On this page you will find information regarding  Common toxins to dogs, general health and safety tips, and information about canine diseases as well as the vaccinations used to protect your dog from them.

Most common toxins to dogs in homes:

• All Cleaning products

• Tylenol

• Ibuprofen

• Chocolate

• Onions

• Grapes and Raisins

• Plants

     -The most life threatening plants to dogs are the Azelea, Oleander, Sago, Palm and Castor Bean

     -It is highly recommended that pets not be allowed to eat plants in general. Avoidance is the safest policy

to adhere to for your pet. You can find more information about toxins in your home on the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org.

***Kyleewood Kennels would like to urge those living in areas with the colder more harsh winters to be sure to keep your canine companions warm and protected during all harsh weather. If you must keep your pet outside please take great care to provide it with the best possible warm and dry shelter as well as optimum food and fresh water at all times. Of course the best place for your dog is inside with you as a member of the family.
                                   GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS
**NEVER tie your canine's lead to anything while wearing a choke type training collar of ANY kind. This is very dangerous and can cost your dog it's life.
 
**Large and Giant breed dogs should be fed a dog food made specifically for them. Fats and Proteins are adjusted to help avoid problems with joints and/or injuries as they grow. Puppies that have been over fed by owners trying to "bulk" them up usually end up with joint problems and are not "bulked up" but obese instead. Large and giant breed dogs should be fed out of an elevated dish to help avoid bloat (gastric torsion) that can be deadly.

 **Meat based premium foods not that do not contain soy, dyes, too many cereal fillers or chemicals are the best choice for your dog's diet. This will help avoid shedding and allergy problems. It is NOT necessary to buy the most expensive food on the market for your dog or to feed a raw food diet. Many commercial foods on the market are excellent choices for your dog/puppy. Do not get taken in by today's marketing strategies by sales people or companies to scare owners into buying their brand of dog food or raw food diet.
 
**Do not hold water back from your dog or puppy. This can cause your dog or puppy to drink too much when finally offered water until they have bloated themselves. Leave a water supply available at all times for your canine and it will drink when it needs to. Never leave your dog exposed to the hot sun or cold weather without adequate shelter.
 
**Some canine breeds coats (fur) actually help protect them from the hot sun and cold weather. By shaving these dogs coats you may be putting them at risk for heat stroke or sun burns. If you do not want to deal with long fur on a dog simply get a breed of dog with a short coat.
 
**Short nosed breeds as the Pug, Bulldog, Boston Terrier etc cannot tolerate high heat or the hot sun and must be kept in a temperature controlled environment.
 
**The best way to avoid costly veterinary visits is to practice preventative grooming. Clean your dogs ears to avoid ear infections that can become chronic, painful and costly. Clean your dogs teeth to avoid costly surgeries to clear plague build up and to avoid gum disease in your canine.
 
**Use only canine products to groom or shampoo your canine.

**Never mix flea products with differing ingredients on your dog. This can cause nerve damage or possible seizures from toxic poisoning. Remember flea products contain pesticides.
 
**Male dogs that have been neutered have less aggression behaviors, mark less, are less likely to roam or run off and are less likely to develop certain cancers than intact dogs.
 
**Female dogs that have been spayed do not ride the hormonal moody roller coaster un-altered females do, are less likely to roam when in heat and have less risk of breast cancer and uterine infections that can be deadly. It does not benefit a female dog at all to have a single heat cycle. Most purebred dogs are not of breeding quality. Registration papers are NOT an indication of breeding quality. Spaying your female dog will keep her from having unwanted litters of puppies.  
                                              VACCINATING YOUR DOG

Vaccinating your dog will protect it from several deadly diseases and viruses. It is best to not take your puppy to locations other dogs visit until it has most of its vaccinations. Yearly boosters are needed to keep your dog protected. Puppies must be wormed and checked for parasites several times to insure it is clear from all parasites that can cause problems, sometimes serious for your puppy or dog. If you are not sure of the protection your dog has from its vaccinations you can ask your Veterinarian to perform a titer test. Check with your Veterinarian for more information. The following is a list and description of the most common viruses veterinarians vaccinate for: 
Parvovirus   The most common killer in puppies/dogs and a very deadly virus. Resistant to all temperatures and transmitted by air. Very contagious. The virus can live for several months sometimes up to a year once deposited on a location.
Adenovirus   Canine adenovirus types 1 and 2 cause infections hepatitis and respiratory
infection. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type 1 may cause severe kidney damage or death. Adenovirus type 2 is an important factor in kennel cough.
Distemper        Distemper is a widespread, often fatal neurological disorder. All dogs should be vaccinated against canine distemper.
Parainfluenza           Canine parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough syndrome. Influenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.
Coronavirus         Canine Coronavirus is a highly contagious intestinal disease causing vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and puppies. Corona virus is more threatening to puppies.
 Rabies        This disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal and once
 contracted the disease attacks the dog's central nervous system and spreads by infectious saliva. If a dog is bitten by a rabid animal, and veterinarian treatment is received promptly a series of injections may be given and the dog may be saved. However once a dog shows physical signs, no cure is possible.
Canine Leptospirosis     (" Lepto ") is a bacterial disease that is carried by common wildlife and rodents. This disease causes high fever, jaundice, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal liver and kidney damage.

Bordetella           Bordetella bronchiseptica or "Kennel Cough" is bacteria that is also a common cause of kennel cough. Although not usually life threatening to most healthy dogs, it is extremely infectious and can result in a cough, bronchitis, and pneumonia lasting for more than 3 weeks. The bordetella vaccine is given by nose drops inhaled through the canine's nose.

Lyme Disease           Canine Lyme Disease (borreliosis) is an infectious, tick-borne disease. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria called a 'spirochete.' The common deer tick is the primary carrier of Lyme disease in the Northeast and upper Midwest. The tick Ixodex pacificus is the primary carrier in the West. 

Suggested vaccination schedule:
      6/7 weeks    Combination vaccine without lepto. Corona in areas Corona is a concern.
 
      9/10 weeks    Combination vaccine with lepto. Bordetella.
 
      12/13 weeks   Combination vaccine with Lepto. Corona in areas Corona is a concern. Bordetella.
 
      15/16 weeks  Combination vaccine with Lepto. Lyme in areas where Lyme disease is a concern. Rabies.
 
      Adult (1yr)      DA2LPP combination vaccine. Lyme disease in areas where it is a concern. Rabies.

Booster yearly with DA2LPP and Rabies as the laws in your area require. In past years many have stopped giving the lepto vaccine because of reactions to the vaccine. Since the practice of not giving the lepto vaccine to puppies and dogs, many areas are experiencing increasing cases of lepto once again. Your dog's immune system, a history of adverse reactions to the lepto vaccine, your breeders suggestions, the area you live in and the advise of your veterinarian should all be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to give the lepto vaccine to your puppy or dog. Here at Kyleewood Kennels we have always given the lepto vaccine to our dogs and have never had a problem with the vaccine or reactions from it.   In over 30 yrs I have never known a dog that died from over vaccination, nor have I owned or bred a dog that had reactions to vaccinations.   Research a breeders blood lines BEFORE you purchase your puppy.  Avoid purchasing puppies from bloodlines known to have reactions from vaccines. 

 
We hope this information has been of some help to you. If you have any further questions or concerns feel free to contact us by the email addresses given on our "Contact Us" page.

                                                   ©Kyleewood Kennels 2002-2007