How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Cleaning your dog’s ears can be easy, but you’ll need to follow proper precautions. Dr. Mike walks you through a routine ear cleaning step-by-step so that you can perform ear cleaning for your dog. If there is an ear infection you’ll learn what precautions to take and what to discuss with your vet.

Directed by Trent Noller, Produced by Mary Pipes, Hosted by Dr. Mike Ontiveros

Watch it now –> How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears – VetVid Episode 003 from VetVid on Vimeo.

Image copy: petsugar.com

Feline Obesity: An Epidemic of Fat Cats

Here’s a great articles from Lisa A. Pierson, DVM from catinfo.org
Enjoy!

When was the last time you saw an obese lion? How about a chubby cheetah? Or a fat tiger? Have you ever seen an overweight leopard or panther? If you have ever watched nature programs on TV, I am sure that you know the answer to the questions just posed.

The answer is “never”.

The next questions are also easy ones to answer – even if you are like me and turn your head when these scenes pop up on the screen!

Do these wild cats eat a dry food diet that is full of starchy carbohydrates in the form of grains? Do they eat a water-depleted diet in the form of dry kibble? Is their diet one that derives much of its protein from plants (versus meat) as is true of many dry food diets?

The answers are, again, simple: “no”, “no” and “no”.

There is a wonderful program on the TLC channel entitled Honey We’re Killing the Kids. This program addresses the obesity epidemic in this country – starting with what we are feeding to our children. Americans are eating themselves right into an early grave but that is their choice. Our cats, on the other hand, do not have a choice and are stuck with whatever their human caregiver decides to put on their dinner plate and we owe it to them to feed a healthy diet.

Read the full entry

Protect your pet from winter dangers

From coast to coast temperatures are dropping. Baby, it’s cold outside and it’s time to protect our pets from the frosty elements.

To learn what you are doing right and what you should be doing differently, read these time-tested tips from the ASCPA.

Until spring rolls around, it’s a good idea to be extra vigilant with our companion animals.

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Thanks to Casey Cavalier, Dallas Pet Health Examiner
Photo: ASCPA

Exercise for dogs

Would you have ever thought that you would turn on the discovery channel and see a dog on a treadmill courtesy of the dog whisperer? Whether I agree or disagree with Cesar’s methods, he has a point. Exercise has benefits for us all even our canine counterparts.

Providing our dogs the health benefits of exercise is only a reflection of our love for our pets. It is also linked to our beliefs in the benefits of exercise for ourselves. As an individual that has worked in the human fitness field and veterinary science, the concepts and rewards are mirror images.

Physiologically and anatomically there are differences in canines and humans, but primarily we are very much alike. Our bodies function quite similarly. We suffer from the same diseases linked to inactivity and poor nutrition such as, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and orthopedic problems due to obesity. Our lungs function the same, just at different capacities. Obviously the greyhound and the equine may have one up on us in some ways, but overall it is time to pump up that cardio system!

Inactivity is a detriment to us both, but activity rewards more than just our physical fitness levels. It is a time to bond with our pets,train them, and to stimulate their minds and improve our sense of well-being.

The fitness principles that are guidelines for adults are very adaptable to our canine mates. Before we begin fitness programs, we should clear our health status with our physicians, so also should we be sure the veterinarian gives our dog the okay to get started. The basic health issues of concern for dogs regarding exercise are the following. Is our dog on heartworm preventative? Does our dog pass an orthopedic exam ruling our injuries that first require medical intervention, and does our dog have a heart murmur? A great place to start is to getting a starting weight for our dog, and get nutritional recommendations from our veterinarian, including how to adjust food quantity and type as activity increases.

For cardiovascular benefits walk yourself and your dog three to fives time a week for 30 minutes per day (after building up to 30 minutes over a one to two week period). You may split up the 30 minutes into three intervals to still gain fitness benefits and to work with your dog’s potty routine. Walking also builds muscle which improves metabolic function and strengthens joints. Remember to increase speed gradually and to provide a cool down.

Change up your routine, aka interval training. Take your dog for a swim, play Frisbee, do some hiking in the hills, ride your bike, be creative, but have fun and do it safely.

What if you are more fit than your dog? Allow the dog to build up his/her fitness level. Also be aware of heat related injuries that can harm your pet. Be sure water is available. Their our collapsible waterers specifically made for dogs that allow you to pour water into them during outings. Most pet stores and even Walmart carry these items.

If you are not sure how to best provide exercise for your pet, always consult your veterinary professional, your veterinarian or their veterinary technician.

About the Author Lisa Kirkwood

Photo credit: greatdogsite.com

The Ten Most Important Tips for Keeping Your Older Dog Healthy

1. Establish a relationship with the best veterinarian you can find. For most older dogs, it is advisable to make an appointment with the vet every six months. Your vet should be someone whom you trust and with whom you feel very comfortable.
2. Become informed about the conditions common to older dogs and the therapies used for them. Be alert to symptoms, bring them to your vet’s attention promptly, and be prepared to discuss treatment options.
3. Feed your older dog the best food you can afford; consider feeding him a home-prepared diet and two small meals daily rather than one large one.
4. Don’t overfeed your dog. Obesity will create health problems and shorten his life.
5. Consider the use of dietary supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis.
6. Give your senior dog adequate exercise, but adjust it to her changing abilities.
7. Attend to your dog’s dental health. Brush her teeth daily and have them cleaned professionally whenever your vet advises it.
8. Tell your vet you wish to have your dog vaccinated only once every three years, as currently advised by the major veterinary colleges.
9. Be diligent in controlling fleas and ticks, and keep your dog and his environment scrupulously clean.
10. Make your senior dog as much a part of your life as possible, and do all you can to keep him interested, active, happy and comfortable.

(Of course, these ten tips also apply in large part to young dogs, too.)

These topics are among those discussed in depth on the Senior Dogs Project website. You can find them in the “Care” segment of the website..