Monday 30 March 2009

The benefits of health insurance for dogs!

You may not realize it but there is actually such a thing as health insurance for dogs! This doesn't really come as much of a surprise considering the price of veterinary services has been steadily rising over the years. In many cases it is almost as expensive to treat your dog as it would be to walk into an emergency room yourself!

For many people their dog is as much a part of the family as the kids and they would suffer finantial trauma to make sure their dog is safe and healthy, but you can save a great deal of money by planning ahead with health insurance for dogs. This kind of insurance works much like any other health insurance but it is tailored specifically for things a dog would need, including check ups, medications, and more!

If your family has several dogs in the house you can also get health insurance for them but the beauty is that the policy rate goes down with the second and further dogs you insure! It is no longer just an idea, health insurance for dogs is a reality and for many people a godsend.

There are all kinds of ways your dog may become injured but most of all, it's about protecting their health, something that could save your best friend's life one day. Your dog doesn't always look sick when he or she is, in fact there are many health related deaths that could have been prevented if it were caught early enough. Unfortunately most people don't take their dogs in for routine check-ups or even when they see them moping around. With health insurance for dogs you can now do this without worrying about the high expense of a vet visit.

There are many great plans to choose from as well. Some cover 100% on many routine visits as well as medications your dog may need to take, and there are plans with low co-pays. Not too long ago the car insurance companies started to include dog pet plan insurance with your auto insurance, and although this is pretty cool, the health insurance for dogs is much more comprehensive and complete, and designed for more than just when your dog is hurt in an accident.

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Dog Skin Infections: Causes & Treatments of Dog Skin Infections

Dogs are more prone than any other pet to acquire dog skin infections. There are many reasons why a dog is more susceptible to dog skin infections than other animals. Many of the dog skin infections can be linked to a variety of influences in the dogs living environment. Some dog skin problems can even be caused by hormonal imbalances.

A dog’s living environment is the number one reason for dog skin infections. There are many factors in their environment that are difficult to control that contribute to the skin irritations or infections. Some of the things in the dog’s environment that might cause dog skin infections are insects like fleas and mites, invasive bacteria, and allergic reactions to chemicals or other substances.

What are the symptoms of dog skin infections? The symptoms of an infection will vary depending on the cause of the infection. Here are some general symptoms of infection if you think your dog has a skin infection. These symptoms are itchy or irritated skin, redness around and affected area, oozing or the wound (bacterial infection), matted hair from constant licking, and tenderness to the touch. If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

What treatments are available to treat skin infections? The first treatment for a skin infection should be to wash the affected area with soap and water to clean the affected area. Giving your dog a regular bath will go along way in preventing some skin infections. Many skin infections can be treated with topical ointments prescribed by the veterinarian or purchased at pet stores. If it is a more serious skin infection, your veterinarian will probable prescribe some kind of antibiotic to help the infection. Dog skin infections are treatable and in many cases can be prevented.

See how home remedies for dog skin allergies can help your cure your dog skin infections.