Tag - Dog Lovers

26Nov

9% of Dogs In Texas Found To Carry Kissing Bug Disease

dog-health

Have you heard of Kissing Bug Disease? Known officially as Chagas Disease it’s transmitted through nocturnal insects known as Kissing Bugs.

Chagas disease has infected millions of people in Central America, Mexico, and South America has made it’s way to Texas, but now it’s becoming prevalent amongst dogs in Texas.

How Chagas Disease is Transmitted

The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the causative agent of Chagas disease. It’s a tropical disease that effects 8 million people across Mexico and Central and South America.

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25Nov

How To Care For Your Pregnant Dog

Virginia-based veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson has three words of advice for dog owners thinking about breeding their dogs: Don’t do it. “Just because your dog is cute and your neighbor’s dog is cute does not mean they should get together to make puppies,” says Nelson. “You need experience and know-how to breed. It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

Nelson suggests spaying and neutering to avoid unplanned pregnancies. If you do find yourself tasked with the care of a pregnant dog, there are important steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Below, Nelson weighs in on how to provide the best prenatal and postnatal care for your pet.

Veterinary Visits
When you first suspect your dog is expecting, it’s important that her veterinarian examine her in order to confirm the diagnosis. “Infections to the uterus can mimic pregnancy, with an enlarged midsection and discharge,” says Nelson. “These infections can be life-threatening, so it’s important to rule this out.”

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25Nov

How To Manage An Aggressive Dog

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We’ve all been there. You go to visit your friend, your neighbor, your co-worker, etc., and then before you even walk in the door you hear it. Barking. Growling. Lots of anxious movement.

Dealing with an anxious and aggressive dog is scary and, for the owners, can be a bit embarrassing. Barring the invention of a time machine that would allow you to go back in time to when your dog was 6-12 weeks old to focus on behavioral training (which is what Oscar E. Chavez, DVM, MBA, Member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, says he likes to first suggest), there are a few specific things you can do to try to help curb your pooch’s bad (and oftentimes dangerous) behavior.

“Aggressive dogs, if truly aggressive, usually require professional behavior modification, and the attention of a trainer or professional,” says Dr. Chavez. “This doesn’t mean you need to work with them at all times, but it does mean that they need to be a part of the behavior modification program.”

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25Nov

Georgia Shelter Closed Over Fatal Pet Illness Set To Reopen

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ATLANTA (AP) — An Atlanta-area animal shelter that closed to suppress an infection resulting in at least four dog deaths could reopen as early as Friday.

Cobb County spokesman Ross Cavitt has said tests on dogs at the county shelter showed they had the highly contagious illness streptococcus zooepidemicus. The often fatal bacterial infection affects animals’ respiratory systems.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the shelter closed two weeks ago and stopped accepting new animals. In a county message on Twitter Monday, cleaners could be seen in full body suits scrubbing cages.

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25Nov

Mississippi Now Allows Dogs On Restaurant Patios

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(Stock photo, outside patio)

The Mississippi State Department of Health has created a new policy allowing pet dogs to be present at restaurants and other food facilities under specific conditions.

MSDH has examined policies in other states and believes with the proper hygienic conditions public health can be protected, and local businesses wanting to accommodate their clientele can be supported.

OWNERS: This policy takes effect Friday, November 1, 2019. Check local and county ordinances to ensure that dog-friendly restaurants are not otherwise prohibited.

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25Nov

Petition Seeks Medical Marijuana For Ailing Household Pets

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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico will consider whether to extend its medical cannabis program to help dogs with epilepsy and people with attention deficit disorder.

Five new petitions submitted to the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board seek new qualifying medical conditions for patients in the state’s medical marijuana program. The board meets in December.

The Department of Health withheld the names of petition sponsors on Wednesday in response to a request for public records.

One petition cites recent studies in veterinary medicine to recommend the authorization of cannabis for animals coping with seizures. The petition uses a YouTube video of an epileptic dog named Tecumseh to illustrate the suffering associated with the condition.

Cannabidiol derived from hemp or marijuana already is widely marketed for pets.

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25Nov

Anonymous Donor Gives 40,000 Pounds Of Pet Food To Shelter

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(Stock image of dog food)

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — An anonymous donor has given 40,000 pounds of pet food and snacks to the Rogue Valley Humane Society.

The Daily Courier in Grants Pass reported Thursday that most of the food will go to the organization’s pet food bank, which fed 5,000 cats and dogs from low-income households in the last year.

Some of it will also be delivered to homebound seniors who have pets.

Executive Director Margaret Varner says the truckload of donated food will cover the needs of both programs for at least six months.

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23Nov

Dog-Dining Gets First Approval In Port Orange

PORT ORANGE — Pups and their people are may soon have the option to dine together in outdoor restaurants throughout the city. That is, legally speaking.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of creating a dog-friendly dining program, where local eateries could pay a permitting fee, apply to participate and — as long as they follow state-mandated rules — designate outdoor areas for well-behaved, leashed pups and owners to eat together.

“This is kind of like a tail wagging the dog situation,” said Councilman Scott Stiltner to laughter from the room. “Some of these places, they do it now anyway. They’ve been doing it for years.”

While the practice is not officially allowed in city limits, several eateries already offer dog-friendly dining spaces, according to Senior Planner Penelope Cruz. She said city staff has observed dogs in outside dining areas at Panera Bread, Tomoka Brewery, Starbucks, Neighbors Ice Cream Parlor and the Original First Turn Steakhouse.

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19Nov

Animal Protection Laws By State

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(Shutter Stock)

Florida lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would make animal abuse a federal offense.

It is a federal crime to record or distribute videos depicting animal abuse, according to legislation passed in 2010, but the actual act of animal cruelty isn't punishable on a federal level.

If the bill – a bipartisan effort backed by Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch and Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan – is passed, people charged with harming animals will face fines and up to seven years in prison, according to The New York Times. 

Right now, animal cruelty cases are handled by the states, whose felony provisions have a wide range. For example, in some states, cruelty, neglect, fighting, sexual assault and abandonment of animals all result in felony charges. But in other states, felonies only result from the abuse of certain types of animals. 

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