Pet Information

Feline Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

Depending upon the type and stage of the disease, feline diabetes symptoms will vary from cat to cat. The prime candidates for diabetes are over weight older males, but cats of either sex and any age may be affected. The classic signs of the disease are excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia). Early on in the disease, your cat may show only these symptoms, or none at all. In addition to polyuria and polydipsia, progressive symptoms may include an increase in appetite, while at the same time losing weight. In addition, sick cats will become lethargic. They also may develop diabetic neuropathy, a condition that causes weakness in the back legs. More severe symptoms may include loss of appetite, vomiting, and dehydration. Over time, afflicted cats may present with liver disease, secondary infections, and display poor hair coat. Additional symptoms can be brought on if a cat develops diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a potentially fatal condition that may cause breathing problems, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. With proper treatment and disease management, feline diabetes can be controlled. There are two things you can do to help prevent the onset of the disease and reduce its effects in affected cats. First,...
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American Rottweilers Make Excellent Therapy Dogs

Most people do not realize that there are two types of Rottweilers. This is because there is very little difference between the two. The two types of Rottweilers are the American Rottweiler and the German Rottweiler. The German Rottweiler is shorter, stockier and more muscular than the American Rottweiler. The American Rottweiler is taller and thinner through the face and body. Both the American Rottweiler and the German Rottweiler are black with distinct tan markings over both eyes, cheeks, muzzle and chest. Both have coats that are medium length, coarse and straight and both have a double undercoat. The only difference between the American Rottweiler and the German Rottweiler is their size. The American Rottweiler is taller and thinner in the face and body while the German Rottweiler is shorter, stockier and more muscular. American Rottweilers are very intelligent dogs and will take over the home if not trained properly. The cute little cuddly puppies grow into giant animals that need to know who the boss really is. These dogs can be stubborn but will learn very quickly from obedience training and should be trained at a very early age. If the American Rottweiler is not trained and socialized early...
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Pet Information

Deciding on Pet Insurance

You'll wish you had pet insurance ... There may come a time when you have to seriously, and urgently, consider the cost of veterinary treatment. This situation happened to me a couple of years ago when I was looking at spending four thousand dollars to save my dog. Although he is a part of my family, I did wonder at the time (I feel ashamed now), if the cost was worth it. Medical science cannot cure everything and pets are vulnerable too. However, no matter the outcome, you will still have to pay for the cost of treatment. The financial aspect of looking after a pet is something that must be considered carefully; when money problems occur, temporary or otherwise, this causes further worries. Raising (sometimes) large sums of money can be prove to be financially embarrassing especially when you are have money problems; which could mean contacting a relative or friend for the money. A poor financial situation should never be a reason why a pet does not receive adequate attention; arranging a pet insurance policy saves this type of predicament from happening in the future. A pet health insurance plan does not have cost the earth; the average...
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They Know We Know

Something I've noticed lately with pet food advertising - 'Made with Real Beef' or 'Made with Real Chicken'. What? Like there's fake Beef and fake Chicken? Unfortunately when it comes to pet food - yep, there definitely is fake meat! And most pet owners have gotten wise to some of the hugely inferior meat ingredients that go into pet foods - so the marketing wizards of pet food have changed their tactics. They know we know. What they are counting is, is that pet owners don't learn more. They are counting on most pet owners won't flip the bag or can of pet food over - checking to see of there is by-products or chemical preservatives in the ingredient list. They are also counting on AAFCO and the FDA to keep the existing pet food regulations - allowing them to use fake meats and make false claims on their labels (AAFCO regulation PF7a - allows a pet food label to "include an unqualified claim, directly or indirectly"). This means that 'real beef' on the label doesn't have to mean real beef is inside the pet food. They know we know so now they are aiming their pet food advertising to...
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