Dog Information

Ferdinand is a six year old tri colored Smooth Collie. His sire and dam are both former top 10 Smooth Collie show dogs. TC (Ch. Row-Bar’s Sum Of All Fears HT) and Ursula (Ch. Row-Bar’s Southern Dream) had between them Herding Group wins, Best in Specialty Show wins, a Collie Club of America Award of Merit.and three top 10 end of year rankings. On the night the litter was whelped (litters always come at night), Ursula delivered eight healthy puppies and then went into uterine inertia. The contractions stopped, even though I was sure there was another puppy in there. I gave her a shot of Oxytocin to try to stimulate more contractions with no success. The first eight puppies were all nursing and looked good.

First thing in the morning I took Ursula to the Vet. She confirmed that there was one more puppy in there and, after another unsuccessful Oxytocin shot, Ursula was prepped for a C-section. In a final last ditch effort, the Vet was able to pull the last puppy out without surgery. He was a tri smooth male. He didn’t look quite right but I took him home and tried to get him to nurse with the other puppies. He was too weak to nurse. I tube fed him and took him back to the Vet. She diagnosed a systemic infection and gave him an antibiotic shot and sent me home with enough of the antibiotic for a shot every 12 hours for a week. He was never strong enough to nurse, so I tube fed him (tube feeding involves sticking a tube down the puppy’s throat and filling his stomach with milk replacer) every 4 hours until he was strong enough to stand and eat from a puppy trough – about three weeks.

Every weekend my wife would come home (she lives and works 90 miles away during the week) and ask “Is the puppy dead, yet?” He survived and grew, but was smaller than the other eight. At 6 weeks of age, I moved the whole litter out to the kennel building into a double sized “puppy” run. The little tri was so small that he could get under the edge of the run on the inside of the kennel and he would go visiting the other dogs. At the time, I had an adult Collie male that was so dog aggressive I couldn’t let him run with the other males and I also had a cantankerous older male Corgi. I would find the wandering puppy in either of their runs – visiting. It was at this time that I named him Ferdinand after Ferdinand Magellan, the world explorer. I registered him as Row-Bar’s World Traveler.

During the first three weeks of his life, the tip of his tail withered and fell off and he gradually developed a club foot at the end of his left front leg. It wasn’t until he was almost nine months old that I noticed that his right shoulder was malformed. He walks with a limp and can’t trot normally, but bounds around and shows no sign that he is in pain. He loves everybody and is the first house dog to go up to visitors. His will to live in the first weeks of life were astounding. My wife called him the “dog that should never have been”, but he endured. He is lying at my feet as I write this. Ferdinand the Survivor.

Stephen M Johns

Steve Johns is long time Collie breeder (an AKC “Breeder of Merit”) and exhibitor of Collies and Corgis at AKC sanctioned dog shows. He has finished many champions and also earned obedience and herding titles on his Collies. His website is www.fashionabledogclothes.com.

Dog Information

The BARF diet is inspiring pet owners around the world to go back to the basics when caring for their furry friends. By looking at ancient history, this diet correctly claims that domesticated dogs are healthier when eating like their wild ancestors. This means no more processed foods made of unrecognizable meat stripped of essential nutrients and no more kibble with who knows what kind of filler ingredients.

The BARF diet is gaining more and more popularity as pet owners who were skeptical about it to begin with watch with joy as their pets grow healthier. The nutrients and make up of healthy raw food in this diet can help sickly pets heal and pets of average health reach their maximum virility. Pet owners who are interested in giving their furry friends the best and longest life possible are finding that this fits the bill exactly.

BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. This title, while it may sound unappealing, gets to the basis of what this pet diet is built on. By choosing raw and whole food that their bodies were evolutionarily built to process, this really does provide biologically appropriate raw food to make domesticated dogs healthier and happier.

Because everything on the menu is raw, whole, unprocessed food, it also drastically improves the dental health of dogs. Pet owners notice that their animals’ teeth and gums both became healthier. Wild animals are used to using their teeth and mouths in general to tear apart meat and even process vegetables. Giving them the textures and eating habits that they are built for is what the BARF diet is all about.

If an animal has mangy skin, fleas, mites or other skin problems, this can help. The BARF diet helps dogs grow a healthy, gleaming coat of strong fur by providing their body with all the nutrients it needs. Even degenerative diseases can be stalled and treated by using the BARF diet. It’s as simple as feeding a dog exactly what he or she wants to eat, but the results are far from subtle.

Pet owners everywhere are finding that the BARF diet provides fast results. There’s nothing like seeing an ailing dog come alive with a switch of diet. The overall, holistic health of your pet will be drastically improved by switching to a more healthful diet.

For owners of healthy dogs, this can spur your pet to maximum health and potential. Healthy animals live longer, happier lives and are far easier to care for. Plus, a healthier animal means fewer trips to the vet and therefore less of a drain on your bank account. It’s a win-win situation for both you and your pet.

The successes of the BARF diet stick around, too. Unlike some diet switches, when a dog goes onto the BARF diet his or her health improves for the long run rather than just for a few weeks or months. The BARF diet provides dogs with every nutrient and mineral needed to help their bodies run with maximum efficiency and ease.

Jamie Lansley

Jamie is a pet health professional who honestly feels that switching your dog to BARF diet is the healthiest decision you can make for your pet.

Dog Information

More than six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year with over 100 different manifestations of the disease. Dogs share a similar environment to humans, which facilitates analysis for causes of cancer in dogs being traceable to causes in humans. Following diagnosis, many distraught dog owners are piling their beloved pet into the car for radiation and chemotherapy treatments. There may be an alternative in sight for you if your best friend Gabriel has been diagnosed with cancer. What’s even more exciting is that a new field of oncology research, known as comparative oncology, is treating dogs with revolutionary treatments that may someday be used on humans.

Gene analysis of tumors removed from dogs has revealed many similar genetic components to those found in humans. Dogs tend to live a shorter amount of time after diagnosis than humans, in part due to their shorter life spans in general, which presents an opportunity for researchers to observe whether the drug is having any effect over an abbreviated period of time. What might take five years to develop into a terminal cancer in a human being will take anywhere between six months and a year and a half in a dog but testing for cancer on a dog is non invasive and can be as simple as analyzing saliva samples. Prevention should be promoted.

Good News for Dogs and for Humans
This development in the treatment of cancer in dogs is indeed exciting for humans. While all cancers are believed to have genetic features, how the cells mutate to produce the cancer is still unknown. Cancers in humans come and go in the body all the time. A healthy immune system can attack free radicals gone amok before they gather speed. However, if not stopped in time, these cells duplicate and rapidly multiply, replicating faster than healthy cells and ultimately consuming organs. If we knew more about what causes the initial renegade cells or what prompts their dysfunctional replication, tests could be conducted to determine whether the tumor responds to various drugs.

Different breeds are prone to different cancers in the same way a Spaniel is at risk for ear infections and a Great Dane to skin conditions. Humans are more reluctant to take part in a clinical trial whereas desperate puppy owners are willing to try new treatments in the hope of extending Garbriel’s life. Humans are not offered clinical trials until all other conventional treatments have been exhausted.

At diagnosis an oncologist endeavors to get a sample of a person’s tumor in order to determine the type of cancer and the best protocol. Tests on dogs recently found that it was possible to get a genetic analysis for a variety of cancers from dogs of varying breeds within a week.

Ongoing clinical trials, including those conducted by the National Cancer Institute are looking at dogs with melanoma, a specific type of blood vessel cancer, and osteosarcoma. The trials will test various treatment modalities, which are in part, based on the genetics of the tumor and endeavor to stop metastasis. If researchers can find ways to prevent spread in dogs their findings might be applicable to metastasis in cancers found in humans.

Often dogs are diagnosed too late. They are unable to communicate that they do not feel well. An owner usually only discovers their dog is ill by finding a lump under the skin or by other signs of discomfort. Vets will give a prognosis and depending on estimated life span an owner is faced with the daunting decision of whether to treat or euthanize. Problems faced in humans with resistance to treatments also occur in dogs enabling cancers to return and spread to other parts of the body. One major difference to be considered is that the chemical substances present in dogs can be vastly different from those in humans, which can create complications as pharmaceutical companies seek approval for clinical trials. What might prove to be toxic in canines might not be in humans.

Much has been written about the morality of ‘experimenting’ on animals. If a dog is declared terminally ill would it be of any benefit to try a revolutionary treatment? What if this treatment drastically extended Gabriel’s life expectancy and could be applied to humans as well?

As a dog owner, your pet’s health and death is a personal choice but with the similarity in genetic makeup between dogs and humans should we not look at this as a collaborative effort to find cures – for pet and owner alike? Chemotherapy treatments used on our pets have their roots in therapies used in animals of the two-legged kind. Since a new oncology drug can cost $1 billion to develop, canine studies could have a great benefit. Researchers can use the information gained in the canine study to aid in creating a human version of the drug.

Many exciting new treatments emerge and who better to ‘bring-them-home’ but man’s best friend.

Jay J Anderson

If you are looking for teacup puppies, don’t look any further because you are in the right place. We specialize in Teacup Puppies and take pride on how we treat our Yorkies, Maltese, Chihuahuas, Teacup Pomeranian, Teacup Poodles, Pugs, Bostons and other breeds. We also ship our puppies with Delta or Continental because it’s very safe and offer a Nanny Service. Visit us at http://www.TeacupPuppiesStore.com

Dog Information

Your dog’s teeth, and their care are vital in terms of keeping your dog healthy and preventing disease. Periodontal (gum) disease is the number one diagnosed problem in dogs; by the age of three, 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease. Lack of healthy teeth and gums can lead to heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke and even diabetes. In this article I will cover the dog teeth anatomy, the causes of dental disease, and the most important natural solutions to keeping your dogs teeth and gums healthy at home.

Dog’s start with deciduous (baby) teeth- similar to people. The teeth first erupt between the third and sixth weeks- at four months the puppies start to lose these baby teeth, and gain the full number of 42 adult teeth by the ages of 6-7 months. Some dogs have baby teeth that don’t fall out ( retained), and these can be extracted in a simple procedure by your veterinarian during the spay or neuter at 6-7 months.

Most dental problems happen after the adult teeth have formed. Plaque, a thin coat of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth, then it progresses to tartar, leading to gum inflammation. Bacteria also grows under the gum-line, causing gum infection (gingivitis) which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. Other dental problems include broken teeth, which can show as being painful to chew. Tooth root abscess are infections which form at the tooth root; they can cause swelling under the eye.

The signs of dental disease in your dog are similar to people. These include bad breath ( halitosis), reluctance to chew, redness at the gum line and visible tartar on the teeth. In advanced periodontal disease the teeth are loose, and may even fall out. Some dogs may be ill and quite sick if the bacteria from the mouth has spread to other organs, such as the heart or liver.

The big question then is what can you do? Fortunately there are many things, and I want to give you my most effective natural remedies.

Dental Diet. Ensure that your dog eats a dry kibble with larger pieces that have to be chewed. Some food companies now produce specific dental diets which will lower tartar buildup. They are more abrasive on the teeth and some contain an enzyme which lowers tartar formation. These foods are available at your local veterinarian.

Natural Diets. Raw meaty bones and windpipes from cows or pigs can help keep teeth clean. If your dog splinters and swallows large pieces of bone, he is at risk of obstruction, so do not give him bones. Some dogs love chicken necks. To rule out the risk of Salmonella (a bacterial infection), put the bones or windpipes in boiling water for 30 seconds first.

Healthy Treats. Raw vegetables, such as carrots are a great, low calorie treat that can help clean the teeth. If your dog likes them, then feed away.

Brush. The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean is by brushing. Ideally this should be done daily, but twice a week is a good goal. Begin by rubbing your finger around your pet’s mouth. Flavor it with tuna to make it enticing for your dog. A finger toothbrush can be used (it fits around the end of your finger). Use pet toothpaste, for if swallowed it will not upset your pet’s stomach. Baking soda is another safe natural toothpaste. The electric toothbrushes are very effective and the long neck helps you get to the back premolars.

Vitamin C is used by many alternative practitioners for dental disease. It is an immune stimulant and helps the production of normal gum and teeth tissue. The starting cat dose is 100 mg daily. The starting dog dose is 100 mg per 10 lbs daily. If your pet gets diarrhea, lower the dose.

Plaque Off. This is a completely natural product which is suitable for dogs. It is a special type of seaweed which has been found to have specific beneficial effects for oral care. It comes in a granulated form which is easily added to food every day. It is rich in natural iodine and contains important vitamins and minerals and is free from artificial colors, preservatives, gluten and sugar

There are two herbs that can help your dog’s teeth. Calendula lotion can be used to heal ulcers in the mouth and promote healing of damaged tissue. Chamomilia can be used to decrease puppy and kitten chewing, alleviating some of the signs of teething pain. Myrrh can be mixed with water and applied topically to the inflamed gum tissue to decrease gum inflammation.

Now you should be able to understand the importance of keeping your dog’s teeth healthy, and recognize the signs and symptoms of dental disease in your dog. If you see red gums, visible tartar, bad breath or reluctance to chew, then your dog likely has periodontal disease. There are many things you can be doing to prevent and natural treat your dog’s teeth problems; the most important remedies include, specific diets, brushing, the use of supplements, and certain herbs for gum inflammation.

Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a Free Ebook, Dog Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your dog’s health problems quickly and easily at home. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and what to give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Your FREE DOG HEALTH SECRETS BOOK is at http://www.theinternetpetvet.com

Dog Information

Food is a source of energy and a balanced diet is what makes for a healthy life. Be it humans or animals, the source of energy for them is food. Food guarantees a fit and a healthy body. Dog food carries various ingredients. A veterinarian can examine the contents to verify whether the food is suitable and of the highest quality for your dog. The chosen dog food must be able to satisfy all the requirements of your pet. Proper food means a healthy dog with a shiny coat and a longer lifespan.

There are different criteria that one needs to consider when selecting dog food. Few of the basic considerations include keeping into account your dog’s weight, his activity level and whether your pet is suffering from some ailment or not. An underweight or overweight canine requires different level of nutrition. Similarly, an active dog needs more nutrition.

When you visit a store you can see dog food being categorized under three main types -

• Grocery Store Food – One of the cheapest options available in the stores to keep your dog well fed. But this cheap section can cost a lot when it comes to the health of your dog. The food is difficult to digest and contains a lot of chemicals and additives. It maintains the lowest possible quality control standard. Its analysis has revealed substance like plastic being part of the meal. In short, this food should be avoided.
• Premium foods – They are costlier than the previous category. They usually carry preservatives, chemicals, flavors and colors that may harm your dog’s health. But still they have better nutritional ingredients that keep your dog healthy. You must way its pros and cons before picking it up from the store.
• Healthy foods – Maintaining the highest quality standards, healthy dog foods are rich in nutrients and are prepared using vegetables, grains and fruits. They do not carry colors or preservatives instead contain vitamins and minerals that keep your dog shiny and healthy. They are the costliest of the lot but you get the best quality food in return.

Vets around the world suggest that the best dog food is the one that is prepared at home. The food is not only rich in nutrients but is also free from any kind of artificial additives. Some of the common homemade dog meals are soups, stew and vegetables. A home cooked food can never be replaced by the one picked up from store. So instead of spending big bucks in stores you must plan to collect some good dog food recipe.

Paul T Kelly

If your dog has food sensitivities you may need to feed it dog food for sensitive stomachs like some of the great Avoderm dog food selections you can purchase.