Cattle

Here’s a scenario for you to think about.  Your child is out in the back yard, running about with your 1-year old dog, when unexpectedly, you hear that dog yelp in pain.  Wasting no time, you head out the door and observe that the dog appears to have an injured hind leg, holding it aloft as it trots along on the other three.  As if by magic, the dog starts running again on all fours like normal, appearing that nothing had been wrong in the first place.

To add to this scenario, it dawns on you that you have noticed this behavior becoming more and more frequent so now you are concerned enough that you wonder if you should call your veterinarian and make an appointment.  Stop wondering and make the call.  Your cherished pooch is most likely the victim of a luxated patella, or more simply, a lipped   kneecap (or trick knee).

This discomforting malady is hereditary and causes the kneecap to move out of its normal position (dislocates), typically shifting towards the inside of the animals leg. Additionally, it normally occurs in both of the back legs but to a more severe degree in one than the other.  When the dogs kneecap is positioned normally, it sits within a deep groove where it slides down and up in a controlled manner.

As this groove gets more and more out of shape or becomes increasingly shallower, the kneecap begins to slip out of its normal position more frequently.  The leg then locks up, causing the foot to be elevated off the ground.  As a result, the dog cries out from the discomfort that results.  Typically, the condition is more common in the smaller breeds of canines than the medium-sized or larger ones.  The result of the conditions onset is immediate lameness and pain.

In less severe cases, the kneecap slides freely in and out of position voluntarily, but as the condition becomes increasingly more severe, the dislocation can become permanent requiring a vet to either pop the kneecap back into place or, in the most severe cases, correct the condition surgically.  Also, as the condition worsens, the knee capsule itself is injured and the dog appears to be bowlegged.

As we mentioned above, the condition doesn’t just happen overnight, although the initial onset of it would make the owner of the animal speculate as such. Luxated patella is an inherited condition and is most likely present when the puppy is born.  Fortunately, the condition is not crippling even in its most severe stages.  The worst case scenario is that it will have to be surgically repaired and your dog should be able to live a happy and normal life afterwards.

As a final cautionary note, assuming that this condition is inherent to the breed of dog and then neglecting to take action is a huge mistake with unpleasant consequences.  In younger dogs, not  taking care of this oftentimes results in torn ligaments or more severe damage to the knee.  In older canines, neglecting the condition has been known to lead to diseases in the bones and the joints as well as causing arthritis.  So please, don’t gamble with your dogs well-being get the condition corrected immediately.

Household pets are susceptible to a multitude of dangers lying around the house and even some in their own bird cage. Like all other pets, pet birds are also subject to a number of risks. This is mainly due to their small size, sensitive respiratory system, fast metabolism and in the case of parrots, their curiosity to explore everything around them with their beaks. Owners are responsible for their pets safety and should take the necessary precautions to prevent any accidents. Here is a list of the top dangers faced by household pet birds. Starting with the most obvious, birds have a special dietary need and cannot digest most food processed by other pets and humans. High sugar or salt concentrations are inappropriate. Fatty foods are also discouraged. Chocolate is to be avoided at all costs as it is toxic not only to birds but also to other pets in general. Water is the preferred beverage choice. Caffeinated and alcoholic drinks are very dangerous!

Because of their sensitive respiratory system, birds are extremely sensitive to poisons and toxins. Some dangerous contaminants from cleaners, industrial fumes, and pesticides are fatal for birds. Strong and aromatic odours can also kill birds. Aerosol body sprays, Nail polish, cigarette smoke, and paint fumes are to be avoided. If, as typical, one dedicates a special spot for his bird cages inside his car garage, he should take care not to start his car inside the garage as carbon monoxide can lead to respiratory diseases. One should make special mentioning of non-stick coatings, which emit particular fumes that are toxic to birds when overheated. These coats are usually found on non-stick cookware, irons, space heaters, blow dryers and more. As many birds chew on many things small enough for their beaks, one must place safer bird toys, which are made from sanitised and toxin-free plastics or woods like eucalyptus and manzanita in order to avoid poisoning from ingesting or biting the toys.

Birds, which are left, to roam around the house are also at a risk of falling into sources of open water such as in toilets, sinks, buckets and water bowls. Even worse, they can fall into hot pots of water sitting on stoves in the kitchen, so it is generally preferred not to let birds out of their bird cages in kitchens. Ceiling fans pose a major threat to flying birds and have been the cause of several serious injuries and fatalities. Birds tend to get very agitated and nervous with moving things above them and may become stressed out of a ceiling fan running close to their bird cage. Other electrical appliances, which might not pose a direct threat to a bird, might have an exposed electrical cord. As most birds explore with their beaks, electrical cords can pose a danger if bitten. Cords should be concealed as much as possible using corrugated plastic tubing for example.

Even bird toysspecifically designed for parrots and other birds may not be totally safe. Apart from being made out of toxic materials, toys can be broken down by bigger parrots and parts swallowed. Remember that even if a particular toy looks pretty durable at the time of purchase,bird toys don’t last forever and should be checked from time to time. Rope toys can also cause birds to get tangled up in them and get strangled as a result. Finally, birds are rarely known for social interaction with many other pets and birds, especially cats. They can attract the predatory instinct of other animals and if attacked, any bites or scratches can become fatal to a bird. Therefore, cats or dogs around the house can be a risk to pet birds even if they are in their bird cage.

Shop and buy small, medium, or a large bird cage for you pet parrot and pet birds. All types and sizes of parrot cages and bird toys for your pet birds – http://www.birdcagesrepublic.com/

After you have successfully kept a discus aquarium for a while, you may find yourself turning your attention to the idea of breeding discus fish. For some people, the discus fish has a reputation as being hard to breed, but it can actually be quite easy once you have figured out how to keep the water quality at optimal levels in the aquarium. Failure do pay attention to this need is the cause of most breeding failures.

The first essential to breeding discus fish is to obtain a suitable pair. Since discus are hard to sex, putting at least six specimens together when they are young is the best way to ensure at least one couple pairs off. Also, try to mix discus fish from  different sources so that some variety is kept in the genetic pool.

Once a pair of discus have decided to mate, they will become territorial and aggressive toward other fish. When you notice this, it’s time to either remove all the other fish or move the discus to a separate breeding aquarium. A small 20-30 gallon tank with a vertical spawning surface and a couple hiding spots will suffice when breeding discus fish.

As mentioned earlier, water conditions are especially important when during the breeding period. The nitrogen waste levels must be kept as close to zero as possible. You should do a partial water change every day in the breeding aquarium. Make sure you test the water every time and keep an eye on the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. The recommended water temperature is 86 degrees F.

Balanced nutrition, and making sure your fish are actually eating is also critical to the success of breeding discus fish. Feeding is also directly related to water quality, as poor water quality can cause poor appetites. If you choose to feed live food, make sure that you are not introducing disease and that your fish are receiving all the necessary vitamins.

So, as you can see, water and to a lesser extent food are the two essential elements for breeding discus fish successfully. Specific advise from an experienced breeder is also recommended if you’ve never breed discus fish before, because you will be able to learn from their practical experience. Have fun and good luck with your breeding!

• It is very important to maintain a good healthy body by regular exercise. Walking or swimming for 5-10 minutes is very important, you can increase the time period with passage of time.

• Essiac Tea in combination with different kind of herbs has been used as a natural remedy for cancer. Even though no one could vouch for its authenticity it can still be a good attempt in saving your pet from this disease. The herbs which are included with the tea are burdock root, sheep sorrel, Turkish rhubarb root, slippery elm bark and sometimes even red clover, kelp, watercress or blessed thistle.

• Chiropractic treatment is one of the alternative treatments you can use for your pets. Even though it is not the first methods you would be choosing but this could be one of the ways to treat your dogs. The treatment begins with correcting nutritional problems and deficiencies then trying to treat the musculoskeletal conditions.

• Treatment through flowers is another such process which helps with various emotional and psychological problems of the animals. The use of different flowers helps to bring positive effect on the diseased animal’s life. Many of the behavioral problems are being treated by using the flower remedy. -Bleeding heart is a very useful treating any kind of grief. It comes handy when the mother separates from her kittens or puppies. -Chamomile is very useful for soothing an irritation. -Olive is used when a pet is exhausted and tired by any kind of strain or due to chronic illness. This makes him stronger and would be able to deal with problems in a better manner.

• Chinese herbs are present in the markets which are being used by many people to give the healing touch to your pets. Even though it is a lesser-known approach it has made quite an impact with many pet owners.

• The other approach is naturopathy which stresses on cleansing and cleaning the body, by fasting, drinking water, exercising and massages.

• Acupuncture is another way of treating this disease. It works by poking more than hundreds needles on the necessary area. This insertion of the needles is known as acupuncture. You have to be a professional to carry out such an important task.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

While chicken coops might not be on everybody’s weekly shopping list, they are needed by thousands of people around the world as well as farmers and industries. If you’re interested in owning some chickens for pets, egg laying or meat then you’d probably like to know where you can buy chicken coops from.

There are different styles of coops and they’re made of various materials. There are open-air styles of coops as well as the closed-house style. Most of the fresh air types are made of wood and chicken wire and newer models are now being constructed from plastic. Both styles need to be well ventilated for the safety of the animals.

However, before you buy chicken coops or even chickens for that matter, make sure you check out the local bylaws where you live. Various parts of the world have different rules concerning the owning of chickens and coops. Make sure they’re legal in your area.

There are several types of retailers that specialize in cages for animals and these usually sell chicken coops as well. They may already have a stock of cages and coops that are already built and they may also be able to custom design and build one for your specific needs. The cost will generally depend on the materials used as well as the size of the object.

Many of these outlets will also sell the building plans to coops as well as kits. This means you can purchase them as well as some materials and accessories and then build it yourself. They are designed to hold a specific number of chickens, so make sure you have the plans for a coop that is big enough. It’s important that you buy the right size and have the space in your yard.If you buy a brand new coop, make sure you get some type of warranty or guarantee with it. This is important as it has to be strong enough to make sure the chickens don’t escape from it.

While it may be hard finding a store to buy chicken coops from in your area, you should have better luck by searching for sellers on the internet. There are several sites online that are dedicated to chickens and their homes. You should be able to order kits and plans from them and have them shipped to you if the outlets aren’t local.

You may also be interested in buying a used coop. Many farmers and chicken owners will sell theirs when they need new ones. You may want to check the classified ads in local newspapers and farming magazines to see if there are any on sale. If you buy chicken coops that are used, make sure you inspect them first to make sure they’re sturdy and in good condition.

If you’ve never owned chickens before, it’s recommended that you do some research on the animals and their habits before buying a coop. It’s important that you understand the needs of the chickens and that the coop is suitable for them.