Archive for July, 2008
Jul
31
Posted under
Uncategorized All About Breeding Labradors
By: Denise Duncan
There are many things you should know if you are considering breeding Labradors, especially for a dog show. The goal of breeding Labradors, or any dog, is for the resulting Labrador to posses the ideal characteristics of the Labrador breed. You won?t know which dogs to breed if you do not know which characteristics are most favorable in Labradors. Learning these traits will help you to successfully breed your Labradors. It could make the difference in winning that first place ribbon at the dog show.
General Characteristics And Appearance
There are several variations of the Labrador breed that would be penalized in a dog show. The Labrador retriever could be one because it is a medium-sized dog with a short coat, small ears, and a short thick tail. Weedy, light dogs; leggy, tall dogs; low-stationed, long dogs; and lumbering, cloddy dogs are all given penalties at dog shows because they contradict the sturdy, proportionate build of the Labrador.
When breeding Labradors, the key is to look for a favorable temperament. This will impress the judges of any dog show. Labrador retrievers are eager to please and they are very outgoing and friendly. Additionally, they are intelligent. Judges look for these characteristics when evaluating Labradors in a dog show.
Certain anatomical characteristics are important when breeding Labradors. The Labrador?s head should ideally include a broad snout, clean cheeks, powerful muzzle, and, white teeth. The nose color can vary depending on the color of the dog, and the nostrils should be wide and open. The eyes should be a slightly triangular-shape and have a kind expression. Finally, the ears should be short, drop, and be triangular in shape.
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Yellow dogs may vary in shade, and some labs may have a white spot on the chest, though this is not preferred. The Judges do not give any penalties if a Labrador has white hairs due to aging and scarring
Judges look for Labradors who are bred to be a specific height and weight, which is the height and weight that is typical of Labradors. For male Labradors, the typical height is twenty-two and one-half inches to twenty-four and one-half inches. Male dogs should weigh between sixty-five and eighty pounds. For female Labradors, the typical height is between twenty-one and one-half and twenty-three and one-half inches. The ideal weight for female dogs is fifty-five to seventy pounds.
It is important to be aware of dog show criteria when you are breeding Labradors so you can aspire for certain characteristics and traits. Breeding Labradors can be challenging, but if you are successful it can be very rewarding.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1427.shtml
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Jul
30
Posted under
Uncategorized 18 Things To Consider Before Selecting Your New Dog
By: Lamar Deane
Before purchasing a dog for a pet you must make a sincere, thoughtful commitment. Try to match your desires to the needs of the dog.
Before you start your search for a new dog there are the following 18 things to consider.
1. Obligation and Dedication:
Owning a dog requires a long-term commitment. Adopting a dog on impulse often ends in disaster. Dogs don’t make very good birthday or Christmas presents. The decision to acquire a dog should be discussed with all family members.
2. Time:
Do you have the time to spend with a pet? Unfortunately, this is not thought out and frequently overlooked, especially when there are young children in the family. Puppies and dogs need adult supervision and a five or six year old child is too young to responsibly care for them. Do you have time to train a dog? Taking time to train your dog is an obligation that must fit into your daily schedule. If you can’t spare the time in training, playing, and exercising a dog maybe, you should re-consider acquiring a dog.
3. Facilities:
Do you have a large enough space for a dog? An outdoor dog needs at least a fenced in yard and a warm, dry doghouse. Do you have the space needed for keeping a dog inside?
4. Cost:
Can you financially bear the cost of a dog? Not only the cost of purchasing a dog should be considered but the cost of routine health care, veterinary fees for annual vaccinations, food, dishes, leashes, collars, beds, toys, etc.
5. Patience:
Owning a dog is a labor of love, but it takes ample patience and persistence in raising one. Having a hot, quick temper that flares up repeatedly isn’t compatible with owning a dog.
6. Training:
You must give your dog at least some basic training (either by you or a professional trainer) on behavior and manner or he will be a liability rather than an asset. House-breaking, collar and leash control, obedience is necessary training. Without proper training your dog will be a nuisance and an embarrassment to you.
7. Puppy or Adult Dog?
Depending on your financial situation, the age of children in the home, and the amount of time you can dedicate to training a dog.
Adult: Adult dogs have reached their full size, coloration, and coat so usually what you see is what you get. Their personalities are already established, however many of their learned behavioral manners can be changed. Adjusting to a new family and environment can be traumatic to older dogs.
6 things to consider when acquiring and adult dog.
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II: Spaying or neutering probably has been done, which will cut down on your expenses.
III: With an outdoor dog thats fully grown, you have a good idea what type of fencing and the size of the doghouse you will need.
IV: Inside adult dogs are likely to be housebroken with adequate manners.
V: Eating habits are usually already established in adult dogs, but you may have to change them to suit your lifestyle.
VI: Usually adult dogs are accustomed to collars and leashes, and may have had some obedience training. A grown dog with bad habits will take patience and a great deal of time and effort changing their conduct.
4 things to consider when acquiring a puppy.
I: A puppy in a household with children should be carefully monitored when together. Petting and wrestling with a puppy is great fun for children but puppies are fragile and their bones break easily so make sure children understand this when playing with them.
II: Housebreaking a puppy takes time and is particularly tedious and aggravating for the uninitiated. Days or sometimes weeks will be spent on cleaning up after a puppy before it is housebroken.
III: Puppies are vulnerable to diseases not usually associated with adult dogs. They must be checked regularly and will need vaccinations and booster shots.
IV: Spaying or neutering represent additional expenses of puppy ownership.
8. Male or Female?
The cost of raising a male or a female dog adds up to about the same, although spaying a female might be somewhat higher than the cost of neutering a male. One person may favor the temperament of females, while another person prefers masculine characteristics. Bringing a new male dog into a household that already has a male dog may present an aggression problem, unless they are raised together from puppy hood or are neutered; however, neutering won’t necessarily stop male aggression. Females tend to be more gentle than males.
There are various reasons for wanting to share your life with a dog; yet, wanting a dog to love is a small part of owning a dog. You will want your dog to be happy in your home.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1548.shtml
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Jul
29
Posted under
Uncategorized New Dog Strollers at Pet Stroller Mart
By: Daniel Dan
PetStrollerMart.com continues to provide pet lovers with the biggest variety of dog strollers and pet strollers on the market today. We have an amazing collection of new dog strollers that you’re going to enjoy. Our new stroller selection continues to be appealing to consumers’ demands of easy travel storage, reliability, and pet safety and comfort. A number of our customers will also use these strollers for puppies, ducks and even guinea pigs. Consumers that have disabled or weak animals find that products from Pet Stroller Mart are a fantastic way to bring their pets along with them no matter where they go.
Our new Jogger Pet Stroller is a good way for pet owners who are active to take their pets with them when they go jogging. This stroller is reliable for all types of running and jogging situations and made for tougher terrains. Active pet owners can now run and spend good, quality time with their puppy, cat, or other loving pet as they stay healthy and in shape. The pet stroller is equipped with big wheels for high speeds, and was built to match the most advanced running abilities. Keep in mind that joggers should wear a good pair of running shoes because old or worn shoes may cause leg or back damage.
Portable pet houses are the newest in travel accessories for pets, and are part of the ever expanding product line at Pet Stroller Mart. The pet house is designed to easily fold and put away in the car or in the home. Its well-made design is built for use in yards, parks, and any other situation that may be involved in your travels. It is easily washed, and is made using fabrics that are easily taken care of. Its solid design is built to last. The portable pet house can be found in a variety of colors, and best of all when you buy it you’ll get free shipping within the lower 48 United States.
The Central Park Pet Stroller is an excellent dog stroller that is quite a bit bigger than our 4-Wheel Pink Pet Stroller.
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This dog stroller or cat stroller also comes with storage areas for pet snacks and water. This is the perfect pet stroller for a relaxing walk in the park, or to go shopping with your pet. The wheels on this pet stroller are built to last, durable, and are designed for bumpy roads as well as smooth walkways. Our pet strollers will make perfect Christmas or birthday presets.
Pet Stroller Mart’s future plans are to enhance its line of products past pet strollers. We are planning to offer products specific for dogs, cats, and small creatures or small pets. PetStrollerMart is committed to providing customers innovative and new merchandise that large retailers and pet stores may not carry. Watch for pet beds, and even complete bedroom sets, complete with clothes hangers so that you can hang up pet outfits. At PetStrollerMart, we plan to continue with our expansion, and really hope that our customers will be happy with our products and their purchases.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1554.shtml
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Jul
28
Posted under
Uncategorized What The Shih Tzu Owner Should Know About Grooming Part I
By: Connie Limon
The show dog Shih Tzu owner who does not want to groom his Shih Tzu himself should know what must be done and when. This knowledge is necessary so he/she can take the Shih Tzu to a professional groomer or handler for show grooming at the right time.
All Shih Tzu owners should know several basic grooming techniques. It is very important to use the right equipment. There are many different types of brushes, combs, clipper blades and other tools. If you use the wrong brush, brushing technique, comb or clipper blade you can easily break Shih Tzu?s hair or give the Shih Tzu brush burn.
Some knowledge of anatomy is useful. You will need to maintain proper control of the Shih Tzu while grooming. Control points are used to alert the Shih Tzu to what the groomer wants him to do. Shih Tzu puppies are especially important for the groomer to control properly while grooming. Take care not to frighten the Shih Tzu during early grooming sessions. The grooming sessions should be fun for both the Shih Tzu puppy and the owner.
Introduce your new Shih Tzu puppy to grooming as soon as you bring him home. At the young age of 8 weeks Shih Tzu puppies usually learn proper grooming manners quickly if they are handled properly.
Aspects of grooming that contribute to a Shih Tzu?s good health:
1. To prevent ear infection keep the Shih Tzu?s ears clean of hair.
2. Remove excess wax promptly. This can be done with a piece of cotton that has been dipped in alcohol.
3.
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If there is reason to do so, the Shih Tzu should be taken to a veterinarian.
4. Keep toenails trimmed and filed. This helps the Shih Tzu to walk easier and more comfortable as well as keeps him from snagging furniture or scratching owner?s legs and arms.
5. Anal glands should be expressed to avoid discomfort to the dog by your veterinarian if you groom your Shih Tzu at home. The professional groomer can do this if you have your Shih Tzu professionally groomed.
6. All Shih Tzu owners should have some knowledge of ticks, fleas, and lice and know what to do if the Shih Tzu becomes infested with any of these parasites.
Shih Tzu can very easily be groomed completely at home if you learn some basic grooming techniques, use the right equipment and have some knowledge of anatomy of your Shih Tzu.
This article is FREE to publish with resource box.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1418.shtml
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Jul
27
Posted under
Uncategorized Cats Dogs And Human Food - How Can Our Food Harm Our Pets?
By: Paul Counts
We?re all guilty of it ? giving in to those big begging eyes pleading at us for a scrap from the table during dinner. Fido knows just how to get you to concede, and most of us justify that a little won?t hurt, or we don?t even think of the potential danger at all. But the truth is that human food can be harmful to your pet, and in some cases, can be fatal. It?s important to know how certain foods can be unsafe so that you can avoid them for the sake of your animal.
Here is how a few of some of the most common ?human foods? become harmful for pets:
Chocolate and other foods containing caffeine
Caffeine is one of the greatest culprits because it contains an alkaloid called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which in turn can cause a heart attack or other heart and nervous system problems in animals.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are potentially harmful due to the fact that both contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in cats and dogs. Of the two, onions are the most toxic, as consumption of simply one serving by your pet could result in anemia.
Milk
Milk can harm your pet due to the fact that many dogs and cats tend to be lactose intolerant. The consumption of milk and milk products by a lactose intolerant pet creates a breeding ground for bacteria, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Bones
Bones, although commonly known as a great treat for your dog, are potentially very dangerous for pets. Once eaten, bones can splinter and get stuck in the intestines, causing damage or fatality. In most splinter cases, the bones must be removed surgically.
Other Foods
Other human foods to avoid when feeding your pet are: macadamia nuts, potato peelings and green-looking potatoes, rhubarb leaves, moldy/spoiled foods, alcohol, yeast dough, tomato leaves and stems, broccoli, and raisins or grapes.
Some human foods potentially cause only mild digestive upsets, while others can be fatal.
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During the holiday season, veterinary clinics have noticed a rising in the number of pets that they treat for food-related illnesses. The increase in pet illness is due to the fact that animals are partaking in human foods during mealtime. Although not well known by the public, the consumption of human food to pets is potentially harmful to animals, and in some instances, can be fatal.
The rise in food-related illnesses by pets is a clear indication that the dangers of human food consumption by animals are not understood by the masses.
So, the next time your pet looks up at you with those pleading eyes, show him you care by doing what is truly best for him and feeding him only products meant for pet consumption. In the end, both you and your pet will be glad that you did.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1462.shtml
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Jul
26
Posted under
Uncategorized Pet Checklist - 12 Points To Consider When Buying A Pet
By: Derek Rogers
When you and your family are making the decision to purchase a pet, you will want to go through a checklist in order to make sure that it is the right decision for everyone involved. It is a major life event when bringing a pet into the home and the decision should not be taken lightly.
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.
1- Room: Is there space for a pet in your home? Larger animals need space for exercise each day while smaller caged animals need just a small desk or counter-top. Depending on the type of ample space you have will portray what type of pet you will be able to house.
2 ? Lifestyle: Does a pet fit your lifestyle? For many busy families a pet will not fit into their schedule. You will need to be sure that there is time for a new companion in your home that may need walking each day, or just a few minutes of simple contact in order to thrive in your home.
3 ? Cost: How much are you willing to spend on a pet? Are you financially able to maintain that pet if such things as vet bills become high? Determining your budget will show if you can really afford the maintenance such as yearly exams, periodic vet bills in the event of illness, etc.
4 ? Regulations: Are you able to legally own a pet? Some families who rent are not able to have animals in various apartment buildings or condominiums, while some town homes and condominium associations have stipulations on what size of animal is allowed on the premises. Checking out all the necessary rules before purchasing your new family member.
5 ? Pet Supplier: Will you be choosing a pet shop or local breeder for your pet? Some people decide on animals that are at local animal shelters. Be sure to do extensive checks on where your pet comes from, especially if they claim to be purebred.
6 ? 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.
7 ? 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.
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9 ? 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.
10 ? Other pets: Do you have other pets that need to adapt to a new member? If so, this can be a very touchy situation when bringing in other animals into a ?1 pet home?.
11 ? Previous Pet Experience: Do you have any experience with owning a pet? If not, are you willing to do the necessary research in order to know how to take care of your pet properly?
12 ? Responsibility: Is the responsibility of this new pet yours alone or will it be a shared family task? Be sure to set ground rules with everyone in the family so that it is a decision everyone is happy with.
If you are still considering a family pet even after going through this simple checklist and finding out that what you are looking for is a companion and a friend then you are ready to go out and purchase your new pet. After going through this list you will be well equipped with some basic knowledge about what you need to know when purchasing a new animal for your home.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1567.shtml
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Jul
25
Posted under
Uncategorized Respiratory Problems In Labrador Retrievers
By: Richard Cussons
Problems associated to respiratory or breathing may occur in Labrador Retrievers. Whether it may be just a simple sneezing problem or a cough caused by heart problem, these health issues should be addressed immediately to prevent it from progressing into a more serious disease that could threaten the life of your ever loyal friend.
Sneezing/nasal discharge
Sneezing and nasal discharge is common in Labrador Retrievers as well as other breeds. It may be caused by minor conditions like hay fever, a foreign object lodged in the nose or by major problems like canine nasal tumors. Dogs also sneeze when they wake up or if they are just laying on their backs. Sneezing itself is not an illness but could be a sign of an illness. A blood coming out of your dog’s nose may be a sign of canine nasal tumor or may be just a foreign object lodged in his nasal cavity. Seek veterinary help immediately to diagnose the underlying cause.
Breathing problems
There are some circumstances wherein a dog may experience difficulty in breathing. There are various reasons for this predicament. Reasons for this breathing difficulties include physical obstructions preventing normal air intake, chest injury, pneumonia, tumors, heart failure, poisoning, an allergic reaction, pain, smoke inhalation, heatstroke and damaged lung or diaphragm. Rapid and shallow breathing may just be a response to conditions like shock whereas labored breathing may be a sign of heart failure or tumor. Noisy breathing may indicate that there may be an obstruction or foreign object present.
Coughing
Cough is not unusual to dogs. It could be caused by allergy, pollution, infection or foreign material in the air passages. Other causes include inhalation or ingestion of poisonous substances, fluid in the chest cavity, worms, heart conditions, chest diseases or injuries.
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Cough in dogs may be contagious if it is caused by the bacterium Bordatella bronchiseptica. This condition is referred to as canine cough or kennel cough. Canine cough is characterized by a harsh, dry cough that lasts for about five days after contact with a carrier of the disease. This cough causes loss of appetite, depression and nasal discharge as well. Vaccine against Bordatella should be administered to prevent your dog from acquiring this disease.
If you suspect that your dog is having problems related to breathing or respiratory, consult your vet immediately for diagnosis and proper treatment.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1505.shtml
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Jul
24
Posted under
Uncategorized The Health Benefits Of Owning A Pet
By: CS Swarens
Do you pick out a pet to fulfill a need or do you consider the added health benefits of owning a pet?
A great number of people want to have pets simply so that they can have something cute, cuddly or an animal that will always love them, never leave them and never complain. Some people have pets because they need assistance and the pets have been trained to offer them the assistance that they need just to get by.
Still others want to have more exotic pets … some for the purpose of bragging or showing off and others simply because they have a deep love for nature. Whatever your reason for owning a pet, would you believe that it actually increases your chances of being healthy, lowers your chances of serious disease and even increases your lifespan?
None other than the Center for Disease Control says so. The Center for Disease Control or CDC has conducted a great number of surveys, scientific experiments and other complicated studies in order to help the American public remain healthy. Their research has proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that pet ownership has many health benefits.
Now more than ever, depression is becoming more and more common among people. Treatments for depression often include costly drugs that sometimes have very unpleasant side effects. Sometimes, for some people, the side effects are actually worse than the depression that led them to resort to medication. Well, according to the CDC, pet ownership decreases the incidents and severity of depression.
Heart disease is also a major concern for many people. While the causes for heart attacks and other heart related issues are numerous, pet ownership decreases most of the causes of heart disease. Pet ownership also greatly decreases the likelihood of a heart attack or other fatal heart diseases. Something so simple as a cuddly kitten could very well save your life.
Further studies by the CDC show that pet ownership decreases the levels of LDL or low-density lipoprotein … also known as the bad cholesterol.
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Triglycerides can be less scientifically defined as the bad and unhealthy fats in food and in your body. A reduction in the levels of triglycerides results in a greatly reduced risk of many heart related issues. Pet ownership can be directly related to a reduction in many heart-related health issues but it still gets better.
Would you believe that pet ownership is proven by a federal government agency to improve your possibilities of having an active and rewarding social life? Yup! According to the CDC, pet ownership will actually increase your opportunities to get out and exercise and be a great conversation starter among members of the opposite sex.
Who knew it was so easy? Would you like a rewarding life replete with great exercise, health benefits and an equally rewarding social life? Believe it or not, according to the CDC, pet ownership not only makes it possible, but probable.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1536.shtml
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Jul
23
Posted under
Uncategorized Is It A Whale, A Shark Or A Dolphin?
By: Sylvie Leochko
A bit of imagination, music, movies, novels and live entertainment can all have the same topic: marine creatures. In fact, when you hear some relaxation music themed around whale songs, that you read a novel titled Moby Dick, which is a legendary white sperm whale or even some facts about the blue whale, being the largest mammal on Earth, it is easy to think of whales.
The confusion comes when the term whale is part of a sea creature?s name. You see, when people talk about sharks, their mind is subdued by both the theme song and the horrific scenes that are part of the movie Jaws. The last thing that you would think of when observing or even swimming along the side of a whale shark, that such a large and peaceful animal may belong to the same family tree as the great white shark instead of the blue whale.
Another confusing sea creature is the killer whale. After all, doesn?t its name imply that it a whale while in fact it belongs to the dolphins? family tree? Where is the resemblance with Flipper, the bottlenose dolphin? Isn?t it a marine mammal? Isn?t it big enough to be part of the whale family alongside the sperm whale?
Did you know that in fact, several sites, which are supposedly educational or well versed on these subjects, are still confused with the nature of each one of these sea creatures? Well, here are some facts that will help you differentiate each one of these animals.
First of all, while some people think that size matters and that in it would be good enough to categorize all these animals under the same family tree, the whales, there are some differences that should be noted. After all, not all trees or bushes have the same size. Not everything that looks like a carrot or a banana is the same type of food. A vegetable that could look like a carrot could in fact be a parsnip and something that looks like a banana could in reality be a plantain. Either way, they may have some similarities without being the same.
Besides the facts that the whale shark eats plankton and could easily compete in size with a few types of whales, the similarities stop there. Here are the facts about this animal that is in fact part of the family tree that covers about 350 types of sharks. You see, the first thing that you should know is that the whale shark is a fish. Unlike whales and dolphins, it is not a marine mammal so it does not need to go to the surface every 30 minutes to inhale some oxygen and release some carbon dioxide through its blowhole to survive. In fact, it doesn?t even have a blowhole. The oxygen intake is done through gills during the process of filtering the water.
Another fact is that it does not have a skeleton made of bones like whales and dolphins do, its own is cartilaginous.
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Starting at birth, like all types of sharks, the whale shark pups are on their own.
While some people think that killer whales should be in the same category as the sperm whale, which is part of the toothed whales called odontoceti, which they also belong to, there are some differences that apply in this case. You see, the killer whale is the single specie carrying the Orcinus gene.
Also, the physiology of this specie has its differences such as the shape of the dorsal fin. The killer whale as a large triangular dorsal fin, which is totally different is the sperm whale. You see, the dorsal fin of the sperm whale is located about two-thirds of the back, is short and certainly not as noticeable as the killer whale?s dorsal fin.
Another characteristic that differs in sperm whales and killer whales are their teeth. You see, both their teeth differ in size despite their similar hook shape but it doesn?t stop there. If you take a good look at pictures of their teeth on the Internet or in a book, you will notice that a sperm whale only has a row of teeth on its bottom jaw, while killer whale has a row of teeth on both upper and lower jaws.
As you can see, the whale shark, the blue whale, the sperm whale and killer whale?s only thing that make people believe they are all members of the whales? family is the term ?whale? being part of their name.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1302.shtml
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Jul
22
Posted under
Uncategorized Rescue Chihuahua: Is It For You?
By: Richard Cussons
When we say Chihuahua rescue, the first thing that comes into our minds is a pitiful dog abandoned because of sickness, behavior problem or old age. But that is not the truth. Dogs in a rescue are not necessarily problem dogs. Some of them were abandoned because of their owner’s incapability to provide proper care, either they can not afford to procure the dog’s needs or they find the breed unfit to their way of living.
Nevertheless, there are more reasons why a rescue Chihuahua can still be a good household pet. Most dogs in the rescue are older dogs and are already housebroken so you will never have to go through ardurous task of housebreaking. They will less likely commit accidents and the possibility of you cleaning their dirt and urine stain is minimal.
When they are turned over to the rescue, the rescue staff gathers as much information as possible from the previous owner. This information includes the temperament, whether its good with children or other dogs and animals, how much it barks and other important information. Most of them are already vaccinated so you will never have to worry about the vaccination procedure and the possible side effects of it to the dog.
Some people think that rescue dogs are turned over to ther rescue because they are sick or are already very old and dying. Another wrong connotation I must say! Why? Dogs in the rescue are older but not very old. They usually range from one to three years of age.
The rescue don’t just give out Chihuahuas just like giving out of freebies or food samples in the grocery stores. Before anyone can get a rescue, they make sure you can provide proper care for the Chihuahua. Dogs at a rescue may sometimes need medical services, so they will make sure that you are aware of that and you are willing to provide care the best way you can.
While it is true that the rescue shelter requires adoption fee, it is not true however that they are doing it for a profit.
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Whether it’s spent for the basic needs or the medical needs, the rescue shelter has the right to require adoption fee so that they can continue helping more abandoned dogs. They earn their money to take care of their animals through donations and adoption fees.
Getting a rescue dog will not only benefit you. Rescue shelters can accommodate limited number of dogs. By getting a dog from the rescue, you help the community by freeing one space for another dog that needs the care of the rescue shelter. Thus you help minimize the number of stray dogs in the community. You will also save the dog from possible death on the pound.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1464.shtml
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Jul
21
Posted under
Uncategorized Bladder Stones In Labrador Retrievers
By: Richard Cussons
Problems related to bladder are common in Labrador Retrievers as well as other breeds. Urinary tract stone disease happens when urinary stone, medically referred to as urolith, forms as microscopic crystals precipitate in the urinary system. This stone may vary in size and number as they form in your pet’s urinary bladder.
Urinary tract stone disease is known in other names such as urolithiasis, urinary stones, ureteral stones, urinary calculi and urinary calculus disease. This disease has two forms- cystic calculi and urethral calculi. Cystic calculi often occurs in female dogs wherein the urinary tract bacterial infection within a bladder causes a shift in the urine pH, causing stones to form. On the other hand, urethral calculi occurs in male dogs caused by infection in rare cases. There are several types of bladder stones and these stones vary depending on their chemical make-up. The two most common are struvite and calcium oxalate. Struvite stones are mainly composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate.
There are many reasons why dogs develop bladder stones. It could be your dog’s lifestyle or diet. Your dog’s diet should help to maintain a low pH since struvite stones are formed with a high pH. That is why it is important to include animal-based protein diets to help maintain low pH. Genes also play an important role in the development of urinary stones. A dog with stones within a tract should not be included in breeding to prevent the spread of the disease. Another cause of this disease is bacterial infection. Bacterial infection helps in producing magnesium phosphate that eventually becomes stones.
Some dogs with bladder stones may not show any sign of the disease.
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Frequent urination as well as painful urination is also common.
Stones in the bladder may not threaten your dog’s health but may lead to renal failure and pyelonephritis if not treated immediately. X-rays and ultrasound is important to determine the disease and the proper treatment. Some bladder stones can be treated through oral medication. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove the stones within the bladder. This process is referred to as cystotomy. Medical therapy may be needed in conjunction with the surgery. It can also be used by itself alone. Urinary tract stone disease could be treated easily if it is caused by diet problems. But could be hard to treat if caused by genes.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1503.shtml
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Jul
20
Posted under
Uncategorized How To Have A Happy Worm-Free Cat or Kitten
By: Ariel Keis
There are many health related issues to consider regarding the happiness of your cat and the deworming process should be a top priority. In order to effectively deworm your cat you should understand, how often the procedure should be done, the kind of worms that typically infect cats and the ways in which various types of worms can affect you cat’s health. Before exploring theses issues further, here is some background information for you to consider.
Just about all kittens are infected with some kind of parasitic worm at the time of birth, which were transmitted while the kitten was developing inside the mother’s womb. Alternatively worm eggs can be transmitted via the mother’s milk during the nursing stage. Unless the mother is medically confirmed to be worm-free and lives in an immaculate indoor environment, there is a high probability the her kittens will have worms. With that being said, it is important to understand the following conditions as well as the deworming process involved.
All stray kittens will have worms. Don’t assume otherwise. Any stray kitten recovered must be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible for deworming and other treatments. If your cat is a hunter and catches and consumes small animals such as birds or mice, it is highly likely that your cat will have worms from ingesting worm larvae that commonly exist in these animals.
Indoor cats can also be infected with worms. Chronic heaving and retching behavior is suggestive of a possible worm infestation in your cat. If a cat vomits and the worms are visible, this of course is a clear proof that the cat needs to be dewormed immediately. The most common type or worm to infect cats are Roundworms that look like spaghetti and Tapeworms that are flat and with box shaped sections.
Veterinarian worm testing may not always show a positive result for worms even if they exist. The common fecal test will only show a positive indication of worms if they are active and migrating within the cat. Quite often, worms can exist dormant within the cat’s body for a long time and only manifest themselves in a fecal exam after some sort of stress event like pregnancy or surgery.
Sudden changes in appetite or diarrhea are possible signs of worm infection.
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Cats that are observed eating feces must definitely be put through a deworming process.
Determining the exact type of worm infecting a cat will be critical to successful treatment because medication is specific to the type of worm. For example medication to rid a cat of round worms will not work for tape worms or other types of worms. Generally fecal testing is the best method for determining the type of worm infecting cat.
Worm medications can be in the form of a liquid or a pill and when administering medication to a cat it is vitally important to confirm that the cat actually ingests it. Concealing the medication in cat food or a treat is a simple way to accomplish this. It is also important to understand that it typically takes several deworming treatments to completely rid a cat of worms. This is due to the fact the worms in their various developmental stages will vary in their susceptibility to the medication.
In conclusion, you should subject your cat to a deworming process as warranted by conditions mention earlier. Regular veterinary fecal tests and closely monitoring your cat for symptomatic and behavioral signs of worm infection is the key for determining when and how often your cat should be dewormed.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1307.shtml
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Jul
19
Posted under
Uncategorized Top Reasons For Dog Crate Training
By: Jeremy C.W
Often, many pet owners misunderstand the concept and the importance of crate training. Believing that crating an animal for any length of time is a cruel thing to do. Infact, dog crate training is actually one of the best things you can do for your pet. It gives him his own personal place that no one else invades. If you think about it, you probably like having your own space, so why wouldn?t your dog?
One thing you need to remember about your pet. He is going to want to be with you so it?s best to either make sure his crate is where he can see and hear other people. If it is going to be an extra load on you to move his cage all over the house purchase an extra cage. This will allow him to have one in the bedroom and one in another part of the house.
Another advantage to crate training your dog is that if you have somewhere he can be confined when you are away, you do not have to worry about coming home and finding a mess. Older dogs normally will hold their bathroom trips for a longer period of time. However, puppies will pretty much go anywhere until they get accustomed to going out or using puppy pads.
Dog crate training can be great if you are planning on taking your pet with you somewhere that you have to fly. This can keep them from being so nervous if they are already accustomed to being in a crate. Traveling in their own crate that is familiar to them will not be as upsetting either. Taking along a favorite blanket or toy helps too.
A great advantage to crate training if you have a larger breed dog such as a boxer is that he can go to his crate when company is visiting.
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If he is in a crate, it will ease the feelings of your guest and your dog.
Some dogs are just natural born chew machines. They will chew anything and everything they can get their teeth into. So crate training is a blessing if you have a job or places you need to go. Then you won?t have to come home to all of your belongings chewed to pieces.
Just take into consideration when you do put your dog in his crate that you don?t make him stay inside for hours upon hours. He needs to be able to get out and stretch his legs and go to the bathroom. The crates can be comfortable but your dog needs to be able to get out and stroll around to keep his muscles from getting cramped.
We love our dogs, once you’ve successfully house-trained your dog, remember to reward your dog for using his crate in the correct manner! You have just taken the long rewarding road towards creating a positive bond with your dog!
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1469.shtml
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Jul
18
Posted under
Uncategorized Coccidia Is Forever Present Among Shih Tzu And Other Canine Breeds
By: Connie Limon
Coccidia is a common problem in Shih Tzu and other breed. It is most serious in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. In dogs, cats, and horses, it is less often diagnosed, but can result in clinical illness in some animals, which includes the Shih Tzu. Coccidiosis is actually ?always? present among canines, but not all dogs or Shih Tzu show clinical signs of the disease. Shih Tzu puppies and other breeds of puppies as well are especially susceptible to coccidiosis and it can be fatal for a puppy.
Symptoms of coccidiosis include:
? Diarrhea
? Fever
? Loss of appetite
? Weight loss or no weight gain
? Emaciation
? Sometimes death, especially in Shih Tzu or other dog breed puppies
Clinical coccidia is most prevalent under the following conditions:
? Poor nutrition
? Poor sanitation or overcrowding
? After the stresses of weaning, shipping, sudden changes in feed or severe weather changes
Shih Tzu can acquire coccidia between one month of age and one year of age. Older Shih Tzu is usually resistant to clinical signs, but may have sporadic symptoms and may remain carriers. This is especially true of Shih Tzu mothers who can pass coccidia onto her offspring during nursing, yet show no signs of the parasite herself.
Diagnosis under microscope can be difficult. It is not always possible to find coccidia in single fecal samples. Multiple fecal examinations may be required to make a definitive diagnosis under microscope.
Treatment of coccidia
The life cycles of Eimeria and Isospora (the germs that cause coccidian) are considered self-limiting and end spontaneously within a few weeks unless a re-infection occurs. In other words your Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu puppies could have coccidia and recover without any kind of treatment. It is important to remember that coccidia is most likely forever present wherever there is more than one and especially several Shih Tzu adults and/or puppies.
A good rule to follow is to always treat very young Shih Tzu puppies, or Shih Tzu puppies at least 6 weeks of age with 5 to 10 days of medication such as Albon. Prompt medication may slow or inhibit development of stages that may result from re-infection (which could be the case of a nursing adult Shih Tzu mom) and thus shorten the length or magnitude of the illness. A treatment plan such as this will also alleviate or prevent diarrhea, lessen the likelihood of secondary infections and death.
Sick Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppies should be isolated (this would be Shih Tzu definitely showing signs of infection of the parasites that cause coccidia. Sulfonamides has been reported to give excellent clinical results in beef and dairy, calves, sheep, dogs and cats.
Prevention of coccidia
Prevention plans are based upon limiting the intake of sporulated oocysts which causes coccidia so that an infection is established to create immunity (since coccidia is most likely present or could become present at anytime especially when several Shih Tzu are housed together). This practice should help to avoid clinical signs such as diarrhea, etc., of coccidia. Prevention includes good management which includes:
? sanitation
? Newborns should always receive colostrum (obtained from mother?s milk to help build their immune system and ward off all canine diseases). In the case of orphan Shih Tzu puppies, be sure to feed your orphan Shih Tzu puppies commercial milk with colostrum.
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? Feeding and watering devices should be clean and disinfected with a solution of water and Clorox bleach
? Feeding and watering devices should be protected from fecal contamination.
? Stresses to the young Shih Tzu puppy should be kept at minimum
Some Shih Tzu puppies react adversely to weaning and seem to absolutely refuse to be weaned from their mothers. This type of Shih Tzu puppy is experiencing stress and should be watched and handled with extra care during the weaning process. They are a candidate to acquire ?stress coccidia.? During weaning time, you can also try giving this type of Shih Tzu puppy medication (as long as the puppy is 6 weeks or older, or at the advice of your vet).
Shipping and sudden changes in feed can also trigger an episode of coccidia in some Shih Tzu puppies that experience stress and fear during these processes.
As a new owner of a Shih Tzu puppy, just always keep in mind the puppy you purchased may have been kept in the best of quarters and taken care of with hands of expertise, yet will still present you with a coccidia problem upon arrival in a new environment solely due to the stressors of change.
You might compare the ?stress coccidia? in Shih Tzu puppies to some individuals who experience ?stomach upset? when first boarding and riding an airplane. Some individuals may arrive at their destination in great shape, no problems at all, fit to spend the next 24 hours in the flashing lights of the big city. Other individuals may have to spend the next 24 hours resting in a bed closest to the nearest bathroom for vomiting and diarrhea.
Coccidia is something a new Shih Tzu puppy and any breed of dog owner should always be aware of can occur. Be on the watch for an animal who just lies around as with ?fatigue? and/or has some vomiting or diarrhea. Sometimes there might be a little blood or mucous in the diarrhea as well to alert you that a vet visit is in order very soon. Very young Shih Tzu puppies can die easily from coccidia of any origin.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1336.shtml
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