As far as being âchancy,â pets with mixed genes tend to have fewer problems than pure breeds, owing to a phenomenon known as âhybrid vigor,â so that is an argument in favor of coming out with new combinations. Who wants a âtwo forâ puppy with a medley of genetic problems such as allergy, eye problems and soft tissue problems from each breed cropping up? It is also important to understand how these designer pets come about and for potential buyers to know that every designer puppy always results from two separate purebreds rather than parents of that same designer breed. So remember that people who are creating these mixed breed âdesignersâ are doing so by repeatedly breeding two different purebred dogs to create a desirable mix that people want. A few years ago when I purchased my children a half Chihuahua half Shi-Tzu puppy, I assumed that âHunny Bunnyâ was the result of an accidental mating (and simply the cutest mutt ever born). My kids have a designer dog, which is nothing less than heaven on earth, but Iâm not really OK with the idea of creating a plethora of designer dogs.

I am always taking her to the vet for checkups, which usually results in being told she has another ear infection. Dogs with drooping ears are more susceptible because the limited airflow provides a warm dark environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive. I was surprised to find out how often environmental allergens — food, pollen, fleas — are the culprit. A study under way by the AKC Canine Health Foundation suggests up to 75 percent of ear infections are linked to some sort of allergy — itchy ears and head shaking are classic symptoms. I especially like the Q-tip treatment and remind readers the same can be accomplished by applying a resident cat’s saliva on a new kitty in the same location (i.

A growing number of veterinarians are prescribing supplements of friendly bacteria for dogs, but is there enough scientific evidence to justify it? Are human speech-like vocalizations made by some mammals equivalent to conversation–or just a rough estimation of it? How does catnip work its magic on cats? Ramona Turner, a veterinarian specializing in feline care for 25 years, owns two Fresno, Ca.

Tags: hypoallergenic dog foods, hypoallergenic dog food, allergies, 25, hypoallergenic dog breed, bacteria

Thanks to a loyal reader, here’s a follow up to a previous story, " Your allergies could threaten your pet’s life . This means that even dogs that don’t shed, such as yorkie’s or poodles (or even mostly hairless dogs such as Mexican Hairless or Chinese Crested) can still cause allergy symptoms among those who are sensitive (although maybe less severely). Chihuahuas, while very short haired, are not among the breeds that don’t shed, so if one knows they have a severe allergy to dogs, they may not be the best choice of breeds," said Dr. You can see Victoria’s articles on Victoria’s Home Page . Copyright © 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.