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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:
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All Cleaning products
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Tylenol
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Ibuprofen
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Chocolate
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Onions
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Grapes and Raisins
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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
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A SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING
VACCINATIONS: As a dog trainer and breeder I hear discussion
and concerns about yearly dog vaccinations. I use logic when
answering questions regarding the safety of dog vaccines. The
vaccine that has caused the most concern has been the lepto vaccine.
As an answer to the concerns about this vets stopped giving the
vaccine to dogs. As a result lepto again became a problem and
very real threat to our dogs. I NEVER stopped using the lepto
vaccine. I do believe breeders should stop breeding the dogs
lines that have severe reactions to this vaccine and buyers need to
search out breeders who have dogs with sound immune systems with no
history of reactions. None of my dogs has ever had a reaction
to the lepto vaccine. Now as far as the new discussion
in regard to over vaccinating dogs. I do not believe it will
be safe to vaccinate dogs every three years. I also do not
believe healthy dogs are in any danger of health issues because of
yearly vaccines. I do understand dogs with compromised immune
systems having problems, but those dogs will have problems with many
things throughout their lives. They are not the norm. I
have seen dogs vaccinated yearly walk through active parvo and
not come down with the disease. I have never had a dog get
sick from yearly vaccines. And I do not believe the three year
vaccine will be safe for our dogs. I for one will not change
the way I use vaccinations. I know for a fact they work and
they are safe for my dogs. I will continue to use yearly
vaccinations as I have been for the past 30 yrs. I will not
put the safety of my dogs at risk. If you would like to
discuss this, feel free to use our DOG CHAT FORUM. |
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
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