#pododermatitis in dog

[laservetbcure]

Pododermatitis in puppies is a challenging condition that can cause pain and discomfort. Early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial for the well-being of your furry friend. If you notice any signs of pododermatitis, consult your veterinarian promptly. By addressing the underlying causes, providing symptomatic relief, and taking preventive measures, you can ensure that your puppy's paws stay healthy and happy. Remember that a healthy puppy is a happy puppy!

[moonlight26posts-blog]

In Baltimore City, MD: 10 y/o perfect, cuddly senior with the best ears and pouty lip- surrendered when owner passed away- BARCS, Baltimore MD

- Senior Sweetheart -

Coffee Cake- 10 years, altered female, 42lbs

10-year-old perfect senior, Coffee Cake, is a CUDDLEBUG to the max! This endearing little old lady is so sweet and such a lover. She is affectionate & cuddly, will climb in your lap and give you lots and lots of kisses, and she likes to lay her head on your head wagging her tail the entire time.

Tragically, Coffee Cake was brought to our shelter after her beloved owner passed away. Her former owner's family said she was exposed to children aged 5 and older and was playful and affectionate. She also reportedly lived with a kitten, who she got along with well, and she is housebroken.

Recently, Coffee Cake was lucky enough to go on a weekend slumber party with a shelter volunteer, and she had a fabulous time! They noted:

"When not snoozing blissfully on the sofa – clocking up a remarkable 12 uninterrupted hours – we learned what a gem she truly is: incredibly mellow during grooming sessions like sponge baths and nail care, utterly unfazed by furry felines crisscrossing paths mid-hallway strolls, reliably housebroken, impeccably mannered and won't set paw somewhere without an invitation (just ask those stairs that required coaxing before she ascended them)."

While in our shelter's care, Coffee Cake was slightly nervous around other dogs, so we think she'd feel the most comfortable with a very gentle and polite friend like herself.

Upon examination, our vets noted that Coffee Cake has grade 1/4 periodontal disease with moderate tartar, nuclear sclerosis, and pododermatitis- each of her feet are grossly swollen and have mild alopecia. There is also a small interdigital cyst between the right paw's 3rd and 4th digits. She was given a Cytopoint injection, started on antibiotics, and a full medical summary can be provided upon request.

No senior should spend their days in the shelter, and sweet Coffee Cake here is of course no exception. She is available immediately for rescue pick-up.

Please let us know if your organization can help!

Thank you,

The BARCS Rescue Team

Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) ​New Address! 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225 rescue@barcs.org| (410) 396-4695

Rescue pick-up hours: Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m

Adoption hours: Monday-Friday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) | 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225

**If you would like to foster Coffee Cake, we can contact local rescues to ask for help, please email foster@charlietotherescue.org (we are only a volunteer group that tries to help rescues help the dogs/cats of MD)

[petcarechronicles]

Pododermatitis in Dogs: Treatment and Prevention Tips from a Virginia Beach Veterinary Clinic

Pododermatitis is a painful condition affecting dogs’ paws, often requiring intervention from a Virginia Beach veterinary clinic for effective management. This inflammatory issue can manifest as redness, swelling, excessive licking, or a foul odor, indicating an underlying problem such as allergies or infections.

At a Virginia Beach veterinary clinic, diagnosing pododermatitis involves a comprehensive approach. Vets may perform skin scrapes, biopsies, or allergy tests to determine the root cause. Treatment typically includes a combination of medications to address infections or inflammation, topical treatments for soothing the skin, and maintaining proper paw hygiene.

Prevention is key to managing pododermatitis. Regularly inspecting your dog’s paws, keeping them clean and dry, and avoiding known irritants are crucial steps. Dietary changes and weight management can also help if allergies or obesity are contributing factors.

By working with a Virginia Beach veterinary clinic, you can ensure that your dog receives appropriate care and preventive measures to manage pododermatitis effectively and keep their paws healthy.

[criticalcaredvm]

Does your #pet have reddened paws - learn more now! 👉🏻#linkinbio #veterinary #skin #dogs #cats #dermatology #itchy #pets #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #petsofinstagram #vetmed #vetlife #veterinarymedicine #pododermatitis https://www.instagram.com/p/CDCNvKlJY91/?igshid=1d5vbqc6vodnh

[furrmeals]

Monsoon Care Tips for Dogs that is Essential for Their Health.

A decent spell of downpour, after the extreme summer heat, is a welcome alleviation for us as well as for our hairy companions as well. In any case, this is additionally when we need to take additional consideration of our pets' cleanliness. A large portion of these conditions are caused or irritated by tainted water and high dampness. Moist smelling coats and ticks are additionally normal right now. Here are a few Monsoon care tips for dog to keep your them very much prepared and sound during the stormy season.

Keep their paws dry: During storms, your canine mates are presented to dampness, which makes them powerless to pododermatitis. In the event that you have a long-coat pet, keep the hide between the paw cushions managed. This will keep the difficult mud, that can stick, off their paws. Additionally, guarantee their nails are not cut excessively near the skin to forestall draining and contamination.

Get them far from grimy, stale water: Like you, your pets can succumb to waterborne infections from defiled and stale water. Normal side effects of a gut issue incorporate regurgitating, loose bowels, stomach torment, and craving misfortune. Feed them tasteless food (rice and curd) in the event of gut contamination and the side effects ought to die down inside a couple of days. In the event that the contamination appears to be forceful, visit your vet for additional treatment.

Clean their ears one time each day: Wet climate makes them powerless against ear diseases as well. Pet prepping focuses additionally do an exhaustive ear-cleaning position.

Get them far from frogs and reptiles: Watch out for your canine during the downpours as frogs and reptiles, which can be amazingly poisonous, creep about arbitrarily.

Keep their jacket dry: To keep away from soggy coats, and the going with smell, you should wipe them dry each time they get wet. To control pet scent, you can likewise utilize canine powders and antiperspirants that are promptly accessible at pet shops.

Save them from ticks: Storm is the reproducing season for ticks. Accordingly, the odds of your pet becoming invaded with ticks or bugs are high. To forestall this, utilization tick collars and counsel your vet about oral drug. In the event that your pet is as of now tainted with ticks, give them a shower with an enemy of tick cleanser and scouring an enemy of tick salve. This may not be sufficient, however. You might have to actually eliminate ticks from your pet's jacket. While at it, ensure you kill the creepy crawlies by dunking them in a container of lamp fuel or water (plain or blended in with cleanser).

Bubbled Waters Only: Despite the fact that you should consistently give spotless and safe water to your pet, significantly more alert is required during the storm. This is on the grounds that the odds of your pet getting water-borne illnesses are higher than during this time. Continuously keep a consistent wellspring of clean drinking water, bubbled and cooled, to stay away from the runs or an annoyed belly.

For more Balanced Diet for Pets stay tuned to Furrmeals.

[iheartvmt]

Canine Demodicosis (Demodectic mange) - Cause: overabundance of Demodex canis mites - Mites inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands - Pathogenesis is complex and not well understood - Hereditary predisposition for generalized disease - Immunosuppression (natural or iatrogenic) - Secondary bacterial and fungal infections can be deep and severe, leading to guarded prognosis - While Demodectic mange is not pruritic in itself, the secondary infections can cause pruritus, which may be severe - 3 forms: Localized demodectic mange, juvenile-onset generalized demodecosis, adult-onset generalized demodicosis

1. Localized demodectic mange - usually in dogs less than 1 year old - some cases resolve spontaneously, while others progress to more severe generalized form - Signs: 1-5 well-demarcated small areas of alopecia, erythema, and scaling. Lesions usually around the lips, eyes, and forelimbs, but can be anywhere on the body. Pruritus is absent or mild.

2. Juvenile-onset generalized demodicosis - Result of inherited immunological defect - severe disease of young dogs - Signs: Generalized lesions (erythema, papules, alopecia, oily seborrhea, edema, hyperpigmentation, crusts) aggravated by secondary bacterial and fungal infections and pododermatitis. May have systemic signs as well  (generalized lymphadenopathy, lethargy, fever) when deep pyoderma, furunculosis, or cellulitis is present

3. Adult-onset generalized demodicosis - Similar clinically to juvenile-onset generalized demodicosis except for age of onset - Usually associated with or triggered by debilitating disease that causes immunosuppression (ex. malignant lymphosarcoma, malignant melanoma, hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, diabetes, etc) but in many cases the underlying condition is never found

- Diagnosis: deep skin scrape typically reveals large numbers of mites and eggs - Treatment may not be required in localized demodectic mange as spontaneous recovery can occur, and prognosis is good - Treatment is always required in generalized demodicosis,  and prognosis is guarded - Treatment options (most off-label usage) : clip hair, bathe with benzoyl peroxide shampoo, then dip with Amitraz dips once weekly; milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, ivermectin, fluralaner, afoxolaner - Continue treatments until there are 2 consecutive negative skin scrapes a month apart - Treat secondary infections aggressively with antibiotics and antifungals - Local and systemic corticosteroids are contraindicated in all Demodex cases - Treatment may take several months and recurrence is not uncommon - Do NOT breed dogs with juvenile-onset demodicosis!

[askavetonlinenow-blog]

How To Pick The Right Veterinarian

Understanding how to select the right veterinarian is crucial for your dog's health and well being. Actually, selecting the most appropriate vet should be one of the top priorities. Here are a couple things to think about when selecting a vet for the pet, or any pet.

Do not catch the yellow pages and search for the nearest veterinarians for your residence. You would not select a family physician like that along with your pet's health should not be treated with any less thought. Request friends and co-workers who have pets that vet they utilize.

Be certain that they're happy with the care the vet supplies their pet. Word of mouth is most likely the best exposure a physician may get. If a person is happy with the way they're treated they will certainly let you know . The reverse is also correct! Bad experiences are constantly something people wish to expose.

If your regional police department includes a K-9 device, then ask which veterinarians they utilize. Police dogs have to be held in prime health. Local kennel clubs may also be a fantastic source of advice.

As soon as you've got a couple recommendations telephone every one of these and ask if you're able to bring your cat or dog to get a"look see". Inform them you are searching for a new vet and also need to see their amenities. When you pay a visit to your vet's office listen to the interaction between the pet and the vet. You won't need a vet your dog appears leary of. Should they don't appear to mesh when what's fine it will certainly lead to additional stress to your pet through a health crisis.

While in the workplace ask questions. You'll want to ask about the various services available. Can they have their own laboratory for analyzing and xrays? Should they need to send laboratory work and xrays outside for analysis which could cause unnecessary delays. Ask about costs. Can they have a payment plan for crisis and costly surgeries?

How many vets are on duty? Can it be a 1 vet office or are there any other vets that talk about the workplace? How about emergency services and hours? The same as individuals, many pet mishaps occur out of regular 8:00 to 5:00 company hours. Be certain that the vet you select has emergency hour agreements.

When you're familiar with the vet's responses, and if your pet appears to enjoy her or him, you've found the correct vet! Hopefully, the only contact you may have is for regular visits. However, as soon as an emergency occurs it will be reassuring to learn your pet will probably be in great hands.

Click here to know more about ‘’Pododermatitis in dogs’’.

[dawgblogger]

Interdigital Cyst in a Dog: Tuffers' Swelling Between Toes/Pododermatitis

Interdigital Cyst in a Dog: Tuffers' Swelling Between Toes/Pododermatitis. Lumps and bumps come in all shapes, sizes, and locations.

Lumps and bumps come in all shapes, sizes, and locations. What if a bump pops up between your dog’s toes? A good rule of thumb is never to assume what a bump is just by looking at it. In general, lumps can be masses—cancerous or benign—or caused by an infection. Fortunately, there is a good chance that a bump between your dog’s toes is an interdigital cyst. An interdigital cyst is not a…

[laservetbcure]

Pododermatitis, a painful inflammation of the paw pads in dogs, can significantly affect their quality of life. It often requires careful and compassionate treatment to alleviate discomfort and promote healing. In recent years, laser pet therapy has emerged as a non-invasive and highly effective approach to addressing pododermatitis in dogs. This blog post will delve into the world of laser pet therapy and how it is revolutionizing the treatment of pododermatitis, offering hope and relief to both dogs and their concerned owners.

[askavetonline-blog]

How To Find The Ideal Veterinarian For Your Dog

Using a dog as part of your family members will surely add joy and life to your home. Along with providing you and your kids extra companionship and pleasure, many families also feel much more secure and safe when they have dogs in the home because they're good with feeling and alarming their owners of any potential intrusion in their own properties.

And a part of having a puppy is obviously, caring for them correctly. In addition to training and teaching them tricks, playing together, ensuring they have the right food to consume and mattress to sleep , and frequently caring for their hygiene and grooming, it's important that their health is cared for.

That is the reason why it's crucial to take your pet to a trusted vet regularly. In the vet's practice, your pooch could be given their needed shots and they're also able to receive appropriate grooming there too. Last, if your puppy has a disorder or some health issue, your vet may detect and cure this promptly and correctly.

If you still Don't Have a vet nonetheless and it's the first time to Search for and get you, below Are a Few Tips that can help you with choosing the best vet for your pet:

1. Stop by your vet's clinic or center. Look closely at the cleanliness of the premises and when each document, equipment and tools are correctly organized and nothing seems cluttered. This would also be the ideal time to have a look at the machineries that the vet uses and has in diagnosing and treating the pets. Take notice if these gear are up-to-date and in the event the facility is really fully outfitted.

2. When you go to the vet, speak to her or him. Assess the way the vet adheres to you. Does they use comprehensible and laymen conditions when educating you about particular scientific particulars about pet health and their solutions? Additionally, it's very important to notice the way the vet talks with you. 

Does they show some compassion and heat or is your vet overly cold and rigid? You want your puppy to enjoy and warm until your vet so in the event that you don't feel comfortable at all with speaking to her or him, listen to a guts and pick a different person. Check out this ‘’Pododermatitis in dogs’’.

3. Ask your friends or other pet-owners to their preferred vet. They might already have one because they've pets. Should they have nothing but praises to their vet, then you are going to not have a thing to be worried about. Reserve an appointment for the dog to the vet too.

4. Last, pick a vet that supplies a wide-range of providers. You are going to want a highly-experienced vet that doesn't merely offer check-ups and providing your puppy shots. Assess whether the vet may also give dental services and should they've emergency or long-term therapy.

[friendsofmorenovalleyanimals]

🔷ADOPTIONS CURRENTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 951-413-3790🔷 🛑 URGENT NOW 🛑 SULTAN #A504888 (Moreno Valley, CA) Male, red brindle and white Rhodesian Ridgeback and Australian Cattle Dog. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years. I weigh approximately 85.20 lbs. I have been at the shelter since Apr 10, 2020 and I may be available for adoption on Apr 17, 2020 at 10:00AM. Staff notes: 04/13/20 12:03 took him out to play yard. He wanted to play and wanted affection. He stood up, put his paws on my chest and kept wanting to lick my face. I was able to correct him and he stopped.-sc 04/13/20 09:17 Ym, Dog did well when being moved to general population. Seeks attetion when approached and very calm inside kennel. 04/10/20 08:40 Very friendly dog. Came right up to me when called. Tail wagging and loose body. Was seeking attention by putting paw on handler and offering belly for rubs. Appears to be able to know how to sit on command. May be blind in right eye but does not seem to bother dog or impair him. Per rp continually came to his house for attention and food. ddp Medical notes: 4/10/20 Very sweet dog. OD does have a central corneal opacity- appears to be likely an old scarring wound. Mild mucoid d/c noted. Dog does also have pododermatitis on R HL foot. Reports of diarreha as well Rx: BNP- apply OD BID x7d Rx: cephalexin- 500mg- 2AM, 1PM x10d ($3) Rx: fortiflora- 1 pack in food SID x5d 04/10/20 Temp test: 04/14/20 12:13 Temp tested A504888 male Thia Ridgeback mix with A504890 female Labrador. Both did well, neither showed signs of aggression. The Ridgeback was all puppy like behavior from bowing to jumping up and being mouthy. The Labrador didn't seem to interested in his energy level and kept wanting to interact and hid behind her handler. She showed little to no interest in the Ridgeback where he wanted very much to play with her. ml http://petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=MRVL.A504888 Moreno Valley Animal Shelter 14041 Elsworth Street, Moreno Valley, CA 92553 951-413-3790 PUBLIC EMAIL/GENERAL INFO: animalshelter@moval.org RESCUE EMAIL: rescue@moval.org Open Tuesday - Saturday #adoptadog #adoptme #morenovalley (at Friends of Moreno Valley Shelter Animals) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_V_VbTplbE/?igshid=e60aojpcduyb

[bestpetdoctor]

Pododermatitis is inflammation of paws that causes pain and suffering in dogs. This condition can be caused by many disorders including infections, allergies, hormonal disorders, immune-mediated diseases, cancers, and environmental contaminants.

Proper diagnosis is a must for successful treatment and or long term control of this condition.

We enjoy treating challenging skin disorders including pododermatitis.

Doctors and Staff at Summit Boulevard Animal Hospital

Advanced Pet Dental, Oral Surgery & Laser Surgery Center

4444 Summit Boulevard

West Palm Beach, FL 33406

561-439-7900

www.bestpetdoctor.com

#Petdental #Animalhospital #veterinarian #dogs #cats #puppies #kittens #dermatology #skindiseases #allergy #advancedpetdental #dentist #animaldentist #oralsurgery #pets #exoticpets #dentaldisease #westpalmbeach #palmbeachcounty

[lahi-n-delilah]

Is it okay if I just let my bunny roam in my room, no where else. Because my room is the basement and I think it's large enough for him but I'm not sure since you say how much room they need. Also do I need to buy a hutch for my rabbit if he won't live outside (it storms a lot here)

I’m not completely sure if you’re asking about roaming in terms of exercise or full-time living, so there’s a couple different aspects of your question here I’ll address:

Is it okay to let my bunny roam around my house?

Do I need a cage for my bunny or can they roam around my house like a cat or a dog would?

Should bunnies live in a hutch outside?

I’m going to start with a disclaimer: pet housing is a very contentious issue, because it’s about animal welfare, what a creature needs to be happy and healthy, and about what will keep your pet happy and healthy. People will get very strident about their opinions, and be very vocal in their disagreements. So keep in mind that, as there is no globally accepted standard of animal welfare, this is my opinion. I urge you to listen to all viewpoints with an open mind, and make an informed decision based on what seems right to you.

Granted, I’d like very much if you agreed with me and adopted my stance, and to that end I’ll try to back up everything I’m saying, and explain my reasoning behind my opinions.

And my first opinion that I want you to keep in mind: there’s no such thing as too much welfare. It’s always better to try and have your bunny living in the lap of luxury with completely excessive accommodations, healthcare, and general love and attention; than to stop at the bare minimum. If you’re wrong about what the bare minimum of care is, your animal suffers greatly. If you’re wrong about the absolute maximum and give your rabbit more than it needs, your happy rabbit will continue to be happy.

1. Is it okay to let my bunny roam around my house?

Absolutely! Rabbits have a few special concerns surrounding safety, but with some good bunny-proofing you will soon enjoy a little floof skittering happily around your home. Rabbits need a lot of exercise—I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, think of rabbits as very tiny horses, because they have all the same needs and many of the same behaviours… on a much smaller scale.

There’s three main concerns when it comes to bunny proofing: chewing, peeing, and flooring.

Chewing and preventing it has been detailed at length elsewhere, and I won’t go over it in detail right now. Just know that electrical cords are the big one: rabbits seem unnaturally attracted to them, and you will need to make absolutely sure that all cords are hidden. Otherwise, you’ll have to bunny proof your baseboards, wooden furniture, and for really destructive buns your carpet as well. My policy is that you should give them something they can chew, like cardboard. Also, prevention is your number one priority here! Once my rabbits chew something and get in trouble for it, that thing is forbidden and therefore more tasty than anything else in the world. Block them off from anything you don’t want them to chew in the first place, and they’ll leave it alone once they figure out they can’t go there. Cardboard is, again, your friend.

Peeing is a bit of a difficult one, same as pooping. It’s how they mark their territory, as well as defecate and such. What you need to decide is if the area you’re letting them run around in is their territory or not. If it’s your territory, they only visit occasionally, and pooping out of the litter box will happen rarely, and peeing only when they’re feeling too comfortable with the place. If it’s their territory, and they will be spending a lot of time there, you’ll have to deal with a short period of POOP EVERYWHERE until they feel secure, and possibly some pee spots that, quite honestly, the main solution is to put a litter box there. Rabbits need their territory to smell like them, so a few pee spots now and then are pretty inevitable. Luckily, it’s very easy to clean if you get to it right away.

Flooring is much less well known. If you’ve had your buns on hard flooring, you may have noticed them slipping around. You may have also noticed they prefer to stand on mats, rugs, and carpets than slippery floors. Unfortunately, it’s not just preference, but a matter of health. Rabbit feet are built to dig into soft soil, so hard flooring pushes up their claws, tips their weight back on their heels, and causes ulcerative pododermatitis: sore hocks. You can read more about them on this page. Make sure all main areas your bunny will spend time in are not hard flooring, and if there’s an area of hard flooring like a kitchen or hallway they like to pass through, get some mats for them to travel along.

2. Do I need a cage for my bunny or can they roam around my house like a cat or a dog would?

You do not need a cage! As long as you bunny-proof your house and give them all the same amenities that would normally be in a cage—a hay rack, water source, litter box, hiding place— there’s no reason they’d need one. Sometimes it’s good to have a cage anyway, a place they can hop into that’s entirely their territory, that they can feel fully safe in. Having a cage on hand also is useful for when you need to keep them confined for a time. Lahi and Delilah have the cage Delilah came in inside their enclosure, and it stays open for them to hop into whenever then please. When I get worried about Lahi’s weight, I’ll close him inside for the night so he can graze on his food in peace, without Delilah inhaling it all on him. Then I let him out again in the morning.

Personally, I am of the opinion that no rabbit should live full-time in a cage. The rule for an animal’s space that I’m fond of is that they should, at minimum, have enough space to be able to reach top speed while running. For a rabbit, that’s not insignificant, as they are extremely fast animals. The actual guidelines for ethical standards I remember hearing were that the cage had to be wide enough for the rabbit to lie down, and long enough that they could hop three times. I don’t know about you, but for an animal that can run at almost 50km/hr, that still sounds like cruelty.

If you can’t let your rabbit roam around for personal reasons, there’s options that aren’t a cage. NIC Condos are a wonderful way of giving your rabbit more room without sacrificing space. Doggy playpens can also be remade into great habitats, and I’m a huge fan of refurbishing cabinets into condos—gives buns lots of space and looks fantastic!

(^ An example from a Google image search of “bunny cabinet condo”.)

And of course, I’ve simply walled off a 4'x8’ area for mine to live in full-time, which I open up during the day for them to run around.

3. Should bunnies live in a hutch outside?

The super quick answer is absolutely not. There’s tons of reasons, and to go through them very quickly: they’re at much greater risk from predators, they’re exposed to the elements, they won’t get as much social interaction, you won’t be observing them as much to notice changes in behaviour that might indicate health issues… the list goes on, but for me the big reason: out of sight, out of mind.

Plus, I don’t believe you could ever buy a hutch that would be big enough to meet a rabbit’s space needs, which means letting it run around outside the hutch… which brings up even more of the issues of predators and exposure. Let’s also not forget the horrible diseases and parasites they can pick up outside… rabbits are incredibly fragile animals in no way built for good health and long-term survival. While I’m sure other people think differently, for me, keeping a rabbit outside is not an option in the slightest. Since working at a vet clinic and learning about all the horrible diseases pets pick up while outdoors, I barely even bring mine out to play. The moment I spot a mosquito they get whisked back inside so fast.

I hope this covered what you wanted to know! Feel free to check out the page on rabbit care for more information.

~*~

Meet little old man Lahi!

Meet pudgy princess Delilah!

Learn about Lahi and Delilah’s story!

Read more about proper rabbit care!

~*~

Questions, comments, suggestions, or generalized squee'ing? Rabbits love attention!

[kat-the-dog-trainer]

Do you have any advice on owning a rodent? I really want a pet but I can't have a dog or cat

Depends on the rodent. I’ve owned all the following myself (and dissected 3 of them, guts n such) so some of this comes from personal experience.

Mice: probably the cheapest in terms of feed, care, housing. Can be taught basic tricks and handled, but are escape artists. Pretty smelly. Lifespan about 1-2 years, I had one who nearly made it to 3. By the end we had to take her out of the cage every morning and breathe on her to warm her up again.

Rats: one step up from mice in terms of expense. Much smarter, more human-oriented, generally happy to be held and petted. Don’t smell as badly as mice, still have a smell though. Lifespan about 2-3 years. Will grind their teeth when happy. I got a rep because I could chill out the lab rats prior to handling like no other. Possibly may be the Rat Whisperer.

Hamsters/Gerbils: Not legal in Australia but I used to own them in the US. Both can have issues if mishandled at a young age, both are a bit more prone to biting as well, especially hamsters. If you’re getting multiples introduce them very young to avoid territory issues. Both have a lifespan about 2-4 years.

Guinea Pigs (Cavies): may not be true rodents (debated) but still. Another step up in terms of housing cost and individual price, but not as steep a jump in feed cost. You must feed guinea pigs a diet specifically formulated for guinea pigs; like humans, they cannot indpendently produce Vitamin C and can get scurvy. Lifespan about 5-8 years. Very smelly. Very noisy. But very good with handling.

Rabbits: housing cost probably the most expensive but varies based on rabbit size. Can be toilet trained and I highly recommend it. Need a lot of exercise, moreso than guinea pigs. Need to be covered at night with a net to prevent issues with myxomatosis. Cannot be kept on wire base due to prevalence of pododermatitis. Lifespan 7-12 years or longer, minis live longer than large ones. Illegal in Queensland, if you’re Aussie.

Hare: do not buy a hare.

Chinchillas: who knows. Never owned one and they’re not legal here. For all I know they don’t even exist. Could be an elaborate ruse. 

[centralparkpawsblog]

Dog Nail Discoloration Guide – Dog’s Nails Turning Black, Brown, or Red?

While grooming my pups last weekend, I noticed changes in Calvin and Sophie’s nails.

Both dog’s nails had become thicker as well mildly discolored.

Because this wasn’t an unusual occurrence in our house, I wasn’t concerned since I knew it was a secondary issue from their allergies and age.

However, later that evening, I was out running with my friend, Beverly, who had a question about her dog’s nails.

Because of social distancing, many non-essential businesses have closed, meaning that she was unable to get Scout in for her routine grooming and nail trim.

Beverly had not trimmed Scout’s nails in a long time since it was done during grooming. Scout has mostly black nails, and Beverly wanted to cut them herself but wasn’t sure how to do it.

After discussing options on how to handle it best, she went home and took care of Scout’s nails.

However, during our conversation, it came up that Scout’s nails had not always been black and that over time they had changed color.

She said when it first happened, she brought her dog in the vet and found it was normal, though the vet had mentioned that changes in nail color could also indicate a health issue, so it was good she brought Scout in.

See Also: Best Dog Nail Grinders

What Your Dog’s Nail Color Means

Any unexpected changes in our dog’s appearance can be the cause of concern, primarily when the change occurs in their nails.

Changes to the color of your dog’s nails can mean anything from something benign, such as their normal pigmentation changing, to an infection that requires medical attention.

Over the years, my dog’s nails have changed in both color and density.

These changes occurred for a few different reasons, including age and disease.

Although every change in your dog’s nails isn’t cause for concern, it should be noted, and a call to your vet may be warranted.

Often early detection of an infection can save your dog a lot of pain and you a lot of time and money at the vet.

Dogs’ nails can change the whole nail color or just part of the nail.

Below are photos of my dogs’ nails.

The first photo is Calvin who has black nails, white nails and some with brown stripes. The one with the brown line will fade by summer.

It only happens during allergy season, but does not require direct treatment. Once his allergies are under control, it will return to normal.

The second photo is Sophie, her nails have thickened with age and have a reddish-brown tint.

Sophie suffers from allergies, Cushing’s disease, chronic pancreatitis, and IBD.

She does not have an infection; it is just a change that has slowly occurred over time as a result of age and health.

The last photo is Ginger.

She is liver and white, but has black nails, white nails, and striped nails due to normal pigmentation, as seen below.

Dog Nails Turning Black

If you notice your dog’s nails turning black, it could be a sign of infection or a natural change due to your dog’s pigmentation.

Infection

If it is an infection, it could be either a fungal or bacterial infection[1], both of which are treatable.

One of the ways you identify that your dog has an infection versus a standard biological change is how they are acting.

When dogs have a nail infection:

They may favor the paw or appear lame on that leg

They may lick or chew at the nail or foot area

The base of the nail may appear red or swollen

The nail may appear distorted in shape

The paw and nail area is painful when handled

Additionally, infections can impact one or more nails, depending on the severity.

If you suspect an infection, you will want to bring your dog to the vet to have the toenail checked.

There are various reasons dogs contract bacterial or fungal infections that impact their nails.

Infections may be the result of a minor scratch or abrasion or from parasites like ticks, fleas, and roundworms.

Growth, Lump, or Tumor

However, if your dog has a growth or tumor near the nail bed, that too may cause discoloration.

A lump near the nail bed may be a result of an infection or a mass of benign or malignant cells.

If your dog has a lump near their nail bed, it is essential to get your dog into the vet immediately to determine the cause.

Also, some lumps are the result of trauma, such as a foreign body under the skin, causing both irritation and infection.

After your vet has examined the nail, they will be able to determine the best course of action.

Treatment

If your dog has an infection, topical and oral antibiotics will likely be used to resolve the issue.

However, if the condition is severe, the nail plate may require surgical removal to drain the infection[2].

Afterward, your vet may recommend soaking the foot in a medicated bath, topical ointments, and oral medications to ensure the infection is resolved.

However, if it is a tumor, your vet will recommend the appropriate steps.

Some may recommend removal, whereas other benign slow-growing lumps may only warrant observation.

If a foreign object causes the lump, it will need to be removed and cleaned so the toe can begin the healing process.

Dog Nails Turning Brown or Red

If your dog’s nails are turning brown or red, it is most often a sign of a yeast infection[3].

Most yeast infections are due to allergy flare-ups. Infections associated with allergies can be the result of environmental, seasonal, and food sensitivities.

Yeast infections are often the result of excessive moisture from licking the affected area, especially paws and in between the pads.

Treatment

Yeast infections are generally handled with topical therapies, including shampoos, mousse, and ointments.

If your pup suffers from chronic yeast infections from allergies, talk with your vet about appropriate medication to better manage your dog’s allergies to avoid future infections.

Dog Nails Turning White

If your dog’s nails are turning white or you notice white lines in the nails, it is a condition called leukonychia[4].

Leukonychia is a condition that affects both dogs and humans and is typically the result of an injury to the nail bed.

The good news is, leukonychia is not a condition that requires medical treatment unless the nail itself shows signs of trauma such as a break or splitting.

Keeping your dog’s nails short can help prevent leukonychia, even if they don’t want to let you cut their nails.

See Also: How to Sedate Your Dog to Trim Their Nails

Other Factors Why Your Dog’s Nail Color Changed

Some systemic conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, may also alter your dog’s nail color.

Dog’s nails are similar to humans in that they can be an early warning sign of more significant health issues. So if you notice a change in their nails, it is worth having investigated.

However, for dogs that have pre-existing diseases such as Cushing’s, diabetes, or cancer, infections to the nails may be common due to a compromised immune system.

Conclusion

Though not all changes in a dog’s nail color mean something is wrong, it is still essential to get these changed checked out to ensure your dog is healthy.

Often just a quick phone call to your vet can help determine if you need to go in or not.

However, if your dog is displaying any signs of infection, as mentioned above, they must receive medical care as soon as possible.

Infections, especially in a dog’s foot area, can become severe if not properly treated.

Resources

https://pets.thenest.com/dogs-chew-nails-6604.html

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_nail_nailbed_disorder

https://news.orvis.com/dogs/what-is-pododermatitis-in-dogs

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317493

from Central Park Paws https://www.centralparkpaws.net/pet-health/dog-nail-discoloration-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dog-nail-discoloration-guide

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Interdigital dermatitis in dogs, or pododermatitis, can cause significant discomfort and pain. Recognizing the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, including medications and topical therapies, is essential for providing the best care for your furry friend. Consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, and don't forget that proactive prevention measures can go a long way in keeping your dog's paws healthy and happy.