Pet The World

Pets are an extension of one’s life and love. Caring for pets means one has the ability, skill and heart to give love and take good care of one of nature’s creations. The following are tips and advice to consider when caring for that furry feline, canine, tweety, crawly, etc. friend of yours.

Clean, clean, clean and clean

Sanitation is an all important aspect of a pet’s existence. It is important that pets must be washed and cleaned regularly. Also, dishes used by pets must be separated from those dishes used by other human members of the household. Rinse the dishes used by pets with boiling water, this is after they have been washed thoroughly with soap and water.

As mush as possible, do not let children kiss any and all forms of animals. Dishes used by children should never, ever be shared with pets. Wash your hands quickly and thoroughly after handling pets, pet foods, their cages, boxes, etc. Make sure that pets have been vaccinated appropriately against any and all forms of disease.

Know which does and which does not cause poison

Be aware and be in the know with regards to the kinds of poisons that are available in and around your house. Any products that are lethal for pets must be very well kept out of their reach. An example of these products are the following: pesticides, cleaners, fertilizers, detergents. However, in such a case where the animal is suspected of ingesting such chemicals, make sure that the pet is kept quiet and warm.

It is also important that the poison ingested is immediately determined as well as the quantity swallowed. Most importantly, the nearest animal doctor or the center for poison control is contacted as soon as possible.

Tis the season to have fleas

For pets, especially dogs, fleas and its bites is so annoying and irritating. Pets scratch, pets also chew. After which, what could follow is a very painful and uncomfortable process of more scratching and skin rashes or breakout.

Take note, fleas that have grown into full fledged adults are more dangerous to the health of your pets to the extent that they could cause serious health problems such as dermatitis, allergy, tapeworms. Believe it or not, these fleas could also cause your pet to have anemia. These diseases that are flea-related actually is the leading cause of almost fifty percent of skin-related cases checked up by vets.

The best thing in order to avoid these fleas is to prevent their causes rather than just simply cure them.

Veterinarians have a good idea as to the specific and latest products that effectively kills fleas, their eggs and any larvae.

Choose your vet wisely

The best way to choose the appropriate vet is by thinking how this vet bests suits your wants and needs with regards to the health of your pet as well as the needs of your pet. Good vets usually take a pet history. Records of immunization, health, medications, traits and attitudes of your pet are taken in detail and kept.

Vets must always have your pet’s need as their priority. The following are a few of the best ways to finding that perfect vet for your pet: ask a friend who knows. Friends who also care sincerely for animals or own one usually have a good vet in mind or are having their pets checked up to one.

In summary, pets are human’s best friend. And as best friends they should be treated the same way that humans must be appropriately treated; with care, respect and lots of love.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides pet care resources on http://www.justpetcare.info.

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In most homes in America, the family pet is just like another member of the family. While we may not invite them to join us at the table for dinner, we love them nonetheless. As with any other family member, the health and wellbeing of our pets is of the utmost importance. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your furry friends are a part of your family for many years to come.

Be sure to have your pets vaccinated annually. With all of the debate surrounding vaccine safety, many pet owners have opted out of vaccinating their pets. The main issue to be aware of is that animals are highly susceptible to contracting certain diseases, such as canine parvovirus and canine distemper. These diseases are easily prevented with standard vaccinations, and very expensive to treat should preventative measures be ignored. Standard therapy for these diseases can cost upwards of $1000.00, when factoring in antibiotics and hospitalization. The vaccine itself might cost a fraction of that.

Dental care is another consideration. Just like other members of your family, your pets need to have semi-regular dental check-ups. This is especially important if you have a dog that is being fed a regular diet of human food. Furthermore, dental disease in pets can lead to other serious illnesses, such as heart, kidney, and liver disease. Some studies have even suggested that 80% of all domestic pets over the age of 3 have some existing form of dental disease. It may sound silly to some, but brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of health complications. Take a preventative approach to the dental care of your pet.

Obesity is another issue that pet owners need to be aware of. Most of the time, this can be managed with a healthy, well rounded diet. There are plenty of quality pet food brands on the market today, many of which are tailored to your pet’s stage of development. While an overweight pet might seem cute and cuddly, obesity can lead to serious health problems for your pet. This can include joint problems, arthritis, heart problems, difficulty breathing, and diabetes. Ensure your pet is getting a reasonable amount of exercise each day.

Christine Arbor owns two dogs, three cats, and a bird. She is a lifelong animal lover and a regular volunteer at her local Humane Society. When she is not tending to her animals, she writes about them for topsellingpetsupplies.com - a wonderful resource for information about buying pet supplies online, pet insurance, pet microchips and more.

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At least once in your dog’s life, it’s likely he will have some type of surgery requiring a general anesthetic; e.g., being neutered.

Hopefully, you’ll have time to prepare your dog and your home for
his recovery.

Here are a few tips to help you both
cope with his aftercare. You may not need this yet but hang on to this
article. You never know.

1. Getting started

When you take your dog to the vet for surgery, make sure you find out
when and how you can get progress reports. If you’re like the rest of
us, you’ll be even more anxious than your dog to make sure all goes well.

Usually vets let dogs go home once they are fully conscious and able to walk.

Make sure you ask the vet about your dog’s after care:

* Diet - cooked, skinned white meat chicken and boiled white rice is usually OK

* Drinking - can he have water right away? Can he suck on ice chips?

* Bandages - are there are dressings or bandages you’ll need to change.

Understand what you’re expected to do.

* Contacts - who do you call if your dog develops any problems especially
if it’s at 3 a.m.

* Medication - what, if any, is required and how may it be given such as
in food or with water

* Exercise - how soon and what type should he get

* Follow ups - make needed appointments for check-ups or removal of stitches

2. Driving home

Make sure you secure your dog on the ride home from the vet. He may be a
bit woozy and wobbly as well as bit depressed. He may have some shaved body
areas and a raw cough if he had an endotracheal tube in his throat.

Be sure to keep any drafts off him and have a little blanket to put on
him in case he seems cold. If there are two humans in the car, you may want
to hold him securely on the back seat while you sit comfortably next to him.

3. Being home

The first thing he’s apt to do is go the potty. You make need to support him
if he’s still wobbly.

Don’t be surprised if he immediately goes to sleep, especially as the anesthetic
wears off, usually 24 to 36 hours.

Make sure your dog has a quiet, warm, draft-free place to sleep.
You’ll want to look on him from time to time but don’t let his peace be disturbed
by too many visitors or too much commotion.

4. Taking his medicine

If he needs medication including pain medication, follow the directions you
got from the vet. If the medication didn’t come with a chart, use a calendar
to mark off each time you give him his medicine so you don’t forget or get
confused on how long ago you gave him something.

Many dogs hate pills but most will swallow them whole if wrapped in peanut butter.

5. Changing dressings

Check the operation site daily to ensure it is healing properly. Don’t bathe
it unless your vet has said it’s OK to do so, but you may need to take action
to prevent your dog from licking it.

If you’re applying any topical medicine to your dog, you’ll find he loves to
lick it off.

Use an Elizabethan collar to stop him from reaching the wound site. Your vet
may supply one or you can buy one from pet stores or via the Internet.

6. Getting back on his feet

Start your dog walking as soon as the vet says it’s OK. You usually don’t
exercise him until all stitches have been removed. If you have an active dog,
you may have to force him to stay off his paws and keep him from running
around the house.

Too much and too strenuous exercise can cause poor wound healing and
inflammation so be sure to follow your vet’s direction to the letter.

If your dog is going to require physical therapy, I hope you have a
pet insurance policy that covers it. This can get expensive quickly.

7. Getting fed

Your small dog may need to be fed more frequently than usual because
he won’t be able to eat much and there is a danger of low blood sugar
if he isn’t fed.

Be sure to give him fresh food, nothing stale or left-over. You don’t
want to risk introducing bacteria when he’s still recovering. You may need to support him if he has trouble eating. Make sure to provide fresh water all day long.

8. Watching for these problems

* Not being fully conscious after 36 hours

* Cold and clammy paws and pale gums

* Allergic reactions around the mouth, face or throat as a result of anesthetic or medication

* Feces containing blood

* Bleeding, swelling, redness , oozing or bad odors at the operation site

* Pulling out stitches

Happily with today’s veterinary medicine, complications are unlikely
but alertness on your part can stop any small problem from growing into
a major problem. Best wishes to your all.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
http://www.ToyBreeds.com

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