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On this page you will find information
regarding Common toxins to dogs, general health and safety tips,
and information about canine diseases as well as the
vaccinations used to protect your dog from them.
Most common toxins to dogs in homes:
•All Cleaning products
•Tylenol
•Ibuprofen
•Chocolate
•Onions
•Grapes and Raisins
•Plants
The most life threatening plants to dogs are the Azelea,
Oleander, Sago, Palm and Castor Bean
It is highly recommended that pets not be allowed to eat plants
in general. Avoidance is the safest policy
to adhere to for your pet. You can find more information about
toxins in your home on the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org.
Silver Shadow Dachshunds would like to urge those living in
areas with the colder more harsh winters to be sure to keep your
canine companions warm and protected during all harsh weather.
If you must keep your pet outside please take great care to
provide it with the best possible warm and dry shelter as well
as optimum food and fresh water at all times. Of course the best
place for your dog is inside with you as a member of the family.
GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS
**NEVER tie your canine's lead to anything while wearing a choke
type training collar of ANY kind. This is very dangerous and can
cost your dog it's life.
**Large and Giant breed dogs should be fed a dog food made
specifically for them. Fats and Proteins are adjusted to help
avoid problems with joints and/or injuries as they grow. Puppies
that have been over fed by owners trying to "bulk" them up
usually end up with joint problems and are not "bulked up" but
obese instead. Large and giant breed dogs should be fed out of
an elevated dish to help avoid bloat (gastric torsion) that can
be deadly.
**Meat based premium foods that do not contain soy, dyes, too
many cereal fillers or chemicals are the best choice for your
dog's diet. This will help avoid shedding and allergy problems.
It is NOT necessary to buy the most expensive food on the market
for your dog or to feed a raw food diet. Many commercial foods
on the market are excellent choices for your dog/puppy. Do not
get taken in by today's marketing strategies by sales people or
companies to scare owners into buying their brand of dog food or
raw food diet.
**Do not hold water back from your dog or puppy. This can cause
your dog or puppy to drink too much when finally offered water
until they have bloated themselves. Leave a water supply
available at all times for your canine and it will drink when it
needs to. Never leave your dog exposed to the hot sun or cold
weather without adequate shelter.
**Some canine breeds coats (fur) actually help protect them from
the hot sun and cold weather. By shaving these dogs coats you
may be putting them at risk for heat stroke or sun burns. If you
do not want to deal with long fur on a dog simply get a breed of
dog with a short coat.
**Short nosed breeds as the Pug, Bulldog, Boston Terrier etc.
cannot tolerate high heat or the hot sun and must be kept in a
temperature controlled environment.
**The best way to avoid costly veterinary visits is to practice
preventative grooming. Clean your dogs ears to avoid ear
infections that can become chronic, painful and costly. Clean
your dogs teeth to avoid costly surgeries to clear plaque build
up and to avoid gum disease in your canine.
**Use only canine products to groom or shampoo your canine.
**Never mix flea products with differing ingredients on your
dog. This can cause nerve damage or possible seizures from toxic
poisoning. Remember flea products contain pesticides.
**Male dogs that have been neutered have less aggression
behaviors, mark less, are less likely to roam or run off and are
less likely to develop certain cancers than intact dogs.
**Female dogs that have been spayed do not ride the hormonal
moody roller coaster un-altered females do, are less likely to
roam when in heat and have less risk of breast cancer and
uterine infections that can be deadly. It does not benefit a
female dog at all to have a single heat cycle. Most purebred
dogs are not of breeding quality. Registration papers are NOT an
indication of breeding quality. Spaying your female dog will
keep her from having unwanted litters of puppies.
***Vaccinating your dog will protect it from several deadly
diseases and viruses. It is best to not take your puppy to
locations other dogs visit until it has most of its
vaccinations. Yearly boosters are needed to keep your dog
protected. Puppies must be wormed and checked for parasites
several times to insure it is clear from all parasites that can
cause problems, sometimes serious for your puppy or dog. If you
are not sure of the protection your dog has from its
vaccinations you can ask your Veterinarian to perform a titer
test. Check with your Veterinarian for more information. The
following is a list and description of the most common viruses
veterinarians vaccinate for:
Parvovirus - The most common killer
in puppies/dogs and a very deadly virus. Resistant to all
temperatures and transmitted by air. Very contagious. The virus
can live for several months sometimes up to a year once
deposited on a location.
Adenovirus - Canine adenovirus
types 1 and 2 cause infections hepatitis and respiratory
infection. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type 1 may cause
severe kidney damage or death. Adenovirus type 2 is an important
factor in kennel cough.
Distemper - Distemper is a
widespread, often fatal neurological disorder. All dogs should
be vaccinated against canine distemper.
Parainfluenza - Canine
parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough syndrome.
Influenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise
healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.
Coronavirus - Canine Coronavirus is
a highly contagious intestinal disease causing vomiting and
diarrhea in dogs and puppies. Corona virus is more threatening
to puppies.
Rabies - This disease is
transmitted by the bite of an infected animal and once
contracted the disease attacks the dog's central nervous system
and spreads by infectious saliva. If a dog is bitten by a rabid
animal, and veterinarian treatment is received promptly a series
of injections may be given and the dog may be saved. However
once a dog shows physical signs, no cure is possible.
Canine - Leptospirosis (" Lepto ")
is a bacterial disease that is carried by common wildlife and
rodents. This disease causes high fever, jaundice, vomiting, and
in severe cases, fatal liver and kidney damage.
Bordetella - Bordetella
bronchiseptica or "Kennel Cough" is bacteria that is also a
common cause of kennel cough. Although not usually life
threatening to most healthy dogs, it is extremely infectious and
can result in a cough, bronchitis, and pneumonia lasting for
more than 3 weeks. The bordetella vaccine is given by nose drops
inhaled through the canine's nose.
Lyme Disease - Canine Lyme Disease
(borreliosis) is an infectious, tick-borne disease. It is caused
by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria called a
'spirochete.' The common deer tick is the primary carrier of
Lyme disease in the Northeast and upper Midwest. The tick Ixodex
pacificus is the primary carrier in the West.
Suggested vaccination schedule:
6/7 weeks Combination vaccine without lepto. Corona in areas
Corona is a concern.
9/10 weeks Combination vaccine with lepto. Bordetella.
12/13 weeks Combination vaccine with Lepto. Corona in areas
Corona is a concern. Bordetella.
15/16 weeks Combination vaccine with Lepto. Lyme in areas where
Lyme disease is a concern. Rabies.
Adult (1yr) DA2LPP combination vaccine. Lyme disease in areas
where it is a concern. Rabies.
Booster yearly with DA2LPP and Rabies as the laws in your area
require. In past years many have stopped giving the lepto
vaccine because of reactions to the vaccine. Since the practice
of not giving the lepto vaccine to puppies and dogs, many areas
are experiencing increasing cases of lepto once again. Your
dog's immune system, a history of adverse reactions to the lepto
vaccine, your breeders suggestions, the area you live in and the
advise of your veterinarian should all be taken into
consideration when deciding whether or not to give the lepto
vaccine to your puppy or dog. Here at Silver Shadow Dachshunds
we dot give the lepto vaccine to our dogs and have never had a
problem. Research a breeders blood lines BEFORE you purchase
your puppy.
We hope this information has been of some help to you. If you
have any further questions or concerns feel free to contact us
by the email addresses given on our "Contact Us" page.
©Silver
Shadow Dachshunds 2007
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