Parvovirus A Very Realistic Threat To Your Dogs Health

Parvovirus was first identified in 1977 and can infect dogs of all ages, but usually strikes young unvaccinated puppies under the age of 6 weeks. Most puppies acquire temporary parvo-destroying antibodies by ingesting them through their mothers first milk, (colostrums). Puppies should be vaccinated starting at 6 to 9 weeks of age, and then every three weeks until they reach 16 weeks. Afterwards, yearly boosters are recommended.

Veterinarians can now test for the presence of parvovirus in their own clinics. Symptoms include loss of appetite, persistent vomiting, and profuse, odiferous diarrhea, often streaked with blood. In dogs, the lining of the intestines, lymph nodes, and bone marrow are the main target areas for Parvo. In puppies less than 6 weeks of age, the virus can infect heart cells, causing irreparable damage to the heart.

Certain breeds seem more prone to Parvo, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds, but scientists do not know why. Parvo is highly contagious, and is spread by oral contact with infected feces. Keep your dog away from other dogs with unknown vaccination status, and from areas where such dogs congregate.

If you board your dog, make sure that the owner/instructor requires proof of vaccination for all their customers. Do not take you unvaccinated or unprotected puppy to pet stores or parks until it is fully protected. Prevent your dog from coming in contact with feces, and always observe good hygiene at home. You can disinfect daily with a 1 to 30 ratio of chlorine bleach to water mixture. Parvo is much less common than it was 20 years ago but we still cannot completely eliminate the risk completely.

Remember, if you have further questions about Parvovirus or any other health issue, or if you think your dog has symptoms of a serious illness, be sure to contact your veterinarian at once. Your veterinarian can explain and break down and explain any issue and or questions you may have.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check them out at http://www.joncopets.com

Womens Soccer Gear

Womens soccer gear apparel consist of jerseys, T-shirts, lined and knitted pants and sphere shorts tailored specifically for the female players. The jerseys range from $50 to $80 while the pants and the shorts can be bought for $45 and $30 respectively.

Specific undergarments for women marketed by Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are priced within $20 to $50. Most often the bras are made from polyester and Lycra mix which offers moisture managing support and maximum comfort. Under Armour also manufactures women-specific boxer jocks and capris.

Womens Fleece is priced at $50-$55. These include hooded pullovers that provide warmth and insulation during early morning training sessions. Womens Hoody and Twill Hoody are other special outfits.

Soccer cleats for women marketed by Adidas and Nike and priced at $175 provide great comfort, good grip and stability. They are considered excellent for ball control and offer tremendous shooting power. Soccer shoes ranging from $50 to $125 are also available. These shoes are designed for remarkable comfort and flexibility. The shoes on the lower side of the price range are predominantly used for indoor games.

Two special products by Reusch cater exclusively to women goal keepers. Reusch Ortho Sleek Gloves are specifically designed for goal keepers with narrow hands and most suitable for women. These gloves are made of highly durable foam that lasts 25-30% longer than the usual mega foam. The flexible and removable finger protectors also greatly reduce the chances of injury. The other item marketed by Reusch is the Matriko Jersey. It is available in three sizes, medium, large and X-large and two elegant shades of lilac and sky blue. The jerseys are made of polyester material and contain stretchable polyester inserts and padded elbows.

Other accessories used by women such as headbands, shin guards, compression sleeve and padded ankle protectors are however designed to suit both the sexes. The key to soccer gear is flexibility. A person should feel extremely comfortable in their clothing. A person should not be reminded that they have on a particular item due to not feeling comfortable. When shopping for the latest in sports gear, a person doesnt have to shop at several different websites in order to find what they need.

Cathy Peterson writes about http://www.sportsteamfanheaven.com/Categories/NHL.aspx, http://www.sportsteamfanheaven.com/Categories/WorldBaseballClassic.aspx and http://www.sportsteamfanheaven.com/Categories/WorldCup.aspx

Serious Dog Urine Cleaning Products from a Surprising Source

Nobody enjoys thinking about dog urine stains and odor, but it happens. Even older dogs have accidents. (And let's also admit that dogs sometimes do it on purpose in order to mark their territory - no accident involved).

I'm thinking about this unpleasant subject at the moment because I just moved, and a very distinctive stain showed that a medium-sized dog recently lifted his leg on my new porch. To prevent my own dog from re-marking the house when I moved him to his new home, I had to find a good dog urine cleaning product, and fast.

With the help of my local pet store owner, (who also runs a house cleaning service), I found a great product - but not at her pet store.

So where did my friendly pet store owner take me to find a serious dog urine cleaning product? She led me next door, to the auto supply house. She asked the proprietor to search his shelves for a product that would be good enough to remove the smell and stain from my porch wall, but which would not be so strong that it would remove the paint. The product he had in stock was called Unbelievable!, from CORE Products Co., Inc., (but the man at the auto parts store said there are other brands that work as well).

The product was developed for professional cleaners, and works to remove pet and food stains (and odors) from a car's upholstery and carpet. The product costs far less than the enzyme product I recently purchased from a veterinarian, and it worked immediately. I just sprayed it on the siding where the dog lifted his leg, and the stain disappeared instantly, along with the smell. I'll be trying it on that suspicious spot on the carpet in a few minutes.

The first product that most people turn in these situations is enzyme-based cleaning products that can be purchased at grocery and pet stores. I recently had an opportunity to use an enzyme product on a borrowed cat carrier that had been sprayed by the owner's cat, and most of the odor did go away, eventually.

However, the enzyme product, which I purchased from a veterinarian, was expensive. It also took a long time to work, and my cats could still tell that the carrier had been sprayed, even though my own human nose could no longer detect it.

The product I purchased from the auto parts store worked better, and faster. And it cost less. So, the next time you have a need for a dog urine cleaner, don't head for the pet store - go to the auto supply store, and ask for a product that works on urine stains and odors. You'll save money by not buying an expensive enzyme product from the pet store or vet's, and you'll be happier with the results.

Copyright 2006 Jonni Good

Jonni Good is the owner of a large and popular website that is totally devoted to helping you adopt an older dog at your local humane society. You'll find a list of local animal shelters, and many articles about selecting exactly the right dog for your family. http://www.older-dog.com