As much as I love the cooler fall weather, I hate my dog’s inhalant allergy season. Constantly he will be licking his paws, scratching his ears, and rubbing his face all over the furniture. But if I dislike this time of the year so much, he must really hate it.

Wouldn’t you hate being itchy all of the time? I sure would. So what are the options for those of us with allergic pets? Continue reading »

And the Food Bowl Too

Image by Maggie Osterberg via Flickr

We all know that it is hot outside right now. But for those who keep their dogs outside all of the time, providing clean water can become a hassle. Not only can dirt and debris get into the water but keeping ants out of the water bowl can also prove difficult.

Of course, I am sure that you change your pet’s water daily…at least once. But those little ants are thirsty and will usually find a dog’s water bowl quickly. But since ants cannot swim, these little boogers will usually drown in the water and float around waiting to be gulped up by your pup.

So here is a little tip on keeping ants out of the water bowl and keeping your pets safer during the summer. Continue reading »

Refusing to eat is a sign of pancreatitis

Can a Vacation Cause Canine Pancreatitis?

This past weekend my family and I went on a weekend getaway. As usual, Sprite (my dog) saw the luggage come out and started moping around. He knew we were going to be leaving. But I never realized that just going away for a few days can initiate pancreatitis in dogs. Sure I knew he would miss us but pancreatitis?

The reason I know this is that upon arriving home he was all Continue reading »

Ahhh….summer is fast approaching and with it will come vacations, thunderstorms, pests, and of course the heat. Practice summer safety for your pets by learning how to keep your pets safe this season.

VACATIONS

Travel/Lodging

• Car: If you are traveling by car with your pet this summer, remember pets are safest when restrained and not on laps. There are many restraining devices to buy for pets and include booster seats, Pet Vehicle Safety Harness, Zip Lines, Safety Barrier, and Pet Car Hammock. These devices will help keep you and your pet safe during car rides.
• Plane: If you plan on traveling the friendly skies with your pet to reach your summer vacation destination, be sure to find out the requirements of the airline. If the airline allows your pet to ride in the cabin with you, you must adhere to these rules:
  * Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person’s path to the main aisle of the airplane.
  * Your pet container must be stowed properly before the last passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to leave the gate.
  * Your pet container must remain properly stowed the entire time the airplane is moving on the airport surface, and for take off and landing.
  * You must follow flight attendant instructions regarding the proper stowage of your pet container.
  Some planes do not allow animals in the cabin at all (except service animals).
  Pet Airways , however, an airline that is dedicated to pets only in which your pet can fly in first class all the way.
• Hotels: More and more hotels/motels are allowing pets to stay in the rooms. It is important to find your hotel before leaving for your vacation and always ask the hotel directly about their policy. Most will require a deposit that will be returned, if Spot does not leave any spots of his own. Some of these hotels, like the Lowes Hotes at Universal Orlando, are quite pet friendly and even have pet room service. Always make sure to get a written confirmation of all policies and bring them with you on your vacation.
• Campgrounds: Just because you are staying in your own motor-home or under the stars, do not assume that your pet will be welcomed. As with the hotels, call and ask the campground concerning their policies and get it in writing.

STORMS/FIREWORKS

Summer thunderstorms (and fireworks) can be a very scary time for pets. These loud claps of thunder and sudden bright lights can terrify pets, causing them anxiety. This can lead to them running and hiding and sometimes slipping out of the house unnoticed. There are a few things that you can do to ease your pet through this time:

• Play with your pet. Sometimes just playing with your pet will take her mind off of the fact that there is a storm or loud fireworks outside.
• Drown out the sound of the storm/fireworks. Turning up the television or doing a load of laundry can sometimes drown out the loud sounds so that your pet does not even notice them.
• Pressure therapy or body wrapping. Neurobiologists believe that any type of trauma can damage the nerve receptors and lead to exaggerated responses to stimuli. By applying constantly maintained pressure, the wrap provides an unchanging, quieting stimulus that causes the receptors to adapt and modify their thresholds in a cumulative manner. This “wrapping” can be done with a tight T-shirt or using an anxiety wrap.

PESTS

• Fleas and Tics: These pests are more pervasive than every. They can tag along on your shoes or clothes or come in your house on your pet. Fleas can lay up to 40/50 eggs daily and in no time they will invade your home, making you and your pet pretty uncomfortable. To avoid these nasty buggers from taking over your favorite couch, make sure to use one of the veterinarian-supplied flea products that is applied to your pet’s skin. These really work well and make flea collars or toxic dips unnecessary. If tics are a problem, ask your vet and he/she will give you the appropriate product.
• Mosquitoes : These flying pests are a nuisance to any outdoor activity at dawn or dusk but they can be life-threatening to our pets. Mosquitoes carrying heartworms can transfer them to your pet if your pet is bitten. Giving your pet monthly heartworm protection is a must in order to prevent this deadly parasite from infesting your cat or dog. A year’s supply for a small (10-20 pound pet) is less than $70 (about $6 a month). That translates to two modestly-priced dinners. I think our pets are worth that small price. Remember cats cannot be treated but heartworms can be prevented. In dogs, there is treatment, but it is very expensive…a lot more than $6 a month.

HEAT

Unlike us, pets do not sweat the same way to keep cool. They pant and lose heat through their paws. If the air surrounding them is too high, then they have no way to cool themselves down.

• CARS: NEVER leave your pet in a car when temperatures outside are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If the outside temperature is 78 degrees a car’s interior can transform into an oven reaching temps of 160+ degrees when parked in the sun. As for cracking the windows…that does no good to help cool a car in the blazing sun. Heatstroke can come on quickly and result in brain damage or death. Symptoms to watch for include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, or lack of coordination. If your dog or cat shows any of these symptoms, get her or him into the shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Lower the animal’s body temperature gradually by providing water to drink, applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest, or immersing the dog in lukewarm (not cold) water. Remember, If you see a dog in a car and in distress, take down the car’s color, model, make, and license-plate number, have the owner paged inside nearby stores, and call local humane authorities or police. Have someone keep an eye on the dog. If police are unresponsive or too slow and the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness (or several) who will back your assessment, take steps to remove the suffering animal, and then wait for authorities to arrive. Don’t be afraid to get involved!!
• Outside: If you tie your dog outside or keep your dog outside on a regular basis, be aware that shade is a necessity along with fresh water. A cool slab of concrete in the shade will also help provide some comfort to your pet on a hot day. Keep an eye out. Some pet owners will leave their pet tied up all day long without a drop of water to drink. If you think a pet is in distress, call the authorities. You may save a pet’s life.

Summer can be a fun and adventurous time for you and you pet. Just make sure to take some necessary precautions to keep your pal safe.