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RE: Dog Health Tips

Cockergirl105 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:07:34 GMT

Great advice[size=7]!![/size]

RE: Dog Health Tips

minpinlvr25 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:05:25 GMT

I agree with everything everyone said, exercise, good food, good dental care and so on.

RE: Dog Health Tips

caninejan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:25:39 GMT

[quote]

Caninejan:

I have great fear this is what my black and tan Shepherd Kyro might have. He was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy about 16 months ago and has shown thankfully slow progression of that disease. Still reeling from knowing he is slowing turning into a paraplegic, I wasn't too concerned with the brown stain on his right front foot. His paws had been stained for years from the basted rawhide chews, but the toes on the right foot never cleared up even after he no longer chews those. The groomer noticed when trimming his nails last week that there was a crusty white bump right at the nail bed on top of the toe. He's never exhibited any pain, and I have never seen him licking at it. With DM, he trips a lot, so I think I thought only of it as a sore from tripping. I took him straight to the vet anyway, and she put me on heavy doses of antibiotics and mentioned the possibility of having to amputate but I was upset she would go worst case scenario right off the bat. I need immediate results or showings of some, and have none so far after 1 week. Can you tell me more about what brought your attention to Moose's foot? I start fight back the tears when I think of the long run of pain you endured watching this progression, even though you did everything you could. Kyro is about 15 we think; I rescued him from the euth table literally at the vet I used to work at 12 yrs ago and assumed he was about 2ish. He's been a great friend, and I have a very hard time watching him age. I am crying now writing this because I fear the inevitable and its overwhelming at times accepting that fact.[/quote

Yes. I thought Moose had a broken nail. It looked like it had become infected and that's when I took him to the vet. We treated him for a nail bed infection for two weeks with some heavy-duty antibiotics. My son's dog, Mary inadvertently stomped on his foot one day towards the end of the treatment. Later the vet said it "angered" the tumor. The tumor (it was obviously a growth, now) growth was now highly accelerated. We discussed the options, and did a biopsy right away. The rest is history. I posted all that to save someone else some time.
Ask your vet, no, demand a biopsy! The sooner you know, the sooner you can treat!
As always, my heart goes out to you. I know how hard it is. Know that I'm here for you!

RE: Dog Health Tips

kanimalhouse — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:16:08 GMT

Caninejan:

I have great fear this is what my black and tan Shepherd Kyro might have. He was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy about 16 months ago and has shown thankfully slow progression of that disease. Still reeling from knowing he is slowing turning into a paraplegic, I wasn't too concerned with the brown stain on his right front foot. His paws had been stained for years from the basted rawhide chews, but the toes on the right foot never cleared up even after he no longer chews those. The groomer noticed when trimming his nails last week that there was a crusty white bump right at the nail bed on top of the toe. He's never exhibited any pain, and I have never seen him licking at it. With DM, he trips a lot, so I think I thought only of it as a sore from tripping. I took him straight to the vet anyway, and she put me on heavy doses of antibiotics and mentioned the possibility of having to amputate but I was upset she would go worst case scenario right off the bat. I need immediate results or showings of some, and have none so far after 1 week. Can you tell me more about what brought your attention to Moose's foot? I start fight back the tears when I think of the long run of pain you endured watching this progression, even though you did everything you could. Kyro is about 15 we think; I rescued him from the euth table literally at the vet I used to work at 12 yrs ago and assumed he was about 2ish. He's been a great friend, and I have a very hard time watching him age. I am crying now writing this because I fear the inevitable and its overwhelming at times accepting that fact.

RE: Dog Health Tips

caninejan — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:54:13 GMT

My heart goes out to you, as you can well imagine. I can tell you that when the time comes, Forest will let you know. All the best to you. God bless.

RE: Dog Health Tips

forest — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:26:06 GMT

Thank you for your response, I must admit this has been such a difficult time for my family and me. We are watching a member of our family deuterating before our eyes. The tumors are now in his throat and he is having difficulty swallowing. It's kill me to see him suffer. Pain Meds have been helping, but it's heart retching to see that his mind has not reached his body. He eyes are so full of life but his body is saying something else. He is being spoiled as much as possible, what ever Forest wants Forest gets. He gets a rub down twice a day and he seem to enjoy it. So much he asks for it. Well I feel your loss even though I have not experienced it yet, my eyes are watering as I'm writing to you. Stay strong the only consolation I have is that I did all I could to save him, now I have to do everything to make sure he does not suffer. May you and your family find peace and at least you are blessed with all the memories your pet has left you and your family.

RE: Dog Health Tips

BTmom — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:46:09 GMT

I have six dogs (various sizes, ages, breeds). They all eat at the same time from their designated bowls, except for Pandy. She is my smallest but thinks she is the biggest. She waits until everybody else is done and then she eats. I don't know if it's a dominance thing or just a quirk but it doesn't seem to hurt anything or bother the other dogs so I'm fine with it.

RE: Dog Health Tips

caninejan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:14:59 GMT

In May of 2007, my Rottweiler, Moose, was diagnosed with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of his left front distal 3rd phalanye nail bed. We had been treating him for a nail bed infection for a few weeks, but it wasn't healing, so we decided to do a biopsy. Sure enough, cancer. This was a very aggressive, fast-moving cancer. The prognosis for recovery was so poor, I decided we would not try chemo or radiation. Moose's toe was removed about 3 weeks after the diagnosis was made for his comfort only. He was given pain meds as needed. He died December 22, 2007. I want to let everyone know, just in case your dog presents with the same type of thing. Digital SCC is the most common of digital tumors. Usually seen in ages 7-11 years. Approximately 75% affected dogs are large-breed with about 70% having black coats. High risk breeds include giant, standard, and miniature schnauzers; Gordon Setter; standard and miniature poodles; Scottish Terrier; Labradore Retriever; Rottweiler, and Dachshund. Digital SCC involving more than one digit has been reported in 3 related giant schnauzers, and has been seen in other large, black dogs, including standard poodles and Labradore Retreivers. The symptoms may include: lameness, swelling of digit, abnormal nail growth, fractured nail, licking/chewing at the digit. Often, dogs have been treated for chronic nail bed infection with different antibiotics with no improvement. The dog's digit will be painful and swollen with an abnormal or missing toe nail. Biopsy would be the first thing to do, along with pain meds to keep your dog comfortable. Moose had to have his foot bandaged for several months (2 before the sugery to remove the toe and another month or so after.) . After his amputation, the vet kept telling me that the prognosis was still very poor. I knew that, but at least he was more comfortable without the toe. He got along great without it. Hardly any limp at all, then no noticable limp after a month. There is a 95% survival rate for 1 year and a 75% survival rate for 2 years. Moose made it about 7 or 8 months after being diagnoed. He was my heart and it tore me up when he died. Please, most of these tumors go undiagnosed like Moose's for a long time while waiting for the right antibiotic to kill a nail bed infection. Please, please, please, any questionable, antibiotic- resistant digital swelling MUST be biopsied!!!! I'm only trying to save someone else the pain and heartache. I must also say that the reason I made the decision not to go with chemo and radiation was because, bottom line, Moose was going to die from the cancer and I wanted him to enjoy what time he had left without feeling sick all the time. He did, too. Everything was normal up to December 21st, when he began to get really weak and was unable to walk. My son and I had to carry his hulking 135# self back home in a blanket-carry! The next morning, he couldn't eat or drink, couldn't get up. That's when I had to be his best friend and we took him to the vet. It was time. He died with dignity with those he loved around him. I miss him, still.

RE: Dog Health Tips

forest — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:28:34 GMT

I have a 9 yr old Pit Bull Mix that was extremely active swam and dove eight feet under water for his toy. In early June he began with a slight cough. I took him to the Vet who stated it was a slight cold. In a few weeks it appeared that he was getting over the cold, but the symptoms began again. The vet again gave him antibiotics. On July 1st he all of a sudden lost all energy and would not eat. He also had problems breathing and was hospitalized for three days. He was treated for pneumonia. It appeared he began to recover but still had a hard time breathing. He was tested for Fungle and bacteria and all came back neg. None the less it appeared that the meds were helping him.

He again began to relapse and after three weeks of treatment his lungs did not appear to be clearing. I have taken him to three specialist and they all suspected cancer. The last Vet told me to take him home and that he would die by the end of the week. I took him and began giving him a non steroidal anti inflammatory to reduce the growth of the "suspected" cancer. I also noticed that during this time he had not had a bowl movent in 5 days, had no appetite and energy at all and was constantly breathing hard.

After giving him an enema he regained his appetite and is now eating regulalry. his energy level appears to be getting better, but he still has breathing peoblems.

I have told the Vets that I suspect that my pet may have dry drowning since he dove eight feet under water. They admitt that this may be a cause for the pnemonia but only treated the result and not the cause. Im $5000.00 in treatment now and my dog still has breathing problems and has no indurance at all to the point were he appears exhausted just walking. I feel that the Vets are just trying to take as much from me as possible. Is there anyone out that can help me.

RE: Dog Health Tips

dobermom — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:01:01 GMT

If your dog has loose BM's, nothing he got into, the easiest way to cure that is with carrots.
Just mix some carrots in your dogs food, and that will take care of that.
I give it to them like it is..no dogfood mixed with it.

RE: Dog Health Tips

rainsmom — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:10:54 GMT

keep the food out while the other dogs are eating when they are done take the food away. after a day or 2 of this he will eat when you put the food down

RE: Dog Health Tips

Ranger 3 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:38:00 GMT

I have a finicky dog that wait to eat when the other dogs are done what can I do to get him to eat when the other dogs eat ? I don't like to put things on he's food to get the dog to eat so is there another way to get my dog to eat ? Thanks and hope someone can help me .

RE: Dog Health Tips

hjmrrll13 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:26:00 GMT

I have a 1 year old long-haired daschund-terrier mix. She has trouble defecating. She'll look like shes is defecating, but nothing comes out and when something does, its small and discolored. She eats alot, but she only defecates a little. Whats wrong with her? She also sneezes alot. Is the sneezing normal?

RE: Dog Health Tips

Junior_and_Me — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:18:09 GMT

I doubt it was that that cured your dog, Parvo attacks the GI track and I fail to see how Pepto Bismol or sprite could do anything about the dehydration or secondary infections that Parvo causes, I think your dog was able to generate the antibodies it needed to cure itself. Were you instructed to give your pooch IV's? If not then I would suggest you get a new vet...

RE: Dog Health Tips

cindilouev — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:33:54 GMT

I want to share some thing that worked very well for us. We got a puppy black lab from a local shelter, took him to the vet before we took him home. He checked out fine. The next day he got real sick. My husband took him back to the vet and he got tested for parvo, he was positive. Vet said 50 % chance of him living. We had him just 3 days. after the 5th day we were thinking of having him put down, but someone at work told me to give him pepto bismol and sprite. Well we at this point wanted to try anything. Well he got that for a day and a half and the next day he was a puppy again, eating normal and his stools were better. It absolutely worked for us. I wanted to share that with everyone in case they have a parvo problem.... Thanks

RE: Dog Health Tips

muttlover17 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:47:04 GMT

thats true, can't go wrong with a hug or kiss.

RE: Dog Health Tips

Texasdog — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:37:48 GMT

All of the answers so far p;us a LOT of LOVE>

RE: Dog Health Tips

meredithb — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:15:44 GMT

Excercise, excercise, excercise

RE: Dog Health Tips

The Whiner's Friend — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:00:21 GMT

Here's a tip that works for my dog's health:

If your dog gets dirty gunk in their ears, it could lead to ear infection- in fact, it might even be ear infection. A good way to clean it out is with store-bought cleaning 'wash'. We put it on a material and then rub it in her ear. I think if you want to try this out, you research it first, in case I'm not correct.

RE: Dog Health Tips

meredithb — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:43:27 GMT

That's good idea putting hot water in there food.

It also helps with their water in take especially in the winter where they don't drink as much.

I also mix in some canned food or some other type of dog food for my finicky eater.

She seems to like "dog food rolls"
Meredith

RE: Dog Health Tips

WaTaPuppY — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:13:25 GMT

I like ur tips very helpful and easy to do.

RE: Dog Health Tips

BeagleBabe — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:11:40 GMT

My dog is a notoriously finicky eater. He exercises more than any other dog at the park, and refuses to eat his food.

We haven't found a wet food that we're happy with yet, so we had to think of something else to add to his food to get him to eat.

Enter: HOT WATER! Mixing a little bit of warm water with his dry kibble and swirling it around just enough to get eat morsel wet has worked wonders. Now, he slops up all of his food faster than we could've ever imagined. And...now he lets out these funny little doggie burps from eating so quickly.

Hope this helps any other owners with a picky pooch!!

RE: Dog Health Tips

*mollie* — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:32:55 GMT

well have the dog eat healthy,get exercise,play alot,have good skin,stay clean,and i could go on but there is much more

RE: Dog Health Tips

starry*boy — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:27:02 GMT

Well, I find a good way to keep a dog healthy is taking your dog to the vet reguarly and brush at least 2ice a day. Exersice is good but if you cant try playing with a toy with your dog for a few hours . It helps them get there energy out. Keeping your house clean also helps a dog stay healthy!

Dog Health Tips

Suprafa — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:25:03 GMT

Need tips for dealing with a common dog health dilemma? See if other forum users have them, or share some advice yourself!