Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) is a preventable but serious and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by a parasitic worm that primarily infects members of the canid family, including domesticated dogs and wild canids, such as coyotes, wolves, and foxes. The infection is not limited to dogs, as it has been documented in other mammals as well, including cats, ferrets, raccoons, opossums, seals, sea lions, and rarely humans. 

History

According to the American Heartworm Society, the first published …

4-H Companion Animal Photo and Video Contest

 

The Companion Animal Community of Practice is pleased to announce 4-H photo and video contest.

     

These contests provide a venue for 4-H members across the nation to express their love of companion animals and demonstrate their photography and video skills.  

Eligibility:

  • Contest is open to all 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 8-18 years of age as of January 1, 2014.
  • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • All work must be created by the participant.
  • Entry

Companion Animal 4-H Video Contest


Official Guidelines         

This contest provides a venue for 4-H members across the nation to express their love of companion animals and demonstrate their filmmaking skills.  

Eligibility:

  • Contest is open to all 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 8-18 years of age as of January 1, 2014.
  • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • All film entries must be original and created and produced by the filmmaker(s).
  • Entry must have been completed after October 1, 2013 and by

Companion Animal 4-H Photo Contest


Official Guidelines         

This contest provides a venue for 4-H members across the nation to express their love of companion animals and demonstrate their photography skills.  

Eligibility:

  • Contest is open to all 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 8-18 years of age as of January 1, 2014.
  • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • All photos must be created by the participant.
  • Entry must have been completed after October 1, 2013 and by the submission deadline.
  • Animals

Hot Weather Care for Dogs

Many dogs like to be outdoors during the summer, but too much heat and humidity can cause them stress. Signs of heat stress can include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, drooling, depression, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, collapse, and seizures. At temperatures over 85ºF, dogs may show signs of overheating. The humidity level is also a factor. A warm, humid day with full sunshine may cause more problems than a hotter day with a nice breeze and …

Nutrients Required by Dogs

A nutrient is a chemical or substance that an animal requires to live and grow. Nutrients can be found in food, synthesized in the body, or taken in from the environment. Nutrients that must be consumed in the diet because the animal cannot produce them or cannot produce them in sufficient quantities are considered essential nutrients. Those the animal can synthesize to meet its needs or does not need from its diet are considered nonessential nutrients.

All animals …

Kathy Potthoff

Kathy Potthoff is an extension educator with 4-H Extension, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, emphasis from Fort Hays State University at Hays KS. She received her master’s degree in Agriculture, Leadership and Education from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research is in the area of cultural competence with youth development volunteers and youth. Kathy worked in with 4-H and other programming areas while in a four county area in southwest Nebraska and currently is on staff …

Daniela Sharma

Dr. Daniela Sharma received her B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Connecticut in 1993 and her Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 1999. She joined Rutgers University as an assistant director in the Office of Research, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in 2000. In 2008, she joined the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University as a teacher and soon was appointed the undergraduate program director. She supervises the Animal Science undergraduate curriculum, providing guidance to students and faculty, …

Perri Stark

Dr. Perri Stark is an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University, as well as the Animal Biotechnology and Conservation Department at Delaware Valley College. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Communication from Rutgers University and an MBA from Adelphi University. Following a career in banking, Dr. Stark went back to school where she received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. At Rutgers, she is currently teaching the on-line animal …

Elizabeth Wells

Dr. Elizabeth Wells is an extension educator at Michigan State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Communications and her master’s in Continuing Education from Michigan State University. Her doctorate from MSU is in Agriculture and Extension Education. Her research is in the area of the use of technology in extension. She provides leadership for the companion animal 4-H program in Michigan and develops educational programs for the dog project related to training, care, and health issues.

Dr. Wells …