Cats that Knead – Pet tip 180

Have you ever had a cat sitting on your lap and while you were petting it, and it begin to jab and claw at your legs? This is kneading. First, here is a simple explanation of how your cat kneads: …

Veterinary Homeopathy

Veterinary Homeopathy “Homeopathy for pets, you say? I thought that was just for people!” That’s a common misperception among a growing number of clients I see that are involved with alternatives for their own health. With today’s growing demands on …

Tip 72 – Dog pheromones cat pheromones

Pheromones are chemicals that are naturally produced by many insects and animals including dogs, cats and man. Depending on the animal, these chemicals that are secreted by the body can be easily or subtly detected through the sense of smell. …

Dog Shows – Pet tip 200

Although most dog owners have never seen a live traditional dog show, they are still enormously popular with many dog lovers. Traditional dog shows such as the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show from the U.S. and the Crufts dog …

Blastomycosis in dogs

Perhaps you have heard of ‘blasto’ in dogs, it’s an important disease that all dog owners should be aware of.

Blastomycosis dermatitidis is the most common systemic mycosis of dogs. Systemic meaning that it can affect the whole body, and mycosis, meaning that it is caused by a fungus. It is called ‘dermatitidis’ because it affects primarily the skin, but it can also affect other body parts, such as the vascular system.

Blastomycosis is largely confined to the Ohio, St. Lawrence and Mississippi river-drained areas of North America. It is a soil organism, which can be inhaled by a dog. It is often found growing on dead leaves along a river. The classic case of a dog getting blasto is a young male hunting dog following a trail and sniffing eagerly along a river-bank. It is most common from August to October, since this is when leaves are falling off trees and the mould version of the fungus can grow upon them.

Bloat in Dogs

Bloat in dogs – What is bloat – Dog died of bloat – Dog article on Pets.ca
Bloat in dogs

Several times a week I receive a phone call from someone whose dog has died of bloat. Usually my role …

Overfeeding Fish

Overfeeding is the number one cause of fish loss, and it’s not hard to see why. It is easy to forget how small our pet fish really are, and the fact that their appetites are not the same as ours. …

Tip – 36 – Howling dogs – why dogs howl

Howling is a form of communication in dogs. It is a way for dogs to signal their presence to other dogs that are often located far away. It is common in wolves and coyotes, both relatives of today’s domestic dog.…

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 …

Birds as Pets

Getting Ready for a New Bird

Whether your knowledge of birds comes from Woody Woodpecker, Tweety or “Polly wanna cracker?”, they make great companions: Some will cuddle with you, others will play and, of course, many will chat. Just keep …