Will Kissing Your Dog Make You Sick?

Most of us have probably kissed our dogs, either superficially, or with a real wet one, but is that really a good idea? Since it is possible to get deathly ill from kissing your dog, it is probably a good idea to avoid the kissing as much as possible.

Essentially, we all should always wash our hands after handling, feeding and brushing our pets, and in reality, avoid kissing them. If you kiss your dog, there is a possibility that you might exchange plaque from his mouth to yours, which could introduce different bacteria into your mouth that could be harmful.

If you haven't noticed, dogs enjoy licking their rear ends, so if you kiss your dog on the mouth, you would potentially receive some of that bacteria. It doesn't seem to bother the dog, but it probably would bother you. Any kind of faeces from any living thing is not good to be putting in your mouth as e-Coli and other harmful germs could be introduced to you.

For example, a protozoan organism from dogs can cause flu-like symptoms in a disease called toxoplasmosis. It can be especially dangerous if pregnant women get it, as it can cause miscarriage and birth defects.

Dogs commonly get worms, particularly hookworms and roundworms. Dogs constantly have their nose to the ground and are very susceptible to picking these critters up, and if you and your dog are kissing, you can get them too.

Dogs can also pass along salmonella, although it is usually passed by bad meat, dogs can pick it up from reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes. It can be present in their feces and the dog can pick it up from that.

It is also a good idea to watch what your dog eats, as in not letting him rummage through the neighbors trash cans. The half eaten hot dog, or the spoiled hamburger he runs across may taste good to him, but the bacteria that is growing like crazy may not faze him, but would give you a good fever if he licks you on the mouth.

In the final analysis, control what your dog eats, and don't kiss him on the mouth. Wash your hands each time you have any contact with him, as dogs are voracious lickers, and any part of him could be carrying bacterial problems for you.

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Worms - What They Do To Your Dog

It is not unusual for your dog to come down with worms. One third of all dogs will be infected by various kinds of intestinal parasites in their life. There are many types of worms that can affect your dog including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms.

 As a caring owner of a dog, you should be aware of what to look for when it comes to worms. If you are aware of the symptoms, you can take the necessary measures so that your dog will remain active and healthy.

Symptoms in dogs affected by worms

When a dog is affected by worms, it can suffer from a distended belly. The stomach might be in bloated condition. If the infection is serious, there will be vomiting, weight loss and diarrhea as well. It is possible to see some worms in the dog's stools. The most common way that worms are spread from one dog to another dog is through the stools. Some worms will be transmitted to your dog through the infected ground.

Tapeworms are probably the most common worms that you will find in dogs. There will be very few clinical signs when a dog is affected by tapeworms. If there is a heavy infestation, there could be weight loss and intestinal upset as well. There will be segments of tapeworms which can be found in stools, which actually look like pieces of rice. The most probable cause for the spread of tapeworm is the ingestion of fleas. It is possible that tapeworms might transfer to other pets as well.

Facts about worms

You should know some important facts about intestinal worms. Healthy dogs can be affected by worms. Some dogs will not show any symptoms even though they suffer from worms. You can find noticeable itching in the anal area in some dogs and some dogs will have increased appetite levels, diarrhea and weight loss symptoms.

In some instances, the worms from dogs can spread to human-beings as well. Hence, extreme care should be taken. The roundworm larvae can migrate through the blood stream and it can also reach the eyes. In such cases, there will be loss of vision. If children are living in poor hygienic conditions, this kind of situation might happen.

Prevention

A dog can catch worms from other dogs. Infected feces of other animals, raw meat and fleas are a great source for the spread of worms from one pet to another. In order to control worms in your dog it is important to take your dog for regular checkups with your vet to keep your dog healthy and happy.

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The 4 Most Common Dog Health Problems And What You Can Do About Them

Our pet dogs rely on us for food, love and care. Like us, our pet can suddenly feel ill and as a dog parent, it is important to know what to do when they get sick. It is ideal to know the most common health problems that are likely to hit your furry friend at any time to be better prepared.

Here are the top 4 common dog health problems and what you can do to care for your pet when they experience it:

Ear Infection

Usually caused by bacteria, ear mites, yeast or hair growth in the ear canal, canines are prone to ear infection. Symptoms include ear odor, ear discharge (brown, yellow or bloody), scratching, head shaking or tilting, loss of balance, redness and swelling of the ear canal and unusual eye movements. A simple ear infection can be cured through cleaning and medicating the ear canal, but it's ideal to bring your pet to the vet if symptoms don't clear up.

Worms

Dogs are naturally curious and would put everything in their mouth, that's why it's easy for parasites to enter their system. Roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms are common internal parasites in canines and are pretty easy to deal with but hookworms are known to be fatal to dogs, especially puppies. A change in appetite, diarrhea and weight loss are signs that your pet has worms and should be brought to the vet immediately. Treatment depends on what type of worm infestation he has.

Hot Spots

A bacterial infection, hot spots (medical term is acute moist dermatitis) are those bare, inflamed areas in your dog's fur that they can't stop scratching. Fleas are a common cause of a hot spot. Depending on the cause, these itchy and painful spots may be treated with antibiotics, topical medications, steroids or simply shaving and cleaning the affected area.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can hit canines as easily as it can hit us and are usually caused by food-related problems. In dogs, it can also be caused by intestinal parasites, parvo virus or even stress. Symptoms of diarrhea are obvious - loose, watery stools sometimes accompanied by lethargy, dark and bloody stools and vomiting. Be sure that your pooch remains hydrated but if symptoms last for more than a day, it's time to bring him to the vet.

Knowing these common dog health problems will help you better take care of your furry friend!