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Mar 17 2022

Why do dogs have wet noses?

Ever been bumped by your dog’s wet, cold nose and wondered why it always seems to be that way? Or have you felt that your dog’s nose was warm and dry and debated whether that meant they were getting sick?

Here’s everything you need to know about your dog’s nose, from why it’s usually cold and wet to what you should do if it seems dry or warm.

Is It Normal for a Dog’s Nose to Be Wet?

When up and about, dogs will generally have very wet and cool noses. But when they’re sleeping, it is certainly also normal for them to be warm and dry. And then there is often variation amongst individual dogs, so while one dog may always have a wet, cold nose, another dog may have one that is usually much drier or warmer.
That’s why it’s important to learn what is normal for each pup in your household.

Why Is a Dog’s Nose Wet?

There are a number of reasons that have been proposed for why a dog’s nose is wet, and it may be that science doesn’t yet know the exact answer.
However, we do know there are glands inside a dog’s nose that secrete a thin, watery material that likely contributes to the moisture, much like the fluids found inside our own noses. This liquid wicks out to the nose surface, evaporates, and then helps to cool the dog. The nose pad and the footpads are the only places dogs are able to sweat, so this cooling mechanism (along with panting) can be important to them, especially in hot weather. Additionally, our canine friends tend to lick their noses frequently, which—much like humans licking their lips—tends to keep their noses moist. This moisture may also help humidify the air as it moves into a dog’s nasal cavity, which keeps it from drying out their respiratory tract and may even help prevent respiratory infections. Some people speculate that the moisture helps dogs retain scents, thus improving their sense of smell.

What Does It Mean if a Dog’s Nose Is Dry?

A dry nose may be perfectly normal, and some dogs tend to have wetter noses than others. For example, very often, sleeping dogs will have warm, dry noses because they aren’t awake to lick them. Since the amount of nose moisture will vary with humidity and throughout the day, a dog that just woke up from a nap at 2 p.m. with a dry nose may have a moist nose after a game of ball at 7 p.m. So, in most cases, it is not automatically a sign of illness if your dog has a dry nose.

Occasionally, a dry nose can indicate dehydration or fever, but this is usually not the case. If your dog is acting sick AND has a dry nose, this may be cause for concern, and you should call us.

Should You Take Your Dog to the Vet If Their Nose Is Dry?

If your dog has a dry nose but is feeling well and acting normal, it should be safe to monitor things for a bit. Offer your dog some water, try taking them to a humid environment (sitting in the bathroom with your dog after running the shower is great for this), and monitor them for any other possible symptoms. Chances are good that things will go back to normal pretty quickly without a trip to the veterinary hospital.
However, if your dog seems lethargic or isn’t eating well, or you sense that your dog doesn’t feel well, schedule a vet visit and mention that you’ve noticed that your dog’s nose is unusually dry. By the same token, if your dog’s nose is crusty, raw, or has bleeding spots, you should also schedule an appointment.

Wet noses and dogs just seem to go together, whether they’re prodding us for treats during the day or nudging us to get up for a walk at night. Even if your dog tends to have a drier than average nose, it’s likely just normal for them.

If your dog’s nose is more than usually dry or wet, and they are showing other signs of illness, contact us for an appointment to check them out on 0999 885 1219 / 035 528 5015 or message us on Facebook.

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Remember, all profits from Waggin Tails Vet Clinic go directly to the Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary to help them with the financial burden of saving strays in Dumaguete.

Written by info · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: nose

Mar 16 2022

The 5-in-1 Vaccine Explained

What is the 5 in 1 vaccine?
The five in one vaccine covers 5 potentially fatal diseases.
Parvo – this disease causes problems in many parts of a puppies body, but primarily the digestive tract. Once symptoms start the dog can die very quickly often within 24 hours. Parvo virus lives in the soil and can stay active for up to a year. So if you have one puppy that died from it – all other puppies will likely catch it. You need to disinfect all the environment with a disinfectant that can kill the virus.
Distemper – cause by a virus – this cause damage to the respiratory tract, gastro-intestinal tract and can end up in the nervous system causing brain damage and death – it can take weeks for the dog to die. It is airborne and the virus can also be carried on clothing. Its highly contagious.
Leptospirosis– caused by a bacteria and spread through the urine of infected animals – often rats. It can live in the soil and also water for months. It is contagious to humans and can cause kidney and liver failure.
Two further diseases covered by the 5-in-1 Vaccine are Hepatitis and Parainfluenza.
Puppies can start the vaccination at 7 weeks old and need 3-4 shots ( depending on vaccine manufacturer) 2-3 weeks apart. You MUST follow the schedule or immunity does not develop fully.

These vaccines do not give 100 percent protection. If your dog is vaccinated but is sick when they encounter one of the above diseases, it’s possible that their resistance will be lowered. But for the most part, they are highly effective.
Contact us for an appointment to vaccine your puppy on 0999 885 1219 / 035 528 5015 or message us on Facebook.

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Remember, all profits from Waggin Tails Vet Clinic go directly to the Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary to help them with the financial burden of saving strays in Dumaguete.

Written by info · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: 5-in-1, vaccine

Mar 16 2022

Common Signs of Ear Diseases

Ear Infections in Dogs

As many as 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease. Dogs are more prone to ear infections than humans because of the shape of their ear canals.

Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections

  • Head shaking
  • Scratching at the affected ear
  • Dark discharge
  • Odor
  • Redness and swelling of the ear canal
  • Pain
  • Itchiness
  • Crusting or scabs in the ears

What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?

The canine ear canal is more vertical than that of a human, forming an L-shape that tends to hold in fluid. This makes dogs more prone to ear infections. Ear infections are typically caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both. In puppies, ear mites can also be a source of infection.

Factors that may predispose your dog to ear infections

  • Moisture, which can create a prime growing environment for bacteria and yeast allergies, which lead to ear disease in about 50 percent of dogs with allergic skin disease and 80 percent of dogs with food sensitivities.
  • Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Wax buildup
  • Foreign bodies
  • Injury to the ear canal
  • Excessive cleaning

Quick treatment is necessary not only for your dog’s comfort (these conditions can be painful!), but also to prevent the spread of infection to the middle and inner ear. Do not try to treat ear infections at home. 

If your dog is showing any of the common signs of ear infections, it’s important to
contact us immediately on 0999 885 1219 / 035 528 5015
or message us on Facebook.

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Remember, all profits from Waggin Tails Vet Clinic go directly to the Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary to help them with the financial burden of saving strays in Dumaguete.

Written by info · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: ear

Mar 11 2022

Sick Dog….unhappy you!

Sick Dog Unhappy You!

Dogs get sick too. Does your best friend not seem their usual self? Definitely bring them in even if you’re not 100% about it. One symptom is acting lethargic. Happy dog, happy you❤️

If your dog is showing other signs of illness, contact us for an appointment to check them out on 0999 885 1219 / 035 528 5015 or message us on Facebook.

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Remember, all profits from Waggin Tails Vet Clinic go directly to the Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary to help them with the financial burden of saving strays in Dumaguete.

Written by info · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: sickness

Mar 08 2022

Don’t Feed Grapes to your Dog!

Grape Poisoning
Grape Poisoning

Remember: while many fruits and veggies are safe to share, NEVER give your pets grapes or raisins, which are TOXIC to them! If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic contact us immediately on 0999 885 1219 / 035 528 5015 or message us on Facebook.

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Remember, all profits from Waggin Tails Vet Clinic go directly to the Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary to help them with the financial burden of saving strays in Dumaguete.

Written by info · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: grapes

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