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Dealing With Glaucoma in Dogs (bird fleas) PDF Print E-mail
Written by Webmaster   
Friday, 07 December 2007
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By Gerry Ronson

  There are many diseases that dogs can suffer from. In some instances they can be cleared up with little medication and treatment, such as eye infections. There are of course other diseases that take extensive treatment. Glaucoma is more than just an eye infection. In fact your dog doesnt have to suffer from eye infections to develop glaucoma. We will look at the different reasons for glaucoma to form, what it is, and of course what treatment may exist to make your dog more comfortable.

Glaucoma is a condition of the eye in dogs when there is a fluid build up in the eye. Every eye secrets a fluid that helps it stay moist as well as move in the eye socket. With glaucoma the build up of the fluid can actually cause under pressure in the eye in various spots. It can affect the retina, the lens, and the blood vessels attached to the lens. There are three types of glaucoma: open angle, narrow angle, and mesodermal dysgenesis. Depending on the dog breed you have you may experience one of these types of glaucoma. It has been shown that there are certain breeds that are more affected with glaucoma such as beagles, poodles, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, and Samoyed. This by no means is a full list of dogs that can develop glaucoma, but is a list with the most common breeds that contract the disease. We have discussed the reason for the disease to occur, but not really the cause. After all why do some dogs produce more fluid than others resulting in the disease? The actual cause like many diseases is unknown. It has been linked to a genetic disorder as well as eye infections. In some cases it could be a lack of proper formation of the eye, a mutation of cells, or just a decrease in proper nutrients for the diet.

It is important to understand the symptoms your dog will have if they have the disease so that you can get them treated as soon as possible. There are early signs of glaucoma that include inflammation, squinting with the dogs eyes, pain, tearing of the retina, and cloudy vision. They may even have a dilated fixed pupil. In other words the pupil will be large and the eye probably has lost motor function. It can be difficult to diagnose some of the symptoms like pain, but usually a sensitivity to light that they didnt have before is one indication that they have an eye problem. You will also find that the dog will have trouble walking. They may become clumsier, such as walking into things that have always been there, but they now cannot see. Glaucoma is a degenerative disease. This means that left untreated the dog can become blind. There are a few treatments that will help reduce the inflammation caused by the fluid increase.

The first treatment a vet will usually try is an injection of antibiotic into the eye. The medication is supposed to help reduce any inflammation that has occurred as well as take care of any infection. This is not always the best medication because it can be toxic to the retina causing blindness. There are also surgical procedures that you may wish to try. These procedures allow for a small tube to be inserted into the eye to help the flow of fluid drain away from the eye. This can be a costly procedures and often times owners elect not to have the surgery. There are other medications that are anti- inflammatory that can be used orally. These are not as effective. You also have a choice of eye drops to help reduce the inflammation in the eye.

Gerry Ronson - dog accessories and puppies for sale.

Deciding To Adopt A Pet
By Jeff Austin

  The idea of having a pet is something that many people consider but they rarely take the various needs of their pet into account when they start the process to adopt a pet. These various people will just adopt a pet that they see in pet stores and at the pet shelters. Once they take the animal to their homes they are confronted by the reality of having this animal at home.

For this reason when you decide to adopt a pet you should see what sort of pet you have the ability to take of. There are many different animals that are suitable as pets. These pets can include dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, love birds, parrots and fish.

While these are the main types of pets that people consider adopting there are other people who prefer the exotic variety of pets. These types of pets are snakes, turtles, hawks, and even lion cubs.

Regardless of whether you are thinking of adopting a dog or a lion cub the main fact that needs to be considered is the animals emotional state, mental state and the physical condition of the animal once you decide to adopt a pet.

As these various animals have different requirements to ensure their health you should talk with an animal veterinarian or a zoo keeper or pet store employee to find the various facts that are needed in the care of your new pet. You will need information about their daily routines.

The eating likes and dislikes of your new pet will have to be looked into. You should remember that while some of the animals are carnivorous by nature they may need some vegetable or green leaf matter for their health. These types of dietary requirements should be found out before you try and adopt a pet.

To keep your pets health and happiness at the optimum point you should ensure that you have the appropriate surroundings and accessories that are needed for your new pet all ready to use. You will have to keep in mind that some types of pets are not allowed to be kept in your home due to various legal laws.

These laws are in place as they deal with the safety of the many animals that should not be kept as pets. To find what types of animals are best left wild and free you can contact your local wildlife authorities or your local animal shelters. These places may be able to help you in this matter.

In addition you can find information on the procedures for caring for any wild animals that are found on or near your property. All of the information that you can find will help you when you want to adopt a pet and make sure that your pet has a good home and family.

For more important information on pet adoption visit onwebnet.com where you will find adopting a pet information and tips on adopting a pet, dog rescue, and more

Learn About Teacup Poodles
By Gerry Ronson

  There are three types of poodles that you can choose from when you are a poodle fan. First you will have to decide how much room you have for the poodle, and then you will have to decide just what kind of affection you really want from your new dog. The teacup poodle is the smallest poodle breed that you can find. The other two breeds are miniature and standard poodles. The Teacup poodle can only reach a height of ten inches, and are usually about six. They are also about six to nine pounds in weight making them extremely small, like cats. You may also hear the Teacup poodle referred to as the toy poodle.

Their temperament as mentioned above is affectionate, loyal, intelligent, and of course sensitive. You will find they are very active and responsive for their owners, making them one of the easier trained dog breeds. You can work for an hour everyday on training as long as it is fun and active. They love to learn new things and please their owners. They should be socialized as puppies to help them interact with strangers as well as children. You will find they are very amusing to watch as well as entertaining. You will find they can be nervous and a little timid, but proper socialization should take care of most of that. You will also want to train for their incessant barking. If you train the dog to only bark as a watchdog they tend to not bark as much. Some people love teacup poodles, but find after a while the barking is too much, so be prepared that early training is needed to head this off.

Proper care of your teacup poodle is absolutely necessary. You will find with proper nutrition, exercise, and love they can live for 12 to 15 years. They need to have regular baths every six weeks to help reduce some of the health ailments they are susceptible to. They also need to have daily walks. Since they are small a fifteen minute walk is usually all that is needed. You also need to make sure they have a safe place to play. They love to play indoors with toys and of course have interaction with humans. They are okay in apartments, but you may find they are happy with a small backyard. Typical ailments for teacup poodles include heart disease, eye and ear infections, digestive tract issues, and slipped stifle. They can also be affected by anemia.

The toy poodle or Teacup poodle is elegant, affectionate, and sensitive. You will find they are really just a smaller version of larger poodles with the small skull, long, but narrow muzzle, and floppy ears. They also have the characteristic curly fur that is usually shiny and soft. The coat is not as dense, but very pretty. They can be several different colours, from white to black and all those in between. You will usually never see a multi coloured poodle. There are three grooming techniques that groomers usually use. They are Continental clip, English saddle, and the Pet clip. Depending on whether you are going to enter your dog in shows you may just choose the pet clip for easier care of their coat. You have to brush their coat at least once a day to prevent matting and tangling. You will probably want to visit a groomer at least once a month for the clipping, but sometimes you can go a few months.

Gerry Ronson is a writer for dog training aids, dog and dog beds.

Choosing Dog Toys Wisely
By Gerry Ronson

  If you havent realized it yet there has been a huge controversy this year with some childrens toys, and if you stop to think you will realize that dog toys are just as susceptible. Many of the dog toys sold in stores, especially in America have been made in China. This means that they can be harmful. The dog toy market is unregulated. This means that some of the toys could have harmful properties that will actually make your dog sick over time. It is important that you pay attention to were the toys are made and how they are made when choosing your dogs toys. Often we just find the dog toys we think our pet will love. We also let them choose some of the toys when were in the pet store. But you need to start paying more attention.

You should read the package of the dog toy to find out what it has been made of. Rubber, cloth, painted toys, and many other toys may have toxic properties. You may find that it is better to go to a specialty toy shop rather than a generic pet supply store. Lead has actually been used in the creation of dog toys. So you should be a little concerned about the dog toys you are buying. Here are a few toys that your dog may like, and they are probably pretty safe. Remember to check the label for its contents before purchasing these toys though.

You may think that rope is pretty harmless; however there are some rope toys that could actually harm your dog. A rope toy is usually made with a braided rope and two ends that have been knotted. When you are choosing this type of dog toy you will want to make sure the rope has not been colored. Rope that has been colored has a potential of having harmful chemicals in the synthetic making. In fact you are probably better off buying rope from a hardware store, like twine and making your own braided rope. If you are looking in a pet shop stay away from the brightly colored ropes that have been dyed. The color of the rope will not matter for the toy.

Fleece and Plush toys are one of any dogs favorite toys. They love to bite them, catch them, and chew on them. Puppies are especially happy to have plush toys as it makes their gums feel better. Plush toys can also be harmful. While the synthetic material they are made out of may be okay in small doses leaving the dog to chew on a plush toy while you are not home can have disastrous effects. The dog can open up the toy and start chewing on the stuffing. It is best to only offer this toy when you are home and can watch them play with it. It is also a great toy for interaction.

There are rubber balls and rubber squeaky toys that can be okay to give to your dog. Keep in mind that you do want to know the ingredients just in case, but for the most part rubber unless eaten is pretty safe for your dog to chew on. Rubber balls or squeaky toys that the dog can chase are one of the most popular toys.

You can also buy rubber tug toys that have an elastic band in the middle. These are also safe toys to an extent. You dont want to leave the dog alone with the toy to chew on, but a daily play time with this toy is usually enjoyable for both parties.

Gerry Ronson writes for squeaky dog toys, dog toys and dog training clubs.

Learn About The Afghan Hound
By Gerry Ronson

  The Afghan hound is one of the most beautiful dogs with their long fur coat and aristocratic stance. You will find this dog breed is going to be very sweet, happy, loyal, and intelligent. The Afghan hound has been known for its courage as well as its sensitivity. Things you should know about their temperament include its ability to be around older children and other animals. As affectionate creatures they do well with older children who will exercise them as well as show them the attention they love. They are also good with other animals, especially after socialization. You will need to offer training as a puppy for obedience because they can be quite stubborn if you dont. They are also very dignified creatures so they are typically not going to jump in water or puddles and play certain games. They can be a little hesitant around strangers, but for family they are very affectionate.

As I mentioned above training is important at the puppy stage. When training an Afghan hound you need to make sure you use a gentle, but firm hand. They are sensitive dogs and can be affected by rough behaviour or even harsh words. Consistency is also warranted when dealing with these dogs. You should allow proper socialization and obedience training before trying to teach them any tricks. For exercise you will find they need to have a fenced in yard and daily walks. While they are not active indoors they do need plenty of space. Their size is part of the reason they need space. When you exercise the dog you need to make sure you exercise them for a half hour each day, with running. They can overheat easily in warm climates or in the summer so you may have to take a break during the exercise to avoid any issues.

There are several wonderful dogs that you may wish to adopt, but how do you make that finally decision? Below you will find information regarding the Afghan hound dog breed in the hopes that you can make a sound decision as to whether their temperament, size, and of course grooming needs are what you are looking for.

The Afghan hound stands between 25 and 27 inches and weighs 50 to 60 pounds. They are usually any colour from cream to black. Typically the hound will have a long light coloured coat, with a dark patch on the back, ears, and around the muzzle. They are not bulky dogs, but rather thin from the face through to the rear. Their face is usually thing with a long narrow muzzle. You will find they have long floppy ears that can be hard to distinguish from their coat. For grooming you need to brush them daily to avoid matting and tangles. You also need to make sure they visit a groomer every six weeks or so to get a trim and their toenails clipped. You will want to make sure you give your Afghan hound a bath frequently to help avoid the matting and tangling of the hair. Often times when you live in a dry climate brushing can cause more of an issue than in a humid climate. It may be easier to seek a groomer who has the proper tools as their coat can be quite difficult to work with.

Afghan hounds make some of the best pets as they are loyal, elegant, and affectionate creatures. You will want to make sure to provide proper nutrition as well as time with your dog. Like most dogs you do not want to leave an Afghan hound alone for too many hours. They strive on attention and affection.

Gerry Ronson is a freelance writer for the websites dog beds and dog.

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Last Updated ( Friday, 07 December 2007 )
 
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