Archive for Tips

Is Your Pet Stressed Out?

May 28, 2011 at 12:19 pm · Filed under Tips, Uncategorized

Tips for keeping dogs stress-free during thunderstorms
A recent article on AnnArbor.com by contributor Lorrie Shaw offered tips for pet owners to help dogs with noise phobias during thunderstorms. These included: counter classical conditioning (getting your dog to associate the noise of thunder with something good); using pressure wraps to help comfort them; use anti-static capes, sprays and softener sheets; T-Touch; or a dog-appeasing pheromone. “The great thing about these specific suggestions, they are easy to implement and none of them have side effects,” Shaw wrote. “Depending on the severity of your dog’s discomfort when it comes to anxiety associated with storms, you can tailor a plan of action that works by trying one at a time, or perhaps more than one in tandem.”

-from Vet Advantage Weekly News

 

AnimalRehabilitation.com suggests the above ideas we’ve put in BOLD.

And the approach is not limited to thunderstorms but is also applicable to dogs with separation anxiety (but make sure you try techniques while supervising your pet vs. leaving) or those that react to fireworks, trips to the vet/groomer and large social settings.

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Fit Tip – Dogs and yoga?

April 26, 2010 at 9:19 am · Filed under Tips, Uncategorized

Yoga mats, that is!

Preventing sliding, skidding and potential falls inside your home is an important consideration for large breeds and dogs that are recovering from surgery or injury, have arthritis, or are geriatric.

An effective way to secure your flooring without resorting to having your dog wear booties or ripping up slick floors for carpet, is to lay down yoga mats.
The sticky surface provides traction and is harmless to your floors. Mats are easy to relocate and fold up quickly for cleaning & entertaining.


This is a cheaper alternative to throw rugs which often times can create an even more hazardous “carpet ride” for your pooch.

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This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives. You can check out more of the “TIPS” series under the category on the  right —->


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Fit Tip for 3/3/10 – elevate food and water bowls

March 3, 2010 at 11:26 am · Filed under Tips, Uncategorized

This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives. You can check out more of the “TIPS” series under the category on the  right —->


Raising food and water bowls up off the ground is an especially good tip for geriatric dogs, arthritic dogs or dogs that need to put more weight on their hind limbs. (Remember this fact? HERE )

Elevating food and water bowls can also help motivate a dog toward more equal weight-bearing when standing if this is an activity in your rehab program.

Standing more upright with an elevated head lessens the stress on front limbs and the neck.

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Fit Tip 12/16/09 – stay warm!

December 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm · Filed under Tips, Uncategorized

This article of mine was supplemented with excerpts from Whole Dog News!

The trend, especially during winter months, is for pet parents to buy dog (okay…and CAT) beds.
Sometimes for each level of the house (guilty).
Did you know some dog breeds lack an undercoat of hair to keep them insulated when the temperatures drop? So pet beds not only help them be WARM but they provide an enjoyable and comfortable resting place!

“Secure and happy dogs: Most dogs have a den-making urge, and a bed helps your dog feel more secure with a space of their own. Dogs can be quite sensitive to territory, and giving them their own special area can provide them with a place of sanctuary when they feel tired or emotionally stressed.”

In particular, beds offer support and comfort to arthritic dogs, special needs dogs and older dogs. Dogs that habitually lay on one side are at risk for developing sores or callouses from harder surfaces. Older dogs and dogs recuperating post-operatively have slower metabolisms, therefore making body temperature regulation a difficulty for them.

Dogs evolved sleeping in caves or dens, right? A dog will prefer sleeping on HIS bed and will therefore be less likely to sleep on other pieces of furniture-like your cherished couch or loveseat. This will also result in less furballs & dander (less allergens & easier clean up too) as a lot of the shedding will be contained in the sleeping area.

There are more choices in bedding than ever! You may prefer a more natural fiber such as organic cotton or hemp. Or how about sleeping sacks? A “Snuggie” to match yours? Or even a good fleece blanket (frequently found at a low discount at Walgreens…).
Or just sleep on any couch you can find!
office:
boo office
living room:
boo livingroom

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Santa Paws Is Coming To Town… & Fit Tips for Holidays

December 13, 2009 at 7:20 am · Filed under Tips, Uncategorized

image001
Santa Paws Is Coming To Town

You’d better not bark,

You’d better not bite,

You’d better not scratch
the sofa tonight

Santa Paws is coming to town…
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The holiday season can be a stressful time for your pets too. Here are some tips I compiled from NSALA and Google:
* Make sure that your holiday guests and extended family members are not generous in the “scraps” giving department; too may treats and/or a sudden increase in consumption can lead to illness, stomach upsetedness, vomiting…etc.
* Too many fatty, rich, or “new” foods can lead to pancreatitis or gastroenteritis which can be painful if not life-threatening!
* NO bones. Save them for your delicious soup instead.
* Nightshade type vegetables are dangerous, this we know. Did you know that onions and onion powder can destroy dog or cat red blood cells leading to anemia?
* Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage.
* Aluminum foil, wax paper and other food wrappings can cause intestinal obstruction(s). Make sure to place these items securely in the garbage (that is secured) & not left on the counter!
* Watch his/her behavior and make sure your pet isn’t getting too stressed when house-guests and festivities abound.
* Potentially dangerous holiday items and plants such as: Poinsettia, Mistletoe, Lillies, Macadamia nuts, Garlic/tomatoes/shallots/mushrooms (see above), Alcoholic beverages (i.e., Beer), Rhubarb, Cocoa (not just Chocolate), Yeast dough, Xylitol, etc.
* Sometimes feeding baby food (human) is warranted in times of illness or refusing to eat situations. Make sure the baby food ingredient list does not contain any of the above.
** non -food items like TINSEL
snoopy1

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Fit Tip 9/3/09 – maintain health records

September 3, 2009 at 5:23 pm · Filed under Tips, Uncategorized

This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives.

I wrote of this in THIS post from 8/8/09 but I want to stress this idea for those dealing with older dogs.

This means more than just keeping shot records.
If you have any type of specialized consult (Orthopedist? Neurologist? Emergency visit? Rehab eval? Labs? X-rays?…), get a copy. Not just the discharge plans or recommendations. (<-Though you’ll want to get those too! But most places usually provide this on check-out.)

If you give your dog supplements or medications, keep a list of what he/she IS taking and what they have taken in the past specific to dosage and frequency.

Short and sweet. Easy homework for you to do if you haven’t already!

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Fit Tip – managing pain & arthritis

July 31, 2009 at 3:37 pm · Filed under Tips

This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives.First, from DogAge.com’s Fast Facts:

A veterinarian may suggest glucosamine or nutraceuticals for your dog’s general pain due to old age, the beginnings of arthritis, or injury. Stronger medications are available by prescription, but some have side effects that can damage organs and shorten your dog’s life. Before administering any medications to your dog, consult your veterinarian.

Doggie beds and cooling/heating mats can comfort dogs if they suffer from aching joints and muscles. Booties to protect the pads of the feet and warm sweaters for cold climates can help comfort dogs.

Pain medications include carprofen, etodolac and piroxicam.

I’m of the belief that nutraceuticals are beneficial from an early age regardless! Especially for large breed dogs and dogs that have a job or sport.
I bet all you health-minded folks didn’t wait until you had a disease before you started taking your vitamins!

And this is where it gets a little complicated because your dog cannot tell you how he is feeling, you probably don’t get frequent full-body x-rays of his joints to monitor deterioration, and (as I’ve posted before) lack of progress (or visible sign of benefit) IS progress in some dogs!

Just as there is no ONE way to treat every individual’s arthritis or trauma-related pain, there is no one “cookbook” method or medication to addressing your dog’s issue.

Dog beds are great! Dogs with neurological diseases or decreased function may have problems getting in and out of a bed, though. The softer the surface, the harder it is to balance (on). Make sure your dog doesn’t just lay in one position for extended periods of time because he may not be able to move well; this would predispose him to skin breakdown.

Heating and cooling mats are sometimes helpful, but a little goes a LONG way. Heating mats are not indicated for all dogs. Use a cooling mat and never direct ice.

Dog booties should be used by dogs who: will be going on a longer than usual hike or walk, compete in a sport that causes undue wearing on the pads, or dogs that have tendency to scrape or knuckle over at the toes.

Sweaters? Well, okay. If your dog likes ‘em. I don’t know what comfort they truly give to an arthritic dog in cold climates but perhaps someone will comment and let me know.

Other things to try include: individualized progressive exercise plan (!), massage, or acupuncture.

Medicines are confusing enough! Here are the generic names of these NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs):
Carprofen = Rimadyl
Etodolac = Etogesic, Lodine
Prioxicam = Feldene*

* Not Cox-2 specific and used for it’s anti-tumor properties. Strong stuff.

Here are others (both NSAID and not):
Metacam %
Deramaxx %
Phenylbutazone % = as “Bute” usually given to horses
Acetaminophen = Tylenol or good ol’ aspirin
Tramadol

(% -these are primarily for canine arthritic pain)

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Fit Tip 7/22/09 – babies & puppies

July 22, 2009 at 6:18 pm · Filed under Tips

This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives.

First there’s THIS (having nothing to with rehab but sure is FUN): CLICK HERE

Since I’m hearing of a lot of new additions to the family and with the warmer weather, seeing a lot of people jogging/running with their dogs, my Fit Tip suggestion is NOT to jog/run/exercise (along) with your young dog. (aka, doing “structured” exercise like YOU do…)

The reason for this is because your puppy will not reach skeletal maturity until 18-36 months!
He has soft(er), growing bones that may respond to excessive wear (essentially equaling trauma) by ceasing to grow, forming microtraumas along the plates/ends of the bones, or speeding up the eventual degeneration at the joint spaces (read: arthritis!).

Smaller dogs mature faster than large breed dogs but large breed dogs also “age” faster too. [I know, bummer!!]

Some competitive trials won’t let puppies participate until 12-18 months for this reason. In general, I think this isn’t enough time given the high rate of exertion and practice methods I’ve seen some people use (NOT anyone reading THIS blog, of course).

Dogs need exercise. You need exercise. Puppies seem to crave A LOT of activity. Taking your pup for a run seems like an easy way to kill two birds with one stone (sorry for the pun). But before you go for that 2-4mi jog up Street of the Golden Lantern with your Boobear, leave him at home and find a human companion [if you need the company] instead.

You both will be better off in the long run (again, no pun intended) for it!!


Don’t get me started on some of the practices on ‘babies’ in the equine industry…

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Fit Tip 7/16/09 collars, chokes, harnesses, haltees…

July 15, 2009 at 10:20 pm · Filed under Tips

This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives.

To help prevent muscular imbalances and premature degeneration in certain areas of the spine, it is a good idea to switch out the type of restraint you choose to use when leading your dog. No ONE way is best; several ways are better. The majority of clients I speak with only use collars and/or choke chains.

Unless your dog is a competitor in obedience trials, make sure that he/she stands not only on your left, but also sometimes stands on your right. Again, this helps prevent muscular imbalances and shortening of the spine to one side (usually right).

See? Another easy tip!

Have you walked your dog today?

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Fit Tip 6/3/09 dental hygiene

June 3, 2009 at 7:58 am · Filed under Tips

This is part of a series in keeping your furkids, especially the elder variety, feeling and looking their best. It is not intended to supercede medical advice or directives.

Keeping up with your dog’s dental health is important to his/her overall health.

Regular cleaning is a must. It was explained to me this way: “…you brush your teeth and floss at least twice daily, but you still need to go to the dentist…your dog is no different.” A professional dental cleaning will remove plaque and tartar that brushing cannot.

There are pros and cons about both non-anesthesia and anesthesia type cleanings, and about who exactly has the ‘right’ to perform these activities. I won’t get into that here.
Suffice to say, keeping up with cleaning, though, will decrease the likelihood of anesthesia being the ONLY option in cases where dental disease has progressed too far.

Regular cleaning will also keep costs (& your dog’s discomfort) down in the long-run.

Put another way, no one has ever regretted keeping up with their dog’s dental health…

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