Canine Diseases Causing Weight Loss

Overview

Any canine disease that causes vomiting, appetite loss or diarrhea can also cause weight loss. The relationship between these three things and weight loss is obvious: the fewer calories being retained within the dog’s system, the more likely the dog will lose weight. However, it is also possible for other, more serious, diseases to also cause weight loss in dogs. Due to the seriousness of these diseases, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible any time a dog experiences unexplained weight loss.

Addison’s Disease

Hypoadrenocorticism, more commonly referred to as canine Addison’s disease, is an uncommon disease that occurs when the adrenal glands produce insufficient quantities of corticosteroids and mineralcorticoids. One potential cause of this disease is an autoimmune response in the dog’s body, causing its immune system to attack its own adrenal glands. It may also be caused by other illnesses or the effects of toxins. Addison’s disease most often affects young to middle-aged female dogs. Dogs of some breeds, including standard poodles, Rottweilers and Portuguese water dogs, may have a genetic predisposition to Addison’s disease. In addition to weight loss, Addison’s symptoms include muscle weakness, unexplained collapse and lethargy.

Put Dog on a Vegetarian Diet

Overview

While most dog foods contain protein from meat sources, you can switch your dog to a vegetarian diet if it contains sufficient amounts of other types of protein. As omnivores, dogs can live on a meatless diet made up of vegetables, eggs, beans and dairy products like cheese. With a slow transition to his new food, your dog can acclimate to his new diet with little gastrointestinal distress. Monitor your dog through this process and during the initial transition to see that he tolerates his new food well and does not have any food allergies to the vegetarian diet.

Step 1

Speak with your veterinarian about the ingredients in the food you plan to feed to your dog. Ask her what the amounts of nutrients, not provided by vegetarian sources, are needed to supplement your dog's diet. Homemade vegetarian foods will require specific supplementation with vitamins, amino acids and minerals.

If your dog suffers from a chronic, debilitating condition such as kidney disease or diabetes, ask your veterinarian if a meatless, lower-protein diet is appropriate for him.

Step 2

Purchase ready-made vegetarian dog food, which usually requires no supplementation, or make the food yourself. Choose a commercially made vegetarian diet that has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials to ensure it is nutritionally complete for your dog, recommends the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. AAFCO conducts food trials to ensure that a dog food contains all of the necessary ingredients to sustain a healthy dog.

If making the food, add pre-made vegetarian dog food supplements, typically found in pet supply stores or through an Internet retailer. Ask the retailer if these supplements have been approved by a veterinarian or AAFCO.

Step 3

Slowly introduce the new food to your dog over the period of two weeks to a month. This will lessen any stomach upset in reaction to the new food. Feed your dog 1/4 of a portion of the new food mixed in with 3/4 of a portion of his existing food. Increase the amount of new food, and decrease the amount of old food, by 1/4 of a portion every three to five days, depending on how your dog reacts to the new food.

Transitioning to a canned variety of vegetarian food may take less time than switching to a dry version because canned food smells more appetizing to a dog.

If, at any point, your dog has loose stool or stomach upset, slow the process down and allow for a few extra days for each transition.

Step 4

Tempt your dog to try the new food, especially in larger amounts, by sprinkling grated cheese or chopped, hard-boiled eggs on top. These vegetarian ingredients provide extra protein for your dog and will encourage him to try the new food.

Step 5

Take your dog to a veterinarian to have a complete blood panel performed after one or two months on his new diet. This test will evaluate whether your dog is getting the nutrients he needs from his new food. The doctor will also physically examine your dog to evaluate his weight and coat for any signs of distress due to the new diet. Continue to monitor your dog's health with a veterinarian every six months.

Care for a Golden Retriever dog

Overview

Golden retrievers are a sociable, people-loving breed that make great pets for families with young children. They are medium- to large-sized dogs that weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. Aside from their amiable personalities, golden retrievers are also obedient and relatively easy to train. Unfortunately, like many other recognized breeds, golden retrievers have their share of genetic weaknesses and caring for them can be high maintenance. Exercise, interaction and regular visits to a veterinarian are all necessary to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Step 1

Acclimate your golden retriever to his new environment slowly when you bring him home. Puppies tend to adapt to new surroundings quicker than adults, but it is a good idea to confine your new dog to a single room or floor for his first few days. While golden retrievers are rarely aggressive, the stress of a recent move may cause him to react unexpectedly if you startle him. Feed your dog the same type of food that he ate before you began to care for him. If you want to switch food brands, do it by slowly mixing the new brand with the old, increasing the portion of new food each day.

Certify My Dog

Overview

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability” Federal law, in the form of the ADA, does not require certification for a dog to be considered a service dog, but states can develop their own certification requirements. The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People is the source of all current information regarding service animals.

Step 1

Be aware of your needs before you choose your dog. If you know that you need help standing or pulling a wheelchair, then you know that a small dog is not for you. If you require a dog that will indicate an impending seizure or asthma attack or that will pick things up from the floor for you, then a small dog might be adequate.

Get Dog Walker Insurance

Overview
Starting a dog-walking business sounds uncomplicated, but like any business owner, you should have liability insurance in place before you begin offering your services. Insurance protects you and your assets, as well as your customers, and it will give them peace of mind knowing that you have insurance to cover injuries or other issues that might come up. Even if you go to great lengths to take precautions, the unexpected can happen, and that is exactly what insurance is for.

Step 1

Contact the insurance agent who carries your homeowners, automobile or any other type of insurance. Though your insurance agent may not be informed about dog walkers liability insurance, he should be able to find a selection of different providers and be able to give you quotes from each.

Step 2

Join a pet sitters or dog walkers association as an alternative to contacting an insurance agent. Review the benefits and fees associated with each one before deciding which to join. Don’t be deterred by the “Pet Sitters” title when you look for a professional organization to join. Such a group also offers insurance that will give you the coverage you need as a dog walker.

Dog Diseases From Fleas

OverviewThere are several different diseases that are linked to fleas. Most regions of the world have flea populations, and the insects are known to infest the bodies and bedding of dogs. If flea populations are not controlled, disease and infection can cause serious harm to your dog.

Types

Many dog owners believe that fleas just cause a bit of itching but that is not the case. There are many diseases that a dog can actually suffer from that are directly related to having fleas. Diseases that your dog can contract from fleas include internal parasites, tularemia, flea allergy dermatitis, and haemobartonellosis. While not all dogs will get those diseases from fleas, many will suffer from flea infestations.

Features

Flea-borne diseases cause different but sometimes overlapping symptoms. Flea allergy dermatitis is perhaps the most common disease that affects dogs; it is an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flea results in extreme itchiness, swelling, and respiratory distress.

Dogs Panosteitis

Panosteitis, also known as 'wandering lameness', 'growing pains', eosinophilic panosteitis, and enostosis, is a disorder of skeletal development characterized by inflammation of the lining of the bone, with the thigh and upper arm bone being most frequently affected. 

The disease is marked by pain and lameness which may be accompanied by fever, muscle wasting, and unthriftiness. A dog can suddenly become reluctant to exercise and lose appetite. Pressure over the shaft of the affected bone elicits pain. The disease routinely affects multiple long bones for a period of weeks to months. 

The lameness shifts from one leg to another and may return to a previously affected leg. The German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, St. Bernard, Basset Hound, Great Dane and Doberman Pinscher breeds at greater risk and male dogs are four times more frequently affected than females. Panosteitis rarely occurs after 18 tp 20 months of age.

Dogs : Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), previously known as canine rickettsiosis, canine hemorrhagic fever, tracker dog disease, canine tick typhus, Nairobi bleeding disorder, and tropical canine pancytopenia, is a tick-borne disease caused by rickettsia Ehrlichia canis, a small Gram-negative, coccoid bacterium. Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by the brown dog-tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The disease has been reported to occur in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. To date, no effective vaccine has been developed and tick control remains the most effective preventive measure.

The course of ehrlichiosis can be divided into three phases: acute, subclinical, and chronic, each one being characterized by specific signs. Signs of the acute phase may include depression, lethargy, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and occasional bleeding under skin and in the internal eye that may result in retinal detachment and blindness. Other clinical signs may include vomiting, clear or pus-filled discharge form the eyes and nose, lameness, loss of movement coordination, and difficulty breathing.

Dog diseases : Juvenile Cellulitis and Complement System

Juvenile Cellulitis

Juvenile cellulitis, also called juvenile pyoderma, puppy strangles, juvenile sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis) is an uncommon disorder of the face, pinnae, and submandibular lymph nodes, usually in puppies. The condition is presumed to be immune-mediated based on histopathological features and response to immunosuppressive forms of therapy. 

A heritable nature has been suggested. Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, yellow Labrador Retrievers, Gordon Setters, Lhasa Apsos, and Pointers are most commonly affected, but any other breed can have this disease. Most affected animals are less than 4 months old, but occasionally the disorder is reported in adults. Several puppies or only one in the litter may be affected. Signs are characterized by vesicles or pustules in the inner surface of the outer ear, on the muzzle, lips, and eyelids which rapidly progresses to extensive facial swelling, abscesses and draining lesions. 

Dog's Healthy Feeding

If we were limited to using just one modality to treat our patients, it would have to be nutrition. There is little else that can match nutrition for the immediate, significant improvements in health. We have all, unfortunately, spent a generation feeding our animal companions "pet food".

Most commercially prepared foods contain byproducts, additives, preservatives and who knows what else.

Unfortunately we have been indoctrinated to believe that these diets are wonderful, nutritious and balanced for our animals. On paper they might look that way but on paper, the food from any of the fast food franchises also looks healthy. What is important is not only the amount of a nutrient but its source and bio-availability. Many commercial foods are cooked at high temperature and pressure and then extruded. This may take many of those added vitamins and turn them into toxic free radicals. Not a good thing to be feeding our animals. That is why we highly recommend that you feed as natural a diet as you can afford in both time and cost.

Our first choice for our patients is an all natural raw food diet. There are a number of books with recipes and each has their own devotees. For a starting place we recommend using one of the books listed at the end of this paper.