All for Pets

Part 4: Progestagens.

2005-11-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

Application progestagens (hormonal preparations for the termination bittch heat or sexual hunting at dogs) is justified only in cases when it is necessary to detain the heat, for example before trip on an exhibition or planned viscous and only for completely healthy young animal when short application of hormones is supposed. Preparations of this group are analogues of a hormone of an organism - a progesterone. There are tablets and drops, injections.
Negative consequences from applying these preparations is much more higher, than positive:
1) Stimulation of growth of tumours
2) Development of a diabetes
3) The most often complication at use progestagens - an inflammation of a uterus, and sometimes happens enough one tablet for development of this dangerous disease. The uterus is filled with pus and it should be removed immediately.

Part 3: Choose the right method of castration for the female.

2005-11-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

Castration bitches carry out by the removal female sexual ferri lactas - ovaries or destroy ways of receipt ootids in a body of a uterus. At fastening these ways bitch remains fruitless with a normal sexual cycle, i.e. regular heating. For the heat termination delete ovaries, and it is desirable to delete during castration ovaries and a uterus since the uterus after castration has no functional value, but can inflame, that will cause of repeated operation.
Negative consequences for bitches:
1) According to researches at ovaries removal at bitches up to the first heat the risk of development of a cancer dairy ferri lactas further is reduced in 10 times.
2) The animal can remain the puppy or a kitten for all life. Children's expression of a muzzle will be kept, there will be a children's wool...
3) The rare consequence of the bitch's castration in weight more than 25 kg - involuntary utination - meets at 1 dog from thousand.

Part 2: Choosing the right method of castration for the male.

2005-11-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

Now we need to understand with methods of castration and to pick up suitable for ours pet. At the seed tubes fastening on which spermatozoons we leave from spermary shall block it a way and we shall make impossible fertilisation but as spermary will stay in an organism, they will continue to allocate sexual hormones in blood and sexual behavior will be kept. Easier speaking, the cat will as mark furniture in the house, to shout at night and to search for cats, but posterity to receive from him already begins impossible.
It is necessary to note also display of aggression at animals. The nature of it is very complex, but depends on a hormonal condition of an animal. If a level of testosterone in blood of a cat, for example, sharply to lower, having removed speramries his desire to fight, mark surrounding subjects will be gone, i.e. the sexual behavior will disappear and aggression will decrease. At dogs it is territorial and hierarchical aggression (it is usual her level at bitches much below), i.e. fights with other dogs, aggression in relation to owners, is more often from it children and older persons in family where there is a dog suffer.
After spermary removal dogs, smells on a grass, cats and other dogs as before involve, but desire «to find out attitudes» with relatives disappears, they stop interesting in bitches during the heat period. The majority of dogs continues to lift a paw at trees and columns, is especial at castration in the age of is more senior than year. They are capable to fight and stand for themselves, but the desire to get involved in fight will be gone. Animals become quiet, the some people (but not all ! ) a little bit phlegmatic. This operation is rather simple, is carried out under the general anesthesia, therefore the animal does not feel a pain and does not test unpleasant sensations. In general, at such method of castration of a dog and cats cease to annoy the owners undesirable behaviour, thus character of them does not vary almost.
Negative consequences of castration:
1) Adiposity (at some dogs and cats after castration appetite raises, it arises if not to limit them in meal)
2) The increased risk of development of urolithic illness (urolithic illness in 7 times meets among castrated cats is more often)
3) Dogs can have illness - cryptorchism. It when one or both of the spermaries are not in sac, and in a belly cavity (in a stomach) or under a leather (in inguinal channel). In norm spermaries should develop at lower temperature, than a body temperature and if they do not fall in sac where the temperature makes 32-33. With, remain underdeveloped, but can function. Thus such spermaries in 10 times turn to tumours is more often. Attentively examine your pet and if will notice attributes of cryptorhism immediately address to the veterinary.

Part 1: Castration, general datum, methods.

2005-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

People concern to a question of castration of pets differently, but always this theme causes many disputes, disagreements and doubts among owners of cats and, especially, dogs. One are convinced, that thus solve a number of problems and facilitate a life to the favourites, others prove the opposite and assure what to interfere with the nature will be not humane. Who is right?
Let's try to understand.
The word "castration" has taken place from latin "castratio" - is the termination of sexual activity by removal sexual ferri lactas surgical methods or infringements of their function by other ways. (the Veterinary Encyclopaedic Dictionary). To surgical methods of castration males concern removal spermary and fastening / cutting seed tube - ways receipt from them spermatozoons. For shefemales delete ovaries, the uterus or is tied up with ways on which ootids move ahead in a uterus. A method of castration choose depending on the purpose - to make an animal fruitless, to remove preventing owners sexual behaviour or there are any medical indications.
The sexual maturity, i.e. ability to duplication at cats comes at 6-7 monthly age, at cats - in 6-12 months, for dogs are characteristic about the same terms: bitches has the first heat usually during the period from 6 till 12 months, dogs are capable to duplication of 6-month's age. There are also pedigree features, for example, at dogs of large breeds, Eskimo dogs, Siberian husky, the British cats usually sexual maturity comes a little bit later - from 8 up to 18-month's age. The period between heats can vary, but in norm is constant for each dog - from 5 till 12 months, fluctuations of a sexual cycle more than for a month testifies to disease. Heat duration at dogs of 11-28 days, on the average 3 weeks. At cats other picture: heat 3-6 days every month last, but normal it is considered also other variant - 3-5 day time breaks at constant attributes heat.

HAND RAISING & SUPPLEMENTING PUPPIES

2005-11-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

THE NEWBORNS
The first 36 hrs of a puppies life is the critical period nutritionally. Healthy puppies will nurse right away and then every few hours. The pups must nurse from their mother within 12 hours of birth to receive her antibodies against disease. After 12 hours, their stomachs will not absorb antibodies. After this first 12 hours, if the mother does not have enough milk, or if her litter is too large, then the pups' diet can be supplemented with commercial puppy milk replacer. Cow's milk is nutritionally inadequate for puppies.
Supplemental heat should only be used for orphans or if the room's temperature is too cold for the mother's comfort. A newborn pup can't generate body heat until it develops the shiver reflex, at about two and half weeks of age. Orphan pups need an environmental temperature of about 97°F (36°C) the first week, in the mid 80's the second week, then in the 70's. If the mother is there to keep the pups warm, high temperatures are unnecessary and will make her uncomfortable.
If you have more than one puppy to raise, provide separate boxes and beds. With separate quarters you can monitor bowel eliminations and food intake.
Orphan puppies less than one week old must be stimulated to urinate and eliminate. This is accomplished by gentle massage of the abdomen and genital area with a piece of cotton wool or tissue, dampened with warm water.
HELPFUL HINTS
-Aspirate the pups' throat and nostrils at birth
-Always pre-boil water and cool prior to using in formulas.
-A Healthy pup feels warm, and has a full belly of milk. He twitches and never lies perfectly still. (Activated sleep) - The muscles are getting stronger during activated sleep
-A Puppy in trouble will feel cold to the touch. Lays limp and refuses to nurse. This puppy needs your assistance in hope for survival.
-If you have another nursing mother you can give her the litter but you will still need to help her by bottle feeding or tube feeding the pups.
-Never feed a chilled puppy if a pup's temperature is below 94 degrees - they should NOT be nursing and you should NOT be tube feeding
-There is always the danger of a pup inhaling milk into its lungs and then getting pneumonia. Make sure your nipple hole is not too large or too small. Stick a hot paper clip in the nipple. Hold it upside down - the milk should drip out, but never flow.
-The pup may have little bubbles on the side of its lips, but the milk should not run out of the sides of the mouth.
-Encourage the pup by wiggling the nipple across his lips.
-Burp puppies after feeding, to reduce any gas they may have.
-You will know if he is getting the milk by measuring the amount in the bottle and after burping can you see if he has a full belly or if he needs more.
-Calorie and fluid intake must be adjusted so puppies consume adequate formula to meet nutrient needs for growth, but not over or under consume fluid volume.

Making up formulas and feeding a litter of puppies is very time consuming. It seems like as soon as you're finished, its time to begin again.
To find more information click here

What to Do, When Dog Attack You?

2005-10-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

There some ruels for this case:
1) DO NOT RUN.
2) You must stand and do not move.
3)Do not look in to dog's eyes. They can understand this sign as an "attack invitation".
4) Do not laugh. This mean that you want him to see your teeth. And dog can understand it as if you wanted to seem more strongly than it.
5) Try to use some training commands, this can mess the dog.
6)Your voice must be calm and not loud.
7) If the dog attacking you, try to protect your neck.

Cloned cats has kitten!

2005-10-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

8 kittens borned during last month! They feel good. Two wild cats has this kittens, but there is one father. On the 26 Of July Mudge borned 5 kittens and on the 2 of august Katie 2 more kittens. This cat are clones of the wild cat Nancy. This fact is very important, and has big value in the saving dying animals researches.

How Animals Return Home?

2005-10-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

A large variety of animals has the ability to sense the geomagnetic field and utilize it as a source of directional
(compass) information. There are a lot of stories about how dogs, cats and other animals found a ways to go to return home. It is not known by which biophysical mechanism this magnetoreception is achieved. We investigate
the possibility that magnetoreception involves radical-pair processes that are governed by anisotropic hyperfine coupling
between (unpaired) electron and nuclear spins. We will show theoretically that fields of geomagnetic field strength and weaker
can produce significantly different reaction yields for different alignments of the radical pairs with the magnetic field. As a
model for a magnetic sensory organ we propose a system of radical pairs being 1) orientationally ordered in a molecular
substrate and 2) exhibiting changes in the reaction yields that affect the visual transduction pathway. We evaluate threedimensional
visual modulation patterns that can arise from the influence of the geomagnetic field on radical-pair systems. The
variations of these patterns with orientation and field strength can furnish the magnetic compass ability of birds with the same
characteristics as observed in behavioral experiments. We propose that the recently discovered photoreceptor cryptochrome
is part of the magnetoreception system and suggest further studies to prove or disprove this hypothesis.
If you want to read all article click here

COMMERCIAL PET FOODS - COULD THEY BE HARMING YOUR PETS?

2005-10-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

Recent studies show that many commercial pet foods may contribute to pet disease because of their poor nutritional value. But, by reading and understanding the labels, you can decide what is best for your pet.
Did you know commercial pet food also can contain condemned parts of animals that are not fit for humans to eat? These foods may contain moldy or spoiled food that is full of carcinogens. Some pet commercial foods can contain dirt, rocks and even wood shavings.
And, just because the label says there are no preservatives, doesn¹t mean that its true. If the preservatives are in the food before the pet food manufacturer receives it, they can say it has no preservatives as long as they did not add it.
Try to avoid ingredients called BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytolulene). These are both known to cause liver and kidney disease.
Also be aware of ingredients that have been listed more than once. For example, manufacturers can hide the fact that the main ingredient is sugar, if they ³split it² by calling it high fructose and also corn syrup.
The main thing is to make sure that the first four ingredients that are listed in your pets¹ food are meat products and not grains. Pets are carnivores and get their nutrition from meat. Most grains have little or no nutritional value and your cat or dog cannot digest them very well.
Following is some information about what the label says and what it really means:
IF THE LABEL SAYS:
Chicken and/or chicken by products; beef and meat by products
IT MEANS
It contains condemned and contaminated meat which is unfit for humans, and it is ground rendered parts of the carcasses, bones, necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, intestines, fat, water, hydrolyzed feathers, poultry and pig waste containing undigested plant material and bacteria
IF THE LABEL SAYS: Vegetable fiber
IT MEANS It contains corn husks and peanut shells
IF THE LABEL SAYS: Poultry digest
IT MEANS It contains material from chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of poultry tissue
IF THE LABEL SAYS: High fructose, corn syrup or fructose,
IT MEANS It contains sugar
IF THE LABEL SAYS: Brewers rice
IT MEANS It contains polished rice sections discarded from human manufacturers for no nutritional value
IF THE LABEL SAYS: Ground yellow corn, corn grit, corn meal, cracked corn or corn germ meal

IT MEANS It contains the lowest nutritional variety of corn that is not digested well by dogs or cats and may cause allergic reactions
By carefully reading and understanding the labels, you can find out a lot about the food your pet is eating and he can live a longer healthier life.
Information are here

Boffins Create Zombie Dogs

2005-10-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

SCIENTISTS have created eerie zombie dogs, reanimating the canines after several hours of clinical death in attempts to develop suspended animation for humans.US scientists have succeeded in reviving the dogs after three hours of clinical death, paving the way for trials on humans within years.
Pittsburgh's Safar Centre for Resuscitation Research has developed a technique in which subject's veins are drained of blood and filled with an ice-cold salt solution.
The animals are considered scientifically dead, as they stop breathing and have no heartbeat or brain activity.
But three hours later, their blood is replaced and the zombie dogs are brought back to life with an electric shock.
Plans to test the technique on humans should be realised within a year, according to the Safar Centre.
However rather than sending people to sleep for years, then bringing them back to life to benefit from medical advances, the boffins would be happy to keep people in this state for just a few hours,
But even this should be enough to save lives such as battlefield casualties and victims of stabbings or gunshot wounds, who have suffered huge blood loss.
During the procedure blood is replaced with saline solution at a few degrees above zero. The dogs' body temperature drops to only 7C, compared with the usual 37C, inducing a state of hypothermia before death.
Although the animals are clinically dead, their tissues and organs are perfectly preserved.
Damaged blood vessels and tissues can then be repaired via surgery. The dogs are brought back to life by returning the blood to their bodies,giving them 100 per cent oxygen and applying electric shocks to restart their hearts.
Tests show they are perfectly normal, with no brain damage.
"The results are stunning. I think in 10 years we will be able to prevent death in a certain segment of those using this technology," said one US battlefield doctor.
Information is here

Arabian Horse

2005-10-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Arabian horses are one of my favourite. They are amaizing!
The Arabian horse is debatably the most gorgeous of all horses. It is instantly recognizable in personality and appearance. The Arabian had been carefully bred for thousands of years and is the purest and oldest of all breeds. The influence of the Arabian's is obvious in the larger part of the world's equine population. It is the foundation of the Thoroughbred, which goes beyond the Arabian in size and speed but cannot measure up to it in terms of soundness and endurance.

There is evidence from art shows that a breed of horses of fixed Arabian type were in existence on the Arabian Peninsula around 2500 B.C. The Bedouin people can also trace close associations with these "desert horses". The exact beginning of the Arabian is not clear, although it can be traced back to 3000 B.C. to a foundation mare (Baz) and stallion (Hoshaba). Bax the tamer of wild horses, the great-great grandson of Noah, claims to have captured Baz in Yemen. In the seventh century the spread of the Arabian blood throughout the world can be credited to the Muslim conquests, which swept through Iberia into Christian Europe.
For more iformation click here

Feed Cycle. Article 4 : The right utensils for a pets

2005-09-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

The utensils from which the dog eats, should be not fragile. For that aluminium bowls or enameled approach. The internal surface of a bowl should be ideally smooth, not have having chopped off, differently the dog will injure toughne when will start absolutely lick it. The rests of not eaten forage from a bowl should be puting in a refrigerator or thrown out, the bowl washes. If a dog big a bowl put on a support that the dog did not drop to forepaws.

10 Things Your Veterinarian Won't Tell You

2005-09-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

1. "Good thing you love Schatzi like a son. His care could cost as much."
After a New York City taxi struck Jessica Malionek's dog, Mojo, flinging him 30 feet in the air, she spent $4,000 for veterinarians to perform emergency treatment and then life-saving surgeries on her beloved dog. "It was like they were treating a person," Malionek says.

These days veterinary medicine can be every bit as sophisticated as human health care — and the costs reflect it. Animal lovers spent $19 billion on veterinary care in 2001, the most recent figure available, up from $7.2 billion a decade earlier, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. And per-visit costs are skyrocketing: Between 1991 and 2001, the average cost of a veterinary visit for a dog nearly doubled, from $50 to $99. For cats, costs rose even more precipitously, jumping by 107%.

Why the steep price hikes? Chris Green, an attorney and member of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, says vets are happily obliging owners who want to keep their pets alive at all costs. That means paying up for the latest high-tech procedures, such as feline kidney transplants and CAT scans. There are also more aged pets today, which require more care.

2. "Vaccinating your pet may do more harm than good."
For years the primary reason for seeing a vet was to get your pet vaccinated against a host of diseases ranging from distemper to rabies — either with individual vaccinations or "combo wombo" shots that could cover seven separate conditions.
Indeed, annual vaccinations have been an economic bulwark for many vet practices, but some veterinarians say they're not only unnecessary, but they can actually be harmful in some cases. Marty Goldstein, a veterinarian in South Salem, N.Y., says he sees a range of vaccination-related reactions in animals, everything from cancerous sarcomas to epilepsy. Another reason to think twice about certain vaccines: The immunity provided by some of them can last well beyond a year, even as long as the pet's lifetime, Goldstein says, negating the need for some annual shots.
Both the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association now say vaccinations should be assessed yearly and tailored to an animal's age, health and lifestyle. For example, an indoor cat with limited exposure to some diseases may not ever need certain common vaccinations, says W. Jean Dodds, an immunologist and veterinarian with Hemopet in Garden Grove, Calif.

3. "I have more complaints filed against me than a used-car lot — not that you'll ever know about it."
When she picked up her kitten, Pumpkin, from the veterinarian after a routine spaying, Mount Pleasant, S.C., resident Marcia Rosenberg was stunned to find the cat nearly comatose. Soon Pumpkin's body was wracked with seizures, and her stomach swelled. Rosenberg rushed Pumpkin to another vet, who saved the cat, but the distraught owner called her state's veterinary board to complain. Told that the board had no procedure for alerting consumers about disciplinary actions taken against incompetent vets, Rosenberg mounted a successful campaign to have such actions posted on the South Carolina veterinary board's web site.Continue ->

Tracking complaints against vets often requires a bit of detective work. Some state veterinary boards list disciplinary actions against vets, while others do not. And complaints typically aren't disclosed until a board investigation and judicial ruling have determined a case of wrongdoing. On her own, Rosenberg says she was able to find that the vet had previously had his license suspended in Ohio and since then had more than a dozen complaints against him in South Carolina.

4. "Sure, I can do root canal on your pup — real dentists are for people."
When John James, an academic adviser in Los Angeles, took his geriatric cockapoo, Amber, to his veterinarian for a chipped tooth, the vet told him his dog needed a root canal and that he could take care of it. Amber died during the procedure. James's lawyer later learned the vet's canine dentistry training came from a weekend course. What's more, elderly Amber should never have been a candidate for the intensive procedure.

How do you know whether your pet is in the hands of a skilled specialist? The AVMA lists 20 specialties for veterinarians, ranging from anaesthesiology to dermatology. Legitimate specialists have done graduate work in their specialty and been certified by an industry medical board. Some vets may claim a "special interest" in an area, meaning they've taken some continuing education, but they aren't necessarily certified specialists, says Peter Weinstein, former medical director of Veterinary Pet Insurance in Brea, Calif.

If your pet needs a specialist, check the vet's educational background and certification. Also, ask how many specialized procedures he performs annually. Having a "special interest" may be fine if the vet has enough experience.

5. "Surgery's a cinch. It's the overnight stay you should be worried about."
If you think your pet will be tenderly nurtured through the night after surgery at a veterinary office or hospital, think again. Many vets don't staff their offices overnight, so it's important to ask about what happens in the wee hours.

Laura Ireland Moore, an animal law attorney in Portland, Ore., says she represented a client who took her dog to the vet after stitches from a routine spaying came undone. The veterinarian repaired the stitches with metal sutures but neglected to put a cone over the dog's head to protect the wound during an overnight stay. The office was unattended through the night, and by morning the animal had chewed through the sutures — as well as 15 feet of its own intestines. The agonized dog had to be put down. The moral of this unpleasant story: "You should definitely check if anyone will be on the premises overnight," Moore says.

If the facility doesn't have a night attendant, or if you don't trust his or her credentials — a late-shift babysitter may or may not be a vet or even a vet technician — you should ideally find a facility where a licensed vet stays over, Moore advises.
6. "Personally, I think declawing is inhumane. But, hey, it's your dime."
Animal activists have long held that cosmetic and so-called convenience surgeries, such as declawing a cat or clipping the ears of a Doberman, are unnecessary and cruel. That argument is gaining broader support, as declawing, in particular, has come under fire. While the surgery — which many vets say is the equivalent of toe amputation — will usually keep a cat from scratching the furniture, it may cause other physical and behavioral problems, according to veterinarian Jean Hofve, ranging from lameness and joint stiffness to behavioral issues such as reclusiveness and biting.
In keeping with these concerns, the American Animal Hospital Association now recommends that its members inform clients about the risks of nonvital surgeries and the alternatives. "A lot of vets still feel they should do what the client wants," says Teri Barnato, national director of the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. Many vets fear losing clients or having animals abandoned.

If you're considering a cosmetic or convenience procedure, ask your vet if he'd perform the surgery on his own pet. And weigh the alternatives — instead of declawing, you could get a scratching post and keep your cat's claws trimmed.

7. "Go ahead and sue — it'll hurt you more than it hurts me."
When Marc Bluestone's dog Shane died after being treated for seizures at All-Care Animal Referral Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., Bluestone decided to sue. In a precedent-setting ruling, a jury awarded him $39,000 for malpractice, claiming he and his dog had a "special and close relationship." (All-Care is appealing the ruling.)

But that's an exception — suing a veterinarian is at best a dodgy financial undertaking. The reason is that under the law pets are considered property, says Ireland Moore, the animal lawyer in Portland, Ore. More often than not, that means court awards are for the straight market value of the pet, which could be as little as $10 for your beloved mutt. Meanwhile, suing a vet is likely to be an expensive undertaking.

If your pet becomes the victim of a medical mishap, know that your legal recourse is anything but guaranteed. "It's not always the most economically smart thing to do," Moore concedes.
8. "The key to my thriving practice? Location, location, location."
While a referral is probably the best way to select a veterinarian, many people pick one simply because the office is around the corner. Indeed, according to the AVMA, only 10% of cat and dog owners choose their veterinarians through referral. That could be a mistake. If you have an aging kitty and the neighborhood vet doesn't have geriatric expertise, it won't be a good fit, says Nancy Peterson, a registered veterinary technician and a spokesperson for the Humane Society of the United States. Peterson adds that in her experience few pet emergencies happened during office hours anyway, nullifying some of the benefits of geographic convenience.

So how best to assess a vet? First, check out the facility. Is the staff friendly? Is the place clean? Look into the veterinarian's educational background, board certification and record both with the state's medical board and the local humane society. Beyond that, veterinarian Elliot Katz, president and founder of In Defense of Animals in Mill Valley, Calif., recommends studying the veterinarian's body language with animals. Make sure she greets animals in a friendly way, approaching them slowly and touching them gently. And if you have a special request, such as wanting to hold your pet when it's vaccinated, make sure you and your vet are on the same page.
9. "I haven't the foggiest idea why your dog's acting crazy."
The study of animal behavior is a relatively new specialty in veterinary medicine. In fact, the AVMA lists only 36 board-certified animal behavior specialists on its web site, compared with 1,500 internal medicine specialists. Yet many pet owners get rid of their cats and dogs, or even put them to sleep, for annoying behavior ranging from barking to eating drywall. Daniel Aja, a veterinarian in Traverse City, Mich., and president of the American Animal Hospital Association, recalls one client who brought in a St. Bernard to be euthanized because of severe separation anxiety. Once when the owner left the house, the dog jumped through a plate-glass window to chase after him. Aja convinced the owner to treat the pup with antidepressants and had behaviorists on his staff counsel the client on how to work with his dog.

Not all vets will make the extra effort to diagnose a behavioral problem, which entails taking a complete medical and behavioral history and spending hours with a pet. What do you do if Champ continues to chase his tail? Ask your vet if he has experience with behavioral issues. If not, request a referral. The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants' web site lists professionals with varying experience in behavior training, from vets to dog trainers.

10. "Our technology may be state of the art, but our industry regulations are still in the Dark Ages."
While veterinarians and animal hospitals are increasingly working with the same level of sophistication as human doctors and hospitals, the regulatory oversight within the field is far less stringent. Under federal law, human hospitals must be inspected, but it's possible for a veterinary hospital to operate for years and never undergo an independent inspection, Aja says. The American Animal Hospital Association does accredit animal hospitals, assessing them on more than 900 different standards ranging from organization of medical records to diagnostic capabilities. But only roughly one in seven pet hospitals in the U.S. and Canada have been accredited by the oranization. Some states, such as California, perform inspections on vet hospitals, checking them for everything from outdated drugs to unsanitary conditions. Even seemingly petty requirements can have lifesaving results: After a California mandate required vets to have emergency lighting, one veterinarian used a flashlight to finish surgery when a blackout hit.
All information are from this website

Feed Cycle. Article 3 : Cooked or crude?

2005-09-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Question: with what food to feed dogs, cooked or crude, - very complex, and to answer unequivocally it is impossible. It depends on a lot of factors and usually is solved a veterinary depending on a concrete case and a specific feature of a dog.
Certainly, many crude foodstuff much more the richman vitamins in comparison with cooked. But nevertheless in an offered diet of feeding of a dog cooking is provided.
Cooking of products assumes their thermal processing at which pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and also eggs of worms are destroyed. Cellulose from vegetative forages at cooking it is softened, that promotes its easier processing by digestive system of a dog. Vitamins thus can be kept, using the receptions standard in cookery.

Feed Cycle. Article 2: To feed with this is impossible!

2005-09-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

- Hot (it is direct from an oven), cold (from a refrigerator), pepperly, salty, fat, sweet, smoked food;
- A crude fish as infection with worms is possible. It is better to give only a cooked sea fish;
- It is impossible to give instead of a forage bones. Contrary to the taken roots error, a bone for a dog - destruction. First, they are not acquired. Second, can cause a lock, perforation of intestines, turn of a guts. Tubular bones which are in the habit to be split on sharp parts are especially dangerous. Bones also promote fast grinding of a teeth;
- It is impossible to feed constantly with macaroni, leguminous products, white bread, a potato, peas, products from wheat flour;
- The dog should not know, that such sausages, sausage, a gammon. Sausage products for a dog - poison. They spoil a liver, and the dog risks to be lost already at young age.
- The puppy should not know taste of sugar and sweets. Sweets break digestion. Besides they destroy a teeth and extremely adversely influence eyes which start dropping;
- It is impossible to feed with pork and fat mutton, crude chicken meat;
- In a forage the dog cannot add spices: pepper, a bay leaf, sharp tomato sauce;

Feed Cycle. Article 1.

2005-09-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Dogs - carnivores, i.e. eating products of an animal origin. However by virtue of artificial selection and conditions of the maintenanceсу they have adapted to consumption of vegetable products, i.e. became omnivores.
In an organism of a dog constantly occur complex of the chemical and biological processes during which the part of the substances received with a forage, is spent for maintenance of normal physiological functions. In this connection in an organism with a forage such vital substances, as fibers, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and also mineral substances and water should act in enough and in a proper correlation.
For normal ability to live and maintenance of a healthy condition the dog should eat on a regular basis. Food stuffs provide an organism of an animal with nutrients, mineral salts, microcells, vitamins and in any measure water. The needs of dogs for the certain nutrients is various. It is connected to different factors: age of an animal, its physiological condition, a season, a place of residing.
It is required to puppies, and also pregnant and feeding dogs of fiber much more. It speaks that the growing organism demands a lot of "a building material ", and bitch, rearing puppies, should provide through milk the posterity not only antibodies, vitamins, hormones, but also mineral salts, including the most valuable for an organism microcells.
All nutrients which are included in a diet of feeding of a dog, go on coverings of power expenses, therefore saturability of a dog, or its appetite, also depends on nutritiousness of the forage prepared by us. And if a necessary minimum of saturation of a dog achieve, superfluous nutrients are allocated with excrements and urine or postponed in a liver, other bodies and a hypodermic - fatty layer. But in an organism of a dog there is determined limit behind which some nutrients become harmful and result an animal in various painful conditions.
At feeding a dog it is necessary to remember, that in an organism all nutrients cooperate among themselves.

Feed Cycle. Introduction

2005-09-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today we start new cycle about dog's food. It will consist of certain number of the articles on the topics of the dog's food. What food is the best,different advices about companies, all what you need two know about this question, in general, and even more.

Pets Helps Children

2005-09-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Daily Telegraph informed the interesting fact: children who have pets, miss school less. The greatest advantage of a cat and a dog bring to the child in the age of from five till eight years. Basically, animals help children to go through stress, connected with quarrels of parents or their divorce. Scientists have made the analysis of samples of a saliva of 138 children to determine a level of the contents of the antibody (Ig) responsible for work of immune system. Presence at the house of a cat or a dog forces an children organism to resist more actively to infections, strengthens immune system, raises a level of resistibility to various diseases

Best Friends

2005-09-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

There is Hide Park in London where is an old cemetery of dogs. Inscriptions on the little monuments include the words of gratitude and love for the faithfulness and pleasure, which dogs presented to their owners. There is even such legend that dogs has wet and cold nose, because dog chilled it while tried to close the hole in the Noy's ark!
The Maltese lap dog is one of the ancient breeds. There were in the King's and Imperator's palaces. They were washed and sprayed with toilet water, caressing them and carrying on a silk pillows. In China eunuchs took care of the Imperator's dogs, and everybody who tried to do anything bad for them was killed.
There are a lot of examples in the classic literature. Odysseus dog Argus had recognized him after long wandering. One of the ancient King's dog jumped in to the fire, where the body of it's owner was burned. Another one had recognized the killer of it's owner and killed him. Should touch the story about little dog who didn't want to leave it's mistress and accompanied with her to scaffold. The mistress was The Scottish Queen Maria Stuart. Palma in Russia waited for it's owner on the aerodrome for a year. There are great amount of such examples helps us everywhere.
They are guides of the blind people, dogs help to find people in mountains, dogs has good influence on the children. People who have and love dogs can easy transfer cardiovascular diseases, a hypertension, a flu...
During the centuries people express gratitude to the dogs for their self-denying service.
In Ancient Rome and Greece there were coins with the pictures of a dogs in VII-VI centuries.
In Corinth city a dog woke up the whole garrison to protect city from enemies, and there is a
monument in it's honor and was gifted with silver collar. Another silver collar was found at the excavation of the Pompeii. Dog protected a child from volcano and heated lava. Everybody knows the story about Irish Wolfhound, which was killed by his master Lord, when he saw it's stained with blood mouth. Lord thought that wolfhound killed his baby and killed the dog with a
sword. And after he saw the corpse of a huge wolf near the alive child. The lord full of repentance and gratitude has put to a wolfhound a monument.
Dogs are our friends indeed. They'll never let it's owner down and we have a lot of reasons to be thankful to this great animal and not to concern to it as a consumers.

Age of Your Dog

2005-09-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

I want to show you two little tables. First is to define the age of your dog in comparison with human, the second one will be about how to define age of your dog on a condition of it's teeth.

Definition of the age of a dog according to Nemand :
The first year of a dog's life - 14 Human's years
The second year of a dog's life - +7 Human's years
Each next year of a dog's life - +5 Human's years

Definition of the age of a dog on a condition of it's teeth :
3-4 week - growth of the first teeth
4-5 month - the beginning of the teeth changing
6 month - the ending of the teeth changing
1,5 year - the central cutters of the bottom jaw are erased
2,5 years - the middle cutters of the bottom jaw are erased
3,5 years - the central cutters of the top jaw are erased
4,5 years - the middle cutters of the top jaw are erased
5 years - traces of deleting on canines
5,5 years - the extreme cutters of the bottom jaw are erased
6 years - the extreme cutters of the top jaw are erased
8-9 years - the cutters has cross-section-oval rubbing surface
10-12 years - loss of the central cutters
12-16 years - loss of the rest cutters
16-20 years - loss of the canines

Hard Bisquits for Dogs

2005-09-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

There are some recipes of the great delicious food for dogs. You can use it as a award for tham or just to indulge your dog. Easy cooking make a great pleasure for you dog.
The first one :
5-7 glasses of Wheat flour;
1 glass of Vegetable oil;
2 glasses of Mineral water; (3/4 of milk or beer)
1 teaspoon salt.
From all components mix an abrupt dough to unroll it in a layer thickness of 3-5 mm. The layer cut with a knife on squares (approximately 5х5 sm), to lay out them on backing tray greased oil, to pin a plug in several places that simple figure has turned out, and to bake in preliminary warmed up to 200 degrees to an oven within 12-15 minutes.
The second one :
2 glases of Flour 250 of starch 60 of a butter 50 of an egg 1 glass of sour cream 110 of soda on the top of the
knife, salt on taste.
Egg to shake up with sour cream. Oil to mix with flour and other components and
make a dough. A ready dough to cool about 30 mines in a refrigerator, unroll
with a layer of 33 sm and pierce with a knife in many places. From the unroll dough
cut little hard bisquits, lay them on a backing tray greased with oil and to bake
up to 200 degrees in oven within 12-15 minutes, till golden brown color.
More information you can find here

New 2006 Year-The Year of a Fiery Dog

2005-09-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Some words about China horoscope : next year, on the Far East lunar calendar, start on the 22-d of January, but Chinese people don’t worry too much that almost all people in the world will celebrate the New Year in the night on the 1-st of January. Lunar calendar divided into 12 five years cycles, where each of 12 animals conform one by one five elements – wood, fire, water, land and metal. And each of the elements has a color – red, yellow, white, black. The twelve-year cycle end with the Fiery Dog and Fiery Pig Years.

On February, 10 on January, 1910-29 1911: the Metal Dog

On January, 28 1922 - on February, 15 1923: the Water Dog

On February, 14 1934 - on February, 3 1935: the Wooden Dog

On February, 2 on January, 1946-21 1947: the Fiery Dog

On February, 18 1958 - on February, 7 1959: the Earthen Dog

On February, 6 1970 - on January, 26 1971: the Metal Dog

On January, 25 1982 - on February, 12 1983: the Water Dog

On February, 10 1994 - on January, 30 1995: the Wooden Dog

On January, 29 2006 - on February, 17 2007: the Fiery Dog

The characteristic on signs on the Zodiac born in one year of the Dog

ARIES- the Dog of war. Makes the way through a fog. True hound.

TAURUS - the True Dog. But is less cynical and it is perspicacious, than others.

GEMINI - the Scientific Dog. Has kind heart.

The CANCER - the Sensitive Dog. Excessively vulnerable.

The LEO- Creates a lot of noise, barks much to surpass the opponents.

The VIRGO - this high-tech Dog. Will not give itself to carry away to a case.

LIBRA - very soft character. It is a little diplomacy.

SCORPIO - the Furious Dog. Do not trust its fighting item.

SAGITTARIUS - the Vigorous Dog. Anything will not stop it.

STAR SIGN CAPRICORN - the Cautious Dog, it is possible to expect for it, but it is restless.

AQUARIUS - the Scientific Dog. The intellectual in the environment.

PISCES - the Original Dog. Has interest to swimming.

Famous people, were born in the Dog Year:

Elvis Presly, Bridgit Bordo, David Bowie, Sharon Stoun, Andre Agassi…

Rachel Hale

2005-09-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Rachael Hale is the youngest person in New Zealand to have received a Fellowship with the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers. However her most valuable qualification is her passion for the animals she works with; a characteristic which shines through in all of her pictures.
Her style is distinctive and inimitable; her creativity adored and her reputation as the world’s foremost animal portrait photographer assured.
It would seem that Henry, Hale’s pet dog is the embodiment of patience and calm as one of the world’s most photographed pets! The Newfoundland debuted in Hale’s 1999 calendar with Pipi the parrot, and the same image won that years gold at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. “I love photographing Henry” Hale says. “Each time you can tell by his eyes he’s thinking ‘oh no, not again’.”
She is prone to saying “Enjoy my images, for I enjoyed making them!”
To see wonderful pictures and to find more information click here

A Cat and a Dog

2005-09-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

Most of us consider dogs and cats to be enemies, and for many of the readers the question how to "reconcile" the sides is quite urgent, because often cats and dogs have to live in one house. Here is what German zoopsychologists suggest.

"Many people think that a cat in the house is easier than a dog care, since dogs are more sociable and permanently need contacts with living creatures, whereas independent cats don't need such. Yes, a person may keep both animals. But before this he should get to know that relationship between these two totally depends on their "inborn nature". Most of dogs are hunters. Some like terriers, dachshunds and husky were through the ages being selected by unsurpassed hunting qualities, therefore it is in their genes to chase and snap a potential "game". Cats are hunters too. They descend from redoubtable felines and still have the habit to chase and catch a small prey. As a rule, a cat is a dominant towards a dog (and sometimes even a human). But if the hierarchy was reversed, a large sized dog may do harm, since running cat is an involuntary stimulus to chase it. A dog's bowl may also represent danger. But a cat is able to stand for itself too and seriously wound the offender, especially if it is a small dog or a puppy.

People are used to ascribing an endless feud to relationship between cats and dogs. But sometimes between the "foes" lies mutual affection. Should it be regarded as "friendship"? An outstanding expert of animal behavior Konrad Lorenz wrote: "From my personal experience a true friendship between animals of different species is extremely rare. For this reason I called the present chapter "Truce", not "Friendship between animals" or something like this. No doubt that mutual tolerance is not the same as friendship. Even when animals have similar interests (e.g. they play together), as rule, one can't say they have a true social cohesion, let alone lasting friendship". However, is it possible if not to make them be friends but just do so as to avoid conflicts between these two beloved domestic animals?

Many people ask: a cat or dog one should get first? There is no single opinion. After all, the owner is hardly to have an opportunity to choose. As a rule, most people already have a dog or a cat and want to get one more "beast".

What is the best age to introduce animals to each other? Of course, cubs easier get together. If you already have a cat and you are going to have a dog, take a puppy (3 to 12 weeks old).Continue->

a-dog-and-a-cat

The ideal is situation when in your house lives an adult dog that is nice, or at least, indifferent to cats. Take a kitten and let him from time to time meet the dog. The first contact should apparently go under your control. Let the newcomer sniff around and get used to surroundings, while the "host" gets used to the baby's smell. Don't compel the contact, pushing the pets towards each other, since they commonly study another animal from a distance. At first feed both the cat and the dog in one room but in the opposite corners (to make them get used to each other's smell and associate it with something positive). However even if your cat and dog will later eat from a single bowl (the dog's, as a rule), you should feed them separately.

If the dog wags the tail and by typical postures invites the cat to play, you may be sure, the dog is in sympathize with cat. Strike the cat, since such dog's thrusts are most likely not comprehensible to it. Later the cat will learn how to join the game.

The cat may display its' sympathies with the dog by biting the dog's tail or using it to sharpen claws. Cats adore warmth and quickly grasp that a dog is a living "heating pad", therefore they often lie beside the dog or even on the dog. Animals that got used to each other take care of their "friend": wash, clean ears, and sleep together.

In some cases the truce between a cat and a dog doesn't come. Then it's not bad if "foes" try to avoid each other. But incessant conflicts increase the chance for both sides to be injured, therefore if pets are irreconcilable, you must separate them or do your best to isolate from each other.
All materials are here

Phytologer

2005-09-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

So wide and so interesting world :)

Canine Worms

2005-09-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dogs are victims of several internal parasites frequently referred to as worms. The most common are the roundworms that infest most puppies at some time in their young lives and tapeworms that can be a big problem when flea infestations are high.

Evidence of roundworms and tapeworms can be seen without the aid of a microscope, but other worms are not so easily diagnosed. Occasionally adult whipworms can be seen in the stool when the infestation has already caused some debilitation or weight loss in the dog.

Early diagnosis of the presence and species of intestinal parasite is important, for not all worms respond to the same treatment. Therefore, stool samples should be taken to the veterinarian for microscopic examination if worms are suspected. Many veterinarians include the stool check as part of the annual health examination.

Most worm infestations cause any or all of these symptoms: diarrhea, perhaps with blood in the stool; weight loss; dry hair; general poor appearance; and vomiting, perhaps with worms in the vomitus. However, some infestations cause few or no symptoms; in fact some worm eggs or larvae can be dormant in the dog's body and activated only in times of stress, or in the case of roundworms, until the latter stages of pregnancy, when they activate and infest the soon-to-be-born puppies.
Roundworms
Roundworms are active in the intestines of puppies, often causing a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth. The worms may be seen in vomit or stool; a severe infestation can cause death by intestinal blockage.

This worm can grow to seven inches in length. Females can produce 200 thousand eggs in a day, eggs that are protected by a hard shell and can exist in the soil for years. Dogs become infected by ingesting worm eggs from contaminated soil. The eggs hatch in the intestine and the resulting larva are carried to the lungs by the bloodstream.
he larva then crawls up the windpipe and gets swallowed, often causing the pup to cough or gag. Once the larvae return to the intestine, they grow into adults.
Roundworms do not typically infest adults.Continue->

Hookworms
These are small, thin worms that fasten to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood. Dogs get hookworm if they come in contact with the larvae in contaminated soil. As with roundworms, the hookworm larvae becomes an adult in the intestine. The pups can contract hookworms in the uterus and the dam can infest the pups through her milk.

A severe hookworm infestation can kill puppies, but chronic hookworm infection is usually not a problem in the older dog. When it does occur, the signs include diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and progressive weakness. Diagnosis is made by examining the feces for eggs under a microscope.
Tapeworms
Another small intestine parasite, the tapeworm is transmitted to dogs who ingest fleas or who hunt and eat wildlife infested with tapeworms or fleas. The dog sheds segments of the tapeworm containing the eggs in its feces. These segments are flat and move about shortly after excretion. They look like grains of rice when dried and can be found either in the dog's stool or stuck to the hair around his anus. Tapeworms cannot be killed by the typical over-the-counter wormer; see the veterinarian for appropriate treatment.
Whipworms

Adult whipworms look like pieces of thread with one end enlarged. They live in the cecum, the first section of the dog's large intestine. Infestations are usually light, so an examination of feces may not reveal the presence of eggs. Several checks may be necessary before a definitive diagnosis can be made.
Prevention
Several worms that infect and reinfect dogs can also infect humans, so treatment and eradication of the worms in the environment are important. Remove dog feces from back yards at least weekly, use appropriate vermicides under veterinary supervision, and have the dog's feces checked frequently in persistent cases. Do not mix wormers and do not use any wormer if your dog is currently taking any other medication, including heartworm preventative, without consulting the veterinarian.
When walking the dog in a neighborhood or park, remove all feces so that the dog does not contribute to contamination of soil away from home as well.
Dogs that are in generally good condition are not threatened by worm infestations and may not even show symptoms. However, it's a good idea to keep the dog as worm-free as possible so that if disease or stress do take a toll, you're not fighting worms in a sick pet. All information are from here

Exhibitions

2005-09-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

With the purpose of display an achievements and propagation of dog breeding, improvement of breeds, estimations of their ex-terrier and quality of cultivation by clubs of service, hunting and decorative dog breeding are carried out dogs exhibitions. The first exhibition was found in 1859, England, New-Castle. There were 27 setters, 23 pointer, 11 dogs of other breeds.

To receive a high estimation at an exhibition, the dog should be in so-called " exhibition standard ". It means, that first of all it should be healthy, not fat and not exhausted, with correctly advanced muscles; the wool should be in the full order, and at some breeds also is properly made out. Preparation of a dog for an exhibition start not later, than for three months, and at long-haired or wire-haired breeds even earlier.

The first stage of preparation provides an eutrophy and care of a wool. The dog is recommended to be combed daily a crest and to brush: it reaches removal of fading hair and a underfur, the massage of a body stimulating growth of a new wool. It is enough of it for short-haired breeds if in addition to bathe such dogs in warm water. It is necessary to use a qualitative soap or shampoo, rinsing a wool pure water and well wiping.

Long-haired breeds require already more laborious and careful care. So at setters, spaniels, German long-haired hounds it is necessary to pull out fingers (not scissors!), overgrow hair on separate parts of a body. Special care is demanded with bathing long-haired dogs as at washing the wool is degreased, becomes easy, tousled and forms curls or waves. That is why the long-haired dog should be bathed not later, than for a week for exhibitions so that with the help of a crest and a brush to have time to give to a wool a correct direction. Care for wire-haired dogs should be same. To such breeds, it is especial to terriers, the exact standard of the form and processing of a wool is ordered. It is reached with the help of a hairstyle or trimming, with use of various adaptations: machines for a hairstyle, a knife for trimming, scissors and metal crests.

Processing of a wool up to exhibition standard, as a rule, is carried out stage by stage that in day of an exhibition the wool on different parts of a body could grow till standard length.

On all an extent of an exhibition the owner should pay attention to the dog as it requires support of the person in conditions of vanity, to nervousness and a unusual feed. Those dogs who get on an exhibition for the first time especially are nervous.

There is a lot of rules, established by administration of this or that exhibition, to carry out which follows strictly. Owner should walk his dog only in place specially allocated for it. On a ring the dog should be shown in the best form. On a ring of ex-terrier estimations of dogs they should be in easy collars without medals and counters.

For default by owners of dogs of the rules established at an exhibition, for autocratic leaving of a dog from an exhibition, and also for changes in its appearance, not stipulated by the standard (with a view of concealment of lacks), under the decision of exhibition committee the dog can be not allowed to examination, is removed from a ring, is deprived the awarded awards. Read more ->

Sports titles and designations
For examination at an exhibition dogs should be divide on breed, a sex and age. On age of them allocate as follows: younger group - from 10 months up to 1,5 years; average group - from 1,5 till 2,5 years; old group - from 2,5 till 9 years. Depending on age to an animal certain requirements are showed,
For example:
Dogs of younger age differ incomplete forming, underdeveloped muscles; the head has not accepted the final form, movements are not free. In this connection the estimation "perfectly" is not awarded.
Dogs of average age group are characterized by completeness of growth, but have thus a number of nonformalized features: absence of the advanced muscles, insufficient width of a trunk.
In the senior age group of a dog differ the finished development and the best forms. They keep on a ring confidently and with advantage.
Dogs with attributes of an old age, aging, with consequences of traumas, wounds have no right on privileges at removal of estimations.

First of all experts carry out biological survey of dogs (a bite, the complete set, a condition of enamel and presence of the broken teeth, the lock of canines, etc.) and check of dogs on criptorchism. Then owners with dogs are invited to a ring for examination where competition of dogs is examined. At their movement experts pay attention to their breed, features of the constitution, proportionality, or a harmonicity of addition, a format, standard, a structure of finitenesses, a condition of the crest, backs, waists, a manner to hold a tail and movements. The special attention is given to constitutional distinction between a dog and and bitch

After careful survey of each dog experts again actuate a ring of dogs and make a new arrangement, determining a final place of a dog on a ring. After the announcement of estimations of the judge start the description of the ex-terrier of a dog which results will be worn out in a registration card.

At exhibitions of hunting dogs in hound section there are two more rings - a ring of bowes and a ring of flights.

Sphynx

2005-09-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Sphynx is distinguished by its relative hairlessness, though actually it is covered by a soft down. This is not the fabled Mexican Hairless Cat; the breed's origins are actually Canadian, from a black and white mixed-breed cat named Elizabeth who produced hairless kittens.

True show Sphynx have very little hair (on the bridge of their noses and the backs of the ears), but pet Sphynx may have more. Expect to pay more money for one with almost no hair. They are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

"Hair-free" doesn't mean "maintenance-free". Even fully hairless Sphynx still produce natural oils to maintain a "coat" and thus must be bathed regularly (oily cats may leave grease stains on the furniture or develop blocked pores). Because of the size and lack of hair in the ears, owners must clean the ears regularly to avoid wax buildup.
The Sphynx is also not necessarily an appropriate choice for an allergic household. They are not hypoallergenic, despite the lack of hair. They still produce the allergy-causing dander and saliva.
The Sphynx is an affectionate, happy companion cat. They are sociable, alert, and very curious and enjoy the company of humans and other pets. Their skin feels like warm, soft suede to the touch.
More information you can find here

Cats Parentage

2005-09-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

With the help of minerals it is possible to restore a family tree of modern cats and other overland animals. Concerning to Miaciden family .This animals lived in woods and were size from mink up to the wolf. Blossoming has dropped out for an quarternary period epoch - about 60-35 million years ago. From Northern America on then land (now there there is Bering strait) they were distributed across all Eurasia. During the period, continued millions years, the modern family of predators has gradually developed.Miaciden have died out. The first animals resembling cats, have appeared in eocene 40 million years ago. In comparison with other groups of animals they developed faster. Already during an oligocene epoch they had similarity on a structure of a body to modern cats. The characteristic group in a family tree of cats which needs to be noted, is, so-called, saber-toothed cats. Angular teeth of the top jaw of these animals lived in a plenty, independently from each other, in various parts of the world, were extended in saber-like canines, and an angular teeth of the bottom jaw remained tiny or they at all were not. The most known were saber-toothed tigers, size from a lion. Concerning to kind Smilodon which lived during an early congelation in America. They very widely opened a mouth and during hunting have fatally wounded extraction by the powerful canines. They hunted on mammal. Which were much larger than them. During the pleystocene time for not clear reasons all saber-toothed cats have died out - is remarkable, that in America and Eurasia almost simultaneously. Remains of these animals concerning by later period, find very seldom. For example, in California saber-toothed cats, probably, lived 13000 years ago. Saber-toothed cats during millions years have arisen and have died out, "normal" cats continued to develop. In struggle for a survival they appeared winners: not only have lived up to now, but also have mastered all variety of vital space. Cats never lived on two continents: Australia and Antarctica. They have occupied South America recently - 2 million years ago. It is connected with drift of continents of the Earth. Up to middle-aged our planet weight dry the Southern hemisphere merged in one huge continent. Hundred eighty millions years ago, how the cat's family has appeared, the Southern hemisphere, owing to movements of an earth's crust, was divided into set of parts as Africa, Forward India, Northern America, Australia and Antarctic Region. Africa and Forward India have once joined the Euroasian part of a land and have been there and then populated with all kinds of cats. Two million years ago there was a connection Southern and Northern America in double continent, cats have gone to master and these parts of the world. Only Australia and Antarctic Region have remained till now isolated continents. The cat's sort had no there access while the modern domestic cat has not landed there together with the person.

Dogs in Space

2005-09-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

Before astronauts orbited the Earth in tiny space capsules, dogs like Laika, Lisichka, and Bars paved the way for future exploration and for putting people in space.
Laika, the First Dog in Earth Orbit. Laika was the first dog sent into orbit around the Earth (other dogs were launched earlier on sub-obital flights). She rode on Sputnik 2, a Russian mission that blasted off on November 3, 1957 (Sputnik 2 was a metal sphere that weighed about 250 pounds = 113 kg). Laika was originally thought to have survived in Earth orbit for four days, dying in space when the batteries to the cabin over-heated. In 2002, it was revealed that Laika died roughly 5 to 7 hours into the flight, from overheating and stress.
After orbiting the Earth 2,570 times, Sputnik 2 fell back to Earth on April 14, 1958, burning up during re-entry. Laika was a female mutt who was part Siberian Husky. Laika means "barker" in Russian. Other Space DogsBetween 1957 and 1966, the USSR (now Russia) sent 13 dogs into space in preparation for future missions.
The dogs included:
Laika (meaning "Barker") - died during a mission (Sputnik 2, November 1957)
Lisichka (meaning "Little Fox") and Bars (meaning "Panther" or "Lynx") - died during a test flight on July 28, 1960
Strelka (meaning "Little Arrow") , Belka (meaning "Squirrel"), 40 mice, 2 rats and a number of plants - safely recovered from Korabl'-Sputnik-2. Launched August 19, 1960, it orbited the Earth 18 times. This was the first successful recovery of living biological specimens after an orbital mission. Strelka later gave birth to a litter of 6 healthy puppies; one was given to President John F. Kennedy as a gift.
A stamp from Bulgaria featuring Strelka, Chernushka, Zvezdochka, and Belka.
Pchelka (meaning "Little Bee") and Mushka (meaning "Little Fly")- died when Korabl'-Sputnik-3 re-entered the Earth's atmosphere at the wrong angle and burned up, (launched December 1, 1960)
Damka (meaning "Little Lady") and Krasavka (meaning "Beauty") - Launched December 22, 1960, but the third stage of the SL-3 rocket failed, and the orbital launch was aborted; the two dogs survived an unplanned suborbital flight.
Chernushka (meaning "Blackie"), a dummy cosmonaut (known as "Ivan Ivanovich"), a few mice and a guinea pig - launched March 9, 1961.
Zvezdochka (meaning "Little Star") and a dummy cosmonaut in a space suit - launched on March 25, 1961 and orbited once in final preparation for the Vostok 1 mission. Zvezdochka was named by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
Veterok (meaning "Breeze") and Ugolek (meaning "Little Piece of Coal") were launched on February 22, 1966, in the satellite Kosmos 110. This was a 22-day mission.
More information you can find here.

The fall come, choosing clothes

2005-09-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to remind you that fall is coming. Please don't forget to buy new and practice clothes for you pets.
Here I'll try to dream up a little bit and to offer you a couple of my ideas.
Usually all little dogs frozen in the period of fall and winter. But warm clothes wouldn't be superfluous for the sleek-haired middle dogs.
Nice knitted sweater will suit for little dog of fashion. As accessories I can suggest suede collar, color must be a little darker then the sweater color, also hairdress with the bow of one color with sweater.
If you dog likes sport very much comb will be good for it. Made of modern materials it will protect your dog from rain, cold and dirty.
And on the extreme case, if you dog only sit on your hands and really modern, I can suggest amazing things from fur.
Very glamour and fashioned. Accessories are collar with spangles and maybe little fur hat.
But I'm sure you know better than me what your dogs are fond of.
Use your fantasy. Maybe some ideas you can find here

Authenticity

2005-09-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

So sad today... Poems can help. About our reality, people and dogs, for sure.

In the shining lights of this cold crowded city
where there are lots of deaths but no sympathy,
I saw a woman, who didn’t know the word “dignity, ”
and a man who died bravely just for a celebrity,
And a dog which was being read Totality and Infinity.
In this bright, bright modern city,
The only warmth you could find is that of electricity.

Jade TheBird

World of Confusion

Lost in a land of turmoil
Trapped in a rat-race of life
It’s a dog eat dog world
You got to stay on top to survive

Twenty-four hours a day seven days a week
You never give up the fight
If you stop now you’ll lose the battle
Struggle hard my friend with all your might
we're livin' in a World Of Confusion
we're livin' in a world with no peace

You’ll make it to the top
Just hold your heads up high
Fight for your right for freedom
Or you’ll end up living as lie

You wonder sometimes if it’s worth it
It’s like aggravation isn’t enough
Living in a world of confusion
And wondering who you can trust

Aaron(AarionLee) Morris

More help you can find here

Famous Pets and People

2005-09-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

As you know famous people have pets too.

Chuck Norris, for example, has White Shepherd, name Angel.

Justin Timberlake from the boy band 'Nsync has Yorkshire Terrier -Bearlie

Mariah Carey has Shih-Tzu Bing & Bong. They are twins given to Carey by Japanese officials while she was on tour there.

Fred Durst has Bulldog - Bizkit

Adolph Hitler had Alsatian -Blondi(German Shepherd).Trained to climb ladders & other tricks

Lord Byron had Newfoundland -Boatswain. Epitaph: "Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices"

Sandra Bullock has Pinscher Mix, name Bob. Bullock's sister rescued Bob from a "gang of cruel teenagers in L.A."

Bill Clinton had Chocolate Labrador, Buddy. Named after an uncle who died shortly before Buddy's adoption; Buddy was killed by a car 03 Jan 2002

Marilyn Monroe had Basset Hound, name Hugo. She had him while she was married to Arthur Miller

Pablo Picasso had Afghan Hound, name Kasbec

Paul McCartney has Sheepdog, name Martha. Featured in the song "Martha My Dear" on the Beatles' White Album

Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker have Border Collie, name Sally. Broderick bought her (Sally, not Jessica) from a farmer on a Northern California highway

Long-long schedule you can read here

Why Dogs are Better than Men

2005-09-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

Dogs do not have problems expressing affection in public.
Dogs miss you when you're gone.
Dogs never wonder whether your dog is good enough for you.
Dogs feel guilt when they've done something wrong.
Dogs don't brag about whom they have slept with.
Dogs don't criticize your friends.
Dogs admit when they're jealous.
Dogs are very direct about wanting to go out.
Dogs do not play games with you -- except fetch (and they never laugh at how you throw).
Dogs are happy with any video you choose to rent because they know the most important thing is that you are together.
Dogs don't feel threatened by your intelligence.
No dog ever voted to confirm Clarence Thomas.
You can train a dog.
Dogs are easy to buy for.
Dogs are good with kids.
Dogs are already in touch with their inner puppies.
You are never suspicious of your dog's dreams.
Gorgeous dogs don't know they are gorgeous.
The worst social disease you can get from your dog is fleas. (okay...the *really* worst disease you can get from them is rabies, but there's a vaccine for it, and you get to kill the one that gives it to you.)
Dogs understand what no means.
Dogs don't need therapy to undo their bad socialization.
Dogs don't make a practice of killing their own species.
Dogs understand if some of their friends can not come inside.
Dogs do not read at the table.
You can house train a dog.
Dogs think you are a culinary genius.
Middle-aged dogs don't feel the need to abandon you for a younger owner.
Dogs aren't threatened by a woman with short hair.
Dogs aren't threatened by two women with short hair.
Dogs don't mind if you do all the driving.
Dogs admit it when they are lost.
Dogs don't weigh down your purse with their stuff.
Dogs like your size.
Dogs look at your eyes.
Dogs do not care whether or not you shave your legs.
Dogs are color blind.
Dogs aren't threatened if you earn more than they do.
Dogs are nice to your relatives.
Dogs obsess about you as much as you obsess about them.

Click here to read How Dogs and Men are the Same and How Men are Better than Dogs

How Dogs and Men are the Same

Both take up too much space on the bed.
Both have irrational fears about vacuum cleaning.
Both like to chew wood.
Both are threatened by their own kind.
Both mark their territory.
Both are bad at asking you questions.
Neither tells you what's bothering them.
Both tend to smell riper with age.
Both have an inordinate fascination with women's crotches.
Both fart shamelessly.
Neither does dishes.
Neither of them notice when you get your hair cut.
Both like dominance games.
Both are suspicious of the postman.
Neither knows how to talk on the telephone.
Neither understands what you see in cats.

How Men are Better than Dogs

Men have only two feet that track in mud.
Men can buy you presents.
Men don't play with every man they see when you take them around the block.
Men are a little more subtle.
Men can do math stuff.
Men don't eat cat turds on the sly.
Men open their own cans.
Dogs have dog-breath all the time.
Holiday Inns accept men.

by Jennifer Berman

Dogs from the street

2005-09-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

My dear pets fans and others, here I want to give you some advices of weather you should take a mixdogs from the street or no.
1) I have two wonderful mixdogs. And I found them both in the street.
So, maybe they could have some diseases, go to the vet right now.
2) As far as I have two dogs there are some problems with walking.
You know mixdogs used to bark on people. And long time was passed until they understood that it is bad.
And you can imagine : big dog run forward to you and bark all the time. Not pleasant , you right.
So, if you have two dogs you need two start training them while they are little, in order to prevent this bad habit.
By the way it was proved scientifically that this habit is in genes of mixdogs.
3) Never punish the dog when it come to you! Even if it made anything wrong.
4)Food must be the same as the breed dogs has. It is not right opinion that the mixdog can eat everything. No!
5)Always try to do everything with love and kindness and if you can't do anything first look for the mistake inside you and than punish the dog.
Good Luck!

Some stuff about equestrian sport

2005-09-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

Horses areе one of the cleverest animals in the world. Just look into their eyes and you'll understand that there and than.
I was engaged in equestrian sport about 4 years. And here I want to tell you about different kinds of equestrian.
And than you can choose weather you like it or no.
First is dressage. Very beautiful and hard "sport". It is not actually a kind of sport, dressage give horseman and horse the ability to show theirs grace, suppleness and control of a body. They must be like a single whole. They work hard for a many years to do it.
For three hundred years the aristocrats of Europe spent most of their time on horseback, learning how to make horses go sideways, to leap in the air on command and to show off these activities in extravagant equestrian pageants and carousels. Riding Masters on the Continent, especially in France, many of whom became court favorites, gradually evolved a logical series of steps for converting the untrained horse into an equine gymnast over a period of three or four years. Fortunately they discovered, too, that any reluctance to perform the complicated movements was not due to truculence and disobedience, which they would attempt to cure with sharp spurs, a long whip and atrociously severe bits, but to a lack of ability, muscle development, confusion and a failure to understand.
There are competition in this kind of sport. And you never can get what is going on inside the horse and horseman, but outside there
will be amazing dance, you 'll remember for long time.
Second is show jumping. Here everything is almost easy. You have certain route, where you need to ride a horse over fences and you must get the least number of penal points. There are many kinds of different fences. With water and without, like a bush, like trees, and sometimes it is so hard to get across them. The horse required for show jumping must move with balance, obeys instantly in any situation and can produce enough jumping ability, speed and agility to satisfy the high demands of today.
Third is military. It include all kinds of sports above and the endurance. An Endurance Ride is a competition to test the speed and the endurance ability of a horse. To be successful, the competitor must have knowledge of pace and efficient and safe use of the horse across country. The competition consists of a number of phases.. At the end of each phase, no phase to exceed 40 km in length (30 km for 1 Star level), there will be a compulsory halt for veterinary inspection. The Veterinary Commission should be consulted on the distance of each phase and the hold times in each Vet Gates. In a 160 km ride there must be at least five Vet Gates plus the final inspection. An Endurance Ride is a competition against the clock. The horse that finishes the course in the shortest time will, in general, be classified as the winner of the competition. Competitions shall be organized to allow competitors to establish their pace to compete against the clock. The length of the course under controlled speed and/or set pace depends on the given circumstances but should not exceed 5 km and there should not be more than one section under controlled speed and/or set pace per phase of the course. 70 % risk for a life.
For more information click here

What To Do When Your Dog Is Aggressive With Your Children

2005-09-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

Counseling owners of biting and aggressive dogs is one of the hardest tasks that veterinarians face. This problem generally becomes apparent when thedog first reaches sexual maturity at 8-10 months of age. It begins with the dog growling at children over treats, food or toys or a spiral toward aggression during play with the child. These dogs stare down the children or assume an aggressive posture with the head down, tail extended, the body in a crouched position and the hair of the neck and back slightly raised. Dogs often challenge children in the family before they challenge the parents because children are smaller and make noisy quick approaches to the dog. Do to their small size; bites on the head and face are common. Because this is a deep-seated emotional response in dogs, disciplining the dog after a bite has little effect. The problem must be differentiated from fear biting in dogs which is a problem in shy, skittish dogs forced into close proximity to a child and biting in response to pain inflicted on the dog by a child. Certain breeds of dog, such as Cow Chows, Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers will bite neighborhood children engaged in horseplay with your children when they perceive they are protecting your children.

Click here to Read More!

There is a definite breed-association with aggressiveness. The most common breed of dog I see this problem in is the Cocker Spaniel. Next come the herding dogs such as Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Huskies and mixed larger dogs.

Since Pit Bull terriers “lock” onto the object they are biting causing severe wounds or death, newspaper accounts of children bitten by this breed of dog are the most common. Top problem breeds change over time. As a breed of dog becomes popular dogs with unstable or poor temperaments are bred by breeders to produce more income. These dogs were not bred when potential owners were more choosey in selecting a pup. So as the popularity of a breed declines, the frequency of health and personality problems declines as well.

I see aggression in male dogs more frequently than in female dogs. I also encounter it more in intact than in neutered dogs.
Children bitten are usually between the ages of 4 and 11 years. Boys are more frequently bitten than girls since they tend to be more outgoing and fearless.

When an owner presents me with a situation where their dog has attacked or might attach their children, my first response (the safest for all concerned) is to find a new, loving home for the dog with a family with no small children. Often, it only takes my reassurances that this is the right thing for everybody concerned for them to comply. If they plan to replace the dog, I make sure I screen potential puppies and their parents for any signs of aggressive behavior before purchase. If they are set on keeping the dog and I can not talk them out of it, I explain to them the risk to their children and the children of neighbors to make sure they really understand the dangers involved. You really cannot predict which families will be successful in modifying their dog’s behavior. I then provide them with the name and address of a dog trainer I trust. I let them know that the success rate in modifying this behavior is less than fifty percent. Here are some of the things I suggest they do and don’t do during this training:

1) The child must never be allowed with the dog in an unsupervised situation
2) The dog should be muzzled or confined to a crated when small children are present
3) No food items should be allowed in the dog's area.
4) Loud noise should be avoided
5) Other dogs and non-family members should not be present
6) No rough-housing should be allowed
7) Allot a morning and evening session of 20 minutes over a period of two months before judging the
success of the training.

After a month or two of time has passed using these first seven rules, it is time to cautiously allow the child to pet or stroke the dog with the dog remaining muzzled. An adult’s hand should be present on the dog’s shoulder during training. If the child is old enough, the dog should be leashed and the leash should be held taunt and given to the child. The dog should be praised when it shows no evidence of aggression toward the child and ignored when it does. During the first six months, under no circumstances should the muzzle be removed from the dog when a child is present. If after six months, no signs of aggression occur, the muzzle can be removed from the dog when an adult has his or her hand surrounding the dogs mouth and another hand on the dogs shoulder.

This article was taken from http://www.2ndchance.info/aggresive.htm

Smarty Cat

2005-09-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

This know-all looks like my research assistant :)

Exotic animals

2005-09-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

The decision to get an exotic pet should never be taken lightly. People choose exotic pets for a variety of reasons but it is important to carefully examine the reasons, consider the reality of caring for the species chosen, and learn as much as possible about the pet before bringing it home!

The right exotic pet will truly become a member of the family. Sadly, many exotic pets are chosen on an impulse basis, or without adequate prior research. Exotic animals are rarely low maintenance or inexpensive to care for in the long run. It is important to spend time learning about a potential pet before bringing it home, and to have all the necessary equipment and supplies on hand for the homecoming to make the transition to a new home as easy as possible for the pet.

Consider your motivation for getting a pet and whether that pet is going to meet your expectations (e.g. social and cuddly or independent) and fit into your long term plans. Some owners simply want to have a pet that is out of the ordinary. Others may want a pet that doesn't require a lot of attention. In the end the decision to acquire an exotic pet must be based the amount of the time and attention available to give to a pet, and the ability to provide adequate housing, space, and care (including costly veteriary care if needed).Continue
The term "exotic pet" covers a tremendous variety of species. The first decision will be between the following: mammal (small caged pet or larger), reptile (lizard, snake, turtle), amphibian (frog, salamander), bird, fish, or insect. Even once this narrowed down, there are a huge number of choices to make. The only recourse is research, research, and more research. Here are some factors to consider when making a choice:
legality - first and foremost, find out which kinds of pets are legal in your area. Laws may be enacted a various levels of government that prohibit certain pets.
size of the pet - of course, the larger the pet the larger it's home will have to be, and the more space and/or exercise it will need.
sociability - do you want a pet that enjoys or seeks out human interaction, or a pet that is happier without regular handling?
feeding requirements - commercially prepared food are available for several pet species, but others will require a variety of fresh foods prepared daily, or even mice or insects as a staple in their diets.
housing - consider what size and type of housing will be necessary, or if the pet will run free in the home (or both). For pets that need an enclosure, can an appropriate amount of space be provided? For pets that spend time out of the cage, some degree of pet proofing will be necessary (for some species moreso than others).
compatibility with children - some pets are ill-suited to live with small children.
single Vs multiple pets - some pets are happily independent, but others will be much more content with a companion of the same species. If multiple pets will be kept, though, same sex pairs (often female) are often preferred to prevent reproduction. On the other hand, some species are too territorial to be kept in the same enclosure if multiple pets are desired.
compatibility with other pets in the home - will a new pet get along with other pets in the home, or be stressed out by other pets in close proximity to them?
veterinarians - it is a good idea to have a veterinarian lined up to care for your pet. For some of the more unusual ones it may be difficult to find one willing to see them.
activity level of the pet - some are very active and require lots of exercise, others will be quieter.
destructive tendencies - the curious, active pet can wreak a lot of havoc in a house.
pet sitters - consider if you have someone who will look after your pet if you go away. Some of the more "unique" pets may be a challenge when it comes to finding pet sitters.
potential danger posed by the pet - some pets can be aggressive or even dangerous, and some are potentially toxic.
health concerns - some animals carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans (e.g. reptiles and Salmonella). This is an important consideration if there are household members with vulnerable immune systems - young children, elderly people, or immunocompromised people.

Ear Care

2005-09-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

You may need to take your dog to the vet for a thorough examination if it:

Shakes its head or scratches its ears
Lives with other pets with parasitic infestations
Exudes a pungent odor from its ears
Has long, pendulous ears
Lives in a humid environment
Loves to swim or bathe
Has a history of recurring ear infections

A wise old doctor once said, "Never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow." This doctor could have been a veterinarian instructing you about ear care in the dog. Without a doubt, one of the most common problems that crosses the veterinarian's exam table is otitis externa (infection or inflammation of the external ear canal). Surprisingly, most ear infections can be forestalled by proper preventative care by the pet's owner. Often pet owners unknowingly make the problem worse by inappropriately treating the ear with improper medication or by traumatizing the ear during cleaning. The best way of preventing this is to take your dog to your veterinarian once you notice any ear problems and learn proper ear cleaning techniques.

Now HEAR This!

I once had a pet owner complain that she had been treating her dog for what she thought were ear mites (a parasite found in the ear) for weeks and had not been successful at resolving the problem. Upon examination of her dog's ear canal, I found several pieces of spear grass embedded near the ear drum and gently extracted them. All the ear mite medication in the world would not have re-solved the problem.

Click here to read the whole article: Read more! To understand the dog's ear problems better, we must initially understand that the dog's ear canal is anatomically different than that of the human ear. Unlike the human ear, the dog's ear has two compartments. Beginning at the opening of the ear canal, the vertical canal travels downward towards the dog's jaw. Then it makes a 45 degree turn and travels horizontally towards the ear drum. This makes visualization and treatment of the entire canal more difficult. Also, as a rule, most breeds have a much longer ear canal than humans. These differences predispose the dog's ear to infection as well as make treatment more difficult.

Dogs with long, pendulous ears, such as Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Basset Hounds and Irish Setters, certainly are more predisposed to ear problems than those breeds with short, erect ears. As the ear folds, it covers the ear canal and prohibits air from entering and drying the canal. The result is a moist, warm ear canal that is a perfect environment for organisms to grow.

Parasitic Problems

Inflammation of the ear canal, or otitis externa, can be caused by a number of factors, such as parasites, microorganisms, foreign bodies, tumors, and underlying dermatological (skin) disease. Ear mites are parasites that often can cause otitis externa. However, the incidence is much lower than often thought. In my experience, less than 10 percent of all ear problems in dogs that I have treated are the result of ear mites. Ticks and fleas are other examples of parasites commonly found in canine ear canals.

Ear mites can be problematic, however. An elderly gentleman once explained that he thought his dog was "going crazy." He said his old setter would sleep by the fireplace. Suddenly it would jump up yelping and begin to run around the room in circles. After several minutes of hysterical commotion, the dog would lie down again and go back to sleep.

After pondering the situation, I examined the dog's ears and found a heavy infestation of ear mites. It appeared that as the heat from the fire warmed the dog's ear canals, the mites would became agitated and began to move around. As the old setter would run around the room, the ears would cool down and the mites would stop their activity. Then the dog would return to the fireside.

An important point to remember is that ear mites are parasites. Therefore, for your dog to have ear mites, it must have had direct contact with another pet infested with ear mites. So if your veterinarian diagnoses one animal in your house with ear mites, it is best to have all of your animals examined for possible infestations.

Dastardly Yeast Infections

The most common cause of canine ear problems that I see is caused by microorganisms, particularly yeasts. Malassezia pachydermatitis usually is the culprit, and it loves to proliferate in warm, moist environments such as the dog's ear canal.
Owners will notice the dog shaking its head or scratching at its ears. A good sniff near the ears usually verifies a problem, as most infectious otitis ears are quite pungent. Certain bacteria such as Staphylococci, Streptococci, E coli, and Pseudomonas spp also can cause infections in the dog's ear, and in many cases both bacteria and yeast are present. If the infection persists, the ear canal will become inflamed and often discharge a purulent exudate, a pussy substance.
Your veterinarian usually will take an ear swab and examine it under a microscope to determine the exact cause of the infection. This will enable a specific treatment plan to resolve the problem. Often, treatment will include flushing the ear canal with an antimicrobial solution and drying agent. An anti-inflammatory injection is then administered to reduce swelling and relieve the pain. The appropriate topical medication also will be dispensed for further treatment by the pet owner. Remember, all ear infections are not caused by the same microorganism; therefore, treatment without proper examination is strictly guessing.

As a pet owner, it is important to know that persistent or recurring ear infections in a dog commonly are manifestations of other concurring disease processes. Allergies and hypothyroidism are good examples. Systemic allergies often cause dermatitis and itching in the ear canal, which predispose self-trauma and subsequent ear infection. Hypothyroidism may manifest itself as increased thickness of the skin and continual release of exudate in the ear canal, which favors an environment for otitis externa.

Practicing Proper Ear Care

Proper ear care for the dog can often prevent recurring infection. Dogs with a history of ear disease require routine cleaning of the canals. I recommend plucking all hair that grows in the canal. Hair impedes air flow into the canal that tends to keep the canal dry. Common household tweezers or forceps work well and usually are well tolerated by the dog. Be careful not to grasp the skin of the canal. After hair removal, flush the ear canals with a commercial ear cleaner. These products can be found at most veterinarian clinics or pet shops. After flushing, gently massage the base of the ears to distribute the solution around the normal ear folds.
Most ear cleaners have several functions. They not only clean the ear canal but also have an agent for liquefying exudate, drying the ear canal, and changing the pH (acidity) in the canals. Most microorganisms prefer an environment that is alkaline; therefore, most ear preparations have an acid base. Frequency of treatment will vary among individuals, but once a week during the warm months is a good rule of thumb for those dogs that have had problems with infected ears. Also, any time your dog is bathed or enters the water, an ear cleaning solution should be administered immediately afterward. This preventative is similar to what humans do to ward off "swimmer's ear." Dogs without a history of ear problems may be treated with an ear cleanser after bathing.

It is not wise to use cotton tip applicators in the ear canal. This can be quite painful to the dog. Also, I don't recommend using alcohol in a dog's ear. Alcohol will dry the ear, but if there is inflammation or small scratches in the canal, the alcohol will burn and cause tremendous pain and further inflammation. If you must use a product from the shelf at home, use white vinegar diluted 50:50 with water.
Good preventative ear care can eliminate needless trips to your veterinarian and save a lot of discomfort for your dog. Watch your dog carefully for scratching at its ears or shaking its head. Have your groomer check for an ear problem each time you take your dog in, and at home take the time to check your dog's ears for redness, odor or the presence of exudate. If you determine there is a problem with your pet's ears, don't wait. Let your veterinarian do a thorough examination and direct specific treatment before the problem worsens.

Dr. Thomas has been a practicing veterinarian in Lewisville, Texas, for 15 years. He has written numerous articles about pet health published in several magazines and newspapers. This article was published in Dog World magazine, November 1996 edition.

Libra

2005-09-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

As fas as now is September we decided to publish the Libra-dog horoscope.

On September, 24 on October,-23
Libra is the keyword in character: cooperation, partnership, steadiness.

Libra-dogs is legible in food and demands balanced feeding. Because of excessive curiosity dog can get in different traps. Be convinced, that you have not closed dog in a refrigerator or a bath. They like light and pleasant conditions of your house. They adore making a hairstyle in modern saloon. Libra-dogs very good intermediary in the sanction of the disputed situations arising between people. Dog removes a pressure naturally and unostentatiously.

Libra-dogs should be walked daily. It is necessary for them to hang out with other dogs. Libra are under influence of Venus - goddesses of love. Therefore it is not necessary to hold Libra-dogs locked up during the coupling period. As Libra gravitate to the communication, believe - Libra-dogs can not only acquaint you with other dogs, but also with their owners.

Libra-dogs are at heart quiet and peaceful. They extremely seldom show strong negative emotions but if they " have left about a rail " are terrible in the to rage. Fortunately, they are not sensitive. If a misunderstanding has arisen between you and your dog, do not take it seriously is not for a long time.

Occurrence Libra-dog in your house (or any other dog during a sign Libra) can coincide with such stage of your life when dialogue and mutual understanding are necessary for you. Libra-dogs in the certain degree are compensated with lack of human mutual understanding. It also can be a sign on forthcoming wedding or an establishment of close friendly attitudes. Very soon you can reach harmony in attitudes with yours Libra-dog- is not so choosy, however people.

Health: the Weak spot - glasses. Reflex connection with a head, it is especial with eyes. Energy frequently below normal level.

Compatibility with other signs:
Harmony: Water-Leo, Gemini.
Friendship: Sagittarius, Leo.
The conflict: Star Sign Capricorn, Aries, Cancer.

For more information click here

7 main rules in the dog's feeding

2005-09-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

1) You need to know dog’s requirements in energy, nutritious and biologically active substances.
That is to keep all the feeding norms about high-grade, balanced and rational food.

2) During the process of organizing dog’s feeding it’s important to take into account the composition features, properties and nutritional value of concrete foodstuff. ( e.g. vitamins are in crude liver, protein – in cottage-cheese, Fe – in semolina and so on.

3) Never feed your dog with one product (even meat)

4) Strict observance of feeding norms and feeding mode

5) Never overfeed the dog!

6) remember that bodies of digestion of a dogs are different from ours that’s why food must always be prepared only with proper ways of doing it.

7) At diseases of a gastroenteric path, because of the wrong feeding you need to choose the right diet for your dog. ONLY CONCRETE DIET FOR A CONCRETE DOG CAN HELP IT.

Your new friend

2005-09-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

So…..you decide to have a dog. Believe me it is very responsible step in your life.
No matter what you say there will be some changes. But if you firmly sure to have a new member in your house, than here we go!
While choosing a new friend you need to get the most big (but not fat), impudent and communicative one. You have made your choice and happy bring your little friend home.
OOOPS, first oversight. Nice pool on your new carpet. Please don’t be angry, little dog is too little to understand. There will be a lot of such pools while he become adult (usually 6 month).
Now you have new duties. You need to go for a work with you dog every day 3 or 4 times a day.
Very good if you have a lot of money to pay for the man who will take care of your dog, or you have a big house with a big garden around, than the dog can walk and run where it strike in his head. I don’t want to frighten you, but it is really not easy to take care of a dog.
Remember that the dog need to be vaccinated at 8-10 weeks old and annually thereafter against Canine Distemper, Canine Viral Hepatitis, Canine Leptospirosis, Canine Parvovirus and in some countries, Rabies. It is hard and almost fatal diseases.
Than dog need qualitative and balanced food. All vitamins and microelements (A,D,E,K,C,B1,B2,B3,B4,B5,B6,B12,H) . Also you can’t give the same food to the puppy, fed dog, and ill dog.
You need to walk with him long time and physical loads are obligatory. There will be separate
article about dog training in our blog.
And the most important little dog and grown-up dog always needs your care and love.
Think carefully what is the most important for you, your domestic slippers or devoted friend, never let you down…

...and happiness for PEOPLE

2005-09-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's not about chocolate. I'll tell you a little secret today ;) . I'm not doing this blog alone. My friend helps me. His name is Max and he has been hiding all this time. But today i want to show you one amaizing picture, was made by him on the Black Sea. And as ours topic is animals some interesting stuff will be below.

This summer I first saw that the Black See is full of millions ligts! They are magic, but you can see them only when the night comes.
How do you think what are they like? They are tiny microorganisms!
Some scientific facts for those interested in. All the main groups of microorganisms, which in total biomass are one and a half times larger than that of the groups of phytoplankton and zooplankton combined, are found in the sea.Most of them occur in a thin surface layer, with a few anaerobic bacteria in the hydrogen sulfide zone (which otherwise is lifeless). The tiny phytoplankton number some 750 species; compared to numbers in the Mediterranean, however, the zooplankton are poorer, with but 80 species, including jellyfish.
More information about Black Sea you can find here

What is poison for PETS...

2005-09-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Feeding pets food that we enjoy is not only wrong, it can also be fatal.
There are some foodstuffs that humans relish which cause illness and death if eaten by pets.
Chocolate, macadamia nuts and onions are good examples. Each of these foods contains chemicals which rarely cause problems for humans, but for dogs,these same chemicals can be deadly.
Chocolate toxicity
Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic.When affected by an overdose of chocolate, a dog can become excited and hyperactive.
Due to the diuretic effect, it may pass large volumes of urine and it will be unusually thirsty.Vomiting and diarrhoea are also common. The effect of theobromine on the heart is the most dangerous effect.Theobromine will either increase the dog’s heart rate or may cause the heart to beat irregularly.
Death is quite possible, especially with exercise.
After their pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their pet is unaffected.However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours.
If you are worried read this

For ladies only

2005-09-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard about toy dogs? Sure! In the times of Kings and Queens women took those little dogs with them on every solemn event. But what can we see nowadays? Modern women are walking along the street with the same little dogs! So here i want to tell you about toy breeds. And maybe you'll have one ;)
I can start with CHIHUAHUA.The Chihuahua's size makes it a wonderful dog for people who live in small city apartments. The breed is very hardy and adaptable, but it must live inside a home or an apartment, the Chihuahua should not live outside. Chihuahuas are good travelers and can easily go anywhere with their owners.A graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament. History of this dogs go with its roots at the ancient Aztecs times...

YORKSHIRE TERRIER. He is an independent dog, but a devoted companion. Despite his small size he is more than willing to act as a guardian for his master.That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance. The earliest record of a Yorkshire Terrier born in the United States dates to 1872.

ITALIAN GREYHOUND. The coat requires very little grooming. It is virtually odorless and sheds very little. Though they give the impression of fragility, the Italian Greyhound is a very hardy breed. They adapt to most households and enjoy the company of children and other pets. The breed is believed to have originated more than 2,000 years ago in the Mediterranean basin, possibly in the countries now known as Greece and Turkey. The breed was a favorite of various royal families of Europe including the consort of England's James I, Anne of Denmark, Mary Beatrice d'Este of Modena and others.

All materials about dogs are from Pets. Yahoo!

"Strange" visit

2005-08-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

Dolphins, seals and porpoises are among the more unexpected visitors to London's River Thames and its estuary, a recent survey revealed.
A family of harbor porpoises has been spotted feasting on fish off Vauxhall Bridge in the center of the British capital, according to the survey by the Zoological Society of London.
Common seals were regular visitors to the waters around Canary Wharf to the east and the Thames Barrier, and they have also been seen near Tower Bridge, it said.
Even dolphins have been reported enjoying the waters near Southend in Essex, just inside the mouth of the river.

"Handsome"

2005-08-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Recently in third time 14-year-old pedigreed Chinese crested name Sam has won a title "The ugliest dog in the world", in the Santa-Barbara city. Sam absolutely bald, but it is features of breed, its teeth grow in the different sides and all body is covered with warts. The mistress is very much proud of her pet and speaks that does not want puppies, as Sam should the one in the world and unique in it's own way. Well, what can I say - the beauty will rescue the world, but freaks also can become famous...

Introduction

2005-08-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's not a secret that animals are our best friends. Thousand people all over the world have pets. Here we'll try to help you make there life happier.