LYME DISEASE

This tick-Transmitted infection
can affect family members as well as dogs

The concern many dog owners have, is that their dog may carry ticks into the home that will feed on family members.  However once a tick is attached to a dog, it must feed for several days to complete its blood meal.If a Lyme disease carrying tick is ported into the homeor released after feeding, the humidity levels in the home will not be sufficient for the tick to survive.

Drying out is one of the greatest natural killers of ticks.

When more moisture is present in the air, the risks of your dog being bitten by a Lyme disease carrying tick are greater.  Spring and Fall are major risks periods in temperate climates.  In warmer,  dryer areas like Southern California, the seasons of greatest risks are linked to rain fall, a dog is more likely to be bitten during the rainy season.  Spells of warm weather results in a greater number of Veterinarians in the Northeast seeing dogs with ticks on them even in January .

SIGNS OF AN AFFECTED DOG

Many distinct forms of Lyme disease have been identified in dogs.  Lyme arthritis,  which affects the joints, is the most common form of canine Lyme disease.An affected dog shows a variety of signs, including lethargy, fever, poor appetite and some form of lameness.  Some dogs with Lyme arthritis may have swollen, painful joints (commonly the Carpus or Tarsus) with severe lameness in the affected legs. Others do not have visible changes in their limbs, but their lameness may be severe.  Often dogs with Lyme Arthritis are so sore they may not want to move at all and must be carried into the Veterinarians office. Fever may also be present, temperatures of up to 106 Degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded in some patients. Lyme disease also affects the heart, kidneys and nervous system.  When Lyme disease affects a dogs kidneys the first sign is kidney failure.  An infected dog losses its appetite, vomits,  drinks large amounts of water, has increased urinary volume and a high fever.

THE BASICS OF GROOMING

Grooming Includes:

brushing

combing

nail clipping

ear care

dental care

bathing

coat scissoring

Coat care

There are many types and textures of dog hair including short, long, curly, wavy, and wiry.Some dogs are single coated,while others have double coats with a harsh weather resistant outercoat and softer undercoat.A few breeds such as the Puli and the Komondor,have hair that naturally tends to form cords or tassels.But no matter what kind of dog you have it has to be groomed regularly.Long silky coats are glamorous only if kept in proper condition.Missing a session or two of grooming won't be harmful,but repeated neglect can lead to serious problems.Before brushing your dogs coat, moisten it.Brushing dry hair causes static electricity and breakage.A light mist is sufficient with a doggie coat conditioner

  Nails

A dogs nails should be kept short.When the nails are neglected, they continue to grow and eventually cause the feet to spread, putting stress on the dog's wrist joint and impeding fluid movement.If neglected long enough,the nails can even grow around and into the pads of the feet, causing the dog great pain.Long nails are also harmful to your furniture, rugs, hosiery, and clothing.If your dog has declaws, be sure to trim them also,because dewclaws do not wear down and can grow into the leg tissue if neglected.

In trimming nails every effort should be made to avoid cutting the quick , or vein.

Nail Bleeding - If the nails should bleed there is no cause for alarm.Always have on hand one of the antiseptic coagulants or QUICK STOP which can be purchased in any drug store or pet shop.These substances will quickly stop the bleeding.

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR VET

Ear Care

All breeds need their ears cleaned, occasionally.Breeds with thick hanging ears or very hairy ear canalsare more prone to ear infections and will need more frequent care. Check each ear for the presence of  wax.  Wax moisturizes and protects the delicate tissues that line the outer canal. Some dogs produce enough to block the canal every few months.To remove built up wax,wrap a piece of cotton around the end of your finger and moisten it with warm water, mineral oil or a pet ear cleaning solution. Insert your finger into the ear and carefully wipe around the flap and ear opening. Do not worry about harming the eardrum. It's not a good idea to clean the ear with cotton swabs or other pointed objects because doing so usually pushes the wax deeper into the canal.  If you notice a heavy accumulation of  wax, any inflammation or foul odor, or if the dog violently shakes or scratches it's head or carries its head at an angle it may have an infection and will need to be seen by a veterinarian. Some breeds including Poodles, Bichon Frises, Bedlington Terriers have hair that grows down into the ear canal.  This hair should be plucked out every four to six weeksto promote air circulation and reduce wax build up and the chance of infection. The hair can be removed with your finger and thumb, tweezers or hemostat.  To minimize pain to the dog,  grasp a few hairs at a time and carefully pull them out. If the hairs are slippery, coat your fingers with a little cornstarch or ear powder to give you a better grip. As new hair grows in you will have to repeat the procedure.

Dental Care

Clean teeth and healthy gums are important to every dog's general health.  Poor oral hygiene can cause complication, even life threatening problems for dogs.Between veterinary checkups, you should inspect the teeth, and clean them periodically to remove plaque.  If the teeth are neglected, plaque collects between them and around the gum line and mineralizes into hard, brown tartar.  The gums, irrupted by tartar buildup, become swollen and inflamed, and the dogs breath becomes unpleasant.  The teeth can even loosen in their sockets and eventually fall out. To clean the teeth use either a flavored toothpaste for dogs or a mixture of equal parts baking soda with a little water added to make a paste.  Use a soft toothbrush, brush the teeth like you would your own. Brush with gentle circular strokes on each side of the mouth and don't forget the biting surface on the back teeth.  If your dog objects to the brush, wrap a piece of soft gauze bandage around your index finger, squeeze on some toothpaste or dip into the soda/salt mixture and rub gently over the teeth. If there is a heavy buildup of tartar, your veterinarian may have to anesthetize the dog and remove the accumulation with an ultrasonic scalar.

THE MAGIC OF LOVE

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A DOG

Most people know intuitively, pet owners know for certain, and now scientific evidence documents:

Pets are good for peoples health and well-being.

People of all ages can improve their health by adding dogs and/or cats to their household.A recent study shows that children adjust betterto the serious illness or of death of a parent when they own a pet in the home.Senior citizens show the most impressive benefits of owning pets.Typical of seniors, but applicable to all pet owners are the benefits below:

Pets lower blood pressure

A study of heart patients showed that 40% who have pets had lower blood pressureand that 20% lower tryglyceride levels than people who did not have pets.Another study showed that talking to people increases blood pressurewhile talking to pets decreases blood pressure.

Pet owners make fewer trips to the doctor

In a study of 1,000 Medicare patients,even the most highly stressed dog owners in he study, has 21 percent fewer physician contacts than non-dog owners.

Pet owners find it easy to make friends

Seniors with pets meet more people and like to talk about their pets.

Pets are our friends

Almost everyone, but specially seniors, say their pets are their friend.

Pets reduce depression

Studies show that seniors with pets do not become depressed as often as those without pets.

Pets make you active

Studies show that seniors with pets go for more walks and are generally more active than those without pets.

Pets make you take better care of yourself

Seniors take good care of their pets and better care of themselves when they own pets.

Pets ease loss

Older people who suffer the loss of a spouse and own a pet,are less likely to experience deterioration in health following that stressful event.

Pets help in fighting loneliness

People are less likely to be lonely with a canine or feline friend around.

Pets provide a sense of security

Seniors feel better protected when they have a dog that will bark if a stranger is at the door.