September 2008

With advances in veterinary medicine, more complex surgical procedures are being performed on our beloved pets. Thus, there is an increased need for blood bank programs to supply life-saving blood components. In the past, Veterinarians had to use their own dogs, dogs owned by their staff, or even dogs borrowed from their clients as blood donors in the absence of animal blood banks.

Blood banks for animals depend on animal blood donors for their supply of blood products as human blood banks depend on human blood donors. Animal blood is donated to the specie it belongs. For example, dogs can receive only dog blood; it is similar to other animals as well. Canines also have blood types just like humans; they have eleven different blood groups. The most important dog blood type is the A1/A2 system. A dog can be considered a universal donor if he/ she has A negative blood type.

Although dogs rarely have isoantibodies against other blood types, it is still recommended that all recipients be cross matched prior to receiving a blood transfusion, especially dogs which have received a previous blood transfusion to make sure that your donor and recipient are compatible.

Cross-matching tests can either be major or minor. The donor’s red blood cells are mixed with serum from the recipient in a major cross match test. It is observed if a reaction occurs. There is a possibility that the recipient’s blood cells may attack donor cells and not accept them. Unless desperately needed, transfusion should not be done if there is a major cross-match incompatibility. The red cells of the recipient are compared with the donor’s serum in a minor cross-match test. Only parts of the donor’s blood can be given to the recipient, not the blood in its entirety, if there is a minor cross-match incompatibility.

Qualities for canine donors are: healthy, no history of metabolic or heart disease or seizures, lean body weight of greater than 50 kg, and 1-7 years of age. They should not be on any medication, except heartworm and parasite preventatives. Potential donors should have a good temperament, have been neutered and nulliparous, and have jugular veins that are easily visualized and palpated. They should also be current on vaccines. Greyhounds have been promoted as ideal blood donors because of their amenable disposition and high PCV.

After the canine’s blood type is determined and is acceptable, donors are tested to make sure their blood values are high enough and no infectious disease is present before blood is drawn as with human blood donors. CBC, biochemical profile, U/A, fecal exam, von Willebrand’s factor, is done as well as testing for Dirofilaria immiti, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni, Brucella canis (in intact or previously bred dogs), and Bartonella.

There is no preparation before going to the donation center and no fasting is required. Donor dogs are not sedated and the donation itself takes less than half an hour. The dog is welcomed in and lifted onto a table. Blood is taken from the jugular vein, which is a large vein in the neck. A small patch of hair on the neck is shaved to expose the skin right over the vein. The area is then swabbed with alcohol and a needle is inserted into the vein. Blood goes into the needle, through a tube, and then into the collection bag. After the blood is collected, pressure is applied to stop any bleeding and the donor is then lifted off the table. There might be a mild bruising at the site.

To replenish fluids and nutrients, water and food are given. Right after the donation, the dog’s system starts to replace the blood immediately by producing new red blood cells. As with human blood donors, it is advised that strenuous activities should be avoided for the next 24 hours after donating. A waiting period of at least two months is needed before the next blood donation. By that time, blood volume and red blood cell count is back to normal.

As soon as they have made their donation, animal donors are compensated with various gifts and treats. They may be rewarded with a tag that identifies him or her as a blood donor, edible rewards that may include dog biscuits, a jar of baby food, a can or a bag of dog food, brand new toys and cool donor bandanas.

After the collection, the different blood components - red cells, plasma, and platelets will be separated. Anemic recipients are given red cells. Plasma builds up blood volume, thus it is given to animals that are not making enough or are losing large amounts of protein. For those recipients whose platelets are depleted or dysfunctional, they are given platelet-rich plasma.

Now, there several animal blood banks that supply blood products to Veterinary hospitals. Fortunately, dog owners have a positive response to the plea for blood donations. Every year, the animal blood bank processes roughly 2,000 units of blood donated by dogs. The donated blood is then brought in to the bank at the Veterinary hospital and to the bank’s bloodmobile, which visits Veterinary clinics and kennel clubs.

Other regional blood banks rely entirely on the generous and caring people who enroll their pets in blood donor programs. These animal blood banks hold drives to find new volunteer donors and encourage them to donate just like the Red Cross and other health organizations do to acquire human blood donations.

If you think your dog could be a blood donor, you can check the location of regional blood banks or the list of Veterinary Hospitals and University Veterinary Medical Centers that manage their own blood donor/blood bank programs. Or you can contact the animal blood banks for dogs and cats nearest you, or ask your Veterinarian if there’s an animal blood donor program with a donation site in your area.

Pet Medications, Pet Supplies SuperStore, Bargain Prices Now

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Keeping a pet is very much in vogue all over the world. Pets are domesticated for companionship or amusement, so, it becomes the duty of the owners to take proper care of their pets and keep them in good health. They must be groomed, fed, and bedded properly. Treating your pet with the right pet medications is also an important part of your pet health care plan to keep him or her happy and healthy.

Our pets are prone to a vast number of physical illnesses and disabilities, just like we are, so it’s important to find good quality pet meds to ensure your pet’s well being. Petmeds can save your pets life by protecting them from nasty things such as heartworm, tapeworm, fleas and other complications such as joint and vision illnesses.

There is a plethora of pet medication for the different pet diseases, including dewormers, ear and eye products, vitamins and supplements, arthritis and joint care, shampoos, sprays and heartworm preventives. And lets not forget a long list of pet Rx and other non-pet Rx medications.

One can have access to pet medication on the Internet. This will take you much less time than a trip to your local pet supplies store, pet pharmacy, or your veterinarian. However, these pet medications are sometimes quite expensive and they force people to search for discount pet meds and even cheap pet medications some times. That is why affordable pet insurance is growing rapidly in popularity as people who genuinely care about their animal will have the position to meet the potentially very high costs of pet medicines and other treatments.

With an affordable pet insurance policy, all unexpected expenses of your pet can be easily covered. When choosing the right animal health insurance policy for you and your pet, bear in mind that while the concept is the same for all the insurers, each has its own terms, conditions and criteria. There is various pet dog insurance and cat insurance policies provided by the various companies in relation to the health of your pet, or in case of the theft, or the death of the pet, your pet is also replaced with a new one.

Generally, the pet insurance policy pays for unexpected illness, accidents, injuries, or some other emergencies, doctor visits, prescriptions, x-rays, lab fees or diagnostic tests, etc. Usually, pet health insurance covers cat health insurance and dog health insurance only, but sometimes some special insurance is available for horses also.

A pet requires medication at times of illness so it can get rid of just about any health complication. But before acquiring pet medications, one must always consult an animal doctor first as not all pet medicine is suitable for all pets. The pet medication you purchase should match the doctor’s prescription and dosages must be followed correctly. Pet medications given incorrectly can be harmful and even deadly to your pet.

Pet health care is a very important responsibility of owning a pet. A major part of caring for your pet is providing adequate pet medications. There are many forms of pet medicines available that will help ensure the health and happiness of your pet, because the friendship a single pet can bring to your life is priceless.

Pet Medications, Pet Supplies SuperStore, Bargain Prices Now

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They’re cute, curly, and cuddly, and you could be going home with one today! Poodle puppies make great pets, and you’ll need to know just what they need in order to be most comfortable in your home, so here are some for being a great poodle owner.

Whatever poodle breed you decide to buy, you have to be aware that some poodle breeds tend to be somewhat reclusive or anti-social, and can be very unfriendly around strangers, unless of course they are trained. You will have to train your puppies and socialize the poodle puppies by keeping them in an environment that has people around often, this way they won;t be overwhelmed when you take them out or if you have other people around.

You should also make sure that you take your poodle puppies to the vet often for checkups, since poodles tend to have vision problems fairly often. Your poodle’s eyes should be alert and shiny, and if you start to notice a film around the eyes, or if you see that your puppy’s eyes are running often, this could be a sign of cataracts. Treating this condition in the early stages is key, so be sure to tell the vet if you notice that your dog’s vision is a little cloudy. Poodle puppies are also prone to ear infections, as are most other poodles, so be sure to have your puppy’s ears checked at the vet as well; hearing tests, as well as medication may need to be administered, and you should ask your animal doctor about dosages for your puppy as well.

You may also notice that your poodle has very sensitive skin, and that certain grooming products should not be used on your poodle puppies. Poodle owners are often dying their dog’s hair in a variety of colors, or shampooing the thick fur of the poodle with expensive shampoos that come in a variety of scents. However, the chemicals in some of these cleaning agents could be harmful to your poodle puppies, and could cause rashes and skin irritations. Your puppy could also develop an allergy to these products, so if you notice that your dog is more sluggish than usual, or is sneezing often, you should let your grooming professional know, or shampoo your poodle at home.

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More than 10 million pets are lost each year and losing a pet is one of the hardest events an individual has to face. An unsuccessful search can indeed be very heartbreaking, but as an owner, have you heard of a new method that can bring your lost family pet back home?

The option of microchipping has been considered the most effective way of tracking down lost pets. The procedure is done by most veterinarians today with a hypodermic needle. This hypodermic needle contains a small microchip that contains your pet’s permanent identification number. This identification number is entered into a data bank - national or local depending on the brand - and lists the pet’s name, owner’s name, address, and phone number.

Veterinarians and most animal shelters can provide this service. If you opt to have a microchip inserted in your pet, the fee is $5 to $10 in most animal shelters, and about $50 at private veterinary clinics. The process is quick and painless as a microchip ID is a very small chip, it’s just about the size of a grain of rice.

There are three companies that dominate the US market for pet microchips- AVID, HomeAgain and 24PetWatch The microchip manufacturer keep the chip numbers that you have purchased and all the necessary information in their databases to be able to traced you in the event that your pet gets lost.

A handheld electronic scanner can scan the microchip to retrieve the information. Small handheld scanners are held close to the implant site while scanning and they have a reading range of about 3 inches. Larger, more powerful scanners can be used for various commercial and research applications and they read ranges vary from 6 to 20 inches depending upon specifications.

When a lost pet is found by an animal control officer or is taken to an animal shelter or humane society, the professionals there will scan the animal using a handheld scanner, which will let them know if a microchip has been implanted. If there is indeed an implanted chip, the scanner will read the number and the shelter staff member can call the appropriate registry for the identity of the owner.

For pets traveling to all countries with the exception of China, you should use ISO 15 digit microchip that meets ISO standards 11784/11785. This is because the immigration officers use the microchips to compare the pet they are scanning to the presented veterinary documents.

Though long-term research has been conducted and has shown that using microchips to track your pet is completely safe, there are still some owners who are against it. One issue reported that these microchips are the cause of Fibro Sarcomas in the animals that have been implanted.

However, a lot of pet owners are not bothered by this issue because of the advantages that microchipping offers. Injecting a microchip is just like any other injection or vaccination. Anesthesia is not even required or recommended. The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association, 2007) goes on to state that “The chip is made out of an inert, biocompatible substance, which means it won’t cause an allergic reaction in your furry friend, and it won’t degenerate over time”. When properly implanted, a small layer of connective tissue forms around the microchip thus actually preventing movement or migration of the chip.

From the moment you adopted your pet, your pet’s health and safety is in your hands. Whether to have our pets microchipped or not, the decision is yours.

Pet Medications, Pet Supplies SuperStore, Bargain Prices Now

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Dogs are adorable and intelligent creatures. They have got tremendous capacity for love, and their love is of the unselfish category. They love their masters a lot and form a sort of family member. No body can compare with the dog in its loyalty. The dogs are even ready to lay their own lives for their masters. The dog always puts its master before itself. When it is giving so much of itself to us, then it is our duty to look after this adorable animal and give it a proper Dog Grooming.

A person can give his pet a good dog grooming by taking it to a qualified professional. The professionals take care of your pet’s skin, hair, ear, teeth, eyes, nails, etc. While these dog grooming tips are great, you may not be having as much time or money to spend on the professional cares. Hence, it would be good if you learn some dog grooming tips.

One of the foremost Dog Grooming Tips should be the hygiene factor. You should regularly clean your dog’s body by giving it a regular wash of shampoo and conditioners. This basic dog grooming makes your dog’s skin healthy by removing all flee, dander, dirt, dead cells, dermatitis and other parasites feasting on your pet’s body. After the dog has been given a wash, its eyes and ears should be given separate attention. While the former should be cleaned with a sterile eye cleaner, you could clean the latter with the help of dog ear cleaners. This dog grooming should be done at least once a week.

Dental care is another of the dog grooming tips. Daily clean your dog’s teeth with the help of a special dog toothbrush and formulated dog toothpaste. This would help in removing the plaque from your pet’s dentures and giving it a clean, polished look.

Nails are an important part of the dog grooming tips. Dirty or elongated nails seem to trap some germs or infections in them. So always make sure that your pet’s nail are properly trimmed and cleaned with the help of good dog clippers. But, you should cut your pet’s nail slowly and carefully so as not to cut it’s skin. The dog’s nails should be cut from the point from where it starts curling. So give your pet a good nail trimming and take care of its nails.

Your dog may initially resist this dog grooming sessions, but with continuous practice it could start seeing it as a regular practice and would finally accept them. Your dog may even start looking on these grooming sessions as a part of a pampering exercise and look forward to them. So be patient initially and it will be a great pay off.

The dog grooming tips are a good way to connect with your dog and are also a way of monitoring its body. As the dogs are quite active creatures, many times they could suffer a cut or damage to their skin which could go unnoticed. But, with the regular sessions of dog grooming, you will be able to notice all of these cuts and damages in a shorter interval of time and save your pet from getting its wounds infected. So give your dog a regular grooming with the right Dog Grooming Tools and watch it grow into a strong, healthy dog. This article is part of the E Dog Grooming site. For more such useful information, visit any of the links in this article.

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If you use an outside source to clip your pet’s nails then you’ll know how costly this can be. For example, depending on the animal or it’s size, a clipping job can cost anywhere between $10-$30 or even more and considering you should clip your pet’s nails regularly then this can amount to a cost of hundreds of dollars each year.

That’s not to say your pet isn’t worth it but investing in a set of pet nail clippers could be one of the most sensible investments you can make in keeping down the maintenance costs of looking after your pride and joy.

The problem is of course having the skill to be able to use pet nail clippers without traumatizing your valuable pet. This happens frequently and we’ll explain how in a moment. Firstly though, consider the cost of not clipping your pet’s nails especially dogs and cats.

Many pet lovers like to keep their animals inside which is great but they can cause unnecessary damage to furniture and floors. The truth is, they are simply doing what comes naturally especially cats who seem to take a fancy to sharpening their claws on furniture.

An animal with neatly trimmed nails will continue to do what they do but the chances of damage to valuable furniture will be lessened considerably. The other problem with leaving nails unclipped is they can curl back and actually grow back into the animal’s skin. This can mean expensive vet bills to correct the damage done.

What we’re suggesting is overcome the fear of clipping nails yourself and invest in a set of pet nail clippers for just a fraction of this cost.

How To Clip Your Pet’s Nails

Before you attempt to clip your pet’s nails for the first time you need to understand the mechanics of an animals nails.

The biggest concern is causing your pet any pain. Done right this will not be an issue. Pain is caused when you cut back too far and cause damage to the quick. The quick is a blood vessel within the animals nail which will bleed when cut and cause the pet some distress.

This then leads to what is known as a “punch drunk” phase which basically means anytime the animal sees you produce a pair of pet nail clippers they are going to associate it with pain and be more reluctant to have their nails trimmed.

It’s similar to going to the dentist and having regular work performed on your teeth and experiencing pain. After awhile, you’re going to approach each trip to the dentist with a little trepidation because you’ll associate it with pain.

However, you can avoid this by using some commonsense and approaching each session with care. The best way to understand how to use pet nail clippers is visiting your vet and asking them to show you how the process is done.

They are usually very accommodating in this area because it’s a chore they could easily do without and most will be happy to show you how. And the best part is, it’s not very hard to do.

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The use of pets nail clippers usually means some trauma for pets especially if someone has limited experience in using them.

However, it’s a job worth doing simply because it can save a pet owner hundreds of dollars a year in grooming costs. One of the best ways to learn how to use pet nail clippers is to visit your local vet and ask them to give you a demonstration on how to use them correctly.

Most vets will be very accommodating simply because it’s a task they may want to avoid doing given it’s time consuming nature. The other alternative is to visit a pet groomer and while they do a great job, for someone on a limited budget it can prove to be an expensive exercise.

So what type of pets nail clippers suits your pet. There needs to be a clear distinction made here because of the different variations of clippers available, some suit small animals while others are better used on larger pets.

Using the wrong type of clipper on a big dog for example can cause problems. A small set of pet nail clippers can cause the nail to fracture or split and even worse, damage the quick. If this happens then the nail will bleed.

Let’s take a look at the three main types of nail clippers:

Guillotine Clippers

Small pet owners generally use these type of clippers. While they can be used on larger dog breeds there is always the risk of fraying the edge of the nails. This is because the larger animals will usually have thicker nails and there are more suitable clippers for these types of jobs.

The guillotine clippers work by inserting the nail in a small hole at the top of the tool and you simply clamp the handles together to complete the cut.

Pliers

These pets nail clippers are more suited to larger animals. They are preferred by most pet owners because of their ease of use and provide a clear view of where the nail is being cut.

Another advantage is the extra pressure which can be exerted to complete a cleaner cut and this is especially beneficial when tackling large, thick nails.

Scissor Style Clippers

Generally not recommended on larger animals such as dogs. For small animals including birds and guinea pigs, scissor style clippers are a great alternative.

They look as the name implies - like a pair of small scissors but unlike pliers, they don’t give the user the usual strength associated with making the cut. But for light trimming work, they are usually very effective.

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Okay I‚m curious but when you have to cut your animal‚s nails, do you do it yourself? Or do you go out and spend money to have it done? Okay, so let‚s say you do it yourself. Do you ever get nervous, what happens if you hurt your animal? Well let‚s say you get it done, how much money do you spend to have it done. If you really think about it, it only takes a few moments, right? Personally I hate having to cut my dog‚s nails. Why? Because he‚s 16 and no he doesn‚t freak out, but his nails are extremely tough. It‚s hard to try and cut right through them. Sure I could bring him in somewhere, but he gets nervous, he‚s an old man. What we need to find are the perfect pair of Peticure Dog Nail Clippers.

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I‚m sure all of us are familiar with peticure dog nail clippers. You know the kinds, the ones that you can either slip your animal‚s nail through the small hole and then set up the nail right, hope your animal doesn‚t move soon you can cut the nail. Or there are the other types of clippers that remind me of pliers. Just put your animal‚s nail in there and cut it off. Have you noticed something about these clippers? Well I‚m sure many of us have either, cut too far back that we cut the quick and our animal begins to bleed, or we have broken more nails then we can count. This hurts our animal and it‚s not fun for us either.

We need some sort of clipper that‚s going to help file our animal‚s nail back. Not try to cut it or break it off. No I want something that files. The reason why is because it will be easier on your animal, plus there will be no more bleeding and no more breaking. Oh and did I mention how much nicer our floors and furniture will look? Oh that‚s right. Think about it. File the nail down so it‚s rounded off and smooth, no more sharp tips digging into our floors.

Doesn‚t that sound better? A pair of Peticure Dog Nail Clippers that not only help us when we are trying to cut our animal‚s nails but are easier on our animal‚s too. I personally think that sounds fantastic and since my dog is 16, I‚m sure he would like it better too. Any animal would.

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Giving a dog a bath can be as simple as rinsing him down in a child’s swimming pool in the backyard during the summer, or as complex as a full-blown spa ritual, complete with bathing a harness and a bevy of fancy coat products designed to whiten, darken, brighten, do-tangle, shine, and leave your dog with a designer aroma to rival a fancy French perfume.  However, there are many ways to make bathing easier, and many ways in which bathing makes subsequent grooming sessions easier, too. 

Bathing Inventory Tools

Once your dog is completely brushed, combed, and tangle-free, he is ready for a bath.  Now you must get ready, too, and that means preparing all the necessary equipment and supplies so that you can reach what you need when you need it. lf you put that dog in the bathtub under running water and then have to go in search of shampoo or a scrub brush, we all know what will happen: a jump, a shake, and you will be a left with a soaked bathroom and a wet dog bounding around the house.

To wash your dog, you will need some basic supplies: shampoo, conditioner, sponge, scrub brush, bath mat, a hand-held sprayer (or large cup for rinsing), a plastic apron for you to avoid getting wet, a nylon collar and leash (if your dog has a tendency to bolt away), and finally, a heavy towel

Choosing A Shampoo

With so many shampoos on the market, it’s not easy to decide which to use.  Yet, for most breeds, a basic, all-purpose shampoo is fine.  If you want your shampoo to do more than clean, you might also consider a specialty shampoo.

* Accentuate your dog’s coat color by choosing a shampoo made for white, black or red coats.
* Shampoos designed to deliver extra conditioning to long or curly coats can make post-bath grooming even easier.
* For wire-coated dogs, look for a shampoo designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog’s coat.
* Many dogs have sensitive skin or eyes.  A hypoallergenic shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing.
* lf your dog already has a rash, allergies, itching, or other sensitive skin conditions, look for a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog’s problem (your vet should be able to recommend a good medicated shampoo for your dog).
* Is it flea season?  Then consider a shampoo containing a gentle anti-flea ingredient such as pyrethrin or limonene, or any of several natural botanicals designed to repel fleas, such as neem oil.
* If your dog has sensitive eyes then consider a “tear-less” shampoo.

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There are three methods that can be applied to properly dry the coat, depending on the breed of dog you are working with.  These are: The fluff-dry method, the cage drying method, and the towel-dry method.

The first method and perhaps the most difficult to achieve is the fluff-dry method.  A high-speed floor dryer is used for this procedure.  This method of drying is a very important and crucial step in the proper grooming of certain breeds such as the Poodle, Afghan, Old English Sheepdog, and Maltese. 

In fluff drying, the hair is not only dried but should be straightened as well. The warm air from the dryer is directed at that portion of the coat which you are drying. The hair is brushed in an upward motion with quick, even strokes until the hair in that particular spot is dry and straight.  This procedure is carried out over the entire coat until it is completely dry.  The results of a fluff dry can sometimes determine the overall appearance of the completed grooming job.  Therefore, it is important to learn to give a proper fluff dry.  Special attention should be given to the areas of the head, ears (long-haired ears), and legs.
                         
The second method of drying is known as cage or kennel drying and is usually used on short-coated dogs or on dogs whose coat does not require a fluffed or straight appearance.  When using this method of drying, a cage dryer is attached to the cage and the dog is put into the cage on a towel until he is dry.  It is important to make sure that the cage is properly ventilated on the top as well as on the sides.  Otherwise, the dog may suffocate.  If the dog is too large for the cage, he may be placed on a grooming table and dried with a floor dryer.
          
Another method of drying that is commonly used in drying small breeds is the towel drying method.  Towel drying is usually used with small, short-haired breeds such as the Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, and Toy Manchester Terrier. The coat is rubbed briskly with the towel until it is dry.  This method is rarely used because many owners prefer the cage drying method, which is much faster.  However, if the special equipment is not available in the home, this method is sufficient.  However, do not to take the dog out until you are sure that the coat and skin are thoroughly dried.

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