Time never stops, before you know it that adorable little dog you got as a pup is in need of special pet equipment to help him through the day. You have gone as far as acquiring pet accessories during his puppy years, now you are riffling through a catalogue for pet equipment. True, getting necessary items do help in keeping your old pooch comfy.

An aging pet dog characteristically suffers from stiff limbs every morning; it would relieve the stiffness by motivating your dear old’ pooch to move about a bit. Frequent petting along the length of the body is said to work touch therapy wonders for your dog. Increase frequency of grooming, since the older your dog gets the dryer his skin is. Brushing his fur will relieve the flakiness of the skin. As dogs get to be geriatric, they have added difficulty in leaping or bounding up on a couch or your bed. It is best to provide dog step aside from relocating your family get-togethers in a place accessible to your old pet dog.

As your dog exceeds middle age, it is better to consult your veterinarian about the on-set of old age. Doing so will better prepare you with what your dear pooch may go through. At times, because of misconceptions, we tend to lose patience with aged pets. A consultation with a pet professional and a veterinarian broaden our perception.

Geriatric cases often have defective eyesight, are hard of hearing and slow to move. It is also expected for old dogs to be clumsy and accident-prone. Before you throw a fit, consider imbalance as an effect of the deterioration of his important senses.

Giving old faithful the best care in his remaining days will help ease whatever pain he may be in. In turn, your pooch will show how much appreciated the acts of kindness you and your family show. Dog  Ramps are  a perfect accessory for  older pets.

As a child I’d always wonder how a dog born when I was five be older than me when I’d turn six. My parents have always answered that one human year equals seven dog years. In the 70’s this was accepted as the calculation, now it is known as “Popular Myth”. This is proven outdated since the basis of dog age today is based on dog breed and size. There is another theory called “One size fits all”, stating that the first two years of a dog’s life equals ten and a half dog years. The following years is computed as equal to four years. Again, consideration to breed and size are neglected. At present, the most accurate computation would be the “Size/ breed specific” calculations base their results on the size and breed of the dog.

A rough estimation of dog age is: 1 dog year= 10 to 15 human years. This is so, because a one-year old dog reaches its full growth and sexual maturity within a year. A dog’s second year is equal to 3 to 8 human years; this is when your dog reaches physical and mental maturity. The succeeding dog years are then equal to 4 to 5 human years.

Size and breed become significant since small dog breeds (like terriers) are said to reach geriatric age at 11 years; medium-sized dogs (spaniels) reach geriatric age at 10 years; large breed dogs (like the German Shepherd) reach old age by 8 years and giant breed dogs (the Great Dane) reach old age by 7 years. Mongrels, which differ in size and breed, hold a life expectancy of 13.5 years.

One thing I’ve noticed in the list was the larger the size, the shorter the life expectancy is. It’s safe to say that bigger dogs have more physical complaints like hip joint disabilities and arthritis.

How can dog age be so important? Knowing the age of your pooch in dog years and human years will always help dog-owners provide the proper care our pets need. There may be examinations that are needed by pets at certain ages, which are significant to disease cure or maybe prevention.

In most advertisements, the Labrador retriever is best known to connote cuddliness, playfulness and softness. Most people’s preference in dog owning is usually influenced by dog food ads or the best looking pup/ dog to model pet accessories or pet must-haves. For sure the sale of toy dogs shot up with pictures of Hollywood stars totting small dog breeds in complete pet accessories. Guilty as charged, my dog of preference was influenced by a bathroom tissue commercial.

Exploring the web made me browse about the Retriever. These dogs are part of a group of dogs that are Sporting Dogs. These include pointers, setters and spaniels.

For someone naïve about hunting, it would be easy to assume that they all serve the same purpose. As I read on, each breed has its own duty and innate or instinct function.

The Pointers are the dogs that point their body toward the game to guide the hunter. When seen in action, the pointer stands rigidly on the ground, tail straight while its nose acts like an “arrow”. These dogs also retrieve game when needed.

The Setters are dogs that also point out the game to their hunters. The difference is these breed of dogs are used in flushing out game too.

The Retrievers are known to flush out hiding game. After that they pick up and give the hunters a shot. Retrievers work on land as well as water.

The Spaniels are medium in size but full of pluckiness since they help out their hunter by diving into the bushes or brush to scare birds into flight. There is one Spaniel, the Irish Water Spaniel that retrieves ducks and other birds from the pond.

Most Sporting Dogs have been recorded to originate as early as 1000’s like the Vizsla and 1600’s like the Pointer. Isn’t it a wonder that centuries have long gone and still these breeds manifest the same aim and objective as their fore bearers.

The Sporting Dog breeds share the same gentle disposition, they are alert, clever, and they are very trainable. Since then, hunters or game stalkers have kept these breeds at home, earning them the distinction of being good family dogs too.

Nothing can be better than being prepared for any emergency. Such is true when the cause of the emergency can’t talk, nor give sign language any human can understand. Our pet dogs unfortunately get poisoned since they don’t know any better. Your pets’ reaction after ingesting unpleasant stuff is to gag or expel it from the stomach. Sometimes, you’d catch your dog munching on grass, it means it’s stomach is not doing well. If you have seen your dog do this, it is better to observe any symptoms that may need more than grass to cure.

Okay, let’s suppose your dog is showing symptoms of poisoning. Retrace where he’s been to identify the culprit.

If you have confirmed that your dog has ingested harmful substance, do not force your dog to vomit. Inducing vomiting of acids usually injures the esophagus more. Once confirmed that your dog hasn’t ingested chemicals, it is safe to induce vomiting. The only time you can’t induce vomiting is WHEN your pooch IS NOT conscious.

To induce vomiting give the following:

1 tsp. Syrup of ipecac or

1tbsp. 1:1 Hydrogen Peroxide and water

(1tsp Hydrogen Peroxide + 1tsp water solution)

1 tablet of activated charcoal will also help absorb toxins

Supposing you cannot identify what your pet dog ate, you can force your dog to swallow: egg whites, milk of magnesia or milk.

Whether you have identified what poisoning your pet dog is experiencing, be sure to call your Veterinarian. The emergency procedure that you have done is to relieve pain. Asking your veterinarian’s help is necessary for your pet dogs overall evaluation by a professional.

Just like children who can’t keep things out of their mouth. Our pet dogs are susceptible to ingesting different kinds of stuff. Sometimes your pet dog may lick toxic substances that have spilt on their coat. These poisonous substances can range from salmonella laden food, lethal chemicals, and a noxious kind of frog or foodstuff you think is harmless to pets since people eat it. Dog owners have likened their pooch to be too human that we forget that our dogs will at times eat things that may not even taste good.

It is best to keep an emergency kit for your beloved pet. The medications and preparations differ from that of your first aid kit… don’t even think of sharing!

Include in the kit a list of information that can help you out in case your dog is poisoned. Knowing the symptoms of poisoning will help you not have fits of paranoia of false alarms…

Symptoms:

Severe vomiting- it is when your dog retches in spite of emptying his stomach

Diarrhea- it is watery and bubbly, not just soft in consistency. Most times the smell or color will provide a clue on what is wrong.

Delirium- you may not know when this happens, but it is when your dog acts inappropriately

Convulsions- involuntary shaking of the dog as if chilling

Coughing- the dog knows he needs to expel something, it is persistent

Abdominal pain- some pet dogs let you know their hurting or if they are sulking, your can try rubbing his stomach. The dogs’ stomach may be hot to the touch or your pet may whine. Take necessary precautions, remember when in pain your dog may snap at you. Be gentle and have someone calm and hold him down.

There are several procedures that must be followed according to the poison your dog may have induced. Having a list of the different steps ensure that you’ll be giving your dog the proper care.

In case you are unsure of your pet’s state, it is best to bring your pet to the veterinarian. Professional and able hands make a difference.

Paying attention to certain details reduce harmful incidents that can equal pain for your pet dog. A rise in symptoms may be due to a sign of having ingested food that is deadly to him.

Studies have connected Renal Failure to consumption of grapes and raisins. As far as research goes, susceptibility varies. Dogs that have eaten more than a piece of raisin may not show ill effects, aside from vomiting. Though Renal Failure would start 3-5 days from ingestion.

Reasons to stick to manufactured dog food: onion & garlic. Both spices contain Thiosulfate, cooking or processing does not affect levels of this chemical. Frequent eating of this will cause Hemolytic Anemia. Small amounts such as baby food flavored with onion have caused deaths in puppies. Garlic itself is known to cause additional discomforts such as diarrhea and vomiting which can lead to dehydration. A home cooked meal may sound good to us humans, but dog food manufacturers have the research and resources to supply food with ample nutrients for our furry friends.

Macadamia Nuts, though rarely a favorite of dogs, are also food we should not give our dogs. Pain related to consumption is: stiffness, tremors, hyperthermia and abdominal pain. Though most dogs recover with supportive care, sparing your dog the pain is far better.

I don’t know why, but warnings about getting pet dogs intoxicated fall on deaf ears. The effect of Alcohol beverages in dogs is just the same in humans. A drunken dog may get a few laughs but bottom line is it is hazardous. Some components of Beer, like Hops also pose a threat to dogs. Hops, a plant used in brewing beer, causes Malignant Hyperthermia, which is fatal. This reaction makes your muscles contract wildly, causing friction of muscles. This produces great heat and high temperature, which can be deadly. Can you imagine the discomfort? Don’t cause your pet dog to go through this?

There is never enough information with regards to keeping out pets healthy. Sometimes there are some no-no’s we insist on doing just because there are no discernible effects. Humans and dogs share a bond strong like friendship. Since it is common for pet owners to treat their dogs literally like a person, it follows that our errors are because of our disregard.

Sadly some of the foods we enjoy eating cannot be given to our beloved pets. Sure, little Spot seems to like it…and he sure does look cute eating sticky chocolate…Dogs do love the flavor of chocolate, but in ample doses this is poison. Dogs, Cats and Horses have the same reaction to the chemicals found in this tasty treat. Three components in chocolate that are lethal are theobromine, caffeine and theophylline. Your pet does not digest theobromine, a chemical stimulant; it can stay in the bloodstream for 20 hours. Caffeine, increases blood pressure, disturbs the normal function of the central nervous system, and speeds up heart and lung action. Theophylline, also used as a drug for asthmatics, lowers blood pressure. Side effects of this drug range from diarrhea, frequent urination, and headaches. Together, these three components of chocolate cause damage and side effects contradictory to each other. Just imagine the effect on a dog’s body; its body does not breakdown this lethal “cocktail”.

Unfortunately, discomfort is the least of the pet owners problem. While writing this, I recall our family friend’s dog, ” Taffeta”. She loved chocolates too much, that she had learned to sniff out some in your pocket and bully you with cute-ness to give her some. Six years ago she showed symptoms of palpitation, shortness of breath. This was said to be signs of old age and thyroid sickness. Two years after that, she suddenly dies. I wonder if she’d be alive today if we’d not make her addicted to chocolates.