K-9 Health
Genetics
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Dog Food
The health and well being of our beloved dogs start with sound genetics. However, it is also important that large breed dogs grow slowly in order to maintain proper development. In order to continue healthy growth, we need to feed our dogs food that is made from quality ingredients with proper fat/protein ratios.
It is extremely difficult trying to figure out what foods are best for our pets. That is why I watch and recommend the "Great Dane Lady's" website. It is a great way to keep updated on the latest quality dog foods. I use Fromms Solid Gold Dog Food for my Standard Poodles. Fromms is on her list, my Poodles look great, and they love to eat it!
You can find her information and website at:
http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/criteria_list_of_better_foods.htm
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Ear Care
If you suspect that your dog has an ear infection (scratching at the ear, redness, or odor), this is the treatment that is highly recommended amoung Poodle Breeders. (Warning: Do not put any liquids in an ear that you suspect may have a ruptured eardrum.)
BLUE POWER EAR TREATMENT:
16 OZ. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (PRICE NO OBJECT!!!)
4 TABLESPOONS BORIC ACID POWDER
16 DROPS-GENTIAN VIOLET SOLUTION 1% (AVAILABLE AT CVS & THRIFTY & SOME INDEPENDENTS).
Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well. You will also need to shake solution every time you use It to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. To use, pour into a Clairol type bottle to dispense the solution to the affected ear.
TREATMENT:
Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed and sore, do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait till Inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days. Shake bottle each time before using. Flood ear with solution, massage gently
to the count of 60. Flood ear again on first treatment and leave alone without massaging. Dog will shake out the excess.
TIMING IS AS FOLLOWS:
Treat 2 times per day for the first week up to two weeks, depending on severity of infection. Treat I time per day for I to 2 weeks.
Treat 1 time per week for 2 weeks, then 1 time per month. You will find that despite the alcohol, the dog will not object to even the
first treatment. The boric acid soothes the ear. The Gentian Violet is an anti-infection agent. The solution appears to work well on any and all ear problems from mites to canker ears. After the 2nd or 3rd. day you can clean out the ears with Q-Tips or cotton balls. The success rate for this treatment is 95-99%. Those who do not succeed have usually not done the treatment long enough or have not kept to the timetable above. Dogs on the verge of ear canal surgery have been returned to normal with only the
regular follow up treatment necessary to maintain the ear, After the ear problems are cleared up, only a maintenance dose is necessary
during regular grooming.
If you find that you have to keep using the treatment to keep the ears healthy, you may have a
Pseudomonas bacteraremaining in the ear, which can be cleared up by using a Vinegar and Water flush two times a week. The
suggested amounts of Vinegar & Water are: -1 tablespoon Vinegar to 1cup warm water. You can also obtain an excellent ear wash from your vet that has boric acid and vinegar in it. It is called DERMA PET Ear/Skin Cleanser for Pets.
NOTE - When treating the ears, avoid doing it in an area where the Blue Mixture can stain walls, carpet, furniture, clothing etc. When the dog shakes its ears, the solution will spray all over the place! Any color remaining outside the ear can be washed off with a sponge or washcloth and soap and water. On white dogs, you may wish to place a cotton ball in each ear for a few seconds, while they shake.
DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE OUT WE COTTON BALLS.
* Shake the bottle well as you use it as the Boric Acid settles quickly