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Sometimes there is a general enlargement of the entire belly region in older dogs. The entire abdomen appears to have dropped down. While this may be due to a variety of reasons, one of the most common causes is dropsy, a disorder of circulation in which certain body fluids, that should normally be distributed throughout the organism or eliminated as waste material through the urine, become accumulated in the abdominal cavity. Though it may occur in young dogs, it is encountered most often in very old ones, and is one of the prominent diseases associated with geriatrics—that is, the study of the diseases of old age.
Command the animal, “Sit” and then, “Stay.” Hold the animal at the end of a threefoot leash. Suddenly snap the command “Come,” and with beckoning motions encourage the animal to come to you. If the command is obeyed, praise the animal profusely. If the command is not obeyed, gently tug the animal toward you while repeating the word, “Come.” When the animal starts to grasp the idea, keep repeating the performance using a longer and longer leash after each successful trial. It will often speed up the procedure if the dog can be tempted with some sort of tidbit that it particularly enjoys. The animal will associate reward with obedience. The acid test is to make the animal come to you without using a leash.
Possibly the simplest way to control carsickness is by not feeding the animal before taking it for a drive and also by giving it a mild sedative such as an aspirin tablet. Along with this, the animal should be petted and spoken to softly in an effort to subdue its nervousness. Sometimes it even helps to let the animal play with a favorite toy so that it can get its mind off the fact that it is riding. At best, however, the effectiveness of these procedures is uncertain and variable.
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Since dogs often recover from the disease by themselves shortly after contraction, treatment usually focuses on cough control. Butorphanol and hydrocodone are two common control drugs given for kennel cough, although pet owners should first consult their veterinarians for advice on the best treatment for their dogs, particularly for antibiotics in more severe cases. These cases – some of which could lead to pneumonia – typically call for isolation of the infected pet to prevent the disease from spreading.
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This illness is very painful for your pet. Thus, measures should be taken to alleviate pain such as medication and giving them a warm and comfortable place to rest in, especially for older dogs. Regular walks and physical exercises can reduce weight, which can decrease the dog’s discomfort. For young pups, gradual introduction of adult dog food is recommended for gradual gain weight.
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The next point to consider is whether to get a longhaired or a shorthaired dog. The prospective owner of a longhaired dog must be prepared to spend the time and money needed for properly grooming and maintaining the appearance of such an animal. The expense of clipping and bathing will cost anywhere from $25 to $100 a year and more; further, the owner must not mind the discipline, and sometimes the sweat, of giving the dog a thorough daily combing and brushing. For people of limited means and leisure, the shorthaired breeds are recommended because these require very little time and trouble, and the expense of maintaining their appearance can be kept to a minimum. Of course people still have their preferences. But with dogs, as with anything else, the discriminating use of common sense in what you buy will tend to lessen future hardships and annoyances.
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