Exercise is important for everyone including your pet. Too much confinement can result in stress, emotional and behavioral problems, and a generally unhappy dog.

Unhappy dogs result from negative environments, experiences, and inconsistent interaction with their owners, along with a lack of exercise, an unstable routine, inappropriate social interactions, and underemployment where the instinctual desires to perform an activity are not met.

Emotional stress and loneliness alter neurochemical and vascular functions and can increase susceptibility to major diseases.

A lack of exercise leads to obesity, poor muscle tone, heart, bone, and emotional problems.

The opposite scenario occurs with exercise. Exercise leads to longer life, increased strength and endurance. Your dog will rest more calmly and be less nervous when left alone. Exercise can improve dog bone and joint health, heart, and lung function.

Your dog’s metabolism is geared for field work, pulling sleds, or other vigorous tasks.  Pent-up energy demands an outlet and it is up to the responsible dog caregiver to channel this energy constructively through exercise.

The most effective exercise engages both mind and body.

It’s important to understand what your dog’s instinctual traits are and incorporate them into activities and exercise. For a working breed, performing a task would be naturally satisfying, possibly pulling a wagon or carrying a pack with your water bottle. For a retriever breed, engage your dog in ball throwing and retrieving.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that dogs need a big yard to get plenty of exercise.

The truth is that most dogs do not exercise when they are alone outside or indoors; they spend most of their time lying in a comfortable spot waiting for “their guardians” to play with them.

Exercising with your dog creates a human-dog bond in which the dog will sense you care as a good pack leader, which will make your dog happy.

A brief daily walk sometimes is not enough.

The exercise you choose for your dog should depend on the age, weight, health and breed characteristics. A Border Collie or Parson Russell Terrier needs more play and exercise than an English Bulldog or Pug.

For small dogs, vigorous play activity for exercise can be accomplished indoors; for larger breeds, outdoor activity needs to be given unless the weather is especially dangerous or conditions are too extreme. 

Daily exercise is recommended and is a great stress reliever.

Dogs on average should be exercised aerobically for at least 20-30 minutes each day, of course taking into consideration health and age limitations, unless there is a medical problem or a pregnancy.

Keep in mind that obese dogs and those with heart and lung diseases may have a problem, and be sure to consult with your vet before starting any exercise regime.

Healthy dogs need interaction with other dogs and people for proper socialization. Dog parks are great for this and some of them allow the dogs to play and walk unleashed. If you participate in off-leash activities, be sure you are in control and can reliably recall your dog.

Your exercise should include activities the dog finds stimulating and enjoys — games of catch, long walks, jogging, swimming and biking. A Ruff Dawg K9 flying disc is similar to a Frisbee, only more rugged, flexible and non-toxic for on-land or in water. Try a simple game with a rope tug toy, a Hyper Disc which is floatable, durable and soft on your dog’s mouth, or a Hyper Ball Launcher that allows you to launch a ball up to 220 feet. These and other quality dog exercise toys are available at CalloftheDogShop.com

Caution should be used when exercising in the hot weather.

All dogs, especially those with heart and lung ailments and dogs with thick hair coats will likely have trouble with hot and humid conditions.

Use precaution when temperatures are approaching and greater than 100 degrees and for at-risk pets when approaching and at 90 degrees. Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening and when the temperature is less than 80 degrees and humidity heat index is less then 30 percent. When the heat index greater then 72 use precaution for at-risk breeds. Any relative-humidity reading above 17 % will make the heat index higher if the actual temperature is above approximately 68 degrees, and full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees. Always avoid hot and humid conditions.

Dogs do not get rid of heat the way we do.

Sweat cools our skin; however, dogs do not sweat. They have a few sweat glands in their feet, but mostly they dissipate heat through their paws and mouths.

Dogs do not dissipate heat as fast as we can, which makes heat stroke a real possible danger. While they are having fun, many dogs will run themselves even to the point of collapse, which can prove to be fatal. Limit sun exposure during the mid-day hours and provide plenty of water in a shady area

People assume that if your dog is in water, your pet won’t overheat. This just isn’t true when the water temperature gets much above 75 degrees and if the dog is working hard in the water.

Keep in mind that searing hot asphalt is not good for your dog’s paws.

Consult your veterinarian before you decide on a fitness program for your pet.

CalloftheDogShop.com specializes in DOG EXERCISE TOYS, and supplies for all pet needs.
We have existed as a company since 1985, but it was a love of dogs that inspired the creation of CalloftheDog.com and CalloftheDogShop.com. Be sure to see our About Us page.

In dogs bladder tumors are a rare occurrence. Bladder tumors are of two different forms, one is potentially fatal while the other is benign. To ensure your dog remains healthy and free from such tumors continue reading this article.

The symptoms of bladder tumors in dogs are as follows:

1. The dog may go to the toilet a lot more than usual
2. There will be a slight amount of blood in the urine produced.
3. They dog may struggle to produce any urine.

As mentioned above there are two different forms of bladder tumors one being malignant which can be potentially life threatening while the other being benign. The benign or non progressive type of bladder tumors usually leaves the tissue which surrounds the growth relatively unharmed and does not spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinomas and transitional cell carcinomas are the two most common types of bladder tumors . Both of these are highly malignant which means that they may spread to other parts of the body. Polyps are very rare but unlike the two mentioned above they are benign and do not spread to other parts of the body.

To make sure that the dog remains healthy any such growth will be need to removed. Complications arise depending on where the tumors is located inside the body. If it is close to an organ or a vital body part then the risks of surgery increase.

Treatment is not really effective when it comes to dealing with cancer and tumors in a dog’s bladder and this can prove to be a very costly option. Most people try and keep their dog on antibiotics and painkillers to try to relieve the pain as much as possible as the dog begins to suffer and then on a later stage the dog is put down as humanely as possible.

Your vet may conduct a number of tests such as ultrasound scans, x-rays and even passing a camera through the bladder of the dog. Only after all these tests will the vet know for sure whether the dog has been affected by a tumors or not. To determine the type of tumors the dog has the vet will have to conduct a biopsy.

If it is a polyp tumors then it will require surgery to be removed. Potential complications arise depending on the location of the tumors . If it is located at the bladder neck skilled surgery or complicated reconstruction would be required to keep the connection between the bladder and the urethra intact and even if the surgery goes as planned there are always chances that the dog may become incontinent for a short while after the surgery.

If the tumors is either squamous cell carcinomas or transitional cell carcinomas the vet will have to conduct further x-rays of the abdomen and the chest in order to determine how far the tumors cells have spread.

If the vet has determined that the tumors hasn’t spread then they may try and remove the malignant cell. Of course there are many difficulties and risks in doing this. A Lot of healthy tissue may need to be removed in order to remove a cancerous tumors from the dog’s body and to be certain that all the effected cells have been removed. This results in the vet having a lot less room to work with as compared to the polyp tumors . It is also likely that vital body parts and organs will cause hindrance.

Most vets will still try to remove the tumors first and then use chemotherapy and radiation to remove the remaining cancerous cells. A histopathologist will decide the type of therapy depending on the samples given to them

For more information on dog bladder tumors or Dog Health take a look at this Dog Behaviour website.

Is your dog sick? What are your dog’s symptoms? We all know that your dog can’t tell you if it feels bad (at least not in so many words), so it’s your responsibility to take care of your dog and to understand when your dog is feeling bad.

Just how do you do that? Well, the best thing I can suggest to you is to know exactly how your dog feels when it is not sick. If you know this, and you know it well, you will be able to tell the difference when your dog is really sick without anyone else having to tell you otherwise.

When your dog feels bad he will probably exhibit some sort of symptom that should communicate to you, if you’re really paying attention, that he does not feel well. What is a symptom? Well, to be precise, a symptom is often defined as “a physical sign that a disease or sickness is present”. Knowing exactly what kind of symptoms your dog has can usually guide your veterinarian toward diagnosing your pet illness.

Here are just a few of the more common symptoms your dog may exhibit if it is injured or feels “under the weather”, including: vomiting, diarrhea, going off it’s food, stumbling, seizing, drooling or limping.

The ability of recognizing your dogs symptoms and knowing when they need to be treated professionally is very important. This is a skill that everyone does not have but learning it can be the difference between life and death in many instances. The best thing I can tell you is to watch carefully. If your dog exhibits any thing out of the ordinary, and if that symptom continues or worsens over time, then it could very well become a problem.

Certain symptoms, such as seizures, breathing problems, or any kind of collapse should prompt you to get your dog a veterinary exam immediately. If there is ever any kind of doubt about the seriousness of any symptom then please contact your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency facility immediately and ask. Don’t wait to see if it’ll go away on it’s own. Explain the symptoms to the pet professional and ask for their advice. It is always better to be safe than sorry if you’re not sure whether or not your dog is in serious trouble.

There are all sorts of serious symptoms that should never be ignored in your dog. Potentially any of these symptoms could easily indicate an underlying disease and might even be your first clue to the presence of a life-threatening conditioning in your dog. You never know. So, here are a few symptoms that should never be ignored if you see them in your own dog!

Seizure. A seizure is often a symptom of some sort of neurological disorder. They can be caused by several things including epilepsy, toxins or tumors. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Collapse or Fainting. Any reasons for collapse or fainting should always be considered serious and should not be ignored. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Breathing Problems. Respiratory distress, labored or difficult breathing or even shortness of breath are all very serious symptoms and should be taken care of immediately.

Bloated or Distended Abdomen. Abdominal distension is an abnormal enlargement of the abdominal cavity and can often be a symptom of potentially life-threatening disease. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Unproductive Vomiting. Dogs that attempt to vomit over and over and are never able to bring anything up is very serious. You should call your veterinarian immediately.

Trouble Urinating. This can range from: straining to urinate, frequently attempting to urinate, or even great discomfort when urinating. This can be very serious. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Bruising and/or Bleeding. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.

Not Eating or Loss of Appetite. This is often the first indication of illness in your dog. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.

Pacing and Restlessness. In dogs, pacing and/or restlessness can usually be indicative of pain, discomfort or distress in your dog. In many cases it an indicator of a serious problem. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.

Losing Weight. There are several causes for this, if you’re not actually trying to help your dog lose extra pounds – some of which can be very serious. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.

Urinating and Drinking Excessively. Either of these are often the early signs of several diseases such as: kidney failure, diabetes, thyroid problems, uterine infections, etc. If you think that your dog is drinking excessively, make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

Fever. The normal temperature in dogs is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dogs temperature is higher, call your veterinarian asap.

Excessive coughing. Don’t think that this is no big deal. Coughing is a common protective reflex to clear the throat, etc. It can also affect the respiratory system if the coughing is excessive. Common causes of excessive coughing can be quite severe, such as: an obstruction in the windpipe, heartworm disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, lung tumors, kennel cough or even heart failure. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.

Bloody Diarrhea – Bloody Urine – Bloody Vomit. Any of these should be evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Some may be the result of minor ailments, while others could be severe or even life threatening. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

While the list of dog symptoms above is not at all all-inclusive, it is meant to be merely a resource of symptoms of which you should always be aware of as a dog owner. Keep an eye on your dogs health in much the same way you would do so for your own child and you will be well on your way to a long and lasting relationship with your own dog. Your dogs health is important so watch for any symptoms your dog may exhibit closely and be ready to act on them as necessary.

If you’d like to learn even more about your dogs health and how to keep your dog healthy, please check into the book called Veterinary Secrets at: http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com for more information or visit my website at: http://www.pedigreedpups.com

If you’re an ordinary person who loves dogs and has one or would like to have one, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of information on dog ownership, training and nutrition available to you online and elsewhere.

A well trained and healthy dog is one of life’s great pleasures. In fact, after family and friends, dogs are the most important creatures in our lives In fact, dogs are our best friends! My family always had dogs when I was a kid; I remember them all well. One of my childhood’s saddest memories was when our corgi Taffy, a pretty fiery little fellow, got run over on Guy Fawke’s Nite. My father and I tended to his injuries, but he died from them.

The point is that dogs may not be human, but they may as well be, for the emotions they arouse and the love and devotion they give us if they are well treated. Don’t they deserve the best we can give them?
Some of the things I believe everyone who has a dog should understand are very simple to apply to ensure you have a healthy, well-trained dog who loves you and will be your best friend for life:

#1. Treat your dog as you would treat any other member of your family; dogs respond to love, care and attention just like the rest of us. Our Marty is a Shitszu-Fox terrier cross, absolutely adorable, and the poor little bloke gets hugs and kisses all day long. He sleeps on our bed!

#2. Be sure your dog knows who’s boss: be firm but not physical. Dogs are like children – they need to know limits but they do not respond well to physical violence. In fact, Marty as a puppy received (unknown to us at the time) some very rough treatment from a dog groomer we took him to. He still reacts if we try to trim his feet.

#3. Feed your dog food that it likes to eat but is also good for it. There are plenty of dog foods available but make sure the one you choose for your dog is as natural as possible and not full of preservatives or additives that can and do cause ailments such as cancer. We have recently carried out an exercise in comparing dog foods, and the results were pretty bad. Good food is more expensive, but generally you need less of it, and its certainly better for the dog.

#4. Exercise your dog according to its needs. A big dog requires big exercise, a smaller one not so much. Exercise will enable your dog to burn off the energy they will otherwise spend on things they shouldn’t. We find with Marty that, if we can’t get him out for a walk, throwing and getting him to return a tennis ball gives him plenty of exercise. (He also tends to hoon around when the mood takes him ,which cracks us up!)

#5. Do not leave your dog at home all day alone. Dogs are social animals and need your company. On their own they get frustrated and bored (just as humans do). We take Marty where we can. Be very careful, though, that you don’t leave your dog in a car for long in summer – they get heat-stressed very easily and can really suffer.

Some easy things I recommend you do for your dog (and you!):

Start training and good eating habits early! Take your puppy to a training school for basic tips and socialisation with other dogs and humans. Basic commands such as “sit” “stay” “heel” etc are very important and not difficult to implant if done properly;

Pick a pecking order of command givers in your family and stick to it. Dogs are pack animals and look to the alpha male;

Get a good vet and stick with him or her if you can. They will give you good advice on nutrition, vaccinations etc and will get to know your dog’s history. This is really important if special treatment is needed at any time;

Unless you plan to breed, have your dog neutered at about 6 months; he will not wander and will generally lose any aggressiveness he might have. If your dog is a female and un-neutered, you will have to lock her in when she’s on heat!;

Make sure your dog has plenty of company and appropriate exercise. In fact, I don’t recommend people on their own get dogs unless they can take them into work with them or get a sitter. At one stage in my life I had a large dog whom I loved, but she was home all day on her own. It drove her crazy. I ended up giving her away to a retired lady who loved her too. Nessie (the dog) was in heaven;

Start off and continue to feed your dog the best food. It may be a bit more expensive, but quality counts and is worth it;

Check out online sites if you need help. Lots of people will have the same issues you do, and it helps to share.

To find out some more, or to share your views, check out my website www.shoxzy.com or http://doghealthandtrainingissues.wordpress.com/

Alex was a happy dog. Always seeming to smile and even sometimes laugh at my early morning antics as I rushed about to get off to work. The one thing he never laughed about was the few times I actually forgot to leave his breakfast. I would rush home on my lunch hour and there he would be…staring at me with that quizzical, head-cocked–to-the-side look…as if I had lost what was left of my mind.

His ire would usually last an entire minute and then he would be his old happy-go-lucky self again. I was sure a few times I could hear him thinking, “This better be the last dam time you make me eat breakfast for lunch”.

When Alex died of spleen cancer last year, he was only 5 years old…still a puppy.

My vet said that the only thing he could think of that would cause such a thing to develop and kill Alex so quickly was probably just bad genes. I asked him to repeat himself. I actually thought he had said that Alex died because I didn’t buy Gloria Vanderbilts for myself.

He said that Alex probably just had a proclivity for the disease already in his body from the day he was born. I couldn’t believe that. He was too happy to NOT be healthy. So I started my research. I was determined to find out what really happened to Alex. He was my friend. I felt I owed him that much.

It was shortly after I started scouring the internet for whatever I could find on cancers of dogs that I read a very shocking report of why thousands of dogs die early and painful deaths unnecessarily.

It was me. I had killed Alex. And I had killed him with my ignorance. I had always thought that I was doing so well with him. I fed him ONLY canned dog food, never dry…even though that got expensive as heck. I did it because I thought it was better for him.

I never fed him human food, except for an occasional steak bone. Something large with which he could get a good chew session going. And I always fed him at about the same time every day, three times a day (usually).

So what did I do that was so wrong? How did I murder my best friend?

When I read one of the cans of dog food that was still in my cabinet, it said,”…not recommended as a main source of diet for your dog”.

What?!

Since when isn’t dog food to be used as food for dogs?

I learned that day that most dog foods contain some horrible, horrible things that are banned from human consumption because they are known carcinogens (cancer causing agents).

I cried for days after that day. I cried for Alex and I cried for myself. If only I had had some inkling that something was wrong with what I was feeding him. I assumed that it had to be good for him because it was so expensive. Little did I know.

But now I do know. And although it is too late for Alex and me…there is still hope for you and your dog if you want to extend his life or just stop it from being cut short unnecessarily.

I couldn’t save Alex and I couldn’t bring to light any media exposure on this corrupt company, but what I can do is help other people who love their dogs to keep them.

They can’t stop me from doing that.

So go and watch the video…it may help save your dog’s life.

And, don’t you owe him or her that much?

Lynne Gordon
I am striving to save the world – one person, one cat and one dog at a time.

Protozoal diseases are caused by protozoans, a term Scientist referring to a unicellular heterotrophic protist, such as an amoeba or a ciliate that are causing parasitic infectious diseases on mammals. Protozoa can reproduce and colonize on host body and can lead which lead to severe infections. There are microscopic, single-cell parasites that live in water, soil, and the feces of infected animals and invade canine digestive systems and blood streams.
Protozoa parasites can be transmitted in many ways, knowing and alerting ourselves with the causes and sources of these diseases with keep our dog and us from these diseases.

Giardiasis. Giardiasis or Giardia is caused by a flagellated protozoan parasites called Giardia Lamblia. These diarrhea-causing protozoans colonize and reproduces in the small intestine and affects the digestive tracts of dogs. The parasite attaches itself to the lining of the small intestines in dogs, human and other mammals, where it sabotages the body’s absorption of fats and carbohydrates from digested foods. It attaches to the cells of the intestine with its adhesive disc and rapidly divides to produce a whole population of trophozoites. Contaminated water and feces are the most likely source of this parasite. There are number of drugs to treat Giardia like Flagyl, Neftin, Tinadazole, Panacur, Valbazen and many other being formulated. Keeping our dogs away from foul water is the best way to prevent the disease.

Coccidiosis. The microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled parasites called coccidia (Isospora is the most common) which infect the intestinal tracts of animals, and are the largest group of apicomplexan protozoa. The disease spreads from one animal to another by contact with infected feces or ingestion of infected tissue. Diarrhea, which may become bloody in severe cases, is the primary symptom. Most animals infected with coccidia are asymptomatic; however, young or immuno-compromised animals may suffer severe symptoms, including death. Vet uses low-powered microscopic examination for affected dogs and administer/prescribe drugs to reduce or eliminate dog’s immune system to some level and make his own progress against the coccidia infection.

Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is caused by diphasic protozoa of the genus Leishmania infantrum and Viannia. The disease was mostly transmitted tiny insect (female phlebotomidae), when he happens to be contaminated, he may develop a lesion at the inoculation point (cutaneous leishmaniasis), or an internal disease, called “Kala-Azar”, inducing the enlargement of the spleen and the liver. It can be fatal if not treated. Generally, the treatment consists in series of injections of GlucantimeND. Several insecticides can also be used: they will be applied on the dog, insisting on the nose area which is a risky spot.

Babesiosis. Babesiosis is a malaria-like parasitic disease caused by Babesia, a genus of protozoal piroplasms. They are microscopic blood parasites are spread from dog to dog by tick bites(releasing Babesia sporozoites), and they have been causing red blood cell destruction in their canine hosts all over the world. The disease causes anemia (lack of red blood cells) and symptoms include weakness, jaundice, fever, red or orange colored urine. Thre are injections like Imidocarb diproprionate or Dimenazene aceturate to treat the disease, but current chemotherapeutic agents used to treat canine babesiosis are incapable of completely eliminating the disease; they only are capable of limiting mortality and the severity of clinical signs. Supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids and blood transfusions should be employed when necessary. Female dogs testing positive for Babesia should not be bred.

Neosporosis. Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite that had been confused with T. gondii. Neosporosis is a parasite that most dogs get while still in the womb of his mother. Most common noticeable condition is when a puppy isn’t thriving and has difficulty coordinating movements. Symptoms of this condition may include inflammation of the skin, tremors and seizures. In addition, a dog may seem disinterested in eating because it causes pain. can be transmitted repeatedly through successive litters and litters of their progeny. This should be considered when planning the breeding of Neospora-infected bitches. Dogs should not be fed uncooked meat, especially beef. There is no vaccine to combat neosporosis. No drugs are known to prevent transplacental transmission.

Hannah Serrano is a passionate writer of http://www.americaoutdoor.com, an informative website about dog crates and pet strollers for pets and animals.

Dogs are man’s best friend. Like children, dogs are to be taken cared for just like people are. It takes a lot of responsibility to take care of your pooch. The proper dog care must be applied to your pet so he or she remains to be healthy and free of any diseases. Dogs are loyal to their human counterpart. In return, we must provide them with the appropriate dog care essentials.

We should provide them healthy food, water, exercise and veterinary care like vaccinations. Reading books for the best dog care information and health tips are useful for dog owners who need more education in maintaining a pet. While dogs offer unconditional love to their owners, the owners themselves must show their dogs how much they care for them.

Day To Day Dog Care Needs

The basic everyday need of a dog is obviously food. As an owner, one must feed the dog regularly with healthy food that is excessive in protein. Grooming is another part of proper dog care. Bathing your dog regularly relieves them of fleas and ticks.

“Big and small dogs need exercise daily, big dogs more than smaller ones”

You can bathe them at least once a week for them not to have that foul smell. Grooming your dog gives you the bonding between owner and pet; and this can also emphasize your authority towards him. Brushing the dog’s fur is relaxing in their part, they enjoy the strokes of the brush on their hair as you do it slowly.

Dogs should have vitamins too. Vitamin E can cure skin ailments. You can apply vitamin E oil to their skin to cure dry skin and any other skin ailments. You can save some money if you try conventional and natural ways in giving the right dog care for your pets. Acidophilus in yogurt is not only good for humans but for dogs as well. Consult with the veterinarian first if you plan on doing this because there are some factors that can harm them.

The Dog Care Supplies

Dog care provisions are classified as functional, basic and pampering. The fundamental dog supplies comprise of dog leashes, grooming kits, sleeping pads, dog house and most especially, food.

“It is not only people who will benefit from natural care but also our dogs. Natural pet care is now a growing trend that shows pet owners how to take care of their dogs in a way that is not harmful”

The practical but functional dog materials consist of doors, fences, and gates. The pampering kit is usually composed of toys, massage oils and treats for your dogs.

One of the most ascendant basic supplies provided is dog beds. It helps keep the dog’s bones healthy and strong. Several pet shops have supplies such as training equipment and aid to make practices much easier for your dog to follow. Some may even include dog collars which are made to punish dogs for inappropriate behavior.

Kennels are also sold in the supplies too; and they come in different shapes, sizes and colors. Choosing a good one would mean picking out something that ‘ s spacious enough for your dogs to easily move about. For better dog care, grooming kits are available in a variety of options too. The products include shampoos, nail clippers, brush, combs, and even conditioners. Hygiene supplies are also made available for the best dog care that you can render.

Are you seeing the same recycled information on every website you visit? Try http://www.dogcaretruths.com for fresh information!

Are you worried about dog incontinence in your aging dog?  Incontinence in dogs often becomes a problem as our canine friends age.  In fact, canine lower urinary tract disease that causes incontinence afflicts about half of all older dogs.  Here’s what you need to know about this problem to help your old friend.

Four Reasons For Urinary Incontinence In Dogs

The chances of your canine friend developing one of these problems increase as he gets older.  In fact, in pets older than seven, dog incontinence is the most canine common urinary tract disease. 

Common reasons for canine incontinence are:

Cystitis in dogs Dog bladder stones Trauma and obstruction Cancer

Cystitis In Dogs

A bacterial infection in your pet’s bladder can cause incontinence in your elderly dog.  Frequent urination is often a symptom, and you may notice he’s drinking more water than he normally does.  You may also see blood in his urine.  This condition is usually diagnosed with a urinalysis, and your vet may also do a urine culture to identify which bacteria are causing it.  Canine urinary infections are usually pretty easy to clear up with antibiotics.

Dog Bladder Stones

Canine bladder stones are often seen in aging dogs.  If your pet is suffering from recurring bacterial infections, this may be why.  The stones often have sharp edges that irritate the bladder walls, leading to a canine urinary tract infection.  Bulldogs and dalmations are especially prone to this problem, although they may occur in any breed of dog.

Dog bladder stones don’t always show up on x-rays, so your vet may need to do a contrast study to find them.  You may need to feed him a special diet to dissolve them.  If that doesn’t work, surgery might be necessary to remove them.

Trauma And Obstruction

Trauma usually isn’t seen in elderly dogs, but it does happen sometimes.  Usually trauma will heal on its own, but it’s always a good idea to have your vet check on your old friend to be sure he’s healing properly.

Obstruction of the canine urinary tract can occur from canine bladder stones blocking his urethra, or from a tumor. 

Cancer

While lower urinary tract cancer is seen more often in females, males are susceptible to prostrate cancer.  Persistent bleeding from the urinary tract should never be ignored.  Treatment is more effective when the cancer is caught early.

Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Help Your Aging Pet?

The answer is yes.  Herbs and homeopathic remedies have stood the test of time for bladder problems in people, and they’re very effective for preventing and treating dog bladder problems, too.  The key is to find remedies especially formulated for use in pets so that your canine friend receives the proper dosage.  You’ll also want to deal with a company known for producing only the highest quality natural products for pets. 

Don’t wait until incontinence in dogs becomes a problem for your elderly dog.  Start your older pet on a natural remedy today to help prevent this problem.

Darlene Norris has combined her experience working at a vet clinic with her long-time interest in natural healing to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Learn how you can prevent and treat dog incontinence with the best natural remedies for dogs at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com