Dog Vaccination Worries

Dog vaccination has been raising a lot of controversy, with dog owners torn between wanting to protect their dogs from serious and often deadly health threats and worrying about adverse canine vaccine reactions.

Conventional veterinary medicine, perhaps influenced by a pharmaceutical industry with its eyes firmly on the bottom line, supports a canine vaccination protocol involving multiple yearly dog vaccinations, often using combination vaccines called 5-way or 7-way vaccines which are meant to protect against five or seven canine diseases.

Mounting evidence suggests that canine vaccines may cause severe and often lingering dog vaccination reactions in certain canine breeds or families, including anaphylactic shock, nervous system disorders, liver or kidney failure resulting from bone marrow suppression, among others.

Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, states that “… recent vaccination of genetically susceptible breeds has been associated with transient seizures in puppies and adult dogs, as well as a variety of autoimmune diseases including those affecting the blood, endocrine organs, joints, skin and mucosa, central nervous system, eyes, muscles, liver, kidneys, and bowel.”

The only way to avoid the consequences of over vaccination for your dog is to discuss canine vaccination schedule and protocol with your veterinarian. Make sure you go into your next vet appointment prepared, with a full understanding of all aspects of dog vaccination, including the facts uncovered by recent studies. You owe it to your best friend!

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Carbohydrates come mainly from plants in the form of grains, vegetables and fruit. If your dog’s diet does not provide enough carbs, extra stress will be put on the liver for it to convert proteins into glucose, not the most efficient use of protein. Though not directly related to energy production, vitamins have their own role to play, and a vitamin deficiency can have serious consequences and interfere with vision, bone growth, nerve function, blood clotting, and a lot more.

Minerals play an important role in the proper functioning of the body, whether human or canine. They transport oxygen in the blood, help promote muscle metabolism, ensure that the nervous system will function properly and even play a role in hormone production.

Insufficient amounts of phosphorus or calcium will likely result in cartilage and bone weakness. Minerals are interactive, therefore it is important to maintain a proper balance between the various minerals. In some cases, one cannot function without the other: both iron and copper are needed to produce hemoglobin.

When it comes to home made dogfood and recipes, I’ve so got you covered … sometimes I amaze myself. What would you say to a couple of hundred canine cuisine recipes designed to please the most finicky palate? The Mint Rice Hamburger will satisfy the hungriest dog, and the German Shepherd Casserole is simply divine. The Weight-On Meatballs? To die for! I think it’s my favorite home made dog food recipe … well, one of my favorites.

Try a few of my natural homemade dog food reciepes, and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll be the Martha Stewart (or the Jamie Oliver) of the K9 Kitchen, and your dog will only have eyes for you! And if you don’t find something to tempt your pooch, check his pulse, stat!

Easy homemade dog food and recipes your pooch will adore - it doesn’t get any better than this. They say that “the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, but I bet you didn’t know that holds true for canines as well.

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The main role of fats is to supply the body with energy. In a minor way, fats also support strong cells and help absorb nutrients. The kind of fats I am referring to are essential fatty acids (EFAs) which, just like amino acids, need to be consumed since they are not produced by the body. Essential fatty acids are a must if you wish to protect your pet from allergies, arthritis and cancer.

A dog that carries a little extra fat gets protection from the cold, as well as a bit of extra cushioning not only for his body but for his internal organs as well. Though dogs are generally quite efficient at using fats to create energy, too much fat will only end up getting stored in the body, resulting in obesity as well as heart disease, diabetes and even osteoarthritis.

Essential fatty acids that are beneficial to your pet have nothing in common with rancid restaurant grease, or the rendered animal fat or vegetable fats deemed unacceptable for human consumption which end up being sprayed on dry pet food in order to make it palatable.

That’s why it is vital for you to control your canine’s intake by taking charge of his diet and supplying natural, nutritious dog food. The healthiest dog food you can offer your best friend has a lot in common with the healthiest human food. A variety of protein and fats sources, but also some carbohydrates, supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

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My ancestors the wild dogs and wolves have been consuming meat as their prime source of food for tens of thousands of years, as long as they could find prey. They have supplemented their diet with plants, which became a nutrition staple when protein was unavailable.

But let’s be clear about something here. Eating plants simply adds a few carbs to our diet for better balance. Grains are not high on the ideal canine menu, specially corn which is of very little use to us though it ends up being added to commercial dog food as a filler. Being plentiful and cheap, it often shows up as a primary ingredient - so much for canine health!

I know I’m on the right track when experts agree with me. “In general, high-quality animal source proteins provide superior amino acid balances for companion animals, compared with the amino acid balances that are supplied by grain proteins. The protein in grains is not as balanced or available as the protein in high-quality animal sources…” state Case, Carey and Hirakawa in Canine and Feline Nutrition.

Protein is the foundation of homemade healthy dog food. A favorite of mine is liver which is full of phosphorus and vitamins A and B1, but lamb and beef are good too, and so are organ meats like liver, heart, kidney, etc. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, he’ll find chicken and turkey easier to digest. And let’s not forget some fish for our Omega-3s, specially salmon and herring.

But did you know that the best protein of all comes from eggs. Oh boy, I LOVE eggs in any shape or form: raw, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, in an omelette, and my Scrambled Eggs Doggie Style … just divine! Try this recipe on your pooch, and you’ll spoil his appetite for anything else.

But a balanced canine diet actually includes a lot of food varieties you would find in a healthy human diet. So high protein dog food means more than just meat. We have to have fats too.

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It is a well known fact that many commercial pet foods contain artificial ingredients which cause allergic reactions in many pets. Your pet’s itching, vomiting or diarrhea may well be caused by the histamine released by his immune system as a result of food allergy. Propylene glycol is often used in moist pet foods as a preservative to keep them fresh, but it has been linked to anemia and bloat.

Dr Dym also stresses that “Preservatives & other chemical additives may also cause cancer. Natural diets improve pet allergies, arthritis, diabetes, chronic vomiting & diarrhea.” Another reason why healthy dog food you make at home is bound to be healthier for your pet than a bowlful of artificial ingredients. Add to that the fact that you won’t need a degree in chemistry to be clear about what you are putting in your pet’s body. There is something to be said for transparency.

And finally, poor quality pet food laden with unnatural ingredients will leave your pet defenseless if he ever has to fight disease, as he will not be able to produce enough antibodies to defend himself. Besides, a healthy, nutritious diet which meets all of your dog’s nutritional needs is the best way to prevent disease in the first place.

Just like people, dogs are omnivores. A variety of foods will be needed to meet their dietary needs and ensure optimum health. The best homemade dogfood will include protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals in the right amounts. Basically, meat and vegetables, plus some supplements.

We will be taking a look at the requirements of a healthy canine diet. If you dog suffers from any illness or condition, please consult with your vet to customize an appropriate diet to meet his needs. Next, we’ll examine the role high protein dog food plays in a healthy canine diet.

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Dogs have certainly earned well-deserved recognition as “man’s best friend”, having served as constant companions, sporting buddies, assistants, confidantes, defenders, uncritical best friends, and so much more. Dog lovers and soon-to-be owners who wish to acquire a dog of their own or add another puppy to their canine family need to do some serious research in order to come up with the appropriate choice.

Some of the popular dog breeds you might wish to start with are the Poodle, Border Collie, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Papillon, and the Labrador Retriever.

Poodles are not just beautiful and regal, they are also known for their astounding intelligence and trainability; in fact, they are one of the smartest dogs in the world. But if you think of the poodle exclusively as a pampered pet, you might be in for a shock, as the poodle offers a sort of Jekyll & Hyde personality. Behind the dog’s stunning appearance hides … a police dog! Believe it or not, poodles are used for law enforcement in some parts of the world.

Border Collies come from Scotland and England. If you are looking for a dog you can play tricks on and dupe and fool at will, you may be in for a surprise. These dogs are known for their cleverness, natural intuition, as well as their ability to reason and assess a situation quickly and flawlessly. Extremely hard working dogs, Border Collies shoulder their responsibilities with great poise, often entrusted with their herd’s lives without the benefit of human supervision.

The Doberman Pinscher is known for his loyalty. A robust appearance and impressive intelligence make the doberman an impressive watchdog. Another dog comparable to the robustness of Dobermans is the German shepherd. The German Shepherd also offers strength, sharpness, and versatility as a family dog and watch dog.

Looking for a good companion? The Golden Retriever has acquired a great reputation as a fantastic family dog. This breed probably evolved from the retriever and water spaniel and is appreciated today for its good looks, intelligence, loyalty and gentleness.

People with an active lifestyle would definitely admire the Papillon. Although they serve as lap dogs, Papillons enjoy showing off their superior dexterity in agility trials.

As you can see, selecting a dog involves a lot more than scrutinizing all the various dog breeds. And if you have your heart set on a small dog, not all toy dog breeds will suit your circumstances. Choose carefully, you’ve got your work cut out.

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Watching your new puppy sleeping peacefully in his bed, I’ve got to admit it’s hard to picture what he will be like in a few short months, with an extra 50 or 60 pounds or more  on him. But even if you picked a small dog breed, one thing is certain: that puppy’s brain is growing, and you may not like what it’s churning up.

Unless you start working right now to mold that little personality into a proper little canine citizen, you may well find yourself facing a four-legged delinquent sooner than you think. And then what will you do?

When it comes to bringing up puppy, relying on professional information will make sure the job gets handled well the first time. Enrolling the help of a professional dog trainer may be a good start, but that approach has an inherent flaw. Let me explain why a dog training course right in your own home will work best for you.

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Relax, all is not lost. In fact, it may be a good idea to give yourself a few days to observe your new friend and maybe choose a name based not just on dog breed, but on his or her own personality, appearance, and even mannerisms. Robust or dainty? Active or couch potato? Cuddler or independent spirit? Feisty lap dog or friendly giant?

Sports is a good arena to select appropriate dog names. But first think of the connotations behind an athlete’s name, in other words what do these names evoke: Tiger, Sugar Rae, Bailey, Rocky, Lance, Serena or Venus? Good sportsmanship, fair mindedness, laser sharp focus, exceptional style, tenacity, steadfastness, agility, competitive spirit?

Hollywood celebrities can be another great source of inspiration. Duke would certainly suit a macho dog, Presley would be super cool, and Brad would just have to look amazing. How about Lolita for a poodle? Astaire would suit a dog that moves elegantly and is lightfooted. On the other hand, a huffing and puffing short-legged full-figured bulldog by that name would only draw guffaws.

Using humor in a dog’s name is a dangerous game to play. You don’t want to start a relationship with your new dog on the wrong paw. Having people laugh every time you call your dog may undermine all your efforts at building up his confidence. Bearing the weight of a misnomer throughout a lifetime is not a burden you would wish on your new friend.

Buddy is one of the most popular dog names around. It implies a constant companion you see eye to eye with, someone you can depend on when times are tough, and yes, even a cohort you can plan your next escapades with. But take care to avoid names that might send confusing messages to your dog: if you call your dog Healey, you may not want to use heel as a command.

It is well worth taking the time to weigh suitable dog names carefully and choose one both you and your new friend will be comfortable with for a long time.

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It should dawn on you at this point that there is a gap between the way you look at the world and your dog’s view of it. In order to accomplish your goal of putting an end to dog barking, some sort of communication needs to happen. Only when you can understand the reason why your dog gets excited will you be able to take appropriate action.

Dogs have evolved a very elaborate body language sprinkled with clues for you to read. All you have to do is observe. After all, there are a multitude of reasons why a dog starts barking, some of which you may be thankful for.

Let’s say your dog wakes you up in the middle of the night, barking furiously. You yell at him, lock him up in his crate, and turn around to discover a stranger staring at you. Just how would you feel then? But maybe more to the point, how do you think your dog feels? And not to rub your nose in it or anything, but who is displaying inappropriate behavior now?

As a dog owner, you are the person responsible for your dog’s behavior and for finding the proper solution to your dog’s barking problem, depending on what caused the dog barking in the first place.

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Given that a dog’s diet requirements will vary depending chiefly on the age of the dog, its size, activity level, and breed group, it is no wonder that dog owners often turn to their veterinarians to purchase their dogs’ food. But with that comes another risk, as vet dog food allergy seems to be on the rise.

As a result, many dog owners have resorted to feeding their dogs human grade, organic food, some opting for a cooked diet, and others for a raw diet. Either way, they feel that taking charge is the only way for them to gain transparency with regards to dog food and ensure that no sub-standard ingredients or harmful additives make their way into their pets’ nutrition.

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