BarkleyAndPaws - Dog - Health

A toy that floats, or sinks?

Ellie Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:03:49 +0000

Dogs love to swim during the hot summer months and their favourite tricks are fetching sticks, balls or empty bottles back to their pleased owners. However it can be a problem when a dog looses site of its bait and the stick, ball sadly sinks. Dogs become agitated and want you to find another alternative which can prove quite difficult when there is nothing available in your surroundings.

There is also the danger of using something that is less suitable like a heavy stick that could break off into shards and splinter the dog’s mouth. These may also penetrate the oesophagus (gullet) or stomach which leads to disastrous consequences.

To avoid these situations and ensure that your pooch is happy, look at available pet accessories and products. An idea would be to find something that floats and is dog friendly.

Information that could save your dog from canine hip dysplasia

Geraldine Dimarco — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:29:35 +0000

What do you know about canine hip dysplasia? It is a skeletal disorder suffered by the canine when the ball and socket of his hips are not perfectly fitted together. Sometimes, the reason for this is also is because the tissue that binds the ball and socket are not strong enough. We can only imagine what a painful experience even regular movement can be for the dog.

Hip dysplasia is, more often than not, a genetic abnormality that will develop as the dog grows older. Sometimes though, it can be caused by an injury sustained in the puppy's legs and have not been treated properly. Symptoms do not usually manifest until much later on and the harm in this is that when it is not addressed medically, may result in the dog not being able to walk at all.

5 tips for caring for your canine's paws

Robert Trent — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:34:34 +0000

If you have ever taken a look at your dog's paws, you'll realize they are the toughest part of his exterior. There is good reason; they have several jobs to perform. They do more than merely protect his feet. They function as padding that protects his joints when he walks or runs. They also insulate the bottoms of his feet, which is invaluable when the ground is cold or hot. There is also soft tissue beneath your canine's pads that is protected from injury.

It is for these reasons that many dogs are hesitant to allow strangers to touch their feet. Many canines don't even enjoy their owners handling their feet. But it's important that you do everything you can to care for your pooch's paws, so he'll remain comfortable when he walks. The following five tips will help.

Must-haves for dog owners

Chris Station — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:17:29 +0000

If you are ready to get a dog, there are some things that might be considered as must-haves. Having them will make your life as a dog owner a lot easier. If you already have a dog, then you may want to check and see if anything is missing from your list of dog necessities.

Like any pet, your dog needs food, water and shelter. Like children, they need to be taught what is okay and what isn't okay. Another necessary ingredient is caring. If any of these must-haves are missing, there may be problems.

First off are the basics of food and water. Be sure your pet has access to clean water both indoors and out. Even though dogs will drink from a puddle, it's still a good idea to clean his water bowl regularly.

What causes dogs to have seizures

Sandra DeMers — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:10:43 +0000

People in England use the term "fits" to describe what happens to a person when their brain loses control over the body. In the U.S. these fits are more often called seizures. This article is going to help explain and summarize the reasons why dogs have seizures.

EPILEPSY. Perhaps the top cause of seizures in dogs is a condition called epilepsy, however it is important to note that epilepsy is not the cause for all seizures. The definition of epilepsy was discovered by some people who were on a walk in the woods and happened upon a wolf that was throwing fits, looking as if he were doing some odd dance on a path in the woods. This group told the rangers and since the group was considered a group of idiots, the term used to describe this type of seizure is idiopathic epilepsy. Well, that's not exactly true, but the scientific reason is a bit more boring and doesn't make any more sense. In short, the term "idiopathic epilepsy" is a catch-all for when the experts just don't know what is causing a dog to have seizures.