Veterinary medicine: ..Ephiphora in dogs.

Veterinary medicine: Ephiphora in dogs. Ephiphora is the veterinary term for excessive tearing. Common causes include small tear ducts, tear duct inflammation or a plugged tear duct, foreign objects in the tear duct and ingrown eyelashes. Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, causes inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva, the mucous membranes lining the eye. Not only is ephiphora a sign of conjunctivitis, but a severe bout of the condition can cause tear duct scarring resulting in constant discharge. Other eye diseases, including glaucoma or corneal ulcers, can cause ephiphora. Depending on the problem, your vet might refer your dog to a veterinary ophthalmologist for treatment. Ephiphora in dogs. The facial structure of some dog breeds predisposes them to excessive tearing. That's especially true of dogs with shallow eye sockets, including the bichon frise, poodle, Maltese, cocker spaniel and Shih Tzu. In general, brachycephalic, or short-nosed, breeds have facial structures and skinfolds predisposing them to ephiphora. These include the pug, bulldog, Pekingese, Lhasa apso and boxer If there is no physical reason for your dog's excessive tearing, dietary changes might solve or reduce the problem. Feed your dog a high-quality food free of dyes. You might provide distilled water for him to drink, rather than tap water. Tap water, especially if it originates from wells, might have a high iron content. The iron could cause normal tearing to appear rust-colored.

Veterinary medicine: when panting is a bad sign.

Veterinary medicine: when panting is a bad sign.Panting is totally normal! It helps dogs cool off and is also a natural response when a dog is thirsty, excited, happy or scared. Panting isn't normally a reason for concern, but if your dog is panting excessively, it could be a possible sign of heat exhaustion or overexercise. When heavy panting is accompanied by other symptoms, you should have your dog checked by a vet. Heart problems can be a cause of excessive panting.If your dog is panting excessively during exercise, especially if the activity isn't very strenuous, this could be a symptom of a heart problem. Watch for heavy panting paired with coughing, lethargy and an inability to get comfortable. These symptoms may be a sign of a progressive heart value malfunction called mitral insufficiency. Cushings disease :Take your dog to the vet if excessive panting is combined with increased hunger and thirst, weight gain, a swollen abdomen and issues with reproductive organs. These symptoms can indicate Cushing's disease. Males can experience shrinking testicles while females will not go into heat. Dogs inflicted with Cushing's may develop hair loss and thin, easily bruised skin. Sleeping problems and lethargy are also common symptoms. more.

Veterinary medicine: do puppies pant while sleeping?

Veterinary medicine: do puppies pant at while sleeping? The answer is yes. In fact, lots of panting is generally normal for a puppy -- even in his sleep. However too much could indicate a health problem. Because how can you tell the difference between normal and abnormal amounts of panting in a young pup? It's actually not very easy, which is just one reason why your puppy should have regular check-ups with the veterinarian. It's also an important reason why you should pay close attention to his living conditions and general well-being as he grows. Puppies don't just pant to catch their breath, they do it to burn off excess heat. Dogs does not sweat so the moisture in his mouth carries heat away from his bodies which is why he leaves his mouth open and pants. Panting can indicate general health problems as well as heat-related issues, extra care is the norm. If your puppy is too warm at night,especially if he has irregular nasal passages, like pugs and bulldogs do -- he may become overheated and/or struggle to breathe. Heavy panting at all hours also may indicate a respiratory problem such as pneumonia, or heart failure. If you're concerned about your Fido's panting and the temperature doesn't seem like a factor, see your vet immediately.

Veterinary medicine: why is my puppy panting?

Veterinary medicine: why is my dog panting? Puppy Play: Puppies tend to have sudden bursts of energy where they engage in boisterous play and then they suddenly flop down and fall asleep. Since your puppy moves a lot, his heart beats faster and his respiratory rate is faster. Open-mouth panting in this case is a normal reaction that allows the pup to get more oxygen into his bloodstream. Pups with smashed-in faces such as pugs and bulldogs also tend to visibly pant more because of their shorter snouts. Puppy Emotions: Your puppy doesn't have to necessarily be tired to pant a lot. Puppies may also pant when they're excited, and with so much going on in a puppy's life, you can't blame them. If you're socializing your puppy and taking him to puppy classes, he's surely exposed to a whole lot of exciting sights and sounds as he discovers the world.more

Iowa-Bred Dogs Have Disease That Can Pass to Humans.

Iowa-Bred Dogs Have Disease That Can Pass to Humans.Several dogs from a small-dog breeding facility in Iowa have been confirmed to have a disease that can be passed to people, according to state veterinarian Dr. Jeff Kaisand."Canine brucellosis" affects only dogs and humans and is spread through reproductive fluids, said the Iowa Department of Public Health, USA Today reported. In dogs, signs of the disease include infertility, spontaneous abortions and stillbirths. In people, symptoms include fever, sweats, headache, joint pain and weakness, the state health department said"The threat to most pet owners is considered very low," the state's statement said. "Dog breeders, veterinary staff and anyone who comes in contact with blood, tissues and fluids during the birthing process may be at higher risk and should consult their primary care physician.".

Posh ‘natural’ pet food recalled as cats and their owners develop bovine tuberculosis.

Posh ‘natural’ pet food recalled as cats and their owners develop bovine tuberculosis.Fifty pedigree animals on a pricy gourmet diet have been taken ill and at least one has died, with two people also infected..A luxury cat food designed for pedigree pets has triggered an outbreak of a deadly strain of tuberculosis that has infected 50 cats and at least two of their owners. The “natural cat” wild venison cat food has been subjected to a nationwide recall by Natural Instinct, the company which sold it to thousands of cat owners as a healthier alternative to mass-produced pet food. It follows research by veterinary scientists at Edinburgh University who investigated why 50 cats in 30 homes around Britain had developed bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Almost all the cats were expensive pedigrees whose owners kept them indoors, meaning they had no contact with livestock or wild animals which can carry such infections. The one thing all the cats had in common was that they were fed Natural Instinct’s raw wild venison cat food which costs about £4.50 for two daily portions, compared with under 20p for a typical dried cat food. Bovine TB is related to human TB and is now so common in UK cattle that strains are infecting wildlife such as badgers, foxes and deer. Danielle Gunn-Moore, professor of feline medicine at Edinburgh University, who co-authored the research, said: “Raw meat diets could be good for cats, in theory, but there is a clear risk of infection so checks are vital. It’s not just bTB — there’s also a risk of toxoplasmosis, salmonella and other pathogens.”She and her colleagues gathered reports of bovine TB in cats in 30 households around the UK. The team had to test 90 felines and refer 100 people for tests. Two people have been found to be infected but more could emerge.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Joint Supplements for Dogs.

 Managing canine orthopedic disease with joint supplements will help your dog live comfortably.Phytotherapy (“plant medicine”) is as old as humankind.

Turmeric is a powerful spice and has recently received a great deal of attention in human medicine. It is considered a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Fish oil Fish oil are an excellent source of fatty acids, which are critical for canine health dogs cannot synthesize enough of their own, so fatty acids must be supplemented through diet. Deficiencies can lead to coat, skin, joint, and reproductive problems.

The common supplement is the cod liver oil however,this can be sourced naturally by feeding dogs with fish rich in omega 3 such as the mackerel. 

 Coconut oil. 
The benefits of coconut oil are enormous and have found usefulness in both animals and man. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid that is converted in the body to monolaurin, a monoglyceride compound with numerous beneficial properties, such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal.