Rabies is one of the worst diseases to affect man's best friend. Learn the signs of rabies in dogs and what you can do to protect the pets and people around you. Discussing the signs and symptoms of rabies in dogs is an inherently tragic topic. That's because once the signs of rabies infection appear, it's already too late. There is no treatment or cure, and the disease is fatal. However, there is good news. Rabies is also preventable through vaccination. How Do Dogs Get Rabies? Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, causing deadly inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. The virus can infect any mammal—including humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most pets get rabies from interacting with wildlife. In the U.S., raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are the most common disease carriers. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infectious animals, and transmission typically occurs when a dog is bitten by one of these animals. Though rare, the virus can also be transmitted when infectious saliva comes into direct contact with a scratch or open wound or with a mucous membrane (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth). The CDC notes that contact with the blood, urine, or feces of an infectious animal is not a cause for concern. Once the rabies virus enters a dog's body, it travels through the nerves to the brain. This process, known as the incubation period, typically takes anywhere from two weeks to around five months, says Brandi Whittemore, DVM, of Hancock Veterinary Services in Pineville, Mo., though…

Normal in specific varieties and frequently found during a canines pup stage, this eye infirmity can fortunately be not difficult to spot and treat. Assuming you notice your canine continually pawing at their eyes, you may have to have them checked for entropion, a condition where the internal moving of the eyelids can cause a great deal of distress and eye harm for your little guy. Assuming this doggie sickness is one that you've not yet known about, read on to get more familiar with what entropion is, the thing that indications to search for, and what therapy choices are conceivable. What Is Entropion in Dogs? Entropionwhich can truth be told influences people, canines, and causes a condition where there is an internal moving of one of the two eyelids. "This outcome in the hair or skin around the eyelids scouring on the eye structures like the cornea and conjunctiva, which can cause eye disturbance and uneasiness," says Jo-Ann McKinnon, DVM, ophthalmology expert at VCA Regional Institute for Vet Emergencies and Referrals clinic, in Chattanooga, Tenn. "Any piece of the eyelid could become in, like the average or horizontal piece of the eyelid or the whole eyelid." Despite the fact that entropion is an infection that basically influences the lower eyelids, McKinnon noticed that the upper eyelids may likewise be impacted, particularly in substantial browed breeds like the Shar-Pei and the Chow. This condition is commonly distinguished in young doggies under one year old enough. There are a few basic foundations for entropion, including formative and breed inclination where the…

Nobody is glad to find that a tick is devouring our pet, and eliminating (at least one) isn't charming, yet do it rapidly and accurately. Despite the fact that the undertaking might appear to be scared right away when you realize how to eliminate a tick from your canine, it is simpler than it might appear. Why is Removing Ticks Important? Ticks can contaminate the two creatures and individuals with a few infections and diseases. Perhaps the most notable disease that ticks can communicate with is Lyme infection. Yet, they can likewise send illnesses like Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and that's just the beginning. The exchange of microscopic organisms and illnesses from ticks to your canine can occur in only a couple of hours, so eliminating the tick rapidly is essential to ensure your pet doesn't get contaminated. Dissimilar to a bug that has a head, chest, and midsection, ticks have a one-piece body. The mouth of a tick has stuck-like spikes that append for taking care of, and they utilize their legs to join to the skin. A few ticks even deliver a substance that assists them with remaining joined to their host while taking care of. There are a few unique types of ticks, and the extents of ticks range from scarcely perceptible to huge, for example, the American Dog Tick. Ticks can likewise become engorged from taking care of, which makes them become bigger. There are a few types of ticks all through the world and in the United States. They can make due and live in a…

Assuming you have a super drooly dog, you're in good company! You've presumably heard the old standard that "felines rule and canines slobber." While that is far from being obviously true, there might be some reality to it. Assuming that you will claim a canine, you're probably going to have drooled. In any case, what amount of salivation is typical for your puppy? This is what you want to know whether you notice your canine slobbering exorbitantly. For what reason Do Dogs Drool So Much? There are a few reasons canines slobber so a lot, including the state of the canine's head and the way his lips meet his cheeks. A few varieties have extra creases of skin around the gag so spit and water can get caught and trickle out, clarifies Michelle Bombard, DVM, a veterinarian at the Malta Animal Hospital in Malta, N.Y.   Signs Your Dog's Drooling Is Abnormal The initial step is knowing your pet. The volume of "typical" drool is distinctive for each little guy. For instance, enormous varieties like Saint Bernards, mastiffs, hound dogs, Newfoundlands, and Labrador retrievers are known for unnecessary slobbering, while it very well may be an indication of a medical problem for different sorts of canines. "Search for a change based on what is typical for that creature," Bombard says. "Assuming you are tidying up slobber all the more often or you see a puddle when they get up from the floor or their bed, there might be an issue." Besiege suggests that assuming your canine is giving indications of…

Assuming your dog seems like a sounding goose now and again, you would be wise to understand this. Imploded windpipe in canines is a condition that sounds desperate, similar to you really want to race to the creature emergency clinic and your pet probably won't come to the following day. Yet, in truth, many canines carry on with a decent existence with a fell (windpipe) for quite a long time. Just at its most serious stage is the condition dangerous. Despite the fact that there's no fix, a fell windpipe can be made do with drugs, way of life changes, and now and then medical procedures. Peruse on to realize how you can deal with the assistance your dog feel good.   What Is a Collapsed Trachea? The windpipe is an adaptable cylinder with rings of the ligament running down its length to give it construction and keep it open, like a vacuum hose. Tracheal breakdown happens when a portion of the ligament debilitates and the cylinder levels from the tension of your canine calmly inhaling in. This limits the aviation route, making it hard for your little guy to inhale ordinarily, and it prompts episodes of hacking, says Joao Felipe De Brito Galvao, MV, MS, board-confirmed in little creature interior medication at VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. What Causes Collapsed Trachea in Dogs? While nobody knows precisely what makes a canine foster an imploded windpipe, there is by all accounts a hereditary variable—a few varieties are more inclined to the condition, including: Chihuahuas Lhasa apsos…

Hookworms are a common intestinal parasite that affects dogs. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hookworms in dogs so you can treat it quickly and prevent it from happening. Hookworms are a common intestinal parasite in dogs—especially puppies—that can cause serious problems due to blood loss. Thankfully, monthly preventative medications and regular testing can help stop these pests from harming your pet. What Are Hookworms? Hookworms are small (1-2 cm), white worms that can look similar to fishing hooks due to a slight bend at the front of their body. According to Jessica Nichols, DVM, chief veterinary officer of Spay and Neuter Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo., hookworms are particularly nasty parasites that can infect your dog. Unlike other worms that eat food and drink materials floating around the pet’s intestines, hookworms are bloodsuckers, she explains. If it sounds disgusting, it’s because it is. The parasites literally hook themselves to the walls of a dog’s intestines with their teeth, then release a substance that prevents the host animal’s blood from clotting, and begin to suck the animal’s blood. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), an independent nonprofit led by veterinary professionals and parasite experts, Ancylostoma caninum is the most common species of canine hookworm found in the United States, though two other types are also present (Ancylostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala). How Do Dogs Get Hookworms? Adult hookworms that live in a dog’s intestines mate and deposit their eggs into the poop of the infected animal, Nichols explains. These eggs will later hatch, releasing baby hookworms into the soil. Dogs can then become infected…

Tetanus, sometimes referred to as "lockjaw," is when your dog's muscles are overreacting to any stimuli, making them tense up and become rigid with muscle spasms. It is caused by infection with the bacteria Clostridium tetani. When C. tetani gets into a wound in your dog's body (or yours, for that matter), it produces the neurotoxin tetanospasmin. This toxin targets the nerves in the area, and can spread to the spinal cord and brain. Any nerves that the toxin binds to overstimulate their associated muscles, causing them to contract over and over again. Dogs with tetanus are uncomfortable and will have trouble walking, and severe cases that impact the muscles of the throat and diaphragm can result in some pretty severe consequences. Can Dogs Get Tetanus? Yes, dogs can get tetanus, but thankfully they are fairly resistant to it. Horses and humans are much more susceptible to this infection. How does a dog get tetanus? The C. tetani bacteria are spread in feces and can survive in the environment for years. They are not harmful if swallowed or if they come in contact with intact, healthy skin. Where things get a little hairy is when C. tetani gets into a wound on your dog, even a small puncture from stepping on a nail or foxtail. Puncture wounds are moist, warm, and have low oxygen exposure—perfect conditions for a bacterial infection. Can Humans Get Tetanus from a Dog Bite? It is possible to get tetanus from a dog bite, but it is very rare. H. Cody Meissner, M.D., FAAP writes for the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Dog bites generally are…

It's important to first figure out what's causing your dog's rash in order to give your pup some much-needed relief. We aren't the only ones who get skin rashes. Though they can be more difficult to see under all that fur, our dogs can get rashes, too. A dog skin rash may be nothing more than a minor irritation. However, if left untreated, that rash can progress to serious skin problems. We're going to review common causes of dog rashes and help you learn how to treat them. Signs Your Dog Has a Rash Dog rashes on the belly are most common, where there's not much hair and the skin is sensitive. Though a dog rash can show up in other places as well, such as the groin, armpits, ears, neck, and back. Rashes can appear suddenly and sometimes disappear just as quickly. The typical signs of a rash in dogs include: Reddened skin Itchiness Red bumps Hair loss Scabs Sores Discharge Dry skin Scaly skin Crusts If you spot any of these signs of a rash, you'll need to partner up with your dog's veterinarian to figure out what's causing it in order to start treatment. 9 Most Common Causes of Dog Rashes Basically anything that irritates the skin can cause a rash, so sometimes it's tough to nail down the exact culprit, but these are some of the most common causes. 1. Heat Rash Dog heat rashes occur when a pup becomes overheated. As a result, the skin becomes itchy, red, and tender to the touch. Pimples and boils may…

Vaccinating your dog against rabies could be a matter of life and death. With a fatality rate of nearly 100 percent, rabies is the deadliest infectious disease on the planet. Once the signs of infection appear, there are no treatment options. But thanks to widely available and highly effective vaccines, rabies infections have become extremely uncommon in dogs in the United States. Keeping rabies at bay isn't just a big deal for dogs—it's important for humans too. That's because rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can pass from dogs (and other animals) to people. And it's just as deadly in humans as it is in dogs. How Is Rabies Transmitted? The rabies virus is present in the saliva of an infectious animal and is most often transmitted to another animal via bite. Though less common, the virus can also spread when infectious saliva comes into contact with a scratch or open wound or with a mucus membrane (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contact with the blood, urine, or feces of a rabid animal is not a cause for concern. Once the rabies virus is transmitted to a new host, it travels through the nervous system from the site of infection to the brain. During this time, which can take several weeks, the infected animal won't have any clinical signs and can't infect any other animals. But when the rabies virus reaches the infected animal's brain, it multiplies and moves into the salivary glands. It's at this point that most animals begin showing signs of infection. All mammals…

From daily tooth brushing to an annual dental cleaning, these tips can help you care for your dog’s dental health throughout his lifetime. Cleaning your dog's teeth is a key part of caring for your pet. But dental care can often be overlooked until there's some kind of a problem, like a sore tooth or bleeding from the mouth. Just like with any health concern, though, it's better to be proactive than reactive. "Having a dental procedure done is one of the best preventative care steps you could take for your pet," says Katie E. Kling, DVM, DAVDC, a clinical assistant professor at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "We can improve our pets' quality of life by helping them have more comfortable, better functioning mouths that are healthier." How to Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean Ideally, Kling says, pet owners should aim to brush their dog's teeth daily, or every other day. But Kling admits this isn't the norm. "The very best way to keep your pet's teeth clean is to brush them daily, which is usually not what people want to hear. And it's something that we as pet owners, most of us have a hard time doing consistently," Kling says. In addition to regular teeth brushing, an annual professional teeth cleaning under anesthesia is the best way to clean the plaque that is under the gumline. Dogs who are high-risk for periodontal disease—like toy breeds or those with shorter noses (known as brachycephalic breeds)—should make a professional dental exam part of their annual routine, since dogs with smaller mouths are…