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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 10:31 AM
The Yellow Dog Project Respecting a Dog's Space By: Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Pet Sitter, Dog Walker & Trail Guide
You've heard the adage: "A picture's worth a thousand words." How about seven?
Please be sure and spread the news by forwarding this post to your friends and Vet's office to post!
I'm thinking a yellow poop bag would make a nice "ribbon."
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2013 1:12 PM
Spot's Light Lighted Collars & Leashes By Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
And God said: "Let there be light." And Spot said: "Make mine neon!"
 So, as many of you know, Bella handles our Twitter account here at The Poochy. The other day, she was minding her own business, when a dog named Honey started following her.
Being the friendly pooch she is, she stopped what she was doing and made friends. It turns out Honey is the R & D Director for a very cool family-owned company named Spot's Light. So, after passing some Tweets back and forth, Honey beamed Bella a package of light containing an awesome collar and leash - that light up. Too cool!
Bella, being a tiny dog of large character, gave it to her friend Bailey...a much bigger pooch, and Bailey has been sporting it ever since!
Here at Poochy Doos, LLC, we've found Spot's Light to be an invaluable tool and way over due! The collar and leash are constructed of sturdy nylon with a swivel clip and they light-up for night-time walking.
I can't tell you all the close calls we've had at Poochy Doos walking dogs at night with good drivers (or bikers) who just didn't see us or were distracted. That being said, we're not your average dog walkers. Our dog walkers are trained to be "actively scanning the horizon" for potential hazards that can threaten a dog's safety. We don't chat on cell phones, listen to i-pods or walk and chat with friends along the way. We're simply there, walking our client's dog, and paying attention to our surroundings.
This product is perfect for the average dog owner who frequently walks their dog around the neighborhood or bike trails at dusk (perhaps the poorest lighting of all) or at night. It provides a six foot lead lit-up with very bright, neon-color lights that projects your presence from several yards away. It is also reasonably priced. In fact, for the same price you'd pay for a regular collar and lead, you could purchase the added security of Spot's Light!
Used correctly, the visibility this product provides could easily help avert accidents that could otherwise occur from distracted drivers, bikers (and dog owners)!
We hope you check them out and support their great products!
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Monday, November 05, 2012 9:56 PM
Salt & Chemical Ice Melters: Preventing Illness & Chemical Burns By Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Pet Sitter & Dog Walker
 Wintertime in Colorado, while filled with unparalleled recreational opportunities, is also filled with challenges for your dog, chief among them ice and salt-based ice melting products.
Surprised? You’re not alone. Many people are unaware of the serious health problems posed by exposure to these products.
Problems Include: - Severe dermatitis, sores, infection or blistering
- Inflammation of paws
- Chemical burns of paws
- Chemical burns of the tongue and mouth and digestive tract
- Gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting
- Bloat
- Kidney Problems
- Pancreatitis
How This Happens:Dogs who have access to walkways treated with salt-based or chemical ice melters frequently get the super-heated pellets (175◦) stuck to their paws. This can cause direct exterior damage to the paw, and result in further interior damage when your dog licks and ingests the pellets. Repeated ingestion can result in kidney problems or pancreatitis. Bloat (an emergency situation) is a greater threat in larger dogs who tend to drink large amounts of water.
What To Do: - Buy pet-friendly ice melting products
- Use Musher’s Secret Paw Protection
- Invest in doggie booties
- Keep your dog’s fur trimmed around his or her pads
- Avoid salted areas
- If exposed, wipe your dog’s paws liberally with a warm cloth to remove the salt
- If your dog consumes salt contact your vet immediately
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Friday, November 02, 2012 10:03 AM
Exercising Your Dog at the Wrong Time: Potentially Fatal? By Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
Your dog loves playing fetch and you love playing with your dog! So, what's the problem? Nothing, as long as you're aware that right before or right after meals is not the best time to play, as you could be inviting Bloat.
 What's bloat? Bloat is a dangerous condition where the a dog's stomach fills with air, fluid and/or food which can cause the stomach to become enlarged. This in turn can put pressure on various organs, cause difficulty breathing and can even decrease or cut off blood supply. Gastric torsion can result - an enlarge and twisted stomach, that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Some Symptoms: - Distended, enlarged abdomen
- Trying to belch or vomit
- Weakness
- Increased or excessive salivation
- Shortness of breath or shallow breathing
- Lowered body temperature
- Pale gums
- Increased, rapid heartbeat
- Collapse
Some Known Risk Factors:- Vigorous exercise or play after eating
- Rapid eating
- Feeding one large meal a day
- Over-eating
- Over-drinking
- Stress
- Trauma
If you suspect your dog may be showing signs of Bloat, take them to the vet immediately. Bloat can be fatal if not immediately treated.
Poochy Doos, LLC is not a vet. Information contained in this article has been derived by conducting independent web research and should not be relied on as accurate or exhaustive.
As always, should you have further questions or concerns about this important issue, please see your vet or consult with the CSU Vet Teaching Hospital. |
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Sunday, October 28, 2012 1:17 PM
In Loving Memory of "Mr. Lincoln" By Mary Watterson, Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
This month has been a terribly sad month for Poochy Doos, LLC. We lost a very old and dear friend, "Mr. Lincoln" to problems associated with NSAID usage. His owners were treating Lincoln as instructed by their vet and had not been informed of the dangers involved, or the signs of acute toxicity to look out for.
Our hearts go out to Mr. Lincoln's family in their time of grief! Lincoln was a great dog and we all loved him very much! So all of us, at one time or another, may be confronted with having to treat our four legged friends for pain or inflammation. In canines, this is probably most commonly done in order to treat Arthritis, a very common ailment. While there are supplements and wholistic treatments as well, controlling inflammation and pain management remains an important part in any treatment regimen.
There are various NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs on the market. generally speaking, they work by suppressing the enzyme prostaglandin. The problem is, when prostaglandin is inhibited, it can adversely affect blood circulation in the kidneys and the production of blood platelets.
As with any medication, your vet should always discuss potential side-effects with you prior to administering the drug. During the first 24-72 hours, it is important to keep a close eye on your dog to observe any adverse reactions.
For more information on this important topic, please see your vet or inquire at the CSU Veterinarian Teaching Hospital. You may also find helpful articles online by Googling "dangers of canine nsaids."
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