Just as different people have different personalities and just as some afflictions tend to afflict people in an area that's genetically disposed to it, different breeds of dogs also have their own particular problems. At first, the care of a minature dashund puppy seems like it might be easy, since they're outgoing, energetic dogs with mostly happy personalities, but danger for these little dogs lurks in the form of back trouble. The naturally elongated body of a minature dashund puppy makes the care of its back particularly important.
Careful With Exercise
Proper dog training of a minature dashund puppy begins when they are young and ready to be trained. These little dogs happen to love exercise, but too much will both tire them and strain their bodies, and you also need to be careful of the kind of exercise they have. For instance, while these dogs will be perfectly happy to include a lot of jumping in their activities, since this puts particular strain on their backs.
Watch The Food
Taking care of a minature dashund puppy means that you need to feed it right, and that means both ensuring that your dog eats healthy food and doesn’t overeat. If you indulge your dog in too much food, then it will become obese, and because of these dogs’ natural body shape, that will also put a lot of weight underneath them, putting strain on the middle of their backs, which is just where they need as little strain as possible.
And of course, it should go without saying that when in the care of a minature dashund puppy, you never give it food intended for people. It's a sure way to lead to both obesity for your dog and constant begging at the dinner table.
If You Don't…
It is sometimes considered unfair to use scare tactics, but understanding what is in store with improper puppy training. Herniated or ruptured disks are the big risks with these dogs, and in some cases can lead to paraplegic dogs. If things get this bad, then the care of a minature dashund puppy will entail a lot more work, since the dog won’t be able to control bladder or bowels or exercise.
Rehabilitation takes time and patience, but many owners often put the dog down instead, thinking that they’re saving their pet from pain. No matter what, though, this is an undesirable condition to have in your dog. So remember, proper care of a minature dashund puppy and diligence in preventing back straining will result in a happy, healthy, and long-lived dog.
Filed under Articles by on Sep 4th, 2009. Comment. 
Having a pet can be quite expensive especially if you live in the metropolis. Dog food, vet care and grooming supplies all these cost a good deal of money. Dogs make lovely pets but they also need vet care more often compared to cats. Since your dog’s health is very important, you need to make sure that you get the best vet care for your pet. You need to find a good vet that you can trust with your pet’s life. Yes, the best vet care will cost you some money but if you get pet insurance coverage, you do not have to worry about paying for emergency vet care for your pet. You can provide your dog with the best vet care, by just investing a few dollars in monthly premiums.
Choosing The Right Pet Insurance Coverage
Choosing the right pet insurance coverage is very important. There are a number of things that you need to look into before you get an insurance policy for your pet. First, you need to make sure that the pet insurance policy gives comprehensive coverage for you pet. Note that different breeds of dogs have different needs. Before you get an insurance policy for your pet, study the vet care needs of your pet. Read literatures about the common health care problems of certain breeds of dogs. Pure breed dogs often need more intensive vet care compared to mongrels so if you have a pure breed at home, consider getting a comprehensive insurance coverage for your dog.
The second thing that you need to consider when buying insurance policy for your pet is the cost. Some types of pet insurance policies are more expensive than the others. However, just because an insurance policy is expensive, that does not mean that such policy can cover for all the medical needs of your dog. Some expensive insurance policies are loaded with useless features that are only designed to increase the price of the policy. To make sure that you are drawing the best value out from your money, read the important lines on the insurance policy first before you sign it. You may also ask the insurance underwriter to explain to you in full the fine print provisions on the insurance policy. Unless you are satisfied with the explanations given to you by the insurance underwriter, do not sign the policy first. You do not really want to end up paying for something that does not give your dog the right coverage.
Filed under Articles by on Apr 24th, 2009. Comment.
That is a little misleading since no disease is truly common in Dachshunds Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.
Nevertheless, there are some conditions that tend to occur more frequently in Dachshunds that in other breeds.
Adrenal Gland Malfunction
Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol is produced, either by the adrenal gland or by a primary tumor, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in hair loss, excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions and occasionally diabetes. Specific laboratory tests can be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease and treatment depends on the results. There are several different drugs that can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. If adrenal cancer is present, surgical excision of the gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease is also found in other breeds of dogs.
The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism). Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to too low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for fluid therapy and cortisone injections to correct the imbalances. Being as the sudden collapse resembles many disorders, Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. This results in slow vision loss and eventual blindness. PRA is a genetic trait and because it often does not show up until the dog is older, the dog may have already been bred and passed the condition to the puppies. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve hypoplasia, abnormal eyelashes (distichiasis) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help detect these eye-disorders early.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine). In Dachshunds, this material some times calcifies, or hardens, and sometimes ruptures. The herniated disc causes swelling and pain around the spinal cord and the nerves coming out from the spinal canal. Early signs of a herniated disc are pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and sometimes total paralysis or the rear legs,. The majority of them with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. With a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The sooner the surgery is preformed, the greater the chances of full recovery.
Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Because this is such a common problem, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. There is no way to predict which dogs will recover without the surgery.
Vaccination Reactions
Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. The reaction is usually minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and occasional hives. Occasional vaccine reactions can occur with any dog so it is always a good idea to observe your pet for a few hours after their shots. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh the risks.
With good health care, Dachshunds can lead a long and healthy life. Proper diets, preventive health checks, vaccinations, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Doxie live longer. You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.
Filed under Articles by on Apr 21st, 2009. Comment.
Hit the hottest parties for posh pups with Kimberly Schlegel Whitman’s new entertaining book exclusively for dog-lovers! Dog Parties is just the ticket to planning high-society dog soirees. After all, dogs bring so much joy into our lives-shouldn’t we pay them some special attention every now and then? Our love affair with dogs is everywhere these days, from luxury dog carriers, collars, and clothing, to dog specialty spas, fitness centers, and camps. From fashion (sunglasses, fresh-flower collars), to cuisine (“Dogiva” carob candies, “Dog Perignon” champagne, party cake) to super party activities (a romp in a specially prepared fountain, a “pet-icure”), see how these dog-doting party planners pamper their pets. From a birthday party to a backyard spa party to an afternoon art gallery soiree, the parties in this book capture all breeds of dogs at their fluffiest, and photographic best! You’ll learn great tips in planning and executing every detail: &bul
Filed under Birthday by on Feb 26th, 2009.
Four popular breeds of dogs are represented in these wonderful books whose photos are endearing, comical, and just plain cute! Labrador retrievers, Yorkies, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas are featured in full-color photos, along with witty and fun-to-read text. Thanks to authors Kim Leighton (Labs) and Melissa Sovey (Yorkies, Doxie Moxie, and ChiWOWhua!) for bringing us these irresistible collections of doggie antics that make great gifts for dog lovers. All are hardcover, 96 pp.
Filed under Books by on Feb 24th, 2009.
