Showing posts with label Dog care. Show all posts

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Caring For Your Handicapped Dog

How to Take Care of a Handicapped Dog

Whether your dog is approaching his senior years and facing health complications, was in an accident or was born with a disability, caring for a handicapped dog requires special considerations, additional patience and lots of love. With a few adaptations and quality care, a handicapped dog can lead a healthy and happy life.

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Attend regular vet checkups with your dog to evaluate his disability and check on general health. Follow vet recommendations and administer medications daily as directed. If your dog requires specific adaptive equipment, your vet will be able to assist in finding the necessary items.

Go through your home to make sure it's safe for your dog. For example, blind dogs are unable to see possible dangers in their path. If you have a stairway in your home, use dog or baby gates to block the stairs and avoid possible accidents. If your dog has paralysis or leg weakness, getting up or walking on tile or hardwood floors may be difficult. Place random throw rugs or fit your dog with non-slip socks to provide traction. If your dog requires adaptive equipment, such as a wheelchair, look through your house to ensure your dog can move with his chair.

Check your dog’s body for injuries on a daily basis. This is especially true in dogs with paralysis. Loss of feeling means they might not know when they're injured. Immobility or incontinence can lead to sores. Seek veterinary care if you see sores or injuries. To help prevent injuries, keep your dog’s living area free of objects that can cause accidents. For dogs who drag their hind legs, consider covering the area with bandages or dog clothes to reduce skin damage.

Provide assistance when needed. Blind dogs may need help finding their food at mealtime. Dogs with leg weakness may need assistance getting up and walking. Use a sling or other adaptive device to assist them.

Keep your dog’s surroundings as familiar as possible. Try to avoid moving furniture or food and water bowls to avoid confusion or complications for your pup.

Use dog diapers for dogs that have bladder and bowel control issues. Change diapers frequently. Clean any urine or feces off your dog immediately to reduce risk of infection. If accidents occur, clean and disinfect surfaces.

Help your dog live as normal a life as possible. Regardless of the disability, regular exercise is necessary for optimal health and weight management. Talk to your veterinarian about the best possible forms of exercise for your dog. Adapt playtime to his disability.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Creating A Shady Area For Your Boston

How to Shade the Side of the House for a Dog

— by Sandra Ketcham, Demand Media

Sunburn, overheating and dehydration are serious concerns for dogs. If your pup spends his days outside, build him a shady area for napping and cooling off. A standard doghouse won't suffice; its poor ventilation can increase overheating risk. If you're worried about cost, look around for suitable materials in your garage. If aesthetics are a concern, incorporate landscaping.

Plant shade trees to block the sun on the side of the house where your dog spends time. Mature trees are usually expensive. Either choose younger, full trees, or search your classified ads for mature trees. Sometimes, people give away larger trees to anyone willing to uproot and remove them. Transplanting can be complicated and puts the tree at risk.

Create a screen with bamboo or with fast-growing trees. Plant bamboo as close together as you want, but keep trees a couple of feet apart to ensure good ventilation. The plants will fill in as they get larger. You can also purchase tall bamboo and plant it if you're interested in a ready-made screen.

Erect an inexpensive canopy for your dog. These are available in all styles and sizes from most major retail stores, and you can bury the legs to make the canopy sturdier. Or, purchase a ready-made dog shelter for the side of your house.

String a tarp between trees, or from your house to a tree, to create a shady area for your dog. Secure the tarp with wire or durable rope. Clear the tarp after rain or snow of any accumulated precipitation.

Create a shady napping spot next to the wall of your house by leaning a large piece of wood, an unused door or an old trampoline against it at an angle. Make sure enough space exists between the item and your house for your pooch to turn around in. Choose materials that will stand up to the environment, and don't let the space be so confined that air circulation is limited.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Heat Warning

Summer is here and so is the heat - You don't leave a toddler wrapped in a fur coat in the car while you run errands, so why do you think it's ok for a dog?
Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car—even for "just a minute"—while they run an errand. Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.
If you see a dog left alone in a hot car, take down the car's color, model, make, and license plate number. Have the owner paged in the nearest buildings, or call local humane authorities or police. Have someone keep an eye on the dog. Don't leave the scene until the situation has been resolved.