Pets and Animals

Be Jellyfish Smart this Summer!

But, they are rarely life threatening and should not deter you from enjoying a pleasant day at the beach or at sea.

It is imperative to immediately administer first aid care in the event of the jellyfish sting, unless the victim experiences an allergic reaction to the jellyfish venom. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are severe pain, respiratory problems, swelling, and shock. If the victim exhibits any of these symptoms, call 911 and head to the nearest Emergency Room.

In most cases, victims of jellyfish stings will experience minor irritation and pain where the tentacle made contact with the skin. The affected area should be rinsed with salt water, if available. Fresh water can activate painful toxins in the jellyfish venom and should be avoided unless the wound is contaminated with dirt, sand, seaweed, etc. Those administering first aid should use caution when making direct skin-to-skin contact with the victim. Protective clothing and/or gloves should be worn, if available.

After rinsing the affected area with salt water, apply a cool compress soaked in white vinegar. The acetic acid from the vinegar will deactivate leftover toxins in the jellyfish venom, and the chill of the compress will soothe the burning pain of the venom.

While the compress helps to combat pain on the surface area of the wound, the victim may also start to experience headaches or muscle pain near the affected area. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or aspirin may be administered to treat any additional pain, along with lots of fluids. Benadryl or topical creams may be used to treat any itching or rash symptoms may develop at or around the wound.

As with all major wounds, it is important to follow up with your physician once first aid has been administered, especially if infection or flu-like symptoms develop.

Don’t let a fear of jellyfish deter you from enjoying the ocean. Take precaution before going in the water by checking with the local life guards, who will readily tell you of any hazards to be aware of. Pack a small jar of white vinegar — available at grocery stores — in your beach bag so you’re not caught empty handed in the event of a jellyfish sting. And walk the shoreline; if you see jellyfish washed up on the sand every few meters, don’t go in the water.

Be jellyfish smart this summer, and enjoy the ocean like never before, because if you don’t your only hurting yourself.

Chris Jensen is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Pets & Animals Blog now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Aquarium & Fish Shop for Todays Current Online Deals.

What to Do If Your Dog Has Gas

Canine flatulence is not a fun thing to experience. Dogs tend to have very smelly gas and, apart from the nasal assault, you`ll notice that your pet is rather uncomfortable as well. Gas in dogs can be the result of several different problems and it is best to try and figure out which one is the issue before you attempt to treat your dog.

Possible Causes of Canine Gas

Your dog is most likely suffering from a fairly minor problem, but in some cases, gas can be a sign of something more serious. If your dog appears to be in severe pain or has gone off his food, be sure to see your vet immediately. Anytime you suspect the problem could be serious, call your vet. You know your pet better than anyone else and you should follow your instincts.

Now, let`s look at some of the most common problems that cause gas in dogs.
Eating too fast. This is especially an issue in larger breeds, such as German Shepherds. If your dog is eating too quickly, he is gulping down air, as well, which reaches his intestines quickly and comes out the other end as gas. Try giving your dog smaller amounts of food, a bit at a time, to teach him to eat slower.

Change in food.
Some dogs are particularly sensitive to changes in diet and you may find that if you buy another brand of food, your dog will suffer from flatulence. This can also happen when too many table scraps are given. This can be tested by going back to the original food brand for a few days . . . the gas should be gone. The best way to avoid this problem is to make diet changes very gradual, mixing a small amount of the new food with the regular food and slowly increasing it.

Intestinal worms.
Worms are notorious for causing gassiness and it can be quite unpleasant for your dog. Check your dog`s stool for signs of worms. It`s also a good idea to de-worm your pet at least once a year, but if you find nasty critters in his feces, you may need to do this more often. Whether you de-worm at home or have the vet do it is up to you.

Poor diet.
Not all dog food is the same. Some are made almost entirely out of wheat or other similar grains and this is definitely not friendly for a dog`s stomach. An overabundance of fiber or the wrong type of carbs can wreak havoc on your puppy`s digestive system and result in gas. To solve this issue, invest in good quality dog food that is correctly balanced for your animal.

Slow intestinal tract. Dogs get out of shape, just like humans, and this often results in constipation and extra gas. If you want to reduce the chances of this occurring or to fix an existing problem, you will need to help your dog stay fit. A nice long stroll after dinner will help your and the dog`s digestive system function faster.

Bad bacteria in the intestine. Sometimes, when your dog is eating or mouthing things that he shouldn`t, bad bacteria get into his body. These can cause all sorts of problems in the intestines and it`s a good idea to get rid of them. This is possible by adding probiotics (good bacteria) to your dog`s food to reestablish a balance of healthy bacteria.

You don`t have to live with nasty gas and neither does your dog. Check the symptoms and you should be able to diagnose and treat minor problems yourself. However, if you ever have doubts, don`t hesitate to talk to your vet.

Sells and markets all-natural dog products including dog gas treatment, Dog shampoo and conditioners, flea control, herbal elixirs & breath spray.

Snakes And Their Charming Egyptian Owners

So let’s talk about the seemingly dying breed of snake charmers. Exactly where did they come from? How did they become charmers of snakes and how do they do what they do?

It is said that the Guru of Snake Charmers taught people to revere Reptiles rather than be afraid of them and that the art of charming snakes emerged from those who were in the business of treating people for snake bites. Those who sought to follow in the Guru’s footsteps were trained as to how to properly handle a snake and what to administer for Snake bites. These healers as they were called, also removed snakes from people’s homes and became known for their healing abilities and the ease with which they handled snakes.

It is this ease these healers had with snakes that ushered in the era of Snake Charmers. The general belief is that the art of snake charming originated in Egypt and this is given creditability from the account of a showdown between a kings, sorcerers, and a man named Moses. But scholars hold that snake charming as we know it today probably originated in India. It is here we find the fine points of Snake Charming being defended as a family business.

Dressed in traditional attire, having long hair wrapped in a turban, wearing beads and earrings our snake charmer sets out to find his audience. He carries his snake or snakes in a basket that is suspended over his shoulder on a long pole. When he finds the perfect spot he will sit down in front of his basket cross his legs and wait for the appropriate time to remove the lid.

Having removed the lid from the basket he begins his ritual. The Charmer makes music with his flute and presto as if he has heard the music the snake will come up out of the basket; if by chance it is a Cobra it will extend its hood and begin to sway to the music as if being hypnotized by the Charmer. All who see this dangerous show being carried out before their very eyes are in awe; they applaud and reward the snake charmer.

How can this not be real? Well according to well informed sources a snake is in his comfort zone when kept in the dark; shed some light and he is startled into emerging from his den. As for why he will sway to the music and act hypnotized; well it is one or a combination of things. The snake will react to the movement of the flute, the vibration of the flute or to the patting of the charmers feet.

You are saying but what about the music? I hate to burst your bubble but the snake cannot hear it! I know you want to remind me that the snake retreats when the music stops; pay attention when the Charmer stops all motion the snake will retreat. Finally snakes by nature are timid creatures and prefer to scare off their opponents rather than fight.

So Egyptian Charmers, Indian Charmers they all emerged from the same source; they came from those who had a way with handling Snakes and provided a service for those who didn’t.

Chris Jensen is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Pets & Animals Blog now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Reptile Supplies Shop for Todays Current Online Deals.

Dog Aggression Towards Family Members

There are two common reasons why a dog is aggressive towards members of his own human family. He is trying to defend something he thinks of as his from a perceived threat (you).

This is known as resource guarding, and though it may sound innocuous, there’s actually a lot more going on here than your dog simply trying to keep his kibble to himself. He is not comfortable with the treatment/handling he is getting from you or other members of the family.

What is resource guarding? Resource guarding is pretty common among dogs. The term refers to overly-possessive behavior on behalf of your dog: for instance, snarling at you if you approach him when he’s eating, or giving you “the eye” (a flinty-eyed, direct stare) if you reach your hand out to take a toy away from him.

All dogs can be possessive from time to time as it is in their natures. Sometimes they are possessive over things with no conceivable value, inedible trash, balled up pieces of paper or tissue, old socks. More frequently, however, resource-guarding becomes an issue over items with a very real and understandable value such as food and toys.

Why does it happen?

It all boils down to the issue of dominance. Let me take a moment to explain this concept. Dogs are pack animals. This means that they are used to a very structured environment. In a dog-pack, each individual animal is ranked in a hierarchy of position and power (or “dominance”) in relation to every other animal.

Each animal is aware of the rank of every other animal, which means he knows specifically how to act in any given situation (whether to back down, whether to push the issue, whether to muscle in or not on somebody else’s turf, etc etc).

To your dog, the family environment is no different to the dog-pack environment. Your dog has ranked each member of the family, and has his own perception of where he ranks in that environment as well. This is where it gets interesting: if your dog perceives himself as higher up on the social totem-pole than other family members, he is going to get cheeky.

If he’s really got an over inflated sense of his own importance, he’ll start to act aggressively. Why? Because dominance and aggression are the exclusive rights of a superior-ranked animal. No underdog would ever show aggression or act dominantly to a higher-ranked animal (the consequences would be dire, and he knows it!)

Resource guarding is a classic example of dominant behavior. Only a higher-ranked dog (a “dominant” dog) would act aggressively in defense of resources. To put it plainly, if it was clear to your dog that he is not, in fact, the leader of the family, he’d never even dream of trying to prevent you from taking his food or toys because a lower-ranking dog (him) will always go along with what the higher-ranking dogs (you and your family) say.

So what can I do about it? The best treatment for dominant, aggressive behavior is consistent, frequent obedience work, which will underline your authority over your dog. Just two fifteen-minute sessions a day will make it perfectly clear to your dog that you are the boss, and that it pays to do what you say.

You can make this fact clear to him by rewarding him (with treats and lavish praise) for obeying a command, and isolating him (putting him in “time-out”, either outside the house or in a room by himself) for misbehavior.

- If you are not entirely confident doing this yourself, you may wish to consider enlisting the assistance of a qualified dog-trainer.

Brush up on your understanding of canine psychology and communication, so that you understand what he’s trying to say this will help you to nip any dominant behaviors in the bud, and to communicate your own authority more effectively.

Train regularly and keep obedience sessions short and productive (no more than fifteen minutes and maybe two or three of these per day).

Why doesn’t my dog like to be handled?

All dogs have different handling thresholds. Some dogs like lots of cuddles, and are perfectly content to be hugged, kissed, and have arms slung over their shoulders (this is the ultimate “I’m the boss” gesture to a dog, which is why a lot of them won’t tolerate it.)

Others are usually the ones not accustomed to a great deal of physical contact from a very young age and aren’t comfortable with too much full-body contact and will get nervy and agitated if someone persists in trying to hug them.

Another common cause of handling-induced aggression is a bad grooming experience such nail-clipping and bathing which are the two common culprits.

When you clip a dog’s nails, it’s very easy to “quick” him and that is, cut the blood vessel that runs inside the nail. This is extremely painful to a dog, and is a sure-fire way to cause a long-lasting aversion to those clippers.

Being washed is something that a great many dogs have difficulty dealing with and a lot of owners, when confronted with a wild-eyed, half-washed, upset dog, feel that in order to complete the wash they have to forcibly restrain him.

This only adds to the dog’s sense of panic, and reinforces his impression of a wash as something to be avoided at all costs and if necessary, to defend himself from it with a display of teeth and hackles.
Can I “retrain” him to enjoy being handled and groomed?
In a word, yes.

It’s a lot easier if you start from a young age and handle your puppy a lot, get him used to being touched and rubbed all over. Young dogs generally enjoy being handled and it’s only older ones who haven’t had a lot of physical contact throughout their lives that sometimes find physical affection difficult to accept.

Practice picking up his paws and touching them with the clipper; practice taking him into the bath (or outside, under the faucet or whatever works for you, but warm water is much more pleasant for a dog than a freezing spray of ice-water!), and augment the process throughout with lots of praise and the occasional small treat.

For an older dog that may already have had several unpleasant handling/grooming experiences, things are a little more difficult. You need to undo the damage already caused by those bad experiences, which you can do by taking things very slowly and with an emphasis on keeping your dog calm.

The instant he starts to show signs of stress stop immediately and let him relax. Try to make the whole thing into a game: give him lots of praise, pats, and treats.

Take things slowly. Don’t push it too far and if you get nervous, stop.

Dogs show aggression for a reason. They’re warning you to back off, or else! If your dog just can’t seem to accept being groomed, no matter how much practice you put in, it’s best to hand the job over to the professionals.

Your vet will clip his nails for you (make sure you tell him first that he gets aggressive when the clippers come out, so your vet can take the necessary precautions!). As far as washing and brushing goes, the dog-grooming business is a flourishing industry. For a small fee, you can get your dog washed, clipped, brushed, and whatever else you require by experienced professionals (again, make sure you tell them about your dog’s reaction to the experience first!)

Dennis Hampton is the creator, editor and author of http://abusinessmadeeasy.net
You can visit the SitStayFetch site by clicking on the this link – http://abme4-llc.com
Check out my youtube channel for more great information
http://www.youtube.com/dennishampton

Boykin Spaniel – Dog Breeds – Info Every Owner Ought To Know

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Sporting

Weight: Male: 30-40, Female: 25-35 lbs

Height: Male: 15.5-18, Female: 14-16.5 inches

Overview

The Boykin Spaniel is a fairly new breed that is rated very highly for its hunting capabilities, especially of the water fowl. This breed is especially popular amongst bird hunters in the southern part of the United States, and they also have their origin in South Carolina in the United States. The Boykin Spaniel is the elected representative dog of South Carolina.

Temperament

Although the Boykin Spaniel is a very passive dog, they are also very enjoyable and obedient. These dogs are clever and devoted companions. Their yellow eyes are their trademark, and they are known to stare with anticipation into your eyes. Boykin Spaniels are unbelievable swimmers, and they love to be in the water. Each Boykin Spaniel has a unique personality and distinctive ability in the field that is not matched by another dog. These dogs also have very fine noses and they are very eager when out in the field.

The Boykin Spaniel was bred to be a hunting dog, and their great sense of smell sometimes give them grounds to wander off when not on a lead. This is a working dog breed, and they require lots of exercise which includes long walks on a daily basis. The Boykin Spaniel is extremely energetic, and requires sufficient exercise and a job to do to get rid of their energy. If their owners are unable to keep them occupied, they will find ways to entertain themselves. This often leads to destructive behaviour, especially when they are bored.

Care

The coats of the Boykin Spaniel should be brushed frequently to avoid mats from forming. These dogs should only be bathed when it is really necessary, and their ears should also be checked daily to make sure they are dry and clean. This will in return avoid infections from occurring.

Training

The Boykin Spaniel will do enormously well in activities that was planned and also in obedience classes. This breed possesses a more calm character than other Spaniel breeds. Therefore the Boykin Spaniel will not do well with training methods that are cruel and unkind. They will however do very well in training that is positive, especially if it is conducted in a fair and consistent way.

Health problems

Boykin Spaniels do suffer from conditions such as eye problems, hip dysplasia and skin and heart problems.

Get more info and advice on the Boykin Spaniel or Boykin Spaniel training visit this dog breeds web page.