Dog Owner's Springtime Checklist

If your dog could tell you his or her favorite time of year, it would almost invariably be the spring and early days of summer. The weather is just right, which means more time outside and more fun with the humans. Activity is everywhere. And the smells...your dog would never shut up about the smells of spring and summer.

As the weather starts to warm up, start thinking of ways to make sure your canine gets the most out of spring and stays healthy in the process. Here's a five-point checklist to get you started:

Bath and shave: Most dog owners opt to let their furry companion carry as thick a coat as possible during the winter to help keep them warm. Remember to shave thick coats when the weather warms up to keep your dog cool. Finish with a bath to rinse the remaining soot collected from winter.

Check-up: The end of winter is a good time for your canine to get a check-up. The reason being is that limited outdoor activity combined with a natural instinct to store fat during cold conditions may mean your dog is overweight. On top of that you might as well have your dog screened in general.

Double check your garden ambitions: Before taking the time to sew seeds for a spring garden, make sure you aren't planning on planting anything that may be harmful to your pet. Popular garden plants that can cause sickness in dogs include daffodils, gladiolas, and tulips.

Stock up on flea and tick meds: This one is a no brainer. Either at your visit to the vet or through a trusted online vendor, get the necessary flea and tick medicine before allowing your pet to spend extensive time outdoors. Frontline Plus for dogs is particularly useful since it guards against both.

Plan a trip: Now comes the fun part. Put all this preparation and prevention to good use and plan some some for you and your canine to enjoy the return of warm weather. Camping is a great idea, but so is simply taking your dog for a long walk in a park.

The sights, sounds, and smells of spring and summer are without a doubt some of the best things your dog loves about life besides you. Partake in their appreciation for the warmer months and reciprocate their affection by doing your part to ensure they have a wonderful time outdoors.

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Free Whites Premium Dog Food Sample

Get a free 100grm (3.5 oz) sample of dog food from Whites Premium.

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Dogs: Common Health Conditions and Warning Signs

The companionship of a dog is unparalleled. Your dog is part of your family. When your dog isn't feeling well, it can be upsetting, trying to determine the problem, and what requires immediate attention. This list of common, dog health concerns, along with warning symptoms, and possible treatments will help prepare your dog's best line of defense. Loving pet owners don't want their dog feeling poorly.

INSECT INFESTATION

Fleas:

If your dog is scratching, licking or biting more than usual, check your dog for fleas. Typically, fleas will attach to your dog's abdomen, tail and head.

TREATMENT: Flea collars, shampoos dips.

PREVENTION: See your veterinarian for insect growth regulator drugs or use spot-on or oral prevention medications.

Ticks:

If you live near wooded areas, it is essential to check your dog for ticks. Ticks can spread Lyme disease as well as some other serious diseases.

TREATMENT: Remove all ticks with tweezers, see your veterinarian if your dog becomes ill after removing any ticks.

PREVENTION: Restrict your dog from roaming in heavily wooded areas.

Ear Mites:

If your dog is scratching his ears more, and you spot crusty matter on the tips, this may indicate ear mites.

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian for treatment.

PREVENTION: Completely dry your dog's ears after bathing, swimming. You will want to check your dogs ears often, and visit your veterinarian if you suspect mites.

DENTAL HEALTH

Bad Breath:

Bad breath is a sign of improper dental health. Your dog should have his teeth cleaned regularly by you or a professional. Bad breath is a known symptom of health conditions that involve the kidneys and liver; and tend to be far more serious.

TREATMENT: Visit your veterinarian to have serious conditions ruled out.

PREVENTION: Brush your dog's teeth on a regular basis.

OBESITY

If you cannot easily, feel your dogs ribs; your dog is overweight. Obesity and carrying excess weight can lead to joint issues and other diseases.

TREATMENT: Work with your veterinarian to develop a diet for your dog and exercise regularly.

PREVENTION: Portioned meals with a nutritious dog formula and daily exercise.

HEAT STROKE

In hotter climates, heat stroke can be a critical issue especially for dogs living outside and those breeds that have trouble with extreme temperatures (flat faced dogs typically). Symptoms of a dog in distress include excessive panting, a racing heart rate, vomiting and excessive stringy drool.

TREATMENT: hydrate and cool your dog down quickly, in serious cases visit your veterinarian.

PREVENTION: If you dog must be outside during heat waves, ensure there is a shaded area with a fan to offer a breeze for your dog. Your dog needs to have an ample amount of fresh water throughout the day.

VIRUSES/INFECTIONS

Kennel Cough:

A respiratory disease passed from dog to dog. Symptoms of kennel cough include coughing, sneezing, fever, loss of appetite and lethargy. Your dog's mucous may become a yellow-green color.

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian for treatment.

PREVENTION: There are vaccines available, but they are not guaranteed to prevent this virus.

Conjunctivitis: If you dog's eyes look red, gooey and crusty, it is more than likely an eye infection

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian for treatment.

PREVENTION: Hard to prevent due to viral causes. Keep dog shampoo out of your dog's eyes.

Ringworm:

Ringworms are an infection of the skin, leaving scabs on your dog.

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian for proper diagnosis, and use an anti-fungal treatment on the skin for four to six weeks. Dispose of all dog bedding, then give your home and yard an intense cleaning. Wash hands constantly to avoid spreading to family members, keep children away until the infection has cleared.

PREVENTION: Keep your dog away from other dogs with the infection. A tip is to get an invisible fence to keep your dog on your property.

WORMS

Heartworms: Heartworms are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms will not appear for up to seven months and begin with a cough.

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian immediately.

PREVENTION: Vaccine.

Tapeworms: Tapeworms are spread through your dog eating infected fleas or rodents and can cause anal irritation and itching. You can see pieces of the worm passed through the feces.

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian for treatment.

PREVENTION: Keep your home free of fleas and rodents.

Whipworms: Whipworms are passed through feces and will cause bloody diarrhea.

TREATMENT: See your veterinarian for treatment.

PREVENTION: Vaccinate. Dispose of your dogs waste properly, and keep your dog away waste of other dogs.

Threadworms:

Threadworms can infect puppies and cause bloody diarrhea. Threadworms are highly contagious and can be passed to humans.

TREATMENT: Isolate your puppy and see you veterinarian immediately.

PREVENTION: Vaccine.

INSECT BITES

Depending on the insect bite, your dog may experience swelling and pain at the location of the bite. If your dog is stung multiple times by bees, wasps or ants your dog may need medical attention. Spider bites by a black widow or brown recluse are extremely dangerous and need immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a toxic bite include hyper activity, fever and weakness, shock and seizures.

TREATMENT: Medical attention is required with multiple bites or by poisonous insects. A single bite, without serious symptoms, only requires you to remove the stinger by using a scraping motion, followed by an application of an ice compress.

PREVENTION: Pest control.

Guest post provided by Dr. Susan Wright, DVM:

Dr. Susan Wright, DVM, has been providing quality care for family pets as a veterinarian for more than 10 years. Dr. Wright is a dog bark collar expert and author. In her free time, Susan enjoys writing articles, giving helpful tips and proper care advice to dog owners.

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5 Fun and Frugal Valentine's Day Gifts for Pets

Dog and cat owners receive the rarest form of affection -- unconditional love that is more worthy of Cupid's arrow than any well-matched couple.

No wonder pet lovers go hog wild over gifts for their four-legged friends during the holidays -- and Valentine's Day is no exception. In 2011, the National Retail Federation expected consumers to spend 54 percent more on their pets than in 2010. Naturally, this represents yet another opportunity for retailers to make a few bucks, so consider these frugal gift ideas to please your precious pets without blowing your budget.

1. Make it Personal

According to the American Pet Product Association , spending on pets in 2010 is estimated at $47.7 billion. That's a lot of chew toys. Set your gift apart from the pack by personalizing it with your pet's name or picture. You can get this done professionally for a pretty penny, but consider how easy it is to create a photo of your beloved canine for her treat container or food bowl.

2. Tasty Treats

You can find festive treats for cats and dogs alike at most major pet stores, including Petsmart and Petco. Cut down on the cost of these premade goodies and purchase gift cards at a discount from sites like GiftCardGranny. You can save up to 10 percent, leaving room in your budget for a bit more pooch-pampering.

3. Edible Greeting Cards

It's high time someone in the greeting card industry thanked all those cute animals gracing the covers of Hallmark cards with a greeting card of their own. Enter Crunchkins, the creator or edible greeting cards for dogs and cats. For less than $5, you can mail a rawhide card to your dog or a catnip card to your kitty, complete with a heartfelt message conveying your love.

4. Cheap DIY Chew Toys

We all know some kids have more fun with the packaging of a pricey present over the actual contents. The same can be said for your pet, who grasps the connection between price and affection even less so than your toddler. Skip the premade wares and go DIY this Valentine's Day with a homemade tug-of-war rope made of old socks, or a crackly paper bag for your kitty-cat max.

5. Baked Goodies

If you bake cookies for your sweetheart, consider baking a special batch for Fido and Fluffy. You can make delicious treats for your pets out of common ingredients, and feel good knowing just what's going into their bellies. Red Velvet Pupcakes, perhaps? Find this recipe and others at Dogster.com.

Guest post provided by Andrea Woroch.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. She is available for in-studio, satellite or skype interviews and to write guest posts or articles. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com .

For all media inquiries, please contact Andrea Woroch at 970-672-6085 or email andrea@kinoliinc.com.

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Homemade Pet Food: Why More Pet Owners are Jumping Onboard

People across the nation, from Inks Lake in Central Texas to the East Coast, are actively seeking out healthier lifestyles for their pets by altering their eating habits. Although much of society does not consider this to be of great importance, there are die-hard pet lovers that insist on their four-legged friends eating only the best. Remarkably, these folks are not going out and spending a fortune on costly, organic foods from the veterinarian or specialty stores; rather, they are making pet food from their leftover meals.

These concerned pet owners readily provide valid points that back up their decision to take such action, and scanning the back of a pet food label may make one's stomach turn sour. Surely, animal byproducts and bone meal are excellent in a compost pile, but it seems reasonable to assume that these are not very healthy for a pet to consume. Coming to this realization is possibly the biggest proponent of avid pet owners that take the time to care for their pet's nutritional needs by preparing homemade pet food.

Making certain that a pet's body receives adequate protein nutrients is a primary concern of many dog owners. These typically active pets need ample amounts of not just protein, but these should be highly digestible proteins. Many prepackaged foods feature a label with high percentages of this nutrient, but they are generally proteins that are only 60 percent digestible. It makes one wonder what happens to the other 40 percent. Certainly, unhealthy foods can wreak havoc on an animal's internal system, as well as their bathroom habits.

Ultimately, prepackaged pet foods may not be the best solution in sustaining the needs of active pets. Most people are privy to the differences in good fats and bad fats, and active bodies require certain amounts of both. Pet food bought in a store features fats that can be preserved, as opposed to healthy fats that easily convert into energy. It is important to remember that pets use fat to keep their kidneys functioning properly, and an excessive amount of fat within this sensitive area could prove to be fatal. Making pet foods at home allows pet owners to control fat intake, thus resulting in a happier and healthier animal.

Numerous clever pet food recipes are available on the Internet, and there are options that will permit even vegetarians to turn leftover foods into tasty, nutritional meals for their pets. Commonly, meats and vegetables are the primary ingredients in these culinary creations, but a number of other types of foods can be added to the meal mixture to meet pet's vitamin-specific needs. Pets with allergies or health problems require explicit considerations, and homemade pet food can be a great solution to help them feel better overall.

However, before getting started making pet food, is good to have a working knowledge concerning the nutritional aspects of foods and they affect animals. Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian prior to making any drastic changes. These professionals will be able to offer advice, make recommendations, and provide owners with resources that can give them the knowledge they need to succeed in creating appropriately balanced meals for their pet.

Citations:

• photo attribute to heyjude

Lynn Mastic loves travel and pets.  She made her home on the shores of Inks Lake, one of the Highland Lakes, for several years and was pleased to see more pet friendly lodging options cropping up, and she likes to write about this area of Texas and pet-friendly topics.

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Gollum - Yellow Labrador Retriever

Gollum - 4 month old yellow Labrador Retriever.













Photos from Deepika (India)

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Biscuit - Yellow Labrador Retriever

Biscuit - 1 year old yellow Labrador Retriever.








Photos from Aimee (USA)

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Pet Waste At Dog Parks Can Make Your Pet Sick

Visiting a dog park or other community area is a great way to give your pet the exercise and socialization she needs to be happy and healthy. Unfortunately these places can become contaminated with deadly microorganisms found in dog waste and other bodily fluids. These are the facts about 4 common diseases spread in contaminated pet feces.

Parvovirus

Background: Parvovirus appeared in the 1970s. Since then it has spread around the globe and is considered ubiquitous (potentially everywhere) in the environment. This virus’s rapid proliferation was due in part to its hardy nature. Parvo is often fatal so any dog that has symptoms that suggest infection should receive immediate medical care.

Symptoms: Rapid dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, high or low temperature, lethargy and/or muscle weakness, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes in mouth. Infected animals become sick 3 to 7 days after exposure.

How It Spreads: Parvovirus is primarily spread through infected dog feces so be careful to avoid it. However other bodily fluids including urine, saliva and vomit can also spread Parvovirus. Once this pathogen gets into soil it can remain active for months and freezing temperatures don’t kill it. Parvovirus survives best in shady, cool, moist areas so the dirt near things like trees, bushes or playground equipment are favored spots for this virus.

Prevention And Treatment: Puppies receive their initial vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age followed by a booster shot a few weeks later. Adult dogs receive a yearly booster shot. Parvovirus can be killed with bleach on nonporous surfaces like plastic, metal or cement however it is not possible to completely disinfect porous surfaces like soil. If infection occurs veterinarians can offer supportive care until the body is strong enough to mount a successful response to clear the virus.

Roundworms

Background: Roundworms are the most common worm parasite that infects dogs. Adult Roundworms live in the stomach and intestines of a host and shed their eggs into the environment through the host’s feces. These parasites are several inches long and look like thin, white or light brown worms in feces. Nearly all dogs will become infected with Roundworms during the course of their lives. Infestation in puppies can lead to serious illness or even death. Dogs older than 6 months develop a natural resistance to this parasite and usually don’t suffer from severe infestations or show symptoms of infection. Roundworms can infect humans and cause serious illness in children.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, stunted growth, dull coat and hair loss.

How It Spreads: Roundworm eggs are shed into the environment through the host’s feces and become infectious approximately 3 to 4 weeks later. These eggs have a tough outer shell and can remain active in dirt or sand for years. If your dog or child ingests contaminated soil or sand infection can occur. In addition if your dog eats a dead animal that is infected with Roundworms it can become infected. These parasites can also be spread to puppies before they are born or through their mother’s milk during nursing.

Prevention And Treatment: There is no known way to prevent Roundworm infection. Veterinarians can prescribe worming medicine that treats Roundworm in puppies and adult dogs.

Whipworms

Background: Whipworm is a common species of parasitic worm that infects dogs. They are extremely small and difficult to detect in the feces of infected dogs. Whipworms burrow into the walls of the large intestine and appendix, suck blood and lay eggs that are shed in the dog’s feces.

Symptoms: Mild infection may not produce symptoms but severe infection can cause abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and in rare cases death. Symptoms may not begin for a month or more after exposure.

How It Spreads: The only way to become infected with whipworms is to ingest a Whipworm egg. Unfortunately this is very easy for your pet to do. A dog can become infected if it eats contaminated feces, soil or grass. In addition if a dog rolls in contaminated soil it can become infected when it cleans it’s fur and ingests the eggs. Whipworm eggs have a thick outer shell that protects the core and allows them to survive for years in the environment. These eggs are best adapted to cool, moist, well shaded soil and they can survive freezing temperatures. Sun and heat can destroy Whipworm eggs by drying them out.

Prevention And Treatment: Like Roundworm there is no known way to prevent infection with Whipworms. Veterinarians can prescribe worming medicine for puppies and adult dogs.

Campylobacteriosis

Background: Campylobacteriosis is a common gastrointestinal disease caused by bacterial infection. Up to half of all dogs carry the bacterium that causes Campylobacteriosis but few show any symptoms. This disease is most dangerous in puppies younger than 6 months of age and adult dogs with compromised immune systems. Occasionally this disease is mistaken for Parvo because the symptoms can be similar. However unlike Parvo most cases of Campylobacteriosis run their course in 1 to 3 weeks and this disease is rarely fatal if prompt medical care is administered. Humans are susceptible to this infection so care must be taken around dog waste.
Symptoms: Mild to severe diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite. Symptoms start within 48 hours of exposure.

How It Spreads: Campylobacter is not a hardy germ. It can only survive for a few days at room temperature and can’t efficiently reproduce unless it’s inside a digestive tract. Unfortunately exposure to less than a thousand Campylobacter can trigger illness. At a park the major mode of transmission for this bacterium is fresh dog waste. Campylobacter can also spread through infected food or water.

Prevention And Treatment: Antibiotics can treat this disease. A veterinarian may provide other supportive care as needed.

When you visit a dog park or other community area the number one way to protect your pet is to keep her away from strange dog feces. If your community doesn’t clean up dog waste consider having a pet waste removal company do the work. Most cities have companies that offer this service. If you suspect that your pet has become sick with any of these diseases take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Clean or dispose of any old toys, bones and bedding to reduce the chance of reinfection and to protect other healthy pets. Exercise and socialization are important for your pet’s health and well being. So watch out for landmines and keep your trips safe and fun!

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

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Seizures In Dogs: The 5 Most Important Natural Remedies

If your dog has epilepsy, then you really should be looking at some of the alternative remedies for treating seizures. Conventional treatment typically consists of 2 veterinary drugs, Phenobarbital and Potassium bromide, which both have numerous side effects. This article will cover the types of seizures in dogs, causes, and the most important natural remedies.

A seizure is defined as abnormal muscle activity, as a result of uncontrolled messages from the brain. There is a sudden, brief change in how your dog's brain is working. When the brain cells are not working properly, your dog has the physical changes called a seizure.

Dog seizures are classified as either grand mal seizures, or localized. Grand mal seizures affect your dog's entire body. Generally the legs are extended and paddling and the head is rigid and extended. They may go through cycles of being stiff then relaxed. Some dogs may lose bowel/bladder control, and if the seizure occurs at night, this is all you may see in the morning. Localized seizures affect only certain areas of your dog's body. Typically you may see their head shake or their jaw chatter.

In the majority of cases the cause of the seizure is unknown, and it is then called epilepsy. Some of the other possible causes include: cancer (i.e. brain tumor), infections, brain trauma, poisoning, low blood sugar, hypothyroidism. Your veterinarian can discuss a variety of diagnostic tests such as blood work, x-rays, CT scan, MRI, Spinal fluid tap.

The age at which the seizure starts will give you a fairly good idea as to the underlying cause. For pets less than 1 year old, most are caused by brain infections (i.e. meningitis); some dogs though will develop epilepsy as puppies. For pets between the ages of 1-5, the most common diagnosis and seizure cause is epilepsy. If your pet has his first seizure over the age of 5, the most common cause is a brain tumor.

There are reports that show a link between diet and seizures in dogs. One human study showed a marked reduction in seizure activity with patients on the Atkins diet. Every seizuring pet should at least try a commercial hypoallergenic diet for 12 weeks. Most alternative practitioners are strongly advising a holistic diet, naturally preserved, free of grains, and primarily animal protein.

There is one acupressure point that can be particularly helpful. GV26 is the most important one, as it can help stop a seizure. It is where the nose meets the upper lip (immediately below the nostrils). This is a key one for CPR, as it can trigger your pet to breathe, and for seizures. Hold the point for 1 minute during a seizure.

Essential Fatty Acids may potentially decrease brain inflammation. Here you want to have high doses and therapeutic levels of the the EFA's; the dose being 1000mg per 10lbs of body weight daily. That equates to 1 tablespoon of flax oil per 50lbs daily.

There are 2 homeopathic remedies that have been reported to be helpful by some holistic practitioners. Belladona can be given twice daily in addition to the conventional medication; the dose being one 30C tab per 30lbs twice daily. Aconite is useful for sudden conditions ( such as during a seizure), dosing it at one 30C tab per 30lbs every 15 minutes.

Choline is used for certain human nerve disorders; it helps make a nerve chemical called acetylcholine. A specific choline product that can help seizures in dogs is called Cholidin. It can be given with conventional medication, at a dose of 1-2 pills daily for a small dog, and 2-4 pills given daily for a large dog.

You should now have a good understanding of seizures in dogs, and the classification of grand mal or localized. Most causes of seizures are unknown; they are then called epilepsy. If you have a seizuring dog, I encourage you to try some of the holistic options in conjunction with your veterinarian. You may be able to decrease the frequency of the seizures, or lower the amount of conventional medication.

Author Resource:- Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a NEW Free Ebook, Dog Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your dog's health problems quickly and easily at home. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and what to give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Your FREE Dog Health Secrets Book is here.

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Dog Seizures - What Causes Seizures In Pets

Dr. Karen Becker of HealthyPets.Mercola.com discusses the frightening condition of seizures in pets – what to look for, what can cause the disorder, and what to do if your own pet suddenly has a seizure.



A seizure is an incidence of unanticipated, abnormal electrical activity in your pet’s brain.

Symptom-wise, it can range from a minor imperceptible twitch, to a full-blown grand mal seizure during which your pet loses consciousness.

Seizures can last from just a few seconds – so short, in fact, you’re not even sure it was a seizure because it looked more like a minor head bobble, tremor, spasm or a simple cramp – to several minutes.

There are two types of electrical impulses inside your dog’s or cat’s brain – excitatory and inhibitory. There is a proper ratio of excitatory to inhibitory impulses, and when excitatory impulses overtake inhibitory impulses, a seizure can be the result.

Whether your pet has a minor twitch or a grand mal event depends on what part of the brain is involved and how many excitatory impulses are generated.

The point at which excitatory impulses overtake inhibitory impulses is called the seizure threshold. In a healthy pet this seizure threshold is high, meaning the potential for a seizure is low.

There are a few things that influence your pet’s seizure threshold, including:

* Genetics
* Head trauma
* Infection
* Exposure to toxins

Three Phases of a Seizure

Every seizure has three phases: pre-ictal, ictus, and post-ictal.

The pre-ictal phase comes just before the seizure. It can last a few seconds to a few minutes.

Humans can often predict their seizures, and we suspect some pets can as well. During the pre-ictal phase, your pet may behave strangely. He may become restless or nervous. He may come to you and want to be soothed because he can sense there’s abnormal electrical activity revving up in his body.

The seizure itself is called the ictus phase.

After the seizure passes there is the post-ictal phase, which can last from a few minutes to several hours. In the post-ictal period, you may see a wide variety of responses in your pet. He may seem confused or fearful. He might stumble about as though he’s blind. He might bump into things. You might also notice nervousness, tension, or that your pet wants to be left alone or immediately go outside.

I suspect animals are very confused after a seizure because they don’t know what just happened to their bodies.

Types of Seizures

There are a few different types of seizures your pet can experience.

A petit mal seizure is the mildest and can be as insignificant as an eye movement. A grand mal seizure is the other extreme. During this serious event, a pet loses consciousness and usually falls down.

There can be paddling with the legs and vocalization during a grand mal type seizure, along with jerking and twitching. Some pets lose bowel and bladder control.

Status epilepticus is a grand mal seizure that doesn’t resolve. This is a medical emergency in which breathing ceases and the animal can die. If your pet is experiencing a grand mal seizure and isn’t coming out of it, it’s critical you get her to an emergency veterinary hospital right away in order to save her life.

Cats more typically have something called a focal motor seizure where only part of the body seizes. It can look like a twitch, tremor or a cramp. This type of seizure is more common in kitties and small dogs.

Cluster seizures are events that occur several times a day. Many cluster seizures are urgent care situations. If your pet has had more than one seizure in a day, I recommend you make an appointment with your veterinarian. This type of seizure can lead to continued seizing and/or progressively more intense seizures.

Seizure Causes

There are a number of different causes of seizures.

* Head trauma which results in brain swelling can cause seizures.

* Brain tumors are a very common source of seizures in older pets. It’s very unlikely your 12-year-old dog or cat will develop epilepsy. If you have a pet getting up in years who starts seizing, unfortunately, the likely cause is a brain tumor.

* Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections can also cause seizures.

* Certain immune-mediated diseases can cause seizures.

* Cervical subluxation can also cause seizures, and this is something many pet owners don’t realize. I see this type of seizure a lot in dogs that are chained outside. They run out the length of their chain chasing after a bunny, and when the chain snaps back against the neck it causes a high cervical traumatic injury of either the C1 vertebrae (the atlas) or C2, the axis. The C1 is the first cervical vertebrae in animals, and it articulates with the brain stem. When there is increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain stem, it can lead to a seizure.

I recommend you harness your pet not only for walks, but also if he’s ever chained out. It’s important your pet is not able to increase pressure on the neck, because high cervical subluxations and other chiropractic issues in the neck can caused an increased likelihood of seizures.

* Congenital malformation (birth defects) of the brain stem or spinal cord is also a common cause of seizures. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed well-known to have a birth defect in the occipital bone leading to cerebellar herniation, a condition known as Syringomyelia.

* Liver disease can indirectly cause seizures. The liver is designed to process toxins, and if it can’t do its job effectively, poisons can build up in your pet’s bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier. Your pet can develop a condition called hepatic encephalopathy which can lead to toxin-based seizure activity.

* Low blood sugar can also be a cause. Diabetic animals taking insulin can develop low blood sugar-based seizures, or animals with insulinomas (a pancreatic tumor)

* Other metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism can also cause seizures. Interestingly, in one study 70 percent of dogs that were clinically hypothyroid had a history of seizures. I strongly recommend all dogs that have seizures be tested for hypothyroidism.

* Poisoning can lead to seizures. Lead poisoning, mercury poisoning, and plant poisoning (the marijuana plant, sago palm and castor bean plant, for example) can all induce seizures in your pet. Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides are all well-known to cause seizures.

Human drugs like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), antihistamines, antidepressants and diabetic medications can all cause seizures in pets.

Veterinary drugs are also known to create seizure potential. In fact, neurotoxic topical chemicals like flea and tick preventives are included in the list of drugs that potentially cause seizures.

* Heat stroke is also a too-frequent cause of seizures in pets.

Vaccines and Seizures

Certainly not least among the causes of seizures are vaccines.

Veterinary vaccines still contain thimerosal or organo-mercury compounds as adjuvants to boost the body’s response to the immunization.

Needless to say, heavy metals cross the blood-brain barrier, and since your pet’s central nervous system doesn’t contain the equivalent of a liver, there’s no removing those heavy metals.

Another way vaccines can cause seizures is their implication in the condition known as autoimmune encephalitis. Vaccines can spark an autoimmune reaction that causes secondary swelling in the brain, which in turn can bring on a seizure disorder in your pet.

Diets and Seizures

Nutritionally related health issues can also be the cause of seizures. This is something many people never consider.

Diet has a two-fold potential implication when it comes to seizures.

Number one is if your pet has food allergies. This can cause a systemic inflammatory response that can decrease her seizure threshold.

Number two, the pet food you feed can contain synthetic chemicals, preservatives, emulsifiers or other ingredients that can cause systemic inflammation and decrease seizure threshold.

If your pet has been on the same diet for awhile or eats highly processed food, it could be a potential cause for seizures.

One of the things human medicine recommends for some people with seizure disorders is a ketagenic diet – one that contains no carbohydrates, moderate fat and high amounts of protein. Interestingly, this type of diet is actually species-appropriate for dogs and cats.

So if ketagenic diets are being used to help control seizures in humans, it certainly makes sense to me they could do the same for your dog or cat.

When I get seizuring patients in my practice, I strongly urge clients to eliminate carbs from their pets’ diets and feed them meals with moderate fat and high protein content. This way of feeding is not only species-appropriate, it also eliminates pro-inflammatory carbohydrates, which helps control systemic inflammation which can lead to seizures.

There are also some herbs that can decrease an animal’s seizure threshold. It’s not the herb itself which causes the seizure, but if your pet already has a seizure disorder or a low threshold, there are certain herbs and essential oils than can trigger seizures.

The herbs kava-kava, skullcap, evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, goldenseal, ginkgo, ginseng and wormwood have all been implicated. Essential oils such as eucalyptus, fennel, hyssop, pennyroyal, rosemary, sage, and tansy have also been implicated in decreasing seizure threshold.

What to Do If Your Pet Has a Seizure

If your pet has a seizure, it’s important to speak with your veterinarian about it. (Obviously, if the seizure is a grand mal and your pet isn’t coming out of it, you need to seek emergency veterinary care immediately.)

If your vet rules out all potential causes of your pet’s seizure, then you’re left with a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, which means seizure of unknown origin.

In most cases of this diagnosis, vets will want to start your pet on an anti-seizure medication. However, at my practice, the rule of thumb is this: an animal must have in excess of one grand mal seizure a month in order to even consider drug therapy.

There are a whole host of natural substances than can help increase your dog’s or cat’s seizure threshold and decrease the potential for these events. In my practice, we use acupuncture, herbal, chiropractic and nutraceutical therapies to extend seizure thresholds.

We often use these modalities as the sole treatment for mild cases. For animals with frequent grand mal seizures, we often create an integrative protocol of natural therapies and drug therapy.

If you have a pet that has had a seizure, it’s important to track the dates, times and intensity of the events. I often see correlations between seizures and a particular time of month, year or even phase of the moon. Strange, but true!

If you’re able to identify a seizure cycle in your pet, your vet can help you devise a plan to control these events, which should of course start with use of the most safe, natural treatment options available.



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Labs and Backyards: An Extensive Overview

This guest post is written by Ian B for Design 55 Online.

Dog-proofing your house for a new Labrador Retriever can be quite daunting. Horror stories of torn up couches, dozens of destroyed pairs of shoes, and articles of clothing that have been demolished beyond recognition are common. The easiest, most practical way to protect your house from a new lab is to invest in a backyard designed for your lab. A well-exercised dog is a content dog. In addition to being a happier, healthier dog, a well-exercised dog invariably causes significantly less damage than their unexercised counterparts.

A backyard is the ideal place for a dog to exercise. Striking a perfect combination between a dog’s need and your own is essential to any backyard. Both your own needs and your lab’s needs must be accounted for if you want to achieve the perfect, lab-friendly backyard.

A lab is an extremely active dog. A backyard must be large enough to accompany the dog’s ferocious appetite for exercise. Many factors must be taken into consideration, but if a yard isn’t large enough, the lab is sure to find it unsatisfactory. The first step to design a backyard for your lab is to dog-proof your backyard.

A fence, in this case, is essential. Two different categories of fences are available for purchase: electric fences and traditional fences. An electrical fence requires significant amounts of preparation, from digging up and implanting the boundaries to training your dog the boundaries of the electrical fence.

A traditional fence is almost always a better option as it is more effective and also doubles as a security feature. The fence must be tall enough the dog can’t easily leap over it, and it must extend several feet into the ground to discourage a dog digging and crawling underneath the fence.

The actual landscaping the background is essential to building the perfect lab-friendly backyard. Small shrubs and flowers are almost always a safe bet, and grass is an essential part of creating a lab-friendly backyard. Several plants should be avoided at all costs, however, due to their toxic ingredients. Tulips, rhododendrons, and lilies are the most common toxic plants, but a complete list of toxic plants and plants harmful to canines can be found on the ASPCA website.

A doghouse or other shelter is an important part of a backyard. The shelter will provide protection from the elements on rainy or cold days, and also double as a shaded little den for the labs to escape from the sun. The doghouse also adds a sense of home for the dog, and ensures a happy and content dog. A shelter is absolutely essential if the dog plans on sleeping outside. A blend natural materials and hard, man-made materials provides a nice compromise of materials for a lab. The lab will often vouch for a brick laid path of a concrete patio that absorbs sunlight during chillier days. The soft grass, of course, is the more suitable material for dogs and a backyard should never consist of only man-made surfaces.

A built in water feature is a luxury, but its practicality far outshines its upkeep. A pond, in particular, is a picturesque addition to a backyard that ensures your lab will be well hydrated and healthy during even the hottest of days. While a pond is a luxury and not a necessity, it will ensure a constant supply of water and will prevent dehydration. The water in the pond or fountain must not be stagnate, however, or the water will not be fit for your lab to drink.

Following the basic procedures will result in a backyard suitable for any lab. A well maintained backyard, designed with a lab in mind, is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy, active, and away from destructive behavior.

Ian B writes for Design 55 Online which specializes in Umbra homeware.

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Free Dog Leash from Purina

Purina is offering you a chance to get a new leash on life.

"Working-out with a pet makes losing weight more fun and more rewarding, and studies have even shown that owners that do so lose more weight!* Jenny’s New Leash on Life program can show you how slimming down can be fun and easy for both you, and your pet—register here to find out for yourself!"

Register now and get a Free Dog Leash and and a $20 Purina Veterinary Diets Coupon.

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Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser Review & Giveaway

Does your lovable Labrador Retriever have a problem with excessive barking, chewing, fears or stress-related issues? If so, a product called Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) may be of help to you!



Recently we were asked if we would like to try out the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser and do a review of how the product worked with our two Labrador Retriever girls. Now, our two Labrador Retrievers are fairly well behave house dogs but we do have an occasional problem or two with barking and over excitement. Plus, our chocolate Labrador Retriever, Meeko, has always had a problem with the vacuum cleaner and other loud noises (thunder, fireworks) since we got her as a small pup. I always attributed this problem to Meeko being flown in to us from Oklahoma. I believe the loud noise fear is possibly related to the loud engine of the plane.

When we were approached to try out the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser, while skeptical, I thought it would be worth it to give it a try.

So, what is the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser and how does it work?

From the Comfort Zone® website: "Pet behavior problems, such as urine marking in cats and excessive barking or chewing in dogs, are frequently caused by fear or stress. Developed and recommended by veterinarians, Comfort Zone® products are clinically proven* to help control destructive behavior in cats and dogs.

Like all animals, cats and dogs secrete pheromones. Research has shown that certain pheromones can help an animal cope with these fears or stress-related issues. Comfort Zone® products mimic these pheromones to help control your pet's behavior and make him feel more secure in his environment."

What Are Dog Pheromones?

"Pheromones emitted by animals through their skin and glands are natural chemicals that help them to communicate with others of the same species. When your dog or puppy senses the pheromone, he feels secure and comfortable, reducing his fear reactions and his urge to act out destructively through chewing, excessive barking or house soiling."

Our Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser arrived with a Diffuser and three bottles of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone. Each bottle lasts 30 days and covers up to 500 - 650 sq. ft. We screwed a bottle of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone into the Diffuser and plugged it into an outlet in a room our Labrador Retriever girlies spend a good deal of time in.



The instructions for the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser say that it can take up to a month before you may see a noticeable difference in your dogs. We began to see a slight change between week four and week five.

For our black Labrador Retiever, Dakota, we noticed a slight calming behavior with her barking at outside noise, people at the door. For Meeko, we also notice a calming behavior in the barking of people visiting the house (not sure if it's because of Dakota not barking, the Comfort Zone® product or both). As for the use of the vacuum, it's taken a little while longer but, I am happy to report that in our fourth month of using the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser (we bought more refills) her nervous reaction to the vacuum is getting better! As where she used to jump up and run around like a lunatic before using the Comfort Zone®, now she seems to be more relaxed. She does not run around as much as she use to and we have noticed she will move toward the location of the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser. This is still a work in progress but as stated, we have bought more refills and are hoping the improvement continues. I will also be purchasing another Comfort Zone® to plus it into a second location of our home the our two lovable Labrador Retrievers frequent.

I'm very happy to report that we were impressed with the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser. It worked much better than we expected and I'm happy to have had the chance to try this product as well as give it a thumbs up as a recommendation for others to try.

Head on over to the Comfort Zone® website to learn more about this product as well as finding locations or online distributors to order.



Want to give Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® a try? One lucky All About Labradors reader will get their chance to win a Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® diffuser!

Main Entry (Mandatory):

What undesirable behavior does your dog have? (Leave your answer in below comments section.

Extra Entries:

To receive these extra entries, you MUST do the MAIN entry. Please leave a comment for EACH additional entry you complete (current followers and subscribers count).

One Extra Entry if you subscribe to our All About Labrador Feed. If you already subscribe, please let us know.

One Extra Entry if you subscribe via E-mail. If you already subscribe, please let us know.

One Extra Entry: Follow All About Labradors on Google Friend Connect (bottom, right side of this blog). If your already a friend, just let us know.

One Extra Entry if you add All About Labradors to your Blogroll.

One Extra Entry if you add a link to this post on your Facebook page (leave post link).

Five Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post.

Unlimted Entries: Tweet about the contest (be sure to leave the tweet link). One extra entry for each tweet.

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States, 18 or older and will end at 11:59 PM EST 1/24/12. The winner will be selected by random generator and the entries verified. The winner will then have 48 hours to claim their giveaway prize. If the winner does not claim their prize within their 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

Any taxes or customs are the responsibility of the winner. Your information is confidential and used for the purpose of contacting the winner and prize fulfillment only. All Contests are Void where Prohibited By Law.

You must leave an e-mail address (or have it available in a profile) so that I can contact you if you are the winner. Be advised, comments are moderated.

WINNER: Congratulations to entry # 2 - amyorvin for winning our Comfort Zone with D.A.P. Diffuser Giveaway!!

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Disclosure: I would like to thank Melissa of FKM Agency as well as Comfort Zone for the opportunity to review the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. I was not compensated in any manner, other than the Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® Diffuser and two refills to review. My reviews may not always positive, but they are my personal and honest opinions. Please conduct your own research before purchasing products.

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Free Breakthrough Dog Arthritis Formula Magnetic Picture Frame

Get a Free Magnetic Picture Frame when you "Like" Breakthrough Dog Arthritis Formula on Facebook.



To get your Free Breakthrough Dog Arthritis Formula Magnetic Picture Frame:

When you click the above link and "Like" Breakthrough Dog Arthritis Formula, there should be a form for you to fill in to make your request. If the form isn't there, then you can e-mail them. As per their Facebook page:

"If you still have any difficulty completing the form, just send an email to admin@dogpawr.com Please include your name and shipping address and we will send you your free frame ASAP. We want you to all have this gift."

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Free Cranimals Pet Supplement Sample

"Cranimals™ whole food supplements and award-winning functional biscuits offer proprietary ingredients that you won’t find in any other pet product. Our cat and dog supplements deliver a powerful blend of cranberry, red raspberry and blueberry extracts which contain thousands of potent antioxidants - nature’s best defense against disease and aging. Our functional dog biscuits are cutting edge, delivering the most innovative health food ingredients, in a form especially designed for your pet."

Visit their website to learn more and to request your Free Cranimals Pet Supplement Sample. You have of a choice of three different sample: Original, Very Berry or Gold.

These won't last long!

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Is your Store-Bought Dog Food Healthy?

Low quality dog foods contain large amounts of fillers, preservatives and chemicals which are horrible for your dog. Poor nutrition will stress your dogs body and weakens their immune system, which makes your dog more vulnerable to infection and disease. .

"You read the labels when your buying food for your family but do you do the same for your dog? As your dog gobbles down dinner, do you really know what they're eating? Some pet owners worry the food they feed their dogs will make them sick."

In the following video, Dr Korinn Saker of the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about what to look for on a dog food label to make sure what your feeding your dog is safe, along with other tips on feeding your dog a healthy diet.

How healthy is store-bought dog food...



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Win a one-month supply of Iams Naturals Dog Food

Enter the Super Naturals Sweepstakes for a chance to win a one-month supply of Iams Naturals Pet Food for dogs or cats.

The Super Naturals Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old as of the date of entry and ends 1/23/12 at 11:59 PM ET.

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Free Train Your Puppy: The Best Thing For Your Pet Since You Kindle eBook

"What you will also learn in "Train Your Puppy"



* The litmus test to make sure you're ready for a new puppy family member

* How to transport your new puppy safely and securely

* A surefire way to make sure your puppy will accept his collar and leash.

* The five biggest mistakes new dog owners make and how to avoid them

* The right way to quickly and easily potty train your new puppy

* You'll learn the right way to crate train your puppy (most people don't do this right)

* How to maintain your sanity and easily get along with your new puppy family member

* How to properly correct your puppy's problematic behaviors

* How to socialize your new puppy. Get this wrong and you could raise a puppy with bad behavioral problems.

* The best way to choose the right veterinarian for your puppy

* Great training tools that make training your new pup a cinch

* A secret method to taming your puppy's potentially costly chewing habit

* Essential Toys for your new puppy that he'll love to play with

* How to puppy proof your home like a dog expert

* Things to consider when enrolling your puppy in obedience school

* Critical tips when considering your puppy's new diet and new nutritional research that could give your loved one a better life

* The basics of canine parasites and diseases - the signs you should look for if your dog is sick"

Download your Train Your Puppy: The Best Thing For Your Pet Since You

You can read the Free eBook on your Kindle device or you can download free programs to read on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android Phone or Windows Phone 7 with the Free Kindle Application

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This post contains affiliate link(s), which may result in compensation for AllAboutLabradors.blogspot.com. For more information about All About Labradors please read our Disclaimer and Disclosure Policies. We've shared this information to inform you of your option to either use our affiliated links or to go directly to the site of interest.

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Free Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Sample

We've had free samples of Rachael Ray Nutrish premium dog food posted on All About Labradors before that have expired. For those of you that missed out on her free dog food sample, over at her website they are still offering free sample.

Information from Rachael Ray: "Working with a team of pet nutrition experts, Rachael Ray created Nutrish super premium food and treats for dogs. Made with simple, natural ingredients. Nutrish contains no by-products, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives."

Rachael Ray Nutrish™ has:

• Real meat — like chicken or beef — as the first ingredient
• No meat by-products, fillers, artificial flavors or preservatives
• Simple, natural ingredients for overall health and wellness
• 100% complete and balanced nutrition"

Fill out the form on the Rachael Ray website to request your Free Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Sample.

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Where to Find the Best Dog Food Reviews on the Internet

Finding the most suitable dog or puppy food for your own particular pet can be a difficult task. There is a huge variety of foods available from supermarkets, pet stores and vets. All of them of course claim that theirs is the best! Adding to the confusion are advertisements showing healthy dogs loving to eat their food, with the a claiming that this is the result you will get of you feed your dog that food.

When choosing a dog food many people use price as an indicator of quality. In fact, this is not necessarily a good measure of quality at all; many companies (particularly the large ones) have huge marketing costs and these have to be built into the price you pay. After all, the advertisements on television or in magazines - and even the signs at the vet clinic - all have to be paid for from the sales of the food (this is one reason smaller pet food companies can often offer better value, even if they are not so well known).

You could also try to look at the ingredients, but this is not as straightforward as it seems. Many ingredients on labels are confusing and difficult to understand. There is a high degree of leeway in the marketing of these and other pet foods. For instance, did you know that if a food says "with" a certain ingredient (for instance "with real chicken") then by law it only needs to contain a minimum of 3% of that ingredient? The rest of the food may well be filled up with low quality cereals and by products which do little for the health of the dog.

Another alternative which many people use is to ask a salesperson at their local pet shop or vet clinic. However, they may not know much either; after all, they usually want to sell you the products they have without having done a lot of independent research into dog or puppy nutrition.

Fortunately, with the internet, there is a solution: dog food reviews. There are now a number of websites which review dog and puppy foods. A word of caution, however: it is very important to only take the word of independent reviews that look at the food based on the ingredients. That is why the websites of a particular food manufacturer are not usually a good guide, unless you can find the ingredients and understand them yourself to make up your own mind.

Here are two websites with independent dog food reviews that are excellent:

www.dogfoodadvisor.com

This website not only reviews products by brand, but they also have a lot of other useful information that pet owners would find very helpful. There is also the opportunity to post questions and comments.

Dogfoodanalysis.com

This is another website of reviews. Like DogFoodAdvisor above, it uses a star rating system to grade the foods by quality.

www.dogfoodproject.com

Although not a site with actual reviews of brands, this is a very informative website that goes into a lot of detail about what really is in dog foods and the effects on animals. If you are wanting to learn more about ingredients and overall dog nutrition this is highly recommended.

Fortunately, the internet now provides a way to navigate through the confusing world of dog food and find the right one for your dog or puppy. Dog food review websites such as those above provide excellent - and independent - advice.

For more about selecting the best food for your dog or puppy visit http://www.petfooddirect.co.nz.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liam_Naden

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Is Your Dog Too Bored to Behave?

In our modern world it seems as though the media is full to capacity with dog owners wanting to find the answers to cure their pet's behaviour. Everybody appears to live within the confined boundaries of their family's busy and hectic life. Breakfast is rushed, the commute, the school run, shopping trips, social activities and yet more and more households still wish to own a trusted companion.

When people think of living their perfect lifestyle, there is always the picture in their minds of the family group, made complete by the adorable dog sitting by their side.

Problems occur today when the puppy matures into an adult dog. So often once a dog has been house trained, people assume the animal will be capable of staying alone for a few hours every day. Here is where the difference between modern life in today's world stands in comparison with the households of yesteryear. Just a few years ago the average house had someone at home for most of the time and the family dog was rarely left unattended.

However there is nothing wrong with today's family household owning a dog, but judging by the amount of searches made daily on the internet for obedience training, then obviously some changes have to take place in order to satisfy your pet's needs.

The problems with what the owners are classifying as disobedient stems from pure boredom on the dog's behalf. Try to imagine being stuck indoors, restless wanting to exercise and run but cannot. Suddenly anything that is close at hand, pillows, rugs, shoes provide a challenge, something that they could chew and play with. If left indoors for too long then accidental puddles will occur, not for one to blame the dog for. But there are many ways that you can help your dog to settle into a new routine, which would still include time spent alone at home.

It is vitally important that you exercise your dog before you leave him alone and this has the added benefit that you can gain an extra fitness routine. Take a look around your local pet store, there are many toys available today that are designed for dogs to enjoy when you leave the house. Several items resemble balls and objects that contain treats within; the dog is then occupied trying to work out how to release the snack.

After working on these types of projects it is quite natural for the dog to nap afterwards. If you have reason to believe that your dog cannot wait to relieve itself before you return, then training him to use paper or puppy pads left by the door should alleviate this problem.

In our busy occupied lives it is so easy to actually forget the dog is there when you are at home. How often have you spent time working at the computer or watching television, completely unaware that your dog is curled up in some corner of the house feeling left out of the family group. Try to include your dog in as many household activities as possible. Call him and stroke his head as you relax after work.

Ensure that you allow plenty of time for an evening walk, dogs do like routine and knowing that following a meal he can then look forward to a game in the park. Pets enjoy regularity, try to keep each day to the same schedule for him and you will notice how much calmer your dog will be.

For more information, check out http://k9schooltime.blogspot.com/

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

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Simple Steps To Handle Seizures In Dogs

Having to watch seizures in dogs can be a very frightening and traumatic experience. If you own a dog, then it is important to know the simple steps to take should your dog have a seizure. Knowing how to respond can be very important during this difficult time for your pet.

The most important thing yet the most difficult thing that an owner needs to do is remain calm. Although one cannot say for sure, many would like to think that a dog can perceive when you are nervous. If they can feel you are worried or if you panic, it can agitate the dog.

The next thing is to place something soft under his head. It can be a towel or even a blanket. This should be done to prevent your pet from further hurting himself or his head during the convulsions. Make sure that you have removed everything around him. Do not have toys or any type of hard surface around him or her while they are experiencing the seizure. If they are near a wall, move them further away from it.

Do not reach into your dog's mouth to hold its tongue. During this time your pet is not aware of what he or she is doing and can clench their jaws on your hand. This can be pretty painful and can cause severe damage to your hand. Do not worry about him choking on his tongue, he will not swallow it.

The next thing you can do for your loved pet is sit next to him to give reassurance. Knowing that you are there can be really helpful during this time. Talk in a soothing voice while petting your pet to help them during the seizure. Even after the convulsions have stopped, encourage your pet to remain laying down for a while.

Try to keep track of when the seizure started as well as how long it lasted. This information is important to your vet when you take your dog in. If your dog has had seizures before then you should know that you do not need to take your pet in every time he has one. Your dog should be taken to the vet if he is having continuous seizures within 5 minutes.

After the seizure has stopped, give him some sugar. Low blood sugars can be one of the causes of the seizure. One or two teaspoons should suffice. Do not give him too much of it as this can also be bad. Vanilla ice cream is preferred, but if you have another flavor instead in your refrigerator (except chocolate), that should do. After feeding your pet ice cream, try and give them dog food to help maintain the sugar given.

Seizures in dogs can be scary but knowing what to do during this time can really help both of you. Remember to let your veterinarian know everything that happens, and if it is not the first time, you do not need to take your pet every time a seizure occurs. If it is more than one occurring, or if the seizure appears to be very severe, take your pet to a veterinarian emergency room.

Author Information:

Sandra DeMers is the author of "Cory's Story," the story of a yellow Labrador retriever suffering from seizures in dogs that will absolutely AMAZE you. Cory is alive, happy and healthy at the age of 13 and hasn't had a seizure in over 5 years. Visit www.corysstory.com to learn Sandra's secret to good canine health--you'll be surprised when you learn the truth.

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