American Kennel Club’s annual announcement of Breed registrations: Labrador retriever is still the most popular dog & has been for 20 years. Contender Dogs:
Labrador retriever
German shepherd
Yorkshire terrier
Beagle
Golden Retriever
Bulldog
Boxer
Dachshund
Poodle
Shih Tzu
Breeders: A must read: “Breeder’s Guide, First Litter”; “Delivery Essentials”; “Future Champion”; 10 Simple Ways To Prep Your Pup For A Dog Show”.Questions To Ask The Breeder:
Dog Show Judges “pet peeves”:
1-Attention-grabbing outfits; 2-Sharp turns in the ring; 3-Incorrect hindquarter stacking; 4-Excessive feeding & baiting; 5-Late arrivals; 6-Poor sportsmanship.
Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti: Just after the 1/12/2010 Haiti earthquake, A 20 member coalition of animal protection organizations coordinated treatment to: over 50,000 injured animals, 9,000 were dogs. World Society Protection of Animals & International Fund for Animal Welfare co-founded the Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti to work with Haitian government officials, UN & international agencies help in treatment of animals & maintain national veterinary laboratories, for example: Animal Rescue Site & GreaterGood.org donated more than $245,000 to help in Haiti’ earthquake disaster.
Border Collie: smartest dog on earth, learns 1,022 words. He recognizes the names of each of his 1000 plus toy & stuffed animals.
Does your dog smile ? According to recent study of dogs at play, researchers observed distinctive rapid panting behavior that appeared to be equivalent of laughter in dog language. Panting was used to communicate pleasure & evoked playfulness in other dogs. Next time you play a lively game of fetch with your pup, listen closely. Panting you hear may actually be a hearty laugh.
Does Your Dog Own You? * If you’re cold, you put a sweater on your dog. * You have a picture of your dog in your wallet, but not 1 of your kids. * You often claim that it was love at 1st sight with you & your dog. * You have your dog talk to your friends on the phone. * You can’t fully enjoy yourself without your dog. * No matter how large your bed is, it isn’t large enough for you & your dog(s). * You spend more on clothes & food for your dog than you do for yourself. * You have no reservations about kissing your dog on the lips, even when you know where his lips have been. * You believe it is your duty to talk to, pat, & even feed every dog in the neighborhood. You know their names. * You let the neighbor dog sleep over. * You believe there is no such thing as a naughty dog. * Your vet and grooming bills exceed your rent. * When you need someone to talk to, your dog is your first choice. * You sit on the floor if the dog got in the chair first. * You talk to your dog when you are driving. He answers. * Your dog taught you to fetch & roll over.
Top Ten Things That Upset Your Dog:
Blaming your “letting out gas” on him… not funny… not funny at all !!!
2. Yelling at me for barking .. “‘M A FRIGGIN’ DOG, YOU IDIOT”!
3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. “Exactly whose walk is this” anyway?
4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose… stop it!
5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. “Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you’re not home”.
6. Sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. “You fooled a dog! What a proud moment for top of food chain”.
7. Taking me to the vet for “the big snip”, then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!
8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. “Sorry, but I haven’t quite mastered that handshake thing yet”.
9.Dog sweaters.” Hello ? “Haven’t you noticed my fur”?
10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. “Look, we both know the truth, you’re just jealous”.
11.”Now lay off me on some of these thing’s, We both know who’s boss here! You don’t see me picking up your poop do you”?
From the Classifieds:
FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER: 8 years old. Hateful little dog. Bites.
FREE PUPPIES: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor’s dog.
FREE PUPPIES: Mother, AKC German Shepherd. Father, Super Dog – able to leap tall fences in a single bound.
FOUND DIRTY WHITE DOG: Looks like a rat … been out a while. Better be a reward.
Determine motivation for dog’s digging that you want stopped:
Dogs dig for many reasons such as hiding bones, for keeping cool, stressed or boarded, & creating a cozy “birthing & nursery” for pups.
Manage the undesirable behavior: limiting access to certain areas of your yard by fencing off areas, kennels, dog daycare, leashes, & supervision. Of course, you might set aside a specific area for his/her digging.
To prevent escape from the yard: provide toys, a canine companion, be sure to have your dog spade or neutered; fence should be deep, a foot under ground.
Desensitize dog’s stress: by making sure he has a safe environment from anything that torments him/her. A fence rather than a chain might be less stressful.
Noise-sensitive dog: If noise triggers your dog’s fear, you can insulate him against the sound(s) or remove the dog from that area.
Why do some dogs eat dirt? Have your Veterinarian do some blood test on your dog to see what deficiencies there might be.
Stress: Recognizing excessive behaviors:
Licking(self or objects)
barking
pacing
Tail-chasing
snapping at the air
whining/whimpering
standing absolutely still (frozen like)
salivating
avoiding eye contact
lowering its head
flattening its ears back against its head
tucking its tail between its legs
starting to leave the area
shivering or trembling
pulling the mouth into a submissive grin
discharging urine
rolling over on its side & lifting a hind leg
becoming aggressive if restrained
Handling & dealing with stress:
Punishment adds to dog’s stress & intensifies it
Owners should establish themselves, in the dog’s eyes, as a leader in charge who never miss uses the concept of domination “to show who’s boss”
Be patient
Ask the advice of a veterinarian who specializes in canine behavior & neuro chemistry.
Provide as much as possible mental & physical stimulation daily.
Reduce confinement time in all manner.
Dogs are social animals & need positive human interaction with human companions.
They are unlikely to develop canine compulsive disorder & more likely to overcome it.
In order for dogs to survive any good length of time they need a strong defense(immune system). Immune system fights disease.
They include:
tonsils, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, & Peyer’s patches.
Top 9 Puppy Questions:
1-Why won’t my pup play with other puppies, my children, or my older dog? It’s normal for puppies to go through a fear period between 8 & 11 weeks old.
2-Why should my puppy learn to wear a muzzle; sleep in a crate; or allow everyone to look in his ears, eyes, & mouth? Because they eventually have to visit the veterinarian’s office at some point in time, dogs have to get comfortable & or familiar with these types of things.
3-Why does my puppy scream & whine & droll in the car? The safest place for a dog to travel is behind the driver’s seat in a crate.
4-Why does my pup pee in the house? It has a full bladder;train it under 20 weeks while he is in the action by saying “potty” or “pee, pee”, until he understands.
5-How do I stop my puppy from picking up everything? It will trade anything for the right “treat”.
6-Why shouldn’t my puppy get up on the furniture? The main reason is for its “safety” sake.
7-Why is my puppy so “bite y”? They’re exploring their world. You might give them time out in their cage for 3 minutes. Then let them out to continue playing.
8-My puppy just threw up & has diarrhea. What should I do? When you interview or shop for a veterinarian for your dog, be sure one of the questions you ask is, who can I call for help for my dog if it gets sick & the vet’s office is closed &/or after office hours.
9-Sometimes after I take my puppy for a long walk, it will run laps around the yard. Don’t permit your puppy to run laps around the yard or run through the house. It is time to rest after a long walk so put him in his cage for an hour for a nap.
Socializing: Pups benefit from lots of social interaction, with other animals & people. The Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine(D.V.M.) suggest invite one or two adults of different genders, appearances, & sizes so your Pup gets exposed to a wide variety of people. Next, visit a dog friendly mall to meet other friendly animals. Visit a dog park & be sure to go & stay in the small shy dog area to be safe. Keep these encounters positive & give your Pups lots of praise & encouragement. Some fear of unfamiliar thins or situations is normal taking in all new stimuli.
Q: What can I do? When I leave the house my dog chews on things he’s not suppose to. A: 1-a companion dog or cat might keep him company during those times. 2-leave him with bones to chew on; leave toys with snacks in them. 3-Put soft music on from a radio or television. 4-Make sure your Pup get lots of exercise in daily this will burn off excess energy. 5-Leave a voice recorder on during time periods you ‘re away.6-Go through motions of leaving the house but don’t actually go, then go for a very short time, each time extending the length of time gone. 7-Don’t put your dog in any confined crate of some sort, it will just upset him more.
Good manners training allows you to take your dog more places because he’s well behaved.
Training: Start formal training around 4 to 6 months of age. Keep sessions around 15 minutes a day. Teach your Pup his name always using a pleasant voice & a small treat or a pat & repeat. Teach “No” in a loud voice, when he stops reward him with a small treat. Introduce a flat collar with ID TAG. Once use to the collar attach a leash & walk him around the house with it give small treats & praise often.
Training your dog: Train your dog with patience respect & your dog will learn with out being “stress out”. You want them to get the message that learning/creating should be done calmly, peacefully, comfortably.
Behavior & Training: 1-Sit on cue; 2-To sit “on cue”; 3-Recruit a friend to help you train; 4-“step up distractions(repeat previous steps) reward only for a prompt sits, each time dog sits.
Behavior Dog Rules: (away from home or in home) 1-should never jump up on anyone; 2-never barge on other dogs or get in their space; 3-should not bark at people or other dogs; 4-control bathroom behaviors while in public.
10 Tips-Surviving Dog Adolescence: 1-Understand adolescent brain(Pup is in transition); 2-Don’t accept “the challenge”(don’t become angry, think before responding);3-Train, train, train daily (keeps your Pup’s behavior from spiraling out of control during each stage & keeps relationship with your growing Pup positive; 4-Reward positive behaviors wanted repeated; 5-Give adolescent chew often as needed; 6-Continue socializing your Pup helps keep Pup from overreacting.(emotions change wildly day to day); 7-Exercise, amount depends on age, breed & stage of development of Pup; 8-“Adolescent”time Pubs will challenge authority; 9-Pub must perform trained tricks for the owner not just in order but out of order as well; 10-Pubs & dogs have been given up because owners: weren’t knowledgeable of the behaviors of Pups & dogs during the different stages of development.
Exercise: A good example of a dog who gets lots of mental & physical exercise is the Australian Shepherd dog. Owner must constantly be aware & checked for health issues: hip dysplasia, eye diseases(progressive retina atrophy & Collie eye anomaly) & epilepsy.
Hiking: “Easy” 1-2 miles; “Moderate” 2-5 miles; “Advanced” More than 5 miles.
Your Pup reaches skeletal maturity around 12 to 15 months of age & less than 12 months for smaller dogs.
Encourage feeding treats for training but over feeding isn’t kindness.
Moving from one home to another:
For smooth transition-make short visits to the new residence for at least one hour at a time, longer if possible.
Teach your dog to swim: best to go near a lake or calm bay being sure to stay near the sallow shoreline. A warm day is best. Play ball along the edge of the water. Occasionally toss the ball in to the water for the dog to fetch, tossing it just far enough for the dog to swim to fetch it & retrieve it & return it back to shore.
Bathing 101: brush dog’s teeth, clean his ears,
Items to collect before in door bath or out door shower: rubber mat, shower spray,rubber gloves, or grooming mitt , shampoo, cotton balls, ear cleaner, towels, hair dryer.
Grooming Tools: scissors, brush, clippers,comb, dryer, tote or duffel bag.
Steps: 1-brush dog before bathing or showing; 2-Place a cotton ball in each dog’s ears; wet dog thoroughly avoiding the eye area; 3-Apply shampoo on top of dog’s head & body leathering the dog throughly, rinse throughly, & dry throughly being sure to remove cotton ball before you dry the dog; finally brush the dog well.
Tips for “drying”: 1-brush before bathing; 2-have a set routine; 3-keep dogs under a damp towel until you get to dry them, to be able to style or better dry them properly; 4-dry shorter hair first; 5-use high velocity dryers but use care when blow drying the head area(more sensitive).
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Never Let Your Dog Have:
Sugar-free sweetener(Xylitol), sweets are NO TREAT FOR “DOGS” keep xylitol-sweetened treats out of dog’s reach; it will impaired muscle coordination, & cause seizures in dogs Don’t let your dog in take any sugar substitute in any foods. Sugar substitutes promotes insulin release & can cause severe hypoglycemia.
It’s very important to make an appointment with Veterinarian’s office to have your pet given an annual check-up; & if gets sick before the yearly check-up visit make an appointment with the Veterinarian’s office to have the problem evaluated the pet’s problem. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Unintended consequence is that many pets aren’t getting the care the proper care they need to be healthy, happy, & live a long life.
Pup Exercise Advise: Don’t run with your Pup until it’s at least 18 months, preferably 24months old. To much exercise at a young age has been associated with arthritis, elbow dysplasia & osteochondritis dissecans, painful disease seen in shoulders of young dogs. Pups younger than 6 months should exercise in the form of play(chasing, wrestling).
Vaccines, Allergies, & Immune system: Over vaccination can contribute to the increased incidence of allergies in dogs. Blood test measures dog’s antibody response to a specific virus to determine immune memory for parvovirus, distemper & host of viruses. Food & allergies: Feeding your dog the same commercial dog food day after day may become allergic to it. But by having a variety diet & rotating different meals daily & weekly leaves less chance of developing an allergic reaction in Pet’s body.
Core Vaccines: protect against common North America diseases that are difficult to treat & are easily transmitted. The American Animal Hospital Association(AAHA) Canine Vaccination Guidelines groups are:
Distemper-causes seizures & spinal cord damage.
Parvoirus-causes severe vomiting & diarrhea
Adenovirus-upper respiratory illness; hepatitis
Rabies-quickly fatal
Non-Core Vaccines: less dangerous diseases: Bordetella(kennel cough); canine influenza, leptospirosis(liver & kidney dysfunction), Lyme disease.
Small Animal Hospital: University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has a new $58 million small animal hospital. 22 exam rooms & 12 surgical suites, & 24/7 emergency & critical care services.
New Program Teaches First Aid called”BART”-Basic Animal Rescue Training for:
teacher, first responders, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, & police officers. The 3 hour program teaches: How to safely handle animals encountered during emergencies; how to administer CPR, & first aid & use pet oxygen masks.
Best Place to find a pet sitter is www.Sittercity.com
ASPCA-Animal Poison Control Center.
” Maddie’s Fund”, a pet rescue foundation, planning to build an animal shelter by 2014 that will combine the latest developments in life saving & advances in technology to create new concepts in animal sheltering. For more info go to www.maddiesfund.org.
PetPoint Report-monthly white paper published by Pethealth, Inc.(North America’s second largest provider of medical insurance for dogs & cat, said: number of dogs given up in 10/2010 declined by 9%. Canine statistics: Adoptions increased by 5%, Euthanasia declined by 23%; Adoption prices for dogs younger than 1 year increased 5%; Adoption prices for dogs older than 1 year remained the same.
Adoption Options:
If you have your heart set on adopting specific breed of dog, check out local rescue groups. Animal shelters & rescue organizations are both great places to find another canine companion often breed-specific may be able to offer you a selection of your ideal breed. If you are open to any kind of dog selection of any breed, size, or age . Visit sites on line too.
Objects Dogs Ingest: Partial list of items removed from pet’s stomach or intestines:
denture adhesive, dead poisoned vole, bikini, ink pen, plastic nose from teddy bear, majestic purse clasps, baseball, glass Christmas ornament, bed sheet, box of pencils, Popsicle stick, avocado pit, dental floss coffee filter/coffee grounds, watch 16 steel wool pads, 20 cherry pots, light bulb, barbecue brush Frisbee, razor blades, 1lb, uncooked rice, wallpaper paste balloon ribbons, bird, partial deer antler, extension cord, leash/3 sticks of butter, pin cushion, 10 quarters/one penny/one Canadian coin/three arcade tokens, foot-long submarine sandwich, fire log, wooden toy train, pine cone, whole, round chew bone eyeglasses
Signs of dental problems: Puppy’s teeth exams should begin 3 to 6 months of age for signs of dental disease & bad bite, persistent bay teeth along side permanent teeth, bad breath indicating infection; swollen, red or bleeding gums; or nasal fistula(permanent abnormal passageway between the mouth & nasal cavity.
Teething period: 1 month old bay teeth or milk teeth or deciduous teeth break through the gums & two weeks later will have 28 baby teeth. At 3 months these teeth fall out; then the adult incisor, canines, premolars & molars begin growing in. At 6 to 7 months a puppy will have all his adult teeth, 12 incisors, 4 canine, 16 premolars & 10 molars for a total of 42.
” Hygroma” is an accumulation of fluid in elbows or hocks which are small & painless but can become ulcerated or infected. First appearance of a potential hygroma: pink hairless callous overlying the elbow. The skin is being repeatedly traumatized. Soft surfaces for sleeping or resting should be provided.
The Right “Flea and Tick” control:
Misconception: Flea & tick products can pose health risks to pets.
The products are very safe when used as directed. The product should always be used for the correct size & weight of the pet. Never use a dog-only product on a cat & vice versa.
FDA says: No product is entirely risk free
Most cases of toxicity seem related to misapplication of the product.
No natural flea & tick control has been found to be effective.
Misconception: Flea season in the US is in spring & summer. No, it’s fall(September, October, November).
Misconception: Natural remedies are effective against fleas & ticks. No natural method has been found to be effective.
Misconception: One application or administration of a flea control product eliminates fleas. No. you should treat every animal(dog or cat) in you home every 30 days.
Misconception: A product that provides the broadest protection, the newer ones offer additional coverage for intestinal parasites & heart worm, is best. Not necessarily. All products work about the same.
If you must rid your home & yard of fleas, enlist a professional. A monthly flea prevention remedies the problem.
Treating Lameness:
Lameness-inability or diminished ability to walk stems from many causes.
Treatment options: called “Extracorporeal shock wave therapy(ESWT), is an alternative or adjunct treatment for lame dogs who aren’t candidates for traditional medical management or those who have responded poorly to treatments. Procedure is less expensive & less invasive than surgery. More than 85% of patients with certain conditions experienced benefits. Early results in treating shoulder & elbow lameness are most encouraging. Treatment works by triggering the body’s repair mechanisms. Patients are sedated or lightly anesthetized for shock wave treatments taking 10 to 20 minutes. Risks are few to nonexistent. Procedure is slightly uncomfortable, which is one reason for sedation. About 60 to 90 % of dogs treated with NSAIDs have a positive response. Treating dogs with shock wave therapy is still in its infancy.
Help your dog make accessing a vehicle easier by providing a “ramp”. This takes strain off of injuries and joint problems.
Top 10 Conditions Veterinary Pet Insurance sorted in database affected dogs in 2010:
Ear infections
Skin allergies
Skin infection/hot spots
Gastritis/vomiting
Enteritis/diarrhea
Arthritis
Bladder infections
Soft tissue trauma
Benign tumors
Hypothyroidism
California Dept. of Public Health writing in “Emerging Infectious Diseases” said approximately 50% of owners in the US allow their dogs to sleep on their beds, puts them at risk for health problems.
Sources for counting calories:
” Good Old Dog”
” The Expert Advice Column
When to consider therapy:
Therapy can help to diminish lameness associated with these conditions:
osteoarthritis of the hip, elbow & knee
Lameness in shoulder(rotator cuff)
Hip dysplasia
Ligament injuries
Tendinitis
Back pain, including associated with lumbosacral disease(compression of nerves in lower back)
Bone fractures that are slow to heal
Three types of dialysis work as artificial kidneys:
Peritoneal dialysis-uses lining in abdomen(peritonie)
Continuous renal replacement therapy-operates on same principle as intermittent hemodialysis but is designed to mimic slow, continuous filtration provided by normal kidneys.
Nuclear Sclerosis– cloudy eyes occurs in aging dogs.
Harding of the lens-clear structure just behind the cornea that focuses images on the retina. This happens as the eye generates more lens fibers become increasing packed, lens becomes less flexible & thicker. The center, called “nucleus” contains oldest layers of protein fibers. It may acquire a cloudy tint because of the density of the fibers the edges remain clear. Signs start to appear when dog is between 6 to 8 years old.
Developmental Milestones for you “Pup” & Dog:
Age 7 to 8 weeks-Puppies come home before 10 weeks; with in 3 days from leaving the breeders, they should be seen by their veterinarian.
Age 8 to 10 weeks-Pup should be learning the rules of your home; learning to trust family members which will decrease aggressive behavior later on.
Age 11 to 16 weeks-start 15 to 20 minute off leash walks, let it follow you back home off the leash. Make sure you get an appointment set up for a rabies shot & health check-up.
Age 14-18 weeks-Pup will start to lose baby teeth; will become more independent; take greater care with off-leash outings, but don’t stop “off the leash walks” altogether.
Age before 20 weeks: Be sure to get your pup to the potty area at the right time so a to toilet train without any indoor mistakes.
Stem Cell Therapy -“fountain of youth for Labradors”. Dramatic advances in veterinary medicine can stem the debilitating effects of canine arthritis. For example: Vet removes a small portion of fatty tissue(dog’s own stem cells) from a dog’s shoulder blade & over nights it to Vet-Stem [www.vet-stem.com], a laboratory in San Diego; under a mild sedative the vets inject the cells directly into the most seriously affected joints of the dogs with regenerative arthritis; & 75% of them showed anywhere from mild to dramatic improvement. Some studies show after 3 years treatments are still effective. It depends on how advanced the arthritis is & the location of it. Sometimes the procedure has to be be repeated. Stem cell therapy isn’t inexpensive: $2,500.00 to $3,000 is normal.
Allergies:
Avoid: carpeting, fabric, Upholstered furniture, shades;
Launder properly-rinse throughly
Use tightly woven fabric
Grooming-use a 3-pronged grooming approach: regular, wet, & in-between to help prevent allergies.
Pet allergens: are small molecular compounds often found in just about everything and animal excretes & secretes, hair follicles, may coat the hair.
Healthy strategies, fewer allergies-pet with strong, moisturized skin releases fewer allergens into air.
Eczema-can because by vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, pesticides, house hold cleaning materials, fragrances, foods, dust. Scratching leads to irritation, infection, scabs, & loss of hair. Treatments include: steroids for itch, & antibiotics for infection.
Food allergy offenders: beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, soy, & milk.
Home made meals:lamb, turkey, eggs, walnuts, sunflower seeds & beans; sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa, barley, & tapioca; olive, sunflower, or fish oil(1tsp per 20 lbs. Of body weight; vegetables(broccoli, greens, okra, green beans, & squash.
Buy medicines on line carefully. Food & Drug Administration(FDA) warns of companies have been found to sell unapproved, counterfeit, & expired medications with out requiring prescriptions. FDA offers brochure on line “Purchasing Pet Drugs On line: Buyer Beware.” & free to down load at www.fda.gov/For Consumers/Consumer Updates/ucm048164.htm FDA says anti-inflammatory & heart worm preventives sold without prescriptions can be dangerous to dogs if bought with a veterinarian’s involvement.
Can your dog have eggs? Yes, all parts of it.
” Doctor-up” infections natural remedies by using: Omega-3 fatty acids. Used to ease arthritic joints, treating prurient, itchiness. Neem tree’s seeds gets rid of ringworm; tea tree oil-to soothe skin & kill fungus. Homeopathic remedies containing Alllium Cepa or Berberis Vulg can reduce inflammation in bladder infections. Drink a lot of water is a must. Homeopathic ingredients eye-infection treatments include meadowsweet for its antiseptic properties, & rosemary which disinfects. Oil from sweet almond, avocado, olive or apricot kernel infuse with pau d’arco can be used as antibiotic ear drops. The acetic acid found in vinegar can be used on a cleansing swab to treat yeast infections in the ear. Consult with your veterinarian practitioner for natural alternatives & make sure natural remedies are right for your dog’s condition.
Fact or Fallacy: Dogs need to eat meat? Meat is an excellent source of amino acids & protein.
Asthma-is an obstruction, inflammation, & irritability of lungs, airways(bronchioles) in response to a “triggered” usually allergen or environmental substance, like smoke. Lining of the airways becomes inflamed, swells, & produces excessive mucus making breathing difficult causing coughing & wheezing.
Chronic bronchitis-symptoms: kennel cough, pneumonia, heart worm disease, or a heart problem, & exercise intolerance, gag or faint, develop cyanosis(blue tongue & gums) during exertion or wheeze. It affects middle aged to older small-breed dogs. Any dog could get it.
Vaccination: All pups should be vaccinated in their first six months:
Rabies, Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus. Combo vaccine given every three to four weeks from 6 to 16 weeks of age.
Feed Pubs high-quality chow made just for puppies & be sure to watch his portion size.
Flea Prevention: Insecticides introduced in the ’90s still work. Adult fleas die but their eggs will hatch leaving new fleas. By using the product correctly in compliance monthly to all animals for best results. It’s a must to treat both yards & homes.
California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
Tips to keep your dog safe at dog parks:
Keep dog’s vaccinations current; socialize your dog before going to a dog park;
Keep an eye on your dog to prevent it from getting into fights;
Take small dogs to the small dog breeds; Keep a close eye on your dog to keep him from getting into fights;
Take a bowl & water for your dog only. Do not let your dog drink out of the spot as other dogs for fear of disease from wildlife & other dogs.
Know & follow the park rules.
Mites & Mange: Demodex(demodicosis) mites live in your dog’s hair follicles & don’t cause any problems because the dog’s immune system somehow keeps them in check, preventing any damage. But in some dogs the reproduction is prolific making the hair follicle infested with high number of mites, then the hair falls out. If 5 or more spots develop the condition is called nummular localized demodicosis.
Bacterial: “Good” & “Bad” bacterial in your dog’s intestinal tract, a delicate balance of microorganisms directly correlates with y:our dog’s general health. If imbalance occurs your dog will have diarrhea. But if the correct balance is there then the bacterial aids in reducing allergies & skin problems, boost immune system & support overall health.
Prebiotics: “Dandelions” in you yard if eaten or put in your dog’s food: strengthens liver, gall bladder; helps prevent skin conditions, allergies & arthritis; removes toxic waste; helps transport nutrients through the body.
Cancer: Some dogs are trained in “cancer scent detection”.in the breath & stool of the person.
Prebietics, Probiotics, Synbiotics: are nutritional ingredients that enhance your dog’s health by supporting good bacterial in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead of using antibiotics which have negative side effects; more emphasis is place on preventing disease by promoting good bacteria. Prebiotics-non-digestive food ingredient selectively stimulate growth &/or activity of 1 or more strains of beneficial bacteria in large intestines. Dietary fiber is most common used. For fiber to act as a prebiotic, it must meet 3 criteria: 1-must be resistant to degradation by stomach acid, enzymes, & hydrolysis; 2-beneficial bacteria in large intestines must b able to ferment fiber; 3-it must be able to selectively stimulate the growth &/or activity of beneficial bacteria in intestines.
Probiotics -live beneficial bacteria provide health benefits when ingested in sufficient numbers(must be live & contain adequate numbers-a billion good bacteria). Probiotic promote many health benefits & are extremely safe for dogs: improved stool quality, faster resolution of acute diarrhea, management of stress colitis, stronger immune system, reduced inflammation. However, avoid giving dog with weakened immune systems(taking chronic steroids or undergoing chemotherapy).
Synbiotics -nutritional supplement combines prebiotics & probiotics. When taken together, prebiotic enhances the probiotic’s ability to survive in intestines. Use alone &/or together, both provide host of health benefits & help reduce or eliminate need for antibiotics.
Teething: Pup has 28new teeth, then 42 adult teeth take their place. Remedies for teething pain: 1-ice cubes; 2-chew toys; 3-chamomile tea given 2 or 3 times daily; 4-frozen aloe vera juice cubes & rub on gums.
Skin Problems:
1-Mange: Appearance-hair loss, red crusty skin, mostly around face & tips of the ears.
Mange-result from a mite infestation of the skin; 2 main types of mites: demodex & sarcoptic.
Demodex-most common type, lives on the skin of ALL dogs; it ‘s not transferable to humans.
Danger lies in the Pup’s immature immune system or dogs with compromised ones where sarcoptic mites can pass from dog to dog to humans.
Cure/treatment-oral miticide(ivermectin)
2-Skin Infection: Appearance-red, raised, itch skin, thinning hair,pustules(pimples). Most common cause of skin infections is allergies. Less common causes superficial abrasions, wounds, excessive skin folds, & chronic moisture(urine leakage or excessive tearing.
Cure/treatment-medicated shampoos, antibiotics, antihistamine.
3-Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Appearance-inflamed, crusty skin, patchy hair loss, near base of tail. Problem being: dogs are allergic to protein in flea saliva; some dogs are allergic to trigger a severe, painful reaction.
Cure/treatment-most important factor: every & all pets in the household must be receiving consistent, effective anti-flea medication.
4-Hot Spots -Appearance-warm, red, oozing patches of skin, hair loss; occurs when dog licks, bites, or scratches his skin removing top layers found in back half of dogs U are caused by allergy to flea saliva. Rarely, got spots are caused by allergens: food, pollen, mold, or house mites. Can occur on face or neck with extensive jowls(Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Labs, & Golden Ret.
Cure/treatment-Vet gives corticosteroids to control itch, a medicated cleansing solution, or antibiotics.
5-Allergic Reaction -Appearance-seasonal etch on feet & face, red, scaly, hairless skin; can inherit or develop sensitivities to various substances(foods, medication, shampoos)
Cure/treatment-same medication if suffering from allergies(antihistamines, anti-inflammatory medication & medicated shampoos)
Your veterinarian will do more testing.
Pick-up Your Dog’s Feces: Pet Waste transmits disease & causes health problems. Leash, curb & clean-up after your Pet. Its the Law $25.00 to $200.00 Fine
10 Top Toxins: reported to Animal Poison Control Center(APCC) 2010:
1-Human medicines; 2-Insecticides; 3-Rat & mouse poisons; 4-People food(grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, & sweets containing xylitol); 5-Veterinary medicines; 6-Chocolate; 7-Household toxins(cleaners, batteries, liquid potpourri); 8-Plants; 9-Herbicides; 10-Outdoor toxins(antifreeze, fertilizer, ice melts)
