Practical Tips if Your Dog Has Kennel Cough

February 4th, 2010

Kennel cough is described as the inflammation of your pet’s respiratory system, more particularly the upper part of the lungs. Kennel cough is very common in dog centers, especially in crowded shelters.
This disease is airborne, meaning dogs living within the same area are at high risks of acquiring it. Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease and it is very similar to human cough.

If you suspect that your dog has kennel cough, take it to the vet right away. It always pays to be sure whether your dog just has a mild case of cough or a more complicated respiratory disease. The vet would perform the necessary diagnosis for your pet and he can give your dog the medicines that it need.

But aside from following the vet’s orders, you also have to do several things to speed up your pet’s recovery. Milder cases of kennel cough rarely require medication. But it is still necessary to give your pet the drugs that the vet had prescribed. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to dogs with kennel cough. And they have to take it as frequently as indicated in order to experience eventual relief from the disease.

If your dog has kennel cough, try to keep it away from your other pets as much as possible. All of them could easily contract the same disease just with mere association. If you must, keep your pets in their respective cages. This way, you can prevent their contact with each other. There are also preventive medicines that you can give to your other pets so that they would have stronger immune system. This way, they won’t easily acquire the disease. Ask your vet about the possible vaccines against kennel cough.

The best home remedy to give dogs with kennel cough is Vitamin C. There are Vitamin C soft capsules that can be bought at pharmacies today and you can simply add it to your dog’s meals. Break the capsule and put the content in the food of your dog. It is also possible to use similar tinctures and herbal remedies that are easily available at pharmacies today.

The cold weather can make your dog suffer from the disease even more. Try to keep its environment warm and humid. Use a vaporizer or a home humidifier to keep the dog house or crate comfortable enough for your sick pet. It is also possible to use a cough medicine used for children on your dog.

However, this should be done only as a first aid and never as a continued medication for its disease.

Honey can help so much in easing an irritated throat. You should also do your best to keep your pet from pollutants such as smoke. For the entire length of time that your dog is sick, try to keep smokers out of the house. This way, your pet would experience speedy recover from its condition.

Be sure to monitor your pet’s health all the time. This is very important so you can stop the onset of any diseases. Prevention and early cure are your best defenses against kennel cough and similar health concern.

Choosing Dog Crates

January 4th, 2010

Choosing the correct crate for your dog is very important as the dog may have to spend considerable amounts of time in one. There are a few factors to consider. This article discusses them.

How much room do you have for the crate? You don’t want to be tripping over it. Most people keep their dogs crate in their living room or family room. Some opt for the master bedroom. Ask yourself if you will be re-painting any time soon. If so, go with a neutral colored crate. The nice thing about current dog crates is that they come in fashion colors! Everything from baby pink, to bright orange to neutrals such as khaki.

So what size do I buy? The rule of thumb is to give your dog enough room to sit without hitting his head. You will also want to give him enough room to lay down and stretch. The bottom line is, give him space, but not too much space. If a dog has too much room in his crate, he will use his crate as a potty.

Look for a dog crate with accessories such as name tags, fleece pads, or pockets for treats and toys. Some come with coordinating carry cases for treats and toys, in leu of a pocket. Other extras include, matching carry cases for collapsible crates. Quality construction is something to keep in mind. Soft crates should have hidden steel hinges for durability. Depending upon your lifestyle, water resistant construction may be something to consider.

If your dog is a chewer, a wire dog crate may be the best option for him, as a soft dog crate would only get destroyed. If you prefer a wire crate for a dog that is not a chewer, invest in a dog crate cover that doubles as bedding for the crate. This not only provides your dog with comfort, it will give him security as well. If you are on the go, consider a collapsible dog crate. Collapsible dog crates come in soft and wire construction.

If you’re looking for a quality dog crate or dog kennel at a great price, let CanineCrateStore.com help you. At CanineCrateStore.com, you will find the best in Dog Crates and Kennels . They are authorized retailers of the finest pet products in the business. This assures you that the manufacturer’s warranty is valid when you purchase a dog crate, dog kennel, or product from their store. They are committed to your satisfaction. You will deal directly with the owners, who are dog lovers and understand your questions and concerns. They offer only the highest quality dog crates and products to you and ship them to your door fast!

Dog Care Fundamentals

October 24th, 2009

Dog care is an essential part of a dog’s life. If not properly attended, they may acquire certain diseases that are undisputedly shortening their lives. Some of these may include diabetes, tumors, liver cancer, kidney diseases, joint pains, obesity, and many dental problems. In these, it is very important that you manage your senior dog’s health through ensuring necessary dog care.

Senior dog ailments may be controlled if preventive dog care measures are observed. Dog care routines must include vitamin supplements, regular visits to the veterinarian, nutrition checks, and a regimen of exercises. When your concern is the infestation of fleas on your pet’s coat, it is not always recommendable that you employ the use of poison powders or sprays. It commonly observed that flea combs work well in eliminating the fleas on your pets, not to mention the enjoyment your dog gets with this form of dog care.

However, there is now a popular medication available in the market, which your veterinarian may recommend. This is called the Program, which in general may prove worth the use. On the other side, maintaining the cleanliness of your home may be one of the best ways of eliminating these pests. A vacuum once every two days will keep them off fr many days. Moreover, dog care may apply also with your yard, meaning the use of pesticides sprayed throughout your yard may prove beneficial for you and your pet. Pesticides which come in liquid forms such as the malathion, duisban and the likes are most commonly applied as they not only reduce the number of fleas in your place but also kill other pests as well.

Ultimately, dog care reduces the chance of your dog having acquired diseases, some of which may be fatal. An example is the heartworms. They are known to kill many dogs and it is best if you have your dog checked by a veterinarian every year to give him corresponding medications. Vaccinations as part of your dog care routine would significantly affect his over-all health. Your dog’s diet must also be watched. Many generic and commercially produced dog foods may contain harmful ingredients to your dog. To carefully ensure productive diet for your dog, it is best that you give him foods that are scientifically formulated.