Bull Arab: A Look at the Rare Australian Dog Breed

The Bull Arab is a loyal and friendly breed that is quite hard to come by outside of its native Australia.

History of the Bull Arab Breed

The origin of the Bull Arab can be traced back to 1970's Australia. Breeder Mick Hodgens began experimenting with various breeds in hopes of creating a superior pig herding and driving dog, and eventually the Bull Arab was born. Enthusiasts believe the Bull Arab to have been developed by crossing such breeds as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, though Hodgens is yet to give his secret away.

Throughout its history, the Bull Arab has been most commonly used for hunting and tracking large game, herding and driving pigs, and as a watch and guard dog, proving its superior abilities to work while providing protection and companionship.

Today, while the Bull Arab has attained an underground popularity as a working and companion dog, the breed remains rather rare outside of Australia.

Benefits and Disadvantages of the Bull Arab Dog Breed

When properly socialized from a young age, the Bull Arab gets along well with children and other pets, known for its gentle and sweet approach to small children. These dogs are protective and territorial, making effective watch and guards dogs, by announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors, and serving as a deterrent to would-be intruders. The Bull Arab is obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate, making an excellent working dog, family pet, and companion alike.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning a Bull Arab. These energetic and active dogs require large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Bull Arab not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.

The Bull Arab has a strong instinct to hunt and herd, and will occasionally indulge in a good chase. When on the run, these dogs are very quick, and may pose a threat to other animals, neighborhood pets, and small woodland creatures. The Bull Arab must be leashed or properly secured at all times when outdoors.

As previously mentioned, the Bull Arab remains rather rare outside of its native Australia and can prove difficult to obtain. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.

Common Health Concerns in the Bull Arab Dog Breed

While the Bull Arab is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: epilepsy, primary lens luxation -dislocation of the lens, cataracts, glaucoma, cryptorchidism - failure of one or both of the testicles to fully descend, and bloat.

Source:

http://www.heydogs.com/b/bull-arab.html

How to Tame a Stray or Feral Cat

You may have noticed a homeless cat or kitten hanging out around your house or neighborhood, but what can you do? There are many courses of action which can be taken in this situation, such as contacting your local Animal Control agency or Humane Society. But if you are more interested in befriending this homeless cat or kitten, there are also helpful steps you can take in order to earn the trust of this poor animal.

First, it is necessary to interpret whether or this cat is simply a stray or is feral. Stray cats have had human interaction and contact at some point during their lives, and may have been abandoned or run away from their homes. Feral cats have had little to no human interaction and are essentially wild animals – though not impossible to tame.

How can you tell whether this cat or kitten is a feral cat or simply a stray? Feral cats generally run at the very first sign of human presence, such as tapping on a window when you see the animal or even making eye contact. Stray cats will hold their ground a bit longer and may even allow you to come within just a few feet or inches of them.

Once you have determined whether the cat is a stray or feral, you can begin the process of earning its trust. The majority of stray and feral cats maintain a regular feeding schedule. If you are leaving food outside for the animal, keep track of its daily eating habits for one or two weeks. 

When you have established the cat's daily feeding schedule, try to be outdoors during the time the cat feeds each day. Your presence will initially frighten the animal, so it is important to sit down on the ground fifteen or twenty feet away from where the cat is eating, thus making yourself appear smaller is size. Be sure to place the cat's food in the same place and sit in the same spot each day, allowing the cat to become accustomed to your presence.

After allowing the cat or kitten to see you nearby during its feeding for two or three weeks, you can begin moving the food closer to the spot on the ground in which you sit every day. Move the food only a few inches at first, then several inches, allowing the cat to slowly adapt to being closer to you. When the cat seems more comfortable and less alert to your presence, you should begin moving the food one foot at a time.

Eventually, the cat will be eating within only a few feet of where you are sitting on the ground. It is important to remember to never attempt to grab the animal, as this will only set back your progress, scare the animal, and may cause the cat to injure you by scratching or biting.

When the animal is finally comfortable being within a few feet of you, gently stretch out your hand within a few inches of where the cat is feeding. Do not make eye contact with the cat at this time, as this will only induce a nervous and fearful reaction. By now, the cat has grown accustomed to your scent, and chances are that the animal will gently sniff your hand and back away.

Beyond this point, developing a daily interaction with the stray or feral cat will become much easier. After only a few weeks of close encounters, the majority of stray and feral cats will slowly come around and allow you to gently touch and even pet them. Trust and respect will blossom, as will your new-found friendship with a needy cat or kitten.

Sources:
http://www.metroanimal.org/feral/main.shtml
http://www.freecathealthtips.com/straycats.shtml

Zoonotic Diseases and Your Pet Dog

What with the constantly mutating viruses being a common topic of both conversations and worries, several questions are slowly arising involving zoonotic diseases and viruses, which are illnesses and parasites that may be passed from pets to humans and vise versa. 

Just what types of conditions can you and your pet dog share or spread?

Sarcoptic Mange

Commonly known as Scabies, sarcoptic mange is a skin condition in which a mite burrows under the skin. In dogs, this may cause severe itching, hair loss, scabs, and flu-like symptoms (in extreme cases). In humans, the condition generally causes an itchy, red rash across the chest and abdomen. Frequent veterinary check-ups and paying close attention to your own as well as your pet's skin condition is the recommended form of prevention.

Roundworm
This common parasite infection is found in the intestines of puppies and dogs. While infections typically are not serious in nature, complications sometimes occur which include various eye and vision problems which may lead to blindness and dangerous swelling of organs. Worm portions are shed through the stool of an infected animal and can easily be detected by humans. 

To prevent infection, keep your dog updated on all vaccines and necessary treatments, wash hands thoroughly after playing with an infected dog or when near feces, and avoid areas in which the dog may use the bathroom outside 

 

Ringworm
Despite popular belief, ringworm is not an actual worm, but rather a fungal infection. Infection generally causes a round or ring-like patch of rough and scaly skin with surrounding hair loss in both humans and canines. Keeping your dog up to date on vaccines is the best preventative measure, as dogs may often carry the infection without showing any symptoms.

Proper sanitation after handling an ill pet or dog feces is the best preventative measure concerning most zoonotic diseases and viruses. Keeping your dog up to date on all vaccines and necessary treatments as well as regular veterinarian check-ups is also very important for the sake of your pet's health - and your own.

Toxoplasmosis
If you have ever heard that it is dangerous for a pregnant woman to be near dog or cat feces, toxoplasmosis is the culprit for this popular advice. 

It is estimated that 30 to 40% of all adults have been infected with this virus at some point during their lives. While infection is generally mild and may include swollen glands, muscle aches, and flu-like symptoms in humans, this virus can cause serious complications and birth defects in pregnant women - who should avoid all pet and animal waste throughout their entire pregnancy. Undercooked meat is also a common cause of this virus. 

To prevent infection, avoid handling animal feces.  If this is not possible, wash hands thoroughly after handing animal feces and cook all meat thoroughly.

 

Rabies
While many pet owners are aware of the risks of rabies, the majority do not understand exactly what this virus consists of. Rabies greatly affects the nervous system and can only be transmitted through bite from an infected animal. Keeping all pets updated on vaccines is the best preventative measures.


Sources:

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/zoonot.html
http://www.masteryourdog.com/zoonotic_diseases.html

Causes and Treatment of Flea Allergies in Cats

Many cat owners often fail to notice when their pet has developed an allergy due to the high pain threshold and willingness to adapt to discomfort in cats. Just like humans, different cats may develop specific allergies, the most common being caused by inhalants, foods, contact (bedding items, flea collars, etc.), and exposure to fleas.

Understanding Flea Allergies in Cats

A common misunderstanding in felines with flea allergies is that the bite of the flea is the cause for developing an allergic reaction. This is simply not the case. When a cat is bitten by a flea, a very small amount of irritation and itching will occur, but only directly after the bite. The cause for the allergic reaction is actually the moment during the bite in which the flea's powerful saliva comes in contact with the cat's skin.

Aside from hairless breeds, the sensitive skin of felines is covered in a thick and multi-layered coat, which generally protects the animal from most skin irritants. Small parasitic insects such as fleas can quickly and easily burrow into the fur, reaching the skin within seconds.

Symptoms of Flea Allergies in Cats

The allergic reaction to the exposure of flea saliva in felines causes symptoms such as noticeable chewing, excessive grooming, hair loss (may be caused either by chewing or the allergy itself), itching, open sores, scabs, and lip irritation. The most common areas in which flea allergies affect felines include the lower back near the tail and around the head and ears.

Treating Flea Allergies in Cats: Ridding All Pets and Your Home of Fleas

The first step to treating a flea allergy is to remove the fleas. You can treat the cat's flea infestation by requesting flea treatments from your veterinarian, which should be given year round, despite current weather or climate. 

When attempting to rid your cat of fleas, you must remember that the cat's entire living space must be treated as if it were also infected, regardless as to whether or not you can actually see the insects. If you have an outside cat, treat the areas in which the cat sleeps. When a house cat is infested, the entire home and all furniture and fabrics (curtains, blankets, and clothing) which the animal has been in contact must be treated with a product which kills both flea eggs and live adult fleas.

Treating Ongoing Symptoms of Flea Allergies in Cats

Unfortunately, removing the source of the allergen is only the part of this process. Your cat will likely continue to suffer symptoms of the allergy for weeks or even months after contact with flea saliva.

The only extremely safe and effective treatment for controlling the symptoms of flea allergies is liquid Diphenhydramine (popular brands include Benadryl). This medication is generally one of the only medications which most veterinarians will recommend the pet's owner to purchase, measure, and administer themselves, as it is extremely safe and quite difficult to cause overdose with. 

The general rule of thumb for Diphenhydramine treatment in felines is one milligram per pound of the animal's weight once daily until symptoms cease.

Remember, it is important to have a veterinarian diagnose your cat with a flea allergy before you attempt to provide any sort of treatment. It is also advised to speak with your veterinarian about treating flea allergy symptoms with Diphenhydramine before beginning dosing.

Sources:
http://www.allergicpet.com/cat_allergies.html
http://www.cat-health-guide.org/feline-fleas.html