Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Measuring a dog's heartbeat can be beneficial for a wide variety of different health-related reasons. Find out how to measure a dog's heartbeat with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
Also called a stud chain, a nose chain is a basic piece of horse-training equipment that is reminiscent of a dog's choke chain. This simple piece of chain has a loop on one end and a snap on the other. While it can be used in different ways and positions on the horse's face, the chain is basically used to get the horse's attention when he is doing something wrong. Beneficial in various situations, nose chains are not difficult to attach or use.
Spirochetes bacteria causes an array of illnesses in your dog. He may suffer from diarrhea and feel lethargic. If left untreated, spirochetes infections can be fatal to your canine companion. He may contract this bug from drinking infested water, eating infested food or by coming in contact with a sick animal. Take your dog to your veterinarian immediately if you notice a difference in his behavior, eating problems or issues with relieving himself. Your vet will need to run a blood test and may need to put your pooch on medication.
Horner's syndrome is a painless neurological condition that can affect a dog's or cat's eyes. This disorder can appear spontaneously and causes one of the animal's eyes to develop a drooping eyelid and constricted pupil, although it does not affect the pet's vision. The condition may resolve itself over time, but a veterinarian should properly diagnose it and treat any underlying illness that may be the cause.
Horse sores occur from ill-fitting saddles and tack that rub against the skin. The site of a sore will start with inflammation on the hair follicles, which will be apparent on a visual inspection. If you do not adjust the saddle or tack to remedy the problem, the hair will rub off and the skin will swell. It will be hot to the touch. At this point, you can be sure it is painful to the horse. The area progresses into lesions or galls that require the use of a veterinary topical solution containing magnesium hydroxide, which is the main…
In horse industries, the term "sweat sheet" is commonly used to refer to anti-sweat sheets. Anti-sweat sheets are thin horse-blanket-style covers used to keep horses more comfortable during warm weather. Anti-sweat sheets actually serve several different purposes, offering an assortment of benefits for horses.
Giardia is a microscopic organism that can cause diarrhea and illness in people and a wide variety of animal species including dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, gerbils, many other rodents, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, beavers, raccoons, coyotes and monkeys. People who work in animal shelters and boarding kennels may be exposed to giardia and must take active steps not to transmit it to their pets at home. People can also be exposed through contaminated water while camping or overseas.
A horse trough provides water for your horses. You need to keep the trough clean and filled with fresh water. Draining a trough takes only a few minutes. It is a good idea to clean the trough while it is empty. Cleaning the trough will be beneficial to the health of your horses.
It can be distressing for a horse owner to look into a yearling's mouth and realize the horse is missing one or more teeth at such a young age. But losing teeth is a normal part of development, and most horse owners do not have anything to worry about when they notice a yearling has lost several of his front teeth.
Only 16 miles long, Puget Sound’s Camano Island has 52 miles of shoreline. Its parks offer hiking areas, wildlife preserves and bird-watching spots. You can drive north of Everett, Washington, to Stanwood to access the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Leash your dog at all times on Camano Island's trails and beaches. Bring water for you and your dog on your hikes. Carry poop bags so you can pick up after your dogs, dispose of the bags in trash receptacles and leave trails clean for other hikers.
Characteristics such as temperament, physical ability and size distinguish a number of dog breeds as suitable for service animal work. While golden retrievers are one popular choice for people who need dogs to retrieve large items or help with mobility, Yorkies have additional advantages that make them a better match for some disabilities.
The likelihood that an unspayed female dog will develop pyometra is high, according to the International Veterinary Information Service. Pyometra is a serious condition characterized by inflammation and drainage within the uterus of an intact female dog. Its name comes from the Greek "pyo," for pus, and "metra," for uterus. When an intact female dog has pyometra she will exhibit certain signs and symptoms including fever, lethargy, depression, anorexia, vomiting and excessive thirst and urination. Then again, some dogs exhibit no signs at all.
Both internal and external parasites cause illness or even death in cats and dogs if left untreated, with some more virulent than others. Parasites are contagious and can also infect people, so take your pet to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment to eradicate these pests from his system. Preventive medications and proper sanitation of your pet's living space help keep him safe from an initial infestation of many potentially fatal parasites.
Knowing how to take a dog's measurements is essential to dog owners. Whether you desire to purchase a dog collar, a dog crate, dog apparel or dog footwear, the right measurements can help promote your dog's comfort. To make the measuring process easier, have a helper hold your dog while you take the measurements.
If you have ever thought about getting your dog into therapy work, one of the first requirements is for him to earn Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification from the AKC's Good Canine Citizen Program. Appropriate behavior is essential in environments with sick or frail people; and since therapy dogs primarily visit hospitals and senior facilities, good manners in your therapy dog are an important tool for you, the handler, to make sure both the dog and those he visits are at ease.
Few life events are more painful than losing a pet. Companion animals bring so much fun and joy to our lives that no matter when they pass on, it's always too early. Some people cannot endure the emotional void left by a departed pet and immediately adopt another, but others have a difficult time processing the grief, and the idea of experiencing such intense feelings again, along with other concerns, may keep them from having another.
Hamsters make delightful rodent pets for children and adults alike, as they're cute, relatively docile and easy to care for. Hamsters are susceptible to health problems if their cages are not properly cleaned, such as wet tail, as well as cuts and scratches from rough metal parts of hamster wheels or fights with other hamsters. Help your hamster's scratches heal to avoid infections that could turn into abscesses.
Living indoors in a man-made environment exposes animals to habitats that are drastically different from what they would face living outdoors or in their native habitats. Environmental concerns do affect how comfortable your pets are, and they should be taken into consideration when you are choosing housing for your hamster.
Shock animation, properly called Shockwave, is an animation technology created by Macromedia in 1995 to allow for the creation of animated elements on Web pages. Now owned by Adobe Systems, Shockwave has become a common animation format consisting of streaming audio and video in a highly compressed state to save bandwidth over alternative multimedia animation formats. While most Shockwave animation is embedded directly into websites, you can also use Adobe's Shockwave Player to view Shock animation full-screen with surround sound both online and off.
Mentally challenging games encourage your dog to exercise his brain and body. Playing interactive games also develops the bond you have with your dog, says "Modern Dog" magazine. Keeping your dog working helps with memory and problem solving. Teaching him games like hide-and-seek, left and right, and vocabulary games challenges his intellect and exercises his brain.
Canine incontinence, the primary cause of nocturnal enuresis or night urination, is a treatable condition. Do not assume night urination is the result of bad behavior or that it is a transient issue that will resolve itself. A veterinarian should examine your dog to rule out serious illness and to help you create a plan for dealing with this problem. Nocturnal enuresis “can be effectively managed, and a dog can enjoy a happy, high-quality life,” according to The Senior Dog Project.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health threat, and animals are just as susceptible to developing antibiotic resistance as humans. When infections become resistant to antibiotics, the infections are more difficult to treat, requiring higher doses of antibiotics or stronger antibiotics with more serious side effects. In rare cases, a severely resistant infection may be rendered untreatable by antibiotic resistance.
When a dog develops pneumonia, a procedure known as coupage may help loosen up some of the trapped secretions. This procedure helps dogs feel better because once the secretions are successfully expelled, the airways are clear, allowing the dog to breathe better. Because of the rhythmic sound produced by thumping on the dog's chest, coupage is often also known as "percussion therapy." It is a good idea to learn how to perform coupage correctly to help affected dogs feel better from the comfort of their home.
Hamsters make good first pets for children because they require little care and yet are interesting to watch going about their daily lives. Most hamsters have a docile nature and can be handled by humans without biting if they are trained from their early lives. If you are interested in breeding hamsters, be aware that a variety of behaviors are expected from mothers tending their newborn babies, called pups.
Hamsters are subject to a variety of health issues if they're not properly taken care of, including those involving the nails and nail beds. Though hamster nails may be brown for reasons unrelated to health problems, it is important to observe the nails of your hamster for changes. In addition to darkening, hamster nails can become overgrown if not dealt with correctly. Use necessary means to keep your hamster's nails fit, so the hamster will stay happy and healthy.
Esophagitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the esophagus. Irritation of the esophagus causes painful swelling and can lead to difficulties with eating and swallowing, both of which could negatively affect a dog's health. Some breeds, such as Great Danes, Newfoundlands, pugs and golden retrievers, are occasionally born with congenital esophageal abnormalities that put them at higher risk for developing this condition. If your dog is experiencing esophagus irritation, take him to the veterinarian for proper treatment.
Plumbers traditionally used plumbing snakes to help take care of clogs in toilets and drains. For tough jobs, however, professionals may resort to hydro jetting, which uses a powerful stream of water to push debris through a line. Plumbing snakes, or augers, are available at home improvement stores for personal use, but you should leave hydro jetting services to the pros.
Stomach rot, also known as acute gastritis, garbage gut and dietary indiscretion, is a common cause of gastrointestinal disturbances in dogs. Stomach rot isn't usually fatal, and most dogs experience more than one episode of this illness in their lifetime. However, always consult with a veterinarian if symptoms last more than 24 hours, are severe or are accompanied by vomiting.
So many different programs are available to help dog owners train their puppies or adult dogs that the methods can become confusing. Most programs use either compulsion training or reward training to instill desired behaviors in a dog. Changing from one method to another can cause confusion for the dog as well as for the trainer and other handlers, so it’s important to decide early in the training period which method works best for your dog. However, the personality of each individual dog may require a change from one method to another to achieve good results.
An agitated dog can quickly become frightening or even legitimately dangerous, depending on the amount of stimuli surrounding him. A dog that becomes agitated will be more focused on the cause of his distress than on his handler, making instructing, controlling and disciplining very difficult to enforce. Socializing your dog from an early age will lessen the chance of an encounter in which the dog gets upset and will make him better able to cope with new people and environments.
Animals can be stoic when it comes to showing signs of distress; it's not uncommon for the first recognizable symptom of distress or pain to surface long after the issue began. Having a keen awareness of your dog's normal behavior gives you the chance to recognize even the most subtle signs of trouble.
Pets can be afflicted by many issues, and the wise owner keeps an eye out for potential problems at all times. Even seemingly innocent things such as certain grasses can cause harm to pets. Foxtails may look harmless, especially when not in full bloom, but can cause severe damage to pets in extreme cases. Even when the pet escapes serious harm, a foxtail can cause a great deal of discomfort if not dealt with quickly.
Schiff-Sherrington syndrome occurs when lesions form on your dog's spinal cord. Often, these lesions are caused by a back injury or a herniated disk. The syndrome tends to come on suddenly. A dog with Schiff-Sherrington syndrome may have difficulty walking or performing his usual activities. Symptoms can be severe, and your dog will need veterinary attention to survive.
If your dog is content, laid back and carefree, consider yourself fortunate. Many dog owners are faced with the challenges of living with a neurotic dog, facing problem behavior such as destruction, aggression, pacing, separation anxiety, sensitivity to sounds or extreme fear of ordinary objects. Sadly, many of these dogs are surrendered to shelters, where they may never get a shot at being adopted. Working to modify your dog's neurotic behavior is an investment of time and love that can pay off with a calm and more content pet.
It is a good idea to keep a first aid kit stocked with materials for your dog. A small tackle box with slide-out drawers works well to store the items you may need in case of an accident. Dogs like to run and romp when they are playing and can get an unforeseen cut from briars or other objects that needs bandaging. Keeping the supplies organized in one location allows you to help your pet soon.
Because dogs are social animals, it is normal for them to form strong attachments with their owners. Giving into a dog's excess neediness, however, may cause a dog to develop a dysfunctionally strong attachment with his owners which may pave the path to anxiety and excessive neediness. It is important to encourage independence and help needy dogs adapt to daily separation from their owners.
Manufactured by Toro, Wheel Horse band tractors are known for reliability, simplicity and efficiency, making them a common choice of home gardeners. A versatile accessory suited to multiple tasks, a loader is a wide-mouth shovel capable of moving large amounts of dirt and materials for landscaping projects. To avoid the expense of purchasing a commercially manufactured attachment, building a homemade loader for a Wheel Horse tractor is a worthwhile investment of time.
Polydipsia and polyuria refer to excessive water intake and urine excretion. Pets with these conditions are typically observed drinking copious amounts of water and urinating frequently. While these symptoms don't necessarily constitute an emergency, veterinary care is essential to rule out some serious underlying medical conditions.
When a horse becomes disinterested in his food, it can be distressing for the owner. Whether boredom, a drastic change in environment or lack of exercise is the cause, a horse should eat enough to maintain a healthy weight and condition. Before making any sudden changes to your horse's diet, consult your veterinarian to eliminate the possibility of gastric ulcers or dental problems as the cause of poor appetite.
Teeth, toenails and fur -- everything that makes our dogs dogs -- can be hard on the furniture in your home. A good dog-proof fabric will protect your furniture against the effects of your canine assault weapons. But is there a fabric that will keep your furniture looking good until you replace it, without your dog having a paw in determining how quickly that will be? You might be surprised to learn that there are several good choices for pet-proofing your couch.
Stinkbugs are insects that produce a foul-smelling liquid when they feel threatened. Three species of stinkbugs are native to the United States, and each features a small head and a flat, broad body in the shape of a shield. Stinkbugs are green, brown or grayish-brown in color. Stinkbugs generally enter a home through openings around doors, windows and chimneys. There are a variety of ways you can get rid of stinkbugs in your home through natural means that will not harm any pets in your household.
The term "animal handler" encompasses many professions. In its broadest sense, an animal handler might refer to laboratory animal workers, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and livestock workers. A person who trains, exhibits or breeds animals for show or as working animals might be an animal handler. Zookeepers are animal handlers. The job requirements for animal handlers are as diverse as the animals involved.
Modern technology offers many opportunities to diagnose illnesses in dogs and cats that would otherwise be difficult to determine. The endoscopic exam is one of these boons of modern veterinary medicine that has saved many dogs’ lives by allowing vets to look inside the abdominal cavities and respiratory systems of their patients. Like many invasive diagnostic methods, however, endoscopy entails some risk to the animal which should be considered carefully before the procedure is performed.
Calendula extract is an herbal remedy derived from Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold plant. Calendula is nontoxic to dogs, according to the ASPCA's listing of toxic and nontoxic plants. Some people use the extract to treat health problems that cause discomfort for their pets. The method of applying calendula extract is determined by the condition being treated. Please consult your veterinarian before using calendula extract and other herbal remedies for your dog.
Some injuries or diseases may be so serious that amputation of a limb is required. Though the amputation of a pet's limb can be a traumatic decision for an owner, you can rest assured that many dogs learn to adapt to three-legged mobility very well and go on to live happy, active lives. The main thing to know is this: For proper healing and adjustment, dogs require the concentrated attention of their owners in the days and weeks after surgery. This allows owners to monitor potential problems that can occur after surgery and helps to reassure the dog during the…
Welts on horses usually appear around the neck and shoulders, though they may also appear on other areas of the body, including the legs and flanks. Skin reactions of this kind are usually mild and will clear up within a few days, though chronic welts are generally indicative of larger allergy issues. These welts may or may not itch. Either way, there are numerous remedies that will help to reduce if not eliminate this skin disorder.
Improperly disciplining your dog can worsen his undesirable behavior. Even though discipline is essential if you want to raise a well-behaved dog, physically hurting your dog or yelling at him only makes him fear and distrust you. Instead, use proper punishment and positive reinforcement to unteach the problem behavior -- correct his bad behavior and reward his good behavior. It may not happen overnight, but with consistency and patience your pet companion can become a happy, well-behaved family member.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Giardia is a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea, cramping and dehydration. It can survive on surfaces, as well as in food, soil and water that have been contaminated with feces. It is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be passed easily from companion animals to humans. A veterinarian looking at a fecal sample will see Giardia clearly and, when combined with clinical findings, be able to make a definitive diagnosis. Symptoms of Giardia should be taken very seriously as Giardia can make a dog very sick.
Whether your pet cage is for your hamster, snake, bird, guinea pig, rabbit, frog or other animal, it requires periodic cleaning. This prevents excessive waste buildup and prohibits mold and other bacteria from taking over the cage, which would create an unhealthy environment for your pet to live in. Clean the cage once or twice monthly, depending on the species, and you will be contributing toward maintaining your pet's health for years to come.
Hamsters might be cute, inexpensive and very easy to buy, but that doesn’t mean that one would be the best pet for your family. Before rushing out and buying a hamster, think about your lifestyle and what you are really looking for in a pet.
