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From Jim’s Desk~~~2/27/2010: Destructive Behavior in Dogs

It is normal for dogs to chew on things, dig, and be protective over their territory. Dogs are diagnosed with destructive tendencies when they destroy things we don’t want them to, such as furniture, shoes, doors, or carpets. Not all destructive behavior is the same, however. When a dog chews on the wrong things or digs in the wrong place but does not have any other symptoms, this is considered a primary destructive behavior. Dogs that have other symptoms like anxiety, fear, or aggression in combination with their destructive behavior are diagnosed with secondary destructive behavior. Both types of destructive behavior can lead to problems with other organs, such as teeth, skin, the stomach, or intestines, if left untreated.

The experts at PetMD state that the causes of some of these behaviors might be obsessive-compulsive disorders, or

  • Not enough supervision
  • Not enough, or the wrong kind of chew toys
  • Not enough exercise
  • Not enough daily activity

Prevention of these behaviors needs to begin at a very young age.   It is important to start early and to be consistent with training. Early, intensive training, beginning at puppy age, will help your dog to understand what it can and cannot chew on, where it can go, where it can dig, etc. Your veterinarian can help you develop a training program to teach your dog what it is allowed to chew on and where it is allowed to dig. It is also important to expose your dog to all kinds of people, animals, and situations while it is still young. This will help your dog learn how to behave in all situations. Waiting until your dog is older could bring on excessive shyness, anxiety, and/or protective behaviors that are not appropriate for public places. It is also important to watch your pet carefully for any changes in its behavior and to address the changes immediately. Treating medical or behavioral problems quickly makes them easier to prevent and eliminate.

From Jim’s Desk~~~2/20/2010~~~ Sudden On-Set of Vomiting in Dogs

From Jim’s Desk~~~2/20/2010~~~
Sudden On-Set of Vomiting in Dogs

It is not uncommon for dogs (and cats) to vomit from time to time. They might have eaten something that upset their stomachs, or just have sensitive digestive systems. However, it becomes acute when the vomiting does not stop and when there is nothing left in the stomach to throw up except bile (a yellow fluid). It is important you take your pet to a veterinarian in these types of cases.  These important health tips for your dogs are courtesy of our friends at PetMD.

While vomiting may have a simple, straightforward cause, it may be an indicator of something far more serious. It is also problematic because it can have a wide range of causes, and determining the correct one may be quite complicated.

Some symptoms to watch for:

  • Vomiting that will not stop
  • Pain and distress
  • Weakness
  • Bright blood in the vomit or stool,  or
  • Evidence of dark blood in the vomit or stool (melena)

Causes can be:

  • Dietary indiscretion
  • Change in diet
  • Gobbling food/eating too fast
  • Intolerance to a particular food (i.e., be careful feeding pets food intended for humans)
  • Allergic reaction to a particular food
  • Obstructing objects
  • Acute inflammation of stomach (gastroenteritis)
  • Parasites (e.g., whipworms, roundworms, giardia)
  • Dislocation of the stomach (prone in deep-chested dogs; very critical)
  • Tumors
  • Metabolic disorders (e.g., kidney disease)

Your vet can diagnose a cause & offer a treatment regimen, such as:

  • Dietary changes
  • Medication to control the vomiting (e.g., cimetidine, anti-emetic)
  • Antibiotics, in the case of bacterial ulcers
  • Corticosteroids to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

Finally, always follow the recommended treatment plan from your veterinarian. Do not experiment with medications or food. Pay close attention to your pet and if it does not improve, return to your veterinarian for a follow-up evaluation.

Quick Scoop Offers the “Quick Referral” Program

Quick Scoop Pet Clean-Up Service Offers Our Current Customers the “Quick Referral” Program…

With the onset of the spring-thaw just around the corner (hopefully!),  Quick Scoop Pet Clean-Up Service wants to remind our loyal clients that we love referrals of your friends, neighbors and relatives! You have most likely heard that word-of-mouth advertising or network referrals are important to a business’s success.  Quick Scoop has grown over the years due in large part to customer recommendations and referrals.

Quick Scoop’s Referral program is fairly straight forward:  for every new customer referred to us by you–our loyal current customers for an initial/seasonal first time clean-up and/or weekly service–we will credit you with a month’s free service…following the referral.  The new customer has to agree to one month’s pet clean-up service by Quick Scoop;  the referring customer gets the next month’s service free of charge!! Referral  can be made by the existing customer directly to us by furnishing the contact info needed to get the ball rolling.  The new clients can contact us directly–simply stating that they were referred specifically by a current customer and mentioning that existing customer by name–almost like saying, “Joe sent me…”

Remember,  mention our dependable, affordable service to anyone you think would love to be free of the bothersome chore–and let Quick Scoop Pet Clean-Up Service help your friends as we “pick up what their dogs leave behind…!”

From Jim’s Desk~~2/12/2010~~Make Valentine’s Day Safe for Your Pets, Too…

With Valentine’s Day this week-end, it may be helpful to note a few precautions for all of us pet-owners to take:
**We all know that chocolate causes abnormally high heart rhythms in dogs, but not everyone is aware that baking chocolate is especially toxic. It is essential to keep all chocolates out of your pet’s reach. Yes, even that last raspberry-filled nugget from the assorted box of chocolates no one ever seems to want to eat.
**Sugar-free candies and gums often contain large amounts of xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to pets, especially dogs. If ingested, it may cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure.
**The aroma from your floral arrangement may be too enticing for your dog or cat, and it only takes a nibble to cause a severe reaction. Even small amounts may lead to cases of upset stomachs or vomiting, particularly if the plant or flower is toxic. Be extremely careful if your arrangement contains lilies, as these lovely flowers are fatally poisonous to cats.

[Thanks to PetMD for the reminders on how to keep the little guys safe…]

From Jim’s Desk–2/5/2010: Winter Health Tips for Our Canine Friends

We still have a good deal of winter left and we want to remind all of our loyal readers of some vital precautions to take to keep our dogs (and cats) healthy. Courtesy of our friends at PetMD, I want to stress the following:
1. Anti-Freeze Spills are Poisonous
*The worst of all the wintertime chemical spills are auto antifreeze spills, which often leak from a car’s radiator. It may taste delicious (it’s kind of sweet to the taste and smells attractive) to your cats or dogs, but it is extremely deadly — even the smallest sip can be fatal. If your pet starts acting “drunk” or begins to convulse, take him to the vet immediately. Better yet, keep all pets away from the garage and clean up any accidental spillage. You should also not let your dog wander too far during his walks. Who knows what dangers lie in your neighbors’ driveways?

2. Salty Solution
*Given the amount of salt and ice-melter we use in a normal winter season, we are accustomed to salt on the sidewalks and roads. However, the types of salt (typically calcium or sodium chloride) used to melt ice and snow and keep it from refreezing are somewhat harsh on delicate paws — not to mention they corrode concrete and damage the beautiful vegetation. Protect your pet’s paws, and keep him warm during walks, by outfitting him with booties. If that’s not possible (I know we could never get our dogs to wear boots–kid’s either, come to think of it…) be sure to at least try to wash and rinse your pets’ feet once they are back indoors. Animals licking their paws with salt or ice-melter on them could be a health hazard. Try to enjoy the rest of the winter….JimV