News

One of the most common medical complaints we see in our office is dogs with skin infections, “hot spots” or allergic dermatitis, also known as atopic dermatitis (atopy), so if you want to know how to cure Dog Skin Allergies , you should keep reading this post.

Unlike people who react to allergens most commonly with nasal symptoms and / or hives, dogs react with skin and / or gastrointestinal problems. This is because there is a higher proportion of mast cells, which release histamines and other vasoactive substances in the face of an allergic challenge, in the skin of dogs.

These problems can range from poor coat texture or hair length, to itching and chewing, to hot spots and self-mutilation, gastrointestinal pain and discomfort, diarrhea and flatulence. Allergies can also play a role in chronic ear infections.

Intradermal skin tests can also be done. In this test method, a small amount of antigen is injected into a shaved part of the dog’s skin. This is done in a specific pattern and order, so that if the dog shows a small elevated reaction, the offending antigen can be identified.

After a period of time (hours), the shaved area is examined to detect which antigens, if any, created a reaction. Allergy tests are performed to develop a specific therapy for the allergic animal.

How to cure Dog Skin Allergies

Once you have identified the causes and the diagnosis, it is time to learn about the treatments that will allow you to know how to cure dermatitis in dogs, and they are:

1.- Medicated bathrooms

Many medicated shampoos have compounds that aim to soothe broken skin and calm inflammation. Also, frequent bathing (weekly to every two weeks) of the dog can remove allergens from the hair, which can contribute to skin allergy flare-ups.

Medicated baths are a great way to learn how to cure dermatitis in dogs, but the ones we recommend are those that actually contain antimicrobial and antifungal agents, as well as ingredients that allow the skin to bathe more frequently without drying it out.

Applying a post rinse also helps prevent skin and hair from drying out.

2.- Antihistamines

Antihistamines can be used safely in dogs. About a third of homeowners report success with antihistamines. These medications are excellent for understanding the most effective way to cure dermatitis in dogs, as they tend to have a variable effect between dogs. For some allergic dogs, antihistamines work very well to control the symptoms of allergic skin disease.

For other dogs, very little effect is seen. Therefore, a minimum of three different types of antihistamines should be tried before owners abandon this therapy.

Examples of antihistamines commonly used for dogs include Benadryl, Chlortrimeton, Atarax, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Clemastine. However, antihistamines are considered worth trying in most cases, as the side effects associated with antihistamines are low and they are generally inexpensive medications.

3.- Antibiotics and antifungal medications

Antibiotics are often needed to treat secondary skin infections. Antifungal medications are often needed, to treat secondary yeast infections, this is something necessary to learn how to cure dermatitis in dogs.

4.- Flea control

For dogs with this problem, a strict flea control regimen must be maintained. The best flea control options include using products like Advantage, Revolution, Frontline, Comfortis, and Sentinel.

5.- Supplements

Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acid supplements work to improve the overall health of the skin. These fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. They are reportedly helpful in 20% of allergic dogs. My own experience puts this figure a bit higher.

Without a doubt, they are worth a try to have more options when learning how to cure dermatitis in dogs, and because they are not harmful and have virtually no side effects. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oils and omega-6 fatty acids are derived from plants that contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

These supplements are different from those sold to produce a shiny coat. Products that contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids include Alergen Caps and Halo.

6.- Hypoallergenic diets

Allergies develop through exposure, which is why most hypoallergenic diets incorporate protein and carbohydrates that your dog has never had before. As mentioned above, the quickest and best way to determine what foods your dog may or may not be allergic to is through allergy diagnostic tests.

Since dairy products, beef, and wheat are responsible for 80% of food allergies in dogs, these items should be avoided.

New sources of protein used in hypoallergenic diets include venison, egg, duck, kangaroo, and types of fish not commonly found in pet food. Carbohydrate sources include potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and canned pumpkin.

Hydrolyzed protein diets are diets in which the protein source has been synthetically reduced to small fragments.

The theory behind feeding a hydrolyzed protein source is that the proteins in the food should be small enough that the allergic dog’s immune system does not recognize the protein fragments and does not generate an immune response that results in an allergy.

Most pets with food allergies respond well to a store-bought hypoallergenic diet, but sometimes an animal suffers from allergies so extreme that the only option is a homemade diet. In this case, the diet must be personalized with the help of a veterinarian in order to know how to cure dermatitis in dogs.

7.- Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents

Cortisone products like prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone reduce itching by reducing inflammation. These medications are not without side effects, so they should be used wisely in treating skin allergies.

Steroids should be considered only when allergy season is short, the amount of medication required is small, or to relieve a dog in extreme discomfort. Side effects can include increased thirst and appetite, increased need to urinate, and behavior changes.

Long-term use can result in diabetes and decreased resistance to infection. In some dogs, long-term low-dose alternative day therapy is the only management protocol that successfully controls the atopic pet.

This protocol should be used only as a last resort after all other methods have been exhausted to avoid potential long-term complications from the medication.

Cyclosporine (Atopica) is a drug that appears to be quite effective in reducing inflammation associated with skin allergies and in calming the immune system of the affected dog. However, the price of cyclosporine can be prohibitive for larger breed dogs, something to keep in mind when learning how to cure dermatitis in dogs.

8.- Immunotherapy (Hypo-sensitization)

Allergy shots are very safe and a great way to understand how to cure dermatitis in dogs, and many people have great success with them; However, they are very slow to work. It may take six to twelve months before improvement is seen.

Once the allergens for the dog are identified, an appropriate immunotherapy is made for that specific dog, and treatment can begin. Similarly, once the offending antigens are identified, a mixture of these antigens can be formulated in a hyposensitizing injection.

Depending on the type of agents used, these injections will be given over a period of weeks to months until the dog or cat develops immunity against the agents. After initial protection, an occasional booster may need to be given.

9.- Environmental control

If you know what substances your dog is allergic to, it will be easier to understand how to cure dermatitis in dogs and how to avoid using them. Even if you are desensitizing the dog with allergy shots, it is best to avoid the allergen entirely.

Molds can be reduced by using a dehumidifier or by placing activated charcoal on exposed soil on your house plants. Dusts and pollens are best controlled by using an air filter with a HEPA filter. Air conditioning can also reduce the circulating amounts of allergens in the air because windows are kept closed.

10. Medications for the thyroid

Healthy skin and a normal coat are the result of many factors, both external and internal. There are several glands in the body responsible for the production of hormones that are vital for the regulation of other bodily functions, as well as a normal skin surface and coat of hair.

Hypothyroidism can result in a poor layer of skin and hair, including hair loss or abnormal hair change, dull or brittle hair, altered pigmentation, and oily or dry skin.

A blood test is the simplest and most direct way to tell if your dog has hypothyroidism. The thyroid test may include all or part of the following:

• The T4 or Total T4 (TT4) baseline test – This is the most common test. Dogs with insufficient thyroid gland will have a reduced level of the T4 hormone.

However, there are other conditions that can cause T4 to drop, so if this test comes back positive for hypothyroidism, a vet should recommend an additional blood test, either the T3 test or the baseline TSH test.

• The baseline TSH test: measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone. In combination with the T4 or T3 test, it provides a more complete picture of the hormonal activity of your dog’s thyroid gland.
• T4 by RIA test (radioimmunoassay): The Free T4 test with RIA techniques does not appear to be more or less accurate than the previous TT4 test.
• Free T4 by ED (Equilibrium Dialysis): This test can provide more accurate data on the level of T4 hormone in your dog’s bloodstream.
• T3 baseline test: In combination with the T4 or TSH test, these two blood tests can provide a clearer picture of the hormone levels found in the bloodstream.

This test is not reliable when used alone. The T3 test should always be administered in combination with one of the other blood tests.

• TSH Response Test : In this test, the vet takes an initial measurement of the thyroid hormones in your dog’s bloodstream. And then injects thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) into the vein.

After 6 hours, a blood sample is drawn and the T4 level is checked. If your dog is hypothyroid, the T4 level will not rise even after injecting TSH. This is an expensive test and is used less frequently due to less production by manufacturers.

Hypothyroidism is treated with a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone called thyroxine (levothyroxine). Blood samples should be drawn periodically to assess the effectiveness of the dose and to make any necessary adjustments.

Successful management of the atopic and allergic dog is sometimes complicated and frustrating because multimodal management is necessary in most cases to control allergic outbreaks.

Proper diagnosis by a veterinarian and owner and follow-up care is essential to maximize the chances of curing or at least managing the severely affected allergy patient. So knowing how to cure dermatitis in dogs is more than necessary.

Which is the Most expensive dog breeds in the world? Surely you have ever seen the largest dog in the world, or the smallest, either in photo, video or through the Guinness Book of Records. But in addition to their size, character or obedience … some dogs also become famous for their peculiar price.

Most expensive dog breeds

Before giving you more information about the most expensive dog in the world, we want to express our total disagreement with the sale of animals. It does not seem fair to us that they raise dogs for sale while in kennels and shelters they are saturated with dogs looking for a home. So we strongly insist that you adopt dogs, not buy them.

In municipal and animal protection kennels, you will find purebred dogs and mongrel dogs, you can adopt them for free, paying only for their mandatory vaccinations and identification chip (these expenses vary depending on the country of residence). Why pay for a dog when we can adopt one for free? There are millions of dogs waiting for a home, adopt.

The most expensive dog in the world is a red-haired Tibetan Mastiff.

It was sold for one million four hundred thousand euros (one million nine hundred thousand US dollars or twelve million yuan). It was bought by a real estate developer.

Its history is very common, it is a dog very physically similar to lions, it has a very unique mane and tail, which makes it very similar to these big cats. It is a faithful and guardian dog, of great size that has become very fashionable among the upper classes.

.

Throughout history, this breed of dog has been used for hunting and as a guard dog in the Asian area. It reaches ninety or one hundred kilos in weight and a height of eighty centimeters, from the ground to the shoulders. Its maintenance is very high due to the large amount of food it needs on a daily basis. Its physical maintenance is also complicated, due to its long and intense coat it is not a suitable dog for hot or tropical climates, however it is an excellent option for extremely cold climates.

We must brush it daily and bathe it every month, in addition to carrying out thorough checks on its legs and fur in search of small branches that may have been nailed or parasites such as ticks.

In general, their fur is red, but you can also see specimens of other colors although not so valued economically.

We will never understand why you pay for an animal, just as we will never understand why you pay for a human. But since there has to be everything on the planet … this is, at the moment, the most expensive dog in the world.

If you have any questions you can leave them in the comments, no registration is necessary. We answer 100% of inquiries.

One of the first questions that come to mind when having a dog is: How much food should my dog eat? It is a very obvious question with an answer that is not so obvious since it depends on many different factors.

If you spend a few minutes with us, you will learn how to calculate the amount of food for your dog in the best possible way and in a personalized way.

How much food should my dog eat?

The answer will vary depending on the diet the animal receives. If it is a commercial product, whether it is dry, wet, dehydrated or whatever, by law the dosage must be registered on the product.

However, this dosage guideline is for animals in maintenance or growth in case it is a valid product for this vital phase. It does not contemplate states such as pregnancy or lactation (unless the product is specific for this use). Likewise, within the maintenance itself, there is a lot of individual variety, we will see why this happens shortly.

In the case of being a non-commercial diet of unknown composition, it will depend on what we are feeding the animal and under what conditions.

How many times a day should I feed him?

This question will depend on several factors of both the animal and the owners. On the one hand, the physiological state of the dog (growth, adult, old age, lactation or pregnancy) and on the other the comfort of the owners. The idea is to arrive at the option that provides greater well-being for both owners and dogs and that does not neglect the minimum requirements that these require.

On the part of dogs, their requirements according to the physiological phase are :

• Maintenance : The amount of food indicated on the container for the weight of the animal divided into 2 or 3 doses, depending on the behavior of the dog. If he eats with great anxiety with two feeds, it may be that he is starving and you have to increase the frequency. Nothing happens if they eat more than 3 servings a day as long as the amount is measured.
• Old age : At this stage of life, animals tend to be less active, so their energy expenditure and needs are reduced. This usually manifests itself with the fact that by maintaining the same feeding frequency, they gain weight. In case you see this, the simplest thing is to reduce the amount of food by 10%.
• Puppies : Once weaned, the energy needs are very high since they are very active and have many tissues to generate and also their stomach will be very small. Therefore, 3 or 4 feedings should be given a day and adjusted according to the age of the puppy.
• Gestation : The needs increase progressively being very high at the end of this. The safest option is to administer a specific food for this stage. It is also preferable to go to 3 or 4 daily intakes since the needs are greater and due to the compression exerted by the fetuses, the stomach is smaller.
• Lactation : The needs are very great and due to the care of the young, the time to eat is very small and does not necessarily have to adapt to the feeding schedule that we have established. For this reason, it is the only case in which free or ad-libitum feeding is recommended.

Obviously these shots must be distributed as evenly as possible throughout the day. The amount is highly recommended that it is always the same and that it is not given in times of great stress for the animals.

Physical exercise and diet

This is another very important factor when it comes to regulating food since the more energy is consumed, the more energy is expended and when exercising, the amount of muscle mass is increased, which also increases energy expenditure.

Ideally, exercise and eating should be as homogeneous as possible throughout the week. However, it is very normal that this does not happen since on weekends we have more time to lower our pet, and it spends more time on the street.

Faced with the possibility of increasing the amount of food these days, it is more advisable that it be an increase in the intake of every day in order to have greater control, since weight variations are not immediate events but trends throughout the weather.

Food optional or free

In this, the feed is left all day and the bowl is filled once it is empty. This is a very widespread method because of how comfortable it is and in some cases the dog manages its diet well and does not get fat.

The normal thing is that it leads to the obesity of the animal because it eats more than it should and this is a very important health problem that does not have a quick solution. On the other hand, feeding the animal is not only about filling the container, but it also indicates the relationship that your dog has with his food: loss of appetite, pain when chewing, etc. With a free diet these problems can go unnoticed.

Read

Another case is that of puppies that are left with food freely available. This option is also dangerous since it can cause a type of obesity called hyperplastic obesity in which the number of cells that contain fat is greater and it is very difficult to lose weight.

The only case in which this nutritional guideline would be indicated is in lactation and you should always return to feeding rationing when it is over.

Why is it not recommended feeding them only once a day?

There are many reasons why this practice is inadvisable. The dog will spend a significant part of the day hungry and will be faced with a very large meal. Due to his hunger, he will ingest it with anxiety and his stomach will be full and possibly dilated beyond what is recommended. He will have an easier time-twisting (which is a surgical emergency) or he will just end up vomiting.

Due to this increased ingestion speed, the chewing of the food will also be compromised, making its digestion and absorption more difficult and worse. In addition, the dog will spend much of the day hungry, which on a behavioral level will be a problem.

What happens if my dog ​​gets fat or loses weight?

There is no need to worry at all. The formulas for calculating the needs of dogs and cats apply relatively poorly to the individual animal, but work very well in populations. So it is totally normal for a dog to gain weight or lose weight .

In this case, the product itself will inform us that the ration must be lowered or raised by 10% compared to the recommended amount. Once this change has been made, we must wait a few weeks to assess whether there has been a change in the tendency to gain or lose weight.

Pathological situations

This category is very broad and the nutrition for each case is different. In general, a very characteristic symptom of a sick dog is that it does not want to eat . In this case, wet food becomes an interesting option because it is more palatable and has a higher digestibility.

On many occasions they are transitory situations in which the animal will need more energy, but it will not have an appetite to ingest it . Therefore, it is recommended that you eat as much as possible, but without forcing yourself so as not to generate aversion to food.

Dogs and humans are much more alike than we usually think. And unfortunately, that means that we also share some diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, both type 1 and type 2. This disease is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Next, we are going to detail what symptoms of diabetes in dogs should make us suspect that our dog has this pathology. It is very important that we seek veterinary assistance to balance glucose and avoid the complications derived from its increase.

What is diabetes in dogs?

Diabetes is a common disease in dogs. It can be type 1 or type 2:

1. Insulin-dependent or Type I diabetes. In these cases, the body is no longer able to produce insulin, the disease arises from progressive destruction of the beta cells of your pet’s pancreas. This is the most common in our furry companions and is usually caused by cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
2. Non-insulin-dependent or Type II diabetes. In it, your pancreas can continue to produce insulin at normal levels, but the rest of your tissues, liver, and muscles are less sensitive to it. This disorder appears when the body becomes resistant to insulin, it is less common in dogs, but more common in people and cats. Among the predisposing factors to suffer from this type of diabetes are: obesity, genetic predisposition and sedentary lifestyles.

Insulin works by helping glucose enter cells throughout the body, where it undergoes different processes to produce the energy necessary for the body to function.

Normally, blood glucose levels are high after eating (postprandial hyperglycemia), until the pancreas secretes the necessary insulin, and glucose levels fall because it has entered the cells.

However, in this disease we obtain chronic fasting hyperglycemia, that is, constant high blood glucose levels without having eaten , because there is no insulin that can introduce it into the cells to be used by the body.

When there is no insulin, the cells do not have the ability to detect that there is glucose, but they detect that they are not receiving it and send signals to produce more glucose.
This causes more fat and protein to be burned to produce glucose. The body accumulates this glucose, which the cells are not able to consume due to insulin deficiency and it ends up leaking into the urine, dragging a large amount of water with it.

What dogs can suffer from diabetes?

This disease can affect any dog, but a higher incidence has been found in some breeds such as the Golden Retriever, Poodle, Dachshund, Pinscher, Westy and Schnauzer, among others. So there seems to be a genetic predisposition .

In addition, it affects females to a greater extent, especially while females (not spayed/neutered females). The age of onset is between six and nine years old and the older our furry, the greater the risk of them suffering from diabetes.

Some Symptoms of diabetes in dogs

Among the different symptoms that we can appreciate in the face of what is colloquially known as a rise or fall in sugar, it is worth highlighting :

• Glycosuria , which is the presence of a large amount of glucose in the urine.
• Polyuria , the dog urinates in large quantities due to glucosuria, since glucose drags more water in the kidneys due to an osmotic diuresis.
• Polydipsia , when urinating so much, the loss of fluids is compensated with an increase in water intake, to avoid dehydration.
• Polyphagia , the increased appetite at first is due to the dog not being able to metabolize enough glucose. Subsequently, this is lost to the extent that the animal suffers from malnutrition.
• Weight loss and muscle loss due to protein catabolism.
• When the disease is advanced, it can affect all organs and produce symptoms such as lethargy , vomiting , weakness and, in the most severe cases, coma.
• Associated complications include cataracts, kidney and neurological problems, urinary tract infections, or high blood pressure .

What is diabetic ketoacidosis?

It is a disorder that arises as a consequence of severe hyperglycemia , either due to undiagnosed chronic diabetes or insufficient insulin dosage. It produces the accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood. Ketones are products of the metabolism of fats, the body uses them because it does not have glucose for energy.

Its symptoms are general weakness, vomiting, rapid breathing, and the smell of acetone on the breath . It is an emergency, the dog must be taken to the veterinary center immediately, as it is at high risk of death.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

To confirm that the clinical signs correspond to this disease, it is necessary to perform a blood and urinary analysis . In the first, we will detect fasting hyperglycemia, moderate elevation of liver enzymes such as ALT and alkaline phosphatase, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. On urinalysis, glycosuria, proteinuria, and depending on the severity, possibly also ketonuria will be detected.

Also, fructosamine levels can be determined, a protein that reflects the glycemia of the last 3 weeks, and that in diabetic dogs will be elevated. Exercise daily, as it increases the absorption of insulin.

Treatment of diabetes in dogs

It is important to keep in mind that the control of diabetes in dogs is completely different from that in human medicine . For this reason, despite being familiar with the disease, either because we know it or even suffer from it, we will always follow the veterinarian’s recommendations.

Treatment focuses on two basic pillars, which are food and medication.

Under the objectives of making symptoms disappear, avoiding complications of the disease (ketoacidosis, cataracts), controlling risk factors (obesity, right-handed in females, chronic infections) and avoiding hypoglycemia. The dog, in the case of insulin-dependent diabetes, will need us to administer insulin daily to compensate for the one that his body cannot produce. If we are rigorous with the treatment, the dog can lead a normal life.

Veterinary control must be exhaustive because each dog will need a different amount of insulin and even the doses will vary throughout the life of the same dog. For this reason, at the beginning of the treatment, the veterinarian will have to control the glucose levels of the dog to see when the maximum and minimum are produced . With all the information, the dose is adjusted and it is decided when to administer the medication.

Insulin administration precautions

The consequences of an inadequate administration of insulin can be serious , so it is essential that we follow the instructions of the veterinarian to the letter regarding the amount and type of insulin, its conservation, the frequency of administration or the type of syringes.

If we overdose, glucose can drop to alarming levels. This hypoglycemia causes confusion, sleepiness, tremors, staggering, seizures, and even coma.

Diet and diabetes

It is recommended that a diabetic dog consume a dry or wet diet with a high fiber content, low in fat, rich in protein, hypocaloric and with slow assimilation complex carbohydrates and low glycemic index , because they reduce the possibility of that triggers hyperglycemia. This is because they minimize glucose fluctuations after each intake and we will largely avoid the stimulation of the beta cells of the pancreas.

For sale in veterinary clinics we will find this type of food in different presentations. If we prefer a homemade diet, we must prepare a menu with the vet . In any case, the food should be administered in two or three daily intakes to avoid hyperglycemia after a large intake.

Finally, the insulin dose is calculated based on the daily calorie requirements, which depend on the weight of the dog and the activity it develops. That is why it is important that we do not vary the amount of food we offer each day. In addition, the dog must exercise daily, as it increases the absorption of insulin.

Obesity in diabetic dogs

In addition to a diet adapted to the dog’s disease, it is essential that we avoid being overweight. Obesity negatively affects health, complicates diseases, predisposes others, or makes anesthesia difficult. In the case of diabetes, it reduces the response to insulin, making it difficult to control.

Therefore, if the dog is overweight, in addition to treatment for diabetes, the veterinarian will determine its ideal weight and prescribe a suitable diet to achieve it. Weight reduction should be gradual (2-4 months), managing around 60-70% of the caloric requirements for your ideal weight. At present, specific feeds are available for these disorders.

Lean diabetic dogs

If the dog has already lost weight by the time diabetes is diagnosed, it is important that it return to its ideal weight and also regain its muscles, since in many cases protein catabolism ends up producing significant amyotrophy . To achieve this, low fiber diets are recommended because they contain a higher caloric density. We can also find them for sale.

What is the relationship between sterilization and diabetes?

As part of the treatment of diabetes, the veterinarian can recommend sterilization in the case of females, that is, the removal of the uterus and ovaries, by surgery. This is because progesterone has a hyperglycemic effect .

Prognosis of diabetes in dogs

The prognosis of this pathology will depend on each case. In addition, factors such as the owner’s ability to follow the prescribed treatment, the ease or not to control glucose levels, and the presence or absence of other diseases play a role.

Diabetes monitoring

During the first month, it is recommended that the check-ups be weekly , later they could become monthly until good control of the disease is achieved and once achieved, every 3 months. In them, symptoms, glycosuria and ketonuria, physical examination, punctual glycemia (6-8 h post insulin) and glycemic curves are taken into account, fructosamine measurements can also be added.

It is considered that there is good control of the disease when our furry does not show symptoms, maintains its stable weight (once the ideal weight has been reached), glycosuria is weakly positive and the values ​​of both glycemia and fructosamine are within of the standardized ranges.

When the disease is not well controlled, especially if high doses of insulin are being used. There may be a Somogy Effect (hyperglycemia secondary to hypoglycemia due to insulin overdose), shortening of the action of insulin or even the appearance of insulin resistance, generally associated with infections, concurrent diseases, right-handedness or certain pharmacological treatments.

Fortunately, a diabetic dog with proper treatment, and proper veterinary controls, will be able to have a perfectly normal quality of life, and longevity equal to that of a dog without the said disease.

How to clean dogs ears? One of the most sensitive and prone to getting dirty is our dog’s ears, so we must pay special attention to them to avoid possible otitis.

Sure you know several ways to clean a dog’s ears, but … Which is the correct way or which is totally discouraged? We must avoid damaging the inner ear of our dog, so it is worth taking the next minute to read this article.

Read also: Can dogs eat zucchini? Benefits of zucchini for dogs

When should i clean my dogs ears?

Although in general not much importance is given to the hygiene of the ears, it is one of the most sensitive points of our dog , in addition to being very prone to catching infections. We must check and clean our dog’s ears at least once a week.

The frequency also depends on the morphology of your dog’s ears, its size, the level of dirt in the place where it walks, plays or lives, etc. Some dogs may need to have their ears cleaned twice a week or more, while others may simply need a cleaning every fifteen to thirty days.

The ears create wax naturally, it is a means of protection for the hearing of any mammal, including humans. It is completely normal for a dog to have wax in its ears. However, an excess of it and a bad smell, for example, will not be normal.

The Malassezia yeast is a microorganism that gives part of the brownish wax, and it is normal in the outer ear of a dog. Likewise and as we said before, it will not be common, it will be pathological and predisposing to otitis, an overpopulation of Malassezia with a strong smell, and a large amount of brown wax.

At general levels, weekly cleaning is usually sufficient. Not forgetting that we must dry their ears inside (in the same way as if we cleaned them) every time we bathe them.

How to clean dogs ears explained step by step

The first thing we must do is clean our hands and find a place with light to observe well the inside of the ears or outer ear of our dog. This initial review will indicate the amount of dirt that we are going to find and where it is located on the ear.

Once this inspection is carried out, we will apply a jet of cleaner (veterinary) free of antibiotics and antifungals in the fundus of the ear. Next, we will “close” the ear on the outside as if we wanted to plug it and apply a small massage to the base of the ear (transition zone between the ear and head). This will mix the liquid and then encourage the dog to shake off, expelling as much of the secretion as possible.

Once the ear is empty or almost empty of liquid, you will have to clean it manually with a gauze. We will roll a gauze around our finger and gently introduce it into the dog’s ear. We must be very delicate since any sudden movement can hurt them.

Logically, if our dog has a small ear we will use the little finger for this task. Whereas if it has large ears (or is a large breed) perhaps we can use another finger without forcing. Once we have gently introduced the finger with the gauze inside your ear, we will make small and gentle circular movements, in order to drag as much wax as possible with the gauze.

We will remove the finger with the gauze and examine it, if the gauze has come out dirty, we will take a clean gauze and repeat the cleaning in that ear, as many times as necessary until the gauze comes out clean.

When we remove the finger with the gauze and it is clean, we will take a new gauze and perform the same task on the other ear . We should never use the same gauze in both ears, because if one of them is beginning to have a small infection, we will probably infect the other. We must always use a clean gauze for each ear.

Gauze pads are very inexpensive and can be purchased in boxes of various sizes at any pharmacy. If gauze is not available, clean, non-harsh toilet paper can be used.

Helpful tips for cleaning your dog’s ears

1. Don’t use homemade products, just clean gauze pads and vet cleaners.
2. Do not force, do it gently and delicately.
3. Never use ear buds. Since if the dog moves or we do not calculate well with our hand, we could cause irreparable damage to the eardrum.
4. Nor should we use cotton or anything that leaves fibers.
5. Check and clean his ears at least once a week to avoid otitis or complications.

How to keep your ears healthy

If when cleaning our dog’s ears we see that excessive dirt comes out much more frequently than usual, it is possible that our dog has an infection by fungi, bacteria, or both.

Another symptom of otitis in the ears of our dog is an unpleasant (bad) smell inside his outer ear . If when we bring our nose closer we notice a strong and / or unpleasant smell, there is probably an infection. Excessive scratching, head shaking or tilting of the head on our part can also be clues of a possible infection.

There are many types of infections and combinations, so the medication does not have to always be the same. On the other hand, there is no home remedy that can be used to treat this type of infection, we must go to a veterinarian. Therefore, if we detect any of these symptoms, we must go to a veterinarian to evaluate the type of infection and provide us with adequate treatment.

Source

All of us who live with a dog has had the opportunity to observe how our friend, completely asleep, begins to flap his paws as if he were running after a rabbit.

And this is exactly the most common interpretation of these movements, though the truth is that we only know it is the REM phase of sleep. Because, although it has been proven that dogs can dream, do we know what the content of their dreams is?

Dogs sleep like humans

Dogs have a very familiar sleep cycle, as it is like what human beings go through. Thus, it is possible to distinguish several stages, with many variations, that we can observe directly if we look at our dog. These are its features:

• Slow Wave Sleep: This is an extended period of light sleep. The body enters a state of relaxation and the brain slows down. Everything in the dog indicates this low activity for us. Thus, breathing is slow and the heart also slows down.
• Paradoxical dream: this phase is what interests us because in it the REM phase takes place, a short period of only a few minutes. Assumes a deep sleep, but not for the brain, which triggers its activity. Breathing accelerates, becomes irregular, and movements occur that we interpret as a dream.
• My dog ​​moves when he sleeps
  

We understand the characteristic movements of the REM phase as a dog’s dream. Specifically, a dream to run and chase any prey or toy. But we need to know that these movements, which we can perfectly identify, are the result of the REM phase itself. Its development, which will take a few minutes, is as follows:

1. Spasms or tremors in different parts of the body. Even the eyes can be opened.
2. Leg movements as if it were a race.
3. Various sounds including crying, barking, screaming, rumble, etc.
4. Heavy breathing just like when the dog is really running.
5. Do dogs dream like humans?
6. Various scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the sleep of dogs. What has been proven is that they undergo electrical changes at the level of the brain exactly the same as those detected in humans during dreaming. In this respect, there are few differences between them and us.

Thus, if they go through the same processes and go through the same stages, it is not dangerous to say that, although they may not tell us in the morning, they have the ability to dream. In fact, for the dog the images he sees during sleep are assimilated to the real ones. In other words, for him it is as if he has really lived what he dreams of.

Fortunately, the brain has a mechanism to prevent it from executing actions. So you can dream of catching a ball without having to fall asleep to look for it. But the brain does not completely inhibit all activity, and the result is the movements we observe during REM. That they can dream seems confirmed. It remains to be seen what.

Related Posts

Dogs that dream more

Although all dogs have a REM stage and therefore the ability to dream, perhaps at one stage in their lives they dream more than others. This idea is based on the fact that normally more movements are recorded during the REM phase in puppies and older dogs.

It is believed that it is because the brain system that slows down this movement is still immature at an early age and, conversely, is affected by aging in older dogs, leading to more mistakes.

What is my dog ​​dreaming about?

If we assume that the mechanism of sleep is similar between humans and dogs, it can also be thought that his dreams will be related to his daily activities and will collect elements that happened to him during the day, as well as other people or animals. . that he knows or events that he knows have made sense for some reason.

In fact, in studies carried out with rats that record modifications in the hippocampus, it has been found that in the phase corresponding to sleep they relived actions that they had carried out during the day, while they were fully awake. It is other information that helps confirm the type of dreams a dog can have.
Of course, it is likely that in the dog these dreams are made from the sense of smell, since it is the most developed in them. If we want to hypothesize about his most common dreams, we must adopt the canine perspective and think of them as more olfactory than visual. In any case, we do not know if when they wake up they remember that they have dreamed or what.

Why do dogs have nightmares?

Just as we think they have dreams, it is possible to assume that dogs will have nightmares. But it should be noted that the movements associated with the REM phase do not have to be synonymous with bad sleep. That is why it is not advisable to wake the dog at this stage.

What does seem certain is that those subjects subjected to severe stress situations sleep less time and suffer alterations in the sleep cycle. This will have repercussions on your potential dreams.

In any case, our dog must have a comfortable bed to rest, arranged in a place protected from inclement weather and, of course, it is essential that we respect his rest times. Also, seeing him sleep relaxed and experience the REM phase is an indication of well-being.

Article Source

We all know that we must wash our dog from time to time to keep it clean and free of parasites, but what we often do not know is how often a dog should be bathed, something that varies depending on its type of hair and characteristics.

From ScoobyDog we will explain which factors you need to consider knowing how often you can or should wash your puppy, whether an adult or a puppy. Remember that every dog is different, so just follow these tips.

When to wash a dog depending on the type of hair it has

Although there are obviously many other factors that will tell us when we should bathe our dog, such as dirt or smell, at general levels we can indicate that depending on the type of hair it has, it will be necessary to bathe it more or less frequently.

Dogs with long, thick hair tend to stain much more than dogs with short, thin hair, simply because the dirt sticks better and it costs more to come off.

The simple dust that they can pick up when they are running while playing in parks and trails, is naturally eliminated much easier in dogs with little hair than in dogs with a lot of hair.

Remember that daily brushing works like a dry bath, in addition to removing dirt, stimulates blood circulation, hair growth, removes dead skin cells from your pet, while distributing fatty acids from the skin , in the hair and makes it look more shiny and protected.

• Short / sparse-haired dogs: About once every two months
• Dogs with long and abundant hair: Once a month
• Medium-sized dogs: Once every month and a half

Other factors that affect bath time in dogs

Regardless of the amount of hair our dog has, we must pay attention to its daily habits. A dog that lives in a town where it is in constant contact with other animals and dirt from the roads, will get dirty much more often than a city dog .

Keep in mind that the glands of the skin secrete immunoglobulins and other substances that neutralize resistant bacteria, preventing the development of pyoderma (infections with pus), so bathing … just the essential.

We must also assess the behavior of our dog, if it is a bit of a pig and rubs on the ground when it perceives a bad smell (sometimes even on poop) obviously we must bathe it more frequently .

The weather is also a key factor, since in places where it rains a lot our dog will get wet more often, something that will lead to bad body odor sooner or later. In these situations, the dog should also be bathed more frequently.

Even food is a factor that greatly influences the grooming of our dogs, dogs fed with natural products such as BARF Food for dogs , give off much less body odor than dogs fed with commercial kibbles (feed / balanced).

When to bathe a puppy for the first time

The first thing to understand is that a puppy is an extremely sensitive animal , a simple cold can end its life. That is why it is very important not to bathe a puppy until it has all its vaccinations , that is, until it is at least three months old.

The liquids that cover the puppy in its fetal life, together with the mother’s saliva (by licking them continuously in the postpartum period) create a protective barrier against opportunistic germs, so we should not be in a hurry to bathe our puppy.

When we bathe it, we must pay attention so that it does not lick the soap , we must also monitor the temperature of the water closely and dry it thoroughly when we finish. Avoiding air currents that may affect you.

Bathing a puppy for the first time is almost like a high-risk operation, where we must be very careful. Once they are three months old, it is advisable to try to bathe them as little as possible until they are at least six months old .

In this way we will reduce risks, although obviously if it is stained a lot … it is inevitable. Don’t miss the complete information at:

When to bathe dogs with skin or health problems

L os sick dogs require another calendar bathrooms , as will the veterinarian who we indicate when we can bathe and how often. At general levels, we should use a special shampoo for dogs, since its pH is very different from ours.

In the case of dermatitis, the bath constitutes an ally for the veterinarian, since through it we can supply the skin with moisturizers and pH stabilizers, antiseptics, antiparasitics, among others.

Generally, the period between one bath and another is shortened according to veterinary improvement and the previous evaluation of the injuries in question. Dogs with skin problems such as mites or skin diseases should always use a special soap to treat their disease , the vet will provide it.

Older puppies should have a shorter bath cycle, since like puppies, they are sensitive dogs that can catch a cold very easily. It is advisable to bathe him at home, since this way we can dry him well and without haste.

Pay special attention to your pet’s ears when bathing, the water in the ears can cause otitis. If you are going to clean that area, make it as external as possible (the ear), the rest you can leave to your veterinarian.

Currently, more and more people are aware of their diet, physical activity and how this affects their health. This thought is fundamental to transfer also to the lives of our furry ones, since a sedentary life and bad eating habits also affect them.

In fact, obesity is an increasingly common problem. Due to this, this disease has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first non-infectious pandemic of the 21st century .

Let’s learn how to know if our dog is at its ideal weight or if on the contrary, it is overweight, how to evaluate the situation and know the origin of the problem, and of course, tips to solve it.

How to detect obesity in a dog

Today obesity is the most common nutritional disorder among domestic dogs. It is estimated that in developed countries, between 17-44% of dogs are overweight or obese. In order to avoid it, you must learn to detect the first signs of obesity and remedy them as soon as possible.

How to do it? The first step is to find out how heavy your dog should be based on its breed and other characteristics such as its age or size. Once you are clear about this information, check how much your furry weighs. Obesity is called when the body weight of the animal exceeds at least 20% its adequate size depending on its breed, sex and age.

If we exceed or approach this percentage, we must stop it. In that case, it is no longer valid to say that “the dog is strong” or that “it only has a few extra pounds”. The reality is this is a serious disease that increases morbidity and drastically decreases both quality and life expectancy, so this is no joke. The good news is that even in extreme cases, it has a solution if it is detected and the appropriate measures are taken.

Causes that lead to obesity

Obesity results from an imbalance between an increase in intake and a decrease in energy expenditure. It is a chronic disease, of multifactorial origin, in whose development both genetic and environmental factors are involved:

• The age of the dog. A puppy is growing and therefore needs a higher calorie intake than an adult. Therefore, we cannot feed them in the same way.
• Metabolic imbalances or diseases. Some food-related conditions and disorders can also be behind canine obesity.
• A sedentary lifestyle. Lack of daily exercise causes the dog to accumulate more calories than it needs. Going for a walk and motivating you to exercise is essential.
• Anxiety. This can also be an important factor, as it makes the dog eat more and faster, gobbling up the food.
• The sex and reproductive status of the animal, obesity tends to affect females more than males, increasing its frequency in sterilized animals.
• Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to gain weight : Labrador, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund and Basset Hound, among others.

How does obesity affect the health of the dog?

Obesity has serious consequences and not only at the health level, which we will talk about next, but also economically. Well, it has been determined that the average cost of the veterinarian in a dog with obesity is almost 20% higher than that of dogs with normal weight.

In health matters, it favors the appearance of numerous problems and diseases due, on the one hand, to mechanical stress, which causes an increase in the incidence of orthopedic diseases, with an increase in the rupture of the cruciate ligament in the head and cardiovascular alterations.

On the other hand, it is also accompanied by metabolic changes, excess fat is linked to an increase in the secretion of inflammatory adipocytes, leading to cases of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus . Tendencies to hypothyroidism, the appearance of kidney and pancreatic problems, hepatic and respiratory. In addition, it is involved in the development of more and more types of cancer, exercise intolerances, high temperatures, and problems with anesthetics.

What to do if you think your dog is overweight?

If you think your dog has an obesity problem, the first step is to go to the vet so he can examine it well, weigh it and see what may be causing this disorder . The specialist will look for the eventual or pathological causes of this weight gain and will give us guidelines so that your canine friend has a proper diet and a healthier lifestyle.

When the dog reaches its ideal weight it is important that you continue with veterinary advice, so that it does not regain the lost weight. Yes, they are not free of the well-known rebound effect.

Tips to avoid or reduce obesity

Keep in mind that canine obesity is directly related to inappropriate habits, for which we are responsible.

It is not a question of blaming yourself, but it is necessary that you become aware of what is happening and correct bad routines . Some behaviors to avoid are:

• Let’s avoid eating ad libitum, letting him eat as much as he wants, without controlling the speed or the limit of what he eats.
• Give him foods that are inappropriate for his breed, size or age.
• Add your leftovers to your diet.
• Give him the concentrated food in a single serving, instead of dividing it into three or four throughout the day.

Falling into these mistakes is very common and, if they persist over time, they can lead to canine obesity. In addition to the change in the way you feed your furry, we also recommend that you increase their physical activity through games or exercises.

Depending on where the bees collect, honey will vary in color and will present different beneficial properties for the human body. Can Dogs Eat Honey? Although it is not exclusive to humans, the benefits of honey are also great in dogs.

However, not all dogs can eat honey, and those who take it must do so in the right amount so that our dog does not feel bad or have negative effects on his health.

Let’s see how to give honey to a dog, what are its beneficial properties and what care we must take. Also, its different uses since mistakenly, not everyone uses it as a food or supplement.

Related : Can dogs eat mulberries? 5 Mulberries’ Health Benefits for Dogs. Toxic Berries for Dogs

Can Dogs Eat Honey?

Honey as food

Honey is a product collected in the hives of bees of different species. These bees have been selected to produce much more than is necessary for their maintenance, so the collection of this does not affect their survival at all.

It is a product of which Spain is a great producer and whose consumption contributes to the maintenance of beekeeping and allows the pollination of many flowers year after year.
Its characteristics vary according to the pollinated flower, the time of year and the species of bee used. In general, it is liquid, very dense, with a very sweet taste and colors ranging from light yellow to dark orange.

Benefits of honey for dogs

Nutritionally, honey is a saturated solution of simple carbohydrates that give it its sweet flavor. Its analytical composition is:

• 76.8% carbohydrates: All of these are sugars, mainly fructose, with a very sweet taste.
• 0.5% protein: Among which we can find group B vitamins.
• 17% water: This amount gives it that characteristic texture.
• Minerals: Among which are calcium, potassium, and sodium among others.
• Other components such as vitamin C.

It has a moderately high amount of calories, about 315 Kcal / 100g. Being a product rich in carbohydrates obtained from glucose, they quickly provide an extra level of energy to those who consume it.

The glycemic index that it has described is very low, this means that it is absorbed very slowly, so it will provide energy in a sustained way for a long time. In addition, due to its texture, it is more palatable than white sugar.

Honey stimulates the body’s immune system, making it more efficient against allergies and diseases. In addition, it has a large amount of glucose oxidase enzymes and natural antioxidants such as flavonoids.

In summary:

1. Immediate extra energy supply
2. Stimulation of the dog’s immune system
3. Beneficial enzymes like glucose oxidase
4. Provides antioxidants for the body such as flavonoids
5. Rich in vitamins of group C and B, in addition to minerals

Possible harm of honey in dogs

Not all dogs are the same so not all tolerate the same foods in a beneficial way. The same happens with honey, not all dogs tolerate it and even in some, it is quite harmful.

Just as they can help to improve some allergies, having bee pollen remains can cause allergic reactions in dogs with nonspecific environmental allergies. These can also be very acute.

In animals with diabetes it is not recommended since, despite its slower absorption than sugar, it is still a very high amount of simple carbohydrates. However, in case of being treated with insulin and having a hypoglycemic crisis, honey can be tremendously useful to reverse it. This case is somewhat extreme and should not happen under normal conditions.

In overweight dogs it will not be recommended either since it is a very energetic food that favors a greater deposition of fat, further aggravating the problem. In dogs with infectious diarrhea it can also be counterproductive, since when it dissolves with saliva and intestinal secretions, it becomes a very accessible source of energy for the bacteria that cause the disease, causing abnormal fermentation (which is why it is not recommended to give it either to puppies).

Neither should the benefit of this product attributed to consumption in people be extrapolated, such as relief of a sore throat (administered with milk or lemon). If it is given alone it will not be harmful in this case, but when given as it is used in humans, with heat treatment and mixed with other products, the honeyed texture is lost, and with it its potential properties.

Related : Can dogs eat bacon? Is Bacon Bad for Dogs? How much bacon should a dog eat?

So avoid giving honey to dogs that:

1. Have any kind of allergy
2. Dogs that do not exercise or are overweight
3. Dogs with diabetes or digestive problems
4. Dogs with respiratory problems

How much honey should I give my dog?

We must start from the fact that honey is not a food for dogs, but a nutritional supplement for dogs that have a high energy drain or a small whim to give our dog from time to time. For adult dogs only, we should not give a puppy honey.

One hundred grams of honey (about five small tablespoons of coffee), contains eighty-five grams of carbohydrates, translatable to two hundred and sixty-seven calories. Although they seem low values ​​to you, they are really high values ​​for a dog (about a fifth of what a 30-kilo dog would eat a day).

Therefore, a healthy dog ​​weighing around thirty kilos and with normal physical activity should not take more than a couple of small tablespoons per week. If it weighs fifteen kilos, half if it weighs seven kilos, a quarter, etc.

A healthy dog ​​weighing about thirty kilos with high physical activity, like working dogs, search and rescue, etc … should not take more than two tablespoons a couple of times a week.

Obviously, as a supplement to your diet. Since we must continue feeding them with their usual diet (croquettes, BARF, etc …) Whatever the diet they have, it should never be mixed with honey, since it will be much more fermentable by microorganisms and it will be dangerous.

Using honey to heal wounds in your dog

We should not get carried away by the false information circulating on the Internet about the use of honey to heal wounds in dogs. Honey contains a low PH and a natural antibacterial effect, which is true, but it does not mean that it serves to heal wounds. This property is based on the low water activity of honey. It prevents bacteria from growing, which is why it is a product that, when properly packaged, never expires.

This has been used to heal wounds in very specific circumstances. Today it doesn’t make much sense because common disinfectants like povidone-iodine (Betadine) and chlorhexidine (Crystalline) are very cheap and effective.

Dogs love honey because it is sweet, if you apply honey to a wound, it will not stop licking it and it will even intensify your wound. In addition, many wounds require veterinary attention and if we try to fix them at home by applying honey, they can become infected and cause much more damage to the dog.

Can dogs eat honey peanut butter?

No, dogs cannot eat peanut butter or honey.

Dogs can consume peanut butter with honey if it doesn’t contain xylitol, which honey rarely does, so it’s best to avoid giving it to your dog.

Even if it does not contain xylitol, it is recommended that you only give your dog peanut butter honey in small amounts.

And sometimes their peanut butter contains xylitol too, so make sure there is no xylitol in the honey used, as well as the peanut butter used in honey peanut butter before you try to give it to your dog, otherwise, your dog could face serious consequences.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Melon?

Honeydew is a healthy treat that you can safely give your dogs, but like any other treat, you should only give it in moderation. Remember, treats should only make up about 10 percent of a dog’s daily diet, so if your pup eats two cups of food a day, he should only have about two ounces of treats.

Can dogs eat manuka, honey?

A type of honey made in New Zealand is called manuka honey. It is produced using Manuka tree nectar. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are present in manuka honey. Additionally, it contains a lot of enzymes.
It’s crucial to know how to administer Manuka honey to your dog safely if you’re thinking about doing so. We’ll give you some advice on how to administer Manuka honey to dogs down below.

• Mixing Manuka honey with your dog’s food is the best way to give him honey. It can be included in their wet or kibble food. For the honey to be properly incorporated if you are using dry food, you might need to add a little water to the mixture.

• Begin with a small dose of Manuka honey and gradually increase it over time. This will facilitate your dog’s acclimatization to the honey’s flavor and aroma.

• For your dog, always choose raw, unprocessed Manuka honey. Most nutrients and enzymes are present in this kind of honey.
• Keep Manuka honey in a cool, dark location only. Avoid placing it in the sun or close to a heat source.

Is honey good for dog allergies?

If you are a dog owner, you know that allergies are a common problem for many dogs.

While there are various medications and treatments available for allergies, some pet owners are turning to honey as a natural option. But does honey help dogs with allergies?

Some dog owners trust it, while others say it does nothing.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look. We’ll also explore some of the ways honey can help dogs with allergies and offer some tips on how to use honey as a treatment. Stay tuned!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/

https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-honey/

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-honey/