Pet Proofing Your Home

For thousands of years, dogs have been “man’s best friend.” Friendship is a two-way street, and dog-loving humans have tried to keep their pets safe in return.

As our world moves faster and becomes more complex, dogs need our extra attention now more than ever to stay safe. With a little foresight and action, dog’s best friends can create a “home, safe home” for their precious pooches.

Dogs have a keen curiosity. If you look at your home from your dog’s perspective, you’ll probably find all kinds of interesting things to examine. What most people don’t realize is that dogs first sniff, then mouth items to learn about them. So, be sure to keep the following out of your dog’s reach:

  • Roach and ant traps
  • Electric and phone cords
  • Cigarettes in ashtrays
  • Open doors and windows
  • Rubber bands
  • Housecleaning chemicals
  • Candles
  • Christmas trees ornaments
  • Paperclips
  • Uncovered trash cans
  • Human medications
  • Chocolate
  • Grapes
  • Anti-freeze
  • Plastic bags
  • Valuable books
  • Wedding rings and other jewelry
  • Batteries

For Information about dangerous plants please click here

Keeping Dogs Healthy

You love your dog and want to give her the best life possible. Good news! Amazing advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for dogs to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. The quality of your dog’s health is the result of a partnership between you and your veterinarian.

When you first get your dog, be sure to have your veterinarian examine her within 10 days. In addition to getting baseline weights and measurements on her, your vet will want to check her blood and stools for illness and parasites. If you have never had a dog before-or at least within the last five years-this first visit is a good time to get an education in modern pet care. If you ask, your vet will be glad to give a demonstration in cleaning your pet’s ears and clipping her toenails properly.

A proper diet and sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping your dog healthy. You must make sure the food you give your dog is of good quality to provide her with the correct amounts of nutrients to keep her systems running. If you are confused by the variety of brands of dog food available, ask your veterinarian for some help. Don’t be embarrassed to tell him how much you are able/willing to spend for pet food. There are some excellent brands that are not very expensive, and some expensive brands that are not very good.

Exercise not only keeps your dog’s weight under control, it strengthens her muscles and enhances her immune system, and prevents many destructive behaviors. Some dogs are naturally active. Others need anywhere from a little to a lot of encouragement from you to get moving. If your dog seems to lean toward “couch potato,” you must take control. Set aside some dedicated time for activity each day with your dog, and she’ll be more inclined to get physical.

Yearly “well-dog” appointments with your veterinarian help track your dog’s health. A thorough going-over under the vet’s expert eye can catch early skin or eye conditions and other physical changes that you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. Blood and stool samples allows your vet to diagnose and treat disease and parasites before they reach a critical state.

The yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention any “strange habits” your dog may have developed over the last year. Often, these have simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as licking paint or eating strange substances can indicate a medical condition.

One of the most important aspects of the yearly vet visit is updating your dog’s vaccinations. These are not only required by law in many areas, they can literally save your dog’s life.

The process for selecting a veterinarian is very much like choosing your own personal physician. You want to find a doctor that you feel comfortable talking with, someone who encourages all of your questions and supports you in all the health care choices you make on your dog’s behalf.

Heat Stroke

Know the signs of heatstroke. Heatstroke or Hyperthermia is a medical emergency. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke you must act quickly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the dog will respond quickly, only to falter again because his temperature is unstable. Even if your dog recovers quickly, it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

Signs of Heatstroke:

  • Panting
  • Staring
  • Anxious expression
  • Warm skin
  • Fever
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Vomiting
  • Collapse

Summer Heat Dangers

Summertime is one of the best seasons to have fun with your dog. Walks in the park, hikes in the mountains, swimming and picnics are just a few of the activities you can share. The weather is warm, the kids are out of school and you have more time. But the heat of summer can also be dangerous and cause Hyperthermia or Heatstroke. By following a few summer dog safety tips, you can keep your dog healthy and enjoy the months of fun in the sun.

Never leave your dog in the car. It seems that we should all know this one. We hear the warnings every year and read the headlines “Dog Dies in Car”. It should be common sense, but each year, animals die because they are left in cars “just for a moment.” Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave your dog at home.

Have fresh water available at all times. Whether you’re indoors or out, both you and your dog need to drink lots of fresh water during the summer, so check your dog’s water bowl several times a day to be sure it’s full. If you and your dog venture out for the afternoon, take plenty of water for both of you.

Keep your dog well groomed. Keeping your dog well groomed will help the fur do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat.

Make sure your dog doesn’t overexert itself. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Plan your exercise times for early morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler. Keep the walks to an easy pace and make sure you both have plenty of water. If you dog is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it’s time to stop.

Know your dog’s limits. Elderly, very young, and ill dogs have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on hot days. Dogs with short noses such as pugs, shihtzus and bulldogs (just to name a few) have a hard time staying cool because they can’t pant efficiently. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.

Bring them inside. Animals shouldn’t be left outside unsupervised on hot days. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and dogs can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your dog outside, check on it often and bring it in when you can.

Pets need sunscreen, too. Though fur helps protect from the sun, your dog can get sunburned, particularly if it has light skin and hair. Sun can also bleach and damage the coat.

Know the signs of heatstroke.
Heatstroke or Hyperthermia is a medical emergency. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke you must act quickly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the dog will respond quickly, only to falter again because his temperature is unstable. Even if your dog recovers quickly, it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

Signs of Heatstroke: Panting, Staring, Anxious expression, Warm skin, Fever, Rapid heartbeat, Vomiting, Collapse.

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention. By following the above steps and using common sense, summer can be a fun season for you, and your dog.

Regular Grooming

Why dogs need Regular Grooming

  • If you have a groomable breed (Poodle, Bichon Frise’, Cocker, etc.) the grooming should be a regular routine so the dog gets accustomed to this type of handling. If the dog is not used to his grooming, the time spent can be very traumatic.
  • Regular grooming helps keep the hair from becoming matted, removes dead skin cells and excess hair. Your pet is clean and pleasant smelling making him more comfortable and more huggable.
  • Regular grooming can stop problems before they start. For example: keeping nails neatly trimmed helps prevent foot related problems and keeps you from being scratched.
  • When grooming your dog, the stylist goes over every inch of his body several times. Often a groomer can spot a problem such as a tumor, swollen lymph nodes, ear infections, cuts or parasites that you may have overlooked, alerting you to see your veterinarian early.
  • A routine visit to the grooming salon helps socialize your dog by exposing him to new people, sounds, smells and other dogs.

Choking

If your dog seems to be choking, use a flashlight to check her throat. If you see and can easily remove the object, do so.

If you can’t see the object but are certain your dog is choking, you might need to perform a modified Heimlich maneuver. It is important to get proper training for this, as it can cause serious injury if done incorrectly. Many humane societies and animal welfare organizations offer classes on pet first aid, that include the Heimlich maneuver, CPR, and techniques for dealing with serious injury and poisoning.

Bleeding

If your dog is injured, approach her calmly and carefully. Don’t assume that she won’t snap or bite you – injured pets often react negatively at first to any attempt to touch them. Talk soothingly and move slowly so she can see that you mean her no harm.

If your dog is bleeding heavily, it is important to slow or stop the flow as soon as possible. Use a clean towel or cloth to apply pressure directly to the wound. Change towels/cloths as needed, but keep pressure on until you reach a veterinarian. If necessary, you can apply thick gauze pads and use tape to secure them while you transport your cat. It is best, however, to keep pressure on the wound and have some one else drive.

Bee Stings

Dog owners often have to tend to pets that have been stung by a bee. Because your dog may be fearful or in pain, approach her calmly and carefully. Don’t assume that she won’t snap or bite you – injured pets often react negatively at first to any attempt to touch them. Talk soothingly and move slowly so she can see that you mean her no harm.

If your dog is stung, restrain her and remove the stinger either with tweezers or by scraping it out (moving parallel to the skin surface).

Bathing the stung spot with a mix of water and baking soda will ease some of the pain.

Swelling can be reduced by applying ice packs or giving a dose of Benedryl. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for the proper dosage.

First Aid Kit

If your dog is badly hurt in your home or while out and about with you, you should know how to administer first aid until you can reach a veterinarian. A first aid kit tailored to your dog’s needs can truly be a lifesaver. If you you’re your dog on frequent outings far from home, you would be wise to keep a second first aid kit handy in your car.

A first aid kit for a dog contains many of the same items it would for a human.
Roll of absorbent cotton and some cotton balls, gauze pads and tape
Pair of small scissors with rounded tips
Tweezers
Instant ice pack
Hydrogen peroxide
Bulb syringe for suctioning mucous from mouth or nose
Sterile eyewash solution made specifically for pets
Clean, white cotton sock (to cover wounded paws)
Small flashlight
Rectal thermometer
Injection syringe without the needle (to give liquid medication)
Unflavored electrolyte liquid (like Pedialyte).

Keep everything in a sturdy plastic container with a secure lid. Write your veterinarian’s name and phone number on the lid, as well as that of the closest emergency pet hospital. If you travel often and leave your dog with another person, put several copies of a signed release form in the first aid kit authorizing the caregiver to approve necessary treatment.

Ear Infections

The first thing you need to do is visit the veterinarian to discover whether the ear infection is caused by bacteria, mites or yeast. If it is a mild bacterial ear infection, an astringent cleaner may be all that is needed to change the PH balance of the ear canal, inhibiting bacterial growth.Dog ear infections How to clean dog's ears removing ear hair bacteria mites yeast astringent ear cleaner oral antibiotics yeast infection pulling removing ear hair Powder cleaner

Severe bacterial ear infections will need topical, and possible oral, antibiotics. A culture may be needed to determine which bacteria are causing the problem so the proper antibiotic can be given. Once the medication is prescribed, follow the directions exactly and continue for the full course of treatment. Never save up medication and never medicate a dog yourself, even if it is a repeat problem. Over use of antibiotics can cause bacteria to become immune and can cause a secondary yeast infection.

Ear mites are easily treated, but the application must be timed specifically to kill both the mites and the hatching larvae. Follow the label instructions.

If your dog has floppy ears with an abundance of coat, talk to your groomer about possibly shaving the inside of the ear flap to promote air circulation.