Foods You CAN Give Your Pets at Thanksgiving

If you have family members two- and four-legged joining your feast on Thanksgiving, it’s important to know who can eat what. Human food and dogs don’t get along that great, especially the flavorful, seasoned dishes served on Thanksgiving. Diarrhea in dogs is extremely common as a result of overfeeding rich foods. Too much of a good thing can result in pancreatitis, a painful inflammatory condition that is expensive to treat and can have lifelong effects on your pet.

It doesn’t mean you have exclude your pets from the festivities, but it does mean you need to watch what they eat, and what you (and other guests) feed Fido. Whip up some Thanksgiving-themed homemade dog treats to distract your dog from the main meal, or take him for a pre-dinner walk around the block to tire him out.

Certain Thanksgiving foods are safe and even healthy for dogs! However, only the pure, raw, unseasoned forms of these foods are acceptable to give to pets. These Thanksgiving foods are dog-friendly, but they should still be served only in moderation.

Sweet Potatoes
Typically served baked with marshmallows or in sweet potato pie, this seasonal superfood is a hit with dogs. Orange sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and many other much-needed nutrients.  Feed your pup raw or dried pieces of sweet potato, not the canned mix. Never give your dog marshmallows, which contain xylitol – an artificial sweetener dangerous to pets – as well as large amounts of sugar.

Turkey
The main course, Thanksgiving turkey is a dog’s ultimate dream dish. Cooked turkey is safe for both cats and dogs, but it must be unseasoned. Turkey bones are also off-limits for dogs, as they can easily crunch and splinter, causing an intestinal obstruction or internal bleeding. The turkey’s skin is also out of bounds for dogs, as its rich flavor can cause gastrointestinal upset. Feeding too much fatty meat can lead to pancreatitis in dogs, an inflammatory disease of the pancreas.

Green Beans
Green beans are a Thanksgiving casserole staple for some families, but dogs prefer these snappy veggies raw. High in fiber and vitamins C and K, toss your pup a handful before you add Grandma’s secret seasoning. Mushrooms and onions – common casserole additions – are toxic to dogs, so avoid these vegetables.

Carrots
Another orange-hued veggie, carrots are also loaded with beta-carotene, vitamins and fiber. Raw carrots are a dog’s best friend thanks to their satisfying crunch, but cooked (unseasoned) carrots are also a tasty treat. This root vegetable is high in antioxidants too, beneficial for pets with cancer.

Pumpkin
Fall is full of orange, including its signature gourd. Pumpkins are perfect for pets raw or cooked, but always use fresh, pure pumpkin – not your leftover Jack-O-Lantern or canned pie filling! Full of fiber, pumpkin flesh and seeds add texture to homemade dog treats. Remember to avoid any sugar or spice when feeding pumpkin to pets.

Rolls and Bread
Bread and rolls are another Thanksgiving table staple. Chock full of carbs, there’s really no nutritional benefit to feeding your dog bread or rolls. A minute amount of fiber can be found in whole grain bread and dinner rolls, but who’s eating that on Thanksgiving.


*Make sure your dog does not eat any of the above items that are highlighted.

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Dogs with Expensive Taste – One Swallows $10,000 Worth of Diamonds- The Other Swallows a Diamond Worth $20,000!

I would first like to say that both dogs in this story are okay.

I always thought that diamonds…were a girl’s best friend! Not any more, apparently dogs have taken a liking to them!

In Albany, Georgia a dog named Honey Bun, had a special attraction to the sparking little gems, or at least a curiosity that got him in a lot of trouble. He consumed close to $10,000 worth of diamonds.

The co-owner of John Ross jewelers Cuck Roberts says, “he’s a staple of the jewelry store, but this appears to be the first time he's dined on the gems.”

Roberts got up from his chair to greet a customer when one of the four packs of diamonds (each containing about $10,000 in loose 1-karat diamonds for earrings) on his desk went missing. Upon finding an empty pack on the floor, the shop owner immediately had a suspect.

X-rays later confirmed Honey Bun's guilt. While carbon doesn't show through on an x-ray, two blank spots made him the likely culprit

The diamonds were cleaned up and sent back to the supplier, while the dog seemed unfazed by the incident. Roberts is now a bit more cautious about where he leaves his chair.

Now, Honey Bun isn’t the only diamond stealing dog. In January 2010, at Robert Bernard Jewelers, in Rockville, Maryland, Sollie, a golden retriever swallowed a $20,000 3-karat diamond after it was simply
dropped on the floor in a jewelry store.

George Kaufmann brings his dog Sollie to his store, every day. On the evening of January 26, Kaufmann and his business partner, Robert Rosin, were meeting with a diamond dealer and were taking a look at a 3-carat stone when it fell on the floor right next to Sollie. The men watched in horror as Sollie ate it.


The men quickly called a veterinarian to find out what they should do to retrieve the diamond.

The doctor said nature would have to take its course, so for three days Kaufmann walked Sollie hoping to find the gem in Sollie's stool.

"When we took a walk in the morning and evening I collected and went through everything. It wasn't glamorous, but you gotta do what you gotta do," said Kaufmann.

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Can Cats And Dogs Really Live Together?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Absolutely! Dogs and cats can become fast friends. Ideally, they should become accustomed to the other species as youngsters. This early exposure teaches them that it is normal to co-exist in a household.

The sensitive period of learning regarding social acceptability is between 3 and 12 weeks of age in dogs and between 2 and 7 weeks of age in cats. During this time a plethora of unlikely liaisons can be engineered using appropriate ploys. During the sensitive period it is possible to arrange seemingly impossible feats like lions being made to lie down with lambs. However, it is often not possible to raise kittens with puppies to create such "bon accord au naturelle."  But a huge step in the right direction involves introducing puppies and kittens to friendly members of the opposite species during this window of time.

It is not uncommon for dogs and cats to enjoy each other's company. Take the time to manage your cat-dog introduction properly, and you could be setting up a friendship that will last for the rest your pets' lives.

Can cats and dogs really live together? What do you think?

Facts to consider when cohabiting cats and dogs:

1. Gentle, sweet-natured, or lazy dogs are more likely to be good with cats than strong-willed, active, alert dogs.

2. Strong-willed cats that stand their ground and hiss and spit, or swipe with a paw, are more likely to cope with a new dog, than the timid sort that run from everything.

3. As a cat owner who wants to own a dog, never choose a stray, or ones you don't know the history of.

4. Consider its temperament, breed and past history. Ask the advice of shelter staff, your vet and friends, if you are inexperienced. Choose a cat that has been used to dogs if possible, preferably one which is not timid and shy.

5. Some dogs have a very high predatory drive and cannot be trusted with any small, fast moving creature.

6. Allow your cat to go where it likes, but not to leave the room. Most of these encounters will be, or should be, uneventful.

7. If you are a dog owner who wants to own a cat, think carefully about whether your dog would be suitable first.

8. A word of caution to owners of more than one dog. One dog will act as an individual, more than one will act as a pack which could have dire consequences for a new cat.

9. Introductions must be supervised, and they must be handled with planning, care and patience.

10. Ask if the dog has been used to living with cats and take the advice of shelter staff on the likelihood of it settling with cats.

11. .Do not force them together, let them move at their own speed - which will probably be very slowly.

12. You will need time and patience if these two animals from entirely different species are to become friends. It probably will happen eventually, but until you are absolutely sure, do not leave them alone together.

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Are You Feeding Your Dog Table Food?

Sometimes you will hear people say…he’s just a little chubby, or he really doesn’t eat that much…and besides he’s cute! Yes, he is a cutie, but is he overweight?

We sit down to eat...and there they are those big cute begging eyes! I am sure you may think a little bit of this…and a little bit of that won’t hurt him. But do you really know what table food does to your dog? Combining table food, treats and lack of exercise are all factors in making your dog fat, which can cause health problems.

While an extra 10 pounds on the average person can be a bit uncomfortable, for a normal 40-pound dog the excess could put it 25 percent over its ideal weight.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Obesity is an extremely common problem in pets and, as with humans, can be detrimental to the health of a dog. The overweight pet has many added stresses upon his body and is at an increased risk of diabetes, liver problems and joint pain.

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Couple Loses $7k on Dream Bali Honeymoon After Dog Chews Passport

THE ordeal that ruined this couple’s dream honeymoon takes the old excuse of “the dog ate my homework” to a whole new, very expensive level.

A COUPLE who had saved more than $7000 for their dream honeymoon in Bali ended up being turned away at the border, all because their dog had chewed a bit of the groom’s passport.

Daniel and Tia Farthing flew 16 hours from their home in the UK to Bali on October 16 — their first wedding anniversary — only to be told they couldn’t enter Indonesia.

Border officials told the couple Mr Farthing’s passport wasn’t in an acceptable condition and they were made to take the next flight back to the UK, leaving them devastated and well out of pocket.

They told The Mirror the passport has been bitten by their four-year-old labrador collie cross Milo when he was a puppy.

UK Border Force staff told him the passport would not be an issue for their trip to Indonesia, provided all the necessary details were in it, however Indonesian officials didn’t agree.

On their way home to Suffolk, UK, the couple had a stopover in Singapore where Mr Farthing said he was detained for seven hours.

Meanwhile a panicked Mrs Farthing ran up a phone bill of more than $390 trying to contact relatives back home.

When the couple eventually landed at London’s Heathrow Airport, they said a flight attendant who had been told of their ordeal looked at Mr Farthing’s passport and said: “Is that what all the fuss was about?”

With the couple having lost the $7000 they spent on the trip, Mrs Farthing’s sister has started a GoFundMe campaign to help them.

To read more on this story, click here: Couple Loses $7k on Dream Bali Honeymoon After Dog Chews Passport


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Teaching Your Cat How To Walk On A Leash

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Teaching your cat to walk on a harness and leash is a great way to let your cat enjoy the outdoors while ensuring his safety.

There is an old belief that it is grossly unfair to confine such a free-spirited animal to the indoors. Some people believe that cats should never be outdoors.

If you would like to give your cat an opportunity to explore the out-of-doors safely, leash-training them is an ideal way to do it..

Whether your cat is exclusively indoors, or an indoor-outdoor variety, there are times you'll need to keep him confined with a leash. Even older cats can be trained, given patience.

The first thing to remember is that cats don't walk on a leash like a dog. They will want to go in the direction they choose, rather than following you.

Tips on walking your cat on a leash:

1. The key to successful training is do it slowly, about 5 minutes at a time each day. Gradually increasing the time the harness is worn. Let the cat get use to wearing it around the house.

2. At first the cat will not want to move around. After it has accepted wearing the harness, then add the leash and encourage the cat to walk to get something it wants like a food treat or toy.

3. A lot of praise and good kitty also helps in the acceptance of the wearing. The cat has to understand that there is a reward in store for its cooperation.

4. Never drag your cat.

5. Get to know your cat before you to walk it on a leash..

6. The first time you take your cat outside, carry it to a quiet, safe spot in your yard, and gently set it down. Always pick your cat up if another animal comes into your yard.

7. Be aware that your cat will be exposed to some dangers and parasites outdoors.

8. If you have an older cat, you'll still be able to train them to walk on a leash, but it may take a little longer.

9. If you want to take your cat out especially if you are in an unfamiliar location, put it in a harness with a leash to keep it safe.

10. Be sure to attach an ID tag and write your phone number on the harness so someone knows who to call if your cat happens to get loose.

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How To Keep Your Tank Safe During A Power Outage

A power outage may only be a minor inconvenience for you but, for your aquarium fish, it can be deadly.

A power outage is a minor convenience for most people – it simply means that you have to take a break from television, computer, and charging your cell phone. As long as the outage doesn’t last too long there will likely be no damage done. When it comes to your aquarium, however, a power outage can be a major problem. In order to maintain the delicate balance in your tank you need to keep your filtration system and heater running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether the outage lasts for a few hours or a few days, there are several things you can do to minimize the damage.

Types of Power Outages

Before getting into the details of how to protect your aquarium during a power outage, it is important that you understand that different types of outages will affect your aquarium in different ways. A localized power outage occurs when the main source of power to the aquarium is disrupted. This could be due to a power strip coming unplugged or a fuse being blown. In some cases the problem is easily remedied – you can just plug the cord back in or flip the switch on the circuit breaker. If the problem is due to an equipment malfunction, like a cracked heater, you may not even realize the problem right away. You may want to consider installing a plug-in alarm that will alert you if the power to your tank is interrupted – this is an especially good investment if you have a very large tank full of expensive fish. It is also a good idea that you use different plugs for different pieces of equipment so they do not all go out at once in the event of a localized power outage.

To read more on this story, click here: How To Keep Your Tank Safe During A Power Outage


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Dog Safety In And Out of The Car - Using A Seatbelt, Harness or Leash

When you get into your car what is the first thing that you do? Of course, you buckle your seatbelt. When you put your young child in the car…you buckle their seatbelt. When it’s time to take you dog out for a trip…to you allow them to run freely in the car…or do you buckle their seatbelt?

If you let your dog run freely, you are not only endangering their life, your life, but the lives of others. A sudden stop can send your dog flying over the seat. Your dog can get frightened and jump on you causing you to lose control of the car. You love your dog and do everything to protect them at home, so why not protect them in the car. Remember, never leave your dog in a hot car.

Four Reasons to use a Pet Safety Belt
A Pet Safety Belt for your dog will help:                                  
                                                                                                           
1. Prevent Car or Truck Driver Distraction
2. Protect Passengers from injury in an accident
3. Reduce injury during travel to pet
4. Help rescue workers by keeping a dog restrained
                           
Walking your dog
Dogs are great walking companions! If you begin walking with your dog, you may soon find that they are ready to walk when you are The great health benefit is that you can combine your walk as a weight loss program!

Your dog  should never be running ahead of you, and should never be leading you. You should always have complete control over your animal. When you get a new puppy, Start attaching your dog's leash the day you bring him home, and venture out together as soon as possible.

Equipment for Walking your dog
Begin by selecting the right leash and collar for your dog. Make your choices not only on your dog's breed, but also on his current size, and behavior level. . Fixed  collars made of nylon are a much smarter choice for smaller pets. Head collars are also available for dogs of all sizes.

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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Welcomed Five African Penguin Chicks in October

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore welcomed five African penguin chicks in October.

“We are thrilled to continue our breeding success every year, and so far have hatched out another five chicks to kick off the beginning of our breeding season,” said Jen Kottyan, avian collection and conservation manager. “We anticipate we’ll have more chicks hatch soon.”

Penguin chicks will hatch 38 to 42 days after the eggs are laid.

“With African penguins, both the male and the female take turns incubating the eggs,” said Kottyan. “Once the eggs hatch, parents take turns caring for their offspring; they each protect, feed, and keep the chick warm for 2-3 days and then switch off.”

At Penguin Coast, chicks stay with their parents for about three weeks after they hatch and are fed regurgitated fish from their parents.

Zoo keepers will keep a close eye on the chicks, weighing them to make sure they are growing properly.

When the chicks are three weeks old, they’ll be removed from their nest and must learn that staff are the source for food.

It’ll help the chicks acclimate to the daily feedings, health checks and more.

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How To Remove Matted Hair From Your Dog

Your little dogie is  matted…don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it seems. The very first thing that you DON’T do, is use scissors to try to cut it out.  When you pull a dog's hair you will noticed that the skin will move with the hair. For this reason you should not try and cut your dog’s mats off with scissors.  There is a good possibility that you will cut through the skin, which will need to be sutured closed by a Veterinarian

Having two Shih-Tzu’s, I have experienced this first hand. If you have a long-haired dog you can’t wait for their hair to get long like the ones in the dog shows. I quickly found out that the dogs in the dog shows were being groomed every day and several times a day at dog shows.

I tried to keep my Sugar’s hair up in the topknot, but Domino wasn’t having it!  I would brush both of them and they would look cute…for about 10 minutes! Domino would pull her topknot down and I would find her bow in the floor.

After working everyday, coming home and trying to tackle them to brush their hair, I gave up. I started seeing matting on Sugar. I took them to the groomers and they suggested that I get them the puppy cut. I kept them with the puppy cut. I no longer felt the need to see them with the long flowing hair like the show dogs. They liked it, especially in the summer!

If your dog is matted you have a couple choices:

1. If your dog will let you comb their hair, start combing as a regular habit while watching tv and sitting on the floor with your dog. A little at a time. Don’t rush and no pulling. Just slow, methodical combing a little at a time, and before you know it, the mats will be gone. It’s good to start the combing method on puppies. This way as they grow they will get used to the grooming. Never attempt to cut mats around their private areas. Matting in this area should always be removed by a professional groomer.
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2. Finally, depending on the type, and location of the mat, your dog may require shaving.



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How To Remove Matted Hair From Your Cat

Kitty is matted…don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it seems. The very first thing that you DON’T do, is use scissors to try to cut it out. When you pull a cat or dogs hair you will noticed that the skin will move with the hair. For this reason you should not try and cut your cat’s mats off with scissors. There is a good possibility that you will cut through the skin, which will need to be sutured closed by a Veterinarian

You have a few choices:

1. If your cat will let you comb it’s hair, start combing as a regular habit while watching tv and sitting on the floor with your cat. A little at a time. No longer than 15 minutes at a time. Cats unlike dogs will not sit for long periods. Don’t rush and no pulling. Just slow, methodical combing a little at a time, and before you know it, the mats will be gone. It’s good to start the combing method on kittens. This way as they grow they will get used to the grooming. Never attempt to cut mats around their private areas. Matting in this area should always be removed by a professional groomer.

2. You can try and find a professional cat groomer in your area.

3. Finally, depending on the type, and location of the mat, your cat may require shaving.

Helpful Videos:







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Do You Know What to Do if Your Cat or Dog is Choking? Do You Know How to Perform CPR on Your Pet in an Emergency?

I hope you never have to use this, but this information is worth reading. Most of the time when we think about choking or cpr, we think about this happening to a person. However, it can happen to your pet. Would you know what to do in an emergency in the middle of the night if your pet was choking or needed cpr?

This post has several videos, please take time to look at them. I decided to write this post after hearing about a 7-year-old yellow lab, in Wisconsin, named Coda who was rescued from a burning home and revived a group of firefighters using mouth-to-snout resuscitation.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Unfortunately, accidents do happen. When a medical emergency befalls our furry friends, pet parents may find it difficult to make rational decisions, especially if something occurs during the middle of the night. That’s why it’s crucial to have an emergency plan in place—before you need it.

How to Perform CPR on a Dog:




How to Perform CPR on a Cat:

What to do if your dog is choking:




What to do if your cat is choking:




I know that this post is on emergency care for pets, but I also decided to include: How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver on People:



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Dog Food Recalls: Is Your Brand on the List?

We have the best, most complete list of dog food recalls. Fully updated with every dog food recall of 2018.

Petful has been researching U.S. dog food recalls for several years now, and we’ve compiled the following list. Is your dog food on our list? Recalls are listed in order from newest to oldest. (Looking for cat food recalls? Go here.)

To see the full list, click here: Dog Food Recalls: Is Your Brand on the List?






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Cat Food Recalls: Is Your Brand on the List?

We have the best, most complete list of cat food recalls. Fully updated with every cat food recall of 2018.

Petful has been researching U.S. cat food recalls for several years now, and we’ve compiled the following list. Is your cat food on our list? Recalls are listed in order from newest to oldest. (Looking for dog food recalls? Go here.)

To see the full list, click here: Cat Food Recalls: Is Your Brand on the List?

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Air Force Academy's Falcon Mascot Hurt In Army Football Prank

Two West Point cadets’ prank on the Air Force Academy’s football team went seriously awry over the weekend, injuring the rival team’s falcon mascot.

The bird was bloodied during a botched kidnapping, but the injuries aren’t life-threatening and she appears to be on the mend, according to the Air Force Academy.

The West Point pranksters snatched two falcons belonging to the Air Force Academy: Aurora, a 22-year-old gyrfalcon that serves as the official mascot, and Oblio, a younger Peregrine falcon. The Air Force Falcons football team was at West Point for Saturday’s game against the Army Black Knights, which Army won. 

The Army cadets reportedly threw sweaters over the birds and locked them in a dog crate. When they returned the birds, Aurora’s wings were bloody, likely from thrashing in the crate.

“I think they had them for a couple hours and then they realized it was a bad mistake,” Sam Dollar, the Air Force Academy’s falconry team adviser, told The New York Times. “When Aurora started thrashing around in the crate, they decided that wasn’t a good thing.”

To read more on this story, click here: Air Force Academy's Falcon Mascot Hurt In Army Football Prank

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Black Cats - Do They Get a Bad Rap?

Meet Razzy, this is my brother’s second black cat. Razzy was found near his home in South Carolina, and he and his wife took her in when she was just a kitten, she is now about 4 years old. He also had an all black cat named Blackjack that lived for 18 years. Razzy has a 3-year-old yorkie bother named Tiki…and they get along just find.

I have been around both cats, and found them to be the sweetest cats! My sister once had a calico that hid all of the time. Both of his cats would come out to greet you and rub up on your leg.

I think that movies, superstitions and old folklore has caused the scare in people not wanting black cats. One of the prevalent black cat superstition alive in our western culture today, is if a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck. Interestingly, in most other cultures, the black cat is a prized possession and owning one is said to bring the owner good luck.

Did you know that in England the white cat is considered unlucky, the black bought  good fortune?

I have heard these sayings as a child, but as an adult, I realized they were not true.

Lucky 7 reasons to adopt a black cat:

• You will truly save a life
• They will love you unconditionally forever
• When you love a black cat, luck is on your side
• Their coat shimmers & their eyes will mesmerize you
• They don’t care what you look like!
• Holding a black cat is slimming
• Black cats will match any decor

Good luck associated with black cats include:

• Possessing a black cat.Having a black cat greet you at a door
• Having a black cat enter your home.
• Meeting three black cats in succession 
• Touching a black cat.

Do cats really have 9 lives?

I don't think that cats have nine lives, that's just a metaphor. Cats seem to be able to pull themselves out of dangerous situations more than anything else. Example, landing on their feet. If something were to happen to your cat that it couldn't get out of, it would die the same as anything else would.

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Hip Dysplasia – Found Mostly in Large Breed Dogs

Large breeds are most likely to get hip dysplasia, though there are some large dogs such as Borzoi that have a low risk of hip dysplasia, and there are some medium sized dog breeds that have an increased risk. Breeds that are at a high risk of hip dysplasia include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Rottweilers and Cocker Spaniels.

Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic polygenic trait that is affected by environmental factors. It can be found in many animals and occasionally in humans, but is most commonly associated with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds.

Hip dysplasia is one of the most studied veterinary conditions in dogs, and the most common single cause of arthritis of the hips.

Hip dysplasia is a genetically transmitted disease that has been seen in over 82 recognized breeds of dogs. Since first diagnosed in 1935, it has had the highest incidence in the larger breed animals.

Hip dysplasia is an inherited, developmental disease with a polygenic mode of inheritance. This means that there are multiple genes which must be present for this disease to express itself. Surprisingly, the hip joints of dogs which develop dysplasia are normal at birth. In most cases, dysplasia will occur in both legs bilaterally http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bilaterally. However, in approximately 7% of the cases only one hip will be affected.

Treatment
Once the patient usually an adult dog has radiographic evidence of degenerative arthritis, it is no longer a candidate for a triple pelvic osteotomy. Over time, many of these dogs will become less responsive to analgesic medications and surgical therapy should be considered. There are two procedures available.
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Removal of the femoral head and neck and total hip replacement.

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Have You Ever Owned a Betta Fish? They Are Truly Beautiful Fish!

Have you ever owned a betta fish? If you have then you know the beauty of this little fish! If you have not…Then you don’t know what you are missing!

Several years ago my husband came home from work and surprised me with a beautiful burgundy fish in a vase with a peace lily flower in it. After staring at it for several seconds, I asked where he had gotten it. He told me that a lady on his job was selling them and that he had previously ordered it for me.  She told him that I should keep it in the vase and that it would eat off of the roots.

I ended up getting my betta fish, who we named, fishy-fish, a one gallon aquarium and fed him flakes. He was so cute. He would come close to the glass when he saw us, and would wave his fins. He lived to be 2 years old.

Facts about betta fish:

• They originate in the shallow waters in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and parts of China.
• The water for keeping healthy bettas should be soft, warm, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
• They thrive on heat, and will become increasingly listless when the water temperature falls below 75 degrees.
• They are one of the most colorful and amusing breed of pet fish to have.
• Betta fish can live for up to 5 years.
• 90% of problems with bettas start from stress
• Poor tank conditions make them sick live foods are best for the betta, however, they will adapt to eating flake foods, frozen and freeze dried foods.
• Their digestive tract is built to digest meat, rather than vegetable material.
• Their upturned mouth is designed to grab insects that have fallen into the water.
• Water movement should be kept to a minimum, which means that power filters and powerheads are not suitable.
• Only one male may be kept in each aquarium, unless they are separated by a barrier, they will fight.
• They may be kept in a community tank as long as the water conditions are met, and there are no aggressive fish.

When it comes to owning a pet, most people prefer to start small. Some like to start with hamsters, fish in aquariums. Some people think that the smaller in the pet, the less work!

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Do Not Buy from Puppy Mills – A Must Read!

I did not write this story, but as an animal lover, I feel that I must share it:

Hi...do you know me??? I am a purebred Yorkshire Terrier. Pardon my appearance, maybe you didn't recognize me. I've been so busy making babies and it's hard to stay pretty when you live in filth and never bathe. Maybe you know one of my children, there are hundreds of them out there in the world. I know not where. They were taken from me so young. I hope they have forgotten me, anyway, and this horrible place I can never leave, this tiny cage with its wire floor is my world, I have never left it, it all I know. Is there something else? I know this cage, I know loneliness, I know fear, I know pain, I know sickness, I know hunger, I know thirst...I know I make babies. That's all I know. Is there more? Why are you here? I only know humans mean hurt. What do you mean help? What is Kindness? What is love? What is there beside what I know? Will you show me? Will you not forget me here? I want to know what else there is beside this hell I live in. Help me please, I can not help myself. ♥

There is a bill in the US Congress that will help dogs in puppy mills all over the country, the PUPS Act. House-HR835, Senate-S707. So far 25% of representatives have signed on in support.

PLEASE SHARE!!! PUT AN END TO THIS INDUSTRY FOREVER! TOGETHER WE WILL BE HEARD! MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT LISTEN AND DO NOT STOP UNTIL PUPPY MILLS ARE OUTLAWED AND ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED! Be their voice and their guardian angel, end the suffering of these innocents, once and for all.

Please look at the video below:

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How Rabies Can Affect Your Dog

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) , states that rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

Rabies is one of the most well known of all the viruses. Fortunately, through active vaccination and eradication programs, there were only 3 reported cases of human rabies in the United States in 2006, although 45,000 people were exposed and required post-exposure vaccination and antibody injections.

Bats are the most common animals responsible for the transmission of human rabies in the United States. Rabid bats have been reported in all states except Hawaii.

There are two forms of rabies: paralytic and furious. In the early symptom (prodomal) stage of rabies infection, the dog will show only mild signs of central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. This stage will last from one to three days. Most dogs will then progress to either the furious stage, the paralytic stage, or a combination of the two, while others succumb to the infection without displaying any major symptoms.

There is no cure or effective treatment for rabies. Animals with obvious and advanced signs of rabies must be euthanized. Next to vaccination, minimizing exposure is the best way to prevent rabies. Do not allow your dog to roam out of your sight, especially in wooded areas where wild animal encounters are more common. Keep your dog on a leash, and avoid interactions with unknown animals. If your dog does get an animal bite, see your vet right away.

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Diabetes In Cats - A Complex Disease

The American Society for the  Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)  says, Diabetes in cats is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. After a cat eats, their digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose which is carried into their cells by insulin.

While diabetes mellitus can affect any cat, it most often occurs in older, obese cats. Male cats are more likely to have diabetes than females. The exact cause of the disease in cats is not known, although obesity, is the major predisposing condition, and may cause chronic pancreatitis.

If left untreated, diabetes will shorten a cat's life. A dangerous, sometimes fatal condition called ketoacidosis may develop, indicated by some of the following symptoms: loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and breathing abnormalities. Diabetes can lead to a secondary bacterial infection, or a diabetes related disorder called diabetic neuropathy  that may cause cats to become progressively weaker, impairing their ability to jump.

There are three types of diabetes seen in cats:

Type I diabetes
These cats are insulin dependent, and need to receive daily insulin injections.

Type II diabetes
The cat’s pancreas may make enough insulin but the cat’s body does not use it properly. This is the most common type of feline diabetes.

The third type is known as Transient Diabetes. These are type II cats who present as diabetics and require insulin initially, but over time, their system re-regulates so they can go off insulin-especially with a change of diet.

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Dog Shoots Man, Man Survives, Defends Dog: 'He Didn't Mean To Do It. He's A Good Dog.'

A dog named Charlie shot a man named "Tex" on the way to a jackrabbit hunt in the New Mexico desert.

“It went through my ribs my lung and busted up my collarbone on the right side," victim Tex Harold Gilligan told ABC News. "I had a gaping hole, you know, and a lot of blood there too,” Gilligan said. “I could see the blood and I felt it,” he said.

Gilligan, 74, was left with three broken ribs, and injured lung, a broken collarbone and three very agitated dogs -- Charlie chief among them.

Gilligan said that he had loaded up his pickup truck with his gun and his trio of dogs -- Charlie, Scooter and Cowboy -- climbed into the driver's seat, and headed out to the desert west of Las Cruces to hunt jackrabbits.

Charlie 120-pound Rottweiler mix got his foot in the trigger of the gun, caught the trigger and blasted a shot at his unsuspecting owner, who said that at first he thought he'd been hit by a sniper from a distance.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Shoots Man, Man Survives, Defends Dog: 'He Didn't Mean To Do It. He's A Good Dog.'


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