Posts tagged “Puzzle Toys”

The following may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy. Even though a dog may be missing a leg, they can live a long and healthy life without it. Understanding the needs of your three-legged pet and how to make their life easier is the first step in helping them live a full life. Dogs with three legs can certainly adapt to their situation and make for playful, loving, and lifelong companions.  What Is a Tripod Dog? A dog with only three legs is called a “tripod.” This means either a forelimb or hind limb is missing because of trauma from a car accident, catastrophic event, or amputation (surgical removal) due to infection, cancer, limb deformity, or fracture.  While they may have only three legs, tripod dogs can certainly go on to live a healthy and long life. They usually don’t require any specialized or ongoing care other than what’s needed post-amputation. Adopting a tripod dog requires altering your expectations as the pet parent. These dogs may have a different gait or walk and may have trouble with coordination and balance, so you need to take care around stairs and inclines and watch for tripping hazards.  Agility training and high-impact sports competitions are not completely out of the question for your tripod dog but should be done with extreme caution. Also, these dogs may be at a greater risk for osteoarthritis (joint disease), spine problems, and lameness, so you need to take precautions to reduce or eliminate these risks.  Because dogs carry more weight on their forelimbs, those that have had a forelimb loss may have greater future concerns than those with a hind limb loss. For these pups, walking and running puts them at a greater risk of arthritis to the adjacent leg. And large-breed dogs generally have a harder time than smaller breeds supporting themselves on three legs.  Before taking your tripod dog to her forever home, find out the following: Reason for amputation Date of amputation Long-term medical issues or complications from the amputation (i.e., If the leg is lost due to cancer, are follow-ups, additional testing, or treatments such as biopsies and x-rays required?) Need for medication for long-term pain management Reason for living at the shelter (i.e., owner abandonment/relinquishment, lost/stray, confiscation, etc.) Past medical history, including any diagnostics and treatments Current medical history, including additional medical conditions Availability of in-house low-cost testing, coupons, or discounted medical care to help with future costs Special diet the dog is currently on (feeding schedule and amount, and other feeding options if special diet is not available) Preparing Your Home for a Tripod Dog Congratulations on your family addition! You have taken the first step in building a better tomorrow for you and your new companion. While this is certainly an exciting time for both of you, remember that there is always an adjustment period for any animal in a new environment, so be patient and remain committed.  By making a few simple changes, accommodations, and preparations, you can ease your dog’s adjustment period and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. These include: Therapeutic bedding: decreases pressure on bones and joints Ramps, toe grips, floor rugs: increase grip and reduce slipping and falling (Pet Gear Step and Ramp and Dr. Buzby’s Toe-Grips) Raised food and water bowls: prevent leaning down too much to eat and drink, helping with balance Harness: reduces the stress when lifting your dog up any stairs, in and out of cars, etc. (Help ‘Em Up Harness) Monitoring yard for tripping hazards and uneven terrain ensures your dog’s safety when unsupervised Carrying your dog, if possible, up and down the stairs or blocking access to the second story to ensure safety If cost is a concern, you can get creative since many of these products can be made by you or substituted with products already in the home. For example, you can place a rolled-up towel under the pelvis to help lift and support your dog.  Be sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup immediately after adoption. Discuss with your veterinarian ways to keep your dog healthy and maintain good body weight, future care, and the potential need for medications.  The Cost of Caring for a Tripod Dog Beyond the amputation and initial rehabilitation costs, there aren’t any additional expenses in this regard for most tripod dogs. Of course, if possible, ongoing physical therapy with a rehabilitation veterinarian is ideal to help maintain muscle strength and improve coordination and balance. And just because a dog has only three legs doesn’t mean they will be living a life in pain. For many cases where there is significant disease or infection, amputation is considered a therapeutic option that brings relief and helps improve quality of life. Long-Term Management of a Tripod Dog Because your dog walks on three legs instead of four doesn’t mean they can’t have fun. With patience and understanding, you can ensure they are set up for a fun and happy life. Keep in mind the following for long-term management of a tripod dog: Weight Management: A dog’s body weight is distributed over four limbs, with 60% of the weight supported by the forelimbs and 40% by the hind limbs. The weight of tripod dogs is distributed less evenly across their limbs. So, it’s important to keep their weight in check to avoid joint and heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and inflammation. Exercise Management: When walking, let your dog set their own pace but watch if they become winded too soon or fatigued after the walk. For these dogs, shorter, more frequent walks are a better option than long walks. Joint Care: Vigilantly monitor orthopedic disease in the remaining limbs and consider giving your dog joint supplements and feeding them a special diet for joint health. Be sure to discuss the best diet with your veterinarian. Creature Comforts: Provide therapeutic bedding and additional padding to your dog’s elbows and ankles to improve comfort when lying down. Consider putting booties on to protect their paw pads when walking in cold weather and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day. Inspect the pads daily for any cracks, fissures, or sores. Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed regularly to help with better traction and balance.   

Because their immune system isn’t fully developed, young puppies tend to be more at risk for certain bacterial infections and viral infections like parvovirus, kennel cough, distemper and intestinal parasites. “Every puppy should receive core vaccines, which typically include vaccinations against distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus and rabies,” notes Colleen Lambo, DVM, a Bryan, Texas–based veterinarian with the national, mobile, pet care service The Vets. “These vaccines protect against highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases that puppies are susceptible to.” It’s also important to keep an eye out for potential health problems so you can ensure they’re cared for right away. Here are the signs of a sick puppy.,Jump to section 11 Signs of a Sick Puppy When To Take Your Sick Puppy To See a Vet How To Care for a Sick Puppy at Home

Many pet parents treat their dogs the same way they would treat any other family member. So when it comes to finding the right someone to look after their pup, it’s only natural for owners to seek the best care possible when they hire a dog walker. If you’re looking to hire a dog walker, consider these tips before you commit.

You can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are for a major storm. And when it comes to hurricane season (which runs from May to November), the earlier you start, the better. “The best advice I have is to start preparing before hurricane season begins,” says Kristen Brauer, DVM, a veterinarian at Healing Hands for Pets in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Don’t wait until the hurricane is approaching.”,You’ve hurricane-proofed your house and stocked up on essentials—but have you prepped for your pets? Sadly, 47% of evacuees have had to leave at least one pet behind during a hurricane, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). But with a little planning, you can avoid this heartbreaking scenario and keep your pets safe during severe weather.

You may wonder why your dog is urinating in so many places when you take them out for a walk. This type of behavior is known as urine marking. Urine marking in dogs is a natural behavior where dogs release small amounts of urine in various locations. Both male and female mark, but it’s more commonly seen in male dogs. Urine marking can quickly become a nuisance behavior if your dog starts marking indoors. Here’s some helpful info on why dogs mark, how to tell urinary accidents from urine marking, and how to stop your dog from marking in the house. Why Dogs Mark For most dogs, urine marking usually begins around the time they reach sexual maturity, which can be between 6 and 12 months of age, depending on the size and breed of dog. If you can identify why your dog may be urine marking indoors, then you can take steps to resolve the issue. Several reasons dogs may exhibit urine marking include: Territory Identification Many dogs will often urine mark to tell other pets that their territory has been claimed. Your dog may consider both your yard and the inside of your house to be their territory, and they may mark vertical surfaces. Some dogs will frequently re-mark specific areas to make sure it is clear to other pets that this is their territory. Urine marking may also occur if there are animals outside near your house or apartment. Your dog may feel threatened by their presence and feel the need to mark their territory. Male Dogs Interacting With Female Dogs Male dogs will typically exhibit urine marking if there is a female dog in heat nearby. Urine marking is often a way for dogs to attract mates, so the presence of an intact female dog can influence this behavior. Conflicts With Housemates If there are one or more dogs within the household and there is tension or a disagreement between dogs, then one dog may start marking. The anxiety associated with the conflict as well the basic need to mark territory can lead to increased urine marking. Changes in a Dog’s Environment Some dogs will exhibit urine marking when there are changes in their environment. New furniture, new people, and new items that are normally not a part of the household can be targets for dogs to mark. The anxiety associated with a change in routine and structure in the environment can lead to urine marking indoors. Submissive Urination Some people note that if they talk loudly or their dog is easily startled, their dog may have an accident of a few drops of urine on the ground. This is different from urine marking, as submissive urination happens in response to your pet being startled or scared.

Dog Food – This is preferably the brand your dog was eating prior to coming to your home to prevent tummy upsets. You can always work on transitioning him to a different dog food later. Food and Water Bowls – You’ve got to have something to serve your pupper his supper in, and a way to keep him hydrated. Collar and ID tag – Your dog is in a new neighborhood. If he gets lost, an ID tag can improve the chances of your pet being returned to you. Get tips for selecting the right collar for your dog here. Leash – This is a necessity for walks around the neighborhood and leash training. “It’s important to start setting the ‘house rules’ promptly, and this likely includes leash training,” Dr. Mitchell says. Poop Bags – Be the neighbor that always cleans up pet messes during walks. Dog Crate – It’s ideal for crate training and to give your dog a space to call his own. Dr. Mitchell recommends beginning crate training on the first night home. Read more about crate training your new dog here. Dog Treats – Keep plenty of dog treats on hand for rewarding good behavior and for bonding with your new dog. Dog Bed – A cozy dog bed should help your new dog feel comfortable in his new home. Toys – Provide your new dog with mental and physical exercise with different types of dog toys. Calming Aids – Help ease the transition for nervous or older dogs. Calming products for dogs include items like a dog calming collar or sprays infused with pheromones, apparel that provides constant pressure, and tasty calming supplements. Those are the basics for a dog of any age. As time goes on and you get to know your new family member better, you can customize the type of dog toys or dog beds or leashes to meet his specific needs and preferences. “Products beyond the first few days will depend a lot of the personality of the dog,” Dr. Mitchell emphasizes. And there are seasonal changes to consider. Depending on the weather and the time of year, dog supplies, like dog boots, can help avoid common issues, like cracked paws in dogs. You’ll also need to provide additional items and care specific to his life stage.,Bringing home a new dog can mean tons of sloppy kisses, snuggles and tail wags coming your way. And while you’re about to embark on an exciting new adventure as a family, it’s important to note that this transition can be a difficult time for your new addition. “Sometimes it can be hard to remember that moving into a new household can be stressful for a new dog, and it can take time for them to adjust,” says Dr. Sandra Mitchell, owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Bangor, Maine. “So, being careful not to overwhelm them initially can help them to adjust.” Dr. Mitchell recommends giving your new dog his own space, such as a small room or bathroom, providing him with downtime, and staggering introductions with family and friends so they happen over time, not all at once. It also helps to have basic dog supplies on hand to ensure a smooth transition. Of course, you’ll need the essentials, like dog food and poop bags (trust us, you do NOT want to be caught outside on a walk without one of those nifty plastic baggies). You’ll also need training tools, like a dog collar and leash for leash training or a dog crate or kennel for crate training.