Canine Capers
Quick Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Oh no! We've been skunked!
It's almost inevitable, if your dog is outside, that sometime in their life they will meet up with a skunk.
There are products we carry at the clinic that you can keep on hand for that dreaded meeting such as Skunk Off. They have a long shelf life and are great to take camping or hunting. And the old standby tomato juice does work. But even better than tomato juice is a concoction you can make at home with just some simple ingredients.
Skunk Solution
16 oz hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon dish soap like Dawn
¼ cup baking soda
Mix together and bath your dog in the solution. Be careful not to get it in their eyes. It may take more than one bath to remove the smell and be patient, your dog may smell a little skunky for days to come.
Can I remove porcupine quills from my dog myself?
If your dog only has a couple of quills, you can try to remove them with needle nose pliers, but we don't recommend it. It is very painful and your dog may bite if you hurt them. If you are going to try, use gentle but firm pressure.
We highly recommend that you bring your dog to the clinic for removal. There we can sedate your dog so they are much more comfortable during the painful process of removal. If a quill breaks during removal, it can migrate to another spot and become severely infected. So treating porcupine quills as a medical problem is recommended.
What months should
my dog be on heartworm medication
before beginning each spring's dose. Severe reactions can occur in a heartworm positive dog, so testing is required. If you travel in the winter or spend the winter in a warmer climate, we recommend year around heartworm treatment.
My dog has been showing aggression? What can I do?
Dogs that show any aggression towards children or other dogs will probably bite at some point if they are put in a stressful situation. However, most aggression issues are based on fear and they can be corrected using proper training techniques.
Do not be in denial about aggression. If your dog is put in a situation they cannot handle and they bite, you could lose the dog and find yourself in a financial mess. There are a number of trainers in our area that specialize in dog aggression, dogs that are too assertive and just general misbehaving. If this is a concern in your family, please let us help you find the right trainer for your situation. Aggression is not a problem your dog will grow out of.
We recommend your dog take heartworm medication from May through November. Your dog must be tested every year
Even if your dog always wears a collar, microchipping is recommended. It is quick and painless and will give you real peace of mind. If you lose your dog, it is common practice for police, humane societies and veterinarians to scan a dog, hoping to find a microchip with the information needed to return them home. Microchipping can be done in our office with just an office visit. Call us for more information.
Should I microchip my dog?
What’s Lurking Under The Snow?
Now that the snow is melting, chances are, you’ll be walking in the woods with your dogs soon. But as you wander through the wild flowers and mushrooms, be aware that under the snow could be carcasses of wild animals. They have been preserved by the cold and now are decaying quickly. Like most pets, your’s may think it’s a lucky find to discover such a “trophy”. If your pet rolls and/or eats from this rotting mass, it could make them very ill. Decaying animal carcasses contain a plethora of harmful bacteria and parasites. Try to stay close to your pet outside or avoid areas that you know may be the final resting place for a wild animal. And if your pet eats something before you can intervene, keep a very close eye on them for any changes in digestion or stools and if problems arise, consult your veterinarian.
Flowers That Are Poison To Pets
It’s been a long winter. We’re all looking for a splash of color or a glimmer of hope that Spring is coming. If you’re planning on purchasing flowers for your home or garden, here are a few to be careful of around pets. They may be beautiful, but some are deadly if consumed. The following should be purchased with care; Daffodil, Easter Lily, Calla Lily, Cyclamen, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Narcissus, and Tulips. If your pet consumes any of these flowers, consult your veterinarian for treatment.
Not the Skunk!
Just like people, skunks are eager to get out and enjoy the warmer weather. It happens every Spring and yes it could happen to you too…. your dog or cat is too curious and ends up taking a skunk bath.
If your pet gets sprayed the old stand-by of tomato juice works well. It’s messy and tends to stain pet fur, especially white. If you want to avoid a mess or having a salmon colored dog, we have another solution. Take a 16oz bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, mix with ¼ cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap. Mix all ingredients together and rub into fur. Let stand for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water and towel dry. Avoid contact with the eyes. Since skunk spray is an oil base, the odor will probably re-surface in humid conditions. Unfortunately, a skunk spray needs time to wear off