LOST DOG ALERT! -North Richland Hills

LOST DOG ALERT! Friends in the Richland Hills area, please be on the lookout for Sassy. If you spot her, please do not chase, call Jenny at 972-998-0941. Sassy is fearful of people.

Sassy is LOST. She was trying out a new home in Richland Hills, TX and managed to get under a gate and then take off. This page is dedicated to finding Sassy and to coordinating search efforts.
Description
Sassy is a 45 lbs English Setter Mix. She is black and white spotted, micro-chipped and spayed. She is wearing a brown collar with tags, harness, and dragging a pink leash.

Sassy is fearful of people, but especially men so do not chase. Please call Jenny at 972-998-0941 immediately upon sighting. This will help us narrow down the area where she is.

Causes and Remedies For Dog Tear Stains

Written on 04/02/2013 by Ron Miller in Skin & Coat

Original post: http://dogingtonpost.com/causes-and-remedies-for-dog-tear-stains/2/#.UXmJIUqyyM0

 

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Depending on what breed of dog you may have, they may sometimes shed tears that are significantly colored, unlike human tears. These tears can cause stains in their coat or fur, and the color varies per breed of dog. It is the majority of white or light colored dogs who experience dog tear stains, most probably due to their light color, making the stain quite visible and distinguishable. It is not just because these breeds have lighter coat color; it is also because they may have excess hair over their skin folds, especially around their eyes. Having extra fur on these areas may cause the blocking of tear ducts. Some breeds that exhibit dog tear stains include: Poodles, Cocker spaniels, Pekinese, Shi-Tzu, Maltese and the Pug. The causes and remedies for dog tear stains will be covered below.

Causes and Remedies for Dog Tear Stains

The causes and remedies for dog tear stains naturally vary from breed to breed so how do dog tear stains develop? It all begins with the dog’s tear ducts. If these ducts get blocked, they will not be able to drain out the tears from the eyes. There are a lot of circumstances that gets the dog’s tear duct blocked. These can include growing hair around the eye area, having shallow eye sockets and having eyelids that turn inward. As a result, dog tear staining can occur.

So what are you to do with your dog? The first thing to know is why your dog sheds tears with stains. Some dogs shed excessive tears because it is in their bloodline or a genetic trait. There can also be a different medical cause, such as a skin irritation or an allergy. Some of the common causes of excessive tearing of a dog are: injuries, hair getting into the eyes, dry eyes, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, eye infection, cataracts inflammation, and allergic reactions.

These different causes for dog tearing need to be observed in your dog. If you suspect he or she has an allergic reaction, then find the source of the allergy (called an allergen). Your dog may have a skin infection or irritation, ask your vet what makes the dog itch and scratch, especially if the itching gets to the eyes. Some dogs have really long fur around their eyes, making them itchy if not properly clipped or trimmed. If you have a long coated dog this should be an important factor of grooming, as you would want to groom your dog not just to make him or her presentable, but also make your pooch feel more comfortable.

You can check with your local veterinarian for causes and remedies for dog tear stains and they will be able to provide you with a good solution for this issue. For a home remedy, you can prepare a simple concoction to remove the tear stains from your dog’s fur. Prepare a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and corn starch. Mix them together to form a thick paste and apply it to your dog’s stained fur while taking care this solution does not get into your dog’s eyes. Let it sit for two hours and then wipe it gently using a damp cloth. Brush the fur afterwards. These are a few of the causes and remedies for dog tear stains.

Is Your Dog Walking You?

Written on 04/24/2013 by Ron Miller in Behavior Mod.

original post: http://dogingtonpost.com/is-your-dog-walking-you/#.UXmIkEqyyM0 

 

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Are you and your pooch having a battle of the wills over who walks who as you stroll down the sidewalk? If so don’t feel bad, as this is the case with many dog owners who have yet to take control of the situation. Let us see if we can correct this issue of your dog walking you back to you walking your dog.

To curb your dog walking you instead of the other way around as it should be, you have to understand all dogs must learn they are actually tethered to you when going out the door for a walk. Sounds simple but a dog does not understand this until you teach him you still have control over his movements via the leash.

When you and your pooch go out for the first walk together this is the time to establish control so your dog understands he or she is expected to behave in an acceptable manner. Those dog owners who fail with this initial training end up as one of your dog walking you people we so often see. Fighting with your dog by constantly pulling back on the leash is going to discourage you and your dog from taking daily walks and instill in the dog he or she has control over any training situation you become involved in. So you must establish from the very beginning the dog will obey your commands and walk as expected.

There are two great tools to aid you in training your dog to walk in a manner acceptable and less demanding on you. First is the leader harness and the gentle leader. These two dog walking aids are great for training the dog and they are not going to break your budget to purchase. Using treats, in conjunction with either of these two dog walking tools, as a reward for the dog when he or she walks as you desire, is a quick and easy way to train the dog.

The leash is designed to fit over the dogs muzzle and head. When he or she tries to dart off after a cat, car, other dog, or is simple pulling way to hard the leash brings the dog to a slow, gentle stop while turning their head back in your direction. The harness works in the same manner except you have head and body control with this aid.

Give either one of these a try and soon you will be strolling down the path with a well behaved pooch. No more of your dog walking you and all the frustrations that goes with this constant tug of war.

Does your dog behave when out for walks? Please leave your thoughts and comments below.

Dealing with Your Dog’s Seasonal Allergies

Written on 04/25/2013 by Brandy Arnold in Home Remedies, Skin & Coat

 

Original Post: http://dogingtonpost.com/dealing-with-your-dogs-seasonal-allergies/#.UXmIMUqyyM0

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Spring is finally here. And with it, seasonal allergies! Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only ones faced with seasonal allergies. It’s common that many dogs will be too once the allergy season starts. Canine allergies are normally caused by the same triggers that occur in human allergies: our pooch’s immune system comes across an allergen or a kind of antigen it dislikes and then responds in the same manner as our body does. These allergens normally include mold and mildew, pollen, and dust mites. The good thing is that there are several ways for us to treat seasonal allergies in our dog.

Common Signs and Symptoms
Allergies in canines usually present themselves in the form of skin inflammation or irritation, also referred to as allergic dermatitis. This condition normally results in Fido’s skin becoming extremely itchy.  To relieve the itchiness, your dog will scratch himself excessively, and chew or bite certain parts of his body. He might even rub himself against the carpet, furniture, or wall. As this disturbing itch-and-scratch cycle persists, your pooch’s skin will eventually become inflamed and sore to the touch. Hair loss, hot spots, scabbing, and open sores on Fido’s skin may also be observed. Other symptoms can include ear infection, respiratory symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose, and generalized redness.

How to Help Fido Cope with Seasonal Allergies
1. To provide your dog with complete, immediate relief from itchiness, try to wash away the allergens on his coat and skin by giving him frequent baths. Look for a dog shampoo specially formulated for inflamed or sensitive skin.

2. To lessen the significant amount of allergens that Fido tracks and spread all over your house is to wash his paws thoroughly each time he comes inside the house.

3. Try keeping the spots in your place where your pooch spends most of his time as free from allergens as possible. Do this by cleaning and vacuuming the floors and his bedding on a regular basis using non-toxic house cleaning agents.

4. Since allergies are basically an immune system response, it’s crucial for you to keep Fido’s immune function at its optimum levels. To do this, avoid any unnecessary vaccination and medication and make sure he’s eating a well-balanced, species appropriate diet free of unnecessary fillers and animal by-products.

5. If your dog is highly susceptible to seasonal allergies, see to it that his diet is remarkably low in grain content since foods rich in carbohydrates can trigger and worsen inflammation.
The same ways that you cope with seasonal allergies will only help your dog as well. Make sure air conditioner filters are changed every month, use a vacuum with an allergen filter, and maintain a healthy diet.

For mild allergic reactions and mild itching, your vet can recommend an antihistimine or provide the proper dosage of over-the-counter allergy medication to treat him.

Dog Dangers: Common OTC Medications that are Poisoning Our Pets

Written on 04/15/2013 by Brandy Arnold in Front Page News, Poison Information

original post:http://dogingtonpost.com/dog-dangers-common-otc-medications-that-are-poisoning-our-pets/#.UXmHzEqyyM0 

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Most owners of a dog with allergies, either seasonal or skin-related, are all too familiar with the redness, itching, and discomfort that our dogs can experience during a flare-up.
To ease our dogs’ discomfort and allergy symptoms, many veterinarians are recommending, even prescribing, certain human over-the-counter antihistimines as a safe, effective treatment for our dog’s itch and redness.
However, many pet parents are making a grave mistake when purchasing these medications. More and more antihistimines on store shelves today, marketed to humans, contain ingredients in addition to just the antihistimines. In an effort to create a one-pill solution to human allergy symptoms, drug manufacturers are adding decongestants into the mix. These decongestants, when given to a dog produce serious, often deadly side effects including increased heart rate, respiratory problems to hyperexcitability with muscle tremors, seizures, and hyperactivity. Vomiting, dilated pupils, increased body temperature, disorientation, heart rhythm abnormalities, even retinal detachment and blindness in some cases.

While it is perfectly safe, upon your veterinarian’s recommendation and dosage, to treat a dog’s allergies with over-the-counter antihistimines, certain brands containing a decongestant or other medication must be avoided.

To be safe, choose the following brands when shopping for your dogs:
Benadryl, Tavist, Claritin, Chlortrimeton, or an off-brand equivalent.


However, be certain that the brand you choose ONLY contains an antihistimine and NOT a decongestant. Specific brands to avoid are:

Contac, Actifed, Sudafed, Tavist-D, Claritin-D, or any other brand antihistimine with “D” added to the name, indicating that a decongestant has been added.  Many times a “D” will be added to the name to indicate the medicine includes a decongestant, but read your labels very carefully before dispensing any OTC pills to your pets, and do it only with your vet’s recommendation.


In any case, be sure to consult your veterinarian before administering any medications, particularly those designed for humans. If your dog ingests any OTC medication containing a decongestant, immediately seek out an emergency veterinarian.

Local Dog friendly Events-April 27, 2013 Frisco Dog Park Talks with Dr. Julaine Hunter

Frisco Dog Park Talks with Dr. Julaine Hunter

April 28, 2013 by DallasDogLife Leave a Comment

Date/Time
Date(s) - Sunday, April 28, 2013
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Dr. Julaine Hunter will present a series of Dog Park Talks that will cover a variety of dog behavior, training, care and dog park topics.
April 28: Dogs and Puppies

Frisco Dog Park Website:
http://www.friscodogpark.org/
For More Information, contact Event Organizers at:
sam@powerpublicrelations.com
(972) 292-6506

Local Dog friendly Events-April 27, 2013 Texas Coalition for Animal Protection Low Cost Vaccines

Texas Coalition for Animal Protection Low Cost Vaccines

April 27, 2013 by DallasDogLife

Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, April 27, 2013
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM TCAP will offer low cost vaccines, microchipping and heartworm testing on a walk-in basis.
Dogs
Rabies:$5
DHPP:$10
Bordetella:$10
Heartworm:$20
Heartworm Preventative:$25-$35
Canine Influenza:$15
Lepto$10
Cats
Rabies: $5
FVRCP: $10
FelV: $10
FelV/FIV Test: $20