posted by Tess on Jun 28
Canine or feline parasites are a potential source of danger for pets and humans alike. A single female Toxocara canis, commonly known as roundworms, can shed up to a hundred thousand eggs in a single day. Humans, especially children, are exposed to these eggs when they are excreted in stools or vomit. On entering the skin they can cause visceral larva migrans leading to red, intense Itching eruptions in humans. Ocular larva migrans can even lead to blindness.
Worms in dogs and cats are a common phenomon with most of the transmission of the contagion taking place through the fecal or nursing route. Intestinal parasites do not spread through contact but the eggs that are excreted in the stool are capable of infesting other pets and humans.
Roundworms and tapeworms are two of the four most common intestinal parasites that are visible with the naked eye. A close observation of the stool of the animal is enough to determine whether it is infested with parasites or not.
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posted by Tess on Jun 26
While moving your hand over your dog’s coat you might occasionally feel a bump under the skin. Chances are that if you have been able to locate one, a veterinarian will be able to find a few more since he is skilled and trained. Dog skin problems like bumps in the skin is as common an occurrence as feline acne and feline hair loss. Even though these conditions are common, they should not be treated carelessly. Such problems should not be considered as minor conditions of pet hair and coat disorders like canine and cat dandruff.
But spotting a bump on your dog need not be a cause of panic also. In most cases, bumps turn out to be harmless mass of fatty tissue. Such non-cancerous lumps like cysts, warts, infected hair follicles and swellings filled with blood can cause discomfort to the dog. But they are localized skin problems that have little impact on the overall health of the dog.
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posted by Tess on Jun 22
Being aware of the possibility of worms in dogs is an essential part of owning a dog. You need to be aware of the symptoms of worm infestation right from the day you bring a dog into your home.
Tapeworms are one of the intestinal parasites that require keen observation for diagnosis. For dog owners to know whether their pet is infested with tapeworms it is important for them to know about their appearance, lifecycle and symptoms.
APPEARANCE
Dog tapeworm gets its name from the tape-like appearance that it has. A tapeworm is flat and has segments. It has a head and a neck and the remaining part of the tapeworm is broken into segments. The tapeworm uses muscular grooves present in the head to attach itself to the intestines of the host. New segments are continually formed in the neck region. The ones at the end mature and are shed periodically.
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posted by Tess on Jun 19
Separation anxiety in dogs is a common situation that dog owners need to face. This disorder can bring out the worst behavior in dogs.
Separation anxiety in cats is a less common phenomenon and typically gives rise to behaviors that are not as destructive as those of a dog suffering from separation anxiety. It is so uncommon in cats that it was not till recently that the disorder was considered to be absent in the feline species. Recent studies conducted by veterinarian behavior specialists have proven that separation anxiety is possible among cats also.
During the course of such studies, various factors that can cause separation anxiety in cats were discovered. Such situation can cause the cat to exhibit distinctive behavior patterns that are unique to separation anxiety. Some such factors that can cause separation anxiety among cats are:
* Separation from mother.
* Early weaning.
* Purchase from a pet store.
* Oriental breed like Burmese and Siamese.
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posted by Tess on Jun 18
Biographical stories and scientific research suggest that dogs have a reasonably high intelligence. This, however, does not mean that dogs can premeditate and solve problems. What they do have is a certain association between cause and effect that registers in their minds over time.
Separation anxiety in dogs arises from exactly these types of cause and effect associations that they learn by trial and error. Some dogs take separation from owners in their stride whereas some resort to undesirable behaviors. These undesirable behaviors can border on destructive behaviors at times. Apart from separation anxieties, some dogs may also show anxious behavior during thunderstorms, car rides or visitors.
Conventional medications rely upon antidepressants to suppress anxiety. The side effects of the drugs are an inhibiting factor and often lead people to a search for alternate measures. Natural remedies and diets are effective measures that can prove to be curative while avoiding the side effects that accompany drugs.
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posted by Tess on Jun 16
Out of the numerous intestinal parasites, roundworms and tapeworms are the most common feline parasites that infest cats. The connection between these two intestinal parasites ends here. Roundworms are round and slimy creatures whereas tapeworms are flat and segmented.
Both the worms shed eggs that are passed out in the feces of the cat. But roundworms and tapeworms look different. Roundworm eggs excreted in feces are microscopic, whereas tapeworm eggs are released as packets from the end segments that detach from the worm. These segments can be seen in the cat’s feces or clinging to the hair near the anus of the cat.
Roundworms
The two common species of roundworms found in cats are:
* Toxocara cati
* Toxascaris leonina
Eggs from both the species are generally eaten by a cat when they are still in their non-infectious stage. They may also be ingested by an intermediate host, say, a mouse or a rat.
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posted by Tess on Jun 15
Feline parasites, such as roundworms infest cats in almost the same way as worms in dogs. This process is usually completed in three ways.
* The cat can consume worm eggs from the soil. These roundworm eggs generally come into the environment from the excretion of other infected dogs and cats. The eggs have the capacity to withstand environmental changes and are immune to mild disinfectants. The sticky egg shells cling to the paws or to the fur of the pet. Cats generally ingest the eggs by licking the places where these eggs cling to.
* Most kittens are infected through their mothers. Roundworms have a long migrating lifecycle inside the body of a cat. Larvae get encysted in tissues and can remain there for years. The litter of an infected mother is already infected in utero. Larvae can also be passed on to the kittens through milk during the Lactation period.
* A cat can ingest an infected host animal like a rodent. Larvae in the host develop into roundworms within the cat’s body.
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posted by Tess on Jun 14
Separation anxiety disorders in cats were only discovered recently due to some research conducted by animal behaviorists. The symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs are prominent and easily observed.
Cat separation anxiety is difficult to identify and it requires a keen eye to be able to notice symptoms of separation anxiety in cats. Identification also requires an insight into cat behavior and mannerisms. Cats are less destructive when they suffer anxiety. In most cases, they tend to follow their owners and indulge in self grooming. Sometimes the excessive licking and cleaning can cause psychogenic alopecia.
It is unfortunate that a large majority of the cat separation anxiety cases are caused due to ignorance on the part of cat owners. People tend to encourage behaviors that involve a show of exhilaration on the return of the owner since it is seen as a sign of attachment. They fail to realize that excessive attachment and over dependence is the basic cause behind separation anxiety.
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posted by Tess on Jun 13
As in humans, skin is the largest organ in your pet’s body too. But unlike humans your pet’s skin is concealed by a coat that hides any changes that may be occurring beneath it. And though humans easily detect small changes that may occur on the skin, certain pet skin ailments can only be detected by understanding pet behavior.
Excessive Itching and Scratching is the first give-away symptom that can help you to understand that there is something wrong with your pet. Most of the times, it is this behavior that turns minor problems like cat dandruff and feline acne into serious skin problems like excessive feline hair loss and Eczema.
Dogs run an increased risk and dog skin problems are among the most common health disorders that dog owners have to deal with.
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posted by Tess on Jun 12
The oldest dog breed in America, the Chihuahua is also the smallest of all breeds. Descendants of a much stronger breed, the Chihuahua now has a sleek and muscular body. Some of the major characteristics of the Chihuahua breed are:
* The coat may be long or smooth. The two different coats have different qualities.
* The color can be a solid one or streaked with one or two colors.
* The breed is energetic and graceful with expressions that match those of humans.
* They are devoted and loyal to the owner, as most dogs are.
* They have the longest lifespan as compared to any other breed.
* They need a lot of patience for training.
* The delicate neck and weak bones require special care.
The Chihuahua breed demands undue attention and is highly individualistic. And therefore, it is a breed that is mainly meant for adults and not children. At the same time a Chihuahua requires relatively less amounts of grooming. A mild brushing and a monthly bath are sufficient to take care of its basic hygiene.
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