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Archive for November, 2014

Detecting Dementia is Dogs

Sunday, November 16, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

OLDER DOGAs our dogs get older, they can develop a type of dementia with has many similarities to Alzheimer’s  disease in people. This condition is called canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome and it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Some signs of this disease include:

  • Disorientation such as getting stuck and not know how to free themselves.
  • Changes in interactions with people and other pets.
  • Changes in sleep patterns and well as sleep cycles and restlessness or pacing at night.
  • Urinary or fecal accidents in the house.
  • Altered activity level.
  • An increase in anxiety
  • A decrease in appetite.

These things can put a strain between the animal and their owner. The good news is that there are treatment options that can improve cognitive function in some dogs. Medications along with dietary therapy can help. See your vet who can guide you to the most effective treatment options.

Remember, your pets count!

 

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Getting Your Pet to Take Their Medication

Friday, November 14, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

dog medicineWe are only as valuable as our health is good – a statement that’s true for both people and pets. And just like people, pets need certain medicines too to stay healthy. Heart worm pills and flee collars are just the beginning when it comes to keeping your pet safe form infection and disease. And to keep your pet out of the vet’s office, where the bills are usually high and the tails are tucked, you’ll have to make sure your loved one is receiving the proper care – and that means meds.

One of the oldest known tricks to get your animal to take their pet medication is to hide the pill in a glob of peanut butter. Your cat or dog is certain to lick every bit right up as they down what they believe to be a tasty treat. Or if you have the time and the proper tools – the back of a spoon works great – you can also crush the pill into a powder and mix it in with some yummy applesauce. There are also soft treat where your can put the pill inside. This works very well with my cats. Whichever method you choose, your pet will lead a happy and healthy life!

Remember, your pets count!

EDGEWATER INTERNET RADIO NETWORK station of the day CONSTANT COUNTRY KRS – all of today’s hot country, yesterdays favorites and the new releases.

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Protecting Your Pet From Winter’s Fury

Thursday, November 13, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

COLD DOGWell it’s that time of year. The leaves are about done falling and the weather is getting colder. There’s nothing like sitting in front of the fireplace with you kitty purring on your lap. Winter can be a tough time for our pets, especially dogs who must go outside everyday!  Sometimes we forget that our pets suffer from the cold just as we do. Some owners will leave their pets outside in the cold for long periods of time thinking that they’re accustomed to the cold well……..they’re not and could freeze to death.  You should take your pets for a check up before winter begins.Your veterinarian can check to make sure they don’t have any medical problems that will make them more vulnerable to the cold. Keep your pets indoors as much as you can when the mercury plummets.  When you have to take them outside, stay with them. When you are cold enough to go inside, so are they. If you absolutely must leave them outside for a significant length of time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of non-frozen water. Try leaving out a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel so it won’t burn your pet’s skin. There really shouldn’t be any reason why you have to leave them outdoors in the biting cold of winter for any extended period of time. Don’t neglect your pet during the winter months.

Remember, your pets count!

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Yuck! Could You Stop Your Dog From Eating His Stool?

Wednesday, November 12, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy
Don't worry, I didn't eat any poop today!

Don’t worry, I didn’t eat any poop today!

This is an unpleasant topic but if you have a dog, you can relate. Dogs will eat just about anything including their own feces or the feces of other animals. I know that this sounds disgusting but it’s common enough to be given a medical name: Coprophagy. This is a natural act. Newborn puppies haven’t learned to urinate or defecate on their own so their mother licks them to stimulate elimination. When an adult dog eats it’s own stool, it is usually a sign of loneliness or boredom. This is not usually a problem for the dog but poses an aesthetic problem for the dog owner. You know what I mean when you’ve witnessed this and then your sweet dog tries to lick you face!!

You can try to break the habit but relieving your dogs boredom. Take him for longer walks, give him plenty of exercise and make sure that he has a wide variety of dog toys to play with. Feed him more than once a day and give him treats every now and then so he has something to look forward to.

To prevent this problem, make sure that you pick up after your dog right away or if he is in a public place, you may want to consider a muzzle. If you own a cat, keep him away from the cat litter. Good luck!

Remember, your pets count!

 

 

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Drinking Water For Cats

Sunday, November 9, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

cat drinkingCats are descendents from dessert animals but they still need a sufficient supply of water to obtain optimum kidney health.While cats that eat only raw prepared diets or canned food may get moisture from their diets, cats on primarily dry foods MUST drink fresh, clean water to survive. I recommend a constant source of fresh water for your cats. Leave their bowl out with their food and make sure that it is changed a couple of times per day. If you’re worried about whether your  water is safe for your cats to drink, I would recommend using bottled or filtered water to be on the safe side. I always give my cats filtered water and I make sure that their bowl is always full. If you leave you cats for a night or two, fill several large bowls of water. It’s better to overdo it rather than risk your cat not having enough water and getting dehydrated.

Remember, your pets count.

Today’s featured internet radio station is Dance Fever 54 – dance and disco favorites all the time. It can be found along with five other great radio stations on THE EDGEWATER INTERNET RADIO NETWORK!

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Choosing a Dog

Saturday, November 8, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

Choosing a dogThe saying goes that dogs are the only relative that you can choose, with this in mind make sure that you make a good decision.  Make sure you make a careful and thoughtful choice. Don’t make an impulsive decision when you’re in a pet store and that cute puppy in the window is calling your name.  Include all family members including children in the decision making process. Do your research and read  about dogs, and keep in mind that mixed breed dogs are every bit as loving, loyal, and smart as purebreds. Don’t choose a particular breed because your neighbor or friend has one. Make sure you read about the breed and understand the dog’s temperament before making a decision. If you live in an apartment, don’t choose a large breed or a breed that requires lots of space and exercise. Your choice will be an additional family member for many years to come. It’s only fair to yourself and your pet to be informed and understand the type of pet that you choose.

Remember, your pets count!

Great music all the time on THE EDGEWATER INTERNET RADIO NETWORK!

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Diagnosing Heart Disease In Your Pets

Friday, November 7, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

DOG AND CAT VETIf you notice that your cat or dog has shortness of breath, sudden weakness or an extended abdomen don’t take it lightly. It could be a sign of heart disease.  Many times, there are no symptoms. My dog had no symptoms until one day I noticed that he would cough. The coughing and wheezing got worst and when I took him to the vet, it was determined that he had a heart defect from birth which is now threatening his life!  Jonathan Abbot, a cardiologist at the Virginia, Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine says that there are a number of ways that they could diagnose heart disease before your pet shows any signs. Some of these ways are x rays of the chest, electrocardiography, and cardiac ultrasound.  Your vet will also check for a heart murmur and use a blood test to check for heart worm. Once this is diagnosed, there are treatments and pet medication that will enhance both the quality and length of your pets life. So don’t hesitate, have your pet checked now. I waited and although the pet medication worked for about six months, my little dog eventually passed away.

Remember, your pets count!

Internet radio station of the day – Starlite 365 – Great pop standards all the time. You’ll find it on THE EDGEWATER INTERNET RADIO NETWORK!

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First Aid For Pets…..Choking

Thursday, November 6, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

PET FIRST AIDJust as humans, our pets could swallow too fast or get something lodged in their throat. If your pet is choking how do you know? Here are symptoms to look for:

Symptoms: difficulty breathing, excessive pawing at the mouth, choking sounds when breathing or coughing, blue-tinged lips/tongue. Always proceed with caution, a pet that is choking is likely to bite in it’s panic. If your pet still can breathe, try to keep it calm and get him to a veterinarian right away. Look into your pets mouth and see if the object is visible. If you do see the object, gently try to remove it with a pliers or  a tweezer. Be very careful not to push the object further down. Don’t spent too much time trying to remove the object. If you can’t remove it right away, proceed in getting your pet to the vet. If you can’t remove the object or your pet collapses, place both hands on the side of your pet’s rib cage and apply firm quick pressure, or lay your pet on its side and strike the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand 3-4 times.  You want to push the object out. Keep repeating this until the object is dislodged or until you arrive at the vet.

Remember, your pets count!

 

Great station of the day: Thunder Rock 101 – Alternative all the time! It can be found on the EDGEWATER INTERNET RADIO NETWORK!

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No Dog Food for Cats

Wednesday, November 5, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

CAT DOG EATYou just ran out of cat food and can’t get to the store today. You may wonder if you could sneak some dog food to your cat. Absolutely not! Dogs and cats have distinctly different dietary needs.Dog chow lacks nutrients that cats need such as Taurine. This amino acid is necessary for the health of your cat’s eyes, digesting fats, and for keeping heart muscles healthy.Cats are carnivores and dogs are omnivores. This means cats need more meat protein than dogs need. A few nibbles from the dogs dish won’t do any harm but make sure that your cats main meal is high quality cat food not dog chow.

Remember, your pets count!

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Can Your Cat Obey Commands?

Sunday, November 2, 2014
posted by Jim Murphy

CAT COMINGSome cats are very independent creatures and need to be taught how to come when called. Some do it by nature. Here are some tips that may help.

1. I always recommend talking to your cat a lot. Call her name in a very calm tone and say kind soothing phrases. Encourage her to come to you. Pet her and brush her frequently.

2. Pick a word such as “snack’ or “dessert.”  As soon as I say “snack” both my cats come running.

3. Choose a special dry snack that she likes. I give my cats a snack every evening. (sometimes too much of a snack!).

4. Say the word again when she eats the first piece. Then place another couple of pieces in her dish and say the word once again.

5. Walk away and if she meows again, give her another couple of pieces and say the word again.

6. Repeat the process in about 5 minutes. You will be surprised how quickly cats learn.

Do this with her name as well. Reward with a snack when she comes after saying her name. Before you know it, she’ll be at your feet. You don’t even need to use cat toys or treats to lure her.

Remember, your pets count!

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