Pets Information
Google
 

Taking Care of Your Sick Dog


Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses. If your dog gets sick, you may have to take him to the vet for treatment or even surgery. Your dog may have to stay at the clinic for a few days. When he comes home you will have to take care of your sick dog so that he completely recovers.

If your dog has been away from home for one or two days he will be excited and happy to be back again. Staying in the veterinarian clinic was most likely a frightening experience for your sick dog because of the strange people, smells and noises.

As excited as he may be, your dog instinctively knows that he needs rest. Try to provide a comfortable place where he can sleep. He needs to be undisturbed by people coming and going. If you have children, make sure they understand that the dog needs to rest and cannot play like he used to - at least until he fully recovers, anyway.

Give your sick dog a comfortable bed to sleep on. He should be warm and the bedding should be easily washable. A soft cushion covered with a sheet makes a good convalescent bed.

Your vet probably gave you instructions on how to care for your dog. You may have to give him medicine or change his bandages. Your dog may not understand where his source of discomfort is coming from and may try to bite you when you try to touch his wounds. You have to constantly reassure him with gentle movements and soft words that you are not going to hurt him.

Your dog needs plenty of fluid during his recovery period. If he gets dehydrated it can affect his kidneys. Make sure he has a bowl of fresh water at all times, and if he is not drinking by himself you will have to give him water from a bottle or turkey baster. You may have to raise his muzzle slightly so that the he can swallow. If you cannot get your sick dog to drink, call the vet. Your dog may have to get fluids intravenously.

Your dog has different nutritional requirements while he recovers from his sickness or injury. Food should be given in small amounts and can be slightly warmed to make it more palatable to your dog. You can supplement his food with vitamins and minerals - see what your veterinarian recommends.

You'll probably have to give your sick dog medicine, and this can be one of the hardest things in the world. Liquid medication can be squirted down his throat, but pills are more problematical. Hide them in his food and he is likely to spit them out. Pills have to be placed on the back of the tongue and doing this without losing a finger or two is a real art. If you keep his upper lip between your fingers and his teeth he will not bite down, and this allows you to put the pill on his tongue.

Some dogs are just plain stubborn and no amount of coaxing or fighting will make that medicine go down their throats. If your dog is one of these, you may need to take him to the vet. A bit annoying - but better than not getting the medication your dog needs to recover.

Copyright 2005

Jane K is a lifelong dog enthusiast with a family of four beloved dogs of her own which provide the inspiration for this site. To learn more about how to care for your own beloved dog - visit her at http://www.simply-dog-care-and-more.com

You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.


MORE RESOURCES:

Wildlife officials euthanize woman's pet deer
MSNBC - 6 hours ago
By TONY BURBECK / NewsChannel 36 E-mail Tony: TBurbeck@WCNC.com GASTON COUNTY, NC -- A Gaston County family's pet deer has been euthanized by North Carolina ...


De-Icer Bad for Pets
MSNBC - 4 hours ago
But if used improperly, it can be harmful to pets and the ground. BILLINGS - De-icer is a common product used to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and ...


Keep up with pet's preventive care despite tough economy
Newsday, NY - 18 hours ago
One area you don't want to cut back on is the basic preventive care for your pets. How dire your economic situation is will help determine where you should ...


Washington Post

Advice for Pet Owners
Washington Post, United States - Jan 7, 2009
Financial setbacks often effect the companions we love most -- pets. But animal expert Arden Moore can give advice on how to provide your pet with ...
Pet Scoop: Max is the most again as top cat, dog name Memphis Commercial Appeal
Veterinary Pet Insurance Reveals Top 10 Dog and Cat Names of 2008 PR Newswire (press release)
How to keep Tabby (and Fido) from getting tubby Lynchburg News and Advance
KBTX - AOL News Newsbloggers
all 13 news articles


Friday Flyer

City Connection: Don't forget to include pets in disaster planning
Friday Flyer, CA - 4 hours ago
The committee, through the work of long-standing member Mayor Mary Craton, now has prepared a plan for pets in the event of a disaster. ...
Letter: Canyon Lake comes through Friday Flyer
all 2 news articles


Loyal pet follows ambulance carrying owner
Whittier Daily News, CA - 4 hours ago
In what could have been a scene right out of the Disney classic "Homeward Bound" - the tale of three pets' cross-country trek to find their owners - a dog ...


Forrest City Times-Herald

Bad economy leaves more pets homeless
The Coloradoan, CO - 14 hours ago
"If people were looking to abandon or give their pets away, you wouldn't see that kind of reclaim rate; you'd see the opposite,'' Rentola said. ...
Humane Society offers free food to pet owners Pottstown Mercury
Humane Society to Distribute Free Food for Pets WFMZ-TV Online
Pets abandoned during tough economic times WNDU-TV
Reading Eagle - News-Leader.com
all 11 news articles


Examiner.com

Do pet-limit laws make sense?
Examiner.com - 13 hours ago
by Kate Woodviolet, LA Pet Rescue Examiner Many people are surprised to learn there’sa legal limit to the number of dogs and cats you can have in Los ...
1000 days in a cage - watch this touching video Examiner.com
all 2 news articles


Pet-Friendly Hotels Reach Niche Market During Tough Economic Times
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 4 hours ago
8 /PRNewswire/ -- For the millions of pet owners, who prefer to travel with their pets, the hassle of finding places that will accept them is over. ...


Adverse drug reactions in pets
DVM 360, KS - 11 hours ago
The US Food and Drug Administration releases an updated list of how drugs affect pets. How many times have you had a client ask, "Are there any side effects ...

Pets - Google News

Français Español 日本語 [أربيك] Italiano Deutsch 汉语 漢語 Nederlands 한국어 PortРусско
Ελληνικά Swedish Indo Romanian Polish Norwegian Hindi Finnish Danish Czech Croatian Bulgarian English - Original language website translator

home | site map
Directory Seo Supreme
© 2006