Dog Castration Aftercare

Dog castration is performed primarily to prevent the dog from reproducing. Though this is a surgical procedure, it is a relatively simple one. The recovery after such a surgical procedure is also very quick and complete but the dog owner may have to take a lot of measures in order to make sure that the recovery of the dog is complete. Dog castration aftercare is a concern for most pet owners as this is crucial to a swift and complete recovery.

There are special measures which can be taken to care well for the dog, especially after a surgery has been performed. The usual period for recovery for dogs is between 10 to 14 days. Typically, the surgery is performed in the morning and the dog is ready to go home in the evening. When you come to pick up your dog, have a lengthy discussion with the vet and understand all the facets of dog castration aftercare and the dog castration recovery period. You may have to help your dog get into the car after the surgery because the dog may still be woozy as the effects of anesthesia begin to wear out. Do not allow the dog to jump. You will have to carry the dog and place it on the back seat of the car so that the stitches remain intact and do not stretch. Since the incisions are also fresh, it is best to make sure that the bandages remain on the wounds till the dog is completely healed. If you have stairs in your home do not let the dog climb as this too will stretch the stitches on the dog’s abdomen. If your steps are smaller you may let the dog climb. However, immediately after the surgery, your dog may not have regained its balance and it will be helpful to get your dog to climb the stairs carefully.

Read more on Dog Castration Complications

Bring your dog to its bed or crate where the dog can go to sleep immediately after getting home from the surgery. Dogs will usually not have the energy to keep up a lot of activity after this painful surgery so it is best to let them sleep and regain their strength. The recovery will be faster if the dog is allowed to sleep properly. This is the best dog castration aftercare. If you have other pets or kids in your home, keep them away from your dog that has just had the surgery. This is an important part of the dog castration aftercare. The dog castration recovery will depend on how long the dog has slept peacefully in the days post castration in dogs. The other pets and children may disturb the dog and may play with it, causing delay in the healing of the stitches.

Dog Castration Complications

The process of castration applies to male dogs. It is a process where the male reproductive system is removed. In dogs this typically applies to the testicles. The process of castration in dogs is done to terminate the reproductive capability of the dog. There are many behavioral aspects associated with the sex hormones in male dogs. Many male dogs are aggressive as is their natural instinct. Male dogs with functioning sex hormones also tend to display behavior that is considered to be extremely undesirable. The act of mounting can be quite embarrassing for dog owners and may be a behavioral trait that owners wish to eliminate. Many dogs are excessively aggressive as well and may cause harm to family members or visitors. The process of dog castration is done in order to curb these issues. The health benefits from the process are also believed to highly outweigh the risk of any dog castration complications.

It is natural to worry about the safety of the procedure and the effects, but dog castration complications are minimal and there shouldn’t be much cause for worry. There are many dog castration pros and cons. The biggest benefit from dog castration is the reduction of the sex drive of the dog as there is a deficiency of sex hormones being produced in the body after castration. This limits undesirable behavior and also reduces the aggression of the dog towards other dogs and, especially, towards female dogs in heat. Another one of the positive effects of castration in dogs is with regard to testicular cancer. Even though the rate of infection of the testicles with cancer is low, it is still a concern. The removal of the testicles removes the organ completely and eliminates the risk of that form of cancer.

There are some common risks associated with any surgical procedure. These risks apply to castration as well. During any surgery there is the risk of infection developing. There is also the risk of excessive bleeding. Both these risks are reduced by having the surgery performed in a well equipped operating theatre that adheres to the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. Some other cons of a dog castration procedure include the development of certain types of cancers. The risk rate for neutered dogs developing cancer is higher than for intact males developing cancer. This has been corroborated by many studies. This is one of the most serious dog castration problems.

Read more on how to neuter dog and when to neuter dog

Other dog castration complications include cognitive impairment later in life. There is some research to suggest that dogs that have been castrated tend to suffer from cognitive function issues later in life. The frequency of these cases is higher in castrated dogs than in dogs that have not been castrated.

Prednisone For Dogs Side Effects

Dogs have come to be as much a part of the family as any of our human counterparts and just as we experience illnesses and require medications from time to time dogs, inevitably fall ill and require treatment too. Very often medications that are administered to dogs, although effective against the illness, can cause other complications and side effects. The use of prednisone for dogs causes side effects quite commonly because of the widespread use of this drug.

When using prednisone for dogs, side effects do pose some risk, which is why caution needs to be exercised when administering any drugs. When administering prednisone for dogs, side effects are most likely to occur from prolonged usage or indiscriminate and careless administration of the drug. The side effects of prednisone can vary greatly in severity causing complications that could be mild and at times even be fatal. Although the use of prednisone for dogs causes side effects the drug is extremely useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions, like autoimmune diseases.

Prednisone a synthetic, inactive corticosteroid and when administered to a dog, the liver converts it into prednisolone, which is an active steroid. It is useful in the treatment of canine asthma and allergies, in managing emergencies that could arise from injury to the spinal column, in organ transplants to control rejections and also in the treatment of kidney disorders. At the same time you should be warned that use of prednisone for dogs causes side effects like panting, excessive hunger and thirst and it can also cause renal disorders. These side effects are generally observed when the drug is used for short periods.

The use of prednisone for dogs causes side effects that are more numerous and serious when administered for a lengthy duration. In such cases the side effects could include the development of ulcers in the digestive tracts, muscle loss, diabetes, pancreatic pain and inflammation, and sudden behavioral changes. Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing’s disease is however probably the most serious side effect from prednisone. It is generally caused by an overdose and can prove to be fatal.

It should be kept in mind that while various drugs and pharmaceutical medications like prednisone are often life saving for your dog, their indiscriminate usage can pose a severe threat. Exercise caution when administering any treatments to your dog and avoid self treating the dog. A veterinarian would be in the best position to advise you and it would be advisable to follow his recommendations strictly.

Dog Blind in One Eye

Blindness is loss of vision. When a dog is blind in one eye you wouldn’t notice any behavioral changes as the dog continues to act normally. They can very well memorize their surroundings and are remarkably adaptable. So when they lose vision in one eye, their other senses compensate quiet a lot for the vision loss and you won’t realize it immediately. A dog, blind in one eye, behaves just like any dog with complete vision.

Dog Blindness Causes

Dog blindness has causes that could vary greatly and include conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, uveitis, corneal disease, retinal inflammation and infection, and disease of the optic nerve and occipital cortex. Your vet will be able to examine your dog and identify the cause for loss of vision. Dogs usually rely on their hearing and smelling senses rather than vision. These senses become more acute as their eye sight fails.

One way to test a dog’s vision is to rearrange the room furniture and observe how the dog walks. If it walks with confidence without colliding with any furniture, its eyesight is normal. If it hesitates and collides with furniture, you need to get its eyesight checked. This is the most common symptom of a dog blind in one eye.

Dog Blindness Symptoms

If you are observant enough you will notice some common dog blindness symptoms.

• A dog may bump into objects from the side where it has lost vision. This is a very common thing that you will notice if it has lost vision in one eye. The dog may walk close to the wall on the side on which it is blind just for the comfort and support.
• A dog blind in one eye has lack of depth perception. So, such dogs may avoid climbing stairs or jumping from heights.
• A blind dog usually relies on its companions to compensate for loss of vision in one or both eyes. For example, a blind dog may follow another dog when outside in the yard.

Diagnostic Tests for Blindness in Dogs

• Complete blood count
• Blood pressure
• Electroretinography
• Serologic tests
• Cerebral spinal fluid tap
• Ultrasound examinations, CAT scans, and MRI.

You can treat the blindness successfully if you know the exact cause. Therapy for blindness always depends on an accurate diagnosis and treating the causative factor. Fortunately, dogs can live a very high quality life in spite of blindness. You need to take extra and special care of the dog and train it well so that it doesn’t face any trouble. If dog appears to become blind suddenly, this calls for emergency medical attention and you should consult a veterinarian immediately.

You can also read on blind dog training

Dog Nausea After Eating

Some of the common causes for nausea in dogs include motion sickness, pregnancy in case of female dogs, eating too much too quickly, a blockage in the stomach or intestine, change in the diet etc. The common symptoms displayed by a dog who is feeling nauseous include excessive drooling, dry heaving, excessive licking and chewing, diarrhea etc. Many a times there may be dog nausea after eating and this may be because of the dog eating its food too fast or a blockage in the dog’s digestive tract or simply because the dog has yet to adjust to a new addition to its daily diet. Before undertaking any dog nausea treatment it is important to determine the exact cause of the vomiting and nausea and to also check whether it is a single episode or a  the dog has been vomiting or feeling nauseous frequently. Some dog nausea medications are specifically designed to treat serious illnesses like food poisoning or gastric dilation and volvulus, which are commonly referred to as bloat or GDV. Sometimes dog nausea after eating may also be observed if the dog has some food particle lodged in its throat. which it is trying to expel or if it has ingested a foreign material which is interfering with the digestion process.

Dog nausea home remedies include taking away the dog’s access to food for 12 to 24 hrs from the first episode of vomiting depending on the severity and the frequency of the vomiting. This will help the dog’s stomach to recover and rest. The dog may also be given some maple syrup in the ratio of one large spoon of maple syrup for every 15 pounds of the dig’s weight. In case of dog nausea, the owner should also monitor the amount of water the dog is drinking because a typical response to nausea in dogs is excessive fast drinking of water which will again cause the dog to vomit thereby worsening the upset stomach of the dog. In case the dog refuses to drink any water then the owner should feed the dog some diluted clear soup such as chicken soup or low sodium broth so as to ensure that the dog is not dehydrated. Once the time limit of at least 12 hours following vomiting has passed, the dog may be fed a couple of bites worth of food and if he is able to hold that food down for at least four hours then he may be fed some more, but not his complete meal.

Dog Panting And Shaking

Most dogs are known to shiver or shake when they are feeling cold or they have gotten wet. However certain small breeds of dogs tend to tremble or shake for no real reason. Some of the common causes of dog shaking or shivering are if the weather is cold, if the dog has a fever, outer ear infection, ear mites, food allergies, loss of balance, or is scared, among other possible causes. Dog panting is a normal and natural process in dogs, as dogs use this technique to cool their bodies down as they are not able to sweat like humans. Hence, as dogs run around and expend their energy they will tend to pant which is considered normal. In some cases panting may also be observed in dogs as a reaction to excessive heat, which will cause the dog to pant more during the summer than at other times.

Certain dog breeds such as the pug and the bulldog are also prone to excessive panting on account of their physical structure, whereas breeds like Golden retrievers will pant excessively because of the thick layer of hair they have on their bodies, which causes their bodies to heat up. The dog may also pant when it is thirsty which again is normal. However, dog owners should be concerned if the dog is sitting idle or not moving around, but you still find the dog panting heavily as this may be a result of an underlying problem such as fatigue, lack of cooling, a lack of oxygen being absorbed into the system, and so on. If excessive dog panting is on account of a fever, the first thing the dog owner should do is to give the dog a bath with some cool water or at least sponge the dog with some cool water. However, the water should not be too cold. Excessive dog panting and shaking may also be a sign or serious medical issues such as the dog being unable to breathe on account of a cold, heart disease, and so on. In such cases, excessive panting may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as drooping eyes, drop in energy levels and the dog’s inability to perform routine tasks which require some amount of physical effort. When any of these symptoms are observed it is necessary to visit the vet for an accurate diagnosis and corresponding treatment for the dog. Sometimes a dog will pant excessively on account of an upper respiratory tract complication, which may result in the nasal passages of the dog getting blocked.

Dog Paw Licking

Dogs often lick, chew, and bite their paws if they suffer from injuries like sprains, strains or an injured foot pad. Anxious dogs, especially ones who have experienced separation anxiety, may chew their paws or ankle area. These dogs may chew or lick their paws when left alone or when exposed to a stressful situation such as a thunderstorm. Every dog has different fears or stress triggers however. Treating the dog’s anxiety with behavioral therapy or medication may stop it from licking and chewing its paws.

Dog paw licking and chewing may occur for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons are:

• The dog has some allergy and its paws are itchy. The allergy may be due to food, change in weather, or a new carpet.
• The dog may have dermatitis.
• The dog might have cut or scraped its paw pads.
• If dogs are under stress they may show symptoms like panting, salivating, diarrhea, excessive scratching, or licking of the paws.
• A broken nail may also cause dog paw licking.
• If the dog is bored of staying alone, it might chew its paws out of boredom.

If you do not notice any physical injury, then you can consult your vet for an accurate diagnosis. If your dog is stressed, think of the reasons for this stress, as this is the most common cause of problematic dog paw licking and chewing. Changes in the dog’s routine or environment can put it under stress. If you think your dog is feeling lonely you should take it out at least two to three times a day. A dog is a social animal and doesn’t like to be at home all the time.  It is important to rule out any medical reason for such behavior. If medical reasons are ruled out, the problem can be approached as a behavioral one. In some rare cases, foot licking starts due to some medical reason and then becomes habit or compulsive behavior.

If the feet are swollen, flaky, or crusty it may indicate inflammation or infection, due to bacterial, fungal, or parasitic sources, to be behind the dog paw licking and chewing. In some cases of dog paw licking, allergies could be the causative agent. If there is no noticeable injury or inflammation, it could be due to inhalant allergies which can cause dog arthritis, itching, and pain in the area without any visible infection on the foot. If you notice any lumps or bumps between the toes or footpads, they may be cysts or small abscesses that can occur and cause discomfort. Consult a vet when necessary. Once you know that there is no physical injury, you may have to change your dog’s lifestyle and make necessary adjustments. If you leave the problem unattended, it may worsen instead of resolving naturally.

Living with a Blind Dog

Training is an essential part of living with a blind dog as it also helps alleviate fear, dependency and depression. In fact with proper training living with a blind dog will become much safer and easier enabling the blind dog to participate better in everyday activities with its owner. For those who have a blind dog as a family pet, they should remember not to move furniture around or leave any obstacles on the floor as the dog trains itself to know the positions of various materials and furniture in the house and any movement or rearrangement of the same will confuse the dog causing it to walk into things and even injure itself. While conducting blind dog training one should remember to emphasize on the other senses of the dog such as smell, hearing, touch and taste as blind dogs are known to feel vibrations caused by the movement of a person. In some cases, when living with a blind dog, meeting new people may be a fearful experience that may even result in biting if not addressed with correct blind dog training. In such cases one should allow the dog to smell the hand of the person before allowing that person to touch the dog so that they are conformable and the dog does not bite out of fear.

One can help a dog identify different rooms or different areas in the house by probably placing different scented candles in different rooms of the house or even hang an air freshener or a pot pourri sachet at the door enabling the dog to distinguish one fragrance from the other and hence correctly judging which part of the house it is in. While living with a blind dog, owners should try and keep landmarks in the house pertaining to some daily objects such as the dog’s water or food bowl or even the place where the dog’s toys have been kept. The owner should help the blind dog to feel connected via daily interactions with them through short verbal cues. The owners voice will not only guide the dog but will also reassure it. One should remember to always return objects to their original place or position because if a blind dog accidentally bumps into them, as it may disorient the dog and also lead to fearfulness or anxiety in the dog. Sometimes the dog may get distressed as it is not able to locate its owner; to prevent this owner should always wear a familiar scent

Why Dogs Pant When Not Hot

Many a time owners are concerned as to why dogs pant excessively and whether there is any cause for concern. Dogs pant when not hot to cool down as they can not sweat and in most cases this should explain why dogs pant excessively. Panting tends to lower the body temperature of the dog and the salivary glands further help the cooling process. It isn’t uncommon to observe excessive dog panting if the dog has been involved in any strenuous physical activity such as going for a long walk, running around, playing, or if it has been outside in the hot weather. In such cases the dog will have as rapid and shallow breathing with its mouth open which is considered to be normal. Dogs may also pant as a reaction to an environmental change or even as an emotional response on account of feelings of anxiety, fear, excitement, and so on. However, excessive dog panting may be indicative of a life threatening underlying medical condition which could require a swift diagnosis and appropriate treatment. One of the commonly observed reasons for a dog to pant heavily may be on account of respiratory problems; this could include both upper and lower respiratory tract problems. Upper respiratory tract problems involve blockages in the nasal passages of the dog, the development of growths in the back of the throat or the nose of the dog or even a collapsed trachea, which may cause excessive dog panting.

Dog panting heavily on account of a lower respiratory problem may be because of excessive gas in the chest cavity or accumulation of fluid in the lungs or even development of masses in the chest cavity. In some cases the dog may pant excessively on account of certain blood disorders such as anemia or even carbon monoxide poisoning. Similarly heartworm or heart disease, blood clots and other such cardiovascular problems may also result in excessive dog panting. Dog panting heavily is also observed in dogs because of neurological problems, which are basically diseases affecting the nervous system that tend to adversely affect the respiratory system. The nervous system of the dog may get damaged by head trauma, brain tumors or even abnormalities in the muscles of the respiratory system. Some other health complications that may cause abnormally excessive panting in dogs are illnesses caused by heat, drug poisoning, and pregnancy, among others. In all the above cases, it is necessary to seek veterinary guidance to determine the root cause of the excessive dog panting so that the appropriate treatment can be administered at the earliest.

Dog Allergic Reaction

Just like humans, dogs also tend to have allergic responses which are observed when their immune system overreacts to certain allergens or antigens that enter the body and set off an alarm. This alarm in turn stimulates the production of antibodies in the dogs with a view to protect itself from these allergens. The antibodies then tend to attach themselves to the immune cells that are known as mast cells within the body tissues and the skin. When the allergens penetrate these body tissues they tend to get captured by the antibodies which in turn stimulate the mast cells causing them to release powerful chemicals into the surrounding tissues known as histamines that then cause inflammation and itching during a dog allergic reaction. The common dog allergic reaction symptoms include autoimmune, endocrine, parasitic and infectious skin diseases as well as an itchy sensation in the dog and hair loss. Dog allergic reaction vaccine treatment usually commences with the vet determining the cause of the allergic reaction in the dog. As soon as the dog is diagnosed as having an allergic reaction the vet will put the dg on flea control as flea allergies are the easier to control and are also known t be the most common type of allergies observed in dogs. If the flea allergy is ruled out and the itching is also non- seasonal then the vet will check for any possible food allergies which begins with putting the dg on an elimination diet for at least 10 weeks wherein the dog is fed food that contains carbohydrates and proteins that the dog has not eaten before such as venison, duck, potatoes etc. If this results in the reduction in the amount of itching then the vet will diagnose the allergen to be one of even more of the dog’s food ingredients.

Dog owners’ should remember that while the dog is being tested for possible food allergies it should not be fed any treats, table scraps, chewable medications or rawhide toys that may also contain a certain allergen. Dogs are also susceptible to allergies arising out of insect bites and stings that can affect dogs of any breed and age. The reactions of a dog to an insect bite may range for mild to severe and may include symptoms like sluggishness, fever, loss of appetite etc in case of a mild reaction to insect stings. In some cases of moderate reactions to insect stings the dog may develop wheals or hives.