A good query. So good in fact, we decided to write up a short article explaining the benefits, costs and advantages of understanding the various aspects of a pet insurance policy, with specific emphasis on lifelong pet insurance cover.

K9 Magazine’s article explains:

The costs of veterinary treatment are rising all the time as the science of veterinary medicine advances and it is common for courses of treatment to run into thousands of pounds.  When dogs get older, the chances that they will actually require treatment (and therefore need to claim on the pet insurance policy increases).

Read the article in full: Lifetime pet insurance cover.

What is Canine Bloat?

Canine bloat is a build up of gas in the stomach which is unable to be released by the dog’s intestinal system. Bloat with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists.

Bloat, sometimes referred to as a twisted gut is a more serious problem in large breed dogs. When combined with the difficulties of GDV, bloat is a leading cause of death of dogs, second only to cancer. That’s just HOW serious the condition is.

Worryingly, the exact cause of bloat is not commonly know. It’s thought that excessive eating or drinking a lot of water followed by immediate vigorous exercise could certainly be a major contributing factor.

Exercise can cause food or fluid in the stomach to produce a build up of gas. The severity of the condition is increased when the stomach twists, causing the inlet and outlet of the stomach as well as blood vessels which supply the stomach to become constricted at both ends.

As a result, the constriction will cause the stomach tissue to die and in a very short time, the stomach becomes restricted of nutrients and oxygen. If not treated, the dog will die.

The Symptoms of Gastric Torsion in Dogs / Signs To Watch Out For

We’re all hypochondriacs. We read a medical book and then have the uncanny knack of diagnosing ourselves with everything from tennis elbow to the Ebola virus. We’re just as anxious when it comes to our pets and no doubt every dog owner will recognise some of the symptoms of bloat from time to time. Usually we say, don’t worry unduly or bother the vet with misguided apprehension about our pet’s help.

With bloat, we make the exception. Early detection is absolutely critical to the dog’s chance of survival. Never be too coy to at the very least call your vet and discuss possible symptoms, which are:

    * Anxiety and restlessness
    * Distended or bloated tummy (the stomach may even sound like a water-filled barrel when tapped)
    * Attempting to vomit or actual vomiting
    * Excessive drooling
    * Whining or general lethargy
    * Lack of appetite
    * Pale gums, dull eye colour
    * Increase in heart rate.
    * Difficulty in breathing or movement

The Causes of Gastric Torsion in Dogs

There are several possible contributing factors leading to bloat such as

    * Stress and worry can create a build up of gasses in the stomach
    * Eating or drinking too fast
    * Exercise before or immediately after eating
    * Having a barrel-like chest (think Rottweiler, Mastiff, Bernese Mountain Dog etc)
    * Hereditarily contracted

Which Dog Breeds are Most at Risk of Bloat?

Canine bloat and GDV as a general rule tends to affect larger dogs but smaller dogs are still at risk. It is thought that some dogs are genetically more at risk than others and it’s always a good idea to as the breeder who supplied your dog if there is a history of bloat in the line.

Though bloat can occur in puppies, it is very rare and the condition usually occurs in adult dogs. Male dogs are more likely to suffer from bloat than female dogs and these breeds in particular are thought to be the most vulnerable to the condition:

    * German Shepherd
    * Great Dane
    * Standard Poodle
    * Rottweiler
    * Akita
    * Bloodhound
    * Pyrenean Mountain Dog
    * Bernese Mountain Dog
    * Irish Setter
    * Old English Sheepdog
    * Boxer
    * Golden Retriever
    * Irish Wolfhound
    * St. Bernards
    * Labrador Retriever
    * Newfoundland
    * Doberman

Treatment of Bloat in Dogs

Bloat is an incredibly serious and sever problem. If you suspect your dog may have even the slightest symptoms of bloat, don’t hesitate to contact your vet immediately. Every second is crucial and can be the difference between life and death.

If picked up early enough, initial treatment will involve inserting a tube into the dog’s stomach wall to release excess gas and if necessary, the vet may need to operate in an attempt to untwist the stomach. Consequent treatment may involve treating shock, dehydration, fatigue, and other complications resulting from the distension of the stomach.

Prevention of Bloat in Dogs

As there are so many possible causes for bloat, the exact one’s still largely unknown, it is very difficult to prevent bloat in individual dogs. Each case is unique and must be treated on an individual basis. If you have a dog that may be at significant risk there are some measures you can take to minimise the risks.

    * Do not overfeed.
    * Feed smaller meals through the day if possible rather than one large one in the evening
    * Do not allow your dog to drink large amounts of water immediately after eating a large meal.
    * Try not to allow your dog to exercise vigorously either directly before or, more crucially, immediately after eating. Allow the food in their system to digest a little or let them have a short toilet break on a lead.

As is often the case, arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible about your dog and their lineage if at all possible could ultimately be a life saver. Be prepared, be aware and never, ever underestimate the seriousness of the condition. ]]> http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/6518/gastric-torsion-in-dogs-canine-bloat/feed/ 1 http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/6510/dog-illness-symptom-checker/ http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/6510/dog-illness-symptom-checker/#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:29:32 +0000 Jennifer White http://www.dogmagazine.net/?p=6510
Continue Reading »]]> When our dogs start showing signs of illness, our immediate thoughts tend to guide us toward whatever resource we can access that might give us some clue as to what the illness symptoms may indicate. It’s horrible. Our dogs can’t talk but they most certainly can give us clear signs of feeling under the weather. Most of us have found ourselves at one time or another, unsure whether a trip to the vets is imminent or whether our dog’s symptoms might turn out to be non serious.

A great way to make use of the conduit between a static online dog illness symptom checker and real, direct advice from a vet (a bit like NHS direct, but for dogs) would be the service provided by JustAnswer^TM.

This is an interesting service where dog owner’s can get answers from real Veterinarians, dog experts or one of thousands of other verified professionals on a one on one level.

Give it a test drive or below:

Some of the dog illness symptoms / questions we tend to get asked:

• signs of dog illness
• dog health symptoms
• dog disease symptoms
• lyme disease symptoms
• dog arthritis symptoms
• dog distemper symptoms
• symptoms of diabetes in dogs
• symptoms of dog poisoning

So it’s clear that many dog owners are using the web to investigate various signs and symptoms of specific dog problems. If the JustAnswer service can help, we’re happy to have brought it to your attention.

Hefty vets’ fees result in many dogs and cats being put down or abandoned by owners who struggle to meet the cost of caring for them. Tough times have seen a sharp rise in the number of abandoned animals, according to the RSPCA. It reported a 57% increase in the number of abandoned animals in the 12 months to April last year as people tightened their purse-strings.

For those with sick pets, the vet’s bill can easily amount to hundreds of pounds. If your pet suffers from a debilitating lifelong condition, such as arthritis, or gets hit by a car, the cost of treatment can even reach thousands – leaving many owners with difficult choices.

The importance of insurance

Making sure you have pet insurance is one way to enable you to stump up for these costs – but many people are failing to take out cover or are giving up their existing policies in a bid to save money.

Yet unfortunately, vet fees are rising in excess of UK inflation, making it essential to ensure that you have adequate insurance. It is particularly important to insure your pedigree pet when they are puppies or kittens because if an illness or medical condition develops, it may be impossible to have it covered in a new policy as it will be regarded as a ‘pre-existing condition’.

According to Sainsbury’s Finance, around 12% of cats and dogs under the age of three suffer from some form of medical condition which may occur later in life or be linked to other conditions. Some are more susceptible than others to illness – during the first half of 2009, the number of claims Sainsbury’s received linked to the top 10 most popular pedigree dogs was around 48% of the total number it insures.

If you choose to stop your cover, or not to take it out in the first place, you should be prepared for the fact that you might have to say goodbye to your pet permanently if something goes wrong – a situation that is likely to cause much heartache.

Picking the right policy

Choosing insurance can be tricky, however, as policies vary enormously in terms of cost and the level of cover they provide.

Michael Powell, general insurance consultant at independent research company Defaqto, says: “The first most basic, and generally the cheapest option, is a policy with a ‘per condition’ limit and a 12-month time limit.

“For example, a policy will provide up to £2,000 for vets’ fees for each condition with a 12-month time limit. This means that the policyholder may claim up to £2,000 for each treatment but once the treatment costs have reached £2,000 or have exceeded the 12-month limit, no further cover is provided.

“If treatment needs to continue, the policyholder would be responsible for paying for the costs to the vet themselves.”

More comprehensive per-condition policies include higher levels of cover and aren’t time-limited: treatment for a single condition is available over the pet’s lifetime until the policy limit – often several thousand pounds – is reached.

Often the most expensive policies are those that provide an annual limit that is renewed each year – known as ‘lifetime’ policies. For example, a policy will provide cover for vets’ fees for each condition up to, say, an annual limit of £5,000. The main difference with this type of policy is that, provided the policyholder renews the policy each year, the £5,000 benefit is also renewed – but only if the pet remains within any other policy conditions, such as a maximum age limit.

Pedigree animals are usually more expensive to insure than crossbreeds, as they are more at risk from long-term conditions. As a general rule, non-pedigree cats and dogs live longer and are healthier than pure breeds.

Finally…

Bear in mind that if you make a claim on a pet insurance policy, any treatment is then classed as a ‘pre-existing condition’ and obtaining an alternative policy could mean that the new insurer excludes cover for this condition. This makes it very difficult for pet owners to shop around when their policy comes up for renewal, unless they are prepared to pay separately for any treatment regarded as a ‘pre-existing condition’.

Also, not everything will be covered by insurance. Worming, vaccinations and flea treatments are not included, for instance – so check the small print.

Loyal Shadow, who lives up to his name because he rarely leaves the side of his owner, Helen Bryce (75), was first diagnosed three-years-ago.

Update: Following the incredible number of hits to this page and enquiries from people seeking information on diabetes in dogs, we are working with a publishing partner to produce a ‘Diabetes in Dogs: Guide to Canine Diabetes’ information product. Please keep your eye on this page where we will release more info about the diabetes in dogs eBook and audio.

Unable to afford the ongoing, life-saving treatment Shadow required, Helen contacted PDSA and was able to register Shadow for treatment at the charity’s Glasgow East PetAid hospital. Shadow was put on insulin to control his blood sugar levels, which Helen now gives him twice a day. She also brings him into PDSA every month to collect his medication and for blood tests and general check-ups.

Canine Diabetes Can't Halt Shadow

Sadly, in September 2008, Shadow developed complications and his blood sugar levels caused cataracts to develop in his eyes. Over the next five months he slowly lost his sight and is now blind in both eyes.

Canine Diabetes

Helen from Croftfoot, Glasgow, was initially devastated at the diagnosis. “I thought that was the end. But the vet explained he would be fine with the right treatment.

“Shadow and I have been together for over 12 years. He was still just a puppy when we brought him home from a local rescue centre. He was quite timid and scared of men at first – even my late husband. The rescue centre told us he’d probably been mistreated. But he eventually learned to trust us both and we soon became inseparable, that’s why my husband named him Shadow, because that’s exactly what he acts like – my shadow.”

Diabetes in Dogs: No Reason for Dispair

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Dermot Mullen, says: “There is no reason why diabetic pets can’t live full, long and happy lives. Looking after a diabetic pet takes a lot of commitment from an owner as they play a vital role in their ongoing treatment at home as well as bringing them in for regular checks.”

Canine Diabetes Side Effects

Dermot continues: “Blindness is a common side-affect of diabetes. But most pets cope incredibly well with losing their sight and continue their life as they did before; Shadow is no exception.”

Helen adds: “Shadow has adapted very well since losing his sight. We still enjoy our daily walks together and he loves playing with his toys. Sometimes, when I talk to him, he leans his head to the side and looks straight at me, as though he can really see me.

“He loves visiting PDSA and especially looks forward to seeing Dermot, who has been great and taught me how to inject Shadow’s insulin. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without PDSA’s help and support.”

PDSA provides free veterinary treatment for the pets of eligible owners in need. For further information about PDSA PetAid services please call 0800 731 2502 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk

Treatment For Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes – Treatment Options For Your Diabetic Dog

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, early treatment by your veterinarian will help prevent further complications from this disease. Your pet may be saved from the painful experience of nerve damage as well as avoiding blindness. Conventional treatments will go a long way to keeping your dog healthy.

Insulin Injections

Depending upon your dog’s needs, insulin injections will be given one to two times daily.  The amount of insulin used for each dose and how often these doses are given will depend upon your veterinarian. Some dogs will be able to take tablets instead of being given shots.

Insulin doses are typically given in smaller amounts at the start of treatment so that the blood sugar levels can slowly stabilize. Under extreme circumstances this may require your dog to be treated in the hospital for a few days. If his diabetes is more stable, then your dog may receive outpatient treatment.

During this period, your dog’s blood sugar will be monitored every hour in order to determine the exact dose of insulin he will need on a regular basis.  Once the correct  measurement of insulin has been reached, your veterinarian will instruct you to monitor your dog by testing his urine and/or blood.

Proper Diet and Diabetes in Dogs

With diabetes, there is nothing more important to increase your dog’s life expectancy than with a strict diet. In fact, it is so important to your dog to eat accordingly when he has this disease, that there is a chance that his diabetes can go into full remission just from the change of diet alone.

You should be feeding your diabetic dog meals that are high in fiber and low to moderate and carbohydrates. Now is the time to start cooking your dog’s meals from the home with meats and other raw ingredients.

Before you decide what to feed him, it would be wise to consult with a holistic veterinarian who has education on nutrition.  Your goal should be to utilize food as “medication” so that hopefully one day your dog can stop taking “official” medication.

Veterinary surgeons across the UK are required under RCVS guidelines to make provision for out-of-hours emergency veterinary treatment, a commitment they have recently re-affirmed. However, it is the responsibility of animal owners to know what to do and where to go in a veterinary emergency, something which is particularly important when travelling away from home.

“Thankfully, the most eventful thing about a holiday for a pet is usually all the new and exciting places to explore,” says RCVS Vice-President Jerry Davies. “However, if an emergency does arise, pets depend on receiving prompt veterinary attention, so owners need to know in advance what to do and where to go.”

The easiest way for animal owners to find practices local to UK holiday destinations is via the College’s free online ‘Find-a-Vet’ service (www.findavet.org.uk), which can be searched by town or postcode. This also shows whether practices are accredited by the RCVS under its Practice Standards Scheme – a voluntary accreditation scheme which helps to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care.

“Outside normal practice hours, the provision of emergency veterinary treatment can vary and might well be different from that which owners are used to at home,” says Jerry. “Practices may provide emergency cover themselves, team up with other practices to look after a bigger area, or contract out to dedicated emergency service providers.”

“Practices should always be able to explain their arrangements clearly for the times when they are closed, so it’s best to give them a call beforehand to double check,” he advises. “Your usual veterinary practice may also be able to help you target a suitable practice at your holiday destination.”

So, before setting off on holiday, animal owners should remember the following:

* Use www.findavet.org.uk to locate a local veterinary practice and find out what its emergency provisions are, or ask your own vet for advice;
* Take any medication with you that your animal might already be on and the instructions for it’s use;
* Home visits are rare, even in an emergency, so be prepared to take your animal to the practice as that’s where it can usually be treated best;
* A ‘holiday’ practice will need to see your animal’s clinical records, so take your usual vet’s contact details with you;
* There is no NHS for pets: emergency treatments out-of-hours will often be more expensive (although vets are required to obtain clients’ consent for any non-emergency treatment);
* Even if you’re leaving your pet with a friend or pet-sitter, it’s still worth contacting your usual practice to double check that their arrangements for veterinary emergencies haven’t changed.

Eating too much, however, is another matter. The capacity of a pup’s stomach to hold food is phenomenal. One magazine once ran a story about a five-pound puppy that ate a five-pound ham, all but the bone! Such examples, of course, are the ultra-extreme. Adult dogs, on the other hand, can hold only about one and one-half ounces of liquid for each pound the dog weighs. Some dogs may even hold as much as two ounces per pound of body weight, but any quantities above this almost always produce vomiting.

Vomiting, like diarrhea, is often seen in puppies. Dogs at this age have the exasperating habit of eating such things as dirt, stones, sand, bedding, toys, foil, paper, socks or almost anything else they can get into their mouths. Vomiting also occurs in adults from eating bones, sour food, rubbish waste, carrion or faeces. In these cases, vomiting is a sign of gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach. Gastritis is rapidly produced by such things as rubbish waste, carrion or caustic chemicals. Most older dogs eventually learn that the foreign materials will make them sick, and stop eating them. The same dogs never seem to realise that rubbish, buried bones or sour food may do the same thing – and neither do many owners!

One of the most serious consequences of vomiting is that, once begun, vomiting can persist, even though the cause no longer exists. The usual course in such cases, if uncorrected, follows a characteristic pattern. The dog has a more or less violent seizure of vomiting that ordinarily eliminates the causative substance or object. The vomiting continues, but in a somewhat less violent nature, giving the appearance that the dog is improving.

The loss of fluids and electrolytes in the vomiting causes an imbalance and a noticeable thirst develops. Mild depression develops as well as anorexia, and the vomiting begins to become more severe. Thirst is exaggerated, loss of fluids and electrolytes is accelerated and depression becomes marked. The vomiting becomes more and more violent and the continued loss of fluids and electrolytes creates a critical imbalance. If the situation is allowed to continue uninterrupted, it may be fatal for your dog.

To help with your dog’s vomiting problem, liquid foods should be fed first. Such things as beef and chicken broth not only supply a few calories, but are excellent tor establishing many of the electrolyte balances that have been disturbed by vomiting. Within 48 hours it is usually possible to finely chop a little hard-boiled egg into the broth. Resumption of the regular diet can commence as soon as the bland foods are tolerated for at least 24 hours.

If in doubt about your dog’s vomiting, always best to book an appointment to see your vet.

Dog allergies can cause misery for our much loved pets. Symptoms of dog allergies can include watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, scratchy, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, and even hives. To keep you responding to your dog instead of reacting to him, try some of these suggestions.

Here are 6 Ways You Can Relieve Yourself

1. Restrict the areas in your home to which your dog has access.

2. Wash your bedding weekly.

3. Make sure you have your allergy shots and take any medication your doctor advises.

4. Purchase a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove allergens from your home.

5. Eliminate carpets, draperies, and stuffed furniture from the bedroom to keep your pillows, mattress, and bedding allergen free. Treat carpet and upholstered furniture in other rooms with an anti-allergen dust spray.

6. Use allergen-proof vacuum cleaner bags.

All too often, owners make the mistake of thinking that it is sufficient to leave a bowl of water or a window open for their pet but this is not enough to protect your pet from heatstroke, which can have fatal consequences.

Already this year, the RSPCA has been inundated with more than 1,400 calls from members of the public who are concerned about how a total of 1,911 dogs are coping in the hot weather.

Last year, the charity was contacted more than 4,670 times about 6,365 dogs being left in cars – this peaked in July when we took more than 1,100 calls voicing concerns about 1,545 dogs.

The Society is hoping not to see a repeat of the tragic fatalities witnessed year after year when dogs are literally cooked alive. Last June, two dogs died a horrific death after being left in a police car in Nottingham on one of the hottest days of the year.

During the Appleby Horse Hair in 2009, two dogs were literally cooked alive inside a car. The dogs’ body temperatures were so high that they exceeded the maximum thermometer reading of 42°C (108°F)

The temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C (117°F) within 60 minutes, even when the outside temperature is just 22°C (72°F).

Other Dangers Are

· Cloud cover can disappear quickly.

· All dogs will suffer, but some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs that are old, young, short nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.

· Temperatures in air conditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the air conditioning being turned off.

The most obvious sign of heat stroke in dogs is excessive panting and profuse salivation. Other signs include:

· Overly red or purple gums

· A rapid pulse

· Lack of co-ordination, reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing, seizures, vomiting or diarrhoea

· Coma or death in extreme instances

Owners who fear their dog may be suffering from heat stroke should act with great urgency. Pets should be moved to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice immediately.

· Douse your dog with cool (not cold) water. You could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, spray your dog with cool water and place him/her in the breeze of a fan. Never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver

· Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water

· Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle and then take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery

Under the Animal Welfare Act it is illegal to cause an animal unnecessary suffering. Penalties for doing so are a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a six month custodial sentence.

The RSPCA’s Top Tips To Help Keep Your Dog Safe In The Sun

1. Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.

2. Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined. If leaving your dog at home is the best option because of the weather, always ensure that his/her needs are properly catered for.

3. If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool, shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.

4. Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent, small amounts.

5. Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and could become unbearably hot.

6. Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excessive hair. Give long-coated breeds a hair-cut at the start of the summer, and later in the season if necessary.

7. Dogs need exercise, even when it is hot, but walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.

8. Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreens.

Like us humans, hay fever (inhalant dermatitis) is common in dogs, and unfortunately there is little we can do to combat it. It occurs in about 10 percent of dogs and is present in both pedigrees and cross-breeds. However, hay fever is even greater in pedigree dogs since allergies can be sometimes passed down as an inherited trait.  Certain breeds like Irish Setters, Poodles, Schnauzers, Dalmatians and many breeds of Terrier are the more common breeds to suffer.

Like people, dogs are often allergic to pollen, dust and airborne moulds. However, the biggest difference is that humans will often get runny eyes and cough and sneeze, while a dog will suffer the same and become itchy all over. This is because the histamines released by the body in response to pollen in animals are mostly released in the skin rather than in the nose and eyes.

Itching

You may notice your dog itching and scratching more than usual. This is due to the irritable particles in the air. This itching is usually concentrated in the ears, feet, groin, and armpits, though it can be spread across the entire body. Your dog may then develop a rash or ‘hotspots’ in certain areas.

Other Symptoms

Dogs with hay fever may also experience a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes – symptoms we are all too familiar with.

What Can We Do To Stop Hay Fever In Our Dogs?

Here are some top tips for reducing hay fever in your dog…

• No not walk your dog in long, tall grasses.

• Do not allow your dog free roam of the garden; sniffing in flower beds and rolling on the grass will not help your dog’s allergy. Keep them in a patio or fenced off area away from anything that may produce pollen.

• If your dog has a long coat, make sure you keep it clipped during the summer months. This will stop pollen becoming trapped in the long hairs.

• Once your dog returns from a walk or playing in the garden; give them a good brush to remove some of the pollen particles. A damp towel will also remove some of the particles trapped in their coat.

• Give your dog regular flea treatment. Fleas are also more common during the summer months and are one less thing your dog will want hiding in their coat.

• Give your dog cool and gentle baths to soothe the skin.

If your dog is still suffering with symptoms it will be advised to take them to the vet so that they can view the extent of the problems. The most common medications given by vets are anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids and antihistamines. Your vet can best determine what combination and dosage should be used.

You could also try medicated shampoos that are soothing and can provide temporary relief to inflamed skin.