Heartworms In Dogs - What They Are & What To Do

Heartworms (Latin name Dirofilaria immitis) are parasitic worms that are common in both dogs and cats. Like their name suggests, they live in the dog’s heart, normally free-floating in the right ventricle and nearby blood vessels. The worms are transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitoes which pass the worm larvae through their saliva. The presence of heartworms can be very dangerous to the dog’s health....

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Tips In Choosing The Best Dog Breeders

Jack Russell


Dog breeders could be found anywhere. However, buying the best-looking puppy in the pet store does not necessarily guarantee that you bought a pet with a top breed.
What are the different types of breeders? Which of them provide the best dog breeds?
1) Look for reputable breeders. Well known breeders know specific details about their specialized breed. They examine genetic diseases that are known to have physical and emotional impact on that breed, perform veterinary maintenance and sustain breeding records.
A breeder of good reputation will provide you with both the good and bad points about the breed you prefer. They offer useful advice and assistance to new dog owners.
You could spot a reputable breeder when they grant quality for the dogs they personally own. They would let you experience the kind of care they give the dogs and allow you to see where the dogs live.
Most outstanding breeders are not out to make money. They provide a written health guarantee with all the dogs they sell.
Majority of the reputable dog breeders belong to local or national breed organizations and clubs.
2) Avoid backyard breeders, puppy mills and pet shops.
* Backyard Breeders. These people have limited education about the breed standards. Commonly, backyard breeders do not maintain a regular check-up on the dog's diseases and genetic makeup. Usually, these people breed to make money and allows the dogs to leave without screening the present home of the dog.
* Puppy Mills. This is a term commonly used to describe a business that produces large quantities of dogs. Majority of the puppies born and trained in puppy mills do not usually follow a regular veterinary care and appropriate feeding they need. Puppy mills do not sell directly to the public. They only allow sale to pet shops, brokers and dog auctions.
There is no generic breed testing executed in puppy mills. The dogs born here have not been adequately socialized and trained. Most of the puppies are sold in large numbers at the age of 3 to 4 weeks that could later give the dogs emotional and health problems.
* Pet shops. Many pet shops grant guarantees. However, these guarantees last for only a year while majority of genetic diseases found in dogs materialize when the animal is over a year old. Most pet shops buy their dogs from puppy mills at a very young age for a cheap price. Young puppies that are not suitably socialized could cause behavior problems and poor health.
Finding the best dog breeder means your pet could last a longer life. Find a reputable breeder now and spare yourself from possible heartache.
About the author: Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook - it's Dog Gone Good! http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/

A Dog Name is Something To Be Chosen Carefully

How important is a dog name? Well let's think about this. How often do you call your dog? Who will hear your dog's name? Will you be writing to anyone about this dog? Now that you think about the times you'll use the name, maybe you should put some thought into what that dog name is. I mean, if you have a Great Dane who weighs 120 lbs, you might not want to call him something like Baby or Tiny. Or you might. . . it's a personal thing. Personally, Tiny would be hilarious to me. I can just imagine calling, Tiny, come here boy! While a neighbor is watching and for the first time sees this Tiny. ...

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The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice:

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Killing of Mayor's 2 Dogs Justified, Pr. George's Finds (Washington Post)
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office has concluded in an internal review that its deputies were justified when they shot and killed two dogs belonging to the mayor of Berwyn Heights during a July drug raid, Sheriff Michael Jackson said yesterday.
Dogs kill beloved pet (WPTV West Palm Beach)
Two dogs in Lake Worth break free of their yard and kill a neighbor's cat.
Vick's Dogs Playful After Pit Bull Rehab (ABC News)
At Utah animal sanctuary, Michael Vick's dogs get a second chance.
Protecting Kids As Well As Dogs (KOLD News 13 Tuscon)
There are laws in Tucson to protect dogs and cats which are left in hot cars, but there is no law to protect children. That may change.
National Geographic rescues Vick's dogs (14 WFIE Evansville)
"Despite the horrors they've experienced, these dogs have made astounding progress, proof that every dog deserves a second chance," says Dogtown producer Darcy Dennett.
Pets' Corner: I don't have time for my dogs (Independent)
I have two beautiful dogs that I've owned for about five years. But I am struggling with work commitments, which are taking me away from home a lot. I walk them in the morning and evening, and I have a dog walker who pops in twice a week, but I don't know how much longer I can afford this. Am I being cruel by leaving them for so long? Is it time for me to say goodbye to them? Lindsey, via ...
Where are the dogs? (Paris Beacon)
?What happened to my dogs?? that is the question Paris resident Deanna Kennedy has been asking for almost two weeks now. Kennedy was greeted at her door by members of the Edgar County Sheriff?s Department Aug. 23 for complaints on her two large dogs running loose.
Berks kennel raided; eight dogs are removed (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Humane agents raided a commercial dog-breeding kennel in Berks County yesterday and removed eight dogs with severe health problems, officials said.
Television | Abused dogs get fresh chance (The Columbus Dispatch)
Michael Vick achieved an approval rating even lower than the president's when his dogfighting ring was exposed last year. In the aftermath, many pundits suggested that Vick's dogs needed to be euthanized. The premiere episode of DogTown offers some rare good news from the heart-wrenching story.
Officers learn first aid for police dogs (Tahoe Daily Tribune)
Police dogs face a variety of dangers while performing their duties, including some that human officers don't.

The Demand for Luxury Dog Beds

A pet can be as important a member of the family as a child to some owners, and making sure they sleep well is a way to express that affection. In the past several years, manufacturers have started to fill a growing demand for luxury dog beds for pet owners who wanted to lavish something special on their pets. With the advent of organic pet foods, pet clothing and nutritionally balanced pet treats, designer dog beds seemed like an idea whose time had come. Do you share your pet with someone else or move her around to different locations? Try the Botanical Bed, a portable pet sofa with lockable...

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