Car Sickness
The first thing to realize when dealing with car sickness is that in 95 percent of cases it is stress related and not motion related. The most powerful memory imprint of any dog's brain is probably the car ride when it was taken away from all it ever new to be safe and secure, its litter mates and its mother. The most traumatic memory a young dog has is in relation to a ride in a car. So it's not surprising that subsequent rides in a car should evoke very strong mental and subsequent physical trauma.
The solution is very simple. If the dog has been sick in a car then estimate how long it was in the car before it was sick, say 20 minutes? Find a park about 5-10 minutes from home, preferably one just around the corner, even one within walking distance that the dog has been to before.... but this time drive there. Ideally have someone else in the car too, to soothe the dog and distract him from the ride. Keep him happy all the way to the park. When at the park do all the enjoyable things that the dog loves, fetch the ball, chase the Frisbee, frolic with dad, etc. The stay at the park doesn't need to be that long.... just as enjoyable as possible. Then drive the dog home soothing him all the way again and when home make just as much fuss of the dog as you did at the park. Finish the session with his meal or a treat if time and conditions permit.
This exercise is repeated several times a day or daily if time is limited. Once the dog is enthusiastic to go in the car then the length of the trip is lengthened slightly to 10-15 minutes etc. Once you can drive with the dog for 30 minutes with no signs of stress or anxiety then you have the problem pretty much licked. Some dogs may take a little longer than others. The idea is for as many happy repetitions as possible to overwrite the initial mental imprint the dog has from its youth (or whatever other event caused the initial trauma).
Allergies
Allergy is a disease in which the immune system reacts abnormally to every day substances such as pollens, animal dander, mold spores, mites, certain foods and chemicals. All of these allergic reactions are unpleasant, some are serious, and a few can be fatal. The offensive substances causing allergies are known as allergens. An allergic reaction may be caused by inhaling or ingesting the allergen or may be the result of direct contact with the allergen.
What are the signs of allergy? The most common signs are scratching, face rubbing and biting and chewing at the skin. Usual locations for signs of allergy are the flank, feet, face, particularly around the eyes, mouth and ears, as well as areas around the base of the tail. In dogs, allergies are often the underlying cause of persistent skin disease. However not all scratching is due to an allergy. Conditions such as thyroid disease, fleas and certain infections, such as ringworm, can cause similar signs.
How do dogs get allergies?
They are generally inherited. The typical allergic dog starts with a short period of biting and chewing the first year. This may be mild and hardly noticeable. With repeated exposures to the offending allergens, the dog gradually experiences prolonged periods of discomfort and more severe signs. Allergies occur whenever the offending allergens are present. The more common allergens such as house dust mites or mold spores will produce signs of allergy year round, while allergies from plants that pollinate during warm months only happen at that time.
Food allergy can happen by itself or it may be a component of an overall allergy problem. Because of the complexity of allergy diagnosis, the combination of patient history, physical examination and allergy signs in the pet are all important in making an accurate diagnosis.
Can allergies be prevented?
Since allergies are inherited, there is no absolute way to prevent them. However allergies can be controlled.. The best control is achieved through avoidance of the offending allergens, so if, for example, your pet is allergic to fleas, it is better to prevent flea infestation. But allergens
like dusts and mites are virtually impossible to avoid resulting in the need for alternative allergy treatments.
How do I know if my dog has allergies?
If your dog is persistently chewing its feet or scratching at its face, allergy may be a possible cause. Unfortunately, there are no specific signs for allergy so you will need to
rely on your pet's vet to make that determination.
Allergy diagnosis requires eliminating other causes for your dog's clinical signs. This involves taking a detailed history of your dog's signs, a complete physical examination and some preliminary laboratory tests. If it is found that an allergy is the likely cause, your vet may recommend allergy testing to confirm the diagnosis.
How are allergies treated?
There are a number of different ways or combinations of ways to treat allergies. If it is mild, control may be achieved through avoiding contact with the offending allergens and medications to control the clinical signs. In pets with more severe allergies, or in pets where allergies occur year round, specific allergy treatments such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be needed. This is often recommended because prolonged use of certain medications, especially steroids, reduces itching, but produces serious side-effects which may decrease the quality and length of your pet's life. The vet may, therefore, discuss various alternative treatments with you based on your needs and the needs of your pet. How successful is treatment? The success depends on several factors including the overall health of your dog, the severity of the allergies, and a commitment to therapy. In general, the steps to successful allergy treatment involve the following:
1. Trying to avoid or reduce the allergens in the environment.
2. Giving recommended medications to control clinical signs, and
3. Identifying the specific allergens causing clinical signs in your pet,
followed by allergy immunotherapy.
This combination will result in successful allergy treatment for most pets.
Allergies to dogs. Sneezes, rashes or asthmatic reactions can be triggered by any breed of dog. Dandruff from the top skin and certain proteins in saliva and urine cause allergic problems in humans. Most research on allergies caused by pets has centred on those created by cats. This is not surprising because they are twice as likely to make their owners sneeze as dogs. For example it has been discovered that cats with long hair tend to shed less allergen and so their owners have fewer reactions. Cats with short hair give off more allergen.
Sufferers should keep their dogs outdoors at night. Certainly dogs and cats that live indoors should not be allowed on beds or even in the allergic person's bedroom. However research has shown that if a cat or dog is washed once a week the airborne allergens are cut drastically.
Dandruff collects on the carpets and in upholstered furniture so for those suffering allergies it is better to be without carpets and have wooden furniture or leather. If it is impossible to remove carpets then these should be steamed cleaned every three months to remove allergens. It is
also advisable to wash walls and floors.
Animal allergens are very small and very sticky and once they are secreted they dry on the animal's fur. There they stick until becoming airborne during petting and grooming. Then, because they are so small, they can stay airborne for a long time and, because they are sticky, they adhere to walls, clothing, and heating and cooling ducts. If you are allergic to dogs, don't give up on them, they are still worth having around.
Many thanks to David the Dogman for this informative article!
NEW PUPPY PRIMER
In order to prepare your puppy for a well trained, well socialized adult life you must keep it safe from hazards just as you would a child. Before your puppy gets home there are several things you should check prior to letting your puppy loose in your home.
Small objects can choke a puppy. Once a day you should check your floor to make sure it is clear of items your vacuum cleaner might miss - such as rubber bands and paper clips.]
Puppies love to chew. Electric wires can mean instant death to puppies. If you are not using it unplug it or put it up out of puppies reach. You can buy a pet repellent such as Bitter Apple to spray on the article/cord you do not want the puppy to chew on. Furnish chew toys or a hard rubber ball for the puppy to play with. Be sure the toys are made for dogs.
Garbage cans are another potential source of danger. Most puppies like to root through the contents. Make sure the lids are on tight.
Some puppies are capable of opening cabinet doors, especially those that are ajar. If you keep bleach, detergent or poisons in these cabinets either move them or put a childproof lock on the cabinet.
Keep toilet lids closed, or better yet, keep your bathroom door closed. Some puppies love to get a hold of toilet paper and either shred it or run down the hall with it.
Check your yard, fence and gate and make sure that your puppy can not escape. Always be on the look out for loose dirt around the fence that might be an indication your puppy is trying to dig his way out.
Remember, house training takes time. If you need to leave your puppy alone during the day or for any extended period you need to crate train your dog.
Before bringing your new puppy home, select a veterinarian and set up an appointment for a checkup. Your puppy will need to have regular checkups.
A few of your common household plants, shrubs and trees can be very toxic to your puppy. Make sure you place or remove these poisonous plants.
If you do any gardening, make sure you have all of your supplies locked up or out of reach. Don't forget, many puppies are good "climbers" and can get to many things you wouldn't think about... like your kitchen table when you leave a chair pulled out.
As with any medications, please make sure you do not leave any bottles or pills where your puppy can get to them.
Your new puppy will bring you a lot of joy and happiness. One of the best ways of showing your love for your puppy is by making sure your home is safe. Remember that your puppy is still a baby and you need to protect it. Crate training is no different than putting your baby in a playpen.
SUMMER HEALTH ALERT: HOT TIPS TO KEEP PETS COOL
It's summertime, and the living isn't always easy for our animal companions. Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do- overheating, dehydration and even sunburn-when the mercury rises. By taking these simple precautions, you can keep your animal companions happy and healthy in the hot weather:
It's summertime, and the living isn't always easy for our animal companions. Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do- overheating, dehydration and even sunburn-when the mercury rises. By taking these simple precautions, you can keep your animal companions happy and healthy in the hot weather:
Exercise your dog in the cool of the early morning or evening-never when it's especially hot or humid. Take care not to let your dog stand on hot asphalt, as his sensitive paw pads can easily burn.
Provide plenty of shade and cool, clean water for animals kept outdoors. And please bring your cat or dog inside during the hottest part of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.
Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Overheating can be fatal. Even with the doors open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.
Some animals need extra special care in hot weather, especially those who are elderly and overweight or have heart or lung disease. Certain breeds of dogs, including pugs, bulldogs, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, also need extra attention on hot days.
Should I Declaw my Cat?
Please consider other, more humane options before choosing to declaw your cat. Declawing is actually toe-amputation, because the first knuckle of the paw is usually removed. The vet takes a piece of equipment similar to nail clippers and clips off the claw down to the bone. Following the declawing procedure, Kitty will be so sore she won't be able to scratch in litter--you would have to use shredded paper rather than litter for a week after the procedure.
If you are worried about Kitty scratching your furniture, there are many other precautions you can take, such as:
Trim Kitty's claws once a week to remove dead nail growth
Provide a scratching post or pad and encourage Kitty to use it
Have your vet apply "soft paws" to your cat ... round tips applied over the claws
Spray "cat repellant" on furniture Kitty is particularly interested in
Put plastic furniture protectors on chair legs or couch ends where Kitty likes to scratch. These are clear, almost invisible squares of plastic that attach to your furniture with clear upholstery tacks. You can order these from pet supply catalogs.
When Kitty scratches on furniture, squirt her with a spray bottle or use some other form of correction. This will teach her that scratching on furniture is bad.
HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM CHEWING
Most puppies have a strong, natural desire to investigate. But this curiosity can lead to problems when your puppy digs up your roses or destroys your new shoes. Many owners rely solely on punishment to correct problem behavior, but you'll find that reinforcing good behavior works better and keeps your dog happier.
Chew Toys
Begin with a variety of toys and determine which types your pup prefers.
Rotate different toys to keep them novel and interesting. Reward your dog when it chews its toys.
Never give items to the puppy to chew that are similar to household items you don't want destroyed. (e.g., your puppy may not distinguish between old shoes and new shoes.)
Destructive behavior is often a direct response to anxiety. Lessen the problem by teaching the dog that it cannot receive attention on demand. Train it to rest in its own bed or crate, rather than constantly lying near you. Exercise your dog before you leave home, and try to sneak out when it is occupied. Practice short departures, then gradually increase the length of time your dog is alone.
How to Read your Cat's Body Language
Cats communicate with us and other pets in many ways. The biggest way they communicate with other cats is through their speech. Meows mean something among other cats. But the greatest way a cat communicates to humans is through their body language. Vocalization is the main way they communicate. Their hissing, purring, meowing, and snarling is an important part of their lives and the way they interact with others. We know what each of those actions mean with our cats and establish a relationship based on their use of those vocalizations.
One of the favorite body languages an owner has for its cat is when it arches its back, seems to stretch out a bit, curls its tail upward loosely and puts its head down. This is a big sign that it wants to play and that it likes you. It may even get into this stance and move toward you, as it tries to rub up against you. A healthy, confident and alert cat walks straight with its tail extended and its eyes narrow. If your cat walks like this, it's a good sign. It likely has few worries and is quite happy with life. A cat that is on alert to be defensive and aggressive toward another cat or person either points its tail straight upward or lowers it to the ground, it perks its ears, and perhaps the hair on its back stands straight up. You may also notice that its ears point downward and point toward the back of its body, that means it's ready to fight.
It's important for cat owners to get used to how their cats interact and what different body languages mean. If your cat sits focused on you in front of you in an upright and perky position for a long period of time, perhaps it wants to be fed. Each cat will establish its own way of communicating with you. You will need to learn what different signals your cat is giving you throughout the first few months and years you have your cat. Your cat will develop its own body signals when it wants different things from you. It will adopt body signs of when it wants to be playful with you and other pets. Pet owners don't usually have much trouble figuring out what different body signs mean with their cats.
