There are many different types of ticks throughout the United States, each with the disease-carrying potential. Example of ticks carrying diseases include:

• Deer ticks/black legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis – I. dammini) – may carry Lyme Disease
• American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) – may carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and tularemia
• Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) – may carry tularemia, tick paralysis and RMSF
• Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) – may carry canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis

Clinical signs of tick-borne disease include (but not limited to):

• Lethargy
• Lameness in one or more legs
• Anorexia
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Liver/kidney failure
• Seizures

Signs can be few and subtle until later stages of the disease. Signs of tick-borne disease can also be confused with other medical conditions. Other than clinical signs, laboratory testing can be done to diagnose the disease. If you suspect your dog is exposed to a tick-borne disease, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Since vaccination is not available for all tick-borne diseases (vaccination for Lyme Disease is available through your veterinarian), prevention is a key to avoid tick infestation. Avoid areas ticks love, such as grasses and low shrubs. Examine your dog’s body for ticks as soon as returning from an outing and promptly remove ticks with caution if you see them. It is a good idea to save them in a container with rubbing alcohol for future identification.

Never remove ticks with your bare hands. Use tweezers or wear gloves so that you will not expose yourself to a potentially infected tick.

Watch for sings of tick-borne diseases after removing ticks from your dogs. If you see any signs or notice any abnormality, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Heartworm disease (also known as dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites called heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). There is little sign of disease in earlier stages of infection. Signs show up in later stages of the disease. Most common signs are persistent coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite and trouble of breathing. Infected dogs suffer damage in organs such as heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

The early detection of heartworm infection can be done by examining the dog’s blood. The procedure can be done at any veterinary clinics and the treatment can be done successfully if the disease is detected early.

The good news is this disease is almost 100% preventable with preventive medication administered properly. There are a few methods of administration: orally, topically or by injection. Before you start any preventive medications, your veterinarian must exam your dog’s blood and confirm that there is no presence of heartworms in dog’s system. Then the veterinarian can prescribe the preventive medications. It is very important to administer the medication properly and on schedule.

Keep this in your mind – prevention of heartworm disease is easy and inexpensive, but treatment for this disease is long-term, risky and can be very expensive!

What Does Organic Mean?
Organic foods are grown and produced without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. Animals raised for food are not given any antibiotics or growth hormones. In the United States, consumer products that are sold as “organic” are inspected and certified by government-approved entities to meet USDA organic standards. Organic producers and their facilities must also be certified and inspected to assure that all the rules are followed. Organic products are identified by the USDA Organic labels.

Benefits of Organic Dog Food
Organic foods are much healthier than those with added chemicals which may cause cancer and other health problems. Organic foods are believed to have benefits such as boosting energy levels and immune system, and reducing allergy problems. Many people also claim that organic foods taste better than non-organic foods.

Some of the potential benefits of organic dog food are:
1. Stronger immunity
2. Healthier skin and coat
3. Improved energy
4. Better digestibility
5. Increased longevity

Going Organic? Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before making changes in your dog’s diet. If you feel like your dog may benefit from organic dog food, introduce it gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old. Many selections of organic dog foods are available at your local pet specialty stores and online.

How much chocolate is too much for dogs?
The amount of theobromine in chocolate depends on the kind of chocolate and the serving size. Baking chocolate contains far more thebromine than milk chocolate. On average, baking chocolate contains 390mg thebromine per ounce and milk chocolate contains 44mg thebromine per ounce.

To determine “how much is too much?” can be difficult since many factors such as the dog’s health, age and size are involved. However, it is estimated that toxic reactions can occur with the theobromine ingestion of 45mg per pound of a dog’s body weight.

What are the signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs?
Common signs of chocolate poisoning include (but not limited to) vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, restlessness, excessive panting, muscle twitching, and increased heart rate. Seizures, coma and even death can occur with chocolate poisoning.

If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, seek veterinary attention IMMEDIATELY!

The easiest and most common way to get a prescription for your dog is to get it from your veterinarian. This works fine for something like antibiotics for infections, but what if your dog needs long term medications like arthritis medication, eye drops for glaucoma treatment, etc? By using an online pet pharmacy, you can often save money and trips to your vet’s office.

How Does Online Pet Pharmacy Work?
Ordering from online pet pharmacy is easy, just like ordering any pet supplies. Only difference is you will need a prescription from your veterinarian. There are usually four different ways to submit the prescription: mail the prescription; fax the prescription; have your veterinarian call the pharmacy; or have the pharmacy call your veterinarian.

How to save money on your dog’s medications:

* Always compare prices of pet medications.

* Search online coupons for the merchant you are using.

* Most online pet pharmacies also sell non-prescription items as well. So you can add these items to your prescription order. You may qualify for multiple order discounts or any special offer (such as free shipping) they may have.

With a proper care, dental problems can easily be prevented. Here are some tips to good canine oral hygiene.

Visit your veterinarian for checkup:
Thorough dental checkup should be a part of your dog’s annual physical examination. If tartar buildup is present, your dog may need professional dental cleaning. Ask your veterinarian when to schedule periodic cleanings.

Brush your dog’s teeth regularly:
Brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week or more (preferably daily) with a toothbrush and toothpaste especially made for dogs. Do not use human Toothpaste. It can upset your dog’s digestive system.

Provide chew toys and chewables:
Exercising and massaging gums with chew toys and chewable such as rawhide help strengthen gums and reduce plaque. They also satisfy your dog痴 need to chew and can be great stress relievers. Always supervise your dog while he chews.

Grooming is a good opportunity for you to check your dog for a sign of any problems. While brushing, examine the skin for signs of fleas and ticks, skin irritations, hair loss or lumps. While cleaning ears look for any unusual problems such as inflammation, foul odor and excessive ear wax buildups. Paying special attention to your dog’s body helps early detection of potentially serious problems. If any problems are found, consult with your veterinarian.

Coat:
Brushing allows the natural oils to circulate to the coat and promotes a shiny healthy coat. Brush in the direction of hair growth, starting at the head and working your way towards the tail and down the legs. Long haired, heavy coated dogs may need daily brushing session while short haired dog may only need to be brushed two to three times a week.

Nails:
Use a nail clipper that is specially designed for dogs. Different sizes of clippers are available for different sizes of dogs. Hold the dog’s paw firmly and clip the tip of the nail. Be very careful to avoid cutting the quick (pink line inside the nail), the area of the nail that contains blood vessel and nerve. If you are not comfortable with the task, have the veterinarian do it for you.

Ears:
Clean your dog’s ears with cotton balls or pre moistened dog ear wipes. Cotton balls can be moistened with mineral oil or ear cleaning solution. Hold open the ear and gently clean inside. Be sure to use clean piece for each ear. Never use Q-tips to clean a dog’s ear.

Dental:
Brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week or more (preferably daily) with a toothbrush and toothpaste especially made for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste. It can upset your dog’s digestive system.

Bathing:
Brush your dog’s coat thoroughly prior to bathing. Choose a shampoo suitable for your dog’s needs. Always follow manufacturer’s directions. Avoid soap in the eyes and water in the ears. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Shampoo residue can cause skin irritation. See Dog Bath Tips for more information on giving your dog a bath.

You always make sure your dog is well cared for, but despite your best efforts, accidents and illness can happen at anytime. Dog health insurance is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your dog will be able to receive the best possible veterinary care during those difficult times.

Dog health insurance has been around for the last two decades in United States. More than 60 million pet dogs in United States and only handful of their owners take advantage of dog health insurance. However, it is increasing in popularity in recent years.

Dog health insurance policies works similar to human health insurance. They have premiums, deductibles, limitations, etc… What is covered and the cost depend on the policy you pick.

Many plans offer not only accidents and illnesses coverage, but also cover routine care, annual checkups, vaccinations, preventive medication such as heartworm and flea control, dental care, prescriptions and spaying/neutering. If you have more than one, there are plans that offer multiple dog discounts.

There are few companies offer dog health insurance plans and they all have pros and cons. It is a good idea to compare and examine each company, so that you can choose a plan that is best for your dog.