CARPAL SUBLUXATION and WEAK PASTERNS
By Fred Lanting
There are two pastern disorders that are often confused until one actually has seen the extreme type. The severity of weak-by-genetic-neglect wrists seen in many German Shepherds can approach the other type at first impression. In addition to these two, there are cases of retained cartilage and the unequal or asynchronous growth of the two bones in the lower forearm, but these are not included in the subject of this section. I constantly see variable expressions of pasterns changed by growth plate disturbances, with some dogs having a valgus (turned-out) deformity of only one carpus, some with little turning out, many with both feet pointing east-west. (Read more...)
Rabies Immunization for Dogs
By Anna Borenstein
This article is is for the benefit of those residing in Ontario, Canada. I hope to inform residents of what the law actually states in regard to rabies vaccinations, as opposed to what popular (mis?)conception may be. (Read more...)
Random Patterns and Events
By Lynne Price
Many would say that I am a person of questionable dog-interest and background. For me, there’s something about all that invasion of personal space, need for attention and dog slobber that generally turns me. Yet a few months ago, while on a solo trike/cycle trip of Oahu a terrible incident occurred and I found myself with no place to stay yet needing to recover. Complete strangers stepped up and took me in. They had two dogs. Dixie, a seasoned well-mannered sleek golden lab and Brodie, a fresh and energy filled tawny brown 9-week old Pug. It’s hard to admit to but I fell for these two canines. Their innate sense of care and protection kicked right in despite... (Read more...)
The Best Doggy Biscuits!
By SiriusDog Staff
"These biscuits are so good!! I love this recipe. Just try it - I am positive you will love them (and your dogs will too)"... (Read more...)
Vaccine Damage
By Catherine O'Driscoll
You may have studied canine behaviour in order to understand why dogs do what they do, and how their behaviour can be modified. I wonder if you’ve studied human behaviour, as I have, to understand why people treat their dogs so badly, and how they can be encouraged to look after them better? (Read more...)
Canine diet
By Catherine O'Driscoll
Nature has developed a diet for dogs that has kept them on the planet for millions of years. Processed pet food, on the other hand, has only been around for just over a hundred years: and it’s now that we’re experiencing chronic illness in our dogs. More accurately, they’re not actually ill: they’re malnourished. If you want healthy dogs, you absolutely must get the diet right. It’s the foundation of good health... (Read more...)
Cryptorchidism
By Fred Lanting
The most common congenital* anomaly of the scrotum and testicles is the apparent absence of one or both gonads. I use the word "apparent" because the missing testicle(s) usually are actually present inside the body cavity of the dog. The Greek kryptos means hidden, secret, or covered, and the Greek orchi - is a combining form referring to the testicles. The condition is therefore called cryptorchidism and the dog so afflicted is called a cryptorchid. If one testicle is retained, he is a unilateral (one-sided) cryptorchid and if both, a bilateral cryptorchid. A word commonly applied to the former is monorchid but this is a misnomer, as monorchidism would mean the presence of only one testicle anywhere in the body, not just in the scrotum. True monorchids are quite rare, as are anorchids (males with no testicles), and either condition can be verified only be extensive surgery. (Read more...)
Dogs in the Heavens
By Fred Lanting
In the "olden days" (which to today's generation probably means before TV), when there were no street lamps or lighted guppy aquariums, and people used candles or torches to find their way at night, the sky could get very dark indeed. Especially when the moon was less full or on the other side of Earth, night was a time for many to look up and wonder at the immensity of the universe. Without "light pollution" in the sky, many more stars were visible to the unaided eye than we can see today near any civilization. So many, that in the Old Testament, when God promised... (Read more...)
Starting in 2009, Make Vgor and Longevity a Matter of Choices.
By Fred Lanting
There is no single, simple "secret to a long and healthy life," although many make money by selling books, products and programs based on such a title and concept. But the obverse is true: a combination of ignorance and lack of will inhibits most of us from reaching toward that goal... (Read more...)
INBREEDING AND DIVERSITY - PART 5
By Fred Lanting