Let's face it, many of our pets LOVE to swim!!! I can't keep Hannah out of the water. We must keep our pets safe, remember they do not know that the water is dangerous. Below are a few suggestions for keeping your pets safe this summer!
I don’t believe dogs understand what a swimming pool or lake is or how dangerous it can be. Not all dogs are natural swimmers. Many dogs fall in the pool only once, and after they are rescued by their family, never again willingly go back into the water. Every summer there are unsuspecting dogs who fall into the pool when no one else is around. Some drown because they are alone and cannot swim. Others can swim, but quickly become exhausted when they cannot figure out how to get out of the pool.
The well-dressed dog
Thre are many types of life jackets available, put one on and keep it on!
Alarm me!
Get a swimming pool alarm system. Particularly appealing were some with both a poolside and a remote alarm, so no matter whether you are near the pool or inside the house, you can hear it go off. These alarms detect motion in the pool water. There are other alarms worn on your dog’s collar. These alarms begin beeping when they get wet, alerting you to the fact that your dog has fallen into the pool. For reviews on pool alarms, check out the Good Housekeeping Research Institute website.
Fenced out
I also found an assortment of pool fences to cordon off your pool from an inquisitive puppy. There are removable fences that form a temporary barrier, providing safety, while maintaining aesthetics. Pool nets stretch over your pool, and while designed to keep children from falling into the pool, they would also keep small dogs safe. You could also construct an invisible barricade by installing an electric fence or by quickly setting up a wireless instant pet fence.
Stairway to safety
If your pool has stairs rather than a ladder, spend some time in the pool with your dog, teaching him how to swim to the stairs and use them to get out of the pool. If your pool only has a ladder, then consider installing a ramp and teaching your dog to use it to escape from the water.
For other helpful pool safety suggestions for the whole family, try the National Drowning Prevention Alliance website
Did You know
Do you know that 25% of all dogs will get cancer , that means 1 out of every 4 dogs will get cancer. Skin cancer encompasses a broad category of tumors that includes any uncontrolled growth of cells of the skin or associated structures such as glands, hair follicles and supportive tissues (fat and connective tissue). The skin is the most common site of cancer in dogs, affecting older dogs who are about 6 to 14 years of age, although there are several types of skin cancers that occur in young animals as well . The cause of most skin cancers is really unknown, sun exposure has been shown to cause a higher incidence of two types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and hemangioma. Light-colored dogs with thin haircoats that spend time in the sun have a higher risk of developing either squamous cell carcinoma or hemangioma. Skin cancers can be divided into four categories, depending upon the cell type that is involved. These categories are epithelial tumors, mesenchymal tumors, round cell tumors and melanomas. Most skin cancers appear as a lump in or underneath the skin or as a sore that does not heal. Animals with skin cancer may experience discomfort or itchiness because of the cancer ( his is also the case with humans). This may cause them to chew or scratch at the affected area. With certain types of cancer, there may also be redness to the skin or it may have a flaky appearance. If you dog has a lump, a sore that doesn't heal or a body area that they keep chewing on, please take them to the vet to be checked. Pet cancer like a lot of cancers can be treated effectively when caught early. My neighbor went through cancer with her dog. I am happy to report that both are now doing well. I highly recommend pet insurance. Cancer treatment in dogs just like in humans can be very expensive and having pet insurance to help with that cost can help to relieve the additional stress. Don't forget to suntan lotion on your pets noses!Tonua
You can reduce the amount of hair in your home by brushing or combing your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce shedding. Got a shedding emergency? Is your boss coming for dinner, you've vacuumed the ton of hair off the carpet but know it will return before dinner, no problem put your puppy into his Surgi Snuggly for the evening! The Surgi Snuggly keeps the hair trapped inside! Not only will you keep the hair out of the way for the evening but your puppy will also be styling! Make sure to shake the Snuggly out periodically and of course don't leave the Surgi Snuggly on all the time!
This is really exciting news! There are many Surgi Snuggly dogs who wear pads inside the Surgi Snuggly for issues related to urinary incontinence, how exciting to now have a medication to aid in this common issue!FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Female DogsThe Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Incurin (estriol), the first drug approved for urinary incontinence in dogs. Incurin is indicated for the control of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs.Hormone-based urinary incontinence is a common problem in middle-aged and elderly spayed female dogs. The pet can urinate normally, but leaks urine while resting. Physical examination and blood and urine tests are usually normal in these pets. Hormone-responsive incontinence can occur months to years after a dog is spayed.Incurin is manufactured by Merck Animal Health of Summit, N.J. The product was submitted for approval when Merck was known as Intervet Inc. Incurin is a natural estrogen hormone that increases the resting muscle tone of the urethra. The drug can also be used to treat female dogs with urinary incontinence due to estrogen depletion.In a study of 226 spayed female dogs, a greater percentage of dogs treated with Incurin improved compared to dogs treated with placebo. Incurin was shown to be effective for the control of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs 1 year and older.Loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive water drinking and swollen vulva are some of the drug’s side effects. The drug isn’t yet available through veterinarians.
Halloween is coming up fast and dogs love snacks, give your pets something safe and healthy with this yummy recipe!
Halloween Treats for dogs
Makes 14 treats
2 cups water
3/4 cup canned applesauce
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup oats
•Preheat oven to 350 F.
•In a bowl, mix water, applesauce, vanilla and egg thoroughly.
•In a separate blow, combine flour, nuts, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon, stirring well.
•Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well.
•Spoon into greased muffin tins, filling each cup completely and bake for about 1 1/4 hours. Cool completely and store in a sealed container.
Note: If your pet has food allergies or special dietary requirements, check with your veterinarian before offering these snacks.
Ok the boating season will close soon, however I ran across this article today and wanted to share with you the following.
This article is really on target, boating anxiety is common and at our house of course we use the Surgi Snuggly, wonder suit for our boating adventures! Hannah is able to run, swim and relax in her Surgi Snuggly! Wearing the Snuggly is an excellent way for Hannah to be able to enjoy the summer fun yet not stress from the boat movement!
Although the dog days of summer are coming to an end, boating season still has weeks left. Don't leave your pooch behind when you head out on the water - many dogs like riding in boats just as much as humans do. The fresh air and opportunities to stop and swim are perfect for canine companions, just make sure you prepare them for the experience before taking off.
According to Dog Friendly, there are four things you should do before embarking on a boat trip - whether it's a leisurely cruise in a kayak or an action-packed motorboat ride. If your dog has never seen a boat, take the steps to properly introduce it to the unfamiliar vehicle. Bring your dog on board when the boat is docked and the motor is off to let it sniff around, the website suggests. If it seems wary and anxious about hopping aboard, owners may want to employ a Dog Ramp for Cars, SUVs, and Trucks to make climbing aboard easier. Take the dog off the boat and far away while someone else starts the engine so it gets familiar with the sound the boat makes. With the engine running, allow your dog to explore the boat again at its own pace, the website suggests.
Once all passengers are ready to hit the water, make sure the boat is stocked with everything the pet might need for the trip. Just as human passengers need life jackets, dogs do, too. The website reports that in case the dog jumps or falls off-board during the cruise, a life jacket could save its life. You should also slather the pooch up with sunscreen, especially if it has a white coat or short hair. Sunburns can be painful and skin cancer can be worse, so have a vet recommend a good sunscreen for Fido.
Keep plenty of cold water and pet food handy, just like us our furry friends need cold drink and snacks to ensure a wonderful day out on the water!
I created the Surgi Snuggly because I didnt want to put that hard, plastic, scary E Collar on my puppy after her surgery! Just like other pet owners I felt terrible for my puppy and I didnt want to make her uncomfortable after her hard day of surgery. So that very night my husband, Dr. Paul Williams,DVM and I created the first Surgi Snuggly! That was in Jan. 09 and here I am almost 3 years later telling the world that a wonderful E Collar alternative has arrived!
World Spay Day is an annual event of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International to inspire people to save animals' lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats. World Spay Day officially takes place on the last Tuesday of February—but events will be running all through the month! The 17th annual World Spay Day is Feb. 28, 2012.
Don't forget to get your Surgi Snuggly to keep your pets happy and comfy after their surgery!
Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., voluntarily recalled certain bags of its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dog food on suspicion of salmonella contamination, the company reported today.
The food was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. No illnesses have been reported with respect to the recalled product.
The recalled products are:
products are:
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice
6 lb.
DLR0101D3XALW
04 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice
20 lb.
DLR0101C31XAG
03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice
40 lb.
DLR0101C31XMF
03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice
40 lb.
DLR0101C31XAG
03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice
40 lb.
DLR0101D32XMS
04 Jan 2013
Consumers who purchased bags of the recalled food should discontinue feeding the product and discard it, the company said. Consumers can obtain a refund by contacting Diamond Pet.
Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain, the company said. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Owners of pets that have consumed the product should contact a veterinarian, the company said.
Owners handling the food can also become infected, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to the affected product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever, the company said. Salmonella can also result in more serious ailments, such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with the recalled product should contact a healthcare provider, the company said.
