Feed: The Basics of Beagle Puppy Care – What You Need - AggScore: 9.5

Dog teeth scaling is a process that is performed at the veterinarian’s office and is used to remove tartar build up from dog teeth. This is a serious and expensive process and should be carefully considered before proceeding.

First, it should be understood that canine teeth scaling is done while the dog is put under a genera anesthetic. In most cases this is a safe procedure. However, there are significant instances of dogs succumbing to the anesthesia. If the rate of death for general anesthesia for people was as high as it is for dogs, it would surely be banned.

This concern is even more serious for older dogs who require teeth cleaning in this way. Senior canines are far more vulnerable to the anesthesia than are younger ones. It is rarely advised to submit an older dog to this process unless it is absolutely required.

Yes, heavy tartar build up on teeth in dogs can lead to serious consequences. As the tartar contains large amounts of bacteria, it can also lead to infected gums. These infected gums often will bleed and thus the blood supply is exposed to the resident bacteria in the tartar. This bacteria can then migrate to other parts of the body and result in serious and sometimes life threatening situations for the pet.

If your vet suggests teeth scaling to clean the teeth, first talk with him or her about whether or not the situation is currently a severe threat to the dog’s health. If it is not an immediate concern, the owner may wish to consider a home cleaning process which involves using all natural gels and sprays.

These products are without any side effects, but they do require time to remove the dog teeth tartar. It can take up to several months of daily cleanings for the dog tooth paste to remove the tartar. Therefore, it is important to consult with the veterinarian about whether or not it would be advisable to take the longer process for removing the build up on the dog’s teeth. The vet may suggest that two months is too long to wait and for the health of the dog, an immediate tooth scaling should be done. Of course he or she will take into account the age of the dog too when weighing the pros and cons of the process.

If the vet says the home tooth cleaning can be performed, the pet owner should research online for a company that offers the 100% natural teeth cleaning products. Normally they also will offer a special tooth brush designed for pets.

By: Steven Weber

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A part of oral hygiene, teeth cleaning is the most important aspect of it. It includes brushing to remove the build up of plaque and tartar and thus, preventing cavities. A variety of dental illnesses such as gingivitis, caries, and periodontal diseases can be eliminated by proper dental care. Most often, people brush their teeth but sometimes that is not enough and professional cleaning is needed. The dental hygienists remove the hardened plaque deposits that are not possible with light brushing. But if you wear dentures, you can use a dental cleaner and get them cleaner than just by brushing them. The fact that about one-third of adult tooth loss occurs due to gum diseases the need for teeth cleaning has never been more than before.

Affecting millions of children and adults worldwide, tooth decay is a common phenomena and one of the major reasons is improper teeth cleaning. Most of the decay happens inside the pits and fissures where the chewing really takes place. And brushing is not able to reach each and every nook leaving the food trapped inside after each meal. Although one of the main job of saliva is to neutralize the acid formation, some hard to reach spots are missed and cavities begin to form. Most of the dentists apply a layer of fissure sealant over the crevices in the last molars that halt the process of decay. Fluoride toothpaste is known to have a better response while teeth cleaning process is on as they can neutralize the affects of acids on teeth.

Although there are numerous other methods for teeth cleaning, since olden says, a variety of oral hygiene ways have been successful. These include chewing on medicinal twigs such as Neem and Meswak, bird feathers, porcupine quills and animal bones. These chewed remnants have been recovered from archeological excavations.

Frequent brushing with toothpaste stops the build up of bacteria and plaque on the teeth. The bacteria metabolize carbohydrate from the food particles that leads to teeth decay and formation of cavities. Tartar build-up is due to the mineral deposits over the prevalent plaque. Regular brushing and flossing can help remove the build up to a large extend but for complete teeth cleaning procedure, it is best to visit the dentist.

A dentist usually performs a variety of procedures including tooth scaling, tooth polishing and even debridement if he or she sees a lot of tartar buildup. The procedure may include the use of numerous implements to loosen the tartar and remove the deposits. Irrespective of visiting the dentist once a year, most of the dental professionals recommend that teeth cleaning procedure should be done every six months. This ensures treatment of any budding teeth or gum disorder.

Regular examination and treatment of prevailing gum diseases, cavities and oral dental issues. However, sometime over-cleaning and brushing can lead to complications and damage to gums. Improper flossing and cleaning can lead to sore gums, bleeding gums, tooth enamel and gingivitis. Dental hygienists and dentists can teach and instruct about the best ways of flossing and brushing methods.

By: Linda True

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Internal parasites are a microscopic threat to your family dog’s health. It is impossible to protect your dog from exposure to these parasites but preventative measures can be taken.

The newborn puppy is the usual victim of parasite infestation. Puppies can be infected with internal parasites in the womb but also through mother’s milk. Therefore, a regular worming schedule must be maintained for all newborn puppies as well as pregnant bitches. Mothers worming treatments need to begin at or before day 40 of her pregnancy and 2 days after whelping (birth). Puppies should be wormed starting at two weeks, again at weeks five, eight, and twelve weeks of age. Young dogs should be wormed monthly until six months and in three month intervals until 1 years old. After 1, discuss worming treatments with your vet. Treatments will vary due to your family dogs environment, activity levels, time spent outdoors, and mosquito and flea population in your area.

If you are like me and have rescued a puppy as a stray or from a shelter, you may not have a history of worming treatments. You should assume if no history is available, that no treatment has began. Take your puppy to the vet along with a stool sample for testing and begin treatments.

Internal parasites can cause no symptoms at all, or mild discomfort but can also cause diarrhea, vomiting, blood in fecal matter, dehydration, blood anemia, weight loss, listlessness, cough, breathing problems, heart failure and death.

There are 2 types of internal parasites. WORMS and PROTOZOA. First we will discuss Worms.

There are three sub-categories of worms.
Nematodes
Cestodes
Heart Worms

Nematodes include Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whip worms. They are cylindrical worms and cream colored.

Roundworms are the most common form of worm infestation in dogs. Although mostly found in the intestines, they can chew through intestinal wall and live in the lungs, blood, stomach and eyes. During a roundworm infestation you are feeding the worms that rob your dog of nutrients. Symptoms of roundworm infestation include mild vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, poor hair and coat, a pot belly and sometimes a garlic odor on the dog’s breath. Your family dog may also pass spaghetti-like worms in vomit and stool. Transmission of roundworms is mostly through the womb or mother’s milk but can also be contracted through contaminated soil.

Hookworms feed on blood and are most commonly found in hot humid climates. They are usually confined to the small intestine. In addition to mother’s milk, your dog can be infected with hookworms by eating the meat of another infected animal and through the pads of their feet or belly. Because they feed on blood, symptoms include dark or bloody red diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, weakness and diarrhea.

Whip worms are the hardest to diagnose because light infections seldom show symptoms and these worms do not produce many eggs to be detected in fecal matter. Whip worms are transmitted only by ingesting the eggs. These eggs are very resilient and can survive in any climate. These worms are reason enough to ‘pick up’ after your pet and dispose of fecal matter so that soil does not become contaminated with whip worm eggs. Whip worms also feed on blood and symptoms include weight loss and bloody diarrhea.

Cestodes or tapeworms have for types but generally infect the same way. Tapeworms feed off the nutrients from your dog’s intestines. They grow by forming chain-like lengths. Segments of these chains break off and pass through dog’s feces. These broken chains can move and are full of eggs. They will appear like grains of rice and may be seen crawling near your dog’s anus. Tapeworms may grow up to several feet and are really more of a nuisance than life threatening. Symptoms may include a bigger appetite, weight loss, poor coat, and diarrhea. Tapeworms are also passed from an intermediate host. The four types are distinguished by the intermediate host from which our dogs can become infected. I will not bore you with the Latin names of each but will let you know how it is contracted. Ingestion of flies or lice, rats, mice, rabbits, freshwater fish, sheep, goats, cattle, deer, moose, fox, or coyote. Hunting dogs or scavenging dogs are most likely to become infected by tapeworms. Are the most deadly of all parasitic worms.

Heart Worms are the most deadly of all parasitic worms. Heart worms are the only worm that is not ingested by your dog but is transmitted from a mosquito bite. A mosquito bites and feeds on an infected dog. The microfilariae or larvae develop in the mosquito between 2-3 weeks. When the mosquito bites another dog, larvae enter the wound and burrow under the dog’s skin. For the next 2-4 months, larvae develop under the dog’s skin into immature worms which then travel via the bloodstream to the heart. Worms occupy the right side of the dog’s heart and develop into adults. The scary thing is that symptoms may not begin to appear until 6-7 months after the initial infection. Once worms are in the heart, they begin to produce more larvae which means more worms.

Left untreated your dog will die of heart failure. Symptoms include reduced exercise tolerance, soft coughing, weight loss, visible pulsation of blood flow in the veins of the neck, fainting, sudden collapse and death. Treatments for heart worms are expensive, dangerous, and filled with side effects. The risks verses benefits must be weighed. This being said, the very best way to protect your dog is to protect him through preventative medicine.

Heart worm medicines, prescribed by your vet could be given year round, and is the preferred plan of action. These pills or chewable are given monthly and don’t prevent the transmission of heart worms but rather kill the immature worms before they have time to mature to adulthood. If not medicated year round, treatments need to start one month before the mosquito season and continued until one month after the first winter freeze. Also keep dogs indoors especially at dusk during mosquito season. If indoors is not an option, treat your dog’s coat with a natural mosquito repellent.

The pest thing about heart worm medication is that it also kills most other worm parasites. An excellent argument for maintaining a heart worm medication plan year round.

The second type of internal parasite is Protozoal Parasites. Protozoa are microscopic single cell animals. We know of at least 7 different species of protozoa. Because most of them cause little to no obvious sign of disease and are treatable with antibiotics we will just give a brief synopsis of each.

Coccidiosis
Transmits through animal feces
Infects the intestines
Symptoms are watery diarrhea that may become mucus covered and tinged with blood, loss of appetite and dehydration
Treat with antibiotics and antiprotozoal drugs

Giardiasis
Transmits through water that is contaminated by wildlife
Usually no obvious signs of disease
Symptoms are persistently bulky, smelly stools
Treat with antibiotics and antiprotozoal drugs

Toxoplasmosis
Transmits through undercooked or raw meat
Symptoms are fever loss of appetite, breathing difficulty, and swollen abdomen
Treat with antibiotics

Neospora Caninum
Known to transmit from mother to pup within the uterus via placenta
This is an emerging disease that is not understood. The life cycle is not established.
Symptoms appear in 3-6 month old puppies. They include muscle and nerve conditions ranging from lameness, sore muscles, muscle wasting and paralysis.
Drugs are being developed to treat this emerging disease.

Leishmaniasis
Transmission from Sand fly bites
The most serious infection caused by protozoa which causes the disease called Kala-Azar.
There are 2 types of this protozoa, the non fatal cutaneous form which causes crusty, dandruff y areas that may become discolored or ulcerated. And the almost always fatal visceral form which causes a loss of vigor, emaciated muscles, and damage to the liver and the spleen. Even when treated, the outlook for the dog is not good. It usually result in death.

Babesiosis
Transmitted by ticks
Symptoms include listlessness due to anemia and the passing of dark colored urine
Infection affects the red blood cells
Treated with antibiotics

American Trypanosomiasis
Transmits through a bloodsucking insect called ‘kissing bugs’. The ‘kissing bug’ defecates while feeding which results in an itch. The host scratches and gets the feces into the wound.
Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, loss of coordination, may also affect heart muscles.
There is currently no treatments for this infection.

By: Sarah L Falkner

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Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I have nothing against veterinarians who prescribe dog teeth scaling for those animals with severe tartar buildup. For the doctor, this is the only real alternative she or he has for removing dangerous plaque buildup.

If you don’t know what scaling is all about, allow me to explain. First and foremost, general anesthesia must be given to the dog. This is the single biggest negative factor against the procedure. The cleaning method used by the doctor is simply not possible with an awake pet.

For younger dogs, the drugs used are not usually a problem. Although some dogs can have a lethal reaction to them, most do fine. However, older canines are especially vulnerable to general anesthetic. Since this age of pet is most likely to need the teeth cleaning, older dogs are more often suggested for the procedure. Owners of any dog over the age 9 or 10 should be especially weary of risking this.

Once the dog is put under the anesthetic, various tools are used to “scale” the teeth in order to remove the plaque. The plaque can cause gum disease and from there the problem can lead to infections in various parts of the body as the bloodstream transfers the bacteria from the mouth area to the other parts of the body.

Another side result from the procedure is the fact that because there is usually bleeding of the gums during the cleaning, anti-biotics area required for the animal afterwards for up to ten days. These are both expensive and can lead to stomach upset problems.

The second important consideration for this method is the cost. Depending on which part of the country you live in, the fee can range from $200 to over $500. As many vets suggest the procedure every year or two, this can rapidly add up in cost.

There are alternatives to needing the scaling performed. If plaque can be kept from building up in the first place, there is no need for the risk or expense. There are two main methods for preventing tartar buildup. One is to feed the dog more raw foods instead processed can and dried formulas. Raw foods will help keep the tartar cleaned off and area also nutritionally better for the canine.

The other alternative involves using all natural dog tooth pastes and sprays which will not only remove the buildups, but will prevent the dangerous scale from beginning to take hold on the teeth. All these products are generally available on the Internet and are very effective for ensuring your canine’s dental health. Using these cleaners are not as simple as a one-time scaling process; they do require the owner to put forth an effort. However, most pet lovers agree that the tradeoffs of expense and safety for the canine are well worth the work required.

By: Steven Weber

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The moment the snow begins to hit the ground our two German shepherds are frantically jumping around next to the door just waiting to go outside for playtime. Being that I don’t really like the cold, l will usually hope that the dogs will not want me to go outside and play in the freshly fallen snow with them. Unfortunately I know otherwise. Like many dogs they simply love the snow and they do not really care if I am cold. They will run, play, jump, and chase each other through the snow for as long as we let them. The biggest problem for me is that I am freezing after only a couple of minutes.

How can the dogs stand to be outside in the freezing cold? Luckily most dogs come complete with their very own fur coats. Different breeds of dogs will have different types of fur coats. With the thickest coats of fur being more common in larger breed dogs, and many small breed dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, having very fine hairs in place of thicker shed and guard coats. This means that not all breeds are going to be as warm as others and your dog may not like being out in the cold for long.

For those dogs that do not have thick coats ,you might want to invest in getting your pet a winter doggy coat or sweater. These will help keep your pet warm and dry during your winter outings. Their not that expensive and can be bought at your local pet shops. This will allow your pet to enjoy walking and playing outdoors.

You should also be concerned with another potential problem with regards to cold weather issues for your pets, that of your pets paws. The pads on your dogs feet are often overlooked by many pet owners when it comes to pet health problems. There are a couple of common items to keep an eye on.

The first thing to keep in mind is that no matter how tough you think your pets feet are, the truth is that your pets pads and toes are susceptible to cold damage. Snow and ice is frozen water, and can cause frost burns and frostbite. When your pets are outside they are basically standing directly on the cold snow for an extended period of time. There is not a lot insulation around your pets feet.

As an experiment, try placing your un-gloved hand in the snow for a few minutes. How long did it take for you to pull it out? Trust me it wasn’t that long. Less then a minute most likely. How cold was your hand? Even though your pet’s foot pads are tougher then your hand at dealing with the cold, they are not as good as a nice pair of boots. Just as you made sure to place heavy boots on your own feet, some dogs may prefer to have canine boots on their feet.

Another important aspect of caring for your pets feet during the winter is dealing with the salt used to clear ice from your steps or walkways. Ice removal products, generally either a form of salt or a combination of chemical melting agents, can cause serious burns to your pets feet if not removed. Your pet is walking in the same stuff you are, but unlike your boots, his paws do not come off when he comes inside the house. Make sure you clean off his feet by using a warm wet washcloth to wipe off and rinse clean and salt residue. Pay special attention to cleaning any salt from the pads and in between the toes. This would also be the perfect time for you to check your pets toes for sensitivity, damage, or potential problems.

So keep an eye on your pet’s feet this winter. Learn their behavior and use your best judgment to determine if your pet’s feet are too cold or hurting. Next time your taking out your winter gear, remember that your four-legged friends will appreciate you taking care of their cold weather needs as well.

By: Derek Wood

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It’s no secret that dogs love to chew. However, dogs have sharp teeth so it is natural for you to be concerned when your dog keeps chewing his leg excessively. Some dogs will even chew their own leg until it opens up.

This a bad habit and many dog owners want to know how they can stop their dog from chewing his leg. To stop this dog chewing leg behavior you must first be aware of some of the more common reasons that will cause this problem.

For some dogs they chew their legs because they are bored or nervous. Others like chewing their leg because they consider it fun. Some of the more serious reasons include skin allergies or a reaction to an insect bite.

Another cause of this excessive chewing of the leg are hot spots which are red, inflamed areas that can cause intense itching. These hot spots on a dog are usually caused by a bacterial infection and will lead to your dog damaging himself by biting and chewing.

Another more common reason a dog keeps chewing his leg is due to a form of OCD also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. The same way some people are obsessed with washing their hands, some dogs may be obsessive about biting and chewing themselves.

Thankfully, there are some flea and tick medications you can give your dog on a monthly basis to reduce the itching and chewing problem. Your dog may start chewing at his paws because this is usually the first place that starts itching when they’re suffering from a seasonal or food allergy. If your dog is still chewing himself excessively then you can provide him some relief by using a prescription antihistamine or a special conditioning shampoo to reduce the itching.

By: Jason Max

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Proper dog care is important to maintain your dog’s health as well as to keep your dog happy. There are many different aspects to dog care that you may be unaware of and you should try to stay well informed in order to prevent as many problems as you can. Allergies can be a problem for dogs and besides treating any allergy symptoms you can try to prevent the allergic reactions in the first place. Most of dog’s allergies are due to airborne particle sin the air. Bathing your dog regularly and rinsing their feet after they have been outdoors can reduce the amount of allergens on your dog’s skin.

Dog dental care is also necessary but very easy to do at home. You only need a few simple tools and you can regularly take care of your dog’s teeth to ensure healthy gums and teeth.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental clean solutions, dental treats and dental toys can all be used for dog dental care. Many of these items can be found in dog dental care kits. It may take some time for your dog to get used to having its teeth cleaned but in the long run it will be worth it.

Having clean ears is very important for dogs and you should be particularly vigilant about ear care, especially during the summer. Infections can occur when there is too much build up and moisture in the ear canals. To prevent this you can use a variety of products that loosen build up, rinse away dirt and kill mites.

Eye care is also an important part of dog care and properly cleaned eyes can prevent infection.

Certain types of dogs are particularly susceptible to eye infections and conjunctivitis is the most common eye infection for dogs. You can use eye cleaning solutions and protective ointments to kill of nasty bacteria and protect the eye from irritation. Other steps that can be taken to keep eyes clean is to trim the hair around your dogs eyes, keep the corners of the dog’s eyes mucous free and to try to stop the dog from partaking in any activities that may result in eye injury.

Also as your dog ages you will need to alter some of your dog care routine. No matter your dog’s age, exercise is still important. However as your dog gets older the exercise should be less intense and for shorter time periods. You should also switch its dog bed to one made of foam as that will better protect its joints. Your dogs dietary needs will also change as he or she gets older and you may need to add supplements to its diet or change the dog food altogether. You should also be aware of any behavioral changes and have them investigated as soon as possible as they may be a sign of more serious issues.

By: Lee Dobbins

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