WHAT ARE PHEROMONES?

Pheromones are chemicals secreted by living organisms (animals or plants) that allow individuals of the same species to communicate among themselves. This mode of communication, although unknown, is essential for many living things, especially for insects: it is thanks to the pheromones that ants will find the way to its nest and its congeners indicate a food source that it will be found. It is through studying the reproductive behavior of a moth by a French entomologist – Jean-Henry Fabre – that the existence of pheromones was discovered. He succeeded in showing that the secretions of a female sex pheromones could attract males within a radius of 25 kilometers!

And mammals?

Similarly, in mammals, pheromones are primarily known until now for their action in the field of reproduction: the man has used sex pheromone in an attempt to synchronize estrus or highlight came in the heat, especially sows. Since 1995, a French research laboratory, Phérosynthèse, works on the topic of pheromones in mammals. Their initial findings have enabled the development of pheromones for the cat. (more…)

For some dogs, a visit to the vet is a chore that they would turn out well.
Unable to make them understand that all this is for their sake …
Put yourself in their shoes: They are tied, gagged, locked on a table. They are tasters, the moves in all directions, they require the penetration of instruments in their private parts, they are coated gels and ointments …
That is why the mere fact get in the car and smell the raw odor of the firm sometimes causes their panic or non-cooperation. (more…)

Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not see in black and white!

The dog has a much better night vision than humans because it has a reflective surface behind the retina, the rug, which reflects light and gives an effect of shining eyes in the dark. He can distinguish a moving prey, like his ancestor the wolf recognized for its ability to hunt at night.

However, the dog is slightly nearsighted!

His visual acuity is much worse than ours: he sees the details of an object if placed within 50 cm. It hard to distinguish the colors: the visual spectrum is only going from yellow to blue. (more…)

1) The accident

Whatever the cause, or the apparent seriousness, observe the following precautions:

- The dog does not move but he is conscious.

There is the risk that the spine is injured, or that the pelvis is broken, avoid absolutely moving. However, if you do, use a rigid support (stretcher, board, etc. …) while holding the body upright.

- The dog moves, but moves only seem shocked.

Install it in a warm quiet place, give cool water, but NO medication. (more…)

WHAT DREAMS YOUR DOG?

You’ve probably seen your dog asleep, groaning, shake paws and twitching seems to be developing characteristics, suggesting that dream. But what then Fido can dream?

Sleep is composed of cycles with two major types of phases that are linked together:

The phase of deep sleep, also called slow wave sleep (because brain activity is calm, with different levels of deep sleep)

The REM sleep or rapid. The electrical activity that is recorded during this phase is very energetic. The name “paradox” is used because, although the individual sleeps, his brain has an effect that resembles that of the waking state: the moment of the dream. (more…)

Apart from accidental injuries or diseases contracted in very specific cases (a congener contamination, insect bites or mites, viruses, etc …), there are two types of conditions which are exposed dogs:Hereditary diseases transmitted genetically. They can occur at birth or appear only later.

Congenital disease, present at birth. They may be inherited or caused by different factors (viruses, drugs).

Any responsible breeder will inform you of health risks encountered by your new companion and predispositions attached to the breed.

Thus, for example white dogs are prone to deafness, large breeds hip dysplasia, breeds miniature patellar dislocations and brachycephalic in prognathism and collapse of the trachea.

During your first visit to the vet, it will be useful to learn about these particular points, so as to prevent any problems later.

Good health is the primary factor in the vitality of your pet! (more…)

A dog, how much does it cost?

The cost of a dog is not just its purchase price. In addition to basic equipment (collar, leash, or panière carpet, brush, …) and food, plan a budget for his health, whether prevention – annual visit to the vet, vaccinations, anti-parasitic, etc.., or unexpected illness, accident.

The cost of prevention

Preventive veterinary is still in its infancy. We are talking primarily of vaccination. your puppy will arrive home at the age of 2 and a half months. It will be first-time vaccinated against a number of diseases: distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. This protection is usually done as a single injection.

The first vaccination should be supplemented by a booster one month after the first injection, approximately at the age of 3 ½ months. On the occasion of the booster vaccination, which costs about 60 euros, your vet will probably suggest to protect your dog against rabies. While this vaccine is not compulsory in France, but an event like the episode of rabies in the Bordeaux region in September 2004 remains possible: individuals were imported from Morocco in a dog unfortunately contaminated fraud. In this case, as a preventive measure, any subject that came into contact with the affected individual is euthanized. In addition, this vaccine is mandatory when traveling abroad and in France, if you attend dog shows and in some establishments (hotels, campsites etc..). Provide an annual reminder for this vaccine. Budget: € 70. (more…)

THE INSURANCE MARKET ANIMAL IN FRANCE

France is the European leader in terms of the number of pets owned.

Yet only 2% of pets are covered by health insurance!

Compared with Sweden, which shows 80% and 30 %…. England

we can say that France has a large delay in the acquisition of insurance animal. (more…)

Allergy: a dog at home, you can!

It seems that having a dog at home for allergic children is beneficial. Indeed, having a dog would decrease the sensitivity to respiratory allergens.

Eviction allergens when possible

The obvious solution is for people allergic to oust or allergens to which they are sensitive. Now this radical action is rarely possible and depends on the type of allergen involved. While it is sometimes possible to limit them, however it is impossible to eliminate a large amount of respiratory allergens: pollen, dust, tobacco, animal hair, etc.. (more…)

Genindexe, genetics at your service …

The canine species benefit from advances in genetic research where several tests are now available. These tests are a real help to the kennel. We can prove the parentage of a dog breed, breeding with genetically detect diseases to prevent the transmission of evil and also to predict the colors future litters.

Objective

If the techniques of genetic analysis always scrutinize the DNA of an individual, the public police dog must learn to distinguish their purposes. Screening for inborn errors of different indeed DNA. The latter allows to establish the identity card of dog (unique, universal and unfalsifiable for each individual) and by comparison with DNA from the parents, it helps establish a certification of kinship and thus obtain a pedigree Certified by DNA. This analysis is mandatory in some European countries and is present in the grids of quotations of some races in France. The DNA was put in place to reduce the high rate of false pedigrees.The identity card Genindexe (achievable for all races) and parentage control are recognized by the Société Centrale Canine (agreement signed in September 2009), meet the international standard ISAG (Numeric results valid at international level) and this laboratory France is the only one to be COFRAC 17025 for this analysis (real proof of quality analysis in the laboratory). (more…)