The eyes of a dog are the most specialised sensory organs in this animal. They are high sensitive to infection, disease and injury. The biggest disadvantage with dogs is that they cannot verbally relate to their owner, the pain or irritation in their eyes. Only when the dog’s actions reveal the fact that it has gone blind, does the owner come to know, but by then it is too late.

Dogs with bulging eyes are at risk of contracting diseases because of lack of protection. Drooping eyelids in dogs can become a repository of bacteria, which can slowly infect the eyes and lead to serious complications.

Almost all eye problems in dogs arise when their eye is irritated or traumatised, leading to excessive inflammation. This is the first alarming sign that the dog’s eye is infected and requires immediate medical attention.

Eye Ulcer

If the tear producing ability in the dog’s eye ceases to exist because of inflammation of the tear ducts and glands, then there is a strong chance of an ulcer developing in the eye.

Inflammation of the Cornea

Eyelashes which are grown inwards or presence of foreign bodies in the eye, are some ways in which the dog’s eye can cause serious infection and lead to a condition called Keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea. Dog owners should also regularly examine the eyes of their dogs for checking possible inflammation or redness, and take immediate remedial steps on detection.

Glaucoma can lead to Blindness

An inflamed eye can lead to the most serious condition in a dog’s eye, called Glaucoma. When the fluid draining passage of the pupil becomes too narrow, it increases the fluid pressure within the eye, leading to Glaucoma. If left untreated, this serious condition can lead to permanent blindness. The warning signs are significant redness in the white part of the dog’s eyes, larger than normal size pupils and when the dog continuously rubs its eyes.

Eye Lid abnormalities

Eye inflammation is the most common cause of infection in the dog’s eye. This condition can be caused due to various reasons, the main ones being Ectropian in which the eyelids turn outwards, and Entropian where the eyelids turn inwards. These conditions can be corrected with an uncomplicated cosmetic surgery.

Cataract formation

When the pet dog crosses 10 years in age, a bluish white coat of film usually starts forming over the pupils and progresses slowly. When the eye lenses become totally opaque, surgery becomes necessary for removing to preventing blindness.

Tear strains

When you closely observe the inner eye corner of some dogs, you will see dark stained strands of facial hair. This is caused when tears which are supposed to collect in the tear ducts, flow onto the dog’s face. When the stains start increasing, surgery may be required for removing the third eye lid for increasing the tears flow area.

About the Author:

Tauseef Hussain is a media blogger and writes for Orbit Eye Hospital located in Mumbai. You can interact with Tauseef Hussain on twitter @usef4u

Understanding the Eye Problems in Dogs

Product #1 

Frontline Plus (Fipronil): This product is sold by veterinarians in prescription strengths and by pet supply stores.  Frontline for dogs and cats come in single and multi-dose packages as well as spray treatments.Here is the product description listed on the container:

• Kills Fleas, flea eggs and four types of ticks on dogs and cats.
• Frontline Plus is approved for dogs and puppies up to 22 pounds.
• Frontline Top Spot is approved for puppies and kittens 8 weeks and older.
• Frontline Plus, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Spray provides treatment and control of chewing lice in dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats.
• Frontline Plus, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Spray aid in the control of sarcoptic mange infestations in dogs.
• Frontline Plus and Frontline Top Spot can be used on breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches and queens.

Findings:

1. Same product sold at veternarians offices as in pet stores and online, equal quality

2. Price – Most often cheaper online. Sampling of Vet’s office showed the cost at $60, Pet Stores averaged $49 and Fetchrx.com an online pets store sold it for $41.99

Product #2

K9 Advantix (Imidacloprid and Permethrin):  K9 Advantix Flea Medicine is for dogs only and not to be used on cats. This is labeled to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Product package description:

• Used on dogs 7 weeks or older.
• Repels and kills fleas within 5-8 minutes.
• Repels and kills ticks.
• Repels and kills mosquitoes.
• Kills chewing lice.
• Repels biting flies.

Findings:

1. Same product sold at veternarians offices as in pet stores and online, equal quality

2. Price – Most often cheaper online. Sampling of Vet’s office showed the cost at $70, Pet Stores averaged $53 and Fetchrx.com an online pets store sold it for $49.99

PetArmor Plus(Fipronil): PETARMOR Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs & Puppies contains Fipronil, providing full-body protection to help keep your dog or puppy (over 8 weeks old) flea and tick free.

Product package description:

• Kills fleas,
• Kills flea eggs,
• Kills ticks,
• Kills chewing lice
• Repels mosquitoes

Findings:

1. Same product sold at veternarians offices as in pet stores and online, equal quality

2. Price – Most often cheaper online. Sampling of Vet’s office showed the cost at $55, Pet Stores averaged $32 and Fetchrx.com an online pets store sold it for $27.99

Are Pet Meds Cheaper Online?

 That is what this blog is about – taking you along on the journey of finding out what a label means, how to read it, what you really need to know, how to calculate percentages on food to feed, what certain labels mean and why they aren’t that important to you (however the ingredients ARE important), why some dog foods are better (ingredient wise) than others, what brands are popular (usually big name brands with lots of advertising, but not always good ingredients) etc.  Consider this to be your primer on the hunt for a quality high-end commercial dog food for your dog. 

 In the section FOOD RELATED PROBLEMS a bit later, we will be telling you what kinds of problems your dog could have by eating food that is not good for them.  Right now, we’re going to give you the names of a few of the foods that are NOT good for them thanks to the ingredients in those particular products.   

 Just because a few of them are listed here does not mean these are the only foods that are bad for your dog.  It’s just that we cannot list ALL of them.  What we will do later is list the most popular foods and give you the ingredients to compare.

 The names of some of the dog foods that are bad for your dog are: Bil-Jac, Eukanuba, Iams, Kibbles n’ Bits, NutroMax, Pedigree, ProPlan, Purina Beneful, Purina Dog Chow, Purina One Chicken and Rice.  Again, there are others on the market equally as bad for your dog.  READ THE LABEL ON THE DOG FOOD BAG.  Once you have finished reading these blog entries, you will have a really good idea of what is and isn’t good for your dog.

The one thing to understand at the basis of this whole controversy over what to feed your dog is the definition of what a dog actually IS.  Sounds odd doesn’t it when you know what a dog is – he’s looking at you while you read this wondering what is so darn funny.  No, we don’t mean the “What is a DOG?” question, we mean “WHAT is a dog?”  In other words, is a dog an omnivore, herbivore or carnivore?

Most Commercial Dog Food is Bad for Your Dog

 Older pups need more vitamins in particular Vitamin A, B, C and E.  The vitamin C is to supplement what they naturally make.  And a word about salt for older dogs – do not give excessive amounts of salt.

 ● 2-cups of cooked brown rice or you can even use cooked pasta (like macaroni bows etc.)

● 1 egg

● ½ cup cottage cheese

● 2 tbsp safflower oil

● 1 tbsp kelp (powdered usually works well for this and you can find this at a health food store)

● 2 tbsp brewers yeast

●1 tbsp bone meal (health food store)

●1 tbsp garlic powder

● Pinch of ginger

 Optional:

● ¼ cup grated cheddar and parmesan cheese mixed together

● sprig of parsley

 Mix all of your ingredients together and warm them in the microwave.  Warm being the operative word.  Don’t totally cook it as the main ingredient has already been cooked.  Prior to serving you may sprinkle the cheese over the top as a garnish.

 Add a sprig of parsley if you like as well for the doggy breath.

BISCUIT RECIPE FOR SENIOR DOG – PEANUT’S PASTA PRIDE

If  natural medicine did not work that well for you, then likely you will be in the con camp.  At the end of the day, the only person who can decide if natural medicine works is YOU, and that will depend on what research you have done, how you feel about the answers you got to questions, and if you got results for your canine companion. 

 What is quite well known is that herbal medicine (natural medicine, phytotherapy, phytomedicine or botanical medicine) is THE most ancient form of health care on the planet.  Virtually all cultures have used herbs in some form since the dawn of time.  The pull to use natural medicine is so strong and pervasive (for many reasons) that many alternative therapy practitioners will not only use herbs, but naturopathy, ortho-molecular medicine and even Ayurveda, not to mention the other alternative remedies you hear about.  And this is often done in conjunction with conventional vet medicine as well.  Bottom line though is if you are going to use alternative medicine routes for your dog, then make sure you see a holistic vet or practitioner.  They’re your best bet for a definitive natural diagnosis.

 Did you know that roughly 25 percent of all prescription drugs are actually derived from trees, shrubs or herbs?  Or did you know that WHO indicates that of the 119 pharmaceutical medicines created from plants, close to 74 percent are used in modern medicine? . There are over 500,000 plants on earth today and only a fraction of these have been studied for medical use. So in some ways if you are taking conventional medicine for something, you may well be taking an herbal (natural medicine).  Kind of makes you wonder what the rest of the herbs will yield up in terms of healing properties doesn’t it?  Think about this. Chinese Medicine is thousands of years old. Modern medicine is less than 80 years old.

 The defining line between herbal and conventional is rather blurred to say the least.  One other thing you need to remember is most of the prescriptions used as treatments in natural medicine are NOT just one herb for one disorder.  They are mixtures of herbs, plant extracts and other organic substances.  If you have allergies or sensitivities to herbs or plant extracts, beware, be AWARE and read the labels carefully.  If what’s in the bottle or preparation does NOT list ALL the ingredients – then don’t take it or administer it to anyone you know that has herb or plant sensitivities.  And yes, that includes dogs.  Speak to you holistic vet about any herbal remedies you are considering.  They will be able to put you on the right path and tell you how to properly use the preparation. 

PROS AND CONS OF NATURAL MEDICINE – PART ONE

Natural medicine and herbal  (which includes flower essences etc.) in particular is a booming industry hauling in almost as much money as the pet food industry.  And why not?  If you stop to take a look at history, you’ll find the Native Americans, Romans, Egyptians, Persians and Hebrews used herbs to cure just about every known (and some unknown) illnesses.   Did they have success?  Evidently they did or the industry wouldn’t be flourishing to the extent it is today. 

Think about it!  You can find herbal remedies in hundreds of forms such as herbal baths, capsules, compresses, douches, electuaries (drug mixed with sugar and water or honey into a pasty mass for oral administration), extracts, implants, oils, poultices and plasters, salves, teas, infusions, ointments, decoctions (an extract from a plant by boiling it in water), essences, lotions, candles, sprays and wraps.   Of course along with all these remedies comes the increase in popularity of the therapeutic healing technique as well. 

There’s a rip-roaring debate about using herbs in their complete form.  Should pharmaceutical companies extract the potent ingredients from the herbs and synthesize their own man-made herbs?  Or should herbs and plant extracts etc. be prescribed in their purest form.   Any highly trained herbalist will tell you they prefer the pure form, and they also insist most herbs are just as effective as drugs, but without the side effects.

Now if you have been following this debate to this point, you’ll remember that many of the traditional drugs we take are derived from plants etc.  So it’s rather of an oxymoron to say most herbs are just as effective as drugs isn’t it?   It’s also rather odd to say most herbs don’t have side effects when the whole premise of homeopathy is to treat like with like (evil with evil).  Remember the premise of giving a disease a disease to heal?  Giving the herb and its effects etc. to the person with the disease to produce the same symptoms to drive it out.  So really, which is it?? 

Just because you are dealing with an herb does NOT mean it is NOT toxic.  Ever heard of deadly nightshade or poisonous mushrooms? These are drugs and must be used with caution, but if they are used properly then they will benefit your canine buddy.  Of course your holistic vet or practitioner will be able to tell you immediately what to use and when.  For the best natural care for your dog, always consult a holistic vet.

In general it would be perhaps best to say herbs and plant extracts can have reduced side effects. Rule of thumb:  if it’s bitter-tasting, it’s a medicinal herb.  If it’s pleasant-tasting it’s still an herb, and less toxic with the ability to be used longer and more often. 

PROS AND CONS OF NATURAL MEDICINE: Part 2

Maybe you’re thinking that’s a lot of bunk, but if you do your research, you’ll find out using a crate to house train your puppy is a proven effective method to teach them when, and in some cases where not to eliminate, and where they can go to be safe and quiet. And if you don’t want a sharp set of teeth redecorating your kitchen, living room or bathroom while you are gone, then the crate is the place for your small horse with sharp teeth. Safe for your dog and safe for your house. If you’ve ever not crated a pup and come home to a mess, there is no point in disciplining them, as they do not understand what they did wrong.

Crates can and have been abused by people who do not understand their proper use. It is NOT a place to go for punishment. It is intended to be a safe and quiet place for the dog to nestle when you are not home and being its companion. Crating teaches and actually reinforces their natural den instincts. Your dog will grow up knowing the crate is safe, ok to be in, not a place for punishment and can be a great place to go when the humans in their lives drive them nuts.

How long do you leave a pup in a crate? Answer is for the shortest time possible if you can, realizing that sometimes life gets in the way. But pups should not be left in crates for hours on end, as it severely affects their socialization skills and is considered to be abuse. The general rule of thumb on crate times is no more than one hour for the age of your pup. For instance, one month old, one hour. Two months old, two hours. Three months old, three hours. You get the idea. This of course is just a general rule of thumb and may vary according to your dog.

Make sure the crate is big enough to stand up in and turn around. If not, that would be like you getting shut in a closet where you couldn’t move in any direction. If the crate is too big, you might find puppy dear has puddled in the corner. So stick to the den size feeling.

Guaranteed, if you crate train properly and effectively, your pup will grow into a fine canine citizen with great manners and clean to boot.

Dogs: Crate Training is a MUST!

● 1-cup cake flour
● 1 1l2 tsp baking powder
● 1 tsp vanilla
● ¼ tsp garlic powder
● ¼ tsp ginger
● ¼ cup softened shortening
● ¼ cup shredded carrots
● ½ cup sugar (yes – sugar – so don’t let them eat the whole thing at once, but you need sugar in a cake recipe)
● 1 egg (large)
● ½ cup milk (skim)

Icing
Liver pate or commercial dog food gravy from the can
Candles
Optional

Singing
Has to be a rendition of Happy Birthday with or without accompaniment from your dog.

Caution: don’t leave this cake on the counter to cool. Humans have been known to cut a slice before they asked whom the cake was for.

In a large bowl thoroughly mix your flour, baking powder, garlic powder and ginger. In a separate mixing bowl beat the shortening until creamy. Tip: warm it up a touch in the microwave to make beating easier. Add sugar gradually and beat well. Then add the milk and egg until your mixture is light and fluffy. Now add milk, alternating with the flour mix to the shortening mix (roughly 1/3 at a time), and end with the flour. Make sure you stir really well.

Pour the mixture into either a 10 x 15 inch pan, or use 6 muffin tins (greased). Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is springy. Cool on the counter (and warn the rest of the family not to eat it) and then ice with liver pate or gravy just before giving your dog a piece.

ECHO’S BIRTHDAY BARK-GANZA CAKE

 

 This will serve a 70 pound dog. 

 ● 10 ounces cream of chicken soup (low sodium variety)

● ¼ cup water or chicken or beef broth (skim all fat off it you make it yourself, or if canned use low sodium)

● 1-cup chow mein noodles

● 1-cup chopped turkey (white meat)

● ¼ tsp powdered garlic

● Pinch of ginger

● Sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese

Add soup, water or broth, noodles and the chopped turkey into a 1 ½ quart casserole container.  Stir well and sprinkle the garlic powder on top.  Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 45 minutes.  When done, you can sprinkle the top with a small handful of grated cheddar cheese and let it melt as the casserole cools.  Serve when cool.

TINKER’S TURKEY SURPRISE for Under Weight Dogs

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup margarine or butter (it’s preferable you use butter as margarine is mostly water and it will make a difference to the texture of these cookies)
• 1 cup boiling water
• ¾ cup cornmeal (if your dog has an allergy to cornmeal, substitute bran)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons chicken or beef broth
• ½ cup milk (preferably skim)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other flavor you prefer)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups white or whole wheat flour

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and grease your cookie sheets.

Combine oats, butter and water in a large bowl. Let soak for 10 minutes. Stir in the cornmeal if you are able to use that, bran if not, add sugar, broth, milk, grated cheese and egg. Make sure these ingredients are well mixed. Add 1 flour 1cup at a time making sure it’s mixed well and turns into a stiff dough.

Flour a working surface and knead your dough in the remaining flour until it is smooth – no longer sticky. This could take any where from 3 to 5 minutes. Then, roll or pat out your dough to ½ inch thickness. Cut into whatever shapes you’d like. Put the shapes 1 inch apart on the cookie sheets.

Baking time: 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. This of course depends on your oven. Cool completely.

Cheese Please Biscuits