The A to Z Of First Aid and Emergency Care For Dogs and Cats, a BOOK Review

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I recently had a health scare with our greyhound, Seba.  As happens so often, once the stress was over, I wanted to share it with our readers…

She had been alternating between diarrhea and constipation for at least four hours, then that evening was pacing around the house, anxious and crying in obvious pain.  Greyhounds are a vocal breed, and Seba’s no exception.  But this was different.  Ironically, I’d just finished reading The A to Z Of First Aid and Emergency Care For Dogs and Cats by Aaron Glover.  One of the first things it says is, know your pet.  Well, this was just not Seba.

I knew it couldn’t be bloat, because she hadn’t been outside running around either before or after eating, but I felt along her abdomen anyway, to see if she would react.  She didn’t.  That was a good sign, but she still would not stop pacing and whining.  It was obvious she needed to go outside, and the telltale greyhound gas cloud was conspicuously absent.

But you see, the thing about Seba is: she’s terrified of the dark!  This has been the case since we rescued her.  At first, we thought it was a visual issue, but for her we concluded that something happened at the track to frighten her–perhaps the same reason she is afraid of brooms, who knows?  So of course, she had a diarrhea episode in the kitchen and then hid, because she was so ashamed.

I flipped back through the A to Z guide…but diarrhea was in the section on vomiting, with emphasis on the latter–and there was no vomiting!  In fact, Seba had gobbled up dinner and water as usual, then tried to mooch for more.  The crying started about an hour after.

Now I began to worry that she had a bowel obstruction.  She had enjoyed both a rawhide and a natural beef knuckle bone just a couple of days before–was it possible a small piece of either had broken off and was caught in her digestive system?  That could mean an expensive surgery was ahead.  Worst of all, greyhounds have been known to die from the simplest procedures requiring anesthetic, because they have so little fat on their bodies that the dosages have to be very delicate and precise.

Overnight, she got me out of bed several times, crying to let her outside. She would hover a long time near the open back door, then dash into the dark to go and I would wait by the door to let her right back in.  In the morning, she ate and drank as usual, but seemed exhausted and miserable from the night before…

I went into the office, and let my boss know right away that I would be going home for lunch to check on her condition and, depending on what I found, might not return that day.  Lucky for me, he and his wife have two dogs of their own, so he immediately understood my concerns.

When I got home for lunch, I was relieved to find no new accidents in the house.  But she did still have diarrhea in the yard.  So I called our vet’s office, and explained her symptoms.  Upon hearing that she was still eating and drinking, they felt it was unlikely to be a blockage, but instead some weird bacteria picked up in the yard. Apparently, this happens to a lot of dogs that like to experiment with eating things like grass, gnawing on downed tree branches and eating other animals’ poop.  Yum, right?  But they wanted me to bring her in for a stool sample, to be sure.

Once there, they felt around her abdomen just as I had, took the sample, then after testing it, prescribed an anti-biotic followed by a probiotic. Long story short: the anti-biotic worked almost immediately and she is feeling back to her old self. I’m so relieved!! (And not just because it was a $60 vet bill instead of $6,000).

Now, I told you that story to tell you this one: I’m not sure I would have taken the same steps with as much speed when this cropped up if I hadn’t been reading this book at the time…

Also, I discovered some interesting facts I didn’t know and you might not either.  For instance:

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Checking for Dehydration:

1) Check the skin by using the turgor test. (Pinch a small area of skin together in your fingers–at full hydration it should spring back almost faster than the eye can see, and more slowly if the pet is dehydrated).  If the skin does not return to normal, the animal is 10-12% dehydrated and likely in critical condition.

(I actually did this for Seba, since I didn’t know for sure how long she had been having the diarrhea.)

Bee Stings/Insect Bites:

1) Certain stings can cause your pet to faint!

2) Never put pressure on the venom sack of a stinger still in the wound.  It can cause it to inject more of the venom into the pet.

Eye injuries:

1) Any time the pet’s eyelid cannot fully close, you can use pure honey to keep it moist until it can be treated.  Honey also gives an anti-bacterial benefit.

There’s this and so much more inside–so we definitely recommend this book!

 

 

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Joy Jones is a syndicated columnist living with her husband Dave in Anderson, Ohio.  When not working on Your Pet Space, she writes a metaphyscial column called The Midwestern Buddhist as well as urban fantasy and humor.  You can e-mail her at joy@yourpetspace.info as well as follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

What Does Your Dog Breed Say About You?

From a Chihuahua to a Great Dane, dogs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and display an array of temperaments. Studies suggest that the type of dog breed that you choose can tell a lot about your personality. The following are a few generalizations about what owning a certain breed says about your personality. How similar to your dog breed do you think you are?

Bulldogs

Bulldogs are determined, persistent, and do not give up easily. People who own bulldogs are said to be silly and love to laugh but can be viewed as stubborn at times. They are extremely efficient and methodical in completing tasks. While they appear intimidating, bulldogs are gentle and loving members of the family known for being hopeless romantics with sentimental streaks.

Terriers

Terriers are energetic, fun loving, and playful companions. People who own terriers are said to be flexible and able to focus on the task at hand. Just like the dogs, terrier owners are often feisty, brave, and competitive. They are extremely talkative and have good sense of humor.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers

Labs and golden retrievers are friendly, good-natured, and make wonderful family pets. Owners of these breeds put their families first and said to be easy going and carefree. Labs and goldens are known for having an active lifestyle and loving the outdoors. People who own these breeds are social butterflies who are honest and lovable.

Beagles

Beagles are inquisitive, loyal, and willing to learn new things. Owners of Beagles tend to be open to new experiences, curious, and willful. Beagle owners make great friends and bring laughter and joy to everyone’s lives. They can also have a mischievous side.

Poodles, Chihuahuas and Toy Breeds

Owners of these breeds are sincere, fun loving, and loyal. Toy breed owners are said to love traveling since the small dogs make excellent travel partners and can be easily put into a carrier. Owners of these dogs take pride in their appearance, are very neat and keep very orderly homes. They are very versatile and can enjoy evenings in with a bottle of wine or a night out partying on the town. See article Where Are Toy Breeds Today?

Boxers

Boxers are busy dogs that exude high amounts of energy. People that own boxers are said to live life to the fullest and are known to be extremely playful. Boxer owners are busy, love life, and quickly welcome strangers as new friends. Boxers banish stress with their silly and playful demeanor and their owners are generally happy-go-lucky people.

Cocker Spaniels

Cocker Spaniels are sweet, respectful, and gentle. Owners of this breed are charming, trustworthy, and affectionate. Cocker Spaniel owners are said to lead busy lives but put spending time with their family first. They maintain a group of close lifelong friends, which they much prefer to spending time with strangers.

English Pointers, Weimaraners, Irish Setters

These breeds are naturally alert, likable, and well-rounded companions. Owners of these breeds enjoy being active, outdoor activities, and hunting. They have a great sense of courage, are highly intelligent, easily excited, and motivated. These breeds are very energetic and their owners enjoy intense activities such as all day hiking and extreme sports. They can get bored easily if not subjected to new experiences.

Greyhound, Whippet, Basenji (Sight Hound Group)

Owners of these breeds tend to be more relaxed, calm, and introverted. Sight hounds enjoy the company of close groups of friends and prefer social outings with small groups. They are highly organized, curious, and always alert. People who own sight hounds are fast and agile and often excel at sports, especially track and field.

German Shepherds

German shepherds are sometimes shy around strangers but warm up once they get to know you. Owners of German shepherds would do anything for their friends and make extremely loyal companions that are protective of those that they love.

Dachshunds

Dachshunds are stubborn and brave, often acting as if invincible. When owners of dachshunds want something, they don’t give up until they get it. Dachshund owners love gardening and just like the dogs, digging up things. They can sometimes be bossy and often dislike not getting their own way.

Rottweilers

Rottweilers are determined and are often described as intense. This breed commands a certain amount of respect and is considered to be a courageous breed. People that have rottweilers are confident and are loyal and devoted to their friends and loved ones. They are laid back but quick to react if someone rubs them the wrong way.

Pugs

Pugs are often viewed as the “class clowns” of the canine species. People who live with pugs are cheerful and have a zest for living life to the fullest. Just like pugs who will do anything for a good belly rub, their owners enjoy frequent massages and days of pampering at the spa.

Doberman Pinschers

These dogs are very serious, intense, and determined. Owners are leaders versus followers and love to plan and organize a situation. People who live with dobermans are said to be very organized and go about achieving their goals in a polite yet firm fashion.

Siberian Huskies

Siberian husky owners are huge sports fans. Whether it’s Monday Night Football or college basketball, it’s likely that they are out watching the game somewhere or within the comfort of their own home. Owners of huskies enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor sports. They can be strong willed but are lovable and welcoming to strangers.

Great Danes

Owners of Great danes are good-hearted and responsible. They tend to work hard and put one hundred percent into everything they do. Great dane owners enjoy staying up on news and current events and welcome the chance to debate important issues with others. This breed tends to be serious and enjoys relaxing around the house after the workday is done.

Bichon Frises

People who own bichons enjoy being pampered and are considerate of their appearance. Bichons are naturally sociable and are the happiest when they are part of a family or among a group of friends. Bichon owners are self-assured and gravitate towards a classy lifestyle. They are often wine connoisseurs and art aficionados who enjoy dining at 4-star restaurants and being seen around the town.

Australian Shepherds

Australian shepherds are active and thoroughly enjoy being outside. Owners of this breed enjoy playing Frisbee at the beach, going to the park, and camping outdoors. This breed has a passion for living life to the fullest and people who live with Australian shepherds are said to have a lot of friends. Aussie owners can be competitive, especially when it comes to a sports match.

Pit Bulls

Pit bulls have a strong desire to please and will do anything for their family or friends. Pit bull owners are courageous, full of vitality, and are constantly looking out for those they love. They enjoy being around children and make excellent parents and grandparents. There is no better babysitter than a pit bull.

Mixed Breeds

Mutt owners are fun loving, open minded, and carefree. They enjoy coasting along and riding the wave of life over following strict and rigid plans. They don’t sweat the small stuff and keep their eye on the bigger picture. In their spare time, mutt owners are often seen volunteering at or spending time with their diverse group of friends.

In the comments section below, tell us how similar to your dog breed you think you are?

Content courtesy of Cesar’s Way.

What’s New At Your Pet Space?

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So…what’s new this week?

We have created a dedicated page to The Big E-Book Project!  Please check out this link at the top of our main page.  We are looking for any and all dog/cat/horse owners to contribute to this project.

Affiliate News

petbrosiaPetbrosia contacted us this week and invited YPS to do a free trial and product review on both their dog and cat food.  Watch this space for the result!

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In addition, three new contributors have been added to the Staff Page.  We are proud to introduce you to Tina Caldwell (professional dog and horse trainer), Cindy Huff (professional animal communicator) and Tina Whitehair (professional web designer for YPS).  Please check out their profiles and drop them a note with your questions and comments.

 We are always looking for quality content for Your Pet Space–from both pet professionals and pet owners.  This includes articles, interviews, product reviews, book reviews and your personal experiences.  Please contact us at joy@yourpetspace.info 

 

SATURDAY GUEST BLOG: What Is Animal Communication?

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I started hearing animals as a young child. As an adult, I was lead back to animal communication by my dog, Gaylord. I knew something was terribly wrong with him, but the vets could find nothing. I met the person who would become my animal communication teacher at my first psychic festival, and I was convinced that indeed people and animals COULD hear each other through her work with my dog. Since that time, I have seriously studied and practiced animal communication with all manner of critters including snakes, birds, tortoises, dogs, cats, horses, fish, and wildlife of all sorts. Along the way I became a certified Healing Touch for Animals practitioner, a Usui Shiki Ryobo Reiki Master, a Master in Crystology, and a certified Level 1 Equine/Canine relaxation massage therapist.  In 2001 I founded Animal Communication and Wellness Services (ACWS), and was joined in 2004 by Terri Noftsger. The primary focus of our business is to support families that include animals, helping both human and animal to understand one another better through animal communication and complimentary healing modalities such as HTA, flower essences, massage, essential oils and flower essences, and medical intuitive work. Our goal is to reduce the number of animals who are in shelters and rescue organizations through helping humans and animals understand each other. We participate yearly in several rescue organization events including the GABR Basset Bash & Waddle, Strut your Mutt, Glendale’s Spooky Pooch event, as well as many other events benefiting local rescues, shelters, and dog training clubs.

Communication is an exchange of information, feelings, or thoughts between two or more beings. Animal communication involves communication between human and animal, or between animal and animal. Humans and animals communicate on many levels, just as humans communicate with one another on many levels. We communicate with each other through sound, body language, smell and taste, and signals or cues. For example, when your dog or cat comes and sits in front of the refrigerator, chances are they are telling you that they are hungry and that they want you to feed them. They have communicated with you. Animal communicators use telepathic communication as well as the other forms of communication listed above to talk with animals. Most animals are very adept at telepathic communication, and are very happy when a human finally “hears” them. Animals communicate telepathically by sending pictures, feelings, phrases or words, or physical sensation to the communicator. The animal communicator in turn relays this information to the caregiver.
How does this work? While I can’t give you a precise scientific answer, we can explain how it works for us as an animal lovers and animal communicators. Basically it all starts with the heart connection we have with animals around us. When we feel love towards another human or an animal, we form an energetic connection with that being. Specifically, we are referring to the energetic connection that forms between the human’s heart chakra and the animal’s heart chakra. [If you don’t know what a chakra is, blog and let us know and we’ll explain that next time!] Two things happen when the energetic connection forms: the connection opens a “pipe” through which communication can flow; and the animal and human can then “hear” each other through that pipe. We can “hear” each other using a sense we all have called telepathy. This sense allows us to receive pictures, sounds, words, feelings, emotions, physical sensations, smells, tastes, and a “knowing”. Unlike our physical senses, telepathy lets us get information in a variety of forms!
Have you ever had the experience of “knowing” something is not right with your cat or dog? They seem to look and behave normally to you, but something is just “off”. The animal has telepathically communicated to you that something is wrong. When we talk to lost dogs or cats, for example, one of the things we ask them to do is send us pictures telepathically of what is around them. When a client wants to know if something is physically wrong with their pet, we ask the pet to share with us how they are feeling in their body. We can’t diagnose because we are not veterinarians, but we can provide the information the animal gives us in response to that question. That information could be in the form of words, visuals, an emotion such as tiredness, or a physical sensation that we get such as a feeling of nausea or pain in an area of the body.
The goal of animal communicators is to help humans and animals learn to live and work together more effectively by promoting understanding between them. In addition, we endeavor to teach humans how to “listen” to their own animals, thereby enriching their lives together tremendously.

 

cindyCindy Huff has agreed to do a regular feature for us here at Your Pet Space!  Feel free to post questions or comments to this post, or e-mail us with questions at joy@yourpetspace.info  You can also check out her bio on our Staff Page.  She’s looking forward to hearing from you!

Gun Dogs

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I handed the receptionist at my doctor’s office a business card as I was paying my bill, and we chatted about the “Your Pet Space” website for a moment.  As I was heading out the door a man in the waiting room asked, “What is it you are doing with hunting dogs?”

I chuckled. Our dogs are traditional hunting dogs, but we never hunt, so I replied, “I am teaching them to be house pets.”  We chatted about the website and how we are putting together pet care information in one place.

I haven’t hunted in years, but when I adopted my Brittany I thought I might want to get involved in field trials, so I started Castle’s training using tips in the book  Shortcuts in Gun Dog Training** by Ronald Mohn. Whether you intend to hunt or not, this book offers exercises that will help you bond with your dog.  It includes things all dogs need to learn such as coming when called, sit, wait, and stay.  My favorite exercise is retrieving.  The book explains how to teach your dog to retrieve game using a “soft” mouth as to not damage the game. It makes for a fun game of fetch.

What do you do with your dog? Dogs need to work out daily to keep their minds sharp and to expend their energy.  If they don’t spend their energy in a productive way they will use it in a destructive way. You have probably heard the sales pitch claiming you can train your dog in ten minutes, and that is true. Ten minutes a day every day. So choose a path with your dog that will be personal and meaningful for you, and work with your dog daily.

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Dave Jones is an insurance sales desk supervisor by day and a professional magician by night.  He lives with his wife Joy in Anderson, Ohio, but grew up on a farm with pigs, chickens and cows as well as dogs and cats.  You can e-mail Dave at mrjones@usa.com as well as follow him on Facebook.

**Shortcuts in Gun Dog Training is now out of print, so we suggest you reserve it at your local library.

FEATURE: Ask The Trainer

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Hi!  My name is Tina Caldwell. I have been training dogs and their families for about twenty years. I like to work with all kinds of dogs and people.  I have shown and competed in many different events over the years.   Some of my specialties are conformation, obedience and agility trials.  My favorite breed of dog is the cane corso.

          One of the questions I get asked a lot is:

Why should I take my puppy to obedience school?  

All pups should attend at least twelve weeks of school to have a good social foundation. All pups need to develop good social skill by being in a group class with other folks and pups.   I have found over the years, that folks tend to wait until problems develop with the pup, then decide to bring the pup to school.  It is easier to bring the pup to school and teach all the basic things a pup should know.  Simple  tasks such as sit, down, stay, come, leave it and loose leash walking.  It is nice to have a trainer on hand to help with things as the pup grows and changes. What I like best about puppy class is the pups coming and having a good play time with their puppy friends.              

Have a great day!

Do you have a question for Trainer Tina?  Send it to joy@yourpetspace.info