Frequently asked questions!

I'm often asked questions regarding our furry friends. For as long as dogs and cats have been a part of our history, many people have no idea about the little things that make our pets unique. So, for fun, I thought I would list some of the most frequently asked questions and post the answers. Knowledge is power the old saying goes...and gaining a little extra can be fun too!

Enjoy!

1. Are dogs color blind?
Answer: Dogs are not color blind - they see color, but their chromatic acuity is significantly less than humans'. This is for two reasons: (1) dogs have far fewer cone cells in their retina (cone cells are responsible for seeing color); and (2) dogs are dichromatic (they see only two primary colors - blue and yellow) whereas humans are trichromatic, meaning we see three primary colors - red, blue, and green.
Humans have 7 times higher proportion of cone cells than dogs, meaning that when dogs do see colors, they are pale or faded. However dogs have a much higher concentration of rod cells, responsible for seeing black-and-white, and also much more sensitive in lower light conditions. For that reason, dogs have much better night vision than people.

2. Can dogs get frost bite or sun burns?
Answer: Yes they can. Although not all areas are prone to sunburn, the most important locations that are prone are the belly, the tips of the ears and tips of the nose. Although most of you have not thought about the possibility of sunburn on your dog, it is a serious condition that can cause certain injuries. Some of these injuries are skin ulcers (aka sores), infections and even cancer that can spread through the body. Sunburn threat is more serious in some dog breeds than others. For instance, short haired dogs or lightly colored ones are more prone to sunburn than other dog breeds. Lighter dogs naturally have thinner hair and will allow more sunlight to reach the skin of the dog. In addition, shorter dogs get the shorter stick because they are closer to the ground. Being closer to the ground causes sun reflecting from the pavement and other lighter ground covering such as sand to cause sunburn, especially on the belly region. On the other hand, some larger breeds are just naturally prone to cancer which makes the common case of sunburn in a more serious threat status than other dog breeds. Some of these breeds are Weimaraners and Boxers.

3. Is it true my pet will get fat if I have them spayed or neutered?
Answer: Lack of exercise and overfeeding makes pets fat and lazy, not spaying and neutering. Spayed and neutered pets are typically healthier and actually live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets. Exercise your pet just as you did before they were fixed, and they will suffer no ill effects from weight gain.

4. How long does a female stay in heat?
Answer: Female dogs have a heat cycle that takes about three weeks to complete. Female cats cycle at approximately 21 day intervals during the spring, summer and fall.

5. How do I get the smell of dog urine out of my floor?
Answer: Dog urine is powerful stuff, and the smell can linger for years after the dog is gone, enticing any new four-legged family member to use the smelly spot as a "potty spot".

Use an enzyme based cleaner (we recommend Nature's Miracle) and follow the directions on the label.

Tip: Do NOT use an ammonia product, or bleach. The smell simulates the smell of urine, and the dog will continue to use that area for a bathroom.

6. Why shouldn't I breed my dog?
Answer: For every puppy born, three die in shelters. There are too many out there and not enough homes for them all.

Complications in birth and pregnancies happen all the time. You could face losing your dog to death, and all the puppies with her. Will YOU pay the $1200.00 for a much-needed emergency cesarean section when she cannot deliver the pups?

What about sexually-transmitted diseases? That stud dog you had pickled out may have one. They are more common than you think.

How about genetic diseases? They abound.

Breeding is not a careless affair, it is so much more than bringing bitch and stud together during a heat cycle.

7. Do dogs get depression?
Answer: Like humans, dogs do occasionally suffer from bouts of depression. They get mopey, lethargic, stop eating, and drink only minimal amounts of water, stop wanting to play, and even lose drastic amounts of weight.

What can cause this in pets?

Grief, change of scenery, or sometimes it is a chemical imbalance, needing medication to correct it. Even the weather can adversely affect a normally happy dog. The most common reason for dog depression however, is lack of social interaction with their human owners. Dogs are pack animals...and our families are the pack they want to be with... a task made difficult when they kept constantly chained to a tree. Dogs don't just want to be near us...they need to be with us. Left to their own, watching us go about our daily lives, watching the kids playing in the distance while never being able to particpate runs counter to everything that makes a dog our best friend. Not only will your dog benefit from you spending quality time with them, numerous studies on humans have found that quality pet time makes us live longer too!

8. Is it ok for dogs and cats to eat grass?
Answer: Grass eating by dogs and cats is considered normal by most veterinarians. Dogs in the wild do the same thing to supplement their diet with vegetation. You should only be concerned about access to grass that has been treated with herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers that might cause illness. If chemicals have not been used on the grass, your pooch can graze away!

9. How often should I bathe my dog?
Answer: The simplest answer to this question is, whenever he needs it. Dogs who spend the most of their time indoors will not need much bathing, while dogs who are outside a lot, romping in the mud and trees (and possibly other smelly things) will need to be bathed more often. Also, some dogs' coats will accumulate grease and oil more quickly than others.

Breeds prone to oily skin and other skin conditions, such as Cocker Spaniels, benefit from regular bathing about every four weeks. Breeds with a thick, double coat, like huskies and chows, only need bathing about three or four times a year. Washing a dog with an undercoat more often than this can make the coat softer and less waterproof and insulating.

In general, you can use your common sense to judge when your dog needs bathing. If you're concerned about causing dry skin, there are moisturizing treatments available at most pet stores, which you rub into your dog's skin after you shampoo him. If your dog seems uncomfortable or shows signs of skin problems, consult your veterinarian.

10. What is Parvo?
Answer: Parvovirus is a dangerous virus that attacks dogs' intestinal tracts. It can cause severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and electrolyte imbalances and can lead to severe dehydration, a buildup of toxins or poisons in the bloodstream, and eventually death. When puppies under 12 weeks old are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal, or object that comes in contact with a infected dog's feces. The virus can survive extreme heat and cold for long periods of time, and may remain alive on a surface long after the feces has been removed.

There are many ways you can protect your dog from parvovirus. Most veterinarians recommend multiple vaccinations for growing puppies. As dogs get older, their immunity is maintained with annual booster shots. Use a solution of one part bleach to thirty parts water to clean areas frequented by other dogs, and use the solution on the soles of your shoes if you think you've walked through an infected area.

If your dog experiences vomiting, severe diarrhea, depression, or loss of appetite, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Though there are presently no drugs to kill the virus, there are treatments proven to control its symptoms.