Being A Dog Owner Can Manifest Good Fortune

Dogs represent protection and loyalty. It is widely believed that rescuing a dog and welcoming them into your home will bring you good luck and good fortune. Check out the luck dogs bring to four different cultures.

Egypt 

Anubis is an Egyptian god with the head of a jackal (of canine ilk), Anubis dons the super-powerful sensory perception of the dog to ensure, safe passage from “life” to Afterlife. In this ancient light, we get distinct impressions of Security, Guardianship, Protection.

Ireland

In Celtic symbolism, dogs are a representation of heroism. This is due to the Celtic dog’s role in hunting and assisting in battle. They embody Courage, Persistence, Virility. Celtic dogs are also a symbol of healing. They are often associated with Nodens, the Celtic god of nutritive waters, hunting, and healing, and Succellus, the Celtic god of protection and provision.

Native American Indian 

Tribes have long depended upon the dog for their helpful guidance and assistance in everyday chores. Dogs were trained to help the tribe in agricultural efficiency as well as hunting. In Native American wisdom, dogs convey symbolism of Assistance, Fidelity, Community, Protection, Friendship, and Communication.

China

Fu dogs, which are really lions, are statues that are usually placed outside the home for It is believed that they are called dogs because they closely resemble a Chow Chow. Fu dogs are displayed in pairs, one male and one female. This is to keep balance; the Yin and Yang. The female and male complement each other.

If you find yourself with a stroke of good fortune, make sure to thank your dog!

6 Tips for the Perfect Pet Photo

Have you ever tried to take a photo of your pet only to find your phone album full of images that are too close up or blurry? If so, these 6 tips will help you capture the perfect shot.

1. Use Natural Light

When possible always use natural light when taking your pet’s picture either by being outside or in a sun-lit room. Avoid flash, as it tends to cause red-eye, and can also frighten the animal.

2. Keep the Eyes Sharp

Use your pet’s eyes as a point of focus. Having sharp eyes is important in any kind of portrait photography because eyes are very expressive.

3. Go to Them

If your pet is comfortable and at ease, your likely to get a better shot. Get down to their level; This pivots the angle adding a more appealing background than the floor.

4. Use Burst Mode

If your pet is constantly moving, try using burst mode. You’ll get a lot more photos to choose from, increasing the chances of getting a good one.

5. Surprise Them

Once you have your shot composed, have someone call their name or whistle. This will surprise your pet and catch their attention, giving you a few seconds to capture them in a nice and alert posture.

6. Get Your Dog to Smile

Who doesn’t want a picture of a happy dog? Have them play with a toy, chase you for 5-minutes, or take them for a quick run. An active dog is a happy dog and will likely flash you a huge smile after settling down.

Did you catch a great photo of your pet using these tips? We would love to see it over on our Facebook page!

It’s Feline a Lot Like Christmas: 5 Decorating Tips For a Pet Safe Holiday

The holiday season means holiday decorations! If you have a pet at home, follow these 5 tips when decorating for a safe and happy holiday season.

1. Choose the Right Spot. Pick an area where the decorations can be enjoyed by the family without becoming a temptation for your pet.
2. Hide the Cords. Electrical cords are a grave danger to pets –especially puppies and kittens that chew on anything. Secure the cords by positioning them higher than the pet can reach or hiding them with special covers.
3. Ribbons. Big velvet ribbons are a lovely addition and offer a safer replace to tinsel and garland that can be eaten by cats and dogs and caught in their intestine. Cats are especially attracted to the bright shiny tinsel. Ingestion of this material can cause intestinal obstruction that may require surgery.
4. Presents. Consider storing the presents in a safe area until right before the holiday or make sure your pet is always supervised while investigating and searching for his special gift.
5. Supervise. Pets that continue to disturb decorations should be encouraged – using positive reinforcement – to leave it alone.

Your a wizard Gibby!

The Phoenix Comicon is this weekend and although it is not pet-friendly, we didn’t have the heart to tell Gibby that!

What is Chronic Kidney Disease and is your pet at risk?

Value of SDMA

One of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in veterinary medicine is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in senior cats. CKD is progressive and results in kidney failure and death, Unfortunately, we often diagnose this disease in its late stages. Historically we have been able to do a combination of blood and urine tests, looking for an elevated BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and Creatinine to signify disease within the kidneys. While these tests are accurate, they only tell us there is kidney disease after 75% of kidney function is lost. With this system many cats may have significant kidney disease lurking, but appear to be normal on blood-work.

Fortunately a new test is available and it is changing how early we can find this disease. A new test called Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a renal marker that detects CKD when only 25% of kidney function is lost. This is much earlier in the disease process, and therefore allows us to make recommendations for care earlier. Earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention may mean a better prognosis over time.

 

Sorry, but ice cubes don’t kill!

A news story that has been making the rounds on Facebook describes the experience of a dog owner who experienced a condition referred to as “bloat”. This dog allegedly consumed cold water/ice cubes and required intensive medical intervention to save his life. While “bloat” ( otherwise known as a gastric volvulus and torsion) can be life-threatening if not identified and treated immediately, the pet owner who wrote the story in question is WRONG to blame the temperature of the water consumed or the ice cubes. Without second guessing the message communicated to the owner or her interpretation of the information provided by her vet, cold water and ice cubes do not kill dogs. The cold temperature of the water or ice cubes was not RESPONSIBLE! I give my dogs ice cubes in the summer and cool water without any concerns at all.

What’s that “fishy” odor when my dog scoots?

Dogs and cats have anal glands near the rectum. These glands produce secretions that have a strong odor often described as “fishy” or “foul”. The glands are usually expressed as your pet passes stool, however obstruction or inflammation of the gland can lead to discomfort. The “scooting” observed by many dog owners is an attempt to relieve the discomfort. The expression of material from the glands is commonly associated with fear or anxiety, but isn’t necessarily associated with a disease. Regular expression of the glands can also occur while your pet is groomed or at your veterinarian’s office. Pets that are overweight, on restricted diets, or with a prior history of infection/obstruction may benefit from having a veterinary professional express the glands on a regular basis to avoid problems in the future. In the most severe cases the glands can be removed surgically since the glands do not perform a necessary function for the health and well-being or your dog or cat.

What to look for in a rattlesnake bite

It is spring in Arizona and that means one thing: rattlesnake season.   Rattlesnakes love the warmer weather so are more likely to be out in our yards and on our sidewalks.

If your dog is bit by a rattlesnake there are usually two puncture wounds from the fangs at the area of the bite.  The bite will likely be very painful and become swollen quickly.  The venom from the snakebite can cause extensive swelling, infection, respiratory distress, and other deleterious effects on the body.  In rare cases a rattlesnake bite will be fatal. Prognosis depends on multiple factors-size of the snake, the number of bites, amount of venom injected, location and depth of the bite, and the age, size and health of the dog.

If your dog is bit by a rattlesnake it is important that they are seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.  Time is of the essence when treating a rattlesnake bite- the sooner, the better.

Thinking about the possibility of a rattlesnake bite before it actually happens could be beneficial to your pet.  A rattlesnake vaccine is available and will help your dog build antibodies against the snake venom.  The vaccine does not negate the need for treatment after a bite, but can reduce the severity of clinical signs and increase survival odds.  Rattlesnake training is also available in various places throughout the valley.  This type of training teaches dogs to steer clear of rattlesnakes.

As the weather gets warm, keep your pets safe by watching closely for rattlesnakes!

Why does my dog make this weird “snorting” sound when breathing?

The weird snorting sound, or reverse sneeze, is the result of spasms of the soft palate and throat. Causes can be from any irritation to the throat from excitement, allergies, exercise, eating and drinking, pollen, mites, etc. Brachycephalic breeds are more prone due to the long soft palate which gets sucked back into the throat when breathing. Smaller breed dogs are also more prone to it possibly due to the size of the throat. Cats are usually not affected by reverse sneezing.

Treatment is not usually necessary unless it is due to a mite or due to allergies. In most cases the reverse sneeze will resolve on its own.  Dogs can start at a young age and continue their whole life with it. As always if you are concerned with it, please call your veterinarian and schedule an appointment.

Why I vaccinate my OWN dogs?

Vaccines get a bad rap from the ill-informed, new age pseudo-veterinary folk on the web. The case for vaccinating your dog against a variety of contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases has never been stronger, and the discretion that veterinarians use when deciding to vaccinate a dog has never been more judicious. As a veterinarian I thought it was important to share my personal reasons for vaccinating my own dogs:

1. Low Risk, Doesn’t mean No risk: The diseases we vaccinate against can produce serious illness. I don’t feel comfortable as a pet owner putting my dogs at risk especially since the side effects are infrequent and rarely severe.

2. My dogs are social animals, so are yours: My dogs frequently interact with other dogs. I don’t want my dogs to be a vector for spreading disease. Anyone who allows their dogs to interact with other dogs at a park, kennel, day care facility, etc. is helping to protect the population of dogs by vaccinating their pets, not just their own.

3. I vaccinate against real concerns, with proven vaccines: We have many available vaccines but  I choose to vaccinate against diseases that my dogs may at risk for being exposed to. I never use a vaccine that has not proven itself effective at reducing the severity of disease (e.g. corona, giardia).

4. Scientific evidence trumps opinion every time: The efficacy of our current vaccines has been well substantiated, while the risks are extremely small. I always encourage people to get the facts from a reliable source, like their vet, before making a blanket judgement about their pet’s care from advice on the web.