walkaboutpups

Lately I have seen a lot of people driving around with their small dogs on their laps. This is not only dangerous to you and others on the road but it is very dangerous to your dog. Having your dog on your lap is very distracting and can put you at risk. If you were to get into a car accident while your dog is on your lap then your dog will get all the impact from the air bag. The air bags are deployed in less than a second and come out with a lot of force. This could cause bruising, fractures or contusions to your dog and could even be fatal.

There are a lot of options out there in order to keep your little loved ones safe. You could use a crate in your vehicle and there are even collapsible travel crates available. There are seat belt harnesses which keep your dog safe and secure in the back seat. There are also pet barriers available to safely keep your dog in the back of your vehicle. Not only will using these devices keep your pet secure but will reduce distractions to you while you drive.

Be safe and keep your loved ones safe with one of these available products.

Megan Osmond

Registered Veterinary Technician and Professional Dog Walker

Walkabout Pups Dog Walking Service in Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.

So this weekend I headed over to Winter Woofstock at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition. I have never attended Winter Woofstock before. It was very busy and quite packed with an unbelievable amount of dogs. The largest representation of breeds I saw were Great Danes, English Bulldogs and Chihuahuas. Although the location was smaller than expected I did have a great time. There were many rescues and shelters represented at the event which creates a lot of awareness for all the beautiful dogs out there in needs of loving homes. I saw booths for Toronto Humane Society, Mississauga Humane Society, Boston Terrier Rescue Canada, Bullies in Need, Pugalug Rescue and Dachshund Rescue Canada. All the dogs seemed to be having a great day and there were so many great items there to buy. Even my dog came away with some spoils. She got a brand new collar from Peachy Keen Pets which looks spectacular on her. If you headed down this weekend feel free to share your experience. Happy Monday.

Megan Osmond

Registered Veterinary Technician and Professional Dog Walker

Walkabout Pups Dog Walking Service in Ajax, Pickering and Whitby

It is nearing that time of year where we decorate the house, invite friends and family over and enjoy the holidays. This is also the time of year where a lot of our dogs and cats visit the veterinary clinic due to accidents involving our holiday traditions. These accidents can cause serious health concerns and can cost a lot of money to treat. The following are the top ten encountered hazards affecting our four legged loved ones.

• Chocolate

The ingestion of chocolate by dogs or cats can be toxic and even fatal. The compound in chocolate that leads to problems is Theobromine. Once it is ingested, your pet can show signs in as little as 1 to 4 hours. You may notice vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness, or seizures. Dark chocolate contains more Theobromine than milk chocolate and can lead to increased side effects. You pet will require immediate medical attention should it ingest any chocolate.

• Raisins and grapes

Any types of raisins or grapes are toxic to cats and dogs. It is not known what compound in the raisins and grapes are toxic however they have been shown to cause serious medical issues.  The ingestion of them can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and excessive thirst in the early stages. If the pet is not treated quickly, acute kidney failure can occur. If you suspect your pet has ingested grapes or raisins they should be seen immediately by a veterinarian.

• Tinsel and Ribbon

We all know that cats enjoy playing and chewing on string and this is what makes tinsel and ribbon so appealing to our cats. This is most commonly seen in cats but can also be seen to dogs who ingest tinsel or ribbon. If ingested the tinsel can cause what is referred to as a “linear foreign body” where the tinsel lodges in the intestinal tract causing constipation and illness. If the pet is unable to pass the object they will often require surgery to remove it.

• Bones and table scraps

Sharing your meals with your pets may seem like a great treat however it can cause serious medical problems. Bones can become lodged in the intestinal tract and cause an obstruction. This may lead to vomiting and diarrhea and if they are unable to pass the bones it can lead to surgery. Excessive ingestion of foods that are too rich or fatty can lead to intestinal upset which can progress to an illness called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a serious medical condition and pets are often required to be hospitalized to treat the condition. It is best to stick with their regular diet and if you do feel like treating them, pick up an appropriate pet treat.

• Poinsettia and Mistletoe

Poinsettia and mistletoe are common plants around the holidays and can pose medical problems if ingested by our pets. Poinsettias can cause irritation to the pet’s mouths and severe gastric irritations such as vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe is toxic to both cats and dogs and can very quickly lead to vomiting, diarrhea, shock and can be fatal if left untreated. If these items are in your homes, keep them out of reach of your pets.

• Pine needles

If you have a real pine tree in your home you are going to have pine needles. These are often ingested by pets once they have fallen off the tree. Once ingested these needles can pierce holes through your pet’s intestinal tract. Try to sweep or vacuum up needles frequently and keep your pets away from the tree. 

• Ornaments

Many ornaments are fragile or sharp and can cause a lot of problems if ingested. It may be best to keep these ornaments higher up on the tree out of pet’s reach.

• Candles

Lit candles should never be left unattended as pets can easily burn themselves on the flame. They should be kept at a height where curious paws and happy, wagging tails cannot come in contact with them and make sure to extinguish the flame if you are leaving the room.

• Electrical cords

Kittens and puppies are often prone to chewing on electrical cords.  This can lead to electrical burns or fires as the wires are left exposed. Be sure to keep them tucked away and secured away from pet’s reach. There are spray-on deterrents that can be purchased if you have a persistent pet.

• Alcohol

Pets are often attracted to the smell of alcohol and can ingest it if glasses or bottles are left unattended. Alcohol can also be found in antifreeze so if you should have a spill, make sure it cleaned up promptly and your pets are kept away from the area. Alcohol ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure and can be fatal. Make sure to keep all containers out of pets reach and clean up any spills right away.

 The holidays can be a fun and rewarding time if we can avoid accidents and illnesses, just a little know how and we can keep our pets safe and happy. Remember to always keep your veterinarians number handy and know where the closest emergency clinic is located. Have a safe and happy holiday!

 Megan Osmond

Registered Veterinary Technician

Walkabout Pups Dog Walking Service

Professional Dog Walking in Ajax, Pickering and Whitby

www.walkaboutpups.com

Check out our website!

Walkabout Pups is a dog walking service that is dedicated to the care and welfare of dogs. We ensure dogs receive adequate physical and mental stimulation. This is essential to the health and welfare of dogs everywhere. Without adequate exercise dogs can develop behavioural and weight problems. We recommend at least twice weekly walks to ensure your dog stays in great mental and physical condition.

We serve Durham Region. Including:

Walkabout Pups is different from other walking services because it is owned and operated by a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with over 7 years clinical experience in general and emergency practice. This means your dog is in great hands and should an emergency occur, we will know how to handle the situation.

Megan Osmond, owner and operator, has loved animals since before she could walk. As a child, she knew the name of every dog in the neighbourhood and had to say hi to all of them on the way to school. Megan started working in a veterinary clinic in 2005 and in 2007 graduated from the Veterinary Technology Program at Seneca College. In 2008 Megan completed her Veterinary Nutritional Advocacy program. She is qualified to counsel on your pets’ nutritional requirements. Throughout her career, Megan has always excelled when working with dogs and dealing with behavioural problems. Megan currently owns a Boston Terrier, 3 cats, 2 guinea pigs, and a crested gecko.