Dogs normally pant to cool themselves versus sweating like humans. After a workout or when the temperature rises, dogs will pant more frequently. Dogs with smaller nasal passages and short windpipes like pugs or bulldogs tend to pant harder than other types of dogs.
But when is panting excessive? As dog owners, we are usually pretty familiar with our dog’s typical panting behavior. What we should look for is an increase in panting or panting of greater intensity than normal. This is without having been exposed to high heat or intense exercise. If a dog seems to be breathing heavily, it can mean there is something physically wrong. Some of the common causes of excess panting include heat stroke, poisoning, obesity, stress or anxiety. In addition, a dog who is in pain will pant more than usual. You should watch closely for other signs such as restlessness, constant licking at one spot or difficulty getting up or down.
For older dogs, between the ages of 8-15, panting can be a sign of cognitive changes. Other signs that accompany cognitive changes include pacing, circling or bumping into things. There can be accidents or difficulty recognizing familiar faces. Older dogs may seem to forget their training and fail to comply with normal commands. Medications such as Prednisone or pain killers such as Tramadol or Fentanyl as well as thyroid meds can cause increased panting. Congestive heart failure, seen as heavy panting at night or more fatigue after exercise, may be the cause. With congestive heart failure, your dog may have difficulty with respiration, is coughing at rest or has an enlarged abdomen due to fluid accumulation. It is imperative that you take your pet to the vet emergency center right away, keeping him as relaxed as possible to keep from aggravating the problem.
Arthritis in older dogs causes joint pain which is reflected in excess panting. If your dog is not as lively or moving as well as he used to, it could be the onset of arthritis. There are medications that can ease the stiffness and pain, giving your older pet a more comfortable existence in his later years. Again, the best advice is that if you see changes in your dog’s panting behavior, it is a good idea to see your veterinarian. We all want our pets to enjoy the best quality of life they can after all!
Have you ever wondered how dogs can stay on a surfboard and keep their cool? How do they not slide off? Well, first they start with a made-for-a-dog surfboard. It is hard versus made of foam which can bend or crease. Plus the hard board can float better. Dog boards have a traction surface that helps them hang on. This way the surf-dog can look for the right wave but be cushioned in case of a wipeout!
Surf dogs wear life jackets and even wet suits for those colder days. These are made just for them. Surfing dogs are water-lovers and very good swimmers. But having a personal flotation device keeps them above the surf when the wave is not being cooperative.
On the board, larger dogs keep their center of gravity in the middle or slightly to the back of the board. They don’t want to be too far forward which could cause the board to dip under the wave or too far back so the board flips. Smaller dogs tend to have a more forward center of gravity.
The typical wave height for a dog is 1-2 feet, although the more experienced surfer dog can handle waves of 3-4 feet. The surfer dog owner gets the dog started in the wave when it just starts to curl and lets go so the dog can ride the wave. Some surfer dudes even surf on the same board with their dog, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
Cowabunga surf dog!
Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and Jorge Bendersky’s, “There is no Poop Fairy” Workshop Held on Saturday, August 25, 2012, at the Thomas Jefferson Park Recreation Center in East Harlem was a Great Success!
New York, New York – August 28, 2012 – On Saturday, August 25, 2012 the “There is no Poop Fairy in East Harlem” Campaign took place at the Jefferson Park Recreation Center on 112 Street and First Avenue in East Harlem, New York City. The event began at 10:00a.m and ended at 1:00p.m. The launching of the campaign along with the various informative workshops gave attendees information, tips and advice regarding responsible pet ownership. Attendees also had the privilege and opportunity to meet celebrity dog groomer, Jorge Bendersky during the workshop as well.
In response to a growing number of dog poop piles, and a growing number of constituent complaints, Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito took a page from the very successful “There is no Poop Fairy Campaign” introduced by the Jefferson County Animal Control office in Colorado, to address this serious health hazard with humor; as a means to encourage dog owners to pick up after their dogs in our parks and neighborhoods.
Over 100 people from the community came out to volunteer and Scoop the Poop at Saturday’s event. The afternoon consisted of attendees visiting the many informative booths set up, along with playing games in order to win prizes, raffles, tee-shirts and more. At the workshop, Jorge explained and demonstrated to attendees the importance of properly grooming our pets to ensure a longer and healthier life. Petmate Dog Toy and Espree grooming kits were given out to attendees who answered grooming and pet health questions correctly, asked by Jorge. A special thanks to Petmate and Espree for making this raffle happen!
Lickety Sticks were also taste tested (and approved) and then given away to our furry four-legged friends who attended the event. Many animal organizations joined together on Saturday, and other exciting events happened throughout the day. The ASPCA was there with their spay and neuter truck along with a representative who explained the city benefits for low income families. There was a representative from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) who talked about pets in public housing as well.
The “There is no Poop Fairy” workshop was a great event with a lot of volunteers to help and spread the word. Hopefully, other city councils will take this idea and implement it on other districts too. It is essential that as pet owners we clean up after our animal companions and also look after our community and neighborhoods too!
About Jorge Bendersky: Expert celebrity dog groomer, Jorge Bendersky has been seen on Animal Planet’s reality show, “The Groomer Has It”, as a Judge on TLC’s Extreme Poodles and as the new Grooming expert on Animal Planet’s Dogs 101. Jorge’s skills, talents and also his love for animals has made him committed to “giving back” through a series of pet care workshops in NYC’s inner-city neighborhoods and by conducting seminars to help other groomers carry on this mission. To learn more about Jorge Bendersky visit www.planetjorge.com. Twitter: @JorgeBendersky. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JorgeBendersky.
We have all heard stories of wealthy pet owners leaving their fortunes to their pets. Although we think of our pets as family, the legal system designates them as “property”, which you can’t leave property to. When you meet with your lawyer to plan your will, remember to include your furry companions. Today there are over a million wills in the United States that include pets. The following are some examples of pets whose rich owners have or will provide for them for their lifetimes:
* A chihuahua named Conchita, who belonged to a Miami heiress named Gail Posner was left a mansion and a 3 million dollar trust fund. Her son did contest the will and said his mother was drugged by her staff who wanted the 8.3 million dollar mansion for themselves.
* Gunther, a German Shephard inherited 80 million dollars from his Austrian blue-blood owner, Karlotta Liebstein. When Gunther passed on, the rest of the estate went to one of his puppies.
* Oprah Winfrey’s 5 dogs, some of whom were rescued from shelters, have had 30 million dollars set aside for their care after her death.
* Betty White’s will includes 5 million dollars for her Golden Retriever Pontiac. Betty is well-known as an animal-rights activist, in addition to her fame as an actress.
* A former alley cat was rescued by the late Maria Assunta of Rome and received 13 million dollars, the entire estate of the heiress.
* Ben Rhea left nothing to his relatives, but he made sure his beloved cat Blackie was taken care of . Blackie inherited 25 million dollars after Ben’s death. This story is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.
* The widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry set aside her mansion and a 4 million dollar trust fund for her dogs. She also left 1 million dollars to her pets’ caretaker.
* The well-known hotel heiress, Leona Helmsley, gave her Maltese terrier Trouble, 12 million dollars from her estate. She wanted the public to be aware that our pets need to be planned for. Trouble will be buried in the Helmsley mausoleum with Leona and her husband.
You do not need to be a millionaire to give your pets a lifetime of contentment. Check with your state as there are 39 states that have statutes outlining pet trusts. It is best to designate a caregiver who will provide for your pet after you are gone. This should be stated in your will. If you can’t find a caregiver, look at breed-specific or general no-kill shelters or rescue organizations. Be sure your chosen caregiver has a diary of information about your pet’s likes and dislikes, including favorite treats or habits. This information is also very important if your pet will go to a rescue organization or shelter. If your pet dies before you, the money you planned to leave your pet stays with your estate.
Thinking of your pet and providing them with care after you are gone is one of the best gifts you can give them. After all, even if the legal system thinks of pets as “property”, they are members of our family and deserve a lifetime of love.
We have all seen the cute advertisements and cartoons that show kittens and cats drinking cow’s milk. But it may not be a good idea. Very young kittens produce the enzyme lactase to help digest the lactose sugar that is present in their mother’s milk. Mothers begin to wean their kittens at about four weeks of age. The ability to produce the lactase enzyme decreases after weaning. Therefore, if a kitten is given cow’s milk, it may not be able to digest the lactose that is present in the milk. Undigested lactose passes through the intestines and draws water with it. Bacteria that is present in the colon can ferment the lactose and produce unwanted fatty acids. This can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea can be deadly to a kitten as it quickly leads to dehydration.
So what is one to do if an orphaned kitten is found before the age of 8 weeks when it is able to drink water and eat solid food? Many pet stores carry mother’s milk replacement formulas. After 8 weeks, when the kittens eyes are open, able to focus, and it is steady on its feet, it will not need the formula anymore. However, it does not harm the kitten to give him this milk formula as a treat. If you are unable to obtain the milk replacement formula, it is best to give the kitten milk that’s processed to be lactose free.
We often use sayings or idioms in our conversation that need to be translated for those visiting our country. Here is a partial list of fun dog and cat sayings and their meanings
Cat got your tongue- This refers to anyone who is inexplicable silent. It was heard commonly in the 1960s and 1970s.
Raining cats and dogs- This one means it is raining very hard. It may have had it’s origins when cats and dogs fell off thatched roofs when it was raining very hard, but this has not been proven.
Dog and pony show-It is a highly promoted, often over-staged performance designed to sway or convince opinion for political or commercial ends. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, there were traveling circuses that had performing dogs and ponies. These were usually staged in areas not suited for larger more elaborate circus shows.
Let the cat out of the bag- This means to disclose a secret. One possible origin is that at the market place, a piglet would be fraudulently changed for a cat. If you let the cat out of the bag, you disclosed the trick.
Dog days- The very hot days during July and August. In ancient Rome, the hottest days coincided with the appearance of Sirius, the Dog Star. People believed the star contributed to the heat of the day.
Curiosity killed the cat- Inquisitiveness that can lead one into dangerous situations or a way to try to stop someone from asking unwanted questions; (sometimes associated with political debate).
Fight like cats and dogs-This means you are always fighting. It comes from the common thought that dogs and cats were supposed to be enemies.
Let sleeping dogs lie-If something is serving its purpose, don’t change it as it might cause trouble.
The cats pajamas- meaning great or remarkable. It was used in the 1920s when pajamas were somewhat new.
It’s a dog’s life- A life that is without responsibilities. All dogs have to do is eat, sleep, bark, sniff and lick.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks- Older dogs and people learn less well than younger ones. Those of us over 60 beg to differ!
With the cost of vet care tripling in the past ten years, it is wise to think about the breed of dog or cat that you choose. There are over 100 genetic diseases in cats and over 400 in dogs. Some have a higher prevalence in certain breeds since the animals in a breed share a smaller pool of genes. Dogs tend to have more genetic problems than cats due to cross-breeding, which cats don’t usually have. Yearly wellness check-ups can cost around $140 for kittens and puppies and up to $350 for geriatric cats and dogs. Before you shop for a new pet, it is wise to think about which breeds are more prone to inherited diseases. The following list is far from complete but gives an overview of some common health problem;
-The large dogs, such as the German Shepards and Labradors can have hip dysplasia, which is a loose fit of the ball and socket hip joint. This can require hip replacement. There is also elbow dysplasia, where the elbow joints of the front legs are malformed.
-Smaller dogs, such as Cocker Spaniels often have eye problems. These include such things as cataracts, glaucoma and dry eyes. Poodles tend to have difficulty with their trachea collapsing, endocardiosis and the pituitary gland disorder called Cushings Disease. Dachshunds can have herniated discs which are related to intervertebral disc disease.
-Mixed breed mutts rarely suffer from hereditary diseases. This should encourage people to adopt a non-purebred dog versus spending a great deal on a pet that is purebred.
-Persian cats and Himilayans are prone to hereditary eye diseases. Maine Coon cats and Persians can have a disorder of the heart muscle known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Polycystic Kidney Disease or (PKD) is also a genetic disease of Persian and other long-haired cats. It causes cysts in the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure.
-Both dogs and cats can develop diabetes. This is especially true in overweight animals.
So what is a pet lover to do? There are many laboratories that will do DNA tests to identify genetic disorders. Prices range from $50-$250 or more. It is advised that you pursue these test before you purchase your pet.
When you are thinking of getting a dog or cat, you can go to an internet website on dog or cat breeds and research a particular breed. It will show what health issues may affect your pet. If you get your dog from a reputable breeder, they will often have screened out hereditary breed-specific diseases. A prospective buyer should ask the breeder to see the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) results for the dog’s sire and dam.
Don’t be discouraged if the breed of your choice is more prone to these hereditary diseases. Many breeds live long and healthy lives in spite of the statistics. But as my vet says, a mutt is the best bet. And it sure helps the over-populated shelters and pounds!
When you hear the term “doggy hot spots” we are not talking night clubs for dogs. Hot spots are areas of the skin that a dog has scratched and licked to the point of irritation. They are also known as acute moist dermatitis. They can be superficial or deep. Those that are deep are often infected by a bacterium known as staphylococcus intermedius. The hot spot can be from 1-4 inches across and looks swollen. Deep hot spots may secrete pus. Hot spots can occur anywhere on the body and may be in one or more places such as ears or legs. They tend to happen in the warmer summer months.
Although the exact cause is unknown, a single flea or tick bite may be the culprit. Mites, parasites, skin allergies and diseases can also create hot spots. They often appear in dogs with heavy coats, such as Golden Retrievers. In these breeds, the irritated area appears just before shedding when moist, dead hair may be matted next to the dog’s skin. Dogs will itch and scratch and lick the area to the point of bleeding and can cause infection. The hot spot is very painful to your dog and he is just doing what he can to relieve the pain.
It is best to take your dog to the vet to determine if the hot spot is superficial or deep. Superficial hot spots can be treated by cutting back the hair around the irritated area and using medicated shampoo. A topical treatment may also be recommended. For the deep variety of hot spot, your vet will use a Betadine type of shampoo and you will be given antibiotic cream or powder to apply for about two weeks. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed or a one-time corticosteroid injection to relieve the pain and itch. An Elizabethan collar will sometimes be used to help prevent your dog from going after the treated area.
It is important to keep the irritated area dry. If you take your dog for a swim, you must dry their coat thoroughly to avoid development of a hot spot. Prevention is the best medicine!
When we think of cats and birds living together, what comes to mind is Tweety bird being stalked by Sylvester. Cats are instinctively natural predators. In the wild, quick birds can just fly away from them. In your home, the bird does not have this advantage and can run out of steam trying to flee the cat. Here are some ideas for keeping both cats and birds as pets.
-Let your cat know that the bird is not going to steal your affection. Jealousy can cause a cat to become aloof from you or stalk that cute feathered friend behind the bars. Give your cat lots of attention to let your cat know this new pet is just one more member of the family.
-Do not place the bird cage in an area that your cat can knock over and free the frightened bird. A cage that stands on the floor can work if it is sturdy and not placed where it can be bumped. Be sure the cage bars are close together and that the door is completely locking. Some bird owners have their bird’s wings clipped to tame them and keep them from flying away. That can put Tweety in a precarious situation if the cage is not secure.
-If your cat insists on stalking or jumping at the cage, use a squirt bottle of water to let it know this behavior is unacceptable. Unlike Tweety who can give the taunting right back, your bird can become over-stressed with the constant taunting. This can even lead to death, so it is important to inhibit this behavior with your cat.
-Always supervise when letting your bird out to play. Larger birds, such as exotic parrots may intimidate your cat. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. Having a room that belongs to your bird for his flying adventures is a way to keep him away from the cat.
-If a cat were to scratch or bite at a bird, they can transfer a bacteria to the bird that causes osteoarthritis. There is an 8 to 12 hour window before this damage occurs. Your vet will need to treat your bird with a tetracycline derivative.
-The best type of birds to have co-habitate with your cat do not need a lot of out of cage interaction. Birds bought in pairs and using a large sturdy cage will help to discourage your cat from toying with them.
Once your cat realizes that your bird is just one more member of the family, they will likely leave it alone. (unlike Tweety and Sylvester!) Enjoy the purrs and chirps!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
