Dealing With Feeding and Fevers

“Feeding” is a misnomer in this connection as one of the most important points to remember when considering the diet of a sick dog is that an animal with a temperature of over 103°F. should not be fed with normal solid food. The less work the digestive organs have to do, the better, and the lack of appetite usually present is nature’s way of pointing out that food is not required as long as fever is present. In fact, excessive feeding can prolong the illness and increase its severity.

Fluids are absolutely essential, however, and if the dog will not take them voluntarily they must be given frequently like medicine, a tablespoonful or so at a time. Glucose and boiled water is excellent for this purpose, but not milk as this, although a liquid, is definitely a food. When the temperature has returned to normal a very light fluid diet can be begun, such as milk, beaten-up egg in milk, etc., but any rise in temperature should be a signal for a return to glucose and water. Nervous complications in the virus diseases such as hard-pad are far less likely if this method is adopted, and the animal will recover more quickly as he is not being called upon to deal with quantities of food when unable to profit from them. The fluid intake will help very considerably in elimination of waste products—always very important in feverish illnesses.

Separating Dog Fights

Occasionally one has the misfortune to have one’s dog attacked by (or even for it to attack!) another dog. Usually, a few well-chosen words, and a sharp tap on the rump with the lead or stick, will divert the aggressor’s attention. However, when animals really start fighting it is not a simple matter to stop them. Do not try to separate them with your hands if a stick or lead is available. A walking-stick is ideal; the handle placed through the collar of the attacker and then twisted so that the collar tightens on the throat will make him release his grip, and when separated he is still well under control. A lead, used as a noose, can also be used for this but is not so effective.
Douching with cold water is also a fairly effective method of temporarily separating fighting animals, although it is not always possible to have a supply of cold water to hand!

Giving An Enema

Giving an enema is not a task for the light hearted and should be thought out carefully. Use this as a last resort and if possible by a vet and not yourself unless you absolutely know how to do the procedure. This is one method of giving an enema.

An enema is not often needed but is sometimes used in constipation and in illnesses where it is inadvisable to give an aperient or purgative by mouth.

To give an enema, place the dog on a table—with large dogs, preferably in a yard—and have a jug containing the fluid at a higher level. Fill the syringe, making sure it is full as an injection of air can be very painful. Vaseline the bone point and insert into the rectum for its whole length (about seven inches). Give the injection slowly, then remove the syringe with a quick, smooth movement. Press the dog’s flanks together for a few moments to give the enema a chance to act.

After use, wash the enema syringe in warm, soapy water and rinse in a solution of Dettol and water. It should be hung in a cool place to dry.

An enema consists of an injection of fluid into the bowel, by means of a syringe. For small dogs a straight glass syringe can be used, but for general use the ordinary Higginson’s type of rubber apparatus is preferable. For simple constipation only a small injection is needed—for a toy, half a teaspoonful of glycerine mixed with two tablespoonfuls of warm water. For medium-sized dogs double the quantity, and for collie size four times. Soapy water (made from pure soap flakes or Castile soap) can be used instead of glycerine. In the case of a real obstruction —that is, not simple constipation—double the quantity can be given and the enema repeated three or four times.

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As people pay attention to their own healthcare, they should not overlook the well-being and health of their pets, too. Dogs are men’s best friends. In this regard, they also deserve the kind of care and affection that most people do. Thus, what do you do when your dog needs to undergo a $5,000 hip surgical procedure during its senior years? Some pet owners are right to assert that most of the time, veterinary costs for dogs, and other pets, are much higher than actual healthcare costs of their owners. This is not surprising because dog treatment and surgical operations could be more complicated, tedious, and demanding.

Your canine companion would not be young and in the pink of health forever. During times of financial difficulties like today, overall dog care is also compromised. Veterinary clinics in the United States have revealed that overall dog checkups and treatment procedures have been declining since the onset of the current economic crunch. Would you find it alright to know that your best friend would be suffering from an illness or an accident and you would not be able to give him proper treatment because it is just too expensive to do so? Your pet’s overall protection would be a pet insurance policy.

Experts assert that the best time to buy a pet insurance for your dog is the moment you purchase it. It would be cheaper if you would secure an insurance product while the dog is still a puppy than to secure one when the dog is already several years old. Premium costs would also be comparatively more affordable. Make sure the insurance policy you buy is something that would be best and most appropriate for the dog. For example, some insurance programs do not cover several pedigrees or cross breeds due to scientific reasons. But there certainly would be insurance products that fit those dogs.

Aside from the costs and the type of insurance, it is also important that you check the terms and conditions of the product. Is there an expiration period? What is the method of filing for claims? Are there additional charges? Find an insurance product that would cover third-party damages your dog could incur to other people.

For instance, if your dog accidentally bites an individual, you must cover the medical expenses. If your pet has incurred damages to properties, it would also be your responsibility to cover the damage costs. Some insurance products are extensive to also cover such provisions. Find such products and prefer them over others as much as possible.

Check the overall coverage of the pet insurance. In most cases, pet insurance policies only cover illness and accident recoveries. Some include coverage for hospitalization, while others until death. Usually, regular and periodic checkups of the dog are not covered. Basic health and physical care is not also covered like fur trimming or nail clipping. Vaccination against viral infections and diseases are also not usually included in the pet insurance coverage as well as food supplementation.

However, medicines and other treatment materials that are prescribed for recovery against ailment or accident could very well be included in your filing for claims. It is important that you know which items and health actions are covered and which are not.

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Man has come a long way from his humble beginnings. The time when he had first encounter with fire has been buried deep down beyond history pages. There have been a lot of innovations brought about by his genius and determination to make life easier, safer, and well longer. Needs are not the only ones flooding the market because luxuries and other miscellaneous aspects have gradually become a way of life. Cable television is continually challenged by satellite TV. Mobile phones are always showcased in better and more advanced models. Nowadays pets have even matched the quality of life man has. Insurance policies have been allotted to ensure that their welfare is safeguarded.

There are a lot of concepts revolving around pet insurance so if you plan to avail one for your beloved buddy make sure that no stones are left unturned. There are some technical and legal terms that you have to be familiar with. Come on and take some time to bag a few.

There is a document known as the benefit schedule which is made by the pet insurance companies. This contains the list of allowances that are to be paid for after a known and certified diagnosis and treatment. A deductible is an amount wherein payment rests on the policy holder’s shoulder. This covers the charge for the veterinary services accessed. An exclusion is a condition that is not part or is excluded from the plan or insurance policy.

These are just the basic elements of your pet insurance policy so let’s start going deeper. There are policy limits like annual, per-incident, and lifetime which when used up to the brink no longer allows payment of claims. Pre-certification is executed when a certain pet owner gives a request regarding the treatment needed by his pet in order to know if such treatment will be covered and to what extent will it be implemented. There are health conditions that are labeled as pre-existing meaning they have happened or have been incurred way before the pet insurance policy came into being. There are some pre-existing conditions that are given eligibility for coverage as long as it has been cured or a specific time frame elapses. Coinsurance is the portion of your claim which you are tasked to pay for before established deductibles are applied.

Pet insurance is a sure fire move to ensure the welfare of your pet but you must also have an idea of other options that you can tap on. You can check with your reliable Vet as some health facilities can help you avail discounted wellness and preventive packages such as neuters and vaccinations. You can also take advantage of discounted programs that may include 50 percent on animal supplies and 25 percent for diagnostic and treatment services.

Another thing you can rely on is the existence of humane and non-profit organizations which are ready to lend a financial boost for owners who are in need.  Although there are affiliations that engage in such activities it is the responsibility of the pet owner to have savings to rely on when their pets are placed in emergency life-threatening situations.

Pet insurance just like other insurance programs need proper deciphering and evaluation. If you see it fit that in the present condition of your pet such health plan is needed and you have the necessary resources then go for it. Your pets are part of the family so treat them as one.

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Mishaps to these parts of the dog’s anatomy are fairly frequent. The three main causes of trouble are:

1.       Torn ears (from fighting or by barbed wire).

2.       Haematoma (a haemorrhage under the skin of the ear flap).

3.       Foreign bodies in the outer ear canal (e.g., grass seeds).

1.    Torn ears

Dogs do not, however, bleed to death from bitten ears, and the bleeding will cease within a few minutes if pieces of cotton wool soaked in cold water are held firmly over the wounded area, one each side of the injured flap. If the wound is extensive, i.e., more than 2″ long, it is advisable to have the injury attended by a veterinary surgeon, but before taking him to the surgery bandage the ear upwards over the head, the bandage going right round the neck and thus enveloping the whole ear and neck region. This will stop the dog shaking his head during the journey and so starting a fresh flow of blood. If the wound is small, clean it with a little cold water containing a suitable antiseptic, and with a pad of cotton wool or gauze each side of the ear flap, bandage the ear over the head as described. This may be removed one or two days later, and the wound kept clean until it has healed. In spaniels, and long-coated dogs, it will be necessary to clip some of the hair away to ensure a clean wound.

2.    Haematoma

A dog’s ear consists in section of a layer of skin, then a thin layer of cartilage, then a further layer of skin.

Occasionally, especially in large-eared dogs, a violent shaking of the head causes a rupture of one of the many small blood vessels supplying the skin and the tissues below. This results in the ear flap becoming suddenly hard and balloon-like. The condition is not serious but may need surgical measures to return the ear to normal size. This, of course, will have to be carried out by a veterinary surgeon. As this condition is usually the result of violent head shaking or ear scratching it is as well to have the ears examined to make sure there is nothing producing an irritation in the ear canal itself. Such an irritation can result from a local infection, or can be produced by:

3. Foreign bodies in the ear

Grass seeds occasionally work their way down the ear, into the external canal of this organ, resulting in an acute irritation. The animal holds its head on one side, whimpers, and is in obvious discomfort. It should be promptly seen by a veterinary surgeon who, by means of a special instrument, will be able to see the seed, and with special forceps remove it. Some cases will require an anaesthetic. The earlier this is attended to the better, as presence of the grass seed will result in a sore ear, and maybe a secondary infection.

Do not pour oil or any other liquid into the ear. This will make the veterinary surgeon’s job more difficult, by obscuring his range of vision when he examines the ear with the auriscope.

Do not probe or poke about in the ear with forceps or pieces of cotton wool. This will push the grass seed further down.

If an ear is damaged in a fight, or by sharp wire, it will bleed fairly profusely. In addition, the irritation caused often makes the animal shake his head violently, which adds to the bleeding and also spatters blood in all directions. Blood is a good example of a little going a long way; within a few moments of the injury the dog appears to have lost at least half its total amount. 

Most people do not know how to treat their pets when their pets needs them most. Surprisingly, a lot of people do not even have the education or knowledge on how to care for their pets.

A pet’s life might be endangered if the owner does not have knowledge of First Aid. For example: If pets suffers from the aches and pains of old age and arthritis or it swallows a household poison like chocolate, do the owners know how to deal with it? Most of the time the answer is “NO” as they are cluless on what to do next. So the next best action that a owner can do is to educate themselves better on how to care for their pets. If you have the knowledge, you will be able to – Instantly decide on a course of action for your ailing pet – so you can ease the pain and start treatment immediately:

• You can find natural and effective remedies regardless of your financial situation so your pet doesn’t have to go without treatment.

• Quickly diagnose your sick or injured pet – so you can instantly know if you can administer care yourself or if you should seed medical help immediately.

• Immediately begin regimens that have been proven to halt and or prevent diseases such as cancer and diabetes – so your pet can live a long and healthy life with you.

If the owner has very little knowledge and they are too dependent on the veterenarian, then the vet is the owner’s only option. A pet will suffer because sometimes the owners:

• Delay bringing their pet in for treatment because the pet becomes ill after hours

• Rely exclusively on harsh drug treatments because they (and their vets) are unaware of effective, gentle, natural ways to treat their pet.

• Discontinue treatment for chronic illnesses because it’s complicated or expensive

• Aren’t able to afford an office visit and or follow up treatment.

Most pet owners have no idea how to perform CPR, or even begin to give basic medical care to their pet. But you should know these things, because in some emergencies, you can’t always get to a vet in time. That is why it is so important for everybody who loves and cares for a pets to have the appropriate information. It might even saves your pet’s life one day.

So the question now is where to get the education and correct information? Well, you can get books focusing on dogs, cats, behavior problems, chronic illness, and even trauma. Then, you can find books on herbal remedies – presuming you already know which are safe for dogs and which for cats and which could cause complications (including death). Add to your list, books on dental health, acupressure, and homeopathy.

The handling of a dog should start when he is a puppy, and simple lessons in obedience are good for the daily management of a dog, just as some degree of discipline is good for his owner. The properly trained and handled dog is not a cowed dog, but one who is a credit to his owner, and not a constant nuisance and irritation to others. Therefore simple obedience training, which the animal enjoys learning, is an important part of his education. Answering to plain commands such as coming when called, sitting when told, and coming to heel at a word, are simple orders which should be impressed upon every dog.

To own a dog is not only to care for it but to control it as well. If this truth were more widely recognised dogs would be less frequently subjected to criticism that should properly fall upon the owner. More important, accidents would be reduced, as it is usually the undisciplined dog which causes, or is involved in, accidents.

Control of a dog in an emergency is even more important than in the daily run of life. Control is essential; the ability to apply any first-aid measures rapidly depends upon it. Many dogs, especially when in pain or shocked, resent efforts to help them. It is therefore important to be able to apply, quickly, efficiently and firmly, methods of control as and when required. These measures are best carried out by the owner, as even the most frightened dog will usually heed a person he knows. Even the most disciplined dog will, if in pain, be inclined to snap, often unintentionally. Some control of the biting end can be obtained with a lead, tape, or bandage. Obviously any restraint should be carried out with minimum disturbance of.

Few dogs pass through life with at least one illness during which the owner must give nursing care, and very often the animal’s recovery or the reverse depends to a large extent on the quality of the attention he receives. Canine patients differ from humans in that they cannot be kept in bed unless they are too weak to get out, and their co-operation has to be obtained by persuasion rather than by request.

A human patient will submit to the unpleasantness of constant intramuscular injections of penicillin, for instance, because he knows it is for his own good, but a dog cannot be expected to reason in this way. As some treatments given to sick dogs (inhalations, for example) are not welcomed by the patient, the attendant may have a difficult time. On the whole, however, dogs— even very young ones—make good patients provided they have confidence in their nurse and less important, in the veterinary surgeon. If a dog trusts his attendant he submits with quite good grace and often astonishing resignation and stoicism to many unpleasant measures, and even shows gratitude in a touching fashion.

When an animal is sufficiently ill to require nursing he should be put in a separate room or kennel, even if the malady is not infectious. The general hubbub of the kitchen or living-room is not restful, and every sick animal needs plenty of sleep and peace. This is particularly the case with distemper and hard-pad. Some dogs spend most of their time sleeping during the early stages of the former and, in addition, the nervous system is often affected in both diseases and a noisy, restless environment may result in the dreaded distemper or hard-pad fits.