If your dog is having sneezing fits your vet should be able to identify the root cause of the problem. Reputable pet insurance policies will protect you financially from the costs of these visits.

Healthy dogs breathe 16-20 times per minute however this figure is often disrupted by a wide range of respiratory problems, including sneezing.[1] Canine sneezing can have a number of underlying causes. Here are four of the most common:

Allergies:
Like people, dogs can develop allergies to a wide range of substances including pollen, food, fleas, mites, and even dust. Your vet may be able to carry out an allergy test, but if they are unable to undertake tests in their own practice, they will probably refer you to a specialist who can help.

Whether these tests are carried out by your vet or by the specialist they recommend, your pet insurance should be able to cover the cost.

Tooth root problems:
Dental problems are as common in dogs as they are in people. If the root of your dog’s tooth becomes infected, the pain they can suffer is extreme. Deep infections of the root, and even the surrounding bone, can leave no visible trace on the exterior of the tooth so don’t be too hasty ruling out dental problems as a possible cause of breathing problems.

Foreign objects:
As dogs spend a lot of time sniffing around, they can get foreign objects such as grass, wood chips and other debris stuck in their airways, which can cause sneezing.

Nasal infections:
Fungal infections are a relatively common cause of nasal diseases in dogs. If this is the cause of your dog’s sneezing it will probably be accompanied by a nasal discharge.

Whatever the underlying cause, there is plenty your vet can do to investigate. In addition to a thorough physical examination, they can take x-rays of the tooth roots and nasal passages and, if necessary, examine your dog’s airways under anaesthesia for a foreign body.

Reputable pet insurance should cover the costs of treatment, whichever course of action you and your vet decide on. Once your dog is rid of their incessant sneezing, the contented calm of your home will be a breath of fresh air for you both.

[1] – vetinfo.com/dognorm.html

The post Prevent Your Pet Having Sneezing Fits first appeared on Puppy Blog.

If your dog is having sneezing fits your vet should be able to identify the root cause of the problem. Reputable pet insurance policies will protect you financially from the costs of these visits.

Healthy dogs breathe 16-20 times per minute however this figure is often disrupted by a wide range of respiratory problems, including sneezing.[1] Canine sneezing can have a number of underlying causes. Here are four of the most common:

Allergies:
Like people, dogs can develop allergies to a wide range of substances including pollen, food, fleas, mites, and even dust. Your vet may be able to carry out an allergy test, but if they are unable to undertake tests in their own practice, they will probably refer you to a specialist who can help.

Whether these tests are carried out by your vet or by the specialist they recommend, your pet insurance should be able to cover the cost.

Tooth root problems:
Dental problems are as common in dogs as they are in people. If the root of your dog’s tooth becomes infected, the pain they can suffer is extreme. Deep infections of the root, and even the surrounding bone, can leave no visible trace on the exterior of the tooth so don’t be too hasty ruling out dental problems as a possible cause of breathing problems.

Foreign objects:
As dogs spend a lot of time sniffing around, they can get foreign objects such as grass, wood chips and other debris stuck in their airways, which can cause sneezing.

Nasal infections:
Fungal infections are a relatively common cause of nasal diseases in dogs. If this is the cause of your dog’s sneezing it will probably be accompanied by a nasal discharge.

Whatever the underlying cause, there is plenty your vet can do to investigate. In addition to a thorough physical examination, they can take x-rays of the tooth roots and nasal passages and, if necessary, examine your dog’s airways under anaesthesia for a foreign body.

Reputable pet insurance should cover the costs of treatment, whichever course of action you and your vet decide on. Once your dog is rid of their incessant sneezing, the contented calm of your home will be a breath of fresh air for you both.

[1] – vetinfo.com/dognorm.html

The post Prevent Your Pet Having Sneezing Fits first appeared on Puppy Blog.

Does your dog have canine epilepsy? If so, there are five simple ways you can help reduce the severity of these attacks:

1. Have a bottle of Rescue Remedy with you, wherever the two of you may go. Rescue Remedy is an herbal, homeopathic liquid that comes in a small bottle and provides calming relaxation when placed in small dosages on the tongue. It’s sold in small bottles for about $7. You should purchase a few bottles, and have them in various locations in your home, your vehicle, and your bag for when you travel to other places. We found that it lessened the duration and severity of his seizures.

2. Avoid overstimulating your dog’s senses. A major contributor to seizures is excessive light or excessive noise that trigger a dog’s senses. Just like strobe lights are known to trigger seizures in humans, bright lights and too much noise can also trigger seizures in epileptic dogs.

You should also ask other dog owners to keep their dogs at a safe distance during a seizure. Dogs that have seizures are often seen as the weaker members of a pack, and dogs are innately designed to attack the weaker dogs, since they threaten the safety of the others. If you are indoors, turn out all the lights, be completely silent and instruct anyone else around you to be quiet as well.

3. Keep your dog safe from himself. Many canine epilepsy sufferers experience ferocious spasms that rock their entire bodies, sometimes causing the head or other parts to slam against the floor or other hard surfaces. Your dog could get hurt this way, and cause the seizure to continue longer, so you need to keep your dog’s head safe. If your dog has a seizure near a staircase, be sure he doesn’t fall down them. Make sure his airway is clear of his tongue by inspecting his throat every now and then.

4. Apply ocular compression. OC is simply an application of pressure on one or both eye balls. Many experts believe that such pressure tells the Vagus Nerve to produce the chemicals GABA and glycine, two important pieces in brain chemistry. GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, regulates the balance of chemicals in the brain and serves as an inhibitor that turns off any out of control signals to the brain, such as seizures.

5. After the seizure has ended, be sure to provide your dog with lots of attention. Epileptic seizures are scary for anyone, but imagine how your dog must feel, since he can’t even describe it to you. You will want to let your dog know how much you love him and that you will protect him. Try offering him some treats, play a game with him, or offer to go for a walk. The best gift you can give your dog and yourself after such a terrifying moment is to help him move past the moment and move on with life.

I hope these tips help you and your furry friend cope with seizures in the future. Best of luck!

The post How to Help a Dog Having a Seizure first appeared on Puppy Blog.

Does your dog have canine epilepsy? If so, there are five simple ways you can help reduce the severity of these attacks:

1. Have a bottle of Rescue Remedy with you, wherever the two of you may go. Rescue Remedy is an herbal, homeopathic liquid that comes in a small bottle and provides calming relaxation when placed in small dosages on the tongue. It’s sold in small bottles for about $7. You should purchase a few bottles, and have them in various locations in your home, your vehicle, and your bag for when you travel to other places. We found that it lessened the duration and severity of his seizures.

2. Avoid overstimulating your dog’s senses. A major contributor to seizures is excessive light or excessive noise that trigger a dog’s senses. Just like strobe lights are known to trigger seizures in humans, bright lights and too much noise can also trigger seizures in epileptic dogs.

You should also ask other dog owners to keep their dogs at a safe distance during a seizure. Dogs that have seizures are often seen as the weaker members of a pack, and dogs are innately designed to attack the weaker dogs, since they threaten the safety of the others. If you are indoors, turn out all the lights, be completely silent and instruct anyone else around you to be quiet as well.

3. Keep your dog safe from himself. Many canine epilepsy sufferers experience ferocious spasms that rock their entire bodies, sometimes causing the head or other parts to slam against the floor or other hard surfaces. Your dog could get hurt this way, and cause the seizure to continue longer, so you need to keep your dog’s head safe. If your dog has a seizure near a staircase, be sure he doesn’t fall down them. Make sure his airway is clear of his tongue by inspecting his throat every now and then.

4. Apply ocular compression. OC is simply an application of pressure on one or both eye balls. Many experts believe that such pressure tells the Vagus Nerve to produce the chemicals GABA and glycine, two important pieces in brain chemistry. GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, regulates the balance of chemicals in the brain and serves as an inhibitor that turns off any out of control signals to the brain, such as seizures.

5. After the seizure has ended, be sure to provide your dog with lots of attention. Epileptic seizures are scary for anyone, but imagine how your dog must feel, since he can’t even describe it to you. You will want to let your dog know how much you love him and that you will protect him. Try offering him some treats, play a game with him, or offer to go for a walk. The best gift you can give your dog and yourself after such a terrifying moment is to help him move past the moment and move on with life.

I hope these tips help you and your furry friend cope with seizures in the future. Best of luck!

The post How to Help a Dog Having a Seizure first appeared on Puppy Blog.

Does your dog have canine epilepsy? If so, there are five simple ways you can help reduce the severity of these attacks:

1. Have a bottle of Rescue Remedy with you, wherever the two of you may go. Rescue Remedy is an herbal, homeopathic liquid that comes in a small bottle and provides calming relaxation when placed in small dosages on the tongue. It’s sold in small bottles for about $7. You should purchase a few bottles, and have them in various locations in your home, your vehicle, and your bag for when you travel to other places. We found that it lessened the duration and severity of his seizures.

2. Avoid overstimulating your dog’s senses. A major contributor to seizures is excessive light or excessive noise that trigger a dog’s senses. Just like strobe lights are known to trigger seizures in humans, bright lights and too much noise can also trigger seizures in epileptic dogs.

You should also ask other dog owners to keep their dogs at a safe distance during a seizure. Dogs that have seizures are often seen as the weaker members of a pack, and dogs are innately designed to attack the weaker dogs, since they threaten the safety of the others. If you are indoors, turn out all the lights, be completely silent and instruct anyone else around you to be quiet as well.

3. Keep your dog safe from himself. Many canine epilepsy sufferers experience ferocious spasms that rock their entire bodies, sometimes causing the head or other parts to slam against the floor or other hard surfaces. Your dog could get hurt this way, and cause the seizure to continue longer, so you need to keep your dog’s head safe. If your dog has a seizure near a staircase, be sure he doesn’t fall down them. Make sure his airway is clear of his tongue by inspecting his throat every now and then.

4. Apply ocular compression. OC is simply an application of pressure on one or both eye balls. Many experts believe that such pressure tells the Vagus Nerve to produce the chemicals GABA and glycine, two important pieces in brain chemistry. GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, regulates the balance of chemicals in the brain and serves as an inhibitor that turns off any out of control signals to the brain, such as seizures.

5. After the seizure has ended, be sure to provide your dog with lots of attention. Epileptic seizures are scary for anyone, but imagine how your dog must feel, since he can’t even describe it to you. You will want to let your dog know how much you love him and that you will protect him. Try offering him some treats, play a game with him, or offer to go for a walk. The best gift you can give your dog and yourself after such a terrifying moment is to help him move past the moment and move on with life.

I hope these tips help you and your furry friend cope with seizures in the future. Best of luck!

The post How to Help a Dog Having a Seizure first appeared on Puppy Blog.