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Frontline Flea Killer For Dogs and Cats: Highly Effective Spot-on Flea Protection for Pets

The introduction of Frontline flea protection revolutionized the treatment of fleas on dogs and cats throughout much of the world. Frontline comes in a spot-on application which is very easy to use, it is extremely effective and safe, and generally available without a prescription.

What is Frontline?

Frontline is a safe and effective flea protection product, which is available for both dogs and cats. It is supplied in small plastic pipettes, each containing one application. A pipette is opened and the contents are tipped on to the dog or cat’s skin at the top of the neck. It is very easy to do, and animals are not upset by it as they often are with conventional flea sprays.

How Does Frontline Work?

The active ingredient, fibronil, spreads over the surface of the skin and binds to the skin and hair. Within about 24 hours it will have spread over the entire body, and it kills fleas wherever they are. The product remains effective for about a month on cats, and two months on dogs.

How Effective is Frontline?

Fleas which come into contact with Frontline die after about 24 hours, so it is very effective. However, Frontline will not kill fleas which are in a pet’s bedding or elsewhere in the house, so it is important to use it regularly as a precaution, until all fleas in the area have been eradicated. Since modern houses tend to be warm all the year round, it is a good idea to use Frontline on a regular basis at all times. If this is done it will be extremely effective.

Does Frontline Have Any Side Effects?

Frontline is extremely safe and side effects are rare, since very little is absorbed into the body of the cat or dog. Occasionally there will be a localized skin reaction at the site of the application, which normally clears up in a short time; if it does not, it might be best to avoid using Frontline on that particular animal. Frontline may be dangerous to rabbits, so it should not be used on them.

Frontline Spot-on and Frontline Combo

Frontline Spot-on contains only one ingredient, which kills fleas. Frontline Combo is a newer product, and contains an extra ingredient which sterilizes fleas so that they cannot breed. The idea of this is that it lasts longer than the original Frontline product. However, a vet’s prescription is required for Frontline Combo.

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Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs: Skin Mites or Scabies Cause Intense Scratching and Hair Loss

Sarcoptic mange in dogs, sometimes called scabies, may begin with intense itching, irritated skin, and eventually hair loss which may first be noticed on the ears, armpits, and in the belly area. Symptoms also include red pustules, sores, and yellowish crusty skin. As the disease progresses, the skin may darken in color.

Due to the dog’s constant scratching, the skin becomes even more traumatized, allowing secondary bacterial infection to set in as well. The toxic effect of bacterial infection entering the bloodstream through open sores may cause the dog to be lethargic. Eventually death can result from sepsis.

Causes of Sarcoptic Mange

The sarcoptic mite is contracted from another animal and burrows into the skin of the dog. Female mites lay eggs in these burrows and then die. Intense itching caused by scabies is thought to be an allergic reaction to the mite, although allergy treatments do not typically relieve it.

Is Sarcoptic Mange Contagious?

Sarcoptic mange, unlike demodex mange, is highly contagious from one dog to another dog. It can be spread by direct contact but also by sharing bedding, collars, sleeping areas, and other things as well. Any dog can contract sarcoptic mange.

The Sarcoptes family is made up of species specific mites that prefer their own particular host but can infect another animal to a lesser degree. Humans can contract sarcopsis from dogs, characterized by itching and a rash, but it will be short lived as the mite cannot reproduce on a human host.

Diagnosing Sarcoptic Mange

A definite diagnosis may be difficult unless the sarcoptic mite can be identified through a skin scraping and microscopic examination, which happens in some cases. In other cases a skin biopsy may be done and if mites are still not found, treatment is usually started based on an evaluation of symptoms and diagnosis may be made according to response to that treatment.

Treatment of Sarcoptic Mange

Various treatments have been used in the battle against sarcoptic mange. In the past, dogs had their coats clipped and then received a series of dips in Paramite, Mitaban, or LymDip. High concentrations of ivermectin have been used off label for some cases but this treatment can be dangerous for many herding breeds such as Collies and Shelties.

Safer, more convenient, and usually effective are topicals such as Revolution, Frontline Plus, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Spray. Some veterinarians have used Interceptor at off label doses but expense may be an inhibiting factor here.

Secondary bacterial infections are often treated with antibiotics. It is recommended to also keep the dog’s bedding washed and treat sleeping areas with an insecticide. Due to the life cycle and the hardiness of the mite, treatment usually is continued for 4 weeks or more. All dogs exposed to the infected dog should also be treated.

Prognosis of Sarcoptic Mange

Although a few cases of sarcoptic mange can be resistant and difficult to cure, most cases respond to treatment.

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Dog Coats for Health and Comfort

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Keep Your Best Friend Warm and Dry with a Suitable Jacket

Many people assume that since dogs have fur, they don’t need protection from the weather. However, we often move dogs away from their natural habitat so they must endure weather patterns they would never naturally encounter. For example, Huskies that are suited to cold, dry weather may live in a warm, wet climate and Chihuahuas that are adapted to suit a hot dry climate may have to deal with cold weather.

Dog Rain Coats Keep Dogs Comfortable and Healthy

Providing a raincoat or lined jacket for your dog will keep them more comfortable and may help them avoid sickness. In addition, using a dog raincoat will reduce the mess and smell you have to deal with after walking your dog. If they wear a coat, you will need fewer towels to dry them once you get back inside and you can avoid or minimize that wet dog smell in your car or home.

Reflective Stripes on Dog Coats For Added Safety

Coats for dogs not only keep them more comfortable in wet or cold weather, but may also keep them safer. Many dog jackets include reflective strips across the torso to increase visibility when its overcast or dark. If your dog wanders away from you, he can be easily seen and avoided by any passing motorists.

Sizing Dog Raincoats

When selecting a raincoat for your dog, pay attention to sizing. A coat that is too large will be uncomfortable and get in the way when your dog is walking and running. A small coat won’t provide the necessary protection. To determine the appropriate size, measure your dog from the collar to the tail, also measure the circumference of his neck and torso. If your dog has short legs compared to the size of his body, you should also consider the length of the coat sleeves so they don’t drag on the ground or get caught in his feet.

Style and Practicality of Dog Raincoats

The style and fabric of the coat may also be important. Although a cute style may be fun for you, a functional coat made from a lightweight, waterproof material may be more practical and better for your dog. Also consider the ease of getting your dog into and out of the coat. Some dogs don’t like having things pulled over their heads, so a coat that can be unfastened may be easier to deal with. Velcro fastenings may be simple to work, but the velcro may get caught in your dog’s fur or the sound of it being opened may frighten some dogs. If that is the case, you may want to opt for buttons instead of velcro fasteners.

great and the kids love them. They also like the dental wafers, either with or without mint. Other edible bones are also well received and effective, although they can cause a mess with them for their person to clean up. Chipped, compressed rawhide is another option, but some of the fur kids do not tolerate the rawhide well, so check with your vet on this subject before you offer them. Many edible bones come in a variety of flavors and are made from cornstarch or other easily digestible materials.

My kids have chewies available at all times, this can be a chore at times because with so many, inevitable someone has either hidden or eaten half of them and there is no longer enough to go around when they all decide at the same time they want one. I buy them by the case so I am never without replacements.

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Seizure Disorders in Dogs: Canine Epilepsy and Other Causes of Seizures Which Affect Dogs

Seizure activity in a dog is a frightening experience. Often, owners are unprepared and not certain what to do for their seizing dog.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

There may be many causes for seizures in dogs. Canine epilepsy is probably the most commonly diagnosed seizure disorder, but other causes of seizures in dogs need to be ruled out also. These include:

  • liver disorders
  • toxins or poisons
  • encephalitis
  • encephalopathies (brain disorders)
  • brain tumors
  • electrolyte abnormalities in the blood such as low calcium levels
  • hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • hypothyroidism

Often, the exact cause of the seizure activity cannot be established and these disorders are usually referred to as canine epilepsy.

How are Seizure Disorders in Dogs Diagnosed?

The diagnostic work-up of a dog experiencing seizures may include:

  • a basic blood screen consisting of a complete blood count, a blood chemistry panel with electrolytes included and a thyroid screen.
  • a urinalysis (an evaluation of the dog’s urine).
  • diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed axial tomography (CAT scan).
  • cerebrospinal analysis (a spinal tap).

Even with advanced diagnostics such as MRI or CAT scans, exact diagnosis may be elusive. Many seizure disorders in dogs are never definitively diagnosed, despite exhaustive diagnostic investigation. In addition, these advanced imaging tests may not be widely available in smaller communities and/or may be cost prohibitive for many dog owners.

How are Seizure Disorders in Dogs Treated?

Treatments for seizure disorders in dogs depend on the cause of the seizures. If possible, correcting the underlying cause of the seizure behavior is the most effective treatment. However, often the underlying cause is not known and the goal of treating seizure disorders in these dogs becomes controlling the seizure activity the dog is experiencing.

There are many different drugs which may be employed to help control seizure activity in dogs. These include:

  • phenobarbital
  • potassium bromide
  • gabapentin
  • zonisamide
  • chlorazepate
  • levetiracetam

The most commonly used anticonvulsant in seizure disorders is phenobarbital followed by potassium bromide. These medications may be administered together or separately.

When is Anticonvulsant Therapy Recommended?

Anticonvulsant medication may not be necessary for the dog who has only occasional mild seizure activity. Most veterinarians recommend beginning medications to help prevent seizures:

  • • if the seizure activity occurs more often than once per month.
  • • if clusters of seizures occur, one right after another.
  • • if the dog has a seizure which does not end without medical intervention.
  • • if the dog is of a breed predisposed to epilepsy which is difficult to control. These breeds would include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters and Saint Bernards.

What Should a Dog Owner Do if Their Dog Suffers a Seizure?

If your dog has a seizure, remain calm. Your dog can sense your emotions and a panic reaction on your part may make your dog’s condition worse.

Make certain your dog is in a safe area, away from stairs and sharp objects. Gently stroke your pet and talk calmly and soothingly to him. Avoid going near your dog’s mouth while your dog is having a seizure. Your dog is unable to control his muscle movements during this time and may inadvertently bite you.

If the seizure your dog is experiencing does not end in five to ten minutes, transport your dog to a veterinary emergency facility immediately.

Any dog which has experienced a seizure, even if fully recovered from the seizure, should be examined by a veterinarian.

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Make a Sweet Gum Ball Dog Ornament: Easy Tips for Designing Animals from Natural Craft Materials

Sweet gum ball Christmas ornaments are open to plenty of imaginative interpretation by each artist. Grownups will also enjoy making the simple ornaments, transforming them into different types of dogs by adding additional gum balls or creative details.

To use the sweet gum ornaments as miniatures, simply omit the thread cord or ribbon use for hanging them. Sturdy twig or pasta legs can allow the mini dogs to stand on their own for display.

Materials Needed:

  • • dried sweet gum balls
  • • dried corkscrew pasta (rotini noodles)
  • • hot glue gun w/ glue sticks
  • • craft glue
  • • craft paint
  • • paint brush
  • • seed beads in various colors
  • • acorn caps or medium-sized craft beads
  • • pine cone pieces or construction paper

Assembling the Dog’s Body

Empty any seed debris inside the dried gum balls. Glue together two sweet gum balls to form the dog’s body (three for long breeds, like dachshunds). Sweet gum ball sizes vary, so choose large ones for large-chested dogs when forming the body. Glue a sweet gum ball above the chest to form the head.

Paint four pieces of pasta with the chosen dog body color, then glue two pieces of pasta to each side to form the dog’s legs. For smaller legs (and smaller dogs) substitute mini macaroni noodles for corkscrew pasta. Wood twigs will also work, but tend to snap more easily and can be difficult to trim to size.

Glue a piece of pasta to the rear to form a tail or use a small strip of felt for the tail and ears. Paint the dog’s body with the desired color using craft paint, then let the ornament dry.

Adding Facial Features

Form the dog’s muzzle by gluing a painted acorn cap to the front of the face. Add ears or facial features from broken bits of pine cones or tiny seeds for a more natural ornament effect, if synthetic substitutes are not ideal for the ornament’s purpose.

For easy kid-friendly decorations, use a bead glued to the front of the sweet gum ball to for the dog’s muzzle; use construction paper to form ears, or even a tail if so desired. This avoids the messy seeds or fragile twigs needed for an “nature-themed” design.

Adding Details to the Ornament

Use seed beads to form a nose and eyes on the dog’s face. Brush them lightly in glue and press them onto the face. Or paint the features directly onto the sweet gum ball using a tooth pick and craft paints.

Glue a loop of ribbon or thread to the back of the ornament in order to hang it on a Christmas tree. Use them as party favors and mini gifts attached to packages or display them proudly on the family tree.

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How to Train a Dog to Come when Called: Training Your Dog and Teaching Him to Obey the Command “Come Here”

Training your dog to obey basic commands gives you a chance to interact with your dog and bond with him. In addition, training your dog to come when called is a basic command that every dog should know. By training your dog to come when called, you will have more control over your dog’s behavior.

Fortunately, training your dog to come when called is simple with a little patience, a little time and some treats that your dog enjoys.

How to Train Your Dog to Come when Called

To train your dog to return to you on command, you will need to start working with your dog in a calm environment where your dog is unlikely to be distracted. Do not attempt to teach this behavior if your dog is excited or barking.

When your dog is calm and relaxed, step a few feet away from your dog and call him toward you. Do not move far away. Move just far enough that your dog is likely to follow you when you get his attention. Use a command such as “come here” and reward your dog with a treat when he comes to you. If he does not come, do not punish him. Simply do not reward him.

Work with your dog in this fashion for 10-15 minutes a few times each day. Do not make the training sessions long and try to make them as fun for your dog as you possibly can.

When your dog is responding consistently to your command to come at a distance of a few feet, try moving a bit farther away from your dog and repeat the exercise. Always reward him with a treat when he comes to you.

Training Your Dog to Focus on You

Make a habit of placing the treat right in front of your face before giving it to your dog. This trains your dog to look at and focus on you when you command his attention.

When training your dog in this fashion, always reward positive behavior and never be stingy with the treats. Never punish your dog if he does not perform properly. Simply try again later and reward him appropriately when he does obey your command.

Soon, your dog will be coming to you regularly when you call him and will be focusing intently on you once he returns to you.

Once your dog is responding to you consistently in an environment without distractions, you can start working with him in other situations when you would like to be able to call him back to you as needed, such as when another dog is approaching in an aggressive fashion or when your dog is exhibiting unwanted barking behavior.

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Australian Shepherds as Pets: Bright, Energetic Aussie Breed is a Great Dog for Active Families

The Aussie Shepherd did not originate in Australia. It is an American breed first used by Basque shepherds from Australia, mainly in the Western states. Their intelligence and cooperative nature make them fun to have but also challenging. If no one in the family will become the leader, an Aussie will be happy to fill the gap. The breed is mid-sized, 18″ to 23″ tall, weighing from 30 to 50+ lbs, with a bobbed tail and ears that fall over in front.

An Aussie Wants a Job

Aussies are bred to work, so they must have a function to perform or they will make mischief due to excess energy. On a farm, herding sheep, cattle or goats is natural to them. They will also tolerate wearing a backpack and even help haul fruit at harvest time. They will follow their owner as he does his tasks and always want to be near members of their human family. If there is no literal work, an Aussie must be challenged by doing agility training, chasing frisbees or acting as a guard dog to alert the family to intruders.

Aussie Shepherds Need Social Interaction

This breed loves to be with other dogs as well as family members. Joining a doggie play group or walking pack is just perfect for them. Most Aussies are tolerant of other breeds and get along well if they have been socialized as pups. This is not a breed of dog to leave home alone or restrict to a small space without exercise. Barking, chewing rugs and other destructive behavior will result if they are not exercised or challenged.

Australian Shepherds Shed

They have an thick outer coat and an even denser inner coat. All Aussies shed constantly. Any owner of this breed with need a good vacuum and must be willing to use it often. Brushing the coat daily will minimize shedding on furniture or carpets

Four Acceptable Color Patterns for Aussies

The major color patterns are black (usually with reddish-brown markings), blue merle (black and gray), red, and red merle (red and silver). Eye color can be blue, amber, brown or hazel, and a dog’s eyes can each be a different color, one blue and one brown, for example.

Typical Behavior of Australian Shepherds

These dogs are very smart and often will learn many words used by their owners, giving the impression they are eavesdropping on conversations. They are also vigorous, with strong hips and legs, so they can jump high, often as high as 4′. They exhibit an unusual pouncing reflex, which they use to avoid being kicked by cattle, or when catching gophers. Aussies love to chase tires, especially bicycle tires, so they must be trained to restrain this impulse.

Aussie shepherds are loving, dependable dogs for families who have the space and energy to deal with them. They identify with their family, are protective of the children and especially like riding in the car. This breed lives a median 11 to 13 years.

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Help Your Dog Go Green: Eco-Friendly Owners Use Biodegradable Doggy Waste Bags

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When respectful neighbors walk their dogs, they pick up the poop so that other people won’t step in it, so that it won’t contaminate areas where children may play, and so that the community remains aesthetically pleasing. But what type of bag is best for clean-up? Plastic bags can either remain in landfills for hundreds of years or risk injuring and killing wildlife. Eco-friendly biodegradable dog waste bags made from corn decompose within weeks.

Environmental Dangers of Plastic Bags

It may seem cost effective in the short term to use free plastic bags from the grocery store for pet waste clean-up, but it is costly to the environment in the long run. Plastic bags may remain in tact for 500 to 1,000 years. They accumulate in landfills, and strays can kill marine birds, whales, seals, turtles and other mammals. When animals accidentally ingest them, the plastic bags fill their stomachs, inhibit digestion of food, and cause starvation. Animals can also die when entangled or trapped by plastic bags.

Alternatives to Plastic Bags

Bringing reusable cloth sacks to the grocery store to transport purchases is a viable alternative to bringing plastic bags into the home. Many grocery stores sell reusable bags made from recycled materials for those who don’t already have cloth carriers.

Utilizing biodegradable dog waste bags is a responsible alternative to using plastic bags to clean up after pets. Several companies offer dog waste bags made from cornstarch that meet both ASTM and state standards for biodegradability, and decompose into rich compost.

Biodegradable cornstarch pet waste clean-up bags are readily available in pet stores. For example, PetSmart sells Pooch Pick-Up cornstarch baggies in economical packages that average only seven cents per bag.

Online companies also offer biodegradable pet waste bags, along with detailed information about the nature of their products.

BioBag dog waste clean-up bags are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. The bags are made from GMO free corn and no polyethylene is used in production. They reportedly decompose in 10 to 45 days in a compost environment, and will also biodegrade in fresh and salt water in 8 to 14 months.

Poop Bags meets the ASTM D6400 standards for biodegradability, and reports that their bags decompose in 60 to 90 days, just slightly longer than the decomposition time for an apple.

Benefits of Biodegradable Cornstarch Bags

  • At a cost of six to ten cents per bag, biodegradable cornstarch pet waste clean-up bags are an inexpensive way to help the environment.
  • Readily available in nearby pet stores and online, they are a convenient way to personally curb waste and pollution.
  • Instead of filling the earth for up to 1,000 years, they turn into compost in 10 to 90 days.
  • Because of shorter decomposition time, there is less likelihood of causing harm to wildlife than with the use of plastic bags.
  • Bags made from GMO free corn alleviate concerns that genetically modified organisms may negatively impact natural plant and animal life, and human health.
  • Polyethylene free production reduces the release of unnatural hydrocarbons and carcinogens into the environment.

Biodegradable cornstarch pet waste clean-up bags are a practical way to reduce plastic trash that is hazardous to the environment, and help pet owners and their dogs to preserve the earth.

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Petco Unleashed Chihuahua Races: Smallest Breed Dogs Compete for America’s Fastest Chihuahua Title

Chihuahua racing is catching on. The national pet store chain held the first Petco Unleashed Chihuahua races in 2005 and the number of contestants has grown each year. Many are held in conjunction with fairs, games, and other festive events.

What Is Chihuahua Racing?

Much like the popular Dachshund races, Chihuahuas are released from starting boxes to scamper down a 35 foot track toward their ‘receivers.’ Contestants are household pets and races are all in fun. Part of that fun is watching the tiny dogs’ various versions of racing. Some shoot straight for the finish line while others visit with spectators or turn around and go back to the starting box.

All kinds of Chihuahuas compete – smooth haired, long haired, apple head, and even mixes. Winners of regional races gather at Petco Park in San Diego each year for the nationals.

Recent Chihuahua Race Winners

The first dog to claim the title, America’s Fastest Chihuahua, was Chalupa, a little light colored pooch from Hammond, Indiana.

A brown and white Chihuahua mix from Bakersfield California named Tiger won his regional race with a time of 2.0 seconds and went on to earn the national title. His proud owner, Cathy Smith, describes him as very energetic with attitude and says, “He got named for his attitude towards people and other dogs.”

Maddy, a scruffy little dog from New York City, made her owner proud with a winning regional time of 2.3 seconds. She went on to capture the national title as well. Sue Yee says Maddy trains for racing by swimming at the doggy beach and doing doggy yoga.

Tiger made a comeback and once again holds the title, America’s Fastest Chihuahua. As thousands of Chihuahua lovers cheered the finalists on, he made the 35 foot run in a speedy 1.9 seconds, passing up 14 other regional champions. Although he yawned as Cathy proclaimed him to be an “absolute champion dog” he hammed it up for cameras by giving kisses to the Petco guy presenting the shiny trophy.

Inspiring Chihuahua Stories

According to Sally Johnson, assistant Petco store manager in San Ramon, the Unleashed races are held to promote the human/animal bond and to encourage pet adoptions. Just about any Chihuahua or Chihuahua mix can compete and some have quite inspiring stories.

The Bay Area Regional Champion, Chloe, was once homeless. The dark colored Chihuahua/Pug cross was adopted from a local shelter by her new family and quickly rose to stardom in the racing world.

Isabelle, the Sacramento Regional Champion, flubbed her first race by turning back to the starting box. A weight problem caused her to run slow in her second race but after the diagnosis of a thyroid problem, Isabelle got treatment, lost weight and zipped to the finish line ahead of all the other little dogs.

Chihuahua racing is great exercise, a good doggy self esteem builder, and just plain fun.

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Dog Breeds Evolved After Domestication: Both the Domestication of Dogs and Genetic Studies Benefit Humans

Dogs are descended from wolves, but in the process of domestication their look and behaviour have been modified, and so have their genes.

Dogs Descended From Wolves

Some wolves had become dogs at least 15,000 years ago, but exactly how this domestication came about is not clear.

  • • Maybe early human hunters actively captured and bred wolves, thus domesticating them, or perhaps some wolves learnt to hang around humans to scavenge on scraps – gradually developing into separate populations, and the most efficient of these early wolf-dogs got tamer and tamer.

  • • However it happened, the alliance between dogs and humans was beneficial to both. The dogs had a plentiful food supply, and the humans benefited from the dog’s excellent hearing and keen sense of smell.

  • • Early humans used dogs in a variety of ways – as guards, for hunting, and for pulling sleds.

  • • When humans developed agriculture and settled down in villages and towns dogs performed the useful task of removing human waste and food rubbish. This was good for the dogs (good regular food supply), and also good for the humans (reducing diseases associated with poor sanitation and piles of rubbish).

  • • It has even been suggested that the domestication of the dog was a crucial stage in the evolution of modern humans (‘Dogs make us human’ – Tacon and Pardoe, Nature Australia).

Different Dog Breeds

All dogs are the same subspecies of the Grey Wolf – all dogs are classified scientifically as Canis lupus familiaris. Within this subspecies there are many (thousands) of distinct types known as ‘breeds’ of dog.

There are thought to be around 400 million dogs in the world, and there is more variation in size, appearance, and behavior between dog breeds than there is in any other domestic animal, for example size ranges from a few inches (Chihuahua) to a few feet (Irish Wolfhound).

The study of the genetics of some dog breeds has helped people understand the genetics of certain human genetic disorders.

Dog Genes and Human Genetic Disorders

The genes that cause the particular characteristics of some dog breeds have been identified, and in a few cases the same gene has been found to be present in humans with a genetic disorder. Two examples will suffice:

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has duplications in the fibroblast growth factor genes FGF3, FGF4 and FGF19. This gives the breed its characteristic ‘ridge-back’. In humans it has been found that mutations in the genes encoding certain FGFs cause cleft palate, while mutations in FGFR2 have been linked to spina bifida.

In Boxers the MITF gene, that helps control the development and function of pigment-producing cells, is also important for hearing. White Boxers are frequently deaf. In humans mutations of the MITF gene cause pigment changes and loss of hearing (Waardenburg syndrome type 2).

Further studies of dog genetics are likely to shed light on a range of human genetic problems.