Mitral Valve Disease and Dogs

What is  mitral valve disease?
It is a heart condition where the mitral valve (the valve on the left side of the heart) fails to function properly.

Who are most commonly affected?
Studies show that this disease are common in adult dogs or older dogs that are small to medium sized breeds. High prevalence of the disease were found in King Charles spaniel, Chihuahua, miniature poodle, miniature pinscher, terriers and miniature schnauzers.

What causes mitral valve disease in dogs?
This condition is caused by the accumulation of plaque in a dog's heart valve. Because the mitral valve is unable to function properly, blood is leaked back to the atrium (upper chamber) of the heart. As a result, the heart tries to pump harder to deliver blood to the atrium which can lead to congestive heart failure.

What are the symptoms of this condition?
Symptoms may not be obvious right away but as the condition worsens, a dog with this condition may have difficulty breathing and may experience frequent coughing. Clinical examinations on dogs may show heart murmur, a weak pulse and an increased heart rate.

How can this disease be prevented?
Although the exact cause of plaque accumulation cannot be specified, studies show that a dog's diet and physical activity plays a big role in preventing complications. Medical experts suspect that genetic predisposition is also a major factor in acquiring the disease.

What tests are needed to diagnose this condition?
A complete blood count(CBC), urinalysis, chest x-rays, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound heart examination are usually conducted to diagnose the problem. Regular check-up with your veterinary is a must since early detection can help improve your dog's condition.

What is the treatment for mitral valve disease?
As of yet, there is no cure for this disease. Although mitral valve replacement is done in humans, mitral valve surgery or mitral valve repair is not done in dogs. Presently, medications are available to help improve the dog's heart and alleviate some of its symptoms. A low sodium diet can also help prevent further complications.

How to Make Your Home Dog-friendly

Every pet lover should be concerned about making his home as safe and as friendly for both people and pets. If you have a dog, here are some tips on how you can create a comfortable space for your dog and your family:

Choose durable furniture. Choose furniture and fixtures that are made out of durable materials. For example, leather is a suitable fabric for seats and table covers because they don’t stain, they’re easy to clean, and they hold up well to scratches (Check out dog trade show exhibits for a variety of dog-friendly furniture, seats, and table top display choices). Stay away from carpets and rugs especially if you have large, long-haired dogs that shed a lot.

Give your dog some space. If possible, think about giving your dog his own special room. This way, you can train your dog about his boundaries inside the house, where he can stay and which rooms are off-limits.  

For your dog's room, don’t forget to consider grooming. A tiled room where you can bath your dog and wash off the floor with water would be great! Don’t forget to add built-in cabinets that are out your dog’s reach where you can keep all dog supplies and accessories. Add a comfortable bed or a couch where your dog can lounge around and of course, dog toys are also a must!

Schedule regular cleaning. A dog lover should also know the importance of regular cleaning. Potty train your dog to make things easier for you. If you have puppies, clean up their mess immediately to get rid of the stain and odor. A clean environment for both you and your dog would certainly make life a breeze.

Don't leave kids and dogs unattended. Even if your dog is well-trained, it still isn't advisable to leave young children playing with dogs on their own. Dogs can have mood swings at unexpected moments, or a child may unwittingly hurt the dog which can cause it to startle and bite in self-defense.

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Things to Consider When Buying a Dog Leash

Every dog owner knows the importance of the leash and collar. What  important things must you consider when choosing a dog leash?

Type of Leash. Standard dog leashes are usually 6 ft. in length and are great for walking your pets. For dog training, a retractable leash which can be extended up to 25 to 30 feet is advisable.

Material. Leashes can be made from different materials such as cloth, nylon, leather, and chain. Most professional dog trainers discourage chain leashes because they can easily cause injuries on you or your dog. Nylon is an inexpensive and versatile leash material which can be used for walking and training dogs. Leather is stronger and more durable but it may not be the best leash material for dogs who love the water.

Size. How wide or how long your dog leash should be depends on how big your dog is. Larger dogs may need a wider leash for more control and protection.

Ornamental Leashes? Some dog leashes are embellished with fur, rhinestones, beads, studs, etc. However, bear in mind that if these embellishments come off, they can cause your dog to choke so a plain, simple, durable leash may be best.

For a selection of dog leashes and dog accessories, check out Shopwiki, a search engine especially dedicated to shopping. If you're a dog lover or a pet owner, check out the site for more buying guide on which products are best for your pets.

For Dog Lovers with Pet Allergy

Are you a dog lover? Are you allergic to dogs or pets? Is your condition keeping you from doing what you love most- take care of dogs? If so, here are some things you need to know about pet allergy:

What causes dog allergy?

People with allergies have very sensitive immune systems. Some people are allergic to dusts, pollen or dander while some are allergic to dog saliva.  

Dog hair or pet hair itself is not the allergen but they do collect dander, dusts and pollen. Thus, larger dogs, long-haired dogs or dogs with thick fur collect more allergens and highly trigger allergic reactions to people with pet allergies.

Reactions differ from person to person. The most common reactions of pet allergy are watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, skin rashes, wheezing and coughing. Other more serious reactions include fatigue, shortness of breath and asthma attacks. When exposed to cats, dogs or other pets (carrying allergens), a person with pet allergy may experience one or a combination of these reactions.

Are there really dogs that are hypoallergenic?

For people with severe allergies, it is not recommended not to get a pet and compromise health. Nevertheless, some people have milder forms of allergies and may be able to tolerate exposure to certain dog breeds.

Hypoallergenic means less allergy causing. Although there is no dog that is completely non-allergenic or 100% allergy proof, smaller dogs with short hair and hairless dogs are known as allergy-friendly dogs.  Examples of allergy-friendly dog breeds are Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, Bichon Frisé, Greyhound, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, just to name a few.

Tips for people with Pet Allergy

If you have a mild dog allergy, consider these tips to lessen the degree or avoid triggering allergic reactions.

Choose a hypoallergenic dog.

Spend some time with the dog first before choosing. Before you take the dog home, spend at least 30 minutes with the dog to see how your body reacts.

Pay attention to cleanliness. Keeping your surroundings clean is crucial if you really want to keep a dog. Use a lint roller to pick up hair, dusts, and dirt more easily. If your dog makes a mess (poops or pees), be sure to clean up that area with a detergent right away. Never leave it unattended. Arm yourself with cleaning agents to make cleaning tasks easier for you. (Paper towels, stain removers, lint rollers, disinfectants, anti-allergy products, etc.)

Keep your dog clean. Bathe your dog regularly using a mild dog shampoo to keep hair from shedding and skin from flaking. Ask your vet about the frequency of bathing that is ideal for your dog breed. Wash your dog’s clothes, beddings, leash, collar and toys frequently with an anti-allergen detergent.

Brush your dog’s fur everyday. If brushing your dog’s fur does not trigger allergic reactions in you, do it on a daily basis as brushing helps clean up the fur and prevents shedding.

Wear a mask when in close contact with your dog. When grooming your dog, wear a face mask to avoid inhaling airborne allergens.

Always, wash your hands after playing or grooming your dog.

 

Get rid of the unwanted dog smell. Use cleaning products that are especially made for getting rid of pet odor. Adding baking soda or vinegar to water is also a cheap and effective way to eliminate bad odors.

Teach your dog about boundaries. Certain areas of your home should be strictly restricted. You may choose a room where your dog can hang out but don’t let him step inside your living room, your kitchen or your bedroom. This way, you control the dander to only certain areas of the house.

Avoid furniture that collects dander. Leather furniture picks up less dander than furniture with fabric and is also much easier to clean. Avoid carpeted floorings where allergens stick and stay.

Don’t let your dog sit/lie on your furniture. Give your dog his own bed to sleep on and his own cushion to sit on. Teach him about limits.

Train your dog well. A properly trained dog will make life easier especially if you have pet allergy.

Limit your interaction with your dog. Don't kiss your dog or let your dog lick your hands and face. Nor should you let your dog sit on your lap. If you want to bond with your dog, choose activities that involve less touching such as playing catch or frisbee, walking or running together.

WARNING: Be sure to see a doctor first, before deciding that your allergy is tolerable or mild enough to keep a pet.