Does your old buddy scratch himself constantly, are losing hair, and having raw skin patches all over? No matter how many antibiotics or injections you try, the annoying itch might not go away. The good news is that common ailments like this don’t necessarily merit an expensive trip to the vet.
There is, however, a more practical solution: apple vider vinegar. This home cure can solve a lot of dog ailments. All you have to do is to spray it directly by either spraying or sponging it on the problematic spots. Do this twice a day, and in three days, you’ll notice the fur of your fur friend grow back.
In fact, even if your dog don’t have dermatitis, you can still mix apple cider vinegar in the bath water of your dog to neutralize the odor. It will also let your dog’s fur grow into a natural and thick sheen, and prevent them from hotspots. Add around a quarter of a cup of apple cider vinegar for every gallon of water—this should keep out the fleas and even avoid ear mites.
There are other home remedies that will surely be handy when your vet’s not around:
Fantastic home remedies for common dog ailments
For an upset stomach, try cooked white rice. Cook the rice according to package directions and feed this to your dog for a couple of days instead of their normal food. On the second day you can add ground chicken or turkey to the rice. I know some folks only feed raw meat to their dogs, so your choice to cook or not cook the chicken or turkey, it’s the white rice that will settle their stomachs and cleanse their system of whatever was causing it to be upset.
Add garlic to your dog’s daily food and it will prevent internal parasites. Garlic will also rid your dog of existing internal parasites. A few shavings of fresh garlic or about 1/4 teaspoon processed garlic mixed with their food daily. The garlic will also help keep the ticks off of your dogs. Ticks don’t like the flavor of garlic so they won’t attach themselves to your dogs.
If your dog has a gas problem, yogurt with Probiotics mixed with their food daily will solve it. About 4 teaspoons a day will do the trick. (More Here)
There you go. With apple cider vinegar, rice, garlic, and yogurt, you should be able to keep your old friend in top shape…and keep the vet away!
10 Common Dog Ailments and Treatments In The Field
You can’t be too careful when you take your old buddy on a walk or on a hike in the woods. You should be fully equipped—not just with a first-aid kid, but also with knowledge on how to administer quick treatments for the most common dog ailments. That being said, here are the ten most common dog injuries, and the corresponding treatments for them.
1. Porcupine Quills
Do not move the quill around as you attempt to remove it. Instead, you can use a pair of pliers or your fingers, and place them as close to the dog’s skin as possible before finally removing it. If it is placed around your dog’s mouth, make sure your dog is braced. Often, the dog will bite even because of the pain caused by the quill. After removing the quills, clean the area with alcohol. If the discomfort persists, you can prescribe alcohol or iodine.
2. Foreign Objects Stuck in the Foot
If there’s a thorn or glass stuck in the foot, remove it fast and firmly. Afterward, apply antiseptic and antibiotic on the foot. If necessary, you will need to wrap a bandage around.
3. Broken Nail
If your dog bleeds because of a broken nail, you might need to use a pair of pliers to pull of the hanging nail. Be careful not to tug on the soft quick on the inside of the nail. And them, apply a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding.
4. Waterborne Illness
If the water your dog drinks off from contains viruses, your dog might suffer from diarrhea. It’s essential for you to hydrate your dog. You should also come prepared with an electrolyte solution that will be mixed with the dog’s water. Feed white rice to the dog if you have some with you.
Another waterborne disease is skin rash, caused by blue-green algae. This is toxic to your dog’s internal organs—bring him to a vet at once.
5. Foreign Objects Stuck in the Eyes or Ears
You can tell if this is the case when your dog keeps on blinking or rubbing either the eyes or the ears. If it’s not deep in the ears or eyes, you can remove it with tweezers and forceps carefully. You can also flush the eyes using a saline solution. Just don’t burrow deep and remove it manually if you can’t find it. Your best bet in this case is to bring the dog to a vet.
The next three ones are more serious injuries, and will require you to be extra careful.
10 Common Dog Ailments and Treatments In The Field
BARBED WIRE OR OTHER SERIOUS CUT
Attempt to control bleeding with pressure, clean the wound with antiseptic and antibiotic ointment, and wrap the wound with an ace bandage or by gluing or stapling it shut. If your dog is in danger of excessive blood loss, tie a tourniquet an inch above the wound with a ripped off section of a t-shirt, an ace bandage or whatever else you have on hand. Insert a small stick, pen or other straight, narrow object in the fabric loop and twist tight. Wrap the stick to the leg with tape or an ace bandage. Loosen the tourniquet every 15 minutes for one to two minutes to allow blood circulation to the limb, and get your dog to a vet as soon as possible.
PENETRATING INJURY
Do remove an object you are certain is close to the surface by pulling it out the way it went it. But don’t ever pull out a stick that’s protruding from deep inside your dog’s chest, abdomen or anywhere else—removal can cause more damage than entry. If a stick is buried in your dog, hold the stick firmly, saw it off so that it doesn’t cause more damage, keep your dog as quiet and caln as possible and get to a vet.
FALLING TRAUMA (BREAKS, SPRAINS)
Bind sprains with an ace bandage in the figure-eight pattern described above with an ace bandage, but not so tight that your dog’s paw gets cold or swollen. Stabilize obvious fractures with a splint or stick, and get your dog to a vet while keeping it as quiet and caln as possible. Broken limbs swell. Sprains don’t, and they’re generally not tender to the touch. (Read More)
9. Heat Exhaustion
As you wound your way through the woods, your dog might feel overworked. Just like what you’d do to an exhausted human, take a rest, find shade, and let your old buddy take a bit off an energy bar.
10. Allergic Reactions
If your dog experiences an allergic reaction through rashes, swelling, or hot spots, wash the area concerned immediately. Apply steroid cream or calamine lotion on the area.
Your dog may be of age, but that shouldn’t stop you and your buddy from having fun. If your dog is up to it, and you have the time, go for a walk, take them to a field. As long as you know what to do in case they get ill, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Diagnosing dog hearing loss: simple but effective techniques
Common among older dogs who are advancing in age is hearing loss. It’s not always easy to tell if your dog is suffering from dog hearing loss, but the folks at Petside Advisory Board have some simple tips that might help you figure out.
Experts agree that making a loud noise is the easiest way to tell if a dog has hearing loss. The range of noises you can make varies—from whistling and clapping your hands to even banging a pot together or a nonbreakable bowl. These are sounds that are bound to elicit some kind of reaction from a dog, and if yours doesn’t respond, it might be time to take your old buddy to the vet.
Another smart yet simple technique is to crinkle the bag that has your buddy’s favorite food. Your dog probably has default reaction whenever greeted with his or her favorite treat. If you crinkle the bag of treats and don’t get any reaction, then it might be a red signal for hearing loss.
Of course, you can never know for sure if your dog has hearing loss until you visit the vet. For that matter, Nancy Taylor, the CEO of Bideawee has an insightful remark on how to determine hearing loss for your beloved pet.
Diagnosing dog hearing loss: simple but effective techniques
“Deafness can be congenital or acquired. Dogs with white pigmentation, such as the Dalmatian are predisposed to congenital deafness. Breeders will sometimes have puppies tested, using a hearing test called BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response). Because we can’t ask the pet if they can hear certain frequencies, this test is the only definitive way to detect hearing loss in animals as it measures electrical activity across the pathways in the brain and inner ear that conduct sound. Typically this test is performed by a veterinary neurologist, usually at a teaching hospital.
Short of BAER, you can reason that an animal is hearing impaired by certain behaviors or lack thereof. Typically, animals respond to noise stimuli, like the sound of your voice, the squeak of a toy, the car door slamming or the front door opening and the sound of the food bag. If you notice that these sounds don’t elicit a response from your pet, especially when he/she is not looking at you, it may indicate that there is hearing loss. You can investigate further by trying some in-home investigation. While your pet is not looking at you, you can whistle, ring the doorbell, clap your hands or use a squeaky toy and assess the response. Your veterinarian can also assist you.” (Read More Here)
If you’ve determined for sure that your dog has hearing loss, you don’t have to despair over it. This is a normal part of the aging process. Your dog needs you more now than ever—and the first way for you to show your support is by being strong for you both.
Acupuncture is known to relieve pain, even in senior dogs.
Do you believe in alternative therapy? There are concrete health benefits in its methods that many people can attest to; some even go as far as to claim that alternative therapy has worked wonders for them. If you’re a fan of it yourself, and would love your senior dog to try it as well, you’d be thrilled to know that alternative care for dogs using the same methods as for humans exist.
One is acupuncture, where fine needles are inserted to improve the blood flow and the balance of the body. It’s based on an ancient Chinese tradition—and it is known to relieve pain, even in senior dogs.
Another method is chiropractic care which serves the purpose of relieving pain by spinal adjustments. A dog massage, on the other hand, will relax the anxiety levels of your stressed out buddy and even give their immunity the boost that it needs.
Nutritional supplements are also important to supply what’s missing in their body, while homeopathy is a therapy where the dog’s body is assisted in creating a natural healing response to their illness. Lastly, herbal treatments are administered for a variety of dog illnesses—like alfalfa for allergies.
If you’re not entirely 100% comfortable about putting your fur friend through alternative therapies, you might want to get the opinions of veterinarians on the subject. Some don’t recognize its benefits, while others are all for it.
Essence of Alternative Care For Older Dogs
Some veterinarians don’t care for alternative therapies since, unlike conventional veterinary medicine, most of them haven’t been scientifically proven to work.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re ineffective; it just means they haven’t been put to the test in well-conducted studies. And there are plenty of vets who are open to the alternative approach. Some veterinary schools now provide tracks in holistic medicine, and some vets offer alternative therapies alongside conventional treatments. (Read More Here)
If you’re sure about alternative therapy for your senior buddy, there are qualified and licensed organizations that can refer you to professionals. Some of them are the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, American Veterinary Chiropractic Associations, American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, and Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association.
As always, before having your beloved pet undergo alternative care, you should research about it extensively. Talk to other people whose dogs have tried it out. In the end, we’re all in this for the care of our older dogs.
As dogs enter their senior years, you will notice them slow down and tire easily. IN their advanced age, older dogs are susceptible to certain illnesses like arthritis and weakening joints. That being said, keeping senior dogs active is a must.
It doesn’t mean that you have to wear down your beloved dog. You can, instead, suit their exercise, diet, and supplements to adjust to fit to their capacity.
One exercise that’s great for dogs is swimming. It strengthens both their muscles and joints. On top of that, it’s also relaxing and entertaining for dogs. You’ve probably seen a lot of video clips of dogs swimming. That’s no coincidence—dogs love it!
The key to keeping your older dog active is to be conscious about the changes your dog is undergoing. Your dog might love the outdoors and walking for miles. Today, you can’t expect your dog to have the same stamina—but you can certainly do something to fulfill your dog’s love for the outdoors. The only difference is that you will have to tone down the usual length and period of the walk.
Keeping senior dogs active in their senior years
You don’t have to feel like you’re no longer giving the dog rules, boundaries, and limitations if you, for example, bring them their food instead of making them come to the kitchen or the yard to eat. “Room service” at this stage of life is acceptable. Remember that their body doesn’t match the mind any more – they might have trouble controlling their bladder and this isn’t something to punish. It’s a result of the kind of care we provide our dogs with in this country and many around the world. You’re not going to see a 14-year-old dog in a third world country very often. They just don’t have the same kind of care and nutrition. Here.
As your buddy grows old, you might also want to give stimulation exercises or a massage every now and then. Sometimes, you might need to put up a ramp so your dog can get upstairs easier.
It’s all about compromise—all for the sake of giving your dog the best and most fulfilling senior years!
Believe it or not, we humans can learn a lot from our senior dogs when it comes to medicine, particular the use of plants and essential oils.
Herbs have been used for medication since time immemorial—from the Sumerians who used laurel and thyme 5,000 years ago to Ancient Egyptians who used garlic, mint, opium for its medicinal value.
Don’t discount animal instinct!
Most people don’t realize it, but we owe much of what we know about medicinal herbs and plants from our furry canine friends. There’s even a medical term for animal self-medication: zoopharmacognosy.
Zoopharmacognosy is based on the process by which animals self-medicate, and choose herbs, plants, and other natural remedies that are best suited for them. It is essentially rooted in animal instinct.
Amazing Alternative Medications For Your Senior Dog
One example of this is osha root (Ligusticum porteri), also called bear medicine, a plant native to the western United States and Mexico. The story goes that Native Americans noticed bears rolling around in this plant, eating the roots and applying a root mash to injuries. They also observed bears seeking out this plant upon awakening from hibernation. The plant’s respiratory and digestive cleansing properties may explain this; osharoot is known for its powerful antiviral and antibacterial agents, used for bronchial infections and sore throats. (Because of osha root’s popularity, it is now at risk of disappearing.) They have been attempting to do this… has not been very successful as some plants need their natural environment to produce properly.More.
One example of self-medication is when you catch your senior dog chewing on grass. This can induce diarrhea, which in turn expels worms that may be in your dog’s body. Don’t you just love your dog’s initiative?
Keep your dog active as much as you can, early on.
20% of dogs suffer from arthritis. The odds are even worse with your older dog, as arthritis is most common among dogs in advanced age. Nobody wants to see their precious dogs stumble and limp about—so before it comes to that, you might want to err on the side of caution and take note of senior dog arthritis treatment methods that prevent this debilitating condition from getting worse.
The first step you have to take is to regulate your dog’s diet and nutrition. If your dog loves food, you don’t have to reduce their food intake or impose a strict diet altogether. What you can do instead to help regulate your dog’s weight is by replacing their calorie-high foods with a low calorie-diet regimen. There are even dog foods exclusively made for senior dogs, which are rich in calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. If you don’t find the nutrients you’re looking for, you might also want to whip up your own low caloric recipe for your furry friend.
It will also be necessary to purchase certain things, all for the good of your older dog, such as a warm cozy bed and ramps.
Keeping Dog Arthritis At Bay
All elderly pets appreciate a warm bed. Safe heating pads are available to ease the aches and pains that come with arthritis. I prefer electric mats that are encased in water proof plastic and have a chew-proof cord. Purchase one that can not rise above 102F. Make entry and exit from your pet’s bed as easy as possible with at least one low side. Be cautious if your pet can not move away from the pad, should it get too hot. Puppies and elderly dogs are more susceptible to heavy flea infestations because their immobility assures that they are always conveniently available to the fleas. Fleas can get out of hand rapidly in both the very old and the very young. If there is a possibility of a flea problem, be sure bed liners can be easily run through a dryer cycle and use one of the modern topical products to control fleas on your pet.
Wood ramps, covered with carpet are a real help for pets that can no longer climb stairs. Just be sure they are stable. Make the slope as gentle as possible. Keep one that hooks securely, in your car to help your pet get in and out. Canvas slings work well for this too.
If your pet is no longer able to get about, there are, slings, carts and other apparatus that you can purchase to return some of its mobility. There are online stores that specialize in meeting the needs of disabled pets. (Read more Here)
You might want to join your senior dog for a daily moderate exercise, as this has been proven to help slow down the effects of arthritis. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken your dog for a 30-minute walk or haven’t played with them for some time now, this is your wake-up call.
Also, you may not have heard of this before, but good nail care will also help in arthritis prevention. By clipping your dog’s toenails regularly, they can work normally and won’t have to adjust their gait and put pressure on their joints and ligament.
The steps I just mentioned may sound like a lot of work, but in the long run, making these changes will help your senior dog live a fuller life. Isn’t that what every pet owner would want for their cherished senior dog?
Common dog ailments like Arthritis are highly treatable.
As dogs advance in age, most of them become less playful and active. While most dog owners easily attribute this change to their dogs’ personality changes as they grow old, these symptoms may in fact be a sign of arthritis or degenerative joint disease. One of the most common dog ailments, arthritis is found in one in five dogs. As arthritis is most prevalent among older dogs, you might not realize that your dog is already suffering from this chronic pain condition. It is caused by a variety of reasons—from genetics to the lack of physical activity during your dog’s earlier years. Just like humans, arthritis is also caused by the wear and tear of the joints over time.
The signs of arthritis don’t come all at once. These changes take place over time, and most pet parents don’t realize the symptoms until later on. This is why you should pay careful attention to your dog’s disposition. When your dog doesn’t move around and play as much as used to, you should already be put on guard. You might also notice that they don’t want to go up and down the stairs, and would limp at times.
Beat Common Dog Ailments Like Arthritis
The very first thing to do is take a trip to your vet. Let him examine your pooch to rule out any underlying medical problem such as broken bone, torn ligament, or cancer that could be causing Fido pain. By conducting several diagnostic procedures, your vet will find out the real cause and decide on the most effective management strategy. If your dog suffers from arthritis or a similar form of chronic joint pain, your vet will likely recommend pain medication. Try consulting your vet for any recommendation on specific foods that are especially made for both joint care as well as pain management.
In addition, although your dog is already slowing down, remember that he still needs exercise to keep him fit. A nice walk in the park or swimming can be both therapeutic. (Read more here.)
You are in the best position to observe the changes in your dog. Once the vet has recommended the appropriate foods and exercises for your dog, you can also help ease your dog’s pain by rubbing their muscles gently or taking them to a dog massage specialist.
Does your dog seem to be in pain lately? Perhaps a visit to the vet will finally settle once and for all if your dog has arthritis. Whatever the diagnosis may be, the most important thing is for your canine friend to get help and be comfortable, no matter what.
This video from About.com has some great tips for several items that will help you to keep that old pooch in tip-top shape! The nutritional needs of a senior dog increase and can mean that a change in diet is necessary. The expert here has some great advice about options that you will want to consider. If your dog is getting to be a finicky eater, changing up what you feed them can make a real difference. Getting human grade food may seem a bit much, but it can go a long way toward keeping your dog healthy and happy.
Nutritional supplements are also a great idea, as are toys to keep your dog active and interested as well. There are fine pet supply stores popping up everywhere, and when you can get into one, there is always shopping online – so there are no excuses for not trying out some things that will make your fur baby happy.
You worked so hard to house train your dog only to find that as they get past a certain age, they seem to be having accidents in the house again. This may present itself as a few drips here and there, to full out messes with a huge wet spot on the rug or on the dog’s bed. While this certainly isn’t pleasant, it is fairly common and there could be lots of things causing the issue. In fact, the laundry list of items that could be the culprit for your pooch is rather long and so this is one item that you should not deal with on your own. A trip to the vet really is the wise choice here, and will help with diagnosing exactly what the issue is. Whatever that core issue is, it is leading to a hormone deficiency.
How To Deal With Senior Dog Incontinence
Hormone deficiencies are essentially the cause of senior dog incontinence. As the amount of testosterone and estrogen in their bodies decreases, they lose their ability to control the urethral sphincter, a band of muscle located near the base of the bladder. Spayed or neutered dog are more likely to develop the condition because their reproductive organs have been removed, therefore they have smaller amounts of hormones. Older female dogs are also more likely to be affected by incontinence because they have shorter, wider urethras. (Read more)
No matter the root cause, you will want to help your furry child clean and comfortable. If they are a longer hair breed, you should keep them groomed shorter and be sure to provide them enough water so that they do not get dehydrated. Arrange to have them let outside often so that you can try to get in front of any indoor accidents and be sure to clean the urine spots as soon as you can with an enzyme cleaner.
The vet may prescribe medication or advise you as to options for you and your dog. Follow the advice and be sure to report back to the vet if it does not seem to be working. With a little effort and help from the vet, you should be able to get the issue under control and your life back online with a clean home.
It is highly likely that as your dog ages it will end up with some degree of arthritis. Glucosamine is one supplement that has shown to help in treating osteoarthritis in lots of dogs. It is a safe supplement with very little side effects and can help with the pain associated with joint disease. This pet owner recommends Glucosamine in liquid form that you can just pour on your dogs food. They will eat it easily enough and it, in turn, lubricates the dog’s joints and can help with stiffness and pain.
What is Glucosamin, you ask?
Glucosamine is an all natural substance that is used to treat arthritis and other joint diseases found in both humans and pets. It can be taken in both liquid and tablet forms and is much safer with virtually no side effects compared to its prescription counterparts. Not only is it safer, it is much less expensive than any of the doctor prescribed medications. (Read more)
A sensitivity to touch can be indicative of an issue
Some dogs are sensitive to being touched. This shows in either a general or very specific way, depending on whether or not your dog is in some pain. If you are not familiar with how dogs can show their state through reaction to your touch, you can learn. Volunteering at a shelter or veterinarian’s office can help. A good handler can teach you a lot by simply doing what they do while you watch closely. There is a way that dogs respond to someone who knows what they are doing that can go a long way to their well being.
If you feel like something is wrong or has changed for your furry child in terms of a sudden sensitivity to being touched, then go with your gut. Be sure to document the change in touch toleration and bring those notes to your vet appointment. Describe it for your vet in as much detail as you can, as that will help them to get a good idea of what you are seeing at home.
The Telling Touch
Pain can be hard to pin down in dogs. The more you can observe before the veterinary appointment, the more likely the veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem. But be careful not to injure the dog in the process or get bitten. A “knowing touch” gathers information and communicates safety. It’s not rough and doesn’t make a dog fearful. This touch is part of what people describe as having “dog sense,” or “a way with dogs.” People probably inherit the potential to learn good dog handling, but they don’t become good handlers unless they also learn the skills. (Read more)
You do want to be careful since a dog will protect themselves with both humans and other dogs if they are in pain. If you know that your dog is in pain, then keeping other dogs away will help with any jostling or bumping into the painful region that might be happening. This will help with fights among the dogs or the ‘accident’ that might occur when your dog is afraid of getting hurt while going outside with other dogs. If need be, escort your dog outside or keep him back while the others go out first, then let him know it is safe by guiding him out, etc. When you provide protection for your dog, they will really love you and appreciate your care.
If your dog suddenly doesn’t want to take an action that was fine for him before, don’t assume they are just being stubborn. Consider a physical reason first and pay attention to his ‘tells’. More often than not, some simple observation will let you know what is going on.
