Keep your dog on a leash or confined behind a portable fence when you are camping. Remember that not everyone who camps likes dogs. In fact, some people go to campsites to get away from dogs! Having strya dogs running around a campsite can be very stressful to say the least.

Always clean up after your dog. The last thing I want is to get dog poop smudged up against my sneakers, emitting a distasteful smell around my tent. Dog poop is a mess on the trails in your neighborhood at home, and just as much of a mess in the campgrounds.

Manage your dog’s barking. Keep them quiet so they don’t disturb the tranquility and peace of the campsite. Most of us go camping into the wilderness to get some peace and quiet. Dogs bark. We cannot stop that. But excessive dog barking should not be tolerated. Dogs bark more out in the country as they hear noises they are not accustomed to.

Don’t allow your dog to swim close to people fishing. This is the most annoying thing for a fisherman who has probably waited patiently for a catch, only to find a dog swimming nearby scaring off the fish. This is a point that many of us who do not fish understand.

By using these tips and employing a little bit of courtesy to our fellow campers, we will be able to enjoy our camping trips with our best friends for many years to come.

The chief complaints are from those citizens who have been attacked by off leash dogs. There are incidences where smaller dogs being walked on leash are brutally attacked by larger off leash dogs. Joggers have complained about being bitten or chased by similar dogs.

It seems that the local bylaw enforcement officers are not doing their work properly. The guilty dog owners have come up with a number of lame excuses like “he pulls too hard”, or “he needs to go faster than I can actually run “, etc.

This blatant disregard for leash bylaws if left unheeded, will result in a serious injury, and if that happens its very likely that some crafty lawyer will get involved and lawsuits could abound!

What Are the Symptoms of Canine Hip Dysplasia?

The symptoms of CHD depend on the severity of the dysplasia. Another factor is the whether or not degenerative joint disease (DJD) is present. Dogs less than 1 year old have a tendency to have periods of acute bilateral (or unilateral) lameness in their rear legs.

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According to data tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 different dog breeds were involved in biting incidents in 2006, a statistic that shows that any dog can bite if provoked.

To keep pets and people safe, veterinary professionals have joined forces. The third full week in May is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and doctors promote year-round education of pet owners and parents. Teaching children how to approach dogs slowly and carefully as well as how to recognize warning signs are critical components of dog bite prevention. Remember, not all dogs are friendly and not all dogs want to be touched.

“Any dog may bite, even your family pet,” said Marie Wheatley, president of American Humane, an organization that works to protect children and animals. “Adults should always supervise children when they play with any dog, and they should teach children the best ways to approach and treat animals to avoid being bitten.”

Some children, eager to play or touch an animal’s soft fur, move quickly or lunge at dogs. Such abrupt actions can be misinterpreted by dogs as an attack, and dogs may try to protect themselves by snarling or biting.

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Diabetes mellitus, the medical name for diabetes, is a disease caused by a lack of insulin, or the inability of the body to utilize the insulin properly, that affects the level of glucose, or sugar, in your dog or cat’s blood. The glucose comes from the food that your pet eats. The food is broken down into very small components by the pet’s digestive system so their bodies can use it for energy. Glucose is one of these components, and an important source of energy.

Glucose is absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream where it travels to cells throughout the body. Insulin is required for the cells to absorb glucose. Insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Healthy pets produce insulin easily, but pets with diabetes don’t. In canine and feline diabetes, unused glucose builds up in the bloodstream.

Is diabetes in my pet the same as diabetes in people?

The two conditions are very similar. In fact, your veterinarian will be using medication, equipment, and monitoring systems that are similar to those used for diabetic people.

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Scientific research on the use of herbs is at about the same stage as vitamins were 10 years ago. Many companies, however, do not want to invest in expensive research because most herbs cannot be patented, nor are they regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, as drugs and other medications are.

Many of the modern pharmaceutical drugs are actually compounds considered to be the active principles in herbs. Herbalists, however, contend that the pharmaceutical derivatives and the whole plant from which they are derived are not the same due to the unique and complex properties of the original natural substance. As in many situations, the whole is more than the sum of (or one of) its parts, due to synergisms that may occur both within the plant and within the body.

It can be difficult to find fresh herbs, and fresh herbs often are not the most pleasant tasting to the dog. Herb combination products have been developed for certain syndromes and are distributed as tablets and capsules. They can be obtained from many of the herbal companies and are generally classified as Western Herbs or Chinese Herbs. Chinese herbal combinations have been around for thousands of years and have a long track record.

Always keep your veterinarian informed regarding what medications, herbs, and supplements your dog may be taking. Some of these therapies can interfere with the absorption or action of another. And, remember, just because herbs are natural, does not mean they cannot cause adverse or toxic effects if used inappropriately.

1. All dogs (except for the truly hairless breeds) require frequent brushing regardless of coat type. Brushing is very important to your dog’s health and happiness. Brushing stimulates the skin by removing dead skin flakes, encourages natural oil production, removes irritating debris and encourages blood flow to the skin. It also uncovers skin and
coat troubles, such as dandruff, parasites or dry or brittle fur, which may indicate an illness. Failing to brush your dog regularly may result in mats, which breed bacteria and infections and can be very painful for your dog.
2. Dogs should be bathed regularly. Brushing before a bath is recommended, as it breaks down dirt, grime and debris so the shampoo will clean more effectively (and it might also relax the dog). Don’t wash dogs outside; the frigid water from a garden hose is extremely uncomfortable and can make them sick.

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Cats and dogs are the favorite nesting grounds of four principal groups of worms and a few species of microscopic protozoa. The four worms are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Among the protozoa are coccidia, toxoplasma, giardia, and ameba.

Proper identification is vital. Unfortunately, in the case of parasites, identification isn’t always easy because adult worms release their eggs sporadically. Knowing exactly what the problem is, is the first step in finding a solution.

It’s very important to bring your pet’s fecal sample (bowel movement) to your veterinarian as often as requested up to one year of age. Collect fresh fecal sample within 12 hours of an examination. It is also very important to keep the samples cool or refrigerated. A microscopic examination of the fecal sample will be performed to identify the worm’s eggs.

An annual fecal check is also good preventive medicine.

Treatment begins once the specific parasites are identified. It’s important to realize that different parasites will require different medications. Your veterinarian can administer the proper treatment for your pet. There are also some new preventive medicines on the market. Check with your veterinarian about whether these are appropriate for your pet.

Tapeworms are of special concern. Tapeworm segments resemble small pieces of rice. They are one of the few parasites that may be seen in a bowel movement or clinging to the hair near your pet’s tail. If you notice these segments, carefully place them in a small container and take them to your veterinarian for positive identification along with a fecal sample. Several types of worms may be involved, and it is important to identify all of them for proper treatment.

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