Library
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The Chinese Shar-Pei tends to present one face to his family and another to the world at large. To the latter, the dog behaves in a calm, dignified and aloof manner; with his family, the dog will lighten up and tap into his inner clown.
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Nobody would call him "slender," but when he trots down the street with that funny rolling gait, his short legs and wide body doing their best to keep up the pace, he makes everybody smile. The stockiest spaniel, the Clumber is also the most easygoing - in fact, one of the most low-keyed of all sporting dogs.
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Congratulations on the addition of a new puppy to your family! This handout provides general care advice for your puppy, including nutrition, play and chewing behavior, housetraining, socialization, nail trimming, and basic first aid.
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This handout summarizes the normal function of the dog heart, and outlines the abnormalities and changes associated with degeneration of the four different valves found in the heart. An explanation is provided of clinical signs associated with valve disease, as well as the recommended tests and treatments for this condition. Staging of heart disease is also discussed.
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Guarding desired items can be a normal behavior in dogs, but when it escalates, the safety of both people and animals is compromised. Exercises to prevent and reverse guarding behavior can be beneficial to any dog. Professional guidance is needed for any dog who repeatedly conflicts with people or pets because of guarding behavior.
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Eclampsia in cats is a rare emergent condition of hypocalcemia that generally occurs one to four weeks after giving birth but can occur before. Risk factors include a poor diet, abnormal parathyroid gland, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy. Signs of eclampsia start as restlessness, panting, and stiffness and can progress to disorientation, tremors, inability to walk, and convulsions. Treatment includes intravenous fluids, careful intravenous calcium supplementation, and other supportive medications followed by oral supplementation and weaning kittens as soon as possible or supplementing their diet with milk replacer.
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Eclampsia in dogs is an emergent condition of hypocalcemia that generally occurs one to four weeks after whelping but can also occur shortly before giving birth. Risk factors include a poor diet, small breed dogs, abnormal parathyroid gland, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy. Signs of eclampsia start as restlessness, panting, and stiffness and can progress to disorientation, tremors, inability to walk, and convulsions. Treatment includes intravenous fluids, careful intravenous calcium supplementation, and other supportive medications. This is followed by oral supplementation and weaning puppies as soon as possible or supplementing their diet with milk replacer.
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Diabetes mellitus is an inability to regulate blood glucose caused by a loss of insulin production (Type I) or inadequate insulin supply or resistance (Type II). Dogs need insulin injections to manage diabetes. Sometimes special diets may help manage the disease. Response to insulin needs to be monitored to ensure adequate dosing and to avoid hypoglycemia caused by insulin overdose. Blood glucose curves are most commonly used for this including: in-clinic blood glucose curves, home glucose curves with hand-held glucometers and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Urine glucose testing and fructosamine testing may also be used to manage the disease. Hypoglycemia is the consequence of administering too much insulin compared to the amount of food ingested. Signs can range from lethargy to seizures and coma. It can be managed acutely with administration of sugar syrup to the gums but more severely affected dogs will need IV dextrose solutions.
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Milbemycin oxime + praziquantel is a heartworm disease preventive that also controls tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms in dogs. It is given by mouth as a flavored chew tablet and must be given with a meal to ensure adequate absorption. At prescribed doses, this medication is well-tolerated. Your veterinarian will advise you on the safety of this combination product’s use in your dog. If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately.
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Do you have medications stored in the bathroom cabinet, kitchen drawer, and pantry shelf? Are random bottles haphazardly tossed into the “pharmacy”? Medications are meant to help us and our pets, but they can do more harm than good if stored or administered incorrectly. You can protect your family and pets by safely handling and disposing of medications.
