Your Puppy Will Thank You If You Read This Guide to Canine Parasites and Diseases

June 19th, 2009

Even if you give your pet the good things he needs such as a good amount of physical activity and good foods for him, you need to realize that your pet can still become sick.  The best way to help you pet is to make sure that as soon as you notice something wrong that you take care of it.  For example, the symptoms that you may feel yourself when feeling sick, such as diarrhea, lack of appetite or a look of being out of it can be a sign that he has a bug.  But, on the other hand, if the symptoms last more than a few days, it’s time to call your vet.  They may have something more serious such as parasites or an infection.

One of your first concerns should be when you pet has diarrhea.  This is very important to notice especially in puppies. Again, it may seem like he just has a bug, but it can also signal that there is something more wrong such as a virus, parasite or bacterial infection.  While a change in the type of food the dog eats or just the stress he is under can cause it, it’s important to take steps to protect your animal when he has diarrhea.  You need to insure your pet, especially your puppy, does not dehydrate.  If the condition lasts for more than a day or so, you should call your vet.  You may need to collect a sample for the vet so that he or she can figure out what the problem is and how to treat it.

What about a dog with what looks like a cold?  Dogs that are coughing or have discharge coming from their nose are often suffering from a URI (Upper respiratory infection.) These are caused by a virus or bacteria that are lurking in the air.  It is important for you to realize what is happening with your dog, for your sake and the pets.  What they have is something they can pass on to you and your family as well.  Some pets can develop dehydration or even develop pneumonia.  Dogs that are exposed to a shelter like situation can also contract other respiratory diseases such as Bortadella or kennel cough.  Rest and some proper care can have the dog over this disease within a few days.  You can have your dog vaccinated for this condition which is a great thing to do for anyone who uses a doggie daycare of needs to use boarding shelters for when you travel.

Most municipalities will require that all dogs receive a certain number of vaccinations.  These are very important to your dog’s health.  They help to prevent more deadly diseases from affecting your pet.  For example, parvovirus, distemper and rabies are diseases that can be vaccinated against.  Your dog will likely need to have a booster vaccine every year or so to protect them continuously.  Doing this protects you and the dog as well as other dogs in the area.

Parasites can also attack and harm a dog.  For many dogs, there are a number of parasites that can affect them.  In order to monitor for this, your dog will need to be seen by a vet regularly and the vet is likely to need you to provide them with a sample of fecal matter.  A good thing to watch for is small rice sized granules in the dog’s bedding or near its anus.  This is a sign of worms and your pet needs to be seen by a vet to help stop the problem.

But, that’s not all of the parasites that can infect your dog.  On his skin there can also be parasites.  For example, mange and sarcoptic mites are critters that like to live here the hair follicle and on the skin of the pet.  Ear mites live inside the pet’s ear.  They can really cause your dog pain and should be taken care of.  You may not be able to see them, either.  If your dog is uncomfortable or is scratching quite a bit, even skin biting, there are most likely parasites that need to be taken care of.  Of course, there are also fleas to contend with.

You should always consult a qualified veterinarian if you are concerned about your pet’s health.

No
Comments

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Dogs, General, Pets

Chihuahuas: The Tiny Lap Dog With The Big Personality

June 16th, 2009

This small, spunky dog breed is famous for coining the phrase Yo quiero Taco Bell. Who doesn’t remember the commercials in which the Chihuahua expressed his love for Taco Bell food? Tiny and energetic, the Chihuahua typically weighs between 2-6 lbs and is 6 inches to 9 inches in height. They are one of the longest living dog breeds, sometimes living up to 20 years.

The Chihuahua is recognized by the AKC. Any color including solid, splashed and marked are acceptable coat colors. The Chihuahua has two coat types. One is smooth, short, close and glassy. The other is long, soft, flat and slightly curly with an undercoat. Contrary to what you would expect, the short coated dogs shed more than those with long hair. The short and long haired dogs are actually the same breed so you will often find both short and long haired puppies in the same litter. Short haired Chihuahuas need an occasional brushing while long haired Chihuahuas need brushed daily.

Born to be a family companion, the Chihuahua needs lots of attention and family time. They are very energetic and need plenty of play time. Since they are active indoors, they make good apartment dogs, but they do enjoy an occasional walk outside. They love to be spoiled and will encourage you to spoil them. Many owners find themselves buying puppy clothes for their spoiled Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas work best when they are the only pet in the household. They can be aggressive with other dogs and pets, even those that outweigh them by 100 pounds. If you have other pets in the household, they should be socialized with them from puppyhood. Homes with small children or children that are not well behaved are not ideal homes for Chihuahuas as they can be quick to snap if they are being picked on. They make great watchdogs as they will let you know if they hear an unfamiliar noise or see a stranger. They have a tendency to be wary of strangers. You need to be aware that sometimes the Molera or soft spot on their head does not close until they are older and sometimes they never close at all. Be careful to avoid injury.

Mexico is considered to be the Chihuahua’s country of origin. Many sources believe that they have Asian ancestry as well. Their name is pronounced chi-WAH-wah. They have always been known as companion dogs.

Small, energetic and affectionate, the Chihuahua is a loyal family pet. They will be like your shadow when you are at home and are happiest when they have someone home with them most of the time. They also like to travel with their families. Light on the wallet as they eat little and are a fairly healthy breed, the Chihuahua is an excellent choice for families willing to let them have the spotlight and attention that they need.

No
Comments

Tags:
, , , , ,

Posted in Dogs, General, Pets

Feeding Fables That Every Dog Owner Should Know

May 28th, 2009

Canine nutrition hasn’t become as laden with diet fads as have human meal planning. But it has accumulated a number of myths which survive the ridicule of the veterinary profession. As you acquire a dog, your more experienced friends will shower you with advice, which may include some of the following affirmations:

-    ”A clove of garlic keeps worms away” Garlic has enjoyed a reputation for centuries in the folk medicine of many cultures as an antiseptic, a treatment for high blood pressure, etc. But if your dog really does have worms, (and most of them do at one time or another), the quickest way to get rid of them is to have your veterinarian give him a specific worming medicine under his supervision.

-    ”Raw meat makes a dog vicious” Raw or cooked meat is essential to a dogs nutrition. Fifty percent is the standard ration, and it may compare as much as 75 percent of his diet. If he is fed only meat, he may become high strung, not because the meat is raw, but because he is being given an unbalanced diet.

-    ”A sugar cube dipped in coffee is good for a dogs heart” It is particularly good for his morale, because it probably means that he is sharing your after dinner coffee with you. Give it occasionally as a harmless treat, but not as a regular “medicine”, and not as a heart remedy.

-    ”Dogs cannot digest starch” They cannot digest uncooked starch, but they can cope with most cooked ones such as rice, whole wheat bread, and macaroni. However, dogs do not receive much nourishment from these foods.

-    ”Sugar causes worms” Sugar is quick source of energy for dogs, as it is far us. Worms are caused by worm larvae. A puppy may get worms from his mother, and an adult dog may get them from infected food or drink, from the saliva or feces of an infected dog, or from swallowing fleas and lice which act as hosts to tapeworm eggs- but never from sugar.

-    ”Raw eggs improve dog’s coat” A raw egg yolk from time to time enriches a dog’s diet. Cooked eggs are an acceptable substitute for meat in an emergency. But the best coat conditioner is far, especially unsaturated fat, rich in vitamin E, such as linseed and wheat germ oil. The eggs reputation as a coat conditioner is probably due to the fact that yolk is mostly fat.

-    ”Milk causes diarrhea in an adult dog” Milk is healthy for all dogs. A bowl of milk with a beaten egg yolk and a couple of pieces of whole wheat toast or dog biscuits is a standard supper dish in many kennels. There are various causes for diarrhea, including internal parasites, indigestion, a change of diet, food poisoning, certain contagious diseases- and sometime, but not always, milk.

Knowledge and concern are important in feeding a growing puppy whose nutrition is the foundation of his future health. But common sense is all you need to feed an adult dog correctly, as his own experience will help guide you most of the way.

No
Comments

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Dogs, General, Pets

Training Your Silky Dog: A Terrier Anti-Terror Basics

May 19th, 2009

It is essential to have a dog that knows how to follow the right rules and how to live around your house. To achieve this, dog training must be considered.

Most people think that training a dog is hard and expensive. Moreover, dog training requires a lot of patience and creativity for your dog. We have to remember that dogs may be intelligent but they can not be as intelligent as us. The article provides some of the basic things dog owners need to know so they can do the training themselves. However, to maximize the full potential of your dog, a dog trainer should be hired instead.

What are the differences between a submissive dog and a dominant dog?

A submissive dog normally:

•    avoids eye contact.
•    rolls on its back.
•    crouch down, ears back and tail lowered.
•    is comfortable on its back in your arms.

On the other hand, a dominant dog:

•    maintains eye contact.
•    is unwilling to move from his place on the couch.
•    dislikes grooming and petting.
•    is possessive of dishes and toys.

Training your silky terriers requires kindness and consistency. Silkys respond actively to praises and to rewards. In addition, they become harsh and unresponsive towards punishments and animosity, respectively.

Trainings with obedience classes can be intensely beneficial in petting your silky terriers. In many dog training schools, classes for puppies are available. Young dogs are taught to get accustomed with other dogs and people using limited trainings. However, there are areas that do not conduct formal obedience training unless the dog is at least half a year old. Always remember that a dog is never too old to benefit from training when a good trainer is available, or if the owner is fully committed to the task.

Here are the recommended ways of training silky terriers:

1.    Reiteration or Repetition

Reiteration is the name of the dog training game. In here, dogs are asked to do a task over and over again to achieve mastery. Dog tricks are best learned when reiterated and reinforced through rewards.

2.     Persistence

Patience is a virtue that requires you to tolerate hardships. Persistence is trying to be patient for a longer time until a goal is achieved. Apparently, dog training requires a lot of persistence from the owner or from the trainer Physical and psychological aspects of the owner and/or the trainer must be sound.

3.     Commendation and Amendation

Simply put, if a dog does the right thing, it should be said aloud. Otherwise, the dog should hear, “No, that’s not it!” when the trick is not complete or appropriate for the command given. These words reinforce correct responses and diminish the unwanted ones.

4.     Rewarding

Bits of cheese would really be good treats for dogs who responded correctly to a given command. Other food can be bought at pet sores. However, if you are able to get the respect of your pet, commands will be executed even if there are no longer involved treats. Likewise, these things reinforce warranted responses.

If your lifestyle permits being in charge of training your own pet, you can do the training as long as you have gathered enough patience and commitment by:

1. spending time grooming your dog.
2. having regular training times on the leash.
3. stroking its belly and toes and rolling it on its back
4. hand feeding some food to ensure that the pet is taking treats gently and slowly.

In asserting dominance, always practice consistency and firmness. Afterwards, you can be a master and a dear friend to your own pet.

No
Comments

Tags:
, , , , , , , ,

Posted in Dogs, General, Pets

Finding Boston Terrier Dogs for Sale

May 16th, 2009

People think that finding Boston terrier dogs for sale would be a very easy task. However, people need to know that there’s more to finding Boston terrier dogs for sale than looking in the phone book or in the classified ads. For one thing, the breeder often reflects the quality of the pet.

Today, many of the Boston terrier dogs for sale are bred by “puppy farms” which exist solely to breed and sell pet dogs. These “puppy farms” are profit-oriented and are therefore natural breeding grounds for animal cruelty. It is often the case that the puppies born in these farms are taken away from their mothers as soon as they are big enough to sell. They are often malnourished as a result of the cost-cutting methods of these farms.

When you are trying to find Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a breeder who genuinely cares for the animals. This will assure you that the animal is well taken care of and will survive more than a few weeks in your care.

Another reason to look for this type of Boston terrier dogs for sale is genetics. When you buy from a puppy farm, all the owner cares about is the profits. As long as a puppy looks good enough to be sold, it is sold. A great dog breeder, however, knows that breeding goes far beyond determining the appearance of a dog. When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a breeder who knows that breeding also determines the temperament of a dog.

When you go looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a pet that would suit your temperament. While a low-class breeder would tell you to buy a dog because the puppy looks cute, a great dog breeder would tell you to buy a specific dog because it fits your personality.

When looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a seller who does not ask you how much you are willing to pay but asks you what your qualifications are. When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a breeder who will not push the dog towards you but will truly take the time to know if you are fit to own a dog.

When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a seller who would be willing to take back the dog if you somehow neglect it. Do not go for sellers who will exchange the puppy for cash and then walk away. A great breeder will leave you with a way to contact him or her in case you change your mind.

Another way to find the best kinds of Boston terrier dogs for sale is to look for the proper documentation. Often, true breeders will be able to provide pedigrees that can trace back the lineage of a puppy. Through this, you know that you are buying the best.

Looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right attitude and information, you should be able to get the best puppy for you. By following the tips in this article, you can make hunting for Boston terrier dogs for sale the best thing you have ever done.

No
Comments

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Dogs, General
« Older Entries