Rat Bite Disease

Walking your dog is a daily activity, usually enjoyed by all parties involved. However, some pups are better at pulling than walking relaxed on a loose leash. Sound familiar? We reached out to AnimalKind accredited trainers to talk about why dogs pull and asked them to share humane training tips to help you teach your dog loose-leash walking (and to stop pulling on the leash). What is loose-leash walking? Loose-leash walking means you and your dog are relaxed on a walk. There is no tension on the leash, and neither of you are pulling. Stephanie Champagne, one of the trainers at Wild Tails in Nanaimo, says, "loose-leash walking means that I'm relaxed, my dog is relaxed and therefore the leash is loose and relaxed as well. It doesn't matter to me if my dog is in front, on my left or on my right as long as the leash is loose." Loose-leash walking is different than heeling. Lynn Gagnon of Stoked Dogs explains, "when your puppy is right next to you, keeping ex...

Contrary to what many people believe, not all dogs have rabies. On Wednesday's "24 Oras," Kuya Kim said dogs were not born with the fatal viral disease. However, they can get the rabies virus if they are bitten by an infected animal. Apart from dog bites, rabies can be transmitted to humans through an open wound exposed to an infected pet's saliva, or from an animal's scratch. Dog bite victims should immediately wash their wounds with soap and water and consult with a doctor, who can advise whether anti-rabies shots are needed. Rabies symptoms, which do not immediately show, include fever followed by fatigue and pain on the wound. In extreme cases, the victim salivates, experiences trouble swallowing, and develops fear toward water, air, and light, which eventually causes death. According to the World Health Organization, 59,000 people die from rabies yearly. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News

By Jacqueline Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University Dogs are rarely "nice" or "nasty". People tend to label some dog breeds as aggressive and some, such as the pit bull terrier, are often banned, yet all dogs have the potential to bite. In fact, banned breeds are no more likely to bite than other breeds, despite a reputation for being more aggressive. There is little evidence breed-specific laws reduce biting. Labrador retrievers, one of the most popular dog breeds in the often feature in lists and reports about aggressive dog breeds. This likely because Labradors make up such a high proportion of the dog population. But it also highlights why we should be aware of our interactions around all dogs, no matter the breed. Biting is not inevitable. Understanding the reasons why dogs bite is the key to prevention. Humans have selectively bred dogs over thousands of years for appearance and behaviour traits. Some dogs, such as the Caval...

Following the example of Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) House, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has also banned the "ferocious" pitbull and rottweiler breeds of dogs as pets within the city limits, PTI reported quoting officials as saying on Thursday. "As far as the issue pertaining to dogs was concerned, those pet owners who do not get their dogs registered will be fined Rs 2,000. Besides, two ferocious dog breeds have been banned in the city. Pitbull and rottweiler breeds have also been banned in many other cities and in Panchkula too they have been banned," Panchkula Mayor Kulbushan Goyal, said. He said there have been cases of dog attacks especially by these dog breeds at many places, and that people were bothered about this. A few days ago, the Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) also passed a resolution to ban the rearing of pitbull and rottweiler breeds in the city. The resolution said anyone found rearing either of the two breeds will be fined up to Rs...

Rats have had a great summer of feasting and breeding. Now as autumn and winter creep in, the rodents will be looking to seek refuge in people's homes and gardens. Experts have urged Brits to take extra precaution to protect their homes against an invasion by giant rats, that grown massively by feeding on food from uncollected rubbish and leftovers, especially during the heatwaves. According to Gardening Express, these disease-ridden pests "will eat virtually anything," and it's best if we start clearing any rubbish around our homes to protect ourselves. READ MORE : Terrifying rats 'as big as cats' invading homes through toilets Here are common signs that rodents have invaded your home. Odour Any homes with a rodent infestation is likely to have a heavy, pungent, musky stench (Image: AFP) A pungent, musky odour throughout your house is one of the first signs that could indicate a rodent infestation When rodents invade a ...

Dogs have dreams about normal things from their life — like playtime and baths. But dogs can also have nightmares, but you shouldn't wake them even if they seem distressed. Small dogs dream more frequently than large dogs, but large dogs have longer dreams. Like humans, dogs make all kinds of small movements and sounds in their sleep. You may see the twitch of a tail or hear your dog whine softly. These are familiar to us as the tell-tale signs of dreaming.  But unlike with humans, you can't simply ask them what kinds of dreams they had when they wake up. Here are some insights from vets about what dogs dream about. What do dogs dream about? ...

Rabies only rarely affects humans in the United States. But for people who do contract the virus, it's almost always fatal without prompt medical care. This serious virus, which is typically transmitted via animal bites and scratches, attacks the central nervous system, explains William R. Dodge, MD, an emergency medicine physician with Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California. Once the virus reaches your brain, it causes neurological symptoms, like confusion, hallucinations, and seizures, followed by coma and eventually death. That's why you'll want to contact a doctor right away if you've received a bite or scratch from a wild animal or unvaccinated pet, Dodge says, even if you aren't sure they have rabies. Here's the good news: The rabies vaccine can protect you from the virus. But you'll typically get this vaccine after exposure to the virus, unlike preventive vaccines that you get before potentially contracting a condition. Below, find a...

The dog was confiscated and impounded but was recently reportedly returned to the owner with an order to get training, after eight private parties and an NGO "rescue" organization informed the Lucknow Municipal Corporation where the dog was held they wanted to adopt the dog.   We have to wonder why so many people would risk taking into their family a dog that had just killed a helpless elderly woman who loved him?   Sushila Tripathi, was mauled to death in Lucknow by the Pit Bull, named Brownie, in July, after the dog had been living in the home for three years. The mother was alone with him and attempting to feed him when he attacked and killed her, according to India Today.   When her dead body was found, it was determined she was bitten at least 13 times. Her son, a gym trainer, found her lying in a pool of blood.   She was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead, due to "excessive loss of blood." &nbs...

Dogs are rarely "nice" or "nasty". People tend to label some dog breeds as aggressive and some, such as the pit bull terrier, are often banned, yet all dogs have the potential to bite. In fact, banned breeds are no more likely to bite than other breeds, despite a reputation for being more aggressive. There is little evidence breed-specific laws reduce biting. Labrador retrievers, one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK often feature in lists and reports about aggressive dog breeds. This likely because Labradors make up such a high proportion of the dog population. But it also highlights why we should be aware of our interactions around all dogs, no matter the breed. Biting is not inevitable. Understanding the reasons why dogs bite is the key to prevention. Humans have selectively bred dogs over thousands of years for appearance and behaviour traits. More from Lifestyle Some dogs, such as the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, have been bred for their appearance and...

DULUTH — The Bulldog mascot at the University of Minnesota Duluth got a major makeover — and it has fans foaming at the mouth. Champ, the beloved furry canine that roams UMD athletic events and is considered celebrity-level special by the 12-and-under set, debuted a new look last week on the university's social media accounts and at a football game. The idea was to make the gray mascot look more like the school's yellow-gold Bulldog logo. ...

There's no mistaking the low menacing rumble of a dog's growl. Dogs use this vocalization in all kinds of situations from guarding their favorite bone to playing tug-of-war. But what is the underlying motivation for growling? Is it aggression, fear, bossiness, or something else? And what can you do about it? Read on to learn why dogs growl, what it means, and how to handle it. Play Growls Just like barking, growling is a form of canine communication that has many triggers. It all depends on the situation and the dog. In fact, some growling is positive. Many dogs grunt and grumble during playtime because they're having fun. Have you ever seen two dogs wrestling? Chances are you heard some growling. You might have thought that meant the roughhousing had gone too far, but it was likely all part of the game. Growling during play does not mean your dog is aggressive. It simply means they're having a great time. Your dog might even grow...

The lone star tick ( Amblyomma americanum ) is a disease-spreading arachnid. Like other arachnids — such as scorpions, spiders, and mites — adult lone star ticks have four pairs of legs and no antennae. Despite its prevalence in Connecticut and other states with a high incidence of Lyme disease, the lone star tick does not transmit Lyme disease. It is not clear whether the lone star tick transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In this article, we'll go over the conditions and symptoms that lone star tick bites transmit and how to identify the ticks themselves. Lone star ticks are aggressive biters that feed on prey throughout their entire lifespan. Larvae, nymphs, and adult ticks bite humans, pets, livestock, and wild outdoor animals. Even though they bite, larvae don't carry disease. Tick saliva can irritate your skin, but not every bite transmits disease-causing bacteria or viruses. Redness and discomfort at the site of a lone star tick bite require medical attention. You can...

A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva — the tissues at the vaginal opening.Also called vaginal candidiasis, Vaginal Yeast infection affects up to 3 out of 4 women at some point in their lifetimes. Many women experience at least two episodes. A vaginal yeast infection isn't considered a sexually transmitted infection. But, there's an increased risk of Vaginal Yeast Infection at the time of first regular sexual activity. There's also some evidence that infections may be linked to mouth to genital contact (Oral-Genital Sex).Medications can effectively treat vaginal yeast infections. If you have recurrent yeast infections —four or more times within a year — you may need a longer treatment course and a maintenance plan. Symptoms Yeast infection symptoms can range from Mild to Moderate, and include: a. Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva. b. A burning sensation, es...