• Chocolate can cause seizures in dogs, especially small dogs

• Grapes and Raisins – even a single serving of raisins can kill a dog

• Onions

• Macadamia Nuts

• Animal fat and fried foods

• Bones: Bones can splinter and damage a dog’s internal organs.

• Tomatoes

• Avocados

• Nutmeg

• Apples, Cherries, Peaches and similar fruit: The seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans. Dogs especially don’t know to stop eating at the core/pit

• Raw eggs: Raw eggs can cause salmonella poisoning in dogs

• Salt – too much can cause kidney problems.

• Use caution with veggies like Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Beans, Turnip and Cabbage as these can cause digestive upsets and gas. If your dog isn’t sensitive to these, you can add them to the food also.

Image to link, Name4 dog

“Aging pets are a lot like aging people with respect to diseases,” Susan Nelson, a Kansas State University assistant professor of clinical services, said in a university news release. Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, periodontal disease and heart disease are among the problems pets face as they grow older, she noted.

“Like people, routine exams and tests can help detect some of these problems earlier and make treatment more successful,” Nelson added, making a special reference to heartworm prevention and general vaccinations.

“It’s also important to work closely with your veterinarian,” Nelson said, because “many pets are on more than one type of medication as they age, just like humans.”

Cats between 8 and 11 years (equal to 48 to 60 in human years) are considered “senior,” while those over the age of 12 fall into the category of “geriatric,” Nelson explained.

For dogs it depends on weight: those under 20 pounds are considered senior at 8 years, and geriatric at 11 years. Those 120 pounds and up, however, are considered senior at 4 years and geriatric at 6 years, with a sliding age-scale applied to canines between 20 and 120 pounds.

Nelson said that to catch problems early, older cats and dogs need to be taken in for a semiannual health exam and lab tests. “Diseases such as systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus are just a few that can occur at a relatively young age and often take owners by surprise. Urinary or fecal incontinence are other issues that may occur as your pet matures,” she added.

“Such actions obviously can’t prevent all diseases, but when caught early, many diseases can be managed” and the good quality of life extended, Nelson said.

Nelson also wants owners to be aware that pet behavior can shift with age if mental problems such as senility, phobias and various anxieties take hold. Disorientation can ensue, alongside changes in eating habits and the tendency to sleep more.

The risk for joint problems also grows with age, and older pets should not be encouraged to run or jump as much as they might have in the past. Swimming and walking are good alternatives, she suggested, and supplements and medications can help keep pain from arthritis at bay.

Overall, Nelson advises owners to “give your senior pets lots of TLC — tender, loving care.” That, she said, can go a long way towards easing the aging process.

Image to link: Pet Paradiseah

After years of writing to the British government and the government’s licensing authority (the Veterinary Medicines Directorate), Canine Health Concern and over 100 vets/pet owners called for the withdrawal of one-year dog and cat vaccines. Annual shots are unnecessary, and they are causing harm.

Who says so?

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Australian Veterinary Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association have all announced that once dogs and cats are immune to viral disease, they are immune for years or life. Repeated vaccinations provide no more immunity.

They will not follow the known science

The VMD is refusing to change UK policy and simply responded with a ‘position statement’ that upheld the status quo. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is conflicted. It cannot protect the animals while it puts the profit requirements of the pharmaceutical industry first. Meanwhile, innocent animals continue to suffer and die.

We are calling for every animal lover across the world to tell the UK government that this is not acceptable, and to demand that theVMD takes immediate action to withdraw licences for one-year vaccines.

A document with all the scientific research to substantiate our claim has been sent to Veterinary Medicines Directorate. To read this and see for yourself, go to www.petvaccine.weebly.com. This is, in effect, a free book. It tells you the risks associated with vaccinating your pets, and it tells you why governments might want you to take those risks.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE ANIMALS

If you live in the UK, download/print a pre-formatted letter to send to your MP (details of who your MP is also on this link) – if you haven’t got internet access, then get a friend to do it for you.

If you live outside the UK, write to the British Chief Veterinary Officer and/or the Foreign Office. See http://petvaccine.weebly.com for links and letter templates.

Tell your friends, family and colleagues – spread the word – please cross-post and/or forward this e-bulletin.

Go to: http://petvaccine.weebly.com for a quick and easy way to earn a big THANK YOU from the dogs.

Go to: http://petvaccine.weebly.com for details, including full information on Canine Health Concern and why this campaign is necessary, together with all the scientific research.

Canine Health Concern. PO Box 7533, Perth PH2 1AD
www.canine-health-concern.org.uk
Email: catherine@carsegray.co.uk , rob@carsegray.co.uk
Telephone: 01821 670410

Besides in this community, one can participate, joining photo contests, raiseeing our animals’ photos, taking part in legal professions and blogs, coming across friends, taking part in arguments or simply holding an opinion in everything it relative to the animal world.

Also we can talk with veterinaries in Yeepet.com and hold a service in store for our beloved friends animals.

Image to link: Yeepet

Color is an easy, inexpensive, non invasive, non chemical method of helping your pets through difficult or upsetting circumstances.  Pink is the color of unconditional love and will have a calming effect for example.   A pink cloth placed with a new puppy or kitten can help to alleviate separation from the litter or the parent animals.  Green can also have a balancing effect.  Animals will respond to green because of it’s connection with nature and the outdoors but also because it is the color of the heart chakra where love and compassion abide.  Red can help an animal that has low physical vitality but should only be used for short periods of time (say 5 minutes or so) and should be avoided completely if there is any type of bleeding or if an increase in circulation is undesired!  If a decrease in circulation or a cooling effect is desired the color blue should be used.

When choosing colors keep in mind that the intensity of the color will have an effect on the results.  Chakra colors are vibrant so the more intense (or true) the color the better the response.  Pastels will have a muted effect.  While browns will have a grounding effect.

The study of color therapy is simple, effective and can provide an animal owner with a complimentary therapy for their pets overall physical vitality and emotional  health.  The outcome will be the creation of a happier bond.

www.arcsoflight.com

Symptoms of Canine Distemper

The many signs of distemper are not always typical. Symptoms may include

• Fever 39C to 41C (103F to 106F)
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Cough
• Nasal discharge
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Eye inflammation
• Pneumonia

Neurological Symptoms include

• Seizures
• Muscle twitching
• Deterioration of mental habilitéis
• Loss of motor skills
• Complete or partial paralysis
• Increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch (Hyperesthesia)

Treatment

The specific germ of this disease has never been isolated, therefore a true culture of the germ has never been made. The best-known remedy is Dent’s Distemperine, the result of experiments made by veterinarians connected with the United States Department of Agriculture, and in a public test, showing that ninety per cent of the cases in which it was used recovered.

Vomiting

A number of complications are liable to develop with or follow a case of distemper. Among them are vomiting, which can be prevented by carefully selecting those foods that the stomach digests most easily; but if the stomach refuses to retain even the most digestible of these.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea must not be checked unless it is very severe and the discharges are tinged with blood. In such cases give a gruel made of toasted wheat flour and milk. The tannate or sub-gallate of bismuth is useful in these cases in doses of from ten to forty grains, and one dose may give satisfactory results; if it does not, from five to ten grains of chalk with from five to twenty grains of ether or laudanum should be administered in a little milk or soup.

Fits

Epileptic fits and derangement of the nervous system are difficult to treat during the course of the disease. If they are caused by cutting teeth, lance the gums; if due to worms, treat for them before the system becomes too debilitated to stand the drugs necessary to remove them. If, however, the convulsions are severe, frequent, and exhausting, they can be relieved by giving bromide of potash in doses of from five to twenty grains four or five times a day, either in a capsule or watery solution. If the excitement is extreme the bromide can be combined with from three to ten grains of chloral. The latter drug should be mixed with mucilage to prevent its irritating the throat.

A fever is often the initial symptom but may go unnoticed. Symptoms become more serious and noticeable as the disease progresses. The symptoms become exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections.

Complications involving the eyes can also occur. Some complications of the eye can be serious enough to damage the optic nerve and cause the dog to go blind.

Encephalomyelitis is a complication that can develop. It is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

How to spot the early signs of distemper?

First and foremost, understand that distemper can often be diagnosed very early if regular trips to the veterinarian are scheduled and kept. This cannot be stressed enough, especially for new puppies! Because afflictions like distemper most often strike very young pups when they have weaker immune systems, it’s crucial that owners visit the vet often in the first few weeks of life. Early diagnosis means a chance to survive distemper.

Owners who suspect distemper, but haven’t had the animal seen by a vet yet, can detect it by a couple of signs. First, yellowish-green or dark green discharge from the eyes and nose is a classic symptom. It’s often accompanied by sneezing and general lethargy. Unfortunately, many pet owners assume this is just a sign that their dog has contracted a cold or has allergies and they ignore it.

If you remember nothing else about what you read here, remember this: any greenish discharge from the eyes or nose means distemper is a real possibility.

While distemper can manifest differently from one dog to the next, another hallmark of it is constant shaking or twitching. This happens in the more advanced stages of the disease, when the infected dog’s neurological system has been compromised and muscles fire continuously. Unfortunately, by this stage it’s rarely treatable and the humane step is euthanasia. Having said that, always get your pet checked out thoroughly to rule out some other condition that may be causing the tremors. You never know. Dogs are like people, in that they are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses and diseases that can share very similar symptoms.

It isn’t easy for pet owners to prevent diseases as serious as distemper. It’s infamous for sneaking up on otherwise healthy puppies.

Prevention and Control

Excellent vaccines are now available to protect dogs from canine distemper virus. These newer vaccines are manufactured from living, weakened (attenuated) viruses that induce long-lasting immunity. These vaccines are produced in bird or dog cell cultures. Immunity lasts many years. Vaccinations must not be given too early to puppies. The shots must be given to puppies at a time when the level of circulating antibody that they received from their mothers is in decline or the vaccine’s effects are neutralized (6-10 weeks). Twenty percent of this maternal immunity crosses the walls of the womb into the puppy while eighty percent is absorbed from colostrum milk across the intestine. A method around this problem utilizes a vaccine against human measles , a similar virus, to protect young puppies against canine distemper. Vaccines produced in canine tissue culture are the most effective but also the most likely to produce a small number of vaccine-induced distemper cases.

When to vaccinate?

Dogs that survive natural infection with canine distemper virus remain immune for life. In ideal situations, puppies should receive a combination measles virus/canine distemper virus when they are six to eight weeks old. They should never receive a live virus distemper vaccine if they are under four weeks of age as these have proven fatal. Then, every three to four weeks they should receive a modified live virus distemper shot for an additional two vaccinations. Then, booster vaccinations every three to four years are sufficient in dogs with a normal immune system. The precise interval can be calculated based on a neutralizing antibody test run on the dogs serum.

Sources: Old and Sold, Dog Chat Forum

It was said that an Old Cordoba would even try to pick a fight with the female it was trying to mate with. Next, several other breeds were added to the mix. These included Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Boxers, English Pointers, Bull Terriers, Old English Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Dogue De Bordeaux, Harlequin Great Danes, Pyrenean Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds. This created the animal that Martinez was looking for. The Dogo had the tenacity, endurance, confidence, trainability, guarding instinct, speed and awesome scenting ability that they had searched for. The first standard for this breed was recorded in 1928. The breed is still used today as a fighting and hunting dog in Argentina, and is popular in Europe, especially Germany. Here it gained recognition with the FCI in 1960. In America, there are clubs for this breed, although not widely known. Today they are used for narcotics and drug detection, police dogs, and even guides for the blind. Dogo Argentinos are one of very few breeds to come from Argentina.

Temperament and Appearance

A large dog measuring up to, but not more than 27 inches at the withers. Appropriate weight should be approximately 100 to 115 pounds. It is heavy-boned and incredibly muscular, with a large head, strong neck and deep, broad chest giving the appearance of incredible strength. The Dogo’s coat is short, thick and white in color, giving a striking appearance and allowing for the dog to function well in hot and cold climates. Maturity is slow reaching full size between 2 and 3 years of age. It’s gait is agile and firm, responding with quick reflexes. At full gait, the dogo displays all of it’s powerful energy.

The Dogo Argentino is not hyperactive, but young pups are inquisitive and keep themselves busy by investigating everything. They are excellent for game hunting, friendly towards people, especially children. Very good guardians, faithful and docile, they make excellent guide dogs for the blind. They are reliable, protective, and friendly to friends and family. They are affectionate and love to be the center of attention. Dogos greatly enjoy human companionship, longing to be with their owners every step of the way. They are intelligent, curious, trainable and trustworthy. They are powerful, loyal and courageous. They are wary of strangers, and prospective owners should be aware that they were originally bred to be able to attack unwelcome guests, although they have been bred down to be pack hunters and non-aggressive. Some strains in Argentina are still bred for aggressiveness, so they can be used in dog fights. These lines are unsuitable for hunting or for families. These specific lines are smaller in size, ranging from 75 – 90 lbs. Regular Dogo Argentinos are protective of their space, and loyal to their owners. Dogos are an endless playmate, with stamina and long life. Dogos require a dominant owner to lead them.

With Children: Dogo Argentinos love children with a passion; they are generally very good with them. They should be socialized early on.

With Pets: The Dogo Argentino should be socialized and trained with other animals and dogs at an early age to eliminate aggression towards them.

Recommended Maintenance

While the short coat is quite easy to maintain, please note that the skin of this breed is quite sensitive to the sun. Be sure to provide shade for the dog if it will be outside for a long time. It is said that this dog does not have a “doggy odor.” To keep the coat in top condition, weekly grooming is suggested. Be sure to use shampoos specially made for sensitive skin or white coats when bathing. The nails of this breed tend to grow quickly, so be sure to trim on a regular basis. The Argentine Dogo is considered to be an average shedder. This breed is also known to drool. While this breed will do fine in an apartment dwelling if plenty of exercise is provided, a large yard with room to run and plenty of shade is highly recommended. It is important to keep the dog inside when the temperature outside is below freezing. This breed also loves to spend time indoors with its family. It will enjoy a long daily walk as part of its exercise regimen.

Care:

The dogo invented grooming with a brush. A rubber brush rubbed over the dogo’s body will keep the coat in good condition and serve to remove any loose hairs. It may well induce purring. Brush the teeth, trim the toenails and clean the ears. Add the occasional bath, and you have a happy dog. A white-coated dog is more susceptible to sunburn, and you may carefully apply sunscreen to the areas around the nose. It is important that any dog have access to plenty of fresh water at all times, especially during hot weather, and your dogo must never be left outside or exposed to extremes in temperature. Regular exercise will keep your dogo in good condition, and will preserve the beautiful muscle tone that is predominant in this breed.

Howling Acres will always be available to any owner for consultation and will be pleased to answer any questions the owners may have concerning their charge.

Health Problems

The Argentine Dogo is sometimes prone to these problems:

• hip dysplasia
• deafness
• allergies and skin irritations
• heart and thyroid problems

Sources: Puppy Dog Web, Topix

Actually, clinical cases of Kennel Cough are usually caused by several infectious agents working together to damage and irritate the lining of the dog’s trachea and upper bronchii. The damage to the tracheal lining is fairly superficial, but exposes nerve endings that become irritated simply by the passage of air over the damaged tracheal lining. Once the organisms are eliminated the tracheal lining will heal rapidly. The most common organisms associated with Canine Cough are the bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica and two viruses called Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus and even an organism called Mycoplasma.

How is it transmitted?

The causative organisms can be present in the expired air of an infected dog, much the same way that human “colds” are transmitted. The airborne organisms will be carried in the air in microscopically tiny water vapor or dust particles. The airborne organisms, if inhaled by a susceptible dog, can attach to the lining of the trachea and upper airway passages, find a warm, moist surface on which to reside and replicate, and eventually damage the cells they infect.

The reason this disease seems so common, and is even named “Kennel” cough, is that wherever there are numbers of dogs confined together in an enclosed environment such as a kennel, animal shelter, or indoor dog show, the disease is much more likely to be spread. The same is true with the “colds” spread from human to human… they are much more likely to occur in a populated, enclosed environment such as an airplane, elevator, or office. All it takes for contagion to occur is a single source (infected dog), an enclosed environment, and susceptible individuals in close proximity to the source of the infection. Infected dogs can spread the organisms for days to weeks even after seeming to have fully recovered!

Treatment

There are two treatment options depending on the severity of the disease. In the most common mild (uncomplicated) form of the disease, antibiotics are usually not used. If the dog has a good appetite and is alert but suffers only from a recurrent cough, we will often let the disease run its course just as we would with a cold in humans. Treating the mild case does not shorten the length in which the animal will be a potential spreader of the disease. Many times, prednisone is given to help reduce the severity and frequency of the cough and to make the dog more comfortable. In addition, Bronchodilators like aminophylline or cough suppressants may also be used.

In more severe (complicated) cases where the animal is not eating, running a fever, or showing signs of pneumonia, antibiotics are often used. The most common ones are tetracycline or trimethoprim-sulfa. However, many other choices are also available. Steroids or cough suppressants are not usually recommended because of the risk of immunosuppressive with steroids and the need to continue to clear extra fluid or mucous in pneumonia patients. Bronchodilators and even aerosol therapy can be used. In moderate or severe cases, veterinary care should be instituted, as the resultant pneumonia could become life threatening if not treated properly and promptly.

Vaccination and prevention

The best prevention is to not expose your dog to other dogs, especially young puppies. If this cannot be avoided, then proper vaccination is the next best option. Chances are that if your dog is regularly vaccinated with a standard 5-way or 7-way vaccine, he is already being protected against several of the agents causing tracheobronchitis, mainly parainfluenza and adenovirus. However, these vaccines alone rarely provide protection against contracting the disease, although they will help reduce the severity of the disease if the animal becomes infected.

More commonly, for best protection, an intranasal vaccine containing both parainfluenza and Bordetella is used. Intranasal vaccines create localized immunity that greatly reduces the incidence of clinical signs and illness. There are several precautions and warnings that need to be observed pertaining to this vaccine. Some dogs will develop mild signs similar to tracheobronchitis when given this vaccine. Very often, the symptoms will last for several days and the dog will recover without treatment. Dogs that are vaccinated can also shed the virus and cause other dogs to become mildly infected and show mild signs. This shedding usually lasts less than 72 hours. In addition, it takes up to 4 days after vaccination for dogs to develop protection. When you combine these facts, you will see why I strongly recommend that a dog not be given intranasal vaccine within 72 hours of coming into contact with other susceptible dogs. Do not give the vaccine the day before a dog show, boarding, etc. Try to give at least four days before contact with other dogs, and preferably 7 days. This way you will protect your dog from becoming infected by other dogs, and protect those dogs from becoming infected by yours.

This vaccine is not without its problems. It is a very effective vaccine, but it must be used carefully and is generally only recommended for dogs that are at high risk. If your dog is not shown, boarded, or comes into contact with stray dogs, your dog is considered low risk.

In kennels where tracheobronchitis is a problem, strict hygiene with thorough cleaning and disinfection of cages and food and water containers is essential. In addition, kennels that are indoors should have good ventilation with an air turnover rate of at least 12 times an hour. Agents causing tracheobronchitis can be transmitted on hands and clothing as well as through the air, so infected animals must be isolated and handlers should wear gloves and use proper handwashing to help prevent spread. Vaccination of all animals, especially puppies is indicated in problem kennels. After initial vaccination as puppies, a yearly booster is recommended. However, some dogs that are at very high risk are vaccinated every six months.

Sources: Pet Ville, Emergency Animal

With a set guideline or checklist ahead of time, you will ensure that you are making the correct choice and there will be no anxiety once your pet comes home to meet his new family. Nothing can be more gratifying than having a family pet grow and thrive with you and your family over the years.

Points to know before buying a pet

Size of Dog

If you are purchasing a dog for children or an elderly person, a smaller dog that only requires moderate exercise maybe a better choice than a big dog that is harder to control on walks.

Coat Type – Short or Long Haired Dogs

Long Haired Dogs require extra grooming. If your pet dog is living inside, you will need to get used to cleaning up dog hair especially when they are shedding.

Space Required for Small or Large Dog

Larger dogs require a lot more walking as well as requiring a bigger backyard. If you only have a small backyard, a small dog may be a better choice.

Puppy or Adult Dog?

Puppies are very cute and lovable. If purchasing a puppy, you will know its background and be able to train it yourself. However, puppies are very demanding and you need time and patience to train them. If they will be living inside, puppy house training is essential. Teaching your dog not to bite and not to jump up is never easy but it is easier with a puppy. With breeds such as Labradors, you will need to handle years of puppy behaviour. I know my Labrador stayed a puppy for over three years.

Family Consideration

There are some breeds of dogs that are gentler and more suitable for a family with small children. You need a breed of dog that is tolerant and a good playmate. Young children easily forget that playful puppies can get hurt and occasionally snap. Puppies must be protected from young children’s antics as the mistreatment can harm your puppy physically and emotionally. Teach your children how to support the puppy with both hands when they hold him so that his hindquarters are not dangling. Parents worldwide are promised by children that they will “take care of the puppy and walk and feed him”. For a short time these promises are met but long term, they are hardly ever fulfilled.

One or Two Dogs?

If you will be at work all day and the dog will be alone, sometimes it is better to purchase two dogs so they keep each other company. However, it is more expensive and more time consuming to look after two dogs – more food, exercise and veterinary fees.

Male or Female Dog?

There is very little difference between the male and female of any breed as pets or as working dogs. Generally, the female is less inclined to wander away from home than the male. With a female dog, you have the twice-yearly problem of her “season” requiring her to be confined unless you want a litter of puppies. Some female dogs are easier to train and house puppy train than males. With the larger, more powerful breeds, females are usually a bit smaller in size and structure than the males and can be easier to handle on a lead.

Finances

Dogs can be very expensive to keep. Larger dogs will cost more to feed, their vet expenses will be higher and you may also pay more for groomers and boarding kennels, dog toys, dog collars, leads and accessories.

Traveling

Do you travel a lot? Are you able to travel with your pet or would you have to find alternative arrangements for your pet while you are gone.

Veterinarians

Do you have a vet close by that you can consult in times of need? If you do not have a licensed animal care provider it may discourage you from choosing an animal that needs regular care.

Activities

What type of activities do you enjoy doing as a family? Are these activities the type that you will be taking your pet with you? A pet is a member of your family and should not be left at home if you are enjoying time outside where they could be as well.

Allergies

Do you know anyone with pet allergies? This can have a direct result on the type of pet you decide on if you get one at all. Some may find that it is not feasible since their mother visits each year for 2 weeks in the summer and is highly allergic to animals.

Sources: Think Big Pets