Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Astounding Dog Snippets You Might Not Know

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Dogs are amazing aren’t they? Loyal friends, fearless defenders, tireless workers, not to mention goofball buddies who are always up for fun and games.

But I wonder how many people truly appreciate just how incredible our best friends really are.Read on and prepare to be amazed!

1. Incredible Hearing – Human ears can hear sounds at 20, 000 vibrations per second. By comparison, a dog picks up sounds at 35, 000 vibrations per second – a 75% improvement on our puny hearing capacity.

2. It’s a Dog’s Life – It may amaze you to hear that the longest dog lifespan on record is an incredible 29 years and 5 months. Unfortunately, few dogs get close to that milestone. Most live 10 to 15 years, although with improvements to veterinary medicine it’s not that unusual these days for a dog to reach 20.

3. Night Eyes – Many people believe that dogs can’t see color, but this is untrue. They can, although their color perception is not as good as ours. Where a dog’s vision really comes into its own is at night. They have special reflective layers in the eyes, giving them excellent night vision.

4. Dog Soldiers – Dogs are exceptionally versatile animals and have been trained to do many jobs, including as soldiers. They were used in battle by both the Romans and medieval knights. They served with distinction in both world wars and continue to serve in the military to this day.

5. Weapons – A dog’s teeth are a pretty awesome array of weapons. There are 42 of them, set in a jaw capable of delivering a bite force in excess of 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. That’s some serious bite power!

6. By a Nose – Every dog has a unique nose that produces a unique nose print. Kind of like finger printing for canines.

7. Dog Biology – From a Great Dane to a Chihuahua, all dogs share a similar anatomy. All dogs have 321 bones and 42 permanent teeth. Variations do however occur in things such as organ placement.

8. Dog Tired – Dogs love sleeping. In fact, a puppy sleeps up to 22 hours out of 24 during its first few weeks.

9. Canine Radar – Dogs have twice as many muscles in their ears as humans do. This allows them to swivel their ears in the direction of a sound to pick it up, without even moving their heads.

10. Pet Dogs – Approximately 35% of American households keep at least one dog as a pet and millions of pups are born in the US annually.And there you have it – just some of the amazing, little known facts about the incredible animals we share our lives with.

If you want to learn more about dog facts, dog care, dog walking and other helpful dog information check out http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com

Glucosamine For Dogs That Are Arthritic

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A specific branch of veterinary medicine is specialized in treating dog health problems according to degrees of severity. And some of those health problems can be cured with Glucosamine For Dogs. Infectious diseases are the major threat, and some of these can be kept under control only by regular vaccines. Rabies is the best example here. There are also numerous genetic dog health problems generally due to over-breeding or to the attempt of maintaining breed purity.

Mixed breeds are much healthier. Nevertheless, they are not safe from viruses, obesity, diabetes and other nutrition-related ailments. Milk Thistle for Dogs is very good for liver problems. It is interesting to mention the fact that such dog health problems overlap with those of humans, because the diseases affect people and animals alike. Other dangerous diseases are tick-borne and highly dangerous for both dogs and humans. The same holds true for leptospirosis, a disease cause by a bacteria with which you or the animal can get infected through water, urine, food or soil contamination.

The number of dog health problems is much longer and complex, than this, but the above mentioned examples are illustrative for how serious things can get. Nevertheless, the list is extremely long and the topic would take thousands of pages to exhaust. What you should keep in mind is that PREVENTION of disease with the help of fish oil for dogs for example, is what matters most. Follow the recommendations below to preserve your dog’s health.

Take the dog to periodical health check-ups and make all the vaccines.

Periodically eliminate parasites: worms, ticks and flees. With a single product you can get rid of all three health risks.

Regularly wash and groom your dog!

Pay attention to nutrition. Don’t give your dog sweets! Use organic food! Respect the dog’s preferences and the specificity of age and breed.

Keep your dog fit and active.

Make sure the dog does not come in contact with hazardous substances such as cleaners, bleaching agents and other toxic chemicals.

Routine prevention is possible if you do a bit of reading on your dog’s immediate needs. Negligence and lack of responsibility towards your pet is a crime and some people have ended up in jailed because of mistreating their pets. Ultimately, a dog’s well being also depends on the owner’s attitude. Give love and attention to your pet and you’ll build a strong relationship together.

How To Use Your Power In Finding The Right Veterinarian (5)

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Finding The Right Veterinarian – The Conclusion

There is no such thing as getting the perfect “estimate” from a veterinarian in terms of what it will cost to fix a medical problem. Although these doctors try to give estimates, the likelihood of the outcome equaling the price of the guesswork is slim-to-none.

If you want those types of estimates and warranties, toasters make a nice alternative to pets, and they don’t need walking in the winter!

Seriously though, if you have concerns about the treatment or procedure going above the estimate, talk about it with your veterinarian:

“What if my dog needs a second transfusion?”
“In your experience, Doctor, how many blood tests are required per year?”
“Is there a less expensive way to get this done?”

These questions are all part of the informed consent process. At the core of the matter, and central to the idea of a good veterinarian relationship, is the concept of informed consent.

Patient advocates on the human side of medicine like to remind us, wisely, that informed consent is not intended to protect the practitioner. It is a process wherein your veterinarian informs you of the risks, benefits and consequences of treatment; tells you about alternative treatments; lets you know when there are practitioners better qualified to treat your dog; and answers questions that you might not have enough information or presence of mind to ask.

Informed consent is for the client/patient, not the practitioner. It is not, as a veterinarian’s lawyer may have indicated, a document primarily used to cover his posterior in the event a case heads south.

When Research a Veterinarian – Do Your Homework

You can’t be a partner with your veterinarian if you don’t know anything about veterinary medicine. If a person you cared for had cancer, you would most likely research treatments, survival times and how the disease affects the body. Whether the individual has two legs or four, the response should be the same. Your dog is your family, remember that.

Information can be acquired from numerous sources. Your veterinarian is the first (remember that you did your research in choosing your current vet, and you trust this person). Then there’s your library, bookstore and medical publications, if you are so inclined.

There is also, of course, the Internet. But be warned – besides being a good forum for quality information, the Internet is also a good forum for any quack who wants to publish medical advise that they know nothing about. So keep this in mind when you are researching your veterinary medicine information online.

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Here’s Dog Trainer Chet Womach On How To Save Money By Handling
Basic Vet Issues At Home

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To discover how to treat your dog at home with over 1000 at-home veterinarian health remedies, Click Here.

How To Use Your Power In Finding The Right Veterinarian (4)

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The Right Veterinarian -Part 4

A Veterinarian cares only about the money, right? Sure they have to, but you’d be surprised at how they really feel.

Money matters have a lot to do with feelings and ego. In general, a veterinarian doesn’t want to talk about money, though if you want to work effectively with your veterinarian, having the dollar discussion may be inevitable.

The unfortunate truth is that veterinary medicine is expensive. But it is not overpriced. “Expensive” means numerous dollars are required, while “overpriced” is a label that requires placing a value judgement on something that is essentially a value-free, market-determined issue.

If you think that your veterinarian is overpriced, don’t punish him or your pet with resentment. Take the market solution and look for a new veterinarian instead.

Because most people, veterinarians included, don’t want to talk about money, increasingly doctors discuss only medical matters and let practice managers or others in the office deal with the issue of money and costs. Most veterinarians feel the same way about the issue: They feel bad when clients cannot afford what needs to be done to fix the pet in question.

And although most vets prefer not to talk about money, I am not sure that a blanket policy of avoiding money talk is feasible, or wise, for the doctors. Unless there is no shortage of money, it is impossible to make medical decisions without putting a price tag on them.

What is important, especially now that compensation schemes – particularly in large and corporate practices – are often “production-based,” is that veterinarians disclose their financial interest in the case.

It has been well established that doctors are often unable to completely divorce their financial interests from their medical recommendations. This is not because doctors are evil, this is because they are human. Skepticism is always a healthy thing, especially when it is about oneself. Veterinarians should make a practice of questioning their motivations, and welcome the help they can get from their clients.

As the person paying the bill, it’s your responsibility to ask for an estimate. Be aware, however, that an estimate is a dual-edged sword. On the one hand, it tells you what to expect. On the other hand, dogs – like any other biological system – have a way of defying the odds on occasion.

The goal of your veterinarian is not to have the treatment come in at exactly the price on the estimate (though that would be pleasant); rather to use the precise treatment necessary to ensure that your dog is fixed up and is out of  harm’s way with whatever disease, ailment, or problem that is happening at the time.

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Here’s Dog Trainer Chet Womach On How To Save Money By Handling
Basic Vet Issues At Home

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To discover how to treat your dog at home with over 1000 at-home veterinarian health remedies, Click Here.

Housetraining: The Link Between Medications & Your Dog’s House-Wetting Accidents

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Some medications cause a dog to drink more and thus produce such copious amounts of urine that the dog can’t wait as long between outdoor breaks or leaks while relaxed. If wetting accidents occur shortly after a dog starts a new medicine, double-check with your veterinarian to see if increased thirst or urination are side effects.

Warning: Don’t abruptly halt the use of a medication without first consulting your dog’s veterinarian. Abrupt cessation could be dangerous.

The most commonly used medications that cause these side effects include:

1) Cortisone-type Medications

This includes prednisone. Veterinarians routinely use cortisones for their anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects in a wide variety of conditions. Injectable, oral and topical cortisones such as ear medications or eye drops can cause increased thirst and urination.

2) Phenobarbital

This is the most commonly used anti-seizure medication in veterinary medicine. Side effects may be either temporary or permanent. There has been almost a 90% decrease in urination problems once this medication was stopped. But if your dog must have it to stop seizures then the house-wetting is just something you will have to live with.

3) Thyroid Supplements

If a dog receives more thyroid replacement than needed (their requirements may actually change over time), the dog may experience increased thirst and urination, as well as other side effects, such as GI upset (gastrointestinal), vomiting and/or diarrhea, hyperactivity, restlessness, or weight loss.

How To Take The Correct Steps

Obtaining the accurate diagnosis is an important factor for a successful outcome, regardless of the reason for your dog’s soiling in the house. Treatment and prognosis depend, of course, upon the cause of inappropriate elimination and how severely affected the dog is. Sometimes, finding and addressing the cause is pretty simple and straightforward; other times, it can be challenging and take some time.

The bottom line: If your puppy’s housetraining isn’t going as it should or your adult dog has begun having repeat accidents, before you begin remedial housetraining, check with your veterinarian to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with your pooch.

What will your dog’s veterinarian look for if you come to him or her with a housetraining complaint? A thorough examination and history and checking of a fecal sample. With a young dog, your veterinarian might not do blood work or urinalysis right away unless there are other abnormal signs.

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