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About two weeks before the puppies are due, a nesting box should be introduced to the expectant mother. The box should be made from a washable material and located in a warm and secluded area. The bottom of the box should be lined with an absorbent material that can be changed frequently. Newspapers, towels, or clean rags make excellent bed liners.

Late Stage of Pregnancy

The first stage of labor is marked by uterine contractions. The expectant mother appears restless and may pace about the house. She refuses to eat and sometimes vomits. The bitch may isolate herself and exhibit nesting behavior. (Hopefully, nesting will occur in the whelping box.) This behavior is normal and there is little that the owner can do. This stage generally lasts 8-24 hours.

The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is completely dilated. The delivery of the puppy occurs during this phase. Phase three of labor refers to the expulsion of the placenta and the afterbirth.

After several contractions, the first puppy is born. If the first puppy is not born within 45 minutes after the beginning of contractions, a veterinarian should be called. The time interval between successive puppies is extremely variable and can range anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. It is not unusual for a mother to rest between groups of puppies.

Generally when each puppy is born, it is enclosed in a membrane or sac. The mother usually licks the puppy's face and rips open the sac. If this sac is not immediately broken by the mother, human intervention is required. The sac must be opened, and the puppy's face must be rubbed. Rubbing the puppy's face with a clean cloth is an excellent method to stimulate breathing.

A placentas is usually passed within 15 minutes after the birth of a puppy. Occasionally, two placentas may follow two puppies.

There are two normal positions for delivery. The puppies may come out "head first" or "rear first". A "head first" delivery is generally easier than a "rear first" delivery.

Human intervention is required when a puppy is lodged in the birth canal. When this occurs (and the mother is not able to expel the puppy herself), the mother must be restrained and gentle traction applied to the puppy. The puppy is grasped with a clean dry towel and pulled in a downward position, toward the mother's feet. When a puppy is lodged in the birth canal for a considerable amount of time, it is usually born dead.

Following each birth, the remaining portion of the sac should be removed from the puppy's face. Any mucus surrounding the nostrils should be cleared away. Puppies should be placed on a dry clean towel and rubbed. Vigorously rubbing of the puppy stimulates breathing. Using a fine-diameter thread, each umbilical cord should be tied about one inch from the puppy's belly. The cord is cut on the far side of the knot, and the remaining stump (with the cord) is dipped into a white iodine or Betadine solution. If the puppies are similar looking, it is best to number each one with a permanent marker.

Recently Born Puppy

When the mother is relaxed and she settles down with her puppies, it is safe to assume that the birthing process is over. Within 12-18 hours after all puppies are delivered, the mother should be examined by a veterinarian.

Normal vaginal discharge is brown, green or red in color. A significant amount of discharge is present following birth. This discharge tapers off and gradually subsides in 4-8 weeks. If the discharge is abundant, foul-smelling, pussy, or extremely bloody, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Dental care is vital to your pet's health! If you've already established a dental care program for your pet, you're off to a great start. But if your pet hasn't received a dental exam from your veterinarian, it's time to get started. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, the perfect time to schedule a dental exam for your pet and develop a home care regimen for your best friend.

Why is dental care so important for your pet? Periodontal disease is the number one diagnosed problem in pets - by the age of two, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have periodontal disease in one form or another. The buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet's teeth leads to bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of your pet's body. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, osteoporosis and other problems.

The good news is that periodontal disease is easily prevented. Routine dental cleanings and a home dental care regimen can eliminate the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease and oral infections. During a dental cleaning, your veterinarian also performs a complete oral examination of your pet. This includes screening for oral cancer, broken teeth and cavities. Spotting these problems early on makes them easier to treat and improves your pet's overall oral health.

Your pet's dental cleaning is more involved than the same process you go through at the dentist's office. Anesthesia is required to keep your pet still and comfortable during the procedure. Because of this, your pet undergoes a thorough physical examination before each dental cleaning. Laboratory blood tests, as well as other diagnostic procedures are also used to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered. Using these results, we develop a safe anesthetic protocol specifically for your pet.

During a dental cleaning, tartar is removed from your pet's teeth with a hand scaler. Next, a periodontal probe is used to check for pockets under the gumline - where periodontal disease and bad breath start. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline and a curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth under the gumline and in the crevices. Finally, the teeth are polished and an anti-bacterial solution is used to help delay future tartar build-up.

Dental care doesn't end in your veterinarian's office. Brushing your pet's teeth at home is an added level of protection against gum disease. In order to be most effective, brushing must be done at least three times a week; however, daily brushing is ideal. Brushing your pet's teeth can be supplemented with antiseptic rinses. Some pet foods and treats are also effective in preventing plaque and tartar buildup. However, there is no substitute for regular brushing and professional dental cleanings.

Schedule a dental examination and cleaning for your pet today. Your best friend will thank you!

Leptospirosis is an old bacterial disease that is getting a lot of new attention recently. It is rarely fatal, but can seriously damage the liver, kidneys, and eyes. Additional strains of this old disease are causing an increased number of cases in both people and animals. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease - a disease that can be transmitted between people and animals. Learn what can be causing this increase of Leptospirosis - who is at risk, and what can be done to protect people and pets.

NEWS FLASH

LEPTOSPIROSIS THREAT IN HURRICANE AREAS... According to Dr. Kenneth Harkin, an expert on leptospirosis, leptospirosis could be a threat in flooded areas in the Gulf Coast that were not contaminated by sewage and chemicals. While the greater part of New Orleans will most likely not experience the threat of leptospirosis, some areas in Mississippi and Louisiana could be affected. Areas that received a large amount of rain, even without substantial flooding, would be at a higher risk. Harkin's research has found that, in Thailand, leptospirosis ranked just behind Dengue fever in one disease outbreak following flooding. In Puerto Rico in 1996, the prevalence of leptospirosis jumped four-fold in Dengue-negative patients following a Hurricane. Press Play Video Now.

General Information

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and destructive of all cat viruses. It is highly contagious and is spread primarily by saliva during cat fights, grooming or mating. The virus is also spread by blood, urine and feces. Kittens may become infected while still in the womb, when the mother bites off the umbilical cord or during nursing.

Not all cats exposed to FeLV become infected. About 40 percent of exposed cats have immune systems that destroy the invading virus. The remainder of exposed cats become persistently infected (30 percent) or develop a latent infection (30 percent). The latter group has inactive virus in their bone marrow, and these virus particles may later become active when the cat becomes ill from another disease, stress or certain drugs.

Of the cats persistently infected, about 25 percent will die within one year and 75 percent will die within three years. Some may live a normal life but tend to have various chronic illnesses.

Illness

There are no signs specific for FeLV infection. The main effect of the virus is to disrupt the cat's immune system. While anemia is the most common disorder caused by the virus, cancer and various other diseases are common. Disorders commonly associated with FeLV infection include: chronic respiratory disease; chronic infection of the mouth, gums and tongue; chronic eye disease; frequent or chronic skin disease; reproductive disease (abortion, stillbirths and kitten deaths); frequent or chronic urinary tract infections; chronic digestive tract disease; and other systemic diseases (infectious peritonitis, hemobartonellosis, toxoplasmosis, polyarthritis).

Prevention

Vaccination before exposure to the virus is the best means of preventing FeLV infection. Without vaccination, isolation from other cats is the only means of prevention.

Important Facts

• Infected cats are at high risk for developing cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
• Indoor cats are at low risk for developing FeLV infection.
• Outdoor cats are at high risk for developing FeLV infection.
• Currently, there is no uniformly effective treatment for cats infected with FeLV.

The cruciate ligaments are tough fibrous bands that connect the distal femur (thigh bone) to the proximal tibia (shin bone). Two cruciate ligaments, the anterior and the posterior cruciate ligaments, are found in the knee joint of dogs and cats (and most other domestic animals). These ligaments are responsible for providing anterior - posterior stability to the knee joint.

Normal Knee Joint of a Dog

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is rare in cats. It occurs frequently in overweight, middle and older-aged dogs. Certain dogs appear to be predisposed to anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Very often, both knee joints are affected, one cruciate ligament rupturing soon after the other.

Knee Joint Showing Anterior (Cranial) Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Symptoms usually include a history of acute rear leg lameness. The lameness can be mild, resolve, then appear again. Some dogs are completely non-weight bearing on the affected leg.

Knee joint pain is usually a symptom of anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The pain may be unapparent until someone accidentally manipulates the dog's leg. A nip or bite from a normally friendly dog is a good indication that he (or she) is in pain.

Veterinarian Testing for Signs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

If left untreated, a torn anterior cruciate ligament can lead to degenerative joint disease (degenerative arthritis) of the knee. Meniscal injuries often result from ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments. (The meniscus usually tears - in humans, this is called tearing the cartilage of the knee)

Surgery is the treatment of choice for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Some small dogs however, show signs of improvement with just rest and limited exercise.

A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is not always an obvious condition. Careful manipulation and palpation of the knee is required for obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Often, heavy sedation or general anesthesia is required for this orthopedic examination.

Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is a common injury of the dog's knee joint. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian will recommend the treatment that is best for your pet.

1. What is the mother's first priority for her new kitten?

A. To smell it
B. To give it a bowl of food
C. To get it to feed
D. To get it breathing

2. As well as sustenance, what does a mother's milk pass on to her kittens?

A. Sense of his mother's smell
B. Immunity from diseases
C. Thicker fur
D. The substance which makes cat's tongues rough

3. There are 4 basic stages to a cat's development. The Neonatal Phase, the Socialisation Phase and the Adult Phase are three of them. What is the fourth?

A. Juvenile phase
B. Infantile phase
C. Youth phase
D. Childish phase

4. When do kittens' eyes open?

A. 2 months
B. 1st day
C. 1 to 3 weeks
D. 4 to 6 weeks

5.When does the kittens' hearing develop?

A. 5th week
B. In the womb
C. 2nd week
D. 1st day

6. Which week do the kittens' milk teeth start to appear?

A. Day 1
B. 3 months
C. Week 7
D. Week 3

7. What week does the mother begin to discourage kittens from suckling, thus starting weaning?

A. 1st day
B. 5 Weeks
C. 3 months
D. 10 weeks

8.Once kittens start interacting with other cats and humans, they begin to use body language. For example, pricked ears and tail held high mean that a cat or kitten is feeling friendly and approachable. What does it mean when a cat's or kitten's ears are flat against the head, the back is arched and the tail is completely erect?

A. The cat wants to eat
B. The cat is asleep
C. The cat is frightened
D. The cat is ready to fight

9.Kittens can purr.

A. Yes
B. No

10. What is the earliest date that a kitten should be brought home?

A. 8 Weeks
B. 4 Weeks
C. 2 Weeks
D. 6 Weeks

We’ve identified seven general reasons for barking. Each generates a different kind of bark with a unique sound.

1. Barking to induce play—Dogs will stop barking as the play proceeds. If you do not play with the dog, he (or she) will eventually give up and stop barking.
2. Barking to discipline young—This bark generally does not persist, as one or two warnings usually stop younger animals in their tracks.
3. Barking to warn of danger—This is a deep, repeated bark. The barking will generally persist until the source of danger is removed or until the dog is able to retreat to a position of safety.



4. Barking to threaten intruders—To stop such a bark, you must either remove the intruder or remove the dog from the situation. Sometimes, stepping to the dog’s side and assuring it that all is well will cause it to stop barking.
5. Curiosity barking—In general, this bark is displayed when there is some activity near a dog, but in such a place where the animal cannot have a good look. To stop the barking, all you have to do is let the dog see what it is curious about.
6. Barking for companionship—This is an incessant, repetitive bark, accompanied by a relatively motionless tail and concentration toward the area most associated with the dog’s owners. The solution to this type of bark is to spend more time with the dog and to allow the dog access to the area where humansspend their time. This bark is often displayed by dogs that are ignored, tied out alone or locked up alone.
7. Barking for reward—Dogs can be inadvertently trained to bark and will persist with remarkable persistence. Barking can become associated with almost any activity that leads to reward. For instance, a dog that barks at garbage trucks because they intrude within its territory will learn that persistent barking leads to the disappearance of the trucks. This rewards the barking behavior, and a cycle is begun that is difficult to break. To break the cycle, it is necessary to interrupt the natural system of reward.