Bring some interest, warmth and love into your life

There is a mountain of evidence suggesting that having a pet enhances our sense of well-being: They provide us with a sense of security, companionship, and bring out the carer in us. They can link us to a community. They teach our children a sense of responsibility and enhance their non verbal communication skills. They give us hours of fun. Sometimes they even force us to get some fresh air and exercise!

Want to know more? here are some interesting writings and books on the topic:

 

Pets and people: The psychology of pet ownership

Gunter, B.   London, Whurr publishers Ltd, 1999.

This book examines the relationship between pets and people, and lists the many psychological benefits animal companionship provide. For example: enhancing self-esteem, security for the anxious, companionship for the lonely and even status symbols for the image-conscious. You will learn about the growing phenomenon of pet ownership and on the importance placed upon the relationships by people today. I

Pets in the Network of Family Relationships

S. Bonas, J. McNicholas et al., Journal/Companion Animals and Us, Cambridge University Press, 2000. 

Over the past 30 years there has been a tremendous growth in interest in the multidisciplinary field of human-companion animal interactions and relationships. Considering that pets are kept in at least half of the households in Western societies, this is not a surprise. This book looks at the uniqueness of the relationships people have with their pets, and asks interesting questions such as:  Are we very different from our ancestors in the ways we feel about animals? What does pet-keeping tell us about ourselves and our relationships with people? Can pets be good for our health? Do they help promote empathy for other humans? The book presents some of the newest research from a wide variety of disciplines including anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, human and veterinary medicine.

Health enhancement and companion animal ownership

Beck, A. M., and N. M. Meyers.  Annual Review of Public Health, v. 17, p. 247-57. 1996.

While the relationship between people and  pets explains the bites and zoonotic diseases that occur among those who own them , at the same time this very relationship  appears to enhance the psychological and physiological well-being of many people. 56% of households in the USA currently have animals, a figure typical of developed countries worldwide. We all read much about the fact that people denied human contact do not thrive well, but now all indications are that companion animals play the role of a family member, often a member with the most desired attributes. Animals play a special role with children, assisting in teaching  nurturing behavior and with the appreciation of nonverbal communication. Regular normal interactions with animals can reduce blood pressure and even increase survival rates after a heart attack! For some, pets increase the opportunities to meet people, while they permit others to be alone without feeling lonely.

Companion animals and human health: an overview

Edney, A. T.    Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, v. 88, p. 704p-8p. 1995.

Domestic animals share our environment in a number of manners. One of these is as companions in (or around) our homes. Although there are various species of pets, the large majority are dogs and cats. Sharing our environment with pets has a profound effect on our health. And since about 50% of all households in the Western world have some sort of animal, the effects are far reaching.

This is Hipolito – a darling, adorable little puppy. Needs a loving family!

NEW Arrival: this lovely, adorable tricolor boasts a lovely light gray with salmon and white. She needs a stable and loving home. She eats Baby Cat (by Royal Canine).
Please contact us soon!
Estela:

estelatornquist@gmail.com 011-4773-5858 or 15 44953057.

Seizures In Dogs: Could Your Dog Have A Seizure? - 4 The Love of Animals

Although seizures are rarely fatal, they signal severe problems with the electrical activity in your dog’s brain. Seizures in dogs lasting more than five minutes are especially serious and require emergency veterinary attention. But, any seizure your dog has should be reported to your vet in order to try to determine its cause.

A dog having a seizure may appear anxious just before the event occurs and your pet may come to you looking for help. Limb stiffness and twitching as well as swimming motions the dog makes with its legs are common signs of a seizure. Vomiting may also occur. If a seizure is happening, you should make sure your dog is in a safe place, but otherwise not interfere. After a seizure, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Here are some of the most common causes of/risk factors for seizures in dogs:

Breed Susceptibility

Some dog breeds are prone to inherited metabolic disorders that may cause seizures. The list includes, but is not limited to, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Huskies, Poodles, Irish Setters, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Wire-haired Fox Terriers. The genetic causal conditions may involve a high ammonia level in the body or low blood sugar.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Along with breeds susceptible to low blood sugar that may cause seizures, puppies of any breed are also prone to the condition. Dogs with Addison’s disease often have issues with hypoglycemia as well. It’s important to consider your pet’s blood sugar levels when getting vet check ups. If hypoglycemia is a problem, your vet will advise you on how to tell if your dog’s sugar level is too low and how to bring it back to normal.

Liver Disease or Kidney Failure

Older dogs especially are prone to kidney or renal failure of which seizures could be a symptom. Other symptoms include increased thirst and urination, blood in the urine and bowel upset. Liver disease is another cause of seizures in dogs and there may be no early signs. Light-colored stools, along with increased thirst, unexpected weight loss and vomiting may then occur along with seizures as canine liver disease advances.

Brain Tumor or Head Trauma

A brain tumor or head injury can cause seizures in dogs. Your vet can do a scanning test to determine whether any brain injury or tumor is present. It’s important to note that symptoms of head trauma such as seizures may not occur immediately after an accident or injury, but could even take months before the disruption of electrical brain impulses results in a seizure.

Toxins

Many garden and household chemicals are seriously toxic to dogs and ingestion of these can cause seizures. You can prevent your dog from environmental toxin related seizures and other ill effects by making sure there is no possible exposure to rat poison, snail bait, flea powder, bug spray, pesticides, lead paint and household cleaners. Chocolate can also cause seizures in dogs, so a box of chocolates or other chocolate-filled treat should never be left on a surface where your dog may jump or climb to reach it.

Other Causes of Seizures in Dogs

The neurological disorder, epilepsy, is usually considered by vets as a cause of seizures in a dog if all other possibilities are ruled out. The vet will then do tests to determine if a diagnosis of canine epilepsy is an accurate one. Distemper is a common cause of seizures in dogs, especially puppies. Distemper symptoms such as runny nose, diarrhea and coughing shouldn’t be overlooked. Some vaccinations can cause canine seizures if the dog is allergic to the protein in the vaccine. Heat stroke can also cause seizures in dogs, so even on warm rather than hot days, pets should never be left in vehicles and they must always have access to fresh water.