Turd Wranglers Pet Waste Removal Services Ltd.

11/11/2024

Lest We Forget - Remembering with Respect and Honour

CVSDU is a veteran led Canadian charity providing service dogs to veterans, police, firefighters, paramedics, corrections officers & first responders with PTSD

11/10/2024

Lest We Forget - Remembering with Respect and Honour

CVSDU is a veteran led Canadian charity providing service dogs to veterans, police, firefighters, paramedics, corrections officers & first responders with PTSD

11/10/2024

We understand that life gets hectic at times, leaving the p**p scooping chore for "later" that never seems to come. For an affordable monthly fee we can visit your yard weekly to keep the chore from getting out of hand. Hire us to do the dirty work for you. We also provide weekly bucket services.
TurdWranglers.ca
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11/07/2024

It could be more than just an upset tummy!
This week's subject is Bloat in dogs.
What Bloat is, how to identify it and what you can do about it.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also called bloat, is a dreaded condition.

GDV occurs in dogs when the stomach distends with air and then while dilated, twists. This action interferes with the blood supply to the stomach and other digestive organs, blocks the passage of food, causes the stomach to distend, impedes the return of blood to the heart and results in reducing cardiac output. Blood and oxygen are deprived from tissues which in turn causes them to die releasing toxins into the blood stream which causes serious disturbances in heart rhythms and usually results in death unless treated.

This condition follows a predictable path that usually occurs in three phases.

Phase 1 – Dog will noticeably begin:
1. Pacing, restlessness, panting and salivating.
2. Attempts to vomit
3. Abdomen begins to enlarge.

Phase 2- Dog begins to show signs of:
1. Restless, whining, panting, salivating.
2. Unproductive attempts to vomit (every 2-3 minutes).
3. Gums become dark red.
4. High heart rate increases (180 to 210 BPM).
5. Abdomen enlarges and feels tight. When thumped with finger emits a hollow sound.

Recommended action: Immediately transport dog to Veterinarian.

Phase 3- Condition worsens.
1. Gums become white or blue
2. Dog unable to stand or has a shaky stance
3. Abdomen is hard and enlarged
4. High heart rate accelerates (200 BPM or greater), pulse may become weak

Recommended action: Act quickly; transport dog to Veterinarian, use a Bloat Kit. (Available at www.breedingbetterdogs.com) Death is often imminent. Typically a dog will go from phase 1 - 3 in a few hours.

Those who know this disease associate it with breeds that are large and deep-chested. They are thought to be at greatest risk because they have deep body cavities which allow space for the stomach to move and twist. Other factors thought to be associated with GDV include overeating and rapid eating, single daily feeding, high water consumption, stress, and excessive exercise after eating. Studies in the past have suggested factors that can influence GDV include dog-specific factors, management, environment, personality, and a combination of these factors (body condition, genetics, age and s*x). The breeds thought to be at greatest risk include the German Shepherd Dog, Great Dane, Collie, Weimaraners, Irish and Gordon Setters, Bloodhound, Akita, Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Standard Poodle, Labrador and Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, and Chow Chow. Many other breeds have been known to suffer from GDV and they are also at risk, as are mixed breeds.

What you can do to help prevent bloat.
Use a slow feed bowl.
Feed smaller meals more frequently. snacks can add up to a meal!
Use a raised feeding and water station.
Watch your dog, especially on hot summer days, that they don't drink too much water all at once.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=bmpQCOWHvc8&ab_channel=TheDailyDIYer

11/03/2024

In this week’s article we explore microchipping. So many pets are lost each year. As Turd Wranglers, we go about our job of p**p scooping and bucket disposals, all the while keeping our eyes open for lost pets. We check local Facebook Lost Pet Groups/Pages frequently and use them to actively search for those lost pets whenever we are in the area. We also ensure that when we are on the job, your dog is secure by closing and latching your gates on our way in and on our way out!
If you like this article and would like to receive more helpful and timely articles please like and follow us on Facebook!

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Microchips – How effective are they really?
A nightmare for any dog owner: their beloved pup or kitty runs off or vanishes and they are left with thoughts of the worst-case scenario. Luckily there are microchips available, and nowadays, most dogs have one.

What is a microchip?
The microchip is used in Canada, the United States and many other countries. The microchip is only the size of a grain of rice, but when scanned it reveals the breeder's or shelter contact information from which it came, thus helping facilitate the dog’s return to its owners and perhaps saving its life should medication or special care of the dog be needed. The breeder or shelter (the party that purchased the ISO microchips from the CKC or AKC) is responsible for keeping a list of microchip numbers and the corresponding dog it belongs to and whom the dog was sold to or placed with.

Why microchip?
Microchips provide permanent identification along with the peace of mind it gives owners. Microchipping the best way to reconnect pets with their owners. Microchipping also saves shelters money that would be allocated to feeding, housing and efforts trying to connect an unidentified animal with its owners.
Every dog imported into Canada, under the Government of Canada’s animal importation rules, must have an International Standards Organization (ISO) approved microchip.

How and when do you get a dog microchipped?
The tiny microchip is inserted between the shoulder blades of the dog. It can be done at any age but usually occurs when a puppy is still living with its breeder, or when a dog is surrendered to a shelter and needs to be re-homed. Once inserted, the chip can be read by passing a handheld scanning wand over the dog’s back.

My pet does not have a microchip, how do I get one?
Start by visiting a shelter or vet clinic. Most vet clinics can perform the procedure while your pet is awake or under general anesthetic; and usually try to complete it during another routine procedure such as spaying or neutering. However, microchipping can also be done on its own and is not painful for your pet.
Many shelters will ensure that dogs and cats are microchipped prior to adoption, but not all. Please confirm with the shelter directly to be sure.

What about a collar with a tag or a tattoo?
Although many owners use both a collar with identification and a microchip. While a collar with a tag might offer immediate contact information, the microchip offers superior protection as collars can fall off, break, or be taken off and information on tags can fade. Both microchipping and tattooing require a database to connect the dog with its owners, but tattoos (which are usually applied to the dog’s ear or inner thigh as a puppy) tend to fade, rendering them hard to read.

No more invasive than a vaccination.
The microchip is inserted using a needle and the dog requires no anesthetic for the procedure. Many dogs don't even realize the event is taking place.

Diligently stored records
When the Canadian Kennel Club or American Kennel Club sells microchips to its members, the CKC, or AKC respectively, records who the microchip was sold to, so that the records will always include the breeder (aka purchaser of the microchip). This is another reason why it is crucial for owners to keep in touch with their dog's breeder and update them when they move addresses, change phone numbers or email addresses.
When that breeder registers the dog and transfers ownership to the new owner, the microchip will then be connected to that dog’s file and the recorded owner on file. Should that owner need to update the information on the dog's microchip, they must contact the breeder and the Canadian Kennel Club toll-free at 1-855-364-7252 and provide the Membership Services team member with the dog's microchip number, along with some other information on the dog as requested so they can find the dog’s file and update it.

My dog is from the USA. How do I register my dogs microchip in Canada?
Once you've confirmed your microchip number, registering it is free and takes no more than a few minutes. You can do it yourself on the Customer Portal or by calling 1-866-597-2424 to work directly with a Pet Registry Specialist. That's it!

Protection is not limited to purebred dogs!
The Canadian Kennel Club also offers the CanadaChip Recovery, where dogs who are not registered can also be enrolled. There’s no charge to enroll a dog if the microchip was purchased from CKC; if CKC didn’t sell the microchip, there is a $10 plus tax fee for the enrolment, which is for the life of the animal and there is not a renewal fee. Cats and birds can also be enrolled in CanadaChip.

There is also a pet microchip registry called 24Pet Watch where you can register your pet's microchip number online through their microchip portal or by calling them at 1-866-375-7387. You can update your contact information anytime through the online portal or purchase a "Lifetime Protection Membership" which enables you to call to update your information at any time.

Intricate technology.
An ISO microchip is a rice-sized radio-frequency identification device (RFID) that can be applied by a simple and inexpensive procedure. Getting your dog microchipped is a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to keep your dog safe. Dogs are much more likely to be returned to their owners when microchipped, it’s a way to prove ownership and give you peace of mind should your dog ever escape or get separated from you in a natural disaster. Microchips also help assist with the traceability of dogs as most veterinarians and shelter agencies are equipped to scan for microchips. If you have not yet shared your dog's microchip number with your veterinarian, give it to them or have them scan it and add the information to your dogs medical file along with it's positioning on the dog's body. In rare cases a microchip can migrate away from the site of insertion. In a disaster, paperwork can be impossible to find but you can retrieve the number from your Veterinarian.

Microchips are not GPS tracking devices.
The dog must first be located and scanned. A secondary tracking device added to your dog's (or cat's) collar (such as an apple air tag) can help to locate a lost pet. When scanned, Microchips provide immediate ownership contact information so you want to keep the information current. In rare cases a microchip can migrate away from the site of insertion. If a microchip is not immediately detected, the scanning wand should be passed over the entire body of the lost pet. Owners can ask their vet to confirm the microchip’s placement during annual checkups.

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10/31/2024

Can Dogs Eat Howl’Oween Candy and Other Treats?

Humans can have a sweet tooth, but what about our pets? Science shows that while dogs may not be big fans of salty foods, they do like sweets. But while we may want to indulge our pets with our favorite candy, not all human foods are safe for dogs to eat. Here are some of the biggest no-nos for pets to avoid:

Chocolate
Chocolate is probably the most common danger pets encounter on Halloween, so it’s especially important to keep bags of chocolate out of the reach of pets.

Stay mindful of the following:

The darker the chocolate, the greater its toxicity level.
The smaller the dog, the greater the chance for concern.
If you suspect your pet has consumed chocolate, reach out to your veterinarian, a veterinary emergency center, or a poison control hotline immediately. The sooner you take action, the better the outcomes and the lower the treatment costs. If left untreated, a secondary concern could be severe gastroenteritis or even pancreatitis days later.
You can help your dog by inducing vomiting to help get the chocolate out of your pet’s system. This can be helpful for up to six hours after the chocolate has been consumed.
Signs of chocolate poisoning include hyperactivity (although some dogs may act depressed); drooling; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; and tremors and possibly seizures, which can lead to death.

Candy
When families leave candy out in accessible locations, pets may be tempted to help themselves. They may, inadvertently, consume candy wrappers or the artificial sweetener xylitol, both of which may require you to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

10/30/2024

Should You Take Your Dog Trick or Treating?

Owners who want to involve their dogs in their Halloween festivities may wonder whether it’s better to take them out trick-or-treating or stay at home and welcome trick-or-treaters at the door.

It’s best to keep pets indoors during trick-or-treating hours to prevent them from getting spooked. If you do venture out with your dog on Halloween, always keep them on a leash under the control of a responsible adult.

It’s not unusual for cats and dogs to feel frightened by the doorbell ringing and strangers streaming in and out. And because those people are dressed in costumes, even pets that aren’t normally fearful of unknown humans visiting may react differently.

Follow these tips to help keep your dog calm and safe:

Make sure your dog is secure to prevent scared pets from running away: Keep them on a leash or away from the door when trick-or-treaters come by.

Create a structured environment for your pets to celebrate: If your pet seems comfortable and visitors are willing, you can ask your dog to sit and the visitor can offer a dog treat. A more structured interaction, such as a command-response-reward format, can make the situation more predictable and positive, as opposed to having people randomly interact by approaching, reaching, or touching your dog. Exposures should be controlled so that they are fun and not forced.

Don’t allow neighbors to give your dog human treats: Human candy should be off-limits for pets.

Keep frightened pets in a separate room for their comfort and safety.

10/27/2024

Dog and cat enthusiasts will find a wealth of current, valuable and informative articles on the Turd Wranglers page. We encourage you to like and follow our page to stay up-to-date.

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Turd Wranglers Pet Waste Removal Services Ltd.
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10/26/2024

Dressing Dogs in Howl’Oween Costumes!

Every year, millions of people dress their dogs and cats in costumes. But families with pets at home should be careful when dressing up their dog.

Being paraded around in a costume may be fun for some dogs — but not all. Avoid undue stress and don’t dress your pet unless you are absolutely sure that he/she will be ‘thrilled’ with this idea. Some dogs are fearful of being handled and may also be sensitive to having clothing put on them.

Pet costumes can be fun and cute for people, but they can present a danger to pets. Keep the following in mind if you’re planning on dressing up your dog for Halloween:

Shop around for a safe outfit: Fastenings should only be made of Velcro, not buttons, drawstrings, or elastic. There should not be any dangling parts that are easily chewed and swallowed by pets. Be sure your pet can breathe easily and move about freely when in its costume.

Give your pet a chance to become familiar with their costume over time: Put it on for short periods leading up to Howl’Oween so that they’re accustomed to and comfortable with it.

Don’t leave your pet unattended in a costume: This is particularly true if costumes have parts that can be easily ingested by curious pets or obstruct your pet’s breathing and movements.

10/26/2024

Is your dog frightened?
Read the Warning Signs

While the scary side of Howl’Oween may be fun for humans, there’s no reason to produce real fear in our pets. Families with dog at home be on the lookout for body postures that might indicate fear, including:

Tail tucking
The retraction of the ears
Pacing and restlessness
Shaking or cowering
Moving in slow motion
Refusing treats
Hyper-vigilance
Yawning
Lip licking
Panting

In a moment of fear, dogs may try to escape, so make sure your dog has an ID tag and is microchipped and that the contact information is up to date.

10/23/2024

What Do Dogs Really Think About Howl’Oween?

Humans in costumes. Dogs in costumes. New decorations around the house. Doorbells ringing throughout the night. Going trick-or-treating. All the tempting smells of Howl’Oween candy. It’s a lot for a dog to take in. But what do they think of all the rituals and routines of the holiday?

For humans, the spooky atmosphere is what makes this time of year special and fun. But the out-of-the-ordinary rituals
of Halloween aren’t always safe, inviting, or exciting for our pets. Luckily, there are precautions you can take to make your pets feel more comfortable during the festivities.

Getting ourselves dressed up in scary costumes is one of the most fun aspects of Halloween, but bear in mind that it may be scary for dogs to see us that way.

Many strangers in costume can be extremely scary and stressful for dogs. It is best to avoid this type of exposure if you have a fearful animal.

Even if your dog is usually quite calm, the crowds and unusual attire that they may encounter can still cause them alarm. Because dogs rely on reading human faces and facial expressions to decode our body language, costumes with masks may be the most problematic for pets.

10/20/2024

Thanksgiving gatherings and Howl’oween are busy times full of unfamiliar faces, loud noises, door bells, knocking, strange creatures peering in the front door, xylitol and chocolate and more… it’s a frightening time for many dogs and cats. Are you prepared? Here’s a short list of 5 simple things that can help your pet through it all safely!

1 - If your dog has food allergies, a sensitive stomach, or you are worried your dog might swallow a sharp bone, informing your Thanksgiving dinner guests about it ahead of time and asking them not to feed anything to your dog is a must.

2 - Keep your Halloween candy out of your dog’s reach.

3 - Ensure your dog and/or cat cannot get out the door. Use a crate, a bedroom or simply don’t answer the door.

4 - Use a leash whenever you’re out with your dog/cat. Watch them closely to prevent them from eating anything on the ground.

5 - Everyone believes their dog will not escape from their own yard, but there’s always a first time. Use a leash and go with your dog when your dog needs to go outside to relieve itself.

Turd Wranglers wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful Howl’Oween!

10/13/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!
Howl’Oween is nearly here. Checkout out our page for helpful advice on how to prepare your dog to have a safe and happy Howl’Oween.

TurdWranglers.ca offers affordable p**p-scooping and bucket disposal services for dogs and cats!
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10/13/2024

Preparing Your Dog for Howl’Oween 2024

Halloween can be a whirlwind for us humans, but for our dogs, it's a whole different story! Imagine, kids knocking on the door all night, spooky costumes everywhere, and all those yummy treats they can't have like chocolate, oh no!

Did you know that Halloween is one of the busiest days for vets? That's because it can be stressful for dogs. We need to make sure they're safe and calm on these crazy nights, not just physically, but mentally too.

Fireworks and firecrackers going off, loads of people running around, and constant knocking and ringing at the door can be terrifying for dogs. Unless your dog's super chilled out, they're probably going to be a bit freaked out.

Some dogs might get excited and bark at all the noise and visitors, while others just want to hide under the bed or in the cupboard. It's a whole range of reactions.

Here are some tips to help keep your dog safe and calm this Halloween…

The best thing you can do is start getting your dog used to the sounds and sights of Halloween right away. Start by practising ringing the doorbell or knocking and tossing a handful of treats on the ground every time. This will help them associate these sounds with something positive.

You can also find a sound bite of fireworks and firecrackers online and play it really softly while giving your dog their favourite toy or treat. It’s like a little party! Turn the sound off, and the party stops. Sound on, party resumes. Slowly, very slowly, turn the volume up, but only if your dog isn't bothered by it. Once they're not reacting at all, you can turn it up a notch and start the party again.

Do this over the next few days, over and over, to help them get used to the noise. They'll be so grateful! And don't forget to put on your Halloween costume in front of your dog! Make sure they see you put on and take off masks while giving them treats. This will help create a less scary interaction than if they're surprised by it for the first time.

It's best to avoid having your dog near the door on Halloween. Either use a no-contact method for giving out candy or keep your dog safely tucked away.

Don't worry, you don't have to be the “no trick or treaters” house. You can put up a sign at the bottom of your path or stairs asking people not to knock or ring the doorbell. Leave a bowl of candy out with instructions for them to help themselves and be quiet because your dog is scared. You'd be surprised how many people will understand.

If you're keeping the candy inside, make sure it's out of reach of your dog, and be careful not to drop any on the ground. Xylitol and chocolate are both toxic to dogs.

Keep your dog in a safe place away from the door, like a pen, a gated area, or a crate. These will help keep them secure and prevent them from running out.

Finally, make sure your dog has plenty of fun toys and treats to keep them occupied. It's a great way to help them focus on something positive and calm down.

If your dog is really scared of Halloween, then stay at home with them. Don't leave them alone to worry – it's not good for them to be all stressed up on their own. They need you to help them feel safe and sound.

Turn off the outside lights to stop people knocking at the door. Shut the curtains, and keep your dog in their favourite room, as far away from the front door as you can. Have a cuddle up and watch a film with them, with the sound turned up loud to block out all the scary noises outside.

But, if your dog's very anxious, have a chat with your vet about some medication. It's absolutely normal to ask for a one-off dose to help them cope with the stress of Halloween. It's much better than them having a proper panic attack, isn't it?

So there you have it, a few tips to make sure your pooch has a safe and enjoyable Halloween. If you've got any other ideas or experiences to share, do let us know in the comments below!

And if you're a dog lover looking for more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook!