Botfly Surprise

     We’ve all heard of parasites, like heartworm, ticks, & fleas that can infest our dog.  Well, not too long ago, I had the gruesome pleasure of encountering a new parasite that I had never heard of.  It made my skin crawl the more I found out about this disgusting looking creature…well more of an insect, really. It’s known as the botfly, and it’s scientific name is cuterebra emasculator.

  http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/75013/bot-fly

     This little fly’s larva had managed to infest a dog who was here for a grooming.  I noted a welt on the dog’s skin under its chin. It was rather an unpleasant site to witness what this parasite larva had done as initially I thought that the welt was an abscess. After consulting with a veterinarian, I found out that the botfly will often lay it’s eggs on blades of grass or on a rodent’s nest or mound (ie: rabbit or squirrel).  It’s here where the egg will hatch into a larva. How it manages to attach itself to a dog or any other mammal is quite interesting.  A dog can come near these burrows, probably out of curiousity, and their coat will brush up against the burrow or the grass snatching up one of these pesky larvae.  Once the larva has found its host, what happens next is the actual gruesome part.

    The larva will dig itself underneath the skin and in the process create this ”volcano-shaped” lesion, that is called a warble.  Here the lava will stay until it pupates, where it will later fall off its host through the breathing hole atop the warble.  Soon the adult larva will become a fly to start the process over again.  Some species of botflies can cause physical damage to their host and others won’t.

    Remedies for botfly infestation in dog can vary.  One sure thing is to cut off its air supply.  The hole on top of the warble can be sealed with things like vasoline, tape, or nail polish any of which ultimately asphyxiates the maturing larva.  In any case, you MUST get your veterinarian to extract the larva as its secrections will be harmful to the dog. In most cases, if one crushes the dead larvae while trying to remove it…it could prove fatal to your pooch.  When in doubt, seek advice from your veterinarian!  Written by: David Carpio, Assistant Manager, Petite Pooch Plus  Read more

More Dangerous Objects To Your Dog

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There are a few foods which can harm your dog, some you may not have ever thought as being dangerous. Gum is very hard on the stomach to digest. For humans it can take months to years for us to digest it, but for dogs they may never digest it in their lifetime. Gum can easily build up due to being hard to digest and can lead to death or health problems. Getting your dog to throw it up as soon as you find out he ate it can help prevent those problems. But if you can’t get your dog to throw it up, take him to the vet.

Salt, which can be found in almost every drink there is and most foods, can cause your dog to become dehydrated. Enough of it can kill your dog if you wait too long.

One plant which you should always keep your dog away from is the Castor Bean plant. The Castor Bean plant is the most poisonous plant in world. The plant products a fruit which can kill humans in less then twenty four hours. If your dog happens to get a hold of one of these and eat it, take your dog to the vet. The fruit will cause more severe symptoms in a dog then a human depending on how much is eaten and the size of your dog. There are many more plants which can be dangerous to your dog’s health, but this is the most dangerous.

The first two are fairly common household items, and the last one will only grow in certain areas. If you’re planning to go out camping with your dog, try to stay away from areas where this plant would grow. And the other two you should keep out of the reach of your dog.

Harmful Objects To Your Dog

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There are many common household items that seem to be harmless, but yet can be dangerous to your dog. These items can wind up harming him or killing him if he eats or breaths it in. Lead, for example can be harmful to your dog if he ingests it. So it would be best to keep pencils and other objects that contain lead away from your dog to keep them safe. If your dog ate something like a pencil or a large amount of lead, you should take him to the vet instead of trying to get him to get him to throw it up. Even if it is only one pencil or less, getting him to throw it up can cause splinters to possibly hurt him more. If a small amount of it was eaten that was only lead and nothing else with it, it should be alright to try and get your dog to throw it up.

Probably one of the most common poisons to a dog would be anything containing caffeine. Too much of this can kill your dog ( and can probably lead to death in humans as well). Caffeine, which is found mainly in coffee and most energy drinks, contricts the vessels in the body if too much is ingested.  Caffeine causes poor blood flow to get through the body causing death. Depending on the amount of caffeine ingested will determine what should be done. If a small amount of it is taken in, you should try to get your dog to throw it up. But if a large amount is ingested, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Two fairly common office items that can be deadly to your dog if eaten are rubber bands and paper clips. These items can’t be digested easily and can get stuck in your dog’s digestive tract, or can cause an organ to get punctured. If any of these objects are eaten, take your dog to the vet as soon as your find out. Trying to get your dog to vomit these item may cause more harm allowed to pass. Consult with your veterinarian immediately.

These were only a few of the many objects which could harm your dog. There are many more that could harm your dog, most of them are items that can harm us, too. So try to place harmful objects out of the reach of your pooch to protect your dog and avoid a trip to the vet.

Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

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While you’re out walking or at the dog park with your dog during a hot summer day, there is one deadly risk associated with these activities…heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion can affect dogs differently depending on if you have a long or short haired dog. If you have a long haired dog, you’ll want your dog stay out of the heat for longer periods of time then a short haired dog. An average dog’s temperature will be around one hundred to one hundred and three. If the temperature is above one hundred and four, your dog will probably start reacting to the heat and will start to show problems.

If a dog is suffering from heat exhaustion, he will start to look distressed and may start circling or pacing, and may have his tongue hanging out of his mouth at weird angles. Your dog may also have glazed over look in his eyes that can also be a sign of heat exhaustion. You may also want to feel the temperature of your dog’s fur to know how hot it is. If it feels like it’s on fire, you will definitely want to take your dog over to a shady area or into some water to help him cool down.

If your dog happens to get heat exhaustion take him into a cooler area like under some shade, or if possible, inside. Once in a cooler area, put some lukewarm to cool water on your dog’s belly to cool down your dog faster. If you put the water on your dog’s back, it won’t cool your dog down as fast because the hair on your dog will get cooled more from the water meeting contact with that first. You also do not want to dump a bucket of cold water on your dog if he has heat exhaustion. That can lead to putting your dog’s body into shock and killing him. Avoid the use of ice because it may do more harm than good…cooling your dog down slowly is more effective…you do not want to make your dog shiver as this may raise his body temperature. Also, do not let your dog drink ice water when he is over-heated, this can lead to stomach cramps and possible bloating which can also result in death. If you decide to try and drive your dog to the vet, make sure the car is not hot, and you keep your dog’s temperature down on the ride there.

If you go outside with your dog during a hot day, make sure your dog can get plenty of water and make sure he stays cool. Also do not leave your dog inside a car without air conditioning. This will cause your dog to over heat quickly and possibly kill him. So remember to keep your dog safe when you go out into a hot place. You don’t want your dog to get heat exhaustion.

Potatoes and dogs. Are they good for them or not?

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Are potatoes good for dogs or not? A commonly asked question by dog owners. Potatoes have been found in many dishes, treats, and some dog foods (to add flavor or to fill your dog up faster). But yet potatoes have been known to harm dogs who have eaten  them. So are potatoes good for your dog or not?

The skin from the potato is said to be bad for your dog. But the worst part of a potato that your dog can eat is a green part of a potato. A green part of a potato is worse than the skin, and harms your dog more than the skin of the potato.

But what is it that makes the skin and green parts of a potato so bad? Solanine is something that is found in parts of the potato that makes it bad. When the potato is cooked with the skin on it or a green spot on it, it still contains solanine and it is still poisonous to dogs.

A raw potato or a cooked potato, which is worse if your dog eats them? A raw potato is worse for your dog because some things within the potato that can be harmful to your dog have not been cooked out. So a cooked potato doesn’t have those things in it, and makes it better for your dog.

So potatoes are only good for dogs if a couple things have been done so they can’t harm your dog. Peeling the skin off the potato makes it better for your dog and decreases the chance of harming your dog.

There are three things to remember about feeding your dog potatoes. Not feeding any of the green parts of a potato is important to remember. Green parts harm your dog the most and can kill a dog if they eat too much of them. Cooked potatoes are better then raw potatoes. Remember those three things if you’re feeding your dog potatoes. Keeping your dog from eating the bad parts of a potato is key to keeping him healthy.

Chocolate and dogs

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While cooking around the holidays, there are foods and decorations that your dog should stay away from. From deserts to side dishes there are several of these plants and foods which can make your dog ill or worse. Chocolate, to a dog, can be deadly in large amounts. About .5 ounces of chocolate for every pound your dog weights is all that is needed to harm your dog. Depending on the purity of the chocolate, this will effect the how badly it will harm him.

Chocolate can not be digested by dogs because of a chemical in chocolate. The chemical, theobromine, isn’t as easily digested, and can harm your dog in several ways. If you have found out that your dog has ate some chocolate, you will need your dog to get rid of it in the only may he or she can get rid of it. If a large amount has been eaten by your dog, then you should take him to the vet immediately. Your dog may try to throw up to get rid of the chocolate because it can’t be digested by them. If your dog has not started to vomit, then mix salt, water, and mustard together, and get your dog to eat it.

If your dog still can not to throw up the chocolate, then you need to take your dog to the vet. Your dog may have diarrhea, as another sign, and may drink a lot more water then normal from being dehydrated. If you happen to find a wrapper from the chocolate your dog ate, this should be shown to your vet if the symptoms get worse.

4 More Angels Went to Heaven

In Memory of Cuddles, Brandy, Dandy, & Banjo

Dear Pet Parents, thank you for sharing your “babies” with us. It was an honor, a pleasure, and a joy to care for these furry kids.  Â

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…

Coping with the Death of Your Dog

In memory of two of our sweet doggie clients, Sydney & Canton, who passed away recently. Sydney & Canton were darling little Pomeranians who have been clients of Petite Pooch Chateau Salon and Hotel for approximately 10 years. Their pet parents, Laura and Doug, were wonderful to them. These two girls never wanted for anything. Sydney was rescued from Pomeranian Rescue by Laura about 8 yrs ago. Sydney was a very tiny Pom who was welcomed by her big sister, Canton, who already lived with Laura.

The staff at Petite Pooch Chateau in Farmers Branch, Texas, along with pet parents, mourn the loss of our doggie guests. We get to know families and their little companions in a very deep and emotional way. The loss of a pet is a very painful event in one’s life…more so than anyone can imagine. The staff at Petite Pooch Chateau always directs pet parents to the SPCA Counseling Sessions so that they can find coping mechanisms to handle the emotions which flood their hearts after they lose a pet. The staff at Petite Pooch Chateau grieves deeply so we talk to each other as we shed tears for the loss of a client and for their pet parents.

We also send out a memorial candle to the pet parents from Peternal Candles so that they will know that we care. We have also made donations to Operation Kindness a no kill shelter, in Carrollton, Texas, in the name of the pooch who has gone to “Doggie Heaven” and send a sympathy card along with a book from Operation Kindness’ gift store by the name of “For Every Dog an Angel.”

The author, Christine Davis, contributes $5.00 to Operation Kindness for every book purchased from the gift shop. This book is a beautiful tribute to pooches who have gone before us (but I must warn you…it is a real tear jerker…so you should warn the reader to read it when they have a quiet moment with a member of a grief support group). Our love and support are available to all of our Petite Pooch Chateau (exculsively a small dog boarding, grooming, day care facility) and Petite Pooch Plus (boarding, discount grooming, and day care for all size pooches) clients when they lose their companion(s) but today our love goes out to Laura & Doug.

Love to all,

Norma