6 Important Things You Need To Know About Your Pup’s Hygiene Let’s be real here: in popular society, dogs are not expected to be clean. But there’s more to canine hygiene than just the occasional bath. There are teeth to brush, dog beds to clean, and even chew toys to de-slobber. Unsure of where to begin? Here’s a complete guide to everything you need to know about your canine’s cleanliness. Bathing your dog Source: @lili.t333 Most pet owners over-bathe their dogs. After all, we can’t have a dirty dog lying on the couch or leaping into beds with us. But surprisingly, dogs don’t need to be bathed that much. Veterinarians recommend for dogs to be bathed once every three months. Active dogs, long-haired dogs, or dogs who enjoy rolling in things should obviously be bathed more frequently, but the average dog is good with one bath every couple of months, according to the ASPCA. Frequent washing can irritate the skin, causing the skin to flake and the coat to become duller. Brushing your dog’s teeth The most common disease for dogs? Nope, not heartworm–periodontal disease. The disease is formed in the gums and is caused by tartar build up on the teeth. Periodontal disease can have dire side effects if not treated, including bacterial infections that could be lethal. The easiest way to avoid this? Brush your dog’s teeth–every day. That’s right, every time you brush your teeth, you should be brushing your dog’s too. Although veterinarians recommend using a toothbrush designed for dogs when brushing your pup’s teeth, a quick way to clean their teeth daily is to use your fingers. But make sure you start training your dog on teeth brushing when they’re young. They’re less likely to nibble on your fingers that way! Cleaning your dog’s bed Unless there’s a soiled diaper lying somewhere in your house right now, chances are the dirtiest thing in your home is your dog’s bed. A dog’s bed is a haven for fleas, ticks, germs, and allergens. You can bathe your dog as much as you want, but if their bed is dirty, then so is your dog. A good advice is to buy a dog bed with a removable fabric cover that can be taken off and thrown into the washing machine twice a month. If you have a dog that sheds, the dog bed should be vacuumed at least once a week. Your dog might not like the cleanliness, but your house (and guests!) will thank you for it. Cleaning your dog’s toys Source: @jessiekim0323 The cleanliness of your dog’s toys is especially important as these often go in your dog’s mouth. Cleaning a toy with disinfectant or cleaning sprays could harm or even potentially poison your dog. ASPCA recommends using water-diluted bleach to clean non-soft toys. For a greener solution, Apartment Therapy suggests soaking toys in a half water, half vinegar solution for 30 minutes. Whatever concoction you use, remember to wash toys at least once a month for safe playing. Cleaning your dog’s paws Source: @gretabanchieri Your dog’s paws carry whatever they step in, that includes pesticides, pollens, molds, dust mites, and other pollutants. Because they don’t get bathed every day, it’s a good idea to clean their paws at least once a month either with a paw soak or a rub down with a wet cloth, according to Healthy Pets. If you have a hairy dog, don’t forget to trim and brush the hairs between their toes. Cleaning your dog’s paws regularly will cut down on the amount of paw chewing and licking they do, too. Cleaning your dog’s collar/leash/harness Source: @madebymarley Any dog owner will know that a collar, after awhile, can start to smell funky. After bathing your dog and cleaning their bed, it doesn’t make any sense to slap a dirty collar on them. Collars don’t need to be washed that much, but as soon as it starts to smell or become brown/black, it’s a good idea to toss it in the washing machine with some pet-friendly detergent. A quick way to also clean a collar is to soak it in a bowl of a hot water and dog shampoo. Do a final rinse with cold water and you’re good to go.

How to Properly Feed Your Underwater Pet The amount of food you give your fish is important. That said, do not overfeed the animal. You have probably heard this before and it is true. While overfeeding won’t make your fish explode, it will contaminate the water, making the tank an unpleasant place to live. In addition, an excessive amount of food particles in the tank can clog the filters, which also causes the water to become toxic. So how much food is too much? It depends on the type, size, and breed of your fish. Try sprinkling a small amount of food in the fish’s tank and watch. Your fish should eat its fill in about five minutes. Experiment and take notes until you find appropriate amount for your fish. However, it is better to err on the side of caution — at least at first — and feed the fish too little rather than too much. How many times should you feed your fish daily? This will also depend on the fish’s breed and size. Most fish only require a once-a-day feeding, though some people like to split it into two smaller feedings. Consult your veterinarian or the fish experts at your local aquarium to learn about the daily requirements for your particular breed. But be aware that a fish will eat even when it’s not hungry. So there is no point feeding your water-bound pet three times a day, when once a day is sufficient.

Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Horses ABSTRACT This was a prospective study, which involved following up cases of colic and from which blood samples for haematology and serum for biochemical analysis were collected. The haematological parameters measured were total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Haematocrit (hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentartion (MCHC), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), platelet count, Total leucocyte count (TLC) and leucocyte differential count. The biochemical parameters measured were alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total proteins, serum albumin, serum globulin, blood glucose and serum lactate. The data obtained from the reported cases of colic was then imported into StatPlus pro 5.9.8 statistical package and means±SD were calculated and student t-test was then used to compare the means from horses that had impaction colic with those that had spasmodic colic as well as the means of those horses that recovered with those of the horses that died. The level of significance was at P<0.05. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) was significantly higher (p=0.03) in horses with spasmodic colic (16.8±1.3 pg) than in those with impaction colic (15.6±1.2 pg). The mean leucocyte count (109/L) was significantly higher (p=0.02) in horses with impaction colic (12.9±5.9) than in those with spasmodic colic (9.0±1.5). Similarly, mean neutrophil count (109/L) was significantly higher (p=0.02) in horses with impaction colic (9.1±5.6) than in those with spasmodic colic (5.4±1.7). The mean values of blood glucose were significantly higher (p=0.02) in horses with impaction colic (5.7±2.0 mmol/l) than in those with spasmodic colic (3.7±1.4 mmol/l). The blood biochemical parameters that were significantly lower in horses that died than those that survived were total protein (P =0.002), albumin (P<0.01) and globulin (P=0.04). Apart from Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and slight leucocyte and neutrophil changes, there were no major significant haematological changes in horses with colic. Total blood proteins including albumin and globulin levels could serve as possible guides to prognosis of colic in horses. The general prognosis of spasmodic colic in horses was good, but fair to poor for impaction.

Spaying or Neutering your pet By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control the pet population, which results in few healthy dogs and cats that are being able to be taken care of. There are medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets) your animals. Here are some of the medical benefits: And behavioral benefits: Spaying/neutering your pets is also highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet’s spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. Debunking Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet. Helping Your Pet Before and After Surgery Your veterinary clinic will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your cat any food after midnight the night before surgery. A puppy or kitten, however, needs adequate nutrition, and your veterinarian may advise that food not be withheld. Your veterinarian can also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow. Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, your veterinarian can take various measures to control pain. Depending on the procedure performed, medication for pain may be sent home with your pet. Here are tips for a safe and comfortable recovery: If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea or any other concerns following surgery.

Megaesophagus Megaesophagus is loss of tone and motility of the esophagus, which often results to diffuse dilation of the esophagus and clinical sign seen is mostly regurgitation. This condition can be either congenital or acquired. In addition to regurgitation, other signs includes aspiration pneumonia which develops when there is entrance of food or liquid into the lungs. Other common symptoms include vomiting, cough, nasal discharge increased respiratory noises, weight loss, extreme hunger or lack of appetite and poor growth. Visiting your veterinarian will help in diagnosing megaesophagus after a series of tests which includes x rays. Treatment is normally addressed towards the underlying cause of megaesophagus, in addition to supportive care aiming at providing therapy for minimizing regurgitation, providing ample nutrition and resolving aspiration pneumonia.