by:Paul Kleinmeulman

3 Tips For Dealing With Dog Emergencies
by Paul Kleinmeulman
Have you ever thought about what you need to do should your dog or another dog ever suffer a serious, life-threatening injury? What if they have a severe allergy to an insect bite or a bee sting? It is great to know your vet's phone number, but what if something happens during off hours?What if you don't know where the closest emergency animal clinic is located?Augh! Enough with the questions already, right? Any emergency is stressful and scary, and one involving that furry little four-legged member of your family is no exception. The toughest of owners can be instantly reduced to helpless balls of mush if something is wrong with their dogs and they can't figure out what to do.

1. Preparation is key.

The key to getting through a veterinary emergency is preparation. You may think you have that covered with a first aid kit and having the phone number to your vet handy, but what if there isn't enough time to move your dog? You need to be well-versed in some of the more common animal emergencies just in case a situation ever arises. And hey, if a situation never arises, you'll still feel more confident knowing that you have the ability to deal with one.

2. Know how to care for wounds.

Did you know that you shouldn't use hydrogen peroxide on a bleeding wound? Nope. It slows clotting to the area, which means your dog could actually lose more blood than he would if you didn't use the peroxide at all. In fact, the best way to treat a deep, severely bleeding wound is to apply a clean cloth and hold it in place for five minutes, then tape the cloth to the wound. That original cloth should never be removed that also slows clotting and should instead be layered with more clean cloths if blood soaks through.

3. Know what to do about poisoning.

Did you know that certain varieties of toads, salamanders, newts, and other amphibians are poisonous if licked? Hey, guess who loves to hold little woodland critters in his mouth! Your dog. If you notice your pup drooling, whining, and wiping at his mouth after a trip into the forest, get him to a clean water source and rinse his mouth thoroughly. While the poison can be fatal if left in the mouth, it is fairly easy to cleanse from the tongue and glands.

Now imagine all of the scenarios that can happen to your dog, from fractured limbs to choking and everything in between. Do you really want to risk not knowing how to handle them?

You don't have to anymore, since I've written Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch to help you learn how to cope with nearly any emergency as well as have the basis for handling all of the everyday and lifelong problems and situations you'll face with your dog.

From choosing toys to cancer and everything in between, it is all in the book as well as how to create the most effective first aid kit and handle the most common emergencies. Listen, even the most experienced dog owner needs a little help and advice now and then. Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch is that constant source of help and advice.

Paul Kleinmeulman http://www.DogNatural.com If you a looking for a an informative book dealing with everything to do with dog health than you can't go past "Secrets to a Happy and Healthy Pooch." We highly recommend it:

http://Health.DogNatural.com

This is a "Shareware" Article
(what's that? read on…)

This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright 2004 Paul Kleinmeulman.

Dog Heat Stroke – Dog Shock – Dog In Shock 18 Aug 2006 at 1:44pm by larry http://spoiled-mutts.com/DogHealthInformation.html How To Recognize Dog Shock Doggie Diagnosis The downside of dog ownership is that communication between you and your dog can sometimes be a guessing game. Sad but true, most dog owners have no idea how to identify dog shock and what to do about it. You won't be one of those owners… Educating yourself in the signs of dog shock that indicate all is not right with your dog can mean the difference between life and death. This is particularly true when your dog is not feeling well. Sometimes your dog may just be “off? ? not as energetic or acting odd. It could be nothing, but it could be a sign of a serious health issue. Dog Bloat: If your dog?s belly starts to swell for no apparent reason, this could be an indication that she is suffering from Dog Bloat ? a condition in which the abdomen fills with gas to the point that it will become tight enough to play like a drum. This is a very serious condition as it can decrease her circulation and must be treated by a vet immediately. Dog Fainting: Often related to heart disease, fainting can occur when your dog gets excited and his heart has failed to pump enough blood to his brain. Low glucose levels in the blood can also cause fainting, which is often a result of strenuous exercise. Either way, if your dog faints, take him to the vet ASAP. Dog Falling: When a dog falls over for no apparent reason, it can be an indication that she has an inner ear infection. This is very treatable and can be cured with a trip to the vet and a course of antibiotics. Dog Heat Stroke: One of the most common summer ailments dog suffer from is dog heat stroke. This can come on very rapidly even if your dog has not been outside in the heat for a prolonged period of time. If your dog shows any of the following signs, move him to a shady spot and pour cool water all over his body and then take him to the vet immediately: ? Heavy panting ? Glazed eyes ? Rapid pulse ? Bright red gums ? Unsteadiness ? Vomiting Shock: A dog can suffer from four different types of dog shock: hypovolemic, cardiac, neurogenic or septic. All four exhibit similar symptoms including: ? Pale mucous membranes (inside of the mouth, gums, eyes, etc.) ? Weakness ? Rapid pulse ? Tangible loss of heat to the extremities, particularly the ears The most common type of dog shock is hypovolemic, occurring when there is not enough blood circulating throughout the body. The cause can include internal or external bleeding or poor circulation. Dog Cardiac shock occurs when the heart cannot pump blood fast enough. Dog Neurogenic shock, although rare, can occur when the dog suffers a massive brain or spinal cord injury. Dog Septic shock occurs when an infection has reached the blood stream. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms or experiences any type of injury that can cause shock, take him to the vet immediately. Dog Heat Stroke – Dog Shock – Dog In Shock —————————————- By; Lare Parsons Author/writer with more than 30 years raising & caring for multiple dog breeds. http://spoiled-mutts.com/DogHealthInformation.html

The dog flu, or canine flu, is caused by a highly congatious virus seen first in 2004 within the greyhound racing population. Many dogs died at that time and many more were taken ill.

Still, the virus has been found to be deadly in only 10% of the most susceptible dogs. Young puppies and older dogs, whose immune systems are weak, are usually the most like to be seriously affected by the dog flu.

There are precautions you can take to protect your dogs. If you have to take your dog to the groomer or board it at a boarding facility make sure the groomer and the dog boarding kennel meets the American Veterinary Medical Association's standards.

Do they isolate dogs that develop symptoms? Do they have a vet on call? Do they notify the owners that their dog is showing symptoms, and how soon?

If you think your dog has the flu, he or she should recover in 10-30 days. They will have a persistent cough and a runny nose.

More severe cases develop a fever and possibly pneumonia. Even these dogs will probably recover if they receive proper veterinarian care.

If you think you have been exposed to a dog with the flu virus, wash your hands and clothes and anything you might have touched before you come in contact with other animals. That helps prevent the spread of the virus.

Several of my sister's dogs had the flu this past winter. My sister made sure they got veterinarian care if they needed it, kept them comfortable, and they all got over it, even the older ones.

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Is your pet overweight?

Obesity as commonly perceived is not just a problem with human beings. It is prevalent in animals, both wild and pet.. In cases of animals it is mostly found in pets.

According to a recent research it has been found that about 25% of the pets are obese or overweight. The study and percentages indicate that the problem has reached proportions where it cannot be ignored.

We have three dogs who are very quick to gain too much weight. We feel bad limiting their food because they give us that sad, starving look. But we have to be tough and only give them the dose we have found works for them. We have learned what is the right amount and what is too much.

A dog’s weight cannot be evaluated by just measuring the weight. It is more appropriate to observe the physical condition of the dog by comparing it with one of its own breed or species. The overall appearance of the pet is of prime importance since the ideal weight is very varied in case of pets or for that matter in all animals, in judging the obesity factor.

How can you tell if your dog is overweight, underweight or just right?

Some observations that can help in your own assessment of your dog are suggested. The ribs should not be visible to the eye but should be easily felt without pressing. The stomach or the abdominal area should be tucked in. These simple tests or feels can be reviewed at home if the owner can objectively record the same.

A veterinarian would be required for advice if you find that your dog does not possess the much sought after hour-glass physique. The owner should have a good reference point to infer the results from his observations, i.e. he should have good knowledge and information about the general physical appearance of the species of his dog. You don't want to starve your poor dog.

Obesity decreases the life span of your dog, and an overweight dog is generally not healthy. Obesity may lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart complications, endocrinal diseases and bad joints. The medication for these conditions is also seriously compromised due to underlying obesity factors and age.

Exercise is very important

You pet is overweight because of the simple reason that it has more to eat and not enough exercise. The over feeding trend arises from the owners special way of showing love and care to their pets It is very important to keep tabs on the feeding habits of your pet.

Many pet food packs carry a dosage level instruction, but it cannot be really depended upon. It is the owner who has to decide how much feed the pet since a lot of other factors like life style, exercise, activities, age etc. Most animals tend to overeat given the opportunity and curbing it is the owner’s responsibility. Taking advice from a veterinarian in regard to determining the pets ideal weight, creating a weight loss and maintenance plan, would be a good start.

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