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Causes and Prevention of Diarrhea In Labrador Retriever

A healthy Labrador Retriever will normally defecate firm stools once or twice a day. However, if your Labrador Retriever passes semi-solid or liquid stools more often than usual, then he is probably suffering from canine diarrhea. Diarrhea is common in Labrador Retrievers because of their hearty appetites.

They tend to eat anything, digestible and non-food objects alike, especially if their owners are not looking. With immediate attention and proper care, diarrhea caused by ingesting foreign objects can be treated within a day or two.

Diarrhea has many other causes aside from eating unsuitable objects. It can be caused by intestinal viruses, stomach viruses or intestinal parasites. Problems within the digestive tract such as ulcers, cancer, food allergies and toxins can trigger diarrhea. Health problems not related to digestive tract can also trigger diarrhea. Some of these health problems are liver disease, kidney disease, Addison’s disease and anxiety. Always remember that diarrhea is not a disease, but is a symptom of various diseases. It maybe just a symptom but may become life threatening if not treated immediately.

For simple cases of diarrhea in your Labrador Retriever, home treatment is enough. Provide plenty of fresh water or oral rehydration fluids to drink provided he is not vomiting. You can also try giving him an ice cube or two every four hours to help him not drink so much water. It is also advisable to put him on fast for 24 hours to rest his irritated tract and feed him only if he appears better after a day. You can start feeding him with small amounts of bland diet every four hours. If your Labrador Retriever appears better after bland diet and small amounts of food, you can gradually return to his regular diet.

Severe cases of diarrhea, if it persists more than 24 hours, if there is any blood and if accompanied with vomiting, immediate veterinary care is needed to prevent your dog from dehydration. If there is blood in his vomitus or stool, if he has fever and if it persists for more than one to two days, it could be sign of infection or other diseases. Visit your vet immediately for medication. He will usually recommend drink with electrolytes and dietary supplements such as probiotics for it has beneficial bacteria helpful in restoring the health of the dog’s intestinal tract. Serious cases of diarrhea due to infection or inflammation of the intestine may require antibiotics.

Author: Richard Cussons

 Richard Cussons is a writer with tons of knowledge on Labrador Retriever. Discover effective Labrador dog training tips at labradorsavvy.com.

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The Basic Tools For Dog Training Trade

Dogs are creatures of habit and if trained they will exhibit certain behaviors to mark the particular times of day, even more clearly. There are many training aids you will find in the dog store, for the ever growing line of pet supplies that will assist in the task of dog training, making things manageable for you.

Among the different tools for dog training trade, items such as clickers, leashes of different varieties, halters, electronic collars, electronic and chemical training aids, muzzles and treat carriers are the basic tools in the trainers world and can ease your efforts to train your dog.
Let us start out with the clicker which is a metal box coated with plastic emits a clicking noise when the metal is pressed and release. It is a handy device that helps to attain quick attention of your dog once they are taught to recognize the sound. After being trained your dog can distinguish the sound even over much background noise or relatively long distances. Leashes are handy tools that ranges from a very short leash with less than eighteen inches of length to an extremely long leash of twenty feet or more. The shorter leashes are employed while training your dog for up close behaviors such as the Sit, Heel and Stay commands whereas the longer leashes that come with some nice features such as the retractable leash which prevent trip hazards and tangling is essentially used for behaviors that allow more freedom. Unlike a short leash, a long leash pose dangers for your dog or other people when walking through the crowd earlier now are modernized that consist of a spring loaded reel that will allow the ddog to explore at a distance but will coil itself back as the animal returns. The halter allow more control for the owner and less strain on the dogs’ neck, is essentially an extension of the collar. The electronic collar is an another control device which comes in two major categories, sonic and shock emitting, both of which are applied when the dog performs a certain disagreeable behavior though The sonic version is the more humane of the two. The electronic shock mat and Chemical based training aids include such products as Bitter Apple sprays or creams are employed to keep your pet from jumping onto your leather couch or expensive recliners and to prevent chewing or self-mutilation behaviors. Last but not least, is the special treat carrier that have become quite popular in training circles provide a clean way for you to carry a whole days worth of treats on your side without having to dirty your pockets or have your hands full constantly.

By peter john

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