Jax Pet Nanny At Your Service

As Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I wanted to share with you with the following safety tips that you can share with your family and friends over the upcoming holiday season so we can keep our four legged family members safe.  Enjoy!

Turkey Skin – On its own, turkey skin can be fatty and hard to digest, but onThanksgiving it’s particularly bad (just think of the butter, oils ands pices rubbed into it). If you must share the turkey with your dog, dopeel the skin off and cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces. Andconsider choosing the white meat over the dark for your pooch – it’s a little blander and easier to digest.

Cooked Bones - Whether your bird is duck, goose or turkey, do notgive the bones to your dog. Any dog cartoon features Fido carrying abone around in his mouth, but the reality is that a cooked bone is often brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your pet’s intestine.And bird bones are hollow and break easily.

Gravy/Buttery Side Dishes - This one goes hand-in-hand with theturkey skin. Fatty foods and trimmings can cause pancreatitis in dogsat worst and diarrhea or vomiting at “best.” ThePoop.com suggests substituting gravy with a little turkey broth if you really want to give your pup a treat.

Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap – Dispose of these when you’re donewith them. There are two risks here: one, your pet will be licking the fatty substances off the wrappings, and two, swallowing these can causean intestinal obstruction.

Chocolate - Not that we think that you would intentionally feed your dog chocolate (which we all know can be toxic to our caninefriends), but since candy is often left out on tables for guests duringthe holidays, it made the list. Be sure to keep bowls filled with chocolate out of reach.

The Garbage Pail – A frustrated pet who can’t get a scrap out ofhis usually-generous parents may be tempted to dig around the trash bin and find a good number of the items listed above.

The Kitchen – Thanksgiving can be the busiest day of the year forthe kitchen, and you’ll want to keep your pup out of there. With hot dishes being whisked from one counter to the next, there’s a chance adog that’s under foot could be burned or cut if something were toshatter.

Holiday Plants – Sure it’s Thanksgiving, but a good number of people have already decked the halls with holly by this time. Know that Poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs.

Decorations – Glass ornaments and candles are just begging for trouble. Like the chocolate, keep these out of reach of your pups.

Guests Who Mean Well – Educate your less pet-savvy visitors (and hey, maybe even send them this list!). A child may accidentally feed adog some chocolate and your great aunt might think she’s being nice by sharing her turkey skin with your furry family member.

Be safe and I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

~Ashley

Jaxpetnanny@gmail.com

I found this interesting article and thought I would share.

The Cat’s Purr – A Biomechanical Healing Mechanism?

Weall know how wonderful it is to be around a purring cat.  To me, thereis nothing more soothing than to be lulled to sleep or woken up byAmber’s strong purr.  But did you know that a cat’s purr has healingproperties and can actually heal bones, muscles and tendons?

In a 2006 study conducted by Fauna Communications,researchers found that the frequency of a cat’s purr (between 25 and140 Hz), convers the same frequencies that are therapeutic for bonegrowth and fracture healing, pain relief, swelling reduction, woundhealing, muscle growth and repair, tendon repair, and mobility ofjoints.

The researchers at Fauna Communications believe that it’s possiblethat evolution has provided the felines of this world with a naturalhealing mechanism for bones and other organs.  From the FaunaCommunications website:  “Being able to produce frequencies that havebeen proven to improve healing time, strength and mobility couldexplain the purr’s natural selection.  In the wild when food is plentiful, the felids are relatively sedentary. They will spend a largeportion of the day and night lounging in trees or on the ground.Consistent exercise is one of the greatest contributors to bone,(Karlsson et al, 2001), and muscle (Roth et al, 2000; Tracy et al1999), and tendon and ligament strength (Simoson et al, 1995; Tipton etal 1975).  If a cat’s exercise is sporadic, it would be advantageousfor them to stimulate bone growth while at rest.  As well, following injury, immediate exercise can rebreak one and re-tear healing muscleand tendon (Montgomery, 1989).  Inactivity decreases the strength ofmuscles (Tipton et al, 1975). Therefore, having an internal vibrationaltherapeutic system to stimulate healing would be advantageous, andwould also reduce edema and provide a measure of pain relief during thehealing process. ”

I’ve always believed that animals, and cats in particular, are healers.  Isn’t it nice to know that just listening to our cats purr is not only good for our soul, but also good for our body?

http://consciouscat.net/2009/09/14/the-cats-purr-a-biomechanical-healing-mechanism/

In the summer months ESPECIALLY here in Florida please be careful to keep your furry family members cool and assure they do not overheat.

Dogs breathe out through the mouth, pushing air over the mucous membranes of the tongue, throat and trachea to expedite cooling through evaporation of fluid. Your dog also can expel heat by dilation of the blood vessels in thesurface of the skin in the face, feet and ears. When their system is overwhelmed,hyperthermia and heat stroke usually develop.

 A dog's normal body temperature is around 100.5 to 102.5degrees.  If your furry family member?s temperature rises to 105 or 106degrees, they could be at risk of heat exhaustion.  When a dog's body temperature rises to the dangerous 107degrees heat stroke could set in. Heat stroke is irreversible damage and in many cases death can occur. See, ourfurry family members aren't as proficient at cooling themselves as you or Ibecause they cannot sweat as easily and depend on panting to cool themselvesdown.

What to look for: The tongue, gums and eyes will be red and they will probably be panting hard.  In some cases they may even start vomiting.

I have seen dogs left in parked cars this year. Please be careful tonot do this! The temperature in a parked car can reach 160 degrees within just a few minutes, even with the windows partially opened!  If you suspect your dog is overheating

place cool water over the inner thigh areas, paws and ears.  Try to get them to drink some coolwater. 

EMERGENCY TIP:

If this is an emergency situation and you have no water availablepouring Alcohol [Rubbing Alcohol] is very effective because of its rapid evaporation. This will not be absorbed by your dog because of their thicker skin and thespeed of which is dissipates.

The type of Alcohol that is recommended is (propylene alcohol), notethyl, for those of you not aware. So do not try to have them take it internally!  

Hopefully you will never need to use these tips.  Stay safe, have fun and stay cool!

~Ashley

Jaxpetnanny@gmail.com

I had a client call me this evening because her Shih tzu named Domino had been drinking very little water all day and she was concerned if he might be dehydrated.  I wanted to share with everyone how this is accomplished and found a great article that describes the steps below.  Sometimes older animals are more challenging to determine if they are dehyrated or not.  When in doubt remember to feel the gums, if they are dry or feel sticy, there is a good chance they could be dehydrated.

Very old,  very skinny or obese animals can sometimes be difficult to determine if they are dehyrated. In these cases, feel the gums. If they feel dry and sticky, the animal is probably dehydrated.

IMPORTANT: if you suspect your pet is dehydrated please take them to a veterinarian ASAP and err on the side of caution.

~Ashley

Jaxpetnanny@gmail.com

Step 1  Check the elasticity of the skin on your dog's neck. In a normaldog, when you pull the skin on the top of its neck and then let it gothe skin quickly goes back to its normal position. (the skin may bedifferent on elderly or obese dogs)

Step 2 To test for dehydration in elderly or obese animals, feel the gums. Dehydrated dogs have dry, sticky gums.

Step 3 Check the color of the gums. Your dog's gum color indicates how much oxygen there is in its bloodstream. Lift alip and look at the color of the gums or lips. You may need to see aveteranarian if they don't look right. By regularly checking, you aremore likely to identify when something is wrong with your dog.

Step 4 If your dog has pigmented gums (Black), check the color of the mucusmembranes inside the lower eyelid, in her vulva, or his prepuce.

Step 5 Checkcapillary refill time. How long do your dog's gums remain pale, after applying pressure? When blood is circulating normally, finger pressureon your dog's gums blanches or pales the area under pressure. When thepressure is relieved, the area instantly refills with blood. 1-2seconds is normal. More than that is an indication something could bewrong.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4491221_tell-dog-dehydrated.html

Friday, September 11, 2009

Havinga pet can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in life. They all have their own unique personalities and qualities that make them special. However, there are so many responsibilities that you have to consider when owning a pet. For one, caring for your pet is a large responsibility and can be quite expensive, especially if you own a dogor a cat. You have to pay for things like food, immunizations,grooming, and the list continues. To minimize the costs that you payfor your pet, have you considered obtaining free pet samples of your favorite products?

Pet samples are a great way for you to help save on the cost of owning a pet. You will find nutritious samples available online that can really help youto provide for your pet. These samples are provided by the leading petmanufacturers, so you know that they are especially safe.

Manyof the samples available will include products like pet food. Manytimes the samples provided can easily allow you to provide enough foodfor your pet for an entire week. The sample size may actual be the samebag as what you would have gotten at the store. So, this is a great wayfor you to help minimize the cost of owning your pet.

There are so many people who are looking for ways to reduce expenses as much asthey can. This is one way that you can cut back on costs while stillproviding the same level of care for your pet. It only involves you thinking outside of the box to explore the possibilities available online.

Just by simply filling out a form, your pet can enjoy a delicious treat. Free Pet Samples offers a wide variety of completely free samples that you can get for FREE.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

Give Your Dog The Long Healthy Life They Deserve!

Did you know that a quick 30 minute walk each day can make sure you keep your dog healthy and happy?  A short walk helps physically to stimulate muscles and keep joints limber it also stimulates a dogs brain to all the sites, smells and sounds within their environment which they will encounter.   Walking can also help with social skills and this gives them the ideal opportunity to practice making new friends!  Because dogs are pack animals and intinctually need to be with others - dogs or humans.

That daily walking routine provides them with personal attention to satisfy this "pack need". Not to mention if you have a new puppy walking will them to teach them about the world around them and expose them to a wide variety of scents, sounds and situations.  They will also learn how to interact and greet other dogs. 

Go to my "Contact me" tab today and learn more about how setting up a regular dog walking schedule help to assure you give your dog the long healthy life they deserve. 

Ashley

Jaxpetnanny@gmail.com

The Humane Society of the United States | humanesociety.org

Protecting your dog or cat from fleas and ticks is an important part of responsible pet care.

Although there are many brands of over-the-counter flea and tick products available at supermarkets and pet supply stores, it is critical to read their labels and consult with your veterinarian before using them on your companion. These products may contain ingredients that could harm pets and children.

Recent News

Due to a sharp increase in the number of incidents being reported from the use of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for pets, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in April 2009 that it is intensifying its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better protect pets.

Tell The EPA

Earleir this year, the EPA received a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to cancel all pet uses for the pesticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) and a supplement to a previous NRDC petition to cancel all pet collar uses for the pesticide propoxur. NRDC requested these cancellations based on their belief that the EPA failed to adequately assess residential exposures to TCVP and propoxur pet collars. The EPA opened a public comment period for the petition to cancel propoxur pet collar uses up until Aug. 4, 2009.

Recent Studies

The Center For Public Integrity released information on its website for its Perils of the New Pesticides study in 2008. At least 1,600 pet deaths related to spot on treatments with pyrethroids were reported to the EPA over the last five years, according to an analysis of EPA pesticide incident exposure data by the center. Over-the-counter flea and tick products could also pose a threat to human health, according to some experts.

The center reported that pyrethroid spot-ons also account "for more than half of 'major' pesticide pet reactions reported to EPA over the last five years?that is, those incidents involving serious medical reactions such as brain damage, heart attacks, and violent seizures. In contrast, non-pyrethroid spot on treatments accounted for only about 6 percent of all major incidents."

The Center For Public Integrity's study said pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments are approved for sale by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers, and hardware stores, "but they are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the concern of veterinarians, and the attention of regulatory agencies."

In 2000, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report called Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products. The report also demonstrated a link between chemicals commonly used in flea and tick products and serious health problems.

The Chemicals

Besides pyrethroid-based products, ingredients to be wary of are organophosphate insecticides (OPs) and carbamates, both of which are found in various flea and tick products. A product contains an OP if the ingredient list contains chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, or malathion. If the ingredient list includes carbaryl or propoxur, the product contains a carbamate. According to the NRDC, the potential dangers posed by these products are greatest for children and pets. There is reason to be concerned about long-term, cumulative exposures as well as combined exposures from the use of other products containing OPs and carbamates. The Center For Public Integrity's study said permethrin is classified under the most toxic category by NRDC because the EPA says it is "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" if ingested orally.

The Products

The NRDC's report lists flea- and tick-control products marketed under the following major brand names that have been found to contain OPs: Alco, Americare, Beaphar, Double Duty, Ford's Freedom Five, Happy Jack, Hartz, Hopkins, Kill-Ko, Protection, Rabon, Riverdale, Sergeant's, Unicorn, Vet-Kem, Victory, and Zema. To protect their pets and children, consumers should consult with a veterinarian before purchasing any over-the-counter (OTC) products.

The Effects

According to the NRDC, there are studies that show OPs and carbamates can harm the nervous system. Children can be especially vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing. For pets, the data is limited, but according to NRDC, many companion animals appear to have been injured or killed through exposure to pet products containing OPs. Cats are particularly vulnerable, since they often lack enzymes for metabolizing or detoxifying OPs and can ingest OPs by licking their fur.

What about the EPA?

Each year, millions of Americans purchase over-the-counter flea and tick products believing that they couldn't be sold unless they were proven safe. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not begin to review pet products for safety until 1996. There is a substantial backlog of products waiting to be tested, so many pet products containing potentially harmful pesticides still make their way onto store shelves.

Reducing the Risks

The HSUS recommends the following precautions be taken to reduce the risks to pets and humans during the flea season:

Use alternatives to pesticides to control fleas and ticks: Comb your pet regularly with a flea comb, vacuum frequently and dispose of the bags immediately after use, mow areas of the lawn where your dog spends time, wash pet bedding weekly, and wash your pet with a pesticide-free pet shampoo. In addition, to protect cats from fleas and ticks, as well as a host of other outdoor hazards, cats should be kept indoors at all times.

Always consult a veterinarian before buying or using any flea or tick control product on your pet.

Never use flea and tick products designed for dogs on your cat, or vice versa.

Remember never to apply pesticides to very young, elderly, pregnant, or sick animals unless directed to do so by a veterinarian.

Always read the ingredients, instructions, and warnings on the package thoroughly.

Avoid OP-based products by looking for any of these active ingredients: chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon and malathion. Avoid products with carbamates by looking for the chemical names carbaryl and propoxur on the label.

Consider using a product with insect-growth regulators (IGRs), which are not pesticides. These will prevent the next generation of fleas but will not kill insects already on your pet. Common and effective IGR products include those made with lufenuron (found in Program® and Sentinel® and available by prescription), methoprene (in Precor®;), and pyriproxyfen (in Nylar® and EcoKyl®;).

You might want to consider several topical products (available through veterinarians) that are insecticides designed to have fewer toxic effects on the nervous systems of mammals: imidacloprid (found in Advantage®;), fipronil (in Frontline® or Top Spot®;), and selamectin (in Revolution?).

If you suspect your pet may have suffered negative health effects as a result of a flea product containing OPs or carbamates, consult with your veterinarian immediately. If you think a child has ingested a pesticide, call your local poison control center. Be sure to report all such incidents to the EPA's National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 800-858-7378.

The HSUS would also like to keep track of these cases.* Please send your contact information, the product name, a brief description of the health problem, and a brief summary of your veterinarian's findings to The HSUS at the following address:

The Humane Society of the United States

Companion Animals Department: Flea Products

2100 L St. NW

Washington, D.C. 20037

Updated July 13, 2009.

*The HSUS will not be able to respond to you personally but will keep this information on file.

Express Your Concerns to the EPA

NRDC's Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products report

National Pesticide Information Center

The Center For Public Integrity: Pets and Pesticides

This is an interesting study I thought I would share with all you cat lovers in Jacksonville.  It's titled "Cats Do Control Humans".  Remember, the Jax Pet Nanny not only is provides pet sitting for dogs in Jacksonville florida but I also pet sit for many cats in Jacksonville.  I can provide cat sitting services on short notice.  Contact me today! 

Enjoy the article.

Cats Do Control Humans, Study Finds

http://LiveScience.com

livescience Staff

Mon Jul 13, 12:50 pm ET

If you've ever wondered who's in control, you or your cat, a new study points to the obvious. It's your cat. Household cats exercise this control with a certain type of urgent-sounding, high-pitched meow, according to the findings.  This meow is actually a purr mixed with a high-pitched cry. Whilepeople usually think of cat purring as a sign of happiness, some catsmake this purr-cry sound when they want to be fed. The study showedthat humans find these mixed calls annoying and difficult to ignore. "The embedding of a cry within a call thatwe normally associate with contentment is quite a subtle means ofeliciting a response," said Karen McComb of the University of Sussex."Solicitation purring is probably more acceptable to humans than overtmeowing, which is likely to get cats ejected from the bedroom." They know us Previous research has shown similarities between cat cries and human infant cries.

McComb suggests that the purr-cry may subtly take advantage of humans'sensitivity to cries they associate with nurturing offspring. Also,including the cry within the purr could make the sound "less harmonicand thus more difficult to habituate to," she said.

McComb got the idea for the study from herexperience with her own cat, who would consistently wake her up in themornings with a very insistent purr. After speaking with other cat owners,she learned that some of their cats also made the same type of call. Asa scientist who studies vocal communication in mammals, she decided toinvestigate the manipulative meow.  Tough to test Setting up the experiments wasn't easy. While the felines used purr-cries around their familiar owners,they were not eager to make the same cries in front of strangers. SoMcComb and her team trained cat owners to record their pets' cries -capturing the sounds made by cats when they were seeking food and whenthey were not. In all, the team collected recordings from 10 differentcats.

The researchers then played the cries backfor 50 human participants, not all of whom owned cats. They found thathumans, even if they had never had a cat themselves, judged the purrsrecorded while cats were actively seeking food - the purrs with anembedded, high-pitched cry - as more urgent and less pleasant thanthose made in other contexts.

When the team re-synthesised the recordedpurrs to remove the embedded cry, leaving all else unchanged, the humansubjects' urgency ratings for those calls decreased significantly. McComb said she thinks this cry occurs at alow level in cats' normal purring, "but we think that cats learn todramatically exaggerate it when it proves effective in generating aresponse from humans." In fact, not all cats use this form of purringat all, she said, noting that it seems to most often develop in catsthat have a one-on-one relationship with their owners rather than thoseliving in large households, where their purrs might be overlooked. The results were published in the July 14 issue of the journal Current Biology.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090713/sc_livescience/catsdocontrolhumansstudyfinds;_ylt=ApKmAdf5lrz1SPLv_A5yPJKCfNdF