Dog Cancer | Canine Cancer | Dog Diet

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, and can be caused by many different things. The four most common allergies that result in anaphylaxis come from allergies to food, latex or rubber, insect bites, and medications. Anaphylaxis can cause horrible rashes and swelling, or may also cause shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and anxiety. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. If not treated within minutes of the allergic reaction, it does have the potential to be fatal. Severe allergies are very serious and require medical treatment and maintenance. Here are some ways to prevent anaphylaxis:

Testing: The most tragic cases of anaphylaxis often happen to people who simply don’t know that they have allergies. This can be easily prevented by a trip to your doctor, who can test you using allergen extracts (i.e., dog hair or grass) and vaccines. These tests are approved by the FDA, so you know that getting tested is safe. Children and adults of all ages can be tested for allergies.

Preventing: Once you know that you have a severe allergy, do all you can to avoid coming in to contact with anything that might result in anaphylaxis. For instance, if you’re allergic to any medications, make sure to include that information in your medical history at any doctor’s or dentist’s office. If you have an allergy to insect bites, make sure to wear protective clothing and repellent while outdoors. If you have a food allergy, make sure to always check the ingredients of any packaged food you’re about to eat. Though these actions may feel tedious, they could save your life.

Treating: Because every bee sting and stray peanut in a cookie cannot always be foreseen, it is absolutely necessary to carry an emergency anaphylaxis kit. This will contain the medication needed to counteract the allergy. In most cases, this medication is epinephrine, and it can be easily injected into the arm or leg. Make sure that the people that surround you also know how to inject the epinephrine, in case you lose consciousness and cannot do it yourself.

There are many different types of anaphylactic emergency kits you can choose from, but all require proper handling and dosage from your doctor. TwinJet and EpiPen are examples of auto-injectors of epinephrine that are easy to use for people of all ages. The problem with many kits, however, is that they are easily lost or misplaced. If you find yourself often misplacing your kit, you might need a TwinJet or EpiPen holder. This will help guarantee that you will always have your epinephrine treatment when you need it most.

Anaphylaxis needs to be taken seriously. If you get tested for severe allergies, know how to prevent reactions if you have them, and are always prepared with an emergency anaphylactic kit, you will be able to have the peace of mind of knowing that you and your loved ones are protected.

Is It Really Gluten Free? Dog Food

You may not ever have heard of dog allergies, or you may have noticed something strange with your dog lately. If you’re a new dog owner, or have never encountered a dog with allergies before, you may not be aware of the common dog allergy symptoms.

However, with as many as twenty percent of dogs thought to have some form of allergy, it’s a good idea to learn what they look like, just in case! Here are a few of the common dog allergy symptoms to look for:

* Hair loss – unexplained hair loss on large areas of the body.

* Skin problems – an allergy may be present if your dog suffers from a dry, flaky, itchy skin. You might even notice hives or swellings, or sometimes even areas that look like ringworm. A trip to the vet should allow you to distinguish between other diseases or conditions and an allergy related skin disorder.

* Ear inflammations – excessive redness, shaking of the head, or constant scratching at the ears may also be a symptom of an allergy.

* Chronic hot spots – raw, inflamed areas of skin, usually caused by your dog licking excessively.

* Excessive scratching, biting or chewing on itself. Some dogs become almost obsessed, to the extent that they injure themselves!

* Poor coat – dull, dry or excessive shedding hair may all be a result of an allergy, rather than seasonal change or other factors. If your dog is looking shabby, with no good reason, there’s a good chance you’ve got an allergic pooch on your hands.

* An upset stomach – usually a symptom of a food allergy. Loose stools and vomiting are typical examples of allergic reactions to foods.

If any or all of these are present in your dog, and you have noticed them over some time, chances are you’re looking at dog allergy symptoms. It’s also worth noting that sometimes, dogs that were not allergic to something before, suddenly (or gradually) develop an allergy to it.

Unlike diseases, allergies cannot be cured, but they can be treated, simply by removing the irritant that is causing the dog allergy symptoms. While that may sound simple, it’s not always. Your dog cannot speak to you to tell you what’s causing irritation. He probably doesn’t even know himself. In fact, many dogs with food allergies will gratefully wolf down the very things that are causing their allergy.

For this reason, it’s important to keep a close eye out for dog allergy symptoms, and if you do notice them, to begin the long, and sometimes arduous, process of elimination that will help you identify the allergen. Then it’s simply a case of removing it from the dog’s environment.

Again, an allergy is not curable, but it can usually be treated by removing the allergen. Sometimes, your veterinarian may suggest treatments of another kind, for example cortisone. Whatever the treatment is though, you can rest assured that your dog will feel much better without the often pesky dog allergy symptoms he’s been living with!

Allergy Symptoms & Treatments : How to Cure Chemical Allergies

Which shots does my dog need to get yearly?? Also Insurance Question.. Help?

Ok, so I’m getting my dog insurance, he’s a 1 yr old bichon frise who is in good health.. I will be paying $136 a year for a standard plan, which will cover Accidents, Illnesses, X-Rays,surgeries, cancer, prescription, & hospitalization.. To me that seems pretty good, but the only thing it doesn’t cover is vaccinations, heart worming, & flea control… In order to get my plan to cover these as well I would have to pay $280 a year, compared to $136.. So do you think it would be worth it just to pay that much more for those things?? give me your insight..
Also, which shots does my dog need to have taken every year, can’t remember right now, and vets closed, so I was just wondering…

No, paying the $280 a year vs $136 is NOT worth it. You can find flea control products online at a discount. Heartworm medication can also be bought online if your vet will give you a prescription. You can save a lot by doing it online. Vaccinations…..well, once your pup has all his vaccinations, he will need one more a year from his last puppy shot and then not for 3 years. This is the new standard adopted by all the vet schools in the country. And, vaccinations are cheap anyway.

The Health Insurance Industry Thanks Max Baucus

If you’re the owner of a pooch who suffers one of the many types of dog skin allergy out there, chances are, you’d do just about anything to make sure that he or she still has a great quality of life. The great news is that just as “human” medicine has advanced, new developments in veterinary science also mean your dog has a better chance than ever at a long, happy, healthy life.

If you love your dog, allergies symptoms will probably make you incredibly worried – itching, scratching, biting, hair loss, stomach trouble and more are all common signs of dog skin allergy, whether they be to food, fleas, or items in their environment. Here are a few of the treatments available for dog skin allergy today:

Avoidance
If your pet is allergic to a specific allergen, for instance house dust, or pollen, or maybe a particular type of food, the simple choice is to keep them away from their allergy triggers – keep them out of the room when you vacuum, keep grass short, or avoid treats or foods that contain the ingredients they are allergic to.

Fatty Acids and Biotin
Interestingly enough, recent research has shown that feeding more Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid rich foods can help reduce the symptoms of dog skin infection, by reducing the histamine response to allergens. On the other hand, Biotin, a B vitamin, helps reduce the itchy skin associated with this allergy, so adding a supplement containing this, like brewer’s yeast, to your dogs’ diet, should make for an improved coat and skin.

Anti Histamines
Better known in the treatment of human than dog skin allergy, anti histamines none the less have had some good effects on affected dogs. Make sure you find out from your vet which work best, and note that a mild sedative effect is a common side effect of this kind of medication.

Immunotherapy
Basically, in dog skin allergy, as in human allergies, a milder form of the specific allergen is used to build up the tolerance of the dog to that particular allergen. It may take some time for this to be effective, and it can be expensive, so it’s usually only resorted to when all else fails in dog skin allergy treatment!

Steroids
When you think steroids, dog skin allergy treatment is probably the furthest thing from your mind, however, they can be some of the best, fastest acting and most effective treatments for your dog’s skin allergy problems. Of course, prolonged use is not advisable, unless under the strict supervision of a vet, but they will provide almost immediate relief from dog skin allergy symptoms like extreme itching!

These are by no means the only options as far as treating your pet’s skin allergy. There are herbal, homeopathic and many other options you could explore, and topical treatments, shampoos, creams and ointments can all offer welcome respite to your four legged friend from his irritating and painful dog skin allergy symptoms. So if your pooch is looking under the weather, find out if it’s an allergy – and if so, try one of these solutions!

Skin Allergies in Dogs Can be Helped with Special Shampoos and Supplements

My dog has flea allergies,can anyone tell me what I can do to help him ?

perhaps some home remedy, I have taken him to the vet. several
times,he gives my dog a shot that last for about a mo. My dog is losing
his hair & is suffering very much. I don’t want to put him down. He has
been my baby for 5 yrs.

My dog has flea allergies and sensitive skin. My vet said to buy Iams or Science Diet dog food. He also gave us fish oil capsules and told me to bath him at least once every 2 weeks in baby shampoo. It seems to help. I didn’t change his dog food though he still eats Beneful for healthy radiance. He has improved greatly.

Dog Allergies Eliminated in One Treatment! Listen to what Ketriz has to say……..

Do you have a remedy for any kind of common problem?

Many remedies and cures are not commonly known or accepted, yet we know they work. Here are some I know personally that work, and I hope you’ll add yours no matter how unorthodox they may seem.

You need to be careful about advocating garlic for dogs. I know our vet strongly advises against it. While onions are more of a danger than garlic, they both contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Garlic is LESS toxic and large amounts need to be eaten to cause illness, but why take the risk…especially with small dogs?

Pets affected by onion and garlic toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body.

At first, pets with this poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animal’s urine and it becomes breathless. The breathlessness occurs because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number.

The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion or garlic. Poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts. The condition improves once the dog is prevented from eating any further onions or garlic.

Dog & Cat Tips : Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies

Do you think that it is a ridiculous idea that a dog would need dog swimming vest? While many people would agree with you, there are legitimate reasons for a dog life jacket.

Do you have a very small dog yet enjoy taking them on trips to the beach, lake, or just to your backyard to the pool? While many dogs are very good swimmers, there are some that cannot swim very well and need the extra boost that a dog water vest would provide.

You may not be able to get to a small dog by the time you realize that it has fallen overboard before it sinks. If the dog was wearing a dog swim vest, the floatation would allow them a little more time so you can get to them.

If you own a pool and want to make sure your dog is safe, a large or small dog life jacket will keep your dog safe and prevent them from drowning. It provides that extra buoyancy they need to keep their heads above the water. Many dog life jackets have a handle on the top that allows you to pull the dog out of the water.

There are even large dogs that need a dog floatation jacket. If your dog is anything like my 100lb German shepherd, once the water hits his belly, he freaks out. I wouldn’t trust him in the middle of a lake. A dog life vest would also be great for an aging dog. One, who may not have the strength or stamina to allow for a swim, but with an extra aid from a dog life preserver, can enjoy the water how they did when they were little.

But please note you should never leave a dog unattended when around water and wearing the swim vest.

Finally, it is important that you measure your dog correctly so that your dog can’t slip out of the jacket. The jacket should provide adequate movement for their legs and neck so they can safely swim while in the water.

Some of the most popular brands for designer dog floatation vests are Doggles, Outward Hound, Ruff Wear, and Paws Aboard.

Stop Dog Gas Now

If you have a dog, then dog health insurance is a must and can help to allow for required vet care for injuries from accidents or unforeseen illness. Commonplace vet care, like annual checkups and inoculations are covered with several dog health insurance policies, but not all – you’d need to talk with your insurance broker to include it, if not included.

Finding and comparing dog health insurance

Data about pet health insurance can be found at several insurance company web sites by exploring the search engines. The sites normally offer specified information on what the various dog health insurance plans cover along with their monthly costs. Numerous pet health insurance companies offer free quotations, which often helps dog owners select the best value for money dog insurance program.

Which type of health insurance for dogs is best?

When picking out a dog health insurance policy, take into account whether a higher monthly premium for specialised insurance coverage including veterinary care or a low monthly premium for lower dog insurance coverage.  dog owners apply dog health insurance that only cover unexpected veterinary costs as yearly costs can be projected and budgeted accordingly.

Do insurance policies for older dogs cost more?

The age of the dog can impact the dog owners option for a dog insurance policy. Several dog insurance companies have specific insurance plans that cover more costs connected with dogs in their senior years.

Veterinary expenses

Veterinary attention can be extremely expensive. Treatments for cancer, auto accident as well as hip dysplasia are just cases of veterinary costs that can run into thousands.

While some dog health insurance policies cover only a small part of the costs for treatment for a small number of dog health illnesses, some health insurance offer the peace, that if the dog catches a dog disease or is hurt or injured, the largest part of the veterinary costs will be covered.

Are there consequences if not being insured?

If dog owners cannot supply required vet care to treat their dogs illness or accidental injury, the owner of the dog could be held liable by local authorities and could face criminal charges for animal cruelty or animal neglect. Taking out dog health insurance helps ensure that neither dog nor owner will suffer the consequences for want of veterinary care.

Boarding: dog insurance coverage inclusions

Many dog health insurance programs extend coverage for various dog ownership expenses like room and board at a kennel. Dog insurance policies may also offer an accidental death payment similar to life insurance for the dog.

Make sure you take care of your new pet dog to the full extent, it can be costly money-wise, bring personal heartache to the dog owner as well as the dog.

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