CHAPTER 7 DOGS

 Anemia in dogs occurs when your dog's red blood cells are functioning improperly or simply aren't able to oxygenate his cells  Many different causes  Blood loss, injury, cancer, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, issues with red blood cell production

 Pale gums or mucous membrane  Eyes and ears may be pale as well  Weakness  Depression  Sleeping more than normal  Stop grooming themselves  Decreased appetite  Increased breathing and heart rate

 First secretion from mammary glands: a yellowish fluid rich in antibodies and minerals that a mother's breasts produce after giving birth and before the production of true milk.  Essential for newborns  Gives best chance at a healthy start and protection from harmful diseases

 What a dog should look like and behave like based on what breed it is  Example: A pug should weigh between lbs.  Should have a round, massive head with no indentation.  Should have “button” ears  Coat should be shiny  Tail should be wound as tight as possible  Temperament-even, playful, loving, stable

 Inherited or genetic  Many different types of congenital issues  Autoimmune disorders: lupus, anemia, polyarthritis, skin diseases  Physical problems: hip dysplasia, facial abnormalities  Heart, kidney, liver, thyroid diseases

 A female will go into “Heat” when it is sexually mature.  Age of first estrus varies among breeds. Range is 5 months to 2 years of age.  It is not advised to try to impregnate a female during first estrus-body not physically ready  Mating occurs during this time  Lasts from 5-13 days  A bitch (female dog) will have 2 estrus cycles in a year  If spayed, female will not go into estrus

 Length of pregnancy from conception until birth  Varies among species  Dogs gestation period is 63 days on average

 Cycle lasts about 21 days  Has 4 stages:  Proestrus-repro tract preparing for mate. Swollen vulva and bloody discharge. Lasts 9-11 days  Estrus-time when bitch will accept a mate. Ovulation occurs. Lasts 9-11 days  Diestrus-Long period of time where the hormone progesterone is at a high level or the time of gestation  Anestrus-4-5 months, where sex hormones are very low

 A dogs ancestry  Dogs that have a purebred ancestry  Must be pedigree or purebred for AKC recognition

PLACENTAL MEMBRANE Placenta attached to uterine wall Nutrients come through the placenta Membrane surrounds each puppy Acts as protection Mother dog rips open membrane Puppies begin breathing on their own

 The first week of heat  Lasts 7-10 days  Signs: personality changes, appetite change, swelling of the vulva, tail tucking to protect, more frequent urination  Leads into next stage of the the heat cycle which is estrus

 Accidental ingestion of products used to kill rodents such as mice, rats and gophers  The deadly ingredient is the chemical Bromethalin  Symptoms include: loss of appetite, impaired movement, paralysis of the animal’s hind limbs, slight muscle tremors, generalized seizures, and a depression of the central nervous system  Give dog hydrogen peroxide or get to a vet immediately

 Powder used to stop the bleeding of a dogs nail  Contracts blood vessels at wound to stop the bleeding  Can be used on small superficial cuts and for tails after docking