What Tips for Pets in Pain?

For pet lovers the thought of your pet being in pain is very upsetting.

In the past, veterinarians were trained to not give much worry to the physical pain pets can suffer. In a Fox New report Dr. Dawn Boothe, DVM and professor of clinical pharmacology at Auburn University stated:

"Twenty years ago, veterinary schools taught that animals don't feel pain to the degree that humans do, so there wasn't much attention paid to the issue."

Fortunately, today the school of thinking has changed quite a bit and now pet owners are encouraged to observe their pets carefully for signs they are in pain. And, they are encouraged to take action to help make them more comfortable.

While pets with severe injuries like a broken leg will usually display clear signs of pain such as severe limping or crying, experts say that pets suffering from chronic pain aren't always so easy to detect.

According to Dr. Sandee Hartsfield, DVM, a professor of small-animal medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University:

"A pet with an acute injury like a broken leg is more likely to respond to you by moving away or biting or pawing you, while a pet suffering from chronic pain such as arthritis tends to be quieter than usual."

Arthritis is a general term that refers to a great number of conditions where there is a loss of viscosity and lubrication of the joint. This begins as mild and occasional inflammation (just like with humans) but then develops into a chronic condition that involves actual deterioration of the cartilage that surrounds the joint. Cats and dogs are highly prone to arthritis... especially as they age.

There are signs that indicate that your pet is suffering from joint pain. It may get up slowly after sleeping. It may be reluctant to run or even walk or have trouble hopping into the car. In the worst cases, he or she yelps when you pet him.

Other possible signs that your pet may be suffering from chronic pain are:

Loss of appetite

Lethargic behavior

Distancing itself socially

Below are a few suggestions from veterinarians to help relieve chronic pet joint pain in pets:

Gentle massage with hands or applying heat with warm moist towels to tender areas.

Carefully monitoring diet to prevent excess weight which aggravates joint problems

Comfortable bedding

Dietary supplementation with nutrients known to help with joint pain

Since our pets can't simply tell us when they are in pain you might want to carefully monitor your pets for signs of chronic pain and if trying the above suggestions doesn't help consider going to the vet.

How To Act Appropriately In A Park For Dogs?

Remember that it is also a place for recreation by people who don't bring animals. To some of these people your dog's presence could be seen as a nuisance if they don't behave themselves properly. If you or your dog are inconsiderate people may complain and you could be asked to leave the park.

When playing in a park for dogs, make sure to obey all of the rules posted in the area. If off-leash play is allowed only during certain hours, leave your dog leashed according to the posted times. Hour restrictions are usually for the safety of others during crowded periods during the day. If the park has written rules about which areas dogs may be off-leash, and which areas that leashes are required, always be ready to leash your dog again according to the rules.

You should always clean up after your dog. Failure to clean up after your dog is among the highest reasons that a dog park changes signs to read no pets allowed. Dog waste left uncleaned makes an area unsafe to play in and contaminates ground water sources once it decays. If dog waste is left behind people will step in it and children may fall in it while playing. You wouldn't want to have some kid's skinned knee landing in a mess left behind by your dog. Cleaning up after your pet is not just polite; it's a matter of safety for people and other dogs.

Everyone's dog has a favorite toy but these toys should not be brought to the dog park. If you do bring a toy to the park every other dog there may end up wanting that toy as well. While your intentions are good, this can also cause some issues. You don't know how other dogs will react and toys can cause serious and potentially dangerous fights to break out in the park.

Everyone knows it's your responsibility to clean up after your dog, but only a few realize that part of minding your manners also means keeping your dog clean and dry. Be prepared with a couple of towels to wipe your dog down. If your dog goes for a swim make sure you dry it off before it shakes water all over an innocent bystander. If your dog is soaked in mud, wipe her feet before you return to the paved path. People who don't bring their pets with them will be judging you, and your dog, so keeping him clean is a good way to ensure that everyone gets on well.

This Arctic Hare Article

The polar rabbit or arctic hare, an amazing land mammal, can easily be found in parts of North America, northern parts of Canada and in Greenland. They are the one of the largest living lagomorphs and considered as the subspecies of the mountain hare and snowshoe hare. Short ears and thick fur are some of their common physical traits which are helpful for them to survive in cold. Like other hares, their ear tips are black. They do not hibernate in winter but by adapting genetic and physiological changes, can easily manage to survive in winter. In southern range, they easily change their fur color from brown or grey in summers to snowy white in winters. This white color provides camouflage from their predators. In a region like north Canada, where there is less summer, their color remains white all around the year.

Compared with rabbits; arctic hare are larger in size and have taller hind legs which help them to run faster up to speed of 40 miles per hour. At time of danger, they run like kangaroos by their wide hind legs. They dig shelters in snow and live in company of hundreds and thousands to share warmth. They are mostly found alone but some time they move in groups. They can weigh up to 5.5 to 7 Kg and as a whole, 23 inches long. They usually live up to six to seven years. Their ears are the main communication mechanism.

These hare come under the omnivore group. They mostly survive by eating woody plants, willow twigs and mosses in cold season, buds, leaves, berries and barks in summers. Purple saxifrage is their favorite food in early summer. They have great sense of smell and can dig deep into snow to find food. Some of these species can live on meat.

In spring or early summer, female arctic hare can give birth from two to eight babies at a time. During the mating season, their groups disperse and every male can have more than one female partner. Babies live with their mother until they reach up to maturity level. This duration could last from six to seven months and they come to the size of their parents. The arctic hare have great importance to Native Americans. These are used for food resource and their fur is used in clothing. People enjoy delectable food made of these species.

What to Look for in Pet Boarding?

The problem is, you cannot bring your pet on your business trip. You cannot take your favorite furry friend with you to the theme parks. Rather than leaving him or her at home and letting someone stop by, it is best to hire a professional who will work with your pet to keep it happy while you are going. The good news is that there are some outstanding locations that may make your pet very happy while you are gone. They may not miss you nearly as much as you think. However, you do have to choose the right provider first.

Friendly and Animal Lover a Must

Two of the most important things to look for when considering a provider for pet boarding is whether or not the organization is friendly and full of animal lovers. It is a good idea to find out who is going to work with your pet independently first. You want to be able to meet the individuals who are going to be near the animal the most. Is this person someone that yanks the dog's collar or are they more willing to ease your little buddy along? Watch these individuals interact with your animal.

Clean and Safe

One of the biggest complaints about some of these organizations is their lack of cleanliness. You do not want to choose any location that smells bad or does not take enough time to clean up after the animals well enough. As you visit and tour the location, you want to see a clean, comfortable area similar to what you could expect in your own home. You can always check with local health departments to ensure the location is safe for your animal.

Luxury Included?

From this point, it is up to you to determine just how much pampering you want your pet to have. Some will have large kennels to call their rooms during their stay. They may have mattresses or beds to sleep on. They should have an outdoor area to run and play in. You also want to know what type of food the location is going to provide to the animal and how much exercise the animal will get. This is true of both cats and dogs.

Depending on the type of animal, you need someone to watch, you are likely to find pet boarding options readily available. Check them out in person. Find out what they are like and what your animal can expect when visiting for a day or so. After all, this is your favorite little animal and your best friend.