|
Barkley's Health Tips I have received a lot of questions from K9's, both in my email, and from networking with other K9's, about health needs of K9's. This page includes K9's Health articles. Health Equals Happiness Health equals happiness for both two legged alphas and their K9 pack members. So because K9 health depends on the knowledge and love their two legged alphas have for their K9 pack members, I am hoping that by putting health information on my web site, my fellow K9's can get their alphas to read about their health needs. There are some ways a imaginative K9 can get his or her two legged alpha to read these K9 health tips. They can set up their alphas computer's to come to my web site, as soon as they turn on their computer, or print the health information off, and leave it on their alphas key board. I could go on, but I do not want to give away too many K9 secrets, so I will just end by saying to all my K9 readers, do what ever you need to do, to get your two legged alphas to read these K9 health needs. Heart worms - Killer of K9 kids I first became aware of heartworms when I was about a year and a half old [about 10 years old in human years] when my alpha showed me a picture of a K9's heart that was filled with heartworms I was shocked and terrified by the sight. Canines are considered to be the most vulnerable beings to become infected with heartworms. To illustrate the gravity of heartworms, they grow to about the size of spaghetti, and can fill both chambers of the heart. So you can imagine the disgust and fear I felt as I looked at the picture of a K9's heart filled with these worms sticking out of this K9's heart. Heartworms [Diroflariaimmits] are parasites, they are round worms that may grow to be 14-inch-long and 1/8 inches wide as adults. These worms most often take up residence first in the arteries of the lungs as well as in the lower right chamber of the heart [the right ventricle]. In severe infestations, the worms often move into the right atrium [the chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins]. We K9's can have heartworms for several years before we show any signs of having heartworms. During this time, the female produces millions of young {microfilaria}. These microfilaria live in the bloodstream, mainly in the small blood vessels. The immature heartworms cannot complete the entire life cycle in the dog; the mosquito is required for some of the stages of the heartworm life cycle. The microfilaria are not infective [cannot grow to adulthood] in the dog, although they do cause problems. As many as 30 species of mosquitoes can transmit heartworms. The female mosquito bites a infected dog and ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal. The microfilariae develop further for 10 to 30 days more in the mosquito and are called {microfilariare}, then enter the mouth parts of the mosquito. The microfilariare are now called infective larvae because at this stage of development, thy will grow to adulthood when they enter any dog the mosquito bites. The mosquito bites the dog where the hair coat is thinnest, however having long hair does not prevent a dog from getting heartworms. When fully developed, the infective larvae enter the bloodstream and move to the heart and adjacent vessels, where they grow to maturity in 2 to 3 months and start reproducing, thereby completing the full life cycle. By the time all this has happened we have advanced heartworm disease. Some of the ways that advanced heart worm disease expresses it's self, are coughing. As well as a greatly diminished capacity for the fun stuff that we K9's love to do. Things like going for walks with our alphas, playing with our toys, and just romping for the fun of it. Advanced heart worm disease can cause a lot of problems, such as congestive heart failure. The best way to fight heart worm disease, is prevention, all this takes is a quick trip to your veterinarian, for a simple test, that will show the veterinarian whether you have heartworm disease. Then once you know that you do not, your veterinarian can give your alpha a prescription that will keep you from getting heartworms. I have taken heartworm medicine during the heartworm season for the last 12 years, and I sure am happy I did. I would have hated having my life cut short by heart- worm disease, even thought I am 84 years old in human terms, I still am enjoying my life, and having fun. So I will say once again to my K9 readers, use all your talents to get your two legged alpha to take you in to your veterinarian for a heartworm test, and the life saving prescription. Then make sure that your two legged alpha gives you the medicine when it is time for you to get it, my alpha gives me my heart worm medicine on the first day of the month. Remember Heartworms is an equal opportunity parasite, that is transmitted by mosquitoes, it can and does infect all breeds and mix breeds of us K9 kids. Thought if you have heartworms do not fear, because the veterinarian can help you. I have gotten many email from many different K9's who have recovered from heartworms infection and are doing great. They are going for walks, playing with there toys and having lots of K9 fun. The secrete is not to give up hope, and follow your veterinarians instructions Well that is all for now, the next health tip will be about other areas of K9 health problems that cause us K9's problems. And remember if you or your two legged alpha have a question on a health matter, send me an email at Barkley@wolf-gang.org, I will answer it as soon as I can, and if it over my head, I will forward it to a two leggier who can answer it for you, or give you a link to a web site on my returned email that has lots of information about the question you have asked me. Don't forget that your veterinarian can not only find out what is wrong with your beloved canine friend, he wants to and can do great deal to help your beloved canine friend. So till next time, keep
a happy bark, remember how lucky you are to be a K9. Dental Health Dental care for K9’s is very important; in the veterinary field, dental diseases are now recognizing that lack dental care cane lead to major problem for K9 kids. In K9’s two dental diseases are common. The first is gingivitis; this is where the gums become inflamed. With gingivitis the progression of the disease can be reversed. Coming in second as the next most common disease is periodontitis. This disease is a deeper inflammation of the gums that also involves permanent damage to the teeth and their supporting structures (such as the gums). Periodontitis cannot be reversed, but it can be slowed down. Reading this stuff makes me glad that my Alpha takes me to the veterinarian for dental check ups. For K9’s the most universal cause of these diseases is plaque. This sticky, soft film contains bacteria that can cause the guns of a K9 kid to become infected and inflamed. This plaque attaches to the surface of the teeth of a K9 kid, and if it is not removed regularly, the plaque will hardened into tartar. If a lot of plaque and tartar build up on the K9’s teeth serious problems can occur (such as serious generalized infections or heart and kidney disease). This just one reason that you the K9 readers need to get your Alphas to read this page, so they become aware how important it is for them to take you to the veterinary office for a dental check up. A K9 kid with dental diseases can show many different signs. The most common sign of a K9 dental problem is a K9 with bad breath. Bad breath is not normal in a K9 with a healthy mouth. The earliest signs of a dental problem include gums that are red, swollen, and sensitive and bleed easily. Plaque that has formed is a sign, but it is often hard to see on the teeth. Tartar, however, is fairly easy to see it appears as a light brown, hard material on the teeth. The teeth may become loose and start falling out if the disease has progressed far enough. These K9’s may also show coughing, gagging, and pain and discomfort while eating. A loss of appetite and weight loss are signs of dental disease, or other disease. Swelling around the face and a nasal discharge may be signs of severe dental problems. Since these diseases are similar to the dental diseases of people, K9’s have similar treatment. K9’s like two-leggers need to try to prevent dental disease by teaching there alpha's to brush their teeth regularly. The K9 must teach his two-legged Alpha the importance of brushing his k9's friend teeth and for him to using a special tooth paste made for K9’s, this is very important for the two-legged Alpha to do for his K9 friend. Next comes check ups at the veterinarian at least once a year, that way your veterinarian can determine when your K9 friend should have his teeth cleaned. The dental instruments in a veterinarian office are very much like the instruments you find in a dentist’s office. They include a scaler to remove the plaque and tartar from the K9’s teeth. As well as a polisher to even out the surfaces of the K9’s teeth, as well as many other items that veterinarian’s share with dentist for cleaning teeth. Because it is difficult for K9’s to have their teeth cleaned, they must be put under a general anesthesia to have them cleaned. This is just the basics of dental care, for a more in depth explanation talk to your veterinarian; he can answer all of your questions. But for you two-leggers looking for more in formation on the Internet, I have put several links to pages that have more in depth information. Love Barkley |
|||
| Home | |||