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801 results for “dog pica”
What happens when a dog is frightened?
A frightened dog typically shows nervousness, fear, mood swings, depression, and loss of appetite, and in severe cases may develop stress responses like vomiting and diarrhea. Immunity also drops after a scare, so comfort the dog, reduce environmental stimuli, and support its nutrition and immunity.
What happens if a dog doesn’t eat salt?
A long-term lack of salt causes electrolyte imbalance in dogs — muscle weakness, stunted growth, weight loss, and poor appetite, and in severe cases pica (eating plaster, grass, or dirt). Salt is essential and is added to commercial food, but too much causes shedding, tear stains, high blood pressure, and even salt poisoning, so homemade diets need a small amount added.
Why Does Your Dog Keep Shaking Its Head? Don’t Ignore These Causes
An occasional head shake after sleep or a swim is normal, but frequent, forceful shaking with scratching, redness, odor, or discharge means trouble—usually an ear infection. Bacterial or fungal otitis, ear mites, and trapped grass seeds lead the list; allergies and, rarely, ear tumors are also possible. Learn the telltale discharges, clean gently, keep up monthly parasite prevention, and see a vet if it doesn't improve in days.
How should I treat my dog’s tooth wound, and what should I watch out for?
If a lost tooth bleeds lightly, it usually stops in 5–10 minutes and needs no action. For heavier bleeding, press a cotton ball on the spot. Spray an anti-inflammatory on the wound and feed soft food while it heals.
Keeping Your Dog Free of Skin Problems in Summer
Summer's heat and humidity breed bacteria and parasites, so skin trouble spikes. Bathe and dry the coat with a pet shampoo, avoid strong midday sun to prevent burns, and keep the living space clean and dry. Use a monthly topical preventive with selamectin or fipronil to block fleas, lice, mites and ticks, and feed vitamins and protein to lift immunity. See a vet for itching, hair loss or rashes.
How Long Can a Dog with Kidney Failure Live? Three Ways to Add Years
There is no single answer to how long a dog with kidney failure survives—it depends on type, stage, and treatment. Acute failure from toxins or blockage can often be reversed if treated within about 48 hours. Chronic failure in older dogs can't be cured, but mid-stage dogs commonly live 1–3 years and some over 5 with good management. Diet, medication, and daily care are what buy the time.
Why Do Dogs Get Intestinal Obstruction?
The most common cause of dog intestinal obstruction is swallowing a foreign object the gut cannot pass, with constipation from dry, hard stool as another frequent trigger. Lack of trace elements can cause pica that leads to eating odd things, and fast or large meals also play a role. Signs are frequent vomiting, early diarrhea that stops once the bowel empties, bad breath from gut fermentation, and abdominal pain with the dog biting or staring at its belly. Ultrasound or X-ray shows the blockage, though string may need a barium study. Treat early to avoid worse damage.
Is Yellow Dog Urine Always a Sign of Internal Heat?
Yellow urine in dogs is not always from internal heat; it can also mean low water intake, liver trouble, or urinary tract issues, so judge by the actual cause. If it is simple internal heat, lighter meals and more water clear it up fast. Persisting yellow urine, especially with blood or painful urination, warrants a vet visit to check the liver or urinary system. Infections are usually bacterial and need veterinary antibiotics plus a urinary prescription diet and good hygiene.
Common Items in a Dog Health Checkup
A routine dog checkup covers coat and skin, weight, temperature, eyes, ears, teeth, feces, X-rays, and blood work. Many diseases show no early signs and become serious or even untreatable by the time they appear, and older dogs face organ decline and age-related illness, so yearly exams are worthwhile. A typical visit measures rectal temperature (normal 38-38.9°C), checks eyes and ears for cleanliness, assesses coat and weight, examines the mouth for gum or tooth disease, and may add fecal, X-ray, or blood tests as needed.
Why Do Dogs Develop Rheumatism?
The exact cause of dog rheumatism is unclear, but it is now seen as an autoimmune reaction to repeated streptococcal infection, with cold, damp, rain, and overexertion as common triggers; it often returns during respiratory illness, sudden weather shifts, or after getting chilled. It appears as muscular or joint forms, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and lameness that can shift around, and it cannot be cured, only managed. Care means a dry warm bed, balanced nutrition with calcium, and limited exercise, with veterinary anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment during flares.