Tag: ticks and fleas

A shiny coat is an indicator of your pet's health

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A pet's coat is constantly changing, and from time to time we see more or less of it - as the seasons change (autumn and spring), we see more hair falling out, so dead, damaged hairs are naturally removed. The frequency of coat feeding also depends on the breed of the animal, as well as its health and the season. Dogs that are kept at home and do not live in aviaries, however, do not feed as visibly. Naturally, the coat thickens in winter and gains more undercoat, while in spring it thins out and adapts to the summer weather.

By brushing your pet every day, you can speed up the brushing process and you will notice less hair sticking to your pet at home. However, unusually large amounts of hair, if not seasonal, can also be a sign of health problems such as stress, malnutrition or even illness. Quite often this problem can be solved by changing the diet, the vet recommends a number of options, such as quality foods and food supplements.

Note that the signs may not only include a seasonal fur coat, the extra large amount of falling hair, and the washed space in the fur can be associated with:

  • Parasites - fleas, ticks;
  • Fungal and bacterial infections;
  • Allergies;
  • Kidney and liver disease;
  • Pregnancy, lactation;
  • Oncological diseases;
  • Contact with skin irritants.

If you notice that your pet's skin is red, large amounts of fur are falling off, and the signs have not disappeared for more than a week, it is worth consulting a vet at a veterinary clinic. It is particularly important to notice if you see any lumps, rashes, redness or scabs on the animal's skin. It should also be easy for the owner to notice that the animal is often digging or licking itself for discomfort.

Based on scientific literature and consultation with veterinary surgeons

Veterinaras.lt 
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Puppy's first weeks at home: care, key points

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First visit to the vet

Your puppy's first visit to the vet can be very early, and some vets say that the earlier your puppy is seen, the better. In the first few months of a puppy's life, it is most important to make sure that puppies are free of parasites such as worms or fleas, which are the most common cause of health problems. So first, at the right age, the vet will give the puppy deworming medication, and if the puppy has parasites, the dosage sometimes has to be repeated. This is a necessary procedure before the puppy can be vaccinated. Even puppies bought from kennels often have parasites, so parasite prophylaxis is mandatory for all puppies.

Diarrhoea and vomiting and other gastrointestinal disorders often occur in young puppies, as their digestive system is still very sensitive, reacting sensitively to some hard-to-digest foods. Digestive problems can disappear quickly when puppies are treated for parasites - worms irritate the digestive tract, secrete poisons, and the puppy vomits, vomits, has diarrhoea, and is exhausted.

Choosing measures to prevent ticks and fleas

Owners have questions about how to treat their puppy for ticks and fleas, and whether the same products are suitable as for adult dogs. In this case, extreme caution should be exercised when administering tick and flea treatments, and in particular the instructions of the veterinarian, as many of the treatments are poisonous to small puppies due to the high concentration of active ingredients, and too high a dose of these drugs can be fatal to a puppy. Always consult your vet about safe parasite remedies and the vet will prescribe a safe dosage.

Puppy's diet and the most common problems in the first week after leaving the kennel

The puppy is under stress. Diarrhoea is the most common health problem once the puppy is rehomed. The digestive system is the most sensitive to stress and changes in food. Puppies are separated from their mother, their litter, smells change - each puppy's body reacts individually. A week is enough time to get used to the stress, especially if the puppy feels love, attention and warmth.

It is important to check with the breeder what the puppy has been fed, and if you are going to change the type of food, it is better to do so gradually, introducing new foods into the puppy's diet. The puppy's diet should consist mainly of proteins to help the young body develop and grow. Dairy products, which often cause diarrhoea and vomiting, are not advisable.

Based on scientific literature and consultation with veterinary surgeons

Veterinaras.lt
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Dog Health Care. Inflammation of the Annal Glands

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If you notice that your dog is irritable, constantly trying to lick the anus, or "skating" on his bottom - not always because of parasites - a common cause of the problem could be inflammation of the anal glands. Dogs have two glands, pouches at the anus, whose main function is to mark territory and to identify each other socially by giving off a specific smell. The anal glands produce an oily brown liquid with a strong smell, which is needed for 'dressing' and marking territory.

Symptoms and signs of anal gland inflammation in dogs

In Some cases, anal glands in dogs produce too much amount of mucus which block the glands causing inflamation, infections. Symptoms that help the dog's owner to identify the inflammation are:

  • Irritability, restlessness, the dog can't rest quietly; 
  • The dog constantly tries to lick, dig or bite around the anus;
  • The dog emits an unpleasant smell;
  • The pet suffers from constipation, is unable to defecate, and feels pain (snoring) when defecating.

Course of anal gland inflammation

Normally, if the dog is healthy, the fluid in the anal glands is also removed when the dog defecates, so health problems start when the glands are unable to remove this fluid. As the fluid stagnates in the glands, it thickens, becomes viscous and clogs the gland ducts. In this case, it is easy to help your pet by gently pressing on the appropriate areas around the anus to remove the fluid, and your veterinarian will quickly remedy the problem.

If anal gland blockage is a frequent problem for your pet, vets recommend adding fibre to your dog's diet. Fibre, a ballast substance, increases the volume of the faeces, makes it easier to pass, and presses harder on the anal glands during defecation, helping them to empty. The dog's diet can be adjusted with a special food recommended by vets or, if the dog likes it, by trying to offer more vegetables, porridge with vegetables, and kibble.

An untreated blockage of the anal glands may become an infection. The Dog is extremely irritable, it may be angry, stinging. In This case the Vet. washes the anal glands, prescribe antibiotics. It is necessary to observe the pet, the untreated infection can turn into inflammation and wounds.

In foreign veterinary clinics, anal gland removal is used for recurrent and extremely frequent anal gland inflammation and obstruction. However, this procedure, while partially resolving the pet's health problems, may have complications, as the dog may not be able to manage the defecation process.

Prevention of inflammation

The best prevention of any disease in your pet is a healthy diet, weight control and sufficient exercise. The most common causes of anal gland blockages are overweight or obese dogs of small breeds. If your puppy has experienced this condition at least once, remind your vet to check your pet's anal glands at every visit.

Based on scientific literature and consultation with veterinary surgeons 

Veterinaras.lt 

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