Green Gift Giving Season

With another gift giving season quickly approaching I wanted to mention my favorite gift giving ideas for a dog lover this holiday season or any time of the year.

1. Make a donation in someone's name to your local humane society or animal rescue group. The Humane Society of Chittenden County has a Guardian Angel program that sponsors the home of an animal of your choice for six or twelve months. For more information visit www.chittendenhumane.org/get-involved/guardian-angel.

2. Sponsor a wolf or wolf-dog in someone's name at Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is a wonderful organization that rescues wolves who can no longer live in the wild and dogs which can be adopted. They also provide education programs about wolves. For more information visit wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org. 

2. Bake some homemade dog treats and package them in a decorative reusable container.

3. Instead of using wrapping paper wrap a present with a  reusable item such as a dog blanket and use a dog toy as a bow.

For more tips on celebrating a greener holiday season visit http://www.nature.org.

Have a Woofderful Day!

Beware of Chinese Chicken Jerky

For those of you who may not be aware of it chicken jerky treats, particularly Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch, have been linked to the deaths of at least 360 dogs and one cat. Both brands were made in China. The FDA has issued three warnings about the products but not a recall and retailers are still selling the treats despite the warnings. So for now it is up to all of us as loving pet parents to know where our pet food and treats are made and avoid products made in China in order to keep our pets healthy and hope that retailers will soon get the message and quit selling treats that are harming pets.

November is National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a relatively common disease in which the body doesn't use glucose properly. If left untreated diabetes can be life-threatening. If treated and medicated pets can live a normal life. Symptoms include the following:

    an increase in water consumption  
    an increase in urination
    an increase in appetite
    weight loss
    cataracts

One of the risk factors of diabetes in pets is being overweight. Recently as the number of overweight pets has increased to the point that now approximately half of all dogs and cats in the United States are overweight the rate of diabetes has also increased. For more information on diabetes in pets read
http://www.catchannel.com/news/2011/05/02/cat-diabetes-rises.aspx. If you suspect your pet may have diabetes or need help managing your pet's weight consult your veterinarian.

Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux is a condition characterized by stomach acids leaking into the esophagus, throat and mouth causing inflammation. The most common symptom is excessive salivation. Other symptoms include regurgitation of food, howling or whining while swallowing, loss of appetite and loss of weight. Acid reflux can have many causes. Some of the common causes are anesthesia,  persistent severe vomiting, congenital hiatal hernia, food poisoning and indigestion. A young dog whose sphincters are still forming is at a greater risk of developing acid reflux than a mature dog. Acid reflux is diagnosed by a procedure called esophagoscopy which involves inserting a camera down the dog's esophagus to look for any abnormalities. Treatment of acid reflux is a strict low fat, low protein diet given in small amounts spread throughout the day. In severe cases medication may also be required.

Loss of a Furry Best Friend

I am sad to announce that earlier this week one of our lovable, playful furry friends left us unexpectedly due to a medical emergency. He will be greatly missed by us and all of his furry friends. In light of the situation it seemed like an appropriate time to discuss the seldom mentioned topic of losing a pet. A pet is a friend, companion and beloved member of your family and it is normal to grieve when you lose him or her. To help with the healing process you may want to perform a ceremony in memory of your fur baby. It can be a simple burial in the backyard or a more formal memorial service that includes extended family or friends. The important functions of the ceremony are to allow you to express your feelings, pay tribute to your pet and give you social support. There are a number of online support groups, such as petloss.com, which offer candle light ceremonies, chat rooms and other tips for dealing with the loss of your pet. If you have any further questions, would like help with a formal ceremony or would like to talk to someone about the loss of your pet feel free to give us a call.
  
                   "In the Candle's Glow"

Warm light coming from far below,
Twinkling, sparkling is the candle's glow.
All is well up on the ridge,
The place we know as Rainbow Bridge.
Furbabies sleeping in heaven's light,
Tended by candles in the night.
Peaceful dreams be theirs to keep,
As they slumber in this night so deep.
Hearts on earth that miss them so,
Take comfort in the candle's glow.
Watching for them in skies above,
Bound eternally by a cord of love.

Laura Hickman

 

Finding a New Home For Your Dog

Sometimes circumstances occur in life that we have no control over, such as a change in health or living arrangements, and you find yourself with the difficult task of needing to find a new home for your dog. If you ever need help finding a new home for your dog for whatever reason please give us a call. If possible we will keep your dog, care for him and find him a new forever home. If we are not able to keep your dog in our home we will find a safe loving temporary home for your dog until a new permanent home is found. 

Compost is Dangerous for Your Dog

 I didn't realize that consuming compost could be harmful to a dog until one of our dogs ate a micro amount of compost yesterday that was on the ground after our compost bin had been moved. CII came up to me acting confused, scared and trembling intensely like he had the chills. He was suffering from tremorgenic mycotoxin intoxication. The toxins from the decomposing food affect the central nervous system and can be fatal. The main symptom of tremorgenic mycotoxin intoxication is tremors. Other symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hallucinations, and seizures. If you suspect your dog has eaten any compost or garbage and is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Early treatment is very important.  Today, after three doses of activated charcoal and some i/d canine gastrointestinal health canned food to eat, CII is feeling much better.