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Things to Know About a German Shepherd Dog
A sound temperament is a must in a German Shepherd Dog (GSD). By sound, I mean a disposition where one minute you can let a protection trained GSD play alone with your 5-year old child, pull on its ears, pet its head, tug on its tail and NEVER-EVER be in harms way; while the next minute, it should turn into the "terminator" and crush its enemies as soon as it senses an intruder.
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Great Dane: Apartment Dog?
ost people see a big dog and think that they need a large living space. Well, for the most part they would be correct, but some dogs, like the Great Dane, are just as happy with a small space as with a large one. Ironically, most large dogs have a lower activity level, while smaller dogs require a much greater level of activity. Giant breed dogs usually require two good long walks a day. Small breed dogs generally require more intensive free play as well as a few walks daily.
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How to Choose the Right Puppy for You
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Pain Control In Dogs And Cats
Those of us who work with pets know that dogs and cats experience pain similar to human beings. We cannot prove this scientifically. But when we are closely attuned to a four-legged friend we know when they are uncomfortable and troubled by pain.
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When Your Dog Bites
The most common non-medical problem that dog owners ask me about is aggression toward people and other dogs. There is enormous variation in aggressiveness or assertiveness among dogs. Certain breeds such as chows are famous for this quality; but there is wide variation within any breed as well.
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Diseases People Catch From Their Pets
We derive a lot of joy and solace from our pets. They are our non-judgmental companions that give unqualified love. However, on occasion, they give us germs and parasites that make us ill. Diseases passed from animals to man are called zoonoses or zoonotic illnesses. Because of good hygiene and veterinary care, animal-transmitted diseases are rarer in the United States than they once were.
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Why Is My Dog, Cat Or Ferret Vomiting?
Many cats and dogs and ferrets are brought to my animal hospital by frowning owners because they have found a mess on the floor. Sometimes it is a rather straightforward project deciding why the pet vomited but it can be quite difficult. Vomiting, like fever, has a myriad of causes. In this article I touch on some that come to mind.
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Caring For Your Dog, Cat Or Ferret's Teeth
All dogs cats and ferrets eventually suffer from some form of dental disease. This is because of the soft diets we feed them, canine and feline genetics, as well as the fact that our pets now live very long lives. Dogs, cats and ferrets, unlike people, rarely suffer from tooth enamel decay.
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Tapeworms in Dogs & Cats
Tapeworms are very common in dogs and cats. All tapeworms require two different types of animals, one (the intermediate host) to be carried around by, to a new animal and a second type of animal (the final host) where the tapeworm can mature in the intestine and lay its eggs. Tapeworms do not have a mouth.
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Separation Anxiety In Dogs and How to Deal with It
Perfect pets, like perfect people are hard to find. Separation anxiety (SA) is a pet’s exaggerated fear over separation from its owners. It is a modern, industrial age, disease. I see it most often in dogs, parrots mice and cats. Simply said, they are afraid of being left alone.
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Ringworm In Your Dog Cat or Other Pet
Ringworm is not a worm - it is a fungus. It often assumes a ring-like, scaly, reddened shape on your pet’s skin. There are three major types, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In dogs and cats microsporum are the most common forms I encounter. The groups of three are also referred to as dermatophytes.
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Rabies In Your Cat Or Dog
Rabies is one of the oldest recognized diseases of man and animals. The organism is a bullet-shaped RNA virus of the genus Lyssavirus in the Rhabdoviridae family. Rabies has a mystique that rests upon its finality and the striking psychological disturbances the disease produces.
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Chronic Kidney Disease And Uremia
Every species of Animal has its weakest link. In us, it is often our hearts. Dogs, cats and ferrets do not suffer from the types of heart diseases we do. Instead, their kidneys often loose there ability to filter their blood and cleanse their body as time goes by. Kidneys are composed of millions of tiny filters called glomeruli.
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Breeding and The Caring Of Your Pregnant Dog
Less than half of the canine pregnancies I see were planned events. When you are fortunate enough to be able to plan ahead, here are some guidelines that you can follow:
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Knee Problems In Your Dog
Trick kneecap or patellar luxation due to misaligned knees are quite common in toy breeds of dogs. In my practice, I see them only rarely in standard and large breeds. One leg may be worse than the other but both sides are always affects to some extent.
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Parvovirus Infection In Dogs
Canine parvovirus is the most common serious infectious disease of dogs in the United States. Canine parvovirus causes ulcerative enteritis and diarrhea in susceptible dogs. This diarrhea can be bloody and life threatening. The parvovirus has mutated several times since 1980.
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Common Intestinal Parasites of Dogs and Cats
Intestinal worms are the most common disease problem in dogs and cats. Left untreated in young animals, they cause stunting, lack-luster hair coats, thinness, listlessness and diarrhea. In adult animals the signs are often more subtle.
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Pancreatitis In Dogs And Cats
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland within the abdomen. The pancreas is composed of two portions. One portion produces enzymes that are secreted into the intestine to aid in digestion while the other portion (the islets) produces insulin, a hormone necessary in the regulation of sugar in the blood and its ability to be utilized by the cells that make up the body.
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Dealing with Arthritis Joint and Back Pain in your Dog And Cat
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Bottle Feeding Orphaned Puppies
Most female dogs are excellent mothers. But occasionally, when the momma dog is very young or is one of the temperamental toy breeds, it may neglect its offspring. Some older dogs suffer milk failure and have no milk to give their puppies. Other mothers produce contaminated milk or vaginal exudates that are toxic to the puppies.
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Caring For Your Older Dogs & Cats
Most pets and people are born with a healthy body. Their bodies begin with extra capacity to make up for the wear and tear of time. Some systems slow down while others loose their “ fine tuning”. The kidneys, for example begin with four times as much filtering capacity, as your pet needs to cleanse its blood.
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Mange in Dogs Cats and Other Pets
Mange is a rather common disease in household pets. Dogs are primarily susceptible to two forms of mange, Demodectic mange (red mange) and Sarcoptic mange. Demodectic mange is generally seen in dogs less than two years of age. These mange mites are passed to puppies skin from their mothers.
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Lyme Disease In Dogs And Their Owners
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. This particular group of bacteria are called spirochetes. Under the microscope they have a distinctive spring-like shape. This organism is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. It was first identified in humans in 1975 and in dogs in 1984.
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Why Is My Dog Cat Or Ferret Limping?
Limping or lameness is one of the most common reason pets are brought to my veterinary hospital. Sometimes the cause is very simple to diagnose and treat and sometimes it is very difficult. The majority of lamenesses resolve with a week or two of exercise restriction without my determining the exact cause of the pain.
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