Vet School!!!

okay, I know this blog is supposed to be about domesticated animals, but the only thing i have had on my mind now is the fact that i got into Virginia Tech!!! I really just want to share my plans for the future. I am going to major in Animal and Poultry Sciences, on the Pre-Vet track. I will be double emphasizing in Livestock and Equine. After graduating, I plan to apply and hopefully be accepted into Virginia Tech's Vet School; Virginia-Marylan Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Afterwards, i plan to work for the USDA for a minimum of two years, as a way to get some work experience in a Government job. Eventually I will become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; DVM for Large Animals!!! well that is basically it. So not all the people that read my blog might not have to keep asking what i am doing after high school! wish me luck, and good luck to all of the seniors getting ready to graduate soon!!! GO SKYHAWKS of 2012!

Parvo

Parvo is extremely fatal to dogs, especially puppies. That is why it is so important when getting a new puppy or dog, to keep them up to date on all of their vaccinations. It will prevent them from suffering a very slow and painful death. Basically the Parvo virus enters the animals body very easily, as it is very contagious, and it forces the animal to vomit uncontrollably. They also have horrible diarrhea, and along with the virus, animals generally die of dehydration. For potential dog owners, please keep this in mind. It is so fatal, yet so easily preventable.

The Importance of Rabies Vaccines

I really don't understand why it is so hard for people to get their cats and dogs rabies vaccinations. They are relatively cheap. I want to stress its importance because what some peopl may not know is that they could end up 3ith more than just a ticket for not keeping their pet up to date on their rabies. They could lose their pets as well. I learned this from an animal control officer. if a dog or cat bites another pet or person and it is reported, a bite report must be filled out. If the animal does not have current rabies vaccination, the owner has 2 choices. Keep their pet under quarantine for 6 months, or have the animals euthanized. That is a hard choice. If an animal is put under wuarantine, they have to stay in a small cage for 6 months, and they are NEVER allowed out of it. The only person to come into contact with the animals is the owner to feed and water it. It is not fair to the animal to live like this. animals feed off of their owner's attention. Without it they become depressed. I just felt the need to show how important a rabies vaccine is. I hope it gives pet owners something to think about.

The Importance Spaying and Neutering Pets

Some pet owners don't find it necessary to spay and/or neuter their pets. They do not realize just how harmful it actually is.

• In the United States alone, approximately 70,000 dogs and cats are born EVERYDAY! That is about 3,000 every hour; 50 every minute.
•  Currently in the United States there are approximately 70,000,000 dogs and cats living as strays strays. 
• 30,000,000 animals will die this year from cruelty, neglect, abuse, and exploitation. 
• There are approximately 5,000 animals shelters nationwide. 
• 6-8 million cats and dogs will enter these shelters this year. 
• 3-4 million of those cats and dogs will be euthanized this year; nearly 10,000 everyday. 

 These staggering numbers are so easily avoidable. The numbers would drop drastically if everyone simply spayed and neutered their pets. When surveyed, owners' most common reasons for not spaying and neutering was as followed:

• Not Bothered to do it yet- 29%
• Desire to breed their animal- 16%
• Feeling the animal was too young- 15%
• Affordability- 9%
• Feeling that it is cruel to the animal- 5%
• Feeling that it is unnatural- 4%
• Other- 15%
• Not sure- 7%

So where do you stand. Do you believe in Spaying and Neutering pets, or do you have reasons not to?

for more information and statistic please feel free to go to this website: http://www.oxfordpets.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=63

Are Entertainment Animals Really Given The "Movie-Star Treatment"?

I want to know how everyone feels about animals that are used in movies. Some people may not give it a second thought, however there have been multiple movies in the last decade who have used animals in their films, and some of these animals have died. For example, one of the horses that was being used in the 2005 movie Flicka died when one of the "well-trained" animal handlers lost control of the horse. AHA, the American Humane Association, is supposed to have a key objective in mind; the safety of animals. I understand that accidents can happen but I consider it very negligent to put the lives and safety of many smart and wonderful creatures in the hands of people who are careless and sloppy about their work. In order for the entertainment business to use animals in their films, animal handlers must take classes and receive special certification to ensure the best possible treatment is given to these animals. Perhaps AHA is slacking off. I feel as though AHA is not being held at a neccessary standard. I need someone to please prove me wrong!