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Canine Bladder Stones – What You Need to Know

By Brian on Sunday, October 9th, 2011 | No Comments

<p>By Jerri Nice D. Torres

Just like humans, it is not exactly unheard of for dogs to suffer from bladder stones also known as kidney stones or canine urolithiasis. This particular health condition happens when there are excessive amounts of crystals (stones) that has accumulated in the dogs urinary tract. This can cause irritation to the urinary tract and the process of urination will be painful for your pet. In most cases, the crystals or stones are usually formed in the bladder of the dog, but it is known that it can also form in urethra or kidney. In any case, the condition of bladder stones in your pet is a matter that is not to be taken lightly because this can make life truly miserable for your pet. In order to effectively treat canine bladder stones, it is important that you understand all about this condition.

What are the symptoms?

It is best that you know your dog inside and out. From their behavior, appetite and temperament, you should be able to tell if there is something amiss with your dog. For symptoms of bladder stones, you should notice that the urination of your dog is much more frequent than normal. If you see notice that the urination of your dog is “dribbling” then this may mean that the urethra is blocked. If you see blood in your pet’s urination, then you should immediately take your dog to a veterinarian. Other symptoms include depression, vomiting and weakness.

What are the available treatments?

If the condition has somehow worsened, then the veterinarian may have to perform a surgical operation in order remove what’s blocking the urethra and empty the bladder. Catheterization is another treatment option that involves inserting a long tube into your dog’s urinary tract, all the way down to the bladder so that it will clear the stones and the urine that causes the blockage. Catheterization is only performed during emergencies. In case of infections, it may require administration of anti biotics. For a less invasive treatment option, you can choose to feed your dog with a special diet that contains agents that are capable of dissolving the stones through chemical reaction.

How do you prevent it?

One of the keys to preventing bladder stones in your dogs is through its diet. Avoid feeding your dog with pet foods that have increased amount of protein and minerals. On the other, you should be feeding your dogs with food that are rich in fiber and carbohydrates. Aside from its diet, you will also have to exercise your dog on a regular basis. Dogs that are lacking in exercise are more prone to the accumulation of bladder stones. Daily exercise is a must not only for the prevention of bladder stones but for the overall health of your pet as well. Also be on the lookout for commercial dog foods that are labeled to prevent kidney and bladder stones.

Always keep in mind that if you see anything wrong with your dog and he’s exhibiting symptoms of bladder stones, it is best if you consult a veterinarian immediately.

About the Author: Jerri Nice D. Torres enjoys writing for Petflow.com which sells chicken soup for the pet lover dog food as well as a host of additional products.

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Read more from the original source: Canine Bladder Stones – What You Need to Know

Your Questions On Canine Hip Dysplasia – Answered.

By Brian on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 | No Comments

<p>By Jack Russell

What is canine hip dysplasia?

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is one of the most frustrating diseases in veterinary medicine today simply because it is so difficult to prevent and treat. CHD is a developmental disease of the bones in which the head of the thigh bone poorly fits the hip socket, causing damage to the cartilage, gradual destruction of the joint, pain and swelling. This disease should not be confused with hip arthritis. Rather, it is the most common cause of arthritis in the hips.

How is canine hip dysplasia transmitted?

CHD is a heritable disease. It is passed on by the parents to the offspring. The only effective measure therefore to eradicate the disease is to prevent dogs with hip dysplasia from breeding. However, this is easier said than done, because not all dogs with hip dysplasia show signs of the disease. Seemingly normal dogs still carry the gene for CHD and are bred, causing the disease to stay within the genepool.

How does one know if a dog has hip dysplasia?

A dog with hip dysplasia generally has less energy and movement. It has difficulty rising from a sitting position, lameness in the back legs, is hopping like a rabbit when running, and is reluctant to go up the stairs. However, these symptoms are usually not evident till the dog reaches middle age. In extreme cases though, some dogs exhibit obvious hip problems as early as 5-6 months of age.

How does a vet confirm if a dog has hip dysplasia?

Sad to say, there is no blood test or genetic test yet that will detect if a dog is a carrier of CHD or not. Diagnosis of the disease is routinely done through physical examinations and x-rays. X-rays help in assessing how bad the condition is, and through comparison with future x-rays, it can also serve as a gauge of how well the chosen treatment is working. Two techniques for taking x-rays of CHD-afflicted dogs are listed below:

1.hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray – It provides a frontal view of the pelvis and hip-joints and best assesses the degree of severity of arthritis present.

2.PennHIP radiography technique – It is used to detect hip looseness in dogs as young as four months of age.

What are the treatment options for canine hip dysplasia?

There is no real cure for CHD just yet, but there are conservative or non-surgical ways to relieve its symptoms. These include the use of drugs to relieve pain and inflammation. Rimadyl, Ectogesic and Deramaxx are effective and have given a lot of suffering dogs the relief needed to live a normal life. Weight loss programs, controlled exercise and physical therapy are also very effective in certain cases.

When conservative treatment is not enough, the only other option is surgery. Surgery can be very effective as it corrects the underlying cause of hip pain which is a malformed joint. Surgery is approached in two different ways when dealing with hip dysplasia. Prophylactic surgery is done to prevent the progression af arthritis while therapeutic surgery aims to treat already arthritic hips.

Triple pelvic osteotomy is the primary preventive procedure available. It involves cutting the pelvis in three places and rotating the hip sockets to provide better coverage. This procedure is effective as long as it is done before arthritis sets in or before the joint is damaged. Another kind of preventive surgery, although still being studied if it is effective or not, is pubic symphysiodesis. This involves manipulating the way the pelvis grows to ensure a tighter hip. This procedure is done on very young dogs.

Therapeutic procedures include total hip replacement and femoral head ostectomy. Total hip replacement is performed mainly on larger dogs. High density, medical plastic is used to replace the socket and a high-quality, non-corrosive alloy is used for the ball. This procedure has a high success rate, almost completely eliminates pain and enables the dog to completely resume activity.

Another therapeutic procedure for hip dysplasia is femoral head ostectomy. It involves the removal of the top of the femur which then eliminates the painful grinding at the hip joint. The femur is then allowed to float freely causing the formation of scar tisue which then serves as a false joint. This procedure is not recommended for mild cases of arthritis and is generally effective only on smaller, well-muscled dogs.

Can canine hip dysplasia be prevented?

The best measure of prevention is of course careful breeding since hip dysplasia is a heritable condition. The onset of hip dysplasia can be delayed in many dogs with a genetic predisposition by preventing excessive weight gain during the early months and by making sure that the puppy does not place undue stress on the hips.

OFA and PennHip offers information on breed risk. Prospective puppy buyers are advised to check for pedigrees for OFA, PennHip or GDC certifications.

About the Author: Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook – it’s Dog Gone Good! http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/

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Originally posted here: Your Questions On Canine Hip Dysplasia – Answered.

Natural Treatment For Canine Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis

By Brian on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 | No Comments

<p>By Byran

Signs that a Dog has Arthritis

Your dog is lying down and you call him but he does not come or you run up the stairs and call her but she hesitates to come up the stairs. Both of these can be signs that your dog is suffering from arthritis. Just like with humans, dog arthritis is quite painful and while a dog’s pain threshold is typically higher than humans, if your dog is hesitating doing activities he always did before, you probably need to have some x-rays done to see if he or she has developed arthritis.

It is common and in fact, just like osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in people, aging or wear and tear arthritis is very common in dogs. If your dog is overweight, getting him on a good diet to shed some pounds will help his pain greatly because there will not be the added weight on his joints. Moreover, begin moderate exercise will help to keep the joints moving and lubricated, as well as adding some MSM and glucosamine to his diet, both are natural anti-inflammatories that can lessen pain and help build back the joint cartilage your dog has lost.

What Breeds Are Susceptible to Hip Dysplasia

Big dogs are most likely to develop hip dysplasia, but it seems to be especially common in German Shepherds, huskies, and Golden Retrievers. However, there are many mixed breed dogs that have genetic factors for the disease and therefore, any mid to large sized breed that is mixed is also susceptible to developing hip dysplasia.

Some dogs develop the disease very early in life, which in a sense is good because if it is caught early enough there are ways to slow down the progression to stop arthritis from occurring in the hip joint. If you have a breed that is prone to the disease or you know there is a family history of hip dysplasia in their bloodline, you should have your dog x-rayed at various intervals to check for any changes in their hip joints to see if they are developing the disease. The earlier treatment begins the better is it for your dog because it is a serious condition that can cause a great deal of pain for your dog.

Treatment for Canine Hip Dysplasia And Arthritis

In the early stages of hip dysplasia, which is a genetic looseness in the hip joint itself, conservative measures are sought such as pain medications, weight loss (if the dog is overweight), light exercise, and physical therapy. Supplements can also be used such as glucosamine and MSM, which can help control inflammation in the hip itself. As long as the dog is comfortable and still has use of his hind legs, this type of treatment can go on indefinitely.

If the disease is severe, surgery may be needed to either help prevent arthritis from occurring in the joint, or to help improve function of an already arthritic hip. Often surgery can relieve some of the pain, but in severe cases, if lameness has occurred it is irreversible and therefore, a prosthetic “wheelchair” can be attached to the dog like a harness and the dog then learns to walk moving his front legs while pulling the two-wheel “wheelchair” with his two hind legs in it. Most dogs can take to the “wheels” easily with a bit of training and can live normal life expectancies.

About the Author: Byran is a veterinarian (D.V.M) and Ph.D in the Life Sciences. An accomplished author, with numerous peer reviewed articles, she is often sought out for her scientific know how.She is currently focused on providing solutions to common dog health problems such as Canine Hip Dysplasia

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Original post: Natural Treatment For Canine Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis

Canine Diabetes

By Brian on Monday, July 11th, 2011 | No Comments

<p>By Moses Chia

Dogs are known to suffer from illnesses such as diabetes as well. The pancreas is an abdominal organ that produces digestive enzymes for the metabolism of food. Occasionally, due to illness or trauma, the pancreas either produces less insulin or none at all and the body then becomes inefficient in dealing with high volumes of glucose in the blood. As the glucose is not being converted into energy, the body then starts to draw on its reserves of fat which does not serve the body’s need for energy.

This can result in diabetes mellitus, or sugar diabetes, and is most common in middle aged to older dogs although it can occur in younger animals. As the treatment consists in replenishment of the body’s supplies of insulin this form of the disease is otherwise known as Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) (Type II diabetes mellitus).

Diabetes, if managed properly managed and controlled, will have little effect on your dog quality of life although there will be some changes in terms of treatment schedules and feeding regimes. Your dog’s diabetes can be controlled with either daily insulin injections or oral diabetic medication alone if his symptoms aren’t too severe or he has a bad reaction to injections. Insulin injections are simple procedures and painless as your vet would demonstrate and teach you how to administer them.

Some of the symptoms that indicate that your dog is developing IDDM are a vastly increased level of thirst and urination levels, and an enormous increase in appetite. This is because he’s trying to take in enough calories to make up for the deficit in available energy as glucose is not being converted as energy. You may notice that your dog is losing a weight drastically despite his increase in appetite, as his body weight is being compromised to in light of the low insulin levels.

Your dog may grow increasingly listless if these symptoms are not picked up, with the increased likelihood of internal organ damage over time. A prolonged absence of insulin may lead to high levels of ketones in the body, which can result in a scent of sweet peardrops on his breath. This is a dangerous signal and is indicative of ketoacidosis which raises the pH level of the blood and this can cause serious damage within your dog’s body.

Ongoing management of diabetes will include testing of his blood or urine for glucose in the morning, and giving him the appropriate insulin dosage for that reading. Approximately five minutes after your dog receives his insulin dosage, he can be given his morning meal. Later in the day, you will need to feed your dog when his blood glucose levels are low, and again this will require you to test his blood or urine to determine insulin levels present. Once you have established a good routine this should be adhered to until your vet suggests a review.

About the Author: Moses Wright is the webmaster of http://DogCustomer.com. He provides more information on Dog Health, Dog Health Care and Dog Veterinary Diseases that you can learn in the comfort of your home. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=113052&ca=Pets

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