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COURAGE - CHARACTER - PREDICTABILITY
“Germany’s
Finest Bloodlines;
MADE IN AMERICA”
Breeders of the finest quality Schutzhund
titled & Breed Surveyed German Shepherds in the United
States for over 43 years. Our breeding
program maintains
the integrity of the
German Shepherd's heritage to preserve the human-canine bond.
We respect our dogs and they are
our personal companions!
"BREEDING BETTER DOGS BY DESIGN"
Many people are saying on their websites that
they are a BREEDER OF MERIT but they
are not. Check with the AKC
for proof, if they lie about being a breeder of merit
then they will lie about their dogs too! Buyer Beware.
Do you recognize she is a Yorkie?
Please do not purchase your pet from a Pet shop, Backyard
breeder or Commercial Puppy Mill.
Contact:
HausMerkel@Yahoo.com
214-287-8080
Located North of Dallas, Texas
Last
updated -
Monday, May 14, 2012 04:21:04 PM -0400
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OUR OTHER PETS•
Excellent Link to pet/health videos
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Any health care links located here
are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your dog to a vet
immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or
injury. Call your vet and describe your dog's symptoms with any of your
concerns about the dog's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover
changes in your dog's health that you have overlooked. It is always
better to err on the side of caution
HEALTH ARTICLES:
MORE ARTICLES:
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Members of
GSDCA
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WDA
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Schutzhund USA
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(Dorothy Conner Merkel
Obituary)
I am in Illinois this week to bury our mother. Please
don't hesitate to call, I just will not be available to show
dogs until after the 15th.
Canine body language
YOU TUBE
LINK:
The Everyday Drink that May Contain Blood, Pus and Drugs!
ALERT!
DOG PARK ALERT
We have received two notices.
(1) Nails wrapped in cheese at dog parks in Chicago and
Massachusetts (see pic). (2) from some friends that in
Augusta Maine dog park, antifreeze is being found in doggie
water bowls. Please beware and be careful and PLEASE SHARE
and spread the word
Ever wonder where puppy mill dogs come from? Here's an
example. Many get cooked alive in the sun and freeze to
death in the winter. If you purchase your dog from a pet
store, I can guarantee your "AKC" certified dog came from a
place like this. This one is even better than the ones
I saw in Iowa and Missouri!
Check your pantry shelves – a nationwide
recall of
products
from Diamond Pet Foods
may affect you and your pets.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's
looking into a salmonella outbreak – in humans – that may
trace back to Diamond Pet Foods' dog food. The affected food
was manufactured in South Carolina, but the illness has
cropped up in 14 people across nine states overall. CDC
investigators believe it's possible that those who have
fallen ill with the rare strain of salmonella got sick via
contact with dogs who had eaten the tainted food, or the
food itself.
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www.youtube.com
NEW
HOMES
ARE
NEEDED
FOR OUR
RETIRED
MILITARY
WORKING
DOGS!
This
Report
by FOX
NEWS'
Ainsley
Earhard
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8 YEAR OLD SAMSON got an extension. His sister, Delilah, was adopted
and HE IS ALL ALONE. Samson's OWNER DIED and he will die if not
rescued by FRIDAY. He has severe skin issues and does need some
medical treatment!! $170 PLEDGED!! Please share for FOSTER AND
PLEDGES to help SAMSON!!
Tammy Osborn
Adoption Partner Coordinator
OC Animal Care
(714) 796-6425
(714) 935-6373 (fax) |
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PLEASE RESCUE 1/12/12
FLORIDA
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Heidis-Legacy-Rescue-Network/119830581418740 |
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"It
is the human's
role in the
dog-owner
relationship to
teach the dog
how to behave
appropriately in
a world run by
humans. Far too
often, owners
seem
to assume that
dogs come
already
programmed with
good manners.
Then they become
frustrated &
angry when Rowdy
engages in a
behavior that,
to him, seems
perfectly
acceptable. If
we are ever to
make headway in
reducing the
seemingly
endless number
of dogs who end
up looking for
new homes in
shelter kennels,
it is critically
important that
we humans begin
to gain a more
realistic
perspective on
what it means to
be a dog." - Pat
Miller
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The Importance of Puppy Socialization
From the very start, a puppy learns important lessons through his experience
of
the world around him. Even in the first few weeks as he snuggles with his
dam, wrestles with his littermates, and is handled by his breeder each day,
the personality traits and social skills that he will have all his life are
beginning to form.
As the weeks go by, exposure to a variety of experiences is crucial to his
becoming a well-rounded adult. Studies have shown that a puppy's experiences
in the first three months of life strongly influence what kind of companion
he will grow to be and how he will react to the world. Will he shy away from
children? Will he be afraid of people in hats? Will he be aggressive toward
other dogs? Or will he be easygoing and adaptable in a variety of
situations?
READ
MORE...
"The man who rears a
dog must complete what the breeder began..." Max v. Stephanitz; Father of
the German Shepherd Dog
Dealing Dogs
Documentary
An animal rights outfit, Last Chance for
Animals, outraged that 42,000 dogs are sold to vet schools
and research labs by vile kennel keepers, sets out on one of
the most notorious: Martin Creek Kennel in Arkansas. It sent
in investigator "Pete" with a hidden camera for six months.
He worked for the owners and collected his sickening images
and commentated on the atrocities as he went. Many of
the dogs that ended up at this kennel had been stolen from
their own
backyards and sold. Not just
from Arkansas but in areas around St. Louis Mo and all
throughout the south.
Click link to read article
CHINA'S CAT DEATH CAMPS
On a lighter note:
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Even though your dog can't read a word, he
could be destined to be the best teacher ever. You still have time
to check out
www.librarydogs.com and summer reading programs. If your dog is
gentle and good with children, he or she could qualify as a Reading
Therapy Dog for children who benefit from a nonjudgmental, patient
listener. Sure there could be some process to get certified, but any
lazy, canine with a good listening ear could make the cut. What a
brilliant accomplishment!
Helen Fazio and
her dog Raja are world travelers.
Click here to visit their blog, and
click here to follow them on Twitter. |
"Fun at the Beach"
 "Fun at
Work"
This is a real
combination of symptoms that spells out EMERGENCY. These are the classic
symptoms of a condition referred to as "bloat" - a dog that is pacing,
restless and has unproductive attempts to vomit.
This is a common problem in large breed
deep-chested dogs but can also occur in smaller dogs.
Basically what happens is this - the
stomach twists causing the blood supply to the stomach to be compromised
then leads to tissue death. As tissues are damaged, toxins are released
and a sequence of events occurs that if left untreated, leads to death.
If you ever notice these symptoms in
your dog, call your local veterinarian or emergency clinic as soon as
possible.
This is a condition that is fairly
common and often occurs in the evening or nighttime hours. It is also a
very expensive condition to treat.
READ MORE...
GOT FLEAS?
Place a white baking dish half full of water with a
couple drops of Lemon Joy dishwashing liquid in the center of the room
with a small lamp next to it. Turn off all other lights and go to
bed. When you wake up in the morning all the fleas will be in the
baking dish! For a bad infestation treat each room twice.
Dealing with Excessive Barking
The first step to stopping barking is to understand why it is
happening. Dogs bark for all kinds of reasons, including
anxiety, boredom and/or loneliness. Sometimes they bark just
because it feels good. Luckily, most dogs will respond to
one or other intervention to curtail their barking. Whether you
simply bring an outdoor dog inside or take the time to apply
behavior-modification techniques, you can cause a dog to be less
of a nuisance and to be more socially acceptable. |
Removing Skunk Odor
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No need for the tomato juice. Use a mixture of 10 parts hydrogen
peroxide to 1 part baking soda. Add a dash of degreasing
dishwashing soap and pour into a spray bottle. Spray liberally
over dry coat and allow to air dry. Avoid eyes. Works on other
objects, too! |
Click link below to enjoy the Birding Site
FOR THOSE
WHO LIKE BIRDING
Copyright © 2001 [Haus Merkel]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 05/14/12.
Add Me! -
Search Engine Optimization
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Epilepsy: Treatable in Dogs
By Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff |
 itnessing
a seizure can be one of the most frightening experiences
we, as pet owners, encounter. Not only does it appear as
if the pet is in pain, it also reminds us that we do not
always have control of our pet's health. When we think
of seizures, most of us think of the disease epilepsy.
Epilepsy is the term for a disease that causes recurring
seizures. Seizures are described as a sudden, usually
brief, attack of altered consciousness, motor activity,
or sensory phenomena. Seizures are caused by
uncoordinated firing of the neurons (nerve cells) within
the cerebrum (the front portion of the brain). Seizures
are also called convulsions or "fits."
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If a patient is in status epilepticus, the
veterinarian will give an injectable drug like
Valium, to stop the seizure. |
Seizures can occur singly or in groups. In general, a
single, brief seizure is not life threatening. When
seizures occur one after another in a group and
continue, this is termed "status epilepticus" or simply
"status." If your pet is in status, a veterinarian
should see him immediately so the seizures can be
controlled. If the seizures are not stopped, the animal
can die from a combination of factors.
It is important to remember that your pet is not
feeling pain because of the seizure. In fact, the nature
of seizures is such that the animal does not know what's
happening. Some pet owners confuse the jerking that
happens when a pet is asleep with a seizure - your pet
can be awakened from a dream, but not from a seizure.
What triggers a seizure?
The actual triggering of a seizure is
unknown, but most patients tend to
seizure during periods of excitability.
Often, the owner will state that the
patient seizures while playing ball or
when the children returned home from
school. Some patients have been known to
seizure while sleeping. Please do not
confuse this with dreaming, where it is
common for the patient to bark or shake
while sleeping. A dreaming patient can
be awakened, but a seizuring patient
cannot. |
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What you should do if your pet
is having a seizure
- Remain calm.
- Do not get near the animal's
mouth because you may get bitten
inadvertently. Your pet will not
swallow his tongue during a seizure.
- Keep your pet from hurting
himself by removing anything he may
knock over or break during the
seizure.
- Observe your pet and time the
seizure. Call your veterinarian if
your pet's seizure lasts more than
10 minutes or if he is in status.
This is a medical emergency.
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Phases of a seizure
- Pre-ictal phase or
pre-seizure: Often called
the aura, this phase is
characterized by restlessness,
staring into space, unusual
affection-seeking behavior,
salivating, whining, or hiding.
- Ictus: This is
the seizure itself. It is termed
grand mal when the whole body is
involved and the animal is totally
unaware of his surroundings. The
animal typically "paddles" his legs,
jerks, exhibits uncontrollable
muscle activity, salivates
profusely, and often urinates or
defecates. When an animal
experiences a petit mal seizure, he
briefly loses consciousness without
seizuring. The ictal period
generally lasts less than five
minutes.
- Post-ictal phase:
This is the recovery period that
occurs after the seizure. It is
often characterized by
disorientation, lack of
coordination, wandering, or sleeping
for a long period of time. It may
also include temporary blindness.
The post-ictal period generally
lasts for less than an hour, but can
go on for days. During the
post-ictal period it is important to
be there to comfort your pet since
he did not realize what he was
experiencing during ictus.
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Other causes of seizures
Seizures are not always caused by
epilepsy. Other causes include:
- Toxins
- Infections
- Drug overdose
- Trauma to the head (e.g., if a
pet is hit by a car)
- Complications from metabolic
disorders such as diabetes mellitus,
kidney, or liver disease
- Overheating
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One or two seizures, with a long period in between, are
usually nothing to be alarmed about. If there are more
than two seizures, or if you have any concerns, make
sure you call your veterinarian. Even if your pet has
one seizure, be sure to note it and inform your
veterinarian at your pet's next examination.
Epilepsy generally starts in animals 6 months to 5
years of age, usually at 2-3 years.
Epilepsy occurs in all breeds, including mixed
breeds. Epilepsy can be a genetic trait. It can even be
familial, where the epileptic disorder can pass down
through generations within one family. Beagles, German
Shepherds, Irish Setters, Poodles, Saint Bernards,
Springers, Malamutes and Huskies, Cockers, Collies,
Dachshunds, and Golden and Labrador Retrievers are some
of the breeds which have a higher tendency to develop
epilepsy. It is recommended that dogs with epilepsy not
be used for breeding, since this tendency can be
inherited.
Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy
Your veterinarian will determine if your pet has
epilepsy and the appropriate treatment, if necessary.
Diagnosis
First, your veterinarian will perform a detailed history
of your pet. Certain information from you will help your
veterinarian immensely in making the diagnosis. This
information includes:
- What does your pet look like when he is having
seizures?
- What is the duration of each seizure and how
often do they occur?
- Are there signs that only appear on one side of
your pet (is one side worse than the other)?
- Has your pet had a high fever?
- Has your pet been exposed to any toxins?
- Has your pet experienced any trauma recently or
years ago?
- Is your pet current on vaccinations?
- Has your pet been recently boarded or with other
dogs?
- Has your pet had any other signs of illness?
- Has your pet been running loose in the last
several weeks?
- What and when does your pet eat?
- Has your pet had any behavior changes? Do the
seizures occur in a pattern related to exercise,
eating, sleeping, or certain activities?
- Does your pet show different signs right before
or right after the seizures?
Your veterinarian will perform a physical and
neurological exam and a panel of laboratory tests.
Sometimes x-rays (radiographs) are taken. If the cause
of the seizure cannot be identified, the condition is
diagnosed as idiopathic or primary epilepsy. There is no
test to diagnose epilepsy per se. Our tests simply rule
out other causes of seizures.
Treatment
Generally, treatment is only given if there are multiple
seizures in some sort of pattern. Medication will only
control the duration, severity, or number of seizures.
If necessary, your veterinarian will prescribe a daily
anticonvulsant (seizure-controlling medication), like
Phenobarbital, or Primadone, which are also used for
human epilepsy. For dogs that cannot tolerate other
long-term seizure medications, a drug that is no longer
manufactured commercially, potassium bromide, can be
compounded by Drs. Foster & Smith Pharmacy.
Potassium bromide is an anticonvulsant sometimes
used in conjunction with other anti-seizure medications
as well.
Your veterinarian will most likely have to experiment
to see what dose will work with your pet's particular
condition. Although treatment for epilepsy is lifelong,
once the proper dose is determined, it is not difficult
to treat a pet with epilepsy. |
This site
designed and maintained by Dyan Merkel of
DLM DESIGN STUDIO
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