Compare Pet Health Insurance in the USA

In Europe over twenty-five percent of all pet owners carry a pet health insurance policy on their pets. Approximately half of Sweden’s pet owners carry insurance. A recent poll of pet owners in the United States predicted that only three percent had purchased a pet health care plan. Many veterinarians feel that three percent is a very generous estimate.  One of the big reasons veterinarians believe so many Europeans carry pet health insurance is because of a bill passed in 1971 that stated if a dog was considered at fault for an accident, like a car wreck, then the pet’s owner would be held responsible. This prompted many dog owners to purchase something called Third Party Liability Insurance which would pay for any damages caused by the policy holder’s pet dog.

Chances are good that if you were to ask ten of your neighbors how they felt about pet health insurance you would probably get ten very different answers.

Some pet owners are fanatical about their pets. They will except nothing but the best for their family pet, the best food, the best water, the best doggie bed, and of course the best medical treatments available. Every time it even looks like their cat or dog is about to cough or sneeze they rush the pet to the veterinarians clinic and start a fresh round of antibiotics. Because maintaining the absolute best health care available is quite expensive this type of owner is quick to purchase animal health insurance that promotes good pet medicine. At the slightest hint you are even considering purchasing pet health insurance for your pet and this over the top pet owner is shoving all sorts of flyers and brochures and applications in your hand, sometimes they even offer to call their pet health insurance rep. for you. This is fine and dandy but generally (not always) their monthly pet insurance bills are higher then you can afford.

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Another owner might love their family pet just as much as the over the top owner. They might wish they could provide their pet with the very best but it simply isn’t economically possible. This pet owner’s advice about pet health insurance would be your own pet health insurance. Put the money you might have spent on a monthly insurance premium aside and use that to cover your pets medical needs. After all if you put aside thirty dollars a month then you’ll have enough money to cover the routine visits to the vet’s office plus have a little extra set aside if an emergency happens down the road. This type of insurance is called self insurance. While it sounds like a good idea there are a couple of problems. One if a medical emergency happens right away you might not have enough money on hand to cover the treatment and be forced to accept economic euthanasia for your pet. A second problem with self insurance is that its money that’s just laying around, its way to easy to see it as spare cash and use it on the family vacation or as a down payment on that laptop you’ve always wanted.   

If as a pet owner you decide that pet health insurance simply isn’t for you or your pet you will want to check and see if your homeowners insurance covers any potential accidents caused by your pet. If a dog or cat bites somebody the bitten person can sue you and in some cases demand that the pet be euthanized. If your homeowners insurance does not cover pet mishaps you should probably give a lot of thought to purchasing pet liability insurance.

A Guide To Common Dog Skin Problems

Dogs which scratch more than usual likely have a skin disease. Fortunately, the majority of dog skin problems are easily cured after a quick trip to the vet.

 

A persistently itchy rash is likely allergic dermatitis. The symptoms can be partially relieved by corticosteroids, but the only way to remove symptoms completely is to identify and remove the allergen. Dogs are occasionally allergic to pollen, food, insect bites, and grooming products.

 

Scratching that is concentrated on the toes and/or ears is likely a yeast infection. Symptoms are itchy, discolored, or irritated shin on the ears and paws, where conditions are best for the yeast to grow. The most common treatment is a prescription topical cream. Occasionally a medicated bath or oral drug may be prescribed.

 

Superficial bacterial folliculitis is symptomized as bumps, sores, and scabs. It is easier to see in shorthaired breeds. Longhaired breeds may present with scaly skin and increased shedding. Superficial bacterial folliculitis commonly occurs simultaneously with other skin problems.

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Impetigo is a kind of bacterial infection most common in puppies. The pus filled blisters it causes often break and crust over. It is easy to identify as the blisters usually form on the hairless portion of the abdomen. Impetigo can usually be treated with a topical solution.

 

Dogs with greasy skin and scales have seborrhea. Seborrhea is often a sign of another problem such as hormonal abnormalities or allergies, but it can sometimes be a lifelong genetic disease. If the underlying cause is treated symptoms will abate.

 

Ringworm is a fungus, not a worm, that causes circular lesions on the dog’s head, paws, ears, or forelegs. Anti-fungal treatments are available and very effective.

 

Alopecia, or excessive shedding and hair loss, is always a sign of an underlying problem in dogs. Some shedding is natural, but when your dog’s hair begins to thin it is a result of stress, nutritional deficiency, or another underlying disease.

 

Mange is a striking condition, causing intense itching, sores, hair loss, and red skin. The kind of mange determines the treatment.

 

Fleas are the most common skin problem among dogs. The average infestation will just cause itching, but severe infestations can cause anemia and blood loss. Fleas also carry other parasites, most commonly tapeworms. Dogs which are allergic to fleas will also develop allergic dermatitis and/or alopecia simultaneously.

 

The next most common parasite is the tick. The main risk from ticks is the transmittance of Lyme disease, as significant blood loss would require many ticks. Lyme disease is a potentially serious bacterial infection and there are vaccines available.

 

Acral lick granuloma is a skin condition caused by excessive and obsessive licking of one spot. The area is unable to heal and becomes painful, causing the dog to lick more. Acral lick granuloma is treated by either a foul tasting topical solution or a collar to discourage licking.

 

Hot spots are a common with dog skin problems. They are small areas of irritated, inflamed, and red skin. Treatment includes addressing the underlying cause.

Find More Dog Skin Problems Articles

Where to Find Cheap Pet Plan Insurance For Dogs

Each stage of your dog’s life requires different types of medical care.  Puppies will require vaccinations and spaying or neutering.   It is also very possible that they may eat something that they aren’t supposed to which causes some severe gastrointestinal problems.   They can even get other injuries due to rough-housing or maybe getting injured in a traffic accident.  Adults can also have their share of medical problems including gum and dental diseases, skin problems, bladder infections or gastrointestinal problems that can easily cause vomiting or diarrhea.   As your dog grows even older in age, even more serious problems can occur such as diabetes or cancer.  Because of the probability of any of these problems occurring, medical costs and hospitalizations can easily skyrocket out of control and without having a form of pet plan insurance, you could easily find yourself in some serious financial difficulties.

When you are looking for the right dog insurance company that fits your needs, you will want to keep three factors in mind.  The first is knowing what is covered, the second being what is not covered, and thirdly, the cost of the policy.  Most pet plan insurance companies start their policies out at about a dollar a day however these types of policies may not cover pre-existing conditions or other options that you may wish.  Finding the right coverage for a decent price only takes a little research and asking around.  You can easily research online or ask your veterinarian for ideas.

Because most dog insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, you may want to dig a little deeper and find one that does.  Although a policy that covers pre-existing conditions may cost a little bit more, if your dog is suffering from something already, this is well worth checking into.  Other insurance companies may have an age limit on when you can add a dog to the policy.  Most of the time, the cut-off age is about 10 years old, which is when most of the more serious conditions that can affect your dog may occur.

Finding the right cheap dog insurance that will cover all the possible needs of your beloved pet may easily be done online or by asking your veterinarian or friends.  The most important item to remember however is the overall health of your dog.

Find More Dog Health Insurance Articles

Will a Vegetarian Diet Prolong Your Dog’s Life?

With the increasing awareness in humans of how a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and limited meat can improve the health of humans, the question naturally arises as to whether such dietary changes can improve the health and longevity of your dog. Can giving your dog a vegetarian diet reduce his risk of disease and prolong his life span?

It’s interesting to note that a British dog deemed to be one of the oldest living dogs in the world was a vegetarian dog. In fact, this vegetable eating dog reached her 27th birthday in 2002. A pretty remarkable feat for a Border Collie rescued from an animal shelter. Her owner reports this amazing dog consumes an all vegetarian diet of organic vegetables, lentils, and rice every day which is a diet similar to the vegan diet her owner eats on a daily basis. It seems this long living canine has been remarkably free of health problems which her owner attributes to the fact that she’s a vegetarian dog.

The argument against converting a dog to a vegetarian diet has always been that dogs are innately carnivores with teeth that are designed for tearing and macerating animal tissue. Plus, dogs require higher levels of protein to support bodily functions when compared to humans. They also need sufficient quantities of two amino acids found exclusively in meat products, l-carnitine and taurine which an unsupplemented vegetarian diet fails to provide.

There are ways around this requirement for l-carnitine and taurine. These amino acids can be given in supplemental form and added to the vegetarian dog’s diet. Plus, the requirements for a higher protein diet can be met by adding soy to your dog’s food on a daily basis. This requires additional diligence as a dog owner to be sure protein requirements are being met on a daily basis.

A study conducted by PETA where they looked at 300 dogs treated with a vegetarian diet showed that dogs who made the switch to vegetarianism had significantly fewer health problems long term. Although this study is hardly scientific (an organization like PETA probably has a natural bias towards vegetarianism), the results are still compelling. Few can deny the cases of dogs such as Bramble who have reached an advanced age on a vegetarian dog diet.

Previously the conversion of your dog to a vegetarian diet would have involved home food preparation which could be time intensive and less than satisfying on the part of both owner and dog. The good news is that dog food companies are making it easy for your dog to go vegetarian by producing vegetarian dog foods which are nutritionally balanced and tasty.

If you’re considering converting your dog over to a vegetarian diet, you may want to consider giving one of the new vegetarian dog food formulations a try. Research dog formulations carefully to make sure the diet is high enough in protein and contains sufficient quantities of l-carnitine and taurine. Also make sure the protein used is of high quality. When making the diet conversion, you may way to change your dog’s diet incrementally, adding the vegetarian food in small quantities initially to see how your dog responds. This will help to avoid any digestive problems associated with sudden dietary changes.

Certainly there is evidence out there to support the idea that a vegetarian dog can live a long and healthy life. Only you can decide whether this is the right diet plan for your own dog.

Symptoms of kennel cough in dogs include coughing three to five days after their stay, white foam coming out of the mouth, a low-grade fever and an unproductive cough. Discover how dogs with kennel cough will often retch and gag with help from a veterinarian in this free video on kennel cough symptoms in dogs. Expert: Gregory McDonald Contact: www.petpointers.com Bio: Dr. Gregory McDonald earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University in 1979.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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What Really is Pet Health Insurance

Pet insurance, pet health insurance, pet health care insurance. Anyway you look at it, it’s insurance to help you pay for the cost of getting or keeping your pet healthy.

This is property and casualty insurance. Meaning it’s not the same as the health insurance we have for humans. No matter how strongly we consider our pets to be members of our family, the insurance world considers them to be our property. The same as our house, jewelry, furniture, etc. That’s an important distinction to note.

You purchase a plan to reimburse you for future health issues with your pet. You pay monthly for the insurance, usually. Then when something happens and you need to have veterinary care for your pet, you pay for the service and submit claim forms to receive your reimbursement.

Similar to human health insurance, pet health insurance comes in a huge variety of coverages. You can choose illness coverage, accident coverage, cancer coverage and even wellness coverage. Most policies also allow you to add spay or neuter coverage, although this is usually considered elective coverage.

As property and casualty insurance, pet insurance is controlled by state and local regulations. The same policy may not be available in every location. And, of course, will be different by country. When making a move to a new location, you need to contact your insurance company to find out how that effects your coverage and premium. The same way you do for your vehicle.

Pet insurance is governed by its own regulartory body. In North America, the organization is called North America Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). It is a group of people within the industry. According to the NAPHIA website, their common vision is:

To set high standards for the industry in service, coverage and disclosureTo be a central recourse for reporting and dissemination of information.To create a better quality of life for people and their pets through the design, delivery and support of a broad spectrum of pet health insurance products.

The costs associated with pet insurance vary widely. Nearly all policies include a deductible, some can include a co-pay. Nearly all policies reimburse a percentage of the total cost, typically 80%. And policies have maximum total benefits either annual or lifetime.

Policies are set up per pet. So multiple pet households will need to purchase separate policies for each pet. Dog and cat policies are available from all insurance companies, but some also cover birds, reptiles, and other types of pets.

When you are making a decision about pet health insurance, it is important to do your homework. Research multiple providers and multiple policy options. Consider not just the cost of the premium, but also the coverage provided. Review the exclusions. If your pet breed has known inherited problems, you don’t want a policy that automatically excludes inherited issues. Remember to check into how quickly they provide reimbursement. You will need to pay the veterinarian or clinic first, then submit a claim. How long can you afford to be without those funds?

The decision whether to purchase pet health insurance is, of course, entirely yours. But, think about it carefully and review all of your options before making the decision. As cost for everything else rises, so does the cost for medical procedures for your pet.

Extreme Sizes of Pets

Most animals come in a general range of sizes, but for some reason or another, people are continually trying to manipulate those sizes. Either large animals are made small, or small animals are made large. We can never seem to be happy with the size things already are. Would an elephant be even more cool if it were tiny? Would a guinea pig be more interesting if it were huge?

Most domestic animals, from horses, to dogs, have been bred to reach size extremes, both large and small. To this extreme we see “giant” animals and on the other side, ones sold as “teacup” or even “shot glass” pets.

Draft horses have always been large, but never so large as they are today, toping 19 hands. A hand measures 4 inches. A typical riding horse may be between 15 and 16.2 hands high. On the other hand horse have been bred smaller, and cuter than ever, to the point that miniature horses are now often under 5 hands high. Both of these extremes, but particularly the smaller version, are prone to health problems. Miniature horses often die during pregnancy or when delivering, and generally have shorter lifespans when extremely small.

 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ThumbelinaByPhilKonstantin.jpg  You can see the deformities in this poor horses legs.  Her owners do not plan to breed her and as of 2010 she is considered the worlds smallest horse.

In the dog world the title of tallest breed often goes to the Great Dane, but Wolfhounds are not far off. Large breed dogs have short lifespans and ethical breeders know that encouraging fast growth actually hurts the dog, causing tremendous joint problems later in life.

Chihuahuas are generally considered one of the smallest breeds, with one dog standing less than 5 inches tall. When dogs are intentionally stunted through poor genetics or poor nutrition they are often called “tea-cups”. This is a sign that a dog will probably have a lot of health problems and a short lifespan. No reputable breeder would intentionally breed, or market, “teacup” dogs.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31737193@N05/3067439664/

The largest cat must be a wild animal, although some house cats like to pretend they are huge when shredding a sofa. The male Siberian Tiger is undoubtedly the biggest big cat. Within domestic cats, the Maine Coon often claims the spot as being the largest cat, but often some obese cats, suffering from overfeeding, weigh in at top spot. Sadly glamor is given to the owner in exchange for them abusing their cat with too much food, typically fattening food that is not suited for cats to begin with.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/psyberartist/2252932817/  A much too fat cat.

A cat breed was recently started when a cat was born with a mutation of having very short legs. This breed is now known as Munchkin. Typically their body size is normal, but their short legs give them a kitten like appearance, this breeds was not intentionally stunted through poor breeding although cats have since been selected to have shorter and shorter legs. They are not as unhealthy as animals bred to be small all over. A breed for known to be small all over is the Rusty Spotted cat. These cats may weigh under three pounds. Otherwise any abnormally small cat is usually the result of poor breeding or poor nutrition. Allowing a cat to breed too soon may stunt her growth. Both obese cats and those who are tiny have short lifespans usually plagued by health problems.

Pigs on a farm are raised to become food on our plates. The bigger the better. Large pigs can actually be very dangerous to humans and can even, unintentionally, squish and kill their young. They can weigh over 800 pounds and are said to be as intelligent as dogs. As sad as eating these intelligent animals is, it is sadder what the pet industry does to them. Intentionally stunted pigs are sold as pets. Typically these are miniature potbelly pigs stunted further because “cute” sells. They are given the name of “teacup” pot bellied pigs and are often sold at a high price tag. Ultimately the pet suffers because while its outsides stop growing, its insides do not, and their owner soon  has a lot of veterinary bills and one sick pet. 

Just some of the problems for Miniature, and “Teacup” Pets:

Heart complications (often not living more than a few months).

Digestive system complications (again contributing to a shorter lifespan).

May be born with liver deformities, known as shunts.

They are prone to hypoglycemia, and need smaller feedings more often.

They are prone to dehydration.

Their soft spot on their skull may not harden correctly, thus putting them at risk for injury.

When they get sick it is more difficult for them to recover.

They are more at risk for broken bones.

They often have an increase in dental problems.

An increase in rates of epilepsy.

They can be easily hurt through regular handling, by other pets, or by children.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/houseofsims/2355747965/  If you want a Teacup pet, get a Hamster!

Problems Seen in Giant Pets:

It is less likely for a breeder to encourage abnormal growth in an animal. Most realize that, for the pet industry, small tends to outsell large. With livestock the reverse is true, but little concern is given because the animals will be slaughtered. In general the health problems are addressed more directly when people are breeding large animals.

With dogs, and horses, this means care is taken to slow down their growth rate. Special foods are made for large breed dogs because if they grow too fast too much weight is carried on their joints. The same is true for horses, often the larger breeds are not ridden as young as the smaller ones for fear of long term damage done to their legs.

Heart issues are always a concern.

Larger animals are very prone to arthritis.

Problems with being underweight due to the fact that these animals require more food.

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Incontinence In Older Dogs: Three Things You Need To Know

If your aging pet is beginning to have “accidents” in the house, incontinence in older dogs may be the problem.  This is a distressing problem, but it can be managed.  First, it’s necessary to find out what’s causing the problem.  Second, choose the right treatment.  And third, you may need to change your pet’s environment.  Incontinence in dogs doesn’t have to mean the end of the road for your canine companion.

What Causes Dog Incontinence?

There are several reasons why an aging dog may become incontinent.  Cystitis in dogs is more common that you would think.  This bacterial infection causes irritation in the bladder that makes it hard for your dog to “hold it.”  She may not be able to make it outside.  You may notice blood in her urine.

Dog bladder stones are also common in older pets.  These stones can irritate the bladder and cause an infection.  If your canine friend has repeated bladder infections, bladder stones could be the culprit.

Canine cancer can also cause incontinence in dogs.  If you notice persistent bleeding from your pet’s urinary tract, don’t ignore it.  Take her to the vet for a check-up as soon as possible.

If you notice puddles of urine or a wet spot when your companion gets up from a nap, her urinary sphincter may be relaxing.  This is common is spayed females.  Lower estrogen levels cause a lack of muscle tone, including in the muscles that control her bladder.

Treatments For Incontinence In Older Dogs

A bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics.  Bladder stones sometimes can be dissolved with dietary changes, but may need to be removed surgically. 

There are many treatments available for canine cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation.

Hormone treatments are often given to females who are leaking urine.  These hormones help to tone the muscles, and can lessen or even stop the urine leaking.

Environmental Changes

It may be necessary to put a waterproof pad under your pet when she’s sleeping to protect your furniture and floors.  “Doggie diapers” are available for pets who have serious incontinence problems.

Natural Remedies For Dogs Can Help

More and more people are turning to natural remedies to manage their own health issues, so it’s only natural that they would want natural remedies for their pets, too.  You may be surprised to find out that there are many herbal and homeopathic remedies formulated especially for cats and dogs on the market today.

When using natural remedies for dogs, you’ll want to know that what you’re giving your pet is safe and effective.  The correct dosage is essential.  Look for a remedy that contains the herbs uva ursi and berberis, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagris.  These natural remedies have a long history of use in people, and they’re very effective for urinary problems in pets, too.

Don’t despair if your beloved companion is showing signs of dog incontinence.  You’ll want to start her on a high-quality natural remedy for pets right away.

Pet Insurance Helps Keep Ones Dogs Protected

Many people want to make sure that they have the right amount of protection for their pets. It is not uncommon to come across different choices for pet insurance. People who need to make sure that their pet is protected will easily be able to look through this guide to find out how to get the best policy. Within a few minutes, the right insurance policy can be found and purchased.

Believe it or not, it is very common to have this type of insurance. Pets will need to go to the vet for regular check ups as well as emergency surgeries and other issues. It is very important to make sure that the right policy has been set in place for that pet so that there is no need to worry about anything that could come up. With a policy, pet owners get to have much needed peace of mind.

There is really no limit to what kind of pet can be covered by a pet insurance policy. People who want to ensure that they cover all pets including birds and fish can look for these specific policies. You’ll want to take a little time to do your homework and find out what’s available. Every insurance company is going to offer a number of great policies for a number of different pets.

The best place to get in connection with a policy is the internet. There are a number of different sites that will help pet owners get exactly what they are looking for. The great aspect about this is the fact that the pet owner does not have to leave the home or office. Take some time to get in connection with a company that is going to have everything that is needed for the pet.

This type of insurance is also going to be very affordable. Many owners have been able to report only spending around each month in order to have the right amount of coverage. The monthly cost still won’t be anywhere near the cost of car insurance or health insurance for people. The payments are going to be very low as well as incredibly affordable.

The bills and the medications that come from the vet will be covered by the pet insurance policy. These policies will be great for those who want to save as much money as possible. Before you sign up for a policy, make sure you know what is and isn’t covered. Pre-existing conditions and hereditary problems often surprise pet owners.

The fact of the matter is, these options are supposed to save the person money. If you get the right policy, you’ll be able to pay a set amount each month in return for knowing that veterinary costs will be covered when they come up. Take time to compare policies and find the very best ones to work with.

Pet insurance is a very good investment for pet owners, especially for those who are willing to pay whatever they need to in order to make sure their beloved pets are taken care of. Take some time right now in order to make sure that the right option has been located and paid for. If anything does happen with the pet, the insurance policy is going to take care of everything.

 

go.tagjag.com – One of my dogs, Pixie, woke up this morning and seemed to be having problems with her eyes. I took her into the vet immediately, fearing the worst. Her vitals checked out, but the doctor said it’s likely either allergies or some kind of conjunctivitis. Either way, it gives me the opportunity to tell you about something you might want to know if you’re a pet owner – pet insurance. It’s worth getting if you love your pets half as much as I love mine. Oh, and please have your own pet leave a video response wishing Pixie to get well soon!

Rottweiler Breed Health Issues

The Rottweiler breed has some Health issues that can be of a major concern and we will talk about some of these in this article. These all have been an on going issue with the Rottweiler breed.  With hope we will soon see a decline in some of these with more and more health testing.

Hip Dysplasia is a main concern.  There are several factors that can play a part in this issue. The main one being genetics.  The condition of the parent is a big part of the type of offspring it will produce.  When dogs with hip dysplasia are bred there is a higher chance that the pups they produce will have hip dysplasia.  While some wont show the disease at all it is a very good chance they are carriers of the disease and will pass it on to any offspring that they produce.

Some other things that can be a factor such as improper diet,  Protein is the building blocks of muscles. Strong and firm muscles can keep the hip joints intact. If they become loose and relaxed, the hip joints get affected.  Obesety in a dog can cause the legs to get deformed. This obesity can also cause a form of canine arthritis.  This then can be some reasons why hip dysplasia develops in some dogs.  Too much exercise at an early age can also be a cause.

Cancer seems to be a growing issue with this breed.  It seems as though certain bloodlines within the breed seem to be more suseptable to this terrible disease.  Each year we see more and more dogs afflicted with cancer.  Bone cancer seems to be the leader followed by lymphoma and on down the line.

Subaoritc stenosis is a genetic and congenital heart condition of dogs. A problem which may result in sudden death.  This condition is usually detected during puppy vaccine visits to the veterinarian by hearing a heart murmur during the physical examination.  The puppy will most likely appear normal in all other aspects. This is a very frustrating condition to  identify in your pet because  the chance for long term survival is low.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is the tearing of a major ligament in the stifle joint (knee), resulting in partial or complete joint instability, pain, and lameness. We know that torn ligaments  cannot be repaired completely. If the injury is not treated, damage to the connective tissues as well as degenerative joint disease often is the result.

Entropion, which is a rolling-in of the eyelid. This causes the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub on the eyeball, which is both painful and often causes corneal ulcers or erosions. Ectropion is the turning out of the eyelid (usually the lower eyelid) so that the inner surface is exposed. Cherry Eye is what they call it when the gland of the third eyelid prolapses or comes out of its normal positi

Bloat can be caused by dogs gulping air when they eat too fast or get excited. It seems larger dogs with deep chests are more likely to get it. A dog with bloat has a painful, distended abdomen, can act restless and may try to vomit or defecate. If the stomach twists, they may die from shock.

These are just a few of the health issues that the Rottweiler breed is dealing with.  We can only hope that with time and testing we can bring down the number of affected dogs.  More and more research is being done.  Careful screening will be one way to help reduce the numbers.

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My New Total German Shepherd Dog Book – A Pet Owner’s Guide Forever

Is a German Shepherd right for you? How will you know unless you read the owner’s manual? Too many pets are brought back to animal shelters or worse, because of inexperience owners. Not just these type of dogs, but any pet. You need to know as much about that breed before you take them home.

A former co-worker of mine decided to get a dog for their oldest son. Neither he nor his wife had ever owned a pet before. They were inexperience. After a month went by, I asked about their dog. My co-worker replied, “We brought him to the Human Society a couple of weeks ago. He was shedding too much and we were tired of vacuuming.”

If he had read the owner’s manual first, would they have brought that poor dog into their home to begin with? If they had done their research, my co-worker would have had an idea on if a pet of any kind was right for them.

None of my pets came with an owner’s manual. There were times that I wish they did. Even so, we have taken the time to research and train ourselves so that we can understand and be better pet owners.

How would you like to learn the secrets of having the healthiest and happiest canine possible without having to pay for an expensive training course?

Debbie Ray is the author of “Your Total German Shepherd Dog, A Pet Owner’s Guide” and she has over 35 years of experience raising German Shepherds. She has raised them from puppies to senior citizens. Debbie’s past experiences with her own dogs has given her an insight into this type of breed that few people have and she would like to share her knowledge with you. This 195 page book is very through and it answers just about any questions that you might have about your dog. Being a German Shepherd owner myself, I have learned so much from this ebook and Debbie offers.

Are you familiar with the health issues of this type of breed?

All breeds are known for their distinct health issues. No pet is maintenance free! 
Here is a list of the Health problems of this type of dog. That does not mean your Shepherd will have these problems and it isn’t to discourage you from owning this beautiful dog. This is to make you aware of the potential problems before you bring home that cute little puppy.

1. Abnormal development of the hip joint. 
2. Elbow Dysplasia: Improper development of the three bones making up the elbow. The joint is loose. 
3. Panosteitis: A bone disease that can last as long as 18 months, that causes pain. Aspirin can be helpful in controlling the pain. 
4. Von Willebrand’s Disease: is a blood disorder, a deficiency in clotting factor. 
5. Progressive posterior paresis: is a neural condition, a paralysis of one or both hind legs. 
6. Bacterial infections an skin allergies. 
7. Abnormal growth of tissue or tumor. 
8. Inflammation of the cornea and is potentially blinding. 
9. Abnormal openings around the dog’s anal area which soon get badly infected and can be painful. 
10. Disease of the heart muscle.

The best way to keep your dog healthy is to find a reputable breeder. Or if you are looking into a rescue shelter, find out if they have up to date information on the dog. And always keep regular scheduled visits with your veterinarian.

 

PetDoctorBlog.com Dr. Severidt discusses senior dog health issues. Senior dogs can have happy and healthy lives all the way into their senior years if given the proper attention and treatment along the way.
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