Obesity is a disease which is defined by an excess of body fat. Dogs that are over nourished, lack the ability to exercise, or that have a tendency to retain weight are the most at risk for becoming obese. Obesity can result in serious adverse health effects, such as reducing the lifespan, even if your dog is only moderately obese. Multiple areas of the body are affected by excess body fat, including the bones and joints, the digestive organs, and the organs responsible for breathing capacity.
Obesity is common in dogs of all ages, but it usually occurs in middle-aged dogs, and generally in those that are between the ages of 5 and 10. Neutered and indoor dogs also tend to have a higher risk of becoming obese. Canine degenerative myelopathy, also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, is an incurable, progressive disease of the canine spinal cord that is similar in many ways to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Onset is typically after the age of 7 years and it is seen most frequently in the German shepherd dog, Pembroke Welsh corgi, and boxer dog, though the disorder is strongly associated with a gene mutation in SOD1 (Superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] also known as superoxide dismutase 1 or SOD1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the SOD1 gene, located on chromosome 21. SOD1 is one of three human superoxide dismutases. It is implicated in apoptosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.) that has been found in 43 breeds as of 2008, including the wire fox terrier, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Rhodesian ridgeback, and Cardigan Welsh corgi. Progressive weakness and incoordination of the rear limbs are often the first signs seen in affected dogs, with progression over time to complete paralysis. Myelin is an insulating sheath around neurons in the spinal cord. One proposed cause of degenerative myelopathy is that the immune system attacks this sheath, breaking it down. This results in a loss of communication between nerves in lower body of the animal and the brain.
A dog’s ability to move around and perform its daily activities depends on the ability of the brain, spine, nerves and muscles to coordinate in assembly. This complex communication system involves nerves in the brain sending messages about the outer environment to the body, and the body sending messages to the brain regarding what it is actually experiencing in the environment. These messages are transmitted through nerves in the spinal cord, which is embedded in the vertebral, or spinal, column. Together, the nerves in the brain and spinal cord make up the body's central nervous system. A trauma to any part of the nerve pathway can result in miscommunication or complete lack of communication to the brain or body, and an inability to coordinate the body's movements.
First I will tell you the stages of a dog and then we will discuss all of it with goods and bads so you can decide if you will adopt a puppy, an adult or a senior dog. Stage 1: Neonatal - 0-2 weeks Stage 2: Transitional - 2-4 weeks Stage 3: Social - 3-12 weeks Stage 4: Hierarchical - 3-6 months Stage 5: Teenage - 6-18 months Stage 6: Adult - 2-3 years Stage 7: Senior - 5-10 years Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome is similar to human involutive psychosis similar to Alzheimer. The treatment with acetylcholine (ACH) failed because of the irreversible changes on the brain; however, some specialists recommend lecithin to reduce the risks of CCDS. CCDS is characterized by general decline of memory, learning, attention and perception with decreasing the capacity to adapt at different situations. In some cases is mention painful crisis, deafness or decreasing the visual ability (partial blindness) that lead to increasing irritability, anxiety, fear and at the end makes the dog become aggressive, even though he never was aggressive. The Eco Mum Homemade Dog Food RecipeMade with lean beef mince, brown rice and dandelion root, your pup will be licking his chops for homemade dog food made by The Eco Mom, Louise. Delicious and homemade, this is an easy DIY recipe to make in your own kitchen.
Who can resist those big brown eyes and cute doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table really hurt your dog? Well, that depends on what it is and what's in it. A chip with guacamole can cause your dog some real problems. In fact, there's a lot of "people food" your dog should never eat. And, it's not just because of weight. Some foods are downright dangerous for them -- and some of these common foods may surprise you. The Great Dane is typically a gentle giant, easygoing and mild-mannered. He needs only moderate exercise, but does need space and shouldn't be cramped into studio apartments and postage-stamp yards. Above all, this sociable breed needs companionship. He doesn't do well when left alone. With his deep, resounding voice, a Great Dane won't fail to announce visitors, but guarding and territorial instincts vary. Some lines and individuals are friendly with everyone, some are sensibly protective, while others are standoffish or skittish. Help Your Dog Live Longer by Avoiding These ThingsAs pet parents, we like to think that we are providing a healthy, happy life for our dogs. We feed them top quality food, give them lots of love, and toss the ball around the backyard whenever we have the time. But there is a lot more that goes into raising a healthy pup. And sometimes, our busy lifestyles cause us to overlook some simple measures that could help to extend the lifespan of our canines.
The good news, however, is that all of this is repairable and it’s never too late to bump up the level of care that we put into raising our pets. Pets360 tapped the minds of several experienced veterinarians across the nation to get their input on ways we may inadvertently be shortening our dog’s lives. |
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