Friday, June 20, 2008

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Shih Tzu Care- Keep His Ears Clean

Posted: 20 Jun 2008 01:57 AM CDT


What usually comes into some people’s minds when talking about Shih Tzu care is the caring and grooming of that long beautiful coat. As part of the caring regimen, dog owners must always remember to clean other parts of the body such as their ears. Keeping it clean prevents your dog from ear mites and allergies.

Before cleaning your dog’s ears, get the necessary cleaning implements such as cotton balls, cotton swab, damp wash cloth or ear cleaning solution. Your veterinarian or local pet supply store can provide this ear wash or ear cleaning solution. Some use mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide as substitute for ear cleaning solution.
The best way to clean the ears is to start from the outer area first. removing the dirt in this area can be done with the use of cotton ball dampened with cleaning solution. Then proceed to the inner ear by filling the ear canal with cleaning solution. Massaging the ear for about 20 seconds is enough to help loosen the dirt and ear wax. Using dry cotton balls, carefully wipe off the dirt and excess fluid.

A Shih Tzu will less likely contract the following diseases if proper cleaning of the ear is regularly done:

Otitis Media

Otits Media or infection of the middle ear occurs when the infection of the external ear canal spreads into the middle ear. Dog owners should be careful of foreign bodies, debris and ulceration and even when cleaning to prevent rupturing the eardrum, allowing bacteria to reach the middle ear. Middle ear infection exhibits odor, discharge, ear scratching, head shaking and head tilt.

Otitis Externa

An inflammation of the ear canal is called Otitis Externa or outer ear infection. The inflammation travels from the outside opening of the ear moving inward to the eardrum. Causes of Otitis Externa are bacteria, fungi, ear mites, accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the canal, debris, impaired drainage of the ear and infections from other parts of the body.

Hematoma of the Ear Flap

This condition occurs when the blood is accumulated between the cartilage and skin of the ear flap. This ear problem is due to too much head shaking or scratching at the ears.

Ear Mite Infestation

Ear mites infest animals like dogs and cats. These small white creatures are highly contagious, infecting the whole litter even if only one dog is infested initially. Your dog will exhibit head shaking and ear scratching when infested with ear mites.

Shih Tzu care is not only limited to making your dog look beautiful. Keeping him clean matters the most.

Should You Really Be Improving Your Home with Modern Amenities?

Posted: 19 Jun 2008 12:48 PM CDT


Did you know that there is a heated debate occurring within the real estate world right now? Some people thrive upon renovation, but others will warn you to stick with the bare minimum. While a lot of people have suddenly decided that renovating an entire home is the only way to go, others have found that modern renovations can really detract from a home’s overall worth. It’s true, many renovations will automatically push some potential buyers away, but if you do not fix up those things that are eye sores, you may be sending buyers away as well. So, what should you do when it comes to preparing your home for sale?

First, let’s point out the obvious - if your shutters are hanging by their last nail, and your roof is completely bald, you will need to renovate. There are some repairs that are just necessary, so take a careful tour around your property (inside and out), and note those things that would immediately send buyers away. However, when it comes to the inside of your home, modern is definitely not always better.

So many beautiful, historic, homes have been ruined by contemporary walls and built in wall units. Before you decide to renovate, understand the true value of your home. If you plan to market your home as some sort of historic landmark, do not attempt to modernize the interior in any way. Also, if you can afford to do so, try and replace your home’s hardware (door handles, window frames) with hardware from the time period in which the home was built. By following the true nature of your home, you will certainly attract a niche market, and this can be extremely profitable. Then again, not everyone can afford to completely remodel, but there are still some things that you can do to improve your home.

One of the simplest things that you can do in order to enhance your home is to wash the outside of your house. You will be surprised at the difference a good wash makes, and your home will suddenly stand out to those passing by. Also, if you have a very old front door, apply a quick coat of varnish or paint, and watch your home’s exterior transform. Lastly, make sure to wash your windows and clean your window screens, a home that has dirty windows will take on a dull appearance.

For now, the debate continues, but you will have to decide whether or not to fix up your home when it comes time for you to sell. Chances are, there are some areas of your home that need a bit of touching up, but renovating that great old farmhouse may not be such a great idea after all.
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