Dog Dry Skin - Tips and Treatments

Dog Dry Skin - Tips and Treatments
Shiny coat is a sign of healthy pet. Dogs can have all sorts of skin problems and they range in severity from benign to very serious. As Winter approaches and the temperature begins to drop, you notice a new behavior with your dog: he is constantly scratching, biting or licking his fur. As each day grows cooler, his behavior worsens. Winter is also a time when we experience dry hands and feet, and as such we require extra treatment during this time to keep our skin moist and healthy. Any dog can have dry skin; it is not an exclusively human condition. Just like us, dogs need good skin care to prevent itching and flaking. Is your home dry in the winter? If so, this could be causing dry skin itch. Use a room humidifier to moisten the air. Also, try a moisturizing shampoo from the pet store. Do not bathe your dog too often; keep his coat clean but that is all–this will help with the scratching and, also, keep them from being uncomfortable during winter months. Water and winter do not mix well with your pet. When you must bathe your dog, be sure to use a dog shampoo. A dog’s ph level is different from our own and human shampoos can be harsh on their skin. Instead, buy a dog shampoo that can offer moisturizing effects. Besides providing moisture, many shampoos can also offer flea and parasite protection, which can also help lessen scratching. Some of the more promising cures are herbal extracts such as horsetail, dandelion, spirulina, and fucus, which can help maintain skin and fur health, improve digestive health, and promote general well-being in dogs and cats. Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander; if possible, a quick brushing every day will help your pet immensely. Healthy skin, ultimately, reflects a dog’s lifestyle. By using quality foods and adding fatty supplements to their food (oil, etc), you can guarantee your dog to have a flake-free coat. But when your dog skin is flaky, red and irritated or some noticeable bumps, rashes or other unusual inflammations, this could be a sign of something serious. Others see some open sores in dog body or dog’s hair is falling out excessively, your dog needs to see his vet. He could just be allergic to his fleas or something in your home. It’s important to get some sort of flea control. Your vet can help you determine and eliminate any other allergens that are causing your dog trouble. Also dog hotspots are very common, they are typically a bacterial infection. They might have started out as just an allergy, but as the dog scratched, he broke open the skin and introduced bacteria into the sore with his dirty paws. The bacteria grows and causes further irritation to the skin. The vet will want to clear up the initial allergy as well as treat the new infection. He may also prescribe a pain reliever. Most of the time, your dog’s skin troubles can be solved using a variety of treatments. Some are topical like creams and shampoos. Others are pills or injections. Be patient though, not all dogs respond similarly to treatment. It may take a while to find what works. Common tips to prevent and treat dog skin allergies is to give the right and healthy food. Premium dog foods like Wellness, Royal Canin and Science Diet are balanced nutritionally, with less grain and more meat. One way to determine the quality of a dog food is to look at the first few ingredients, which should be a meat, rather than a grain. Fresh foods like meats and vegetables are high in nutrients and vitamins, which will help to improve a dog’s skin and coat by improving overall health. Consider adding fresh meats, and vegetables and fruits like carrots, celery, broccoli, apples (with no seeds), and greens like kale to each meal. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset. A dehydrated dog is going to be prone to dry skin, among other health problems, and some dogs simply don’t drink what they should. Provide extra fluids by serving wet food or by hydrating dry food. Add hot water to kibble, allow the kibble to sit for about ten minutes — this should cause the kibble to swell with water, providing extra fluid with each meal. Fresh vegetables also have high water content, aiding further in providing moisture to the dog’s body. Oils can greatly improve the condition of a dog’s itchy or dry skin. So once daily, soak one or two pieces of bread with olive oil and serve with each meal. Or add the oil directly to the dog’s meal by providing a teaspoon of olive oil for each 15 pounds of body weight.Hannah Serrano Learn more about <strong><a href="http://www.americaoutdoor.com/Categories.aspx?categoryid=5215">Pet Beds</a> | <a href="http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/category/default.aspx?subcat=5&submenu=1&catid=52">Bird Cages</a></strong> that are reliable for your pets.
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Endangered Animals of Peru
Animals are considered endangered when they are at risk of extinction, either because there are only a small number of them left, due to threats from changes to their environment, shifting of predator to prey ratios, and other factors. Nations over the last 50 years have developed laws to protect species form becoming extinct; however few species actually get on these lists. Many become extinct without the attention or protection of humans, though it is true that in probably all cases over the last century, the machinations of humans have caused the imbalances that have led to the disappearance of thousands of animal and plant species. Especially within the last century and a half, species have been becoming extinct at a higher rate than at any time in history. In the case of the Amazon Rainforest, which covers parts of Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil, the loss of habitat created by farmers who cut down trees and burn whole tracts of jungle for cattle grazing and crop production, may result in unknowable consequences for the entire planet. The Amazon has been called the lungs of the planet, and its further destruction could accelerate global warming, with devastating consequences for humans and most of the species on Earth. Some endangered species of Peru are: The Andean Condor: (Vultur Gryphus) was put on the Endangered Species list in 1973 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These majestic birds are found in the Andes Mountains, and along the coast of Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia and Bolivia. Factors in their endangerment include hunting, deforestation, air pollution and food and water contamination, as well as reduction in available food supply (declining populations of prey). Their slow reproductive rate is also a factor, as they lay eggs only every second year. There is not yet an accurate census of the numbers left, though there are believed to be only a few thousand left in the wild The Amazonian Manatee, (Trichechus inunguis), is a freshwater species of manatee, found throughout the northern Amazon River Basin and its tributaries. It is the smallest of the three manatee species, and a few are found in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. All manatees are entirely aquatic mammals that do not leave the water for the duration of their life cycle. They feed on plants and water vegetation, and are gentle, non-aggressive animals with flippers as forelimbs and no hind limbs; rather they possess a flat, cylindrical shaped tail. Factors in their endangered status include hunting, drowning in fishing nets, and loss of food supply resulting from deforestation. The Andean Cat, (Oreailurus jacobita) considered among the five most endangered cats in the world, is considered critically endangered. It is found in the high regions of Peru, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, and is one of the shyest and least known cats in existence. About the size of a housecat, Andean Cats feed on several classes of mice, small birds and rodents. Along with the Pampas cat, (Oncifelis colocolo), it is known as “osqhollo” by the Quechua. Factors contributing to its declining numbers may include reduction of prey, harvesting of plants that their prey is dependent on, and hunting by humans. The Yellow Tailed Woolly Monkey, (Oreonax flavicauda), is a rare primate species found only in the Peruvian Andes. There are less than 250 of these monkeys left in the northern Peruvian cloud forests. They have thick hair and long prehensile tails. They eat fruits, leaves, flowers, and buds. Loss of habitat due to destruction of forests for agriculture and cattle-ranching has contributed to the critically endangered status of these monkeys. The Amazon Pink River Dolphin, (Inia Geoffrensis), known as boutu by the inhabitants of the jungle, is classified as a vulnerable species on the endangered species list. It is one of only five species of freshwater dolphins in the world. It inhabits muddy rivers, relying on echolocation to hunt for prey. These dolphins may be pink or pale blue; they are often albino. Factors threatening these unique animals include damming, building canals and diversion of river courses. The Three-Toed Sloth (Bradypus Variegatus), the smaller member of the sloth family, inhabits the Amazon rainforests of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina. It is the slowest moving mammal on Earth, and is physiologically incapable of keeping its body temperature stable. In this way, it resembles snakes and other reptiles. It moves so slowly that algae grows on its fur, giving it an iridescent green glow at night. It is only able to live in warm, humid environments. Because of the encroachment of humans into their habitat, these creatures are potentially endangered. The Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird, (Colibr Admirable), is a species of hummingbird that is found only in the jungles of Northern Peru. The species is unique because it has only four tail feathers, two of which end in spoon-shaped “spatules;” each of the two feathers resembling a spatula, with an elongated handle and the round spatula part at the end. The males use their tails in a fascinating courtship display, during which they whirl their tails and perform acrobatics to impress females. They have been considered endangered since 2000, and has been declared the regional bird for the Amazon region of Peru. There are many ways in which we can take steps to help our environment and endangered species, some of which can start right at home. We can take simple steps to reduce the amount of energy we consume, such as washing our clothes in cold water and turning off lights when we leave a room. We can also join with and support organizations who are actively involved in helping the rainforest, such as http://www.therainforestsite.com. Kuoda Tours brings travelers to remote regions of the Amazon where they can see the rainforest firsthand and gain a greater understanding of this vital area and the amazing diversity of species therein. We have a variety of special interest and activities, including bird watching and jungle trekking. Visit us at http://www.inturkuoda.com Born in the US, Laurel Thompson has lived in Peru for three years. She is a bilingual travel design specialist and has traveled throughout much of South America. She has a strong interest in eco-tourism and voluntourism and loves nature, traveling and writing.
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