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Hot Pavement and Pets

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It may well be the hottest day of the year — so far, which isn’t saying much considering it’s not even officially summer yet. The Weather Channel reports that it is currently 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and I just got back from a quick walk with the doggies. They don’t much like the heat — both are doublecoated dogs, which is a lot of fur to carry around on sunny days! But this afternoon the problem wasn’t the fur but the floor. As we walked on the blacktop parking lot, both dogs started limping. Curious, I slipped off one shoe and … Continue reading →

Weekly Pet Health Checklist

We spend a lot of time with our pets — after all, we share the same living space! But frequent contact can make it easy to miss subtle changes in health or behavior. This weekly health checklist can help you keep on top of your pet’s well being. A weekly health check is also a good way to get your pet used to being handled regularly! Is your pet acting “normal” — are they active and in general good spirits? Is your pet sleeping as much as he usually does? Does your pet move without stiffness, pain, or limping? Is … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Fishhook Injuries

If you live near water or if there’s a fisherman (or woman) in the family, a fishhook injury is a possibility for your pets. What makes a fishhook attractive? It has a nice, strong bait smell that can be very enticing to a curious dog or cat. Young pets are most often the ones who get into trouble with fishhooks, but a pet of any age can get a hook caught in the lips or mouth. Signs that your pet may have a fishhook injury can include: Gagging or drooling Pawing at the mouth Trouble swallowing You may see a … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: How to Bandage a Paw

Bandaging an injured paw or footpad can be tricky. Here are some techniques you can try. First things first: clean and disinfect the wound. You don’t want to throw a bandage on there if the wound is dirty — it can get infected. Wait for things to dry, or you’ll have a hard time getting your bandage to stick. Now it’s time for the bandaging. You’ll need a gauze pad, roll gauze, tape, and an old sock. Place the gauze pad over the wound. Take a doubled strip of roll gauze and place it over the paw and under the … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Foot Pad Burns

A foot pad burn is something you can usually treat at home. How might a pet injure a foot pad? Asphalt roads can reach more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest summer days. Walking on fresh tar or asphalt — which can reach over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. A curious dog or cat may burn his feet on a hot stovetop. An inquisitive cat may explore a candle or hot light bulb with a paw. If your pet has burned a foot pad, the first thing you should do is get the injured paw into cold water. And not just … Continue reading →

Murph’s One Dog Who’s Not Faking a Limp for Sympathy

The other day I wrote about dogs who fake limps for sympathy after our vet and a neighbor told me stories about dogs they knew who’d done that. Murph’s not one of them. Bent Paw Last night I noticed Murph’s hurt paw looked really weird (awful is more like it) when he was putting pressure on it. It was sort of caved in. The best way I know how to describe it is to tell you to look at your wrist. Put it flat, then flex your hand back with your fingers reaching for the sky. That dip in your … Continue reading →