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Dog Nausea is a common canine problem that every dog owner should know about. Although you might not be able to recognize the symptoms, it is quite common that just like humans your dog might feel nauseated at times. Immediate medical attention can help identify the seriousness of the nausea and pinpoint the most likely cause, so that treatment can began right away.  A change in diet, stomach upset, worms, intestinal problems, or even pregnancy are some of the possible causes of nausea. Dogs licking or chewing excessively may also be a warning sign. Abdominal swelling or a dull coat of hair could be caused by intestinal worms.

Equally important are the symptoms of nausea in dogs. Dry heaving, excessive chewing, diarrhea, are some of the most common symptoms.  Dog owners should get familiar with all these symptoms at the earliest, so that they can take interim steps for relief in the event that veterinary assistance is not immediately available.  This will minimize the dog’s suffering. If the dog is still alert and has an appetite then it may not be a cause for concern, at least not before the vet examines him. Before any treatment for nausea can be started, the cause should be determined and the vet should be informed whether this is a one time affair or has been occurring frequently.  Some medications are specifically intended to treat gastric swelling or similar digestive conditions, but the owner should be able to recognize the seriousness of the condition and not simply rely on home treatment if there is a need for veterinary attention.

Dog Nausea Treatment

Ensure that your dog drinks plenty of water after it has vomited, to prevent dehydration in its system. Allow some time to pass before you administer any fluids and make sure you wait for at least six hours before the dog is fed. After the stomach has recovered you can administer small amounts of water in regular intervals. Your dog should be given more small meals instead of one large one. Add raw garlic in the dog’s diet to protect its digestive tract from parasites.  Give your dog bland food like rice cooked soft to soothe the stomach and intestines.

Herbs for Dog Travel Sickness

Dog motion sickness treatment can include natural remedies like ginger and mint. However, it is important to discuss any and all treatment methods with your vet to prevent complications.

Dog Menstruation Symptoms

The estrous cycle is the time when female dogs are in heat, and have a high possibility of getting pregnant if they have mated. The estrous cycle is the fertile two or three days of the period of heat in the female dog, and the owner must learn to recognize this brief period if he is serious about the dogs’ breeding. During the first part of the estrous cycle there will be a noticeable increase in the dogs’ urination, and the vulva will swell up. In smaller dogs this is less noticeable and requires greater attention and perception from the owner. A second symptom is a continuous discharge of blood from the vagina.  It is a common and natural occurrence for a dog when it is in heat and nothing to be alarmed about. Even if you miss these 2 symptoms, the third one will be right on target. All male dogs in the vicinity will pick up the scent given off by the dog in heat, and they will then try to remain as close as possible. If you don’t want her to get pregnant don’t let her out of the house or out of your sight, as she may mate with a stray dog which would increase her risk of suffering from infections.

The duration of the heat cycle is around 90 days, and the dog goes through the cycle once approximately every seven months.  Her progesterone levels will indicate if she is pregnant, so you can keep a check.  Heat symptoms of the female dog should be monitored regularly, besides proper health and correct training are necessary for your dogs’ welfare. While there are many genuine healthy dog products in the market, there are also a lot of products that could pose a threat to your dog, so make sure you do your research before making a choice. If your dog has not been spayed and has been allowed outdoors there is even the possibility that she may have mated and be pregnant without you even knowing it. When she is ready to deliver, she may display late pregnancy symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of dog menstruation. In case the dog has puppies, stay calm as it is vital that you do not distress her about their safety.  You must ensure that your dog accepts your presence around, and close to the litter.  Let your dog know that you are there to help and protect her during this time. If the dog begins to behave aggressively, you must study her behavior and try to understand the cause for this change.

Dog Menstruation Cycle

A female dog, in the cycle of reproduction usually comes into what is known as “heat” every six months and on an average they invariably have two cycles in a year. Animal Shelters and “Pounds” are usually overcrowded with unwanted dogs because there are unfortunately many owners who do not take the trouble to keep their dogs indoors when in heat, which leads to their mating and subsequently producing a litter of pups.  Just about all dog homes and shelters are groaning under this burden today.

The actual period of “heat” usually lasts for 21 days, but this may vary slightly.  The actual “breeding time” or fertile period is just 2 or 3 days in the 21-day period, but the exact days are difficult to pinpoint.  What is know as the estrus cycle lasts 12-21 days, but could be shorter, from a few days to 4 weeks.  The length of a cycle varies, even within the same breed, so it is better to rely on the longer period for the length of the cycle. Bleeding occurs before the female becomes receptive to a male. Male dogs will be actively attracted to a female in the proestrus stage while a female dog will be ready for copulation during the estrus stage. Pregnancy during the first heat cycle is possible, but not advisable, because the dog is not yet emotionally or physically mature, and complications can arise for the mother and the puppies.

Most of the problems pertaining to the reproductive cycle in dogs stems from negligence or ignorance on the part of owners. Dogs that are kept as pets should be spayed before the first heat to preclude pregnancy and also reproductive diseases.  Later on in life, dogs may be spayed when in heat or when pregnant, but there is a risk because of dilated blood vessels and tissue of the reproductive tract. There is also a greater possibility of bleeding or other complications during surgery.  The first signs in young females are usually seen between six and eight months, though the heat period properly appears only at 8 to 12 months. Usually a female puppy should be watched regularly and the start of her first cycle should be noted. If at fourteen months, she has not yet been in heat, she needs to be seen by the vet.

One of the ways of dealing with a dog while she has her menstruation cycles is to try and confine her to one room in order to minimize the amount of cleaning up that you will have to take on during this time. If this is not possible, discuss pamper options with your vet as this can help her during these special days.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux In Dogs

Acid reflux is a condition, also known as heartburn. This condition is characterized by a reverse flow of the gastric acids. The gastric acid flows into the esophagus, into the throat, burning the entire tube along its way. This occurs when the muscular opening at the base of the esophagus becomes lose and the gastric juices can easily flow into the throat. This condition is fairly common in both humans and in dogs. The symptoms of acid reflux in dogs may occur at any age in their life.

Due to the reverse flow of gastric stomach acid, bile salts and the enzyme pepsin into the throat and the esophagus may become inflamed and damaged. This condition mostly affects young dogs because their esophagus is not completely developed and the muscles are still weak.
The symptoms of acid reflux in puppies often go unnoticed. This is because the acid reflux may cause the puppy to whimper, but not show signs of pain. Due to the burning sensations in the puppies’ body, they may not be able to eat anything. In fact, they may also avoid drinking water.
So, what are the symptoms of acid reflux in dogs?The dog usually spits up and experiences regurgitation of food. There may also be a lot of evidence of pain. The dog may howl and whine. One of the other symptoms of acid reflux in dogs would be loss of appetite and unwillingness to drink water. There may also be severe inflammation of the esophagus along with fever and a lot of salivation.

The exact causes of acid reflux in dogs are not known. Acid reflux in dogs may occur due to administration of anesthetics. The failure to fast the dog properly or positioning the dog improperly in any way before administering the anesthesia could result in the relaxation of the esophageal opening.

Hiatal hernia could also cause the esophageal opening to relax, which causes an increased risk of developing acid reflux. If the esophageal sphincter of the dog is still developing, acid reflux could cause chronic vomiting and other long term problems. If the flow of gastric juices into the esophagus continues, it could ultimately cause the esophagus to burn or get permanently damaged.

Dogs would need immediate treatment when they are diagnosed with acid reflux. If the treatment is delayed, this condition could worsen. Home care would also be required and the dog will need to consume bland food. It is also possible that the dog may have to be given glucose intravenously for a brief period.