Following an illness, injury or disease, canine rehabilitation is necessary. This is best described as a series of treatments designed to help facilitate a dog back to health and in as normal a condition as possible.

The number one aim in early rehabilitation is for the reduction of pain, swelling and complications that could arise. The muscles need to be preserved and improved as well as the joint functions and nerves. In addition to this, the range of motion is improved; there is increased strength, and better cardiovascular fitness.

Dogs which benefit from rehabilitation come from varying backgrounds. Therapy dogs, guarding dogs, search and rescue dogs, competitive sports dogs and even pet dogs, all will potentially need rehabilitation or physiotherapy, in some form or another, at some point throughout their life. As they age their bodies change and need tending to just like their human caregivers. Dog health care becomes increasingly important now.

All of the following will benefit greatly from rehabilitation. Is your dog one of them?

Pre-operative patients

Post-operative recovery

Obese dogs

Neurological canines

All Osteoarthritic dogs

Orthopaedic dogs

Geriatric dogs

All Juvenile dogs

Traumatized canines

All Disabled dogs

The speed of recovery for the dog is increased by a rehabilitation program. It is a non-invasive approach, decreases the need for NSAIDs and reduces costs to the owner. Both the owner and the dog are helped psychologically by this program. They each have an increased sense of well-being and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Canine patients who need long term rehabilitative treatment are the ones with the following conditions, for they will obtain the best quality of life and potential recovery by such a program:

Cainines with Degenerative CDRM (chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy)

Conservative and post operative canine spinal patients

Fracture healing in canines

Tissue healing in canines

Chronic arthritis

Contractures in canines

Vestibular or stroke in dogs

The range of rehabilitative exercises stretch from physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage, therapeutic and functional exercises, acupuncture, water and land treadmill, proprioception and balance exercises to numerous other complementary land based forms. In the beginning stages of rehabilitation, we need to break down the stages into small attainable steps. It is critical to keep your dog motivated and interested, participating willingly. If they get bored and anxious they will not be receptive to the program.

Rehabilitation equipment is designed to concentrate on specific groups of muscles. Some are used for balance, co-ordination and strength, and others are used for gait and movement retraining. Not all exercises will work for every dog. The dog's size, temperament, attitude, degree of injury, stage of healing, intelligence of the dog and owner will determine the type of rehabilitation program is best.

Canine anatomy, bio mechanics, disease processes and surgical intervention are all important knowledge necessary for a successful outcome. Although many of the methods seem easy to apply, it is the clinical reasoning, skill and good judgment that are detrimental to a successful outcome.

Helga Schmitt has been avidly studying and researching Dog Health, physiotherapy and rehabilitation hands on for the past 20 years. She is a Registered Canine Hydrotherapist, Chartered Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist, and has a Certificate in Homeopathy. She educates dog owners about complementary health choices. For a free Older Dog Tips Guide, and read more on Canine Rehabilitation at Health-for-Dogs.com.

A lot of dogs suffer from arthritis, and thus have trouble moving around easily. It can begin early in their lives, though it typically emerges during their senior years. The disease grows progressively worse as they continue to use the affected limbs. Eventually, it impairs their movement to the point where it impacts their quality of life.

In some cases, the pain of moving around is very mild; symptoms may be negligible to a canine's owner. In other cases, when the disease has reached an advanced stage, symptoms are obvious. They include a discernible limp, an unwillingness to climb stairs, and stiffness after resting.

Many veterinarians prescribe medications to ease arthritic dogs' discomfort. While such medications are often useful, the following suggestions focus on providing an environment that slows the deterioration of your canine's cartilage.

Invest In A Dog Ramp

Owners are accustomed to their pets jumping up to reach higher surfaces (e.g. bed, couch, getting into a vehicle, etc.). This can be difficult for an arthritic dog. The impact on his joints is likely to be painful, and will wear away the remaining cartilage more quickly than necessary.

Buy your pet a ramp that gives him a slope to climb and descend. That way, he can access higher surfaces without the pain of jumping.

Provide A Warm Sleeping Area

Warmth helps to reduce inflammation that is characteristic of arthritis. This is true for people and their pets. For this reason, give your dog a warm place to sleep and rest. If the weather is cold, close the windows of your home, and raise the temperature a few degrees. He'll feel more comfortable, and find it easier to move around your house.

Help Your Canine Lose Excess Weight

Weight control is critical since extra pounds place excess pressure on your pet's joints. In fact, many veterinarians recommend helping your arthritic dog lose weight before tackling anything else. Consider it a priority.

The challenge with helping canines with arthritis lose weight is that many are unable to move well. This means a rigorous exercise routine is not an option. That said, you can modify your dog's diet to reduce the number of calories he consumes. Even if he's unable to participate in strenuous exercise, he'll still shed a few pounds.

Provide Low-Impact Exercise Each Day

Intuitively, you might think exercise will erode your canine's cartilage. In reality, low-impact exercise will help him build muscle while providing his joints with valuable motion. Plus, if he's burdened with a few extra pounds, the activity will help him lose weight.

Walking is excellent for sore joints. So, too, is swimming, and even light jogging. Avoid activities that place too much stress on your dog's limbs.

Create A Relaxing Environment

As your canine grows older, he'll become less inclined to be around constant activity. If he has a crate, you'll notice him retreating to rest. A senior dog with arthritis will be even less tolerant, partly because he won't have the ability to easily get up and retreat elsewhere.

If there are children in your home, ask them to give your canine sufficient space to rest in relative peace. If you're entertaining guests, allow your pet to spend the time away from the party. While providing a relaxing environment won't directly address his arthritis, doing so will lower his stress level, and make his home more comfortable.

As mentioned earlier, your canine's arthritis can be treated with medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Deramaxx, Meloxicam, etc.), corticosteroids, and aspirin. Many veterinarians will also recommend vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, and other supplements. While these can prove helpful for relieving your dog's discomfort, they will not directly address the deterioration of his cartilage. For that, implement the tips provided above.

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Canine allergies are responsible for much of the chewing and itching of dogs everywhere. Just like people, dogs may be allergic to food ingredients, to pollens of grass, weeds and trees or to mold and dust mites in their environment. Although there are many shampoos and sprays advertised to stop skin itching of dogs, these commercial products have limited effectiveness. They may provide some short term relief but if the source of the allergen is still present, the itch will quickly return.

Atopic dermatitis is an environmental allergy that is quite similar to human allergies. Dust mites, grass and tree pollen and other airborne particles are the cause of atopic dermatitis that affects almost 10% of dogs. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are paw licking and chewing, paws that appear reddened and tender, fur loss and an itch so persistent it interferes with the dog's sleep. An effective medication is Atopica which can safely be used long term. Atopica does not contain steroids or cause drowsiness in the dog.

A dog that scratches his back and chews on the inside of his legs is likely suffering from flea allergy dermatitis. Any time a flea bites your dog, he releases a minute amount of saliva. It is the saliva that causes the allergic reaction. It is necessary to kill not only the adult fleas on your animals but also to use a dog flea treatment that will break the flea life cycle as even a few flea bites can cause a big skin reaction for a dog with an allergy to fleas.

Triamcinolone is often prescribed by vets to treat inflammation and allergic disorders. This is a corticosteroid and must be administered exactly as prescribed. When giving corticosteroids it is crucial not to stop the medication without a gradual reduction in the dosage. Triamcinolone is the generic name of the medication and may be prescribed as one of several brands such as Cortalone, Vetalog or TriAcet.

Itching in the anal area is a sign of food allergies in your pet. Food allergies are most often seen in dogs less than one year old but can appear at any age. Your dog may become allergic to a food he has eaten for months or even years. Anal itching may be accompanied by a rash, vomiting or diarrhea and flatulence is another unpleasant symptom of food allergies. Environmental causes of the allergic reaction will be eliminated your vet to make certain there are no secondary allergies to be treated.

Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid that can have beneficial effects but also may cause negative side effects. Dexamethasone is commonly used in veterinary medicine and is given by injection, inhalation or topically. When used as a topical treatment the solution may also include a miticide, antifungal or antibacterial to treat skin problems.

Used sparingly, corticosteroids can be life saving for your dog and will ease the symptoms caused by canine allergic reactions very quickly. Taken as a pill every other day, this pet medicine acts by depressing the body's immune system. Corticosteroids are often the solution for owners of pets with seasonal allergies.

Longer term treatment for year round inhalation allergic reactions is offered by Temaril-P and may be prescribed by your vet. The anti-inflammatory properties of the drug are low dose prednisone and can be safely administered over longer terms without the risk of serious side effects of full dose steroid pet meds. Temaril-P is useful in treating kennel cough and asthma caused by dog allergies. Working with your vet to find the best pet medicine to relieve your dog's allergic reaction can ease the discomfort of your pet even if you cannot remove the allergen from the environment.

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If you have never owned a puppy before, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with the sudden responsibility of caring for the wellbeing of your new pal. In this article you will learn about the basic health responsibilities you should attend to and how you can go about doing so.

Your puppy’s diet is first on our list. Puppies are on their mother’s milk until they are about six to eight weeks old. This weaning age is usually when breeders allow the puppies to be taken home by their new owner. Ask your breeder what the pup is currently eating and continue to feed him that. Usually they will be eating a soft canned food mixed with puppy milk replacer. Use less and less milk until your puppy is on pure canned food. You can do the same when switching to dry food by mixing in a little soft food and then cutting back a little each day until the puppy is on dry food only. Dry food is recommended as the best type of food for dogs as it has less fat content and keeps your dog’s teeth strong and free of plaque build up. This should happen gradually over the course of about 7 – 10 days. You should never feed your dog human food (i.e.: table scraps) at any time during his life. A dog’s diet requires a specific balance of certain nutrients and feeding your dog table scraps will upset this balance. Also remember to keep a water bowl filled for your pup at all times.

Your next concern should be to see that your dog gets all of the required vaccinations. Some breeders may start the vaccination process, so check with your dog’s breeder to find out if any vaccinations have been given to your pup. There are three shots given three weeks apart. These shots are referred to as the “core” injections. They help to prevent your pup from contracting distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. You can have the first shot administered when your puppy is 6 weeks old. Your veterinarian may suggest vaccinations to prevent illnesses that are a concern for certain breeds or demographic regions. These are called non-core vaccinations as they are not a requirement for all dogs. To be on the safe side, we recommend you keep your dog away from other dogs (that are not in your home) until your puppy has completed his round of core vaccines. They will become effective about 10 days after the last vaccination.

Grooming is another important aspect of owning a puppy. Some dogs have stricter grooming requirements than others, particularly ones with long or curly fur. Certain breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to ear infections and require that their ears be cleaned frequently. All dogs should have their nails clipped periodically (usually when you hear their paws click on the floor you know it’s time for a trim!). It’s very important that this is done in the correct fashion using proper canine nail clippers, as cutting to deeply in your dog’s claws can result in severe pain and bleeding.

Exercise is one of the most vital aspects of your dog’s health. Your puppy will have a great deal of energy, which is completely natural! You should encourage playtime, especially outdoors so that he can have tons of room to romp around. If your puppy becomes restless, he may chew excessively which can be dangerous for your puppy (think of all the cords/cables plugging into your outlets, as well as wooden furniture that can splinter!). Pet steps are a great tool you can use to give your dog a workout. The time you spend training him to use the dog stairs to get onto furniture will encourage your pup to bond with you as well as to be obedient and respectful.

For more tips on raising a healthy pup, visit HelpYourPets.com.

Does Spot seem to be sporting quite a belly these days? As a dog owner, it can be very easy not to realize a decline in your pet’s health until the damage is already done. Obesity is a very becoming a very real concern for pets and it’s up to us pet owners to do something about it. This article is going to discuss a few tips for recognizing obesity in your dog and how you can help get him back into shape.

You must realize that all dogs require exercise. Whether you have a Pomeranian or a Great Dane, every breed and size of dog must maintain certain levels of activity on a daily basis. Think about your dog’s average day from beginning to finish. If you can’t bring it to mind, keep an eye on him for a few days and write down his usual activities. For my dog, I drew a time line of his average day. In my timeline I wrote down when he woke up, his meal times, his usual trips outside, nap times, etc. This really helps to put into perspective whether your dog is truly lacking exercise or if a change of diet is required.

One important thing to consider is this: does your dog get to spend regular time outdoors aside from potty breaks? If not, this could be a huge clue as to why your dog might not be looking as lean as he ought to be. Dogs love to be outside—it’s natural for them and it’s a good inspiration to be active. If you haven’t been able to take your dog outside in the past, set time aside for him or arrange for a friend or family member to do let him out several times throughout the day. Try to get involved with him when he’s outdoors to encourage him to move around. Throwing his favourite ball or toy around is great, as is a quick jog around the yard. If you aren’t in the best of shape yourself, you and your dog could go to a dog park or on walking trails and both of you can reap the health benefits of walking. This is also great for strengthening the relationship between you and your dog. You can even try getting a set of pet steps to train your dog on. Not only will he get a great workout from going up and down the steps, but being proactive will boost his happiness and confidence.

After you have made your assessment of your dog’s activity level, you might be surprised to find that he gets sufficient exercise but still doesn’t seem to be as lean as he should be. This is a very common scenario among people who feed their dog table scraps or gets a bit too liberal with the doggy treats. Regardless of the fact that human food is a lot more fattening to dogs, it’s also down-right unhealthy for them. A dog’s diet should consist primarily of meat, raw vegetables, and certain types of grain. Could you imagine a dog in the wild snarfing down some spaghetti? If you are guilty of feeding your dog human food—as most of us are—try to cut back on that altogether. If you don’t notice a difference in your dog’s weight, switching to a name brand kibble specifically designed for overweight dogs may be the right solution.

Any time you feel that there could be something amiss with your dog’s health, it’s always best to make an appointment with your dog’s vet to rule out the possibility of an underlying health condition.

For more great information about caring properly for a dog, or to buy a durable set of dog stairs, please visit Help Your Pets.

Dog and puppy owners need to be sure they understand a few dog health problems basics so they can help their pets if by chance they contract one of the common dog health problems. There is an old canine folklore held and believed by people from long ago saying that a cold and wet nose on a dog is a sign of good health. The plain truth here is that no one can tell with any scientific certainty from how cold or wet a dog's nose is, whether or not the dog has any hereditary heart issues, parasites, worms, deafness or any other health condition.

Pet owners should totally repudiate such beliefs that have no scientific basis and instead pay strict attention to the physical condition of their dog in general making sure they regularly check for disease symptoms or signs in the eyes, teeth, ears, mouth and skin regions. The dog owner should also be responsible to make sure their dog eats well, gets regular checkups and is groomed on a regular basis so that their dog will stay healthy for a long time to come.

Symptoms of Dog Health Problems

There are a number of signs and signals that might be telling you that your dog has specific dog health symptoms or problems or diseases. Owners of dogs should be sure they know about these signals of potential health issues in their dogs so they can prompt action if needed.

* The dog's coat should be shiny, soft and full. If your dog has a wiry coat, the strands should spring back up whne touched and should be thick. Breeds with double coats should have no indication of thinning on the undercoats.

* Redness, sores, scabs, scales, flakes, lumps and growths on the dog's skin can be signs of health problems. Its importatn that both your dog's fur and skin remain free of parasites - little organisms like fleas or ticks or mites. Frequent scratching or even biting of the skin is an indication of potential parasites.

* Just like people, if your dog's eyes are bright and shiny, this is a good healthy sign. In dogs, there is an area in the eyes particularly in the perimeter of the eyeballs that should always have a health pink color. This spot is called the conjunctiva and a pale color may mean some health problems. There should also be no abnormal discharges from the eyes, particular yellow or green colored fluids.

* Bad odors and/or bloody discharge from the ears is good symptom that something is wrong. Your dog's ears need to be kept clean and free of signs of parasites.

* Gums that have a healthy pink color which may contain some black pigmentation is a sign of good health. Pale colored gums can be a sign or symptom of anemia. Sore looking red gums that bleed could be sending you the signal that you dog has a peridontal problem while emphasizing that your dog has some health issues with really bad breath.

* Going back to the age-old belief on the dog's nose, a healthy dog normally has a cold and wet nose but this should be caused only by clear and watery discharges that are common in dogs. If a foul and colored discharge from the nose emanates, this is a sign of an abnormal condition and should be looked at. Such discharges in young pups can be a sign of canine distemper and may prove to be fatal.

A few other things that indicate a healthy dog are the weight - normal for the breed, body temperature - dogs get fevers just like children, and how the urine and feces look and smell. The important thing here is to know and understand these signs and symptoms of health problems so that the moment you notice something abnormal, you can immediately take action.