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Anna's Page
This page will be used to communicate with each other about any concerns in doggie news. Thoughts for the day. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners!!! GroomingEver seen your dog roll on the ground, lick his coat or chew at matted fur? These are natural ways in which companion canines keep clean. If he has a coat that needs extra attention, your dog will need some help from you to look his best. It's a good idea to check your dog's ears, eyes and teeth weekly. Remove wax and dirt from his ears with a cotton ball moistened with water or a little mineral oil. If you have a long-haired dog, you may need to remove the excess hair leading into the ear canal. This can be done with a special hair remover, available from pet stores or your veterinarian, and carefully pull one strand at a time. Do not insert any instrument in the ear canal. This can damage delicate tissues. Gently bathe the skin around the eyes and inside the ear flaps with moistened cotton. Dogs with loose facial skin, such as Shar Peis, need special attention. Clean the folds with damp cotton to prevent dirt and bacteria from causing irritation and infection. Always thoroughly dry the areas between the folds. Regular brushing is important, too, and will allow you to check for flea infestation. Dogs with smooth and short coats are low-maintenance, but should be brushed weekly. For a smooth-haired dog, such as a Boxer, use a rubber brush to loosen dead skin and dirt. Then, remove dead hair with a bristle brush. Polish your short-haired dog's coat with a chamois cloth. If your dog has a short, dense coat that's prone to matting, such as that of a retriever, use a slicker brush to remove tangles and a bristle brush to catch dead hair. Don't forget to comb his tail. Dogs with long, luxurious coats-think Yorkshire terrier-need more attention. Every day you should remove tangles and gently tease mats with a slicker brush. Use a bristle brush for the coat. Do the same for dogs with long coats, such as collies. Comb through the fur and trim the hair around the hocks and feet. Keep your pet's coat in top condition with a bath every 3 months. Start with a good brushing. Next, put a bland ophthalmic ointment in your pet's eyes and cotton in his ears. Place a rubber mat in the bathtub and fill it with 4 inches of warm water. Place your pet in. Next, use the spray hose or pitcher to wet him thoroughly. Gently massage shampoo in from head to tail. Always use a shampoo formulated for dogs. Human shampoo can irritate canine skin. Avoid the eyes, ears and nose and rinse thoroughly. Dry him with a fluffy towel or blow dryer, but be sure to monitor the level of heat. If your dog gets very excitable during bathtime and try to nip you, put a toy that floats in the tub with your dog so he can focus on the toy rather than on mouthing you. Help your dog put his best paw forward with neatly trimmed nails. The ASPCA recommends that you clip his nails once monthly. Use a guillotine-type clipper to trim off the tip of each nail at the point just before it begins to curve downward. And be very careful not to cut the sensitive pink area that can be seen through the nail.Skin ProblemsFleas can also create serious skin problems for your pet. Continuous, persistent scratching can be the first sign that your dog or cat is infested. Skin irritations and allergic reactions may be caused by flea bites or droppings. And some animals, especially cats, are sensitive to the products used to kill fleas. An allergic reaction to the medication in a flea collar, for example, can cause redness and irritation on some cats' necks. Never use products that have been developed for dogs on your cat, and vice versa. Hay fever and allergies can manifest themselves in skin problems. Your pet's itching can indicate a sensitivity to various substances such as trees, mold, grasses, fleas, rugs, fabrics and food. Bathing your pet too frequently or with the wrong product can also promote skin problems. ASPCA experts recommend a monthly bath for most dogs, and much less frequent baths for cats. And, some pets, just like people, may suffer from dry, flaky, itchy skin in the cold winter months. A dietary supplement that contains essential fatty acids may provide relief. You can also rub a topical conditioner into your pet's coat to help soothe irritated skin and restore lost moisture. A good diet, too, is essential in maintaining a healthy skin and coat. Always consult a veterinarian when your pet has skin problems. In some cases, corticosteroids and antihistamines may also be used to control itching. Hair loss can be the first sign of more serious health conditions, such as hypothyroidism or Cushings' disease. You and your veterinarian must determine what's making your pet itch and, ideally, eliminate it from his diet or environment.Spay/NeuterWe are happy to see that more and more pet owners are getting their animals fixed when they are still young, before they've had their first litter. There are some very excellent reasons why this is such a good idea, besides the obvious one of preventing pregnancy. When animals get fixed young they are protected from developing many hormone-related diseases later on such as breast cancer in females and prostate cancer in males. It also prevents them from forming bad habits like spraying or straying. The surgery is easier on a young animal. As with tonsillectomies, youngsters bounce right back and older animals take longer. At most clinics, especially with dogs, it is less expensive to get them fixed young since they are charged by the weight. The Humane Society's low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic preforms spays or neuters on small animals who are three months old and older. So let's get a jump on spring and get that new friend spayed/neutered and not have so many animals in the shelters. And if you can foster an animal for a little while, please do so, you will be glad you did! |
Token's Mane
Byhalia, MS 38611
US
Phone: 901-826-4320
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