Featured Tip

Life lessons taught by a dog

2011-04-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy this tip shared by a fellow veterinarian.

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.'' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live. He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily..

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Spring Has Sprung

2011-03-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and so are a host of allergens and parasites that directly affect our pets. Seasonal allergies and parasites can cause serious medical problems and unnecessary veterinary bills. Prevention is the key. I would love to see you soon, but lets see if we can prevent a veterinary visit by just following some simple steps.

1.) Always keep your pet on a flea and or tick prevention monthly. These monthly applications can be topical or even oral but will ensure that your pets do not get bit. Allergic reactions such has scratching, hair loss and skin infections can come from something as simple as a flea bite. Ticks can actually cause serious and sometimes fatal blood borne diseases. So be mindful and do not cut corners, get the best veterinary product because they are guaranteed and you don't want to take a chance on having an infestation on your pet, in your home or even on you!

We have found that over the years, fleas are starting to develop a resistance to certain products. If you find that the product you have used on your pet is not working as well, switch to another. I have found that "Comfortis" has worked excellent for resistant flea cases although you must use a separate product for ticks. You can purchase any of these products on our online pharmacy,visit our home page for details. Many of these parasites lead to other parasites that can be transmissible and harmful to you. Pets with fleas are predisposed to tapeworms which you can get. So keep the prevention on monthly and if there is a problem, call Pet-Fixer for the Fix.

2.)During the spring and summer pets are outdoor more often and may swim more or even need baths more often. Frequent baths or swimming can lead to skin problems and or ear infections. If you must bath your pet more than once a month use something mild like baby shampoo but avoid getting water in the ears. This and swimming are the main cause of ear infections. As prevention you should clean your pets ears out weekly but especially after water exposure. Please only use an approved pet ear cleaner. (Water based products, vinegar, alcohol, or peroxide can damage the ear canal) Most ear cleaners have a drying agent in them and facilitate keeping a dry ear environment.

3.) Pets that have seasonal skin allergies start having problems as soon as spring and summer arrive. Be mindful of this and call Pet-fixer for an evaluation for preventative medicated shampoos, and medicinal therapy. Many of these pets can benefit from a short hair cut during this season to allow the skin to breathe.

I hope these three spring tips were helpful to keep the vet away. If by chance you need the best mobile vet in town, give us a call we will happy to serve you and your pets curbside.

Dr. Dani

Pet-Fixer Inc.

"Rescue me"

2009-06-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

They Dont have a voice, if they did they would say: "Rescue me"

Times are hard for everyone. One of the most unimaginable things that could happen would be loosing everything including your beloved pet. This is a reality for many. Can you imagine having a pet for years and then overnight having to take your beloved friend to a shelter and walk away hoping only for the best. Many of us are suffering during these times, but there are also many of us who could make a difference. This is the time to visit a shelter, the humane society, or even a rescue to adopt a cat or dog and save a life. These pets are domesticated and solely dependant on us for the most simple level of care. It is our responsibility to care for them and lend a helping hand when our neighbor extends it in need. I worked at the humane society as well at animal control and I will tell you that they are extremely overcrowded, animals are housed literally on top of each other, they spread infections and stay ill in these facilities only to have their time expire as well as their lives. I apologize for being so direct but this is the blatant truth of the matter encouraging action for help. If they could talk they would say please help, but since they can not, I will ask for them. Please if you can extend your home, a hand at a rescue, donate money, feed a stray, foster a pet.. whatever you can do, it will make a difference. Before you research acquiring a pet from a breeder, check your local rescue, I am certain you will find exactly what you are looking for. There a millions of pets of all ages, breeds, colors, all with loving personalities at shelters waiting for a home. Remember to spay and neuter.
I appreciate in advance your help, even just your consideration is appreciated.

Dr. Dani
Pet-Fixer Inc.

Prevention

2008-10-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Prevention is the key. In these questionable economic times we must be more aware about our spending and do what we can to avoid unnecessary costs. If that means that you don't see me as often, that is OK because then I know that your pet is healthy and safe. Prevent medical problems by getting your pets examined and vaccinated every year. Keeping them vaccinated prevents serious disease and illness many which are costly to treat or even fatal. Keep your pets on proper heartworm and flea prevention prevents tapeworms as well. These are all costly to treat but relatively inexpensive to prevent. Keep your pets groomed regularly to prevent underlying skin problems, nail over growth, and anal gland issues as well as increased grooming fees. If you notice a problem, get it checked out sooner than later as it will be more expensive to treat a chronic problem. Consistency is important. Feeding the same food and avoiding foreign treats will alleviate a potential upset stomach and a trip to the vet. Keeping your pet in a regular routine will alleviate any mishaps and will ultimately save you in the long run.

As a country we are all feeling the burden of our economic crisis. Some more than others. We must not ignore the families who have lost their homes and their four legged friends alike. Many of these pets have been surrendered to animal control , humane and rescue organizations that are completely over populated and over burdened. Many of these pets will check in and never check out. Can you imagine this happening to you and your pet? The tip this month is to implore as many people as I can to consider lending a helping hand, either by donating time and resources to these rescue organizations, or even donating money to relieve the burden. If you can lend a helping hand , I encourage you to do so.

Back to School

2008-08-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

A Leash on Life is a public service

organization here in Atlanta. This annual community service project allowed us to vaccinate, spay and neuter pets at no cost helping parents to alleviate one additional burden as they prepare for this new school year.

Kids are back in school, now it is time for pet owners to go to school as well!

The first lesson in Dr. Dani's school of pet ownership involves puppy training 101. Remember, the puppy is not paying the mortgage, so take control of your house. House training requires a great deal of repetition, and reward! Crate training is the best method of training your new puppy's bladder. Be consistent and repetitive about the times that you take your puppy out for relief. It is OK to leave a puppy in a nice comfortable crate until those times arise for training purposes, you are training them, don't let them train you!! Reward them with favorable praise and even a treat when their house training practices are favorable. You can even tie a bell to a long ribbon on the handle of the door you use to exit as a symbolic reminder of this great event! A smart puppy will learn to ring this bell for you to let you know it is time to go out! There is no set time period that is standard for all dogs. Be consistent for a few weeks and then give your puppy a chance to show off what has been learned!
The second lesson in pet ownership is to educate yourself as much as possible about preventative care. This will save a great deal of money, it will alleviate medical problems and ultimately keep the big bad vet away! Spay and Neuter is imperative to prevent over population, medical disorders and to prevent our pets from straying away and ultimately getting hit by cars. Vaccination is imperative and is the only way to prevent many fatal and infectious diseases spread among our pets. Some other preventive measures are: small breed dogs are predisposed for periodontal disease(bad teeth), Knee cap issues and heart problems. Active and athletic dogs often have orthopedic or ligament tears and ruptures. Cats can contract fatal diseases if kept outdoors exposed to other cats and suffer from urinary tract and kidney problems. Large breed dogs require a great deal of food and exercise and also suffer from hip and joint disorders. Know what things may happen so you can prevent and prepare for a long healthy and happy life with your pets!
An important lesson that I always encourage my clients about, is to know where the nearest emergency clinic is located closest to you! If you have an emergency you don't have time to spare.

Utilize pet services that are available to make your life easier. One of the most common causes for pets to loose their home is due to behavioral abnormalities. Cats spray in the house and dogs think they pay the mortgage. Behavioral specialists and remedies are available to help keep everyone in place. Pet sitters, mobile groomers ( ie. Pet-Fixer mobile grooming~;),
pooper scoopers, trainers, boarding resorts are all services available to make your life easier.

I hope this little lesson was enough to aid you in getting an "A" in caring for your pets.

Remember, these are hard economic times for many, lend a helping paw and help keep our furry friends out of the shelters and at home where they belong!

Beat The Summer Heat

2008-07-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and along with it comes the heat!

Many outdoor dogs and cats that die during the summer months with no previous signs of medical problems usually succumb to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Unlike us, pets do not sweat. The only way they can exhaust heat is to pant. Many times without cooling aids, panting just isn't enough to prevent over heating and death.

Here are some helpful tips this month to help keep our friends cool:

1.) Dogs and cats have to wear a coat year round so we have to help them stay cool during these warm summer days. The best way to do that is to provide ample shade for our outdoor furry friends.
2.) Do not tie them up to a tree or stake, as many pets get wrapped around and cannot free themselves to find adequate shade.
3.) Do not take your pets for a quick run to the store. Even with the windows cracked, the car can heat up to a temperature that your pet cannot withstand. Leave them at home.
2.)Provide clean fresh water daily. ( Don't forget to thoroughly clean the water bowl as fungus can form quickly) I even add ice cubes to the water just because that's the way I like mine~;)
3.) A nice shave down for thick coated, or long haired dogs and cats is highly recommended.
Try Pet-Fixer Mobile grooming~;)
4.) If your dogs are outside all day long, why not let them run through the sprinkler, or let the sprinkler run over them to cool them down mid day.
5.) If it is hot out, do not take your dog for a 5k run, wait until it cools down and bring along some water for your running buddy.

If you ever get into a situation where you think your pet is overheated. Submerge their body in a tub of cool water, place alcohol on the pads of their feet, wrap them in towels saturated with cool water and rush them to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

The normal temperature for dogs and cats is between 99.5f to 102.5f. When they get into the 104f and above range they are in serious trouble!

Prevention is the key. Do your part by helping others help our furry friends that many times can't help themselves.

Dr. Dani
Pet-Fixer Inc.
At your service at your doorstep!

Pet Allergies

2008-06-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Spring is in full swing. Temperatures are rising, pollen is everywhere, and we are all sneezing!
Similar to the allergic reactions that we have, our pets suffer as well. Watery eyes, sneezing, eye and skin irritation are all probable signs of an allergic response to our green laden surfaces.

As much as I want to help you with your pets- I recommend that you try some home remedies first. The first thing you can do is make sure you clear the environment of mother natures green lace. You can hose off the deck, driveway, dog house or whatever environment your pet may inhabit. Benadryl can be used as a good antihistamine if your pet is showing signs of sneezing and watery eyes consistent with allergies. Yes Benadryl- the same kind we take. I would advise children's Benadryl just to be safe- and it should be given at a dose consistent with your pets weight. For example if your pet weighs 50 pounds you can give 50mg orally once or twice daily with food. Pills are easier to administer than liquid. Benadryl makes me sleepy-so this may also be a side effect for your pet. If your pet has a history of allergic reactions to this drug please do not give it or if your pet has an adverse reaction once given seek veterinary attention. This is rare but I have to advise you about all possibilities.

Keep some Saline Solution in your dog or cats medicine cabinet and use it to flush the eyes out if there seems to be eye irritation. Make sure you wash your hands carefully afterwards to make sure you are not contracting anything just in case it is more than just eye irritation.

Due to the rising temperatures and the rain and humidity- it might be a good idea to consider a grooming, a shave down or even a deshedding to allow the skin to breath and prevent seasonal skin problems.
Pet Fixer Mobile Groomer will be happy to help you with this!!! Mild shampoos including a baby shampoo or an oatmeal shampoo can provide a great deal of relief.

If you have a severely allergic pet and all else fails Give us a call and Dr. Dani will come to the rescue.
I hope this tip has provided you with some insight on starting this spring and summer months on the right or left paw!