HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR DOG IS PREGNANT?

what are the signs you notice before confirming you dog's pregnancy?

Whether breeding took place accidentally or by choice, how to know if my dog is pregnant is a common question most owners and breeders ask.
. If you have been wondering how to know if a dog is pregnant, the good news is that there are quite a few signs and symptoms that show up gradually.

 However, it is always advisable for dog owners to take their pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible, for confirmation.
 Some of the common signs to watch out for
.1)Changes in appetite: pregnancy brings about a hormonal changes, the bitch might experience a lack of appetite in the first two weeks after gestation and eventually, feel an increased appetite in the later stages of the pregnancy.

 This is a tell-tale sign to know if your bitch is pregnant. Some dogs might also vomit, as a result of which, they might tend to stay away from foods unless it is their favorite. These changes in appetite are usually normal but you can consult your vet if the dog stops eating for 2-3 days in a row.

COLOSTRUM SUBSTITUTE.

When do puppies drink colostrum and why do they need it? Colostrum is an immune booster and puppies must consume it within 12 hours of birth.

When puppies fail to consume the colostrum they won’t be able to build the needed passive immunity. The protein-rich colostrum provides passive immunity in dogs and it lasts several weeks and protect them from various infections and diseases.

 The digestive system of a puppy more than 12 hours old cannot mop up the antibodies present in colostrum anymore. When the puppy drinks the colostrum after this time, it won’t be as effective. It is very important the pups consume the colostrum within the first 12 hours so as to start building immunity.

 When a bitch dies during whelping or after whelping what happens to the pups? There are various ways to get the pups nourished. The pups can be fostered by another bitch that whelped at the same period or colostrum can be given using substitutes..

                              HOW TO MAKE COLOSTRUM SUBSTITUTE.

The major thing we want to provoke is the immune system by providing antibodies. The colostrum substitute can be made by using plasma from a healthy bitch .
The breeder normally keeps tabs on bitches and usually collects blood samples from the bitch before whelping to produce the colostrum substitute as a back up plan.
 This procedure is done in a veterinary diagnostic lab so it will be carried out properly observing all preventive protocols so as not to hurt the bitch.

                                 HOW TO COLLECT THE PLASMA.

 1) Blood sample is collected.
 2)The blood is spinned so the plasma is separated.
 3)The decanted plasma is stored by freezing in different tubes.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Behaviors of Traumatized Dogs and How to Handle them.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Behaviors of Traumatized Dogs and How to Handle them. Dogs feel happiness, sadness and all different emotions and sensations but triggered in a different way. Dogs response to trauma are all different and will respond to different situations in different ways. For example, some dogs can deal with trauma and seem completely fine, but some can’t, and sometimes with a situation not related to the trauma..the dog “loses it”. Same goes with the severity of the reaction, some dogs are badly affected, others just slightly affected and some dogs do not seem to be affected at all, there is no possible way that we can generalize and say all dogs respond the same. It is sad to say, but not all dogs have a good start in life, and for some, it can be more than simple neglect. It can be an abused dog or mistreated and this can have consequences dog’s behavior, social skills, and the way how interacts with people and other dogs. If you know up front your new pet has a traumatic background, you should make the transition as comfortable as possible. Try to create a routine with simple things like feeding it at the same time every day, giving it space for the most part and, if you have children, make sure they don’t overwhelm the dog… at first can make a big difference. Do the introduction to other pets slowly, not all at once, and if noises seem to upset him/her, keep the volume to a minimum until the dog adjusts. Animals adapt very easily to the external environment, so many will adjust with nothing more than a loving and supportive environment. But if the trauma is severe, it will be better to use the professional intervention of a certified animal behavior that can determine the best method to deal with a specific issue. Tips to deal with Traumatized Dogs. 1) Find a safe place for your dog in your house. A dog crate or his preferred spot for your dog with a dog bed will develop a clear structure of safety. This is the safe place for your dog, do not create a negative experience in that area, for example: don’t take a crate as a punishment to enclose your dog for something wrong that he/she made. 2)Avoid any situation that causes the dog fear A traumatized dog facing a stress situation can feel fear, and the fear is reinforced by the reaction to the trauma exposed, so then the fear to the same recurrent scenario can become stronger and so on. 3)Do not confront its fears or force the dog in any way If you feel you can’t manage how to help your dog the best way is to approach to a professional where he slowly and gradually can be desensitized to its perceived fears. A dog trainer specialized in dog behaviors and fear aggression will be very useful. 4)Have fun with your dog Do as much with your dog that he/she enjoy as possible. Having fun with your dog will help to increase the trust and confidence in you. 5)Never punish a fearful dog Sometimes we can misunderstand that the reaction to a trauma can be just fear and show obedience and behavior issues not listening commands. Remember, a punishment may up the fear for the dog and instead of just looking fearful it may start to react with aggression. 6)Watch your dog’s body language Dog’s body language Always take attention for signs of stress such as leash puller or pusher behavior, slower or faster movement, freezing, lip licking, yawning, etc.

Pet Store Puppies Linked To Campylobacter Outbreak In People.

Pet Store Puppies Linked To Campylobacter Outbreak In People.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a Campylobacter outbreak in people and its link to puppies purchased from a chain of pet stores. According to the CDC, at least 39 people across seven states have confirmed or suspected cases of Campylobacter bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. While the investigation is ongoing, federal officials have linked it to contact with puppies sold by Petland, a chain of pet stores based in Ohio. Twelve of the confirmed cases are in Petland employees, and 27 other people who fell ill either visited a Petland, recently purchased a puppy there, or visited or live in a home with a Petland puppy. According to the CDC's announcement, nine people have been hospitalized and there are no reported deaths. Campylobacter can infect dogs, cats and humans, but most commonly the bacteria are spread through eating raw or undercooked meat. About 47 percent of raw chicken samples tested in 2011 were positive for Campylobacter, according to the CDC. Humans don't typically spread the bacteria to each other, but it is possible to be exposed through dog feces. In a typical case, symptoms last for about a week.The CDC estimates that annually, Campylobacter affects 1.3 million people. The good news is that most people get well on their own. The CDC says people typically need antibiotics only if they're immune compromised or at high risk of complications. To minimize risk of illness, the CDC suggests washing your hands after touching your dog, though for any dog lover, washing your hands every time .The CDC also recommends quickly disposing of dog poop using disposable gloves, as well as regular visits to the veterinarian to keep your dog healthy.

UC Davis Veterinarians Help Paralyzed Dog Walk Again.

Doctors at the UC Davis Veterinary Hospital were faced with the incredible challenge of helping a paralyzed dog walk again. Leah’s deer encounter nearly took her dear life. The 4-year-old border collie was kicked in the head by a stubborn buck, but at first it looked like a stubborn wound. “She had a gash in her face and was recovering nicely but on the third day she had a very devastating deterioration in her condition,” her owner Fran Cole said. Suddenly, she stopped moving. UC Davis veterinarians discovered Leah was actually left paralyzed after her skull had been dislocated from her spine.“Most times when this happens the animal or the person dies,” said Dr. Karen Vernau. She was one of the surgeons who helped put Leah back together. “What we did in surgery was to drill away part of the bone and the bone fragments that were pressing on her spinal cord,” she said. Cole was faced with the real possibility Leah would be paralyzed forever. I said to him, ‘Do you think my dog will ever walk again?’ and he said ‘If your dog walks again, it’ll be the biggest feat of my residency,’ which is not a comforting statement,” she said. What is comforting is seeing Leah spending days doing water therapy and learning how to use her muscles again. Now, she can get up, move her head and stand on all fours. She’s now home with her family in Grass Valley. She’s still doing water therapy and getting acupuncture, but she’s doing doggie stuff, too, like chasing squirrels, digging and loving life again. culled from CBS Sacremento

Cremation of pets as a business.

The loss of a pet can be devastating,no matter the cause of death. Pets are nowadays regarded as a member of the household,so their deaths are usually so emotion laden that most owners want the transition to be less traumatic.

 This is what this company is offering pet lovers.Traverse City native Kerri Collier was devastated when one of her pets died a few years ago and she was not impressed with the lack of choices she was given to dispose of the remains.

 Dustin Collier is a contractor. He built the structure that Great Lakes Pet Memorial occupies. The business opened in 2008. It was the first time Kerri Collier had run a business. There was a learning curve involved.

 Collier discovered that many local veterinarians used pet crematories in southern Michigan. She became a sales agent, visiting local veterinarian offices and touting the advantages of local service and reduced turnaround times.

 The business now deals with about 2,000 pets each year, mostly dogs and cats, but also iguanas, gerbils, ducks, birds, pigs, alpacas and llamas. One client wanted a beloved pony cremated, but the crematory at Great Lakes Pet Memorial can only handle animals that weigh a maximum of 450 pounds.

That animal had to be transported to a larger facility. Cremation services account for about two-thirds of the company's income. It charges between $85 and $250 to cremate a cat or dog, according to weight — which determines time needed in the crematory.

 A smaller portion of the operation's income comes from memorials including stones, urns, jewelry and other products that can contain portions of the pet's ashes.


The business employs four people in addition to Collier. Collier said her goal is to provide caring service to clients.

The facility includes a cold storage area with separate spaces for each pet It's dignified — each animal has their own space while waiting for cremation.

 Read more http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20160410/traverse-city-company-helps-owners-deal-with-pet-death

BLIND DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS RESCUED AFTER BEING TRAPPED IN WELL .

According to ABC eye witness reports; a blind, elderly dog named Christmas has been rescued after months of living alone in a well, -- and his rescue was captured in a touching video, ABC News reports. (http://abc11.com/pets/blind-dog-named-christmas-rescued-after-being-trapped-in-well-for-months/1131401/) "Surprisingly, the dog is in fairly good, psychical condition," said Laura Simpson, founder of the Harmony Fund in Holden, Massachusetts. "The blindness of course is from a pre-existing condition, but he's now in foster care and we're hoping he can find a home there he's loved and respected in the way he should be." Simpson told ABC News that it was last week when international animal rescuer Fahrudin Caki Bravo and his friend Ratko Koblar received word of a dog trapped in a well in nearby Bosnia."The dog had been there for months and they don't know if he was thrown in, or if he fell in," Simpson said. "We're certainly hoping that he fell, but with the dog being completely blind, he was only kept alive because the local children were kind enough to feed him.""He (Bravo) and his friend thought it was perfectly feasible getting the dog out and they did a great job," she added. "They made it look easy." Following his rescue, , Christmas received veterinary care and was placed in foster care.

STRAY DOG SAVES A 3-DAY OLD BABY.

A stray dog has saved the life of a three-day-old baby girl who was apparently abandoned by her mother in a dustbin. Saudi Arabia’s daily ‘Sada' reported the news with breath taking pictures of the dog holding the newborn in his mouth.As per the reports published by the daily, the dog was hungry and was wandering on the streets in the search of some food but unfortunately he found nothing. It spotted a just born baby who had its umbilical cord still attached to her body,and what it did next has not only displayed the animal’s sensitivity towards humans but also proved why dog is called a loyal animal. The dog knew that the baby was not doing well so he ensured that the baby suffered no more harm further. He put the new born into his mouth and moved her out of the dangerous streets in search of a safe place.He took the baby to the nearest house and placed her on the porch. watch video here;http://www.indiatvnews.com/buzz/life/street-dog-saves-life-of-baby-girl-saudi-arabia-250.html

POTTY TRAINING YOUR DOG.

Potty training your dog is very important to your relationship and successful house training suggests that obedience training will be successful.There will be no benefit if your dog can sit or do the fetch command if she messes up the house regularly. Dogs are clean animals and generally they dont like to mess up their house ,they just need to understand where the toilet is ,and you have to pick up signs that she needs to use the toilet and then you act. House training is important yet very simple it all depends on your vigilance;if you are not successful at potty training your dog, obedience training cannot be a success. Dogs are clean and generally dont like messing up in the living quarters,you just have to let the dog know the designated toilet area. The training starts at puppyhood and you must be very vigilant, and get used to picking up warning signals such as; sniffing the floor,sitting by the door,walking in circles and giving you the "look" that she wants to relieve herself.The puppy needs to go to the toilet quite often so you watch out at these times; 1) after eating. 2)after play or exercise. 3) first thing in the morning, and immediately after a nap. 4)after any excitement. 5)last thing at night. The potty times are highlighted now watch for your dooggy signs and then you act, what you do at this time will make or mar the training. What to do when puppy wants to relieve herself; 1)quickly place the pup on a newspaper on the floor. 2) gradually you move the newspaper to the door. 3)until its outside the door, in a few days. 4)when paper is outside,place at your designated toilet area. 5) then take your dog outside to this area when she wakes up, after a meal at any other times she indicates she needs to relieve herself. The pup will learn to go there automatically, then the house is clean.Crate training speeds up house training,its another option.The dog will learn chosen words when relieving herself,this will encourage her to go quickly and at specific times.