Monday, September 29, 2008

Dog Health Paw Problem Can Be Prevented

Title: Dog Health Paw Problem Can Be Prevented
Author: Wade Robins

If your dog has a paw problem, this needs immediate attention
to prevent infection and other serious problems. The dog health
paw problem can cause the beloved pet to become aggressive, sad
and depressed. Dogs have gained the status of being a part of
the family and need special care. Just like you, their health
and happiness matters and only you can supply the care.

Causes of the Dog Health Paw Problem

Look at the bottom of your foot and you will see that a dog's
pads are just as soft as your foot. Imagine having a piece of
glass suck in your foot. The dog will feel the same pain as you
do. Dogs have a third digit bone that appears shorter and
accounts for why these breeds of dogs are said to have cat feet.


Doberman Pinschers, Giant Schnauzer, Sheep dogs and Akita's all
share the cat feet along with many more breeds. Some breeds have
feet called hare feet such as Samoyed, Greyhounds and some toy
breeds. This paw has center toes longer than the side toes.

The paw absorbs the shock when a dog is running or jumping.
When a dog runs, the paw allows for flexibility and is able to
bear the weight of the animal. Checking the paws regularly for
any type of infection or injury is vital to keeping the dog
health paw problem from becoming an issue. Not only can the
infection affect the paws, but the infection if not treated can
spread to the rest of the dog's body.

Treatment of the Dog Paw

If your dog has a paw injury, you need to clean this area with
soap and water and apply an antibiotic cream. If the dog licks
the area, wrapping the paw until the antibiotic cream has time
to work is needed. Most dogs will take care of minor injuries
themselves, but injuries that are more serious require your help
and sometime a veterinarian. For more info see
http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/doghealthproblems/large-dogs.html
on large dog health issues.

Unclipped nails grow out and curl under, which will eventually
grow into the pads causing open sores and in some cases, the dog
cannot walk due to pain. These nails need clipping down to the
pinkish part of the nail, which if clipped will bleed and cause
pain to the dog. If the nails have grown long, you need to clip
weekly and the pinkish part of the nail will recede until you
finally have the nails short enough for comfort. Dog health paw
problem issues do not have to be an issue when the dog is
properly cared for.

Do not allow the dog to walk on hot sand or blacktop ground
during extremely hot days. If you know what it feels like for
you, it feels the same for the dog. This can burn their pads and
cause a great deal of pain. Slivers of glass or fissile bushes
that become embedded in the pads need to be removed with a
tweezers just as you would do to yourself. Dog you have hair
growing between the pads need to have the hair clipped down to
prevent pain when walking. This accounts for Pekinese,
Shih-Tzu's, Yorkies and other similar dog breeds.

About The Author: You can also find more info on
http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/dogbreedhealth/Pomeranian.html on
pomeranian dog health and
http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/dogbreedhealth/boxer.html on Boxer
dog health. http://AboutDogHealth.org is a comprehensive
resource to help dog owners identify their dog's illness.

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