Health Living Tips

As a pet owner, you may have had an unexpected emergency that required immediate medical attention for your pet. If so, you may have incurred expenses which you hadn’t planned for, nor find it difficult to comprehend.

Cost of medical treatment for dogs and cats can be exorbitant. It is estimated that veterinary costs have increased over 70%. To this end, here are some case studies that will bring home the point that pet insurance is not only necessary, but a cost-effective necessity.

• Polly is a seven-year-old-cat. She was diagnosed with a Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, which is quite common among cats. She requires lab work, diagnostic testing, and medications to treat the infection. Cost: $1,500.00

• A 12-year-old Shar Pei named Dominic is diagnosed with a malignant tumor, and requires medical treatment. Cost: $950.00

• Hazel, an eight-year-old Siamese cat has an eye infection that requires medical attention as well as prescription medication. Cost: $170.00

• A six-year-old Retriever named Bailey has recently experienced an allergic reaction that left him with inflamed bumps in his neck and throat. If he had not been treated, he would have succumbed. Treatment for Bailey ensued and he survived. Cost: $2,096.00

• Apollo is a three-year-old domestic short haired cat who ate a pair of his owner’s nylons. Removing the offending material from his stomach required surgery. Cost: $1,332.40

As you can see, veterinary treatments can run into the thousands. Now let’s take a look at the average costs for certain illnesses and/or accidents that may afflict your pet:

Dogs:

• Cancer treatments - $3,600

• Hip dysplasia - $2,400

• Ingestion of foreign bodies - $2,100

• Motor vehicle accidents - $3,300

• Bladder stones - $1,200

Cats:

• Fractured legs - $2,300

• Ingestion of foreign bodies - $1,200

• Infection (not eye) - $1,000

• Eye infection - $250

When you look at these figures, you might be persuaded not to purchase or adopt a pet, right? But this is the downside to not having pet insurance; the upside is that with pet insurance you need not worry about the cost of treating your pet – the benefits derived from pet insurance coverage will take care of all your pet’s needs.

You may wish to bookmark and visit this website: www.insurance-rates.ca/pet-insurance-rates.html. Here you will be able to peruse the many benefits offered, as well as examples of claim calculations which will give you an idea as to the premiums, deductibles, and amount paid. This is a comprehensive site that will help you choose the best coverage for your beloved pet.

Wouldn’t you rather learn how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones?  I know I would, because let’s face it, dogs are part of your family, and no one wants to see a part of your family get sick or even die.

Even if you’ve got the most easy-care dog in the world, she’ll still need some attention to be paid to her appearance every once in a while – so it’s worth spending a bit of time learning the best techniques for easy, stress-free grooming.

Here is some of the valuable advice I got from one of my favorite sites for dog health care solutions, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GROOMING MY DOG?

Not so long ago, the average American’s approach to canine grooming was somewhat cavalier. Dogs were seen as something that lived in the yard (usually in a dusty, hard-floored kennel), ate whatever was put in their bowls, and existed as a sometime-playmate for the household’s children.

Today, we tend to care for our dogs a lot more, and view them more as members of the household than the Thing in the Yard.

Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as an important facet of your dog’s regular health-care. It ensures that any skin-care problems are minimized (because grooming distributes the natural skin-oils evenly throughout the coat), and assists you in monitoring your dog’s overall condition – if you groom on a regular basis, you can’t help but notice the presence of any unusual lumps or bumps.

This preventative action has saved many a canine life. Our dogs can’t tell us where it hurts, but taking just a little bit of time every so often to check them over ourselves can save a lot of grief in the long run.

The trick is getting your dog to tolerate (and even enjoy!) the process …

THE FIRST STEP IN THE GROOMING PROCESS

Something that many owners lack experience in is how to wash their dogs. Dry-grooming (brushing and ‘buffing’ the coat) seems to present little problem for most people; the rot tends to set in when water is introduced to the mix.

Most dogs have a strong dislike of being bathed, and in many cases will become utterly panic-stricken when the tub comes out.

This article is going to deal with the basics of how to wash your dog in a way that’ll keep both of you relaxed and happy.

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR GROOMING

First of all, the absolute most important thing you can do is to accustom your dog to the grooming process. Now, starting this in puppyhood is the ideal way to handle the situation, but of course not all of us have this luxury; if you’ve got an adult dog, you’ll probably need to move a little slower, but you should still start getting her used to being touched and handled all over as soon as you can.

As your puppy or dog gets used to the sensation of being rubbed and handled, she’ll slowly come to enjoy it. Dogs are social creatures by instinct, and physical affection and contact is a big part of their lives – it shouldn’t take long before she begins to trust you, and allows herself to get some pleasure out of your touch.

All you have to do is start rubbing her slowly all over. Fondle her ears, touch her cheeks and neck, rub her back and belly, pick up her paws and – if she’ll let you – give each one a gentle squeeze (treating and praising her whenever she lets you do this, since paw touching is generally a pretty big deal for most dogs). If she has a tail, rub it between your fingers; get her to roll over on her back so you can rub and stroke her belly and hocks.

This might not seem like such a big deal, but it’s actually a really important part of the grooming process: the more your dog enjoys it, the less stressful the whole event will be for both of you, and so the more often you’re likely to groom her – which increases the health benefits for her.

HOW TO WASH YOUR DOG

Bathing always comes before dry-grooming, since it makes brushing and trimming a lot easier as well as a lot more effective (there’s not much point in brushing a tangled, dirty coat!)

You will need some basic tools: a tub, a non-slip mat, a plastic jug, some warm water, a small sponge, and some canine shampoo (not human shampoo: the pH is all wrong for dogs, and will give her dry and flaky skin.)

Stand her in the tub, on the non-slip mat. If she’s a large or unruly dog, you may want to wash her outside to minimize mess – either that, or you can restrain her by tying one end of a light nylon leash to her collar, and the other end to the faucet.

Pour jugs of warm water all over her until she’s good and wet. This breaks down the grease in her fur, and ensures a thorough shampooing.

Mix a little shampoo with another jug of warm water, and rub it thoroughly into your dog’s fur. Start off with her back and rub it into a good lather (but don’t be too harsh!)

Now you can move on to her head and face. Be very careful here – dogs’ eyes are sensitive too, and if you get any water in her ears, she’ll probably get an ear infection. (You can plug her ears with a small twist of cotton wool to help stop this from happening, if you like.)

Remember to clean under her tail before you wash her off – dip the sponge into the shampoo mixture to do this properly.

Now it’s time to rinse: using the jug and some clean, warm, shampoo-free water, carefully tip it all over her and use your fingers to help disperse the lather from her coat. Rinse her off thoroughly at least twice, since any residue that remains will irritate her skin.

Now you’ll need to dry her off: if she’s got short fur, you can use a towel (an old one will do just fine, although big dogs generally need two); for dogs with longer fur, give her a gentle toweling-off first, and then use a hair dryer to get rid of the last dampness. Be certain that it’s set on low heat, and hold it far away from your dog’s fur to prevent burning either the skin or the fur.

KEEP YOURSELF CALM

Remember that most dogs have an inherent dislike of being bathed, which can cause anxiety and even outright panic.

Your dog takes a lot of her emotional cues from you, so make sure you act like a good role model for the occasion. Reassure your dog frequently, keeping your voice well-modulated, low, and even; keep your movements slow and deliberate; praise her lavishly for good behavior, and give her a couple of treats throughout the process to make it more enjoyable for her.

The more she enjoys the process, the easier it’ll be for you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grooming your dog is just one tiny aspect of maintaining overall health and happiness. For a complete, encyclopedic survival guide to all aspects of dog health, from preventative care to choosing a vet to doggie First Aid (even the canine Heimlich maneuver!), you should take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

A survival guide for knowledgeable, effective, and life-saving dog care, this manual keeps your dog’s health and wellbeing firmly within your control – which is exactly where you want it to be.

It can’t hurt to look.

Westie dogs owners delight in the companionship their dogs give them during long and leisurely walks. But this activity should be one that brings pleasure to both.

How can you ensure that your dog also enjoys these activities? First, you’ll need to get your dog accustomed to having his paws handled and manipulated.

These are important Westie health issues that come under the grooming umbrella.

When your west highland terrier is tolerant of such treatment it would be easier for both you and the veterinarian to carefully scrutinize your dog if there are cuts or bruises on, in and around his paws.

Where should these foot exams take place? Pick a spot that’s comfortable for both of you, and is at the same time well-lit. Here’s how to do it. Put the dog’s paw in your hand. Run your finger around every pad. If you feel lumps, examine it closely to find out what it is.

Keep a pair of tweezers handy, to pull out bits of twig that may be stuck.

If the skin is broken, put anti-bacterial ointment or powder on the sore. Check the next day to ensure it heals completely. Refrain from taking a walk with your dog in the next couple of days, until the healing is completed.

Here’s what you should do if you find a lump in one foot that’s not present in the other foot. Get your dog to the vet. He or she may have an abscess or an interdigital cyst.

Examine and trim the paws regularly.

Regularly trim all the hair that’s out from between the pads. Don’t trim it too tight. If you see a matt of hair sticking out, cut it. Don’t strip or pull the hairs. It’s painful for your dog.

Here’s what to do if your pet’s paws are itchy. Look for these symptoms; the hairs and even the nails are a reddish brown. The pads are swollen. This means yeast and bacteria already be developing in the crevices between the pads and around the nails. Visit your vet so he or she can recommend medication to reduce the swelling and alleviate the itching.

Doing regular examinations on your Westie (Scottish in origin) dog’s paw prior to and after your walks, will make your dog eagerly await each sojourn.

Here are some success tips on how to groom your westie. I am not talking about turning out a show dog. If this is what you want, then go to a groomer. They can be found in every town and city from London to New York to Atlanta.

Most Westies enjoy being groomed. Begin brushing and examining your Westie when it is very young. Be positive, patient and gentle.

Grooming is a part of your Westie’s general health care and hygiene routine. It includes brushing, combing, nail-clipping, ear and dental care, bathing and scissoring, stripping or clipping of hair coats. Regular grooming stimulates circulation, improves appearance and reduces shedding.

It also enables you to discover lumps, lesions, cuts, scratches or external parasites. Frequent haircuts are even more important for Westies than for humans. Long hair breeds dirt, bacteria and is more prone to matting.

Use the proper grooming tools for the job. Consult your breeder, veterinarian or other Westie professional for guidance.

A full grooming may include a bath. Water for a Westie’s bath should be tepid. Be sure to use a non-skid mat in the tub.

Signs of aging in your dog are gradual, just as with us. Slowly becoming grey around the muzzle, slowing down, not a quick to get up from lying down, and sleeping more.

These are natural normal signs of elderly dogs, and are inevitable. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, the rate of aging can be quite different. For example at 10 years of age, a dog under 20 pounds is approximately equivalent to 56 human years. Compare the same aged dog (10 years old) that is over 90 pounds, and they are equivalent to approximately 78 human years.

Vets usually consider a small dog to be senior citizens around the 12th year. A large breed dog reaches the same stage around their 7th year. This is according to a report from Tuft’s University.

Using established guidelines to determine when your dog starts entering their golden years will help to understand any changes in behavior and health. Keeping regular checkups with your vet is also most important as your dog ages, as any irregularities can be found early.

Signs of aging and tips to help keep your senior pet as perky as possible are:

Difficulty getting up from lying down, or limping and difficulty moving could indicate arthritis. Your vet can help recommend supplements or proper modified exercise routines to relieve discomfort, and increase mobility. Usually the proper supplements such as glucosamine will relieve mild arthritis symptoms.

Although graying hair and drying skin are quite normal in aging canines, a nice daily massage and a regular grooming routine can help your senior pet’s skin condition improve. Also, because of the slowing down in daily routines for your senior dog, this can be your special bonding time set aside to make him/her feel special and also break up a boring day and give you both something to look forward too.

Certain breeds such a Labrador Retrievers are also known to be genetically predisposed to arthritis and hip problems. Every dog breed seems to have their own specific genetic downfalls that you should make yourself aware of when you adopt your puppy.

Excellent nutrition from puppy hood will help delay or decrease the speed of which the aging process proceeds. Your dog’s life will definitely be shortened if he is overweight because more diseases and illnesses are likely to be caused by obesity.

The dog’s environment should be kept clean and free of parasites, fleas, and ticks. This will certainly help increase the chances of a longer life.

Vision and hearing ultimately become diminished in your aging dog. Try not to startle your dog by changing his environment (moving furniture, changing the location of his bed, etc.). With diminished hearing you will have to attempt to get your dog’s attention in other ways, such as clapping your hands, or standing in front of him and using hand motions.

Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite needs to be checked out immediately by your vet.

Also a sudden increase in appetite, especially with no weight gain involved may indicate diabetes. Also a sudden increase in thirst is also a sign of diabetes. This also needs immediate attention from your vet.

Excessive panting in your senior dog may indicate heart disease. If this continues for more than a day this is another reason to get to the vet as soon as possible.

As with any dog, diarrhea and vomiting lasting more than a day needs to be checked right away.

And finally, and possibly the worst problems to watch out for in your aging dog are the behavioral changes. Just as when we deal with our elderly family members who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, dealing with a pet with drastic personality changes can be traumatic for both of your. Some symptoms to watch for are: Confusion, lack of attentiveness, disorientation, roaming in circles, barking for no reason, elimination accidents and being withdrawn. Also uncharacteristic aggression may start in old age. Try to keep your old dog’s environment as stable and unchanging as possible as this may help.

It is difficult to watch the deterioration slowly change our robust, vibrant and active puppy into a slow moving, tired and sometimes cranky family member. The transition to the “golden years” do not need to be traumatic if you watch carefully and notice the gradual changes. As they happen, taking care of them will minimize their severity, and your dog can be eased into senior status with minor problems. We can always enjoy our pets at any age, just as long as our expectations change with their needs.