Please read this section if you are or want to be a new dog owner. There is alot to read, but the more you know about caring for your dog and keeping them healthy the easier your's and your pet's life will be. The dog goes straight home! The least stress as possible! 

Concerning Health of puppies, worms (parasites), ear infections and common illnesses.

After 30 years of being in the dog and animal world and working for the late great Ernie Hosltein (he broke me first trapping and rounding up feral cats at the age of 15), to being the guy in the dog bite suite, you can imagine I’ve seen and heard it all…so I am sharing all of this based on that experience, plus the experience of other seasoned breeders and trainers who have even more experience than I do!

Remember puppies are babies and need care, just like human babies. The puppy goes straight home! Do not bring the puppy shopping or to see people! Treat it as a human baby, it is a baby and will get stressed out!

First if you let your dogs enjoy the outdoors (and pick up things in their mouths that they shouldn’t!) , there are certain things you can never get away from…that is parasites and worms. (Never walk the dog till the vet tells you it is OK). We disinfect with “Triple Two” disinfectant (the one used in hospitals!) and or bleach and vinegar every day. Also please take your pup or dog to the vet for a “well visit” when you get home because puppies can reinfest themselves in even the most sterile environments as ours (they don’t exactly watch where they walk or what they put in their mouths!)…a visitor or you can walk into your house with eggs or spores on your shoes, and it can be transferred to the pups.  Some spores are airborne….some are in rain water, tap water and some are in puddles outside in the yard.  This is why we are proactive in every way…and also ask you to be as well. 

Certain bacteria, such as coccidia & giardia may not even show up in a stool sample, and can lie dormant for years even. But when a pup or dog comes under stress…these bacteria replicate and can then show up after your pup goes home…it is not due to neglect or unsanitary conditions on the part of the breeder…these are animals, and these things happen. We change our dogs water 4 times a day to ensure fresh water is available at all times. We refuse to keep our pups and dogs in kennels and crates all day…this is not a natural environment or life for a dog. We like them to be involved with our family, indoor life, and exercise on a daily basis! Some people come here daily to just to play with the puppies and walk the dogs.

Just as we humans transfer flu, colds, and other viruses and germs to each other, why would we expect it to be any different with dogs?  I’m sure you would never blame a young mother for her “unsanitary conditions” as the reason her child is sick, and make her feel guilty…why would you do so with a dog?  We have had clients literally FREAK over a common puppy parasite or worm, even though our DVM and their vet assure them and say “what’s the big deal? This is normal. ” Sometimes one more worming after a pup goes home is needed. This is when reinfestation is minimal.

Also, there are mites that live on the hair follicles of all humans and all animals as well also at times it flares up when under stress…this can happen also, although this is rare…we also administer all available flea/tick/mite medication on the market in all our dogs on a regular basis to prevent infestation. All puppies ears are cleaned everyday, if you do not clean the puppies ears they will get an ear infection! I love when people call me up to say "my puppy has an ear infection..." Just clean the puppies ears, please. 

Unfortunately, some people expect their puppy to be 100% perfect, and expect them to be 100% free of anything.  We are dealing with living things….and I often stand astounded at how PEOPLE screen breeders and their animals, yet which of us EVER interviewed our partners or future spouses on all health conditions in their immediate and extended families, and eliminated them as candidates for EVER producing children, with them, based on this?…It sounds bizarre, but people literally don’t think of this when it comes to their dogs…we have to actually be more discriminating with our genetic screenings and clearances than you and I are with people…amazing but true…but please don’t miss my point, we are dealing with living things in a world that is not free of germs or diseases and this is why the puppy must go straight home.  

Facts:  Surveys show that 85% of kennel dogs , 50% of pups, and 20% of other well-cared dogs carry giardia at some time in their life.  This can be picked up from water, the air, or transmission from human to dog, or dog to dog.

Coccidia is in the intestinal lining of every dog, when under stress, it tends to replicate, and even when it does not show itself on a fecal float, it will appear suddenly after a pup goes home, due to puppy stress in the new environment.  You may be given a 7 to14 day regimen of Albon as a preventative when your pup goes home to prevent this. Please administer it exactly as given by your Vet.

Roundworms – Most pups are born with them…sometimes (very rarely) not…all. USDA breeders start treating puppies at 2 weeks old and shots at 4 weeks.

FACT: Hookworms, whipworms are common intestinal worms.

You may want to try some more natural approaches to preventing and treating your pet's ear infections.

Dogs and cats have an incredible sense of hearing. To protect their hearing and prevent damage to the ear drum, their ear canals are L-shaped.  The problem with this design is that it allows the ears to trap parasites, moisture, debris, and earwax, and any of these can lead to ear infections. Up to 80 percent of ear problems in dogs are linked to allergies, and earmites are often the cause of infection in cats and dogs. We clean the ears of every puppy everyday.

The traditional treatment for ear infections is to give antibiotics, antifungal medications or other drugs.  The problem with this approach is that drugs upset the normal chemistry inside the ear and can possibly turn a simple infection into a long-term problem. It makes more sense to deal with underlying allergies and strengthen the immune system so that it is able to fight bacteria and other germs BEFORE they cause infection. Also, there are many natural treatments for cleaning the ears and stopping infections without using drugs.

These are the Signs of an Ear Infection:

• Pet shakes head or holds it to one side.  
•  Pet scratches or rubs ears, or rubs head against furniture or
  carpet.  
• There is a yellow, brown or black discharge in one or both ears.
• Ears smell bad or are tender or red.

The Solutions

• Clean the ears with vinegar - 
  If your pet's ears are filled with brownish-pink wax, there is a good chance that allergies have caused a yeast infection.  To clear up yeast infections, clean the ears thoroughly. Veterinarians often recommend using white vinegar, also called acetic acid, because it removes dirt and debris and helps restore a healthy chemical balance in the ears.
  Diluted vinegar works well. When using vinegar, pour a small amount onto a Q-tip and clean the ear canal, massage the area, then gently wipe the inside of the ear with a cotton ball. Do this once a day until the ear is better.
• Stop infections with pau d'arco - 
  The herb pau d'arco, which comes from the inner bark of a South American tree, is a natural antibiotic that quickly kills fungi and bacteria.  At the first sign of infection, mix equal parts pau d'arco tincture and mineral oil or olive oil and put several drops in your pet's ears. Give the drops two or three times a day for several days.  Reduce inflammation with vitamin C - The adrenal glands produce a natural steroid that can help reduce inflammation when ears get
  infected.  Giving pets vitamin C can help the adrenal glands work more efficiently. Pets weighing under 15 pounds can take between 100 and 250 milligrams of vitamin C a day.  Cats and dogs 15 to 50 pounds can take 250 to 500 milligrams a day, and larger dogs can take 500 milligrams two or three times a day.  Vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so you may have to cut back the dose until you find an amount that your pet will tolerate.  
• Eliminate toxins with a healthy, all natural diet - Giving your pet a healthy, homemade diet or high quality commercial food that doesn't contain  corn, additives or preservatives can greatly reduce the amount of wax that the ears produce, while also helping to boost the immune system.
• Air out the ears - Increasing air circulation inside the ears can control the growth of bacteria, yeast and fungi.  Trim or pluck hair inside the ears periodically to allow more air to get inside.
• Strengthen the digestive tract - Supplements such as bromelain and quercetin (with bromelain) can help prevent an allergic response in the gastrointestinal tract, making food allergies less of a problem.
• Stop ear mites with oil - When an infection is caused by ear mites, putting a few drops of almond oil, olive oil or mineral oil in each ear will smother the mites and may allow the infection to heal. You usually need to continue the oil treatments for three to four weeks, putting three to seven drops of oil into the ear canals each day.  To help the treatment work more efficiently, clean wax and other debris from the ears before using oil.
• Try an over-the-counter remedy - One of the best ways to stop ear mites is with over-the-counter products containing pyrethrins. Made from chrysanthemums, pyrethrins are natural insecticides that are very safe to use.  Just follow the instructions on the label.

When to Call the Vet

Ear infections can look and smell awful, but they usually affect only the outer part of the ear and aren't too serious.  If you're unable to get to the source of the problem (especially if your pet is still scratching a lot), you will want to see your veterinarian to find out what is causing the problem. Vigorous scratching can break blood vessels in the earflap, causing the entire ear to swell like a balloon.  This condition is called hematoma and must be drained by a veterinarian to prevent permanent damage.

Other symptoms to watch out for include head tilting, clumsiness, walking in circles or drooping eyes.  These are signs of an inner-ear infection, and must be treated by a vet.  Your pet will probably need antibiotics to knock out the infection.  In addition, your vet may need to drain pus and other fluids from inside the ear!

Understanding your puppy or dog:         

Housebreaking your new puppy is going to take patience. You should begin to housebreak as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Puppies need to relieve themselves approximately six times a day. A puppy should be taken out immediately after each meal since a full stomach puts pressure on the colon and bladder.

A puppy is not physically able to control the muscle that allows him to "hold it" until he is about 12 weeks of age.  Before this time, good housebreaking routines should be practiced to avoid having your puppy urinate and defecate all over your house.  Watch for signs of urination or defecation, such as turning in circles.  Take your puppy out often.  Using a crate or confining your puppy to a small part of the house that has easy clean up floors are some ways to ensure your puppy does not urinate all over your house.  It is much harder to housebreak a puppy if he smells it's urine in places you do not wish him to relief himself.

There are many different methods in which you can housebreak your pet. Whichever way you choose, it is important to understand your puppy. Dogs want to please; the trick is to make them understand what it is you want from them.

Dogs do not think the way humans do. When you are unhappy with your dog, it assumes that whatever it is doing at the exact moment you show disapproval - is the thing that is upsetting you. For example:

If your puppy relieves himself on your floor and you show your disapproval five minutes after he has committed the act, the puppy will think that the mess on the floor is bad.  He will not relate to the fact that it was the act of relieving himself on your floor that you disapprove of. The dog will eliminate, see the mess and get worried; you are now going to be unhappy. This is the reason so many dogs will relieve themselves in inappropriate places and look really guilty about it, yet they continue to do it. Dogs want to please, right?

Some owners start to think that their dog is being sneaky when really it does not fully understand what it is doing wrong. It knows the mess upsets you but does not understand that it should stop "making" the mess. To your dog, these two things:  "the mess" and "the act"are unrelated. The trick is to catch your dog in the act and make him understand. You do not need to hit your dog. The tone of your voice is enough to make the dog see you are unhappy. A firm "No! You are not  allowed to go in the house. No! No!" is all that is needed. Immediately take your dog outside to the appropriate place. Wait for your dog to go again and when and if he does, praise him. Important: Always praise your dog after he eliminates in the appropriate place.

Sorry but puppies are not made in a factory in China. They need care and must be taken of. Puppies are born with worms and get colds and ear infections and stomach aches and diahrrea just like human baby's do.You must know how to care for them please read the following.
Please Educate yourself on the care of your new puppy it is a living being and needs care and love.You must know how to raise your puppy they are baby animals that need special care attention.

New Puppy owners Plesae read the following Information on Giardia & Coccidia this information you must know!

Giardia (gee-ARE-dee-uh)

What is Giardia?

Giardia is a germ that causes diarrhea. Giardia is found in infected peoples stool and cannot be seen by the naked eye. We all get it and most puppies and dogs get. This germ is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time.

Why should I be concerned about Giardia?

During the past two decades, Giardia has become recognized as one of the mostcommon causes of waterborne illness (drinking water and recreational water) in the United States. The germ is found in every part of the United States and the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLI2WeUGWlc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8UTpc37Wx8&feature=related

How is Giardia spread at aquatic facilities?

Giardia is not spread by contact with blood. Giardia can be spread:

• By swallowing recreational water contaminated with Giardia. Recreational water is water from swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams even tap water that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
• Accidentally swallowing something that has come in contact with the stool of a person or animal infected with Giardia.
• By swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces (such as lounge chairs, picnic tables, bathroom fixtures, changing tables) contaminated with stool from an infected person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQcxbAs0DQk&feature=related

How do I protect myself and my family?

Healthy Swimming behaviors are needed to protect you and your kids from recreational water illnesses (RWIs) and will help stop germs from getting in the pool in the first place.

Here are six steps that promote Healthy Swimming:

Three Steps for All Swimmers to keep germs from causing RWIs:

Please don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.

• Please don't swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
• Please practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three Steps for Parents of Young Kids

Keep germs out of the pool:

• Please take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.
• Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool.
• Please wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before they go swimming. Invisible amounts of fecal matter can end up in the pool.

What is Giardiasis?

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a parasitic protozoan (single celled organism) called Giardia lamblia. These protozoans are found in the intestines of many animals, including dogs and humans. This microscopic parasite clings to the surface of the intestine, or floats free in the mucous lining the intestine. Veterinary research documents suggest that 10% to 15% of all dogs in North America have giardiasis at any given time. Surveys also show that about 14% of the adult dog population and over 30% of dogs under one year of age were infected at some point during their life, and thus contributed to passing along this intestinal infection to other dogs. Another Vet research article I found suggests that 85% of kennel dogs, 50% of pups, and 10% of well-cared for dogs carry giardia.

Life cycle of Giardia

Giardia occur in two forms: a motile feeding stage that lives in the intestine, and a non-motile cyst stage that passes in the feces. The giardia trophozoite- which is the active stage of the organism - inhabits the small intestine of the dog. The trophozoite stage is tear-drop shaped, inucleated, and has four pairs of flagella. It attaches to the cells of the intestine with its adhesive disc and rapidly divides to produce a whole population of trophozoites. As they detach they may be swept down the intestine. If intestinal flow is fast then they may appear in the feces. However, if they have time, encystment occurs as the parasite travels to the large intestine. The cystis fairly resistant, and can survive for several months outside of a host's body as long as sufficient moisture is provided. The cyst is oblong in shape with four nuclei that are sometimes distinctly visible. Mature cysts are usually found in the feces of infected animals. Other animals become infected by ingesting the cysts that passed from the body in feces. These ingested cysts then break open inside the small intestine to release the motile feeding stage (trophozoite). Giardia increase their numbers by each organism dividing in half which is called binary fission.

How did my dog get Giardia?

Giardia lives and reproduces in the small intestine of host animals. Giardia trophozoites, the free living stage of the organism, form infective cysts that are passed out in the feces. If the cysts are present in a wet or damp environment they can survive in a viable state for a few weeks to several months. Giardia infections are transmitted via ingestion of trophozoites or cysts in contaminated water or food. If a giardia cyst is ingested, the cyst wall is broken down during the digestive process and the trophozoite stage begins to colonize the upper small intestine. Transmission also occurs by direct contact, especially with asymptomatic carriers. More recently, giardiasis has also been recognized as being able to be sexually transmitted. Giardia is so prevalent throughout North America because it is highly contagious. The ingestion of as few as one or more giardia cysts may cause the disease, as contrasted to most bacterial illnesses where hundreds to thousands of organisms must be consumed to produce illness.

What harm does Giardia do to my dog?

Giardia causes its unpleasant effects on the body not by invading the tissues, but simply by being in the way. It multiplies to the point where it sort of paves thelining ofthe intestine and blocks normal digestion (malabsorption). This causes only partially digested food to get lower in the digestive tract than it should, causing diarrhea.

How can I be sure my dog has Giardia?

Diagnosing giardia is not easy. Diagnosis can be done in one of two ways: via fecal sample by a Vet or via educated evaluation of clinical findings by the breeder/owner or the Vet. Via fecal sample is not straightforward. Even when a flare is at it's worst, the cysts will not be shedding in every single stool. Therefore, a negative report does not rule out giardia. The most thorough way to assess is to collect a sample from every single stool produced for 48 to 72 hours and have a Vet examine it using the giardia testkit.

The giardia test is a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA for the rapid detection of Giardia lamblia cysts antigen in stool specimens and serves as an in vitro aid in the diagnosis of giardiasis.

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How can infection be treated for less?

Infection may be treated using one of a number of different drugs that are available through Vet Supply Stores. The treatment of choice is often with Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl). Metronidazole has two interesting properties--the action is largely confined to the gut and it also seems to stimulate the local immune system. Metronidazole kills off the giardia and reduces the numbers to the level the dog's immune system can handle. This is my first choice for treating giardiasis in puppies.You can purchurse the Metronidazole tablet from Lambert Vet Supply or Cal Pet Supply without a prescription and for a whole lot less money. I have seen Vet bills charging as much as $50.00 for a 5 day supply of 250 mg tablets. if in a pinch you can also buy a product called FISH-ZOLE which is simply the prescription Metronidazole (Rx) bottled and labeled for fish tank use. It is a bottle of 250 mg x 100 tablets of Metronidazole (Flagyl) for around $10. These tablets are the exact same tablets that you get when your Vet prescribes this drug to your dogs. Let me make this clear, these are the exact same tablets: same size, same color, and even same markings.

A Recommended Dosage: For adult dogs (25 lbs) One 250 mg tablet twice per day for puppies (8-12 lbs) one-half of a 250 mg tablet twice per dayfor a total of 5 days. In 5 days,your puppy will be 100% FREE from giardiasis, and this is also the dosage which is recommended by most vets.

Alternatively, you may want to use Fenbendazole (Safe-Guard) since you are likely already purchasing large amounts of this inexpensive and very safe medication as a treatment for deworming your dogs.The exact same dosage and three-day deworming treatment 1cc per 5lbs. using Fenbendazole for deworming puppies will also rid your puppy of the Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. They cause disease most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).

As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.

How are coccidia transmitted?

A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within the young animal's intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.

From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.

What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?

The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.

Most infected puppies encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.

It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. Remember, the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home.

What are the risks?

Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.

What is the treatment of coccidiosis?

Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of one to three weeks are usually required.

How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled?

Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.Insect and rodent control is very important in preventing coccidiosis.The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.

Coccidia in dogs and puppies

Young puppies are frequently infected with coccidia and often develop active Coccidiosis-- even puppies obtained from diligent professional breeders. Infected puppies almost always have received the parasite from their mother's feces. Typically, healthy adult animals shedding the parasite's oocysts in their feces will be asymptomatic because of their developed immune systems. However, undeveloped immune systems make puppies more susceptible. Further, stressors such as new owners, travel, weather changes, and unsanitary conditions are believed to activate infections in susceptible animals.

Symptoms in young dogs are universal: at some point around 2-3 months of age, an infected dog develops persistently loose stools. This diarrhea proceeds to stool containing liquid, thick mucus, and light colored fecal matter. As that any pup under 4 months old with these symptoms can almost surely be assumed to have coccidiosis.

Fortunately, the treatment is inexpensive, extremely effective, and routine. A veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease through low-powered microscopicexamination of an affected dog's feces, which usually will be replete with oocysts. One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced to such a level that the dog's immune system can make its own progress against the infection. Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the dog will most likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects.feces, which usually will be replete with oocysts. One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced to such a level that the dog's immune system can make its own progress against the infection. Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the dog will most likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects.

Diarrhea in Dogs and Puppies

All dogs, at one point or another have had a bout of diarrhea. Most diarrhea lasts a couple days, however when loose bowels continue over a long period of time it is a cause for concern; especially if the diarrhea gets severe, and is uncontrolled liquid squirts. Think of the dog as your baby (human). If your baby has a soft stool in his/her diaper, it may not be a cause for you to seek your doctors advice. For instance, if you have tried a new food which upset the baby's belly. If this is the case for your puppy, it may be fine for you to treat it at home. However, if your baby, had uncontrolled diarrhea, you would seek a medical doctor's advise, as there could be an underlying cause. Like a baby, a puppy can dehydrate FAST from severe diarrhea. REMEMBER, diarrhea can be mild or severe and the treatments differ.In a young puppy, diarrhea can be caused by viruses and parasites. A stool sample to the vet is a good idea to check for Coccidia, Giardia, Trichomonas or other infections.Normally breeders do not worm pups till 3 weeks, but some do it at 2 weeks. When worms become active, it can cause diarrhea. If the diarrhea worsens, even after using a worming medicine, you may need to check for coccidia. The incubation period is 13 days, and the Dams often carry it. They would come in contact from the Dam at birth, or shortly after. They are not born with it. If a 13 day old puppy has diarrhea, it often means coccidia. This requires vet medicine to treat. It can be found in a stool sample.

Some dogs/puppies can get diarrhea from the excitement/stress of being away and then coming home.

Some dogs get doggy flu bugs, others may eat a strange food and cause stomach upset.

Diarrhea from change is common. You need to deal with it and not ignore it.

Ignoring diarrhea in a puppy lowers the immune system, and can dehydrate even an adult dog.

Puppies can get a bug much easier if they are down and weak, so diarrhea is not something to ignore.

Ask your vet for a sheet on what to do for diarrhea. Each vet has slightly different versions but they all have a sheet, as it is common.

The following home remedy is for early onset diarrhea. A dog with severe diarrhea, needs Vet attention, as he needs fluids.

The greatest worry with ongoing diarrhea is dehydration.

If you are treating the early onset of diarrhea, and the dog is not showing ANY signs of dehydration, you need to fast the dog for a day - no water no food. (I find that a full 24 hours is to long for a puppy under 8 months, and you may want to give her some bland food throughout the day, (rice and chicken), and a bit of water and then NOTHING until the next morning), small pups try 12 hours. This rests the tummy. For a dog or pup with secondary severe diarrhea (uncontrolled liquid squirts), omitting the water is NOT an option, they MUST have fluids, if dehydration is happening. But if dehydration is not a problem, and diarrhea is early onset, and controlled, omitting water for a bit helps. 12 hours is usually ok for a puppy. It is just to give the tummy a rest. This is easier done at night.

BUT... If the puppy has severe diarrhea, (progressed into more Serious Diarrhea), and dehydration could be a secondary problem, YOU MUST give the puppy water, or better yet, pedialac, or sub fluids (lactate ringer), under the skin intravenously, (talk to your vet). Mild diarrhea is soft stools, or pudding texture, serious diarrhea, is projectile, uncontrolled watery texture - LIQUID SQUIRTS.

It can sometimes be hard to determine the cause of diarrhea unless further testing is done. It is a good idea to take a stool sample to your vet, if diarrhea, cannot be stopped in a couple days, OR if it has blood in it, or if it is watery squirts.

It is important to consume the same amount of fluids as the volume that has been lost in order to prevent dehydration.

So, if your dog has a couple runny poops, omitting water for a bit is ok. (For EARLY onset diarrhea.) To stop diarrhea, before it progresses to secondary severe diarrhea.

BUT... If the diarrhea, has turned secondary, and is coming out as fast as you put fluids in, intravenous may be needed. DO NOT OMIT water on a dog, with uncontrolled severe diarrhea.

Diarrhea can be treated at home in the early stages, and if caught early, turned around. The key with diarrhea is to stop it fast, BEFORE it turns into secondary diarrhea with dehydration. Once the immune system is down, it is an invitation for other problems.

If the dog is vomiting and or has diarrhea, and is dehydrated then you must seek VET attention to administer fluids intravenously. A good test method for dehydration is, if the skin on the dog's neck stays up, when lifted and doesn't drop down instantly in place when released.
A Common RECIPE for early onset diarrhea, Pepto Bismol every 3 - 4 hours. (You will need a syringe... good luck!)
liquid pink Pepto 1/2 to a tsp each time, for every 10lbs of dog.

PEPTO BISMOL... still highly recommended by the vets. For puppies over 6 weeks old.Lowfat plain yogurt and a little bit of low fat cottage cheese is added.

Canned Pumpkin is also known to help treat diarrhea. 2nd Day: (or first day with puppies) Boil rice - 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 1 chicken breast... the chicken flavor permeates the rice, when you cook it together making them LIKE to eat it. (You can useRice Pablum). Feed ONLY the rice mixture, for the first day after fasting. REMEMBER, if your dog has secondary Diarrhea. Uncontrolled watery squirts, YOU MUST get fluids into him/her. This can be done by syringe, or intravenously.You can also usea tube of Nutri-Cal. It is a toothpaste type tube of Nutrition and Calories and will give a weak puppy, the sugars, nutrition and calories he needs. It is a very good, miracle pick me up paste.3rd Day: You can start mixing in the chopped up boiled chicken with the rice.

Worms

Colds/ URI:

At some point most dogs are going to need a dose of antibiotics, either as a preventative measure or to cure an infection of some type. Antibiotics are pretty simple and safe to use, please call Dr. Scharge, he will always give phone advice to anyone for free.

Follow three simple rules:

• 1) Use the right drugs;

• 2)Give the right dose;

• 3) Keep the dog on the medicine long enough.

How to Treat Kennel Cough in Puppies

There is no cure for kennel cough in puppies and dogs, it simply must run its course. Kennel cough is an extremely contagious virus, often contracted in kennels where there are multiple dogs, hence the name "kennel cough." The best way to treat kennel cough in puppies is to treat the symptoms, and keep the puppies comfortable.

There are several home approaches for puppy canine kennel cough treatment that can be tried for a puppy (or adult for that matter).

1) One home treatment for a puppy with kennel cough is to try Pediatric Robitussin 4x per day. This approach has been used for dogs as young as two. If your puppy does not respond, antibiotics are called for. Check the label to make sure the medicine does not contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen since these can cause liver damage. Ask your veterinarian for the correct dose (no more than 1/2 teaspoon to avoid overdose).

2) Put puppy in the bathroom for 20 minutes and vaporize with Vicks 2x a day. Do this for 4 to 5 days. If you see green mucus after 3 days, return to the Veterinarian.

Kennel Cough Vaccine

While an important part of Canine Kennel Cough treatment, vaccinations are not 100% effective. It is usually recommended for show dogs or dogs that are frequently in a kennel. After having the disease, most dogs become resistant to future occurrences. I have never given this shot to any dog i have ever owned!!

The goal with antibiotics is to hammer down the infection and not give it a chance to develop resistance before it is wiped out

This means that keeping the dog on the antibiotics long enough is critical. If a dogs starts to look better after a few days, do NOT take it off the drugs!

An antibiotic regime should last at least 7 days, and 12 days is better in most cases. The general rule of thumb is give the dog antibiotics for at least three days longer than it looks like there is a problem. If you skimp on the length of the dosage, you may really regret it later on, as the drugs you were using may no longer do the trick.

When to use antibiotics?
If your dog is bitten by a raccoon, fox or another dog, always wash out the wound well and start antibiotics immediately. If it's a groundhog bite, wash the wound out well, put some beta-iodine on it, and the dog will probably be all right in about a week or so. If it's a pretty big rip, treat it with clavamox, cephalexin or amoxicillin as a preventative.

What if antibiotics dont seem to help?
If an antibiotic doesnt start to clear up an infection after 4 days, switch to a stronger antibiotic and start the regime again from the top.

Where Can You Get Antibiotics?
Almost all human antibiotics can be used on dogs and almost everyone either has old antibiotics in their medicine cabinet or knows people that do. Look around, and you will probably find what you need. Drugs past the expiration date are going to be fine as long as they are no older than a year or so past the expiration date (even then they may be fine).

If you prefer to order your medications outright, you can order cephalexin (Fish-Flex) from most dog catalogues and it will cure 99% of your flesh wounds as well as most urinary tract and ear infections.
Cephalexin or cefalexin is sold as a fish antibiotic in dog catalogues with full-knowledge it is being used for off-label treatment in dogs. It should cost about $30 for 100 250 mg. capsules, which is a perfect dose for a terrier

Cephalexin: This is one of the best drugs for skin and wound infections and I use it for almost everything. It is easy to come by without prescription, and inexpensive. Two common brand names are Keflex and Celaxin, and it is often prescribed for acne. Cephalexin only comes in oral form, and the dose is 15 mg per pound of body weight, given every 8 to 12 hours depending on the severity of the problem. If you are using a maintenance dose, give it every 12 hours. If the dog has an infection already, use it every 8 hrs. Either Cephalexin or Clavamox (see below) are must have" drug for your vet kit. The fish-version of cephalexin is called cefalexin (Fish-Flex) and can be ordered in 250 mg capsules without a prescription. The 250 mg capsule is a perfect dose for a 15 pound dog.

Penicillin: If it's the capsule form, forget it unless it's the only antibiotic you have. A lot of infections are immune to penicillin, and it generally wont help a staph infection at all. If this is the only antibiotic you have and you are on a desert island, use it, but otherwise look for something stronger. Indictable penicillin is not worth the trouble when we have so many other readily available options, such as cephelaxin (Fish-Flex).

Amoxicillin: This is a general "all purpose" antibiotic that is cheap and easy to come by, but it does not knock down staph infections. The oral dosage for amoxicillin is 10 mg per pound of dog, given every 8 to 12 hours, depending on the severity of the problem. The fish-version of amoxicillin (Fish-Mox) can be ordered in 250 mg capsules without a prescription fromRevival Animal Health or any other online pet store. You probably have some old amoxicillin around the house from the last time you got sick. This is fine to use even if "expired" more than a year ago. Expiration dates on non-liquid antibiotics are a marketing tool (i.e. they encourage people to throw good drugs down the drain) and have no scientific basis -- a fact demonstrated by the U.S. military.

Clavamox: This is very similar to amoxicillin but is a bit stronger and this one will knock down a staph infection -- an important difference between the two drugs. Clavamox will also treat respiratory infections and ear infections, so it's a good all-rounder, as is cephalexin. Clavamox is only given orally. The oral dose is 6.25 mg per pound, and it comes pre-packaged in foil strips in 3 sizes. There are 62.5 mg for 10-pound puppies, 125 mg for 20 pound dogs, and 250 mg for 40-pound dogs. The most common human version of Clavamox, is called Augmentin and most parents have some old tablets around the house. Although both Clavamox and Augmentin are expensive, they are worth it because they work for a lot of different kinds of problems. Your dog may throw up on Clavamox or Augmentin this is not terribly unusual if your dog has a weak stomach. Clavamox can be ordered from http://lambriarvetsupply.com/index.plbut you will need to fax them a prescription from your vet. Again, check around the house; you may have Clavamox in your medicine cabinet.

Baytril: This is a pretty powerful antibiotic, and should only be given when other antibiotics have failed or if the dog already has a serious infection. Baytril works very well for skin, ear, wound, urinary, and mammary infections. In tablet form the dose for Baytril is 5.7 mg per 5 pounds of weight given orally twice a day (every 12 hours). For a 20 pound dog you would give one of the 22.7 mg tablets every 12 hours, or two of the 22.7 mg tablets once a day. Baytril can be ordered from http://lambriarvetsupply.com/index.pl

It is fairly expensive -- about 62 cents a pill.

If I had to have only one antibiotic in my kit, it would be Cephalexin, because it is good, available, and cheap, and the fish form (Fish-Flex or Cefalexin) can be ordered without a prescription. Cephalexin can get the job done on a bite or laceration about 99% of the time. The only advantage of Clavamox is that it works a bit better on ear infections.

If I had to chose only 2 antibiotics to have in my kit, I would chose Clavamox and Baytril. These 2 drugs are very effective, they're easy to come by, and between them they can handle almost any infection.

Blood in stool is medically known as hematochezia or melena. In hematochezia the blood is bright red meaning the it is fresh and most likely deriving from the lower intestines, typically the colon and the rectum. It is often mixed in the dog's stools. In melena, the blood in the stools causes feces to appear as black and tarry suggesting the blood is digested and coming from the upper intestinal tract. Usually, but not always, melena is more worrisome than an occasional case of hematochezia.

The causes of blood in stools can be various and they can range from minor issues such as a diet changes to severe cases such as cancer of Parvo. Below are some common causes that may be investigated by your veterinarian.

Common causes of Hematochezia

• Parvo

This is a serious disease often found in puppies. Black and tan breeds such as Rottweilers, German Shephards and Dobermans are more prone. Typically, a puppy with Parvo will exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite and blood in stools. Because this disease can be deadly, puppies suspected of having Parvo should be seen by a vet promptly.

• Parasites

Usually, this is the most common cause of blood in the stool. The most common parasites that cause blood in the stool are hookworms,whipworms, and roundworms. Protozoans such as coccidia may also cause bloody stools. With appropriate identification of the offending parasites, a vet will prescribe specific dewormers to help get rid of these annoying beings.

• Dietary indiscretions

Over eating or dietary indiscretion may irritate a dog's intestines, causing vomiting, diarrhea and bloody stools. Dogs must be switched to new foods gradually. If a diet change is done too sudden vomiting and diarrhea may take place. Other causes may be eating spoiled foods or food intolerance and allergies.

Always have a dog seen immediately if it has pale gums, becomes lethargic, has vomiting and diarrhea or is not acting its normal self. Blood in stools may turn out to be nothing, but it is always best to have the cause investigated in order to be safe rather than sorry.

Disclaimer: The above article is not be used as a diagnostic tool or as a substitute for veterinary advice. Always consult with a vet should your dog exhibit bloody stools.

mEALS & treats

Carrots are great treats!

Bacon Dog Biscuits

A simple recipe for dog biscuits. Can be made with or without meat or those that prefer veggie diets!

Ingredients

• 5 cups Whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 Eggs
• 10 tablespoon Vegetable oil or bacon fat
• 1 pinch Onion or garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 cup Cold water
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil to grease pan

Makes about 40 dog biscuits

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Mix all ingredients well. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll them into two-inch balls. Bake biscuits at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Let them cool, then store in an airtight container.

Party Pupcakes

If its your dogs birthday or you just want to make them a special treat, try this great recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 large apple
• 1 1/2 cups wheat flour
• 1/4 cup oatmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons honey 2 eggs
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

For the Frosting

• 8 oz Neufchatel Cheese (lowfat cream cheese)
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2-3 tablespoons flour

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Grease muffin tins.

Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one). Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, baking powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, blend together the yogurt, water, oil, honey, and eggs, then stir in the apple and cheese. Add to the flour mixture and stir until mixed.

Spoon into the muffin tins, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let rest in the muffin tins for a few minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.

For the frosting, combine the Neufchatel cheese (at room temperature), honey, and yogurt until smooth. Add enough flour to thicken the frosting to a good spreading consistency. Frost the pupcakes and youre ready for a doggone good party!

Makes 16-18 pupcakes. If you prefer a single-layer cake, spoon the batter into a sheet pan and bake for an extra 15-20 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean). Let the cake cool, then frost and decorate.

Thanksgiving Turkey Loaf

So youve managed to stuff yourself with more turkey than you thought possible but theres still more left?

Ingredients:

• 1 lb or 450g of left over turkey meat
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup grated carrot
• 1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons or 20g of chopped parsley

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 F or 120 C
Finely chop the cold turkey and mix all ingredients together well in a bowl.
Fill a loaf tin with the mixture lightly press the mixture into the tin.
Bake the loaf for 45 minutes

Let it cool, cut into bite-sized pieces and store in fridge!

Bad Breath Banishers

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown rice flour
• 1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (find this at drugstores, not the briquets!)
• 3 Tablespoons canola oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2/3 cup lowfat milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour and charcoal. Add all the other ingredients. Drop teaspoonfuls on oiled sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake 15-20 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Treats

1-32oz. container of vanilla yogurt
1 cup of peanut butter

1. Put the peanut butter in a microwave safe dish and microwave until melted.
2. Mix the yogurt and the melted peanut butter in a bowl.
3. Pour mixture into cupcake papers andfreeze.

A note from Kevin Schargen DVM.

Please be aware on how to the care for God's gentle friends.You must educate yourself of what is involed with resonablity of owning an animal, in order to keep them healthy and happy.Most of all for you to enjoy your pet for it's lifetime.

A Must Read For New Dog Owners Information on Worms and Parasites

Your new little puppy will dependent on you for everything including health care, and one of the biggest healthproblems that young puppies face are parasites. While we all would rather not think about parasites, most puppies will at some time experience a parasitic infection. To keep your puppy safe from a parastic infection, here is everything that you need to know about parasites and de-worming before you bring your puppy home.

Puppies usally become infected with parasites while they are in the mother's womb or through ingesting the parasites once they are born.

Roundworms and hookworms can migrate through the placenta of an infected mother and these parasites can also migrate to the mammary glands and infect the puppies when they nurse. If the mother was not consistently dewormed before she became pregnant, chances are that the puppies will have worms. Puppies may accidentally ingest parasites through soil, water and fecal matter that are carrying parasitic eggs. Roundworm and whipworm eggs are particularly resilient, and these eggs can live in soil for years. Once a puppy eats the soil, or gets contaminated soil, wateror feces on their paws and licks it off, the parasitic infection begins.

Puppies can become infected with hookworms if they accidentally ingest contaminated fecal matter through grooming; hookworms in the environment can also migrate through the skin of the paw pads and then travel to the intestines. Fleas carry tapeworms, and if a puppy eats a flea then a tapeworm infection may occur.

The most common symptoms of parasitic infection in puppies include weight loss and diarrhea. In severe infections, the puppy can become anemic and its gums may become pale. The puppy may also have a poor coat quality, a pot-bellied appearance or become easily tired.

Once a parasite infects a puppy, it can take weeks or months for the parasites to develop into adults. Before that time occurs, the parasites remain in the egg and larval stages. Deworming medications only target the adult worms; they cannot kill the egg and larval stages of the parasites. Since puppies are often exposed to a parasite multiple times, veterinarians recommend using strategic deworming procedures to ensure that the puppy is totally cleared of the infection. Puppies may accidentally ingest parasites through soil and fecal matterthat are carrying parasitic eggs. Roundworm and whipworm eggs are particularly resilient, and these eggs can live in soil for years. Once a puppy eats the soil, or gets contaminated soil or feces on their paws and licks it off, the parasitic infection begins.

Strategic deworming protocol recommends that puppies are dewormed at two, four, six, eight, and 12 weeks of age; puppies that are severely infected by one, or multiple, parasites should then be dewormed once a month until they are six months of age. If you are bringing a new puppy home, and the puppy has already been dewormed a few times, don't assume that the puppy is now clear of parasites. You should continue the strategic deworming protocol based on your puppy's age. The puppy should also receive a veterinarian examination to check for any internal parasites.

Hookworms

There are four species of hookworms that infect dogs, A. caninum is the most common hookworm and causes the worst disease. A. tubaeforme is more common in cats than dogs, and is less likely to cause severe disease than A. caninum. Dogs in the Northern states and in Canada are more likely to be infected with U. stenocephala as it prefers cold climates and A. caninum prefers warm climates.

A. caninum hookworm infestation in dogs can lead to severe anemia, especially in puppies. These hookworms have big appetites and attach to the intestine and feed on the dog's blood. The other three types of hookworms are less likely to cause severe anemia but it is a potential problem with them. Signs of hookworm infection include weight loss, pale color, black or tarry looking stools, weakness, anemia and death. In areas in which hookworms are prevalent there can be skin disease in pets associated with exposure to the larval worms as well. The following are a list of clinical signs of hookworm infestation in canines:

• Dose, age, immune status dependent; may be severe and life-threatening
  • Primarily a disease of puppies, since adult dogs exposed as puppies have a premune status due to presence of arrested larvae
• Dermatitis
• Puppy pneumonia
• Enteritis, bloody diarrhea, blood loss anemia
• Life threatening for pups - may show signs as early as 2 to 3 weeks of age in a peracute case (puppy crashes without prior signs of disease) or may occur in an acute stage at 3 weeks to weaning where there are eggs in the feces, bloody stool

Hookworms can be acquired from the mother's milk, from penetration of the skin by hookworm larvae in the environment and from eating hookworm larvae. Some vets think that it may also be transmitted during pregnancy from mothers to puppies but this is controversial.

This is a good reason to keep dogs and cats from defecating in playground areas, beaches and other places where people's skin is likely to come in contact with the ground.

Fortunately, the monthly heartworm preventatives are also effective at controlling hookworms and can provide a measure of protection against the possibility of the cutaneous larva migrans syndrome occurring in the humans that own dogs and cats on heartworm preventative medications. In areas in which heartworms are not a problem but hookworms are, it is a good idea to consider having a pet's stool examined for the presence of worm eggs once a year and when clinical signs that may indicate infestation occur.

Roundworms

Roundwormsare found in the intestine of dogs and are a major hygienic concern because they are transmissible to people. Because people get infected by ingestion of dirt contaminated with the feces of infected dogs, roundworm elimination should be the concern on every responsible pet owner. An average-sized dog passes 136 grams of feces daily and it is known that a dog with a "light" roundworm infection may pass 10,000 eggs in every gram of stool. If 12% of the 80 million dogs in America have "light" infections, 1,300 metric tons of dog feces containing 13 trillion roundworm eggs are discharged in the streets and lands of America every day!! In different surveys, 0.3 - 15% of soil samples and 7 - 31% of house yards or children's sandboxes contained roundworm eggs.

Your plan of attack to eradicate roundworm infection should be: to eliminate roundworm infection from dogs; to prevent dog defecation in areas frequented by people, and; to educate your family and friends about the risks and appropriate control measures.

Concerned pet owners should collect their pets' feces every day and place them in the garbage or burn it. Flushing the feces down the toilet is inappropriate because many eggs survive sewage treatment. There is some fear that roundworms may be passed by a puppy licking the owner. While the transmission rate through this avenue of infection is probably very, very low it is still a good idea to observe good hygiene and wash hands and faces after playing with the puppy.

Because pups may start passing eggs as early as day 21 of life, the first treatment must be administered before this age. Since reinfection is common from the environment as well as in the mother's milk, treatment must often be repeated every two weeks until the pups are 49 days old. In practical terms, this means treating pups at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Bitches should be treated at the same time as the pups since they are most often the source of the pups infection. All bitches should be presumed to be carriers of roundworms even if they have had negative fecals prior to whelping since the worms often persist in her system in a resting stage. The following list discusses how bitches carry roundworms and infect pups before they are even born:

• Roundworm larvae migrate to somatic tissue (liver and lungs), including skeletal muscle and remain there in a quiescent state
• Only resume activity in pregnant bitches following the 42nd day gestation (third trimester)
• May establish an infection of the small intestine by tracheal migration
• Usually infect the fetus via the umbilical vessels; initially they attack the pups liver, then lungs at birth
• This is the primary reason that bitches should be wormed before breeding, during the last week of gestation, and each time the pups are wormed.

Once the initial infection is treated properly it is a good idea to occasionally check a stool sample for the presence of worms or to consider prophylactically administering deworming medications if the situation seems to warrant it. It is hoped that at some point in the future a vaccine will become available for roundworm control since current control measures seem to be only marginally effective. For the present however, routine treatment of pups and bitch, as well as environmental control are necessary and essential.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are found in the intestine of dogs and are a major hygienic concern because they are transmissible to people. Dog-rabbit tapewormshave alife cycle that starts with them living in the small intestines of wild foxes, coyotes, and wolves where they produce eggs that are shed in the feces and subsequently contaminate the local environment. Rabbits then become infected by ingesting these eggs which then form hundreds or even thousands of "hydatid cysts" in the tissues. When dogs or their wild cousins eat these rabbits they can be infected with hundreds to thousands of adults. These adults latch onto the wall of the intestines and after about a month, start shedding eggs.

Infected dogs may seem clinically normal while shedding large numbers of infective eggs. The eggs are generally first seen in your dog's feces or sticking to the hair around your dog's rear. These specialized muscular egg cases are actually segments of the worm that are full of eggs and they look like a small, flattened, grain of white rice that moves. As the egg case wiggles around it is spreading thousands of tapeworm eggs which are too small for the naked-eye to see.

Adult tapeworms appear to cause very few clinical problems in dogs. However, this is the real point of concern since infected people are not as lucky. Alveolar hydatid disease in humans, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, is a very serious infection that usually involves the liver. Early in the course of the infection, patients may be misdiagnosed with other liver ailments. Involvement of other tissues, including the lungs and brain can also occur. Since over 50% of people with alveolar hydatid disease die, this is considered the most lethal worm infection that people get. It is therefore important for all dogs and cats in high-risk areas be screened for tapeworm infection. This is more difficult than it sounds since infection with Echinococcus eggs can not be readily differentiated from the more common tapeworms which do not affect people. Veterinarians finding tapeworm eggs on fecal exams usually closely examine pets for the rice-like grains known as proglottids which are found with common tapeworms but not the lethal variety.

The best defense is increased public awareness of this condition. Personal protection and hygiene are important, especially to those individuals that may contact feces from potentially-infected pets. Children are particularly at risk. Mulch that contains feces from dogs, cats, wolves or foxes should not be used on gardens.

Fortunately for pets, there are medicines that are safe and very effective for treatment.

In conclusion, Echinococcus multilocularis, may cause a mild problem in pets but if people get infected, the results can be fatal. In order to minimize the risk of human infection the public must increase its awareness of the potential complications that are associated with the parasites.

Whipworms

Surveys consistently identify whipwormsas one of the most common parasitic worms of dogs in North America, while only infrequently being reported in cats or humans. They live in the lower aspects of the intestines (the cecum and colon) where they latch on to feed. Sometimes they cause no problems at all but they may cause abdominal upset (colic) or diarrhea, often tainted by blood and mucus. When eggs are laid in the intestines, they pass into the feces and become infective within 9-10 days. When consumed by dogs the infective eggs hatch in the intestines and the larvae parasitize the intestines and matures further.

Many people do not realize that dogs do not begin to shed whipworm eggs in their stool until about 3 months after being infected. At that time each female whipworm may pass from 1000 to 4000 eggs per day into the stool. Complicating matters further are that female whipworms are long-lived, surviving for months or years in the intestines. The life cycle therefore includes a larval stage in the small intestine, an adult stage in the large intestine, and infective eggs that pass into the feces.

Diagnosis is not always easy since it depends on finding whipworm eggs in the feces. Remember that animals are infected for 3 months before they begin to shed eggs and you can appreciate the problem. Once females begin shedding eggs, they are usually recoverable by direct smears and centrifugal flotation. They are not as easily found with standard fecal evaluations. In some instances, the adult worms are actually seen attached to the lower bowel during endoscopic procedures.

Treatment is also not straightforward because of the peculiar life cycle of this parasite. Although many medicines are effective in removing adult worms, the larvae are less reliably cleared. Therefore treatment must often be repeated in 3 weeks and often, in 3 months as well, when the larvae have evolved into egg-producing adults. The biggest hindrance to effective treatment is that animals are often re-exposed to environments in which whipworm eggs are plentiful, and are thereby re-infected.

It can be difficult to control exposure to whipworm eggs on lawns or soil but concrete can be effectively disinfected. Proper disposal of egg-containing dog feces is critical.

Inexpensive Treatment

The cost to effectively keep worm infestations out of your dogs may be entirely too much if you take the dog to a Veterinarian. A Vet will use a multitude of expensive dewormers. The cost for the Veterinarian treatments along with the cost of the office visits will add up to a lot of money per year. I'll tell you what I use and do, you can use your own judgment whether you want to follow in my footsteps. This article is presented only as a documentation of how I treat canine intestinal worm infestations.

Your plan of attack to eradicate roundworm infection should be: to eliminate roundworm infection from dogs; to prevent dog defecation in areas frequented by people, and; to educate your family and friends about the risks and appropriate control measures.Concerned pet owners should collect their pets' feces every day and place them in the garbage or burn it. Flushing the feces down the toilet is inappropriate because many eggs survive sewage treatment. There is some fear that roundworms may be passed by a puppy licking the owner. While the transmission rate through this avenue of infection is probably very, very low it is still a good idea to observe good hygiene and wash hands and faces after playing with the puppy.

Because pups may start passing eggs as early as day 21 of life, the first treatment must be administered before this age. Since reinfection is common from the environment as well as in the mother's milk, treatment must often be repeated every two weeks until the pups are 49 days old. In practical terms, this means treating pups at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Bitches should be treated at the same time as the pups since they are most often the source of the pups infection. All bitches should be presumed to be carriers of roundworms even if they have had negative fecals prior to whelping since the worms often persist in her system in a resting stage. The following list discusses how bitches carry roundworms and infect pups before they are even born:

• Roundworm larvae migrate to somatic tissue (liver and lungs), including skeletal muscle and remain there in a quiescent state
• Only resume activity in pregnant bitches following the 42nd day gestation (third trimester)
• May establish an infection of the small intestine by tracheal migration
• Usually infect the fetus via the umbilical vessels; initially they attack the pups liver, then lungs at birth
• This is the primary reason that bitches should be wormed before breeding, during the last week of gestation, and each time the pups are wormed.

Once the initial infection is treated properly it is a good idea to occasionally check a stool sample for the presence of worms or to consider prophylactically administering deworming medications if the situation seems to warrant it. It is hoped that at some point in the future a vaccine will become available for roundworm control since current control measures seem to be only marginally effective. For the present however, routine treatment of pups and bitch, as well as environmental control are necessary and essential.