Category: Dog Care, Dog Walking, Pet Health | Tags: Tags: dog, dog overheating, dog sweat, dogs
Date: May 15th, 2012
TIP FOR TUESDAY 5/15: Do Dogs Sweat?
A dog’s skin is different from human skin. While they do sweat, they do so in much smaller quantities than we do. Most of their perspiration occurs through their paw pads, and it’s not enough to greatly change their body temperature.
The main way dogs cool themselves is by panting and breathing. Have you ever felt a dog’s breath as it panted? It’s much warmer than you might expect. This is because a dog’s tongue and the lining of their lungs are the primary locations where body heat is transferred to the air. Many people believe that a dog’s tongue contains sweat glands, but this is not true.
Dogs also dissipate heat by dilating (expanding) blood vessels in their face and ears. This helps to cool the dog’s blood by causing it to flow closer to the surface of the skin. Put together, these 3 methods of temperature regulation aren’t extremely efficient. A dog’s body can be easily overwhelmed by heat, often causing the dog to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.
Excessive play on a hot day can lead to overheating (hyperthermia) and eventually to heat stroke. A dog that is overheated will seem sluggish or confused. His gums and tongue may appear bright red, and he will be panting hard. The dog may vomit, collapse, have a seizure or go into a coma.
It is crucial to never, ever let your dog get this overheated. Constantly offer him a supply of fresh water, and take frequent breaks from playing in hot weather. Make sure that he always has a shady and cool place to relax, and never leave him alone in a vehicle on a warm day.
Category: Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Health | Tags: Tags: cat care, dog care, hints for ticks, removal of ticks, removing ticks from cats, removing ticks from dog, tick season, ticks and cats, ticks and dogs
Date: May 14th, 2012
SIGNS OF A TICK BITE
- Scratching, licking or chewing at the bite.
- Redness or rash starting at the bite location.
- Voice change to a croaky husky bark.
- Paralysis around the bite site, which may progress to other parts of the body.
- Disease symptoms, including muscle aches, stiffness, weakness, fever and swollen lymph nodes.
ACTIONS FOR SURVIVAL
- Using latex gloves, firmly hold the body as close to the head with your fingers or tweezers. Then with firm gentle pressure, slowly pull the tick out. Do not twist. If all the parts of the tick are not removed, seek
veterinarian help.
- Clean the area with antibacterial soap.
- Put a dab of antibacterial ointment over the break in the skin.
- Save the tick in a jar or small plastic bag and put the date on it.
Keep the tick for at least 2 weeks so the tick can be tested is any signs present themselves in you or your pets during that time.
- Contact your vet for further assistance, if necessary.
- Do not use heat to try and get the tick out. You may burn yourself and your pet!
VETERINARY CARE
- Antibiotics and basic wound care are necessary.
- Vet care is necessary if any part of the tick is not fully removed.
- Vet care is also necessary if any lack of body function or limb function is observed after finding a tick.
- If you bring the tick in, your vet may have the body analyzed or tested.
Category: Cat Care, Dog Care | Tags:
Date: April 17th, 2012
Top 10 Ways to Help Prevent Cruelty
From the ASPCA
(1) Know who to call to report animal cruelty. The ASPCA in NYC has Humane Law Enforcement Agents who have the power to investigate and arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty in the state of NY. In NYC, call 212-876-7700 etx. 4450. The the state of NJ, call NYSPCA at 800-582-5979
(2) Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood.
(3) Make the call! Most reports come from the public, so please keep your eyes and ears open!
(4) Provide as much information as possible when reporting animal cruelty like who, what, where and the date.
(5) Contact your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority.
(6) Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels. With stronger laws come tougher penalties. You can join your local society to prevent cruelty to animals. The ASPCA has an Advocacy Brigade (click here), and as a member, you will receive emails asking to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws- and you can send them directly from the website.
(7) Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care they deserve. But it’s more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. Be responsible and also have your pet spayed or neutered. And give them lots of hugs!
(8) Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect.
(9) Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization. To find a list of shelters and rescues in your area click here.
(10) Start a neighborhood watch program. Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors- abuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local wildlife, dogs left in hot cars and other signs of abuse.
TO LEARN WHAT ABUSE LOOKS LIKE, CLICK HERE..
Category: Dog Training, Pet Health | Tags: Tags: dog boredom, dog iq, how smart is your dog, increasing your dogs IQ, is my dog smart, smart dogs
Date: February 6th, 2012
Dogs are very smart animals. In fact, some scientists estimate that the average dog is as smart as a 3-year-old child. That means he is smart enough to understand more than 150 words, smart enough to count to five – and smart enough to outsmart humans! Psychologist Stanley Coren, a leading canine researcher and widely published author from the University of British Columbia, studied data from 208 dog obedience judges in the USA and Canada to determine which breeds are the smartest. Check out the results below to see if your dog made that list: 1. Border collies 2. Poodles 3. German shepherds 4. Golden retrievers 5. Dobermans 6. Shetland sheepdogs 7. Labrador retrievers So how do you improve your dog’s IQ? A good smart toy can actually boost your dog’s IQ! It’s true. Veterinarians recommend puzzle toys (also called “smart toys”) because they provide dogs with the fun mental challenges they need to keep their minds sharp, while keeping them active and happy. These toys require your dog to use his problem solving skills to “win” the game. A good smart toy is worth its weight in gold, because it will entertain your dog for hours. One that I am going to try is Kyjen Hide-A-Squirrel. (Information provided by petplace.com)
Category: Cat Care, Dog Care | Tags:
Date: November 14th, 2011
If you find it hard to think about life without your pet, imagine your pet’s life without you! According to the ASPCA, there are hundreds of thousands of pets in the US that are surrendered to animal shelters every year due to the death or disability of their human caregivers. “Orphaned” pets do not adjust well to the shelter experience and they are often labeled as “unadoptable.” Sadly, many healthy, adoptable pets are euthanized simply because their owners did not plan for their continuous care.
To ensure that your pets continue to receive the care they need and deserve, you should plan for the following three things:
(1) Identify committed caregivers who can care for your pets.
(2) Maintain written instructions.
(3) Set up a finance plan or set aside funds for the continued care of your pets.
Back to (1): Identifying a caregiver….
Don’t leave this decision up to strangers; you know your pets the best. If you don’t have anyone to designate as a caregiver, then discuss the situation with your vet, pet sitters and local animal welfare organizations. They may be able to help you find the right people that are capable of caring for your pets should you no longer be able to. You can also consider appointing several individuals, such as vets, family members, pet sitters and friends to an animal care panel, that would be charged with the responsibility of locating a suitable caregiver. That panel can use various mean of locating a proper caregiver such as advertising in a local newspaper and consulting with local animal welfare organizations.
Another option is a lifetime care program or facility, a viable alternative for pet owners who may not have a potential caregiver to leave their pets to. Some questions to ask the facility:
1) How long has the program existed?
2) How is it funded?
3) What happens to the pets if the program is unable to continue?
4) What is the experience of the employees?
5) What is the financial commitment required?
6) What is their capacity for pets?
7) What type of space do the pets have?
Do they have references?
9) What level of vet care is provided?
10) Are pets adopted out or do they remain at the facility permanently?
11) What is your policy about returning adopted out pets?
12) What type of food?
13) What kind of exercise?
14) Does the program accept pets regardless of age and medical conditions?
