The Pros and Cons of Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering, the removal of pet’s reproductive organs, has been a controversy for decades. Veterinarians, animal shelters, and animal welfare organizations most often encourage this process and there are many reasons for and against spaying and neutering.

PROS:

It helps reduce dog and cat overpopulation.

Whenever there is a surplus of dogs and cats, euthanasia becomes the final option. There are millions in the United States. Cats are 45 times more prolific and dogs 15 times. They need our help to reduce their numbers to a manageable amount without having to euthanize them.

Sterilization will increase your cat or dog’s life span. 

Spaying or neutering your pet adds years: one to three for dogs, three to five for cats. The surgically altered dogs and cats have a very low risk for many cancers, including prostate, ovarian, testicular and mammary cancers.

Your cat/dog will be a better pet.

The hormones that convinced pets to roam in search of mates will have run dry, so they are also less at risk of getting the diseases that intact dogs and cats could get while they roam. There’s more. Surveys show that approximately 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered, and cats spread Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome by bites, and unaltered cats are much more aggressive than altered cats.

CONS:

No Pregnancies

Spaying will sterilize your dog or cat. She will no longer be able to have puppies or kittens. While many believe that to be a good thing, for some families, it’s discouraging because they want puppies or kittens.

Invasive Surgery

Spaying is a major surgery, and as such, there are risks involved. The veterinarian surgically enters the abdomen; it is considered "major surgery". However, since this surgery is a routinely performed one, it is usually safe. There are inherent risks with any anesthesia or surgical procedure. Talking to a vet and raising concerns is a good way to proceed.

Higher risks for other health issues:

Hypothyroidism, orthopedic disorders, and urinary tract infections have been shown, in certain studies, to have a higher rate of occurrence in pets who have been spayed or neutered before their first heat. 

Even though most veterinarians do encourage spaying and neutering cats and dogs, it may not be the best option for every pet. Talk to your pet's vet before deciding you want your pet spayed or neutered.

http://www.earthrated.com/blog/the-spay-and-neuter-controversy/

http://www.spayusa.org/benefits.php

http://www.woodbridgeanimalhospital.com/Dog-Wellness/pros-and-cons-of-spaying-and-neutering-in-dogs.html

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/dogdiseasess/a/spaying.htm

The Benefits of Having a Pet

We all love our pets, and they love us. We give them love, food, a place to live, even medical care. But has anyone ever shown you what our pets do for us? Without even knowing it, they help us to be healthier and happier. 

Lowers Stress Levels and Helps Maintain Calm:

Playing with or petting the family dog or cat has been shown to increase the hormones serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, and can lower the stress-causing chemical cortisol. This reaction can help bring calm and can make you feel more relaxed. With less stress and more relaxation, your physical health can improve. 

Decreases Allergies and Illness:

Researchers in Finland discovered that having a dog or cat in the family may actually protect children from diseases such as the common cold and other respiratory illnesses, helps prevent ear infections, and less need for antibiotics. Another study found that children who grow up with animals have stronger immune systems. 

However, the Finnish study didn’t include allergies to dogs or cats. If the parents have a pet allergy, they are more likely to have children with similar allergies. In such a case, having pets in the house may be unsafe for such children.

Provides Companionship:

Pets will never judge you, never spill your secrets, never let you down when you need comfort. They love you unconditionally and stay by your side when you need a friend. Once you bring a pet into your family, you will never have to be alone again.

Helps Teach Responsibility:

Whether for children or for a couple, adding a four-legged friend into the household can be a wonderful opportunity to practice being responsible. Pets need to be fed, watered, played with, exercised, and cleaned up after. Whoever takes care of the dog is bound to feel a sense of ownership and pride.

Increases Exercise:

Keeping up with a pet can be great exercise for both the pet and the owner, whether going for a walk, playing fetch, or even getting them to chase a laser pointer. Playing with your pet will be good for both of you.

Social Interaction:

Research shows that people are more likely to trust individuals walking their dog, even more so if they themselves have a dog with them. A dog is a great conversation starter. People might ask about breed, age, and personality, and may even watch the dog do tricks.

In the end, we don’t have pets because they calm us down or because they give us a reason to start a conversation. We have pets because we want companionship. We love our pets unconditionally, and they love us. Everything else pales by comparison. 

http://www.animalsmart.org/species/dogs/dogs-help-reduce-stress

http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm

http://mathandreadinghelp.org/articles/Fido_as_Teacher%3A__How_Pets_Teach_Responsibility.html

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-benefits-of-pets

Is There a Fungus Among Us?

Why do home-baked and especially organic dog treats mold or spoil quickly? The answer lies not with what is in the food, but with what is not: preservatives. Many chemicals can extend the shelf life of a product. Most of them, however, contain carcinogens, pesticides, and other toxins that, when ingested regularly, can be lethal. Since organic foods don’t usually have preservatives, they are likely to mold much more quickly.

Here are some FAQ’s about mold:

What is mold, anyway?

Mold is a fungus that lives on plant or animal matter. No one knows how many species of mold exist, but scientists estimate that it ranges from tens of thousands to perhaps 300,000 or more. Most are threadlike organisms, and the production of spores is characteristic of fungi in general. Unlike bacteria, which are one-celled, molds are made of many cells and can sometimes be seen without magnification.

Is mold dangerous?

Not all molds are dangerous, but, yes, many can cause allergic reactions, breathing problems, and, in some cases, serious illness or death.

Does mold only grow on the top of food?

No; you only see the portion of the mold that is on the surface of food. When the surface shows heavy mold growth, "root" threads have already invaded deep into the food. In potentially lethal molds, poisonous substances are often contained in and around these threads.  In some cases, the toxins may already have spread throughout the food.

Where are molds found?

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. 

Why can mold grow in the refrigerator?

While most molds prefer warmer temperatures, they still can grow at refrigerator temperatures. Molds also tolerate salt and sugar better than most other food invaders like bacteria. This means that molds can grow in pretty much anything, making them more of a concern than some other contaminants.

There is a way to slow down or possibly prevent the growth of mold:  add preservatives.  Unfortunately, although preservatives can be useful, a lot of the time they are dangerous. There are two types of preservatives, natural and artificial. 

Natural preservatives are usually made from antioxidants and vitamins, including ascorbic acid from vitamin C and three herbs: rosemary, sage, and cloves, but there are other ways to preserve food naturally. Sugar, salt, vinegar, and lemon juice are all examples. Natural preservatives are typically considered safe.

Artificial preservatives, however, are another story. If ingested over time, they can add a notable risk of toxicity to any dog food. For example, ethoxyquin is one artificial preservative to watch for on a label because it is not only used as a preservative but also as a pesticide. Ethoxyquin has been under investigation by the FDA as a possible cause of certain liver and blood problems. In addition, the use of ethoxyquin is prohibited in Australian dog foods, as well as within in the European Union. But even today, ethoxyquin is still commonly found in many popular brands of dog food, notably in the United States. 

Some other risky artificial preservatives are propylene glycol, which is also commonly used as antifreeze, and sodium metabisulphite, which is a bleaching agent.

The bottom line is this:  Even though foods with preservatives stay fresh longer, the healthier option is to avoid them.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/molds-on-food-are-they-dangerous_/

http://www.cancer.org/healthy/eathealthygetactive/acsguidelinesonnutritionphysicalactivityforcancerprevention/acs-guidelines-on-nutrition-and-physical-activity-for-cancer-prevention-food-additives

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/red-flag-ingredients/dog-food-preservatives/

http://slimdoggy.com/preservatives-in-dog-food-the-good-and-the-bad/

Caring For a Senior Or Geriatric Dog

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be used for medicating your pet. Before giving your dog any medicines or home remedies, consult your veterinarian.

A healthy dog has a lifespan of 12.8 years, although certain breeds live longer. No one knows the exact age at which dogs enter their senior years, but they will likely enter this stage by the time they are 8 years old if they are a small to medium-sized dog, and 5 years old if they are larger. Dogs go through many physical and psychological changes during this period of time.

There are many common health issues that older dogs are likely to develop, including weight gain, arthritis, and gum disease. The deterioration of the senses is common as well. As a general rule, senior and geriatric dogs generally need lower-calorie diets to help prevent obesity — a huge problem in seniors — and higher-fiber diets to improve gastrointestinal health.

Common Symptoms

Obesity:

Weight gain is very common among all breeds of dogs because older dogs don’t get as much exercise, and as such, losing weight can be very difficult. It is much better to not let your dog get overweight than to try to make him lose weight when he gets older. But if your dog is overweight, then work very hard to help him lose the extra weight. It is one of the single most important things you can do to increase the quality and length of life for your pet. It is not appropriate to simply reduce the volume of their current food. This can cause malnourishment. Instead, it is important to choose a nutritional product that has fewer calories, but has a good nutritional balance

Arthritis:

As dogs age, particularly large and giant breeds, their joints can start to develop arthritis. The thinning of the cartilage where two bones meet can lead to inflammation and pain. Adding fish oil into your dog’s diet can help reduce the inflammation that occurs in joints. Several forms of exercise that are appropriate for dogs with arthritis include walking and mild controlled jogging, swimming, and underwater treadmills. All of these are commonly used as forms of physical rehabilitation. 

Cognitive Dysfunction:
If your senior dog starts new behaviors like not recognizing people he knows well, staring or barking at things that are not there, or new circling or pacing behaviors, then he may have cognitive dysfunction. This is a syndrome similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans and should be treated by your veterinarian. The drug Anipryl, used by humans to treat Parkinson’s disease, has been found to dramatically improve symptoms and the quality of life for many dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Cataracts:

One of the major things that you may see as your pet ages is a cloudy film that forms in the lens of the eye. This could be the start of cataracts, which can form in the older dog, but these are far less common in dogs than in humans. However, the change you see could just be an old-age change that does not affect vision much at all. Dogs with this mild lens change can actually see perfectly well, and, in most cases, this cloudy haze will never develop into anything harmful.

Gum Disease:

When gum disease starts, there are no outward signs or symptoms. Though gum disease in dogs is regrettably common, it can be prevented. 

Some symptoms of severe gum disease include bleeding or red gums, loose teeth, bad breath, or even not wanting their head touched. The specific treatment depends on how advanced the disease is. If discovered at an early stage, treatment is focused on controlling plaque and preventing attachment loss. This is achieved by daily brushing with animal safe toothpaste, professional cleaning, polishing, and the prescribed application of fluoride. The next level of treatment cleans the space between the gums and teeth. Sometimes the application of antibiotic gel is used to decrease the size of this space. In the more advanced stages, bone replacement procedures, tooth splinting, or guided tissue regeneration may become necessary.

Alternatives to Medication

Antioxidants:

Examples of antioxidants include vitamins A, C, E, and selenium. They can be found in many herbs and vegetables and protect against cellular damage. The best sources of antioxidants from natural foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

Omega-3:

Omega-3s are very beneficial for nearly all of the body’s systems, especially for an aging dog. They can come from fish oil, flax-seed oil, and other sources.

“Good Food”:

Natural and organic foods and meats that have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are examples of “good food”. Homemade foods are almost always better than processed. Remember that as your dog ages, he will need fewer and fewer calories.

Remember: Do NOT give your dog any new medicine, supplements, or home remedies without first consulting your veterinarian.

http://www.dogchannel.com/holistic-dog-care/natural-remedies-for-the-aging-dog.aspx

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