health nutrition pet 1st aid.docx

**Health, Nutrition and Pet First Aid** **Introduction** As professional dog trainers it is important to have an in depth knowledge of common canine health, health concerns, diseases and emergency first aid trainers often spot potential health issues before the owner is aware there is a problem an...

**Health, Nutrition and Pet First Aid** **Introduction** As professional dog trainers it is important to have an in depth knowledge of common canine health, health concerns, diseases and emergency first aid trainers often spot potential health issues before the owner is aware there is a problem and less qualified to do so we should never diagnose a health concern instead we should instruct our clients to seek veterinary advice for something that we feel may be irregular follow up should be made if you feel it is a serious medical concern Health and nutrition are key factors in learning and development and in some cases can be a leading contributor to behavior in training issues it is always important when working with the client to 1st establish that the dog is healthy and fit enough to partake in training for behavior classes **Canine anatomy and Physiology** All dogs have about 319 bones but due to selective breeding the bone structure can vary greatly a dog has 13 ribs in his chest which wrap around the heart and lungs all dogs have 27 bones from the skull to the point where the tail begins however the number of tailbones and links of the tail varies from breed to breed **Skull** Domestication and the subsequent breeding for specific desirable head shapes have resulted in three basic skull types : **Dolichocephalic skull**: dogs that are bred for exceptional site have this shape which features a long and relatively narrow snout IE greyhounds **Mesocephalic Skull**: This type of skull features somewhat a broader snout in larger nasal chambers that help improve scenting abilities IE sent hounds **Brachycephalic skull**: this is a compact skull type thought to result in more powerful jaws in some extreme versions such as the pug or the bulldog a variety of health problems occur such as having painfully overcrowded teeth dogs with reduced snouts cannot cool themselves properly by evaporating water through their nasal cavities therefore these dogs are at risk of overheating in warm weather **Ears** Dogs have extremely sensitive hearing and can hear higher frequencies than human ears inflammation irritation and pain and swelling are common problems often reflecting allergy or skin problems what ear canals can predispose a dog to ear infections while foreign material in the ears causes irritation and later infection and operate year works well to funnel sound directly into the ear canal and allows a proper exchange of air and moisture between the ear canal and the outside a hanging ear closes off the ear canal from free exchange of air and moisture and makes it easier for debris to become lodged inside the ear water in the ear trapped fox tails or plant stickers and ear mites are invariably worse in dogs with floppy ears Ear mites are common in cats and when dogs get them it is generally from cats though ear mites can\'t be seen with the naked eye the coffee ground like discharge down in the ear canals can be observed the ear canal can look red and inflamed and the dog will shake his head and scratch his ears frequently If there is an excessive accumulation of wax in the ear canals that appears to be blocking airflow or if there is a discharge from the ear the dog should be taken to a vet for treatment **Teeth** Each side has at the top 2 molars , carnassial, 4 premolars, K9 3 incisors bottom teeth have 3 molars instead of just two The jaws of a dog or incapable of moving sideways and instead are hinged allowing them to open widely and ingest large chunks of meat whole Each side of the upper jaw of an adult dog has three incisor teeth one large canine tooth 4 premolars and two molar teeth the lower jaw has three incisors one key 9 tooth 4 premolars and three molars a dog therefore should have 42 permanent teeth puppies are born with no teeth but deciduous teeth begin to appear at three to four weeks of age and by about one month of age dogs have 28 teeth at two to five months of age they lose their central incisors in the adult incisors start to come in the adult canines come in at five months in the molars and premolars come in at five to seven months by the time the puppy is 7 months old all permanent teeth should be present when a dog is one to two years old the teeth lose some of their shine become a bit yellowish Anne may show a bit of wear on the incisors The mouth and teeth are not only used for eating but also for grooming and manipulating things mouth pain can keep a dog from eating enough or grooming properly retained baby teeth which forced the permanent teeth to grow beside or in front of them should be removed by a vet as they could cause distorted jaw formation Periodontal disease is the most common tooth and gum problem and may take place over months or years symptoms are bleeding gums foul breath excessive salivation painful chewing and possible loss of appetite or weight the usual causes are misaligned teeth over feeding poor quality food and lack of hard chewable things to exercise the teeth and gums and frequent nibbling Dogs have fairly thin tongues which are used mainly for guiding food to the throat for licking the coat clean and for perspiration when a dog is overheated it cools off by hanging his tongue out and panting as he pants the evaporation of perspiration from his tongue cools him. the dog also sweats through the pads of his paws and very slightly through his skin **Eyes** Dogs have relatively poor vision when compared to people- they're nearsighted and the retina is similar to people that are red green colour blind so they perceived subtle Shades of Grey the eyes have large pupils in a wide field of vision making them adept at following moving objects in enabling dogs to see very well in relative darkness dogs have a visual range of 250° compared to human range of 180° any deficiency that a dog may have in eyesight is more than made-up for by a superior sense of smell and hearing A dog has three eyelids on each eye the main upper an lower lids and a third lid hidden between them in the inner corner of the eye the third eyelid can sweep across the transparent cornea of the eye an clean It like a windshield wiper Five major problems can affect the dogs eyes cataracts corneal ulcers injuries inflammation or infection and ingrown eyelids known as entropion if the dogs eye waters the dog blinks squints posit the eye and gives evidence that the eyes painful the eyes should be examined dogs with long hair around the face are prone to eye irritation **Bone plates epiphyseal plates** It is important to remember that although most puppies have lots of energy their bodies are in mature and not ready for exercise that causes sharp or repetitious impact during the first year. Large and giant breeds should be 12 to 18 months or older The leg bones grow from areas located near their ends with most of the longitudinal growth of bones occurring up to 8 months of each these soft areas of immature bones are called growth plates and are much softer than other regions of the bones and therefore more prone to injury add about 12 to 16 months the growth plates close as calcium and minerals hard and soft area before they closed the growth plates can be injured or fractured more easily than mature bone and injury to the growth plate can cause the bone to stop growing or to grow incorrectly to protect a pup against damage to the growth plates postpone high impact and leg twisting activities until confident that the growth plates are closed jumping agility exercises jogging especially on hard surfaces and similar activities should be avoided until the pup matures each dog varies and the family veterinarian should determine when the dog is ready to begin these types of strenuous exercise This is one of the biggest reasons that dogs who participate in agility are usually older trainers do not risk young dogs in agility due to the high probability of injury due to immature growth plates **Respiration** The upper respiratory system is made-up of the nasal passages throat larynx and trachea the bronchi and lungs make up the lower respiratory tract a dog at rest takes about 10 to 30 breaths per minute smaller dogs will be on the higher end of the scale Panting is the chief way a dog lowers their body temperature rapid breathing when accompanied by labored or difficult breathing is a sign of distress dogs with rapid labored breathing should be seen by your veterinarian Choke chain injuries can fracture the hyoid bone and or cause compression damage to the nerves of the pharynx and larynx these injuries can be prevented by using a head halter or chest harness coughing is a reflex initiated by an irritation in the airway the type of cough often suggests the diagnosis - a deep dry hacking cough made worse by exercise or excitement is characteristic of kennel cough or canine infectious tracheobronchitis - A moist bubbling cough indicates fluid or the lungs and suggests pneumonia - A goose hunk cough in a toy breed dog indicates a collapsing trachea The kennel cough complex or acute tracheobronchitis is a group of highly contagious respiratory diseases in dogs the name comes from the fact that the infection tends to spread rapidly especially among dogs in boarding kennels the organisms most frequently involved are canine parainfluenza virus and the bacteria bordatella bronchiseptica. The cough is unproductive and is often accompanied by gagging and retching except for the cough the dog is bright and alert and has a good appetite and a normal temperature in most cases it is a mild disease and with rest and a stress free environment most adult dogs recover completely in seven to 14 days **Circulation** The circulatory system is comprised of the heart the blood and the blood vessels the pulse rate is determined by counting the number of beats per minutes and can be easily detected by feeling the femoral artery located in the groin which is where the leg joins the body or by feeling the heartbeat behind the left elbow and pressing on the rib cage The heart rate of dogs Is anywhere from 70 to 180 beats per minute and again smaller dogs will be on the higher end in puppies the heart rate is 220 beats per minute the heartbeat should be strong steady and regular Heart murmurs are common and are caused by turbulence in the flow of blood through the heart serious murmurs are caused by heart disease Adequacy of the dog circulation can be determined by examining the gums and tongue a deep pink colour is a sign of good circulation a pale colour indicates anemia and a grey or bluish tinge is a sign of insufficient oxygen in the blood with severe circulatory collapse the mucous membranes are cool in Gray capillary refill time is determined by testing how long it takes for the gums to pink up after being firmly pressed with a finger the normal response is one second or less more than two seconds suggests poor circulation when the finger impression remains pale for three seconds or longer the dog is in shock **Digestion** They just of system is a function of the mouth stomach small and large intestines aided by the liver and pancreas the dog actually has the shortest digestive system of mammals and it takes roughly 8 to 9 hours for the whole digestive process Dog smells are designed to bite off into large pieces and to eat quickly dogs have hinged jaws and large teeth meant to ingest large chunks of meat bones and fat products that are usually a part of the dog diet swallowed food passes down the esophagus to the stomach the stomach of a key 9 is very acidic with a pH registering as low as 1 this is important because this allows the breakdown of the large pieces of protein and bones that dogs ingest dogs also have a natural regurgitation instinct which allows them to spit out food that has not been processed correctly then to re swallow it Food is well mixed and broken down before contents leave the stomach as a fluid and passes easily into the small intestine where the pancreas and liver provide additional digestive enzymes these enzymes continue protein digestion and also provide carbohydrate and fat digestion nutrients are absorbed from the small intestine into the bloodstream By the time any food reaches the large intestine most of the nutrients have been processed and absorbed it is here that water and electrolytes are simulated an bacteria can breakdown undigested fiber the wastes are then excreted Large amounts of vegetation grains and fiber are difficult for canines to process with their short and simple digestive tracks and they are incapable of fermenting and absorbing these foods like an herbivore would high green high fiber diets result in much larger stool volume **Urinary system** The urinary tract is made-up of the kidneys murders bladder and in the male the prostate and urethra the chief functions of the kidneys are to regulate fluid electrolyte and acid base balance and to excrete the wastes of metabolism the decision to avoid is under the conscious control of the brain teaching a dog went avoid is the basis for successful house training once the dog decides to urinate the actual mechanism of emptying the bladder is carried out by a complicated spinal cord reflex. **Signs of urinary tract disease:** most urinary tract disorders cause some disturbance in the normal pattern of voiding there are a number of things to look for: - Painful urination or DYSURIA obvious distress during urination - Blood in the urine or HEMATURIA - Excessive urination or POLYURIA: frequent passing of large volumes of urine compensated by drinking large amounts of water may not notice this symptom first otherwise known as polydipsia - Urinary incontinence: void inappropriately bed wetting dribbling frequent voiding loss of urine when excited or stressed **Reproduction** Female dogs become sexually mature when they exhibit their first heat. Usually between 6 and 12 months of age and then every five to nine months thereafter but is specific for each individual the age at which a male dog reaches sexual maturity and begins to produce sperm varies from 6 to 12 months the average being about nine months gestation is from 62 to 64 days toy breeds mature earlier than large breeds Spaying or ovariohysterectomy prevents the female dog from coming into season an eliminates the problems of cystic ovaries false pregnancies pyometra which is uterine infection and of course unwanted pregnancies spaying before the 1st heat greatly reduces the frequency of mammary tumors Neutering or castration of the male dog has a number of health benefits it eliminates the risk of testicular tumors and other related conditions the dog is less territorial more congenial with other dogs and less likely to roam neutering may be advised to eliminate unmanageable behavior such as some forms of aggression however many behavior problems are caused by variables other than the male hormone thus neutering may not improve the dogs basic behavior **K9 senses** **SIGHT:** dogs have colour vision equivalent to red green colour blindness in humans dogs with long noses have a very wide field of excellent vision while those with short noses have a detailed sight much like humans since dogs do not have a spoken language their thoughts are more like a sequence of images much like a child before it learns to speak dogs can see best at dusk and dawn **Hearing:** puppies are born deaf and cannot hear until they are about 21 days old by the time their sense of hearing is completely developed they can hear about four times the distance of a human who has normal hearing and can hear higher pitched sounds that humans cannot hear. Dogs have a degree of ear mobility that helps them to rapidly pinpoint the exact location of a sound 18 or more muscles can tilt rotate and raise or lower a dogs ear which helps the dog identify a sounds location much faster than a human can those with more natural ear shapes can generally hear better than those with the floppier ears as dogs get older they lose the ability to hear certain frequencies **Smell:** a dog's brain is only 110^th^ the size of a human brain however the part that controls smell is 40 times larger than in humans a dogs sense of smell is about 1002 10 million times more sensitive than a humans depending on the breed a human has about 5 million scent glands compared to a dog who has anywhere from 125 million to 300 million depending on the breed dogs can move their nostrils independently allowing them to know which direction a smell is coming from when a dog is overheated an actively panting his sense of smell is reduced by as much as 40% as he uses the air to cool himself rather than for smelling **Vaccinations** Vaccination works by stimulating the immune system with either a weakened (modified live or attenuated) or killed form of the disease Organism itself. Vaccines are thus classified as modified live or killed DHLPP = distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, para influenza, parvo. With all types of vaccine booster shots are necessary to maintain an adequate level of protection Young puppies are highly susceptible to certain infectious diseases and should be vaccinated against them as soon as they are old enough to build immunity these diseases are distemper infectious hepatitis parvovirus parainfluenza and rabies. Leptospirosis coronavirus bordatella bronchiseptica and Lyme disease vaccinations are optional depending on the occurrence of these diseases in particular geographical areas. **Recommended core canine vaccine protocol** **Canine distemper:** an often fatal infectious disease that mainly has respiratory in neurologic signs. Distemper is a highly contagious disease in all UN vaccinated dogs are at high risk of infection infected animals shed canine distemper virus in all body secretions while inhaling the virus is the primary source of exposure the highest incidence occurs in unvaccinated puppies 6 to 12 weeks of age and is most severe in dogs that are poorly nourished and ill kept this disease progress is in stages and symptoms include fever loss of appetite and energy and within a short time severe eye inflammation heavy mucus or yellow discharge from the nose very bad smelling diarrhea and skin eruptions on the belly or legs **K9 Adenovirus (hepatitis)** Sometimes fatal infectious disease affecting the liver kidneys an lining of the blood vessels producing a mild infection at one extreme to a rapidly fatal infection at the other symptoms include vomiting loss of appetite jaundice best scene at the whites of the eyes and perhaps the passing of light coloured or fatty looking bowel movements from insufficient bile in poor digestion and the swelling of the abdomen from fluid accumulation otherwise known as ascites **Canine parainfluenza** This is the principle virus implicated in the kennel cough complex and infectious respiratory disease vaccines will decrease the prevalence and severity of the infection a deep dry hacking cough made worse by exercise or excitement is a characteristic symptom up to 80% of dogs infected will have symptoms but the mortality rate is only 5 to 8% **K9 parvovirus** A highly contagious disease transmitted by oral contact with infected feces more cases occurring in puppies 6 to 20 weeks of age the disease begins with depression vomiting diarrhea possible fever and tucked up belly indicative of abdominal pain this progress is into profuse diarrhea containing mucus and or blood with dehydration developing rapidly suspect parvo in all pups with the abrupt onset of vomiting and diarrhea **Rabies** A virus transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal it travels from the bite area to the brain in a matter of days or weeks it can affect any mammal there is no effective treatment the disease is always fatal UN vaccinated dogs who are allowed to roam outdoors without supervision or most at risk for infection as they are more likely to be exposed to wild animals and have a greater chance of fighting with infected stray dogs cats or wild animal carriers like skunks fox or raccoons *Note: preventative vaccinations are available for high risk groups of humans including veterinarians and animal handlers* Standard vaccines for dogs DHPP and rabies **Optional canine vaccines** **Leptospirosis**: leptospirosis can cause kidney failure inflammation toxicity of the liver which is hepatitis, inflammation of the blood vessels causing hemorrhage, inflammation of muscle tissue, inflammation in the eye causing blindness, inflammation in the nervous system known as meningitis and immune mediated illness with chronic disease. Even after treatment with antibiotics liver or kidney disease may still develop period up to 25% of infected dogs will not survive the initial infection. Approximately 33% to 40% of infected dogs will develop chronic renal failure. These bacteria are spread in the urine often making their way into water sources from cattle pigs or wildlife. They enter the dog system through a break in the skin or when the dog drinks contaminated water so dogs that spend a lot of time in the water are at increased risk great **Canine coronavirus CCV** a contagious intestinal infection that usually produces a mild disease however can be severe in young puppies and dogs stressed by concurrent infections the clinical signs of canine coronavirus very from mild undetectable to severe in fetal most common signs include: depression, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. The diarrhea can be watery, yellowish- orange in colour, bloody, mucoid, and usually has inoffensive odor. The most common source of a CCV infection is exposure to feces from an infected dog. The viral strands can remain in the body and shed into the feces for up to six months. Stress caused by over intensive training overcrowding and generally unsanitary conditions increase a dog susceptibility to a CCV infection additionally places in events where dogs gather are the most likely locations for the virus to spread **Bordatella bronchiseptica** this vaccine is of some help in controlling kennel cough and other respiratory infections caused by these bacteria. Dogs living in kennels may benefit from this optional protection. The two vaccines available are intranasal or injectable. The intranasal vaccine which protects against para influenza as well as bordatella gives the most immediate immunity **Lyme disease** Caused by the Spirochete bacteria Acquired by the bite of an infected tick and generally spread during tick season which is may through August Lyme disease in dogs is characterized by the sudden onset of lameness one or more joints may become swollen and painful to touch there may be fever and weakness lethargy loss of appetite and weight loss ticks must attach for 5 to 20 hours before they are capable of transmitting infection therefore a daily inspection with removal of ticks will prevent many dogs from becoming infected **Giardiasis** Giardiasis Refers to an intestinal infection that is caused by a protozoan parasite of the Giardia species dogs develop the infection by ingesting infectious offspring cysts that are shed in another animal species typically from drinking water contaminated streams and other sources the organisms once ingested make their way into the intestine often causing diarrhea and preventing the proper absorption of food causing malnutrition up to 50% of young puppies will develop this intestinal infection and up to 100% of dogs housed in kennels will develop it due to the massive exposure in closely shared living spaces Giardia is fairly simple to treat once diagnosed an infected dog should avoid contact with other dogs until treatment is complete although the vaccine does not seem to be efficient at preventing the disease it is sometimes used for therapeutic treatment of infected dogs **Parasites** ***Worms: roundworms hookworms tapeworms whipworms and heartworms*** **Roundworms -- Ascarids** This is one parasitic worm in dogs this worm infests most young puppies and is acquired from their mother both before and after birth if the infestation is significant there will be outer signs like an enlarged belly poor weight gain vomiting and diarrhea sometimes whole worms or vomited or passed through the feces and resemble white spaghetti several inches long and may wiggle when first voided **Hookworms -- ancylostoma:** Most prevalent in areas of high temperature and humidity hookworms are small thin worms about 1/4 to 1/2 inches long they fasten their mouthparts onto the mucosa of the small intestine and suck blood and tissue fluids from the host which can result in severe blood loss anemia and malnutrition. Adult dogs the most common causes of infection are ingesting larvae an larvae migrating through the skin symptoms include black and tar like stool pale gums reflecting the development of anemia weight loss and emaciation which leads to progressive weakness diagnosis is made by finding eggs in the feces **Tapeworms** A dog must bite or swallow an infected flea or louse or ingest infected rodents rabbits or sheep to acquire this parasite tape worms live in the small intestine an vary from less than an inch to several feet in length the head of the worm fastens to the wall of the gut by hooks and suckers the body is composed of segments that contain the egg packets to cure the tapeworm infection the head must be destroyed if it is not killed the worm will regenerate the body segments breakoff and pass out with the feces when mature these past segments look like cream coloured maggots about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and are visible in the fresh stool or around the \*\*\*\* after drying out the resemble kernels of rice some individual dogs experience \*\*\*\* itching from the segments but aside from these symptoms tapeworms cause no apparent harm to the dog **Whip worms** Dogs are infected with whip worm when they consume whip worm eggs most frequently ingested when they clean their paws or drink infected water the eggs can live up to five years in infected soil this means that even if a dog is free of the parasite he will likely continue to reinfect himself in his yard or the area he regularly walks contains in with warm eggs this worm looks like a whip and is 2 to 3 inches long it attaches to the wall of the gut work feeds on the blood of the host and can cause persistent watery diarrhea accompanied by urgency and stringing dogs with a heavy infestation may lose weight fail to thrive and develop anemia **Heartworms** Spread by mosquitoes this infection is more prevalent in large to medium sized dogs who tend to spend more time outside dogs that live outdoors are four to five times more likely to develop heart worms the parasite infects the heart of the dog and can grow as long as 11 inches in the minority of infestations persistent coughing difficult breathing weakness and fainting are common sometimes even heart failure can result typical early signs are easy tiring intolerance to exercise and a soft deep cough a heart worm diagnosis is made when the veterinarian finds microfilariae in the blood but not necessarily any symptoms of illness once a dog does show clinical symptoms treatment can be very involved and almost always requires hospitalization the drugs used in treatment are very toxic and hard on the dog thus the preferred route is prevention minimize exposure to mosquitoes by keeping dogs inside for evenings and overnight use a natural insect repellent while outside in the summer months and maintain good health and immune system to help aid in fighting off the infestation if the dog is going to be traveling with the owner it is advisable to consult a veterinarian about preventative drugs if the destination is a highly invested area **[Skin parasites -- ticks fleas lice mange]** **Ticks**: adult ticks range in size from about 0.4 centimeters to 1.4cm long they are Oval shaped and appeared to have a reddish leathery bodies with eight lakes the preferred host of the adult tick is the dog although it will also feed on horses in other large mammals including humans they attach themselves feed on blood and fall off to lay eggs control of ticks in an infested area is extremely difficult due to their tremendous reproductive potential their habits and their habitat however preventative measures against tick attack can be taken Avoid tick infested areas if possible e.g. Woods in summer Check the dogs body thoroughly for ticks daily if ticks are found embedded in the skin remove carefully using small tweezers grasp the tick with tweezers at the point where the mouthparts enter the skin and use a gentle firm tugging motion until the tick releases hold of the skin 10 to 20 seconds do not kill the tick before it has been removed treat the bite wound with antiseptic to avoid infection and save the tick in a jar labeled with the date and location in case complications arise **Fleas:** fleas survive by feeding on blood and on many dogs the bites cause only a mild itch but a heavy infection in a puppy or small dog can lead to severe anemia and even death fleas are in an intermediate host for the dog tapeworm flea infestation can be diagnosed by finding fleas on the dog or by seeing salt flea eggs and pepper flea feces like, black and white greens about the size of sand in the coat. fecal material is made-up of digested blood and when brushed on to wet paper it turns reddish brown The adult flea is a small dark brown insect about 1/8 of an inch long that can be seen with the naked eye the higher the temperature and humidity the more efficient is their reproduction the flea can jump up to 1000 times its own height they live permanently on the skin and feed on the blood please bite an average of 10 times per day an can suck up to 15 times their own body weight in blood they cause skin irritation followed by biting scratching and rubbing by the dog that may result in skin damage and dermatitis **Lice:** small wingless insects that spend their whole life on the dog can only survive a few days off the dog they occur primarily in dogs that are rundown and poorly kept and are spread by direct contact or by contaminated brushes, Combs and bedding. lice are an irritant to the dog and cause intense itching leading to self-inflicted wounds **[Mange]** [ ] **Democratic Mange:** This is the most common type which is caused by a microscopic mite that lives in hair follicles is considered normal skin fauna when present in small numbers and is not contagious to humans they produce disease only when an abnormal immune system allows their numbers to get out of control puppies and adult dogs with lowered immunity. The localized form of this disease occurs in dogs under one year of age with the principal sign being thinning of hair around the eyelids lips in corners of the mouth and occasionally on the legs and feet it progresses to patches of moth eaten hair loss about one inch in diameter and may become red scaly an infected this form of means usually heals spontaneously in six to eight weeks this disease progresses to the generalized form in approximately 10% of cases in here dogs develop patches of hair loss on the head legs trunk as the hair follicles become plugged with mites and skin scales the skin breaks down to form sores that crust animals that have generalized demodectic mange are susceptible to other series illnesses and must be treated very carefully for their health to be restored **Sarcoptic mange -- scabies:** diagnosis is made by examining skin scrapings under a microscope and treatment must be under a veterinarian supervision signs include intense itching and scaling and this parasite is contagious to humans the presence of these mites caused severe inflammation hair loss crusting skin thickening and ulceration dogs will scratch with intensity causing marked skin damage the severe itching is caused by female mites tunneling under the skin to lay eggs attacking the skin of the ears elbows hocks and the underside of the chest and face crusty ear tips are characteristic adult mites can live for 21 days off the host and can blow around in the air like dust so the environment must be considered contaminated and treatment of the area is advisable to prevent recurrence all in contact dogs should be checked and treated **Cheyletiella Mange -- walking dandruff:** A highly contagious skin disease that affects young puppies and is caused by large reddish mites that infest kennels in pet shops in large numbers moving about the surface of the skin these mites have led to the term walking dandruff since they cause a dandruff dusting over the head neck and back signs are a red bumpy rash along with a large amount of flaky skin in the hair coat. The rash should disappear with treatment but all animals that have come in contact with the affected dog must be treated and the kenneling area cleaned with an insecticide appropriate for killing adult fleas these mites can affect humans **Fungal infection** **Ringworm -- dermatophytosis:** a fungal infection that invades the hair and hair follicles and is primarily a disease of puppies in young adults typical areas of involvement are the face ears paws and tail ringworm is transmitted by spores in the soil and by contact with the infected hair of dogs and cats typically found on carpets brushes Combs toys and furniture humans can acquire ringworm from pets and vice versa Ringworm appears as a spreading circle of hair loss with scaly skin at the centre and a red ring at the periphery the most reliable method of diagnosing ringworm is by fungal culture and although mild cases will heal themselves in three to four months all cases of ringworm should be treated to prevent progression and spread to other pets and people children should not be allowed to handle pets with ringworm Ringworm spores can survive up to one year and should be illuminated from the environment bedding should be discarded grooming tools sterilized in A 1: 10 dilution of bleach carpets vacuumed weekly to remove infected hair and hard surfaces mopped and hand washed using diluted bleach strict hand washing precautions are necessary and contaminated clothing should be washed with bleach **Nutrition** the dog handler or trainer needs to understand that maintaining an achieving optimal health in a dog is challenging and given the wide range in ages body condition and health of the animals they come across it is best to have general knowledge of nutrition and types of food. The optimal goal is always to attain or maintain the best possible body weight and condition for the individual dog it is well known that proper nutrition is fundamental for keeping all dogs healthy diet directly affects a dog skin and coat weight energy level ability to cope with stress and gastrointestinal function if a problem occurs in one of these areas it may be linked to improper diet the highest quality nutritionally complete and balanced food is the most desirable to be fed to dogs and the amount to feed is governed chiefly by energy requirements food should be wholesome fresh and stored securely food intake should be adjusted when weight loss obesity or chronic diarrhea occurs an optimal pet food is one that provides all of the essential nutrients in their proper amounts and proportions the food must be palatable and acceptable enough to ensure safety and health selecting a food that matches a pets age size an lifestyle is the best way to provide optimal nutrition and maintain proper body condition an weight a dog owner should research food companies that pledge to use high quality ingredients instead of fillers and then choose a quality diet that the dog enjoys if looking at a homemade diet discuss the ingredients with a veterinarian first to be sure they are right for the dog then make small batches until sure the dog actually likes it once an appetizing diet is found observed how the dog responds over the first several weeks a drop in energy level or dull hair coat may wear a diet change if a change is made to a dogs food always do so gradually to avoid gastrointestinal upset or food aversion consult a veterinarian for nutritional advice especially if there in any changes in the dogs health Meal feeding with controlled portion sizes is the preferred method of feeding for the majority of dogs because it allows the careful monitoring of the dogs food intake and nutritional health any changes in intake or eating behavior can be caught immediately and may lead to early detection of an illness free choice feeding is not recommended in multiple dog households due to food guarding behaviors that may develop among dogs always be sure a dog has access to plenty of fresh clean water all the dogs body functions depend on water it is necessary for respiration for digestion assimilation and absorption of nutrients for the metabolism of nutrients for temperature regulation and for waste removal **Types of food** **Commercial diets -** usually available in wet or dry **Generic or economy food** -- grocery stores - Design to be sold at low price to provide the most sales - Usually made from the cheapest ingredients - Animal protein often comes from by-products - Artificial colours flavors and preservatives are common as well as synthetic vitamins and minerals - Vary widely in quality **Premium foods** - pet stores or veterinarians - Higher price but usually better quality - May still have questionable ingredients as well as synthetic vitamins and minerals **Natural foods** - generally recommended by holistic veterinarians - Should contain nothing artificial- colours flavors preservatives or synthetic vitamins and minerals - Typically human grade ingredients - Whole Foods rather than processed - Reduces volume of food consumed while giving your dog the same amount of nutrition - Limited availability and more costly **Veterinary prescription diets** -- veterinarian - Quite a bit more expensive because they're specifically formulated to correct a problem with the dogs health One of the biggest differences between foods in the various price ranges is the availability of the nutrients inexpensive brands typically use ingredients that are not easily digestible by a dog this means having to feed more food in order for the dog to get the nutrition he needs in turn the dog will produce more waste more expensive foods generally use ingredients in the form that is most digestible which allows the dog less food and produces less waste **Homemade/ raw diets** must be thoroughly tested at some point for nutrient content and availability must stick closely to proven recipes **Homemade:** - Complete control over the ingredients and quality - always important to use recipes for complete balanced diet - Time consuming- purchasing preparing storing - Can be expensive depending on the recipe/ quality of ingredients - harder to travel with the pet - packing frozen food - We'll still need to add supplemental vitamins and minerals **raw diets** - Primarily uncooked meat edible bones and organs - raw meats must be from healthy animals and known sources where it has been handled correctly in order to avoid possible contamination- salmonella or E coli - to both the dog and the owner - may help dogs overcome allergies - reduced volume of stool healthier coat cleaner reduced volume of stool healthier coat cleaner teeth better breath Raw food diets have been shown to help the body deal with many common ailments such as flea infestations hotspots continual shedding poor dental and gum health allergies gastrointestinal problems immune disorders and degenerative diseases the fresher the diet the more nutrients are available for the animal\'s system to utilize in building immunity healing from illness and warding off disease **Side effects of improper nutrition** without good nutrition a dog can suffer from a number of problems including allergies malnutrition skin and coat problems and obesity nutrition related problems can affect any dog no matter the size or age foods that contain poor nutritional value will most likely cause major diseases overtime such as cancer arthritis or circulation problems poor quality dog food can also lead to an early death **Obesity:** defined as a body weight more than 15 to 20% above normal can cause many serious health problems in pets of any age too much weight stresses bones and joints strains the heart and other internal organs crowds the lungs and turns basic exercise into a major chore obesity is the most common nutritional disorder with the majority of the problems occurring in middle age the incidence of obesity appears to be increasing in dogs and may be attributed to factors such as 7 Terry lifestyle and provision of highly palatable an energy dense foods waking can be caused by some illnesses including diabetes and hypothyroidism so it is important to check with a vet before beginning a weight loss program The short term goal of the treatment of obesity is to reduce body fat stores and is accomplished by restricting dietary intake increasing exercise or a combination of the two the long term goal of treatment is for the dog to attain the ideal body weight and maintain that weight for the rest of their life **Malnourishment** lacking crucial nutrients can lead to serious nutritional issues signs of malnourishment include a bloated abdomen bleeding gums and emaciated body with ribs clearly visible **[Common ailments]** **Ear infections:** are most common in dogs with floppy ears and appear more rarely in dogs with prick ears it is well worth every dog owners time to learn the correct method for cleaning ears to be diligent about keeping a dogs ears clean and to watch for symptoms of ear infections -- shaking of the head, sensitivity about the ears being handled, incessant scratching at the ears. **Skin allergies:** an allergy is an unpleasant reaction caused by exposure to a food inhalant or something in the dogs environment what the dog is exposed to is called the allergen and the way in which the dogs immune system responds to the allergen is called the allergic or hypersensitivity reaction when an allergy is triggered the target organ in dogs is the skin with intense itching being the principle sign symptoms are inflamed ears excessive licking of the front feet digestive upsets inflammation of the toes and an irritated rear end with licking and dragging of the rear on the floor **Dog allergies fall into three categories:** - Flea allergy dermatitis -- caused by fleas and other biting insects - K 9 atopy- caused by inhaled allergens such as dust mites grass is molds trees and weed pollen - Food allergy- caused by foods and drugs **Pyoderma/ hot spots:** pyoderma- skin infections- often develops in skin that has been traumatized and abraded by excessive rubbing chewing and scratching it is therefore a frequent complication of other skin diseases particularly those that cause intense itching **Hotspot- acute moist dermatitis:** a warm painful swollen patch of skin one to four inches in size that exudes pus and gives off a foul odor here is last rapidly in the infection progresses when the dog licks and chews the site they can appear anywhere on the body an often in more than one spot they occur most often in breeds with heavy coats and tend to appear just before shutting when moist dead hair is trapped next to the skin **Gastritis/ vomiting** gastritis means inflammation of the stomach and acute signifies that the attack is sudden appearing in a few minutes or hours vomiting is common in dogs; In fact, dogs vomit more readily than most other animals the most common cause of vomiting is eating indigestible substances such as grass that irritate the lining of the stomach- some dogs instinctively tried to remedy things by eating grass which stimulates vomiting and other causes overeating dogs may vomit when upset excited or suffering from a phobia IE during a thunderstorm. Phobic dogs drool wine paw and tremble vomiting occurs with most acute infectious diseases in also with many chronic diseases IE kidney failure To determine the cause of vomiting note whether it is repeated and if so whether it is sporadic or persistent vomiting red blood could indicate an active bleeding point in the digestive tract vomiting fowl feces like material indicates intestinal obstruction an event should be seen immediately Acute gastritis comes on suddenly and the principle sign is severe in continuous vomiting it is often associated with life threatening diseases see a veterinarian in all cases where the cause of persistent vomiting is not known **Motion sickness:** many young dogs suffer from car sickness which is caused by overstimulation of the labyrinth in the inner ear a veterinarian may prescribe a drug- such as Dramamine to control symptoms. Dogs traveled best on an empty stomach so it is best to withhold food and water before taking a trip traveling with the dog in a covered crate can help to eliminate some motion sickness most dogs with motion sickness become accustomed to riding in the car and eventually outgrow the problem **Enteritis/ diarrhea** **Diarrhea:** the two most common causes of diarrhea in dogs are dietary indiscretion and intestinal parasites however many canine infectious diseases are also associated with acute diarrhea Food intolerance intestinal parasites drug side effects or a sudden change in diet or living circumstances can cause diarrhea Diarrhea can be classified as acute or chronic acute comes on suddenly and is over in a short. Chronic diarrhea often comes on gradually persists for three weeks or longer an warrants veterinary investigation **Enteritis:** an infection of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by the sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea rapid pulse fever apathy and depression the vomit and diarrhea may contain blood dehydration occurs rapidly dogs under one year of age or over 10 are particularly susceptible to the effects of dehydration and shock The most common cause of infectious enteritis in dogs is parvovirus garbage poisoning an ingesting poisons and toxic chemicals produces signs and symptoms similar to those of acute enteritis when diarrhea and vomiting occur together the condition is serious and the dog should be taken to a vet **Benign skin tumors:** skin tumors are common in dogs it is often difficult to determine whether a skin tumor is benign or malignant by appearance alone and the only conclusive way to make a diagnosis is by a biopsy **Osteoarthritis:** arthritis is a degenerative progressive condition that affects one or more joints most cases occur among dogs with an inherited orthopedic disease such as hip dysplasia or those with a joint injury osteoarthritis affects one out of five dogs during their lifetime the dog experiences varying degrees of lameness, Stiffness and joint pain which is more apparent in the morning and after getting up from lying down there is often irritability and behavioral changes associated with increasing disability treatment can substantially improve the dogs life and may involve physical therapy and weight control **Hypothyroidism:** this is a disease of thyroid deficiency the thyroid gland sits on the throat below the larynx and its function is to produce thyroxine- T4, which controls the rate of metabolism so dogs with hypothyroidism have metabolic rates below normal the incidence of hypothyroidism in dogs is estimated to be less than 1% and occurs most often in middle age dogs of the medium and large breeds this disease is permanent and can be treated with daily or twice daily thyroid hormone replacement **Bloat- gastric dilatation Volvulus-GDV:** This life threatening problem is seen mostly in larger breeds of dogs and though its cause is unknown veterinarians have found it to be linked with the feeding of commercial foods especially large meals of concentrated Dr. forms of food it occurs most often in dogs between the ages of two and 10 years and most often at night dogs that respond to non-surgical treatment have a 70% chance of having another episode of bloat the mortality rate for blue is about 50% and early recognition and treatment are keys to survival The symptoms of the condition are that approximately 2 to six hours after eating the stomach which is the upper abdominal area gets enlarged with liquid and gas and sometimes feels like a tight drum there will likely be excessive salivation drooling unsuccessful attempts to vomit extreme restlessness and discomfort desperate attempts to eat grass and eventually weakness and collapse the effects of increased pressure on the walls of the stomach dehydration and shock can lead to possible death in a few short hours another complication is that the stomach can actually twist causing gas and fluid to be trapped in the closed off stomach which becomes hugely distended as the material ferments and the interference with blood circulation results in necrosis of the wall of the stomach **Preventing bloat:** - Divide the day's ration into 3 equal feedings - Restrict access to water for one hour before and after meals - Never let the dog drink a large amount of water all at once - Avoid strenuous exercise on a full stomach **Be aware of early signs and seek prompt veterinary attention** **When to recommend seeing a vet** Sometimes it may be difficult to tell if a dog is sick or injured since dogs cannot communicate in words we must rely on their actions and attitudes to guide us a change in behavior is often the first indication of a medical health issue owners know their own dogs better than anyone else so they may be the first to notice that something is wrong it is to a dog handlers advantage to establish a good relationship with their vet so they are comfortable calling when something comes up here are some signs to watch for that might indicate the need for veterinary attention Please note that this is not a complete list if a dog exhibits any signs that do not seem normal call a vet right away **Immediately contact a veterinarian or go to an emergency clinic if any of the following signs are observed:** - Blue white or very pale gums - Labored breathing - collapse or loss of consciousness - dizziness imbalance or circling - inability to walk - extremely bloated abdomen - Seizures - Signs of acute severe pain- such as crying out loud very loudly and excessively - Body temperature over 40°C or under 37°C normal is typically 37.5 to 39.4 Celsius **Contact a veterinarian if any of the following signs last more than one to two days:** - poor appetite - Lethargy - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Lameness - Weakness - excessive salvation - Polydipsia - frequent and or inappropriate urination - Constipation - excessive scratching or dull dry or flaky hair coat - wheezing or frequent panting - nasal discharge or congestion - displays of mild to moderate pain such as crying when a specific areas touched or action is taken **in general contact a vet if there are signs that are deemed abnormal for a particular dog it is better to be cautious than to wait**