Providing the Proper Care for Your Dog After an Injury
October 28, 2009
So your dog has an injury. All dogs hurt themselves, and aging dogs are obviously more frail and therefore may be hurt easier. It could be serious or it could be minor, but no matter how big or small it is, you need to make sure you are providing the proper care so that your dog can heal correctly and get back to being a dog. Nobody likes to see their pet moping in the corner, trying to hide their injury from the world..
Step One: Immediate Attention
Injuries, no matter how trivial they may seem at the time, can get worse if ignored, especially with a dog, who doesn’t know how to take a “sick day” from life. The best course of action is to look into the matter and determine how serious the injury is. 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
Choose the Right Bed for Your Older or Injured Dog
September 23, 2009
If you’re concerned about the mobility of your older injured dog, then one of the best things you can do for him or her is to look into getting a good orthopedic bed. Not only are these beds usually more comfortable for your senior dog but they can also help your dog’s mobility by ensuring that he doesn’t injure himself getting up and down.
Choosing A Bed
If you’re considering an orthopedic bed for your dog there are some important factors to keep in mind. The most important consideration will be the mattress. Some orthopedic dog beds have medical grade foam while others have box spring (coil) construction. Medical grade foam is made from the same material used for people in hospitals and nursing homes. It will retain your dog’s shape when he sleeps on the foam so he can be comfortable in the same space each time he lies down without lumps or having to readjust the bed. Box spring bedding provides support. Read more
Ways To Prevent Your Dog From Falling Down
September 23, 2009
If you’ve ever seen your dog fall or found him lying in the floor, unable to get up, then you know what a frightening feeling it is. Many elderly dogs have weakness in their legs and they can be prone to falling. If they do fall they can be quite helpless. As the person who loves your dog, there are few things that make you feel worse than seeing your dog in that situation. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent falling down in your older injured dog.
Preventing Falls
If you are facing mobility problems with your senior dog and he is starting to have falls, make sure that he’s seen a vet. Assuming that you’ve already seen a vet and you know what the problems are, there are a number of ways you can provide support for your older dog to prevent falls. Read more