Westie Puppies And Dogs

The West Highland White Terrier that is bred well and taken care of is usually very healthy but there are things you should know to keep your Westie as healthy as possible.

One of the most important things that can be done to keep puppies healthy is to choose a good vet and make sure you schedule check-ups when needed. The first time the pups are taken to the vet they will be checked and assessed. Watch the vet to she how she handles the puppies. The vet should be gentle and take the time needed to do a proper examination.

There are vets that are not interested in smaller animals so do not be afraid to find a vet that likes little dogs. If you are not comfortable with the way the vet handles your dog/s on the first visit do not hesitate to find another.

Westies sometimes are prone to develop cysts between their toes. If you notice that a puppy is limping or having difficultly walking you may want to check for a cyst. When you notice the foot is swollen between the toes and the puppies foot is very hot you will need to soak his paw in water that is as hot as he can stand. Add a spoonful of salt to the water before soaking and after several treatments the abscess should break.

Your Westie may have times when his anal glands need to be emptied. The vet will need to do this and it is important because an abscess can occur if this is not treated. When you notice and unpleasant smell and your dog is dragging his bottom on the ground or chewing his tail it is time to call the vet.

Some Westies have problem with allergies. Your vet will be able to help you with solutions that could include allergy testing and medication. A change in diet or grooming may also help.

Always be cognizant of the possibility of parasites. Dogs sometimes are affected by worms and the best treatment for roundworms is a regular dose of medication that is formulated for this type of worm. Tapeworms are rare but can be treated with pills.

When caring for your Westie you should find a great vet, schedule regular appointments, pay attention to any change in the health of your dog and take preventative measures.

Life History of Domestic Cat

Today, domestic cats still take many characteristics from their wild ancestors. The arresting eyes, body shape, feeding and grooming habits are the same along with the ability to pounce into action at any given moment. It is this link that makes the domestic cat so fascinating around the world.
It has been about 4000 years since the first cats were domesticated. The Ancient Egyptians were the first to keep and use cats to control vermin and other pests to protect stores of food. In Ancient Egypt, the cat was revered as a hunter and worshiped as gods and goddesses. The ancient Egyptians imposed the death penalty for killing cats and cats were also mummified before being buried.
Other ancient civilizations later began to domesticate the cat and took tame felines to Italy where they slowly spread around Europe. Eventually, they arrived in the New World with the Pilgrims. The short haired domestic cat spread across the world from Egypt while long haired cats came later from Turkey and Iran. The domestic cat also spread from India to China and Japan.

A Domestic Cat Has More Bones Than a Human
Humans have 206 but the cat has 230. Some cites list 245 bones and state that bones may fuse together as the cat ages.

Aggression
Cats that are aggressive can be very dangerous and veterinary advice should be sought if a domestic cat is persistently aggressive towards people. There are many different causes of aggressive behavior ranging from fear, to over-exuberant play.

Fish
Fish is a good source of protein and is enjoyed by many domestic cat. Some types of fish have an enzyme that destroys the vitamin thiamine and domestic cat fed a diet high in raw fish have been known to develop a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine deficiency causes severe neurological problems progressing to seizures. Commercial cat foods contain added thiamine.

Kitten
A young domestic cat. It can take 6-12 months for a kitten to reach adult size and it is normally recommended that kitten foods should be fed until the cat is 12 months old.

Vegetarian
Domestic cat cannot be fed on a natural vegetarian diet, as it does not meet their requirement for certain essential nutrients.

Worms
These are parasites that can live in the domestic cat body, normally the digestive system. The most common worms are Roundworm (Toxascaris and Toxocara) and Tapeworm (Dipylidium and Taenia species). Treatment against tapeworm may have to be repeated every six weeks due to the potential for re-infection in domestic cat that hunt and eat their kill.