Nursing

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Nursing :


If your dog is suffering from a severe or debilitating disease and is too weak and too sick to groom and feed itself, the nursing and loving care it receives from you will have a vital effect upon its recovery.This nursing care extends to grooming and hygiene as well as to proper feeding.


1. Keep the sick dog in a warm or a cool(depending upon the climate), dimly lit and a quiet place. Try not to disturb it and keep children away from it.


2. Keep sick dogs clean. Dogs are very sensitive about fouling themselves or their living area. If they have fouled themselves, they should be gently washed with soap and water. A little talcum powder will do wonders in eliminating any foul smell. Please add a few drops of Dettol while cleaning the fouled up area.Special care should be taken if the dog is suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting.


3.Larger dogs, if too weak to move themselves, should be turned regularly, every four hours to avoid bedsores.


4.Apart from the care you are taking, the dog should be left alone as much as possible. Please  DO NOT FUSS over a SICK DOG.


5. All bowls, dishes etc. that are contact with the dog must be sterilised in boiling water after each meal. Please always provide the sick dog with CLEAN WATER FOR DRINKING.


6. Scrupulous hygiene is absolutely essential to successful nursing.




Raj Prateek Vermahttp://www.dogalogueofraj.blogspot.com

Common problem: FLEAS

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Fleas::


Fleas are a constant and irritating problem both, for the dog and the owner. They  cause extreme irritation and discomfort  to the dog so they should be removed immediately. They are also a source of Tapeworm.


However, it is heartening to know that even though humans may suffer a bite from them, but that is only passing as fleas do not live on human body.


Treatment:


1. The dog should be bathed with a shampoo containing selenium, (Selsun is a brand available with chemists, containing selenium) every three days for at least two weeks.

2.On days when the dog is not being bathed, powder it thoroughly with derris powder (also available with chemists and most pet shops).

3. During flea season, which varies with location, the dog should wear a flea collar(available at pet shops).

4 Baths and powdering should be supplemented with aerosol sprays, which kill fleas on contact. The bed and living area should be dusted with liberal amount of flea powder.

5. I personally use Mediker oil mixed with coconut oil and then rub it on the dog's body . The dog is bathed after two hours . Before bathing, the coat is brushed thoroughly so that dead fleas are removed. This has proved very effective.

Raj Prateek Verma

Close encounter with Dobes

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

I was young, perhaps fourteen years old and an ardent lover of dogs. Most of my leisure was spent on painting them and reading about them.

A friend of mine who also happened to be a dog trainer, invited me to visit The TATA CANINE SQUAD in Jamshedpur, the steel city of India. Tata Iron and Steel Company maintains a highly trained canine squad and these dogs are deputed at night along with their handlers to guard the various yards in the Company's premises.

I had seen some of these dogs performing the obedience tests in  dog shows and was highly impressed with their perfect training. I simply could not have let this opportunity slip and readily accepted his invitation!!

The Canine squad is housed in a sprawling compound and entry is restricted. As my friend, due to his profession, was well known to the guards, we were allowed to enter.

I could view a few massive Dobes and German Shepherds, their coats shimmering in the sun, standing at a distance. I walked briskly towards them in sheer excitement! It was only when I was quite close to them that I realized that they were all unleashed and free to move!

Their piercing eyes seemed to be sizing up the stranger. Death seemed imminent! My instinct told me to run but that would have been disastrous. I certainly did not have an iota of chance to out run them! Not a single trainer could be seen to whom I could look for help and my friend was still near the  gate, busy talking to the guards.

I was paralyzed with fear, perspiring from head to foot, waiting for the brutes to close in for the kill! Here I was all alone, facing a pack of most ferocious breed of the canine world!! I could only pray to GOD!!

Fortunately,  my friend realized my deplorable condition and quickly came to my rescue. I gained my senses when he told me that the dogs would not attack even a stranger until and unless they received a command from their handler.

Yet, in those moments of extreme fear, I didn't fail to notice the awesome sinews, the lithe, taut bodies exuding sheer power and strength. It was symmetry personified !


Raj Prateek Verma

Children and puppies

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Breeds comfortable with Children

Children and dogs just naturally go together and there is no one breed that is better for children than the others. A very young child will tend to maul a small breed with loving hands and a larger breed may frighten a child with its boisterous nature. If at all a classification is required then here it is.

Toddlers               :  Spaniels, Scotty, Schnauzer

Growing boys       :  Collie, Retrievers, Labrador or similar breed would be excellent. I have personally experienced their excellent herding instinct which makes them a fine babysitter. They are large and easygoing so can tolerate manhandling.

                                           

Young boys          :  If there are a lot of young boys in the family, a Boxer, Dalmatian or one of the Terrier

breeds will be a good choice.

Breeds not compatible with kids :  Small breeds like Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese terrier, Pekingese. They are usually short tempered and tend to snap at kids if handled roughly. They are comfortable in the the company of adults.

Children should be taught to respect the dog and give it the space necessary for comfortable living.

Some instructions which should be drilled into the young minds.

_ Never attempt to take away food when the dog is eating

_Never disturb a sleeping dog

_Never attempt to take away a toy from the dog

_Never attempt to take away a puppy from a nursing bitch

_Never allow a child to play with a tiny puppy

_Never allow the child to play with a stray dog

 Generally, children and dogs adapt well to one another and form a close bond of love. Most dogs will not harm children,seeming to realize their tenderness.

Raj Prateek Verma

Balanced diet

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Our pet should be provided with good and balanced food and not just any old rubbish, such as stale crusts of bread and cold potatoes. These type of food have no nutritional value and should be avoided. Carbohydrates 
and Protein are the most important ingredients of a balanced diet. A healthy, robust dog will be a delightful companion, loved by all and  pride of the owner.

Carbohydrates :


Carbohydrates are found in the wholesome cereals. Rice boiled with  a pinch of turmeric powder serves as a good source of carbohydrate .  These furnish the energy required by the muscles and can be called The Fuel food.


Protein          : 


Proteins help in forming muscle, building bones, feeding the brain, nerves, skin, coat, ensuring the correct functioning of digestive system and in fact , all of the working parts of the body. A correct balance between the carbohydrate and protein content of the dog's meal should be maintained.

Sources of protein:
1. Meat
2.Liver
3.Fish
4.Boiled egg
5.And of course Milk
6. pulses
7. I also add a few pieces of  Nutrela(brand name) which constitutes of soya, a great source of protein.

Vitamins:


By feeding the dog with balanced diet, one is already providing the necessary vitamins automatically to keep the dog in healthy condition. Green vegetables are a great source of vitamins and should be added to the dog's diet on daily basis.



List of vitamins and their function


Vitamin A : Found in animal fat, cod liver and milk.
Vitamin B : Necessary for nervous system. Found in cereals, biscuits, egg and  fresh vegetables.
Vitamin C : Ensures blood purity. Found in fresh vegetables and fruits. Dogs should be encouraged to eat fresh fruits occasionally.
Vitamin D : Essential for growth and for building strong and sound bones. Cod liver oil , say a teaspoon ful  mixed with food of the dog will be enough to meet the requirement of vitamin D.
Vitamin E : Found in wheat, biscuits, eggs, meat and green vegetables.


Raj Prateek Verma

First aid kit

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

List of items in a dog owner's First Aid Kit 


All dog owners should prepare a FIRST AID KIT and keep it in a box, clearly marked and placed in a safe place and it should be immediately accessible when required.

It should contain:

1. A pair of sharp-edged, blunt - pointed scissors.

2. A pair of tweezers.

3.A roll of (5 cm) electoplast.

4.A roll of bandage.

5.A packet of cotton wool.

6.A bottle of antiseptic, e.g. Dettol, Savlon etc.

7.A razor blade.

8. Paracetamol tablets.

9.A packet of cotton buds.

10.Milk of Magnesia tablets.

11.An eye dropper.

12.Antibiotic ointment or powder, e.g. Nebasulf, Neosporin.


Raj Prateek Verma

Home remedy for foreign bodies in the ear

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Symptoms


Is your dog shaking its head in excess and scratching the ear ?

Chances are that something has entered  into the dog's ear. Generally his head will be tilted to one side and will accompany with vigorous scratching of the affected ear.

Instant remedy


The foreign body can be floated out by pouring a little cooking oil or olive oil into the affected ear. After pouring oil, the ear should be gently massaged.

DO NOT POKE  THE DOG'S EAR  WITH ANY POINTED OR SHARP OBJECT.


If the foreign body is still causing irritation, take the dog to the vet.

Raj Prateek Verma