Source: http://www.groovypetblog.com/2012/07/does-your-pet-have-dandruff-coconut-oil-can-help.html
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Paying Attention to Arthritis in Dogs
By Guest, Pets Adviser
Arthritis in dogs can be genetic or a result of aging. Things like weight gain and accidents can help cause arthritis and worsen the symptoms. Learn more...
Source: http://petsadviser.com/pet-health/arthritis-in-dogs/
Monday, September 24, 2012
2nd Skin Body Suits Now In Stock!
We’re excited to debut our new line of 2nd Skin body suits… now in stock and ready to ship! Also known as morph suits and skin suits, These popular bodysuits are great for sporting events, parties, performance art, dance clubs and more! We offer these 2nd Skin costumes in a variety of colors, including tuxedo, [...]
Source: http://blog.costumecraze.com/2012/07/2nd-skin-body-suits-now-in-stock
How can she train dog to come when called?
Question: My dog is pretty good, but I can’t get him to come when I call him. He comes when he wants to. Can you help me? – Fran
Answer: I would say your complaint is one of the most common owner complaints about their dogs. Dogs do come when they want to do so. That is pretty standard stuff for dogs. It is our job to make them want to come to us.
Think about it, when you call your dog in the house, he generally gets a treat or gets to go on a walk. Those are fun things. They are rewards. When you call him when he is outside, he has to walk away from squirrels, a great hole that he just dug, cat poop, etc., and all he gets from you is a pat on the head or the “punishment” of going inside. It is an easy choice for him.
You should go back to basics and retrain the “come” cue. This may mean getting in touch with a positive reinforcement trainer in your area or going back to obedience class.
When your dog can come to you nine out of 10 times in the house, you can start to try it outside on a leash.
Make sure that you have the best food available to reward your dog. When he is successful on an 8-foot leash, you can start to practice on a 12-foot leash and so on.
Dr. Radosta
Lisa Radosta DVM, Diplomate ACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
PO Box 210636
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0636
561-795-9398
www.flvetbehavior.com
Read more articles by Dr. Radosta | Ask her a question
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/05/17/how-can-she-train-dog-to-come-when-called/
Jack Russell?s injury from car accident ended up as a pain problem
Question: My Jack Russell terrier, JP, is 6 years old. He was in a car accident and injured his back right leg. He was healing, but then started chewing his injured leg and, because of that, had to have the leg amputated.
However, since the operation, he cries as if in pain and that?s making me very sad. Could you let me know how to deal with this? It?s making me very emotional to see him in discomfort, too, and I am going through a high-risk pregnancy at the same time.
Answer: I am so sorry to hear of JP?s injury. It is not uncommon for this to happen. Most dogs don?t survive being hit by a car! When a dog gets hit by a car and survives, there is often an abrasion where the car ?ran over? a limb or where a limb was slid over the asphalt at high speed. This can have the effect of a ?cheese grater?. It not only removes tissue from the outside but also pushes dirt and debris into the deeper aspects of the leg.
These injuries are often deeper than we can see. The nerves may be injured and give of tingly or itchy impulses and the dog will lick or chew aggressively on the leg. Severe life-threatening infection can set in and kill the dog unless aggressive medical or surgical treatment is done. Amputation is often the option.
Most amputation surgeries are painful and require a carefully balanced plan for analgesia (pain control). Most dogs are given a combination of narcotic painkillers and NSAIDS (non-steroidal pain killers). Each dog?s medical conditions and unique personalities must be taken into consideration when developing a pain control strategy.
Sometimes the medications have to changed if the current ones seem inadequate at home.
Call your veterinarian and explain how JP is acting and ask if the pain medications need adjustment. You must be an advocate for your pet and speak up if things don?t seem to be working properly. In this case, the pet also has to deal with learning to walk again. When he starts to try and get up to walk it is important to place a sling or towel under his rear quarters to steady him and keep him from falling and bruising his surgical site even more. He should be confined to a small airline kennel to prevent too much activity. If he is too active post surgery it can lead to more swelling and pain. Occasionally tranquilizers may be needed to keep a pet calm an quiet so that they can rest and heal.
I always try to get dogs home to their owners as soon as possible after surgery to decrease their anxiety and stress. But sometimes, it?s best to leave the pets in the hospital so they can continue to get adequate pain control and physical therapy.
Due to your pregnancy situation, it sounds like you should take JP back to the pet hospital for a few days to recover. He may need a different combination of pain medication and some physical therapy to speed his healing. Some dogs do better with injectable pain medication. The pet hospital can also do wound care and laser treatment to provide for a smoother recovery.
Dr. Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question
What We're Loving: Keyless Entry Bulldog
Have you seen this hysterical new commercial from Volkswagon? <3 Enjoy! [Related: The Bark Side - Dogs Perform Star Wars Theme Song [VIDEO] - this site] Can't find your keys? No matter - keyless bulldog entry is here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)