The Africanis, also known as the Hottentot Hunting Dog, Hottentot
Dog, African Hunting Dog, Umbwa Wa Ki-Shenzi, Bantu Dog, Khoikhoi Dog, or the Zulu Dog, are loyal and courageous despite their small size (ranging from 25 to 45 kg). They have tremendous stamina, are very playful, and are quite intelligent. If you look at an Africanis in profile, they look almost like the dogs found in Egyptian hieroglyphics, which gives you some idea of how old the breed is. This dog is one of only two domestic breeds indigenous to Africa (the other one being the Rhodesia Ridgeback).
Though not yet recognized around the world as its own breed, the Africanis Society of Southern Africa is working to conserve the Africanis. However, they are more concerned with preserving it as a landrace (a species that has developed mostly by natural processes with little or no human intervention). Developing it as a breed is not a priority. But since the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) recognizes it as an emerging breed, it may well one day be recognized worldwide.
The Africanis has a short coat and is considered a medium-sized dog. They are well muscled and are actually a little longer than they are tall. They can be of any color and even occasionally have a ridgeback. They are beautiful and simply constructed dogs. They are slender, agile, supple, fast, and designed to hunt on the African plains.
Often considered independent and highly territorial, the Africanis is highly trainable and intelligent. They are friendly without being truly intrusive and they make wonderful watchdogs as they bond to their family and have a great desire to protect. They are naturally submissive, which makes them a great family pet, even for families with young children.
One of the greatest benefits of the Africanis as a breed is that it requires little in the way of special treatment. These dogs don't need a special diet and they don't suffer from any real genetic difficulties. They are a strong breed with a natural resistance to parasites and other infestations.
The Africanis is sweet tempered and loving. Both the males and females make great house pets and will steal your heart with their luminous eyes.
Hot spots, more accurately known as acute moist dermatitis, are horribly uncomfortable for dogs, and can sometimes even be dangerous. These spots are inflamed and infected areas of the skin, and due to frequent scratching and licking, they can spread quickly. While this can affect any dog, some are more prone to hot spots than others, especially those dogs that tend to lick at one spot repeatedly. Luckily, hot spots are fairly easy to treat with a little patience, and occasionally some assistance.
Hot spots can be caused by dust mites, fleas, allergies, excess moisture, or simply from licking and biting at a specific area frequently. If a dog is experiencing areas of redness, oozing, itchiness, and even hair loss, then this dog likely has hot spots. These spots will be sensitive and painful, and may affect a dog’s attitude. Dogs with hot spots may be prone to biting or other forms of aggression. For these any other reasons, hot spots should be treated immediately.
The first step in treating hot spots is to trim the hair away from the infected area. This should be done carefully as to not alarm the dog, but you must ensure that you trim away as much hair as is possible. Exposing hot spots to air will help to dry them out and speed the healing process. The area should be cleansed with a mild water-based astringent or antiseptic. If neither of these are on hand, a mild baby shampoo can also be used. Never use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a hot spot, as the dog may be startled by the pain and bite. Pat the area dry, but do not rub to avoid irritating the damaged flesh any further.
To stop the itching and speed healing, a hydrocortisone spray or lotion might prove useful. It is possible to use Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream or another similar product for temporary relief of inflammation and itching, but this should be discussed with a qualified veterinarian before use. Never use a product designed for humans on a dog without speaking to a veterinarian first.
The dog should not be allowed to lick or scratch the hot spot. If necessary, use a plastic cone or Elizabethan collar to keep the dog from causing further damage to the infected area. Observe the area carefully, and if it worsens or spreads, take the dog to the veterinarian as soon as is possible. A vet can, if necessary, prescribe a topical medication such as an antifungal spray to speed the healing process. Oral medications are also an option, and some veterinarians give cortisone injections to get the healing started.
Hot spots can be very painful, so be careful when treating a dog for this condition. If there is no visible improvement in hotspots after five days of treatment, take the dog to a veterinarian, even if you think the problem is under control, as there may be a deeper skin infection involved. Only a veterinarian can assess the severity of any possible infections.
With patience and care, hot spots can be easily treated. Once the pain and irritation have been relieved, the dog will feel considerably better and should return to being a loving companion.
Kennel cough is a common and highly contagious respiratory disease that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds, and regardless of health. This disease is usually caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica or Mycoplasma, though it can also be caused by viruses such as parainfluenza or adenovirus 2. Kennel cough can cause inflammation of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and in more severe cases, the lungs themselves.
Dogs with kennel cough will appear generally healthy, but will have a persistent cough that is usually made worse by excitement, exercise, or pressure on the neck by a collar or leash. This cough will be harsh, dry, and may be accompanied by gagging or retching. More severe infections might lead to a runny nose or fever, difficulty breathing, or listlessness. A dog with these signs of advanced infection should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
Though generally mild, this disease can cause secondary infections in puppies, older dogs, and any canine with a weak immune system, sometime leading to death. This being the case, prevention is the best way to control kennel cough.
A vaccine is available from most veterinarians to help the body develop immunity to the bacteria and viruses that cause kennel cough. In order for this vaccine to be fully effective, it must be given at least three days before exposure to animals that may have this disease, so ensure your dog has the vaccine well in advance of attending any obedience classes. For dogs who are at risk, such as those housed in kennels, shelters, doggy day cares, or groomers, this vaccine should be repeated every six to ten months.
Kennels or any area where dogs are housed should be disinfection regularly to help prevent the spread of kennel cough. A disinfectant with bleach will help to prevent the bacteria from spreading, but ensure that the kennel is well rinsed afterwards for the safety of all dogs in the area. Keep all food and water dishes clean, perhaps by running them through a dishwasher.
It is important to isolate any dogs showing signs of kennel cough, as the disease is easily spread through contact. Even after the symptoms pass, the dog is contagious for up to fourteen weeks after infection. Keep any dog that has had kennel cough quarantined for at least fourteen weeks, unless a veterinarian instructs otherwise.
Kennels should all have adequate ventilation. Those kennels which do not have proper air circulation are breeding grounds for the viruses and bacteria that cause kennel cough. While this is not an issue for outdoor areas, indoor kennels are often lacking in ventilation. Proper nutrition, routine de-worming, and up-to-date vaccinations may also help to prevent the spread of kennel cough.
For the most part, kennel cough can be prevented with a combination of vaccination, proper hygiene, and good health on the part of the dog. Consult a veterinarian for additional tips and ideas on how to prevent, control, or treat kennel cough.
The ears of a dog are quite prone to infections, especially yeast infections. These infections may not seem serious at first, but they can have a negative effect on the health and general well being of your pet, and can lead to deafness, and in the worst cases, death. Properly treated, yeast infections in the ear can be eliminated, and your dog can get back to being its old self.
Before treating a yeast infection in the ear, you have to be able to identify the yeast infection. There are some signs that your dog has some type of ear infection. If your dog shakes its head excessively, or won’t stop scratching its ears, you might have a dog with an ear infection on your hands. If your dog is wearing away your carpet with multiple attempts to dig a hole with its head, then you almost defiantly have an ear infection to deal with.
Check the ear (or ears) in question. If you notice a foul smell, kind of like milk gone sour, you’ll want to take a look and see if you can spot any discharge. If that discharge looks like slime, specifically a brown waxy slime, then you’re likely dealing with a yeast infection. You should deal with this infection as quickly as possible for the benefit of both you and your dog.
You’ll want to begin treatment by cleaning out the dog’s ears. Use a soft cloth, tissue, cotton ball, or cotton swab, but don’t stick anything deep into the ear canal. Remove any pus or ear wax that you can see gently, especially if there is any redness or swelling. You will then have to remove any hair in the ear canal, as the hair is a breeding ground for infection. Plucking this hair is easily done and doesn’t hurt the dog too much, unless there is swelling present. If the ear canal is swollen, wait to pluck the hair until things are looking a little better. You don’t want to cause unnecessary pain to your canine friend.
Make a solution to help clear out the infection and prevent it from returning. Mix up a small amount of half vinegar, half water cleansing solution, and warm it to slightly more than room temperature. Soak your cotton ball or cotton swab in this solution for several minutes. Carefully insert the cotton into the ear canal and wipe the inside of the ear, allowing some of the solution to drip into the ear canal. Massage the outside of the ear to distribute the solution, then let your dog shake its head to remove any excess solution.
Repeat this process twice a day until the foul smell and discharge is gone. Then repeat for a further week, once a day, to help prevent the infection from returning. If the infection does not clear within ten days, or if the infection worsens, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.
To prevent further infections, keep the ear canal dry and free of hair and foreign objects. It is often helpful if you check the ears on a weekly basis. Gently cleaning the ear on a regular basis will help prevent a recurrence.
Following these tips will help you to treat the yeast infection quickly and easily, and perhaps reduce future ear infections in your dog.
Seeing a beloved dog lose its fur can be a truly frightening experience even for the most experienced of dog owners. The good news is that most hair loss can be easily treated at home. However, before any treatment can begin, a cause for the hair loss must be determined. Each cause will require a slightly different approach when it comes to treating fur loss in a dog.
One of the most common causes of hair loss in dogs is mange mites. These tiny little insects live in the coat of the dog, burrowing into the skin and causing severe itching. The dog will scratch, bite, and lick continually in an effort to stop this itching, causing the fur loss. Mites can be treated with either prescription or over the counter medications. Be sure to follow the directions fully and carefully, and do not end treatment early or the mites could return.
Ringworm can also cause hair loss in canines. Ringworm is actually a fungal infection, and not a type of actual worm. It is named after the distinctive rash it causes, which does appear to be a little ring on the skin. Ringworm must be treated by a veterinarian as quickly as possible to ensure that the condition doesn’t worsen. Once ringworm has been successfully treated, the hair will grow back naturally. Keep in mind that ringworm can be passed to humans, so you should talk all necessary precautions when it comes to protecting your own family against this infection.
If the area of hair loss is hot to the touch, red, or inflamed, then the likely cause of fur loss is infection. Perhaps the dog was wounded, or the infection could be internal of some kind. The best treatment for this is to seek the advice of a veterinarian. A vet will be able to prescribe the appropriate antibiotics. Once the infection is cleared, normal hair growth can resume.
Allergies are another common cause of hair loss in dogs. While not particularly serious in most cases, the patchy hair loss associated with allergies can be disturbing. The only way to treat this is to remove the allergen. It might be in the environment, such as mold, dirt, or pollen, so an effort should be taken to avoid these substances. The dog could also be allergic to something in its food. If this is the case, changing the dog’s diet would solve the problem and allow the hair to grow in naturally once more.
One of the more benign causes of hair loss is constant scratching. Some dogs just like to scratch, and if they do it often enough, they could cause their own fur loss. Unfortunately, the only way to stop this type of hair loss is to stop the scratching. This will involve behavior modification and training, and could be a long and difficult process. Consult a veterinarian or dog trainer for assistance if needed.
Most causes of hair loss in canines require the assistance of a veterinarian to diagnose and treat, so do not hesitate to contact a professional for advice if you are not absolutely sure of the reason for the hair loss. Once the cause of the fur loss is addressed, the hair will eventually grow back, and it will be as if nothing ever happened.
