Be Aware of Dog Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
September 29, 2009
Despite popular misconceptions, car accidents are not the biggest dog killers. It is estimated that each year twenty five percent of all dog deaths can be attributed to cancer. This puts them as much at risk as their owners. Just like their human counterparts, early diagnosis goes a long way to minimizing the outcome. As a dog gets older, the risk will increase, and so it is imperative to know how to look for dog cancer symptoms.
The Main Types
Dogs are susceptible to many different types of cancer but the main types are very similar to those that affect humans. These are Prostate, Lung, Bone, Liver, and Stomach cancers. The problem with these cancers is that they are all internal and usually only show symptoms at an advanced stage. Then they are difficult and expensive to treat. Be sure to have a good health insurance policy to prepare for worst case scenarios like this; the last thing you need in times of stress are financial worries compounding things. Read more
Mobility Problems?—Doggy Stairs and Other Aids
September 29, 2009
Mobility becomes a problem in old age for dogs just as it does for people. All those years of dashing after that frisbee and twisting in the air to catch it take their toll on our four legged friends. The problems can be varied. They range from osteoarthritis to simply losing muscle tone around the legs as the amount of exercise they do becomes less and less. It may be that simply getting around the house becomes a problem. Fortunately, there are many products available to make their later years more comfortable.
Climbing Onto the Couch
The average lifespan of a dog has increased by five years since the early sixties. As dogs live longer, they develop similar problems in mobility to their human companions. Simply put, they start to find it hard to get around like they used to do. While diet, exercise, and treatment can help, there will come a day when your old friend just can’t climb up onto the sofa like they used to. And thus the hands of time put a distance between us. Read more
Pet Sitting Services: Paying for Peace of Mind
September 29, 2009
Pet sitting services are a great resource when its time to go out of town and you can’t take your dog with you. While most of us know someone who can pop in from time to time to feed them and let them outside, we will still be worrying the entire time about whether they are ripping our house apart in retaliation for leaving them or simply suffering in silent boredom and frustration. I’m sure I’m not the only one whose dog has escaped while I’m out of town, probably searching for me, and that’s a stressful phone call to get from the friend you’ve delegated to check in while you’re trying to enjoy yourself.
An Increasingly Available Resource
Finding competent specialized help to care for your pet while you are away may not be as difficult as you think. This has become a highly demanded service, and many entrepreneurs have taken note. Searching the Internet will usually unearth some good potential candidates, allowing peace of mind and providing your pet with a stimulating fun experience while you are away. Read more
Caring for Dogs with a Leg Injury
September 29, 2009
Dog leg injuries can range from fairly benign to life threatening and cause distress to both you and the animal. Dog leg injuries fall into five main categories, these being injuries to the paws, ligaments, tendons and bones along with muscular tears. As your dog gets older, the susceptibility to these types of injury increases as they develop slower reactions and weaker bones. Dogs with a leg injury need special care and attention if they are to recover fully.
Spotting a Problem
As healthy as your dog may appear, it’s very easy to get a leg injury. All those years spent running around, chasing toys, and twisting through the air to catch them takes its toll. Animals don’t really come up and tell you when they are hurt, so your first realization that your dog has been injured will likely be when you notice them limping around, a canine grin still on their face. Read more
Your Dog Has Lung Cancer
September 26, 2009
I’ll never forget the phone call when my veterinarian called to tell me that a routine lung X-ray showed a suspicious area and she thought further tests were indicated. I knew in my heart that it was not just a false alarm.
Follow-On Tests Confirmed The Diagnosis
After more X-rays and sonograms with cancer specialists, the diagnosis was confirmed that my 9 year old dog had a malignant growth in his lungs. Little did I know that a dog does not have two lung lobes like humans, but seven. His cancer seemed to be mostly concentrated in one of his lobes, but whether or not the cancer had spread could not be determined unless I opted for surgery. Read more
Moving Forward: Trends in Pet Health Care Insurance
September 26, 2009
A good pet health care plan designed especially with your four-legged friend in mind provides an opportunity for your aging dog to receive medical health care regularly and affordably. Regular veterinary visits significantly improve the longevity and quality of your elderly dog’s life, and a proper insurance plan makes this more of a reality.
The Good News
Fortunately for us, pet health care insurance policies are available these days through the major insurance companies. The insurance companies selling these policies hire talented veterinarians who are up to date on the most groundbreaking advances in veterinary medicine. Read more
Inheriting A Dog…
September 25, 2009
It is amazing how attached a dog can become to someone. We got Lily from my Grandma who could not longer care for her. We think she was a rescue dog as the Veterinarian called my mother-in-law because they knew she loved Shelties (she already had 4 of them), and asked her if she would take this dog.
Of course she agreed and she owned Lily for about 4 years, then her health deteriorated and we took Lily. Lily was very depressed when Grandma left her, but she was able to visit her in the nursing home at least 3 times a week. Read more