Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category
Labrador Breeding And You
by Brooke Sunderland Every day there are people looking online and in the newspaper trying to find the next big thing. It seems that everyone is out to try and make a quick buck and too many times, the wrong people fall into Labrador breeding and end up making a mess, hurting animals and failing at their quest for finding money. Some people believe that this is a quick and easy way to make some big cash but there is a lot that they are not considering. If proper Labrador care is given, then the breeding process is not going to be cheap at all. Also, the worst thing a person can do is set up a puppy mill as their lack of concern of love for animals will show through. Not only will you miss out...
Canine Parvovirus – 13 Must-Read Facts
by Rae & Mark 1. 80% of dogs that are infected by Parvo virus that are untreated die in four or five days – with the older 2a and 2b strains of the virus. 2. With the current 2c strain, even fully-vaccinated adult dogs, as well as puppies, are being infected by and dying from the Parvo virus. 3. Some breeds, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Black & Tan Coonhounds and Doberman Pinschers are more prone to the Parvo virus for reasons nobody yet understands. 4. Although the Parvo virus is particularly prevalent in the southern states, with California, Texas, Arizona and Florida being the four worst hit, every state in the US, including Hawaii and...
Are You Aware Of These German Shepherd Dog Health Concerns?
by Lee Dobbins A favorite breed of dog is the German Shepherd. Unfortunately, German Shepherds tend to suffer from certain health problems the way other purebred dogs do. In the following article, we’ll cover some common German Shepherd dog health problems. Developmental bone and joint disease is a problem that affects predominantly young, large-breed dogs like German Shepherds. There may be muscle wasting in the hind legs with hip dysplasia. Dogs may show lameness, pain, and be reluctant to exercise or may even not show any pain at all. Another problem that may affect German Shepherds is Hemangiosarcoma. It is basically a cancer of the cells lining the inside of blood vessels. Weakness,...
Pug Dog Health Basics
by Lee Dobbins The Pug dog breed is one of today’s most popular breeds and anyone who is thinking about adding one to their family should become familiar with the specifics of pug dog health care. The Pug as a breed has been known for over 3000 years. They were accepted as a member of the AKC Toy Group in 1885 and are known for their flat, pushed in face which is wrinkly as well as their curly tail and short fur. Pugs have a hefty short body, usually weighing between 13 to 20 lbs and standing about 10 to 14 inches high. Ironically, it is these very unique features that actually attribute to the unique health concerns of the breed. However, this should not deter you from adopting one as...
8 Fun Poodle Facts
by Lee Dobbins Poodles make ideal pets. Their variety of sizes will allow you to choose one that’s perfect for your lifestyle and they have a fascinating history. Read the Poodle facts below to see if this lively, highly intelligent breed is right for you! The 3 sizes of poodles identified by the American Kennel Club are – the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle. The biggest among the breed is the Standard Poodle that stands over 15 inches at the top of theshoulders. Miniature Poodle is the middle size and stands 10 inches at the top of the shoulders. Toy Poodles are the smallest and stands under 10 inches and usually weighs around 6 to 8 pounds. But there are...
Rottweiler Breeder Versus A Pet Store
by Sharon Davies There is a whole host of reasons why a pet store is a bad place to get a pet and it is an especially bad place to get a Rottweiler. You should always get your Rottweiler from a reputable Rottweiler breeder and someone that not only takes the time to breed and care for your dog before you get it but also teaches your dog the basics of surviving in a home environment before you even take it to your home. There are a lot of really good reasons to avoid pet stores and the list gets longer every day. A pet store is great for buying all of the supplies you will need for your pet but they should not be allowed to sell living animals at all. The travesty is that a pet store selling...
Feline Leukemia Virus: Symptoms of FeLV
by Kurt Schmitt The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a highly dangerous and usually deadly virus that affects the immune system of your cat. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment that is consistently effective against this disease. This disease comes with a diverse symptom list. FeLV is a retrovirus, which means that it is able to insert copies of its own genetic material into the cells it has infected. This illness shares many symptoms in common with other diseases and conditions. Healthy cats, like healthy people, are attacked by organisms all the time. Most of the time, both felines and humans can fight them off. When your cat’s immune system is compromised, however, opportunistic...
Getting Your Pets Into The Halloween Spirit
by Phil Sikes People dress up like animals all the time for Halloween – why not go the opposite way and dress your pets up like people? After all, pets are part of the family for a lot of people. They take them everywhere, buy them gifts, get spa treatments for them – why not a Halloween costume too? Of course, the pet’s owner is going to have more fun dressing up their pet than the animal itself will have. Remember, though, that you know your pet best. If your pet gets stressed out easily or doesn’t like wearing a costume, don’t force the issue. Pets will do best with unrestrictive, flexible costumes. Hats, crowns, and other headgear are usually alright in addition...
Why A Rottweiler Breeder Is Better To Buy From Than A Pet Store
by Sharon Davies A Rottweiler is an investment like any other pet and when you have made the decision that it is time to get a Rottweiler puppy you may want to talk to a reputable Rottweiler breeder and avoid a pet store. A pet store is great for getting all kinds of supplies you may need for your pet but they should never sell living animals at a pet store and there are a lot of reasons why. Then the puppies are pulled out of a cage and sent to a pet store and sold to you. This is just the beginning of the pet store horror story. When you get your Rottweiler puppy from a Rottweiler breeder your breeder will start you off with detailed care and feeding instructions that you can use to make sure...
Cat Ringworm — Symptoms and Signs
by Kurt Schmitt The most common infectious skin disease in cats, cat ringworm is not a worm, but a fungal infection. It is highly contagious and can be spread to all the animals and people in the house. It’s a self-limiting disease, meaning that it will clear up on its own. In many cases the disease resolves within 6 to 8 weeks. Stubborn cases, however, may persist for weeks or months even with treatment. Cats with compromised immune systems may take longer. In any case, your veterinarian may prescribe treatment no matter what, since it is very common for animals to pass this disease to humans and other animals. Ringworm is also referred to as dermatophytosis. It’s a fungus which...
