Cattle

Archive for June, 2010

Try as we may, there are certain afflictions that our animals seem to be prone to contracting despite our best efforts.  Ear mites are one of those maladies.  Ear mites can affect cats and dogs and left untreated can cause considerable harm.  Therefore, all pet owners need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ear mite infestation and understand the necessary treatment.

An ear mite is a tiny insect related to the tick.  The feast off of the blood of your pet and burrow into the skin.  If viewed under a microscope they look like tiny crabs.  Once the mites have a firm hold with the tiny hooks on their legs, they are impossible to remove and must be killed.

The most common area of infestation is along the outside edges of the ears.  The ears are relatively dirty areas, especially on a dog, and the mites feast off of the dead skin and dirt found there.  The mites can quickly move from one animal to another through contact or through contaminated bedding.  In rare cases the mites can even infect humans, though it’s rare due to normal human hygiene.  Once one of your pets is infested, the rest of your menagerie will soon exhibit the tell tale ear scratching behavior of the afflicted.  A serious infestation can prevent the animal from sleeping and nearly drive them insane.

This furious scratching causes its own complications.  Often the animal will scratch until the skin is raw and bleeding.  As the mites multiply, they move farther and farther into the ear, leading to hearing problems.  Ears can be permanently scarred.  These wounds then become infected and if left untreated can be life threatening.  A good pet owner will never let the condition progress to this stage.

Preventive measures as always are the best option, followed by early treatment.  Owners should inspect their pets’ ears regularly for signs of infestation.  Vigorous scratching or shaking of the head will probably be the first sign that ear mites are present.  Visible indicators will look like dirty spots in the ears and there will usually be signs of bleeding.  Ears should be cleaned inside and out, especially if the animal has large floppy ears.  Medicated washes are available that can treat mild cases if caught early.  More serious cases might require medications and antibiotics to treat for infection.

Though difficult to prevent, ear mites are easily treated and should not cause a major problem.  However, if you ignore your pet’s health and hygiene, ear mites can blossom into a serious health problem.  Save yourself the annoyance and your pet the discomfort and perform routine checks every couple of weeks.  This simple measure is all that is required to keep this parasite at bay.

Do you really need a pet insurance? The answer is very simple: it’s a big NO. No, no, no, you don’t need a pet insurance but your pet does. Seriously speaking, when you talk about pet insurance, other people would usually raise one eyebrow. Others may even raise both arms to protest, figuratively. One big question mark can be seen sitting comfortably on their head: Is pet insurance really worth it? Why not find it out right now?

Pets are living longer and it’s because of the love and care you’re giving to them. You sometimes pay more for their treatment when they get sick or injured or there are some other things that might happen to them. And when you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, you might get to wonder: “Wow, I just realize that I’m spending more for my pet than I have presumed. Why, I even spend more for my little tabby than for my own and my family.”

Yes, that’s right. One of these days, you’re going to be thinking that way and you could decide that you need to cut down some expenses for your pet.

That’s okay and that’s perfectly alright but don’t you know you can cut down on expenses for their treatments without ever depriving them of the love and care and treatment that you’ve been giving to your pet which he is now accustomed to? The answer is pet insurance. If your pet is affected with diseases and needs veterinary treatment, the cost can be expensive and this is the result of a surge in pet insurance and depending on situations, a pet insurance can be expensive or not, an overkill or not.

So, does your pet need pet insurance? As what have said, it depends. If you have a small pet, a bird or a smaller dog or cat that isn’t that hyperactive, they may be less likely prone to accidents and therefore less likely to require expensive emergency attention.

If you’re willing to shoulder all the expenses for paying treatment for your pet, insurance is deemed unnecessary. But sometimes, a chronic illness or a serious accident could make you end up shelling out hundreds of dollars and in this case, insurance is well worth considering especially if your dog behaves like a horse. So it depends upon the situation. If you have a Border Collie which is considered very hyperactive, pet insurance. But if you have a two-toed sloth, no more pet insurance, get the point? Always depends on the situation.

You may also opt for a self-insurance. You set aside a sum of money each month and build up that some in case of situations or emergencies uncalled for. But the problem to his solution is what if your pet has caught a severe illness in the first few months of your self-insurance? Now, that’s where the headaches lie and self-insurance doesn’t cover you for liability. What if your dog bites someone? That someone might bite back at you.

All in all, after weighing the odds, if you’re very concerned with your pet’s welfare and yours, sometimes a pet insurance is your best choice. With insurance, it covers the illness & injuries of your pet. You get instant coverage the next day as long as the insurance takes effect and it protects you from other people when they get bitten by your dog or something like that. But the last question is, where can you find a nice, affordable and reliable pet insurance? Could there be something worthy to choose over the Internet? So, how about it? Pet insurance, anyone?

Whether you are considering becoming a first time dog owner or adding a new canine member to your household, consider a breed-based rescue organization as a great source for your new pet. The advantage of selecting a pet from a breed-based organization is the foreknowledge you have about your pet’s personality. Although your dog may not be AKC registered for that breed, he or she will be primarily characterized by it.

You should begin your search for a dog by doing some basic research on individual breeds. In addition to considering size, you should think about exercise requirements, guard or watch dog behaviors, and hereditary diseases that may be associated with that breed. You should be honest with yourself about your willingness to housebreak a puppy or provide an environment that includes daily walks or outdoor play time. Once you establish your basic requirements, select a breed that typically exhibits the desired characteristics.

The breed-based rescue organizations, such as The Golden Retriever Rescue, have potential pets available including puppies, mature, and senior dogs. The rescue organizations usually provide medical and foster care and can tell you about individual habits and personality from direct experience. In many cases, they will know how the dog reacts to other dogs in the home, young children, and cats. Rescue association will check their dogs for illnesses and heartworm. They provide treatment when necessary and neutering before a dog is placed on the eligible list. On organization websites, you will be able to see pictures of the available dogs and get information about their behavior in their foster home and any special needs or considerations.

Dogs come to rescue organization because their owners can no longer care for them. They are not bad, sick, or misbehaving dogs. There are many reasons why someone must give up a pet such as: illness, moving to a new location that does not allow pets, a new baby in the house, or a change in financial circumstances. These owners are being responsible and trying to ensure that their pet has a good home. Most rescue organizations also maintain contact with local shelters and will save breed dogs from euthanasia when it is believed that the dog is a viable candidate for adoption.

Rescue organizations go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that your family and your new pet are well matched. There are rescue organizations for most AKC recognized breeds. You can find one close to your home through your vet, the yellow pages and on the internet. The American Kennel Club maintains lists of breed specific rescue organizations organized by state. Although adoption procedures vary among organizations, the following activities are fairly standard. In your initial contact with the organization, you will register and provide basic information about your expectations and the environment you will provide. A preliminary phone interview or home visit may be conducted to allow the caring folks from the organization to ensure that you are worthy of being a caregiver to one of their special dogs. The organization really wants you and your dog to be happy together rather than just placing a dog to decrease inventory.

When you have selected a dog that you want to become a member of your family, the rescue organization may schedule a visit between you. They want to know about the environment you will provide. If you have other pets in your home, there may be a supervised meeting to determine if there are potential compatibility problems.

Rescue organizations are usually non-profit and staffed with volunteers who are also pet owners. There is a fee for adoption that typically ranges from $200 to $300. The process to adopt from a rescue organization may seem lengthy and involved, but, the organization exists to protect their dogs and ensure that new homes and families work out well for both the dogs and the new owners. You benefit greatly from their stewardship because you get a pet that is matched to your needs and is ready to share his or her unconditional love with you.