Nightmare Grooming Services – Backyard Groomers

Like with anything, if you are looking for a dog groomer, Do Your Research. This can’t be said enough. There is always someone out there to take advanage of you as a consumer of dog grooming services. Cruelty among unlicensed “backyard groomers” has been a growing series of unfortunate events in both small and large towns across the country.

With cheap services that are far lower priced than professional groomers, it’s easy for many dog owners to see the benefit of saving money over the possibility that the groomer might not know what he or she is doing.

Fortunately, there is an organization that works hard to protect the sanctity of professional animal groomers across the nation. They are the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA).

With tens of thousands of members running strong, the NDGAA has been responsible for introducing legislation around the country to bring more responsibility and legal protection for dog owners and the garage groomers that do business today.

Unfortunately, it has not been an easy task to convince lawmakers to hold the same standards to the dog grooming business as they do for human barber shops and stylists. Beauty operators and barbers are licensed and must adhere to various controls to protect the consumer.

Licensing of dog groomers appears to be just over the horizon. While nobody likes federal and state governments to step in and control private industry, the present state of the grooming industry is such that steps must be taken to protect the consumer, as well as the unsuspecting animal. At present, any person has the right to call him or herself a groomer.

A Recent Shocking Survey

Last year a small group of individuals who support laws to come down hard on dangerous grooming practices and unlicensed shops took it upon themselves to interview 85 establish groomers in as many grooming shops as 5 large cities.

It was bewildering to discover only one shop conducting grooming in full view of customers and other patrons. This led to the shaking of a few more insights, and a desire to know why grooming is normally done behind close doors.

The answer, it seems, is that the dog owner “wouldn’t understand” why a groomer was doing a particular thing or treating an animal in a particular way. It seems that many animals left for grooming are in such a terrified state of mind that they have to be tranquilized.

In some cases, some animals are anesthetized before any grooming can take place. One groomer explained:

“Most animals left to be groomed are spoiled rotten, and you can’t do a thing with them unless they get their bottom spanked. Sometimes, we have to tie their mouths shut, but the general public just wouldn’t understand this.”

These groomers may have a point here about having a hard time keeping dogs calm during the process, but the underlying justification to abuse animals in order to get the job done is not enough to warrant such practices.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Nightmare Grooming Services – Backyard Groomers and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
TC Pet Stop
The Puppy Blog
Teri’s Dog Training Tips

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Pet Insurance For Older Dogs

You should think about pet insurance for your older dog just as much as you would a puppy. Pet insurance for older dogs is not always easy to find. Many pet insurance providers seem to assume that everybody wants to start insuring a dog right from a puppy.

But in fact, a lot of people need pet insurance for older dogs. Maybe you have had the dog for a long time and you are just starting to think about insurance, or maybe you have just welcomed a senior dog into your home. He may be a rescue dog or a pet who has been passed along to you by family members or friends who can no longer look after him. He needs insurance just like a younger one does – maybe even more.

So where should you look for pet insurance for older dogs? Just as for so many questions these days, you can find the answer on the internet! But to save you time searching through the plans available from every pet insurance company in the country, we have listed below a couple of the providers who offer plans for older dogs.

What age of dog are we talking about here? Most standard insurance plans have limits on the age of dogs that they will insure. They will not take puppies under 8 weeks old and in many cases, they will not consider a dog over the age of 8 years. However, there are some exceptions to this.

Of course, when you are looking for pet insurance for older dogs you probably already know that you are not going to be able to enroll your pet in the cheapest plans. Most companies have several different levels of cover with different monthly payments. If the company offers a plan for senior dogs it will be one of the more expensive plans.

Another point that you should keep in mind is that many plans will not cover the medical costs for treating ‘geriatric illnesses’. These are illnesses caused by old age. This is true even if the plan is designed for older dogs. An example might be osteoarthritis, which in most cases is associated with ageing. However, you will need to check each individual plan to see exactly what is covered and what is not.

Like most insurance policies, pet insurance does not usually cover pre-existing conditions unless they were completely cured the first time around. Before your dog is accepted you may have to have a veterinarian check him over for existing problems. So do not wait until your dog is already sick to take out that insurance!

Here are some of the companies who will consider insuring your dog even if he is over 8 years old:

- Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) standard plans offer cover for dogs up to 10 years old, instead of the usual 8. They also have a ‘senior pets plan’ that covers treatment for dogs over 10 for accidental injuries only – not illnesses.

Please note that this is not an exclusive list. Many other companies may offer plans for older dogs. Also, the information given may not be accurate. Companies can change their policies at any time. These are just a few examples to give you an idea of what may be available.

If you have a good history with a particular insurance company (for example, if you already have insurance for other pets, without a lot of claims) they might consider adding your older dog to your policy even if this is not something that they offer on a standard pet insurance plan. It would be worth giving them a call to ask if they would consider offering pet insurance for older dogs in your individual case.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Pet Insurance For Older Dogs and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Puppies & Big Dogs
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
The Puppy Blog

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Related posts:

1. Is Pet Insurance Worth It

Is Pet Insurance Worth It

Is pet insurance worth it? This is a question on the minds of many pet owners. Most veterinarians will advise you to get a health insurance plan for your pet.

Of course, you don’t have to, but you can then find yourself stuck with huge bills if your dog develops a serious health condition. You might even find yourself in a situation where you could not afford the health treatment that your dog needed. Once you and your family are attached to your pet, it would be heartbreaking to lose him (or her) when his life could easily have been saved if you had insurance.

Both first timers and experienced pet owners may ask themselves the question: is pet insurance worth it? Maybe you have had a pet for many years, you have been paying out for insurance every month and your pet has stayed healthy. Some people cancel their insurance in that situation. But remember, just because your pet has stayed well until now, does not mean it always will. Your pet could fall sick the day after you cancel the insurance.

In many cases, pet insurance is worth having simply for peace of mind. It is wonderful to know that you can give your much-loved pet any care that it needs.

There are some cases where pet insurance might not be worth the cost. One situation would be if you do not care that much about the pet, or if the costs of its health care are not likely to be high. To take an extreme example, it is probably not worth insuring a goldfish, because veterinarians do not often perform expensive surgery on fish. This may sound heartless if you love your fish, but if they are sick it is usually better to accept that they have short lives and buy another one.

Another case where you might not want to take out pet insurance is if you have plenty of money. You might not mind taking a risk because you know that you could easily pay out several thousand dollars for surgery at short notice, if it was necessary.

Any kind of insurance is a gamble. In a sense you are betting on the possibility that a high cost problem will occur. If your pet lives a long, happy life and then dies of natural causes without ever needing more than routine shots from the veterinarian, the insurance might seem like a waste of money. But if your pet does develop a serious health issue, you will be very glad that you took out the insurance and you will probably have saved a lot. Unfortunately, there is no way to know ahead of time.

If you have a dog, it is important to remember that your pet insurance will usually cover you for injury or damage caused by your dog as well as health issues. It is very important for dog owners to be sure that they have this kind of cover. Think how terrible it would be if your dog was to cause somebody a permanent injury – and how much you might have to pay that person in compensation. Even small dogs can be aggressive. It is certainly worth taking out insurance for that.

So is pet insurance worth it? If you care about your pet and you want to be free of anxiety about the cost of health care or compensation, the answer is a resounding yes.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article Is Pet Insurance Worth It and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
Teri’s Dogs
Puppies & Pooches
TC Pet Stop

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Designer Dog Clothes

Yes, we now dress up our dogs. We did it as children and we still do it today. Some of us just to refuse to think of our dogs as just dogs but as our four legged kids. For those of us that think our dogs are our kids there are dog clothes for these four legged ‘children’! Cute sweaters, doggie tee shirts, dog booties, stylish bandanas, and let’s not forget little hats.

These are among the items people will purchase to dress their dogs in style. Dressing a dog is more about the owner having fun than the animal, but as long as the clothing isn’t uncomfortable, most dogs don’t mind humoring their human friends. Some even seem to enjoy grabbing the spotlight with their new look.

Internet shopping has taken the concept of dressing our dogs to new levels as websites offering all manner of “designer” dog clothing have popped up everywhere. With names like Glamour Dog, Designer Dog Wear, and Paw Printz Boutique (dot com, of course), these sites offer the tops in canine fashion for proud owners to place on their pups.

Years ago, it was not uncommon to see a dog in a knit sweater or some other cute clothing article, but today there are nearly as many clothing choices for dogs as there are for people. There are dresses and slacks, raincoats, eyewear, headwear, footwear, and every imaginable item. There is doggie casual wear, for hanging around on the beach, doggie formal wear for those special black tie occasions and even doggie wedding gowns and tuxedos for the wedding of a doggie’s dreams!

In many cases, the doggie designer clothing comes complete with a doggie designer price tag. Dog dresses at Glamour Dog dot com, for example, are listed with prices that run from $16.00 for a basic dress to $86.00 for prom wear! Some of these dog clothes cost more than many people spend to dress themselves. Nothing is too good for our “best friend!” Some personal favorites include the doggie trench coat, the various college football jerseys, and the 100% cotton doggie bathrobe – perfect for the pooch who wants to emulate Hugh Heffner.

High end Doggie Duds can be traced to celebrities like Paris Hilton’s Tinkerbell and Anna Nicole Smith’s Sugar Pie. Both are rarely seen in public with out some form of clothing. The PR these pups bring to the industry can do nothing but make the business boom even further.

So, if you’re in the market for dog clothes that will turn heads and get your pooch noticed, designer doggie duds may be just what the fashion critic ordered. Just be sure not to combine designer labels or adorn your dog in designs that clash. After all, what could be more gauche?

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Site Blog article and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.

Teri’s Dogs
Puppies & Pooches
TC Pet Stop

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Dog Grooming Tool Must Haves

Dog grooming tools are a must have. Even if you just wash and brush your dog. There are special tools that you can use for grooming your favorite furry friend. Here are just a few dog grooming tool must haves:

Dog Brushes
- One of the most important dog grooming tools you should have is dog brush. This is especially true with long coated and fragile dogs that need regular grooming to keep their coat neat, clean, and tangle-free. However, short-coated breeds also need some brushing to keep their coat clean as well. There are so many types and kinds of dog brushes available and choosing one should depend on the type of dog you have. You can choose from plastic brushes, metal brushes, and soft and hard ones.

Dog Combs

– Untangling accumulated coat from your dog especially on the parts of the ears, tail, and paws could be done with the help of dog combs. Like dog brushes, there are several types of dog combs. You can choose one depending on your dog’s needs but the rule stays the same regardless of what type of comb you have. That is, to use the instrument carefully to avoid hurting the dog’s skin.

De-matting Tool

– There are limitations with what brushes and combs can do. One of these is removing a mat and even preventing a mat from your dog. De-matting tool will do what brushes and combs could not. De-matting tool breaks up a mat concentration into smaller pieces that would make it easier to remove with a brush or a comb.

Dog Nail Clippers

– Another important dog grooming tool is the nail clipper. This tool will keep the dog’s nails look clean and trimmed. There are basically 2 types of dog nail clippers: scissors style nail clipper and the guillotine style clipper. Both work effectively well. The two designs come in different sizes to comply with every dog size and age.

Dog clipper And Blades

– For some, dog grooming means having dog clipper and blades. In fact, god owners love to talk about their clipper for it signifies that they maintain the grooming of their dogs. Some dog clippers have permanent blades while some have changeable ones. It depends on you, however, to choose between the two.

Scissors And Trimmers

– To keep your dog in-style, dog scissor is a must. There are several types of dog scissors available: curved shears, straight shears, thinning shears, and blunt-tipped shears. To know how to properly use these tools, you can read articles about the particular topic. Dog training schools and programs also include lesson on how to use dog scissors properly.

Bathing Equipment

– Dog grooming tool should not be limited to combs brushes and trimming tools, it must also include bathing equipment too. There are several types of bathing equipment today but the most important things you must have are shampoo, conditioners, blowers or dyers, and showers. Special blowers or dryers and showers for dogs may not be important anymore if you already have these things at home. However, since the formulation of human shampoo and conditioner is different, it may cause irritation to your pet. Thus, you need to invest dog shampoo and dog conditioner to keep their scalp and coat healthy and clean.

Among the optional dog grooming tools include grooming tables and cage or stand dyers. Grooming tables come in hydraulic models, stationary or electrical versions. Cage and stand dyers on the other hand are more popular on dog spa. Accessories are also available for grooming tables.

These are just some of the dog grooming tool must haves that you should have for your dog. There are others if you really want to go fancy. There is something out there for almost any dog hair/fur need that you may be looking for.

Enjoy the new Great Dogs Blog article and here are some other recommended Dog Sites Online on information about dogs from Teri Champigny.

Dogs & Puppies Adoption
All About Dogs
Because You Love Your Dog

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The Labrador Retriever

©2011 Teri Champigny, Great-Dogs-Site.com
All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Many people think that the Labrador Retriever is a Canadian dog that comes from Labrador and Newfoundland, but is actually believed to be from Europe, England and Norway. The Labrador or sometimes just the Lab adapted very well to their environment. It was this early breed that the Newfoundland came from (this was the larger of the two dog breeds that developed).

It was the smaller short-haired breed that has become the beloved Labrador Retriever that we know and love today. It was found that this shorter-haired breed were excellent to use for small game hunting (usually birds) and fishing (retrieving fishing nets). Like most water dogs they have a double coat and have webbed paws. This makes them excellent swimmers. And they just absolutely love the water. The Labrador Retriever come in three colors – black, yellow and chocolate.

Labradors make excellent assistant dogs and police use them for search and rescue. Typically, Labradors are an athletic dog and love to swim, play catch and play retrieve games. They are good with young children, elderly, and for protection. They make a great family pet as they can have a life span of about 10-12 years, if they are kept healthy.

Labradors do require a lot of exercise and should taken out daily for a brisk walk. If you ride a bicycle you could have him tied to your bike and he could run beside you. If you are a runner, well that would be perfect, wouldn’t it, he could just run with you. Other great things you could do that you would both enjoy would be agility, flyball, dock diving and even you can do the search and rescue thing. This involves training for both of you but WOW is it fun.

Labs are like most working dogs – they are happiest if they have job to do. Like most dogs they love to please their human and what better way than to teach him to do things for you. You could train him to get your slippers, newspaper or just about anything as long as it’s something to do your Lab will be happy camper.

Labs are not a small dog. They are the cutest things when they are puppies. All chubby, fuzzy and all feet, but they can get large and weigh as much as 60-80 pounds or more when they get older. They are slow to mature, so at about 25 inches for the male and 24 for the female at about 2 years of age they still think they are small puppies, while most dogs mature at 2. The Lab does not fully mature both physically and mentally until they are about 3-4 years of age.

The Labrador Retriever is a true companion dog in every sense of the word. This is not a dog to leave alone. You have to think if you are ready for a dog, especially one like the Labrador Retriever. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Are you ready for a dog?
2. Do you have time for a dog?
3. Does where you live allow for dogs?
4. Do you have other pets in your household and will they co-exist with each other?
5. And this one is important – Can you afford to have a dog?

These are just a few things to consider when you want to get a Labrador Retriever or any kind of pet. Dogs are one of the best friends you can have. You can tell them anything and they’ll love you forever. But this can only happen if you can open yourself to the responsibilities of caring for your Labrador Retriever.

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How To Travel With Your Dog

How to travel with your dog, now here are a few tips on how to travel with your dog. Dogs are outstanding traveling companions – they don’t back-seat drive, misread road maps, insist on eating at truck stops, snore, or steal your covers!

They are kind, affectionate, adventurous, easygoing, protective, and courageous. What more could you ask for in a traveling companion. If you are traveling alone they make great company and keep you from being lonely on a long trip. If you have children they can also keep the children occupied.

What To Take With You

So, first of all, what do you take on trip with a dog?

1. A few old towels.
2. Several Airwick scent fresheners.
3. Two old sheets.
4. Several rolls of heavy duty paper towels.
5. A “pets allowed” motel guidebook listing.
6. Waders.
7. Ear plugs.
8. Nose plugs.
9. A two-day supply of marrow bones.
10. Tweezers.
11. Plain collar.
12. Choke collar.
13. Updated dog tags.
14. Your dog’s medical history.
15. Leash.
16. Dog food.
17. Can opener.
18. Food bowl.
19. Water bowl.
20. Tomato juice.

How To Plan Your Itinerary

Second, how do you plan your itinerary? Most problems will occur during one of the following events: the time-to-eat stop, the short time-to-tinkle stop, the long stretch-your-legs-and-run stop, the historic-visit stop, the overnight stop, and the picnic-enjoy-the-scenery stop. Doesn’t leave much, does it?

The Time-To-Eat-Stop

If you know your route, always try to pick a restaurant near a field or empty lot so you can give your puppy a run before you go in to eat. If you can’t find such a setup, you might have to resort to this tactic:

You pull into a parking space, open the door a crack, and pretzel yourself out. The problem with this tactic is, you have to return. If you are lucky and have trained your dog well, your dog will not howl while your are out of eyesight. However, the minute he spots spots you slinking up to your car with crushed bread crusts and leftover bacon rinds at the ready, he releases his happiness greeting. It is one thousand times more shattering than a mere howl.

If a dog does howl as you leave, don’t go back to shush him. This usually just encourages him, and of course in your dog’s mind he got a reaction from you, right?

So just walk on, ear plugs out of purse and pushed well in. Ignore or smile innocently at the couple with the two kids staring accusingly at you from the rolled-up windows in their SUV.

The Short Time-To-Tinkle Stop

The problem with the short stop is deciding when to stop. The best time for this stop is if your dog indicates impatience by digging in the rear seat upholstery or marching through and in between the seats, then it’s time.

There is that rare canine who slumbers with dreamy innocence through traffic curses and screeching brakes, but, never trust an angelic dog, because there aren’t any!

So when your dog starts doing his thing to let you know he needs out, you stop – at the first acceptable open space. However, herein lies a pitfall; how to pick a likely candidate.

The Best Advice is:

1) Avoid vacant lots – too much glass.
2) Bypass school play yards.
3) Approach public parks with extreme caution and only if your dog has impeccable manners.

I have managed, after some thousand scoldings, to make Same a proper gentlemen. He will heel on command, come immediately if my voice registers panic, and will not poop on grass.
You can train your dog not to poop on grass, it takes persistent training, but any housebroken dog can learn. It’s just an extension of his training. For a traveling dog, it is a consideration that may endear him to park groundsmen, although this is not guaranteed.

Watch for public parks as they have a childrens play area and this can be a great attraction to a dog. Well, cedar shavings or those rubberized mats that some have aren’t grass, and mistakes will happen. That’s why you carry the roll of paper towels. It is always a number one priority that these kinds of messes be cleaned up.

Old shrines and historic relics are also ill-advised. Pigeons live at these places and if they become startled, well let just say that your dog could be wearing the pigeons mistake. So out came the Airwick and two old towels.

The Overnight Stop

Bedding down for the night with a four-legged companion can present almost as many problems as with a two-legged one. Many motels do not allow pets. Once you find a place that will allow pets those two old sheets come in handy. One is for bed and one for his. Usually your dog will curl up obediently on his sheet at the foot of your bed when turn in, and then usually when you fall fast asleep, he’ll sneak onto the bed. You know he will.

One more thing about overnights – It goes without saying that dogs should never be left alone in motel rooms. It’s not fair to the management, your neighbors, or your dog.

The Picnic Stop

The picnic stop is potentially one of the most pleasurable travel events, but easily the most hazardous. The problem is, you want to eat; you want to lean back and enjoy the scenery, along with your leftover sandwich.

But this means that you can’t watch the dog every five seconds. Of course you can tie him up. But consider this criminal if you are in open, unpopulated country.

The problem if you let your dog run loose even in the country is that they FIND things. Things can be and are usually something that is dead (and dogs for some reason love to roll around in this type of thing). If this happens to you then this is where the waders come in handy… a bath in the nearest stream. Once dunked and scrubbed, pulling out one or all of the three old towels, you then use the tomato juice.

For those unfamiliar with this remedy, tomato juice is the absolute best remedy for cleaning up your dog if he meets with the unfortunate clash with a skunk or decides to roll around in something dead.

Traveling with your dog that is one of the most important essentials that you must bring along – a loving sense of humor!

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Canine Eye Problems And Solutions

Like many ailments dogs get some of the things that we do and canine eye problems and the solutions to them are listed here. To understand the various reasons why your dog may come down with a serious eye problem, you need know some important information on the genetic make-up of these animals.

For example, the normal dog has eyelashes on the upper lid only. They are in three to four rows, so close together that they appear as one single row. They are directed away from the cornea.

In abnormal conditions, several eyelashes may be misplaced. These hairs are located so that they are directed toward the very sensitive cornea. The initial irritant may not be associated with these hairs, but will act as the exciting mechanism of a vicious circle.

The irritant causes the animal discomfort and produces blinking. The blinking produces increased pressure by the lids on the cornea, leading to further irritation induced by the aberrant eyelashes.

This irritation further aggravates the blinking and spasms of the muscles occur, thus completing the cycle. The end result is severe corneal irritation which requires veterinarian attention.

The Goal Of Veterinarian Treatment

The object of treatment is to interrupt this vicious circle by determining and removing the initial irritant if still present. The defect that is present is treated also.

The usual method used to eliminate the aberrant hairs is “electrolysis,” in which the hairs are destroyed by electronically produced heat. Our preference is to remove surgically the entire row of abnormal hairs.

Professional help is strongly recommended to treat this problem. The use of home remedies and pet store drugs may be the most devastating mistake the dog owner can make. All medications used for eye diseases should be discarded when therapy has been completed.

Many medications that are used routinely are extremely toxic when ingested, and therefore the well-being of our children and pets should be a prime concern.

Excess Tearing

A condition of great concern to fanciers of the Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, and other small, light colored dogs is “epiphora”, or excess tearing. It is a problem primarily in the lighter colored dogs. However, we see it also in dark colored dogs, but it’s simply not as noticeable.

Many things may be responsible for this very distressing problem. Among them are:

1) Misplaced eyelashes (as discussed above).

2) The tear duct which drains the tears from the eye may be abnormally positioned.

3) A small island of hair which may grow from the corner of the eye next to the nose, may act as a wick and tears will then overflow.

4) There may be overproduction of tears without apparent irritation.

5) There may be an abnormal position of the inner corner of the eyelids next to the nose referred to as “medical entropion”.

6) There is recent evidence of a potential metabolic defect associated with porphyrin metabolism.

When one reviews all of the possible causes, it becomes apparent that there is no single treatment that can cure this condition.

Some authorities recommend low levels of oxytetracyclines in the food daily, and others recommend surgical removal of the gland in the third eyelid. However, it is the opinion of many veterinarians that thorough evaluation of the entire condition is necessary in order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and a specific treatment.

In summary, there is no therapeutic panacea for abnormal tearing and much more research is necessary to elucidate all the mechanisms predisposing to it, as well as treatments that will prove effective in the majority of cases.

Cataract Formation

Another problem facing some breeders is cataract formation. It is wise to review some of the aspects involved with this particular disease. The lens is a refractive structure within the eye. In a healthy condition, it is optically clear. It continuously grows through life, but it does so in such a way that the center becomes more compact. A normal change with age, then, is a condition called “lenticular sclerosis”.

The condition of lenticular sclerosis should not be confused with an actual cataract. It is a senile alteration of lens fibers resulting in an absorption of some of the wave lengths in the visible spectrum. The dog’s vision is not changed significantly.

In contradistinction to lenticular sclerosis, a cataract is an apparent opacity within the lens that will not allow the passage of light. Many false concepts have occurred due to nomenclature. Cataracts can be classified according to types. In general, most authorities agree on the following chronological classifications:

A) Congenital – born with.
B) Juvenile – occurring in a young dog under five years of age.
C) Senile – occurring in an older dog over five years of age.

The cause of canine cataracts – whether hereditary or acquired – may be influenced by many factors including the effects of inflammations, toxins, metabolic defects, trauma, radiation, and many more.

It becomes obvious that the term juvenile cataracts only means that a young dog has cataracts and the condition could be either acquired or hereditary. Much work is necessary to elucidate the potential hereditary mechanism which may be present. Medical therapy is of no avail and surgery is necessary if restoration of vision is to be accomplished.

Collie Eye

Collie eye is also a problem of genetic predisposition. The genetic mode of inheritance has been determined. It is a simple recessive autosomal gene. The syndrome has been “graded” unfortunately, and this is one of the worst mistakes that can be made in eliminating such a disease.

We presently diagnose dogs as affected or unaffected regardless of the variation of eye lesions present. We have demonstrated that all the lesions are related to one another and that the presence of any lesions incriminates genotypes. Because of the recessive gene, a mating of dogs with normal eyes may certainly produce affective offspring.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease which is manifested in dogs usually four years old or older. It has been reported in dogs as young as seven months. It is seen in English Setters, Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Elkhounds, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and others. It is transmitted as a simple recessive autosomal gene.

The first clinical sign which may be observed is a widely dilated pupil which becomes unresponsive to any light. The dog will soon show signs of decreased vision during twilight. The dog’s vision progressively decreases until he is completely blind. Nothing is effective in the prevention of inevitable blindness, but there is some evidence that vitamin A therapy may delay the end stage blindness; however, this is controversial.

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How To Give Medication To Your Dog

One of the things that people have a hard time with is how to give medication to their dog. Dogs can be very creative in finding that pill. You can try everything you can think of and your dog will still find that pill and eat everything around it and still leave the pill in the dish.

That being said, There are times in your dog’s life when he or she will need medications that must be administered at home. Often a disease may strike requiring daily care and treatment, or perhaps your dog may suffer an injury that requires your personal treatment of meds.

There are generally three methods of giving your dog his medicine:

1) Liquid medicine (using the pouch method).
2) Prying open the mouth.
3) Pills and capsules.

Liquid Medicine: Using The Pouch Method

Liquid medicine is the easiest of all solutions because you can either drop the medication in the dog’s food or water, or simply use a dropper to enter the canine’s mouth.

To use the pouch method you will use one hand to pull the corner of the dog’s lip open. This is the corner of the lower lip. Once you do that make a pouch. Meanwhile keep the doggy’s head back a little and then pour. You will pour with the other hand.

If this doesn’t seem to work out very good then get some help. Have someone help you hold the dog in place. If the canine has its teeth clamped then gently pry his mouth open using a couple of fingers. The dog might try to move away so just put the dog near a corner with his rear end facing the corner so he has not far to back up. Follow the steps to make the pouch and administer the liquid.

How To Pry Your Dog’s Mouth Open

Now with this method you need to pry open the dog’s mouth at the upper jaw. Take your thumb and fingers and place them in the gaps behind the fangs while you hold the upper jaw with one hand.

At this point, the dog will typically relax just enough to open his mouth a bit. Then you would pour the medicine with a spoon or dropper in between the canine’s front teeth. Of course you will need to have his head back just a bit.

Giving Your Dog Pills Or Capsules

To give your dog a pill or vitamin other than the chewable kind, use the pry-open-mouth method. Take the pill and hold it between your first finger and your thumb, or if easier for you, between the second fingers and the first finger. After you have the capsule or pill in place, use the rest of your fingers to push open the lower jaw at the front teeth.

Now you have to get the pill as far back into the dog’s throat as you can. Then encourage the swallowing. Yes it will be tougher at first, but as you gain experience and your dog becomes more accustomed, it will become a more comfortable routine.

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Arthritis In Dogs

Arthritis in dogs is really no different than it is in humans. If you think arthritis, that debilitating disease characterized by chronic pain in the joints, only occurs in humans, think again. The disease can also occur in dogs. In fact, arthritis in dogs is a fairly common pet disorder.

There are many factors where arthritis in dogs can be attributed to. The disorder could arise from destruction of tissue in the joints and around it that occurs subsequently often after an infection. It may also be congenital in nature, affecting structural architecture. Some forms of arthritis in dogs are due to stress and trauma to join surfaces and supporting structures. Other forms may be due to a disorder of the immune system wherein the body’s autoimmune response is directed on its own tissue, leading to joint tissue inflammation and degeneration.

But no matter the cause of arthritis in dogs, one thing is certain: it causes your beloved pet to suffer heedlessly under chronic pain and stiffness, leading to immobility and sometimes even permanent disability.

How do you stop it?

As is most often the case with chronic disorders like arthritis in dogs, early detection may be the key to halting disease progression. So identifying the signs associated with arthritis in dogs is an important task and one that is easy enough to do, once you know what to look for.

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Unlike humans, dogs have no way of communicating the pain suffered because of arthritis. They cannot come right up to you and say that they are suffering pain. Neither are they prone to displaying signs of weakness. Dogs are still animals and animals are often stoic as a form of survival tactic. So the active role of recognizing the signs of arthritis in dogs falls on your shoulders and you must be vigilant in this task.

The first signs of arthritis in dogs are often subtle. If you notice any outright limping or vocalizing of pain, that means the end stage of long term joint degeneration. As it may be too late by then, try actively looking for subtle changes in your dog’s behavior and appearance, such as increased weight gain, sleeping more, less interest in playing, and a change in attitude or alertness.

Some dog owners recognize that something was wrong when they observed that their dogs seemed more careful when lying down. It was not that the dog howled in pain. It was just that it was needlessly careful. After a visit to the vet and a couple of x-rays, it will most likely turn out that the dog is suffering from mild inflammation of the joints caused by arthritis in dogs.

Sudden weight gain is a sure sign that your dog is not mobile enough. Immobility may be due the fact that it is too painful for your dog to move around so it opts to spend its days sitting about, not moving at all.

The good news with arthritis in dogs is that there are many safe and effective medications available. Carprofen, the chemical found in Pfizer Animal Health’s RIMADYL, is one of the most prescribed medications for arthritis in dogs.

Arthritis in dogs is as painful to them as it is to humans. If you’ve known anyone that has arthritis then you know what to look for and what they are going through. So when you see your beloved dog going through the same motions than you know that you have to take them to the veterinarian and get the help they need.

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