• Origin: Most Medium dogs tend to have their origins as working dogs.
• Adaptable: Nowadays most Medium dogs are adjusted to modern life as great family pets but even so, some of the most famous modern working breeds belong to this category.
• Ever excited: Tireless energy, enthusiasm, and athleticism are common characteristics in these dogs.
• Outdoor-lovers: Medium dogs like to spend a lot of time exercising outdoors.
• Developed sense of smell: Medium dog noses have a very well developed sense of smell and a courageous nature that makes many of them gain a reputation as performance dogs after training.

• Your support: Your Medium dog’s natural defences are very delicate, due to physical stress, activity, and adverse weather conditions. So they require support to help keep them in the best possible health and condition.
• Exercise: They need regular intensive dog exercises to allow them to expend energy.
• Calorie intake: Their daily ration must account for their highly energetic lifestyle but should be adapted to body weight and condition to avoid the risk of excess weight gain.
• Vet recommended food: Their food must be appropriate for their size and portions according to the veterinarian’s recommendation. Ask your vet which would be the best dog food for their needs.

• The two most important reasons why male dog neutering is essential is to prevent him from running away and to reduce his hostility towards other dogs.
• Dogs that need to stay focused on their work (e.g.: guide-dogs for the blind or disabled people) are also usually sterilised.

• Sterilisation in male dogs is usually carried out just before puberty, between 7 and 10 months.
• Large and giant dogs tend to reach puberty later than smaller dogs, and are therefore slightly older when sterilised.
• Early sterilisation helps to prevent ostentatious sexual behaviour. This means that the dog will be less attracted to females on heat and will therefore be less tempted to ride them or to urinate on their territory.
• Sterilising your puppy when he’s too young may prove to be dangerous for your dog.

• Surgical ablation of the testicles is the most frequent way of sterilising a male dog.
• In some rare cases, testicles are left intact but the seminal tubes are sealed.
• This solution is adopted when reproduction has to be prevented without modifying the dog’s behaviour (e.g. for working dogs).
• Chemical sterilisation is sometimes performed on feral dogs because the technique is less expensive, although the effect is only temporary.

• Dog sterilisation is a surgical procedure that should only be performed by vets in a canine veterinarian clinic.
• Trying to sterilise your dog on your own can be a very painful process for the dog and can result in multiple complications. It is definitely not recommended, and the final cost is often much greater than the standard price of a sterilisation in a clinic.

• According to a study conducted, it is shown that a sterilised dog lives up to 14% longer.
• He is more likely to gain weight than a non-sterilised dog hence your dog’s diet and physical activity have to be carefully controlled to keep him fit.
• A special diet for sterilised dogs is highly recommended.
• The shortcoming of sterilisation is that while neutering protects dogs from testicular problems,it may increase the risk of tumours, especially on the prostate. Bone tumours (osteosarcoma) are also thought to be more frequent in neutered dogs.

• Feed your puppy Royal Canin dog food, in set meals, at the same time and place each day.
• Leave your puppy alone to enjoy their food without any attention from you. However, we do recommend supervised feeding for puppies. So do ensure you keep an eye on your puppy during mealtimes.
• Remove any uneaten food after around 15 minutes so that your puppy learns that food is only available during mealtimes.
• Don’t worry if your puppy is not particularly hungry for the odd meal. Again, simply pick up the food at the end of the meal and wait until the next scheduled mealtime to put down more food. Their appetite should return and they will eat the food happily.
• Don’t be tempted to fuss over your puppy, add anything to their food, or offer them something new to encourage them to eat. To them, the attention or new food will look like a reward for not eating – you will be giving them the message that refusing to eat is desirable behaviour and your puppy learns quickly!
• When moving your puppy on to their next Royal Canin dog food diet, perform a gradual dietary transition over 5 to 7 days.
• Of course, if you are concerned that your puppy’s appetite is consistently poor, or if they refuse a meal and seem unwell otherwise, do contact your vet for advice.

• The dog that bit the victim was outside the owner's residence boundaries and was not leashed.
• The dog has already bitten someone else in the past and the dog owner was aware of the same.
• The victim was bitten as a result of the negligence or a misleading act by someone else. Example, if the dog owner promised that dog would be kept away from guests, but failed to do so.

• One bite laws
• Strict liability laws
• Negligence

• A sudden change in the behavior of your dog should alarm you. If he is aggressive or you are having a difficult time taming him, it is always better to take necessary precautions for your and others safety.
• Putting up signs with a warning regarding the presence of a dog in the vicinity is the first step towards safety.
• Ensure that your fencing is strong and the latch works perfectly. Make sure your dog is always on leash when out in public places, regardless of the leash law prevalent in your state.

1. Educate Yourself before Training Your Dog

2. Enroll in an Obedience Class

3. Begin Training at the Right Age

4. Research on Dog Bite Laws

• To remove accumulated dirt
• To ease the removal of dead hair at the shedding time
• To eliminate dog’s odor.

• 92% of fatal dog attacks involved male dogs, 94% of which were not neutered.
• 25% of fatal dog attacks involved chained dogs (outside dogs)
• 71% of dog bites injure extremities (arms, legs, hands and feet)
• Two thirds of dog bites occurred on the victims property and most victims knew the dog or the owner prior to the attack
• 24% of deaths involved dogs that were not restrained and free to roam off property
• 58% of human deaths involved unrestrained dogs on their owners private property

• He or she was not trespassing on private property at the time of the injury
• He or she did not taunt or provoke the dog to illicit the attack (which can include a verbal argument against the owner, or a demonstration of aggression against the owner of the dog which could be misconstrued as a defensive trigger for the animal).

• Medical expenses pertaining to injury, treatment and/or rehabilitation for loss post injury
• Lost income and wages due to temporary or long term disability
• Mental anguish and physical pain

The Dog Daily: Diet

Sodium and Your Dog

As we all know, sodium is an essential mineral for life. It is found in the blood and in the fluid that surrounds the cells in our body.  Sodium maintains the cellular environment and prevents cells from swelling or dehydrating. It is also important for maintaining proper nerve and muscle cell function.

In pet foods, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good sources of sodium.  Sodium may also be included in commercial pet foods in the form of table salt (sometimes listed on the ingredient panel as salt). Salt is an important palatant for animals, as well as people.

Sodium Needs for Pets
The Association of American Feed Control Officials recommend that dry dog foods contain at least 0.3% (and dry cat foods contain at least 0.2% sodium) for both maintenance and to support normal growth and development. These are minimum recommended levels.

While high sodium intake may cause increased thirst and water consumption, the extra sodium is excreted in the urine of dogs (and cats).  Healthy dogs are able to consume diets with higher sodium levels than found in most commercial pet foods without increased blood pressure or gain in body water. Therefore, the sodium level in commercial pet foods is not a cause for concern in healthy animals.

Possible Sodium Restrictions
A veterinarian may recommend decreasing a dog’s (or cat’s) sodium intake if the animal has some types of kidney, liver, or heart disease, in order to help decrease high blood pressure or the accumulation of excessive body fluid. Although older dogs (and cats) may be more likely to develop these diseases, healthy older dogs (and cats) do not require a low or reduced-sodium diet.

The Dog Daily: Diet

What Not to Feed Your Dog

1. Age: Growing puppies (0 to 24 months), healthy adults and senior dogs (5 years giant breeds and 7 years and older for other breeds) all have different nutritional profiles.

2. Body/activity: According to Dicke, “Pets that are overweight or underweight need different nutrition than those who are at optimal weight. Pets who get lots of exercise also have different nutritional requirements.” These food labels include weight control, performance or maintenance.

3. Health history: Your dog may have a condition requiring a therapeutic, or prescription, formula. For instance, dogs with sensitive stomachs can benefit from foods containing prebiotics. These nondigestible food ingredients stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria that help the digestive system. Other blends are specialized for heart health, dental health, bone/joint health and more.

The Daily Cat: Safety

Safe Evacuation for Your Pet

The Dog Daily: Diet

Control Your Dog’s Weight With Food

The Daily Cat: Illness and Disease

Flu Season for Cats

• See your veterinarian A professional can determine whether your cat has an upper respiratory infection and map out an appropriate course of treatment.

• Practice good hygiene Feline viruses can live outside the cat’s body for a while. Calicivirus, for example, can survive for as long as two weeks. Be scrupulous about washing bowls, bedding or anything else with which your cat comes into contact. And if you have other cats, always wash your hands and clothing after handling the sick cat so that you don’t spread the virus to the other pets.

• No human cold meds Although nasal spray for humans can help a cat with a stuffed-up nose, other medications for humans should be kept away from cats. “Never use human cold medications,” warns Dr. Becnel. “These contain aspirin or acetaminophen, which are toxic for cats.”

• Be proactive The best way to handle cat flu is to keep it from becoming too serious. “Despite the highly contagious nature of all feline upper respiratory infections, most cats can be protected from severe disease,” says Dr. Becnel. The first line of defense is vaccination, either by injection or by nasal spray. Keeping your cat safe and cozy indoors with you, even if you are feeling under the weather yourself, helps as well.

The Daily Cat: Illness and Disease

The New Cat Urinary Health Problem Preventive

• Diet Ask your veterinarian if a pH-balancing diet would be good preventive medicine for your healthy adult cat. These foods may help stop the formation of crystals that are irritating Fluffy’s bladder. 
  
  
• Weight Overweight cats are more likely to develop urinary tract issues. Keep your furry friend at a healthy weight to minimize the chance of many health problems.
  
  
• Water Ensure your cat is drinking its water. Make water tempting by flavoring it with clam or tuna juice. Leave a dripping faucet for cats that like to drink from the sink, or glasses of water around your home for cats that prefer that.
  
  
• Stress Monitor your cat’s stress level. Crystal formation may be related to anxiety -- the sort that cats experience after a move -- or when a new animal or person comes to live in the home. Consult your veterinarian about feeding pH-balancing kibble as a preventive measure if your cat is facing one of these transitions.

The Dog Daily: Diet

Does Your Dog Need Vitamins?

Providing your dog with vitamins, minerals and other nutritional components is important to your pet’s health and well-being. The best way to do so is by feeding it a high-quality, complete and balanced diet. Often you may be tempted, for a number of reasons, to supplement your pet’s diet with table scraps or other nutritional supplements.

It is actually better for your dog if you forego supplementing its food, however. Here’s why:

Risks of Supplementing
It is important for concerned pet owners like you to realize that quality dog foods are carefully formulated to meet the caloric needs of your pet. In addition, quality dog food provides the essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals specific to the nutritional requirements of your dog. Quality foods are complete and balanced for a specific life stage or lifestyle. By adding table scraps or other supplements, the delicate nutrient balance can be disrupted.

The interaction between different minerals is very complex. Research has shown that not only are the individual levels of minerals in a diet important, but so is the proper balance. An excess of one mineral may affect the absorption of a second. This could lead to a deficiency in that second mineral.

One common supplement is feeding additional meat. However, because meat contains 20 to 40 times more phosphorus than calcium, adding meat to a balanced diet will upset the calcium to phosphorus (or Ca:P) ratio, which is important for proper bone development and maintenance. This may prompt your dog’s body to absorb calcium from the bones in order to reach the right balance. Ca:P ratio should range between 1.1 and 1.4 parts of calcium for each 1 part of phosphorus.

Excess amounts of calcium have been associated with several bone diseases that affect growing puppies. If you own a large-breed puppy, for example, you may believe it requires extra calcium for proper development of bones. However, adding yogurt, cottage cheese, or calcium tablets to the pup’s diet will only upset the body’s delicate mineral balance. Remember that large-breed puppies will consume more food and receive the calcium their bodies need by eating the recommended portions. The best way to support a normal growth rate is to feed growing dogs adequate, but not excessive, amounts of food that are part of a balanced diet, using a portion-controlled regimen.

Complete and Balanced Food
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulates the pet food industry and has established certain nutritional requirements for dogs and cats. These requirements are published annually in the AAFCO Manual. Only pet foods that have met the strict testing criteria established by AAFCO can carry the "complete and balanced" statement on the label. Check to make sure your dog’s food has it.

So, while supplementing begins with good intentions, it is often unnecessary and it can upset the delicately balanced nutritional requirements of your dog.

The Daily Cat: Illness and Disease

Is Secondhand Smoke Killing Your Cat?

• Malignant lymphoma This aggressive type of cancer occurs in the lymph nodes and can be fatal. In fact, “Three out of four cats with this disease are dead within a year of diagnosis,” says Dr. Dickie. Cats living with smokers are twice as likely to get this disease, and the risk elevates with increased exposure.
  
  
• Squamous cell carcinoma This type of cancer plagues a cat’s mouth. A study conducted at Tufts College of Veterinary Medicine found there is a higher incidence of this illness among cats living with smokers for more than five years.
  
  
• Nicotine poisoning Feline explorers drawn to unknown objects, like a forgotten cigarette butt, are especially threatened by nicotine poisoning. The affliction occurs when a cat ingests tobacco. Cigarette butts contain much harmful nicotine -- about 25 percent of the nicotine of a whole cigarette -- so even a small cigarette butt can lead to the death of a cat.
  
  
• Asthma Cats exposed to secondhand smoke are not only more susceptible to asthma, but they also “tend to heal slower from respiratory diseases, such as viral infections and pneumonia,” notes Dr. Sullivan. Increased coughing and breathing difficulty is a possible sign that your kitty suffers around secondhand smoke.
  
  

• Designate smoke-free areas Consider smoking outside, or smoke only in rooms that pets are not allowed in. The less the exposure, the greater the chances your cat will stay healthy.
  
  
  
• Use air filters Air filters may help clean the environment, removing harmful chemicals in the air that could block your kitty’s respiratory passage.
  
  
• Clean your pet and your house Regular baths, or at the very least wipe-downs with a damp cloth, can help remove smoke residue from cat fur, says Dr. Dickie. Vacuum and keep all cigarette butts, tobacco products and even nicotine patches out of sight to prevent accidental illness, poisoning or even death.
  
  
• Look for symptoms Excessive drooling or difficulty eating are symptoms of oral cancer, while labored breathing is a sign of lung cancer. Observe your cat frequently, since catching diseases early on always helps with treatment. If something is out of the ordinary, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  
  

The Dog Daily: Health Care

Alternative Health Care for Dogs

• Acupuncture involves placing needles into the body’s energy channels to relieve pain, increase blood flow, relieve muscle spasms, stimulate nerves and regulate the immune system. Though the prick of a needle may cause momentary discomfort, many animals become immediately relaxed, or even fall asleep, after the needles are in.
• Homeopathy is a system of medicine that looks at the patient’s entire emotional and physical symptom history -- from the beginning of a dog’s life onward -- as one illness. A sequence of herbal remedies is then prescribed over many months, or even years, to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.
• Holistic medicine also focuses on stimulating the body’s innate healing capabilities, but it does so by looking at -- and ultimately adjusting -- everything that is going onto or into your pet’s body, such as diet, vaccinations and oral and topical pesticides, like heartworm and flea medications.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners do a physical exam to determine where there is too much heat or dampness in the body, indicating disease-causing blockages of chi, or energy. Based on their findings, they prescribe a course of herbs to restore the energy flow.
• Veterinary chiropractic is relatively new for dogs that have vertebrae out of alignment or other spinal problems. Treatment often is by hand or with a hand-held tool. Some dog chiropractors believe spine misalignment is linked to other problems, including ear infections, organ dysfunction and constipation.

The Daily Cat: Illness and Disease

Become a Health Detective for Your Cat

Loudest barkers

Most persistent barkers

Beating the Bark

The Dog Daily: Health Care

Oh, My Dog’s Aching Back!

• Gait changes
• Looking uncoordinated, such as if your dog is carrying its tail differently, knuckling its paws, and/or arching its back when walking or laying down
• Acting uncomfortable when sitting or laying down (for instance, they may constantly fidget and adjust their position, as if they can’t get comfortable)
• Having trouble urinating or defecating

The Daily Cat: Illness and Disease

Cat Flu Truths and Myths

• Cats can catch H1N1, aka swine flu This is now fact, thanks to the confirmed Iowa case. It’s reason for caution and concern, but not panic. “The risk of other cats becoming infected appears to be low at this point,” says Dr. Alfonso Torres, former chief veterinary officer of the United States and current associate dean for public policy at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

• People can give cats swine flu Experts believe that people can transmit the H1N1 virus to cats and ferrets. “We’re seeing reverse zoonosis, with the virus jumping from people to animals,” explains Torres. But few such cases have been documented. According to Dr. Kelly M. Wright, director of The Cat Clinic of Orange County in Costa Mesa, Calif., “generally, these types of viruses target different cells in the respiratory tracts of humans and other mammals.” In other words, a virus that can thrive in the respiratory tract of one type of mammal isn’t likely to do so well in another.

• People can give cats other types of flu Experts believe this is likely but uncommon. Nevertheless, it’s better to be safe than sorry. “Avoid direct contact with pets if you have the flu,” advises Michael San Filippo, a spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Keep them off of your bed and be sure to cover up coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands regularly.” He adds, “Pets are members of our families, so exercise the same precautions that you would for other friends and family.”

• Cats can catch other types of animal flu That statement has been true on occasion. A 2006 report from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine mentioned that cats can contract avian flu -- aka “bird flu” -- and also transmit the virus back to birds. “This helped the virus spread between poultry farms,” says Dr. Wright. It’s also one of the many reasons you should always keep your cat indoors.

• Human flu and cat flu are the same This is a myth, according to Dr. Wright. “The term ‘flu’ is used to describe an influenza virus,” she explains. “But cat upper respiratory viruses are most typically the feline herpes virus (FVH-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV).” She adds, “I think we use the word ‘flu’ descriptively so that owners understand that the symptoms of these conditions can mimic a human flu virus.”

The Dog Daily: Health Care

A Puppy Health Primer

The day you bring home a little puppy for the first time is a memorable one. It’s exciting to add a new four-legged member to the family. And in these first days, it is critical to begin laying the groundwork for how you will care for your precious puppy’s health and medial needs.  Here are a few of the basic essentials to get you started.

Finding a Veterinarian
Just like you, your new puppy needs high-quality health care. Ask a friend or your local humane society to recommend a veterinarian. Be sure to give consideration to the location of the clinic. A drive across town during a medical emergency could delay urgently needed treatment.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices, take time to visit the veterinarian’s office, inquire on services offered, and talk to the doctor and staff about your new puppy. If you like what you see and hear, arrange a time to bring your puppy in for an initial examination. It’s a good idea to visit the veterinarian within the first three days after you bring your puppy home to make sure it’s in good health. The veterinarian will probably check:

• Stool. A fecal exam will reveal the presence of internal parasites.
• Body. A head-to-tail physical exam includes inspecting your dog’s coat and feeling the body for abnormalities. The doctor will check the eyes, ears, mouth and heart as well as examining the anus for signs of intestinal parasites.

Once an exam is completed, your veterinarian can advise you on immunizations, the importance of spaying and neutering and future health care visits.

Spaying and Neutering
For most pet parents, the expense, time and expertise involved in breeding dogs responsibly is beyond their reach. Here are some advantages to having your puppy spayed or neutered:

• For females, there will no longer be a mess to deal with during their 21-day heat cycles, which occur approximately every six months. The heat cycle begins in females sometime after six months of age.
• Spaying a female before her first heat cycle will reduce the chance of mammary tumors or uterine diseases.
• Neutered males tend to be less aggressive than un-neutered males.
• With a neutered male, the urge to mark territory may lessen.
• A neutered male is less likely to want to roam in search of potential mates.

Most veterinarians say dogs should be spayed or neutered by the time they are six months old. Both operations are performed under anesthesia and may require an overnight stay at the veterinarian’s office. Recovery time is quick, with most dogs resuming normal activity in a few days.

Spaying (for females) consists of an ovario-hysterectomy. Neutering (for males) involves the removal of the testicles. When you bring your puppy to the veterinarian’s office for the first thorough examination, this is a good time to ask the doctor to explain the details of these procedures.

Giving Your Puppy a Pill
Most puppies don’t like taking medicine.  And who could blame them.  But the good news is that when you use the right technique, that bitter pill can be much easier to swallow.  Here’s how.

Step 1: Begin with a play session and praise your puppy to relax it. Then get on the same physical level as your puppy. With a large puppy, kneel next to it while the dog is in the sitting position; with a small puppy, place the pup on a grooming table or a countertop.

Step 2: Place one hand over the top of the puppy’s muzzle. Hold the pill in your free hand and then gently open its mouth with that hand.

Step 3: Place the pill in the center of the tongue as far back as you’re able to reach. Then close your puppy’s mouth and hold it shut while you blow gently but quickly at its nose. This will cause your dog to swallow before it has a chance to spit the pill out. Give your dog a treat immediately afterward to ensure that the pill has really been swallowed. End each session with play and praise.

Fighting Fleas
The common flea not only causes your dog discomfort, it can also transmit disease, pass on tapeworms and cause anemia, especially in vulnerable puppies and older dogs. Regularly inspect your dog for any signs of fleas. Intermittent scratching, biting and gnawing, plus evidence of flea dirt between your dog’s back legs or on top of its rump, are telltale signs of fleas. If your dog is constantly biting and gnawing itself or you can actually see fleas, you’ve got a full-blown infestation. To check out your dog for fleas, stand it in a bathtub and vigorously rub your hands through its fur. If little dark dots fall on the tub floor, they’re likely either fleas or flea "dirt" (which is the flea’s excrement). You’ll know it’s a flea problem if the "dirt" turns red when you add a drop of water.

Prevention is the key to winning the battle against fleas. There are prescription products that prevent fleas from biting or reproducing. They are given to your dog in either oral or topical treatments, once a month, to break the flea’s reproductive cycle.  Ask your veterinarian for more information.

Meanwhile, there are many misconceptions about keeping these pesky critters away.  Here’s the truth about the two most common myths:

Myth: Garlic and onion repels fleas.
Reality: Feeding your dog garlic or onion will only result in bad breath. It will have absolutely no effect on fleas and, in fact, feeding large amounts of onion to dogs can be toxic.

Myth: Brewer’s Yeast repels fleas.
Reality: There is no evidence that feeding your dog Brewer’s Yeast repels fleas.

Paying careful attention to your puppy’s health will get your new family member off to a great start.

The Daily Cat: Illness and Disease

The Easiest Way to Assess Your Cat’s Health

• Thermometer While you can use a standard glass thermometer, Korich believes a digital one is safer. “If you accidentally drop the thermometer, which can happen when trying to control a squirming cat, it won’t then break and shatter,” she explains. “A digital thermometer is also flexible and will move with your cat.”



• Lubricant It facilitates insertion of the thermometer. Korich suggests three choices that work equally well: mineral oil, KY Jelly and petroleum jelly.



• Alcohol You should have this in your kit anyway, for treating certain wounds. In this case, it will be used to clean off the thermometer.



• Paper towel This is useful during cleanup.

The Daily Cat: Blissful Cat

Help Shelter Cats Even if You Can’t Adopt