Pets World

A dog can make a great addition to a family. After all, dogs are cute, cuddly and loyal companions for kids and adults. They are intelligent, affectionate and protective of their human family members. There’s a dog for everyone so which breed should you choose? Some dog breeds are just more family oriented than others so let’s take a look at those who get along well with children and enjoy being treated like any other member of the family.

Collie

Collies are not only beautiful but highly intelligent dogs as well. They are friendly with a gentle disposition. Collies are playful, peaceful and make good companions. A collie is a good choice for a family dog.

Poodles

Poodles are cute, cuddly and love affection. They are active dogs that love to play. Despite their size, they are good watchdogs too. Poodles are ideal family dogs.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are loving, loyal and patient. They are obedient dogs that are easy to train. They are active, social and friendly. Labrador Retrievers are people-oriented dogs who love attention. They are a wonderful choice when considering a family dog.

Boston Terrier

These gentle, well-mannered dogs have an easy going demeanor. They’re also easy to train. The Boston Terrier is a fun-loving, playful and intelligent dog. Boston Terriers make good companions and they are protective over their family members.

Beagle

Beagles are happy, energetic and playful dogs. They have gentle dispositions and love attention. They also form a protective bond over their human companions. A beagle is definitely a family dog.

Pug

Pugs are generally happy, loving and affectionate dogs. They are quite playful and energetic. The pug is a highly intelligent and clever dog. They make loyal companions.

Schnauzer

Schnauzers have fun-loving playful personalities. They are intelligent, social and affectionate. Schnauzers are very family-oriented and protective over their human companions.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is an intelligent, easy to train breed. They are happy, gentle dogs with a good disposition. Bichons are friendly, social and affectionate. This breed is excellent with kids which makes them a wonderful choice for a family dog.

Great Dane

This breed is affectionately known as the gentle giant. Great Danes are large, energetic dogs but they are also very friendly and loving. They are good with children and make excellent family dogs.

Australian Shepherd

This dog breed has an easy going, gentle demeanor. The Australian Shepherd is loyal and dependable companion. The breed is excellent with children and very protective of them.

Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is cute, adorable and mild-mannered. The breed is obedient , loveable and affectionate. Basset Hounds make excellent family dogs.

Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is an intelligent, friendly and loveable dog. The breed is active and energetic. Golden Retrievers love outdoor play which makes them excellent companions for active children.

Boxer

Boxers are energetic, happy, playful dogs. They are very affectionate and love attention. Boxers are intelligent and learn quickly. Boxers are very family-oriented dogs. They are protective of children and get along well with them.

Irish Setter

Irish Setters are gentle, calm and very loving. The breed is generally energetic and happy. Irish Setters are family-oriented dogs that get along well with children.

Newfoundland

Newfoundlands or Newfs as they are sometimes called are large, hardy dogs with a good temperament. They are intelligent, social and gentle. Newfs get along well with children. They possess the qualities of patience, playfulness and protectiveness that make them good companions for kids and a good choice for a family dog.

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are loving and obedient. They are generally active, happy dogs. Cocker Spaniels are affectionate dogs that love attention. They are excellent companions for people of all ages.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are small, cute and cuddly. They are also quite clever and intelligent. The breed is protective and independent. Pomeranians are friendly, loyal and loveable. They make adorable companion dogs.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is cute, energetic and playful. This breed loves attention and makes a wonderful companion for people of all ages. The Shih Tzu gets along equally well with children and adults making it a perfect family dog.

Burmese Mountain Dog

The Burmese Mountain dog is a large, even tempered dog that is easy to train and eager to please. The breed is friendly, obedient and protective. These dogs get along well with children and make an excellent family addition.

Airedale

Airedales are excellent canine companions. The breed is friendly, playful, protective and loyal. They are intelligent and obedient dogs that easily fit into the family structure.

The inconspicuous adrenal glands are small but important organs which serve many functions in maintaining hormone levels. Diseases that affect the adrenal glands may have deleterious effects on the body. Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is a disease of the adrenal glands that results in a deficiency of either glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids or both.

Glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are involved with protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and therefore affect blood glucose levels. Mineralocorticoids are adrenal steroids which have an effect on ion transport by epithelial cells, resulting in a loss of potassium and retention of sodium. In the case of a dog with Addison’s disease, the decreased production of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids will be reflected in blood biochemical values.

Addison’s disease is often referred to as “the great pretender” because the signs it causes are nonspecific. Clinical signs include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, increased drinking, and vomiting. All of those signs can be attributed to a wide range of other diseases, so it may sometimes be difficult to diagnose. However, when a dog has repeated episodes of the above signs, Addison’s should be a suspect. This is especially true if the episodes were precipitated by a stressful event, such as a busy party or loud thunderstorm. Most cases of Addison’s disease are related to an immune-mediated process which destroys the adrenal tissue.

Occasionally, a dog may suffer from an acute episode of Addison’s disease which presents as generalized weakness, a low heart rate, heart arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), collapse and shock. The dog will find him/herself in the emergency room and will require immediate aggressive fluid therapy, steroids and electrolytes to recover.

Although Addison’s disease can occur at any age and affect any breed or sex, it is most common in young adult female dogs. Addison’s disease has been reported in dogs as young as eight weeks of age, but the mean age of dogs at the time of diagnosis is 4 years. Breeds that may be genetically predisposed to developing Addison’s disease include the Great Dane, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Standard Poodle, and the West Highland White Terrier.

The first step in diagnosing the disease is using a blood panel to analyze blood biochemistry levels. Addisonian dogs have unbalanced sodium and potassium levels due to the kidney’s inability to regulate those electrolytes. Liver enzymes and kidney values are also commonly elevated. To reach a definitive diagnosis, blood cortisol levels must be measured. An adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) test is performed. This test involves two blood samples. The first blood sample is drawn and then the patient is given an injection of ACTH. A second blood sample is taken a few hours later. Cortisol is measured in both samples and the two results are compared. A patient with Addison’s has a low baseline cortisol level that fails to rise after stimulation with ACTH. ACTH normally stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Failure of the adrenals to respond to ACTH results in an inadequate production of the hormones, which leads to the clinical signs associated with the disease.

Treatment of Addison’s disease involves supplementing the dog with both types of adrenal steroids. One steroid, called prednisone, is given at a very low dose to boost glucocorticoid levels. Another drug called fludrocortisone acetate helps replenish mineralocorticoid levels. Both drugs are given orally. An alternative to oral medications is an injection of desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP), which is given about once per month. The clinical signs of Addison’s disease usually disappear after fine-tuning the treatment protocol, and protocols may vary from dog to dog. Close monitoring of blood levels to ensure that the medications are working as they should is important.

For an acute Addisonian crisis, the dog is treated as an emergency case. Aggressive treatment with IV fluids, steroids and glucose are indicated. Once stabilized, Addisonian dogs have a good prognosis and can continue to live long, happy lives.

By Amy Cheung - Pets.ca writer

Raising chickens may be more work than you realize. It can seem easy at first. Especially when you go into the feed store and see the baby chicks. They are so cute and look like peeping balls of fluff. But not long after, they will be a lot larger and can be more aggressive. At this point they become more work for you. Although you will probably find that chickens really like doing their own thing. This dosn't mean that you won't be able to pet your chickens or hold them. Being familiar with raising chickens though, I know that some chickens are flighty and don't like to be touched.

Like cats, chickens also prefer to be left alone much of the time. Chickens enjoy their daily routine, which will include daily feedings and the occasional petting. If you gain the trust of your chickens whe they are young, you will be surprised by how friendly they can be.

So how exactly do you take care of your chickens properly? Well there are a few things that you definitely need to do, and then there are things that you will learn along the way. The essentials are listed here:

Food: In the beginning you can choose from Organic Starter Feed, or Regular Starter Feed. Though Organic may be a little more expensive it is always the best choice. After eight weeks you can move your chickens on to regular feed, ensuring that they get the nutrition they need. You can also feel free to feed them things like lettuce and other vegetables.

Water: Chickens will always need access to water, of this there is no doubt. The best thing that you can do is give them a galvanized watering bucket that dispenses water automatically. You would also do well to make sure that the water is kept fairly high so that the chickens can get to it, but also so they cannot defecate in it. It is important to remember that chickens are not exactly conscious of where they do their business.

Bedding: Chickens need clean bedding. It keeps absorbs a lot of the chicken manure and is more comfortable on their feet. Bedding can either be wood shavings that you buy at the feed store, or it can be straw. Straw can either be obtained directly from a feed and tack store, or it can be bought from local farmers.

It is also very important to build your coop properly when you are doing some backyard homesteading. You need to make sure that the chickens have enough lighting within the coop, and decent access to an outside pen area where they can enjoy the sunlight. Another important thing is that you do not make the ceiling of the coop too low. Make sure that you can walk comfortably within the coop, because if you can hit your head, then chances are so can your chickens. The problem is that when a chicken flies and hits its head, there is a chance that it will die. You will have to deal with a dead chicken eventually, but you want to make it happen later instead of sooner.

Raising chickens can be lots of fun and does not have to be difficult. But you need to realize that it's not all play and no work. Research what it takes to raise chickens before trying it. That way you can really enjoy the experience.