PetAgree
We have all heard of service dogs that assist their human companions who have visual, hearing, or physical disabilities. These dogs on duty work hard every day to help their human’s eyes ‘see’, ears ‘hear’ and assist with day to day activities that many of us take for granted. That is just the beginning of what dogs these days are doing. With their keen sense of smell and intuition, an ambitious dog’s list of possible employment opportunities continues to grow.
Did you know that dogs have been trained to smell out cancer? The first dog to ever be trained to smell out malignant melanomas was a Schnauzer named George. George had started his sniffing career smelling out explosives until Dr. Armand Cognetta (a dermatologist) had an idea. Why not train dogs to smell out malignant melanomas? Dr. Cognetta began working with George and had great success. Doctors only diagnose about 80% of melanomas. George, on the other hand, correctly diagnosed melanomas over 99% of the time. Watch out doc, your profession is going to the dogs!
Just because your dog hasn’t been trained to smell out melanomas does not mean you should ignore his sense of smell. In 1989, well before George’s training, a woman reported that her half Border Collie half Doberman kept sniffing at a mole on her leg. The dog even went so far as to try and bite off the offending spot. The woman went to the doctor and learned that the mole was a malignant melanoma. The dog may have saved her life.
Perhaps your dog isn’t into skin. That’s fine, there are other opportunities for your pooches’ highly skilled sniffer. No one is sure how, but dogs have been able to detect a seizure before they occur. Once again, no training necessary. In fact, for this profession it would appear that either the dog has ‘the sense’ or doesn’t. If a dog ‘has it’ they can be further trained to perfect their ability and help them communicate with their person. If your dog doesn’t have it, well, there is no training him to learn it. For now, training consists of recognizing the ability in the dog and then encouraging the behavior. What are the dogs sensing? If we knew, we could train it. There are a couple of theories. One theory is that the person has a certain body language before a seizure that the dog picks up on. Another theory is that the dog can smell a change in the person’s chemistry before the seizure occurs. Either way, the dog senses the ‘change’ indicating an upcoming seizure and tries to alert the person. This ‘alert’ could be as simple as a lick on the hand.
I have mentioned in a previous blog how my beloved Miniature Schnauzer Maggie sensed my pregnancies long before I had any idea. What I have not mentioned is her quirky behavior in regards to my diabetes. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Maggie’s lifetime. Apparently Maggie can tell the difference in my ‘smell’ when my blood sugar levels are off. I am being totally honest when I tell you that Maggie has woken me up in the night multiple times to alert me to a low blood sugar (a potentially life threatening event) that I was not sensing myself. Did I mention that she sleeps in the other room? Pretty amazing.
Maggie isn’t the only sugar smelling pooch. Mark Ruefenacht, a forensic scientist from California, trains hypoglycemic alert dogs. He uses Labrador Retrievers that have flunked out of guide dog school. In as little as 3-4 months of training these dogs can sense a low blood sugar and alert their person- potentially saving their life. Some dogs have even been known to pick up on a dropping blood sugar level and been able to alert their person before the hypoglycemia occurs. Dogs that have received training are accurate 90% of the time. That is much more accurate than my continuous glucose monitor! Too bad Ruefenacht is only training Labradors now, I would send Maggie to him to fine tune her skill.
We are only just beginning to explore all the things dogs can help us with. From fetching the paper to saving your life, a dogs’ job is hardly limited to couch warmer these days. The next time your dog is acting strangely towards you, pay attention. It might not just be a new quirk. Your pet could be trying to tell you something. After all, dogs are man’s best friend. Plus, if anything happens to you who would feed Fido?
*http://siriusdog.com/melanoma-mole-dog-detect.htm
* http://www.deltasociety.org/Document.Doc?id=227
* http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/news/articles/wash-post-022008.html
Introducing your furry baby to your new, not so furry baby
For nearly 3 years our spunky Miniature Schnauzer, Maggie Chewbacca, was an only child. How she relished all the attention. Warmed food three times a day, doggie daycare four days a week, walks every night followed by a vigorous playtime, an outfit for every occasion, thousands of photo shoots, park play dates, and of course, her own spot under the covers between my husband and I every night. We joked that we had one DOG-ter and our parents had a Grand-dogter.
One night we were snuggling on the couch and Maggie laid across my stomach. That was not one of our usual cozy cuddles so we took a picture. That night in bed she curled up in a ball right next to my stomach. The next day and night was a repeat. This continued on for a week before we discovered we were expecting. There is no doubt in my mind, or the mind of our veterinarian, that Maggie could sense what we did not yet know. What she didn’t know was how this little baby would change her life.
My entire pregnancy was spent with Maggie ‘incubating’ my stomach. When it got too big for her to lay over it, she would simply snuggle next to it. I cannot tell you how many times she was kicked by our bundle of joy while he was in utero, but never would she budge from her post. That August, at 8 months pregnant, I remember sweating from my furry little heating pad that refused to move.
In spite of her behavior, we were extremely concerned about how she would actually react when baby came home. When she was a puppy, she LOVED children. In fact, we brought her to schools to use as a “Bite Prevention” example where children could learn how to treat a dog properly. Unfortunately there was one instance that a rambunctious little preschool boy whacked her across the face. Since that time, she HATED boys. When we found out we were having a boy we were more than worried about how Maggie would react. Thankfully, there are lots of resources out there with some great advice.
The biggest thing to remember is that until baby comes home, your pet has been the baby. No matter what, your pet will have some major adjustments. New sounds, new smells, new baby stuff around the house (that looks oh so chewable), and a new schedule. You have a general idea what to expect, your pooch has no clue.
First off, as soon as you learn you are expecting take your pet in for a wellness exam. Make sure that vaccinations are up to date and that your pet has a negative fecal exam. You don’t want to risk catching something from your pet and passing it onto baby.
A somewhat obvious, bit often overlooked bit of advice is to make sure your pet has some manners. Yes, obedience is key. You cannot have your 100lb beast plowing you down when you walk in the house with a newborn in a car seat. Your 5lb princess is just as capable of tripping you up while you are carrying baby. All pets need manners. If your pet doesn’t have any, teach him some now.
Before bringing baby home, you will do lots of preparing I am sure. Maybe you’ll read some books, get a crib ready, and maybe even wash his toys. Prepare your dog ahead of time too. Get a baby doll and pretend it is a real baby- if you can find one that actually cries and coos all the better. Carry the doll around, let it cry its’ little batteries out, love on it, pretend to feed it. Let me tell you that when Maggie first heard that doll scream she RAN full throttle into the other room. After lots and lots of exposure she would just lie down on the couch and sigh as if to say “not this again”. If you know anyone with a baby, invite them over. ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR PET.
Another thing to keep in mind is that no matter how good your intentions are, your pet will not be getting the same amount of attention as he used to. Start this transition now. So many people give their pet extra attention in anticipation of the baby’s arrival. THIS IS A BIG NO-NO! Your pet will connect the dots- “I was getting tons of attention before this little wrinkled thing arrived.” Try to cut back a bit on the extra attention. Be realistic. How much time will you really have for your pet when baby comes? Make a slow transition starting now.
Finally baby has arrived. Cuddle baby up in an extra blanket or swaddle and then have someone bring the blanket to your pet to sniff and get accustomed to before baby gets home. When it’s time for baby to actually go home your pet will recognize their scent.
When I got home from the hospital I knew that Maggie would go ballistic. My husband stayed in the car with our son while I went inside and greeted Maggie calmly. Once I was assured she was settled down, we brought in our little guy for introductions. She sniffed him all over, looked at us, and then followed everything we did with him for the rest of the day.
The single best bit of advice for after baby is home is this: Give your pet MORE attention when baby is around than when baby is not around. This is extremely difficult to do, but you will reap the benefits. If you play with your pet only when the baby is asleep you pet is going to hate it when the baby is awake. On the other hand, if you give your pet a treat each time you are tending to the baby your pet will learn that your baby is a treat machine (once your baby starts self-feeding your dog will learn that yet again). If baby is on the floor doing tummy time, and you feel comfortable, throw a toy to your pet. Take baby and your dog for a walk together. Any kind of positive connection you can make between the two is important.
There are so many bits of good advice out there to help make this a successful transition for your family. Check your area for classes that are offered. Our local Humane Society offered a Baby Ready Pets class for a suggested donation of only $10. Take the time to check it out at www.hswestmichigan.org. Enjoy your new family!
Do you dress your pet? How much do you dress your pet? Does your pet have a wardrobe complete with pajamas, or just a coat for when it’s cold and wet out? What about Halloween, or should I say Howleen? Is your little devil in full costume for Trick or Treating? In recent years it seems as though pet dressing has become more and more common. Stop in any pet store and you are bound to find a large selection of traditional dog jackets to wedding dresses and tuxedos. But should you dress him?
It seems that pet dressing primarily poses a consideration for dogs. I don’t know if cats are just too fast to catch for an outfit change, or if their clothing brand and style requirements just make them no fun to shop for. Either way, cats seem to dodge the clothing issue entirely.
I am pretty sure that big dogs miss out on dressing up simply because they are big. I have a Miniature Schnauzer- she weighs maybe 16lbs on a ‘fat’ day, and she is still generally a size medium or large for most pet clothing lines. I can’t imagine even an extra-large fitting my friends’ 60lb Rhodesian Ridgeback. I suppose, if determined, big dog owners’ could always find human clothing to fit their big furry babies, but I don’t see it happening too often. I have a hard time justifying $18 on a shirt for myself; no way would I be caught purchasing two so my dog could have one to match.
So, you have a little dog, should you dress him? There are a lot of things to take into consideration before pulling that polo shirt over your pooches’ head.
First off, is your dog a shredder? Some dogs will shred and/or consume anything. I worked at a veterinary clinic for 5 years and let me tell you that you wouldn’t believe what was in the ‘prize’ jar of things surgically removed from dog’s stomachs. I specifically remember an entire key ring with keys in that jar. If your dog likes to chew and mangle things, particularly anything fabric, I would say that an outfit is not a great idea.
Secondly, what is your pooches’ coat like? I don’t mean what designer made his jacket, I mean his fur coat. Some dogs will matt up just looking at clothing. If your dog has easily tangled tresses you might want to reconsider that tuxedo. Areas to really watch for are under the armpits and on the tummy.
With that said, if you have a Chinese Crested or other thin haired dog you’ll want to consider the repercussions of not dressing her, especially in the winter. We live in Michigan and it gets really cold and snowy. Can you imagine running outside to relieve yourself with nothing on? I think I would freeze in place.
Really, I think the most important thing to consider is your pet. Every pet is different. If you put a hot dog costume on your Dachshund and he refuses to walk that is a pretty good indication that he hates it. However, if your Poodle prances every time she sees her pretty princess gown taken off the hanger, put it on her. You know your pet and how he reacts when he loves (or hates) something.
My Maggie Chewbacca was the prettiest princess puppy of all. She had polo shirts, pajama’s, fleece vests (she was a 6-9 month baby size) and even a bikini with matching visor. She was the best dressed pet around and boy did she love it. She loved the attention she got from everyone when her nail pawlish matched her newest dress, frolicking around like fawn on a spring day. Then when she turned 3yrs, something happened, something changed. We were going boating and I went to put on her bikini and she cringed. Ears back, tail tucked, and stiff as a board wouldn’t move. I don’t know what did it, but Maggie had decided to join the nudist colony for dogs. Now she only dresses for extreme winter weather.
There isn’t anything fundamentally right or wrong about dressing your pet. It boils down to you and your pet’s preferences. Clothes diva or nudist, as long as the two of you are happy that is all that matters.
The moment you saw that adorable ball of fur you knew that it was meant to be. Whether it is a dog or cat, long haired, short haired, or no hair at all; your pets’ coat (or lack of coat) was a factor when you brought him home. Length, color, texture, it is what made your pet appeal to you. Who can resist a little teddy bear that can kiss your face? And whether you like cats or not, there is nothing 
cuter than a kitten. No one told you that your beloved ‘dust mop’ required more than just snuggling. Now that Fifi has been around for a while you are noticing some tangles in her precious locks, not to mention what is that smell?! Where did that gook under her eyes come from? And honestly, are you going to really stop wearing black permanently just because Precious is a white cat and therefore so is everything else in your house? What you need is a defense plan to keep your pet in tip top shape. What you need is a good groomer.
First things first, every pet is different and has different grooming needs. Your short haired Chihuahua doesn’t require the same amount of grooming upkeep as your neighbors’ Goldendoodle. Even beyond that, your Yorkie might have a great coat that rarely tangles or, on the contrary, he might knot right up. Here is a general rule of thumb for your pet.
If your pet is short-haired, a once a month brushing might prove to be sufficient to get rid of extra coat.
A medium-haired pet needs to be brushed about twice a week to keep those tangles under control and pull out extra coat.
A long-haired pet requires daily brushing. Without good daily brushing your pet will get tangled and that hurts. Long haired pets tend to have a thicker undercoat and daily brushing will help keep that fuzz off your couch (or your favorite black dress).
Regardless of brushing, if your pet has nails they likely will need to be trimmed. I trim my dogs nails once a week. That being said, she is a couch potato so her nails don’t get worn down. If your pet gets a lot of walks on cement (compliments of Pet-Agree LLC I hope!), chances are his nails won’t need to be trimmed nearly as often. When you hear your pet clicking as he walks on your wood floor, it’s time for a nail trim. If you aren’t sure how to trim pet nails ask someone who does - your veterinarian or groomer will be happy to teach you (or do it for you).
Bathing is a bit more subjective. Some cats never need a bath. Most pets get stinky enough that you will want to give them a bath once a month. If you or someone who lives with your pet suffers from allergies, your allergist might recommend daily or every other day bathing for your pet to keep dander levels down. Generally speaking, bathing is an as needed type of thing. Regardless of how often you bathe your pet remember that IF your pet is tangled or matted bathing with only make those tangles or matts WORSE. Do NOT bathe a matted or tangled pet. Get out those knots before you get your pet wet. If your pet is so matted that you cannot brush him out, seek out a good groomer in your area.
That is where The Posh Pet Dog and Cat Salon come in. The Posh Pet is located at 2424 Eastern Ave in Grand Rapids. With over 50 years combined experience your pet is guaranteed to be pampered to the max. Services range from a nail trim, a bath and good brush out, or a full grooming with hair cutting. Not sure what your pet needs done? Let their expertise help you decide what will work best for you and your pet. Their goal is to find a style that suits the amount of upkeep you can do on your pet while keeping your pet tangle free.
For years I fought my spunky Miniature Schnauzer about brushing her legs. She is a drama queen- she’d squeal like a pig just looking at the brush. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think she was having a convulsion each time the comb touched her. It was pathetic. In my head I had the picture of what I wanted her to look like. I wanted her to look like she was wearing flare leg pants. I hated brushing her because it was a pain. She hated me brushing her, but yet I continued on. Finally (after having a baby and neglecting poor Maggie’s brushing), I broke down and had her legs trimmed shorter. Not shaved, just shorter so they won’t matt up. Let me just say, she looks ADORABLE. Plus, I don’t have to brush her legs anymore. That makes us both happy. It only took me 5 years to listen to my groomer’s suggestion. Don’t wait that long! J
If you’d like to get in touch with The Posh Pet Dog and Cat Salon call 616.719.4412 or visit www.poshpetgr.com.
The dog days of summer are upon us and inevitably this means heatstroke for some poor unsuspecting pooch. I am always surprised by the people who truly don’t know the dangers of heatstroke for their dogs. I will stress to you the importance of knowing the symptoms of heatstroke, as well as, ways to prevent this condition. Heatstroke can be lethal! Heatstroke can also be prevented and quite honestly, prevention is far more successful than most treatment.
Let’s talk specifics: A dog’s normal body temperature is around 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit (+/- 1 degree) and any time the body temperature is higher than 105 degrees Fahrenheit a true emergency exists. Dogs are unable to sweat so panting is their way of cooling down. Panting when temperatures are very high or there is high humidity simply isn’t as effective so the body temperature rises.
A typical scenario for heat stroke involves over exertion on a warm muggy day, being locked in a car (even with the windows down folks!) or when left outside in hot/humid conditions without adequate shade or water. Here is a great statistic from a recent study at Stanford University Medical Center; the temperature within a vehicle may increase by an average of 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour regardless of outside temperature! Basically, cars are ovens if the sun is out!
Any dog breed is at risk for over heating but there are certain breeds that are more susceptible. Brachycephalic breeds (short nosed dogs) such as the Pug, English bulldog, Boston terrier and Boxer are all prone to heat stroke due to their anatomy. Overweight and elderly dogs also have a harder time handling warm conditions. If you have a short nosed breed or your dog is a senior or overweight take it easy when it is hot/humid.
What does heat stroke look like? Heat intolerance presents as a restless, uncomfortable, panting dog that may be excessively salivating. This can quickly progress into a dog that becomes unsteady on his feet, collapses, turns gray, blue or bright red in color and at this point a true emergency exists. If this happens to your dog, attempt to cool the dog down while on your way to your veterinarian. Use cool wet towels over neck, armpits and groin. Wet ear flaps and paws with cool water and direct a fan over dog if possible. DO NOT use ice water or super cold water for cooling. Do NOT force water down dog’s throat and DO NOT leave dog unattended for any length of time. Get to your veterinarian as soon as possible so they can administer emergency care.
Ways to prevent heat stroke involve providing shade and plenty of water for your dog. Avoid leaving your dog in the car, even with the windows down, on even mildly warm days and when exercising your dog work them into it gradually. Don’t rush them into exercise if it is the first warm day, they need to get acclimated to the heat.
Heat stroke can be life threatening and often times people don’t take it seriously. If you think your dog is having trouble with the heat I urge you not to wait, call your veterinarian or better yet drive there if you are worried. The quicker the dog is seen the better the outcome!
{Sidenote: What to do if you see a dog in the car? If you are at a place of business write down the car description (including license plate number) and go to service counter and request them to make announcement. If this isn’t successful, than call the police. I have had to do both and in both cases the owner’s had no idea there was a risk to their dogs safety. Honestly, some people really just don’t know}
Beware of Lepto!
Leptospirosis isn’t something that most dogs are routinely vaccinated against here in Michigan. It is something we vaccinate for based on the lifestyle of the dog but I urge everyone to at least be familiar with this disease.
Leptospirosis (Lepto) is a bacterial disease of dogs and many mammals (think skunks, deer, raccoons, rats etc) that affects the liver and kidneys. It can live in rural, suburban and urban areas. The bacteria are spread via urine where it collects in ponds, puddles and other moist environments. Dogs typically become infected with Lepto by drinking, swimming or even walking through contaminated areas. What worries me the most about Lepto, is that it is contagious and can be transmitted from dog to dog and also can be transmitted to humans. Rarely, this is a fatal disease in humans but the CDC estimates up to 200 human cases a year in the U.S. This is where I get on my soap box about the importance of washing your hands if you have pets! If you are like me, I totally incorporate my pets into my life and I get a bit relaxed about washing my hands after playing with my pets but it is VERY important and basic antibacterial soap can prevent you from getting Leptospirosis from you dog. Okay, I’m done lecturing you on the importance of hand washingJ
The symptoms of Lepto are also troublesome. Fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, yellowing of the eyes and skin and lethargy are some of the symptoms dogs may experience. In most severe cases, the disease can lead to liver and kidney failure and may be fatal. Leptospirosis symptoms are similar to many other diseases and because of this the diagnosing of Lepto can be frustrating so if your dog leads an active lifestyle, I suggest, speaking to your veterinarian about adding the Leptospirosis vaccine to your other routine immunizations.
I think of an “active” lifestyle as a dog who participates in any of the following; hunting, swimming or living near an area of water (streams, ponds, lakes and don’t forget trips to the summer cottage). There are two choices when vaccinating against Leptospirosis, a 2-way vaccine or a 4-way vaccine. I suggest the 4 way vaccine because it prevents 4 different strains of leptospirosis. Vaccine reactions don’t happen frequently but they do exist and I always mention them to people who are adding a new vaccine to their pets protocol. Call you veterinarian if you notice facial swelling, vomiting, labored breathing or lethargy. More commonly, you’ll simply notice your dog may be tender at the injection site or just a bit tired the next day.
Beware of Leptospirosis! It may not be a vaccine I’d recommend for every dog but it is worthy of mentioning to dog owner’s who want to be well informed. Again, discuss options with your veterinarian to determine what is best for you and your dog’s lifestyle.
Let’s talk about permanent Identification for pets. I see dogs and cats daily who have wandered away from their homes and good Samaritans bring them to the clinic to see if we recognize them. Often they aren’t wearing any type of identification. Either the collar & tags have fallen off or they never had one on to begin with. Microchips are a way of permanently identifying them in case they lose their collars and tags. It’s safe, convenient and affordable. There are many companies who offer these services so check with your veterinarian to see which company they recommend and the specifics that go along with each company. I have the most experience with Home Again and Avid and really like both companies.
Think of the microchip as a tiny computer chip that has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and is placed via needle under the skin. You aren’t able to see the chip or feel it but it is permanent. Veterinarians, shelters and many rescues have chip scanners that they use when a stray animal is turned in. When the scanner picks up the chip number they call the company and give them the information, which is connected to your contact info and then you are notified that someone has found your pet!
Statistically speaking, 1 in 3 pets goes missing during its lifetime. This is why a permanent identification chip is so important. Dogs, cats and most birds can be chipped. They don’t need to be anesthetized and in most cases it can be done during a vaccine appointment. If you haven’t had your pet chipped yet call your veterinarian for details. Microchipping only increases your chances for a safe reunion between you and your beloved pet!
Testimonial
Thanks so very much for your kindness! I know we will be calling you from time to time if that is o.k. Addie would love to see you again I am sure. :) You will come HIGHLY recommended from both Tammy & I so please don't hesitate if you need references/referrals. It is nice to know there are reliable people who care very much for their client's pets & ya know, she is more than just a pet, she is our family. Have a good one Diane.
- Kim Plant
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