My Fetching Fido

Here are just a few tips on how to help your pup make it through the summer months as a happy, healthy critter. What would apply to humans applies to our pets, tool

• Do NOT ever leave your dogs outdoors all day when it is sweltering out. If they do have to be outdoors for a short period amount of time, make sure they are always supplied with fresh, cold water.

• Do not under any circumstances take your dog in the vehicle with you even if you are going to make only one stop! Your pooch will get heat stroke. Even with the windows cracked there just isn’t enough air coming through for them.

• Dogs just love ice cubes. On hot days, I keep my dog’s water bowl full of ice cubes. She loves it! Or your pup can chew on the cubes as a treat during hot days. Who doesn’t like an ice-cold glass of H2O on a warm summer day? Be sure to check on that water bowl throughout the day. They will be drinking more frequently on hot days.
  

• If your pet likes being in the water, you can give them a special present during this season. Buy a cheap plastic pool at the store or a yard sale and fill it up with water from your hose outside. It gives them an easy way to cool off while they are playing outside.

• Another neat idea is to put a cool bandanna around your pet’s neck. We know of one that stays cool for hours, and your dog will appreciate the comfort of it.

• Just like people, dogs also enjoy the air from fans and air conditioners.

So, we hope these tips lead to a happy and cool summer dog.

Petfinder:com reports that, across the country, there is a huge number (84%) of pets being surrendered to the 700 shelters and rescue groups due to job losses, home foreclosures, and other financial distress. People are struggling not only to take care of themselves, but their pets as well.

If you don’t want to give up your pet, there are ways to cut costs:
• Instead of paying to have your dog groomed several times a year, you can buy pet clippers and get tips online for cutting dog hair.
• Plenty of online shops offer discounts on pet fashion items; check out thrift stores, too.
• Use coupons for premium food or slowly transition your pet to a less costly, but high–quality brand. Buy food in bulk to save.
• Look for low–cost medical services. Many clinics offer low-cost vaccinations, spay and neutering services. It’s a good idea if a friend makes a recommendation to you.

Try as many ways as you can to cut pet expenses before giving up your beloved pet.

This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com

Sound ridiculous? Maybe so, but Doggles, a manufacturer of protective eyewear for dogs, is trying out a line of canine corrective lenses for dogs that can’t see much beyond the end of their noses. You may be surprised that dogs don’t see as well as we might think.

And for our mature friends that begin to lose their eyesight or for dogs that have lost their vision due to cataracts or unsuccessful cataract surgery, doggie glasses may be just the answer.

Dr. Michael Brinkman, a veterinary ophthalmologist in Las Vegas, said the Doggles compnay has worked with him to produce the corrective dog eyewear, and he is currently testing them out on some of his patients.

Doggles also offers solid black lenses for dogs that are blind because they are helpful to dogs in several ways. Black lenses comfort dogs with failing eyesight who are super-sensitive to light and they protect eyes from damage when a blind dog bumps into things.

Doggles also makes dog goggles, which are typically used to protect the eyes of dogs who ride in cars and trucks and are in danger of having their eyes damaged by flying debris. They are also helpful for certain breeds of dogs, like German shepherds who have a dry eye condition called Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or another condition called Chronic Superficial Keratitis, or Pannus, where the eye becomes covered with a brown covering. With KCS and Pannus, environment can be a contributing factor. Pannus is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, and a reduction in the exposure to UV rays is recommended for the long-term care and treatment of the condition.

So, you can see now that there are a number of valid reasons to put glasses on your doggie.

Surprisingly, dogs can show similar allergic symptoms as humans, such as excess tearing from the eyes, with redness, sneezing, and even breathing problems. In dogs, the term “atopy” represents the condition of inhaled allergies; with this problem dogs often have skin problems, too. They can even develop asthma with atopy, but this is less common.

Certain breeds are known to be predisposed to atopy, several of which are in the terrier group, with the West highland white terrier leading the pack. However, any dog can develop atopy.

One treatment option for dogs are allergy shots. Another option involves medications designed to stop or curb itching. naturally, though, we need to be reminded of other conditions that cause itching in dogs: the number one cause is parasites in the form of fleas. So, if your dog is itching, especially in this season, it is important to get him checked out by your vet and get treatment.

This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com

People know that it’s dangerous to sit around in wet clothes, and just like people, it can be dangerous for dogs to sit around with wet fur.  The most common danger from being in wet clothes is hypothermia, which is also a danger for canines.  When walking the dog, it’s a good idea to have dog rainwear at the ready.  In some circumstances depending on the size of your dog, a standard umbrella will suffice.  However, with larger dogs, dogs that pull on the leash or lag behind, or smaller umbrellas, this might not work.  There’s no real disadvantage to having your dog wear dog rainwear, plus you can be sure that they’ll look extra cute!

When your dog’s fur has become saturated for a significant amount of time, it’s important to dry them off as soon as possible.  It takes a lot for dogs to become hypothermic, but if you suspect something is the matter, be sure to contact a veterinarian for further instructions.

Vets recommend vaccinating puppies regularly to avoid parvo; “parvo” is short for “canine parvovirus.” It is spread through infected stool. It is specific to dogs and cannot be transmitted to humans or other species, such as cats. The virus hits puppies harder than adult dogs because their lungs are not fully developed. An infected dog will show symptoms within a week of being exposed. Symptoms can include lack of appetite, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration.

Veterinarian Dr. David Henderson said he has seen as many as 15 cases a month in the spring when the warm weather has more people out walking their dogs, and therefore, more dogs are being exposed. Even dogs who seldom go to the dog parks can get the disease, he said. You can track it into your house on the bottom of your shoes. What happens to dog poo in the summer? It dries into dust. One grain of dust could have a million particles of the virus on it.

What can be done to prevent this parvo? As long as you see a vet and keep your pet vaccinated, you’re OK. Vets recommend vaccinating puppies every three to four weeks for parvo, starting at 6 weeks of age and continuing until they are at least 16 weeks, and preferably 20 weeks of age. Follow-up vaccines should be given once a year along with their other shots.

This informaton is provided by www.barkingmart.com

As obesity hits the human population, a parallel problem has spread to our pets. Obesity decreases a dog’s lifespan by an average of two years–the equivalent of 15 human years!

Veterinary health care experts agree that diet and lack of enough exercise are the two main factors in pet obesity. Doggie treats are surprisingly fattening so check out the labels and choose the lower calorie treat. Forgo table scraps! Exercise is a normal state for our pets; under–exercised dogs can be effected both mentally and physically. To reach their full potential, daily exercise is a must.

Your dog will thank you for its prolonged life.

Information is provided by www.barkingmart.com

As we know, different dog breeds have different coats–some provide more warmth in the winter than others. For those dogs that do not have thick coats, it’ s good idea to invest in getting your pet a winter doggy jacket or sweater. Keep your pet warm, dry, and comfortable during winter outings so your pet will enjoy walking and playing outdoors. I have found a website that offers a great selection at very affordable prices.

Another issue in cold weather is that of your pet’s paws. The pads on your dog’s feet are often overlooked by many pet owners when it comes to pet health problems. Dogs’ pads and toes are susceptible to cold weather damage; snow and ice is frozen water and can cause frost burns and frostbite. Another important winter concern is dealing with the salt used to clear ice from your steps or walkways. Ice removal products, generally either a form of salt or a combination of chemical melting agents, can cause serious burns to your pet’s feet if not washed off with a warm washcloth. A great way to prevent problems is to provide your dog with boots to totally protect his paws. This solution will also save you time in the long run because you won’t have to wash four paws after each snowy outing.

Just as people need to put on extra layers of clothing when going outside in the winter, sometimes a dog’s natural fur coat just isn’t enough to combat the cold. Owners will find that short haired dogs, especially, are susceptible to cold temperatures; however long haired dogs can be just as vulnerable in extreme cold. Dog sweaters come in styles as various as clothing labels, and keep your dog warm when walking in the winter months. Sweaters also offer protection from the various forms of precipitation and from some of the notorious ‘wet dog’ smell.

With a variety of choices in sweater design, your dog can not only be protected from the elements, but be a fashion statement for itself or its owner.

We love our pets. Americans will spend $43.4 billion on our pets in 2008, a 5 1/2% growth from 2007, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. That’s more than double what pet owners spent more than a decade ago, the group noted.

Contributing to that growth are high-end products and services such as pet spas, day care, and luxury gifts for pets. Another fast-growing area is pet insurance according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. “Pet owners want to protect themselves and their pets against unexpected medical expenses,” says Bob Vetere, president of the association. More than 2 million pet owners currently subscribe to pet insurance. By 2010, APPMA estimates that 5 to 7 % of all pet owners will carry a pet insurance card.

The aging baby boomer population is filling their houses with pets as grown children move out, and this is also contributing to the change in the pet industry, Bob Vetere says. “For empty-nesters, pets are filling a void in their lives, and they’re showing their appreciation to their pets,” he said.

Despite concerns of an economic slowdown as Americans spend more cautiously, the pet industry appears somewhat insulated from recession talk, the association said. “Pet owners and the companies providing pet products and services show no sign of letting up,” Vetere said.

This information is provided by barkingmart.com.