This must be the month for animals issues. :gaah: Hopefully September will bring an end to it!!!!!
I've always had my questions about heartworm. I've never had a dog with it, and never given any of my dogs preventatives for it.
What makes mosquitoes of the last 25-30 years capable of giving canines this? And it seems it's always short haired dogs.
And why are dogs living shorter lives than they did 40 years ago?
Why are there more problems with spinal compression or general vertebra displacement in our critters? It's weird, it seems to come up a lot, dogs and horses. And breaks in bones, like kitties, those critters have alway been so indestructible, with the exception of cars and a pack of coyotes.
So many questions.
Is it food, genetics, vaccinations, supplements, worming, spaying, neutering, gelding, creating a more coddled environment?
BBM All things affect our animals. The Queen only gets her rabies shot every 3 years and nothing else because of my experience with my dog Buddy. He was a
sick dog and the vets always did a titers (sp)blood test when his shots came due and most times he had enough anti-bodies where he didn't need the shots (even the rabies shot).
Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals
"...For 10,000 years the selective breeding of dogs has been focused on aspects of performance, behaviour or appearance. This approach characterises the breeding of many other species of companion animals as well. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many genetic diseases. It is now time for priority to be given to breeding for the animals' welfare. To drive this change, prospective pet owners, and breeders need information on the welfare consequences of these diseases. This website includes information not just about the physical effects of genetic diseases but also assessments of their effects on the animals quality of life, for example through causing pain or discomfort, to inform prospective pet owners' choice of their new pet...."
http://www.ufaw.org.uk/geneticwelfareproblems.php
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Theses are the 3 things that The Queen may develop in the future:
Hyperadrenocorticism
Mitral Valve Disease
Pancreatitis and Hyperlipidaemia
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Inherited disorders in cats
"...Cats suffer from inherited disorders like other animals, but they tend to be more common among pedigree cats because the selective breeding and in-breeding (breeding together very closely related cats) used to develop particular characteristics of the breed may also increase the risk of inherited disorders. Indeed in some cases, the breed itself is based on an inherited disorder which, potentially can be harmful to health..."
http://icatcare.org/advice/cat-breeds/inherited-disorders-cats
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Genetics:
Why do dogs have so many genetic disorders?
"The list of canine genetic diseases seems to get longer every day, and you have to wonder if this is "normal". Of course, all animals have inherited disorders, but is the dog typical of other animals?..
In general, domestication is associated with the accumulation of genetic diseases, and especially so in animals that are bred in high numbers with significant selection (e.g., cattle, in which different breeds have been selected for beef or milk production). But by far, the most genetic damage has been done to the dog. Dogs have twice as many genetic diseases as cats, and almost three times the number in horses. So yes, it would seem that dogs have more than their fair share of genetic diseases..."
http://www.instituteofcaninebiology...re-than-their-fair-share-of-inherited-disease
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The Purebred Paradox
Is the quest for the "perfect" dog driving a genetic health crisis?
"...Though the dogs who compete at Westminster are beautiful and most are likely healthy, the rise of such spectaclesand judging measures that in some cases emphasize appearance over welfarehas been blamed for a host of genetic health problems facing scores of breeds today...
Left to their own devices, dogs will be dogsand will eventually intermingle enough to level out extreme differences within the species. Natural selection ensues and hybrid vigor results: Witness the similar color and size of mutts in Mexico and other countries where theyre allowed to roam. To protect particular characteristics, though, breed enthusiasts have long guarded a highly controlled process, regulating genetic lines and creating registries that stipulate which animals can be bred to produce more of the same type.
But therein lies the problem: The more limited the number of mates, the greater the chance a dog will be bred with a relative who shares similar genes. Genetic diseases are caused by recessive genes, so a good gene from one parent will trump a bad gene from the other. But if both parents have a bad genesuch as one that predisposes them to hip dysplasia or blindnessthe likelihood of a sick puppy increases..."
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/m...paradox.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
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Obesity/Food:
Pet Health: The Most Common Medical Problems In Dogs And Cats
"Obesity, like in humans, is also a troublesome trend in our furry friends. In fact, according to a recent report from Banfield Pet Hospital, 37 percent more dogs and 90 percent more cats are overweight than they were five years ago.
Banfield, the world's largest veterinary practice, recently released its State of Pet Health report, detailing findings about pet obesity, as well as other common health problems in dogs and cats...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/05/common-pet-health-problems_n_1472605.html
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Animal health problems linked to glyphosate, GM feed
http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articl...lth-problems-linked-to-glyphosate-GM-feed.php
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Vaccines:
Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
"Vaccinations are one of the most important weapons in the fight against infectious diseases in animals. Many diseases have been virtually eliminated through disease control programs that have incorporated vaccination as one of the control measures. However, vaccines are not without their limitations and there are vaccine failures. In fact, in some cases the reactions or side effects can be worse than the disease they are being used to prevent. The use, or overuse of vaccines is being carefully evaluated by veterinary researchers and clinicians the world over..."
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-health/vaccinations-side-effects/
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How Much Money are You Wasting on Pet Vaccines?
"...Catherine O'Driscoll, from the charity, said: We are not anti-vaccination. What we are saying is that currently our pets are receiving far too many. The latest scientific research shows that after the first course of injections as a puppy most dogs are immune against these diseases for at least seven years, if not for life...
A typical recommendation for a lifetime schedule of pet immunizations is at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks of age, with a booster at 12 months, and every year thereafter.
Believe it or not, these recommendations werent developed based on any scientific research at all they were simply recommendations in the purest sense of the word.
These entirely unscientific recommendations were introduced by the USDA and vaccine manufacturers over 20 years ago, and many veterinarians continue to follow them today despite mounting concerns about the health risks associated with over-vaccinating..."
http://healthypets.mercola.com/site...2010/03/31/high-cost-of-pet-vaccinations.aspx
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Years ago one of my cats developed a cancer tumor in the neck area and I do think it was from the shots she received when she was a kitten, IMO.
Vaccinosis: Health Hazard of Routine Vaccination
"Most pet owners aren't aware of the dangers in animal vaccinations that have been discovered in recent years. The major veterinary associations now agree that vaccinations can trigger all sorts of maladies, from allergies to cancer - but most pet caretakers (and many veterinarians, it seems) haven't gotten the word. "With vaccines that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these side-effects in our pets has increased dramatically. Most of the problems involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that can overwhelm and confuse the immune system." - Dr. Donna Starita Mehan, DVM....
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM - "In a general and frightening context, I see the overall wellness and longevity of animals deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I think we often exceed that limit and overwhelm the body's immune system function with toxins from vaccines. The most common problems I see that are directly related to vaccines on a day to day basis are ear or skin conditions, such as chronic discharges and itching. I also see behavior problems such as fearfulness or aggression. Often guardians will report that these begin shortly after vaccination and are exacerbated with every vaccine.".."
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/AnimalWellness/Petvacc
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The Truth About Pet Vaccines You Wont Hear from Your Vet
"omestic dogs and cats today are suffering from an unprecedented and very disturbing epidemic of chronic degenerative disease much of it caused by the very pet vaccines that are supposed to preserve their health.
These animals are routinely presenting with a variety of symptoms and diagnoses that are eerily similar to those being experienced by their owners.
One of the major factors adversely affecting the health of our pets has to do with the quality (or rather lack thereof) of the pet food we feed them.
Besides poor quality food that is not in keeping with the natural diet our furry friends require, chronic and very serious health issues are also emerging due to the shocking overuse of pet vaccines..."
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-truth-about-pet-vaccines-you-wont-hear-from-your-vet/
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(I'm still behind in my reading :gaah
too bad if you are behind me and I have like 5 to 10 feet of no cars in front of me! 
) 
cguru:
I finally shook off the weird feeling, it helped to write it down. Now I'm just sleepy. :wave:
