Foods, Plants and Products that are Poisonous to
Dogs
Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which
is a cardiac stimulant and diuretic. If your dog ingests chocolate, it may pass an
excessive amount of urine, become hyperactive and have vomiting and diarrhea. It
may be fatal. Cocoa powder and baking chocolate are the most toxic, milk
chocolate the least.
Onion and Garlic toxicity:
Onions and garlic contain thiosulphate, which is toxic
to dogs. Onions are most toxic. If you dog eats a large amount of onions or a small
amount over a period of time, he can develop hemolytic anemia, where his blood
vessels burst. Early signs of toxicity are vomiting and diarrhea.
Raisins and Grapes -
One grape may not be a problem, but a handful could cause
serious problems. Raisins are particularly harmful and can lead to lethargy,
vomiting, diarrhea and kidney failure.
Alcohol poisoning -
some people think it is fun to give their dog a sip of beer or
wine, but this can be very dangerous. Dogs absorb alcohol very quickly and can
have serious reactions, including seizures, heart arrythmias, kidney damage and
even death.
Other foods dangerous to dogs:
Common household products and items that can poison dogs:
Cigarettes, tobacco, cigars
Mothballs
Antifreeze (be aware--dogs like the sweet taste)
Lead poisoning
Poison Plants for Dogs
There is a number of plants that are poisonous to dogs. Among them are:
Wild mushrooms
tomato leaves and stems
Mistletoe
Poinsettia
Oleander
Pyracantha
Bulbs of flowers, especially lilies
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
DISEASES AND SYMPTOMS
Canine Distemper – A highly contagious viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. It can be spread through the air or by contact with an infected animal, its feces or urine, and can be fatal. Because a puppy’s natural immunity may wear off before he is vaccinated, reduce risk of exposure by limiting contact with unfamiliar
dogs until the vaccination series is completed.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis – This viral disease, also known as adenovirus, is spread by contact with infected animals, their feces, urine or saliva. It affects the liver, kidneys and cells lining the blood vessels.
Leptospirosis – An extremely contagious bacterial disease that spreads, through contact with nasal secretions, urine or saliva of infected animals. Early signs are not apparent, so infection can go undetected. Recovered animals can continue spreading the disease, which can also affect humans.
Parvovirus – This viral infection is a common, deadly viral infection and usually strikes puppies. It is spread by contact with an infected dog’s blood, feces or vomit.
Parainfluenza – A highly infectious virus that can be one of the causes of “kennel cough.” It spreads quickly among dogs kept in close quarters and can seriously damage the respiratory system or even result in death.
Rabies – This is an infection of the central nervous system that results in paralysis and death. Rabies is always fatal. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies is a serious public health threat, so it is essential to vaccinate your dog. Most provinces have laws requiring vaccination.
Coronavirus – A highly contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Again,this disease is spread through contact with infected blood, feces or vomit.
Bordatella – This is an airborne bacterial infection involved in “kennel cough.” Dogs may catch this when exposed to other dogs in kennels, dog shows and field trials.
Lyme Disease – This is a tick-borne disease that affects both dogs and humans. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nose and eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Symptoms include high fever, thirst, inflammation of nose or mouth, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, liver damage, loss of appetite, hemorrhage and depression.
Leptospirosis - May produce inflamed kidneys, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and listlessness. Liver damage can also occur. Note that early signs of the disease may not be readily apparent. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, fever,vomiting, loss of appetite and dehydration. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough,loss of appetite, depression, and runny nose and eyes. A stage of high excitability includes unprovoked biting and sensitivity to noise. There is also a stage of paralysis, cramps and swallowing difficulties. Symptoms include vomiting, fever, diarrhea and dehydration. Symptoms include persistent coughing, sneezing and retching accompanied by nasal discharge. It also increases your dog’s susceptibility to other upper respiratory infections.It can exhibit itself as arthritis with the sudden onset of severe pain and lameness, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and depression. Vaccination is the only effective control.
ABOUT ESTRUS CYCLE
FOUR STAGES OF CANINNE ESTRUS CYCLE
Proestrus: vaginal discharge, males attracted to females, females unwilling to mate. Length: 4-20 days.
Estrus: swollen vulva, yellowish vaginal discharge, mating occurs during this phase. Length: 5-13 days.
Metestrus (or Diestrus): period after estrus or mating. Length: 60-90 days. If pregnant, pregnancy lasts between 60-64 days in the dog.
Anestrus: period of inactivity (sexual and hormonal) between estrus phases. Length: 2-3 months.
Some general "rules of thumb" for canine estrus:
* The first estrus cycle usually occurs by age 6-12 months; for some small breeds, as early as 5 months, and for some large and giant breeds, the first cycle may not occur until 14 months of age or older.
* On average, dogs have two cycles a year.
* The estrus cycle lasts on average 12-21 days, but maybe be as short as a few days to four weeks. The estrus period length varies widely between breeds and individual dogs.
* The length of a cycle varies widely, even for dogs of the same breed. If in doubt, assume the longer end of the range for the cycle length.
* Bleeding occurs prior to a female being receptive to a male (allowing mounting by the male), but male dogs will be very attracted to the female in the proestrus stage.
* Dogs can get pregnant during their first heat cycle, but this is not advisable as a 6-month old dog is not yet fully grown/mature, and complications for the mother and the puppies are more likely.
For dogs that will be pets, it is recommended to spay them before the first heat, eliminating the risk of accidental pregnancy and reproductive diseases later on in life. Dogs may be spayed while in heat (or pregnant), but there is additional risk due to the engorged vessels and tissue of the reproductive tract -- a higher chance of bleeding during surgery or other complications. The cost of surgery while in heat or pregnant is often higher as well.
HOW LONG IS THE GESTATION PERIOD FOR DOGS ?
Pregnancy in the dog (all breeds) lasts about 2 months: 60-64 days.
The canine reproductive life varies greatly from breed to breed with regard to onset of puberty, however. Small breed dogs typically start having estrus (heat) cycles earlier, at 4-6 months of age, and large breeds typically start later, at 12 to 24 months of age. The estrus cycles vary between each individual dog, average of 6 to 12 days. Some dogs as few as 2 days, some dogs cycle as long as 21 days.1
Female dogs cycle throughout their life, they do not experience menopause (reproductive cycles ceasing with age) as human females do. Please see the canine estrus FAQ for more information about reproductive cycles in the dog.
Female dogs that are spayed eliminate the chance of uterine infection (a condition called pyometra), uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer, since the uterus and ovaries are removed during the spay surgery. Additionally, the chance of breast cancer is greatly reduced, especially if the dog is spayed before the first heat cycle. The earlier that the dog is spayed, the better the chance for reducing or eliminating all of these reproductive diseases mentioned above.
Proestrus: vaginal discharge, males attracted to females, females unwilling to mate. Length: 4-20 days.
Estrus: swollen vulva, yellowish vaginal discharge, mating occurs during this phase. Length: 5-13 days.
Metestrus (or Diestrus): period after estrus or mating. Length: 60-90 days. If pregnant, pregnancy lasts between 60-64 days in the dog.
Anestrus: period of inactivity (sexual and hormonal) between estrus phases. Length: 2-3 months.
Some general "rules of thumb" for canine estrus:
* The first estrus cycle usually occurs by age 6-12 months; for some small breeds, as early as 5 months, and for some large and giant breeds, the first cycle may not occur until 14 months of age or older.
* On average, dogs have two cycles a year.
* The estrus cycle lasts on average 12-21 days, but maybe be as short as a few days to four weeks. The estrus period length varies widely between breeds and individual dogs.
* The length of a cycle varies widely, even for dogs of the same breed. If in doubt, assume the longer end of the range for the cycle length.
* Bleeding occurs prior to a female being receptive to a male (allowing mounting by the male), but male dogs will be very attracted to the female in the proestrus stage.
* Dogs can get pregnant during their first heat cycle, but this is not advisable as a 6-month old dog is not yet fully grown/mature, and complications for the mother and the puppies are more likely.
For dogs that will be pets, it is recommended to spay them before the first heat, eliminating the risk of accidental pregnancy and reproductive diseases later on in life. Dogs may be spayed while in heat (or pregnant), but there is additional risk due to the engorged vessels and tissue of the reproductive tract -- a higher chance of bleeding during surgery or other complications. The cost of surgery while in heat or pregnant is often higher as well.
HOW LONG IS THE GESTATION PERIOD FOR DOGS ?
Pregnancy in the dog (all breeds) lasts about 2 months: 60-64 days.
The canine reproductive life varies greatly from breed to breed with regard to onset of puberty, however. Small breed dogs typically start having estrus (heat) cycles earlier, at 4-6 months of age, and large breeds typically start later, at 12 to 24 months of age. The estrus cycles vary between each individual dog, average of 6 to 12 days. Some dogs as few as 2 days, some dogs cycle as long as 21 days.1
Female dogs cycle throughout their life, they do not experience menopause (reproductive cycles ceasing with age) as human females do. Please see the canine estrus FAQ for more information about reproductive cycles in the dog.
Female dogs that are spayed eliminate the chance of uterine infection (a condition called pyometra), uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer, since the uterus and ovaries are removed during the spay surgery. Additionally, the chance of breast cancer is greatly reduced, especially if the dog is spayed before the first heat cycle. The earlier that the dog is spayed, the better the chance for reducing or eliminating all of these reproductive diseases mentioned above.
INTERNAL SYSTEM
THE ORGAN SYSTEM INCLUDE
1. The cardiovascular system (dog) includes the heart and blood vessels. The cardiovascular system performs the function of pumping and carrying blood to the rest of the body. The blood contains nutrients and oxygen to provide energy to allow the cells of the body to perform work.
2. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system that helps the body fight off disease. The lymphatic system also works with the cardiovascular system to return fluids that escape from the blood vessels back into the blood stream.
3. The digestive system (dog) includes the mouth, teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver and gall bladder. The digestive system absorbs and digests food and eliminates solid wastes from the body.
4. The integumentary system is the skin and fur that cover the animal's body. The skin protects the underlying organs. The fur helps insulate against heat loss. Dogs and cats do not sweat through their skin. They only sweat from their footpads and nose. They lose water by panting rather than sweating.
5. The musculoskeletal system includes all the muscles, bones and joints.
6. The respiratory system (dog) includes the mouth, nose, trachea, lungs and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles). The respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen and eliminating waste gases like carbon dioxide. Because dogs and cats do not sweat through the skin, the respiratory system also plays an important role in regulation of temperature.
7. The urogenital system (dog) includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra and the genital organs of box sexes. The urinary system is responsible for removing waste products from blood and eliminating them as urine. The genital organs are involved in reproduction.
8. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves that communicate between tissues and the brain and spinal cord.
9. The endocrine system includes several glands that produce hormones. Hormones are substances that travel through the blood stream and affect other organs. Endocrine organs include the thyroid glands, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands and part of the pancreas.
10. The organs of special senses (dog) allow the animal to interact with its environment; sight, taste, smell and hearing.
11. The hematopoietic system includes the bone marrow which is located inside the bones. Three types of blood cells are made in the bone marrow: white blood cells that fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen and platelets that are part of the blood clotting process.
1. The cardiovascular system (dog) includes the heart and blood vessels. The cardiovascular system performs the function of pumping and carrying blood to the rest of the body. The blood contains nutrients and oxygen to provide energy to allow the cells of the body to perform work.
2. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system that helps the body fight off disease. The lymphatic system also works with the cardiovascular system to return fluids that escape from the blood vessels back into the blood stream.
3. The digestive system (dog) includes the mouth, teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver and gall bladder. The digestive system absorbs and digests food and eliminates solid wastes from the body.
4. The integumentary system is the skin and fur that cover the animal's body. The skin protects the underlying organs. The fur helps insulate against heat loss. Dogs and cats do not sweat through their skin. They only sweat from their footpads and nose. They lose water by panting rather than sweating.
5. The musculoskeletal system includes all the muscles, bones and joints.
6. The respiratory system (dog) includes the mouth, nose, trachea, lungs and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles). The respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen and eliminating waste gases like carbon dioxide. Because dogs and cats do not sweat through the skin, the respiratory system also plays an important role in regulation of temperature.
7. The urogenital system (dog) includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra and the genital organs of box sexes. The urinary system is responsible for removing waste products from blood and eliminating them as urine. The genital organs are involved in reproduction.
8. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves that communicate between tissues and the brain and spinal cord.
9. The endocrine system includes several glands that produce hormones. Hormones are substances that travel through the blood stream and affect other organs. Endocrine organs include the thyroid glands, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands and part of the pancreas.
10. The organs of special senses (dog) allow the animal to interact with its environment; sight, taste, smell and hearing.
11. The hematopoietic system includes the bone marrow which is located inside the bones. Three types of blood cells are made in the bone marrow: white blood cells that fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen and platelets that are part of the blood clotting process.
EXTERNAL ANATOMY
THE SKELETON
The skeleton is the frame over which the dog's anatomy is structured. Along with a complex systems of muscles and tendons, it allows the dog to stand on its paws, sit, run, jump or walk. The muscles, firmly anchored on the bones, are the ones that put the dog's skeleton in motion.
The bones are hollow tubes with a hard and calcified weave filled with bony marrow. They are fed by blood vessels that lead to the inner part through very little holes. When a bone breaks, new cells are formed on its surface, they are designated to fill in the crack. During development, the long bones of the limbs grow by the edge in a process, controlled in a great deal by hormones, which stops when they reach maturity.
CONFIGURATION OF THE JAW
The type of bite, or the way in which the upper teeth fit with the lower ones, is determined by the length of the lower jaw. There are four types of bite: the scissors bite (the upper teeth perfectly fit with the lower ones); the prognatic bite (the lower teeth are ahead compared to the upper ones because the jaw is bigger than the maxillary); the protrude bite (the lower teeth are behind the upper ones
because the lower jaw is smaller than the maxillary) and the normal or standard bite (the upper and lower teeth are lined up to the same level). All these configurations of the jaw are correct as long as they fit with the morphology of each breed. For example, the prognatism would be an inadmissible defect on a Golden Retriever, while it is perfectly normal of a Boxer or a Bulldog.
SKULL SHAPES
The skull shape in a dog varies from one breed to another, even when the bones that are part of it are the same in all the cases. There are three types of very different morpholog ies.
The breed with narrowed and elongated skulls, as the Afgans, are called Dolicocefalous, while the ones with flattened skulls, as the Bulldogs and the Boxers, are called Braquicefalous and the ones located among these extremes are known as Mesocefalous.
The skeleton is the frame over which the dog's anatomy is structured. Along with a complex systems of muscles and tendons, it allows the dog to stand on its paws, sit, run, jump or walk. The muscles, firmly anchored on the bones, are the ones that put the dog's skeleton in motion.
The bones are hollow tubes with a hard and calcified weave filled with bony marrow. They are fed by blood vessels that lead to the inner part through very little holes. When a bone breaks, new cells are formed on its surface, they are designated to fill in the crack. During development, the long bones of the limbs grow by the edge in a process, controlled in a great deal by hormones, which stops when they reach maturity.
CONFIGURATION OF THE JAW
The type of bite, or the way in which the upper teeth fit with the lower ones, is determined by the length of the lower jaw. There are four types of bite: the scissors bite (the upper teeth perfectly fit with the lower ones); the prognatic bite (the lower teeth are ahead compared to the upper ones because the jaw is bigger than the maxillary); the protrude bite (the lower teeth are behind the upper ones
because the lower jaw is smaller than the maxillary) and the normal or standard bite (the upper and lower teeth are lined up to the same level). All these configurations of the jaw are correct as long as they fit with the morphology of each breed. For example, the prognatism would be an inadmissible defect on a Golden Retriever, while it is perfectly normal of a Boxer or a Bulldog.SKULL SHAPES
The skull shape in a dog varies from one breed to another, even when the bones that are part of it are the same in all the cases. There are three types of very different morpholog ies.
The breed with narrowed and elongated skulls, as the Afgans, are called Dolicocefalous, while the ones with flattened skulls, as the Bulldogs and the Boxers, are called Braquicefalous and the ones located among these extremes are known as Mesocefalous.
HEIGHT, COLOUR , PERSONALITY
SIZE , COAT , CHRACTER , TEMPERAMENT
Size: The Boxer has a shoulder height of 53-63 cm (21-25 in) and weighs 24-32 kg (53-70 lbs). Boxers are strong, compact, and agile, with broad powerful jaws and a small nose which enables it to breathe while hanging onto an animal. Boxers have docked tails and may have cropped ears. They have a distinctive head with long lower jaws and broad muzzles. The Boxer’s head should be unwrinkled, with slight wrinkles on the forehead when concentrating. The Boxer has an arched skull, sloping shoulders, and high tail. Boxers carry themselves proudly.
Coat: The Boxer has a short, smooth, shiny coat. It may be fawn (light tan, yellow, or light reddish), brindle (light/dark striped), or red. A black mask around the nose and jaws and white markings (“flashings”) on the belly, chest, and feet are possible, but white should not cover more than a third of the Boxer. The Boxer is an average shedder.
Character: The Boxer is happy, friendly, intelligent, attentive, and loyal. Boxers develop strong, close bonds with family. They have lots of energy and a serio us demeanor, though they can be clownish and playful as well. They like to grab and carry around just about anything they can in their mouths. Boxers tend to get rowdy when the food bowl is empty. They make excellent guardians and companions.
Temperament: The Boxer gets along especially well with children. They also get along well with other dogs and household pets, but may be aggressive towards unknown dogs. It is best if the Boxer undergoes early socialization due to its strong, boisterous personality. Female Boxers may fight each other on occasion. They are naturally inclined to protect you and your family from strangers.
Care: The Boxer’s coat can be kept in good condition by brushing occasionally to remove dead hair. The Boxer requires frequent human companionship. Boxers do not like excessively hot or cold weather and should not be left to live outdoors. Some Boxers may snore, drool or have flatulence. White Boxers are at higher risk of deafness. Boxers have an average lifespan of 10-12 years and will remain fit and athletic into old age. They have litters of 2-10 puppies.
Training: The Boxer must be trained not to jump up at people as it is naturally fond of jumping. The Boxer is ideal for various sporting activities because it can be highly trained and learns very quickly. Boxers may be stubborn in learning, but they are responsive to commands.
Activity: The Boxer needs plenty of physical and mental exercise on a daily basis. They should be allowed to run or go for long walks regularly. Boxers enjoy playing fetch or other activities. They can tolerate apartment life if exercised sufficiently, but a fair-sized yard is ideal. Lonely, inactive Boxers can become stressed out and destructive.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
LETS START FROM THE SRACTH
WHO AM I ?
What we know of as the Boxer today can be traced to the 1830s when a breeder crossbred the Brabanter Bullenbeiszer with the English Bulldog, but the Boxer dog breed history really begins in the 1860s as breeders began to establish and develop guidelines for the breed. In 1895 the Boxer Club was formally formed and further improvements were made to the standards of the Boxer dog breed.
Although initially the Boxer dog breed was generally white, by 1925 white was not accepted as a proper color for the breed. In fact, the color of choice now is fawn and brindle and any dog with more than a third of its coat white will be disqualified in AKC events.
The Boxer dog breed came to the
more Best in Shows over the course of six years.Bang Away became a famous dog, appearing on the front of magazine such as Life and Esquire. Due to the success of this one dog, the Boxer dog breed became very popular in the
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