- 10 Realtime And Reliable Photo Search Engines http://t.co/HoGUk218 via @zite
- Here they come to save the day! 10 Pet Heroes http://t.co/y3eMGNA2 via @zite
- Check out this article: Kemper’s director leaves http://t.co/CE7Usqk0
- This would've been very cool, I think....Steve Jobs' Dream Of iCar Revealed (VIDEO) http://t.co/ANCjjpwi via @zite
- Dogs helping their people..Dog Is Lifesaver for 3-Year-Old with Diabetes http://t.co/8HUXJWYW via @zite
Helping Your Pet Maintain Weight Through the Holiday Season
With the holiday season, we and our pets can tend to eat more and exercise less, leading to weight gain. Obesity is not good for anyone, human or animal. When it affects a pet, it can be quite unhealthy and dangerous.
What are the reasons for a pudgy pet? The answer rests in too much food intake and too little exercise. Pet owners can be too eager to please and often cannot resist that cute little face that is begging for more food or treats. The food intake of a dog is seldom accurately monitored.
What the human counterparts need to do is to control the pet’s unsatiable appetite in an effort to reduce its girth. The pet also needs to engage in some extra exercise. (It probably would be of equal benefit to the human to get out and take a brisk walk with the dog, too!)
For dogs, a steady weight loss of 15% over a two to three month period is good. Aim for a loss of one ot one and a half pounds per week for the dog.
Encourage more playtime with your pet. Stick to a fun routine that while take his mind off of food. Just like humans need a diversion from their weaknesses, so do pets!
When your pet’s weight is at a normal level, he will feel better, have more energy, and be happier. Life will certainly be more enjoyable to him.
Be Sure Your Pet Buckles Up
Are you planning to drive to a family holiday gathering, and take your pet with you? If so, check out these tips to ensure safe arrival for you and your pet:
- Although dogs love to stick their heads out the window while you’re driving, it can be dangerous due to flying debris that can injure their eyes.
- Feed your pet several hours before you’re set to leave. This will help prevent your pet from getting carsick.
- Don’t leave your dog in a parked car. It can get quite cold very quickly and leave them at risk for being stolen.
- Be sure to stop periodically for potty breaks (every 3-4 is a good interval). This is a chance for you to stretch your legs and give your dog a chance to go potty. Make sure your dog is on a leash before opening the car door to let him out.
- Pets should ride in the back seat, either in a harness or attached to the seat belt. Regardless of your dog’s size, there are many options available to secure or restrain your pet including: harnesses, carriers, pet car seats and vehicle barriers.
Stay safe and enjoy the holidays with your family and your pet!
Think Twice Before Giving a Pet as Gift
Jessie, the sweet, adorable, and sensitive dog, always in the holiday spirit, is here to share some season’s greetings and gift-giving insights for the pet lover today:
Thinking of giving a pet to someone this holiday season? While your heart may be in the right place, giving someone a pet as a gift is not such a great idea! For starters, you just never know IF someone really wants a pet and, if he or she does, exactly what kind of pet is desired. Plus, you can’t just give someone a new pet and expect it to fit right into the new home environment right away. You may not be aware of any allergies certain family members might have or if their lifestyle is compatible with the breed of cat or dog you may be giving them. Plus, introducing a new pet to the family during this stressful time of year can really stress out that special dog or cat, too!
So, in the spirit of maintaining the excitement of pet lovers everywhere who wish to spread the joy of pet ownership to others, here are a couple of alternative ideas that can still make this holiday season a joyous one:
1.) Instead of buying someone a cat or a dog for the holidays, give him or her a gift certificate for one, from you, so that he or she can go out at a convenient time (preferably AFTER the busy holiday season!) and make a selection. Encourage that person to go to a local shelter or rescue to find that perfect companion.
2.) If someone you know loves animals but is not in a position to own a pet, why not make a donation to a local pet shelter or rescue in that person’s name? Shelters can always use monetary donations, cleaning supplies, pet food, etc.
(P.S. – If you are seriously looking for a cat, I know where you can get one. Contact me and we’ll talk! He’s asleep right now, so the timing could not be better!)
Making Sure Your Pets Have A Safe and Happy Holiday
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but it’s important to keep your pet’s safety in mind. Here are some safety tips to ensure your pets enjoy a safe and happy holiday season:
- Many cats enjoy batting ornaments that are hanging on the tree. If your feline is one of them, don’t hang breakable ornaments within your cat’s reach.
- Watch out for candles. Dogs and cats can be curious and get too close to the flame or knock the candle over, so be sure candles are out of your pet’s reach.
- This time of year there are many snacks around that can be hazardous if ingested by your pet, so as spelled out above, don’t leave snacks like chocolate anywhere your pet can reach them.
- Electrical cords can be fun for cats or dogs to chew on, so be sure to cover electrical cords to prevent your pet from chewing on them.
- Tinsel can be another fun toy, especially for cats, but can be very hazardous if eaten, so be sure your pets aren’t able to get to them.
- This can be a very hectic time of year with many visitors coming and going, and this change in routine be can very stressful for your pets. If your pet is particularly shy, be sure he has a quiet room to go to for a break from the action.
- Be sure visitors are aware of rules regarding outside time for your pets. With many people in and out, pets can sneak out quickly, so don’t leave doors open to make it tempting for a pet escape.
Addison’s Disease In Dogs-Part 3 of 4
The previous posts in this series covered symptoms and tests used to diagnose Addison’s in dogs, this week is dedicated to monitoring treatment.
Once a dog begins treatment for Addison’s, regular blood tests are needed to monitor electrolyte levels. Depending on the meds your dog is taking, blood tests may be done as often as weekly initially, then taper off once the electrolyte level reaches normal level. Once the dog is stabilized, follow-up blood work may only be 2-4 times a year.
If a dog’s behavior or energy level seems off, it may mean his electrolyte level is out of line and should be checked. Dehydration or elevated potassium level can indicate the med dosage is too low. A rise in potassium level can cause a slow heart rate, while low potassium levels may cause severe muscle weakness. If you observe either of these with your pet, consult your vet and he/she will determine if med levels need to be adjusted.
Cortisol levels aren’t monitored by blood tests, but by observing the dog’s behavior. Signs to watch for that may indicate the med dosage is too high include: panting, hair loss, and excessive thirst and urination. Signs that the glucocorticoid med level may be too low include: lack of energy or appetite, vomiting or diarrhea.
It may take a while to find the right dosage for your dog. If your dog was stabilized, but now you’re observing any of the symptoms above, consult with your vet immediately to determine what med changes may be necessary to get your dog back on the right track and feeling his best!
Source: Whole Dog Journal, October 2011
Dogs Like to Eat Organic Too
Earlier this year I joined a service called Door To Door Organics that delivers organic produce to my home every week.
This service works great for me because of my crazy schedule, making it difficult to get to farmer’s markets or other CSAs in the area that require weekly pickup at specific times/days.
I’m able to eat great tasting produce (a lot of it locally grown, all of it organic) and a side benefit is being able to share it with Jessie.
I’ve written many times about the benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to dog’s diets. They provide nutrients and variety to doggie diets without adding a lot of empty calories. Jessie loves the bananas, apples, green beans, carrots and yams I’ve prepared for her from my weekly DTD delivery.
I peel and slice the carrots (no seasoning), microwave them for a couple of minutes, then add to Jessie’s dry food. For the green beans (again, no seasoning), I cut off the ends, slice, microwave, and add to her dry food. She loves both veggies!
With the yams, after microwaving I scoop out the insides and add to her food. The peeling is not recommended for dogs to eat. Yams provide a lot of nutrients and Jessie goes crazy for them, she chases her dish around for a few minutes even after they’re gone!
So, if you’d like to eat organic produce, but have trouble getting to markets to buy, check for a service like Door To Door in your area. If you’d like to learn more about Door to Door, check out their site doortodoororganics.com
Addison’s Disease in Dogs-Part 2 of 4 Part Series
Last week I wrote about common symptoms of Addison’s disease. Many Addison’s characteristics are very similar to other illnesses which often leads to a misdiagnosis.
This week, I’m going to cover how to confirm your dog has Addison’s. The test that confirms an Addison’s diagnosis is called the ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) Response Test.
With the ACTH, the dog’s blood is tested to measure the level of cortisol. Then the dog is injected with a pituitary hormone that would normally signal the adrenal glands to start producing cortisol. An hour after the injection, another blood test is done to measure the cortisol level. In healthy dogs, the cortisol level rises. If the dog’s cortisol level was low before the injection, and is still low afterward, this confirms the dog has Addison’s.
Subsequent testing can then determine if the dog’s case is primary or secondary Addison’s. Making this determination will determine the course of treatment going forward.
There are a couple of situations that closely mirror Addison’s and often cause misdiagnosis. One is whipworms, which cause low sodium and elevated potassium levels. Fecal tests for these worms can give a false negative because eggs aren’t produced very often.
The other situation are dog breeds that originated in the Pacific Rim region of the world. These breeds include the Akita and Shiba Inu. Dogs from this region tend to have higher that normal potassium levels, which is also a symptom of Addison’s.
Both of these situations will have a normal ACHD test result. Because Addison’s does have so many symptoms common to other illnesses, it’s important to confirm the diagnosis before beginning the course of treatment.
Next week I’ll be covering treatment for Addison’s Disease-Part 3 of a 4 part series
Reference: Whole Dog Journal, October 2011
Make Sure Your Pet Buckles Up
Labor Day is just around the corner, and many people will be on the road, some with their dogs. When your dog is in the car, she should be restrained to prevent injury.
It’s not so very different from us, wearing seat belts has become a law in many areas, with the “click it or ticket” practice in effect. I often see dog owners, especially those with small dogs, allowing the dog to sit on their lap between them and the steering wheel. If a collision happened, the dog would be crushed either by the impact, or by the airbag inflating. Either way, it’s not a pretty picture.
There are a wide variety of harnesses and car seats available in sizes to fit the smallest to the tallest dog. Jessie wears a harness when she rides, all I have to do is get it out of the closet and she knows it’s time to ride.
As Jessie and I were heading out today, a car in front of us had a doggy passenger with his head out the window. Even though dogs love it, this can be dangerous too. Many areas, including ours, have a lot of road construction underway, and debris could fly up and injure a dog that’s enjoying the breeze.
Another thing dogs love that’s dangerous for them is riding in the back of pick-up trucks. Again, they love it because they can feel the breeze and look around as they’re riding, but in the event of a quick stop or rear end collision, a dog could go flying out of the truck. Definitely not a pretty picture!
Take care over the holiday weekend. Make sure you and your dog buckle up for safety!
Does Your Pet Need to Lose a Few Pounds?
I recently started working with a client that was told by the vet she needs to lose a few pounds. Weight loss isn’t particularly fun for humans or animals, but there are some things you can do that will help your pet lose weight, and not leave her feeling like she’s missing something.
Try these suggestions:
- Substitute cooked carrots or green beans for a portion of food. Pumpkin is another good substitute. These foods contain a lot of nutrients and fiber, but very few calories. The additional fiber will make your dog feel full longer and they love the taste!
- Reduce the size and/or number of treats given
- Reserve a portion of daily food allowance to use as treats. Play “find it” with your pet, they love it! Hide bits of food or treats in various locations and tell them to find it. This game gives them a chance to use their sense of smell and keeps their minds busy.
- Stuff hollow toys with morsels of food. Pets will work off energy trying to get the food out of the toy.
- This one isn’t related to food, but is great for helping your pet lose weight, it’s good for us too! Take your dog for walks. If your dog isn’t used to walking, start slowly for short distances and gradually increase speed and distance.
Your dog will love the new foods added to her diet and the new activities. Use the walking and game time as chances to strength the bond with your pet, and above all, have fun!
5 Steps to Keeping Your Dog’s Crate Clean
Our dogs often think of the crate as a safe haven, but he/she won’t enjoy crate time if the inside isn’t clean.
The October 2011 issue of Dog Fancy recommends these steps to keep dog crates fresh:
1. Launder bedding regularly. Be sure it’s dry before putting back in the crate.
2. Vacuum or sweep inside the crate.
3. Wipe down the bottom of the crate with a vinegar and warm water mixture.
4. Dust the crate railings and ceiling.
5. Use vinegar/water mixture to disinfect the crate door and railings.
Following these steps will help your dog happy in his personal space.
Follow Us!