Tips for Fall Dog Care
The change in seasons brings new concerns for your pet, from proper diet to seasonal dangers. Below are some tips to help make the fall a good season for your dog.
Autumn is when snakes prepare for hibernation. They may be "grumpy," increasing the possibility of bites to dogs that are in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should know what venomous snakes are in your area, and where they are most likely to be found, so you can keep pets away.
The fall is a popular time to change a car's engine coolant. Ethylene glycol-based coolants are highly toxic, so clean up spills immediately. Consider switching to propylene glycol-based coolants, though not completely nontoxic, they are much less toxic than other engine coolants.
Rodenticide use increases in the fall as rodents seek shelter from cooler temperatures by moving indoors. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets. If ingested, the results could be fatal. So beware the use of rodenticides.
To help generate body heat, pets that live or spend time outdoors, should be given more food during colder seasons.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia is a painful disease that results in weak hip joint in dogs and causes inflammation and decreased flexibility. The dysplasia, which is technically improper growth of the hip, results in a loose joint that makes movement difficult for the dog if untreated. While large breeds tend to be impacted the most by dysplasia, small- and medium-sized dogs can also suffer from the condition.
Dogs that suffer from hip dysplasia will have difficulty walking up stairs, getting up from the floor or ground, show an awkward or unusual gait, and may exhibit personality changes due to the constant pain.
Diagnosis of dysplasia is normally done through x-rays and an evaluation of the dog's movement. Although there is no cure for it, treatments can help reduce the pain and symptoms of dysplasia. Depending on severity, first-course treatment usually is medication accompanied by weight and exercise management. Reduction in weight often can be the most important part of treatment.
If no progress is made, surgery may be considered. In surgery, the two main options are reshaping of the joint to alleviate pain or hip replacement. There also are products on the market to help dogs suffering from dysplasia, such as pressure-reducing pet beds, ramps, stairs, and steps built with wood, plastic, metal, or foam that help the dog get around without pain.
