- Lack of Usual Energy or Vibrancy

If your pet normally has a great deal of energy and vibrancy and you find that they seem to be lacking it that is something to worry about. A few hours of down time throughout the day is a normal thing, but dogs that normally seem to be hyper and active and have slowly transformed into the type of dog that lays around all day and doesn’t seem to have the desire to do much should be a cause of concern.

If it is something that happens sometimes, then you do not have much to fret about. However, if you are noticing that your dog has been acting strangely for days then you should definitely contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. There may be a variety of reasons for this strange behavior, from something missing in their diet to an illness that you weren’t able to put your finger on. Something simple may be able to get rid of your pooch’s newfound sluggish nature or your vet may be able to reassure you that everything is okay. Either way, get to the veterinarian as fast as you can.

- They May Have Gotten Into Something

So many pets lose their lives every year because their owner thinks that they ‘may have gotten into something.’ If you think your pet got into something that could cause them harm, don’t waste time and call the veterinarian immediately. Many of the things that you have in your home for cleaning or otherwise could potentially have lethal properties when it comes to your pet. They may also be perfectly safe for him or her. It is advised that you don’t take your chances and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Things in your garden, things in your bathroom or kitchen, or even things in your garage or the backseat of your car are all the type of thing that you should look out for. Don’t waste time if you think your pet may have gotten into the wrong type of mischief and contact your veterinary professional as soon as possible.

- Contact With Unknown Animals

If your dog has come into contact with other animals that you know nothing about, veterinary attention is definitely the type of thing that you want to consider. Many dogs have a tendency to eat things that you don’t even want to know about, including dead rats and squirrels, maybe even snakes or other animals in your yard or area. You never know what could have killed these animals, and what your dog may have acquired as a result of ingesting them.

In addition, getting into fights with other dogs and cats is a cause of concern as well. Wounds, infections, and infectious diseases are all things to worry about in this case. Take the necessary precautions and get your dog checked out as soon as possible.

Not everything is cause for concern, but some things do require the services of a veterinary professional. Prevention and treatment are both things that they provide for a service, but peace of mind is also provided absolutely free of charge. Do yourself a favor and don’t waste time if you think that your pet may need to see the veterinarian.

Lisa Failla is the Author for Pamper Me Puppy, an online dog clothing and apparel store featuring many styles in dog coats and accessories. Shopping online pet supplies can be found at Pamper Me Puppy

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Pet products may be hazardous to your pets

There are few events more distressing than the injury or death of a pet. Psychologists have likened it to the death of a family member. After the recent pet food contamination that killed some pets and made many others sick, worldwide attention focused on making sure pet products are SAFE. Can you honestly trust most manufactures to do that for you?

Products we normally use on our pets – shampoos, odor eliminators, etc. – may create health concerns for our pets just as they can impact our health. Toxic synthetic chemicals used in personal care products are also used in pet care formulas. When scientific studies show these ingredients cause cancer, heart disease, hormone disruption and other aging diseases in humans, the tests on animals generally have the same results.

We need to be aware that chemical ingredients cost pennies and profits are huge, so incentives to inform consumers may be missing. Our pets’ lives are more important than that. I, for one, am willing to spend more to protect my pets and extend the quality of their lives.

Living on a ranch presents a host of unique problems every day. Our horses, dogs and cats are exposed to more things that require greater care than you can imagine. So, I have had the opportunity to identify a variety of solutions for these four-legged loved ones. That includes protecting them from various problems in the environment, small critters and the irresponsible actions of two-legged creatures as well.

Here is what I have learned:

Shampooing is a major effort that can be very messy. Putting your dog in the bathtub or shower isn’t exactly fun for them or you. I recommend using a safe, ToxicFree® pet shampoo. Remember, you are applying it all over their body and most of the time it is not all rinsed out of their hair. So you’ll want one without harmful ingredients or drying agents that will irritate their skin. Find a natural, organic shampoo without synthetic chemicals that can affect your pet’s overall health. It may cost a few pennies more per application, but the safety of our pets is worth it.

Can you imagine having your pet sprayed by a skunk? It’s the worst smell and it lingers for days! Our dogs have greeted us with this unpleasant odor and it nearly drives us out of the house. We use an oxygen-based odor eliminator to neutralize the worst pet odors safely. I recommend you look for products with NO artificial fragrance. Synthetic fragrance is toxic for pets and humans. These petroleum-based ingredients settle and hover about 12” off the floor where pets and babies (if you have any) spend a lot of time – walking and crawling through non-biodegradable toxins!

As an informed consumer, you can make effective, healthy choices –for yourself AND your pets. I recommend you avoid the following at all cost:

•Sodium laureth sulfate: ethoxylated cleanser found in most shampoos – may contain dioxane, which is banned by the California Safe Cosmetic Act.
•DEA (diethanolamine): carcinogenic foaming agent; significant risk to children (National Toxicology Program; FDA Office of Cosmetic Fact Sheets)
•Propylene glycol: can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)
•Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl): xeno-estrogens which may contribute to sterility and hormone imbalances (Brunel University)
•Fragrance (usually contain phthalates): highly toxic; can affect central nervous system (Environmental Health Network; FDA Office of cosmetics Fact Sheet).

I sincerely hope this information is helpful. We all love our pets. Now you can protect your little friends and feel confident you are making the very best choices for them. Extend your pet’s life…now.

Linda Chaé is a prominent researcher, formula consultant, educator and consumer advocate. She has met with many Congressional Leaders fighting for public protection from unsafe chemicals in products. For organic pet products or more information about
pet care visit www.chaeorganics.biz

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

There are numerous products that will kill adult fleas on your dog. However, they vary in the duration of their effects.

1. Flea shampoos, sprays, and powders. Most products will kill any fleas present on your dog at the time of application, but many have no lasting effect – your dog may have more fleas within 24 hours of being treated. When using a flea shampoo, always begin on the dog’s head, face, and ears so the fleas won’t run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your pet’s eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful. All shampoos should be rinsed thoroughly from the coat.

Some of the newer, more effective sprays can be a valuable part of the overall treatment plan. They kill adult fleas rapidly and are safe enough to use daily, if necessary. Flea sprays containing insect growth regulators (IGR’s) are helpful in managing the overall problem because they help to break the flea life cycle. Be sure to read the label when using any of these products, because they might be recommended for once a week application, instead of daily.

Flea powders are easy to use – simply sprinkle on your dog’s coat.

2. Flea rinses or dips. These may be effective for four to five days, depending on the product. The rinse is applied after the dog has been shampooed and not rinsed out and left to dry on the dog’s coat. You need to dip the entire dog from nose to tail. Follow directions carefully regarding frequency throughout the flea season.

Pet shops and supermarkets sell a huge variety of flea dips and shampoos for your pet. If your dog has only a few fleas, there’s no reason why you can’t treat him yourself. Make sure to follow the label instructions on whatever product you buy, and pay close attention to age restrictions. Many products are not suitable for young puppies. Never use cat products on dogs.

As with flea shampoos, when using a flea dip, always begin on the dog’s head, face, and ears so the fleas won’t run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your pet’s eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful.

You might want to take your dog to the veterinarian where either an assistant or a groomer on staff will dip your pet, or take your dog to a grooming shop for flea treatment.

3. Sprays containing flea growth regulators which are called IGR’s. These sprays are usually applied weekly and the growth regulators help break the flea’s life cycle.

4. Flea collars. Flea collars are an easy, economical, and useful method of flea control when used before you see fleas, but aren’t very effective if you already a flea problem. Flea collars are on the dog and working 24 hours per day. However, they are not very effective in climates that are especially conducive to flea reproduction. Many people don’t like the smell of insecticidal flea collars or the smell and oily feeling the insecticide leaves on their hands after petting a dog wearing one. But, they are a lot better than nothing!

Many flea collars, such as the Ovitrol Plus or Ovitrol Plus II sold by veterinarians, kill adult fleas and also make flea eggs sterile. These are generally called Egg-Stopper Collars and contain insect growth regulating ingredients, which prevents egg from hatching.

Some dogs are sensitive to flea collars and develop a skin irritation under the collar, so if this happens, you should remove the collar and use another method of flea control.

In addition, there are High Tech Electronic Flea Collars for dogs that emit powerful ultrasonic pulses. They are supposed to be inaudible and harmless to pets and humans but, fleas go crazy!

Do-it-yourself Low Tech Herbal flea collar – effects last approximately one month:

Buy a soft untreated flea collar. Mix 1/2 teaspoon rubbing alcohol, essential oils of 1 drop cedar wood oil, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop citronella, 1 drop thyme oil. Open the contents of four garlic capsules into mixture. Soak flea collar until it has absorbed sufficient mixture soaked through, then let dry.

5. Spot-on products. Advantage® and Frontline® are two brand name products that are applied topically to a small area of the dog’s skin and they effectively kill fleas for at least a month. They are purchased in small vials that contain one dose for various sizes of dogs. They kill adult fleas, usually before the flea has the opportunity to bite your dog.

When using some of the new residual topical treatments such as the spray and the liquid applied to the dog’s neck, you may find environmental control will become much less a concern. In some cases, treating the dog with these new products will effectively control the environmental problem.

6. The pill. (Program™) This product prevents flea eggs from hatching when administered orally to pets once a month at mealtime. Dogs are fed Program in tablet form. Different tablet sizes and suspension doses are prescribed according to the animal’s weight. When an adult female flea bites a Program-treated dog, the flea ingests the active ingredient (lufenuron) which then passes into her eggs and prevents them from hatching. Program is dispensed only through veterinarians. This drug does not kill the adult fleas on your dog, but it does break the flea life cycle by preventing hatching of the next generation of flea eggs. In effect, it kills the next generation of fleas.

A similar product called Sentinel contains both the flea control ingredient and heartworm medication all in one dosage.

7. Natural methods include essential herbal oils, essential fatty acids, garlic, and/or B vitamins tend to make the animal less tasty to fleas. You can supplement with garlic or brewers yeast tablets. Some animals are allergic to brewers yeast, so watch closely the first week or so to make sure the itching doesn’t get worse.

8. Flea Combs. Run the comb through your pet’s hair and gather a bit of hair and “flea dirt”. Daily flea combing may seem like a tedious process, but you can trap some of them in the comb. Be sure to drown them in soapy water, because fleas can jump out of plain water.

About The Author
Martin Brock
Want a happier, healthier pooch? http://www.pet-supplies-review.com makes it easy to find relevant information about your four-legged friend.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Sometimes your pet may have a raring appetite and may beg to be fed. Other times, they may simply glance at their dinner and choose to not eat.

What is the cause of this inconsistent appetite? Chances are, if you have a pet with problems eating, the cause may not actually be your pet, but you.

If your pet consistently refuses to eat or eats very little, it may be a sign of illness. If your pet used to eat regularly and consistently, and now you have noticed a pattern of refusal to eat, this is cause enough to take your pet to the vet. If you have noticed other symptoms, take your pet to your local veterinary clinic to assess your pet’s state of health immediately.

Although people need variety and wide selections and combinations of food, cats and dogs are not built the same way. This is often a mistaken belief that people have when it comes to feeding their pet. If they give their pet different types of food each day, they are teaching their pet that they can have an opinion, thus causing them to possibly not eat and hold out for a food choice they prefer more. Dogs and cats are not built like humans. They can get all of the proper nutrients and vitamins they need from only one particular dog food. Once you realize which food your pet likes best, just stick with it. Your pet will thank you for it!

Another reason that pets may not eat could be a family member who enjoys giving the pet ‘people’ snacks from the dinner table. If a dog gets pieces of ‘people food,’ that may very well satisfy their hunger until the next day. So, when you try to feed your pet, they are simply not hungry because they were already fed from the table. Not only can feeding from the table ruin your pet’s appetite, it is also bad for them. Again, humans and animals have different nutritional needs, and human food may actually be more harmful to pets than is often realized.

Many dogs have an inherent nature to please their owners. Oftentimes when a pet eats their food, their owners praise them and show their dog that they are happy with them. Though this is fine, it can sometimes encourage dogs to overeat. Similar to humans, overeating can cause discomfort or bloating. If a pet later refuses to eat, they are simply saying they can’t hold any more food and they are blocking it out in an attempt to be more comfortable.

Whatever the problem may be, it is always a good idea to visit your veterinary clinic and discuss your pet’s eating habits with a professional. Your vet will be able to recommend a certain dog food type, as well as defining the amount of food and how many times a day your pet should be fed. Soon, you and your pet can find something that works for the both of you. Good luck!

Visit Dog-Bed.org & LVE Productions for more great content.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Goldfish sure are smart not in the sense as dogs are, but they are smart. They will swim up to meet you probably because they think you are going to feed them. They might not be able to differentiate between one person and the other but they do know that the people they live with are the caregivers. Know that they depend on you and hence love you.

Why is a new goldfish not moving in its bowl, when he is very much alive?
Well first of all, he probably hates being in a bowl. Goldfish do not like bowls even though humans think the bowls are cute. Put him in a tank with a compatible companion goldfish. Meanwhile watch the fish. Is he coming up to the top of the tank when you feed him? If he is then, he’s probably just getting used to the new bowl. If it looks like he has difficulty swimming and that he keeps sinking to the bottom he might have a swim bladder disorder caused by too much dry food and bad water.

Why is a goldfish swimming to the top every once in a while?
Goldfish keep swimming to the surface of the tank because that’s where they get their oxygen. Always make sure that there is enough empty space at the top. Do not fill up the tank to the brim, as leaving space will give them the required oxygen. If your fish are normally active, swimming and chasing each other a round, don’t worry if they swim to the top every once in a while.

Why do goldfish always seem starving?

That’s because they are greedy! Don’t get tempted enough to feed them whenever they ask for it because overfeeding will cause them more harm. Besides, goldfish can never starve to death; they are always nibbling away at something or the other.

Why would one goldfish lie motionless most of the time whilst the rest swim around? Is it a social outcast?

If you have different varieties of goldfish, make sure they are compatible. The slower fancy varieties might get stressed out by the faster ones like comets. Yes, they might feel like outcasts and keep to themselves. Some goldfish might even get aggressive with another and in that case you need to one that is being badgered to another tank.

Why are all the goldfish so lifeless and tend to stay at the bottom of the tank most of the time, like they are very tired?

If they aren’t swimming as they usually do, something is definitely bothering them.

If you tank is brand new and the goldfish are having a problem because the tank has not been cycled. Wait a while and watch. Make sure you cycle the tank before you put them in because a new tank cannot deal with the ammonia that the goldfish produce.

If you tank is an old one and the goldfish are suddenly more still than usual it could be that the toxicity of the water is bothering them. So change the water. When your goldfish seem inactive, you must check the water for nitrites and the pH level.

If you would like to find the answers to more Goldfish related questions such as – What is the reason why some Goldfish attack eachother? or, What can I do to save my Goldfish from dying when suddenly it turns on its side? – Please visit my site to find the answers these questions plus a great deal more information relevant to everything Goldfish. Click here to visit.

By Dane Stanton

Dane Stanton is an expert on goldfish health care. To visit his website visit http://www.goldfish-secrets.com for more information on Goldfish care and other aquarium related topics

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Your pet’s veterinarian is second best friend, next to you, and an important partner in protecting their well being. This article will help you to

• Choose the perfect vet for you and your pet.
• Evaluate your current level of veterinarian care.

Evaluating veterinary services is an important part of every pet owner’s role. Whether you are a brand new pet-parent or a seasoned owner, take the time to carefully evaluate your vet, both before making a selection and on an ongoing basis.

Remember, every pet is unique, every owner is unique, and every pet-owner relationship is special. It is important that you evaluate your vet on a pet-by-pet basis; a vet who was perfect for your previous pet, may not meet the needs for the current one. Similarly, owners of multiple pets may find that separate vets are in order to keep the entire brood healthy and happy.

Luckily, there are plenty of veterinary services to choose from; the right one for you is just waiting to be found. At the end of this article you will find a checklist for making your decision.

Qualities of Your Ideal Vet

The ideal vet for you and your pet is someone who will become your partner in caring for your little friend. Your vet should be friendly, compassionate, and caring. They should be confident in their treatment of your pet, willing to answer all of your questions, and exhibit a genuine love of animals.

Be sure to ask your vet about their education, their specializations, and whether they have any pets of their own.

Emergency Services

Emergency services are not offered by every vet and not necessarily a top priority for every pet owner, but when an emergency does occur it can be nice to see a familiar face. If your vet does not provide emergency services, ask about what you should do in the event of an emergency and how you can best prepare yourself and your pet.

1) Collect a List of Possibilities
• Ask friends for referrals. Be sure to ask what they like about their vet and what they wish they could change.
• Ask at your local pet store. Pet store owners and employees are an un-tapped resource, but they talk to pet owners all day and often have several of their own.
• Look through the phone book.

2) Make an Initial Call
• Did they answer the phone quickly?
• Were you placed on hold and, if so, were you attended to in a reasonable amount of time?
• Was the receptionist friendly and informative?
• What are their general rates for a check-up?
• How many vets are on staff? Will you be assigned to a specific one?
• Do they offer evening and weekend hours?
• Do they provide emergency services?

After this first call you should be able to narrow your list significantly.

3) Visit on Your Own
• Schedule a visit or drop by to see the office and meet the staff.
• Do you find the waiting area comfortable?
• Is the staff friendly and helpful?
• Does the overall image evoke your trust?
• Is the location accessible for you and your pet?

After this visit you should be able to narrow your list down to two or three clinics.

4) Visit with your pet
• How comfortable is your pet in the office?
• Are there many other animals in the waiting room?
• Do they have separate waiting rooms for cats, dogs, and small pets?
• Does the staff respond well to your pet, and does your pet respond well in return.

• Does the vet seem comfortable and confident handling your pet?

There are few animals that enjoy visiting the vet, so don’t be too concerned if your pet doesn’t appear to like any of the clinics on your list.

For the best advice on pet supplies and information, look to Pet Insurance Comparison at http://www.pet–insure.co.uk/index.htm to find out more information.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

I love reptiles and I bet you do too (or you probably would not be reading this article!). You may have noticed that reptiles are becoming more and more popular as family pets. Reptiles such as turtles, iguanas, snakes, geckos, horned toads, and chameleons can make great pets because they are fascinating, quiet, don’t require daily feeding/walking, and can be kept in a cage with relatively very little fuss. However, there is a cautionary note folks need to be aware of when taking on a reptile for a pet. Reptiles sometimes carry a bacteria called Salmonella that can cause serious illness in people.

Although many people think of salmonellosis as an illness caused by contaminated food, it can also be caught by handling a pet reptile or contact with its environment. The trick is that you can’t tell by looking at a lizard, snake, or a turtle if it is carrying Salmonella. You see, Salmonella occurs naturally in many reptiles and the bacteria doesn’t usually make the animals sick.

If you have ever had about it, you most likely won’t ever forget it. Salmonellosis is a serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea is the most common symptom of Salmonella infection, but other symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting can also occur. It can sometimes be extremely serious and even fatal for young children, the elderly, and persons with weak immune systems. Salmonellosis is not to be taken lightly. For that reason, families with children aged 5 years or younger or persons with weak immune systems should think twice about having pet reptiles.

Bacteria, including Salmonella, are easily passed from pet reptiles to people. Research by the Center for Disease Control shows that a person who handles reptiles can easily pass germs to others because bacteria are able to cling to skin, clothing and other surfaces. To reduce the chances of getting sick with salmonellosis by handling reptiles, here are some tips to follow as a reptile pet owner:

• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling a reptile; Launder any clothing the reptile might have touched
• Do not allow reptiles to roam the house freely
• Keep reptiles out of the kitchen
• Use soap or a disinfectant to thoroughly clean any surfaces that have been in contact with reptiles.

Another thing to keep in mind is that it is illegal in the United States to sell or distribute turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches in length. This size was chosen because some small children treat smaller turtles as toys and put them in their mouths. Yuk! Despite this ban, these small turtles can still be found in some pet stores.

Of course, children will still catch wild turtles and lizards and bring them home to keep as pets, which is what kids are supposed to do. Just keep in mind, whether store-bought or caught in a friend’s backyard, a reptile can carry Salmonella and might not be the best choice of a pet for your family, especially if there are young children or persons with compromised immune systems in the household.

By Tom Vaughan

Tom Vaughan is an avid admirer of reptiles, especially snakes. He caught his first rattlesnake (pygmy rattler) at age 10 and hasn’t stopped catching reptiles since. A favorite website is http://www.reptilefile.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Thanks to selective breeding, there’s quite possibly a canary out there to suit every personality and desire. Some canaries are bred for their coloration, some are bred for their shape, and some, of course, are bred to produce a very specific song pattern. What kind of canary you purchase will depend on what canary resources are available near you. If you can find a reputable canary breeder, that will be your best option. Many pet stores now, however, commit to purchasing healthy birds only from reputable breeders, but check first to make sure that your canary was not wild caught or raised in less-than-desirable conditions. If the pet store manager can not account for where your potential canary came from, don’t buy a canary from that store! Oh, and be sure that the canary you purchase is a male, if it’s a strong singer you’re after. The females are incapable of producing the characteristic long trills and melodies that made canaries famous.

Canaries can be quite delicate, so a primary part of learning to care for a pet canary is to realize that prevention is key. If there’s a number one rule of pet canary care, it’s that you absolutely must keep your canary away from drafts at all times. A drafty room can kill a canary without any warning whatsoever, and even a slight draft can prevent your canary from warbling. If a lit candle flickers when held outside your canary’s cage, then you’ve picked a spot that’s too drafty for your new feathered friend!

As far as cages go, your canary doesn’t require anything too spectacular-just enough room to hop about and stretch his wings. Make sure you purchase a cage that is at least two feet wide and three or four feet tall.

Get a cage with a tray in the bottom to make for easy cleaning, and make sure that the bars of the cage are not coated with toxic paint or other chemical sealants. You should clean your canary’s cage thoroughly at least once a week, washing perches, food and water containers, and toys in a mild bleach solution, and washing down the rest of the cage with dish soap and warm water.

By Barry Mcgee

While they can’t stand drafts, canaries do love indirect sunlight. A good supply of natural light will keep your canary singing, and will also interest him in breeding should a female be present. If a draft will kill a canary the fastest, a second runner up is dehydration. Because of their speedy metabolisms, canaries require a lot of water and may die if they go as little as a day without it. Change your canary’s water daily and never leave for more than a day without asking someone to water your canary for you. As for food, seed is the mainstay of a canary’s diet, and there are many good commercially available seed mixes made specifically for canaries. You should supplement your canary’s seed with a little fresh fruit and boiled egg every day. An apple slice and a fourth of a hard boiled egg is enough. You should also provide your canary with a cuttlebone, as he will gnaw on this to attain necessary calcium.

With these basic rules and supplies of pet canary care well in hand, you’re ready to seek out the perfect canary for you. Will you choose a rosy red colorbred canary, an exotic Persian Singer, or something in between? Whatever your decision, your canary will thank you exuberantly for the next ten to fifteen years the best way he knows how-by singing his heart out.

About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline provides advice and information on all aspects of pet care for all types of pets including dogs, cats, ferrets and others and makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best solution for their companion’s care.

For answers to all your pet care questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Making an accurate diagnosis can be very difficult without them. There is a wealth of information veterinarians can learn from the blood panels that pet owners would not be able to communicate. Symptoms for one illness may overlap with symptoms of another ailment that require completely different treatments. It would be much easier (and less expensive) if our pets just learned to speak English so they could tell us what they are feeling!

With a simple blood test, veterinarians can rule out a wide variety of possibilities such as kidney failure or liver failure among others. This gives them the foundation to make a sound diagnosis and provide effective treatment. In the long run, an early blood test can save you time and money.

Why does my veterinarian always give my cat his shots in the leg?

Unfortunately, there is a slight chance (~1 in 10,000) of cancer as a result of feline vaccination. The reason veterinarians give cats a shot in the leg is quite simple. A leg can be amputated, but a vital part of the body cannot. The consequences of not vaccinating your cat can be severe as diseases like feline HIV or feline leukemia are relatively common. The benefits of vaccination far exceed the risk in my opinion.

Why does my veterinarian give the same amount of vaccine to my small Chihuahua as he does my large Great Dane? Won’t that overdose him?

This largely depends on the type and brand of vaccine used, but keep in mind that veterinarians are professionals that would never knowingly put your pet at risk. The majority of vaccines are designed to work based on the total particles delivered. This means that regardless of size, your pet would need to get an equal amount of the shot as all the other pets. The vaccine simply will not vaccinate if a certain percentage of those particles are not delivered. There is no such thing as a partial vaccination. It is all or nothing!

Why does my veterinarian always want to treat my puppies for worms when they have never been outside?

Roughly 97% of pets are born with them. Their mother was kind enough to not only pass on her genes, but her internal parasites as well! Some of these parasites like hookworm, roundworms, and whip worms can be transmitted from your pet to you or your children. So before you let your puppy go on a mad licking spree, it might be a good idea to have him dewormed.

Why does my veterinarian recommend an anti-flea and tick medication like Frontline instead of a flea collar?

Most anti-flea and tick applicators like Frontline have chemicals that are absorbed into your pet’s skin to provide full body protection. Flea collars are effective, but are only effective in protecting the neck and head areas that are in close proximity to the collar.

By Garett Flores

About The Author

Garett Flores is a pre-vet student employed as a veterinary assistant at a private small animal practice in Bakersfield, California. He has combined his love of animals and experience with computers to create a web page about animal husbandry and basic animal pet care for a variety of pets including but not limited to ferrets, lizards, snakes, turtles, rats, mice, and hamsters.

http://www.pet-care-portal.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Most diseases of the mouth start with the formation of gingivitis. This is a reddening or swelling of the gums that is often caused by a buildup of plaque and tarter on the teeth. While the initial stages of gingivitis are easy to treat, more advanced complications include tooth loss and jaw bone infections. Early warning signs of this condition include bad breath, gum bleeding, and even a change in eating patterns as a result of mouth pain.

Preventing gingivitis and the onset of more severe conditions can be done by proactively monitoring your dogs’ dental health. This starts with the type of food you feed them. It is important to include plenty of dry food in the diet. Dry food helps to eliminate plaque and tarter through the natural chewing process. Even if your dog typically eats canned food, you can integrate a dry option by mixing it with the canned products or by offering canned food at only one of their meals.

Water is another essential part of doggie dental care since it provides the fluoride used to strengthen the teeth. Tap water is actually more beneficial than bottled water because it contains a much higher level of fluoride. The average sized dog should drink between two and four cups of water a day. You can add even more benefits to drinking water by adding an oral hygiene solution to the water. These products are available at pet supply stores and are very effective at preventing problems down the road.

Beyond these simple diet tips, there are other things you can make available that will help your dog maintain a healthy mouth. There are actually toothpastes and brushes designed specifically for dogs. While it can take some time for your pet to become accustomed to the process, brushing your dogs’ teeth for a minute or two each day will help their bodies naturally breakdown the buildup of plaque and tarter.

You can also help keep your dogs’ mouth clean by purchasing the right treats and toys. Stay away from products that are soft and sticky since they can remain in your dogs’ mouth for extended periods of time. Also pay attention to ingredients like sugar that do more harm than good. Ideally, you would try a treat like carrots, which are both healthy and crunchy. There are also a number of treats made specifically to promote dental health. Just read the ingredients and make sure they do everything they advertise.

If you do run into a dental concern with your dog, the best step is to talk with your veterinarian. They will examine your dog and recommend the best treatment plan. In some cases this will include a professional cleaning. This can involve putting your dog to sleep and working extensively on their mouth. While this can procedure can be stressful for both you and your pet, starting with a clean slate will make it easier to implement a long-term dental strategy.

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