"Dogs are descended from wolves and are not designed to eat grains or corn." This is incorrect, and here’s why. For domestic dogs, grains and vegetables are perfectly fine and are desirable in a healthy diet as they provide important sources of energy and essential vitamins and minerals. Dogs are omnivores, separated from wolves and … Continue reading Wolves Living Among Us: Should Dogs Eat Corn and Grains?
Huge news for owners/breeders of Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and Sphynxes! Opal, my beloved Sphynx girl. In case you missed it last year, NC State came out with a genetic test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. HCM is a deadly form of heart disease that certain breeds are genetically prone to. NC State now offers genetic tests for … Continue reading Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Genetic Test for HCM!
When beginning the search for a purebred dog, one can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of people out there who breed and sell everything ranging from Chihuahuas to Great Danes to the more rare Dogue de Bordeaux and Tosa. Yet there is a MAJOR difference between a "breeder" who just pairs two dogs and … Continue reading Responsible, Ethical Breeders: Why They Matter and What You Should Look For
The actual pointed coat coloring that Siamese and other breeds are known for (as well as rats, mice, and rabbits) is simply a recessive form of partial albinism called "Himalayan".
The Himalayan mutation alters the enzyme responsible for melanin production, which is called Tyrosinase. The mutation restricts the ability of tyrosinase to oxidize tyrosine only at cooler temperatures; warmer temperatures deactivate the enzyme.
Vibes from a Veterinary Nurse 