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Keep this Information Close at Hand!
Party Marty here! The coolest cat in the ‘hood….next to our late and beloved Bo, to whom I dedicate this post: If you are anything like me (and if you are, you should feel blessed!), then you are geared up for a rocking and rolling summer of fun, especially with your pets. Take a little advice from me…keep the following information at the ready….just in case. We don’t want emergencies to happen, but if they do, you will be prepared…and your pet will also be in good hands!
Tape this information to the inside of a kitchen or bathroom cabinet door or post it to the fridge:
1.) You veterinarian’s name, number, and address.
2.) The number of a 24-hour emergency vet service that is near your home.
3.) The number for the National Animal Poison Control Center, which is 1-800-548-2423.
4.) The name and number of a local cab service.
Hopefully, you will not need any of this information for your pet this summer, but if you do, perhaps it will save a life!
Thanks to the lisaviolet.com web site for posting this for all to see!
Ever Wonder If Everyone Else Asks Their Vet the Same Questions as You Do?
Party Marty here! On a mission to find out some of the most frequently asked questions pet owners present to their veterinarian. Too shy to ask? Feel silly asking a certain question? Once you read this list, you will probably feel as if you are in good company. Here’s what my sources are saying are the most common questions posed to veterinarians:
1.) What is the healthiest food I can feed my pet?
2.) How much should I feed my pet?
3.) Is my pet too fat?
4.) What vaccinations does my pet need?
5.) When can my puppy go outside?
6.) Should I brush my pet’s teeth?
7.) How frequently should I bathe my pet?
8.) Why does my dog eat poop/grass/other non-edible items?
9.) Can my pet make me sick or can I make him sick?
10.) How much is this visit going to cost me?
Okay…I threw in that last one….but you get the picture! Nearly everyone has the same questions. Ask away! That’s what your vet is there for.
What? Are you still here? Oh…you want the answers! Well, I suppose you will just have to come back for those later on! (There had to be a catch, right?)
Thanks to everydayhealth.com for assisting with these questions.
Dog Treats Recall!!!!!
Jessie, News Reporter and Protector of the Community: If your dog enjoys those delicious pig ear dog treats, be sure to check the label, as some of them have been recalled over concerns of salmonella. Three brands have actually been recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration. Earlier this month, the treats produced by Keys Manufacturing Co., Inc. recalled its Pig Ears for Pets Treats due to suspicions of the serious contaminant.
The latest pet treat recall noted by the FDA includes Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ear pet treats which are distributed by Boss Pet Products, Inc. The packages in question were distributed from November 2010 through April 2011 and may be tainted with salmonella. It was reported that a dog in Missouri had been sickened in this manner.
Pets who contract salmonella may exhibit lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some may also have abdominal pain. Be aware that pets who act healthy can still be carriers of salmonella and can pass it on to other animals as well as to people.
The Diggers treats were distributed in the following states: AL, CA, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MN, MI, MO, MT, NY, OH, OK, OR, TN, TX, UT, and WA. The treats were in two, four, and eight-pack bags as well as in bulk containers of 500 and 100 treats.
For more information on this recall, you can call 1-800-445-6347.
In another recall, Blackman Industries announced that its Prime Time and KC Beefhide brands of pig ear treats were recalled under suspicion of salmonella poisoning. These particular items were sold in IA, KS, MO, NE, and SD from January 4, 2011 – April 29, 2011. For more information, call the company at 913-342-5010.
Be safe! Keep your pets healthy!
(Thanks to walletpop.com for this important information!)
Do You Know the Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease in Your Pet?
Jessie, the dog who gets routine dental check-ups with her vet:
Do you know what the most frequently diagnosed health problem is for pets? Oral disease! By age three, nearly 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will begin to show signs of dental problems. For smaller dogs, periodontal disease is a very common problem. In fact, our Yorkie-Poo buddy, Bolt, recently visited the veterinarian and was told that he needs a thorough cleaning of his teeth and gums before decay and serious issues set in. He could potentially lose all of his teeth and develop other health problems in his cute little body.
How does oral disease begin in pets? It all starts with bacteria. Saliva and food particles lodge between the teeth and gums, causing a build-up of plaque. Eventually, that plaque will turn to tartar. When plaque and tartar build up over time, that leads to periodontal disease which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. If this is not treated, your pet may endure oral pain, dysfunction, loss of teeth, and systemic problems. Organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys can be affected. It’s not a pretty picture.
There are certain warning signs of periodontal disease in your pet. You may notice persistent bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, he may paw at his face and mouth, and he may appear depressed.
To prevent oral disease in your pet, make sure he is seen routinely by a veterinarian, and make sure each exam includes a dental exam. Practice a regular dental care program at home for your pet. This may include brushing his teeth with toothpaste especially formulated for pets. Please do not use toothpaste meant for humans, as it can cause an upset stomach in your pet. Ask your vet about pet foods that are especially formulated to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar.
Remember! A true pet lover knows pets can truly smile….and we want to see them flash those beautiful teeth and healthy smiles every day!
(Thanks to petdental.com for this great information! Thanks to Bolt for keeping his teeth clean and his breath fresher now….it was getting pretty rank in here with that stinky mouth! He is well on his way to better dental health!)
Keep A Close Eye on Those Pearly Whites!
Jessie, the pretty dog with the pearly whites: Yeah! February is Pet Dental Health Month! Time to show off those pretty white teeth of ours! While you may not give as much time and attention to your pet’s teeth as you do to yours, making sure they have good dental health is so vitally important to their overall health. Providing a healthy diet and lots of chew toys can work to keep your pet’s mouth clean and healthy.
Your dog may be evidencing signs of oral diseases and you may not even be aware of them. Here is a quick checklist that can alert you to any problems with your dog’s mouth or gastrointestinal system:
**Bad breath. Sure, most dogs’ breath doesn’t smell like roses, but if it is overwhelmingly disgusting, that should be a red flag.
**Excessive drooling. While many dogs of the male persuasion may drool when I walk on by, excessive drooling in and of itself is another cautionary flag.
**Inflamed gums
**Tumors in the gums
**Cysts under the tongue
**Loose teeth
If you observe any of these, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Neglecting your dog’s teeth can result in some very serious health conditions.
(Thanks to aspca.org for this great information!)
We Wish You a Happy Holiday Season! Discover the Real Joy of Living As You Appreciate Your Blessings!
Bo and Jessie here! Yes…we decided to mutually (and amicably!) compose this message today. In the spirit of the holidays, we just wanted to convey to you our sincerest wishes for a fabulous holiday season and blessings for a wonderful New Year. If you are thinking of giving your beloved pet a gift for the holidays, toys and such are nice, but a real treat would be a nice massage and lots of tender, loving care! Heck! Amidst the hustle and bustle, even YOU need a break, so why not take your critter for a walk (or two or three, especially if pesky Aunt Edna wears out her welcome and is getting on your nerves!). While we pets appreciate a fun new toy or a safe and wholesome nibble, we cherish most the times spent with our owners. That is the best gift of all! And, if you need an idea for that pet lover in your life, then consider a gift certificate from Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services. If you live in the Kansas City metro area, this is the service upon which to call. They know pets. They love ‘em, too!
Happy Holidays, from your favorite cat and dog! (And this was not a paid endorsement…Bo wanted to stress that fact!)
Pure or Mixed Breed – How to Decide
Bo, the inquisitive cat: When it comes to dog and cats, they fall into one of two categories: purebreds or mixed breeds. Bear in mind that the chief difference between the two is that purebred, due to their parents and ancestors before them, are all members of the same breed. In short, they adhere to a breed standard, and, as a result, you stand a good chance of understanding their behaviors and physical characteristics.
With mixed breeds, the behavior, appearance, and size can also be predicted, as they are, after all, simply combinations of different breeds.
Do not confuse choosing a purebred with a guarantee of stellar health and temperament. In fact, when you obtain those “papers” from with the purchase of a purebred dog or cat, the only thing you are obtaining is the certification from the registry organizations of the reported lineage and identify of the animal.
Mixed breeds do come with distinct advantages. Think about it: when you adopt a mixed breed, you are getting the best of more than one breed. You are getting benefits from two or more different breeds all in one cute, adorable, and loving package! Plus, mixed breeds are less likely to have a genetic defect that is common in certain purebred dogs and cats.
Edcuate yourself about the type of breed you desire. Learn as much about the breed, or breeds if you are going the mixed breed route, and figure out which type of pet best suits your lifestyle. For example, a Labradoodle might not be a good fit for a small apartment dweller in the big city, and you may not want a Yorkie-Poo if you want a companion for your weekend hunting trips!
(This information was obtained through the web site of the Humane Society of the United States. Thanks!)
We hope you give a “poop” about being a responsible pet owner!
Bo, the incredibly handsome and educated cat: Monday morning. Blah. I could use more sleep. I was
kept up half the night by some strange noises outside. I could have sworn it was a dog barking or howling or something. I know it wasn’t Jessie. I locked her up last night in the laundry room so she wouldn’t bother me, and….(Look of horror on his face! Suddenly remembering!) Good grief! If you will excuse me for a bit. I have to tend to someone, er thing. Be right back. (Bo returns a few minutes later, huffing and puffing, but with a look of relief on his face) I’m fine now. All is well. Someone is just a tad bit angry with me. She’ll be fine in a few hours.
What I don’t understand is why someone who owns a dog would let that dog bark for hours on end during the night!? It’s not doing the dog any good, and it certainly isn’t doing the neighbors any good, either. I may be preaching to the choir when it comes to some of you, but for those of you who have pets but haven’t learned to keep them on a short leash yet, read on!
When enjoying the great outdoors with your pet, PLEASE clean up after your pet and dispose of the waste in a sanitary manner. (And this does not mean picking it up and throwing it over the neighbor’s fence.)
And when you are outdoors with your pet, keep it on a leash. Your dog may be friendly, but you never know when something or someone may provoke him or her. (Just ask our Yorkie-Poo friend, Bolt, whose house buddy, Naismith, a lovable Wheaten Terrier, got a bit overzealous one day on the walking trail out back and nipped a young girl in the hindquarters. Naismith did some serious time for that – five days in doggie jail. Now, for some odd reason, he is having a tough time getting a job. He needs to get his record expunged!)
If you have a cat, help it to stay safe and live longer by keeping it indoors, away from situtations that could endanger it.
Keep pet records that include proof of licensing, proof of spay or neuter, current records of all vaccinations and veterinary care, dog training school diplomas, etc.
And if you happen to be somewhat annoyed by another pet in the house, do not attempt to lock it up in the laundry room, lest you forget your actions and have to open that door several hours later. Not a good thing to deal with on a Monday morning. Jessie is going to make me pay for this one, I am sure. I’m just going to go hide myself for awhile.
(Thanks to the Humane Society of the US and its web site for this information. Thanks in advance to Jessie for going easy on me for the slight oversight today!)
Will Our Pets Enjoy Heaven?
Jessie, the sensitive and compassionate canine: Many pet lovers wonder if their pets will be in Heaven
with them some day. While some may interpret various aspects of the Bible to negate this possibility, if you dig deep in its pages, the Bible boasts many references about animals going to Heaven.
For instance, Genesis 1: 20-25 speaks to God’s creation of every living creature, from the waters to the lands to the skies above. Man was given dominion over the fish, the birds, the catlle and all that creeps upon the earth. The book of Revelations indicates that Heaven will hold many things that were in the original creation. To me, it just seems appropriate that animals are to be included in this equation. And, if humans were given dominion over animals here on earth, wouldn’t it be rather presumptuous of us to think that this would not be the case in Heaven?
The book of Revelations notes that in Heaven, four living creatures surround the throne, one being a lion, another an ox, the third creature bearing the face of a man, and the fourth a flying eagle.
As a fun-loving, adorable, always-at-my-human’s side sort of dog, I would like to think that there is a special place in Heaven just for me. Besides, after all of these years of putting up with that darned cat, Bo, I would think there should be a throne, a crown, and some jewels thrown in the mix, as well! The things I do to keep the peace here on earth definitely demands some sort of reward as I pass through the pearly gates of Heaven one day. Heck! They just might even have a poop-scooping job for Bo up there. Sounds good to me!
Remember all of the pets who have touched your life through the years. We are all truly God’s creatures, and it just doesn’t get any better than that!
(Thanks to Metro Pet Mag of Kansas City – September 2010 edition for this great information!)
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