Health Living Tips

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.

Most people know that iguanas are reptiles. Yet, they belong to the largest reptile family: lard. Their natural habitats are the tropical rain forests, hot deserts and semi-aquatic places. You can see these iguanas in places in North America, South America as well as South Africa, Canada, Madagascar and on the island of Galapagos.

Reptiles and Environment

Iguanas are adaptable to all kinds of environment. They are cold blooded which means they can’t produce heat. They also lay eggs like many other reptiles.

Each iguana in different parts of the globe are different because they get used to their habitat. In certain places, iguanas lay about in high trees which can jump down to the ground without any injuries. Galapagos Island iguanas are known to be excellent swimmers.

The iguana species are different in their coloration – some have bright colors where others are quite dull.

Iguanas’ size, their behaviors and even their status in extinction can be different.

Iguanas grow fast and are nearly 100 times heavier than hatchlings in just two and half years. This only happens if the iguana has been given correct care, enough food, plus have air circulation and plenty of sunlight.

Iguanas are mainly herbivores even though some iguanas are omnivores or even carnivores. This depends on the the habitat they live in.

Terrestrial dwellers are carnivores and live off of mealworms and wax worms in the forest. Tree dwellers are herbivores and eat flower buds, fruits and young leaves.

It’s very important that iguanas eat properly to ensure their survival. A diet that is lacking in proper nutrients could lead to some diseases. Insufficient intake of food could lead to bloating and obesity. Like any pet, keep an eye on their health.

Iguana Health Care Regarding Weight and Diet

Even if your iguana is overweight, this does not mean it is unhealthy. Yet you know ensure it gets proper diet such as one with a high calcium intake with low phosphorus diet. Be sure your iguana gets as much sunlight as possible.

Should your iguana show signs of NSHP or MBD, it is imperative to bring them to a veterinarian. Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathrodism, which is a metabolic bone disease is one disease your iguana could get. Keeping an eye of them is vital.

Suppose your iguana’s body is bony and fat with jaws appear swollen, this means your iguana is in the critical stages of NHSP or MBD. The disease leads to fragile bones those of which can cause deformities and possible fractures.

Give your iguana a proper diet along with exercise and maintain their weight. A fat iguana should have the needed calcium to keep healthy bones.

How to tell if your iguana is growing healthy

When an iguana is only a hatchling, it will measure to two and half to three inches from its snout to vent. Once the iguana comes from its shell, the iguana will grow three-quarters of an inch a month for nearly three months.

The growth slows down at about three months of age to half an inch but at one year the growth kicks back in and during twelve and fifteen months, it will triple the original length. Over the next few years, the iguana will only grow sparingly. This is the time to give a healthy diet so the iguana won’t grow any bigger.

If you are interested in iguanas and like to own one, be sure to read about their environments and diets because it can be the difference between the iguana’s life and death.