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Encyclopedia on Pets

Important: this archive article (written 2009–2016) mentions medicines, doses, poisons, emergency first aid or raw diets. It has not been checked by a veterinarian against current advice. Do not use it for doses or emergencies: call your vet or an animal poison helpline. About our articles

How Can I Remove the urine smell inside my house?

Do dogs sweat?

Answer

Dogs have the ability to sweat, but in places that are a little different from humans. Dogs sweat through their pads and feet. Their skin and armpit areas don't contain sweat glands like ours do. Their main method of ridding themselves from heat, however, is by panting, which is a very different mechanism than what we generally use.

For these reasons, we must take great care to protect our dogs from heat stroke. Dogs with compromised respiration, like bulldogs and pugs, are at a very high risk of easily overheating just because they can't pant very efficiently.

Can dogs and cats see colors?

Answer Dogs and cats have rods and cones in their retinas but in a different proportion than in the human retina. Although they can differentiate colors, what they see is likely a more muted version of what we see. Dogs, especially, probably see more shades of gray than they do all of the individual colors.

Cats, by the way, can concentrate small amounts of light in their eyes, which allows them to see at night when the rest of us have difficulty. This special talent gives them their extraordinary night hunting vision.

How can I remove the discoloration around my white dog's eyes and mouth?

Answer Reddish or brownish discoloration around a white dog's eyes and nose is quite common and normal. It's caused by porphyrinsdpigments found naturally in dogs' tears and saliva, as well as in other body fluids.

Unfortunately, these stains are hard to remove. There are several grooming products available to whiten pet fur; they may help somewhat. You also can ask your pup's groomer what he uses to keep fur white. Bathing your dog's face regularly may help as well. Most likely none of these options will remove the stains completely; they're simply part of having a beautiful white dog.

Part of my dog's toenail broke off. What should I do?

Answer Broken nails aren't uncommon in dogs, and they generally aren't any more dangerous than a broken toenail is to you. In some cases they can bleed a lot, because the quick - the live tissue inside the base of the nail - can be exposed. If the nail's bleeding, you can put pressure on it with a clean cloth (if your pup will sit still for that). If that doesn't work, you may need to take your dog to the veterinarian to get the bleeding stopped.

Your dog's nail should grow out again in a couple of days, but it might cause her some pain until then. You can help her by keeping the nail area clean, so it won't get infected. Wipe her feet when she comes in from outside; you can even clean her foot with hydrogen peroxide if she gets into anything particularly messy. If the nail wasn't completely broken off and there's still a piece of broken nail hanging on, it will probably have to be removed so the nail can heal. If you're not comfortable cutting it off yourself, your veterinarian can do it.

The most important thing to watch will be the skin at the base of her nail. If that skin turns red or swells in the next couple of weeks, or if your dog's foot stays sore for more than a few days, take your pup to your veterinarian.

Puppy sleep requirements

Question How much sleep does my puppy need?

Answer Puppies are a lot like human babies - they play hard, and they need to sleep hard too. Though veterinarians still don't know exactly how puppy brains develop, they know that sleeping (as well as playing) is important to the development process. While your pup is conked out on the carpet, his brain is busy maturing and building new neural connections.

So the answer to your question is, a puppy generally needs as much sleep as he can get. As long as he's eating and drinking like he usually does, and he's active and playful when he's awake, his sleep shouldn't be a problem. Over time he'll adjust to your schedule, and he'll probably learn to sleep when you sleep at night, and nap whenever he feels like it during the day (one of the advantages of a dog's life!). His body will do a pretty good job of getting him the sleep he needs, as long as it isn't interfered with. So if you see your puppy napping, don't wake him up to play. Let him sleep, unless you need to wake him to keep him on his feeding or elimination schedule.

If you're worried that your puppy's sleeping - or any aspect of his behavior - isn't normal, or if his behavior changes suddenly or dramatically, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pup checked out.
Smelly Ears

Question What can I do for a dog with smelly ears?

Answer Smelly ears are a clear sign of an ongoing ear infection problem. Dogs with floppy ears are notorious for getting very chronic ear infections. Regular cleaning with veterinary approved cleaners can help, but often antibiotics are also needed. When pets continually get bad ear infections despite good at-home care and veterinary medications, a special surgery to open up the ear canals and allow more air flow is an option. It's best to first get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medications and cleaning supplies before considering any other alternatives.

Body Odor

Question My three-year-old cocker spaniel has terrible body odor. I've tried body spray deodorizers, food additives, special shampoos, and nothing works. My family wants me to get rid of her, but I love her very much. Help, how do I get rid of my dog's bad body odor?

Answer Many blond cockers are afflicted with seborrhea, which is a skin condition producing excessive oil and odor. The ears can also be affected, adding to the smell. Seborrhea can be primary, or secondary to such conditions as hypothyroidism. A complete physical examination will be helpful in your diagnosis and management plan that may include tar shampoos on a regular basis, as well as other medications. Please consult with your veterinarian as soon as you can. There are effective therapies available, which will make her a more appreciated member of the family.

How can I help heal my dog's cracked paw pads?

Answer Pad wounds are slow healers. The healing process is hampered every time the dog walks on the foot (the walking constantly pulls on the healing edges, and this delays healing). The pads can easily get infected, as there is contact between blood and the surface where your pet walks. These wounds are best treated by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can clean the wound, bandage it with antibiotic ointment, give oral antibiotics, and rebandage the wound every three or four days until it is healed.

Bad Breath

Question Why does my dog's breath smell so bad?

Answer Most often, bad breath is caused by dental or periodontal disease. Some dogs do not adequately chew their food; thus they don't clean their teeth naturally by the chewing process. Also, some dogs and cats are just prone to dental plaque, tartar and disease. These pets may need more frequent dental cleanings and treatments.

Internal diseases such as kidney disease can also cause bad breath. A trip to your veterinarian is recommended in order to pinpoint the cause of your dog's bad breath and to ensure he is in good health.

Seizures

Question What causes a dog to have seizures?

Answer A seizure is the result of excessive stimulation to parts of the brain that control muscle activity. All people and animals have the potential to seizure. We all have a threshold of stimulation over which we would experience a seizure. For healthy people and animals, it might take trauma to the head to induce this activity. For others, like epileptics (who have lower "thresholds"), it may be sudden noises, the stress of company, or other mild stimulations.

Pressures from brain tumors, hemorrhage or infection can also contribute to a jump over the normal threshold, resulting in seizure activity. So can being deprived of oxygen, as can happen with heart conditions where there is sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. Exposure to toxic chemicals can also result in seizures.

Any dog that has a seizure should have a complete examination. Your veterinarian will evaluate heart function and general body condition. A complete history is also taken to rule out trauma and toxic exposure.

If the physical examination is normal, blood profiles are generally administered to rule out diseases of the kidneys and liver. If the profile and exam are normal and the dog is under four years of age, epilepsy is generally the diagnosis. Epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in dogs. Medications may be prescribed for these cases.

Older dogs that have normal lab and exam findings may be referred to a neurologist for a second opinion, as these dogs can have brain tumors and other conditions.

If your dog has a seizure, make sure to schedule an examination with your veterinarian to keep your pet in good health.