A nursing home for dogs?

Dogs play an important role in our families, so it just makes sense that as our dogs become older, we become concerned about their care and health in old age.

For this very reason, Japan opened its first nursing home for dogs in 2007 to meet the demand for nursing care for eldery dogs:

http://www.kvue.com/animals/stories/061507kvuejapan-eh.68e9e64.html

According to the Associated Press, the nursing care costs a pricey $800 per month. In return, dogs receive access to needed nursing, dietary and veterinary services.

No news yet as to whether a dog nursing home will open any time soon in the United States.

I wonder if the dogs have private or shared rooms? Hmmmmmm........

Funny pics for an afternoon laugh....

It's hard not to love a face as cute as this one.

Check out other cute dog pics at http://www.FunnyDogSite.com

Fashion faux pas?

My hairy niece (ok, my sister's dog) has been having some problems with incontinence. Not all the time, but occasionally, she has a little accident. Sometimes, too, she'll leave a little present for my sister on her bedroom floor. These accidents don't happen every day, but they have been happening about once a week.

I have offered on numerous occasions to make a diaper for the dog, but my brother-in-law has declined. He says he would be embarrassed for people to see his dog wearing a diaper.

Although I may be a little prejudice, as I make dog diapers every day, I have several objections to this argument.

1. A dog diaper saves carpeting and furniture. It prevents leaks and accidents from ruining your home.

2. Soft fleece dog diapers are not uncomfortable for your pet. Most dogs adjust to the dog diaper within a few minutes. Some dogs may require a couple of try-ons to get used to having something against their skin, but very few dogs refuse to wear the diaper.

3. Is Vogue at your house covering your dog for its monthly cover? How many people see your dog everyday? Aren't most of the people that come into contact with your dog each day friends and family? Will they really make fun of your dog for wearing a diaper?

My brother-in-law recently changed his mind about the dog diaper when he went on vacation and needed to have a dog sitter keep the dog at another home for awhile. He selected a black diaper to match the dog's fur. The black diaper matches her coat perfectly, and you can't even hardly tell she's wearing it.

I'm happy to say there were no accidents while her owners were gone.

I'm also glad to say no fashion crimes were committed in the process.

Diagnosing and treading urinary incontinence in dogs

Urinary incontinence in dogs can be caused by a number of different things. Most people associate a dog's incontinence with old age, but there can be other causes.

Check out this excellent article about incontinence I found on DogTime:

http://dogtime.com/urinary-incontinence-vin.html

Even for occasional piddling problems, a dog diaper can help ease your frustration with the mess and smell due to incontinence.

Incontinence in female dogs and what you need to know.

If your female dog leaks urine, it's important for you deal with this problem. Don't ignore female dog incontinence, as it can cause many problems for both you and your dog, including bladder infections in dogs.

Signs And Symptoms Of Female Dog Incontinence

The most noticeable sign of this problem is a wet spot or urine puddle where your dog has been sleeping. You'll see it when she gets up. You may even observe that she's unable to control the urine leaks. She may not even be aware of the problem.

Your dog's bottom may also be red and raw due to urine scald. Urine is caustic and irritates the kin if it's in contact with it for too long. This is almost like diaper rash

in dogs, only without the diaper.

You may also notice that she's licking her bottom more often, in an effort to keep the area clean. This can lead to further irritation. All in all, it's an uncomfortable situation for your canine friend.

Another sign of incontinence in female dogs is frequent bladder infections. Bladder infections in dogs are more common in female dogs anyway, because the urethra in females is shorter and broader, which makes it easier for disease-causing bacteria to get into the urinary tract. A pet with female dog incontinence may also have a relaxed urinary sphincter, which makes it even easier for pathogens to enter.

How Can I Help My Incontinent Female Dog?

Your vet can offer several treatments. The first thing to do is to treat the bladder infection, if one exists.

Many times incontinence in female dogs is hormone related. Estrogen is very important for keeping the bladder muscles tight in female dogs. When a dog is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are removed, so her body no longer produces estrogen or any other female hormones. This is why this problem often shows up in spayed female dogs between the ages of three and five. Vets will often treat hormone-related incontinence with DES, or diethylstilbestrol.

Another common treatment for incontinence in female dogs is phenylpropanolamine (PPA). This used to be an ingredient in diet pills until it was banned by the FDA for human use. However, it's still approved for use in animals. Your dog may lose her appetite, and become irritable. Another side effect is changes in blood pressure.

These drugs must be administered to your dog for the rest of her life.

Can Herbal Pet Remedies Help?

Many people are using herbal remedies for various ailments. These natural remedies have stood the test of time and are still being used in many places in the world. The question many pet owners have is, can these herbal remedies be used on their pets?

The answer is yes. Herbal pet remedies are safe and effective, as well as being inexpensive and readily available. It's important, though to buy these remedies from a reputable company that specializes in producing formulations that are safe for use on pets. Buy only from a company that stands behind its products and offers a money-back guarantee.

In conclusion, people are becoming more cautious about the ingredients in their own medications, so it's right that they should be concerned about what their pets are taking too.

About the Author

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can treat incontinence in female dogs, and find the best place to buy them at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com