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Long COVID is real‚ as are the experiences of those who suffer with lasting symptoms after a bout of the illness. But according to new data‚ it may not be a unique condition. At an upcoming conference‚ a team including the Chief Health Officer for the state of Queensland‚ Australia‚ will present evidence suggesting there is no substantive difference between long COVID and other post-viral syndromes. What does the study say?The team gathered data from over 5‚000 Queenslanders aged 18 and over‚ all of whom had respiratory symptoms that had necessitated a PCR test for COVID-19 and influenza. Within the group‚ just under half had a confirmed positive COVID test result. The others were split between those testing positive for flu instead (995 people) and those testing negative for both infections (1‚718).The initial testing was done in May and June of 2022‚ around the peak of the flu season in Australia.The participants were then followed up a year later and asked to fill in a questionnaire about any ongoing symptoms they were experiencing. A total of 16 percent of respondents still had lingering issues at that time‚ with 3.6 percent reporting a “moderate-to-severe” impact on their daily lives.Analyzing the data‚ the scientists controlled for factors like age‚ sex‚ and First Nation status‚ all of which could have an impact on the likelihood of long COVID or post-viral syndrome. They found that there was no significant difference in the rates of lasting symptoms between those who had confirmed COVID-19‚ those who had flu‚ and those who had a respiratory disease of unknown cause.In other words‚ they suggest you may be just as likely to develop ongoing issues after a bout of the flu or a cold as you would be after COVID-19.“In health systems with highly vaccinated populations‚ long COVID may have appeared to be a distinct and severe illness because of high volumes of COVID-19 cases during the pandemic‚” said Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard in a statement. “These findings underscore the importance of comparing post-COVID-19 outcomes with those following other respiratory infections‚ and of further research into post-viral syndromes.”What could these findings mean?Many would argue that post-viral syndromes are a neglected area of research‚ to the detriment of patients. The experiences of those who developed long COVID‚ particularly in the early days of the pandemic when the condition had not been formally recognized‚ brought renewed attention to the plight of those with similar conditions like ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome)‚ many of whom have been advocating for improved awareness and treatment options for decades.“[T]he problem is that there are millions upon millions of very sick‚ very debilitated individuals with these diseases and it’s going to take a moonshot [because] these diseases historically have been at the end of the queue for funding‚” said Billy Hanlon‚ director of advocacy and outreach for the Minnesota ME/CFS Alliance‚ speaking to Amsterdam News.Hanlon developed ME/CFS in 2017 after a seemingly minor viral infection‚ a story that will be familiar to many sufferers of long COVID‚ whose initial brush with the virus is often mild. Insofar as the new research from Queensland highlights the need for long COVID to be considered as part of a broader umbrella of post-viral conditions that require greater support and research funding‚ some other experts have voiced their agreement.“This abstract reveals a significant finding: approximately 4 percent of individuals‚ irrespective of the virus they contracted‚ may experience persistent health issues post-infection‚ resulting in chronic incapacitation. This implies that Long COVID is not a standalone condition but rather part of a broader spectrum of post-viral syndromes‚” said Marie-Claire Seeley‚ a Clinical Nurse Consultant‚ who was not directly involved in the study.However‚ others have called into question some elements of the methodology‚ and have criticized one of the more controversial suggestions from the study team: that the term “long COVID” is itself unhelpful and can cause‚ as Gerrard put it‚ “unnecessary fear”.Professor Jeremy Nicholson‚ from Murdoch University‚ argued that without more detailed patient data‚ it’s not possible to claim that long COVID is “indistinguishable” from other post-viral syndromes.“The absence of evidence is different from evidence of absence – so the authors' assertion that Long COVID is the same as flu-related post viral syndrome‚ is not proven‚ even if Long COVID is indeed a post-viral syndrome (which it is)‚” said Nicholson.Professor Philip Britton‚ who is a member of the Long COVID Australia Collaboration‚ commented‚ “There are likely reasons why persistent symptoms following COVID in this Queensland cohort may be no more frequent than following other viruses including the predominantly vaccinated cohort and the high frequency of Omicron variants. These factors are acknowledged by the authors.”“It is because of these specific factors as well as inherent limitations of the study methodology itself‚ that their conclusion that it is ‘time to stop using terms like “long COVID”’ is overstated and potentially unhelpful. Long COVID has been a global phenomenon‚ recognised by WHO.”Today‚ March 15‚ 2024‚ marks the second annual International Long COVID Awareness Day‚ the theme of which is “Confront Long COVID.” In the lead up to the conference presentation and likely for some time thereafter‚ this research will spark disagreement and debate; but‚ as Britton pointed out‚ the fact that people are talking about the condition at all is a good thing.“Studies like this are reassuring that most people will recover from COVID without long-term effects and further‚ with vaccination and viral evolution‚ the number of people who experience Long COVID will likely reduce with time. This is good news!” Britton said.“I welcome the results of this study given the lack of published research from Australia in this area.”The study will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2024. 

A new study indicates that men who take part in hobbies like golf‚ gardening‚ and woodwork are at a higher risk of developing a progressive‚ incurable neurological disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The results add to a growing link between this disease and exposure to toxins in the environment.ALS is a fatal neurological disease characterised by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. The disease‚ sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease (named after the baseball player who died from it)‚ does not impact a person’s mental functions or their senses (their ability to see or hear)‚ and is not contagious.As a person’s motor neurons degenerate and die‚ they stop sending messages to the muscles‚ leading to weakness‚ twitches (fasciculations)‚ and atrophy (where the muscles waste away). Eventually‚ a patient living with this disease will lose the ability to walk‚ talk‚ chew‚ and perform other vital functions‚ such as breathing. This occurs when the brain loses its ability to control voluntary movement.At present‚ the exact causes for the disease are still unclear; previous research has suggested an increasing link to both genetic susceptibility and the exposure to certain contaminants‚ such as pesticides and heavy metals.Now‚ research from the University of Michigan has shown a disturbing link between recreational activities‚ such as golf‚ gardening‚ and woodwork‚ and an increased risk of men developing the disease.“We know that occupational risk factors‚ like working in manufacturing and trade industries‚ are linked to an increased risk for ALS‚ and this adds to a growing literature that recreational activities may also represent important and possibly modifiable risk factors for this disease‚” Dr Stephen Goutman‚ lead and co-corresponding author of the study‚ said in a statement.During their research‚ Goutman and colleagues surveyed 400 people living with ALS (recruited from a University of Michigan clinic) and 287 without the disease and asked them to fill out a self-report concerning their hobbies and forms of exercise. The data were then stratified by sex.The results were worrying. They found that men who spent time swimming‚ playing golf‚ carrying out woodwork or metal work‚ hunting and shooting‚ and gardening were all at increased risk of developing ALS. Golf appeared to be the most concerning hobby‚ leading to a three times higher risk of developing the disease.“This analysis reveals several important avocational exposures and activities that influence ALS risk and phenotype”‚ the authors write. “Further‚ certain risks are specific to sex‚ suggesting that the factors influencing ALS may differ between males and females‚ necessitating additional investigation.”This outcome is particularly curious. There were no significant indicators that these activities were linked to an increased risk for female participants.“It is surprising that the risk factors we identified appear to be specific to males‚” Goutman said.“While these activities may also increase ALS risk in females‚ the number of females in our study was too small for us to come to that conclusion.”Despite these results‚ none of the hobbies assessed were linked to earlier onset of‚ or death from‚ ALS in either sex.So‚ what’s going on here? Well‚ Goutman and his team believe these results add to the growing body of evidence linking environmental exposure with the rise of ALS. The researchers call this lifetime accumulation of exposure “the ALS exposome.”For instance‚ golfers and gardeners may be exposed to pesticides as they move around the course or tend to their yards; woodworkers may be exposed to formaldehyde and other organic solvents that are present in resins or wood treatments.“Our goal is to understand what occupations and hobbies increase ALS risk because identifying these activities provides the first step towards ALS prevention‚” senior author Dr Eva Feldman‚ director of the ALS Center of Excellence at the University of Michigan‚ added.“For a disease like Alzheimer’s‚ we know that a list of factors – including smoking‚ obesity and high lipids – can increase risk by 40 percent. Our goal is to establish a similar list for ALS to create a roadmap to decrease risk. With apologies to Robert Frost‚ it is currently the ‘road not taken’‚ and we want to change that.”It should be stressed that the situation is still too early for doctors to advise their patients to give up any of these activities. More research is needed first‚ and prospective studies are underway to explore people who work with or in the production and manufacturing of metals. They are also seeking to assess family histories of ALS patents.The study is published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences.

Georgia Judge Scott McAfee ruled on Friday that Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis can remain on the Trump-Election RICO case provided she sack Nathan Wade. MSNBC’s Morning Joe reacted to the news by breathing a sigh of relief‚ accusing the Trump team of hypocrisy‚ and labeling him a “fascist.” After reading from McAfee’s decision that said in part “the appearance of impropriety remains and must be handled as previously outlined before the prosecution can proceed‚ co-host Mika Brzezinski lamented‚ “And there is where the Trump team can feast on the words inside these decisions.”     The job of a defense lawyer is simply to defend your client‚ but Brzezinski tried to make some political argument about hypocrisy‚ “Of course‚ this is a team that is defending a man whose words were heard on Access Hollywood saying he can grab women by the genitals‚ a man who has been accused of rape multiple times and‚ by E. Jean Carroll‚ found guilty in a civil court—liable‚ liable‚ I should say—of sexual assault.” She added‚ “The judge defining the actions‚ though‚ actually tantamount to rape and also hush money payments not just to one—one is in an indictment‚ a criminal indictment—‚ but there are reportedly hush money payments to many other women. This is the man this team will be going after‚ defending as they go after Fani Willis’s improper behavior and they will run with that.” About half an hour later‚ Brzezinski welcomed legal analysts Danny Cevallos and Andrew Weissman to the program and informed the cast that‚ “There is a Trump statement on the breaking news.” Co-host Joe Scarborough threw journalistic ethics out the window as he interrupted‚ “Yeah‚ I don’t care. Danny‚ what are your thoughts on the judge's decision? Really‚ seriously‚ like‚ I don't want to read fascist propaganda.” The actual statement from Trump’s lawyer was a perfectly normal response‚ respectfully disagreeing with McAfee’s decision while promising to appeal:   Comment of Steve Sadow‚ lead defense counsel for President Trump in the Fulton County‚ GA case‚ on the Court's disqualification ruling: "While respecting the Court’s decision‚ we believe that the it did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of… — Steve Sadow (@stevesadow) March 15‚ 2024   Later‚ The.Ink publisher Anand Giridharadas echoed Brzezinski’s earlier claims‚ “I just want to put it in perspective. This is a mistake around a loving‚ consensual relationship in a case against the guy who has been found liable for rape and who has been credibly accused in many circumstances of non-consensual relations with women.” The problem wasn’t that Willis had an affair. It was that she abused her power by hiring the man she was having the affair with so she could reap a financial benefit. By keeping Willis on the case‚ but insisting she remove Wade‚ the judge tried to come up with a middle approach‚ but Carroll’s lawsuit against Trump has no bearing on whether or not Willis abused her power. Here is a transcript for the March 15 show: MSNBC Morning Joe 3/15/2024 8:56 AM ET MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Going back to Lisa Rubin‚ Lisa‚ page 23‚ sort of summing it up and summing up the problem here moving forward‚ “after consideration of the record established on these motions‚ the court finds the allegations and evidence legally insufficient to support a finding of an actual conflict of interest. However‚ the appearance of impropriety remains and must be handled as previously outlined before the prosecution can proceed. The defendants’ motions are therefore granted in part and denied in part.” And there is where the Trump team can feast on the words inside these decisions and‚ of course‚ this is a team that is defending a man whose words were heard on Access Hollywood saying he can grab women by the genitals‚ a man who has been accused of rape multiple times and‚ by E. Jean Carroll‚ found guilty in a civil court—liable‚ liable‚ I should say— of sexual assault.  The judge defining the actions‚ though‚ actually tantamount to rape and also hush money payments not just to one—one is in an indictment‚ a criminal indictment—‚ but there are reportedly hush money payments to many other women. This is the man this team will be going after‚ defending as they go after Fani Willis’s improper behavior and they will run with that.  … 9:31 AM ET BRZEZINSKI: That's Fani Willis back in January‚ a speech that she made right before MLK Day and that speech‚ the judge in his order criticized‚ among other things‚ in terms of how she conducted herself and this relationship‚ questions it raised‚ but in end in this order‚ the judge concludes he will be keeping her on the Georgia election case. Joining us now‚ MSNBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos‚ also with us NBC News legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissman. There is a Trump statement on the breaking news.  JOE SCARBOROUGH: Yeah‚ I don’t care. Danny‚ what are your thoughts on the judge's decision? Really‚ seriously‚ like‚ I don't want to read fascist propaganda.  … 9:48 AM ET SCARBOROUGH: I would argue if this is a racketeering case to end democracy‚ which I believe it is‚ then you've got to take extra care‚ right?  ANAND GIRIDHARADAS: Yeah‚ I agree with that. I just want to put it in perspective. This is a mistake around a loving‚ consensual relationship in a case against the guy who has been found liable for rape and who has been credibly— SCARBOROUGH: Right. GIRIDHARADAS: --accused in many circumstances of non-consensual relations with women. So‚ again‚ they-- SCARBOROUGH: And also a guy‚ as you said‚ who is trying to end American democracy.  GIRIDHARADAS: Correct.  SCARBOROUGH: Let's just say trying to end American democracy‚ period. 

Pocket pets seem to be increasing in popularity‚ and more people are welcoming hamsters into their homes. These cute and fluffy rodents are fun and easy to care for‚ making them the perfect companion for anyone looking for a low-maintenance pet. Pet owners always want to know everything they can about their pets‚ and when the questions about what they eat and where to keep them have been answered‚ you might move onto other queries‚ like: Do hamsters fart? If so‚ do their farts smell bad? The answer is: Yes‚ hamsters do fart‚ but no‚ they’re not very smelly. Keep on reading to learn more about hamster digestion‚ including their production of gas. What Does a Hamster’s Digestive System Look Like? When a hamster eats a specific food‚ it enters their oral cavity‚ where it’s crushed by the hamster’s teeth‚ specifically the incisors and molars. Their stomach is divided into two separate areas: Glandular stomach — This part of a hamster’s stomach is in charge of storing food for a short period and keeping the food moist. Non-glandular stomach — The pH value in this part of the hamster’s stomach is higher than in the rest‚ enabling fermentation and helping the animal digest food more easily. This stomach organization is a feature shared by all rodents and horses‚ as well as the inability to vomit or burp.1 The food then travels to the hamster’s small intestine‚ which is the main organ in charge of digesting food and breaking it down before it passes through the cecum (known as the appendix in humans) and into the large intestine. Their digestive system ends with the rectum and the anus‚ which is where waste and gas are expelled. Can Hamsters Fart? Why and How Do They Do It? Some hamster owners swear blind that they have heard their pet pass gas‚ whereas others claim that their hamster never has. The reality is that a hamster fart is such a small event that most owners would never notice it occurring. Like with all mammals‚ the digestive process of the hamster involves the fermentation and breakdown of food matter‚ a process which produces gas. And in the case of hamsters that cannot burp‚ this gas cannot go up‚ so it must go down. We all know that some foods create more gas than others‚ and the same applies to hamsters. When it comes to humans and our more sizable pets‚ this effect is often quite obvious. When we’re dealing with a tiny pet with an even tinier digestive system‚ even a significant amount of gas for a hamster is going to be minuscule to us. Farting is a perfectly natural and normal biological process‚ but there are some things that can lead to an increase in this gas production that we should be aware of. As we mentioned‚ certain foods can increase the amount of gas produced during digestion‚ such as beans‚ legumes‚ seeds and cruciferous vegetables (eg. broccoli‚ cabbage‚ cauliflower). Eating too quickly or swallowing air can also lead to the accumulation of gas in the digestive tract. This might just be the result of a particularly hungry hamster‚ but sometimes it can occur if your pet has a problem with their mouth or teeth. Image Credit: barinovalena‚ Shutterstock Do Hamster Farts Smell Bad? Are They Loud? Hamster farts are typically non-smelly and quiet‚ if not entirely silent. Hamsters are small animals whose digestive tracts are also small‚ so even a large fart to them will be barely noticeable to us. The types of food that hamsters should be eating are fairly low in fiber‚ and will not ordinarily produce enough gas for their farts to be particularly loud or smelly‚ so it would be unusual for their farts to be all that obvious. Excessive farting could be a sign of a gastrointestinal problem in hamsters‚ which is why it’s important to have your little friend checked by a vet if you notice them expelling too much gas. Final Thoughts Hamsters fart‚ but it is on such a small scale that it’s almost undetectable. Their farts are also usually silent and non-smelly‚ which is why it may seem as if these little rodents don’t fart at all. If it seems like your hamster is farting too much or too often‚ speak with your vet to rule out possible gastrointestinal or dietary problems. Sources Chapter 27. Anatomy‚ Physiology‚ and Behavior – anatomy_of_hamster_1.pdf Esophagus Function – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics Featured Image Credit: Eric Isselee‚ Shutterstock The post Do Hamsters Fart? Do They Smell Bad? Vet-Verified Facts appeared first on Pet Keen.

When it comes to romance between humans‚ it’s often said that opposites attract. In the animal kingdom‚ we find some examples of “opposites” or different species mating‚ such as horses and donkeys. While it is thought that cats and raccoons can mate based on anecdotal evidence‚ there’s not a lot of scientific confirmation of it happening. In this article‚ we’ll discuss why cats and raccoons mating is possible in theory and whether they could reproduce together. We’ll also address a longstanding myth regarding raccoons and the origins of a popular cat breed. Finally‚ we’ll tell you why cats and raccoons interacting is more likely to result in danger than romance. Could Cats and Raccoons Mate? Cats and raccoons are both part of the order Carnivora but are from different family‚ genus‚ and species classifications. The animals are usually close in size‚ but raccoons run bigger than cats on average. Generally‚ cats are domesticated animals‚ and raccoons live in the wild. Feral cats and raccoons have repeatedly been observed eating from the same food bowls. Female cats have also been known to accept and nurse orphan raccoon babies. It’s possible that raccoons raised by cats would be comfortable enough to try to mate with them when grown. Reportedly‚ tame and wild male raccoons will attempt to mate with cats. However‚ scientific observations and reports to support this happening are not yet available. Image Credit: edbo23‚ Pixabay Could Cats and Racoons Reproduce? The offspring of two different species reproducing are known as hybrids; examples include mules (a donkey-horse hybrid) and ligers (lion-tiger hybrid). Hybrid animals are often infertile. Commonly the parent animals are from the same genus but not always. Goats and sheep can reproduce although they are not from the same genus. A research study published in 1993 found that cats and raccoons have the same number of chromosomes.1 It also found similarities in the karyotypes or characteristics of these chromosomes. Historically‚ numerous newspapers‚ journals‚ and letters reference animals thought to be cat-raccoon hybrids. Some claimed that the animals resulted from breeding of cats and raccoons.2 However‚ all these parentage assumptions are based on the supposed physical resemblance of the cats in question to a raccoon. To confirm that cats and raccoons can reproduce would require genetic studies of the supposed hybrids‚ which have not been done yet. So‚ while cats and raccoons can probably mate‚ it’s not officially known whether they can reproduce. But What About Maine Coon Cats? Image Credit: travelarium.ph‚ Shutterstock As one of the world’s most popular breeds‚ Maine Coon cats originated in the United States in the 19th century. The early history of this breed is somewhat cloudy‚ which has allowed several origin myths to arise. One is that the Maine Coon is the result of raccoons and cats mating. Some stories suggest that Maine Coons also could be the result of bobcats and domestic cats mating. Both most likely stem from similar physical characteristics observed in raccoons or bobcats and Maine Coons. For example‚ Maine Coons have ear tufts like bobcats and fluffy‚ ringed tails like a raccoon. Without genetic research to know for sure‚ we can’t say that Maine Coons descended from raccoon-cat hybrids. However‚ the more plausible story is that Maine Coons developed from long-haired cats that sailed to America onboard ships and then mated with local kitties. Early breeders probably encouraged the fluffy coats‚ ear tufts‚ and fuzzy feet to protect the new cats from the cold winters of Maine‚ and they became standard for the Maine Coon. Cats and Raccoons: Tragedy or Romance? While we don’t know with certainty that cats and raccoons can mate‚ we can confirm that the two species frequently have negative or dangerous impacts on each other. Raccoons carry a variety of diseases and parasites that can infect cats‚ such as rabies and worms. They have also been known to hunt small cats if other food is scarce. Feral cats can take a toll on local wildlife by hunting‚ possibly including young raccoons. In general‚ it’s not a good idea for cats and raccoons to interact due to the potential danger to both species. Raccoons can also be destructive‚ and some diseases they carry also infect humans. It’s best not to encourage raccoons to keep coming around your house even if your cat enjoys looking at them. Image Credit: dodo71‚ Pixabay Conclusion Although we don’t have conclusive proof that cats and raccoons can mate‚ anecdotal evidence suggests it is possible. We also don’t know that the two species can’t reproduce‚ but they probably didn’t make the Maine Coon cat even if they could. Because raccoons can pose a danger to your cat and home‚ your pet should avoid close encounters of the romantic kind or otherwise. Sources Macro Evolution VCA Hospitals T and F Online NCBI NLM NIH Britannica Pet MD Featured Image Credit: Joanne‚ Flickr The post Can Cats and Raccoons Mate? Vet-Verified Explanation appeared first on Pet Keen.

You might notice your dog with raised hair on their back on many occasions. This is an entirely normal reaction called piloerection‚ and it usually happens when your dog feels angry or scared. It is most likely followed by barking and other aggressive behavior and indicates your dog feels threatened. When this occurs‚ it is recommended to remove your dog from the situation‚ which makes them feel anxious. If you are wondering what other reasons might be behind your dog barking and having raised hairs on their back‚ read on below. What is Piloerection? Piloerection is a term used to describe a temporary rising of the hairs that cover the skin’s surface. It is an involuntary contraction of the muscles that are located on the base of hair follicles. When these muscles contract‚ the hairs stand on end‚ like when humans get goosebumps. This can happen in cold weather‚ with the raised fur creating an insulating layer of air around the body to reduce heat loss. It also helps animals appear larger than they are. In dogs‚ these hairs are referred to as hackles‚ and are located on the neck‚ running down the dog’s back all the way to the base of the tail. While every dog has these hackles‚ they are more obvious in some breeds than others; dogs with curly or long hair don’t show piloerection very clearly‚ while it is quite obvious in dogs with short coats. Piloerection only lasts a few seconds‚ making it challenging to photograph and sometimes even observe. This reaction occurs mostly when dogs feel aggressive‚ scared‚ or agitated in some way‚ and below‚ we’ll go over the most common reasons for piloerection to occur in dogs. Image Credit: cynoclub‚ Shutterstock The 5 Reasons the Dog’s Hair Stands Up When Barking 1. Excitement Excitement is a very common trigger of piloerection. You might notice the hairs on your dog’s back rising during playtime with another dog or with you. Piloerection is not always a negative thing and might just indicate your dog is extremely stimulated or excited. It will usually appear combined with some happy tail wagging‚ panting‚ and barking. Your dog may be excited to see you or a friend or might be getting a treat. They will start barking‚ and sometimes‚ you can notice their hackles rising. 2. Fear or Anxiety Another extremely important reason for raised hackles in dogs while barking is fear. Fear of the unknown or feeling threatened by something is a very strong trigger for piloerection. This usually happens when they encounter another dog‚ making them feel intimidated. These anxious or fearful reactions might also occur during thunderstorms or other loud noises that scare your dog. Dogs are often scared of loud noises‚ particularly fireworks‚ strong wind‚ or storms. During these events‚ you may catch them trembling‚ panting‚ barking‚ licking lips‚ yawning‚ and having their hackles rise. Image Credit: alexei_tm‚ Shutterstock 3. To Assert Dominance Dogs sometimes show raised hackles when they want to establish dominance over another dog. It can happen between dogs that are related or live together‚ or with dogs that are meeting for the first time. Raising their hackles makes them appear larger‚ and also communicates to the other dog that they wish to exert dominance or issue a challenge. 4. Anger and Aggression The situation when you can most clearly notice your dog’s hair rising on its back is when it feels aggressive‚ hostile‚ or intimidated. This usually occurs when another dog or animal is stepping into their territory‚ and it’s a natural reaction to warn other dogs to stay away. The dog might start barking suddenly‚ and you will surely notice the hairs on their back rising. Other signs of aggression might appear as well. 5. Mating The state of arousal is another common reason dogs experience piloerection. This phenomenon especially occurs in unneutered male dogs when they are around a female. If there are two potential males for mating around one female‚ the dogs might feel both aggression and arousal. Male dogs are generally quite difficult to handle around a female dog in heat‚ so if they start barking and raise their hackles‚ they are most likely feeling aroused and might even sense another male nearby. Image Credit: Spik and I‚ Shutterstock Conclusion Once you learn the different situations when your dog might bark and experience piloerection simultaneously‚ you will get a much better perspective of their behavior. This entirely natural reaction allows animals to appear larger for other animals they feel threatened by. Dogs often feel threatened by other dogs or strange people and might feel anger or fear when they enter their territory. This is usually why dogs bark at people passing by their backyard and why the hairs on their backs might rise. Dogs are also scared of loud noises‚ such as fireworks or thunder‚ so they might also experience piloerection during these situations. Sources Piloerection: What Does Raised Hackles Mean? · The Wildest My Dog’s Hair is Standing on End – Reasons for Raised Hackles in Dogs Understanding Dog Body Language Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm‚ Shutterstock The post Why Does My Dog’s Hair Stand Up When Barking? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Whippets and Speed Ways to Exercise a Whippet About Whippets Characteristically similar to the Greyhound‚ the Whippet is an extremely speedy‚ highly athletic sighthound with an ancient history. They are well known for their incredible swiftness and agility. If the breed interests you‚ but you’re wondering if you have what it takes to match their exercise requirements‚ we will go over exactly how much exercise they will need and how you can ensure they get the physical and mental stimulation they require. In general‚ you should provide your Whippet with 1 – 2 hours of daily exercise. Whippets and Speed Image Credit: Ginger Livingston Sanders‚ Shutterstock Whippets are incredibly fast canines‚ reaching speeds up to 35 mph! This fact might intimidate you‚ thinking they require constant movement to thrive. You might be pleasantly surprised to know that while a Whippet can exert themselves quite a lot on the track‚ they are pretty chill in the home. Whippets are well known for being cuddle bugs that enjoy time curled up on the couch with their human. On average‚ Whippets need between 1 and 2 hours of solid daily exercise. They are quite content playing interactive games and walking on a lead‚ but they will also need time to run around. If you own a Whippet‚ it’s best to have a large fenced-in backyard‚ or somewhere they can run off leash in a secure space. They are usually a good choice for active families. However‚ if they lack a proper exercise outlet‚ it can cause nervousness and a whirlwind of other behavioral problems that come from pent-up energy and boredom. The 5 Ways to Exercise Your Whippet The Whippet is a master sprinter‚ and they will certainly need somewhere to burn off the extra steam. They might not require a lot more exercise in a day than any other average dog‚ but they will want to speed off in spurts. In addition to being able to run quickly into the unknown‚ they also require other exercises to keep them happy and healthy. Here are a few ideas. 1. Let Them Run! Image Credit: AlyssaDogPhotographer‚ Shutterstock Whippets will do what’s natural to them. If you allow them the space‚ they will take off in a cloud of dust. These dogs love nothing more than sprinting at least once a day. If you have a wide open backyard‚ this will allow your Whippet to run laps as much as they see fit before winding down for cuddle time. 2. Play Games Many Whippets will enjoy interactive games with their owners‚ like frisbee‚ ball‚ and other activities. You will quickly learn what your Whippet’s favorite games are‚ and you two can play them together. Not only does this increase bonding‚ but it will also ensure your Whippet is worn out at the end of the day. 3. Go to the Dog Park Image Credit: Dora Zett‚ Shutterstock Most Whippets are very agreeable with other dogs. If you have a dog park nearby‚ you can routinely visit so your Whippet can make friends and race a few willing people. They might not be the most confident dogs‚ so it might take a moment for them to warm up in social settings. But once they do‚ they are sure to find their place. 4. Take Them Jogging If you’re an athletic person‚ you can take your Whippet jogging with you. They will very much love this activity‚ as it gives them a chance to stretch their legs. Even though this is a high-impact workout‚ they still want room to run without you tying them down. So we still recommend letting your Whippet run off-leash even if they’re your jogging buddy. 5. Give Them a Friend Image Credit: Liliya Kulianionak‚ Shutterstock Nothing beats canine-canine companionship. Dogs love having another dog around to play with. Even though your Whippet won’t be the most rowdy of the bunch‚ they certainly will love having another pup around to spend time with who has a similar playing style. About Whippets If you really love the breed‚ you likely want to know more than just how much they exercise. So‚ for the remainder of this article‚ we will discuss the breed itself. Image Credit: Nadja Huebner‚ Shutterstock Height: 19–21 inches Weight: 20–40 pounds Lifespan: 12–15 years Colors: Fawn‚ red‚ orange‚ tan‚ cream‚ black‚ blue Personality Whippets are incredibly mild-mannered dogs. They do not usually act aggressively but are rather gentle. While they might make good watchdogs‚ they don’t make the best guard dogs because they simply don’t have the personality for it. Whippets are usually calm‚ cool‚ and collected. They love to burn off some steam but very much enjoy the affection and attention of their owners. This is undoubtedly a dog you can cozy up with on a lazy day. They also make great pets for children and older adults. They can even make excellent service animals for folks with certain disabilities. Appearance The Whippet is a slender‚ medium-sized dog with a classic sighthound appearance. Unlike many other breeds‚ you should be able to see your Whippet’s ribs! This is not the type of dog that should put on any extra weight at all‚ as their bodies simply aren’t designed for it. Juvenile Whippets will look much thinner than their adult counterparts‚ but none should ever look full. They have a very sleek‚ lean structure instead. Image Credit: Horse Crazy‚ Shutterstock Diet Because your Whippet is naturally thin‚ they will need a high-quality‚ protein-rich diet to replenish any lost calories that is formulated for their life-stage. You can work with your vet to determine the best diet for your pup. You can choose between dry kibble‚ wet canned food‚ and fresh food subscriptions. Each one comes with its benefits and downfalls‚ though fresh food is making its way up the scale in popularity. Grooming Whippets are straightforward to groom. They have short‚ thin coats that require occasional brushing to collect shedding. Because of their easy maintenance‚ you can do all the grooming at home. However‚ if you want to pamper your pup‚ you can always take them out for a grooming day at the doggy spa. Health Whippets are incredibly healthy dogs by nature. The list of ailments they suffer from is undoubtedly shorter than many other breeds.  So if you’re looking for a genetically sound animal requiring very few vet trips‚ Whippets can certainly be a  good option. However‚ like all breeds‚ they are prone to some health conditions. For Whippets these include certain immune mediated conditions‚ eye problems‚ and heart conditions. Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in Whippets of increasing age. Image Credit: otsphoto Shutterstock Training If you’re interested in your Whippet getting into more advanced training‚ they make great candidates for various activities. Because of their lean muscle and swiftness‚ they could make very good candidates for agility training. You really have an advantage with your personality as well. These dogs are incredibly eager to please and thrive on human connection. They make very agreeable‚ easy-to-train dogs. How to Buy a Whippet Puppy It would be best to buy a Whippet puppy from a reputable breeder. We recommend looking on the AKC marketplace or through another valid source. Avoid sites like Hoobly and Craigslist‚ as these dogs are typically not regulated. Make sure the parents of the puppy you choose have had the relevant health screening‚ and it is also a good idea to ask about the medical history of the parents and grandparents so you can be aware of any health conditions in the family line. Many breeders will ask that you put a deposit down on the puppy you choose. You often have to sign puppy contracts stating that you will return the dog if you cannot care for them. Conclusion Now you understand that Whippets require between 1 and 2 hours of exercise per day‚ including mental training. These very intelligent dogs need all sorts of stimulation‚ though they’re rather low maintenance otherwise. Keep in mind that if you are considering buying a Whippet‚ you will either need a large fenced-in backyard‚ many acres to explore‚ or you can devote time every day to let them run out their sprinting instincts. Featured Image Credit: Tanya Consaul Photography‚ Shutterstock The post How Much Exercise Do Whippets Need? Vet-Verified Care Tips appeared first on Pet Keen.