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Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy with a Chinchilla Dust Bath

October 1st, 2010

To keep your chinchilla healthy and happy, you need to give him or her a dust bath. This is not only good for them, but it also makes them look great and incredibly soft. When chinchillas are handled frequently, and doing their general day to day thing, their fur may become greasy and oily requiring chinchilla dust baths to put things right.

You can purchase a chinchilla bath house from a pet store or use the inexpensive method. The cheaper method is to find an old bowl that’s fairly large. Place a half inch of chinchilla dust, purchased from a pet store, into the bowl and place it into his cage and secure the latch on the door. Chinchillas will naturally take to a dust bath and jump right in on their own.

Let him play and spin in the bowl for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the dusting bowl from the cage and discard the dust contents when he‘s done. It’s best to discard the dust in case its been fouled and not reuse it for another bath. Some people believe chinchillas should have a bath daily and others say weekly. You can use these guidelines or learn when his fur begins to appear greasy and unkempt. Then it’s definitely time for a little bath. They love to bath and play in the dust, so it’s a healthy activity to keep them happy. Cages for chinchillas should not contain a permanent dust bath unless it has a lid you can close. Chins will dry themselves out if they are allowed limitless access.

Chinchillas do not require bathing with water and should not be given a water bath. This can create problems for the health of a pet and should be avoided. For those that are allergic to dust, you can substitute chinchilla sand in place of dust. It does not remove as much of the oils from their fur as dust does, but it may not be as problematic for people that are allergic to dust.

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Travelling By Air with Your Dog

September 13th, 2010

Travelling by air is always an exciting thing for many, as it brings its own adventures and experiences unique only to travelling by plane. Yet, air travel is also a complex situation that demands several preparations so that everything will fall into its right place, without which there could be a lot of inconveniences that are vexing. The aggravating part is the fact that there is hardly anything that can be done while the plane is airborne.

Things could get so much more complicated when you are travelling with your pet dog. Let us go through a few things that are core concerns for a comfortable air travel with your dog.

1. A large durable cage for your dog.

Air travel is very restrictive. There is minimal space by which passengers, and cargoes, can move. It is important that your dog is in a cage that is large enough for him to move around. It must also have sufficient open spaces, holes and air vents to make the ride as comfortable as possible to the dog. We have to keep in mind that long after the plane has touched down and passengers are out, your dog is still inside the belly of the plane or still in line to be processed out. The dog cage must have ample space, and strong enough for moving around. Otherwise, the discomfort the dog will have to endure is far more than what is necessary.

One other important thing to watch out for is that the spaces and holes are just enough sizes so as not to put your dog in unnecessary danger. No part of the dog should fit into the hole for him to be able to reach out of his dog cage. This is very dangerous since we do not know what surroundings the dog will be in while in the cargo hold. Check this detail during preparation before the actual departure to the airport. Vertical slats narrower than any part of your dog, like his paw, are good functional holes in a cage. They give the dog good vision range and large enough for free airflow to ensure that your dog has sufficient oxygen, but small enough not to put him in danger.

2. Your dog’s food and water, blankets, toys, and other accessories.

To entertain your dog during travel, bring his toys along with him in his cage. He should also have some blankets in the cage on which he can be warm and comfortable inside the cage. This is also true when you arrive in your destination. He should have with him the playthings that make him comfortable and that keep him busy, like usual.

Depending on the length of the travel, you might need to have some food and water inside the cage. Check these details so as not to starve or dehydrate your dog.

3. Pre-arrangements with the airliner.

Get into clear communication with the airline authorities. Ensure that everything is cleared with them and that they are approved as per their policies and procedures. You do not want surprises during pre-departure and check in time, so clear everything long before that.

4. Check other special needs that your dog requires. Make sure that you got them covered.

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How to Use Advantage Multi for Dogs

September 10th, 2010

Advantage Multi for Dogs and cats is a simple and effective way to control a wide range of parasites.  But to ensure your pet is safe and pest free you do need to ensure you use this treatment correctly.  Here is a simple guide to using Advantage Multi for dogs:

  • Firstly you must remember this product contains a heartworm preventative and so must never be used alongside any other heartworm medicine.  Because heartworm is so serious any dog that is not already taking a preventative must be tested for the disease prior to starting use of Advantage Multi.  If you are switching from another form of heartworm preventative give the first Advantage Multi treatment 30 days after you used the previous product.
  • Secondly you must buy the correct pack size for your pet.  Depending on the weight of your dog you will need a different color coded pack.  This is to ensure your dog gets just the right dosage of the active ingredients to keep him healthy and safe.
  • Thirdly, no must remember to use Advantage Multi every thirty days.  If more than a couple of months passes between treatments you should visit your vet for a heartworm test just to be on the safe side before using the treatment again.
  • Forthly, actually administering the treatment is extremely simple.  All you need to do is part the fur between the shoulder-blades and apply the entire capsule of liquid directly onto the dogs skin.  For large dogs you will need to do this in a few places along the spine from shoulder-blades to the base of the tail, spreading the capsules contents evenly amongst these application sites.  This allows the active ingredients to protect the whole body of the dog quickly and easily.  Remember liquid applied to the fur cannot be absorbed completely, so you must aim to get all the medicine directly onto the skin.

That is it.  There are full instructions included with every pack of Advantage Multi for Dogs, but that is all you should really need to know to keep your pet free from fleas, heartworms, lice, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.tw

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Silky Terrier Puppies Were Bred from the Yorkie

August 21st, 2010

Silky terrier puppies are small dogs that are bred from the terrier family. The Silky terrier puppy finds its beginnings in Australia even though its ancestors were from England.  The Silky is very similar to the Yorkie and the Australian terrier. In the U.S. we call them Silky terriers. Most of the world, including Australia, refers to them as the Australian Silky terrier.

The American Kennel club defines the breed as having a body 1/5 longer than its height. They should stand about 9-10 inches tall and weigh 8-11 pounds.  Silky terrier puppies are a little larger then the Yorkie. The silky has a horizontal topline. They have a single coat of hair which 5-6 inches long.

Newborn Silky terrier puppies are black but take a blue hue as they mature. This blue can be slate, pigeon blue, or silver blue. The legs and head may be red or tan. The face is framed with long hair. Owners sometimes tie this hair into a topknot. The fur has a natural part along its back.

The Silky is small but is not a lap dog. They are bouncy little dogs that are full life and like to play. Silkies are quick to bark if a stranger approaches.  If properly socialized these dogs can be taught to get along with kids and other pets.

Terriers in general were bred to hunt rats and therefore should be not allowed around pet rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Silky terriers have fur that becomes entangled easily. Daily brushing is required to keep their coat smooth. If you want to own one of these dogs be prepared for a dog that requires a good deal of maintenance.

The coat requires shampooing on a regular basis in order to keep it good condition. The Silky terrier often has dry skin and using a shampoo made for dry skin is advisable. Professional grooming is recommended every three weeks and the groomer should brush his teeth. Silkies often have dental problems so brushing becomes a priority.

The trachea of these dogs is fragile and can be damaged if a conventional collar is used. You should use a harness-style collar for this dog. Silkies are also known to have problems with epilepsy and luxating patella. They crave a nice back rub and scratching their hindquarters will cause them to freeze. You might also enjoy Havanese dogs for sale.

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The Benefits of Owning a Plastic Dog Kennel

August 21st, 2010

When you start your quest for the perfect dog kennel for your pet you will be amazed by the huge variety available.  Some people like the traditional look of a wooden kennel while others find the dual purpose of a metal kennel as both a dog house and run suits their lifestyle better.  However, very many people would swear by their plastic dog kennels stating that none could do the job better.   Here we will discuss their reasons so that you can see the benefits for yourself.

A plastic dog kennel is basically a self contained unit which is light enough to be moved easily to wherever you may want it.  If you are someone who is short on space in your house and would want to move it out of the way when you have visitors then this is ideal as it is no effort at all to put it into another room where it will be less obtrusive.   This portability also makes it perfect to use as both an indoor and outdoor kennel as you can simply pop it in the back yard if you are going out and don’t want your pet to have access to furniture which he may damage while you are gone.

The non-porous nature of plastic also means that it won’t take on a ‘doggy’ smell which would then be transferred to whichever room it is in.  It is also a simple job to wipe it down to get rid of any loose hairs and clean any germs away.  If your dog has been unwell then none of the bacteria can then be transported to any of the other family pets.

Finally a plastic dog house is ideal to take with you when you go visiting so that your dog has somewhere familiar to relax in when he is in unfamiliar surroundings.

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Save Money – Buy Generic Pet Meds

August 20th, 2010

Looking after our pets can be an expensive business particularly once they start needing regular medications.  One simple way to make great savings is to choose Generic Pet Meds rather than branded ones.  Many people are a little concerned that because these Cheap Pet Meds are so much cheaper (sometimes 60% cheaper or more) there must be something wrong with them.  This problem is exacerbated by vets who rarely stock many generic products knowing that worried pet owners feel more comfortable spending more money on well known brands.

In fact choosing generic pet meds from the US, Canada or Western Europe will not mean giving your pet anything other than exactly the same care they would have received if you had bought the expensive brand.  The reason is that government authorities require that all generic pet medicines are not only made to the same high quality as their branded equivalents, but also that they are totally interchangeable with them.  This means you could give a branded heartworm tablet (for example) one month and then use the generic version the following month and your dog would receive identical care and health benefits.

The active ingredients are identical and the rules and regulations governing the production and supply of generic medicine for pets is the same as for the brand.  The key difference is the price.  The company producing the generic did not have to spend so many years researching, developing and then marketing the new product so can sell at a lower price.

You will notice the packaging has to be different, and indeed silly things like the shape or color of a tablet will differ.  This is so no-one can say the generic product is trying to mislead you into thinking it is the branded one.  Frankly who cares, if you can save yourself 60% on your dog’s medication I doubt he will be bothered that the box is not quite so pretty!

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Why Should You Use Frontline

August 19th, 2010

Many of us look for a source to buy cheap Frontline Plus and are mostly successful. It can be found from a few resources for a very low cost. Discount Frontline Plus is purchased more than other other pet medication at the moment so let’s take a look at just why it is an option worth considering.

The fact is that there are many flea medications available and we can take our pick. But the problem is that many of them are not as effective as Frontline is. This is because Frontline Plus is so effective at getting rid of fleas. Unlike other options it not only gets rid of the adults it gets rid of all stages of the flea life cycle. It will get rid of eggs and larvae as well as the adults and this is what makes it such a great choice for us to buy.

There is no doubt that when we get a flea treatment we want it to be as effective as possible and this means that we want the fleas life cycle to be broken. If we only get rid of adults then the young will grow in in time and we will have the same problem again.

So, with this product we are doing the absolute best that we can to ensure that the problem stays away for a long period of time.

And with the price being so acceptable there is no doubt that it is one of the best possible choices we can make. We simply apply it to the Dogs or Cats skin on a monthly basis, if not a little less, to ensure that we keep them totally free from fleas and ticks as well, which is another reason to buy, most treatments will only work for fleas and not for the additional problem of ticks.

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Duties of a Vet Assistant

August 16th, 2010

While there are definitely a lot of duties that a veterinary assistantcan be responsible for, because they technically do not need any formal education to acquire the position there is only so much that they are capable of doing. For instance, working in a large city in a huge veterinary hospital might be pay really great in terms of veterinary assistant salary, but, they will not be able to assist in surgeries or procedures because they are not qualified to do so and to let them help would be a risk to an animal’s health.

On a daily basis, a professional will find themselves assisting clients, taking payments, working in the reception area , scheduling appointments and answering phones which are all quite simple and tedious tasks after doing them for years and years. On the positive side, while a veterinary technician must put a huge responsibility on their back in performing surgeries and operations to perfection to make sure an animal has the best chance of surviving, veterinary assistants get to do all of the minor work that adds up and make a decent income doing so.

Assisting veterinary technicians is definitely not out of the picture because these individuals are often given the task of sterilizing equipment, feeding and caring for animals, shaving animals before surgeries, cleaning surgical areas and exams rooms as well as feeding and caring for animals which all directly benefit veterinary technicians because they do not need to worry about anything but performing a high quality surgery and taking animals from injured to healthy. All in all, while a professional is not going to be seeing an outstanding veterinary assistant salary, having daily duties that involve being with and taking care of animals is a very rewarding job that animal lovers will cherish unconditionally.

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Information About Training Beagles

August 16th, 2010

Training beagles should be a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your dog. No doubt it will sometimes be challenge, beagles are notorious for being quite a handful when they want to be. If you persist you should however see that you beagle begins to respect your authority and really just wants to please you.

By nature, these dogs are inquisitive and like to test boundaries whenever possible. This is one of the reasons why training beagles can be slightly more difficult than training other species of dogs. When you do begin to succeed though, you will realise just how intelligent and loyal a pet beagle is.

There are various steps you take in order to make sure your training programme is as effect and as fun as possible. New dog owners often forget the fun part, but training should be enjoyable for you and your beagle.

When it seems like your puppy just wants to ignore you and do his or her own thing, it is vital that you remain consistent in your methods. When training beagles, never let your dog feel that you have lost control or that you are just giving up on him. As we have mentioned, beagles love to test boundaries so make sure you keep your dog in line without punishing them too harshly by threatening, hitting or shouting at him.

As soon as you begin to make it clear what kind of behaviour is acceptable verses what is not, you will find that your dog will respect your unwritten rules. It will just take him a little while to work out what he can and cannot do.

Take a trip over to www.exclusivedogtraining.com and read through our extensive library of beagle training articles for free today. You will be surprised at just how much you will learn about both your pet beagle and yourself as an owner.

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Pet Diabetes and Insulin Syringes

August 9th, 2010

Diabetes is a dangerous disease and treating it often involves injections to add insulin to your body so it can make use of the food you eat every day. Learning to give injections is part of the process and insulin syringes are made to make the injections as painless as possible and easy to do for anyone. Learning to give yourself injections is part of the diabetes education process and keeping up with them every day will soon be second nature. Some people learn quicker than others, but all can learn to do this.

Insulin syringes are available in different volumes and depending on what your doctor prescribes for a dose a specific volume syringe should available to make filling and getting the correct dose easy. They come in 1cc, ½ cc and 3/10 cc and are normally calibrated for U 100 insulin. U100 insulin is standard human strength insulin and because they are other insulin strengths on the market it is important to make sure you get syringes to match the strength of insulin you are using.

U 40 insulin is a strength of insulin normally used for pets and there are U 40 insulin syringes available for purchase. As this insulin is only 40% the strength of U100 insulin the syringes are calibrated differently and it will be confusing to figure out how full to get the syringe if the syringe doesn’t match the insulin.

Injections and syringes have been used for a long time to regulate blood sugar and keep diabetes under control. Many people have learned to use insulin syringes to give themselves injections and even buy the syringes online instead of getting them through their doctor. They can be purchased at most pharmacies so it is possible to also control some of the expense of treating this disease by clever shopping and searching online.

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