Hydrotherapy for Dogs - Safety Measures You Need to Take

by Helga Schmitt

All patients attending hydrotherapy should have a veterinary clearance before doing so. Not all dogs are suitable candidates and there are a host of factors to consider. The treating veterinarian will do an assessment as well as the hydro-therapist.

Certain information will need to be known about your dog. The hydro-therapist will most likely ask the following questions:

Last vaccination date?

Your dog's level of fitness or exercise?

Has the dog ever swum before and if so where?

Any incontinence or ear problems?

Did you toilet them prior to your arrival?

When they were last fed?

Have you been to the vet for a clearance to perform hydrotherapy?

The many factors to consider apart from their current medical or physical condition are the dog's temperament, and past good or bad experiences with swimming. How well they do with it and their degree of anxiety depends on their past experience and the experience of the handler now attempting to swim them.

An adjustment takes place initially, however, most animals become familiar with the routine after the first few visits. The equipment and bouyancy vests along with the staff, help to eliminate any nervousness with the first few visits. The duration of the first few sessions will help with this overall.

Before allowing the dog into the pool, there is a number of things the hydro-therapist will check for. The following are some: any problems with their ears, any open or weeping sores, torn or bleeding nails, heart and respiratory rate in a resting state, and any possible skin condition.

For any of the following conditions hydrotherapy is contraindicated:

Open wounds

Infections at the surface

External skeletal fixators

If the canine has diarrhoea or incontinence

Vomiting issues

Having a contagious disease like parvovirus, ringworm, mange or kennel cough

Various spinal conditions

Dysfunctions of the respiratory and cardiac processes

Any canine who has Epilepsy seizures one week prior to hydrotherapy

Any condition that comprimises blood supply to the peripheral areas

Water phobia which will cause extreme panic conditions

Vestibular Syndrome in dogs

Any animal participating in hydrotherapy should never be left unattended. Despite the safe appearance of dog pools and underwater treadmills, no dog should ever be left unattended in them. It is very dangerous to leave animals unattended in a treadmill or dog pool and all animals need to be caretaked while in them.

The following dogs need to be cautious when participating in hydrotherapy:

Dogs that are obese

Dogs that have a heart murmur

Dogs that are from the Brachycephalic breeds; Bulldog, Boxer, Pug, Shih Tzu, Pekinese. These breeds have small nasel openings and it limits the amount of airflow. They tend to overheat from this and need to work much harder when exercising.

Laryngeal collapse can be caused from an enlongated soft palate. This tissue closes off the airway when it is enlongated and obstructs the airway.

A canine with Cushing's or Addison's disease

Any dog with Diabetes

Laryngeal paralysis (a canine with reduced heat tolerance and noisy breathing)

Spinal injuries

Very hot days or possible heatstroke

Forelimb lameness that is undiagnosed

Canines with great laxity of joints or hyperextension injuries

A treatment plan or programme needs to be written and discussed with the owner. The goals of the treatment and the expected time frames for improvement also need to be discussed. The goals can be anything from just being able to walk again, to returning to agility or hunting and retrieving sports. Whatever the reason is for attending a dog pool, canine hydrotherapy is the best choice for rehabilitating and conditioning dogs prior to surgery, post surgery, or from an injury.

About the Author:

Helga Schmitt has been passionately studying and researching dog health, physiotherapy and rehabilitation hands on for the past 20 years. She is a Registered Canine Hydrotherapist, Chartered Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist, and has a Certificate in Homeopathy. She provides dog owners about complementary health choices. Get a free Older Dog Tips Guide, and read more on Hydrotherapy for Dogs at Health-for-dogs.com.

Dealing With Epilepsy Dogs Often Have

by Sandra DeMers

Treating the disease of epilepsy dogs will develop is not an unusual problem. It is a disease that causes seizures. Not all seizures are caused by epilepsy, but epilepsy will always cause seizures. These seizures are due to an imbalance in the electrical impulse in the brain. It is believed that most cases of epilepsy are genetic.

The disease is broken down into two categories. The first, and most common, is idiopathic. Idiopathic epilepsy means that it is a genetic condition. There will often be a history of the disease in the dog's lineage.

The other type of the disease is often caused by a lack of nutrients, or a toxin in the environment. Lead and other toxic substances can trigger the epileptic seizures, as can a lack of certain vitamins.

The primary symptoms of epilepsy are the seizures. There are many types of seizures. People familiar with epilepsy in humans will recognize these categories. There are the grand mal seizures. In the grand mal seizure the dog might collapse, lose consciousness and exhibit other extreme behaviors. This type of seizure is associated with the first form of epilepsy.

Seizures come in all degrees. There are some seizures which are very slight. The dog may appear to be shaking and or twitching. It may not appear to even be a seizure to many people.

Having a dog with epilepsy can present many problems, however you can find ways to help treat the dog. While there is no cure for epilepsy there are medications that can treat it. These medications can limit the amount of seizures or limit the degree to which the seizures occur. Some of the medications are the same medications that humans use. Valium is used in some instances, as well as neurontin, are some of the medications.

If you happen to see your dog go into a seizure, it is important to remain calm. You should also try and remember what happened before the seizure. How the dog was acting is important in helping with the diagnosis.

You will also want to observe what your dog has been eating and what materials they have been exposed to. Being observant will help determine if the dog has primary Epilepsy or if perhaps the seizures are caused by some secondary environmental factor.

After the seizure, you should take your dog to a veterinarian. The vet will perform tests including blood work and brain scans. This will look into whether the seizures have been caused by a toxic presence in the dogs life, or rather is primary epilepsy.

It is important to keep the dog's environment as clean and free of toxic substances as possible. Also, once the dog is put on medication, there are concerns about side effects that must be watched. Certain drugs that treat epilepsy can lead to side effects and live damage.

It is also unwise to stop the drugs without lowing the dose. Like many medications for humans, suddenly ceasing all intake can itself cause a problem. Because of this you will often be told by the vet to gradually lower the dose.

Even though the disease is never cured, it can be controlled. The comfort level of a dog with epilepsy is now much better then it was in previous years. Medications can ensure that a dog can have limited effects and live a happier and more peaceful existence.

About the Author:

Sandra DeMers is the author of Cory's Story, the story of how one dog conquered canine epilepsy that will absolutely AMAZE you. Visit her website to learn other epilepsy dogs and Sandra's secret to good canine health--you'll be surprised when you learn the truth.

Being Prudent With the Utilization of Herbal Medicines

by Sam Johnson

Herbal medicines have turn into a relatively less costly alternative to some trusted pharmaceutically-made medicines. Although most individuals think that using herbs are safer or trigger fewer unwanted side effects, foresight is nonetheless advised in the using these healing herbs.

Here is often a checklist of points to think about once you strategy to make use of herbal treatments. Initial and foremost, consultation together with your doctor, herbalist or any trained medical skilled is constantly advised prior to any treatment.. Some herbal items or supplements may possibly pose some risk should you have specific wellness troubles including high blood pressure levels, epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, blood clotting disorders, glaucoma; heart, thyroid and prostate illnesses. For individuals about to undergo surgeries, it really is advisable to tell your doctor any herbal dietary supplements you've taken prior to surgery. They may possibly need to be withheld for the certain period of time right after your surgery should your surgeon states that they could impede the success of the surgical treatment or recuperation.

Only utilize the part of the plant advocated, and employ it within the correct route of administration. If it really is intended to be applied only about the skin, do not put it to use being a gargle or tea. Follow the recommended dose. Having a bigger dose doesn't necessarily promise you will improve the benefits from your herbs. It might do far more harm than very good, as with the herb valerian which may induce over sedation if drawn in huge quantities. There are also various doses for persons of assorted ages and conditions, which means that your doctor's guidance ought to be followed. Some herbs impact the pharmacokinetics of drugs. They might lessen the efficacy of other pharmaceutical drugs. An instance with this is St. John's Wort which decreases the absorption of certain medicines required because of their therapeutic level. Ask your doctor to check the compatibility of one's herbal supplements along with your other medicines.

Most herbal supplements are still unregulated with regards to the manufacturing and labeling method. They could have varied dosages and varied preparations, as well as other additives. Thankfully, some businesses already follow a standardized method of the preparation from the active herbal ingredients. Only use the herbal supplements for that interval indicated by your doctor.
Also see if the diet plan your doctor prescribes you to definitely follow does not clash with your drug prescriptions. A low-sodium diet ought to 't be performed if a person is prescribed with glucosamine, which contains sodium.

Preserve in thoughts how the therapeutic positive aspects of herbal medicines are generally gained slower compared to pharmaceutical ones. Some herbal supplements and their dosages usually are not appropriate for pregnant girls. They may possibly 't be well tolerated with the baby, thus, pregnant ladies really should speak with their OB-GYN just before taking any herbal dietary supplements. It really is also great to read some associated literature regarding your supplements' negative effects or hypersensitive reactions. Some herbs such as St. John's wort and kava kava have been related to critical adverse unwanted side effects like allergy symptoms and liver toxicity. If utilised with discretion and typical sense, herbal goods contain the potential to even equal or surmount the achievements of pharmaceutical goods.