Breaking news: Nigeria records first case of Anthrax

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed on Monday, July 17, 2023, in a statement signed by Dr Columba T. Vakuru, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, that animals showing signs of a possible case of anthrax on a farm in Suleja, Niger State, were reported to the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria on July 14, 2023.

“The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna express way Suleja LGA Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes and ears.

A Rapid Response team comprising of federal and states One Health Professional Team visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the sick animals. Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years,” the statement reads in part.

The federal government issued a warning to Nigerians weeks ago after learning of an anthrax outbreak in Northern Ghana where all infected animals had died.

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus, which mostly affects livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats. However, it can also infect people who come into contact with infected people or contaminated animal products like meat, wool, or skins. Anthrax that spreads via the skin might result through open wounds or contact with contaminated objects, while anthrax that spreads through the air can happen when spores are inhaled.

According to Daily Trust, the federal government appealed to Nigerians to “immediately report cases of animals bleeding from body openings to veterinary authorities, or agriculture extension workers.

The blood of an anthrax-infected animal does not clot. Do not process or move the dead or sick animal, quickly report to your veterinary doctor or veterinary authorities at the ministry of agriculture in your state,” the statement urged Nigerians.

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5 Essential Commands You Can Teach Your Dog - Cesar's way

Having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, but if your dog knows a few basic commands, it can be helpful when tackling problem behaviors — existing ones or those that may develop in the future.

So where do you start with dog obedience training? You could take a class, but it’s not necessary; you can do it yourself. In fact, with the right attitude, it can be fun for both you and your dog!

1. SIT

This is one of the easiest dog obedience commands to teach, so it’s a good one to start with.

Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.

Move your hand up, allowing his head to follow the treat and causing his bottom to lower.

Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection.

Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has it mastered. Then ask your dog to sit before mealtime, when leaving for walks, and during other situations where you’d like him calm and seated.

2. COME

This command can help keep a dog out of trouble, bringing him back to you if you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open.

Put a leash and collar on your dog.

Go down to his level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.

When he gets to you, reward him with affection and a treat.

Once he’s mastered it with the leash, remove it — and practice the command in a safe, enclosed area.

3. DOWN

This can be one of the more difficult commands in dog obedience training. Why? Because the position is a submissive posture. You can help by keeping training positive and relaxed, particularly with fearful or anxious dogs.

Find a particularly good smelling treat, and hold it in your closed fist.

Hold your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor, so he follows.

Then slide your hand along the ground in front of him to encourage his body to follow his head.

Once he’s in the down position, say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection.

Repeat it every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges toward your hand, say “No” and take your hand away. Don’t push him into a down position, and encourage every step your dog takes toward the right position. After all, he’s working hard to figure it out!

4. STAY

Before attempting this one, make sure your dog is an expert at the “Sit” command.

First, ask your dog to “Sit.”

Then open the palm of your hand in front of you, and say “Stay.”

Take a few steps back. Reward him with a treat and affection if he stays.

Gradually increase the number of steps you take before giving the treat.

Always reward your pup for staying put — even if it’s just for a few seconds.

This is an exercise in self-control for your dog, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to master, particularly for puppies and high-energy dogs. After all, they want to be on the move and not just sitting there waiting.

5. LEAVE IT

This can help keep your dog safe when his curiosity gets the better of him, like if he smells something intriguing but possibly dangerous on the ground! The goal is to teach your pup that he gets something even better for ignoring the other item.

Place a treat in both hands.

Show him one enclosed fist with the treat inside, and say, “Leave it.”

Let him lick, sniff, mouth, paw, and bark to try to get it — and ignore the behaviors.

Once he stops trying, give him the treat from the other hand.

Repeat until your dog moves away from that first fist when you say,  “Leave it.”

Next, only give your dog the treat when he moves away from that first fist and also looks up at you.

Once your dog consistently moves away from the first treat and gives you eye contact when you say the command, you’re ready to take it up a notch. For this, use two different treats — one that’s just all right and one that’s a particularly good smelling and tasty favorite for your pup.

Say “Leave it,” place the less attractive treat on the floor, and cover it with your hand.

Wait until your dog ignores that treat and looks at you. Then remove that treat from the floor, give him the better treat and share affection immediately.

Once he’s got it, place the less tasty treat on the floor… but don’t completely cover it with your hand. Instead hold it a little bit above the treat. Over time, gradually move your hand farther and farther away until your hand is about 6 inches above.

Now he’s ready to practice with you standing up! Follow the same steps, but if he tries to snatch the less tasty treat, cover it with your foot.

Don’t rush the process. Remember, you’re asking a lot of your dog. If you take it up a notch and he’s really struggling, go back to the previous stage.

Just these five simple commands can help keep your dog safer and improve your communication with him. It’s well worth the investment of your time and effort. Remember, the process takes time, so only start a dog obedience training session if you’re in the right mindset to practice calm-assertive energy and patience.

Source: culled from Cesar's way

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6 common signs of pregnancy in dogs.

Dog Pregnancy can be a very exciting time, and it can also be quite stressful, especially for those who are new to dog breeding. It’s difficult to always know what to expect, and you may have lots of questions, such as how to tell if your dog is pregnant, do i have to take her to the vets for a scan, how to look after her and how long until she whelps. Dogs usually begin to show subtle signs of pregnancy from around four-five weeks onwards. Although it varies as some dogs may show signs later than others.

Lets read on to learn about the leading signs.

1. Nausea and vomiting:

This is one of the first sign you may observe after mating your dog. Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) are uncommon in dogs, but hormonal changes may cause nausea and vomiting in some dogs between days 21 and 25.

2. Mucus discharge:

Slight mucus discharge in her vulva around 4weeks after mating. Although it varies as most dogs might have this discharge much earlier after mating.

3. Lost/increase of appetite:

Some dogs may lose their appetite in the first weeks, similar to what women experience when they get morning sickness. Other dogs might have an increase in appetite and start gobbling their food more than usual.

4. Nipple Growth:

Nipple growth is an early sign, as well. Usually, two to three weeks after conception the nipples will appear slightly larger, pinkish or slightly darker in color.

You may take a picture after the mating and comparing it later on to see if there are actually changes taking place.

5. More affectionate or irritable:

Your dog’s behavior could change subtly or drastically if she’s pregnant.

Some dogs become more affectionate and clingier, while others may be irritable and want some space. How a dog emotionally reacts to her pregnancy all depends on her personality.

6. Weight gain:

Pregnant dogs tend to gain weight around their stomach and waist during the 2nd or 3rd week of pregnancy. This is completely normal—your dog is making more room for her puppies.

These are some common signs of pregnancy in dogs if you are not really satisfy with the signs you see you can take your dog to the vet for Hormone test, Ultrasound, or X-ray. 

Please drop your comment as we derive joy in reading it.

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A weak mother dog, unable to stand, cries out in desperation for help to protect her pups.

In a dumpster, a Good Samaritan finds some puppies along with their mother, who is doing her best to nurse her puppies despite being very ill

So, the kind person called a local rescuer to help after the canine family was taken to a safe area. He gave Doss water and food while waiting for rescuers to arrive. Mama Dog Was Able To Keep Her Puppies Well And Healthy Despite Being On The Verge Of Death

After being taken to a shelter, Mama Dog received the medications she needed, and made a full recovery.

All the dogs are now living together at the shelter and waiting for their forever homes. Thanks to the Good Samaritan who saved this dog family from certain death

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Dogs stay awake at night thinking about their problems,jisf like humans.

According to a study published in The Royal Society scientific journal, our four-legged friends also struggle to fall asleep due to their problems.

16 dogs who had either a good day or a bad day in the experiment had their brain waves recorded. The good days included being petted and playing fetch, while the bad days included being temporarily separated from their owners or chained to a door.

The study revealed that after a 3 hour nap, stressed dogs had a worse sleep. They spent more time in REM sleep (an active stage of sleep marked by increased heart rate) Additionally, the stressed-out dogs woke up earlier than their calmer counterparts.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that dogs who were stressed fell asleep faster than their calmer counterparts. Researchers attributed this to "stress-induced sleep"

Don’t forget to say goodnight to your four-legged best friend tonight! It might help them sleep better.

What are your thoughts on this? 💭

Source: Factsdailyy

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Update from Roxie: Leaked Group chat from CoopVillas_Estate, see what they are planning.

Still on the Roxie's death matter. 

Leaked chats from the Telegram group of residents of Cooperative Villa Estate Badore Ajah Lagos surfaces online. This is the estate where the chairman gave the order for the execution of #Roxie for straying exactly 9days ago.

What's your view? 

Please drop your comment, like and share.

#JusticeforRoxie 

#Justice4Roxie

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These evil men shot my helpless dog thrice in the neck, all because she lost her way home - Nigerian lady cries out!

The heart of man truly is desperately wicked they say, a Nigerian lady shares her story how her American bully 🐕 was shot thrice in the neck all because she lost her way home.

On her Instagram handle she explained how it all started.

This is her story>>>

Two nights ago, Roxie broke out of cage, wandered off and lost her way home(first time ever)We looked everywhere but couldn’t find her and so we informed the estate security just incase they find her. Next morning, we got a call from the estate security saying they found our dog.

Apparently, she went into someone’s compound and passed the night there. Not like she harmed or attack anyone. My brother got there only to be told the estate law states that if a dog is found wandering, they should kill it. Really???

We’ve been living in the same estate for over two years, no one mentioned this barbaric law before now. My brother pleaded with them to release the dog to him but they refused. Roxie got scared and hid when she saw men with weapons coming to attack her. These evil men shot my helpless dog thrice in the neck all for what? Cos she strayed? They shot her in presence of my brother and when she ran towards my brother for help, they chased him away😭 what sort of wickedness is this? If she was aggressive, she’d definitely attack before and after the shot. But you all can see clearly in this video that my poor baby was fighting for her life😭 I’m so broken 💔

Do you know how much I’ve spent in training this dog? Do you know how costly it is to feed a bingo in this economy? Talk more of an American bully😭 Asides from the money, effort, time and resources wasted in training this dog, this dog was a member of my family. She was an emotional support to us all and you shot her just like that? My heart can’t take this💔 I’ve never felt any pain like this before😭

I can’t let this go. I will fight with everything I have even though I know I may not get justice cos this is Nigeria💔 I need people to know that dogs are worth more than animals who bark. I need these perpetrators to PAY. Please help me repost and tag anyone you know that can help this post go viral. I need justice for my Roxie💔

Happened inside cooperative Villa Estates, Badore road Ajah - Lagos.

Roxie's owner is asking the public to help her get justice for her dog.

Using these Hashtags; #Justiceforroxie #

People's comments;

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Dog saves the day as pet dog leads rescuers to owner buried under rubble for days after Turkey-Syria quake - Photos.

Picture: Getty Images

A dog helped save her owner’s life by leading rescuers to her 105 hours after a deadly earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria.

Rescuers found Duygu buried under a mountain of concrete, glass and mangled metal that was once a collapsed building in Antakya in Hatay yesterday 10th February.

She was saved after her dog, Venus, ran towards the crew barking at them before leading them to her trapped owner along Atatürk Boulevard.

With its epicentre in Gaziantep, the temblor tore through southern Turkey and northwest Syria in a natural disaster that has killed more than 22,000.

Out of all the Turkish regions impacted, Hatay was hardest hit by the quake officials say is the most powerful the nation has seen in more than eight decades.

Venus barked at the search and rescue team to get their attention (Picture: Anadolu)

She led them to her owner, Dugyu, who had been sandwiched underneath a collapsed building for days (Picture: Anadolu)

Duygu was safely rescued (Picture: Anadolu)

In Syria, the tremor was the deadliest since the late 1800s.

Countless volunteers have poured into the now flattened Antakya, Hatay’s ancient capital home to more than 20,000 people. Now people rendered homeless sleep on street corners, in shelters made of market tarps and gutted mosques.

Antakya is only around 100 miles from Gaziantep and just shy of 300 miles from Elbistan in the Kahramanmaraş province, the epicentre of the second 7.5-magnitude aftershock.

Search and rescue teams – whether it be local crews or ones sent from the US, UK, Ukraine and beyond – have been making a strained push today to find survivors.

More than 110,000 rescue personnel are currently working to unearth survivors and help those whose lives have been upended, Turkey’s disaster agency said yesterday.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said 5,500 vehicles, such as tractors and bulldozers, have been shipped.

Antakya was flattened by the powerful earthquakes (Picture: AFP)

The Syrian civil war carving the country out has complicated sending aid over (Picture: AFP / Getty Images)

Animal welfare groups have also warned time is running out to save trapped pets, too. Dogs can last about a week without food, while cats can go for two weeks.

Source: Metro.co.uk

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5 Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Dog

Thinking on how to make your Valentine’s Day the best of it kind? If you’re lucky enough to share your life with a dog, you already have the best valentine around! who cares if  your four-legged love can’t read a calendar.

Check out these 5 ways to celebrate!

1. DINNER FOR TWO

Why not take the time to cook up a (pup-friendly) homemade meal, toss a few meaty steak chunks to another highly deserving diner?

2.  GO FOR AN EXCURSION

Why not take your pet out for an Excursion? Your dog would follow you anywhere, so bundle up and visit a local beach to romp in the sand, or even just the dog park for an extended game of fetch.

3. GIVE A MASSAGE

We all need to relax sometimes and so do your dog. Dogs benefit from massages just like us!

4.  PLAY MUSIC

Not a joke, dogs love music just as we do, although they may not enjoy the same tunes you play in the car. Make playlist of cool music to play for them when you’re not home, or to listen to together on a lazy day.

5. MAKE A NEW TRICK

Fun training sessions are so much fun for your dog, and they help strengthen your bond even more. Try some of these tricks below.

• Kiss. Yes, your dog may already shower you with kisses on a daily basis, but now you can actually teach them to kiss you on command. ...
• Bark On Command.
• Shake Hands.
• Sit.
• Fetch.
• Roll Over.
• Play Dead.
• Spin.
• Stand On Hind Legs.

Give your dog plenty of treats and kisses this Valentine’s Day! i bet you would love it. We wish you lots of love and plenty of snuggles.

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Why do dogs spin before they poo?

Not all dogs decide to spin before relieving themselves, although it is common. When a dog spin or circles round and round before he poops, he is doing several things which are;

1. PREPARING THE GROUND.

He is ensuring his safety, preparing his spot, tamping down the grass and chasing away any bugs or other creatures to give it a nice clean place to do its business. The circles allow your dog to get a good, clear view of the surrounding area to make sure there are no threats or predators near by when they are in such a vulnerable position.

2. CHECKING FOR NEAT SPOT.

Sometimes your dog spinning means he is looking for scents from other dogs or creatures to see who else has been in the area. Dogs just like we humans want a nice clean and hygienic place to do their business.

3. ALIGN THEMSELVES TO MAGNETIC POLES.

This may sound crazy but it possibly could be true as researchers at a university in Prague says dogs like to align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic poles, particularly the North-South axis. Czech and German researchers studied 70 dogs’ bathroom behaviors and learned that dogs align their bodies with the magnetic field before they poop. However, the researchers couldn’t determine if this behavior was conscious or unconscious behavior. It’s unknown if they feel better when aligned on the North-South axis or if it’s a physical reaction.

Keep in mind that not all dogs do the spin before they poo and dogs aren’t the only animals to align themselves to the magnetic poles when pooping. 

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The Story Of Hachikō, The Japanese Dog Who Waited For His Owner For Ten Years

Man and his dog–it’s a friendship as old as time. Nothing quite matches the infinite loyalty and unbreakable bond between a dog and his owner. Throughout the years, hundreds of incredibly touching stories have documented the amazing love that dog and man share with each other. None of these stories, however, quite surpass the tale of Hachiko, the dog who continually waited for his owner to return home.

It is no understatement when dogs are called loyal companions. Many loyal dog breeds have been known for patiently waiting for their humans to return, whether it be days, weeks or even months. But the story of Hachiko is by far one of the greatest stories told of a dog that remained loyal to his owner.

Throughout the years, many people have wondered “What is the most loyal dog?” The truth is, all dogs are loyal to their beloved owners. The emotional story of Hachiko the dog clearly reveals the love a dog has for his master. Here is the Hachiko story.

Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog

The Hachiko real story begins with the lasting bond between Hachiko and his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno. Even though Hachiko lived back in the 20th century, his story has continued to inspire people around the world up to this day. The tale of the Hachiko story has resulted in several Hachiko memorials and even a Hachiko movie that documents the story of the incredible bond that formed between Hachiko and Ueno.

Hachiko was an Akita Inu dog born on a farm in 1923 and later adopted by Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor of agriculture at the University of Tokyo. The two fell into a daily routine: Ueno and Hachiko would walk together to the Shibuya train station, where Ueno would pet Hachiko goodbye before getting on the train to work. Hachiko, who also became known as Hachi, would then spend the day waiting for Ueno to come back. In the meantime, local shopkeepers and station workers would keep an eye on him and often give him treats while he held his vigil for Ueno.

This routine continued for several years until one day, tragedy ensued. Ueno never came home from work, as he suffered a brain hemorrhage and died. Of course, Hachi had no idea about this, so the loyal dog continued to wait for his owner’s return. Every day like clockwork, when the train would appear, so would Hachi, searching for Ueno. Hachi’s fidelity earned him the nickname “the faithful dog.”

Hachi never gave up hope and continued to wait for more than nine years for his owner to return. Finally, one morning, on March 8, 1935, Hachiko was found dead. It is believed that he died due to natural causes. His body was taken to the train station’s baggage room, a place that had been one of his favorite hangouts. He was then photographed, surrounded by Ueno’s wife, Yaeko, as well as staff members at the station. Yoshizo Osawa, one of the staff members, gifted the photo to one of his daughters, who recalled that her dad loved dogs and would often tell her about how Hachi would come daily to the station, where staff would happily share their lunches with him.

Hachiko Statues Pay Tribute

Although Hachiko’s life ended decades ago, his story continues to live on. After Hachiko’s death, his body was preserved and placed at the National Science Museum of Japan in Tokyo. Additionally, a monument of Hachiko has been placed next to his owner’s tomb in Tokyo’s Aoyama cemetery.

Because Hachi remained loyal to his owner up until Hachi’s death, a bronze statue of Hachiko was erected outside the Shibuya Station as a tribute to the dog. Unfortunately, this statue was destroyed during World War II. Although the original Hachiko dog statue could not be restored, a new one replaced it in the same exact spot at the end of the war in 1948. The spot has become a popular and beloved neighborhood park where tourists can honor and admire the unconditional love of this loyal dog.

This Hachiko statue isn’t the only memorial that honors this incredible dog. The station entrance closest to the statue was renamed “Hachikō-guchi,” or “The Hachikō Entrance/Exit” in Japanese. Furthermore, one of the train lines was also called the Hachiko Line.

In honor of the 80th year of Hachiko’s passing and the 90th anniversary of Hachiko’s owner Ueno’s death, a bronze statue of Hachiko reuniting with Ueno was unveiled on March 8, 2015. The statue was placed outside the University of Tokyo’s agriculture department, where Ueno was a professor.

The Hachiko Story Lives On

In 2009, a movie was released called Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. This is a film based on the true story of Hachiko’s unconditional love for his owner. Although the Hachiko dog movie may be thought of as heartbreaking, those who have watched it agree that it perfectly captures the extraordinary devotion of a dog for his owner.

The story of the loyal Hachiko continues to be remembered and beloved by people from around the world. It truly displays the love and affection a dog shares with his human.

Culled from: Cesarsway.com

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Happy New year, Welcome to 2023

May this year bring new happiness, goals, achievements, and a lot of new inspiration for your life. Wishing you a year fully loaded with happiness.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all 😊 Dogveranda cares 🤗

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