?

This pet is exhibiting signs of an ear infection. About one in five dogs will get an infection of the external ear canal in their lifetimes. Dogs with long, floppy ears like cocker spaniels, and breeds with hairy inner ear flaps like schnauzers are especially prone to developing this problem. It is recommended that dogs with signs of ear infections be taken to a veterinarian, since the condition, though usually not serious, requires medical treatment. However, there are things you can do to help protect your pet against future ear infections. Inspect the pet’s ears daily, sniffing for foul odors, and clean the ears at least once (or preferably twice) a week.

Use blunt pet tweezers to pluck hair from the inner ear flap, especially in “hairy eared” breeds like the miniature poodle. This will reduce the risk of ear infections.

Why is my dog? An aggressive chewer that destroys all his toys and bones quickly?

When it comes to chewing, not all dogs are created equal. A toy or bone that lasts other dogs for days can be turned into a soggy pulp in no time by an aggressive chewer. There are some guidelines that people with aggressive chewers can follow. The first, and most important step is to supervise aggressive chewers carefully to make sure the treat or chew being offered will not pose a safety hazard. All chew treats should be inspected daily to make sure there are no loose pieces that can pose a threat to a dog. Hard rubber and nylon bones are generally best for aggressive chewers. Pressed rawhide is preferred to other rawhide chews for aggressive chewers since it will stand up better.