Not a pleasant sight: suddenly, your dog is lying in a wet bed in the morning. It smells of urine and they look at you sheepishly. Their nose is still working well and they clearly feel uncomfortable.
It mostly affects female dogs. The sphincter muscle of the bladder weakens, especially in spayed or older female dogs. In some cases, a bladder infection (see corresponding article) may also be responsible for uncontrolled urine loss. In this case, the incontinence will disappear once the infection has been treated. Sometimes, male dogs also experience incontinence due to illness. In very rare cases, this can also lead to involuntary defecation.
An incontinent dog feels very uncomfortable because it prefers a clean bed. So don't punish it under any circumstances. Be sure to seek veterinary help to get to the root of the problem and help your dog. Certain medications can be used to try to stabilize the sphincter muscle.
However, this will not be completely successful in cases of age-related incontinence, and both dog and owner will have to learn to live with the problem as best they can. Your dog needs you as a companion until the end, now more than ever. Take them outside even more regularly so that they can empty their bladder often. A waterproof pad and special dog diapers can be helpful for the inconvenience at home. These are available as disposable or washable cloth diapers, adapted to size and gender. If your dog wears diapers permanently, it is important that you remove them several times a day—preferably during long walks—to prevent skin irritation. As in any truly good relationship, this applies in good times and bad.
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted by ticks. It was named after its discoverer, the German physician Paul Ehrlich. The disease, also known as tick fever, is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, but also in the Mediterranean region. It is therefore important to be aware of it when traveling to southern destinations. Ehrlichiosis became known during the Vietnam War, when several German shepherd dogs belonging to American soldiers fell ill and died. German shepherds, Dobermans, and huskies are still particularly susceptible to this disease.
The word acupuncture comes from Latin and is composed of the words for "needle" and "prick." Classical acupuncture is one of the oldest therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine and has also been practiced on animals in Europe since the beginning of the 18th century. It belongs to the field of complementary medicine, which means that it supplements the treatment methods of conventional medicine.
Horses and humans speak different languages. While humans primarily communicate through spoken language, horses mainly communicate through body language. It is important that you understand your horse in order to work together harmoniously. Here is a little translation guide to help you.
Danger can lurk anywhere, whether at the side of the road, in forests, or even in your own pasture. Eating poisonous plants can be fatal for horses. But plants are not the only source of danger when it comes to poisoning.
The term "cat flu" or "cat flu complex" refers to all infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes of cats, with the nose, mouth, and eyes being affected in most cases. Since the interaction of various factors leads to the onset of symptoms, this is referred to as a multifactorial disease. Cats that live in shelters, breeding facilities, multi-cat households, or under very poor hygienic conditions are particularly susceptible to cat flu.
Piroplasmosis, also known as babesiosis, is a parasitic infection transmitted by ticks that is particularly prevalent in warm climates. Horses, dogs, and humans are all susceptible to this infection. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Every dog owner is very alarmed when their previously fit dog suddenly starts limping for no apparent reason. It can happen to anyone, whether your dog is athletic or laid-back. It is important to take a closer look: fortunately, the causes are often harmless and can be treated quickly.
Sometimes a violent coughing fit comes on completely unexpectedly and frightens us as much as it does our dog. Whether it's a dry "barking" cough, a mucus-filled retching or a wheezing sound, coughing can manifest itself in many different ways. It's important to investigate the cause so that we can help our dog quickly.
Seizures also occur in dogs. How at risk your dog is depends largely on its breed: some breeds are more prone to seizures than others.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is transmitted by ticks. It occurs widely in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in single areas further north. Not only humans are infected, but also dogs, horses, sheep, goats, and cattle. In severe cases, the disease can be fatal.
These growths, which occur relatively frequently in cats, are not cancerous, as is often mistakenly assumed. They are benign, pedunculated mucosal protrusions that are often also inflamed. Young cats up to two years of age are particularly affected.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds. It is considered friendly, eager to learn, and active—traits that make it a valued family dog. However, in addition to its positive nature, the Labrador also has special requirements that you should be aware of before deciding to get one.
