WAGGIN' & WALKING

Upcoming Events & Happenings 2013

 

January:          National Train Your Dog Month

                         Walk Your Pet Month

              

February:        Spay & Neuter Awareness Month

                         Unchain a Dog Month

                         Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show

                         Date: February 11th - 12th

                         Location: Madison Square Garden, NY  *this event is televised

                 

March:            20th Annual Rhode Island Pet Show

                       Date: March 3rd. - March 4th.

                       Location: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI

                       Trail Sled Dog Race begins on March 2nd. " The Last Great Race on Earth"

                       Professional Pet Sitters Week

                       Labs4Rescue Adoption Event

                       Date: March 9th.   Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm

                       Location: The Mellow Mutt, Manchester, CT

 

April:    

 

May:               National Pet Month

 

June:             Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

                      Renew Your Dog License Month

                      Bring Your Dog to Work Day - June 21st. 

 

July:             Fildeco Ride for Indepencece Motorcycle Fundraisor - July 21st.

                     5th Central CT Pet Fair, Dog Walk & 5k Road Race

                     Date: July 20th

                     Location: Hubbard Park, Meriden, CT

 

August:

 

September:

 

October:       Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

                     Connecticut Pet Show, TICA Cat Show & AKC Rare Dog Show

                     Date: October 19th. - 20th.

                     Location: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT

 

November:   National Black Cat Day -  November 17th.

 

December:   National Mutt Day - December 2nd.

SUMMER SAFETY TIP

Heatstroke

Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.

 Early Stages:

• Heavy panting.
• Rapid breathing.
• Excessive drooling.
• Bright red gums and tongue.
• Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.

  Advanced Stages:

• White or blue gums.
• Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
• Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
• Labored, noisy breathing.
• Shock.

If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down:

• Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads.
• Apply ice packs to the groin area.
• Hose down with water.
• Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
• Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.

Check your dog's temperature regularly during this process. Once the dog's temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-down process.

If you cannot get the dog cooled down and you begin to see signs of advanced heatstroke, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.

 

Information courtesy of American Kennel Club official website: www.AKC.org

Skin Allergies

Unlike humans, the first sign of discomfort usually shown by an allergic dog is itchy, irritated skin. Skin allergies in dogs can cause some dogs also get a runny nose or eyes, sneeze or even suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea. Uncovering the source of the allergy can be quite frustrating for owners and veterinarians alike.

About Skin Allergies in Dogs

Some dogs are allergic to components in their diet. A food allergy can emerge early in life; usually the offenders are beef or soy products. The best way to determine if diet is causing an allergic reaction is to feed hypo-allergenic food for several weeks and see if the signs regress. To be altogether certain of a food allergy, you’d need to challenge the dog with the prior food and see if the signs recur.

Types of Skin Allergies in Dogs

Another common allergic condition is known as atopy. Atopy refers to an inhalant allergy or a reaction to environmental components. Molds, plants, dust, even furniture stuffing fall into this category. Signs of atopy may be seasonal. The only practical way to discover what’s bothering this allergic dog is to ask a veterinary dermatologist to conduct an intra dermal skin test, much as is done with human allergy sufferers.

Then you can try avoiding offensive material, or attempt hyposensitisation. These problems are also best discussed with a qualified dermatologist.

A few comments about some common dog allergies: many dogs are sensitive to flea collars, flea bites or dyes in plastic food dishes. These things are easily identified and corrected. If a flea collar irritates your dog’s neck, remove it and wash the area thoroughly with a mild shampoo. Switch to another type of product. And if your dog’s red, irritated nose is caused by an allergy to dyed plastic by replacing the plastic dish with metal or glass. If it’s an allergy, the condition should be resolved.

 

Information provided courtesy of the Top Dog Tips web site: www.dogtips.co

Hot Spots in Dogs

One of the most common summertime complaints seen by veterinarians are hot spots – round hairless patches of tender, red, oozing skin which seem to erupt overnight. They are usually found on the rump, although they may appear anywhere on the body. Hot spots are especially prevalent in heavy-coated breeds and in any dog with skin allergies.

Symptoms of Hotspots in Dogs

Hot spots probably begin as a focus of irritation caused by a flea bite, impacted anal sacs or other small annoyances. However, the more the dog licks and chews at the spot, the worse it feels, so the more the animal licks and chews. A small problem explodes into a large one. These lesions need to be treated promptly before you have a dog in agony.

Treatment of Hotspots in Dogs

Treatment of a hot spot begins with clipping away the surrounding hair and cleaning the surface of the wound. The area is then covered with a soothing spray, liquid or ointment. The veterinarian will attempt to find and eliminate the source of the complaint.

Your dog may need to wear an Elizabethan collar (a plastic contraption similar to a lampshade) around his neck, to prevent it from attacking the area further, until the skin begins to heal. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed as well.

 

Information provided courtesy of the Top Dog Tips web site: www.dogtips.co

A.S.P.C.A Top Ten Pet Toxins

Both known and unknown toxins can be found hiding in our houses and yards. In 2010, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, fielded more than 167,000 phone calls about pets exposed to possibly poisonous substances. 

Human Medications Human medications are once again at the top of the list of pet toxins for 2010. Almost 25 percent of our calls concerned human medications accidentally ingested by pets. The most common culprits include over-the-counter medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), antidepressants and ADHD medications. 

Insecticides About 20% of the calls to the APCC are about insecticides. Insecticides are commonly used on our pets for flea control and around our houses to control crawling and flying bugs. The most serious poisonings occurred when products not labeled for use in cats were applied to them. Always follow label directions.

Rodenticides Baits used to kill mice and rats are mostly grain based. Not only does this attract rodents, but it attracts dogs and cats. There are several different types of rodenticides that can cause seizures, internal bleeding or kidney failure. Always make sure these items are placed in areas that pets cannot access.

People Food Xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic are commonly ingested by our pets. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, while onions and garlic can cause anemia if enough is ingested. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol used to sweeten sugar free gums and mints, can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. 

Veterinary Medications Many medications made for our pets are flavored for ease of giving. Unfortunately, that means that animals may ingest the entire bottle of medication if they find it tasty. Common chewable medications include arthritis and incontinence medications. Contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests more than his proper dose of medication.

Chocolate Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which act as stimulants to our pets. The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains. Methylxanthines can cause  agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and death.

Household Toxins Cleaning supplies, such as bleach, acids, alkalis and other detergents, can cause corrosive injury to the mouth and stomach. Other household items such as batteries and liquid potpourri can cause similar problems. Always keep these toxins behind securely locked doors.

Plants Both house plants and outdoor plants can be ingested by our pets. Lilies can cause life- threatening kidney failure in cats, while sago palms can cause liver failure in dogs and cats. Keep house plants and bouquets away from your pets.

Herbicides Many herbicides have a salty taste, and our pets will commonly ingest them. Always follow label directions and keep pets off treated areas until they are dry.

Outdoor Toxins Antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts are all substances that animals can find outdoors. Keep these items in securely locked sheds or on high shelves where pets cannot get to them.

 

If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Information provided courtesy of the official ASPCA web site: www.aspca.org