Meningitis in Dogs

Meningitis is a medical condition that is characterized by the inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes or layers of protective tissue enveloping the brain and the spinal cord. It can also affect dogs. Viral, bacterial or fungal infections are often the contributory factors for meningitis in dogs. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or ehrlichiosis could also increase the risk of canine meningitis. Behavioral changes, fever and loss of coordination are some of the common symptoms of canine meningitis. Certain dog breeds such as Pug, Maltese Terrier, Bernese Mountain Dog and Beagle are more vulnerable and at an increased risk of contracting this condition, but that doesn't mean other breeds are safe. This condition can affect all breeds. Since this condition can cause serious harm to your dog, it would be best if dog owners get some idea about the symptoms of this condition. If diagnosed in the early stages, the prognosis is good. If not treated on time, this inflammatory pathological condition can lead to fatal consequences.

Symptoms of Canine Meningitis

Has your dog developed hyperesthesia or an extreme sensitivity to touch? Dogs afflicted with meningitis generally develop this problem. They might suffer from a fever that waxes and wanes. Meningitis generally impacts the behavior and leaves them agitated and confused. Generally, dogs suffering from meningitis might suffer from stiff neck muscles. Meningitis also impacts the dog's appetite. So, if your dog is not eating well and seems to have a reduced mobility, you need to consult a veterinarian soon. Dogs suffering from meningitis can also have seizures or muscle spasms. Other symptoms include a lack of muscular coordination, changed gait and unsteady movements. If this condition is not treated soon, it can even lead to depression, progressive paralysis or even blindness, therefore, dog owners need to pay attention to their pet's health.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Canine Meningitis

If your pet has been suffering from any of these symptoms, consult a vet immediately. Certain diagnostic tests would be conducted for confirming the diagnosis. These tests might include CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a cerebrospinal fluid tap. Through a CT scan or MRI, the vet might be able to check for any inflammation of the tissue layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Another method is the cerebrospinal fluid tap. This method involves the testing of a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid that coats the brain and spinal cord.

If your dog has been diagnosed with meningitis, the treatment options will depend on the type of meningitis. The doctors will first use the tests to determine whether the dog is suffering from aseptic meningitis or steroid responsive meningitis. Several aspects have to be taken care of. The inflammatory activity has to be suppressed so that the neurological abilities of your dog are not harmed.

In case, your dog is suffering from severe pain and seizures, antibiotics and antiepileptic drugs might be administered to tackle the pain and seizures. In case of the steroid responsive meningitis, steroids will be used to quicken the recovery process. In case of aseptic meningitis, immunosuppressive drugs are prescribed by the veterinarian to tackle the condition. Regular check-ups are required to monitor your dog's response to the treatment. In some cases, you might need to continue giving the medications for life so that this life-threatening condition doesn't relapse. Apart from the medication, provide your pet a good and loving environment at home. Make sure that your dog is comfortable and happy.

If you feel that your dog is exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms, you must consult a vet soon. If not diagnosed and treated on time, this condition could turn out to be life-threatening for your pet. So, take care of your dear pet and make all possible efforts to keep your pet healthy.

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Ibuprofen for Dogs

Ibuprofen is a widely used pain relief medicine mostly advocated for people. Like humans, dogs do suffer from pain and discomfort symptoms that come along with several diseases such as headache, backache, joint pain, arthritis, physical injuries, etc. Nevertheless, when it comes to dealing dog's illnesses, the treatment techniques and prescribed medications are very different from that of humans. Hence, using ibuprofen for dogs is very debatable, though some veterinarians prescribe it in a specific dosage under certain conditions.

What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is the generic form that encompasses a group of over-the-counter pain medications. Therapeutically, it is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), effective to reduce a wide range of inflammatory symptoms. Being sold as a non-prescribed drug, it is frequently used to manage pain in people, even without the doctor's recommendation. As we all are aware, every chemical based therapeutic drug is associated with temporary or long-term side effects. Similarly, there are certain adverse effects of ibuprofen, particularly when it is taken in a high dose or administered for a longer period.

Ibuprofen for Dogs: Pain
Dog health questions such as 'Is ibuprofen safe for dogs?' or 'Is ibuprofen bad for dogs?' linger on the minds of every pet owners. The answer is both yes and no. To be more precise, ibuprofen for dogs is safe, if given in a correct dose under the supervision of a veterinarian. Otherwise, this anti-inflammatory drug is strictly not recommended for giving in dogs.

The major risk factor for administering ibuprofen in dogs is the danger of toxicity. Every dog owner wants the best for his/her pet dog, in terms of everything. At times, a pet owner gives a dose of ibuprofen to alleviate pain in his pet, without thinking twice about the toxic concentration and associated side effects. In contrary to human treatment, ibuprofen overdose or toxicity in dogs occurs even with a very low dose.

Toxicity
The most noticeable side effect of ibuprofen in dogs is mild to severe stomach ulcer. Bleeding in the stomach, if left unchecked, causes excessive loss of blood, leading to various weakness symptoms. Sign and symptoms to watch out for ibuprofen overdose in dogs are:

• Loss of appetite
• Increased lethargy
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness and vomiting
• Blood in vomiting
• Black or tarry stools
• Dehydration

In severe cases, ibuprofen overdose can lead to kidney problems, seizures and anemia in dogs. In order to identify ibuprofen toxicity in dogs, the veterinarian may examine medical history of the pet and perform blood tests. If admitted immediately (within 2 hours of ingesting ibuprofen), your pet may be given activated charcoal to absorb traces of ibuprofen from the stomach and other bodily systems. If required, blood transfusion may be done to replace loss of excess blood.

Other Information
No doubt, ibuprofen may be prescribed by a veterinarian in order to manage painful symptoms in dogs. But, it does not mean that this pain medicine can be given frequently to the pet dog without taking the vet's advice. On the safer side, give your dog ibuprofen, only if the vet recommends it. Also, stick to the prescribed ibuprofen dosage for dogs. Doing so, you can minimize the risk of developing unusual dog health complications.

So, now you know how dangerous is ibuprofen for dogs. Be a responsible owner and keep this pain relief medication behind close doors, far away from the reach of your dog to prevent accidental ingestion. By any chance, your dog manifests any of the ibuprofen overdose symptoms, get immediate veterinary care and attention to avoid serious medical conditions.

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Dog Diet for Kidney Disease

Similar to us humans, kidney disease is not uncommon in our canine pets. Canine kidney disease is one of the common dog illnesses that a dog can suffer from. Kidney disease is caused due to various reasons and it mainly leads to the loss of regular kidney functions and inability to excrete waste products from the body. There are two types of kidney disease, namely chronic and acute kidney disease. Since the kidneys of a dog get severely hampered, you need to alter his diet with dog food that can be easily digested and doesn't aggravate the existing dog health problem. If you are confused about exactly what are the things that should be included and excluded from the dog diet meant for a for kidney disease, then just keep on reading the following section of this article.

Recommendations

Kidney disease is a more common disease in older dogs. Some of the most common kidney disease in dogs include: canine renal disease, acute kidney failure, congenital kidney disease, genetic kidney problems like kidney stones, urinary stones, glomerulonephritis or chronic kidney failure in dogs. Treatment for the dog kidney disease depends on the type of the disease, dog's age and severity of the disease. Whatever the sort of treatment is opted for, you need to feed it with healthy dog food as soon as it gets diagnosed with any type of kidney disease.

High and Low Protein
You need to make sure that the food that you are choosing for your dog is easy on its liver and other digestive organs as well. Low protein dog food is recommended by vets, since some of the dog kidney diseases are caused due to protein depositions. But if your dog is non uremic, then you might also be advised to feed it a high protein diet, with eggs and partially cooked or raw diet for dogs with kidney disease. A low protein dog food recipe is quite a controversial topic and hence you need to follow the advice of your trusted vet.

Low Sodium and Phosphorous
Another type of diet is the one that contains low amounts of sodium as well as phosphorous. If you purchase canned dog food, then make sure that you check the dog food ingredients label and find out the amount of phosphorous and sodium in it. Various studies about dog food explain that you can opt for various low sodium-phosphorous healthy homemade dog food recipes or you can also consult the vet in order to find out about some healthy dog food brands. However, when you provide your dog a low sodium and low phosphorous dog food for kidney disease, make sure that the dog is also consuming plenty of water and indulges into a few activities everyday. These two things are really essential along with a healthy diet and medications for canine kidney disease that are suggested by the vet.

Dry Dog Food
Another important thing that you need to keep in mind is that to stay away from dry dog food, which is available on the market, which consists of harmful dog food ingredients. Most reviews suggest that dry dog food can lead to dehydration in the dogs that are suffering with kidney disease. Hence, you need to make sure that you do not include ready-made dry dog food in the dog's diet. You can instead include some nutritional supplements and other nutritious dog food items like dog food with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, fish oil, vitamin B complex and vitamin C. You need to make sure that the amount of these nutritional supplements are decided and observed by the vet, who is treating your dog.

Homemade Dog Food
It is often observed that home cooked dog food is the best for treating dogs with kidney disease. It is the reason why a pet owner needs to give importance to the elements of a canine diet for kidney disease, that can be found at home. He also needs to make sure that the food he is choosing is fresh and doesn't contain any artificial flavoring, coloring or preservatives. He should feed small meals throughout the day with adequate amount of clean water. The food that you feed the dog should be 2 to 3% of the weight of your dog. The best homemade dog food that you can feed is cooked rice or potato, raw meat and a few cooked vegetables or eggs. You should control the fat consumption of your sick dog.

If you are planning on homemade diet for dogs with kidney disease, then you can try and cook a few low protein dog food recipes at home or you can also look for ow protein dog food brands that are available on the market. But as I said earlier, for the sake of maximum dog care you need to make sure that the food that you choose for your dog is recommended by vets.

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How to Care for a Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular breed of dogs to have as pets, because of their affectionate nature, affinity for children, high levels of energy and intelligence. They are also easily trainable and are used as police dogs, by bomb detection squads, as sniffer dogs at airports by 'search-and-rescue' teams and even as guide dogs for the blind. While there is no doubt that having a Lab as a pet will bring you immense joy, if you want your beloved pooch to be equally happy, you need to take good care of him/her. Given below are some Labrador care tips, that will give your dog the opportunity to have a long, healthy, happy life.

Taking Care of a Labrador Retriever

Maturity: Unlike most other dog breeds, who mature within one to two years, a Lab takes up to three years to fully mature. Keeping that in mind, make allowances for a little extra playfulness during this period of time. Enjoy this extended 'puppy' stage, for once its gone, it will never come back. Labrador puppy care involves keeping up a steady supply of 'chew toys', otherwise you can expect your shoes or furniture legs to fall as victims.

Diet: Labs always seem to have boundless energy, the source of which is a good diet. Labs are good eaters and the black Labrador in particular will eat whatever is put in his bowl and if there are other dogs around, he might even eat up their food. A good healthy diet not essentially a big meal in the initial stages is a must for their healthy strong growth.

Weight Check: Since Labs are fond of eating they have a tendency of putting on weight if their diet is not controlled and they are not adequately exercised. Excess weight leads to a several health problems, specifically affects the heart and can cause arthritis.

Common Health Problems: Some of the common health problems with this breed are elbow and hip dysplasia and eye infection. One should consult one's vet about these issues. That apart, Labs nails grow rapidly, therefore for proper Labrador care, they need to be trimmed at least once a month. In case you hear their nails scratching the floor before a month is over, it's time for another trim.

Grooming: Though Labs love water, it should not be an excuse to bathe them too often. Bathe them only if you find them smelly. Labrador coat care involves baths at a frequency of three to four times a year, and none in extreme winters. Use a mild shampoo manufactured for dogs and you can use tepid water in winters. Dry them thoroughly after a bath to avoid any fungus related skin ailment. Brushing the dog at least once a week is a must because they do tend to shed. Use a natural bristle brush or a glove brush, and if family members have allergies, vacuum all the shed hair.

Exercise: A Lab needs plenty of exercise to keep him healthy and prevent him getting overweight. Half an hour of exercise besides his routine walks is a must. Being a retriever, he loves retrieving a ball or a Frisbee, so his exercise outing can be fun for you too! If possible include a swim in his weekly routine.

Sleeping Place: Labs simply love to tuck into bed with kids, so right from start get them used to their own bed. Only encourage this habit if you are comfortable with sleeping in a bed fully of doggy hair, and waking up with an odd strand in your mouth.

Ear Care: Some Labs have drooping ears, that is, they do not stick up straight, which results in lesser air circulation. This may leave their ears damp, which encourages bacteria build up and the consequent ear infection. Ear infections are very painful if not treated properly. Part of Labrador ear care is having his/her ears examined frequently, and following whatever measures the vet suggests.

To clear away a misconception, one has to follow the same instructions no matter what color your Lab is. Thus, black Labrador care and chocolate Labrador care involve doing the same things. Apart from following these steps, shower your Labrador Dog with plenty of love, which often means quality time spending with him. This is sure to result in a happy, healthy, content Labrador, and equally happy owner.

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Warts on Dogs

Warts on dogs are similar to pimples that appear on the human skin. Warts appear as small skin eruptions that may occur anywhere on the body, including the face, paws and feet of the dog. These round skin growths are also seen inside the mouth and even near the eyebrows. Warts are sometimes described as 'harmless tumors', that can cause slight irritation in the affected part of the skin. However, dogs affected with warts neither appear lethargic nor do they show any signs of weakness.

Causes
Warts is considered to be a viral infection, and dogs that are exposed to the virus 'papillomas' are likely to show presence of warts on their skin. Older dogs are susceptible to warts as they have a weak immune system. The affected dog may either have one relatively big wart or multiple warts on the feet and the face. These benign skin tumors generally occur in small number and do not interfere with day-to-day activities of the dog.

Treatment
Honestly speaking, dog owners have nothing to worry about as in most affected dogs, these bumpy skin growth, diminishes on its own. A healthy dog diagnosed with warts will not require any topical treatment to get rid of skin infection. However, in order to remove warts fast, following are the treatment methods.

Medications: Dogs that have large number of warts on their skin are given anti-viral medications such as interferon to eliminate warts.

Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E supplements (pills) are readily available at various drug stores. The pills contain natural vitamin E oil which needs to massaged on the affected part of the dog's skin daily. Within a few days, one will see substantial improvement in the appearance of the skin. Regular application of vitamin E oil will shrink the warts and eventually this viral infection vanishes.

Castor Oil: This home remedy can work wonders to get rid of warts on dogs feet. Rubbing small amount of castor oil twice daily on the infected part of the skin can cure warts. One can also use a cotton swab to apply castor oil and one will see amazing results within a week. Castor oil also helps to reduce the irritation of the skin.

Thuja: Warts on dogs paw can be treated with thuja. It is basically an evergreen coniferous tree and its extracts are very useful to treat warts. Thuja extracts having a potency of 30C are generally recommended and are given twice daily. This homeopathic remedy makes warts smaller than subsequently do not remain on the skin.

Cryosurgery: In case the warts are becoming a cause of great discomfort for the dog, the veterinarian may perform a cryosurgery in which a method is employed to freeze the wart. Generally liquid nitrogen is applied in order to freeze the affected part of the skin. The extreme temperature kills the harmful virus, responsible for causing this infection. After 3-4 cryotherapy sessions, the wart eventually falls off.

There have been instances where the affected skin turned malignant (cancerous) over a period of time. However, this is very rare, and studies reveal that in most cases, the infection stays for a short duration of time.

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Elevated Liver Enzymes in Dogs

It is often hard to diagnose liver damage in dogs, unless specifically tested for. The liver being a vital organ performs several crucial functions. It metabolizes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body, and plays an important role in the clotting of blood, filtering of toxins, and the safe disposal of waste. It also stores fat-soluble vitamins such as, A, D, E, and K, and secretes bile which is vital for the proper metabolism of fats. Therefore, if the liver gets damaged, the dog's body will not be able to detoxify the various metabolic waste and byproducts.

The liver secretes specific enzymes which must maintain a certain level in order for the system to function optimally. When the liver is malfunctioning, these canine liver enzyme levels often rise. If the level of secretion goes beyond the normal level and acceptable margin, the dog may suffer from various health problems.

Types of Liver Enzymes in DogsFollowing enzymes are usually checked for determining whether the dog's liver is malfunctioning or not:

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) or SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) is a liver specific enzyme, which is secreted when localized liver cells cease to function. The malfunction of cells in the liver could be due to an infection, injury, or interruption of blood supply. Under abnormal conditions, the serum levels may be four to fivefold higher than the normal level. Such a rapid spike in enzymes can lead to non-hepatic disorders such as, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, hemolytic anemia, and heart failure.

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) or SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) enzyme is found in several organs of the body, and is often used as a marker for detecting the state of the liver. This enzyme is predominantly found in the liver, but is also present in the skeletal muscles and red blood cells. An increase in levels of AST implies that the ALT levels have risen as well. A high AST level may also be used as a marker for canine cardiovascular disorders.

GGT (Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) and ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) enzymes are also used as a marker for diagnosing abnormalities in the liver. An elevation of these enzymes often implies that there is some obstruction in the bile ducts which is causing harm to the dog's liver.Normal Reading of Canine Liver EnzymesWhen a veterinarian runs a blood panel on a dog, he generally checks for the aforementioned enzymes. These five enzymes are very important in diagnosing, liver disease in dogs. The normal reference range for liver enzymes in dogs according to 'The Merck Veterinary Manual' is as follows:

ALT	Alanine Aminotransferase	8.2 to 57 u/L
ALP	Alkaline Phosphatase	10.6 to 101 u/L
AST	Aspartate Aminotransferase	8.2 to 57 u/L
GGT	Gamma Glutamyltransferase	1.0 to 9.7 u/L
SBR	Serum Bilirubin	0.1 to 0.6 mg/dL

Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes in DogsJaundice
Jaundice usually occurs when the liver is incapable of removing bilirubin, a waste product generated from the breakdown of hemoglobin. Bilirubin gets accumulated and causes the pet's eyes and gums to appear yellowish.

Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis causes the GGT enzyme to rise in the liver. This condition is caused when the digestive enzymes are released at an extremely rapid rate, and begin to attack the pancreas instead of processing the food. The level of liver enzymes are known to rise during pancreatitis.

Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease causes an excessive generation of adrenal hormones, such as corticosteroids. As a result, there is an increase in alkaline phosphatase in the liver which causes imbalance in the salt levels.

Infectious Hepatitis
Infectious hepatitis gets transferred from one dog to another through direct contact. Hepatitis affects the liver and causes the liver to secrete excess enzymes in order to fight the infection.

Metabolic Diseases
Metabolic diseases such as copper storage hepatopathy, deposition of fat in the liver due to obesity, diabetes, and hypothyroidism in dogs can also raise the level of liver enzymes in dogs.

Medications
Medicines like corticosteroids or epilepsy medicine can also raise the enzyme levels in the liver. A dog undergoing treatment with anticonvulsants and glucosteroids is likely to show significant increase in its liver ATL levels.

Other Factors
Congenital diseases like liver shunts, heart conditions, and diseases such as liver cancer and heartworm can also cause the liver enzymes to escalate.SymptomsSymptoms of elevated liver enzymes in dogs are hard to pinpoint as they are subtle, vague, and often similar to other diseases. Following are some common symptoms observed in dogs suffering from this condition:

• Constipation/diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Polydipsia (when the pet drinks excess water and is always thirsty)
• Polyuria (frequent urination)
• Hair loss
• Pale gums
• Lethargy and depression
• Accumulation of fluids in the abdominal cavity
• Loss of appetite
• Pale gray stools
• Weight loss

TreatmentThe best course of treatment primarily depends on the degree of the liver enzyme elevation, which determines how sick the dog actually is.

Therefore, the first step is to address the cause of the dysfunction. This may include the use of antibiotics if there is an infection. The medication Denosyl is often prescribed for promoting the health of the pet's liver.

The diet of the pet must also be monitored or changed as per the instructions of the veterinarian. The diet should be low in fat and protein, so as to help the liver metabolize food with ease. The levels of ammonia must be controlled by limiting the pet's intake of sodium.
Elevated liver enzymes in dogs is a serious health issue that must be treated promptly. A two or threefold spike in the enzyme levels is usually considered insignificant. However, anything beyond this margin must be given immediate attention.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.

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Canine Anemia

Anemia can be defined as a lack or deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is the hemoprotein responsible for binding with oxygen, and then transporting it to every cell of the body. Like humans, a dog can also have anemia. In humans, the disease is often caused by nutritional deficiency, like deficiency of iron and vitamin B12. But, iron deficiency is rarely the cause of anemia in your canine companions. Instead, it can be a symptom of certain conditions, some of which can be really serious. It can be an indicator that the body is losing too much of red blood cells, or the bone marrow cells are failing to produce enough new red blood cells to replace the dead ones.

What Causes Anemia in Dogs?
More commonly, anemia in dog is caused by loss of blood, which can happen due to injury or worm and flea infestation. Parasites like, hookworms reside in the intestinal tract of the dogs, and suck blood and other nutrients from there. However, in many times, conditions that impair the normal process of blood clotting can also cause anemia. Sometimes, the immune system of the dog can produce certain antibodies, that attack and destroy the red blood cells. This condition is referred as autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Some other important causes include, toxicity developed due to the intake of certain medications, hypothyroidism, ulcers, tumors of the intestinal tract and kidneys, and cancer. Rarely, the lack of iron in the diet can also cause anemia in these animals.

Anemia Symptoms in Dogs
A decrease in the red blood cell count usually weakens the dogs, for which the animal would experience more fatigue even with little exertion. Additionally, loss of appetite, pale gum, tongue and eyes, increased heart rate and listlessness can also be observed in the affected animal. The activity level of the dog can reduce significantly, and it may tend to sleep more than it usually does. The symptoms, which can indicate a serious condition are, vomiting, weight loss, an enlarged spleen, presence of blood in the stool or urine, and seizures.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Anemia in Dogs
Diagnosis of this condition can involve several tests and examinations. Generally, the condition is diagnosed with blood tests, to find out the complete red blood cell and hemoglobin count, and also the number of immature red blood cells. To find out the exact causes of decreased red blood cells, bone marrow biopsy is carried out. The cells of the bone marrow are concerned with the production of red blood cells and hence, a biopsy of bone marrow helps to detect the conditions, that can impair red blood cell production. Such conditions may include serious diseases like, leukemia and bone marrow cancer.

The treatment would depend on the underlying causes, and how severe the condition is. Severe cases may require blood transfusion. In the meantime, different treatment options can be required to treat the root causes of anemia. As for example, if the red blood cells are being attacked by the immune system of the dog, then immunosuppressant medications would be required. If nutritional deficiency is the main cause for red blood cell or hemoglobin deficiency, then it can be treated with supplementation. Vitamin B12 supplements can prove very effective in this regard, as this is a crucial vitamin required for strengthening the bone marrow, and facilitating the production of red blood cells. Similarly, vitamin C can also help, particularly in iron absorption.

In addition to nutritional supplementation, it is very important to give your dog a nutritious or balanced diet with dog foods rich in protein, iron and vitamins. Equally important is to understand and recognize its symptoms on time. So, if your dog looks very weak or it exhibits a low activity level for some time, along with other symptoms of anemia, be sure to consult a veterinarian. This would ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, and increased possibility for early recovery.

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