Dog disabilities could be a result of illness, physical injury or accidents. Just because your dog is disabled, it should not stop you from enjoying its company. As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to help the dog live a normal life and cope with the situation. Below are a few tips to keep your dog happy and healthy even with their disability.

Assist their movements

Dogs who suffer from mobility problems, such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, spinal disorders, DM in dogs, or other medical problems that affects their hind legs will need plenty of help moving around. To make things easier for you and the dog, you can buy a special leash that supports their torso and back legs. There are also other tools that assist in mobility problems, such as dog wheelchairs that can be strapped to their backs. If you are going to take the dog out to the vet, you will need to carry it into the car since it might have a hard time getting in. You can also use a small and improvised ramp that will help them walk into the car.

Watch their weight

Like humans, over weight dogs have a higher chance of getting stick compared to dogs that stay within their ideal weight. Exercise and a balanced diet are the only things you really need to worry about when it comes to your dog’s weight. Make sure they get the right amount of exercise by taking them out for walks or jogs. You can also let them run around in an open area like you back yard, front lawn or the nearest park. Never over feed or underfeed your dogs. Use a good dog food mix or you can feed them meat that you prepared. Check with your vet about your dog’s ideal weight and the best type of diet you can give it.

Regular visits to the doctor

Visiting the vet regularly helps you and your dog’s doctor track the dog’s condition and see if it’s improving or not. By going to the vet, you can detect any problems and stop them before they develop even further. The vet can also advise you on medical procedures and other remedies that can help or cure your dog. They can also offer medical screening for some genetic illnesses like DM in dogs.

Talk to your dog

Taking to your dog is actually a form of therapy for the both of you. Massage and gently rub its fur and spend some time with it. Sometimes, human touch works better and is more calming and relaxing compared to any other type of medication.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

If you have a dog, then you would know how their curiosity and activeness can get them into trouble. Sometimes, they even get hurt because of their misadventures. Knowing how to apply basic first aid on dogs can not only help it cope with the pain, it could even just save their life. Thousands of dogs get into accidents, get injured or get sick every day, and walking away without helping just sounds too inhuman. Below is a step by step guide on how you can help you furry little friend.

Move Closer

You need to move close to the dog to see the damage. Walk towards it slowly, keeping eye contact and speak in a slow, reassuring tone. If it barks or growls at you, step back. Try to find some food and use it to gain its trust. Don’t touch it yet until it shows that it trusts you. Its facial expressions should give you signs if it will allow you to touch it.

Secure the Dog

Pet your dog and give him or her the reassurance that things are going to be OK and that you’re doing something about the pain. Tie a leash around its neck. If you don’t have one, use a tie, a belt, a rope, anything that you can use to make a make-shift leash. This will let you handle it better. Muzzle it to top it from biting you. Slowly and carefully lift the dog up and take it to a safe area.

If you Can, Know why the Dog Got Into the Situation

It’s best to figure out why the dog got hurt to start with. This lets you pinpoint possible areas that also could have been damaged. Even if the dog does not have cuts or bruises, it could have gotten injured from the inside. If the dog has an illness that causes it to become partially paralyzed or unable to move, like degenerative myelopathy or arthritis, its best to check if it can still move of feel its legs. It could have gotten hurt because of sudden loss of control over their lower limbs.

Apply First Aid

Stop blood from open cuts by placing clean cloth over it and securing it to place. Run your hands though the dog’s body and check when it reacts to pain. Dogs who are paralyzed or have degenerative myelopathy may not feel the pain since their nerves are not working properly, but be watchful for any reactions.

Take it to the vet

Carefully carry the dog to the car and take it to the veterinarian. If you don’t have a way of transportation, you can call the vet or a veterinary ambulance to pick the dog up. Many animal hospitals have emergency rooms where they can run tests like x-rays to check internal damage.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

If you are like most pet owners, your pets are valued members of your family. It is a documented fact that many have risked life and limb to save their precious pets during a disaster. Statistically, however, it is more often small cuts and scrapes that occur that require immediate attention, rather than major disasters such as an earthquake or flood. For this reason, every pet owner should have easy access to a first aid kit specifically created for pets.

What would you need immediately if your puppy fell of the bed and started whimpering? You’d need a first aid kit for pets. Supposing your cat had an altercation with the neighbor’s dog and the vet was twenty minutes away? You’d need a first aid kit for pets.

A well-stocked first aid kit for pets is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it could save your pet’s life, or at least make him more comfortable, until you can get your pet to a veterinarian. The likelihood that your animals will survive an emergency depends largely on emergency planning done today. Therefore, a first aid kit for pets is a necessity.

What should a first aid kit for pets include? To some degree, that will depend upon the type of pet. However, the basics include the following:
2 – Paw Tip Bandage (Knuckle)
2 – Fingertip Bandage
1 – Tape Roll
1 – Trauma Pad (5 x9)
4 -Gauze Pad 4″ x 4″
4 -Gauze Pad 2″ x2″
1 -Gauze Roll 2″
2 -Examination Gloves
1 -Instant Cold Pack
1 – Tweezer
2- Antibiotic Ointment
10- Alcohol Pads
10 – Antiseptic Towelettes
1 – Bag
1 – Pet First Aid Guide
4 – Leg Splints/Tongue Depressors
10 – Cotton Tip Applicators
1 -Elastic Bandages 2″ (“Ace” Type)
2 – Splinter Removers (Lancets)
3 -Sting Relief Pads

Assemble an emergency supply pack which includes the first aid kit for pets, pet food, water, medications, medical records, leashes, a well-fitting muzzle, ID tags and other appropriate supplies. Put this kit in a central location in your home. Remember to take this pack with you when going on an outing, or else prepare a second pack for the car.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) offers information regarding managing urgent care situations such as car accidents, wounds, electrical shock, and eye, foot and ear injuries. Their website ishttp://www.avma.org/first aid. Additionally, the Red Cross offers a Pet First Aid booklet with suggestions on creating a first aid kit for pets.

What should you do to ensure your pet’s survival and to avoid those feelings of panic when an accident or illness occurs? Plan, purchase, prepare and practice. Obtain a first aid kit for pets, and then review the materials it contains. It isn’t sufficient to simply have the supplies; you must know how they are used. Learn the necessary skills so your actions become instinctive…even when you are under stress

Planning ahead is the key to keeping your pets safe when disaster strikes.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

Or the sad cats diaries

I saw this a couple of days ago and thought it was pretty funny. Anyone who has cats will surely enjoy it.  (rated PG-13 for language)

Cats are such funny and wonderful creatures. They can be so indifferent at times and then turn around and want to be petted (but “only twice…) and I now know to pet with both hands! Watch it. you’ll find out what I’m talking about! Anyways, not really much of an informational posting; but I had to share. Enjoy!

If you are going to buy a new dog or just purchased a dog, now its time to think of an exclusive name for it. Considering of an exclusive name for your dog can be quite challenging but there are many ways to make the process easier. There are many methods by which you can get best dog names without much effort. When you choose a name, it’s essential to choose an excellent one as that name will be with your dog for lifetime. You don’t want to provide a big powerful men dog name or in the same way a men name to a sensitive women dog. To get those creative names easily, you have to make a research. Below are some tips which help you to select good and attractive dog names in less span of time.

The primary factor to consider when trying choosing exclusive dog names for your dog is whether your dog will be able to understand his or her name from your regular daily usage of the name. If you think about it for a second, calling your dog ‘Joe’ or ‘Boe’ may very well mix up your pet. Try and choose an exclusive name that is possible for your dog to understand easily from your voice. Usually one or two syllable terms are simpler especially when your dog gets difficult of listening to. Another factor to consider when selecting a name is whether you would experience calling your dog in the middle of your speech and the dog identifies it clearly and comes near you. Unique names may be audio attractive at first but can create you problems while calling as such names are not that much easy to pronounce if you want to call from long distance. As you have to call much louder, it makes somewhat difficult for you.

Waiting for few days after buying a new dog before selecting a name for it can make the procedure much simpler. By this you can make a good research to select excellent dog names. The purpose for this is that you may choose up on little features of your new dog that provides you with some motivation. Maybe your new dog is courageous and has the ability and personality of a lion; maybe ‘Leo’ would fit your new dog. Or else you can name it “Tiger” which is one of the most common names which most people uses for their dog.

Another excellent resource of exclusive dog names is from guides and tv. There are lots of ways to get best dog names other than this. The most popular method is to make an online research. You can get many websites providing better dog names which you can make use of. Selecting an exclusive dog name is something funny as it gives the dog with a new identification within your household. Take a little time to do a bit of analysis and you will easily get the ideal name for your new pet.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.