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Archive for May, 2020

The Puppy Weening Process

Sunday, May 31, 2020
posted by Jim Murphy

Weening is the process of teaching a puppy to eat solid food instead of it’s mother’s milk.  When they are first born, puppies get all of their nutrition from their mother’s milk. As they get older, they require more nourishment then she can provide.  Most veterinarians recommend that puppies be weened sometime between three and seven weeks of age.  Switching from their mother’s milk to dry puppy food is a  big change.  Help your puppy ease into his new diet slowly. The first thing that you should do is crush a small amount of puppy food and mix it with milk so that the consistency is thin.  Use less and less liquid over the next several weeks so that the food becomes thicker.  By week seven, the puppy should be able to eat dry puppy food. You can even start to give him a small amount of dog treats.

Remember, your pets count!

Your oldies station–Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website or the many apps—Tunein, Live365, my Radio Tuner and many many more! Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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We all love those cute little faces staring at us for those cages at the animal shelter. Sometimes we want to take the all home but adopting a pet is a very big responsibility. You must pause and think it through so your pet lives in a safe, healthy, loving environment. Before you make that important decision, make sure you ask yourself the following questions

  1. What’s the best breed for our lifestyle?
  2. Will we have the time to give the dog the proper training?
  3. Will there always be someone around to walk and feed the dog?
  4. Are the children old enough to be given the responsibility of caring for a dog?
  5. We will have the time to care for the dog? Are we away too much?
  6. Who will care for the dog if we are away?
  7. Can we afford the extra expense?
  8. Is our yard large enough and secure enough for the dog to play outside?
  9. Are we home enough? Dogs get lonely and like to have people around
  10. Are we getting the dog for the right reasons? (Not just because our child wants one.)

Seriously, ask yourself these questions before you decide to adopt a dog. If the answer is “no” to one or more of these questions, you should reconsider your decision.

Remember, your pets count!

It’s a 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio. Just ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from your website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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This crisis has posed all sorts of questions on all subjects including transmitting the virus to our best friends. What are the proper dos and don’ts when it comes to this virus. The Kennel club.org.UK has put together some valuable information on this subject.

Currently there is no evidence that dogs are affected by COVID-19, or that they can transmit the virus to other humans (read more about whether dogs can catch coronavirus here). As with any surface, if someone with COVID-19 touches, sneezes or coughs on a dog, the virus could temporarily contaminate them. Although we don’t know how long COVID-19 can survive on surfaces, scientists think that it could range from a few hours to several days, depending on the type of surface, how warm it is and levels of humidity.

During this time you should maintain good hygiene practices. Bath your dog often and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after you:

 

  • Feed them
  • Touch them
  • Touch their toys
  • Touch their bedding.

It’s also a good idea to try to avoid them licking or kissing your face and sharing your food with them. This advice is generally good practice as dogs can sometimes carry common bacteria which can also be passed on to humans.

Remember, your pets count!

Keeping the oldies rolling all the time. Edgewater Gold Radio. The best variety of oldies from the 50s through the 80’s. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Does Your Dog Have A Fever?

Thursday, May 28, 2020
posted by Jim Murphy

Detecting a fever in a dog can be difficult. Some signs to look for are lethargy and panting. If your dog does have a fever, he may also refuse his food.  A dogs normal temperature at rest is between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees. This number can climb higher when your dog has some kind of medical problem. Anything higher than 104 degrees requires an immediate call to your veterinarian.The most common cause for fever in dogs is infection, particularly from a wound or abscessed tooth. The most accurate way to detect a fever in your dog is to use a rectal thermometer.  Ask your veterinarian to show you how. Do not try to do it by yourself or never administer any pet medication with your vets advice.

Remember, your pets count!

The greatest variety of oldies are playing right now on you Summer station—Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to Play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website–Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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One day on a bike ride, I noticed a young man on a bike coming down the road. He wasn’t alone but had not one but two small dogs on a leash running along side the bike. Not only was he going too fast for the dogs to keep up but there was a car coming and he had to veer over to the side of the road. When he did this, one dog got tangled and almost got stuck in the tire spokes. Does this make sense?? I don’t understand people sometimes. What makes them do the crazy things that they do?? What occurred that day was a form of animal abuse. It not only puts the poor dogs in danger, but it put the driver of the car and bike rider in danger as well.

Use common sense when it comes to your pets. Keep them safe. They don’t deserve your abuse!

Remember, your pets count!

Keep the oldies playing all the time on your oldies station, Edgewater Gold Radio. If you have an android device, you can download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen from our website, the Tunein app, Live 365 app and many other places! Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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In previous blogs we talked about feline kidney disease and how this is common in older cats and is usually fatal. I received this grim new twice with my cat Molly and now with Atlantis. The good news and yes there is some good news is that with proper care we can sustain our cats life and life quality for years. We talked about Astro’s Oil which is a high potency omega oil that yielded great results. Controlling kidney disease is tricky. Cats need protein yet too much can advance the disease. Phosphorus levels must be kept low and most cat foods contain too much phosphorus and protein.Vets recommend a renal diet but my feelings are that most cats don’t like it and it’s lower in protein which is something a cat needs.

The makers of Astros Oil also have created two additional products.

Astro’s Oil™ Nitrogen-Creatinine Scrub

This is a supplement that enhances the pet’s gut microbiome flora. As the bacteria proliferate they take up nitrogen and creatinine and are then excreted in the stool. It also reduces serum phosphorous level.

Astro’s Oil™ Renal Care Protein

Astro’s Oil™ Renal Care Protein is a supplement designed to help pets with kidney disease gain and maintain lean muscle mass. It also helps stave off metabolic acidosis.

I am giving these two products to Atlantis. It’s only been a couple of weeks but already I’ve noticed some weight gain which is very encouraging.

I believe that a combination of these three Astro’s Oil products will stabilize Atlantis and possible slow the progress of his disease. More to come on the progress of my little friend Atlantis.

Remember, your pets count!

 

 

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Dogs will get into everything and usually they will eat anything. Some people leave pill bottles on their counters or even on their dining room tables. Never leave pills within reach of your best friend because when you least expect it, he will find a way to get into them. If you suspect that your pup ingested pills or any foreign material, contact your vet immediately!

All medication should be sealed tightly and kept in a cabinet out of reach of your pet.

For questions contact:

Animal Poison Control | (888) 426-4435 | ASPCA

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435.

Remember, your pets count!

It’s an extended 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio. Enjoy your holiday! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Chihuahua’s dogs have lots of personality. They are loving, emotional and smart! One of their most endearing habits is to snuggle under blankets or clothing to sleep.We really don’t know why they do this but there are several theories.One is that it may be a natural instinct.  It’s behavior encoded in their genes.  Their wild ancestor’s probably slept and raised their young in burrows. It’s also possible that snuggling under blankets will make these little dogs feel safe and secure. Perhaps it’s just warm and cozy. Chihuahua’s especially the smooth coated variety don’t have mush hair and get cold easily. Whatever the reason, Chihuahua owners have to be careful not to sit on a dog hidden beneath a throw or  comforter.  Get a comfortable dog bed and maybe your Chihuahua will sleep there instead of  hiding in unsafe places.

Remember, your pets count!

We’re in the middle of an extended 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio! 60s and 70s through Monday Memorial day! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Pet Therapy

Saturday, May 23, 2020
posted by Jim Murphy

Pets are now becoming a very important part of modern patient care.  Many hospitals now realize that friendly dogs can help a person heal a lot faster and better.  Carefully chosen and well trained dogs can act as physical therapists.  The dogs encourage patients to exercise their arms and legs by playing a game of fetch with a dog toy or by grooming.  These pet therapists are particularly helpful to people who need rehabilitation after a brain or spinal cord injury.  Patients also benefit by a dog’s unconditional love and acceptance. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.  We could probably all use a session or two.

Remember, your pets count!

It’s a 60s and 70s Summer weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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When kidney disease strikes your feline friend, their owners are faced with fear and dread. Since kidney disease is usually fatal, there are some things that could prolong life and improve the quality of life for your kitty. So what does your vet recommend?

Depending upon your cat’s individual needs, your veterinarian may recommend electrolyte supplements, a low-protein kidney diet, anti-nausea medications, steroid treatments or appetite stimulants. The goal of treatment for cats in Stage III kidney disease is to prolong life while maintaining quality of life.

The problem with low-protein kidneys is cats don’t usually like the food and cats also need their protein. So being that my cat Molly had kidney disease and now Atlantis has beginning stages of the disease what did I do?  With Atlantis I still give him an appetite stimulant although his appetite seems to be fine now. When he was first diagnosed, I gave him anti nausea medication but since he’s improved, I no longer need to administer this to him.  He’s fed a high quality food and I will not resort to a renal diet.

Astro at Diagnosis

The most important step that I took is getting him on a high quality omega oil. I mentioned this in a previous blog. It’s called Astro’s oil and Atlantis gets 1.5 ml per day. A few days after I started administering this,  I noticed a real return to normalcy. I swear by this and Astro’s Oil will be part of his daily regiment for the rest of his life. Astro’s oil was named after a Doctors cat who had kidney disease. A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are three picture of Astro. The first when he as first diagnosed, the second after three months on Astro’s oil and the third 16 months after starting Astro’s oil. Take a look and judge for yourself.

 

Astro 3 months after diagnosis

 

 

 

 

 

Astro 16 months after diagnosis

 

 

Next we’ll discuss some of the other products by the makers of Astro’s oil.

Remember, your pets count!

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