Dog Health Care Article: Male Dog Neutering And Female Dog Spaying: When Should It Be Done?
Every year thousands and thousands of cats and dogs are euthanized because they lack a home and family to adopt them. We humans are to blame for this situation. Every year the newspapers are full of articles submitted by the S.P.C.A. relating to the number of animals they have had to kill.
As responsible pet owners we have to make the decision whether or not we want to contribute to the problem or do our part to keep unwanted pets out of the shelters and off the streets. So when do we need to neuter or spay the animals? We need to decide by the time our pet is 6 to 8 months old whether or not to sterilize him/her.
Being a responsible breeder is no easy task and there is no profit to be made. Breeding is done strictly for the betterment and continuation of the breed. The costs of the stud service, the buying or making of a whelping box, the veterinarian bill for the care of the mother dog, possible fees for delivering the pups, puppy food, veterinarian checkups for the puppies, eye exams, worming, fees for docking of the tails, vaccinations, etc., etc., quickly eat up any profits to be made. Then there are the countless sleepless nights waiting for the moment of birth, worrying about the newborn puppies, the noise from yelping puppies keeping you awake. It’s simply a labor of love for a responsible breeder.
Whether or not you have a mixed breed or a purebred dog you need to take the precaution so that accidental breedings do not happen. If you have an unspayed female dog you dog will every 6 to 10 months go into heat that lasts about 3 weeks. A heat is also known as an oestrus period. During this time the female will have menses or a period, where she will secrete blood from her ******. This is a messy situation for a house pet. There are protective garments that may be purchased to contain the mess, but also help deter unwelcome entry from male dogs. Also during this time your dogs behaviour may change and she will be less obedient.
Unsterilized (un-neutered) male dogs can become aggressive and may show overt sexual behaviour when there are in-season females nearby. The male dogs will mark territory in the neighbourhood or in the home by ********* small amounts. Adolescence, is a trying period. Your male dog and you will likely have confrontations over whom is the alpha personality. Now is the time to remember, that you love your dog, but you are the master.
To spay a female dog, a veterinarian removes it’s uterus and ovaries. A male dog is neutered when the veterinarian removes the dog’s *********. Both operations are usually safe and require one nights stay at the clinic.
The benefits to sterilizing your dog not only include unwanted off-spring, avoiding temperment problems, but also can benefit your dogs health. Having your pet sterilized will decrease the risk of developing tumors in the ******* area. Males can develop problems with the prostate gland. Females can develop problems with the mamary glands. Consult your veterinarian before your pet becomes 6 months old. Take a trip to your local S.P.C.A. and take a look at all the homeless cats and dogs before you decide to leave your pet unsterilized.
3 Major Health Problems in Cats
a cat to share your life with can be a rewarding experience. This furry family member can often be aloof, but he needs your love and care to thrive. In order to protect the health of your cat, it is important that you become familiar with common feline health problems. By knowing what to watch for in your cat, you will be able to keep him healthy and happy throughout his life.
HEARTWORM
Heartworm is one of the most common and well-known health problems that your cat may encounter. Heartworm is contracted by contact with mosquitoes and can cause very severe reactions in cats. Dogs get heartworm as well but they do not have the same reactions and symptoms as do cats. For obvious reasons, it is more common for an outdoor cat to contract heartworm. There is a possibility of a mosquito getting inside your home, so indoor cats can be at risk as well.
There are several symptoms to be aware of that are consistent with heartworm. These symptoms are coughing, lethargy, weight loss, and vomiting. Prevention is the best way to protect your cat from this deadly disease, which can come from heart worm medications.
FELINE DISTEMPER
Feline distemper is a viral disease that is very contagious. This disease is most common in younger cats and kittens. Feline distemper is passed from cat to cat through direct contact, which makes it more common for cats to contract this disease that are around other cats.
There are many symptoms of feline distemper. These symptoms are very common to many feline health problems. The symptoms that you need to watch out for are loss of appetite, fever, and depression. It is important to take your cat to the vet if you observe any of these symptoms.
When the need to board your cat arises, be sure that the facility you choose requires that all cat boarders are current on the Feline Panleukopenia vaccine.
FELINE LEUKEMIA
Feline Leukemia is one of the most fatal diseases that your cat can contract. The most important thing to do to help your cat with feline leukemia is to through prevention. There are vaccines that your cat can get at the vet to help prevent this disease. Some of the symptoms of feline leukemia are fever, vomiting, and yellow around the nose and mouth.
Keeping your cat healthy is important to you both. By being knowledgeable about the common health problems in cats and their symptoms, you will be able to protect and advocate for your furry loved ones.
Dog Health Care Article: How Your Dog Gets Fleas and How to Get Rid of Them
In this article, “How You Dog Gets Fleas And How To Get Rid Of Them”, we will discuss the methods by which your dog can become infested with fleas. In addition, we will discuss a bit about the life cycle of fleas and how flea and tick treatments can stop the flea life cycle dead.
Fleas are those nasty little insects that periodically infect our cats, dogs and homes. Fleas feed on the blood of our pets. They can irritate their skin not only from the bite and skin infections, but also some pets are allergic to fleas.
Fleas are the most common cause of skin problems in dogs and cats. If you notice your dog scratching and chewing the back half of its body, check for fleas around the base of the tail, the back side of the hind legs or the dogs stomach.
No matter how clean our homes are, our dogs can encounter fleas on their daily excursions outside. They then bring this insect home on their fur and the cycle of infestation starts. The adult flea lays eggs which drop off the dog all over the house: in the pets bed, on couches, in the carpet, around the baseboards, practically anywhere your dog is allowed to roam in the house and car. These eggs hatch, become larvae, and develop into cocoons where they develop into adult fleas, and the cycle begins again.
There are many over the counter preparations which can kill the flea, but do nothing to stop the cycle. Because there are still eggs, larvae and cocoons around the pets living environment. Through your veterinarian you can obtain either a topical or oral preparation. One method kills the fleas before they lay the eggs and the other kills the eggs that have been laid on your pet. Both are equally safe and harmless to the pet and its family. Both methods require monthly dosages of medication on a permanent basis to prevent re-infestation. Your veterinarian will prescribe the best medication for your particular pet and the dosage will be according to your pets weight. As your pet grows, the dosage will change. Not only will your pet and home be flea-free, but the chances for your pet being infected with tapeworms will also decrease.
Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to start a monthly routine to save your pet the irritations caused by fleas.
