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.

Prior to last weekend, I had no idea there was such thing as a doggy exercise wheel. A hamster running in a wheel, I get. A dog running in a wheel seems silly.

Why not just ensure Fido’s dog health by taking him for a walk?

Before last weekend I also had no idea there was such thing as a T-shirt that purports to aid pet health by reducing a dog’s level of anxiety. I contemplated buying one for my neurotic Chihuahua, but quickly determined strapping her into a tight, form-fitting doggy tee would likely make her neurosis worse.

The creative pet health items noted above were just a few of the many booths I sauntered by at the AVMA convention last week in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the Pets Best Insurance team made the trip to participate as exhibitors.

We received a fantastic response from the veterinary community, including vets, vet technicians and others.

It’s always nice to hear that our pet insurance is preferred by veterinarians and their staff because of the way we pay out claims. It’s even nicer to hear that they refer us because we “always do what we say we will,” to quote one veterinarian.

Visitors to our booth happily filled out quick pet insurance surveys and also used this time to get a better understanding of how our three accident and illness pet insurance policies work, and what our BestWellness plan covers.

Each day of the convention introduced our product to new and returning pet health insurance advocates.

Overall, it was great to spend a few days mingling and chatting with the very people who see the benefit of our product on a daily basis—although I have to admit I was glad to get home to that excited, tail-wagging, neurotic Chihuahua.

The post Pets Best Insurance Promotes Pet Insurance at AVMA Convention first appeared on Puppy Blog.