Health Wellness Nutrition
"Happy is the person who's best friend is his dog"
Mik O.A.(c)

Your pet is....what it eats !

After your puppy is weaned from mommies milk ......give your puppy quality food they eat less and poo less too! Find one that is a simple base food.......will have less allergies that way.....eyes aren't runny and red around rim-skin isn't itchy-coat shiny-thick coat-less body odor and breath odor and helps keep teeth clean.....
CHECK out the product page .......Dream Coat and Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
 are a plus to nutrition you can ORDER it from us.....
but really good nutrition = less trips to the Doctor :)

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Preventive health care

This is Precious and Romeo you can read about them on my Testimonial page. As you will read the pup came natural without a C-section, the picture was taken to see if she would be safe to pass the pup on her own....Read about them, they are doing......(click here)

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DOGS HUMANS AND HEALTH

 The value of dogs for physical health in humans, exploring the evidence that this species can prevent us from becoming ill, facilitate our recovery from ill-health, and even serve as an early warning system for certain types of underlying ailment including cancer, oncoming seizures and hypoglycaemia. And the relationship between dogs and psychological health in humans, exploring the ability of this species to aid the disabled and serve as a therapist to those in institutional settings , residential homes and prisons. Studies confirmed that pet owners tended in general to be healthier than the average member of the population.

PET FOOD (KIBBLE) CHART LIST

Here's a kibble rating chart
Chart from Google search engine 2009

You will need your kibble's list of ingredients, as found on the bag (or oftentimes their website).
Please note, however, this is for ingredients ONLY.... so before feeding a pup be sure to look at
the protein and fat and calcium and calories in the Guaranteed Analysis.

Start with a grade of 100:

For every listing of "by-product", subtract 15 points

For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract
10 points

If there are no specific meats or meat meals, subtract 25 points

For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, or grain "middlings", subtract 10 points

If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 15 points

If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground
brown rice", "brewer’s rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points for each
occurrence

If the protein sources are not (specific) meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3
ingredients, subtract 3 points

If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 5 points

If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points (subtract 5 if corn is listed in the
top 5 ingredients)

If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 3 points

If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources),
subtract 2 points

If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 5 points

If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

If it contains salt, subtract 3 points

If it contains corn syrup, molasses, or other added sweetener, subtract 10 points

Extra Credit:

For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and
"chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "turkey" as 2 different sources - do
not count egg, cheese, or other similar ingredients), add 1 point

If the food contains 3 or less different mentions of grains (or other high-carb plant-based foods
like potatoes), add 5 points

If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points (if the number 1 ingredient is organic meat,
add 10 points)

If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 3 points

If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points

If the food contains fruit or vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

If the food contains barley or oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

If it contains sunflower, hemp, flaxseed, or other polyunsaturated vegetable oils, add 3 points
(add 5 if it is the #1 fat)

If the vitamin and mineral sources are chelated, add 5 points

94-100+ = A

86-93 = B

78-85 = C

70-77 = D

<70 = F


Food Grade Results
A's Score
A+ Chicken Soup for the pet lovers soul 113
A+ Eagle Pack Holistic chicken 114
A+ Eagle Pack Holistic LG and Giant Breed Adlt 113
A+ Eagle Pack Natural 104
A+ Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison 136
A+ Solid Gold Bison 123
A+ Solid Gold Wolf King 109
A+ Solid Gold Hund N flocken 105
A+ Solid Gold Mmillennia 111
A+ Innova 117
A+ Natural Balance Duck and Potato 114
A+ Canidae 119
A+ Foundations Chicken and Vegetable 109
A+ Flint River Ranch Fish and Chips 109
A+ Wysong Synorgon 110
A+ Flint River Ranch Lamb, Millet and Rice 117
A+ Back to Basics 107

B's
B Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice 87

C's
C Nutro Lamb and Rice 85

D's
D Iams Lamb and Rice 74

F's
F Pedigree Adult Complete 14
F Ol'Roy 9
F Science Diet Chicken Adult Maintainance 45
F Purina Beniful original 23
All Purina and Pro Plan foods rate as a F
F Pro Plan Giant Breed Adult 41
F Pro Plan Performance 53
F Pro Plan Chicken and Rice
F Purina Dog chow
F Purina Large Breed 40
F Diamond Lamb and Rice 61
F Diamond Performance (formerly professional)
F Diamond Large Breed 55

Chihuahua temperature

The normal temperature for your Chihuahua should be 100-102 degrees, if it gets above that call your Veterinarin. The sooner you catch the problem the less critical the situation could be. (PREVENTIVE MEASURES) should be taken and with your Vet's help you might be able to home remedy it with your Vet's advice.

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Symptoms of illness to watch for

lethargy
disorientation
weakness
weight loss
seizure
lack of appetite
vomiting
diarrhea
unproductive retching, straining to urinate
bloody urine
difficulty or inability to walk
bleeding, pale mucous membranes
difficulty breathing and persistent cough

Read about
 fleas - poison - Health and Wellness
And other issues your pet might have.

CHECK OUT ALL THE GOOD NATURAL WAYS TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY....
ONE WAY IS BRAGGS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
IT REALLY HELPS WITH FLEAS AND MANY OTHER ISSUES YOUR PET MIGHT HAVE.
GO TO OUR PRODUCT PAGE AND ORDER IT TODAY!
Dream Coat is and excellent product you can order from us for you pets good health!

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

 
A HAPPY PET IS A HEALTHY PET .....AND A LOVED PET!
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF YOUR PET
E-MAIL ME AND I WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
ANIMAL HEALTH ISSUES : ABOUT VACCINES
Health Hazard of Routine Vaccination: placing our animals at risk
"Most pet owners aren't aware of the dangers in animal vaccinations that have been discovered in recent years. The major veterinary associations now agree that vaccinations can trigger all sorts of maladies, from allergies to cancer - but most pet caretakers (and many veterinarians, it seems) haven't gotten the word. "With vaccines that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these side-effects in our pets has increased dramatically. Most of the problems involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that can overwhelm and confuse the immune system." GOOD INFORMATION RESOURCES  ABOUT VACCINES LOOK AT WWW.SHIRLEYSWELLNESS-CAFE.COM
NATURAL FLEA REMEDIES If your dog or cat is suffering from fleas, make a "tea" of lemon peel and water, and let it steep overnight. Citrus naturally repels fleas—if you sponge the tea on your flea-infested pet, the fleas will die instantly.   Rub your pet all over with tansy, fennel, basil or mint, pennyroyal, or another strong smelling herb. You can also grow these herbs, as well as wormwood, rue, pyrethrum, or marigolds around kennel areas or parts of the yard where your pet likes to play or bask in the sun. You can also get these in essence oil form at health food stores.   Add brewer’s yeast to your pets’ food—animals that eat brewer’s yeast are distasteful to fleas. This natural "additive" will give them a shiny coat to boot! And will add vitamins to your pets diet. Easily found in health food stores and some grocery stores in the natural foods section.   To keep fleas at bay in your home, sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax on carpets, sofas, and under furniture and cushions. Diatomaceous earth is a fine white powder, made from the ground up fossilized remains of diatoms, a kind of sea algae. The edges of each grain of powder are so sharp that they make tiny cuts in the hard exoskeleton of any insect upon contact, causing the insect to dehydrate and die within a matter of hours. Since the action is physical, insects don’t build up a resistance like they do with Frontline, Advantage and other highly toxic chemicals. For fleas on pets pour some of the powder into your hands and rub it all over your dog or cat or gerbil or even birds (it works great for those microscopic red mites that attack the legs of pet birds). Some of the powder will fall off where the animal sleeps, killing fleas in the bedding. You might want to repeat this a few times, two or three days apart, until all fleas are gone. And again in a few weeks in case new eggs have hatched that survived the original powdering. Found in garden supply stores. A fine-toothed flea comb is essential and should be used daily to catch fleas. Keep a bowl of soapy water on hand and dip the comb into it after each sweep, or catch the fleas, put them in a container and dispose. Vacuum rugs and furniture frequently and launder animals’ bed covers weekly, if necessary, during the flea season. Flea eggs can be collected by vacuuming but can still hatch in the bag, so empty bag after each vacuuming. A company called Rx for Fleas (1-800-666-3532)uses a patented nontoxic sodium borate compound that it guarantees for up to one year. Products containing beneficial nematodes (microorganisms that eat flea larvae) can be sprayed on lawns and, unlike many toxic treatments, are perfectly safe for animals, birds, and humans, as well as “friendly” garden dwellers, such as earthworms and ladybugs. Brand names such as Bio Flea Halt! and Interrupt can be found in pet stores and in the lawn and garden sections of hardware stores and supermarkets. Gentle herbal shampoos are effective and can be used as often as twice a week, although too-frequent bathing can dry out animals’ skin. When shampooing, use warm water and begin with a ring of lather around the animal’s neck so that fleas cannot climb onto the animal’s face. Flea-pesticide shampoos and dips are dangerous and are not necessary because soap and water kills fleas. Animals can be given extra flea-repelling muscle with herbal dips. Avon’s Skin-So-Soft lotion is helpful when diluted with water (in a 1.5-to-1 ratio) and used as a rinse. It also helps to soothe inflamed hot spots. Veterinarian’s Best hotspot spray for dogs, containing tea tree oil, aloe vera, and chamomile, is also soothing and healing on hotspots. To make an effective natural insect repellent that can be applied to dogs daily, add five drops each of tea tree oil, citronella oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil to one cup of water, shake it, and put it in a spray bottle. (This smells great too.) Do not use on cats.
 
* Xylitol
dangers of substitute sugar

GOOGLE SEARCH XYLITOL Within 30 minutes of consuming a small amount of a xylitol-sweetened product, the ASPCA says, dogs can experience a dramatic drop in blood sugar, and they usually begin vomiting, become lethargic and can have difficulty standing or walking. Some have seizures, develop internal hemorrhaging and lesions and suffer liver failure. As few as two or three sticks of xylitol gum could be toxic to a 20-pound dog, the ASPCA says.Immediate and aggressive veterinary treatment, which includes glucose drips and IV fluids, has proved effective in many cases.Information on Chocolate Poisoning
Additional information on chocolate as a poison to dogs. Learn how to spot symptoms as well as learn ways to preperations and treament options. Antifreeze Poisoning – Extremely Toxic to Dogs Automobile antifreeze is exceptionally lethal to dogs and all animals, even in small amounts such as a few licks. It is particularly dangerous because most dogs enjoy the sweet taste and will not hesitate to try it. Follow the link below for more information:Information on Antifreeze Poisoning
For more information on Antifreeze Poisoning, how to identify signs and symptoms of antifreeze poisoning, treatment options and preventitive options and measures you can take.OnionsOnion poisoning is rare but does happen if your dog eats large amounts of it, or sustains regular feeding of onion in small amounts. Onions contain a toxic ingredient called thiosulphate and poisoning occurs in the form of hemolytic anemia, a dangerous condition where the red blood cells burst open throughout the blood stream. Poisoned dogs will have symptoms of gastroenteritis which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs will show in their urine as the red pigment of the blood cells will stain the urine. If your dog shows any sign of this, be sure to discontinue any onion in his or her diet and call your vet. Garlic Much like onions, Garlic contains thiosulphate, the dangerous toxin that poisons dogs. However garlic is also good for dogs in small amounts as it acts as a natural flea repellant. Use garlic in tiny portions and in strict moderation.Grapes and Raisins Both grapes and raisins are poisonous to dogs and are potentially fatal if you dog ingests a large amount. For years raisins were actually used as treats for dogs until dogs across the country died and their cases logged into databases. Trends were finally recorded and connections were made. Grape and raisin poisoning develops an acute renal kidney failure which leads to death. The first signs of poisoning occur with a few short hours of ingestions and are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dogs become lethargic and subdued. The more the toxins effect their kidneys, the less they produce urine – at which point death follows shortly. If you believe your dog has eaten grapes, call your vet immediately for advice.Sugarless CandiesBroccoli Broccoli is not a commonly reported poison however is can be toxic when large amounts are given to dogs. Broccoli contains isothiocyanate, a powerful gastrointestinal irritant and can be very painful. Broccoli in small amounts, less than 5% of a dogs diet, is actually nutritional as the bioflavonoid it contains help prevent cancer.Raw SalmonSnail & Slug Bait or Snail Poison - Extremely Toxic to DogsSnail bait is very dangerous and many dogs get stricken with easily as they commonly lick the grass through their curious nature. Snail poison is made with arsenic and metaldehyde, also found in ant poison, insecticides, and weed killers. Signs and symptoms include drooling and thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, and confusion. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned by snail bait, take him or her to the doctor right away – as death is very quick. Even after your dog has been treated, they might still be lethargic for weeks afterward.MushroomsMushrooms can also be poisonous. The most common account of poisoning by mushroom is the Amanita phalloides and is extremely toxic. Symptoms include mild vomiting and diarrhea and can lead to more sever digestive problems, neurological disorders as well as liver disease. Common treatment for mushroom poisoning is to induce vomiting followed with activated charcoal. If your dog thinks he is a cow or something and grazes on grass, be sure to clean the mushrooms of the ground unless you know for sure they are safe. Turkey Skin Believe it or not, turkey skin can be an issue for dogs as it doesn’t digest in dogs and is being linked to causing acute pancreatis in dogs.Emergency Procedures - What to Do if Your Dog Gets Poisoned.  If your pet accidentally ingests any type of natural, plant or chemical poison, call your veterinarian right away for advice. If you suspect your pet has had a particularly lethal amount, take he or she to the vet right away. Other contacts: You can also try calling your local poison control center. 1900-680-0000

*FACT:
DID YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR PETTING YOUR PET IT RELEASES GOOD ENDORPHINS , AND ACTUALLY LOWERS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL.
FACT:  Thousands of dogs are certified each year as Therapy Dogs, which gives them permission to go into hospitals, schools, and nursing homes to interact with the patients or residents of those facilities. These special dogs brighten the day of almost every person they meet. In addition to being a welcomed visitor (sometimes the Therapy Dog and its handler are the only visitors that nursing home residents get), Therapy Dogs can encourage physical movement, speech, and brain activity in people who are normally not active, don't speak, etc. I would like to share some web links with you, that I think will be helpful:
http://www.therapydogs.org/benefits4.html http://www.pedigree.com/dogsandpuppies/adult+dogs/relationship/dogs+and+your+health/dog+therapy.asp http://www.deltasociety.org/AnimalsHealthGeneralGeneral.htm You can find more information by doing a search on http://www.yahoo.com for "benefits of therapy dogs."Research has suggested that pet ownership is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, lower use of family doctor services, and a reduced risk of asthma and allergies in young children. Hormonal changes that occur when humans and dogs interact could help people cope with depression and certain stress-related disorders. Preliminary results from a study show that a few minutes of stroking our pet dog prompts a release of a number of "feel good" hormones in humans, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. In addition, petting our pooches results in decreased levels of the primary stress hormone cortisol, the adrenal chemical responsible for regulating appetite and cravings for carbohydrates.

Cocoa Mulch
This was sent to me so I'm passing it on...  Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a  tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving friends and family.
 
Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden.  They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.

The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her  morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.  Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.'

This Snopes site gives the following information:  http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home and Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs.  They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already  occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs.  Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.PLEASE GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION!!!
    
 

WARNING ABOUT CANINE FLU

Canine Flu: A New Disease Affecting Dogs
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.  History 

Canine flu is a new disease that is affecting dogs. It is caused by the canine influenza virus, a relatively new virus of dogs. It was first identified in racing greyhounds in 2004 and this virus appears to have been involved with significant respiratory problems on the dog tracks throughout the U.S. since then. 

The Virology Lab at Cornell University in New York isolated the first influenza virus from a dog that died during one of the racetrack outbreaks. Non-greyhounds have also been found to be infected by this influenza virus.

The canine influenza virus is a virus that originally infected horses. It is identified as the H3N8 virus, and has been in the horse population for at least 40 years. 

Signs 

Since this is a new virus to cause disease in dogs, all dogs are potentially susceptible to infection. As with any disease, there is variability in the clinical signs and the eventual outcome of the infection. The most common sign is a cough that can persist for up to three weeks regardless of treatment. Dogs may have a thick nasal discharge that seems to resolve with antibiotic treatment. This suggests that secondary bacterial infections may commonly occur. Dogs may also display sneezing and other respiratory signs. More severely affected dogs develop a high fever (104-106) with increased respiratory rates and other signs of pneumonia. There may be bleeding into the respiratory tract. Again, antibiotic therapy seems essential for recovery, since secondary bacterial infections are common. Some fatal cases of pneumonia have been reported, with the rate between 1 and 5%.

It may be difficult to differentiate a mild case of canine influenza virus infection from traditional infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in an individual dog. It is more obvious when groups of dogs are affected. Since this is a new disease, virtually all dogs are susceptible to canine flu, regardless of age or vaccination history. Infection rates in kennels may reach 100% with clinical signs developing in 75-80% of dogs. 

Transmission 

The incubation period (time from exposure to development of signs of disease) is relatively short, in the 2-5 day range. Most animals can transmit the virus for 10 or more days after the start of clinical signs. Nearly 20% of infected dogs will not display clinical signs and become the silent shedders and spreaders of the infection. 

Canine influenza virus is spread by airborne respiratory secretions (e.g., from sneezing or coughing), contaminated inanimate objects, and even by people moving back and forth between infected and uninfected dogs. The virus is killed by routine disinfectants, such as a 10 percent bleach solution.

Diagnosis 

If a dog is showing signs of infection for less than 72 hours, canine influenza can be diagnosed by virus isolation from a swab of the throat area. For dogs who have had signs of disease over 72 hours, the diagnosis is generally made by the detection of antibodies in the blood. 

Management 

Dogs with respiratory signs such as cough or sneezing should be tested for the presence of canine influenza. Antibiotics may be prescribed, as necessary, by the veterinarian. Symptomatic treatment may be necessary in some cases. In severe cases, intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen, and other measures may be required.

Prevention 

There is currently no vaccine available for this disease. Prevention is key. The disease is most likely to spread where large numbers of dogs come together, such as in boarding facilities, dog shows, dog classes, dog parks, etc. While the canine flu is not a cause for panic, owners should take precautions. This includes not allowing your dog to share toys or dishes with other dogs grouped together. Vaccinations for other diseases should be kept up to date to decrease the possibility of other respiratory diseases. Dogs diagnosed with respiratory infections should be kept isolated from other dogs for 2 weeks. Since the virus could be transmitted from dog to dog via human hands, clothing, and other items, persons should take precautions against inadvertently spreading the virus between dogs.

Canine influenza virus is different than the avian influenza virus that causes bird flu. There is no evidence that canine influenza virus infects any domestic animals other than dogs.

Copyright © 1997-2005, Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 
Reprinted from PetEducation.com. 
http://www.peteducation.com/article_print.cfm?cls=2&articleid=3435

Be wise when you vaccinate your Chi
Read up on over vaccinating your pet
And wise in keeping your Chi's immune system healthy....
check out Dream Coat on our products page....
it's great in boosting your pets immune system and helps skin and makes a shiny coat.........

TRYING TO SAVE A PUPPY
 FROM PARVO
FIRST CALL YOUR VET!


ALONG WITH THE TREATMENT YOUR VET GIVES.
EVERY 20 MINUTES GIVE PEDIALYTE
AND LOW SODIUM CHICKEN BROTH TOGETHER
 USE A EYE DROPPER
 THEY WILL THROW UP - BUT KEEP DOING IT.
THEY WILL FINALLY GET BETTER
 MAKE PEOPLE WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE HOLDING PUPPY
AND TAKE OFF SHOES WHEN ENTERING YOUR HOME
 DON'T LET OUT IN YARD OR PUBLIC TILL THEY HAVE VACCINES. IN MOST CASES THE PET DOESN'T DIE FROM THE VIRUS ITSELF, IT DIES FROM THE VOMITING AND DIAREAH , STOMACH UPSET AND INTESTINAL IRRITATION. GIVE YOUR PET PEPTO-BISMAL TO SETTLE STOMACH AND INTESTINES. VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP PET HYDRATED. THEN WHEN THINGS GET A LITTLE UNDER CONTROL OFFER YOUR PET A BLAND FOOD LIKE ID WITH THE PEDIALYTE. THEY CAN SURVIVE!
THIS WAS SENT TO ME..... TO SEND OUT TO PUBLIC
PICTURE OFF GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE

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PARVO

Most dogs who are reported to die of parvovirus actually die from an undetermined cause, because any post mortem examination that is done doesn't include taking intestinal tissue samples to confirm that the virus was present. Testing for parvovirus using in-house test kits is compromised by vaccination (will be positive in many vaccinated dogs, regardless of whether they actually have parvovirus. maybe, severe diarrhea, depression) and laboratory tests should show a very low white blood cell count. Parvovirus tests that are positive add to the suspicion but do not absolutely confirm that parvovirus is the cause of the dog's problems currently. When this disorder is suspected and the dog dies, confirming that the death was due to parvovirus by having intestinal tissue samples examined by a pathologist is necessary there is reason to try to confirm the diagnosis. My personal opinion is that parvovirus probably does cause disease on a rare basis in adult dogs, probably when it happens to coincide with another illness that weakens the same tissues. I really believe these cases are rare, though. I think that most of the reports of adult onset parvovirus are situations in which a look alike illness occurred and it was easy to blame parvovirus and it is not usually confirmed in a manner that is very conclusive. Vaccination for parvovirus provides protection for a long time and probably does so for life. This would be especially true in a area in which there is widespread contamination with parvovirus particles because exposure to these would provide small amounts of stimulation (what is a vaccination?) to the immune system, encouraging it to maintain its competency in fighting the disease. Parvovirus in dogs Background Facts: Parvovirus is the name of a family of viruses. There are parvoviral illnesses in many species but most of them have other names, such as panleukopenia in cats. For the most part, when you hear the terms "parvo" and "parvovirus" the reference is to this disease in dogs. Parvoviruses attack rapidly dividing cells preferentially. In most cases, the only cells in the body which are replaced frequently enough to be attacked are the cells lining the intestine. In very young puppies the heart muscle is also susceptible. In dogs less than one year of age the entire cellular lining the intestine is replaced every five days or so. In older dogs, only the tip of the villi in the intestines are replaced, at about the same rate. So parvovirus is a disease that is clinically severe in puppies but may be an inapparent illness in an older dog. Cause: canine parvovirus Infectivity: Spread through contact with the stool of infected puppies or dogs. Parvovirus can live in the environment for several weeks to months. Avoid areas in which many dogs defecate when walking puppies.Age/Sex/Breed Differences: Clinical illness is almost always confined to dogs less than 14 months of age. Beagles, rottweilers and doberman pinschers may be more susceptible than other breeds.Symptoms: Depression is usually the first sign of this illness. This is followed shortly by severe diarrhea and often vomiting. The diarrhea usually contains digested or partially digested blood giving it a pungent odor. Affected puppies often have very low white blood cell counts. Severe dehydration can occur rapidly with this illness. Diagnosis: There are accurate tests for this virus in stool but there can be false positive results in recently vaccinated puppies, which is the case for most puppies in this age range. Depression, diarrhea and low white blood cell counts in a puppy are reason enough to treat as if parvovirus is present. Treatment: Intravenous fluid therapy is the mainstay of treatment for this illness. Administration of serum and newer colloidal fluids along with traditional fluid therapy seems to help puppies survive. Antibiotics are necessary to prevent secondary bacterial illnesses. Since Clostridium species bacteria are a common secondary problem, amoxicillin and antibiotics with similar spectrum are often used. Prognosis: Untreated puppies have an 80% fatality rate. In treated puppies the fatality rate hovers around 20% but seems to be improving with the use of colloidal fluids. Prevention: Vaccinations remain the mainstay of prevention. Parvovirus is still capable of causing infection for several days prior to the time the vaccines can work to protect against the disease, though. For this reason, it is best to avoid areas that might be contaminated with parvovirus until after the puppy has received a vaccination at twelve weeks of age or older. It is recommended that vaccination start at 6 weeks of age and that puppies receive vaccinations at two to four week intervals until they are 12 to 16 weeks of age. We prefer to vaccinate at 6, 9 and 12 weeks for this virus but puppies with high exposure potential may have to be vaccinated more often.

Why my dog might howl

Dogs howl because it is in their nature, so it comes as "second nature" (if you will) it is also a natural sense/trait starting with the wild wolf. That is the key element to comprehend before going into why domestic dogs howl. Then of course there are reasons that are uncountable, for example: Dogs have their senses so sensitive and peaked that they can hear their master/owner a good distance before actually arriving home to the dog, Some are able to tell the time and act accordingly (becoming excited, pacing, "maybe HOWL" , etc.) just before their owner/master walks into the house. It is ALL innate and natural for canines to have countless amazing senses. They alert us before danger comes our way, such as a hurricane, or a rain storm. Many a dog will howl to get the attention of his or her master. That is the method for wolf pups.

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HUMANS AND ANIMALS/THERAPY

THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A PET AND HUMANS CAN BE VERY POSITIVE. PEOPLE WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS - SEISURES - AUTISUM - LOW OR HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS - PAIN AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.......AND JUST TO GIVE COMFORT TO A PERSON WHO IS LONLEY OR A CHILD THAT HAS HAD DIFFICULT CHANGES IN IT'S LIFE. WE GIVE THEM LOVE BUT THEY GIVE SO MUCH IN RETURN.

Chihuahuas

"THEY ARE TRULY A GIFT FROM HEAVEN"

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"Of all the things I miss from veterinary practice, puppy breath is one of the most fond memories!"
-- Dr. Tom Cat

Information was gathered using Google search engine