PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Hamster Hair Loss

By Cynthia Dollins

Please note that the author is not a veterinarian. Please consult your vet for any medical advice about your pet.

Growing up, a sense of wonder at nature and a love for animals was instilled in us. A normal weekend was spent at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA learning about the climate that controlled Georgia’s agriculture and natural resources. This normally went into detail about animals as well as the plants that naturally supported such wildlife. This inbred fascination with nature was also reflected in our home. My brother, sister, and I all had numerous books on wild animals and we loved to watch The Discovery Channel. My mom brought it on herself that we tended to bring home and love animals. By the time I had moved out, my family had two birds, two turtles, numerous white mice and hamsters, and one very rowdy little dog. After I moved out, I collected a couple of cats and a couple of very rowdy large dogs.

The most recent addition to the family is Hannah, the dwarf hamster. My brother, Bob, brought her home in late 2003 and my mom quickly became enamored with her. Mom has been known to get Hannah out of her cage in the middle of the night to play and feed her almonds in the kitchen while she gets ready for work.

More →

Do You Suffer from Your Dog’s Bad Breath?

By Dave Eckholm

When was the last time your loveable canine gave you a big wet kiss? If your dog has doggie breath, you may not be the only one who is suffering. But your dog’s problem extends beyond the odor. Canine halitosis (dog breath) can be a sign of periodontal disease or a mouth infection. The symptoms of periodontal disease are not limited to foul breath but also include excessive tartar build up, tooth discoloration and gum disease. Most dogs will suffer from some degree of periodontal disease but with proper dental care and food, the degree of the affliction can be limited.

Mouth infections are a more serious issue that will require a visit to your veterinarian. If the gums and soft tissue supporting the teeth are severely inflamed, it could be stomatitis. Another cause of bad breath could be a severe cavity, abscess, tooth fracture or something caught in the gum line. If you suspect any of these afflictions, bring your dog to the veterinarian for evaluation and treatment for pain with antibiotics.

More →

Dog Treat Recipes - Roast Beef and Taters

By Justin Bryce

Serves: six
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes

When Should I Use It?:

If your dog has shown signs of anemia or a lack of energy / vitality, try this carb and beef heavy dish for a quick pick me up. Before you know it your dog will be running around and chasing his tail again.

Ingredients:

More →

Dealing With Loose Aggressive Dogs on Walks

By Sean D

This can be quite a problem for some dog owners, what do you do if a loose dog comes over to you and your dog, the situation can be quite intimidating especially if you have a small dog and the one coming toward you is much larger or aggressive.

The reason I have written this article is because I was on a dog forum recently and read a hart wrenching post from a lady who held her dying dog in her arms after it was attacked in front of her by a loose dog that snapped it’s neck.

More →

DIARRHEA IN DOGS AND CATS

by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM
Director, ThePetCenter.com

(Read this article …)

Disgusting Dog Behavior and What You Can Do to Put a Stop to It

By Jane Kraynyk

Dogs, I’m sure you’ll agree, can exhibit some fairly bizarre behaviors. A few of them are down right disgusting! Lots of dog owners around the world look at these odd but common dog behaviors and scratching their heads in confusion, asks themselves just why their dog is doing this? The first thing we need to do is to understand the reasons behind these unwanted behaviors in order to be able to successfully put a stop to them.

Let’s first look at the age old problem of garbage can raiding. Not only is this dog behavior disgusting it can be quite annoying coming home to a huge mess of eggshells, coffee grinds, food stains and shredded wrappers strewn everywhere that you have to clean up. Why dos your dog do this? One simple answer could be he’s hungry. Your dog probably smelled something delicious that you threw out and was bound and determined to get a hold of it.

More →

Essentials of a Canine First Aid Kit

By Dave Eckholm

Most families have a first aid kit in their car and another at home. It is important because you never know when someone will cut a finger, bump their head or come down with a fever. Likewise most people would consider their dog as an important, loved member of the family. But what is in the human first aid kit could be of little use when your dog needs help. People medicines can even be deadly.

A portable Canine First Aid Kit is an important tool for all dog owners. And as your dog matures, it becomes essential. A well-stocked and organized box with supplies will be invaluable if your pet needs immediate care and may save you from having to make a trip to the vet. It could even save your dog’s life.

More →

What Are the Different Ferret Colors?

By Mike Steele

Ferrets often change colors with the seasons, lighter in the winter than in the summer, and many of them lighten as they age, too. Different ferret organizations recognize different colors and patterns, but unless you’re planning to enter your ferret in a show, the exact label isn’t particularly important. Some of the more commonly accepted colors are described in general terms below, adapted from summaries written by William and Diane Killian of Zen and the Art of Ferrets and Pam Troutman of STAR*Ferrets.

The albino is white with red eyes and a pink nose. A dark-eyed white can have very light eyes and can possibly be confused with an albino. These can actually range from white to cream colored with the whiter the color the better. A dark-eyed white (often called a black-eyed white) is a ferret with white guard hairs but eyes darker than the red of an albino.

More →

How to Find the Right Dog School for Your Dog

By K Brandt

Has a new puppy recently become a member of your family? Puppies are born with instincts, but not with the knowledge of how to behave. Therefore, it is necessary to teach your new puppy appropriate behaviors and also some fun tricks. You can try to do this yourself or you can enlist the help of a dog school.

There are many different types of dog schools available. What dog school would be the best for your dog? Things to consider when searching for a dog school include: the age of your dog, the breed, the personality, and what it is that you want your dog to learn.

More →

Labrador Grooming - Trimming Your Labrador Retriever’s Nails

By Faith Fernandez

Regular nail trimming is important to your Labrador Retriever’s health and well being. Nails that are not properly clipped can crack and split, which can lead to infection in that area. Long nails can be uncomfortable for your Labrador and for an owner’s leg. A regular trimming, at least once a week or every two weeks,will save both you and your Labrador Retriever a lot of pain and aggravation.

Purchase a good quality nail clipper, one that is appropriate for your Labradors claws. You might also want to purchase a clotting agent, such as Kwik-Stop, or a styptic pen. It is not unusual for people to clip a toenail short and for bleeding to occur.

More →