How To Prevent Distemper in Dogs And What To Do For Treatment

What is Canine Distemper in Dogs?

Canine distemper is an often show up in dogs which is a contagious and a serious illness. This harmful disease is a result of a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. More lethal to unvaccinated pups and dogs, it is spread by various  means of direct contact with infected dog’s saliva, urine or feces and when the infected dog sneeze and coughs, the virus is transmitted. The virus can also be passed by sharing food and water dishes between affected and healthy dogs.

A virus called as Morbillivirus causes canine distemper. It is similar to the virus that of measles and is referred to as Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). This virus is threat for all dogs but especially for puppies that are younger than 4 months and the dogs who have not yet been vaccinated to prevent CDV. Wild animals like foxes, wolves, raccoons, ferrets and minks are also target species of distemper virus and gets effected by it. This indicates that whenever any wildlife species is infected with the virus, you should protect your dog and not let any contact with any local species.
  
How will you know that your dog is suffering from a fatal contagious disease? The common signs and symptoms that are shown by most of the affected dogs are:

Signs And Symptoms Dog Distemper

• Fever
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Intolerance towards food consumption
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Eye and nasal discharge
• Muscle twitches
• Convulsions
• Seizures

How To Prevent Distemper in Dogs And What To Do For Treatment

Such kind of visible signs will be a hint to you that something is fishy with your pooch and in such cases, take him to a vet. If you are aware of this viral disease then take the proper measures to prevent it from attacking your pooch. Better to prevent your pooch from such a fatal outbreak and take preventive measures to help you. Certain prevention techniques that may be helpful for you are:

• Timely vaccination starting at an age of 6-8 weeks
• Repeat vaccines after every 3-4 weeks until the dog in 16 weeks of age
• Follow the vaccination protocols told by the vet
• Keep up to date with the new vaccines and treatments in the market for CDV
• Do not let your dog near areas where other dogs status of vaccination is not known
• Keep your dogs at a safe distance from other pooches while on a walk or playing in the park

Since the virus-borne disease is a bit hard to diagnose in dogs, still a regular visit to the vet for checkups might be helpful to prevent Canine Distemper from disrupting your dog’s life.

9 Prerequisites Essentials For Your Pets

An amazing weather and an impromptu picnic plan happen so quick that there is no moment to think what to pack and what not to. This is a critical situation especially for pet-owners as they have an added responsibility to pack for their pets too. Pet parents certainly have difficulty if they forget even one of the essential articles for their pets.

So here is a list of essentials or last minute important things that a pet needs the most 

1. Harness and Leash

These are the basic requirements of a pet owner. To keep the dog in leash while you are out taking a stroll is necessary. Harnesses are useful as they ensure the pet's safety when traveling in a car.

2. First Aid Kit

A small first aid kit should be kept handy. Being well-equipped beforehand reduces the chances of major risks. You should always be prepared in case any damage happens to the pet or he gets wound or a bite or a cut.

3. Bedding

If you are planning to go on a long vacation or an overnight stay to a friend's place, pet's bed should never be left behind.

[Read] 6 Primary Reasons for Skin Problems in Dogs

4. Food and Water Bowl

Packed everything? Paper plates, use and throw glasses, plastic spoons? What about your pet, how will he eat? Serving food in plastic containers to pets can prove to be harmful for their health. Carry a spare food and water bowl with you so they'll enjoy their meals.

5. Pet Food

For last minute and emergency purpose, you should always keep pet food aside. Not always you will cook food which the pets could savor. Providing quality pet food is highly recommended.

6. ID Tag

Every pet in this world has an ID tag or card so why not your pet. Get an Identity tag for your pet and attach it to the collar around the neck. Safety assurance of the pet is essential. If he might get lost or run off leash, the tag will help in identifying the pet and getting him/her back.

7. Treats and Toys

For your bundle of joy, you can carry small joys for them. Treats and toys keep the pets physically and mentally fit. Treat them showing appreciation when they do something worthwhile. To keep your pets refreshed and avoid letting them get bored, you can bring chew toys too.

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8. Grooming Supplies

Maintaining your pet's hygiene ensures his safety and happiness. Soaps, shampoos, brush, paste, bath wipes and ear and eye wipes are some of the essentials that you should always have with yourself. Avoid grooming your pets with human products as they might cause skin allergies and infections.

9. Anti Flea and Tick Products

When you are in an open area with your pet, he is at high risk of getting infected by fleas and ticks. So, either use proper prevention methods so that they don't get fleas and ticks or carry a flea and tick repellent. You can also collar your dogs which are especially designed to repel fleas and ticks.

“Safety first is safety always”- Charles M Hayes

Follow this motto and your pet will always stay happy. 

Steps to Eliminate Unseen Worm Infections in Horses

Normally, horse owners seem relaxed with a perspective that horses can’t be infected with worms. The reality checks state that there are numerous types of worms that can easily infect horses. These worms bring along different types of diseases damaging the health of a horse at a varying degree.

The most common worm that infects horses is small redworms, which account for the 90% of the horse’s worm infections. These intestinal worms, once ingested, have the capability to hibernate and get enclosed in a cell in the gut wall. This is likely to be more problematic because there are only a few wormers present in the market that are capable of treating these worms at this stage. In the next stage, the emergence of larvae in the huge number all at the same time can badly affect the gut lining, possibly causing the severe damage to health, diarrhoea, colic and sometimes in the most severe cases even the death. This is the main reason among the many other reasons, why horses should be dewormed during the particular period of the year.

To eliminate this encysted redworm, there are only two wormers available for horse owners. These are Panacur Equine Guard and Equest Paste.

Equest Paste

This horse wormer comes in paste form packed in a syringe. One single syringe dose is enough for the treatment and it is quite easy to administer. Equest paste also treats roundworms for up to 13 weeks. Hence, it is highly effective and one of the most popular choice. The oral paste, when used at the right time, can protect horses efficiently from worm infection during the season.

Panacur Equine Guard

Panacur Equine Guard comes in liquid form and it’s easy to administer. The liquid wormer has to be given every day according to the dosage for the consecutive five days.

Apart from these two wormers, there are also other wormers useful for treating different types of worms in horses. Equimax and Eqvalan Duo are the two wormers which are helpful in treating varied worm including roundworms and tapeworms. Horses should be treated with these wormers twice a year – spring and autumn as during these periods tapeworm and roundworm infection are highest in horses.

Other wormers like Eqvalan, Bimectin and Eraquell, which contain Ivermectin as the main ingredient, are best to be used during summer or winter. They need to be treated at an interval of 8-10 weeks for complete protection. Along with this, there are wormers that are highly recommended for tapeworm treatment, which has to be given to the horses double the normal rate. Pyratape P is the best to be used for treating tapeworm infection and it should be given at an interval of approx. 6-8 weeks.

Deworming horses is necessary to prevent complete life cycle of worms and possible health issues in horses. To reduce the impact of worms in horses, and lower the risk of worm infections, a proper approach of worming need to be devised. Regular deworming treatments along with clean surroundings help in keeping horses safe from unwanted intestinal worm infections. 

6 Primary Reasons for Skin Problems in Dogs

Skin problems are one of the major reasons for which dog owners take their furry pals to veterinarians. Itchiness can result in skin problems that can cause a lot of discomfort to the dogs. Sometimes, skin problems may even be a sign of an underlying medical problem with the furry pal.

Let us now look at the primary reasons for skin problems in dogs:

Fleas

Dogs are sensitive to fleas which can cause allergies leading to serious skin disease. Remember, flea allergies can be very fatal. The other important thing is that even if there are no fleas on the fur of your pet you need to be very careful about these pesky parasites. Dogs that are allergic to flea saliva become very itchy after getting bitten. Hence, it is recommended to use Flea Preventive Treatments under the supervision of the veterinarian that will aid in preventing itchiness connected with flea allergy dermatitis. Along with the dog, you also need to treat the surrounding environment. Remember, 90% of flea population resides on the body of the dog hence, it is extremely critical to treat those areas where the pet spends most of its time including pet bedding. If your pet is welcome indoors, ensure that you vacuum the house.

Mange

Picture Courtesy - wikiHow

Mange is caused by different species of mites. Mite infections are non-seasonal which can happen year round. There are certain species of mites that can be seen in the skin and hair follicles of the dog. Mite infection can be observed by looking at the skin lesions that occur anywhere on the dog's body. Demodectic mange results in hair loss, sores, and bald spots. It may even cause intense itch coupled with reddened skin, sores and hair loss.

Ringworm

Ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a fungal infection. It can spread from one animal to another and even to human beings. Hence, it is extremely important to take the advice of your veterinarian if you suspect ringworm infection in your pet. Ringworm lesions can be seen in the form of crusty, circular bald patches. The Treatment of Ringworm Infection can be done with the help of a medicated shampoo or oral treatment which is contingent on the severity of an infection.

Food Allergies

Dogs get allergic to the food that they eat. Food allergies are commonly related to protein. Some of the ingredients are the major culprit encompass dairy, beef, chicken and egg. Dogs that are suffering from food allergies normally have itchy skin on the ears, face, feet and around the anus. There are certain dogs that also show gastrointestinal signs of food allergies like vomiting and increased bowel movements. If your dog is diagnosed with food allergy, he will be exclusively fed a diet that is not allergic for a period of 8-12 weeks. This diet is selected by the veterinarians and can contain proteins that the dog is not allergic to or a commercially hydrolyzed diet. If your dog is taking part in the food elimination trial it is important not to feed him any treats or human food as it can have adverse effects on the results.

Bacterial Skin Infections

Bacterial skin infections are often connected to a complication that comes up when the dog is suffering from another allergy caused by fleas, their environment or food. It can happen when the doggy stretches and breaks open the skin enabling bacteria to infect an open wound. Take the pet to the veterinarian to determine the type of infection and treatment of the infection.

Dandruff 

Dogs also suffer from dandruff just like human beings. Dandruff in dogs can be mainly attributed to dry skin or skin irritation. Remember, the quality of food that is fed to the dogs can also have an impact on their skin and coat. The skin and coat of the dog are constantly being shed and replaced. The reason for that is the skin needs a high amount of proteins. Hence, feeding the dog a diet comprising of high-quality sources of protein is critical for healthy skin and coat. The diet should also comprise of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids, vitamins and minerals that aid in supporting healthy skin and coat of the dog.

If you observe skin problems in your dog, immediately take him to the veterinarian. So, is your doggy suffering from skin problems due to the reasons mentioned in this write-up?

Keep Out 5 Things To Enjoy Spring With Your Dog

Everyone get excited when the spring is in the air, especially your furry companions. They think of lots of outdoor adventure, new smells, playing, enjoying and embracing the sunshine. But before that you need to set some things out to enjoy all the outdoor adventure with your pooch. Here are some of the springtime dangers that might be right under your nose, as follows:

5 Spring Activities To Do With Your Dog

Clean The Coat:

During the spring season, dogs lose their winter coats and there will be heavy shedding. Make sure you brush regularly to remove dead hair and dandruff. You need to give him bathe frequently to keep his coat shiny and fresh.

Take Caution In Water:

Don't let your pooch swim unsupervised for a long time in the water. After a swim in a lake, ocean or pool rinse all the chemicals and dirt or saltwater off his coat. Make sure, he doesn’t drink water from a pond or lake as it can be toxic and can make him sick.

Fleas:

These may be small pests, but can be quite dangerous for your dog. It not only leads your dog to scratching and itching, but carries number of diseases such as plague, flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms etc. So, it is important to protect your pet from fleas by giving them treatments and preventatives.

Ticks:

These are also the creepiest parasites which can spread number of diseases in pets such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, tularemia, and babesia. The correct way to protect your pet is with preventative treatment.

Heartworm:

Heartworm is the most dangerous disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. This disease affects heart and lungs, as well as liver, kidney, eyes and central nervous system. If you don't treat, heartworms can be quite fatal for your pet. Monthly heartworm preventive is necessary to protect your pooch year around.

There are many flea, tick, heartworm treatments available on the market. These treatments come in two forms that is topical and oral. You can choose the best suited for your dog. Some of the excellent flea and tick preventatives are Frontline Plus (Spot-on), K9 Advantix (Spot-on), Nexgard (Chews), Bravecto (Chews). The most common and effective heartworm preventatives are Heartgard Plus (chews), Sentinel spectrum (chewables) and Revolution (spot-on).

Spring brings with it all colors of life but also brings an urn of problems for your furry pal. Get well prepared for the spring to avoid these common problems and help your four-legged companion to cherish the sunshine with sweet breeze and colorful blooms.

My Dog Has Vomiting And Diarrhea - What Should I Do?

Vomiting and diarrhea is a most common symptoms seen in dogs. They can even effect a healthy dog once in a lifetime, by occurring alone or together. Sometimes the problem may be minor self limiting or very significant major problem. The specific treatments of vomiting and diarrhea are dependent on the cause. Here is the general approach for treating vomiting and diarrhea:

Dog Has Vomiting And Diarrhea

1. If your pooch is vomiting, with hold food but not water for 12 to 24 hours and then gradually give the regular diet.
2. If your pooch has got diarrhea, do not with hold food and water. Instead feed your dog with blended food that is white rice mixed with boiled chicken. Make sure, there are no bones and skin in it. Once the stools comes in control and return to normal, gradually get back to the regular diet of your furry pal.
3. If your beloved four-legged pal does not recover from the home remedies or suffering from serious chronic diseases, it is important to see your veterinarian.
4. If your pet, is having the clinical signs mentioned below expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and to make the treatment  recommendations dependent upon the severity and the nature of the clinical signs such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Blood in the stool or vomit
• Profuse, watery diarrhea
• Frequent attempts to vomit, whether anything brought up or not

Reasons For Dog Vomiting And Diarrhea

There are many reason, which will cause uncontrollable diarrhea. One of them is parasites of  intestinal tract, which can cause diarrhea, but most commonly, the diarrheas are not sudden onset. They seem to develop slowly and progress and worsen, if the treatment is not pursued. These include Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, Coccidia, and Giardia. Tapeworms can be found in the stool of dogs and cats, but actually, rarely causes diarrhea.

It is better to take the precautions to protect or reduce the likelihood of occurrence your dog from vomiting and diarrhea such as:

• Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date
• Ensure that your dog is free of parasites, if not start the preventatives like : Cazitel Flavored Allwormer, Milbemax, Endogard etc.
• Don't let your dog have access to garbage, spoiled food etc
• Keep a watch on your dog that he does not eat anything from the street or drink the water from the puddles
• Do not allow him to ingest feces of other animals

From this blog, hope you have got a clear idea what to do and not, when your furry pal is suffering from vomiting and diarrhea. Take care of your pooch, by following the precautions to reduce the occurrence of vomiting and diarrhea in your Fido.

What Can You Do To Cope With Allergies in Cat ?

Many owners have got cat allergies, but don't want to get rid of felines. So what can we do now? Not to worry, if don't want to get of your kitty, here are some solutions and idea to aid you cope with an allergy to cats. The best way is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.

Steps To Cope With Allergies in Cat

Protect Cat from Fleas:

                 Protect Cat from Fleas

Protect your cat from fleas. Start a monthly flea treatment for your cats for the whole year or before the season starts. If your pet is an outdoor cat, she can not only be exposed but can carry predators on herself and to home. You can start flea treatments such as Frontline Plus, Advocate, Bravecto, Revolution etc.

Dust Free Cat's Litter:

Dust Free Cat's Litter

Make sure to use unscented and dust free litter as the cat can get allergies due to the chemicals in scented litter.

Clean Home for Cat:

Clean Home for Cat

If dust is causing your cat's allergic symptoms, clean all carpets, rugs, curtains and other material that gather dust, twice weekly. Vacuum all the things even your bedding's and your pet's bedding once a week. It is necessary to clean, as the carpets, rugs bedding's trap cat hair and dander profusely.

Bath Your Cat:

Bath Your Cat

Give a bath to your cat once two to three weeks regularly. This will help to remove the environmental allergens, relieve itchiness and pollen's from the skin. You can take the advice from your vet to suggest a shampoo for your pet, which can be used frequently to give her bath on regular intervals.

Handle Cat Food Allergy: 

Cat Food Allergy

If you think your cat may be having food allergy, contact your vet as she may need to put on a prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet. After the diagnosis, your vet will recommend home cooked diet or some other specific foods for your cat.

Fresh Air for Cat:

Fresh Air for Cat

The most important thing you can do is get some fresh air by keeping the windows open to increase the ventilation and you even run the exhaust fans. It is better to get fresh air, as the highly insulated homes trap allergens as well as heat. But keep one thing in mind to always screen windows so that your kitty don't runway and be safe indoors. You can also use HEPA filter, which will help to remove all the allergens present, in the air inside your home.

Following the above tips will surely make a difference and there will be no need to get rid of your cat due to her allergens.

Turn Your Fat Cat Into A Fit Cat

Is your cat getting rounder? If yes, you should know that the obesity can lead to a multitude of health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart, lungs and urinary tract problems. Have a comprised immune function and may even predispose them to certain types of cancer. It has been researched that cats with proper well balanced weight live longer with less diseases than the overweight cats.

Is Your Cat Obese? Find Out By these Signs:

There are many pet parents, who are not able to find out whether their feline is overweight, obese, or simply fat. Here are some of the signs, which can help you to determine, whether your cat is obese or not:

• The cat, who carry's excess body fat that will compromise her health and well-being is known as obese.
• When you touch your cat, you cannot feel the individual ribs
• Most obese cats appear to have excessive appetite
• Your cat is noticeably inactive and always siting in one place
• Your cat finds difficulty in walking, running, climbing, jumping and grooming herself

Obesity is a major problem associated with abnormal feeding behaviors. It is really important to stimulate the eating behaviors of your furry pal. This feeding method will help your cat get exercise and make her to do some activities, which are needed to prevent obesity.

Stimulate Your Cat's Eating Behavior By Following The Above Methods:

• Provide cats with puzzle feeders, interactive toys that dispense food as the cat rolls it around.
• Make homemade puzzle feeders by cutting holes into a cardboard box or 2-liter plastic jug so that the cat paws the food out.
• Hide food around the house, in different places, and in or around objects for cats to “hunt.”
• Toss kibbles and let cats chase after the food, as they would chase prey.
• If unable to do multiple feedings each day, feed a minimum of twice daily, and try to hide the food in creative hiding places.

You can keep your furry pal's obesity under control, so that she/he lives a happier, healthier life. Make sure, that you take your pet to the vet for annual or semi-annual test to monitor overall health of your kitty.