How To Care For A Puppy

Here is Bandit, cooling off during the hot summer. He chose to cool off in the middle of my flowers. He is about 10 months old here. We bought him a life jacket because he loves to swim. My daughter and I went to the pool and got busy doing something, taking our eye off Bandit. When we turned around, he was in the pool! Swimming. He was loving it, so I decided he needed a doggy life jacket! Turns out it works great.

Brand Name
Advantage (Bayer)

Active Ingredient(s): Imidacloprid (9.1%)

What is this product used for: Advantage 9 and Advantage 18 are once a month topical flea treatments for cats and kittens 8 weeks of age or older. Advantage 10, Advantage 20, Advantage 55, and Advantage 100 are once a month topical flea treatments for dogs and puppies 7 weeks of age or older. Advantage kills fleas and flea larvae on cats and dogs within 12 hours. Advantage for Dogs also kills lice.

Availability: Advantage 9 and Advantage 18 for cats, and Advantage 10, Advantage 20, Advantage 55, and Advantage 100 are non-prescription (OTC) products.

How this product should be used: Advantage 9 is available in 0.4 ml applicators for cats 1-9 lbs (orange) and Advantage 18 is available in 0.8 ml applicators for cats 10 lbs and over (purple). Advantage 10 is available in 0.4 ml applicators for dogs 1-10 lbs (green), Advantage 20 is available in 1.0 ml applicators for dogs 11-20 lbs (teal), Advantage 55 is available in 2.5 ml applicators for dogs 21-55 lbs (red) and Advantage 100 is available in 4.0 ml applicators for dogs weighing 55 lbs and over (blue). To apply, place the applicator tip through the animal's hair to the skin level. On cats, apply to a single spot to the skin on the neck at the base of the skull. For dogs up to 20 lbs, apply to a single spot to the skin on the back between the shoulder blades. For dogs 21 lbs or over apply the contents of one tube to 3 or 4 spots along the skin on the back from the shoulder to the base of the tail. Do not get this product in the pet's eyes or mouth.

What are the side effects: Individual sensitivities, while rare, may occur after using any pesticide product for pets. If signs persist, or become more severe, consult a veterinarian immediately.

What special precautions are there: Advantage for Dogs is for external use on dogs 7 weeks or older and Advantage for Cats is for use on cats 8 weeks or older. Consult a veterinarian before using on medicated animals, animals using this product with other pesticides, and debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing animals. This product causes eye irritation in humans and is harmful if swallowed. Avoid contact with skin. Call poison control center if swallowed. If on skin, wash with plenty of soap and water. If in eyes, flush with plenty of water.

In the event of overdose: Contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency room.

How should I store this product: Store this product in a cool dry place. Do not store in the refrigerator. Do not reuse empty container. To dispose wrap original container in several layers of newspaper and discard in trash. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

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Q: How do dogs get heartworms?

A: Only by the bite of an infected mosquito. There's no other way dogs get heartworms. And there's no way to tell if a mosquito is infected. That's why prevention is so important.

Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. And the bite of just one mosquito infected with the heartworm larvae will give your dog heartworm disease.

Heartworm disease has not only spread throughout the United States, but it's also now found in areas where veterinarians used to say "Oh, we don't have heartworm disease." Areas like Oregon, California, Arizona, and desert areas -- where irrigation and building are allowing mosquitoes to survive. And if you have mosquitoes and you have animals, you're going to have heartworms. It's just that simple.

It takes about seven months, once a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. They then lodge in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels and begin reproducing. Adult worms can grow up to 12 inches in length, can live 5-7 years, and a dog can have as many as 250 worms in its system.

Q: Can people get heartworms from their dogs?

A: It can only be passed on by mosquitoes. It's a specific parasite that only affects dogs and cats and ferrets and other mammals. In rare cases, heartworms have infected people, but it does not complete its life cycle. The heartworm will migrate to the lung and cause a round lesion that looks like a tumor. But these are very rare cases.

Q: If one of my dogs has heartworms, can he give it to my other dogs?

A: No. Again, the only way heartworms are transmitted is through the bite of an infected mosquito. And even if an uninfected mosquito bit your infected dog, and then bit your uninfected dog the same night, he wouldn't transmit the parasite from one dog to the other. That's because when a mosquito bites an infected animal, the heartworm needs to undergo an incubation period in the mosquito before the mosquito can infect other animals.

Q: Is it OK to adopt a dog with heartworms?

A: It's a very common problem in animal shelters today, and public shelters rarely have the money to treat heartworm disease. It's perfectly acceptable to adopt a dog with heartworms, but you have to be dedicated to having the disease treated appropriately, because it's a horrible disease that can lead to a dog's death if left untreated.

Protect Your Dog With a Heartworm Prevention Program
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Protect your pet from heartworm-it kills millions of dogs and cats annually but it's 100% preventable. Learn how here.

Shop US Pets to get the very lowest prices on Frontline and Frontline Plus flea and tick medicine anywhere. Free shipping!

The dachshund is a short-legged long-bodied breed affectionately referred to as a "wiener dog". (The nickname gained notoriety after an American artist drew a dachshund in a hot dog bun in the early 20th century.) This breed is very popular and is typically within the top 10 most loved breeds. Playful but stubborn, the "doxie" is a member of the hound breeds.

The dachshund was one of the top 10 breeds for the year 2008. Click here for the complete story on Top Dog Breeds of 2008.

History & Origin

In the 15th century, a short legged, long bodied dog with hound ears was used to chase and hunt badgers in Germany. The name "dachshund" means badger dog. In addition to badgers, dachshunds were originally bred to hunt wild boar, foxes and rabbits. The dachshund's long body allows the animal to chase these adversaries underground. In Germany, this breed is often still employed in this capacity.

Today, in America, the dachshund enjoys a different lifestyle as a companion animal. The existence of other hunting breeds allows dachshund owners to appreciate their pets' faithful, fun-loving and energetic nature in their home.

The dachshund was officially accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1885.

Appearance

Dachshunds have long bodies, short legs and deep chests. They are strong in front, a characteristic that enables them to work well below ground. The wrists (also called carpus) are slightly closer together than the shoulder joints when viewed from the front. This feature gives the dachshund the appearance of having "crooked" legs. Alternatively, the hindlegs appear straight when viewed from behind. Due to efforts by US breeders, the crookedness of the legs has been lessened in comparison to dachshunds bred in other countries.

The dachshund's coat can be smooth (shorthaired), wirehaired, or longhaired. The dachshund can be one-colored (red or cream), two-colored (black, chocolate, wild boar, gray or blue and fawn or Isabella with tan markings). In addition to color, dachshunds also come in a variety of patterns. Dapple (light areas and a darker base color), brindle and piebald are some common color patterns.

Size

Dachshunds are bred in the United States as either miniature or standard. The miniature is 11 pounds or less. From the ground to top of the shoulder, the dog stands about 5 inches. The standard dachshund ranges from about 16 to 32 pounds with a height at the shoulder of 7 to 10 inches.

Personality

Dachshunds are outgoing and strong-willed - even considered stubborn by some owners - and are very alert.

Home and Family Relations

The dachshund is a well-loved pet. The breed is curious, persistent and enjoys participating in activities with members of the family. Your dachshund may appear to possess seemingly boundless energy, thus keeping you well entertained. Because of their size, dachshunds make a good first pet. Vocalizing readily when strangers approach, the breed can be a good watchdog. If introduced at an early age, this breed can do well with children. Shorthaired dachshunds are particularly easy to maintain because they do not require frequent grooming. One concern for avid gardeners, however, is the dachshund's love of digging.

Training

Dachshunds are intelligent and willing to learn; however, they may be strong-willed. This trait may make training challenging, but nonetheless fun.

Special Care

Longhaired and wirehaired dachshunds benefit from daily brushing. This activity promotes circulation to the skin and hair follicles and encourages a healthy coat. Brushing is also relaxing for your pet and provides the opportunity to bond with your dachshund. The pendant or hanging nature of the pet's ears can create an environment for infections and inflammation in the dachshund's ear canal. Longhaired and wirehaired dachshunds that run in the woods may need to have coats checked regularly for mats and burrs.

Shop US Pets to get the very lowest prices on Frontline and Frontline Plus flea and tick medicine anywhere. Free shipping!

Frontline- The #1 veterinarian-recommended flea and tick protection.

Besides not wanting the dreaded fleas and ticks in your house, keeping them off your puppy is essential to his health. Take good care of your pets. Help keep them healthy and happy by protecting them against fleas and ticks.

Start with FRONTLINE- the #1 choice of veterinarians when it comes to combating both fleas and ticks. FRONTLINE is an easy-to-use treatment that is proven effective. Approved for use on puppies and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and on breeding, pregnant or lactating cats and dogs. Frontline Plus is waterproof, and continues to kill fleas and ticks all month long.

Frontline Plus breaks the flea and tick life cycles to deliver continuous protection to you and your pet.

Shop US Pets to get the very lowest prices on Frontline and Frontline Plus flea and tick medicine anywhere. Free shipping!

Take good care of your pets. Help keep them healthy and happy by protecting them against fleas and ticks.

Start with FRONTLINE- the #1 choice of veterinarians when it comes to combating both fleas and ticks. FRONTLINE is an easy-to-use treatment that is proven effective. Approved for use on puppies and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and on breeding, pregnant or lactating cats and dogs. Frontline Plus is waterproof, and continues to kill fleas and ticks all month long.

Frontline Plus breaks the flea and tick life cycles to deliver continuous protection to you and your pet.

Frontline Top Spot is a monthly topical flea and tick medication. Frontline Top Spot Provides Convenient And Effective Flea And Tick Control For Dogs And Puppies, Cats and Kittens. Frontline Brand Products Are The #1 Choice Of Veterinarians! Fast-acting. Long-lasting. Waterproof Even After Frequent Bathing. Prevents Re-infestations. Convenient To Use. Controls Fleas Which May Cause Flea Allergy Dermatitis. Kills All Stages Of Major Ticks: the American dog tick,brown dog tick, the lone star tick and the deer tick (the major carrier of Lyme disease).Kills chewing lice. Comes in an easy-to-apply liquid Remains waterproof for 30 days Each application provides a full month of protection Cautions: Your pet may experience some temporary irritation at the site of application. If signs persist or become more severe within a few days of application, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Available for both Dogs and Cats.

Shop US Pets to get the very lowest prices on Frontline and Frontline Plus flea and tick medicine anywhere. Free shipping!