Archive for September, 2008
Sep
30
Posted under
Uncategorized Historical Significance Of The Golden Retriever
By: Carol A Matthews
The Golden Retriever is an obedient, intelligent dog predominantly used for hunting. It is because of their flexibility and medium size, they are so appropriate for hunting job. Intelligence, bravery and liveliness are the inherent characteristics of the the Golden Retriever. First recorded breeding was done between Nous and Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel, and four yellow puppies were born from this breeding. The AKC recognized the Golden Retriever in 1925 and following this recognition the breed became increasingly popular. The dog received the title for Obedience Champ from the AKC in 1977.
One of the most obedient and intelligent dogs, Golden Retriever dogs are famous for offering their services in a wide variety of domains including hunting, field trials and conferring guidance and companionship to blind masters. In the early decades of the 1800’s, hunting was popular among natives of England and Scotland. During that time, hunting was considered both as a way to gather foods and a mode of entertainment. With their flexibility and a medium-size, the Golden Retriever has the ability to move through the wild-fowling, both upland and waterfowl, in a smooth fashion.
In the history of the Golden Retriever, Lord Tweedmouth at Guisachan Estate, Scotland listed the first official record of breeding. However, it became known to the public only during 1952 when the great nephew of Lord Tweedmouth published few historical documentation concerning the estate and Lord Tweedmouth. In mid 19th century, the golden puppy, named Nous put his footsteps for the first time in the estate with his master, Lord Tweedmouth. In the estate, Lord Tweedmouth bred golden puppies with the most desired characteristics and mannerisms.
Tweed Water Spaniels were exclusively used for the purpose of hunting in the early years. It was mainly because these dogs have a true sense of intelligence, bravery and liveliness. The early breeding of the Golden Retriever was largely dependent on the contribution of Tweed Water Spaniels. Breeding between Nous and Belle, a female Tweed Water Spaniel, was held in the estate and they produced four golden puppies. However, the breeding of modern the Golden Retriever is highly influenced by Irish setter, Bloodhound and Tweed Water Spaniel.
The popularity of the Golden Retriever increased significantly during the last decades of 19th century.
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In the year 1913, the Golden Retriever Club in England was established and with this establishment a separate recognition for this breed was marked. It was 1920 when the Golden Retriever reached to North America and loved by many people.
In 1925, the Golden Retriever achieved the recognition from American Kennel Club (AKC). The popularity of the Golden Retriever increased sharply during the years of the 1930’s and 1940’s. With its true obedience, this breed obtained the award of Obedience Champ Title from American Kennel Club (AKC) in the year 1977. During the early days of development, the versatility of the Golden Retriever was still unrecognized and this breed was only treated as a hunting dog. However later on all knew the versatile characteristics of this breed.
In the earlier times, buyers mostly prefer dark colored coat of the Golden Retriever to the light shade coat, but gradually the light golden shade became preferred by most people. Starting from its initial days of breeding, even today the popularity of the Golden Retriever has never faded away. In today’s world, the dog is recognized for its true intelligence, obedience and courage, which sets it apart from many other breeds.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1538.shtml
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Sep
29
Posted under
Uncategorized Alternative Therapies For The Horse
By: Ron Petracek
It is not uncommon that trends in veterinary medicine to mirror trends in human medicine. To that end, it’s not surprising that alternative medicine is being used more frequently on sick and injured horses. Instead of prescribing the latest wonder drug, some veterinarians are instead prescribing a little hands-on healing in the hopes that less invasive techniques will bring about a return to health. In this article, we’ll examine two alternative healing practices that are becoming very popular in the horse world: chiropractic and massage.
CHIROPRACTIC
Equine chiropractors traditionally deal with “subluxations” of the vertebrae. Defined, subluxations are incomplete or partial dislocations of the vertebrae; in other words, vertebrae that are out of alignment. These misalignments can not only cause the horse pain in his back, but can also cause soft tissue damage around the area of the spine. And since the spine is said to be the conduit to the central nervous system, subluxations may possibly change neurological function of the spinal cord, the spinal nerve roots, and portions of the nervous system. The equine chiropractor adjusts these subluxations?in plain speaking he put the spine back into alignment?and returns the horse to optimal health.
What conditions does chiropractic treat?
Chiropractic is used to treat back and neck pain in the horse, as well as nerve damage. It can also be used to diagnose and come up with a treatment plan for certain lamenesses. Some people even use chiropractic during prepurchase exams to determine whether the horse has any neck or back injuries.
How is chiropractic administered, and how much does it cost?
Like a vet exam, the chiropractic exam begins with a case history. Posture analysis, gait analysis, static palpation, motion palpation, orthopedic exam, and a neurological exam follow. Based upon his or her findings, the vertebra is then manipulated during the adjustment by the practitioner.
How much does a chiropractic treatment cost?
A chiropractic exam and adjustment cost approximately $50-75, depending upon the extent of the problem and the length of the session.
Are there any risks?
Some believe that in the wrong hands, chiropractic can cause back and neck pain, lameness problems, and spinal cord injury. The equine chiropractor must have strong knowledge of equine vertebral anatomy, including vertebral joint relationships, the relationship of neural components, muscle attachments and nerve supply, and normal and abnormal range of motion.
Alternative Therapies for the Horse
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Alternative Therapies for the Horse
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Alternative Therapies for the Horse
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Alternative Therapies For The Horse
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Alternative Therapies For The Horse
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As any human who has been the recipient of one knows, massage stimulates acupuncture points and relieves tension. Myofascial release therapy, in which the fascia that connect and surround the muscles are manipulated, and myotherapy, a method of relaxing muscle spasm, improving circulation, and alleviating pain, are two of the most common types of equine massage therapy.
What conditions does massage treat?
Massage can really help sore muscles and tendons. It is frequently used to repair damaged muscle fiber, such as contracted tendons, ligament and muscle strains, chronic inflammatory conditions, peripheral nerve injuries, scar tissue, and chronic edema.
How is massage administered?
The soft tissues of the body are worked by the hands and fingers. The strokes are generally performed in the direction in which blood flows, which is toward the heart.
How much does equine massage cost?
A massage costs between $25 and $75, depending upon its duration.
What are the risks?
If your horse has acute inflammatory processes of the skin, soft tissue, bone and joints, fractures, sprains, circulatory disorders, presence or danger of hemorrhage, lyphangitis, and tumors, then massage should be avoided.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1460.shtml
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Sep
28
Posted under
Uncategorized Trimming The Nails Of Your Labrador Retriever
By: Richard Cussons
Try to imagine trimming the nails of your Labrador Retriever. It seems hard isn’t it? You feel like hurting your loyal friend and forcing him to obliged to your laws. However, just like in humans, your pet’s nails grow regularly and trimming it is necessary to keep him look neat and prevent problems. Untrimmed nails when broken are very painful and in some cases may curl and grown into your dog’s paws.
Most dogs do not like having their nails trimmed. It is important that nail trimming should be started in puppies to get him used to the process. Once used with having his nails trimmed, it wouldn’t be hard for dog owners to groom him even when he is already of age and has grown in size and weight. Below are easy tips to trim your dog’s nails safely.
- Get all the needed tools first. There are various nail clippers available in the market. Get one that is especially made for dog’s nails. Nail clippers usually come in two sizes- small for smaller dogs and large for larger dogs. There are also two types- scissor-style and guillotine. Scissor-style trimmers have two sharp blades that curve inwards. In guillotine type, the nail is inserted into an opening and when squeezed, a blade cuts the nail in guillotine style. Remember to cut upwards from underneath your dog’s nails. You may also want to use file or dremel tool. This is ideal to file any jagged edges after clipping. It is also important to have styptic pen or powder. Application of styptic powder will stop the bleeding and alleviate pain if you accidentally cut the quick (blood vessel that runs down the middle of your dog’s nail).
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- The procedure. You can either sit on the floor with your dog or put him on a table. Find which one works best for you and your dog. Your dog may lie on their side or may stand lifting one leg at a time (you may want to use non-slip mat when cutting your dog’s nail in standing position). Cut your dog’s nail by just nibbling off the ends of each claws. You can examine the quick ends easily if your dog has clear nails. But if your dog has dark nails, trim a tiny nibble off and trim until you see a dark oval in the center. That dark oval is the quick so you do not have to trim any further.
While doing the process, do not forget to soothe, praise and offer small treats to your Labrador Retriever. Be patient because trimming can be a stressful event to your dog especially if he has bad experience with nail trimming procedure.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1515.shtml
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Sep
27
Posted under
Uncategorized Shih Tzu Â? Proper Use Of Clippers And Scissoring Are Major Elements Of Shih Tzu Grooming
By: Connie Limon
The proper use of clippers and scissoring skill are the major elements in Shih Tzu grooming.
Probably the best known quality clipper in the world is the Oster clipper. Models most used by professional Shih Tzu groomers are the A5 and A2. The difference between them is that the A5 has detachable blades while the A2 has a detachable head. The A5 is probably used more by professional Shih Tzu groomers because of the ease with which the blades are interchanged.
To become a serious and efficient Shih Tzu groomer it is well to study the blade chart since a familiarity with the whole range of blades is most beneficial long term. There are 14 different blades that come in a variety of sizes, ranging from the #4 blade to the #40 blade. The different sizes in blades will leave different lengths of coat. Vets often used the #40 blade for surgical procedures. I like using the #4 for the puppy cut look on a Shih Tzu. The #10 blade provides a very close cut in the cases of extremely matted Shih Tzu.
Snap-on combs were developed because manufacturers found it impractical to make a coarser blade than#4. The #4 blade with the widest spaced teeth leaves on more Shih Tzu coat after clipping (5/8?) than any other blade.
The size #1 snap-on comb can be snapped onto a #10 or #15 regular blade and leave a one-inch Shih Tzu coat. Theoretically, no scissoring need be done on the body. The coat of a Shih Tzu can be trimmed down to ?puppy? length without scissoring.
The object of the snap-on combs, when used correctly, is to reduce clipping and scissoring time of the Shih Tzu coat. There is a specific technique for using the snap-on comb.
Clipping technique:
The clipper should be held in a certain position when clipping the coat of a Shih Tzu.
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What The Shih Tzu Owner Should Know About Grooming Part Ii: Getting To Know Grooming Equipment
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The clipper should be held easily and lightly, yet firmly while clipping your Shih Tzu?s coat. With the correct blade attached, the clipper can remove any Shih Tzu coat right down to the skin, or the Shih Tzu coat can be shaped and blended into almost any style desired.
Oster A5 and A2 clippers can provide almost a lifetime of useful service for grooming your Shih Tzu providing proper care is taken of them. Follow the maintenance instructions booklet that accompanies the clipper. If followed carefully, the clipper should provide optimum service for grooming your Shih Tzu for many years.
Scissoring:
The most artistic aspect of Shih Tzu grooming lies in the scissoring work. The perfecting finishing touches of your Shih Tzu?s coat can only be achieved through skillfully applied scissoring. It is the scissor work, above all, which separates the real professional from the novice. If one?s objection is top-quality, professional grooming for your Shih Tzu, it is essential to develop the scissoring technique to perfection.
This article is FREE to publish with resource box.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1373.shtml
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Sep
26
Posted under
Uncategorized How To Ease Separation Anxiety Between You And Your Pup: Three Easy Steps
By: Lisa Albanese
Let’s face it; as much as our dogs depend on us, we depend on them just as much. Love, companionship, and playtime are all things that people depend on their dogs for just as much as their dogs may depend on them. For this reason, leaving your dog home alone for extended periods of time while at work or on vacation can cause a variety of problems for both pet and pet owner.
Separation anxiety is real, and it affects our four-legged friends too. The difference between you and your pet in this instance is that while you know that the two of you will soon be reunited, your pet probably doesn’t have this type of forethought and so it is important for humans to be as accommodating to their canine companion as possible in this aspect.
Pets experience separation anxiety on a variety of levels. Some pets are perfectly fine with being away from their owners for extended lengths of time whereas other pets may fall into a deep depression. Even worse, there are those mischievous little guys out there who seek to tear up everything in your home that is important to you, perhaps in the hope that you will rethink leaving them alone ever again.
If any of the above sound like the situation between you and your pet, it is time for you to take action. Even though it may not seem like it at times, there is a way for you and your pet to handle separation in a much easier, more constructive way. Here are a few tips on how to help your pet handle his down-time.
Provide Them With a Comfort Zone
Providing your pet with a comfort zone is one of the most successful ways of making sure that they are as comfortable as possible when you can’t be together. For every pet, this comfort zone is different; for some, it may require the confinement of a kennel or dog crate in order to be successful. Either way, having a place for them to call their own might help in the long run.
Make their area as comfortable as possible, even if it is a form of caging them to protect your home. Old pillows, a dog bed, their favorite toy, maybe even a tee shirt or something that smells of your scent?these are all things that could help them to feel a bit more at ease in their area, and perhaps make the hours until you come home that much more bearable.
Keep Them Entertained
A bored pet is a bad pet, plain and simple.
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Stop a disaster in its tracks by making sure that your pet has plenty of their own toys and items to entertain them while you are gone. This doesn’t mean using old shoes and things of yours as it just confuses the difference between what items are okay for them to have and what are not okay for them to have.
Keeping your pet entertains not only gives them something to keep them away from your things, but something to help them pass the time while they don’t have you around to keep them company.
Consider Getting Them a Pal
While this may be a big one for some households, sometimes the only surefire way to cure separation anxiety between you and your pet is to give them a playmate. If your household cannot handle two pets, by all means do not get into something that your family may potentially be unable to handle. However, if you do have the means this is a great way to get rid of otherwise seemingly incurable separation anxiety on the part of your pet.
These are just a few ways to help keep the time your pet spends alone as pain-free as possible, and you are encouraged to think of some of your own. Now that you know your pet will survive without you, now it is just a matter of handling yourself when the two of you are apart.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1477.shtml
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Sep
25
Posted under
Uncategorized Grooming The Cavalier King Charles
By: Connie Limon
The Cavalier King Charles has a coat of soft, gently-waving, never curly longish hair that is silky. There should be a profuse mane extending down in the front of the chest. There should also be thick feathering on the ears and feet, and well up the back of the legs. There should be plenty of feathering in the coat of a Cavalier King Charles. The coat should not be trimmed for the show ring.
Its red and white color type is called ?Blenheim? after the Duke of Marlborough?s estate. Other colors include ruby, black and white and tricolor, which is a combination of black and white with russet brown accents.
Although the Cavalier King Charles claims origin in seventeenth-century England, the roots of most if not all true spaniels are found in Spain. The Cavalier King Charles probably also has some of the ancient Oriental toy breeds among its progenitors as well. Spaniels were and are sporting dogs, designed to flush and retrieve game birds. The Cavalier King Charles of the 1600s may have served a similar function, but the primary purpose was to provide pleasure for its English royalty owners. The Cavalier King Charles boasts a long history filled with royal favor.
You will need a slicker brush and comb. Many pet owners like the feet to be trimmed of feathering especially in the winter. Some pet owners prefer that all feathering be removed.
Grooming procedure:
1. Brush the Cavalier King Charles with the slicker brush.
2. Comb through the coat to remove all tangles. Use an untangle spray if necessary.
3. Check the Cavalier King Charles? nails, ears and teeth.
4. Some pet owners like the thicker-coated dogs to be thinned out. You can use thinning scissors and thin with the growth of the coat. Comb the coat thoroughly.
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5. The excess hair between food pads should always be cleaned out with scissors, but not on top of the feet. The show dog Cavalier King Charles will require a little extra attention.
Now your Cavalier King Charles is ready for his bath. Try bathing him with a pH-balanced shampoo. What may be useful for your Cavalier King Charles is a purifying shampoo and mask conditioner to enhance the coat and skin. Use this about every 4 months.
When you blow dry your Cavalier King Charles be sure you go along with the hair growth, rather than against it. You can also cage-dry your Cavalier King Charles after combing through the coat with a balsam conditioner.
Pet or show dog, the Cavalier King Charles is a delightful creature. He is especially good with children, but all ages can enjoy the companionship of a Cavalier King Charles. He loves to please his family and should do very well with grooming sessions if introduced properly and maintained on a routine basis.
The Cavalier King Charles does require a fair amount of frequent brushing and combing to keep him in shape. Nothing real complicated or anymore than the dog grooming basics of brushing, bathing, blow drying ear cleaning and nail trimming. Beyond these basics, there is a small amount of trimming.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1299.shtml
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Sep
24
Posted under
Uncategorized Breeding Your Dog: Does it Make Any Cents?
By: Emma Snow
For anyone who may balk at the price of good pups nowadays, or who may think to himself, ?At those prices I should become a breeder!? let me assure you that breeding does not make millionaires. There are a lot of bad reasons people breed their dogs, but there are only a few good ones. If you don?t meet all three of the following conditions and you still want to breed your dog, take a long, hard look at the situation in our crowded shelters across the country before you decide to contribute to the problem.
Good reasons to breed your dog:
1. You have in your possession a five generation pedigree (at least) for your dog that contains numerous champions in conformation, obedience, and/or fieldwork. There is no evidence of in-breeding, and you have a stud in mind with a complimentary pedigree.
2. Your dog is in excellent condition and closely fits the AKC standards for the breed.
3. You possess an abundance of time, patience, and indeed, passion for dogs in general, and your breed in particular. What?s more, you are in a financial position to cover the expenses that invariably incur with breeding dogs (see below for details).
If you?re a dog-lover looking for a way to make a few extra bucks, do yourself a favor and open up a kennel or a high-end poodle salon. Don?t imagine that raising pups will bring in the bucks, for the reality is the very opposite. But in case you?re still seeing dollar signs?
This article should give you an idea of the cost involved in breeding a dog.
To begin with, there are the initial costs, like purchasing the mother. If you remember condition #1 (above), you know that you?re going to need to be picky if you want to breed her. Plan on approximately $800. You?ll then need to have a series of tests run to make sure she meets condition #2. These tests include hip X-rays to rule out hip dysplaia, eye tests to check for cataracts, and tests for thyroid disease, in addition to any other tests recommended for the breed. These tests will cost you at least $300. Of course, you don?t have to do these tests, but it you don?t, you have no way of guaranteeing the genetic health of your pups, which serious buyers will be expecting. Then, of course there are the dog supplies you?ll need for the first year before your gal is ready to breed (food, toys, vitamins?you?re going to want to keep her healthy), but you had already planned on those, right? Tack on another $1,000.
So now we get to the fees at the time of breeding. Expect at least $400 for the stud fee, although it?s more if you insist on a champion-quality stud.
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Once your gal is pregnant she?ll need routine vet exams to check for infections that might affect the health of the pups. If anything goes wrong you may have to pay for ultrasounds or an emergency C-section. Oh yeah, pregnant dogs eat more, and need more vitamins?We?re talking $500 or more, even for a healthy pregnancy.
You?ll need some special equipment for the big day: whelping box, heat pads and lamps, thermometer, scissors, towels, baby scales, tweezers, hemostats, baby suction bulb, bottles and/or tubes for feeding (just in case mom gets an infection or can?t feed her pups), milk replacement formula, and nail clippers. But you probably have most of this stuff lying around, right? So we?ll be modest and say $100. Whew! The pups arrive and all is well. Now the money starts rolling in, right?
Wrong! You?ve only just begun. To keep those pups in tip-top shape you?ll need puppy wormer (given at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), diarrhea medication, wellness check-ups with the vet, vaccinations and eye certifications, extra puppy food and vitamins, and advertisement fees! Plan on $300 minimum for each pup, plus $100 to take them off your hands. Oh, and you?ll need time off work to care for mother and pups. But you had ample time, right (condition #3)?
Wow! All those expenses add up fast! For a litter of four you?ll be dishing out at least $4,400. Even if you sell your pups for $800 (that?s average for a well-bred puppy), you?re out $1,200. While some of these expenses are one-time, can you expect to make money down the road? After seven litters, you might. But then again, consider that annual maintenance of the mother will cost you $1,000, and you shouldn?t breed her at intervals more frequent than two years. Maybe it?s understandable why 75% of breeders do not attempt to breed again. The verdict is in?if you?re thinking of breeding for the money, you should know right now, breeding definitely does not make cents!
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1354.shtml
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Sep
23
Posted under
Uncategorized 6 Things You Should Not Do When You Have A New Puppy In The Home
By: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
Everyone agrees that training a puppy is imperative for him to learn how to behave and to teach him his boundaries, but there are some basic tips you need to know before starting your dog training. Magazines, books and online articles addressing the basics of acquiring a new puppy abound. They may all sound repetitive, and a lot of the tips and advice are actually simple and requires common sense, but they are vital nonetheless.
When you bring home a new puppy, keep in mind these 6 things you should avoid doing:
1. Never hit your puppy, whether with your hand or with a rolled up newspaper or any other object, regardless of what he does. Keep in mind that your puppy is like a baby — it is very delicate and is easily injured. Hitting your puppy will only frighten him and be a traumatic experience for him that can possibly lead to behavioral issues when he is fully grown. Remember that being taken away from his mother and litter mates is a traumatic and scary enough experience for him so be a little patient with this new addition to your family. Your puppy will probably whine for a few days, but he will soon get used to his new family, and will give you all his love and loyalty.
2. If you have objects in your house that you cherish or have sentimental value, keep them out of your puppy’s reach. Your puppy, and all puppies for that matter, will eat everything it can get its mouth on. If you want to keep your socks free from holes, don’t leave them laying on the floor or in places where your puppy can easily reach them. If you smoke, don’t throw the cigarette butts on the floor; your puppy won’t think twice about chewing on those. The same goes for any gadgets you have that can be easily scratched and damaged.
3. Don’t let other people, family members included, handle your new puppy — at least for the first couple of weeks or so. It is better that you and another family member handle the new puppy first. If too many people are handling the puppy, he may become nervous and have problems socializing.
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Avoid picking up the new puppy by his forelegs. Children tend to pick puppies up this way so if you have kids in your house, tell them they should not pick up the new puppy this way. Your puppy’s legs are not strong yet and if he can get injured if he is picked up by the forelegs.
5. Don’t leave holes inside your house uncovered. Puppies are incredibly curious and they will literally try to get into everything. It can be fatal if your puppy gets stuck in a hole.
6. Don’t leave electrical wires uncovered or accessible to your puppy. Cover any exposed wires in your house because your puppy won’t spare those. Many puppies have died from electrocution because the house they were living in were not puppy-proof.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1542.shtml
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Sep
22
Posted under
Uncategorized Equine Breeding For Beginners
By: Ron Petracek
You’ve got it! That beautiful stallion or mare that is the perfect example of everything a horse of its breed should be. It’s got great conformation, a perfect temperament, and has performed well in its chosen discipline. You know this horse could benefit its breed by passing on its progeny.
You’ve made the decision to breed your horse.
So, now what? Do you follow the old adage and “breed the best to the best and hope for the best?”
Well, while that advice is actually tried-and-true, and certainly not the worst advice in the world, you are going to have to take a few extra steps to make sure the resulting foal is everything you hope it will be. Because the foal will be a blend of both the sire’s and the dam’s genetics, there are a few things to consider when choosing a good mate for your horse.
* Consider the goal of breeding your horse. In other words, what kind of horse are you breeding for? Do you want to produce a horse for dressage, hunting, cutting, reining, endurance, driving, or one of the other many disciplines? Knowing what kind of horse you want to produce will help you narrow the field as you consider mates for your horse.
* Look at your horse’s conformation. No horse is perfect! Take a good look at your horse, and make notes about his good points, as well as what needs improving. Now do the same to the mates you are considering. Eliminate any horse who have weak points in common with your horse, and lean toward those who correct your horse where he is weak.
* Consider the temperament of potential mates. A horse who is easy to work with is just as valuable as a horse with perfect conformation. Because disposition may be genetic, be sure to evaluate the mate’s personality. What kind of temperament are you looking for in the foal? Is the mate nervous or confident? Timid or bold? Calm or jumpy?
* Look at prior progeny. If the mate has other offspring, take a good look at them. Did the mate pass along its good traits to its progeny? Did any congenital defects crop up? You can investigate ancestry even further by contacting breeders with the same line. Did the dam, sire, and siblings of the mate you are considering produce successful individuals?
* Investigate the health of the mate. Is the mare or stallion in good health? Look for the normal things, like bright eyes, a shiny coat, and an alert expression.
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Mares who are not in good body weight can sometimes have difficulty getting in foal. Make sure the horse is sound and moves correctly. Be wary of horses with injuries, as certain weaknesses can be passed to offspring. You should also make sure the horse has received good veterinary care, including regular deworming and current vaccinations.
* Do a breeding exam. A mare should always undergo a breeding exam before you commit. Maiden mares will need rectal and vaginal exams, while proven mares may need more extensive examinations.
* When you think you’ve decided, think again! That’s right. Before you sign any papers or contracts, make sure you know what breeding entails, including the costs involved. And always, always make sure you have a valid reason for breeding your horse. It is not something to be done lightly! In the end, if you’ve determined that your horse can contribute the betterment of the breed, you well understand what financial and health risks you’ll be up against, and you’ve found a good mate, go for it!
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1408.shtml
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Sep
21
Posted under
Uncategorized Equine Nutrition
By: Shannon Margolis
Grass is a natural source of nutrition for a horse
Equine nutrition refers to the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other equids. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care.
Horses are herbivores, a type of non-ruminant known as a “hind-gut fermentor.” What this means is that horses have only one stomach, similar to humans. However, unlike humans, they also have to digest plant fiber that comes from grass and hay. Therefore, unlike ruminants, who digest fiber in plant matter by use of a multichambered stomach, horses use bacterial fermentation that occurs in the organ known as the cecum (or caecum) to break down cellulose.
In practical terms, horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture. Although this is not always possible with modern stabling practices and human schedules that favor feeding horses twice a day, it is important to remember the underlying biology of the animal when determining what to feed, how often, and in what quantities.
The digestive system of the horse is somewhat delicate. Because horses are unable to regurgitate food, except from the esophagus, if they overeat or eat something poisonous, vomiting is not an option. They are also very susceptible to colic, which is a leading cause of death in horses.
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Horses are also sensitive to molds and toxins. For this reason, they must never be fed contaminated fermentable materials such as lawn clippings. Fermented silage, sometimes called “haylage” is fed to horses in some places, but it is risky
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1471.shtml
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Sep
20
Posted under
Uncategorized Grooming Your Beagle
By: Michelle A Adams
The beagle dog breed dates back historically to 19th century England. The breed was registered with the American Kennel Club in the 1880s. It is thought that beagles are derived from inter-breeding of several kinds of harrier and other hunting dogs. Beagles have gained popularity not only for the skill on the hunt but also for their sociable temperament. These sturdy dogs have an independent spirit yet they are pack animals too. This makes beagles excellent family pets since they view their human family members as part of their pack. Beagles have an excellent sense of smell and a natural affinity for the chase.
Physically, beagles are attractive, small to medium sized dogs with a solid body construction. They are known for their brown eyes and characteristically sad expression. Their coats come in a variety of color patterns. Many are tri-colored in shades of black/white/orange or black/white/yellow. Grooming your beagle is made easy because of their short, sleek fur.
Grooming your beagle can include everything from brushing his fur to trimming his toes and even eyelashes. Grooming is a way to care for your beagle?s appearance and maintain his overall health. Whether you choose to groom your beagle at home or take him to a veterinarian?s office or pet groomer, it is important to know the areas specific to your beagle that require special attention. The ears, feet, and eyes along with the coat need consistent grooming. The long, pendulous ears are prone to infection as water and bacteria can easily become trapped inside. The nails may require more or less trimming depending on your dog?s activity level. Beagle eyes need special care because their long eyelashes may become ingrown.
If you do not feel comfortable grooming your beagle, there are many pet groomers available to maintain your dog?s appearance. They can handle, in particular, tricky areas like trimming your beagle?s nails. Services are relatively reasonable.
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Whether you groom your beagle at home or a professional pet groomer takes care of grooming your beagle, follow these guidelines to maintain your beagle?s target areas of ears, nails, and eyes. Remember that to care for his coat, brush him at least once weekly. Beagles rarely need to be bathed but can be dry-shampooed occasionally.
The long, pendulum-shaped beagle ears can be prone to infection due to water or bacteria becoming trapped inside. It is important to check your beagle?s ears at least once per week to ensure they are clean and free of infection. A good method is to wipe the ears whenever he is being brushed.
When grooming your beagle?s nails, trim them with a quality nail clipper. There is no set frequency for when nails should be trimmed since length depends on your beagle?s activity level. If you can hear his nails clicking on the floor it is probably a good time for trimming.
Your beagle?s eyes require special attention because they have longer eyelashes than other dogs. Eyelashes need to be monitored and trimmed carefully. An ingrown eyelash will be very uncomfortable for your beagle and may require surgery to correct.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1527.shtml
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Sep
18
Posted under
Uncategorized How To Check And Clean Your Cats Ears
By: Drew Pilton
An important part of keeping your cat healthly and happy is checking and cleaning their ears. Because the ears are one of the few parts that cats can not reach themselves they need a little help from a loving owner. Keeping your cats ears clean is extremely important because any unremoved dirt, debris, or wax can clog the ears and cause infections. Regular ear cleaning at home augment?s your cats own natural grooming habits.
1. How to check the ears
During petting, casually check your cats ears for discharge, redness, unpleasant smell, swelling, and even lumps. Also observe your cat?s behaviour, if he often scratches or paws at his ears (and sometimes even shakes his head often), then he might be feeling discomfort in the ear area.
If you notice that your cats ears are becoming painful or inflamed, visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian has the equipment to look deep into your cat?s ear canal and give an accurate diagnosis. The veterinarian will determine if allergies, skin conditions, ear mites, bacteria, yeasts, and fungi are causing ear diseases. Seek early treatment, or your cat?s ear condition may become too late to heal.
2. How to clean the ears
Ask your veterinarian for gentle ear cleaning solutions you can use to keep your cats ears clean. These special solutions are effective in removing excess wax, moisture, and debris from your cat?s outer ear canal. Be sure to use only solutions that are specifically formulated for cats. Avoid medicated solutions, unless your veterinarian advises you to use it.
Different solutions are administered differently, but most of them require you to follow these steps.
* You typically only need a few drops of the ear solution.
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* Start massaging the base of your cats ear gently. You should hear a ?squelch? while you do this. Repeat the same procedure with the other ear. After both ears have been cleaned, let your cat shake its head, this loosens the waxes.
NOTE: Stop massaging immediately if your cat feels pain, and then take your cat to the veterinarian if you haven’t already done so.
* Wipe the solution by wrapping your forefinger with cotton wool, this should clean off wax and debris. Do this gently though and do not poke in too deep, or you might hurt your cats eardrum.
It is recommended not to use cotton buds, which can injure the ear canals? sensitive lining.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1392.shtml
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Sep
17
Posted under
Uncategorized Horse Marketing 101
By: Ron Petracek
If you rely on your horses for income, you are going to have to have good marketing skills just like any other business. That’s right, horses don’t sell themselves! If you are a breeder, riding instructor, trainer, boarding facility, or horse dealer, you are going to need to reach and impress your potential customers in order to sell them your products and services. How do you do that? Just follow the steps illustrated below and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a successful horse-related business!
1.) Know who your customers are. Who needs your products and services? If you are a training facility, then people with untrained horses need you. If you are a boarding facility, then horse owners who don’t have space at home for their horses need you. If you are a riding instructor, then your potential customers are anyone who wants to learn how to ride horses. You get the picture! A big part of making sure your horse business works is identifying your customers.
2.) Find out where your customers hang out. Where do horse people congregate? At feed and tack stores, at horse shows, at online horse-related web sites and chat rooms, to name just a few. Now break it down even further. Let’s say you are a breeder of Morgan horses. Sure, you’ll find some Morgan enthusiasts at the tack shop and feed store, but you’ll likely find them in droves at breed-specific shows. Find out what newspapers and magazines your potential customers read as well.
3.) Advertise! Now that you’ve done all that research to determine who your customers are, where they hang out, and what they read, it’s time to put your product and service in front of them! Put ads in magazines and newspapers that they read, hang up flyers at tack and feed stores, and advertise in show programs.
4.) Know how to write a good advertisement. How you come across to your potential customers will make all the difference in the world when it comes to whether or not they will choose your products and services over those of a competitor. Be creative and give your ads a little zing! Make them memorable. Let’s say you are selling a horse. Instead of writing an ad that only tells the horse’s color, size, breed, and discipline, try adding impressive bloodlines if appropriate, accolades won, and personality traits that you think your customers will appreciate.
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5.) Set yourself apart by giving away some “freebies.” Give something away for free, and the customers will come to you. Your give-away can be as simple and cost-effective as an open barn day that allows the community to come and enjoy your facility, or your could go large-scale and sponsor a class at a show. Remember, the goal is to get your name out there in front of those who would benefit from your product or service. Be creative!
6.) Know that word of mouth can make you or break you. Your current customers are the best advertisements you have. Work to retain them, and do what you can to make them happy. They’ll tell friends, who will tell more friends, and so on. Run your business with integrity and honesty, and treat your customers fairly. Always represent your products and services truthfully. The old adage “under promise and over deliver” works well in the horse world, too!
Wit h a little marketing knowledge in hand, you’ll have your horse business up and running in no time. Good luck!
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1409.shtml
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Sep
16
Posted under
Uncategorized The Importance of Basic Dog Obedience Training
By: Loloy Diango
For quite a long time now, dogs have been considered an important member of the human family. The time and effort that we spend caring for our dogs have always translated into lifelong loyalties and friendships forged between us and our furry friends. No wonder the dog has been called ?man?s best friend?.
Owning a dog can be a rewarding and happy experience for the entire family. Deciding to own a dog should be an important decision, a matter that cannot be taken superficially, simply because a dog is not just a furry being, an amusing present, or a fun diversion.
Basic dog obedience training is certainly a necessity for all dogs. Basic dog obedience training is more than just telling a dog to do what we want him to do. It is a way of teaching a dog to behave properly or in a way we deem proper under certain specific conditions or circumstances.
Proper dog obedience training is definitely not a “do-it-quick” thing. It is a continuous, life-long process ? a work in constant progress. It should continue for the lifetime of a dog. Dog obedience training ? whether basic or advanced ? has never become more important than today when a lot of dog owners bring their pet dogs to so many places where they go.
Proper dog obedience training should begin when a dog is still a puppy. The first four months of a dog’s life are very important in his training. This is the specific period when he learns behaviors that he will practice in his lifetime. This is the right time to teach your dog basic commands such as sit and fetch.
It is to be noted that dog obedience training methods or procedures are not created equal. There are various training types, approaches and methodologies which have come to be developed through the years that deal with dog obedience training.
But positive dog obedience training is quickly becoming the preferred method of dog training. This method of training is possible for just about every young dog.
Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. A dog who has undertaken good training is confident and friendly and can be given greater social freedom than a dog who has not been trained at all. A trained dog will dutifully do basic commands issued by his owner.
Dog obedience training is more than just training your dog, it involves teaching the dog owner too. Going through dog obedience training is something every dog owner should do. It should be a worthwhile experience for both the dog and the dog owner.
And because training is all about communication, it is important that dog owners need to learn to communicate with their dog. Talk to your dog. Tell your dog you love him every day. Even if you don’t say “I love you” to your furry friend, look him square in the eyes and say something ? anything.
We all like to be recognized and accepted as a family member. Dogs understand human language more than we think they do.
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One of the basic obedience training points relevant in this regard is teaching your dog to sit on command. Training your dog to sit is probably the first thing you will train your dog to do.
To start the training: say ?sit? while gently pressing his rump down and holding a treat above your dog’s head. When a dog is forced to look upward, he will automatically sit on his hind legs.
When you want your dog to sit, hold a treat a bit above his head and say “sit?. As the dog sits, say sit again and then immediately give him the treat. Your dog should drop into a sitting position in order to reach the food.
Another favorite basic command that we like to teach our dogs is fetch. Teaching your dog to fetch promotes bonding and is a great way to give your dog some exercise.
To do this, first throw a ball ? but not too far, though ? and give the command “fetch”. As the dog inevitably starts to run towards it, yell ?fetch? again. If there is no ball available for you to use, you can use any object that your dog loves to play with the most, as this would make him want to fetch it.
Be reminded not to play fetch with heavy objects or sticks as this could injure your dog somehow or damage his teeth.
The most basic of dog obedience training is to get your dog to sit and fetch. As I said at the start of this article, proper dog obedience training is not a “do-it-quick” thing: it is a continuous, life-long process ? a work in constant progress.
Dog obedience training is also a very physical activity, so getting tired and exhausted is all part of it. And doing it is never without any risk of injury, especially concerning more aggressive dog breeds.
Having said that, dog obedience training is certainly a must for all dogs. One major mistake many pet owners make is to assume that training a dog will be over in a short span of time. That, of course, is a gross misconception. Training your dog continues throughout your dog’s life.
Dog obedience training is definitely a breeze with the proper attitude of the dog owner and under proper conditions. Start training your dog today and make his life and yours a lot more better in the future.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/pets_and_animals/article_1500.shtml
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Sep
15
Posted under
Uncategorized Elderly Cat Care
By: David Beart
Our cats become a part of the family over time. But unlike humans, who are considered elderly at 60 or 65, cats are considered “senior citizens” at the ripe old age of 10. It is important to understand the proper care of cats at all stages of life. A kitten cannot be fed, groomed, medicated, and treated the same way as an elderly cat. Here is a guide to proper Elderly Cat Care.
Feeding Time
Most pet supply stores sell specially formulated cat foods that are designed to provide proper health and nutrition to elderly cats. Some formulas assist with proper digestion, since this can often be a problem with older cats. Senior cats cannot assimilate their food in their digestive tracts in the same way that they did when they were youngsters.
Older cats can also have problems with their teeth that cause them to eat less. This is why it is important to maintain good dental hygiene in cats at a young age by either brushing, taking them to the veterinarian for a cleaning, or feeding them snacks that clean their teeth. If your elderly cat eats less, it may be due to a toothache, thus it is sometimes ideal to feed them softer foods, mostly wet, canned foods, so that chewing their dinner won’t be as much of an obstacle.
Many cat owners find that their cat’s coat becomes dull with age. This is due to poor nutrition. Feed your older cat a diet rich in essential fatty acids to fix this problem. When organisms, including cats, get older, they have an increased production of free radicals in the body. Free radicals contribute to the degeneration of cells in the body. Help build up the immune system of your beloved cat by increasing his or her intake of vitamin C and E.
Finally, you want your cat to remain active in old age. The more energetic activities your cat participates in the better health it will remain in. If you allow your cat to become obese it will lay around the house and have reduced quality of life, as well as a decrease in general health. Watch your pet’s eating habits and assure that it is not overeating, or eating as a recreation as some cats do.
Grooming Elderly Cats
Another element of proper Elderly Cat Care is grooming. When cats age, they sometimes stop grooming themselves with the same frequency as they did when they were younger. This can create a matted fur coat that is dirty and smells bad. Bad hygiene will eventually lead to bad health. Because of this, it is important that you groom your eldery cat yourself. Purchase a goo
