wnywoman blogs

Rise in temperatures correlate to rise in pet heatstroke

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-08-02T04:37:26Z

Pet Sitters International offers pet owners 5 tips for heatstroke survival

As the temperature rises, so do Fido and Fluffy’s chances of experiencing heat-related problems. As the scorching days of summer descend upon us, Pet Sitters International (PSI) outlines what steps should be taken if a pet is suffering from heatstroke.

According to the Animal First Aid Chapter of PSI’s Certification Program, which was created in conjunction with Thom Somes, the Pet Safety Guy™, pets can easily suffer from heatstroke.

“High body temperatures and stress can cause a pet to go into heatstroke,” Ellen Price, PSI academic manager, said. “Heatstroke is most often caused when pets are left in a confined space with little or no ventilation during periods of warm temperatures and high humidity.”

The signs of heatstroke can include:

Uncontrollable panting
Foaming at the mouth
Depression
Lethargy
Agitation
Vomiting
Loss of consciousness
Tongue and gums that turn from bright red to blue to gray
Capillary refill time of more than two seconds

PSI suggests the following five survival actions if a pet is suffering from heatstroke.

Restrain the pet. Muzzle only if absolutely necessary. If muzzled, cool the pet because it will not be able to pant and cool itself.
Bathe or hose the pet with cool water (not cold) until its temperature subsides. You can also place the pet in a cool, well-ventilated space and wrap it in a wet, cold sheet or towel.

Prepare to treat for shock. This includes placing the pet on its side with head extended. If the pet isn’t muzzled, open its mouth and cautiously pull the tongue past its teeth with your fingers. Keep the tongue extended to keep the airway open. Slightly elevate the pet’s hindquarters.

Monitor the pet’s temperature with a digital thermometer.

Transport to the veterinarian or emergency animal hospital.

Heat's Up! Every Pup in the Pool!

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-08-02T04:35:20Z

by Helen Fazio, Travel Dog Blogger, www.traveldogbooks.com

Not all dogs enjoy water or take to swimming, but all dogs can benefit from a pool's cooling effects in the hottest part of summer. A shallowly-filled toddler pool with low sides set in a shady corner of the grass can be a wading pool for non-aquatic pups. Cool water on the pads alone gives a hot dog a new lease on summer. Some non-swimmers even discover they enjoy rolling in the water. Even hot, old dogs can learn new tricks.

Protect Dogs, Cats, Birds and Exotics from the Heat

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-07-22T17:26:23Z

Protect Dogs, Cats, Birds and Exotics from the Heat

After a long winter and a spring thaw, we’re eager to get back out into the sunshine and enjoy the long days and warm nights with neighbors, friends and family. And for many of us, “family” includes our pets.

In fact, including your pets in your summer activities is healthy fun for everyone. But when the summer heat and humidity start to rise, it’s important to understand how pets are affected by the spike in temperature and take the necessary precautions to keep them cool and comfortable.

H2O is a Pet’s Best Friend
Unlike humans, dogs and cats have few sweat glands, which hinder them from cooling off by sweating. Instead, they lose heat and moisture from their tongues by panting. This water loss needs to be replaced, so it’s important to keep some fresh drinking water available at all times. This is especially important when you take them out for long summer walks or car rides.

Don’t Park Your Pet
Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, not even for a few minutes. The air in a parked car doesn’t circulate and, even in the shade, the temperature in a vehicle will start to rise and become life threatening in just a few minutes.

Rules for Pools
Getting together at your backyard pool to swim, have fun and cool off is a great summertime tradition. But the pool can be dangerous for adults, children and pets unless safety is observed at all times.

You should always be cautious when your pets are in or around the pool, especially if they’re older and can’t get in and out of the pool as easily as they used to. Some manufacturers produce ramps to allow pets an easy escape from an accidental fall into the water.

Block That Sun
It may be surprising to learn that pets with light-colored skin and hair can get sunburned. In fact, extensive time in the sun can even result in skin cancer. If you are going to be in a situation where your pet will be spending a long time outside on a hot, sunny day, talk to your veterinarian about using specially developed sun block for pets on unprotected areas like the nose and ears.

Make Some Shade
If you keep your pet outside, be mindful of the fact that a cool spot in the morning can turn scorching hot by mid-afternoon. Be sure to always have a comfortable, sheltered area available that they can retreat to for their rest. A kiddie pool in the shade can provide relief on those scorching summer days.
Summer can be a particularly difficult time because overweight dogs and cats can overheat faster as extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat and restricting breathing.

Grooming is Cool
Common sense would lead you to believe that animals with longer hair would be cooler in the summer if you gave them a “haircut”. However, just as a pet’s coat insulates against cold, it also insulates against heat. Be sure to brush your pet’s hair regularly to get rid of mats and tangles and remove loose undercoat. The more you brush, the more the hair “breathes”.

It’s a Breed Thing
Yes, it’s true. All breeds are not alike and some, because of their nature, can have a more difficult time in the summer than others. Flat-nosed breeds such as Pekingese, Pugs and Bulldogs, for example, have a harder time staying cool than long-nosed dogs because their shortened nose and oral cavities don’t allow them to breathe as efficiently. Learn more about your pet’s particular needs by talking to your veterinarian.

A Weighty Problem
Studies show that between 25 and 40 percent of all household pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese. In fact, according to VPI Pet Insurance’s actuarial data, this trend is leading to a steady rise in obesity-related pet illnesses such as diabetes mellitus. Obesity is also known to be associated with, or can exacerbate, a variety of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.Now, what does this mean with regard to the summer season? Well, summer can be a particularly difficult time of year because, as with humans, overweight dogs and cats can overheat faster because the extra layers of fat act as insulation, trapping heat and restricting breathing. If your pet is overweight, it’s important that you talk to your veterinarian before taking your pet on any outdoor activities you may be planning.

High Noon is No Time for Exercising
If you’re used to taking your dog for a walk during mid-day, it would be wise to change your schedule during summer to early morning or late afternoon walks with fresh water always at hand. Hot pavement can burn a dog’s pads, and walking outdoors during the hottest time of the day can lead to heat stress. After the summer is over, feel free to return to your usual schedule.

Keep the Bugs Off
The warm weather, longer days and summer fun keep us and our pets outdoors more often, increasing our chances of running into those pesky fleas and mosquitoes. Fleas and mosquitoes can transmit a number of diseases including tapeworm, heartworm and even West Nile Virus. During the summer months, be sure your dog or cat is tested for heartworm and that you’re using veterinarian-recommended flea and heartworm preventive products.

Avian Advantage
Birds handle heat better than dogs and cats because their normal body temperature ranges from 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. However, lacking sweat glands, any increase in body temperature can cause heat exhaustion. Make sure cages are kept away from direct sunlight and that there’s a fresh supply of drinking water available. As a special treat for your feathered friend, get out your spray bottle, fill it with water and give him a spritz.

Rabbits and Ferrets
If you can’t cool your home during the hottest part of the day, wrap a 2-liter plastic bottle in a towel and place it in the cage in the morning. This way, your rabbit or ferret can lie next to the chilled bottle to cool off.

Guinea Pig Habitat
If you’re going to move your guinea pig’s hutch outdoors for the summer (as some folks do), be sure the hutch is made of small wire mesh to keep out unwanted visitors like mice, foxes, coyotes and the neighbor’s dog or cat.So sit back, sip some lemonade and read over these safety tips so you can give your pets the coolest summer ever!

Article from petinsurance.com

No Cost Ways to Support Your Local Shelter

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-06-15T22:19:40Z

With a few simple changes to your daily online behavior, you can support animal welfare organizations and your favorite local shelters and rescues without spending a penny. Here's how: Visit Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com and donate ten pieces of tasty kibble to shelter pets when you answer a daily trivia question at one or both of the sites. Put your daily web searches to work for pets with GoodSearch.com, a Yahoo-powered search engine donating a penny per search to the charity you choose. And begin your shopping at online malls GoodShop.com or iGive.com and a percentage of every purchase is donated to your favorite charity when you purchase online as usual.

Woof Report is a free weekly email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products and more. Sign up at www.WoofReport.com.

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura's Critter Care, an in your home pet sitting and dog walking service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International and PetSitUSA. For more information visit her website or send an Email.

Is Your Pet Ticked Off?

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-06-14T04:17:30Z

A common parasite, especially during the summer months, is the tick. Ticks can be found in most climates. Although they are most often found in wooded, damp and grassy areas before they attach to a pet. Some tick bites are harmless, but others can cause skin damage, irritation, hypersensitivity and anemia.

The most common diseases transmitted by tick bites are Lyme disease, tick-borne fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If left untreated, these diseases can cause severe health problems that can be fatal. The following are warning signs that your dog or cat may have a tick-borne disease.

Lyme disease symptoms:
• Arthritis
• Lameness
• Depression
• Loss of appetite

Tick-borne fever symptoms:
• Weakness
• Cough
• Labored breathing
• Fatigue
• Discharge from the nose or eyes

Rocky Mountain spotted fever symptoms:
(Symptoms are similar to those of tick-borne fever.)
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Feverish
• Lameness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Contact your veterinarian immediately to schedule an examination and a blood test if you believe that your pet has been bitten and infected by a tick. If you remove any of the ticks from your pet, save them in a bottle – your veterinarian may want to examine them in order to determine what type of ticks they were. Remove ticks with tweezers or with a special “tick remover.” Never remove a tick with your hands or a match.

The proper way to remove a tick with tweezers:
Step 1 - Grip the tick as close to the head as possible
Step 2 - Gently twist and remove

This article is an excerpt from the Parasites & Their Control chapter of PSI’s Certification Program. PSI’s Certification Program is designed to provide the knowledge necessary for a PSI member to excel in pet care, health and nutrition, business and office procedures, and added services for pet-sitting businesses.

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura's Critter Care, an in your home pet sitting and dog walking service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International and PetSitUSA. For more information visit her website or send an Email.

Packing Your Dog’s Travel Bag

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-06-09T19:48:46Z

More and more people are traveling with their dogs these days.

It’s great for the dogs, who otherwise might be sent off to the kennel. But, it does mean more work for the adult trip planners who have to pack the family members’ bags as well as the dog’s travel bag.

A little planning before you and the dog leave home can go a long way in minimizing stress and insuring that you have the dog’s basic needs covered for the time you and the family are away from home.

Start by getting a travel bag for the dog. You want one that is big enough to hold the dog’s food and water bowls as well as the items needed to fill them.

There are a few basic items that should be included in your pet’s travel luggage. First, count the days you will be away and pack enough food to cover your dog. It is a good idea to include a little extra. You never know when something like foul weather may come up and delay your return home.

Be sure to include plenty of treats in the dog’s travel bag. It’s nice to have plenty on hand so that you can reward your dog’s good behavior when he or she sits quietly when the family stops to dine.

You can choose to carry the water and food bowls that you use at home or you can pack portable ones for the trip.

Be sure to pack plenty of fresh water. Bottled water that can be purchased at the store is one option. Another is to carry a large thermos that you can fill with fresh water when you stop for a break. Don’t freeze water bottles for later use. Many of the plastics contain chemicals that are unhealthy to consume.

Don’t forget to pack the leash. You will need it for travel breaks and potty walks.

If your dog is used to sleeping on the bed with you, please think about the fact that other people aren’t going to be happy about the hair your pet leaves behind. It is a good idea to carry a bed with you. If your dog doesn’t like sleeping in a pet bed, at least carry a sheet or blanket that you can use to cover the bedding to minimize the amount of hair left behind.

It is a good idea to carry a basic first aid kit in the event your dog is injured. Roadside stops can expose your dog’s feet to broken glass and a host of other things that shouldn’t have left along the roadside.

If your dog takes medication, be sure to pack plenty. It is a good idea to carry extra. A few pills add very little weight to the travel bag.

Pack at least one towel that you can use to dry your dog or wipe his or her feet. This will help keep your vehicle from getting trashed.

Include a few of your dog’s favorite toys. No matter where they are, dogs like to have some fun and they need to burn off some excess energy. The right toys can help your dog do this is a safe manner.

In addition to the above items, there are some things that it is just wise to carry. Make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag that is easily visible. Ideally, it is a good idea to have two identification tags for the dog. One should include the important home contact information such as the dog’s name, your name, address and phone number. A second travel tag should include information about how to contact you while you and your dog are away from home. If you carry a cell phone, remember to include that contact information.

There are also pet protection services that you can enroll with. These services can provide the latest and most up-to-date information about your dog’s whereabouts.

It is a good idea to carry the dog’s health certificate. Your dog’s veterinarian will supply this and it will include information about vaccinations and your dog’s health. Remember to check that your dog has its current shots before you leave home.

If your dog is used to being in a crate, take it along if space permits. The crate can offer your dog security away from home.

You should research information about 24-hour veterinary clinics in and around your travel destination. Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. If you are staying with family or friends, they may have the information you need. If not, do a little online searching before you leave your home with the dog.

There are a couple of websites that can provide you with helpful travel information. Visit www.dogfriendly.com or www.dogpark.com for a list of parks and dog-friendly stops along your travel route. These sites are a valuable source of information for lots of dog-friendly places and events.

Carry a recent photograph of your dog in the event that he or she becomes lost or separated from you. This can be a helpful identification tool if your dog is lost during your travels. It is also a good means of proving that the found dog is yours.

A little forethought can go a long way in preparing for a problem-free trip. Failure to prepare can have you searching unknown areas for dog food and supplies. If your dog is injured in the middle of the night in a campground, what are you going to do? It can be difficult to find a telephone book these days. Those who have cell phone data programs can access the Internet, but those who have basic plans will not be able to access emergency information. Having the information at your fingertips can mean the difference between a dire situation and an easy solution.

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura's Critter Care, an in your home pet sitting and dog walking service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International and PetSitUSA. For more information visit her website or send an Email..

You are cordially invited to The Amherst Paw Park Grand Opening June 11th

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-06-08T00:17:06Z

You are cordially invited to The Amherst Paw Park Grand Opening --- Do Over!

Saturday, June 11th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
(We got rained out on the 4th, so we'll try again)

Most of the exhibitors who attended on the 4th will be there.
New exhibitors are invited to attend. If interested please contact us at amherstpawpark@yahoo.com
We will host retail and non-profit animal welfare exhibitors

10:00 Lloyd Taco Truck will be selling breakfast burritos (waiting for confirmation)

Pet Supplies Plus will host Hill's Science Diet, Nutro and Purina at their tent. Their products will be in goody bags along with other items. Pet Supplies Plus will have balloons & a groomer who will trim nails for a nominal fee. Discount coupons for dog washing at their locations will also be available.

Exhibitors Include:
A demonstration by a State Police Bloodhound (at noon)

VIP Pet Sitting
Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society & Pet Emergency Fund
Purrfect Paws Animal Behavior Center, LLC
Laura's Critter Care
Corky's Wild Eye Photography (will register attendees for a photo session & will donate 10% to the park)
Dash Dog Running
Magrathea's World
Fisher's Friends Dog Daycare Inc (sending goodies but cannot table)
Amherst Boarding Kennels & Luv on a Leash Grooming
Invisible Fence

See the Amherst Pawpark Web Site for more details http://www.amherstpawpark.com/

Why Cleaning Those Dog Bowls Is A Must

nospam@example.com (Laura Stauffiger) — 2011-06-06T18:30:48Z

The cleaning of dog bowls is often overlooked. Although many dogs would be happy to drink out of the toilet, it is up to us to provide the healthiest environment possible for our pets. Unfortunately, many people let their dog bowls become slimy and coated with yucky film before finally giving them a thorough scrub. We may do this when it seems like our pet’s feeding times never mesh well with our own dish cleaning schedules. This matter of inconvenience can be resolved by having several sets of inexpensive bowls. Give the bowls a quick scrub to loosen up grime before placing the bowls in the dishwasher. Simply put the soiled set in the dishwasher with the rest of your dishes while placing the clean set out during feeding.

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura’s Critter Care, an in your home pet sitting and dog walking service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International and PetsitUSA. For more information, visit her website or send an email. www.laurascrittercare.com or laurascrittercare@yahoo.com

Hospitals Should Hire The Man, But Sometimes He Makes Me Sick

nospam@example.com (Karen Lewis) — 2010-06-08T14:22:30Z

Five hours, that’s how long my husband took to power wash our backyard deck. Every single space between the wooden planks had to be flushed out, why I don’t know. Believe me, most dentists don’t drill out the decay in a tooth’s cavity as meticulously. I tell ya, that deck would have to stretch from here to eternity for me to spend that long cleaning it. Which is where he might have landed, in eternity, if he hadn’t finally shut that darn thing off. That machine sounds like a jackhammer and it bores a hole in your scull, so now I have one to match the hole in his head.

“Who spends that much precious cleaning a deck?” I annoyingly asked him.

“Somebody who takes pride in his work,” and he could hardly spit the words out he was so pooped. But wouldn’t you know, he was still able to utter more? Darn. He even struggled to stoop down to hand me the hose.

“ Here, wanna use this thing for the inside of the house?”

“Inside?! Won’t it strip the paint right off the ceilings and walls?” I gasped.

“Along with the dirt,” he sarcastically added. “Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you spring clean.”

“And you never will, because by your ridiculous standards, I could never do it throughly enough. Much to your chagrin, I’m into cleaning with something bigger than a cotton swab. Who beside you cleans with a Q-Tip? An otologist, that’s who, Stick that in your ear and see how you like it. And by the way, I do spring clean all right, but in the wintertime while you’re so engrossed with your sports on T.V. Haven’t you ever felt me whipping the cushions out from under your rump, and scrubbing the armrest in your chair?”

“Is that why when I get up my pants and shirt sleeves are all wet? I just figured I spilled my beer.”

“And that’s another thing,” I ranted, “if you profess to be so fastidious with everything around here, how can you, a man who uses a fingernail brush everyday, justify wearing the shirt and pants you’re wearing today, wearing them tomorrow, the next day, and possibly the next, and then having the gall to tell me, someone who changes her clothes several times a day, that I’M the slob? That hurts, ya know.”
He surprised me when he sadly shook his head.

“Maybe….maybe I sometimes put you down, so that I can feel good about myself.”

I was stunned. It takes a real man to admit his insecurities. “Do you mean that?” I softly stuttered.

“Hell no! Just thought that’s what you wanted to hear. Quit bawlin’, will ya? If you don’t know by now that I don’t mean half the BS of what I tell ya, we’re never going to make it.”

“I certainly won’t miss our garage that’s cleaner than our house,” I sniffled. “Or those razor sharp creases that you iron into your pant, and when my leg barely touches them, it feels a blade grazing my shin.”

“How about if I only hug you while I’m wearing my boxing shorts? That sounds safe, doesn’t it?”

He always ropes me in with his sweet talk, but so far he’s wearing those should-be-registered-as-a-weapon ironed pants 24/7. Such is married life---our married life.

To read more of Karen’s previously published articles, please visit homegrownharvard.blogspot.com

Becoming a Lady

nospam@example.com (Nicole Gawel) — 2010-05-10T01:02:17Z

Not in a million years did my mom ever think that Id grow up and become a lady.

By definition, being a lady means not chewing with your mouth open, not airing your flatulence problem in public, or burping, not talking loudly, or fishing out wedgies, to name a few.

These are embarrassing facts, but nonetheless they are true.

You see, I, Nicole M. Gawel, was the epitome of the exact opposite of a lady. Growing up, my mom would be utterly embarrassed to take me out. We would go shopping and as I trailed behind her, I was little mind you, under 10 years old, picking some sort of something on my body.

One of my biggest fetishes was feeling carpets in stores. I liked textures, still do, but refrain from bending down to touch a germ-infested carpet. Thank God I grew out of both of those nasty phases.

There was a time when I knew my mom thought that she would never be able to train me into the lady I should eventually become. Its even safe to say that she had given up. Im not sure at what point I learned to grow out of these phases, but I did. And thank God I did because I dont think if I was still doing the childish things I once did I would have any friends, relatives or potential suitors within 100 feet of me.

For Mothers Day, I treated my mom to a tea party at a tea house in North Tonawanda. I was proper and I think, to some extent anyway, I proved to my mom that I was well in contention of becoming a proper lady. I would hope, though, to think my mom had already thought this of me upon entering high school.

Something else my mom would have never thought Id grow out of was probably the most awkward fashion stage of my life. Currently, I take my fashion to the highest level. It is one of THE most important things in my life, but as a third grader fashion was not on my top 10 list, it wasnt even in my top 100 list.

In third grade, I hate to admit this; I used to wear baggy shirts, 10 times too big with jeans. Gasp! When I reminisce and look back at photographs of my life I cringe when I get to that phase in my life. My grandma and papa used to call my sloppy and that was being kind. I looked like a ragamuffin.

I don't know at one point the transformation took place. Maybe all along I just had to wait to grow up in order to become a lady.

To this day I dont know how my mom could have stood being seen with me. I was a wreck. My mom must have really loved me. I salute my mom for putting up with my awkward, mean, bratty, etc., etc., etc., stages and loved me for me and I guess because she had to since she was my mother.

Thank you Mom for forming me into a lady that you are proud to share tea with and ask to go shopping with and not fear that I may pick a wedgie or touch the carpet any longer.