Surviving the Fourth of July

Pam
America is only a few weeks away from the fourth of July celebrations, and while most Americans love this holiday, the fireworks associated with our midsummer patriotic spectacle is no picnic for pets. If your dog spends late June and early July panicked by fireworks, then this article is for you. Pets are very good at telling you when they are scared. They hide, cower, shake, pant, drool, have dilated pupils, and often seek comfort from you. Some dogs are destructive when they panic: digging, chewing on things or even themselves, or can put themselves in extreme danger by bolting, trying to run away from the sound. To prevent these… Read More Continue Reading

Out-of-the-Box Volunteer Opportunities for Dog Lovers

Pam
For those of us who want to volunteer their time and talents to make the world a better place for companion animals, there are more options and opportunities than ever available to help dogs. While we all know about volunteering at a local shelter or rescue, but here are three out-of-the-box animal volunteer opportunities that you might not have known about. Flight Escort Volunteering Adopted and assistance pets need volunteers to accompany them via flights. The cost of transporting a dog can also be prohibitively expensive, but if accompanied by an escort, on certain airlines the pet’s airfare is free! This helps shelters and rescues save significantly more lives. If… Read More Continue Reading

Doggie Breath can be Bad for Your Dog’s Health

Pam
Bad Doggie Breath isn’t just offensive, it is a serious health problem. Dogs can have the same dental problems as people, such as periodontal disease or broken teeth. Periodontal disease causes inflammation in the pockets which leads to bone loss around the tooth. These pockets become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Every time a pet with periodontal disease chews, the infected gums inject bacteria into the bloodstream, which weakens the immune system and puts extra wear and tear on the internal organs, especially the kidneys and heart. The good news is that routine oral care can save your pet unnecessary pain, will save you money, your pet will live longer and… Read More Continue Reading

The Best Dog Food

Pam
The Best Dog Food In light of recalls putting your pet’s health at risk it pays to be an educated pet food consumer. Because there are several good dog foods out there, it is difficult to say which is ‘best’, because what might be best for one dog might not do for another. When selecting a pet food, try to choose a product that fits most of the following requirements: Who makes the food? The best pet foods make their own food.  You have to be a bit of a sleuth when trying to figure this out sometimes, because pet food manufacturers often don’t want you to know who makes… Read More Continue Reading

What is Parvo?

Pam
Parvovirus is a highly infectious viral disease that plagues our canine companions.  Once a dog is infected there is no cure, only supportive care unless the dog clears the virus, and without treatment, parvo kills almost every young dog it comes into contact with. Parvovirus steamrolled into the spotlight in the 1970’s, and killed many dogs of all ages. Today, parvovirus is mainly a problem in puppies and young dogs with immature immune systems. This is because most older dogs have been vaccinated or have gained immunity through natural exposure.  Parvovirus lives in the environment in fecal matter or vomitus from infected dogs. Parvovirus is like the undead plague of… Read More Continue Reading

Himalayan™ Corporation Ruff Roots Dog Chews Recall

Pam
Himalayan™ Corporation issued a recall of some of its Ruff Roots All-Natural Dog Chews on May 27, 2015. The announcement was made by PetSmart® and is the only location the product was sold. The recall was put out due to potential contamination of the product with metal fragments. The recalled product included a single lot of Himalayan Corporation Ruff Roots All-Natural Dog Chews. The specific products, along with their respective UPC and lot numbers, included: Ruff Roots All Natural 4-inch Sprout Dog Chew Toy with UPC 85301200439 and lot number SP001. Ruff Roots All Natural 5-inch Stump Dog Chew Toy with UPC 85301200440 and lot number ST001. Ruff Roots All… Read More Continue Reading

Hypothyroidism

Pam
Hypothyroidism is unfortunately very common, so there is a likelihood that some of you have a hypothyroid dog, or know someone who does. Hypothyroidism is a result of low circulating thyroid hormone, which lowers metabolism and affects almost every system in the body. The good news is that it is easily treated. Levothyroxine is a safe, relatively inexpensive treatment but it does require a prescription and followup blood tests to make sure your dog is dosed properly.  This extra layer of caution is necessary because too much thyroid supplementation causes hyperthyroidism, which can be just as detrimental to your canine’s health.  If provided with the appropriate amount, you should notice a… Read More Continue Reading

Arthritis: Your Pet Doesn’t Have to Live in Pain

Pam
Dogs are living longer than ever, but with extended life span comes old age challenges. It is an unfortunate fact that joint issues are very common, affecting a significant percentage of dogs and is a source of chronic discomfort. If you notice changes in your dog’s mood or activity level, it may be that he or she is experiencing joint pain associated with arthritis. Many pet parents share with their veterinarian how difficult it is to watch their canine companions slow down, encounter problems standing or climbing into a vehicle.  Pet parents may also notice that their dogs are just not as expressive as they used to be or doesn’t… Read More Continue Reading

Healthier Food For Your Best Friend

Pam
Gator is going to turn 14 years old this September. In terms of his health, he’s been very lucky. I attribute his good health to exercise and feeding him a proper diet. I’ve always fed Gator the best food I could afford. Have you ever looked at the ingredients in dog food? Most of the cheaper foods on the market are loaded with fillers (ground yellow corn, meat meal, and rice). Canines are very similar to humans, garbage in, garbage out. We’ve all had the experience of eating not so great for us food. The bad stuff tastes great going down, but will likely have you feeling less than your… Read More Continue Reading
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How to Help an Itchy Dog

Pam
Skin and coat problems are the number one reason why pet owners take their animals to a veterinarian. From allergies to dry skin, to infected ears or excessive shedding, the majority of veterinary complaints are on the outside of the dog. Why are skin and coat problems so common among dogs? A likely culprit is overall poor skin health. Skin is a huge organ and in order to function correctly, it needs a lot of nutrients, including protein, fatty acids, mineral and vitamins. In addition, hair requires a lot of protein to grow and maintain a shiny appearance. If the body perceives that it isn’t getting enough nutrients, the skin is… Read More Continue Reading