How to Protect Your Pet in the Event of a Tornado

Title: How to Protect Your Pet in the Event of a Tornado
Author: Julie Calligaro

How to Protect Your Pet in the Event of a Tornado
The destructive tornados in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and
Kansas are reminders that disaster can strike anywhere. The
U.S. averages 1,000 tornados each year. And while we tend
to think of tornados as a weather phenomenon of the
Midwest, they have been recorded in every state. This year,
although only half over, is already the deadliest tornado
year in the U. S. since 1998 and seems on track to break
the record for the number of tornados in a year.

By their very nature, tornados come at us fast and
furiously and often with little notice. Consequently the
only way to safeguard your family pet is to be prepared
before a tornado strikes. Take action now, our companion
animals depend on us for their survival.

Prepare in advance. Keep pet supplies in a tornado-proof
room or cellar. For example: Food, water, and treats in
sufficient quantities. Sanitation items i.e. litter box,
litter or puppy pads. Crates for a cat or frightened dog to
provide your pet with a cozy, secure hiding place to
weather the storm.

Practice getting your family and pets to the safe area.
Train your dog to go to the safe area on command. Learn how
to quickly and safely secure your pet. Know your pet's
hiding places and how to safely extricate them.

Make your tornado safe area pet friendly. Eliminate unsafe
areas where cats may try to hide. Remove dangerous items
such as tools or toxic products stored in the area.

Identify your pet If your pet gets lost, his identification
is his ticket home. Your options include: collar tags
imprinted with your pet's name, your name and phone number;
a tattoo with an identification number i.e. your social
security number; a GPS tracking device attached to your
pet's collar; or a microchip. Microchips provide
identification that is permanent and uses a unique number
that cannot be altered. Approximately 1.5 million dogs and
cats now have microchips.

Use pet rescue window stickers Attach pet rescue stickers
on prominent windows in your home. If a disaster strikes
when you're not home, the stickers will alert rescue
workers that pets are inside. Be sure the stickers are
visible to rescue workers and include the types and number
of pets in your household. If you and your pets evacuate
(and time permits) write "Evacuated" across the stickers.

Heavy rains and flooding often follow tornados so be
prepared to evacuate with your pet if that becomes
necessary.

About the Author:

Julie A. Calligaro is a probate and estate planning
attorney and the author of How to Safeguard Your Pet in an
Emergency and at Your Disability or Death and Arranging
Your Financial And Legal Affairs.
http://www.SafeguardMyDog.com . A free checklist of steps
that protect pets during an emergency and at your
disability or death and a Pet Care Card to carry if you are
injured or hospitalized,
http://www.safeguardmydog.com/Nutshell.pdf

.

__,_._,___

Breaking Your Dog of Bad Habits

Title: Breaking Your Dog of Bad Habits
Author: Nick Luvera

Breaking Your Dog of Bad Habits
To effectively train your dog to behave in the way you
desire, you must first train yourself to respond to your
dog in a consistent and timely manner. Discourage your
dog's bad behavior each and every time you see it occur and
use the same commands every time. Additionally, in order
for training to be effective, your commands must occur
while the dog is in the middle of a bad act - otherwise he
will not know why you are reprimanding him.

How to Stop the Barking Dog - Dogs bark when they are
bored, lonely or nervous, so a dog that gets regular
exercise and socialization will be less inclined to bark.
If you do not have the time to provide enough physical
exercise for your dog, provide him with stimulating toys
that he won't tire of easily. For instance, a hollow toy
filled with peanut butter should keep your dog entertained
for quite some time. If your dog's barking is due to
nervousness, lessen his fear by giving him treats when he
exhibits a nervous reaction to something or someone.
Lastly, an alternative option is to purchase an anti-bark
collar. Anti-bark collars typically emit an irritating
noise or a release a harmless spray to deter your dog from
barking.

How to Stop the Digging Dog - Dogs are bred with the
instinct to bury leftover food. As this is an inane trait
in all dogs it can be a tough habit to break. One way is
to try to meet your dog halfway by providing a designated
digging area in the yard. You can toss all his toys, half
buried if you wish, into that designated corner and watch
him go to work. If your dog moves off and begins digging
in an area that is off limits, correct him immediately and
take him back to his designated digging corner. You may
also want to reinforce that it is acceptable to dig in this
area by making scratching motions in the dirt using his
paws (or your own)! When he starts to dig in the
appropriate area again, praise him immediately. In order
to teach your dog that certain areas of the yard are off
limits for digging, you may want to try spreading ground
pepper around those areas of the yard as a deterrent, or
enclose your plants and flowers with garden fences or
chicken wire. As a final option, limit your dog's access
to the yard unless you are out there supervising him.
However, keep in mind that if he does not get exercise
running around the yard by himself, you will need to take
him on plenty of walks and provide supervised activities
for him.

How to Stop the Jumping Dog - Oftentimes when a dog jumps
up people immediately pet him, which reinforces that
jumping is an okay thing to do. To break your dog of this
bad habit try using the following techniques. Rather than
giving your dog attention when he jumps, ignore your dog
and withhold all attention until he stops jumping and sits
down on his own - then begin petting him and praising him.
You may also want to command him to "sit" as soon as you
see him getting ready to jump. Make sure everyone in the
house does the same in order to be consistent.

About the Author:

Cheap Puppy Pads is dedicated to the education of pet
owners and delivering quality pet products. Check out the
site to see tips for potty training your dog.
http://www.cheappuppypads.com

.

__,_._,___

Do Dogs Have Hemorrhoids? Yes, But Not As Frequently As Humans

Title: Do Dogs Have Hemorrhoids? Yes, But Not As Frequently As
Humans
Author: Ann Marier

Humans have hemorrhoids so why not dogs? If you consider the
fact that dogs eat considerable amounts of food thus causing a
lot of waste to accumulate in their bodies you would be well on
your way to answering the question "do dogs have hemorrhoids,"
given the fact that the rectum area can often be constricted and
the chances of a dog having constipation or hard feces are quite
great. No doubt humans are prone to have hemorrhoids, but dogs
too have hemorrhoids although rather infrequently.

The reason why dogs have hemorrhoids less frequently than
humans do is because they walk on four feet as compared with the
two-footed humans, which is why dogs do not experience quite the
same pressure on the anus as do humans. The fact is that since
dogs do have hemorrhoids, there are also many cures and
treatments available for them, though it may not be all that
easy to find the treatment for your hemorrhoid afflicted pet.

You may use over-the-counter creams, medicines as well as
ointments that work on humans on your dog, which should help to
alleviate their symptoms. However, the number of treatments
specifically meant to cure the dog that does have hemorrhoids is
few, and they also do not get rid of the dog's hemorrhoids
entirely.

Causes

The reason that dogs do get hemorrhoids is that they may have
blood vessels that get to expand which is caused due to
excessive pressure on their rectum, which may in turn, might be
because your dog has been sitting for too long as well as
because they are constipated.

Also, the food that the dog eats may contribute to dogs having
hemorrhoids. As soon as you notice that your dog has
hemorrhoids, you should get him treated. Dogs do have
hemorrhoids, and these may be internal or external as is also
the case with humans.

You may notice your dog's internal hemorrhoid condition when
there is bleeding with the dog, which requires immediate
treatment. In the case of your dog having external hemorrhoids,
the symptoms are many and include discomfort, itching and more,
all of which should be treated without any delay.

If you suspect that your dog has hemorrhoids, you can use Heal
Hemorrhoids, which is a proven treatment for relieving
hemorrhoids in your dog as it provides relief and also helps to
eliminate the condition. Before you know it, your dog will be
feeling good as new.

About The Author: Ann Mariera writes articles about family life
and health issues. Each set of health articles contain useful
information and advice.Her latest set are about hemorrhoids
http://www.symptomsofhemorrhoids.ultimatehealthinfo.com Visit
http://www.ultimatehealthinfo.com for full list of health issues

.

__,_._,___

Pancreatitis In The Shih Tzu

Title: Pancreatitis In The Shih Tzu
Author: Connie Limon

It is very important to feed your Shih Tzu a well-balanced diet
of pet food and not table scraps. Pancreatitis is a severe
inflammation of the pancreas that can result from feeding your
Shih Tzu table scraps.

A Shih Tzu with pancreatitis may suddenly vomit, become
dehydrated, be lethargic and have diarrhea. These symptoms are
common to a lot of different canine diseases; therefore, the
diagnosis of pancreatitis is very difficult for a vet to make.
He will depend a lot upon a good history from the Shih Tzu
owner.

High amounts of fat in the Shih Tzu's diet, a high-fat meal or
allowing your Shih Tzu to get into the garbage and consume
leftover food may cause pancreatitis Pesticides. Some canine
drugs can cause side effects of pancreatitis as well. There is a
higher incidence of this disease in obese Shih Tzu.

Pancreatitis can also lead to diabetes and loss of some liver
function in your Shih Tzu. It is very important to introduce an
easily digestible diet to avoid diarrhea.

Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis or has signs of
diabetes may be chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can
appear suddenly, but doesn't last as long. There is little or no
permanent damage to the organ. In chronic pancreatitis the
pancreas undergoes permanent damage and possible loss of
function.

Once a Shih Tzu is diagnosed with pancreatitis, the intestinal
tract must be rested. All food and water is withheld from the
dog for a period of time, usually 24 hours. If the Shih Tzu is
dehydrated, intravenous fluids will have to be given. The Shih
Tzu normally responds to treatment in a few days and can
gradually be put back on food.

You need to avoid acute or chronic pancreatitis at all times
with your Shih Tzu. Feed your Shih Tzu a well balanced
commercially prepared diet to be certain your Shih Tzu is
getting all the nutrition it needs.

The best choice of food for your Shih Tzu is a veterinarian
formulated product inspired by nature and made using good
science. Your Shih Tzu depends upon you to make the right
choices when it comes to his or her health and happiness. Your
Shih Tzu is a part of your family and you probably want the very
best for him.

You might think all pet food manufacturers have your pet's best
interests in mind. This is not always the case. Current pet food
regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you
would never give to your pet. You probably would be shocked to
learn what some brands of pet food really contain.

For example, the use of by-products on the label of a dog food
actually means "feet, bones and intestines, etc.). You will
often see listed on the dog food label, chemical preservatives
(BHA and BHT), and grains that are often difficult to digest
(corn, wheat, gluten and soy). These things are often used as a
protein source instead of meat. These types of ingredients can
also cause acute pancreatitis and possibly even chronic
pancreatitis in your Shih Tzu.

Choose a dog food for your Shih Tzu that is made with the
freshest, human-quality ingredients, which can give your Shih
Tzu the best quality possible. This would be also a dry dog food
that contains all natural chicken and top quality catfish with
the best fresh fruit, vegetables and select farm foods. The dog
food you choose for your Shih Tzu should contain no artificial
flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives. Be sure to
read the labels on the dog food before purchasing for your Shih
Tzu.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

About The Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Independent Field
Representative/HealthyPetNet. Visit Trilogy Online at:
http://www.healthypetnet.com/healthypetsandpeople for healthy
products for yourself, your pets and your environment. Also
please visit us at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com I raise
Shih Tzu puppies for pets or show prospects. Visit our Shih Tzu
Article Collection at http://shihtzuarticles.com

.

__,_._,___

Protecting your pets from poisonous household substances

Title: Protecting your pets from poisonous household substances
Author: Sivakorn Siricharoensataporn

Protecting your pets from poisonous household substances
It becomes our responsibility to take proper care for the
pets when we bring them into our house. The guidance and
help of veterans is a must to provide them a safe, loving
and healthy environment to live in. They are best possible
pals and become a part of our lives with growing years. But
on a sad note, there are a large number of pets that suffer
or even die every year due to poisonous substances present
within our households.

Here are few precautions that we should take to make our
home poison-free for our loving pets:

- Beware of the plants present in the house and in the
pet's yard. Ingestion of oleander, azalea, sago palm,
mistletoe, Easter lily and yew plant by a pet can prove to
be fatal sometimes.
- Never let your pets reach the area where you have stored
your cleansing agents of your house. These cleansing agents
have chemical properties that may cause some mild upsetting
in the stomach while some severe ones may even cause burns
in the tongue, stomach and mouth of the pets.
- If you are using mouse or rat baits, roach or ant traps,
slug or snail baits, place them in the areas that are not
accessible by your pets. Most of these baits contain inert
ingredients that are sweet smelling such as sugars, peanut
butter and jelly which can really attract your pet to eat.
- Never give any medication to your pet unless a qualified
veteran recommend.

Some people tend to use human drugs on pets but they must
understand that the medications that can be safely used on
humans can prove to be deadly for animals if used
improperly. For example, a 500 mg acetaminophen tablet can
really kill a 7 pound cat. Keep all the medicines and
prescription drugs out of the reach of your pets, possibly
in the closed cabinets.

Cold medicines, pain killers, anti-depressants, anti-cancer
drugs, diet pills and vitamins are the human medications
that can even kill a pet even if taken in small dosage. For
example, a 200 mg ibuprofen can be a cause of stomach ulcer
in a 10-pound dog.

Unattended chocolates can also be harmful for the pets as
even small amounts can be a cause of pancreatic problems in
animals. Some other household items that can be poisonous
for certain species of pets include pennies, mothballs,
fabric softening sheets, potpourri oils, dish detergents,
batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks and coffee grounds.

All the automotive products like gasoline, oil and
anti-freeze should be kept away from pets. For example, a
tea-spoon of anti-freeze can kill a 7-pound cat and a table
spoon of it can be fatal for a 20 pounds dog. While
applying a house spray or a fogger in the home, remember to
remove all the pets from there.

While treating your garden or lawn with herbicides,
insecticides and fertilizers, keep the pets away until it
completely dries. Always take these points into
consideration and provide your pets a healthy environment
to live.

About the Author:

This is the pets lovers blog http://www.petsworldblog.com/
To see some tips for your favorite pets.

.

__,_._,___

Paws & Pesticides - A Deadly Combination

Title: Paws & Pesticides - A Deadly Combination
Author: Dorianne Schwaiger

Paws & Pesticides - A Deadly Combination
Every year, thousands of domestic pets and wild life lose
their lives to the ravaging effects of pesticide poisoning.
Most pet lovers also enjoy gardening and the great
outdoors. Little do they know what caustic ingredients are
in the pesticides that are being sprayed on lawns and green
areas. We take for granted that most herbicides used by
gardeners or sold in stores are safe. Many name brands such
as "Weed n' Feed" and "Round Up" contain the same deadly
cancer causing ingredients that were found in Agent Orange.
Another synthetic poison found in these two well known
garden products is 2,4-D. It is also the active ingredient
found in "Killex." It can cause loss of reflex in humans
along with comas, kidney and liver failure. In dogs it is
the number one killer causing malignant lymphomas, a form
of cancer.

Sadly, just five percent of pesticides reach their target
weeds and garden pest. The rest are absorbed into our
earth, targeting our water supplies through a process
called run off or simply just dissipates into our air.
Major health damage can occur when Toxic Pesticides are
absorbed through our skin, swallowed or inhaled. When not
applied correctly, pesticides can settle on ponds, pools,
children's toys, pets left outdoors and even drift through
open windows settling on our furniture, bedding and even
our floors. This deadly poison is often tracked into our
homes by our shoes and pets paws.

We all face the continuing problem of toxic by-products
through years of pesticide residue that is in our food
supply and everyday environment. What we don't realize is
how wide spread pesticide poisoning really is. These
caustic chemicals are virtually used in all of our public
buildings including our children's schools and play yards,
restaurants, hospitals, hotels and private homes. Pesticide
abuse is used in our agriculture and forest areas.

Why are Pets Vulnerable to Pesticide Poisoning?

* Pets spend most of their time close to the ground, this
is where pesticide concentration is highest.

* Pets ingest most pesticides while grooming themselves.
Any contact with chemicals connect with their fur and paws
and is then ingested by the pet.

* Pets spend more time outside and play in heavily treated
areas.

* Pets have higher absorption rates than human systems.
Animals may be more sensitive and easily poisoned by
conditions deemed safe to people.

Signs of Pesticide Poisoning In Pets

* Excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth.

* Loss of thirst and appetite.

* Vomiting or diarrhea.

* Immune function decline.

* Convulsions and disorientation.

* Birds and fish die due to toxic runoff in our water
supply.

* Feline thyroid disease.

* Dogs contract cancer (malignant lymphoma)

What Can We Do To Stop Pesticide Poisoning?

* Adapt an alternative "green" solution for pest control.

* Enjoy your weeds and bugs. They are part of nature.

* Educate yourself about pesticides used by your HOA, Lawn
Service and immediate neighbors.

* Do not allow your pets to drink from ponds or outside
water sources - always keep fresh, clean water readily
available.

* Leash your pets, allowing them to run free is not a good
idea.

* Bathe and brush your pets often.

* Wash down your outdoor living area.

* Think Eco-conscious when dealing with your environment.

Protect yourself and your pets from synthetic pesticides by
being an educated consumer and willing activist in our
Eco-system.

About the Author:

Meet Dori Schwaiger, a well known author on Pet health &
wellness. Dori is also the owner of
http://www.tophealthspot.com , a destination on the web
with health conscious people and animal lovers alike!Shop
for all of your pets name brand products & animal
medications with exclusive money saving health coupons.

.

__,_._,___

How do I deal with a seizure or fit in my dog or cat?

Title: How do I deal with a seizure or fit in my dog or cat?
Author: Alison Grimston


How do I deal with a seizure or fit in my dog or cat?
Animal health care is so vast and complex, and the central
nervous system in particular is still largely uncharted
territory. Diseases of the nervous system are,
fortunately, rare, and sadly often severe.

The commonest neurological problems in cats and dogs are
due to road accidents and other forms of head injuries,
chemical poisoning, and infections such as rabies. Any of
these can induce fits, or seizures, as part of the picture.

Seizures (fits) tend to be seen as uncontrolled shaking,
although other sorts of fits with the dog going vacant can
also occur.

It is important to try to find the reason for the fit.
There may be signs of injury from car accident or fight.
Evidence of having ingested poison may or may not be
obvious - antifreeze with ethylene glycol is particularly
dangerous, causing seizures.

Always call or take your animal to a vet. Your vet is
essential in helping you to work out what the cause of the
symptoms are. Neurological problems are so complex that
even they may not be able to find the cause. Be guided by
your vet on management.

If your cat or dog has a seizure: Keep away from your cat
or dog's mouth, as biting may be unintentional. Try to
move your animal away from hazards. If electricity is
involved, use a stick or some other non conducting
material. It may help to put a soft cushion or blanket
under its head. If the fit lasts more than 6 minutes,
take the animal to the vet immediately. Animals can die
during prolonged seizures.

When the animal has stopped fitting it may be sleepy but
also anxious and confused. Comfort it; Rescue Remedy,
healing and massage may be helpful here. If this is
your animal's first fit, take it to the vet anyway to try
to determine the cause. Also see you vet if you have any
concerns, or there are changes to the pattern of fitting.

It is important that anyone who spends time looking after
your pet for you is aware of his or her tendency to have
fits, and how to manage a seizure if one occurs. Make sure
that your friend has a list of actions to take, as above,
as well as the emergency phone number of your vet, or a
nearby vet if your pet is being cared for further from home.

As with all illness, being calm and prepared in a crisis
makes it easier for all concerned.

About the Author:

Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer.
If you are a pet owner or therapist, sign up for her free
report on keeping your pet healthy naturally, by logging in
at http://www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com .

.

__,_._,___

Flea Treatment

Title: Flea Treatment
Author: Jamie Simpson

Flea Treatment
Cats and dogs can pick up fleas whilst outdoors and as they
tend to be outside for quite a significant amount of time
each day, they are more than likely going to play host to
fleas at some point in their lives. There is very little
you can do to prevent this from happening as fleas can be
found lurking anywhere just waiting for a suitable host to
pass by but there are some things you can do to help
prevent fleas from infesting in your home.

How to recognise if a pet has fleas

Probably the first sign you will notice is your cat or dog
scratching and/or biting quite vigorously, or the first
indication may be when you discover that you yourself have
itchy and irritating bite marks on your lower legs and
ankles. On closer inspection of your pet you may be able to
catch sight of a flea as it runs through your pet's coat.
Other telltale signs include brownish/reddish specks on
your pets coat or bedding, which are basically dried blood
and other deposits from the flea bites.

Fleas can also transmit tapeworm so if this is a problem
for your pet then it can also indicate the presence of
fleas. If in doubt, a veterinary surgeon will be able to
tell you quickly and easily if a pet has fleas or worms or
both and they will be able to recommend appropriate
treatments.

Treating your pet

Purchase good quality insecticidal treatments that can deal
with the fleas, their larvae and their eggs. It's important
to note that flea collars can be ineffective as they only
treat the area around the neck.

Comb or brush your pet daily, particularly after they have
been outside and especially in hot weather in order to help
dislodge fleas and eggs from your pet's coat. Keep a bowl
of hot water close by when you do this so that you can
place any fleas directly into the water, however, fleas are
notoriously hard to catch so don't expect to eradicate all
your pets fleas using this method.

Treating your home

One of the problems with flea control is that the flea
doesn't just stay on your pet but will live quite happily
for extended periods of time in your carpets, pet bedding
and other parts of your home so it is absolutely pointless
to treat your pet without treating your home at the same
time.

Fleas can be dealt with quite effectively using a good
quality insecticide for the home. Again, there is no use
dealing with the fleas if you don't deal with the eggs too.
Wash your pets bedding in hot soapy water on a weekly basis
to help dispose of any flea eggs.

Flea eggs can fall from your pet and on to the carpet or
anywhere in the house for that matter so vacuum the carpets
daily and invest in a steam cleaner to clean your carpets
from time to time. Better still if you have wooden floors
which can easily be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

After grooming your pet, make sure you vacuum the
surrounding area immediately afterwards remembering to
empty the vacuum cleaner outside in a sealed bag.

When using an insecticidal spray, make sure you treat
everywhere that your pet is likely to have been.

When are fleas most likely to be a problem?

In the past, fleas were predominantly a problem during the
warmer summer months, however, these days with centrally
heated homes and milder temperatures fleas can be a problem
all year round. As such, you need to be constantly on the
lookout for the presence of fleas and if treatment is
conducted immediately, then you are unlikely to have much
difficulty in controlling them. However, if you do find
that you have an infestation of fleas that you cannot deal
with on your own, consult a vet or an expert in pest
control for more information and advice.

About the Author:

If you are experiencing a flea infestation and need flea
treatment, then please come and visit our site
http://www.ppcsupplies.co.uk/fleas

.

__,_._,___

Parvovirus Is Most Deadly To Very Young Shih Tzu Puppies

Title: Parvovirus Is Most Deadly To Very Young Shih Tzu Puppies
Author: Connie Limon

I am so surprised at how many pet owners and would be pet/Shih
Tzu owners do not know which vaccinations are mandatory for Shih
Tzu puppies. In this article I will address only the importance
of "extra" protection against the deadly canine disease of
"parvovirus."

Canine parvovirus is everywhere in the environment. Puppies
and this does include Shih Tzu puppies are extra susceptible to
parvovirus. The disease usually hits puppies the hardest,
although adults can contract the parvovirus disease the same,
your Shih Tzu puppy is most vulnerable. It is wise to protect
your Shih Tzu puppy against this debilitating, sometimes deadly
canine disease.

Parvovirus is shed in the feces of an infected Shih Tzu or any
canine species. If another Shih Tzu or any other canine species
comes into oral contact with the infected feces, they become
inoculated with the virus. The degree to which your Shih Tzu
puppy is affected will depend upon its own individual immunity
to the disease. If your Shih Tzu puppy's mother was properly
vaccinated, she will transfer immunity to parvovirus in the
colostrums or first milk. I always vaccinate all my adult Shih
Tzu each year.

The maternal antibodies transferred through the Shih Tzu
mother's milk to the Shih Tzu puppies may be present in the Shih
Tzu puppy for up to 20 – 22 weeks. This does not mean the Shih
Tzu puppy will be absolute immune to the parvovirus this entire
time.

Most of the Shih Tzu puppy's maternal antibodies to other
viruses commonly vaccinated against have disappeared by about 12
weeks, however, the maternal parvovirus antibodies do persist
longer.

It is wise to ensure your Shih Tzu puppy is adequately
protected against parvovirus no matter when its mother's
antibodies begin to wear off. Your Shih Tzu puppy needs to be
vaccinated every three weeks starting at about 8 weeks, until it
is 20 – 22 weeks old. Keep your older Shih Tzu up-to-date on
vaccines as well. As the Shih Tzu ages, or any canine species,
their immune system may become impaired and this may leave them
more susceptible to diseases.

In addition to proper vaccination of your Shih Tzu puppy, you
also need to keep young Shih Tzu puppies isolated from other
dogs and out of parks where they may come in contact with
infected feces, until they have completed their series of
vaccinations. This decreases their chances of being exposed to
parvovirus.

Parvovirus Signs:

•Loss of appetite
•Lack of energy
•Vomiting or diarrhea (the vomitus or diarrhea may be bloody).

Since these signs can indicate many diseases, you will need to
see your vet if your Shih Tzu puppy shows any of these. Young
Shih Tzu puppies, less than three months of age, can become
dehydrated quickly, and die easily if not treated promptly.
There is a special test your vet can perform for the parvovirus.

As of this date, there is no drug available that kills
parvovirus once the animal is infected. The Shih Tzu or any
other canine animal will have to rid itself of the virus. In
other words, once a Shih Tzu puppy has contracted parvovirus,
the virus will need to runs it course through the Shih Tzu
puppy's system. Supportive care is the main treatment of
parvovirus infections.

Sick Shih Tzu puppies need to be given fluids if they are
dehydrated. Secondary bacterial infections may also result. If
an infection develops, antibiotics need to be administered to
fight it. Sometimes it is necessary to be kept in a vet
hospital setting throughout the course of the disease. Other
times, the disease can be managed at home. It depends upon the
severity and the recommendations of your vet.

Treatment for parvovirus may take a couple days up to several
weeks. This also depends upon the individual animal's immune
system, its age and the severity of the case.

It is highly important to clean up the living quarters of a
Shih Tzu who has had parvovirus. Parvovirus can exist in the
environment for long periods of time. Washing the Shih Tzu's
area with bleach and water in a 1:30 dilution will kill the
virus. Throw away all feeding and drinking bowls, and all toys
that came in contact with the sick Shih Tzu. Bedding can be
saved if you will wash it in the bleach solution, but better to
just throw it all away to prevent further spread of the
infection. Your Shih Tzu can be re-infected as well.

Discard all feces promptly, wear gloves and rinse your own
hands with the bleach solution. Humans can spread the disease
on their hands if they touch the feces. Very small amounts of
fecal material on the Shih Tzu's coat can contain large numbers
of viral organisms and can easily be transmitted to other dogs.

Although there are a number of diseases Shih Tzu puppies and
other canine breeds are susceptible to acquiring, the parvovirus
is the most deadly to very young Shih Tzu puppies. Take all
precautions necessary to keep your Shih Tzu puppy safe from this
disease.

Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and show Shih Tzu
prospects in a variety of colors. Visit us at
http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE
newsletters. Puppies are sold with health guarantee and are
bred from champion bloodlines. Also visit our collection of
Shih Tzu articles at http://shihtzuarticles.com

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

About The Author: Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and
show Shih Tzu prospects in a variety of colors. Visit us at
http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE
newsletters. Puppies are sold with health guarantee and are
bred from champion bloodlines. Also visit our collection of
Shih Tzu articles at http://shihtzuarticles.com

.

__,_._,___

Make Your Visit To The Veterinarian A Pleasant Experience

Title: Make Your Visit To The Veterinarian A Pleasant
Experience
Author: Sandy Schneider

What's more fun than getting a new puppy or adult dog? It's a
time of getting to know each other and learning what you can
about the new little fellow. Remember, you've made a lifetime
commitment…and a fun one at that!

Visits to the Veterinarian office can be a time of stress. With
all that is new to the dog, the vet's office may be an uncertain
or unpleasant memory. But it's important that he bond with your
new friends doctor so that his health will be well looked after.
Here are some ideas on what you can do to ease the stress (on
both of you):

1. Introduce your new dog and your vet by bringing them in just
for a friendly visit – Just walking through the door is
sometimes enough to put the fear into some dogs. After all, this
is where they get vaccinations, their temperature taken and
sometimes other things that they are not use to. Starting as a
puppy (or even as an adult), bring them in to just be social.
Stop by and say hi, give a treat or two and after a 5-10 minute
visit just leave! This allows the dog a friendly visit where
nothing "bad" happens to them!!

2. Work on Restraint – One of the most important things a dog
can learn is how to hold still! There are many times at a vet's
clinic that your dog may be asked to hold very still and if they
are use to having light restraint applied to them, they will not
be so scared. For example, getting their nails trimmed, drawing
blood for health screens, administering anesthesia (spay,
neuter, dentals) or just holding still so the veterinarian may
listen to their heart. It is very difficult for the staff and
the dog if they are not use to holding still. This can be a
difference of having to sedate them for simple procedures or
being done in 2 seconds!

3. Be sure to touch the dog ALL OVER! – Get your dog use to
having its teeth looked at, lifting his gums up, opening his
mouth, looking at his ears, lifting his tail, touching his feet,
and opening his eyes. There are things that your veterinarian
will do on every physical exam. If you get your dog use to these
tasks as a puppy or work with them as an adult they will be
familiar with these tasks. Then as the veterinarian does it,
they are familiar with the task it is not big deal. One of the
biggest spots to focus on is handling their feet for nail trims!
It is amazing how many dogs need sedation for just a simple nail
trim because they are too afraid to let you touch their feet!

4. Bring Goodies! – Unless there is a medical reason not to
give food (check with your veterinarian first) bring your
treats/toys from home! This is something that is familiar to
your pet and may have a very calming effect. A happy dog is much
easier to work with! Again check with your veterinarian before
feeding any food.

A visit to the vet can be a good experience...for both of you.
With time, effort and patience it can be a very good experience.
Some dogs actually LOVE coming into the clinic! Finding a
veterinarian that you and your pet both comfortable with can be
a very special relationship that will last for the life of your
pet (or longer)!

*We wish to acknowledge Cody Menasco, DVM for her assistance in
putting this article together.

About The Author: Sandy Schneider, author, is a devoted dog
mom. Agility, grooming, obedience, and just plain having fun
with her dogs are her passion. She operates
http://www.bichonworld.com and invites you to visit the site for
great information and articles at
http://www.bichonworld.com/bichon-dog-articles.html

.

__,_._,___

Flea Control

Title: Flea Control
Author: Jamie Simpson

Flea Control
Fleas are found throughout the world. They are small,
wingless, dark coloured insects that feed on warm blooded
animals such as cats, dogs, rats, chickens, pigs and humans
etc. There are many different types of flea, around 2000
known varieties, and although there are fleas that are
considered specific to each host, these fleas will still
bite and feed off other hosts. For example, cat and dog
fleas which are particularly common will attack humans, and
human fleas will attack pigs, foxes, deer and other
animals. Fortunately, the human flea is now relatively
rare, in the UK at least, and when it is found, it is
usually in pig farms.

Well known types of fleas

- Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)

- Dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis)

- Rat flea (Nosopsyllus fasciatus)

- Human flea (Pulex irritans)

Fleas are extremely well adapted to their environment and
their hard outer shell makes them difficult to kill by
squashing or swatting alone. They move about very quickly
and the anatomical structure of their legs means they can
jump particularly high in order to reach an unsuspecting
host or to move around 'obstacles' on their host such as
hairs or feathers.

Any type of flea bite can cause itching, irritation and
allergic reactions. The most common place for cat and dog
fleas to bite humans is around the ankles and legs and
indeed the bites may be the first sign that you have some
unwelcome visitors in your home. The bites are usually felt
straight away and appear as small red spots or weals, which
are intensely itchy, particularly in those who are
sensitive to the bites.

Fleas also carry disease so are undesirable in any
circumstances. Probably the most famous outbreak of disease
that was caused by fleas was the bubonic plague or Black
Death which was carried by the rat flea and which
terrorised the whole of Europe during part of the 17th
Century.

If your dog or cat has fleas, it can very quickly turn into
a major problem if not dealt with quickly and effectively.
An adult female flea can lay as many as 100 eggs in a
matter of days, which of course leads to hundreds of new
fleas that are also able to lay hundreds of eggs. It
doesn't take an in-depth knowledge of mathematics to work
out that after a relatively short period of time, in the
right conditions, you can potentially be dealing with
millions of fleas.

How to control fleas in your home

If you have pets then there is every chance that you will
have had to treat your pet for fleas at some point. Cats
and dogs can pick up fleas whilst outside so there is not
much you can do to stop this from happening but you can
help prevent them from invading your home.

- Purchase an insecticidal flea spray for your pet and for
your home.

- Wash all pet bedding and cloths and the area around where
your pet sleeps regularly, as this is most likely where the
flea will lay her eggs.

- Flea eggs can lie dormant in cracks and crevices just
waiting for vibrations from a passer by to alert the flea
to an available host so vacuum all the carpets thoroughly
on a regular basis and steam clean the carpets from time to
time.

- Brush or comb your cat or dog as often as possible as
this will help to dislodge the fleas and eggs from your
pets coat. Vacuum the surrounding area immediately
afterwards.

- You can also ask your vet for other preparations that may
help prevent fleas from settling on your pet in the first
place

One of the problems associated with the control of pet
fleas is that the fleas have become resistant to many types
of flea control. So for example, even if your pet is
wearing a flea collar, this alone will not necessarily
protect your pet or your home from an infestation of fleas.
In order to deal with fleas effectively, you need to treat
the flea in its various life cycles, your pet and your home.

About the Author:

If you are experiencing a flea infestation and need flea
control products to combat the problem, then please come
and visit our site. http://www.ppcsupplies.co.uk/fleas

.

__,_._,___

Love And Care For Siberian Husky Puppies

Title: Love And Care For Siberian Husky Puppies
Author: A Preston

It is an easy job to find a Siberian Husky puppy for sale.
Before looking up an advertisement on the net, or in newspapers
and magazines, you have to be sure that you want a Siberian
Husky puppy as a pet dog at home. Many websites cite long lists
of dogs for sale. There are adult dogs, puppies, kennels along
with pictures and plenty of information about all of them.

A dog-breeder would advertise his puppy for sale, and many
websites like http://Quality.com, http://Breeders.NET and Next
Day Pets permit the dog breeders to advertise their newborn
puppies. These websites are relatively well-known and the
breeders too are of a good quality. But the website has nothing
to do with the dog itself and hence takes no responsibility for
it. There is no prescreening and there is no guarantee for the
breeder either. So the dog breeder has to be checked out before
you make a purchase from him.

Since you have made your choice about choosing a Siberian Husky
puppy, now you should look for a good breeder. Be practical and
choose breeders who are in your city, even better, in your
vicinity. You can then talk to them, meet them and then make
your decision. The evaluation of the breeder depends totally on
you, and if he is from your neighborhood, it will not be
difficult to check out his reputation as well. Once you make
your choice, make a purchase contract with him, before you
transfer any money. Generally, the breeders agree to do it,
because they also give a health guarantee for the puppy,
sometimes even up to five years.

The breeder should mention the health aspects of the Siberian
Husky puppy for sale in the advertisement. Vaccination, worming,
health check-ups by the vet and even socialization should be
carried out by the breeder before he puts up his puppy for sale.
Some of the puppies are also given the first dose of
preventatives by the breeder.

The pictures of the Siberian Husky puppy for sale give a clear
idea about the color of its coat and sometimes even videos are
shown. If the puppy has been bred at home, it must have
undergone temperament testing and the other health tests. These
details are often mentioned in the advertisement.

Other details include breed registrations, the parents of the
puppy, especially if they have won any championships. Also pet
supplies are mentioned sometimes, so that the useful stuff that
you immediately need for the new pet can be bought there. These
could include articles like crates, beds or toys and even dog
food.

Besides, the dog breeder often likes to know the particulars of
the prospective buyer. The puppy should be loved and cared in
the same way as it is with the dog breeder, and grow up as a
part of the family. So, he has the right to ask you his
questions, so that he is satisfied that the puppy is going into
a well-loved home.

About The Author: With a special love for Siberian Husky
puppies, Andrew Preston knows and explains why puppies should be
chosen with care. The dog breeders give a lot of importance to
the health of the
http://www.siberianhuskyguide.com/Siberian_Husky_Puppies/index.php
Siberian Husky puppies, because that is what the prospective
buyer is looking for. If you are looking for
http://www.siberianhuskyguide.com/Siberian_Husky_Puppies/Siberian_Husky_Puppy_Care.php
Siberian Husky puppy supplies, this article is ideal for you.

.

__,_._,___