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CANINE
HEALTH
FAQs 
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| Q: |
Is antifreeze dangerous for
my pet? |
| A: |
Antifreeze poisoning is very dangerous because it occurs very quickly and
requires a very small amount of the sweet tasting liquid. As little as 5
teaspoons per ten pounds of body weight is fatal. A 60 pound dog would
require 30 teaspoons or 5 ounces. To be most effective, treatment
should begin within a couple hours of ingestion.
If treatment is postponed as long as 24 hours, the pet is unlikely to
survive. Symptoms may occur
within the first few hours after consumption.
The chemical poisons the kidneys.
Signs include excessive thirst, increased urination, diarrhea,
vomiting, depression, confusion, incoordination, convulsions, coma and
death. More
information about antifreeze poisoning
|
| Q: |
Why does my dog have dry skin? |
| A: |
There are many
causes of dry skin (allergies, hormonal problems, diet problems, shampoos,
parasites, seborrhea, bacterial infections, etc.).
Differentiating between these requires examining the pet for clues to
the cause and, possibly, some lab testing (skin scrapes, allergy tests,
fungal/bacterial cultures, thyroid testing, etc.). A veterinary examination will help differentiate between the
different causes. Don't
bathe your pet prior to taking it in for the appointment, because you might
wash away important information from the skin.
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| Q: |
Why is my dog pawing
at her ears and shaking her head. What
should I do? |
| A: |
There are many reasons why your pet
might be showing these symptoms, such as bacterial or fungal infections,
earmite infestations, tumors, etc. Without knowing what is causing the
problem, it's difficult to know what type of medication to use. You
really need to get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The
veterinarian may want to swab some material from the ears for a microscopic
exam, so don’t put any medication in the ears prior to the exam.
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| Q: |
My pet's mouth smells like
the south end of a north bound skunk. What could the problem be? |
| A: |
Dental problems
such as tartar accumulation, gingivitis and tooth abscesses are the most
common causes of bad breath. Besides dental problems, eating stool and
other nasty things can cause bad breath. Medical problems such as
kidney disease, diseases that cause vomiting
and oral tumors can also cause halitosis.
You should watch the pet closely to see if it is eating anything
disagreeable and consider a veterinary appointment for an examination.
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| Q: |
Will sterilizing pets make
them fat and lazy? |
| A: |
No, your pet will actually benefit. Sterilized pets lead
healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of
uterine and ovarian cancer as well as reduces the chances of breast
cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and
prostate cancer. Neutering will also make your pet more affectionate and
less likely to roam, get in fights or become lost. |