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1. I have a pup at home. This is the first time I am keeping a pet. Please advise on caring for puppy.
2. I am going on holiday. Can I take my pet along, if not then what do you suggest?
3. Why does my dog refuse to eat his food and start eating grass?
4. We have two dogs and my house seems to flooded with ticks. What do I do?
5. We adopted our dog a little over a year ago. 6 months ago we moved into our house and 3 months ago she started urinating small amounts in the same small area. Why is this and how do we make it stop?
6. We are feeding our 6-month-old Lab puppy 1 cup of food, two times a day. Should we be feeding her more?
7. What is the best method of containment for a dog, when the family works? It doesn't seem fair to leave him in a crate for 9 hours, I have considered a gate for the kitchen or bath but he has had accidents?
8. I have a 2 months old Labrador female pup. She is active and playful but she chews and tries to eat what ever comes in her way. Can you suggest a cure?
9. My dog has started eating his own faeces, which is very embarrassing and seems to be unhealthy too. How can I cure him of this habit?
10. What are the general signs of a pup in good health?
11. We have a male cat who is used to being the master of the house. We are thinking of getting a kitten but aren't sure if he will take to the new kitten. Would it be wise to do so?
12. I have a seven year old cat who has an incredible ability to hunt animals. I want to get a guinea pig as an additional pet. Good idea or bad idea?
13. I would like to get 3-4 stray dogs in my area sterilized. I recently read that the Panchkula Corporation will be injecting these dogs with an injection. Is this a new method please explain?
14. If a dog is bleeding profusely in the mouth, what first aid should be given?
15. How do I administer medicine to a dog or cat?
16. How can I take care of some orphan and rejected Puppies?
17. When is a dog given a tetanus shot ?
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Our Answers
1. I have a pup at home. This is the first time I am keeping a pet. Please advise on caring for puppy.
Puppies will usually open their eyes at about two weeks. Soon after that time, you can begin to introduce them to semisolid foods. At three weeks most puppies will lick a bit of cooked mashed liver from your fingers. At four weeks you can usually put a shallow pan of baby cereal mixed with cooked liver and milk close to your pup. The first few times you feed your puppies this way, they will get most of it on them instead of in them. However they will soon learn to lap up the gruel with relish. Dont make the food too thin, or they may get some of the fluid into their lungs. At eight weeks pups will be eating considerable amounts of food. In the weeks that follow, you can slowly switch to dry food, ideally fed free-choice. Pups also need a calcium-vitamin D supplement for proper bone growth and the prevention of rickets. If not fed free-choice pups should be fed four times daily at eight weeks of age, three times daily at three to four months, and two times daily until nine months. At eight weeks pups should have their first adult distemper hepatitis-parvo combination vaccination and also be checked for worms. Ninety percent of puppies have some type of worms even if the bitch was de-wormed. It is a good idea to have your puppy checked when you bring it to it's new home.
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2. I am going on holiday. Can I take my pet along, if not then what do you suggest?
Yes you can go both ways.
If you dont want to take your pet along then you can look for kennels and catteries.
One of the best ways to make sure your cat or dog will get reliable care is to board it at a reputable kennel or cattery. Visit several of these establishments in advance so you can see for yourself what they are like. Reputable kennels will want to ensure that your animal has been vaccinated by a vet and has an up-to-date certificate of inoculation. Make sure that you book a space well in advance or you could be disappointed. You should also make sure that you or the kennels have an insurance scheme in case your pet needs emergency care. The kennel should also be given your vet's name and telephone number and a number where you can be contacted in case of emergencies.
You have another way i.e. Friendly care
If friends offer to take care of your animals while you are away make sure they understand what is involved - will your pet be welcomed by all members of the friend's family and will it get on well with other pets? Cats may be happier staying in their own homes. But a responsible friend or neighbor will need to visit at least twice a day to feed and water it. The best thing would be if a friend or relative could come and stay in your absence. But you must leave clear instructions on how to look after them including keeping them out of direct sunlight. Always leave your holiday telephone number and the name and telephone number of your vet.
If you are taking your pet with you then
If you are holidaying in this country you may be able to take your pet with you. Check with a local Tourist Board that might list holiday accommodation where you and your pet can feel at home. Dogs and cats can become sick and distressed during long journeys. Ask your vet for advice on tranquillizers. You could also try and get your pet used to the car before the journey takes place. Your dog will need regular stops for exercise and water. Cats should be kept in a proper traveling box throughout the journey and not allowed to roam in strange locations. Animals should not be left in cars on warm or sunny days - they could die. Your pet should also have an identity disk giving your holiday address.
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3. Why does my dog refuse to eat his food and start eating grass?
Most dogs seek to eat grass when they want to make themselves sick. This may be because they have eaten something which makes them feel unwell, or perhaps because they have a stomach upset of some kind. If this behavior lasts for more than a couple of hours, you may be wise to seek veterinary attention. A repeated desire to be sick may indicate he has something lodged in his throat.
It has also been seen that the dogs with poor fibre content in their diet go for eating grass. However, its nothing serious. Do consult a vet to check the diet your are giving to him.
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4. We have two dogs and my house seems to flooded with ticks. What do I do?
Welcome to the problems that come with keeping a pet - skin infections and ticks particularly in the humid season. Firstly, impossible as it may seem try not to take your pets near thick and dense growth of grass as that is the favorite breeding place for the ticks. After taking them for a walk and before getting them into the house please ensure that you have checked the area under the tail, the inner paws and the ears.This is where the ticks are usually lodged. Secondly, give them an anti tick bath after every 14 days with Notix shampoo. In some cases due to the delayed response of the owner it becomes imperative to give a special antitick bath. You must follow this treatment only when advised by your vet as the medicine used is highly toxic and can result in the death of the animal incase he/ she licks it.
Please do not use anti-tick collars as they are most toxic and can really harm your pet. Add a drop of Eucalyptus oil in the daily poccha(wet mop). This prevents the entry of the ticks in the house.Dust the bedding of your pet on a regular basis. Put it out in the sun for sometime.
Remember you need to act fast in order to save your pet from tick fever during this season.
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5.We adopted our dog a little over a year ago. 6 months ago we moved into our house and 3 months ago she started urinating small amounts in the same small area. Why is this and how do we make it stop?
As is common with a lot of pets, your dog may have been emotionally affected by your move. Even though his bad habit did not begin until a while after you moved, there is bound to have been more upheaval with lots of different people coming and going, furniture being moved and painters and decorators perhaps paying visits. It seems like this has disturbed your dogs sense of stability and of having his own patch. His urinating probably signifies an attempt to mark out his territory and thus inform these intruders that this is his home, not theirs. Despite this being a result of some slight emotional disturbance in his life, it is still important that he knows this is bad behaviour. I am sure that with time, when you have all settled into your new home and have it just the way you like it, your dog will begin to settle and may well stop this behaviour without further help. It may be helpful to take him for a walk or have him locked in his own secure room when you are having renovations carried out.
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6. We are feeding our 6-month-old Lab puppy 1 cup of food, two times a day. Should we be feeding her more?
This all depends on the level of activity. At six months old, we can safely assume that a Labrador is extremely active. It does sound like it might be insufficient. The problem one always has with Labradors is that they are extremely veracious eaters. That is, if you were to allow them to eat until they were full, they would continue to eat and eat. This is why Labradors more than most carry a pot-belly. You did not say why you think this might not be enough food. All dogs at this age may look slightly undernourished, being tall and slender rather than muscular.
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7. What is the best method of containment for a dog, when the family works? It doesn't seem fair to leave him in a crate for 9 hours, I have considered a gate for the kitchen or bath but he has had accidents.
It is not fair to keep a dog alone in an apartment all day, and definitely not if he is being kept in a crate. I think that if the occasional accident happens, it is only fair to put up with it - he is not being asked if he wants to go 9 hours without going to the toilet! If he is a small dog you could consider litter-training him. Other than this, I would suggest you find a daytime pet sitter or a friend who can come round and walk your dog at lunchtime.
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8. I have a 2 months old Labrador female pup. She is active and playful but she chews and tries to eat what ever comes in her way. Can you suggest a cure?
A pup is very investigative and curious by nature. They investigate, sniff, chew and swallow all sorts of objects in the house. The eruption of permanent teeth is between 2 to 5 months of age. They chew more during this stage. It is not only a destructive phase but sometimes may also be dangerous for the pups. They may swallow sharp and splintered objectives or chew electric wires etc. This can lead to digestive track blockage or tearing. Give your pup some playing objects and chewable toys. When your pup is gnawing objects like shoes, legs of chairs or other household goods, pull him away with a quick jerk of his collar and scold him with a firm NO.
Immediately offer him the chewable rubber bone or bone chews (available at any dog clinic/ pet shop) praising him as he takes it. He will soon start understanding which things he is allowed to chew and those he should not. Proper quality and quantity of regular de-worming will definitely help you and your pup.
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9.My dog has started eating his own faeces, which is very embarrassing and seems to be unhealthy too. How can I cure him of this habit?
This is a common syndrome called coprophagia. They may develop this habit because of inadequate diet resulting in a deficiency of some vitamins, minerals or enzymes in body. This habit has to be corrected as it could lead to worm infestation especially if your dog consumes the stool of other dogs or animals.Pets who are fed food lacking in fiber content also develop this habit. It is advisable not to punish your pet for this action as he may feel that defaecating itself is an offence and for hiding it he may generally consume it. You will have to keep patience for the correction of this behavior. get a stool examination done to check the diet of your pet. Lots of green leafy vegetables should be fed to him & deworming should also be done regularly. You can pour kerosene oil on your dogs stool while he is defaecating and then allow him to turn around in an attempt to eat the stool. The offensive smell will make him not to eat it. So with little time and patience you can correct this abnormal behavior completely.
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10. What are the general signs of a pup in good health?
A pup must be very responsive, active and playful. The eyes should be bright and there should not be any kind of discharge from them. The ears and nose should be clean and without any discharge. The gums should be pink as it indicates that the pup is not anaemic. The coat should be clean and without any ectoparasites like fleas, ticks and lice.
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11. We have a male cat who is used to being the master of the house. We are thinking of getting a kitten but aren't sure if he will take to the new kitten. Would it be wise to do so?
Cats are very territorial and like to have their own 'patch'. Male cats generally want more territory than females. Acquiring a kitten will certainly be seen as less of a threat than an adult.It is diffficult to forecast exactly what will happen. There will be an initial period of hissing and spitting from both cats at first. The older cat will retire to glare at the kitten from a distance. It is essential that both cats have the opportunity to feed quietly and on their own. Allow them to meet periodically throughout the first few days always remaining present. You may find they begin to accept each other.
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12.I have a seven year old cat who has an incredible ability to hunt animals. I want to get a guinea pig as an additional pet. Good idea or bad idea?
On first instinct this is'nt a great idea - it amounts to taking a lot of risk. Even if you manage to protect your guinea pig very well it is likely to be stressed by the presence of a hunting cat. However, if you are determined to have a guinea pig and can make provisions for keeping the guinea pig well away from the cat at all times then go ahead.
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13. I would like to get 3-4 stray dogs in my area sterilized. I recently read that the Panchkula Corporation will be injecting these dogs with an injection. Is this a new method please explain?
Sterilizing the stray dogs is a very practical and sensible decision.World over dogs are sterilized by surgical methods and this has been approved by the Animal Welfare Division, Government of India too. Most of the cities in India are following this method as it is the most tested and safe method of controlling their population. Infact the government of India lends financial support to the concerned authorities for the execution of this project fixing a certain amountof funds for this.
This is called the Animal Birth Control Project and is being followed by the Chandigarh Muncipal Corporation too. No other method has approved by the Government of India and moreover any new method has to be tested and cleared by various agencies including the Ministry of Environment and Forests, CPCSEA, Drug Controller of India and other such agencies. Incase you need to sterilize the dogs, call us a special ABC Project has been launched by the concerned NGO
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14. If a dog is bleeding profusely in the mouth, what first aid should be given?
1.Quieten the animal with a sedative like Diazepam.
2. Apply cold compresses on the tongue.
3. If the bleeding site can be located, press it with cotton dipped in ice-cold water. If the bleeding is severe, take the animals to a vet.
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15.How do I administer medicine to a dog or cat?
PILLS:
Open your dogs mouth and drop the pill down As far back as you can, in the center of the tongue and on top of it. Close the mouth holding it shut while stroking the throat until your dog swallows. If your pet licks it's nose the pill should have gone down.
LIQUID: Tilt the chin up at an angle of 45 degrees and place the neck of the bottle into the cheek pouch, between the molar teeth and the cheek. Seal the lips around it with your fingers and pour in the liquid. Bottle syringes and eye-droppers can be used.
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16. How can I take care of some orphan and rejected Puppies?
A rejected pup, or a bitch with mastitis or no milkor a too-large litter, or a bitch who dies may leave you with this tiring but rewarding job of raising the litter or pup by hand.
The puppies must be fed small amounts of goat milk or puppy formula every two hours, day and night. This has to continue for at least one week. After the week you may drop to every three hours during the night, but keep with every two hours during the day. After two or three days, increase the milk gradually until it is doubled in quantity. If the pups seem very hungry after feeding, you may increase the amount of milk enough to almost satisfy them. Keep increasing as the pups grow and require more food. Do not overfeed, however, as this will cause digestive upsets.
The easiest way to feed pups their milk is with a feeding tube. This is a flexible rubber or plastic tube that fits on the end of a syringe. Draw the milk up into the syringe and tube, where it is measured, and then slowly push it down the pups throat. As the tube goes down, the pup will swallow it. Be sure it does swallow, or the tube could go into the lungs. When the feeding tube is down the esophagus (judge by the length of the neck), slowly inject the milk. If you do it too fast, the milk will be sprayed and cause cramps. This method requires little experience and is fast and easy. Total time required for feeding and cleaning each pup is about two minutes.
Make sure each pup urinates and defecates after each feeding. If it does not, massage the genital area with a moist cloth or cotton to stimulate action. This is the way the mother teaches her young to defecate. If it is not done, the pups may become constipated and die.
Introduce the pups to semi-solid food when they are about three weeks old, as with motherraised pups. Hand-raised pups often take readily to semi-solid food a bit earlier than pups raised by their mother. By four weeks the pups will usually lap gruel made of milk mixed with normal food and a bit of baby cereal. They can be completely weaned from milk when they eat well on their own usually by six weeks of age.
When raising very young pups by hand, you must make sure they stay warm enough as their mothers body would do naturally. Without extra heat, pups often chill and soon die.Preferably use a basket with soft warm padding kept in a warm and cosy environment.
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17. When is a dog given a tetanus shot ?
Normally a dog is never given a tetanus injection, as dogs have a natural immunity. However, in cases where the dog has been hurt with a rusted metal implement or has been bitten by another animal, it can be given .
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