Dogs

I’d like to know what’s best to feed my dog (not necessarily specific brand recommendations, but just guidelines) and get some general information about dog health.

www.drsfosterandsmith.com is a great site for shopping and articles, even petsmart.com or banfield.net

any major food brand website – I recommend Nutro or Royal Canin (they do a lot of research and have a fixed list of ingredients in their food, a lot of controlled things in this food as opposed to Pedigree or Purina Dog Chow)

Is the curly coated retriever dog a health breed or not?
If not a health breed please tell me what the health issue are.
Thanks

healthier than a horse

How much would it improve the health of dog breeds if all the canine clubs changed their standards from cosmetic to the dogs ability to function as the breed was intended?
Yea I feel bad for some GSD’s. They’re such a beautiful and majestic looking breed but the slope in their back can be so low I’ve seen them trip over their own feet walking. So sad!

The breed standards don’t need to change, it’s the breeders interpretation or flagrant disregard of the breed standard, that has been accepted as the *norm* by judges, which needs to change.

Breeds that were created to do a job, should be bred to do that work, & only those proven to be mentally/physically sound & capable of being trained to do the type of work the breed was originally created to do, should be allowed to add their genes to the breed as whole.

Shiny coat, bright eyes, etc. What else? What would a vet look for it if had to determine whether a dog was in good health or not?

I know that a way to tell if a dog is hydrated is to grab the skin on the back of it’s neck, and pull it (not like yank it, just tug it back gently) and let go. If it takes too long for the skin to go back to the way it was before you touched it, it is dehydrated.

I took my dog to the vet like 2 weeks ago for a vaccine (rabies). Yesterday I felt a small mass just before his knee. Could this be caused by the vaccine or should I be worried?. I know I have to take him to the vet. I just need to save some money. The mass is soft and it does not causes him any pain. What could it be?

Dogs and cats can certainly have a localised reaction to vaccines(or any injection) however it would only occur at the sight where the vaccine was given and would happen within one week of the injection.
A soft mobile mass on the leg could be a tumour either malignant or not. Lipomas are benign tumours that develop on dogs, they usually develop slowly over months to years. However a fast growing mass would usually indicazte something more serious. Watch the mass and if it grows rapidly or changes in anyway take to vet for a fine needle aspirate to be taken and they will look at the cyctology of it under microscope. If it looks fatty it will be a lipoma and no need to worry unless it causes trouble for your pet, however if they see cells they will need to send the cytology sample to a pathologist so that they can work out what kind of mass it is and whether surgery is required.
If I was you (and this is what I would tell clients) watch for 1-2 weeks if changes occur in size, shape or the skin near it then bring in, if not keep watch and get it looked at at next vaccination.

Dad got mad at the dog, and he wants to teach him a lesson.

I can only hope and pray that this is a joke.

It will not teach the dog a lesson. It will affect his health. And depending on the age it could actually kill the dog. (If the dog is a small puppy).

I tell you what. If you decide to starve your dog…you don’t eat until the dog does. See how it affects your state of mind and your health.

People who are cruel to animals deserve a special place in hell. Right next to the boiler room.

P.S. If this is a joke…thank you very much for ruining my Christmas. Now I will be thinking about your poor dog for days.

If you think your dog is sick, then why are you wasting time asking on here? Go to the vet and don’t waste time. The minutes it takes to get the answers could choose between life and death. So why do people come here?

I think there are a few reasons.

Sometimes it’s a common problem that will most likely right itself, like vomiting once or having a loose stool or two, or eating 2 M&M’s. It makes sense to ask for advice on those rather than run to an emergency vet, frankly. Also, often the first symptom of a disease process in a dog is something seemingly benign and non-specific, like lethargy or not finishing dinner. Could be anything in those cases, and they need to know more to have a helpful conversation with the vet.

Some people don’t realize they could phone their vet and ask the same question free of charge. They only think of the vet in terms of an office visit.

Some folks truly can’t distinguish an emergency from a non-emergency. A lot of those do run to the vet immediately once it’s explained to them.

Some got a diganosis from the vet and didn’t really understand it fully and are looking for more info regarding what it usually means.

Sometimes it’s a kid home alone for the day and they are too scared to think it through.

Very few are actually trying to dodge veterinary care and expense, although we certainly get those too. .

Please I need something, I want to do it on dogs but I want it to be really cool! I would also like to do it on health, Im allergic to nuts so if any ideas about allergies or something! Please HELP ME!

allergies is a REALLY good one. lots of dogs have allergies. Corn is a big one… as well as the main ingredient in a lot of dog foods. some have protein allergies, my pit has a chicken allergy and i have to feed him a lamb and rice food.

Dir. Sam Hearn & Richard Penfold / UK / 2006

Ben, 46, frustrated mongrel, inflamed anal glands, needs ointment. Warms hands essential.

http://www.omniproductions.co.uk/

The sequel to the international award winner; Dog Years.
http://www.dogyears.co.uk/

Sound: Voice Over by Richard Haigh
Music: Marc Rigelesford @ Magic Arm

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Duration : 0:4:41

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My family has had our dog since he was a puppy (now 6). He has always been a backyard dog, as he is half Lab and half Rot Weiler and is huge. We rarely let him go inside the house because he sheds a lot. I am thinking about getting a smaller dog just for me that I would keep indoors, but I’m not sure how my older dog would react. I mean I know he will get jealous, but I’m not sure how bad it will be or if it would start to affect his health in any way. Any thoughts?

I recently did the exact same thing! I have a dog that is mainly an outside dog. This past summer i god a smaller dog that stays inside. My outside dog is male and has never really gotten along with other male dogs..so i got a female. My dog is 6 as well. As long as you continue the same routine with your dog he should adjust. Although they are not really playmates..they get along. (outside dog is 45lbs..inside dog is 3.5lbs, but growing fast:) He might get a bit jealous…but that is just dog nature. Just give him a bit of extra love and yummy bones!! i bet he will forgive you! Health wise, we have had no problems