Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

A dog might suffer a number of diseases during its lifetime. Being attentive of these illnesses and the correct method to care for them can assist you greatly in caring for your dog better. Dogs should be vaccinated and given booster at least once every 6 months to keep them safe.

Your dog can be vaccinated against hepatitis, distemper, rabies, corona, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. He could suffer at some point from domestic or outdoor parasites and there are many different types of infections which a dog owner should know about.

You might consider getting Pet Insurance if you have one or more pets. A small occasional investment and decent care for your pet usually cost much less than risking an infection and having to fork out hundreds of dollars to treat them later.

The Parvo strain of virus is the most common and deadliest dog infection. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and eventually death.

Distemper is another viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharges.

Canine hepatitis also causes comparable symptoms which should be treated with IV fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional support(consult your vet first).

Rabies is often spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave oddly. A dog can be vaccinated against Rabies from 4 months of age. There is no cure, vaccination is vital.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial virus infection which attacks the dog’s kidneys and liver. Consuming contaminated liquids or infected urine from another dog can cause Leptospirosis. Fever, yellow gums, depression and blood in the dog’s urine might mean leptospirosis.

Kennel cough, or Bordatella, is a respiratory tract disease. Kennel cough symptoms often include a loud and coarse cough nasal and eye discharges. The treatment is usually anti-inflammatory medication, cough suppressants and antibiotics.

The dog infection Coronavirus or Corona for short is one of the more contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning symptoms and should be looked into. Antibiotics and IV fluids are used in the treatment of Corona.

Another highly common dog infection is the infection to it’s ears. Symptoms include pawing at the ears and shaking of the head constantly. You should examine your dog’s ears every month and take him to your local vet for treatment if you spot any signs, as soon as possible. Even common ear infections like blood clots may cause deafness and even lead to extreme blindness if not treated properly.

A few more obvious indications of a dog infection are heat, swelling and sluggishness. Appearing to be in hurt or pain, fretfulness or listlessness are also some more obvious indications.

If the infection is intense, then the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around the neck, armpits or groin area. If you are unable to get to a vet straight away, you should keep the dog lying down to avoid any physical exertion that might lead to the infection spreading more quickly.

Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek your vet’s advice.

Infections can be dangerous anywhere in a dog’s body but especially if they are around the body’s ‘wet’ regions like the nose or mouth as they could spread quicker to the blood stream and eventually to the vital organs. The key thing is to get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough. Also be sure to follow up with a yearly injected or oral course booster.

Remember, your dog is part of the family and if you find your dog acting a little unusual or a bit ill, call the vet to schedule an appointment immediately. A dog’s body doesn’t work like a human body, dog infections can become severe very quickly and it won’t be a good idea to wait and see if the infection or illness heals itself.

Did you know that a dog might suffer from a number of diseases at an early age. Being attentive of these illnesses and the proper approach to treat them can assist you greatly in caring for your dog better. Dogs must be vaccinated and given annual boosters to keep them safe. Your dog can be vaccinated against hepatitis, distemper, rabies, corona, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. At some point, he could suffer from domestic or external parasites and there are several types of infections which a dog owner should know about.

Pet insurance might be worth thinking about if you have one or more pets. Investing in vaccinations and caring well for your pet usually cost much less than running the risk of an infection and having to pay hundreds of dollars to treat them later.

The Parvo virus is the most common and deadliest dog infection. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and eventually death.

Distemper is another form viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharges.

Note that Canine hepatitis may cause like symptoms as Distemper and should be treated with IV fluid therapy, nutritional and antibiotics support(consult your vet before giving medication).

Rabies is usually spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave oddly. A dog can be vaccinated against Rabies from 4 months of age. There aren’t any cures at this moment, vaccination is key to protect your dog.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial virus infection which often attacks the dog’s kidneys and liver. Consuming contaminated water or infected urine from another animal can cause this. High Fevers, yellow gums, sadness, depression and blood in the urine might mean Leptospirosis and should be checked.

Bordatella, or Kennel cough, is a respiratory tract disease. Kennel cough symptoms include a loud and coarse cough nasal and eye discharges. Treatment for Bordatella are usually cough suppressants, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.

Coronavirus is one of the more contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning signs and should be looked into. IV fluids and Antibiotics are the usual medications in treating Corona.

Infections inside or surrounding a dog’s ears is a highly common dog infection. You can often spot a ear infection if a dog is constantly pawing at its ears and shaking its head persistently. You should examine your dog’s ears every 2 weeks and take him to your local vet for treatment if any signs are spotted, as soon as possible. Even common ear infections like blood clots may cause deafness and even lead to severe blindness if not treated appropriately.

Heat, swelling and sluggishness are a few more evident signs of an infection. Appearing to be in hurt or pain, nervousness or listlessness are also some more evident signs.

If the infection is intense, then the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around it’s neck. Be sure to also look under his armpits and groin area for swollenness. However, if you cannot get to a vet immediately, you should always keep the dog lying down to avoid any physical exertion that might lead to the infection spreading more quickly.

Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek your vet’s advice.

Infections can pose a serious hazard anywhere in a dog’s body but especially if the infections are around the body’s exposed regions like the mouth, nose and eyes as they could spread quicker to the blood stream. The key thing to know is that you must get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough. Also be sure to follow up with a yearly injected booster.

If your dog does seem to be ill or have some kind of infection, call the vet to schedule an appointment at soonest. Dogs aren’t like human beings, infections in dogs can become extreme very quickly and it is not a good idea to wait and see if the infection or illness heals itself.

The Newfoundland, a member of the hound group, has short legs, long ears and makes great scent hounds that easily track rabbits and deer.

They are well-tempered, loyal and love human company. They are generally healthy but are also prone to some common ailments. One such very common problem is the yeast infection of the ears.

Newfoundlands are exactly like the Foxhounds but for its shorter limbs and longer ears. A Newfoundland’s ears are long and floppy where they tend to capture a lot of dirt, moisture and air. This often leads to yeast infections.

Such infections need immediate attention and proper treatment. Immediate treatment and medication entail cleaning with dilute vinegar and water solution. But if left unattended for too long, they call for prescribed medication.

The right amount of good quality yogurt, with low fat content, and a nice lamb and rice meal are the best diets to keep away yeast infections and even cure them. However, this diet too might take some adjusting and any foul smell or discharge should be immediately reported to the doctor.

Among other health problems, these dogs often tend to overeat. Thus they should never be given the chance to do so. They will binge at every opportunity. This leads to obesity, which is a common problem with this breed. Due their gentle and friendly nature, they are often pampered by their owners and in the process, end up being overfed.

A Newfoundland should ideally have a trim body when, that is, they should look trim when viewed from outside. There should not be an extra inch of fat on their body or else it would be extremely difficult for them to move about on their short limbs. Their ribs should be visible to make one certain that they are not fat. Excess fat might even lead to hip dysplasia and heart disorders.

On an average, Newfoundlands live till 15 years of age. But some even go on to live till 20, without painful infections, and with proper care and healthy diet.

Dog is human’s best friend and one of the most lovely family pets. We consider pet dogs as family members, even as our own baby. We give everthing we think is good for them, big brand dog food, medical care, toys, not matter how expensive. But still, lots of dogs fail to accompany their beloved master for more than a decade. Renal failure, malnutrition, digestive system diseases, and so many other problems can take away our lovely dog before they get the chance to grow old. Why we spend so many time and money taking care our dog and end up like this ? Well, have you ever think about that you may literally poision your dog everyday by feeding them comercial dog food ? Unfortunately, that is the truth.

Comercial dog food manufactures, no matter how big the brand is, try every means to increase their profits. Instead of truly caring your dog, they may use slaughter house wastes, diseased animal carcasses contains chemicals and other low-nutritious ingredients to decrease costs. All of these are not groundless rumors. Andrew Lewis, author of the best selling book “Dog food secrets”, did years of researches to find out the truth about pet food, after his dog died in its four.

After konwing all those dangers in comercial dog food, you probably want to try other things to feed your dog. You can find all you need in “Dog food secrets”, such as essential nutrient that dogs need, various recipe easy to cook, nutritious and yammy for your pet. If you want to feed your dog with human foods, make sure you check out in list of fatal human food to dogs in the book first. There are also many information about medical care, nutrition, vaccinations, calories-control and even tips to teach you how to make heathy snacks.

With years of reasearches and a true dog-loving heart, Lewis is very confident to his book. If you are not satisfied to the book for any reason, you can get all your money back without giving back the book.

With the help of the book and your love, it is not a dream to expand your dog’s life to 27 years and that would be very happy and healthy 27 years. Grab A Copy Click here

Some dogs are prone to ear infections and there are many causes so sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint what the problem is.

In fact, most ear infections or problems are actually not a primary illness, but are actually a consequence of another illness, such as allergies to food or air allergens like pollen, dirty moist ears, floppy ear anatomy that traps moisture  (after a bath, a swim, or a rainy day), immune suppression or other problems.  Dirty, moist ears that you don’t see into, or underlying allergies, are the most frequent causes.

Many dogs have ear problems chronically, and home care may be the mainstay of treatment to keep your dogs ears healthy.  Unfortunately, some dogs require surgery to “cure” their chronic discomfort.  This can be a very good solution, but may be avoidable with good home care and cleaning techniques. Often, dogs with recurrent ear problems see the vet frequently. Medication may be required, and the dogs are clearly very uncomfortable.

Common symptoms include scratching at the ears, shaking the head, rubbing the ears or head on the ground, an unpleasant odor, whining, or not allowing their beloved owner to touch the ear!

Ear infections typically occur because

1. Moisture remains in the ears and can allow bacteria and yeast to thrive. Preventing the accumulation of moisture and keeping the ear canals dry can help reduce the severity and frequency of chronic ear infections and may even prevent them.

2. Dogs with floppy ears are most likely to develop ear infections because their ears cover the ear canal, which traps the moisture from a rainy day, humidity or a good swim. These breeds need special attention. You should lift any type of dog’s ears frequently and look at the ear “flap” (pinna) and the external canal. It should appear pink, clean, have mild or no debris or discharge, and feel comfortable when you touch or rub the ear.

Treatment of ear problems can involve many complex diagnostic tests, medications, and home care.  This can be very frustrating, and often, adequate home care can prevent the necessity for medication or testing. Ear care at home is usually fundamental to the prevention, control, and care of problem ears.  Keeping the ears clean and dry is very helpful, and can be done safely with proper technique and specific products that are labeled for use in the ear.  Other products or remedies can actually damage the ear, and hearing, severely.  Only products that are labeled for use in the ear should be used to clean and care for the ears.

A great home care kit is the EAR AID.  These products are designed to work together to gently clean ears and treat abnormal populations of bacteria and yeast, and may be very helpful for your dog’s ear problems.

Keep your dogs ears clean with specific ear cleaners, dry with drying agents and be sure to lift the ear flap every week and look inside the ear them for dirt, excess wax or early problems.  If keeping the ears clean and dry at home is not enough, see your veterinarian.

Dr. Kimberly Luce graduated from the North Carolina State College of veterinary Medicine in 1994.  Since then she has worked in general practice, emergency and critical care, and with board certified specialists in a variety of fields such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Neurology, Radiology and Acupuncture.  Her passions are critical care and pain management, and her broad knowledge base give her a special , holistic and comprehensive point of view of her patients.   She currently resides in Santa Monica, CA with two chihuahuas, two cats, two baby turtles and a betta!  Her favorite grooming products are the happytails ear wipes and the Dry Dog Instant Clean.

If you have ever suffered from an inner ear infection then you understand the pain and discomfort that it can cause. Thankfully, people can communicate their agony and contact a doctor for help. Unfortunately, a dog cannot do the same. Therefore, it is strictly up to the pet’s owner to identify the discomfort from an ear infection and take the animal to the vet for treatment.

A middle or inner ear infection is a condition that needs to be given attention and treated promptly. If left untreated for a lengthy amount of time, the condition can worsen. It is extremely important to take notice of any signs that your dog exhibits that may indicate a problem with the ear.

There are several different indicators that may lead one to suspect that a dog is experiencing pain from an ear infection. Many dogs will shake their heads in attempt to knock out the agony. Others may scratch at their heads and ears to try to comfort them. In extreme cases, you may even notice a discharge coming from the ear or the head may appear swollen and inflamed. The ear may even have a bad odor from the infection build-up inside of it.

When a dog has a middle or inner ear infection, it is usually caused from an problem that began outside of the ear and progressed inward. For this reason, it is critical to quickly treat any types of infections that are visible on the outer ear. These infections can be contributed to ear mites, poor hygiene, allergies, or filthy living conditions. Most ear infections in dogs are not bacterial as those found in humans.

Dogs with ears that flop over are especially susceptible to getting infections of the ear. If you own a pet, such as a cocker spaniel, that has floppy ears, it is important to keep the ears properly groomed. During each cleaning, check the dog’s ears for any signs of infections. You will also want to carefully clip the hairs around the inner ear to prevent debris from becoming trapped.

If you believe that your canine may have an infection in his ear, you should contact your vet. The doctor will give the dog an otoscopic exam to confirm the problem. An x-ray of the dog’s head may also be needed. In some cases, the dog may need to be sedated in order for the doctor to give a thorough exam and flush the ear.

Most vets will treat an ear infection in a dog with a form of oral antibiotic. In some cases, a cream or ointment that is either antibiotic or anti-fungal will also be prescribed. It is typically suggested that you put drops in the dog’s ear to control the discomfort. It is extremely important to clean the ear before applying medicines. Ear mites will also need to be treated if present.

Ear infections can lead to very serious conditions if left untreated. In some cases, these conditions call for treatment though surgery. To prevent your pet from getting an ear infection, keep the pet properly groomed and treat ear mites as soon as they are noticed. If you feel that your pet may have an ear infection, contact your vet as soon as possible.

Just like people, including men, dogs can get a yeast infection. The organism Malassezia pachydermatis is responsible for causing a dog yeast infection. This organism is normally found on your dog’s skin, but certain conditions can allow it to grow out of control and cause yeast infections in dogs.

Causes

One of the most common causes for a dog yeast infection is vaccination. Some vaccines can weaken the dog’s natural immune system. Also medications such as antibiotics and steroids can allow the yeast to grow out of control. Other possible causes include chemicals, poisons, allergies, and bacterial infections.

Symptoms

Yeast infections in dogs can occur in the ears or on the skin. Your dog will frequently shake his head and scratch his ears if the infection is in the ear. If the infection is on the skin, your dog will develop skin lesions. These lesions can be as few as one or two in a small area, or they can cover your dog’s whole body. The sores are typically found beneath the neck, belly, and feet. The lesions will be very itchy causing your dog to scratch at them.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose a dog yeast infection accurately, it’s best to examine scrapings from one of the skin lesions under a microscope. However, as mentioned earlier, the organism Malassezia pachydermatis is normally present on your dog’s skin. Therefore, this method may sometimes be unreliable. A diagnosis is considered accurate once your dog responds to the treatment for yeast infections in dogs.

Treatment

If the dog yeast infection only covers a small area, it can be treated with a cream applied daily for a few weeks. Shampoos that contain sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, and chlorhexidine will also help relieve symptoms. More severe cases of yeast infections in dogs are usually treated with oral antifungal medications.

Ear infections can be extremely uncomfortable for dogs. Many, if not most dogs will suffer from an ear infection at some point in their lives. The majority of these will clear up with some basic veterinary treatment such as an antibacterial ointment, but a proportion will not clear up properly or will seem to clear up and then later recur.

The dogs ear is composed of 3 different parts; inner, middle and outer. The ear drum separates the middle ear from the outer ear. Problems with the inner and middle ear often present with neurological signs such as a loss of balance, circling or a head tilt. In this article we focus on the more common problems associated with the external ear, known as otitis externa.

What makes some dogs more susceptible to ear infections than others?

1. Breed. Ear infections may occur in any breed, but Cocker Spaniels, Shar Peis, Poodles and other floppy eared dogs are the most susceptible. Cocker Spaniels are predisposed to ear infections because they have more secretory glands than other breeds. Sharpeis are predisposed because of the conformation of their ear canal. Poodles are more prone to ear infections because of excessive hair in the ear canal, trapping moisture.

2. Allergies. Many pets with multiple allergies will sometimes have flare ups of eyes, ears and skin at the same time. 25% of food allergic dogs have ear disease as their only symptom.

3. Ear shape. Pets with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections because the air does not dry the ears naturally, as it does for pets with erect ears.

4. Hair. Hair in the ear canals can keep the moisture trapped in the ear canal, which leads to infections. Hair in the ear canals should be removed regularly by your pets groomer or veterinarian.

5. Swimming. Dogs that spend time in water, such as Labrador Retrievers, are more susceptible to ear infections as microorganisms love moist environments.

How can I tell if my dog has an ear infection?

Most ear infections are obvious as there is a pungent odor and waxy discharge in the affected ear. However, sometimes an ear will look perfectly normal from the outside but will be intensely itchy for the dog. Either way, it is best to have a vet examine in the ear to ensure that there are no foreign bodies such as a grass seed stuck in the ear canal. Common signs of an ear infection are:

1. Scratching at the affected ear.

2. Head shaking.

3. Rubbing the affected ear along the floor or against a vertical object such as the sofa.

4. Reddening of the inside of the ear flap and the ear canals.

5. Discharge from the ear canals. This can vary from brown wax to pus.

6. A pungent smell coming from the ear region.

7. Tenderness or irritability when the ear is touched.

My dog has an ear infection, is there any way I can treat it at home without going to the vets?

You are taking a risk if you do not seek veterinary help. Many ear infections are easy to nip in the bud with antibiotic ointment if caught early, but if left to develop can be stubborn to treat. Bear in mind also that if there is something like a grass seed in the ear canal, nothing you can do will provide relief for this, it would need removing under sedation or full general anesthetic. Your vet can look into the canal with an otoscope to visualize the problem and check that the ear drum has nor perforated, and dispense medication that you cannot buy anywhere other than from a vet or with a prescription from a vet. Your vet will also be able to identify any underlying or predisposing factor which can be eradicated, such as allergies, by conducting a full physical examination.

Having said all that, very mild infections can sometimes be cured with home treatment. Firstly, remove any clumps of hair growing in the ear canal by plucking them. This looks painful but actually, there are no nerve endings around the follicles of these hairs so it is not painful to the dog. This will ventilate the ear much better and make it a less attractive environment for bacteria to multiply in. Then, squirt some dog ear cleaner into the canal. Remember that the opening to the ear canal is the furthest hole to the outside. If you do not have any dog ear cleaner then use olive oil as this too will help loosen any wax. Having put some cleaner or olive oil into the canal, massage the ear and pinch the canal until you hear a squelching noise. This means the liquid is being spread around the entire canal, dislodging as much debris as possible. Then, take a ball of dry cotton wool and wipe the opening to the ear canal and inside of the ear flap, in a twisting motion.

The above paragraph describes how to clean your dogs ears effectively. This procedure should be done on a regular basis (e.g. monthly) regardless of whether your dog suffers from ear infections or not; it is a sensible measure to prevent ear infections occurring.

Giving the ears a really thorough clean in this way may in some cases be sufficient to cure a mild ear infection, but if a colony of bacteria or yeast have taken residence in your pets ear canal, you will need treatment to eradicate them. As mentioned before, this is best obtained through your local vet, who will provide you with an antibacterial, antifungal and/or antiparasitic ointment to cover all possible infectious causes. If you are determined to attempt home treatment, then mix 1 part white vinegar with 10 parts cooled boiled water, and flush the ear with a syringe. This needs to be done daily for about 2 weeks, then weekly for about a month. It can only be done on a clean ear as otherwise the wax acts as a shield for the bacteria. The logic behind this treatment is that you are acidifying the ear canal, making the pH unfavorable for bacterial growth.

A minority of ear infections are incredibly difficult to eradicate. Owners and vets often become increasingly frustrated when ear infections do not respond to treatment or keep recurring, with owners questioning the vets treatment protocol and vets wondering whether the owner has been giving the treatment properly. The truth is that some ear infections need radical and aggressive treatment to cure them, such as surgery to remove part of or all of the ear canal or weekly flushing out the ear under general anesthetic. The fact that some dogs are euthanased because of their ear problem means ear infections must be taken seriously by both owner and vet.

Canine ear infections are a common problem for dog owners. The infection can occur in the external ear canal and spread to the middle ear. Dogs with hairy or pendulous ears commonly suffer infections.

Causes

The most common cause for canine ear infections is bacteria. Your dog may also get an infection if you don’t dry his ears properly after he takes a bath or goes swimming. Other common causes include ear wax buildup, hair buildup, and foreign objects. An infestation of ear mites can also cause an ear infection. Symptoms

Canine ear infections are uncomfortable, so your dog will frequently scratch or rub his ears. He will also shake his head a lot or tilt it to the side. You may notice that his ears produce a discharge accompanied by an odor. It is not uncommon for your dog’s ears to become inflamed and turn red.

Treatment

If left untreated, canine ear infections can cause serious damage to your dog. You will be happy to know that these infections are usually very easy to treat. If it is caused by a foreign object, then your dog will likely be sedated while the vet removes it. Medication will also be prescribed to get rid of the infection. You will also need to clean your dog’s ears on a daily basis for a few weeks. It’s also necessary to make sure no water gets into your dog’s ears until the infection clears up.

Prevention

There are a few things you can do to prevent canine ear infections. This is especially important if your dog has pendulous or hairy ears. You should make sure to dry your dog’s ears thoroughly after he takes a bath or goes swimming. It’s also a good idea to clean his ears at least once a week.

Anyone who has ever experienced a middle or inner ear infection knows the pain and uncomfortable feelings associated with it. Now imagine not beginning able to communicate this pain with others. This is exactly how your dog feels when he has an ear infection. The first and often most difficult step in treating a middle or inner ear infection in a dog is identifying the signs and symptoms that indicate that your dog has one. If left untreated, these infections can lead to much worse issues.

The first signs to look for that suggest your dog may be experiencing ear pain are head shaking, scratching at the ear, discharge from the ear, or inflammation of the face and side of the head. Any of these signs may indicate that the dog has an ear infection. Abnormal earwax build up that has a foul odor often indicates that an infection inside the ear is present.

Middle and inner ear infections in dogs are caused by some form of infection that started on the outer ear and then progressed inward to the inner ear. Anytime that an obvious infection exists on the outside of the ear, be certain to treat it promptly before the infection moves to the inner ear. Infections from ear mites, allergies, improper hygiene, and poor environmental conditions can all lead to middle and infer ear infections in dogs. In most cases, these infections are not caused by bacterial infections as seen in humans.

Any time that there is infection inside of the ear, it is considered a more severe case than an outer ear infection. These infections seem to be more prominent in dogs with floppy ears, such as cocker spaniels. It is important to keep the ears of these breeds groomed. It is also important to periodically examine the inside of the ears of these dogs.

Once you notice signs of an ear infection, contact your vet for an appointment. A veterinarian will examine your dog’s ear with an otoscopic exam and possibly even x-ray. In many cases, the doctor will recommend that the dog be anesthetized so that the ear can be carefully examined and flushed out for treatment.

Treatments for mild infections usually include some form of oral antibiotic along with the treatment of a topical antifungal cream or antibiotic ointment. Eardrops may also be used.

Before treating your dog’s ear with medicine, it will likely be recommended that you gently clean the ear. You will need to treat any ear mites that are present. To prevent re-infection, continue to carry out good hygiene practices of keeping the dog’s ear clean and neatly groomed from longer ear hairs.

Inner or middle ear infections that go untreated for lengthy amounts of time may result in the need for surgical procedures for the dog. Identifying the need for medical attention and making a trip to the vet’s office as soon as possible is the best method for treating a dog with an inner or middle ear infection.