Pets & Poisons

Many things in your home may be poisonous to your pets. Dogs, cats, and other animals are curious. They like to lick and chew. This places your pets at risk of being poisoned. You can help keep your pets safe by storing and using poisons safely. Be aware of these common poisons in and around your home:

Alcohol
Because of your pet's small size, it cannot tolerate any beer, wine, or liquor. Large amounts of alcohol can be deadly. Do not give your pets alcohol or let them lick up spilled drinks.

Automotive Products
Many automotive products, including car cleaners, antifreeze, windshield washer fluids can be deadly to your pets. Store automotive products in tightly closed containers kept out of the reach and sight of your pets. Make sure you clean up any spills or leaks right away. When getting rid of automotive products, follow the product label directions. Do not pour products into the street or onto the grass or yard.

Chocolate
Chocolate can be deadly to your pets. Baking chocolate is more dangerous than semi-sweet and milk chocolate. Store all chocolate out of the reach and sight of your pets.

Raisins & Grapes
As few as seven Raisins or Grapes can kill your pet!

Fertilizers
Keep your pets away from yards and gardens when you are using fertilizers. Your pets may get poisoned by licking their paws after walking on a newly fertilized lawn.

Flea and Tick Sprays
When you use flea and tick products, always read the product label and follow the directions carefully. If your pet begins to act strangely, stop using the product. Wash your pet off with soap and water, and call the Poison Center or your veterinarian right away. Never use products meant for dogs on your cats or products meant for your yard or house on your pets.

Household Cleaners & Chemicals
Toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, dishwashing detergents, drain cleaners, pine oils, and other cleaning products can be deadly to your pets. Keep your pets out of rooms where cleaners are being used. Your pets can easily get into cleaners left in open buckets or spilled on the floor. Make sure you clean up cleaning supplies and spills right away. Keep cleaners stored in tightly closed containers, out of the reach and sight of your pets.

Medicines and Vitamins
Medicine and vitamins meant for people may not be safe for your pets. This includes over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, cough or cold medicines and decongestants. Never give medicine meant for one animal to another. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your pets any medicine. Make sure you follow directions when giving your pets medicine. Keep medicines stored out of the reach and sight of your pets at all times. With their curiosity and strong teeth, dogs can easily open medicine bottles and tubes.

Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill weeds, bugs, rats, mice, and other rodents. They can also kill your pets. Before you use any pesticide, read the product label and follow directions. If you use baits or powders, put them where your pets cannot find them. Keep your pets off lawns sprayed with lawn chemicals until they are completely dry. Store pesticides in tightly closed containers kept out of the reach and sight of your pets.

Plants and Mushrooms
Many indoor and outdoor plants and mushrooms are poisonous to pets. Pets, especially cats, love to chew on plants. Keep poisonous plants away from your pets! Make sure you know the names of your plants.

TOXICITY IS KILLING YOUR DOG

I found this article to be of good use for us to know more about toxic in our pets. I believe to a certain extend all our pets have toxin in their body that's why our pets always falls sick or have skin problems.

Just like humans, we breathe in toxin and takes in toxin everyday. But since dogs and cats is like part of our family (some of us even take them as part of our children or even brothers and sisters), shouldn't we give them a good and healthy life? At the same time, it save us a lot of veterinary fees too.

Do read out the article. Though some of the things they say are not available in Singapore but there are alternative that I can recommend to you.

http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/RemoveToxinsNaturally

Is your dog well ALL the time? Does your dog sometimes suffer from skin problems? Does your dog have allergies? Does your dog maybe have hot spots or some other skin irritation?

Does your dog lick his/her paws constantly? Annoying, isn't it? (for you, I mean - and just imagine how intensely irritating it is for your dog!).

Hopefully things haven't got this bad, but perhaps your dog has even been diagnosed with cancer, Addison's disease, Cushings disease, or Lyme disease? Perhaps your dog is chronically sick in some way, and you're constantly administering costly drugs to your dog?

Well, whether you dog's problems are intermittent and relatively minor, or chronic and major, you CAN do something to improve your dog's health in a significant way ...

Take matters into your own hands and do something worthwhile for your dog!

Toxins are the root cause of allergy symptoms which is why the conventional veterinary medical practices are to treat your dog for allergy symptoms with all sorts of steroids and other toxic and lethal chemical drugs. These drugs DO NOT SOLVE the problem as you know very very well. The worse part of all is that most of these drugs actually make the situation worse by hampering your dog's ability to absorb nutrition and suppressing the immune system.

Shampoochie Grooming Photos

Dog Grooming Tips

Many people overlook the importance of grooming their dog to their overall health and well-being. Grooming is an essential part of caring for your dog, and should be done on a regular basis for the best results. Some of the benefits your pet will reap are increased skin oils resulting in a beautiful, healthy coat, a decrease in skin problems, less shedding around the house and car, and a more obedient pet, just to name a few.

You will need plenty of patience to groom and style your dog if you plan to do it on a regular basis, especially if it does not like this type of treatment. You will need to learn a few tips, ideas, and professional hints on grooming your pet if you ever want your pet to have show quality care by you. A knowledgeable professional pet groomer will be able to give you advice on not just how to groom your dog, but on how to care for your dog as well. You

It is a good idea to start using environmentally safe and animal friendly (non-toxic) substitutes when grooming your dog. You must groom your dog's whole body including the legs, tail, and underbody if you want to do it right. You must groom from the skin outward to truly be effective in taking care of their coat of hair and keeping it healthy. Comb through the unseen healthy hair and remove the shedding hair; this is what most groomers do first before cutting your pet's coat.

You know your dog is well-mannered when it will sit still and allow you or a professional to perform regular grooming and maintenance without any fuss. The more often you groom your dog, the better he will be at receiving your attentions and responding to your commands. This will also strengthen the bond between you.

Last but not least, you might want to rethink your choice to get a dog if you are not ready to handle all the responsibility of grooming and feeding one. If you don't have the time or the desire to do it yourself, then its time to call the professionals. Your dog will love you for it, and you'll feel great about it too.

Dog Grooming: Most Frequently Asked Dog Grooming Questions & Its Answers

Although it's often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog's health and wellness program. Here are some of the most frequently asked dog grooming questions that are asked by our clients:

1. When should I start grooming my dog?
   Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your professional groomer for advice on particular grooming equipment necessary for your particular dog.
   


2. How often should I brush my dog's hair?
   Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.
   
   Your dog's skin and hair coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance. Some long-haired or curly-haired breeds require regular brushing every alternate days. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.
   


3. How often should I bathe my dog?
   Your dog's need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and hair coat. It also depends on the owner's preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every week isn't unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell "doggy."
   
   When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.
   


4. What skin problems are common among dogs and what should I look for?
   Skin problems - including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections - are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If you frequent your groomer regularly, he/she will be able to notice any skin abnormal skin conditions that sometimes you don't notice. Remember that consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.
   


5. I have problems cleaning my dog's ears. What's the best way to clean his ears and how often should it be cleaned.
   Ears also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your groomer or vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your groomer about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.
   


6. I have problems keeping my dog still so I can trim its nails. Do you have any nail trimming advice?
   While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. When you muster enough courage to trim the nails of your dog, you'll need a good nail clipper, a nail file to rub any sharp edge away and a styptic powder to stop any subsequent bleeding easily.
   
   Ask your groomer to show you the correct technique, and then get started by getting your pet used to having his or her paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly. Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.
   


7. What is the most important thing to include in my dog grooming kit?
   The most important thing required in your grooming kit is your own confidence. It will form and take shape within you and grow in time.
   
   So, go ahead and start grooming your dog. If you can overcome your hesitation, beautiful and rewarding experiences are waiting for you. Grooming your dog properly helps to keep him or her healthy while building an important bond between you and your pet.

Dog goes for grooming, comes back dead

This article was taken from Stomp . It was posted on the 23 Feb 2007. A tragic story that happens to a healthy dog when he was taken to a grooming salon. Read the full story at Stomp.

Remember Prevention is always better than Cure!

A grooming session at a pet shop on 9 February 2007 turned very wrong when Nicky, a 7-year-old Maltese (shown above) collapsed during the blow-drying session and was rushed to Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital.

Nicky was pronounced dead upon arrival.

His eyes were found to be wide open and his tongue was purple and sticking out of his mouth.

The vet told owner Alinda Lim, a 27-year-old civil servant with the Ministry of Defence, that possible causes of death were lack of oxygen or heart failure.

When contacted by STOMP, the vet relayed the same story she told Alinda, "Even if a post-mortem was done, there would be no guarantee that the exact cause of death can be determined. There were no external injuries on the dog."

Alinda was too traumatized by Nicky's death to approve a post-mortem at the hospital, and requested for him to be cremated and notified when the ashes were ready for collection.

"The groomer was very defensive at the hospital when I asked him what happened to my dog," Alinda shares, "he said that my dog probably died of old age. He also suggested that Nicky had an undetected illness."

Alinda was doubtful of this being the truth as Nicky was only 7-years-old with no medical history. Nicky's last vet check-up was in December 2006, and the vet declared him healthy.

4 Easy Steps To Grooming Your Dog

Grooming your dog should be a regular routine. It's great practice for you and it also helps your dog get used to being brushed, stroked and handled. Remember grooming your dog starts as soon as it is born by the mother, the only difference is you do not have to use your tongue (no fur balls).

We should start by using a soft brush and covering only small areas at a time with short gentle strokes just to get him use to the sensation against his skin. As the dog stands in a relaxed manner accepting the whole process, give him plenty of treats and praise and he will relate grooming as a positive experience.

Ok... well we better get into these 4 simple steps, you can use to groom your dog.

Step 1 :

Your dog should be in a standing position in a relaxed comfortable state - gently place your hand on his chest to steady him. Being grooming with the rake, using long even strokes. This prevents matting and is very good for his undercoat.

Step 2 :

A fine-toothed comb is very useful for checking to make sure that your dogs coat is free of ticks and fleas. Do this by running the comb through his coat then holding it against a white piece of paper if you see any gritty bits of muck it may be signs of flea dirt.

Step 3 :

Next use a brush to condition your dogs skin and coat .This promotes hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the skin, ensuring that the dogs coat is full and healthy.

Step 4 :

Our last step is to finish him with a grooming glove which will remove any remaining old or dead hair and make him shine in the sunlight leaving him with a well groomed maintained coat.

Using this simple system will help keep his coat looking great and maintained.

When grooming your dog do not let him play with the brush or other grooming tools as this can become established behaviour that could be a future problem so do not let it start in the first place. If he is a playful fellow give him a toy to play with but, only if necessary while you groom him.

Also if you groom your dog up off the ground for instance on a table or bench, make sure that you place a mat on it so they have something to grip their paws onto. A shiny slippery surface makes dogs feel insecure and he will make your life a lot harder if he does not feel safe.

Remember grooming your dog can be lots of fun that the whole family can get involved with. But there is one very important rule that must be followed.

The dog must enjoy the experience with your patience and understanding seeing the process through his eyes.

Clip Information

There are many hairstyles that a groomer would be able to perform. Some more detailed and timely, would be determined and based on your dogs coat and whether or not it is manageable (in other words, MATTED).

First let me list the basics and then I will explain them.

1. Teddy Bear Clip (TB)


2. Lamb Clip (LMB)
   
3. Kennel Clip (KC)


4. Breed Clip (BC)


5. Bath and Tidy (B&T)


6. Hand Stripping (HS)


7. Creative Cuts (CC)

Keep In mind that almost every groomer has his / her own name for these exact clips, so what you may be thinking of, they may be calling by another name.

1. Teddy Bear Clip: A teddy bear clip is normally leaves the “Long and Fluffy” look. The length is normally a ½ inch or longer and completely scissored. Keep in mind that under certain circumstances a teddy bear can be adjusted in length to suit the owner’s preference and can be shortened but maintain the “long and Fluffy” look.
   



2. Lamb Clip: A lamb clip leaves the back, neck and belly a shorter length (about 3/8” or ¼”) and the head, tail and legs are hand scissored and left neatly formed and fluffy. Again, this hair style can be left longer or shorter depending on personal preference.
   



3. Kennel Clip: A Kennel Clip leaves the entire body one length all over leaving the Head, face and tail to scissor. Depending on your preference there are different lengths of kennel clips. Starting at about a ½” and ranging to as short as 1/16” there are even shorter but normally aren’t recommended to be used unless the dog has extreme matting and has no other alternative.
   



4. Breed Clip: A breed clip is basically the specific hairstyle your specific purebred dog would have. Each breed would have their own style and would be either a scissored or a clipped pattern.
   



5. Bath & Tidy: A bath and tidy is what a short coated breed would receive, A long coated breed without any standard patterns or a dog in between hair cuts. A bath and tidy consist of; A Bath, Blow dry, Nail Trim, Cleaning of the ears, Clear hair from Sanitary areas such as Groin and bum, Light trim on feet and featherings and clean up eyes and face.
   



6. Hand Stripping: Hand stripping is used mainly for showing on specific purebred dogs, although some owners prefer the hand stripped look over the clipped look and have this preformed to their specific breeds that are not showing. Hand stripping is used with a stripping knife and shortens the hair to a breed specific pattern or style without the use of the clippers whatsoever. Scissors or thinning sheers would be used to shape the pattern edges.
   



7. Creative Cuts: A Creative Cut is a clip that is not a standardized breed clip. This clip is really more of an extension of your groomers creative side and can entail just about anything your mind can think up. Creative cuts can be modified with colors, beads, gems, braids, or can be shaved or scissored into any non specific specialized breed clip.

Basic Dog Grooming Tips You Need To Know

Brush your dog often.

Brushing will stimulate oils in your pets skin & keep it moist & healthy. Daily brushing will prevent matting of your dogs coat. Brushing is a great way to show your dog attention. Brushing eliminates dead hair in the coat that contributes to shedding.

Maintain the length of your dogs nails.

You can walk your dog often to wear down nails. Clip your dogs nails on a regular basis. If they are cut too short they can bleed & sting. Groomers usually charge a little less than veterinarians to cut nails. It is best to clip your dog's nails every 2 to 3 weeks.

Bathe your dog regularly.

Buy dog shampoos & conditioners from pet stores. There are many different type of shampoo that can be used on different types of skin and coat. Do not use flea & tick shampoos unless your pet needs them, they can dry out your pets skin. Be sure to rinse your dog thoroughly, leaving soap on skin can cause problems.

Bathing a dog with knots & mats will worsen them, be sure to eliminate these before or immediately after the bath. When drying your dog use low heat. Dogs are sensitive to burning, keep this in mind while adjusting water temperature.

Bathing your dog will cut down on chances of infestations of fleas & ticks. By washing away dead hair, regular bathing reduces shedding of your dogs coat.

Keep your dogs ears clean.

Do this with dog ear cleaner and not with water! Put a small amount of ear cleaner on a cotton ball and swab outer surface of the inner ear. Keeping your dogs ears clean & dry will reduce chance of Ear Infections & Ear Mites. You can also buy ear wipes from any pet store to keep your dogs ears clean.

Dog groomers & veterinarians can also clean your pets ears for you. Many longhaired dogs grow hair in their ears that needs to be pulled to prevent Ear Infections. This hair can be gently pulled out with hemostats. Most people leave this to their groomer.

Shampoochie Grooming Photos

Moby - Bulldog
Moby - doing skin treatment for his skin problem
See how relaxing he is
See how relaxing he is
Able to see his long huge tongue

Moby is currently on Immunotherapy due to allergies. His condition is a long term treatment due to his immunity problem. We suggested to his owner using PetAlive Immunity & Liver Support, Energy Tonic and DetoxPlus. We also recommend his owners to try feeding Addiction Herb Lamb . We told his owners that he can continue to give the medication that the vet told him to as it has no side effects.

As for the skin treatments, it has to depends on Moby's condition. We suggest every 2 to 3 weeks. First treatment usually can't see much but at least this is the first step.

Moby get well soon ok. :)