Snoring, Wheezing, and Allergy-Season Sneezing

Is your dog snoring a lot lately? It’s spring and that means there’s a great deal of pollen and dust in the air across the country. If your dog is suddenly wheezing and snorting as well as snoring, you might want to have him or her checked for allergies.

The evening seems to be the worst time for pets in terms of itching and sniffling before falling asleep. Maybe you’ve tried home remedies to no avail. Here are some allergy-reducing tips you can consider for your dogs. As always, consult your vet prior to trying anything below if you have additional questions.

Frequent Baths/Foot Soaks: Dogs pick up anything and everything when outside during spring and summer. They roll around in the grass – and other undesirables; they step in anything – the yuckier, the better as far as they’re concerned; and they rub themselves up against trees and shrubs. They are simply walking allergies after a day at play.

Baths and foot soaks are wonderful ways to provide relief to itchy skin and eliminate outside allergens from coats and skin. Try a grain-free, oatmeal, or tea tree oil infused shampoo. Both have been known to help with itchy skin, redness due to scratching, and hot spots. If there’s no time for a bath or foot soak, make sure to wipe off their paws before entering the house. It helps keep some of the allergies at bay.

PAWZ Boots: Even with baths and foot soaks, some dogs may still end up having awful scratching fits. Consider getting your dog some PAWZ Boots to keep feet dry and clean, plus they help with the scratching. Generally these are only worn when outdoors. You can find them online or at pet-supply retailers.

Humidifier/Air Purifier: Pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores can cause serious indoor allergies, but did you know the same also can be allergens for your pets? They can even be allergic to bacteria on their skin and coat. Keeping a reasonable humidity level indoors can help with both pet and human allergies. Try using a few humidifiers in your home during winter, aiming to keep the humidity around 35-45%. This reduces the dust-mite population greatly because they need higher humidity levels to thrive. It's not foolproof, however. While you can regulate the humidity quite well in the winter you still will often run into problems during late spring and summer.

That’s the time to add an air purifier into the allergy-prevention mix. These work best in a room where you can keep the windows and door closed. They work by reducing particles in the air that may be composed of pet dander, mites, dust, and mold. Air purifiers will clean most allergens out of the air but not off surfaces.

Keep a Tidier Home: For surfaces that collect allergens, keeping your home as clean as possible is vital. For example, in the bedroom where most allergy attacks occur, the Mayo Clinic recommends encasing a mattress and pillows in dust-mite-proof covers and washing all bedding at least once weekly; this will also help with dog hair that gathers on bedding. They also recommend curtains made of plain cotton, which you wash on a regular basis and using washable shades instead of blinds. So, scrub and clean more than usual to help with everyone’s allergies!

Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can help with inflammation during allergy season. It's also great for a dog’s skin. A suggested recommendation is to add 1000mg to their dinner every other night or so – just open the capsule and pour the liquid over their food. Coconut oil is also great for allergies. It contains lauric acid, which has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. The recommended dosage is 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of a dog’s weight, given twice a day.

OTC and Prescription Meds: If all else fails, medicines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec can be given to pets with skin issues and seasonal allergies. Make certain to ask your vet for your pet’s proper dosages. If all else fails to keep your pet healthy and comfortable during allergy season, consider prescription medications and/or allergy shots. For severe issues that are uncontrollable, you may want to talk with your vet about those options.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

10 Most Common Health Diagnoses for Dogs

With dogs -- just as with humans -- prevention is always better than the need for a cure when it comes to health. Be diligent! Every month you should check your dog carefully and systematically for possible early signs of illness. Keep in mind some stoic dogs are very good at hiding ill health or pain, so be vigilant. Some issues are preventable and some are not, but being precautious always helps. Here is a health checklist to keep you on track; these are the 10 most-diagnosed issues for dogs.

1. Ear Infections
Otitis externa, commonly referred to as an “ear infection,” is a condition characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal. It affects up to 20 percent of dogs, especially those with floppy ears. You can prevent ear infections by gently drying your dog’s ears after bathing or swimming. It’s a good idea to take a look into their ears at least once a week. Problems are far easier to treat if they’re detected early. If you notice any odor, redness or discharge from your dog's ears, please call your right away.

2. Skin Allergies/Dermatitis

Most skin allergies derive from fleas -- the most common cause -- or substances in the environment such as pollen and mold. There is not much you can do to prevent airborne allergens but you can prevent flea problems by putting your dog on a good year-round flea preventative – with the emphasis on year-round because fleas can survive indoors throughout winter. Frequent vacuuming and the changing of air filters also can cut down on the amount of allergens your dog might inhale.

3. Diarrhea

Almost all dog owners are familiar with this condition characterized by loose, watery stool. The most common causes are the ingestion of table scraps and spoiled food, excess plant material, and a sudden change in food.

4. Vomiting

At one time or another, your dog may have a bout of vomiting. Usually he or she will have eaten something disagreeable, eaten too much or too fast, exercised too soon after eating, or is suffering from any number of non-serious conditions. To prevent vomiting don't give your dog table food, change their food gradually, and monitor the dog to assure he or she is not eating things that can’t be digested.

5. Pyoderma

This common condition is a skin bacterial infection. There are several causes; some are more easily prevented than others. The best ways to curb pyoderma are to prevent fleas and ticks, and bathe your dog periodically. Problems are easier to treat if they are detected early so if you see redness, swelling or discharge, consult your vet.

6. Urinary Tract Infection

Inflammation of the urinary bladder is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Provide fresh clean water aplenty and give your dog many opportunities to urinate. Reducing the need to “hold it” can help prevent infections.

7. Conjunctivitis

Another issue is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the tissue coating the eye and lining the eyelids. There isn't much you can do to prevent conjunctivitis. However, you can reduce the likelihood of your dog's eyes becoming irritated by preventing things from blowing into them. If you use spray cleaners, paints, or other aerosols that may irritate the sensitive eye tissue, remove your dog from the area until they are out of the air.

8. Mass

Skin growths or masses are lumps of tissue that are within or can be felt under the skin. There is nothing you can do to prevent skin masses but early treatment and surgical removal are much more affordable than more complex procedures. At times, these prove to be benign fatty tumors, but make sure your vet checks out any mass or growth to be safe.

9. Giardia

This is an easier one to prevent. Giardia is a protozoan parasite found all over the world, which frequently causes diarrhea. It is common in animals under close confinement, such as those in kennels, animal shelters, and pet stores. Giardia is common in contaminated water. Prevent your dog from drinking out of old or muddy water puddles, especially in dog parks.

10. Foreign Body Ingestion

This happens when an indigestible object is caught in your dog's stomach or intestines. To prevent problems, keep all items your dog might ingest -- but shouldn't -- out of his or her reach. Observe behavior when playing with toys to ensure your dog doesn't try to “eat” them. Check toys regularly to make sure they are not getting too worn out.

Always Pay Attention to the Attitude, Too

Keep in mind your dog's general attitude can speak volumes. If you notice the head and tail are down and he or she seems quieter and less playful than usual, it can mean your dog is not feeling up to par. Dogs not feeling well may also skulk in corners, dig holes in the garden to lie in, or even perhaps appear unusually aggressive for no apparent reason. If you're worried or notice any unusual changes, always ask your vet for advice.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://https://www.facebook.com/pages/DDs-Pet-Patrol-LLC/113722645371614?ref=hl.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Pet Ownership: Good for your Heart…Good for your Health

Often when we think of ways to relieve stress, we consider exercise, meditation, yoga, a massage, or a vacation, for starters. While all these are viable strategies, perhaps another should come to mind: getting a new best friend -- in the form of a loving and ever-loyal pet. Research shows unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or are definitely too busy to properly care for one, pets can provide excellent social support and stress relief, among other benefits -- perhaps more so than human friends.

Let’s take a look at some of the main health benefits of dog and/or cat ownership:

Mood enhancers: For animal lovers, it’s simply impossible to stay in a bad mood when loving puppy eyes meet yours, or when a furry, purring cat rubs up against your hand. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of pets. Many studies show anyone with an illness or disease is less likely to suffer from depression if there is a pet in the household.

Blood-pressure control: 
While drugs can generally reduce blood pressure, they aren’t as effective for controlling spikes in blood pressure due to stress and tension. However, in a recent study, groups of hypertensive New York stockbrokers who got dogs or cats were found to have lower blood pressure and heart rates than those who didn’t get pets. When they heard of the results, most of those in the non-pet group went out and got pets!

Exercise partners: 
Whether we walk our dogs because they need it, or are more apt to enjoy a walk when we have companionship, dog owners do spend more time walking than non-pet owners. Because exercise is good for stress management and overall health, owning a dog can be credited with increasing these benefits.

Social support (aka conversation starters): 
If we’re out walking a dog we come across as more approachable, giving people a reason to make eye contact, smile, say hello, and stop for a chat. We meet more people thus giving us the opportunity to increase a network of friends and acquaintances; this, in turn, delivers great stress-management benefits.

Unconditional love and companionship: 
Pets can be there in ways people cannot. They not only offer love and companionship, but also enjoy comfortable silences and quiet time as long as they are able to snuggle and cuddle with us. They are the ideal prescription for anyone who lives alone. In fact, research shows nursing-home residents reported less loneliness when visited by dogs than when they spent time visiting with friends and family. These particular benefits can reduce the amount of stress experienced in response to feelings of social isolation and lack of social support from people.

Stress relief: 
While we all know the power of talking about your problems with a good friend who’s also an excellent listener, recent research shows spending time with a pet may be even better. When conducting a task that’s stressful, people actually experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a supportive friend -- or even a spouse or partner -- was present. Perhaps this is because our dogs and cats again offer unconditional love -- and don’t ever talk back!

Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress if you do indeed feel you cannot offer a dog or cat what they need for a quality life. However, the benefits of having a pet far outweigh the drawbacks for many people. If you haven’t discovered the joy of pet ownership yet, why not consider having a four-legged best friend who is always by your side while also being capable of reducing life’s stressors?

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Pink Ribbon Pooches for Breast-Cancer Patients

With an eye and heart turned toward those diagnosed with – and in treatment for – breast cancer, the co-writer of this blog recently created a Facebook portal to assist patients who may need help with their dogs and also to share pertinent news, research, and info.

Pink Ribbon Pooches – found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PinkRibbonPooches – was created as a service for women diagnosed with breast cancer who have dogs, and particularly single women who have no family or other household members to help during this stressful time. The network's three primary goals are to help find temporary foster homes or a pet-sitter for dogs during surgeries and procedures as needed, to match rescued dogs with breast-cancer survivors who can benefit during the healing process by having a canine companion, and to assist in finding homes for dogs whose owners may not have survived.

On the page, you also will find the latest breast-cancer news of the day in addition to the mission to help breast-cancer patients with dogs.

Please check out the page and support with a “like”; don’t forget to share with your friends, family, and colleagues who may be fighting breast cancer or perhaps know someone who is. Many thanks!

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).