Also known as the nictitating membrane or haw, the dog's third eyelid is something most owners aren't aware of until they see it for the first time. All dogs have this membrane found in the inner corner of the eye but it is typically noticed only when it is drawn horizontally across part of the eye. Its color varies depending on the dog's breed and can range from clear to cloudy. Also known as the nictitating membrane or haw, the dog's third eyelid is something most owners aren't aware of until they see it for the first time. All dogs have this membrane found in the inner corner of the eye but it is typically noticed only when it is drawn horizontally across part of the eye. Its color varies depending on the dog's breed and can range from clear to cloudy. What Does the Third Eyelid Do? Deborah S. Friedman, D.V.M. and diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists has several explanations. The third eyelid acts as the dog's "windshield-wiper" for the cornea, effectively removing debris or mucus off of it. This membrane is responsible for producing about one-third of the dog's tears, since it has one of the most important tear glands attached at its base, and its lymphoid tissue acts like a lymph node producing antibodies to fight off infections. It also helps prevent injuries to the dog's cornea. In dogs and cats, this membrane is not normally visible other than when the animal is sleeping or suddenly awakens from sleep. Indeed, if you lift the eyelid of a sleeping dog you'll likely see the whole eye covered by the third eyelid. The dog in my pictures awakened suddenly after resting on my legs, and once she was fully awake, her third eyelid re-positioned normally. However, the prolonged presence of the third eyelid, even when the dog is bright and alert, often denotes some sort of medical problem. In the next paragraphs, we will see some common and not-so-common medical issues associated with the abnormal appearance of the dog's third eyelid. To read more this story, click here:Why Is My Dog's Third Eyelid Showing?
FOLLOW US!
Inappropriate Urination Cats typically want to urinate in their litter boxes! Naturally, a cat wants to bury its excrement so that predators cannot find it (or them!). It's instinctual and it makes the cat feel safe. If a cat urinates inappropriately, especially in its owner's bed, there has to be a problem. The main culprits usually involve: Medical conditions such as Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or kidney infection Stress or anxiety Problems with the litter box itself Medical Concerns: Consider These First! The first issue to consider if a cat has begun to urinate inappropriately and/or on the bed, is the possibility of illness or injury. Cats usually want to use their litter boxes and feel most comfortable using them, so it is not a good sign if a cat stops using theirs. A complete check-up with a veterinarian is the best first step. Oftentimes a cat with a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection will urinate while sleeping, and our beds are a common place for cats to sleep. Elderly cats may have difficulty getting in and out of the litter box, and may need some adjustments to help with this. Medical issues can be complicated, so it is best to check for these first in order to be sure that the problem is not a physical one. To read more on this story, click here:Why Does My Cat Pee on My Bed?
Are you curious to know why dog howl and why they howl mostly at nights? Actually, dogs howl is their natural mode of communication. Also, there are some other reasons, about dog howl, but the most accepted belief is, "dogs are successor of wolves and they carry a couple of wolves’ characters and howling is one of them". There are some other concepts also, regarding dog howls like, 1. Vocal Communication Wolf howl in the wild is their natural way of vocal communication. They howl to send a message to their separated pack members to inform about their presence and current location. This method helps them to find each other. And the dogs had inherited this behavior from their ancestors. Though this way of communication can be the one reason, but there are a couple of other reasons also when a dog can trigger howl. To read more on this story, click here:10 Reasons Why Dogs Howl
November is National Adopt a Senior Month. Donatello has a message...please adopt or foster a senior dog or cat. Let’s save more lives together. Donatello would like you all to follow him on FB & Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/donatellothedog/ https://instagram.com/donatellos world (Click twice on arrow to start video)
A two-headed snake that wowed biologists and residents when it was found in a Northern Virginia yard in September has died, The Washington Post reports. The two-headed baby Eastern Copperhead was found in Woodbridge in early September, the Wildlife Center of Virginia said. According to The Post, JD Kleopfer, the state’s herpetologist, announced the reptile's death early this week. The snake had two tracheas, with the left one more developed, and two esophagi, with the right one more developed. The snake also had a single heart and one set of lungs. When the snake was discovered, Kleopfer said the find was extremely rare because "they just don't live that long." You may be interested in reading:A Young Two-Headed Eastern Copperhead Was Found in Northern Virginia
The Camp Fire, the most deadly and destructive wildfire in California history, has destroyed hundreds of homes, put thousands of lives at risk and separated pets from their owners. People have been using social media to look for and share images of their lost animals in hopes of finding them, and it's working. Lost animals following Camp Fire To take a look at the animals, click here:Photos: Pets, Owners Reunited Following Deadly and Destructive Camp Fire
Is Marina Chapman a survivor or a fantasist? We meet the Bradford woman who claims she was raised in the jungle by monkeys – and who still enjoys nothing more than grooming her family Marina Chapman says she isn't as mobile as she once was. It's not so easy to climb trees these days, let alone swing from them. Well, she is about 60 or 62 years old – maybe older. She's not sure. Chapman is tiny, sinewy, bendy. At times she doesn't look quite human – a bit simian, a bit feline and quite beautiful. Perhaps it's not surprising that Marina Chapman seems different from the rest of us. In her formative years, she says, she grew up with monkeys. Only monkeys. For around five years (again, she's unsure – there is no reliable means of measuring) she says she lived deep in the Colombian jungle with no human company. She remembers learning to fend for herself – eating berries and roots, nabbing bananas dropped by the monkeys, sleeping in holes in trees and walking on all fours. By the time she was rescued by hunters, she says, she had lost her language completely. And that's when life really got tough. She claims she was sold into a brothel in the city of Cúcuta, lived as a street urchin and was enslaved by a mafia family, before being saved by a neighbour and eventually moving to Bradford, Yorkshire. Which is where we find her today. To read more on this story, click here:Was Marina Chapman Really Brought Up By Monkeys?
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches many of you are wondering if you can give your dog turkey ...Yes, you can! The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, offering your dog a small piece of boneless, thoroughly cooked turkey, plain mashed potatoes and a smidge of pumpkin pie are not likely to be harmful treats for your dog. Just be sure to avoid giving foods with large amounts of onion or garlic, or any treats sweetened with xylitol, a sweetener that can lower the blood sugar of dogs. When placing the meat in your dog's bowl, be sure to remove all pieces of bone, and the skin! Just like chicken bones, turkey bones splinter and can cause blockage or perforation of the intestine. Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin and dark turkey meat are difficult to digest and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis. Dogs and turkey bones aren't a good combination. Your dog may become agitated with strangers in your home If you plan on serving Thanksgiving dinner in your home, it’s probably a good idea to give your dog a special chew toy and put him in a secure room. With so many people coming into and out of your house, your dog may become agitated. Dogs don’t like changes in their routine and may not find mingling with strangers to be enjoyable. There’s also a higher risk of your dog escaping to the outside when there’s so much confusion. Tips: 1. Try to keep all foods pushed toward the back of the counter, prepared and uncooked. 2. Feed your dog in their dog bowl. 3. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet. 4. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your dog. 5. Once the meal is over, place turkey bones in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your dog. 6. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets. A child who does not know how to properly interact with your dog may end up the victim of a dog bite incident. 7. As guests enter and exit your home for Thanksgiving dinner this provides an opportunity for your dog to escape. 8. If you think someone gave your dog too much turkey or table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your dog got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have. Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Thanksgiving, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center. Happy Thanksgiving from The Pet Tree House!
FOLLOW US!
