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By jnavary, February 28, 2010

Many pet owners won’t neuter their male dogs. Some transfer their emotions about the procedure onto their dogs, and decide that it’s a cruel and inhumane act.  But most avoid neutering their dogs because they’ve heard one or more of the many misconceptions about neutering. Despite all these rumors and myths, neutering is a responsible procedure that won’t harm the health of your dog.  Here are some of the  misconceptions that keep many from having their dogs neutered.

Your dog will not become depressed for lack of sex. Dogs aren’t humans, and don’t feel the same way about sex that humans do.  They won’t miss the intimacy or the romance, like some people believe. As much as some people seem to think otherwise, dogs are animals, and their drive for sex is only instinct.  Not having sex will not harm, or depress, your dog.

Your dog will not become weak or effeminate. Neutering does not affect a dog’s physical abilities or strength.  In fact, neutering removes the sexual instinct that has some dogs climbing the walls. Neutering can correct many behavioral problems caused by the sex instinct in some dogs, especially in households with one or more pets and in a household with female dogs.

Your dog won’t get fat or stop being active:  If you don’t overfeed your dog and neglect to take him for walks, your dog can’t suddenly bloat up after being neutered. This is a popular misconception because it does happen sometimes—but it’s not because of the surgery, but rather the habits of the owner. Just be sure to feed your dog the proper amount of food, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise.

Your dog will still bark at strangers, if it does now.  The belief that a neutered dog will no longer make a good guard dog is ridiculous.  It’s a clear case of humans passing off misguided beliefs about masculinity and strength onto dogs. If the dog happened to be born sterile, would that make it less a dog, or less suited to be a watch dog?

36th Exposition Canine de Briard

Framed Art Print

Doigneau, Edouard

26.375 in. x 20.375 in.

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By jnavary, January 23, 2010

Proper support іח a bed іѕ іmрοrtаחt fοr ɡοοԁ sleep аחԁ ɡοοԁ health. It іѕ חο less іmрοrtаחt fοr уουr dog. Yου wουƖԁ want fοr yourself tһе best bed уου сουƖԁ practically afford, аחԁ іt ѕһουƖԁ bе јυѕt аѕ essential tһаt уουr dog’s bed bе designed wіtһ іtѕ health аחԁ well-being іח mind. Tһе family pet counts οח уου tο provide a comfortable аחԁ supportive dog bed tһаt fulfills іtѕ need fοr deep, restful sleep.

50-Inch Sleeper Bolster Bed

Tһеrе аrе lots οf dog bed choices tһаt cater tο tһе various sizes, sleeping habits, behavioral patterns аחԁ health issues οf ουr canines. Many аrе comfortable, top quality dog beds; οtһеr choices аrе חοt аѕ desirable.

Advertising wіƖƖ ԁіѕрƖау words Ɩіkе luxurious, tһе best, сοοƖ, fashion, custom, designer, orthopedic аחԁ discount prices, wһісһ аrе fine. Hοwеνеr, more іmрοrtаחt words tһаt ѕһουƖԁ receive ουr attention аrе support, pressure relief, comfort аחԁ durability.

Tһіחk οf tһе forces аt work οח уουr body wһеח уου’re lying іח bed. Gravity іѕ pushing уου down. Yουr hips, shoulders, joints аחԁ skeletal frame аrе being pushed іחtο уουr mattress. If уουr mattress wеrе cement οr οtһеr hard surface, іt wουƖԁ חοt compress аt аƖƖ, natural curvatures wουƖԁ חοt bе supported аחԁ additional pressure wουƖԁ bе placed οח sensitive points. Yουr hips аחԁ shoulders wουƖԁ bе subjected tο tһе brunt οf tһе force аחԁ wουƖԁ probably ѕtаrt tο һυrt аחԁ bring аbουt discomfort аחԁ less-tһаח-restful sleep. Tһаt іѕ wһу people seek out muscular аחԁ skeletal support wіtһ аѕ much pressure relief аѕ possible.

Pressure οח tһе bones аחԁ joints һаѕ a cumulative damaging effect.

Tһе same forces οf gravity tһаt cause υѕ tο look fοr comfortable sleep support аƖѕο affect ουr pets. Tο prevent calluses wһісһ саח occasionally become infected, tһе dog ѕһουƖԁ һаνе a well-padded bed located wһеrе іt tends tο lie, sleep οr relax. Inner spring mattress dog beds, regular foam dog beds, egg crate foam dog beds, shredded foam dog beds аחԁ polyfill dog beds wіƖƖ аƖƖ compact аחԁ сrеаtе resistance аt points wһеrе tһе mοѕt weight іѕ applied.

Hospitals аחԁ burn units һаνе used memory orthopedic foam fοr patients fοr many years іח tһе effort

K&H Ortho Thermo-Bed

tο eliminate pressure points tһаt сrеаtе bed sores. Yουr dog οr pet іѕ аƖѕο susceptible tο tһе same laws οf gravity wе аƖƖ аrе tһаt cause tһе cutting οff οf circulation сrеаtіחɡ pressure point discomfort. Tһеѕе pressure points build up, аחԁ tһаt іѕ wһу people аחԁ pets toss аחԁ turn tο ɡеt away frοm tһе pressure build up triggering tһе need tο turn over. Tһе pressure points soon build up again аחԁ tһе cycle continues.

Orthopedic foam саח reduce a dog’s tossing аחԁ turning bу up tο 90%.

Orthopedic memory foam dog beds reduce pressure οח joints аחԁ οtһеr jutting body раrtѕ, firm enough tο satisfy уουr dog’s instinctual need tο sleep οח solid ground, wһіƖе assisting healthy circulation. Traditional material іѕ susceptible tο sag; orthopedic pet bed surfaces refresh tһеіr form wіtһ еνеrу υѕе, providing exceptional therapeutic cushioning. Absorbing, redistributing аחԁ balancing weight pressure evenly асrοѕѕ tһе surface οf tһе dog’s body аѕ іt gently cradles tһе body helps afford superior comfort.

Equally appreciated bу younger pets, tһе sleep surface offers ехсеƖƖеחt preventative care. Orthopedic dog beds improve tһе quality οf life fοr dogs аחԁ cats wіtһ hip οr elbow dysplasia, arthritis аחԁ joint problems associated wіtһ large breeds аחԁ older dogs.

Yου mау want tο consider a heated dog bed іח winter οr a cooling dog bed fοr summer. If уου аrе considering a pet bed fοr outdoor υѕе, уου ѕһουƖԁ сһοοѕе one mаԁе οf high-quality tough materials tһаt саח withstand tһе wear.

It’s tһе ƖіttƖе things tһаt аrе really bіɡ things wһеח іt comes tο extending tһе life аחԁ tһе quality οf life οf ουr pets.

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By jnavary, January 8, 2010

Signs of Canine Illness

Owners who observe and handle their healthy dogs have a head start on recognizing early signs of illness in their pets. Those who know what a healthy pet acts, feels, and smells like can spot differences in behavior and bodies and determine whether a trip to the veterinarian is necessary.

Healthy dogs have a temperature of 101-102º F, a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 80-120 beats per minute. They have pink mucous membranes (gums, inside of lips, tongue, inside of eyelids) and rapid capillary refill action in these areas.

They have clean-smelling ears and skin and a full haircoat. Their skin is pliant, an indication of proper hydration, and their eyes are clear and bright.

If your puppy or dog shows any of the following signs, be prepared to call your veterinarian.

•  Eyes: swelling, discharge, redness, etc.

•  Nose: running, crusting, discharge, etc.

•  Ears: discharge, debris, odor, twitching, scratching, shaking, etc.

•  Coughing, gagging, sneezing, retching, or vomiting.

•  Irregular breathing, shortness of breath, prolonged or heavy panting, etc.

•  Intestinal activity
- Color and consistency of bowel movement
- Frequency of defecation
- Bloody stool
- Evidence of parasites, etc

•  Change in amout of food intake

•  Change in body weight

•  Change in water intake

•  Urine
-  Color
-  Frequency
-  Amount
-  Straining
-  Dribbling, etc.

•  Odor
-  Mouth?
-  Skin?
-  Ears?
-  Other?

•  Coat & skin
-  Wounds
-  Tumors
-  Hair loss
-  Dander
-  Color change
-  Biting
-  Scratching
-  Bite marks
-  Evidence of parasites
-  Licking, etc.

•  Behavior
-  Depression
-  Anxiety,
-  Fatigue
-  Lethargy
-  Sleepiness
-  Trembling
-  Stumbling
-  Falling, etc.

Noticing signs is half the battle; keeping a record helps the veterinarian make a diagnosis. Be sure to note when the symptom first appeared, and whether it has been intermittent, continuous, increasing in frequency, getting better, or getting worse before calling the veterinarian.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Two St. Bernard Rescue Dogs in the Alpine Snow

Framed Giclee Print

31.25 in. x 23.25 in.

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By jnavary, December 22, 2009

Dogs that aren’t being bred should be spayed or neutered, for many reasons. The health and behavioral benefits alone can prolong your dog’s life and reduce the risk of certain diseases and infections. Neutering also avoids accidental pregnancy, and reduces the potential burden on local shelters that are forced to euthanize millions of unwanted and unplanned animals each year.

For female dogs, spaying before her first heat virtually eliminates the risk for developing breast cancer later in life. After four heat periods, spaying offers no protection from breast cancer, so unless you’re going to breed your girl, spay her at 6 months of age.

A female dog who has many heat periods is at risk of developing a potentially fatal uterine infection called pyometron. In this condition, the uterus fills with pus and the dog becomes seriously ill. She must be spayed urgently, but due to her illness, there are more risks associated with a general anesthesia. Neutering male dogs completely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

Spayed and neutered dogs are less aggressive, and if they spend any time outdoors, they will be less likely to roam or get into altercations with other dogs. Male dogs who are neutered as a youngster are less likely to mark their territory by urinating on every upright object.

A puppy may be sterilized as young as eight weeks of age, but most veterinarians will wait until they are around six months old. They are spayed and neutered under anesthesia, and using sterile equipment. Post-operatively, they may stay overnight, to allow them to completely recover from the anesthetic, and to make sure they don’t pull at their sutures.

Spaying a female involves removing the uterus and the ovaries, so after they are spayed, the female will no longer produce eggs or have heat periods. This is a more involved procedure than neutering a male, and the abdominal surgery requires a recovery period where the dog must remain quiet.

Neutering a male dog involves removing both testicles, and because there is no abdominal surgery involved, he has a shorter recovery time. For those people who don’t care for the sight of a neutered male, there are silicone implants called Neuticles that can be implanted after surgery. That way, the male dog still looks like he has testicles.

Some male dogs have testicles that haven’t descended into the scrotum. These must be removed as they can become cancerous later in life. The veterinarian will have to look inside the abdomen to find these testicles, so recovery is longer, as with a female dog spay.

As with any elective surgery, there are risks and potential complications from spaying and neutering. Dogs can have adverse reactions to suture material and anesthesia, and some incisions are slow to heal properly. There is also modern research that suggests that sterilization alters a dog’s appearance by slowing the closure of the growth areas of the legs. This means that dogs who are neutered as youngsters tend to be taller and leggier than their entire counterparts.

Hormone changes in spayed and neutered dogs can contribute to a slower metabolism and weight gain in some cases. This means that owners need to watch closely the food intake of their neutered dog, and make sure they get plenty of exercise, to keep their waistline trim.

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about advantage flea for dogs and dog supplies.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Four Dogs Lust after Their Owners’ Food

Framed Giclee Print

Moody, Fanny

24.5 in. x 27.25 in.

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By Kelley Denz, December 17, 2009

Several of the plants commonly purchased as decorations during the Christmas season are poisonous to pets and children, for example poinsettias and mistletoe. Choose a non-poisonous plant instead. The ASPCA has a listing of poisonous plants and non-poisonous alternatives.

Be wary of tinsel, lights, bulbs, and many other decorations on Christmas trees. These decorations are pretty and festive, but can be dangerous to your pet. Keep ornaments out of your dog’s reach. What looks like a fun toy may be disastrous if swallowed or chewed and result in serious damage to your pet’s digestive systems.

Christmas is the time of year when we have our family and friends over for holiday festivities. Lots of people, strange smells, and loud noises can spook even the calmest of dogs. It may be a good idea to keep your dog away from the party-goers and occupied with a long lasting chew or toy.

While you may enjoy the holiday candies, treats and drinks be sure to keep them away from your pets. Do not reward your dog’s cuteness by giving him/her a tummy ache. Many holiday treats involve chocolate and while chocolate is wonderful, it also contains an ingredient called theobromine. Theobromine is lethal to dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Also keep an eye on those candy wrappers. They smell like the treat they once contained and can be harmful if swallowed. Be strong, if you want to give your pet a sweet treat, offer your pet one of his/her favorite dog treats.

Sweets are not the only thing to avoid feeding your dog. Steer clear of giving your pet table scraps too. Dogs only require so much food each day and human food is not designed for your dog. Just like with sweets your food can cause problems to their digestive tract. You will especially want to avoid giving your dog bones from the table; they can break into sharp splinters and cause serious health problems, and sometimes death.

If you intend on traveling this holiday season and plan on bringing your dog, make sure your friends or family do not

mind. Some people are frightened of dogs, and it may be best to leave your dog with a friend. If you cannot find a friend to watch your dog you could board your dog or hire a pet sitter.
If you burn candles during the holidays remember that they can pose a fire-risk, especially if they get knocked over by a curious cat or a wagging tail.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for Christmas, I suggest adopting one from your local animal shelter. There are many wonderful dogs and cats waiting to find their forever home. Both of mine, Rusty and Sadie came from our local shelter.

Time To Play

Framed Art Print

Gibson, Judy

22.875 in. x 18.875 in.

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By Ron Ayalon, December 3, 2009

One of the most common health problems that affect dogs is known as “Hip Dysplasia.” Found in dozens of different breeds with different levels of commonality, hip dysplasia can cause your dogs a great deal of pain, due to poor positioning of the hips that is exacerbated over the course of your dog’s life. It is not uncommon for hip dysplasia to lead to such problems as paralysis, extreme discomfort, and immobility.

How Can You Prevent Hip Dysplasia?

There are many different schools of thought on how we can prevent hip dysplasia. The one thing we can all agree on is selective breeding. We can cut down the instances of hip dysplasia significantly if we only breed animals that have certified hips. It’s important that when you search for a new puppy, that you insist on parents and grandparents that have certified good or excellent hips (out to 3 or 4 generations).

In German Shepherds, the dog you get must have passable hips certified through an acceptable organization such as the SV (German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany) or OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of America). At 1 year of age, the SV accepts hip radiographs and issues an “A” stamp if the hips meet the standards. To be certified under OFA, the dog must be at least 2 years of age. But OFA will give you a preliminary report at a younger age. The mandatory x-ray requirements of the Germans have done a much better job of reducing instances of hip dysplasia. What is the ratio for Hip Dysplasia in the German Shepherd from Germany today? The current ratio is 7%! The average German Shepherd from Germany will show 10 to 15+ generations with EVERY dog in the pedigree certified against Hip Dysplasia.

Other factors that can influence hip dysplasia in dogs are:

Poor Nutrition

It’s important for you to be very aware of what you are feeding your dog. Dog foods that have been over-supplemented with extra protein, minerals, and vitamins could make your puppy grow faster than they were intended to grow. This can cause orthopedic problems!

Dogs that are fed a calorie-limited diet will reach the same adult size as overfed dogs, but will do so in a gradual pace. There is a reduced likelihood of developing the problems associated with hip dysplasia.

Consider a raw meat and bone diet, as it will give your dog all the nutrients it needs, including calcium and Vitamin C, which is very important to a growing dog. Feeding your dog raw chicken bones is a good way to prevent hip dysplasia. The chicken bones are pure calcium and the chicken joints are Chondroitin. Ester C is also great for preventing hip dysplasia. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Commercial dog food diets include nutrients that are added in and overcooked, which is difficult for a dog’s system to process.

Inadequate or Improper Exercise

Watch the types of exercise your dog is engaged in. Are they jumping up and down from big heights? Do they frequently jump up in the air to catch a Frisbee or similar toy? Do they stand on their hind legs often (perhaps against a fence or window)? Do they climb stairs on a consistent basis? All of these activities can harm the joints.

One great way to prevent hip dysplasia is to bring your dog into your own exercise activities, such as walking, jogging, or even swimming with your dog (this limits the stress put on the joints). Massage therapy is another technique that is frequently used on the dog’s hips and legs to prevent or relive symptoms associated with hip dysplasia.

Increased Body Weight

Growing dogs should not be fed a diet that is too high in calories. DO NOT OVERFEED PUPPIES UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE. Excessive weight or quick weight gain puts a tremendous amount of stress on the ball and socket joint of the hip. It’s critical that you monitor your dog’s weight to ensure they do not become overweight. Your veterinarian can give you the ideal weight for your breed of dog.

A Comfortable Sleeping Place

Don’t forget about your dog’s comfort at night! Hip Dysplasia can be at its worst in cold weather. Keep your dog’s sleeping place warm (perhaps near the fire place) or well insulated with warm sheets. A two inch foam orthopedic bed can really help reduce any pain or swelling.

Oral Supplements

Many holistic veterinarians can suggest certain ingredients that do help with hip dysplasia. These include Glucosamine and Chondroitin, and there are others as well. I give my dogs K9 liquid Health level 5000 vitamins every day from weaning for the rest of their lives and a calcium supplement, and I feed them mostly frozen raw diet and Canidae Grain free Salmon meal all life stages. I NEVER over feed my dogs. In the wild they don’t always get a constantly full bowl of food, it is not the way nature intended.

At Vom Haus James, we have AKC Champion German Shepherd Puppies available right now at amazing prices. Visit our website at www.VomHausJames.com or call us at 818-430-9759. The website is VomHausJames.com.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Three Lab Bakery

Framed Art Print

Bailey, Ken

23.5 in. x 31.5 in.

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By jnavary, November 8, 2009

In addition to his basic requirements of food, water and shelter, a dog needs social interaction, positive attention from his human companion, exercise and mental stimulation. Several of these additional  needs  can be met by just taking your dog for a walk. Walking your dog daily provides him with the attention from you that he needs. Possibly more than anything else, our pets simply want our company. Even when you remain at home during the day, a lot of your time is spent doing household tasks rather than interacting with your family pet. When leaving for your walk, take along a plastic bag or similar container and be sure to clean up after your pet.

A walk permits you to reinforce obedience skills with your dog to increase the reliability of training. Going over the basic commands also will increase the advantages of a walk because your dog isn’t merely ambling along, but is also performing extra tasks. Walking your dog keeps him mentally alert through territorial examination. With nose to the ground and alert to the sights and sounds of his surroundings, your dog gathers evidence about how his territory has been altered since the last outing.

Together with the emotional benefits, there are physical advantages. Taking your dog for a walk is the most effective method to exercise a dog that may not be very active in your home or even in your yard. Older dogs must be kept as lively and fit as possible. However, he may not be disposed to exercise without some motivation. Whether or not your pet is active in your yard, it is certainly more active during a walk. Merely sharing an activity with you is one of your dog’s greatest motivations to exercise.

If you pass by another dog or person during your walk, your dog has the chance to socialize. Dogs are social animals. It is natural for them to investigate unrecognized individuals. Puppies ought to be encouraged, from the very beginning, to appropriately respond to and get along with other dogs and people while on walks. These friendly experiences help the puppy learn to behave appropriately when meeting visitors to your home, or when he is with you anywhere else. If a dog does not have the opportunity to socialize, it will not understand how to interact correctly with other people or dogs.

Walking your dog is among the the best means to prevent behavior problems. At least one walk each day will help prevent elimination problems, destructiveness, separation anxiety and other frequent behavior disorders. Take your dog for a walk soon after every meal, as this is often the time it’s most likely to urinate or defecate, and you’ll be able to direct your dog to an appropriate location. Praise must be given immediately to be effective. If you merely let your dog go out in the yard, you miss out on a great opportunity to bolster good behavior.

Allowing your pooch to wander freely is hazardous both to your dog and to other pets and people. It also gives the unsupervised dog freedom to revert to unacceptable wild behavior. Your dog’s life might depend on his obedience to your commands. Not permitting some activity cannot be viewed as unkind when considering the possible unfortunate outcome.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

101 Dalmations

Framed Art Print

10 in. x 12 in.

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By jnavary, October 23, 2009

Periodontal disease is the most common oral problem that dogs face. Affecting the tissues that support and surround the teeth, periodontal disease is usually the result of excessive plaque buildup. As plaque accumulates on the teeth, it gradually hardens into tartar.

When plaque builds up it provides an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. This bacteria causes irritation to the gums causing them to swell and eventually bleed. As the dog’s gums become more inflamed additional bacteria is produced, causing the gums to recede and exposing the root. Eventually the teeth become loose in their sockets and, if left untreated, the teeth ultimately fall out.

The symptoms of periodontal disease include brown or yellow stains on the teeth, consistently bad breath, reddened gums and exposed tooth roots. In addition if your dog seems to have difficulty chewing, excessive drooling, a reluctance to eat or mouth pain (as evidenced by rubbing his face on the ground or pawing at his mouth) the cause may be periodontal disease.

Although periodontal disease is very painful and may result in tooth loss, the condition can cause additional, even more serious, health issues. Continued bacterial growth may result in bacteria entering the blood steam and then migrating to the urinary tract, heart valves, and other systems of the body.. This chain reaction that starts innocently enough with inadequate oral hygiene can ultimately lead to very serious illness and even death.

All breeds of dogs are at risk; however oral problems are more commonly found in dogs with short muzzles and flat faces. In addition, older dogs are also at increased risk. Dogs who are fed soft dog food are also more at risk than those who are fed primarily dry dog food.

Treatment of periodontal disease is dependent upon the degree to which the disease has progressed. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis may resolve the problem. For more advanced cases the dogs teeth may require descaling – usually performed by the veterinarian with the dog under general anesthesia. When the disease has progressed to a very late stage, a specialist may be required to perform advanced dental surgery.

As always, prevention and early detection are critical. Routine brushing of your dog’s teeth will help fight the buildup of plaque. In addition, regular visits to your veterinarian for a routine check-up can identify any hidden damage to the teeth before a problem grows more serious.

Help your dog maintain overall health by regularly visiting your veterinarian, feeding him a healthy diet, routine brushing of your dog’s teeth, and giving him the occasional chew toy. He’ll appreciate your efforts to keep him from getting “long in the tooth”.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Mixed breed dog

Framed Art Print

Whelan, Bill

17.6875 in. x 21.6875 in.

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