If you would like to add a rabbit to your family, first do your homework! Rabbits make wonderful house pets, but they are different than owning a dog or cat.

I recommend you visit the House Rabbit Society website, which is a great resource for prospective rabbit owners. I also recommend reading the House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman, which I used as my go-to guide.  Once you’ve learned about the proper care and feeding of house rabbits, make sure you have a safe place to keep your bunny. You will need a cage big enough for your rabbit to stand up and move around, but bunnies can’t constantly be kept in a cage.

Your rabbit needs at least 3-4 hours of exercise daily. You will need to bunny-proof an area to make sure there are no electrical cords or other hazards that your rabbit can get into. Bunnies love to dig and chew, so make sure you have appropriate toys. You don’t need to buy toys – bunnies love to play with cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, brown paper bags, tissue paper, phone books, newspaper, etc.

You will need to spend time combing and brushing your bunny, which helps remove excess hair. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot cough up hairballs. An intestinal blockage is extremely dangerous and can result in death.

You will also need to trim your rabbit’s nails on a regular basis. A rabbit’s nails can grow to be very long and sharp and will be uncomfortable for the rabbit.

And finally, rabbits are social animals. Your bunny will be very unhappy if constantly left alone. They need daily interaction with you. Take time to get down on the floor and play with your bunny.

Once you’re ready to get your bunny, remember to adopt – don’t shop.  Many, many rabbits are available at animal shelters. Do yourself and your bunny a favor – wait to make sure that you are prepared to make an 8-12 year commitment, and then visit your local animal shelter.

Vicki Stringfellow Cook
Bunny’s Blog

Causes of Obesity

There are some medical conditions that can cause weight gain in dogs, such as hyperthyroidism or Cushing’s Disease. However, an Australian study found that only 3% of dogs had such a reason for their generous waistlines. Most of them were overfed and/or under-exercised.

Cats are carnivores, and a high carbohydrate diet will lead to weight gain. It’s not easy to encourage a cat to exercise; after all, you can’t put a leash on them and take them for a run. Weight loss in cats is therefore more of a challenge than in dogs.

Is Your Pet Overweight?

It is important that you are objective when you are assessing your pet’s body condition. They don’t have “big bones”, and they aren’t big because of their furry coat.

Veterinarians use a body condition score to assess whether or not a dog or cat is carrying too much weight. This score ranges from 1 (very underweight, with prominent ribs and no fat over them) to 5 (unable to feel ribs, and saggy fat on the belly). Ideally, your pet should have a body score of around 3. You should be able to feel their ribs, and they should have a slight narrowing at the end of their ribcage, where their abdomen starts.

Weight Loss Programs for Pets

It’s not easy for people to lose weight, and it’s not any easier for our pets. It takes discipline on the part of their owner, and a commitment to resist those pleading brown eyes when they are asking for a treat!

The first step is to work out exactly how many calories your pet needs to eat each day. Your veterinarian can help you with this, and may recommend a prescription weight loss diet. These are particularly useful because if you reduce your pet’s food intake, you may cause a deficiency of some nutrients. Prescription diets are designed so that your dog or cat gets enough of these nutrients, while still cutting back their calorie intake.

It’s important with cats that their weight loss is slow and carefully managed by your veterinarian. If they lose a lot of weight quickly, they can develop fatty liver syndrome which can make them seriously ill.

Increasing exercise is also an important part of weight loss in our pets. However, extremely heavy dogs will struggle to go for longer walks. They are likely to become stiff and sore. In these cases, hydrotherapy is a great option. They can swim for longer periods of time, which exercises them without putting weight on their legs.

To exercise your cat, you can encourage them to chase a feather toy or a laser. Another good option is to put their food in small bowls throughout the house, so they have to walk more to get their dinner.

Obesity and its associated health problems are preventable diseases. You can prevent them by feeding your dog or cat “to condition”. This means you give them just enough food to keep them at a body score of 3/5. This may mean feeding less than is recommended on the packet of kibble but that’s fine. You can give them treats, but just watch their waistline. If you do this, your beloved companion is very likely to enjoy a longer and healthier life.

So you keep seeing posts on Facebook and Twitter for BarkWorld, but you have no idea what it is and how to get involved.  BarkWorld Expo is a Pet Social Media Conference in its sophomore year of existence.   This conference was founded by Denise Quashie, an award-winning event producer and public speaker.

BarkWorld is the perfect conference for people who tweet or blog about their pet (or AS their pet) to pet related business owners and all pet people in-between.  Topics on the agenda at BarkWorld include how to brand your business, which social media platforms are best for your business and how to use them, and creative tips and tricks to grow your business.  Representatives from big names in the pet world including Petco, Dogster and Catster are usually in attendance, as well as internet moguls like Yahoo and Bing, with a handful of TV stars thrown in for good measure.

Although BarkWorld is a pet friendly event in which dogs are welcomed to take part in the workshops as much as their pet parents, the information learned can be used across a wide variety of non-pet based businesses or hobbies.  For instance, one of this year’s workshops was called “Pawtography On All Fours: How to Take Great Photos of Your Pets”, presented by Nina Parker.  We learned how to take great photos without expensive photo equipment.  We learned what some of the settings on a ‘point and shoot camera’ mean and some great tips about framing and lighting your subject.  Guess What!  I’ve taken all the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the weekend and used it on my human subjects!  (Shhh! don’t tell anyone!)  Most of the BarkWorld workshops and presentations can transcend species and industries.

For those people who enjoy writing or blogging, BarkWorld is wonderful for networking.  Most attendees are happy to help a newbie get started on their newest project.  Not to mention rubbing elbows with representatives from Yahoo or Bing is pretty nice as well!

For more information or if you are ready to pack your bags and come to Atlanta for the next BarkWorld, check back with www.barkworldexpo.com frequently for updates on BarkWorld 2012.  As of now, it will take place in the fall of next year.  Follow @BarkWorldExpo on Twitter for more information throughout the year.

~ Lilly

Yes, this was a Doggie Wedding!

After a fabulous weekend of learning about social media and how it relates to pets, the conclusion to Barkworld 2011 was a dog wedding for Stedman, the Beagle and his now wife Phoenix, the Papitese.  The pet parents spared no expense to lavish their beloved dogs with a ceremony that tops many human weddings.  For their human guests, there were appetizers, a pasta bar, a cash bar, and parting “doggie” gift bags.  The band played elegant background music for both 2 and 4 legged friends to greet and intermingle with one another.

Since the parents of the groom were Jewish, the groom and the best man wore a Kippah, the traditional head cover of Orthodox Jewish men.  After the joining of paws and the exchanging of rings, the Rabbi blessed and broke a Kiddush cup shaped doggie treat.  At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom ate the wedding cake together.

This was an amazing event.  I don’t think I will ever see another doggie wedding and if so, not to this extent.  It was a beautiful and memorable day.  Congratulations to Stedman and Phoenix and Mazel Tov!

~ Lilly

Paws In The City

Dallas, TX

With a passion for saving animals, Paws in the City has grown from a couple of volunteers, to a large number of volunteers and sponsors ready and willing to help when the need arises. Paws in the City is on a mission to end overpopulation, neglect and abuse of cats and dogs in the Dallas, Texas area.

During the summer of 2005, Paws in the City began their mission to save those dogs and cats from the City of Dallas shelter on the verge of being euthanized. Some of these dogs and cats were being killed because they were old, had a illness (although some were treatable) or because there was just not enough room at the shelter. But before their first adoption event in September, the horrific natural disaster known as Hurricane Katrina hit. Paws in the City co-founders Becky Haisma and Tara Harper sprung into action to help evacuate cats and dogs from no-kill shelters in Louisiana and Mississippi.

From this crisis, the Paws in the City philosophy was born:

• Be willing to share resources with like-minded groups
• Be ready to assist in a crisis
• Do not abandon animals that need the most help

This group of volunteers makes it a mission to work harder for those pets that are harder to place, even if it means raising additional funds to help animals running out of time.

Paws in the city is a non-profit organization. They don’t receive any money from the government, nor are any of their staff paid. Paws is an all-volunteer organization…with lots of fundraising skills. Known for their fundraising events, Paws in the City have four spectacular events each year in which they have sponsored by several companies, so ALL profits can go towards the medical, boarding or training of each dog. These usually sold-out fundraising events, allow Paws volunteers to interact with the community as well as the community to intermingle with the pets.

Some of the achievements of Paws in the City are:

• Reduced the number of animals killed at the City of Dallas Animal Shelter by having them attend the offsite adoption events and pulling animals off of death row. Other than the SPCA, they save more pets from the City of Dallas shelter than any other organization.
• Increased the number of animals adopted each and every year. In 2010, they double their intake and adoption numbers from 2009.
• Having the most exciting and unique special event fundraisers in town, which always sell out!
• They take in dogs and cats that other organizations overlook due to illness, age or breed. The City shelter utilizes Paws as a last resort.
• Created a training program for their dogs, so that no dog is in the program for long due to behavioral issues. They are committed to their emotional and mental well being as well as their physical needs.
• Offer the public a Guest Dog/Cat program. They help citizens who find strays or need to re-home a pet by posting them on their website and inviting them to attend their adoption events, as well as using their vet discounts.
• Provide a Medical Assistance Fund which offers the public help with expensive surgeries or treatments that they could not afford on their own.

For more information about Paws in the City, please see their contact information below:

Contact Information

Paws in the City
3824 Cedar Springs Road, #360
Dallas, TX 75219
Website: www.pawsinthecity.org/index.htm
For General Information, Email: info@pawsinthecity.org

There are a number of medical conditions that affect the skin of both dogs and cats. What can you do to keep your pet’s skin in good health, and reduce the chances of them needing veterinary care for a skin disorder?

Here are four things that you can do, that will keep your pet’s skin and coat looking and feeling good.

1. Nutrition. What you put in your pet’s food bowl definitely affects the condition of their skin and coat. Inexpensive  foods contain cheaper ingredients, and may have a poorer nutrient profile. This can result in a dull coat and dry skin. Feed your pet the best food you can afford. Have a look at the ingredient list on the packet; ingredients are listed in descending order of  weight. Ideally, the food you choose should have meat or meat protein in the first three items on the list. Check that it has undergone an AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) feeding trial. This will reassure you that your pet is getting all the nutrients they need, and in the right amounts. Their whole body, including their skin, has the best chance of staying healthy.

 

2. Parasite control. Most dogs and cats have fleas. When they are bitten by one of these little insects, their skin itches. They will bite and scratch at the itchy spot, leading to hair loss and trauma. Regular flea control will prevent this from happening. Only 1% of your pet’s flea population is on their body, the other 99% are in their environment as eggs, larvae and pupae. This means that you must also treat your pet’s bed, your carpets and your back yard.

There are other reasonably common parasites such as Demodex which can cause skin problems and hair loss. Your veterinarian will help you get these under control.

3. Minimal bathing. Cats are less likely to be bathed regularly, so this doesn’t apply to them as much as it does to dogs. If you wash your dog too often, and use the wrong products, the natural oils in their coat will be removed by the soapy shampoo. This results in dry skin and a brittle coat. When dogs have healthy skin and coats, they don’t smell, and any dirt and dust just brushes off them. This means that they don’t need bathing very often. Ideally, wash dogs when they are dirty, which may be as little as once a month. The only time you should need to wash your dog frequently is if they are being treated for a skin infection with a medicated shampoo. These products often need to be used once or twice a week. Use the right product for your dog. In most cases, a mild soap free shampoo is a good choice, because it won’t dry out their coat. Don’t use human shampoo on  your dog, because it isn’t suitable for their skin and often causes even more problems.

 

4. Prompt veterinary care. It’s easy to tell if your pet has a skin disorder, because the problem area is right in front of you every time you pat them. You’ll notice hair loss or reddening of their skin, or you may feel crusts or scales as you run your hands over them. As soon as your dog or cat develops any changes in their skin or coat, take them along to your veterinarian for a check up. It’s easier, and cheaper, to treat skin problems before they become severe.

If your dog or cat has unhealthy skin, it doesn’t just look bad, and feel unpleasant to touch. At the very least, it is uncomfortable for them, and if extensive enough, it can make them feel quite ill. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll keep your pet’s skin and fur in good condition and cuddle time will be fun for both of you.

I did not know what I was getting myself into when I applied for the open animal groomer position at the Nebraska Humane Society.  Eighteen animals a day, on average, are bathed, dipped, trimmed and shaved in my grooming room there. Most of my days are filled with matted fur, fleas, ticks, ringworm and other coat and skin issues.  I groom dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, and an occasional goat.  It is a great job filled with surprises and rewards daily.  But there is sadness there each day as well.  Animals arrive in deplorable condition, matted and emaciated; their eyes sad but their tails still wagging.

One little dog was picked up as a stray.  He was a Yorkshire Terrier mixed with another breed (or two).  He had to wait in the stray kennels at the shelter, getting food, water and warm blankets to cuddle up on.  I would see him once or twice a day.  He surely was rough looking, half bald, with matted fur on his face.  He would love coming up to the front of the kennel to greet me with some kisses and little barks.

Nobody came to claim the little guy.  After three days, he was given a behavior evaluation to make sure he was suitable for adoption.  Then he was taken to the Animal Medical Department to get ready for neuter surgery.

For the safety and comfort of some of the animals getting surgery, I request that they be brought into the grooming room while still sedated from their surgery.  The little Yorkie was one of these dogs.   One of the Vet Techs brought the little dog into my room and stated, “We had to shave his muzzle.  The doctors think he was a victim of cruelty.  He has a scar all the way around his muzzle where someone tied it shut.”

He was gently placed on the grooming table and it hit me.  This sweet little dog had been horribly treated.  My heart started to melt for him.  He had bald spots throughout his body and the fur on his legs and face was matted to his skin.   I decided it was best to just shave him from head to tail so he could start from scratch.  I gave him a bath with anti-bacterial shampoo.  He started waking up while he was drying.

When he was awake, I trimmed some straggly hairs with shears.  He once again showered me with kisses.  I decided right then and there that he deserved a fresh start and knew he would get the love he deserved in my home.

He was named Tuco by my daughter, after a character in her favorite movie.  He has an Australian Cattle Dog mix sister, two cat brothers, and a tortoise brother.  Tuco is energetic, loving, very devoted and I cannot imagine my life without him.

By LeAnn Nussrallah

As adults, dogs have 42 teeth. Cats only have 30 permanent teeth. Even though pets eat processed pet foods and their teeth are less critical to their survival, a healthy mouth is still very important to their well being.

Periodontal (“around the teeth”) disease starts with the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. This is a sticky mixture of bacteria and sugar which can harden into brown tartar if it isn’t removed regularly.

The Effects of Dental Disease on our Pets

You can usually tell when your pet has dental problems because their breath smells dreadful when they kiss you on the cheek. If you lift their lip, you may see a red line along the gum where it meets the teeth. There may also be an accumulation of tartar, particularly on those big back molars.

As the disease progresses, the gums becomes more inflamed, and start to recede. This exposes the roots of the teeth, and they start to wobble. At this point, you may notice your pet is having trouble chewing their kibble, and they may be drooling more than usual. Periodontal disease is painful, so even if your pet shows none of these signs, it is very likely that they are feeling quite uncomfortable.

Disease of the gums and teeth can also affect the rest of the body. In one study, an association was found between periodontal disease and abnormal changes in the liver, kidney and heart muscle.

Treating Dental Disease

If your pet has tartar accumulation and wobbly teeth, the best treatment is a professional clean and polish by a veterinarian. This is done under a general anesthetic, because dogs and cats aren’t too happy to sit still while their mouth is explored with probes and dental scalers. The first step is a full mouth x-ray to check for tooth root abnormalities such as fractures or abscesses. Any teeth that are too badly diseased are removed, and the remaining teeth are then cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler. Lastly, they are polished and smoothed, so it is harder for bacteria to stick to them. This helps to prevent the accumulation of plaque.

Keeping Your Pet’s Teeth Clean

Prevention is better than cure, so start caring for your pet’s teeth when they are very young. There are two things you must do to prevent dental disease in your four legged family member. Firstly, clean their teeth daily with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste. This removes plaque before it has the chance to harden into tartar.

This may sound odd, but animals easily get used to this. Use a small headed toothbrush, or even a finger brush that slips over your finger like a thimble. These are more comfortable for dogs and cats. Also, use a toothpaste specifically designed for pets. These not only taste better, but they are less likely to froth and lather.

The second part of maintaining good dental health in dogs and cats is a yearly dental check up with your veterinarian.. By doing this, any problems can be caught and treated early, and your pet is less likely to lose any teeth.

What about bones? For many years, people fed their dogs and cats bones to keep their teeth clean. Veterinary dentists now recommend that you don’t feed bones, because of the risk of tooth fractures or intestinal obstructions. Regular tooth brushing should be the main part of looking after your pet’s teeth and gums.

Our dogs and cats are important members of our family. We feed them, vaccinate them and control parasites, to prevent illness. We also take care of them when they are injured or unwell. If you can clean your pet’s teeth daily and schedule a yearly dental exam with your veterinarian, you are doing even more to keep them healthy and happy.

Dream Rescue

Atlanta, GA

Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness, and Mentoring

The Dream Rescue foundation was started and operates with one mission: to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dachshunds in need. An all volunteer staff works tirelessly to ensure the welfare of each Dachshund they bring in, no matter the circumstances. Working primarily in the Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, and Savannah regions, their goal is to make a “deep, direct impact in a limited geographic region rather than a small impact in a large geographic area”. Through the rescue of Dachshunds from shelters and animal control centers that routinely euthanize their dogs, Dream Rescue is able to give these Dachshunds a new lease on life. These volunteers are not only the rescue organization managers, but also are the primary transportation to the vet for any necessary medical procedures and foster parents for the dogs available for adoption. At least 90% of the donations and proceeds for the organization go back into vet care, while the other 10% is used to host events and fundraisers for rescue awareness like the HowlOWeenie, this year on October 1st.

As with most non-profit rescue organizations, most of their money is obtained through private donations or fundraisers and the upcoming HowlOWeenie event is the perfect way to show your support and have fun at the same time. Featuring Costume, Howling, Face Kissing, Tailwagging, and Bobbin’ for Weiners contests along with the ever-popular Daschshund Races, to live bluegrass music, hotdog lunches and cold beer and T-shirt sales, this event is sure to be a good time for dogs and owners alike. Micro-chipping and nail clipping services are also featured, with a wide assortment of prizes available for the contest winners!

Dream is always looking for more volunteers to help with many areas in the organization, and aside from monetary donations (which are always welcome and needed!) there are many ways to help.

Transport Angels can assist with picking up dogs from kill shelters that Dream has identified for rescue, as well as taking these Dachshunds to their necessary vet appointments.

Foster Homes are one of the greatest ways to assist Dream in their mission, as these homes serve as a place for the Dachshund to get used to living with a family again and being cared for as a member of that family. This allows the adoption process and transition to go much smoother. Fostering times vary in length, as each dog is unique and finding the perfect adoption home for him or her is the number one priority of this organization. But if you are willing and have a house suitable for Dachshund fostering, don’t hesitate to get in contact with a board member to assist!

An assortment of other needs are fulfilled by volunteers as well, from event staffing, technology and website assistance, marketing and fundraising all essential aspects that make Dachshund adoption possible.

And finally, if you are interested in adopting one of their many wonderful Dachshunds the first step is to fill out an application and a member of the organization will get in contact with you as soon as they can. After a matching process to determine the best dog for you, two-way dialogue to answer any questions, reference checks to determine your suitability as a dog owner, and a final home check to ensure that you are properly equipped to take care of a Dachshund, you could be the proud, happy owner of a rescued Dachshund. Don’t forget to share your experience with everyone you know, so dogs of all breeds are kept out of kill shelters and can find loving homes.

For more information about DREAM Rescue, please see their contact information below:

Contact Information

DREAM Rescue
1738 East Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Website: www.dreamrescue.org
Email: helpmedream@gmail.com

Your dog’s immune system is designed to protect him from bacteria and other invaders, and it does this very well. However, sometimes it gets it wrong and over-reacts to substances that are harmless, such as pollen, or an ingredient in his kibble. The result is an allergic reaction.

The main allergies in our dogs and cats are flea allergy, food allergy and atopy.

Flea Allergy

Virtually all dogs suffer from a flea bite or two, and they are mildly annoying. Allergic dogs have a severe reaction to the flea saliva. They can scratch and bite at their skin until it is red, and they lose their hair. It’s common for a secondary bacterial infection to develop on the traumatized skin, which makes the itch even worse.

Flea allergy usually appears on a dog’s back, tail and down the hind legs. Cats are affected in similar areas, but they may also develop small scabs all over their body. It tends to be worse in summer, when the flea population is higher.

Food Allergy

The most common symptoms of food allergy in our pets are itchy skin, ears and feet.

Dogs and cats that develop a food allergy have been eating the food for at least two years before they become sensitive to it. We can use this to our advantage when we are working out exactly what our pet is reacting to.

Common food allergens include beef, dairy, wheat and corn. These ingredients are found in most commercial brands of dog food, so changing your dog’s kibble isn’t likely to make any difference.

To properly diagnose a food allergy, you need to feed your dog a food they have never eaten before, for at least 8 weeks. Because they haven’t eaten it before, they can’t be allergic to it so during the treatment period, their skin itching should ease. Your veterinarian can help you work out an appropriate diet for your dog.

Atopy

Atopy in pets is a bit like hay fever in us; it is an allergy to dusts and pollens in the environment. Affected dogs will scratch their skin, rub their face on the ground and chew their feet. They may also sneeze and suffer from conjunctivitis and repeated ear infections. Cats also itch all over, and they may pull their hair out as they scratch.

This allergy is usually seasonal, so is worse at certain times of the year when there is more pollen in the air.

A veterinary dermatologist can perform allergy tests to identify what your dog is reacting to. This involves injecting tiny amounts of different substances into his skin, and watching for swelling around the injection site.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your veterinarian will suspect that your dog has an allergy based on his symptoms, the distribution of his skin irritation and whether it is seasonal. However, to be sure, they may recommend that a skin biopsy be done.

There are three ways of treating allergies in dogs and cats. Firstly, we can prevent our pet coming in contact with the offending substance. In the case of flea allergy, this involves using an effective flea control program to not only kill the fleas on your dog, but to stop them breeding in the environment. With food allergies, a food trial can identify the ingredients your dog is allergic to, and you can then avoid feeding them to him. It is not easy to keep an atopic dog away from pollens, so we need to tackle this allergy in other ways.

The second way of managing allergies is to give your pet medication to stop his immune system reacting to an allergen. Drugs such as corticosteroids and antihistamines are used for this, but they can have side effects. They are also not very effective in the case of food allergies.

The last way of controlling your dog’s allergic symptoms is with desensitizing injections. After allergy testing to identify exactly what is making him itch, injections of tiny amounts of these substances are injected into his body, to encourage his immune system to tolerate it. This should result in a reduction in his symptoms.  These desensitising injections are most useful in cases of atopy and flea allergy.  They can be expensive but they’re usually quite effective.

Your pet needn’t suffer from itchy allergic skin. Your veterinarian will work out a treatment plan that is appropriate for your dog or cat, so you can both enjoy a peaceful snuggle on the couch.