Dog Mite (Cheyletiella Yasguri)

Cheyletiella Yasguri is a form of mite found prodominently on dogs. This mite is also known as the dandruff mite due to the mite causing the dog to suffer with flaky skin. This skin condition is apparent to dog owners in the form of dandruff like deposits throughout the dogs fur. This form of dog mite does not burrow into the dog like other forms of dog mite but instead lives on the surface of the skin.

Cheyletiella is a highly contagious genus of mite that can by contracted by direct contact with an infected host. Whilst humans are not the chosen host of this form of mite infections are known to occur but normally subside within two to four weeks.

Mite in dogs can only be correctly diagnosed by microscopic analysis. Any suspected infection in a pet should therefore be followed up by a visit to your vet.

Successful treatment of any dog mite infection can generally be treated by the application of an appropriate pesticide once the cause of the problem has been correctly diagnosed.

Dog Mite (Demodex Canis)

Demodex Canis is another form of mite also found prominently on dogs. Unlike Cheyletiella Yasguri this genus of dog mite does not live on the dogs skin surface but burrows itself deep beneath the surface of the skin. Demodex Canis is the form of dog mite that is related to the condition in dogs known as Mange. The dog will often have bald patches appearing with a hard scaly surface, these areas can often be prone to secondary bacterial infection.

As with the dog mite Cheyletiella Yasguri correct diagnoses can only truly be made by microscopic analysis. Any suspected infection in a pet should therefore be followed up by a visit to your vet.

Due to this genus of dog mite spending its life cycle embedding beneath the surface of the skin cross infection is less likely in cases other than those where prolonged direct contact occurs.

Infestations causing problematic factors are more common place in animals suffering with a suppressed immune system.

Demodex Canis can be treated by the introduction of an improved nutritional program together with an appropriate anti-parasitic treatment combined in some cases with antibiotics.

Itch Mite (Sarcoptes scabiei)

The itch mite is another genus of burrowing mite and commonly associated with the condition known as scabies in humans and mange in dogs. Itch mite is known to infect a wide range of animals including both dogs and humans.

The action of the female mite burrowing into the dogs skin to lay her eggs and other mites moving around the skin causes severe skin irritation in the form of itching.

Due to the severity of the irritation dogs my scratch themselves franticly to the point of breaking the skin surface. Open lesions are a common area of secondary bacterial infection with dogs infected by itch mite.

Ear Mite (Otodectes cynotis)

Ear Mites as the name states are found in the ears of dogs. The ear mites appears as minute white specs that are almost invisible to the naked eye. The mites will migrate between the ear and ear canal as they feed on ear wax deposits. The movement of the ear mite can be extremely irritating to your pet casing them to scratch at the ear and shake their head in an attempt to relieve the irritation.

Ear mite can be identified by a build up of a dark brown deposit in the outer ear. This deposit can be responsible for blocking the ear ducts and causing secondary infections. For treatment to be successful it is important to remove all deposits within the ear before treatment commences. Ear mite is a highly contagous genus of mite and vetenary assistance is therefore highly recommended as soon as any ear infection is suspected.

Kennel cough is an illness found in dogs that predominantly affects the upper respiratory system of the animal. Common symptoms in dogs suffering from the illness are coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and vomiting. Kennel cough can be the result of a number of viral infections and is highly contagious particularly when a number of dog are kept in the close proximity of boarding kennels or other more social gatherings.

It is essential when choosing a boarding Kennel that you choose one with strict rules regarding guests providing proof of all necessary dog vaccinations. Don't forget, although Kennels are an obvious risk area for infection, our dogs can just as easily become infected whilst they socialise on dog walks, dog events or dog training classes or by simply coming into contact with an alternative infected location.

Kennel cough would normally become apparent within the first week of exposure to the infection and may last for two to three weeks even with the appropriate treatment.

Kennel cough is highly efficient at transferring the Virus or Bacterial cause through either inhalation of air born source or direct contact with contaminated areas. Disinfecting the kennel area and isolating the infection is therefore very important.

Kennel Cough can generally be treated successfully with an appropriate course of antibiotics and cough medicine. As with any predictable illness or problem prevention is always better than cure. It is therefore highly recommended that all responsible dog owners visit their vet for all appropriate vaccinations and boosters.

Remember to check your pets vaccination documentation is up to date when concidering anything that may involve placing your dog in kennels .

Dog Licenses - Should they be re-introduced?

Dog Licenses in Britain were mandatory up until 1987 at which point they were abolished. Whilst the law stated that dog owners were under legal obligation to provide a dog license only about half of all people with pet dogs complied.

It was widely accepted that responsible dog owners were abiding by the dog license legislation whilst the very owners the act was introduced to control were ignoring the law.

Now of course we have a culture of abandoning unwanted pets in times of financial hardship and also an increase in reported dog attacks on members of the public. These two issues are impounded by the growing insanity and cruelty that surrounds the barbaric culture of dog fighting.

The Governments answer to these problems appears to be quite simple, the re-introduction the dog license.

The Route of the problems

This article has been compiled to give a personal opinion regarding the problems relating to dog cruelty and neglect. I would like to outline three general problems which I believe have a large part to play and hopefully hear your alternative views.

Problem One - Financial

The first is quite obvious, due to financial circumstance the owner of the dog can no longer afford to keep the dog and unfortunately all the dog pounds are full of strays or unwanted pets. Hence financial burden results in stray unwanted dogs.

Would a dog license have prevented this? I think not! Even if you were required to prove that you were financially capable of looking after a dog prior to a license being issued, financial circumstance can change at the drop of a hat. Also, I think that having people look into your private finances would put people off buying a dog license.

Most importantly, people might just think that the dog license is just one more unwanted financial burden and abandon the dog.

Problem Two - Education

The second cause is a little more complex. Far too many pet owners acquire a dog on impulse. No prior research into the breed they intend taking home and no basic understanding of what is involved in looking after a dog is a recipe for disaster.

Will introducing a dog license overcome this problem? No, again I think not. Unless of course that licence is re-enforced by some form of dog owner general knowledge test prior to issuing the dog licence. That would be another good reason for some people not to apply for one.

Problem Three - Mental State

This problem is a hurdle that I personally believe will be very difficult to overcome. You can prove financial capability and you can educate regarding dog welfare. What you can not do is understand how the owner will deal with the stress that often comes with dog ownership.

What is more you can not always identify if that licensed dog is destined for the fighting ring.

A final thought

In difficult financial times it may be that many responsible dog owners would keep pets without buying any obligatory dog licence. I have no doubt that unless some form of extreme monitoring of dog owner licensing is implemented it will be just as lapse as it was in 1987 and of course as the car tax and licence laws are now!

Maybe the only people that will abide by the law will be people with dogs destined to fight. After all dog fighting is understood to command large amounts of cash incentives.

Dog Breeds of the World

There are many breeds of dog with each having their own specific characteristics.
These special features make them suitable for many different things including herding, hunting and of course family pets amongst other things.

Due the the enormous range of dog breeds throughout the world they have been divided into different groups. Each Group includes dog breeds with simular  qualities and attributes.

Below is a list of the various Dog Groups followed by an alphabetical list of all the dog breeds that fall within those groups.

Dog Breed Groups

Gundog  -  Hound  -  Pastoral  -  Terrier  -  Toy dog  -  Utility dog  -  Working dog

An alphabetical index of dog breeds

Affenpinscher

Afghan Hound

Airedale Terrier

Akita

Alaskan Malamute

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Shepherd

Australian Silky Terrier

Australian Terrier

Azawakh (Imp)

Basenji

Basset Bleu De Gascogne (Imp)

Basset Fauve De Bretagne

Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand)

Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit)

Basset Hound

Bavarian Mountain Hound (Imp)

Beagle

Bearded Collie

Beauceron (Imp)

Bedlington Terrier

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois)

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren)

Bergamasco (Imp)

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bichon Frise

Bloodhound

Bolognese

Border Collie

Border Terrier

Borzoi

Boston Terrier

Bouvier Des Flandres

Boxer

Bracco Italiano

Briard

Brittany

Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier (Miniature)

Bulldog

Bullmastiff

Cairn Terrier

Canaan Dog

Canadian Eskimo Dog

Catalan Sheepdog (Imp)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cesky Terrier

Chihuahua (Long Coat)

Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)

Chinese Crested

Chow Chow

Cirneco Dell'Etna (Imp)

Collie (Rough)

Collie (Smooth)

Coton De Tulear

Dachshund (Long-Haired)

Dachshund (Miniature Long-Haired)

Dachshund (Miniature Smooth-Haired)

Dachshund (Miniature Wire-Haired)

Dachshund (Smooth-Haired)

Dachshund (Wire-Haired)

Dalmatian

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Deerhound

Dobermann

Dogue de Bordeaux

English Setter

English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)

Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Imp)

Estrela Mountain Dog

Eurasier

Finnish Lapphund

Finnish Spitz

Fox Terrier (Smooth)

Fox Terrier (Wire)

Foxhound

French Bulldog

German Longhaired Pointer

German Pinscher

German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian)

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Spitz (Klein)

German Spitz (Mittel)

German Wirehaired Pointer

Giant Schnauzer

Glen Of Imaal Terrier

Gordon Setter

Grand Bleu De Gascogne (Imp)

Great Dane

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Im

Greenland Dog

Greyhound

Griffon Bruxellois

Hamiltonstovare

Havanese

Hovawart

Hungarian Kuvasz

Hungarian Puli

Hungarian Vizsla

Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla

Ibizan Hound

Irish Red & White Setter

Irish Setter

Irish Terrier

Irish Wolfhound

Italian Greyhound

Italian Spinone

Japanese Akita Inu

Japanese Chin

Japanese Shiba Inu

Japanese Spitz

Keeshond

Kerry Blue Terrier

King Charles Spaniel

Komondor

Kooikerhondje

Korean Jindo (Imp)

Korthals Griffon (Imp)

Lagotto Romagnolo (Imp)

Lakeland Terrier

Lancashire Heeler

Large Munsterlander

Leonberger

Lhasa Apso

Lowchen (Little Lion Dog)

Maltese

Manchester Terrier

Maremma Sheepdog

Mastiff

Mexican Hairless (Intermediate) (Imp)

Mexican Hairless (Miniature) (Imp)

Mexican Hairless (Standard) (Imp)

Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Schnauzer

Neapolitan Mastiff

Newfoundland

Norfolk Terrier

Norwegian Buhund

Norwegian Elkhound

Norwich Terrier

Old English Sheepdog

Otterhound

Papillon

Parson Russell Terrier

Pekingese

Pharaoh Hound

Pointer

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Pomeranian

Poodle (Miniature)

Poodle (Standard)

Poodle (Toy)

Portuguese Podengo

Portuguese Water Dog

Pug

Pyrenean Mastiff (Imp)

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Pyrenean Sheepdog (Long Haired

Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)

Retriever (Curly Coated)

Retriever (Flat Coated)

Retriever (Golden)

Retriever (Labrador)

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rottweiler

Russian Black Terrier

Saluki

Samoyed

Schipperke

Schnauzer

Scottish Terrier

Sealyham Terrier

Segugio Italiano (Imp)

Shar-Pei

Shetland Sheepdog

Shih Tzu

Siberian Husky

Skye Terrier

Sloughi

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer (Imp)

Small Munsterlander (Imp)

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Spaniel (American Cocker)

Spaniel (American Water) (Imp)

Spaniel (Clumber)

Spaniel (Cocker)

Spaniel (English Springer)

Spaniel (Field)

Spaniel (Irish Water)

Spaniel (Sussex)

Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

Spanish Water Dog

St. Bernard

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Swedish Lapphund (Imp)

Swedish Vallhund

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Terrier

Weimaraner

Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

Welsh Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Whippet

Yorkshire Terrier

Comming Soon - Pet Treats next article goes one step further and puts each of these unique breeds of dog into their appropriate Groups.

This is the first in a series of articles by Pet Treats on dog fleas, dog flea prevention and ways of dealing with dog flea infestation.

What are fleas?

Fleas are an external parasite that live off the blood of mammals and birds. The flea has developed a mouth which is capable of piercing skin in order to suck the blood from their unfortunate host.

Dog Fleas

The dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis) is the flea which most dog owners will encounter at some point. This flea has developed to thrive on the blood of our beloved pet dogs but is also quite partial to taking a bite out of us. Dog fleas can live for several months without a host to feed on. The female dog flea does however need to feed on blood before it has the ability to lay its eggs. Dogs may carry several thousand eggs within their fur at any given time depending on the level of flea infestation.

Life Cycle of a dog flea

Dog fleas just like other fleas have four stages to their life cycle.

Stage One - Flea Eggs

After the female flea has fed on a suitable source of blood she is capable of laying eggs. The eggs are laid in batches of around 50 at a time but an individual flea can lay as many as 500 on a dog in its lifetime. As the dog moves around scratching itself these eggs can often fall from your pet and deposit themselves around the home. Areas where the dog frequently lays down can become primary locations for eggs to become deposited. Eggs can take anything from two days up to two weeks to hatch depending on the ambient temperature.

Stage Two - Larvae

Dog flea larvae immerge from the eggs after hatching. The dog flea larvae are blind and unlike the adult flea do not suck blood. The larval stage can take from as little as a week up to several months to develop into its next stage (the pupae). During this cycle of the fleas life the larvae will feed on the adult fleas faeces and other organic produce such as dead skin. The Larvae will eventually weave a silken cocoon around themselves in which the larvae transform into the final stage before adulthood, the pupa.

Stage Three - Pupa

Dog flea Pupa morph into adult fleas in as little as just a few days time or up to two weeks time in total depending on the ambient conditions. The adult dog flea can remain within the cocoon at rest until they detect the presence of a host. Indications to the flea that the time is right to immerge from the cocoon are vibration, heat, noise and the sense of pressure from the weight of an animal above.

Stage Four - Adult dog flea

Adult dog fleas cannot re-produce without first feeding on blood. If a newly hatched dog flea is unable to find a host to feed on it will die in about one week. However if adult fleas do not leave the protection of the cocoon they are capable of surviving for several months and even up to one year.

Related Articles:

Signs and symptoms of dog flea infestation - coming soon

Treating dog flea infestation - coming soon

Preventing dog flea infestation - coming soon

Slip Leads for dogs from Pet Treats

Slip Leads for dogs are a very popular dog leash. Dog Slip Leads can be used for many aspects of dog work. Gun dog work, dog obedience training and just every day dog walks are all functions that fall within the Slip Leads versatility.

Pet Treats offer a wide range of Slip leads for dogs. Various lengths mixed with our great range of colour selections offer a slip lead to meet most owner requirements.

Simple, Versatile and fully adjustable.

One reason the dog slip lead and particularly the rope slip lead for dogs has become so popular is its simplicity and versatile use. The slip lead is basically a combination of both dog lead and dog collar. The collar section is a basic running loop that simply slips over the dogs head. Once in position the slip lead can be adjusted to  size  by a simple toggle mechanism known as 'The keep'.

One size fits all

The collar section of the slip lead will fit any type of dog taking out the worry of finding the correct size for the larger dog breeds and of course rapidly growing pups.

Benefit from a built in check collar

The collar section also offers the added benefits of a basic check collar. The loop will tighten if the dog pulls too hard and a simple tug on the dog lead will re-inforce that the dog should come back to your side.

Summing up

The Slip Lead therefore offers you as the dog handler a strong yet lightweight dog lead that is very comfortable to handle. No collar sizing problems and even better, a check collar function. Dog slip leads are extremely quick to fit and just as quick to release your dog. That makes these leads very practical for bringing both working dogs and family pets under control quickly and without fuss.

Slip Leads - find slip leads for sale