Some symptoms associated with this disease include depression, loss of appetite, fever, serious discharge from nose or eyes, thirst, coughing and tender abdomen. Severe cases can cause bleeding disorders which can cause hematomas (hemorrhages) to form in the mouth, lymph nodes, thymus, pancreas and subcutaneous tissues. Clotting time is directly correlated to the intensity of the infection. Death can occur secondary to either the hemorrhages or the infected liver. The mortality rate is the highest in very young dogs.

Diagnosis can be made by realizing the combination of symptoms. This disease is also sometimes confused the Canine Parvovirus in that both will cause bloody diarrhea and low white blood cell count. It has been noted that most dogs can recover spontaneously without treatment. This virus, CAV1, can be destroyed in the environment through thorough steam cleaning and through the use of ammonium compounds, and it survives in the environment for months under the right conditions. It can also be released in the urine of an infected dog for up to one year.

Upon recovery, dogs will eat well but regain the loss of weight very slowly.

Source: ezinearticles.com

Before starting this project you will need to determine the size of the doghouse based on the dog’s full-grown size. Your dog should have plenty of room to freely turn around and lie down while still allowing room for their food and water bowls.

You will then need to determine the features that your dog house will maintain. You will need to take into consideration the weather conditions in your area and the location of the kennel placement.

Keep in mind that when building a dog house, you will want the floor of the house to be elevated at least 4″ above the ground and the house must have adequate ventilation. Also note that if you decide to use pressure-treated wood, be aware that it’s treated with chemicals which are toxic to animals. Be sure to use untreated wood for floors, walls or other surfaces that your dog may come in contact with.

You can design the house yourself or you can choose from many different plans available at your hardware superstores or on the web. There are several types of plans available on the market to review, from the very basic structure to the most elaborate creations.

We have found that one of the most creative Dog Houses to be a kit, created by “K-9 Kondo”. The K9 condo is a complete kit to create a shelter for your dog that incorporates every thing you want in a dog house at an affordable price. The only thing that you need to supply is the plastic barrel. A barrel is not included because it is cost prohibitive to ship the barrel due to bulk rate shipping charges. Depending on you ability, most people can assemble these units within a couple hours. These units carry a five year guarantee that states the following “We will replace any part that fails due to chewing or defect. Customers are responsible for the cost of shipping or can pick it up at our factory without cost. The hinge bushings are not covered as their wear depends on the amount of use. We replace these at the nominal cost of $2 postpaid for two bushings, and 50 cents for each additional bushing. Regular lubrication with silicone grease or spray will extend the life of the bushing considerably.” Depending on you ability, most people can assemble these units within a couple hours.

You need to make the best decision for your dogs shelter plans and need to take into consideration your ability, time and cost. Keep in mind that with a five year guarantee and easy assembly, it is hard not to consider “K-9 Kondo” products for your dog house project.

Joe Scarpy – Owner/Trainer, HuntEmUp.com “The Worldwide Hunting Dog Super Store” – Featuring Quality Dog Training Products including Dog Houses from K-9 Kondo, Dogtra Products, Gunners Up Launchers. Also offering Professional Retriever Training for your next Retriever Champion.

Source: ezinearticles.com

Reduce the cost of checkups

Regular vet visits are essential for your pet in order to keep up with vaccinations and detect health problems. Do a Google search or look in the Yellow Pages to see if there is a veterinary college in your area. These colleges are always in need of new patients, so they often provide discounts. If you’re hurting financially, try reaching out to foundations like the American Animal Hospital Association’s Helping Pets Fund (www.aahahelpingpets.org) or breed-specific rescue groups; these organizations may provide veterinary care for pet-owning families in need.

All You: Pick a great family dog

Skip the groomer

It may be essential to take your dog or cat to the groomer occasionally, especially if its fur is long or curly. However, you can space out the time between visits by asking for a lesson from your vet or groomer. Have them teach you how to cut your pet’s nails and explain the proper way to bathe and brush their fur. You can even use these newfound skills for other pets — swap services with neighbors. For example, give your neighbor’s dog a bath if they watch your cat while you go on vacation. You won’t have to pay a pet sitter!

All You: Banish pet hair

Spend less on accessories

There’s no need to buy pricey items for your dog or cat. Instead, hit the dollar store for supplies like discounted pet toys and cat litter. Also, check out Web sites like Craigslist or Freecycle to swap pet equipment, such as a crate or a scratching post. You’ll save a lot and your pet will be just as happy. (Be sure to clean traded items: Sanitize rubber and rope toys by running them through the dishwasher cycle without detergent. Throw plush toys and dog beds in the washing machine and clean out the floors of crates.)

All You: Make your own pet toys

Buy pet food in bulk

A big money waster: purchasing small bags of food for your cat or dog. Get the largest size possible, then split the food (and cost) with pet-owning neighbors, friends or family members. As for brands, expensive price tags don’t always add up to higher-quality food. Ask your vet to recommend food you can buy at the grocery store or at wholesale stores like Costco.

Get the lowest prescription prices

Before you head to the vet to pick up your pet’s medications, do some online research and see if you can find them for a lower cost. Check out sites like 1800PetMeds.com and print out the prices you find. Then ask your vet to match the price — chances are, he or she will gladly do it. Getting the prescriptions from your vet is a safer choice, as they closely monitor elements like expiration dates. Plus, there are no shipping costs!

Spring for pet insurance

If your cat or dog needs emergency medical care, you’ll most likely be hit with a major bill. By spending a small amount on pet insurance each month, you’ll avoid “economic euthanasia” — having to put your pet down in lieu of an expensive surgery or treatment. The threshold of what you can spend on your pet’s care skyrockets with insurance, so in an emergency you may not only save money but also your pet’s life. To see if you need insurance, check out our article on finding out if pet insurance is right for you.

Keep your pet healthy

The best money-saver out there is prevention. If your pet maintains an ideal weight, is fed high-quality food and has regular checkups, you’ll avoid expensive medications and treatments. Plus, feeding and exercising your pet well will keep it happy, and who doesn’t want that?

Source: Dr. Marty Becker, veterinarian in Twin Falls, Idaho, and coauthor of the syndicated newspaper column “Pet Connection”

Pets are an important part of many families. A recent survey by the American Animal Hospital Association of 1,206 pet owners in the United States and Canada showed that more than 80 percent of the respondents were female and an incredible 48 percent of these said they rely more on their pets than on a spouse or child for affection.

“Pets can provide their owners with unlimited affection and unconditional love,” says Dr. Jay Geasling, president of AAHA. “In return, many people treat them like members of the family.”Significantly, 50 percent of dog and cat owners said they had given their pets a human name such as Molly, Sam or Max. More than 60 percent include news about their pets in their holiday postcards, and 36 percent include a photograph of their pets with correspondence. An amazing 27 percent said they had taken their pets to a professional photographer to be part of family photographs or to be photographed with “Santa Claus” or the “Easter Bunny.”

Nearly 50 percent take their pets in the car on errands and 53 percent vacation or travel with them. Twenty-Five percent blow-dry their pets after bathing them, 45 percent provide a special bed, and 75 percent buy special premium pet food. Nearly 60 percent of pet owners said they love their pets so much that when the pets die, they will bury them on family property. Although nearly 80 percent of the respondents were dog owners and 61 percent cat owners, 11 percent had birds, 6 percent own “pocket pets” such as a gerbil or hamster, and 5 percent own a reptile. Another 13 percent had other types of pets ranging from fish to horses.

Walking in a public place with a dog is one way to ensure it is unlikely you will be robbed. Lou Castle, an Internet friend who is head of Los Angeles Police Dogs who has handled thousands of cases of robbery on the streets, tells me that he has not known one victim who had a dog with them at the time.

Source:healthy-dogs.net