Bloat can be deadly. Is your dog at risk?

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GVD), commonly known as “bloat” in dogs, is a very serious and dangerous health condition. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach becomes abnormally enlarged or distended. Stomach torsion is the abnormal positioning of the stomach which is caused by the stomach’s rotation about its axis, i.e. twisting of the stomach. Bloat usually leads to torsion, although torsion can occur without bloat. Chronic gastric volvulus (ongoing mild torsion) may not cause typical signs of GDV, but should be suspected in dogs with intermittent vomiting, weight loss, mild bloating, rumbling sounds in the bowel (borborygmi) and/or belching.

Facts about bloat:

• Dogs weighing more than 99 pounds have an approximate 20 percent risk of bloat.

• In a study done by the Perdue University Research Group, headed by Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman, the Great Dane was  the number one breed at risk for bloat.

• In 1993, a statistical study involving 134 dogs with gastric dilation and volvulus was conducted by the School of  Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany. In this study, 66.4 percent of the bloated dogs were male and 33.6  percent were female.

• Most dogs with bloat are between the ages of 7 and 12 years old.

• When combined with the complications of GDV, bloat is a leading cause of death to dogs, second only to cancer. While  the exact cause of bloat is still unknown, some evidence suggests a familial association.

• A risk factor associated with death following surgery for bloat is when the dog has exhibited clinical signs of bloating  for greater than six hours before seeing a veterinarian.

Information provided by The Veterinary Information Network.

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K-9 Companion offers services to all pets! No matter the size, breed, temperament of your pet our sitters are equipped to handle them. Our sitters have worked with a wide variety of animals including dogs, cast, birds, fish, ferrets or any other small animals, including exotics and in many different settings. We know that not all dogs or cats welcome change. That being boarded brings out another side of your pet and that they may do better in their own home. Or that some animals require care and can not be boarded at a typical facility.
Whether for business or vacations, traveling can be stressful. Not only for you, but the sad-eyed best friends at home! Knowing your pet(s) are well cared for eases the stress and gives you peace of mind. K-9 Companion pet sitters will come to your home one to four times a day, depending on your pet’s needs. Fresh food & water, administering medications (if required), walks or cleaning litter box(s), cages are all part of the service.

There are benefits to Pet Sitter vs. Boarding:
• Pets are happier & healthier in their own home environment.
• Eliminates trauma for your pet of being left in an unfamiliar place.
• Eliminates the hassles of transporting your pet to and from a kennel.
• There is no exposure to other animals, sickness or parasites.
• Relatives, friends or neighbors will not be inconvenienced by your pet and the additional responsibilities.
Gives you peace of mind, knowing that your pet and home will be cared for by a professional.
Services provided by our sitters:
• Fresh food and water. Our sitters will feed your preferred diet for your pet(s). Fresh, frozen, raw or any special diets will be feed regularly. This includes dogs, birds, fish, reptiles and exotics.
• Our sitters will provide regular walks/runs to stay on your pet(s) normal routines. This includes any regular playtime that your pet is accustom to.
• Our sitters will show all the love and friendship possible. Each sitter is an animal lover and understands that pets require love, attention and affection to remain happy and healthy.
• Our sitters will see that any “accidents” your pet may have are cleaned up and disposed of in the manner you desire
• Our sitters will see that birds, reptiles and rodents, other small animals’ cages are regularly cleaned and replace bedding and/or newspapers. This provides your pet with a healthy living environment, aiding to keep your caged pet healthy.
• Administer medications, when required. We understand that animals have health issues and requirements, as we do. Should your pet require regular medications, we will see that these are administered as directed by you. By providing us with the medication names and dosages, we can see that your pet gets the medicines it needs to stay healthy.
• Provide care for terminally ill pets. Keeping a terminally ill pet comfortable and happy is heart breaking and hard enough without the added stress of having to leave them. Therefore, we are happy to say that we have experience in working with terminally ill pets and can see to their comfort, support and love in your absence.
• Seek medical attention in the event of an emergency. In the event your pet becomes ill or suffers an injury while you are away, we will be there to see that it received the medical attention it may need. We will transport it to the veterinarian, return your pet home, and see that any new medications, therapy and rest they need to recuperate are taken care of. We, after seeing to their comfort, we will contact you to inform you of your pet’s health issue and what has been, and is being, done to see to their care and comfort.
• Bring in mail and newspapers.
• Provide Certified Pet First Aid and CPR, if the need arises. K-9 Companion Pet Sitting Services can provide your pet with Certified Emergency Pet First Aid and/or CPR should the need arise. By being certified, you can rest assured that we know what to do to handle your pet’s emergency immediately.
Please contact us with any other questions that you may have.

K-9 Companion strives to provide the best care possible for your pet(s).

This male saved a neighbor!

So many pit bulls and other breeds of dogs have put their lives on the line for their families.  Saving families from fires, domestic violence, intruders into homes and other animals.  One very sweet female gave her life to protect her human kid from a copperhead.

It isn’t just children who suffer from the back to school blues—pets can suffer too. After a long, fun summer, an empty house can be a difficult adjustment for pets. Pet Sitters International advises pet owners to become familiar with the signs of pet separation anxiety and how it can be treated.

Pet separation anxiety is a psychological term to describe the stress and anxiety brought on by separation from the primary pet caretaker. This issue can become a serious medical condition, with cases and their accompanying symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Most pet owners are familiar with the more common symptoms, but many may be surprised to learn that the full extent of the symptoms begin before the owner leaves and continues long after their departure.

“Symptoms of anxiety such as whining, panting, salivating and following the owner around begin when the owner is preparing to leave the home,” Dr. Valarie Tynes, DVM and Diplomate American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, said. “Once alone or otherwise separated from their attachment figure, dogs may bark, whine, pant, salivate, eliminate and destroy items. Often times, the items they destroy are the areas surrounding doors and windows, as if the animal is trying to escape or go after their departing owner.”

Even if your pet is exhibiting these behaviors, separation anxiety can be difficult to diagnose.

“There are so many reasons that anxious behavior exists,” Tynes said. “The best way to confirm a diagnosis of separation anxiety is to collect video of the animal after the owner has left.”

Tynes warns that once separation anxiety has been diagnosed, treatment may be very complex and lengthy.

“It depends entirely on the animal, the environment, the severity of the problem and possibly how long the problem has been going on,” Tynes said. “Treatment may include a variety of different anxiety-relieving medications, exercises that teach the dog it is okay to be alone and making departures and arrivals less exciting.”

Tynes advises that pet owners with new pets at home or pets suffering from separation anxiety start with short absences and gradually increase the length of time the animal is left alone. She also encourages all dog owners to leave their dog with a special treat.

“The treat should be something they only get when alone and it should be picked up when the owner returns,” Tynes said. “It can be anything special to the dog but ideally it is something that the dog has to spend time working on such as food balls, tug-a-jugs or stuffed Kong® toys.”

If a pet with separation anxiety engages in destructive behavior while alone, Tynes advises pet owners to refrain from punishing the pet when they return home.

“Punishment causes a dog with separation anxiety to become anxious, both about being alone and by the owner’s return. This intense conflict can seriously worsen the problem,” Tynes said. “Other big mistakes I have seen are people who try confining their dog because of destructive behavior. Confinement teaches dogs to try harder to escape and severely worsens its anxiety.”

Tynes recommends that pet owners contact a veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist immediately if their pet is suffering from separation anxiety. “Don’t wait to seek help,” Tynes said. “Most behavior problems do not simply go away and most worsen with time. The single biggest mistake I see dog owners make is trying to ignore the problem in the hope that it will go away.

Using the professional pet-sitting services of a PSI member business makes it possible for pets to continue their daily routines when pet owners are away. A professional pet sitter can help alleviate some of the anxiety and stress that pets exhibit when left alone.

Preparing for disasters can save your pet’s life

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere and can take many different forms.  If a disaster strikes, do you have a disaster plan?  K-9 Companion Pet Services encourages all pet owners to create a disaster plan.

Planning for disasters is the best way to protect your family, and as a pet owner your disaster plan must include your pets.

Allison Cardona, director of disaster response for the American Society for the Protection Against Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), said that most people don’t believe that a disaster could ever happen to them, but people need to know what natural disasters are possible in their geographic regions, have a disaster plan in place and practice their plan.

If a hurricane is about to make landfall, there isn’t time to figure out what to bring and where to go.  People should already know where they are going and have the supplies on hand.

“The best way to survive a disaster is to prepare for a disaster,” Cardona said.  “People need to research pet-friendly hotels and shelters and create portable disasters kits for all the people and all the pets in their family.”

When disasters strike, people can be displaced from their homes for just a day or for several weeks.  It is essential to a pet’s well being to compile the following supplies in a portable container and keep the container in an accessible location:

• A crate for each pet that is large enough for the pet to stand up and turn around in.

• Food and water dishes.

• A file on each pet that contains health history, vaccination dates and a recent photo.

• A leash and collar with all pertinent information on the tags readily available. This will include pet’s name, rabies tag and contact phone number – remember to include your cell phone number since you will not be at home.

• An ample supply of food, water and medication for the pet with specific feeding and medication instructions written out in clear handwriting.

• Remember that you can not predict Mother Nature. You may be evacuated much longer than you had originally thought. Pack enough supplies for an extended stay. If you don’t need them, great! You can keep them on hand in case of another emergency situation.

• A muzzle and harness is a good idea in case behavior becomes less than desirable for the place you are staying. The pets may be put into close contact with many new pets they do not know and they may have to be cared for by people they do not know.

• Flashlights, batteries, trash bags, baby wipes, newspapers and paper towels should be included if pets either get sick or go to the bathroom while in their crate.

It’s best to also formulate a plan in case disaster strikes while you are away from home and cannot reach your pets.

“Ask someone who is already familiar with your pets, especially their hiding places, to care for your pets if you are unable to reach them,” said Cardona.

Someone could be a trusted neighbor or a professional pet sitter.  (Your Company’s Name) is a member of Pet Sitters International, the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters.  PSI members have access to the most extensive benefits, including PSI’s Accreditation Program which includes extensive and thorough training on disaster planning.

Whether evacuation is necessary or not, be sure that pet’s stick to their normal routine to help restore normality. Cardona suggested that a comfort item (a favorite toy or blanket) be brought for each pet to help them relax and adjust to their new, temporary environment.

Once returning home, Cardona suggests that pets be allowed time to acclimate themselves to their surrounding since things could be extremely different from the last time.

“Start small, allow pets to explore small areas with supervision and then gradually expand the area,” advised Cardona.

A proactive approach to disaster planning is the best way to ensure the safety of everyone and every pet.

Visit www.petsit.com, www.aspca.org or www.hsus.org for more information on disaster planning.

What is a zoonotic disease?

According to Webster’s College Dictionary, it is any disease of animals communicable to humans. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 75 percent of all emerging diseases in the world today are zoonotic. That includes mad cow disease, bird flu, West Nile virus, monkey pox, SARS and more. Unfortunately, the bioterrorism threat of anthrax is also a

zoonotic disease. The risk of pet sitters contracting illnesses from their companion animals is low.

To minimize the risk of contracting an illness, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises pet owners to, “Practice good personal hygiene, keep pet areas clean, control disease carrying insects and get regular vaccinations and veterinary care for their pets.” According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) the most common zoonotic diseases you are likely to encounter are:

Salmonella

Salmonellosis is the disease caused by the Salmonella bacteria and is transmitted primarily by reptiles and the feces of baby chicks and ducklings. The CDC reports that 70,000 Americans contact salmonellosis each year from reptiles. Dr. Scott Stahl, a veterinary reptile practitioner

and past president of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians advises people not to eat, drink or smoke around reptiles. Reptiles should also be restricted from areas where food is being prepared or eaten. “Reptiles tend to intermittently shed the organism,” said Stahl, “so a fecal culture may return a false negative. Once the bacteria are shed in droppings,

Salmonella may be found on the reptile’s skin, its cage, the floor and any other surface the animal

touches.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that elderly people, children less than 5 years old, people undergoing treatment for cancer, people who have received organ transplants

and people with suppressed immune systems are at a higher risk for all zoonotic diseases, especially bacteria-borne illnesses.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin and can be easily spread from companion animals to humans. In pets, ringworm appears as a dry, scaly, itchy patch in the skin. In humans, it often appears as a round lesion with a scaly ring around the edge, accompanied by redness

and itching. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has reported that infected pets often come from households that have a large number of animals. This may also be true of pets that routinely come in contact with a variety of many different pets, such as those at dogs parks or

in dog play groups. The Cornell Feline Health Center advises, “Infected pets continuously drop fungus spores from their skin and fur. These spores, which remain capable of causing infection for many months, are difficult to eradicate from a household. To reduce environmental infection, confine infected pets to one room until they are free of infection, then thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire household.”

Roundworms and hookworms

Roundworm larvae can migrate through the body, damaging organs and tissue. They are known to damage the retina of the eye and cause blindness. Hookworm larvae migrate just under the skin and can cause inflammation and pain. And they can also eventually reach the small

intestines, where they attach themselves to the intestinal wall and live off of blood from their human host. Both roundworms and hookworms are common in companion animals and can be passed along to humans through fecal contamination. It is imperative to have yearly fecal exams

for your pets and keep parasites under control. Timely removal of fecal material in litter boxes, houses and yards is just as important to your own health as it is to your pet. Dr. Jim Humphries, president and news director for the Veterinary News Network states, “The most wide-spread zoonosis are diseases caused by parasites, such as common roundworms found in puppies

and kittens. The CDC estimates that more than 10,000 people in the United States annually test positive for roundworms and more than 750 will partially lose their vision. Worse yet, the raccoon roundworm are becoming more common. As humans move into formerly wooded areas and raccoons adapt to tolerate an urban lifestyle, infection with this parasite may become more likely. Unlike the more ordinary canine roundworms, raccoon roundworms have been known to cause death in humans.” Lower your risk you can lower your risk for contracting diseases with a single practice. Dr. Humphries advises, “The simplest action is to simply follow a rule common to restaurants, schools – and your mother – ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS! Routine and thorough

hand-washing has been shown to reduce the incidence of many bacterial diseases. In a similar fashion, hand washing after playing with pets or roaming the backyard will greatly diminish the possibility of picking up a nasty parasite, like roundworms.”

Cat Scratch Disease and Rabies

Even combined, the numbers of people in North America who are affected by zoonotic diseases is just a fraction of the number of people who are injured by their companion animals. Dog bites and cat-related injuries are far more common. The CDC reports that more than 4 million people are bitten by dogs annually and tens of thousands of people seek medical attention each year

because of injuries associated with cat scratches and bites. Cat Scratch Fever is a flea-borne infection that is transmitted to humans through a scratch or bite. It causes infection at the site of the injury and can result in swollen lymph nodes, fever and lethargy. Any cat scratch or bite should be treated seriously by thorough cleansing and disinfecting. If problems arise, consult a doctor for follow-up treatment and antibiotics.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal to humans and can affect any warm-blooded animal. It is usually transmitted via saliva through the bite of an infected animal, but can also pass from host to human via infected saliva or blood coming in contact with an open wound or mucous membranes. Due to strictly enforced government vaccination requirements, the incidence

of rabies in domestic animals had been partially controlled. The FDA reports that today, domestic

animals account for fewer than 10 percent of the reported animal rabies cases – and very few of these are companion animals. However, rabies in dogs, cats, horses and cattle has risen in some parts of the U.S. in recent years, most notably in the eastern and south central parts of the country. It is important to make sure that your pets are up to-date on their rabies vaccinations.

While post-bite treatments are effective and readily available, the best course of action is prevention – and that means vaccination. Other zoonotic diseases? Believe it or not, we have just dipped a toe in the disease-infested waters of zoonosis. There are also insect-born diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. Other parasitic diseases include giardia,

leptospirosis or mange. And there’s always bird flu, monkey pox and the plague! But the chances of companion animals passing these diseases on to their own owners are slight. Vaccine protocols have greatly decreased many zoonotic diseases and similar strategic de-worming plans may help to stop zoonotic parasites as well. If you have any questions, please consult your veterinarian. Dr. Humphries concludes, “Educate yourself about zoonotic diseases. Don’t allow unfounded fears to dictate your happiness with your four legged friends.”

under watch all the time. There are a number of steps that pet owners can take to help ensure

pets are safe around the home when pet owners are not there. Follow these five tips to help keep your pet safe:

One person’s trash - Dogs and cats alike seem to love the smell, taste and texture of trash, and they

will go out of their way to play in that arena while you’re away. The problem is many things in our trash that may seem benign to us can be dangerous to pets, including chicken bones, which are choking hazards because of their brittle nature. Take all the trash outside when you leave for any length of time, or place trashcans out of pet’s reach.

Do sweat the small stuff – Remove small toys, string and other choking hazards such as rubber bands  from your pet’s area in your home. They may love these things as toys, but the risk of choking is high. Consider, too, if your pet’s toys are sized appropriately for him. A ball meant for a smaller animal can lodge within a larger one’s throat.

Eight lives and counting – Cats aren’t always as nimble footed and self sufficient as legend has it. Check for places where they can become stuck, such as behind the refrigerator or in fireplace openings,

and seal up those openings. Close all toilet lids before you leave the house. Finally, put away those toys

you may enjoy with your feline friend that include strings. Left alone with one, your animal can quickly choke.

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop - Pets enjoy their routines. And if you’re going to be away for an

extended period of time, or if you’re going to be away at times of the day when you’re usually at home with your pet, consider hiring a professional pet sitter to help your pet stick to its schedule. It is reassuring to the pet, and can help alleviate some of the mischievous exploring that often leads to disaster. A good pet sitter knows how to think like a pet and can quickly scan your pet’s environment for known dangers.

Before hiring a sitter for your pet, make sure the pet sitter is bonded and carries adequate liability insurance. Finding a pet sitter who is accredited through a national association like PSI is also a real plus. Be sure to make time for a face-to-face interview in your home with the sitter and your pets. Conducting an initial interview is an excellent time for you to check credentials and ask important questions.

Disaster and emergency planning can save the day - All pet owners should have a disaster plan and kit for each of their pets. According to Jennifer Miler of St. Petersburg, Florida, Pet Sitters International’s 2007 Pet Sitter of the Year™, “Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, as well as unforeseen man-made disasters like chemical spills, can close off a residential area in short order. The key is to be prepared as best as you can and it only takes a small amount of preparation.” You should be able to pass the “five minute preparedness test,” meaning in five minutes or fewer, you should be able to get your pets and their emergency kit out of your home.

A Pet Disaster Kit Should Include:

• A copy of your Emergency Disaster Plan

• Pet first-aid kit and book

• Road maps and street guides

• Photocopies of medical records

• Recent photos of your pets

• Pet medication

• A separate carrier for each pet

• Pet feeding dishes

• Pet food – Be sure canned food has a pop-top

• Bottled water – a week supply for each pet

• Extra leashes, collars and harnesses

• Dog stake or cables

• Muzzles

• Gloves – heavy gloves and disposable rubber gloves

• Small or disposable litter boxes

• Kitty litter – scoopable is most convenient

• Disposable garbage bags

• Paper towels

• Liquid soap, disinfectant and bleach

• Blankets and towels

• Flashlight

• Portable radio

• Extra batteries

• Scissors

• Pocket knife

• Pillowcase of Evac Sack

• Pet toys

• Pet treats

There are things I love about being in Texas and one of those is that people are allowed to own what ever kind of dog they want.  Follow a few rules – keep it on a leash in public, keep your pet contained in a fence or a tie out; if needed.  And that if your dog bites someone that you and your dog are held responsible.  The current vicious dog laws only affect the dogs that truly hurt someone or another dog.
Current Texas laws do not discriminate against one breed or breed mixes.  Some laws makers are pushing to change it so that they can discriminate against specific breeds and breed mixes.  That means any person in Texas could be subjected to these changes. Changes that could ban all Pit Bull looking dogs, so it won’t just affect American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire, American Bulldogs, but any dog that looks like a “pit bull.”  Any mix breed could fall under this as well.  This also means that if an official thinks your dog looks like one of these breeds that are on a ban list they can take it.

In researching this I found a minimum of 75 breeds listed on breed bans across the US.  So what does this mean to you?  That even if they pass laws that allow breed discrimination it could very well affect you and your pets.  Some of the pets found on these lists are Airdales, Husky, Aussies, Boxer, Bulldog, Spring Spaniel, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Keeshond, Newfoundland, Golden retriever, St. Bernard, Rhodesian Ridgebacks. So breed bans won’t just affect “Pit” Bull owners or many of the other bully breeds.

“Pit” Bulls like many other breeds have worked along side people for generations.  It’s only been in more recent times that banning breeds and vicious dog laws have had to surface.

By the way the dog in the picture, His name is Sammy.  Though he has a box head, tan color, muscular would you assume that he is a pit bull or pit bull mix?  Well, Sammy’s family did a DNA Test – He’s Greyhound and Boxer.

Please help fight these breed discrimination laws.  They affect so many more dogs out there.  Many that people would not think about.