Humans have been training dogs for thousands of years.  So naturally, you might assume that we would have it down to a science by now.  But all too often, new dog owners contribute to canine misbehavior by making honest mistakes that send mixed signals to their four-footed companions.  Unfortunately, these mistakes can lead to long periods of frustration and strained canine/human relations.  Here are a few of the most common mistakes that people make when trying to get their pets trained. Broken Record Syndrome Oftentimes, dog owners repeat a command like “sit” over and over again thinking that repetition will bring results.  Professional dog trainers say, however, that a dog will become desensitized to continuous repetition and will basically learn to ignore the command.  And there are other psychological reasons that a dog doesn’t respond.  For example, strong-willed dogs do not like to lie down because it is an act of submission.  Similarly, submissive dogs may feel unsafe when they are told to lie down.  One of the best things a dog owner can do to elicit proper behavior from their dog is to spend time with them.  Take them for walks.  Play with them.  And make sure you are the one who feeds them.  When a dog feels bonded with its owner, it will respond more readily to commands – even those that they don’t like. Confusing Language A dog owner that is attempting to train their pet should understand a few principles of dog psychology before they get too far into the process.  One of those principles is how dogs understand our words.  Remember, they do not know English, Spanish, or French.  They simply learn to associate a word with an action.  So when you use different phrases for the same command like “sit” and “sit down,” your dog will become confused.  They aren’t cognitively able to understand that “come” and “come here” mean the same thing.  The same goes for non-verbal language as well.  For example, you are sending mixed signals if you pat your leg to get your dog to come to you one day and snap your fingers the next day.  For the best results when it comes to dog training, stick with simple one-word commands where possible and be consistent with your physical hand signals.  Training Session Length Dog training is a process that takes time and patience.  Some dog owners become frustrated because it doesn’t seem that their dog is responding.  It’s important to understand that a new behavior will take several sessions to establish and several more sessions of practice to perfect.  And impatient dog owners who want to get it all done at once are in danger of compromising any progress that may have already been made.  A training session should be fairly short and goal-oriented.  As soon as you observe an obvious behavior result, reward your dog and end the session. Image credit Using Too Much Emotion You might be able to coerce your kids into doing something by displaying anger or acting irritated, but dogs don’t operate that way.  One of the best ways to confuse your dog is to let emotions enter the training session.  Flying off the handle will not lead to positive results and your training session will turn into a confusing torture session for your dog.  Calmness is the best countenance to adopt during your training sessions in order to get things done.  When your dog does not respond correctly, simply regroup and try again. Consistency Not being consistent is one of the most common mistakes that people make when training their dogs.  For example, if you are calm and collected during one training session and overly excited or frustrated the next session, your dog will not be able to predict your response and will live in a state of confusion.  And this makes training much more difficult if not impossible.  You must remember that dogs act in a predictable manner towards other dogs and this consistency is how a dog learns to build trust and rapport with its owner. Save yourself a lot of frustration when it comes to training your dog by getting on the same page that he is on.  Follow these simple guidelines to avoid sending mixed signals to your dog.

If you have a dog, then you need to check it for fleas on a regular basis. Fleas can be found in almost every area of the country, especially during the spring and summer months. Just because you keep your home clean and tidy does not meant your dog won't get fleas. Fleas are tiny parasites that can jump huge distances, which means that they can attach themselves to your dog by jumping on it from another animal with fleas. Because fleas are parasites, they can cause severe discomfort to your dog. Fleas will spread quickly throughout your home if you do not find a way to eliminate them immediately; otherwise, they will cause severe discomfort to you and your family. The following are five ways to check your dog for fleas:   ? Check to see if your dog is behaving oddly - If your dog is behaving oddly; for example, its more restless than normal and is chewing, licking or scratching itself more than it usually does, then there's a good chance it has fleas. Other behavioral signs of fleas include scratching at its ears or shaking its head on a regular basis. ? Check your dog's fur coat - If you dog has become infested with fleas, then you should be able to spot fleas jumping around in your dog's fur coat. However, if your dog only has a few fleas, they may be hard to spot by just checking the fur. ? Check the groin and armpits - These two areas are two of the warmer areas as well as most protected areas on a dog, which makes them some of the favorite locations for fleas to feed off of. Look carefully in these spots for fleas or for signs of fleas, such as hair loss or red and irritated skin, which may have been caused by excessive scratching. Image credit ? Run a flea comb through the fur - Flea combs have very fine teeth, making it easier to pull out fleas. Run a flea comb through your dog's fur. If there are any fleas in the area that you are combing, they should be caught within the teeth. When using the comb, make sure that you get close to your dog's skin. Be sure to have a bowl of water with soap in it nearby so you can dip the comb in it if you have caught any live fleas. ? Check your dog's bed - The fleas won't just stay on your dog - they will often move to the environment that your dog lives in. If they haven't spread to your furniture yet (at which point you'll probably realize that you have fleas), then check your dog's bedding for fleas or for signs of flea dirt, which are black specks.   These are five ways that you can check to see if your dog has fleas. If your dog does indeed have fleas, then you need to get rid of them as soon as possible before they begin spreading throughout your home and you have an infestation on your hands.

It's one of the indisputable laws of nature: what goes in one end must come out the other. It's the question of when and where it comes out that causes problems for the owner of a new puppy. Potty training a new dog is one of the first things you'll want to do, and life will be much more pleasant for everyone once your puppy has mastered this skill.   When your dog is a puppy, he doesn't possess the muscle control of his bowels and bladder to be able to decide when to empty them. He also doesn't understand the language that you will be using to try and teach him the rights and wrongs of when and where to do his business. It's important to remember this - your puppy will need to wee and poo, and there's no point in scolding him if he does it in the wrong place. No dog is a mind reader, and it is your duty, as the owner and pack leader, to communicate how you want things done. Luckily, just by following a few simple rules, you can teach your puppy where it's appropriate to do his business, and hopefully avoid too many unpleasant accidents along the way.   Potty Training Your Puppy - Step 1: Confinement When puppies are newly born, their mother licks them to stimulate them to excrete. After they have finished doing their business, she licks the puppies again, to clean them up.  This means that, as the puppies grow, they develop the desire to want to sleep somewhere that isn't covered in wee and poo. Given a choice, a puppy will instinctively keep their bed area clean. As such, some form of confinement will help your puppy develop the control he needs for successful potty training. The best way to start the confinement stage of potty training is by using a crate.  The crate shouldn't be too big, or else the puppy will be tempted to use one end as a toilet, and the other for sleeping.  If your puppy is going to grow to a big size within a few months, and you don't want to be buying several crates, it is possible to get one that's partitioned, enabling you to increase the area as the puppy grows, whilst still being able to keep it the right size for potty training. Potty Training Your Puppy - Step 2: Training and Praise Many dog trainers use a leash or a lead when potty training puppies. Making use of a leash ensures that you can keep the dog close to you, which will give you control over where your dog will eliminate.  It's best to use a slip-type lead for ease and speed of putting it on; even if your puppy is still a bit young to be lead trained, you can still slip it over his head and carry him outside.  Young dogs are easily distracted and can mentally stray from the job in hand, so a little tug on the leash will help refocus their mind.   Pick a suitable area of your garden as the potty corner, behind the shed, for example. With your puppy on a leash, guide him down there every time you feel he is ready to do his duty, and before long, he will go there of his own accord. The words you use whilst your puppy is doing his business are also important, as they help reinforce the potty training effort.  Be consistent, and make sure it's easy to say, because whatever phrase you choose, you'll be using it a lot! "Go potty" for wee, and "Go poop" for poo are effective, although you can use whatever words you feel most comfortable with. The most important word you need to teach your puppy is 'Outside'.  Every time you take your puppy outside, use it repeatedly, in a bright and cheery tone. Dogs love to be outside, as they associate it with freedom and playtime. Eventually, just saying the word 'outside' will have your puppy running for the door in excitement. Once you are outside, put your puppy down and change the emphasis to the 'go potty' or' go poop' command, whichever you have chosen.  Let your puppy have a sniff around the area and move about until they feel settled, but keep them within the space you have decided to make their potty area.  Use a little nudge on the lead if he gets distracted, and repeat the 'go potty' command.  Make sure you say the command in a friendly and encouraging tone; you don't want to sound firm or angry, nor do you want to be pleading for him to do it. Then, when he starts to do his business, give him verbal encouragement in a happy and pleasant tone of voice.   Be sure to only use verbal praise, as any physical petting can disturb the motion in progress.  Dogs will usually wee first then poo, but you will quickly learn your own dog's routine, and be able to encourage him to wee or poop appropriately. Image credit Potty Training Your Puppy - Step 3: Timing As your puppy learns the rules of elimination, they will start to earn themselves freedom from the crate. The best time to allow your puppy out is when he's just done his business, but he will still need to be closely supervised.  The key is to be constantly observant of your dog's behavior and body language, so you can anticipate what's going to happen.  All puppies and dogs will have their own idiosyncratic behavior which signals that they need to go potty.  These may include circling, sniffing, stopping an activity abruptly, or running out of the room. If you spot these signs, take your puppy outside and follow the procedure for having them poop in the right place. Your dog will also need to go outside if there's a change in circumstances, for example, after a walk, a sleep or eating. A rule of thumb is that the age of the dog, in months, is the time, in hours, that the puppy can cope between potty breaks. For example, a one month old puppy can cope for one hour, but a four month puppy can cope for four hours. This is true up to around seven months in age, by which point, hopefully your puppy will be fully potty trained. Potty Training Your Puppy - Step 4: Accidents There will still be accidents whilst you're potty training your puppy. If you should catch him whilst he's doing his business, a loud hand clap to distract him, and a firm, low voice to communicate your displeasure will be enough to drive the message home. You don't want to terrify him, but you do want him to know you're unhappy.  Quickly scoot him outside with your friendly and encouraging 'outside' voice.  Then, if he continues what he started, heap on lots of praise. There is no point whatsoever in punishing your puppy when he has weed or pooped in the wrong place at the wrong time. The message your puppy will receive from such a punishment is that they should only wee or poop when you're not around, which will only cause even more problems.  Think of such an accident as an opportunity to teach your puppy how to do things correctly. As with every lesson in life, the more it is repeated, the quicker it is learned.

Bringing a new dog or puppy home is an exciting and joyful time for families, but the furry newcomer may not be a welcome addition for every family member; namely, the resident cat. Cats don't always take well to change, and when a new pet enters their domain, their stress levels can rise. The good news is, cats and dogs can and do live together in peace and can even become the best of friends. What's important is to make sure the cat is properly acclimated to the new family member. Here's how: Give the cat a space of her own. Cats need a place where they can feel safe from outside stressors. A separate room where the new dog or puppy can't go works well. Or, block off the upstairs so the cat can roam freely on a different level of the house. Be careful not to isolate the cat completely, though; instead, allow the cat to view the new pet from a distance and to become familiar with its scent.  Show that the new dog isn't a threat. Have the cat observe your behavior with the new dog to prove that the newcomer is not a threat. By watching and listening to your gentle interaction while you're training the puppy or just quietly bonding, the cat will associate positive feelings with the new animal. Crating the new dog at night or when you are not home also helps alleviate threat issues for cats. Supervise the cat and dog during early introductions. Always supervise the cat and new dog while they are getting acquainted to avoid harm to either animal. It's a good idea to keep the new dog on a leash during early introductions, too, so that you can restrain the dog if it gets too rambunctious or tries to chase the cat. Praise and offer treats to both pets for good behavior.   Image credit Keep cat routines the same. Showing resident cats that nothing concerning them has changed, despite the new dog, helps them feel secure. Keep the cat's feeding schedule the same, continue daily play sessions, and let the cat spend time snuggling with you--even if this means separating yourself from the new dog. If you have other pets, let the cat spend time with them too, away from the new pup. Expect the cat to hiss. Cats often hiss at new pets. It's a natural defense mechanism and a way to show seniority.  A resident cat's hissing or batting at a new dog or puppy may actually be a good thing because it helps avert further negative behavior; most dogs will back away when a cat offers this type of warning. Be sure to intervene if the dog or cat shows signs of aggression. Don't force the relationship. Forcing a cat to like a new pet before the cat is ready could backfire. Give the cat opportunities to get comfortably close to the new dog, and don't worry if the process is slow. Some cats adjust quickly to change while others take a long time. The cat will eventually realize that the dog is here to stay and will adjust. If you're bringing a new dog into the home, take the time and effort to acclimate the newcomer to the family cat. Doing so is key to a happy, stress-free environment for your pets--and you.

It can be hard to tell when your dogs require veterinary attention. If you brought them to the doctor every time they had a little sniffle, you'd spend more time in the vet's office than at home. However, there are a few symptoms that could have a serious underlying cause. Let's take a look at five symptoms that you must consult your vet about. Lumps Most lumps that develop on a dog are completely benign. However, a lump could potentially be cancerous. Cancer is the most common fatal disease in pets. The earlier you treat it, the more likely it is that you can save your dog. Your vet should be made aware of any new lumps or growths that develop on your pet. Unusual Body Odors Although dogs can get smelly from playing in the yard or wrapping themselves up in hot blankets, unusual body odors are an important warning sign to be aware of. Bad breath can be a sign of cancer or dental issues. Excessive flatulence can be a sign of clogged anal glands. Smelly ears might indicate an ear infection. Unexplained Weight Loss Unexplained weight loss is a very serious symptom in a dog. You should be particularly alarmed if this weight loss is accompanied by a change in appetite. These symptoms could be a warning sign of cancer. They are also associated with a number of digestive and glandular issues. Image credit Coughing Coughing is a symptom that can be an indicator of a variety of serious illnesses. It could be a symptom of lung cancer or another respiratory disease. Small dogs are at an increased risk of damage to their esophagus, which can lead to coughing and choking. Limping and Jumping If your pet is limping or jumping, you must seek immediate attention from a vet. This symptom is a sign of pain and can be an indication of a broken bone or serious physical trauma. It can also be a symptom of arthritis, which is painful but treatable. Certain types of cancer will also lead to obvious signs of pain. Not every symptom requires the attention of a vet, but these particular symptoms are sometimes indications of serious underlying health conditions. If your pet experiences any of these warning signs, bring them to the vet as soon as possible. You should also schedule regular checkups for your dog in order to catch and treat any less obvious illnesses.

When it comes to feeding your dog, you have a lot of options to choose from.  You know that table scraps won't provide the nutrition your pup needs, but you may not realize that certain dog foods can actually contain potentially harmful ingredients as well.  Even the pricier, organic brands may not be all they're cracked up to be.  If you're confused about what should and shouldn't be in your pet's food, understanding a few simple guidelines can help you make a choice that will be both nourishing and tasty for your dog.  Let's take a look at what you should look for and what you should avoid when purchasing dog food: 1.    Make sure a specific meat is at the top of the list.  When you're reading the label, meat should be the first ingredient listed.  This means that there's more meat in your dog's food than anything else.  However, it's important for the label to list a specific type of meat.  A lean meat like chicken is best, especially if your dog has weight issues.  While beef may not be quite as healthy, it's still an acceptable protein option as well.  On the other hand, you'll want to stay away from dog foods that just list something generic like "meat meal" or "animal byproduct meal."  This can include anything from horse meat to pig hooves and everything in between.  Stick with basic "chicken" or "beef" so you know exactly what's in that bag you'll be pouring or scooping from daily. 2.    Be wary of certain fillers.  Most dog foods are going to contain at least a few grains.  However, you don't want those grains to be too high on the ingredient list.  Many manufacturers skimp on the meat and instead use high levels of fillers like corn meal, oatmeal, rice and soybean meal.  High levels of these ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.  They can also be a bit difficult for their digestive systems to process, particularly for pups with tender tummies.  Don't be fooled by popular brands that proudly tout organic ingredients.  Just because they use organic fillers doesn't necessarily mean those are the foods your dog should be eating.  Choose a primarily meat-based brand with ingredients like chicken and chicken meal listed first.  Anything else will mean too many carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain and sluggishness in your dog. Image credit 3.    Keep things simple.  When it comes to your dog's food, simplicity is key.  It's best to avoid dog food that uses artificial colors, flavors or other additives.  Those brightly-colored bits and pieces may look appetizing, but there's no point in giving your dog something artificial if you don't have to.  Dogs don't perceive colors as vividly as we do, so those bright hues are really there for your benefit anyway.  You should also examine the ingredient list carefully to be sure that it doesn't include any kind of sweetener, whether it's real or artificial.  Things like sugar, corn syrup, molasses or brown rice syrup have no place in your pet's food.  In addition, steer clear of ingredients like butylated hydroxysanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene.  The bag will typically list these as BHA and BHG.  They've actually been banned in some countries because they've been linked to cancer in some pets.  Other preservatives like ethoxyquin and propylene glycol should also be avoided.  The former has been used in pesticides while the latter is related to antifreeze.  Bottom line, if you can't pronounce it, it probably shouldn't be in your pet's food.  Go with a brand that only has ingredients you can easily identify. You probably consider your dog an important part of your family.  If you want your pup to stick around for many years to come, you need to make sure he or she is getting the nutritional benefits his or her body requires.  Selecting the right dog food will help you do that.  By following the guidelines on this list, you can make sure Fido's food has all the proper nutrients he or she needs and none of that potentially harmful fake stuff.  Remember to read the ingredient label carefully so your dog can stay healthy and live a long, happy life!

Dogs, like people and many other animals, get depressed. Major change, a substantial loss, or even the weather can create prolonged, intense sadness in canines. Fortunately, dog depression symptoms are easy to recognize and solutions are usually evident and simple to implement. Care must be taken, however, not to inadvertently reward the dog for sad behavior. Instead, there are easy ways to encourage happy behavior and uplifting activities.   Although dogs live for the moment, this doesn't mean that whatever happens will not affect them in the long run. Consider how important a dog's human and animal companions are to him. His people provide not only food, water and shelter but also attention and love. They provide him with endless interesting ways to fill his waking hours. Other pets in his household enrich his playtime, downtime, and provide moral support and security within his family environment. In short, his human and animal friends are the highlights of his each and every day. When one of these companions leaves him, permanently through death, or temporarily as through a long hospital stay, his world turns upside down. His loss can be tremendous. Just like people, dogs need help to fill this void.   In fact, since dogs are animals of habit, major changes of any sort can upset them immensely. A move to a bigger, better home can leave them without their favorite shade tree or familiar living room picture window view. The friendly children next door he'd run along the fence and play with may now be replaced with less friendly people or with nothing at all. Potentially as upsetting as a change in environment is a change to a dog's daily schedule. A dog can be overcome with loneliness if his owner is working longer hours or a different shift, leaving him with one less long walk per day. This type of separation anxiety is also common when there's a change in the dog's family dynamics. A new spouse, new baby or even a new pet may leave him feeling left out, insecure and insignificant. Image credit   Just like people, dogs can simply get the blues. A change of season, extended bad weather, or even just the shorter daylight hours of winter can leave dogs with less happy time outdoors, less trips with their owners, and basically with much less to do. What's important to remember is that dogs pick up the emotions of the people around them. A person who's depressed about the weather, or anything else, is likely to have a dog that mirrors the emotion. In determining what's causing a dog's depression, it's crucial to rule out medical problems first. For instance, a dog that's eating less and inactive may be stiff and sore from arthritis. Depression without another medical or environmental cause may actually be due to a chemical imbalance. Only a veterinarian can determine this conclusively and treat it accordingly.   One of the most common signs of dog depression is a decrease in both food and water consumption. Depending on how much less a depressed dog is eating, there can be a corresponding loss of weight. The weight loss can be drastic and sudden if the dog virtually or totally abstains from food. Depending on how little the dog is drinking, varying levels of dehydration can occur. Occasionally, depressed canines markedly overeat and this can be as dangerous as not eating enough. Sleep patterns may also be altered, with depressed dogs either sleeping excessively or having trouble sleeping at all. They may be restless and anxious. Some shake and abnormally shed. But basically, if a dog becomes listless, inactive or lethargic, depression should be a concern. Some dogs get excessively clingy while others become withdrawn, even hiding to avoid contact and to avoid doing the things they previously enjoyed. Any distinct personality change can signal depression but only a veterinarian will know for sure.   Fortunately, once depression is diagnosed, treatment is usually simple and based directly on the cause. For example, a dog mourning the death of his dog companion will benefit tremendously from interaction with other dogs. Dog parks or long walks in a dog friendly neighborhood work wonders if it isn't feasible to get another dog. Lonely dogs whose owners must suddenly work longer hours can benefit greatly from the addition of a new family pet they'll enjoy. In general, depressed dogs need lots of extra affection and attention. More exercise and activity is best given doing the things they most enjoy. Herbal supplements may work wonders as can anti-depressants for chemical imbalance but these must be prescribed by a vet. Drugs should be a last resort, however, as they may cause unpleasant side effects. Whenever possible, depressed dogs should be cheered up in natural ways. Since rewarding sadness encourages it to continue, hugs and treats should be given only once a dog's been coaxed into happier behavior.   The good news is that dogs suffering from depression are usually back to normal within a few months, sometimes even in just a few days. Unlike humans, long term depression in canines is extremely rare. Because dogs are more present-day oriented than their human companions, treatments employed for whatever is causing their blues are more readily accepted and their resulting uplifted mood and behavior are more easily retained.

We all know that dogs have certain proclivities in regards to their eating habits. Sometimes that can’t help but snack on the same meal twice. This causes a variety of very awkward problems for pet owners; the first that comes to mind is after a stinky meal they haven’t got a problem with licking your face. But bad breath and the ever present danger of contracting parasites are also concerns. Beyond that, it’s just plain gross, and not at all a desirable quality in a family pet. So why do dogs eat poop? And what can be done about the problem?  Causes of Copraphagy That confusing “C” word in the above heading is the official medical terminology for fecal feasting, and it sounds slightly more sterile, so it’s a more than a little preferable to other popular vernacular: e.g. crap snacking, turd tasting, or wolfing down waste. So we’ll refrain from that sort of language from here on out. Copraphagy in dogs is possibly a evolutionary remnant from their scavenging days as more wolf-like kinds of canines. It can also be a learned behavior. Where would dogs that eat poop pick up such a habit? From you. This is by way of misunderstanding your actions, of course. When a dog sees you cleaning up, it might mistake your intentions. Or perhaps you’ve scolded it in the past for committing a dumping on your duvet. Copraphagy might be their (not so) clever way of removing evidence of the crime.  It could also be that they saw another dog doing the deed and is imitating it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all.    Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop There are a few options for keeping dog breath to a healthier level of stench. You could treat your dog’s food with a chemical to make its stools less palatable. Commercial products such as 4-BID are available for this specific purpose. Or you could cut out the middle man and sprinkle some cayenne pepper on the stool directly. Of course, if you’re going to go to that much trouble, you might as well just pick up the offending fecal matter and throw it away. That, in fact, might be the easiest solution.  If you’ve got cats in the same household, you’ll want to limit your dog’s access to the litter box. This can be tricky if you have a dog the same size as the cats. Try putting in a baby gate, or something like it. So long as the cat can still get through without the dog being able to bypass it so easily. You could also try "Shaming": Whatever you do, don’t scold a dog that eats poop. It may associate the unwanted behavior with your attention. It’s like the old saying, that there’s no such thing as bad press. When it comes to a caretaker’s attention, dog’s may be willing to take a tongue lashing in order to be your focus for a few moments. In the end it will just take some effort, and perhaps a little creativity to break a cacography inclined animal. Until then, invest in breath mints.  

EPI or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is a deadly disease that has seen a sharp incline of recorded cases in recent years. The order is related to certain dogs inability to properly breakdown food and absorb nutrition from them. The cause is related to pancreatic health, and it is a terrifyingly debilitating condition. Luckily, the disease is treatable. Unluckily, the symptoms can be difficult to diagnose. So it’s important to be informed and stay on the lookout for any signs of the onset of EPI. EPI Symptoms Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency are akin to dysentery. Lots and lots of diarrhea, increased gas, loose yellowish stools, pronounced weight loss along with an increased appetite, eating feces and other out of the ordinary materials, vomiting, in some cases increased aggression or fear responses, loud stomach rumbling, and occasionally there are no visible symptoms whatsoever. As you can see, this disease is particularly frightening because the symptoms can be so variable, and ultimately very common to non-life-threatening conditions. After all, plenty of dogs will eat their own feces, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they all have EPI. The main thing to look out for is consistent and unwavering gastrointestinal problems. To test for EPI you’ll need to have your vet do a blood test EPI Causes Reasons for canines contracting EPI are assumed to be genetic.  In fact, one of the most prominent methods of prevention is to fix the dog as soon as the disorder is identified. This way there are fewer occurrences in the overall gene pool of canines at large. Despite recently learning that the disease is genetic, the specific genes that cause EPI have yet to be fully determined. However, every year further research is being revealed that would eventually suggest all the genetic markers will inevitably be identified. EPI Treatment Treating Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is relatively straightforward. It’s simply putting the enzymes necessary for digestion back into the dog’s system. This can be done intravenously or through taking simple preventative dietary measures. More specifically, the powdered enzymes required for EPI treatment are: Lipase  Protease  Amylase  These enzymes are usually available in one package, and the dosage which can be easily ascertained by a vet visit, is in general a single teaspoon for each cup of dry food.  This is usually administered with a fourth of a cup of warm water. This is to soften the food and keep the acidic enzymes from causing sores to develop in the dog’s mouth. In addition to adding enzymes to the diet, your vet might suggest antibiotics and shots of vitamin B12. Summing up EPI is a very scary disease that often doesn’t show symptoms until the pancreas has been completely ravaged, and if left untreated it usually causes a very painful death due to malnutrition or organ failure. Keeping on top of your dog’s health concerns with a healthy diet and regular vet visits are a good preventative, but even then you should keep a close watch on your dog’s behavior and elimination habits. As always keep checking back for more helpful pet information from the Petbucket blog. 

Whenever you first take your dog to the vet one of the initial tests and vaccinations your furry friend will receive is for the parvovirus. What is parvovirus?  Well, the relatively recent advent of the dangerous virus known colloquially as parvo has decimated dog populations throughout the world. The terrible disease attacks the digestive systems of, not just dogs, but all canids, and occasionally cats as well. Related strains have even been found in human beings. It’s a deadly disease with a lot of ugly implications, especially parvo in puppies. So for your animal’s protection, and your peace of mind, let’s look a little deeper into the nature of this disease. How Dogs Catch Parvo: Parvo in dogs can occur in a number of ways. How dogs catch parvo is usually by ingesting or coming into close contact with the feces of another infected animal. However, it can also be caught by licking anything the infected fecal matter has come into contact with. That means if you step in dog mess, and your dog chews a shoe it could be a very costly vet bill for an unvaccinated pup. Parvo Symptoms: This is where things begin to get really nasty. As soon as your dog shows any of the following symptoms it’s already past time to get to the vet’s office. Depression Vomiting Chronic diarrhea Mucous or blood within the diarrhea A high fever Severe abdominal pain A withdrawn belly due to the abdominal pain Dehydration Not all of these symptoms will always be prevalent, but if you see one or more in quick succession, you might be in for a rough time. So bundle up the pup and head to the local vet, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. Parvo Treatment: Treatment for parvovirus is pretty serious business. First of all it’s almost  always going to require your dog’s hospitalization. They will most likely need    intravenous fluids and medications to correct the dehydration and  the constant vomiting/diarrhea. In the worst cases, your dog might need a blood transfusion. A plasma transfusion, more specifically. During the time it takes to eliminate the vomiting and diarrhea, the dog won’t be allowed to eat or drink, relying instead on the fluids provided by the veterinarian. This process can take up to 5 days, and as such is very tasking on the dog.  They will also be taking antibiotics to stem the flow of infections caused by the viral onslaught. Parvo Vaccinations: With all of the various complications, terrible consequences, and cutthroat  nature of the parvovirus so apparent, the obvious solution is to have your dog  vaccinated against the disease before it ever becomes a problem. Luckily, it is par for the course in any young puppy’s first  veterinary visit. It’s even a known procedure to revaccinate an expecting mother to boost the puppies’ immune systems in vitro. Overall, parvovirus is one of the more threatening diseases a young pup can face in its burgeoning new life. So stay aware, keep your dog protected, and as always stay informed with the helpful tips and advice from the Petbucket blog.