How Do You Change Their Food – Without Risking Diarrhea?
Every time you choose to change your dog’s food, you should always do it gradually. As a rule of thumb, start mixing the “new” food in with the “old” food – approximately half of each. Subsequently, the dog’s digestive system becomes accustomed to the change, and can then be fed 100% with the new food without getting diarrhea.
When Will A Bitch Be In Heat for the First Time? And How Does A Heat Normally Proceed?
Female German Shepherds, also called bitches, generally have their first heat between 6 and 12 months of age. Most bitches achieve their first term or fertility cycle within the first year of life. The duration of the term typically lasts for 3 weeks, but may vary in length from 3-21 days. In the first half of the term they will be seen bleeding. Towards the ovulation the bleeding decreases. Ovulation typically takes place between 12th and 14th day, but even here there are great variations. The exact point of ovulation – and thus the optimal mating time – can be determined using a blood test the levels of progesterone are measured. After a birth occurs the next term is approximately 5-8 months later.
My Dog is Vomiting and Has Diarrhea. What Can I Do?
If your dog, despite some vomiting and diarrhea, still seems enthusiastic and fresh, then you can try stop giving them food for a few days. For example, do not feed the dog for 24 hours.
During this time the dog should only get boiled water, and drink this in small portions. During the fasting period, you can give your dog a few supplements. I recommend giving your veterinarian a call about this.
If the vomiting and the diarrhea decreases or completely disappears within 24 hours, then you can start feeding the dog “diet food”. You can buy diet food (f. Ex. Prescription Diet I / D or Specific CID), or you can even make a diet of some broiled fish and some cooked rice (the rice should be completely overcooked). You must offer the dog small meals.
If your dog:
- has violent vomiting or diarrhea.
- is becoming lethargic, depressed or has a fever (over 39 degrees).
- is vomiting blood or has blood in the stool.
You should immediately contact your Veterinarian for advice
Why Does My Dog Lick Its Paws During The Summer?
When a dog licks it paws, it can be an expression of boredom, but most often it is a symptom of an allergic reaction in the skin. Depending on the allergy, the symptom can be seasonally emphasized e.g. every summer, or throughout the year. Itching in the paws can also be seen if they were infested with Demodex.
Demodex canis is the primary species of mite responsible for demodicosis in dogs, residing in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the dog. This condition is particularly detrimental in puppies, where it may signal underlying immunodeficiencies, contact your vet just to be sure that nothing serious is going on.
How to Remove a Tick?
A tick is most easily, and with the least risk of infection, removed by a small plastic hook. The hook can be purchased from your veterinarian. The hook is made to easily put around the tick’s head, turn two laps, and the tick will then release its grasp the dog skin. Never squeeze or press the tick while it is on the skin. If you do, the Tick can inject infectious substances directly into the dog’s blood. If the skin, where the tick had bitten, gets red or swollen, contact your vet just to be sure that nothing serious is going on.
How To Avoid Getting Teeth Tartar?
A German Shepherd’s teeth need to be used. In fact that is the only way to keep them healthy. That means that your dog should get a bone occasionally – rather than a cookie. If you brush your dog’s teeth daily it will also ensure healthy teeth – but this is really not a necessity, unless the vet recommends it. Like people, a German Shepherd can have weaker teeth and be more vulnerable to tartar than other dogs. To effectively fight the bacteria that form tartar, you can use an antibiotic. Chlorhexidine mouth spray is well suited to this, and studies suggest that 2 weekly treatments, achieves a good preventive effect
How Do I Make Sure My Dog Is Safe In The Car?
The safest method is having the German shepherd in a separate box at the back of the car.
How Often Should I Wash My Dog With Shampoo?
If you use a good dog shampoo, then you can wash your dog as often as necessary. Just remember to rinse it completely out afterwards. Your own shampoo is unfit to wash the dog, as there are differences in the dog’s skin and human skin PH.
