8 Extreme Sports for Dogs
In This Article What Are Extreme Sports for Dogs? View 3 More +

In This Article What Are Extreme Sports for Dogs? View 3 More +

Image via Javier Brosch/Shutterstock By Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT and owner of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles People often seek immediate gratification and find it difficult to invest in relationships and outcomes that take a while. How to teach a dog to sit no matter where you are is an exercise to practice with your dog for the long-term. It doesn’t take a day, but it doesn’t take a lifetime, either. Dog Training Is a Process That Starts at Home It helps to remember that dog training and behavior is not an event but a process. Learning is different for every animal, it is progressive and takes repetition and conditioning to ensure reliability. In dog obedience trials, we don’t say a dog knows a behavior until after tens of thousands of iterations. That may seem daunting at first, but when you work your dog’s daily allocation of dog food into everyday training and in all areas of life, like compound interest, the trials add up very quickly. As pet parents with busy schedules, we may have doubts as to whether a teaching or technique will work, and we feel a sense of urgency to get something accomplished quickly. However, learning occurs most naturally and efficiently in a slow, progressive and repetitive manner, in an environment where an animal is the least stressed and distracted. Dogs are most comfortable in their own home, with their family. This is why we usually begin dog training at home, with the whole family involved.

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Anorexia / Pseudoanorexia Anorexia is a loss of appetite. Pseudoanorexia, on the other hand, refers to animals that still have an appetite, but are unable to eat because they cannot chew or swallow food. Among this type of anorexia, dental disease is one of the most common causes in rabbits. Symptoms and Types There are various symptoms to look out for when you suspect anorexia or psuedoanorexia in your rabbit; among these: Refusal to eat Fecal pellets that are small in size or amount Weight loss Pain while swallowing (Dysphagia) Pain while eating (Odynophagia) Chronic bad breath (halitosis) Additional clinical signs will vary depending on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, signs of pain such as teeth grinding or a hunched posture may point to oral disease — one particular cause of pseudoanorexia. Causes There are many causes that can lead to anorexia or pseudoanorexia. Anorexia may occur due to: Stomach ulcers Dental diseases A metabolic disorder (e.g., kidney failure) Cardiac failure Infectious disease Respiratory disease Neurological disease Tumor growth Poisoning Environmental or dietary changes Conversely, pseudoanorexia may result from any disease that interferes with the rabbit’s swallowing reflex. Dental diseases such as gingivitis, diseases of the esophagus, and disorders affecting the jaws or teeth are other causes for pseudoanorexia. There are also a number of risk factors that may contribute to the development of anorexia or pseudoanorexia, including diets with an inadequate amount of long-stem hay and immediately following a surgical procedure. Diagnosis Diagnostic procedures vary depending upon which underlying condition is causing the animal’s refusal to eat. Some possible procedures may include a dental exam, X-rays or ultrasounds (to rule out cardiac or lung disease), and urine analysis. The tests performed will depend on the symptoms observed and the suspected cause of disease. Examining the history of the animal’s environment and diet is also important, as it may reveal any changes that lead to psychological anorexia. Treatment Anorexia and pseudoanorexia need to be addressed by treating the underlying cause of the condition. No matter what the cause, it is important the rabbit begins eating again as soon as possible. Most rabbits that haven’t been eating regularly suffer from some degree of dehydration and may require the administration of electrolyte-filled fluids. Some medications may also be helpful. On the other hand, symptomatic therapy (treatment of anorexia-related symptoms) may entail the reduction of environmental stressors and a change in the rabbit’s diet to encourage eating. Living and Management The patient’s body weight, hydration status, eating habits, and production of fecal pellets should all be monitored regularly. Owners should also be aware of possible complications that may develop, such as malnutrition. If any medications are prescribed, they should be administered regularly. While any further post-treatment care will depends on the cause of the disorder. Prevention As there are many causes leading to anorexia or pseudoanorexia in rabbits, it is difficult to suggest any specific methods of prevention. However, psychological causes of anorexia (a lack of appetite) may be prevented by making sure the rabbit is not put in any stressful environments, and that it receives a tempting, healthy diet and a clean cage.

3. Golden Retriever Photo by iStock/cmannphoto Another one of the most popular breeds is the Golden Retriever. They’re considered an intelligent, loyal, easy-to-train, and very affectionate breed. Like Labs, Golden Retrievers make wonderful family dogs because they’re great with young children and other pups. Goldens enjoy a wide variety of activities, including running, long walks, retrieving, and swimming. They also make excellent therapy dogs and guide dogs for people with impaired vision. Goldens thrive with regular activity and enrichment, and being fed a large breed-specific diet. ,The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently released its annual list of the most popular dog breeds, and this year’s results are largely similar to the last. The French Bulldog maintained the title of the most popular dog breed in the U.S. for the third year in a row. In fact, the top five dog breeds are the same, though there was some shuffling in the back half of this list. The Bulldog, for instance, dropped from No. 7 to No. 9, and the Rottweiler overtook the Beagle. What other dog breeds were deemed the most popular in the country? We’ve got a rundown of the results, and what you can expect from each if you’re looking to add one of these sought-after breeds to your home.

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There’s nothing more loyal, companionable, or loving than a dog, but dogs can get anxious and stressed just like humans. Learning the best ways to keep a dog calm naturally is important for their health and happiness. Here are some things you can try to calm your furry friend before talking to your veterinarian about a prescription option. Why Are Dogs Anxious? Anxiety can be caused by anything from separation anxiety and fear of loud noises to changes in routine and environment. It’s common for dogs to show signs of anxiety in the form of: Excessive barking Whining Destructive behavior Panting Pacing Trembling Loss of appetite Trying to hide or escape from the stressful situation Recognizing these signs of anxiety is crucial to ensuring you give your pet the best care possible. Tips for Calming Your Dog Naturally 1. Create and Maintain a Consistent Schedule It’s essential to establish a routine for your dog so they feel comfortable and secure. Dogs are creatures of habit and thrive on predictability and structure. Feeding times, exercise times, playtimes, and sleep times are all part of a routine. Stay consistent as much as possible so your dog doesn’t get confused or stressed. Small changes in a schedule can trigger stress. Maintaining a regular feeding schedule and exercising your dog regularly will keep them healthy and mentally stimulated. Giving your dog a set bedtime will also ensure they get a good night’s sleep. 2. Play Music or White Noise When dogs experience anxiety, music or white noise can help calm them down. This provides a soothing and calming environment, and it can naturally reduce their stress and anxiety levels. White noise or music can also drown out the unpredictable noises from thunderstorms or fireworks that trigger anxiety. Luckily, many apps and playlists are specifically curated to calm and soothe dogs. Music therapy helps reduce barking by distracting the dog from the triggers that make your pet bark. Relaxation and comfort can be achieved by using music or white noise, both of which provide a calming environment. 3. Dress Them in a Thundershirt Thundershirts® are garments that help dogs cope with many types of stressful situations, including thunderstorms, car rides, trips to the veterinarian, or fireworks. A Thundershirt® works by gently applying pressure to your dog’s body, which can make them feel hugged and soothe any anxieties. As a result of this pressure, the dog stays calm in situations that would normally distress them, similar to the way humans use a weighted blanket.

Uterine Adenocarcinoma in Rabbits Uterine adenocarcinoma, a gland-like, malignant type of tumor that arises from the secretory tissue that lines the inner cavity of the uterus, is one of the most common forms of cancer in rabbits, occurring in up to 60 percent of female rabbits over three years old. These malignant uterine tumors usually arise from the endometrial lining of the uterus, or from the inside layers of the uterus. Often uterine cancer forms after a rabbit has already developed some other reproductive problem in its uterus, including endometriosis, a painful condition involving tissue overgrowth in the uterus and reproductive organs. Age seems to be the most important risk factor for this condition. Tumors can also be found in concurrence with other conditions, including bulging veins in the endometrial lining, a condition also referred to as venous aneurysms. Symptoms and Types The signs and symptoms of uterine adenocarcinoma vary from rabbit to rabbit, although generally any female rabbit over 3-4 years of age is most at risk. The presence of blood in the urine is one of the most common findings in female rabbits; other typicaly symptoms include: Vaginal discharge stained with blood Cysts in the mammary glands, and cloudy fluid that may come from the mammary glands Behavioral changes, including aggressiveness Lethargy, inability to eat, and pale mucous membranes (typically occur in later stages of illness) Abdominal masses (typically occur in later stages of illness)) Mammary growths Causes Any female rabbit that is still capable of reproducing is at risk for uterine cancer. Diagnosis The diagnosis usually begins with the exclusion of other causes for the symptoms, including the most obvious cause for a mass in the abdomen: pregnancy. Benign or non-cancerous uterine tumors can also cause many of the symptoms and signs described above. An overgrowth of cells may be associated with other benign conditions as well; however, the symptoms found here are most often ascribed to adenocarcinoma or cancer, especially in females that are greater than three years of age. Anemia often accompanies this condition in females and is helpful for diagnosing the condition. Abnormal results from imaging studies, (i.e., X-ray, ultrasound) can also help to diagnose the condition, as can swollen or abnormal lymph node findings, which are suggestive of the spread of the disease. A definitive diagnosis can be made on the results of a biopsy of the uterine tissue. Treatment Treatment for uterine adenocarcinoma may involve a complete hysterectomy to remove the diseased parts of your rabbit’s organs. This is usually the primary treatment, especially if the cancer has not spread beyond the reproductive organs. A biopsy can be performed to confirm whether the cancer remains in the reproductive organs, or has spread outward to the surrounding organs. Sometimes there is no evidence of the spread of cancer during the time of surgery. Follow-up care may include chemotherapy and medications for pain management. Living and Management Patient monitoring may be necessary during the first couple of years after the initial care to make sure that the remission was successful. If no metastasis (spread) of the disease is evident, then the outcome for the patient is relatively judged to be good. If metastasis of the adenocarcinoma occurs, death may occur within two years of the initial diagnosis.

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