Xili fluffy

Hawaiian Xili

Dogs feel the suffering of human beings?

Dogs feel the suffering of human beings, especially those who recognize as their owners? Karine Silva and Liliana Sousa, two researchers from the Department of Behavioral Sciences at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, Porto, consider that yes, although there are few studies that emphasize experimental and scientific discussion on the subject. The two scientists published a reflection on the subject in this month's issue of the journal of the Royal Society." Empathy is a complex mechanism that begins the simple emotional contagion and goes to some reflection on the emotional state of others and an emotional connection to each other," he explained, Karine Silva. According to some studies , the level of empathy depends on the size of the brain of the individual. In humans, for example, at nine months, the child tends to have a comfort each other spontaneously, ie without any consideration of what the other person is feeling." Concern friendly only begins from the four years," explains Karine Silva. Experiments with mice have shown that these will react to the pain experienced by individuals of the same species that are closed in a cage, but not the felt by humans. Tests conducted with chimpanzees who grew up in contact with the man revealed that these comfort and help their peers in distress , but also humans. The question now arises is related to other species that live close to humans, such as dog. The two researchers believe that "there is a likelihood of the dog using the two cognitive faculties to comfort the human being." The reasons are several: the fact that domestic dogs descended from the wolf, highly social animals; biological changes occurred during the domestication process, which began about 10,000 years, and the diversity of existing breeds. Studies indicate that even untrained dogs are sensitive to human emergencies and may react to these in order to help those who are suffering. However, do not understand the nature of the emergency, or what should be done to get help. One of the hypotheses of explanation relates to the fact that the dog smell the feronomas produced by a person in distress.

The snooze Xili

And when we try to interrupt his nap, this is your guy badass :)

When and how to clean your dog's eyes?

When you notice an accumulation of secretion in the eyes of your dog, know that it is time for a cleaning site.

Some breeds require more frequent care, others less, but all are subject to problems arising from poor hygiene. Therefore, some basic precautions should be taken.

Always use saline to clean the eyes of your dog. Do not rub cotton, gauze or any other tissue in the eyes of your dog, they are very sensitive to friction, serious injuries may occur. Ping the serum or gently apply with the help of cotton or gauze, in the eyes of your pet. It is the best way to perform this cleaning.

Do not use a "jet" very strong to not scare your dog, but that is enough to draw out impurities and dirt.

Do not use eye drops on your own, as you may cause from simple irritation to a corneal ulcer.

Try to do regular cleaning of your dog's eyes. Thus, you will create the habit of examining it, which will prevent the onset of more serious problems.

When you notice any changes, such as itchy eyes and runny with colors ranging from yellow to dark green spots or bumps in the eyes, look for the vet, so he set an appropriate treatment for your dog.

Walk in the garden

Snooze in turtle

The Xili loves to sleep, especially on surfaces fluffy :)

Summer and dogs

 

With the arrival of summer the temperatures are rising and with them increases our concern for the welfare of domestic animals. Like people the pets also need to adapt to the heat and humidity. Small changes in routine ensure the health of dogs.

The hirpertermia, infestations of ectoparasites, mosquitoes and mosquito bites, viral infections and skin diseases are some of the problems that affect the animals in this period. Dogs do not sweat like we do. The breath is the only way to control the cooling process and maintaining ideal body temperature. Therefore, when submitted to intense heat or stress situations dogs may not be able to lose heat and enter a process known as hyperthermia. The first sign that the animal needs cooling is when it shows very breathless. In the context of hyperthermia the body temperature can reach 42 º C, causing vomiting, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary edema, heart stops and even get to coma. Brachycephalic dogs that have short muzzle, as the Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shitsus, Lhasas Apso, Boston among others, suffer more from high temperatures due to anatomical difficulty breathing and lose heat. 

So we should never submit dogs to situations of intense heat environment as bathing and grooming, walking at times very hot, stay inside parked cars or traveling long, and other stressful situations. This time of year the animals should stay pleasant and shady, with fresh water available.  

During the summer is also more common the proliferation of flea and tick infestation. During this period the baths should be less frequent, since they reduce the period of action of most of the products used in the control of ectoparasites. In this case, keep the animal's coat short aid in the visualization of the possible parasites. When bathing is necessary to observe whether or not the presence of parasites, possible injuries bites, reddened areas in the body or even bruises. In the case of the presence of fleas or ticks should look for a vet to make the statement of the application of preventive and antiparasitic drugs and blood tests if necessary.  

Dogs also suffer from the bites of insects, in addition to causing discomfort, can transmit diseases such as leishmaniasis and dirofilariasis. Quinzani emphasizes that bites usually occur in regions hairless - tip of nose, ears, around the eyes and abdomen - where it is possible to visualize lesions with intense itching bites on site.  

The wounds of animals should never be exposed because they can attract flies that lay their larvae, causing infections that bring discomfort to the animals. Furthermore, flies lay their washing leather integrates the known grubs. In all these cases there is the possibility of preventing collars and repellent sprays, mosquito control with window screens, control waste and stagnant water and other environmental waste that may attract these insects.

The rainy period also increases the incidence of disease, leptospirosis transmitted by rat urine spread by flooding and floods. To prevent this virus the animal should be vaccinated regularly. Animals that live in the house must be particularly careful, for example, in the case of rodents that may be carried in search of food scraps, even feed and feces of animals. If the animal come into contact with flood waters and symptoms such as high fever, listlessness, vomiting and diarrhea medical referral should be immediate.  

Skin cancer is another concern. Dogs and cats that have very light skin - or pink - when subjected to exposure to the sun can also develop sarcoma, which usually occurs in areas without hair. The biggest victims are the albino animals, or animals that not all white, have the tip of his nose, ears, around the eyes and abdomen depigmented. These animals should not sunbathe, but if exposure is unavoidable should use sunscreen on these areas.

 

The routine pets as bathing, grooming, tour schedules, nutrition and health care are of particular concern in the hottest period of the year!