Meet Rami, a one-year-old Pit Bull-Dachshund mix, who’s turning heads and racking up “likes” on his own Facebook page. The unusual-looking dog has been at the Moultrie Colquitt County Humane Society in Moultrie, GA, for just a few days but is getting a lot of attention from fans and potential adopters. He’s also raising questions about health risks and ethical concerns associated with breeding exaggerated traits in dogs. Rami was found roaming the streets and brought to the Moultrie Colquitt County Humane Society in January. The organization first posted Rami’s photo on its Facebook page on January 27, which got more than three million hits by the next morning. Media attention followed and Rami soon got a Facebook page of his own. According to the organization, Rami is sweet and energetic and will need training to learn to properly walk on a leash. Rami’s Facebook page updates his followers on his daily activities and his interactions with his adoptable animal friends at the facility. Questions Raised About BreedingWith the large head of a Pit Bull and the short legs of a Dachshund, there’s no denying that Rami is unique and sure to get attention wherever he goes. But should such odd breed mixes be encouraged? Miami veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly weighed in on the possible health and ethical implications of a Pit Bull-Dachshund cross. Rami’s large head could cause excessive stress on his back and legs, she says. “Though I’d have to see him in person to assess the extent of his deformity, he’s almost certainly predisposed to osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and forelimbs as a result of the undue stress his oversized head will exert on the joints,” says Khuly. Unusual-looking dogs like Rami encourages breeding for similarly exaggerated traits, Khuly adds. "He’s so cute — for now, anyway — it makes sense that people who don’t think or don’t care about the painful consequences would want to see more puppies like him." By Samantha Drake / Image: Rami, courtesy of Moultrie Colquitt County Humane Society A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
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Don't turn your nose to Fido's or Fluffy's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only your pet's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well. To address the significance of oral health care for pets, the AVMA and several veterinary groups are sponsoring National Pet Dental Health Month in February. Click on the links below to learn more about National Pet Dental Health Month, and how you can improve the dental (and overall) health of your pets. Watch Dr. Sheldon Rubin gives easy, step-by-step instructions on how to teach a dog or cat to accept a daily tooth brushing. He also describes healthy treats, and explains the true risks of periodontal disease in pets. Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in cats and dogs even though it's completely preventable. Dr. Cindy Charlier explains what periodontal disease is and how we can prevent our pets from getting it. Listen Dr. Jan Bellows, president of the American Veterinary Dental College and owner of All Pets Dental in Weston, Fla., discussed the importance of dental health for our pets in an interview for our Animal Tracks podcast series.Listen now. Share Show us your pets' pearly whites! We're looking for photos of your pets' beautiful teeth — and we mean any kind of pets: dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, ferrets, goats, cows ... fuzzy, furred or finned, you name it. After all, pets need dental care, too. View and submit photos on our Flickr group: Pearly White Pets, on our Pet Dental Health Month Facebook event page, or tweet or Instagram your photos with the hashtag #pearlywhitepets. Read View the AVMA's press release on National Pet Dental Health Month. Remember While February is National Pet Dental Health Month, dental health should be a daily ritual for pet owners all year long. Veterinarians: Inform your clients Provide your clients with the Pet Dental Care brochure (also available in Spanish) Print and display the clinic flyer and/or the client handout (AVMA members only) to educate your clients about the event and the importance of pet dental health. Source: AVMA A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Contact: Consumer: 970-663-4561 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 30, 2015 — Loveland, CO — Grill-Phoria LLC of Loveland, Colorado is recalling approximately 200, 3.5 oz bags of Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. These bags were distributed and manufactured between September 20, 2014 through January 2, 2015, and do not have lot codes. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Most people recover from salmonellosis in four to seven days without treatment, but some groups are at higher risk of developing more severe symptoms. These high-risk groups are: children under 5 years of age, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogswas distributed in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Oklahoma through Nor-Sky Pet Supply LLC through independent pet stores. The product is under the Big Bark label and is in a standup pouch that is 3.5 oz in weight labeled as All Natural Beef Jerky Treat. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the Colorado Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished tested positive for Salmonella. Grill-Phoria has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem. Consumers who have purchased Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs (3.5 oz Bag) are urged to return the bag to the store that you purchased it from and get a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Grill-Phoria at between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (MST) Monday through Friday at 970-663-4561. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Why do dogs love to dig through our trash?
The answer may lie far back in our shared history. According to most experts, dogs were domesticated from wolves by humans several thousand years ago. The speculation is that wolves may initially have been captured as puppies or tamed due to living in proximity to human villages. Why would these wolves live close to human villages? To scavenge our trash for food, of course! In the wild, wolves may go several days without eating. They are not always successful in hunting big game every day. We may consider the food we throw out to be garbage, but to dogs, it is merely food — stinky, ripe, aromatic food! It is a bouquet of scents that are interesting and exciting to dogs. Some dogs have developed a game of digging through the trash. Sometimes they find good stuff to eat or fun things to chew on. When they are so engaged in sniffing out an interesting scent, they may scatter the refuse all through the house. The garbage may be akin to a doggie version of a Cracker Jack box — they know there's a prize inside. Other dogs have learned that digging in the trash is a good way of getting an owner’s attention, so it becomes attention-seeking behavior. Your dog may have formed the association that, “Every time I drag a tissue out of the trash, my mom or dad suddenly starts talking to me and tries to take my new toy away.” What fun it is for them to play keep-away and have their owners chase them around the house! Whereas if the dog did not get an item out of the trash, the owners may not have paid the dog as much attention. Stopping Doggie Dumpster Diving There are several things you can do to keep your dog out of the trash. 1. Hide the can. This is the best and easiest method. Do not leave temptation out. Put the trash can in a cupboard or pantry. If your dog has learned to open cupboards, use a child lock. 2. Contain the trash. Use a trash can with a tight lid that stays on even when your dog knocks it over. Modern trash cans with motion sensors that automatically open the lid won't do. Nor will trash cans with step pedals or swinging lids. Dogs have gotten their heads stuck through swing lids, and if a can is heavy enough, a dog sometimes learns to step on the pedal and open the lid. 3. Deter the behavior. The use of remote-activated spray or noise deterrents can help to prevent your dog from getting into or near your trash can. If your dog has previously been reprimanded for getting into the trash when you are home, he is likely smart enough to learn to leave the trash can alone when you are present, but as soon as you are out of sight or leave the house, he may go looking for goodies in the garbage. Remote deterrents are motion-activated devices that release compressed air or emit a high-pitched noise. The devices are intended to be mildly aversive. Some dogs may be sensitive to these devices and get scared, while others may not be deterred at all. Before employing such products, discuss their safe use with your veterinarian or behaviorist. 4. Try training. The one method that requires the most work is teaching your dog to “leave it.” I first teach a dog to turn away or back off from my hand while I am holding treats. Once the dog has learned the phrase “leave it,” then I use that phrase every time the dog goes near the trash. When the dog backs or turns away, I immediately offer him praise and treats. When I am not working with the dog, I put the trash can away. After repeated training sessions, I leave the trash can out for longer periods and offer praise and rewards every time the dog walks past the trash can and does not stop to investigate. I may even go a step further and start with a trash can that does not contain any food. Then, in more advanced training sessions, I bait the trash can with really pungent foods. As always, consult your veterinarian or pet behavioral professional as a first step when dealing with a pet behavior problem. Source: vetstreet.com, Dr. Sung/ istock photo |
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