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Friday, September 13, 2013

3 Easy Steps to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Great article from petpav.com!
3 Easy Steps to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Pet Advice

Dogs, primarily with flappy ears, are prone to ear infections.   If you can clean your dog’s ears on a regular basis, it can help prevent ear infections and/or illnesses associated with the ear. Some dogs have very little ear buildup and simply need their ears wiped out occasionally. Other dogs need thorough ear cleanings every week or two. Inspect your dog's ears regularly and talk to your vet about your specific dog's needs.

You can do the following to clean your dog’s ears on a regular basis.

Ear Cleaning Supplies

Below is what you need to clean your dog’s ears at home:

Ear cleansing solution: Look for a high quality ear cleaner recommended by veterinarians. You can also make a homemade ear cleanser (for dogs without major ear issues) by mixing one part table vinegar to two parts water. Make sure to avoid ear cleansers that contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can cause irritation.

Cotton balls, cotton pads or gauze squares

Cotton-tipped applicators

Tweezers (for dogs with too much hair in the ear canals)

A towel or dish cloth

Getting Started With Ear Cleaning

Ideally, you should clean your dog’s ears in your bathtub or outside.  The cleaning will cause your dog to automatically shake his head and the ear debris and cleaner can end up on your walls and possibly you!  That is yet another reason to have a towel handy for you and your dog.

Before cleaning your dog’s ears, take a look inside them. You can get an idea of how dirty they are and you can check for excess hair. If your dog has a lot of hair coming from the ear canal, that hair may need to be plucked. You can do this with your fingers or tweezers.

How to Clean Your Dog's Ears

1,         Begin by holding your dog’s ear flap up and squirting a few drops of cleanser on the inside of the flap near the ear opening. If using homemade solution, get a squeeze bottle or bulb syringe with a tip that is about an inch long.  Then, you should gently place the tip of the bottle into the ear and give a gentle squeeze. Do not use an excessive amount of pressure when squeezing the cleanser into the ear.

2.         Before your dog can shake his head, begin massaging the base of your dog's ear (this is the bottom part near the jaw where cartilage can be felt). You should be able to hear a smooshing sound.  By massaging the ear, you are helping the cleanser to fill the ridges in the canal and loosen ear debris. After massaging for a few seconds, you can let go and allow your dog to shake. You might want to turn away or hold up a towel for this part.

3.         Once your dog has a good shake, use the cotton or gauze and your finger to wipe out the ear canal. You can put your finger in the ear canal as far as it will go without forcing it. You may wish to use cotton-tipped applicators to clean stubborn debris out of the ridges.   Remember, that you should never put the cotton-tipped applicators into the ear any further than you can see as it can cause damage to the eardrum can occur.

If your pup’s ears still seems dirty, try to repeat the process. Then, move on to the other ear. Finish by wiping away any visible debris and drying your dog's head off.   Then, of course, reward your dog with treats for his or her great behavior and you can be rewarded for a job well done!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The Tongue Does Not Heal All Wounds

Another great article!

The Tongue Does Not Heal All Wounds

 

Have you ever heard someone say that pets should be allowed to lick their wounds because saliva has healing properties? Veterinarians run into the notion all the time … typically after a dog or cat has been brought to the clinic with a wound that is getting worse rather than better after being licked.

 

Like many old wives tales, there is a modicum of truth behind the idea that licking can be beneficial. When an animal is wounded and does not have access to veterinary care, licking removes foreign material from the injured tissues. Also, there is some evidence that saliva does have antibacterial properties, so licking might help prevent or treat infections under these circumstances.

 

It makes sense for a wild animal to lick its wounds since no other options are available, but it does not follow that owners should therefore allow pets to do the same. This is particularly true in the case of surgical incisions.

 

Before, during, and after surgery, doctors go to great lengths to prevent wound contamination and infection including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • shaving the site to remove hair
  • scrubbing the area multiple times with two different types of antiseptics
  • covering the surrounding areas with sterile drapes
  • using sterile equipment
  • cleaning our hands and wearing sterile gloves and gowns
  • donning masks, booties and hair covers
  • keeping surgical suites impeccably clean
  • suturing the wound to keep it closed as it heals
  • prescribing antibiotics, pain relievers, and anti-lick devices as necessary

 

When a pet licks a surgical incision, he is introducing contamination, not removing it. In the case of non-surgical wounds, I don’t care if a pet licks a few times before treatment is initiated, but once the area has been thoroughly cleaned and medications started, the downsides of licking once again outweigh its benefits.

 

We now have lots of options available for keeping a pet’s mouth away from its wound or incision. Traditional Elizabethan collars work for some individuals, but others find them too annoying and clunky. See-through varieties are available, as are bulky collars that can prevent animals from turning their heads to reach many parts of their bodies. Body wraps and bandages (including some that emit a mild electric charge when licked) are widely available. Deterrent sprays can also help, but should never be applied directly to a wound. Spray the surrounding skin or use them lightly on an overlying bandage.

 

While we’re on the topic of bandages, a well-applied, appropriate covering that is checked regularly and replaced as needed can speed healing. But when used incorrectly, bandages do more harm than good. They can cut off circulation and lead to tissue death, become soiled and promote infection, and simply hide the fact that a pet’s wound needs attention. I generally do not recommend that owners apply bandages unless they have been taught the correct way to do so by a veterinarian who is familiar with the exact nature of an animal’s wound.

 

If one form of lick deterrence fails, try another. Keeping a pet’s sutures in place and preventing infection as a wound heals are well worth the effort.

 

 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Hose Water Can Get Hot Enough to Burn

Hose Water Can Get Hot Enough to Burn

 

Dr. Coates is on vacation this week, so we're revisiting some of our favorite posts from past summers. Today's post is from summer 2012. 

 

Here’s a new summertime threat I had never thought of before — dogs being burned after being hosed off with scalding hose water. Ten such cases were recently reported in an articlepublished in Veterinary Dermatology.

 

All of the affected dogs had second or third degree burns along their backs after being exposed to hot water from a garden hose that was laying out in the sun. "Third degree" describes a severe burn that damages both the skin and its underlying tissues. Second degree burns involve the superficial and deep layers of the skin.

 

Cases occurred from May through August in Texas, Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Indiana, Michigan and North Carolina. The burns were not always apparent until several days after the incident and some resulted in significant scar formation. I’m not sure we need a specific name for this condition, but the authors propose that we use the phrase "garden hose scalding syndrome (GHS)."

 

According to the July 2012 issue of Veterinary Medicine, the pathologists conducted their own experiment to test whether or not hose water could actually get hot enough to cause second or third degree burns. They filled black and green rubber garden hoses with water and set them out on the grass for two hours in temperatures between 89 and 94° F. The water collected from the hoses reached 120°F. Imagine how much hotter the water might get on a truly scorching day. The Burn Foundation reports that in people, hot water causes third degree burns:

 

…in 1 second at 156°

…in 2 seconds at 149°

…in 5 seconds at 140°

…in 15 seconds at 133°

 

I’ve been keeping a hose out on our back patio to water plants this summer and have been surprised a few times at how quickly the water inside heats up. I always let it run for a bit before watering the plants, figuring that they’re not built for those temperatures. The same can obviously be said for canine and human skin.

 

So even though it may seem like an obvious recommendation, make sure to flush the scalding water out of the hose before you turn it on any living creature.

 

 

Dr. Jennifer Coates

 

 

Image: Thinkstock

Saturday, June 15, 2013

It's National Pet Preparedness Month!

Thanks to PetHub for this great article!
FB-June-Square

Click here to learn more!

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and PetHub is proud to partner with American Humane Association to help provide tools and education for pet parents to help them prepare for the worst and protect their pets.

For a limited time, you can pick up one of our brand new NFC-capable Tap Tags at an incredible price, and also get an Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Guide for Pets from The Preventive Vet!

In addition...a portion of every sale will benefit American Humane Association and their Red Star Rescue Team, who is right now on the ground in Oklahoma, helping displaced pets from the recent string of devastating tornadoes.


Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake
AllMyPets Total Wellness

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Hurricane Season is Here!

This great article provided by HSPCA!

Are You Prepared?

Protect Your Pets/Livestock During a Hurricane

Share this story with your friends 
and let them know you support The Houston SPCA!
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The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st and runs through November 30th.   The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an extremely active season with a 70% chance of 13 to 20 named storms.  Approximately 7 to 11 of these storms could become hurricanes. The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is urging pet owners to prepare for disaster!  Houston SPCA President Patricia Mercer says the best way to protect your family is to have a plan in place before disaster strikes.

Photograph each pet and store these pictures with other important documents in sealed/waterproof plastic bags.  Make sure that all animals are up-to-date on their vaccinations.  All dogs and cats should wear collars and identification tags with current information.  Mercer says, “It’s also a good idea to include the name and phone number of a friend OUTSIDE the greater Houston area in case local phone service is not functioning immediately following a disaster.”  Dogs should wear nylon or leather collars only.  Never place tags on training collars or choke chains.  Cats should wear a breakaway/safety collar.

The Houston SPCA also encourages families to pack a portable pet disaster kit to include food, water, medication, vaccination records and cleaning supplies.  Make sure your pet has a safe traveling carrier that has been labeled with your emergency contact information.  You should plan on enough supplies for at least two weeks.  Take your pet’s favorite toy or blanket with you to help minimize his/her stress. 

If you must evacuate, take your pet with you!  If conditions are unsafe for people, they are unsafe for pets.  Pet owners should identify an evacuation route and make temporary housing arrangements before a storm hits.  This often means finding a boarding facility or animal shelter out of the evacuation area and in the area where the family will be staying. 

It is particularly important to plan for horses and other farm animals.  Their size, shelter and transportation needs make planning crucial.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Why Does My Dog Dig from Dogster.com

From Dogster.com
 
 
 

 

ASK A TRAINER

Why Dogs Dig and What You Can Do About It

Before you start scolding, find out what your dog is up to and how you can redirect that energy.

  |  May 29th 2013  |   6 Contributions


There are many reasons dogs create unattractive holes in your backyard -- unattractive to you, anyway -- though one of them is not to irritate you, as many people seem to mistakenly believe. Here are just a few reasons your dog is trying to make it to China before you get home from work (followed by how a little training can change that):

  • It’s FUN.
  • They are pretty sure they smelled a mole or some other varmint down deep, and they feel it is best to dig to be sure.
  • They are bored and unsupervised.

 

Trinket decided to help me with the gardening.

 

  • They are hiding a yummo treat to save for later munching.
  • Dirt tastes good to some dogs. Don’t be surprised. Some dogs like the taste of dog poop.
  • They are harking back to their wolf ancestry and creating a denlike space for themselves.
  • They hate your garden design skills and want to surprise you with a makeover.

That last was to see who is paying attention! Now that I have you, I want to share a sad story that illustrates why humans with our bigger brains need to teach our dogs not to dig -- or, if we can’t do that, at least we can show them where they are allowed to dig. 

My husband and I bought our first rural property with high hopes of enjoying the quiet country life. Within two months, our new, five-acre rural life was shattered by the sound of gunshots, followed by the yelping of one of my beloved German Shepherds.

I had talked the local shelter onto letting me pull a handsome, young German Shepherd named Zeke on the day he was scheduled to be euthanized. They believed he would bite. I wasn’t a professional trainer yet, but I had been around Shepherds all my life, and I knew I could trust this gentle soul. I was right; he was a gentle giant. 

A few weeks after getting him home, Zeke’s right eye started to cloud up. The vet took X-rays and told me that he had buckshot in his eye. I called the shelter and asked if they had any additional information about him, since was an owner surrender. It turns out that Zeke had a liking for raw chicken, and his “loving” owner tried to teach him to stop that behavior by unloading buckshot into Zeke’s head. When that failed, the brilliant man dumped him at a high-kill shelter. 

 

My dear departed Zeke, who incurred a neighbor's wrath by digging out onto his property.

 

Zeke loved other dogs and fit right in with my other two German Shepherds. He took a special liking to my current foster dog, a little Jack Russell mix I named Pogo for her jumping abilities. It turns out that Pogo had another skill I was unaware of: digging.

My first night alone in our new home (my husband was out of town at his grandmother’s funeral), I came home after dark from a long, stressful day at the office. I drove up to the house expecting to be greeted by my dogs. They had a doggie door and could roam the five tightly-fenced acres during the day.

No dogs were in sight. I grabbed a flashlight and started looking for them, calling frantically and running around our property still in my work heels. My pantyhose got ripped on trees, but I didn’t care; I was in a panic to find my dogs.

I saw the neighbor’s car lights. I heard him shoot his gun twice and then heard what I knew was Zeke yelping twice. And then, silence. Suddenly my other dogs, including Pogo, were at my side. Zeke wasn’t with them. I knew he was dead.

 

A sand box -- not the beach -- will let your dog dig as deep as he wants. Dog writes his name on beach by Shutterstock

 

I knew my neighbor had a goat pen, so I called the sheriff. He came last to my house to let me know that my neighbor wouldn’t press charges against me, which he could have because the pet goats had more rights as livestock animals than did Zeke.

The neighbor dumped my bloodied dog over the fence. I found him there the next morning as I was trying to figure out how the dogs got out of our secure yard. Near his body, I saw the hole. Pogo had dug out, and the other dogs had followed her. She dug another hole for them all to come back (all except Zeke). 

I spent the next year paying the neighbor back in small, vengeful ways. I threw dog feces over the fence nearly every day, right where he dumped Zeke. I added cactus and even shovelfuls of fire ants. I cursed him and I hated him. But what I should have been doing is ensuring that Pogo nor any other foster dog could ever dig out of my property again. 

 

Trinket digs to China, looking for critters.

 

Here’s what I now know about digging. I share these tips with you in hopes of saving others the same heartbreak I experienced:

  • A bored or unsupervised dog is more likely to dig than a well-exercised dog. My dogs do not stay outside -- even with a highly secured fence -- unless I am home.
  • Know your breeds. Pogo was a Jack Russell mix, a sturdy, tenacious breed of dog put on the planet to hunt fox ... and to burrow into the earth.
  • If you have a committed digger, build her a sandbox and teach her that is the spot to dig if she wants to. Bury frozen treats only in that area to encourage her digging in the sandbox. 
  • Don’t give your digger dog treats he can’t eat in one session, to stop him from burying them to eat later. 
  • If your dog digs because he is anxious that you are not with him, hire a qualified canine behaviorist. 
  • Never punish digging, especially if you find the hole hours after the dog did his artwork. When you do catch your pup in the act, redirect him back to the appointed sandbox.

I miss Zeke a lot. I failed him and Pogo by allowing an escape to occur. Since that night, I’ve never had another dog get out of my property, and I’ve fostered more than 400 dogs. It was a painful lesson, but I learned from it.  

If you have a digger, it’s up to you to redirect your dog’s behavior to an activity that you do approve of. Don’t delay -- and don’t believe your dog will outgrow his favorite activity. I urge you to be proactive. I don't want to hear another story as sad as what happened to Zeke and me. 

P.S. My neighbor finally moved away. He never could figure out how so many fire ants ended up on his property or why he had so much dog poop by his fences. 

Read more on training by Annie Phenix:

 

Friday, May 10, 2013

Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake Offers New Life Saving Service to Clients and Community

LEAGUE CITY, TX, May 10, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, owned by Trisha Stetzel, has been servicing the local pet community since 2008 with best in class pet sitting and dog walking services. Trisha Stetzel became a certified PetTech PetSaver Pet First Aid & CPR instructor in February of this year. She is now offering these life-saving courses to her clients as well as the local community, other pet service businesses, and volunteer pet organizations.

One out of every four dogs may be saved if a pet first-aid technique is used before the injured animal arrives at a clinic, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. "Less than 1 percent of pet owners, however, have a pet first-aid kit or have been trained in first aid," notes Stetzel.

Trisha's love for animals and her pet sitting business led her to PetTech for the PetSaver certification in 2008 and she has upheld her certification since. The opportunity to teach PetTech's PetSaver and Pet First Aid & CPR Courses presented itself and Trisha jumped at the chance to become a certified instructor.

The Pet Tech Instructor Training is a comprehensive, three-day, interactive program. Instructors learn the necessary skills and teaching methods to properly train pet owners and pet professionals in first aid and care. The course includes competent training in the identification and evaluation of the signs and symptoms a pet may develop and the appropriate actions to be taken for proper emergency medical treatment.

Trisha's classes are available monthly all over the Houston area, Clear Lake, and Galveston. For additional information about the classes, scheduling or PetTech, please call 281-217-4951 or visit http://www.allmypetstotalwellness.com.


Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake

Friday, May 3, 2013

Are you prepared to act in an emergency for your best friend?




Are you prepared to act in an emergency for your best friend?



According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 1-out-of-4 more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.

The 8-hour PetSaver Training will give you the confidence to know you are prepared to act in the event of an emergency. PetSaver instruction is a one-day course designed for pet parents and pet care professionals.

You will learn:
• ABC's of Pet First Aid
• Assessing your pet's vitals
• Rescue Breathing
• Canine and Feline CPR
• Snout-to-Tail Assessment
• How to help your pet in a medical emergency
• Caring for your Senior "Pet-izen"
• Proper pet dental care

The class includes our PetSaver handbook, a certificate upon successful completion, and a 2-year certification.



We have a special class scheduled just for you!

Galveston Island Humane Society is hosting a class on Saturday 5/11 from 10am-6pm. The cost is $125 per student and a portion of the proceeds will go back to GIHS!

Please visit the following link to reserve your seat now
http://www.pettech.net/schedule/regclass.php?classid=1344
Paypal and credit card (MC, Visa, AmEx) accepted

We look forward to meeting you!
Trisha Stetzel PTI #1767
Certified PetTech PetSaver, First Aid & CPR Instructor
281-217-4951
info@allmypetstotalwellness.com
www.allmyetstotalwellness.com

Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake &
AllMyPets Total Wellness

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

PetTech PetSaver First Aid & CPR

Are you prepared to act in an emergency for your best friend?


According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 1-out-of-4 more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.

The 8-hour PetSaver Training will give you the confidence to know you are prepared to act in the event of an emergency. PetSaver instruction is a one-day course designed for pet parents and pet care professionals.

You will learn:
ABC's of Pet First Aid
Assessing your pet's vitals
Rescue Breathing
Canine and Feline CPR
Snout-to-Tail Assessment
How to help your pet in a medical emergency
Caring for your Senior "Pet-izen"
Proper pet dental care
The class includes our PetSaver handbook, a certificate upon successful completion, and a 2-year certification.

Visit www.allmypetstotalwellness.com for class schedules and registration information.



AllMyPets Total Wellness
Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake

Time to blog again! Pet Care and Pet First Aid

It's been a while, but time to get back to the blog! I'm so excited to share that I am not a certified PetTech PetSaver First Aid & CPR Instructor! I hope to have lots of great stories about my classes for my blog in the future! It you'd like more information about my classes please visit www.AllMyPetsTotalWellnes.com Here's to a new year and a full blog! Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake AllMyPets Total Wellness