Things to never feed your dog!!!
We're always giving you the lowdown on what we think you should chew and what we think you should avoid. Well, we decided to change it up a bit and give you some super-helpful info about foods your DOG should never swallow... not because they're fattening, but because they can be DANGEROUS.
1. Grapes and Raisins. Contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage.
2. Bread Dough and Yeast. Can expand in the digestive system and cause severe damage.
3. Chewing Gum. Sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol can be deadly. (Same goes for any food containing xylitol.)
4. Macadamia Nuts. Can upset the digestive and nervous systems.
5. Chocolate. Contains caffeine and theobromine, which affect the heart and nervous system and can be toxic.
6. Onions and Onion Powder. Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. (P.S. Keep garlic out of reach for the same reason.)
Arithritis
Did you know that one out of every five dogs suffer from arthritis.
Arthritis can affect dogs of any age or breed, but certain risk factors increase a dog's susceptibility to the disease. According to veterinarians at Novartis Animal Health, these include:
1. Genetic predisposition. Up to 70 percent of dogs in specific breeds, which include Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and German shepherds, will be affected by canine arthritis.
2. Obesity. Studies show that obese dogs are likely to develop osteoarthritis three years earlier, on average, than lean dogs.
3. Joint abnormalities . Joint conditions such as canine hip dysplasia, the leading cause of lameness in dogs, can increase a dog's risk of developing osteoarthritis because it puts excessive stress on the animal's joints.
4. Joint stress and trauma. Injuries (such as getting hit by a car) that damage ligaments, tissues or bones also increase a dog's risk of developing osteoarthritis. In addition, high-activity and working dogs that participate in demanding activities put repeated stress on their joints. This chronic ligamentous injury makes them more susceptible to osteoarthritis.
5. Infection . Conditions caused by various bacterial, viral and fungal infections can affect joints and contribute to arthritis. Common conditions include Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be carried by ticks.
If a pet owner suspects that their dog may be in pain, they should bring it to their veterinarian's attention. If diagnosed, the disease can be treated with diet, exercise and a pain control medications.
Do you know the #1 emergency seen in pet emergency rooms?
Most people guess trauma from being hit by a car, gun shot wound, bite wounds, drowning. Do you know what the number one reason pet owners take their dogs to the animal emergency room?
It is vomiting.
Your dog starts vomiting, you get a little nervous, clean up the mess, watching him closely, he acts listless and with no energy, you become really worried.
Do you know what to do?
1. Make sure you know where your local emergency room is or how your vet deals with emergency. Keep this information (phone number, hours, address and directions) handy.
2. Make sure you know your dog's medical history and any medications he is on. The emergency vet will want to know when it started, how many times your dog vomited, what the vomit looked like, the last time your dog vomited, and if there are any accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, weakness or diarrhea. If possible, take a sample of the most recent diarrhea/vomit with you.
3. Call your veterinarian/emergency clinic to determine what they want you to do. If your dog has only vomited once, is acting normal, has no diarrhea, they may give you a recommendation to wait a few hours and see if you pet vomits again.
4. Prevent exposure of your pet to trash, table scraps and other foreign objects that he may be inclined to chew on. Make food changes gradually and over a several day period. Buy only safe toys and your dog does not chew on any objects around that house which he could swallow and be unable to digest or pass through his system.
One last thing, many emergencies of this type are caused by owners feeding pet's table scraps and pets getting access to trash. Please be very careful what you feed your dog.
Shedding
Anal Gland information ( Dog and Cat)
Kennel Cough
My own dog got Kennel Cough before Brenda & I opened AAA Pet Grooming. He was never in a kennel, daycare or doggie park. He and I would go for walks, I think this is how he got it.
The Dreaded...Kennel Cough
As we are approaching the busier seasons, one thing that we are very cautious of and take great precautions to prevent is the infamous "Canine Cough" (also known as Kennel Cough). This upper respiratory disease is one of the most misunderstood diseases that causes a great amount of stress to us, the owners, and most importantly - the dogs. We would like to share what we know about it with you to help you understand exactly what it is.
Canine Cough is a highly contagious, upper respiratory disease that is spread most commonly by air, but could be transmitted on hands or clothing. The incubation period is roughly 3-10 days and an infected dog can be contagious for 3 weeks after the first signs are noted. The main symptom is a hacking cough, but can also include sneezing and nasal discharge. Although the cough is quite annoying, it does not usually develop into anything more serious. However, just as with a common cold, it can lower the dog's resistance to other diseases making them susceptible to other types of infections.
Unfortunately, just like the common cold, this disease is not "cured" - it must run its course. Antibiotics will be prescribed to help prevent further infections from starting. Administering home remedies without consulting a licensed Veterinarian are not recommended. Canine Cough is often a seasonal disease, related to a higher volume of boarders during the "busy" seasons, (ex: Holidays and Summer months), and is usually an epidemic. When veterinarians begin to see cases, they will be noted from every pet care facility in town.
Canine Cough is not just contained to pet care facilities. Although it is more likely to occur in such a setting due to a greater number of dogs in one area, your dog can also get it at the park, taking a walk around the block or even in your own backyard. Anywhere they can be around another dog that is carrying the disease. Even during a widespread breakout, only a fairly small percentage of exposed dogs (even those who are vaccinated) are affected.
Other valuable Information: