Saturday, March 29, 2008

Dog Diseases: A Quick Guide To Fight The Early Symptoms

Like all the domestic animals, dogs are susceptible to many diseases. So in order to keep them healthy, it is necessary to understand the various diseases they can suffer from. Here is your quick guide on common dog diseases:

Rabies: This disease is caused due to a virus which affects the central nervous system of the dog. It generally spreads through the saliva. Rabies has several stages. In the first stage, there appears some behavior changes in your dog. As it reaches the second stage, the dog becomes very aggressive and by the third stage the body parts of the dog stop coordinating with each other. Once encountered the disease, there remains no cure.

Distempter: This is considered as the biggest threat to the whole population of the dog species. The symptoms are heavy nasal discharge, congestion in the chest, weight loss, coughing, gunky eyes and diarrhea. As the disease reaches its later stages, it has a direct effect on the nervous system of the dog causing paralysis. It is a contagious disease and the virus can be encountered by the air. Even by coming in contact with the excretion of the infected dog, the healthy dog can get afflicted. Once the dog is infected, then there is no cure for the disease. This deadly disease can be prevented by giving a proper vaccination to the dog.

Bloat: It is a serious disorder in a dog, wherein there occurs a twisting in the stomach of the animal. It generally occurs due to over eating. If the dog appears restless and depressed with dry heaves, then you must treat him for bloat.

Parvovirus: This virus is a fast killer as the symptoms can be seen in the dogs within hours of the virus attack, even killing the dog within 48-72 hours. It is a contagious disease and directly attacks the intestinal tract of the dog's digestive system. The effect of the virus can also be seen on the heart of the dog. The symptoms include depression, severe form of diarrhea, vomiting and also loss of appetite. In this disease the color of the feacel matter changes and often have blood stains.

Canine Viral Hepatitis: This disease directly targets the kidney, the liver and the blood vessels of the dog. The symptoms include loss in appetite, intense thirst, vomiting and hemorrhages. The virus of the disease spreads through the faecel matter of the other dogs. The dogs can be prevented from this disease by administering them with the vaccination.

Kennel Cough: This is the most common respiratory disease among the dogs, wherein a typical kind of cough can be seen in the dogs. If given proper treatment, the disorder can be mended.

Leptospirosis: It is a bacterial disease. It spreads through the excretion of the animals. If human beings any how come in contact with this virus, they can also be infected. There is not one but several species of bacterias that produce this disease in dogs. The common symptoms of this disease are kidney inflammation, lethargy, conjuctivita, low grade fever and even sometimes clotting of blood. If the disease is more chronic the symptoms can be jaundice, pneumonia and intestinal inflammation.

Retinal Dysplasia: It is a disorder where there is an abnormal development of the retina. There occurs folds in the outer layers of the retina. It is the most common type of disease that is present in most of the breeds of dogs. A minor form of dysplasia causes minor vision problems, whereas an acute one can lead to total blindness in dogs. Cataract is also accompanied by this disorder.

Lyme Disease: It is a bacterial disease that is spread by ticks. The dog suffers from joint pains, loss of appetite, fever and lethargy. Tetracycline, an antibiotic is used for the treatment of this disease.

It is thus important to detect early symptoms of these diseases in your pet dogs and meet your vet as soon as possible. This will not only keep your dog healthy but will also keep it away from any of the life threatening diseases.

To get more information on pet dogs, dog breeds and dogs and health visit http://www.thepetdogs.com/

Are You Skilled in Working with Dogs? Use These Tips to Find and Secure Great K9 Jobs

If you love working with dogs and feel you would be very satisfied with a K9 job, then you'll want to keep reading below.

There are many K9 careers to choose from to fit your likes and capabilities. Some require certain skills and education while others only require that you love dogs! Let's explore these opportunities and how you can find the K9 career of your dreams.

Types of K9 Employment

Whether you want to be a dog trainer or a handler of dogs, or a dog caretaker, there are certain job titles you'll want to consider and understand before seeking a K9 job. Understanding the tasks and requirements of each career will help determine which job is best for you.

A dog handler usually takes the place of a dog owner at dog shows and competitions. The handler travels with dogs (sometimes as many as 10 or 12 of the same breed) and enters the dogs into shows. The handler is usually paid by the dog's owner and may even receive a commission or bonus when the dog wins a money prize. Dog handlers also take care of show contracts, grooming needs of the dogs, and the dogs' specific care and training needs while on the road.

Dog trainers teach dogs and also may teach owners how to handle their dog. Trainers often specialize in dog behavior, but may also teach dogs to hunt, compete, herd, or do rescue and special service work. A dog groomer helps with keeping a dog in good shape and well groomed for competitions. A veterinarian specializes in medical needs of dogs and other animals and must have college training.

Other jobs related to dog shows and training include dog show judges, animal behaviorist, dog sitters or walkers, and boarding kennel personnel. There are also hundreds of workers employed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) for events, education, publicity, and other club affairs.

Requirements to be a Dog Handler or Dog Trainer

Dog handling and training employment requires certain skills if you want to enter this field. You'll likely need to obtain college training and have the ability to patiently work with animals. You should be in excellent physical health for handling unruly dogs. Good communication skills are required if you plan to work in dog shows and help or educate dog owners.

Perhaps the greatest training you can ever receive is by working side by side with a professional dog trainer or handler for a while. Become an assistant or apprentice to be sure you want to get into that particular field. Ask advice and follow their lead to see if you're cut out for this type of work. Even if you love dogs deeply, K9 work is far from easy. Working with a professional will help you see the pros and cons of a K9 career. Also, watch dog videos from handlers or trainers to get an idea of what it's like.

The Professional Approach to K9 Employment

Keep in mind that K9 employment is just like any other job. You must be professional in your job search. Create a complete resume outlining your educational background, personal skills, communication skills, and K9 skills. Also, keep a record of any volunteer assistant jobs you do in the K9 career field. Be professional when going on an interview. Dress nicely and be prepared for any questions about K9 careers that might be asked during the interview.

How to Locate Great K9 Jobs

Dog handler jobs and dog trainer jobs are available across the United States and even around the world. If you want to find a K9 career locally, check your local newspaper in the classifieds or ask a local animal hospital, grooming service, veterinarian, or even the local animal control office if there are any jobs available locally. For statewide or national jobs, check dog-themed magazines, or attend dog shows to ask if there are any openings.

Also, do an online job search for K9 employment using area-specific keywords or keywords relating to the type of K9 jobs that interest you. There are also websites that specialize in K9 employment for trainers and dog handlers. Check these often to find the right job for you. You'll soon realize how rewarding working with dogs can be!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about K9 Jobs and Career Tips or Majon's Professionals directory.

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