Pets and More

Archive for the ‘Our Pets’ Category

When you think of the amount of wear and tear that a dog’s paw takes, it really is amazing that there isn’t a higher rate of dog paw injury.  True the skin on a paw pad is the toughest on a dog’s body but then think about all the running, leaping, stopping on a dime and scratching that a dog does.  Nike could only dream about making a sneaker that was as durable.

 

But on occasion your canine friend will push the paw beyond its limits or cross some terrain he shouldn’t and winds up with a dog paw injury.  Fortunately most of these wounds can be treated by the dog owner and do not require an expensive trip to the vet.

 

That said, never hesitate to go to the veterinarian if your dog has a serious injury or you feel uncomfortable treating your pet yourself.

 

Another important point to keep in mind whenever you are treating your pet at home is your dog is in pain and he’s not going to take kindly to you causing more.  It’s a smart precaution to place a muzzle on him before you attempt to help him out.

 

Common Dog Paw Injuries and Treatment

 

Cuts and Abrasions

A dog’s paw has many blood vessels just below the pad so any cut, deep or shallow, will probably bleed quite a bit and your first job is to stop the bleeding.  If you are away from home when the injury occurs you’re going to have to find something to use as an improvised bandage to control the bleeding until you can get him home.

 

Once at home you want to clean the wound using an antiseptic wash like hydrogen peroxide diluted in water or failing that, just soapy water.  If the wound is deep then know you are going to need to visit the vet for stitches.  If however, it’s a shallow cut then put a little antibiotic gel like Neosporin on the cut and then bandage.

 

The bandage should be a piece of gauze secured by loosely wrapping a self adhesive tape around it.  Make sure the tape is not snug as you don’t want to cut off circulation.   The cut should heal in three to four days which means you will probably have to replace the bandage at least twice to prevent infection.

 

Objects Lodged Between Toes

 

This is probably the most common of paw problems.  Burrs, glass, pebbles, thorns and even the dog’s own hair can get stuck between his toes and cause a fair amount of pain.  Removing these objects is fairly simple but you want to make sure your dog is muzzled for this one.

 

Removing these objects is best done with a steady hand and a pair of tweezers.  Use a pair of sewing scissors to trim the hair if required.  If the object has punctured or scrapped the pad, apply an antibiotic and bandage the dog for a day to prevent the gel from picking up more debris.

Using an Elizabethan Collar

 

These collars are usually associated with efforts to keep dogs from biting themselves but in this instance what we need to do is prevent the dog from chewing off the bandage.  Yes he’ll look a bit goofy but if you don’t collar him you are going to be constantly reapplying bandages.

 

The best way to treat dog paw injury is to prevent it.  Always be aware of the surface your dog is walking on.  If you’re out for a walk and the pavement is hot you’re not doing your pal any favors.

 

 

-
About the Author:
Your dog is part of your family and he looks to you as his first responder. Do you know what to do when he comes down with a bout of vomiting or diarrhea? Do you know how to treat dry or cracked skin on his paw? How about that constant scratching of itchy skin, do you know how to ease that? Well you can save a trip to the vet and treat your pooch at home by visiting http://homeremediesfordogs.com
Article Source

Tags: dog paw injuries, paw pad, hydrogen peroxide, Our Pets, self adhesive tape, dog paw injury

If you think Leash Training A Puppy  looks simple, then take this challenge: Walk an untrained puppy around a city block without getting pulled persistently.

Stop The Pup From Pulling
It is very probable that you (eventually) can stop the pup from pulling and get him to walk along side of you. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to walk your puppy around the block without feeling like your arms are going to fall off?

Make The Time For Leash Training
A caution – leash training a puppy requires focused time, but it will be spread over several weeks. The payoff is worth the effort. If you cannot allocate time to train 10-15 minutes a day, don’t even try it.

Rules For Leash Training A Puppy
- The objective – get the puppy to focus on you, the trainer, and your movements.
- Reward positive behavior, ignore negative behavior.
- At first, the surroundings should have minimal distractions.
- The training works best when the puppy is hungry.
- In the beginning, train for short time periods. As the pup improves, increase the training time, but stop when the dog gets tired.

Tips For Leash Training A Puppy
1. Required items:
- A Puppy
- A leash, not retractable
- A collar, body harness, or Gentle Leader
- Treats
- A place to leash train

2. Get the pup to sit at your side.

3. Start walking, and as soon as the puppy pulls, STOP. When the dog looks at you, lure him back to your side, and start walking again. Reward positive behavior ONLY; for example, the puppy’s walking by your side looking right at you.

Step 3 is the point requiring the most patience and persistence, especially with a young, wiggly, energetic puppy. You can be stuck in this step for days; not to worry, eventually the right behavior will dominate.

Last Step
4. Once you get the pup to walk by your side in a straight line for more than 10 steps, you can change direction randomly. This will encourage the pup to pay attention to YOU.

Get expert help leash training a puppy: http://www.squidoo.com/new-method-for-leash-training-a-puppy

-
About the Author:
Valerie Mills writes about topics such as internet marketing, designer dogs, and age-defying fitness. Visit these blogs for more information:http://affiliate-marketer-success.blogspot.comhttp://designerpuppys.blogspot.comhttp://agedefiance.blogspot.com
 
Article Source

Tags: leash train, leash training a puppy, gentle leader, body harness, Our Pets, energetic puppy

Are you considering purchasing one or two hermit crabs for your child? These small little pets are good for teaching young children responsibility. Be sure to read over the facts and tips regarding hermit crabs.

Age range: Best for children at least 8 years of age or older.
Lifespan: Hermit Crabs can live up to approximately 20 years.
Body size: Normally 1″-3″ long. Some can grow up 6″.

• Land hermit crabs are considered omnivores. They eat both animal and plant matter during their lifetime.
• Non-aggressive creatures; they allow human beings to handle then but will pinch when they feel threatened in some way.
• Hermit crabs are considered socialable and can be kept with other hermit crabs.
• A hermit crabs outer skin needs to be shielded in order to grow.
• Be careful not to drop a hermit crab. Doing so can cause bodily damage or even death.
• Supplement their diet by feeding them fruit and vegetables (apples, bananas, leafy veggies, and grapes). Fruit and vegetables help boost a crabs’ overall health.
• Use non-metallic water containers when supplying hermit crabs with water. They are sensitive to metal.
• A lid should be placed over the tank to prevent a hermit crab from escaping.
• Tank temperature should be between 70-75 degrees. Should not be placed in the direct sun.
• Hermit crabs are slow eaters. It is recommended to place food in their tanks at night and then remove the leftovers in the morning.
• Be sure to wash your hands after handling your hermit crab.

About Queen City Petsitting | Charlotte Pet Sitting

Serving the Charlotte area, Queen City Pet Sitting offers an array of services worthy of any pet owners respect. Jump onboard the Pet Taxi for a ride to the veterinarian, order a quick grooming, or even ask for an errand run to return your late movie rentals. Whatever the case may be, these pet care sitters promise to get it done!

To learn more about Queen City Petsitting, visit us at www.queencitypetsitting.com

-
About the Author:
Serving the Charlotte area, Queen City Pet Sitting offers an array of services worthy of any pet owners respect. Jump onboard the Pet Taxi for a ride to the veterinarian, order a quick grooming, or even ask for an errand run to return your late movie rentals. Whatever the case may be, these pet care sitters promise to get it done.
Article Source

Tags: land hermit crabs, Our Pets, aggressive creatures, water containers, pet taxi, tank temperature