How Often Should My Dog Receive Vaccinations?

What Vaccinations Should My Dog Get?

 You can read links to toseveral serious diseases ofdogs that veterinarians prevent with their vaccinations.

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Here Is Some General Information About Vaccines You Should Know:

How Long Will It Be Before My Pet Is Protected ?

It can take a full 14 days after vaccination before your should trust that your pet is fully protected. The vaccine itself does not protect your dog. Your pet must make antibodies of it's own to the virus or bacterial product that was introduced by the vaccine. That is why vaccination just before boarding or exposure to a disease is a waste of time.

Does The Quality of Vaccines Differ ?

Yes, products sold in feed stores are often of lower quality. When these stores sell Nationally respected brands, the products have been diverted from legitimate sales to veterinarians. In that case, there is always the risk that they may not have been shipped or stored properly. Many vaccines contain live, but weakened, disease organisms. Those organisms must be living to be effective. If vaccines are stored in areas that are too warm, or exposed to too much sunlight, they can loose their effectiveness.

Do We Give Our Pets Too Many Vaccines?

Yes.

Just like children, puppies need vaccination at the proper time or they will be susceptible to illnesses. But yearly vaccination for many disease is entirely too often. Please read an article on the subject regarding cats. The same facts about over-vaccination apply to dogs. We are just luck that dogs don't get the number of vaccination-associated tumors that cats do.

The exceptions are vaccine against leptospirosis, which seem to only last a year and vaccination against kennel cough (which last six months to a year) and vaccinations against Lyme disease. When your pet is likely to be exposed to these pathogens, it will need booster vaccinations at regular intervals. However, injecting these foreign-protein containing products into your pet is not without risk so you should consider how likely exposure really is in your pet's specific case. Sometimes the risks out weight the possible benefits. Kennel cough is not a fatal disease. Leptospirosis usually requires exposure to stagnant standing water, wildlife or vermin (rats) - so the risk to a pet like an indoor poodle is low, while the risk to a dog taken into rural settings is much higher. The risk to your pets also increases when you or your neighbors feed urban wildlife (raccoons).

Some owners give their pets Lyme disease vaccine every year. Pets get this disease from ticks. If you are very fearful of catching it from your pet, that is a valid option. But my suggestion is that before you decide, see if there is actually a high incidence of Lyme disease in pets or wildlife where you live. You can view a map of the areas of the United States where your pet is most likely to be exposed to Lyme disease . We know that Lyme vaccine has the potential of causing adverse effects including generalized arthritis, allergy and other immune diseases, so it should not be given needlessly.

Another commonly administered vaccine is for kennel cough (bordetella,etc.). This is usually a mild and transient disease - often contracted during boarding or grooming or at dog shows. Your pet may not need this vaccine since not all pets visit breeding or boarding kennels, most do not go to dog shows and most pets have only occasional contact with dogs outside their immediate family. Also, the immunity this vaccine imparts is quite short-lived. I recommend this vaccine only when owners anticipate a likely exposure. I suggest it more frequently in toy breeds in which coughing can persist for quite some time due to the narrow tracheas (windpipe) common in these breeds. These small pets also tend to spend more time at the groomer and kennels where kennel cough disease lurks.

What Are Adjuvants ?

Adjuvants are compounds that are added to vaccines in an attempt to increase their effectiveness. I no longer use vaccines that contain them because they have caused so many side effects. At least one company, (Intervet), offers a non-adjuvanted 3-year vaccines. This is the vaccine that I most often use in dogs. It appears to contain none of the adjuvants that might cause cancer or immunological disease later in life. Other good choices are vaccines which require no needle injections such as Merial's products (Purevax) that use recombinant canarypox vector vaccine technology. All these products have been on the market for too short a period to make long-term judgements. I would prefer that your pet receive a rabies vaccine that also contains no adjuvants. But even non-adjuvanted injectable vaccines are not risk-free. If your dog has had prior vaccine reactions, think seriously before having any vaccines administered and be sure that your veterinarian jots down the brand name and lot number of the vaccines that have been given.

When Should My Puppy Get It's Shots ?

When it comes to puppies most veterinarians are in agreement. Puppies should receive their first canine distemper, canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis) andcanine parvovirus at 7-9 weeks of age, then at 12-13 weeks of age, and finally at 16-18 weeks of age to insure they are solidly protected against these diseases. Shots given earlier than 9-12 weeks usually do not work because they are blocked by residual immunity passed on from its mother. This is because antibody from the puppy's mother is usually still in their bodies. But in rare occasions there is not enough of it to protect the puppy if it is exposed to these diseases. So rather than take that risk, veterinarians usually give them all an early vaccination. An alternative is to have the puppy's antibody level checked instead. But that procedure is more expensive and time consuming than just giving the vaccine.

I generally give the intranasal kennel cough (bordatella) vaccine at 12 and 18 weeks of age. At 12-16 weeks of age I give puppies a killed three-year rated rabies virus vaccination (such as Merial's Imrab-1).

Veterinarians differ on when they give these vaccinations. But my schedule has worked well for me and my clients.

What Vaccinations Should My Adult Pet Get ?

With the exceptions I have mentioned (Kennel Cough, Leptospirosis, Lyme) adult dogs do not need to be vaccinated more than every three years.

Rabies is a special cases.The problem are state laws that mandate yearly rabies vaccination. You need to obey those laws for the benefit of the human and dog-population of your State as a whole. If States allowed exceptions, rabies could get out of control. Several rabies vaccines are federally certified for three years of protection (such as Imrab-3) . However, many states disregard these federal guidelines and require yearly vaccination. When yearly rabies vaccination is mandated, I prefer thiomersal-free, non-adjuvanted vaccine.

Until recently, veterinarians simply gave all dogs booster shots every year. This is what the vaccine manufacturers suggested. Besides, it brought our clientele back to our animal hospitals yearly, which increased our income and gave us the opportunity to detect problems early before the owners were aware of them. Most veterinarians do a thorough physical examination on pets at the time of their yearly vaccinations and we often detect problems during the exam. Also, by law, most states require a yearly rabies vaccination even though studies have shown that many of the rabies vaccines we use give us three years of protection.

Many veterinarians, myself included, were suspicious that the vaccines we used were giving much longer periods of protection than one year. We knew this because we never saw distemper, hepatitis or parvovirus disease in dogs that had been vaccinated - even many years earlier.

Part of the problem involved the typical fee structures of veterinary practices. We tended to undercharge for complex surgery and subsidize those procedures with the money we earn on yearly vaccinations. I do not know how this practice came about, but it has existed at least since the 1950’s. There was also an incentive for vaccine manufacturers to sell more vaccine if boosters were recommended annually. There was also a one-year mind set among the staff the USDA and FDA. It has been taken to the extreme, to the point where there is now a two-year expiration date on a vial of water.

There are many risks associated with too frequent vaccinations. For one, the immune system of your pet is stressed by these vaccinations. Occasional dogs develop allergic reactions, facial swelling, stomach and intestinal upsets, mopiness, fevers, itching, nausea and coughing after they receive a shot. But we also suspect that vaccinations trigger certain autoimmune diseases such as Addison’s disease in dogs.

Occasionally these reactions are life threatening (ref). Vaccines contain many ingredients besides the dried virus. Some of these, antibiotics and adjuvants (enhancers) are implicated in vaccine reactions. If I am suspicious that a dog might have a reaction to a particular vaccine, I pre-administer antihistamines (Benadryl) and give a minute test dose of 0.05ml. If the dog is normal thirty minutes after the test dose, I give it the remaining one-milliliter. However, even this small test dose has caused reactions in some animals.

High-risk dogs

High-risk dogs are dogs that roam or take unsupervised strolls; dogs that play with other dogs that are not from their household, dogs that have contact with wild animals, or swim and drink from pools puddles and streams. Other high-risk dogs are coprophagic (eat stool). Some are more at risk because they attend dog shows, field trials and other activities that expose them to greater stress and disease than most pets. For these dogs, you and your veterinarian need to work out an individual vaccination plan or better yet, have the pet's antibody levels checked yearly. 

Newer Information

In a 2007study  , scientists studied the lengh of time vaccination immunity persisted in humans. We know that the immune system's memmory in all mammals, cats-dogs-and-people is very similar. Measles, for example, is a virus very much like distemper of dogs. The immunity confired by a two-dose series measles vaccine lasts a human lifetime. Vaccina (cow pox), mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella/zoster and rubella also last a lifetime; tetanus 11, years, diphteria 19yrs. So although no studies have followed dogs or cats that long, veterinarians have no reason to suspect that their immunity would be shorter lasting.

Dog Diseases: A Quick Guide To Fight The Early Symptoms

Like all the domestic animals, dogs are susceptible to many diseases. So in order to keep them healthy, it is necessary to understand the various diseases they can suffer from.

Like all the domestic animals, dogs are susceptible to many diseases. So in order to keep them healthy, it is necessary to understand the various diseases they can suffer from. Here is your quick guide on common dog diseases:

Rabies: This disease is caused due to a virus which affects the central nervous system of the dog. It generally spreads through the saliva. Rabies has several stages. In the first stage, there appears some behavior changes in your dog. As it reaches the second stage, the dog becomes very aggressive and by the third stage the body parts of the dog stop coordinating with each other. Once encountered the disease, there remains no cure.

Distempter: This is considered as the biggest threat to the whole population of the dog species. The symptoms are heavy nasal discharge, congestion in the chest, weight loss, coughing, gunky eyes and diarrhea. As the disease reaches its later stages, it has a direct effect on the nervous system of the dog causing paralysis. It is a contagious disease and the virus can be encountered by the air. Even by coming in contact with the excretion of the infected dog, the healthy dog can get afflicted. Once the dog is infected, then there is no cure for the disease. This deadly disease can be prevented by giving a proper vaccination to the dog.

Bloat: It is a serious disorder in a dog, wherein there occurs a twisting in the stomach of the animal. It generally occurs due to over eating. If the dog appears restless and depressed with dry heaves, then you must treat him for bloat.

Parvovirus: This virus is a fast killer as the symptoms can be seen in the dogs within hours of the virus attack, even killing the dog within 48-72 hours. It is a contagious disease and directly attacks the intestinal tract of the dog's digestive system. The effect of the virus can also be seen on the heart of the dog. The symptoms include depression, severe form of diarrhea, vomiting and also loss of appetite. In this disease the color of the feacel matter changes and often have blood stains.

Canine Viral Hepatitis: This disease directly targets the kidney, the liver and the blood vessels of the dog. The symptoms include loss in appetite, intense thirst, vomiting and hemorrhages. The virus of the disease spreads through the faecel matter of the other dogs. The dogs can be prevented from this disease by administering them with the vaccination.

Kennel Cough: This is the most common respiratory disease among the dogs, wherein a typical kind of cough can be seen in the dogs. If given proper treatment, the disorder can be mended.

Leptospirosis: It is a bacterial disease. It spreads through the excretion of the animals. If human beings any how come in contact with this virus, they can also be infected. There is not one but several species of bacterias that produce this disease in dogs. The common symptoms of this disease are kidney inflammation, lethargy, conjuctivita, low grade fever and even sometimes clotting of blood. If the disease is more chronic the symptoms can be jaundice, pneumonia and intestinal inflammation.

Retinal Dysplasia: It is a disorder where there is an abnormal development of the retina. There occurs folds in the outer layers of the retina. It is the most common type of disease that is present in most of the breeds of dogs. A minor form of dysplasia causes minor vision problems, whereas an acute one can lead to total blindness in dogs. Cataract is also accompanied by this disorder.

Lyme Disease: It is a bacterial disease that is spread by ticks. The dog suffers from joint pains, loss of appetite, fever and lethargy. Tetracycline, an antibiotic is used for the treatment of this disease.

It is thus important to detect early symptoms of these diseases in your pet dogs and meet your vet as soon as possible. This will not only keep your dog healthy but will also keep it away from any of the life threatening diseases.

FAQ About fatal dog illness

What clinical signs are associated with Seasonal Canine Illness?

The most common are vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pains, reluctance to move, loss of appetite, shaking or trembling, and in some cases high temperature. These signs can appear quickly, between 24 and 72 hours of having walked in a woodland area.

What should I do if my dog experiences any of the these signs?

Contact your vet immediately.

Can it be passed to other dogs?

There is no evidence at the moment that Seasonal Canine Illness can be passed from dog to dog. In some cases dog owners with more than one dog have only had one case, even when all the dogs walked together. In other cases, all dogs that have been walked together have been affected. However, until the cause is found the possibility that the disease is contagious cannot be ruled out.

What is the risk of my dog being affected?

At the moment, it is difficult to assess the risk of dogs being affected as the cause of Seasonal Canine Illness remains unknown. The risk is probably lower in winter and spring with very few cases being reported between the end of November and the end of August. The majority of cases are reported in September and October, however it is important to remember that even during these months only a small proportion of dogs walking in woodland areas are affected.

What are the likely causes?

There are a number of theories; none of them have been confirmed. Research is still ongoing.

What is being done in the way of testing?

The Environment Agency tested natural water sources in some affected areas for the presence of blue-green algae. The test results were negative.

Natural England tested samples in some affected areas in Nottinghamshire and ruled out manufactured poisons (carbamates, metaldehyde, organophosphates, paraquat, diquat, rodenticides and strychnine).

What advice is being given about walking with dogs in woodland areas?

The advice is to be vigilant and if you have any concerns, contact your vet immediately. Although the evidence suggests it is a seasonal illness it is best to stay vigilant at all times of the year.

Common Ticks information

Although ticks are commonly thought of as insects, they are actually arachnids like scorpions, spiders and mites. All members of this group have four pairs of legs as adults and have no antennae. 

Adult insects have three pairs of legs and one pair of antennae. Ticks are among the most efficient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, feed slowly and may go unnoticed for a considerable time while feeding. Ticks take several days to complete feeding.

Ticks have four life stages: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph and adult. After the egg hatches, the tiny larva (sometimes called a “seed tick”) feeds on an appropriate host. The larva then develops (molts) into the larger nymph. The nymph feeds on a host and then molts into an even larger adult. Both male and female adults find and feed on a host, then the females lay eggs sometime after feeding.

Ticks wait for host animals from the tips of grasses and shrubs (not from trees). When brushed by a moving animal or person, they quickly let go of the vegetation and climb onto the host. Ticks can only crawl; they cannot fly or jump. Ticks found on the scalp have usually crawled there from lower parts of the body. Some species of ticks will crawl several feet toward a host. Ticks can be active on winter days when the ground temperatures are about 45o Fahrenheit.

There are two groups of ticks, sometimes called the “hard” ticks and “soft” ticks. Hard ticks, like the common dog tick, have a hard shield just behind the mouthparts (sometimes incorrectly called the “head”); unfed hard ticks are shaped like a flat seed. Soft ticks do not have the hard shield and they are shaped like a large raisin. Soft ticks prefer to feed on birds or bats and are seldom encountered unless these animals are nesting or roosting in an occupied building.

Although at least 15 species of ticks occur in Illinois, only a few of these ticks are likely to be encountered by people: American dog tick, lone star tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, brown dog tick and winter tick.

American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) 

One of the most frequently encountered ticks is the American dog tick, also sometimes known as the wood tick. The larvae and nymphs feed on small warm-blooded animals such as mice and birds. The adult American dog tick will feed on humans and medium to large mammals such as raccoons and dogs.

Unfed males and females are reddish-brown and about 3/16-inch long. Females have a large silver-colored spot behind the head and will become ½-inch long after feeding or about the size of a small grape. Males have fine silver lines on the back and do not get much larger after feeding. Males are sometimes mistaken for other species of ticks because they appear so different from the female.

In Illinois, the adults are most active in April, May and June. By September, the adults are inactive and are rarely observed. The American dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever,tularemia and possibly ehrlichiosis to humans.

Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) 

The lone star tick is primarily found in the southern half of Illinois, although it can occasionally be found further north. Larvae, nymphs and adults will feed on a variety of warm-blooded hosts, including people. The larva is very tiny, only a little larger than the period at the end of this sentence. The nymph, the most common stage found on people, is about pinhead-sized. Adults are about 1/8-inch long and brown. The adult female has a white spot in the middle of her back. Because they are so similar in size, the lone star tick is sometimes misidentified by laypersons as the blacklegged / deer tick (see below).

The lone star tick is most active from April through the end of July. Although it can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the lone star tick is not as likely to transmit the disease as the American dog tick. This tick also may transmit tularemia and ehrlichiosis to humans. The lone star tick is not believed to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), but may be associated with a related bacteria species that has not been completely identified.

Blacklegged Tick, also known as the Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) 

All three active stages of the blacklegged / deer tick will feed on a variety of hosts including people. After the eggs hatch in the spring, the very tiny larvae feed primarily on white-footed mice or other small mammals. The following spring, the larvae molt into pinhead-sized, brown nymphs that will feed on mice, larger warm-blooded animals and people. In the fall, they molt into adults that feed primarily on deer, with the females laying eggs the following spring. Adults are reddish-brown and about 1/8-inch long (or about one-half the size of the more familiar female American dog tick).

These ticks are found in wooded areas along trails. The larvae and nymphs are active in the spring and early summer; adults may be active in both the spring and fall. The blacklegged / deer tick can transmit Lyme disease and possibly ehrlichiosis to humans.

The deer tick has been found sporadically in many Illinois counties. However, in recent years it has been common only in limited areas, mostly in northern Illinois (Geographic distribution by county). Additionally, Illinois residents may encounter the deer tick during trips to Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin or the northeastern United States where it is very common in some areas.

Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) 

The brown dog tick (also known as the kennel tick) is found through most of the United States This tick feeds on dogs, but rarely bites people. Unlike the other species of ticks, its life cycle allows it to survive and develop indoors. The brown dog tick is found primarily in kennels or homes with dogs where it may be found hiding in cracks, behind radiators, under rugs and furniture, and on draperies and walls.

The adult is reddish-brown and about 1/8-inch long, and usually attaches around the ears or between the toes of a dog to feed. After feeding, a female may engorge to ½-inch long. She then drops off the dog and crawls into a hiding place where she may lay as many as 3,000 eggs. This tick is tropical in origin and does not survive Illinois winters outdoors. The brown dog tick is not an important carrier of human disease.

Winter Tick (Dermacentor albipictus) 

The winter tick is a species that feeds on large mammals like deer, cattle and horses. Unlike the hard ticks mentioned above, the winter tick attaches to the host as a larva and remains attached throughout its life. Consequently, this tick is rarely encountered by campers or hikers. However, hunters may find the winter tick in large numbers on deer carcasses. Although the winter tick may carry diseases of large wild mammals, it is not known to transmit disease to humans.

Preventing Tick Bites and Disease

The best way to protect yourself against tickborne illness is to avoid tick bites. This includes avoiding known tick- infested areas. However, if you live in or visit wooded areas or areas with tall grass and weeds, follow these precautions to help prevent tick bites and decrease the risk of disease:

Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes and a head covering. (Ticks are easier to detect on light-colored clothing.) Tuck trouser cuffs in socks. Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing. 

Apply insect repellent containing 10 percent to 30 percent DEET primarily to clothes. Apply sparingly to exposed skin. Do not spray directly to the face; spray the repellent onto hands and then apply to face. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and nasal membranes. Be sure to wash treated skin after coming indoors. Use repellents containing permethrin to treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) but not skin. Always follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Always supervise children in the use of repellents.

Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you. In camping areas, individuals who sit on the ground or disturb leaf litter on the forest floor may encounter ticks. 

Check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit disease organisms until they have been attached four or more hours. If your pets spend time outdoors, check them for ticks, too. 

If ticks are crawling on the outside of clothes, they can be removed with masking tape or cellophane tape. A ring of tape can be made around the hand by leaving the sticky side out and attaching the two ends. Ticks will stick to the tape which can then be folded over and then placed in the trash. 

Remove any tick promptly. The mouthparts of a tick are barbed and may remain embedded and lead to infection at the bite site if not removed promptly. Do not burn the tick with a match or cover it with petroleum jelly or nail polish. Do not use bare hands to remove the tick because tick secretions may carry disease. The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it firmly with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick. If tweezers are not available, grasp the tick with a piece of tissue or cloth or whatever can be used as a barrier between your fingers and the tick. Ticks can be safely disposed of by placing them in a container of soapy water or alcohol, sticking them to tape or flushing them down the toilet. If you want to have the tick identified, put it in a small vial of alcohol. 

Wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite site.

If you have an unexplained illness with fever, contact a physician. Be sure to tell the physician if you have been outdoors in areas where ticks were present or traveled to areas where tickborne diseases are common.

Prevention and Control of Ticks Around the Home

Make sure the property around your home is unattractive to ticks. Because ticks are sensitive to dry conditions and do not thrive in short vegetation, they are seldom a problem in well-maintained lawns. Keep your grass mowed and keep weeds cut. Clean up items that attract rodents which can carry ticks, such as spilled birdseed, and hiding places like old wood piles. If ticks are present in vegetation along the edge of the property, insecticides labeled for control of ticks can be applied to small areas of high weeds that cannot be mowed. Often, one or two applications per season will be adequate to control ticks in these areas.

Free-roaming dogs and cats are much more likely to encounter ticks than those that are confined to the home or yard. If ticks are found on pets, contact your veterinarian for information about an appropriate tick treatment. Remove the occasional tick found indoors by vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag and place it in the trash. Owners of kennels or homes infested with the brown dog tick may wish to contact a professional pest control company for assistance.

When to Contact a Physician after a Tick Bite

If you experience a rash that looks like a bull's-eye, or a rash anywhere on the body or an unexplained illness accompanied by fever following a tick bite, you should consult your physician and explain that you were bitten by a tick. Disease carried by ticks can be treated with antibiotics. However, the type of antibiotic can vary and individuals should be treated early in the infection.

Identification of Ticks

During the last several years, about 75 percent of the ticks submitted to Department staff have been identified either as the American dog tick or as the lone star tick. Many people are familiar with the female American dog tick. However, the adults of several species and immature stages must be identified by an entomologist or other professional familiar with ticks. To submit a tick for identification, put it into a leak-proof container with rubbing alcohol along with the date and location where the tick was encountered and contact your local health department for assistance.

This publication is for information and is intended as a guide only. Always read and follow all current label instructions for repellents and pesticides. If any information in these recommendations disagrees with the pesticide label, the label instructions must be followed. For more information, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 525 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62761; 217-782-5830, TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466. Prepared with the assistance of the University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois Department of Veterinary Pathology and Illinois Natural History Survey.

how to care puppy in Winter

Into the cold winter, martina puppies have weak digestive ability is poor, body temperature adjustment function is not perfect and physiology characteristic, death is caused extremely easily. So, do the puppy's feeding and management in winter is very important.

Autumn is a dog rut, mating, the breeding season, the bitch pregnancy average for 60 days, gave the small dog is general into cold winter, for puppies have weak digestive ability, poor, body temperature adjustment function is not perfect and physiology characteristic, death is caused extremely easily. So, do the puppy's feeding and management in winter is very important.

A warm, cold

Winter temperature should be kept in the kennel in 13 to 15 ℃ between, if the temperature is too low, and give the dog in heat will be increased, and strengthen the dogs have to use more body metabolism, energy to maintain body temperature, the energy consumption also increased while the dogs feed intake, improve the keeping costs. In addition, puppies not hardy, low temperature easy to cause the puppies freezing, so the key is do well in the winter puppies thermal insulation. Specific mention measures are as follows:

1, the door of the kennel will hang with grass, the window to use plastic seal. Puppies can also modeled after up plastic canopy methods to keep warm, and also blocked to prevent cracks in walls, ZeiFeng to invade.

2, the conditions can adopt the following measures, such as infrared heating lamp, wall built between, general should configure threshold in dog bed, bed mat have felt, soft grass, and frequently change frequently, sun dry.

3, puppy to can not only help to warm puppy in the sun, and the ultraviolet ray in sunshine and sterilizing effect, and the absorption of calcium can also puppies, be helpful for puppies bone growth and development, prevent puppies happen rickets. Therefore, RiNuan sunny, want to let puppies sunshine, strengthening the movement to enhance the physique, improve the disease resistance.

Second, puppies raising management winter

1, do well "two maintain, three transition" : "two maintain" refers to maintain in the original circle, breeding and maintain the original feed up raising; "Three transition" refers to feed, raising system and environmental transition.

(1), feed excessive: puppies after weaning 1 week or so, still and lactation feed formula for the same material, and then gradually transition to 2 weeks or so after weaning, can feed to puppies.

(2), feeding system transition: stable life system can promote the growth and development of puppies, reduce the happening of the disease. The puppy's feed appropriate is fine, timing feeding, little more than a quantitative feed meal, every eat only 7 to feed into full, in order to keep the puppies exuberant appetite and digestion ability.

(3), environment excessive: puppies after weaning still use the original circle breeding, not victims unfitting circle, not mixed group of and nests, will the bitch out of the can. So, a few days later can adapt to the puppy. Then according to the size of puppies, strong or weak, with meat, such as raising puppies group-dividing, 3 ~ 5 days can adapt to the new environment.

2, training "at 3 o 'clock position" : 3 o 'clock positioning refers to food and drinking water place fixed; Sleeping place fixed; Row of feces fixed location. Raising the personnel should be food, drinking gear in the fixed place, do not often exchange the position. Puppies into the new fold, first slept place is very important, that the most security after the puppies, can be in this place to sleep. So, to enter new fold the first night the puppies to shut in sleep or tied to the designated place, 3 ~ 5 days after general puppies to place to sleep can be fixed down. If puppies defecate, management personnel can everywhere will waste collected and piled up in the designated place. So, general 3 ~ 5 days, puppies will in this anchors defecate.

Three, drive bug preventing

Winter is a dog infectious diseases, especially of the multiple season distemper and canine parvovirus disease harm such as the puppy's prone to disease, in order to prevent the occurrence and spread of the disease, should be well drive bug and food slot, utensils and kennel and environmental disinfection job, to eliminate the cause, cut off the transmission way, strengthen the dog's body resistance. Puppies drive bug general in the 20 ~ 25 day age, every month after 1 time, drive bug after the dog dung and insect body to focus on stacking fermentation processing, in order to avoid pollution of the environment and infect other dogs. Every day one clear water. Food slot, cistern weekly a but boil disinfection, 20 minutes, also can use 0.1% of the new jie destroy solution for 20 minutes or with 2 to 4% of the caustic soda water soaking liquid and, finally, rinse it.

Winter Dog Health Hazards

Winter's seasonal dog health problems loom now that the weather is turning cold, meaning we must watch out for sick dogs and winter hazards that could affect our beloved pets.

Major Dog Health Problems: Antifreeze and Windshield Wiper Fluids

Antifreeze is a wonderful tool for getting your car ready for the winter months, but it's deadly for your pet. To make matters worse, antifreeze has a sweet taste and smell, so dogs are highly attracted to this substance. Ethylene glycol is the component in antifreeze that cause sick dogs, making it a major winter hazard.

If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, call your veterinarian immediately, or get your pet to the nearest vet clinic. Caution is the key to preventing dog health problems resulting from this harmful poison. Do not allow your pet in the area where you store antifreeze. Wipe up any spills from the antifreeze container or your car. Windshield wiper fluids also contain methanol or ethylene glycol, the toxic ingredient in antifreeze.

Holiday Plants Can Become Dog Health Issues

Many plants associated with the holidays are harmful to our furry friends. This means sick dog winter hazards can put a real damper on your holiday festivities.

Mistletoe - You may want to kiss your beloved under this parasitic plant but keep it away from your pooch. Mistletoe can cause diarrhea, vomiting, shock and death within hours of ingestion.

Poinsettia - Many families decorate the hearth and home with this colorful Christmas favorite, but if you have pets, you may want to decorate with the artificial version. While research has been done that shows this plant is not as harmful as once believed, it does produce an irritating milky sap that is harmful when swallowed.

Holly - The leaves and berries of the holly plant are harmful if swallowed. Signs of ingestion include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

*Lilies - These plants can cause irreversible kidney damage.

Food Items That Cause Dog Health Problems

Chocolate - Chocolate is abundant during the holiday season when everybody is baking for friends and family. While all types of chocolate are hazardous to your dog, baking chocolate is the most lethal. Baking chocolate has the highest concentration of theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate that is hazardous to dogs. In high doses, chocolate causes epileptic seizures and death.

Coffee - Liquid coffee, coffee beans, espresso and other coffee products are harmful. The caffeine in these products does not react with a dog's system the same way it reacts with a person's system. Caffeine causes seizures, diarrhea, erratic heart rates and death in canines.

Macadamia nuts - These nuts, often found in cookies around the holiday season, cause muscle weakness, tremors, and vomiting.

Yeast dough - The ingestion of raw yeast dough can lead to serious alcohol intoxication due to the fermentation process. The rising of the dough in your dog can also cause bloat, a potentially deadly disorder.

Cold Temperatures Are Hazardous To Your Dog's Health

Hypothermia - If your dog is left outside for any extended period of time during the winter months in cold weather climates, be alert for signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a severe drop in body temperature. If you suspect your dog may have hypothermia, wrap him up in a warm blanket and bring him inside. A warm bath may help as well.

Frozen Water Dish - If your dog's water is left outside in the cold, chances are the water in his water bowl will freeze. Without fresh water, dogs can dehydrate.

Exercise - Pets, like people, tend to get less exercise in the cooler months. Create indoor activities you can perform with your pet to keep you both in shape.

Sick Dog Winter Diseases | Dog Winter Care Tips

Sick Dog Winter Hazards:

With a change of season, both humans and their pets become susceptible to many illnesses and disorders. Therefore, to ensure a healthy run through a season, especially during winter, humans should take special precautions for both themselves and their dogs. There are some common dangers that pet owners should look out for. These winter hazards for dogs are bad, but are especially dangerous for older dogs and dogs that are already ailing.

Dog Winter Ailments:

• Antifreeze:

Though this is a potential problem in both summer and winter, it becomes more evident in the winter season. Antifreeze smells sweet due to its chemical composition, and because of this smell, dogs can resist it. If you spill some antifreeze or if you have a container full of antifreeze within reach of your pet, chances are the dog will ingest it. Antifreeze gets absorbed very quickly and is highly toxic. Ingesting it can cause death within minutes, depending on the amount ingested. Some heat exchange fluids and transmission fluids contain this toxic chemical. Other chemicals which contain antifreeze are brake fluids and fluids used in the processing of camera film. Some of the common signs of anti freeze toxicity are lethargy, depression, intoxicated effect and vomiting. The kidneys are affected first, and the dog may die soon after due to kidney failure.

• Arthritis:

Humans and their pets who suffer from arthritis or any other degenerative condition, find it difficult to live comfortably in cold and damp weather. In winter, even younger pets could get affected by arthritis. However, older pets are more susceptible to it. Cold and damp climate can also cause fractures to heal slower than usual. If you notice your pet struggling to lie down or get up from the floor, it is possible that the dog suffers from arthritis. Dogs may also cry often or snap when they are picked up. In any case, don’t try to avoid going to the veterinarian in such a condition.

• Flu and Pneumonia:

Pets that are housed outside are susceptible to dying from cold or developing infections and disorders. If your dog’s kennel is outside, make sure that the kennel is adequately protected from wind and cold. In case it snows, bring your pet inside. Also make sure that your dog is always supplied with warm water. You can also opt for non-electric warm bedding for your dog. Alternatively, you can also get heated floor mats.

Symptoms of a Sick Dog

Sick dog symptoms are often subtle and happen to even the best cared for animals.

Dog Health Care and Illness

So, since acquiring your pet, you've followed a regular health care program, including giving your dog veterinary recommendedvaccinations and routine de-worming, combined with a balanced diet and plenty of exercise. This means you should never have to deal with a sick dog, right?

Not necessarily. Even the most cared for canines will occasionally display symptoms of illness, and these signs can range from fairly mild to severe, depending on their cause. The question then becomes what to do when you notice your dog is under the weather?

Sick dog symptoms are an outward sign of an inward disorder, be it an injury, infection, or disease. The key to deciding whether veterinary intervention is in order lies in recognizing the symptoms and having a general idea of their causes.

A Variety of Sick Dog Symptoms

The following table is only a general guideline and is not meant to replace a diagnosis from a qualified veterinarian.

While there are possible causes listed for specific symptoms, this doesn't confirm your pet has a particular illness, and there may be other causes not listed for each specific symptom. Your vet will consider your dog's symptoms and perform any testing necessary to give you the most complete and accurate diagnosis.

Sick Dog Symptoms and Possible Causes

Symptom	Causes
Bad Breath	periodontal disease
Bleeding Gums	periodontal disease
Bloody Stools	worms, intestinal blockage, anal fissure caused by constipation
Blood in Urine	urinary tract infection, kidney disease, internal injury
Brownish Ear Discharge	ear infection, ear mite infestation
Constipation	change of diet, intestinal blockage
Lumps	ulcerations, cysts, tumors
Coughing	windpipe blockage, kennel cough, pneumonia, heartworm, heart disease
Diarrhea	change in diet, stress, dog flu, Parvo virus, Corona virus
Hair Loss	parasitic infection, dog skin allergies
Head Shaking	ear infection or infestation
Increased Drinking	canine diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, Cushing's disease
Inflamed Ears	ear infection or infestation
Irritated Skin	parasitic infestation, allergic reaction
Less Frequent Bowel Movements	constipation, partial bowel blockage, loss of appetite
Less Frequent Urination	kidney stones/disease
Lethargy	caused by any number of illnesses and disorders
Lameness	injury, canine hip and elbow dysplasia
Loss of Appetite	numerous causes ranging from dislike of diet to serious illness
Pale Gums	shock
Pale Tongue	shock
Panting	over-heating, dehydration, respiratory infection, heartworm infestation of the heart and lungs
Pot Belly	worm infestation, canine obesity
Scratching	parasitic infestation, dog skin allergies/infections
Stiff Movement	injury, canine arthritis, canine dysplasia
Smelly Ears	ear infection
Temperature above 102°F	viral or bacterial infection, dehydration/heat stroke
Vomiting	dog flu, worm infestation, gastrointestinal disorder, algae poisoning
Watery Eyes	allergies, in-grown eyelash
Sudden/Dramatic Weight Loss	worm infestation, cancer, Cushings disease

When It's Time to Call the Vet
Most pets will display one or more of these symptoms of illness at some point during their lives, but there isn't always a need to rush them directly to the vet. Symptoms that only last a day and do not seem severe may simply need to run their course. However, a consultation with your vet is in order when:

• Sick dog symptoms increase or intensify over a 24 hour period.
• Symptoms persist more than a day.
• The animal in question is in obvious distress.

Conclusion
In the long run, it's better to be safe than sorry, so if you believe your dog may truly be ill, don't hesitate to call your vet for advice and an appointment. After all, doesn't your dog deserve as much care as any other member of the family?.

Dogs : Cold Weather Tips

The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife. 

During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape. 

Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags. 

Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. 

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear. 

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. 

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself. 

Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape. 

Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information. 

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Winter - Cold Weather Care for Dogs

What does the winter mean for your dog?

Winter can be a time of great fun or great distress for your dog. I have always owned dogs that love the cold and playing in the snow. However, even with breeds bred for colder climates, with coats bred to repel wet and insulate the body, I have to prepare them for winter. Many of my clients have dogs not bred for cold weather. They have to take greater care with their dogs. What should you do to help prepare your dog for the coming winter?

What type of dog do you have?

A Siberian Husky is better suited for cold weather than your neighbor’s Chihuahua. Short coated, wire-coated dogs and dogs with a single coat (no undercoat) will not stay as warm in winter and a double-coated dog will. Look at the age of your dog. Very young and older dogs are less able to manage cold than dogs in the prime of their lives. Even if your breed was developed for cooler weather: age is a concern. 

Where will your dog live? Inside or Out?

If your dog is to live mainly outdoors or spend a good part of the day outdoors, you must prepare proper shelter for him. If your dog is only going out to relieve himself and then coming right back in or will be exercised by walks with you or games at a dog park, then you do not have to be as obsessed about proper shelter. The more time your dog spends outside will determine the type of preparation you need.

What to do if your dog will be outside a lot

You need to prepare proper shelter. This does not mean putting his crate in the back yard with a tarp over it, a pickup truck cover or big box. Your dog should have a house that is wood or heavy plastic. The shelter should have ventilation but not be drafty. It should be placed out of prevailing winds. A doorway, in the middle of the house without any flap will allow winds and rain to blow in. You can buy outdoor heated beds that you can put on a timer if desired. Though these beds may seem expensive at the start, if you compare the price of a heated bed to how much you would spend a winter in straw or other beddings, the investment may be worth it. If you use straw, blankets or other bedding, ensure that it is dry and clean. Check the bedding morning and evening: wet bedding will hold no heat and can freeze.

Is it possible to let your dog spend cold nights in the house?

As night falls temperatures plummet. Dogs are no different to you or I when it comes to feeling cold. Spending freezing nights outside in the cold throughout a bitter winter is a miserable existence. Many people don't realize this. They go outside in the morning and see their dog wagging it's tail and looking quite happy. Well, that's because he is happy to see you. He has no way of telling you that for the past 12 hours he has been cold, miserable and shivering.Next time you are snug and warm in your bed at night give a thought to your dog. Do you want him to suffer outside in the cold? Bad things can happen to dogs out in the cold such as hypothermia and frost bite. Dogs can also die.

If you don't want to give your dog the run of the house maybe you can find somewhere in your house where he can sleep such as a utility room, laundry or bathroom. Buy him a snug dog bed and he will probably be so comfortable, warm and contented that he will sleep the entire night and cause no problems from being inside the house. If your budget doesn't stretch to a dog bed then at least a blanket to sleep on is better than a cold floor.

What about food and water?

Make sure you change the water several times a day or use a heated bowl that helps prevent freezing. A dog can dehydrate in the winter as well as summer if adequate water is not available. If your dog has hanging ears or a “beard”, check for icicles and even frostbite. You may want to increase how much your dog eats or change the type of food. Outdoor dogs are going to expend more calories in the winter. Use plastic bowls. Tongues may stick to cold metal!

What if your dog will be out for shorter periods or just going for walks?

Most pets live indoors but spend part of the day outside or are only outside for walks. Make sure your dog has shelter or is not allowed out for long periods. Once a dog stops moving, he is going to chill faster. For safety, do not leave dog coats on your dog unless you are going to be closely monitoring play. A coat can snag and a dog can become injured during an attempt to get loose. If your dog needs a coat, do not go for the cutesy ones. Most important is function and not fashion! A coat must allow for freedom of movement and bodily functions. If the coat is to cover the legs, make sure your dog can fully extend his legs. Coats that restrict movement can build stress and make wearing the coat unpleasant. If you choose to use booties on your dog, again, think function and less fashion. 

What about winter grooming?

Continue to groom your dog regularly. Dirty and matted hair does not hold warmth. If your dog has long hair, check for ice and snow accumulation. Trim fur between the toes as ice and snow can build up there too! If your dog gets wet, dry thoroughly! If you regularly have your dog shaved, ask the groomer to keep the coat a little longer for the winter or consider using a dog coat.

What are other winter concerns?

Many chemicals used mainly in the winter can be hazardous and even deadly to a dog. Antifreeze can kill in very small amounts. Even the “pet-safe” antifreezes are not 100% safe: they are just lower toxicity. If you know or suspect your dog has ingested antifreeze, call your veterinarian or emergency vet clinic immediately! Rock salt and other de-icing agents can cause foot irritations. Wipe your dog’s feet off after walks and urban dogs or suburban dogs that regularly are walked in areas where people apply de-icers may benefits from booties. Another concern many may not think of in regards to winter safety is piled up snow. Snow piled against a fence due to your shoveling or high snowfalls can provide a great means of escape for your dog.

Winter can be a great time for our dogs. It can also be a time of discomfort and even danger. With some planning, your dog will not have to suffer through the cold. If in doubt, discuss specific winter needs for your dog with your veterinarian.