Cattle

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Take care when introducing cattle to grain and pelleted diets as there is a risk of grain poisoning. The high starch content of most grains can cause grain poisoning. Lupin is the exception because it is low in starch.

Good security of grain stores and standing crops is essential in order to prevent accidental poisoning. If you intend to turn stock onto stubble, it may be a wise precaution to feed some grain beforehand, so that the rumen bacterial population becomes adapted to grain.

When stock are fed grain or any feed that has a high carbohydrate content, the feed must be introduced gradually so that the animal’s rumen has time to adapt to the increasing levels. There should also be a minimum of 10-20% roughage in any ration.

During the introductory phase to grain feeding, animals should be closely monitored. Diarrhea is often the first sign of mild grain poisoning, and if this is seen in a number of animals, the proportion of hay in the ration should be further increased.

Some grains, for example lupins, are safer to feed than others. Similarly, it is safer to feed oats, which have a higher ratio of fibre to starch than does wheat.

When changing between different types, or even batches, of grains, and especially when changing between batches of pellets, the new feed should be introduced by ‘shandying’ it with the old and gradually increasing the proportion of the new feed over about 7 days.

When cattle are introduced to a high-grain diet, they should be started on a ration consisting primarily of hay, with the percentage of grain being gradually increased over 2-3 weeks.

Before you begin bathing your dog, be sure you have the correct pet shampoo. Never use people shampoo, as our pH levels are more acidic than our canine counterparts. Have adequate towels ready for after the bath and make sure the standing area for your dog is non-slippery.

To begin washing your dogs start with the headfirst. You then want to work your way towards the tail. This is especially important if your dog has fleas or ticks. If your dog is known to have fleas. You must use a flea shampoo as well. By starting at the head you force the fleas out of the ears, neck and face and down towards the tail. When they get to the tail is easier for you to submerge the tail then it is the head. Your dog will surely thank you for not starting at the tail.

Be sure to allow your dog adequate time to get used to running water. If you’re going to use a bathtub, fill it with several inches of warm water. You may then introduce your pooch to the bath. Once you have your dog in the bathtub. Start with the head and use warm water. You can use a pitcher or you may use a spray device for this task. Be sure the spray is not too hard and never spray water directly into your dog’s ears, eyes nose or face.

Once your dog is completely wet, apply a pet shampoo liberally, be sure to follow the instructions on the package and work it from the head towards the tail. Don’t forget to get all the crevices in hard to reach areas, especially between your dog’s legs behind the ears, under the chin, and the armpits. You should wash your dog’s genitals as well.

If you are using a flea and tick shampoo, you often need to let the shampoo stay for several minutes, be sure to read the instructions after adequate time is past, and you’ve washed her dog entirely you may proceed to rinse your dog thoroughly with water. Please remember that shampoo residue can cause skin irritations and make your dog scratch more than normal. Once you have thoroughly rinsed their coat, you may now take a towel and dry your pet. It is important to note that some breeds should never be scrubbed, but only patted dry since their coats could easily tangle.

There are pet drying towels available and these towels are very popular because they can absorb much more water than normal towels. You can also purchase pet blow dryers that have much less heat than human blow dryers, and therefore do not burn your dog’s skin

Although bathing your dog can be a hassle and some owners find it hard to do, it is an essential part of being a responsible pet owner. A dog that is healthy, clean and free of flea and ticks will be a much happier dog.