Powder and Solution medication

Both powder and solution medication for your dog can be mixed with food. The advantages of mixing these two drug forms with food is that the dog will ingest it easier. Easier for you and the dog because some dogs don't take pills well. Another advantage of putting medication in the form of a powder or liquid in your dog's food. Is that it spreads itself out within your dog's system better. Medication that smells bad may pose problems so a stronger smelling food which you know your dog likes can be mixed with the medicine. When mixing medicine with food you must be certain that the dog eats all of the food that the medicine is in. Medicine in food has advantages and disadvantages depending on the dog. For aggressive dogs it may save you the worry of the dog not complying. In any other instance it simply is an option for dogs that dislike pills. As well as possibly being more effective and less bothersome to your dog.

The THREAT of mosquitoes and heartworm.

Mosquitoes carry heartworm and can infect your dog when they bite them. When a dog is bitten by a mosquito it can be injected with larvae which then enter the dog's system. After the larvae have molted into worms, they then enter the veins and eventually the pulmonary artery of the host which is the dog. This may cause heart failure as the flow of blood from the heart is blocked from entering the lungs. In essence the heart needs to excelerate it's function of pumping blood to the lungs and eventually may fail. Symptoms of heartworm include breathing difficulty after exercise as well as coughing. The most effective way to treat heartworm is with heartworm pills such as ivermectin which should be given to the dog during peak mosquito season. It is best to prevent heartworm before it occurs as in it's most serious stages surgery may be required. Advice Dog value's your dogs safety and recommends that you always consult a veterinarian if your dog has been exposed to many mosquitoes. Or if your canine shows the symptoms discussed in this article.

The basic commands every dog should know.

There are basic commands every dog should know. These commands will ensure that your dog stays obedient and an obedient dog is a safer and healthier dog. The commands are as follows.

• NO -- Used to stop a behavior the owner dislikes.
• SIT -- Used to control a dog that may be out of control.
• DOWN -- Used to control your dog firmly.
• HEEL -- Used to keep a dog next to you (left side) while walking.
• STAY -- Used to reinforce a dog when it is obedient.
• OK -- Used to take a dog out of sitting, staying or lying.
• COME -- Used to make a dog come to you.

Does your dog need Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in energy, liver function, kidney function and appetite. It can heal ailments of the liver and kidneys and helps form red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body and allow your dog to breathe and stay healthy. It is said that B12 is overall good for Chi or almost invisible energy. As well as converting food into energy or taking energy from food. Vitamin B12 injections probably have the best effect on your dog. However you can also find food that is rich in B12 such as beef, chicken or cheese. If you are not a fan of feeding your dog human food then injections are probably the best option. Most vitamins are completely harmless to your dog however some animals may be allergic to B12. Before you add B12 to your dogs diet please consult your veterinarian to be sure that it is the right decision.

How many rabies vaccinations are too many?

When it comes to the rabies vaccinations for our dogs. Many people know that it is mandatory because it is. Most dogs are vaccinated at 6-9 months, then again for 1 year and then for 3 years over a designated period of time. These vaccinations still may not be enough in the minds of some veterinarians. In some cases an animal may become ill or less likely to be able to fight against other illnesses when they continually receive vaccinations after the 3 year vaccine. Many people including veterinarians would agree that too many vaccines are simply not healthy. In fact it can be said that taking your animal to a veterinarian too often is detrimental to the animal. A safe alternative to a rabies vaccine after the 3 year period is a rabies titer which is a blood test that can keep track of the immunity your animal has to rabies. Though it is still controversial due to it's accuracy. This test is an option for those who don't want their animal to be given too many injections of something that they may not need. In the end it is up to the dog owner to consult with their vet to determine what is best for man's best friend.

What is the craze with the raw food diet?

Proponents of the raw food diet will tell you that the raw food is more nutritious. The simple fact is that when dog food is processed and cooked at high temperatures many of the vitamins and proteins are lost. With raw food such as hamburger or chicken. You are feeding your dog a type of food that has natural proteins and vitamins in it in their pure form. Some may argue that dogs have been eating commercial dry or wet dog food for a very long time. Commercial dog food is the norm and has been for as long as modern day food manufacturers have existed. Before commercial dog food was produced it is almost certain that the food dogs were fed was over the table or perhaps raw. With raw meat comes raw vegetables which is another form of raw food and one that is easily trusted by dog owners.

Skeptics of raw food argue that it may cause the dog to be infected with Salmonella from food particles being stuck in it's teeth and rotting. This may also be exposed to it's owner or other people. It could possibly be the only risk associated with the raw dog food diet. The emphasis of dogs most likely eating raw food over centuries when commercial food was not available. Should lead one to trust the decision of adding raw dog food to your dogs diet. One thing is for sure, the new raw dog food diet is a craze with books and businesses being produced around it's new popularity. Contaminated meat is more likely to infect your dog when it is raw. However, their have been food recalls with commercial food as well. At Advice Dog we will leave up to you to make the decision of what you feed your dog.