Knowing how to treat dog worms is very important and is essential to the proper care of your pet. Treatment for worms should begin with heartworms as some medicines and herbal remedies for treating heartworm are also effective for hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. The only untreated worm left would be the tapeworm.

Some of the traditional medicines are Heartgard Plus, Interceptor, and ProHeart. Heartgard Plus has a combination therapy of ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate, two powerful dewormers that are usually used as stand-alone treatments for specific worms.

There is something important to consider for those who want to know how to treat dog worms: not one wormer will kill all worms.

Roundworms can be treated with pyrantel pamoate suspension (or Nemex) or Ivermectin. Drontal Plus, Vercom Paste, and Panacur kill roundworms, and also kill hookworms and whipworms. Drontal and Vercom kill tapeworms, but Drontal cannot be given to dogs or puppies that weigh less than two pounds or are under three weeks of age. Vercom and Panacur need to be given three days in a row for full effectiveness, then repeated in two to four weeks. A stool sample needs to be taken to ensure the worms are gone.

Natural Treatments

There are certain foods that help such as?

Grapefruit seeds are a natural for killing, weakening and repelling parasites. Grind up seeds from fresh grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, or any other citrus fruit and add to food.

Cayenne pepper is hated by parasites so adding a half capsule per 50 lbs of body weight to food daily. This can be stepped up to a half capsule per 25 lbs of body weight twice a day for one week for faster results.

Another herbal method for treating dog worms is to grind up a bunch of fresh parsley in a quarter cup of water and cook for three minutes. Strain and freeze in ice cube trays and add 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight once a day. Keep the rest in the freezer and use as needed.

Additional methods that are nutrition-based treatments?

Add finely grated, raw sources of Vitamin A, such as carrots, beet greens, collard greens, pumpkins and sweet potatoes, to your dog?s diet for two to three days and then repeat every six to seven weeks? Vitamins and minerals from these nutritional sources are essential to cleansing the digestive tract of roundworms.

Try grinding up pumpkin seeds and add a quarter teaspoon for each 10 ? 15 lbs. of body weight daily. Do this for two weeks and then add wheat bran to the dog?s diet; soak the bran in water and add an eighth teaspoon per 10 lbs. of body weight to larger animals and just a pinch for smaller ones.

The most important thing to keep in mind when treating dog worms is to opt for methods that remove the worms safely and effectively, while maintaining your dog?s health. To learn more about natural and herbal remedies that eliminate dog parasites and worms such as Tape Worm, Heartworm and Roundworm, visit: how to treat dog worms

Pat Welch is an editor at herbal-alternative-remedies.com For information on other natural and herbal treatments for dog worms visit: how to treat dog worms

To learn about herbal remedies for pets visit http://www.herbal-alternative-remedies.com

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Now that you have decided that a dog should definitely occupy space in your future, there is some preparation that needs to be done. Too often dog owners don’t check out the details, and make irresponsible choices by selecting a dog that is totally wrong for them. Consequently a time that should be happy and joyful ends up being a sad and stressful experience for the owner, as well as the dog. As a result of these incorrect choices man of these dogs often end up in a shelter for simply doing what he or she was bred to do.

There is a large selection of dogs to choose from, and not only do they vary in color as well as in size, there are a multitude of temperaments as well. Fortunately because dog ownership is on the rise, the available resources to enable you to make a responsible decision are abundantly available. Bookstores have several dog breed books that offer a wealth of information . There is usually a picture of each breed and a short description as well. The description will often list any negative qualities as well as the positive. For instance, some terriers, not all of course, are prone to digging. They were bred to hunt vermin which entails digging. If you are someone who is adamant on having an impeccable lawn and garden, perhaps some of these terriers would not be right for you.

There are several websites that also offer information pertaining to the individual breeds. Some sites even have a questionnaire for you to complete to help narrow your search for a dog that would fit your lifestyle. The usual questions such as size and color are simple to answer, but there are more detailed areas that specifically ask such things as how much time do you want to spend on grooming? or how much time do you have for exercise? or is shedding a concern?. These are important issues that need to be honestly addressed. Are you looking for a dog that you can fuss with indefinitely for ongoing grooming, or are you someone that barely has enough time to comb your own hair? Are you a person that walks two or three miles daily and would lika a companion for these walks, or are you someone that may or may not walk once a week, and would like a more sedate dog. Are you an immaculate housekeeper who is bothered by the least bit of dust or are you someone that’s not opposed to sweeping up dog hair when necessary? If you take the time to answer questions such as these, a good match between you and your dog is more likely to happen. People will spend days, and sometimes weeks researching and shopping before making a disposable purchase. Yet these same people will impulsively purchase a puppy because he’s cute, totally unaware of a single fact regarding his heritage. This puppy is apt to be around for many years, and still the purchase is often made without checking on any of the details.

Once you do decide what type of dog is right for you, you will need to find a responsible breeder. Don’t hesitate to ask that breeder questions regarding any concerns that you may have. Discuss the normal traits of that breed, ask for references, and get the details regarding any guarantee. A responsible breeder is more that happy to discuss any of your concerns because they want to be sure that one of their dogs is the right dog for you.

Perhaps your lifestyle is more conducive to an adult dog rather that a puppy. This is something that only you can decide. There are many nice dogs, and sometimes puppies too at the different rescue groups. You should check these places out. These organizations are usually overflowing with some very nice animals, and your adoption could spare another life. Many of these dogs are there through no fault of their own. Their owners just realized all too late that this was not a good match, simply because they didn’t take the time to Detail the Dog.

A normal pregnancy will take around 9 weeks before labour, this is the time you should be making preparations for labour and giving your Queen a little extra attention.

Make sure that she is well fed and has plenty of fluids, a quiet area to rest and try to handle her as little as possible. Your queen may become a little agitated and restless, but she will find herself a rest place and try to relax as much as she can.

It is common for nest boxes to be used and should be placed where your queen opts to rest. This will become more apparent as the pregnancy matures. I tend to opt for a layer of towels for her to lay on which allows the queen to stretch out and relax whilst also allowing space for me to be at her side and aid her if needed at the birth.

When she is ready to give birth you will notice that your queen will become more restless, will pace and start to pant, she may also try drawing your attention by crying and pacing near you until you follow her to her nest site. Labour can last several hours so patience is important. You may notice a thin filmy mucus near her vaginal area and she will begin to have contractions.

Birthing time varies from queen to queen, a kitten can be born every 15 minutes or so or can take several hours, it is also important to note that up to 40% of births are breech and are considered normal and although it is a stressful time as long as the queen is comfortable and is not in distress the birth should be normal.

The kitten is born in a soft and delicate sac which encompasses the placenta which is born either along with the kitten or separate. When the kitten is pushed through the birth canal the queen will immediately start to lick the kitten around the mouth and nose tearing the thin sac and expelling the yellowy fluid inside. This washing stimulates the kitten and it should start to cry and breath, she will then proceed to chew through the umbilical cord leaving a small piece attached to the kitten before eating the placenta. Do not worry if your queen does not do this do not worry, all queens are different. The placenta is said to contain nutrients valuable to queen in her first days of nurturing her kittens. However if the queen does not start the licking process automatically then take a warm damp cloth and gently wipe at the sac then around the nose and mouth area yourself, take the kitten gently with its head resting in the fork between your fingers and rub with a towel to warm, dry and stimulate the kitten.

Some take the kittens as soon as the queen is settled and place the newborn in a nursing box, I tend to leave the kittens with the queen until they are all delivered unless there are complications as the kittens nursing can sometimes stimulate contractions for the next kitten to be born.

When all the kittens are born place then gently in a snug nursing box and ensure the queen knows where they are being taken. I tend to place the nursing box as close to the birthing area as possible so that the tired queen does not have far to go to be with her kittens and is less likely to take them to a new area. It is important that the queen remains with her kittens so that they can be kept warm and well fed. If however your queen does not do this, microwave a towel so that it is gently heated but not hot and place under the box, this will temporarily keep the kittens warm until the queen enters the box.

The kittens will feed until their bellies are full and will sleep and eat for the first few days without much movement. The kittens are born blind and will not open their eyes for several days, until this time the queen remains with her kittens and keeps them warm and safe leaving only for food and to litter. During these first few days the queen will wash the kittens and will clean up after their messes herself.

If at any time during labour or during the first few days after the birth you notice any complications do not hesitate to contact your local vet who will be able to offer advice and support.

Cerianwen is an author of poetry, children’s stories and articles. She has an interest in and has four cats with many years experience of caring for and breeding. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

Ear Cleaning: Cleaning the ears of your Shih Tzu is a simple chore. With the Shih Tzu being a long-haired breed, problems can arise if ears nor cleaned regularly. The hair in the ears of a Shih Tzu will grow long, knot up, mat and eventually interfere with proper functioning of the Shih Tzu?s ear canal. Infection of your Shih Tzu?s ears can result.

You will need a bottle or can of ear powder easily obtained through pet supply manufacturers. Squirt the powder directly into the ears of your Shih Tzu. The hair will become dry and brittle and is easily plucked out with your fingers. Pluck the hair out of your Shih Tzu?s ears with a quick, firm motion until the ears of your Shih Tzu look clean. You can also use a hemostat to pluck the hair out of your Shih Tzu?s ears.

Be sure to purchase ear canker powder as it has the additional benefit of helping to control canker and ear mites in your Shih Tzu. Swab your Shih Tzu?s ears gently with a cotton swab dipped in mineral oil or rubbing alcohol.

Nail trimming: Keeping your Shih Tzu?s nail trimmed is important. Without regular trimming, your Shih Tzu?s nails may grow so long that they actually throw the Shih Tzu off his natural balance and act as a source of irritation. Neglecting to trim your Shih Tzu?s nails also detracts from the look of an otherwise well-groomed Shih Tzu.

Nail trimmers and techniques: Guillotine type nail trimmers are the best to use on your Shih Tzu. Hold the trimmers vertically. Grasp the foot of the Shih Tzu firmly, hold the leg up towards you, carefully trim each nail of your Shih Tzu. It may sometimes be unnecessary to trim the nails on the hind feet of your Shih Tzu as they seem to grow much slower than the fore feet. If dewclaws are present on your Shih Tzu, trim the dewclaws as well. The shorter you keep your Shih Tzu?s nail, the better, and frequent trimming will help tighten the feet and improve the dog?s balance. Be careful about the ?quick.? The ?quick? is a vein that can be easily observed in most white and light-colored Shih Tzu when the toenails are ?white.? The ?quick? is more difficult to identify in toenails of darker colored Shih Tzu. More often that not, these are black rather than white in the darker colored Shih Tzu.

Nail bleeding: If the nails of your Shih Tzu bleed after trimming, or if you trim them to close to the ?quick,? there is no need for alarm. Always have on hand one of the antiseptic coagulants which you can purchase through any pet supply manufacturer for your Shih Tzu. These substances will stop quickly any bleeding. Using a cotton swab dab a little of the powder on the bleeding toenail of your Shih Tzu and hold it with a little pressure for a few seconds. The bleeding should stop quickly.

The best time to trim the nails or clean the ears is before you bath your Shih Tzu so that all traces of blood or powder will be washed away. However, the nails of your Shih Tzu will be softer right after bathing.

Nail grinding: A finishing touch in trimming nails is the use of a nail grinder for your Shih Tzu. A nail grinder will polish off the rough edges of the Shih Tzu?s nails. The Oster Corporation makes a nail grinder favored by many professional groomers and handlers. Caution is advised when using a nail grinder on your Shih Tzu?s nails. If the Shih Tzu bends his head during the process, some part of the fringes could get caught in the grinding wheel causing the Shih Tzu considerable pain.

If your Shih Tzu objects strenuously to nail grinding, it is advisable to not force the issue since grinding is mostly for a cosmetic effect.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

In a world of blinding city lights, a modern human being might find solace in something which is away from any confusions of modern life, with which you can spend some innocent moments of joy and cuddling, a relationship based on love, a give-and-take of affection and nothing else.

A pet might give you all this without any expectation…without the interest of the self where humans might fail. Discount pet supplies can provide you with all the pleasures that a pet has to offer to you. These suppliers have all the resources that you need to buy a pet, as well as all the necessary medications and accessories for your pet. One has the choice to take dogs, cats, fishes, and birds as a pet.

Discount pet supplies are very important for all those who want to get rid of their stress and want some company within the claustrophobic walls of the apartments. Often you might find that your dog or cat needs something that you cannot find in your local department stores. Discount pet supplies, besides providing you with pets at a low and affordable price, can also give you all the care that you want to give to your pet. In most cases, with the growing age of the pet, you might become clueless about certain diseases and illnesses that might even take your pets? life. These suppliers can give all the suggestions and advice you need, along with proper medications, food, collars, toys and periodic service where one might even come to your home to take care of your pet if you are unable to do so. These prices are often quite affordable.

Discount Pet Supplies provides detailed information on Discount Pet Supplies, Wholesale Discount Pet Supplies, Discount Pet Drug Supplies, Discount Pet Food and more. Discount Pet Supplies is affiliated with Custom Dog Tags.

Unlike other parts of the body, the dog nose does not need any cleaning or taking care of. A dog’s nose is usually cool and moist, but a warm, dry nose is not necessarily a reason for concern. A warm, dry dog nose can be a problem only if there are other characteristics associated with it, such as cracked skin, scabs or open sores with changes in the color of the nose. Dogs can also be prone to sunburn on their noses which can lead to skin cancer. A dog owner should pay attention to any physical changes in their dog’s nose. For instance:

Any type of discharge from your dog?s nose can indicate a health problem. There are many illnesses associated with nasal discharge, such as sinus infections, kennel cough, distemper, etc. Dogs do not get colds, therefore, this can also be a sign of a respiratory infection. Do not ignore this. This requires a trip to the vet.

If your dog is experiencing breathing problems and/or sneezing a lot, this may be a sign of a tumor or other type of mass which should be removed in order to avoid any later complications, such as cancer. These symptoms can also indicate a foreign object in the nostril. Do not attempt to remove it yourself as the nasal passages are very delicate and can be perforated easily. Have your vet take care of it. Keep in mind that an occasional sneeze may just be a sign of an irritation in the nose or excitement from playing.

Sometimes a dog’s nose will change color. This can be caused by having your dog eat or drink from a plastic dish. There is a reaction with a substance in the plastic which causes color change. Stainless steel bowls for food and water are highly recommended. Other causes of color change are vitaligo (loss of skin pigment) and cold weather. Color usually goes back to normal in warmer climate. This is usually no reason for concern.

Nancy Settecasi, Owner of Happy K-9 Dog Care Proud owner of Skippy and Cookie, Cocker Spaniels Dog Lover ttp://www.happyk-9.com