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Why your dog eats grass
Have you ever been hunting with your dog and noticed them eating grass? If so, you are not alone. Some dogs have a strange habit of eating grass whenever they get the opportunity. But why are our pets doing this?
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - Ear Infections
Hunting dogs are more vulnerable to ear infections than other pets, and it takes a keen eye for any owner to notice. However, it comes a time when your dog becomes visibly irritated, a telltale sign that medical help is paramount. Unlike humans, dog ear canals are more vertical and L-shaped, predisposing them more to infections. However, being a more proactive owner and always early with treatment can come in handy. This article delves deeper into a dog ear infections: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
How your dog ages
You ever heard that your dog ages seven years for every year that you age? Is called the "rule of paw". Used since the 1950s, the "rule of paw" is speculated to come from the ratio of the average mortality years in dogs versus humans. Dogs on average would die after about ten years, while the average age for humans was around 70 years. But how accurate is this?
Upland Hunting Vest Round-up
I was on Facebook the other night and saw a post asking about recommendations for an Upland Game Vest. There were so many different brands listed, that I thought it'd be a good idea to list some of them here on Gundog Central for everyone to see, with links to where you can purchase. While researching these Upland Game Vest, I was kind of surprised at how many different ones there were available. It would be impossible for me to list them all here, so I'll stick with the ones I know or might be interested in. I won't be offering any recommendations as to which one you should or shouldn't purchase, mainly because we all have different needs and hunt different types of birds. What's good for someone hunting Quail, might not work as well for someone hunting Pheasant. You might like to travel light, where someone else might want to carry more gear. An older person will have different preferences than a younger person and people in the south would have different needs than someone hunting up north. If you would like to leave any recommendations or feedback, maybe suggest some I missed, you may do some in the comments below.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - Giardia
Understandably, a good population of pet owners are worried about their pets catching a Giardia infection, thus acquiring Giardiasis. Statistical numbers show that about 15 % of dogs globally already have the disease. While Giardia is prevalent in cats and dogs, a variant of the parasite also infects human.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - Coccidia
Do you own a hunting or sporting dog? Then you should know about the danger of coccidia in dogs. You may have already heard of this disease because it is common among these breeds and can be serious if not caught early.
Your dogs temperature and heart rate
Keeping up with your hunting dog's vitals is important especially when out in the field. Dogs are sensitive to cold and heat and knowing what their vitals should be can help save their life. Today you will learn what the normal heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature should be for your pet.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - Heartworms
Hunting dogs spend much of the day outdoors, where mosquitoes are prevalent, the primary vector for Heartworms. But what are heartworms, and how severely can they impact your dogs health?
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment - Parvo
Parvo in dogs refers to the Canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease found among dogs that causes gastrointestinal illnesses in puppies and older animals. It is a febrile disease of the canines which is highly contagious, especially through contact with infected feces. The virus spreads to the dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and affects their health by deteriorating their intestines, stopping them from absorbing vital nutrients. As a result, dogs and puppies become extremely weak and dehydrated. Hunting breeds are especially affected due to their exposure to infected animals or other factors such as contaminated soil and water. Thus, they are more prone to be infected with the parvovirus. The illness, if not well looked after or controlled, can lead to the death of the dogs.
Understanding Bird Scent - Part 1 The Birds
In his book Best Way To Train Your Gun Dog, Hall of Fame Trainer Delmar Smith said: "No one's ever understood one thing about scent." Add this: Odor chemistry is complex and still poorly understood. (The Science of Smell, Iowa State University May 2004). Now we can understand why few, if any, have dared enter this research field of bird scent and pointing dogs.
Key Nutrients for a Healthy Skin and Coat
Humans can use topical supplements like moisturizing lotion or hair conditioner for good health, but a dog doesn't have that luxury. The condition of a dog's hair and skin comes from proper feeding, and it's far more important than just making them look good. Healthy hair and skin protect them from the environment.
This Summer, Beat the Heat: How to Keep your Canine Athlete Cool
Blistering summer heat and high humidity accompanies a hazy, hot and humid weather report. That intense weather drives people to the beach, the lakes and the shade. If you think it's hard for people to cool off, it's even harder for dogs. Hyperthermia, the raising of a dog's core body temperature above normal, can put animals at risk. Fortunately, there are ways to recognize the symptoms so as to keep dogs safe.
Tennessee Panel to Hear Bill Banning Outside Dogs
On April 6, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will conduct a hearing to discuss legislation that prohibits tethering a dog outside unless it has constant and uninterrupted access to shelter, shade and water.
How Much Water Should Your Gun Dog Drink?
Most sporting dog owners and handlers know how to calculate daily amounts of food, but is there a way to determine how much water your dog should drink? According to Eukanuba's Pet Health and Nutrition Center's Director Dr. Jill Cline, there is.
End of a Friendship - by Tom Word
Ben and Sam were sharing an end-of-week dram of The Macallan in Ben's library-conference room when the subject, end of friendships, came up. It was a too-frequent subject on their minds these days, with COVID-19, the fast-approaching presidential election, BLM protests and riots, frequent threatening hurricanes and other impending disasters. Almost everyone seemed out-of-sorts. But Ben and Sam had in eight decades lived through many difficult times, and so had in their old souls a certain confidence that this too would pass. Their shared motto, kept to themselves, was, "Don't take anything, especially yourself, too seriously. Eventually, the pendulum will swing and the country will right itself a bit."
