Is Your Pet Due For A Makeover?

admin June 5, 2015Articles Leave a Comment

Is your dog looking disheveled? Does your cat look less than cuddly? If so, a pet makeover is in order.

It’s amazing what a good hair styling, shampoo, conditioning and blow dry can do! Not only will your pet look and smell better, but he or she will feel better, too! You know how good you feel after a trip to the salon or spa! Why not do the same for your four-footed best friend?

Other than a few breeds that are supposed to have long shaggy hair, it’s easy to determine when your pet needs a makeover. Look for overgrown hair creating long bangs that obscure your pet’s vision. How about hair hanging from the tips of your pet’s ears? Are they collecting food and water as they dangle into his food and water bowls? Has your pet become sticky to the touch or developed an odor that makes Fido or Fluffy unhuggable?

In addition to the obvious cosmetic reasons for a makeover – there’s another good reason to treat your pet to a makeover – the emotional pick-me-up it offers. Even if your pet is not particularly dirty or unkempt, he or she can benefit from a makeover for purely emotional reasons. Good candidates for such a pick-me-up are adult pets who have been pushed into the background after their novelty has worn off, bored and lonely pets who are left alone all day, and pets that are depressed. Makeovers are beneficial for senior pets, particularly older cats who can no longer reach the areas they were once able to groom themselves.

THE TRIM

While makeovers can be performed by professional dog and cat groomers, we pet owners can do a lot ourselves at home. It’s not necessary to use an electric clipper, which requires a more experienced hand, but a good scissors made for hair cutting (generally available at pharmacies) can help any owner turn a scraggly pet into a real Prince Charming or Cinderella.

Hair hanging in front of your pet’s eyes can be trimmed away, but take care that the point of the scissors is directed away form the eyes. Leave a one or two inch ridge of hair above the eyes to act as an awning, providing some protection from direct sun. Ears can be freed from long hair fringes by neatly trimming around the outline of each ear, leaving a * inch border. You can also follow the outline of the mouth and chin area to trim away extra beard hair which tends to become discolored and encrusted with food particles. Uneven hair under the belly can also be cleaned up with the scissors. So can excessive hair on the tail.

Also check the bottom of your pet’s feet for excess hair between the pads. Hair extending beyond the pads should be trimmed as grit and gravel often become entangled in the hair, creating sores between the pads. Speaking of feet, check the length of your pet’s nails. If you can hear them click as your pet walks across wood or tile floors, they’re too long. Long nails can cause lameness, aggravate arthritis and hip dysplasia because your pet’s weight is not properly distributed. So get your pet’s nail clipper and get to work (see Volume 7/Number 1 “The Well-Manicured Pet.”)

THE BATH

If a bath is in order, be sure to use a shampoo made specifically for your type of pet. Don’t use dog shampoo on cats or vice versa. Take advantage of one of many special shampoos on the market. There are shampoos to brighten the coats of white-haired dogs and cats, to bring out the luster of black-coated pets, conditioners and detanglers for long-coated breeds, medicated ones for dry coats, just to name a few.

Before bathing, brush out all the knots in your pet’s coat. Be sure to protect your pet’s coat. Be sure to protect your pet’s ears from collecting water. This is done by placing a cotton ball with a dab of mineral oil into each ear – gently so it may be easily removed. Use a non-skid rubber mat on the bottom of the sink or tub, so your pet has secure footing. Follow the shampoo manufacturer’s label directions and be sure to rinse your pet well. Use care to dry your pet thoroughly.

A SPECIAL WORD TO CAT OWNERS

Cat owners, forget the age old thinking that cats don’t like baths and can’t be bathed! Show cats are bathed regularly. All cats should receive some assistance with their grooming. If started while young, your cat will become adjusted to it. If your cat is older, it’s best to introduce Kitty to bath time gradually. Whether young or old, play with your cat in the empty sink or bathtub. Give Kitty her favorite toys or treats. After a few play periods, when Kitty appears relaxed, repeat the process but place a very small layer of water in the bottom of the tub or sink.

Continue practicing the procedure a few times and when your pet seems comfortable, add a little more water, continuing this procedure until Kitty demonstrates that he or she has no fear of the tub, sink or water. Only then can a full bath take place. And, of course, while Kitty is adjusting to the bath time process, be sure to use plenty of praise.

Keeping up with your pet’s physical appearance is important, not only for the cosmetic improvement, but for emotional reasons, too. Of course your pet will be happier when annoying hair is removed, when his or feet don’t hurt, and he or she feels and smells fresh. But your pet will also feel good knowing that you cared enough to make him or her feel that way!

Pets Really Are Like People’s Children, Brain Scans Suggest

admin October 14, 2014Articles

The bond between pet and owner may be more similar to the relationship between child and parent than previously thought. Brain scans are helping scientists better understand the bond between people and their beloved pets. The study included 14 women who had at least one child between the ages of 2 and 10 and one dog that had been in …

Dog blood transfusion saves cat’s life

admin October 10, 2014Articles

MARATHON, Fla. — Veterinarians in Florida said an orange tabby cat has its natural nemesis, a dog, to thank for a lifesaving blood transfusion. Dr. Sean Perry of the Marathon Veterinary Hospital said Buttercup, an orange tabby cat from Key West, was found to be severely anemic, with a red blood cell count down to 7 percent, far lower than …

What every dog owner needs to know about parvovirus

admin October 3, 2014Articles

Outbreaks of parvovirus among dogs in Massachusetts, Indiana, Illinois, and New Jersey have animal shelters and owners scrambling to help sick dogs and prevent further spread of the virus. Colin Parrish, Professor of Virology at the Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, who was involved in the development of the original parvovirus vaccine and continues …

The Advantages of Pet Aerobics

Julie August 21, 2014Articles

The best thing about pet aerobics is that you and your dog or cat can have fun together. A relationship based solely on feeding and disciplining isn’t really worth the effort. Why have a pet at all if you’re not enjoying each other? Pet aerobics offers an excellent opportunity for the two of you to become friends and share experiences, …

Preventing Bloat

admin September 26, 2013Articles Leave a Comment

Some episodes of bloat can be prevented by following these practices:

Divide the day’s ration into three equal meals, spaced well apart.
Do not feed your dog from a raised food bowl.
Avoid feeding dry dog food that has fat among the first four ingredients listed on the label.
Avoid foods that contain citric acid.
Restrict access to water for one hour before and after meals.
Never let your dog drink a large amount of water all at once.
Avoid strenuous exercise on a full stomach.
Stress

Best Pets for Seniors

admin June 5, 2013Articles Leave a Comment

The companionship and unconditional love that pets offer can help older adults reduce stress and increase hormones that promote joy, nurturing and relaxation, according to the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri. But which pet is best for a retirement lifestyle?

With a little help from Warren Eckstein, a pet psychologist in Santa Monica, Calif. and Sedona, Ariz., we nominate these pets to be your next companion.

Best mobility boosters: Dogs
“Because they are so active, dogs act as catalysts for more physical activity in their owners,” Eckstein says. Walking a dog for 10 minutes at a time can help seniors work toward the goal of 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Walking your dog also allows you the opportunity to socialize with others who are out walking, Eckstein says.
Bonus: Trained service dogs can help seniors with mobility issues complete their daily activities and chores.

Best conformists: Cats
There is an abundance of older, house-trained cats available for adoption across the United States. “These cats are ideal for seniors who are looking for a pet that fits in their lifestyle or their activity level—without a lot of training or maintenance,” Eckstein says. Cats can easily develop their own routines in new environments. This makes them ideal companions for pet lovers who may travel or move.
Bonus: Cat owners have one-third lower of a risk for heart attack than non-cat owners, according researchers at the University of Minnesota. This is attributed to cats’ ability to reduce your stress and anxiety, which might otherwise negatively impact cardiovascular health.

Best stress-relievers: Fish
Seeking a stress-relieving pet but without all the fur? Opt for fish. The very act of watching fish swim around a fishbowl or aquarium can reduce stress. “That’s why so many dental offices have fish in the waiting rooms—they’re relaxing,” Eckstein says.
Bonus: While all fish can be soothing, goldfish offer the most longevity with an average life span of 5–10 years and are relatively easy to manage.

Best conversationalists: Small birds
Small birds such as parakeets and cockatiels make excellent pets for seniors who live alone or who wish to fill the house with a little more noise. “Birds give seniors the opportunity to nurture, talk and teach,” Eckstein says. With a little time and attention, an owner could teach a parakeet to whistle or speak.
Bonus: Small birds require only a cage and the space of a tabletop and can easily be trained to sit on the owner’s hand or finger, if the owner wishes.

https://mysilverageblog.thebegroup.org/blog/bid/180802/Best-Pets-for-Seniors

Kabang the hero dog heals, heads home

admin June 4, 2013Articles Leave a Comment

Veterinarian Anton Lim of the Philippines plays with Kabang, whom he will escort home on Thursday. Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Veterinary technician Dawn Gillette bids farewell to Kabang, the playful survivor Gillette calls “a real character,” who now has a clean bill of health. Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Kabang’s wound was open when she arrived at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis in October of 2012 . Photo: Gregory Urquiaga, UC Davis

Davis —

Veterinarians and caregivers at UC Davis bid farewell Monday to the faceless wonder dog who drew international attention after she leaped on a speeding motorcycle and saved two girls from being run over in the Philippines.

The muzzle-less mongrel named Kabang chewed treats, tossed around a squeaky toy and wagged her tail furiously after she was given a clean bill of health by specialists at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis.

The black and tan shepherd-type dog, whose face now looks more like that of a pug, seemed amazingly jolly after her eight-month ordeal, which included extensive treatment for cancer and heartworm, spaying, vaccinations and the insertion of an identity chip in her shoulder, in addition to surgery to close the grisly wound on her face.

Kabang was released to her Filipino veterinarian, Anton Lim, who will escort her back to the Philippines on Thursday.

“She is still not a pretty dog, but she is a happy dog,” said Frank Verstraete, the chief of dentistry and oral surgery at the hospital, explaining their surgical handiwork, which did not include cosmetic reconstruction of the dog’s missing upper jaw. “We opted for function and comfort as our primary goal.”

Kabang became an international sensation in December 2011 when she reportedly threw herself onto a motorcycle and stopped it from hitting her master’s daughter and niece in Zamboanga City. But the motorcycle’s spokes sheared off much of the plucky pooch’s face.

Word quickly spread throughout the Philippines about the heroics of the skinny mixed-breed known as an aspin, a kind of street dog often scorned in the Philippines, where purebreds are preferred.

Fundraising campaign

News of the “hero dog” soon spread around the world, and a grassroots fundraising campaign to get her the wound-closing surgery started after photographs of her gruesome injury began to circulate.

Kabang was brought to the veterinary hospital in October 2012 after donations from 20 countries poured in, enough to pay for airfare and treatment.

Facebook and Twitter accounts, the website careforkabang.com and pet lovers’ blogs were an integral part of the effort, and the money keeps flowing in. To date, more than $20,000 has been raised.

There has been plenty of criticism. Complaints to the hospital and on the Internet objected to the spending of so much money on a single dog when the public could be fighting war, hunger, terrorism and global warming.

Even some of the veterinarians at the hospital were conflicted when they saw the gaping, exposed tissue and nasal cavities, which extended “almost to the point of entering into the brain,” said Dr. Boaz Arzi, the surgeon.

“Some of my colleagues said, ‘This is beyond repair,’ ” and that euthanasia would be the most humane approach, Verstraete said.

How she survived in the first place “is something we asked ourselves. The amount of blood loss this dog must have sustained was tremendous, but somehow she did survive.”

Arzi said the decision to operate was made by the owner, Rudy Bunggal, who representatives say not only loves Kabang, but believes she was God-sent.

The 57-year-old native Visayan found her as a puppy in a swamp near Zamboanga. The dog and Bunggal’s daughter, Dina, 11, and niece, Princess, 3, were soon inseparable.

The heartbreaking stories behind 5 adorable bionic dogs

admin May 17, 2013Articles Leave a Comment

Tortured, shot at, or left to die, these brave pups each got a new lease on life with the help of artificial limbs

Naki’o. (Reuters)

When Naki’o was a puppy, he was found, along with his litter mates and dead mother, abandoned in a foreclosed home in Nebraska. Naki’o was literally frozen into a puddle on the floor, and had to have all four of his paws and part of his tail amputated as a result. A Colorado Springs veterinary assistant named Christine Pace got wind of the dog’s woeful story and was so taken that she adopted the severely handicapped puppy. At first, Naki’o was able get around on his stumps, but as he grew, his weight limited his activity. Pace raised enough money to get him outfitted with prosthetic limbs for his back legs, which suffered the worse damage. Seeing that the playful pup managed so well on his bionic paws, Martin and Amy Kaufman of Orthopets created a pair of front-leg prosthesis as well. (You can watch a short documentary on his inspirational little life — but beware: You will cry.) (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

Pay de Limon. (Reuters)

In 2011, Pay de Limon was reportedly the victim of a Mexican drug gang assault. It’s believed that Mexico City gang members used the Belgian shepherd mix — whose name means lemon pie in English — as practice for other gruesome crimes. They reportedly cut off his two front paws to test out intimidation tactics they would later use on human hands. The dog was left in the trash to die, and a passerby heard his cries and took him to Milagros Caninos, a local sanctuary for abused animals. The staff nursed Pay de Limon back to health and raised more than $6,000 through donations to pay for two front-leg prosthetic limbs. He’s now accustomed to his new legs and can be seen happily trotting around the sanctuary like any other dog. (REUTERS/Tomas Bravo)

Abayed. (Reuters)

Abayed was once a working sheepdog in Jordan. But in 2011, a stranger, mistaking him for a stray, shot Abayed and paralyzed his hind legs. His owner found the howling dog and took him to a local animal shelter, where the medics said it was clear the dog had a will to live. Instead of putting him down, the shelter took the handicapped dog in as their own and eventually outfitted him with a pair of wheeled legs. The harness gives the former shepherding dog the freedom to roam the shelter’s grounds, wrangling the occasional rogue sheep or goat just for the fun of it. (IMAGE: REUTERS/Ali Jarekji)

Maulee. (Getty)

Bionic Dog! Mutt Makes History As First Canine To Get Four Bionic Paws

admin April 29, 2013Articles Leave a Comment

He was abandoned in a foreclosed house in the middle of a Nebraska winter as a puppy and when he was discovered, his feet and tail were frozen solid in a puddle of water.

Now Naki’o has a new leash on life and is making history as the first dog to receive four prosthetic paws.

After being rescued, the mixed breed pup got medical attention and his feet healed to rounded stumps, but he couldn’t walk or play.

Fortunately veterinary assistant Christie Pace of Colorado Springs learned of the pup’s plight and took him in.

She organized a fundraiser, connected with a company called Ortho Pets and Naki’o was fitted with two prosthetic rear paws. Company execs were so impressed, they kicked in the other two prosthetics and Naki’o is now believed to be the first canine ever to have all four of his limbs replaced.

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