Dog Health

Dog health is part of owning a dog. You think you know everything you need after you have researched which breed would suit your needs and fit in with your lifestyle. Job done you think? Nope, you are always learning as they grow up, similar to having a child. Not all pets need products that are advertised or marketed yet some need the lot! My advise is always keep an open mind as you will always be learning with your pets needs. From diet through to their grooming needs.

None of us like taking them to the vets lest of all the dog themselves!

Inevitably we end up visiting the vets in an emergency. A dog parents worst nightmare! What is wrong is at the top of your mind, hoping it isn't something serious. We can minimise this a little by learning as much as you can about the breed and dog health. It also helps if you take your dogs in for their regular check ups. Most practices have health plans (in the UK). Which normally incorporates 6 monthly check ups and their flea and worming medication. It can be more cost effective in the long run. One of the biggest issues of owning a dog is cost. Therefore it makes sense to try and prevent as opposed to cure or have an emergency. Hence the reason that got me onto writing this blog and imparting some of my experience. I don't proclaim to be a guru but having years of experience with various breeds has given me some insight I thought I would impart for all interested. My advice is definitely not a substitute for professional advice.

Disclaimer, I am not a professionally trained Vet so please seek advice from one if in doubt over any concerns you may have for your pet.

Tip #1 - Cleaning Your Dogs Ears

How often should I clean my dogs ears? Good question. It really depends on the breed you have and the type of ears they have. Routine cleaning of their ears is recommended, once a month should be sufficient for most breeds. If your dog has floppy ears or spends a lot of time swimming then they may need it more frequently. I personally check all my dogs at least once a week. The reason for this is two fold. One, it keeps on top of anything that maybe going on and catch it early and two it helps them get used to being handle in that area. So if the occasion arises that may need intervention with medication or a vet visit it won't feel alien to them.

Tip #2 - Diet

This can be a little controversial as some people have been brought up with dogs all their lives and may have fed past childhood pets all sorts including items from the table. On the whole most dogs do tolerate the majority of human food. Especially if you have a sturdy breed i.e. terriers. I learnt from early on that it is never a good idea to do this. There are various lists and ingredients you can find on the internet of what you should never feed your dog including some that are actually poisonous to them. Yet you hear of stories of dogs who have eaten some of these and lived to tell the 'tail'! Personally I would not risk it. Least of all the expensive vet bill and possibility of death. There are a number of factors that increases the toxicity but not being a professional most would not know how much if any is to much. Size of your pet, amount ingested, swallowed whole or chewed are some of the factors. Here are few of interest of course not exhaustive.

"1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine — a bit like caffeine — that’s poisonous to dogs. The amount of theobromine depends on the type of chocolate. Theobromine mainly affects the guts, heart, central nervous system, and kidneys and signs of theobromine poisoning will occur between four and 24 hours after your dog has eaten chocolate. You may see vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, hyperactivity and seizures.

2. Caffeine

Like chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant. Dogs are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people. A couple of laps of tea or coffee are unlikely to do any harm, but if your dog swallows a handful of coffee beans or tea bags they could be in danger. Signs and treatment of caffeine poisoning are similar to chocolate toxicity.

3. Onions, garlic, and chives

Eating these vegetables and herbs can cause stomach and gut irritation and potentially lead to red blood cell damage and anaemia.

Onions are particularly toxic and signs of poisoning often only occur a few days after your dog has eaten the vegetable. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions or garlic. Left-over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness. Many prepared foods (including takeaways), sauces and gravies contain onion or garlic powder.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol is significantly more toxic to dogs than to humans. When consumed, even small quantities of alcoholic beverages and food products may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, blood changes, coma and even death. So, remember to keep alcohol well out of your dog’s reach.

5. Mouldy foods

Mouldy food, including bread, nuts and dairy products, contain lots of toxins that could make your dog very ill. Make sure you dispose of leftovers carefully and be careful to keep your food waste bin well out of your dog’s reach.

6. Grapes & raisins

While the toxic substance in grapes and raisins is unknown, it can cause kidney failure in sensitive individuals. Dogs that already have underlying health problems are at greatest risk and just one raisin can be severely toxic. Experts agree that there is no “safe” dose of grapes and raisins.

7. Macadamia nuts

Within 12 hours of ingestion, macadamia nuts can cause dogs to experience weakness, depression, tremors, vomiting and increased body temperature. These symptoms tend to last for approximately 12 to 48 hours. If you suspect your dog has consumed macadamia nuts note the possible quantity consumed and contact your vet.

8. Yeast dough

Yeast dough can cause gas to accumulate in your dog’s digestive system as a result of the dough rising. Not only can this be painful but it may also cause the stomach or intestines to become blocked. So while small bits of bread can be given as a treat — due to the fact that risks are diminished once the yeast has fully risen — never give your dog yeast dough.

9. Bones

While feeding your dog bones may seem like a good idea, it’s important to remember that dogs may choke on them, develop intestinal obstructions after swallowing pieces of bone, damage their teeth chewing them, or sustain internal injury as bone splinters can puncture your dog’s digestive tract.

If you do choose to give your dog a bone be sure to keep an eye on him while he tucks in and avoid giving cooked bones, which splinter more easily, or bones that are small enough to get stuck in their intestines. Eating large quantities of bone can often cause constipation, so try to monitor the amount your dog manages to consume.

10. Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob may seem like a healthy table scrap to give your dog, but unlike most vegetables, it does not digest well in a dog’s stomach. If your dog swallows large chunks of the cob, or even whole, it can cause an intestinal blockage due to its size and shape. Signs to look out for are vomiting, loss of appetite or reduced appetite, absence of faeces or diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort.

11. Xylitol

The artificial sweetener xylitol is found in many foods including some sugar-free gums, diabetic cakes and diet foods. It causes insulin release in many species (but not in humans) leading to potentially fatal hypoglycaemia (lowered sugar levels).

Dogs are extremely sensitive and even small quantities can cause toxicity. Some sugar-free sweets and gums have very high amounts per piece. Early symptoms of xylitol poisoning include lethargy, vomiting and loss of coordination. Seizures may also occur.

Xylitol has also been linked to fatal acute liver disease and blood-clotting disorders in dogs. This effect is not thought to be dose related so even very small amounts can be extremely dangerous. If you think your dog has eaten any xylitol seek urgent veterinary advice.

12. Milk

As dogs do not have significant amounts of the enzyme lactase that breaks down lactose in milk, feeding your dog milk and other milk-based products can cause diarrhoea or other digestive upset.

13. Blue cheese

Like other dairy products, dogs find it difficult to break down cheese, while eating large amounts of higher fat varieties can cause sickness and diarrhoea.

However, blue cheeses, such as stilton and roquefort, are particularly dangerous. Many contain a substance called roquefortine C, which dogs are especially sensitive to. Roquefortine C may cause vomiting and diarrhoea and potentially also tremors, twitching, seizures and a high temperature if eaten in large doses. If you think your dog has eaten blue cheese and is suffering from any of these clinical signs then you should seek emergency veterinary advice. " – Vets Now, updated Nov 2020.

Tip #3 - Nails

On the whole most dogs would not need their nails clipping often as they get worn down by walks. Saying that some are only walked on grass or soft areas underfoot so they would need an eye kept out for the length. All will inevitably need their dewclaw clipping regularly.

Why should you trim your dog's nails?

Nail maintenance is an important part of your pup’s health and hygiene, so it’s worthwhile getting them accustomed to the procedure as soon as they land in your care. The benefits of proper nail maintenance extend far further than cosmetic; if your dog’s nails are splayed and overgrown it can cause discomfort for them at best and deformed joints and feet at worst. Unclipped nails can cause a dog to put more weight on their rear paws, resulting in anatomical and musculoskeletal problems for them, which have the potential to cause long lasting damage.

How long should a dog’s nails be? Signs your dog’s nails may need cutting.

Like ours, dog nails grow constantly, the amount of clipping needed depends largely on the breed of your dog and their activity levels. Many dogs will wear their nails down naturally as they walk on hard concrete surfaces. If your pooch’s activity levels have declined as they have aged, or they have an injury preventing them from being as active as they usually would be, overgrown nails can quickly become an issue.

A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t be able to hear your dogs paws making loud sounds as they walk on hard flooring. The claws should not protrude far over the pad and there should be a small gap between the nail and the floor when they are stood upright. Healthy nails shouldn’t split, look rough or break easily.

How to cut your dog’s nails?

Positive association to nail trimming is key to getting your dog to cooperate. The alien tools, and the fact that you are essentially getting up close and personal with a very sensitive body part of theirs, can cause dogs to absolutely hate this procedure. Not ideal when you need them to be still so you can be precise.

A few days before trimming, try touching your pooch’s feet more often, get them to give you their paw in return for a treat, show them the clippers and tools to get them used to them before going straight in and clipping. This will help them be more familiar with having their paws touched.

When you and your pet are happy - we recommend these trimming tips:

• Choose your equipment. If your dog’s nails need a slight trim you simply need a pumice stone or file as opposed to clippers. For more overgrown nails, we recommend using guillotine clippers, scissors or an electric nail grinder. Regardless of the chosen tool, it should always be as sharp as possible to ensure the dog isn’t in any discomfort.

• Hold your pet’s paw firmly and use a flashlight to identify the blood supply area – this can be easier to find in lighter nails.

• Begin trimming slowly and carefully, rewarding your dog as you go. It may help to have an additional pair of hands to do the rewarding as you carefully snip the keratin, stopping at the blood supply.

I trimmed my dog's nails and they bled. What now?

Even the most precise trimmers can sometimes make a mistake. We would always want to avoid this – but if your dog’s nails do bleed, stop the blood flow as quickly as possible. Wrap the wound as you would a human graze and if the blood supply fails to stop within half an hour seek Vet advise.

How often do a dog's nails need to be cut?

Luckily once they’ve had a good trim, upkeep can be kept on top of easily. We recommend a file, buff or clip once every 3-4 weeks to keep canine nails in tip top shape.

- Animal Trust

Tip #4 - Teeth

Possibly the most overlooked area despite it being the obvious. Even I am guilty of this when I first started being responsible for my own dog! Trust me, I have tried most things going that is on the market to help reduce plaque and keep teeth in good condition. Owning pugs means there is actually no shortcut for the gold standard of brushing teeth. My grumble currently get theirs done at least three times a week. Really they should get it done everyday like humans. Luckily they have been brought up with it as a norm in our house. So it is very easy for me and they actually look forward to it. We also clean all the dogs teeth whilst in our care. Obviously we take care as some may never have had it done so not use to it. They see the excitement of mine and want to join in the fun.

Caring for your dog's teeth

Keeping your dog's teeth clean is important, as ignoring it can lead to plaque build-up and dental problems. Dental disease is very common in dogs, second only to ear infections, and can be extremely uncomfortable - much as it would be for us. To avoid expensive treatment costs, check and clean your dog's teeth as part of their regular grooming routine.

Maintaining healthy teeth

Here are some tips for keeping your dog's teeth healthy.

• Feed them the right food - some owners favour wet foods for their dog over dry. However, dry dog food may have the added benefit of exercising their chewing muscles and provide a mild cleaning effect on the teeth.

• Every dog is unique, so there's never one diet that will suit all dogs. If you're unsure what works best for your dog, a vet or reputable pet shop will be able to give you more specific advice on the best diet.

• Brush your dog's teeth regularly - follow the tips below.

• Dental chews and treats are also a good way of helping to keep your dog's teeth clean.

• Feeding bones is controversial - although raw, meaty bones may be a tasty treat for your dog and do help clean teeth, they can be hazardous. Bones can cause dental fractures with dogs who eat 'energetically', and can cause constipation. Cooked bones are likely to fragment and cause internal damage. Ask your vet for advice first before feeding your dog bones, and supervise them if and when they do eat them.

How to clean your dog's teeth

You should keep brushing your dog's teeth as part of a regular grooming routine.

• Ask your vet first - before you start cleaning your dog's teeth, it's always best to ask your vet to show you the best way to do this. Different breeds show varying jaw alignments and how the teeth meet. Brachycephalic dogs, like Pugs and Chihuahuas, have poorly aligned jaws, with crowded or absent teeth, and are therefore more likely to suffer from dental disease.

• Start teeth cleaning when they're a puppy and brush their teeth everyday to get them used to it. If you haven't done this before, gradually introduce it by having your finger near their mouth. Keep doing this and then slowly introduce brushing until this is natural.

• Buy a dog toothpaste - human ones aren't suitable. You can use a special dog toothbrush that goes over your finger to brush their teeth, but if you don't have one then a child-sized toothbrush is fine.

Signs your dog has dental or gum disease

Dental disease can appear quite suddenly, or progress over time and take months.

Make sure you look out for these signs:

• Deposits may build up on the teeth

• Gums will be damaged and bleed

• Smell - if the mouth is infected it will give off a foul smell

• The sensitive root of the tooth may be exposed and painful

• Discoloured teeth that die and fall out

• Your dog may also refuse food, have difficulty eating or leave flecks of blood in their bowls

If your dog has any of these symptoms, please contact your vet. - RSPCA

Tip #5 - Eyes

Most breeds with snouts will not have issues with their eyes. It is mainly the Brachycephalic breeds that suffer frequently due to the structure of their face and their eyes being less protected from snouts. Obviously diseases are not exclusive to breed.

There are many different conditions that can affect your dog’s eyes, including: injuries, infections, pressure changes, eyelash/eyelid problems, and even an illness in another part of the body e.g. diabetes.

Problems with the eyes can present themselves in many different ways. To prevent loss of vision, they should always be taken seriously and dealt with quickly.

Symptoms

If your dog has a problem with either of his/her eyes, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Weeping/discharge

• Redness or swelling

• Cloudiness

• Pain/blinking/keeping one or both eye(s) closed

• Third eyelid showing

• A lump in or around the eye

• Loss of vision

• Blood in the eye

• A bulging eye

• A change in the size or shape of the pupil

Common eye conditions

• Eye infections/conjunctivitis - eye infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses. If your dog suffers from frequent eye infections, it’s possible that there could an underlying cause such as dry eye.

• Eye ulcers - a wound on the surface of the eye (the cornea). Ulcers need treatment to help them heal and can lead to loss of an eye if neglected.

• Dry eye – a condition that stops the eye producing enough tears.

• Cherry eye – cherry eye is when the gland inside the third eyelid pops out (it looks like a small, red cherry in the corner of the eye).

• Eyelid problems – inward or outward turning eyelids (entropion/ectropion) can cause inflammation, pain and infections.

• Eyelash problems – it’s common for dogs to have eyelashes that grow in the wrong direction, from the wrong place or even a whole extra row of them. Any eyelash that rubs on the surface of the eye will cause irritation.

• Lens luxation – when the lens (see image below), comes out of position.

• Cataracts – when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy it’s called a cataract. Cataracts reduce vision and over time, often lead to blindness.

• Glaucoma – is increased pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma is a painful condition that can quickly lead to blindness if left untreated.

• Uveitis – inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (the iris) and the structures around it (see image below).

• Pannus – ongoing inflammation, caused by a fault in the immune system, which causes little lumps to form on the surface of the eye.

• Blindness – many different eye problems can cause blindness. Fortunately, dogs seem to be better at adapting to blindness than humans, perhaps because they compensate with their excellent sense of smell and hearing.

• Masses and tumours – behind, in and around the eye. It’s important to get any new lumps checked by your vet. - PDSA

Finally!!

I hope you have found this blog useful and maybe even learnt something from it? As you can tell I am passionate about my dogs. I do loads of research and also gained a lot of life experience to hopefully give my pets the best life. My dad was a qualified vet which helped as I learnt a lot from him. Remember if in doubt call a qualified professional and don't just rely on hear say, internet or worse still social media! Stay safe and if you liked this blog give it a thumbs up. Better still leave a comment. Until next time stay safe with your pets.

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