Potty Training & Incontinence Help for Small Dogs

February 2, 2010 by admin  
Filed under Dog Training


Granted, small dogs sometimes only make small messes. But you will pay the same carpet cleaning costs to do the room with urine stains whether it is made by a Chihuahua or a Doberman. Small dogs need the same potty training basics as any dog.

You can remember that their size might work against them in that their tiny bladders will not hold as much (or for as long) if you are late coming home for their normal potty break, especially if they experience problems like canine urinary incontinence. Like allanimals, your puppies are also susceptible to many diseases. Small dogs do not mind living in units or homes without spacious yards. They only need a little spot to do their business, so a flowerbed might be enough room. But the area has to be kept fastidiously clean and free from old dog feces. And you must maintain regularroutines for walks or letting them out into the yard for their toilet needs.

Occasionally people make fun of little dogs in their knit sweaters, but it is so much more than just a fashion statement for dogs. During the winter months in cold climates, the change from heated indoors to freezing outdoors is very fierce on a small dogs body.

The sudden chill can also distract them from the potty business and cause them to run back inside. When warm again, the urge hits and there is nowhere to go but on the rug. You can make this easier on your small dog by getting him a warm jumperfor cold weather.

Your small dog may totally refuse to go outdoors in rain or cold, even with a sweater on. This can lead to your pet experiencing the symptoms of canine urinary incontinence, among other problems like bladder infections. One of the main signsof urinary tract infection in dogs is canine urinary incontinence. Besides incontinence, other signsof canine urinary infection may include frequent urination, straining to urinate without actually passing any urine and increased thirst. These collective signs may be a result of another problem and only urinalysis and culture can confirmed the diagnosis.

You have to plan options for their hygiene, obedience training, nutrition and overall urinary and bowel wellbeing. Perhaps you can store a paper layered box in the garage as a backup potty during bad weather. Only use this for limited times during the year so that you do not discourage the dog from going outside to his selected potty spots.

If your small dog goes outdoors in a yard or in the park, be observant as to where he is walking to keep him safefrom trouble. Keep your dog away from tall grass or bushes. While he is occupied trying to sniff out the right spot, he is also easy prey for dangerous snakes in tall grass.

You also need to check the urinary health of your dog if you want to stay on top of urinary problems in dogs.

Keepers of small dogs can become insensitive to their neighbors. Just because the feces is small, it is still dog poop. Pick it up or hose it off - your neighbor did not agree to a contract with you for that kind of grass fertilizer. And remember that dog urine will also kill small bushes and the patches of grass lawn that they tend to repeatedly urinate on.

Not to mention that dog poop on their sandals may not be visible until it is already tracked onto their carpet. That will not win you an invitation to the neighbors next bar-b-q. It is your responsibility to clean up after your dog. Do not try to get out of it by claiming that it is so small it does not matter. It evidently matters to anyone who does not own the dog or the poop.

Pottytraining for small dogs is the same as for large dogs. You can begin with crate potty training and many breaks until a routine is established. It is essential though that you maintain perfect hygiene for them to prevent any urinary problems in dogs.

Bladder infection is more common in female dogs and affects the lower urinary tract. Though the urinary tract is otherwise sterile, the urethral opening, through which urine is passed out, is the entry point for the bacteria. These bacteria cause urinary tract infection in dogs. Bladder infection can occur at any age and canine urinary tract infection in puppies is also a common difficulty.

Most of the lower urinary tract infections are easy to treat and dogs usually respond well to antibiotics. Bladder infection that does not respond to antibiotics necessitates further investigation. And your dog may need to undergo an X-Ray of the bladder to confirm whether there is any formation of crystals, calculi or any indication of a tumor in the bladder.

When being potty trained, some small dogs may be temperamental because many are spoiled lap dogs. That is where the positive reinforcement of your praise and affection is even stronger - when it?s so important to your dog to please you.

If you continue to have problems potty training your small dog, it would be worth while getting it checked out, as the diagnosis of urinary tract infections is not complicated at all. A simple laboratory examination of the urine and blood often determines its prevalence. The vet may suggest a urine culture to identify the pathogen that is causing the infection to be able to prescribe the most effective antibiotic.

Since dribbling and urination in undesignated places can cause a fair amount of frustration among owners, the first attempt to cure such a condition is a complete diagnoses followed up with treatment. Treatment modalities for bacterial bladder infection are different from what is required if the difficulty is due to some other condition and therefore consulting an expert is the best option.



How to Prevent Puppy Urinary Tract Infections

October 6, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Dog Health


I don’t know about you but I’ll bet the thought of taking your puppy to the vet for recurrent urinary tract infections is not exactly enticing. Puppy urinary tract infections are painful for your puppy and expensive for pet owners. The problem is that many pet owners don’t address the problem until symptoms arise. If you work to prevent UTIs in your puppy easily and safely at home, it will save you and your dog a lot of trouble.

If you notice the signs of a urinary tract infection puppy foods made commercially should be avoided. Commercial dog food is full of artificial ingredients and minerals that can alter the pH of your dog’s urine, making it easier for bacteria to flourish. Instead, give your dog raw, unprocessed food and home cooked food.

In addition to giving your dog only healthy foods, make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, filtered water to drink. Filtered water will help your dog flush out the bacteria that cause puppy urinary tract infections. Tap water on the other hand is full of harmful chemicals like chlorine.

If you want to prevent urinary tract infection puppy care that focuses on exercise and a healthy lifestyle is very important. Many dogs do not get enough exercise in order to maintain good health and since they don’t go outside often, they hold their urine in for too long. This can lead to urinary tract infection over time. Make sure to take your dog out for a walk at least twice a day.

Diet, exercise, and sufficient intake of fresh, clean water will go a long way in preventing puppy urinary tract infections. However, if you want to give your dog maximum protection and boost his overall immune system functioning, you should give him a homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy is very helpful in both the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection.

So how do homeopathic remedies work? Homeopathic remedies contain all natural plant extracts that maintain your dog’s bladder health, urinary tract health, and a healthy flow of urine. Furthermore, homeopathic remedies strengthen your dog’s immune system so it can fight off infections more easily. When it comes to urinary tract infection puppy homeopathy is highly effective, particularly when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Best of all, homeopathic remedies are completely safe and have no risk of side effects.

Make no mistake about it. Prevention is always the best medicine when it comes to puppy urinary tract infections. If you want to keep your dog healthy and not worry at all about having to visit the vet, make sure your dog stays healthy through good diet and exercise. Most importantly, administer a homeopathic remedy. It’s the easiest and safest way to help your dog reach an optimum state of health.



Natural Healing Right from the Start: Treating and Preventing UTI’s in Puppies

September 26, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Dog Health


Puppy urinary tract infections are a common problem and one which is easy to miss until it has become serious, so owners need to remain vigilant and do whatever they can to maintain their pet’s health. One of the best ways for staying ahead of urinary tract problems is through the use of natural remedies and following a healthy daily regimen.

 

While the symptoms of urinary tract infection puppy owners should heed are the same as those in adult dogs, they can be harder to spot in puppies. Lethargy, lack of appetite and pain and tenderness in the abdomen are common symptoms but generally the most prominent symptom is frequent urination. Because puppies are still trying to control their bladders, it can be hard to distinguish regular “accidents” from frequent urination caused by uti.

 

If your puppy’s excess urination is accompanied by any of the other uti symptoms, a veterinary exam is recommended. Your vet will be able to determine if the symptoms are being caused by anything more serious and will suggest a course of treatment. In most cases of puppy urinary tract infections, this will involve a course of antibiotics but this is troubling in itself as antibiotics can actually damage a puppy’s developing immune system.

 

There are many possible causes of urinary tract infection puppy owners should be aware of. Female dogs are at more risk because of their shortened urethra, which allows transfer of bacteria that much quicker. And as they grow and experience rapid hormone changes, puppies’ ph levels can shift, making them more prone to uti’s.

 

Maintaining good health for your puppy begins with the right diet. Good quality canned food is recommended, but dry can also be used as long as you avoid foods that are mostly grain. Making sure there is some protein included will help to avoid puppy urinary tract infections by strengthening growing bodies and particularly the immune system.

 

Insuring that your puppy gets plenty of clean water is also important as proper hydration leads to regular urination. Another important tool in fighting urinary tract infection puppy owners should be aware of is the use of homeopathic treatments. Made from a special blend of herbs and other natural, plant based ingredients, these products can help to boost the immune system and balance out bacteria levels in the urinary tract.

 

Herbs such as Arctostaphylos uva ursi, Berberis vulgaris, and Cantharis can provide a safe, gentle alternative to harsh antibiotics, without the potentially harmful side effects. Used as part of a regular daily health routine, these natural products can go a long way to help your puppy grow and develop normally and avoid painful and possibly even life threatening puppy urinary tract infections.

 

Urinary tract infections are a fact of life for dog owners, but they can be avoided if you just take the right steps early on. So make sure you give your puppy the right foods and plenty of exercise and consider safe, gentle homeopathic remedies to treat any problems which do occur. With a little bit of help from Mother Nature, you can get your puppy off to a healthy start!