The RSPCA have made five pledges to improve animal’s lives over the next five years by tackling the root causes of poor welfare, cruel treatment and neglect. The pledges will enable them to measure the real effect they are having on the lives of animals

Pledge 1

To end the over population of companion animals and tackle the related issues.

Too many animals are bred without thought for their future and often eventual owners cant prepare for their needs; they end up abandoned or in the care of a charity. The RSOCA want to see fewer abandoned stray dogs, cats and rabbits taken into their centres and fewer on the waiting lists as their centres are full.

They will educate prospective pet owners, work to improve internet selling policies, promote neutering, work with governments to help improve standards for dogs breeding and reduce the number of dogs that are coming onto the market. They will improve information to help the pet owners and encourage them to re-home pets.

Pledge 2

To end the euthanasia of any re-homable animal.

Too many animals and too few homes mean that sometimes animals cannot be re-homed. The charity have no option but to put them to sleep, and despite the trend over the past twenty years going down, in 2010 33 percent more dogs were euthanased than the year before.

Pledge 3

To increase the proportion of animals reared under higher welfare systems in the UK.

Te UKs inadequate and often ineffectively enforced animal welfare laws can ensure good quality of life for all farm animals produced each year. The RSPCA want to see continued rises in the proportion of those reared under higher welfare conditions, more shops and caterers supplying products from these animals and more consumers buying higher welfare products,

They want to tackle the barriers that stop people buying higher welfare foods, including better product labelling, and encourage retailers and shoppers to opt for higher welfare products such as the RSPCA’s freedom food label.

Pledge 4

To reduce the number of animals in the UK who undergo secure suffering when used in experiments.

The level of pain or distress suffered by animals used in experiments is, under UK law, classified as mild, moderate or substantial. Any level of suffering is a concern, but ending sever suffering is a top priority.

Pledge 5

To reduce the number of exotic animals kept as pets and increase their humane care.

Animals, such as reptiles, are being caught in the wild and transported long distances in unacceptable conditions to be sold in the UK. People choose to home exotic pets without realising they can be difficult to care for, live a long time and need specialist care. The RSPCA plan to raise awareness and ensure that these animals are kept as safely as possible.

If you have a pet and want to be a responsible owner then opt for pet insurance.

Becoming a new dog owner or rescuing a dog is an exciting time and can lead to a lifetime of loyalty, love and fun. However, bringing an animal into a different situation may require an adjustment period for both owner and canine. The new plan requires time to get used to the different personalities, and establish expected limitations. Even as, time passes, you may be concerned about your dog’s personality, especially if you think your new dog may be inclined to aggressive tendencies.

Being a Responsible Pet Owner

If more people had concerns regarding their dog’s aggression, there would be fewer reports of dog attacks. Examine your dog’s actions in different situations before you hire a behavioral specialist. With observation, you will learn whether your dog is displaying aggressive behavior or simply misunderstood.

Aggression Observation

If you are concerned about how your dog plays with other dogs, the first thing to understand is that dogs do play rough with one another. You can determine if your dog has healthy interactions with other dogs by watching his body language, and his response. If both dogs are actively playing, and it just feels rough, you have less cause for concern. If the playmate whimpers, or tries to get away, and your dog does not let up, your dog may need to work more on social interaction. While the behavior is a little aggressive in play, your dog is still playing, and not out trying to hurt another dog. You may want to work on training your dog in a social setting, with a professional trainer, to improve your dog’s ability to respond to social cues of other dogs.

Aggression Caused by Fear

If your dog is overly aggressive, causing harm to another, it could be fear-aggression. Fear-aggression is the response of a dog that feels threatened by another dog. It’s also likely you may have a significant behavior issue with your dog, that would require professional help, to determine what is causing the aggression your dog is expressing, and how to get a resolution.

Aggression at Home

There are times when you may recognize your dog asserting aggressive behavior at home. If the aggression is during play, it may be just rough play. Rough play can be expected when dogs learn how to interact.  Let your dog know what actions are inappropriate by telling him “No” while ignoring him briefly, before playing again. Dogs feed on attention, and negative attention helps shape the dog to see what is right and what is not. If this does not fix your dog’s behavior, you may want to enroll him in dog obedience school to understand better social skills.

When to Seek Professional Help

If a dog becomes aggressive when being starred at, reached toward, or during punishment, there may be some dominance behavioral issues. A trained professional should handle dominance issues. The same applies to aggression over food and treats. If your dog begins to growl and snarl at you during feeding time, simply walk away to lessen the risk your dog is sensing and contact someone that can help work with your dog on this.

Neglect and Abuse

In most cases, basic training will resolve behavioral issues with dogs. Don’t give up on your dog. Allow him time to build social skills, and to bond with you. If you are ever afraid of your dog’s aggressive actions, and feel that you or anyone else is in danger, you should seek professional help for an evaluation. Professional evaluation will reveal the potential for correction or not. In most cases, real aggression is a learned behavior, typically from neglect or abuse.

A wireless dog fence expert, practicing veterinarian and author; Dr. Wright provides professional care for family pets and teaches their owners how to care for them properly.

Spaying and neutering refer to the surgical removal of an animal’s reproductive organs. In females, spaying entails removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes; in males, neutering involves removal of the testicles. Both procedures are standard and are performed by veterinarians. Fixing your cat or dog renders him or her incapable of reproducing. The procedures are done after an animal reaches 8 weeks of age and ideally before sexual maturity (by 6 months of age).

Here are seven important reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered:

1. Fixing pets helps control the unwanted pet population. Unplanned puppies and kittens end up in animal shelters much faster than they are adopted. Close to 4 million animals are euthanized annually in the U.S. because shelters are so overpopulated, notes the American Humane Association.

2. Neutering prevents testicular cancer in male cats and dogs. Spaying prevents uterine and ovarian cancer in female cats and dogs, and it helps prevent certain infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about half of dogs and up to 90% of cats, according to the ASPCA.

3. Spaying and neutering prevent animals from going into heat. During sexual arousal, pets try desperately to escape from home to find a mate. Many pets are lost or injured this way. Animals in heat also suffer considerable discomfort and can be aggressive or annoying with loud, incessant vocalizations. They may also spray urine around the house.

4. Fixing pets makes them calmer (especially males), but does not change their personalities. Once they are spayed and neutered, animals are less hyperactive, less territorial, and more attentive to the humans in their lives.

5. Contrary to popular belief, spaying and neutering do not trigger weight gain or make it more likely a pet will become overweight. Fixing has no inherent effects on an animal’s weight or metabolism. If you are concerned about your pet’s weight, feed him an appropriate number of calories and make sure he gets enough exercise.

6. You can save money by fixing your pet. Some people don’t want to spend the money for the surgery, but remember that the decision to own a pet comes with financial responsibilities. Plus, the procedure costs considerably less than taking care of a new litter of pets, or treating a pet that becomes ill or injured after running off in search of a mate. Contact a local shelter or humane organization to find affordable places to have your pet spayed or neutered in your area.

7. Many people believe they won’t contribute to the problem of overcrowded shelters as long as they find loving homes for the puppies or kittens their pet delivers. This is not the case, though. The people with whom you place your newborns are part of the finite number of people who want to own a cat or dog. These people could adopt an animal in need of a home from a shelter, but they are considerably less likely to do so if they have the option of obtaining a pet from people who simply didn’t bother to spay or neuter.

If you care about your pet and about animals in general, the choice to spay or neuter should be an easy one. It is best for your pet’s health and it may save the life of a shelter animal.

Information provided by VetDepot, a trusted online retailer of flea treatment including K9 Advantix and Advantage flea control.

Reading The Label

A quick read of the ingredients contained within dog food will probably leave you questioning how on Earth that can be healthy. Some of us simply have no idea what should actually be in dog food, so just take it for granted that whatever is in the tin must be good. To achieve great dog care, you must understand that often the dog food will be the only thing your pet will eat, it isn’t like a human having the odd kebab or large chocolate bar. Therefore it is imperative that what your dog eats is only the very best.

What Should Your Dog Be Eating

Eating and dietary requirements can differ from breed to breed, so buying a book or specifically researching these relevant to your pet will help you to deliver the best level of dog care. Most studies have shown that the best ratio’s for a dog diet are 50% meat and 50% vegetables. A lot of pet food brands will stuff their tins with grain and filler ingredients, which won’t do your dog any favours whatsoever. You may have to research this yourself however, as ratios such as this are not by law required to be on the label therefore you could be left scratching your head.

The second important factor is to ensure there is a high level of protein in your dog’s diet, which should be indicated on the label. Look for high levels of meat meal within the ingredients which will indicate a high protein content in the dog food.

Look carefully for details of grains in your dog food. Any grains should be whole and in their natural form, as this will give the best nutritional benefits to your dog in terms of fibre and protein. Processed grains are often used as filler to make foods appear as though they have a high protein content when in reality they do not.

Ensure you carefully read the label, as often meat and vegetables will be listed first with fillers included below. Generally, lower quality foods will list the meat and vegetables first to give an impression that these are the majority ingredients in the product.

Finally, a simple suggestion, buy the top of the range, premium foods. Although you will pay a higher financial price, your dog’s overall health will be better and they will greatly benefit from eating a much healthier, balanced diet.

Videojug is a next-generation digital media company that helps people to ‘get good at life’. They have a huge variety of video content, like how to find the best dog care.

It’s quite common for elderly dogs to show signs of canine dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction. Almost one half of all 11 year old dogs have symptoms of this disease. By the age of 16 years, all dogs are affected to some degree by dementia.

Symptoms appear gradually and then progressively worsen. You may not notice them at first, but as they become more severe, the changes in your dog’s behavior start to affect you and your family.

Symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

One of the earliest indicators that your dog has a problem is that he seems to be losing his memory. He will appear confused and disorientated, and wander around aimlessly especially at night. He will also start to go to the toilet inside, as if he has never been toilet trained at all.

Night time can be difficult as your dog can’t sleep and his behavior will keep you up at night too. Sometimes he will bark non-stop for no obvious reason.

Your dog’s  behavioral changes are thought to be associated with a deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in his brain.

Reaching a Diagnosis

It’s important to rule out any medical cause of these behaviors before making a diagnosis of dementia. For example, a loss of toilet training can indicate a bladder infection or urinary incontinence, both of which can be treated. Restlessness may occur if he has sore joints, and just can’t get comfortable.

You can expect your vet to run some blood tests to rule out internal disease. Depending on what they find when they examine your dog, they may recommend x-rays to check his spine and leg joints for arthritis.

Treatment of Dementia in Dogs

*Medication. L-deprenyl is a drug that lengthens the effects of the dopamine that remains in your dog’s brain. This can reverse the symptoms of dementia but the results vary. It can take several months before you start to see an improvement in your dog’s demeanor and behavior.

*Diet. Some dog food manufacturers have developed a dry food containing omega fatty acids and antioxidants which can improve brain function. However, this too can take two months or more before it has any obvious effect.

* Environmental enrichment. Don’t give up on your dog just because his mental abilities are slowing down. You can definitely teach an old dog new tricks, and the mental stimulation will help to keep his mind active and slow the progression of his symptoms. Teach him tricks using positive training methods,and invite doggie friends over for a play date.

Even though he is slowing down physically, your canine best friend will still enjoy going for a stroll with you, and exploring his environment.

There is no quick fix for canine cognitive dysfunction. A combination of the above treatments are the best options for relieving those distressing symptoms and give your dog a reasonable quality of life in his senior years. The sooner you start treating him, the sooner you’ll see a response, so if you suspect dementia in your family dog, make an appointment with your vet sooner rather than later.

A wireless dog fence expert, practicing veterinarian and author; Dr. Wright works tirelessly caring for domestic animals and teaching their owners how to care for them properly.

How to Compare Cat Insurance

All feline pet owners want to know how to choose the best policy and how to save the most money. The answer is simple – by comparing cat insurance. When you have more products to pick from, the chances of finding the ideal one are higher. More importantly, if you use an all-encompassing and productive method for comparison, you are bound to get the most perfect policy which meets all your requirements and falls within your budget. Use this seven-step method to get the best results.

Decide on the right type of cat insurance for you.

Things will be much easier for you when you know exactly what you want. Furthermore, when comparing cat insurance, it is crucial to compare likes with likes. Otherwise, you will get totally confused and the end result may not be as beneficial as you have expected.

Figure out which level of cover will be most suitable for you given your pet’s age and its overall health and given the vet fees in your city or town. While per-condition and time-limited plans are recommended for young and healthy pets, you should certainly consider the more comprehensive and versatile lifetime policies, if your pet is old and/or predisposed to serious and chronic injuries and illnesses. Check the vet fees in your area to get an idea of how much the treatment of a common condition such as gastrointestinal infection will cost. Then figure out if per-condition or time-limited insurance will be sufficient for paying for it.

Obtain insurance quotes.

This is the simplest of all tasks when it comes to comparing cat insurance. You simply need to fill out a quote request form online and you will obtain an offer instantly after submitting it. You can choose to obtain a quote over the phone or directly at an insurer’s office, but these methods are time consuming and costly. Using the internet will allow you to obtain a large number of offers easily and quickly at no cost. In general, it is best for you to obtain at least five offers from different insurers. To make sure that they will be accurate, you have to fill out the quote request form honestly and accurately.

Compare the amounts of vet fees cover.

Once you obtain quotes, your first task is to check how much cover is available with each policy. Check how much cover you will be entitled to and whether it will be sufficient for you. This will help you eliminate a number of offers automatically, when comparing cat insurance plans. Do not take a look at the prices yet. The idea is to evaluate the products based on their usefulness first.

Compare any additional cover benefits.

Check what you get along with the main vet fees cover. Most companies provide boarding fees, holiday cancellation, advertising and reward, theft / straying and death cover. Figure out how useful each of these will be to you when comparing cat insurance quotes. At this point, you can select the most suitable policies for you in terms of comprehensiveness.

Compare prices.

The key to comparing cat insurance prices is to do it on the basis of what you will get for your money. Go over the policies which provide sufficient vet fees cover and the extra cover benefits which you require. Pick the one which offers the best value for your money. You can choose to do some calculations to make the comparison more precise. Try to calculate how much £1,000 of cover will cost you with each different product. Check how much you will pay for adding an advertising and reward cover benefit. This should give you a better idea of what you will obtain for your money.

Compare the level of comprehensiveness and flexibility.

It is a good idea to check for any limitations and exclusions when comparing cat insurance. This will help you figure out how comprehensive and versatile a policy really is. You do not have to go over the entire wording of each plan available. Just check the relevant sections. You can also go to the FAQ page on the insurer’s website to get the information you need. Watch out for seemingly unimportant exclusions such as secondary dental conditions occurring due to another illness.

Compare saving options.

You should certainly consider the ways in which you can save when comparing cat insurance as they may allow you to get a more comprehensive and flexible policy for less. The discounts are the most popular saving options as they are the easiest to use. Check how much you can save with them in total. Keep their limitations in mind as well. The discounts usually apply only during the first year of the policy. Check if the different companies allow you to lower the premium by raising the excess. This is another method for saving which tends to work quite well.

Compare companies.

The insurer which you buy a policy from has to have a high rating. This guarantees that they are financially capable of paying claims to customers. Make sure that the company offers quick and objective claim processing. They should have a good customer service providing support whenever you need it.

Comparing cat insurance is easy and effective if you know how to do it right.

I hope that this guild helps you to compare the best cat insurance and I hope it saves you some money:-) We write about all sorts of issues to do with cat’s dog’s horses and rabbits. The more knowledge we can provide to you about your pet/s the healthier your pet will be.

The Afghan Hound is an ancient elegant looking dog, native to Sinai. This breed has been mentioned several times in ancient Egyptian writings and seen in Northern Afghanistan caves as pictures on the cave walls, which are more than 4000 years old. The Afghan Hound was kept a pure breed for centuries and was never allow to be exported out of the country. They were brought to Europe early in the 20th century as contraband. The Afghan is a sight hound meaning they hunt only by sight; they are extremely agile fast runners. This breed was used as a shepherd and hunter; they would hunt deer, wolves, snow leopards and wild goats. They were used as herders and guard dogs because their thick coats protect them against extreme temperatures. Today in the United States and Europe the Afghan Hound has become a luxurious elegant breed, which is shown in competition.

Physical Characteristics

Afghan Hounds are the aristocrats of the sight hounds; they are tall, slender, long and narrow with a refined head and silky topknot. Their rich, long, silky coat comes in a wide range of colors and multi-colors.

Height:  Males and females are both 27 to 29 inches.

Weight:  Males and females are both 58 to 64 lbs.

Litter:  The average litter is 6 to 8 pups.

Average Life Span: 11 to 13 years.

Typical Health Concerns

As a whole Afghan Hounds are very healthy dogs, like most sight hounds are very sensitive to anesthesia, this breed is also prone to allergies.

Personality Characteristics

This dignified spirited dog is affectionate, loyal and loving to its family. The dog must be trained with a calm but firm manner they are suspicious of anyone they do not know, yet they are not a hostile breed. This breed is best in a home with adults and older children, who know how to be gentle as well as maintaining the authority of pack leader. Owners have to be consistent with their training and give the dogs clear and definite guidelines.  The Afghan is prone to become anxious if they do not receive sufficient mental and physical, daily exercise.

The Afghan should be on a leash and at your side or behind you while on long daily walks. When entering a gateway or door, the owner as pack leader, should always enter first. They enjoy jogging or running alongside your bike they also enjoy running free in open and fenced areas.

Grooming Requirements

The coat of the Afghan demands a lot of attention. If the dog is bathed, only when necessary, and avoid brushing between their baths, their long coats will stay healthy and shiny. Their coats can damage if brushed while dry; brushing can cause the coat to become extremely matted. Some owners chose to bath their dogs weekly to avoid matting, which will save work for you in the end, the ears should be protected with a snood while eating. The Afghan is considered an average shedder.

Is This Dog for You?

Afghan Hound is best suited for a home with a large fenced yard, where they can live in or out of doors depending on their preference. They are usually happier sleeping indoors. This breed is not recommended for an apartment or condo living.

A wireless dog fence expert, practicing veterinarian and author; Dr. Wright works tirelessly caring for domestic animals and teaching their owners how to care for them properly.

Summer is just around the corner. While summer is time for fun with the whole family, the hot weather can pose special risks for your dog. While aged and other at-risk dogs are most vulnerable to heat-related problems, even healthy dogs can quickly succumb to sunburn, dehydration, heat stroke, and other conditions. The following tips will ensure a safe and fun summer for every member of your household, including the four-legged ones.

1. Schedule walks early in the morning and during the evenings when the heat outside is less intense. If your dog needs time to run around each day, encourage such activity near or after dark in your yard.

2. Never leave your dog in your parked or unattended car. Temperatures inside a car can rise above 100 degrees within minutes on a hot day. Heat stroke can occur very rapidly under such conditions, leading to brain damage and even death.

3. Protect your dog’s paws on walks and during play. As the sun beats down over the course of the day, asphalt and sand can become hot enough to cause serious burns on your dog’s paw pads.

4. Make sure your dog has a shady resting area if he will be outside for any length of time. Doghouses should be closed during the day, as these trap heat and can quickly become ovens.

5. Offer your furry friend a chance to cool off during the hot summer by filling a wading pool with water for him to lie or play in. Make sure the water is changed frequently to keep bacteria, bugs, and other pests away.

6. Always make sure your dog has plenty to drink and access to water at all times when outside. Check water bowls frequently throughout the day and refill when necessary.

7. If your dog is very young or very old, suffers from an existing medical condition, is taking medications, or is brachycephalic (Pekingese, Boxers, Bulldogs, and others), keep him inside in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible.

8. Do not allow your dog to drink ocean water if you take him to the beach. Doing so will make him sick, as seawater contains too much salt for dogs to handle.

9. Watch for signs of heatstroke in your dog. Early signs include heavy breathing and panting, drooling, a bright red tongue and gums, and spreading out when standing to maintain balance. Signs of advanced heat stroke, such as blue or white gums, labored breathing, lethargy, uncontrollable urination, and shock. These symptoms require immediate veterinary attention.

10. Unless you know your dog is a good swimmer, never leave him unsupervised around water. Additionally, the ASPCA recommends that dogs wear flotation devices when on boats.

This helpful information was provided by VetDepot, a leading retailer of pet medications including K9 Advantix, Frontline Plus and Cosequin.

When it comes to caring for the basic needs of your dog, there are basically two ways that you can accomplish those things. The first way is simply by doing everything yourself. You can train, feed, bath, groom and even walk your dog on your own if you choose to do so. However, the second way of providing for your dog seems to be growing in popularity in recent years. What is it? Instead of providing for your dog’s needs on your own, you have the option of hiring someone or getting a dog walking service to do those things for you.

Most people enjoy being able to train, feed and even bath their dogs on their own. It allows them to be able to connect on many levels with their dog who is, in many ways, another family member. However, actually walking the dog seems to be something that more and more people are growing accustomed to hiring someone else to do for them. What are the some of the benefits of using a dog walking service?

It Saves You Time

Taking the time out every day to walk your dog can take valuable time away from your already hectic day. We all have very busy schedules that require us to constantly be on the move in so many different ways around the clock – professionally, mentally, emotionally, financially and physically. Finding time to walk your dog regularly every day may be one of those things that you would rather not do simply because you are too busy doing everything else. Hiring a professional dog walking service to take care of this for you instead saves you from having to use that time every single day. You might be able to get some more work done that you would not have had the time to do before or even have an opportunity to just relax and enjoy that time to yourself or with your family.

It Helps With Your Dog’s Development

Professional dog walkers have studied the art and techniques of walk dogs for years, having an abundance of knowledge that you may not even be familiar with. This makes them the most qualified individuals to walk your amazing dog on a regular basis, because they know exactly what your dog needs and how to fulfill those needs for him or her. This also helps further the overall development of your dog, because they will socially be able to adapt to a different person outside of their home without misbehaving themselves.

Videojug provides over 60,000 free and professionally-produced ‘how to’ videos, such as how to find the best dog care.

All About Heartworms

Heartworm is one of the most common internal parasites that may infect your beloved pet. Most animals are at risk even though the degree of risk varies between species and areas. The heartworm infestation may cause serious symptoms and even be fatal unless the animal is treated on time. Effective prevention methods are readily available.

General Overview

Heartworm is an internal parasite. It is spread by mosquitoes. When a mosquito containing the larvae bites your pet, they will continue to grow and develop into adult worms. The adults inhabit the right chamber of the heart. That is why the parasite is called heartworm. Infestation can occur anytime anywhere.

What pets are at risk?

Most animals kept as pet’s may be infested. These include cats, dogs, ferrets and horses. Rabbits and guinea pigs are not susceptible to heartworm, however. Statistics show that dogs are the pets with highest risk of infestation. Male dogs are more than four times more likely to have worms in their heart compared to females. Canines kept outdoors are at higher risk as well. They are five times more likely to develop the disease.

Pets in warm coastal areas, slow river and moor areas are at higher risk of heartworm. These are areas where mosquitoes thrive and bite pets more often. Generally, other geographic and climatic traits may also make an area a high-risk one. That is why it is best to check with your vet how safe your town is.

Heartworm Lifecycle

L3 infective heartworm larvae enter your pet’s system via a mosquito bite. The larvae live underneath the skin. There they undergo two transformations. The transformation from L3 to L4 occurs between 1 and 12 days after infestation. The larvae remain in the L4 stage of development for 50 to 68 days. Then they molt into L5 life stage. At this stage, they are immature worms.

Immature worms find their way to the heart through a peripheral vain. Their final stops are the right chamber of the heart and the pulmonary arteries. The parasites develop into adult worms around 6 months after first entering the body. Adult worms are between 4 and 12 inches in length. They can live up to five years. In heavily infested pets, especially dogs, the number of worms in the heart may reach 250 or higher.

Adult worms thrive in the heart of the host. If male and female worms are present, they reproduce. Female worms give birth to microfilariae which are able to survive in the host for as long as three years. These cannot develop into adults unless they are transferred to a secondary host, a mosquito, through a bite. The microfilariae develop into L3 larvae for 10 to 17 days, depending on the climate.

The L3 larvae move to the mouth of the mosquito so they can be transferred to another animal. In this way, an infested pet can actually spread the disease to his/her neighbors without direct contact.

Heartworm Infestation Symptoms and Diagnosing

The initial symptoms of heartworm disease include tiring easily after exercise, overall exercise intolerance and soft but deep cough. If your pet seems lethargic and you notice him/her coughing, you should call the vet timely. As the disease develops, the symptoms worsen. More rapid breathing than normal and weight loss are common. Your pet may cough heavily after exercise even up to the point of fainting. The ribs become easy to see while the chest begins to bulge.

There are two main types of blood tests used for the diagnosis of heartworm disease. One of them is the heartworm antigen. It is designed to identify the presence of a specific adult female antigen. If only a few adult males are present the results may be inaccurate. That is why another blood test is used as well. The microfilarial concentration test allows for parasites present in the blood sample to be recognized when the sample is inspected under a microscope. A chest x-ray is the best test that will confirm the presence of heartworms in the heart.

Heartworm Treatment

The main treatment of the disease involves killing the adult worms and the microfilaria, if possible. This is done through the administration of medications. The most commonly used active ingredients in heartworm drugs are thiacetarsamide and melarsamine. Most types of medications contain arsenic. That is why toxic reactions are possible in treated animals. Both of the main active ingredients produce effective results, but it is best to consult your vet which would be better for your pet.

Surgical removal of the adult worms is the recommended option when the infested animals are heavily infested, critically ill and suffer from vena cava syndrome with increased risk of toxic reaction. Microfilariae are usually killed with the use of preventive medication after all adult worms have been removed. Your pet insurance provider will cover your pet if He or she was to contract heartworm, as it’s in the best interests of the animal to remove this parasite as soon as it is possible.

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm prevention methods are highly effective and much cheaper to use compared to treatment. Taking basic measures to repel mosquitoes from your house and yard during the warm months is highly recommended. Consider using flea and tick control medication that protects your pet from mosquito bites. This kind of protection is not 100% guaranteed, but it is useful.

Administering medications that can kill the larvae at stage L3 and the immature worms at stage L4 is the most effective method for prevention. This is the most effective prevention option for dogs. Since cats are at lower risk, your vet may recommend that your feline pet is not given preventive medication.

Diethylcarbamazine is effective for killing L3 larvae while ivermectin, selamectin, and milbemycin are effective for killing both L3 and L4 parasites. As the larvae and immature worms never develop into adults your pet is perfectly well protected.

Most preventive medications are administered monthly during the high-risk seasons. In some areas, pets may require preventive drugs all year round. You should consult your vet about the best option for your pet as soon as you get him/her home. The veterinarian will give you advice on what drugs, if any, are useful for preventing heartworm in your pet and how they should be administered.

If your pet contracts heartworm it’s very important that you deal with this parasite as soon as you can before your pet get any other complications. Make sure you check your pet insurance policy to see if you are covered for heartworm. Most insurance providers offer this as standard, however check your policy to be safe in knowing your vet fees will be covered in the event of heartworms.

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How to Give Your Dog Healthy Meals and Treats 

When it comes to dog  and pet nutrition, many people think that spoiling their dog with delicious food is a must. This is certainly a mistake. You have to keep strict rules about feeding your canine and giving him treats. In this way, you will keep him healthy and protect him from obesity.

Plan dog treats in line with your pet’s nutrition plan. It is important to keep the calorie intake of your pet balanced. That is why treats should be planned for especially when they are given on a daily basis. You should definitely follow some ground rules regarding your dog’s nutrition so that you can later on fit treats in his diet in a healthy and beneficial way.

Dog nutrition explained

Your dog needs all essential types of nutrients and namely proteins, vitamins and minerals and carbohydrates. Meat is an excellent source of protein. Vegetables can give your pet some essential vitamins and minerals as well as proteins. Whole grains and rice are the best sources of healthy carbs for canines.

Look for all of these ingredients in dog food. When it comes to brands and quality, you have to get only food that is approved by the respective authorities responsible for pets and their nutrition. Generally, different dogs thrive on different kinds of foods. That is why it is best to experiment with different types for six weeks at a time to find out which food is best for your pet. If you see that he has good energy levels and shiny coat, then you can be certain that you have found the right food.

Should you feed your dog canned or dry food? While canned food tends to be high in proteins and fat dry food is richer in starch and carbs. Semi dry food contains some additives that may not be healthy. Generally, it is a good idea to alternate canned and dry food so that your pet can have a truly balanced diet.

Home cooking is recommended to those pet owners who have the time and motivation to cook for their pets. There are plenty of healthy recipes provided by specialists. You can readily devise a diet plan that includes different recipes with the help of your vet. In this way, you will ensure that your canine gets all the nutrients that he needs

Adult dogs should be fed twice a day, according to veterinarians. While puppies will be better off with three meals a day, the digestive tract of adults works best when they get food only two times daily. This rule is important to keep since it has a direct effect on treats and their provision.

How do you give a dog healthy and enjoyable dog treats?

In order for treats to be healthy they should account for no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake. Check what calorie intake is recommended for your dog given his breed, size, weight and age. This will help you in devising weekly and daily meal plans and in deciding on the right amount treats. Since treats are readily available in pet stores, you can easily check their calorie count and decide on the right amount per day.

Remember that you should not reduce the portions of your pet just to be able to give him more of these snack foods. This is important since treats are not designed to be nutritious and cannot give your pet the proteins, vitamins, minerals and healthy carbs that he needs. They should never be used as food substitutes as this may lead to obesity and other health problems.

Be extremely careful not to give your dog treats that may be harmful and toxic to him. Not all human foods that we enjoy are healthy and safe for canines. Sweets may have an adverse effect on the vision of your pet. Different additives in human snacks may cause allergic reactions and even poisoning. Some natural and healthy foods for humans are toxic for canines. These include walnuts, grapes, avocadoes, onions and chocolate. Consult your vet what human foods and snacks and in what amounts are safe and healthy for your pet. As you don’t want to claim on your dog insurance policy from something that could have been prevented. Generally, it is best to treat your dog primarily with dog treats to be on the safe side.

Buying dog treats requires the same care as buying dog food. Always get treats that are approved by the respective pet and health authorities. It cannot be said with certainty whether organic, natural and holistic treats (and foods) are better than the “plain” ones. Again, it is worth experimenting to find out what your pet likes best and which snacks really make him happy and healthy.

Making dog treats at home is recommended. There are plenty of recipes for healthy, nutritious and delightful treats that can be easily made at home. In general, dogs tend to prefer treats that contain chicken, liver and eggs. These ingredients are extremely nutritional as well as tasty. Pet biscuits are easy to make and delicious. Plus they are good for cleaning your dog’s teeth. It is a good idea to try out different recipes. Just make sure that you do not make large amounts of treats.

Dog treats and training

Use dog treats for training and for encouraging exercise. You should definitely reward your pet when he follows your instructions and behaves himself. Still, rewarding him should not become a habit. You have to teach your pet not to expect treats for obedience. Experts recommend replacing the food treats with clicker sounds as early as possible in the training

You can reward your pet with food when he exercises as you would like. However, it should be pointed out that this approach is best used with dogs that do not exercise sufficiently and this affects their health. In general, canines are usually more than happy to run around, jump and play without treats so you should not link one to the other in order to avoid problems in the future.

Finally, give your pooch the best dog treats and the right pet nutrition. Just remember that your affection is worth more than any other treat your pet can possibly get.

About the Author

Rob is a keen blogger with a love for dogs, cats, rabbit and horses! He owns a kennel and dog insurance website. We enjoy writing a lot about animals on preventative care and treatments for your pet.

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