While licking is part of a pet’s normal grooming behavior, too much can lead to hair loss, infection or skin damage. Pets get into licking cycles for a variety of reasons. Some have allergies, others are merely upset -- because of a recent move or because there’s another pet in the household, for example. Here are some tips to help your pet dry out:
-Keep a ‘Lick Diary’: To help your vet get to the root of the problem, start keeping track of your pet’s licking -- when it began, what’s happening at the time, how long it lasts and whether other pets in the family are affected. The more you can tell your vet, the more likely it is that he’ll find a solution.
-Light, camera, -- lick: Since your pet probably won’t lick on command at the vet’s office, it’s a good idea to make a videotape showing her in the act. This will help the vet figure out what’s wrong.
-Look for culinary culprits: Pets that are allergic to certain foods may get skin irritation and turn to licking. Try putting your pet on a different food -- then notice if the licking stops.
-Keep her honest: You’ll never find out if your pet has food allergies if she’s wandering the neighborhood and mooching from neighbors. You need strict control to determine food allergies.
-Try an OTC: Pet stores sell topical anti-licking ointments. Bitter apple is recommended, but other flavors may be equally effective.
-Get her paws moving: Some pets go into licking because they don’t have anything else to do. Taking your pet out for regular workouts will channel her energy in a healthier direction.
Although some licking is normal, occasionally pets will lick themselves so vigorously and for such a long time that they damage the underlying tissue. The resulting sores can lead to serious infections. If your pet is licking a lot and her skin seems red and sore, call the vet right away.
*These tips are home remedies only and should not ever be used as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet has a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical care.
Alice England
Makingstuffwithlove.etsy.com
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Licking
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Keeping Critters Safe During The Holidays
I love all the trappings and decorations that go with Christmas. When Cody was a puppy, he was good and I really didn’t have to worry about him. Enter Copper. He is an adorable 3 year old but mischievious, class clown and full of fun. I have to watch him every minute around everything. To insure that you holidays are safe for you pups, check out the following advice:
Pointsettias, Mistletoe and Holly
Be extra careful about where you place them. Keep holiday plants out of a dog's reach. To a puppy, or a playful and curious young dog, a plant or a basket of holly might look like something fun to play to with, but many holiday flowers, plants, and greens are toxic to pets. Remember to pick up any leaves, blooms and berries that have fallen and remove any withered or dried matter that might soon fall off.
Poinsettias were once thought to be highly poisonous. The toxicity of poinsettias is actually quite low but ingesting the leaves or flowers can cause stomach upset and skin, eye and mucous membrane irritation.
The berries of some varieties of holly are toxic. They can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and possible central nervous system depression. Keep holly out of reach and pick up fallen berries immediately. If berries are ingested, induce vomiting as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
Certain varieties of mistletoe contain toxins that can cause stomach and intestinal irritation, diarrhea, and a decrease in blood pressure and pulse. Some veterinarians recommend that vomiting be induced following ingestion of mistletoe leaves, stems, or berries.
Christmas cactus can cause upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Eating Amaryllis bulbs can cause vomiting, collapse, and respiratory distress and can be fatal, especially in puppies and very old dogs.
If you think your dog may have eaten parts of a toxic plant, call your veterinarian. Even normally non-toxic plants can make a dog sick if they've recently been sprayed with chemical pesticides. Possible symptoms are excessive salivation, runny nose, watery eyes, skin rash, breathing or swallowing difficulties, vomiting or convulsions.
The Christmas Tree
Use a sturdy tree stand. Use thin green craft wire or heavy fishing line to anchor a very large tree to a wall or ceiling to prevent it from tipping over. Don't add aspirin or chemical preservatives to your tree's water. Use a heavy tree skirt to cover the tree stand. Be extra mindful of always having water in your dog's bowl to discourage drinking water from the Christmas tree.
Don't use food as ornaments or ornaments made with food ingredients on your tree. Dogs have died from salt poisoning after eating ornaments made from homemade craft dough containing high levels of salt. Don't use popcorn garland to decorate your Christmas tree. In an attempt to eat the popcorn garland, dogs have been known to undecorate a tree.
Hang breakable ornaments high on the tree out of a dog's reach.
Don't use strands of tinsel. They can cause major intestinal damage if swallowed.
Unless it's specifically labeled non-toxic and safe for use around pets, don't use spray-on snows or flocking on a Christmas tree. They are respiratory irritants when inhaled and they can cause stomach upset if ingested.
Don't leave electric wires dangling where a curious pup can become tangled in them. Fasten cords from light strings together, well inside the tree, out of sight and out of reach. Cover cords leading to outlets with a tree skirt.
Other Holiday Decorations
Secure electric window candles to sills and tape cords below the windows. To prevent a pet from chewing on cords from Christmas lights and electric decorations, inside and out, cover or hide the cords. Use extension cords when needed to run cords along walls and baseboards to prevent entanglement.
Don't use angel hair. It's made of spun fiber-glass, which is a skin and eye irritant. It can cause tiny cuts and eye damage.
Place lighted candles where they can't be knocked over. Be especially careful when burning candles around curious pups and dogs with large happy tails. Besides the obvious fire danger, spilled hot wax can burn skin. Never leave lighted candles unattended. Extinguish all lighted candles before leaving the house, even for a few minutes.
On Christmas morning
Don't leave gifts of food under a Christmas tree, before or after presents have been opened. A dog can smell things that you cannot. Whether its pet treats, a box of chocolates, or a tray of bologna and cheese, dogs know when a wrapped package contains food.
Gift bows, stings, etc. can cause choking. Don't give your dog the opportunity to play with ribbons, tape or wrapping paper, which can cause choking and serious intestinal problems. Don't allow kids to tie ribbons or bows around a dogs neck .
Put toys away after they are opened. Have children put new toys and games, including all the small pieces, back in their boxes. Chewing on small toys can cause choking and intestinal obstruction. (In addition to making a child very unhappy because new toys are ruined.)
Keep batteries for new Christmas toys out of a dog's reach. Batteries contain corrosives that can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and gastrointestinal tract.
Excerpted from Bellaonline.com.
Ann, Cody and Copper
AnnieKDesigns.etsy.com
AnnieKClothing.etsy.com
CodysCloset.etsy.com
Pointsettias, Mistletoe and Holly
Be extra careful about where you place them. Keep holiday plants out of a dog's reach. To a puppy, or a playful and curious young dog, a plant or a basket of holly might look like something fun to play to with, but many holiday flowers, plants, and greens are toxic to pets. Remember to pick up any leaves, blooms and berries that have fallen and remove any withered or dried matter that might soon fall off.
Poinsettias were once thought to be highly poisonous. The toxicity of poinsettias is actually quite low but ingesting the leaves or flowers can cause stomach upset and skin, eye and mucous membrane irritation.
The berries of some varieties of holly are toxic. They can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and possible central nervous system depression. Keep holly out of reach and pick up fallen berries immediately. If berries are ingested, induce vomiting as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
Certain varieties of mistletoe contain toxins that can cause stomach and intestinal irritation, diarrhea, and a decrease in blood pressure and pulse. Some veterinarians recommend that vomiting be induced following ingestion of mistletoe leaves, stems, or berries.
Christmas cactus can cause upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Eating Amaryllis bulbs can cause vomiting, collapse, and respiratory distress and can be fatal, especially in puppies and very old dogs.
If you think your dog may have eaten parts of a toxic plant, call your veterinarian. Even normally non-toxic plants can make a dog sick if they've recently been sprayed with chemical pesticides. Possible symptoms are excessive salivation, runny nose, watery eyes, skin rash, breathing or swallowing difficulties, vomiting or convulsions.
The Christmas Tree
Use a sturdy tree stand. Use thin green craft wire or heavy fishing line to anchor a very large tree to a wall or ceiling to prevent it from tipping over. Don't add aspirin or chemical preservatives to your tree's water. Use a heavy tree skirt to cover the tree stand. Be extra mindful of always having water in your dog's bowl to discourage drinking water from the Christmas tree.
Don't use food as ornaments or ornaments made with food ingredients on your tree. Dogs have died from salt poisoning after eating ornaments made from homemade craft dough containing high levels of salt. Don't use popcorn garland to decorate your Christmas tree. In an attempt to eat the popcorn garland, dogs have been known to undecorate a tree.
Hang breakable ornaments high on the tree out of a dog's reach.
Don't use strands of tinsel. They can cause major intestinal damage if swallowed.
Unless it's specifically labeled non-toxic and safe for use around pets, don't use spray-on snows or flocking on a Christmas tree. They are respiratory irritants when inhaled and they can cause stomach upset if ingested.
Don't leave electric wires dangling where a curious pup can become tangled in them. Fasten cords from light strings together, well inside the tree, out of sight and out of reach. Cover cords leading to outlets with a tree skirt.
Other Holiday Decorations
Secure electric window candles to sills and tape cords below the windows. To prevent a pet from chewing on cords from Christmas lights and electric decorations, inside and out, cover or hide the cords. Use extension cords when needed to run cords along walls and baseboards to prevent entanglement.
Don't use angel hair. It's made of spun fiber-glass, which is a skin and eye irritant. It can cause tiny cuts and eye damage.
Place lighted candles where they can't be knocked over. Be especially careful when burning candles around curious pups and dogs with large happy tails. Besides the obvious fire danger, spilled hot wax can burn skin. Never leave lighted candles unattended. Extinguish all lighted candles before leaving the house, even for a few minutes.
On Christmas morning
Don't leave gifts of food under a Christmas tree, before or after presents have been opened. A dog can smell things that you cannot. Whether its pet treats, a box of chocolates, or a tray of bologna and cheese, dogs know when a wrapped package contains food.
Gift bows, stings, etc. can cause choking. Don't give your dog the opportunity to play with ribbons, tape or wrapping paper, which can cause choking and serious intestinal problems. Don't allow kids to tie ribbons or bows around a dogs neck .
Put toys away after they are opened. Have children put new toys and games, including all the small pieces, back in their boxes. Chewing on small toys can cause choking and intestinal obstruction. (In addition to making a child very unhappy because new toys are ruined.)
Keep batteries for new Christmas toys out of a dog's reach. Batteries contain corrosives that can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and gastrointestinal tract.
Excerpted from Bellaonline.com.
Ann, Cody and Copper
AnnieKDesigns.etsy.com
AnnieKClothing.etsy.com
CodysCloset.etsy.com
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Share your Christmas story
Growing up I always had dogs and cats.
Our dogs were usually a type of retriever or Labrador mix.
One of the bonds I had with my Dad was our love for the dog shows. We would always watch them together.
My love was always the Afghan hound, and my dad LOVED the Golden Retriever.
When our dog Huxley, a black lab/German shepherd mix, passed away, my brother and sister and I decided to do something special. We were young but I had some money from tutoring and babysitting, and we searched and finally found Golden Retriever puppies that would be ready to adopt for Christmas.
We brought the puppy home Christmas Eve and hid him downstairs, hoping he would not bark. (Of course we were down there with him most of the night.) But he was so good, and did not bark.
The following morning, Christmas morning, after we opened all of our gifts, we said, “Oh, there is one more” We went downstairs and put the puppy in the wrapped box we had all ready with a big red bow on top, and placed the puppy inside.
We put the box on his lap and the box began to move and of course he thought it was a joke gift. When the puppy popped his head up and out of the box! A beautiful, dark gold, adorable puppy.
Well my father had no words…. He picked up the puppy and walked out of the house....
You see, he was too choked up to speak, and not being an emotional man, did not want us to see him crying.
Later he walked all around the neighborhood showing that puppy to everyone.
He wanted to call him Chips, but as this was our very first pedigree we needed a sir name for the official papers. :-)
He wanted to call him Chips, but as this was our very first pedigree we needed a sir name for the official papers. :-)
So he named him Sir Andre' Chips.
My favorite Christmas ever.
(This is not Chips, but looks a lot like him)
(This is not Chips, but looks a lot like him)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please, before getting any type of pet as a gift for someone else, do consider the following:
The decision to add a new pet to the family needs to be a carefully considered one, not an "impulse purchase." A dog, in particular, is a long-term commitment, not just a Christmas morning puppy thrill.
If you and your family really want a dog, that's great! Just make sure that they are ready for this commitment, and take your time when it comes to choosing a puppy, or any pet. After all, he's going to be a family member for a long time.
---------------------------------------------------------------
We knew my Dad wanted a new dog, and knew he would accept this new addition.
I don't think we expected such an emotional response though. :-)
Do you have a favorite Christmas story you would like to share?
Diana
www.StylinDogsBoutique.etsy.com
Monday, December 6, 2010
Deck the Halls
December Pet Photo Contest
Accepting entries now.
Click the Furbabies link above to go to the contest and rules. Visit us in the forums where we'll be hanging out and introducing the new entries.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sasha's Night Before Christmas Part 3
Twas The Night Before Christmas Sasha's Version Part 3
(Click on the pictures to see how you can get one of your very own.)
(Click on the pictures to see how you can get one of your very own.)
"Now, Frankfooter! Now, Tinker! Now, Oscar and Dude!
On, Chloe! On, Daisy! On, Peewee and Atta-Tude!
To the end of the porch! To the end of the yard!
Now dash hound away! Dash hound away! Dash hound away hard!"
As crazed squirrels before wild doxies fly,
When met with an obstacle, bound for the sky.
So up to the house-top the doxies they flew,
With a car full of toys, and Santa Paws, too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing and each little woof.
As I was turning my long body around,
Down the chimney Santa Paws came as a hound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his paw,
And he was the cutest hound that ever I saw.
A bunch of treats, he had in his sack,
Friday, December 3, 2010
Holiday Sing-A-Long: Jingle Bell Bark
Feel Free To Sing, Bark, Yawl, Or Whatever With This Holiday Video.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Kennel Cough
At this time of year as people travel, at times dogs must be boarded or kept by friends. This gives the opportunity to catch kennel cough. Kennel cough is a type of bronchitis caused by a highly contagious virus that’s readily passed from dog to dog. (Cats don’t get this condition.) Kennel cough can be prevented by vaccination. Most kennels require dogs be immunized against the disease before checking in for the night. Never board your dog at a kennel that doesn’t require proof of immunization.
A simple trick vets use for distinguishing a simple cough from a possibly serious infection like kennel cough is this: Press gently on the front of the dog’s throat. She will go into a coughing spasm if she has kennel cough. The virus particularly likes to irritate the lining of the trachea. If your pet doesn’t have kennel cough, pressing gently on her throat probably won’t make her cough.
If the worst happens, and your dog does contract kennel cough, here are a few things you can do to help her feel better:
-Clear the air: For a pet with irritated airways, clean air is important. This means protecting your pet from fireplace or cigarette smoke or fumes from household cleaners.
-Put moisture in the air: Keeping humidity high will help tame the cough by soothing your dog's throat and airways. Running a humidifier or vaporizer or even taking your pet into the bathroom when you shower or bathe can give some temporary relief.
-Move her gently: When your dog is coughing and congested, taking a slow, gentle walk can help her airways drain. Avoid letting her get tired or overheated which can set off further bouts of coughing. It’s also a good idea to avoid choke chains and tight collars which can bring on a coughing spell.
-Keep her alone: Since kennel cough is contagious, you’ll want to keep the ’patient’ away from other dogs.
*These tips are home remedies only and should not ever be used as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet has a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical care.
A simple trick vets use for distinguishing a simple cough from a possibly serious infection like kennel cough is this: Press gently on the front of the dog’s throat. She will go into a coughing spasm if she has kennel cough. The virus particularly likes to irritate the lining of the trachea. If your pet doesn’t have kennel cough, pressing gently on her throat probably won’t make her cough.
If the worst happens, and your dog does contract kennel cough, here are a few things you can do to help her feel better:
-Clear the air: For a pet with irritated airways, clean air is important. This means protecting your pet from fireplace or cigarette smoke or fumes from household cleaners.
-Put moisture in the air: Keeping humidity high will help tame the cough by soothing your dog's throat and airways. Running a humidifier or vaporizer or even taking your pet into the bathroom when you shower or bathe can give some temporary relief.
-Move her gently: When your dog is coughing and congested, taking a slow, gentle walk can help her airways drain. Avoid letting her get tired or overheated which can set off further bouts of coughing. It’s also a good idea to avoid choke chains and tight collars which can bring on a coughing spell.
-Keep her alone: Since kennel cough is contagious, you’ll want to keep the ’patient’ away from other dogs.
*These tips are home remedies only and should not ever be used as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet has a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical care.
Alice England
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)