Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
New Addition to Our Family
It was April 26, 2012 when we were on our way to work when running down the middle of a main road was this little puppy. It was a rainy day and he was soaking wet. Of course we stopped an picked him up, because if we hadn't he would have for sure gotten hit by another car. It is a busy road and the cars drive very fast. He was about to be just a grease spot if we didn't pick him up.
We took him back to the house, dried him off, got a cage we had and put an old blanket in it, gave him some food, clean water and then went on to work.
I intended on just keeping him until I could find him a good home, but that was about 5 months ago and he isn't going anywhere. He is part of our family now!
The vet said he was about 8 weeks old when these picture were taken. He is much bigger now. We named him Negan, because we found him at what is called Negangards Corner. I call him Little Man, although he is not so little anymore. Not sure what he is mixed with, but I know it is not Golden Retriever, and that doesn't matter, we still love him.
I am going to take some recent pictures an would love to hear comments on what breed you think he is mixed with?
As I mentioned in my last post we lost our beloved Goldberg whom I rescued 10 years ago,so now it's just Adin, who is a Golden and Little Man. They are best buddies and love to romp and play. I thought Adin might get too rough with the puppy, but it is the other way around. He is a tough little guy.
Well I just wanted to introduce our new addition to our family. I hope you enjoyed meeting him.
Monday, August 27, 2012
RIP MY GOLDBERG!
It has been several months since my last blog. We lost our beloved Goldberg. In my previous post I told about his mysterious lump that he had and how it healed. He did recover from that, but I think his age just got the best of him. It got to the point where he couldn't walk, plus he developed tumors all over. We had to help him get up and take him outside, but he just couldn't stand at all anymore. I loved him too much to let him suffer anymore. The day we made that hard decision, he started breathing real hard and I knew it was time. He was very strong and put up a good fight. He just didn't want to leave us. We were the first people who really loved him. I rescued him 10 years ago. I am not real sure how old he was when I got him, but if I had to guess, I'd say around 4 or 5 years old. You will be missed my boy, but now you can RIP with no more suffering and pain!
Friday, March 30, 2012
How Much Water Does Your Dog Need?
I want to share this article I read on how much water a dog needs to drink to maintain good health. I found it very helpful. I hope you do too.
The amount of water a dog needs to drink is a tough question, but water is very important to your dog's health. It helps digest food, carry and absorb nutrients, flushes out waste and controls body temperature.
Next to oxygen, water is the most important nutrient in your dog's body. Dogs can go for days without food. A dog's body can lose all of it's fat and up to half of protein and still sirvive, but when a dog loses just 10% of his body's water, bodily functions shut down causing serious illness, and 15% loss of water will kill him.
So how much does your dog need to drink? It depends on his stress level, how active he is, his size, his age, his health and the kind of food he eats. Even the weather can be a factor.
The is no set rule. In general, animals should take in 2-1/2 times more water than food. Another useful guideline for a dog weighing 20lbs or less is that they need about 1 cup(8ozs) of water for every 5lbs of body weight. So a healthy 15lb. dog would need 3 cups of water a day.
Dogs don't have to drink their daily fill of water, they also get water from the food they eat. Wet food has alot more water than kibbles or dry food. Snacks like apples are also a great source of water.
When fresh water is available, a dog will generally drink what he needs to survive. The fresher the water, the more they will drink. Make sure you wash the dog's bowl daily and disinfect it regularly to control bacteria. You might want to try bottled or filtered water, or purchase a small water fountain for dogs. Dogs also prefer cool water.
So if you want to keep your dog healthy, make sure they always have clean, fresh water available at all times.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Begging Dogs
Does this look familiar? I have 2 Golden retrievers that are guilty of begging. Here are some signs of a begging dog and some ways to prevent it. If you have a begging dog you probably already know the signs.
Signs:
Dog habitually eyes, jumps toward or grabs food. Sits expectantly while you are eating. Follows and persistently blocks path of people holding food. Noses or paws a person's hand, arm or leg demanding a treat, petting, play or other attention. Dog begs, pushes for play by repeatedly dropping ball or toy in front of owner or in their lap.
Causes: Attention Seeking.
Corrective Actions:
Work with positive obedience training methods to establish yourself as leader, to let the dog know that you are Dominic over them. As long as the dog shows no signs of aggression, when he attempts to block your path, just continue walking so you gently bump him out of your way. Ignore gentle pawing, nosing or pushing. Take charge of toys used for games, such as ball, or flying disc and bring them out only when you want to play and put them away when finished.
Table feeding:
Dogs who beg from or push at people for treats during meals do so because their annoying behavior previously earned tidbits.
Corrective Actions:
Everyone must stop handing the dog food while eating. If family members, such as children drop morsels of food on the floor, confine dog away from the table to prevent accidental rewards that encourage begging. At first sign of begging, confine the dog away from the table. Never let the dog lick dinnerware and clean up scraps after meals.
Free Treats:
Dogs who constantly receive treats for no reason often demand them throughout the day.
Corrective Action:
Dogs must be taught to earn treats by doing something good to deserve them.
Sharing Snacks:
This will surely encourage him to beg for food.
Corrective Action:
Never share your snacks or allow others to share their munchies. If resistant children are too young to understand, separate the dog from kids while eating meals or snacks.
Treat Fixation:
Food based training is an effective is an effective positive method for encouraging proper behavior, but failure to reduce treats into randomly given rewards, rather than for every performance can result in a dog who expects a treat for every command given, and ignores you until he is given a treat.
Corrective Action:
Avoid using treats to bribe the dog into performing a command. The treat should always follow a behavior as reward. Combine praise with treats early in training to increase pleasant impact of praise. Study positive training methods or work with a professional to learn how to correctly fade treats while maintaining obedience. Don't fall into habit of giving a dog a treat despite an incorrect or half-hearted performance. Insist the dog complies with command as trained.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Spring Has Sprung And So Have Fleas And Ticks!
Spring is here officially today and it is time to start protecting your dogs and cats against those blood sucking fleas and ticks. Have you bought your prevention medicine yet? I have. I don't want my dogs to be infected by those bloodsuckers! With Spring comes warmer weather, and fleas and ticks emerge.This year fleas and ticks may be even worse than ever due to the warmer than usual winter. Veterinarians are predicting an extremely bad year for them.
Did you know one flea in your house can become as many as 100,000 in just 30 days? I certainly didn't. That is a scary thought.
I read an article that said the full life cycle of a flea begins when the temperature is above 70 degrees and the humidity increases and peaks when the temperature reaches 70 to 85 degrees and high humidity is 70%. We have already reached those temperatures here in Southeastern Indiana. The article said an adult flea can lay 15 to 20 eggs a day and over 500 in her lifetime. After the female lays eggs, they emerge as adults in 14 days during peak.
The only way to protect your pets and your home from being infected is to treat your pet with a preventative medication, before they get a chance to get into your carpet, sofa, clothing and even in your bed. Once they invade your home that creates a much bigger problem.
If you have ever had them in your home, you know how hard it is to get rid of them. I know from past experience. When I moved from my old house to our farm and everything was out of the house I went back to shampoo the carpets and when I walked across the carpet , those little varmints jumped on my socks. There is something about white socks that attracts them. I didn't even know they were in the house, because I never saw any signs of them. Needless to say, I had to bomb the house a couple of times to get rid of them. I guess if you want to make sure if they are in your home, just put some white socks on and walk across the carpet. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.
In my older posts I talked about fleas and ticks, so you might want to check that out. This is just a reminder to let you be aware that spring is now upon us and it is time to get your preventative medicine for fleas and ticks. Both of them can be harmful to your pets and like I said before, create a much bigger problem and much more costly if they invade your home.
Enjoy your Spring! Oh yeah, remember to either purchase medication from your vet or check with them, before you use any product on your pet. There are some over the counter products that can be toxic and can even kill your babies!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Ear Infections In Dogs
Do you see your dog scratching his ears, shaking his head or is irritable with his ears? Chances are he has an ear infection. cause for ear infections could be mites, bacterial infection, food allergies, unhealthy environment or improper hygiene. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, it calls for medical attention from your veterinarian.
Types of Ear Infections:
Outer Ear infection- Easy to tell if your dog has an outer ear infection, their ears will be inflamed and have a foul smelling wax discharge.
Middle and Inner Ear Infections- Both are regarded more severe than outer. These types require help from your veterinarian, because they can easily get worse and often not curable unless special treatment procedures are carried out.
Floppy eared dogs like Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels are prone to getting fungal infections, because air fails to circulate freely in their ears. Air circulation is crucial in maintaining health in a dogs ears. In case of floppy eared dogs, small follicles of hair grow in the ears and block air from coming in.
Ear infections can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics and ear drops prescribed by your veterinarian. Don't use over the counter remedies unless approved by your vet.
Check your dogs ears on a regular basis to see if a discharge or foul odor is present. Also clean your dogs ears regularly with a cleaning solution from Vet Clinic. Don't use Qtips to clean their ears. Put a couple of drops in each ears and massage gently and then wipe out with cotton ball.
This is important especially if you have a dog with floppy ears.
I clean my Golden's ears with solution on a regular basis and don't have a problem with their ears.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
If You Plan on Breeding Your Dog
If you are planning on breeding your dog for the first time, I posted a video on what you will need to do. As the video states, most dogs do not need any assistance, but there are some dogs that don't, so this video will give you suggestions as what to do just in case she needs some help. It also explains how to determine date of birthing and how to prepare a whelmping area for her to give birth. It is quite amazing.
Hope the video is helpful if you plan on breeding and have never experienced it before. I wish we would have had access to a video when I bred my Golden Retriever years ago.
Hope the video is helpful if you plan on breeding and have never experienced it before. I wish we would have had access to a video when I bred my Golden Retriever years ago.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Warning to Dog Owners!
I am just writing this post in regards to an article I read yesterday. If you have a paper shredder, make sure it is in a place where your pets and children can't have access to it. This is a heart wrenching story about a dog who somehow got it's tongue caught in a paper shredder and the dog actually bit it's own tongue off to get free.
The owners of the dog immediately rushed the poor dog to the animal hospital. The vet told them, even if they reattached the dog's tongue it probably would never be able to eat or drink normally, so the owners made the choice to euthanize him.
What a horrible story, but maybe this is a warning to the rest of us with pets and children.
I must admit, reading this article really upset me. I expected it to have a brighter ending. I thought if they just reattached the dog's tongue, everything would be okay, but they wasn't the case.
The owners of the dog immediately rushed the poor dog to the animal hospital. The vet told them, even if they reattached the dog's tongue it probably would never be able to eat or drink normally, so the owners made the choice to euthanize him.
What a horrible story, but maybe this is a warning to the rest of us with pets and children.
I must admit, reading this article really upset me. I expected it to have a brighter ending. I thought if they just reattached the dog's tongue, everything would be okay, but they wasn't the case.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A Healthy Nutritious Cat Treat
We all know that cats are finicky eaters. I can't count how many times I have opened a can of cat food just to have Nemo sniff it and walk away. I have tried different brands and flavors to entice him to eat.
I was reading an article today about a healthy, nutritious snack that cats can't resist, even sick cats will eat it. In the article a woman had a cat going through chemo for cancer and she couldn't get it to eat anything until she found out about this treat.
The treat is called Bonito Flakes. It is a fish that swims in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is a schooling fish that is from the tuna family. Since it is a bony fish, it is rarely eaten for it's meat. Instead, the dark, oily fish is carefully dried and shaved into very thin, fine, and intensely flavored flakes. Some Asian countries use the flakes to make a savory broth, while cats love the flakes just right out of an airtight container.
Bonito Flakes are all natural, with no preservatives and no by products. The natural fish oil in the Bonito Flakes help promote good digestion and a healthy coat and is high in protein. They are large flakes and do not need refrigeration.
I am for sure going to order some for my cat, Nemo. Just check the web for Bonito flakes, if you are interested in purchasing for your cat. One company I found was Cat Man Doo, but there are many more places that sell it.
I hope this has been informative, if you have a finicky cat.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Dogs Sleeping Belly Up!
Why do some dogs sleep on their backs, with their bellies up? There are no solid stats to reflect why some dogs sleep in this position, but an informal survey of dog owners reveal something like 5 to 10 percent of dogs sleep this way.
These stats are for pets only. It is not common for a canid living in the wild. Their greater security concerns are likely the reason for their unwillingness to do so. Sleepy belly up for them, leaves them defenseless to predators.
This might explain why some pet dogs are more willing to sleep on their backs, with their bellies more
exposed than others. It seems like the more relaxed, easy- going dogs are more likely to sleep in this position.
Dogs who tend to engage in this behavior seem to be more secure, well socialized and enjoy a safe, comfortable surroundings.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Peeved Pets!
My blog is about my love of Golden's and other pets, but like humans, some dogs are just mean or protective of their surroundings.
They say a dog's bark is worse than his bite, but a government study tells a different story.
The number of Americans hospitalized for dog bites has soared. Common injuries include lacerations, skin infections, and even bone fractures. It is not clear what accounts for this trend.
I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to be bitten by a dog, so the American Humane Society offers these tips for avoiding bites. In my opinion, this is the best advise, never approach a strange dog that is unattended.(even if it is attended, be cautious. I have had people say to me, he don't bite as he is nippy at my feet. Ask the person to put the dog up , for a sure bet that you won't get bit. If meeting a friend's dog for the first time, hold out your fist and allow the dog to sniff before you pet it under the chin(not the head). If an aggressive dog approaches you, stand still, hold your hands at your sides, keep quiet, and look away. When the dog loses interest, retreat calmly and slowly without turning your back.
That sounds like good advise, but I work for a pharmacy and on occasion I have to deliver prescriptions, when our driver is not available. Most of the time I call ahead and ask the customer if they have a dog and I ask them to put it up to avoid any problems, or if I pull up in front of their house and a barking dog comes out, I toot my horn, so the owner puts the dog away.
I guess that seems a little extreme to many people, but our delivery driver has been bitten by a dog, that the owner said"he don't bite". The dog had to be destroyed. Being an animal lover, I don't want to have to see that happen. I would never say my Golden Retriever don't bite, because he is very protective of his enviroment.
I understand, sometimes it unavoidable to come in contact with an aggressive dog, so when that occurs, take the advise of the American Humane Society.
They say a dog's bark is worse than his bite, but a government study tells a different story.
The number of Americans hospitalized for dog bites has soared. Common injuries include lacerations, skin infections, and even bone fractures. It is not clear what accounts for this trend.
I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to be bitten by a dog, so the American Humane Society offers these tips for avoiding bites. In my opinion, this is the best advise, never approach a strange dog that is unattended.(even if it is attended, be cautious. I have had people say to me, he don't bite as he is nippy at my feet. Ask the person to put the dog up , for a sure bet that you won't get bit. If meeting a friend's dog for the first time, hold out your fist and allow the dog to sniff before you pet it under the chin(not the head). If an aggressive dog approaches you, stand still, hold your hands at your sides, keep quiet, and look away. When the dog loses interest, retreat calmly and slowly without turning your back.
That sounds like good advise, but I work for a pharmacy and on occasion I have to deliver prescriptions, when our driver is not available. Most of the time I call ahead and ask the customer if they have a dog and I ask them to put it up to avoid any problems, or if I pull up in front of their house and a barking dog comes out, I toot my horn, so the owner puts the dog away.
I guess that seems a little extreme to many people, but our delivery driver has been bitten by a dog, that the owner said"he don't bite". The dog had to be destroyed. Being an animal lover, I don't want to have to see that happen. I would never say my Golden Retriever don't bite, because he is very protective of his enviroment.
I understand, sometimes it unavoidable to come in contact with an aggressive dog, so when that occurs, take the advise of the American Humane Society.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Treatment I Use For Goldberg's Bad Hips.
I added a post for symptoms, treatment and prevention for hip dysplasia. My senior Golden Retriever, Goldberg has bad hips and this is the treatment I use for him.
I was giving him 3 Glucosamine tablets for dogs in the morning with his meal and he seemed to be doing ok with that, but then someone told me about a medication for humans called Meloxicam, so I checked with my Vet about it and he said that they have had very good results with it, so he wrote me a prescription . It was only $4.00 at the pharmacy. Since I was already giving him the Glucosamine, I asked if it would hurt to give him both. He assured me that is wouldn't. That was 3 days ago and you wouldn't believe the difference it has make in Goldberg. He acts like a pup again. I lowered the dosage of the Glucosamine to 2 tablets in his morning meal and just 1/2 of the Meloxicam, which is 7.5 mg per tablet.
If your dog has hip problems, check with your Vet about the Meloxicam. I know it has done wonders for Goldberg. I am not sure if it is necessary to give the Glucosamine, that is just what I do. Check with your Vet first, before you give any medication to any of your pets!
I hope this has been helpful!
I was giving him 3 Glucosamine tablets for dogs in the morning with his meal and he seemed to be doing ok with that, but then someone told me about a medication for humans called Meloxicam, so I checked with my Vet about it and he said that they have had very good results with it, so he wrote me a prescription . It was only $4.00 at the pharmacy. Since I was already giving him the Glucosamine, I asked if it would hurt to give him both. He assured me that is wouldn't. That was 3 days ago and you wouldn't believe the difference it has make in Goldberg. He acts like a pup again. I lowered the dosage of the Glucosamine to 2 tablets in his morning meal and just 1/2 of the Meloxicam, which is 7.5 mg per tablet.
If your dog has hip problems, check with your Vet about the Meloxicam. I know it has done wonders for Goldberg. I am not sure if it is necessary to give the Glucosamine, that is just what I do. Check with your Vet first, before you give any medication to any of your pets!
I hope this has been helpful!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Does your Dog Hate His Paws Touched?
Despite the fact that a dog's feet are pretty tough, they still sensitive about having them manhandled, especially if it involves trimming their toenails. Some are more sensitive than others.
Dogs who have ever had their nails trimmed too aggressively may react negatively when they spot the clippers in the future. This makes sense given that mammalian extremities- the feet, ears, and tail, for example- are packed with sensitive nerve endings.
But sometimes even a simple foot rub is off limits. This sensitivity to paw handling seems to be an innate canine trait. Some dogs are more sensitive than others.
My Golden Retriever, Adin is the worst I have ever seen. He does not like to be groomed in any way. Just to brush him I have to have help holding him down. Cleaning his ears is an absolute mess and to do his nails, I have to put a muzzle on him. I didn't know the dogs had sensitive nerve endings in their feet, ears and tail until I read this article on Vetstreet, and I have been raising Golden's for a long time.
By contrast, most cats tend to be amendable to simple stroking and even massaging of the feet, while dogs often read this a sign of affection as a personal assault, despite our best intentions.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Dogs Dream!
You've probably caught your dog whining, twitching and moving his legs as if he were running.
Don't poke him, he's dreaming. Dogs remember things, so it makes sense they have the ability to dream, as humans do. Dreaming is a normal part of organizing and recognizing memories.
Like humans dogs have 2 kinds of sleep. The deepest is characterized by rapid eye movements, known as, REM sleep. Humans dream during REM sleep. We also know whining, heavy breathing, twitching and leg movements occur in canine REM, so it is not too far fetched to believe that dogs are dreaming too!
I have already been suddenly woke up by my dog Adin whining, twitching and moving his legs, like he was running. I have to say it scared me at first. I thought he might be having a seizure, so I did poke him to see if he was OK. He jumped up as if he had been shot! I soon realized he was just dreaming. I guess he was chasing a rabbit or squirrel, because when he is awake, he sits in the chair by the front window and wishes he could get to them. I know now that when I hear him whining, not to bother him because he is just dreaming!
Don't poke him, he's dreaming. Dogs remember things, so it makes sense they have the ability to dream, as humans do. Dreaming is a normal part of organizing and recognizing memories.
Like humans dogs have 2 kinds of sleep. The deepest is characterized by rapid eye movements, known as, REM sleep. Humans dream during REM sleep. We also know whining, heavy breathing, twitching and leg movements occur in canine REM, so it is not too far fetched to believe that dogs are dreaming too!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
How to Pamper Your Pup on Valentine's Day!
Goldberg and Aiden want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!
Here are some tips on how you can pamper your pup.
First of all, I read an article on how to relax your dog is by turning on some classical music. It has been proven that certain classical music is soothing to a dog. I know this to be true, because when my beloved Alex had his brain tumor, I played some Bach and he seemed to rest easier.
You can also make a heart-shaped cake with canned dog food. I always do that for my dog's birthday or in one of my older post, I gave a recipe for homemade dog biscuits. You can use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make them heart cookies.
You can also spice up their food by adding a little something special in their dinner. This is something you can cook on a regular basis, because it is healthy for them.
Here is a recipe I use:
Chicken and Rice
Boil the chicken( I use the leg quarters)
After chicken has boiled, remove it from the broth.
Reserve enough of broth to cook the rice to (according to recipe on the box of rice)
Cut up the chicken( make sure you get all the bones out)
After rice has cooked, add the cut up chicken to the rice.
You can add this to the dry food of your choice or feed it alone..
Barley can substitute rice, if you prefer. They will love it!
Other ways to pamper them is to spend some quality time with them. I know most of us have to work and don't seem to have enough time to spend with our pets, but on this special day, take a few minutes to do the things they enjoy. Mine love to play ball. Maybe yours like to take walks, but whatever they enjoy, take the time to do it.
I know alot of people might think all this is a little foolish or going to extreme, but why not. If you love your dog, we consider them part of our family. They give us alot of love, so why not use this special day to return the favor.
This is not only for your dog, but for whatever pet you have.
Here are some tips on how you can pamper your pup.
First of all, I read an article on how to relax your dog is by turning on some classical music. It has been proven that certain classical music is soothing to a dog. I know this to be true, because when my beloved Alex had his brain tumor, I played some Bach and he seemed to rest easier.
You can also make a heart-shaped cake with canned dog food. I always do that for my dog's birthday or in one of my older post, I gave a recipe for homemade dog biscuits. You can use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make them heart cookies.
You can also spice up their food by adding a little something special in their dinner. This is something you can cook on a regular basis, because it is healthy for them.
Here is a recipe I use:
Chicken and Rice
Boil the chicken( I use the leg quarters)
After chicken has boiled, remove it from the broth.
Reserve enough of broth to cook the rice to (according to recipe on the box of rice)
Cut up the chicken( make sure you get all the bones out)
After rice has cooked, add the cut up chicken to the rice.
You can add this to the dry food of your choice or feed it alone..
Barley can substitute rice, if you prefer. They will love it!
Other ways to pamper them is to spend some quality time with them. I know most of us have to work and don't seem to have enough time to spend with our pets, but on this special day, take a few minutes to do the things they enjoy. Mine love to play ball. Maybe yours like to take walks, but whatever they enjoy, take the time to do it.
I know alot of people might think all this is a little foolish or going to extreme, but why not. If you love your dog, we consider them part of our family. They give us alot of love, so why not use this special day to return the favor.
This is not only for your dog, but for whatever pet you have.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Goldberg's Mysterious Lump Returned
This is an update on the mysteriuos lump on Goldberg's side I posted about awhile back. Well the lump has returned. He was licking at it, so I had to put the e-collar back on him or should I say, what is left of it! he has bumped into everything and it is a hot mess, but he still can't reach the lump to lick it. I can't understand what this could be. It is movable, about the size of a quarter and it still has a hole in the middle where the vet put a drain in it. I would have thought, by now that would have healed closed. Other than the lump, he seems to be fine, considering he is a senior citizen. Not sure exactly how old, since I rescued him about 9 years ago and I think he was about 5 then.
I guess Goldberg is off to the vet's again. Maybe she can solve the mystery. Looks like he will sport a new e-collar too!
I guess Goldberg is off to the vet's again. Maybe she can solve the mystery. Looks like he will sport a new e-collar too!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
FLEAS!
Summertime is when these disgusting things can create a real problem for your dogs, cats, and you, if prevention is not taken. If your animal becomes infested with fleas, it can cause them to be miserable and in severe cases can cause a dermatitis allergy and that can result in skin infections and hair loss. Some dogs and cats are even more allergic than others. Once your pets become infected, the fleas have invaded your home, and at that is when it becomes very hard to control them.
Fleas have been around since prehistoric times. They feed on the blood of their hosts. They prefer a moist, warm climate, but they can be found around the world. Fleas can jump up to about 150 times there size. Females can lay up to 40 or 50 eggs at a time and hatch from 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the environment. The larvae then feed off the mother's digested blood. Disgusting isn't it?
The purpose for this post is to save you from going through this battle with fleas, before they have a chance to invade your pets and your home.
The first thing I suggest is to start treating your animal in the Spring. Don't buy an over the counter product.(some can be very toxic to the animal).Contact your vet and he can suggest the best method. He most likely will give you a topical product to treat your pet, on a monthly basis, to protect them against fleas and ticks. It is important to consult your vet for the best method.This is especially important with cats, as they can't use the same control method as a dog.
If you treat your animal, you won't have to deal with getting rid of them in your home.I have been in houses that were vacant and when you'd walk across the carpet they would jump right on your socks and bite. Once the host is gone, they still live in the carpet and attack whoever walks in. The only way you can rid your home of these blood suckers is to remove your animals from the house and bomb it. It may take a couple of times to get rid of them, if there is a severe infestation. That is why it is important to protect your pet first! Hope this has been helpul to you and your pet!
Fleas have been around since prehistoric times. They feed on the blood of their hosts. They prefer a moist, warm climate, but they can be found around the world. Fleas can jump up to about 150 times there size. Females can lay up to 40 or 50 eggs at a time and hatch from 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the environment. The larvae then feed off the mother's digested blood. Disgusting isn't it?
The purpose for this post is to save you from going through this battle with fleas, before they have a chance to invade your pets and your home.
The first thing I suggest is to start treating your animal in the Spring. Don't buy an over the counter product.(some can be very toxic to the animal).Contact your vet and he can suggest the best method. He most likely will give you a topical product to treat your pet, on a monthly basis, to protect them against fleas and ticks. It is important to consult your vet for the best method.This is especially important with cats, as they can't use the same control method as a dog.
If you treat your animal, you won't have to deal with getting rid of them in your home.I have been in houses that were vacant and when you'd walk across the carpet they would jump right on your socks and bite. Once the host is gone, they still live in the carpet and attack whoever walks in. The only way you can rid your home of these blood suckers is to remove your animals from the house and bomb it. It may take a couple of times to get rid of them, if there is a severe infestation. That is why it is important to protect your pet first! Hope this has been helpul to you and your pet!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Diseases Caused by Tick Bites In Your Dog
I know it seems alittle soon to post on this subject, but flea and tick season will be upon us before you know it and I just want to prepare you ahead of time.There are different types of ticks in the United States that, if your dog is bitten by them can cause diseases. I am going to list them and give the symptoms from my research.
The 1st one is called the Deer Tick or Black legged Tick. It can cause a bacterial disease that is transmitted through the bloodstream, when the dog is bitten, and remain on the dog for a long period of time. It is called Lyme Disease. Humans can also be infected, if bitten by a deer tick.
Symptoms: They are hard to recognize in both dogs and humans, but include, bouts of lameness, loss of appetite and possible kidney failure, in severe cases. If you have been bitten by a deer tick and you or your dog develop any of these symptoms, I suggest you contact, either your vet or your doctor right away.
Another tick in the United States is called the Brown Tick. This tick can cause a bacterial disease called Ehrlichiosis, if your dog is bitten by it. As withe the Lyme disease, it is also transmitted through the bloodstream and symptoms are also hard to detect, but again, if your dog has been bitten by a tick and develops these symptoms, call your vet right away.
Symptoms: Runny nose, loss of appetite, swollen glands, depression, and nose bleeds. Left untreated it can kill your dog. Also, symptoms can leave the dog for months or years and then come back. I am not telling you this to alarm you, I just want to make you aware of this, so you make sure that if your dog has been bitten by a tick and it gets these symptoms, immediate action is required.
Another bacterial diseases caused by a bite from a deer tick is called Canine Anaplasmosis or dog fever. Also, the brown tick causes another form of this disease.
Symptoms are: Joint stiffness, when the dog walks, high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Possible seizures and neck pain.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can occur from being bitten by several species of ticks and can last about 2 weeks and can also kill the dog, if untreated.
Symptoms: Include fever, stiffness and lesions on the skin.
Prevention is the best cure to protect your dog against any of these diseases. Check with your Vet. There are alot of different methods that he can suggest. I wouldn't advise buying any over the counter products, without checking with him first. I made that big mistake one time and all 3 of my Golden Retrievers had a terrible reaction from the product and later found many pet owners lost there dogs using this product. That is going to be in a later post. I will also write a post on fleas. The medication for ticks, most likely will also protect your dogs form getting fleas but I can't stress it enough, consult your vet. He is the professional!
I hope this has been somewhat informative!
The 1st one is called the Deer Tick or Black legged Tick. It can cause a bacterial disease that is transmitted through the bloodstream, when the dog is bitten, and remain on the dog for a long period of time. It is called Lyme Disease. Humans can also be infected, if bitten by a deer tick.
Symptoms: They are hard to recognize in both dogs and humans, but include, bouts of lameness, loss of appetite and possible kidney failure, in severe cases. If you have been bitten by a deer tick and you or your dog develop any of these symptoms, I suggest you contact, either your vet or your doctor right away.
Another tick in the United States is called the Brown Tick. This tick can cause a bacterial disease called Ehrlichiosis, if your dog is bitten by it. As withe the Lyme disease, it is also transmitted through the bloodstream and symptoms are also hard to detect, but again, if your dog has been bitten by a tick and develops these symptoms, call your vet right away.
Symptoms: Runny nose, loss of appetite, swollen glands, depression, and nose bleeds. Left untreated it can kill your dog. Also, symptoms can leave the dog for months or years and then come back. I am not telling you this to alarm you, I just want to make you aware of this, so you make sure that if your dog has been bitten by a tick and it gets these symptoms, immediate action is required.
Another bacterial diseases caused by a bite from a deer tick is called Canine Anaplasmosis or dog fever. Also, the brown tick causes another form of this disease.
Symptoms are: Joint stiffness, when the dog walks, high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Possible seizures and neck pain.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can occur from being bitten by several species of ticks and can last about 2 weeks and can also kill the dog, if untreated.
Symptoms: Include fever, stiffness and lesions on the skin.
Prevention is the best cure to protect your dog against any of these diseases. Check with your Vet. There are alot of different methods that he can suggest. I wouldn't advise buying any over the counter products, without checking with him first. I made that big mistake one time and all 3 of my Golden Retrievers had a terrible reaction from the product and later found many pet owners lost there dogs using this product. That is going to be in a later post. I will also write a post on fleas. The medication for ticks, most likely will also protect your dogs form getting fleas but I can't stress it enough, consult your vet. He is the professional!
I hope this has been somewhat informative!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Purr-fect Homemade Healthy Kitty Treats!
Here is a recipe for homemade treats for your kitty. I am sure they will love them. They are Purr-fectly delicious and healthy too!
Chicken Crunchies
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cups rye flour
1-1/2 cups brown rice flour
1 cup wheat germ
1 tsp. dried kelp or alfalfa
4tbsp. vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups chicken or beef broth
1lb ground chicken
1-2tbsp. brewers yeast
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl, combine the first six dry ingredients. Slowly add oil, broth, and chicken; mix well. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness, then place on a greased cookie sheet. bake until golden brown.
Cool, then break into bite-size pieces. Place pieces in a bag with brewers yeast and shake to coat them. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Chicken Crunchies
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cups rye flour
1-1/2 cups brown rice flour
1 cup wheat germ
1 tsp. dried kelp or alfalfa
4tbsp. vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups chicken or beef broth
1lb ground chicken
1-2tbsp. brewers yeast
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl, combine the first six dry ingredients. Slowly add oil, broth, and chicken; mix well. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness, then place on a greased cookie sheet. bake until golden brown.
Cool, then break into bite-size pieces. Place pieces in a bag with brewers yeast and shake to coat them. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Dog Biscuit Recipe
This is a recipe for homemade dog biscuits. Your doggy will love them and you know what goes in them!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 cups whole wheat flour
1tsp. bone meal
1/4 cup cornmeal
2tbsps. corn or soy oil
1/2 cup soy flour
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (I put them in blender to chop them, but that's your preference)
1 tsp. iodized salt
Large egg mixed with 1/4 cup milk
Instructions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add oil and molasses, plus all but 1 tbsp. egg milk mixture. Knead a few minutes to make a firm dough, adding more milk if needed. Let dough rest 1/2 hour or more.
Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Brush with remaining egg-milk mixture and cut into biscuit size pieces, with pastry wheel knife or bone biscuit cutter. Bake on cookie sheet for 30 minutes or until lightly toasted.
To make harder biscuits, turn off the heat after baking and leave in oven for an hour or more.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 cups whole wheat flour
1tsp. bone meal
1/4 cup cornmeal
2tbsps. corn or soy oil
1/2 cup soy flour
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (I put them in blender to chop them, but that's your preference)
1 tsp. iodized salt
Large egg mixed with 1/4 cup milk
Instructions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add oil and molasses, plus all but 1 tbsp. egg milk mixture. Knead a few minutes to make a firm dough, adding more milk if needed. Let dough rest 1/2 hour or more.
Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Brush with remaining egg-milk mixture and cut into biscuit size pieces, with pastry wheel knife or bone biscuit cutter. Bake on cookie sheet for 30 minutes or until lightly toasted.
To make harder biscuits, turn off the heat after baking and leave in oven for an hour or more.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Recipe for Beefy Mushroom and Barley Soup.
There is nothing like a nice hot bowl of soup on a cold winter's night! This is a hearty soup. Hope you enjoy it! Recipe is for cooking in slow cooker.
1 1/2 lbs. beef bottom round steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 inch cubes.
(if you like, you can use stew meat, which is already cut up)
5 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms( whatever kind you prefer. about 10 total)
3 medium carrots, sliced(about 1-1/2 cups)
Celery( about 1 to 1-1/2 cups)
2 lg garlic gloves, chopped( you can subtitute 1 tbsp store bought chopped garlic, in a jar)
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
5-1/4 cups beef flavored broth (from 2- 32oz cartons
1/2 cup dry sherry(optional)
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4tsp. pepper.
1. Spray 5 to 6 qt. slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix all ingredients
2. Cover; cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours. Stir before serving
This is a very simple recipe, especially if you have to work!
1 1/2 lbs. beef bottom round steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 inch cubes.
(if you like, you can use stew meat, which is already cut up)
5 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms( whatever kind you prefer. about 10 total)
3 medium carrots, sliced(about 1-1/2 cups)
Celery( about 1 to 1-1/2 cups)
2 lg garlic gloves, chopped( you can subtitute 1 tbsp store bought chopped garlic, in a jar)
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
5-1/4 cups beef flavored broth (from 2- 32oz cartons
1/2 cup dry sherry(optional)
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4tsp. pepper.
1. Spray 5 to 6 qt. slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix all ingredients
2. Cover; cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours. Stir before serving
This is a very simple recipe, especially if you have to work!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Update on Goldberg
Goldberg's wound is healing nicely and he got rid of the e-collar. He sure was glad to get that thing off!. He is scratching and rubbing his neck on everything. Can't say I blame him. I wouldn't care too much for having something around my neck for 2 weeks either! We called him cone head. The way he banged into everything with it on, I'm surprised it is still in one piece. I am very happy with his progress and he is back to his old begging ways. He has an obsession with food! You don't even want to feed him anything by hand. He would take it off!
I guess we will never know what it really was, but he is doing good and that is all that matters.
I guess we will never know what it really was, but he is doing good and that is all that matters.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Goldberg's Mysterious Lump
My older Golden was acting lethargic and after checking him over, I found a lump on his side. Right away I thought it was a tumor. I made an appointment with my vet. She shaved the area and she took all kinds of blood work and they returned clean. She said it looked like some type of wound. She put a drain tube in it, gave him antibiotics, and wanted me to bring him in 3 days. Some how he pulled the drain tube out, even though he had an e-collar on. When I took him back for check up, she said she really couldn't explain what it was, other than some type of wound. We were both puzzled.
After taking the antibiotics for 10 days, it is healing nicely and he is back to his old self! He is a tough guy!
After taking the antibiotics for 10 days, it is healing nicely and he is back to his old self! He is a tough guy!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Help For Pet Owners or Looking for a Pet
In my post on animal cruelty I said I would do some research on where you could go for help, if you have an animal that you could no longer take care of. A good place to go online is:www.petfinder.com.
They have alot of information listed on that site.You can advertise on the classified or find a shelter in you area.If you are looking for a pet, that is a great place to go. They not only have dogs and cats, but also have horses, birds and farm animals. I was going to buy an Arabian mare, but she was already sold.There is alot of purebred dogs listed. There is a place where you can search for what you are looking for, what type of animal, location, male or female, adult or baby, and more. If you are looking for any type of animal, this is a great place to go! Great resources there!
Like I mentioned in my last post, it is very important to have your pet's spayed or neutered. In most states , listed by county, human societies offer discount rates or they can refer you to agencies that do.It is not a good idea to let your pets run free. Most states have a leash law.
These are just some options to help the animals. They are just helpless little creatures, that depend on us for caring for them. Hope this was of some assistance. Let me know if it was!
They have alot of information listed on that site.You can advertise on the classified or find a shelter in you area.If you are looking for a pet, that is a great place to go. They not only have dogs and cats, but also have horses, birds and farm animals. I was going to buy an Arabian mare, but she was already sold.There is alot of purebred dogs listed. There is a place where you can search for what you are looking for, what type of animal, location, male or female, adult or baby, and more. If you are looking for any type of animal, this is a great place to go! Great resources there!
Like I mentioned in my last post, it is very important to have your pet's spayed or neutered. In most states , listed by county, human societies offer discount rates or they can refer you to agencies that do.It is not a good idea to let your pets run free. Most states have a leash law.
These are just some options to help the animals. They are just helpless little creatures, that depend on us for caring for them. Hope this was of some assistance. Let me know if it was!
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