Tender Touch Pet Salon

07/23/2024

Pet insurance saved us over $6,000 last year. I highly recommend it.

DR. DONNA'S THOUGHTS ON PET INSURANCE:

I am sure many of our followers have read about the rising cost of vet care. One of the first things I recommend when a pet parent gets a new family member is to get pet insurance. I actually encourage them to get a policy that covers those emergencies where the veterinary care costs can get really high. So check out this link and SHARE IT PLEASE!

https://www.pet-insurance-university.com

07/23/2024

❤️...!

07/10/2024

07/10/2024

❤

❤️ ???....!

06/21/2024

BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH.....AND HOPEFULLY NO KNOTS!

06/15/2024

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE WOMAN!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/i-left-my-old-life-behind-to-save-dogs/ar-BB1nB9pN?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=50518477b1764fa1addbfe0de5c8d67b&ei=8

06/05/2024

https://hemopet.org/category/dermatological/

Sunscreen for Companion Dogs May 31, 2024 May 31, 2024 / Dermatological, General Health / By Dodds The topic of sunscreen for companion dogs is a tough one for sure due to the typical chemicals used and the varying amounts of time each dog spends outside. Most … Sunscreen for Companion Dogs Read M...

06/04/2024

NEW RESEARCH ON WHEN TO SPAY/NEUTER YOUR DOG:

Certainly, every dog is an individual, but you should discuss the appropriate age for your dog's spay/neuter as new research is telling us that early spay/neuter in dogs can underlie medical conditions later in life. See the link or share with your vet team for discussion:

Best,
Dr. Donna

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1322276/full

05/22/2024

MARS PETCARE HAS ISSUED A LIMITED RECALL ON 315 BAGS OF PEDIGREE ADULT COMPLETE NUTRITION GRILLED STEAK AND VEGETABLE FLAVOR DRY DOG FOOD. SEE LINK FOR DETAILS.

https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls/mars-petcare-recalls-pedigree-adult-complete/

05/22/2024

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF HEAD PRESSING?

Head pressing is a very serious medical condition in dogs and cats that can look at first glance like a harmless, even funny behavior. There are a number of potential causes of head pressing, and they're all quite serious. They include:

*Prosencephalon disease, which involves damage to the forebrain and thalamus
*Hepatic or renal encephalopathy (blood borne toxins have crossed blood-brain barrier)
*Exposure to toxins
*Brain tumor
*Liver shunt
*Infection of the nervous system, such as rabies or fungal infection
*Metabolic or glandular disorders
*Stroke
*Encephalitis
*Acute head trauma

Obviously, regardless of the cause, head pressing is a serious medical emergency. If your dog or cat is doing it, you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian for the next day or go to the nearest emergency animal hospital if your pet can't seem to stop the behavior.

It's also important to note that a normal behavior of healthy cats and some dogs is head butting or head bunting, as it is sometimes called. This is when your healthy, happy kitty rubs their face against you or bumps their head against yours in an affectionate gesture. Head pressing and head butting are two distinctly different behaviors with different causes, and it's important to know the difference.

12/17/2023

💚💚💚

12/17/2023

ON THIS LOOK BACK THURSDAY - PICKING THE RIGHT SWEATER FOR YOUR DOG:

When picking a sweater for your dog, get one made of a fabric that can be easily washed and dried, and one that won't itch or irritate your pet's skin. Measure the circumference of your dog's neck and chest and the length of their body from neck to waist, plus take their weight, so that you can select clothing that fits.

A dog sweater should be snug, but not tight. The length should end at about the waist, leaving the dog's back end free. The neck and leg holes should be big enough that your dog can move freely, but not so big that they can pull their head or leg out.
Plain sweaters without zippers, hooks, buttons or other embellishments that can be both annoying to your dog and a choking hazard are recommended. The sweater should be easy to put on and take off without a struggle.

Keep in mind that not every dog who needs a coat or sweater will wear one. So don't force your dog to wear any item of clothing if it means they can't act or move naturally.

11/22/2023

TFP NUTRITION IS EXPANDING THEIR RECALL ON DOG AND CAT FOOD. PLEASE READ AND SHARE:

https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/tfd-nutrition-expands-voluntary-recall-of-dry-dog-and-cat-foods-due-to-potential-salmonella-health-risk-november-2023/

11/19/2023

3 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO WHEN PICKING UP YOUR DOG:

It's important to pick up your dog the right way, no matter their size, and many well-meaning dog parents get it all wrong. Picking up a small or even medium-sized dog wouldn't seem to present a big challenge, but you'd be surprised how many well-meaning people get it mostly wrong. And lifting a large or heavy dog is an even bigger project, especially if you're not very large or strong yourself. So here are three things you should never do:

*Don't involve your dog's legs - Your dog's front and back limbs aren't intended as suspension devices, nor can they be expected to support the full weight of their body if, heaven forbid, they are lifted by them.

*Don't "scruff" your dog - Yes, mother dogs carry their pups by the scruff of the neck in their first few weeks of life. However, this happens only for a very brief period and doesn't continue as the puppies get larger. "Scruffing" is an unnatural, uncomfortable and even painful way for larger puppies and certainly adult dogs to be lifted or carried.

*Don't hold their collar or tail when picking your dog up - It should go without saying that pulling on a dog's collar, especially while lifting them, can cut off their air supply and cause them to choke. It's also a good way to do serious permanent damage to the very delicate organs located in their neck, including the throat, larynx and trachea.

As a side note, if your dog is over 40 pounds, it should be a two-person job. One of you should lift from under your dog's chest while the other lifts then abdomen and back end.

11/19/2023

DOES YOUR DOG HAVE A DRY NOSE?

A dog's nose is typically cold and wet, so it's easy to assume that a dry nose means your dog is ill but, it isn't an automatic sign of illness in your dog. It's perfectly normal for your dog's nose to fluctuate from dry to moist during the day. The wetness of your dog's nose is influenced by hydration, activity level and environment. You do need to stay alert for excessive dryness, crusting or loss of pigmentation. Any changes in the appearance of your dog's nose should also be looked at by your vet.

Some causes of nose dryness include:

*Nasal pyoderma or mucocutaneous pyoderma - This infection of the nose or nostrils can lead to dryness and cracking, along with nasal discharge.

*Dry eye syndrome - A dry nose along with dry eyes that have discharge could be due to dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

*Nasal cancer - A dry, crusty nose may be a sign of nasal cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma.

*Chronic ear infections - Ear infections that occur alongside a dry nose could be related.

*Nutritional deficiencies - Lack of certain nutrients can lead to changes in nose tissue especially omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, which can cause the nose tissue to become thickened and dry.

11/03/2023

ON THIS LOOK BACK THURSDAY - JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER - TICK HIDING SPOTS

Fallen leaves are a great nesting and hiding place for ticks. Know where to look for them on your dog!

11/03/2023

SO TRUE!

05/29/2023

Thank you for your service

01/27/2023

New ordinance recently passed ..

Here are the new requirements in the ordinance that will affect Knoxville pet owners:

Tethering an animal is only allowed if the pet is under the direct supervision of a "responsible and competent person."
That person must be outside.
The tether must be at least five times the length of the animal and 10 feet long at minimum.
A tethered animal must have access to shade and fresh, clean water. A dog house is not a shade structure.
A tethered animal cannot reach within 2 feet of another property, a public walkway or road.
Pet owners who violate the ordinance will be given 30 days to comply. If violations continue, a fine will be imposed.
Animals can only ride in the back of a vehicle if they are in a commercial container that is secured. No animal can be transported or kept in a vehicle without adequate ventilation. Pets cannot ride in the trunk.
Anyone keeping an animal must ensure humane conditions that include food of sufficient quantity and quality; access to fresh, clean water in sufficient quantity; access to a well-constructed shelter with enclosed sides, a weatherproof roof and a solid floor, that is of adequate size and that is insulated and shaded.
There must be at least 200 square feet of space that allows dogs to exercise outside in an enclosure. The enclosure must be of sufficient height to prevent the animal from escaping, must be kept free of objects that could injure the animal and must be cleaned regularly.
Animals must be brought inside during extreme weather, when temperatures are above 85 degrees or below 32 degrees, or when there is snow, ice, sleet, severe lightning, tornadoes, flooding or fires. There are some exceptions for temperatures, but not for other conditions.
The fine for violations will increase from $25 to $50.
Anyone claiming ownership of an animal that has been seized or wanting to maintain ownership must post a cash bond with the shelter, in an amount sufficient to provide for the animal's care for at least 30 days.

10/13/2022

THIS WEEK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MISTAKES PET PARENTS MAKE WHEN FEEDING THEIR DOGS. TODAY - CALCULATE YOUR DOG'S DAILY CALORIE REQUIREMENTS:

Once you’ve settled on an ideal weight for your dog, you can use the following general formula to calculate how many baseline calories they require each day.

Daily calories = Body weight (kg) x 30 + 70

First, convert your dog’s weight from pounds to kilograms. One kilogram = 2.2 pounds, so divide their ideal weight in pounds by 2.2. For example, if they are 20 pounds with a body condition score of 5 (meaning they are not overweight), divide 20 by 2.2. Your do’s ideal weight in kilograms is 9.1. Now the formula looks like this:

Daily calories = 9.1 (kg) x 30 + 70

And finally, it looks like this:

Daily calories = 343

If your dog eats 343 calories a day, they will maintain their current ideal weight of 20 pounds if their daily activity level remains the same. If they start getting more aerobic exercise each day, you may need to increase their calorie intake a bit.

If you’re calculating daily calories for an overweight dog, you must use their ideal weight (not their current weight) in the above formula to arrive at the right number of calories to feed for weight loss and maintenance at the new, ideal weight.

09/16/2022

THIS WEEK WE TALK ABOUT FALL HAZARDS - TODAY'S HAZARD ENGINE COOLANTS:

Another substance people use in the colder months of the year that is highly toxic to pets if antifreeze. Fortunately, antifreeze poisoning can be easily avoided by following a few simple safety tips:

*Look for antifreeze products containing the safer propylene glycol rather than highly toxic ethylene glycol

*Keep antifreeze containers tightly closed and stored out of reach

* Dispose of empty or used antifreeze containers properly

* Be careful not to spill antifreeze, and if you do, clean it up immediately; check your car radiator regularly and repair leaks right away

*Don't let your pet roam unsupervised where they may have access to antifreeze.

Fortunately, U.S. manufacturers of antifreeze and engine coolants have begun adding bittering agents (e.g., denatonium benzoate) to their products to discourage pets, children, and wildlife from sampling the sweet-tasting liquid.

08/23/2022

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07/24/2022

Yes, that's what rescue is all of about

"My foster dog stinks to high heaven. I don’t know for sure what breed he is. His eyes are blank and hard. He won’t let me pet him and growls when I reach for him. He has ragged scars and crusty sores on his skin. His nails are long and his teeth which he showed me are stained.

I sigh.

I drove two hours for this. I carefully maneuver him so that I can stuff him in the crate. Then I heft the crate and put it in the car. I am going home with my new foster dog.

At home I leave him in the crate till all the other dogs are in the yard. I get him out of the crate and ask him if he wants ‘outside.’ As I lead him to the door he hikes his leg on the wall and shows me his stained teeth again.

When we come in he goes to the crate because that’s the only safe place he sees. I offer him food but he won’t eat it if I look at him, so I turn my back. When I come back the food is gone. I ask again about ‘outside.’ When we come back I pat him before I let him in the crate, he jerks away and runs into the crate to show me his teeth.

The next day I decide I can’t stand the stink any longer. I lead him into the bath with cheese in my hand. His fear of me is not quite overcome by his wish for the cheese. And well he should fear me, for I will give him a bath.

After an attempt or two to bail out he is defeated and stands there. I have bathed four legged bath squirters for more dog years than he has been alive. His only defense was a show of his stained teeth that did not hold up to a face full of water.

As I wash him it is almost as if I wash not only the stink and dirt away but also some of his hardness. His eyes look full of sadness now. And he looks completely pitiful as only a soap covered dog can. I tell him that he will feel better when he is cleaned. After the soap the towels are not too bad so he lets me rub him dry. I take him outside. He runs for joy. The joy of not being in the tub and the joy of being clean. I, the bath giver, am allowed to share the joy. He comes to me and lets me pet him.

His skin is healing. He likes for me to pet him. I think I know what color he will be when his hair grows in. I have found out he is terrified of other dogs. So I carefully introduce him to my mildest four legged brat. It doesn’t go well.

Two weeks later a new vet bill for an infection that was missed on the first visit. He plays with the other dogs.

Three weeks later he asks to be petted. He chewed up part of the rug.

Eight weeks later his coat shines, he has gained weight. He shows his clean teeth when his tongue lolls out after he plays chase in the yard with the gang. His eyes are soft and filled with life. He loves hugs and likes to show off his tricks, if you have the cheese.

Someone adopted him today ....When they saw him the first time they said he was the most beautiful dog they had ever seen.

Six months later I got a call from his new family. He is wonderful, smart, well behaved and very loving. How could someone not want him? I told them I didn’t know. He is beautiful. They all are."

Fosters change the world, so please consider opening your home to a dog in need. '

Author
~ EVERY RESCUER ACROSS OUR COUNTRY"

🚨 Keyboard warriors, WE NEED YOU! 🙏🏻

➡️ To foster for Russell Rescue in Tennessee, complete and application at RussellRescueTN.com

📍 If not near us, offer to foster for your local rescue, humane society, or shelter.

🐾 Be patient and persistent as many of them are run by volunteers and are all doing the best they can to keep up. 💕

07/22/2022

Shave - Shave the hair on, in around the affected area. The thought of this might make you cringe a bit, but if you don't take off the hair, it will become trapped in the wound by pus, and you'll have a much harder time healing the hot spot. In fact, hair in and around the affected area can create a perfect environment for the wound to enlarge and the infection to get worse.

If the infection continues to spread, you know you're not treating it effectively at home and you should get your dog to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Some hot spots can result in fever and serious underlying skin problems, so if you see the wound getting worse instead of better after a couple of days, it's time to seek veterinary care.

Once you've shaved the area and identified the margins, clip the hair ack until you see healthy skin.

07/14/2022

Have leftover watermelon? Remove rind and seeds, cut into pieces and blend. Pour into ice cube tray and freeze. Your dog will enjoy the refreshing treat.

Note: As with any treat, check with your veterinarian first.