October 9, 2008Show us those pearly whitesI admit it. We neglect our pet’s dental health at my house. We do not brush their teeth like we should and not one of them have never been professionally cleaned. All of our pets are young and healthy now, but they could have expensive problems later if we don't take care of their teeth now. 
Chew toys and rawhides help a little, but they are not enough to thoroughly clean your dogs' choppers. If your dog already has tartar build-up, the article recommends taking him or her to the vet for a professional cleaning. Brevitz also recommends having the vet clean your pets' teeth if there is a likely chance the pet will bite you if you attempt it. I would recommend checking with your vet first if you have any apprehension about becoming your pet's dental hygienist. If you are nervous or unsure, it likely won't be a good experience for you or your pet. Dogs can read your emotions better than you can. If you think you have a dog that is amiable to a little brushing, here's what you need to get started: • A soft toothbrush that fits your pooch's mouth (the human kind is fine) Brevitz' instructions are to wet the brush, dab on the toothpaste, and use a gentle circular motion, concentrating at first on the upper canines (fangs) and the upper fourth molars (the first large teeth in the back of the mouth.) She wrote that these are the teeth that get accumulate the most tartar. If you pooch has cooperated with your so far in brushing these four teeth, try for the others, focusing on the gum line where plaque tends to build up. She said with practice you can accomplish a good cleaning in only a few minutes a day. I plan to try it this weekend with the greyhounds first, since the extensive handling they had all their lives at the racetrack makes them pretty cooperative for almost anything we need to do for them. Then we can try it on little Stormy. My biggest worry is that he will run off with his new chew toy, the toothbrush. Anyone else have any experience with home dental hygiene? Post a comment and let us know what worked for you and especially what didn't. September 17, 2008Pet food recallMars is voluntarily recalling dog and cat food produced in its Everson, Penn., plant due to potential Salmonella contamination. 
“Even though no direct link between products produced at the Everson manufacturing plant and human or pet illness has been made, we are taking this precautionary action to protect pets and their owners," Catherine Woteki, global director of scientific affairs for Mars, Inc., said in the news release. The Everson facility was shut down in late July when two people became infected with Salmonella. No pet illness related to the recalled food has been reported. The voluntary recall was announced last Friday and you can click right here for a list of recalled production lots. Virginia is among the 31 states where product from the Everson plant was shipped. But Pedigree and other brands of pet food sold by Mars is produced at facilities all over the country, so there is a good chance the food you have was made somewhere else and is safe to feed your critters. To be sure, check the production code on the package and if it is recalled, return it to the store where you purchased it for a refund. If you have fed your pet the recalled food, you should consult your vet, even if your four-legger is not sick. Pets can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. September 9, 2008Ain't no bugs on meHere's a link to a Web page that will teach you probably more than you ever really wanted to know about parasites, those nasty little insects and microorganisms that can make your pets very sick. 
Do make sure to take your vet's advice on what medications to use. Yeah, I hate paying that credit card bill with those hefty charges from 1-800-Pet-Meds as much as the next pet parent, but I sure don't want these potentially-killer critters doing harm to my pooches and kitties. Or the rest of my family for that matter. August 27, 2008Walking the pooch can take off the pounds
I am interpreting that as the only significant lifestyle change the folks in this study made. The column did not say how quickly the pounds fell off. But The You Docs also added that the pooches got leaner and healthier, too. And I am inclined, against my usual journalist skepticism with unnamed "studies," to believe this particular factoid. Sounds both reasonable and encouraging. I know we are very guilty at my house of letting the leashes collect dust and just turning our dogs out to our fenced-in backyard for bathroom breaks and exercise. While I know our pooches get their aerobics on when they scamper through the yard, I also know all three of the furry maniacs could use some better leash manners. And every two-legged creature in my family could surely benefit from a good calorie burn through our hilly neighborhood. How many of you take your dog on a regular romp through your 'hood? Does your pooch prompt you to action and get excited when he or she sees the leash? Have you noticed any heath benefit for yourself? Tones calves, smaller thighs, lower blood pressure? Share and discuss. July 28, 2008Celebrity chef goes to the dogs
According to a MarketWatch.com report, Ray's proceeds will be donated to Rachael's Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping at-risk animals through adoption, medical care and educational programs, along with training and outreach initiatives. "It seemed like not a lot of extra time to donate to something that could potentially raise millions of dollars for championing these little creatures that can't speak for themselves," Ray said in an interview with the Associated Press. Ray is a long-time advocate for animal welfare and has often discussed pet nutrition on her daily syndicated talk show, in her monthly magazine and on her cable cooking show. Earlier this year she produced a special, "Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets," on the Food Network. "I love my dog Isaboo and as a member of my family I need to make sure that she eats as well as the rest of us," Ray is quoted in the MarketWatch report. "With the launch of Nutrish, I now have the opportunity to share with other pet lovers some of her favorite meals, flavors and special treats." A line of food products for cats is also planned. (Associated Press photo) May 16, 2008Dry dog food linked to Salmonella outbreakI found this link on another pet-related blog. Here is the report from Rueters. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contaminated dry dog food was the source of an outbreak of Salmonella infections affecting people in 19 states, public health officials report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This investigation, the first one to identify dry dog food as the source of human Salmonella infections, demonstrates that dry pet food may be contaminated with Salmonella and be an under-recognized source of human infections, especially in young children, the investigators say. Continue reading "Dry dog food linked to Salmonella outbreak" » March 25, 2008Rabies clinic next SaturdayA Community Rabies Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at the Roanoke Civic Center. The clinic will provide rabies shots for $5 for dogs and cats and $10 for ferrets. All pooches must be on a leash and kitties and ferrets must be in carriers. Pregnant animals will not be vaccinated, but nursing moms can be. All pets have to be at least three months old to get the shot. If this is your pet's first vaccine, the inoculation is valid for one year. If your pet has had a shot before, bring your vaccine certificate with you. The Roanoke City and County Treasurer's Offices will also have staffers available to issue your dog and cat tags after the pets are vaccinated. Cash is the only form of payment accepted for the vaccines. Cash or checks will be accepted to pay the license fees. For more information, call the Health Department at 857-7800, ext. 124. March 11, 2008Herbal remedies for petsBridget Quatmann of Roanoke Animal Hospital will speak about holistic, integrated veterinary medicine and the use of herbs at Virginia Western Community College on Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. in the Natural Science Center. The speech is part of "Scarborough Faire: In Celebration of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme," a day-long event sponsored by The Herb Society of Southwestern Virginia. Admission is free, but there will be a plant sale that will benefit VWCC horticulture students. (Editors' note: I am so sorry if that song is now stuck in your head for the rest of the day.) According to the press release, Quatmann "is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and herbalist who practices integrative veterinary medicine by applying acupuncture, Chinese herbs and diet therapy for a wide array of conditions." I would attend, but I am out of town that weekend. If you get to go, post a comment and let us know what you think. March 3, 2008Meals for mutts
The talk show host/cookbook author/animal lover will whip up some tasty treats for her pooch, Isaboo, on this primetime special. She will also tour a bakery that specializes in doggie treats. I am a devoted Food Network junkie, and I do enjoy Ray's "30 Minute Meals" show, although I seriously doubt the her meal plans can be completed in a half hour without a production crew that makes sure all the ingredients and cookware are right on hand. Nevertheless, I have used many of her recipes and always had a good result. I am always interested in learning new, nutrionally sound recipes I can make for my hounds, so I hope this show will be informative. If you watch it post a comment and let us know what you think. February 25, 2008Spay Day USATomorrow is Spay Day USA, a program of the Humane Society of the United States. Events are scheduled all over the country to encourage people to stop littering by getting their pets spayed and neutered. Spay Day USA takes place each year on the last Tuesday of February. Created by the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) in 1995, Spay Day USA became a program of the HSUS when it combined operations with DDAL in 2006. Many animal welfare organizations plan month-long events and campaigns to promote sterilization for pets. According to the HSUS Web site, Spay Day USA participants spayed or neutered an estimated 1,387,000 animals in the last 13 years. A female cat can give birth to 18 kittens each year and a female dog can give birth to 20 puppies each year, and let’s not even speculate the number of babies an unaltered male can create. So needless to say, sterilization campaigns like Spay Day USA have prevented millions of births of unplanned and potentially homeless animals, helped millions of people afford to keep their pets safe and healthy, and saved millions of taxpayers' dollars. February 22, 2008Chubby puppy?
Obesity causes serious health risks for dogs as much as it does for people. I worry a little about my dogs, since greyhounds have a propensity for joint problems and even a little extra weight can make that risk much higher. Still, I am guilty of giving them too many snacks and scraps from the table; they both LOVE pizza crust, and I spoil them rotten. Check out Body Assessment Rating for Canines (BARC) and see if you have paws for concern. FYI- to Roanoke and NRV readers: there is a search engine on the site to help you locate a vet in your area that specializes in obesity issues. I put in a few Roanoke and Christiansburg zips and it found no matches. Nevertheless, I am sure your vet can help you determine the best diet for your pooch. February 19, 2008Show us that smileDaily dental care is just part of a normal routine for most of us, but if you are like me, you may not have made it a daily habit for your pets. 
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, or so I became aware via a press release. Immediately I felt pretty guilty because the biggest effort I have put into taking care of my dogs' teeth is buying Greenies. And I have never done anything about my kitties' pearly whites. Not once, not ever. So, if you're a dentally-negligent pet parent like me but want to do better by your critters', here are a few tips I found while surfing the net on this topic: • Take your pet to the vet for a checkup: Your doc can help you draft a plan for your pets' dental health. • Begin a dental health routine at home: A good brushing is the best way to clean teeth. No toothpaste necessary, the friction of brushing should help remove the crud. If your pet absolutely refuses to cooperate with your brushing plan, ask your vet to recommend a food that can help remove plaque and tartar. • Schedule regular dental checkups: Don't wait for a problem. To get in the habit, try to call for your pet’s dental appointment the same day you call to make your teeth cleaning appointment with your dentist (bet the pooch will get in first!) Remember, healthy teeth will help your pet live longer and live better. FYI- I recently interviewed a local pet parent about her Berger Picards, a rare French shepherd breed. As her three happy canines were showering me in puppy kisses, I noticed they had teeth that looked like an ad for Crest whitening strips and nice, sweet breath. I asked her what she did to keep her pooches' teeth in such good condition. She told me that she buys beef ribs, cuts them into single-bone servings, and freezes them. She feeds the frozen “bone-cicles” to her dogs, and she said the friction from chewing the hard bones whisks the plaque and tartar away. January 30, 2008Vaccine forumStonewall Kennel Club of Rockbridge County will host a free educational forum on new canine vaccine protocols presented by Dr. Laura Keating. This is timely information since there has been recent discussion about vaccines. The forum will be held at the Redwood Family Restaurant, 898 N. Lee Hwy. in Lexington on Monday, Feb. 4 at 7p.m. For more information call 540-464-3335. January 29, 2008What's in a mutt?Click here to read a Newsday story featured in today's Extra section of The Roanoke Times. In case you ever wondered about your dog's heritage, there are labs that will test your doggie's DNA and confirm what's in the mix. 
Why spend a couple of hundred bucks to find out what a sweet dog like Wylie here is really made of? For the same reason a doctor looks at your family medical history when treating you; it's helps to know what’s filtering through the gene pool. However, you may want to factor in the reliability of such tests before you have your vet send off that blood sample. Wylie, a Lab/pit bull mix, is available for adoption at the RVSPCA. November 30, 2007Nothing says lovin' like something from the ovenHere's another pooch-friendly cookie recipe. Both my pups love homemade treats, and I feel better about giving them doggie cookies made with natural ingredients. 
I found this recipe on the RVSPCA e-newsletter, Paw Prints. When I am baking holiday cookies for people this weekend, I might as well make up a batch of biscuits for the pooches, too. 1 1/2 cups wheat flour November 21, 2007Hold the gravy!Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and that means a hearty feast for most families. And since we consider the four-leggers part of the family, they should feast, too. Right? 
Well, actually, the favorite foods of most Thanksgiving tables are not very good for your pets. Too much high-fat foods, like turkey skin basted in oil or butter, can cause pancreatitis, a painful illness that can lead to chronic digestive problems. Too much of any food can cause excess gas, which can cause bloat, a potentially life-threatening condition. Chocolate is poisonous. And brittle bird bones pose a risk of choking or tearing the intestines. All of these problems can and cause a scary, not to mention expensive, trip to the emergency vet hospital, effectively ruining your family’s holiday. Okay, enough already. You get it, don’t give in to those pleading puppy-dog eyes and hand over the table scraps. Easier said than done, I know. Do I practice what I preach? Not always. I have been known to give in and slip a little turkey or pie crust to my hound. But if you want to play it ultra-safe and make sure your dog does not suffer any harm this holiday, enlist the help of all your dinner guests. If you all work together, your pooch may be the only one who eats sensibly on Thursday. During the daylong cooking process, keep the dog occupied and out of the kitchen— ask the kids to take Rover out to the backyard for a game of Frisbee or fetch, or have someone take him out for a couple of long walks. When dinner rolls around, make sure everyone knows that feeding Fido is a no-no. If everyone gives your canine just a little something from their plate, she could end up overfed and crying from a tummy ache before the dishes are clear. Once the meal is over and the leftovers are put away, make sure to tie up the garbage and keep it far out your dog’s reach. Snooping snouts can smell right through those plastic bags, and even the most well behaved pooch may not be able to resist the temptation to tear open the Hefty and dive right in. Then you have a potentially sick dog AND a huge mess to clean. If you simply can't resist, white turkey meat is probably the safest bet. If it's mixed in with their normal dinner, you can control the total amount of food your pet eats. The big thing to avoid is constant, all-day snacking, which is probably good advice for everyone. Remember, perhaps even more than food, dogs crave attention and affection. Treat them to lots of praise and a good scratching and they will have a happy holiday. Happy Thanksgiving! November 13, 2007Spirits in transitionHolistic veterinarian Ella Bittel will present a weekend seminar on hospice care for companion animals at UVa in Charlottesville. The seminar, Spirits in Transition, starts Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. and ending Sunday Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. Bittel said her seminar is open to anyone who cares for animals, in a home or in a clinical setting. She said the program teaches caregivers to provide comfort and support to a pet that is at the end of life, and also helps the caregiver deal with the grief and guilt associated with losing a beloved pet. "I have seen people grieve for years for an animal, falling into depression," Bittle said in a phone interview on Monday. She added that learning to deal with loss and grief is not just a benefit for those who care for elderly and sick pets. "This seminar also helps people be prepared to lose people," she said. Cost of the weekend program is $365. Bittel also has audio discs on caring for dying animals and dealing with loss for $12.
November 5, 2007Mmmm...cookiesI made the Parmesan pleasers Sunday and bow-wow; these doggie cookies did live up to the name. Dexter loved them! Making the dough was a little bit of a challenge since I somehow misplaced my rolling pin (how do I lose things like that?!?!) This big mass of dough doesn't look very appetizing; but these little baked bits left my hound begging for more. 
FYI- I took a nibble and thought it was pretty awful (hey, they were made with ingredients from my for-people pantry and 'fridge. Don't hate. If you really want to read about people consuming stuff not fit for man nor beast, click here.) If you have a recipe for homemade goodies that make your Fidos howl or felines purr, share 'em here with a comment. November 2, 2007Weekend project: homemade dog foodOne of the plans I have for this weekend is to whip up some homemade dog food and treats for Dexter. I love to cook and bake, and I want to try my hand at snacks suitable for my four-leggers. 
The first treat I plan to try is the first recipe in the book "Real Food for Dogs" by Arden Moore. The snack is called "Parmesan pleaser," which should be a winner with my pooch. Dexter loves cheese. I think he would eat a door handle if I could cover it in enough cheese.
Parmesan Pleaser: 2 cups whole wheat flour Preheat oven to 350 degrees I will let you know how it turns out. If you have a house specialty that delights your pups and kitties, feel free to post it here.
October 18, 2007Raw diet seminarI will be out of town this Sunday and will not be able to attend a free seminar at Six Wags Dog Park about raw diets for dogs. The seminar starts at 4 p.m. at the park building. 
I have read a little about this and I know some pet parents are passionate about feeding their four-leggers nothing but uncooked, natural foods. According to the flyer I picked up last night, a raw diet can improve not only your pooch's digestion, but their overall health and appearance as well. The seminar will include a demonstration on how to prepare the food and promises to help design a diet for your dog.
"We're hoping for at least 10 or 12 people [this Sunday]," she said. My advice would be to take the information you learn and run it by your vet before making any drastic changes to your dog's diet, especially if you have an older pooch or one with health problems. If any of you blog readers get to attend, post a comment and let us know what you thought. |
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