On most days, the piers at San Francisco’s Pier 39 are crowded with sea lions and tourists who come to watch these endangered animals (although their population has increased from its lowest point in the 1960s, these animals are still susceptible to a variety of diseases; they are also illegally hunted or become entangled and trapped by floating debris) . Last November however, Pier 39 was crowded with tourists, but no sea lions.
Based on the fact that high numbers of sea lions started showing up off the coast of Oregon, not long after the sea lions disappeared from California, it seems reasonable to assume that they migrated north, probably following a food source. Recently, these intelligent and playful creatures have begun returning to the floats at Pier 39.
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is absolutely imperative to their overall health. If plaque and tartar is allowed to build up on your pet’s teeth, that same bacteria can ultimately get into their blood stream and damage vital organs (like your pet’s kidneys, heart, and liver). Knowing that however, does not change the fact that a lot of dogs and just about every cat I’ve ever encountered absolutely despise having their teeth brushed. And “you don’t brush your dog’s teeth” was the comment I heard when I suggested brushing pets teeth as the topic of a blog. And it’s true - I don’t. Jade, my Cavalier, believes that treats and food belong in his mouth - not toothpaste and a toothbrush. Instead of brushing Jade’s teeth, I really love our Plaque and Tartar Control. I simply add this all-natural liquid additive to Jade’s water (it’s safe for cats too!) and it helps clean and whiten teeth and prevent future plaque and tartar buildup. I have heard wonderful feedback from all our customers who use this product - and I will personally attest to the benefits it provides!
I have also encountered plenty of customers who do in fact brush their pets teeth. And I have been asked about whether there is a right way or a wrong way to go about it. After some searching, I found two wonderful videos which I believe do a wonderful job of explaining the right way to brush your pet’s teeth. The first video talks about dogs, and the second about cats.
When you think about your pet’s oral health you probably, like me, think “teeth.” Or at least I did until last week. My dog Jade had been pawing at the right side of his face, and I was worried that he either had an ear infection or a tooth problem of some kind. So off to the vet we went.
The veterinarian checked his ears - left ear was fine; a little bit of wax buildup in the right but no sign of an infection. On to the teeth: a little bit of plaque and tartar buildup but definitely no sign of a serious problem or even a minor problem (thank you Petlane Plaque and Tartar Control!). Then my vet taught me something I did not know.
He explained that many many dogs have slight folds in their bottom lips, and that these folds can catch food or saliva and become irritated. Then, as in the case of my dog, the dog scratches at the irritated area and the area become more irritated, so the dog scratches more, and a vicious circle develops. Fortunately the area was not infected and the treatment was straightforward. The vet shaved the area around Jade’s mouth to help keep food and liquid from being so easily trapped, gave me some ointment to use for about a week to help stop the itching, and said that I should get in the habit of cleaning the area about every three days with a wet cotton ball.
While I was incredibly relieved that the problem was not major, it was a great lesson to me that good oral hygiene for pets involves taking care of more than just their teeth.
A few days ago a co-worker of mine handed me a copy of an article he had read in his local paper. The article, entitled “Purrr-sonal Finance: Expense is key factor in pet ownership” talked about the financial cost the average pet owner can expect to incur every year. After reading the article I had to assume that by “medium dog” they were meant “2lb. Chihuahua that eats grass and never needs medical care.” The article writes that, assuming you are feeding your pet a premium diet (and in my opinion feeding your pet a premium diet saves you money in the long run as your pet will stay healthier and require fewer trips to the vet), the average medium size dog owner is going to spend approximately $695 a year in pet care, and the average cat owner will spend $670 annually (less if you don’t count pet insurance premiums).
While I absolutely wholeheartedly 100% applaud newspapers and shelters for alerting people to the fact that they absolutely must take their financial situation into account before choosing to add a pet into their life, I want to know where on earth these figures came from.
For example, the article says that a medium dog will consume $120 in food annually. Perhaps, if you are buying horrible, cheap, grocery store pet food, there is a remote possibility that your spending will be limited to $120 - but again this article assumed you are feeding a premium diet. I have a 20lb Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (and he’s considered a toy breed), who eats an average of $168 a year - and he goes through a 5lb bag every month. Another example: this article claims that toys/treats should cost you $55 a year. Because I work with Petlane I get a discount on my products - and I easily spend a minimum of $25 a month in treats for Jade (he’s not a big toy player).
After reading this article, another co-worker (who owns a beautiful Golden Retriever) and I sat down and started listing all the annual (we left out one-time expenses as the article was focusing on yearly ones)expenses not mentioned in this article: flea and tick control, grooming supplies, a pet sitter or boarding facility if you travel without your pet, heart guard, and the list goes on.
As it turns out, these figures come from an theoretically reputable source. The numbers used in the article were featured in an article published by the ASPCA, entitled Pet Care Costs. I find this incredibly depressing because it will do the ASPCA no good at all to adopt out animals, only to have those same animals returned to a shelter a month or a year later because the cost of owning the animal was significantly higher than the adopter could afford.
My advice? Really do your financial homework before choosing to add a pet to the family.
On Thursday, February 11th, Nature’s Variety issued a recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats because of possible salmonella contamination. At this time, no human or animal illnesses have been reported. The affected products are Nature’s Variety chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10. Look for the “Best If Used By” date on the back of the package directly above the handling instructions.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes one of the most common intestinal infections in the United States. Humans who contract salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.
Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If you have purchased a bag of Nature’s Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet (medallions, patties, or chubs) with the “Best if Used By” date of 11/10/10, Nature’s Variety asks that you take one of the following steps:
If your package has not been opened, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement.
If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.
If you’d like to speak with a Nature’s Variety representatives regarding this issue, you can call their dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-374-3142.
I grew up with dogs and cats. As an adult, I have only ever owned a dog. So what I knew about birds came from friends with birds, and what I read in articles (both online and in magazines). And what I read suggested that feather plucking, a behavior whereby birds start plucking out their own feathers, was caused by boredom. And much of the time feather plucking is caused by boredom (or stress); and in these situations providing your bird with extra stimulation (such as puzzle toys) prove incredibly useful in stopping the behavior. But when do you do when a new toy isn’t the answer?
Dr. Susan Clubb wrote a wonderful article entitled “Feather Damaging Behaviors: Grasping for Answers” (it was published in the December 2009 edition of Petage magazine). In her article, Dr. Clubb strongly recommends that bird owners rule out medical causes of feather plucking. “Common medical causes include inflammatory skin disease and traumatic dermatitis.” She writes both problems are equally common, but not equally likely to appear in different species. Cockatoos for example are more prone to developing traumatic dermatitis, while Macaws and Conures are more likely to have an inflammatory skin disease.
Diagnosing either of these problems is tricky so you absolutely need to visit your veterinarian. Dr. Clubb says that she has been using a diagnostic tool called paired skin biopsies in her practice for almost 10 years. This particular test (performed under anesthetic) helps determine if inflammation, nutritional deficiency, excess iron, or some form of infection could be causing the problem.
Depending on the diagnosis, you will want to work with your veterinarian (and perhaps a good behaviorist) to determine the best course of treatment for your bird. And remember, regardless of the diagnosis, it’s always okay to get a second and even a third opinion.
“This house is owned and operated solely for the comfort and convenience of the dog.” That’s one of my favorite sayings. And in my house, this is absolutely 100% the truth. And today I had 100% proof (as if I needed it) of this fact. I am convinced however that I am not the only dog owner out there who rearranges her life for her dog. I therefore present to you Tara’s quiz for determining if you are a true pet lover:
1) Do you carry your dog’s steps (I have a set of lightweight foam ones) from room to room with you so that no matter where you are, your dog can climb up on the bed or couch to be with you.
2) Do you have four pillows on your bed, and two of them are used solely by the dog?
3) Do you arrange your schedule so that your dog does not have to spend too much time alone?
4) When your puppy has chewed on literally every pair of shoes you own do you simply smile and comment on what good taste (pun intended) your dog has?
5) When your cat comes up on the bed and cuddles up on your stomach, do you lie awake and avoid moving a single muscle because you don’t want to disturb the cat?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then congratulations, you are truly a wonderful pet parent and your pet is lucky to be a member of your family.
As a kid, I thought power outages were fun. I felt like a pioneer doing my homework by kerosene lamp; and I always liked the adventure of navigating in the dark from one end of the house to the other attempting to find the emergency flashlight. Even as an adult, I still think power outages are kind of fun. My friends on the East Coast however think I’ve lost my mind.
Winter storms keep buffeting much of New England and the East Coast; these storms are dropping record amounts of snowfall, causing the temperature to fall into single digits, and knocking out power on a very regular basis. And with a lack of power comes a lack of heat. Fortunately, many counties are able to provide temporary shelters to both the homeless and those who have homes but need a refuge from the cold. And I want to applaud these shelters - I have read article after article that says “people may bring their pets, they will be provided for.” Granted the warming shelters themselves cannot accommodate the animals, but many of them have made arrangements with local animal shelters and animal control organizations to make sure that no family member freezes this winter.
Need to find a warming shelter in your area? Call your local red cross chapter (look the number up NOW and keep it handy for when the power goes out).
“That dog,” my co-worker Laurie announced one day about 6 months ago, “is not a real dog.” He was of course referring to Jade, my Cavalier who frequently accompanies me to the office. I looked at Laurie puzzled. “He doesn’t bark,” Laurie went on to explain. Now to my mind, there are some distinct advantages to a dog that doesn’t bark. I don’t have to worry about bothering the neighbors or scaring passers-by (although even when performing his version of a bark Jade is hardly what I would call scary); unlike previous dogs my parents owned when I was a teenager I don’t have to worry about Jade deciding to go out at 2am into the yard and bark at various night creatures; and because Jade doesn’t bark I never have to worry about him scaring scare the mailman, UPS driver, or repairman.
Now Jade CAN bark, he just sees no reason for it. So Laurie taught Jade to bark by holding out a treat, waiting until Jade made some sort of vocalization (usually a cross between a rrrr and yip) and then giving him the treat. And while he can no longer claim that Jade is not a real dog, he also has to deal daily with a very persistent Cavalier - who by the way will ONLY bark at Laurie, and ONLY when he wants treats.
Barking is a normal part of dog behavior (unless of course your Jade who has to be taught to bark and then will only bark for treats). Dogs bark for a variety of reasons: to warn of an intruder in their territory, because they’re excited and want to play, as a form of greeting, and a whole host of other reasons. When barking becomes a problem for the dog’s owner however, some of them turn to a radical means of silencing the dog’s voice.
A surgery exists called “debarking.” According to the ASPCA, debarking is a surgical procedure in which a dog’s vocal cords are severed under anesthesia (puppy mill dogs sometimes have their vocal cords smashed by a pipe). An article published yesterday in the New York Times, entitled Heel. Sit. Whisper. Good Dog., said that veterinarians who perform the surgery claim that dogs recover immediately and, except for the fact that their bark now sounds like a muffled rasp, the dog suffers no ill effects. Debarking seems to be most popular among the show dog people, in homes where people prefer their dogs to be seen and not heard, and drug dealers - who like their attack dogs silent and deadly.
Fewer and fewer veterinarians are performing the procedure. Banfield (a pet hospital chain with over 750 practices nation-wide) has officially prohibited its veterinarians from performing the procedure. Debarking is illegal in many European countries; in the United States New Jersey has banned the procedure and similar legislation is pending in Massachusetts. Dr. Gary W. Ellison, of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida, applauds this decision. He has operated on numerous dogs who had scar tissue build up as a result of a debarking operation; the scar tissue was making it difficult for the dogs to breathe
It is critical for owners to know that there are humane behavioral interventions for dogs who bark excessively. If you are have a dog who barks excessively, your first step needs to be contacting a professional dog trainer. Go to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, contact your local humane society, or ask your veterinarian for a referral for a good dog trainer in your area.
Does your pet have dragon breath? You know the kind I mean – your beloved dog or cat comes up wanting to give your face a big slurp, and you recoil in horror as a blast of foul smelling breath comes your way. According to the American Veterinarian Dental Society, over 70% of pets show signs of dental disease by the age of 3. February is National Pet Dental Month! So this month I’ll be writing about (amongst other topics of course) the importance of good dental care for your pet.
Bad breath is merely one problem caused by dental disease. Other problems included inflamed and bleeding gums, oral pain, and ultimately tooth loss. And periodontal problems are not confined to the mouth. If dental problems are left untreated, the bacteria can spread to your pets’ heart, kidney, liver and other vital organs. Over time, the bacteria will cause irreparable damage.
Because bad breath and dental health problems can be caused by a variety of problems, ranging from plaque and tartar buildup to tumor, it is critical that you pet’s teeth be checked a minimum of once a year by your veterinarian or by a specialist in pet dentistry.
