Wishing all our Dogster pals and friends at Sunbear Squad a safe and happy Labor Day.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 31

Watch for pets that have matted fur from stickers and burdock-they may get infections in their mouths from attempts to clean their fur because the tiny barbs become embedded in the mouth tissues.

BE A GOOD SAMARITAN FOR ANIMALS

If you’ve ever thought of combining your love of dogs and running there’s a few things to keep in mind before hitting the road.

Getting Rover ready for a run is very important,  otherwise you may be risking both dog and owner safety.  A veterinarian, dog trainer, and owner gives us five tips before starting out.

1. Lapdog or lap-runner?
Before setting out, take an honest look at your dog. Is he a high-energy mutt who would love to run, or is he a breed more suited to snuggling at your feet?

2. Heel!
After type of dog, obedience is key. After all, a run will be no fun if your dog stops to sniff every tree, or races in front of you and trips you up. Your dog should learn to heel, and a good obedience class can teach this skill.

3. Dogs Unleashed
“Ideally, you should jog with your dog in off-leash areas so that he or she can got at his or her own pace and has the option to speed up or rest if needed,” she says. “You and your dog may not have the same ideal pace, and it may be difficult for your dog to match your stride comfortably or even safely.”

4. Clean bill of health
Before embarking on a running program, Dr. Akins recommends getting the “all clear” from the dog’s vet.

5. Keep cool
Even if your dog is “running fit,” it’s important to recognize that dogs don’t have as efficient cooling systems as humans do and are more susceptible to heat stroke. Especially in warmer weather, runners need to be alert to signs of exhaustion and overheating.

Remember, just like humans, not all dogs enjoy running.  Run on over to read the full article to make sure you’re on the right track.

As summer comes to a close and Labor Day weekend fast approaching this is a great tip to keep in mind.  As always, we thank our friends from Sunbear Squad for this great tip.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 24

Watch for lost dogs and cats on the Labor Day holiday weekend. Dogs and cats traveling with their families sometimes take fright and run away. Be a Good Samaritan for animals.

I received a message from one of our pup pals, Bailey, about a heartbreaking incident that started with a very innocuous looking toy.  This is the story of Chai, a beautiful 10 year old lab mix. 

 On Sunday, June 22, 2008 my 10-year old lab mix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I’m referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated by Dr. Nicole Spurlock to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.

By the following morning his tongue continued to swell.

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.

He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th I brought Chai home from the vet with a barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.

The following is a link to an animal treatment clinic that has also documented the same injury to a Shepard mix.

www.logcabinanimalhospital.com/index.php/toy-ball-stuck-on-dogs-tongue/

I sent this information along with the reference to Petunia the french bulldog to Four Paws Inc, and it is their position that there just aren’t enough instances to do anything about this. I told their Insurance company’s case manager that was not a good enough excuse, It was inferred that my dogs value wasn’t much and that his pain and suffering don’t count as he is just a piece of property.

This should never happen to another animal again!

Chai’s owner now has over $5000 in vet bills as well as countless other bills that are  associated with his care.  Please take a minute to read the entire story of Chai so that we can get the word out about the Pimple Ball with bell toy.  If the company refuses to take responsibility for its product then it’s our responsibility, as consumers, to take a stand and protect our innocent pets.

Fire. It’s destructive and lethal when it comes into our lives uninvited, especially when it hits in our homes. Firefighters do their best to save both humans and pets, knowing that most victims succumb to smoke inhalation.

Here’s an interesting fact from a Newsday article acknowledging the Canine Fence Company of Wilton, CT for donating 75 pet oxygen masks for use by local fire departments:

Most of the more than 40,000 pet deaths in U.S. fires in 2006 resulted from the absence of a reliable way for emergency responders to supply pets with oxygen, Cuthbertson said.

I would have thought human oxygen masks would work, but that’s not the case.

Masks designed for humans have been used, but since they don’t fit well around a pet’s snout the animal isn’t “getting the full saturation of oxygen,” said James Logan, the town’s chief fire marshal.

Kudos to the Canine Fence Company for doing their part.

So what can you do to prepare for a fire emergency, outside of ensuring you have working fire alarms throughout your home? DogDayAfterNews is here to help with some great tips on pet fire safety.

-  Keep your pet’s current license and vaccination tags on his or her collar to help with identification in case you become separated. The best way to ensure easy identification is to have your pet micro-chipped.

-  Do not keep burning candles or flammable materials at a level where pets can knock them over.

-  Pay close attention any time you are burning candles. Dogs do not blister when they burn and take a long time to heal, so it is very important for you to be aware of where they are when you have candles lit.

-  Keep electrical cords out of your pet’s reach to prevent chewing, which could shock your pet or cause a fire .

-  Prepare an emergency kit with important financial and personal information. Include your pet’s medical records and food.

-  Have a plan for a friend, family member, or boarding kennel to take care of your pet on short notice in case of an emergency.

-  Use a Pet Alert rescue sticker to help make firefighters aware of your pets.

- Make sure your pet doesn’t play with matches.

OK, that last one was added by me : )

Be good and stay safe!

I just ran across this article warning about glue and our pets. No, they’re not sniffing the stuff, but ingesting it instead.

A Lexington woman says her pet German Shepherd, “Judah,” got into a bottle of “Gorilla Glue.”

The dog ate some of the glue and it expanded in his stomach. Surgery was required to remove the cantaloupe-sized mass and save the dog’s life.

Vets at Woodford Veterinary Clinic say this is the third case they’ve seen in six months and it’s getting national attention in veterinary journals.

As for “Judah,” the dog is recovering and should be back to normal in a couple of days.

As always,  thanks to our friends over at the Sunbear Squad for this tip of the week.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 17

Listen and watch for trapped or lost pets in student housing neighborhoods. Back-to-school time is very high-risk for student-owned dogs and cats, because students move into new housing.

Be a Good Samaritan for Animals

I just received a request asking for your help. Specifically, help from those of you that have had success using holistic treatments for your pets.

I’m a producer for a national morning show out of New York City. We are doing a segment this coming Monday morning on the top holistic treatments and remedies for pets.

We are looking for a personal story of someone who tried acupuncture on their pet and had amazing dramatic results.

If you’re interested in sharing your story, email Dori at dori.kornspan@mikeandjuliet.com. She’ll give you all the details…and maybe, just maybe,  I’ll be seeing you on the show!!

Our very own Mr. Henry passed this article on to me, but not just because it’s an interesting article,  he happens to be  the handsome pup in the picture.  Henry, a 1-year-old West Highland White Terrier, was captured as he cools off at Capehart Dog Park in San Diego.  Way to go Mr. Henry!

The article, on off- leash dog park etiquette, has some great tips on being a responsible pet parent. All dog parks have official rules, like cleaning up after your pet and making sure their vacinations are current,  but there are also some unwritten rules.  The following are some things to keep in mind.

Five things you should never bring to the off-leash dog park:

Food: This applies to both the human and canine variety. Whether it’s Fido’s favorite treat or a quick lunch for you, bringing food into the dog park is one of the best ways to go from zero to anarchy in a matter of seconds. And don’t think you can hide those morsels in your pocket–with a sense of smell that is 100,000 times greater than that of a human, they’ll find it every time. After all, they don’t have bomb-sniffing humans, do they?

Your own toys: Of course, bringing your dog’s personal toys to the dog park is fine–as long as neither of you wants to see them again. The beauty of the dog park is the communal atmosphere, so expect to see plenty of sharing, but don’t expect to see Rover politely return Fluffy’s ball when it’s time for her to go home.

Small kids: A dog park may seem like an ideal place to let your two-legged charges run loose as well, but even the friendliest medium- to large-sized dog can knock a toddler to the ground with so much as an enthusiastic greeting, causing inevitable conflict between parent and pet owner. Kid parks outnumber dog parks by at least 100 to 1, so for everyone’s safety and peace of mind, keep at least one hand on your tots when they’re in canine territory.

A leash: Though a must in most situations, a leash should never enter the dog park attached to a dog. Rather than keeping your pooch safe, being tethered to a leash can make your furry friend a sitting duck, unable to get away from dominant or aggressive dogs. Last year in San Diego, a Chihuahua/Yorkie mix was killed at Dusty Rhodes Dog Park when its leash kept it from evading an aggressive Husky. While the leash was obviously not to blame for the incident, it left the small dog open to attack.

An attitude: Your love for Lassie may be unconditional, but that doesn’t mean she can do no wrong. Always keep an eye on your pup and be ready to intervene if playtime gets out of hand.

By following the rules–both written and implied–the dog park can be a great place for everyone who is lucky enough to be owned by a dog. Let the butt-sniffing begin!

If you’ve ever wondered who “Sunbear” in Sunbear Squad is stop by their website to read the inspirational story. It’s a wonderful organization  devoted to defending the welfare of animals.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 10

Watch for dogs and cats who bite or lick at their fur repeatedly, creating damp “hot spots.” In summer, these wet areas of fur may attract flies and create maggot infestations.