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Woof!
One of the most common problems with dogs and cats is worms. Worms are usually not a life threatening condition, but they aren’t pleasant to deal with either. There are many ways for your pets to get worms. Some dogs and cats may even be born with them. Before you can get rid of these pests you need to identify which type of worm they have. Below is an explanation of the four most common types, roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Most of these worms have the same type of symptoms that may include diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting.
Roundworms are very common among dogs and cats. They can be picked up by ingesting the eggs which are usually contained in the animal’s stools. Keeping your pet’s environment clear of feces can help prevent roundworms and other types of worms as well.
However, preventing roundworms isn’t always easy since mothers can actually pass these parasites to unborn animals. It is also possible to have roundworms without any having any symptoms. However, when they are passed or vomited they are very noticeable and resemble spaghetti. Roundworms are difficult to pass to humans because you would have to ingest the fecal matter that contains the eggs.
Tapeworms are harder to get rid of than roundworms. While there are usually over the counter medications that can be purchased for roundworms, a prescription may be needed for tapeworms. It is also easier to catch tapeworms. If your dogs or cats like to eat dead animals, they can easily catch tapeworms. They can also catch tapeworms by ingesting fleas that contain tapeworm eggs.
Tapeworms can be distinguished from roundworms by the way they look. What you may see on your dogs and cats are little segments of the worm. The worm is made up of these segments and you will usually never see a whole tapeworm. The segments may resemble tiny worms because they will still move around. This is because the segment contains the eggs. After the segment has been passed it will dry up and no longer move. You may mistake these segments for grains of rice stuck to your dogs and cats fur or in their stools.
Hookworms are not going to be seen in the stools or on the fur. They are microscopic and they will only be identified through a stool sample or due to symptoms. These worms attach themselves to the inside of your dogs, and less often, your cats. While attached they will feed off of the blood from your pet. This may make your dogs or cats anemic and could become a big problem.
Whipworms are also going to be largely undetected unless your pet is suffering from symptoms. A stool sample can usually show whether your dogs and cats have contracted whipworms. However, there are times when a stool sample will not work. This is because whipworms leave very few eggs. If your dogs or cats have a mucous covering on their stools, they may have whipworms.
Dealing with worms is never pleasant for a pet owner. You just have to remember that it is even more unpleasant for the pet. Identifying your culprit is the first step in treating the worm infestation. If you any trouble you should see your veterinarian for help in dealing with this problem.
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Many lovers or domestic cats are naturally drawn to the beauty and majesty of wild felines, but those denizens of the jungle make notoriously bad house pets. Those cat lovers who crave the beauty of the black panther, combined with the gentle nature of the house cat may want to welcome a Bombay into the home.
The Bombay in fact shares many characteristics with the legendary black panther, including the striking deep copper eyes and the luscious black coat. These cats are a striking addition to any home, and those who know the breed have fallen in love with their beauty, charm and intelligence.
In fact, many Bombays can be leash trained, providing a safe way to let the neighbors enjoy their beauty. These wonderful felines also love to play fetch with their human owners, combining the playfulness of a kitten with the charm of a dog. In fact, many confirmed “dog people” have been instantly transformed into cat lovers after meeting these inquisitive creatures. The Bombay is far from shy, and many in fact like to greet visitors at the door. This bold nature makes them the perfect choice for sharing space with dogs and other pets, while their gentle nature makes them a great kid friendly choice as well.
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It is estimated that only about one in five dogs in New York City are registered by their owners. But the latest official figures for those that are registered show 'Max' as the most popular name, with mixed breeds topping the poll for the most owned dog, followed by Labrador Retrievers.
'Max' accounted for about 1.2% of names engraved by the department on new licenses, while 'Lucky', 'Princess' and 'Rocky' were all strong contenders for the top spot. Mixed breeds made up just over 7% of the new dog population, with Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Shih-Tzus and German Shepherds all retained their places in the top 5.
The most current official statistics were compiled for the year 2005 with NYC Health Department issuing just over 100,000 licenses. These are the official 'Top Ten' names and breeds:
Most Popular Dog Names of 2005
1. Max
2. Lucky
3. Princess
4. Rocky
5. Buddy
6. Coco
7. Daisy
8. Lucy
9. Lady
10. Shadow
Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2005
1. Mixed
2. Labrador Retriever
3. Pit Bull
4. Shih-Tzu
5. German Shepherd
6. Yorkshire Terrier
7. Chihuahua
8. Poodle
9. Maltese
10. Cocker Spaniel
Conclusion
The most popular breeds make sense as far as great family pets if most people are getting it right with their choices but there are still hundreds of other breeds to choose from. And what is in a name? You may actually want to avoid the most frequent names bestowed on beloved pets. Take your pick.
