Monday, December 30, 2013


Having a pet is always beneficial. It is observed that many adults have beautiful memories of childhood with their pets. A dog is universally considered as the best pet for children as well as adults. There are no specific rules as to which breed of dogs are most suitable for children. However parents should keep certain things in mind when planning to get a pet dog for their children.

The most important thing to be considered is the child's age; as well as the dog's temperament and energy level. It is not a good idea to get a Great Dane or a Mastiff for a small child as these are large dog breeds, and the child may get hurt while playing with it. It may even knock the child down playfully. Similarly, it is not recommended to have Chihuahuas, Pekingese or Shih Tzu, as these small dogs will not be able cope up with rigorous play of children.

Best Breed of Dogs for Kids

There are numerous dog breeds to choose from. One has to be very careful and specific when going for dog adoption. The following types or breeds are generally considered good dogs for kids.

(Click on the image for an enlarged view)

Collie
Collie

Collies are loyal and good companions for kids. They turn protective in company of children and hence, are one of the best breeds of dogs for kids. Although collies can live harmoniously with kids for a long time, it is essential to train these dogs properly first. Collies are recommended as pets for older children, and it is not wise to leave a kid less than 10 years of age alone with a collie.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are intelligent and have an eagerness to please. They are calm and great companions to children. They hardly show aggression, and are easy to handle and train. Golden retrievers are also very tolerant to the activities of small children. However, it is not wise to leave small children unattended with golden retrievers as these dogs are large and can knock down children while playing.
Beagle
Beagle

Beagles are the most social of all dog breeds. They are good pets for children of all age groups. A well-bred beagle can make a very lovable pet and hence, it is essential to train your beagle properly. They are carefree, playful and will be fiercely loyal to kids. The only thing to remember is to never disturb a beagle when it is having food as beagles take food very seriously.
Poodle
Poodle

Poodles are very affectionate and loving. They can be perfect pets for children as they love playing with kids. They are very loyal and trustful. However, if not treated properly, they tend to harm people. It is also essential to note that toy poodles can be cranky and snappy; while on the other hand, older children may harm smaller poodles. Therefore, you should look for poodles of right age for your kids.
St. Bernard
St. Bernard

Now this is a large dog meant only for older children as younger children will be at a risk being alone with it. Although large in size, St. Bernards are gentle and get along with children very well. These dogs are actually very popular as family dogs, specially popular as pets for children as they are fiercely protective. If trained properly, a St. Bernard will be an excellent and protective pet for the family as well as children.
Basset Hound
Basset Hound

Basset hounds love children and get along with them very nicely. They enjoy outdoors and hence, can be good playmates. They are gentle, loving and also very tolerant. These dogs are affectionate and do not show traits of aggression. However, it is not recommended to have a Basset hound for small children who are incapable of handling these gentle dogs.
Labrador
Labrador

Last but not the least, Labradors or 'labs' as they are called, are the most popular family dogs all over the world. They are playful, loyal and are very friendly. They enjoy outdoor games and show no signs of meanness. Labradors are also easy to train, enjoy company of people and hence, are the best recommended dogs for kids.
Apart from these, Boxer, American Eskimo, Bichon Frise, English Bulldog, Dachshund, German Shepherd, etc. are the other breeds that are considered as the best dogs to own. After buying a pet, it is essential to train it well. On the other hand, parents must also teach children to treat pets like living things and not like toys. Younger children should not be left alone with pets as they may unintentionally harm the dog or get hurt themselves. It is not advisable to have a dog at home if there is a baby. Kids may feel more connected to the pets if parents involve the kids in pet choosing process.

Lastly, note that having a pet will also inculcate values and qualities like companionship, responsibility and compassion in children. So, it is always a good idea to have a pet. Ciao!

Posted on 8:30 AM

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There can be various reasons for bad breath in dogs. Although many dog owners automatically assume that it is related to aging only, the matter isn't as simple as that. Bad breath in dogs can be caused due to bacteria in the dog's mouth, gut, or lungs, broken teeth, sinus infection, infection in kidneys, gingivitis, tissues in the teeth being inflamed, or due to some lodged foreign object or bone. When your dog isn't being administered proper and regular dental care, the issue of bad breath keeps on escalating. Now on the other hand, if the breath is smelling sweet for some odd reason, this could trigger the chances of diabetes. Which is why, a trip to the veterinarian is very important. He/she may suggest some tips to help you get rid of bad breath or can ask you to get breath mints. Yes; dogs have breath mints as well and these signs are suggesting you act on it now. So without further ado, we'll move on to the main issue of our topic - learning to make breath mints for your dog.

Homemade Dog Breath Mints

The first thing you need to concentrate on is your dog's proper dental care. And any and all tips/advice given to you by the veterinarian has to be followed religiously. Other than that, here are some breath mints recipes on dog breath mints that battle breath issues.

Breath Mints
  • Firstly, get 4 to 5 salt-free crackers, water, and cup fresh mint leaves.
  • Now crush the crackers so that we can use them to stick with the mint leaves.
  • Chop the mint leaves so that they are very fine and place in a small bowl.
  • Add crackers (just enough so it doesn't become powdery) and water to the bowl.
  • Mix with your fingers and start making small balls; about '' small.
  • Place these mint balls on a waxed paper and inside the freezer.
  • Once the mint leaves have frozen properly, remove one by one and give them to your dog.
Mint Cookies 1
  • Well this second one isn't actually a mint, but mint cookies. These cookies are safe for your dog's health.
  • Get 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 cups brown rice flour, 1 tablespoon charcoal (activated), 1 egg, cup fresh mint, and fresh parsley leaves, and 2/3 cup low-fat milk.
  • Preheat the oven at 400F and grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil.
  • In a bowl, mix brown rice flour and activated charcoal together. Add the egg in and the 3 tablespoons vegetable oil.
  • Mix everything properly and then finally add milk. Mix again with hands.
  • Once the batter is ready, you will add the parsley and mint leaves in.
  • Use your fingers to place a tablespoonful dough onto the sheet. Keep 1'' space between all.
  • Place the sheet inside the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool down.
  • Give them to your dog whenever required. You can store the others in an airtight container inside the refrigerator.
Mint Cookies 2
  • This next recipe is also for making mint cookies that can be given for dental care for dogs.
  • Get 3 cups whole wheat flour, 2 teaspoon flax seed oil, 1 egg, cup low-fat milk, cup fresh mint, and 1/8 cup wheat germ.
  • Preheat the oven at 350F and ready the baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a stand mixer's bowl, mix egg, milk, flax seed oil, mint leaves, and wheat germ together.
  • Blend the ingredients properly on low speed for about 20 to 30 seconds.
  • Now add 3 cups of flour, one cup at a time. As you do so, increase the speed to medium.
  • Take the dough out of the bowl and onto a dusted workstation (dust with cup flour).
  • Ready the dough and roll it out with a rolling pin.
  • Cut the cookies in the shape you have and place on the baking sheet.
  • Place the sheet inside the oven and bake for about half an hour.
  • When the cookies are ready, turn the oven off, and let them stay inside for 2 hours to get crispier.
  • After that, remove from the oven and onto a cooling rack. When the cookies are cool, give them to your dog.
  • You can preserve these mint cookies for a month if you keep them in an airtight container and store in a dry place.
All the 3 recipes that are mentioned above are few of the best dog breath mints you can make at home. However, apart from learning to make breath mints, there are other essential remedies you need to follow such as brushing the teeth regularly, feeding healthy foods, give him/her tough toys to chew on, not feeding wet dog foods, and many more. When you follow proper dog grooming training steps, it only better for your dog's health and well-being.

Posted on 4:04 AM

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Sunday, December 29, 2013


Pugs have been in existence since 400 BC and have always been regarded as a toy dog breed. Pugs originally come from China and were in existence since the Shang Dynasty. The breed was then also known as Lo-Chiang-Sze and Foo. As the years passed, the pug became one of the favorite pets among the Buddhist monks and then spread to Japan and Europe.

This timid dog is playful, friendly and yet carries itself with dignity. Pugs are known to be more social breeds than any other, and require a lot of attention and care. Pugs are small in size and come in fawn, black, apricot fawn and silver coat colors. In case of improper care, pugs are likely to suffer from certain health problems such as obesity. Having a wrinkled face also results in infection. Therefore, before bringing a puppy home the buyer must know about how to care for a pug. Proper care and training can assure a healthy life for your pug.

Potty Training
A pup is too young to understand the overall hygiene of the environment. As it takes time to adapt to new surroundings, it is likely to poop all around the house. In case you want to avoid the trouble of constantly cleaning the house, consider potty training lessons for your pug.

Select a desired place for the pug to do its business. Some people also use crates, which help in keeping the house more clean. The intestine of the puppy pug is small and it would digest the food faster and make the pup poop quiet often. When your pup begins sniffing, it's a sign that it wants to do its business. At the beginning the dog will not understand your commands, so it is better to pick it up and place where it should poop. Repeat this till the time it begins to understand your commands. As the pup grows a little older, command the pup by saying Potty or say Crate in case you want to poop in its crate.

Teaching Basic Commands
Teaching certain basic commands is important part of puppy training. It instills some discipline as well in your dog. Sit, Stay, Roll, Fetch, Jump and No are some of simple and easy commands that can be taught to your pup. While training your pug keep some treats handy as dogs are likely to quickly to obey commands. Also remember that puppies are weak at maintaining their focus for a long time. Therefore, keep your training sessions short.

Teaching the Walk
Taking little pups on a walk is always a tense task. However, it is essential for them to behave when they are taken out on a walk. Dogs mainly enjoy going on a walk with their master. Therefore, they are always excited and tend to lead the way. This trait is prevalent in many dogs and must be well trained to avoid them from getting out of control. As you finally decide to take your little pug out, call the pup to you and calm it down. Once the pup settles down, slowly put on the leash. The master must step out first and then the pup must follow. In case the pup steps out first, it is likely to take the lead throughout the walk.

While walking, if the pup pulls you, slightly pull its leash. A slight strain on the neck will slow down the pup and it will try to walk beside you.

Socializing
Dogs must be taught the methods of socializing, otherwise they tend to develop fear, become aggressive, and get excited when they come across new people. Allow the pup to be handled by all the family members, neighbors and friends. The pup will get used to the handling and also be able to recognize its environment well.

Teaching Tricks
Teaching tricks is always the fun part of training. After the tough training sessions, you can relieve your pup by teaching it some fun tricks. This session is enjoyable to both the pup and its master. Following are a few tricks that you can the little pug to perform.

Roll Over
Make the pug lay on the floor. Once it settle down, show the pup its favorite treat and move it around towards the floor. As you bring the treat closer to the pup, command it to roll over. When the pup attempts and rolls over, offer the treat and pat and praise it. This will take a some time but eventually your dog will learn to perform it well.

Hand Shake
Let the pug be seated before you teach the hand shake trick. Once your pup is well settled, reach out your hand towards its paw and say Shake hand. The pup will take time to figure out what the command is. So, as you offer your hand for a shake hand, slightly lift the pup's paw and do a shake hand. Repeat this for a couple of times till the pup understands the trick. Always keep treats handy and praise the pup whenever it makes an attempt to obey your commands.

Bow
It is among the easy and simple tricks that your pug will love to perform. Hold its favorite treat in your hand and show it to your pug. Make sure that your little pug is standing still. Hold the treat in front its nose but be careful as the pup might just pounce to grab it. Once the pug has noticed the treat in your hand, move it towards the chest and say bow as the pug follows the direction of the treat. Repeat the trick for a few times and watch your pup perform the trick without the treat.

These were some of the techniques, which can ease out your pug training sessions. Training must be cautiously and proficiently done to turn your little pug pup into the most disciplined and loyal dog.

Posted on 9:27 PM

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Friday, December 27, 2013


Loose stool is also known as diarrhea, or it can be regarded as one of the symptoms of diarrhea. It is a common medical condition that is known to affect dog health. Cases which are severe might not have any options to be treated except for at the vet. However, mild cases have several natural remedies which can be carried out at home. Treatment of diarrhea in dogs depends on various factors, which act as triggers for the condition. One common cause is feeding the dog with foods which are not suitable for them. Other causes may include eating garbage, infection, worms, poisoning, blockage, pancreatitis, kidney disease or hormone imbalance.

Canines have a metabolic system which is totally different from that of humans. So, it is quite a bit of an irresponsible behavior for dog owners to feed their pets with just any kind of food and taking it for granted that it would not do any harm to them.

Symptoms that Accompany Loose Stool In Dogs

Diarrhea is commonly accompanied by dehydration. Ailing dogs will be noticed to move bowels very frequently during the day and they might show very less activity or the least interest in food. The sick dog's stool can sometime be observed with mucus in them and this symptom indicates the severity of the problem in the dog's digestive system. In chronic conditions, the stool passed by the ailing dog might have blood in it and the animals might vomit out the food it has just eaten. Fever may also be present in some cases.

Treatment

Treatment can begin with giving the pet a bland diet. White rice and one or two tbsp. of cottage cheese is good enough to start with. Your pet might not go for the food at first go. So, you can add a few portions of low-fat ground beef to the food. Alternatively, you can feed your dog oatmeal with some yogurt. This will encourage and improve the digestion. Boiled chicken or turkey is also good for managing diarrhea in dogs. Also, take care that your pet is drinking plenty of water, lest it might suffer from dehydration due to the loss of immense amount of fluids from its body.

You can continue providing your pet with the bland diet until it stops showing symptoms of the illness. Thereafter, you can gradually help your pet to resume his normal food and in small amounts. It is beneficial for the pet if it can be fed with small amounts of canned pumpkin. This would help in providing fiber to his diet and firming up the loose stool as well. However, this time you have to ensure that you provide him with not just any kinds of food, but those which are suitable for him.

All the above remedies usually prove effective and helpful in most cases. However, if there are other underlying causes behind the loose stool, such as any kind of diseases, then there are high chances of the illness not getting subsided. So, in such a case, rather than repeating such remedies, hoping that the illness will get resolved, it will be wise on your part to take your pet to a vet for professional advice and care.

Posted on 3:23 PM

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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

How To Lose Weight For Good - It's Not How You Would Think!

1) Thin does NOT mean healthy! And also bigger/heavier doesnt necessarily mean unhealthy either, despite all the hype about obesity being a killer. Dont misunderstand, I am not suggesting that someone who is so heavy that they are bedbound is healthy, however being overweight is not necessarily an indicator of poor health either, your lifestyle habits are! You can have someone who is overweight but eats a nutritious diet, doesnt smoke, exercises and has emotional health (they feel good in themselves) and they will be much healthier and less prone to illness than their thin counterpart who eats a diet that is poor in nutrition, smokes, doesnt move much and feels stressed. Despite all the hype about obesity related illness, in this example the thin person is the one who is the most likely to get ill and die early! If you dont believe me please read my other articles in this weight loss series.

Weight Loss With Red Sirens


2) Most people are not meant to be skinny! There is so much pressure on us these days to be slim, and I think this pressure is felt most by women. The ideal size that we are sold in Western societies is for most women, completely unrealistic! And the biggest problem with this is that all the time we feel bad about our shape and size, we are getting in our own way. How can we develop a normal relationship with food if we are stuck down we fear and guilt every time we so much look at a piece of chocolate. It would be better to learn how to love and accept yourself and then make the most out of your individual shape.

3) You actually have a better chance of being healthy and managing your weight if you relax a little and stop struggling. If you can learn to relax around food again and tune into your bodys natural ability to tell you when you are hungry and when you are full your weight will take care of itself. It's called intuitive eating. When we are born we have this instinct inbuilt, sadly it is something we unlearn as adults. Once you can truly normalise your relationship with food and learn to enjoy it and use it to provide good nutrition, your chances being healthy and happier with your weight over time greatly increase. This is not impossible to do, it just takes a little practice. And once you have it you will now longer feel so tense around food because you will naturally stop when you are full, and choose a variety of foods (no, despite what you may think, when you relax around food you dont end up only eating chocolate!)

4) Exercise can be fun even for people who dont normally like exercise! Its my experience that gruelling workouts and duty gym trips dont work for health and weight issues over time. Mainly because if you hate doing it, it will be hard to sustain over time, and it will be the first thing to go if your life becomes stressful. However, if you can find an activity you enjoy, you are onto a winner, because you will WANT to do it, AND you will even be able to use it to help manage stress! Look at this list of activities and see whether there is something that appeals, even if just a little bit. If you dont see anything, dont give up, the list of ideas is just the start, there is a lot more out there! walking in beautiful surroundings, swimming, dog agility, Salsa dancing, Zumba, Ballroom dancing, Pilates, Yoga, gardening, doing the housework with the music up loud, golf, tennis, squash, badmington, netball, hikersc clubs.


5) Weight and resistance training help you to lose weight! Most women will say that they prefer to do cardiovascular exercise, and especially for weight loss, because it burns more calories. They think that if they do resistance training, or use weights that they will actually get bigger. While it is true that cardiovascular exercise will burn more calories AT THE TIME, when you change your percentage of body fat to muscle, and increase the muscle mass, you will actually burn more calories AT REST! What that means is that a person who has a higher percentage of muscle to fat, will actually burn more calories when doing nothing than the person who has more fat. So if you incorporate resistance and/or weight training as part of your exercise regime you will actually increase up your metabolism and your body will burn more calories ALL THE TIME! More so than you would have burned in your 1 hour cardiovascular workout. And dont worry about getting bigger, you may shape up but you would have to train in a very specific way, using VERY heavy weights to get big muscles. For most people this is not what will happen, although toning can occur.

6) If you feel good about yourself you are more likely to be a healthy weight! For so long now it has been all about willpower, and mind over matter. Jane Fonda encouraged us to feel the burn and fat camps tell us that we are lazy and weak if we struggle with our weight. We are told to restrict calories and fat and be good. And some people might have a little success this way. Does the approach work for most people in the long term? Heck NO! For most people this sets them up to FAIL over time. Its too hard and it sets up struggle instead of creating healthy relationships to food and exercise which in my opinion are the only real ways to have a chance at good health over time. The cases of this approach to weight management truly working over time are very few and far between. And even when a person does achieve thinness this way, are they ever truly relaxed and free of worry about their weight, or do they live in fear of getting fat if they lose control and have too much chocolate? There is a better way.

7) I dislike the term weight management! Because I dont think we have to manage our weight. It immediately makes one think of a struggle, and something that needs to be managed and kept in check. Whereas actually the ability to take in the correct amount and type of food for the activity we do is actually a very natural and basic instinct that we have inside us, if we could only just tune back into our bodies again. Our bodys are actually very good at keeping us at the best weight for us, when we get messed up is when we have become so out of tune with our bodies and have fallen into bad habits. If we can make peace with ourselves, food and moving for enjoyment again, guess what, our weight will take care of itself!

Posted on 9:44 AM

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013


It is a matter of hard work when raising a puppy litter. Not only is the mother all drained, but also the owner is totally fatigued. Just like human babies, it is important to understand the right way to wean puppies. This is because you have to start feeding them real food and not just survive on momma's milk. Weaning your puppies from their mother is an important step in puppy development and care. Many people often wonder how to wean puppies, especially, if they are caring for a litter for the first time. Let us go through the following guide and understand the right way to wean puppies from their mother.

When to Start

Puppies tend to start nursing immediately after birth. A few tend to nurse after 2 to 3 hours of birth. This first nursing is very important for all puppies as they get the required antibodies from their mothers colostrum. These antibodies help keep their bodies away from many dog illnesses. You will observe that the puppies tend to feel hungry and want to nurse every two hours during their first week of life. Gradually, they tend to nurse every 3 hours by the end of second week and then after every four hours by the third week. The mother will lick the puppies around their genitals and anus after they have nursed. This process helps stimulate urination and bowel movements in puppies.

However, most of the breeders need to give away the puppies for adoption. This is the reason they are interested in learning the correct time to wean pups. It is a process where the puppies are gradually taught to start eating solid food and stop drinking their mother's milk as their primary food. Many breeders argue weaning at 4 weeks is a better idea and some feel weaning at 6 weeks will prove to be a better choice health wise.

If weaned too early tends to have a negative impact on their health. Their digestive system is not yet fully developed to handle solid food. This is why the right time to wean puppies from their mother is considered to be three weeks. This process at 4 weeks or even sooner at 3 weeks requires a lot of planning. This is because they do not get the required amounts of nutrients from their mother's milk. This makes them vulnerable to infections like parvo virus infection. Let us have a look at how to wean puppies the right way.

How to Wean Puppies

Once you know the right age, you need to understand the process. You should begin to keep them away from their mother. Keep them away from their mother about 1 hour before it is time for them to feed. This will make them hungry and they will try to eat the semi solid food you place near them. Start with semi-solid food as it will be easier to swallow and then digest. Place very little of the food in a shallow dish and you will find most of them hungrily gobble it up. If a few are still apprehensive or averse to eating, then try to encourage them to eat lovingly. Place a bit of the food near their noses or on the tip of the tongue. Soon, they too will catch up with their brothers and sisters.

After the puppies have eaten, bring them near their mother. She will clean them up and finish the left over food. Your puppies may make a mess around them while eating dog food. Therefore, make sure you place old newspapers on the floor. This is because they will try to suckle the food like they did when drinking milk. They still don't know the concept of eating and will take time to understand the right way of eating solid food.

Gradually, begin to decrease the amount of water in the food. So, by the end of 6 weeks, your puppies will happily be munching upon solid kibbles. Go slow is the 'mantra' here. Do not try to hasten the process, or you will end up with a few puppies with upset tummies. The right way to wean puppies is to gradually decrease the amount of food given to the mother and increase the amount of food given to the puppies. This will make the mother produce less milk and make the puppies eat more solid food than milk. Make sure you ask the breeder about how to wean puppies and help your puppies dig their teeth into solid food.

Posted on 6:13 PM

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Monday, December 23, 2013


Lupus or lupus erythematosus is a type of autoimmune disease, where the immune system of the body starts attacking the healthy cells and tissues, by mistaking them for the foreign harmful microorganisms. It can affect humans, dogs as well as cats. However, it is more prevalent among dogs than cats. The disease can manifest into inflammation of any part of the body including heart, kidneys, lungs, joints and also blood.

Lupus in Canines

Lupus erythematosus in dogs can be of two types, namely systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). SLE or systemic lupus can literally affect any part of the body, more commonly joints, skin, blood and the kidneys. On the other hand, discoid lupus erythematosus does not affect the whole body, instead it attacks only the skin, especially of the face and nose. In dogs, discoid lupus is found to be more prevalent than the systemic lupus erythematosus.

Causes
The exact causes are still unknown. However, both genetical and environmental factors supposedly play an important role in the development of the disease. According to expert opinions, the disease can be hereditary and so, some dogs can be genetically predisposed to develop lupus, especially when exposed to certain environmental factors like sunlight, chemicals, etc. Dog breeds that have been observed to be more susceptible to lupus, especially to discoid lupus are German shepherds, collies, Siberian huskies and shelties.

Symptoms
The symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the specific organ or organs that are affected. The symptoms have been observed to subside for a while and then again reappear, especially when the dogs are exposed to ultraviolet radiation of sun. Systemic lupus erythematosus can cause lameness, arthritis in dogs or joint inflammation, muscle inflammation, anemia, skin lesions and infections, inflammation of the heart muscles and hair loss in dogs. Sometimes, fever, pale gums and increased urination can also accompany the disease. As it affects the joints and muscles, the animal can become lethargic. As the disease affects the major organs of the body, it can lead to anemia, anorexia and enlargement of liver, spleen and lymph nodes, confusion and seizures.

On the other hand, discoid lupus affects only the skin, particularly of the face and nose. It can cause skin lesions and a change in the appearance of the skin of the nose, by causing depigmentation. Skin lesions or sores can also be observed on the nose. Gradually, the skin of the affected areas may start to flake. Even mouth ulcers can develop frequently. Sunlight or ultraviolet radiation is the most important triggering factor for discoid as well as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Diagnosis and Treatment
As lupus involves multiple organs, a number of clinical tests are required for its diagnosis. Such tests and examinations can include blood test, a complete blood count test, urinalysis, antinuclear antibody test, immunofluorescence test and skin biopsy. There is no cure for this condition, but the symptoms and complications can be prevented by appropriate treatment. The treatment would be greatly determined by factors like the organs affected by the disease, its severity and the general health and well-being of the animal.

Systemic lupus erythematosus may require both steroids and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to ease inflammation. Severe inflammation would require immunosuppressant medications, which can suppress the immune system to alleviate its symptoms. For discoid lupus, topical steroid ointments are used to treat skin problems. Vitamin E supplements are often recommended by the veterinarians to improve skin conditions and prevent the development of secondary infection, by boosting the immune system. Even topical creams with vitamin E can help to improve the condition of the affected skin.

With appropriate treatment, the symptoms of lupus in dogs can be controlled to a great extent and a dog with lupus can survive for several years. Early diagnosis and treatment can help a lot in preventing the complications associated with lupus disease. However, lupus is no doubt a major dog health problem, that requires constant supervision and a great deal of precaution and dog care. Dogs affected by this disease should be protected from the sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, which is the main triggering factor for this disease.

Posted on 7:34 PM

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There are many types of dog foods available in the market and each serves a different purpose. These include holistic, natural, organic, and canned dog foods among others. While choosing the best brand for dogs, you should take into consideration many factors such as the quality, nutrients that it contains and the value for money that it delivers. Also, your dog may not approve of some ingredients, so you must make sure that you identify the ingredient and choose a brand that does not contain that ingredient. Make sure that what you purchase is apt for your dog's age, breed and size.

Best Dog Food Brands
This list of the best dog foods on the market is in no particular order. However, you can choose from it based on the one that best suits your requirement and budget.

Solid Gold Dog Food
This brand is certainly one of the best on the market. It frequently features on many of the top 10 dog foods list and is highly recommended by pet owners and veterinarians. The brand is known for its production of 'natural holistic food' that is safe, healthy and nutritious. It is free from any kind of artificial preservatives, chemicals or additives, poultry fat and is also free of allergy inducing ingredients like soy or corn. The brand makes use of only USDA recommended grade I and grade II grains in their products.

Innova Dog Food
This is manufactured by the very well-known brand, Natural Pet Products, which is known for its high quality dog food variants, manufactured through strict quality control and testing procedures. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it is free from any kind of artificial ingredients, hormones, antibiotics and by-products. One of its variants is also known as the best dog food for puppies.

Orijen Pet Food
Orijen pet food believes in the manufacturing of quality and healthy dog food variants through the use of fresh regional ingredients that are obtained through farming. These ingredients include turkey, free-run chicken, pork, grade A eggs and lamb. It aims at providing wholesome goodness and nutrition to dogs.

Timberwolf Organic Dog Food
This is a brand with a difference! Their product contains special canine-specific formulas prepared using seeds, herbs, gourmet unrefined oils, seaweeds and multiple grains. It provides nutrition to dogs even when fed in less quantities and focuses on weight management, prevention of dog obesity and maintenance of overall dog health.

Wellness Dog Food
This can be considered as one of the best brands in the market today. It believes in the manufacture of natural holistic food that is free of any kind of artificial ingredients. Their dog food and dog treats are also well-known due to the chelated minerals, vitamins, Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and probiotics that it contains. Available in a whole lot of variants, this could be a good choice for your beloved pooch.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness
This consists of high quality ingredient. It has high quality proteins which includes many probiotics. It also contains chelated minerals. Due to these high quality ingredients, it is easily absorbed in the body. Some of the top ingredients present in this pet food include potato starch, chicken meal, chicken fat, deboned duck and turkey meal.

Acana
Another top quality dog food is from Acana. This is considered to be among the top biologically appropriate foods. This is one of the best quality food, and in the product Wild Prairie, the ingredients are whitefish meal, boneless chicken, russet potato, and boneless walleye.

Hope you find it a little easier to choose the best dog food for your dog after going through the above list. You can also try to give your dog some home cooked dog food for a change. Remember to give him/her proper nourishment and care for his/her overall well-being.

Posted on 4:31 PM

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Once you decide to adopt a pet dog, the very next thing is to choose the one that is best suited for your requirements. Various factors have to be taken into consideration, before choosing the right pet dog. This includes your requirements and the essentials of specific dog breeds. Once you select a specific breed, try to understand more about the chosen dog breed. Before bringing the puppy home, you must gain a basic understanding about how to take care of that particular dog breed.

As far as family dogs are concerned, beagles are among the most sought-after breeds. They are found to be intelligent, gentle and loving. These fun-loving dogs enjoy human company and are found to be excellent with kids. They get along well with other dogs and even other pets (if properly trained). Another plus point of beagles is that they are small to medium in size and are easy to groom too. However, proper beagle puppy training is a must, as they can be stubborn and disobey the owner at times. They can also be extremely mischievous. Besides that, as in case of any other puppy, beagle puppies too require some basic care.

Beagle Puppy Care

Beagles are adored for their cute looks and gentle disposition. If you are also smitten by their charm, then get a beagle puppy from a reputed breeder. It is advisable to bring one that is more than eight weeks old. Before bringing the puppy home, make sure that you have a fair idea about taking care of beagle puppies in the right way.
  • Before bringing the puppy home, make a list of things that will be required by the pet. This include dog bed, water and food bowl, grooming accessories (brush, comb, nail clippers, conditioner, puppy shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), harness and tag, toys (including snugly and chewy ones), puppy food, etc.
  • As beagles are infamous for escapes, you have to keep the doors and gates closed. When you take the dog out, it must be always kept on a leash. You must also make sure to fence the yard, so that the dog cannot escape.
  • Another point is to take enough precautions, before you bring the puppy home. Remove all those articles that can pose the danger of choking, if swallowed by the puppy. Any other thing (like dangling wires), that can be dangerous for the puppy should be removed.
  • As far as puppy food is concerned, you must act as per the instructions of the breeder. Continue with the food that has been provided by the breeder. Introducing new food at this stage may lead to a stomach upset. You may later change the food, as per the vet's instructions.
  • One of the important aspects of beagle puppy care is to take it to the vet for vaccinations, as soon as possible. You must follow the vet's instructions with regard to the vaccinations required by the puppy. The vet will also prescribe other medication for preventing certain medical conditions that these dogs are prone too.
  • Though frequent washing is not required, brushing must be done almost daily. Use a hound glove for this purpose, as this will remove the shed hair. A flea comb will be useful for removing dirt and fleas (if any) from the coat. Along with brushing, make sure to wipe their ears and eyes.
  • As mentioned above, one of the most important aspects of beagle puppy care is proper training. Potty training must be started from the very first day. Obedience training is a must, as these dogs can be stubborn. Be patient and refrain from punishments, while training them. You can train the dog with small treats and rewards.
  • It will be a good idea to enroll your puppy in an obedience class. This will help your puppy to socialize with other dogs. Beagles are active as well as energetic and they require regular exercise. You must take the dog out for short walks daily. As they love the company of family members, you must spend some time with the dog. If possible, avoid leaving the puppy alone in the house, at least during the initial days.
It is always advisable to gain thorough knowledge about the different ways to care for a beagle puppy, before you bring one to your home. Apart from satisfying the requirements of the puppy, you must try to train them at a very young age. So, why wait? Get your beagle puppy and enjoy its company!

Posted on 2:44 AM

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Saturday, December 21, 2013


Small dogs may appear extremely cute and adorable, but as they say, looks may be deceptive! Contrary to their looks, most of the small dog breeds have an aggressive temperament, but enjoy human company to a large extent. There is a large variety of breeds of small dogs to choose from and there are various advantages of having them as pet dogs. They need very little maintenance and can be comfortably kept in apartments or moved around. Most of the small dog breeds can be trained easily, and learn to follow commands within a few days of them being trained. There are just a few of them that shed heavily, the rest shed moderately or do not shed at all, which is another one of their advantages.

List of Small Dog Breeds

All small dogs weigh around 22lbs and do not grow taller than 16 inches. These also include miniature and toy versions of some larger breeds. Here is a list of all the breeds of dogs that stay small, in alphabetical order.
  • Affenpinscher
  • American Cocker Spaniel
  • American Eskimo Dog
  • American Hairless Terrier
  • Australian Terrier
  • Basenji
  • Beagle
  • Bedlington Terrier
  • Bichon Frise
  • Bolognese
  • Border Terrier
  • Boston Terrier
  • Brazilian Terrier
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Cairn Terrier
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • Cesky Terrier
  • Chihuahua
  • Chinese Crested
  • Coton De Tulear
  • Dachshund
  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier
  • English Cocker Spaniel
  • English Toy Spaniel
  • Fox Terrier
  • French Bulldog
  • German Hunting Terrier
  • Havanese
  • Italian Greyhound
  • Jack Russel Terrier
  • Japanese Chin
  • Japanese Spitz
  • Japanese Terrier
  • Klein German Spitz
  • Kyi-Leo
  • Lakeland Terrier
  • Lancashire Heeler
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Lowchen
  • Maltese
  • Manchester Terrier
  • Miniature Bull Terrier
  • Miniature Pinscher
  • Miniature Schnauzer
  • Mittel German Spitz
  • Norfolk Terrier
  • Norwegian Lundehund
  • Norwich Terrier
  • Papillon
  • Parson Russel Terrier
  • Patterdale Terrier
  • Pekingese
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi
  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
  • Phalene
  • Pomeranian
  • Poodle
  • Prazsky Krysarik
  • Pug
  • Puli
  • Rat Terrier
  • Schipperke
  • Scottish Terrier
  • Sealyham Terrier
  • Shetland Sheepdog
  • Shiba Inu
  • Shih Tzu
  • Silky Terrier
  • Skye Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Swedish Terrier
  • Tibetan Spaniel
  • Tibetan Terrier
  • Toy Fox Terrier
  • Volpino
  • Welsh Terrier
  • Yorkshire Terrier
Most Popular Small Breeds of Dogs

Dachshund: This small dog breed is the most popular of the small breeds of dog list that can be kept as a pet. It has an aggressive temperament and proves its mettle as a good watch dog. It is extremely loving and affectionate towards the owner, however may not be very tolerant with children, other than the ones it has grown up with. It needs a lot of pampering and affection and owners must make it a point to keep its weight under control or else it might develop health problems.

Chihuahua: Another small breed dog that makes a very good pet, the chihuahua may develop a bit of an attitude problem! Its temperament can get quite aggressive with children and other dogs, but it is quite affectionate and loyal towards its owner.

Pomeranian: The Pomeranian makes an excellent family pet and is extremely good with children, too. It may get a little noisy and snappy with strangers around, and also sheds its fur heavily. Easy to maintain and prone to just a few illnesses, this small breed dog may be a good choice as a pet dog.

Pug: The popularity of the pug as a family dog is on the rise, with many families adopting this cute, cuddly little dog. It is extremely sociable, hyperactive and playful, friendly and loyal, and is really easy to train as it is always willing to please.

It will be a good idea to bring home one of the small dogs mentioned above that suits your living space. Also, consider the shedding factor before you decide to bring one home. Large breeds or small breeds, all dogs need a lot of love, care and affection to prove themselves as good pet dogs.

Posted on 7:45 PM

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Friday, December 20, 2013


Owning a dog is not only a wonderful experience but also a great responsibility for any dog owner. Right from the food, water, resting place, and overall health, this innocent animal is completely dependent on its owner. Hence, it becomes extremely important for any pet owner to know about some of the common dog health problems, and what preventive measures can be taken to keep the dog from having them. Bladder infection in dogs is one such health problem that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. So to know more about this dog health syndrome, keep reading...

Causes
Also known as urinary tract infection or acute cystitis, it is a bacterial infection of the inside lining of the urinary bladder and the urethra (the duct through which the urine discharged from the body). Though it affects both male and female dogs, bladder infection is more common in female dogs as they have shorter urethra and so the bacteria can accumulate more rapidly. In some cases, the infection is also caused by crystals (minerals that merge to form bladder stones) causing irritation and inflammation in the bladder. Other probable causes include increasing age, diabetes mellitus, prostatitis and being on long-term corticosteroid therapy. Hence , any medical condition that can interfere with the body's defense mechanism can create an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria.

Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms is extremely important to prevent other health problems. During the initial stages of the infection the dog might not show any signs. However, below are some of the most frequent signs of bladder infection.
  • Frequent and painful urination (often at unusual places)
  • Dribbling urine or straining to urinate
  • Blood in the urine
  • Frequent licking of genitals, to ease the pain or uneasiness while urinating
  • Weakness and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased thirst
  • Stress, lethargy and depression
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is essential for proper treatment, hence if any of the aforementioned symptoms are seen in the dog, immediately consult a veterinarian. He/she will examine the dog thoroughly, diagnosing the bladder for tenderness, stones, or abnormal firmness. The doctor will then take a urine sample to detect for bacteria, blood, white blood cells, protein, sugar, or any other abnormalities. He/she will also check the urine's concentration and pH. In case of bladder stones or crystals, x-ray or ultrasound may be performed.

Treatment
To treat the bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics which are effective against bacteria. A course of antibiotics like cephalexin or amoxicillin, for 10 days can be prescribed to overcome the infection. For bladder stones or crystals, depending upon the culture and sensitivity tests, the doctor will prescribe necessary antibiotics. However, in case of chronic or severe bladder infection, use of urinary antiseptics, long term antibiotics and change in diet, under veterinarian's supervision can be helpful.

Home Remedies
Below given simple home remedies will not only help treating the condition but also prevent it from occurring in future.
  • Bathe the dog regularly to maintain proper hygiene.
  • Ensure that the dog is drinking ample amounts of clean water every day.
  • Taking the dog out after every few hours will allow it to urinate regularly and prevent bacteria accumulation in the bladder.
  • Make sure to take the dog out for long walks regularly, as this stimulates the bladder. Also don't let the dog hold its urine for a very long time as this can lead to a buildup of bacteria.
  • Blackberries, raspberries and cranberries contain compounds called ellagitannins that prevent bacterial adhesions to the bladder wall. Hence, provide the dog with these berry juices to avoid any bacteria infection in the bladder.
Bladder infection in dogs is very common and occurs at some point of time in the animal's life. However, if you observe any change in the dog's behavior or urinary habits, do not delay and instantly consult a veterinarian. Early diagnosis is extremely important, as untreated bladder infection may develop into a serious, life-threatening health problem. Hence, early detection can prevent complicated and expensive treatments, and can save your dog from pain and illness.

Posted on 8:29 PM

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Since the initial launch of InfoBarrel it has been our intention to provide a means to raise money for different charities. Now that InfoBarrel is an established crowd sourced web site we feel that we are big enough that if we all band together we should be able to make an impact and generate substantial sums of money for charity.

How it Works?


At any time, you can contribute any of your articles to the current charity. Once you set an article to be charitable, 90% of the revenue will go to charity. 2% will go to whoever referred you and the remaining 8% will be used to for server expenses.

If you ever want to convert your article back from charitable status you can do so at any time through your 'My Content' page.

Tracking Progress

Each charity that we will be working with will have its own InfoBarrel page. We will update this page at least once a week, keeping everybody up to date with exactly how much money we have raised for this charity.

Hopefully we can all work together and use the power of crowd sourcing to help people in need!

Current Efforts

The charity InfoBarrel is currently supporting is the Canadian Diabetes Association. Take a look at how we are doing at InfoBarrel for Charities - Canadian Diabetes Association.

Past Efforts

In our first round of fund raising we focused on the Huntington Society of Canada. In total we raised $2,574.96! Take a look at how we are did at InfoBarrel for Charities - Huntington Society of Canada.

How to Get Started?

If you aren't already a member of InfoBarrel, simply signup and click the create button to start writing your first article.


Posted on 11:34 AM

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

One of the great thing about hot dogs are the variety of ways you can cook the hot dogs as well as the variety of ways you can top your hot dog.

There are a few ways to cook your dogs but the most popular ways are boiling, broiling, and grilling. If you are camping you can stick you dog on a stick and stick it into a fire that is burning from all the sticks you placed in the fire.

When it comes to how to eat your hot dig everybody has there favorite way. Here are some classic and iconic ways to decorate your hot dogs as well as some new and unique ways.

Chili Dogs

Adding a dab of mustard, cheese, and onions on tip of your hot dog along with some good chili can turn an ordinary hot dog lunch into a flavorful masterpiece.

Sauerkraut

Take a grilled hot dog and wrap it in provolone cheese. Add on some sauerkraut and a dab of mayonnaise and you have a great tasting dog. The flavors of the provolone cheese with the sauerkraut moistens the grilled dog and enhances the aftertaste of the mayonnaise.


Green Tabasco Dragon

A Green Tabasco Dragon is what you called a hot dog that you sprinkle some of the green Tabasco brand Tabasco sauce on to the hot dog bun and then add chopped jalapenos and mayonnaise.

Sappy Duck Duck Dog

The Sappy Duck Duck Dog is you basic hotdog drizzled heavily in Lea and Perrins Worcestershire, mayonnaise green chilies and diced onions.

Girls Gone Wild Hot Dog

This hot dog has a shot of mayonnaise along with some red picante sauce on top of the wiener.

Aberdeen Hot Dog

You take a hot dog, wrap a slice of cooked Canadian bacon around the hot dog, and some grilled hash browns, and a condiment of your choice such as ketchup or green picante sauce.

Silly Dilly

You slap your hot dog into the bun and then pour a bit of juice from the dill pickle jar on to the dog and it will soak into the bun. You then add onions, pastrami sliced into small cubes, and some sweet and mild mango salsa. It may sound nasty but the taste is actually amazing.

The Bill Clinton Dog

The Bill Clinton Dog is the potpourri of hot dogs. You can add almost anything to you hot dog. If you want ketchup and marshmallow cream go ahead.

Trick Dog BLT

The trick dog BLT has the hot dog bun lined with;lettuce, add your dog, and then top it with cheese and bacon. The bacon lettuce tomato of the hot dog world. Yummy!

Sour Power Dog

Take a grilled or boiled hot dog and top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and bacon bits. The Sour Power Dog is simply amazing.

Inmate Wiener

Take a hot dog and top it with chili and crushed Frito's. Add some Tabasco for extra juiciness and you have a great tasting hot dog.

The great thing about hot dogs are they are very easy to cook and there a countless ways you can top your hot dogs. Being creative and come up with your own favorite style of hot dogs.


Posted on 8:24 PM

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013


Pneumonia is a condition where the lungs are inflamed due to a bacterial, fungal or chemical agents. Aspiration pneumonia in dogs occurs after the animal inhales a foreign matter into the lungs. This may occur due to vomiting or regurgitation of gastric acid. Animals suffering from difficulty in swallowing or esophagus problems like paralysis. Some important aspects of aspiration pneumonia are covered in the following paragraphs.

Causes
There are a number of factors that may lead to aspiration pneumonia. These include throat and mouth disorders, esophageal disorders, problems with larynx, etc. Nerve disorders like polyneuropathy and muscular disorders like polymyopathy may also lead to aspiration pneumonia. Blockage of upper respiratory tract called brachycephalic syndrome may also cause aspiration pneumonia. When the dog's swallow reflex is affected after a seizure, head injury, sedation or general anesthesia, it may cause inhalation of a foreign matter. Chronic vomiting, or feeding the dog with tube, may cause accidental movement of food into the lungs.

Symptoms
As you can see there are a number of health disorders that can lead to aspiration pneumonia. If a dog suffers from brachycephalic syndrome, esophageal disorders, dysfunctional nerve disorders, inflammatory muscle disorders, decrease in mental alertness, or has to be feed with the help of a tube, one should watch out for the following symptoms:
  • Coughing
  • Weakness
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Fever
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Cyanosis
Other than that, more serious symptoms include discharge from the nasal passages, increase in heart rate, rapid breathing, mood changes, regurgitation, etc.

Diagnosis
If you suspect a dog is suffering from some respiratory illness like pneumonia or aspiration pneumonia, take him to a vet. The veterinarian will conduct a physical examination of the dog and carry out further tests. These tests include chest X-ray, complete blood profile, abdominal palpitation, etc. The veterinarian may even take samples of the lung fluid to find if there is any bacterial infection involved.

Treatment
When aspiration pneumonia is confirmed, the vet will immediately carry out suction of the airways. This will help get rid of the foreign matter in the lungs. Dogs showing signs of respiratory distress are given oxygen. The dog will be given lots of fluid, in case of dehydration and shock. The dog should be given plenty of rest and should not be exerted. Make sure the dog does not lie on one side for more than two hours. Help him change his sleeping position regularly. A humidifier or gentle thumping of the chest wall will help loosen the secretions. A bronchodilator therapy will help in opening the airways. Antibiotics will be prescribed if bacterial infection is found. In some rare cases, surgery will be carried out to remove the foreign body or tumor that is causing the aspiration.

After the dog seems to have stabilized, the veterinarian may suggest a mild exercise for the dog. This will help stimulate cough. When the dog coughs, it will help clear his airways. Aspiration pneumonia in dogs can be a life-threatening situation. Stomach contents entering the respiratory pathway may prove to have many harmful consequences. The animal may be kept in the hospital for several days, till the condition is stabilized. The discharged canine should be given medications prescribed on time, and taken for recommended follow-ups. One cannot prevent aspiration at times. Remember, a dog with aspiration pneumonia will take time to recover. During this time, make sure you give your dog plenty of rest, affection and a good diet as recommended by the veterinarian. One needs to remain alert and take good care of the dog and help him walk the path of recovery.

Posted on 8:18 AM

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Sunday, December 15, 2013


Well, just like us humans, even dogs suffer from muscle spasms, pain, cramps, etc., and so there are many muscle relaxers available these days to alleviate their pain and discomfort. As a dog lover, you notice something ailing your pet and sometimes act on your instinct to administer medicines, ending up more worried and anxious. It is good to be informed of the medicines that your pet may need for different ailments, however, it is best to consult the vet even if you are sure about the ailment, because different situations may need different medication.

Causes of Muscle Pain in Dogs
  • Overexertion or over-extension of muscles while playing or jumping around.
  • Immobility for a long time can also be a reason for muscle pain or stiffness.
  • Misalignment of muscle joints due to wrong posture can result in muscle pain. This causes muscles in the relaxed posture to burden the other muscles in order to compensate its own position and weight.
Possible Symptoms
Dogs have the natural instinct to hide pain to avoid showing their weakness or vulnerability. This is a survival skill that it adopts to appear stronger.
  • A lump or hunched posture that may cause limping in the dog.
  • Panting excessively while at rest.
  • Staring far away for a long time.
  • The dog gets up and lays down frequently or in a circular motion, showing signs of restlessness or impatience.
  • Quiet whimpering, crying or howling in pain.
Muscle Relaxers for Dogs
Muscle relaxers are drugs that relieve pain, stiffness or swelling from strains, muscle cramps or other muscle injuries. These medications don't heal the injuries or disorders but help in relaxing the muscles and alleviating pain by modifying the stretch reflex arc, or by interfering with the excitation-coupling process in the muscle itself. These relaxers work by blocking the inter-neuronal pathways in the spinal cord and in the mid-brain reticular activating system, and hence, are highly beneficial for dogs experiencing intense pain. However, the right type of medication and dosage, depending upon the dog breed and intensity of muscle pain, has to be administered under a vet's guidance.
  • Methocarbamol: It's a common muscle relaxer that works as a therapy for acute inflammatory and traumatic conditions of skeletal muscles, and reduces muscle spasms. Over-dosage of methocarbamol is characterized by central nervous system (CNS) depression, emesis, salivation, weakness and ataxia.
  • Guaifenesin: Also called glyceryl guaiacolate, it's a muscle relaxant that blocks the nerve impulse transmission at critical parts of the brain, brain stem and spinal cord; that works as a support when the dog is put on anesthesia for minor surgeries. Guaifenesin is used for treating strychnine intoxication in dogs and relaxes both laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles, without causing much effect on the diaphragm and respiratory function.
  • Benzodiazepine: It's a spinal cord depressant that affects polysynaptic reflexes at the supra-spinal level and inhibits pre-synaptic acetylcholine release. Diazepam, a type of benzodiazepine, is used as an adjunct to anesthesia for short procedures.
  • Dantrolene: Unlike other skeletal muscle relaxants, it's a hydantoin derivative that has a direct effect on the muscle, by interfering with the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. It has no observable effects on the respiratory and cardiac function, but may lead to dizziness and sedation. As a veterinary medicine, Dantrolene is used to treat malignant hyperthermia and porcine stress syndrome in different species.
  • Rimadyl: It's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to alleviate pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis in dogs. Carprofen, the active ingredient in Rimadyl, provides a supportive treatment for the relief of arthritic symptoms in dogs. It can be used for both short-term or day-to-day relief from joint pain and inflammation associated with hip dysplasia, and other forms of joint deterioration.
  • Phenytoin, Diazepam, Tramadol HCL, etc., are some other muscle relaxers meant for dogs, that can be used to cure moderate to severe muscle pain. Although they are highly effective and apparently have no side effects, it's recommended to consult a veterinarian before giving these medications to your dog.
Natural Muscle Relaxers
  • Massage: Anxiety and restlessness that accompany muscle pain can be treated at home with a therapeutic massage with aroma therapy, which is very effective. While lavender is a natural home remedy for anxiety that will result into calming down your pet, the ginger-flavored therapy works as an anti-inflammatory agent.
  • Ice: Just like we use ice on a swollen muscle, it can be equally effective for your pet to decrease the soft tissue swelling that occurs with muscle pain.
  • Warm Compresses: These can be used to the same effect as caused by ice, to provide comfort, relief from pain and swelling.
  • Valerian Root: This is a natural herb that acts as an anti-inflammatory and relaxes spasms. It can be very effective as a pain reliever for your pet.
  • Licorice Root: The anti-inflammatory agents in this natural herb are beneficial for skin, liver or the immune system of your pet.
  • Chamomile Tea: This is an herbal tea that can be used as a muscle relaxer in combination with other herbs.
  • White Willow Bark: This works wonders as a muscle relaxer that provides pain relief, reduces inflammation, and can also reduce fever and act as a blood-thinner, much like an aspirin. It is often used for treating arthritis in dogs.
  • Passiflora This natural herb helps in relaxing the nervous system and calms down the nerves.
Possible Side Effects
Overdose of any of these medications or herbs could cause notable side effects in your pet, like drowsiness, vomiting, drooling, loss of reflexes or in-coordination, darkening or de-coloring of urine, or stumbling. It is recommended that you show your pet to the vet immediately, when you notice any such abnormalities. The least you can do to avoid these side effects is to administer these medications in the exact way as prescribed by the vet or physician, and for the exact amount of time prescribed. Anything more can result into a difficult situation.

As an observant and involved owner, you should pick up the symptoms of pain that your dog may exhibit, and should aid it with immediate care and attention. Strictly follow the vet's guidelines, as your pet won't be able to express its situation. You will be able to judge when your canine pet regains its normalcy and activeness.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

Posted on 5:44 AM

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Saturday, December 14, 2013


Did You Know?
Meat is a very essential component in a canine's diet, and it has to be included along with limited amounts of healthy greens and fruit.Siberian Huskies, like any other dog, need their nutrition in one wholesome meal, given over the course of a day to ensure that he/she grows up in the right way, and lives out a healthy life. A lot of companies say that their food is good for dogs, with many claiming to be the best in their brand of dog food. How much do we know about dog food, to deem it as healthy and beneficial for a dog?

What Should a Siberian Husky Diet Contain?

A Siberian Husky requires important elements like linoleic, linolenic and oleic acid, where you need to go easy on carbohydrates, and concentrate more on the aforementioned fatty acids. Foods that work well for a Siberian Husky include:
  • Beet pulp
  • Lean meat sources
  • Horse meat
  • Corn
  • Beef
  • Avocado
  • Soy
Preservatives used most commonly in dog or other pet food are BHT and BHA which cause health problems like kidney/liver dysfunction and some forms of cancer. Dogs weren't designed to digest foods rich in fiber (since most dog foods are rich fiber-based meals), because of their digestive tract structure which was made solely for digesting meat more than anything else. Dog food should contain the following key ingredients.
  • Meat rich foods with minimal use of vegetables and fruit
  • Doggy treats including whole grain eatables given on rare occasions
  • Supplements from vets to make sure they get their vital vitamins and minerals in case of the lack of it
  • Homemade dog recipes using fresh ingredients from scratch
  • Whole milk that is organic in nature, including foods that aren't stuffed with preservatives
  • Clean drinking water
  • USDA approved dog food
Canned food, packaged treats and the works, shouldn't be your prime diet concern when it comes to your Siberian Husky. It is shocking to uncover that grains and cereal which are rejected by inspecting companies because they are harmful to humans, make their way into dog food instead. Meat, in the same way when rejected for approval-giving companies, makes its way into dog food where they've either been infected or dead-before-slaughter. How would you feel if someone told you that you were eating meat that was from a diseased carcass and not a healthy animal that was killed before consumption?

The antibiotics and growth hormones used on animals affect not just us humans, but pets too. That's why it is important to make sure that food is organic and tested thoroughly by a company. It is always mentioned on packaged foods that it has been USDA inspected, and if not, then most probably should be used with caution.

Beware of dog foods that carry labels like by-products, and meat and bone meal, since companies throw in parts like the lungs, intestines, bones and even blood of carcasses. This happens because when the animal is slaughtered for human consumption, there is a large part of the carcass left off, that companies see as going to waste, so they include these in dog and other animal food products. Always look behind at the table of contents/ingredients of your dog food package, to spot any glitches in the list that may come off as suspicious, or dangerous for your pet.

The Truth About Commercial Kibble

Many people feed their dogs packaged kibbles or canned food, without worrying about the effects, since companies drill into consumers' minds that it is nutritional for their pets. A lot of pets like dogs and cats live longer than their limited years, because they were fed the right foods. Animals were never fed processed eatables, and neither were we. Now that we have the markets clogged with preservative ridden packaged goods, with many coming up recently with organic eats, it is no wonder why we struggle to stay fit and healthy today. We should take advantage of what is introduced in the market today, as fresh, healthy, and nutritional.

Dogs similarly, cannot eat anything that is given to them just because a dog food company claims to make the healthiest of dog eats. The truth here is that dogs, or any other pet for that matter, have to eat fresh food that we humans eat as well, made from scratch and entirely organic without being altered by humans, with very less of its packaged counterpart, served.You have to feed them food that you would put into your mouth, that are all-natural and healthy to eat, and choosing dog food from a company that is both reliable, and genuine in its claims.

Health Problems from Manufactured Dog Food

A diet that only contains packaged food is of no good to your dog. You have to give manufactured dog food in minimal amounts, and concentrate more on healthy eatables that are freshly made and prepared by hand. The effects your dog can undergo from a badly put-together diet plan are -
  • Loose stools
  • Dandruff problems
  • Foot licking
  • Hot spots
  • Gas
  • Excessive shedding
  • Face rubbing
  • Itchy troubles
The diet of a Siberian Husky needs to contain foods that are rich and abundant in healthy ingredients. We humans cannot live alone on packaged and canned food, and similarly neither can pets.

Posted on 6:43 AM

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Thursday, December 12, 2013


A German Shepherd, also known as an 'Alsatian', is a dog breed which is known for its intelligence and agility. Mainly used for catching anti-social elements by the cops, this dog is also the perfect example of an ideal family guard dog for domestic surroundings. People who want to make this smart and beautiful dog a proud member of the family should first understand how to care for a German Shepherd and then move ahead with the buying or adopting procedure.

German Shepherd Care

It's advised that people who want to buy German Shepherds should always start with puppies. Why? Because puppies are easy to train and they never show the characteristics of a rebellious adult dog. The first and the most important thing to do is to socialize the puppy who has spent the past few months with its mother and siblings. The animal would take some time to get used to different people and the new surroundings.

Caring for a new and unruly German Shepherd puppy can be quite a task if the owner is not familiar with general German Shepherd puppy care. Although, these pups tend to be very mischievous at first, they grow up quite quickly to become intelligent and quite loyal dogs. Due to its structure and intelligence, German Shepherds are one of the most sought after dogs breeds in the world. One of the most important things to remember about this dog breed is that they are full of energy and this trait should be balanced by exercise sessions or long walks. These dogs, when young, tend to get bored of their surroundings very easily and hence it's very necessary that they are surrounded with lots of toys. If not provided with enough activity, these dogs tend to get very lazy. German shepherds also like digging so owners who live in houses with lawns or private gardens should be alert at all times. When not exercising, this dog enjoys playing with a variety of chew toys like tug ropes, bones and balls. These dogs love chewing, so it's important that owners provide them with toys that are durable and can withstand their intensive chewing habits.

German Shepherds should be provided with a healthy and balanced diet and owners should mostly give them dry food to avoid tooth problems. Owners can also feed their dogs with commercially available dog foods in the market. Make sure the brand chosen is filled with essential nutrients and proteins. Being active is in the nature of this dog and they tend to get thirsty very fast. Hence it's good to provide the dog with fresh and clean drinking water. Another important thing to remember is that these dogs need a cool and a shady area for breeding. Frequent trips to the vet's office when the German Shepherd is young will ensure protection from various dog illnesses. Owners should strictly follow all the guidelines provided by the veterinarian regarding the dog. Healthy puppies grow very large in size during the first year hence it's necessary to feed them more than once in a single day. These dogs usually have a medium length coat so there's no need of frequent brushing. Bathing sessions should be done with a gentle dog soap, just once a month.

Caring for German Shepherds is not that difficult if owners have begun their training from a young age. Make it a point to potty train your puppy when it completes five weeks of age. Show some effort and patience and in no time the puppy will learn how to keep its surroundings clean. Never bring a German Shepherd out of the house without a leash as the dog is very protective about its owner and will attack any stranger.

Posted on 3:34 PM

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013


Canine skin complications are usually frustrating for every pet owner, as they grow gradually and often affect every part of the skin. Skin sores make the dog feel uncomfortable and as a pet owner, it is quite sad to see the pet dog in distress. The sores are mostly a manifestation of some skin disease that may be in the initial stages or may have advanced into some other stage. They require early diagnosis so that the problem can be tackled at the earliest.

Types of Skin Sores in Dogs

There can be various causes of skin sores in dogs and so it often becomes difficult to diagnose the sores in the skin. Generally, following are the most common types of skin sores in dogs.

Hot Spots
A problem encountered by hairy dogs in warm weather, hot spots leads to hair loss in the area which it affects and causes a hard lesion. The dog will feel an urge to lick and in most cases bite the lesion. Medically, hot spots are known as acute moist dermatitis. These types of sores usually occur due to flea bites, poor hygiene and allergies on skins of the dog.

Demodectic Mange
Demodicosis or demodectic mange is caused by microscopic mites of the Demodex genus. These dog skin sores result in patchy fur, scaly patches on the skin and hair loss. Small dots often red in color can also be seen in some cases.

Scabies
Scabies is one of the sores on dog skins that compels the dog to scratch their skin often, even to the extent that it causes bleeding. This is caused by a bite that releases toxins in the dog's skin leading to redness in skin parts.

Blastomycosis
A fungal infection, blastomycosis is the condition that degrades with every passing day and so it needs early treatment. In blastomycosis, dogs will have severe round crust type oozing sores on the skin. As the severity of condition increases, the dog's health goes on worsening. The dog may experience weakness while walking, poor appetite and drowsiness. The dog sores in this case may crust over especially in winters.

Allergies
Another common recurring are hives that occur as raised red bumps. These skin sores cause severe itching and may end up breaking the skin.

Diagnosis

If your dog suffers from dog skin ailments that become yellow and hard with time and ooze out yellow or green colored pus, then it is probably past the right time to visit a vet. To properly diagnose dog skin sores, the veterinarian will examine the skin areas of the dog's body. The vet may need to perform some tests that can help him decipher the cause of dog skin sore.

The dog skin is examined under special lights that are known as woods light and this can be helpful in determining if the skin is infected from some problems of fungal infections. Another diagnostic test is the biopsy test in which cell samples of the dog's lump are examined under a microscope by a pathologist to check the presence of cancerous cysts or benign cysts. Sometimes, poor dog foods or nutritional deficiencies can lead to various skin sores on dogs and sample of blood tests can prove the presence of these. So the vet can ask for a blood test of the dog as well.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause, as every skin infection has a different treatment. The treatment procedure is often oral medication accompanied by medicated shampoos as instructed by the veterinarian. Bacterial infections may take about 2-3 months to heal so it is necessary that the pet owner has patience and takes proper dog care during this period. Other factors, like not allowing your dog to go out to swimming and interacting with other animals and people during treatment process is necessary so that the infection is not spread.

Dog skin sores can be treated by eliminating the cause of the disease. Pet owners must maintain hygiene and cleanliness in the vicinity of dog's living area and must ensure that they take their dogs for frequent medical check ups to the veterinarian, to avoid such diseases.

Posted on 1:36 AM

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Monday, December 9, 2013

When man was young on the Earth, millions of wolves roamed world wide. Today, due to centuries of hunting for sport, be it legal or illegal, there are little more than 300,000 wolves left in the world. Wolves are the largest of the canine breed and are often used as the spook in many scary tales.

Diseases Gave Wolves a Taste for Blood

While wolves would pick off a human or two in times of hunger, but they really got their taste for blood in the Middle Ages when the black plague ravaged Europe. With the bodies piling up faster than the healthy could burn and bury, the wolves began to feast on the dead that had been left out.

This happened several times throughout history during outbreaks, such as smallpox, and during world wars where enemy sides occasionally had to team up to fight starving wolves lured to the bloody battlefields. This taste of human flesh could explain why European wolves are so much more aggressive to humans than their North American brothers.

Black Wolves

black wolf
The black wolves are not a mutation or a natural occurrence within wolves. Black wolves actually stem from interbreeding with dogs. The black fur gene is dominant and passed down through the generations.

You may think white wolves are a similar story, however white fur is genetic to arctic wolves who are some of the toughest wolves on the planet due to their terrain. The white fur is thicker to keep them warm and white to camouflage them in the snow.

Wolves and Dogs

wolves and dogs
Above I mentioned the relationship between wolves and dogs, how they interbred to create the fiercesome black wolf. Wolves and dogs mating is not a very common occurrence, in fact wolves usually see dogs as a food source.

After World War 2, stray dogs ran rampant in Russia which put them on the food chain for Russian wolves. A singular wolf would usually lure a dog to a secluded place where the rest of the pack would pounce.

Even large breeds of dogs are unable to stand a chance against a wolf, much less a pack of them.

Eating Thier Prey Alive

wolves eating
Wolves, unlike bears and many other predators, lack the tools to bring down large prey even in packs. Wolves prefer animals like deer or moose and usually swarm them as a pack taking bites from their haunches and underbelly until the animal gets tired. While wolves are large and can weigh upwards of 200 pounds, but even a whole pack can not tackle a 600 pound moose.

When the animal falls from having chunks taken out of it, the pack will feast on the animal while it is alive and kicking.

Wolves are the Most Dangerous Rabid Animals

Most animals that contract rabies go through phases of lethargy and disorientation before they reach the rage phase that marks a rabid animal. However, wolves fly almost immediately into a rage, making them extremely dangerous.

Though wolves are not frequent carriers of rabies, they can contract it from the smaller carriers they eat, like raccoons. Rabid wolf attacks on humans have near dropped off the Earth, but they do still occasionally happen. Rabid wolves are most likely to attack a human in the neck or the head, because of this the rabies usually spread to the human brain too quick to be treated.

Posted on 4:25 PM

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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Myotonic Goats - An American Breed

There are some strange animals around the world and one of them is the 'fainting' goat. Like another strange animal in the world, the edible dormouse, the name catches the attention at once.

The myotonic goat is one of the truly American goat breeds. America doesn't have many indigenous goat breeds but the myotonic goat is native to Tennessee. The breed has a number of common names, some of which are: fainting goat, nervous goat, Texas wooden leg goat or Texas peg-leg goat. These strange names come from the habit of the animals of suddenly stiffening up and falling over at any sudden, unexpected stimulus. The animals don't actually faint as they don't lose consciousness as the term 'fainting goat' is a misnomer.

The more scientific name is Myotonic goat. There are now two strains of the breed with those in Texas being larger and more heavily muscled. They also have more spectacular fainting spells!


Myotonic goats were taken to the hill country of Texas in the 1950s. Selective breeding for meat production has resulted in larger animals. They have a high meat to bone ratio and yield tender, succulent meat. The myotonic goat has also been crossed with the Boer goat with excellent results.

The goats suffer from a condition called 'myotonia congenita'. A recessive gene is responsible for the fainting attacks. When startled, a neuromuscular condition causes the contraction of the muscles of the rear legs and neck. These muscles 'lock up' and the afflicted animal falls over. The legs extend stiffly (see the image) but after a short period, the animal gets up and continues merrily on its way as though nothing has happened. Some even learn to lean against a support when their muscles freeze up. They then shuffle off stiffly. Depending on the age, breed and level of fright, the goat may go completely rigid or may just stiffen slightly. Luckily the condition is painless and the episode is over in roughly ten seconds.


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The more muscled the animal, the greater the stiffening. The second half of the binomial name, 'congenita', indicates that the condition is inherited. Myotonic symptoms are not confined to goats. Some dog breeds (eg the Chow Chow), tumbler pigeons, sheep, mice and humans can display similar symptoms. Myotonia is induced in some humans by cholesterol lowering drugs.

Myotonia is not a fault of the central nervous system but takes place in the muscle fibre. It is not considered a defect as no other body functions are affected. Once the episode passes the animal goes back to its normal activities.

Apart from its myotonia congenita, the breed has some fine characteristics. They breed aseasonally so may even kid twice a year. Multiple births are common. Does sometimes hide their kids for several days. They have plenty of milk but produce excellent meat as well. Because they don't jump or climb very well they are easier to contain than some breeds. And they live long, productive lives with a lifespan of around twelve years.

Goats selected for meat production should have deep chests and well-fleshed rumps. The most common colour is black and white but multi-coloured animals are common. It is a slightly smaller than standard breeds, generally 17 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 27 and 79 kg.

The breed has a short to medium length head. The nose is wide, flat and round, with the profile straight as opposed to the convex or 'Roman' profile of some breeds such as the Anglo-Nubian. They are mostly quite stocky and certainly not a tall breed. A feature is the large, prominent eyes which sit in high sockets and bulge from the skull a little.

The ears are not as large as the Nubian and Spanish breeds but longer than the Swiss breeds. Most have short coats which tend to bulk up in winter with some producing a great deal of cashmere.


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Two theories have been put forward for the origin of the breed. One suggests that a spontaneous mutation occurred in 1885, resulting in the passing on of the 'fainting' gene. A second explanation is that a farm worker, John Tinsley from Nova Scotia brought a buck and three or four does with him to Marshall County Tennessee sometime around 1880. The following year he sold the goats to Dr H H Mayberry then left the district. Sources state that today's Myotonic goats trace back to Tinsley's goats. Marshall County has a Goats, Music and More Festival each year in Lewisburg and the City Hall in that town is graced with a statue of a fainting goat.

Fainting goats served a useful purpose in flocks of sheep as wolves or foxes would be more inclined to go to the easy prey lying on the ground than the more valuable sheep.

The breed has good resistance to parasites. They rarely need concentrates, maintaining good condition on browse and pasture. Like most goat breeds, they are sure-footed and at home whatever the terrain.

The breed has been added to Slow Food's Ark of Taste. Ark of Taste promotes consumption of foods that rely on particular flora or fauna for its taste and appeal. Some of the 'old' breeds need special preparation in cooking or perhaps just longer, slower cooking. By promoting these foods, it is hoped that fewer of the old, less popular livestock breeds will be in danger of disappearing from our farms.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has the myotonic goat listed in its 'watch' section. The interests of the breed are looked after by the International Fainting Goat Association.

Myotonic goats are sociable and good with children. They are excellent mothers and are calm and easily trained. Their quirky 'falling over' habit gives them great novelty value and they have become very popular as pets. They are ideal for smallholdings and family farmlets.

Being slightly smaller they are easier to handle when hooves need trimming or medications need to be administered. And they are never any trouble to catch! Simply clap your hands and you can have your pick of all the goats lying on the ground! And when you've finished with that individual, clap your hands again to go on to the next.

Posted on 3:01 PM

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013


Indoor dog kennels are a necessity for all dog keepers as it is the best way to keep your dog safe and warm from the harsh winter months and weather conditions. If the house has less space, setting up an indoor dog kennel has its own set of problems and difficulties. But, it sure is a better choice than leaving your dog out in the cold expecting him to guard the house all night. There are many kinds of kennel plans which allow you to keep the dog from being a nuisance in the house and also give him his own personal space.

Efficient Indoor Dog Kennels

If you're thinking of buying a new dog and want it to have a good living environment till you train it, an indoor dog kennel is what you need. This way you can not only ensure that he doesn't go tearing the house down but also gets a comfortable space inside the house while you're out working.

Kennel Materials and Sizes

You can have a dog kennel of any material you like. Some of the cheap dog kennels are made of wires, nylon, plastic, and even synthetic fiber. If your dog is big, heavy and a good chewer, you can always go for large wire dog kennel. This will not only facilitate, your dog's spacious accommodation but will also ensure that he doesn't chew off his own house! If you're a traveler, moving houses often and have a small dog, the best choice for you can be a nylon dog kennel as they have handles on top and can be easily transported.

Plastic kennels are a great option for owners with small as well as large dogs. They can be accommodated anywhere in the house and are spacious enough. They also come in various designs as well as colors and can be matched with your home interiors. Some dog kennels can also be made from wood, in any style you want.

Indoor Dog Kennel Features

When you have an indoor dog kennel, you don't need to chain your dog while you're off to work. Another feature of these comfortable kennels is that they can have enough space for the dog to sleep, eat and also play with his favorite toys while sitting quietly at his place. These dog kennels come handy with zips and door to lock the dog inside. Just to keep him occupied throughout the time you're out, you can do his bed and leave some food and water with his toys so he doesn't need anything more. If your dog is a barker, some of these kennels also have a cover that can be dropped to keep them from any visual distractions. These kennels are not very expensive as they cost from $40 to $100 and more depending on their features.

Indoor dog fences are also one of the major features of indoor dog kennel plans. It ensures the safety of your home and kids from a new untrained dog. Dog fences can be made from wires, nylon and also wood so that the house belongings are not tampered when the dog is home alone. As mentioned earlier, these kennel fences also keep the dog from chewing them off, if they are made from the right material.

Hence, indoor dog kennels are quite useful for every dog owner as it is also his responsibility to keep his pet safe and happy. Have you bought one for your dog yet?

Posted on 6:52 PM

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