Dog Ear Care Keeping Your Dogs Ears Healthy & Pain Free

Importance of Regular Home Dog Ear Care

Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Performed between your regular checkups with the veterinarian, it will help keep your dogs ears healthy and pain free. If you see signs of trouble you may be able to head them off before they require an extra visit to the vet. Excessive wax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive matting of hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against other objects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs of ear problems.

Inspect Your Dogs Ears Regularly By Using Your Eyes & Your Nose!

By performing a home dog ear care inspection; you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. If you need help seeing inside your dogs ears you may want to invest in a pet scope. A tool very similar to the kind your doctor uses to check your ears. Check for redness, excessive wax build up or any other foreign matter.

Sniffing your dogs ears is another way to detect problems early. Normally a dogs ears shouldnt smell foul in any way. If you see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears. If youre new to this and are unsure have the vet check your dogs ears. Right after the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health make sure you inspect your dogs ears. This way you will learn how your pets ears should normally look and smell.

Is Your Breed of Dog More Susceptible To Dog Ear Care Problems?

Due to the warm, damp, and dark environment, as well as poor air circulation, your dogs ear canal can be the prefect breeding ground for mites, yeast or bacterial infection. This is why, for certain breeds, home dog ear care is even more important. Some pets may require routine applications of dog ear care products to keep their ears free of mites, yeast or bacterial infections.

Some dogs ears stand straight up which allows for more air to flow into the ear canal. Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. This hair must be routinely removed as a prevention against chronic ear problems.

If Excess Ear Hair Is A Dog Ear Care Problem Learn How To Remove It

If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to pluck the hair that grows inside your dogs ears. This is a routine dog ear care task that can be performed at home and is much easier then it sounds. You will want to apply dog ear powder to the inside of both ears. Make sure that the hair is completely covered, especially at the base. Once the powder has dried start plucking a few hairs at a time with your fingers or a tweezers. Plucking just a few hairs at a time will be less irritating for the dog.

You may want to stop a few times to give your dogs ears a good rub. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and a few dog treats too. Once all the inside hair has been removed, follow up by cleaning and inspecting the ears. If you are unsure about this dog ear care procedure, have your vet or a professional groomer show you how to do it.

Things You Should Know About Cleaning Your Dogs Ears

Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dogs ears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other home dog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If your dog has open sores it's best not to use the vinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation.

If your dog is prone to ear infections you may want to use a pet ear care product that is specifically formulated to clean and dry up excess moisture in the ear canal. A dog ear wash containing Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the ear canal is an excellent choice. Tea Tree Oils natural antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties can help keep your dogs ears problem free.

Its also a good idea to use a pet ear-drying agent after bathing or swimming especially if your dog's ears retain moisture and don't dry promptly. There are many good pet ear care products available for routine ear cleaning that will dissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. There are also home dog care treatments available that will kill pesky ear mites and ear ticks.

A dogs ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and it makes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum. Even though your dogs eardrum is better protected than a humans, you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything into the ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actually push dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handled properly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal.

Start cleaning the external part of the ear by swabbing inside the earflaps and all around the gnarled area at the entrance of the ear canal. If you choose to use a cotton-tipped swab you will need a long type since a dogs ear canal is much deeper than ours. If your dog will tolerate it, gently and carefully swab the inside of the ear canal. A much safer method is to fill the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution and gently massage the outer ear. After a few minutes allow your dog to shake his head to help clear the ear canal. If youre using a commercial pet ear care product be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Make Ear Inspections An Important Part Of Your Home Dog Ear Care Routine

Checking your dogs ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dogs ears need a cleaning dont put it off. Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful for your dog and could even damage your dogs hearing.



By: Teresa James

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Your Dog's Health Causes Prevention and Symptoms of Leptospirosis

Who would have guessed that something as innocent as allowing your dog to drink from a puddle could eventually lead to your dogs death?

In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the development of areas that were previously rural. Domestic pets are being exposed to much more wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums and deer. Due to the close proximity we now have with these wild animals, the cases of Leptospirosis in domestic pets has been increasing at alarming rates.

Leptospirosis can infect almost any wild or domestic mammal, including humans. The bacteria, called leptospires, are spread through the urine of infected animals. The bacteria may be found in stagnant water, bird baths, moist soil, ponds or lakes. Your dog can become infected by drinking or swimming in contaminated water, or by having contact with the bacteria through a cut in their skin.

Common symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain , diarrhea, weakness, depression, stiffness, severe muscle pain and decreased appetite. Your dog may also have a yellow discoloration of the gums and whites of the eyes because of the diseases effect on the liver.

Diagnosing the disease may require multiple blood and urine tests. If an animal is treated early with antibiotics it may recover more rapidly and experience less organ damage. Some animals require IV fluids to prevent dehydration. Without early treatment this disease can be fatal.

If your pet has been diagnosed as having Leptospirosis, you need to be careful about having contact with their urine, blood or tissues of your pet during its infection. Assisting in the delivery of newborns from an infected animal is considered a high-risk activity for transmission of Leptospirosis.

If you have had any contact with an animal infected with Leptospirosis, inform your physician. If you have symptoms such as fever, muscle aches or headaches within 3 weeks of being exposed you should see your physician immediately.
To prevent Leptospirosis in your pet you should have your pet vaccinated against Leptospirosis. You should also keep rodent problems under control since rodents can carry and spread the bacteria. Make sure you always have a fresh supply of water available so your pet won't be tempted to drink from contaminated sources of water.

All animals can potentially become infected with Leptospires, although cats seem to have a natural immunity against Leptospirosis and therefore do not need to be vaccinated.






By Julie Lind

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Dog Poisoning Symptoms

As a proud dog owner, you owe it to yourself to know the Dog Poisoning Symptoms in case your curious dog explores dangerous territories. But did you know that YOU, the owner of that precious canine, could be slowly poisoning him/her a little every day?

Check For Dog Poisoning Symptoms

First of all, let's identify some of the Dog Poisoning Symptoms. Does your dog suffer from a mouth irritation, skin rash, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, no appetite, excess drooling, staggering, hallucinations, breathing difficulty, bleeding disorders, muscle tremor, sight loss, seizure, heart failure, kidney or liver problems? These are all Dog Poisoning Symptoms.

Now we all know that your dog can get poisoned by some chemical products, and if you witness this, then you must react fast! Remove your dog from the poisoning source, identify the poison as quick as possible, and if need be, call the poison control center for more information and direction.

Are You Poisoning Yor Dog?

But how is it possible that you could be poisoning your dog without knowing it, without your dog even ingesting a visible chemical product? Through extensive research, it has been discovered that dog food contains at least 6 deadly chemicals that have already been banned from human foods. They could be poisoning your family dog! I know it's hard to believe, but Commercial Dog Food Could Be Killing Your Dog because of the preservatives it contains.

Now that you know some of the Dog Poisoning Symptoms, you may want to analyze your dogs behavior a little closer. Don't think just because you're not seeing it on the label, that it isn't there. Because these preservatives are often added at the rendering plant and not by the manufacturer, and the manufacturer is not required to include it on the label, if they did not actually add it to the dog food. Ethoxyquin (EQ) is used to preserve most dry pet food. And EQ is the most powerful of all preservatives...and may be the most toxic. The use of EQ is permitted in pet food.

The Dog Poisoning Symptoms found through dog food intake has been revealed through several studies on the topic of Dog Food Investigation. You may become very upset as I did, when reading what the dog food manufactures are allowing us to feed our dog!





By Larry Buhrandt

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Symptoms of Dog Poisoning

All dog owners have seen at one time or another their dog eat or drink something they would rather they hadn't! Whether it be an unattended dinner or something in a field, it's an unfortunate fact that dogs can eat things that are potentially poisonous. The most important thing is to notice when your dog may be poisoned - even if you didn't see it eat the poisonous substance - and then take the necessary actions to make sure your dog returns to full health.

To start with lets go through some of the things that are potentially dangerous for a dog to eat. Most dog owners are aware that chocolate should not be fed to dogs, but there are also plenty of house plants that can cause a rash for the dog when touched, and some that can even cause vomiting, cramps and kidney problems. If you are unsure which plants are unsafe to have in your house, be on the safe safe and contact your local vet who will be able to advise you. There is always the chance that a dog might ingest a poisonous household chemical, in which case you should contact your vet immediately.

There are also outdoor plants that can have a toxic effect on your dog, such as rhubarb, spinach and nutmeg.

Common reactions to being poisoned are:


Rash on the mouth or skin after contact
Swollen mouth or tongue
Vomiting, cramps
Diarrhea
Convulsions
Internal problems that are difficult to observe

If your dog exhibits any of the previous symptoms of dog poisoning then you should contact your local vet immediately. The best way to eliminate poison from your dogs stomach is to induce vomiting, but this should only be attempted if the owner feels able to do it, and even then only if the dog is not depressed, unable to swallow or experiencing convulsions. This is best left to a vet in all but the most extreme cases.

If the dog has come into contact with the poisonous substance on the skin, a bath in warm water with soap is the best way to clean the dog and stop it from licking the poison off. Even if the dog is not showing any signs of discomfort with the poison on its skin or coat, it should be washed off immediately.





By Richard Cross Terris

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Dog Illness Symptoms

When you recognized that your dog is having sign of illness symptoms then it is very important that you as their owner must take quick action to prevent further pain and suffering. Before you can give effective treatments to your dog, you must know exactly what the cause of the illness first. It is always better and more accurate to check your dog illness symptoms with your veterinarian than checking by yourself.

Here are a few initial signs of dog sickness that you can check and notice by yourself.

1) Behaviour Change

First sign of illness is having depression feeling, clear sign of anxiety, tired and fatigue easily, sleep often, shaking or trembling etc.

2) Change in Temperature, Heart and Respiratory Rate

Normal body temperature for new born little puppies is usually around 94 to 97 degree fahrenheit (34 to 36 degree celsius) while adult dog is 101 degree fahrenheit (38 degree celsius). For measuring method you must insert the thermometer into your puppies rectum. Dog body temperature can change by 2 to 3 degree if they are excited so you should keep your pet calm first before the measurement. If the result went over 105 degree fahrenheit (40 degree celsius) then you must take your dog to your local veterinarian as quick as possible because this is the initial signs of serious illness.

3) Sing of Pain

When your dog is hurt, having some kind of pain or injury, they will usually give a clue to their owner for example if your dog is having stomach pain then they will often look at the spot which cause pain and try to relieve the spot or area by licking, biting, scratching etc. They will usually stay in bed when they feel that they are having some kind of illness.

4) Other sign of dog illness symptoms

Vomiting, significant decrease or increase in weight, unwilling to eat food, drink less water, loss of appetite, change in skin color, hair drop, sign of burn, eye become red, blood in urine, bad mouth smell etc.

The dog illness symptoms mentions above is only initial signs to show that you dog is getting sick. You as their owner must spend most of your times staying with them to learn their normal behaviours so when they get sick you can easily notice by the change in their action and behaviours.




By Mark Tarnsterton

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Dog Ear Infection Symptoms and What to Do About It

Unfortunately, dog ear infections are fairly common. This is why it's vital that dog owners understand the potential symptoms of an ear infection so they can identify any problems quickly.

Ear infections are usually treatable as long as they aren't left unattended for a long period of time. If you think your dog does have an ear infection, immediately take it to the vet who'll be able to give a proper diagnosis and advise you on any further treatment.

So what do you need to look out for? The following dog ear infection symptoms are common:

1. The dog is constantly scratching at the ear.

This is a common one, and easy to identify. If your dog occasionally scratches the ear it's probably nothing to worry about, but if it scratches more than usual suddenly this could be a sign of an ear infection.

2. Other strange behaviour

Dogs are usually creatures of habit, so if your pet suddenly starts to act differently it could mean there is something wrong. You'll know how your dog usually acts better than anyone else, so if you notice strange behaviour consider taking the dog to get a check up.

3. Shaking of the head

Similarly to scratching the ear, if the dog starts to shake its head a lot it could mean it is experiencing discomfort in the ear canal

4. Yellowish discharge

If you see a yellowish (or sometimes black) discharge coming out of the ear this could signify an ear infection. Immediately take your dog to the vet if you notice a discharge.





By Richard Cross Terris

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Chihuahua Great Companion Dog

Chihuahuas are a very popular dog breed. Even people who know nothing about dogs can recognize a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world. Chihuahuas originated in Mexico, and are named after the Chihuahua state in Mexico. Chihuahua is a large region located in northwestern Mexico just below Texas and New Mexico.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) classifies Chihuahuas into the toy dog group. There are two varieties of Chihuahua- smooth coat and long coat. A Chihuahua's ears should be erect. A Chihuahua's height can range from 6 to 15 inches at the withers. However, there is no specific height standard for the Chihuahua breed. For Chihuahuas to be accepted into an AKC dog show, the weight must be no more than 6 pounds. But purebred Chihuahuas can weigh over 10 pounds.

The color standard for Chihuahuas according to the AKC is pretty much anything goes. Chihuahuas may be solid, spotted, marked, or splashed in pattern. Chihuahuas may be black, white, fawn, chocolate, blue, and many other colors and any color combinations. That being said, the most common color for Chihuahuas is fawn. Fawn can range from a light tan or beige to a darker brownish-red color. The rarest color for a Chihuahua is blue.

Chihuahuas are considered companion dogs. They are great for people that live in small apartments or large cities. They are very devoted pets. Despite their size, Chihuahuas are very brave, fierce dogs. Chihuahuas can be nervous and easily excitable. Because of their excitability, Chihuahuas do bark more than most dogs.

Because of their extreme devotion, Chihuahuas can sometimes become very attached to just one human. The Chihuahua will be jealous of anyone else being around 'their' human. This can usually be corrected with proper training.

Chihuahuas aren't recommended for families with small or overactive children. Since Chihuahuas can become easily excited, they are more likely to bite. Don't get a Chihuahua unless the children in the family are responsible and out of elementary school.
It is not recommended to add a Chihuahua to your family if you have a bigger, aggressive dog. Chihuahuas are very fierce and will stand up to any dog, regardless of size. This could cause serious injury to the Chihuahua. For the same reason, keep a close eye on your Chihuahua when other dogs are around.

Chihuahuas are prone to certain health problems. They often have difficulty delivering puppies. Take your Chihuahua to a veterinarian when she begins to give birth. Chihuahuas are also susceptible to eye infections, epilepsy, collapsing trachea, water on the brain, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Collapsing trachea is common in many toy breeds. Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from tracheal collapse. Suspect a collapsing trachea if your Chihuahua begins to cough with an odd sound that sounds like a goose honking. This occurs most often when the dog becomes excited. Other symptoms of a collapsing trachea are fatiguing easily, problems breathing, and gagging when eating.

Water on the brain, or hydrocephalus, usually occurs in puppies and can kill a Chihuahua before it becomes six months old. Symptoms are skull platelets in the head instead of a solid skull formation. Puppies with hydrocephalus are usually tired and smaller than the rest of the litter. Not much can be done for treating hydrocephalus.

Do not confuse water on the brain in Chihuahuas with moleras, or soft spots. Chihuahuas, like human babies, are born with a soft spot on their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed to be born with moleras. Just like human babies, the skull eventually becomes fused together. Also like human babies, take great care in the area of the Chihuahua's skull until it becomes about a year old. Also, be sure that your veterinarian doesn't confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. This happens occasionally, as some veterinarians aren't aware that all Chihuahuas have soft spots on their skulls when they are puppies.

Some famous Chihuahuas are Coco, who belongs to the famous Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan. Taco Bell had an iconic Chihuahua on their television commercials. This same Chihuahua played a part in the movie Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde. Celebrities Paris Hilton and Sharon Osbourne have also had Chihuahuas that they have made famous.
All in all, the Chihuahua is a great dog breed for a mature, responsible person. Chihuahuas do fine in small living quarters. If kept inside, Chihuahuas are excellent guard dogs. They are great companion dogs, loyal friends, and devoted pets.


By Angela Harris

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