Fleas can be a significant burden for dogs because the parasites cause severe itching. In addition, more and more dogs are showing an allergy to flea saliva, which causes additional health problems for the affected animals. But how does a flea saliva allergy manifest itself in dogs and what can the dog owner do about it?
Various yeast fungi live on the skin of every dog, which can multiply rapidly and trigger a fungal infection. Basically, a yeast infection in a dog indicates a weakened immune system and therefore veterinarians usually recommend a combined therapy, in which both the yeast fungi are combated and the dog’s immune system is strengthened.
As a rule, a yeast infection in dogs is manifested by a musty body odor from the animal in combination with reddening of the skin and crusting. The dog constantly scratches itself due to the intense itching caused by the yeast overgrowth on the skin. It is not uncommon for a yeast infection to occur in dogs if the animal is already suffering from another illness, such as an infectious disease or liver or kidney disease, which significantly weakens the dog’s natural defenses. If a yeast infection on the dog’s skin is not treated professionally, it can cause damage to the skin.
Yeast fungal disease on a dog’s skin can be treated with appropriate medication, shampoos or ointments. However, depending on the general condition of the dog, treatment of the yeast infection can take a long time and many animals sometimes have to be treated with the appropriate medication for the rest of their lives. As already mentioned at the beginning, the dog owner must also ensure that the weakened immune system, which is indicated by the yeast disease, is strengthened again and effectively supported in its work. This can be done, for example, with a special colostrum supplement.
As a preventive measure, the dog owner should regularly check their animal’s skin for yeast infestation and, if necessary, bathe the dog from time to time with a fungicidal shampoo. The animals’ ears must also be checked for prophylaxis, as yeast overgrowth is often found there too! Long-term support and strengthening of the immune system is generally recommended for health prophylaxis in dogs!
The lice belong to the group of ectoparasites and do not feed on the dog’s blood like fleas or ticks, but on the glandular secretions on the animal’s skin. In general, the lice do not pose a major danger, but if these fur parasites are discovered, which is not a problem to the naked eye, you should act quickly. In addition, lice are often a sure sign of problems with the dog’s general health.
Unfortunately, many dogs experience serious skeletal developmental disorders as they grow, which are particularly a problem when the developmental disorder affects bones, which are essential for their optimal function and also for balanced linear growth. The skeletal development disorders usually occur in the early years of a young dog and result from a wide variety of circumstances. You can find out more about this in the following article.
A beautiful coat on your four-legged friend is not something to be taken for granted, because both short-haired and long-haired dogs require regular care! Unfortunately, some dog owners still make the mistake of washing their dog’s fur using shampoos that are actually intended for humans. This can have a very negative effect on the health of a dog’s coat and skin, as shampoos for humans are often far too aggressive! Below are some simple tips for grooming your dog.
Skin diseases in dogs are absolutely not uncommon and skin diseases are usually extremely stressful for the animal. Skin diseases often cause severe itching and the animals’ immune systems are also put to a severe test by such diseases. The attentive dog owner can usually recognize a skin disease in their animal by severe redness of the corresponding skin region and the formation of dandruff, although these clear symptoms are not always noticed immediately, especially in animals with long fur.
As joint diseases in dogs are statistically increasing, many veterinarians are currently specializing in canine orthopedics. In fact, many dog owners now prefer to consult such a specialist who has extensive knowledge of joint diseases in dogs and also has the medical equipment required for a competent diagnosis and also for orthopedic treatment of a sick dog. Unfortunately, these dog orthopedists usually have their professional expertise paid for and the dog owner has to dig deep into their wallet!
Vaccinating a young dog in a timely manner can save the animal from serious illnesses. Puppies are advised by veterinarians to be vaccinated against various pathogens in a timely manner and a repeat vaccination when the animals are older is also recommended. Most vaccinations should also be refreshed regularly, as the effectiveness of the vaccination decreases over time. But when should which vaccinations be carried out and repeated on dogs?
Rabies is a disease caused by viruses that is fatal for dogs, other animals and humans. Fortunately, cases of rabies in Germany and neighboring countries are now relatively low, but dog owners should always take precautions against rabies infection and have their dog vaccinated regularly. But how is rabies actually transmitted and how does this disease manifest itself in dogs?
Minor health problems in dogs can often be treated very well by the dog owner themselves and without consulting a veterinarian. Of course, this requires that the dog lover also has the necessary medication and medical equipment on hand. For this reason, it is advisable to put together a small medicine cabinet for your dog, which can be used to treat small aches and pains in your four-legged friend. But in principle, if you have long-term or serious health problems, you should always consult a veterinarian! Below is a small list of the important medications and medical instruments for the dog’s first aid kit.
