Waggin Tails Pet Services

Author: Ellie Burgess

  • COVID-19

    COVID-19

    We are open for business with limited contact with our clients. As you are aware businesses and schools are increasingly taking necessary precautions to protect the public from COVID-19.

    If anyone finds themselves in a position where you are worried about the safety and well-being of your dogs because you have no other option for getting them out during the day than for someone to come by for a visit, please reach out to us.

    There have been some school closings and many businesses have asked their staff to work from home so we want to let everyone know we are taking all the necessary precautions to keep our team, your pet and you safe!

    We understand that many of you will be working from home in the coming weeks and your pet care needs may change so please remember to keep us posted. We will still be offering services and will continue to keep you aware if anything changes.

    We do ask that if you or someone in your home is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, please let us know so we can work with you to avoid contact.

  • EXCITING NEWS… WE ARE OPEN FOR SERVICE

    EXCITING NEWS… WE ARE OPEN FOR SERVICE

    This is very exciting news; dog walkers are now allowed to reopen with certain restrictions in place. We will be operating a contactless collection and delivery and will be continuing to use all our own equipment. We have missed all our furry friends. Feel free to text, email or call if you would like to resume your services or start a new service for your dog(s).

    Thank you for supporting small business’ in our beautiful community of Port Perry and our family!

     

    May 14, 2020 1:30 P.M. Office of the Premier

    Ontario Announces Additional Workplaces that Can Reopen

    As of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 the latest Provincial Announcement Reads:

    Animal services

    Pet grooming services.

    Pet sitting services.

    Dog walking services.

    Pet training services.

  • 6 Signs Of Diabetes All Dog Owners Should Be Aware Of

    6 Signs Of Diabetes All Dog Owners Should Be Aware Of

    My dog has been showing signs of increased thirst so I thought I would share this information to any dog owners who may be experiencing some of the same signs with their own fur baby.

    Perhaps your dog has been excessively thirsty, or his appetite or body weight seems out of whack. Maybe he’s a few pounds too heavy and he’s acting different than usual. Whatever the case, it’s important for pet parents to take these changes seriously in case they indicate some underlying issue – like diabetes.

    So, if you’re worried that your dog may have diabetes, here are some things you should be on the look out for

    1. Increased thirst
    2. Increased urination (amount and/or frequency)
    3. Increased appetite
    4. Weight loss (although some dogs may appear overweight upon diagnosis)
    5. Dehydration
    6. Cataracts

    Please keep in mind that this is just one of the “thirsty dog” diseases. If your dog is exhibiting any of the above signs, please see your veterinarian because they can have similar signs as a dog with diabetes. For instance, certain prescriptions cause excessive thirst. Specific urinary, kidney, and bladder conditions can also cause excessive thirst. Other hormone-related diseases, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease, can also lead to excessive thirst.

  • Summer Weather Tips

    Summer Weather Tips

    Summer is finally here and we all love spending the long, sunny days outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can be dangerous.

    “Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat.

    Did you know that heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly?”

    Take these simple precautions, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

    Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

    Some symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse.

    Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.

    Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

    Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. As far as skin care, be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.

    Don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Try and walk your pets earlier in the day and stay on sidewalks to avoid the hot burning asphalt.

    Lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful so when walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals.  Call your veterinarian or the animal emergency clinic of Durham region 905-576-3031 in Whitby if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.
  • Ticks

    Ticks

    Everyone loves spring, flowers budding, leaves growing on the trees, and warmer temperatures.  Unfortunately, each year the cases of Lyme Disease  across the country gets worse. Many of the parasite increases that we are seeing in Ontario can be attributed to global warming, decreased pesticide use and a thriving white tail deer population. There is truly a benefit to the cold Canadian winters we used to have, since many parasites cannot survive severe cold.  With the increasing housing development near the woods, and even a greater population of mice that carry Lyme Disease means a greater number of humans and pets may become ill with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Cats can get Lyme disease, but it’s rare.

     Ticks  are nasty little creatures, they  start to look for a blood meal at 4 degrees Celsius.

    The tick population in southern Ontario is rapidly increasing.  Recently a Durham resident found one on their dog. They live in a residential area of Whitby and the only time their dog has left the backyard was for a walk around the neighborhood.  The tick tested negative and I haven’t heard of a Lyme disease outbreak, but it’s still something to be aware of.  Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect.  Ticks are really good hiders and it feels like a skin tag. They like crevices, so check behind and in your dog’s ears, and throughout their fur. Signs of tick-borne disease may not appear for 7-21 days or longer after a tick bite, so watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite if you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a tick

    If your pet happens to have a tick on their body don’t kill them and don’t take it off yourself as squeezing it may cause the bacteria to enter the wound, and pulling the head off can lead to infection.  It’s best to take pets to a vet and humans to a doctor to let them do it.  Symptoms include fever, anorexia, lethargy, lameness, renal failure and neurological symptoms.

    Parasite treatment year-round is the best approach to treat for ticks before they can transmit the disease.  Vets can offer Interceptor tablets monthly, combined with a tasty Barvecto chew taken orally every three months.  The combination of Interceptor and Bravecto will provide extremely effective control of the higher risk parasites in Ontario.  Interceptor does not have a flea control ingredient.  Therefore, the Interceptor should be combined with Bravecto, a highly effective flea and tick control product.  It works very specifically on the nervous system of the fleas and ticks, and does not affect the nervous system of mammals at all, so is a very safe product.

    As always speak with your veterinarian first  to ensure you pet is getting the best possible treatment.

  • How owning a dog could improve your health

    How owning a dog could improve your health

    Read more info here:

    https://www.foxnews.com/health/how-owning-a-dog-could-improve-your-health

  • Fix Your Pet Month: Why is this so important?

    Fix Your Pet Month: Why is this so important?

    https://ontariospca.ca/blog/fix-your-pet-month-why-is-this-so-important/

  • Can Old Dogs Get Alzheimer’s Disease?

    Can Old Dogs Get Alzheimer’s Disease?

    Really, our brains are not that different from dogs. No one knows exactly why dogs or humans decline in their abilities when they age. I am not a scientist but there are all types of theories related to DNA reproduction.  Regardless of the source of aging effects, the brain and nervous system of dogs (and people) change markedly as they age

    It is now estimated that more than 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will show symptoms of cognitive decline. The symptoms will present themselves somewhat differently than they do in humans for example dementia may cause trained dog to go to the bathroom in the house, to become disoriented in the home or yard, or to forget which door to use to get to the yard. I am experiencing some of this first hand with my own dog and it pains me to see these changes in him.

    Research has also found that older cats, too, can suffer dementia-like symptoms. Cats between the ages of 11 and 14, suffer from Alzheimer’s, which may cause them to become confused or aggressive.

    Although dementia is almost never fatal on its own, when you combine this with physical health problems you are dealing with a debilitating combination. But, as in humans, a healthy diet, mental stimulation, human contact and physical exercise can help prevent cognitive decline in pets. And of course, taking the dog out for a walk each day can also help you to l live a longer, healthier life.

    Following are some of the commonly agreed upon behavioral symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction (dog dementia). Most of the individual symptoms can also be attributed to other conditions, so it’s imperative to see the vet to find out what is going on with your dog

    • Staring into space or walls
    • Appearing lost or confused
    • Startling easily
    • Losing appetite
    • Failing to respond to her name
    • Having difficulty getting all the way into bed
    • Trembling for seemingly no reason
    • Falling off things
    • Sleeping more during the day and less at night
    • Forgetting house training
    • Having trouble with stairs
    • Getting generally more fearful and anxious
  • Did You Know

    Did You Know

    A Dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 – 100,000 times more acute as that of humans.

  • Do Dogs Mourn?

    Do Dogs Mourn?

    When one dog in a two-dog household is gravely ill, I highly recommend try and find a way to let the other dog(s) know of the passing.  It helps the other dog(s) go forward with the knowledge that their friend has died.  It’s very important to them emotionally.

    It’s not unusual for dogs to grieve the loss of a person or animal friend they are bonded with. Dogs feel the same basic emotions humans do, including grief, fear, anger, happiness, sadness, and even possessiveness.

    Like people, no two dogs are alike and neither are their responses to death and loss. Some dogs mourn and others don’t.  Some may show signs of physical sadness, while others may display symptoms of negative behavior, and some may not show any sign of emotional suffering at all.

    When a dog is mourning a loss, depression is common, Signs of depression in dogs mimic those in people – sleeping more than normal, moving more slowly, eating less, and showing a limited interest in playing.

    If your pet has lost her appetite, try giving some of her favorite foods to encourage her to eat. Offering the occasional treat is fine but don’t use treats to replace the extra attention or cuddles she might need.

    Also avoid offering treats to quiet a dog who barks or whines excessively. It may reinforce the unwanted behavior and could result in the development of a new bad habit. Only praise desirable behavior. Be patient; your pet is just expressing his emotions.

    If your dog seems depressed at the loss of a person or animal she was bonded to, try engaging your pet in more playtime and activities she enjoys – a walk, a game of fetch, or a trip to the dog park. This helps raise serotonin levels, which may have a positive impact on your dog’s behavior. It’s really a matter of distracting your dog with things she enjoys until sufficient time has passed and she’s no longer looking around every corner for the one who is now absent from her life.

    Consider aromatherapy or homeopathy for your pet. Although there is no cure for grief, some essential oils or homeopathic remedies can improve your pet’s emotional wellbeing. Always seek qualified advice on which oils or remedies are safe to use.

    I would caution not to expect a quick fix. It can take from a few weeks to a few months before your dog’s depressed mood begins to lift. Show your pet a little patience, human emotions and behaviors can also feed in to the dog’s mood or behavior. Maintaining a normal routine for your pet, such as maintaining a familiar eating time or playtime, is the best way to help with the transitional process.

    Caring for your pet and helping him through his grief can also assist you (and other family members) with the healing process.