New Designs Kennel

We all love our dogs and love to take them with us everywhere.  They're just like our kids. They know how to push our buttons and make us feel guilty for leaving them behind.  It's gratifying to know that our dog would rather ride in the car with us rather than stay at home on their soft bed, right?  Since we are the owners and the dogs are... well,  the owned.... it's up to us to make the right decisions for their health and welfare rather than let our emotions do the talking. 

Taking your dog with you to the park or the beach can be a great time for everyone - as long as the beach or park allows dogs!  Getting thrown off a beach or out of a park can have a dampening effect on the fun of the day, to say the least.  Leaving your dog in the car can be life-threatening.  Just running into the store for a soda and snack and leaving your dog in the car for a few minutes can be dangerous to your pet

We have all heard the horrifying stories of dogs that are left in cars that have been found dead or dying from heat stroke.  It's a sad fact that even some children die this way each summer.  If you think - even for a moment - that you will out of the car for ANY reason, leave your dog at home.  Cars can become deadly ovens in just a few short minutes.  Any delay on your part can mean death for your best friend.  No one who has lost a pet in a hot car meant to kill their pet.  No one who has lost a dog from heat exhaustion meant to be gone more than just a minute or two. 

Dogs are unable to process excess body heat like humans.  They don't sweat like you and I do.  They pant and drool to keep their bodies at a controlled temperature, but the heat exchange capabilities are limited.  Particularly if the dog has any type of long hair on its body, being left in a hot car can mean death in a very short period of time.  Cracking the windows won't do any good, either.  There is not enough air moving from a cracked window to compensate for the sun beating down on the metal roof of the car and the heat generating up from the black asphalt parking lot. 

When you do take your best friend out for a summer walk in the park or a day playing at a dog-friendly beach, pack extra towels to dry sandy paws, water or ice cubes for a cooling drink and (if you have a pint-sized toy breed) a high-calorie snack after a long romp can keep blood sugar up and ensure a fun time by everyone. 

Stay cool during the summer and plan ahead to make sure your best friend does not suffer ill effects from overheating.  Don't be a tragic statistic.  Your dog will get over being left at home, but may not survive being left in the car.

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The summer travel season has officially started!  It's time to get out of the city and enjoy nature at her finest.  On family trips, all family members - including Fido - can enjoy the experience and return home enriched and recharged.  With just a bit of prior planning, your dog will be safe and enjoy being with his favorite people no matter where you are at the moment.

One of the most common problems with traveling with your dog is diarrhea caused by different water sources, the stress of being in new places and the motion of traveling in the car.  This issue can be solved with some easy planning.  When on the road, only give your dog purified bottled water (stay with national brands as they will come from a common water source) to drink.  Plan on adding a bit of plain yogurt to your dog's diet if he is off feed for a couple of days.  It is easily found, quickly packed and will stay fresh in an ice cooler for several days. The extra treat will encourage your pet to eat more willingly and the active cultures in the yogurt will aid in keeping his digestion settled.  Training your dog to travel in a solid sized crate will keep him stress-free and comfy.  He can be "packed" in a convenient place in your vehicle and will always have his home around him.  If he suffers from motion sickness, packing him more in the middle of the vehicle will help and also giving him a dense-foam bed will absorb vibration and motion. 

Make sure that your dog is leash-trained and make sure he's on that leash securely before you take him out for exercise.  Don't ever let him run free in a strange place.  Even the most well-trained dog can bolt if he becomes startled or scared.  Walk your dog only in designated areas of motels or rest-areas and pick up after your pet each time - no excuses!

Finding dog-friendly resorts, motels/hotels and campgrounds is worth the search.  More and more vacation spots are becoming pet-friendly.  You and your dog will have the opportunity to meet new friends and see new sites.

Have a great trip!

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What is a "Hot Spot?" and how do they develop?  Hot spots, or a weeping sore that seems to develop almost overnight is a bacterial skin condition that can cause great distress for your dog. 

Sam is just fine when you bring him in for the day, but by nightime, he's licking at a sore on his side that is roughly the size of tennis ball.  The hair is gone, it's oozing and is obviously uncomfortable.  He itches like fire and yet the spot is tender and inflamed, causing him to lick it continuously.  How could this happen in just a matter of hours? 

Hot spots occur when bacteria on the skin "blooms" or starts to grow at a very rapid rate.  This happens in the hot, humid weather of deep summer.  Treating them requires quick action on your part, but with fast action, your pet will not suffer undue discomfort.

When you first suspect a hot spot, clip all hair from around the wound for at least and inch from the sides of the sore.  Get it as short as you can and make sure that the edges of the spot are free from hair.  After the hair is gone, wash the entire area of the sore with antibacterial soap.  I use Dial brand soap because it is effective against many bacteria including staph.  Make sure that you wash the sore and all around the edges.  Rinse with clean water and pat dry.  Apply an antibiotic ointment to the sore or use a sulfa powder.  Repeat this treatment twice daily.  You should notice improvement within 24 hours. 

If your dog is an outside kind of pooch, inspect that hot spot each time he comes in the house or at least twice a day!  Flies love to lay their eggs in putrid flesh and an untreated hot spot can become home to maggots, which will consume the putrification and cause very serious health problems - Gross!!!

Hot spots can be prevented by giving your favorite friend a summer style of short coat, clean face and clipped paws.  Whether your dog is an inside or outside pet, they can be affected by hot spots so:

1. Check your pet frequently for signs of hot spots.  Look under collars, behind ears, at the base of the tail and flanks, as these are the places that hot spots commonly are found.

2. Treat immediately, as bacteria growth is amazingly fast.  A tiny spot in the morning can be a giant sore by nightfall.

3. If there is no improvement in 24 hours SEE YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY!  Untreated hotspots can become the site of fly activity including maggot infestation. 

4. Prevention is better than cure!  Clip your pet's coat short for the hot humid "dog days" of summer.  Keep them in an air-conditioned environment which is also humidity controlled.  Bathe your dog every two weeks or so to keep bacteria on the skin to a minimum. 

Enjoy the warm weather with your best friend!

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The summer season is soon here!  It's time to get outside, enjoy the warm sunshine and long walks!  But it's also time to make sure that your dog is also ready for the summer season.  Don't forget to have him/her checked for heartworm and put on preventative.  This is so easy that many may forget it.  Don't be one of those owners!  Heartworm is easily prevented but can be deadly if left undiscovered. 

Make sure, too, that your pets are provided with adequate shade and water during the hot summer days.  Avoid excessive and strenuous exercise during the heat of the day.  Check your pet each day for the beginning of hot spots, insect bites or other irritations that can quickly cause discomfort in the heat and humidity of the season.  Grass allergies are also common - so watch for increased itching or excessive hair loss.  Keep your friend brushed daily or clipped a bit closer to make sure that matting does not cause discomfort.

Any problems your pet may encounter can quickly and easily be treated with a quick visit to the veterinarian.  Make sure to follow all adivce exactly as it is given and don't try to diagnose problems yourself  - unless, of course, you are one of the many veterinarians who own one of our puppies! 

We will cover the basics of summer care for your dog in futher posts. Stay tuned!

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