How to Help a Dog with Hip Dysplasia (Home Treatments)

Hip dysplasia in dogs is categorized by an abnormal formation in the ball and socket joints, resulting in said joints that grind against one another as opposed to joints that glide smoothly. This disease is one of the most common skeletal diseases in canines and can develop at any period in a dog’s life. Some dogs show symptoms of hip dysplasia as early as four months old, while other dogs develop it in later stages of life as an effect of osteoarthritis. Larger breeds are more likely to develop hip dysplasia, with certain breeds like the German Shepherd, the Labrador and the Great Dane having a higher genetic predisposition for the disease compared to smaller breeds.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include the following: decreased range in motion, mild to moderate lameness, reluctance to exercise, and visible stiffness after rising from rest. The surest way to find out if your dog has hip dysplasia is to visit a veterinarian and get a full physical check-up for your dog, along with an X-ray.

Depending on the severity of the dog’s hip dysplasia, it may be treated with some lifestyle changes for your dog and physiotherapy sessions. More serious cases of hip dysplasia may require surgery, but the kind of surgery is dependent on the dog’s age and size. A surgical operation wherein the socket is rotated may be done for dogs less than a year old, while a hip replacement surgery is the best option for older dogs who are not responding to physical therapy. For outpatient dogs, prescriptions for conventional OTC medicine such as anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication are given to manage hip dysplasia.

Caring for a dog with hip dysplasia is no easy task, nor is it cheap. There will be follow-up appointments, more X-rays, and prescriptions to fill out in order to monitor and relieve your dog’s condition. In the long run, it would be wiser and more cost-efficient to get health insurance for your pet as a preemptive measure if your dog does indeed have hip dysplasia. (Even if your dog is perfectly healthy, getting health insurance for your pet is still a smart thing to do!)

Meanwhile, there are plenty of holistic treatments and lifestyle changes for your dog that you can do at home to help relieve your dog’s hip dysplasia. Below are some treatments you can do at home:

Put your dog on a fresh food diet.

Weight control is an important aspect of caring for a dog with hip dysplasia, as you do not want your dog to be overweight and put more stress on its joints. One of the simplest ways to mitigate your dog’s hip dysplasia is to change up your dog’s diet. Start them on a cooked and raw meat diet (lean beef in particular is good due to the protein). Other ideal foods to add to your dog’s diet are fresh vegetables like carrots and kale, whole grains, bone broth (made with chicken bones), and knox gelatin. Be sure to avoid vegetables such as those in the nightshade family (peppers, potatoes, eggplants, etc) as they can worsen your dog’s condition.

Add supplements and herbs to your dog’s diet.

Dietary supplements are an extremely effective addition to your dog’s diet. Colloidal silver has been proven to regenerate tissue and bone while colloidal gold helps reduce swelling and pain. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for joint inflammation relief. Adding herbs such as licorice, ginger, alfalfa, rosemary and cayenne to your dog’s food will also help with inflammation and promote blood circulation.

Give your dog a warm bath once in a while.

Fill up your bathtub with warm water, throw in some Epsom salt, and your dog will thank you forever. (If your dog could talk, that is.) This bath routine is perfect for relieving hip dysplasia pain triggered by cold water and/or cold weather.

Try hydrotherapy.

If you have a pool in your backyard, taking your dog for a swim every day would be a great workout as it puts little stress on the joints. If you do not have a pool, you can buy an inflatable plastic one from the store and it should work just as well. You can also take your dog to a nearby beach if you lack the space for an inflatable pool and make a fun family trip out of it!

Take your dog on walks (but stick to soft surfaces!).

Having hip dysplasia does not mean your dog should have to exercise less. In fact, it requires your dog to get more exercise than ever before as hip dysplasia makes them more prone to muscle atrophy. Choosing the appropriate form of exercise is key. Though hip dysplasia results in an abnormal gait and limping, taking your dog for a good old-fashioned walk is still very much encouraged as it gives their legs a nice workout. Just make sure to stick to routes with soft surfaces like grass or sand and avoid concrete paths. Inclined surfaces like hills also increase muscle development.

Use a heat pack on your dog.

Heat packs (yes, the one in your medicine cabinet) help relieve and soothe the pain caused by hip dysplasia. Put it as close to your dog’s hips as much as possible. You can even let your dog sleep with it overnight and you can be assured that they will wake up feeling better and recharged.

These are just some of the home remedies available for a dog with hip dysplasia. Some of these remedies may seem simple, but over time, the effects brought about by these new routines will show themselves during your next appointment at the vet. Remember: your dog is counting on you to help maintain, or in this case, improve their quality of life. You owe it to them to do everything you can to make sure they are getting the proper care. After all, in the end, you still come out getting the most out of this bargain: you get more years with your best friend.

About the Author:

Eva Sykes is a Content & Partnership manager by day and avid dog lover by night. She spends most of her time working with people who love to help pets in need or just need a bit of extra love, spending countless hours helping stray and lost dogs find new homes to avoid being put down. Eva's hobbies include climbing (or bouldering) as well as playing squash, while at the same time seeking the sun on travel adventures. Eva is currently working to spread the word about why people should adopt pets as a way to improve their health and lifestyle.

Source: https://www.entirelypets.com/hip-dysplasia-treatments.html

The 10 Best Ways to Control Dog Shedding

Dogs are beautiful blessings on Earth.

If you have a dog in your house, you will never feel lonely. They are kind, understanding, loyal, and one of the best companions anyone can ever have! All they want is a little bit of attention, care, and love.

As a great man once said; “Each and everything has a price to pay.” Such sweet, lovable, hyper-obedient, playful, and social animals can sometimes become a headache. One of the biggest nuisances a dog owner faces is shedding. We love our doggies, but we don’t like all that fur shedding on the carpet, furniture, or even on our valuable clothes.

Every pet, regardless of their age or breed, especially dogs and cats, shed their fur. They lose old and damaged hair naturally. Shedding is a standard procedure, but the amount and frequency might differ. If their shedding is more than the usual amount, the pet’s health can be the root cause.

The amount and frequency rate also depends on the various types of breeds. For example, German shepherds have the shedding tendency throughout the year because they have more hair or thicker overcoats, where some breeds like Xoloitzcuintli dog or Poodles shed occasionally. Apart from that, it also depends on the season.

While we are unable to stop a pet from this natural process, we can still try and help reduce the amount of shedding hair. Let me suggest you some of the best dog shedding remedies to keep your house clean and your dog healthy.

Home remedies to stop dog shedding

If you love furry canines but are afraid of the shedding mess all around the house, furniture, and clothes, it’s time to be relaxed. There are many natural remedies you can try to get rid of pet hairs. These tips given below will help you to improve your dog’s coat and control shedding. Keep calm and read further.

1. Brushing

Using the right brush, which is not too soft and not too hard, and brushing him on a regular basis is a fantastic idea we all should follow. You just have to give 10 minutes a day. Just try it for a week, and I am sure you will see a magical difference in the shedding amount and frequency. Brushing can also help you to maintain your dog’s outer coat.

This quick process makes it softer, cleaner, and less likely to shed. Many vet doctors and professionals suggest that regular brushing gives some great outcomes, especially to the worst shedding dog breeds like Husky, Corgi, Chow Chow, American Eskimo, etc. So don’t be a lazy lad, and keep on brushing your pet.

2. Nutrition

You must be knowing the importance of food in our lives. Whether humans, animals, or birds, and even the plants or trees need appropriate nutrition for better living.

Feeding a proper dog food helps a lot when you are trying to control the dog shedding. A pet’s coat is a reflection of his eating. Feed him high quality and fresh food with the excellent sources of fatty acid and protein. Include flaxseed oil in his diet. Olive oil is also an excellent choice when we talk about dog nutrition. Use it and notice the difference. You can use supplements if you think that the dog food is not providing him the proper diet.

There is no harm in them if they have been given after taking the expert’s advice. We can also feed him our snacks (i.e.) some human snacks occasionally.

3. Don’t Allow Fleas to Come In

Fleas are irritating and just not at all suitable for the dogs. As the health of the pet is directly connected to the shedding, we have to take more care of our dog’s body and inner organs.

Fleas can spread infections or allergies. Allergies make the dog restless and hyper. Sometimes, they behave cranky and annoying just because they are not well or something is bothering them inside, which is not explainable. So, control fleas and other insects from ruining the favorite canine’s health and our moods. Use nets or sheets which do not let the fleas come in.

Also, notice the risky period when the maximum amount of insects can reach to us, and keep your doors and windows closed during that period.

4. Vacuum

Vacuuming the house has many advantages. The activity of cleaning must be set in your routine.

You may have the confusion that how the vacuuming will help us to control dog shedding! Indeed, it does not help them directly, but indirectly it is related.

It cleans all the dust from the floors, walls, and from the carpet areas. That reduces the chances of dust allergies and flea attacks on the dog’s fur and removes pet hairs from the hard to reach places.

Also, regular vacuuming also lessens the burden of our last minute house parties. Whenever the loved ones come in, our home will give clean, fresh, and positive vibes.

5. DON’T Keep the Doctors Away!

We may think that our pets are healthy because they look healthy. But unfortunately, that is not 100% true.

Many small diseases can affect adversely to the overall health, the skin, and the coat, which we may not understand just by seeing. Such things are critical, need proper attention and care. So, have regular check-ups of your cutie-pie. These regular meetings will help you to identify the problems early and so the veterinarian can provide the adequate treatments.

As we have discussed; poor health of the pet is directly related to the dog shedding. Why take a chance right? So, don’t keep the doctors away in this case!

6. Give Pets a Bathing Treat

It is a fact that a clean dog is more likely to have a healthier and shinier coat. Bathing and grooming are essential activities for any pets. During summer, we must bathe our dog often, let’s say – once a week!!!

During winters, it is difficult to convince the dog for such activities. But, as parents, you have to make your little ones ready for their better sake. You can use some gentle shampoos which can clean the entire body and the fur without over-drying the skin.

I am sure that after this fantastic bathing treat, your pooch will look clean, bright, fresh, and shine like a star with no excessive shedding of damaged hair.

7. Grooming & Vrooming

Grooming is not at all problematic. We just have to read some instruction on the internet or the top of the dog shedding products, and that’s all! When we give the pooch a soothing bath, our half of the work has been done.

Then, take out his favorite brush and a trimmer (which do not make much noise) and go on! Pamper him as no one pampers him and after grooming, do not forget to give him a treat. Grooming will make him tidy and neat! Also, all the dead and damaged hair will also be cleaned during the grooming process.

So, say goodbye to the unwanted and messy shedding! You can also use olive oil and coconut oil for the massage purpose if your dog has dry skin or itching problems.

8. Deshedding Tools for Heavy Shedders

If you have a breed which is supposed to shed more and more hairs, or if the dog is having a massive amount of fur, then there is an easily accessible option of deshedding tools. You can use such devices for the whole shedding purposes.

It is said that during the fall, the dog’s winter coat starts growing and before the spring it begins to shed. So, it is preferable to use deshedding tools before that critical time. If you have a question of how to stop dog shedding short hair; then you should go for the rubber curry comb to de-shed. After this activity, don’t forget to clean the excessive hair from his body with the help or bathe or just a simple towel.

9. Clean Water is the Key

Just like us, they also need fresh and clean water to drink. Pure drinking water is not just for making them hydrated but also helps them to keep their skin healthy by stopping it from dying out completely.

Water is the most important thing for every living thing on the earth. It should always be available in the dog’s water bowl. Refill it when you see it empty. If it is not used throughout the day, change it next morning and pour the fresh water again.

You can also add watery fruits or veggies to his diet to keep him healthy and hydrated.

10. Air Purifiers

Believe it or not, air purifiers are not just essential for the humans, but also for our beloved pets.

Purifiers can filter dust and allergens while sleeping and so, apparently they can also decrease the chances of dangerous infections and allergies. Our pets have various sensitive areas like eyes of the pug and ears of the German shepherd, which can get infections easily.

A small bug, mites, or fleas can make the infection worse. So, don’t take a chance for your family and the beloved pet and use better than the best air purifiers always.

Be a Hero of Your Pets

If we have a dog in our house, it is our responsibility to take care of all his minor to significant needs.

As they are unable to express their needs and wants, we have to understand their wishes, expectations, health issues, and food choices. I hope this article has given you the answer to your confusion; how to stop a dog from shedding! Take more care of yourself as well as your pooches.

Give extra love, and take care of him as a real guardian. After all, they see angels in us – why not prove them correct?

Source: https://www.entirelypets.com/dog-shedding.html

My Dog is Aggressive Around Strangers

Posts by: Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC, Lifestyle Contributor and Pet Behavior Expert 

It’s not unusual for a dog to “protect” his territory, and for many, it’s an inherent trait. Some breeds seem more prone to this behavior— in my experience— including dogs bred for guarding like mastiffs and some herding and terrier breeds. Unfortunately, many dogs take this behavior to an extreme level, which can lead to serious issues. A dog that feels he must aggress and bite strangers coming into the yard or into the house has the potential to cause harm to people, leading to uncomfortable guests, lawsuits, or worse. Fortunately, by understanding what drives your dog to this behavior, you can correct it.

Why do I have an aggressive dog?
If your dog is growling and barking at guests, you’re probably finding yourself with a heightened sense of anxiety. Keep in mind that your dog is not happy in this state of mind either. Dogs display this behavior due to fear and/or anxiety and need behavioral intervention to overcome it. 

Dogs that aggressively protect “their” territory are often dogs that were not socialized as puppies1 and have a fear of novel things, people, and animals. What may seem like a benign visitor to your yard, such as the mailman, can be perceived by the unsocialized dog as an extreme threat and the dog will act aggressively to protect himself. 

Aggression often does not manifest right away and generally begins to show as the dog moves into adulthood. According to the ASPCA and AHAA, this can be anywhere from one to three years of age depending on the size and breed/breed mix of dog. With any behavior, particularly one involving poor socialization and fear, the sooner you provide behavioral intervention, the better. 

What can I do about my aggressive dog?
If you have a dog that is acting aggressively toward visitors to your home or property, it’s vital that you consult a qualified behavior professional immediately. Catch it early if you can– if your dog appears uncomfortable, anxious, stiff, or is growling, then seek help before the problem escalates. Your first step should be a consultation with your veterinarian. Says Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Don Hanson, CDBC, CPDT-KA, BFRAP of Green Acres Kennel (Bangor, ME), “I stress to clients that it is important, to be frank with their veterinarian about any and all behavior concerns. I make sure that the owners understand that any underlying medical issue contributing to the dog’s behavior must be addressed first, for me to be able to help them.” 

How can I find a behavioral expert for my aggressive dog?
It’s extremely important to find a behavior professional who is well versed in dealing with dogs with serious behavior issues and who uses scientifically valid methods. 

When looking for a behavior consultant, make sure the professional you choose is credentialed, receive regular continuing education, and will work with your veterinarian and you to develop an effective treatment plan that is safe for you and your dog. 

Your veterinarian may be able to make an excellent referral, but you can also look for someone through the following reputable organizations: The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, the Animal Behavior Society, and the IAABC. If your veterinarian feels that a veterinary behaviorist is the best option for your dog, many will work remotely in partnership with your veterinarian.

What will a behavioral expert do for my dog?
In the case of a dog with territorial aggression, your consultant will first want to make sure that rules for safety and management are in place so no one gets hurt. This may be as mild as keeping the dog crated when visitors arrive, or as strong as actually boarding the dog elsewhere if he presents a real danger to others. A professional should be able to explain to you the process so you feel comfortable with it. Says Hanson, “I explain the difference between training and behavior modification and how the goal of the latter is to change the way that a dog feels in a given situation. The vast majority of aggression cases that I see are based on fear, so resolving the dog’s anxiety is a key to ending the aggressive response.” 

Every program developed for a dog is different and based on the dog’s history and needs. Generally, it will involve desensitization and counter conditioning to people coming into the dog’s territory, coupled with training the dog to go to a specified place, such as a crate or a mat, when the scary person arrives1.  

What can my veterinarian do for my aggressive dog?
Depending on the dog, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to help with the dog’s anxiety which allows the behavioral modification program to be more effective if the dog was previously too stressed to function. Other interventions may include increased exercise and mental enrichment for the dog, additional equipment such as head halters, muzzles, and management techniques may be helpful to not only keep people safe but also to reduce the dog’s ability to interact with what scares them.

It’s important to know that while your dog’s behavior may appear disturbing and even frightening to you, the most effective way to help your dog is to work with qualified professionals and commit to following the plan they have created for you. According to author and veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall, MA, VMD, Ph.D., of all the factors involved in the successful resolution of a behavior case, “client compliance may be the most critical2.” 

In other words, the more effort and commitment you give to working through your dog’s issues, the higher the likelihood that your dog’s behavior will improve. Dog aggression is never really “cured,” but you can help your dog feel more comfortable with others coming into his territory. 

Source: http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/my-dog-aggressive-around-strangers

My Dog is Afraid of Nail Trimmings

Posts by: 

Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC, Lifestyle Contributor and Pet Behavior Expert           

Why are long dog nails a problem?

Fear of nail trims is a very common issue dog guardians face and the fear can range from a mild dislike to outright terror, depending on the dog. For some pet parents, the only way to trim a dog’s nails is under anesthesia, which is certainly not an option that works every week. Many give up trying and just allow the dog’s nails to remain long. While the frustration is understandable, this option can lead to health drawbacks for dogs. Overgrown nails affect a dog’s posture, eventually leading to joint problems and arthritis. They’re also more prone to splitting and breaking in painful ways. Long nails are a problem for humans as well. Dogs with longer nails are more likely to destroy furniture and other objects, unwittingly, as well as break human skin when jumping up to say hello or when playing.

Reducing stress when trimming your dog’s nails 

If your dog is terrified of having nails trimmed, what can you do? Here are some ideas:

• Some dogs’ nails will stay at a healthy length if they are exercised regularly on a rougher surface such as concrete or pavement.
• Another innovative idea is to create a filing “board” which consists of a sheet of wood covered with sandpaper. You teach your dog a paw target behavior and then apply that behavior to the board, so the dog effectively is filing down his own nails as he paws the board.
• Nail trim mats are basically doormats with a rough surface that files the dog’s nails each time he walks on the mat.

While these ideas can be helpful, a preferable option is to be able to trim your dog’s nails whenever you need to. An effective plan is to do away with your nail clippers all together and switch to a nail grinder. There are many benefits to using a grinder. If you have larger dogs like I do, clipping their nails is more difficult due to the size and the nails often splinter and leave jagged edges. Properly used, a grinder can make the nails smoother and less likely to catch on items. It’s also effective for dogs that have simply developed such a strong conditioned fear of the clippers that trying to desensitize them to it will be frustrating for both of you. You can get a grinder at most pet supply stores and even some hardware stores carry models appropriate for use with pet nails.

Getting your dog comfortable with a nail grinder

The next step is to develop a plan of action. Be aware going in that this is a long process and you need to work with your dog’s level of comfort and stress. A good way to go about tracking your progress is to make a chart that you keep handy —maybe on your refrigerator door with a magnet. Alternatively, you could use a whiteboard, or even just a document that you keep handy on a computer, tablet or smartphone. 

Step one: The first part of the process involves getting your dog acclimated to having his feet handled. In this step, you will not be using the grinder at all. Work in very small increments of time. Touching your dog’s paws, moving your fingers through his toes and eventually work out to tapping a non-threatening object on the nails. The object can be anything your dog does not find scary and that has enough of a surface to make some noise. Pair the touch and handling with something positive, such as a really good food treat, praise or something else your dog really loves. Always keep an eye on your dog’s body language during this time. If he is stressed, stop immediately and move back a step.

Step two: Once your dog appears calm being handled, add in the grinder without batteries. The “without batteries” stipulation is very important as you do not want it to turn on by accident. At first, you are simply going to have it around by putting it near your dog’s food bowl. If the dog appears upset, move it away until your dog is fine in its presence. Slowly, over time, move it closer to the bowl until the dog appears uninterested in it. At this point, add in the batteries and turn it on and off for a few seconds during your dog’s meal. Again, work in very small increments. You may only have it on for three seconds — during your dog’s meals for several days. Then five seconds (for a few days), then seven, and so on. 

Step three: When you can turn the grinder on and off with no apparent stress signals from your dog, regardless of the time it’s on, move to the next step. Begin using the grinder, without batteries, as the tapping object on the dog’s nails. Tap the grinder to one nail, treat, and then stop. Repeat with the next nail the next day, treat and stop. When you can touch all your dog’s nails on any given day and the dog shows no stress, you can begin touching more than one nail per day. 

Step four: Now put the batteries back in the grinder and begin touching it— while it is off— to the dog’s nails. Tap the nail twice, then turn the grinder on and touch the nail. Do this for only a few seconds, treat, turn the grinder off, tap twice, and then stop. Repeat the next day for the next nail, and so on. Once you can do this with any nail and a calm dog, you can move up to holding the grinder for longer periods of time.

If you think this sounds like a long process, you’re right, but working through the fear of having nails trimmed is a daunting process for your dog and you always need to move at the pace your dog is comfortable with. Go too fast and you may find that your dog develops an intense negative emotional reaction to the grinder, and that’s absolutely what you do not want. Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist, Katenna Jones ScM, ACAAB, CCBC, CDBC, CPDT-KA told me, “We get greedy and want to do it all in one day. It’s natural to think if you’ve gotten one nail done, let’s move on and do the next one. Don’t! If you move too fast, you will have to move back a few steps in your process until your dog is comfortable again to move on.” 

If you feel you need more help with this process, don’t hesitate to work with a qualified behavior professional. Visit the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, the Animal Behavior Society, and the IAABC to find a professional near you. Your dog will thank you for it!

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. 

Source: http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/my-dog-afraid-nail-trimmings