At Tails Untold, we all want to be prepared should our dog have an emergency. This guide was sent to us and we are very pleased to share in hopes it helps you be prepared, should your pet, heaven forbid, ever have an emergency situation.
Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness and it can be debilitating in humans, but also in dogs..
In humans, often, but not always, one can tell if they have been infected if there appears a “bull’s-eye” rash at the site of the bite. This does not happen with dogs. So what are the common symptoms found in dogs with Lyme Disease?
It can be a difficult disease to recognize. Dogs can have Lyme disease organisms for over a year, without showing any symptoms, and when the symptoms appear, the Lyme disease can have spread throughout the entire dog’s body.
What should you do to help prevent your pet from getting Lyme Disease?
Even though these can be very effective, it is still important to check your dog after being outdoors, especially if you have been in a woody, grassy or sandy area.
If you do find a tick, protect your fingers and remove with a tick remover or a pair of tweezers. You must be sure and get the entire tick out, so pull straight, do not twist.
Treatments for your Dog if infected with Lyme-Disease
There are several antibiotics that are available and they are quite effective, especially if caught in the early stages. The response time to the antibiotic can be within a week.
Educating yourself about ticks and Lyme disease is a great step in keeping your dog healthy so you can both enjoy the great outdoors.
As a pet owner, you already know the love and joy that your favorite furry friend can bring into your life. But, what happens when Fido’s medical bills start surpassing that of the rest of your family’s? Pet Insurance is a topic that often comes up with our Pet Loving Friends. For those that have purchased Pet Insurance, all seem to have found that the benefits outweigh the costs. Not only have they saved money due to the rising cost of Vet bills, but Pet Insurance also provides a great piece of mind. When finances are tight, Pet Insurance has helped many to not think twice about taking their pet kid(s) to the Vet and it has helped in making the decision to agree to the tests and treatments that their Vet advises.
Recently, we were introduced to the “ShieldMyPet!” website. They have put together a guide on how pet owners can utilize private pet insurance to help offset the rising costs of vet and hospital visits for our pets. It also has a helpful chart on many of the different companies offering pet insurance. If you have a moment you can check the guide out here: http://www.shieldmypet.com/guides/benefits/
We hope you find it as helpful as we did.
Stay well and may your pet kid(s), stay well, too.
One of my favorite “dog tails,” especially when it comes to healthy eating habits and snacks for our pets, actually comes from one my own personal experiences. It happened one day when I took my dog to the vet when she was acting particularly peculiar. She was very listless, lethargic and was showing some obvious signs of doggie dehydration.
Come to find out, my canine had accidentally consumed a large quantity of carpet fibers and the mass was blocking and interfering with her digestive system. When my caring veterinarian suggested surgery might be necessary, I was mortified, but she said she wanted to try something much cheaper and less invasive first … pumpkin … and I was intrigued.
Pumpkin Patch
The good dog doctor led me behind the front counter of her office and opened a cupboard that contained dozens of cans of neatly stacked, solid-pack pumpkin, the kind used to make holiday pies. Unbeknownst to me at the time, pumpkin aides with a dog’s overall digestive system along with a number of other healthy benefits. Low and behold, several hours later, my canine had “passed” the mass without the need of a scalpel.
To this very day, I still keep pumpkin on hand, mostly in portions that I keep frozen, and give them to my dog as a treat, especially during warmer summer months as a “pup-sicle”. You can also mix it in with their regular food as a digestive aid and offers a number of additional health benefits.
Chewy Carrots & Crunchy Yams
Another healthy treat from my personal vault of pet stories, my dog also enjoys raw carrots. She thinks they’re some kind of a chew toy and when I toss one to her, she gnaws on it until it eventually disappears, as she devours every last scrap. Yams and sweet potatoes are also enjoyed by canines and can be served sliced raw or dehydrated.
Carrots and sweet potatoes are obviously a lot cheaper than traditional chew toys and snacks and much better for them. They’re packed with many important vitamins and nutrients that can be very beneficial for canines, young and
.Broccoli and Other Greens
Being a fan of Paul Bunyan as a child (giving away my age a little), I was fascinated with trees and when my Mom told me Broccoli were in fact tiny trees, I gobbled them up without thinking. Broccoli and many other types of greens are just as healthy for canines as they are for kids.
When I was younger, when spinach went on my plate, since I grew up on old Popeye cartoon reruns (I get it – I’m old), my Mother didn’t have to sell this healthy, leafy green vegetable to me since I wanted to grow up big and strong like the sailor man. The same is true for dogs since spinach is just as healthy for canines as it is for kids.
Just like human children, you’d be surprise at how many of them actually like fruits and vegetables, whether you’re including them in their regular serving of food or serving them outright. Don’t discount certain healthier food choices from your dog’s diet assuming they might not enjoy them … you might be surprised.
For more information on healthy fruits and vegetables for your four-legged best friend, check out this infographic on “7 Superfoods To Add To Your Dog’s Diet.” You’ll both be glad you did.
Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books would like to thank, Amber Kingsley, for this wonderful and informative Guest Blog.
We are very pleased to have our guest blogger, Dog Guy Josh, share this wonderful article on how best to be prepared should an emergency or disaster strike. Thank you, Dog Guy Josh!
Pet First Aid and Disaster Preparedness
By Dog Guy Josh
Pet First Aid – A Quick Primer
Pet First Aid: When the unexpected happens and your four-legged friend find himself on the injured list, knowing what to do can help him hurry up and heal so that you can heel!
Define “Normal”
When dealing with injuries and potential illness, you won’t know what’s abnormal if you don’t know what’s normal for your dog to begin with. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your dog’s daily input and output (eating, urinating and defecating) habits, as well as how he moves and breathes and how his body feels under your hands as you pet him. Paying close attention to these details can help you quickly recognize when something might be wrong.
In general, the normal heart rate of a healthy dog is:
100-160 BPM for small, miniature or toy breed dogs (30 lbs or less).
60-100 BPM for medium-to-large breed dogs (30+ lbs).
120-160 BPM for puppies under one-year-old.
The heartbeat of a dog can be felt at the point where the left elbow reaches the chest, along the inner thigh, just below the wrist or just below the hock. Practice under calm conditions to determine which method is most comfortable for you and your pet, as well as to monitor his normal heart rate.
Other “Important Norms” to Know:
The normal breathing rate for a dog is 10-30 breaths per minute or up to 200 pants per minute.
The normal body temperature for a dog is approximately 100.2-102.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures not within this range should be addressed by a veterinarian.
Capillary refill time (the time it takes the gums or inner lips to return to their normal pink color after you press them) should be between 1-2 seconds.
When pulled upward, the skin at the back of a dog’s neck should spring back to position within 1-2 seconds. A longer return time can indicate dehydration. Dry, sticky gums may also signal dehydration. It’s extremely important that dehydrated animals be taken to a veterinarian for proper care. When in doubt, consult your vet!
The most important information to have on hand during a medical emergency is the name and phone number of the nearest veterinarian and 24-hour veterinary facility. Keep this information on-hand and consider taking a test drive to the local 24-hour facility BEFORE disaster strikes.
Learn Your ABCs!
Whether you’re dealing with pets or people, knowing how to properly administer CPR can mean the difference between life and death! Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is the method used to treat an animal who is not breathing or has no heartbeat. It utilizes rescue breathing and chest compressions and is based on three basic principles which MUST be followed in order:
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Learning how to properly perform CPR is a wonderful investment in your pet’s future. All pet owners should be proficient in this potentially life-saving, pet first aid skill. Several organizations, including the American Red Cross, offer classes on animal first aid and CPR.
Learn to Recognize a First Aid Emergency
The following medical situations can quickly turn from bad to worse and should be addressed as quickly as possible by a veterinarian:
Shock – The body’s response to a change in blood flow and oxygen to the internal organs. Shock often occurs following sudden blood loss, traumatic injury, severe allergic reaction or infection circulating through the body.
Bloat and Torsion – A condition in which the stomach fills up with air or food, which can cause the stomach to turn around itself, often misplacing the spleen. As this happens, blood supply to the stomach and spleen is lost, damaging the organs and resulting in shock. Bloat and torsion are life-threatening emergencies.
Other emergencies include:
Choking
Bleeding
Allergic Reactions
Luxated (out of joint) or Broken Bones
Breathing Problems
Sudden Trauma
Eye Injuries
Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures
Training Tips
When preparing for an emergency, it’s as important to train your pet as it is to train yourself! Several easy-to train behaviors can help keep your pet calm and easily accessible during a medical emergency:
Handling and Restraint – Make a habit of handling and gently restraining your pet on a regular basis, rewarding him generously for calm behavior.
Muzzling – Don’t wait until disaster strikes! The best time to introduce your pet to a muzzle is NOT when he’s scared and hurting. Teach him to accept being muzzled by practicing often under calm conditions.
Elizabethan Collar – Like muzzling, teach your pet to calmly tolerate life in an E-Collar under normal conditions.
Confinement – Injured animals often must be confined in order to promote calm behavior necessary for healing. Even if you don’t use a crate on a regular basis, it’s wise to teach your dog to accept spending limited time in a crate or similar confined area.
Disaster Preparedness
Whether your geographic area is prone to earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes or other natural disasters, it’s important to have a well thought out household evacuation plan. When planning ahead, consider the following:
Room at the Inn?
If you need to evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind; they are not likely to survive on their own. For public health reasons, most emergency shelters do not accept pets. Research area hotels/motels that are pet-friendly and identify a few friends and family members who are willing to shelter your pets in an emergency.
May I See Your ID?
Make absolutely certain that your pets wear collars with identification tags at all times. Keep contact information up-to-date. Consider adding a cell phone number or an out-of-area friend or relative to maximize the opportunities for an appropriate caretaker to be contacted regarding your pet. Have your pets microchipped to provide them with a permanent source of identification.
Take Fido “To Go!”
Keep an appropriately sized crate or pet carrier on hand. In the event of a natural disaster, confining your pets in a crate may help prevent injuries from debris. If you do not regularly use a crate, consider occasionally feeding them in their crate to maintain a positive association with confinement.
Packing for Pets
Create a pet survival kit that’s kept in an easily accessible place and contains necessities like 2 weeks worth of pet food, bottled water, food/water bowls, can opener, medications, pet first aid kit and one or more sturdy leashes. Include current medical relevant information about your pet, contact information for your veterinarian as well as for any persons authorized to care for your pet in your absence. It may also be helpful to include a brief medical history and current photo.
Home Away from Home?
Make a list of area boarding facilities, veterinarian offices and shelters. In the event that you are unable to return home right away and need long-term care for your pets, these facilities can assist you in finding appropriate care.
Home Alone?
Not all emergencies take place when you’re home. Designate a nearby friend or family member to check on your pets if necessary. Add a Pet Rescue Sticker to your front door or window to alert rescue personnel of the type and number of animals inside. Stickers can be purchased at most pet stores and are available free of charge at www.aspca.org.
Check out more from Dog Guy Josh
Dog Trainer, Pet Blogger & Business Consultant www.dogguyjosh.com
Resources:
ASPCA at www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (800) 426-4435 or www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control
Humane Society of the United States at www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/disaster_preparedness.html
American Red Cross at www.redcross.org
Pettech First Aid & CPR Training at www.pettech.net
Pet First Aid Kits:
www.cpr-savers.com
www.jjdog.com
www.outdoorsafety.net
HSUS Pet First Aid Kit List at www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pet_first_aid_kit.html
A Quick Primer on Pet First Aid and Disaster Preparedness
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This was first published by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, www.apdt.com, 1-800-PET-DOGS.
Image via Pixabay
I’ve always been an animal lover, and grew up consistently having at least one family pet as my constant companion. But things change when you become the adult responsible for caring for a family dog, and the extra cleaning that comes with having a pet was not on a list of things I was dying to do!
But my husband and kids were dying to have a pooch in the house so we recently adopted an amazing mutt from a local shelter. It didn’t take long for me to fall absolutely in love, of course, especially after seeing what a positive influence she was on our family. As a matter of fact, I have science to support my claims: Research has shown that dogs provide a number of different emotional and physical health benefits to the humans that love them. Here are a few unique ways man’s best friend has a healthy impact on our lives:
Dogs inspire their owners to get moving. To take the best care of our pups, we have to ensure that they are getting plenty of exercise throughout the day. One of the best ways to do this is to join them in the fun! This article points out how having a family dog can also be an especially effective way to encourage children to play with their pet, and ward off the risk for childhood obesity.
Pooches are an adorable stress-buster. The reason we tend to feel better around our dogs is because interaction with them literally tells our brains to be happy. This article the health benefits of our dogs explains that spending time with our critters releases a hormone called oxytocin, a neurotransmitter known as the “love hormone” because of its role in making us feel connected with others. The higher our oxytocin levels, the more naturally equipped we are to handle stress.
They have potentially-lifesaving olfactory senses. Dogs are known for their acute sense of smell, and now they are using it to help their two-legged companions. Research has shown that dogs are able to detect health issues such as low blood sugar in diabetics and even some infections. Scientists are also now studying the canine ability to detect cancer, and hope to create a form of technology based on dogs’ natural gift of smell.
They provide uniquely compassionate therapy to those coping with cancer. Because of their abilities to boost the mood of those around them, dogs are frequent visitors to cancer patients undergoing treatment, and can be instrumental in managing emotional stress that often leads to serious mental health issues like depression. According to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, their presence also provides physical benefits such as a decrease in pain and blood pressure.
Dogs don’t just provide us with unconditional love and incessantly wagging tails. In fact, sharing our homes with them may actually provide many unique and wonderful health advantages. A new dog may even be the health remedy you’ve been seeking!
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Thank you for this great information from our Guest Blogger, Vee Cecil! Please let us know how your pet whether a cat/dog/bird/hamster/or any pet has improved your life! We love your comments.
Vee Cecil is a wellness coach, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor. Vee is passionate about studying and sharing her findings in wellness through her recently-launched blog.
Most dogs are very perceptive at reading their owner’s body language. They seem to know when their owners are happy, sad, distressed or anxious. This ability has allowed some dogs to be able to sense changes in their owner’s body or behaviors prior to a seizure. They do this within seconds minutes or hours before the seizure occurs.
Dogs have their own ways of letting their owners know of an impending seizure. They may bark, become restless, paw at or lick their owner’s hand. This alerts the person to seek a safe place to sit or lie down to prevent falls that might occur with the seizure.
No one is sure why or how a dog is able to recognize that a seizure is coming. Theorists believe that it may be a change in the person’s behavior, body language or even an odor that the person emits prior to the seizure. This ability to recognize an impending seizure is not something that is trained and is a common phenomenon in many dogs. It does not seem to be related to a dog’s breed, age or whether the dog is a male or a female. Seizure alert dogs are ones that are very sensitive to a humans behavior or emotions. When a person comes out of a seizure, they tend to be disoriented or confused. Having their dog by their side can help re-orient them to their environment. Their dog’s presence is also a comfort. It is known that dogs can help to eliminate daily stressors in our lives. People with seizure disorders can sometimes increase their number of seizures when under stress. Having a loving canine companion may help to prevent this increase.
So seizure alert dogs are important to helping keep their owners safe. They help eliminate their owners fears of seizures and make their daily lives much easier.
Hello All you Pet Lovers,
I am pleased to share this information from Canine Camp Getaway’s Veterinarians. This is excellent advice and something I think all pet owners should review every summer, so please pass along.
1) Be cautious walking your dogs on hot pavement or cement — their pads are tough, but can burn just like your skin.
2) A summer haircut CAN help keep your pets cooler, but a too-short cut can make them even more vulnerable to the effects of sun and heat.
3) This seems like a no-brainer, but every year dogs die in hot cars. There is no “okay” time frame to leave a dog in a car in the summer.
4) Summer pests don’t only trouble humans — be sure your dog is protected from both internal and external parasites.
5) Drive carefully! More outdoor activities and open doors/windows can mean more dogs outside, on-leash and off, so slow down — and don’t get distracted by cell phones, texts or changing radio stations. Be sure to regularly inspect your yard for any holes or breaks in perimeter security.
6) Practice water safety — not all dogs can swim, especially in ocean water with waves and currents.
7) Be cautious of which pesticides, fertilizers, and mulches you or your landscaper are using; not all are pet-safe.
8) Wildlife is out and about — be sure your dog is current on vaccinations such as rabies and leptospirosis, if appropriate.
9) We see far more dog fights in the summer months than others — when socializing your dog at the park, be alert to his or her activities. Avoid distractions such as talking on your cell phone which may impede your response time.
10) Access to fresh, cold water is even more important now than other times of year.
11) BBQs can be great ways to visit with friends in the summer months but can be dangerous for your dog. Alcohol, hot BBQ drippings and coals, skewers, and even ingesting certain (or too much) food can all cause your pet harm. Be mindful of the grill and remind guests to please not feed your pup!
12) Buckle up! Remember to restrain your pet in the car. This will keep them safe if the event of an accident, and also keep them from jumping from an open window.
If you are thinking about a summer vacation to include your special furry family member, please chec
k out Canine Camp Getaway Vacation . It is a wonderful place to go and located in the beautiful Lake George, NY area. Maybe all your friends with Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books http://www.tailsuntold.com will see you there.
Why does my dog follow my every move? Why does my dog destroy things when I am away? Why does my dog pace or run in circles when I am leaving the house?
These behaviors and others like:
can be signs that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in terms of pets describes stress and anxiousness brought on by leaving your dog alone even if for a split second. Often these signs are confused with “bad manners”, which is true in some cases, but not all. Separation anxiety can be a serious issue and disciplining (eg. yelling or scolding), can make the anxiety worsen. Often, regular obedience training does not help.
What can I do to help my dog get over separation anxiety?
First, please consult your veterinarian. Sometimes the treatment requires a combination of medication(s) with behavior modification, especially when the case is severe.
What types of behavior modifications are suggested for separation anxiety?
First, be sure your dog is not bored by adding more physical and mental stimulation. This will usually take care of boredom issues but will usually not take care of separation anxiety issues. Often bored dogs will scarf down their food then look for more, anywhere including your garbage, but in most cases, the opposite is true of a dog with separation anxiety.
Behaviorists suggest changing up your “leaving routine”. Your pet is very aware of your routine before leaving home, grabbing your coat first, or shutting off the lights, then lastly grabbing your keys. Mix this up and do some of these things randomly during the day while you are still remaining home. In time, perhaps only a few weeks, your dog may see that these behaviors don’t mean you are leaving and some or all of this anxiety may lessen greatly.
Also, don’t overcompensate your departure or return. Don’t give treats or give special attention before you leave or when you return. Don’t fuss over them, as hard as this is to do, especially when you are so happy to see them when you come home. Try to ignore your dog for a few minutes before you leave and when you return. Your dog may get the idea that your leaving is not a big deal.
For extreme cases, there is a program you can try, but first, consult your veterinarian to be sure there your dog is not suffering from some other ailment or illness. This program * requires a huge time commitment on your part, at least several weeks. This will mean you will need to take time off ,if you work, use your vacation time, or find a pet sitter or doggie daycare to assist you. You will need to spend 30 minutes to an hour every training session. It requires patience and consistency. Initially, you leave your home for a few seconds and step right back in so your pet has little or no time to experience separation anxiety. Always stay calm while inside. Continue to do this until you see no signs of anxiety. Gradually increase the time you are out, but change up the time (eg. 2 minutes, 1 minute, 4 minutes, 1 minute, 5 minutes) until you see no signs of anxiety. You continue to do this gradually increasing to an hour, two hours, etc. until you can be away a full work day.
If this does not help, you will need to contact your veterinarian,again, who, hopefully will be able to help you find the cause of your dog’s anxiety issues and perhaps recommend an experience behaviorist who has worked with this disorder and/or prescribe proper medication.
*This program is suggested by Amy Bender, Dog Expert (www.dogs.about.com).
Please note: This article has been provided for informational purposes only. If your pet is showing any signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
We all have witnessed how dogs tend to greet each other. They sniff each other’s rear end! Can you imagine us doing that instead of a handshake? Why do they have that often embarrassing habit of greeting new doggie friends with their noses? There are many reasons why dogs do this. They want to find out each other’s gender, what they had for breakfast or if they’re sending out friendly vibes.
A dog’s sense of smell is its most powerful sense. We humans rely so much more on our sense of sight to learn about our world. A human nose has about 5 million odor receptors. Compare that to a hound dog’s 300 million receptors! Now you can understand why a dog can sniff out a single ounce of marijuana buried deep within a mountain of luggage filled with clothes scents and toiletries.
Our noses breathe air and odors in and out through our nostrils. A dog’s nose divides the air into two areas; the olfactory area and through the pharynx into the lungs. That way a dog can dedicate a portion of inspired air just to its sense of smell area of the brain. The dog is able to identify incoming odor molecules by their unique characteristics and send the signal to the brain for deciphering. Our nostrils are designed so that we inhale and exhale, sending the aromas we encounter out as soon as they come in. Dogs have slits in their nostrils that let exhaled air aerodynamically push new scents into the nose. These specially designed nostrils allow a dog to sniff in a more continuous, efficient way. A dog’s nostrils can also move independently which lets them know which direction a smell is coming from. That is why you will see a dog that is following a scent move its head from side to side. And, unlike us, dogs have a unique scent detecting organ that can recognize pheromones which are unique to each animal species.
Finally, a dog’s wet nose aids in its sense of smell. By having a damp nose, the mucus can trap dissipating odors in the air. Dogs will lick their noses which allows them to taste the chemicals in the odor which goes to another olfactory organ via the mouth to be analyzed by the dog’s brain.
So the next time you’re wondering about your pet’s odd habit of leg and butt sniffing, you’ll know why. Only the nose knows!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
