Tag Archive for: animal welfare

Ortopedia canina

Keys to a dog’s well-being

The concept of animal welfare is usually related only to animals intended for human consumption. However, any living being has the right to have a dignified life in which its needs are respected. We tell you the keys to the welfare of a pet dog.

What we call the welfare of a dog

The welfare of a dog or any animal refers, as its name indicates, to a situation in which it can live well. That is, that it resembles what is natural according to its species and its needs. Having an animal under our care is a responsibilitythat includes different aspects, and that does not only refer to providing food.

As is the case with humans, and as we have said on other occasions, our needs include relationships with other members of our species, affection and health care.

Therefore, we want to emphasize the care that is needed for the welfare of a dog. It must be taken into account that the purpose of these is not only the happiness of the animal, but also theprevention of diseases.

Keys to a dog's well-being

Animal welfare care

Quality food

Feeding is the most basic aspect of a dog’s well-being. However, it must be of high quality. In order to enjoy good health and avoid the development of diseases, as some of them are directly related to nutrition, the animal must ingest all the necessary nutrients.

When the diet is not varied or there are deficiencies, problems appear which, if not treated correctly, can lead to serious pathologies. To avoid this, the feed must be of high quality, as many are based on animal by-products and may not include the necessary vitamins and minerals. In addition, water should always be available in abundance.

On the other hand, it is important to know which foods are harmful to your health. Not everything we humans ingest is tolerated by them. So in order to maintain a dog’s well-being, we must consult if something is suitable before giving it to him.

Time to play

Even though our friend is no longer a puppy, he also needs to play and engage in regular physical activity for proper emotional health. While people may spend days at home of their own free will, a dog’s well-being necessarily involves daily walks.

In addition, depending on its breed, it may have greater needs. Thus, while some may be satisfied with a simple walk, others need to run and/or walk longer distances to avoid anxiety and stay fit. Regarding toys, we must verify that they are not toxic. Playing with animals develops bonding, which is very important for their happiness.

Medical care

Animals have a higher resistance to disease than humans. We must know how to identify pain in dogs, as well as strange behaviors that can warn us that something is wrong. The welfare of a dog requires medical assistance whenever something happens to him. Even if some lesions seem unimportant to us, we must go to the veterinarian to treat them.

The welfare of a dog is a right that we cannot deny him. If we love and care about our friend, we must be sure to follow these guidelines. The higher the quality of life we provide, the fewer or less serious problems we will encounter.

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Ortopedia canina

Winter care for dogs

During the cold seasons, we must take extra precautions and take extreme care of our furry friends. Especially with those dogs that suffer from certain pathologies or that are in a vulnerable state. We leave you the winter care for dogs that you cannot skip.

How does the cold affect dogs?

Although dogs usually have thick fur that protects them from the cold, it is not the same for all breeds, nor is it sufficient for all ages and states. Thus, depending on the age of our friend and his state of health and physical condition, he will suffer to a greater or lesser extent the consequences of the drop in temperatures.

With the winter care for dogs that we propose, you will not only keep their health in good condition. But we will also prevent complications from existing pathologies from appearing. As well as worsening or other problems derived from the cold.

Those dogs with whom we must especially take care of in winter are puppies , older dogs , small breeds and those with little fur . While they may be in good health, they are often more vulnerable to inclement weather .

Winter care that we must keep in mind

Animals suffer from the cold just as people do, except in the case of the Nordic races . For this reason, we leave you these care in winter so that you take them into account with your furry friends.

Follow a balanced and nutritious diet

If we want dogs to stay healthy, we must take care of their diet . Although it is a measure to be taken throughout the year, they are very basic care in winter. It is through food that we manage to increase our defenses, and these are the ones that will protect us from diseases. Especially in the cold season.

During these months, physical activity may be reduced. However, in order to stay warm, your body will need to burn more calories. If you notice changes in his feeding behavior, consult a veterinarian , as it may be necessary to adjust the amount of food he eats.

Keep him warm on walks

Whether our dog spends a lot of time outside, or if it is only when it comes to walks, we must keep them warm . This is the second point in care in winter, since the wind, rain and cold can make them sick.

Especially in those dogs that suffer from pathologies that hinder or prevent their mobility, we must protect their extremities. Reduced movement causes the temperature in those parts of the body to drop, affecting your overall health . At Ortocanis we have coats like this one available.

take care of his fur

The last of the winter care for our dogs refers to the coat. This fulfills an important function, and that is to protect your skin from external aggressions, including the cold. In addition to avoiding cuts at this time of year, we must brush it to keep it in good condition.

When it’s time for them to take a bath, we must do it indoors, without drafts and with warm water. We must also use a hair dryer so that they do not remain with moisture in the fur.

With these cares in winter we will make our dog suffer less from the cold. A simple way to protect them and keep diseases at bay .

Dog care in winter

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Ortopedia canina

How to care for a disabled dog

Due to the great veterinary advances, today we can find various solutions for the mobility problems of animals. Whether our friend has suffered from an illness or if we consider adopting, it is possible to take care of a disabled dog so that he enjoys a happy life.

What are the causes of loss of mobility

Although until not too long ago the option of caring for a disabled dog was not valued, today they are given a chance. Thanks to the work of those who fight for their lives, in the market we can find different options to help them improve their quality of life.

But before we move on to the solutions available to care for a disabled dog, let’s look at the causes. In some cases, mobility can recover progressively, but in others, paralysis will be definitive.

  • Diseases or degenerative processes: some pathologies such as canine osteoarthritis of severe type, dysplasia, hernias or degenerative myelopathy, among others, affect the physical abilities of dogs.

  • Interventions: a surgical intervention, a fracture or some accidents temporarily reduce the mobility of the animal. It will be temporary or permanent depending on the severity and damage.

  • Paralysis: being born with a defect or suffering an amputation causes permanent paralysis in the animal.

  • Neurological problems: these types of problems, as well as those of the spine and traumas, usually appear with age or overweight. The solution varies depending on the cause.

Thus, we can distinguish between permanent and temporary paralysis. Depending on the causes, treatment and options for caring for a disabled dog will change. There are different chairs and harnesses on the market to help them. And it is also convenient to use physiotherapy to speed up rehabilitation when possible.

Cómo cuidar de un perro discapacitado

Elements to care for a disabled dog

Caring for a disabled dog is now quite simple given the options we have at our fingertips. Although there are different models of wheelchairs and harnesses on the market, there are those who prefer to build them themselves.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs for caring for a disabled dog are usually made in industrial processes. However, there are also handmade models. At present, we find models made in 3D, which are adapted to the measurements of our friend.

Likewise, the chairs are also adapted for the lack of mobility in the front legs (uncommon) and the posterior legs. And there are wheels for rehabilitation and integral, if mobility is reduced.

Harness

Harnesses are also used to care for a disabled dog. They are indicated for the loss of mobility, for the paralyzed or when there is a disability. Thanks to their design they allow us to support the weight of the hind legs, front legs or both.

For greater comfort when caring for a disabled dog, there are also variants with restraint on the vine. The range of types of harnesses is very wide and we will have to look for the one that best suits.

In Ortocanis you can find different models that adapt to the different pathologies of the dog. If you have questions, you can contact us and we will help you choose the right one. You can also read the experience of other buyers. Caring for a disabled dog is giving life a chance.

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Ortopedia canina

How to strengthen a dog’s joints

Our friend’s health care doesn’t start when he starts to deteriorate. Throughout his life we must take measures so that in his last stage he can enjoy good health. To do this, we leave you some tips to strengthen the joints of a dog.

Cómo fortalecer las articulaciones de un perro

What are the joints of a dog

Joints are a structure that functions as the union of two bones. These are composed of various parts: the capsule, cartilage, synovial membrane, tendons and ligaments, mainly. Each type of joint varies from the others.

All of them are what allow us mobility, therefore, when they begin to deteriorate, movement is reduced and pain is experienced. Their wear prevents them from absorbing the impact when moving. For this reason, it is convenient to strengthen the joints of a dog since it is healthy. This will prevent them from degenerating precipitously and causing discomfort.

Below we are going to know some tips that will help us strengthen the joints. Following them throughout their lives, we will be able to improve the quality of it. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure.

Tips for strengthening a dog’s joints

With these simple but effective tips we will be able to strengthen the joints of our dog and improve their overall health. Start putting them into practice now and don’t wait until it’s too late.

Control weight

The main reason why the joints suffer is excess weight. This overload weakens them and increases the pain felt when they wear out. Therefore, to strengthen the joints of a dog, we must control its feeding.

As with humans, the metabolism slows down with age, so as this progresses, we must reduce the caloric intake. If we are used to also giving it our food, we must bear in mind that although it is a whim, it also increases the total calories it ingests.

Improves your diet

Although feed preparations contain all the necessary nutrients, sometimes it is convenient to take supplements that help us strengthen the joints. Especially when it comes to dogs of advanced age or susceptible to suffer this type of pathologies.

L-carnitine and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are very important for strengthening joints from within. Protein-rich foods, such as meat or fish, help nourish the collagen found inside them.

As far as oils are concerned, coconut, flaxseed or Krill are very good for strengthening joints. Check with your veterinarian or at your pet store if you have questions about which foods to choose.

Exercise frequently

The fact that dogs are domesticated and accustomed to living in houses, does not mean that they can have a sedentary life like many people. Animals need to walk several times a day and perform activities such as running and playing. Not only will they feel happy, but it will also help strengthen the joints.

If we keep our dog in shape from a young age, his muscles will be stronger and will be able to better support the joints. When your age is older, your activity level will be milder, but you will also enjoy running. Remember that strengthening the joints will save us many future problems.

With these simple tips we can make an important difference in the health of an animal. Strengthening our dog’s joints is practically an obligation as owners. In addition, the hours of play will improve the bond between the two.

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Ortocanis

Learn to be more of a dog

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In Ortocanis we have the opportunity to meet many dogs (along with their owners) that go through difficult situations. And we increasingly realize that we have a lot to learn from them. Dogs live in the moment and are capable of the best, without the filters or self-imposed worries of humans.

This is a magnificent video of overcoming and positivity. We encourage you to enjoy it and learn a lot from it, learn to be more dog.

Baner silla 728x90

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Ortocanis

Progress in animal protection regulations

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We finally see some progress in Spanish animal protection regulations. A Draft Law has been presented establishing the basic regulations of the trade and responsible ownership of dogs and cats. This change in regulations is intended to ensure animal welfare in dogs and cats.

Currently, only the Autonomous Communities of Catalonia and Andalusia have Statutes that assume specific competences regarding animal protection.

At the state level, there is no framework regulation that regulates the possession and protection of pets. But this is set to change. During the month of June 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA), has made public the Draft of the Draft Law that establishes the basic regulations of trade and responsible ownership of dogs and cats.

This Draft must still go through a series of phases until it is approved, and can be modified during the process.

Notable news:

  • Prohibition of mutilation, including amputation of the third phalanx (deungulation), unless therapeutically necessary by the animal or when it is essential for the purpose for which the animal is intended (prior authorization of the Competent Authority)
  • Use animals in shows or as advertising claims if that causes them distress or suffering.
  • The marketing of dogs and cats in pet stores is prohibited.Tienda de mascotas
  • The transmission of dogs and cats may only be carried out through breeders or foster establishments.
  • Forecast of the figure of the donation contract.
  • Obligation to inform in the donation contract of aspects such as life expectancy and the approximate annual costs of keeping the animal in good condition.
  • Establishment of two categories of breeder: regular breeder (has more than five animals intended for donation or marketing or more than one litter per year) and occasional breeder (less than five animals and maximum one litter per year)
  • Animals less than eight weeks of age may not be placed on the market.
  • It may not be marketed, donated or given to an animal for adoption without its identification in accordance with current regulations (microchip) microchip_f
  • Regulation in transport.
  • Obligation to communicate the loss of an animal within a maximum period of seven days, thereafter it will be understood that it is an abandoned animal.

Aspects that we miss or not regulated:

  • All pets except the dog and cat are excluded.
  • Little concreteness in the concept of “animal abuse” (it will lend itself to many interpretations)
  • The regulations that will regulate the current shortcomings of this Draft, which are expected to be ready in a period of between six months and two years after the entry into force of the regulations, are still missing. For example, it is not yet specified how the identification of animals should be.
  • There is no mandatory registration of animals in municipal censuses
  • There are shortcomings in the establishment of ancillary sanctions. For example, in the prohibition of acquiring animals by the sanctioned.

Bienestar animal

From Ortocanis we hope that the draft can include some of the shortcomings and progress, since it means a step forward towards a fairer society with tod@s.

Source: Cristina Bécares Mendiola – www.derechoanimal.info

www.ortocanis.com

Silla de ruedas para perros y gatos

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