Bloat- It Could Kill Your Labrador Retriever

By Richard Cussons
The Labrador Retriever is one of the breeds at risk of bloat. Bloat is a very serious health problem related to swallowed air, food and/or water. It is common to Basset Hound, Dachshund, Labrador Retriever and other large and giant breeds especially those with deep chests.

The term bloat seems ordinary and nothing serious but beware because bloat can kill your Labrador Retriever in a matter of hours. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) is the technical name for bloat. Gastric dilatation occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid and/or foam in the stomach. In addition, the stomach twists or flips, almost cutting off entry and exit to and from the stomach. This is called gastric torsion. Gastric volvulus is the term used when the stomach twists or flips, completely cutting off entry and exit to and from the stomach. That is why bloat is also called stomach torsion or twisted stomach.

There are different and sometimes unknown reasons why bloat occurs. It is usually a result of eating too much or eating too fast, drinking too much water before or after meals or vigorous exercise within the first few hours after eating. Dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative and contain fat among the first four ingredients can also trigger bloat. Other causes of bloat are stress, heredity and/or fearful or anxious temperament.

Bloat will never go unnoticed. A bloated dog will attempt to vomit but is usually unsuccessful. There is also a lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the stomach. Coughing, unproductive gagging, drooling, pacing, rapid panting and whining are some of the typical signs of bloat. Know the history of the dog to diagnose bloat. Know if he has eaten too much or if he has drunk too much water recently. Bloat can be treated if the dog is able to burp or vomit. Ask your vet for medication. If there is rapid breathing, pale gums and if the dog collapse, rush your dog to the veterinarian at once. No need to think twice! It could be a matter of life and death scenario for your dog.

It is important for every dog owner to know the prevention of bloat. It is always beneficial to feed your dog several meals a day rather than feeding one big meal and see to it that there will be no vigorous exercise or other activities within the first few hours after eating. It is equally important to control the dog's fluid intake before and especially after a meal. When feeding dry commercial dog foods, read the product label carefully. Check the list of ingredients to make sure that it contains the important dietary requirement of your dog, not just fillers and other useless ingredients.

About the author:
Richard Cussons is a writer with tons of knowledge on Labrador Retriever. Discover effective Labrador dog training tips at labradorsavvy.com.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Hepatitis In Dogs

By: Kirsten Hawkins
Hepatitis, a disease of the liver that is seen in several animals, including humans, is caused by a viral infection. Canine hepatitis is caused by the virus designated CAV-1 which is seen only in dogs. Humans and other animals are not at risk to contract hepatitis from the CAV-1 virus.

Like many viruses, CAV-1 first localizes and replicates in the lymph nodes and spreads into the bloodstream from there. Once in the blood, CAV-1 attacks several organs, most notably the liver, eyes, and kidneys. Although hepatitis is a very serious disease, not all cases of CAV-1 infection lead to it and not all are serious. Some dogs show few or no symptoms after being infected. Some, on the other hand, especially young puppies, become seriously ill.

Once a dog is infected, there is no treatment that will destroy the CAV-1 virus. There is no cure. There is, however, a very good vaccine that can be given to puppies when they start their series of inoculations. The vaccine has greatly reduced incidents of canine hepatitis in the United States and Western Europe.

Not all cases of hepatitis are caused by the CAV-1 virus. Called idiopathic or periportal hepatitis, these cases of hepatitis are of unknown origin and occur in dogs that are five or six years old in most cases.

Symptoms of both CAV-1 hepatitis and hepatitis of unknown origin can include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, jaundice, depression and weakness. Since there is no cure, a vet can only treat the symptoms to the best of his or her ability. Antibiotics are typically given to prevent further infections.

In most cases when a dog contracts CAV-1 the symptoms can be treated to keep the dog comfortable until the virus passes. Once that happens a dog is usually immune to the disease for the rest of its life. Survival rates are high for CAV-1 induced hepatitis with death usually occurring only in puppies.

Some specific breeds (most notably Doberman Pinschers and certain terriers) can develop and suffer from chronic hepatitis. There is no cure for the disease and these animals will have it for the rest of their lives.

Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

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YOU DOG! IT'S A LAST CHANCE TO CHASE TAIL (New York Post)

By GEORGETT ROBERTS

March 16, 2008 -- Life can be lonely in the doghouse.

Gov. Spitzer, expected to resign tomorrow as a result of a scandal involving a high-priced hooker, has only his dog, James, to keep him company as he tries to patch things up with his wife, Silda.

After a few hours of walking the Wheaton terrier alone - à la Bill Clinton with his chocolate Lab, Buddy, in the aftermath of the Monica Lewinsky scandal - Spitzer hopped into an SUV with Silda, two of their three daughters, and James.

But while the temperature was a mild 45 degrees yesterday, things were chilly in front of the Spitzer's Upper East Side home. Silda barely looked at her hubby as he climbed behind the wheel and the family sped off to its manse in upstate Gallatin.