Diamond Valley K9 First Aid

06/17/2024

04/27/2024

To all the wonderful veterinarians!

04/07/2024

There is a lot of misinformation floating around about the Apr 8 solar-eclipse as it relates to your pets. Here is some important, science-based information from our friends at Guelph Animal Hospital.

Hello friends!

The total solar eclipse is just around the corner, and just about everyone is ready to see the once in a lifetime event. We are seeing some mixed information about pet/wildlife safety.

Contrary to what some may read, the sun itself is not any more dangerous during the eclipse. The reason protective eye wear is recommended for humans (who wish to observe the eclipse) is because many of us will be staring directly at the sun that day, which is something we typically avoid.

For our pets, and outdoor wildlife, that day will be similar to any other day. Our pets don’t stare at the sun, so there is no need to keep them indoors on April 08 for any extended period of time. They may notice the change in temperature, but it is unlikely they will exhibit any unusual behaviour.

The eclipse can be more unsettling for birds. The dimming of the sky can mimic behaviour at dusk and during early storm formation, so some birds may demonstrate a wind-down behaviour and there may be less activity in the sky during the peak eclipse. Once the sky returns to normal, so does their behaviour.

If you are purchasing eclipse glasses, please make sure they meet these criteria. For additional information about the eclipse please see:
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/

For a list of approved solar-viewing goggles please see:

https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters

It is not safe to watch the eclipse through the lens of your smartphone - it can damage both your phone camera and your eyes. Try this instead:

https://www.safeshot-viewer.com

Safe watching our friends!
Dr Renee Fleming

08/17/2023

This is the reality of living with greyhounds 😫🥰🥰

07/20/2023

🐾Wellness Wednesday🐾

Did you know Toronto, Ontario has a number of lakes currently closed due to E. Coli levels being too high?!?

E. Coli, Escherichia coli, is a bacteria that causes the disease Colibacillosis. The bacteria resides in the lower intestines of the dog.

Symptoms include:
❗️lack of appetite
❗️vomiting
❗️depression
❗️lethargy
❗️weakness
❗️dehydration
❗️rapid heart rate
❗️low body temperature/cool to the touch
❗️ blue coloured gums
❗️ watery diarrhea

It can also lead to blood poisoning. Dogs suffering from parvovirus are at higher risk as it's combined effects will increase the severity of parvovirus.

E. Coli can be picked up by puppies during the birthing process from an unhealthy momma, as well as unsanitary conditions.

E. Coli can also be picked up from contaminated food or water.

Tips for keeping your dog safe:
🐾 Practice Safe Storage & Handling of their food
🐾 Avoid allowing them to drink from potentially contaminated water
🐾 Maintain sanitary conditions & wash food/water bowls regularly

If you suspect your dog is sick seek veterinarian attention immediately!

07/13/2023

There are many reasons why Muzzle Training is growing in popularity among dog owners recently...

Safety: When dogs become overwhelmed, anxious or fearful they can react to the pressure by biting or snapping. Some dogs find the veterinarian or groomer to be too much pressure resulting in reactive behaviour. Muzzle's can assist in keeping everyone safe while caring for the dog.

This year we have also seen a number of communities across North America evacuated for one reason or another, which puts an extreme amount of pressure on people as well as their dogs. This would be a great opportunity to utilize a properly fitted muzzle to ensure that a bite does not occur due to the out of norm situation.

Eating Unwanted Things: If your dog is quick to sn**ch things up off the ground while out for your walk a Muzzle can help prevent that! You do not know if what they are sn**ching up quickly could be harmful to them, perhaps toxic or leading to impaction!

Space: People do not tend to approach dogs wearing a muzzle. We have heard more and more people are muzzle training their dog to have their space. Some their dogs are not happy about being approached by strangers and some their owner does not want to be approached by strangers. Human nature alone has less people approaching a muzzled dog.

Do you have another reason you muzzle train your dog?

If you are muzzle training your dog it is important to ensure that it is properly fitted. The dog should be able to pant, drink and eat treats you feed them while wearing their muzzle.

A Muzzled Dog is NOT a bad dog! Let's change the stigma related to muzzles. Share photos of your dog sporting their muzzle today in the comments!

06/18/2023

Huge thanks to for hosting a great group today. Thank to for the opportunity to teach this amazing group! Lisa you are an inspiration!

We have 6 new Canine First Aiders! It was a fun day, full of knowledge, fun and sharing! You all did an amazing job!

06/18/2023

Huge thanks to Canine Development and Testing for hosting a great group today. Thank you to Southern Alberta K9 First Aid for the opportunity to teach this amazing group! Lisa you are an inspiration!

We have 6 new Canine First Aiders! It was a fun day, full of knowledge, fun and sharing! You all did an amazing job!

Canine Health Canada

06/16/2023

Father's Day is just around the corner, have you picked up something for dad yet?

Does he have a dog sidekick?

Give those Dads a gift that could save their dogs life! K9 First Aid Courses are hands-on and Canine Health Canada provides the most comprehensive courses available!

Check out course listing on our website at caninehealthcanada.com or pick up a Gift Certificate & they can register for a course that works for them!

There is not better gift than the gift that could save their dogs life!

06/09/2023

Blue-Green Algae is very dangerous for dogs, as well as people and other animals❗

What is is though?
Warm weather promotes the growth of cyanobacteria in bodies of fresh water which is toxic when ingested.

The Algae can stick to the dogs fur and then when they clean themselves it gets into their system, so even if you think your dog will not drink the water do not let them swim in it either!

Here are some signs of toxicity from blue-green algae to watch for:
❗ Panting
❗ Excessive Drooling
❗ Diarrhea
❗ Disorientation
❗ Respiratory Failure
❗ Seizures
❗ Liver Failure
❗ Vomiting
❗ Collapse/Unconsciousness
❗ Weakness / Lethargic
❗ Death

If you do is showing any symptoms of toxicity contact a vet immediately! Monitor vital signs and provide emergency first aid assistance.

05/05/2023

🐾Anxiety Awareness Week🐾

Research studies report that 70% of dogs will experience anxiety during their lifetime.

Anxiety is an unpleasant apprehensive feeling of unease or nervous anticipation about something that might, or might not, happen.

Common signs of Stress & Anxiety include:
🐕 Panting
🐕 Drooling
🐕 Abnormal Bathroom Accidents
🐕 Pacing
🐕 Decreased Appetite
🐕 Excessive Grooming
🐕 Hiding
🐕 Dilated Pupils

Ideally we want to identify the Anxiety trigger and treat the trigger, but sometimes we are not able to determine what the trigger is.

What can you do?
✔️ Contact a Trainer to help you work on resiliency skills.
✔️ Proper Physical & Mental Exercise are important
✔️ Proper nutrition plays a big part, consider adding a probiotic to your nutrition plan
✔️ Contact your vet to discuss medication options, if needed.

05/03/2023

Enjoying with my greyts 🥰

04/23/2023

Did you know?? Dogs have developed specific muscles to raise their inner eyebrows, allowing them to make more expressive, infant-like faces.

This muscle is not present in wolves, their closest relatives

This change is believed to have evolved to enhance communication with humans

04/16/2023

Ok it’s a little embarrassing when the gas inspector comes by and your dog jams his nose directly in said strangers bits (true story 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️)

But, our dogs have a reason for this behavior :

They’re greeting you: Some dogs will sniff your groin just as their way of saying hello.

To gather information: Often, a dog sniffing you is sort of like a background check. A dog can gather a lot of information by smelling someone’s crotch, including their age, gender, health, and current mood.

Their scent receptors: Because a dog has so many scent receptors (over 100 million!) they have a much more sensitive sense of smell, which can cause them to be attracted to more sweaty areas of the body.

Their natural instinct: It’s instinctual in a dog to smell other mammals’ crotches and re**al areas, so by smelling yours, they’re just following their natural instincts.

So yeah. It’s embarrassing. But it’s also normal.

02/16/2023

Come take a course with us and learn the technique to do this and more and save your pet’s life.
Contact me for more information.