Buydogcare's Blog

WE HAVE MOVED

buydogcare — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:01:15 +0000

We have moved our blog to a new URL buydogcare.info so as to give us full control of this blog.
Regards,
buydogcare.info

GROOMING.

buydogcare — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:31:56 +0000

Dogs, unlike cats, devote little or no time to grooming themselves and therefore need more attention from owners, especially the long haired breeds.
The average owner can attend the day to day grooming needs for their dog.
Dog hair, unlike human hair, does not continue to grow. In the dog, the follicle from which the hair grows and is nourished, eventually becomes dormant and the hair growth stops. After some months of dormancy, the hair falls out. The cycle is then repeated with the follicle producing a new hair.
Other factors which affect the growth, quality and loss of dog hair are:
*Genes (e.g. the old english sheepdog grows a long course coat, whereas the german shorthaired pointer grows a very short fine coat).
*Vitamins
*Hormones
*Parasites
*Diease
*Environment (coat development is stimulated by decreasing daylight hours, not by a drop in temperature).

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: URINE.

buydogcare — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:19:08 +0000

A dog’s urine is normally clear, colorless to yellow and of a water-like consistency.
If the dog is frequently straining to urinate and passes a little urine often or not at all, or if the urine is reddish brown or blood tinged, call your vet straight away.
If you suspect there is something abnormal with the urine, collect a sample if possible. Try sliding a clean flat dish (disposable) under the dog. Pour the urine sample into a clean screw top jar and keep it in the fridge. Take the dog and sample along to the vets as soon as possible. Thanks guys. Talk tomorrow.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: THIRD EYELID.

buydogcare — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:10:30 +0000

This is also known as the nictitating membrane. The third eyelid plays an important role in cleaning the surface of the eye (cornea). the Harderian gland, which is attached to the inside of the third eyelid, is part of the tear production system. For these reasons the third eyelid should only be removed as a last resort.
If you look carefully, the third eyelid, in most breeds, can only just be seen in the corner of the eye near the nose. In some breeds it cannot be seen at all and in other breeds, such as the bloodhound, it is obvious.
Protruding third eyelids in both eyes often indicate that the dog is suffering from some generalised illness. A protruding third eyelid in one eye is usually indicative of a problem associated with that eye or it may be a congenital defect. The exposed border of the third eyelid is usually pigmented. Some dogs have the border pigmented in one eye and not in the other, giving the dog an asymmetrical look. This is no reason for concern.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: TEMPERATURE.

buydogcare — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:50:18 +0000

A normal thermometer can be used to take the temperature of a dog. Make sure you shake down the mercury before using it. Insert the thermometer fot two-thirds of its length via the anus into the dog,s rectum so that the bowl of the thermometer rest against the rectal wall. Leave the thermometer in position for about one minute.
If the dog,s temperature is outside the range of 37.8 to 39.2 celsius (100 to 102.5 fahrenheit), contact your vet straight away.
Tomorrow I will write about the dogs third eyelid. cheers.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: RESPIRATION AND SKIN.

buydogcare — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:38:24 +0000

Hi, I hope you all had a fantastic christmas.
Coughing or rapid, shallow, heavy or noisy respiration is abnormal and requires the vets attention.
The state of your dogs skin may be a telltale sign of illness especially if it is broken, red, dry, scabby, scaly, tight when pinched or there is evidence of raised lumps. If in doubt, call your vet for some advise.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: EYES, NOSE, MOUTH.

buydogcare — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:30:44 +0000

Call your vet if;
*a discharge from these areas (eyes, nose, mouth) is excessive in volume and/or yellow in color.
*odour from the mouth is foul or offensive;
*the mucous membrane lining the eyes, nose and mouth (normally glistening pink in color) is white, yellow, bluish or brick red.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: EARS.

buydogcare — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:23:06 +0000

A health problem may be indicated if there is a sign of discharge, redness, swelling, scratching, rubbing, shaking, a heavy build up of wax from the ear, if the dog is holding its head to one side, or if one ear flops down when both ears should be erect.
I hope you have a very merry christmas.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: DROPPINGS (FAECES).

buydogcare — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:17:21 +0000

Some dogs are modest about their toilet habits and you may never see them in the act of defaecating (passing their droppings) or any evidence of their faeces (droppings). If you happen to notice your dog defaecating, observe it and inspect the faeces.
If the faeces contain worms, mucus, blood, undigested food, or are small in volume, hard, fluid-like or black, white or yellow, then a health problem is indicated. If your dog is straining excessively for a long period of time or more often than usual and is passing nothing or just some small amounts of hard faeces or fluid-like faeces, it is a sign of illness.
When female dogs urinate or defaecate they adopt the same position. This may mislead owners when they observe their dog straining frequently or for longer periods than usual. They may think their dog is constipated when really it has a bladder infection or perhaps a blockage of the urethra. If in doubt, call your vet for some advise.

GENERAL SIGNS OF ILLNESS: DEMEANOUR.

buydogcare — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:02:49 +0000

Demeanour in different breeds and in individual dogs varies tremendously. A sharp change in demeanour, such as from being quite to excited, alert to dull, placid to aggressive or relaxed to restless, is a sign that should alert you to the fact that your dog may have a health problem.
Tomorrow I will write about the lovely topic of your dogs faeces. cheers.