It is essential to make sure your dog is not overweight or underweight.

 

The consequences of being underweight include:

The dog would feel cold more easily compared to healthy dogs.

Enough nutrients would not be reaching the dog's body which would result in the dog feeling weak and tired.

The nutrients are required by the dog to function and the dog is more likely to suffer from health issues (including diarrhea) if he/she is underweight.

 

Source for the information given below: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=694
The consequences of being over weight include:
 

Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
One of the most common complications of obesity in dogs is the development of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Obesity causes an increase in the secretion of insulin in response to the increased blood glucose level in the overweight dog. Insulin is also more in demand simply because there is a greater amount of tissue in an overweight dog. When requirements for insulin exceed the ability of the body to produce insulin, diabetes mellitus develops. If the need for insulin increases over a long period of time, the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin can actually 'burn out,' again resulting in diabetes.
Damage to joints, bones, and ligaments

Approximately 25% of overweight dogs develop serious joint complications.

Studies have suggested that approximately one-quarter of overweight dogs develop serious joint complications. The bones, joints, muscles, and associated tendons and ligaments all work together to give the dog smooth and efficient movement. If they are required to carry excess weight, they can start to become damaged. Arthritis can develop and the pain and joint changes associated with hip dysplasia can become markedly more severe.
Extra tension on joints caused by an increased weight load can also lead to damage of certain ligaments. Ligaments are tough, fibrous strands of tissue that hold one bone in proximity to another bone in joints. One of the ligaments in the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament, is very prone to strains or tears. If this ligament is torn, the knee becomes very unstable and the dog is reluctant to use it. Surgery must be done to repair this torn ligament.
Certain breeds of dogs, such as Dachshunds are prone to develop intervertebral disc disease ('slipped disc'). Carrying extra weight increases the probability that they will develop this painful and sometimes debilitating condition.
Heart disease and increased blood pressure
As in people, overweight dogs tend to have increased blood pressure (hypertension). The heart has an increased work load since it must pump additional blood to excess tissues. This can lead to congestive heart failure.
Difficulty breathing
In overweight animals, the lungs can not function properly. The additional fat in the chest restricts the expansion of the lungs. The extra fat in the abdomen pushes against the diaphragm, which separates the abdominal cavity from the chest. This also results in less space in the chest for the lungs to expand on inspiration. To make matters worse, the increased quantity of tissue puts an increased demand on the lungs to supply oxygen. These changes are especially serious in dogs who may already have a respiratory disease.
Decreased stamina
Dogs who are overweight have less endurance and stamina. Carrying all that extra weight around takes a lot more work. The heart, muscles, and respiratory system are all asked to do more than they were designed for.
Heat intolerance
Fat is an excellent insulator, which is fine if you are a polar bear. But if you are an overweight dog in the heat of summer, the excess fat can make you miserable, and much less capable of regulating your body temperature.
Decreased liver function
The liver stores fat so when a dog is overweight, an increased amount of fat builds up in the liver. This is called hepatic lipidosis. This condition can result in decreased liver function.
Increased surgical and anesthetic risk
The effects of obesity on the heart and lungs have serious ramifications during anesthesia. Cardiac arrest (heart stops) and poor circulation of oxygenated blood to the tissues can occur.
Many of the anesthetics are taken up by fat, so an overweight animal will take longer to come out of anesthesia because the anesthetic must be removed from the fat by the body. In addition, many anesthetics are broken down by the liver. A fatty liver may not be as efficient at breaking down anesthetics and other drugs, so again, recovery may be delayed.
The increased fat in the tissues makes surgery more difficult. Basically it is harder to find or get at what you are looking for. The fat obscures the surgical area. For example, in abdominal surgery in an obese dog, there may be literally inches of fat between where the skin incision is made and the organ you need to work on, such as the urinary bladder. This makes the surgery technically more difficult and the procedure will also take longer, which again increases the anesthetic risk.
Reproductive problems
Overweight dogs tend to have more problems giving birth than dogs at their optimum weight. This difficult birthing is called dystocia. Dogs experiencing dystocia often need veterinary assistance to deliver their pups, and may require a cesarean section (C-section).
Digestive disorders
An overweight dog has an increased risk of developing constipation and may also have more problems with intestinal gas and flatulence, which is not pleasant for the dog or the owner.
Decreased immune function
Obesity in the dog is associated with decreased resistance to viral and bacterial infections. Canine distemper and Salmonella infections, especially, seem to be more severe in dogs who are overweight. The exact cause(s) of this lowered resistance to disease in obese dogs is unknown.
Skin and hair coat problems
The risk of skin and hair coat diseases are increased in dogs who are overweight. The skin forms more and different types of oils, the skin may fold in on itself creating pockets, which are ideal for the accumulation of oils and the development of infections.
Increased risk of cancer
The exact link between obesity and developing certain cancers is unknown. However, there have been studies which suggest that obese dogs tend to have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers, including a particular type of cancer of the urinary bladder. A recent study also found that dogs who were obese at one year of age were at greater risk of developing mammary tumors.
 

 

 

How to deal with pregnancies!

When your dog is pregnant, there may be numerous questions running through your mind, But don't worry here is a guide to run you through the entire process..

Step 1: Search for the pregnancy symptoms in your dog.
Your dog might become uninterested in food and her appetite might become small.
She might start acting different by becoming lazy and sluggish.
There will be changes in her body. Some dogs' nipples get larger as early as a week or two into the pregnancy. You may notice the tissue there getting thicker, and for dogs that have given birth before, the nipples may begin to hang down.
You should also take your pet to the vet in order to check if her blood contains Relaxin. Relaxin is a compound produced by dogs when they are pregnant as early as three weeks into gestation.

Step 2: Once you know your dog is carrying, it's time to start taking extra care of her.
Make sure she gets enough rest and adequate exercise. She shouldn't be too strained or stressed so it is better to take her for short walks.
Try feeding her more than normal and add more calcium to her diet. In order to do this contact your vet, this will ensure that nothing goes wrong with her because of this change in diet. Additionally, make sure she is constantly drinking water.
Make sure she has a comfortable place to give birth. This place could be a spacious cardboard box with a cushion for support and shredded newspapers.
Make sure you are always there for her and comfort her when she is giving birth
Don't let her jump on high furniture or engage in any activity that could be fatal for the baby
Also note down where the nearest 24 hour veterinary emergency hospital is.

Step 3: After your dog gives birth do not give her milk as it may not go down well and could cause diarrhea.
Put your dog and her puppies close to each other in a separate area and make sure she has full access to food and water.
If you own the male dog, keep him in a separate areas as his reaction to the puppies could result in him hurting them without him meaning to. 
Make sure the puppies are always feeding and also make sure they are well rested.
Do not give your dog a bath for 3-4 weeks after birth and do not give the puppies a bath until they can open their eyes
If you are planning on selling the puppies wait for 8 weeks before you do as they need their mother's warmth and nutrition for that period of time.

I hope this guide helped you to become aware of what steps to take when you have a pregnant dog in the house.


 

A Dog’s fur coat is a very important part of his/her appearance. Usually what they consume and the exercise they get is what makes their fur coat soft and shiny. On the other hand as dogs grow older their fur begins to become rougher, frizzier and overall unhealthier. There are many homemade treatments that owners can turn to in order to make their dog’s fur coats look and feel better.

1.       Honey - for dry skin

2.       Lemon – treatment for dandruff/dry itchy skin

3.       Avocado (Just the fruit, the pit and skin should be removed) – for a frizzy coat

4.       Plain yogurt – treatment for a dull coat

Source: http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2013/01/5-homemade-dog-coat-treatments.html

 

The above ingredients can be massaged onto your dog’s coat in order to make it healthier. These ingredients can be very helpful but to be on the safer side you can apply a small amount on a small portion of your dog’s skin to make sure there wouldn’t be any negative reactions. You can also contact your vet before trying out any of these treatments in order to make sure nothing can go wrong.  

Are dogs psychic?

Dear diary,

When Bruno’s previous owner passed away, Bruno was in an extremely low point in his life. He would refuse to eat for days together and not a sound was heard from him. He also caught a fever which made his situation worse. We had to take him to the hospital where he was treated and given drips. I have always wondered if this was to do with the passing of his previous owner. I did know they had a very strong bond but the question remains of how exactly Bruno came to know of his demise. Does Bruno have a sixth sense? Is he psychic? Is he a special dog?

On the other hand Angel always knows when it is about to rain. She is extremely scared of the rain and cowers in fear when there is any mention of it. She hides under the tables and holds on to our legs when it is about to rain. This has always been extremely fascinating to us as it is a mystery how she knows whether it is going to rain. Does she have premonitions? Is she psychic too? To answer these questions I did a little bit of research and I have made this post to share my findings with you guys.

 

It is considered that dogs have a sixth sense, But there is always science involved when such theories are researched. Some theories of how dogs have premonitions and how they are bonded with their owners:

1.    Some forewarnings might be explicable in terms of physical clues, such as electrical changes before earthquakes and storms. Other premonitions are more mysterious, as in the case of animals that anticipated air raids during the Second World War long before they could have heard enemy planes approaching, or animals that become agitated before unforeseeable accidents. Here precognition or presentiment may be involved, implying either an influence passing backwards in time, or a blurring of the distinction between future, present and past.

 

2.    Morphic fields may also underlie the sense of direction. Animals are not only linked to members of their social group by morphic fields, but also to significant places, such as their home. These fields continue to connect them to their home even when they are far away, rather like invisible elastic bands. These bonds can consequently give directional information, “pulling” the animal in a homewards direction. Morphic fields may also underlie the sense of direction. Animals are not only linked to members of their social group by morphic fields, but also to significant places, such as their home. These fields continue to connect them to their home even when they are far away, rather like invisible elastic bands. These bonds can consequently give directional information, “pulling” the animal in a homewards direction.

3.    Additionally, there are different scents humans give off that dogs can detect. They know the scent is not normal so they let you know about it. They can smell fire long before we would or the smoke detector would. We let off odors that go along with certain illnesses. There is a hormone that goes off before the seizure hits and the dog will warn the person they are going to experience the seizure.

Common problems faced by elderly dogs

Elderly dogs are prone to face many problems. These problems should be detected at the early stage and should be treated by a professional doctor. These problems include:

Arthritis

People can easily recognize arthritis symptoms in their dogs, because they have seen the same things happen to humans. Dogs get to the point they cannot run and jump like they could when they were younger. An elderly pooch might have trouble leaping onto the couch or into the car. People sometimes get stairs or ramps for their dogs.
Some dog breeds have a genetic predisposition for arthritis. Overweight canines are also at increased risk of arthritis, and they suffer more when they do get the disease.
Another problem that inhibits a dog's flexibility is dysplasia of the hip or other joint. Certain breeds, especially large dogs, are particularly susceptible to this disease.

‘Leaking’

A common issue with elderly dogs is "leaking," the inability to hold urine. This incontinence is usually a result of kidney failure or a urinary-tract infection. Kidney malfunction, bladder infections, and other issues affect a dog's urinary system.

Loss of Vision or Hearing

Like elderly people even dogs experience a decline in their eyesight and hearing as they age. Glaucoma and other ocular diseases are frequently found in elderly dogs.

Heart disease

Heart disease is also common in older dogs. If your dog's heart is failing, it may experience difficulty breathing, fatigue, or even fainting. Other signs to look out for include a swollen stomach and grey or blue gums.

Problems inside the Mouth

Dogs can get cancerous growths inside their mouths, which can make it hard for them to breathe or eat. Gum diseases like gingivitis, a bacterial infection that starts in the gums and can spread to other parts of the mouth, are also common. If this condition is not treated, a dog's teeth may eventually loosen and fall out. Some veterinarians recommend regular tooth brushing and cleaning to prevent this from happening.

Cancer

Cancer can occur at any age, but it is much more common in senior dogs. They can develop cancer anywhere in the body that a human can, but the disease is often treatable. Signs and symptoms to watch out for include loss of appetite, sores, swelling, bleeding, foul odor, difficulty breathing, and lack of interest in exercise. If you suspect your pet has cancer, your veterinarian can run blood tests, perform ultrasounds, and analyze your pet's urine to come up with a diagnosis. Treatment often includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Trouble with the Brain

Dog can get cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which has symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease in humans. The syndrome can cause disrupted sleep patterns and housetraining lapses.

 

Common dental problems:

1.       Plaque and Tartar: Plaque and tartar begin to build up on your pet’s teeth, affecting not only the tooth itself but the tissue around your pet’s teeth. Tartar and calculi appears as tan or brown colored deposits on your dog or cat’s teeth.

2.       Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease begins to occur and affects the tissues surrounding your pet’s teeth. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is one of the first changes to occur. However, the majority of dental disease occurs below the gumline.

3.       Toothache: the discomfort (due to dental disease) can be severe enough to cause your pet to stop eating and even begin to lose weight.

4.       Systematic illness: dental disease can also cause more serious systemic illnesses, such as kidney disease and possibly heart disease.

5.        Bad breath: (halitosis) is one of the first signs of dental disease in pets.

6.       Retained baby teeth: Also known as retained deciduous teeth, retained baby teeth are commonly seen in dogs, particularly in small breed dogs. If these baby teeth do not fall out normally and are allowed to remain in your dog’s mouth, they can cause crowding because of the extra teeth and can even make it difficult or impossible for the permanent teeth to erupt properly.

7.       Stomatitis (mostly common in cats): The inflammation of a pet's oral mucuous membranes, also known as stomatitis, can affect wide portions of the mouth and can be quite painful.

Oral care for dogs

It is important to make sure you take care of your dog’s teeth and that you regularly brush his/her teeth in order to prevent illnesses or diseases that are associated with a dog’s mouth. It is also important to regularly visit the vet for checkups and to make sure that your dog’s teeth are in great shape.

Common dental problems:

1.       Plaque and Tartar

2.       Periodontal disease

3.       Toothache

4.       Systematic illness

5.        Bad breath

6.       Retained baby teeth

7.       Stomatitis (mostly common in cats

I will be describing each of these dental problems in my next post so keep an eye out!!

Dental sticks for dogs:

 

 

Dog toothbrushes and toothpaste: