Tag Archive for: pathologies in dogs

During the cold seasons, we must take extra precautions and take extreme care of our furry friends. Especially with those dogs that suffer from certain pathologies or that are in a vulnerable state. We leave you the winter care for dogs that you cannot skip.

How does the cold affect dogs?

Although dogs usually have thick fur that protects them from the cold, it is not the same for all breeds, nor is it sufficient for all ages and states. Thus, depending on the age of our friend and his state of health and physical condition, he will suffer to a greater or lesser extent the consequences of the drop in temperatures.

With the winter care for dogs that we propose, you will not only keep their health in good condition. But we will also prevent complications from existing pathologies from appearing. As well as worsening or other problems derived from the cold.

Those dogs with whom we must especially take care of in winter are puppies , older dogs , small breeds and those with little fur . While they may be in good health, they are often more vulnerable to inclement weather .

Winter care that we must keep in mind

Animals suffer from the cold just as people do, except in the case of the Nordic races . For this reason, we leave you these care in winter so that you take them into account with your furry friends.

Follow a balanced and nutritious diet

If we want dogs to stay healthy, we must take care of their diet . Although it is a measure to be taken throughout the year, they are very basic care in winter. It is through food that we manage to increase our defenses, and these are the ones that will protect us from diseases. Especially in the cold season.

During these months, physical activity may be reduced. However, in order to stay warm, your body will need to burn more calories. If you notice changes in his feeding behavior, consult a veterinarian , as it may be necessary to adjust the amount of food he eats.

Keep him warm on walks

Whether our dog spends a lot of time outside, or if it is only when it comes to walks, we must keep them warm . This is the second point in care in winter, since the wind, rain and cold can make them sick.

Especially in those dogs that suffer from pathologies that hinder or prevent their mobility, we must protect their extremities. Reduced movement causes the temperature in those parts of the body to drop, affecting your overall health . At Ortocanis we have coats like this one available.

take care of his fur

The last of the winter care for our dogs refers to the coat. This fulfills an important function, and that is to protect your skin from external aggressions, including the cold. In addition to avoiding cuts at this time of year, we must brush it to keep it in good condition.

When it’s time for them to take a bath, we must do it indoors, without drafts and with warm water. We must also use a hair dryer so that they do not remain with moisture in the fur.

With these cares in winter we will make our dog suffer less from the cold. A simple way to protect them and keep diseases at bay .

 Dog care in winter

Some pathologies in dogs are due to birth defects or problems associated with a particular breed. However, with others we can reduce the chances of them appearing if we take care of the animal’s diet. With these nutritional tips it is possible to improve the general health of dogs.

diseases in dogs

Just as it happens to us humans, dogs or any other animal are susceptible to getting sick. Bad habits, such as lack of exercise, or an incomplete or inadequate diet, can accelerate or promote the appearance of certain pathologies .

Therefore, it is convenient to pay attention to these nutritional tips. Since the needs of dogs differ from those of humans. Thus, we will avoid giving them substances that may be toxic to them, and at the same time we will ensure that they obtain all the nutrients for their correct development.

Consejos nutricionales para prevenir enfermedades en los perros

Nutritional advice to reduce diseases

Offering our friend the contributions he needs through food is a way to lengthen his life. These simple nutritional tips will be of great help if you want to maintain or improve your health.

Vitamins and minerals

The amounts of vitamins and minerals that dogs need is already included in the specific foods for them. However, we must know how to choose those that are suitable. Some low quality or private label feeds contain mainly animal by-products. Therefore, the nutritional contribution will not be the same as if we choose foods from the best range.

These nutritional tips related to vitamins are also similar to those recommended for humans. A diet based on fast or precooked food will lack the vitamins and minerals that fresh vegetables or fish would have. If necessary, there are also vitamin complexes for dogs. Vitamins A, C, D3 and E are especially important for them.

healthy fatty acids

The second of the nutritional tips refers to healthy fatty acids. Although fats are related to obesity problems and the appearance of diseases, some types are essential for the proper functioning of the body.

Foods rich in Omega 3, such as sardines, tuna, salmon or spinach are rich in it and help us prevent diseases such as tumors. We can choose feed containing these foods or supply them directly.

Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids are a type of antioxidant of plant origin, and therefore found in fruits and vegetables. Thanks to its properties, they prevent premature aging and reduce the development of cancer cells. Grape seed extract, green tea extract, and quercetin are examples.

Amino acids

The following nutritional advice refers to amino acids such as melatonin or arginine. It is also about antioxidants that prevent the appearance of tumors. We find them in meat, fish, eggs and cereals. It is worth mentioning again the importance of the quality of the feed we choose. If we want them to contain these contributions, they must be of good quality.

Following these nutritional tips is very simple. It is enough to choose quality foods and offer a rich and varied diet, as well as free of those substances that may be toxic to them. If we want to avoid or delay the onset of diseases, we must take care of our diet.

Although they are much less visible than ours, dogs also have knees. And like us, they also experience pain and suffer injuries to them frequently. In case you’re not familiar, let’s talk about the most common knee problems.

Problemas de rodillas más comunes

The most common knee problems

The causes for knee problems can be several. For example, an injury or a condition of these. The difficulty in identifying them is that when walking on all fours, suffering from lameness in one of them does not prevent you from continuing to advance.

It is for this reason that we must regularly pay attention to our dog. Detecting pathologies quickly will help us to treat them and prevent the damage from going further, producing irreparable injuries.

The knee problems that most commonly appear in dogs are ruptures of the cruciate ligaments and dislocation in the patella. In small breeds the latter usually occurs, while ligament injuries appear more in large ones, especially if they are overweight.

Other knee problems that may also appear are injuries to the meniscus or tears in the ligament. These can be found in dogs of any size, since they are often due to blows or sudden movements. The knee joint is quite unstable compared to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of knee problems

Each dog may show a different symptomatology, but broadly speaking, the most common are those detailed below:

  • Advances with the leg raised and is not able to support it and carry weight

  • Limp with the leg that is affected

  • Sudden onset of pain while playing or exercising

  • Swelling in the knee

If we observe that our dog seems to have knee problems, it is advisable to go to the veterinarian to make a complete diagnosis.

How to Treat Knee Problems

Depending on the knee problems suffered, the treatment will vary. If the lesion consists of a displacement of the kneecap, it can be placed in place by pushing it. However, it is the veterinarian who must do it. If it is a severe dislocation, surgery may be needed.

Knee problems from tears or tears in the ligaments usually involve surgery in most cases. Depending on the severity and age of the dog, rest may suffice. Since these are painful injuries, analgesics will have to be given to calm the pain and inflammation.

If there has been immobility or surgery, rehabilitation will also be necessary for the progressive recovery of muscle strength and mobility. We may also need some special bandage.

In Ortocanis we have a wide range of products aimed at the welfare of animals and their recovery from injuries or pathologies.