Dog and Allergies…What do you do?

Just like their owners, dogs can suffer from allergies too.

Some of these allergies can be related to the foods that they eat where some of the cheaper brands of dog food have coloring and preservatives that can cause allergic reactions.

If this is the case then it is a process of eliminating those foods that have the ingredients that cause the reactions.

This is not always as easy as it might seem as it can take quite some time to find which particular ingredient is the culprit.

By buying the better premium quality dog foods you are less likely to have these problems or alternatively if you only feed your dog fresh meat and some vegetables rather than processed foods that should help.

Most of the cheap dog foods use grain products as a filler and these are often the cause of the dog’s problems.

These food allergies can result in your dog scratching their skin, which can also cause more problems with infections.

Just as we would be very uncomfortable with an allergy that makes us constantly want to itch our skin, allergies can make a dogs life miserable.

Aside from the allergies affecting skin sensitivities your dog could also develop coughing, discharge from the nose and eyes, hair loss and breathing problems.

There are many more symptoms that can arise and these are just a few.

If you notice any changes in your dog when they have a change in diet then it will pay to take a note of the ingredients of that product to see what is in it that could be making your dog feel unwell.

Dogs can also get allergies from dust mites just as humans would and it is always necessary to ensure that your dog lives in a clean environment even if they are an outdoor pet by regularly cleaning their cage or kennel.

Fleas are another concern for dogs and they can lead to excessive licking, particularly around the tail, which can ultimately lead to hair loss and sores.

It is very easy for your vet to see if your dog has fleas if you are unable to do so yourself and there are simple solutions to eliminate fleas.

Dogs can also get varying skin diseases and some breeds are more susceptible than others.

There are many good lotions and antibiotic pills that can be administered by your vet to control this and the sooner you get these problems seen to the better as they can lead to more intensive skin problems if left unattended.

Michael Silvester
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/you-can-laugh-at-dog-and-allergies-if-you-follow-this-simple-plan-120489.html

I have an cat that I love; I just can’t bear to see her gone. How do I plan a proper and loving funeral for her?
Excuse me, I said "an" cat; I meant "an old" cat. I’m very sorry for the error.

I would like to share how I conducted a funeral for my little dog. I had my furry baby cremated. While I was awaiting her cremains, I wrote a little page on what she had meant to me. I gathered her favorite little rubber toy and then I purchased a ceramic dog/angel. It was a little sleeping dog with wings. I got it at Marshall’s, if you have that store available.

My husband and daughters and I went into the backyard and picked a spot under a pine tree. I dug a small hole. Then we sat up a little table and lit a candle. The little box of ashes was placed by the candle. I read my paper about Sasha and then each person said what they wished. At that point I placed the little toy and her ashes in the hole, along with the paper I had written. We all covered the hole and then placed the ceramic dog on top. We blew out the candle and all felt that we had honored our special little friend. I go out there frequently and remember her.

I do know how you feel. Just enjoy your furry baby while she is here, as I know you do.

PM’s plan for ‘Britishness’ museum consigned to history

Withering criticism of Gordon Brown’s bid to promote national identity has seen the project shelved

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/pms-plan-for-britishness-museum-consigned-to-history-1520403.html

Was it good idea in the first place?

Super-fast broadband for everyone!

There are actually quite a few established pet insurance companies, and several new ones starting up. It’s really important to shop around and make sure you are getting what you want in a policy. Likewise, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the terms that you will find in the policy you may decide to buy.

Some plans are cheaper, but cover less. Other plans are more expensive, but cover more. The type of plan, and the company you decide on depends on where you are most comfortable in the blending of coverage versus price.

It’s very important to compare plans on an "apples for apples" basis. For example, when you shop for plans you should see if you can download and review a benefit schedule for the type of plan you are interested in. Then, find out how much your plan is going to cost. Then find comparable plans at other companies and do the same.

Make sure you are reading about all of the restrictions that may be applicable to your policy. You will see terms like deductibles, co-pays, benefit limits and exclusions are all important things to consider.

A good website to review some of these terms (to help educate yourself about what is in a policy) is http://www.thebestpetinsurance.com it is a site that is working to provide unbiased basic information to the pet insurance consumer.

The most important thing is to spend some time learning about what you get in your policy for the money spent. The amount and type of coverage should be the maximum amount you can get for your dollar, and be a policy that provides the protection you are happy with. A little research now can help prevent some serious disappointment later on.

Best of luck in your search.

Beagles are happy loving dogs that have a long relationship with man as a hunting companion. Although no one knows for sure where these dogs descended from, there are records of small hunting dogs that go back to the 13th century and it is no secret these dogs are quite successful for hunting fox and rabbit.

Their great nose not withstanding, beagles are also fun companions that can adapt easily to family life. However, you will have to keep in mind that the Beagle does have strong instincts for the chase and you must never let him loose or walk him without his lead.

Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884, this popular breed is muscular with long droopy ears, dark eyes, a short coat and a keen sense of smell. The breed comes in two sizes – one under 13 inches and one between 13 and 15 inches. He can be any color but typical beagles show tan and black on white.

Along with his propensity for chasing small animals, the Beagles voice can be another one of his less lovable traits. The beagle has a rather loud howl which is great for helping hunters find them when they are on the trail of prey, but not so good when they are waking you up with it in the middle of the night. Beagles do tend to bark when they hear strange noises and can bay loudly when left alone for long periods of time so if you are considering a Beagle for apartment life then you might want to think twice.

Beagles are very active dogs and need to be exercises regularly. You shouldn’t leave them out unattended though so be prepared to walk them daily and take them to the park on weekends. Beagles are very social and will not like being left alone for long periods of time or they can become destructive.

Although Beagles are fairly easy to groom with their short coat, you should plan to brush them once a week to remove dead hair. They can take to rolling in icky stuff so you be prepared to bathe him at times as well. The long droopy ears can become infected easily and must be examined frequently to be sure no infection is brewing.

One thing to watch for in your pet Beagle is overeating. Beagles like to eat and are not finicky at all about what they put in their mouths. In fact, you might find your Beagle rummaging in the trash for a snack shortly after dinner. Since Beagles are small dogs, you do need to be sure your pet does not overeat as this can cause him to become overweight which will bring on health problems.

Beagles can live to be around 15 years of age if cared for properly. Some diseases to be watched for in this breed in particular include epilepsy, glaucoma, cataracts, invertebral disk disease, hypothyroidism and retinal apathy. Getting your beagle from a good breeder with healthy lineage is key to avoiding these kinds of disease.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/special-considerations-for-pet-beagle-owners-39465.html

Pet CPR is a very important skill for those who deal with emergency medical cases concerning dogs. Although not everyone learns it, those who do are a vital factor in saving the lives of many beloved pets. Do dogs get hepatitis? People obviously do. But do dogs get this disease? And how does this affect them?

Hepatitis is actually a very broad term. It will signify an inflammation of the liver, although the causes may actually differ. Since the liver is a very complex and vital organ a disease that incapacitates it will prove to be fatal. The livers primary functions are the detoxification, metabolism, the storage of glycogen and the synthesis of plasma protein. It also produces the bile that aids in digestion. The good news is, the liver is a large organ with plenty of reserves. The bad news is, since it has a large reserve, it won’t show apparent symptoms unless the liver is seriously damaged.

Although dogs do get hepatitis, it may be different in cause and effect from human hepatitis. There is what is called Infectious Canine Hepatitis. This disease is caused by a virus, and may prove to be a fatal disease in some dogs.

What is It? This disease is caused by the CAV-1 an adenovirus. Dogs typically acquire this virus from contact, either through inhalation or ingestion of urine, eye secretions, and nasal secretions of infected dogs. This type of virus does not affect humans or other animals, only dogs.

The virus will attack the liver, eye, kidney, and blood vessel cells upon entry into the system of the dog. Fortunately, not all of these infections are fatal. Some dogs, after acquiring this virus, will manifest a cough, lethargy, loss of appetite, moodiness and low grade fevers. In some cases, they do not show any symptoms at all.

Some will develop blue eye. Blue eye is a bluish discoloration of the cornea of the pets eye. Dogs that go through these become immune to re-infection from the disease. This will usually be the case in healthy, mature dogs with a healthy immune system.

However, there are some dogs especially puppies that will become very ill due to the virus. These dogs will develop internal bleeding, liver disease, tonsillitis, and general inflammation of the eyes and mouth. If left untreated, this condition could quickly deteriorate to shock and death.

The virus is also known to attack the dog’s spinal cord and brain. After infection the virus will take about five days to a week before manifesting openly. By this time the dog will be secreting the virus through its stool, urine, saliva, and nasal secretions. In two weeks time, the dog either succumbs to the illness or develops chronic hepatitis coupled with cirrhosis of the liver. This will seriously impair the dog’s capacity for converting glucose, and absorbing toxins.

This condition will reduce the liver’s capability to perform functions necessary for life. These functions include filtering harmful and toxic elements from the blood, storing blood sugar for conversion into usable energy, and creating many proteins that are necessary in the system.

Unfortunately, there is no way to destroy the virus after it has entered the dog’s system. Veterinarians will treat the disease by good supportive therapy intravenous fluids, good diet, rest, medicines to lighten the liver’s workload, and good care all aimed to strengthen the dog’s ability to recuperate. They will also give antibiotics to treat secondary infections.

There is a vaccine for this disease. It is a routine part of a puppy’s vaccination plan. And partly due to its efficiency, the cases of canine hepatitis in the United States are low. Therefore, the best way to keep your dogs free from this disease is a proper vaccination plan, and prompt and periodic visits with the veterinarian.

Canine hepatitis can prove to be a troublesome disease that, if unattended, will surely result in a dog’s death. With proper information about this disease dog owners will be able to take preemptive steps to assure themselves that their pets are safe from this debilitating diseases.

Chronic Active Hepatitis: As opposed to the previous disease, this form of hepatitis is harder to treat and the prognoses are not very promising. This usually occurs in dogs of advanced age. The disease is caused by other factors such as toxins and molds in the dog’s diet. Infectious Canine Hepatitis can also cause this.

The symptoms of this disease are hard to pinpoint, but generally they will include lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, jaundice (or yellowing eyes, gums, and skin). This disease could advance into the nervous system and render the dog blind. Seizures, coma and death usually follow.

To avoid this disease, good health habits including a good diet that emphasizes foods screened for toxins and molds should be exercised.

John Samson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/do-pet-get-hepatitis-685192.html

I’ve heard VPI is good but does anyone know how it compares to the AKC one..have any experience with either one? Thanks!

I would stay away from the AKC. The best company and I have been using them for years and they pay out quickly and easily is Quickcare. They are inexpensive and have plans that pay 90%!
Here is a link to them.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2381315-10372314

Why is it important to give your favorite four-legged friend a place of his own? Your dog’s bed will benefit your dog’s sleep, comfort, and health for years to come. Many pet owners think that a dog bed is an optional item. However, having a pet bed is an essential item. Dogs spend a good part of every day sound asleep. The comfort and health of your dog depends on a quality sleep. There are many benefits for you and your dog.

Security
Dogs can feel anxious especially when their owner is away. Providing your pet with a special place to call his own will give him a sense of security. It also provides a private area for your dog. Your dog will love the fact that he has a place that is just for him, and in return he might be less likely to curl up on your furniture or bed.

Health
Just like humans, dogs appreciate comfort also. Older dogs as well as younger dogs can start to suffer from joint pain, arthritis and hip problems. Lack of quality sleep can also cause an unwillingness to go for walks and exercise. Make sure to buy the right size dog bed for your best friend. Big dogs need large dog beds! A dog bed’s soft, comfortable cushions feel just as great on a dog’s joints as a mattress or body pillow provides comfort and support for humans. A typical dog bed elevates the animal above the hard ground, supports essential joints and provides a degree of warmth. You may want to consider a orthopedic dog bed.

Warmth
Dogs will benefit from the extra layers of warmth and insulation off the bare floor especially during the night and cold winter months. A pet bed also provide essential support from a hard cold floor. Although dogs will sleep on a floor, it is often uncomfortable for them. Consider how you would feel sleeping on the cold floor with nothing but a blanket. This is usually the reason that they sneak onto the furniture the minute you leave the house and because it smells like you. Most dogs will sleep at the foot or side of their owner’s bed, on a favorite blanket or cushion placed in a warm part of the room away from drafts.

Position
Should your dog be allowed to sleep in your bed, with you? Probably not, where your dog sleeps is important to their emotional and physical health, as well as to your family’s. Some animal behaviorists say letting your dog sleep with you is a bad idea and sometimes upset the chain of command because the dog may get delusions of grandeur and dominance problems can arise. A dog bed lets your dog know where he is sleeping. You might consider and your dog may enjoy, several dog beds in other rooms where the family comes together.

Protection
A dog bed will provide protection for your furniture. When your dog is sleeping on your furniture, it affects the appearance and condition of your furniture, and as we mentioned earlier it affects your dog’s joints where he jumps up and down off high furniture. Not to mention bothersome pet hair on the furniture. For this reason, you’ll definitely want a cover that be removed from the mattress, and that is 100% machine washable. It should also be durable enough to deal with sharp claws, and stain resistant.

In conclusion, your dog will be spending an awful lot of time in his or her bed, so it’s important that you select the right one. So remember, when buying a pet bed for your dog, you need to take numerous things into consideration: your dog’s breed, dog’s age (puppy, adult, senior), dog’s size, dog’s health and where you plan on using the bed. Buying the right kind of bed and maintaining it properly can go a long way to your dog’s health and happiness, and maybe even your own.

Jennifer Pezzillo
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-pet-bed-your-dog-needs-a-pet-bed-70284.html

What kind of funerals did you plan for your pets?

Mhm,but it was in my backyard.With my mom and brother.
But no we did’nt have music. I’ll never forget him x]

Can’t leave your dear pet cat behind when going on a trip? Bear in mind that there are a lot of things you have to bring if you decide to bring your cat along, and here are some necessary and important items you should remember to bring that will make life easier for you on your journey.

1. Leash, Harness and Identification tags. You will definitely have to let your cat out of its traveling cage for some fresh air, and to ensure that it does not run away while you are going to the restroom or getting some food, put it on its leash, with its tags on. Regardless of its struggles to get free, hold on tight and put the leash on. If it does get away from your grip, make sure that the length of the leash is the farthest it goes. To be safe, leash it before leaving the safety of the vehicle.

His harness must always be locked secure, and his identification tags should not be removed, especially when you let it leave its crate. An ideal leash is extendable and reels up to ten to fifteen feet. These are usually small and light and therefore your cat will have plenty of freedom and yet you are able to control it.

2. Pack its food and water for a quick bite. Therefore, you can always whip up some food for your cat anytime, anywhere. Hard cat food is advisable, and prior to the trip, get your cat to be used to the food, as so to simplify the feeding process while traveling. If you must feed your cat moist food, a can opener, scoop or fork are to be added onto the checklist, so you can still feed your cat its meals.

One important thing you should never forget is fresh water. Anytime your cat is thirsty, you would have a bottle ready for it to quench its thirst. Traveling is tiring for your pet as well, and give it enough water to make sure that it does not dehydrate. Do not neglect your pet, as you wouldn’t want a sick and weak pet when you arrive at your destination.

3. Always put your cat in a carrier or crate. If you’re flying to your destination, check that your carrier is approved by the airline. Also, be very sure that the crate is made out of high impact plastic, or other material, and is very sturdy. The ideal size of crate for your cat should be a crate that allows your cat to stand in it and turn its body around. Too large a crate may not be good as well, unless you plan to travel long distance by car, then it would be more suitable. Make sure there is enough space to have a litter box in it as well, especially if you cannot stop to let your cat out to answer nature’s call.

Charley Hwang
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/things-you-should-bring-when-bringing-your-pet-cat-on-a-trip-119591.html