vet

• Genus: Canis

  • Species: familiaris
  • Subspecies: Canis lupus familiaris
  • Male = Dog/Stud
  • Female = Bitch
  • Infant = Puppy
  • Birthing = Whelping
  • Sexual Maturity approximately 8 – 9 months (Somewhat breed dependent)
  • Female Estrous Cycle: Heat=Estrus (1-2 times /year)
  • Gestation is 64 days (average range 56-70)
  • To alter a male we NEUTER him (remove testicles = castration, orchidectomy)
  • To alter a female we SPAY her (remove uterus and ovaries = ovariohysterectomy)
• Male Reproductive System:

  • Testicles in scrotum to remain at a lower temperature
  • Sperm production in testicles
  • Testosterone production:

  1. Maintain spermatogenesis

  2. Maintain libido = sex drive

  3. Stimulates secretions of accessory sex glands

  4. Male Characteristics:

  a. Increased bone growth

  b. Thicker skin

  c. Deeper voice

  d. Greater muscling

  • Prostate Gland adds seminal fluids
  • Penis: delivery system enclosed in sheath or prepuce
• Female Reproductive System:

  • Ovaries in abdomen for ovum production
  • Estrogen production
  • Uterine gland growth
  • Mammary gland development
  • Uterus for fetal development
  • Vagina as sperm receptacle
  • Vulva as exterior
• Breed:

  • Homogenous grouping of animals within a species
  • Estimated between 700 and 800 breeds
  • Dogs bred for specific purposes like herding, hunting, field trials, terriers, hounds, tracking, shows, obedience trials, and companionship
  • All dog breeds retain some traits reflecting their historic purpose: predators, efficient locomotion, eyes adapted to detect motion, olfaction for tracking prey, hearing to detect prey and predators, teeth for gripping, killing, and consuming
• AKC Groups:

  • Sporting: hunting game birds and waterfowl
  • Hounds: hunting, scent and sight
  • Working: pulling sleds, guarding, water rescues
  • Terriers: hunting and digging for vermin
  • Toys: lap dogs and pampered pets
  • Non-sporting: various breeds with no real uses
  • Herding: ability to control other animals
• AKC Most Popular Breeds of 2022:

  1. French Bulldog

  2. Labrador Retriever

  3. Golden Retriever

  4. German Shepherd Dogs (GSD)

  5. Poodle

  6. Bulldogs

  7. Rottweilers

  8. Beagle

  9. Dachshunds

  10. German Shorthair Pointers

  11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

  12. Australian Shepherd

  13. Yorkshire Terriers (Yorkies)

  14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  15. Doberman Pinscher

  16. Boxers

  17. Miniature Schnauzers

  18. Cane Corso

  19. Great Danes

  20. Shih Tzu

  21. Siberian Husky

  22. Bernese Mountain Dog
• Hair Coat Characteristics:

  • Wide variety of coat types and colors
  • Some breeds have a double coat with thick guard hair and thin, finer, short secondary hair
  • Some breeds don't shed like Bichon Frise, Poodle, Shih Tzu
  • Hair coat colors: black, brown, chocolate, liver, tan, red, yellow or gold, blue, gray, white
  • Coat color patterns: sable, gold-sable, merle, ticking, brindle, splashed, tri-colored, parti-colored, pinto or piebald
• Deep Chested Breeds
• Gestation period is approximately 64 days
• Parturition, also known as whelping, is the birth process where puppies are born in individual placentas
• During parturition, the bitch eats the placenta, and puppies crawl to the mammary gland to begin suckling
• Suckling induces the release of oxytocin in the dam, causing more uterine contraction and the expulsion of subsequent puppies
• Pheromones released from around the mammary glands help the pup recognize and bond with its mother
• Puppies are born altricial, dependent on food and care, with closed eyes and ears; eyes open around day 14, ears around day 14-16
• At 4 weeks, puppies become interested in solid food, start playing, become noisy, and may leave the nest to eliminate
• At 5 weeks, puppies show allelomimetic patterns, sleep in piles, groom each other; at 7 weeks, house training can start, first vaccines can be given, and weaning can begin
• During adolescence (6-18 months), puppies become more independent, explore dominance and their role in the pack, exhibit sexual behavior, and chew as molars develop
• Behavior is the way an animal reacts to an internal or external stimulus, determined by heredity and learning
• Behavioral problems comprise one third of the reasons that dogs and cats are surrendered to animal shelters, including owner-pet mismatch, inadequate socialization, inadequate training, and owner reinforcement of undesirable behavior
• Proper socialization is crucial as by 8-9 weeks of age stable learning begins, stranger danger develops, traumatic experiences are remembered, and positive experiences will be sought
• Dogs and cats communicate through vocal/auditory, visual, and olfactory cues, displaying postures, facial expressions, and specific sounds
• Animals usually communicate through three main means: greeting, play, and defensive/fear responses
• Basic training for dogs involves establishing dominance, using rewards and punishment, making expectations clear, and starting house training, leash training, and basic commands at specific ages
• In terms of digestive behavior, ingestion is influenced by smell, and puppies eliminate soon after eating; male dogs need to be taught to lift their legs when urinating
• Nutrients essential for pets include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, water, vitamins, and minerals, with specific requirements for dogs and cats
• Dogs and cats are carnivores with specific nutrient needs, and modern pet foods must supply all required nutrients
• Water is the most essential nutrient for bodily functions, with sources including flowing water, food, and metabolic water
• Proteins are essential for muscle and bone health, tissue repair, enzymes, hormones, and immune system function, with specific requirements for dogs and cats
• Carbohydrates provide energy and make up a significant portion of pet food ingredients, with simple and complex sugars being common sources
• Fats are concentrated sources of energy, necessary for cell membrane integrity, and carriers of fat-soluble vitamins, with specific types like omega-3 and omega-6 being important for inflammatory response
• Energy from carbohydrates and fats allows for physical motion, heat creation and loss, chemical and biological reactions, bodily functions, growth, and metabolism
• Fat-soluble vitamins and minerals play crucial roles in cellular metabolism, vision, blood clotting, immune function, nerve function, muscle contraction, and more
• Commercial pet foods come in various forms like dry kibbles and canned food, with factors like palatability, texture, moisture, and smell influencing pets' preferences
• Dry pet food is less expensive and keeps teeth cleaner, while canned food is more palatable, has a higher water content, and may contain a more varied ingredient list
• Hip Dysplasia:

  • Abnormality of the hip joint causes abnormal articulation
  • Usually affects large breeds
  • Factors: genetic predisposition, nutritional factors, early neutering
  • Signs: pain, slow rising (weak), sits to the side, difficulty jumping and climbing stairs
  • Diagnosis: X-rays, palpation
  • Treatment: weight loss, surgery options like Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, Total Hip Replacement, Femoral Head Resection, medical treatment with anti-inflammatories, NSAIDs, steroids, and supplements like Glucosamines
• Degenerative disc disease:

  • Especially affects Dachshunds, but any breed can be susceptible
  • Caused by intervertebral disc swelling or rupture putting pressure on the spinal cord
  • Signs: acute paralysis, severe back pain, depression, reluctance to move
  • Treatment: if caught early, aggressive steroids, pain killers, rest; severe cases may require surgery or result in permanent paralysis
• Parvovirus and Corona Virus:

  • Viral diseases attacking intestinal lining cells
  • Signs: depression, vomiting, bloody diarrhea
  • Treatment: monoclonal antibodies, IV fluids, antiemetics, antibiotics, pain treatment
  • Parvovirus is more severe than Corona Virus
  • Prevention: vaccination
• Bloat (Gastric dilatation and volvulus - GDV):

  • Stomach fills with air, becomes round and can twist, compressing the thoracic cavity
  • Results in decreased lung capacity and restricts blood flow to and from stomach, spleen, intestines
• Diabetes Mellitus:

  • Glucose is unable to enter cells due to lack of insulin or inability of insulin to function
  • Signs: polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, cataracts in lens of eyes
  • Diagnosis: elevated blood and urine glucose levels
  • Treatment: insulin injections, diet control
• Hypothyroidism:

  • Deficiency in thyroid hormone responsible for normal metabolism
  • Signs: lethargy, apathy, overweight, poor hair coat, myxedema, tragic expression
  • Diagnosis: low T3 and T4 levels
  • Treatment: replacement with synthetic T4