Contact dermatitis is a skin disorder that may develop after direct contact with certain materials such as: bleach, strong acids or alkalis, fertilizers, carpet cleaners or even flea collars. It may develop when a pet becomes sensitive to a substance that is normally not an irritant, such as bedding material.  Contact dermatitis may cause itchy, red skin over the parts of the body that have been exposed to the irritant.

Since dermatitis is likely to result from an allergy or other ongoing irritant, my dog’s  lifestyle and food intake was discussed and reviewed closely.  He was immediately given corticosteroids dexamethasone shot and oral corticosteroids dexamethasone pill for 7 days.  We would have opted for a more natural approach but since it recurred with a vengeance after a week, he was given another dexamethasone shot and dexamethasone pill for another  25 days.   He was even given a control itch antiseptic shampoo/lotion to be applied to affected areas.  He was also given fatty acids and vitamin supplements.  Dramatic improvement seemed to occur in my dog’s comfort and appearance.  Thanks to the dedication and expertise of my vet who was able to understand what is causing the disease before giving therapeutic strategies.

Can you quit smoking for your dog's health

My aunt was devastated when her German Shepherd dog and companion died of lung cancer.   She did not know what caused it.   Little did she know at that time that secondhand smoke was the cause of her dog’s many health problems.   The bad thing about it was, her dog appeared fine.  There was no early warning sign of cancer.   She only began to worry about her dog’s  wheezing, coughing and hyperventilating after a year when he lost so much weight.  She later found out that her dog don’t just inhale smoke.  Smoke particles are trapped in his coat and ingested when he grooms himself with his tongue.  A study published in American Journal of Epidemiology found that dogs in smoking households had a 60 percent greater risk of lung cancer.

Secondhand smoking affects not only non-smoking humans but pets as well.  Studies show, that secondhand smoke can cause cancer of the sinus of dogs.  In fact research show that “this cancer is twice as likely in dogs with long noses, such as Collies, Greyhounds and German Shepherds, probably because there is simply more tissue and cells exposed to cancer-causing particles called “carcinogens” as the smoke travels through their nose. Dogs with a short (Pugs) or medium nose are unfortunately not risk-free: in that study, they had a higher risk of lung cancer. Ironically, this may be because their shorter nose is less effective at filtering carcinogens before they reach their lungs. So ultimately, everybody dog breed is at risk, regardless of the length of their nose. Sounds like a lose-lose proposition for any dog breed… The Colorado researchers found toxins from cigarette smoke in dogs’ urine. This is confirmed by a 2008 study at the Tufts vet school in Massachusetts. ”

It took her a long time to come to terms that she partly caused her dog’s death.  It her even longer to adopt another puppy but this time she was cautious. Her vet advised her that the only prevention for lung cancer is to stop smoking around her puppy but since she can’t, she stored her cigarettes and tobacco products in a secured place, this includes cigarettes butts.  If her puppy eats it, it may cause nicotine poisoning and may threaten his life.  She now smokes outside the house and as far away from her puppy.  Her vet also adviced her to be vigilant of warning signs of lung cancer which includes bloody nasal discharge, chronic coughing and weight loss and to see him as soon as possible.

Training Our Dogs is Essential.

I want my dog  to be well-trained and cultivate a good habit for him to be a great companion.  I don’t want to train him to instill fear but I want him to do as told  because he feels good about it and wants to please me.  But dog training has to go beyond the very basic level of safety or avoidance of property damage and physical harm.  Dogs are by nature pack animals and they recognize heirarchy.  As an owner, I have to be at the top of that heirarchy.  This may sound dictatorial but I believe it to be essential.  From one of my research it says, a labrador retriever will be compelled by his instincts to assume the role if you don’t.   This explains why some of you might  see labrador retreivers that are rude and disrespectful.   They’re not. He is carrying out his role as pack leader. He figures that since YOU haven’t assumed the role, HE has to do it.’

I took obedience training very seriously.   It is interesting to note, that  dogs have behavioral differences even if they are of the same breed.  It was important for me to do a bit of research to make sure he is given the right training and get the most out of it too.  My dog is a labrador retriever breed but not  all labrador retreivers are alike.  He is the energetic one, sweet natured and loves everyone.  He is cheerful, steady-tempered, and is eager to please and very responsive to training.   He’s hyperactive and aggressive though, that’s why he has vigorous exercise requirement to vent his energy otherwise he become hard to control and bored which he usually express by becoming destructive.   He doesn’t want to be left alone either and express his unhappiness through destructive chewing. 

I started early on obedience training for my dog.  I did the training myself not because I am qualified but because I know my dog more than anybody else so it’s easy for me to control him.  After all, I am his mistress and I want to establish that leadership. Confidence and dominant body language is important when interacting with your dog because he views you as a fellow pack member and to be able to get his respect, he must be able to see me above him in the dominance heirarchy. 

A follower dog is a happier dog.  They instinctively know that you are in control. They know their behavior bring praise and reward. They are also smarter because their brain has been developed.  Teaching him anything causes his brain to build connections and work faster which makes him very smart.  They also become very confident because he knows that you are in control and he can relax.

An educated dog is also a thinking dog.  A “thinking” dog listens carefully. He looks at your face, reads your expressions and body language, and tries to piece individual words together into complex actions.

The real benefit of not having to deal with obedience issues is the fact that you and your dog can put all of your energy into making your relationship a fulfilling one.

Should We Leave Our Pets During Disaster

Caring for our pets is a  long term job.  If you are concerned about your pets overall well-being, then you should also take the necessary precautions to ensure his survival during disaster.  Disasters are no fun, and preparing for them is a lot of work. Our family members will require supplies to sustain us.  And our dog , is entitled to the same amount of preparation.

Natural disaster is a pervasive problem.  While the key to survival is planning before it happens, it is best to first identify what disaster you’re at risk for.  Hurricanes affect the southern coast line from texas to carolinas.  California is not the only one at risk of earth quakes, West Coast,  Alaska and Hawaii are  high rish areas. Tornados are quite common not only in Oklahoma and Kansa but in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and the North East. California is also a big area for landslides.  Accross the rocky mountains to the west and into California is at risk of wild fire and the list goes on, winter storms, severe thunderstorms and heatwaves, and flooding.

I already made some early preparations for impending disasters.   I started a  buddy system with someone in my neighborhood, so that she will check on my dog during a disaster in case I’m not home. I agreed to do the same for her as well.  We exchange information on veterinarians and have a permission slip put in our file at the vet, authorizing her to get necessary emergency treatment for my dog if I cannot be reached.  I talked to her about  my disaster plans to be used to evacuate and care for my dog in my absence or if I’m on vacation.

I have considered emergency shelters where we could bug out like hotels/motels that accept animal so we can make arrangements beforehand. Traffic jam will be horrendous during evacuation so I focused on a few possible locations few miles from home.  I wrote all the numbers of each destination. I also thought of relatives who won’t mind us staying for an extended period. I already communicated with our local animal shelter which  include boarding kennels, veterinary clinics with boarding space, grooming facilities, dog and cat clubs, and training clubs, to find out if there will be animal shelters I can take my dog should I have to evacuate.  Another reason to act early is that dogs often have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they become afraid. So, I always keep sniper in the house to prevent him from running away.  I also took into serious consideration the fact that, I may have to evacuate without my dog, so I always leave a month’s supply of food and water in the safest area of the house. 

I am thinking of tattooing or microchipping my dog as a more permanent form of identification.  Still, I made a copy of his identification tag with his photo in it and put an ID on his carrier itself so that it will be easy to identify him if we get separated.   It contains my name, address, phone number, cell phone number and  a phone number of a close relative. I also keep proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations as most kennels require it. I bought him a good carrier one that will  allow him to stand up and turn around inside. All his favorite toys and blankets and even a piece of your clothing with my scent in it are there as well. 

I have a leash ready for when my dog is out of the carrier.   I also have a medicine kit ready for emergency and take along extras because I don’t know how long we will be away.  I also have bowls, dry food and a water dispenser. We have plenty of plastic bags in the kit to hold my dog’s feces if there is no place for your dog to relieve himself outside.

If you do have your pets with you, separate your dog from your cat. I only have a dog so this is not a problem.  Even though your pets may get along famously during normal times, the stress of unfamiliar surroundings, lots of strange people and even other animals may cause your dog to experience extreme anxiety. He may react aggressively, child so supervision is important under these circumstances.

Grooming our Dogs

Before my husband and I decided to  buy a puppy, we researched which breed is best for us and whether it requires much grooming.  Since we wanted to have a canine companion,  labrador retriever breed was the best choice.  They have smooth, short-haired coat which is easy to groom.  These dogs are average shedders so it’s an advantage for me because I  have asthma. I prefer to groom my own dog.  I used to have a german shepherd when I was in college and I did the grooming myself. 

Grooming my dog was easy and time consuming but I  find it worthwhile.  Since there are more grooming tools available now that it used to,  I did some research about the new grooming tools in the market.  For the benefit of those who doesn’t have any experience, one of the ways to properly groom your pet is to first introduce him to the water. Once you have accomplished that, it will be easy for you to put him in the bathtub.  I used to take my dog swimming either in the swimming pool or the beach and he loved it.  I also make it as enjoyable as possible.    While giving him the bath, I say soothing words to help him relax.  I use an all natural shampoo, no soap and no detergent in it.  I also give him a  massage.  I towel dry his hair and finish it with a blow dryer.  Electric grooming brush is also an excellent tool which makes grooming really easy. This electric grooming brush is suitable for long and short fur coats. The rigid bristles on this brush help to gather dust, fluff and dead hair as well. Twice a month, I take him to a salon and treat him to a spa. Once a week, I treat his hair with a low-shed shampoo and a 30minute brushing with the FURminator tool to reduce shedding.  This will leave the  shiny top coat intact and healthy.  I like this tool because it is designed to dramatically reduce the mess and clean up of unwanted pet hair. I like to do his nails after bath because they are soft and easy to clip. Most dogs don’t like to have their nail done but most of them like it under the arm and you get a lot of control on him.  I also have one of this PetZoom Nail Groom. The stainless steel filing disk is curved so the nail rests on the plate and the tip and sides are trimmed at the same time.

Grooming takes a lot of patience but it’s gratifying.  It may take time for your pet to get used to the water but when he does it’s you’ll find it very rewarding.

Online Shopping Is More Convenient Nowadays.

From the late 1990s, the range of information, products, and services available on the internet grew massively.  At the same time, the popularity of the Internet also grew at a phenomenal rate.  Shopping has evolved with the growth of technology.  According to Wikipedia , the idea of online shopping  predates the world wide web for there are earlier experiments involving real time transaction processing from a domestic television.  From the creation of the first online book store in 1992, shopping has evolved with the growth of technology.

The technology that is now available allows us to shop on the internet 24 hours a day and seven days a week, without having to leave our homes or offices. We are provided with an abundance of merchant sites where almost any goods on  earth can be bought. We can also compare prices from a variety of different retailers with greater ease, compared to  physically going to shop  to check prices. Online shopping is important for me because it offers convenience and has become extremely routine.  We get to enjoy a wider choice because anything can be purchased over the internet even pet products.

I love to pamper my dog. I always look for new and exciting products that is both unique and comfortable.  I went to this online boutique that offers an assortment of affordable pet products that’s perfect for my dog.  They have crate cooling fan which provides my dog a refreshing airflow whenever we travel or while at home. It’s a small  unit and very easy to carry.  I love the dog pool that we can use on hot days. It folds down completely for transport and storage. A cooling vest was perfect for him to stay cool, happy and active in the hot summer weather.

There are also boutiques that carries a great variety of novelty dog beds and top of the line high fashion pet beds and blankets. It ’s cute and cozy and my dog loved it.  I always prefer personalized items for my dog so I bought him a custom made collar, id tag and leash with his name engraved on it on one side and our home address on the other in case he gets lost. Even his food and water bowls has his name on it too. These are non-breakable and non-chewable items. One of the most exciting piece I bought online was a dog boots with suspenders because it keeps his feet clean on dirty pavement after a rain.  It even protect his feet from hot pavement on long daily walks. It also helps protect him from allergies and protect my carpet from soiled feet. 

Whether you’re shopping for toys, food, snacks or apparel or accessories for your pet, online pet boutiques has it all.  Shopping has never been this easy. Thanks to human ingenuity.

How Can We Prepare Our Dogs If We Are Moving?

Moving with pets  is very stressful and requires a lot of planning.  I had my dog boarded during hectic days because he was often stressed and misbehaved.  I did some research  because some localities have strict requirements and restrictions regarding pet ownership.  Some require permit and registrations. I schedule an appointment with our vet to have my dog checked before the move.  I was given my dog’s veterinarian records so that I can forward it to my new vet.

My dog was  wearing an ID tag.  It was a luggage tag with writing space on both sides. I has his name, my name, destination address and an emergency name, address and number in case I cannot be reached.   Shortly before the move, I took with me my dog’s health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate.  The health certificate, was signed by my veterinarian, saying my dog is in good condition. The rabies certificate states when and where he was vaccinated.   I purchased  the best carrier, supplies and first-aid kits.  I have  a list of items we’ll be needing for  travel including collapsible dishes, favorite toys or two,  two plastic containers one containing fresh water and the other containing his regular food and a few treats as well as medicine in case of emergency. Since my dog is not used to car travel, I started  taking him on short trips to get accustomed to the car motion. My vet even advised me that if it’s necessary, he will tranquilizers my dog to relax him but I thought it was not necessary.  It is advised not to feed water before starting so we gave him a few treats instead.   The travel was distressing for him and he got sick.  We did a few stops, of course, for him to take a short run and we always keep in on a leash whenever he is out of the car.  Eventually we cover his cage with cloth and it helped him relax. 

After the move, we gave our dog time to adjust but we didn’t let him roam freely because he may get lost.  We immediately took him for a walk.  We let him sniff around  to help them become familiar with the new neighborhood.  To help him become accustomed to the new environment, we maintained the feeding and walking schedule from our original residence. Aside from the ID tag, we also have an ID implant for him so we have the contact information updated as well.

Do you really know your dog that well?

Dogs have been the a source of genuine delight to their owners.  They have been with humans since pre-historic times. And they have been called man’s bestfriend and one of the most popular pets in the world.  Over the years, many have worked hard to earn their keep by pulling sleds over snowy tracts, delivered messages, herded sheep and cattle, and even rescued people trapped in the snow.  They were used in drug research and uncover illegal drugs because of their keen smell.  They are used by police to track escaped prisoners.  “Soviet scientists launched dogs into space to test their  ability  to survive the rigors of space travel before people were sent up.”  Specially trained dogs also served as “eyes” for the blind.  In fact, scientists have recently discovered that with proper training “dogs can distinguish, with almost unerring accuracy, between breath samples from people with lung cancer and from people without.”  I mean, it’s remarkable because even with our ingenuity we will never be able to find cancer-sniffing humans. 

So, how well do you really know your dog?  As a dog owner, my goal is to make sure my dog is as comfortable and happy as possible.  I want to know we’re meeting our dog’s basic needs to ensure health and happiness.  Like humans, he needs food, water and shelter to survive. Also like humans, he needs physical care and nurturing  to thrive.  However, dogs are pack animals by nature and they are normally pushy and don’t want to be alone.  Notwithstanding their domestic temperaments, they are still related to are related to wolves, foxes, and jackals. They will try to advance as far as possible within the order of the pack.  And every pack has a leader.  Maintaining eye contact until he breaks away is one of the good things I learned to establish  with my dog that I am the leader of the pack and want to maintain that position.  It is an air of authority and also the basis for mutual respect.   I believe that by establishing dominance and meeting his needs, I can keep my dog happy and content.

My dog and I are best of friends because I take time to really get to know him. I pay attention and interact with him most of the time,  I can easily recognize whether he is in pain, happy or afraid.  When he’s tense, lose his bladder control, panting, yawning or drooling, I know he is afraid so I try to remove him from that situation and assess what’s causing it.  But when he’s friendly with most people, easily handled, will give up his toy and when he is alert, I’m sure he is happy.
 
In our effort to humanize them, we are inclined to forget their extraordinary power. We may even overlook that our dog  may already know things about us that we will discover only too late but if we treat him well he will not only work hard for us but will be a loyal friend and companion.

Online Shopping Saves You Time!

Even in the advent of online shopping and it’s appeal to consumers, there are individuals who still prefer the conventional  way of shopping. Here’s why.  These individuals perceive online shopping to be risky. They love meeting friends in the mall.  It’s also a good excuse to get out of the house. And yet, in many scenarios and a little bit of planning, online shopping is worth it.  

It’s interesting to note, that a wide array of pet products are available at your fingertips.  I bought most of my pets products online and got it at a cheaper price.  Online shopping is easy and addictive.  And yet, anybody can do it.  Before you do that, you must already have a product in mind to save time.  If you haven’t, you can google it or use other search engines available.   All you have to do is type in a key word and you will be directed to a lot of sites.  From there, you can choose a link that will lead you to a particular site or other related sites for broader search.

Online shopping attracts me because it saves me time, money and effort.  It’s a perfect alternative for busy moms like me. With online shopping, I can compare prices in minutes.  The availability of products makes it even more interesting.  I get more choices and do not have to do any compulsive buying.  There are online stores that provide comparatively cheaper prices than their conventional competitor without compromising the quality. Online stores never close so I can browse and order anytime.  In fact, many conventional stores like Best Buy and Wal Mart now offer online services which allows consumers to place their order online and pick it up in their local stores the same day, provided it is in stock.

Some people are worried that if they do online shopping they will be deprived of the representatives’ service should they need additional assistance about a particular product.  While conventional stores have representatives to assist you, online shopping also have customer service representatives available 24hours a day 7days a week.

I still buy my dogs food at a conventional store but online shops are the best option but for security purposes you may want to check on the sellers review before making a purchase.

Dogs sometimes find it hard to be separated from their owners or some objects they feel attached to .

I was on a long vacation when we first adopted our dog.  He spends every second that I’m home glued to my side, including sleeping times.  When it was time for me to go back to work, he gets distressed as I am preparing to leave.  He gets very restless. When I get home, I am always  surprised with the destruction he makes in my absence and doesn’t even appear guilty over it.  I thought he was probably bored but then realized later that he has a true case of separation anxiety.  He chews on  my favorite chairs and discarded clothes.  I know this normally happens before I come home because the chewed stuff is still warm.  He pees and poops inappropriately, continuously barks during the day, after a build up of whinning.  He shows these behaviors when left alone for even just for 30minutes.  What doesn’t please me is when he is too wild in greeting me to greet me and is so clingy when I arrive home, constantly following me and demanding for attention.

What happened within the next few weeks was absolutely remarkable. I made my arrival and departure low-key.  I made it as casual and upbeat as possible.  Since I don’t want to get a dog sitter or leave him with a friend, I tried to figure out what’s causing his anxiety and desensitize him to my ready to go cues.  I practiced doing the action over and over again until he is no longer anxious. When he got used to it, I put him on the absence session. I asked him to stay where he was and went out then came back after a minute or two. When he was not anxious, I lengthen my absence to 5 minutes and gradually increased the length of time I was gone.  This went on for weeks but it got easier.  With a little bit of training,  he learned to deal with it.  I tried to interact with him on my terms, not his. I pet him, treat him and play with him when I want, and not when he asks for it. When he whines, barks and jumps into my lap, I slowly turn away and call his attention when is he doing  something that is acceptable.  I made sure he gets plenty of exercise, including mental exercise.  I took him to swimming and long walks.  I bought him chew toys and some  interactive toys to occupy himself with while I quietly remain near by and ignore him.  I intermittently go back to him for brief periods of time to praise and reward him, of course.

“Some research has suggested that this process of no longer allowing your dog on your lap or your furniture, no longer allowing him to sleep in your room, no longer giving treats”for free”, and no longer allowing your dog to follow you throughout the house (using doors, baby gates, “stay” commands, etc.) may be vital for some separation anxiety cases.”  And it was!