Pets and Else...

A garden is a wonderful place to hang around. With the many flowers along its perimeter and the many butterflies sipping the nectar is truly a magnificent site.

There is always a wonder in watching fishes wiggling their way among the live water plants. Aside from the green color that it provides to the aquarium, it also provides the necessary oxygen in the confined space of the aquarium.

The many advantages of putting plants into your aquarium set make it a wonderful addition to it.
• Water plants provide oxygen to the water. Usually what enthusiast does is to use water bubbler to induce oxygen into the water. But with plants the need for these is diminished.
• Provides hiding places. There are fished that wants to hide. These provides some sanctuary if you want to have a predator-prey environment in your setup.
• Provides colors to the aquarium. There are many varieties of water plants that have different colors. You can mix and match and have a beautiful setup much like a little watery garden.
• Provides a good background to hide the mechanical things you need for an aquarium such as the water bubbler. You could even place it in a way that the bubbles incorporate with the planted environment.

Indeed, starting a planted tank is a very good hobby you should undertake. Having an aquarium with life in it, aside from the fishes, is truly a wonder to behold. You could even try to breed these plants and see flowers bloom in the water. It is truly a little garden, will all the flowers, plants and the fishes as butterflies.

You can also add rocks, driftwood and other accessories to highlight the plants and the fishes. There are so many things a planted aquarium could offer you.

So what are you waiting for, start you own planted aquarium now.

If humans have doctors, so does our beloved pet. Veterinarians should be consulted when our pet becomes sick.

Veterinarians have studied for the purpose of healing our sick animal friends. Aside from this, they are the foremost authority in questions such as pet care, pet feeding, pet housing, grooming, among others.

VETERINARY MEDICINE
Well, according to wikipedia, it is the branch of science that deals with treatment (medical, dental and surgical) to non-humans and non-plants. Principally, all animals, be it wild or domesticated, are the foremost patients of a person practicing veterinary medicine.

WHEN TO GO TO A VETERINARIAN

If your pets are sick and you do not know what to do.

When you do not have the right medicines for your pet. It is better to consult a professional to ensure your pet's life will not be endangered.

Go to the nearest veterinarian for emergency situations.

Make sure that your veterinarian has complete tools and medicines and have knowledge on animal care. Also, it is better if you could ask some tips and advices to better care for your pets. Your veterinarian is your pet's as well as your own friend.

I was shocked just a few months ago, that my bitch (a female dog) is bleeding. At first I did not mind what it was. I was ignorant, after all. But, I noticed day after day that there is blood coming out of her part. I was not sure what it is, I think my barely a year dog is in heat. I really don’t have any idea when female dogs are in heat, or how a dog in heat may look like. I was really, totally, naïve about these things.

Just when does it occur?

As I was caught in surprise about what is happening to my dog, I came across looking for answers about this. Well, for starters a female dog may start to be in heat when she is about 6-12 months. This is because at this stage she may start to have her first estrous cycle. Although this is not always the case for all dogs as some larger dogs may start to have estrous during 12-24 months of their lives.

I noticed also that my dogs are bleeding much similar to a female human being. It may take about 2 weeks or so before being “in heat” subsides.

Tell tale signs

A female dog in heat may be recognized by the bleeding of her vagina. Also you will notice that the vulva is swelling. Aside from this, if you try to press her back, she may instinctively raise her tail in anticipation of a male dog embarking. You might have a little problem for small dogs as it is not easy to spot whether she is in heat or not.

During this period, female dogs can become pregnant that is why if you want to breed your dog always do it during her estrous days. In this manner, you increase the chance of her getting pregnant.

But whatever you want with your dog, always take care of your her and never forced her to mate just so you can have her litters. Just remember a dog is a loyal and sensitive pet.

The symptoms associated with parvovirus are very broad. And most infected dogs show any symptoms at all. Because of this most dogs that contracted parvovirus die because the owners do not detect the illness early on.


Parvovirus affects mostly dogs less than 6 months of age with the most brutal cases affecting less that 12 weeks of age. There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.

The most common form of the disease is the intestinal form known as enteritis. Parvovirus enteritis is characterized by vomiting (often severe), diarrhea, dehydration, dark or bloody feces, and in severe cases, fever and lowered white blood cell counts. Acute parvovirus enteritis can be seen in dogs of any breed, sex, or age. The disease will progress very rapidly and death can occur as early as two days after the onset of the disease. The presence of gram negative bacteria, parasites, or other viruses can worsen the severity of the disease and slow recovery.

A less common form of the disease causes myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). This disease is very fatal to very young puppies, less than 8 weeks old, since it inflames the heart muscles and necrosis which causes breathing difficult. Older dogs that survive this form have scarring in the heart muscle.

I had my first dog named Diamond. He was a cute happy maltese dog. He would bark around and keep on running inside our house.

But, suddenly, he lost his appetite and began pooping with blood. And the fact that his poop has that "stink" smell.

That's when I realized he may have gotten the parvovirus, and to my dismay, I have not yet vaccinated my Diamond.(sob!sob!sob!)

What is parvovirus?
"Parvo" as is the most commonly used term for parvovirus. It is a highly contagious disease characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody.

Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo. There is much that we do not know about the virus or the best way to control the disease, but we are learning new information daily.

Misinformation about the disease, its spread, and vaccination is widespread. We hope that with a better understanding of the disease, pet owners will be able to make good health decisions for their dogs that will help prevent and reduce the spread of this disease.

How is it spread?
It is spread through contact with feces containing the virus. The virus can survive on inanimate objects and on insects and rodents.

So clean the surroundings properly including his cage or kennel area by using bleach. Bleach is known to kill parvovirus.

The normal incubation period (time from exposure to the virus to the time when signs of disease appear) is from 7-14 days. Virus can be found in the feces several days before clinical signs of disease appear, and may last for one to two weeks after the onset of the disease.

Early vaccination
Always have your dog vaccinated. Go to the nearest vet to have yiour dog vaccinated with parvovirus vaccine. There are also 5-in-1 vaccine which contains parvovirus, coronavirus, and the likes.

If you love your dog have it vaccinated. You may never known when the parvovirus will get your animal friend.