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Submitted by: Kirsten Hawkins

Dogs (and cats) often fall victim to several common intestinal parasites known as worms. There are a large number of different types of intestinal worms, but dogs are most commonly affected by tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. These parasites live in the digestive tract (most commonly in the intestines) where they feed on nutrients, robbing the dog of the nutrition it takes in. Worm infestations can cause a variety of undesirable symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a generally poor appearance.

How do Dogs Get Worms?

There are a number of ways that a dog can wind up with an infestation of any of these types of intestinal parasites. An animal infested with any of these types of worms may pass the worms eggs in its feces. This is a strong argument for picking up after your pet as often as possible and not allowing your dog to eat feces (something dogs will do) whenever you can. Tapeworm eggs can be spread by fleas. Fleas eat the eggs (quite a delicacy to a flea) and then pass them to a dog when biting it. Some roundworms will lie dormant in the body of a pregnant dog and activate just before it gives birth. The activated worms make their way into the intestines of the unborn puppies where they will thrive after the pups are born.

Detecting Worms in Dogs

Worm infestations can be difficult to detect. While some worms may be passed in the feces, betraying their presence, it is uncommon. If a dog is displaying symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, a vet should be consulted. A stool sample will be examined for the presence of worm eggs (these are microscopic) and a medication called a wormer will be prescribed. Stool samples are often collected as part of a routine dog physical examination in order to check for the presence of worms. In the case of tapeworms, discarded tapeworm segments may be visible in the dog s feces or attached to the fur around the anus or under the tail. To the naked eye these may look like small bits of white rice.

Treating Dogs for Worms

When a dog is found to have an infestation of worms, it should be prescribed a wormer immediately by a vet. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the type of worms, and the likelihood of re-infestation, the treatment may need to be repeated one or several times. There are over-the-counter wormers available, but most vets do not recommend them because they are necessarily weaker and may not kill all types of worms and their eggs.

Intestinal worms can cause numerous health problems for dogs, up to and including death in extreme cases. Taking measures to prevent infestation, detect it as quickly as possible, and treat it accordingly can help keep your dog safe from these harmful parasites.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit

doghealth411.com/

for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

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Submitted by: Clayton James

Now that you are thinking about getting a Beagle as a companion, you may be tempted to first look at some puppies and pick the one with the demeanor that you want. But here is a better tactic…try looking for a Beagle that enhances your personality. Look for a pet that is the picture of what you planned and that can bond with you. Age is not really a concern most of the time. Beagles may have typical characteristics, but there are exceptions to all the rules. These tips can help you find a good companion Beagle.

Submissive or dominant?

Find a puppy or adult that has a personality that fits your own characteristics and your experience. If you have experience with more independent Beagles, then a more dominant, independent Beagle may work for you. However, if you are not aggressive or are not used to working with Beagles, a more submissive animal may be a better choice for you. When you are looking at puppies or small Beagles, hold one and turn it over on its back. A dominant Beagle will fight you, trying to turn over right away. If it struggles, try to comfort it. If it settles down easily, it is more submissive. If it does not struggle at all, but just relaxes, you have a very submissive Beagle.

A Beagle to fit your personality

A Beagle that is fairly quiet and requires little care is better for you if you are more laid back and more sedative yourself. If you have an active life you may find that a more active, hyper Beagle is more your style. If you are gone much of the time and your Beagle would be kenneled during that time, you want to find one that is a little independent and will not suffer from separation anxiety.

You also want your companion Beagle to be intelligent and eager to please. This will help you teach it what you want it to know and it will want to learn the skills and perform them. If you are taking your Beagle out in public, you don’t want a fear biter or one that is aggressive to strangers. Naturally, this will come with effectively socializing the Beagle regularly, but the sharper Beagle will pick up cues from you when determining who the “bad guy” is and who is a friend.

Develop your own language

Beagles can be excellent companions with the right personality type for your needs. Also, while many folks feel that only puppies can be trained, this is false. Many older Beagles are rescued from dog pounds every day and they are trained quite easily. The key to getting a well behaved companion is bonding with it. When you have bonded with your Beagle, it will cater to your needs. They will want to anticipate what you want and will even try to find new ways to communicate with you. If you are discerning, you and your Beagle can come up with your own language, giving you a great companion.

About the Author: Clayton James is a long time Beagle enthusiast and is well known in the Beagle training community. He is the founder of

FreeBeagleTraining.com

To get his FREE report: “How To Become The Alpha Dog” go to

FreeBeagleTraining.com/alpha-dog-sp

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=606838&ca=Pets}

byAlma Abell

Pre-planning a funeral can be one of the most loving things that a person does for their family. Nothing can eliminate the grief that follows the death of a loved one, but it is possible to take away some unnecessary problems. Professionals such as Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services assist with Pre-planning in Forest Hill, in order to make their clients’ final wishes known, lift financial burdens, and more.

Many senior citizens who choose Pre-planning in Forest Hill want to ensure that their survivors’ inheritances are not reduced by funeral costs. Clients of any age often contact funeral professionals, who help them prepay and design services around their wishes and budgets. These experts offer a range of packages that can include cosmetology, a casket, viewing, services, burial, and more. Clients can also choose arrangements that are as simple as a cremation with no services.

The time immediately following a death can be traumatic, especially since loved ones often have to make important decisions very quickly. Pre-planning eliminates this burden, since funeral professionals will immediately begin to take necessary steps, according to their clients’ wishes. The process can help avoid the family fights that can occur when no instructions are left and everyone has a different idea of what the deceased wanted.

Many people arrange and pay for their own services because they have very definite ideas about what their services should be like. Some choose unusual arrangements, in unorthodox places. They may want to pre-order a specific casket design, flowers, music, and programs. Funeral professionals specialize in carrying out client wishes to the letter. They will design funerals that range from basic cremation to elaborate church services. Pre-planning also allows clients to notify funeral directors of their affiliations with the military or organizations. These may qualify them for military burial, honor guards, or other special tributes.

Pre-planning funerals is often a way that people show their love for family members. When they arrange and pay for their own services, they save loved ones many financial and emotional burdens that can follow death. Pre-planning is also a way for people to ensure that they have exactly the funerals they want.