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!

99 Problems But A Tick Ain’t One

By Sarah Brown, DVM

Did you know that a single tick can transmit infectious agents and cause serious illness in your dog? A tick only needs to attach for 24 hours to transmit disease. Tick-borne diseases are a growing threat to the health of our four-legged friends. According to the CDC, tick-transmitted diseases are rapidly increasing in humans, and infection rates have concurrently increased in dogs. The consequences of exposure to tick disease can be severe. Symptoms can occur early in the course of the disease, like fever, decreased appetite, lethargy, or lameness.

However, long-term complications can lead to kidney disease in dogs. Dogs exposed to Lyme Disease are at a 43% increased risk to develop kidney disease.

Dogs exposed to Ehrlichia (the most common tick disease in Arizona) are at a 300% increased risk to develop kidney disease.

Since we cannot avoid ticks altogether, the best way to reduce the risk is with a monthly tick preventative. Our hospital offers Credelio, a chewable tablet that kills quickly, within 8 hours. Credelio is safe and gentle for puppies as young as 8 weeks and as small as 4.4 pounds. Credelio can be given together with Interceptor. While we do not see fleas often in our patients, Credelio also protects against fleas in case of travel to flea-prone areas.

As with all diseases, prevention is far better than treating symptoms and managing chronic disease. Please consult with your vet with any questions on fleas and ticks or Credelio.

Grab A Cool Dog Treat at These Local Places

National Ice Cream Day is July 16th. Below is a list of local places your pup can get themselves a treat!

• Starbucks – The Puppuccino is a small cup filled with whipped cream sure to get two paws up.
• Shake Shack – The Pooch-ini is composed of dog biscuits, peanut butter sauce, and a vanilla custard. Yum!
• Dairy Queen – Ask for a Pup Cup at Dairy Queen and you’ll receive a small-serving of vanilla soft serve ice cream for your dog.
• Culver’s – Culver’s offers milk bones to dogs through the drive-thru but select locations put the milk bone in a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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!

5 Minute DIY Pet ToothPaste

February is Pet Dental Month. Brushing is the #1 proven method to maintain good dental health. Here is an easy at-home recipe for pet friendly toothpaste. The best part about it is that you can make it with ingredients that you probably already have lying around your kitchen.

Equipment:

Blender

Tupperware

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cube of chicken or beef bullion

3 Tbsp. baking soda

6-7 mint leaves

Steps:

1. Measure out the ingredients and place into a blender.
2. Blend until the mint leaves are thoroughly chopped and everything is mixed nicely.

Put extra toothpaste into an air tight container and store in your fridge. When you are ready to use, just take your puppy’s toothbrush and apply about a pea sized dollop of the toothpaste. It’s ok if your pup swallows this stuff, it won’t hurt them. Just make sure they don’t swallow any more than what is on the brush.

For questions on your pet’s dental health call us at 480-368-1741 or visit the dental page of our website here.

January is Train Your Dog Month

For those dogs who are fearful of going to the veterinarian, here are some tips from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

• Talk to your veterinarian about bringing your dog in for a few quick visits.
• Spend a few minutes in the reception area feeding your dog treats, then leave. The more often you can do this the more effective it will be, but even once a month can be effective.
• After your dog has had a few positive visits just receiving treats, have him get on the scale, feed him some treats, and then leave.
• Once your dog has had a few positive visits at that level, have the veterinary technicians feed him treats. Ask if you can take him back in an examination room. Feed him treats in the room and then leave.
• Repeat these steps until your dog struts into the veterinarian every time.

Some tips to remember:

• Always leave on a positive note. If your dog has a bad reaction, or is frightened by something, find an area where he’s willing to take treats—even if it’s outside the office. Don’t leave right after your dog has reacted or been frightened by something.
• If your dog is afraid, wait until he calms down a little before leaving. He should offer you some type of relaxing behavior, such as sitting, sighing or shaking off, at some point in the visit. When he does that, reward him by leaving.
• If your dog starts shaking when you pull in the parking lot, start by rewarding them for calming down while still in the car. Work up slowly to going inside the building.

For more tips from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers click here.

We will be adding behavior training to our list of services later this year. If you have any questions or would like to be added to the list of interested clients, email Nina atninansvet@gmail.com or call us at 480-368-1741.

7 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Dog

It’s time to bid fur-well to 2017! Check out these 7 New Year’s resolutions for your dog. Which ones will your furry friend be working on this year?

1. Find a new hobby

Whether you live with a busy body or a couch potato, there are plenty of hobbies you can adopt with your pet by your side. Agility, obedience, flyball, and even dance are great activities for an active dog. For a social or laid-back pooch, you could even get certified as a therapy dog and give back to your community. Gabriel’s Angels is an AZ based program that is always looking for therpy dog/owner teams.

2. Visit a new place

Whether it’s a new dog-friendly restaurant or a new hiking spot, there are many dog-friendly places to explore.

3. Learn three new tricks

Embrace the new year and work on some new tricks with your dog. Keep their mind and body active, and show off your newfound skills!

4. Make time for play

Playtime can help reduce stress in your dog and keeps you and your pet entertained. More playtime can also help your pet stay healthy and make your bond even stronger.

5. Maintain a healthy weight

A healthy weight will help your pet stay healthy throughout the year. If you have concerns about the weight of your four-legged friend give us a call. We can give you some tips and tricks to try at home or a diet change may be in order.

6. Meet some new friends

Meetup or BarkHappy are great places to find pet social groups for dogs of every size and breed. It’s a great way to get out, socialize, and have fun with some canine companions.

7. Establish a better relationship with your veterinarian

This one may sound biased but your Veterinarian is more than your “go to” when your pup is sick. They are a wealth of knowledge on topics ranging from nutrition to behavior and much more. Don’t hesitate to call with any questions you may have in the time between their yearly checkup. We can be reached at 480-368-1741 or by email at mynsvet@gmail.com.

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.

5 Thanksgiving Foods Fido Can Share!

Although there are many foods that should not be given to your dog during your Thanksgiving feast, there are plenty they can enjoy! No need to deprive those begging puppy dog eyes. Cave in, with these 5 Thanksgiving foods!

1. Turkey breast (shredded) – Every balanced meal includes some protein. Select turkey from the middle of the breast because it is least likely to have absorbed the fatty, salty brine and leave the skin off. The high-fat content and salt in the skin can make your dog sick.

2. Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene and fiber. Mash up some of the boiled sweet potatoes before any butter or spices are added.

3. Carrots – Carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and vitamin A. Steam or boil them and place a couple of unseasoned ones on the plate. If you dog is diabetic keep in mind that carrots tend to have a higher level of sugar.

4. Green Beans – Green beans are filling and low calorie. Make sure you use fresh or frozen green beans with no seasoning.

5. Pumpkin – Pumpkin can help regulate your dog’s digestive tract. The pumpkin can be steamed, baked, or canned. Before serving to your pup, sure that nothing has been added to it.

 

3 Easy DIY Dog Costume Ideas

Halloween is just around the corner. There are no shortages of dog friendly Halloween events in the valley. We dress up in the office and encourage our patients to come in dressed up as well. Below are 3 quick and easy DIY dog costume ideas.

1. Shaken, Not Stirred. If your down has recently had a medical procedure that caused them to wear an Elizabethan collar, turn the cone into a martini glass. You can make the olives out of Styrofoam balls. 

2. Beanie Baby. Cut a heart out of red construction paper adding the letters “TY” in white. You can attach the heart to your dog’s collar to make your pup into an instant 90’s toy. 

3. Good Sport. If you own a jersey from

your favorite team, just slip that on your dog placing their front paws through the sleeves. Instant sports fan! 

What costume will your kiddo sport this Halloween? Tell us over on our Facebook Page or Instagram!