Category: Helping Dogs

How to Get a Dog to Vomit

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Get a Dog to Vomit Helping Dogs
You come back home and notice your dog isn’t looking very well. After looking around your house, you discover that your dog has gotten into a potentially harmful substance—one that could be life threatening if it stays in your dog’s system. Although getting a dog to vomit is never pleasant, it can be an important first step in ridding a dog’s body of a toxin. To get your dog to vomit, learn how to administer hydrogen peroxide, get veterinary care, and follow general guidelines on inducing vomiting.
Part1

Administering Hydrogen Peroxide

  1. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 1
    1

    Determine if your dog needs to vomit. Before inducing vomit, make sure it is the right thing to do. If your dog swallowed any of the following substances, you should induce vomiting at home:

    • Antifreeze, if your dog swallowed it in the past two hours[1]
    • Chocolate[2]
    • Grapes or raisins[3]
    • Tylenol or Aspirin[4]
    • Plants, such as azaleas and daffodils[5]
  2. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 2
    2

    Move your dog to a different area. If your dog is laying on its bed or on the carpet, you’ll want to move your dog somewhere else before inducing vomiting. For example, take your dog outside or move your dog to an area where cleaning up vomit will be easy, like a room with linoleum flooring.[6]

    • If your dog is weak, it may not be able to walk easily on its own. You may need to carry your dog or at least help it walk to where you want it to go.
  3. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 3
    3

    Feed your dog a small meal. At first, it may seem strange to feed your dog to get it to vomit. However, feeding your dog a little food can actually increase the chances of vomiting. A small portion of canned food or a slice of plain bread are good food choices.[7]

    • Canned food will be easy for your dog to eat and is tastier than dry food.
    • Your dog may not want to eat on its own. If this happens, try putting the food directly in your dog’s mouth to get it to eat.
    • Do not spend a lot of time trying to get your dog to eat.
  4. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 4
    4

    Call your vet or animal poison control center. This is very important! Do not try to get your dog to vomit before calling your vet or animal poison control center.[8] When you call, provide as much information as possible so they can instruct you on what to do (and what not to do) next. Important information includes:

    • What you think your dog ingested (toxic plant, house cleaning product, chocolate)
    • How long you think it’s been since your dog ingested the toxin
    • Your dog’s symptoms
    • Your dog’s size
  5. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 5
    5

    Determine how much 3% hydrogen peroxide your dog will need. If your vet or poison control center says it’s okay to induce vomiting, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide, which is available at your local pharmacy. It is the preferred vomit-inducing product for dogs.[9] Give your dog one teaspoon hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight.[10]

    • Use a measuring spoon to measure the right amount of hydrogen peroxide.
  6. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 6
    6

    Administer the hydrogen peroxide. Draw up the hydrogen peroxide into an ear or eye dropper.[11] Drop the measured amount of hydrogen peroxide as far back on your dog’s tongue as you can.[12]

    • Do not mix hydrogen peroxide into your dog’s food or water before drawing it up in the dropper.[13]
  7. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 7
    7

    Walk your dog. Walking can stimulate vomiting by letting your dog’s stomach contents mix with the hydrogen peroxide.[14] Walk your dog for a few minutes. If your dog isn’t up to walking, gently shake or move its belly.[15]
  8. 8

    Wait for your dog to vomit. After being given hydrogen peroxide, dogs usually vomit within a few minutes. If your dog does not vomit after 10 minutes, give it another dose of hydrogen peroxide.[16]

    • Some sources say not to give a dog more than two doses of hydrogen peroxide.[17] Others say up to three doses is acceptable.[18] Before giving a third dose, call your vet.

Part2

Receiving Veterinary Care

  1. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 9
    1

    Take your dog to your vet. Your dog will need to be treated by your vet, even if you got your dog to vomit. Vomiting is just a quick fix and will not get rid of all the toxin in your dog’s stomach.[19] Veterinary care is essential if your dog didn’t vomit—this means your dog will need something stronger than hydrogen peroxide to vomit.[20]

    • Do not get delay in getting your dog to your vet.
    • If your dog vomited, take a picture of it to show to your vet.
  2. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 10
    2

    Tell your vet what happened. Even if you already spoke to your vet before giving your dog hydrogen peroxide, it will be helpful to repeat what happened while your vet examines your dog. You should also tell your vet how much hydrogen peroxide you gave your dog and how many times you gave the hydrogen peroxide.

    • If your dog vomited, describe what the vomit looked like, or show the picture of the vomit.
  3. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 11
    3

    Allow your vet to treat your dog. Your vet has access to medications that can induce vomiting, as well as substances that can prevent toxin absorption. For example, your vet can give your dog activated charcoal, which will bind to the toxin in the digestive system and prevent absorption.[21]

    • Apomorphine is an opioid medication that can induce vomiting. It usually works within five to ten minutes.[22]
    • A drug called xylazine can also induce vomiting in dogs.[23]
    • Your vet will determine the best way to treat your dog’s ingestion of a toxic substance.

Part3

Learning Other Tips for Inducing Vomiting

  1. 1

    Research which substances should not be vomited up. Some substances, after being ingested, can cause a lot of damage if vomited back up. If you know your dog swallowed one of the following substances, do not induce vomiting:[24]

    • Bleach
    • Drain cleaner
    • Petroleum-containing substance, such as gasoline
  2. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 13
    2

    Look for signs of serious poisoning. Getting a dog to vomit can be dangerous if the dog is extremely sick or unresponsive. If your dog is showing signs of severe poisoning, do not induce vomiting. Take your dog to your vet right away. Look for the following signs indicating severe poisoning:[25]

    • Difficulty breathing
    • Looking depressed
    • Having seizures
    • Slow heart rate
    • Unconscious
  3. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 14
    3

    Do not use ipecac or salt to induce vomiting. Syrup of ipecac used to be recommended for inducing vomiting in dogs. However, it can linger in the stomach and cause a lot of stomach irritation if a dog doesn’t vomit. Salt is also no longer recommended because it can become toxic if a dog is given too much of it.[26]
  4. Image titled Get a Dog to Vomit Step 15
    4

    Induce vomiting promptly. If possible, get your dog to vomit within about two hours after it has ingested something toxic.[27] After two hours, the toxin will have moved into the intestines, making induction of vomiting no longer effective.[28]

reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Dog-to-Vomit

How to Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Helping Dogs

A dog will vomit when something upsets its stomach. When your dog’s vomit is yellow and foamy, the yellow fluid you see is bile. After a meal, bile normally flows from the gallbladder into the small intestine to help break down fats.[1] However, on an empty stomach, bile can enter the stomach and irritate the stomach lining enough to cause vomiting; this is called ‘bilious vomiting syndrome.’[2] Be observant when your dog’s vomit is yellow and foamy, then take your dog to your vet for a diagnosis.

Part1

Observing Vomiting Behavior

  1. Image titled Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Step 1
    1

    Notice when your dog vomits. Dogs that vomit bile usually do so late in the evening or early in the morning. This is because a dog’s stomach usually empties about two hours after a meal.[3] By late evening or early morning, your dog’s stomach will have been empty for a long time, allowing time for bile to irritate the stomach lining.

    • Consider keeping a written log of when you see your dog vomiting. If your dog vomits yellow and foamy fluid before its morning meal or several hours after its evening meal, then your dog likely has bilious vomiting syndrome.
  2. Image titled Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Step 2
    2

    Examine the vomit. Yellow and foamy vomit will not have any food particles in it because the stomach is empty. Vomit with partially digested food will also have bile, but the bile will not be as easy to see. If your dog initially vomits partially digested food and then continues vomiting, the stomach will eventually be empty and you will see only the yellow and foamy fluid.[4]
  3. Image titled Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Step 3
    3

    Detect pain or distress during vomiting episodes. Vomiting is not a pleasant experience for dogs. Besides the distress of vomiting, your dog may have some abdominal pain because of bile’s irritation of the stomach lining.[5] Below are signs of distress that your dog may have during a vomiting episode:[6]

    • Licking the lips
    • Drooling
    • Repeatedly swallowing

Part2

Getting a Veterinary Diagnosis

  1. Image titled Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Step 4
    1

    Take your dog to your vet. By itself, bilious vomiting syndrome is not a serious problem in dogs. However, it can lead to other problems. Therefore, if your dog is vomiting bile, do not delay with taking your dog to your vet.[7] The sooner your vet can diagnose this syndrome, the sooner your dog can receive treatment and not develop health problems related to vomiting bile.
  2. Image titled Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Step 5
    2

    Have your vet examine your dog. Your vet will perform a physical examination. During the physical exam, describe the vomiting episodes in as much detail as possible: when your dog vomits, what the vomit looks like, and how long the vomiting has been going on. The more information you give your vet, the better able they’ll be able to diagnose your dog.
  3. Image titled Diagnose Yellow Foamy Vomit in Dogs Step 6
    3

    Learn about why dogs vomit bile. Although it’s well known that dogs vomit bile when they have an empty stomach, it’s not clearly known how the bile gets into the stomach in the first place.[8] Some potential causes of bile abnormally flowing into the stomach include inflammatory bowel diseases, internal parasites (Giardia), and intestinal blockage.[9]

reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Yellow-Foamy-Vomit-in-Dogs

How to Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Helping Dogs

Gastric torsion and bloat, or GDV, is a serious veterinary emergency in dogs. It involves the stomach filling with air and then twisting along its long axis.[1] As the stomach twists, it cuts off blood supply to the stomach tissues along with associated other tissues connected to the outside of the stomach. Needless to say, this causes serious consequences to the health of the affected dog and if you suspect your dog has this problem please call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic immediately! Because this condition is so serious, as a Lab owner you should know how to spot the signs and what to do once you suspect it is occurring.

Part1

Looking For the Signs of Gastric Torsion and Bloat

  1. Image titled Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Step 1
    1

    Look for the first signs of gastric torsion and bloat. It is important to spot this condition as quickly as possible, in order to get it treated swiftly. Initially, the signs of include:[2]

    • The dog appears uncomfortable with an anxious or stressed appearance.
    • The dog may stretch or pace.
    • The belly begins to get large or tight.
    • Drool or excessive saliva will fall from its mouth.
    • The dog will try to vomit but nothing comes out.
  2. Image titled Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Step 2
    2

    Pay attention to the signs of shock. If nothing is done at the beginning of the dog’s condition, it will quickly get worse. The signs of shock will develop as the involved tissue begins to die and toxins are released into the blood stream. These signs include:[3]

    • Weak pulses in the legs
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Pale gums
    • Rapid heartbeat
  3. Image titled Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Step 3
    3

    Keep a close eye on large-breed dogs. It appears that large breed dogs with deep chests are predisposed to develop this condition.[4] This means that Labrador retrievers are prone to this condition.

    • It may be that a narrow thorax is responsible for the higher rates of GDV in large, deep-chested breeds.[5]
  4. Image titled Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Step 4
    4

    Watch for signs in big dogs that eat quickly. The eating behavior of the dog can also influence the development of GDV. Dog’s that are “greedy” eaters, gulping their food down and swallowing air as they gulp, can fill their stomachs with air. This means that those that are fed only one large meal a day can develop GDV more easily.

    • To decrease the risk of GDV, feed your Lab small and frequent feedings of its dog food. This means splitting up the total daily food amount into two or, better yet, three feedings.
    • Dogs that gulp their food can be slowed down by the use of a slow feeder. A slow feeder is simply a food bowl that has large pillars inside it that the dog has to work around to get to the food.[6]
    • The type of food fed can also effect the chances of developing GDV. Dry food listing oil(s) as one of the first four ingredients has been implicated in this condition.[7]

Part2

Getting a Veterinary Diagnosis

  1. 1

    Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important to get your Lab under the care of a veterinarian quickly so that it can get treatment. Call your veterinary office and tell them about the situation. They should get you in immediately on an emergency basis.

    • If your veterinary clinic is not open, take your dog to an emergency dog clinic or hospital.
    • Gastric torsion and bloat are very, very serious. This is because the dilation of the stomach and subsequent twisting does not only affect the stomach. It can compress big arteries and veins in the abdomen, which can drop blood pressure and affect the liver. This can lead to shock and a serious, sometimes deadly, condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation or excessive blood clotting.[8] The heart can also be affected by arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat.[9]
  2. Image titled Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Step 6
    2

    Approve additional testing. Your veterinarian may want to do additional testing to get a better sense of the overall health of the dog. Dogs that are suspected of having GDV will have blood work done at the veterinary clinic, which will include a complete blood count and blood chemistry tests.

    • These tests may show the dog to be dehydrated, toxic and/or in shock.
    • In addition, radiographs, or possibly an ultrasound, of the abdomen will performed. Radiographs (or X-rays) will show an air or fluid-filled stomach with a tell-tale sign called “double-bubble” or “Popeye’s arm,” in which the twisted stomach appears as two air filled bubbles.[10]
  3. Image titled Diagnose Gastric Torsion and Bloat in Labrador Retrievers Step 7
    3

    Follow your veterinarian’s suggestions for treatment. The immediate goal of treatment is to restart circulation through the stomach.[11] Once a firm diagnosis is made, the dog will need to be stabilized with fluids and medication. It will then be taken to surgery to decompress and untwist the stomach.

    • Even after surgery, the dog will not be out of danger for a few days, due to the severe intestinal and circulatory problems this condition causes.

How to Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Helping Dogs

Have you noticed your Great Dane acting restless or uncomfortable? If you see a change in behavior along with swelling of his abdomen, he may have bloat (also known as gastric torsion, twisted stomach, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV). Bloat is a potentially life-threatening condition. Large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds as well as other large chested dogs are predisposed to because of the additional space it creates in their abdomen. Great Danes are by the most common breed to get bloat and was shown to occur in over 42% of all Great Danes.[1] The stomach can swell or become twisted during several stages while your dog rapidly deteriorates. Be aware of the symptoms of bloat and get immediate veterinary help. This will give your dog the best chance of survival.[2]

Part1

Watching For Signs of Bloat

  1. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 1
    1

    Look for swelling. Your dog’s stomach may be swollen if it makes a tympanic, drum-like sound when you flick it. This means the stomach is full of gas. While swelling is the most obvious symptom of bloat, it can be difficult to spot in Great Danes because of their large size. If you’re unsure whether your Great Dane has a swollen stomach, discuss your concerns with a veterinarian rather than wait for symptoms to improve. Early treatment of bloat can greatly increase chances of survival.[3] Increasing stomach pressure may lead to:[4][5]

    • Swelling
    • Closing of the stomach so that it becomes sealed full of air
    • Shutting down of blood supply to the stomach wall
    • Decreased blood supply to major organs
    • Organ failure
    • Toxin buildup in the blood stream
    • Shock from major swings in electrolytes and blood pressure
    • Death from low blood pressure and toxin buildup
  2. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 2
    2

    Check your dog’s mouth. Lift up your Great Dane’s lips and look at his gums. They should be a healthy pink color and color should quickly return if you press the gums and release your finger. If you notice pale or ashen gums or the gums remain blanched white after you press them, your dog may have bloat.

    • If your dog’s gums are unusually dark red, blue, or white, get medical attention immediately.[6]
  3. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 3
    3

    Pay attention to breathing and pulse. Your dog may have bloat if he has labored breathing that sounds heavy and rapid. It might sound like your dog is panting instead of breathing. If he has bloat, your Great Dane’s pulse will also be rapid as though he just exercised.[7]

    • Under normal conditions, a Great Dane’s heart rate is around one beat per second. He should also breathe every two to three seconds during rest.[8]

  4. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 4

    4

    Watch for drooling. Your Great Dane may drool heavily and have strings of saliva hanging from his mouth. This happens when the stomach is sealed off, leaving swallowed saliva nowhere to go. The Great Dane gives up swallowing and drools instead.[9]

    • You may also notice your dog dry retching. If your dog has eaten recently, but is dry heaving contact a veterinarian immediately.[10] This is a classic sign of bloat.

  5. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 5

    5

    Consider your dog’s body type. Dogs that are deep chested and narrow-bodied are at high risk of bloat. Because of their unique anatomy, Great Danes are at the highest risk of suffering from bloat. A Great Dane’s large stomach is suspended in only two places within the abdomen, like a hammock. If the stomach is full of food and gas, it can become unstable and flip over on itself, especially if the Great Dane exercises or rolls after eating.[11]

    • Other breeds that are at high risk for bloat include: German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Red Setters, St. Bernards, and Weimaraners.

Part2

Diagnosing Bloat

  1. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 6

    1

    Monitor your dog’s behavior. Most noticeably, your Great Dane may be uncomfortable and unable to settle. He may also look anxious and frequently glance at his flanks, where you might notice swelling as air fills his stomach. As the bloat worsens, your dog may become increasingly distressed. He may whine or howl to vocalize his pain and discomfort. If untreated, he will go into shock and might collapse as his circulation system fails.[12]

    • Bloat is usually associated with recently eating a meal. After eating, you may notice your Great Dane become restless and pace around.

  2. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 7

    2

    Contact a veterinarian. If you suspect your dog has bloat, get veterinary attention immediately. Call or meet with the veterinarian to discuss your Great Dane’s symptoms. Since early treatment is vital, it’s better to be overly cautious and get medical attention as soon as you see signs of bloat.

    • Even with veterinary care, around 25-33% of dogs with bloat die, so early treatment is important.[13]

  3. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 8

    3

    Get a physical examination. The veterinarian will feel your dog’s abdomen for signs of tympany (gas build up) and check for signs of shock. If bloat is suspected, the veterinarian might insert a large bore catheter into the stomach where there’s the greatest buildup of gas. This will remove the immediate pressure.[14]

    • Your Great Dane probably has bloat if foul smelling gas comes out through the catheter.

  4. Image titled Diagnose Bloat in Great Danes Step 9

    4

    Get further testing. The veterinarian may want to confirm a diagnosis of bloat with additional testing. In one test, your Great Dane will lay on his side while an x-ray is taken of the front of his abdomen. The veterinarian may confirm bloat if the x-ray shows a stomach dilated with air and soft tissue running across it.[15]

    • The veterinarian may also order an ultrasound to look at the location of the spleen. However, it’s more likely that the vet will want to begin relieving stomach pressure and corrective surgery instead.

    reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Bloat-in-Great-Danes

How to Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Helping Dogs

When your dog has diarrhea you want them to get better as quickly as possible. Most dogs experience diarrhea because they ate something that upset their stomachs. This type of diarrhea can be easily treated at home. Dogs that have diarrhea for long periods of time might be suffering from an underlying condition that your veterinarian will have to diagnose and treat.

1

Taking Your Dog to the Vet

  1. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 1
    1

    Assess your dog’s overall health, apart from the diarrhea. If your dog is well apart from the diarrhea, and has recently eaten something decidedly dodgy, then blood tests and fecal analysis may be a waste of both your time and money. Some dogs have more sensitive stomachs than others and yours may have eaten something that upset it.[1]

    • If you know that your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have recently, like garbage or feces, make sure that your dog can’t continue to eat this.
  2. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 3
    2

    Look for warning signs that your dog needs medical attention. In most cases, diarrhea can be treated safely and effectively at home. There are cases where your dog needs to be taken to the veterinarian so they can assess their condition and begin treatment. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms. If your dog begins displaying these, take them to the veterinarian immediately:[2]

    • Black or tarry stool
    • Stool with bright red fresh blood
    • Frequent vomiting
    • Loss of appetite
    • Signs of abdominal pain (like bloating, groaning, or avoidance when their belly is touched)
    • Marked lethargy
    • Symptoms lasting longer than 48 hours
  3. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 5
    3

    Tell your vet your dog’s history. In this context the “history” refers to relevant information about your dog, such as the dog’s vaccination status (vaccines protect against some of the viral causes of diarrhea), recent diet, and the animals he has been mixing with.

    • This history should include a detailed description of what the diarrhea looks like and how often your dog has been experiencing diarrhea. This information helps the vet to pinpoint whereabouts in the gut the diarrhea originates from.[3]
  4. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 4
    4

    Get a diagnosis from your vet. Based on the veterinarian’s physical exam of the dog, the vet will then decide if additional medical tests are necessary, or if their diarrhea can be treated at home. Your vet may recommend additional testing to rule out other conditions when your dog has chronic diarrhea, which lasts more than four or five days.[4]

    • They may also recommend more testing if your dog loses weight, isn’t responding to bland diets or fasting, or if your dog is displaying other symptoms of a medical condition like a parasite.
    • At this point, they will either diagnose your dog with acute or chronic diarrhea.
  5. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 6
    5

    Collect a fecal specimen for your vet. Based on your veterinarian’s recommendation, you may need to collect a fecal sample from your dog. The vet will then send this sample to a lab to diagnose different medical conditions like parasites, GI disease, or a vitamin deficiency.[5]The vet will give you a fecal specimen container to return once you’ve collected a sample.

    • Simply scoop a small volume of feces up with the collecting spoon and pop it in the pot, then screw the lid back on. You want to collect a sample immediately after your dog defecates.[6]
    • Once you’ve returned the sample to your vet, they will send it to a lab for testing. There, the laboratory technician will examine the sample for any identifiable conditions, like parasites.
  6. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 7
    6

    Schedule your dog for a blood test. If your vet thinks that the diarrhea may be caused by an underlying medical condition, they will want to do a blood test for your dog. Some of the medical conditions that the vet will look for include liver disease or pancreatitis. [7]

    • These blood tests look at organ function and the balance of red and white cells in the body. This gives information about organ health, protein levels, anemia, and signs of infection. In turn these results may suggest a more specific line of investigation that is necessary to diagnose a problem for which diarrhea is merely a symptom.[8]
  7. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 8
    7

    Have the vet perform a bowel test. This test is usually saved for last, and will only be scheduled if the fecal analysis and blood tests come back normal or negative, despite their diarrhea continuing. These tests look at pancreatic function, any inflammation, and bowel health.[9] They will use this information to find out if your dog is suffering from a medical condition. If they do find signs that your dog does have a condition like a pancreatic disease, the vet can begin treatment. The treatment for the disease will usually end up stopping your dog’s diarrhea as well.

    • The vet will also suggest these tests if your dog is losing weight rapidly, despite treatment.
    • The vet may skip straight to these tests if your dog’s medical history suggests that he may lack pancreatic enzymes.
  8. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 9
    8

    Get imaging done. Imaging includes radiography and ultrasound. Imaging tends to be reserved for dogs that are losing weight and still have diarrhea, but all of the other tests listed above have come back normal. [10]

    • Imaging allows the vet to take a look at the bowel and see if it looks normal. In particular, this can help to rule out bowel inflammation and cancer.[11]
  9. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 10
    9

    Have your dog’s bowel biopsied as a last resort. A bowel biopsy is invasive, and has a high complication rate, so it is generally avoided when possible. A biopsy involves surgically entering a dog’s abdomen and removing slivers of bowel wall to be sent for testing.[12]

    • Your veterinarian will discuss the risks, but bowel biopsy is a procedure of last resort and it may well be worth using information from previous tests to decide on a “educated guess” treatment (diagnosis by treatment), before resorting to biopsy.

2

Treating Acute Diarrhea

  1. 1

    Recognize acute diarrhea. Many dogs have an upset stomach but are not sick in any other way. This means that while they have diarrhea, they are otherwise healthy. Diarrhea that occurs suddenly and stops after your dog fasts or has a bland food diet is acute.

    • For these dogs treatments like withholding food and then re-introducing a bland diet may be all that is needed.[13]
  2. 2

    Fast your dog. Diarrhea is a symptom of gastrointestinal (GI) distress. For a dog experiencing acute diarrhea, their stomach and GI tract need time to recover after they have had diarrhea. Do not feed your dog for 24 hours after they have experienced diarrhea.[14]

    • This 24 hour period gives your dog’s GI tract a chance to recover and heal.
    • Continue to give your dog small amounts of water so they do not become dehydrated.
  3. 3

    Try feeding them a bland diet. After your dog has completed the 24 hour period without diarrhea, you can reintroduce food. Healthy dogs that are suffering from diarrhea may only need a few days of bland food to reduce their discomfort. Rather than feeding them their regular dog food, try feeding them a bland food diet for 24 hours.

    • Offer your pet a small meal of boiled chicken and white rice. Do not use any seasonings when you cook the food as they may upset your dog’s stomach.[15]
    • You can continue feeding your dog this bland food diet until their stool becomes normal again.[16]
  4. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 15
    4

    Give your dog probiotics. Diarrhea physically expels the bacteria in the bowel that help your dog digest food. To speed up recovery, it helps to give your dog a dietary supplement that contains helpful bacteria to help get your dog’s digestive system back on track.[17]

    • There are many canine probiotics available without prescription from your veterinary clinic, such as Promax (an oral paste) or Fortiflora (granules which are added to food). Typically these are given once a day for three days.
    • Dogs use different digestive bacteria than people do, so there is no point feeding your dog a human probiotic product.

3

Treating Chronic Diarrhea

  1. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 16
    1

    Determine if your dog has chronic diarrhea. If your dog’s diarrhea is the result of an infection or disease, rather than snacking on something he shouldn’t, then medical treatment may be needed. Your veterinarian will recommend the best course of treatment for your dog based on their diagnosis.[18]

    • It is important to treat the underlying cause of chronic diarrhea rather than just the diarrheal symptoms.[19]
    • Never give your dog over the counter medicine unless you have spoken to your veterinarian. These medicines, while they may work for acute diarrhea, could aggravate your dog’s underlying condition and make them worse.
  2. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 17
    2

    Treat parasites. One of the common underlying causes of diarrhea is the presence of intestinal parasites, like worms. If the fecal analysis shows the presence of worms, your veterinarian will recommend an oral medicine to kill the parasites and then an additional medicine to prevent future parasites.[20]

    • A single oral dose will get rid of the parasites present at that moment in time. It is wise to repeat the dose a month later.[21]
    • It is important to use preventative care when it comes to parasites in your dog. By using a preventative oral or topical medicine, you can lessen the chances that your dog will experience diarrhea from this condition.[22]
  3. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 21
    3

    Try putting your dog on a hypoallergenic diet. If a dietary allergy or food hypersensitivity is suspected, then removing the allergen from the diet will treat your dog’s diarrhea. Your vet will recommend a commercial prescription hypoallergenic diet for your dog.[23]

    • By changing your dog’s diet to remove this allergen, their diarrhea should stop.
    • Changing foods can also upset your dog’s stomach, so you will need to gradually introduce this new food by mixing it with their old food.
  4. Image titled Diagnose and Treat Dog Diarrhea Step 22
    4

    Give your dog vitamin B injections. Some dogs with chronic diarrhea experience this condition because they have an enzyme deficiency. Injections of B vitamins will replace the enzymes that your dog isn’t naturally producing. This kind of treatment is usually seen in dogs that have pancreatic conditions.

    • Injections will be stopped once your dog’s enzyme levels are high enough and their chronic diarrhea stops.

Reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-and-Treat-Dog-Diarrhea

How to Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Helping Dogs

It is distressing when your dog is sick and starts to vomit. Aside from the mess, vomiting can also signal that there is something seriously wrong with your dog. In most cases vomiting will soon pass, however, some dogs vomit regularly without an immediately obvious cause. These cases can be more difficult to resolve because you need to figure out the underlying cause of the vomiting in order to treat the symptom.

Part1

Diagnosing the Cause of Vomiting

  1. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 1
    1

    Determine if your dog simply has an upset stomach. Acute vomiting happens suddenly and forcefully. The dog vomits and vomits until there is nothing left in its stomach to vomit, except for yellow bile.[1] If your dog has an upset stomach, this acute vomiting should pass quickly.

    • If you know your dog has eaten a food or substance that does not agree with it immediately stop your dog from gaining access to that item.
    • Non-specific gastroenteritis, otherwise known as an upset stomach, means no cause for the stomach upset can be found and the illness passes rather quickly. The other common causes of acute vomiting generally need medical or surgical intervention to diagnose and treat.
  2. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 2
    2

    Consider other causes if acute vomiting continues. Many things can cause episodes of acute vomiting. Common causes, other than non-specific gastroenteritis, include:[2]

    • Liver disease
    • Kidney disease
    • Pancreatitis
    • A foreign body in the intestines (rocks, bones, toy)
    • Ingestion of toxic substances
    • Inflammation of the intestinal tract
  3. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 3
    3

    Determine if your dog has a chronic problem. Chronic vomiting is vomiting that happens off and on with some regularity. While it is normal for a dog to vomit occasionally, due to an upset stomach, this behavior on a consistent basis can signal that there is a larger health problem.
  4. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 4
    4

    Understand the difference between vomiting and regurgitating. Some cases that are thought to be vomiting are actually cases of regurgitation.[3] Vomiting is the ejection of food from the stomach. Generally there are some “warning” signs before vomiting, such as licking the lips, salivation or acting uncomfortable. With regurgitation, food is ejected from the esophagus generally without force and without warning. It is important to recognize the differences between the two, as they have different causes. For example, regurgitation is caused by disorders with the esophagus such as:[4]

    • Esophagus weakness due to diseases such as myasthenia gravis and Addison’s disease
    • Megaesophagus (non-reversible enlargement of the esophagus)
    • Foreign body stuck in the esophagus
    • Inflammation especially that caused by frequent vomiting
    • Stricture or narrowing of the esophagus (this generally happens after injury to the esophagus)
  5. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 5
    5

    Get a veterinary diagnosis. Because of the many sources and causes of vomiting, it can be hard to figure out the most appropriate treatment. The first step to curing the problem is coming up with an accurate diagnosis of the problem.

    • Most of the time to get an accurate diagnosis you need to bring your dog to the veterinarian. An examination will be performed and, depending on the results, further testing may need to be done. Blood and urine tests can determine if your dog suffers from a disease, such as kidney or liver failure, pancreatitis, or if an infection may be causing the vomiting. X-rays can help determine if your dog has eaten a foreign body or if there is a mass (tumor) in the gastrointestinal tract.

Part2

Treating Vomiting

  1. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 6
    1

    Treat the dog at home. It is okay to watch your dog closely at home if your dog is still happy and begging for food after it vomits. If it has other symptoms, such as lethargy or spasm, you should take it to the vet immediately.

    • Keep your dog happy but it is also a good idea to protect your home from additional messes. Place the dog in a room with hard floors, in other words no carpet, so that any future vomiting can be easily cleaned up. Keep it company, however, and try to soothe it with lots of love and affection.
  2. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 7
    2

    Feed the dog a bland diet after 12 hours of fasting. The treatment for dogs with upset stomachs is to withhold all food for 12 hours (despite the begging) and give them small amounts of water every 2-3 hours during this time. If they are able to keep the water down after 12 hours of food withholding, you can offer them two teaspoons (for a small dog), two tablespoons (for a medium sized dog), or ¼ cup (for a large dog) of a bland diet.

    • A bland diet consists of carbohydrates and proteins that a dog can easily digest. The most common bland diet to give a dog is a mixture of cooked white rice and boiled chicken, without bones or skin.[5] This meal gives your dog’s digestive system a break because it is very easy to digest.
    • If the dog can keep the first small amounts down, offer the diet in these same amounts every 3 – 4 hours for the first day. Then mix it with the dog’s regular food half and half the next day. By day three, the dog should be back to its regular food and feeding amount.
  3. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 8
    3

    Continue to monitor your dog’s health. Even after your dog has stopped vomiting, you should still keep a close eye on them for a few days. Call a veterinarian if the following occurs:

    • If the dog is continuously vomiting.
    • If the dog has other signs of illness: diarrhea, extreme lethargy, pale gums, frequent urination, yellow appearance to the eyeballs or skin.
    • If after a 24 hour food withhold the dog is still vomiting.
    • If you have any other concerns or suspect it’s more than a simple case of vomiting.
  4. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 9
    4

    Take the dog to the vet if illness increases. At any time if the dog starts to vomit again or is unable to keep water down it should be brought to a veterinarian’s office. It should also be brought to the veterinarian’s office if any of the following signs occur:

    • Increase in frequency or amount of urination
    • Yellow appearance to eye whites, skin or mouth
    • Pale gums along with extreme lethargy
    • Vomiting blood
    • Diarrhea that is very watery or has blood in it
  5. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 10
    5

    Follow your veterinarian’s treatment plan. Treatment depends upon the cause of the vomiting. Some treatments include:

    • Withholding of food for up to 24 hours, then a gradual reintroduction of food or a bland diet for up to 7 days. The dog can have small drinks of water as long as it is able to keep this down. Otherwise withhold water as well.[6]
    • Medicine to treat intestinal parasites, inflammation, or infection.
    • Surgery to remove foreign bodies.
  6. Image titled Cure Frequent Dog Vomiting Step 11
    6

    Give ongoing treatment. Ongoing management will be needed in cases of chronic diseases. Food and medication changes are used to manage liver disease, inflammation of the intestinal tract, kidney disease, Addison’s disease, and myasthenia gravis. Food changes may also need to be made in dog’s with sensitive stomachs.[7]

    • In dogs with megaesophagus special feeding arrangements need to be made along with food and medication. These dogs need to be fed in a vertical position, not merely from an elevated bowl, and they need to stay in that position for 20-30 minutes after eating to ensure all the food stays in the stomach. A special chair, called a Bailey chair, can be made or purchased to keep them in this eating position.[8]
    • A soft to wet food diet is also recommended along with medications to increase the movement of the esophagus and to reduce acid from the stomach. With proper feeding position, food and medication dogs with megaesophagus can lead a long and healthy life.

Reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Frequent-Dog-Vomiting

How to Save a Choking Dog

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Save a Choking Dog Helping Dogs

Dogs use their mouths to explore the world, and, fortunately, their anatomy includes safeguards that make choking rare. But it isn’t impossible for a dog to experience choking, and it’s important that you be able to distinguish between a choking dog and a dog dealing with illness or another issue. In a life-threatening emergency there may not be time to contact a vet, in which case you must administer first-aid yourself; however, if the dog is uncomfortable but not in immediate danger, your better option is to keep them calm and seek veterinary advice. This article explains how determine if your dog is choking, and what to do if so.

Part1

Evaluating Your Dog

  1. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 1
    1

    Check to see if your dog is coughing. Initially, if your dog is capable of coughing, wait a few moments to see if your dog can manage to cough up the obstruction on their own.

    • Only wait for this possibility if your dog seems to be able to breathe well.
    • If your dog is also wheezing, struggling, or gasping for breath, call your vet immediately.
  2. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 2
    2

    Check for signs of choking. Dogs may show several telling behaviors if they aren’t able to breathe. When trying to determine if your dog is choking, begin by first attempting to calm them — the more panicked the dog becomes, the greater their demand for oxygen and the worse the situation. Signs that a dog is choking include:[1]

    • Gagging or drooling excessively — this is one of the most obvious ways to tell if your dog is choking. If they are drooling heavily and unable to swallow, choking is more likely.
    • Unable to swallow
    • Standing in the “air hunger position” with their head and neck held low and in a straight line
    • Acting unusually agitated or frantic, pawing at their mouth, and whimpering
    • Coughing forcefully, wheezing, or gasping for breath
    • Having grey or blue gums
    • Having a visible object in the back of their throat
    • Displaying exaggerated chest movements
    • Collapsing
    • Losing consciousness
  3. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 3
    3

    Encourage your dog to swallow. This is a useful strategy to help you determine if your dog is truly choking.

    • You can do so by offering your dog a treat, gently rubbing their throat, or by pinching their nostrils together. If your dog eats a treat, then they are not choking.
    • Once the dog swallows, if the sound stops, they aren’t choking.
  4. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 4
    4

    Look inside the dog’s mouth. By visually checking the dog’s mouth, you can find out if an object is obstructing its airway and act accordingly.

    • Gently open its mouth by squeezing its upper lip inwards over the big molars at the back of the mouth. At the same time, apply downward pressure on the point of its jaw to further open the mouth.
    • Look as far back towards its throat as possible — it helps to have a flashlight and someone else to hold the dog for this. You are looking for any obstructions such as a piece of bone or a stick.
    • Restrain a larger dog before opening its mouth wide. Do this by grabbing the scruff of hair between the ears and holding the dog’s head steady.[2]
    • If you can see something in the throat, try to grip it with pliers and remove it. Take extreme care not to accidentally force the object further back.
  5. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 5
    5

    Call the vet. If your dog is choking, showing signs of choking, or indeed having breathing difficulties, always phone your vet for advice. The exception to this rule is if your dog has completely collapsed or has lost consciousness. In that instance, begin administering what first-aid you can.

    • You may be talked through first aid procedures while waiting for emergency help and likely you will be asked to bring your pet in immediately.
    • If you cannot reach your vet, look for emergency 24-hour veterinarians. Their number will usually be in the phone book, or you can call a local animal welfare or rescue agency for details. Emergency vets or animal hospitals are usually available in major towns and cities.
    • Your local emergency number will be able to give you the ASPCA or the Humane Society emergency number. They will have an emergency vet to give you help on the phone.
  6. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 6
    6

    Seek out someone else to help. Whether you take your dog to the vet or try to administer first-aid, it’s best to have another person present to help you.

    • If you need to drive your pet to an emergency vet, it is best to have one person with the dog to help immediately if the situation worsens.
    • If the vet has you try to dislodge the object yourself, it’s advisable to do so with someone else’s help.
  7. Image titled Save a Choking Dog Step 7
    7

    Rule out other causes. Because you can do more harm than good by executing certain maneuvers on a dog that doesn’t need them, it is important to be as certain as possible that the dog is actually choking and in danger, rather than merely appearing to choke. The following are conditions that may cause a dog to behave similarly to a dog that’s choking.

    • A Long Soft Palate: A common anatomical quirk found in many dogs is having a tongue and a soft palate that are too big for their mouth. This is especially common in brachycephalic dogs (those with shortened noses and baby-like faces) such as the Pug, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Shih Tzu, though it also occurs in small breeds such as the Poodle, West Highland White Terrier, Dachshund, Spitz, and Pomeranian. The result is that when the dog breathes in sharply, it physically sucks the end of the soft palate into the entrance of the windpipe. This temporarily narrows or blocks the windpipe, and the dog makes a series of dramatic snorting or gasping sounds, as if choking. This is only a temporary crisis because when the dog swallows, the soft palate flips away from the windpipe and the dog can breathe again. If you’re unsure, give the dog food or a treat. If it takes and swallows the food, it isn’t choking.
    • Kennel Cough: Kennel cough is an infection that causes the airway to become sore, inflamed, and irritable. Even the simple act of breathing in cool air can tickle the throat and trigger coughing episodes. This cough can be dramatic and is commonly mistaken for the dog having something stuck in its throat. Again, check to see if the dog is able to swallow by offering it something to eat. If it can swallow, it is extremely unlikely the dog is choking. Do, however, contact your vet to see if he or she would recommend an examination for the kennel cough.
    • Heart Disease: An enlarged heart pressing on the airways or a heart in failure can sometimes mimic choking. The dog may breathe in a distressed manner, cough, and may even have blue-tinged gums. This condition is harder to differentiate from choking, but in general the signs are slow to develop, with the dog becoming less energetic and more lethargic for a day or two beforehand. Choking, on the other hand, is far more common in active, inquisitive dogs and comes on suddenly.

reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Choking-Dog

How to Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Helping Dogs

Bloat and Torsion (also known Gastric Volvulus or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) is an emergency that affects dogs. GDV is lethal and will kill a dog often within a few hours. The sooner you are able to identify and detect symptoms the quicker you will be able to seek treatment from your vet, so if you see any signs of GDV, it’s very important to take your dog to the vet right away. If you’re looking to prevent bloat and torsion from occurring, try a few key strategies.

1

Identifying Bloating and Torsion

  1. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 1
    1

    Look for dry-vomiting. One of the more common symptoms of bloating and torsion, when your dog’s stomach turn or twist up to 360 degrees, is an attempt to vomit with no results. This can often sound and look like a dry-heave or sound more like a deep repeated cough.[1]

    • Vomiting with no results might also produce mucus or foam. Unless your dog is vomiting up more solid food they may be bloated or distended.[2]
    • Check your dog’s mouth for other related objects or foods that might be causing a similar symptom, like grass or plastic that might be blocking their windpipe.
  2. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 2
    2

    Check for excessive drooling. Excessive drooling is a sure sign that something is negatively affecting your dog. If your dog is suffering from torsion and bloating they will likely be drooling for extended periods of time. Check your dog’s mouth and gums, as well as their bed and the floor around them, for excess drool. However, keep in mind that drooling is a general reaction that your dog will have to negative stimuli, which can also include vertigo and allergies.[3]

    • Drooling, paired with other symptoms, will help you determine what your dog might be suffering from. Consult your vet for a more informed opinions on what might be causing your dog to drool excessively.
  3. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 3
    3

    Look for signs of anxiety and restlessness. Many dog’s will be much less active when suffering from bloating and torsion as their stomach will make many movements uncomfortable. Dog’s suffering from bloating and distention might also be hunched or curled over by trying to physically compensate for the discomfort.[4]

    • Try calling your dog over to you if you think your dog is displaying unusual behavior. If they react in a way that is not normal, like slowly limping over or refusing to move, they may be experiencing physical discomfort.
    • Examples of signs of restlessness and anxiety are fidgeting, sighing or whimpering, constant eye movements, furrowed ears, and grimacing.[5]
  4. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 4
    4

    Feel your dog’s stomach for tightness. Although this symptom is not the most pronounced or easiest to identify it is a clear sign that your dog is suffering from torsion and bloating. You should be able to tell if your dog’s stomach is tight by having them stand up and placing your hand on their abdomen, below their ribcage. Their stomach should feel soft and tapered when relaxed. If their stomach is firm, or makes a hollow sound like a drum when you pat it softly, they may be suffering from bloating or torsion.[6]
  5. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 5
    5

    Consider your dog’s general personality and demeanor. Taking your dog’s personality or general disposition into account will help you gauge when and if they are suffering from discomfort. Look to see if your dog is displaying any unusual behaviors, like lethargy when they are usually playing unusual body language, to determine whether or not they might be ill.

    • Bloating, torsion, and torsion is most common with specific breeds that have large chests, like Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Setters, Dobermans, and Sheepdogs.[7]

2

Treating Bloating and Torsion

  1. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 6
    1

    Call your vet immediately. Stomach bloating and torsion in dogs is fatal without treatment. Calling your vet as soon as you are able to identify and detect the symptoms of stomach bloating in your dog will help you determine whether or not your dog needs immediate medical attention. Only your vet or another trained professional will be able to accurately diagnose your dog’s condition. Be sure to give your vet an approximate arrival time so they can be ready to treat your dog immediately.[8]

    • Call your vet and describe symptoms by saying, “I think my dog is suffering from torsion, they are trying to vomit and are displaying anxious behavior” or “My dog’s stomach is very tight and they are not walking around very often.”
    • Remember, only your vet will be able to treat your dog’s bloating or torsion.
  2. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 7
    2

    Ask your vet for an x-ray. Your vet should be able to give your dog an x-ray once you bring them to their office. An x-ray will help determine whether or not your dog has stomach dilation (bloating) or GDV (bloat and torsion). Bloating can often be treated with less invasive procedures whereas bloat with torsion will often require an emergency surgery.
  3. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 8
    3

    Consult your vet about surgical correction. Surgical correction is often needed in cases of bloating and torsion. The immediate concerns of GDV surgery are to return your dog’s stomach to a normal position and identify any damage done to the stomach or spleen. However, depending on your dog’s condition, and how long they have been suffering from torsion, there may be limited options.[9]

    • Ask your vet when euthanasia should be considered. Your dog’s chances of survival will be poor if they have suffered from cell death or perforation of any kind.
  4. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 9
    4

    Cautiously give your dog emergency first aid. This should not be done unless you are comfortable with the known causes and symptoms of bloating and torsion. The first step in treating any case of bloat and torsion is to call your vet immediately. Once your vet is notified that you are bringing your dog in for treatment, consult first aid guides detailing specific actions that can be taken, like Kifka.[10]

    • Remember that first aid is first aid and not treatment.

3

Preventing Bloating and Torsion

  1. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 10
    1

    Ask your vet about preventative gastropexy. Preventative gastropexy is a surgical procedure that can be performed on dogs that are prone to bloating and torsion. There are a few different procedures when performing gastropexy, but most result in adhering part of the dog’s stomach to their torso to prevent torsion.Consult your vet to see which gastropexy options are available and which might be most effective for your dog.[11]
  2. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 11
    2

    Feed your dog smaller meals throughout the day. Feeding your dog only one large meal a day can cause bloating and torsion as your dog will likely be eating too quickly. Separate your dog’s daily food allotment into 2 to 3 smaller meals throughout the day in order to promote healthy eating and digestion. Align your dog’s eating schedule with your own, give them food before you begin your day in the morning and food again in the evening.[12]

    • Try using automatic dog feeders if you find that your schedule will not allow you to feed your dog multiple regular meals.
  3. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 12
    3

    Add high protein wet food to your dog’s meals. Many dry foods can be too rich in carbohydrates and be over processed for dog’s digestive systems. Add high protein wet food to your dog’s meal to increase your dog’s nutrition and digestive activity so that they can naturally decrease their risk of bloat or torsion.[13]

    • Start by supplementing half of your dog’s dry food for wet food.
    • Consult your vet or local pet store about high protein wet foods. Ask questions like, “Which wet foods do you recommend for my dog?” or “Is there a particular food or brand that helps combat bloating and torsion?”
  4. Image titled Detect and Prevent Bloating and Torsion in Dogs Step 13
    4

    Avoid exercise after meals. Exercising your dog after they have just eaten increases their risk of bloating or torsion as their stomach will be full, heavy, and easier to twist. Give your dog at least 2 hours of digestion time before you take them on a walk or have high energy play. [14]

    • Try feeding your dog an hour after they have exercised to create a simple and healthy feeding routine.

Reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Detect-and-Prevent-Bloating-and-Torsion-in-Dogs

How to Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Helping Dogs

Gauze muzzles are classified as homemade muzzles and should only be used in an emergency.[1] However, proper technique when tying a gauze muzzle can provide a secure temporary solution so that you can assist an injured or frightened animal. Gauze muzzles are also useful if you don’t have a muzzle handy and need one immediately. Keep in mind that it is always better to have a sturdy purchased muzzle on hand.

1

Muzzling a Dog

  1. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 1
    1

    Use a gauze muzzle for emergencies. Gauze muzzles are not optimum for dogs. They are best reserved for emergencies, when there is absolutely no other option. You should also only use a homemade muzzle like a gauze muzzle temporarily.[2]

    • Other materials that can become emergency muzzles include leashes, ropes, pantyhose, and so on.
    • Avoid having to use a homemade muzzle by keeping a real muzzle in your dog’s fist aid kit.
    • You can purchase a gauze roll bandage at any pharmacy (like Walgreens), drugstore, big box store (like Walmart), or most grocery stores.
    • Check your first aid kit. Many come with a roll of gauze.
  2. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 2
    2

    Cut off a long strip of gauze bandage. In an emergency, you want to create a gauze muzzle quickly. Get an idea for how much gauze you’ll need by pulling out and cutting off a strip long enough to wind several times around your dog’s head. Before cutting the gauze, wrap it around your dog’s head from under their chin to behind their ears. Then triple this length before cutting.[3]

    • The length that you cut depends on the size of your dog’s head. You will obviously need a longer strip for a bigger dog.
    • Cutting off such a long length allows you extra in case you estimated the size of your dog’s head wrong.
  3. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 3
    3

    Tie off a big loop in the middle. Pull the strip of gauze out to its full length. Form a loop in the middle of the gauze strip. Tie a knot where this loop closes. You should now have a loop of gauze with long, loose ends on either side of the knot.[4]

    • Make sure the knot is a slipknot so that you can tighten the loop once it is around the dog’s nose.
    • Tie a slipknot by creating a loop and pushing a second loop through it.[5]
  4. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 4
    4

    Advance toward the dog so they can’t see you. You want to approach the dog with the loop open in your hands. In order to place the loop securely over your dog’s snout, make sure you approach from the back or the side. This way they can’t see you coming and will be less startled.
  5. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 5
    5

    Consider training your dog to wear a muzzle. Although you should restrict use of a gauze muzzle to emergencies, you might want to train your dog to use a muzzle. If a dog is trained, they will be less likely to become aggressive when you apply a gauze muzzle.[6]

    • Use treats and gradual exposure techniques to train a dog to take a muzzle.
    • For example, you could smear the interior of a muzzle with a treat like peanut butter or wet dog food.
    • Play with the dog while they wear the muzzle so that they associate the muzzle with positive things.
    • Take short walks with the muzzle.
    • Do this muzzle training whenever you would normally walk your dog, such as every afternoon.
  6. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 6
    6

    Slide the loop over the nose. Before your dog has a chance to see what you are holding, slide the loop over their nose. Keep the center of the loop over the end of the dog’s nose for the best fit.[7]

    • Slid the loop all the way back to the jaw line, where the snout meets the face.
  7. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 7
    7

    Tighten the loop. As soon as the loop is around the dog’s nose, tighten the loop firmly so that your dog cannot open his mouth. Bring the loose pieces of fabric around the snout and tie another loose knot on the bottom of the snout.[8]
  8. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 8
    8

    Tie the bandage behind the neck. Once the loop is in place, pull the loose ends of the gauze behind the dog’s head. Cross one end over the other. Then tie the two ends in a bow that is easy to undo.[9]

    • Since gauze muzzles are used only in emergencies, being able to remove them quickly is important.

2

Muzzling a Pug-Nosed Dog

  1. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 9
    1

    Tie a loop in a long piece of gauze. Just as you would for a dog with a long snout, cut off a long strip of gauze bandage. Make sure it is long enough to wind several times around your dog’s head. Then form a loop in the middle and tie a slipknot for it.[10]
  2. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 10
    2

    Place the knot under the chin. For pug-nosed dogs, you must be sure to place the loop’s slipknot under their chin. Come up on the dog from behind or the side, then slip it under their nose. Keep the knot turned toward the floor so that it easily slides under the dog’s chin.[11]

    • For longer snouts, the knot goes behind the ears.
  3. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 11
    3

    Tie loose ends behind the ears. Once the loop is on the dog’s nose, slide it back toward the jawline. Then pull the slipknot tight enough to keep the dog’s mouth shut. Quickly pull the loose ends back and tie them behind the ears.[12]

    • Use a slipknot or bow so that the muzzle can be removed quickly.
  4. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 12
    4

    Pull a loose end back through the nose loop. For pug-nosed dogs, it is important to take one loose end and feed it back through the gauze tied around the dog’s snout. Pull this loose end across your dog’s forehead. Then slide it under the tightened loop at the top, right by the nose.[13]

    • Feeding an end back through the loop keeps the muzzle from slipping off.
    • Keeping the muzzle on can be challenging on dogs with pug noses, and keeping it on is important.

3

Dealing with a Resistant Dog

  1. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 13
    1

    Protect yourself from a violent dog. If you need a muzzle a dog who is being violent, such as because they are afraid or in pain, approach with a very calm demeanor. Avoid making eye contact with the dog. Also make yourself appear bigger, such as holding an umbrella or sweater out in front of your body. Once the dog senses that you are not afraid and are not a threat, he may back down.[14]

    • As soon as the dog backs down from its aggressive stance, slip on the muzzle and make it tight.
  2. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 14
    2

    Be strong if a dog resists. Your dog may resist or lunge while you put the muzzle on, which is likely if the dog is hurt or afraid. Bring someone along to help you keep the dog still while putting on the muzzle. Also consider wearing thick gloves and clothing to prevent the dog being able to bite you. Although you can restrain the dog physically, try instead to calm it down so that you can put the muzzle on without issue.
  3. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 15
    3

    Tie on a muzzle when a dog is likely to bite. A gauze muzzle is useful when your dog becomes unexpectedly aggressive. If you see evidence that your dog wants to bite another animal, quickly restrain them by tying on a gauze muzzle.[15]

    • Signs that your dog is about to bite include tense posture, a flicking tongue, visible whites in the eyes, and so on.[16]
  4. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 16
    4

    Muzzle a frightened or injured dog. When a dog becomes frightened or injured, getting them muzzled quickly is a priority. Dogs tend to bite when they are in extreme fear or pain. A quickly tied gauze muzzle will prevent injury while you try to help the dog.[17]

    • A gauze muzzle can be especially helpful in a rescue situation.
  5. Image titled Apply a Gauze Muzzle to a Dog Step 17
    5

    Contain a dog for an exam. If your dog needs to be quickly examined, such as after a rescue, a gauze muzzle provides a fast way to protect yourself from getting bitten. You can also use a gauze muzzle to quickly groom a dog.[18]

    • You might want to groom a dog right after it has been rescued. A dog might be covered in mud, brambles, or other debris from traveling.

Reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-a-Gauze-Muzzle-to-a-Dog

How to Recognize a Stroke in Dogs

April 30, 2018 Comments Off on How to Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Helping Dogs

Knowing the risks, signs, and symptoms of a stroke means that you can provide your dog with proper care and make it comfortable if you suspect a stroke. Although all dogs can potentially suffer from a stroke, older dogs, dogs that are overweight, or dogs that have certain health problems are more likely to experience a stroke. If you know what to look for and what to do, it can help you to keep calm and it allows you to seek veterinary advice more quickly. While it is important to comfort a dog during what is probably an extremely frightening experience, knowing how to identify and treat a stroke can potentially even save your dog’s life.

1

Knowing the Signs of a Stroke

  1. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 1
    1

    Identify the common symptoms of a stroke. The symptoms of a stroke are varied, from sudden loss of balance to altered consciousness. Review the signs of a stroke and keep an eye on a dog you suspect is having a stroke. You want to be able to identity any of the key symptoms.

    • Extreme weakness: There may be a neurological weakness of the limbs. This means that the nerves are not working and therefore do not give the legs the right information about how to stand up and support the dog. Although the muscles are strong enough to support the body, they do not receive the right nerve messages and so the animal is extremely weak and unable to stand.
    • Nystagmus: Nystagmus is the technical term for when the eyes flick rapidly from side to side, as if watching a tennis match on fast forward. This is a common indicator of stroke, although it can also happen for other reasons, such as meningitis. Again, once nystagmus starts it can last for days. It also makes the pet feel nauseous, because it invokes a form of motion sickness. Because of this, the dog may vomit and lose interest in food.
    • Sudden loss of balance. Be on the look out for a dog that cannot coordinate its limbs.
    • Altered consciousness: In severe strokes some dogs may seizure or fit, whilst others may lose consciousness. This means they are unaware of what is going on around them and do not respond to their name or other stimuli.
  2. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 2
    2

    Differentiate between the symptoms of a stroke and the symptoms of other conditions. A stroke is a sudden event. You should suspect a stroke if a pet that was fine and normal 5 minutes ago, is now struggling to get up. If the dog is struggling because its dizzy, such as if they have heart disease, this episode may pass within a few minutes, once the dog has caught its breath be able to rise and walk around. A dog that has had a stroke, however, will remain disorientated for hours or even days.

    • Please note, this symptom also overlaps with inflammation in the balance mechanism in the inner ear.
    • In addition, there is a sliding scale of weakness, depending on the severity of the stroke. Sometimes if it is only mild the dog can stand and walk around slowly as if drunk, other times the dog is incapacitated, lies on their side and is barely conscious.
  3. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 3
    3

    Understand how the length of stroke symptoms is central to a diagnosis of a stroke. To be classified as a stroke, technically the symptoms must persist for longer than 24 hours. If the symptoms resolve before this, and yet there is a strong suspicions of a blockage in the brain, it is instead known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) . TIAs are a strong warning sign that a full blown stroke is on the way, and so always seek veterinary attention so any underlying causes can be corrected to reduce this risk.
  4. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 4
    4

    Be aware that conditions other than a stroke can cause similar symptoms to those of a stroke. Because these conditions are vastly different, the treatment will differ. However, do not worry too much about labelling your dog’s condition but instead seek urgent help.
  5. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 5
    5

    Contact your veterinarian if you suspect a stroke. There are several symptoms that can point towards your pet having had a stroke. However, do not be too concerned about reaching a specific diagnosis at home, because calling the symptoms a stroke is just a label. What is important is that if you see one or some of these signs you should get urgent veterinary attention for your pet.[1]

2

Caring For a Dog You Suspect Has Had a Stroke

  1. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 6
    1

    Keep calm. If you believe your dog has had a stroke, the first thing to do is keep calm. Your dog will need your help in order to survive, so keep your wits about you and focus on helping your pup.
  2. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 7
    2

    Make sure your dog is comfortable. Put the dog in a quiet, warm environment. Make him or her as comfortable as possible by placing it on a padded bed and removing nearby furniture it could hurt itself on.

    • If your dog is unable to stand, turn it to lie on the opposite side of its body every half an hour to reduce the risk of pneumonia because of blood pooling in one side of his lungs.
    • Put water near your dog so it can drink without getting up. If it doesn’t want to drink for a long time, wipe its gums with a wet cloth to give it some moisture.
  3. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 8
    3

    Phone the veterinarian and seek an urgent care appointment. If this emergency happens on a weekend or late at night, call your vets emergency line. If you get not response, you may need to find an emergency veterinary clinic to take your dog to.

    • Make note of your dog’s symptoms so you can relay them to the veterinarian over the phone. It’s important to know the strength and length of symptoms, so that you can properly communicate the severity of your dog’s condition to the vet.
  4. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 9
    4

    Understand what your veterinarian will do for your dog. The priorities for treatment of a dog that has had a stroke include minimizing swelling to the brain and maximizing oxygen to the brain.[2] This will be done with medication and medical care. In addition, your veterinary office will be able to take care of secondary concerns, such as keeping your dog hydrated and comfortable.

3

Assessing Whether Your Dog is at Risk of Stroke

  1. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 10
    1

    Understand the basics aspects of a stroke. A stroke is caused by an interruption to the blood flow to part of the brain. It is a hallmark of strokes that they have a sudden onset, because of the sudden nature of a blood clot switching off the blood supply to part of the brain. The exact symptoms depend on which precise area of the brain is affected, but there are several symptoms held in common, no matter where the blood clot lodges.[3]

    • A stroke is almost always caused by a blood clot which lodges and causes obstruction in the blood vessel, but it is also possible that it’s caused by a plug of fat that has dislodged and circulated to the brain. A stroke can even be caused by a plug of bacteria in the brain.
    • For many years there was dispute amongst veterinarians about whether animals had strokes or not. But this argument has now been largely won by the “yes they do happen” camp, because sophisticated imaging techniques, such as MRI scans, have produced pictures of the blockages in the brain.[4]
  2. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 11
    2

    Figure out if your dog is in an “at risk” category for stroke. Those dogs most at risk are often older, and have pre-existing health condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or Cushing’s disease. Some veterinarians anecdotally report that dogs with underactive thyroid glands are at increased risk of stroke, but the data to prove this is lacking.
  3. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 12
    3

    Think about other risk factors. Other problems that can predispose a dog to a stroke include heartworm, where larvae can break off and circulate to the brain to cause a blockage. Also at risks are dogs with a history of clotting problems, with kidney disease, a high fever, or cancer.[5]

    • The lowest risk group for stroke are young, fit dogs with no health problems that are regularly treated against heartworm.
  4. Image titled Recognize a Stroke in Dogs Step 13
    4

    Know that dogs differ from people. Be aware that a stroke in a dog has a different presentation to in people. Whereas a person may be affected down one side of their body and their speech may be affected, this is not the case with dogs. They present in the ways described above.[6]

reference: https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-a-Stroke-in-Dogs

Scroll to top
×
Please Upload Your Receipt
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping