Archive for December, 2009
what is “cyber dog secirty & communication”?
Posted by: | CommentsPoisonous Plants – Common Indoor Houseplants That Can Kill Your
Posted by: | CommentsPoisonous Plants - Common Indoor Houseplants That Can Kill Your Dog
For those of you that keep your dog inside of the house at all times and away from outdoor dangers from poisonous plants, you may feel relatively safe but there are plenty of precautions to take in what indoor plants you choose to have around the house.
Let me guess, you probably have plants decorated inside such as the caladium, alocasia, elephant ears, a few philodendrons, and even a sprinkle of skunk cabbage for added sparkle. There is nothing to fear in this lovely scenario, is there?
Wrong!
Each indoor plant that we just mentioned above contain a small amount of sharp crystals known as calcium oxalate. Once your dog bites into these plants, the crystals become embedded in its mouth which not only results in pain, but can be fatal due to the immense swelling of the back of the tongue, thus preventing the dog from breathing, and ending in death by suffocation.
Mistletoe is a beautiful little plant, widely known as a yuletide decoration, that provides a traditional reminder of happiness during the holidays. But when the holidays are over, these mistletoe plants are carelessly thrown into the trash can. If your dog doesn't get to it then there is a good possibility that a free-roaming dog outside may snatch up a few bites when the trash is put out. Either way, these dogs can become very sick when ingesting the mistletoe.
During wedding ceremonies, thousands of churches every year are decorated with beautiful yellow Jessamine to accent the ceremony. And the brides all carry bouquets of this yellow Jessamine. At the end of the ceremonies, these lovely decorations are tossed into the trash and death is literally waiting for any stray dog with nothing better to do than eat the blossoms of these plants.
Take Responsibility
Now that you can see that there are many common houseplants that represent death to your dog and other house pets, it obviously would behoove of you to understand exactly what you are putting into your home for plant decorations. Place your dog's life ahead of your wish list when designing your indoor plant set up.
Further, if you think that your dog has been poisoned by plant toxin, bring both your dog and the suspected plant culprit with you to the veterinarian. If the vet knows exactly which plant caused the poisoning, he will have a better chance at providing the correct antidote.
Keep in mind, however, that your veterinarian cannot be expected to know as much as a botanist would, but proper diagnosis and the correct treatment of specific plant poisoning is at the vet's fingertips through the national Poison Control Center if additional help is needed.
Dog Communication: Are You Listening? (1)
Posted by: | CommentsYou've just gotten home after a brutal day at work. The headache from your busy schedule would love nothing more than to be relieved by a warm welcome from your family.
As soon as you open the door you hear the high-pitched voice of your wife as she is scolding your ten-year-old son, while his little sister is sobbing because he broke one of her new dolls.
The television is loud and your Mother-in-law is chatting on the phone...
So who is the loving one that meets you at the door?
"Sammy" does, your three-year-old mongrel dog.
He's wagging and wiggling from his head to the tip of his tail. He dances and jumps into your waiting arms, and, if you allow him, he licks you on the face. He's glad to see you. Your dog has expressed himself in the language that he knows you understand.
Your dog, like pet dogs all over the world, use body language and a variety of vocal sounds to communicate with his owner. The dog possesses an incredible ability to communicate with his owner: a universal language, telling man of danger, desire, loyalty and love.
Your dog talks to tell you how sad he is when he's scolded. He shouts loud and clear his distress when a stranger or something unusual approaches, and he talks to you about how happy he is to be near you and share your companionship.
Your dog talks best with his tail. When you accidentally step on your pet or upbraid him, he will tuck his tail between his legs and cower down, showing his submission. By tucking the tail, the dog is hiding his scent and thus hiding himself. This language seems to go back to the ancient wild dog when submissiveness and dominance existed in the pack.
Your pet's ancestors signaled his subservience to the dominant dog by dropping that tail. Today, the domesticated dog is saying, "I feel terrible about what happened."
In contrast to the submissive tail movement, there is that happy, excited tail-wagging that states how much your dog wants to please you. The following story is such an example of this need to please:
Max, a Collie, did his doggiest best to please his young owner while she was preparing for her wedding. Max had watched Angelica opening her wedding gifts the week before the ceremony. One afternoon, the Collie proceeded to provide a gift for Angelica...
He yanked a brocade pillow from a neighbor's clothesline and brought it home. After placing the pillow at Angelica's feet, he wagged his tail in sheer joy that he was pleasing his owner and sharing her prenuptial pleasures.
As you can see from this wonderfully heartwarming example of this Collie's desire to communicate pleasure, dogs are also much more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially in the communication department.
Ibizan Hound (Hound Group)
Posted by: | CommentsThe Ibizan Hound is one of the most instinctive hunting dogs of the Hound Group. They can locate just about any animal using highly tuned-in scent and hearing skills. If given the chance to chase, these dogs will jump at the opportunity to go after small animals. They often bark while chasing prey, which is uncommon among most sighthounds. Indoors, the Ibizan makes a wonderful house pet with a quiet, well-mannered demeanor and highly devoted to its family.
A Brief History Of The Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan hound has its roots that date back to the Ancient times, from the Balearic Islands. Their physical appearance is strikingly similar to that of the Pharaoh Hound, both bearing an amazing similar look as those depicted in Egyptian tombs.
It is said that Ancient Phoenician sea traders had brought these dogs with them to the Balearic Islands (Ibizan), where they remained secluded from the outside world for some time. And although Ibizan had experienced many rulers over the years, the Ibizan Hound still remained totally pure without being crossed with other breeds. Very little has changed from its ancestral stock.
The first Ibizan Hound made its way to the United States during the 1950s. The dog made quite an impression due to its unusually striking look. Although it became popular quickly, the breed's numbers never really took off. Gradually it had gained enough notice to be recognized by the AKC in 1979. Today the Ibizan still remains a rare breed to be seen.
Upkeep Requirements For The Ibizan Hound
Being the proud owner of the Ibizan Hound means living an active lifestyle. Daily runs or sprints in a safe area will keep this dog happy. In fact, they have the most fun when allowed to run at full speed, which means having access to a large field. Ideally you should live on a large property with plenty of open land to keep the Ibizan happy.
This not the type of hound that is meant to live outdoors. Although they should have access to the yard during the day it is important that they sleep inside at night with the family. Ibizan dogs have a moderate tolerance for heat but not so much for cooler temperatures. Grooming requirements for the breed calls for the occasional brushing every couple of weeks. The wire-coated version will need brushing more often - about once weekly.
Health Concerns
The average lifespan of the Ibizan Hound is between twelve and fourteen years. There are no major health concerns to worry about. Minor health problems that run common in the breed include seizures and allergies. Rarely seen is retinal dysplasia, cataracts, axonal dystrophy, and deafness. Veterinarians suggest that Ibizan Hounds get specifically tested for eye problems.
Pet Food Recall: Are These Pet Food Manufacturers Purposely Killing
Posted by: | CommentsPet Food Recall: Are These Pet Food Manufacturers Purposely Killing Your Animals?
We all want the best for our beloved dogs, especially when it comes to the foods they eat. We want to give them only the healthiest food available to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. But what if the so-called "healthy pet foods" that are being sold in the market today are not reliable anymore?
What do we do when we can no longer trust the food manufacturers who is supposed to provide us with safe and healthy foods for our animals?
When The Food Is Killing Your Pets, Something Has To Change
The widespread recall of pet food has created a scare to all dog and cat owners who rely on commercial brands to feed their pets. All over the country, contaminated pet food has caused many dogs to become severely sick, while a large number of them have died.
In March alone of this year, Menu foods, an Ontario based manufacturing company, recalled more than 90 brands of "cuts and gravy" moist foods (both dog food and cat food) after more than 14 animals died from eating them. A few weeks later, the same company added 20 more varieties of their brand to be taken off store shelves.
It was later discovered that wheat gluten, an ingredient found in the said pet foods, was contaminated with rat poison. The risk of Salmonella contamination has also been the cause of a recall for two brands of pig ear dog treats.
Cases of toxic pet foods go back to December of 2005, when several dogs died and dozens fell ill after eating kibble manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. It was later found out that the food was contaminated with aflatoxin a naturally occurring chemical produced from fungus and can be found on crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and beans. This chemical is also toxic to domestic animals, livestock, and even humans. Other pet food recalls during this past decade also involve the risk for Salmonella contamination.
Are These Pet Food Companies Breaking The Law?
FDA regulations state that pet foods should be manufactured similar to the way human foods are manufactured. They should be processed under a sanitary environment, do not contain any harmful ingredients, accurately labeled, and safe to eat.
All pet food manufacturers are expected to comply with these regulations to ensure that the food is safe and healthy. However, due to limited resources, the FDA can only inspect pet food issues after consumer complaints are made or if the FDA has a reason to believe that there is a threat to animal health. A recall is then announced by the FDA or the manufacturer if a defective product is found.
My cat has a birth defect where her lower jaw doesn't meet up with her upper jaw so her lower k9's go up in the upper palate of her mouth when its closed. she has a hard time eating and usually has her tung sticking out. to get the problem teeth pulled it will cost close to 1000 dollars
Harrier
Posted by: | CommentsThe Harrier dog breed is a member of the scenthound family and its origins are from Great Britain. The term "Harrier" used to be a general reference to all hounds which is why it makes it difficult to research the exact history of today's Harrier dog. Dog historians theorize that this dog may in fact be one of the oldest of scent hounds that are still in existence today.
References to the Harrier dog breed date back to the 13th century in England. And It is quite possible that the breed has ancestry that connects with the Talbot dog (which is extinct today), St. Hubert hounds, Brachet dogs, and eventually the French Basset.
All of these breeds combined produced a dog that had a keen ability to track hare with its strong sense of scent and at a pace slow enough that enabled hunters to keep up with them on foot. In the past, most Harrier packs were owned and used by the gentry. However, hunters that were poor and did not have horses could also hunt alongside Harriers. The Harrier breed has been recognized in the United States since back to the colonial times.
Personality
If you have the opportunity to own a Harrier dog as a house pet then you have already seen just how playful and outgoing its personality can be. This dog is much more sociable than its counterpart, the Foxhound, but not quite as extroverted as the Beagle is. Harrier dogs are excellent with children, amiable, and make outstanding watchdogs. They are most happy when able to run free outdoors in a safe area sniffing and hunting.
Taking Care Of Your Harrier
Like most dogs, Harriers need daily physical exercise that can be taken care of with a long walk or a brisk jog out on the trail. It also loves to play vigorous dog games outside. They can live outdoors if need be so long as there is plenty of warm shelter and soft bedding. Grooming requirements are minimal, with only the occasional brushing to remove loose hair. One other important thing to know about Harrier dogs is that they are extremely sociable and need companionship at all times.
Health Information
The average lifespan for a healthy Harrier dog is between 11 and 15 years. The only major health concern that may spring up is CHD. There are no minor issues to date. Occasionally seen is perianal fistula and epilepsy, but both conditions are extremely rare.
Are there any good dog breeders out there?
Posted by: | CommentsI am a professional dog breeder and I was wondering if any of you have had some good experiences with dog breeders. I hear so many negatives about breeding dogs--I love my dogs! They are my life! I don't have a lot in my life except for my dogs. They love so unconditionally and I ALWAYS put their health and well being first! I will NEVER make a lot of money from selling puppies because that isn't the most important thing to me. I was just wondering if anyone has had a GOOD experience with a dog breeder? Are there any good dog breeders out there (other than me)?
Eye And Heart Disease
Posted by: | CommentsEye disease is very common with Golden Retrievers. Most Golden's will generally have hereditary cataracts, which is a common eye problem. At an early age, with affected Golden's, one type of hereditary cataract will appear. Even though it may not cause interference with the vision of the Golden Retriever, some dogs will progress into total and quite possibly severe loss of vision.
Sometimes, Golden Retrievers can get affected by non hereditary cataracts, although an examination by a board certified veterinarian can determine just how bad the cataracts really are. If cataracts are indeed suspected with a Golden Retriever, then breeding won't be recommended. Breeding a Golden who has this condition can lead to serious problems, such as passing it on to the pups.
Several families of the Golden Retriever breed have been known to carry genes for CPRA (Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy), which affects the retina, and can result in permanent blindness for Golden's at a young age. There are other types of eye defects as well, such as retinal dysplasia, which prevents a Golden from breeding.
Trouble with both the eyelid and eyelashes are also a possibility with Golden Retrievers, with some being the result of hereditary factors. The eyelids rotating in or out, or the eyelashes rubbing on or in the eye are both common problems with the breed. Even though surgery can help to fix these types of problems, dogs that are experiencing this type of problem shouldn't be allowed to breed nor compete in shows under any type of AKC rules.
You should always have your Golden Retriever checked annually for eye disease, as it can develop during any age. When you take your Golden to have him examined for eye disease, you should have a veterinary ophthalmologist do the exam. He has all of the necessary equipment, and the proper training needed to make sure that your dog gets the best examination possible.
Heart disease
SAS (Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis) is the most common and widespread form of heart disease within the entire Golden Retriever species. Before you breed your Golden Retriever, you should always have him examined for heart disease by a certified veterinary cardiologist. If the cardiologist detects a heart murmur, he will recommend additional tests for your dog.
In the event that the results prove negative, it doesn't necessarily rule heart disease out, as some milder forms may still be present, although undetectable. If a Golden Retriever is diagnosed to have any type of heart disease, he should not breed. Breeding Golden Retrievers who have heart disease can lead to serious and sometimes fatal results. To be on the safe side, you should always have your Golden tested for his disease before you plan on breeding.
Greyhound Dog Breed
Posted by: | CommentsGreyhound dogs and all similar-type dog breeds have been depicted since the early ancient times throughout Greece, Egypt, and Rome. The Greyhound is a member of the sighthound family. In fact, the first type of dogs that were specifically bred by humans were called the Sighthound. Sighthounds were created in order to chase and outrun game, ultimately catching it through speed and agility.
The name "Greyhound" is said to have come from either the Greek word Graius or the Latin gradus, which denotes high grade. When the times of Saxon had been reached, Greyhounds were very popular and well established throughout Britain. They were valuable to both commoners and the rich. Commoners used them to hunt and put food on the table while the upper class enjoyed them for the sport of chase.
The Forest Laws of 1014 ruled that only the nobility could own and maintain Greyhounds. These laws were in effect for nearly 400 years and although the ruling was changed, Greyhounds still remained as dogs of nobility even though they were not functional anymore for chasing game because of the growing practice of agriculture and alternative food sources becoming available to the people.
Soon enough, sport of chasing hare became the sole activity of the Greyhound, especially with the upper class during the 1800s. Throughout the early 1900s and into the late 1920s, these dogs were enjoyed by people who watched them race at the tracks.
When racing parks started to install a mechanical lure to watch the Greyhounds race at lightening speed after it, this dog's destiny was sealed. Soon enough, many greyhounds were bred specifically for speed to win these races. This sport continues to this day.
Greyhounds also were entered into dog show competitions and were officially recognized by the AKC in 18ȵ. Greyhounds were then specifically bred for either dog shows or racing. There is even an organization called the National Greyhound Association (NGA) which helps register thousands of Greyhound dogs every year.
Personality
Considering that this dog was specifically bred for racing, you might think that the Greyhound would be a constant wired ball of energy. Ironically, this animal is very calm and laid-back. They have great manners and generally get along with other dogs and pets. However, once he is outside, watch out, our Greyhound is likely to chase anything that moves. These dogs are very independent and moderately playful.
Taking Care Of Your Greyhound
Upkeep of the Greyhound means plenty of daily exercise. Brisk walks are great, but this dog needs to sprint! They absolutely love to be outdoors running around and chasing things. Danger is easily found when Greyhounds are allowed to run free in areas that may prove to cause injury. To counter this, always take your dog outside in the country where there is little chance of getting hit by a vehicle or some other source. As far as grooming is concerned, very little is needed due to the short-haired coat Greyhounds have.
Health Information
Greyhounds have a life span of up to 14 years, with 11 to 12 being the average. There are absolutely no major health concerns to worry about, however, there are some minor issues which include osteosarcoma, esophageal achalasia, and gastric torsion. Due to their genetic disposition to sprint and run at high speeds, common racing injuries may occur, such as toe and hock problems.
Hi! I'm Jamie and this is my site about dogs.
