Thursday, January 05, 2012
Shelter Pets: Pet Adoption Myths
Adopting pets from shelters just charge an adoption fee which is very far from the regular prices of animals in pet stores. Adoption fees range from $35 to $200 and almost always include medical treatment like vaccines, de-worming, and spaying (neuter). There are even shelters that offer follow up veterinary services to ensure that pets remain healthy and able to get the necessary vaccines.
Animal shelters provide great choices for adoptable pets. Shelters not only have adult animals, but they also have kittens and puppies that a pet parent can choose from. However there are some myths about animal shelters and why it is not a good place to adopt from.
Many people believe that pets in shelters have behavioral problems. It is important to remember that these animals have bad experiences from their previous owners. They might have experienced neglect and abuse. Animals in shelters normally exhibit minor behavioral problems. Some of these pets may be scared while others can be excited. Animals that show major behavioral problems are not put up for adoption.
Animal shelters perform screen test to know the temperament of animals in the shelters. The shelters try to get as much information they could get from the animals’ previous owners. Soon-to-be pet parents are happier and at ease to know that their new pet has healthy and friendly temperament.
Since these animals have been neglected, abused and abandoned, the next parent should display more patience to train them. Also since these pets already know and encountered difficult hardships they display more loyalty and devotion to their new owners. There are some pet parents who have adopted from shelters saying that their pets are more loyal and loving than other pets.
Another shelter myth says that pets from shelters and pounds are mature animals and cannot be trained. Most pets in shelter are older animals but there are also kittens and puppies that is available for adoption.
Adoptable animals from shelters can be trained like other animals. The important thing during training is to be consistent, patient and understanding. Animals (regardless if they are in shelter or in homes) respond to good, effective, loving and humane training techniques.
There are shelters that offer the new pet parent the opportunity to participate in obedience training and pet parenting classes. These sessions serve as a transition period for the pet and the parent to bond together.
It is commonly believed that pets in animal shelters are inferior to purebred animals. According to the Humane Society of the United States there is an average of 25 to 30 percent of purebreds in animal shelters.
Also, mixed bred animals are not inferior to purebred animals. Animal shelters have pets that are healthier and have better temperaments than purebred. Interested pet parents just have to talk to the shelter and provide the what kind of behavior they would like to have in their pets. Mixed bred pets oftentimes exhibit traits of several breeds. If a pet parent like to have a purebred because of its temperament, the shelter would likely have a mixed bred that exhibits the qualities of the purebred.
Going to a shelter for a pet adoption is a great way of helping animals in need in a much affordable and economic way. Adopting a pet from a shelter is not only a solution for the pet parent’s problem but also a way of saving a life.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Ear Mites In Dogs
Mites lay their eggs in the ear canals of the dog. Sometimes the ear mites will spread to surrounding areas in the dog's fur causing even more itchiness.
Although ear mites are more common in cats, canine ear dogs do exist. Because canine ear mites are contagious, it is even more important to treat it as quickly as possible if you have more than one pet at your residence.
Canine ear mites can cause various ear diseases and infections therefore a vet should be consulted if you have the slightest suspicions that your dog may have ear mites.
You will be able to tell by looking in the dogs’ ear. If you notice a crusty substance in there, and even white spots, then he is likely to have ear mites. You will also notice the dog scratching and shaking his head due to the irritation that canine ear mites cause.
If your canine develops ear mites on the skin, flea products can kill them. To treat ear mites in the ear canal, a vet can administer an injection or oral medication such as fibronil, thiabendazole and ivermectins.
It only takes a short time for ear mites to multiply and spread to other parts of your dog. If you suspect you dog may have ear mites, please see a vet quickly as it will certainly save him the severe discomfort that canine ear mites bring.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
How To Select The Best Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier dog, although not officially defined as a Terrier by the American Kennel Club, is a small but sturdy dog. It is ideal for people who don’t have a lot of land and therefore cannot keep large breed dogs that are most happy with a large area to run around in. The Boston Terrier is best suited to an indoor life with occasional outdoor play. Their small size also makes them ideal for houses where space is an issue. They are also highly intelligent dogs, which makes training them much easier.
It is a great dog for families because of its loving nature. It is also very sociable and does not mind other dogs or cats. It can be hard to have territorial dogs if you are a social family and like to invite people over. The Boston Terrier is a very friendly dog and will not growl or bark at new people who come over.
A Boston Terrier dog is a very sensitive dog an it is especially attuned to its owner’s moods and feelings. Although it is a sociable dog and will generally get along well with all people in your house, your Boston Terrier may show a particular affinity to one person in the house. They are great companion dogs for the elderly and are very well suited to someone who is older and less active.
Each Boston Terrier is different; each has its own personality. There are high-energy Boston Terriers and there are less active ones who love to nap and cuddle rather than run around. Most Boston Terriers only bark when necessary making them good alarm systems but of course they are not guard dogs because of their size. Some Boston Terriers can be stubborn and you will need patience when training them. Never be harsh with your Boston Terrier when training, be loving and firm for the best results.
It can be hard to tell whether your adorable Boston Terrier puppy will grow into a well-behaved lovable Boston Terrier dog. One way to make sure that you get the best dog possible is to get your dog from a reputable breeder. Avoid pet shops like the plague. Most pet shops get their puppies from puppy mills where the dogs are taken away from their mothers too early and neglected.
This means you are increasing the chances of bringing home a neurotic puppy that you will have a hard time training and taking care of. Consider getting a Boston Terrier dog from a rescue center, not only are you helping to give a dog in need a home but you are also bringing home a dog whose personality has been developed. You can judge from an adult Boston Terrier right away what type of dog you have on your hands.
Wendy Caples is a long time fan and breeder of the Boston Terrier. The Boston Terrier makes a wonderful pet, its intelligence makes it easy to train and its loving nature makes it a family favorite. Basic Boston Terrier information in regards to behavior and temperament can be found in this article.
Choosing A Yorkshire Terrier Puppy
Although small, the breed still makes an excellent guardian for the family. People will often have more than one Yorkie puppy in their house because they are so delightful to own.
For people who don't have a lot of space, the Yorkshire Terrier is an excellent breed. Although it is important to remember that each dog is an individual. While some dogs are great with children and families you need to consider every factor that is involved.
When choosing a Yorkie puppy one of the most important factors that you need to consider is the family lineage since it have a great impact on the general disposition of the puppy. It is also important that you have children who can provide your Yorkie puppy with a nurturing and loving environment otherwise it won't matter what personality your puppy has.
After you decide to get a Yorkie puppy you need to properly prepare your house for your new arrival. First it is very important that you find a veterinarian whom you are comfortable with and trust. It can be a good idea to talk with other Yorkshire Terrier owners in your area to get some recommendations of veterinarians.
The second important part of preparing for the arrival of your Yorkie puppy is to make sure your house is puppy proof. If you leave anything out your dog will get into it and sometimes the consequences can be deadly.
Ten of the most deadly items in your home include antifreeze, chocolate, bleach, Tylenol, watch batteries, mothballs, fabric softeners, mouthwash, peach pits and household plants.
The third more important thing to do before bringing your Yorkie puppy home is to educate yourself on the most common health problems for the Yorkshire Terrier breed. This way you can catch any health problems before they become a major problem.
Once you get your Yorkie puppy you want to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian for a regular check up as soon as possible. The best time to take your new puppy to the veterinarian is between three and ten days. This allows you Yorkie puppy to adjust to their new surroundings in your home. In order to avoid health problems it is important to keep stress to a minimum since stress is the most common factor for Yorkie puppies.
Take your puppy to the vet right away if you notice them acting strange or if they don't want to eat. Keep feeding your Yorkie puppy the same food that the breeder used for at least two weeks and then start slowly mixing it with your new dog food. You should feed your puppy at least three to four times a day and if you puppy isn't eating then you can add a bit of warm water. Maintaining a proper grooming schedule is also important, which should include checking the ears and clipping the nails.
Susan Bailey has spent years researching information on properly caring for puppies. It is important to make sure you are ready before choosing between Yorkshire Terrier puppies. Choosing Yorkshire Terrier puppy names is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting a new puppy.
Monday, March 31, 2008
German Shepard Common Health Problems
One of the common health issues of larger dogs like German Shepherds is a dysplasia of the hip or the elbow joint that can result in severe pain and difficulty walking for your pet. If you notice that your German Shepherd is starting to have difficulty moving around then it may be time to get them to the vet for a check up.
Another common German Shepherd health problem is epilepsy. Basically the brain goes into a spasm for several reasons and your dog will go into convulsions and seizures. This can usually start around the age of one year and can be taken care of in conjunction with your vet through diet and medication. It is terrifying to see your pet go through a seizure so make sure you contact the vet immediately if this happens and for your sake and the animal’s sake do not panic because even in a state of seizure a dog needs you to be there for it.
German Shepherds can sometimes develop eye problems as well, ranging from cataracts to eyelid issues. The eyelids may develop incorrectly or eyelashes may start forming too close to the eye causing irritation. Any of these eye conditions can be corrected with surgery so if your pet is developing eye problems make sure you take them to the vet.
In some cases there are dog breeds that can develop the blood condition known as Von Willebrand’s Disease or VWD. VWD is like hemophilia in humans, in that the dog’s blood does not clot as it should and the dog will bleed profusely even with the smallest injury.
This is one of the more serious German Shepherd health problems and if you notice your pet with nose bleeds for no apparent reason or if you begin to notice your German Shepherd’s gums bleeding then it could be VWD and you need to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment.
As a responsible pet owner it is up to you to make sure that you keep track of your pet’s health and that you stay in contact with your vet and your breeder so that you will be able to tell when symptoms may arise.
Your pet looks to you for its care and health and if you begin to notice health issues with your German Shepherd then you need to make an appointment to get your dog checked out by the vet as soon as possible.
Jan Ryan participates in charitable functions for local animal rescue groups and volunteers at local animal clinics. This article is another great resource for German Shepherd care information. This article will tell you when you may need to get emergency care for your German Shepherd.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Natural Ways To Help Keep Your Dog Flee Free
Natural Ways To Help Keep Your Dog Flee Free
By Martha Hemblasit
The time has come to question the chemical cocktails that people pour onto their dogs and into their houses. For years, people have been talking about flee bombing their homes to eradicate the little black devils known as dog fleas. A flea bomb is an aerosolized canister that spews chemicals that should kill fleas. Should being the key word here. Fleas are very resilient, and have developed a resistance to some very potent concoctions.
Flea killing is a huge business. A company that sells you toxins to take out fleas really doesn't care if your house is flea free. All they care about is that your money hits the cash register so their retailers will buy more and more of their product. Flea bombing does not guarantee that your house will be rid of all its flee problems.
Especially if your house has egg laying fleas in all, or multiple rooms. Then you probably have a real problem, and then you probably think, well now I just need to buy more chemicals to treat more fleas. But again, there exists no guarantee of total flea destruction. Prevention is the key to the flea game, and it does not require the use of toxic, carcinogenic chemicals.
Fleas are in your house because they live near you and have access to your pets. The fact that your animal has fleas does not mean you are a bad owner. Flea infestation is a naturally occurring fact of pet ownership, and the animal kingdom. Attempting to control the problem with chemicals is not good for your pet, you, or your environment.
Other animals living around your dog will bring fleas to it, even if you are super careful, there is no way to control every animal that lives around your pet. You just can't do it. There are steps you can take, using natural products from the earth, that will help keep fleas at bay. What do you think people used to cut down on fleas before we had modern manipulations of chemicals? Did they just submit to all fleas, and die; I don't think so. They searched around for some leaves or branches or some other product of the earth to fight the nearly invincible little critters.
What did they find in their searches over all these centuries that helped to prevent flea infestation? Well many things that have nothing to do with modern chemical advances. The most interesting is actually the earth itself. Yes, that's right, the earth itself. Diatomaceous earth to be more precise.
Diatomaceous earth is actually earth that is composed of dead fossilized particles. These particles, when they come in contact with a flea, will dry the flea's skin out, causing it to dehydrate and die. Pretty interesting stuff. You can buy this product in various forms, make sure you find some that is ok for use on your pets.
So what other types of naturally occurring substances can help keep fleas away? Well, there is cedar, which fleas do not like. So you could find a cedar shampoo and use it on your dogs. Or you may be able to fill a dog bed with some cedar chips. Do not let your dog eat these chips though. Additionally, if you have a dog house, you can have it made out of cedar.
Or you could choose to get cedar floors in your house as opposed to carpet. Fleas will have quite a difficult time laying eggs on a cedar floor. And I haven't even begun to discuss the various plants that can be planted around your house to keep fleas away.
About the Author: More helpful information about natural ways to get rid of dog fleas And read about more natural cures for dogs
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=237077&ca=Pets
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Spaying and Neutering Your Dog
Spaying and neutering of dogs are highly wanted if you don’t want to breed the dogs and however, these activities need to be carried out by qualified veterinarians specialized in pet care and management. Anesthesia is required along with due surgical procedures for carrying out the spaying and neutering.
One has to understand first the terms like spaying or neutering. Both are related to the surgical approaches of sterilization in case of females and males respectively. However, the term neutering is also related to such procedures in both sexes. Accidental pregnancies that are not wanted can be highly minimized by these procedures.
Spaying and neutering helps to prevent occurrence of pyometra, which is a common reproductive disorder-giving problem to the dog owners. In male dogs, the neutering helps to prevent the occurrence of prostate enlargement or cancer. Hence, these help to minimize the incidences of reproductive disorders in dogs.
By these spaying and neutering, the male dog’s desire in search of female dog in heat is highly minimized and hence, wandering of male dog is reduced. The animal becomes calm also by these surgical remedies. Territorial behavior of these animals is also highly minimized by these in case of male dogs.
Spaying of your dog before the occurrence of first heat is the best one to avoid the incidence of breast cancer. If the dog is spayed after the first heat, the chances of occurrence of breast cancer in them is more and has been proved by research. Younger group of dogs need to be subjected to these operations to avoid complications in future.
Many veterinarians prefer the spaying and neutering of dogs only at the age of five to six years. However, these can be performed even at the age of three to five years. Postoperative care needs to be followed meticulously to avoid the occurrence of infections by microbial organisms.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Your Dog, Fleas, and Other Parasites
Fleas and other parasites need to be given priority by the dog owners. The common incidences of flea bite allergy in case of dogs cause worries among the dog owners. Flea bite induces allergic reactions in the concerned area bitten by the fleas. Hence, the affected area looks like hairless area and the animal starts scratching.
Fleas cause severe dermatitis in dogs with severe flea infestations. Many times, the flea bite causes allergic reactions in the dogs. In many occasions, dogs experience severe discomforts due to these allergic reactions. Medicated collars are available to treat and prevent the infestation with external parasites like ticks or fleas.
Other parasites like ticks, lice in addition to the internal parasites like hook worms, round worms, whip worms etc. cause affections in the health status of the animal. For example, if hookworm affects the animal, most of the times, the dog has anemia. The anemic signs become more prominent depending on the degree of affection by the hookworm.
Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause problems in the affected ones. Such dogs may reveal lesions pertaining to the dermatitis in the feet region and in the skin areas. Skin rashes may be seen frequently in such cases and the affected animal passes loose stool, which is of red tinged and mixed with blood material.
If the round worms are seen in more numbers, the affected puppies reveal a potbelly condition, which is easily recognized by the dog owners themselves. Piperazine salts are given by oral route for the treatment of this problem. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. are given to treat these conditions.
Many drugs have come in market to treat the fleas and other parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called as ivermectin is highly preferred by many dog owners to treat the fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. Even the drug is available for the external application also.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices used to track pets cause of cancer?
Why Are the Microchips Causing Cancer?
As Dr. Katherine Albrecht, a consumer educator and privacy advocate who helped investigate and break this story, explains what the scientists believe is happening is similar to a common splinter. When you get a splinter in your finger, your body does everything it can to get rid of it. The site gets red, it swells up and attempts to dislodge the foreign object.
However, when a microchip is embedded deep in the fatty tissue of your pet, its body can't push the chip out like a splinter. Instead an inflammation forms around the microchip. Scientists believe these inflamed cells can turn malignant and then metastasize and move around in the body. What's worse is these tumors can be fast-growing and malignant.
What the Research Shows:
Between 1996-2006 eight published veterinary and toxicology journals reported that lab mice and rats injected with microchips sometimes had a tendency to develop subcutaneous "sarcomas" or malignant tumors surrounding the implants. Below are a brief summary of the some of the major conclusions.
* A 1998 study in Ridgefield, Connecticut of 177 mice reported cancer incidence to be slightly higher than 10 percent. Researchers described the results as "surprising."
* A 2006 study in France detected tumors in 4.1 percent of the 1,260 microchipped mice. This was one of six studies in which the scientists did not set out find microchip-induced cancer but noticed the results incidentally.
* In 1997 a study in Germany found cancers in 1 percent of 4,279 chipped mice. The tumors "are clearly due to the implanted microchips" the authors wrote.
What the Researchers Are Saying:
When Associated Press asked scientists to weigh in on the available research, specialists at some pre-eminent cancer institutions said the findings raised red flags.
--"There's no way in the world, having read this information, that I would have one of those chips implanted in my skin, or in one of my family members," said Dr. Robert Benezra, head of the Cancer Biology Genetics Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
--Dr. George Demetri, director of the Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, agreed. Even though the tumor incidences were "reasonably small," in his view, the research underscored "certainly real risks" in RFID implants. In humans, sarcomas, which strike connective tissues, can range from the highly curable to "tumors that are incredibly aggressive and can kill people in three to six months," he said.
--At the Jackson Laboratory in Maine, a leader in mouse genetics research and the initiation of cancer, Dr. Oded Foreman, a forensic pathologist, also reviewed the studies at the AP's request. At first he was skeptical, suggesting that chemicals administered in some of the studies could have caused the cancers and skewed the results. But he took a different view after seeing that control mice, which received no chemicals, also developed the cancers. "That might be a little hint that something real is happening here," he said.
--"The transponders were the cause of the tumors," said Keith Johnson, a retired toxicologic pathologist, explaining in a phone interview the findings of a 1996 study he led at the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan.
What Can We Do?
1. Check your microchipped cat or other pet regularly for swelling or lumps, especially around the injection site. If owners or veterinarians find anything abnormal in that area or any other (as the chips may migrate), an x-ray or biopsy should be performed.
2. Dr. Albrecht also suggests pet owners help her volunteer to educate and contact animal advocacy and animal rights groups as well as veterinarian organizations by taking action at her AntiChips.com website. Many of these animal-loving groups endorsed microchipping pets without having access to the studies above. Dr. Albrecht hopes public pressure will also force Verichip Corporation, the manufacturer of the chip, to take responsibility or face a class action lawsuit.
3. Report any incidences of pets who have died of cancer or animals who have been cured of cancer to Dr. Albrecht at AntiChips.com, especially if is known or suspected that the tumor is or was linked to a microchip. This will help further document proof of the cancer and stop microchipping.
About the Author:Marika Ray, researcher and writer at Natural Cat Lovers (http://www.naturalcatlovers.com/index-html), makes it easy to learn nature's simple healing secrets from top veterinarians and cat experts. Get a free subscription to tips about natural cat health care. Okay to post, just use name and website.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Pet News Now Updates
The other rabbit, the so called tame and domestic one who totally tore up the house when she was let out, decided to move on. She was outside playing with us right there with her, and then she wasn't.
Tommy, the monkey my in-laws had for 36 years passed on right at Christmas time in 2006. I still look for him in his house when I pass by it.
Well we have collected some great information for the cat and dog lovers, which we should be posting here in the near future.