Winter Exercise: Paw Care
from WebMD Veterinary Reference
Winter is hard on everyone's skin, even your dog's. Bitter cold can cause chapping and cracking. Rock salt and chemical ice melters can cause sores, infection and blistering. Toxic chemicals can also be ingested by your dog when he licks his paws. After outdoor walks, wash your dog's paws in warm water to rinse away salt and chemicals. You may wish to apply Vaseline, a great salt barrier, to the foot pads before each walk-or make sure your dog wears doggie booties.
 | | Murphy & Kennedy love the snow! |
|
Pet Dental Health
by Kate Knutson, DVM
February is Pet Dental Health Month. Caring for your pet's teeth is a crucial component of your dog's or cat's health. A lack of both daily oral care and regular professional examinations and treatment leads to localized pain and infection, as well as potential systemic problems, such as heart, kidney, liver, and lung disease. Poor dental care causes a decreased quality of life and can lead to a shortened life span, whether you have two or four legs.
So, how do you ensure the best dental care for your pet? The first step is to schedule an oral healthcare evaluation with your veterinarian. A preliminary assessment can be performed in the exam room while your pet is awake, but a full evaluation requires examining the teeth and gums while your pet is under anesthesia. This will include charting, cleaning, polishing, probing, and taking dental x-rays, along with a thorough exam of the oral tissues and teeth. Before and after photos can help you appreciate the amount of periodontal disase that may be present in your pet's teeth and gums, as well as reveal any abscesses or other indications of disease. Then ask your veterinary staff to walk you through the process of teeth brushing. Figure out a way to make brushing a habit. The most important thing is to focus on making the process enjoyable and as stress free as possible for you and your pet. |
|
Unusual Dog Names 2010
I had to laugh when I noticed last Fall that on one day I had walks scheduled for Howard, Hank, Henry, Higgins, and Huck. People in our area like names beginning with "H" for their dogs! Veterinary Pet Insurance has announced it's annual list of unusual pet names. VPI employees selected the most unusual dog names from the company's database of more than 470,000 insured pets, and narrowed them down by voting for the 50 most unusual names in each category. These are their top 10 unusual dog names. It's sure to make you laugh!
- Pickle Von Corndog
- Lord Chubby Pruneface
- Badonkadonnk
- Ninjastar Dangerrock
- Molly McBoozehound
- Dog Vader
- Flopsy Squeakerton
- Bettie Poops
- Geez Louise
- Barnaby Bones
To see the complete list (and cat names too), follow this link: http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/new-pets/Top-50-Wackiest-Pet-Names.aspx
|
Now on DVD: "My Dog Tulip"
Sadly, this delightful movie was passed by when the Academy Award Nominations came out last month, but it is now available on DVD.  Every cell of this animated movie was hand-drawn, a rarity in full-length animation these days.
Based on J.R. Ackerley's 1956 autobiographical novel, this animated tale of a man and his dog features Christopher Plummer as the voice of Ackerley, a middle-aged writer whose life is changed forever when he adopts an 18-month-old German shepherd. Despite not being a dog lover, Ackerley finds his truest companionship with his skittish pup, Tulip. And so begins a 14-year friendship filled with all the mischief, wonder and unconditional love a dog can bring. |
|
Calendar of Events
- February is National Pet Dental Health Month
- The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet (Super Bowl Sunday February 6)
- 135th annual Westminster Kennel Club Show on USA Network (February 15-16)
- Professional Pet Sitters Week (March 6-12)
- St. Patrick's Day --Lucky Dogs favorite holiday! (March 17)
- National Puppy Day (March 23)
|
