I came across this article today:
5 Dog Myths. The myths they debunked are as follows:
Dogs should not have more than a couple a baths a year or their skin with dry out.
Short haired dogs shed less than long haired dogs.
Dogs need all shots every year.
Older dogs shouldn't get anesthesia.
Dogs shouldn't get pain medication.
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I have to confess that I have heard of the first three myths, but not the last two. How awful to deny a dog pain medication after a trauma, surgery, or for chronic pain! I am glad that they have changed their line of thinking.
I think a couple of these need caveats. For instance, the first one is breed specific, isn't it? There are some breeds that don't need as many baths as others because of the oils in their skin--at least from what I heard. Am I wrong on that?
Also, the second one about shedding is too general. This is a breed specific thing, too. I can attest to the fact that short haired and long haired dogs can shed equally. My Jack Russell sheds a lot. But, so did the Collie we had when we were growing up. The way they shed is different though. Misha's fur comes out one hair at a time. The Collie's hair came out in clumps.
Number three isn't so much a myth but a change in science and reality. Up through the 1970s and 1980s, there wasn't such a thing as a 3 year vaccination. You had to bring your dog in every year to get them updated. But, they've improved on them. I'm not sure which can be done as 3 year except for the rabies vaccine.
Anyway, those are my thoughts on the myths. What do you think of them? Has your experience proven them false or reinforced them?
