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Written by Barry Wolfe - AlamedaSun.com
Safer Chew Toys
Avoid giving your dog pig's ears and rawhide, as they are notorious choking hazards. Stick to Nylabone-type chew toys. Symptoms for a choking animal may include pawing at face, drooling, breathing loudly and coughing. A Heimlich maneuver, carefully applied, can eject the object. Choking is the leading cause of canine cardiac arrest.
Retractable Leashes Not Recommended By Pros
In a recent poll of professional pet sitters and dog walkers nationwide, most were against the use retractable leashes because of the danger of a dog dashing into the street, or tangling with another dog or a pedestrian. The leashes can also reel out if a big dog decides to take off. It's best to use a strong, six-foot leash so you can keep your dog in control if needed.
Cats Can't See In the Dark
Cats can't see in total darkness; they need some reflected light. If the litter box is in a dark basement, bathroom or back room, buy a little nightlight that comes on after dark. This is the remedy many times for cats that choose other places to relieve themselves. Also, many demand that their box be cleaned every day. Never put their food near their litter box.
Canine Flu
Canine flu is a relatively new influenza virus that morphed from a horse virus. It first appeared in racing greyhounds in 2004, but all dogs are susceptible to it. Because there is no vaccine, prevention is the only defense. Incubation time is short, only 2 to 5 days but they can carry and spread it for 10 days, sometimes with no symptoms. A common symptom is prolonged coughing for weeks with thick nasal discharge, sneezing and high fever (104-106F.)
It will often appear to be pneumonia, and pneumonia has developed and led to some deaths, but treatment with antibiotics aids in quick recovery if diagnosed quickly. This is an airborne-spread virus picked up where many dogs gather, like in dog parks, dog shows or kennels. The flu can also be spread by petting an infected animal and then petting other dogs, also by infected toys, bowls or your clothing.
The virus is easily killed with a 10 percent bleach solution or other commercial disinfectants. If using a boarding facility, be sure that they disinfect dishes, cages, runs and common areas on a regular basis. It should be noted that giardia has been detected in Alameda dog parks in the past, so pay attention to your dog if taken to an area frequented by canines.
Barry Wolfe owns Cat Daddy Pet Sitting Service of Alameda. See more of Barry's tips online at www.alamedasun.com.
Posted by: Pet Blogger - SmallPetAdvice.com
We all grew up with at least one hero in our lives, but how many people can call their hero Duke or Kiva? Answer: All those who had their lives saved by rescue dogs.
Whether houses fire, tornado debris, the remnants of an earthquake, or flowing water for the hurricane front, these specially trained rescue dogs Rush In, without any problems for their own welfare, pulling out victims, some dead and some are still alive. They do it again and again.
With a powerful nose and smell things a person can not, rescue dogs, hard-working and very loyal to what is expected of them. And what do they ask in return? Hug, a treat or a little one-on-one play time. Not a huge reward, but for these special dogs, it is very satisfactory.
There are different types of breeds, rescue dogs are better than others. For example, bloodhounds have a talent for prowess and are known to identify criminals. Newfound lands are good avalanche dogs and Labrador retrievers are good dogs corpse. Any dog can become a rescue dog, until they can concentrate on tracking scent, such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Golden Retrievers.
Before you enable tracking, each rescue dog is put through extensive evaluations. Scent detection training then began his skills and developed through regular sessions. To track the dog will pick up on the smell of skin cells flake off the body. These skin cells float in the air and fell to the ground as the person moves forward, and they float on the surface of water, if the victim drowned.
Men and women for these furry heroes of all volunteers who are fit, enjoy spending time outdoors, and take pride in learning and communicating with their dogs to help. These men and women may also belong to rescue teams, such as SOSARD or SWOSAR, who called the police and may extend to several hours to reach the site search. Along with their rescue dog they are looking at various types of weather and terrain for lost children, missing fishermen and hunters, accident victims and injured tourists.
There is another type of rescue dog that can sniff his trail from the air. Sensing the air-rescue dogs work directly and specifically from aircraft, air surveillance and search of victims. These dogs specialize in structural collapses and drowning. Because these air-scenting rescue dogs work on scent trailing over the ground and away from the handler, they become very useful in areas that were contaminated with the human search, after the let her go on the air from some time.
In the eyes of many survivors of these furry canines, which make wonderful family pets, to make better heroes of all!
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By Kathryn Katz - HeavenlyCreatures.ca
According to the 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, Americans will spend approximately $45.4 billion on their pets. Before you get out that frugal yard stick and start lecturing about spending too much money on cat trees, catnip toys and feather ticklers, understand that the majority of those expenses are spent on vets. Cat owners spend 55% of their budget on routine and surgical vet visits. Some of these visits are necessary; however, many could be prevented.
Last year, my short haired, domestic ball of energy, Smokey, had an emergency vet visit for a kidney stone. His urethra was partially blocked and it required emergency surgery. After the emotional and financial rollercoaster ride, I asked my vet what I could do to prevent future episodes, and he gave me a few simple cat care tips:
1. Upgrade Your Cat Food
Humans can’t live on junk food alone, and neither can cats. Cat food that has a grain, such as corn meal, as a primary ingredient is nothing more than a filler. These foods promote overeating and poor nutrition (you may end up needing some weight loss supplements for your kitteh!). Try upgrading to a cat food that has meat as the primary ingredient, or use grain-free cat food. Paying more for cat food can save you more in the long run, because it prevents health issues, such as obesity, in your pet.
2. Dump Clay-Based Litter
According to the Bureau of Waste Management, approximately 8 billion pounds of spent cat litter is dumped into U.S. landfills every year — that’s over twice the amount of disposable diapers. As this litter absorbs waste and water in landfills, it can become 15 times its original size. Additionally, the dust from the litter can enter the cat’s urethra, swell to a larger size, and cause urinary tract blockages. Switching to eco-friendly, clay-free litter helps your cat and the environment.
3. Brush Their Teeth
Periodontal disease is common in adult cats. Just like humans, cats can get tartar on their teeth. The tartar irritates the gums and causes inflammation, otherwise known as gingivitis. If left untreated, the tartar can build up and start to separate the gums from the teeth, causing more bacterial growth, leading to periodontal disease. This disease is irreversible and can lead to your cat losing teeth, getting painful abscesses and bone loss. Studies show that 4 out of 5 cats over the age of 3 have periodontal disease. Brushing your cat’s teeth now can help avoid expensive vet bills in the future.
4. Do-It-Yourself Grooming
Cats naturally groom themselves; however, many owners feel that their cat needs a little extra hygiene help, and choose to bathe, brush and clip their kitties at the groomers. Instead of taking your cat to the groomers, do the grooming yourself. Use a grooming glove to remove loose hair and spend some special bonding time with your cat. The more you handle your cat, the more tolerant they will be when you try to give your cat a bath. Trimming your cat’s claws is not as hard as you think. It just requires a little preparation and know-how. Make sure you have the cat supplies you need before starting the grooming process, use gentle tones when grooming your cat, and try to restrain them as little as possible.
5. Early Spay/Neutering
Sterilization of your cat can help him/her live a longer, healthier life. An altered cat can live an additional 3 to 5 years. Altered animals have a lower risk for mammary gland tumors, prostate cancer, perianal tumors, pyometria, and uterine cancer. Additionally, bad habits, such as roaming and spraying, are less likely with an altered cat. Lastly, you’ll be doing your part to reduce cat overpopulation.
6. Pro-active Kitty Care
One of the things that saved Smokey’s life was that I noticed he was hunched over, in front of my bedroom door, and struggling to urinate. This wasn’t normal for my cat, and I knew something was wrong. If you get anything out of this article, remember to pay attention to your cat’s routine. They may not tell you anything is wrong, but if you watch for the health warning signs in your cat, you may be able to catch a health problem while it’s still small.
7. Ensure Your Cat is Insured
Veterinary costs have more than doubled over the past 10 years. New lifesaving treatments, like surgery and chemotherapy, are available to cats; however, these procedures can be expensive. For the vet bills that can’t be avoided, pet insurance can be a low cost solution to ensure you get some of your money back. Some pet insurance plans even offer reimbursement on wellness care. Make sure to do comparison shopping and that you buy an insurance plan that fits into your budget.
Lastly, avoid putting your cat’s expenses on a credit card, because you will end up paying more for cat care if you don’t pay off the balance at the end of the month. Smokey’s emergency vet visit cost me $700. If I had put that bill on a credit card with 14.99% APR, and only made minimum payments of $25, that vet visit could potentially cost me $194.03 in interest and take 3 years and 8 months to pay off. Add your cat’s expenses to your monthly budget and try to set some money aside each month for yearly vet visits and vaccines.
USA Today
Susan Nelson, a veterinarian and assistant professor at Kansas State, recommends counting calories for pets if they are overweight, according to this Science Daily story.
How do you know if your dog or cat might be a little on the heavy side? Here is what she says:
--You should not be able to see the animal's ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily with a thin layer of fat over them.
--When you look at the animal from the side, its tummy should tuck up at the flank area and not hang in a straight line.
--If you look over the top of a dog, you should see an hourglass shape where it's broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and broader at the hips.
Nelson says to ask your vet how much to feed your animal and get everyone in the family to help out.
Posted by admin - SprayBooth.org
Not everybody can afford to constantly pay for professional dog grooming, which is why lots of people cover this pet care at home effectively and safely.
Here are some dog grooming tips that can help you enjoy your pet’s look without having to pour money into other people’s pockets. The breed is important as well as the anatomical structure because every dog has different needs according to these two elements.
Choose brushes carefully because they have to match the hair thickness and length. Two brushes should be enough if you get the right ones. For a good choice, read some dog grooming tips related to coat care specific for your dog’s breed. Check pictures and then find the items either at the local pet store or directly online from various dealers.
Read dog grooming tips about how to clean the dog’s ear. Hair, wax and dirt accumulate in the ear canals and thus reduce the auditive acuity of your pet. The hair needs to be carefully pulled out frequently, so that wax does not build up on it. Use some special accessories that you put on the fingers when gripping this hair, because both scissors and the naked fingers can cause damage to the tissues.
One other challenge is trimming toenails, but dog grooming tips could save you from a lot of trouble here too. Pet owners dhate long claws because dogs can cause damage to the floors and carpets by scratching. You’ll just need a pair of nail clippers and a few dog grooming tips about how to cut the nails without hurting the dog and keeping the discomfort minimum. Read online materials and even ask the veterinarian for recommendations.
The eyes also require special care, particularly stains appear under the eyes because of tears. Tearing can be natural with some breeds, while with others it is a symptom of a health problem. For light colored dogs that develop stains, you can use some hydrogen peroxide for hair discoloration, but you need to pay attention not to touch the eyes. Such a solution is strictly valid for the stained area, and may not always prove a good dog grooming solution.
Otherwise, with a little care and interest, you can implement many tips for dog grooming successfully for your pet’s well being. You should nevertheless be aware of the fact that grooming requires regularity, and that you should have time to take care of it every week. In the absence of proper care, nails and hair condition deteriorates rapidly, do not neglect their importance for your dog’s well being.
Thanks to Kathy from BHC, AZ
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MiamiHerald.com
DELAND, Fla. -- Authorities say a DeLand man became angry and strangled a pet rat after accusing his wife of taking the last cigarette.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office reports that 22-year-old Darren Daniels grabbed his wife during a confrontation early Thursday morning. The 20-year-old woman told deputies that she eventually ran away and hid outside for about an hour. Before that, Daniels reportedly grabbed a white rat from a tank in their apartment, smashed its head and then strangled it.
Authorities say Daniels drove away recklessly and refused to pull over for deputies. Stop sticks were used to flatten his tires.
Daniels was charged with battery and fleeing and eluding. Authorities weren't sure if he'd be charged with animal cruelty.
Daniels was being held on $3,000 bail.
Paws-and-Effect.com
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:
My 5-year-old female cat, Myrtle, is ill. She has been vomiting up her food on the odd occasion for the past six weeks. She is now bringing up clear liquid, but sometimes foam and sometimes yellow liquid as well. She has become lethargic and depressed. She is not eating properly. She has long, fine hair so I do worry about hairballs, but she drinks lots of water and I give her the hairball syrup once a week.
Myrtle is now hiding under the bed and won’t come out. If I touch her, she growls at me and yelps if I touch her belly. Do you think she has hairballs? I’ve heard hairballs can twist cat’s stomachs. I am very worried.
~Rachael
Siouxsie: This does sound serious, Rachael, and we’d recommend a trip to the vet as soon as possible.
Thomas: Whether the cause of your cat’s stomach trouble is a hairball or something else, she’s clearly sick and in a great deal of discomfort.
Dahlia: That’s right. When your cat hides and acts lethargic, that’s a good sign something is wrong. But when you add to that the fact that she’s yelping if you touch her belly, that’s good sign that something is wrong.
Siouxsie: We cats do swallow quite a bit of fur when we groom ourselves, and generally we do OK with getting the fur back out with a good upchuck once in a while, but sometimes the hairball gets so big that it blocks our stomach and we can’t get it out on our own. When that happens, we need the vet to help get it out.
Thomas: Long-haired cats are particularly prone to hairballs, as you know. Feeding your cat hairball syrup on a regular basis can help keep the problem under control, but the best way to keep your cat from getting hairballs is by grooming her regularly.
Dahlia: Most cat care professionals recommend brushing long-haired cats at least twice a week. But for fine-haired and flat-faced cats like Persians or Persian crosses, daily brushing is imperative — not only to prevent hairballs, but to prevent mats.
Siouxsie: You can also prevent hairballs by giving your cat a dietary supplement. These come in two forms: the syrup or paste such as the one you’re using, and high-fiber additives. The syrup lubricates the hairball and helps it pass through the intestines more easily. The fiber supplements make the stools more solid, which can also help push the hairballs along.
Thomas: A variant on the high-fiber method is to plant a tray of cat grass. Cats naturally tend to eat grass when they go outdoors. Cat grass has the effect of either irritating the stomach enough to induce vomiting — which brings the hairball out through the front — or adding fiber to the diet so that the hairballs come out the back.
Dahlia: Thomas ate a piece of clear packing tape yesterday while Mama wasn’t looking, and he horked up a great big hairball!
Siouxsie: Let us be totally clear that we don’t recommend packing tape as a hairball remedy! Thomas was just being naughty.
Thomas: Hey, it worked!
Dahlia: Anyway, there are also lots of varieties of hairball-control cat foods on the market. You can find them in dry kibble form, and they’re made with extra fiber to get things moving along, if you know what I mean.
Siouxsie: Cats can eat other foreign objects that cause stomach blockages. Fabric and yarn are pretty common culprits, so if you knit or crochet or sew, keep your goods away from your cats. Tinsel is another blockage-inducing material, so we recommend that you not use it as a Christmas tree decoration if you live with cats.
Thomas: And believe me, the “tinsel-butt” phenomenon is not pleasant for cats or humans!
Dahlia: On a related note: if you ever see yarn, thread or tinsel sticking out of your cat’s rectum or mouth, do not pull on it! You could cause serious and potentially fatal internal damage! Take your cat to the vet and have him or her remove it.
Siouxsie: So what it comes down to for you, Rachael, is a trip to the vet right away. In the future, you can help to prevent hairball problems with daily grooming, high-fiber food, cat grass, and giving Myrtle hairball syrup on a schedule recommended by your vet.
Thomas: Even if you do everything we recommend, it may not prevent Myrtle from having hairball problems in the future. But at the very least, it will vastly decrease the chance of a serious incident like this from happening again.
Dahlia: Good luck, Rachael. We sure hope everything comes out OK.
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