Tips for Selecting a New Family Pet

Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake Offers Three Tips for Selecting a New Family Pet

As more and more parents choose to get pets for their children, local professional pet sitter Trisha Stetzel recommends families give careful consideration to choosing the best possible pet.

Demographic surveys of pet owners sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) show that families with children are more likely to own a cat, dog or other type of pet. With pet ownership at an all-time high and continuing to grow, many parents in the Clear Lake area are likely to welcome new pets into their homes this year.

While having a pet offers many positive benefits for children, Trisha Stetzel, owner of Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, encourages parents to choose wisely when selecting their family’s next pet.

Stetzel recommends families consider the following questions before deciding on a new pet:

1. What type of pet is best for your family? While dogs and cats are still the most popular species, more households than ever before own small animals, reptiles and fish, according to 2013-2014 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. For families with small children or very limited time to care for a pet, animals like hermit crabs, fish or even snails may be better options. Families with smaller living spaces should think carefully before bringing in a larger dog (or even a puppy) that would require room to exercise frequently. For these families, cats, cage pets or aquarium-based pets may be more ideal. Families with fenced-in backyards and/or ample time for walking and play are best suited for more active dogs. For families seeking a dog, retrievers, boxers and collies are often noted as ideal breeds for children.

What is your budget? Caring for a pet is a financial obligation, so it is important for families to consider how much they are able to invest when deciding on a new pet. The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates the average costs a pet owner will incur within a year range from less than $300 for fish or small birds to more than $1,000 for dogs, cats and rabbits. These estimated costs include food, veterinary care and miscellaneous items like collars, leashes, litter boxes and crates. The age of the pet can also play a factor in anticipated expenses. For families with dogs, many find older dogs to be more “budget friendly” as they do not require the training and house-breaking items that puppies require. However, depending on the pet’s health, older dogs could also incur more veterinary expenses—so it’s important to consider the pet’s needs, age and health when budgeting.
3. Who will take care of the pet? Families with older children may be able to teach about pet care and responsibility by having the children take on tasks like cleaning the litter box or feeding the fish. Parents with small children who require a lot of attention may need to consider if they have the time to devote to a puppy or other pet that requires frequent exercise or care. For parents who work long hours or juggle multiple family responsibilities, easier-to-care-for pets like fish or reptiles may be the best options to offer their families the joys of pet ownership without the time commitment required for caring for other pets like dogs, cats or birds. Families with limited time can also benefit from the services of a professional pet-sitting service like [Your pet-sitting business name]. Professional pet sitters can offer a variety of pet-care services for parents working long hours or when the families travel out of town and are unable to take their pets.

“Pets bring such joy to families’ lives,” notes Stetzel. “Considering your needs, budget and availability can ensure you select the perfect fuzzy, feathery or scaly new addition to your family.”

Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake is a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters. To learn more about Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, visit clearlake.fetchpetcare.com or call 866-342-4625. To learn more about PSI, visit www.petsit.com.

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!

The Tongue Does Not Heal All Wounds

Another great article!

The Tongue Does Not Heal All Wounds

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

 

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.

 

 

Hose Water Can Get Hot Enough to Burn

Hose Water Can Get Hot Enough to Burn

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

 

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

Spayed and Neutered Dogs Live Longer | petMD

Another excellent article from petMD!

Spayed and Neutered Dogs Live Longer | petMD


 Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake

Safe Havens for Pets of Abused Women | petMD

Safe Havens for Pets of Abused Women | petMD

 Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake

It's National Pet Preparedness Month!

Thanks to PetHub for this great article!

It's National Pet Preparedness Month! 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