Pet Information

In the world of dog breeding, the predominant mindset is to improve the breed, or breed as close to the standard as possible. Most breeders that follow this plan will also be very careful about who they sell puppies to and what happens to those puppies in the long run.

However, in the world outside the show ring or working dogs, there is a tendency to breed dogs for “educational” purposes. To teach the children about life. It does not matter who the parents of the litter are (usually), they simply want their female dog to have a litter of puppies so the kids can watch the delivery and see “mother nature” at work.

Let me make this suggestion to you. Don’t Do It!!!

For one thing, you’re not looking beyond the “miracle of life” aspect. Once the puppies are born and weaned, what are you going to do with them? I’ve seen advertisements by people for puppies four weeks of age and let me tell you, those puppies are NOT ready to be removed from their mother. They will require a whole lot more work than an eight week puppy would.

Think all your friends will be delighted to have an offspring of your dog? Think again. When she’s pregnant, they might say it, but when it comes to actually taking one, 98% or more of them will have a reason not to. So, there you are, stuck with anywhere from one to twelve or more puppies.

And, once they are weaned, think of the expense of feeding them until you find them homes. Not to mention the expense of shots and worming for each of the little adorable bundles of fur.

Did you know that dogs can have venereal diseases? Well, they can and responsible breeders will have the dog and the bitch (female) tested so that they do not pass on such things as brucellosis which can lead to infertility in the animals, abortion, and still births. For breeding programs, this can be disasterous. For the dog not in a monitored breeding program, it can be deadly.

Will you choose instead to take them to your local humane society? Have you read the statistics for dogs that are killed annually in pounds and humane societies? According to the Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/), between 3 and 4 MILLION dogs and cats are euthanized per year. That is an estimate, as they cannot get total statistics from some places. Imagine, though, 3-4 MILLION per year. The number one reason they cite? Pet overpopulation. It’s not because of behavior problems, not because of diseases, but because people do not spay or neuter their animals and then let them either run free or turn them in to shelters.

Oh, another thing you ought to be prepared for, what if the bitch doesn’t want the puppies? She might reject them outright, in which case you get the job, or, she might even kill them. Won’t that be something for the kids to see?

And, by the way, a first litter will be pretty confusing to your dog, so you’d better be prepared for lots of strange behaviors. Do you know what to do if the uterus stops pushing puppies out? What about a prolapsed uterus (where the uterus comes out of the dog)? Do you know what that is and what to do about it? Would you recognize mastitis (infection of the mammary glands–deadly to pups and could kill the mother) and know what to do about it?

Then, there is the possibility that with all of you watching her, the poor thing won’t be able to push those puppies out due to anxiety. Have you thought about that?

You say dogs and wolves in the wild do it all the time? True and do you have any idea how many of them do exactly what I’ve described? Neither do I, but if it happens in the domestic dog, you can bet it happens out there and they don’t have vets to take care of them.

So, what I’m saying here is save yourself and your bitch a bunch of heartache and get her spayed. Rent videos for the kids if you want to educate them, but don’t make the dog do it.

Mention the word “video” and different people would come up with different ideas. Some would remember those home movies they made during special occasions spent with family and friends. Others would be reminded of Blockbuster take-homes once the movie they missed would be released in the said rental chain. Not a few would share a smirk with thoughts of Paris Hilton’s digital adventures. But it is rare that someone would associate the word “video” with dog obedience training.

The fact of the matter is that dog obedience training videos are effective means of teaching ourselves how to instruct our dogs to eventually rear them towards a better-behaved and well-disciplined life. Dog obedience training videos are excellent visual guides that could perfectly provide for us the step-by-step process of educating our canine buddies.

Training our dogs the fundamentals of obedience is a must in this day and age. It’s not as if we could hire a nanny for our pets, right? Somehow, our dogs should learn how to behave as good house companions. Tattered items, shredded carpets, furniture in ruins… even our canine buddy’s lovable charms won’t be able to compensate for the damage they are capable of doing.

These dog obedience training videos are prepared by experts in the field. Each package is packed with years of experience waiting to be shared. If you’re not really that much into reading, then a dog obedience training video is perfect for you, as these tools aim to teach you by showing you instead of teaching you by writing about what they know.

Actually seeing how things are done makes knowledge absorption a whole lot easier. There would be less room for errors if you’d get to observe first hand the different steps in dog obedience training. What’s better is that you could learn at your own pace. You don’t have to postpone certain appointments just to learn how to train your dog to be obedient. You can watch dog obedience training videos at a time of your choosing.

Dog obedience training videos would make complicated terms like classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement approaches and the likes simpler to understand. This is so because these methods are illustrated through actions that you’d actually get to see. Imagine if you’d have to read them instead. The learning curve would be steeper.

There are many dog obedience training videos available in the market. Most of them come in different parts, and different specializations. Reviewing your potential purchases is recommended before buying. Try to find the package of dog obedience training videos that is appropriate for your dog and what you want him to learn. It is even more convenient to buy a dog obedience training video online, as the convenience o the internet would allow you to review one product after another with but some clicks of a button.

Dog obedience training videos are beneficial investments. They are sure to impart important lessons, and they could also be used by your family members years after their initial purchase.

Breeding goldfish is actually a fair amount more difficult than most people would think. Much like us humans, Goldfish are rather particular about the conditions in which their little fishy babies will thrive.

Like women, goldfish females appreciate a date done right. They require proper mood lighting and temperature, a nice meal and a romantic environment to “get-it-on”.

To breed your fish, these natural phenomena need to be replicated in order to produce the proper conditions for healthy egg production and maturation.

To get the best chances of success for you’re goldfish breeding, improve the odds. Rather than tossing one girl and one boy fish into the tank, use a two male to one female ratio. Using six goldfish has pretty good possibilities, without overcrowding the tank. The males and females should be kept separated until spawning season, when they can all be joined in one big party.

Preparations for breeding fish should be taken approximately one year prior to spawning season. During this time, it will be your job as matchmaker to replicate the cycle in their natural environment. During the fall, water temperature should be kept cool; around 35-40 ºF and feeding should be reduced to three times per week.

Dry fish flakes should also be combined with worms (fish sized bites of course), duckweed and brine shrimp, which will help produce healthy eggs. After a couple of months (i.e. the winter), the water temperature should gradually be raised to 50-60 ºF, thus simulating the pre-spawning stage. This stage can last four to six weeks, giving you plenty of time to ever so slightly increase food rations (but not too much) and increase the temperature of the water without putting Goldie into shock.

For spawning to begin, the temperature of the water should be around 65-70 ºF. To prepare for this special occasion, a spawning mop or breeding pad should be placed on the bottom of the tank, and extra plants should be put in the aquarium. The plants act as magnets for the sticky eggs, making it easier for egg collection and relocation. Once everything is in place, reunite your goldfish buddies and let the romance begin.

After 3-6 hours, 500 to 2000 eggs will be released and (hopefully) fertilized, and then it will all be over. Infertile eggs, distinguishable by their white and hazy appearance should be removed from the tank as soon as possible, while the amber coloured fertile eggs should be moved to another tank with the same water temperature. After 3-5 days, the eggs will hatch and you will be the proud parent of many hundreds of fry!

The parenting of fry continues well after hatching, so make sure to inform yourself with information concerning feeding, bacteria control and filtration. Best of luck!

Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being more lethargic than usual? If so, it is possible that your pet is infected with heartworms and may need immediate help and attention. Heartworms may infect a host for up to 2 years before any signs or symptoms are visible, and often when they are diagnosed it may be too late for some pets.

Heartworms are an infectious parasitic transmitted by mosquitoes that invades major organs in dogs and cats like the lungs, pulmonary arteries and heart. Heartworms grow and multiply within the pet body and can survive for up to 5 years. Heartworms cause damage and block smaller arterial vessels in your pets key organs leading to organ damage and a multitude of health complications.

The symptoms of a heartworm infestation are often difficult to recognize or may be overlooked or discounted as merely flu or cough-like symptoms. Coughing, weigh loss, lethargy, rapid heart beat, poor coat condition, diarrhea and loss of appetite are common symptoms. Treatment to rid a pet of adult heartworms is a costly vet procedure and involves exposing your pet to arsnic poisoning treatments to kill the adult heatworms - a procedure that can be fatal for aged pets or ones in deteriorating physical condition.

The best approach to dealing with the risk of heartworms is through and active prevention program. Prevention is the key to controlling and avoiding the health problems associated with these highly contagious and common parasites. A simple oral medication administred once a month is all it takes to protect your pets from the damaging effects of heartworm infestation.

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed, and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance, personality, and health requirements. Here’s what you need to know about the Chihuahuas:To breeders of the Chihuahua, this dog is known as the best of the best and the worst of the worst. Although the Chihuahua is small, adorable, and an excellent pet it deals with a myriad of potential health risks. Unfortunately, with commercials featuring this breed and a number of celebrity sightings, the Chihuahua has been labeled as a “carry where you go,” “easy to manage” type dog when the truth is that it does require some special care.Yes, the smooth haired Chihuahua is fascinating and precious but an accidental fall or drop could cause serious injury. For this reason, it takes a knowledgeable and responsible pet owner for this particular breed. When provided the appropriate diet, environment, and attention, this dog is truly one of the best companion dogs there is but without this, problems can and likely will arise.Physical AppearanceThe smooth haired Chihuahua is alert with protruding eyes and a smooth coat. Just as with the long-haired version of the Chihuahua, the smooth haired breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club. Show dogs will generally weigh between four and six pounds but a purebred can be as heavy as 10 pounds. For show, weight is the most important factor since height can vary dramatically, anywhere from 12 to 15 inches from the withers.Additionally, the smooth haired Chihuahua is found in many different colors and color combinations to include:* Solid White* Solid Black* Fawn (cream to light brown)* Chocolate (light brown to rich mahogany)* Blue Gray* Tri-color (chocolate and blue or black, with tan and white markings)* Silver* Merle* BrindleOne important note - the Chihuahua of Merle color typically has more health risks than that of other colors. In this case, problems such as deafness, blindness, sterility, hemophilia, among other things are possible.Temperament and PersonalityWords to describe the smooth haired Chihuahua would include tiny, sweet, curious, smart, funny, and very, very devoted. Because the Chihuahua is so small, it is best handled by older children or adults. This particular breed does well around children and other animals but they are somewhat suspicious of new people, at least at first. Once the Chihuahua decides to be your friend, it is your friend for life.The Chihuahua is also a fearless dog, often not realizing its small size. Seeing a four-pound dog defending its food from a 110-pound dog would be typical behavior. Not an aggressive breed, the Chihuahua simply holds its ground. However, the other side of this breed is the gentleness that owners love.HealthThe Chihuahua is so small that it is sensitive to cold weather. Therefore, coats and sweaters are often used to keep the dog warm, especially during the winter months. Some of the concerns over the Chihuahua breed include problems with teeth, pregnancy, birthing, seizures, and epilepsy. In addition, a Patella Luxation is a potential health risk associated with the kneecap.You will also find that the Chihuahua often deals with a collapsed trachea, which causes coughing and in severe cases, trouble breathing. Usually, surgery or medication can help the problem. The Chihuahua is also the only known breed to be born with an incomplete skull. This means it has a soft spot in the skull called the Moleras and while the area will grow together as the dog matures, special care needs to be given during the initial six months. Finally, this breed is prone to eye infections because of the round, protruding shape.

Proper dental health is important for all pets. Often owners of older pets are concerned about the anesthesia that must be used in order for a proper dental procedure to be performed. Because every doctor does anesthetic procedures differently, I strongly encourage pet owners to discuss these topics with their veterinarians.

Here’s the way I approach anesthetic procedures. First, I think it’s important to make sure that the pet is healthy prior to performing any anesthetic or surgical procedures. Except in emergency situations, most anesthetic and surgical procedures are elective procedures that can be performed any time. If the pet is not in the best health prior to the procedure, it’s usually best to improve the pet’s health then move forward with the procedure. This means a thorough examination and lab testing, such as blood, urine, or radiographic testing, should be done prior to anesthesia. Since many pets have 1 or more abnormalities on the exam or lab testing (most of which do not necessitate postponing anesthesia but may cause problems later,) this pre-anesthesia evaluation is important. Assuming nothing on the pre-anesthesia evaluation postpones the procedure, the type of anesthesia is important. In our practice, we use a balanced holistic approach to anesthesia so that pets go to sleep quickly, wake up quickly (most are ready to go home within 5 minutes of the procedure,) and experience no pain. For dental cleanings, gas anesthesia administered via an endotracheal tube placed in the pet’s throat is essential (veterinary dentists consider it malpractice to perform dental cleanings if this is not done.) Discuss these concerns with your doctor to make sure the procedure is done safely and quickly. One final note:age is NOT a reason to skip cleaning your pet’s teeth. Most older pets, using a holistic approach, are safely anesthetized and do very well.

In summary, it’s important not to neglect dental health in your pet regardless of age. Anesthesia can be performed effectively and safely in older pets. Using a holistic approach to anesthesia will ensure a safe procedure that will keep the pet healthy.