Ain't Misbehavin' Pet Care

Upcoming Westie Walk for Dove Lewis Sept. 10!

2011-08-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

Westie Walk

September 10, 2011
Wallace Park,
NW 25th & Raleigh
Registration 9:00AM,
Walk begins 10:00AM
$20 per dog
Benefits the Velvet Assistance Fund

Hundreds of “Westies” (West Highland Terriers) take their owners to Northwest Portland for a 1½ mile walk and lots of attention. Dogs who are friends of Westies are welcome to join the fun.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD WESTIE WALK ROUTE MAP>

Don’t want to register online? CLICK HERE TO PRINT AND MAIL YOUR REGISTRATION FORM

Click here to view photos from the 2010 Westie Walk>

For information on sponsorship and vendor opportunities and how you and your company can become involved with DoveLewis, contact Candice Coleman at ccoleman@dovelewis.org or 503.535.3384.

Summer Safety for Pets - American Humane Society

2011-08-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

by Steve Dale, CABC, Board Member and National Ambassador of the American Humane Society

You can have hot fun in the summertime with your pets, but if the heat is on, your pets may potentially be in danger.

In general, dogs aren’t able to deal with heat as well as people are. So, if you are uncomfortable, it’s a good bet your dog is too. Many dogs wear fur coats year-round, and panting isn’t as efficient as perspiring as a cooling mechanism (though dogs do perspire some from their paw pads). Generally, the larger the dog, the more challenging to keep cool. Darker colored dogs heat up faster than lighter colored pups.

Here are a few tips for keeping your pets safe in summer:

Dogs Die in Hot Cars
Instances of dogs becoming ill and sometimes dying as a result of literally roasting in hot cars are avoidable. According to the AAA Chicago Motor Club, if it’s 85 degrees outdoors, even when the windows are open a crack, the dashboard can heat up to 170 degrees in less than 15 minutes.

Sadly, such tragedies still happen. On July 4, Maya Webb of Bettendorf, Iowa, went shopping inside a Joliet, Ill., furniture store. Unfortunately, she left her two pit bulls in the car. It was only 81 degrees outside, and she was barely gone for two hours — still, both dogs suffered heat stroke and died. Webb was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony.

In many states and municipalities, leaving a pet in a hot car is against the law. So, calling the police may be an option. In some places, this law (like many animal cruelty laws) is more enforced than in others. Certainly, if the car is parked at a store — if more than a few minutes passes — fetching the owner can save a dog’s life.

Exercise
Some dogs play fetch forever, just to please you or, well, they’re dogs and don’t always know when to stop. It’s your job to say enough is enough. Simply put, if your dog appears too hot, he probably is. Also, be sure to offer lots of cool water throughout your game.

For dogs who are out in the yard for any extended period of time — which is not the best idea in the first place — shade and water are absolutely necessary.
If you run with your dog — even a short distance — your best bet is either an early morning jog or hitting the track after sunset, when the temperatures aren’t as high and the sun isn’t shining. Be sure to bring water for your dog (and for you).

If it’s hotter than about 90 degrees, dogs with pushed-in noses, such as French bulldogs and pugs, probably shouldn’t go out (except to do their business and for the briefest of walks). The pushed-in nose (brachycephalic) dogs have a more challenging time breathing when it’s hot outside.

Cats in Trees
Where’s Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry when you need him? In most places, if you phone the local sheriff or fire department to fetch a cat that is up a tree, you’ll only hear a bemused operator ask, “You’ve gotta be kidding?” If you manage to convince emergency personnel to respond, you’ll likely be charged a fee.
Be patient. Veterinary clinics rarely report treating cats who have fallen from trees. Emergency rooms, however, do treat people who have fallen trying to rescue feline friends. Entice kitty with a can of tuna left at lower branches or at the base of the tree; walk away, and wait for hunger to overcome fear.

While cats are generally pretty savvy about finding a cool place to escape the heat, sometimes those places are dangerous. Your cat is far safer indoors in the first place.

Skunks
If your dog gets skunked….Step #1: Get a clothespin — that’s for your nose. Step #2: Scrub your pooch in a solution of one quart hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup baking soda and one teaspoon liquid dish soap. Step #3: Rinse. Step #4: Scrub the pet again — this time with a solution of half tomato juice and half water as needed. Step #5: Rinse. Step #6: Go to the movies while the odor subsides. Or go back to Step #2 and purchase an over-the-counter product available to help fight skunk stench.

Asphalt
Your dog isn’t dancing to act like Lady Gaga. Hot asphalt can literally scorch dog paws. To prevent fried paws, prevent asphalt — especially around midday.

Swimming Pools
If an adult isn’t there to supervise, the dog should wear a float jacket. For starters, not all dogs are adept at swimming; most bulldogs and Pekingese, for example, will sink like a rock. Even Labradors, Portuguese water dogs and Newfoundlands, etc., may impress in the pool, but not understand or be able to exit without assistance. Even Michael Phelps can’t swim forever. It’s not uncommon for expert swimming dogs to jump into a pool, but then drown because they’ve exhausted themselves attempting to get out.

Indoors
Even homes with air conditioning can get pretty hot and, of course, not everyone has air conditioning. Refill water frequently so it’s cold. You can create cooling-off snacks, like “clucksicles” (stickless popsicles made with low-salt chicken bullion), or simply make low-salt beef- or chicken-flavored bullion ice cubes, pop one out, and serve for a cool treat. Many cats don’t drink enough, and encouraging them to do so is important. One trick is to add just a little bit of water to moist food for cats (a good idea year-round).

Emergency Care
Heat stroke begins with excessive panting and difficulty breathing. The dog may lie down or seem generally confused. At this point, quickly offer water, and begin to cool the dog — place the dog in a tub or kid’s swimming pool filled with cool water (not ice-cold water). You may enhance cooling by placing the wet dog in front of an electric fan, but not for more than a few minutes. There’s a real danger of overdoing it, and inducing hypothermia, so be careful. Don’t be shy about contacting your veterinarian.

If symptoms don’t quickly dissipate, immediately contact your veterinarian or visit an emergency veterinary clinic. Worsening signs include: the tongue and mucous membranes appear bright red; the saliva becomes thick and the dog may vomit; the rectal temperature rises to 104° to 110°F. If any of these occur, it’s a matter of life and death.

Author, syndicated columnist, and radio host Steve Dale is one of America’s leading authorities on pets.

2011-08-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Traveling and the Outdoors with your Dog

Updated 8/15/2010

When planning a trip, dog owners have to choose between leaving their pets at home or bringing the canine members of the family along. Traveling with pets can get a little complicated, but with preparation it can be an enjoyable experience for all involved.

Motion Sickness and Anxiety
Travel is exciting, but for pets it can also be anxiety-inducing. If you have never traveled with your dog before, be prepared to deal with the issues that commonly arise. Motion sickness is a frequent problem for dogs whether they travel by car, airplane, boat or train. Several over-the-counter motion sickness remedies are available. Consider taking a trial run or two on winding roads to see if these products keep your pet sufficiently comfortable. If not, your veterinarian can prescribe a stronger medication. If your pet gets nervous in the car or in new situations, having a product with you that helps relieve anxiety can also be a real vacation saver.

Sometimes when a dog becomes anxious he will stop eating and drinking and may develop diarrhea. Bring along your pet's regular food and treats from home so that he does not have to deal with a diet change on top of everything else. Nutritional supplements are a safe way to treat mild cases of diarrhea. Include a few doses in a first aid kit that you pack along with you. If your pet has a history of stress-induced diarrhea, your veterinarian may be willing prescribe some anti-diarrheal medications before you leave.

Make sure you are able to get your dog out to relieve himself every few hours. Not only will this reduce the chance of an accident happening, but the exercise will also help keep him from getting too antsy. Be prepared to clean up after your pet. Plastic bags, spray cleaner and paper towels can come in handy in a variety of situations. Consider covering your car seats with old blankets, towels or covers designed specifically for this purpose so that hair and other messes don't cause permanent damage to your upholstery.

Traveling To Different Climates
Even if fleas, ticks and heartworms are not big problems in your home town, you could very well be traveling to a location where they are. Remember, hotel rooms can harbor fleas year -round, and it takes just one bite from a heartworm-infected mosquito to transmit this potentially fatal disease to your dog. Talk to your veterinarian about starting a heartworm preventative if your dog is not already on one of these medications. Safe and effective flea and tick preventatives are readily available. Your vet can also help you pick the right one for your dog.

Cold temperatures pose the risk of hypothermia if you don't adequately protect your dog. Keep him indoors with you whenever possible, and consider purchasing a sweater and booties or an insulated dog house if the conditions outside are extreme. Make sure that he has adequate access to unfrozen water.

Hot temperatures can be just as dangerous as cold. Never leave your dog alone in the car. Keeping the windows open risks him escaping, and closing the windows at all can cause heat to build up to dangerous levels even if the outside temperature is relatively mild. Make sure your dog has adequate access to clean water and shade to help him cool down when necessary.

Restraint and Identification
Update your dog's identification tags and microchip information before leaving on a trip. If you will be traveling with a cell phone, include this number so that you can be contacted even if your dog escapes while you are away from home. Make sure your dog wears a well-fitted collar or harness that he cannot slip out of and walk him on a sturdy leash.

Smaller dogs are often safest and most comfortable if they travel in a crate, and they have the added benefit of keeping pets away from the driver. Car accidents can be just as dangerous to dogs as they are to people. If you cannot use a crate, consider fitting your pet with a canine seatbelt to keep him safe just in case the unforeseeable happens.

The above is provided for information purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any condition. This information does not cover all possible variables, conditions, reactions, or risks relating to any topic, medication, or product and should not be considered complete. Certain product or medications may have risks and you should always consult your local veterinarian concerning the treatment of your pet. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

2011-08-02T18:44:00.001-07:00

Here are some tick facts every pet parent needs to know:

Ticks can infect you and your pet with serious, possibly deadly illnesses. According to Dr. Dryden, ticks are the No. 1 disease vector in the U.S. They carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and many other serious illnesses.
Tick populations are growing across the U.S. The past several years have seen a spike in the tick population. The spread of white-tailed deer (a tick carrier), climate change and changes in agricultural practices have all contributed.
Cats are at risk too. Indoor-outdoor cats can catch cytauxzoonosis, a disease which is most often fatal, from ticks. For this and many other reasons, it's best to keep cats indoors. If your cat has access to an outdoor enclosure or takes harnessed walks with you, talk to your vet about protecting him from ticks.
Different tick species live in different regions. "There are at least nine different tick species in North America that routinely get on dogs and cats," Dr. Dryden says. "You have to talk to your veterinarian and ask: What ticks [is your pet] going to be exposed to? What disease are they going to be exposed to? And what product is going to be most effective?"
Ticks can do harm when you least expect it. Even if you're not seeing ticks, they can still pose a threat -- so be sure to talk to your vet long before "tick season" starts. Because vets see a large number of pets in your region, Dr. Dryden says, "your veterinarian is going to pick up that ticks are active long before you may."

2011-08-02T17:30:00.001-07:00

Managing Your Dog's Weight

from the Whole Dog Journal

Whatever the definition and true statistics are for overweight and obese dogs, obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in dogs, and many practitioners feel it is today's number one health danger for dogs. According to existing statistical evidence, the increased incidence of obesity (in both dogs and humans) has dramatically risen only over the past 10 years or so.

Dogs tend to put on fat over their shoulders, ribs, and hips and around the tail head. You should be able to feel individual ribs and the space between each rib, and the shoulder blades, hips, and tail head should be readily palpable.

Since folks tend not to notice just how fat they or their animals are, it's probably a good idea to get an unbiased opinion - check with your vet, and ask for an honest fat appraisal. One caveat here: It may be best to have a thin and fit vet do the evaluating; out-of-shape vets might also tend to overlook fatness in their patients, and they will almost certainly minimize the importance of exercise for overall health.

A little about Ain't Misbehavin' Pet Care

2011-08-01T19:54:00.001-07:00

Ain't Misbehavin' Pet Care is a professional and certified, in-home pet care service that specializes in personal attention. I come into your home so you are able to leave your pet(s) in familiar surroundings. I try to follow your routine as closely as possible. This includes feeding and watering, exercising and giving any medication that your pet might require. I also spend quality time with your pet--playing, petting and loving, so your pet receives personal attention while you are away. I am happy to keep an eye on your home at the same time by doing such things as bringing in your mail and newspaper, alternating lights, opening and closing curtains and blinds, watering plants--activities that give your home a lived in look. Ain't Misbehavin' Pet Care specializes in personal attention. Your pets will be provided with the ultimate consideration and care on a one-on-one basis. • Insured, Bonded and Licensed
• Accredited Professional Pet Sitter through Pet Sitters International• American Red Cross Certified • Member of Pet Sitters International (PSI)
• Member of National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)• Member of Portland Pet Sitters
• Member of Oregon Pet Sitters Association

Call for a FREE CONSULTATION and In-home Interview Zip Codes serviced includes: 97209, 97205, 97201, 97210, 97221, 97219, 97239, 97204 If your zip code is not listed, please feel free to call to check your area for possible service Contact me via phone at 503-853-4480 or email aintmispetcare@aol.com Web site: http://www.aintmisbehavinpc.com