DEVELOPMENT OF PUPPIES

During the first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens should nurse at least four to six times per day. Infrequent or weak nursing often signifies chilling, illness, or congenital problems and should be attended to immediately by a knowledgeable breeder or veterinarian. The two primary activities of all newborns are eating and sleeping. The eyes of puppies and kittens open between 10 and 16 days and their ears begin to function between 15 and 17 days after birth. Normal body temperature for puppies is 94 degrees Fahrenheit to 97 degrees Fahrenheit for the first two weeks of life. Normal kitten temperature during this time is about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. By 4 to 5 weeks of age, body temperatures have reached the normal adult temperature in both species (approximately 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Because puppies and kittens have no shivering reflex for the first 6 days of life, an external heat source is necessary. The dam is the best source for this warmth. After 6 days, the puppies and kittens are able to shiver, but they are still very susceptible to chilling. Keeping the environment warm and free from drafts is of utmost importance during the first few weeks of life to prevent hypothermia. It is recommended that the environmental temperature be kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit during this period, assuming the dam is providing an adequate amount of warmth and protection to the newborns.

Newborns should be weighed daily during the first 2 weeks and then every 3 to 4 days until weaning. A helpful guideline is for puppies to gain between 1 and 2 grams (g) per day for every pound of anticipated adult weight for the first 3 to 4 weeks of life. For example, if the anticipated adult weight of a dog is 25 pounds (lbs), the puppy should be gaining between 25 and 50 g/day (0.9 to 1.8 oz). Kittens usually weigh between 90 to 110 g at birth and should gain between 50 and 100 g (1.8 to 3.5 oz) per week until they are 5 to 6 months of age.

Although there is limited information available concerning milk intake in nursing puppies and kittens, one study reported that Beagle puppies consume between 160 and 175 g of milk per day. Naturally, puppies of larger breeds are expected to consume a greater volume of milk, with smaller breeds and kittens consuming less volume. Similarly, the volume of milk that a bitch produces varies with her size. German Shepherds produce about 900 g of milk per day in early lactation, with increases to a level of up to 1700 g/day during peak lactation. In contrast, a much smaller breed, the Dachshund, produces between 100 and 180 g/day in early lactation.

Other influences upon the volume of milk produced are litter size, age at which supplemental food is introduced, and age of weaning. In healthy puppies and kittens, the dam's milk supports normal growth until puppies and kittens are approximately 4 weeks old. Supplemental feeding with commercial milk replacer should only be necessary with unusually large litters. After 4 weeks, milk alone no longer provides adequate calories or nutrients for continued normal development. At approximately the same time, puppies and kittens become increasingly interested in their environment and begin to spend more time awake and playing with each other. The time at which the dam's milk is no longer solely able to meet the nutrient needs of the offspring corresponds to the time at which the young are becoming more interested in trying new foods.

Rich Masters: Source: Virtual Veterinary

Carefully Select Your Dog’s Diet

The number of animal lovers is increasing all around the world. Many people especially in the western countries love to have a pet in their home. Many of these pets are treated as a family member rather than an animal. Dogs are most popular among the pets these days. For many reason dogs became an integral part of today’s society.

Dog owners should have a good knowledge about what ingredients to use in a dog food. Sometime they unconsciously create health problem for dogs by feeding them unhealthy foods. Before feeding different types of food to dogs; owners should look the ingredients of those foods. Also they have to remember every dog does not need same kind of food. Some dogs have allergies with specific foods. Dogs food can be both vegetarian and non vegetarian. In both kind of food, mixture of proper ingredients is essential.

Dog owners have to provide the necessary ingredient in the dog food for their growth. Important minerals like zinc help grow calcium. Some essential vitamins like A, B, D, E should provide in dogs food. Also have to keep in mind that at different ages dogs need different kinds of food. Like an adult dog require meat, egg while the puppies need milk. Male and female dogs also require different kind of food. Especially during the pregnancy female dogs need to feed properly.

Dog’s health must be monitored periodically. There are signs of illness for the dogs. Like excessive vomiting, continuous nasal discharge, passes loose stool for several times or too much barking. Then there is a high possibility that dog’s health is not well enough.

Owning a dog put some additional responsibility to us. Proper care is essential for them. Feeding them proper food is one of the basic requirements. Owners need to be more aware and conscious about dog’s diet.

Chihuahua Health Risks

Although Chihuahuas are usually healthy, they do have special health considerations, both as puppies and as adults. For puppies, starting at birth through age sixteen weeks, you should be aware of some potential health issues.

Chihuahuas, among other small breeds, often develop "reverse sneezing," which can be caused by excitement, soft palate problems, dust and pollen, cold air, or a collapsed trachea. Your Chihuahua may sound like it is gasping or huffing for air, honking like a goose, or wheezing.

Another Chihuahua health risk is hypoglycemia, as Chihuahuas have a very small fat reserve around the liver. This problem can happen at any age, although small, young Chihuahua puppies have a higher potential for developing hypoglycemia.

Chihuahuas (just like people) need essential fatty acids, which are good fats like Omega 3 and Omega 6 that help build cell membranes in the body. Without them, the body's chemical structure will not function as well. Omega 6 is one fatty acid that cannot be made by your Chihuahua's body. Therefore, you should ensure your Chihuahua is getting Omega 6 in its diet for optimal health.

To determine if your Chihuahua has a deficiency in fatty acids, check its skin to see if it is flaky and if the coat is dull, greasy, or has a course texture. If you notice these things, you can be relatively certain your Chihuahua is not getting enough essential fatty acids.

Other Chihuahua health problems you may notice that may be attributed to a lack of or reduction in essential fatty acids:

Arthritis or arthritis-like conditions
Behavioral disturbances
Disrupted healing process
Dry nose
Eczema-like skin eruptions
Foul odor coming from the coat
Fragility
Heart and circulatory problems
Hindered growth
Impaired learning abilities or vision
Kidney or liver degeneration
Lethargy or lack of energy
Male sterility
Miscarriage
Regular hair loss
Vulnerability to infection
Weakness

Don't forget that Chihuahuas have a tendency of becoming obese. To maintain proper Chihuahua care, keep your dog on a healthy food, decrease treats, take your dog for a walk, and provide regular weigh-ins to ensure correct weight is being maintained. Obesity is a major cause of coronary heart disease and if your Chihuahua is allowed to live with excess weight, its health or lifespan could be dramatically reduced!

With its immune system not yet fully developed, problems such as worms, parvovirus, myocarditis, or coccidian can spread through contaminated feces. Without being vaccinated, your puppy has a greater risk of getting sick. Puppies love to sniff around the ground and can easily get into something they should avoid.

Dog health basics: 6 signs of a healthy dog

Having a friendly, loyal dog in the household is a real joy. But as a dog owner and dog lover you must be aware of certain facts about your dog's good health. Your awareness of these facts will help you to ensure that your dog is always in top shape because when you are aware what are the signs of good health in a dog you can pretty easily note the
deviation from that and take precaution before the problem takes serious turn.

Here are the simple tips for every dog lover.

1. In general a dog's nose is always moist and cool. If you find it is hot and dry then it's sign of problem. Most common cause of this is dehydration. Give it sufficient amount
of water to drink. But don't give lot of water at one go. Preferably mix some electrolyte suitable for dog with the water.

Dehydration problem is common in hot summer months specially if the dog spends lot of time outdoor. But dryness of nose may be because of some reason other than simple dehydration, in that case you should consider consulting your vet.

2. Body temperature is a very good indicator of normal health. Body temperature of a healthy dog is around 101 degree Fahrenheit. It can be up to 102 degree Fahrenheit. But if temperature deviates from this range, you should consult your vet.

3. Another easy check is your dog's skin condition. Skin of a normal healthy dog is clean, free from dandruff and scurf, skin color pinkish white. Healthy skin also shows good mount of elasticity. When pinched or pulled skin should return to original place in no time.

4. Inside the ears should be light in color and free from infection. Deep redness or wax accumulation indicates help of veterinary doctor should be sought.

5. Much like human beings eyes of dogs also tells a lot if you can read. Eyes of a healthy dog is clear and alert. If instead of that you find there is an expression of pain and discomfort or eye membranes are deep red in color instead of healthy pink, it indicates trouble.

6. Teeth of a healthy dog is clean and free from tarter. Dirty, loose or infected tooth means trouble and should cause concern.

By any means this is not an exhaustive list of things one should be aware of about dog health. But these are easy to check (anybody can check these without being a vet) and would help to detect most common ailment at the outset.

Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory

Keep Your Dog Fit And Healthy - Give Her The Best Dog Food Possible

What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the best that is available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the best dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don’t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the best dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can purchase a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog’s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the best dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The best dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers cannot dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C.

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer’s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the best dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet’s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog’s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It’s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

Feed and water your dog with the best dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog’s wellbeing.

By: Niall Kennedy