There are several ways to assist with this important cause. By doing one or more of the following things, you can help give a deserving pet a loving home (or make their wait in the shelter a more pleasant one).

1. Sponsor an Ad
Many local newspapers provide space for ads to aid the adoption process. Pictures of cute cats and dogs are pictured together with the animal’s name and a brief synopsis of temperament. If your local shelter works with the newspaper in this manner, consider providing the funds for one or more of these ads. The cost is relatively inexpensive, and they do work to match pets to the right owner.

2. Collect Free Food Samples
Free samples of cat and dog food remain easy to obtain, both from local vendors and over the Internet. All you need to do is be on the lookout for these offers. For example, Rachael Ray now has free samples of  dog food on her Nutrish website. Other offers are easy to find just by searching the terms, “free cat and/or dog food.” This would be a great project for a youth group or senior center to tackle. Once you, or your group, have accumulated a box full of samples, drop them off at the local shelter or rescue.

3. Actively Seek Pet Adopters
Can’t take another pet yourself? Maybe you have a friend or two who have been thinking about getting a purebred dog or cat. Why not steer them to the local shelter? The Humane Society claims that “25 percent of pets in shelters are purebreds.” You not only will save your friend lots of money by letting him or her know that the dog or cat they have been wanting can be found at the shelter, you will be saving an animal’s life.

4. Support Fundraising Events
Many shelters and adoption groups host fundraising events. Make a point to support these events. One unique fundraiser held in Fayetteville in 2011 was the PAWcasso event, where cats “painted pictures” with their paws! The pictures were then sold as a way to raise money for the shelter. (I can imagine one of those masterpieces hanging on my wall). Other shelters raise money by hosting 5K’s or even dances. You can have fun while helping out.

5. Donate Old Linens
Shelters are always in need of blankets and towels, especially during the cold winter months. Don’t throw away your faded linens, give them to the local shelter to make a cat or dog more comfortable.

For example, my local Ace Hardware store offers free samples of dog food. I score one package of each type of food when I go shopping there. I have also gotten dozens of free dog food samples from promotions on the Internet. A few years ago, I even received a coupon good for a five pound bag — of one of the most expensive brands!

To find many of these offers, all you need to do is search “free dog food,” and if any samples are currently available, they will pop up in the search results. Check often, as companies change their promotions regularly. One site not to miss is Wal-Mart.com. For instance, a promotion for dog snacks just expired, but they have free samples on and off throughout the year. And if you hurry, you can get a sample from Rachael Ray for her new dog food, Nutrish. Just register on the Nutrish web site.

Another way to get freebies is to sign up for birthday clubs at participating local pet stores. At Mound’s Pet Food Warehouse in Wisconsin, dog owners can enjoy free events throughout the year, and each time they make a purchase in the store, they receive a free Mounds candy bar. Check your local pet shop to see what kinds of freebies they offer in order to secure your business.

Finally, check out the website, BringFido.com. If you love to travel with your pet, you can find listings of pet friendly lodging, restaurants, and more. There’s also a place to sign up for freebies. Not long ago they were offering free T-shirts!

One thing to be aware of – not all free offers end up being really free. One promotion for two free flush doggie poop bags added a $1.99 shipping and handling fee. (The cool thing, though, is that these bags are both biodegradable and flushable).

Owning a dog can be expensive, so why not take advantage of the many freebies offered by companies vying for your business? All it takes is a little time, and minimal effort, but you will get good quality items in return.

In addition, even if you don’t own a dog, but you love canines, consider signing up for these free offers. When you have a collection of free food samples, you can donate them to the local animal shelter. (This could even be taken on as a project by a youth group, with each child competing to see how much free food they could secure for a shelter in a given amount of time).

With freebies you win, companies win, and even the local pet shelter or rescue could win!

However, our road bumps have only made us more motivated to train her and to put time into her. Thus far it has paid off, but the rewards are coming along slowly. Nevertheless, Gracie has some new tricks up her sleeve! Well, that is if she had any sleeves.

She can now sit loyally next to you and she will not leave your side if you instruct her to stay. She can resist the temptations and distractions of other animals or humans. She will only do this if you have a treat in your hand, but I will be happy to carry around a box of treats if it means that she will be on her best behavior.

My mother has been doing a lot of training sessions with her. Her trainer, Larry, is great. He understands what the dogs are going through and is able to control dogs with no problem. My mom thinks that Gracie knows that she’s in school, so she is on her best behavior then. Larry goes out of his way to train dogs. He will bring in dogs with all different types of personalities, cats, and more. He even tries to build up dogs’ confidences by teaching them how to walk on a treadmill. She also had a training with an electric collar, but  that was only one session. It may be necessary to get one for her for when we take her for runs.

While it’s a little sad that we can’t cuddle her while she sleeps, the progress that we have been seeing has been worth it.

Although everyone celebrates Christmas in their own special way, a recurring theme I see amongst many families is the giving of gifts to the pets on Christmas.  I think it is a fun and creative way to involve the pets in family celebrations.  At my Dad’s house this Christmas, we gave our dog several toys as Christmas presents, and my uncle gave his dog some presents too.  Sadly, at my mom’s house, neither the chickens nor Gonzo got Christmas presents.  So, I was thinking about whether or not it is actually worth getting your pet a present.

1. It really depends on the species of pet you have.  I’m pretty sure that every time the chickens get human food, they consider it a holiday.  Gonzo is in a similar situation.  Every time he is fed, he is probably happy, and adding a new fixture to his tank may freak him out just as much as it could make him happy.  On the other hand, smarter animals like cats and dogs are excited to get new things and may actually make a connection with the festivities and gifts.
2. It also depends on what they are getting.  If you decide you want to give your dog a sweater, he may not be overly pleased with the gift du jour.  At the same time, my dog was very excited to get new chew toys and a blanket (he piles the blankets in his bed and sleeps in them).
3. Be careful with the festivities.  I know many people who have dogs who can unwrap presents and get the gift out.  This is all fun and games, but be careful to make sure that Fido doesn’t ingest any of the wrapping paper or ribbon.  This could make him one very un-jolly pooch.

With this in mind, have some Happy Holidays!

Will a puppy show signs if it hasn’t lost its baby teeth, or should we check?

During puppyhood you will probably not see clinical signs from retained deciduous (baby) teeth. However, problems are beginning and can lead to symptomatic dental disease as your dog gets older.

If baby teeth do not fall out as the adult teeth grow in, then they can cause a misalignment of the teeth and potentially lead to an abnormal bite as the puppy develops. This may or may not cause some oral pain when the dog is older, depending on the severity of the misalignment. The bigger problem is that because the mouth is overcrowded with teeth, there is a greater incidence of tartar and plaque build-up, which accelerates the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

These can lead to abscesses,infection, tooth mobility, and eventually loss of some teeth. These can also be painful and cause the dog to have a harder time eating, which can lead to irritability, weight loss, foul breath, and withdrawal from normal activity.

If a dog’s dental disease is allowed to progress, it can also  exacerbate other conditions that older dogs may have, such as diabetes, liver problems, kidney, and heart disease.

Your veterinarian will check your puppy’s mouth at each wellness visit and can show you which deciduous teeth are still present. Generally, if your puppy has not lost his baby teeth by the time he is 6-7 months old, they are not going to come out on their own. At this time, your veterinarian can do a brief oral surgery procedure to extract the retained teeth and prevent those from playing a role in future dental problems. This can be done in conjunction with your dog’s spay or neuter surgery, if that has not already occurred.

Cats can also have problems with retained deciduous teeth, though it is not nearly as common as it is in dogs.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

I’ve read that eating raw eggs can make animals’ fur shiny — but can they get salmonella from them?

Animals can definitely get Salmonella from raw eggs. There risk is less than that of humans, but it is still a problem. They can develop severe diarrhea and GI upset when infected and may require IV fluids and antibiotics to recover.

Further risk occurs to humans also. Not only can humans get Salmonella from raw eggs when handling the eggs themselves, but the Salmonella will also be present in the pet’s food bowls. There have been cases of young children coming into contact with the used bowls and getting Salmonella from those.

Animals who are elderly, have another illness, or who are on immunosuppressive medications such as prednisone, cyclosporin, or chemotherapeutic agents are at higher risk and should never be given raw eggs. There are other things that can be done to improve the texture and shine of your pet’s fur, so please contact your veterinarian about your options.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

This story reminds me of the valiant dog, Ginny, who during her lifetime rescued hundreds of cats from certain peril. The Ginny website explains that after she was rescued from an abandoned apartment building, Ginny began a career that has been unmatched to date. She literally made it her life’s work to seek out the most frail and needy cats; those trapped and/or near death. And even though a canine, she connected with all of these felines immediately. Her devotion to these rescues was so astounding, that her owner even wrote two books about her adventures, and when Ginny died in 2005, 18 of her cat rescues were with her.

Closer to home, I witnessed another example of a dog’s love for a cat first-hand. When we first brought our kitten, Muffy, home she did her best to be brave in the unfamiliar surroundings. She puffed herself up into a round ball of frizzy grey fur, she arched her tiny back, and she let out a series of tremendous hisses. Our beloved mutt, Barnie Sue, didn’t let Muffy’s standoffish demeanor trick her. She knew what Muffy needed to feel at ease in her new home, a furry friend. With a few gentle licks followed by a several soft whimpers, Barnie quieted the kitten, and in a matter of hours, the two were fast friends, cuddling and playing as if they had always known each other.

For many years, Barnie relished her role as Muffy’s mentor and protector, and Muffy loved her “big sister” as much as she would have loved one of her own kind. So great was their love, that when Barney died, Muffy seemed lost, and she never acted the same again.

These examples all point to the fact that the old saying, “fighting like cats and dogs,” is not always correct. In many cases, dogs and cats live harmonious, loving lives, and they can care for one another. Yes, it’s true, some dogs absolutely love cats!

Maybe it’s because in all of these instances, the cats involved were kittens when they first met their canine friends, or maybe it’s because certain dogs tolerate cats better, but whatever the case, canine/feline love is possible.
What about you? Do you have an example of a dog that would rather love a cat that tear it to pieces?

When can you tell if your dog needs a sweater? Well, that is a pretty easy question to answer. Does your dog look cold? Is your puppy shivering? Get your dog a sweater! You can certainly turn your sweater into a fashion statement, but sometimes, it is just necessary. It is a real need for some dogs; this is because they feel the cold more than others. There are a variety of reasons for a dog to feel cold and there isn’t one “level” of coldness. Some dogs may only need a t-shirt fabric sweater while others may need a breathable fleece. If you think about it, dogs are kind of like humans!

Small dogs frequently need sweaters. This is because their bodies are smaller and they do not generate as much body heat. Some examples of some small dogs that should have winter sweaters include. Chihuahuas, Maltese, Yorkies, Lhasa Apsos, and Shih Tzus need protection from the cold, along with Bichon Frise and short-haired dachshunds to name a few. Dogs with short hair may or may not need a sweater. Gracie will certainly need one, but my friend’s Labrador usually is okay in the winter. This is because she has an undercoat that Gracie does not have.

Dobermans, Whippets, Greyhounds, and more are some examples of some thin-haired dogs that should get a sweater. It’s pretty easy to tell which other breeds do; the skinnier and thinner-haired dogs are likely candidates. Skinnier dogs typically need a sweater because they do not have as much body fat to keep them warm.

Obviously, if your dog is sick or still  a puppy, there is a good chance that they might need a sweater to get them through the winter months.

Long story short, if your dog seems to be cold, you should be getting your dog a sweater! I know that Gracie has a whole bunch of sweaters– one for running, one for playing in the snow, and more!

(To read our vet’s view on winter wear for animals, including boots, click here.)

Should a dog be taken for a walk right after a meal (It’s not mine!)?

Most veterinarians recommend waiting 30 minutes or more after eating before taking a dog on a lengthy walk. Certainly it is okay to take your dog outside to eliminate shortly after a meal, but for anything more vigorous, it is advised to wait a little while.

There is no scientific proof that walking a dog with a full stomach may lead to a gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists around on itself. This requires emergency treatment in order to
prevent shock and death.

Also, just after a dog has eaten, a higher than normal amount of the blood supply is directed towards the gastrointestinal tract to aid in digestion and absorption of nutrients. This means that the blood supply to other organ systems utilized during exercise (respiratory tract, etc) will be temporarilydecreased, making breathing, temperature regulation, and digestion less efficient. So better to play it safe and wait a short bit before heading out for that walk on a crisp autumn day.

If you notice your dog retching or vomiting during or just after a walk or if her abdomen swells, please contact your veterinarian immediately!

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

I guess I never thought about the possibility that my beloved pet would be injured if we happened to be involved in a car accident; it must have been that I suffered from a common condition in teens — optimism.

Years have gone by, and my little Beagle/Dachshund mix has long since passed. In the meantime, I have become more safety conscious. For example, last week I saw a Golden Retriever, luscious hair flowing in the wind, front two legs perched precariously on the side of a truck that was traveling at about 30 miles per hour. Although a beautiful sight, the dog seemed so vulnerable in that open truck bed, especially on this particular stretch of road where ducks often cause vehicles to swerve or stop suddenly.

“What is that man thinking?” I asked my husband, as I pointed towards the dog, whose nose pointed skyward, sniffing joyfully. My overactive imagination already painted a picture of the dog flying helplessly from the truck, crashing on the pavement, the owner devastated at his pet’s death.

The incident made me think – how many dogs are injured or die in car crashes each year? I wanted to know how many pets who were riding with the owner in the vehicle were hurt. I did some research on the Internet, and although I couldn’t find any specific data, I did come across dozens of news headlines discussing the phenomenon.

One of the saddest incidents involved a dog who suffered a broken neck. Other stories related details about dogs with broken bones and crushed bodies. I even read about a police dog that was relieved of his duties after being in a crash with his trainer. Sadly, the family must pay for the vet bills, as the dog is no longer an active member of the police department.

The good news is I discovered there are ways to secure dogs of all sized in vehicles. Specially made harnesses work in both sedans and trucks. One company, Buckle-Up-Pup, describes their product as “…a unique combination of a chest and rear harness. The “V” tie-down clips the harness to a seat belt or to an anchor point below the dog’s belly.”

It’s up to the owner, of course, whether to buy these safety products, but knowing what I know now, I would have protected Barnie Sue, and made sure I buckled her safely for each trip. I ended up lucky…my beloved dog died of complications due to old age, not from an injury sustained in a car crash.