We Are The Cure Blog | Canine Cancer Information

As we move towards finding better ways to improve canine lives, this blog is another small effort to make dog parents aware of the implications urinary bladder stones can have on canine health. By now I think we are already aware of the repercussions any disease can have on our pets’ heath. So, as responsible dog parents we should be extra cautious and immediately pull up our socks whenever we notice any abnormalities in their behavior.

Urinary bladder stones can be excruciatingly painful and if left untreated can damage the kidneys completely. The symptoms of bladder stones may include difficulty while urinating, hematuria, vomiting, fever, lethargy, dribbling urine, inappetance and depression. Some dogs are genetically predisposed but in others they may result from poor diet or recurring bacterial infections.

Bladder stones can be easily diagnosed with the help of X-ray and urinanalysis. Since they are amenable to resection, surgery is the treatment of choice. But other available options may entail dietary alterations, antibiotic drugs and urohydropropulsion in which the stones are flushed out from the dog’s urinary system with the help of water pressure.

Eventually, the mode of treatment depends upon the general health of the dog, and the severity of the problem. Surgery is opted mostly in case of big stones and dietary alterations are also prescribed depending upon the stone sizes. Like surgery, urohydropropulsion too is performed under anaesthesia. In this procedure the dog’s bladder is filled with saline and then squeezed in such a manner so that the stones come out through the urethra easily. Antibiotic drugs are administered to resolve bacterial infections as they tend to make the urine alkaline which results in the formation of stones.

So, it is very important to be attentive and careful when it comes to our pets’ health because even the slightest negligence can prove fatal.

Not all dogs are amenable to the idea of being bathed. But does that mean they would remain perpetually dirty? Of course not because there are alternative ways of keeping your pooch clean.

Dry shampoo available at a pet store can solve the problem. Rub the shampoo into his body without using water and then brush properly. However, before using it you should never forget to read the instructions. Other ways of keeping his coat clean are by using baking soda or a home made mixture of cornmeal and salt. Baking soda is a natural deodorant which keeps your pet’s coat bright and shining. All these methods are safe and convenient. Moreover, in this world of rising water crisis it’s high time that we start conserving water in our own little ways. Also brush your dog as often as you can especially when he’s shedding. Nylon brushes are good for long haired dogs while metal brushes are good for the medium haired ones. For the short haired dogs you can use either of them.

However, keeping the coat clean is just one aspect of it but other places like the ears, eyes, and teeth also need to be washed regularly. But how will you keep those areas clean? Very simple by using damp sterile cotton balls. While cleaning his teeth, however, soak the cotton ball in baking soda.

Having said all this we cannot ignore the importance of nails. Taking good care of nails is equally important because broken pieces can cause grievous injury to our paw pals. Either take him to a vet or clip his nails yourself. Embalm the nails with petroleum jelly so that you don’t confront difficulties during the clipping episodes.

For detailed information on nail clipping click here.

Canine water therapy is catching up fast with dogs across USA, Canada, Great Britain and Australia. Dogs are flocking to the nearest swimming clubs with their owners for a splash in the warm, comfortable water. This therapy is usually conducted by trained professionals in the warmth of an indoor environment. The temperature of the water hovers around 83 degree Celsius or above.

The swimming pool is more like a spa with a decent expanse of water. So, most of the pooches are put on life jackets for safety purposes. Some owners even take the help of doggles to keep water out of their eyes. Therapists have corroborated that dogs with water phobia also develop a love for it with continuous exposure.

Dogs with musculoskeletal problems are supposed to benefit most from the swim therapy. But it is also recommended by veterinarians for dogs who undergo surgery because it puts dogs on the fast track of development.

The major visitors to the swimming club consist of athletic dogs and working dogs. Dogs with behavioral problems and shelter dogs, are also taken to the clubs for helping them tide over the crisis situations. It also gives them a chance to mingle with other pets which paves the way for a strong bonding in the future.

However, dogs with no issues can also savor in the pristine water of the pool and enjoy new games and water toys.

It is in fact the ultimate way to soothe their jangled nerves!

You can log onto Canine Water Therapists for a detailed guideline on where to take your pets for a tryst with the water therapy.

Of late I had been hearing about ‘probiotics’ a lot. So, I decided to track down the exact meaning and its potential benefits on dog health. From my research what I found was that ‘probiotics’ are basically living microorganisms which when taken through food can be greatly beneficial to the dogs.

‘Probiotics’ play a major role in the dog’s body by strengthening the immune system. Reports have indicated that they accelerate the production of antibody that produce plasma cells and lymphocytes, which put up a formidable resistance against harmful pathogens.

‘Probiotics’ are basically dietary supplements consisting of the living microorganisms that improve the process of assimilation and digestion by streamlining the intestinal function. They also act as a protective shield against various disorders like diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, gas, etc. Sometimes, intestinal problems could be the indication of other underlying ailments like allergies, itchy skin, ear infection, etc. ‘Probiotics’ are a rich source of natural antibiotics, that prevent the growth of some harmful bacteria and pathogens like, E. coli and salmonella. Other major health benefits of probiotics include its antioxidant properties and reduction of cholesterol in the blood. They can also help in the production of vitamin B and folic acid. They prevent the inflammation of the intestine. The most common probiotoic is lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

However, some factors like antibiotics, harmful pathogens and poor intake of food can deplete the population of ‘probiotics’ in your dog’s body. On such occasions you can give your dog food items containing probiotics like yogurt products, fermented milk, miso and cheese. You can even supplement it with your dog food.

But having said all this the advice of a vet cannot be undermined. So, before administering ‘probiotics’ through food supplements, always consult a vet.

We are all aware of the potential benefits of calcium in our diet. The same is true for our dogs as well. Calcium is mandatory for strong bones and teeth but the proportion in which we give it to our pets determines their true bone health. Do you know that both little or excess calcium can be devastating for your pet’s health?

If you give it to him in very low quantities your dog may develop a condition called ‘ricket’. This is a disease in which the bones become ‘porous’ and ‘brittle’. However, large amounts of calcium can result in bone abnormalities. Large bones are usually very low in density. But calcium supplements become inevitable during pregnancy and post pregnancy. Otherwise, it may lead to ‘eclampsia’ or milk ‘fever’ a life-threatening condition characterized by low blood calcium levels.

Although calcium plays a significant role in your dog’s diet, the importance of other vitamins and nutrients cannot be undermined. In fact calcium works hand in hand with phosphorous. Vitamin D also plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. However, excess vitamin D can be detrimental to your dog’s health.

So, for the right proportion of calcium in your dog’s diet always seek the advice of his vet.

Nurturing a puppy can actually give you hands on training on how to look after a baby if you haven’t had any exposure till date. Yes, they also go through exactly similar phases in their transition towards adulthood and ‘teething’ is perhaps the most prominent of them all.

Just like human babies, puppies are also born toothless. By the 6th or 8th week they have around 28 teeth. These are known as ‘deciduous teeth’ or ‘milk teeth’. Although these are temporary, they help in the process of chewing. They eventually fall off between 4 months – 1 year thus paving way for the permanent ones. The incisors grow between 3-6 months of age, while the premolars develop between 4-6 months. The canines and molars appear between 5-7 months. Unlike human babies their teething process is complete by 8-9 months of age.

Some puppies drool excessively during this period as they develop an affinity for chewable stuff. However, this acts as a lubricant which sets the stage for tooth growth. Although drooling is a very common phenomenon during this phase, sometimes it could also be an indication of underlying problems like upset stomach or gum disease. In case you feel all is not well with your buddy rush him to a vet.

There are several ways in which you can take care of these problems. Always keep a towel handy so that you can wipe their faces and paws with it. Provide them with plenty of chewable toys. However, ice cubes or wash cloth dipped in water are the safest bets. The ‘itchy’ sensation in their gums sometimes ensues bad behavior. To ease their discomfort you can sit beside your puppies and slowly run your fingers on their gums.

Sometimes, a few deciduous teeth remain as they don’t fall off. So, if you don’t get them extracted they won’t allow the permanent ones to sustain resulting in improper jaw alignment or malocclusion.

Ear problems can afflict any dog and cause unbearable pain. As they can’t explain their discomfort, indications like occasional shaking of head, ear scratching, groaning and walking with head tilted at an angle are good enough to alert the owner that something is wrong with his pet’s ears.

If your dog has an ear infection his ears would smell pungent and you would also notice some discharge in the ear canal that may be brown, yellow or red in color. This infection is generally caused by an insect called mite. They creep around the ear causing irritation. The ears of your doggy react to these insects by secreting a wax like substance which is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, fungus and yeast. This further accentuates the problem.

Some people try to treat it at home with help of a doctor, but it’s always better if you take him to a vet and allow the doctor to examine his ears. The vet would basically look out for mites, bacteria or yeast. Sometimes, foreign bodies present in the ear canal also cause excruciating pain. Under these circumstances your pet may need antibiotics or other medications.

However, for the accurate examination of his ears, the vet resorts to anesthesia. He takes a sample of the discharge and either examines it himself or sends the swab to a laboratory for a culture and sensitivity test. The result of the investigation enables him to chart the course for treatment.

Sometimes infections in the ears keep recurring due to narrowing of the ear canal, tumorous overgrowths, natural deformity or skin infection. If his ears remain perpetually moist, infections will never resolve. So, the vet takes recourse to a surgery in which he removes the skin overlying the outer portion of the ear canal. This allows for proper air circulation thus resolving the infection completely.

However, there is another surgery called ear ablation in which the entire cartilage of the ear canal and the hole going down to the eardrum are done way with. Although it resolves the infection for good, the dog becomes deaf in that ear.

So, you should always consult a doctor if you suspect ear problems in your pet.

I could have never believed that deaf dogs could be as graceful as their normal counterparts had I not visited my friend’s place. The bond between my friend and his buddy left me absolutely speechless. Words simply can’t describe the beauty of their  relationship which has evolved over the years.

In spite of his pet being deaf my friend has taken very bit of care to ensure that he doesn’t feel lonely or left out. During the course of our conversation he discussed with me several important details that I would like to share with my readers.

Deafness can actually stem from several factors like trauma, accident, exposure to loud noise and old age. Some dogs turn deaf after adoption while some people deliberately adopt a deaf pet just for the love of it. My friend told me that deaf dogs are quite adjustable and they are in fact more sensitive to the changes around them than their normal counterparts.

What are the things you should keep in mind if you have a deaf pet or if you’re contemplating adoption?

1. Protect him from aggressive animals and other dangers. Always keep your dog on leash when you take him out for a stroll.

2. You can train him just the way you train a normal dog except for voice commands. With them you have to use hand signals as frequently as possible. However, your signals should be consistent or else it may confuse him.

3. A deaf dog might get frightened at the slightest drop of a hat. You can actually divert his attention by caressing and patting him on the back. In case he’s woken up from a deep slumber put him to rest again by running your fingers through his fur. Do these exercises from time to time throughout his life. He’ll gradually learn that unknown things are nothing to get frightened about.

4. As he can’t hear he’ll not be aware of your sudden disappearance. So, if you have to leave the area let him know by patting his back. Or if you’re outside wave your hand vigorously in his direction so that he understands you’re leaving the place.

5. Put a tag around his collar stating that he’s deaf along with all the contact details.

Happy petting!

Winter’s back with its spine chilling temperature and it’s again time for us to slip into the warmest woolens and boots. But what about our friends with paws? How will they keep themselves warm? Some of us believe that their fur is a good enough shield against the plummeting temperatures of the winter months. But this is not true for they also feel the pangs of winter as much as we do. So, how will you take care of your buddies during this season?

Here’s a quick look at some of the most simple ways:

1. Get a coat for your buddy and wrap him up with it especially while taking him out with you.

2. When dogs negotiate through the heaps of snow and slush their paw pads develop hard snow balls. It’s due to the hair between the paws that collect the snow and form these balls. If not taken care of they can inflict damage to their paws. You can prevent this by trimming the hair a bit and also by applying petroleum jelly or olive walk prior to the walk. Always remember to use an edible oil for dogs are into the habit of licking their own feet. Another way of protecting their feet is by getting boots. However, not all dogs are amenable this idea.

3. When they come into the house from outside wash their feet with warm water and pat dry them with a clean towel before applying cream. It’s very important to prevent cracking as it causes excruciating pain and bleeding. Also, if they happen to step on sharp objects obscured by snow wash their wounds with warm water and mild soap.

4. Be very careful while sprinkling ice melting elements on your path because they mostly consist of chemicals and granules that cause harm to their paw pads. Again, in an attempt to lick their feet they might end up ingesting the toxic products. So, instead of that you can use sand, gravel and cat litters as they are non-toxic.

5. At home dogs have a tendency to cozy up to the hot water. So, make sure that you buy a cover for your steam radiators because they operate at higher temperatures than their other counterparts.

6. Snow that accumulates on rooftops usually melt during the day time. So, it’s very important that you segregate the area with a barricade where chunks of snow might fall. Otherwise they can cause severe damage to your pets.

Take care of your pets the right way.

Also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough is a highly contagious illness that affects the upper respiratory tract in dogs. It is caused by many viral and bacterial agents. The disease affects a vast majority of dogs in the US every year.

The symptoms for tracheobronchitis may range from dry cough, running nose to lethargy, fever, lack of appetite, pneumonia and in extreme cases even death.

Although the symptoms of kennel cough are quite conspicuous for reaching a definitive conclusion, the diagnostic techniques occasionally employed may entail bacterial cultures, viral isolation, and blood work.

The treatment for kennel cough depends on the severity of the disease. If it’s in the mild state, antibiotics may or may not be administered. Instead bronchodilators like aminophylline or cough suppressants may be used.

In more complicated cases, the dog is treated with antibiotics like doxycycline or trimethoprim-sulfa. However, there are many options available nowadays. Bronchodilators and even aerosol therapy can be used.

Under these circumstances it is advisable that you put a head collar or harness around your dog’s neck because pressure on the throat and trachea can worsen his cough.

However, the pertinent question here is can you prevent ‘kennel cough’? Yes of course you can by exercising little caution like keeping your pooches away from other dogs especially puppies and also by getting proper doses of vaccine administered. The kennels which are breeding grounds of bacteria should be properly disinfected and the  contaminated pets should be isolated. Also those dealing with them should take adequate precautions.

Earlier humans were out of the ambit of this infection. But recent studies have found that children and adults with comprised immune systems are at an increased risk of developing the disease. So, just like pooches, human beings should also avoid coming into contact with infected animals.