5 Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound

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April is Adopt a Greyhound Month, so we thought it was fitting to let you know a little bit about these wonderful hounds. Known mostly for their speed, many greyhound come off the track and into retirement daily. Though they are fast, greyhounds make wonderful pets. Here are a five reasons why we think you should adopt a Greyhound:

1.  Greyhounds can reach 45 mph in 3 steps, but in a home, most of their time is spent lounging in comfy beds or on your couches if you let them. Since they love lounging so much, they make great apartment dogs! In order to stay healthy, they only need two or three 20 minute walks per day.

2.  Greyhounds are gentle and quiet. They are sweet, loving dogs that love to make you happy. The muzzles that they wear during their races are only to protect the greyhounds from injury and to determine the winners of close races. Greyhounds love to be with other dogs, especially other greyhounds, and many can live with cats or other small animals safely.

3.  Greyhounds are healthy. They do not have breed related illnesses and genetic problems that other breeds have. Plus, they have a longer life expectancy than other large breeds – 12 years or more.

4.  Greyhounds have soft, short hair that sheds less than other breeds. This makes grooming a breeze!

5.  Greyhounds are fun! They attract a lot of attention and love to spend time with their owners. They want to do whatever you want to do, including walking, jogging, hiking, and more. Adopting a greyhound is like joining a club. There are always activities to do with greyhound adoption groups and meeting other greyhound owners is inevitable.

We hope this gives you some insight into a breed you may not have considered before. Please contact your local greyhound adoption group or us at Wet Noses Pet Sitting for more information about adopting a retired racing greyhound!

Treating Dog Asthma

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Did you know that dogs can get asthma?  Yes, it is true. Just like humans, dogs can get asthma.  Asthma is a serious and potentially fatal disease.  If you know what to look for, you can help your dog treat and manage asthma.  Educating yourself could save your fur baby’s life. Our team of pet sitters here in Fort Collins, Colorado did some research to help educate our clients. Read on to learn about asthma in dogs including symptoms, diagnosis and treating dog asthma.

Symptoms
Some symptoms of asthma are: shortness of breath, wheezing, rapid and/or shallow breathing, chronic coughing, and loss of appetite, lethargy, blue-ish gums, open mouth breathing and exercise intolerance.  If you notice your dog having any combination of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment for a complete physical exam.

Diagnosis
There are many factors involved in the diagnosis of asthma.  Your vet will want to assess your dog’s symptoms as well as discuss complete medical history.  The pooch will undergo a complete medical examination which will include a chest x-ray, and blood work.  This thorough examination will also help rule out other ailments such as cardiac disease, respiratory infections and heart worm. Some diseases mirror the same symptoms so it’s important to leave no stone unturned.  If the veterinarians’ exam comes up inconclusive, he or she may want you to keep a journal so you can log when your dog has these symptoms, the severity of the symptoms and under what conditions they are present.

Treatment
Upon diagnosis, your vet will work closely with you to implement a proper treatment plan. It will be important to first determine the cause of your dog’s asthma before a plan is set into place.  Many causes of asthma are identical to the triggers experienced by humans.  Some or all of the following may cause your dog’s breathing passageways to spasm: smoke, exercise, dry air, allergens, and dust. When this occurs an attack is set into place. The passageways fill up with mucus due to narrowing and difficulty in breathing occurs.

Treating dog asthma may vary due to the causes, severity and symptoms of the attacks. Some treatment plans include the use of antihistamines, oxygen therapy, steroids, and bronchodilators. It may take some trial and error to find the most beneficial plan for your dog but once you have found a plan that works, future management of the disease is quite simple.

Call Wet Noses Pet Sitting if you have any comments or concerns or if would to discuss the benefits of our services. We are your neighborhood pet sitters!

overnight stays

The Cone of Shame

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Guest writer Sidehill Sitter Becky
For the past two weeks, my husband has been sleeping on the couch. No, he’s not in the doghouse…on the contrary, the dog is sleeping next to me in bed with her head on his pillows with her leash attached to my wrist so I can monitor her as she recovers from her spay surgery.Everything has gone ok so far, but as it turns out, Kea has trouble following instructions from the vet. Don’t run or jump? Yeah, that went out the window on day 3 when, despite our best efforts, she hopped up onto the couch. She has those sad puppy dog eyes and she sure knows how to work it.

Don’t lick the incision? Sure, no problem. She’s actually been really good about leaving the incision alone. So good, in fact, that last week I decided to leave her alone for a few hours and see how it went. I came home to find that she had licked two large hot spots on either side of her belly, near the border of the shaved area. She left the incision alone, and the look on her face said it all…the vet didn’t say anything about licking the rest of the belly!

Unfortunately for Kea, there were a few things coming up over the next few weeks that would force me to leave her alone. Here’s what I had in my bag of tricks to keep her from further irritating the hot spots and to help them heal.

1. Time for some tough love.

            Alpha: Now, you must wear the cone of shame.
            Dug: [hangs head] I do not like the cone of shame.
~Disney’s Up

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Because I love my baby to pieces and couldn’t bear the thoughts of using the old school lampshade cone, we looked into a few newer alternatives. First was the blow-up doughnut-shaped cone. Josh picked one up at PetSmart according to the size of her neck, but when he got it home, it was actually too small. So he went back out and picked up a larger size. The benefits to this cone are that it isn’t as obstructive and Kea doesn’t seem to mind wearing it. Well…at least not too much.

It’s also got a removable cover that can be washed. However, she was still able to reach the hot spots and laying down in the doughnut looked uncomfortable for her fuzzy neck.

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2. When I mentioned the issues I was having with the doughnut cone to one of my clients, she recommended a different style of soft cone. I call this one the lizard cone because it reminds me of one of those lizards with the neck thing…

I digress. Kea was not a fan of this cone. But it does the trick of keeping her from reaching the hot spots. She doesn’t like to go down the stairs when she’s wearing it, but she moves around on the first floor ok. She can also wear it at night, which is good news for Josh because it means he gets to sleep in his bed again. The downside is that it makes Kea hot. She is ok wearing it for a few hours, then she’s panting like crazy to cool down. I have left her home alone in it, and she doesn’t try to remove it. Good girl.

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“Seriously? Seriously.”

Now that I’ve successfully prevented Kea from licking the hot spots, I need to get them to heal and dry up. Here’s what worked for us (disclaimer: if home-treatment doesn’t seem to be working after a day or two, it’s time to head to the vet. I’m not a vet…so if in doubt, call your vet!)

1.  Gold Bond. The original kind in the yellow container. It helps with the itching and it helps to promote drying of the hot spot. It’s really important to keep the dog from licking after you apply the gold bond or else it will turn into a gooey paste. Yes, I learned that the hard way.

2.  Benadryl. The dose is 1 mg per pound. I gave Kea 50 mg when I first came home and noticed the hot spots and 25 mg the next morning and evening. It helped with the itching, but it also made her veeeeerrrrrryyyyy sleepy. Sleepy dogs don’t lick hot spots J

3.  Emu oil. This stuff is incredible. It heals all sorts of ills. I used it on the hot spots after the scabs had fallen off to promote healing of the new skin.

4.  Raw bones. Kea is a raw-fed dog, so if you aren’t down with feeding raw bones, a kong stuffed with moistened, frozen kibble or peanut butter or something would also do the trick. The idea was to keep her occupied. There was one night we left her alone for a few hours wearing the doughnut cone in her crate with a raw bone to keep her busy. It worked like a charm! I wouldn’t recommend raw bones with the lizard cone because it would be messy and the cover doesn’t come off as easily for cleaning.

Now, Kea is on the road to recovery. I am lucky my schedule is flexible enough for me to be home with her most of the time. Anyone have any good post-op experiences to share? What were your strategies to help your pet heal quickly and avoid being his or her own worst enemy?

Reasons to Walk Your Dog Today!

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Getting outside everyday to walk your dog provides them with mental and physical stimulation, socialization and training opportunities, and positive attention.  Putting your dog outside in your fenced-in yard will not force your dog to exercise and more often we see dogs will resort to boredom barking, trying to escape the yard, or becoming your best (or worst) landscaper.  Simply having a large back yard is not going to satisfy your dog’s need for exercise or mental stimulation.  According to the Clinician’s Brief, “Generally, people walk their dog for 4 reasons: elimination, mental stimulation, exercise, and training. Dogs like to go for walks to get outdoors, sniff and engage with their environment, exercise, and perhaps socialize with people and dogs outside the home. There is no reason that a walk cannot encompass and meet all the needs of both humans and dogs.”  And, we at Wet Noses Pet Sitting completely agree, it’s time to get outside and walk your dog!

3 types of walks

There are three kinds of walks that we suggest as a varied routine.

  1. Exploratory walks allow your pet to sniff, smell, and generally meander through its surroundings.
  2. Purposeful walks are to relieve herself or retrieve an item.
  3. Long walks to tire your pup out give her an outlet for all that pent up energy.

Varied mental and physical stimulation will allow your dog to be at her most trainable and calm.

Socialization – a bonus!

During a walk is a good chance to work on leash manners and while you’re out walking, your pooch is most likely going to meet other dogs. This helps your dog learn normal behaviors and etiquette by taking social cues from other canines.  It also helps your dog build confidence so that when she meets new friends she isn’t afraid.  Giving your dog lots of opportunities to work on socialization and training will help your companion be on her best behavior in a variety of situations without anxiety or fear.

Tired dog = a good dog

Getting out regularly to walk your dog gives them a sense of well-being.  They love the positive attention and quality time. Plus, dogs who are taken for daily walks, are less likely to be destructive, obsessive, have separation anxiety and/or dominance issues, among many other behavior problems.  A tired dog is a happy dog.  And a happy dog makes for a happy owner.

Remember, your dog depends on you for her quality of life. By taking advantage of different types of walks to stimulate her mentally and physically, providing opportunities for socialization and training, and spending quality time with your canine companion, you will help your furry friend be balanced, healthy and happy for a lifetime. If you have questions about dog walks or need help waking your dog regularly contact us at Wet Noses Pet Sitting!

5 Tips to Prevent Antifreeze Poisoning in Dogs and Cats

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Did you that the Humane Society of the U.S. estimates that over 10,000 pets die each year from antifreeze poisoning? All of us here at Wet Noses Pet Sitting in Fort Collins want to warn you about this deadly household danger. As responsible pet owners you should know what antifreeze poisoning is, as well as what the symptoms of poisoning are. Keep reading to learn more about how to prevent antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats.

Why is antifreeze so dangerous?

The deadly ingredient in antifreeze is ethylene glycol.  Antifreeze has a sweet taste and smell that animals like to eat. If you see your pet ingest antifreeze, seek immediate medical attention.  This dangerous chemical is metabolized in the liver. It then travels in the bloodstream to your pet’s kidneys. Permanent kidney damage can result which may lead to renal failure.  If your pet is caught in the act of ingestion, he has the best chance at being treated in a timely manner, increasing his chance of surviving ethylene glycol poisoning.

What are the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning?

If you don’t catch him in the act, you can still look for symptoms.  The first signs of ethylene glycol poisoning are: depression, lethargy, and grogginess.  Your pet may also seem disoriented or may seem to have trouble with his coordination.  These first symptoms may be noticeable from 30 minutes to one hour after your pet comes in contact with ethylene glycol. This first stage of symptoms can last for several hours.  In the second, more serious stage, your pet may experience vomiting, ulcers, renal failure and coma.  If your pet is not treated promptly, death may result.

Prevention!
The best prevention is education, so you’re on the right track.  You might be wondering be wondering how you can prevent ethylene glycol poison.  Here are five tips to keep your pets safe:

  1. Don’t let your dog or cat out unattended, especially in areas like garages, roads or driveways.
  2. Always monitor your pet for behavioral changes.
  3. Keep your antifreeze in a sealed container and well out of the way of your pets (and children).
  4. If a spill happens, keep your pet away from the area and clean it up immediately.
  5. Consider purchasing a brand of antifreeze that contains propylene glycol as its active ingredient. This is a less toxic chemical and has a bitter taste to it so your pet won’t be as tempted to ingest it.

Antifreeze poisoning is a serious and deadly chemical. Keep your pet safeguarded by following the tips above to prevent antifreeze poisoning. All chemicals are dangerous to your pet so keep them in an area that is out of your pets reach.  Remember; always consult your vet at the first sign of antifreeze poisoning. Your prompt action may mean the difference between life death. If you have any questions on how you can further protect your pet, please contact us at Wet Noses Pet Sitting in Fort Collins or your local pet sitter.

Will You Watch My Pets When I go into Labor?

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So, you are pregnant and looking forward to the amazing day, but you inevitably think, “Who will watch my pets when I go into labor?”  You are not the only one!  At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we have helped quite a few people in this exact situation, enough that it was decided we needed a blog with all of the details!

If you are still deciding whether you will need a sitter, the answer is yes.  We have had more than one client not think they will need a sitter then call us at the last minute in a panic (from the hospital) to get us to run out and care for their pets.  Either their family that they expected to help out has not made it to town, the labor has been difficult and the husband does not want to leave or the weather is bad and the trip from the hospital will take longer than expected.

Here is the truth:  Adding a human child to the home will be one of the most difficult transitions in the life of your pet.  Do not make the situation worse by stressing out your pets with long stays at home alone broken up by quick trips outside with a distracted family member or friend.  Instead look at this as a time to get your furry friends some extra exercise or playtime.  A sitter can go on special walks or have cuddle time so that when you come home with your new family member your fur child is not already feeling stressed or full of energy.

Plan for needing a pet sitter and do not worry about your fur kids during this important time.  How to prepare depends on whether you are already a client of Wet Noses Pet Sitting.

If you are already a client:

  • Notify our office of the situation and let us know your due date.  We will check on the availability of your regular sitter around that time and notify the sitter of the upcoming dates.  Due to the unknown time we cannot guarantee your regular sitter but we will try to pair you with that person if at all possible.
  • Make sure we have keys to your home.  If you normally have your keys returned, this is not the time for last minute arrangements.  Your primary sitter should have a key and we should have one in our office as a backup.
  • Make sure all of your information it up to date in our system.  If any information changes in the following weeks be sure to change it right away.
  • When the time comes contact us right away!  After hours there is a way to get through to an on call manager, use it!  We will arrange visits according to your requested times.  If your normal sitter is not available we will send a backup sitter, but your pets will be well cared for.
  • Keep in contact.  We will continue services for your pets until we hear from you but it is nice to have an idea of when you plan to return home or if a family member will be taking over.

If you are not a client:

  • Get set up as a client!  If possible consider taking a day or two away to allow your pets to get used to having a sitter in the house.  We do require a $50 minimum to get you set up as a client, which we normally do not require until your appointment but in this case we will require it in advance of meeting your sitter.
  • Notify our office of the situation and let us know your due date.  Even if you do not have an appointment before your due date we will set you up with a sitter and have you meet with the person to gather keys and go over details.  We will attempt to pair you with a sitter that will be available on your due date but due to the unknown time we cannot guarantee the same person.
  • Make sure you keep all of your information up to date in our system.  If any information changes after your client meeting be sure to change it right away.
  • When the time comes contact us right away!  After hours there is a way to get through to an on call manager, use it!  We will arrange visits according to your requested times.  If the sitter you met with is not available we will send a backup sitter, but your pets will be well cared for.
  • Keep in contact.  We will continue services for your pets until we hear from you but it is nice to have an idea of when you plan to return home or if a family member will be taking over.

This can be a stressful time but the proper preparation can make it a little easier for both you and your fur kids!

retired greyhound

Colorado Bans Greyhound Racing

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retired greyhound

This week I was proud to be a Coloradan when a bill was signed Monday to ban Greyhound racing statewide.  I grew up with Greyhounds and was even in a newspaper article to show folks that these sweet dogs were usually good with children.  They hold a very special place in my heart and I have kept in touch with rescues over the years.  My family even had Greyhounds until just a few years ago when the last one passed away.

Greyhound racing itself has not been active in the state for years, since the last racing track shut down, but it is good to know that the “sport” will not be allowed to make a resurgence anytime in the future.  There are 7 states that still have active dog racing tracks and I personally hope they are feeling the pressure to close in the near future.  Rescue groups across the country work tirelessly to transport Greyhounds from those 7 states to their own and facilitate adoption locally in order to save as many lives as possible.  Due to the closing of tracks over the recent years the pressure has lightened on other rescues but thousands of these dogs are regularly raced, bred and retired at a ridiculous rate.

Greyhounds are wonderful dogs that are well suited to small spaces such as apartments.  Depsite being fast runners, the dogs really are couch potatoes and are content to lay around most of the day.  Many people are daunted by their size but they do curl up into nice little balls!  Many of them are great with other dogs, kids and cats, although they are all screened before being placed in a home with any of these.  If you have ever had any interest in adopting one of these wonderful dogs, celebrate the ban on racing by getting in contact with a local Greyhound rescue!

Steps for Finding a Good Dog Breeder

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If you’re in the market for a purebred dog, you’ll need to find a good dog breeder from which to purchase the animal. This can often be as easy as opening the classified advertising section of your local newspaper, but you’ll want to be sure that the breeder you’ve chosen is reputable. There are several ways to help ensure that the breeder you’ve found knows his stuff and is reliable, professional, and trustworthy.

Ask for References

Any good breeder will be able to provide you references of clients he has worked with in the past. These will be people who have purchased a puppy or utilized stud services and will be happy to share their experiences with you. Choosing a breeder that was used by someone you know is a good choice as well.  If your friend or family member was happy with the service and treatment he or she received from the breeder, the odds are good that you will be as well.

Prepare to Answer Questions

A good dog breeder will have as many questions for you as you have for him, perhaps more.  Good breeders work to ensure that the dogs they breed are placed with the correct people.  They may ask whether you have children, what size home or yard you have, and numerous other questions to help them let you know whether the dog you’re seeking is right for you and your family.  A breeder that doesn’t ask these types of questions may be looking just for the money from the sale of the dog and is probably not the sort of breeder you want to do business with.  A good breeder always has the best interest of both the dog and the clients in mind.

Guarantees

A good dog breeder will have had the puppies checked for potential health risks before ever selling the animal.  Some problems, however, simply are not detectable until later in life. If you purchase a golden retriever pup, for example, and six months later discover that it has hip dysplasia (a genetic defect in the animals hip joints, it is often nearly undetectable until the animal is several months old), a good breeder will issue a refund to you, no questions asked. Genetic defects like this are avoided by the use of selective breeding (hip dysplasia in dogs has between a 25% and 85% chance that it is genetic in origin), but sometimes a pup will display the disorder even if there is no trace of it in either parent’s history.

Health Checks

Each breed of dog has genetic disorders that are more common that others, such as cataracts or hip dysplasia. In the case these disorders can be screened for in the parents, that should be done before the breeding happens. For this reason, dogs should not be bred before 2 years of age as that is the youngest age many health checks can be performed. Hip dysplasia is a good example of this as hip x-rays can be taken at 2 years old and sent for certification. This does not guarantee against health problems but definitely helps to encourage good breeding.

Whenever possible you should be able to meet both parents of the litter. Often the sire of the litter will belong to a different owner and will not be on site, but should you wish to meet the father the owners should be able to arrange this. If the owners are hesitant to allow this then that should raise red flags.

Sources for Finding a Good Dog Breeder

Aside from looking in the newspaper or on the internet for a dog breeder, breeders can be found through veterinarian’s offices, pet supply stores, and at dog shows.  Dog shows are a very good choice since the breeders that attend these events are often showing one of their dogs or are there to see the performance of one that they bred and sold in the past.  These days you can also join the nation breed club or join social media groups for the breed. You will get to know quite a bit about the breed as well as become familiar with breeders across the country. They often make announcements when they have a litter on the way!

The moral of the story is that you are adding a new member to your family. Don’t rush the process and do lots of research before acquiring a puppy. Then you can enjoy your new best friend knowing you made a great decision!

4 Reasons We DON’T Go to The Dog Park

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Can you take my dog to the park?

This is a question we get all the time. We are happy to walk your dog through any park near your home, on leash. We will not take your dog to the neighborhood park and let him off leash, or to the fenced dog park.

First off, we are not dog park haters. At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we believe the dog park is a great place in the right situation, for the right dog. Most of our sitters take our their dogs to dog parks and off-leash areas, but those are their own dogs. This is not the same as taking your dog to the park.

In order to make sure our clients are receiving the best and safest care, it is our policy to not to let your dog off leash at a park or go to the dog park.

1. We will never let dogs off leash in a regular, unfenced park, ever.

No matter how great your dog is about not running away from you, we are not you! We form great bonds with the dogs we watch and love them as much as our own pets but that does not make us have the same weight of importance with your dog when they see a cat run across the street. Besides, how often do you see a dog owner calling and chasing their dog, saying they never run off like that. We don’t want that to be us, and neither do you.

2. Dogs (and owners) are unpredictable.

So you live right next to the fenced dog park? Still no way. I cannot count the number of times I have collected my dog and left the dog park because another dog showed up that made me uncomfortable. We cannot predict how your pup is going to react in a variety of situations, nor can we predict how the other dogs are going to respond to your dog. We prefer not to take the risk.

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3. Dog parks can be a vector for diseases.

 

Yeah, so why do you take your dog to dog parks? I make an educated risk based on the conditions of the park before I take my dog. I do not allow my dog to go swimming in the park because Giardia is highly transmittable via water. Same with any park that has large puddles that are frequented by dogs. If we take your dog to the park and he gets sick, even if we went at your request, we are still liable and we have a sick dog on our hands!

4. There are lower risk ways to exercise your dog.

At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we chose to take the lower risk path and during the time your dog is in our care we play it safe. We go on lots of walks, play in the yard, play inside, make up fun games and more! We know we are providing the safest way for your dog to have fun.

What do you think about dog parks? Let us know your feelings and experiences in the comments below!

 

 

6 Rare Dog Breeds You Should Know!

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Have you ever seen a beagle? Sure you have. What about a basset hound? Of course!  How about a Polish Owczarek Nizinny?  Didn’t think so. It’s one of many unfamiliar breeds of dogs roaming the Earth and though it has a funny name (to Americans anyway), it is a beautiful creature.

There are a great many dog breeds out there that, unless you’re a dog expert, you may never have heard of. Here are a few of the lesser-known dog breeds.

4724180Affenpinscher

The smallest dog in the family that includes pinschers and schnauzers, the Affenpinscher is a toy dog with a good demeanor. These little guys are very intelligent and trainable and make wonderful family pets. They have a dark, wiry coat and are naturally affectionate towards humans.

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Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd has a large frame and is considered to be quite courageous. These are strong and loyal dogs that see a good deal of use in the United States as military and hunting dogs.

2325135Basenji

The Basenji is a medium sized muscular dog that is also known as the African Barkless Dog. They never bark, but not because they are mute; apparently they just don’t want to. Basenjis were originally bred in Africa as hunting dogs. They do not naturally make good pets, but overcome their aversion to humans if they are handled consistently from an early age.

2956602Bouvier des Flandres

These small but sturdy dogs have the appearance of a sort of terrier. They usually have a dark rough coat and a generally calm manner. They were originally bred as herders in France and today are used in both police work and as guide dogs or assistance animals for the blind.

6067701Central Asian Ovtcharka

The Central Asian Ovtcharka is a large and muscular dog. It is known as loyal and fearless and has protective instincts that make it an excellent herder and watchdog.  Typically they have their ears and tail docked at an early age.

5392086Polish Owczarek Nizinny

This guy is a medium sized shaggy dog with a long coat that covers its eyes. Loyal and devoted dogs, they make great pets as long as they won’t be left alone for long periods of time since they are known to cause trouble when unsupervised for too long.