Farewell to Miles...and some of our other favorites.

We at Paws, Claws, Wings, and Things sometimes have to say goodbye to some of our best four-legged friends. We have to remember that, as much as we love and care for each of our furry clients as if they were our own, the reality is they are not our own. They have wonderful owners who love them very much and life can often take us on an unexpected journey.

Such is the case with a couple of our beloved pets, who are moving away from us and on to new experiences and adventures.

This brings us to Miles. One of the smartest and most easy-going dogs around. He knows when you're coming up the sidewalk and greets you at the door, ready to do some serious walking.

Always stretches before it's time to go...but never leaves until he gets some belly-scratchin's first. When we head out, he's well-behaved yet inquisitive. Everyone in the neighborhood loves him, even those who've never met him before always comment on how good looking he is and wonder why he isn't doing TV commercials yet.

Miles just shrugs it off, maybe someday he will. He takes it all in stride since he gets such notices quite often. This is a humble dog who knows he's got it going on, but plays it cool. We are sure going to miss him and wish his owner Jenny the best of luck with her new job.

We also want to take this opportunity to say that we are going to miss a few of our other departing clients who are onto bigger and exciting things.

Gus and Sophie, and their owner Dawn.

 

And Milo and Gryffin, and their owner Tessa. 

We wish them all the best of luck...and hope our paths cross again in the future! 

Finn...the Coolest Golden Retriever You'll Ever Meet

Many of our clients are dogs and, like most people, they all have different temperaments. Sure, many breeds are expected to act a certain way and a good portion of them display the behaviors typically inherent to their lineage. Golden retrievers are regarded as energetic, highly active and in some cases, typically friendly and eager to please. They can also be very patient dogs. 

That brings us to Finn. He may just be the coolest customer on his block. You see, his neighborhood is filled with dogs of all shapes and sizes and when we go for a walk, we pass the homes of many of his furry four-legged neighbors. Of course, it never fails that when we walk by the front yards of most of these other dogs, they go into veritable conniption fits when they see us pass. Whether it's the large boxer or the german shepherds or the collection of small terriers who run around their gated yards untethered, they all bark and yap at ol' Finn when he saunters by. 

Now you have to understand, Finn is larger than most other retrievers, with his sturdy shoulders, long, thick body and tail that swings back and forth; kind of like a shark swimming through the water. He cuts a pretty imposing silhouette in the afternoon sun. But Finn is the very example of patience and is so chill that when those other dogs bark and growl at him, not only does he not flinch, he doesn't even look twice. He just ambles on down the street like he owns the place. Maybe that sort of confidence threatens the other dogs around him. Perhaps they don't like to see this dog so sure of himself. But that's Finn. He lets the others just keep talking loud and sayin' nothin...while he keeps quiet and just moves along his own path. And maybe that, in and of itself, speaks volumes about how cool he is.

That's Finn...the coolest golden retriever you'll ever meet.  

Treating Your Pet's Itchy Irritated Skin

Skin irritation is an immune response that can make pets miserable. But much like human allergic reactions, most skin afflictions are easily treated, and luckily, cats and dogs can take a form of the same medication that doctors prescribe to us to combat itchy, red skin. It's called chlorpheniramine, a powerful antihistamine with a high rate of success and it is available in various forms; capsules, tablets and syrup.

Common Forms of Dermatitis

The three most common forms of dermatitis are caused by fleas, inhalation of or direct contact with an allergen, and possible reaction to the ingredients in your pet's food. Each form of stimuli often leads to red, swollen, itchy skin which your loved one will scratch repeatedly and if severe enough, could result in hair loss of the affected area or even a bacterial infection from broken, scratched skin. Some allergic reactions can also lead to coughing, sneezing, and other respiratory issues. The first tell-tale signs that a cat or dog has some manner of skin irritation is excessive scratching, chewing, and/or licking of various parts of the body.

Symptoms Skin Irritation

There are a number of possible reactions your pet can be having and where they may appear on the body: Cat miliary dermatitis is primarily found on the back of the cat and is often related to flea bites, Symmetrical Alopecia generally shows up on the belly, abdomen and legs and looks like the pet's hair is falling out, Granuloma Complex which often reveals itself through itchy, lacerated lesions on the legs, and Head and Neck Pruritus, a reaction centered around the head and neck which is sometimes confused with common food allergies that also reveal their symptoms in the same general areas. Fleas and mites that cause allergic reactions in pets can show their symptoms in similar ways to all four of these common skin reactions and a flea treatment will usually be administered with chlorpheniramine to ease the discomfort from the parasitic bites.

Side Effects and Caution with Using Chlopheniramine

Administering chlorpheniramine to your pet is widely regarded as a safe and effective antihistamine to combat the symptoms of dermatitis and other allergic reactions. There may be some minor side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth and vomiting. It is also important, before starting any kind of antihistamine regimen, to tell your veterinarian if your pet is taking any prescriptions as there could be adverse reactions if chlorpheniramine is mixed with other medications. Pets who are pregnant should also not take this antihistamine, nor should pets with glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart disease or lung disease. Any medical conditions your pet has should be reported to your veterinarian, and it is imperative that your dog or cat receives a full check up to make sure your their irritation diagnosis isn't something more severe or life threatening than a standard allergy.  

Warning Your Loved Ones...about Catnip.

Catnip. Harmless recreational substance...or a gateway to the destruction of young minds??

You be the judge.

A new short film is making the rounds and it examines the effects of catnip on those who are unabashed users of the hallucinogenic. Some say it's nothing more than a good time, while others wonder if the risks outweigh the rewards. Catnip use is on the rise and kitties everywhere are doing it every which they can to chase higher highs as they chase those toy mice and jingle balls.

This Sundance Film Festival award-winning film by Jason Willis examines the history of catnip, the effects of the reality-bending substance and what the future holds for long-term recreational users who swear by its mind-expanding properties. Those who use it say catnip can tap them into the universe and show them sights and sounds never before experienced. Sounds pretty groovy, huh man? Though one must consider the possibility that some harmless experimentation for cheap kicks could devolve into a life-long addiction. Is catnip something to be fooled around with? Judge for yourself in this educational film.

Watch it with your feline loved ones and discuss catnip use with them. Can they stop whenever they want? Or is it becoming a problem? We hope this educational film helps you and your kitties decide*

*And just in case you weren't sure about this post yet...we're kidding. The short film is a parody of those educational films teachers would show us in school warning us of the dangers of drugs, sex, and nuclear weapons...and it is HILARIOUS. 

Enjoy!! 

Taking Your Pet on Vacation -- The Do’s and Don’ts

Some pet owners have to go everywhere with their furry loved one. We at PCWT are always here for you if you need to go out of town for any length of time. But maybe it’s time for your pet to have a vacation of their own. After all, animals need some time off from their routines too. Maybe you work endless hours all week and this is a time for you two to bond all over again. Whatever the reason, there are some important things to keep in mind when bringing your dog or cat with you on a long trip. Air travel and road travel each present their own sets of challenges and conveniences when travelling with a pet, so consider the following tips when you’re planning your next getaway with your four-legged pal.

First thing to do is take your pet for a veterinary check up. Make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel and is up to date on all of their shots. Get a health certificate before you go, as many airlines require one before they will allow your pet to board the plane.

You will also want to have your pet microchipped, in the event your pet gets lost. Whether travelling by air or by land, a lost pet can be devastating to both of you. The microchip will make finding them much easier.

Buy a USDA- approved pet crate. This is essential no matter how you plan on travelling, as it will be your pet’s living quarters for the duration of the trip. Be sure it’s big enough for your pet to stand and move around inside of comfortably. Don’t let it be too confining for them or they won’t enjoy their time inside of it. The crate is required for air travel, especially if your pet is too large to stay in the cabin with you and must travel in the storage area below.  Cats don’t necessarily need much in the way of preparation before they go into their crate. Just be sure they have water, comfortable and familiar bedding and maybe a few toys so that they don’t get completely spooked. For dogs, get them some exercise before you place them into the crate so they don’t have much pent up energy before being confined to the carrier. Make it a positive experience for them. Don’t act like it’s the end of the world that they’re going inside by acting sorry or sad that you have to put them inside of it. Put familiar clothing or bedding for them to feel comfortable and be sure there’s nothing within that can fly around and harm them. You’ll also want to get the dog to pee and poop as well so they’re not holding it for the duration of the trip.

Prep the crate with all of you and your pet’s information for airline travel. Inform anyone and everyone possible that this is your pet inside of the crate and it’s a living, breathing animal that must be cared for with the utmost attention to detail. For car trips, keeping your loved one in the crate is the safest way for them to travel but take a pit stop every few hours for a snack and/or a walk. 

Brushing Your Kitty’s Teeth

When it comes to a cat’s well-being, many owners tend to neglect one of the most important areas of the body: their mouth. Good dental hygiene plays a vital role in keeping your feline friend healthy and happy. So it’s important to give those teeth a cleaning every so often to ward off gum disease and infection. Just like us humans, you’ll want to your cat to get regular oral checkups to avoid illness or discomfort.

There are two ways to do this; you can either give it a try yourself or bring your cat to the veterinarian. Like most cats, yours may not be all too keen on going to the vet. But then it may not be all that excited about you rooting around in its mouth either. To avoid the first option, you can try to entice the cat into the second.  Food is going to be the easiest way to start. Try dipping your finger into something familiar that the cat enjoys eating. It can be milk, the oil from a can of tuna, or just simply a few morsels of its favorite wet food. Let the cat lick it off your finger and feel accustomed to having your finger in and around its mouth. Repeat the procedure a few times; try to touch their teeth more with every attempt. But remember to do so without making any sudden movements. This will only scare the cat away and make it feel skittish about you going anywhere near its mouth.

Once the cat is cool about you and your finger, wrap some gauze on your finger tip with a pet toothpaste or some other mild sterile substitute. Very gently, rub the teeth in a circular motion in the same manner you would brush your own teeth. You’re going to want to do this quickly as most cats aren’t going to stick around for this procedure too long. Keep in mind not to be aggressive or jerky with your finger movements, just do the job and get out of there.

Of course, if you just can’t get your cat to play ball, you’re going to have to go to the vet.  Obviously, they have things there that you likely don’t have access to; like anesthesia, tranquilizers, those tiny little  mirrors the dentist sticks into your mouth, and ultrasonic scalers to remove tartar buildup. So try to see what your cat will allow you to get away with first, and then decide if you need a professional cleaning to get the job done. The cat may not thank you at first, but in the long run he or she will be quite grateful.  

It's 2013. Time for some New Year's Resolutions...for your pets too!

It never fails. A new year brings new resolutions designed to make each of us better, stronger, more fit. Then around mid February, we lose interest as the stressed routines of life take over. Sometimes all we need is a friend to help guide us through those obstacles and surge forward to our goals. Our pets can be a motivating force for good in situations such as these, because sometimes they too could use a fresh start.

What is it we usually resolve to do more of in the new year? Watch our diet, exercise more, live healthier. Turns out many pets could use the same self-improvement. Here are some helpful hints to get your furry friend started on keeping those New Year's resolutions...and when you start to falter (and you will because you're human), they can help lead you back down the path of commitment and ultimate success as well. 

Diet: Sure we all know what's good for us, the problem is we don't always choose to make the right choice about what we put into our bodies. Helping your pet eat a balanced diet will not only prevent weight gain and possible obesity, but you will see the benefits it has to their coat, skin, and teeth. Keeping your pet healthy will give them strong muscle tone and they'll look great. Think of all the money you'll save in the long run with less visits to the vet's office too. 

Exercise: Yeah it's such a pain in the neck. But doing it with your buddy will make it easier to get started on keeping this New Year's resolution. Routine exercise keeps the heart and joints healthy for you and your pet, as both of you maintain good body weight and image. A long walk or a heart-healthy jog will also give you some much needed bonding time with your pet.

Living Healthy: Sure, diet and exercise are important to living healthy but many of us don't visit the doctor as often as we should. You don't always need to be sick to see a physician. Regular check-ups are the best way to avoid long term health concerns and it's the same thing with your pet. A yearly visit to the vet will keep your best pal safe and healthy, catching any possible conditions before they become a problem. This preventative approach will save your pet from needless discomfort and pain and save you money on costly vet bills that could have been avoided. 

It's only January...you haven't given up yet have you??