The longer a debt remains unpaid the more interest it accrues, and the more interest that is added to the original amount, the bigger the balance becomes. How to halt this spiral of debt is something that keeps many loving pet owners awake at night, as they worry about how to pay those mounting vet bills and the interest that is piling up. However, it is unlikely that the true animal lover would ever even consider denying their beloved pet proper veterinary care purely on the grounds of cost.

If this situation is making your debt unmanageable, then the first thing to do is to obtain professional and unbiased debt advice. From here it is an easy step forward to compiling a workable debt management plan. The debt representative company contacts each of your creditors on your behalf (including your vet) and negotiates with them to arrange an affordable monthly repayment amount. This will stop all the stress of creditor hassle and phone calls, final demand payments and red overdue bills.

Should your debt be in excess of £12,000 and you live in England or Wales then you may be eligible to apply for an IVA or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement. There are certain stipulations to the eligibility of an IVA, one of which is to have at least £150 disposable income each month.

Before taking advice from any debt management company, be sure that they are a member of DEMSA and are approved by the UK Office of Fair Trading. If you do not qualify for an IVA there will be other plans and debt solutions which may be available to you. So before you spend one more sleepless night or consider the ultimate nightmare of having to let your feline or canine family member down, contact a reputable debt advice company today.

It’s no surprise then that brands like James Wellbeloved are capitalising on this sudden healthy foods movement, producing premium quality dog food. In fact, their philosophy doesn’t just stop at healthy ingredients; their food contains no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives – all things that we as consumers look out for in our own food.

The pet food world has arguably gone above and beyond that of the human food world, as they begin to incorporate different aspects of being healthy into their products. For us, being healthy isn’t just eating well and keeping in shape. We like to look after every aspect of our bodies, utilising a variety of routines and products in order to do so. However, pet companies have managed to take some of these routines and blend them in with their pet food, making it all the more simpler to look after your dog.

Eukanuba not only promote the same values as its competitors (premium quality ingredients, hypoallergenic, etc), but helps keep other aspects of your dog’s life in check as well. In one bowl of dog food, your dog can be helped along with its teeth, immune system, mobility, and coat – just from eating. As well as being so simple as to evoke envy in we humans, it saves on buying multiple different products for multiple different health issues. Of course, the benefits provided by the food shouldn’t be solely relied on, especially in extreme cases, but they certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

Some dog food companies have even branched out of health food benefits, and are marketing their food toward specific breeds and sizes of dog. You could almost argue that they’re providing the equivalent of a children’s menu, to make sure that all dogs are properly catered for. Royal Canin dog feed, for example, produce food from 0-4kg (X-Small), all the way to 45kg+ (Giant).

Eukanuba dog food is made specifically to provide your dog with the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals, for your pet to have a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. The high-quality animal proteins, such as lamb, used in their products allow the animal to have a proper, optimum weight that reduces the stress on their joints and limbs.

Not only that, but their dog food can help take care of your pet’s teeth, by reducing the amount of tartar that builds up, by preventing its deposition. The food can also help with maintaining a healthy looking coat, as well as promoting a healthy digestive system, by providing nutrients that are easily permeated.

Orijen provides pet food that is not just of a high quality, but is even deemed fit for human consumption. Both the Orijen dog food and cat food contain a high percentage of proteins, like chicken and salmon, a healthy amount of vegetables, and absolutely no grain or wheat based ingredients.

Not only do they ensure that their ingredients are of the highest standard, but they make sure that they stay that way as well. By locally sourcing their product components, they can guarantee that the ingredients used are fresh upon arrival and haven’t spoiled due to lengthy freight trips. Also, the ingredients are cooked slowly at low temperatures, making certain that the nutrients and minerals that are so rich in their ingredients remain there, even after cooking.

Because we’re becoming more aware about what gets put into our food, there really is no excuse for giving our pets low-quality ingredients. Especially when companies such as these are so easily accessible and so readily available.

Autoimmune Disease is actually the dysfunction of the healthy immune system of the body. The immune system works as a guard, creating antibodies against any disease causing micro organisms that enter the body. In the Autoimmune condition, the immune system not only fails to protect the body from alien micro organisms, but also starts creating anti bodies against the healthy cells.

Causes of Autoimmune Disease in Dogs:

Though experts are still confused about the exact cause of this disease, some of the known reasons are:

-          Medications, vaccines, antibiotics and steroids.

-          Pollutants present in the environment

-          Chemicals: pesticides, chemicals present in flea or tick treatments.

-          Food preservatives like ethoxyquin

-          Other diseases like liver cancer

Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease in Dogs:

The Autoimmune Disease can affect the whole body or a single organ. It can cause liver failure of adrenal glands issues at a time or attack the protein of the body, affecting the whole body. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), the red blood cells of the body are attacked. The symptoms o the Autoimmune Disease in dogs depends upon the type and condition of the disease. Some of the most commonly observed symptoms are:

-          The body feels weak and lethargic

-          Vomiting and diarrhea accompanying with pain in the abdominal area

-          Loss of appetite

-          High breathing rate

-          High pulse rate

-          Depressive and tense mood

-          Mouth ulcers

-          Skin problems

-          Lesions: most likely appearing in nasal, oral and anal areas

-          Lymph nodes get enlarged

-          Seizures and shock

-          Anemia

-          Unable to exercise

-          Joints become stiff

-          Drastic change in normal weight

-          Body odor

Treatment of Autoimmune Disease in Dogs:

 The symptoms of Autoimmune Disease in dogs are hard to differentiate with those of other disease. It’s really important to get the dog properly diagnosed before starting the treatment. A vet traditionally conducts blood tests, urine tests and stool analysis along with other laboratory tests to clarify the condition.

Once the dog has been diagnosed with Autoimmune Disease, the treatment usually involves natural products. A vet might advise to add natural supplements and herbs to the daily diet of the dog, for effective balance of the immune system. Natural supplements include digestive enzymes; which are useful normal digestion and balancing of the bacteria in the digestive track and fatty acids; which are responsible for providing healthy skin and digestive system.

What Causes Anemia in dogs?

There are a number of causes that lead to anemia, blood loss being the most prominent of all.

Blood loss:

Blood loss or bleeding can be of two types; internal bleeding and external bleeding. External bleeding is most commonly caused by trauma and injury.

Internal bleeding involves intestinal or abdominal bleeding. The abdominal bleeding can be caused by three conditions:

-          Liver/kidney or spleen damage: vehicular trauma often leads to damaging the liver, spleen r kidney, thus resulting in bleeding in the abdomen.

-          Tumors: presence of tumors in kidney, liver or spleen can also lead to abdominal bleeding.

-          Rat poison: ingestion of rat poison can cause abnormal blood clotting in the abdomen, leading to blood loss.

Bleeding in the intestinal tract can be due to inflammatory disorders, cancer or low platelet count.

Red blood cell destruction:

Red blood cell destruction is a result of an immune related disease in dogs known as autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Hemolysis makes the body destroy its own health red blood cells. The disease is caused by cancer, drug exposure, vaccines, toxicity, infectious and tick borne diseases.

Other diseases:

There are many chronic diseases that might cause anemia. These diseases however do now threat serious harm and anemia caused by them can be mild to moderate.

What are the Symptoms of Anemia in Dogs?

As there are not one but various causes of anemia in dogs, the signs and symptoms of anemia also vary accordingly. The most common symptoms are:

-          Depression

-          Pale skin

-          Exhaustion and lethargy

-          Generalized weakness

-          Pale gums

-          High respiratory rate

-          Blood loss

-          Presence of blood in urine or stool

-          Loss of appetite

-          Vomiting and nausea

-          Recurrent collapses

-          Abdominal distention

-          Loss of weight

The diagnosis of anemia includes several tests, to identify the cause of anemia in a dog. After proper diagnosis, the treatment aims at curing the underlying cause by using different therapies, supplements and drugs. In severe cases blood transfusion or surgery may be required.

It is essential to provide your dog with a complete dental program, to avoid oral disease and maintain a perfect smile with healthy teeth.

The dental care program includes three steps:

Regular veterinarian visits:

The first step is never to skip an appointment with the vet. Regular checkups can help in keeping a dog’s mouth clean and disease free. A veterinarian orally examines the dog´s mouth to look for any signs of dental problems. The examination usually involves:

-          Examination of the dogs head and face to look for any signs of asymmetry, swelling or discharges.

-          Examination of the outer surfaces of the gums and teeth, while examining the bite.

-          Examination of the inner surfaces of the gums, teeth, tongue, palates, tonsils and oral mucosa.

-          Examination of the lymph nodes and salivary glands.

Dental cleaning:

Proper brushing at home can clear any signs of plaque, but it can do little good if a dog has tartar. Dental cleaning by a veterinarian not only removes any tartar, but also makes the teeth clean and polished. The dental cleaning procedure involves:

-          Anesthetizing of the dog

-          X-rays of the mouth are taken to examine the overall dental structure.

-          Inspection of the mouth to look for any signs of gum diseases

-          A bacteria killing solution is flushed into the mouth

-          The teeth are cleaned with handheld and ultrasonic scalers

-          A disclosing solution is used to detect any remaining calculus, which are then removed.

-          Teeth polishing

-          An anti-bacterial solution is flushed into the mouth again.

-          Prescribing a appropriate home dental care program

Daily dental care at home:

The daily dental care mainly involves brushing of the dog’s teeth and examination of the dog’s mouth.

Examining the dog’s mouth at home, should be a routine habit of the owner. The owner should check for signs that indicate gum disease, such as bad breath, inflamed gums, tartar, bleeding etc. if any such symptoms are visible, the dog should immediately be checked by a veterinarian.

Brushing the dog’s teeth is also really important to prevent tartar build up and other gum diseases. The proper step by step procedure can be learned from the veterinarian clinic.

There are now certain foods, supplements and treats available in the market, which are specially formulated to prevent the chances of tartar and plaque buildup.

Gum Disease: The gum disease in dogs occur when bacteria in the shape of plaque, destroys the supportive gum tissue of the teeth. If proper brushing and cleaning is not done, the plaque is covered by calculus or tartar, which are hard crusts formed by the mineral salts in the saliva. The disease can be mild to severe. In mild cases, the plaque appears like a yellowish build up at the base of the teeth. In severe cases, the tarter appears to be hard and thick.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease is a frequently occurring dental disease in dogs. The main factors that cause this disease are plaque, cell mucus, food debris, and bacteria. Any of these factors may cause a milky white film on the teeth and gums. If this film mixes with the saliva of the mouth, the result is tartar, which cannot be easily removed.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. The presence of tartar causes irritation of the gum tissue, as a result of which the surrounding gums become red and swollen. If gingivitis is not treated properly, it may result in periodintitis, bone loss, loosening of the teeth and teeth loss.

Immune Disorders and Cardiovascular Diseases: The problems related to the dental set up of a dog are not limited to the mouth only , but can spread to other parts of the body, as the infection or bacteria present in the mouth can possibly swallowed and digested. Similarly the immune system can also be affected. The bacteria present in the mouth can cause damage to kidneys, liver, lungs and gastrointestinal diseases.

Lymphocytic plasmacytic stomatitis (LPS): This is considered to be an autoimmune disease of the gums and lining of the mouth and throat. It is often mistaken with gingivitis. LPS can be triggered by underlying infections such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Leukemia, Feline Herpes (aka Rhinotracheitis) or Calicivirus.

The dental issues can lead to heart diseases also. Research shows that bacteria found on the heart valves are similar to the bacteria found infected gums.

The bottom line is to pay utmost attention to your dogs overall dental condition, to avoid any serious illnesses.

The prostate gland is located near the urinary bladder in male dogs. The urethra passes through the bladder and the prostate gland. The enlargement of the prostate gland (due to several reasons) can cause pressure on the urethra resulting in urination issues. Similarly colon, that is located above the prostate gland, can also be prominently affected by the enlargement.

Causes of Enlarged Prostate in Dogs:

The enlargement of the prostate gland can develop due to several reasons such as:

-          Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or cystic hyperplasia: The enlargement in this case is due to increase in size and number of prostrate cells and other hormonal changes.

-          Prostatitis: The enlargement is a result of an underlying bacterial infection of the prostate gland in this case.

-          Prostatic abscess: The presence of large fluid filled pockets in the prostrate, indicate the most severe case of this disease.

-          Squamous metaplasia: the enlargement in this case is mainly due to too much exposure to estrogen.

-          Paraprostatic cysts: The presence of cysts containing fluid connected with the prostrate cause enlargement in this case.

-          Prostatic neoplasia: The enlargement develops due to the presence of tumors in the prostate gland.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate in Dogs:

The signs and symptoms of enlarged prostate in dogs vary according to the root cause of the disease. However defecation and urination problems are found in all cases. Some of the commonly known symptoms are:

-          Painful defecation

-          Discomfort and pain during urination

-          Abnormal gait and taking small steps

-          Lethargy and weakness

-          Anorexia

-          Weight loss

-          Penis Discharge : pus that can be cloudy and yellowish in color or presence of blood

-          Abdominal pain and discomfort

-          Fever

-          Straining while urinating or during defecation

-          Urinary tract infection: either chronic or recurrent

Treatment of Enlarged Prostate in Dogs:

After the proper diagnosis; that includes blood tests, urine analysis, culture, ultrasounds etc, the treatment is done accordingly. The procedure usually involves:

-           Intravenous fluids: In cases such as acute prostatitis, a dog might severely be dehydrated. In such conditions, IV fluids are administered immediately.

-          Intravenous antibiotics: In cases where bacterial infections have been detected, antibiotic treatment is prescribed.

-          Urinary bladder catheterization: in cases where the normal urinary flow is blocked due to the disease, a catheter is implanted between the urethral orifice, urethra and the bladder, to help the flow.

-          Analgesic drugs:  pain killers are generally administered to provide relief to the dogs. Anti inflammatory drugs that are nonsteroidal are commonly used along with narcotics.

-          Enema: It is prescribed to get relief from constipation and other defecation discomforts.

-          Surgery: The presence of cysts and abscesses might require surgery to remove and drain them.

The disease is actually caused by bacterial pathogen called Leptospira, also known as aquatic spirochetes”. These organisms survive in water and have a long helical appearance, with hook like structures on one or both sides. It has a tail like shape which helps it´s spinning movement. There are over 200 strains of Leptospira, but only a few have been proved to cause disease in dogs, such as L. pomona, L. grippotyphosa, L. canicola and L. icterohemorrhagiae.

Causes of Leptospirosis in Dogs:

The Leptospira organisms breed happily and abundantly in damp environments.  This is why the disease is more common in summer and fall seasons, or after heavy rain falls. The presence of mud, standing water and wet soil make the survival possible which is otherwise really hard in the freezing temperature of the winter season.

Leptospirosis is transmitted from one animal to another. Animals like skunks, raccoons, and rats are most likely to carry these bacteria. It can be transmitted in the following ways:

-          Infection can be spread through direct contact with the infected urine or water that has been contaminated with the infected urine.

-          Transmission through breeding

-          Transmission through gestation

-          Venereal and placental transfer

-          Transmission through membranes of the eyes

-          Transmission through abrasions or bite wounds

Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs:

The symptoms of Leptospirosis vary according to the condition and stage of the disease. It is more complicated in puppies and in dogs who have not been vaccinated. If the disease remains untreated it can cause severe damage to the kidneys and liver. The symptoms appear within 1 to 2 weeks after being infected. Some commonly observed symptoms are:

-          Depression

-          Vomiting and loss of appetite

-          Conjunctivitis

-          Pain in various parts of the body

-          Fever

-          Shivering and stiffness.

-          Excessive thirst and frequent urination

-          Jaundice

-          Change in Urine color and intensity, often appearing as deep orange

-          Dehydration

-          Pale skin tone

-          Kidney pain

-          Possible Renal failure

-          Difficulty breathing

-          Blood in feces

-          Muscular tremors

Though the probability of a dog having Leptospirosis is high, but proper diagnosis and treatment may help in eliminating this condition.

The disease is actually caused by bacterial pathogen called Leptospira, also known as aquatic spirochetes”. These organisms survive in water and have a long helical appearance, with hook like structures on one or both sides. It has a tail like shape which helps it´s spinning movement. There are over 200 strains of Leptospira, but only a few have been proved to cause disease in dogs, such as L. pomona, L. grippotyphosa, L. canicola and L. icterohemorrhagiae.

Diagnosis of Leptospirosis in Dogs:

The symptoms of Leptospirosis disease in dogs are often misleading, which is why proper diagnosis is recommended. The diagnosis usually involves laboratory tests such as:

-          Blood tests and Urine analysis:  blood chemistry and urine analysis help to determine any abnormalities of the blood, electrolyte imbalances, and elevation level of liver enzymes.

-          Microscopic Agglutination test (MAT): the MAT test helps to determine the concentration of antibodies and leptospires in the dog’s serum. It has two major drawbacks. Firstly it may show false negative results in the early stages of the disease and secondly positive response may not be gained in vaccinated dogs.

-          Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Microcapsular Agglutination test (MCAT): these tests are considered more reliable as compared to MAT tests, as they prove to be more responsive in vaccinated dogs and help to determine the disease in early stages as well.

Treatment of Leptospirosis in Dogs:

After proper diagnosis, treatment is started that usually involves antibiotics:

-          Antibiotic treatment: Antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracycline and penicillin are often used in treating this disease. Usually one or two types of antibiotics may be administered to handle different tasks, for instance penicillin stops the reproduction and spreading of bacteria. While antibiotics like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones are used to eliminate traces of leptospira in the kidney.

-          Fluid therapy:  along with the antibiotics, supportive treatment is often required in the shape of fluid therapy, which is essential for the adequate blood flow through the kidneys, in order to reduce the chances of renal failure.

-          Anti emetic drugs: anti emetic drugs may be administered to reduce vomiting which can lead to excessive dehydration.

-          IV Fluids: intravenous fluids are also commonly administered to overcome dehydration.

-          Hemodialysis:  in severe cases, usually in the last stages of the disease in which the kidneys fail to function, hemodialysis is performed. Hemodialysis refers to a machine that serves as an artificial kidney.