Dog Pawlor

Ticks can transmit serious diseases to animals and people (ticks themselves do not cause the disease; it is the bacteria harbored and transmitted by ticks causing the disease) and it only takes one tick bite to be infected by dangerous, sometimes even fatal, tick-borne disease.

There are many different types of ticks throughout the United States, each with the disease-carrying potential. Example of ticks carrying diseases include:

• Deer ticks/black legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis – I. dammini) – may carry Lyme Disease
• American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) – may carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and tularemia
• Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) – may carry tularemia, tick paralysis and RMSF
• Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) – may carry canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis

Clinical signs of tick-borne disease include (but not limited to):

• Lethargy
• Lameness in one or more legs
• Anorexia
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Liver/kidney failure
• Seizures

Signs can be few and subtle until later stages of the disease. Signs of tick-borne disease can also be confused with other medical conditions. Other than clinical signs, laboratory testing can be done to diagnose the disease. If you suspect your dog is exposed to a tick-borne disease, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Since vaccination is not available for all tick-borne diseases (vaccination for Lyme Disease is available through your veterinarian), prevention is a key to avoid tick infestation. Avoid areas ticks love, such as grasses and low shrubs. Examine your dog’s body for ticks as soon as returning from an outing and promptly remove ticks with caution if you see them. It is a good idea to save them in a container with rubbing alcohol for future identification.

Never remove ticks with your bare hands. Use tweezers or wear gloves so that you will not expose yourself to a potentially infected tick.

Watch for sings of tick-borne diseases after removing ticks from your dogs. If you see any signs or notice any abnormality, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Tags: disease, Dog Health, ticks

Every summer our dogs are exposed to a potentially deadly disease called heartworm disease. Heartworms are parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. We cannot prevent mosquitoes from coming back every summer, but we CAN prevent the dangerous parasites they carry to infest our dogs!

Heartworm disease (also known as dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites called heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). There is little sign of disease in earlier stages of infection. Signs show up in later stages of the disease. Most common signs are persistent coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite and trouble of breathing. Infected dogs suffer damage in organs such as heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

The early detection of heartworm infection can be done by examining the dog’s blood. The procedure can be done at any veterinary clinics and the treatment can be done successfully if the disease is detected early.

The good news is this disease is almost 100% preventable with preventive medication administered properly. There are a few methods of administration: orally, topically or by injection. Before you start any preventive medications, your veterinarian must exam your dog’s blood and confirm that there is no presence of heartworms in dog’s system. Then the veterinarian can prescribe the preventive medications. It is very important to administer the medication properly and on schedule.

Keep this in your mind – prevention of heartworm disease is easy and inexpensive, but treatment for this disease is long-term, risky and can be very expensive!

Tags: disease, Dog Health, heartworm

Planning for a road trip with your dog? Driving with a dog is not just about putting a dog in the car and hitting the road, especially if you are planning long distance travel. With proper preparation, you will increase the chances of safe, comfortable and stress-free road trip.

First of all, be sure your dog is fit for travel. Your dog should be healthy, easy going and well mannered. He/she should know the basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, down, heal and come and be leash trained. Do not take your dog if he/she becomes ill before the trip. Dogs that are nervous or shy and elderly or too young may be better off left behind at home with someone you can trust.

Before the trip:

• Check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is physically fit for a trip. Update all vaccinations at this time if you have already done so. Ask for a proof of all vaccinations and a copy of a medical record or health certificate so that you can bring those along on your trip. You may also ask if the veterinarian can refer any veterinarians at your travel destinations.
• Make sure your dog has proper identification tags. Your dog should have at least two tags: one that has your dog’s name, your name, address and home and/or cell phone number or any other information necessary; and a rabies vaccination proof tag (remember, most states require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies). If you know the phone numbers for your destinations, it is a good idea to make an id tag with that information. Having your dog permanently identified with microchip or tattoo is another option.
• If your dog is not used to riding in the car, practicing is recommended. Start with a series of short trips (10-15 minutes) first and increase travel time gradually.
• Many motels and hotels only have a limited number of rooms available for pet owners, so plan ahead for your all travel accommodations.
• Have a list of local veterinarians and emergency veterinary hospitals at your destinations.

Gearing up your dog for travel:

• Basic travel gears include food and treats, medications, food and water bowl, crate, extra set of collar, id tags and leash, grooming supplies, first aid kit, medical & vaccination records, regular veterinarian’s phone number, current photo of your dog (in case if lost), plastic bags, towels, etc. Pack things your dog usually uses to give him/her sense of familiarity: his/her bed, food and water bowl, toys, blanket, etc.
• Your dog will be spending many hours in your car. Make it comfortable for you and your dog as much as possible. For everyone’s safety, your dog should be in the back seat of your car. You may need a doggie seatbelt or some sort of barrier to keep him/her from moving up to the front of the car. Waterproof seat covers may come in handy in different occasions.

Day of the trip:

• Do not feed your dog a full meal right before the trip. Instead, feed a small meal several hours before to reduce the chances of motion sickness.
• Do not let your dog stick his/her head out of the moving vehicle to prevent injury.
• Make sure your dog wears proper identification at all times and keep your dog on leash at all times to prevent the chances of him/her becoming lost.
• Always provide your dog cool, well ventilated environment. Make fresh water available at all times.
• Never leave your dog in the car unattended.
• Once you get to your destinations, try to make your dog feel comfortable by situating his/her belongings (bed, pillows, toys, etc.) like at home.
• Resume your dog’s regular schedule such as feeding time and exercise time.
• Relax and enjoy a quality time with your dog – and remember, that is the reason why you are taking your dog to begin with!

Many dog parents find themselves in need of boarding facilities when they are unable to provide normal care. Some dog parents utilize dog daycare to provide social environment while they are at work. In such occasions, the goal is to select quality boarding/daycare facility to give your dog safe and good boarding experience.

Here are some tips on selecting a boarding/daycare facility:

Locate a few facilities that are in convenient location by using:

• Yellow Pages
• Internet
• Recommendations of other dog parents

Interview the facility:

• Ask if the facility can accommodate your dog
• Find out how long they have been in business
• Ask for references
• Find out price, hours,boarding requirements and policies
• If your dog has a special need, ask if they accommodate
• Ask if you can visit the facility before you schedule the boarding

Visit the facility:

• Check the cleanness and smell of the entire place
• Check out the areas your dog spends time (sleeping area, play area, outdoor pen, etc.)
• Check out facility staff and their interaction with dogs
• Find out the daily routine (how often does your dog go out, feeding schedule, etc.)
• Find out the facility’s supervision and safety procedures

Before making a final decision:

• Check references
• Check with Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the facility

Tags: Dog Daycare, How To & Tips, Tips

Either on your property or elsewhere, you are responsible for picking up after your pet. Nobody likes this daunting task, but it’s got to be done! Proper handling of pet waste is important for you, your dog and your family.

Animal feces can be a potential health hazard for you and your pet. Parasites such as whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, Giardia, and Coccidia can be transmitted to pets and people through feces. In addition, your dog can contract and spread potentially deadly disease like parvovirus through feces. Flies are attracted to feces and they are another potential health hazard to pets and humans. Not only can flies spread diseases, but they can also bite your dogs.

The best and easiest way to prevent disease and problems that can spread through feces is to simply remove them properly at least once a week or more if you have multiple dogs. Using in ground stool digester may be a good idea to safely dispose dog waste.

You can’t prevent your dog from producing stools, but there is a way to lessen its volume. Feed your dog high quality food. Quality dog foods usually contain more calories per pound, so it takes less amount of a quality food to meet your dog’s needs. Thus your dog produces less stools.

Mutts is among one of many comics that feature dogs. Earl the dog is one of the two main characters of Mutts comics (the other main character is Mooch the cat). What makes this comic so special is not only it is entertaining, but it is also educational.

Mutts, created by Patrick McDonnell, was first launched in 1994 and has been in syndication since. Mutts is published in more than 20 countries and appears in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. Mutts features the adventures of Earl and Mooch along with other lovable characters such as Ozzie (Earl’s human), Millie and Frank (Mooch’s humans), Shtinky the cat, Guard Dog and many other animals.

Mutts Comics

Mutts teaches us about living in harmony – A friendship between Earl and Mooch symbolizes the coexistence of different spices. Mutts also teaches us about endangered species. A character named Shtinky is determined to save the endangered tigers. Shtinky teaches us not only about the endangered tigers, but also teaches us about no matter how small you are, you can be a part of making a difference in the world.

Strips featuring Guard Dog help educate people about the sad and lonely lives of chained dogs. Guard Dog is a sweet dog who craves love and affection. Even a little pat on his head makes his day. Guard Dog speaks for all dogs that are chained up 24/7 – they want you to treat them as a part of the family, not just as guard dogs.

Shelter Stories by Patrick McDonnell

Mutts Shelter Stories series portrait animals who are in animal shelters awaiting to be adopted and the people who care for them. Many pets die in vain at shelters across the United States simply because there are not enough homes for them. Shelter Stories is a great contribution to make public aware of the situation and promoting adopting pets from animal shelters.

Patrick McDonnell is not only a talented cartoonist, but also a great asset to the society. His tremendous work educates readers of all ages about being kind to animals and each other. What Mutts teaches us may be the most important, but often forgotten things in our daily lives…

Tags: Animal Friendly, Animal Welfare, Mutts, Patrick McDonnell

Hiking with your dog is a beneficial experience for both you and your dog; it is a great opportunity to strengthen bond between you and your dog; and it can be a great stress reliever – being away from everyday routine. It is a great opportunity to appreciate nature as well.

A well made plan and preparation is key to a fun and safe hiking trip. If you have never hiked before, getting a book for hiking is recommend. Start out with a short hike and increase the distance as you and your dog get used to it. If you are uncertain if your dog is physically fit for a hiking trip or not, consult with your veterinarian before the trip.

Planning for the trip:

• Make sure that dogs are allowed on the trails you are going to hike.
• Dogs (especially dark, heavy coated dogs) have less heat tolerance than humans. Avoid hot, humid summer day for hiking.
• Your dog will have an increased chance of exposure to fleas and ticks. Do not allow your dog to walk in grasses and bushes where ticks are likely to rest, if possible. Do appropriate flea/tick prevention before hand. Also be aware of tick borne disease – consider a Lyme disease vaccine. Consult your veterinarian for more information on flea/tick control.
• Your dog will have a chance to encounter wild animals that may carry rabies. Be sure that your dog’s rabies vaccination is up to date.
• Put a first aid kit together. You can make your own or you can purchase a kit especially made for dogs. Be sure to include your (or hiking area’s) veterinarian’s phone number. Items you should include (but not limited) in the kit for a short hiking trip are: 4″ square gauze pads; Vet Wrap, small scissors, tweezers, antibiotic cream (Neosporin), small bottle of peroxide, antiseptic wound wipe, etc…

Gearing up your dog for hiking:

• Collar with id tags (one for your dog’s information and a Rabies tag)
• Leash
• Water (carry at least 8oz per one hour of hiking time)
• Water bowl (collapsible water bowl is compact and handy)
• Small amount of food/treats if staying for a long period of time
• Dog bootees (may need to protect your dog’s paws from trail hazards such as rocks, thorns, sticks, broken glasses, etc…)
• First Aid Kit (make up your own or buy dog first aid kit)
• Towel
• Poop bag
• Doggie backpack (if your dog is comfortable carrying it on his back – do not over pack)

Tips for the hiking day:

• Do not feed your dog right before the hiking trip. They might get sick from over excitement.
• Keep your dog on a leash and under control at all times. Be sure to supervise your dog around other hikers and animals.
• Be sure your dog is well hydrated. Always carry plenty of water and offer it to your dog frequently.
• Keep your dog out of poison ivy. Dogs do not get poison ivy, but they can transmit to humans.
• When you stop to rest, check your dog for ticks.
• Do not allow your dog to drink out of surface water such as streams, ponds, puddles and creeks. They can contain pollutants and contaminants.
• Be sure to pick up your dog’s waste.

After the hiking:

• Check your dog’s body thoroughly for ticks. Do extra checking on your dog’s ears, head, neck and between toes.
• Rest well.

Tags: Hiking, Outdoor

If you are living in the United States, one of the many ways to help reduce the pet overpopulation problem is to show your support through animal friendly license plates. Many states are trying to reduce pet overpopulation though the sale of animal friendly license plates. You pay a little extra to purchase an animal friendly license plate. The extra money usually goes to spay and neuter funds in the state.

Oklahoma Animal Friendly License Plate

Besides the money going to spay and neuter funds, other benefit of these plates is to educate the public about the pet overpopulation problem. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the national average of driving time each day is 24.3 minutes and Americans spend more than 100 hours a year for commuting to work. That is a lot of time you can help educate the public! Everywhere you go in your car or even just being parked in your drive way, you can show your support to the public and help people become aware of the problem and the importance of helping animals.

Animal friendly license plates are available in most states. Call your state’s Motor Vehicle Division or visit their website for more information. If your state does not offer animal friendly license plates, write a letter or start a petition to your state legislators asking for support of an animal friendly license plate program. Also encourage your family members and friends to purchase animal friendly license plates!

Tags: Animal Welfare, Pet Overpopulation, Spay & Neuter

One of the many influences music has upon us is its impact on our moods. Each of us has different tastes in music and listens to different types of music depending on what kind of mood we are in. We may even change the type of music to change our mood, but how about dogs? What kind of influence does music have in dogs?

The research to study how dogs respond to certain types of music or sound was conducted in the United Kingdom. Fifty male and female dogs in a shelter were used as subjects. Researchers provided them five different types of aural stimuli – pop music, heavy metal, classical music, human conversation and no sound. They found that dogs rested more and were more relaxed and calm while classical music was being played than any other aural stimuli. Dogs made more movement such as jumping and pacing and barked more while heavy metal was being played.

Researchers concluded that playing classical music may create a less stressful environment to dogs. These dogs are living in a shelter environment, which could be stressful time to time. So how does this research apply to our dogs? Many of our dogs are left alone at home when we are at work during the day. These dogs often engage in destructive behavior due to stress caused by separation anxiety or simply from boredom. If we play classical music while they are left alone, would it help to relax them? It may be worth a try!

Suggestions

We all know that a proper diet plays an important role in our overall health. Many of us also know that choosing organic foods as a part of our diet benefits our overall health. Many pet owners are now including their furry friends in the quest for an optimal health by feeding them organic dog food. So, what is exactly “organic dog food?” What are the benefits of feeding organic dog food?

What Does Organic Mean?
Organic foods are grown and produced without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. Animals raised for food are not given any antibiotics or growth hormones. In the United States, consumer products that are sold as “organic” are inspected and certified by government-approved entities to meet USDA organic standards. Organic producers and their facilities must also be certified and inspected to assure that all the rules are followed. Organic products are identified by the USDA Organic labels.

Benefits of Organic Dog Food
Organic foods are much healthier than those with added chemicals which may cause cancer and other health problems. Organic foods are believed to have benefits such as boosting energy levels and immune system, and reducing allergy problems. Many people also claim that organic foods taste better than non-organic foods.

Some of the potential benefits of organic dog food are:
1. Stronger immunity
2. Healthier skin and coat
3. Improved energy
4. Better digestibility
5. Increased longevity

Going Organic? Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before making changes in your dog’s diet. If you feel like your dog may benefit from organic dog food, introduce it gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old. Many selections of organic dog foods are available at your local pet specialty stores and online.

Tags: Dog Food, Dog Health, Natural, Organic