Common Collie Health Problems

As with any breed of dog there is always the risk of health problems. With the Collie there are different health concerns, such as Collie nose, CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia), CEA (Collie eye abnormalities), Epilepsy, Bloat and Kennel Cough.

Collie nose is a condition that causes lesions to the nose, lips and eyelids. This condition is caused by a lack of skin pigment and is aggravated by sunlight. Treatment can include applications of sunscreen, limited exposure to direct sunlight and permanent tattooing of the skin to make the pigment darker.

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Due to the Collie being a large breed of dog they have a higher risk for certain health problems, one of which is Canine Hip Dysplasia, where there is an abnormal formation of the hip joint. This will commonly develop after eight months of age when the Collie reaches skeletal maturity.

Possible causes could be genetics, lack of activity, poor diet or obesity. Dogs that are given little exercise and fed a low protein dog food have both a lack of activity and a poor diet and will have a higher chance of developing Canine Hip Dysplasia then that of an active dog who is fed a healthy diet. Canine Hip Dysplasia can either have a gradual or sudden onset and can sometimes cause severe pain. This can be diagnosed with an x-ray of the hips.

Untreated, it can lead to crippling lameness and arthritis, which can both be very painful. A preventive treatment for CHD includes keeping your dog active, on a healthy diet and weight management. Treatments can include medication or surgical intervention.

CEA (Collie eye abnormalities) is an inherited disease caused by a genetic defect, and is where the eyes do not develop normally. It involves the cornea, sclera and retina. Collie eye abnormality can have mild effects or total blindness; unfortunately there is no treatment for this disease. There are tests that can be done on the parents to assess the risks of the offspring developing this condition before breeding the animal.

Collie health problems can also include epilepsy, which is a neurological condition that causes the development of seizures. Epilepsy can be either a congenital (inherited) or acquired disease. The seizures can be controlled with medication.

Bloat can be a serious condition which involves gastric dilation, where the stomach fills with air and puts pressure on the other organs. When this happens the stomach can twist and pinch off the blood supply to the stomach. When this happens the health of the animal will deteriorate rapidly. This condition requires immediate assistance of a veterinarian and is very painful to the animal, not to mention costly.

Kennel Cough is a dry cough accompanied by thick nasal drainage, fever and lethargy. This can be caused by one of many factors, including overcrowded kennels and a stressful environment. Luckily, this condition can easily be treated with a course of antibiotics.

As you can see there are many health concerns for the Collie, as there are with any animal. Keeping Collie health problems from affecting your Collie can be as simple as following a good exercise and diet plan. Keep kennels clean and spacious, and pay attention to your Collie so that you will be quick to recognize unusual behavior. These simple steps can help to assure that you and your Collie will have many wonderful years together.

Common Collie Health Problems

Looking for information on Collie health problems? Be sure to visit my site to learn more about issues related to Collies, including Collie grooming.

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Canine Sneezing - A Look at Common Causes of Dog Sneezing

It is common for your dog to sneeze occasionally. Excessive dog sneezing is usually the result of foreign objects, infections, allergies, or tumors. Some of these conditions are easy to treat, while others can be more serious. Let's take a look at some of the most common causes of canine sneezing.

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Allergies

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Like humans, dogs can develop allergies too. This means that your dog may sneeze more frequently when plant fibers and pollen grains are in the air. Excessive mold in the air can also be to blame. Some dogs are also allergic to cigarette smoke and certain types of rugs and carpeting.

Infections

One of the more serious causes of dog sneezing is an infection. This infection affects the nose and can be caused by a fungus, virus, or bacteria. Besides sneezing, most dogs also have a discharge from their nose that can affect only one or both nostrils. Sometimes, these infections may result in a chronic condition.

Abscesses

Tooth abscesses can also cause canine sneezing. One of your dog's upper premolar teeth has roots in the vicinity of his nasal passages. Sneezing occurs when this tooth or one of its neighbors becomes infected. This symptom is usually accompanied with drainage from the nose.

Tumors

Another serious cause of dog sneezing is the development of an intranasal tumor. The tumor also causes bloody discharge produced by one nostril. In the earlier stages, your dog will only display these symptoms occasionally. As it progresses over weeks and months, it will occur more frequently. This condition can be treated with chemotherapy or surgery.

Foreign Bodies

Foreign bodies are one of the last common causes of canine sneezing. These objects become lodged in one of the nostrils which then produces a discharge. Most dogs are able to sneeze these foreign objects out by themselves. However, others will have to have them removed physically.

Canine Sneezing - A Look at Common Causes of Dog Sneezing

As you now know, there are a variety of dog illnesses that can affect your pet. So, stop by dog-illnesses.com today to learn about some of these diseases such as canine diarrhea.

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Common Jack Russell Behavior Problems and What to Do About Them

Excessive barking. Barking is a completely natural habit for a dog, and Jack Russells tend to be a bit noisier than most breeds. But there are time when barking just isn't appropriate, so for your own sake and the sake of your neighbours, you need to get this under control.

The first thing you need to do is determine why the dog is barking in the first place. There could be many reasons for this, but the biggest ones for Jack Russells are boredom and anxiety. Boredom can be easily fixed by giving your dog a variety of chews to entertain herself with. Try buying hollow nylon chews which you can fill up with peanut butter - this works a treat.

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Anxiety is a little harder to deal with. If there is something in the environment which is intimidating your dog - a neighbor's dog, for example - block it from view with curtains or fencing. If the anxiety is the result of being separated from you, the proper treatment is to gradually get your dog used to being alone. Leave it for very short periods at first, then come back with a reward. Slowly increase the time the dog is left alone for.

Jumping up. This can actually be quite scary for many people, even with a small dog like a Jack Russell - and it's just plain annoying too. This is usually caused by overexcitement. The solution is to make sure the dog gets its fair share of excitement throughout the day through games and exercise, so it doesn't end up releasing all its pent-up energy on unsuspecting guests. Start going for more walks, play games that exhaust your dog like Fetch, and teach the dog to Sit on command.

Destructive behavior. This habit, like barking, is usually the result of boredom or separation anxiety. If you leave a puppy alone in your bedroom all day, you shouldn't be surprised when you come home to a pair of chewed-up shoes. For a young dog, keep it in a puppy pen when you have to leave it alone. For older dogs, this is usually a bad habit formed in puppyhood that never got trained out. Starting a formal training regime with a disobedient dog will help to set some boundaries. Also, deal with your dogs boredom - up the games and physical activity, and provide some new treats and toys. Variation of toys and mental stimulation is important for an intelligent breed like the Jack Russell.

Aggression. This can be a real problem with Jack Russells, whether it's aggression towards certain people, strangers, other dogs, or over food and toys. Often it's a sign of a lack of socialization and it's common among some rescue dogs. But a sudden change in behavior towards aggression in a usually friendly dog can also be a sign of injury or illness. If the aggression has come on suddenly, contact your vet. If it is an ongoing problem, try slowly introducing the dog to environments and situations where it may act aggressively, providing treats and rewards to build up a positive association.

Biting. This is particularly a problem in puppies, but can be an issue with older dogs too. To stop play-biting, all you need to do is hold the puppy's mouth shut for a few seconds, say "No" firmly and then stick a chewy treat or toy in its mouth. This lets it know what it should be chewing on rather than human skin. If you have an adult dog with biting problems, this is a serious matter that will probably require the skills of a professional trainer.

Running away. Jack Russells are born hunters, and they were made to dig - so dig they shall, even if it means digging under your fence. The tendency of dogs to go roaming is generally inspired by natural urges to go and find a mate. The tendency can be reduced a great deal by neutering and spaying. There are many other health benefits to neutering your dog too. On top of that, you should escape-proof your house and back yard, using chicken wire where necessary to block your dog from digging under fences.

Hyperactivity. Jack Russells are pretty hyper by nature, but many are excessively hyper because their owners don't help them to release their energy. If your dog is excessively hyper it very likely needs more exercise. Add an extra walk to your exercise regime, make walks longer and more challenging, teach your dog to swim, and start playing lots of games. Perhaps invest in a tennis ball launcher to help you throw a ball further in a game of Fetch. This is about the only way your Jack Russell will get tired before you do.

Common Jack Russell Behavior Problems and What to Do About Them

This article is written by Tom McSherry, owner of the Jack Russell Lover website -- the one-stop info center for Jack Russell owners. This advice is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to training and raising Jack Russells. Visit Jack-Russell-Lover.com today for lots more FREE information on Jack Russell training as well as info on raising puppies, grooming, the history of the Jack Russell, health care, Jack Russell rescue organizations, plenty of Jack Russell photos and lots more.

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Female Dog Heat Symptoms - The 3 Most Common Symptoms of Dog in Heat

Female dog heat symptoms can be recognized during what experts call the estrous cycle. While the estrous cycle takes place, your female dog has a high chance of getting pregnant if she has intercourse. In this article I will tell you all about the 3 most common symptoms of dog in heat and were you must learn all about them.

Female Dog Heat Symptoms

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1. The most common dog heat symptom takes place during the first part of the estrous cycle. You can recognize it because she will have a high increase in urination and also the female dog's vulva will swell. It is not as easy to detect in smaller dogs so you will have to pay close attention.

2. Another very common heat symptom is blood discharge from the dog's vagina. So don't worry if this happens, it is a common, natural symptoms of dog in heat. It doesn't mean that she is sick.

3. Sometimes female dog heat symptoms are hard to recognize, but this one you can't miss. Male dogs will follow the female dog like a magnet, they can easily recognize female dog heat from a distance, so they will even hang around your house. Be careful, during the heat cycle the female dog will allow the male to mount her, so don't let her out of sight or not only will she end up pregnant, but she can get disease from street dogs.

The heat cycle lasts around 90 days and they have it approximately every 7 months. You can check for pregnancy by monitoring her progesterone levels.

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Female Dog Heat Symptoms - The 3 Most Common Symptoms of Dog in Heat

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Why Is My Dog Not Eating? Common Causes of Dog Eating Problems

It's not unusual for dogs not to eat their meal and leave the food untouched in their bowl. Although this is concerning for their owners, it's not necessarily a sign of ill health, particularly if they are still bright and alert.

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The weather can affect your dog's appetite. If it is too hot, he might not feel like eating. He also may not need to eat as much because he doesn't need to put energy into keeping warm.

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Your dog may not like what you are giving him. The food may be a bit stale and not very appetising, or he may just have more gourmet tastes. You can certainly try offering him fresh food to see if it's more appealing. If he is just fussy, then it will take some discipline on your part to teach him that you're not going feed him chicken breast or lean steak, and he will need to get used to eating kibble!

Before you try the tough love approach, make sure there is no medical reason for your dog's loss of appetite.

Look in his mouth and check that there there isn't any dental disease that may be making it painful for him to eat. Look along his gum line for any reddening or swelling, particularly in the area of those large upper molars. A sore mouth can make dinnertime miserable, because in most cases, your dog will want to eat but it just hurts too much. The same can occur with ulcers or abrasions inside the mouth, so while you're looking at his teeth, check the roof of his mouth, inside his cheeks and as far back in his throat as you can. Loss of appetite can also be associated with an upset digestive system. Your dog may have eaten something a bit rotten, or be suffering from a more serious condition such as a stomach ulcer, intestinal obstruction or viral infection. Problems with internal organs, such as liver or kidney disease, can make your dog feel nauseous and therefore not interested in food. It's likely that he will also show other symptoms such as excessive thirst, depression and possibly vomiting. Stress can put your dog off his food. Have there been any changes in his life recently? Perhaps you've moved house, or perhaps you have just had a baby. It can take some dogs a little while to adapt to such things, and they can stop eating, just as a person would if they felt unhappy. If you can't find anything wrong with your dog's mouth, and he is bright and happy, it's safe to wait a little while to see if he improves, before contacting your vet. Don't offer him any food for 24 hours, and then start offering him small frequent meals of a bland food. Chicken and rice is ideal for this. If his appetite returns, that's great; you can then gradually change back to his regular diet over a day or two.

If he is lethargic and appears obviously unwell, or if he shows other symptoms of illness, take him along to your vet for a check-up.

Our dogs are like family to us and so naturally it's very upsetting when they become sick. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you knew how to give your dog a check-up, so you could spot a problem early? Before it became truly serious or even life threatening?

Why Is My Dog Not Eating? Common Causes of Dog Eating Problems

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Protect Your Pet - Common Household Dangers to Your Dogs

Your home is full of potential dangers for your beloved pet. Some of which aren't that obvious at first sight. Here are some common sense precautions that you can take to protect your pet. It's a sad fact that a large number of pets fall ill or die each year from poisoning by household items and food. Some are even poisoned by their loving owners who unwittingly feed them foods that are poisonous to dogs.
Make sure all your household cleaners and chemicals are out of reach and locked away. Take a look in your garage and lock away any bottles of brake fluid or antifreeze, both highly toxic to dogs. Secure your household rubbish, make sure your dogs can't get to any table scraps or other rubbish however tempting it might seem! Make sure you never leave any medication lying around. Some human medications such as aspirin or Panadol are highly toxic to pets. Be VERY careful when using poisons or baits in the house or garden and make sure your pets can't enter the contaminated area.

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There are a number of foods that although harmless to humans and sometimes other animals can be very toxic to dogs. Here's a list of foods to avoid giving your dog. This is not meant to be a complete list, if in any doubt consult your local vet as soon as possible.

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Poisonous Foods
Alcohol Avocado Broccoli Chocolate Coffee beans, grounds or bags Fruit stones and pips Garlic Macadamia nuts Milk Moldy food Onions Raisins and grapes Raw potatoes and potato peelings Rhubarb leaves Salt Tea leaves or bags Tobacco Tomato plant stems or leaves Yeast dough
In the Garage/Shed
Antifreeze Brake Fluid Fungicides Herbicides Insecticide Mineral Spirits Paint Paint Remover Pesticide or Poisons Petrol Weed killer
In the Kitchen / bathroom
Bleach Deodorants Detergent Disinfectants Human medications Mothballs Nail Polish Nail Polish Remover Suntan lotion
Signs of poisoning

If you suspect your pet may have eaten or come in to contact with any poisonous material contact your vet straight away. Don't wait and see if it gets better, some poisons act very quickly and any delay could cost your pets life.

Some symptoms that can point to poisoning include:
vomiting diarrhea increased urination restlessness hyperactivity muscle twitching or shaking seizures

Protect Your Pet - Common Household Dangers to Your Dogs

For more great tips on looking after your dogs make sure you check out http://www.homemadedogtreats.net and http://www.onlinedogtrainingbooks.com

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Incontinence Dog Problems - Common Causes and Solutions

An incontinence dog problem occurs when your dog involuntary urinates. In most dogs this happens at night or suffers from minor leaking during the day.

There are a number of things that can cause incontinence in a dog. The cause is usually based on your dog's age and sex.

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Female Spayed Dogs: An incontinence dog problem in a female dog that has been spayed is usually due to a weak sphincter muscle (called USMI). Spaying appears to negatively effect estrogen levels in the body which causes this muscle to atrophy (weaken). If USMI is the problem, then there are medications that can be prescribed to help strengthen the muscle.

Medications can be prescribed for this condition which strengthens the muscle and could potentially result in a cure. This includes estrogen hormone therapy or use of a drug called phenylpropanolamine.

Younger Dogs: When incontinence is seen in younger dogs it can be due to a behavioral problem or structural deformity in the way the ureters (tube from the kidney to the bladder) connect to the bladder. If it isn't formed correctly it blocks the flow of urine and requires surgical correction.

Older Dogs: In older dogs where muscle weakness is a natural part of aging there isn't much you can do beyond keeping your dog clean. You can also consider buying diapers for your dog that will pull moisture away from the body.

All Dogs: Bladder stones and infection could cause an incontinence dog problem. Stones can partially block the flow of urine. Infection such as bacterial infection causes the route the urine follows to narrow. The combination of the two create real incontinence problems for your dog. Treatment involves either medications to dissolve the stones. If this doesn't work, or can't work for the type of stones (there are multiple types) your dogs is suffering from (usually oxalate), then surgery will be needed. The infection can be treated with common antibiotics.

Homeopathic Alternatives for an Incontinence Dog Problem

There are some natural approaches available to help strengthen the bladder, support the urinary system and help to prevent or assist conventional medicine with the treatment of infection. One type of product focuses on infection. These herbal ingredients help to restore the PH of the urine, an important step in helping the urine to its job, killing bacteria that is colonizing in the urinary tract and flushing crystals, the building blocks of stones, from the body.

The second type of homeopathic remedy may help to strengthen the bladder and help if urination is behavioral, such as urination by a nervous or stressed dog. Ingredients for incontinence dog such as Cantharis (for shy dogs that can't control the urge to urinate when stressed), Causticum (for accidents when your dog sneezes), Equisetum (bladder ache and helps with frequent urination) and Ferrum phos (for bladder support).

An incontinence dog problem requires a visit to a veterinarian. Ask your vet about conventional, surgical and natural homeopathic treatment options.

Incontinence Dog Problems - Common Causes and Solutions

Jeff Grill is an editor of the Dog Health Handbook and has written on many canine health problems. See this site for more information on incontinence dog treatment options.

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