Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis can affect any dog regardless of breed. It can turn a friendly active dog into an angry sluggish dog. Many dogs, one in five, will get arthritis and have trouble with mobility as they get older. Other illnesses, including the flu and a stomach virus, can exhibit similar symptom.
So, how do you know if your dog has arthritis?

1. Favoring a limb

• your pet may start limping or using a certain limb less

Difficulty sitting or standing

• always leaning to one leg and completely avoiding the other

Sleeping more Seeming to have stiff or sore joints

• may not like to have certain joints or areas touched

Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs

• you may need to purchase a smaller set of stairs or a ramp if they have trouble getting up

Weight gain

• from loss of mobility

Decreased activity or less interest in play Attitude or behavior changes Call your veterinarian and express your concern for arthritis if these last more than two weeks or they get progressively worse. Waiting can cause more joint damage to occur.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Treating Fleas

Are you having a flea investation.  You are not alone! The fleas have four life stages and there are many options out there to treat fleas in every stage of their life. It is very important that you take care of fleas on small animals. In the mid-90s there was a horrible flea epidemic and, sadly, a few of our cat’s kittens didn’t make it through the year due to flea infestation. So treat for fleas as soon as you see them and if things get worse you should consult your veterinarian.

· Flea shampoos are good if there are a visible amount of fleas on your animal. It is not a permanent solution as it will only kill the fleas it comes in contact with and more will appear within the next few days if no other treatment is used as shampoo is only lethal to adult fleas.

· Flea dips can be used if the fleas pose an immediate threat to your animal. Mites can also be treated with a flea dip. There are some nasty chemicals in flea dips so I would suggest going to see your vet for this treatment.

· Flea collars work on adult fleas only by emitting gas around the collar and allowing some chemicals to be absorbed into the animal’s upper fat layer, killing fleas that try to feed. Flea collars can b put in a vacuum cleaners bag to kill any fleas that have been vacuumed up.

· Flea powders and sprays are only effective against adult fleas and have fallen out of favor in recent years. They can be messy and troublesome if inhaled. They are best used when sprinkled onto the carpet and vacuumed out and last about 2 to 3 days.

· Spot-on treatments such as Advantage and Frontline. Treatment can last anywhere from 1 to 6 months and are applied between the shoulder blades. Some treatments work on adult fleas only while others work on fleas in any stage of life. The amount used depends on weight so it is important that you read all included instructions and apply accordingly.

· Oral medications and injections such as Program and Capstar are one of the few treatments that work by ending the cycle of fleas. Since they are ingested by the animal the go into the blood stream to deliver the product directly to the belly of the pest. Female fleas will start laying unviable eggs so, therefore, larva never hatches and the life cycle does not continue. Read all instructions before proceeding. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions.

· Don’t forget to vacuum daily and wash all your pets bedding. If fleas are still a problem you should try using a flea light with a sticky pad. After collection you can take the sticky pad to your vet and they will be able to tell you what you are dealing with and how to best treat them.

Only resort to flea bombing as a last resort as those chemicals are highly toxic when inhaled by you and your pet. If your animal appears to be having an adverse reaction to any of the above flea treatments it is imperative that you get them to a vet and discontinue treatment immediately. Just like humans, animals can have allergic reactions to drugs.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Naming Your Pet

So you have a new pet and now you need to name it. Most pets are given human names and nicknames. But if you need some help choosing the right name, here are some tips for you.

• The name needs to be easily recognized. Animals respond better to names that have either one or two syllables.
• Pick a name that would be fun and easy to call out in an animal park, not something you would be embarrassed to shout if your friend wonders off.
• Avoid names that sound like No, Sit, Stay or other commands. A dog will get confused if their names sounds similar to a command.
• A long name will be shortened so choose one that has a great nickname attached to it.
• Choose a name that matches the breeds heritage, such as a Scottish, French, or Spanish.
• You can also choose to wait a few days so you can pick up on your new pets personality.
• Pick an appropriate name that will go with the pet as it ages. “Puppy” may seem cute now but when the dog is 187 lbs that name won’t be quite as fitting.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog

Dogs are notorious for begging under the dinner table and inhaling everything that comes within a two foot radius of their mouth. It may be tempting with those puppy dog eyes but feeding these foods to your animal can be VERY harmful.

· Alcoholic beverages can result in intoxication and death.

· Bones not made specifically for dogs. Rib bones, chicken bones, fish with bones can cause choking and puncture internal organs.

· Cat food is too high in fats and can lead to obesity.

· Anything containing caffeine which could hurt the heart and disrupt the nervous system.

· Fat trimmings can lead to pancreatitis.

· Grapes and raisins contain toxins hurt the kidneys and lead to renal failure.

· Liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, in high amounts.

· Macadamia nuts affect the digestive system.

· Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) can cause issues such as gastrointestinal issues, and can cause anemia and red blood cell damage.

· Sugary foods can cause obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

· Xylitol (artificial sweetener) can cause liver failure.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Separation Anxiety and Senior Dogs

Separation anxiety can become a bigger problem as your dog ages. It can result in complete destructive behavior and some dogs even use the bathroom in the house as a sign of anxiety. The older your dog gets the harder it becomes for him to cope with changes in his routine. Leaving you to wonder if staying late at the office will end in your sofa being torn to bits.

Some of the main considerations in treating separation anxiety are:

· Do not make a production out of your coming and goings.

· Train your dog to relax. Teach your dog to sit in the “stay” position and leave him there for longer periods of time.

· Change your habits. Dogs go by routine so if they hear a noise before you leave for work every day they will associate that noise, your alarm, with you leaving them. Try sitting on the couch before you leave to calm your dog or wear your woke clothes on the weekend to keep him guessing.

· Start with very short departures. Gradually increase the amount of time you leave your dog before he becomes anxious. Upon return, reward him for staying calm.

· Associate your departure with something good. Give your dog a treat or a food filled toy to keep him busy while you are gone. He will also associate your leaving with something enjoyable and stress free.

· Have someone come by. Older dogs may need to go to the bathroom more often and if there is no one there to let them out the anxiety can get worse. So hire someone or have a neighbor or relative come by to let the dog out on days you will be gone for some time.

· Crate your dog. Many dogs feel safe in a crate, and being in a crate will help reduce their destructiveness. This should be limited to no more than four hours.

· Thundershirts or tight fitting shirts can make them feel like they are being hugged and are calming.
--If the separation anxiety gets to become a huge problem and is causing your dog to “self-destruct” take him to a vet and ask about anti-anxiety medications.--

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Introducing New Pets to Your Home

Introducing new pets to your older pets can be nerve wracking on both you and your pets. Keep in mind your old pet may see the newcomer as a threat and will try to put it in its place, let this happen. Do not break up a scuffle between your pets unless there is risk of injury to either one or both of them. Sometimes they just need to work things out. Here are some guidelines to follow when introducing new animals into your home.

· Do not leave your new pet unattended while with your older pets. They will need to be supervised until you can guarantee they will tolerate each other. Keep them separated at night until you are sure they will play nice.

· Introduce your pets in a safe environment, preferably indoors where they can both be observed. If you are introducing a cat to a dog do not let the dog chase or corner the cat. Even though the dog is only trying to play, the cat will become terrified of this large creature chasing it and it may invoke a prey instinct in the dog.

· When bringing a cat home, put the cat down before introducing it to any other animals. Cat scratches and bites easily become infected.

· Make sure your new pet is comfortable in its new home before introducing it to any new friends. Confine the animal to its own area until it has become accustomed to the change in environment.

· Your pets should be given separate food, water and, if necessary, litter boxes until they have grown used to each other. Your old pet may feel threatened if the new pet is eating and drinking from HIS food or water bowl.

· Be extremely careful when introducing a dog or cat to a caged animal such as a rat, rabbit or bird. Do not open the cage and do not allow your pet to get to close. Smaller animals can become so terrified that they die from stress on the heart. Keep the cage well out of reach and keep an eye on it at all times.

· Do not try to force to animals together. This will stress them out and may result in them injuring either themselves, you or your old pet.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Libby Mitchell
General Manager
214-989-3639
nedallas@fetchpetcare.com
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Calming Your Dog

Being cooped up in a house during the chilly months can result on a bored, anxious and excited dog. Barking at every little noise, licking constantly, chewing and whining are all things that put both you and your dog on edge.

It is useful to have some general purpose techniques to calm your dog in a variety of situations.

Calm Yourself
Your dog can pick up on your emotions so if you are antsy, jittery or pacing your furry friend will also feel the tension.

Don’t yell and rant at your dog just sit down, take a deep breath and then deal with your dog in a calm manner. Take notice of how your posture is and portray a stern but calm aura.

Focus On Something Else
If your dog is barking at something (not dangerous), licking excessively or chewing you can try to focus his attention on something else. Get onto the floor and entertain him with his favorite toy or just talk to him as you pet him. Give him a treat or let him up onto the couch with you. Dogs can get just as stressed and bored as we can and sometimes need a break.

Engage In Play Acting
Send your dog some cues that other dogs would send him letting him know it is okay to relax.
· Yawn deeply and loudly several times with taking in large amounts of air. Try to appear as relaxed as possible.
· Curl downward in a motion similar to touching your toes. Do not stretch upward as you will make yourself appear larger sending an aggression signal to your dog.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Cut Down on Shedding

Dogs lose hair on a daily basis but only twice a year will they shed their full coat. This amount of hair can make it seem like your housework is never done and that the clothes are never quite clean. There are a few things you can do to help your dog shed their coat and as a result there will not be quite as much hair flying around the house.

Brushing
Brush your dog regularly when he sheds his summer coat and his winter coat. This should be done at least once a day during peak shedding time. To keep the hair outside of the home you should do this outdoors.

Shampooing
Shampooing your dog with a moisturizing shampoo will cut down on both dander and shedding.
Since shampooing takes place in a bathtub or shower, all the hair that is being shed at the time will just go straight down the drain. Use lukewarm water when bathing your dog. This is only recommended up to twice a month as excessive shampooing can dry the skin out anyways. Use the cool-air setting if you choose to use a blow dryer.

Food Supplements
Adding just a teaspoon of olive oil to your dogs food will promote a soft coat and skin moisture, resulting in less unnecessary shedding. You can also give your dog oil capsules.

Vacuum
You can get a pet hair attachment for your vacuum. Be careful though not to snag the dogs fur. Introduce this to your dog slowly as some animals are terrified of vacuums, you do not want to cause them any unneeded stress.

**IF THE SHEDDING IS RESULTING IN BALDING YOU NEED TO SEE YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY**

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Backyard Hazards for Pets

Heat isn’t the only thing to worry about when it comes to your pets. There are many dangerous things right outside your backdoor. When shopping for lawn care products it is a good idea to research what will harm your pet and what is safe. Some products are incredibly tempting to your dog and need special precautions.

Blood and bone meal fertilizers are made from ground up animal bones and dried blood powder. This will smell awesome to a dog but if ingested your pet runs the risk of iron poisoning and bone meal becomes a hard concrete like block upon entry into the stomach. Make sure to water your lawn after application as this will cut down on the smell for your dog and wash away the large particles so they are not eaten.

Cacao bean mulch is made from the ground up hulls of the cacao bean. It has a chocolate nutty smell when fresh and can potentially cause great harm to your pet. If eaten chocolate toxicity can set in and you would need to take your pet to the vet IMMEDIATELY. After application, water the area to reduce the yummy smell to your pets and to wash most of the particles into the soil.

Pesticides and baits placed in the house or in the yard also pose a health hazard. Keep these substances far out of reach from your pets and monitor your pets while they are in the yard to make sure they don’t consume any. IMMEDIATE vet care is suggested if your pet consumes pesticides.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Always Read Pet Labels

With cats comes fleas, by the thousands. Fleas are a major problem for cat owners. These tiny creatures can cause some for you and your cat such as anemia, dermatitis and tapeworm. Flea control is often a necessary step in keeping you and your cat healthy.

There are many flea and tick treatments out there but never ever use a product labeled “For Dogs Only” on your cat or any animal other than a dog. Dogs and cats do not react the same way to the same insecticides at the same concentrations. As an example, look at permethrin.

Permethrin is in many “Dog Only” direct application flea and tick treatments. It comes in concentrations ranging from 45-60% permethrin. While that is a very acceptable level for a canine it would most certainly kill a feline. A cat suffering from permethrin exposure would display tremors, muscle tensing and seizures anywhere from an hour to 48 hours after the exposure.

If your feline receives medical attention the odds of recovery are very high. It is crucial that you take your cat to the vet and tell them you suspect permethrin.

Read ALL the labels on things before you give them to your pet. Not sure if it’s for your pet, call the vet.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

5 Fun Things to Do with Your Dog

The weather is changing.  Here are some ideas to get you and your wet nosed companion outside.

1. Head on over to your local lake and bring your dog’s favorite toy, just make sure it can float. Your dog will stay cool and have a blast retrieving his toy from the water. This does not apply to Bulldogs as many of them cannot swim.

2. Call up some of your friends and plan a play date at your local dog park. While you and your crew catch up your dogs can do the same. Visit www.dogpark.com to find your local dog park.

3. Throw on those rollerblades and allow your dog to pull you along. This can also be done with a bicycle but steer clear of uneven and cracked sidewalks as this can be a safety hazard.

4. Plan a day trip to a wooded area and have a picnic while your dog sniffs around. Don’t forget to bring toys and food for your dog as well.

5. Go to an indoor agility track and show your dog how much fun weaving, jumping, and teetering can be. For agility classes in Dallas, visit www.dallasdogsports.com or www.dogcitytrainingcenter.com

No matter what activity you and your dog choose to do remember to be safe and always keep an eye out for potential hazards to your pet and yourself.

What is a Quality Breeder?

After you have done your research on the type of dog bred you want and have taken into account the genetics problems of your chosen breed, you can begin looking for a nice quality dog breeder. There are so many puppies available from adoption agencies and rescue groups, but if you must get from a breeder, it is important to keep some things in mind so you do not get more than you bargained for.

A good breeder will:

· Provide paperwork from their vet for both the puppy and its parents and will have been screened for genetic problems and birth defects. Simply saying the dog is “vet checked” is one clue that your breeder may not know exactly what they’re doing.

· Provide a “take back” clause. Good breeders do not want to see the dog go to the pound or other inappropriate home. It states they will take back the dog if you cannot keep it for any reason or you can give the dog to a home the breeder has approved of.

· Give you plenty of references and require an application and list of references from you. If the breeder refuses to give you references DO NOT purchase an animal from them.

· Will explain the breed and its needs to you so that you fully understand what kind of dog you are buying.

· Require you to sign a contract with a spay/neuter clause and other requirements.

· Require you to wait for your puppy because good breeders do not breed their dogs until they have pre-sold an amount equal to a likely litter.

· Invite you into their home and conduct business in an open and friendly manner.

· Only sell one to two breeds of dog. Puppy mills often have multiple breeds and maybe even species.

· House the puppies in their home and treat them like family. They will never be caged up in the backyard or neglected.

· Never allow you to take a puppy that is less than 8 weeks old.