Backyard Dangers Senior Dogs Face Every Spring and Summer!

Throughout the Upper Midwest we have some of the most beautiful, desirable acreage properties in the country. These properties are the perfect place to raise a family that loves dogs. As the owner of an acreage property and an older dog, I know how thistles and burrs affect their paws.  Taking a walk around the yard can be an adventure as your dog ages because there are dangers lurking in the underbrush.

Poison Ivy--Be very aware of these poisonous plants as they are all over in yards and wooded areas. Many property owners don't even realize when a plant is poison ivy. Poison ivy is found all over the US while a close relative poison oak is found most often in the west. The plants to have a similar look and exposure to either of these plants will cause a similar, painfully itchy reaction. Imagine if your older dog comes across a patch of these oily leaves. It can get on their paws and even their tongue if they try to lick the affected areas. So how do you determine if your yard has poison ivy?

Poison Ivy in Summer

• Classic poison ivy in full swing.
• Some leaves are notched.
• Some leaves are not.
• New leaves are shiny and still somewhat reddish.
• Older leaves are duller.

Poison ivy can be a ground cover, a vine or a bush. One small neglected patch can spread very quickly to a huge area. Exposure to this plant is an itchy nightmare that can last for several weeks unless treated with prescription medicines, usually steroids. These plants can leave oil on clothing which can spread in the laundry. Be aware of this hazard when
walking in any wooded area that you are unfamiliar with. Doggie booties and shoes designed for summer wear can prevent your senior dog from a painful, itchy experience if they wander into any area affected with poison ivy.

Think you can identify poison ivy? Take the POISON IVY PHOTO QUIZ

Wood Ticks/Deer Ticks--While the woods are often a haven for white-tailed deer, the beauty of these animals is overshadowed by a frightening reality. Deer ticks are carriers of Lyme disease; a painful disease for both younger and older dogs, that can be quite debilitating if untreated. Deer ticks (or Black-legged ticks) are rarely found in maintained yards but as deer have started to become into more urban areas it is not worth taking a chance as they are very tiny and often hidden deep down in a dog's fur. Most owners will not even notice after their dog has been bitten. The best defense is prevention of a deer
tick bite.

• Preventive Treatments There are several products that do not require a visit to your vet that are affective to repel and kill ticks, fleas, lice and other parasites that can get onto and into your senior dog's coats. Treat early with a product that kills ticks immediately to prevent these pests from becoming attached to your favorite older friend.
• Tick Removal If you do notice a tick on your dog, it is important to remove it quickly and properly. Use a pair of special tick tweezers to remove. Wear gloves to prevent infection. If you are unable to remove the head of the tick, it would be recommended to visit the vet to treat the bite area. Do NOT use a lit match to pop the tick. Gasoline is another no-no as these folklore methods can seriously harm your pet.

For additional information on ticks commonly found in the upper midwest, read article "Minnesota Ticks and Their Control", by Jeffery D. Hahn.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Squirrel Watching!

One of our dog's favorite activities was chasing squirrels. Like Doug, the dog from the Pixar movie UP!, Tikki would race out the door at the mention of the word, "Squirrel!"

As Tikki became a senior dog, the squirrels didn't have to race as quickly up the oaks in our yard. He couldn't chase them as soon as we opened the door. With failing eyesight and weak back legs, the rodents ran up the tree long before we assisted Tikki down his dog ramp. But boy how he enjoyed watching them from the window. 

As it had been a long winter with lots and lots of snow, we felt a bit sorry for Tikki's squirrel friends one very cold February morning, so we took a plate of seeds, crackers and apples out for a bit of squirrel watching.

Copyright 2011 olddogpaws.com 

Something Smells Funny! Is your SENIOR Dog Destroying Your Home?

We Americans LOVE our Pets. Dogs, Cats, Bunnies, Monkeys, Rats…you name it. We let them sleep in our beds and eat in our kitchens. We buy and cook them special foods. We dress them up and treat them like the members of the family that they are. But have you ever considered the damage pets can do to your most important investment, your home? The time to think about this is not when you are moving but long before you put your home on the market.

As a real estate agent working in Minnesota, I have seen some strange pets inside of some homes…everything from pot-bellied pigs to monkeys and bunnies with the run of the house. Oh, yeah and then there are the people who have dogs and cats too. Many homeowners take great measures to protected their homes and property but some do not.

I have walked into vacant homes and had potential buyers pick out the exact location of where the previous owner had the litter box. I have seen puppy’s teeth marks on the sides of oak cupboards and cedar decking and claw marks on wood floors. I have walked through extensively landscaped yards destroyed by holes dug by chained dogs. I have witnessed a family whose cat jumps up and hangs on screens to notify their owner that they want to come inside. One seller had a sign posted in the furnace room on a terrarium full of large, noisy crickets announcing that it was food for the lizards and snakes that were kept in the bedrooms and family rooms of the home. And then there was the family that let the horse wander in the front yard and let the bunny have the entire house to roam…you can just imagine the damage left behind on that one.

While amusing to read about, pets can be hard on your home. When you go to sell, you could have to make extensive repairs or discount your selling price to reflect the condition.

The smells are the worst. People who keep pets in carpeted rooms even in cages or kennels can have serious problems as do owners of senior pets who have trouble getting outside or to the litterbox due to health problems. Often the odors will not be removed with a simple steam cleaning. In most cases, I have to recommend that the carpet be replaced. But homeowners with serious damage find that they are not only replacing the carpet, the padding and sometimes even the sub-flooring needs to be removed to eliminate the smell.

It is possible to have your beloved pet and to protect your home.

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and nail damage.
• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. Our dog loves the extra comfort and it keeps dirt and sweat from his coat from going into the carpet fibers. We will move his from room to room during the day so he can stay with us. If this is too much trouble, buy several. They are considerably cheaper than replacing carpet. Our cat uses his bed daily too. It is positioned for his easy access in front of his favorite window so he doesn’t jump and leave marks on the woodwork.
• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.
• Clear all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.
• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet’s access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. Nail marks require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing. It can get very costly.
• Don’t chain your dog to the side of your house. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.

My thanks to Teri Eckholm REALTOR with RE/MAX Specialists for submitting this article

Copyright 2011 Old Dog Paws



  

Skin Care for your Senior Dog

You might think that just because a dog has a thick furry coat, he doesn't need special care for his skin, but you would be mistaken. Just like a human, a dog’s skin is a protective layer that  performs many functions:

• Retains moisture

• Protect from foreign bodies

• Creates Vitamin D

• Protects against UV sun rays

• Acts to regulate the body temperature

• Contains sweat glands

• Houses the nerves to detect pain, pressure and temperature

Similar to human skin, a dogs skin is comprised of three layers:

1. Epidermis—The outer layer with the hair follicles where a dog’s fur grows out of.
2. Dermis—The middle layer
3. Hypodermis—The innermost layer

Each hair follicle contains a sebaceous gland which provides lubrication and waterproofs the hair and skin. In addition these are the glands that produce the scent that dogs use to mark their territory and the pheromones used to attract the members of the opposite sex.

Dogs’ hair comes in 3 different types all with different functions:

1. Guard hairs—These are the top layer of long hair in a dog’s coat that provide waterproofing.

2. Undercoat—Also known as the wool hairs, these hairs trap air to keep the dog warm.

3. Vibrissae—These are the whiskers that surround the eyes, mouth and muzzle that are sensitive to touch. The vibrissae hairs should NEVER be cut without good reason.

Shedding or molting of hair is seasonal and common. A dog will shed hair to grow a coat suitable for the new season (i.e. thick coat in the winter). Sometimes a dog will lose a large amount of hair, usually around the flank area. This is a common occurrence and should not be considered worrisome. It should grow back at the time of the next molt.

As your dog ages, you'll notice that the skin thickens and becomes less pliable. It's a good idea to check for large lumps on or under the skin. This could be a sign of a tumor, cyst or cancer. As part of your senior dog's complete home health care program, you may want to schedule a special grooming session on a regular basis. Brushing your dog daily helps distribute skin oils and prevent dandruff for a healthy, pretty coat. It's also very relaxing to your dog, even therapeutic. Brushing time is also a perfect time to monitor your dog's health and body condition.

Tips for good canine skin care:

• Feed your dog a balanced diet.
• Brush your dog regularly.
• Beware of bathing. Bathing can dry out your dog's skin.
• Check your dog daily for external parasites such as fleas and ticks.
• Use preventive pest control measures
• Immediately treat any skin eruptions such as rashes, ulcers and infections
• Consult your veterinarian if you notice any skin problems.

Additional Tips for Caring for a Senior Dog's Skin:

• Do not bathe your dog too often because that will dry out the skin. Overbathing will deplete healthy oils from the coat and skin. This will often lead to scratching, irritation and eventually sores. So how often is too often? Frequency of necessary baths will be largely dependent on the breed and activities of the dog.
• Dogs who spend that are continually outdoor are exposed to dirt, debris and insects will typically require more bathing, about every 4-6 weeks. Check with a professional groomer as some will recommend bathing double-coated breeds only about 3 times a year. Similarly, smooth-coated dogs can go a lot longer between baths than can curly-coated breeds such as poodles. Too frequent bathing, especially during winter months can cause the coat to soften and reduce its insulating qualities.
• To keep your dog clean between baths, brush daily. This is good for a dog's coat and skin, Not only will your dog look and smell better, he will enjoy all the attention. 
• Dry weather means dry skin! Remember as your senior dog will often spend more time indoors during the colder months, his dog's fur and skin can become dry. Don't forget if your dog is a breed that grows an undercoat, you need to comb it out when the weather gets warmer. Be certain that your pet's fur does not become matted or his skin will not be able to breathe. This causes itchy skin and your dog will begin to scratch, chew and even pull out fur.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws

ABC's of Senior Dog Care--Companion

Companion--Our senior dogs have been our loyal companions for many years. They have been by our sides through good times and bad only wanting a rub behind the ears, a walk around the neighborhood and a bowl of kibble. Old dogs are true friends and our canine companions. Some days we wonder who needs who more?

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws

Old Dog Friday Photo Fun--Old Dogs Need Friends Too!

That's our old dog in the background when our neighbor's dog dropped by. Lizzie is a pup compared to our then 16 year old senior dog. Whenever Lizzie showed up to visit Tikki, she would run up his dog ramp and wag her tail while she patiently let our old Tikki sniff her up and down. For a few minutes, he seemed to forget all his aches and pranced around with his friend with a spring in his step. Yep, old dogs need friends too! Happy Friday!

PetZoom Pet Park Indoor Pet Potty, 25.5" x 20" x 2"

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws

Protective Products for Old Dog Paws

Do you take care of your old dog’s paws? Everyone knows exercise is good for an old dog’s health so we include them in our walks which we take in all types of weather. In the summer, we protect our own feet with comfortable shoes and in the winter an extra pair of socks inside our boots. But once we’re ready most people just attach a leash and head outside without any consideration of how a walk will affect our dog’s feet. It is almost like we are asking our dogs to endure the elements barefooted!

There are a variety of innovative products available that protect your dog’s paw from the elements. The trick is training your older dog to wear them. There are also several products that help when your old dog’s paws are already sore.

Dog Boots – There are several different types of dog boots.
• Orthopedic – Used to protect wounds caused by dragging paws
• Disposable – Keep your dog's paws safe and dry in wet and muddy conditions – great for the visits to the dog park.
• All purpose boots – Use them year-round on rocky trails or fields covered with winter snow or summer thistles.
• Extreme Winter Boots – Added warmth, provides traction and protect your dog's paws from ice, rocks and rough terrain.

Protective Products for Paws

Knit Socks - Protects and warm your pet's paws used indoors or out.

Paw Heals - Creates a germ and water barrier, penetrating rapidly and deeply. Does not wash off when dogs are in water. Helps your dogs paw pads and webbing heal.

Paw Protectors - Products are available to aid in the care and repair of dry, calloused foot pads. The product softens calloused areas and increases the pliability of the pad, while maintaining the resiliency consistent with normal healthy tissue.

Paw Spray – A pet friendly spray that removes dirt and more from your dog's paws. There are some that contain aloe so will help soothe and condition irritated paws.

Paw Wipes - Cleans and deodorizes dog paws with a fresh scent. Use to help stop the spread of dirt and odors.

Pet safe winter ice melter - Keep your steps, sidewalks and driveway both pet and environmentally friendly.

Leg wraps – Not sure if these are more of a fashion statement but they could protect your dog from formation of Ice-balls or collecting thorns in the fur.

Canine footbath – A device that you place your dogs paw into and it cleans it. As you pull the paw out it says it works like a squeegee.

Dog paw cleaner brush - There are extra soft, super absorbent microfibers dusters that are designed to be gentle on tender paws.

Paw De-icier – A special solution that repels water, ice, and snow. This will help to prevent water from freezing between pads, and snow from clumping on fur.

Musher's Secret - An invisible “boot” for dogs, made of dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs; its said to provide great protection even in the most extreme conditions. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the toes. Aids in protecting your dogs paws from salt and chemicals, ice build-up, snowballing, sand, sand-burn, hot pavement, and rough terrain.

Brief warning, we had a bit of a struggle to train our old dog to get his foot gear on. Maybe the old guy was embarrassed. He was definitely stubborn and comfortable in his ways. But the “bootie-battle” was worth it in the long run. Best of luck!


Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws