People & Lifestyle

Dog Coat And Tips On How To Keep It

Published

1 year ago

March 16, 2023

In my early years of showing ShihTzu, one major critic most judges gave on my show coat was “low undercoat could be improved”. This constant critic drove me to look for better ways to keep my dogs coat and grow more undercoat. In my case the driving cause for this low undercoat were my ignorance in using slicker brushes instead of pin brushes to brush my dog fur in addition to my lack of ability to grow long coats without mutts and so I had to every now and then cut the coat down.

In this writeup I will focus on the following areas;

Makeup of Dog Coat and its function on the dog wellbeing
What your dog Coat says about it state of health
The role of Nutrition in your dog coat development
How Grooming helps to protect your dog coat

Makeup of Dog Coat and its function on the dog wellbeing

“Your dog’s coat’s primary function is to protect their skin from the sun, keep them warm or cool, and to keep dirt and water away,” days Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM. It sounds simple, but dog hair is actually beautifully complex. It comes in a stunning array of colors, patterns, lengths and textures that tell a genetic story about your dog, and works in a number of amazing ways to safeguard your dog’s health and comfort.

Most dog breeds have three different types of hair on their bodies: guard hair (aka primary hair, or topcoat), undercoat (secondary hair), and whiskers (which have special powers).

The undercoat is the part of a dog’s coat that grows closest to their skin. It’s got a softer, downy texture suitable to its primary function—providing insulation. The last time you brushed your dog’s hair, you may have noticed a bunch of shorter pieces of hair come out in clusters. These hairs are likely the undercoat. A trend is creeping in among groomers and pet owners in Ghana and most part of Africa where most double coated dogs coat are constantly shaved off because of matt or owners worried the dogs feel hot. This is not a good practice because shaving your dog fur off causes it to lose the undercoat whose primary function is to keep your dog skin cool on sunny days and warm on cold days. Constantly shaving your dog coat down exposes your dog coat to direct sun rays, dirt and actually can cause potential health hazards that does more harm than good to your dogs.

Dog Coat And Tips On How To Keep It

Soraya Solo Per I Tuo Occhi is the daughter of a World Champion ShihTzu and doubles as the Best ShihTzu and companion dog in Ghana as well as best female ShihTzu in Nigeria-Soraya is an example of a double coated dog, currently pregnant and expecting a litter from her in our breeding program

Dogs without that undercoat, or single-coat dogs, are the ones known as having hair coats. These breeds, which include the boerboel, the poodle, Maltese, pug, some chihuahuas, and others, have a longer cycle of hair growth which makes it seem as if they do not shed, or shed lightly. In contrast, most double-coated breeds leave a bit more hair around the house, and some “blow,” or shed their entire undercoat, seasonally.

Guard hair or topcoat is thicker and grows longer than the undercoat. Essentially, when you look at your dog, most of the hair that you see right away is their guard hair.

Guard hair is important because it protects the rest of your pup’s skin from foreign objects; it also serves as an extra layer of protection against cold weather, and injuries. “The topcoat is used to repel water and keep dirt from reaching the skin

And then there are whiskers, the long, coarse hairs that serve the critical function of helping a dog sense the space, and the world, around them. Whiskers, or vibrissae, grow near the dog’s eyelids and muzzle from deep-rooted follicles that are full of nerve endings. These nerves send important messages to the dog’s brain, which is why you may notice a dog reacting immediately to whatever touches their whiskers. Whiskers on the dog’s muzzle typically grow to a length equal to the width of the dog’s head or body, which helps with spatial awareness. These amazing hairs can detect changes in air currents, which help dogs, who are naturally far-sighted, “see” objects that are nearby, and move around in the dark.

Whiskers are an important part of your dog’s sensory toolset which means you should avoid cutting or removing them during grooming.

A Caucasion shepherd groomed at the Hydra Experience Moment with Shiny & Healthy Coat

What does a dog’s coat say about their health?

A dog’s coat can give clues about their health in two main ways. The dog’s coat color or pattern could tell you that the dog may be predisposed to certain genetic disorders. For instance a powdered coated boerboel implies the dog has low or or pigmentation and not a desirable trait in the breed

A dog’s coat can also exhibit specific symptoms, such as patchiness, oiliness, balding, itching or thinning, that signify health issues.

To determine what your dog’s coat might be telling you, it’s important to know what their coat should look like. If your dog has a healthy coat and a generally good bill of health, their coat will be soft to the touch and generally feel smooth, even on wire-haired breeds (it should be easy to spot the difference between wiry and brittle). It should look a little shiny.

What your dog’s coat shouldn’t look like: it shouldn’t be excessively oily, have a strong, foul smell (this is an indicator of bacteria or yeast build-up), and it should not appear greasy, dusty, dry, balding, or loose (meaning big chunks of undercoat hair coming out on their own).

An irritated, abnormal coat could imply allergies, hormone problems including thyroid or elevated cortisol, secondary infections, a genetic problem, or other issues. If issues with your dog’s coat persist after addressing diet, consult your veterinarian.

The Role of Nutrition in your dog coat development

The short answer is: nutrition has a huge impact on the health and appearance of your dog’s skin and coat.

“Dry skin and hair coat can be due to a nutritional issue, allergies, or a medical condition,” explains Dr. Gary Richter, DVM. “Conversion to a fresh, whole food diet frequently improves skin and hair coat.” When a dog’s diet is missing something important–like protein, fats, moisture, and sufficient nutrients in the right balance–it manifests in a variety of ways, from dry skin and a dull coat to patches of hair loss.

Healthy fats are another ingredient for overall health, and skin and coat health. Omega-3s help to reduce inflammation, while Omega-6s increase inflammation, which plays a role in immunity, and cell growth. A healthy balance of these two essential fatty acids provides a range of health benefits including a lustrous coat.

If you’re feeding kibble, which tends to be higher in Omega-6 acids, your dog might have an imbalance which can contribute to chronic inflammation.

If you’re feeding a fresh diet, you shouldn’t need to add extra supplements to achieve a shiny, healthy coat. However, if you want a boost of healthy fats for coat, and overall health, whole sardines are a great source, and a great snack, in moderation.

Dr. Richter says while inadequate hydration and nutrition are usually the issue when it comes to coat issues, if your dog is displaying additional symptoms, it’s worth a trip to the vet.

“If [your dog] is not feeling well, is excessively itchy, or if fish oil didn’t work, consult with your veterinarian about the next steps,” he says.

Grooming a dog’s coat

Nutrition can either positively or negatively affect a dog’s coat, as can external sources such as mites, fleas, and allergies, but grooming is an essential part of taking appropriate care of your dog’s coat.

Pet grooming is essential for both your pet’s good looks and his health. However, doing these tasks at home may be complicated, so you might want to consider the benefits of professional dog grooming.

Adanfopa Pet Grooming Services offers a wide range of grooming services available for all budgets, dog types, and preferences.

Our 3 main grooming packages are available to pet parents who want to either walk into our grooming saloon or schedule us for a home visit. We have the Pay as you go package-https://adanfopa.com/4069-2-copy-copy/

The Maintenance Package-https://adanfopa.com/4069-2/

And the Spa Package-https://adanfopa.com/4069-2-copy/

Brushing your dog

Brushing your dog keeps them looking great, but also serves some other important functions.

Regular brushing helps to distribute the coat’s natural oils, keeping your dog’s coat shiny. If your dog has an undercoat, regular brushing can help keep them cooler—it prevents this downy hair from getting impacted against the skin to promote the flow of air. This up-close experience can also help you spot anything unusual on or about your dog’s skin, like lumps, or parasites.

Brushing also prevents matting, which isn’t just an aesthetic issue. If your pet’s hair gets tangled and matted, this can pull on the skin, causing pain and inflammation,”. Also, these mats can also trap bacteria and dirt and debris on the skin. This can damage your dog’s skin and cause it to become infected.It may also cause a foul-smelling odor, as bacteria build-up has a distinct and unpleasant scent.

Brushing is great for you, too. It builds the bond between you and your dog, and the more you brush, the less hair will land in all corners of your house.

It is recommended that double coated dogs are brushed with pin brushes and legs brushed with slicker brushes. Both single and double coated dogs can also be brushed with combination combs to check for matts.it is also acceptable to brush a single coated dog with a slicker brush so far as you are gentle with your brushing strokes.

The general rule for keeping dog coat healthy and avoid matts is to always keep your dog coat clean and the way out is to regularly bath the dog with quality shampoos and conditioners. At Adanfopa petcare we recommend double coats are bathed at least once every week

Conclusion

Your dog coat is important to its general health thus pet parents are advised to keep their dogs fur in good shape and should not stick to the penchant of always shaving off the entire coat of the dogs. I have demonstrated in this writeup that irrespective of the kind of coat your dog has, it is important you keep it well trimmed and healthy and not completely shaved. Complete shaving should be the last resort as it does more harm than good to your pet health. However, feeding your pet with the best of nutrition as well as using professional shampoos and conditioners coupled with professional groomers can help ensure your pets have the right adorable physical appeal and healthy coat

Author-Emmanuel Asare

Chief Associate, Adanfopa PetCare

President,ShihTzu Club of Ghana

People & Lifestyle

Gavi and UNICEF welcome approval of new oral cholera vaccine

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF welcome the news that a new oral cholera vaccine (OCV), Euvichol-S, has now received WHO prequalification and can be made available to countries around the world. The prequalification of this new product will help EuBiologics, the manufacturer, produce more volumes of vaccine, faster, and at a lower cost – a key step to expanding supply amidst the ongoing acute global upsurge of cholera outbreaks.

Today’s approval will help increase the overall supply of OCV available in 2024, with approximately 50 million doses now forecasted to be available to the global stockpile this year, compared to 38 million in 2023. Euvichol-S is an important product innovation: a simplified formulation of Euvichol-Plus that reduces the number of vaccine components – delivering a vaccine that studies have shown remains equally effective against key cholera serogroups while lowering production cost and complexity – thus allowing for larger volumes to be produced faster.

Cholera has been surging globally since 2021, with high case fatality rates despite availability of simple, effective and affordable treatment. The large number of outbreaks has led to unprecedented demand for vaccines from impacted countries. While global OCV supply has increased eighteen-fold between 2013 and 2023, the large and sustained spike in demand has put a strain on the global stockpile of OCV. Partners and countries are working urgently on cholera response, prevention and control measures in the face of this crisis, and have called on countries, manufacturers and others to support. Most recently, Gavi, UNICEF and partners announced the largest ever global deployment of cholera diagnostics to support surveillance and response.

“Prequalification of Euvichol-S represents a lifeline for vulnerable communities around the world,” said Dr Derrick Sim, Managing Director of Vaccine Markets & Health Security at Gavi. “Every vaccine dose delivered through Gavi programmes today represents years of planning and investment to shape the market so supply matches countries’ needs. The approval of this new product could not have come at a more important time given the acute upsurge of cholera outbreaks we are seeing worldwide. We commend EuBiologics for their role in ensuring countries around the world have access to cholera vaccine as part of their response toolkit.”

EuBiologics is currently the only supplier of OCV to the global stockpile, although other manufacturers are expected to have products available in the coming years. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance works to shape the OCV market, and funds the global stockpile of OCV doses, along with transport and vaccination activities in lower-income countries. UNICEF leads on procurement and delivery of doses to countries. Use of the stockpile for emergency response is overseen by the International Coordinating Group for Vaccine Provision (ICG), led by WHO.

“Despite cholera being preventable and easily treatable, children continue to suffer from this potentially fatal disease. UNICEF has already secured access to all the available doses of the just-approved vaccine and will deliver these to the countries at the highest possible speed,” said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “The approval means that UNICEF can increase the procurement and delivery of cholera vaccines by more than 25%, pushing back harder on deadly cholera outbreaks.”

People & Lifestyle

Isap Music Drops ‘Naomi’ As First Single of The Year

Published

14 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Ghanaian Hip-Life/Hip-Hop artiste, Isap Music has today officially released his premiere single of the year, “Naomi” on all digital streaming platforms.

The new single is an Afrobeats record that boarders on the thin line between love and obsession.

Isap Music opens with a reassurance for that special someone as he plans to put a ring on her finger soon. His sweet-singing voice together with the charming lyrics not only wins the heart of “Naomi,” but the listener as well.

On the DCM Records produced track, Isap Music brings a different energy to his first single of 2024, building a strong anticipation for subsequent releases as the year progresses.

However, until then, “Naomi” is simply one of the best Ghanaian Afrobeats songs released so far this year.

Isap Music’s spectacular performance on the two minutes 27 seconds track has everything; vocals, lyrics, storytelling and ad-libs, all on point.

It’s hard to believe such a good song was produced from another person’s experience but that is exactly how the song came to life.

In an online interview with Amplify Ghana, Isap Music disclosed that “Naomi” was inspired by a friend.

“The love song was actually inspired by a friend who was so much into his girl that he couldn’t stay a day without hearing her voice,” he said.

The latest single comes after his collaboration with 2022 VGMA Best Rap Performance award winner Lyrical Joe, Suuparstar TZ and Siicie on “Yesu Frɛwo” released last year.

Isap Music is one of the exciting new voices in the music scene. This new release, “Naomi” continues his streak of superb releases. Gaining recognition as one of the few street preachers, Isap Music’s versatility as an artist is of no doubt. He continues to share different messages and produce bangers in many genres.

“Naomi” by Isap Music is currently available on all digital streaming platforms.

Listen to “Naomi”

People & Lifestyle

Immediate Nexus: Your Gateway to Free Investment Education in 2024

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Within the ever-changing financial environment, it’s an issue of immense importance that an investor remains at the forefront. Immediate Nexus is a beacon that avails the indispensable resources and insight to navigate an investor through manning the complexities in investment come 2024 and thereafter. Let’s delve into why immediate-nexus-ai.com is your ultimate gateway to free investment education in 2024.

Understanding Immediate Nexus: Your Gateway to Free Investment Education in 2024

It is nothing less than a whole ecosystem to be built with the idea of allowing investors at different levels of experience to obtain the knowledge and tools needed to gain a foothold in this business. Whether you are a seasoned investor or one learning the ropes of how to dabble in the finance world, the Immediate Nexus has got your back.

The Evolution of Investment Education

Traditional teachings of investment have a very short shelf life due to the fast pace with which technology and the trend of the global markets move. Immediate Nexus fills that need by providing modern investors with current, readily accessible, practical information.

Free Resources for All

But what really strikes the most is the kind of free education toward all people without having any expense of seminars or the elite high-cost memberships. Truly, Immediate Nexus advocates that financial literacy should be made available to all, no matter where you come from or belong in terms of background or current financial status.

Expert Insights and Analysis

Investment can be cumbersome to wade through, especially for beginners. Immediate Nexus makes it easier with an expert insight and analysis curated from none but the best sources. Be it market trends or effective investment strategies, everything is there to make your decision wise.

Harnessing the Power of Community

It doesn’t need to be a lonely journey. Immediate Nexus is a dynamic, live community where investors network, share ideas, and draw wisdom from one another. That interactive approach makes it conducive to learning at the same time, availing valuable networking opportunities.

Why Choose Immediate Nexus?

While Immediate Nexus may be a new kind of educational platform, in many ways, it is poised to soon become the go-to solution for those seeking to grow and succeed in the world of investing. Here are ten great reasons why you need to make it your go-to resource this year.

Holistic Content: From the guidelines of a beginner investor to the strategies which are to be followed at an advanced level, Immediate Nexus encompasses and provides information relevant to every single stage an investor might be in.
User-Friendly Interface: The platform friendliness comes with ease of navigating through the site, intuitive design, and a friendly interface.
Timely Updates:** Actual happenings in the capital and financial markets, economic development, and investment opportunities.
Interactive Learning: Engjson Quizzes, Interactive Tutorials, and Live Webinars assist learners in polishing skills and strengthening their learning.
Community of Trust: Be a part of an elite community of like-minded investors, share knowledge and support each other in growth.

Conclusion

Your Gateway to Free Investment Education in 2024 is not a platform—it’s a revolution, an immediate nexus revolutionizing ways people think about investment education. Equip your financial future with all the expert insights and resources that you would have needed, including a lively community. Join the movement today and take your first steps toward financial freedom.

People & Lifestyle

Mastering Bitcoin Trading: The BitLQ Matrix Advantage: A Path to Financial Freedom

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

The financial opportunities, though, in mastering the trading Bitcoin are huge in this dynamic world of cryptocurrency. BitLQ Matrix strategy stands like a beacon of assurance and profitability among the myriad strategies available. This paper, therefore, seeks to detail the encapsulated greater benefits within the bitlq.app Matrix and illustrate how one could optimize his trading to achieve financial freedom.

Understanding Bitcoin Trading

Bitcoins are the first and leading cryptocurrency ever to evolve, and it altered the thinking of how the world used to look at finances. Bitcoin trading is a process through which one can speculate on the price movements of them and, in turn, takes home profits by analyzing the markets and makes a deciding move. Trading in bitcoins is very demanding in nature since it is very unpredictable. Good knowledge and strategic acumen are expected to surge through the market fluctuations victoriously.

Embracing the BitLQ Matrix Advantage

Mastering Bitcoin Trading: The BitLQ Matrix Advantage

The BitLQ Matrix is not some trading strategy but a whole, complete framework aiming to trade optimal results while controlling risks most efficiently. This revolutionarily uses LQ to guide traders through informed considerations in making decisions for the best possible profits with the least possible vulnerability to market volatility.

Liquidity: The Backbone of Trading Success

Liquidity is the base that underlies any trading pursuit to support transactional ease and participation in the market. Priority to the BitLQ Matrix trade is given, executed seamlessly without slippage, or at least at the most minimal level, for the efficient trade execution at the best entry and exit levels.

Quantity: Balancing Risk and Reward

In this respect, good risk management becomes highly imperative while trading in Bitcoins, and with the BitLQ Matrix, there is a good balance since traders can put in the emphasis on the importance of trade quantity. By doing so, the traders will accurately calibrate the position sizes to market conditions and the risk-taker’s risk-bearing ability to ensure they make a better risk-reward ratio and protect the capital from likely losses.

Quality: Elevating Trading Standards

Quality, in this case, regards the level of trades executed within BitLQ Matrix. This gives traders the opportunity to spike up their trading standards further, promoting the desired consistency and profitability from their undertakings.

Unveiling the Benefits

The BitLQ Matrix offers a plethora of benefits to traders seeking to master Bitcoin trading:

Increased Precision: With these details of liquidity, quantity, and quality at disposal, traders can be able to execute their trades with pinpoint accuracy, zero error tolerance, and hence reap all the profitability possible in their trades.
Risk Mitigation: The strategy of risk management integrated into BitLQ Matrix enables traders to be in a position where they could avert their possible losses and preserve capital in times of market downturn.
Consistent Profjson: The BitLQ Matrix principles will assure that you profit on a consistent basis, fostering sustainability for long-time success in trade.

Conclusion

This exciting journey into Bitcoin trading within the BitLQ Matrix soon turns into an adventure of financial independence and prosperity in one of the most lively and fast-changing cryptocurrency markets. You apply liquidity, quantity, and quality principles toward revealing limitless opportunities for profit multiplication and growth sustainability. Seize the advantage today and embark on your path to financial freedom with the BitLQ Matrix.

People & Lifestyle

Nana Quasi-Wusu Celebrates 10 Years In Broadcasting

Published

17 hours ago

April 19, 2024

VJ Scaro

Renowned multiple Award winning Ghanaian media personality and a Humanitarian, Nana Quasi-Wusu, popularly known as PM, commemorates a decade in media as a broadcast journalist filled with exceptional stories and excellence. (more…)

People & Lifestyle

BLISS GVS PHARMA GHANA DONATES MEDICINES AGAIN TO CAPE COAST TEACHING HOSPITAL

Published

19 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Spearheading the initiative for the fourth consecutive year, Bliss GVS Pharma’s campaign, “Act for Africa: A Malaria-Free Continent,” aims to provide crucial medical support to combat malaria, particularly in vulnerable communities.

In a significant stride towards eradicating malaria from the African continent, Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana reaffirms its commitment to corporate social responsibility by donating over GHC 250,000 worth of medicines to Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Winneba Trauma Hospital to commemorate approaching World Malaria Day 2024.

The gesture underscores Bliss GVS Pharma’s dedication to ensuring that every individual gets access to high-quality medicines, particularly in regions heavily burdened by malaria. The donation encompasses anti-malarial and other essential medicines like LONART, GSUNATE, Fricks, Gacet and many more.

The driving force behind this noble vision is the Managing Director of Bliss GVS Pharma, Mr. Gagan Sharma. His unwavering belief in the fundamental right to healthcare motivates the company’s endeavours to make a tangible difference in the fight against malaria.

Pharm Rosemary, the representative of Bliss GVS Pharma, underscored the company’s steadfast commitment to malaria eradication, she said it is our social duty to contribute towards ensuring that no one is deprived of essential healthcare, especially in the battle against diseases like malaria. Through our ‘Act for Africa’ campaign, we aim to play our part in making Africa a malaria-free continent.”
Dr. Eric Kofi Nyedu, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, who lead a delegation to receive the items expressed profound gratitude for Bliss GVS Pharma’s benevolent gesture, stating, ” We’re grateful for Bliss GVS Pharma’s generous antimalarial and other essential medicines donation, which strengthens our ability to treat patients, especially during peak malaria season and health outreaches in villages around the Cape Coast enclave. We have identified that Bliss GVS is dedication to improving community health through our partnership and we will always recommend them”
The donation of GHC 276,000 worth of medicine symbolizes Bliss GVS Pharma’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its belief in the transformative power of collective action. By partnering with healthcare institutions such as the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Winneba Trauma Hospital, the company endeavours to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to malaria treatments.

In addition, the students of the Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery College were engaged in a health talk where resource persons equipped them with topics on personal and vaginal hygiene, malaria prevention, and spread.
On World Malaria Day 2024, as the global community unites to amplify efforts against malaria, Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a healthier, malaria-free future for Africa.