Pets Appetiteis largely governed by energy intake and gut fill but can be significantly affected by individual animal tendencies and how tasty the food being offered is. Each animal has a maintenance requirement which is the energy necessary for all the resting bodily functions such as the beating of a heart and the constant action of nerve and muscle fibres. Above this is the requirement for voluntary activity such as running and playing. Every animal has its own rate and efficiency of use for these activities which makes it impossible to create a reliable formula for food requirement. Dogs and cats to a lesser extent) will eat excessively simply because the food tastes good, a phenomena which gave rise to pet food advertising with statements like "eight out of ten cats prefer it" and the counter advertisement by hills science diet which states below a large photograph of sweets and ice cream that "eight out of ten children may prefer it".

Types of food vary enormously but can be broken down into those which which are 'complete', or those which form only a part of a diet such as 'mixer' biscuits. Complete feeds provide all the necessary nutrients discussed below and do not require any additional food provision. Food may also be dry or moist. Traditional feeding was typically based on a canned moist food with mixer biscuits. Many of the earlier dry feeds were poorly balanced and particularly in cats, predisposed them to kidney failure and other problems.
Dry foods are now much improved and many reputable manufacturers provide dry or moist equivalents of the same food brand, the only difference being the moisture content. It is always very important when giving a dry diet to provide adequate fresh water as the requirement is not present in feed. Cystitis can be a problem even in the best balanced dry food if water intake is inadequate.
Dry or crunchy foods also have a significant benefit on cleaning a pets teeth and indeed specific diets such as Hills 'T/d' are available for this purpose.

Feeding Regime
The feeding regime is how much and how often our pets are fed. There is an established pattern to feed dogs and cats once daily, but there is little good reason to follow this and indeed twice daily feeding has many benefits. More regular salivation improves dental hygiene, smaller meals are easier to digest, and more frequent feeding reduces boredom and begging problems. Of significant importance in deep chested and large breed of dog is the prevention of gastric bloat and torsion which can be induced by large meals, particularly if followed by exercise. Gastric bloat and torsion is a life threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary intervention.

Bones and chews.

Vets will almost always advise that bones and often chews are avoided due to frequent problems when large fragments are swallowed. These can obstruct and even perforate the bowel. However, there are benefits with these, particularly to dental health, and some dogs can tolerate large bones very well. Chews such as Rasks, Royal Canin's Mini Oral Bar and CET chews are a much safer option.
Always consult your own veterinary surgeon before giving bones to a pet. Never give poultry bones, as these often produce sharp fragments when chewed.

Carbohydrates
All food has an energy value. Carbohydrates are essentially sugars and provide a rich source of energy. Simple sugars such as glucose and dextrose are readily available 'instant-energy'. Starches are readily digested into simple sugars and are derived from potatoes, rice, pasta and other common plant and cereal sources. Starches form a major constituent of many diets as they provide a ready energy source that is more sustained and filling than the simple sugars. Non- digestible carbohydrates form fibre and allow your pet to form a bulky faecal stool. Fibre is generally not broken down by simple stomached animals like dogs or cats, but allows digestion of the other nutrients and formation of a regular, firm, healthy stool. Insufficient dietary fibre can often result in diarrhoea and anal gland problems.
The requirement for carbohydrates is governed by the weight and activity of our pets. Active animals have a greater need, obese animals and often older animals have much less. Specific diets are formulated to meet these needs, such as Royal Canin's 'Obesity' and various geriatric diets. Animals with poor digestion can be helped by a higher fibre, slower digested diet such as Hills i/d. Diabetic animals also are unable to cope well with simple sugars and require a higher fibre food such as Royal Canin's Diabetic diet, or Hills r/d.

Protein
Protein provides animals with essential building blocks, the amino acids, which go to make up muscles but are present in almost all body tissues. Certain amino acids can be synthesised by the animal itself, others cannot and are termed 'essential amino acids'. These must be provided in the diet. Sources of protein are traditionally meat but alternatives are available and dogs can have a balanced meat-free diet. Cereals, chicken, fish and soya are common sources of protein.
The protein that our pets eat is largely digested in the bowel and absorbed as the constituent amino acids, which are then broken down and assimilated in the liver and other body tissues. The result is the correct balance of amino acids for the individuals needs, coupled with waste nitrogen products - many of which are excreted through the kidneys.
Kidney failure results in the nitrogen waste products failing to be excreted into the urine. Urea is measured in blood to evaluate kidney failure, which affects about 75% of older cats. These cats still have protein requirement to maintain tissue bulk, often high requirements, but it is essential that only the most readily utilized protein is provided through their diet. Diets such as hills k/d utilize specific ingredients to achieve the correctly balanced diet.
Growing dogs and active sporting dogs will also have greater requirement provided by life stage diets, available from many manufacturers.

Fat
It is essential that diets contain a small amount of fat. Fat provides a more concentrated but less available source of energy than the carbohydrates. This means that a high fat diet can increase obesity but a balanced diet containing fat will satisfy the appetite better than a low fat, high carbohydrate diet.
Essential fatty acids are so termed because like the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E, they cannot be synthesised by the animal but are necessary for normal healthy skin, immune, hormone, and other body systems. Occasionally supplementation is necessary for dry skin conditions. Reputable products such as Efavet capsules and viacutan liquid have been specifically designed for use in dogs and cats. Evening Primrose oil has also been traditionally used as a supplement in many skin disorders If appetite is poor, flavour becomes important and it is fat that adds the flavour to many foods, especially meats. Warming food can also enhance flavour.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is a disease where the pancreas fails to secrete the enzymes amylase and lipase essential to digest dietry fat. The result is greasy, soft, often white faeces. The disease is especially common in German Shepherd Dogs but can be present in other breeds too. Reducing the fat levels in the diet can help but usually it is necessary to supplement each meal with the deficient enzymes. Products such as Pancrex, Lypex, or Panzym Powder are available for this purpose.

Vitamins And Minerals
Vitamins are essential nutrients without which many normal body functions are impossible. They are either water or fat soluble and must be be present to meet RDA (recommended daily allowance) in any balanced diet. It is not necessary or advisable to supplement a complete diet with vitamins without the advice of your veterinary surgeon.

Minerals are the raw elements which are required in varying quantities and are termed 'macro' or 'micro' minerals, dependant on the quantity necessary for life.
Macro-minerals include calcium, necessary for development of teeth and bones and present in the body in large quantities. Balanced supplements are available for specific situations such as late pregnancy and suckling young. Supplying individual minerals is not recommended, as each one affects others and unnecessary supplementation may upset a fine natural balance.
Micro-minerals such as copper or selenium are only required in very small amounts and again the correct balance is essential for tissue health and development, as well as normal immune and other functions. Supplementation of micro-minerals is only usually recommended under veterinary supervision.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements such as SA37 for growth and during lactation can be considered, especially in large breeds, but often it is better to use an appropriate complete life stage diet.

Diarrhoea
There are many causes of diarrhoea; from dietary excess, indiscretion, intolerance and allergies to parasites such as worms or protozoa and infections. Many can be controlled by dietary changes alone, for others specific treatments are necessary. Historically Kaolin has been used as a binding agent but this is not well accepted by most cats or dogs. Now modern treatments that are far more palatable such as Canikur tablets and Canikur granules for cats or smaller dogs are available. Pro-Kolin paste for dogs and cats can be very effective. During recovery from many operations ailments and digestive upsets pro-biotic can be given to

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DOGS

Millions of people all over the world have mean and contemptible fellows as pets or helpers at their homes. These friendly and despicable pets known to be the best companions are considered to be the best pets because of their loyalty which is the prime function they take part. These are the dogs.

Nobody can tell how people, for thousands of years ago, began living with dogs.

Dogs are related to wolves, the wild relative of the dog family that once wandered over continents of Asia, North America and Europe. Another of its kind includes domestic dogs trained to be assisting workers to help people.

A pure bred is a dog descended from common ancestors having similar characteristics. A mutt or a mongrel is a dog produced by the crossing of different breeds or variety of parents.

Dogs are sorted out for more than a hundred kinds. One has different characteristics from the other, depending on how they respond to their environment and stimulations, what they look like, their magnitude or measurements, and the degree of their cleverness or their mental ability.

Egyptians and Ancient times have the skills on how to bring up, discipline and domesticate dogs. For years and years dogs are trained by people to search for food. They were raised up to protect homes from harm, reared to guard cultivated lands or farms, to watch over farm animals such as cattle and sheep keeping them close together or keeping then from straying, and breed to be companies and of help to people with impairment.
Like human beings, dogs have their needs too. Healthy food, sufficient clean water for drinking and exercise are among the basic importance for them to keep them in shape and alert.

Dogs need grooming and proper care. They need to be bathed especially when they get dirty. Their hair whether long or short needs brushing once or twice weekly. Some people provide extra care with affection to their dogs as if these are their babies. They give them their personal belongings like towels, special place where to sleep and even clothes especially made for them to wear on for various places and occasions. Most of all, Dogs have to be taken to a veterinarian for physical examinations, health maintenance and vaccination from diseases and rabies.

Taking dogs on a leash for a walk outdoor as often especially to sporting ones and some breeds that require much exercise, is a necessity fro them.

Many people are longing to have a dog. One must consider the time of care and training it needs before adopting whether a purebred or mixed-breeding dog.

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CATS


Do cats really have nine lives to live? Do they really bring bad luck? Are they linked with evil spirits? These are just a few questions some people want to have answers for. Although most homes keep a cat as a pet, yet, these queries remain unanswered and still become a mystery to unfold.

In Europe, cats were ill willed and dreaded by the people. This agitation caused them to believe to some superstitions. In Ancient Egypt, cats were the object of worship. Those who wanted to have siblings showed their veneration to an Egyptian cat goddess of fertility and child bearing believing to grant their need to have offspring. They come to realize the benefits cats have given them in protecting their crops from germination.

did so much meritorious acts. Their senses are fit for hunting that made them excellently skillful hunters. Their advantage to the lives of those who take care and love them with devotion is a gift of confidence.

Cats with soft fur. They are so loving especially when they rub their body against someone they know who owns them. They come in sizes and colors. They have muscular shape which makes them excessively quick and light.

cats have abilities that go beyond the limit. They seem to be just kept as purring pets but they can do and make a lot of wonders. Unbelievable but true. It was so known that cats possess characteristics they acquired from their wild ancestors millions of years ago. These qualities made them outnumber the dogs and humans in so many ways.

cats can hear and focus their ears on sound sensitively than human and dogs. They have excellent eyesight which made them see at night and in the dark six folds better than human. They can estimate distances accurately. If human have 206 bones, cats have 230. Cats do great stunts. They can land on their feet from falling and survive. In some countries, they are kept as pets in larger numbers than dogs. They have claws with retractile power designed for hunting prey with agility. Like dogs, cats can smell hundreds of meters away. They can even swim though they hate from getting wet. Scientifically, tranquility and relief from distress proven to transmit by feeling of or stroking a purring cat.

Cats do not require a lot of attention unlike other pets do. They deserve to have exact amount of care and affection with certainty. It needs to be given certain amount of at FoodC, Cats Skin Care , Cat Arthritis Care , intended for them.

What Are The Signs Of Skin Disease?

These include:-

· Itching, or pruritis. This is one of the most frequently seen signs and can range from intermittent minor irritation to a relentless, intense drive to scratch leading to
self-inflicted injuries.

· Hair loss, or alopecia. This is another very common sign of skin disease. It can be localised to a specific area, such as in ringworm or wet eczema, or could be generalised, affecting most of the body. The distribution of hair loss can also help the vet in reaching a diagnosis.

· Skin inflammation, or erythema, is often seen and can vary from a mild reddening of an area to a case where the whole animal feels hot to the touch.

· Scaly skin or a scurfy coat - can be localised or general.

· Excessively oily or excessively dry coat conditions.

· Skin malodour can often be one of the most common presenting symptoms, since this also affects the pet owner as well.

The presence or absence of these signs and their location can be very useful to the vet attempting to diagnose which skin disease is present.

What Can We Use To Treat Skin Disease?

Whilst many skin conditions are readily curable if the appropriate medications are used, others require long term or possibly life-long medications and management to minimise the affect on the sufferer.

Antibiotics and Antifungals
The skin is naturally covered by a massive population of bacteria and yeasts and should they be able to break through the superficial layer of skin an infection will result.
Antibiotics and antifungal agents are available through your veterinary surgeon.

Antihistamines and Glucocorticoids (steroids)
Allergies affecting the skin are very common and both these classes of drugs are often used under close veterinary supervision to help regulate the animals' allergic response.

Ectoparasiticides
Ectoparasiticides are medications that control parasites living on the animals' skin. Flea infestations are responsible for more cases of skin disease than anything else in the UK and so drugs that SUCCESSFULLY control or kill fleas are of vital importance. As well as using flea products on the pet it is also important to use products to treat the pets environment ie. the home, since this is where a flea spends 95% of its life.

Mange is a skin disease that is caused by mites that burrow under the skin. There are two types of mange that are common in the UK and it is important to know which is present as the treatments can differ. Diagnosis involves taking skin scrapes and examining these under a microscope to identify which mange mite is present. Your vet will be able to do this.
Lice are another common cause of skin disease. Lice are just visible to the naked eye and this gives rise to the term `walking dandruff` describing the slow, barely perceptible drift of these animals as they crawl through the pets' coat.
Ticks are also commonly seen in the UK and products are available for their control.
In dogs some families of roundworms can also cause skin disease, as the infective larvae are able to burrow directly into areas of exposed skin. Regular worming with products such as DRONTAL PLUS/XL, PANACUR PASTE or PANACUR GRANULES will prevent this.

Shampoos
A suitable shampoo would be valuable in most cases of skin disease though the practicalities of their use in cats are limiting.
There is a range of products on the market which include:
· Hypoallergenic shampoos (EPISOOTHE/DERMOCANIS). These will soothe inflamed areas of the skin and also moisturise the coat.
· Anti-scaling agents (SEBOCALM /SEBOMILD) which work by lifting the debris and damaged cells from the skin's surface.
· Tar shampoos (TARLITE) ,used in greasy skin conditions.


These products are applied directly to the animals` coat and act as a moisturiser. (HUMILAC).

Diet
Food allergy or dietary intolerance is quite frequently seen affecting and can affect both dogs and cats. Many of today's commercial pet diets combine several sources of proteins and some of these can spark off an allergy which manifests itself as skin disease. Gluten intolerance can also be seen. Diagnosis depends on feeding the patient a `hypoallergenic' diet that contains a single or novel protein source for 4-6 weeks, in which time signs abate. By slowly adding in more protein sources into the diet and watching the animal for signs of relapse it is then possible to find out which protein is the cause of the problem.
Diets such as HILLS D/D, HILLS C/D and ROYAL CANIN SENSITIVITY CONTROL are ready made diets that can be used for some of these cases.

Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) Supplements
The essential fatty acids are a group of chemicals that are required to maintain a normal health status. There are several ways in which they help the skin's structure and function. Signs of deficiency of EFAs in the diet include a dull coat, scaling and also itching and inflammation.
EFA supplements such as VIACUTAN or EFAVET REGULAR are often used alongside other products to successfully control the signs of skin disease. They are often required over the longer term.

Rabbits are increasingly popular pets within the UK. There are a large number of breeds, which range from the Dutch Dwarf weighing about 1 kg when adult, to the Flemish Giant, which can weigh more than 8 kgs when fully grown.

Housing
As the popularity of the rabbit increases, so does the number that are kept as house pets. However, the majority are still kept in a hutch.
With such a large variation in breed size there is no ideal hutch design or size but there should always be sufficient space for the rabbit to lie at full stretch and to stand up on its hindquarters.
A clean dry bed of wood shavings, hay, straw or newspaper should be provided and inspected daily to avoid the build up of any dirt that could encourage disease.
A secure outdoor run is preferable, which will allow the rabbit to exercise and graze and can also be a site for toys such as tunnels or boxes.
Rabbits kept outdoors should be in a well insulated hutch protected from wind and rain and sheltered from excess sunlight.

Diet

Rabbits are herbivores and have a complex digestive system requiring both digestible and undigestible fibre types.
Fresh grass or hay should make up about three quarters of the diet and other fresh vegetables like carrot or cabbage can be added to provide some variation. Burgess Excel or Supa Excel are top-quality commercially available rabbit diets.
Rabbits need access to clean water at all times. Feed and water bowls should be cleaned daily.

Diarhoea

Rabbits are prone to digestive disturbances resulting in diarrhoea. This may be serious, and even life threatening. Probiotics such as protexin are particularly helpful in maintaining or restoring the normal gut micro-organisms required to digest food properly.
Diarrhoea often results in matting of the fur around a rabbits anus which can in itself be distressing to your pet, but is also a common cause of 'fly-strike' during the summer months. It is recommended that a preventative application of 'Rearguard' be used early in the summer to prevent maggots. 'Advantage' is a spot-on product normally used for flea control which can also help control flies and maggots. These products are available from your veterinary surgeon.

Reproduction

Rabbits become sexually mature at between 16-24 weeks of age.
Baby rabbits or 'kits' are born after 30-33 days of pregnancy and litter size ranges from
4-12.
To avoid mis-mothering or abandonment, the nest area should not be disturbed and the young kits should not be handled until they are weaned at around 7-8 weeks of age.

Neutering

Rabbits are prolific breeders and care should always be taken to avoid unwanted litters. Neutering not only prevents unwanted matings, but also can make both does and bucks less territorial and aggressive. In addition, does have a very high risk of developing uterine tumours if not neutered.
Bucks are castrated from about 5 months of age. A general anaesthetic is given and both testicles are removed from an incision made on the scrotum.
Does are spayed from about 6 months of age. A general anaesthetic is given and an incision made in the middle of the does tummy. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed during the operation.

Vaccination

Like dogs and cats, rabbits are susceptible to many diseases and some of these can be prevented by routine vaccinations
Myxomatosis is a viral disease seen commonly in wild rabbits in the UK and unfortunately it can affect pet rabbits too. The disease is spread from infected to non-infected rabbits via flea bites. The virus causes swellings around the eyes, ears and genitals and feeding soon becomes difficult. In the vast majority of cases treatment is futile.

Viral haemorrhagic disease (V.H.D.) is another widespread viral disease that is present in the UK. The disease is spread via direct contact with infected rabbits or contaminated feeding or drinking bowls. Affected rabbits rapidly become ill and often sudden death is the first sign that is seen.

Both Myxomatosis and V.H.D. can be prevented by a single annual vaccination.

DOG VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations teach the immune system to recognise and respond quickly to certain infections before they can cause serious illness. They contain harmless strains of the viruses and bacteria that your dog needs protection against. Most of the diseases that are vaccinated against have no specific cure, and treatment can only support the animal before its immune system can hopefully fight off the disease. Recent advances in vaccine technology mean that they are safer than ever and can protect against even more diseases.

When To Vaccinate?
Vaccines are usually first used in pups from six weeks of age. Generally a double dose of vaccine is given 2-4 weeks apart and then every year a single booster injection is given to keep their immunity at fully protective levels. It is essential to ensure that your pup is fully vaccinated before coming into contact with other dogs' as they may be carriers of the diseases.

Which Diseases Are Covered By Vaccination ?
Canine Parvovirus An aggressive disease that attacks the immune system and cells lining the intestines, causing serious, often fatal, vomiting and diarrhoea. Young unvaccinated pups are especially susceptible.

Canine Distemper (Hardpad) This virus attacks the gut, lungs and nervous system and is usually fatal.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis This virus rapidly attacks the liver, lungs, kidneys and eyes. Many cases are fatal but some dogs can recover.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus This virus is an important component of `kennel cough' , a highly infectious upper respiratory tract infection of dogs which causes a dry hacking cough.

Leptospirosis This disease is caused by bacteria from the family Leptospira. Two types of disease are seen but both can be protected against. The first is passed on in watercourses from the urine of infected rats and this strain can also affect humans. The second is caught from the urine of infected dogs. Whilst antibiotics can help to treat Leptospirosis, cases can often be fatal or cause lifelong damage to the kidneys.

Newer vaccines can also give protection against canine coronavirus, which can cause serious diarrhoea in infected animals.

Kennel cough vaccines protect against a bacteria called bordetella bronchiseptica which is one of the more serious strains of `kennel cough` infection. Vaccination is often a requirement of boarding kennels to reduce its spread.

Rabies vaccines are used only occasionally but can enable pets to travel freely from the UK to Europe provided they comply with the rules set down under the
Pet Travel Scheme .

Why Does My Dog Need Annual Boosters?
Although some components of the routine vaccine do stimulate a long-term immunity that can last for a few years, most components do not and so an annual booster is essential to ensure full protection. The specific interval between booster injections will vary depending on which product is used and so it is essential to consult your veterinary surgeon, who will know your own dogs` requirements.

How Are Vaccines Given?
Most dog vaccines are given by injection into the scruff of the neck. The procedure goes unnoticed in most cases.
Kennel cough vaccines as previously mentioned are given as nasal drops.

How Much Will It Cost ?
Prices will vary considerably and will depend on which specific vaccines are used. An initial course of two injections may range from £30-£70 and a booster from £18-£40.

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