Kitties Resources

by spengy

Advancing the Next Big Idea in Animal Health

Article by Morris Animal Foundation

Smallpox, polio and even influenza-these deadly diseases once ruled the earth, killing by the millions. Today, thanks to scientific research, their impact is far less. The same holds true for animal diseases such as canine parvovirus and feline leukemia. One day, a host of other diseases that affect humans or animals, and sometimes both, may meet the same fate.

When major medical breakthroughs happen, such as the promising bone marrow treatment for humans with sickle cell anemia announced last December, we often don’t realize the time and effort behind a new prevention, treatment or cure. The reality, though, is that medical advancements usually take years, even decades, to come to fruition-and along the way hundreds of ideas are attempted before one of them opens the doors. Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is committed to finding and funding the next big ideas in animal health research.

We know that a novel idea goes nowhere without proper funding-and funding for the unknown is often tough to come by. The Foundation is one of the few organizations helping cutting-edge scientists gather data and test promising concepts that could one day lead to major health breakthroughs for animals.

Innovative Ideas Take Flight:Through its pilot-study program, MAF provides funding up to ,800 for one-year studies that test a new idea and gather preliminary data to determine if the idea merits further investigation. This program provides timely funding for innovative ideas, speeds up scientific discovery and advances the Foundation’s mission to improve the health and welfare of animals.

“Pilot research study grants are designed to support innovative research ideas and early-stage projects where preliminary data may not be available,” says Dr. Wayne Jensen, MAF chief scientific officer.

One benefit to the pilot-study program is that MAF accepts these study proposals multiple times per year rather than through the traditional grant cycle of once per year. As a result, the program helps researchers respond more rapidly to emerging diseases and contemporary questions in animal health research.

Funding for pilot studies is desperately needed to advance veterinary medicine for companion animals and wildlife. Dr. James Moore, chair of the Foundation’s large animal scientific advisory board, explains that most funding agencies only support proposals that already contain a sufficient amount of preliminary data to suggest that the expected outcomes will be achieved. But scientists need funding to gather preliminary data. So it was no surprise that MAF received an overwhelming response-161-to its two 2009 calls for proposals. Yet the Foundation can fund only 12 to 18 projects each year.

“The greater than expected response to the request for proposals for pilot studies suggests that there are a lot of good, untested ideas out there,” Dr. Moore says.

A History of Funding Health Breakthroughs:The Foundation has a long history of funding breakthrough projects. For example, in 1999, MAF was the first to fund research to look at why California sea otters were dying off. Over the next decade, we funded several grants looking at disease risks in sea otters. What scientists learned from these projects helped them win a .86 million grant from the National Science Foundation. In an interview for AnimalNews 6.4, lead researcher Dr. Patricia Conrad noted that, “the Morris Animal Foundation grants were critically important. Without that support in the project’s infancy, we wouldn’t have been able to compete for bigger grants.”

Beyond uncovering information about the infectious diseases that were killing sea otters, these studies also led to increased state legislative protections for the playful creatures and trained numerous up-and-coming wildlife health researchers.

A current study funded by our Canine Cancer Campaign is testing a new drug therapy for bone cancer in dogs. This major project encompasses multiple facets and institutions and could eventually save the lives of thousands of dogs-yet it began as a small pilot effort. Additional pilot projects may soon lead to a promising treatment for eye cancer in horses, improved nutrition for brook trout and better pain management for reptiles.

Current pilot studies address gastrointestinal problems, urinary infections and heartworm in dogs; osteoarthritis pain in cats; laminitis in horses and overpopulation and drug-resistant infections in pets.

“Pilot studies like these are important for moving veterinary medicine forward, primarily because they can be accomplished relatively quickly and relatively inexpensively,” Dr. Moore says.

Who knows where this year’s pilot projects may lead. Perhaps they will give veterinarians a tool to help them diagnose and manage osteoarthritis in cats or an inoculation that prevents certain strains of Escherichia coli from causing recurrent urinary tract infections in dogs. Or maybe equine veterinarians will get an inexpensive method for treating laminitis, a painful, life-threatening condition.

The possibilities for advancing animal health are truly endless as long as we continue to support pioneering scientists with innovative ideas. These promising projects may one day change the face of veterinary medicine and help create a healthier tomorrow for animals.

Learn more about the current pilot studies.

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by pjbaldes

Wet Food Versus Dry Food To Promote Pet Health In Cats

Article by Ima Johnson

There has been a long standing question concerning the benefits of feeding your feline friend wet food more than dry food, and vice versa.Although there are many benefits to both types of food, it has been found that wet food is somewhat of a necessity for cats. This does not mean that cats should be fed wet food every single meal or even every day for that matter. However, it is suggested that there be a positive mix a few times per week of wet cat food to supplement the nutritional value of the accompanying dry food.

What Is The Difference In The Two FoodsDry food contain many minerals that promote proper pet health. In dogs, it is actually suggested that dry food be their main course. However, cats are different in the respect that their bodies require more protein than other animals. In most cases, wet food contains more protein than dry food. Proteins in a cat’s body will help with the synthesizing of important amino acids, which they do not receive by eating solely dry food. The amino acids produced help the cat grow as well as create a physiological homeostasis through body regulation. When cats are subjected to a deficiency in protein, they may exhibit certain signs.1. Weight Loss2. Appetite Loss3. Inhibited Immune System4. Skin and hair lusterThere are other symptoms that may be signs of protein deficiency although these are the most notable. As on can see, protein is the most important dietary need of a cat. Studies have shown that wet food can hold up to twice as much protein as dry food.Water ContentAnother aspect or reason to feed your cat a regular supplement of canned food is the fact that the cat will receive more water than with dry cat food. Hydration levels in felines are sometimes low. This is due to the fact that their bodies are designed to obtain water from eating meat. By feeding your cat wet food, you are supplementing his or her diet with more water as well.The Lesser The Carbs, The BetterPet health in cats is heavily dependent on high intakes of protein and low supplements of carbohydrates. Unfortunately, most dry cat food is made up of mostly carbohydrates. Due to this fact, some cats that eat mostly dry cat food have a greater chance of becoming overweight. This is due to the cat’s high upload of carbohydrates. Dry cat food makes the pet want to meat more than he or she should because it does not give them the full feeling as that of protein. By adding more wet food to a cat’s diet, you may actually help the pet lose weight. Pet owners want to do everything they can to ensure proper health and nutrition for their animals. With a little research on your Pet symptom diagnosis and needs, you will find that he or she is much more happy and playful, which makes a better time for everyone.

My cat poops in its food
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by Taekwonweirdo

Understanding Cat Health Problems

Cats are one of the most adorable pets that we can get along with. The key to enjoying an energetic feline is to know the common cat health problems that may cause him danger. They can become a good companion and have an excellent ability to hunt unwanted house pests or dangerous creatures such as rats, scorpions and snakes. Since they are known to be hygiene conscious, cats always lick their bodies to get rid of dirt and other unwanted elements. This habit may be vain yet harmless.
 
However, studies show that it may become a danger to their health as their fur sticks on their tongues and is swallowed in the process. Thus, this may cause serious stomach problems as the fur deposits accumulate and in the end may form a ball that will become dangerous to its metabolism. From that experience we discover that the most common cat health problems that your feline may encounter includes hairballs, urinary tract infection and feline infectious peritonitis. 
 
People are not the only ones endangered by the fur from your cat but even they are not exempted to the dangers it may bring.

Just like us, your cat may continuously cough or get sick as allergic reactions to the fur. In order to solve this problem, there are many cat foods in the market to help avoid hairball formation.
 
You think that humans are the only ones that get urinary tract infection. Think again. It is considered one of the most common cat health problems that threaten their good health status. This is usually common on male un-neutered felines as they emit an unfavorably strong urine smell as a symptom. The best way to treat this problem is to consult a veterinarian and know what cat foods may alleviate this situation. Another health problem they may encounter is the Feline Infectious Peritonitis; though this may not be fatal, it can be prevented through immunization and proper diet.
 
Now that you have learned some of the many cat health problems, you will be able to plan with your veterinarian what are the necessary precautions you can take to protect your cat from these illnesses and diseases.

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Question by beautiful love05: What is the difference between animal science and animal health science?
I am planning on transferring next year to Cal Poly Pomona to get a bachelors in animal health science to become a vet tech. Am I on the right track to getting it in animal health science rather than animal science?

Best answer:

Answer by “the bookworm”
ANIMAL SCIENCE:
Animal science is described as “studying the biology of animals that are under the control of mankind.At the University of Reading, for example, the study of animal science is concerned with the scientific understanding of how animals work: from the physiology and biochemistry of tissues and major organ systems down to the structure and function of bio molecules and cells; particular emphasis is given to the study of growth, reproduction, nutrition and lactation of farm and companion animals and how these processes may be optimized to improve animal productivity, health and welfare. Courses in support areas, such as genetics, soils, agricultural economics and marketing, legal aspects and the environment also are offered. Degrees in Animal Science are offered at a number of Universities.
ANIMAL HEALTH SCIENCE:
IT is the branch of science that deals with the application of medical, surgical, public health, dental, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to non-human animals, including wildlife and domesticated animals, including livestock, working animals, and companion animals. Practitioners of veterinary medicine are known as veterinarians. In most developed countries, veterinarians are highly qualified professionals with advanced educations.

What do you think? Answer below!

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by Lance McCord

Your Cats Diet and Health is Related to Your Habits

Article by Claude West

Oh what to do about those presents kitty brings in from outside just for you. Some folks have quit allowing their cats to go outside as a method of avoiding this issue. This avoidance may be less stress for the owner but could be harmful to the cat. Consider the diet of an indoor cat versus an outdoor cat and that would be the difference in eating live prey verses commercial foods.

I remember my past veterinarian Dr. Teague who would say that the difference in today?s cats? verses 40 years ago is the absence of live prey. He went on to say that a lot of the cats? immunological health is dependent on live prey whether insects, small mammals or reptiles. It did not impact me as much back then as it does now because I was accustomed to feeding out of a can or bag then.Oh how I loved the convenience of plopping chow out of a can or bag but nutritionally I am starving the cat from needed meat proteins substituted with grain proteins, starches, vegetables, and sugary fruits that do not fit a proper diet for a cat. Cats are ?obligate carnivores?, which means all of their feeding requirements are met with capture and consumption of live prey. Less than that can lead to many diseases that are not typical in a carnivore.

Chronic Renal Failure or CRF, I can?t count the number of cats I had or knew that ended with this terminal disease. CRF is the result of poor diet and dental hygiene which is so typical of todays? indoor cat. Not saying that an outdoor cat would not also suffer this way if it was unable to catch prey on a regular basis and likewise an indoor cat given a proper diet of whole raw food and supplements is less likely to contract CRF. It is all about the type of diet your cat is getting.

Maybe when kitty brings in the present there is more meaning to it than what you think. Consider it is the cats? way of telling you that this is the real food and not that stuff you keep putting into my bowl! Then again perhaps not, because depending on how long you have been feeding your cat ?commercial cat food?, and also the age of the cat would determine whether it is a ?junk food addict? or not.

I am fighting an uphill battle with my two tabbies. One is 13 and the other is 3 years old and both are certifiable junk food kitties. Converting them to a whole raw diet will take considerable time and effort plus patience on my part. The long term payoff is reversing my 13 year old cat that has early signs of kidney disease from the last blood work. The 3 year old is giving the most fuss and fight and no longer will the crunchy bowl be out 24/7?s.

Back to my opening statement about those presents that kitty brings inside. Consider another possibility that your house, bedroom, or wherever kitty brings in the prey, it considers to be its? den. That is always a possibility. I currently have such discussions with Journey, (our Torte), who insists that all live catch meals must be consumed in our bedroom. The credibility of this being her den is also where 90+ percent of the time she sleeps. You can bet I am working hard on changing were she thinks she should eat her catches.

Even though she has free run of the house and cat door to the outside she will spend most of the day outside and still sleep most of the night with us. Odd considering most cats are nocturnal but has always been the case with our other cats, and I bet some of this is directly related to the feeding schedule we keep. A wildcat will only hunt if it is hungry and does not require 2 meals plus snacks a day. Our cats? behavior is likely related to being over fed with the wrong type of food.

What is the right type of food and what is the feeding schedule? The cat should eat whole prey, (either live caught or frozen purchased), not the ground up food recipes you can get on the internet. There are a number of producers of whole live food so Google that or you can go to my website. Let the cat determine the amount of food.Often they may take most of the day to eat larger whole prey and will stop eating when they are full. Point I am making is give your cat the food in the morning and if it wants more then give it more, otherwise the one time may be sufficient.

A cat eating a lot of good raw meat will tend to be more active than a cat eating a lot of heat processed protein with added carbohydrates and sugars, and that is why your cat gets fat. The cat does not have the energy to exert for lots of exercise when it is on a commercial cat food diet.

That kind of diet is hard on the cat to digest and utilize for an energy source so over the long haul the kidneys and liver start to degenerate and disease sets in. It?s not an overnight process before the bodies organs start to fail and neither is it an overnight process to repair. Proper diet and supplements over time can in some cases restore useful function to these organs if it is started near the beginning stages.

Problem with the blood tests is the kidneys are already close to 70% gone before the test indicates any problem. A cat can survive on just 30% renal function but one needs to stop and hopefully reverse this process with the proper diet and supplements. Most veterinarians disagree with my action steps and to their credit they may be correct since significant damage to the kidneys has already occurred when blood tests indicate possible CRF.

Your cat could be suffering from many other things like dehydration, weight loss, high blood pressure, and thyroid function. Because of the possibility of multiple conditions you may have to ?stabilize? your cat first with the recommended therapy that the vet recommends then improve on diet. The number one site for information about CRF from the medical aspect is Feline CRF Information Center.

Most vets recommend Hill Diet also known as KD diet. This is a can or kibble diet low in protein and phosphorus in an effort to have a reduction of protein the kidneys need to process. Sounds great except most of the protein in the product is loaded with JUNK proteins which do just the opposite that you?re trying to achieve. What is really needed is a diet that is totally sourced from good protein with as much phosphorus removed. This would be a huge niche for someone to formulate.

Recapping, most cats over the age of 8 years who have been fed only a dry food commercial diet will develop CRF. The same is true for cats over the age of 12 that had a diet consisting of canned commercial food. Some cats get it earlier than others and some expire from other conditions. CRF is a progressive terminal disease that has a strong relationship to diet and gum disease.

Feeding your cat early on a whole raw diet and allowing it to hunt is the most natural prevention of early onset of CRF. The blood work and urine evaluation are the best ways to detect CRF early before more serious conditions begin but the disease has already significantly progressed in the kidneys. My website provides specific blogs concerning a whole raw food diet for cats and has many links to other sites for additional information.

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by Ferran.

Home Health Check for Dogs

Learning how to give your dog a thorough home health check can help you detect any problems early on. Early detection is crucial in successfully treating potential health problems in your pet. Dogs can’t vocalize when they don’t feel well and it is ultimately your responsibility to notice if something is off with your dog. An animal in pain or feeling ill won’t be able to speak out and you should pay close attention to any changes in y our dog’s appearance or behavior to detect any health issues he may silently be suffering from.

If you suspect something is wrong with your dog you should never delay to get the advice of your veterinarian as conditions can escalate in a pet very quickly. Postponing treatment may result in more serious consequences than if you had sought treatment earlier.

Giving your dog regular health checks can be synchronized with your dog’s grooming schedule. You should already be grooming your dog regularly as this help you detect any problems as well as establishing a strong bond between you and your pet.

Skin and Coat:

The majority of dogs shed, with only a few exceptions. If your dog appears to be shedding hair, this is generally normal, but if he seems to be experiencing excessive hair loss or fur coming out in clumps resulting in bald patches, chances are there’s something wrong with your dog. Your dog’s skin and coat condition indicates the animal’s general health condition. Poor health usually results in poor skin and hair condition and monitoring your pet’s skin and coat can tell you a lot about your dog’s general health.

Inflamed or reddened skin, bald patches, dandruff, hives and scabs are indications that your dog has a health problem or even an allergy. Dogs can experience allergic reactions to different substances and their surroundings, just like humans. Allergic reactions in dogs usually manifest themselves in changes in skin and coat condition.

Every time you bathe or brush your dog you should make it a point to run your fingers through his coat to feel for any abnormalities. Look through your dog’s fur for any signs of fleas or ticks. Fleas and ticks can cause serious damage to a dog’s health and even one flea bite on a sensitive dog can result in a persistent allergy. Insect bites can cause secondary bacterial infections in dogs that make them extremely uncomfortable and hard to treat. This will end up costing you a considerable vet bill as well, so it is always better to detect these problems before they develop.

Ears:

Once you’ve finished thoroughly examining your dog’s coat you should take a look at his ears. A dog’s ears should look pink and clean. You can use a penlight to examine the dog’s ear canal. If you find any scabs, redness or swelling in the ear canal this is an indication that something is wrong. Ear mites usually produce a dark waxy substance in the ear which your vet can treat with over the counter topical medication. You should check to see if there are any foreign objects in your dog’s ear canal or excessive wax.

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Never insert anything in your dog’s ears or try to clean them with a cotton swab; you can easily end up damaging your dog’s eardrums. If you want to clean your dog’s ears out, you can use some light olive oil, slightly warmed. Place a teaspoon of this into your dog’s ear and massage the ear, then allow the dog to shake any excess oil out. Of course make sure you do this in an appropriate area to avoid making a mess.

If you allow your dog to run in fields or you take him hiking in the woods, bits of foxtail and other plant debris may enter the ear canal. If this happens you should not attempt to remove them yourself, take your dog to the vet to have them removed as you could risk damaging your dog’s ears.

Eyes:

Next, take a look at your dog’s eyes. They should be bright and clear with no mucous, redness or puffiness. If they look cloudy or you suspect ulceration on the surface of the cornea you should take your dog to the vet immediately as these could be signs of a serious problem. If there is excessive discharge or crustiness around the eyes this is also a reason to visit the vet.

Nose:

The next thing you should do is to examine your dog’s nose. It should be slightly moist and cool, however some dogs have drier noses than others so you’ll have to discover what is normal in your dog. There should be no discharge or crustiness in the nose.

Teeth and Gums:

Surprisingly enough, many dog owners don’t understand the importance of proper canine dental hygiene and many people mistakenly believe that it is normal for their dog to have “doggie breath”. Nothing could be farther than the truth and excessive bad odor emanating from the mouth could be an indication of dental problems, digestive problems or kidney disease.

You can examine your dog’s gums and teeth by gently pulling back his lips. Your dog’s gums should be pink in color. The teeth should be clean and free of tartar and plaque. Gently press a finger to your dog’s gum to check for any signs of anemia. The area you pressed your finger against should turn white but quickly return to its normal pink color right away.

Although dogs aren’t as prone to dental cavities as we are, they are susceptible to gingivitis and gum disease. Plaque and tartar buildup can cause serious secondary infections in your dog. Badly maintained gums can allow bacteria to enter your dog’s system and cause kidney and liver failure so never neglect your dog’s dental hygiene.

If you’ve never brushed your dog’s teeth before now is the time to start. Getting a dog accustomed to having his teeth brushed isn’t difficult. You’ll need enzymatic toothpaste especially formulated for dogs and some patience. You can begin by allowing your dog to taste the toothpaste (most dog toothpastes are palatable to dogs), and then you can begin by gently massaging your dog’s gums with your finger. Do this for a few seconds every day until your dog is comfortable with this routine. Next try introducing a soft bristled toothbrush with some toothpaste and gently brush your dog’s teeth. Do this for a few seconds a day and your dog will eventually become comfortable with having his teeth brushed.

If your dog’s teeth are in poor condition or there is tartar buildup, you will need to take him to the vet for a professional cleaning.

Feet and Limbs:

You should routinely check your dog’s feet and limbs for any signs of swelling or injury. You can do this by gently rubbing your hands down your dog’s legs to detect any cuts, lumps or signs of pain. After hiking in the woods or a run in the fields, you should examine your dog’s paws for any burrs or foreign objects and remove them.

General Physical Condition:

You should be able to lightly feel a healthy dog’s ribcage; if you can’t feel your dog’s ribs this can be a sign that he’s overweight. If your dog has a thick and heavy coat, rub your hands along his sides to feel for his ribs. Some dog breeds are naturally thin but to be on the safe side regularly monitor your dog’s weight. Sudden changes in weight are almost always a sign that something isn’t right with your pet.

Gently pinch and pull the skin of your dog’s scruff, if it isn’t flexible and doesn’t spring back into position this is a sign that your dog is dehydrated. If you suspect your dog is dehydrated you should take him to the vet immediately, dehydration can quickly kill a pet.

Bowel Movements:

Make it a point to regularly check your dog’s anal glands. Infections can occur in a dog’s anal glands and any swelling or redness is an indication that your dog may be suffering from impacted anal glands. Familiarize yourself with your dog’s elimination habits as any sudden changes in elimination or urination could be a sign that the dog is ill. If abnormal elimination or urination persists longer than 24 hours take your dog to see the vet right away.

Behavior:

Drastic behavior changes in dogs usually mean something isn’t right. If you’re usually playful dog suddenly seems lethargic or reluctant to play this could be a sign he is sick. A normally gentle dog that seems to have changed into a grumpy, bad tempered individual seemingly overnight might be a sign that the dog is in pain. If you feel your dog is behaving out of character it may be best to take him to the vet for a quick checkup, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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by jxnholt

Get Health Insurance for Your Cat Before it is Too Late

Cats are curious creatures. One small they want to be petted and stroked, the next they are pleasing a thump at your hand and acting like you are shared enemy number one. Some people ardor the riddle of pet cats and other people dislike them. Love them or odium them, they are a still a normal pet and have an entirety host of potential wellbeing issues that will require veterinary thought and might have their owners considering the pros and cons of pet wellbeing assurance. When cat owners first beget their class new kitten to the vet they should have the kitten vaccinated for distemper.

Cat owners who have a cat that is ingoing into the blonde existence of its life should know that kidney breakdown is the most ordinary hindrance senior cats have to agreement with. Hairballs are regularly the very first thing cat owners think about when they rest to think possible threats to their cat’s shape. Hairballs clumps of fleece that can be found in the cat’s digestive scheme. Cat owners can hold food additives that will help eliminate hairball. In farthest luggage the cat will have to undergo surgery to have a hairball impassive.

Just like their owners cats can upgrade urinary piece infections. Cats who have an urinary article infection naturally cry when they are using their litter box. If a cat is suddenly “missing” the litter box and having accidents around the house it could be a precursor of an urinary piece infection. Treating the urinary article infection generally depends on the lettering of infection. After doing tests to determine the origin of the infection vets will normally put the cat on an around of antibiotics. If the infection has mushroom to the kidneys or caused an impasse burning veterinary action is needed.

Cats reserved inside do not regularly polish superior respiratory harms. Cats that have a respiratory illness often cough, sneeze, have fluid noses, discharge from the eyes, and are listless. Some cats will run a fever. Just like humans cats that have a higher respiratory illness are contagious and should be kept distinct from other cats. Cats with superior respiratory problems should be encouraged to swig masses of fluids. If your cat develops a fever take him to the veterinarian for a sequence of antibiotics. High fevers, if left natural, can front to intellect damage and fall.

Some cats are flat to getting abscesses. Abscesses wounds, sometimes small, that heal over, trapping infection under the skin. As the pus gathers a bump will emerge on the cat’s skin. Cats with abscesses could be full to the veterinarian’s personnel to have the abscess lanced (cut open), drained, and an antibiotic cream applied. Depending on the abscess veterinarians might stick a tube to the animal to let the pus drain. When the abscess has been drained, cleaned, and dressed the veterinarian will possibly prescribe a series of antibiotics. Some cats that have abscesses will run a fever. Much pet cats result diabetes. Many pet shape cover plans will help offset the loss of vet bills.

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by BecauseUAreHere

Miniature Bull Terrier Dog Breed History, Health Issues, Temperament and Grooming

Description: The Miniature Bull Terrier is a muscular and strongly built dog. Standing between 10 and 14 inches in height, and 24 to 23 pounds in weight, it is stocky and short. The head is oval in shape long and strong, it slopes evenly down to their nose, which is black. The eyes are small, almond shaped and deep-set, these are dark in colour. Their ears are small, thin and close together. This breed has a long neck that is very muscular, with broad shoulders. The tail is set low, and is not long. Their coat is short, flat and dense that is harsh to the touch. There are two colours recognized by the AKC; the white bull terrier is allowed to have coloured markings on the head, but not on the body and the coloured bull terrier, which can be black and brindle, red, fawn and tricolour with white markings. Their life expectancy is between 10 and 12 years.

History: The Miniature Bull Terrier breed started in the 1800s when Bulldogs were cross with the Terriers. In 1830 there was a popular sport of Bulldogs fighting bulls in a pit. Lovers of this fighting wanted to create a dog that was more agile, so they cross the bulldog with an old English terrier, Spanish point blood. The result was the Bull Terrier breed, this was not as successful a fighter as the breeders had wished, and by 1860. the dog had switched, to being fashionable for nobles. This breed has been used as a guard dog, herder, ratter and watchdog. The miniature Bull Terrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1991.

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Temperament: Although the Miniature Bull Terrier breed history is in the fighting ring, it is now a much gentler dog. Now it is bred to be a guard dog still retaining its courageous nature and ability to defend its owner. It is just as happy to be part of the family and lie in front of the fire. This breed loves and needs firm consistent leadership, combined with affection. This will make the miniature Bull Terrier, a wonderful pet. This breed will prefer an active family as they like to be doing something all the time. Without the right amount of mental and physical exercise this dog can be too energetic for some families, and definitely too energetic for small children. This is not a dog for a weak willed person, as this will bring out possessiveness, or jealousy, and over protectiveness in this breed. The males of this breed are unlikely to get on with other male dogs. The miniature Bull Terrier will not get on well with other non-canine pets such as mice, rabbits and rats. This breed is not the easiest to train, so is not recommended for new dog owners. The miniature Bull Terrier does make a wonderful and good watchdog.

Health issues: The Miniature Bull Terrier can suffer dislocation of the kneecaps, zinc deficiency, which can cause death, kidney failure and heart defects, skin and flea allergies. It is best not to over feed this breed, as they can gain weight easily.

Grooming: The Miniature Bull Terrier breed sheds twice a year. Being an average shedder, brushing over the coat every so often is all that is needed for the Miniature Bull Terrier.

Living conditions: Given the correct amount of exercise the Miniature Bull Terrier will do well in an apartment. A small garden will be all that is required.

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by Anirudh Koul

Some Important Things to Take Care for Your Pets Health and Safety

Taking care of a pet is quite easy as well as should be well taken care. Pet care is in fact a simple job, and includes the very important functions of grooming and striving to maintain good pet health care. General pet supplies could be considered a definition of useful tools for grooming and keeping your pet in good health.

Let us consider some useful terms which should be taken care for the well being of your pet:

Choosing A Pet:

The process of choosing a pet is very important. Choosing a pet depends on one’s preferences, but there are still some important things that should be kept in mind. One should always choose an animal of good breed. Secondly, the pet should be healthy especially if it is still in the initial stage of its life. A healthy young pet shows good fast growth.

Pet Supplies:

You should make a complete list of pet supplies and include the following: pet food and food bowls, pet id tags and collar, pet medications, supplements and tonics, etc. Some other items to consider are animal carriers, pet houses and furniture, pet beds, clothes, and pet jewelry.

Online Pet Supplies:

Online pet supplies are supplies that can be purchased from pet stores over the Internet. There are numerous pet grooming product manufacturers and pet-grooming stores selling their products online through their individual official websites.

Pet Grooming Supplies:

Pet grooming supplies include items such as grooming clippers, pet hair care products, soaps, shampoo and perfumes.

Pet Health:

Pet health is a very important responsibility of pet ownership. For puppies and kittens, or any other four-legged pets, important treatments would include giving a hygiene bath, cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside of the tongue, nail trimming, removing fleas and insects, and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. A good pet owner should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions.

Pet Care:

Pet care can require a lot of patience. Like children, pets often require special attention. A puppy, kitten or any other pet in its infancy needs to be handled with extreme care. In particular they must be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Pet Insurance :

When you are treating your pet as your family member why not covering your pet with an insurance policy. Yes! That’s absolutely possible and you will find many insurance companies providing policies for your beloved pet. Pet insurance is now a days very common and used largely by many pet lovers. Though how much you take care of you pet but you never know when an emergency situation arrives.

There is a very famous saying from George Eliot “Pets are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions and they pass no criticisms” about pet animals. Pets have always been friendly to humans and often show their love and affection by licking, hickeys, even love-bites.

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by Digital Wallpapers

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Description, History, Grooming, Health Issues and Living Conditions

Description: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a very muscular dog that has great strength. The height is 14-16 inches for the dog and 13-15 inches for the bitches. The weight of the male is 25-38 pounds and the female is 23-35 pounds. We see a short head with broad and deep skull. This has a powerful jaw that meets in a scissor bite. The lips are tight and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier rarely drools. It has a short muzzle, dark eyes that match the coat colouring. Small ears that can be half pricked or rose. They have a strong neck that is muscular blending into strong shoulders. The Staffy has padded paws that are medium in size, the front legs are straight. The tail is low set and thicker at the base, with a slight curl but this should not be much. The coat is coloured black, tan, fawn, red, white, brindle or a blend of the colours with white. There is a piebald which is white with any colour over the eye. Skewbald is white with red patches. The coat is smooth and tight to the body. The life expectancy of this dog is 10- 16 years.

History: This breed came from Staffordshire, England in the 1800′s from crossing the local Terriers and the Bulldog. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed was designed to be a fighting dog, as at the time bull baiting, fighting in a pit, was a fashionable sport. This was the poor mans entertainment and bears were used sometimes, as well as dog’s fighting dog’s. This cruelty was stopped in 1835, but it still carried on, as dog fights as it was easier to hide and gambling on the dog’s was popular. This happened in the UK and America as the working classes wanted to gamble and watch this blood sport. The Saffy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) following declined around this time, with the change of popularity for blood sports. In the twentieth century interest grew mainly in the USA and this is where the American Pit Bull originated, being larger than the Staffy. In 1975 the AKC recognized this breed.

Temperament: This breed needs a very dominant experienced owner. As the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives at full speed, and nothing is done by halves. While with the right owner and family you see a loving wholly affectionate dog with a sense of humour and so much courage it has to be controlled or can hurt itself. These dogs are very people friendly. These dogs will love children and the only real concern is that the child needs to know how to be a good young leade,r to avoid problems over dominance issues. The Staffy is good with other pets but really needs a very good leader to enforce rules. Socializing this dog, well and early, will help the dog develop well. One of the biggest problems for this dog is the chewing, they do. It will be no good just giving them a few plastic chew toys as these will be in shreds in minutes with possibly health concerns due to plastic being swallowed. There are ranges available for this strong chewer. As this is a big chewer never allow the dog to chew your hand, as a puppy, as this sends the dog the wrong message. They can be trained in obedience and agility and are in the top of the field in the UK. Here is a dog that needs and loves a challenge, so set ones that you can use rather than the dog choosing things you do not want. All family members have to be firm consistent leaders, for this dog to understand its place in the family, so families with young children or lacking good dog leadership and experience should not get this dog. This dog is strong and without the good leadership can become stubborn and very hard to handle. It cannot be stressed enough that this dog has brilliant stamina and needs very long walks daily.

Health issues: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have eye complaints and screening needs to be seen, by you, before getting a puppy. Hip dysplasia, tumours are also seen in some lines. Soft palate that is elongated is another problem seen in some puppies. This breed is also known to have gas like all the bull terrier types.

Grooming: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is easy to keep looking good by brushing their coat daily with a good brush for short haired dogs. Living Conditions: This dog, if given plenty of good exercise daily, can live in an apartment. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can cope with a small garden.

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