Titer Test

Many dog lovers like myself are under the belief that our beloved canines need vaccination once a year. In fact I get a phone call from the vet reminding me of when my dog's vaccination is due. Thinking nothing of it and trusting the vet, we think that by vaccinating our pets is the best course to prevent diseases.

Up until recently, that was what I thought too. All my previous dogs have gotten vaccinations every year. Then I received an article to a site I subscribed to and something was brought to my attention regarding vaccinations for pets. Do our pets really need vaccination every year? After thinking about it, we as humans don't go for yearly jabs because we don't need it. In fact, tetanus shot for us last 10 years before the next booster. So do our dogs need their yearly booster? We could be over vaccinating our pets and be the cause of their diseases. This is what many vets don't tell the owners. Why don't they?Because while they are vets, they are also running a business. I am not discouraging people from visiting their vets nor encouraging owners to NEVER vaccinate their dogs. What I am saying is, before you vaccinate, ask your vet for TITER TEST for your dogs. This test will show whether or not your pet still has the vaccine in their system. If they still do, the likelihood is that your dog will not need his/her yearly booster.

Over vaccination of your dog could cause cancer in your dog and even renal failure.

I have included on the left hand side of my blog the website for this. Go have a read on it. It may prove to be a life saver for your dogs!

Dog Health Problems

I have recently been asked to add a new URL on my blog. Upon reading and checking up on it, I find that it is very useful for those who have questions about their canines. From health of the dog to nutritional values. It is a very informative site. So do please click on the link on the left hand side of my blog.

Healthy Treats

Pet lovers out there who are concern about what goes into their pet treats and food have resorted to home cooked meals and treats for their pets. You can get recipes from the net, order books online and many other various sources. However, while the intention is good, pet owners should also do their research on the ingredients i.e. whether or not the ingredient is harmful to the pets. What you feed your pet is very important and it could mean life and death for your pets.

Below I have pasted an article from the net on the dangers of homemade treats especially fresh fruits. Do have a read at it.

"Of primary concern is the use of fresh fruits in the preparation of doggie treats. Because most fresh fruit seeds contain a chemical known as cyanogenic glycoside, fresh fruits should not be used in the preparation of the family dog's homemade treats. Cyanogenic glycoside results in a dangerous cyanide poisoning in canines, often leading to death. In the most mild of cases, using fresh fruit in homemade doggie treats can, at least, result in significant illness symptoms such as dry heaving and vomiting. When preparing homemade doggie treats, avoid the use of fresh fruits such as apricots, cherries and apples.

Along the same line as fresh fruits lies the danger of grapes and raisins. When preparing homemade doggie treats, dog owners should avoid the use of grapes and raisins as an ingredient. While research has shown the use of raisins, in very low quantities, may not result in a health risk, the use of raisins and grapes, in large quantities, may be toxic to the canine. Specific chemicals in grapes and raisins may attribute to common ailments such as diarrhea, vomiting and, in most cases, lead to kidney failure. As a dog owner preparing homemade doggie treats, avoiding the use of raisins and grapes is highly recommended."

As fresh fruits are not recommended to give to your pets, you could use dried apricots and apple rings. Also instead of raisins, use dried cranberries.

IN MEMORIAM

It has been a while since I last posted my dog's renal failure. It's with great sadness to us that she, Bonnie, have succumbed to her illness. It was very quick and she went without any pain. She fought a good fight. She died on 31st May 2008. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her, not a day goes by without us missing her. She was the liveliest dog, cheekiest character and a joy. Many time I've sat and thought about what I could have done. I could have detected it sooner, I should have...in the end, the realisation is this, there was nothing anyone could have done about her condition. Renal failure is irreversible. I've done my utmost best to help her. She was loved by all. In her short life, she's taught me to live life to the fullest. Life is for the living and she did live up till the end. Words cannot express how much she's taught me and how much she's done for me. She will forever live in my heart. Rest in peace my little one.

Renal failure

As I sit here in front of my computer, I'm at a lost for words. I don't have a clue what and how to say this. Normally words comes very easy to me but today, it is different. You see, we found out this afternoon that out little bonnie has renal failure. Both her kidneys aren't functioning and as I write this, the little one is sitting at the vets on a IV drip to rehydrate her little body and to flush out her puss in her bladder. I am devastated by this news. I am in despair. The vet was surprise as to my dogs condition. You see, she's only 2 years old...only an adolescent. So, for a young dog to suffer from renal failure is very uncommon. My husband searched the net and found that there is a disease called "renal dysplasia" whereby the failure of the kidneys is genetic. Which comes back to this...how moralisitic are the breeders here in Malaysia or anywhere else in the world. It doesn't only happen in Malaysia but everywhere else. Those who buy their pups from the pet shops, do not get the history of this pup and where the lineage is from but only to take the word of the salesperson that tells you and we trust and take their word for it because the puppy looks so cute! I am ashamed to admit this but I am one of those 'people' that bought my dog in the pet shop.

I digress. Back to Bonnie. It seems to be the general concensus that there is nothing the vet can do with renal failure. Kidneys do not regenerate unlike the liver. The most they can do is do administer iv drip or a sub- cuteneous liquid to the dog which aids in the dogs hydration. I on the other hand refused to believe that there is nothing that can be done. When I got home, after allowing myself a good cry, went onto the net, and did some research and found that there is a product that may help reverse the condition. Now I don't know how good this product will be or even whether it will work but I am willing to give it a shot and who knows, it just might work.

K9 Massage

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Eukanuba / Pet-n-You Carnival 2007

The day started like any other day. Lucky for us today unlike the event at the UPM the heavens did not decide to open it's doors and bless us with a shower. As like any dog event, many dog owners were out, enjoying the sunshine and as it was held at Central Park in Bandar Utama, there were dogs that jumped into the water and had a swim, at the same time cool themselves down on this humid day.
I had a stall set up beside PAWS Animal Shelter. People came asking about the service that I provide and also bought my dog friendly cookies. This time I had blueberry muffins on sale too plus carob chip brownies. I say dog friendly because it is for human consumption too. Despite informing people that it is also for humans, many fear to try. It is the human conditioning of the mind that makes people so dubious on trying it. Towards the end of the day, my cookies were all sold out.
I had the pleasure to meet a lot of other westies besides my two. They were just adorable. I did however have one downturn on the day, perhaps my male westie got up too early this morning because when he got the the event, he was growling at pretty much every dog that was in his path. It was as if he was on a war path! Luckily, I had my husband to help me out.
After a long half day, my dogs are now peacefully sleeping at home. Oblivous to anything around them. They're now in their own doggy dreamworld.