Fleas!

If you notice your dog scratching and chewing at his own skin, you might want to check for fleas! Fleas not only cause bite marks, severe itching, and sometimes allergic reactions; they also are capable of spreading a parasitic tapeworm. Fleas are nothing to mess around with, so if your dog gets fleas, you're going to want to get them taken care of as soon as possible.

First, give us a call (253-872-8015) and set up a grooming appointment. Make sure you mention that you need your dog to have a flea treatment. Our groomer will use a special shampoo treatment to kill the live fleas that are on your dog's body as well as soothe sore, inflamed skin. A preventative flea treatment will then be applied that will keep your dog protected for a whole month.

While your dog is at the salon, make sure you wash and dry on hot all bedding, toys, and clothing that your dog sleeps on, plays with, or comes into contact with. You may also want to pick up a carpet treatment especially for fleas and vacuum all carpeted areas. Also vacuum out your car.

When it is time to pick up your dog, the groomer will explain the severity of the infestation and let you know what you can do at home to make sure your dog stays healthy and doesn't get re-infested!

Does your cat like to chew plastic, paper, or other things?

Domesticated cats have given up most of their wild ways for a cushy life with humans.

One look at their teeth, however, quickly reminds us that felines haven't lost their ability to bite and chew, just like their untamed cousins.

What they do with those teeth can be hazardous to all sorts of household objects -- and even to cats themselves if the nosh item of choice happens to be plastic.

What Could Possibly Cause My Cat to Chew Plastic?

The chewing or eating of any nonfood items -- dirt, electrical cords, carpeting and plastic -- is known as pica. "I occasionally see a cat who likes to chew plastic. Most of them are normal household items, such as milk jug rings, the plastic ends of mini blind cords and straws," explains Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, of Veterinary Behavior Consultations in St. Louis, Mo.

More from Vetstreet.com: 7 Things That Drive Veterinarians Crazy

There are various medical reasons for why a cat would develop pica, including dental disease or gastrointestinal disorders, so Dr. Pike advises cat owners to take their pet to a veterinarian to see if the pica symptoms are related to an underlying medical problem.

"Cats may also chew plastic due to anxiety," says Dr. Pike, noting that it could either be generalized anxiety or a reaction to a lack of environmental enrichment. Other major causes of anxiety that could induce a kitty to chew plastic: Social conflict with other felines in the household or situational stresses, such as storm phobias or separation anxiety.

"If the cat is anxious, there is a benefit to the cat -- it is a coping mechanism that may help to diminish anxiety, much like hair twirling or biting your nails," says Dr. Pike. "If the cause is not anxiety, chewing on plastic may just be something that the cat enjoys doing. However, the dangers include trauma to the gums or other soft tissues in the mouth, as well as obstruction in the GI tract."

How Can I Get My Cat to Stop Munching on Plastic?

If your vet has ruled out medical causes, and determined that anxiety is the root cause of the pica, Dr. Pike suggests enriching your kitty's home life by increasing playtime and adding more visual stimulation with things like cat puzzles and perches.

If the culprit behind the behavior is a social conflict between housemates, talk to your vet about seeing a veterinary behaviorist, who may recommend ways to reduce inter-cat aggression. Pheromones or medications might also help calm an anxious chewer.

Summer Pet Care

When the lazy days of barbecues and swimming pools roll around, you can make them even better by sharing them with your favorite pet. By following a few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of sun and fun.

• Never leave your pet in the car. Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave the furry ones at home.
• As you’re outside enjoying the warm weather, keep your pet leashed. It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn't just for dogs--even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them.
• Keep them hydrated. Whether you’re indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it’s full. If you and your furry friend venture forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of water for both of you.
• Pets need sunscreen too. Though all that fur helps protect her, your pet can get sunburned, particularly if she has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause problems similar to those it can cause in people, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. So keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and the tip of her nose.
• Say no to tangles. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat. If she has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip her.
• Watch out for antifreeze. Hot weather may tempt your pet to drink from puddles in the street, which can contain antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but it’s extremely toxic. When you’re walking your pet, make sure she doesn’t sneak a drink from the street.
• Be cautious on humid days. Humidity interferes with animals’ ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.
• Make sure your pet doesn’t overexert herself. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. If she’s panting a lot or seems exhausted, it’s time to stop.
• Take it easy on pets that can’t deal with the heat. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can’t pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.
• Bring them inside. Animals shouldn’t be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can.
• Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke (see "Signs of Heatstroke,"below), you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian’s care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.
  Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm’s way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution, both you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot dog-days of summer.
  
  Signs of Heatstroke:
  
• Panting
• Staring
• Anxious expression
• Refusal to obey commands
• Warm, dry skin
• High fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Collapse

Keeping Your Pets Safe on July 4th

The crash and boom of fireworks are a little scary for pets, especially those that are already a little skittish.

Regional Animal Services of King County is preparing for the 4th of July  by teaching people to help families find their pets. It's called Mission Reunite, and on Saturday they were training volunteers to help facilitate those reunions. Organizers say it's good to prepare for the holiday now by making sure your animals are tagged and microchipped - and plan on keeping them indoors

But even with those things, pets can still get away. The county says this area has a low rate of pet and owner reunions and they want to change that by giving pet owners support and strategies so they can bring dogs and cats home. Boarding your pet during the 4th of July holiday is a good alternative to keeping them locked up at home. Boarding facilities are designed with security in mind so you won't have to worry about your pet getting away because they are scared.

"The information about how to look for a missing dog versus of how to look for a missing cat, giving them posters and tagging their car with lost dog information, just giving them the tools they need to find their missing pet,” said Kat Albrecht, the founder of Missing Pets Partnership.

Albrecht says when they get scared dogs and cats do different things. Cats are more likely to run and hide somewhere near their home, possibly looking for shelter in a neighbors backyard, but dogs can run miles away and they’ll often get picked up by somebody.

The Importance of Training Your Dog

Happy Monday, fans! This week's blog post is all about why it is important to make sure your dog receives adequate training. Dog training is the foundation to having a happy, obedient dog and it is important to start teaching your dog good behavior as soon as they are old enough and mature enough to be able to understand and retain the information you are giving them.

It is important to make sure you find a training center that is reputable and ethical. If you're in Western Washington (this is most of you), our favorites are Jan at Sunstar American Bulldogs and Weimaraners and the crew at Family Dog Training Center. Once you choose a path that applies to your lifestyle and your dogs, the first step is basic manners and obedience.

When you take the time to give your dog the basic obedience training he needs, you develop a healthy, nurturing relationship with him which is the foundation for an easier-to-train dog in the future. Once you've gone through basic obedience with your dog, you can choose to continue to more advanced commands or even agility training if you have the time!

Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. Agility training is for both dog and handler as the voice commands required can take some time to master. Talk to your dog trainer about if agility training would be right for you and your dog.

Cat Adoption Specials in the Northwest

It's cat and kitten season, and if you're looking to add a new family member to your home, visit the following shelters for deals on cats and kittens!

To start, at the Seattle Animal Shelter, adoption fees for adult cats are being waived and adoption fees for kittens are reduced. It is kitten season, and the shelter is becoming extremely full with adorable cats and kittens that would love a safe home! All adoptions from the Seattle Animal Shelter include initial vaccinations, deworming, feline leukemia testing, a two-year license (if you have a Seattle address) and a certificate for a free health examination at a local vet.

At the King County Animal Shelter, cat adoption fees have been reduced to $30. This package includes all initial vaccinations, deworming, feline leukemia testing, spay/neuter surgery, starter bag of pet food, collar, and cat carrier. 

Pet First Aid - Basic Procedures

Emergency treatment and first aid for pets should never be used as a substitute for veterinary care. But it may save your pet's life before you can get your pet to a veterinarian.

Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
Poisoning is a pet emergency that causes a great deal of confusion for pet owners. In general, any products that are harmful for people are also harmful for pets. Examples include cleaning products, rodent poisons and antifreeze. But you also need to be aware of common food items that may be harmful to your pet. 

If your pet's skin or eyes are exposed to a toxic product (such as many cleaning products), check the product label for the instructions for people exposed to the product; if the label instructs you to wash your hands with soap and water if you're exposed, then wash your pet's skin with soap and water (don't get any into its eyes, mouth or nose). If the label tells you to flush the skin or eyes with water, do this for your pet as soon as possible (if you can do it safely), and call a veterinarian immediately.

If you know your pet has consumed something that may be harmful, or if the animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, telephone your veterinarian, emergency veterinary clinic or the Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888.426.4435 – available 365 days/year, 24 hours/day) immediately. There is a fee for the consultation.

If possible, have the following information available:

• Species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved
• Symptoms
• Name/description of the substance that is in question; the amount the animal was exposed to; and the length of time of the exposure (how long it's been since your pet ate it or was exposed to it).
• Have the product container/packaging available for reference.

Collect any material your pet may have vomited or chewed, and place it in a plastic sealable bag to take with you when you bring your animal in for veterinary treatment.

Seizures

• Keep your pet away from any objects (including furniture) that might hurt it. Do not try to restrain the pet.
• Time the seizure (they usually last 2-3 minutes).
• After the seizure has stopped, keep your pet as warm and quiet as possible and contact your veterinarian.

Fractures

• Muzzle your pet.
• Gently lay your pet on a flat surface for support.
• While transporting your injured pet to a veterinarian, use a stretcher (you can use a board or other firm surface as a stretcher, or use a throw rug or blanket as a sling). If possible, secure the pet to the stretcher (make sure you don't put pressure on the injured area or the animal's chest) for transport—this may be as simple as wrapping a blanket around them.
• You can attempt to set the fracture with a homemade splint, but remember that a badly-placed splint may cause more harm than good. If in doubt, it is always best to leave the bandaging and splinting to a veterinarian.

Bleeding (external)

• Muzzle your pet.
• Press a clean, thick gauze pad over the wound, and keep pressure over the wound with your hand until the blood starts clotting. This will often take several minutes for the clot to be strong enough to stop the bleeding. Instead of checking it every few seconds to see if it has clotted, hold pressure on it for a minimum of 3 minutes and then check it.
• If bleeding is severe and on the legs, apply a tourniquet (using an elastic band or gauze) between the wound and the body, and apply a bandage and pressure over the wound. Loosen the tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes. Severe bleeding can quickly be life-threatening—get your animal to a veterinarian immediately if this occurs.

Bleeding (internal)

• Symptoms: bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up blood, blood in urine, pale gums, collapse, weak and rapid pulse.
• Keep animal as warm and quiet as possible and transport immediately to a veterinarian.

Burns

• Chemical
  • Muzzle the animal.
  • Flush burn immediately with large quantities of water.
• Severe
  • Muzzle the animal.
  • Quickly apply ice water compress to burned area.

Choking

• Symptoms: difficulty breathing, excessive pawing at the mouth, choking sounds when breathing or coughing, blue-tinged lips/tongue.
• Use caution – a choking pet is more likely to bite in its panic.
• If the pet can still breathe, keep it calm and get it to a veterinarian.
• Look into the pet's mouth to see if a foreign object is visible. If you see an object, gently try to remove it with pliers or tweezers, but be careful not to push the object further down the throat. Don't spend a lot of time trying to remove it if it's not easy to reach—don't delay, and get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
• If you can't remove the object or your pet collapses, place both hands on the side of your pet's rib cage and apply firm quick pressure, or lay your pet on its side and strike the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand 3-4 times. The idea behind this is to sharply push air out of their lungs and push the object out from behind. Keep repeating this until the object is dislodged or until you arrive at the veterinarian's office.

Heatstroke

• Never leave your pet in the car on warm days. The temperature inside a car can rise very quickly to dangerous levels, even on milder days. Pets can succumb to heatstroke very easily and must be treated very quickly to give them the best chance of survival.
• If you cannot immediately get your pet to a veterinarian, move it to a shaded area and out of direct sunlight.
• Place a cool or cold, wet towel around its neck and head (do not cover your pet's eyes, nose or mouth).
• Remove the towel, wring it out, and rewet it and rewrap it every few minutes as you cool the animal.
• Pour or use a hose to keep water running over the animal's body (especially the abdomen and between the hind legs), and use your hands to massage its legs and sweep the water away as it absorbs the body heat.
• Transport the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Shock

• Symptoms: weak pulse, shallow breathing, nervousness, dazed eyes.
• Usually follows severe injury or extreme fright.
• Keep animal restrained, warm and quiet.
• If animal is unconscious, keep head level with rest of body.
• Transport the pet immediately to a veterinarian.

What to do if your pet is not breathing

• Stay calm
• If possible, have another person call the veterinarian while you help your pet.
• Check to see if your pet is unconscious.
• Open your pet's airway by gently grasping its tongue and pulling it forward (out of the mouth) until it is flat. Check the animal's throat to see if there are any foreign objects blocking the airway.
• Perform rescue breathing by closing your pet's mouth (hold it closed with your hand) and breathing with your mouth directly into its nose until you see the animal's chest expand. Once the chest expands, continue the rescue breathing once every 4 or 5 seconds.

What to do if your pet has no heartbeat
Do not begin chest compressions until you've secured an airway and started rescue breathing.

• Gently lay your pet on its right side on a firm surface. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest on the left side, just behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand underneath the pet's chest for support and place the other hand over the heart.
• For dogs, press down gently on your pet's heart about one inch for medium-sized dogs; press harder for larger animals and with less force for smaller animals.
• To massage the hearts of cats and other tiny pets, cradle your hand around the animal's chest so your thumb is on the left side of the chest and your fingers are on the right side of the chest, and compress the chest by squeezing it between your thumb and fingers.
• Press down 80-120 times per minute for larger animals and 100-150 times per minute for smaller ones.
• Don't perform rescue breathing and chest compressions at the same exact time; alternate the chest compressions with the rescue breaths, or work as a team with another person so one person performs chest compressions for 4-5 seconds and stops long enough to allow the other person to give one rescue breath.
• Continue until you can hear a heartbeat and your pet is breathing regularly, or you have arrived at the veterinary clinic and they can take over the resuscitation attempts.

Please remember that your pet's likelihood of surviving with resuscitation is very low. However, in an emergency it may give your pet its only chance.