Sick Dog Diagnosis

The word 'sick dog' does not tell you anything about the medical condition of the dog. Dog may become sick due to several reasons. Sickness in dogs may not be as evident as sickness in humans. The fact that a dog cannot communicate his discomfort makes diagnosis and detection of dog's sickness even more difficult. However, if you have experience with dogs or pets in general, you must have seen that they have their own way of conveying their illness. Vigilant dog owners can detect even smallest changes in dog behavior. A sick dog will behave as differently as possible from a healthy dog. The nature of behavior is mostly dependent upon the underlying health problem.

Sick Dog Diagnosis Chart

Diagnosis of a dog's illness can be done based on the symptoms exhibited by the dog. Given below is a detailed chart for dog illness symptoms and corresponding sickness.

Symptoms	Causes
Abdominal Pain	Canine Hepatitis, Dog Constipation, Canine Enteritis
Abdominal Swelling	Canine Bloating, Roundworms (puppies)
Aggression	Rabies
Anemia	Roundworms, Tapeworms, Whipworms
Bad Breath	Canine Bad Breath
Behavior Changes	Hookworms, Canine Arthritis, Canine Heart Disease, Rabies, Red Mange - Demodectic, Canine Parvovirus, Tapeworms, Whipworms
Bloating	Canine Bloating
Blood in Urine	Canine Kidney Disease
Blood in Feces	Dog Constipation
Bloodshot Eyes	Canine Eye Infections, Entropion
Breathing difficulties	Canine Heart Disease, Heartworms, Rabies, Canine Parvovirus, Dog Allergies, Ruptured Diaphragm, obstructed Airway, Lungworm, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Heatstroke, Poisoning
Change in body weight	Canine Heart Disease, Heartworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, Whipworms
Coma	Rabies
Constipation	Dog Constipation, Intestinal Obstruction, Hernia
Convulsions	Canine Epilepsy
Coughing	Canine Distemper, Canine Heart Disease, Heartworms, Canine Hepatitis, Kennel Cough, Roundworms, Canine Parvovirus, Dog Allergies, Lungworm, TB, Pneumonia
Deafness	Canine Deafness
Dehydration	Canine Parvovirus
Depression	Canine Parvovirus
Diarrhea	Canine Diarrhea, Distemper, Canine Enteritis, Canine Hepatitis, Hookworms, Canine Kidney Disease, Canine Parvovirus, Roundworms (puppies), Whipworms, Dog Allergies, Food Poisoning, IBS, Addison's Disease, Pancreatic Disorder
Drinking excessively	Canine Kidney Disease
Ear Scratching	Dog Ear Infections (Otitis Externa), Fleas, Dog Allergies
Eye Problems	Distemper, Canine Eye Infections, Conjunctivitis, Entropion, Kennel Cough, Dog Allergies
Fainting	Canine Heart Disease, Heartworms
Falling	Canine Epilepsy, Wobbler Syndrome
Fever	Kennel Cough, Rabies, Red Mange- Demodectic, Canine Parvovirus, Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Lyme Disease, Canine Kidney Disease, Heatstroke, Food Poisoning / Toxic Poisoning, Canine Diabetes, Heart Disease
Fits	Canine Epilepsy
Hair loss	Mange, Red Mange - Demodectic, Scabies - Sarcoptic Mange, Dandruff - Cheyletiella Mange, Dog Allergies, Cushings Syndrome, Over-Active Thyroid, Fleas, Ringworm, Dog Allergy
Head Shaking	Dog Ear Infections (Otitis Externa), Fleas
Inflammation	Canine Arthritis, Mange, Inflamed Joints, Canine Arthritis, Lyme Disease
Itching	Fleas, Dog Mange, Scabies - Sarcoptic Mange, Tapeworms, Ticks, Dandruff - Cheyletiella, Mange, Dog Allergies
Loss of appetite	Canine Heart Disease, Heartworms, Kennel Cough, Lyme Disease, Rabies, Red Mange - Demodectic
Lack of coordination	Wobbler Syndrome
Lack of response to sound	Canine Deafness
Lameness	Canine Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, Lyme Disease, Patellar Luxation, Rabies, Wobbler Syndrome, Interdigital Cysts, Poisoning (Warfarin), Aortic Thrombosis
Lethargy	Canine Arthritis, Canine Heart Disease, Hookworms, Kennel Cough, Canine Kidney Disease, Lyme Disease, Canine Parvovirus, Roundworms, Scabies - Sarcoptic Mange, Tapeworms, Whipworms
Nasal Discharge	Distemper, Kennel Cough, Dog Allergies
Pain on movement	Canine Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia
Panting	Canine Heart Disease (refer breathing difficulty for additional causes)
Paralysis	Rabies
Rectal bleeding	Dog Constipation
Retching	Canine Bloating, Kennel Cough
Salivation	Canine Bloating, Rabies, Heatstroke, Poisoning, Epilepsy, Scabies - Sarcoptic Mange, Dandruff - Cheyletiella Mange, Dog Allergies, Scaly Skin, Red Mange - Demodectic, Scabies - Sarcoptic Mange
Scratching	Fleas, Mange, Red Mange - Demodectic, Scabies - Sarcoptic Mange, Tapeworms, Ticks, Dandruff - Cheyletiella Mange, Dog Allergies, Seizure, Distemper, Canine Epilepsy, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Kidney Disease, Rabies
Twitching	Distemper
Urinating problems	Canine Kidney Disease
Vomiting	Canine Bloating, Distemper, Canine Enteritis, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Kidney Disease, Canine Parvovirus, Tapeworms, Roundworms, Dog Allergies, Food/Toxic Poisoning, Diabetes, Addison's Disease, IBS, Over-eating, Food Allergy
Weight Loss	Canine Heart Disease, Heartworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, Whipworms
Wheezing	Kennel Cough

The above sick dog symptom checker is provided only for information. Do not refer to it for diagnosis or treatment of your own. Every dog is different and may have unique symptoms for a particular illness. Hence, it is best to take him to a vet if he exhibits any of the above symptoms.

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Mens Halloween Costumes

Mens Halloween Costumes That are Cheap and Easy

Ok guys, I know you don't want to wear a costume for Halloween, but these mens Halloween costumes are pain free. Prescription: pick one, go to the neighborhood party, and have fun. See if your fellow partygoers can guess what you are. Hope you have fun with these mens Halloween costumes.

Mens Halloween Costumes 1st Idea

Decide on a pair of pants and a shirt (same color preferably) that you want to wear to the Halloween party. After deciding on your base color, go to a craft store, and purchase 3 pieces of 9 x 12 inch felt. Choose a color to contrast with what you are wearing to the party. On paper, free hand the letter G in all sizes and styles. Cut the G's out of the paper, arrange them on the felt, and trace around them; make as many as you can. Cut the G's out of the felt, and attach them to your clothes. They can be loosely hand stitched (no fancy stitches needed) to your shirt and pants. After the party, simply pull out the stitches.

You are now Gmail.

Mens Halloween Costumes 2nd Idea

Follow the above instructions, but instead of G, do E, and you will be known as - Email.

Mens Halloween Costumes 3rd Idea

What you will need for this costume: casual pants and shirt, cloth baby diaper (clean), small container of baby powder, pacifier, and an empty sugar bag. Dress in a casual pair of pants and shirt. Place the baby diaper over your shoulder, the pacifier sticking out of your shirt pocket, and the container of baby powder sticking out of your pants pocket. Fill the empty sugar bag with crumpled paper and reseal; carry the sugar bag around with you.

See if your friends can guess that you are a "Sugar Daddy."

Mens Halloween Costumes 4th Idea

If your name is Jack, then this is the costume for you. Dress in a pair of jeans with your favorite shirt. Carry or have these items showing out of your pockets: paint brush, wrench, kitchen whisk, small plunger (please make it a new one), and carry your favorite putter.

You guessed it - you are "Jack of all Trades."

In Closing

Guys, I know this is not your favorite thing to do dressing up for Halloween. But life should be enjoyed. Forget your position in life, and try to enjoy Halloween like you did when you were a child. Chill, and have fun in one of these mens Halloween costumes.

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Dog Heart Attack Symptoms

Many dogs suffer from various heart diseases. The causes are quite similar to those in humans. Old age, diabetes and obesity are the main triggers. In young dogs, heart failure can result from congenital abnormalities while in case of older dogs it can be due to altered circulatory patterns. If the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed due to hardened plaque of fats, it obstructs the flow of blood to the myocardium. This results in a heart attack. Obese or diabetic dogs are at a greater risk of coronary artery blockage. Dogs mostly suffer from the weakening of heart muscles, resulting in congestive heart failure.

The Symptoms

Your dog cannot explain the symptoms of his illness to you. Hence, it becomes your responsibility to understand the symptoms and get them treated immediately. When a dog has a heart attack, he will exhibit the following symptoms:

• Physical discomfort due to pain in the center of the chest
• Difficulty in breathing
• Reluctance or difficulty in standing or moving around owing to pain in fore limbs
• He may try to stretch and crane his neck sideways
• The eyes may get drowsy and there may even be a fainting episode

There are two types of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs: right-sided CHF and left-sided CHF. Some of the common symptoms of left-sided CHF are:

• Rapid breathing
• Coughing
• Intolerance to exercise
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fainting

If the dog suffers from right-sided CHF, then the symptoms are:

• Swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup
• Difficulty in breathing
• Intolerance to exercise
• Coughing
• Swelling of the limbs

If you notice that your dog appears depressed, inactive and has consistent fatigue, constant coughing, and body swelling then it indicates the possibility of heart disease and potential heart failure. You should immediately consult the veterinarian to seek appropriate treatment.

The Causes

Some of the most common causes of congestive heart failure in dogs include heartworm, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, arrhythmia, degeneration of heart valves and inflammation of the pericardium. Large breeds of dogs are more prone to heart disease than the smaller breeds. Some dog breeds such as Great Danes, Boxers, Dobermans, Scottish Deerhounds and Irish Wolfhounds are genetically more prone to this disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A veterinarian makes the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in dogs by checking his heartbeats using a stethoscope. Other procedures to diagnose heart failure are measuring the blood pressure, taking X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram.

Depending upon the cause of heart failure, the treatment plan is decided. The dog is hospitalized to stabilize his condition and keep him/her under medical observation. Thoracocentesis is done to remove the accumulated fluid from the lungs. The dog is treated with nitroglycerine paste, digoxin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs. The dog is fed a low sodium diet and nutritional supplements.

Even a dog requires as much care and attention as a human does, especially, when he goes through something as scary and dangerous as a heart attack. So, if your dog exhibits these symptoms, get him checked ASAP to help make him feel better and healthy again.

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Bichon Frise Puppy Care

Bringing home a puppy gives the same joy, as a new member does, isn't it? All the attention is on the puppy and the dining table discussions revolve around the new member in the house. The Bichon Frise is a perfect companion dog one can ask for. 'A cute little bundle of joy', these are the perfect words that describe a Bichon Frise! A descendant of the Barbet water spaniel and the poodle, the breed was first officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the year 1972. This breed makes an excellent family dog and is loved by children and adults, alike. This dog is a family dog and needs special care and attention from the humans. But, before that let me introduce you to your new companion...

Information

Physical features: The Bichon Frise is a curly lap dog, with a small and sturdy built. This dog is a cheerful dog breed, and this is evident with his flurry tail moving merrily at the back. The dog is generally white colored but also comes with streaks of cream, apricot and gray. The skull of the dog is slightly rounded, and the ears are covered under the hairy coat. The nose is black colored and the eyes are round with either brown or black color. The muzzle is not much long and pointed. As far the coat is concerned it is double coated and the undercoat is softer than the outer coat which is comparatively curlier and coarse.

Ideal weight: Generally between 3 kg to 5 kg.

Ideal height: 22 cm to 30 cm, female dogs are somewhat smaller than the male dogs.

Life expectancy: Around 15 years.

Caring for a Bichon Frise Puppy

Housebreaking
Bichon Frise is a lively animal, and would prove a menace in the initial months. Housebreaking the little dog is comparatively tougher as compared to other dogs. Potty training the dog is hardest of all the tasks and demands some patience on part of the owner. The puppy can give trouble in the initial months but once he adjusts to the surroundings, it would be fun to have him. We recommend you to keep the puppy in a dog crate when you are not around or he will untidy your house. If you have a garden take him out for his business after every hour. Generally the Bichons relieve themselves after a long walk or after having food.

Behavior & Lifestyle
Many dog owners treat their new puppies as kids, and bring them toys and other playful things. But this tendency is wrong, the dog doesn't need these things. Care and affection from the owner is what the puppy expects. Do not treat your puppy harshly and address him lovingly. The puppy may find it difficult to adjust to the new surroundings in the initial days. You need to set a lifestyle for him, like his grooming time, sleep time, eating time, etc. Once a routine is set for him, the puppy will feel free in the house, and wouldn't cause any trouble. The Bichon Frise dogs are good walkers and love taking a walk more often. Take your dog out for a walk everyday in the evening for at least half an hour.

Health & Food
Vaccinations are very important for a new puppy, and the first vaccination is generally given when the puppy is five weeks old. Consult a veterinarian to determine the vaccine schedule for your puppy. We recommend a monthly or fortnightly visit to the veterinarian to assess the condition of the dog. This breed is generally a happy breed and certain characteristics like a droop in the tail, change in the eye color from the normal black or brown means something wrong in his health.

The Bichon dog breed is highly susceptible to skin problems like allergies, thus feeding your pup a balanced diet rich in nutrients and vitamins assumes significance. Feed him only with dog food from a good brand. The ingredients should not have complex carbohydrates and artificial sweeteners. Oatmeal and whole brown are considered the best food for Bichons. Do not feed him with market bought dog food only, and the diet should be a balance of home cooked and ready-made dry food.

Grooming the Puppy
This breed needs high maintenance and a monthly visit to a professional groomer is needed to keep the puppy well-groomed. At home, you can brush the teeth and hair of the puppy. The puppy requires a weekly brushing, but regular combing of hair is required as the puppy's coat is prone to tangles and frizzes. If you miss trip to the groomer, you can try your hand at giving him a bath yourself. Just make sure you rinse him well after the bath. Brush the coat after it is dry. But, for a 'puppy' it is best advised that you take him to a professional groomer. It would be difficult to manage a bath for the puppy as he is quite a trouble maker. Clip his nails every week, but his ear cleaning should be left for the groomer to do.

Puppy Care Tips

• Bringing home a puppy is joy, but certain precautions need to be followed for a safe future. This includes keeping all the poisonous and harmful substances at a safe distance, out of reach for the puppy.
• Keep an eye on the dog, as he is very quick and has a tendency to run away from the house.
• Take some measures to keep your house free flea, these dogs are very susceptible to allergies and fleas.
• Dogs can recognize words, and so make use of words like "no","stop", etc., if you want to avoid him from doing certain things.

These dogs are social and attention seeking creatures. Deserting him of your attention can make the puppy gloomy, stubborn or violent. These are cute puppies and love humans; care for them for a wonderful experience ahead.

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Canine Tooth Infection

Dogs are man's best friends which makes us all the more responsible for ensuring their health and hygiene. Just like all human beings, dogs too are highly susceptible to painful tooth aches and bleeding gums. If you own a dog or plan to adopt one, it is essential to understand this problem and treat it on timely basis.

Common Dog Tooth Infections

Gingivitis
This infection affects your dog's gums. Affected gums usually appear redder than usual. If left untreated the gums seem to harden and your dog is likely to lose its teeth. Often gingivitis develops more complicated gum problems like mouth ulcers amongst dogs. Take your dog to a vet if the dog is experiencing pain while eating. Dogs are likely to get bleeding gums accompanied by a persistent stench in their breath during gingivitis.

Periodontal Disease
This problem results out of bacterial infection to the gums that hold the dog's teeth into position. An aggrieved problem can loosen the teeth and they fall out easily. Take your dog to the vet if you notice your dog's gums bleeding. Also, there is noticeable accumulation of black and brown colored tartar on surface of your dog's teeth.

Carnissal Tooth Abscess
Your dog's carnissal tooth in its upper jaw, is highly susceptible to infections. This tooth has three roots and the infection spreads quickly to the jawbone creating a severe infection and visible facial injury under the dog's eye. Take your dog to a vet if its mouth bleeds incessantly. Your pet may also refuse food due to severe dental pain.

Calculus
This refers to hardened plague deposits in the dog's mouth. Calculus is most commonly found around the premolars and molars of lower jaw and carnissal teeth of upper jaw.

Causes of Dog's Tooth Infections

One of the most common cause behind a dog's-tooth infection is negligence on part of its owner. Poor maintenance of dog's dental hygiene, irregular appointments with vets for dog's checkup and provision of improper food to the dog are some of the top reasons for dog's-tooth infections.

However, there are some other factors that are responsible for this problem. They are as below:

• Severe facial injury or facial fracture
• Bacterial and viral infections
• Embedding of foreign material between teeth
• Pus accumulation
• Irregular cleaning of dog's teeth
• Overcrowded teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Odontoclastic resorptive lesions
• Exposed roots of teeth

Symptoms of Dog's Tooth Infections

If you happen to be clueless about how to identify your dog's-tooth infection, then I have compiled here a list for your easy reference. Some of the common symptoms are:

• Black and brown colored tartar layer on teeth
• Unnatural growling and howling
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive drooling
• Reddening of gums
• Moving teeth
• Swelling in gums and face
• Painful and tender gums
• Bleeding gums
• Irritable and aggressive behavior
• Lack of interest in usual playful activities
• Dogs tend to touch their face with paws when in pain
• Stench in dog's breath

Treating Dog's Tooth Infections

If you observe any of the above symptoms in your dog, then do not delay a visit to its vet. The dog usually gets very aggressive when in pain. As a result, the vet may need to administer general anesthesia to check its teeth for infections. If the problem is very severe, the vets usually prefer to surgically remove the affected tooth. At times, surgery is needed to help heal any facial or gum injury. It involves draining of pus from the affected area.

If however, the dog is suffering a milder infection then the vet may clean the teeth to remove traces of accumulated tartar or foreign materials between the teeth. Usually an antibiotic is prescribed to control the pain and reduce swellings, if any. Use of a special toothbrush and flavored toothpaste for cleaning your dog's teeth is recommended. It helps keep infections and growth of plaque under check. Nowadays, special dog mouthwashes are available in the market.

Preventing Dog's Tooth Infections

It is true that prevention is always better than cure. Additionally, it helps to keep your pet healthy and happy. It saves a lot of expenditure on dental surgery on your dog too. Some common preventive measures to keep dog's-tooth infections at bay are:

• Avoid feeding your dog any treat foods.
• Use rubber and nylon chew toys.
• Provide a healthy diet of hard and coarse food.
• Follow all necessary dental care precautions.
• Take your dog to the vet for teeth cleaning without fail.

The equation is very simple. If your dog has healthy teeth, then it has a good appetite. If it has a good appetite, then it has lesser health problems. If it has lesser health problems, then it will live longer. And wouldn't you want your dear pet to be your companion for a really long time? I am sure that you will now be more careful about your canine friend.

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How To Stop Your Dog From Digging

Some dogs dig constantly. They dig in your flower garden, your vegetable garden, they dig under the fence, they dig everywhere. Regardless of the size of your dog, the hole he digs looks terrible, ruins plants, destroys grass and is a tripping hazard. Some dogs dig because it is part of their instinct or part of their breed. They may have been bred to root out rodents or they may smell something delicious that they just have to wrap their teeth around. Your dog may even be an escape artist and dig under the fence because he knows there is a great new world to explore and dig up in your neighbor's yard. Whatever his reasons for digging, you want the digging to stop or you wouldn't be reading this. This solution is actually an easy to make and very effective way to get your dog to stop digging.

Things You Will Need

Onions

Garlic

Water

Spray bottle

Peppermint essential oil

Hot pepper sauce

Cayenne pepper

Step 1

Place 2 to 3 cloves of garlic and 1 yellow onion in a food processor or blender. Add about 1/2 of a cup of water. Be sure to peel your garlic cloves and onion. The tough skins don't process well.

Step 2

Blend or process your garlic and onion until they are a fairly smooth liquid.

Step 3

Pour the liquefied garlic and onions into a glass jar. Don't use plastic because the plastic can absorb the smell.

Step 4

Add 1 tablespoon of hot pepper sauce such as Tabasco sauce, 1/2 of a teaspoon of peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and about 3 cups of hot water.

Step 5

Allow the mixture to sit overnight.

Step 6

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle through a piece of cheesecloth to remove any larger pieces of garlic or onions.

Step 7

Spray the solution where your dog normally digs.

Stop your dog in his digging tracks by using scents he will find offensive. Dogs do not like the smell of garlic, onions, peppermint essential oil or the taste of hot pepper. If you use them all, he will stop digging.

Tips & Warnings

Array

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Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

If you are the owner of a dog that has a reputation of being a "vacuum cleaner" and ends up chewing on anything that it can lay its paws on, then you can rest assured that sooner or later you would certainly have something to worry about. Dogs without any culinary indiscretions can end up chewing on anything which range from coins, buttons, sticks, toys, socks, stones, marbles and this impressive list can go on and on resulting in an intestinal blockage in dogs. Obviously, you are not in a position to monitor your pet's movements constantly, however, care should be taken to at least simulate a situation that your pet would want, in terms of chewing; chewy toys to keep your dog busy and distracted.

If you fail to provide the same, the consequences can prove to be beyond what you bargained for, which so happens, will affect your dog's well-being. Usually these dog health problems surface when your pet dog ends up ingesting things which get stuck in the esophagus or the stomach. This results in the food passage getting blocked and the dogs not being able to "hold down" their meals. This may lead to vomiting, diarrhea and can even be life-threatening. Although a gastrointestinal blockage may be caused by swallowing a foreign object, this might not be the only cause of the problem. Sometimes the blockage may be the result of the bowel folding in on itself, hernia, tumors and adhesions from an abdominal surgery.

Symptoms

Vomiting: One of the most common signs of intestinal blockage in dogs is frequent vomiting. If the stomach is blocked, the food does not make it through the intestinal tract and this results in episodes of vomiting within a few hours after eating. If the intestinal blockage occurs in the esophagus, the dog will try to vomit out the obstructing object.

Muscle Contractions: An intestinal obstruction is uncomfortable and can be excruciating for the dogs who display symptoms of abdominal pain and cramping. Dogs in pain may pant rapidly, whine constantly, and will generally show signs of lethargy along with a hunched posture.

Diarrhea: Foul-smelling fecal matter along with constipation in dogs may signal a partial or complete obstruction of the intestines.

Stomach Distension: When a blockage occurs in the small intestine of the dog, the digested matter builds up behind the stoppage, resulting in gas accumulation and abdominal distension. If left untreated, stomach distension may result in the blood supply being cut off and the tissues dying away. This results in vomiting, fever, shock and eventually death.

Difficulty in Defecating: Another common symptom is difficulty in passing stool. You may find them crouching as if to defecate, and producing little or nothing.

General discomfort: Whether the intestinal obstruction in dogs is partial or complete the dog will be in pain, and may assume a hunched, uncomfortable stance. A normally active dog may become unnaturally quiet or extremely irritable. This may also be accompanied by a loss of appetite in dogs.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If an intestinal blockage in your dog is suspected, a visit to a veterinarian is essential. The vet may recommend an X-ray to help detect the presence of any foreign bodies. For obstructed objects which cannot be detected by X-rays; Barium in conjunction with radiography is recommended . If the object was ingested less than a couple of hours ago, the veterinarian may try to induce vomiting in dogs. However, if that is not a feasible solution then the swallowed object will need to be retrieved by endoscopy or surgery.

Intestinal blockage in dogs is a serious canine health problem that can even lead to the demise of your pet. If you have a puppy or a dog under the age of two then it is best to keep a watchful eye on it while they play, or provide it with bones or safe chewing toys. This will not only minimize the accidental swallowing of foreign objects, but will also save you and your pet from the painful ordeal.

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