Home Remedies for Cherry Eye in Dogs

Cherry eye in dogs is a disfiguring, but not painful, condition in which the third eyelid containing a tear gland has prolapsed causing a red bulge in the corner of the eye. For most dogs, cherry eye is only unsightly and not life-threatening. However, many owners don't like the way it changes their dog's appearance and prefer to correct it. There are some home remedies that offer some success.
Identification
# In veterinary terms, cherry eye is known medically as nictitans gland prolapse. In layman's terms, cherry eye means that a dog's third eyelid located in the corner of its eye has collapsed out of the protected position it would normally be in. This collapse exposes the delicate third eyelid and the tear gland it contains to dry air and other environmental elements. This causes it to swell and become red resembling a mini cherry. Veterinarians aren't completely sure what causes the condition, but it is widely suspected by dog care experts that a weak connecting tissue between the gland and other parts of the eye are to blame. Whatever the cause may be it results in a tear gland that does not circulate blood properly and cannot perform its tear-producing function.
Breeds Most Susceptible
# While any dog of any breed can develop cherry eye at any age, most dogs that develop this condition do so at a younger age. There are some breeds for which the condition is more common. For instance, the Beagle, Bloodhound, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Poodle, Saint Bernard, Shar-Pei and Shih-Tzu are all breeds with higher occurrences. It is common for a dog with cherry eye to be afflicted in both eyes.
Home Treatment Options
# Surgical options aimed at treating cherry eye can range up to $1,000 depending on what part of the country you live in. There is a massage option that can possibly work to correct canine cherry eye. Dog owners that report success using massage and antibiotic ointments also indicate that they began the process as soon as they noticed the cherry eye. The longer the dog has the condition, the less likely it is that the gland will go back into place without surgical support. The massage method involves gently closing the dog's outer eyelid and then carefully pushing without using much pressure on the area at the corner of the eye where the cherry is located. The idea is to push gently toward the dog's nose in an attempt to pop the gland back into place. Some dog owners report success after three to four massage sessions; others indicated it took more than a week of massage. Many used warm compresses to ease the process. Frequently, the massage solution is only temporarily and the gland pops back out. However, some dog owners report success after repeated tries. A word of caution is necessary to new dog owners. The area being massaged is very delicate and mishandling can result in damage to the eyeball if not done properly.
Surgical Options
# Unfortunately, the majority of dogs with cherry eye undergo surgery to correct the problem. There are a few different options to consider. Up until recently, veterinary ophthalmologists routinely simply removed the offending tear gland. As the gland in the third eyelid produces approximately 30 percent of the total tears in a dog's eye, this removal can lead to dry eye and require daily eye drops to combat its effect on the dog. The other surgical option involves repositioning the gland. This is not always successful and some dog owners report repetitive surgeries were necessary to accomplish the goal of tacking the gland back into place.
After Surgery
# If surgery is required, the biggest issue post operative is keeping the pet from scratching at the eye. This is because the healing process involves swelling and itching. Most veterinarians will provide a cone-like collar that will fit around the dog's neck and surround his neck and face in a cylinder-like fashion. This keeps the dog from being able to scratch at its face, but it also can hinder eating and drinking. Caretakers should monitor the dog while it eats and drinks and replace the collar immediately when the dog finishes. Healing can take up to two weeks and it is important to keep the dog's activity level at a minimum.

How to Set Up a Saltwater Aquarium

If you are a fan of exotic fish and aquariums you should invest in a saltwater aquarium. The pleasure you'll get from your fish makes a saltwater tank worth the trouble involved in setting it up.

1

Check the tank for leaks.
2

Clean the tank with a solution of 1 tsp. pure bleach for every 5 gallons of water. Scrub the tank, plastic plants, decorations and rocks. Rinse everything thoroughly several times with clean water.
3

Install the filtration system. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully since models vary in their installation.
4

Wash the substrate thoroughly before you put it in the tank. Figure on 1 lb. of gravel per gallon the tank holds.
5

Put the plants in, anchoring the bottoms in the substrate.
6

Fill a large bucket with clean, dechlorinated water.
7

Using a hydrometer (a device used to read how much salt is dissolved in the water), add salt. Your goal is a specific gravity between 1.020 and 1.023.
8

Fill your tank with the saltwater, leaving about an inch at the top.
9

Start the filter system.
10

Add the heater and thermometer. Most marine fish do best between 75 and 80 degrees.
11

Let everything run for at least 72 hours and get the temperature settings right and the water moving.
12

Cycle the aquarium. A just-set-up fish tank lacks the bacteria that it needs to form a steady biological cycle.
13

Add your fish when the chemical levels are all okay and the tank temperature is within suggested limits.
14

Buy a powerhead. In saltwater aquariums, water movement is an absolute must. Be careful not to get one so big that it causes a whirlpool effect.
15

Get a protein skimmer, which is a necessity for marine tanks. This removes organic debris from the water before it has time to convert to nitrates.
16

Keep in mind that you'll also need an external water pump and possibly an air pump for your skimmer.

How to Get Rid of Tapeworms in Humans

Although relatively uncommon, humans and especially infants and young children can contract tapeworms. There is a misconception that tapeworms are contracted from the feces of infected animals, primarily cats and dogs. It's important to understand the true causes, symptoms and treatments of tapeworm infestation.

1

Check your pets' stools for tapeworm eggs if you have dog or cat that has recently had, or has, fleas. The tapeworm, which is made up of segment, attaches itself to your pet's intestine and feeds. Each segment can contain up to thirty eggs, with the segments breaking off as the tapeworm grows and lays eggs.



Your infant or young child can become infected with a tapeworm through ingesting fleas as well. Occasionally, human infants and children can become infected from the dog or cat tapeworm by ingesting larvae-containing fleas. It was probably by seeing the moving cucumber-seed-shaped egg sacks in the child's diaper or stool that the tapeworm infestation was diagnosed.
2

Take your child to the doctor if she develops constant diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and sometimes, rectal or anal itching. You also need to take a sample of their stool, especially if you observe the small cucumber seed shaped eggs in your infant or child's diaper. Or your child may exhibit no symptoms at all.
3

Choose from among a variety of treatments if older family members become infected with tapeworms. One treatment your physician may suggest and that has been used since the early nineteen sixties is niclosamide (Niclocide). This drug is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract and rapidly kills tapeworms upon exposure. Side effects reported with niclosamide are infrequent and typically mild.
4

Understand that Niclocide tablets are chewed thoroughly and swallowed with water. For young children, the tablets may be pulverized and mixed with water. Patients are allowed to eat two hours after treatment. Recommended dosage is 2 grams for adults and about half this for children. If a family member or your child or infant is diagnosed with tapeworm a physician may also suggest you take, or give an infected family member, is praziquantel (Biltricide). This oral medication is 95% effective.
5

Follow treatment by self checking and/or having your pediatrician or family physician checking stool samples at one month and three months after treatment has been completed. Treatment can be considered successful if no eggs are present in several stool samples.

How to Care for a Hamster

Hamsters are perfect first pets for youngsters; they are lovable, small, and best of all, they are easy and inexpensive to keep. With proper attention and care, hamsters can live up to five years.

1

Look for the right hamster to buy. An ideal hamster is between 4 and 7 weeks old; hamsters are easier to tame when they're young. There are two types of hamster: the golden hamster and the Siberian or dwarf hamster. The golden hamster is available in a variety of colors and fur variations, while the smaller dwarf hamster comes in only a few colors. However, the big difference between the two is that dwarf hamsters do not tame well, while golden hamsters can become gentle, reliable pets.
2

When you bring home your hamster and supplies, place the cage in a location away from drafts, and out of direct sunlight. Pick a spot in the house where you will frequently visit your hamster.
3

Cover the cage floor with a 2 inch layer of bedding. Pine wood shavings are best, because they are absorbent and nontoxic.
4

Keep a filled, clean water bottle attached to the cage at a height where the spout is reachable by the hamster, but doesn't touch the bedding. if the bedding gets wet it can rot and cause your hamster to get sick. Wash and refill daily.
5

Provide plenty of chew toys. Hamsters love the cardboard tubes found inside rolls of toilet paper and paper towels. Attach hamster wood chews to the side of the cage.
6

Make a box for your hamster to sleep in. Cut a 2-inch doorway into a small, closed cardboard box. Place the box in a far corner of the cage. The hamster will fill the box with bedding and chewed-up pieces of cardboard from the toilet paper tubes and will use the box as a bedroom. He will not urinate in the box, so you can use it for many months before replacing it.
7

Feed your hamster a commercially prepared hamster-food mix once or twice a day. Supply a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. When you introduce new foods, initially feed small portions so his system can get used to them.
8

Exercise your hamster by putting an exercise wheel in her cage. Let her exercise outside her cage inside a specially designed plastic hamster ball, available at pet stores. Close the doors to your bedroom, take her out of his cage, and let her run around in the hamster ball.
9

Wash your hamster's cage at least once a week. Remove the hamster to a safe location and dip the cage in water that has a few drops of household disinfectant added to it. Wipe out any debris, dry the inside and add clean bedding before replacing the hamster.
10

Remove any uneaten fruits and vegetables after two days. Fresh foods that turn moldy can make your hamster sick.
11

Don't bathe your hamster. Hamsters clean themselves. If you think your hamster smells bad, the odor is probably coming from dirty bedding. Clean the hamster cage more often.
12

Take your hamster with you or find someone to take care of him if you are going on vacation for more than three days.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Pregnant

Pregnancy in dogs can be difficult to detect. A responsible pet owner will want to know the signs and symptoms of pregnancy to ensure proper health care. The most accurate way to know if your dog is going to have puppies is to take a trip to the veterinarian. A simple blood test and X-ray will give you your answer. But if your female dog is not spayed and you suspect that she may be pregnant, there are some signs and symptoms that you can look for on your own.

1

Pay close attention to your dog's eating habits. If she has a decreased appetite or isn't showing much interest in her favorite chow, this could be a sign of morning sickness.
2

Check for vaginal discharge, a common sign of pregnancy.
3

Notice if your dog has enlarged teats. A female dog's nipples will become engorged in preparation for nursing her pups.
4

Look for behavioral changes in your dog. If she is usually active and appears unusually tired, she may be pregnant. Appearing uncomfortable or signs of general unrest can be tell-tale signs as well.
5

Check your dog's stomach to see if it appears enlarged or swollen. This symptom occurs midway through the pregnancy. You may even be able to gently feel for the puppies as well.
6

Look for signs of "nesting," your dog's way of getting ready for the birth and aftercare of the puppies. She may scratch at the floor or the blankets as if to fluff them.