Recently I noticed that a dachshund that I walk, suffered from an ever-worsening case of diarrhea. After every walk I mentioned this matter in my daily written notes to the owner. When the diarrhea was as bad as it could possibly get (use your imagination) I called the owner at work and advised him that he should take the dog as quickly as possible to the vet. Diarrhea robs the body of fluids and the all important dialectrics that are necessary for proper nerve responses and muscle movements, and a small dog like a dachshund is ill equipped to loose any fluids without possible consequences.
I should also mention that I had noticed this dog's teeth getting whiter over time. I recall talking to Chris about this, saying that this dog had the whitest teeth that I'd ever seen on a dog.
After the owner took the dog for a checkup, the vet concluded that the doggie-teeth whitening treats that the dog was getting before bedtime were the cause of the diarrhea.
Imagine that!
Although this is a real life incident from our dog walking, pet sitting business that occured with a dog, I tagged this post for both dogs and cats. The pet business is a multi-billion dollar business where new products are constantly introduced to pet owners. We all love our pets, and we love to give them new, yummy treats.
I caution you, however, that, as in this case, not all yummy treats are necessarily healthy for your dog or your cat.
Know what it is that you're giving to your pet. When diarrhea happens ... and diarrhea is much more complex and potentially dangerous to pets than it is to us ... look at any new additions to your pet's diet as a possible cause of the malady.
Enjoy these wonderful days of relatively mild temperatures (in the Washington DC area)
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[DOGS – CATS] Be Careful When You Travel With Pets
If you have to travel with your pet(s) in your car during these hot summer months, please remember to keep them cool. In many States it’s unlawful to leave your pets unattended in the car during extreme weather conditions. What may seem to you to be only a few minutes in the grocery store may, in fact, be sufficiently long to injure or kill your pet. A car can heat up incredibly quickly, even with the windows cracked. Many jurisdictions now punish pet owners with sizeable fines for keeping their pets in hot cars.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[DOGS] It’s Tick Season
Be aware of those lovely deer that you may run across in the park or even in your back yard. They're lovely, to be sure, but they are hosts to those obnoxious deer ticks that pass lyme disease to humans.
On our daily walks, Chris and I carry tweezers that are handy for picking off ticks before they sit in too deeply. I recommend that after you walk your dog(s) you brush them from front to back with a brush. Then run your hands over your pets all over to feel any ticks that may have escaped the brush.
Lyme disease is no joke; it's quite debilitating actually. A little additional vigilance will go a long way towards protecting pets and owners alike.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
On our daily walks, Chris and I carry tweezers that are handy for picking off ticks before they sit in too deeply. I recommend that after you walk your dog(s) you brush them from front to back with a brush. Then run your hands over your pets all over to feel any ticks that may have escaped the brush.
Lyme disease is no joke; it's quite debilitating actually. A little additional vigilance will go a long way towards protecting pets and owners alike.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[DOGS – CATS] Fondle your Pets
Shocked? Don’t be. The magic of touch doesn’t only apply to us. It also works its wonders on our cats and dogs. Chris and I consider the TLC that we give to our clients’ pets as important as the walk that we give to their dogs or the playing that we do with the cats.
Unfortunately, too many pets that we service crave the human contact that they’re not getting from their owners.
Take a few moments and give your pet a good, whole-body rub. Scratch their ears, rub their bellies and massage them from nose to tail.
It feels good to them and cements the bond between you.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
Unfortunately, too many pets that we service crave the human contact that they’re not getting from their owners.
Take a few moments and give your pet a good, whole-body rub. Scratch their ears, rub their bellies and massage them from nose to tail.
It feels good to them and cements the bond between you.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[DOGS] Dogs and Crates
I’ve been asked by a number of dog owners about what I think about using crates as their dogs’ homes. They were especially interested in whether the crates could be closed at night or at times when they, the owners, were away from their homes.
I’m generally not a fan of “imprisoning” a pet just for the convenience of the owner. There are instances where even the most compassionate pet lover should not get a pet because of their living situation. In those situations perhaps a different pet would be in order.
With regard to crates for dogs, however, I’ve read that they can be beneficial if used correctly. Dogs like to sleep in covered areas … perhaps that’s a throwback to the days when they lived in caves … and they can be trained to bed in them. I’ve read that a thick blanket thrown over the crate adds to the cave-like atmosphere that your dog will appreciate.
As to locking the crate, this is a touchy subject with me. If your home is not pet friendly then perhaps you’re not ready to own a dog. The obvious reason for locking a dog in a crate is to restrict its movement throughout the home. Before resorting to such drastic measures as imprisoning your pet in a crate, think about baby gates or other effective barriers that can easily be installed to restrict your dog’s movements.
In summary, I like dog crates if they’re used as resting/sleeping places, or if they’re used for transport. I am not in favor of locking dogs in a crate at any other time.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
I’m generally not a fan of “imprisoning” a pet just for the convenience of the owner. There are instances where even the most compassionate pet lover should not get a pet because of their living situation. In those situations perhaps a different pet would be in order.
With regard to crates for dogs, however, I’ve read that they can be beneficial if used correctly. Dogs like to sleep in covered areas … perhaps that’s a throwback to the days when they lived in caves … and they can be trained to bed in them. I’ve read that a thick blanket thrown over the crate adds to the cave-like atmosphere that your dog will appreciate.
As to locking the crate, this is a touchy subject with me. If your home is not pet friendly then perhaps you’re not ready to own a dog. The obvious reason for locking a dog in a crate is to restrict its movement throughout the home. Before resorting to such drastic measures as imprisoning your pet in a crate, think about baby gates or other effective barriers that can easily be installed to restrict your dog’s movements.
In summary, I like dog crates if they’re used as resting/sleeping places, or if they’re used for transport. I am not in favor of locking dogs in a crate at any other time.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[DOG} Outoor Dogs in Winter
I spoke to a gentleman the other day who called me to ask about his outdoor dog and these very chilly days. He was particularly concerned about the dog’s bedding and frozen water dish.
I did a little reading on the matter and learned that outside dogs adjust to lower temperatures much better if they’re kept outside rather than if they’re brought in on a regular basis. It goes without saying that if the outside temperature is extremely low your dog will let you know by howling or barking. That would be a good time to bring him/her in, otherwise ensure that the doghouse is well equipped to keep your dog warm.
The doghouse should have 4 to 5 inches of fresh hay or straw as bedding. Unlike old blankets which retain moisture, freeze up and become uncomfortable for the dog, the natural bedding readily allows moisture to evaporate and presents itself as a comfortable, warm layer for the dog to lay on. A farmer friend of mine advised me that the natural bedding should be changed frequently; certainly it should never be allowed to smell musty.
It will also make sense to reposition the doghouse, if possible, in a sheltered area away from the wind but exposed to as much sunlight as possible.
With regard to water, it is important all year round. Replace the metal water dish with a dark-colored plastic one that absorbs any heat from the sun and delays freezing. A deeper dish with more water in it will also take longer to freeze than one with a shallower layer of water. If need be, though, replace any ice in the dish with water as often as needed. Failing to do so can bring on dehydration. Sufficient water is important year round.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
I did a little reading on the matter and learned that outside dogs adjust to lower temperatures much better if they’re kept outside rather than if they’re brought in on a regular basis. It goes without saying that if the outside temperature is extremely low your dog will let you know by howling or barking. That would be a good time to bring him/her in, otherwise ensure that the doghouse is well equipped to keep your dog warm.
The doghouse should have 4 to 5 inches of fresh hay or straw as bedding. Unlike old blankets which retain moisture, freeze up and become uncomfortable for the dog, the natural bedding readily allows moisture to evaporate and presents itself as a comfortable, warm layer for the dog to lay on. A farmer friend of mine advised me that the natural bedding should be changed frequently; certainly it should never be allowed to smell musty.
It will also make sense to reposition the doghouse, if possible, in a sheltered area away from the wind but exposed to as much sunlight as possible.
With regard to water, it is important all year round. Replace the metal water dish with a dark-colored plastic one that absorbs any heat from the sun and delays freezing. A deeper dish with more water in it will also take longer to freeze than one with a shallower layer of water. If need be, though, replace any ice in the dish with water as often as needed. Failing to do so can bring on dehydration. Sufficient water is important year round.
Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829
[CAT] Urinary Infection
I heard a most distressing bit of news the other day. A friend of mine was telling me that a work associate lost his cat over the holidays. The tomcat that was about 6 years old initially became listless and then lethargic. They thought that a good night’s sleep would cure the problem since the cat was already very quiet.
The next morning they found their cat had died during the night. The owners’ children were upset enough for the father to take the dead cat to their veterinarian.
The short of it is that the cat developed an all-too-common urinary infection that killed him in short order.
The lesson to be learned is that uncommon behavior in our pets, be they cats, dogs, whatever, are a possible sign of needed medical attention. Remember, they can’t tell us what’s wrong; we have to keep an eye on them and then do the responsible thing as loving pet owners.
BTW I counseled the family to go to the Fairfax Animal Shelter and adopt another cat; the children would get over their grief much faster this way.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703-626-3829
The next morning they found their cat had died during the night. The owners’ children were upset enough for the father to take the dead cat to their veterinarian.
The short of it is that the cat developed an all-too-common urinary infection that killed him in short order.
The lesson to be learned is that uncommon behavior in our pets, be they cats, dogs, whatever, are a possible sign of needed medical attention. Remember, they can’t tell us what’s wrong; we have to keep an eye on them and then do the responsible thing as loving pet owners.
BTW I counseled the family to go to the Fairfax Animal Shelter and adopt another cat; the children would get over their grief much faster this way.
Ray
Christine’s Pets
703-626-3829
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)