Top Ten Winter Skin & Paw Care Tips

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws.

Says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Hospital, “During the winter, products used as de-icers on sidewalks and other areas can lead to trouble for our animal companions, potentially causing problems ranging from sore feet to internal toxicity. Pet parents should take precautions to minimize their furry friends' exposure to such agents.” To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s paws and skin, please heed the following advice from our experts:

• Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home  humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and  in between the toes. • Trim long-haired dogs to minimize the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and  de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin. (Don’t neglect the hair between the toes!)

• Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry  your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness  between the toes.

• Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils  and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to  recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.

 • Dressing your pet in a sweater or coat will help to retain body heat and prevent skin from getting  dry.

• Booties help minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical ice-    melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes,  causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible. • Massaging petroleum jelly into  paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and chemical agents. And moisturizing after  a good toweling off helps to heal chapped paws.

• Brushing your pet regularly not only gets rid of dead hair, but also stimulates blood circulation,  improving the skin’s overall condition.

• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime, sometimes causing dehydration.  Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather and making sure she has plenty of water to  drink will help to keep her well-hydrated, and her skin less dry.

• Remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Animal  companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months and never be left  alone in vehicles when the mercury drops.

 SOURCE: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/top-ten-winter-skin-paw-care-tips

Meet Service Dog: Molly B.!

Here is Molly B.'s amazing story through the eyes of the ones that love her the most: her family!

Molly B., is my five year-old service dog and my best friend. I acquired her from a breeder in Upton, MA, shortly after my other dog, Buffy, passed away. Buffy, was not a service dog but a wonderful family pet and the primary reason I have a second golden retriever. The temperament of that particular breed is truly superior.

 My daughter is the one who suggested that I get a service dog. I have MS and to be honest, I never considered a service dog for myself. I spoke to several people at the VA in Bedford, MA, where I go for medical care and also with a friend of mine who runs the Kansas Specialty Dog program in Washington, Kansas. She suggested that I bring MollyB, to them for training. Molly, started her training right around the time that she turned one (about 7 in doggy years).

I never realized how much training goes into training a dog to become a service dog. Besides learning how to walk in public and having to continually ignore the reaching hands that pet her, she also has to be aware of where I am at all times. Molly, was taught to walk 3 feet in front of me, more in order to clear the way to help me avoid any mis-steps (common with MS). As we walk, she is constantly
  looking over her shoulders to see where I am. She knows her left and right and what straight means. She is completely hand command trained so no words need be spoken. When I stop she comes and stands at a forty- five degree angle in front of me between me and whomever I may be talking to.

When we are in a restaurant, she lays to the left of my feet. Molly B., knows me better than I know myself. What I mean by that is, if I am about to have an MS event, she seems to sense it about ten minutes before it hits me. While at home, she will start heading to the bedroom, which is an indication to me that I had better go lay down. Trust me, ignoring her is not the thing to do..... she becomes a persistent pest to get me to move. For example, she'll push against my legs to try to direct me down the hall to my bedroom. I've learned over time that it is better to listen, than to try to ignore her. If we are out, she will direct me to a chair where she lays at my feet until either help arrives or enough time passes and I am strong enough to continue.

 When we are home, Molly B.,has chores which she does each day; for example she picks up the dirty clothes from the floor and brings them to the laundry room and puts them in the basket to be washed. She has also been taught to bring me my medications and water, which I keep on a table by the bed. If I am in the other part of the house, she provides comfort when I don’t feel well and is always within a hands reach. Just touching her brings me tremendous comfort when I am not feeling well!

Each day Molly B., and I spend quality play time together. She runs on the treadmill when the weather keeps us closed in and cannot go out. She' ll run about a mile a day. When we are outside, she chases the ball and also enjoys swimming. I was told early on, to keep her mindset in that of being a service dog at all times. I am truly blessed with a special dog because when Molly B. sees the service dog vest come out, she immediately goes into service dog mode. We work at it every day and are very lucky to have her in our lives!

10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash

A retractable leash is not so much a leash as it is a length of thin cord wound around a spring-loaded device housed inside a plastic handle. The handles of most retractable leashes are designed to fit comfortably in a human hand. A button on the handle controls how much of the cord is extended.

Retractable leashes are popular primarily because they aren't as confining as regular leashes, allowing dogs more freedom to sniff and poke around on walks. But unfortunately, there are many downsides to this type of leash.

1. The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.
2. In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.
3. The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. Not only can that put the dog and whatever he may be chasing in danger, but also the cord can snap back and injure the human at the other end.
4. If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.
5. Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated tracheas, and injuries to the spine.
6. Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."
7. The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.
8. Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog's fear is then "chasing" her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can't escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes, but also of being walked.
9. Retractable leashes, like most retractable devices, have a tendency to malfunction over time, either refusing to extend, refusing to retract, or unspooling at will.
10. Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractables train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.
If your dog is well trained, gentle mannered and smart enough to master a regular leash and a retractable leash without being confused, you could be one of the rare guardians that can walk your pooch on any kind of leash without increasing risks to either one of you.

Source: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/06/11/retractable-dog-leash.aspx

Labor Day Safety Tips for Pets

1. Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals.

2. Always assign a dog guardian. No matter where you're celebrating, be sure to assign a friend or member of the family to keep an eye on your pooch-especially if you're not in a fenced-in yard or other secure area.

3. Made in the shade. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water, and make sure they have a shady place to escape the sun.

4. Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of paws' reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing-or even kidney disease in severe cases.

5. Keep your pet on his normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea.

6. Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingesting any of these items can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression in your pets, and if inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia.

7. Never leave your dog alone in the car. Traveling with your dog means occasionally you'll make stops in places where he's not permitted. Be sure to rotate dog walking duties between family members, and never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.

8. Make a safe splash. Don't leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers.

Source: http://www.dogster.com/the-scoop/labor-day-pet-safety-tips

Car Sickness In Pets

Does your dog throw up in the car when you go for rides? He may be experiencing typical motion sickness, just like some people do. Motion sickness usually begins very shortly after starting the car ride. The dog will begin to drool and then vomit. It’s not serious, but certainly not something that we like to clean up! To solve the problem, first try acclimating the dog to car rides. Do this by simply putting him in the car for a few minutes each day without going anywhere. Then try just going down the driveway and back, and the next day going around the block. Gradually build up the distance and time the dog rides in the car. 

 Sometimes this will help to decrease the dog’s anxiety over riding in the car and may help to decrease vomiting. If that doesn't work, there are some over-the-counter medications you can try. The medication will need to be given about an hour before the car ride. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation as to what drug to try and the dosage for your pet.

(Never give any medications to your pet without your veterinarian’s advice!) These drugs are safe, with drowsiness usually the only major side effect. But since your dog isn’t driving the car, that shouldn't be a problem! If over-the-counter drugs don’t work, your veterinarian may be able to suggest another method for curing the car sickness.

Source: http://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/dog_care/general_health/car_sickness.aspx

Tips on Flying With Your Pet

If you’re planning on traveling with your pet this summer, there many important things to keep in mind. Your pet’s first flight can be a somewhat traumatic experience, especially if they are used to sticking their head out the car window and enjoying the sights along the way.

 Here are some tips to help your pet have a safe flying experience:

 Book Early- Most airlines have their own pet policies, so it is important to find out what their rules are in regards to traveling with your pet.

 Visit The Veterinarian- It is important to make an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian for a check-up and make sure all vaccinations are up to date. Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of departure.

 Buy A Carrier- Whether your dog is a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, there's a pet carrier to match. Carriers are available in both hard-sided and soft-sided. Soft-sided carriers are more suitable for carry-on and tend to fit better under the seat, but they're only permitted in the cabin only. To make sure the carrier will fit under the seat on your flight check the size restrictions of the airline in our Airline Pet Policies section.

 After you've purchased an appropriate carrier, write your dog's name on it and include identification tags with your home address and phone number as well as the address and phone number of someone who can be reached at your destination. Carry a current photograph of your pet as well. If he's lost during the trip, a photograph will make it much easier for airline employees or the local authorities to search effectively. Take

A Test Drive- Animals travel under less stress when they are accustomed to their carrier before they travel. In the weeks prior to your trip, put your dog in his carrier as often as possible for trips around town.


 Source: http://www.bringfido.com/travel/top_10_tips/

Disaster Preparedness Tips

You may have heard about, if you were not part of, the natural disasters that have happened around the world.  One thing we know for sure is that hey can happen at any moment, so it is important to be well prepared. 

Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe. The best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared.

Here are 3 easy steps that will help you get started on disaster preparedness.

Step 1: Get a Rescue Alert Sticker to let people know pets are inside your home. 

Step 2: Arrange a Safe Haven in the event of evacuation.

Step 3: Keep an Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits handy and make sure everyone in your home knows where it is kept. 

Source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness

OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY AT SHAWSHEEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Come join us at Shawsheen Animal Hospital this Saturday April 5th from 10am to 2pm for our OPEN HOUSE!

Please be aware that we will not be seeing appointments this Saturday due to the festivities. There will be various giveaways and promotions.

We will have a dog trainer, Crazy Canines of Tewksbury available with an "ask the trainer" table, which will promote its new day care center for dogs. Representatives of Trupanion Pet Insurance will be on hand to discuss pet insurance plans and answer general questions about their company.

Microchipping will be available for $25 and will include the first year's registration. (A $15 savings off our regular price) Our trained dental technicians will offer complimentary dental evaluations to show clients the presence or absence of dental disease in their pet. The teeth will be graded on our scale of 1-4, and recommendations for care appropriate to the grade of dental disease will be given. A weight coach will be available to analyze a pet's weight and suggest lifestyle and diet recommendations based on the pet's condition. Paws 4 A Cure, a non profit organization that raises money to help fund life-saving veterinary care, often in cancer patients will be in attendance.

Kitty Angels of Tyngsboro, a no-kill shelter, is also expected to be on hand to offer cats for adoption. Auntie Dog of Tewksbury will be having a obedience seminar (weather permitting) at 11:30a.

We will have flea & tick product promotion and eduction.

 AM 980 WCAP Radio Station "The Voice Of The Valley" will be broadcasting live from Shawsheen Animal Hospital.

Today is Love Your Pet Day!

The month of February, seems to be all about love, and our pets are no exceptions. Today is Love Your Pet Day!  Give a special treat to your pet or just some extra cuddle time today.  We also share in your love for your pets!