Curious about what to expect at your cat's first veterinarian visit? Learn the process for determining a healthy kitten in this free pet care video clip from a practicing veterinarian.
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Great Video on Choosing a Pet Bird
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Canines are affected by diabetes in the same way that millions of people are everyday. Specifically, the disorder is called diabetes mellitus (DM). An insulin deficiency prevents your pooch's body from metabolizing glucose effectively. There are two varieties of DM: Type I and Type II. The former is the most prevalent type (99% of dogs with DM suffer from this type) and occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin. The latter occurs when insulin is manufactured but your pooch's body isn't able to use it properly.
In the following paragrpahs, we'll lay out the warning signs to look out for if your dog have developed diabetes mellitus. It is important to catch the disease early as it can be life-threatening later. We'll also explain how the disease is diagnosed and treated as well as what you can do at home to help your dog manage the disorder.
Possible Warning Signs
The most common symptoms of DM include a marked increase in the amount of water your canine drinks and as a result, the frequency with which he urinates. You might also notice that he is losing weight even though he maintains a strong appetite. Other signs include a general apathy or decrease in physical activity and the sudden onset of blindness.
Treatment After Diagnosis
Once diabetes mellitus develops, your dog's overall condition can decrease rapidly. His body's inability to process glucose effectively can lead to severe dehydration and other health issues. It is important that you have a veterinarian perform a full physical exam if you notice any of the warning signs described in the section above.
The veterinarian will ask you about your dog's eating routine as well as his elimination activity. You will be asked about any recent fluctuations or changes in his weight or demeanor. Then, a urine analysis is performed to identify possible infections and review glucose levels.
Once diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will teach you how to administer daily insulin injections for your pooch. He or she will also create a diet and exercise routine that will help your canine manage his weight. The level of insulin administered will probably change during the first several weeks of treatment. Most veterinarians prefer to start cautiously with small doses and increase them gradually.
What You Can Do At Home
Providing care for your dog involves administering daily insulin shots (sometimes, twice daily) as well as any other medications that your veterinarian has recommended. It's your job to make sure he is maintaining his diet and exercise routine so he is within a healthy weight range. If your dog experiences an insulin overdose (he might seem weak or disoriented), give him food right away.
As noted, diabetes mellitus can be potentially deadly. However, once it has been diagnosed, you can help your dog live a healthy, happy, and problem-free life.
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Aug 30, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips
Miniature Schnauzer Puppies Video
The sweet and likable Miniature Schnauzer is often considered a delight to be around. He's generally friendly and pleasant and makes a good pet for many kinds of households.
General Appearance and Description
It's believed that the Miniature Schnauzer is a result of a cross between the Standard Schnauzer and the Affenpinscher, with perhaps a Poodle included in the mix somewhere. He is likely of German descent, because "schnauze" is German for muzzle.
Mini Schnauzers are intelligent and sweet dogs that are loyal and dependable companions.
Miniature Schnauzers are small dogs that have both a bushy beard and mustache. Their eyebrows are also prominent. In fact, Schnauzers are often groomed so that their beard and mustache are accentuated.
The coat is long and silky with a slight curl to it. Schnauzers are most commonly salt and pepper colored, but they can also be black, all white, or black and silver with a softer colored undercoat.
Basic Temperament
The Schnauzer is a happy and perky playmate. He's smart, energetic and obedient. If you think of your pets as like children, the Schnauzer is a good fit for you. He's much like a child, because he's playful, alert and happy and always in the game.
The Mini Schnauzer is truly a very special breed.
If you enjoy traveling, obedience training and bringing a dog into the home that will truly be a companion, the Schnauzer again fits the role.
While he's a good companion and enjoyable dog to have around, the Schnauzer has one major behavioral challenge. That is his desire to be a big dog. He can be very aggressive toward other dogs and will even challenge bigger dogs to a fight. If you, the masterr, don't establish yourself as the leader of the pack, your dog may develop these aggressive tendencies. Socialize him well as a puppy, too, and you likely won't see any of these troubling characteristics.
Mini Schnauzers can bark often and loudly, but the bark is nothing like a small dog bark and that's high pitched and yappy sounding. Instead, the Schnauzer has a bark that belies his size. His is low and more intimidating. This can help him when he's asked to be a watchdog, a role he will happily step into.
Care Required
The Schnauzer's wiry coat is easy to care for, but it must be combed daily with a wire brush, or the coat will become matted fairly quickly. If your schnauzer does get knots, you can simply cut them out.
As far as grooming, the Schnauzer should be clipped evenly all over. Leave this job for the experts, though you can give him touch ups as needed.
Many people acquire Miniature Schnauzer puppies because they have allergies. This dog isn't considered hypoallergenic, but sheds very little and is considered an excellent choice for people with allergies.
When looking at learning more about Schnauzers, read and learn as much as you can because the because this is a amazing dog breed.
Exercise Requirements
If you live in an apartment, the Miniature Schnauzer will enjoy living in your small space, but he does like to play indoors he will need plenty of toys to keep him happy, busy and out of trouble. He will do fine without a yard in which to run around.
But you must give your energetic Schnauzer a good walk on a daily basis. He will enjoy walking quickly as if you have a mission and will also enjoy any time you can give him off leash to play.
Training
If you buy a Miniature Schnauzer, be prepared to socialize him often, to train him well and to be patient with him. While he's highly intelligent and takes to training well, he also has a strong will and will require some patience on your part. When trained, however, he can be a joy.
The Schnauzers are usually not difficult to housetrain.
Height and Weight
The adult Miniature Schnauzer will be about 12 to 14 inches tall and weigh between 10 and 15 pounds.
Health and Longevity
Like many small dogs, the Miniature Schnauzer is generally a healthy dog. Some Schnauzers will have some problems, however, ranging from liver disease and kidney stones to skin disorders. They are also at risk of developing von Willebrand's disease, a common blood disorder in dogs. Some will have eye problems.
More common for your Miniature Schnauzer is the risk of weight gain. Be careful how much you feed him, because even with his high activity level, he can gain weight easily.
Most Schnauzers can live to be approximately15 years old.
Suitability
Schnauzers are ideal for many different households. They love children and do well with seniors. They are also excellent dogs to have on the farm as they are experts at killing mice and at hunting, tracking, performing tricks and acting as guard dogs.
Further information
Further information concerning the Miniature Schnauzer can be found here.
Aug 30, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips
Adults and children alike cannot help but be drawn to loud, repetitive screaming calls and phrases that magically pierce what is otherwise a quiet and tranquil day. The culprit of such a magnitude of screaming, squawking and mimicking of all variety of sounds, is usually a pet parrot that wants your attention!
Parrots have fascinated us throughout the years due to their high intelligence, gorgeous colors and adoring personalities that simply won't be ignored. Generations of parrot lovers insist that there is no better pet than a parrot. What parrot behaviors can prove difficult to deal with and what considerations do you need to take into account before deciding upon a parrot as a pet? Are certain types of parrots easier to handle and look after? Is a cockatoo more straightforward to care for a parakeet or a Rainbow Lorikeet, and what about the largest in the parrot family of birds, the Macaw? Did you know that the ever so popular humble brilliant green and yellow Australian budgie is a variety of parrot?
The following tips will assist in making a decision about whether a pet parrot would make a good addition to your family or not!
Diet: A quality diet of fresh fruits, pastas, vegetables as well as nuts, vitamins, red palm oil and seeds and pellets can be costly. Your parrot will also need plenty of clean fresh water daily and do remember no dairy products what so ever, as birds are lactose intolerant
Gender-Most males birds are better talkers than females. And since most birds are not dimorphic, except in a few species, it is hard to tell from the bird's body characteristics whether it is male or female. Having an avian vet perform a blood test on the bird you are considering is one of the best ways to be absolutely sure about its sex.
If you notice any of the above and suspect your bird is sick, immediately make an appointment with a vet. Take him there in his cage or some suitable container. Don't ever take your bird to the vet with him perched on your shoulder. Your pet will not be protected. Whatever container you use make sure it is covered. If you take it in its cage don't clean the cage. This can present evidence to the vet that can help diagnose the bird's problem.
After taking the bird to the vet and a diagnosis is made, take the bird home immediately. Home care at this stage is very important. Keep your bird warm and try to encourage it to eat. Sick birds have usually stopped eating so it is important for them to eat well to get their strength back. If they are unable to eat then they may need to be hospitalized.
Unfortunately, by the time an owner realizes his bird is sick, the bird is more than likely seriously ill. Therefore it becomes even more critical to give your bird the best care possible. Most owners go to pet stores first to try to treat the bird instead of going straight to the vet. This only makes the problem worse. However, if you catch the bird's illness quickly enough you'll have a very good chance of getting him back on his feet
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Pugs are fun and cute dogs that generally add much to a household. They are easy to care for, but present a few challenges due to their spirited nature.
General Appearance and Description
The pug is often called the cutest of all dogs, and it’s likely due to his characteristic stocky and compact body and his punched in face. He has a square body that is framed by a sleek, soft coat and accented by a forehead that looks to be in a perpetual state of worry.
Most pugs are apricot, fawn, black or silver colored. They will all have a black muzzle and prominent eyes. The eyes are nearly always dark and thoughtful. Pugs have short tails that are usually tightly curled.
Basic Temperament
Pug owners often refer to them as bigger dogs than their size allows. This is due to their very large personality. Pugs are playful and charm nearly everyone they come in contact with. That’s likely as much a process affected by their sweet looks as their sweet personality. They are affectionate and loving and intensely loyal. Pugs are quite smart as well.
But pug dog breeders will tell you that these dogs are willful and hard to handle, especially if the humans let them believe they are smarter and stronger than the humans.
If you don’t establish yourself as the leader of the pack, the pug will, and he might exhibit some troubling behaviors like guarding furniture or other things in the house. While they are not aggressive dogs, pugs can be firm about their need to guard, simply because nobody else has stepped into the role of leader.
Care required
While they might take a bit of work in the behavior department, pugs are easy to care for. They need a good brushing every now and then and a shampoo only when absolutely necessary.
Because black pug puppies and other pugs are very short haired, it’s important to dry them off after a bath quickly and wrap them in a towel to prevent chills.
The creases on the face which give the pug their distinctive look require some care. They must be cleaned regularly with a cotton ball.
While they are very short haired, pugs do shed heavily a few times a year.
Exercise Requirements
Pugs should be taken on regular walks, but these aren’t dogs that require a lot of physical stimulation. Most of them, in fact, can’t handle too much of that at all. They are very sensitive to climate, so taking them out in cold or hot weather is not advised.
Because they don’t require intense physical activity, pugs are a good choice for people who live in apartments or small spaces. Regardless of their living arrangements, because of their sensitivity to heat and cold, they should be kept mostly indoors.
Training
Pugs aren’t the most trainable of dogs, but they can be trained and will enjoy having some structure.
Because they are highly intelligent and somewhat clever, pugs do become tired quickly of training methods, so be sharp and mix things up when you are training these dogs.
When looking at learning more about Baby pugs, read as much as you can because the Miniature pug is truly a incredible dog breed.
Height and Weight
Most male pugs will be about 12 to 14 inches tall and 13 to 20 pounds. Female pugs will be a bit smaller, with a height around 10 to 12 inches and will weigh about 13 to 18 pounds.
Health and Longevity
Pug dogs can often have a number of health problems.
Your pug is prone to colds and, as we discussed earlier, will be stressed by extremes in weather, from cold to hot.
The short muzzle on the pug causes breathing problems and they are prone to wheezing and other chronic breathing issues.
Pugs are prone to obesity, so watching their diet is essential. Some can be prone to laziness, so it’s best to force your pug to walk and get some exercise.
Finally, any pug owner can speak to the pug’s penchant for snoring. They snore loudly and often, and many a pug owner has lost some sleep in the night until they learn how to deal with the snoring.
In general, pugs are hearty dogs, and can live on average to be about 12 to 15 years old.
Suitability
Pugs get along well with other dogs and in general with other pets in the house. They love children and enjoy meeting new people. Their addition to the household is usually a good one.
Pugs also make excellent pets for senior citizens, who enjoy their laid back and friendly nature and their ability to make good lap pets.
Further Information
Further information about the Pug can be found here.
Aug 30, 2009 | 0 | dog care tipsDo you think that your pet bird is sick and tired of just eating pellets and seeds? It is possible and to spice up their diet, here are a few things you can give them on occasion.
Fruits are great because they have vitamins and minerals. Some examples which you can give your pet bird include bananas, grapes, melons and oranges. Just remember it is fresh and whatever they do not eat after an hour should thrown away to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Fruits and without any doubt vegetables are also very good for the health of your pet bird. Some examples are broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and peas. Just be sure to wash them first so any pesticides that were used in planting them are removed.
Beans are also good to give to your pet bird. Before you give it, make sure to cook it first because there are certain varieties of beans that are harmful if they happen to eat this raw.
We love pasta and your pet bird can enjoy that too. This is because pasta is rich in carbohydrates and it can go well with the fruits or vegetables that you are giving. Best of all, this can be eaten raw or cooked.
Your pet bird can also eat bread as this provides them with a good source fiber. It is best to give it to them in smell bites first rather than a whole piece if you are giving this for the very first time.
Another ideal snack to give your pet bird is popcorn. If you decide to serve this unpopped, boil it first in plain water so you can soften the tough hull. Before giving this cooked it is to be made sure that this is heated using the microwave because these have high fat and salt contents that is harmful to their health.
Cereals and grains can also be given to your pet bird. Such treats contain carbohydrates and protein so just fill up their plate and then watch them munch it away.
Nuts are also a tasty treat that your pet bird will enjoy. If they don’t eat it, this can also be used to exercise their beaks. Just be sure the variety of nuts you give is both clean and unsalted.
At the last, it is recommended that your pet birds be given some pepper. This is because they can easily take it since they lack the taste receptors that we humans have. If you don’t believe it, try giving your pet bird either some fresh chili or banana pepper.
Birds need proper nutrition and in order for that to happen, it has to be ingested, digested and absorbed. You can get this from many products and if you want to know what else they can eat, ask your veterinarian or do some research. That way, you are sure that what you are giving them is safe and that they will not experience any side effects.
If they do not like what you have given, don’t force them and offer them something else. In time, you will figure out what treats they like and do not like so they can get to eat other stuff not only seeds and pellets.
To help your pet bird digest whatever they just ate, make sure that they have a sufficient amount of water inside the cage.
Aug 30, 2009 | 0 | bird care tipsDog training sessions should be quality time with your dog but unfortunately, many dog owners see it only as chore. Dog training exercises should be fun and satisfying – both for you and your dog. And as long as you approach things properly they can be.
Dogs get tired just like we do. And if they are tired, they probably won't be too motivated to do anything for reward. However, if you can disguise some of your training exercises as a game, training will be more effective and you'll both enjoy it a good deal more.
Consistency in responding to the come command is very difficult to achieve - even though learning the command is fairly easy. Dogs will normally come to you when you call them provided nothing else has their attention - but the world is full of stimulating things for them and without training they won't come if they've found something more interesting. The only sure way [method] to acheive consistency in recall is through re-enforcement. That could lose its excitement factor quickly? Well, it's fun in our house ever since the kids discovered [found] a great way to get our dog to come every time he's called. And that, is hide and seek!
Make Dog Training Fun - Use Games
Get some treats ready (we usually use peices of chicken dog or cheese) and make sure he's got an appetite. Give him the stay command and then go to a different room. Be crazy and have fun - hide in your bedroo closet - climb into the shower - get behind a curtain - be entertaining for your dog. Nex, call him [her]. He'll [she'll] come as fast as he [she] can. If you’ve really hidden, it may take a minute or two to find you. It's extremely entertaining to watch them charge into a room and get confused when they don't immediately see you! And of course, make sure you give him [her] a treat when he [she] finds you!
The kids have a blast with this. The laughter is great for them and our dogs. Your dog is re-enforcing the conditioned response of coming when her [his] name is called and its FUN. The other benefit of making this game a family activity is that your dog is learning to respond to the come command from all members of the family. And don’t worry about feeling silly – this is a good exercise for adults as well. The first time you stand in your closet with a piece of hot dog in your hand you may feel a bit silly, but you'll laugh when your dog pokes his head in looking for you! You'll feel young again!
Training Should Progress Logically
Of course, this isn’t the first dog training exercise you need to master. You have to teach them to focus on you before proceeding with anything else. And you should probably do some homework and consult one of the better dog obedience training books. However, the training is going to be fun if you look for ways to make it fun. For your dog, your family, and you.
Aug 28, 2009 | 0 | dog care tipsIf you're the owner of a Bedlington terrier and you're concerned about its behavior you may want to consider Bedlington Terrier training. Training your dog need not be difficult, though it is a process that requires patience and determination and so it is worthwhile gaining an understanding of the stages involved in training a Bedlington Terrier.
Understanding Your Bedlington Terrier's Needs
When your puppy or dog participates in training, the dog will fulfill some of its basic needs including exercising, socializing with other dogs and feeling secure in the knowledge of what is expected of it. After your Bedlington terrier has participated in a dog obedience course, your dog will be able to respond in an appropriate manner to your commands while avoiding separation anxiety.
The aim of training a Bedlington terrier is to teach it to behave in the desired manner around people and other dogs, and it should also teach him to become a well-behaved companion. In addition, your Bedlington terrier will have learnt how to perform specific tasks, though of course he should not be punished when he fails to obey commands.
There are those who believe that Training A Bedlington terrier involves punishing the dog when it disobeys commands or doesn't respond in an appropriate manner. However, giving the dog a treat when he responds to your command is a better training option.
Basically, you should realize that your Bedlington terrier is a social animal that will respond well to obedience training, and that if he remains untrained the dog may behave erratically rather than in a manner appropriate for a housebroken dog. Training and caring for a Bedlington terrier is an ongoing process that may continue for some time and it requires the active participation of the owner as well as the trainer, and it is more than giving your dog commands and expecting it to work hard. Training a Bedlington terrier is designed to improve its quality of life and sociability and it should help in making it a content, happy and obedient companion that will enjoy spending time with you and other members of the family.
Aug 28, 2009 | 0 | dog care tipsWhat a great thing it is for the family to bring home a new puppy. Everyone wants to enjoy playing with their new puppy. Of course, there is one aspect of the new puppy no one likes-the puppy thinks the whole world is his toilet. Crate training puppies is the easiest and best way to deal with the whole house training process. In comparison with the old way of placing newspapers on the floor, the crate training method is so much easier and quicker.I can tell you that the paper method beat doing nothing at all, but it was still at first a hit and miss proposition, and I hated cleaning up the misses. After stepping on a particularly nasty "accident" in the middle of the night that was deviously hidden by the dark, I decided I better look into getting a crate for my puppy.
The crate training method for puppy house training is a system that greatly reduces the number of "accidents" that will most likely happen around the house before your puppy has been thoroughly house trained. To properly use the crate training system the puppy must stay inside his crate unless someone is paying attention to him (for example during playtime, or feeding he should always be supervised). Murphy's Law says the moment you take your eyes off your puppy, he'll pick that moment to go potty in the house.
I found the crate training method worked much better than the old newspaper on the floor technique. In fact, it took my latest puppy only about 2 weeks to become house trained. Don't let them out at night just for whining when they are bored-only for real potty breaks. If you always make the crate seem like a den, rather than a place to put your puppy when you are mad at him, he will have a good attitude about going in there, and you shouldn't have the whining problem some puppies have when in the crate.
If you are about to house train a new puppy, be sure to use the crate training method. You might want to get a copy of the Ultimate Guide to House Training-that's the book I used to relearn how to go about house training my puppy. This very easy to follow book is a very complete course on house training and caring for your young puppy-check out my review to see how it can help you with your puppy .The Ultimate House Training Guide Review.
For more free helpful articles about dog obedience training and solving behavior problems, please visit www.BehaveDoggy.com.
Aug 26, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips
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