Dog 4-H: A New Beginning

With each new season at the Kerr house we have new challenges and goals. This fall, one of the new things we are starting is Dog 4-H. We showed our rabbits last month at the fair and the kids did really well, and loved it, but one of the animals they were really interested in showing next year is dogs, and since we have three we figured why not. This does however mean that MOM has some work to do. I love our dogs but they can be somewhat naughty and they don't always look like show dogs because, well, at the Kerr house we play in the dirt. Thankfully, we have some new items that we are adding to our routine to help us get ready for showing these crazy mutts.

One of the easiest things we are doing is adding a Salmon Oil Supplement to the dog's diet. Salmon oil is a good supplement to give because it aids your pet's body and mind and helps to keep them in top shape. Their are many benefits to salmon oil including healthy skin, coat, joints, heart, kidney and the development and maintenance of the brain, eyes, and immune system. That means that this one supplement is helping our dogs become healthier and smarter! Salmon oil also promotes weightloss and helps reduce allergies. What an awesome thing and it's so easy to give. Just squirt a little on their food and they eat it right up. So simple!

Although Salmon Oil helps our dogs be smarter they still need to learn a few more manners to compete in the show ring. Our big dog, Avie, can be kinda hard for the kids to control simply because of size so while they practice we are using our new Buddy Trainer Rechargeable Dog Training Collar with its handy remote so I can easily help them out even from across the yard. I love this collar because it is simple to use and has many effective training tools including adjustable vibration and shock levels, audible sounds, and flashing lights (my personal favorite). It's all about safe reminders to be on their very best behavior.

Last, but not least, of our new training tools are these Bully Sticks and Beef Tendons. Made from 100% natural, free range cows, they are filler, antibiotic, and hormone free which is exactly what I want to give to my pets. I love that these treats are simple to break into pieces and put in our training pouches for the kids to use during their sessions and it helps keep the kids and dogs happy. It's a great reward for a job well done!

Now that I've shared some of the new things we're using, what are your favorite dog (or other pet) training tips and tools? I know every pet owner has their own techniques that work for them and I'd love to try out some of your great ideas!

Pet Vacations

Instead of sending your pets to a kennel when you go on vacation, consider sending them to a pet inn. This is a place where your pets are treated like they are on vacation as well. There are several amenities offered at inns for pets that will make them comfortable while they are away from their owners, making you feel comfortable as well. 

Generators are usually available at pet inns so that the animals are cared for if the electricity were to go out. Meals are given at least twice a day, and there are treats offered as well. A continuous water supply is usually given so that pets always have access to something to drink. Many facilities have beds for the pets, and there is time for the animals to play with others that are of the same size. Floors are made so that the animals don't slide. Doors and fencing make it almost impossible for the animals to escape, keeping them safely inside the area. There are cat condos that the cats can scratch on and toys for dogs to play with while they are in their private space. Grooming services are offered, and most locations offer a health guarantee. Learn about the other amenities offered before making a decision for your pet to stay in a resort or inn.

Mom's Walking Buddy

Canine Pancreatitus: A Serious Disease in Dogs

The pancreas in both dogs and humans plays an important role in the digestive process. Pancreatic swelling or inflammation can cause serious consequences. For this reason, pet owners should become very familiar with the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs. They must be prepared to identify any problems with their pet and get the animal to a vet quickly at the onset of these symptoms. 

Pancreatitus Is a Common Canine Ailment 

Pancreatitis appears mainly in adult animals. Females have a higher rate of occurrence than males. Studies show through histologic (microscopic tissue) studies of canine populations that fully 64.4% of all dogs have manifested. This makes problems with the pancreas one of the most common canine diseases. In addition, because the condition can be terminal, this disease is very serious.

Causes 

Some factors include the following:

• Hyperlipidemia (excessive amounts of fat in the blood) 
• Hypercalcemia (excessive amounts of calcium in the blood) 
• General metabolic disorders 
• Particular drugs and toxins, including antibiotics and certain diuretics 
• Concurrent diseases, including hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, and Diabetes Mellitus. Miniature Schnauzers are vulnerable to condition known as idiopathic hyperlipemia 
• Contaminated water or food 
• Viral or bacterial infections 
• An unhealthy diet, including foods high in fat and greasy people food from table scraps  

Yorkies and Schnauzers appear to experience the highest incidence of pancreatitus.

Symptoms 

Because the root causes of pancreatitus are not well-known, pet owners must focus on detection rather than prevention. Owners can become well-versed for the warning signs of this serious disease in order to react quickly at the onset. These symptoms can include:

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Abdominal pain 
• Fever 

Pancreatic disorders can be mild or acute. Pancreatitus in the acute stages can result in shock within just a few hours. This severe form of the disease is symptomized by the abrupt onset of severe pain in the abdomen and vomiting. This can lead to severe dehydration, which can lead to hypovolemic shock in the form of weak peripheral pulses and tachycardia.

Unfortunately, these symptoms also indicate a variety of other serious diseases. This can make it difficult to diagnose. Once an owner brings his animal to the clinic, the vet can examine the animal and palpitate the abdominal region for any abnormalities in the pancreas region. He or she can also take a blood test, and look for elevated lipase or amylase levels. A new test examines lipase immuninol reactivity for confirmation. A vet can also use radiography or ultrasonography to examine the pancreatic region, and look for swelling or inflammation.

Treatment 

Veterinarians treat this disease by halting the workload on the pancreas. This means stopping the digestive process. Animals are given no food by mouth for several days in order to stop the need for the pancreas to manufacture digestive enzymes. Instead, they are fed intravenously. In acute cases, this process is often performed in a hospital.

Long-term Care 

After treatment, dog owners must be vigilant in order to prevent a recurrence. They can do this by putting their pets on low-fat diets, limiting the meal portions, and eliminating table scraps. Dogs can be put on a fat-restricted diet, given 3-4 meals a day, and set on a proper regime of exercise. This will help owners keep their pets healthy and happy for a long time to come.

What You Need to Know: Your Dog and the Fourth of July

We want to make sure that all of our family members stay safe this 4th of July and that includes our pets. Here are some tips to make sure that your four legged friends enjoy the holiday too!

Are You Ready for Bee?

Hi! I'm Bee! I'm a 6 year old, single, mixed breed female looking for love. I love to cuddle on cold nights, and take walks with those who are important to me. If you have other dogs in your life, great! I can become apart of a family with dogs! I can even doggie sit while you clean the house as long as they are friendly towards me. I am not big into cats, but I can tolerate them as long as they don't mind me randomly chasing them here and there. I love kids, and I have had a few of my own (those days are over), but I need the children to be respectful of me and my space. New situations make me nervous so give me time to become comfortable with you. I love treats and food too. Unfortunately I went to the dentist last week and I now look like a hockey player because I'm missing 6 front teeth. But, I hear my smile is still adorable. I'm extremely loyal and ready to start my new life. 

I come spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, vet checked and I have also had a dental and a urinalysis done. $150 will help this rescue group continue to save dogs like me. So when can I meet you and show you what I am capable of? Hmmmm?

If you're interested in giving me a forever home you can contact Power of the Paw via Facebook today!

Milk-Bone Brushing Chews - The Daily Dental Treats

Have you ever wished that brushing your teeth could be fun? I know I have but I've hit the point in pregnancy where tooth-brushing gives me heartburn and makes me gag (please say I'm not the only one). Anyway, although I haven't found a way to make brushing easier for myself I have solved the problem of how to get our family's 3 four-legged friends to brush their teeth a little bit easier thanks to Milk-Bone's new Brushing Chews.

So what are Brushing Chews? Milk-Bone Brushing Chews were developed to be an daily, in-home dental care treatment for dogs. The chews are clinically proven to reduce tarter build-up and bad breath in our canine friends. Their twisted design helps "brush" teeth clear to the gum and all the way to the back of the mouth.

My opinion? I haven't been using Milk-Bone Brushing Chews for long but they seem to work well for the most part. My biggest complaint is that my two big dogs are really just too big for the treat size and I don't see the chews being very effective on them. I do love the idea and I intend to keep using them, at least for now, on my smaller dog to see more of the long term effects myself. I know that I can certainly use all the help I can get in keeping all the humans and animals at my house happy and healthy and I love this simple way to make one of my jobs a whole lot easier!

The Milk-Bone dog products, information and a gift card have been provided by the Milk-Bone brand.

A Veterinarian: The Job Description

Do you love animals? If so, becoming a veterinarian may be the best option for you. You can make good money and have a satisfying career while spending all of your time around the animals you love. You can always know you are helping animals in need. If you are considering becoming a veterinarian in Houston, you should know how to become a veterinarian and what it is like to be one.

How to Become a Veterinarian

You will first need to get a bachelor’s degree in something relevant, like biology or biochemistry. Volunteer or find internships at veterinary offices to get any helpful experience that you can – boosting your resume is very important for getting into veterinary school and finding a job. Once you have graduated college with this degree and stand out in your program with good grades, find a veterinary school that you want to attend. Apply to a few so that you will have options. This is a four year program; there are usually standardized tests that you will need to take in order to get into a school. Once you have finished this schooling, you can take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam to get your license and begin working. You can either find an office to work at or create your own business.

Life as a Veterinarian

Once you become a veterinarian in Houston, you can work on either small animals or large animals. Small animals include the regular cat and dog, while larger animals include ranches and zoos. If you work in an office, you can expect to have many appointments throughout the day where you inspect animals for regular checkups or problems. You may need to perform surgeries or other similar operations. Some veterinarians make house calls for larger animals or very sick animals that cannot be transported. If you are an emergency vet, you may be on call at all times to help in case of medical emergencies. The job outlook for veterinarians is very good; so you can expect to have a successful career as long as you put the effort into it.

Dakota - Adoptable

Dakota is a 6 year old Shar-pei/Lab mix that was pulled off of death row from Minidoka Shelter in Paul, ID. She had been there for 3 months prior to her rescue. Dakota is good with cats and dog as long as there is a proper introduction and there is time for them to get to know eachother. She loves children and would do best in a home with children for this reason. She is housebroken as well, but does need a 6 foot fence because she can jump anything lower than that. Dakota is currently in a foster home who loves her dearly but has had her for too long. She's been in her foster home since June. We get reports that she walks very well on a leash and is an all around great dog. She will need to have some chew toys available at all time, however. If you are interested in Dakota, Please contact Power of the Paw-Idaho at 2087715668 or email powerofthepawidaho@yahoo.com. Dakota is located in Idaho Falls, ID but transport can always be arranged! 

Adoptable: Redbone

Here is a boy who is running out of time at a local shelter. Redbone is a 7 year old intact Redbone Coonhound. He is good with other dogs and children although he has not been tested with cats. As you can see he is super thin and needs someone to give him some groceries and love. He really needs a forever home or a rescue to take him in. Even if you are not local you can see about adopting him and some lovely ladies from the area will work hard to get him to you. Redbone will make a great pet for someone with some extra love to give. You can call the shelter today at 208-785-6897 to learn about adopting him.

Adoptable: Hope

Hope is a beauty! She is a Collie and Aussie mix from my neck of the woods. For me, Hope is a great representation of the dogs we deal with every day. Most of them are some sort of cattle dog/collie mix with medium length hair and great dispositions. These dogs are totally trainable and make wonderful friends and family members. If you are looking for a great dog I highly recommend one of these mixes as they are smart, active and yet happy to sit by your feet too. In fact, our new dog B3 is just this type of dog.

You can find Hope and many other adoptable animals at Petfinder.