Hi All,
Spring is just around the corner!
Come visit our Facebook page to enter our latest Tails Untold Personalized Pet Book Photo Contest to win a wonderful Nicia Pet Couture collar.
Here is the link! http://bitly.com/1kXdfxU
Can’t wait to see all the entries! Please share with all your friends, too.
Susan, Janet and all your friends at Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books
There is nothing more beautiful than the joys of new birth. Puppies are tiny balls of softness, innocence and cuddly cuteness. There are many things you can do to help prepare for your female dog’s pregnancy. Your dog should be over one year of age and have had its 2nd or 3rd heat. Most dogs will have their cycle every 5-7 months. Be sure your female is in good shape prior to becoming pregnant. An overweight dog may run into more complications with pregnancy than a lean, healthy weight dog.
As with any pregnancy, your dog will likely go through emotional changes. Give her lots of love and attention with gentle words and lots of strokes. She may not feel very well in the first few weeks so this extra love will be very soothing.
After the first 6 weeks of pregnancy, your pet will need to consume more food, as well as after the birth of the litter. You should increase her food intake by about 25%. She may need several small meals as the puppies growing inside of her put pressure on her internal organs. Providing clean, fresh water is very important. The need for extra food and fluids increases at this time and helps your dog and her puppies have the nutrition they require.
Exercise is very important as well. Even though she is pregnant, she needs to run and play as she always did. Playtime makes your dog happy and gives her a boost towards a happy pregnancy. Walks alone won’t do it. You will need to walk her more, however, because she is increasing her fluid intake and the puppies put increased pressure on her bladder.
It is important to get her checkups with the vet. Prior to breeding she should test negative for heartworms and intestinal parasites which can be passed along to the pups. All of her immunizations should be up-to-date. The mother’s immunity to infectious diseases is given to her puppies during their nursing of her milk.
Be sure to set aside an area with an easy to clean surface where she can have her pups when the time comes. A low, shallow box lined with clean old blankets, sheets or old clothing will give her a soft and comfortable place to give birth. Get her used to it ahead of time, even offering treats there to get her to go to that spot. If she were to have the puppies outside of that area, move them right to the designated spot so she will follow. Since this will be her resting spot for several weeks with the puppies, it is important to keep it clean and comfortable.
The joys of motherhood will fill the air when the puppies are born. It is a wonderful experience that is best when you have taken the time to prepare for it. All of these suggestions will help to ensure a happy, healthy new litter of puppies!
With the cost of vet care tripling in the past ten years, it is wise to think about the breed of dog or cat that you choose. There are over 100 genetic diseases in cats and over 400 in dogs. Some have a higher prevalence in certain breeds since the animals in a breed share a smaller pool of genes. Dogs tend to have more genetic problems than cats due to cross-breeding, which cats don’t usually have. Yearly wellness check-ups can cost around $140 for kittens and puppies and up to $350 for geriatric cats and dogs. Before you shop for a new pet, it is wise to think about which breeds are more prone to inherited diseases. The following list is far from complete but gives an overview of some common health problem;
-The large dogs, such as the German Shepards and Labradors can have hip dysplasia, which is a loose fit of the ball and socket hip joint. This can require hip replacement. There is also elbow dysplasia, where the elbow joints of the front legs are malformed.
-Smaller dogs, such as Cocker Spaniels often have eye problems. These include such things as cataracts, glaucoma and dry eyes. Poodles tend to have difficulty with their trachea collapsing, endocardiosis and the pituitary gland disorder called Cushings Disease. Dachshunds can have herniated discs which are related to intervertebral disc disease.
-Mixed breed mutts rarely suffer from hereditary diseases. This should encourage people to adopt a non-purebred dog versus spending a great deal on a pet that is purebred.
-Persian cats and Himilayans are prone to hereditary eye diseases. Maine Coon cats and Persians can have a disorder of the heart muscle known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Polycystic Kidney Disease or (PKD) is also a genetic disease of Persian and other long-haired cats. It causes cysts in the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure.
-Both dogs and cats can develop diabetes. This is especially true in overweight animals.
So what is a pet lover to do? There are many laboratories that will do DNA tests to identify genetic disorders. Prices range from $50-$250 or more. It is advised that you pursue these test before you purchase your pet.
When you are thinking of getting a dog or cat, you can go to an internet website on dog or cat breeds and research a particular breed. It will show what health issues may affect your pet. If you get your dog from a reputable breeder, they will often have screened out hereditary breed-specific diseases. A prospective buyer should ask the breeder to see the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) results for the dog’s sire and dam.
Don’t be discouraged if the breed of your choice is more prone to these hereditary diseases. Many breeds live long and healthy lives in spite of the statistics. But as my vet says, a mutt is the best bet. And it sure helps the over-populated shelters and pounds!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
