by Maureen Finn

Ear care is important year round, but with warm weather and water fun on the agenda for the next few months, it’s a good idea to check your canine pal’s ears regularly and be sure to keep up with routine ear cleaning to avoid ear infections. A good ear cleaning can save problems, and money at the vet, and should be part of your dog’s grooming routine.

Of course drop-eared dogs are at higher risk for ear problems due to the “closed” environment, with the ear flap covering the ear canal for a nice warm little breeding ground for moisture loving bacteria. And those with hairy ears (inside), like Poodles and spaniels, are at even greater risk. Keeping the inside of the ears groomed (hair trimmed on the inside of the ear flap, and plucked out of the canal) will help in keeping the ears dry and clean.

Ear cleaning is relatively straightforward, if not easy. Have a supply of cotton balls on hand, and a few paper towels, too. Squirt a small amount of the ear cleaning fluid into the ear canal and massage into the lower ear, then gently swab clean with the cotton ball as far as your finger can reach. Your pet will shake his head vigorously after a cleaning (it’s a good idea to do the cleaning outdoors), which will help to flush the dirt from the ears and expel the excess cleaning fluid from the ear canal. Swab it again with the cotton ball. If you still see a lot of dirt on the cotton ball, repeat the treatment until you feel it’s mostly clean. Once or twice a month cleaning is usually adequate for most animals, but be sure and check in the ears weekly to be sure they're normal--free of any abnormal discharge or strong odor.

After a cleaning, massage in a few drops of mullein flower infused oil into each ear canal. Mullein is a common roadside plant whose flowers have antimicrobial properties and which works especially well with the ears and skin. An oil infusion is the best way to use the flowers, and a few drops will help keep the ears protected against infection and parasites like ear mites.

Even with regular ear care, an ear infection is possible. Some dogs are prone to them due to allergies, poor diet, thyroid problems, or lifestyle (frequent swimming in ponds or slow moving water). It’s important that you get on top of this as soon as possible—ear infections left untreated can cause chronic, ongoing ear problems, including deafness, as well as increasing the possibility of an ear hematoma, where the constant headshaking causes broken blood vessels in the ear and the ear flap swells up like a little pillow due to the trauma.


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Now that the weather is pleasant, humans and dogs alike are looking for excuses to get out into the sunshine and do something useful. It is particularly important for working dog breeds and individuals with particularly driven temperaments to stay busy tin order to avoid behavior problems and finding your job a job or hobby is a great way to do that.

Protection Training
Many dogs really need to feel useful to be emotionally healthy and protection training is a great way to give your dog something to do and benefit from it. Protection training sounds dangerous, but it gives your dog a firm groundwork so that he understands that it is not appropriate to be aggressive unless you say so- and the type of aggression is also proscribed. Protection training is not appropriate for unpredictable aggressive dogs, however. Your dog is not ready for protection work unless he is already very reliable in obedience.

Your Dog- An Athlete
If your dog is energetic, obedient and eager to please, he may find his place in one of the many available athletic pursuits for dogs. Athletic pursuits are often a good outlet for dogs who have behavioral issues like hyperactivity and chasing, so even if your dog isn't a perfect angel, consider giving one of these fun canine sports a try. If you're dog is energetic and eager to please and enjoys jumping and running, agility may be her sport. 

Does your dog want to be a hero?
Is she well-behaved and calm and enjoys human interaction, she may be a good candidate for Animal Assisted Therapy. These give the elderly or people with illnesses and handicaps the opportunity to interact with animals in a positive way.

Just Get Out
Maybe you and your dog aren't looking to be heroes, athletes or superstars. Maybe you just like to get out and have fun with other dogs and dog owners. Whatever you do, get out and have fun. It's good for you, it's goof for your dog, and it's a shame to waste the summer.


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by Rene Knapp

Many people believe crating a dog for any length of time is cruel and they refuse to consider it. Thousands of dollars are spent by families every year because of the damage done by a new puppy who is given the run of the house while their owners are at work or out for an evening. The crate is a proven way to train dogs who act like ... well, dogs.

Not punishment

The first and hardest thing to get into your mindset is that a crate is not for punishment. Crates need to be a positive place where your dog can find security and pleasure. An attractive crate makes for a welcoming den — a nice blanket, yummy treats, a favorite toy and a chew stick help to make the pup comfortable. The crate needs to be in a place where your dog will not feel isolated (our dog’s crate is in our bedroom), so the pup feels like part of the family.

Using a crate properly establishes limits for your dog when you are away from the house and unable to monitor your dog’s behavior. A crate is also a safe area for your dog to be if you’re having a party and have a less-than-social canine. Dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks often find refuge in their familiar crate.

The best way to get your dog to live happily with his crate is to introduce it when he is a puppy. Rather than have to punish him when he messes or chews your favorite pair of shoes, you can crate him before the trouble actually happens. While crates certainly don’t train your pup for you, they are a useful tool in housebreaking. You need to make sure the crate is the proper size for the animal. If the crate is too big, the puppy will use part of it as the bathroom, and that won’t help in the long run. You also have to be around to hear him. If the puppy is whining, chances are he needs to go to the bathroom and should be taken out. After meals and naps and before going into the crate, there should first be a trip outside.

The crate should be big enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably. If you know your dog is going to grow into a big dog, then consider getting a divider so you will have the proper size crate in the beginning and the crate can grow with the dog. It should be put in a room where there is activity. Starting the puppy or dog in the crate for a few minutes at a time and working your way up in time is the best way for the dog to learn he is not being abandoned or “caged.”

Your dog will get accustomed to his crate and will enjoy the security of having his own space, but do not leave a puppy crated for longer than three or four hours at a time, or an adult dog for longer than eight hours. If left too long, your dog will start feeling trapped and frustrated. There are also many types of crates available: Aluminum, plastic, foldable tents, mesh or fabric, fiberglass, plastic, wicker and wire. All have pros and cons, including cost, ventilation, cleaning, etc. You will need to see which crate will work best for you.


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by Chris Smith for WebVet

When you mention the concept of massage therapy for pets, some people might question the practice as something they already do – touch and handle and rub their four-legged companion frequently.

That part hasn’t changed, but something else has. The art of healing touch, long considered a standard therapy for humans, is now experiencing significant growth in the pet industry.

“Pet massage has been around since the time of the Greeks, but it’s really gained momentum in the past 10 years,” said Jonathan Rudinger, an author of pet massage therapy books who lives in Toledo, Ohio. He is finishing his fifth book and hopes to write two more before year’s end. Rudinger says that the recent popularity of pet massage therapy is easy to track.

According to Rudinger, the benefits of a massage for pets include:

    * Increased overall sense of wellness
    * A sense of calming and reduction of stress
    * Increased flexibility and movement
    * Relief from pain
    * Decreased recovery time from surgery or trauma
    * Increased circulation of the blood, lymphatic and nervous systems
    * Removal of toxins from organs

Full article ...
Reviewed by Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD


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by Carol McGraw

Pets are living longer, and sometimes presenting care issues for their owners. The average life expectancy of a cat has nearly doubled since 1930, and the average life expectancy of a dog is 12.8 years, but the number varies widely depending on breed and size.

"Pets get better nutrition, better medical care and aren't out wandering neighborhoods having accidents," says Rebecca Ruch-Gallie, coordinator for community practice at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Here are some tips on caring for elderly pets, from Ruch-Gallie:

• Schedule regular checkups with a vet, and have blood work done periodically. The tests can catch kidney and other ailments early.

• Make a list of what your animal is capable of when he's young; then watch for signs of deterioration so you can catch problems early.

• Give your pet senior diet products. These special foods contain supplements that help ease arthritis and are good for sensitive stomachs.

• It's essential to provide fresh water.

• Consider giving your pet supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin, which are good for healthy joints. And nonsteroid anti-inflammatories can help keep them moving and manage pain.

• Watch for fearful behavior, which sometimes shows up as aggression.

• Some animals get cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which is similar to Alzheimer's. Symptoms include disorientation, less social interaction, altered sleep patterns and house soiling. Treatments are available to manage the symptoms.

• Continue playing with your pet, and give it regular exercise. But don't overdo it.

• Groom your pet often with natural products. As animals get older, the natural oils aren't distributed as well. This will also help you feel suspicious lumps early.

• Consider treating them to massage, acupuncture and physical therapy, which are good to keep them mobile.

• Don't let them become overweight. It can contribute to diabetes and cause joint pain.

• Dental hygiene is important. Start when they are young by brushing their teeth and getting them regular checkups.

• Keep their environment enriched with interesting things to look at, and which allows them to safely move around — no dangerous stairs or high perches.

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