Doggie Business - Nominated Best San Francisco Dog Walker!

Doggie Business - Nominated Best San Francisco Dog Walker!

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Does your dog have chronic diarrhea?

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Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

Then you need to try Firm Up! made by Diggin Your Dog.
This amazing supplement made with 100% natural pumpkin works as a great anti-diarrhea, and oddly enough, it’s good for constipation too!

Pumpkin tastes good to dogs. Add a little to their daily diet, or use as a supplement when the “runs” strike…

Firm Up! is also a great product to use when your dog is transitioning to a different diet. The fiber helps digestion and makes the switch easier.

Firm Up! is 100% USA GROWN dried pumpkin. Pumpkin is low in fat and dense in nutrients such as Alpha-Carotene, Beta Carotene, Fiber, Vitamin C & E, Potassium, Magnesium, and Pantothenic Acid. Find it online for about $8.

What Can You Do for Arthritis?

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Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

For years, people have recommended acupuncture treatments for healing arthritis in dogs.  These treatments are very expensive and it is difficult to get the dogs to stay still for the needle insertions. Now vets are suggesting laser therapy over acupuncture because it is less invasive and easier on the dogs.  No pain, no needles, and it works!!

Called low-level laser therapy, cold laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy, these laser therapies are being touted as one of the best ways to treat dogs with arthritis.  It may be just the miracle your dog needs to regain mobility again!  Ask your vet about it.  

One of mySan Francisco clients  tried laser therapy on her Labrador Retriever.  It took 7 sessions before any signs of improvement, but then, like magic, it kicked in and really seemed to work.  She now needs to go back for repeat sessions, but it has been about a year before needing more treatments.  And if you are worried about the cost, go read my blog on why you must have pet insurance! (hint: they pay for it!!)

Physical therapy and keeping your pet at a lean, healthy weight will also help to alleviate arthritis symptoms. An overweight dog with arthritis can have noticeable improvement in symptoms after losing just a small amount of weight. And pets need to move their bodies more, not less, as they age. So get them to the park for a brisk walk.

One of my clients is using DASUQUIN soft chews as a joint health supplement, which was recommended by her vet.  You can purchase it at Amazon and have them deliver it right to your door.  How easy is that!

Why are Dogs Getting so many Allergies these Days?

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Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

In the old days, dogs went to the vet for annual check-ups and that was it. Now-a-days dogs spend a lot of time back and forth to the vet because of allergies – scratching, licking, skin hot spots and ear infections. Why is this happening?

Most often dogs will have one of two basic allergies, Flea or Food Allergies.

Flea allergies are usually relatively easy to solve in San Francisco because veterinarians offer a variety of highly effective choices. My experience has been that the fleas here are impervious to Frontline or Advantage.  Most of my clients use oral meds – Comfortis or Trifexi, which are prescription only and they seem to work very well.  October seems to be the month when the scratching is at it’s worst for those that are not on these prescription flea medications.  The only problem is if your dog is exposed to ticks, these medications do not work.  Only Frontline works for both fleas and ticks. But for fleas, not so well.

So your dog is itching like crazy and shaking his head constantly?  AND it is not fleas?  Your vet just told you it could be a food allergy. What does that mean?  Anything from chronic ear inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic diarrhea to chronic gas, licking their feet, or an itchy rear end.

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Here is a hint as to why dogs may have allergies these days.  Research shows that young animals treated with antibiotics could potentially be predisposed to problems later in life because antibiotics change the environment inside the gut, which is the largest immune organ in the body. That could be a predisposing cause, but then the trigger would be being exposed to the allergen.  Was your dog given antibiotics as a pup?

One of my clients has had very good luck using a food allergy dog food, which she purchased from her vet office, but you can get it online.  It is called Nature’s Variety INSTINCT Limited Ingredient Diet.  It is Grain Free, Turkey Meal Formula Natural Dry Dog Food.  It is raw nutrition and the dogs gobble it up like candy.  It can be used as a treat, so you do not need to give them anything else for them to be happy and healthy.  Give it a try!  AND remember!  Nothing Else!  See what happens!

Dogs Can Die From The Summer Heat!! BEWARE!

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Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

Dogs

 

Dogs Can Die From Heat Stroke!

Animal experts say that it’s a common misconception that dogs can survive if the windows are cracked on a hot day, or if the car is parked in the shade. They said people often think that dogs can handle high temperatures.  Wrong!  In fact, even a dog walk in high heat can hurt or kill them.  Dogs can get overheated much quicker than we can. Their temperature can shoot up to 104, 105 in just a matter of ten to fifteen minutes, and that can lead to a seizure. Even cracking a window a little bit, thinking they’ll be okay isn’t enough in  to keep them safe.  There’s not enough breeze.  Dogs don’t cool down the way we do.  They cool down by panting.

If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, get him out of the heat as soon as possible. Here are a few other things you can do:

  • Put rubbing alcohol on the pads of their feet.
  • Pour cool – not cold – water on them.  Start with their feet, neck, and genital areas.
  • Wrap them in a sheet or other cloth that’s been soaked with cool water.
  • Get your dog to the vet!  Even if you think your dog is OK, it’s a good idea to have him checked out.

Heatstroke or exhaustion can occur very quickly for our dogs as they only have the ability to sweat throught the pads of their feet. The major way they expel heat is through panting. The two most common ways that pets get overheated is being left in cars or kennels when it is too hot or playing or running excessively in the heat. Our canine friends are almost always up for a brisk dog walk or a game of fetch. The problem is that they do not know when they are overheated until it is too late. Thus, it is up to us as their caregivers to understand when it is time to take a break, drink some water and rest in the shade for awhile. A dog’s normal temperature runs between 101 and 102.5 degrees so they are naturally warmer than we are. When their temperature exceeds 106 degrees there is a very real danger in damaging cells in their brain and causing permanent damage or even death. Treatment for heat stroke is immediately getting the pet into a cool shady  area or inside an air-conditioned building. Cooling can be continued with cool cloths or ice packs in the groin area or in the armpits.  It is important not to submerge the pet in cold water as this can lead to shock.

Bottom line:  Dogs can’t handle the heat as well as we can and run the risk of developing heat stroke much more quickly.  Even if you leave the window open and park in the shade, it may not be good enough.  The test to tell if it is too hot to leave your pet in the car, if it is too hot for you in the car, it is way to hot for your dog.  And don’t forget the longer you are away, the hotter your car gets.  Even 15 minutes may be too long.

Some summer problems to look out for!

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Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

San Francisco Dog Walker- bee

It is very common at this time of the year that dogs will have swollen faces with eyes that are nearly closed up. In most cases this is from a bee sting. It can also be from vegetation that is caused by allergies. In most cases an antihistamine, such as Benedryl, will will take the swelling and discomfort down rapidly, but in severe cases it may be necessary for the pet to be seen to receive treatment with cortisone or even epinephrine. During times when insect activity is high, it is not safe to use repellants like OFF to discourage them from attacking your pet, because it contains DEET which is poisonous if ingested by dogs.  Instead try, K9-Advantix, which repels mosquitoes, ticks and fleas.

By far the most common concern seen in the spring and summer months involves pets that eat things that they shouldn’t. This can happen any time of the year, but when the weather is nice and the ground is warm and moist it becomes a perfect incubator for viruses, bacteria and parasites.

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Doggie Business – Nominated Best San Francisco Dog Walker!