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Dog Arthritis
Whenever we some see someone or something suffer (that is if we refer to a pet as a ‘thing’), then it is a heart wrenching experience and naturally we want to do everything we possibly can to alleviate that suffering as quickly as possible.
And one of the most common causes of pain in dogs is arthritis, and it can affect young dogs nearly as often as old ones. When a dog starts exhibiting signs of arthritis, there are some immediate options available to you.
Of course, get to a vet. Vets have a number of excellent remedies available and you will see relief in your pets pain almost immediately.
And there are a number of home cures that can be administered too. And that is what dogarthritistreatments.com is all about. You can find some treatments for your dog’s pain and suffering and they are only as far away as two or three days postal delivery.
In the meantime, keep giving your dog exercise. This is very important as this will keep the joints lubricated and help offset arthritis progression.
Take a few moments to look at dogarthritis.com and see some of the arthritis cures that are available to you right now and that give arthritis relief.
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Aggression and Attacking
Just about all dogs display some form of aggression at one stage and all have the capacity to bite. Aggression can be displayed for all types of reasons. In the wild, the wolf pack has an alpha pack leader and the rest of the pack sort out the rest of the pecking order. Sometimes, acts of aggression will be displayed by each of the members of the pack to assert their position in the pack by growing, showing their teeth, raising their hackles, all can be interpreted as displays of dominance. Very rarely does a full on brawl ensue. Once the pecking order is established, there is harmonic bliss. Also, if the territory of a pack is invaded, or if the pack feels threatened, they will display aggression or attack to protect their pack. This behaviour is a major concern with the domestic dog however. The family dog’s aggression can often be misinterpreted as dogs can display Fear and Dominance aggression.
Fear Aggression
The dog displaying fear or the fear biter will become aggressive if it feels threatened. The dog may display some body language to confirm its state of mind. The dog’s tail is usually between its legs, ears back on its head, bearing it’s teach and backing away. It usually will not bite unless it is cornered. This display is a clear lack of confidence as a result of an unpleasant experience or poor socialisation. The dog must be desensitised or given confidence so it learns not to fear a certain situation. The main problem in the domestic situation is aggression towards visitors or children.
Most people try to relax the dog by reassuring it in a soft tone. The dog interprets its aloofness or aggression as desirable and this only reinforces the behaviour. Usually ignoring this behaviour will benefit all concerned. By the onset of visitors or children being a prelude to a happy experience, the dog will soon learn to realise not to fear the arrival or presence of these situations. After the visitors arrive, give the visitors or children tasty titbits or withhold a portion of the daily ration so visitors or children can give it to the dog. Take the dog for a walk with the visitors. Allow the visitors to give the dog its favourite toy. Make all these experiences as pleasurable as possible until such time as the visitors/children can approach or pat the dog without any displays of aggression or fear.
The dog will soon learn that the arrival or presence of these situations will bring a pleasurable experience and will display excitement at the arrival of them.
Dominance aggression
The dominant aggressor usually has its tail held high, ear pointed, hackles raised and stands its ground or advances towards the intruder. The dog that does not growl is a dog to watch out for. These dogs may have a problem in that they see their role in the human canine pack as the alpha or higher leader in the pack and is one of that to defend the pack or its territory. It is usually the role of the alpha pack leader to decide whether physical aggression is needed. The other pack member’s role is to sound off or alert everyone else of possible danger. By reversing the roles or the owners establishing themselves as the pack leaders and using aversion techniques, the dog will learn that this behaviour is undesirable and can be much easier to control.
For this and other information about dog training, head over to www.ozdogtrainer.com.au
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When training your cat, an understanding of operant conditioning is helpful, so you are aware of what it is that you are actually doing. Essentially, operant conditioning is the basis of all animal training and essentially, all behaviors of just about everything. Operant Conditioning experimentaion was pioneered by Edward Thorndike, John Watson, and B. F. Skinner.
Us humans are even subject to the laws of operant conditioning. We got to work because we are paid. The behavior of going to work is reninforced because we receive money, so we keep going. We touch a hotplate and get burned. We have received pain which is a negative recation so therefore we won’t repeat the behavior.
There are 4 basic fundamental laws of operant conditioning that effect the strengthening or weakening of a behaviour.
Positive & Negative
In the field of behavior psychology when it applies to training, the ‘Positve’ in the Positive Reinforcement and Positive Punishment refers to the appliaction or addition of something on our part. We are adding something. For example
- giving a moresel of food (we are adding food)
- give a pat (we are adding our affection)
- we praise the cat (we are speaking, using our voice)
- we give the cat a little tap (we are adding our hand)
- we give a click with a clicker (we are adding a sound)
Essentially, we are adding something to the cat’s enivonment.
With the ‘Negative’ in the Negative Reinforcement and Negative Punishment, we are taking something away from the cat’s environment.
- we remove the cat bowl (we area taking it away)
- we remove the cat litter (we are taking it away)
- we ignore the cat (we are taking away our attention
Reinforcement & Punishment
This is a little more easy to understand. Essentially if we add or remove a stimulus that increases or strenghtens a behavior, that is reinforcment.
- give the cat a treat for sitting (positive reinforcment)
- we begin removing the litter box so the cat will go in the toilet (negative reinforcment)
If we add or remove a stilmus that reduces or weakens a behavior, that is punishment.
- we tap the cat on the bottom for scratching the furniture (positive punishment)
- we stop playing with our cat instantly as soon as it bites us (negative punishment)
Once you understand these concepts, it is really quite simple to begin training your cat, or in turn, reduce and eliminate undesireable behaviors.
To learn more about training your cat or overcoming undersireable cat behaviors, head over to cattrainingguides.com
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by Patricia Collier
Researchers estimate approximately 25-30 percent of family pets suffer from arthritis. And dipping temperatures outside can often make a pet’s arthritis pain feel more severe.
Common in humans as well, arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joint that affects the bones and causes friction at the joints, where the cartilage meets the bone.
Suspect arthritis if your dog or cat, no matter what age, exhibits the following symptoms:
Standing up slowly or limping after getting up.
Limping, especially on a leg that’s been previously injured or operated on.
Generally moving around more slowly; exhibiting less interest in being active, especially in climbing stairs or onto furniture.
A wide range of treatments is available for arthritis, from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to natural supplements.
One popular prescription medication is Rimadyl. The active ingredient in Rimadyl is Carprofen, a member of the class of NSAIDs known as "arylpropionic acids", which also include ibuprofen.
While reported helpful for pain and inflammation, frequent and prolonged use of NSAIDs has sometimes been blamed on stomach upset in both humans and animals.
Natural remedies or dietary supplements, such as glucosamine, can work to rehabilitate damaged cartilage, reduce inflammation, ease the pain and even improve an animal’s mobility.
When purchasing natural remedies, purity is important. Consumers need to do some research into the manner of delivery of the remedy, i.e., tablets, liquid, etc., and proper dosage is important because too much of natural supplements can sometimes be as ineffective as too little, or may even be dangerous.
If traditional pharmaceuticals or even natural remedies don’t bring your pet relief, there are a number of holistic treatments available, including:
Acupuncture: From traditional Chinese medicine, this method has been popular among humans since 1997 and more recently has been used to treat dogs and cats.
Massage Therapy: A method of manual manipulation which can help relax tender areas.
Hydrotherapy: The use of cold, warm, or even hot water to relax joints and reduce inflammation. The animal is usually placed in a small pool of water where an attendant can exercise the affected joints more easily.
Magnets: A 1996 study in Tokyo found magnets worked just as well as acupuncture for relief of symptoms of arthritis. This method involves using magnetized bands on different parts of the body. The bands are supposed to work with the electrical activity already present in the animal’s body to produce a change in body temperature, which is said to provide relief from inflammation and pain.
2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
| By Animal News Published: 12/27/2003 |
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Some owners have dogs that never seem to lie down and take a nap, while other owners have dogs that never wake up. There are guidelines for how much sleep humans should get, so are there guidelines for dogs? The amount of sleep your dog needs depends on, well, your dog.
Do you remember bringing home that small puppy for the first time? More than likely, he had not developed a set sleep pattern. Instead, he might have woken up in the middle of the night and tried to play with you. Dogs are descendent’s of wolves. Wolves have nocturnal tendencies, so it’s fair to assume that the tendencies are still naturally part of your puppy. Until your puppy assimilated to his environment, he may have carried such a tendency.
If you search the Internet, you will find numerous articles all claiming that dogs should sleep this many hours or that many hours per day. Basically, if you think your dog should sleep eight hours or eighteen hours, you can find a pet article to back your beliefs. So, with this multitude of information, how do you know how much sleep your pooch should really get? Some experts suggest letting your pooch decide.
If you really want to know how much your dog sleeps, then take the time to figure it out. One day when you have free time at home, such as a weekend or a day off, monitor your pet’s sleeping habits. Do not change any part of his routine; if he eats at a certain time or goes out to exercise at a certain time, then follow his schedule. By watching your pooch for a day, you can estimate how much sleep he is getting. You can only assume that he is receiving the amount of sleep he needs. If anything, now you know how much time he spends with his eyes closed.
Remember that there is a difference among sleep, laziness, and a health problem. Dogs nap throughout the day, so it’s not uncommon for him to be curled up in his bed when you get home from work. If you have a perfectly healthy dog that gets plenty of exercise, let him sleep as much as he wants! However, if your dog is inactive, then his large amounts of sleep could be considered laziness. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Thirty to forty minutes a day is preferred; although, it all depends on the rigor of the exercise. If your pooch is overweight, then it is important that you talk to your veterinarian and start a healthy diet and exercise program. If your dog has suddenly become inactive, then this could be a sign of a health problem. Normal, healthy dogs do not suddenly become lazy. Watch for other signs such as changes in amounts and frequency of eating and urination. If your dog is inactive more than one or two days, then take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. On the flip side, a dog that never sleeps can also constitute a trip to the vet.
As dogs get older, they tend to sleep more often. Sometimes, the pain from arthritis causes them to stay in one spot for a longer period of time. Whether you have a puppy or an aging dog, you should provide a clean, comfortable resting spot (or multiple spots for an older dog) throughout your home. Have a comfortable dog bed in the area where your pooch spends most of the night. Soften it with extra padding. If your pet requires more relief than look into orthopedic dog beds. If there are other areas in your home where you or your family spends a lot of time, make sure there is a spot for your pooch there, too. Dogs enjoy company, so more than likely they will follow you or be in the same room as you. There is no reason he shouldn’t have a comfortable place to lie. Also you may want to consider a pet ramp to make moving around easier for your pooch without the aches and pains.
A napping dog is normal. How much your dog sleeps should not be the concern; instead, you should make sure that sleeping is part of his day and is not caused by other problems. Remember that your dog will slow down as he ages, so it’s important that you provide him with comfortable places to relax. As long as your pooch is healthy and exercises often, there is no reason to be worried about his sleeping habits.
| By Shelly Seigler Published: 7/8/2008 |
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Many people accept acupuncture and chiropractic care as effective forms of complementary medicine. But can these techniques help animals, too? Yes, they can.
By Lana Christian
Molly, a normally playful 4-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, was in obvious pain. Somehow she had injured her back right leg. Her veterinarian thought the culprit was a pinched nerve or pulled muscle, so he prescribed muscle relaxants and steroids. No apparent improvement was seen after the full course of drug treatment, so the vet increased the steroid dose. Molly became lethargic and lost control of her bladder. In desperation, her owner asked if any other treatments were availablesuch as acupuncture and chiropractic care.
To her amazement, one veterinarian in her area offered those modalities. After a month of treatments, Molly appeared completely healed, restored to her playful self.
Is this a case of pet pampering? Not at all. Complementary medicine in all forms is practiced widely in veterinary clinics in Europe. Chiropractic care for race horses and thoroughbreds is common in the U.S. Veterinary acupuncture is on the rise in the U.S., particularly as an adjunct to anesthesiology and post-surgery care. And the trend is spreading.
Why the recent interest in complementary medicine for animals? Many people who seek these services for their pets have benefited from these treatments themselves. If pet owners find a treatment that works well for them, they will be more likely to seek out similar therapies for their petsespecially if standard treatments fail. That was true with Molly’s owner.
So how do acupuncture and chiropractic treatments work? The principle behind acupuncture is to restore balance to the body. Traditional thought is that the body possesses meridians of energy that branch into all organs. When an interruption occurs in a meridian, illness or a disabling condition can result. Today’s science theorizes that acupuncture causes neuromechanical stimulation or release of natural chemicals that can decrease pain and promote healing.
Very thin needles are inserted into selected places on an animal. Sometimes these needles have a very low-voltage electrical current applied to them. Or, the veterinarian can use small-bore hypodermic needles at acupuncture sites to inject minute amounts of vitamins and/or medicine. Molly received such injections at a few sites in her leg, back, and one place in her neck.
Chiropractic care is based on the premise that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function. Manual manipulation and adjustments of body structures, such as the spine, can help restore health. Molly’s spine was out of alignment because she "favored" her injured leg. Her injury had caused some muscles to tighten and draw up, which caused subsequent misalignment.
The attraction of both therapies is that they are surgical-free, often pain-free, and almost always drug-free. Molly couldn’t tell us if the treatments were painful at all, but her demeanor said "not." People who undergo acupuncture and chiropractic care generally agree that virtually no pain is involved, and relief is often immediate. Lasting relief comes with multiple treatments.
Half a dozen chiropractic treatments, coupled with several acupuncture treatments, were Molly’s ticket back to health. She experienced no adverse side effects as she did with standard drug treatment. (Her single "side effect" was that she memorized the route to both vet facilitiesand she made it clear that she’d much rather go to the park any day.)
Complementary medicine is not a panacea for animals (or humans). But it can be a valuable addition or alternative to standard treatment for certain conditions.
What do practitioners say about these treatments? Dr. Debbie Wilson was the moderator of the Veterinary Integrative Problem Solving (VIPS) IV course when she heard guest speaker Dr. Cindy Lankenau talk aboutand demonstrateveterinary acupuncture. Wilson was so impressed with what she saw, that she took the 160-hour certification course offered by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.
Wilson pragmatically says, "I think of acupuncture as one modality amongst many. It doesn’t replace Western medicine and surgery, especially for major conditions … But it is strongly indicated for things like musculoskeletal and postoperative pain and many chronic diseases."
Colorado State University’s new wing of its veterinary teaching hospital includes the Shipley Natural Healing Center, dedicated to complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM). The center offers teaching, hands-on experience, and scientific research. Its research can catapult CAVM from the perception of "voodoo-that-may-work" to the realm of mainstream science.
Veterinary chiropractic care will soon be taught in the new Options for Animals International Academy of Animal Chiropractic in Wellsville, Kansas. Sharon Willoughby, DVM, DC, founded the concept and the program in 1988. Her work lives on in that new facility and in the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA), a certifying agency for animal chiropractic schools and their graduates.
Standards of practice for complementary and alternative veterinary medicine vary from state to state. Consult your practitioner for advice; ask questions; and weigh all the options for optimizing your pet’s health.
| By Buzzle Staff and Agencies Published: 11/26/2005 |
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