Archive for January, 2010
As Your Dog Gets Older
As a dog lover you will face the day that your family pet has gotten a bit older, a bit slower and yet more lovable with each day.
If you have been fortunate enough to watch your best friend age, you will also find that he has developed some physical problems and limitations. Taking care of an aging dog requires more of your time and more patience, but it is worth the effort.
Many dogs go deaf as they age. When this happens you can no longer just call for your dog to come. Instead you will need to either get their attention and communicate with a your hands, or maneuver him where you want him to go.
It is even more important to use a leash when on walks, as he will not be able to hear you calling him back if he runs into the street.
Many dogs lose some or all of their sight. This is more difficult to deal with, as you have to make sure they have a clear path through the house and yard. If you have stairs, make sure the railing does not allow them to go through and fall to the ground below.
Any part of the house where your small blind dog could walk off of and drop (an upstairs patio, upstairs landing), or an in-ground pool he could blindly fall into, needs to be somehow blocked. Chicken wire works fine. For a pool you might need to enclose it with a rod iron fence or a temporary chain link fence.
Another thing you need to do to make life easier for your blind friend is not to leave him alone in strange surroundings. This scares a dog and he might end up bothering neighbors with his barking as he calls for you.
There are other conditions the older dog can develop, such as heart problems, diabetes, and poor dental health. Whatever your dog develops, you will find the money needed to keep him healthy is money well spent if you are able to enjoy his company for another year or two. Pet health insurance is a good idea to prevent going into debt, and is available for reasonable rates when your dog is young.
Puppies are fun, but an old dog has become a true friend, someone you know and are comfortable with. At the same time, he is much more attached to you than when he was young. Nothing can replace him, and when the day comes to say good-bye, you feel like you have lost a part of yourself.
When that day comes you might want to consider cremating him and placing his remains in an urn or specially crafted container. Have a crematory in mind, with their phone number handy before you need their services.
More and more people are doing exactly this, and they find it helps to lessen the heartache. Place several pictures of your beloved pet around the urn, perhaps his favorite jacket he wore in the winter, or his collar. This makes a wonderful reminder for you and for your family of a friend you deeply miss.
How To Give Your Dog His Eye Drops
Applying your dogs eye drops doesn’t have to become and hide ‘n seek game. With a bit of affection and the 3 steps below, it can be a simple task. This will make it more enjoyable for you and your dog.
Injuries, infections, and allergic reactions involving a dog’s eyes are very common. These problems are usually treated with drops and ointments.
But before treating these types of conditions yourself, it is always best to consult a vet to make sure that you are using the proper medication and dosage.
Never use old medicines to treat new problems.
Although the new problem may look the same as the old one, the wrong treatment could make the condition worse.
1. Several common eye problems cause discharge from the eyes that can stain the dog’s facial hair. Before applying any type of eye medication, gently wipe away any debris from the corner of the eyes using moist cotton.
2. The next step is to irrigate the eye using a commercial eyewash solution or one that is provided by a vet. Never use eye drops intended for humans and be careful not to get any cotton fibers on the eye.
3. The last step is to apply the eye drops. Gently restrain the dog and hold the eye open.
Bring your hand to the eye from behind and above to prevent the dog from getting scared. Gently squeeze the needed number of drops in the eye. Allow the eye to bathe in drops for a few seconds.
