Bloat In Dogs Can Be Fatal !

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Bloat is a very very very serious condition which can be fatal in dogs.  Remember the movie Marley and Me?  Marley eventually died from this condition, which is one of the reasons I can't watch the last 20 minutes of this movie.. so sad !

There are ways to prevent and treat bloat in dogs and because this is such a serious and life-threatening condition, I wanted to write a blog post about it.

If you ever see your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms, PLEASE take him or her to your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

So let's get started.

What Is Bloat?
When bloat occurs, the dog’s stomach fills with air, fluid and/or food. The enlarged stomach puts pressure on other organs, can cause difficulty breathing, and eventually may decrease blood supply to a dog’s vital organs.

People often use the word "bloat" to refer to a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary care known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), gastric torsion and twisted stomach. This condition can cause rapid clinical signs and death in several hours. Even with immediate treatment, approximately 25% to 40% of dogs die from this medical emergency.

What Are the General Symptoms of Bloat/GDV in Dogs?

• Distended abdomen
• Unsuccessful attempts to belch or vomit
• Retching without producing anything
• Weakness
• Excessive salivation
• Shortness of breath
• Cold body temperature
• Pale gums
• Rapid heartbeat
• Collapse

What Causes Bloat in Dogs?
The exact cause is currently unknown. Certain risk factors include: rapid eating, eating one large meal daily, dry food-only diet, overeating, overdrinking, heavy exercise after eating, fearful temperament, stress, trauma and abnormal gastric motility or hormone secretion.

What Causes GDV in Dogs?
The exact cause is currently unknown.

What Should I Do If I Think My Dog Has Bloat?
Bring your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Timeliness of treatment is paramount, since a dog exhibiting signs of bloat may actually have GDV, which is fatal if not promptly treated.

How Is Bloat Treated?
Depending on your dog’s condition, a veterinarian may take an X-ray of the abdomen to assess the stomach’s position. The vet may try to decompress the stomach and relieve gas and fluid pressure by inserting a tube down the esophagus.

How Is GDV Treated?
If the stomach has rotated, emergency surgery is necessary to correct torsion. There are many complications that can occur both during and after surgery, including heart damage, infection and shock; intensive post-operative monitoring for several days is routine. Most vets will recommend that during this surgery, the dog's stomach be permanently attached to the side of the abdominal cavity in order to prevent future episodes.

Are Certain Breeds Prone to Bloat/GDV?
Most dogs love to overeat if given the opportunity, so any dog, from a Greyhound to a Chihuahua, can get bloat.

However, it is very rare for dogs that are not large, deep-chested breeds to be struck with GDV. This condition most often afflicts those dogs whose chests present a higher depth-to-width ratio. In other words, their chests are long (from backbone to sternum) rather than wide. Such breeds include Saint Bernards, Akitas, Irish Setters, Boxers, Basset Hounds, Great Danes, Weimaraners and German Shepherds.

How Can I Prevent Bloat/GDV?

• Feed your dog several small meals, rather than one or two larger ones, throughout the day to avoid eating too much or too fast.
• If appropriate (check with your vet), include canned food in your dog’s diet.
• Maintain your dog’s appropriate weight.
• Avoid feeding your dog from a raised bowl unless advised to do so by your vet.
• Encourage normal water consumption.
• Limit rigorous exercise before and after meals.
• Consider a prophylactic gastropexy surgery (which fixes the stomach in place, as described above) if you have a high-risk breed.

There are some new dog food bowls that can help with "eating too fast".  Whatever you choose to do, please be aware of any of these symptoms.  It is our responsibility as pet parents to take care of our doggies !

10 Tips For Bringing A Kitten Into Your Home

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, Owner/President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, Illinois

I love kittens.  They are just the cutest things on the planet.

As the owner of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care in Round Lake, Illinois we have taken care of alot of cats but not too many kittens.  We do get a lot of puppies but I wanted to take some time to help people bring their new kitten into their home.

Here are 10 tips to help you:

1. Kittens are sometimes adopted at six weeks of age, but 10 to 12 weeks is better. Those extra weeks spent with his mother and siblings help a kitten learn acceptable behavior, from getting along with siblings to getting used to human contact. If a kitten has been gently handled and has gotten used to humans, he will be friendlier and better adjusted. In choosing a kitten, look for one that is inquisitive, doesn't shy away from your touch, and is ready to play.


2. Make sure you make an appointment with your veterinarian a few days after you get your kitten so he/she can be checked out.


3. Kittens grow very fast in their first year and need different nutrition than adult cats. Purchasing specially formulated kitten foods fitting their nutritional requirements should be given until the kitten is a year old.  


4. Away from his littermates or mother, the kitten needs to feel secure as well as warm. Keep your kitten's bed in a quiet place, away from household traffic.


5. Litter training is easy -- cats instinctively bury their waste -- but takes patience. Put the litter box in a corner or other secluded spot. After your kitten has awakened from a nap, or shortly after she's finished eating, place her in the box. If she doesn't dig or scratch, gently take one of her front paws and simulate digging with it. Praise her if she uses the box, but never punish her if he doesn't. Just place her in it at hourly intervals until she gets the idea.  To discourage clawing furniture, provide a carpet-covered scratching post.


6. Although everyone will want to hold your new kitten, limit handling for the first few days while your new pet adjusts. Set up his bed, litter box and food in a quiet room where he can be secured until he gets to know his new home. Introduce one family member at a time, allowing the kitten to come to you and learn your touch.  Make sure you supervise children when they are handling the new kitten.  Children should be taught to be gentle with their new furbaby.


7. Kittens can get tangled or choked by anything swinging or hanging. Therefore, keep your new pet safe by securely anchoring drape or blind cords out of reach.  To prevent chewing on electric and phone cords, bundle them with a cord manager and fasten away from kittens' reach. Remove poisonous plants, and roach or ant traps and make sure the toilet lid is down. Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinets closed so your kitten doesn't encounter bleach, detergent, dental floss and other household items when exploring.In the laundry area, keep washer and dryer doors closed: A kitten may climb into a warm dryer for a nap. Remember, if something would be harmful for a toddler, it's the same for your kitten.


8. Kittens can be spayed or neutered as early as eight weeks of age, but your vet can determine the best time for this surgery. Spaying protects your female kitten from the risk of mammary, uterine and ovarian cancers, and spares her the stresses of pregnancy. Neutering a male reduces his risk of prostate cancer, and he won't "spray" to mark his territory. Because the urine of intact males literally stinks, neutering your kitten will make the litter box cleanup less of a chore. Spaying or neutering also helps reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.


9. When you first bring your kitten home, he may miss his siblings and mother. He'll meow in confusion or wake up during the night. Ease his stress by picking him up, stroking him while speaking in a soothing tone. Wrapping a ticking clock in a towel and placing it near his bed to remind him of his mother's heartbeat.


10. Always purchase toys that are safe for kittens.  Most pet stores have a variety of safe toys to choose from.

I am so excited for all of you who have chosen to bring a kitten into your home.  If you love them they will give you years of love back!!

9 Ways To Help Your Arthritic Dog

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care - Round Lake, IL

As the President/Owner of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care - Round Lake, IL, we do take care of senior dogs from time to time.   Some of these dogs do show signs of arthritis so we take extra special care of them.

Arthritis in a dog is not uncommon.  Canine arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, is characterized by pain and inflammation in a dog’s joints. Arthritis is caused by the breaking down of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the bones that form a joint. Once the bones are exposed, painful wear and tear can occur.

I personally use a "Help Em Up" harness for my dog Sebastian.  For more information about this harness please go to:  http://helpemup.com.

Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis are:

• Walk stiffly
• Limp or favor certain limbs
• Show stiffness or discomfort when getting up from a lying-down position
• Display lameness in certain limbs
• Appear to have stiff, swollen or sore joints
• Seem to experience pain when touched in certain areas
• Seem to find certain positions uncomfortable or painful
• Suffer loss of flexibility in their joints
• Be hesitant to jump, run or climb stairs

There are ways to help your dog with arthritis.  First things first, make sure you take your dog to your veterinarian to diagnose and help treat them.

Below are 9 ways you can help your arthritic dog at home:

1. Getting or keeping your at their correct weight can help by decreasing the load on his joints. Your best bet: feeding your dog the right amount of high-quality food.
2. Controlled exercise is a must, but make sure you carefully monitor your dog while he/she plays, walks, or runs. If possible, find a soft surface for activity.
3. As much as possible, keep your dog warm and dry, since cold and damp conditions can aggravate arthritis. Consider investing in a padded dog bed and apply warm compresses to painful joints.
4. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation to a professional animal massage therapist, as massage can increase your dog’s flexibility, circulation, and sense of well-being.
5. Pain medication, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve pain, and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs can also play an important role. Talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any medication.
6. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can be used to help improve joint mobility and support better joint functioning for dogs with arthritis.
7. Acupuncture isn’t just for people. This painless technique has shown some success in animals suffering from arthritis.
8. If your dog’s arthritis is advanced, surgery may be an option. Ask your veterinarian about the pros and cons of surgery and what you can expect.
9. Be sure to take steps to adjust his environment at home. Some things that can help an arthritic dog include: providing soft supportive bedding for his achy joints, using ramps to help a dog get in and out of a car or up to a bed, and putting down carpeting and secure rugs to help him get traction as he walks.  I personally use a harness for my dog which helps in lifting him up from his shoulders or his hind end.

Dogs get older too just like we do.  Give them lots of affection and supportive care and he/she will feel so much better.

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Has Won The 2014 Best of Round Lake Award

Press Release

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Receives 2014 Best of Round Lake Award

Round Lake Award Program Honors the Achievement

ROUND LAKE June 5, 2014 -- Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers has been selected for the 2014 Best of Round Lake Award in the Pet Sitter category by the Round Lake Award Program.

Each year, the Round Lake Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Round Lake area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2014 Round Lake Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Round Lake Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Round Lake Award Program

The Round Lake Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Round Lake area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Round Lake Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. 

economy. 

If you live in the Lake County Illinois area and need pet sitting or dog walking services, give us a call.  You can also schedule a free inhome consultation through our website.  Just go to: www.snagglefoot-roundlake.com.

8 Steps To Feline Dental Health

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, Round Lake, IL

Does your cat have stinky breath?  Before you give him a breath mint you might want to check and see if he is having dental problems.

Dental problems in domestic cats are due, in part, to diet. Cats were designed to hunt and catch small prey, which they devoured more or less whole. The abrasive action of hair and feathers and bones from prey animals probably helped to keep their teeth clean. Current diets may predispose cats to tartar and plaque formation, as well as the development of feline oral resorptive lesions or cavities.

Your cats teeth should be inspected regularly. Many dental problems go undetected until they cause major symptoms. Cats resist examination, particularly when suffering from a painful mouth. A good program of home dental care will prevent many problems that would otherwise lead to a poor state of health and nutrition.

Before doing anything you should always make sure you get some advice from your veterinarian.

Here are 8 steps to take care of your cats teeth at home:

1. Smell your cats breath. A cats breath may not smell like roses, but it shouldn’t be offensive either. If your kitty’s mouth has an abnormally strong odor, he may have digestive problems or a gum condition such as gingivitis, and should be examined by a vet.
2. With your cat facing you, gently push back his lips and take a look. The gums should be firm and pink, not white or red, and should show no signs of swelling. The teeth should be clean and free of any brownish tartar, and none should be loose or broken.
3. Watch for any of the following signs that could indicate problems in your cat’s mouth:
• Dark red line along the gums
• Red and swollen gums
• Ulcers on gums or tongue
• Loose teeth
• Pus
• Difficulty chewing food
• Excessive drooling
• Excessive pawing at the mouth area
4. At any sign of gum inflammation, you should take your cat in for a veterinary exam. If left untreated, gum disease can develop, possibly leading to tooth loss or inability to eat. This can also be a sign of more serious diseases.
5. Chew toys can satisfy your cat’s natural desire to chomp, while making her teeth strong. Gnawing on a chew toy can also help floss your cat’s teeth, massage her gums and scrape away soft tartar.
6. If your cat has dental troubles, ask your veterinarian to recommend a cat food that keeps feline teeth healthy and helps to remove plaque buildup.
7. Bacteria and plaque-forming foods can cause a buildup on a cat’s teeth. This can harden into tartar, possibly causing gingivitis, receding gums and tooth loss. The solution? Regular teeth cleanings.
8. All you’ll need to brush your cat’s teeth are cotton swabs and a small toothbrush and tube of toothpaste formulated for felines. You can also use salt and water. Ask your vet to suggest the brushing supplies that he trusts, and be sure never to use toothpaste designed for people—the ingredients can be unhealthy for your cat.  Brush your cat’s teeth at home by following these simple steps:

• First get your cat used to the idea of having her teeth brushed. Start by gently massaging her gums with your fingers or touching a cotton swab to them.
• After a few sessions, put a little bit of cat-formulated toothpaste on her lips to get her used to the taste.
• Next, introduce a toothbrush designed especially for cats—it will be smaller than human toothbrushes and have softer bristles. Toothbrushes that you can wear over your finger are also available and allow you to give a nice massage to your cat’s gums.
• Finally, apply the toothpaste to her teeth for a gentle brushing.
• A veterinary exam beforehand may be helpful to find out if your cat’s gums are inflamed. Many cats have mild gingivitis and brushing too hard can hurt their gums.

Your cats health is your responsibility.  If you take care of them, they will cherish you with love for many years to come.