Did you know?

• Horses can’t breathe through their mouths.
• Horses enjoy classical music.
• Horses are unable to vomit, and it’s incredibly dangerous if a horse chokes.
• Horses make 8 sounds: A Squeal, Snort, Nickers (one for greeting and one for courtship and a maternal one), Neigh, Blow, and a Roar.
• Horses can see in two directions at once (monocular vision). Like humans, they can also use both eyes to  form one picture (binocular vision).
• Horses can see everywhere, except for two blind spots- directly in front of their faces (underneath the head)  and directly behind them (a person can get kicked if they sneak up behind a horse and startle them). One directly in front of its face, underneath its head, and the other directly behind itself.
• Most horse breeds have 18 ribs, but the Arabian horse has 17.
• Most horses have 6 lumbar bones, the Arabian has 5.
• Most horses have 18 tail vertabrea, but the Arabian horse has 16.
• Horse’s leg joints are not fully grown until  3.5 years old.

• A horse is considered an adult at age four.
• A Mare is a female horse over 4 years old.
• A Stallion or a Gelding, if castrated, is a male horse over 4 years old.
• Horses are measured in hands high (hh).
• Four inches (or 10.2cm) equals one hand.
• Horses are usually over 14.2hh, unless a miniature horse.
• A pony is anything under 14.2hh.
• 200 breeds of horses exist on Earth.
• From breeding to birth, a horse’s gestation period is approximately 11 months.
• A horse’s life span is usually 20-25 years. (62 years is the longest living horse).
• A Sire is a father.
• A Dam is a mother.
• A Filly is a young female.
• A Colt is a young male.
• Equus caballus is the scientific name for a horse.
• A Mule is a cross between a  a Mare (female horse) and a Jack (male donkey).
• A Hinny is a cross between a Stallion (male horse) and a Jenny (female donkey).
• Hinnies and Mules are usually sterile.
• Mules have characteristically long ears.

]]> http://www.propetsciences.com/resources-for-pet-owners/basic-facts-every-horse-owner-should-know/feed/ 0 http://www.propetsciences.com/dog-health/vestibular-disease-in-dogs-often-confused-with-a-stroke/ http://www.propetsciences.com/dog-health/vestibular-disease-in-dogs-often-confused-with-a-stroke/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:06:37 +0000 Colleen http://www.propetsciences.com/?p=523

When dog owners see the the symptoms of Vestibular Disease, they often confuse these symptoms with a stroke. In reality, true strokes are very rare in dogs, which is great news for you and your pooch… Vestibular Disease is a condition far less threatening to your dog.

The Vestibular System is what keeps the head and body oriented with gravity (and spatial faculties). This system includes sensors in the inner ear that provide a sense of balance and equilibrium.

Vestibular Disease seems to be caused by an inflammation in the nerves connecting the inner ear to the cerebellum. It typically lasts between a couple of days and a few weeks, but some dogs may show residual signs beyond this time, such as a head tilt.

Symptoms:

• staggering and stumbling
• head tilt
• rhythmic shifting of the eyes from side to side (called “nystagmus”)
• facial paralysis
• head tremor
• body weakness
• nausea
• refusal to eat or drink*

* NOTE: most dogs will not eat or drink unless given water or food by hand because the movements necessary to eat or drink from a bowl are challenging for them.

Other important things to know:

• There are no warning signs.
• This syndrome normally affects dogs that seem healthy and normal up until the signs appear.
• Symptoms come on suddenly, drastically and are frightening to witness.
• This condition is sometimes even misdiagnosed by vets, and affected dogs who would have recovered, have been put to sleep. 
• As long as they are nursed through this condition, almost all dogs will recover.  

If your dog is showing the above symptoms, please go to your vet for diagnosis, treatment, and procedures for home-care. And PLEASE make sure your vet is familiar with Vestibular Disease!

Did you know the most common health issue in both dogs and cats is dental disease? According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of 3 years old.

Keep Teeth Clean: Unusually bad breath (foul or rotten smelling) can indicate a serious health problem. Gum disease can create infection in the blood stream and even cause heart disease. Your dog’s teeth should be shiny and white, and the gums should be pink and healthy-looking (not red or swollen) without any sores or lesions.  See your vet for an annual cleaning and make sure to brush your dog’s teeth with toothpaste made specifically for your pooch.

Some consequences of poor doggy oral hygiene include: 

• Tartar/plaque build-up
• gum disease/gingivitis
• mouth sores and ulcers
• loss of teeth
• broken jaw
• heart
• kidney
• liver disease

To learn how to brush your dog’s (or cat’s) teeth, here is A Guide to Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth, courtesy of Dr. Scott Linick, owner of Plainfield Animal Hospital in South Plainfield, N.J.

You can help feed hungry dogs! It’s free and it’s fun. “Every day you play Bow Wow Trivia, they’ll provide 10 pieces of kibble to Animal Shelters to help feed their hungry dogs. Freekibble now feeds many 1,000′s of dogs and cats in shelters, rescues and through food-banks across the country – EVERYDAY!”

Play today and help feed hungry dogs and cats: http://www.freekibble.com/about.asp.

We all know that pets are one of the most beautiful blessings on the planet! But here are 19 reasons why we are lucky to have pets.

Pets are amazingly good for our health, because:

1. They provide companionship and purpose. 
2. They lower blood pressure.
3. They enhance our social lives, making it easier to meet new friends – more interaction and less isolation.
4. They help lower stress and elevated cortisol.
5. People who  own pets have a lower risk for heart attack and cardiac diseases.
6. They teach us unconditional love.
7. They help ease depression.
8. They help our physical fitness by providing an exercise companion, resulting in health benefits such as: lower cholesterol, a healthier heart, reduced stress, and stronger bones.
9. Dogs can help support/teach us about arthritis management:  if you and your dog both suffer from arthritis, you can coordinate taking supplements and keep each other exercising to keep excess weight off the joints.
10. Dogs provide love and support when we are not feeling well.
11. Service dogs can help people with disabilities maintain their independence.
12. People who own cats suffer fewer strokes.
13. They bring a calming presence (calms the nervous system and reduces stress).
14. People who own pets have fewer allergies and stronger immunity.
15. Cats can help children from developing asthma later in life (unless the mother has a cat allergy)
16. One in three dogs has the ability to alert a diabetic owner of a dangerous drop in blood sugar before it happens
17. Dogs can help people in therapy to get in touch with their feelings.
18. Dogs can help children with ADHD learn to play and be responsible, learn about self-esteem, and exert excess energy.  a dangerous drop before it actually happens
19. Pets increase good-feeling chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which are natural mood enhancers.

How lucky we are to have such companions. Hug and love and play with your pet today!

In light of the recent outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1), here is a link to an abundance of up-to-date information and resources. We hope all of your horses are healthy and well!  http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/HotTopics.aspx

Mosquitos can carry a parasite called dirofilaria immitis, which grows into heartworms in your pet. If left untreated, heartworms can cause damage to the heart and lungs of dogs and cats and can be fatal. Heartworm has been found in all 50 states- in dogs, cats, ferrets, foxes, wolves, and humans. Heartworms are absolutely preventable! See your vet for prevention and early detection.

** Please Note: There are no symptoms until the disease is well on it’s way, which is why screening, prevention and/or early detection is crucial.

In addition to the symptoms above, in advanced stages of heartworm, your dog may show the following symptoms:

• fainting
• abnormal lung sounds
• enlarged liver
• rapid heartbeat
• anorexia
• vomitting
• blood in coughed up mucous
• death

 Please make sure to protect your dogs and cats, heartworm can be fatal!

]]> http://www.propetsciences.com/dog-health/heartworm-and-dogs-symptoms-and-prevention/feed/ 0 http://www.propetsciences.com/dog-health/summer-tips-for-your-dogs-health/ http://www.propetsciences.com/dog-health/summer-tips-for-your-dogs-health/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 19:17:50 +0000 Colleen http://www.propetsciences.com/?p=445

Mosquito, flea, and tick season is here… be sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid Heartworm, Lyme disease, and West Nile Virus. West Nile virus mainly affects horses, humans, and birds, but dogs and cats also are susceptible.

If you haven’t seen your vet this year, schedule your annual exam. Many issues can be treated successfully and inexpensively, with early detection.

Here are some tips for your pet’s health in this active season:

1. Prevent (or treat) Heartworm: Mosquitos can carry a parasite called dirofilaria immitis, which grows into heartworms in your pet. If left untreated, heartworms can cause damage to the heart and lungs of dogs and cats and can be fatal. Heartworms are absolutely preventable! See your vet for early detection and prevention.
2. Flea and Tick Control: Fleas can cause allergies and anemia, ticks can cause Lyme Disease.  Make sure to treat carpets and bedding if you have a flea infestation, and be very careful with flea poisons- especially with young, old, ill, or pregnant animals. Flea baths can help a lot- see your groomer or vet. For ticks, make sure you check your dog’s neck, ears, groin, skin folds, and between toes- especially after being outdoors, so they can be immediately removed. Ask your vet for flea and tick control product recommendations and/or vaccinations (for Lyme Disease).
3. Clip Nails: Overgrown nails can make walking difficult for a dog. Severely overgrown nails can become ingrown which may cause pain and infection, so clipping your dog’s nails is important. Clipping your dog’s nails can be tricky- they have lots of nerves, so it can hurt and bleed a lot. If you don’t feel comfortable, you can have your groomer do it for you.
4. Clean the Ears: Especially for dogs that swim or hike! Bacteria, fungi, and even parasites can take up residence in the ears, which can be painful and cause infection. Look inside the ears- it should be a healthy pink color (red means irritation) with little or no dirt or wax, and should definitely not be stinky. Take your dog to your vet if you see redness, swelling, excess wax or dirt, or a foul odor.
5. Keep Teeth Clean: Unusually bad breath (foul or rotten smelling) can indicate a serious health problem. Gum disease can create infection in the blood stream and even cause heart disease. Your dog’s teeth should be shiny and white, and the gums should be pink and healthy-looking (not red or swollen) without any sores or lesions.  See your vet for an annual cleaning and make sure to brush your dog’s teeth with toothpaste made specifically for your pooch.

** Some consequences of poor doggy oral hygiene include:  Tartar/plaque     build-up, gum disease/gingivitis, mouth sores and ulcers, loss of teeth, broken jaw, heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Have a great summer and have fun staying healthy with your best friend!