Top Dog Pet CPR Plus

08/11/2021

You may like a bath, but your rabbits do not! 🛁

Rabbits are very clean animals and will groom themselves and their companions, so there’s no need for the suds!

In fact, washing your rabbits (even without shampoo) strips rabbits’ fur of its natural oils, which helps to keep their coat in good condition.

As rabbits do not like to get wet, bathing is extremely stressful for them, causing them to panic and thrash which can be very dangerous and cause serious injury.

Also, rabbit fur doesn’t dry easily, leaving them prone to respiratory infections and hypothermia.

Even in the hot weather, please do NOT put your rabbit in water to cool down.

Only in extreme circumstances should you clean your rabbit, such as if your rabbit is at risk from flystrike, but you should only clean the affected area, not the whole rabbit.

For advice on rabbit bathing, please consult your vet first and visit our website for information: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/medical/bathing-bunnies/

08/06/2021

I have never heard this before. One thing that I have noticed during pet sitting assignments is that many people do not wash pet food and water bowls enough. Wash (not just rinse) all food and water bowls daily.

08/04/2021

In case of an emergency, make sure your pets are taken care of!
Get yours here=> https://www.ourpetcard.com/products/emergency-pet-keyring-tag

50% of each keychain sold provides shelter, medical care, and food for abandoned animals.

07/09/2021

Did you know that dryer sheets are highly toxic to dogs? Always check to make sure there are none lying around; dogs like to chew on them, but if they are ingested they can kill your dog or severely damage his kidneys. If this happens to your dog, call your vet immediately and induce vomiting for your dog. For more health information, visit http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/

As well, here is a link to one of the references for this information. We used several other references, statements from veterinarians, and first hand experiences:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/toxicology/household_hazards/corrosives.html

07/06/2021

For the folks at ASHA 😊

Image with kind permission from Dave Blazek - Loose Parts.
https://www.loosepartscomic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dave.blazek

06/27/2021

Even when you think the temperature is OK or feels fine to you, your fur kids may feel very differently. Animals don't sweat like humans, so they heat up a lot quicker than we do. Their primary source of cooling down is through panting which is woefully inefficient when exposed to heat (they also cool down through their paws, so be aware of this when putting booties on your pups).

The #1 cause of heatstroke in dogs is leaving them in a vehicle! Never-ever leave a pet in a car even on a mild day. While you're in the air-conditioned store grabbing a few things, your car is quickly turning into an oven. Pets can suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke.

Helpful Tips: Walk in the early morning and late evening when it is cooler. Carry water with you. Limit exercise on hot days. Avoid surfaces that absorb heat, like asphalt, pavement, metal, sand, and car seats. These materials absorb heat from the sun and can stay hot for hours (even after the sun has gone down). Temperatures on these surfaces can exceed 145° F (62.7c)‼️

Keep your fur kids safe and cool! Fans, cool surfaces, frozen treats, kiddie pools, cool washcloth under armpits, and sprinklers can all help keep the kids cooler on hot days.

Make sure fresh water and a cool place to rest is available at all times.

06/21/2021

06/06/2021

Excellent idea!

06/06/2021

06/02/2021

Are exercise balls safe for our pet rodents? And if not, should we stop using them? 😯

Let’s first discuss the potential risks when using this form of exercise:

• Many exercise balls have poor ventilation. Urine and faeces can fill the ball and build up ammonia levels, irritating delicate rodent lungs.
• There is no way of escape; which can be stressful for your rodent. Some rodents will keep running to exhaustion, which can be mistaken for enjoyment.
• Your rodent relies heavily on their whiskers and sense of smell to process the environment around them. Exercise balls greatly limit this ability, as well as impair their ability to spot any threats (as a prey species, this is important). Their hearing is also hindered and reduced to muffled noises. This can cause stress levels to increase.
• Many balls are small and restrictive, causing your rodent to arch their back or tail whilst running. This can lead to spinal problems and even ‘wheel tail’.
• Feet and tails can become trapped within the air holes of the ball leading to painful injuries. Many rodents run very fast and bump harshly into walls and other objects, which can also cause injuries and stress.
• Your rodent has no access to fresh water and no ability to let you know they are becoming dehydrated.

So, to answer the question… unfortunately, no, exercise balls aren’t considered safe. 🙁
However, out of cage time is so important for our rodent companions. If you currently use exercise balls, is it possible to try playpens or modify an open space to be ‘rodent safe’ for supervised free roam time? This may take some time for your rodent to adjust to their new routine, but you will hopefully find it a more enjoyable experience for all! 🧡

Now, there are always exceptions to every rule. There are some rodents who may appear to enjoy their exercise balls and owners who have no other form of out of cage exercise to offer. If this is the case, ensure your rodent is only running in their ball for 10 minutes maximum in one sitting. Offer plenty of fresh water and food in between. Ensure the ball is large enough and remove your rodent immediately to clean the ball if they soil it. I would still recommend to strongly consider another form of exercise if at all possible. 🙏🏻

Please feel free to comment a photo or video of your rodent’s play area as inspiration for other pet owners! 🙌🏻☺️💜

05/30/2021

Keep your babies safe! Remove foxtails from your yard and avoid walking in areas where foxtails grow!

FOXTAILS: They are beautiful and appear harmless, but they can be lethal.

SAFETY TIPS: If your pet is exposed to foxtails, do a thorough inspection afterwards: Brush coat, feel every part of body with hands. Look closely at ears, nose, eyes, underbelly, tail, behind, between toe pads, and underneath collar (foxtails burrow quickly & are hard to see).
Check inside mouth & around lips. Leave NO body part unexamined!

FOXTAIL SYMPTOMS: Continuous sneezing, pawing at & licking an infected area, violent shaking of head, frequently tilting head to the side, scratching at an ear incessantly,
sores or abscesses, swelling, discharge, coughing, and limping.

WHAT ARE FOXTAILS? Foxtail grass (also known as Wall Barley, Spear Grass & other names across the globe). is a type of grass with lethal seed awns (the fox tail- shaped tip of a grass blade containing seeds). Foxtails also refer to the tip of ANY grass going to seed that resembles a fox tail, many of these are a nuisance, but not lethal like Foxtail Grass.

WHERE DO THEY GROW? "Foxtail is common all up and down the West Coast but has also spread across the country, according to the U.S. Forest Service, populating all but seven states: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. It’s also found throughout most of Canada, as well as in some areas of Mexico.

The w**d tends to grow in grassland areas and is common along roadsides, trails, and areas that include human disturbance, such as dumps. It also grows well along the edges of salt marshes, on flatlands and Western prairies, and in irrigated meadows."—WHOLE DOG JOURNAL

05/23/2021

‘Tis the season!
•
Watch out for those pesky grass seed awns! Those teeny, tiny awns can cause a whole lot of damage!

04/30/2021

The star of Bethlehem flower can be found in many areas as a native wildflower or as one people planted themselves. If this flower is ingested by your dog, it may be lethal.

02/15/2021

Did you know that certain flowers - including lilies, irises and chrysanthemums - are poisonous to cats? In fact, they're so dangerous they can even be deadl...

01/18/2021

Spread the word! This year please pledge to share our posters or messages whenever you can. Help us educate as many rabbit owners as possible about good diet, housing, companionship, and health issues because sadly, many owners don't know what their rabbits need to live happy and healthy lives. Please share this post for starters and make a big difference in little bunny lives! 🙏

01/06/2021

Considering getting a rabbit? Did you know that selective breeding for lop ears has unintentionally caused these rabbits to have narrower ear canals and an altered skull shape, which a recent study (Johnson & Burn, 2019) shows are causing health problems for these bunnies?
Compared to rabbits with erect-ears, lop-eared rabbits have more redness in the ear canal, more ear wax, and showed more pain responses on ear examination. They also had higher rates of dental pathology for both incisors and molars.
As a responsible rabbit guardian, ensuring your rabbit is happy and healthy is priority #1, and is much more important than how a rabbit looks. Selecting a rabbit with erect rather than lop ears may be a health and welfare friendlier choice.

12/31/2020

These are my tips for guinea pigs on New Year's Eve! The fireworks scare a lot of small, or big, pets because of the noise that they make. If your are going ...

12/31/2020

As New Year approaches, so do fireworks!

It’s not only cats and dogs that are extremely distressed by fireworks, and just because your rabbits can’t make themselves vocal doesn’t mean they aren’t in great stress.

Now is the time to prepare for the New Year fireworks by moving your outdoor rabbits into a quiet indoor space (such as a shed or garage), or cover their housing with a thick cover or duvet to shield the loud bangs. Also, providing your buns with plenty of toys will help distract them through the night.

Check out our blog for more advice: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/welfare-wednesday-rabbits-and-fireworks/

12/16/2020

Kids aren’t the only ones that like foraging through the presents you know!

It’s always exciting to dust off the Christmas decorations, but with more decorations and lights come more cables to chew through – if you are a rabbit that is...

If you have house rabbits or are bringing your outdoor rabbits inside over the winter months, please take care in rabbit-proofing your Christmas decorations and keeping anything that might be dangerous out of rabbit reach. This includes your Christmas tree, any cables, and even presents and gift wrap.

Please also remember that many festive plants, such as mistletoe and holly are poisonous to your buns, and poinsettias can upset their tummies so keep them out of reach too.

Finally, it may be the time for giving, but don’t overfeed your rabbits on the sweet treats either - leave the carrots for Rudolph and your rabbits will definitely be on the nice list! (But bunnies can have the green tops if there are any)

For more information, check out our website: December First Alert and Season’s Greetings | Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF)

12/05/2020

Very good read.

What is “trancing” in rabbits? Historically, holding rabbits in dorsal recumbency, or “like a baby,” has been recommended as a low-stress mode of handling for brief examinations or clinical procedures.
We now know that this behaviour is actually tonic immobility, a behavioural response to a perceived threat, characterized by muscular rigidity, profound motor inhibition, and suppressed vocal behaviour. This behaviour occurs when freezing in response to a predator approach, fight, or flight are no longer perceived as options (Gallup 1974, Gallup 1977).
McBride et al. (2006) observed that rabbits held in a tonic immobility position had elevated respiratory rates, heart rates, and plasma corticosterone concentration. Additionally, they expressed fear behaviours such as widened eyes and flattened ears, and demonstrated more hiding behaviours and fewer grooming behaviours post-trancing. There is strong evidence that these physiological and behavioural responses are consistent with a fear-motivated stress state (Day 2004). It has also been demonstrated that rabbits will anticipate entering the tonic immobility state and do so more quickly with exposure, but they do not become habituated and it remains stressful (Farabollini et al. 1990).
In short, tonic immobility is a hard-wired, instinctual response to a perceived predatory threat, and the rabbit's physiological and behavioural response demonstrates that it imparts a degree of distress to the animal. It does not help owners to bond with their rabbits, and clients should be educated on the fear-inducing effects of this behaviour (Oxley and Ellis 2015).
In the veterinary practice, we should remind ourselves that we first do no harm. It should be argued that for patients that are so fearful that simple exams cannot be performed, we can consider anxiolytic drugs. Of course, pros and cons of any restraint method need to be considered.

Tip by: Christina Miller, RVT, BSc, Metro Animal Emergency Clinic (Dartmouth, Canada)
Photo by: Dana Burick Worrell, Mount Laurel Animal Hospital (Mount Laurel, NJ)

11/28/2020

A survey of the owners of diabetic cats finds that although diagnosis is a worrying time, things get better.

11/23/2020

11/18/2020

Let's start some Thanksgiving posts as the United States will celebrate this holiday next Thursday, November 26th. Holidays always bring about some sort of chaos, especially when food is involved!

Let's start with something simple . . . . This post will cover just a brief bit of info for Thanksgiving Safety. Tune in each day for new tips all the way up until Thanksgiving Day!

Sometimes we forget and veterinarians everywhere will tell you time and time again how many dogs present with pancreatitis after a holiday with loads of food, especially Thanksgiving.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your family and keep Fido safe and away from the table. If you cannot keep him away please put him in a crate in another room or in an x-pen or behind a gate where he can settle and chew on a stuffed KONG safely, away from the chaos.

Also see my list of KONG recipes for great fun and yumminess for your dog(s)! Here is a link to the handout –– https://bit.ly/kongrecipesforfunv2
–––––––––––
Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
Sunshine Dog Training & Behavior
Copyright© 2020
www.sunshinedog.com

10/04/2020

Before welcoming a bearded dragon into your home, there's a number of important steps you must take to ensure a suitable enclosure and diet.

10/03/2020

Here are some small, but often effective stress reducing tips during consultations and clinical examinations on rodents in the veterinary hospital! 🏥🐭💕

• Rodent only waiting area: Can you designate an area where clients with their rodent companions can await their appointment, away from predatory species such as cats and dogs? Although more difficult in smaller practices, this could simply be an area with a barrier and a shelf where small pet carriers can be placed above ground level. You may even wish to provide a small towel to cover the carrier on particularly busy days. (Keep in mind, these can be pulled in and chewed by some rodents!😆 So take care)
• Examine from afar: Before each clinical exam, the animal should be observed from afar to more accurately gauge general demeanour and even respiratory rate and effort. These can change dramatically upon handling of the animal is stressed. This period of time allows the animal to settle prior to handling. 🐹
• Keep in carrier: Some rodents may feel safer in their carrier. You may wish to remove just the top half of the carrier and allow them to sit comfortably in their familiar smelling bedding, feeling a little more security than the cold consult room table. 🩺
• Bring bonded partners: Encourage clients to bring the rodent’s bonded partner(s) to increase feelings of security and to reduce the risk of damaging bonds upon reintroduction.
• No sudden noises and avoid bright lights: Reduce the amount of sudden and loud noises in the consult room and avoid bright lights where possible. Many rodents are nocturnal species who find the bright lighting of clinical areas stressful. 💡
• Reduce handling time: Prepare all items/medicines potentially required prior to handling, especially if the individual rodent resents handling or is particularly stressed or unwell.
• Calming sprays/plug ins: Pet Remedy is a great and proven stress reducing spray that can be used on towels used for handling, consult room tables or even as a Plug-in diffuser in the consult room or clinical area.
• Offer food: Rodents like treats, too! If suitable to the individual, you may wish to offer treats during the exam. Suitable treats vary on species, but take into account their individual requirements (herbivores? Omnivores?). 🥬

I go through all of this and more in my webinar on admission and discharge considerations in rodents! 🥰 You can still watch this here: https://www.veterinarywebinurse.com/videos/rodent-species-nursing

What do you do to reduce stress for your rodent patients? 🙏🏻

09/22/2020

In case of an emergency, make sure your pets are taken care of!
Get yours here=> https://www.ourpetcard.com/products/emergency-pet-keyring-tag

Each keychain sold provides shelter, medical care, and food for abandoned animals.

09/16/2020

Do your rabbits have room to roam?
Now is the time to make sure your rabbits have a safe sheltered space for Winter that’s at least 3m x 2m and is enriched with toys to keep them entertained.
There are countless ways to keep your rabbits occupied, head over to our website to find out more:
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/behaviour/enrichment/

09/16/2020

Is the way that you handle rabbits causing them stress?

09/01/2020

Despite being classed as ‘exotic’ animals, rabbits do not fare well in exotic conditions.

Keeping your rabbits cool in the hot weather is vital to their welfare. Make sure they have plenty of water and shade, and keep their beds clean from disease carrying pests.

08/28/2020

The different needs of domestic cats Back The different needs of domestic cats Feral, street/community and pet cats are all the same species (domestic cat, Latin name: Felis catus). This does not mean, however, that they are all the same in relation to their needs and desire to live closely with peo...

08/22/2020

Find out how to set up your cage, what kind of foods to feed, and how to handle and play with small pets safely.

08/22/2020

08/19/2020

For my bunny buddies😊

As Rabbit Awareness Week continues, we thought we would share the 5 most common poisoning enquiries that the VPIS received about rabbits in 2019:

1. Lilies:
There is no evidence that lilies cause kidney failure in rabbits (as they do in cats) but they can cause bloating, gastrointestinal irritation and gut stasis which can be problematic for rabbits without treatment.

2. Other plants:
We receive enquiries about many species of plants being ingested by rabbits, either because they have been fed to them by a well-meaning child or because they have ventured into a forbidden area of the garden or house and had a nibble. Of course, many plants are safe for rabbits but some species are poisonous and may cause various toxic effects. If you are unsure whether a plant may be poisonous to rabbits, Animal PoisonLine can help. We are unable to advise on the nutritional benefit of plants but can certainly help assess whether a plant that your rabbit has eaten could be harmful.

3. Chocolate:
Rabbits, particularly house rabbits, do occasionally help themselves to chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine which can cause tremoring, tachycardia (very fast heart rate), hyperthermia (overheating) and in severe cases seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. Any amount of chocolate ingested by a rabbit should be considered toxic.

4. Rat poison:
There are many types of rat poison, most of which can cause problems with the clotting of the blood which may lead to severe bleeding (often internal). If the exact type of poison and amount ingested is known, Animal PoisonLine and VPIS can help determine whether a toxic quantity has been ingested and what treatment is required.

5. Overdoses of medication:
Animal PoisonLine and VPIS deal with many enquiries about accidental overdoses of medication or cases where a rabbit has ingested a human medication (or one intended for another pet) by mistake. In these situations, we can advise you whether this is expected to be harmful to your bunny.

07/20/2020

Reminder, stay in the grass😊

If you have to be outside, please be sure that both you, and your pets stay properly hydrated.

07/19/2020

It’s Doggone Hot! Summer Pet Safety Tips: Please share and save a pet’s life!
-Never leave your pet in the car! Vehicle temperatures can reach 140° in minutes.
-Always have plenty of water available. Pets get dehydrated quickly.
-Take walks early am or late pm. Exercise should be brief & in the cooler hours.
-Keep your pets in the shade when outdoors and do NOT leave them unattended.
-Watch for signs of heat stroke – panting, difficulty breathing, restlessness, vomiting.
-Treat Heat Stroke Immediately. Move to cooler location, cool pet down with wet towels and contact your vet.

07/18/2020

Did you know that dogs will not open their mouth to breathe when asleep if they have nasal obstruction?

Dogs can breathe through either the oral cavity or nasal cavity when they are awake. However, they are obligate nasal breathers when asleep. Therefore, if their nose is blocked, dogs will wake up, open their mouth to breathe and subsequently go back to sleep.

Obstruction within any part of the nasal airway (i.e. from the external nostrils to the end of the nasopharynx) can lead to interrupted sleep or sleep apnoea in dogs. Affected dogs will often wake up multiple times during their sleep, and they may sleep in certain positions that will open up the nasal airway to relieve the obstruction. Some dogs may hold a toy in their mouth when asleep so that they can breathe through their mouth. Nasal airway obstruction can result from many conditions, not just BOAS, however brachycephalic patients are often more severely affected.

Long-term, interrupted sleep due to nasal obstruction causes fatigue and a reduced quality of life. Severe airflow obstruction can also be life-threatening. If your dog shows any of the above signs frequently, investigation into the cause of obstruction is recommended.

07/17/2020

As the hot, Summer weather rolls in, the risk of Flystrike can increase, but it can be easily avoided with a little extra due care and attention. Please read our poster to find out how you can help prevent your buns from developing this deadly disease and keep them safe this Summer.

07/15/2020

Last week a friend’s dog had a close call with water intoxication. Her crew was playing in a local river when one of her Border Collies emerged staggering and vomiting liquid. Symptoms quickly worsened on the way to the vet, but after a few harrowing days, the dog was fortunate to make a full reco...

06/30/2020

Go see your vet if you need help for your dogs on the 4th of July! And never leave them outside when there are going to be fireworks and such. Many dogs will get so scared that they break out of a pen or climb over a fence! Keep your dog safe by keeping them inside, turning on the radio or TV for background noise, and giving them anti-anxiety medication if they need it!

https://vet.purdue.edu/news/keep-pets-safe-and-happy-during-independence-day-celebrations.php