Pet Rescue

Parvovirus And Your Dog

Parvovirus (commonly called Parvo) is a viral disease that affects dogs. It is far more common in puppies than adult dogs and can have serious ramifications for the infected animal, including death. Parvo grows best in the rapidly dividing cells of the dog?s intestines. As the virus attacks and kills these cells it causes massive diarrhea and halts or slows the creation of white blood cells. In young puppies it can often directly infect the heart, leading to death.

The symptoms of Parvo start with fever, depression, and lethargy. The dog will usually experience a loss of appetite as well and then eventually show more sever signs like vomiting and diarrhea which is often bloody. Once the virus reaches this stage dehydration and death usually follow.

Parvo is carried and transmitted by dogs. The vomit and feces of an infected animal will also carry the virus which is rather resilient and can survive outside the dog?s body in the surrounding environment for as long as nine months. Sometimes an adult dog can be infected by the virus and show no symptoms but act as a carrier transmitting the virus to the other animals it comes into contact with.

There is no cure for Parvo. Dogs that are infected will die of dehydration without treatment. That treatment primarily consists of providing fluids, giving repeated blood transfusions, and preventing dehydration. The mortality rate in dogs affected by Parvo is about 20% if the dog receives treatment in time. Without treatment, about 80% of those infected will die from it. It is a very serious disease.

Parvo tends to affect some dog breeds more than others. Dobermans, Rottweilers, and other black and tan dogs have a greater chance of contracting the virus. The reason for this is unknown but the fact that these dogs are at higher risk does not mean that owners of other types of dogs can rest easily. Dogs of any breed can become infected.

While there is no cure for Parvo, puppies can (and should) be vaccinated against it at an early age. Most vets recommend puppies be immunized starting at six weeks of age with vaccinations continuing until twenty weeks of age. Proper immunization is the best way to prevent a dog from contracting Parvo.…

Adopt a Pet

Useful Facts For Those Wishing To Become A Dog Trainer

There are a number of facts about the origins, ancestry and character of dogs that can be very useful to those who are training dogs. As with all other species, dogs have developed their behavior and character through centuries of adaptation to an ever changing world. However, there are some innate characteristics that will forever be a part of the dog regardless of what adaptations it has taken up.

The first fact to always remember is dogs are animals and at one point they were wild animals. As such they cannot be expected to think or know good and bad. Their lives are governed by instincts and urges. Caring for dogs and also training them are what helps these wonderful creatures ignore some of their instincts and urges. As long as a dog is well fed and cared for, it will behave itself and stay out of trouble. A hungry dog will very easily attack another animal or even a human being because its need for food has not been met. To effectively train a dog requires that it is first well taken care off so as to achieve success.

Another important fact is that dogs are pack animals. Their social structure is based on having a group where each member has a defined position. Each pack has an alpha male as its pack leader and every dog aspires to be the alpha male of the pack. The pack leader provides leadership, protection and a lot more. Your dog sees you as its pack leader and expects you to play that role fully. This is why anytime your dog feels threatened it will always run behind you as it expects you to fend of the attacker.

Dogs are creatures of habit and will learn best through routine and repetition. This is why dog training and dog care need to follow certain processes so as to help the dog learn faster and long term. Feeding times, play times, training times and the times for all other activities must be adhered. Constantly changing activity times will confuse the dog and result in slower and more difficult training for both you and your dog.

Hopefully these facts will help you have a better understanding of your dogs and thus make it easier for you to take them through their training. Successful dog training requires not only understanding the techniques to be applied but also the subject to be trained.…

Dog

Geriatric Cats – Symptoms & Diabetes

As cats age and come in to that middle age period from around 7 � 8 years of age, it is important for owners to keep an eye out for symptoms that could indicate the beginnings of a disease or syndrome. Middle aged to older cats are very prone to developing diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis and sometimes sadly, even cancer.

Symptoms:

Thankfully many geriatric cat diseases can be picked up early on by watching out for several symptoms.

The main one to look out for in these cats is what we call in the Veterinary world PU/PD � otherwise meaning excessive urination and excessive drinking. This is a symptom associated with a number of diseases, but particularly diabetes, hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. Keep an eye on your cat � is he or she always at the water bowl? If your cat is drinking more than 100ml per kg per day, then he or she is definitely drinking excessive quantities of water and this definitely warrants a full check up.

Weight loss is another major symptom that while being easy to pick. This weight loss however, is generally only realized once the at has lost a large amount of weight. This is another good reason for regular check ups with your Vet as it is very important to monitor weight loss as this can be associated with all of the diseases listed above. Also be aware that cats who are overweight are also prone to diabetes AND arthritis so be sure to try and get your cat to his or her optimal weight before they reach ‘middle age’.

Inappetance is another obvious symptom to look out for and if you notice your cat won’t eat his or her food despite trying several different options, then get this kitty to your Vet sooner rather than later. Whilst this can also be associated with all of the above, inappetance alone can cause a problem called ‘fatty liver’ or ‘hepatic lipidosis’ which can quickly become fatal.

While there are many other symptoms that are associated with the diseases mentioned above, these are the major ones to keep an eye on in your middle aged to geriatric cat. If you notice any of these, it would definitely be worth getting your cat to the Vet for a full check over as well as blood and urine tests.

Diabetes

Feline diabetes is more common than most people realize and is definitely more likely in an overweight cat. The first symptoms noticed are excessive drinking and urination, increased hunger and lethargy. Diabetes is a syndrome where the body doesn’t produce or respond to insulin and as a result glucose remains in the blood rather than being utilized by the cells. As a result most of this glucose also spills over in to the urine causing your cat to urinate more (and hence want to drink more too). Thankfully we can test for glucose in the urine of cats and check the blood for the glucose level. Diabetes is definitely treatable and there is a product now that requires you to give your cat only one injection of insulin per day. This insulin helps drive the glucose into the cells to be used! In some cases insulin injections are no longer needed after several months, but this has only been seen in some animals on a certain type of insulin. Ask your Vet for more details. If you have a question that needs to be answered straight away, check this page: – Ask the Vet.…

Humane Society

Pet Wellness: Twice-annual Veterinary Visits Keep Pets Healthy

Most people have heard the old saying that pets age much faster than we do-seven pet years for each of our human years-but few of us consider what that really means for our pet’s health care.

Consider that most dogs and cats reach adulthood by age 2, and by age 4 they are middle-aged. By the age of 7, most large dog breeds are entering their senior years. And as these “dog and cat years” pass quickly by, serious health issues can arise in a similarly shorter amount of time. Dogs and cats are prone to many of the diseases and disabilities that we are-cancer, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, to name a few-but they will develop health problems in “pet years,” too.

For this reason, during National Pet Wellness Month, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds pet owners that they should take their pets into their veterinarian for wellness checkups twice a year. If you take your pet to the veterinarian only once a year, this is equivalent to you seeing your own doctor just once every seven years.

These regular visits will give your veterinarian a chance to detect serious health problems earlier and treat them to extend and improve the quality of your pet’s life. During a twice-annual visit, pet owners should mention to their veterinarian any of the subtle changes they’ve noticed in their pet’s behavior, such as changes in weight, water or food consumption, elimination or anything that seems new. Pets have no way of communicating to their owners that they are having discomfort or other health problems. Cats, in particular, are known for hiding any distress they may be having, so pay close attention. Your observations may help your veterinarian determine if there are any problems, provide an appropriate treatment or prevent problems before they start.

It’s also important to remember that a healthy pet can also ensure that you and your family will remain healthy as well. Some diseases, called zoonotic diseases, can be transmitted to your family by pets, and others are equally threatening to pets and humans. These diseases include rabies and cat scratch disease, which can be transmitted from pets to humans, and Lyme disease, which can be transmitted to pets and humans via parasites. Taking extra precautions to make sure your pets are healthy with regular veterinary visits also helps ensure that you and your family remain healthy as well.…

General Articles

Kitten Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Frisky Kitty

Kitten Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Frisky Kitty

Sometimes, dealing with kitten behavior can be so daunting and confusing. One minute, he wants all of your attention and the next minute, he just wants to be left alone. There may also be times where he’ll even use your leg as a scratching post! If you’re having difficulty figuring out your frisky feline, here’s what you can do about kitten behavior problems.

WHY DOES MY KITTY ACT SO CRAZY?

At times, dealing with a misbehaving cat can test your patience. But the fact of the matter is kitties are hyper. It’s a part of kitten-hood. Like human adolescents, they also go through a teenage stage. This is when they will push boundaries and test their limits. Chewing, scratching, biting and jumping are all behaviors that your little fur ball might display.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

It’s a sad fact that many cats are surrendered to shelters because of behavioral issues. When it comes to kitten behavior problems, you may not be able to figure out what he is doing and just cannot tolerate it any longer. Maybe he keeps using your favorite rug as his toilet or he’s shredding your couch to pieces. You may feel like giving him up for adoption as well. But before you make any hasty decisions, you should take your kitty to the vet to rule out any medical problems that could be causing him to act up.

If he has a clean bill of health, consider talking to a feline behavioral counselor. They are experts who may be able to help with matters such as extreme aggression, eating disorders, destructive clawing and scratching and litter box issues.

Kitten behavior problems can be corrected. All you need is a little time and patience. Once you understand why your feline is being bad and have the tools to correct it, you’ll be well on your way to a happier relationship.…

General Articles

Top 3 Best Cat Toys

Top 3 Best Cat Toys

Cats, like any other pet, enjoy being playful-alone and with human interaction. Cats who play, and are played with, benefit physically and mentally and enjoy the social activity. Here are some of the best cat toys guaranteed to keep your cat playing for hours.

1. Petstages Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy. The Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy is perfect for any kitten or cat and can be considered a toy as well as a safe area for napping or hiding out. The Petstages Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy is made of colorful nylon and is lined with a cuddly, soft material allowing your cat even more comfort. The Petstages Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy has only one entrance/exit, securely pops up and stays open when in use, and folds away easily with velcro attachments when not in use. Your cat will find many uses with the Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy and will offers hours of enjoyment.

2. Petlinks System Fun Beam. The Petlinks System Fun Beam is a laser light beam toy that your cat will go crazy for. The Petlinks System Fun Beam will provide your cat with the exercise that he needs while enjoying some interactive playtime with you. The Petlinks System Fun Beam will get your cat running and jumping and will definitely keep him entertained.

3. Petstages Cat Nip Chew Mice. The Cat Nip Chew Mice are a fun toy for your kitten or cat to play with and are beneficial to your cat’s dental health as well. The Petstages Cat Nip Chew Mice are mouse shaped cat nip filled toys that your cat will love to play with. They are covered with a netted material that is chew resistant and not harmful to your pet. Your cat will not be able to resist chewing on the Petstages Cat Nip Chew Mice and will actually remove tarter and act as a dental floss.…

General Articles

Buying a Ferret

Buying a Ferret

Today when people decide to get a pet, they often want to go beyond the conventional. Hence they prefer exotic and playful creatures such as ferrets. These small, playful creatures can be as cute as a cat and even as loving as a dog. However, before you actually buy a ferret make sure you have taken care of a few things.

Places to get a Ferret from

– Once you have done your initial preparation regarding a ferret and its requirements, the next time is to find places to buy your ferret from. This is assuming that you have checked the local laws of course; because you need to ensure that keeping a ferret is legal in your specific state. Consult your local vet or research online before you buy a ferret.

– Keep some finances ready because the ferret alone could cost you anything ranging from $75 to $100. Some of the rare breeds such as Angora ferrets are quite expensive. These are genetically rare and besides need to be lactated by other ferret mothers, this only mounts the cost.

– A good place to start searching for ferret sellers and breeders is your local newspapers. You could even visit a vet in your area and get expert advice on the same.

– Like most things, even ferrets can be purchased on the Internet due to rise in the number of pet care websites. Do confirm and check all details, especially the authenticity of rare breeds.

Checklists before you get your Ferret home

Don’t be in a rush to get your ferret home after you’ve completed all the procedures. Before getting it home, you need to stock up on some vital things.

– The most important thing to stock is dry ferret food. These tiny creatures need high protein foods and have an appetite for meat.

– Another essential thing to buy is an exercise pen where your ferret can frolic around. Remember that these small animals love moving around and have bundles of energy to use. Therefore this exercise pen will channelize their energy and provide a safe place for them to play.

– Next you will need other basic items of ferret care such as a bad or hammock, litter box, special shampoo, tiny water bottles and most important a special air spray to minimize the odor coming from your ferret.

These items can be easily purchased from any pet store or website. You can even get bargain deals. Once you have the basics ready you can get your ferret and see how enjoyable and loving these creatures can be.…