Giving your dog a yearly examination at the vet is important, even if your dog seems to be in great health. This check will allow your vet to discover any problems that might arise over the coming years and develop into something more serious things if not caught early enough. The majority of vets perform what is known as a "Nose to Tail" examination. As the name implies, they start at the nose and work towards the tail.

Photo: US Army Africa

The Nose
The vet will check your dog’s nose for any sign of Rhinitis, or just a cold.

The Eyes
He then checks your dog’s eyes. This is an important part of the check up; if the eyes appear to be dull or lacking vibrancy, this may be an indication that the dog is under stress or has internal parasites. The eyes will also be checked for infections. This involves looking for any discharge from the eyes or debris. It is necessary that the eyes are checked for any infections so that they can be stopped before they spread to another animal or human.

The Mouth
After the eyes, the mouth will next be examined to see if there are any injuries or lumps which might indicate oral tumors or an abscessed tooth. The vet will also have a good check of the dog’s gums and teeth. If the dog has poor gums this might be a signal that the dog has anemia. Your vet will let you know if your pet needs scaling –a procedure where the tartar is scraped off the dog’s teeth to stop cavities.

The Ears
Next comes the ears. These will be checked for any nasty smelling smells including ear infections. The vet will also see that your dog’s ears are clean free of parasites.

The Lungs
The vet then will check your dog’s lungs by a stethoscope. This will allow him to spot any sounds that could suggest abnormal breathing or congestion. This can give the vet a good, early signal for serious diseases such as Bordetella, Heartworm and Distemper since each is a cause of congestion. Thus this is a major part of the examination.

The Heart
A heart check will then determine whether your dogs heart beats within the normal range of 100 to 130 bpm. Determining whether your dog’s heart is beating normally will help detect any signs of heart disease early on, giving your dog a much better chance of enjoying a longer more rewarding life.

The Skin and Coat
Your dog will have its skin checked for any abnormalities after that. The vet will also keep an eye out for parasites. Also, the status of your dog’s coat will indicate how good your dog’s health is. The Abdomen The vet then comes to the abdomen which he examines for lumps or any infectious areas. If your dog seems uncomfortable while the vet performs this part of the exam, the vet will check into any problems that might be causing this.

The Back and Tail
The tail and spine of your dog will next be well examined for any signal that the dog has problems with its spine or any other irregularities that need to be readjusted.

The Legs and Paws
Lastly, the vet will look at paws of the dog for any signs of swelling and also look at the legs for muscle damage. An annual exam has many steps at which it can find problems in your dog. It may be able to catch some unknown problem from developing in your dog before it becomes serious. Giving your dog an annual exam is the best way to make sure that your pet is in top shape.Information provided by Mike Washington of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, search for limited time specials on car seat covers online.

If you ever thought of getting your dog into agility but were not sure how to get started much less train your dog to use the equipment on an agility course? Dog agility equipment is not exactly the type of thing you will find at your local pet store, so it can leave you somewhat at a loss as to where and what to look for. You could choose to create your own dog agility equipment, this is certainly an option and one that many people without another option available to them have done in the past.

Photo: Tambako the Jaguar

You may also choose to join a dog agility group, another excellent option for many dog owners there are many different reasons why either of these options may not work for you. Keep in mind that any equipment you might build assuming that you are handy enough to do so, needs to be similar to the equipment that will be used in dog agility matches. It may help to get your dog understand what you want from them but eventually you will need to train your dog on the type of equipment he will encounter at a match.

Joining an agility group is only an option if you have one nearby, this sport is becoming more and more popular but still you will find that most agility groups are in the bigger cities and those out in smaller areas may not have access to such things. The other thing you will have to worry about is that sometimes agility groups require dogs to be purebreds, while not all are like this many of the competitions are open to mix breeds it is a problem that has been encountered. Some may just prefer to work alone on their own, and may not wish to be a part of a group; this makes an excellent case for having your own dog agility equipment.

So just where do you go to find dog agility equipment? The best places is online, where you can find stores that either carry the equipment that you cannot make yourself, or you may find specialty shops that carry everything you will need from start to finish. A word of warning much of the agility equipment can be costly, particularly if you are buying from a small specialty type shop where the only thing they sell is agility equipment.

The trick is to spend a bit of time looking to see what you can find on the Internet, there are a lot of different shops that carry some agility equipment at much lower prices, the more that you shop around the better chance you are going to have at finding equipment that will do the job for you. You may find tunnels at one store and ramps at another, either way be sure to compare prices to be sure that you are getting the lowest prices possible.

Make sure to search by keyword for the equipment you are looking for and to look at more than the first or second result on the list, the idea here is to compare prices so that you can get the most amount of equipment for the least cost.

It is also important to make sure that the equipment you find is meant for agility practice and made to hold up under the type of abuse that a dog in agility practice is going to put it through. You should look for tunnels that are made from 600D Dacron that is made to withstand your dog’s nails and all the running that he will do inside the practice tunnel. Don’t be tempted to buy tunnels made for kids, or those made from cheaper materials they simply will not hold up.

Photo: kastner

Make sure your agility tunnel also comes with all the equipment necessary to ensure a safe and easy experience for your dog, you should get mounting stakes as well as a connecting belt to secure two tunnels together.

If you are looking for agility equipment as well as other pet supplies you should visit The LA Shop they have a little of everything including a 15′ agility tunnel with everything you need, including a convenient carrying case so you can set your tunnel up anywhere. You will also find play pens for puppies, cat condos, food dishes and aquarium supplies for your pet as well as a wide variety of different things for your home. At the LA Shop we have a little bit of everything making our shop a great place to come and browse when you can’t find what you are looking for elsewhere.

I am thrilled with my crazy critters. Well, What i’m saying is my dog is. It is one of the best as seen on TV products to come around in a while. It is just getting out there therefore I am so glad I one before it got really hot. Now I understand that you are considering all the junk we find advertised on TELEVISION but some of the stuff have to be very good or they wouldn’t keep thumping us with infomercials.

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I understand, and I am fairly sure the As Seen On TV guys know, that we all have a comfortable place for our dogs and cats and would like to make them happy. I am not sure precisely what year it was when pets were emancipated and given equal rights as humans but their initiatives have paid off and they are surely top class citizens. My dog basically has better health insurance than I do! However, before you chuckle at me I must say that my dog only has one eye and this leftover eye is in bad condition so it made sense for me to obtain an insurance policy for it that gets it free veterinarian visits and eye cleanings. I would feel terrible if it lost the eye because I didn’t know how to take care of it.

Now my cat, he gets the mobile veterinarian for his shots and if he gets ill, he just lays there until he gets better. I may purchase all the as seen on TV stuff, but I was not born last night. But I digress. So my spoiled little dog is possibly only treated so well simply because I feel so bad for the little guy. But, I see others transporting their dogs in handbags, eating with them in fancy cafes in Los Angeles, and outfitting them in unreasonable couture so there’s a market for nice pet toys and Crazy Critters fits the bill.

Here is why, in my opinion, the inventor of this particular toy has been able to incorporate all the perfect qualities of the popular toys of the past. The very best being the tennis ball obviously. Then probably a squeaky or the tug of war string. I’d go as far to state that this might even cover the original dog toy called the dead animal because you will observe dogs like to tremble this thing that satisfies their hunting impulse.

This will summarize the product. It is a plush toy without stuffing so it will not get torn and make a clutter. It has 2 squeakers, one in the head and one in the tail. It is 24 inches long and since there is no stuffing its long and lean that can make it an awesome rope toy. It is very good for chewing, fetching, carrying, hiding and calming. It is also machine washable, and at least in my case, gets a lot of use.

This will be the pet toy of the year, I believe of it. But right this moment you are unable to find Crazy Critters in shops so please hear this. In case you order this item you’ll obtain two of them. The cost is ten dollars but you’ll need to pay delivery and handling for both so your total will be about $24. So you simply you obtain two toys for twelve bucks an item. To the best of my awareness you cannot simply get one. It’s your ordinary buy one receive one free deal however you should compute your shipping expenses.
Make your dog happy with Crazy critters

Painful, stiff joints and decreased mobility associated with osteoarthritis in dogs and cats can be heartbreaking to witness. Your pet trusts you to protect it from threats both internal and external. Fortunately, there are a variety of pain medications available on the market today that have been proven effective at managing inflammation and discomfort due to arthritis. Consult with your veterinarian and select one based on your animal’s particular needs, physical makeup, existing prescription profile and temperament. Here are a number of options to get your started in treating your pet.

Photo: kaelin.fe

Novox (carprofen)

Available in caplets designed to be taken orally, Novox caplets are typically prescribed for the relief of pain and inflammation accompanying osteoarthritis in dogs as well as managing postoperative pain associated with soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures in dogs. With your veterinarian, establish a medication plan and administration system that will keep your animals as comfortable as possible. In order to minimize the possibility of stomach upset and ulcers, administer the caplets with food. Potential side effects include possible mild upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness and aggression. If you observe other side effects in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Gabapentin Capsules or Tablets

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and pain medication commonly prescribed to relieve chronic pain in cats or dogs. Given by mouth, it may be applied by itself or in combination with other medications. Dosages vary. Gabapentin may be administered in 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg capsules or, alternatively, in tablets up to 600 mg or 800 mgs. An oral solution is also available. If you pet is nursing or pregnant, Gabapentin is not recommended for use. Gabapentin is also not recommended for animals who are suffering from kidney or liver disease, or living with a blood disorder. If your pet displays an allergic reaction to Gabapentin, contact your veterinarian to reevaluate your animal’s prescription.

Norocarp (carprofen)

Norocarp is an anti-inflammatory indicated for the relief of mild to severe pain and inflammation in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. It’s an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that has been prescribed either to relieve your dog’s arthritis associated pain or to manage pain following a surgical procedure. It should be emphasized that his medication is recommended for dogs only. Norocarp is effective in controlling stiffness and pain from arthritis in addition to improving your dog’s personal mobility, granting significant relief and overall improvement in quality of life. As each dog possesses a unique body chemistry, responses are variable. However, most dogs enjoy a noticeable reduction in pain sensation. Norocarp is currently available in both caplets and chewable tablets for easy administration.

Deramaxx (deracoxib)

Deramaxx is an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) prescribed to manage mild to moderate pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Please note that this pain management drug is exclusively for the treatment of dogs. Deramaxx does not offer an effective cure for canine osteoarthritis. However, it has been proven effective in mitigating pain and can effect a dramatic improvement in your dog’s comfort and mobility. Signals that may indicate that your dog is suffering from pain symptoms related to canine osteoarthritis include observed limping or lameness, decreased activity, reluctance to stand, walk or run, climb stairs, or a noticeable struggle in trying to engage these activities. Available in chewable flavored tablets for easy ingestion and convenient administration, Deramaxx is available in a 25 mg dosage, as well as 75 mg and 100 mg tablets. Please consult your veterinarian to determine the optimal dosage for your dog.

Rimadyl Chewable (carprofen)

For dogs enduring the painful symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, Rimadyl is an effective pain control medication that also works as an anti-inflammatory, so your pet can enjoy a more comfortable recovery while remaining active. Currently available in chewable tablets for simple administration, Rimadyl is best given with food in order to prevent upset stomach or developing ulcers in your pet. Reaction will vary with each animal, but most pets do enjoy a significant reduction in pain and discomfort associated with osteoarthritis. In order to determine the correct dosage for your pet, consult your veterinarian. In order prevent harmful interactions, it is necessary to establish a medication plan based on any other prescriptions your dog may be on.

Possible side effects can include mild dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness and aggression. If you observe any other side effects in your dog, or if your dog becomes listless and irritable, consult your veterinarian immediately.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from arthritis, speak with your veterinarian about options for treatment, including the solutions mentioned above. In a little while, your furry companion will be ready to romp around like a youngster again.

Jackson Pauloski is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and pet meds.