Joint Relief for Older Pups
Joint Relief for Older Pups
Lanai is getting a little older (okay, she’s 13 years old now!) and is at the point where she needs a little help with her joint aches and pains. She’s not NEAR as bad as some her age, but she does lay down slowly and her movements are fairly calculated.
Recently, while at Yolo Vet, Dr. Bulkley asked me if I was giving Lanai Actistatin as a joint relief agent. Since I had no idea what Actistatin even was, the answer was abundantly clear to her 😉 She suggested that I try it with Lanai and gave me a FREE 10-day supply to see if it helped her (this was so kind of Laurie to do!). Apparently, many people are raving that their pets are feeling SO much better on this stuff that Laurie (Dr. Bulkley) decided to keep it in stock for them!
The 10-days came and went and I will say:
[checklist]
- Lanai was getting up and down easier
- She was much happier and had a spark in her eye
- She has always been energetic but appeared to have a larger bounce in her step (more than usual)
- She loves the taste of these things and takes them with NO problem
[/checklist]
For Lanai and I, it’s well worth the money!
Quick Tip on Dog Beds for Big Dogs!
One thing you can try is buying a used futon mattress on Craigslist and then just cover it with a sheet. Since we rapidly go through beds over here, and have large dogs to take care of, the futon mattresses work out well and you actually get TWO for the price of ONE!
Ikea sells them for under $100.
Craigslist may even have them cheaper!
We have used these beds in small dog, indoor, obstacle courses, as well as, just being loungers.
Big dogs welcome
Gotta Love Skippy!
If you find yourself taking a road trip with your pooch, one of the things that I like to try and remember to take with me is PEANUT BUTTER! #gottaloveSkippy
Peanut butter comes in handy and could (probably should) even be added to [dog medical kits]. A couple of great things about peanut butter is: It keeps for a long time and doesn’t have to be refrigerated after opening!
Peanut butter comes in handy in a variety of situations such as:
[checklist]
- You never know if your pup is going to get hurt on a trip (you definitely hope this doesn’t happen but it’s always great to be prepared) and you have to give them medication. You can hide the pill in the peanut butter;
- Again, on the medication-giving-note, if your pup has to take their common medication (especially those medications that require them to have food on their stomachs), gotta love peanut butter to help with that process;
- You get stuck in traffic for a LONG time (gotta love I-80 traffic back-ups in heavy storms) and you AND the pups need a snack;
- Another tip for traffic and peanut butter use: Fill a Kong with peanut butter and let them chew on it for a while. This will keep them busy, which is especially great if there is no safe place to let them out to stretch their legs;
[/checklist]
The above are just a few quick-and-dirty tips for peanut butter use for dogs while traveling. If you have any tips on peanut butter use for dogs while traveling, we’d love to hear your suggestions! Please post below!
Tip: Pet Containment
FYI
At least here in Yolo County, if someone inadvertently lets your dogs out of their confined areas (backyard or home) and the dog catcher gets them, YOU are responsible for the fines, which apparently can get rather hefty.
A couple of tips:
[checklist]
- 1. Make sure that your fencing is secure where your pup(s) cannot get out
- 2. If someone is taking care of your pets for you, create a barricade between the rest of the house and the front door, making sure that the person caring for your pet knows to have your pup on a leash prior to exiting the door. Giving your pup zero access to the front door will help ensure your pup doesn’t get out by accident.
[/checklist]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Snakebite
Introduction
Warning: Graphic pictures of snakebite victims within this post!
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Snakebite
“Snakebites are frightening experiences. Most envenomations in the United States are caused by pit vipers, which include the rattlesnakes, cottonmouth and copperhead.
Snake venom is actually a combination of toxins and the severity of an envenomation is related to the strength and amount of venom injected, as well as the site.
The best approach is to keep the patient as quiet as possible and seek immediate veterinary attention. First aid is of little benefit. Diphenhydramine (Diphen is included in the kit) may be helpful in lessening both anxiety and some of the reaction but should be given by mouth only to a completely conscious dog, followed by immediate transport. Sucking, cutting or applying a tourniquet to the area is of no benefit.
Some signs of snakebite show up after several hours to days so watch any suspected bite victims closely.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
In Honor of Chief
This post in honor of Chief who died protecting his family.
*Images courtesy of petdoctors.co.uk and cesarsway.com.
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Seizures
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Seizures
“Seizures are one of the most common neurological emergencies of dogs. They can be terrifying to the owner but the dog is not conscious of what is happening.
Seizures result from many causes including toxicity, electrolyte imbalances, organ disease, cancer, infection, heat stroke, parasitism, and most commonly, epilepsy. The severity can range from grand mal convulsions to simple repetitive twitches and even staring into space. Dogs will not swallow their tongues but can remove your finger; don’t put your hand in the mouth of a seizuring dog.
Move furniture, etc. and out of the way and keep the area darkened if possible. Gentle talking and stroking often help to shorten a seizure.
After the seizure, it may take several minutes to an hour for your dog to recover to normal. Any seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes is an emergency.
Seizures can raise the body temperature and cause organ and brain damage. Dogs that have more than two seizures a month are usually treated with medication.
Report all seizures to your dog’s doctor.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Image courtesy of Pet Health Network
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Vomiting
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Vomiting
“Vomiting is a common dog “emergency”. In many cases, vomiting is protective in helping clear the stomach.
Dogs can get mild viruses and other infections that result in vomiting. Persistent or violent vomiting is a cause for concern and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Treatment for an upset stomach is similar to people. Food and water should be withheld for up to 24 hours to let the stomach quiet down. Small sips of water are good, and ice cubes in a bowl (to lick not eat) work well to provide water without distending the stomach. Dio-Tame can be administered to help settle the stomach. After resting the stomach, feeding bland food such as hamburger meat or cooked chicken with all the juice and fat drained off mixed equally with boiled white rice in multiple, small meals, gives the stomach a chance to recover. After a few days, you can reintroduce the regular diet.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Image courtesy of County Vets
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Ticks!
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: TICKS!
“Ticks are a common problem and can carry diseases that affect you and your dog. Careful removal is important! Wear the included gloves and grasp the tick with the neck of the tweezers just above the points. Grasp right down where the tick has glued itself to the skin and lift up steadily.
After removal, the tick should be burned or drowned in alcohol. Do not crush it as the blood can contain organisms that can infect you. Clean the site where the tick was attached and apply a small amount of triple antibiotic ointment.
After the tick is removed, there may be a scab or crust that persists for several days. If it swells, becomes painful, or persists then see your veterinarian.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Tick image courtesy of Rainbow Valley Veterinary Clinic
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First Aid Tip for Dogs: Ear Infections and Foreign Bodies
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
Basic Pet Care Animal Hospital
www.bpcah.com
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Ear Infections and Foreign Bodies.
“Ear infections and foreign bodies are common problems in our busy dogs.
Dogs have a longer ear canal than us and it takes a bend that can make it impossible to visualize some foreign bodies.
If your dog will let you, grasp the foreign material with tweezers being careful not to poke the sharp points into the ear itself. Sometimes irrigating with a gentle ear cleaner can provide relief. The eyewash included in the kit can be used as an irrigating solution, and if infection is obvious in the outer ear, it can be treated with dilute povidone iodine solution made from the enclosed swabsticks, and applied up to three times daily.
Any persistent head shaking, pawing at the ear or discharge should be evaluated promptly by your veterinarian.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First Aid Tip for Dogs: Diarrhea
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: DiArRhEA.
“There are many causes of diarrhea but fortunately, it is usually self-limiting. Diarrhea can be a substantial source of fluid loss so make sure your dog is consuming enough water to prevent dehydration. Feeding a bland, easily digested diet is appropriate for the dog with diarrhea. Dio-Tame may help your dog if he or she gets afflicted.
Persistent diarrhea or the presence of blood should always be followed up with a veterinary exam.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]