Hyperthyroidism in dogs

It is often referred to as an 'overactive thyroid', is when the thyroid gland produces and secretes excessive amounts of the free - not protein bound and circulating in the blood. This is the opposite of hypothyroidism, which is the reduced production and secretion of T3 and/or T4. Very few dogs are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. It is usually caused by cancer of the thyroid gland. The cancer tumour causes the thyroid to give off too much hormone. This disease usually affects older dogs. Hyperthyroidism may be asymptomatic, but when it is not, symptoms are due to an excess of thyroid hormone. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, heart racing, hand tremors, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, thinning of the skin, fine brittle hair, and muscular weakness. When a dog has too much thyroxin, it may lose weight even though it is eating the same amount of food. It may be hungry all the time and bolt its food until it vomits. The dog is often excessively thirsty. It can have diarrhoea and urinate much more often than normal. Major clinical signs include weight loss, anxiety, hair loss, muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, hyperactivity, irritability. Long term untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to osteoporosis. A dog with hyperthyroidism often is irritable and hyperactive because of the excess hormones. Its coat may look shaggy. Weight loss often causes the dog to be too thin and suffer muscle wasting. Though it is overly active at times, the dog may be weak due to the loss of muscle strength and its nervous physical activity.

HYPOTHYROIDISM IN DOGS

This is a disease of thyroid deficiency. Dogs with hypothyroidism have metabolic rates below normal. Hypothyroidism, in most cases, is caused by autoimmune thyroiditis (also called lymphocytic thyroiditis), which results in destruction of thyroid tissue. Autoimmune thyroiditis is known to be an inherited disease. The disease occurs most often in middle-aged dogs of medium and large breeds, but has been seen in virtually every breed and in mixed breeds as well. The breeds most commonly affected are the Golden Retriever, Doberman pinscher, Irish Setter, Miniature Schnauzer, Dachshund, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Greyhound. Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine skin disease in dogs-but it is still less common than other skin diseases. Coat and skin changes are bilateral and symmetrical. A typical sign is poor hair regrowth, which is most noticeable after the dog has been clipped. . Other signs of hypothyroidism include weight gain, intolerance to cold, a slow heart rate, and absence of heat cycles, lethargy, and a variety of nonspecific symptoms. Hypothyroid dogs may develop blepharitis, corneal ulcers, deafness, constipation, and anaemia. At least two-thirds of hypothyroid dogs have high serum cholesterol levels. Behaviour changes including aggression have also been noted in hypothyroid dogs, particularly German Shepherd Dogs. The recommended blood test for screening purposes is the total T4. A normal T4 is fairly conclusive evidence that the dog does not have hypothyroidism. However, a low-normal or below-normal level does not mean the dog is hypothyroid, because concentrations below normal are common for many reasons other than hypothyroidism.

NAIL FUNGUS PROBLEM IN YOUR DOG

FUNGAL INFECTION - One cause of nail fungus is a specific type of fungi called dermatophytes. Another cause of nail fungus are yeast, which is also a common fungi.
Dermatophytes and yeasts cause nail fungus by eating away at keratin, the main protein that makes up our fingernails, toenails, hair, and skin. The nails try to produce keratin at a faster rate, causing it to thicken and eventually detach from the nail bed. Other effects will include nail discoloration, inflammation of the skin around the infected nails, pain, and a foul odor.
These effects are certainly not pleasant. Your dog will have difficulty in walking and playing. This condition is not easy to cure and should not be ignored as later on there can be major problems.

German Shpherd dog - common features

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which generally are between 55 and 65 centimetres at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.

A solid black German ShepherdGerman Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. Both varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic "saddle" to an over-all "blanket." Rarer colour variations include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties. German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is shed all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer.

FUR SHEDDING IN DOGS

Dog shedding is one of the most common problems faced by dog owners. It causes health problems and cleanliness issues, and is generally one of the more unpleasant aspects of owning a dog. However, with proper care, it is possible to control excessive shedding of dogs. Here are some tips to help you do so:

• Brushing: This is a perhaps the most important aspect of controlling excessive shedding. Brush your dog regularly, so that all the hair that the dog sheds can be easily collected. Hair that is loose but still attached will also get pulled out and this will reduce the day long shedding. If your dog has a very heavy coat and sheds excessively, brush him two, maybe even three times a day to prevent him from shedding all over the house.

• Food: One of the factors that causes shedding in dogs is consumption of the wrong kinds of foods. This disturbs their chemical balance in their bodies and leads to shedding. Consult your vet to find out the best food options to prevent excessive shedding.

• Supplements: There are essential oils present on the skin of the dog that help keeps it moist. When dogs undergo excessive shedding, they lose these essential oils rapidly, which leads to dry skin, which in turn leads to excessive shedding. Give your dog a fatty acid supplement to help maintain the required balance of essential oils in his body.

• Control Ticks and Fleas: Ticks or fleas on the bodies of the dogs can cause a lot of discomfort to the dogs because of the constant bites all over the bodies. Their bites are relatively itchy and dogs tend to scratch themselves a lot when they have ticks and fleas on them. This excessive scratching leads to a lot of hair loss as hair keeps getting pulled out as the dog scratches, and this leads to shedding wherever the dog may be. To reduce such shedding, ensure that your dog is completely free of ticks and fleas. Consult your vet for effective treatment, if your dog is infected by them.

• Bathing: Different breeds of dogs have different bathing requirements. Almost every breed of dog that has a light to moderate coat of fur should be bathed regularly. Especially in the summer, depending on the breed of the dog, bathing your dog on a regular basis will help control excessive shedding to a large extent. This is because moistening the skin helps prevent shedding caused by dry skin.

• Use the right brushes: There are different kinds of brushes available for different purposes. For instance, you can use a slicker brushes, and stripping blades effectively to control excessive shedding. Consult your vet to find out the right kind of brushes that can be used for your breed of dog and learn about their individual functions.

• Regular Check ups: Sometimes excessive shedding can be a symptom of a disease and regular check ups will ensure that your dog is in perfect health and that his shedding is natural.

HOW TO BATHE YOUR CAT

Cats do not require frequent bathing, as they keep themselves well-groomed. However, occasional baths once a month is necessary to maintain hygiene.

Before starting the bathing process, make sure to trim the nails of the cat. This would reduce the risk of scratching. Brush the cat thoroughly, especially if it is long haired before giving bath to the cat.
Once everything has been arranged, its time to get your cat. Most cats hate water, so do not let your cat know what is going to happen.
Bathing
In one single liquid motion, shut the door of the bathroom, step into the shower, close the sliding doors, and drop the cat into the water.
Make sure you place a rubber mat in the tub. Firstly, dip a cloth in warm water and wipe the area around your cat's eyes. Put a few drops of mineral oil into the cat's eyes, which will protect the eyes from soap.
Select a good-quality cat shampoo for your cat's bath. If you think your cat might have a few fleas, use flea shampoo. If your cat has long hair, you can buy cat shampoo with conditioner, which will help keep his hair from tangling.
To divert its attention from bathing, the best thing would be to talk to your cat.
After you've washed your cat, blot his tail and legs with a paper towel, as these areas tend to absorb a lot of water. Then take your cat out of the sink and wrap it in a towel.

Grooming a dog - necessary and beneficial

Regular grooming is essential to your dog's health and well being as it will keep the coat clean and healthy. It will stimulate the blood supply to skin, and allow the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It will also help you to check for potentially serious problems i.e. hair loss, inflammations, unusual tenderness or lumps under the skin. Constant scratching in a particular area may also be an indication of a problem. Consult your veterinarian about any unusual problems found.

Combing
Comb should be done in the direction of hair growth, combing small sections at a time, until the coat is tangle free. If the coat has a particular knot or tangle, you may have to trim it off with scissors. A de-matting comb, slicker can be used to remove mats. When using a combination comb, begin with the widely spaced teeth, and follow with the finer teeth.

Brushing
Begin brushing at the head, working toward the tail and down the legs. Always brush in the direction of hair growth. A pin brush can be used to fluff the coat by brushing against the direction of hair growth. Regular brushing will help distribute the natural oils from the skin, producing a healthy, shiny coat.
Puppies
Like babies, puppies have short attention spans. Select a time when the puppy is less energetic. Begin with short grooming sessions, five minutes or so. Constantly talk to your puppy in a gentle and reassuring tone to make him feel comfortable. Be sure to check his ears, paws, teeth, and underside during the grooming procedure. This will make him accustomed to being handled and examined. Gradually, he will be quite comfortable being groomed, and will look forward to these sessions with you.

Frequency
A good time to do this is after the dog has been walked, while he is relieved and calm. Select a time when you will not be interrupted and have ample time to do a proper grooming.

6 REASONS FOR HAIR LOSS IN DOGS

Dog hair is important because it protects the dog from extreme temperature, abrasions and physical damage. Hair loss from seasonal shedding is normal. Other causes of hair loss may require veterinarian diagnosis and treatment.
1. Allergies
Allergic reactions are a major cause of patchy hair loss. The dog may be allergic to airborne pollen, food ingredients or environmental exposure to allergens. Licking of paws, or small bumps over the body are typical symptoms of allergy. Once the irritant is identified, the dog exposure can often be restricted.
2. Folliculitis
Damage to hair follicles causes hair loss. Allergies, hormonal problems or bacterial infections cause belly hair loss, scaling or skin lesions. Usually antibiotics are prescribed to treat the infection.
3. Endocrine Problems
Endocrine glands control normal function and development. The glands produce hormones critical to dog health. Some endocrine diseases and problems cause serious hair loss. Examples are hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease.
4.Parasites
Sarcoptic mange is caused by mites.Many parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites and lice cause hair loss. Inflammation from the parasites causes infections and bald patches. Mange is an example of hair-loss disease transmitted by parasites.
5. Ringworm
Ringworm causes hair loss, skin scales and crusty sores. The hair loss is usually in a ring pattern and may itch. Various types of fungus cause ringworm, and it is usually spread by contact with an infected animal or items such as bedding or grooming gear shared with an infected animal.
6. Stress
When a dog has stress in its life such as illness, surgery or loss of an owner, the dog may blow its coat. Instead of normal shedding, the dog loses big clumps of hair. Handfuls may come out at a touch or in the dog bedding.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS FOR YOUR PET

Fats are an important source of energy for dogs and cats. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are vital to the normal development and growth of both humans and animals. The term EFA means that the body is unable to produce these fats and they must be obtained in food. They are found in all cell membranes, tissues, and organs of the body. Even before birth, EFA’s are key to normal development of the brain, eyes, and bones. These are the nutrients that have protective properties essential to good health. In animals, there is clear evidence that deficiency of the EFA’s causes disease. Dogs and cats often do not get the daily supply of EFA’s they need. As a result of which the normal growth and development of the brain, eyes, skin, and hair suffers. Researches have proved that supplementing the diets of dogs and cats with EFA’s is an effective way to provide these vital nutrients.The most important of the EFA’s are the long-chained omega-3s, and two of the omega-6s - Gama-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are the important omega-6s. These omega-6 fatty acids are powerful anti-inflammory agents in the body and also required to have healthy skin and coats. They are subject to much faster degenerative processes. They are also important to maintaining healthy bones. The long chained omega-3s are found almost exclusively in fish oil. A refined fish oil can provide DHA and EPA more safely than by eating the fish itself. It is too risky to rely on diet alone. Daily small amount of these fats is simple and effective. It eliminates the possibility that EFA deficiency can harm your pet. These are available in the market in liquid form as well. Different companies like Ayurvet, Venky etc are marketing it by the trade name of vitacharm and glossycoat. In my practice i have seen that administartion of these EFA's are very helpful in controlling the skin diseases and other related disorders. So, i always recommend that these EFA's should be added to the diet on daily basis. So that you can your promise to give healthy life to your dog.

Portuguese Water Dog -- White House Ist Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is obedient, robust, functional conformation; and able to do a full day's work in and out of the water.

General Appearance

It is a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina. This highly intelligent breed has two coat types - curly or wavy and has a powerful, thickly based tail.
Height--Males, 20 to 23 inches. The ideal is 22 inches.

Females, 17 to 21 inches. The ideal is 19 inches.

Weight--For males, 19 to 27 Kg and for females, 16 to 22 Kg.

Head - An essential characteristic; distinctively large, well proportioned

Expression--Steady, penetrating, and attentive.

Eyes-- Medium in size; set well apart, and a bit obliquely. Darker eyes are preferred. Haws are dark and not apparent.

Ears--Set well above the line of the eye, except for a small opening at the back, ears are held against the head. Tips should not reach below the lower jaw.
Skull--It is slightly longer than the muzzle, when viewed head-on, the top of the skull is very broad and appears domed, with a slight depression in the middle. The forehead is prominent, and has a central furrow.

Jaws--Strong.

Nose--Broad, well flared nostrils. Fully pigmented; black in dogs with black, black and white, or white coats.

Teeth--Not visible when the mouth is closed. Canines strongly developed.

Body--Chest is broad and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs are long.

Tail--Not docked; thick at the base and tapering; set on slightly below the line of the back; should not reach below the hock. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.
Feet are round and rather flat. Webbing between the toes is of soft skin, well covered with hair, and reaches the toe tips. Central pad is very thick.

Nails held up slightly off the ground. Black, brown, white, and striped nails are allowed.
Coat - A profuse, thickly planted coat of strong, healthy hair, covering the whole body evenly. No undercoat or ruff. There are two varieties of coat:
Curly--Compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless.
Wavy--in waves, not curls
Color - Black, white, and various tones of brown and also combinations of black or brown with white.

Portuguese Water Dogs have a multi-octave voice. They are quiet dogs although they warn when the home is approached, and they communicate their desires vocally and behaviorally to their owner. Their bark is loud and distinctive. They sometimes whine.

Types of Dog Collars

Dog Collar Types

Buckle collars - these are adjustable and do not tighten on your dog's neck once fastened.

Leather collar - It is very strong, water proof and comfortable for your dog. There are flat collars for short hair dogs, and rounded collars for longer haired dogs. A rolled leather collar avoids the hair breaking that can occur using flat collars. Try to keep the dog collar as thin as you can while maintaining the strength for your dogs comfort.

Elizabethan collar - This type of collar is for dogs recovering from surgery. Basically it is the funnel shaped and keeps them from biting stitched wounds or surgery incisions.

Electronic collars or remote collars or shock collars - The idea behind these collars is to deliver an electric shock to the dog as a correction. A low-level shock is given at first but if the dog continues to disobey the intensity is increased. Electronic collars should only be used for training and should never be used without a professional trainers guidance.

Head collar - It is important to learn proper instructions about its use from a qualified trainer.

Pinch collar - It should be used as a last resort and only for very short periods of time.

One of the essential and most important thing about a dog collar is to make sure that it's personalized and has your dogs name and your contact details on it. This will make it easy for someone to get in touch with you if your dog gets lost or strays.

Finally pick a collar that suits your dogs personality and size. For small dogs a simple flat collar will suffice. For larger dogs you might try a prong collar with a wide leather band.If your dog loves water you should buy a nylon collar. Leather is OK but it can crack quickly unless it's dried and polished after each dipping.

Parasites - Guinea pig

most common are parasites in guinea pigs including fleas, mites, and lice.
Fleas
The cat flea is the most common flea affecting guinea pigs and usually become infested when another pet in the house brings in the fleas from outside. Fleas may also cause hair loss, crusty lesions on the skin, and even anemia.A flea comb can be helpful in finding fleas. Contact your veterinarian for the proper treatment.
Mites
There are two mites that cause skin problems in guinea pigs. They may also be hair loss, thickening of the skin, redness. This mite usually affects the head, shoulders, back, and flanks of the guinea pig, but may spread to the entire animal. Secondary bacterial infections can occur. . The mite is transmitted by direct contact, and can temporarily infest people.
Lice
Lice can cause scratching, redness, papules, and scabs, usually around the head and ears. Some infested animals may not show any signs. Lice are spread through direct contact, and sometimes through the bedding. The lice of guinea pigs do not affect humans.