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Golden Retriever toys dangling fish

You love to fish and so does your dog. He goes with you on every trip. You’re just getting back to the dock with a good catch of salmon and trout. To reward your dog for being such a good companion,instead of giving him his dog food,  you throw him a fish. Did you know that you may be killing him with your kindness? Salmon poisoning disease found primarily in the northern pacific area of the U.S., and the pacific coast of Canada is often fatal for dogs. The disease is caused when the dog eats raw salmon or trout contaminated with a parasite that contains the infecting organism. Symptoms usually appear five to seven days later. Look for lack of appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea if you suspect that your dog may be infected. Salmon poisoning disease is curable if caught early and the dog is treated with fluids, antibiotics and anti vomiting medication. So instead of throwing him a raw fish, buy him a dog toy instead!

Remember, pets are family!

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What to Do If Your Dog is Choking

Friday, May 5, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

A couple of 4 month old puppies enjoy a treat of raw hide bones scattered on the floor.

What to Do if You Notice Your Dog Choking

You may think it will never happen to your furry friend, but choking in dogs is more common than you think. In fact, over 200,000 dogs choke every year in the United States! With that said, it’s essential to know what to do if you notice your pup choking!

Signs That Your Dog is Choking

The first way you can help your dog if they have food or an object lodged in their throat is to know the signs of choking. There are three main signs that you need to be aware of.

The first and most obvious sign is an auditory sign. These can take the form of high pitched sounds or squeaking noises your pup makes when they are having trouble breathing. Auditory signs also include heavy coughing or gagging.

The second sign is a physical sign, like the discoloring of their tongue or gum from the lack of oxygen that can occur when their airways become blocked.

Lastly, there are sensory signs. This is an anxious behavior that takes place when your pup can’t breathe. For example, they might become anxious, paw at their mouth, start panting, or start pacing.

Immediate First Aid for a Choking Dog

There are two things you can immediately do if you notice your furry friend choking. You can open their mouth to look inside. If you see an object that is stuck, you might be able to remove it with large tweezers. Make sure there’s another person to keep your dog’s mouth open while you use the tweezers to pull it out. It’s important to note that you should never try to push the lodged object down your puppy’s throat, as that can make the situation worse.

If the first option fails, you need to give your four legged friend a “dog version” of the Heimlich Maneuver. For small dogs, pick them up by their thighs and shake them gently a few times in a downward motion.

On the other hand, if your large dog is choking and standing, you should put your arms around their stomach. Then make a fist with one hand, and with your other hand on top push firmly up and down right behind their ribs.

If your large down is lying on the ground, place one hand on their back for support, while you use the other to squeeze their abdomen upward and forward.

If the piece of food or object does not come out when you give your dog immediate first aid, call your emergency veterinarian as soon as possible! If your pup becomes unconscious or isn’t breathing, you should perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on your dog.

After Care for Your Dog

Even if the object stuck in your pup’s throat becomes dislodged, you should still immediately bring them to the veterinarian to check for any harm to the throat. Similarly, their ribs or organs might have been damaged if you performed the Heimlich Maneuver.

Bringing your pet to the veterinarian when they are choking or after they coughed up an object is a necessary step to ensuring your pup is healthy in the long-run. Luckily, pet insurance can help ease this difficult and stressful situation. Pet insurance will help to cover unexpected, life-threatening accidents like choking or ingested foreign objects. Learning more about how to use pet insurance can also save you a lot of money, allowing you to spend more on comforting your pup when they are back home!

You should keep an eye on your furry friend when they return home from the vet, so you can make sure they are breathing fine. Sometimes dogs can experience effects from choking that can take a few weeks to fully heal, so you will not want to leave them unattended for a long period of time following their accident.

Remember, pets are vital family members and should be treated as such. Make sure you are well prepared to care for them if they choke on food or any other object!

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Strange Smells From Your Cat

Wednesday, May 3, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

stroke the cat

Cats are always grooming themselves so they rarely develop a nasty odor. You should pay attention if you notice a smell from your cat. Usually this is a sign that something is wrong. One of the most common odors is a fishy, musty smell that is produced from the cats anal gland. The oily contents of these glands are often released when a cat is excited or frightened.  Sometimes the glands become clogged and need to be cleared out by a veterinarian. The foul smell may stay on the cats coat for a few days.  If the problem persists, ask your vet to give your cat a thorough exam. Infections, abscesses or impactions can result from chronic anal gland problems. So before you bring on the pet odor removal products have the problem checked out.

Remember, pets are family!

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Eco Friendly Pet Care

Saturday, April 29, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

Siberian husky with owner feeling relaxed in the park

When pet owners care for their pets in an eco-friendly way, our planet can also reap many benefits.  Here are some ways that pet owners can incorporate some ec0-friendly pet practices into their pet care.

  • Use a biodegradable bag to scoop waste – This is a much better option than re-using a bag from the grocery store.
  • Use organic food – Organic foods are free from artificial flavors and coloring. They are produced without the use of hormones or chemicals.
  • Don’t Use pesticides in your yard – Whenever possible avoid the use of these products so that your pet can roam and play in a chemical free environment.
  • Walk to the dog park if possible rather than drive – Many communities have dog parks where dogs can roam freely and play with the other dogs in the neighborhood. If possible, walk there to reduce your fuel consumption. If it’s possible to take your bicycle along with your dog, this is a great way for you and your dog to exercise plus it helps the environment.
  • Groom you pet in a green friendly way – Use natural products when you shampoo your dog. These products are not made with chemicals that can harm the environment and even harm your pet if ingested.

Remember, pets are family!
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Diarrhea in Cats is Never Normal

Thursday, April 27, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

A clean cat uses its own litter box. The cat burrows the contents of the tray. Environmentally friendly cat litter. Beautiful Bengal cat.

The following information was obtained by Ped MD. Take note if your cat has diarrhea. My cat Millie and been pooping a little soft and more frequently for the past couple of days. She is eating and drinking normally but I’m still a bit concerned since she is 18 1/2 years old.

Diarrhea in cats is a common symptom of many diseases, and it is never normal. The causes range from harmless to deadly.

Kittens, senior cats, cats with chronic disease, and pregnant cats are all at increased risk of death-related to complications from untreated diarrhea.

If diarrhea is not self-resolving within a 24-hour period, especially in these populations, you should seek out veterinary care.

Stool consistency suggests the degree of severity to your veterinarian. Liquid diarrhea is concerning because it dehydrates and malnourishes an animal quickly. Soft, formed stool is generally less severe but should still be assessed by a veterinarian.
What Causes Diarrhea in Cats?

Cat diarrhea can be acute or chronic, and there are different sets of possible causes for each.

Acute means that the diarrhea just happened suddenly or doesn’t go on for long period of time. Chronic diarrhea is characterized as lasting for two to three weeks or longer.

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How Long Should Puppy Food Be Fed?

Tuesday, April 25, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

Two 8 week old Golden Retriever puppies eating kibble from a bowl while laying on a hardwood floor.

A puppy needs a higher level of nutrients than what’s available in regular dog food.  Because of these special needs, your puppy should be on a high quality puppy food for the first year and up to 18 months for the giant breeds. Most dog food manufacturers offer a special formula for puppies that is higher in protein. (Protein should be between 28 and 30%)  and enriched with the fat soluble and water soluble vitamins, minerals, fats, and other essentials for your growing puppy needs.  Always check with your vet for the best type of food and check the back of the bag for the proper quantity. Remove uneaten food after about 15 or 20 minutes and make sure that you feed your pup at least three times a day if he’s under six months, two times from six to twelve months and then once after a year.

Remember, pets are family!

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The Best Feeding Schedule for Dogs

Sunday, April 23, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

Black and tan dog breed dachshund sit at the floor with a bowl and alarm clock, cute small muzzle look at his owner and wait for food. Live with schedule, time to eat.

You may think that feeding your dog is a no brainer but there are right and wrong feeding times for your dog. Most dogs eat their dog food twice per day. This stabilizes their metabolism and aids with digestion. You should select a feeding schedule and stick with it. Give dog food at 7:00am and 6:00pm. Remove any uneaten food but the dog water bowl should be kept filled with fresh water at all times.If you’re working on housetraining or have a dog who overdrinks, you can schedule the amount and times you provide it. But watch your dog carefully and, if he seems to be thirsty, increase the amount. A sample schedule for monitoring water would be:

  • 7:00 a.m. – Clean and fill bowl half-way
  • Noon – Rinse out and refill half-way.
  • 6:00 p.m. – Rinse and fill half-way.
  • Bedtime – Clean and fill bowl about 1/4 of the way.

Thanks to dogster.com for providing some of this information.

Remember,pets are family!

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Cozy Pet Bed for Kitty or Doggie

Friday, April 21, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

Cat and dog sleeping. Pets sleeping embracing

There’s nothing better than getting home after a hard day and resting on a high quality and inviting bed. It seems like the stress of even the worst day can be alleviated with the right bed and bed accessories. And if this holds true for humans, why not pets? Remember that sleep is just as important for our four legged friends, and for that reason, you should always ensure that they have a safe, comfortable, and luxurious place to rest.

Whether you’re looking for a dog bed or a cat bed, make sure your pet bed fits your animal correctly. A bed that’s too small will be uncomfortable for your pet, and they simply won’t enjoy sleeping in that space. Just like you need your own private space, so do your animals. Make sure that space is the best it can possibly be. Your furry friends deserve it! If you own a cat, that bed may remain empty at times. We bought our cats cozy pods about six years ago. Up until recently, they were never used. Now our cat has re-discovered them and spends many cozy hours inside.

Remember, pets are family!

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Reducing Stress at Work

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

jack russell dog on a call center using the phone or telephone and computer pc keyboard , isolated on white background

A researcher at Eastern Kentucky University did a study to see what people thought of pets in the workplace.  She surveyed businesses that allowed dogs and cats in the office.   She found that people who work with their pets believe that their pets help reduce stress and improve their mental health. Even people who didn’t bring their own pets were extremely positive about having pets in the workplace. They said that it made for a happier and more positive day. Of course kudos to those businesses that allow pets. They are a special breed in themselves and I believe that it says a lot about the company.  Make sure that you take along plenty of treats for your dog and plan on taking him out for his regular walks while at work!

Remember, pets are family!

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Have Your New Pet Checked by a Vet

Sunday, April 16, 2023
posted by Jim Murphy

Vet examining dog and cat. Puppy and kitten at veterinarian doctor. Animal clinic. Pet check up and vaccination. Health care for dogs and cats.

There are many things you have to do when making a new pet a part of your lives but one important item on that list is to have your new pet checked out by a vet. If your pet already has been spayed/neutered and is up to date on his shots, a visit to the vet is still a good idea. Your vet will check for things like inflammation, arthritis and various other issues. Your vet will also provide feeding instructions and the best food to feed your new best friend.

Start things off on a healthy note with your new pet and make sure he gets checked out as soon as possible. Good luck and thanks for giving a loving animal a new life!

Remember, pets are family!

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