Pup Talk

Dog ear infections are also commonly called Otitis Externa. It is an infection of the outer ear canal. There are three parts to the ear; the outer, the middle, and the inner ear. Ninety percent of infections occur in the outer ear, the part of the ear that you can see.

Dogs are prone to ear infections because of the anatomy of their ears. They have a horizontal and a vertical component to them, so it is hard for anything in there to drain out, like water or debris.

by ~Darin~

Signs of an ear infection include excessive head shaking, yellow to brown oozing in the ears, or a yeast-like smell. Additional signs of ear infections include redness and swelling.

There are several causes of ear infections. The most common cause of ear infections are due to allergies. Some dogs are more prone to allergies than others; therefore they get more ear infections.

Another common cause is swimming. They get water inside their ears, and because of their difficult anatomy, the water in the ears cannot drain out. Therefore, this provides the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. It is recommended that if you let your dog play in the water, you dry your dog’s ears thoroughly afterwards.

If your dog does have an ear infection it is important to properly clean your dog’s ears before applying any medication.

To clean your dog’s ears, start by placing a few drops of an ear cleanser into the ear and massage the ear to help loosen any debris that is in there. Then use a cloth or cotton gauze to wipe the dirt out.

After your dog’s ears are thoroughly clean, you can then apply your medication. Follow your veterinarian’s advice about how much medication to apply to the ear, usually a few drops.

The treatment your veterinarian will prescribe will vary depending on the cause of the ear infection. For yeast infections, they might prescribe anti-fungal medication. For bacterial infections they will probably prescribe antibiotics. Normally, treatment is applied directly into the ears, but in severe cases systemic treatment may be needed. This usually means having to give your dog pills orally.

In some dogs with severe ear problems, the veterinarian will usually clip the hair around the ear to help let more air into the ear. In extreme cases your veterinarian may recommend surgery to reconstruct the ear canal to let it drain easier.

by -bartimaeus-

Some breeds of dogs that are prone to ear infections include breeds with large ears that flap over the ear canal, and breeds of dogs that have a very small canal.

By knowing what to look for, you can detect ear infections early.

You can download the free ebook “Discover the Secrets to a Healthy Dog” at http://www.free-dog-info.com. It’s a premiere website offering quality articles and products for dog owners.

The term in the “Dog house” used to mean that one was in some sort of trouble. These days dog houses are worth being in. The pet business is becoming a booming business. There are stores selling pet accessories opening up and businesses dedicated to making mans best friend comfortable. Not only do dog houses provide shelter from the elements, they are also designed to be comfortable, safe and clean.

by Lucas Ussi

Dog houses now offer more than just a few pieces of lumber and some nails. There are many different types of dog houses available in the market; some simple and others more complicated. To ensure that your pet gets exactly what it needs, build one yourself. Include in your dog house budget other necessary pet accessories like appropriate toys for inside and outside use.

Building a dog house can be a fun family project. First go online and find what dog house plans there are and decide on one. Make sure that the plan is suited to match your dog’s size and is also suitable for the climate that you live in. Use building materials that can last and survive the elements and are locally available. Consider the proper bedding within your dog house and determine the dog house best location.

Dog houses do not need to be overly complicated. Keep in mind dog houses main purposes are to keep it dry, to keep the dog out of the elements and to provide for the dog’s safety. A dog house can also be built to include a storage area for all the pet accessories.

Dog houses need to be kept dry.

Dog houses should be water proof and should have the ability to stay dry; even when the dog brings water into the dog house. Keeping the dog house dry is not only for the dogs comfort but a dry dog house may prevent the growth of bacteria, parasites and viruses that can cause certain health issues for the dog. Installing windows that will allow for cross ventilation can be helpful or better install a fan to circulate air. If you live in an area where humidity is a problem, a canvas flap may be installed as a door.

Dogs cope well with the elements.

Dogs have the body hair which acts as insulation. Short hair dogs and long haired dogs are both designed to keep warm in cold weather. Putting a heat source into a dog house isn’t necessary depending on you live. Comfort is crucial. Use reasonable judgement to make sure that your pet will be able to stand in a dog house under current weather conditions of the area you live in. Therefore, insulating a dog house wall isn’t necessary if you live in Florida but could definitely be a consideration if living further north. Proper installation of insulation can be a hazard as the dog may start pulling on it and inevitably eat some of it. Once again, careful thoughts and planning are necessary to create a succesful environment.

Size Matters

Since the dog’s body is going to keep the dog house warm, it does not make sense to build a dog house that is too big. Measure the dog’s size when he curls up for his nap and add a few inches; this should be a comfortable inside size for a dog house. Also add a few inches of height taller than its shoulder.

by rayhue

Other tips

Your local building supply store or lumber yard offers the supplies you need for your dog houses. Wood is the preferable material; make sure it is treated to prevent the growth of unwanted germs. Do not use cement floors as these tend to be cold during winters. Finish the dog house with pet accessories like bedding materials and pet toys. Pet accessories can be purchased at any of your local pet supply stores. Alternatively, there are many online stores that sell the pet accessories you need to have for your dog in his new happy home.

Symphony, Inc. presents a wealth of resources. Find out at www.symphonydoghouses.com.

Dogs make an excellent pet and have been considered since time immoral, men’s best friend. Since we love so much our dogs, we always want them to remain clean, healthy and fit. Dogs need very good cleaning and grooming for keeping them healthy. Some simple tips are given below:

To keep the teeth clean, you need to brush their teeth everyday, two times just like we brush our own teeth. We must avoid forming plaque on their teeth. This habit should start right when dogs are little puppies.

by carf

When you feed your dog in after noon you can give carrots. Carrots are hard food and act as teeth scraper also. Always try to give hard food to your dog, not the soft canned food. Soft food might look good but in fact spoils the teeth of pets very much.

Dogs suffer from various diseases like heartworms. Heartworms can be detected by doing simple blood test on the dogs. If you suspect that dog suffers from heartworms, always consult the veterinary doctor. Giving self medication to dogs is not a good idea. Pills are helpful for treatment.

Claws of dogs need special attention. Every six to eight weeks, the claws need to be trimmed. If your dog is very active then maybe a small term of two to four weeks is better. When you start trimming the claws, take it as dulling exercise not shortening exercise. This way you will not cut the claws too short thereby exposing the pink part.

Dogs get ear mites also. A proper grooming means that they should be free from, any pests. Ear mites infect dogs and suck their blood. To keep mites away, you need to clean the crusts off the ears regularly. Most vets recommend anything that contains pyrethrums which is an insecticide made from chrysanthemums as a good medicine. Once you have chosen what medication to give, pick it over the counter from any pet stores, simply drop a few drops into the dog’s ear (make sure you follow the instructions as per your particular medication).Now, massage the base of the ear for 5 minutes or so. The simple massage will saturate the ear well.
To keep your dog healthy, you should give him lot of exercises. The more exercise you give him, easier will be it for you as he will be better trained and will spend less time digging your yards.
To keep him clean start brushing him everyday. You must use a soft bristle comb. There are lots of brushes available in the market. These combs come in varied varieties like stainless steel comb, a soft bristle brush. The choice will depend on the kind of coat that your dog has. Buy a comb/brush that will suit the coat.

by ANDI2…..

When you take your dog for a bath, wash the coat really well, preferably using a shampoo. You can use a tub wash or a shower depending whether you have puppy or a dog.

More Resources

Dog grooming.

http://www.doggroomingplus.com

Dog treats.

http://www.dogspecialtreats.com