German Shepherds                                                                                                German Shepherd Puppies

 

 

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
 
Contact:
HausMerkel@Yahoo.com
214-287-8080
Located North of Dallas, Texas

Last updated - Thursday, January 26, 2012 01:18:32 AM -0500
 

 

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Excellent Link to pet/health videos
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

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NEW HOMES ARE NEEDED FOR OUR RETIRED MILITARY WORKING DOGS!
This Report by FOX NEWS' Ainsley Earhard


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)

PLEASE RESCUE 1/12/12
FLORIDA

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Heidis-Legacy-Rescue-Network/119830581418740

 

"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

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:

Could Your Pup Be a Reading
Therapy Dog?
by Helen Fazio, Travel Dog Blogger, www.traveldogbooks.com

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"

"Fun just hanging out"
 


How to Protect your Pet from Heat Stroke

BLOAT


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

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

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Revised: 01/26/12.

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Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (Maldigestion Disorder) in Dogs
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
 

 

We are asked many, many questions about the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases in the dog, specifically, those dealing with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Such diseases are termed pancreatic insufficiency, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and maldigestion syndrome.

The pancreas has many glandular functions, some obvious and well known and others that are obscure and not understood at all. We classically think of the pancreas as the producer of insulin, and an insufficient production of that hormone leading to diabetes mellitus. For many dog owners, diabetes is easy to understand since they can think of it in terms of the disease seen in our fellow humans. Many people, however, have difficulty understanding diseases that affect the ability of the organ to produce the various enzymes that allow humans, dogs, and cats to digest their food.

Function of the pancreas

Certain cells of the pancreas called 'acinar' cells produce the important digestive enzymes utilized by the dog's body. The function of the enzymes is to break down food in the intestine into smaller molecules. The major digestive enzymes are protein molecules that are produced and stored in the pancreas. They include trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase. The trypsin and chymotrypsin break down protein molecules, the amylase breaks down starches, and lipase does the same to fats and triglycerides.

Breaking down the molecules of food into smaller sizes is an important part of the overall digestive process and allows nutrients to be absorbed by the cells that line the intestine. The nutrients are then passed from those cells into the bloodstream. There they can be transported throughout the body for use by the various tissues. When a dog eats a meal it stimulates the release of these enzymes. They flow from the pancreas into the anterior small intestine through a small tube called the pancreatic duct. Only after they reach the lumen or center of the intestine does their functional existence begin.

What is pancreatic insufficiency?

The disease characterized by a decrease or absence of these enzymes in the dog is referred to as 'exocrine pancreatic insufficiency' or 'maldigestion syndrome.' When dogs have this disorder, the proteins, starches, and fats found in their diet cannot be broken down into small enough pieces that allow them to be absorbed through the intestinal wall. The value and substance of the food, therefore, stays in the gastrointestinal tract and is passed out in the feces undigested. The affected dog, without treatment, literally starves to death even though it may be constantly eating. It is estimated that 90% of the pancreas must be destroyed before we see symptoms of insufficiency.

What causes pancreatic insufficiency?

There are several potential causes of pancreatic insufficiency. Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a common cause of pancreatic insufficiency. In some young animals (usually less than two years of age), the cells of the pancreas just start decreasing in number and functioning. The cause for this is unknown, but it may be an inherited condition. Many different dog breeds can be affected, however, it is more common in large breeds, especially German Shepherds.

Signs of pancreatic insufficiency

Regardless of its cause, the signs associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are usually obvious and fit a distinct pattern. The disorder may come on gradually over a long period of time or it may develop rapidly over a period of a week or two. The animals with the condition show rapid weight loss caused by loss of body fat, and muscle atrophy. The hair coat has poor quality. There is usually diarrhea with the stools being light yellow or clay-colored, with the consistency of mashed potatoes. In some cases, it may even be watery, without any form at all. Depending on the diet, there may be large quantities of undigested fat present in the stool. The animal will seem constantly hungry and eat as much food as it can ingest at one time. It will often eat abnormal things such as plants, dirt, or its own feces (though pancreatic insufficiency is a rare cause of stool eating in dogs). The animal, in its appearance and behavior, typifies one that is starving to death, and in reality, he is.

Diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency

In most cases, a presumptive diagnosis can be made from clinical signs alone and it is then proven by one of several available tests used to accurately diagnose pancreatic insufficiency. These include:

     

  • determining the levels of certain digestive enzymes in the blood (serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity), which is the most reliable

     

  • measuring the level of chymotrypsin activity

     

  • determining the levels of digestive enzymes in the stool (fecal proteolytic activity)

     

  • examining the stool under the microscope (least reliable)

Treatment of pancreatic insufficiency

In its appearance and behavior, a dog with pancreatic insufficiency looks like one who is starving to death - and in reality, he is.
Fortunately, treatment can easily be accomplished. Unfortunately, it is an expensive and lifelong proposition. Treatment involves replacing the dog's pancreatic enzymes with enzymes from other sources. Our only source of medications for these cases is products made through an expensive process, using freeze-dried and ground-up extracts of hog and cattle pancreases. These glands are harvested in meat packing plants and then processed solely for this purpose. They are formulated either into tablets or powder and go under such trade names as Viokase or Pancrezyme. They contain large quantities of the same naturally occurring digestive enzymes that are deficient in the affected pet. The tablets are given prior to a meal while the powder is usually mixed with food and allowed to set 30 minutes before feeding. Response to therapy is immediate and the animal will usually return to near normal health. Unfortunately, cost becomes the major hurdle in treating pancreatic insufficiency. An affected dog, for instance, will need $60-100 worth of medication every month. Research is underway to develop synthetic digestive enzymes, and hopefully, will lower the price of treating these patients.

In some instances, raw pig pancreas can be used. The pancreas needs to come from animals certified as healthy by an approved meat inspector. Accurate dosing is more difficult with the raw pancreas, but in general, a 45-pound dog would need to receive 3 to 4 ounces of the chopped pancreas. The raw pancreas can be frozen at -4ºF for up to 3 months and still retain its enzyme activity.

If the dog does not respond well to the addition of the digestive enzymes in Viokase or Pancrezyme, the diet may sometimes need to be altered. A highly digestible diet is fed, medium chain triglycerides may be added as fat sources since they do not require breakdown by pancreatic enzymes, and multiple vitamin supplements are given (especially Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Since the deficiency is one of enzymes and is cured by the addition of the same enzymes back into the diet, many dog owners regretfully try other cures. There are many products, nutritional and otherwise, that advertise they contain natural enzymes which aid in digestion. Examples of these are K-ZYME, ProBalance, Prozyme, and so on. These really do contain real and natural enzymes and in normal dogs can be very useful nutritional supplements. However, they are not the enzymes associated with Pancreatic Insufficiency. This is a very specific disorder with specific enzymes needed to correct it. The general nutritional supplement will do no harm, but regretfully, they will do no good either.

We occasionally see patients in which the pancreatic insufficiency is only temporary and somehow resolves itself in 6 to 8 months, but these are rare exceptions. In these cases, it is thought that the cells responsible for the production of the enzymes have been irritated in some way but not permanently damaged. When they recover from the incident, whatever it was, their ability to produce these enzymes returns

 

Last updated - Thursday, September 16, 2010 09:31:21 PM -0400

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