Dogs and Hybrid Vigour

Why does is seem that certain breeds of dogs are more likely to develop specific health problems than other breeds? For example, why are Doberman pinchers more likely to have heart problems than other breeds? You may or may not be familiar with the term “hybrid vigour”, but you have probably run across this concept before. In this article we will discuss how this term can be used to explain why various dog breeds are predisposed to developing certain health issues.

How are dog breeds created? If you think about it, all dog breeds descended from a single ancestor related to the modern wolf. The Chihuahua and the Great Dane, as well as the Yorkshire terrier and the Bull Mastiff all came from the same genetic background.

Veterinary Appointments

You always have the best intentions when you take your pet to the vet. Whether you are proactively bringing in your dog for his annual exam and vaccines, or bringing in your cat after a bout of vomiting and diarrhea; …

Cataract Surgery in Dogs

Have you ever wondered how cataract surgery is actually performed? If so, read on as it really is a very interesting procedure! Cataract surgery is formally known as phacoemulsification. “Phaco” stands for lens, and to ‘emulsify’ means to break down. This is a great name for this procedure, because this is exactly what it is!

Normally the lens in the eye is a clear soft structure that allows light to easily pass through it. If there is any opacity on the lens, it is known as a cataract. A cataract occurs when proteins in the eye leak into the lens, and start to harden. A general rule of thumb is that if you cannot see into an animal’s eyes clearly, then it can’t see out at you clearly! Thus in a cataract, if the entire lens is opaque due to the protein that has leaked out, then the animal’s vision is reduced.

Cataract surgery involves two main tools; one to break up the cataract into smaller pieces, and the other to vacuum the pieces out of the eye. To begin, the animal is placed under general anesthesia so that it is completely unconscious during the procedure.

How Dogs See – Pet tip 117

Through a dog’s eyes, the world is a very different place: every fire hydrant is a toilet, every shoe is a chew toy, and every person is a ticket to kibble and treats. Though this is perhaps a bit of …

Dog Grooming – Cat Grooming

A Groomer’s How To – by Candy Levine Doppert

Candy’s Tender Pawz Pet Grooming – Surrey, B.C.

“Grooming”….it’s more than just a ‘beauty session’ for your pet. Your pet’s personal groomer can play an intricate part in their health and …

General Care for Pets

General pet care

To most people, a companion dog or cat is considered as much a family member as a child. The health of a pet then is of utmost importance to its owner. Illness can be stressful for both …

Dog Barks When Left Alone

Hark, Hark, The Dog Doth Bark: Silencing The Dog That Barks When Left Alone – Jacque Schultz

Of all dog behavior problems, perhaps the most distressing one is the dog who barks when left alone. Incessant volleys of yips, woofs …

January 2010

Dear Petlover,

Hi there it’s Marko, one of the owners/administrators on Pets.ca and this is our first newsletter of 2010 so Happy New Year! We wish all our visitors and their pets an amazing 2010. We intend to put out …

February 2011

Dear Petlover,

Hi there it’s Marko, one of the owners/administrators on Pets.ca and this is our first newsletter of 2011! We intend to put out only 1 newsletter every second month or so, so rest assured you will not get …

Drugs that fight parasites – Pet tip 256

The thought of parasites makes most pet owners shudder. Just in case we’ve forgotten what they are, a parasite is an organism that lives off another animal without benefit to that animal and without killing that animal. Parasites can be classified into external (ectoparasites) and internal (endoparasites). There are many different types of these critters, from roundworms to hookworms, tapeworms to fleas and ticks. Here is an overview of some of the drugs used to kill them, and a couple of pointers that you as a conscientious pet owner might want to be aware of.