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Miniature Schnauzers Health

The primary consultant concerning the health of your dog should always be your veterinarian. Carlos Silvera, DVM, MS, of Fall River Animal Hospital in Fall River, Mass. recently advised in the AKC Gazette to surf the Net with caution. He sees the overabundance of information as a problem when a client researches a disease and then believes they know more then the Veterinarian. Silvera goes on to say that the critical point is that much of what is on the Web is not up to date and people do not always understand what they're reading. The Miniature Schnauzer Connection has compiled some interesting health links. We do not advocate using information found on these sites as your guide to treat any illness in your dogs, but rather as a tool for possible understanding of your Veterinarian's advice and treatment.

Teeth

In many areas it is possible to have your dogs teeth cleaned without anesthesia. Many breeders regularly clean teeth themselves. It is not a simple process unless you have been trained to do it properly. In Southern California there is a wonderful and experienced person named Bobbie Schardt who is licensed and will come to your home to clean your dog’s teeth.

Bobby Schardt will clean teeth for groups, clubs and individuals at a price that is affordable. He is convenient and will travel reasonable distances in the Southern California area. Many clubs and organizations utilize Bobby’s expert services at clinics they will host for their members. His price range is from $57.00 to $75.00 per dog, depending on the number of dogs and the distance traveled.

You may contact Bobby at 949-646-3254 Located in Costa Mesa.

E-mail, BobbyandVanessa@msn.com

Obesity in Dogs

Below is a wonderful link to the Dog Owners Guide, an online magazine for all pet and Show dog owners.

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/obese.html

Simply Schnauzers

A informative and helpful site to enhance your knowledge in the area of health and nutrition of your dog. (Not intended as an alternative for your Vet) Simply Schnauzers Health and Nutrition Site.

http://members.aol.com/smplyschnz/main.html

The American Veterinary Medical Association

The web site provide a wealth of resources, information, services and links.

http://www.avma.org

The Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine

Useful information for dog fanciers and professionals alike.

http://www.tufts.edu/vet

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

24-hour emergency information
888-ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)

http://www.napcc.aspca.org/index.htm

CERF Canine Eye Registration Foundation

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/~yshen/cerf.html

Animal CPR

http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html

Why Spay or Neuter?

This low-cost surgery offers you and your pet many, many advantages.

Peace of Mind

Did you know that a spayed or neutered (sterilized) animal is better behaved?

Males -- Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unsterilized, unsupervised males roam in search of a mate, risking injury in traffic and in fights with other males. They mark territory by spraying strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting furniture and human legs when stimulated. Don't confuse aggressiveness with protectiveness; a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an unneutered dog, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Females -- While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit the following signs when in heat. For four or five days, every three weeks, they yowl and urinate more frequently -- sometimes all over the house -- advertising for mates. Often, they attract UN-neutered males who spray urine around the females' home. Female dogs also attract males from great distances. Female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.

Good Medicine

Did you know that a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer, healthier life?

Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing the testicles) are veterinary procedures performed with the same general anesthesia used in human medicine. Both surgeries usually require minimal hospitalization.

Neutering a male cat or dog by 6 months of age prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer; having this done before the first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics and spaying. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and 90 percent of female cats. With an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are complicated and costly.

Responsible Care

Did you know that you can help prevent the suffering and death of millions of animals?

One cat or dog who has babies and whose babies have babies can be responsible for the birth of 50 to 200 kittens or puppies in one year! Almost everyone loves puppies and kittens, but some people lose interest when these animals grow up. As a result, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. Rarely surviving for more than a few years on their own, strays die painfully by starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars.

Just the Facts, Please

Myth: A female cat or dog should have a litter before she is spayed.
Fact: The sooner you spay your female, the better her health will be in the future. As long as a kitten or puppy weighs more than two pounds and is 2 months old, he or she can be neutered or spayed. Many veterinarians are practicing perfectly safe early sterilization. The likelihood of developing mammary tumors or uterine infections increases the longer a female goes unsprayed. In fact, a female spayed before sexual maturity (6 to 9 months of age) has one-seventh the risk of an intact female of developing mammary cancer.

Myth: Spaying or neutering (sterilization) will alter my pet's personality.
Fact: Any slight changes will be positive. Regardless of the age when spayed or neutered, your pet will remain a caring, loving and protective companion. Neutering will reduce the need to breed, and that has a calming effect on many animals. Both neutered male canines and felines tend to stop roaming and fighting and lose the desire to mark their territory with urine.

Myth: Companion animals will become fat and lazy if they are neutered.
Fact: Absolutely not! Lack of exercise and overfeeding make pets fat and lazy -- not neutering. Your pet will not gain weight if you provide exercise and monitor food intake. Neutering is good for your pet, since sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than UN-sterilized pets.

Myth: Sterilization is a dangerous and painful surgery for my pet.
Fact: Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

Myth: Children should witness the miracle of birth.
Fact: Countless books and videos are available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is teaching your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth.

Many states and counties have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make the surgery affordable. Many cities also offer reduced licensing fees for owners of spayed and neutered pets. To find a low-cost program near you, call your local humane society, shelter or call toll-free 1-800-248-SPAY.