Grooming your dog can be a difficult process depending on what kind of hair your dog has. It can be more difficult if your dog is a long-haired pup versus a short haired dog. However some things stay the same regardless of the breed of dog you have.

Grooming Your Dog

1. Start brushing at the top of your dog’s head, but be gentle when you do this. When you’re grooming the head you should remember that the skin and hair around a dog’s face are very sensitive.

If your dog has long hair, put your fingers behind the long hair and comb it. Make sure that your dog’s skin is protected from the comb. For your short-haired dog, use a soft slicker brush made for the face. This will be gentle enough not to irritate your dog.

2. Long-haired dogs tend to have long ear hair. If you need to brush this out as well, put your hand between the comb and your dog’s skin. If it’s matted or knotty, use a washcloth that has been dipped in de-tangler solution. This will help get the tangles out. If they’re too big, you might have to use clippers.

3. Smooth the fur on your dog’s neck. Use the soft slicker brush to brush out any knots. If your dog has a lot of fur around the neck, try using a comb.

If your long-haired dog needs its legs brushed, you’ll have to comb it out since it tends to tangle often.

4. Brush the dog’s belly. Once again, you should use the soft slicker brush to brush out any knots. A Note of Caution: This is another area of the dog that’s very sensitive.

5. Brush the back of the dog. This will be the easiest part, especially compared to the dog’s rear end. When brushing the rear end of a dog, make sure to use a slicker brush at first to test out how your dog feels about being brushed back there. Be very careful as this is another sensitive area.

6. If your dog has a long furry tail you’ll need to comb that out as well.

Now you’re done!

Additional Help

If you need more help grooming your dog, or if your dog is sick, in need of vaccinations, or just needs a checkup, just use TalkLocal! We will connect you with up to three veterinarians or dog groomers in your area within minutes!

Why is My Dog Limping?

Have you started to notice that your dog is limping, either occasionally or constantly? There are many factors, causes, and explanations for why your pup may be injured, and here’s what you can do to figure it out.

Causes

Factors leading to limping can include the age of your dog, the amount of walking/exercise your dog sees daily, their health, the ground they are walking on, etc. If you see that the limping comes and goes or that it gets gradually worse, there could be a few different explanations.

If your dog is older, arthritis and aching joints may be a cause of the limping. If you notice pain in the wrist, elbow, shoulder of a front leg, ankle, knee, or hip of a hind leg, this may result in discomfort all the way down through the leg and explain the limping.You should also examine your dog’s limbs for other possible sources of the problem.

Examining your dog

Look at your dogs paws and toes. A bleeding cut, thorn, shard of glass stuck in their paw, or a split toenail, can be very painful and may explain the limping. A cracked or split nail may be a problem because they can often expose the nerves and/or sensitive tissue in the dog’s feet that make it very painful to put weight on that foot. Your dog may even have a fractured or broken toe or foot. If you examine the webbing between their toes as well, you may come across a tear or embedded piece of glass or rock causing discomfort. In these cases, you may be able to help by simply removing the object. In other cases, a more serious condition may require a visit to the vet.

In other more serious cases, a disease or development problem may have resulted in the limping of your pet. There may be problems with their leg nerves, ligaments, or even partial paralysis.

Professional Help

If you have tried home remedies to no avail, or believe that there may be a more serious problem with your dog, try using TalkLocal to locate a veterinarian immediately. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable professionals in your neighborhood, within minutes. Simply enter in your specific problem, location and availability and TalkLocal will contact multiple vets, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

If your dog is sick, you might be a little nervous about getting your dog to take his medicine. Read this guide for some tips on how to give your dog medication.

Pill Medication

If the medicine is in pill form, you should try opening your dog’s mouth and putting the pill back as far as possible on his tongue. Then close your dog’s mouth, angle his head up, and stroke his throat until he swallows. Be very careful when you do this because you could get bitten. This doesn’t always work, so if it doesn’t you can always try to trick your dog by putting the pill in their dog food, or if worse comes to worse try using peanut butter (but only in small amounts).

Liquid Medication

If the medicine is liquid, you should angle your dog’s head up and then put the syringe with the medicine inside his/her cheek. Keep the dog’s head elevated so the medicine can slide down his/her throat.

Ear Drops

If your dog needs ear drops, you should place a towel over your lap and try to get your dog to rest his head on your knees. Hold his ear, insert the ear drops and rub your dog’s ear. Rubbing the dog’s ear helps to let the medicine settle inside the ear, and may also calm the dog down.

Eye Drops

If your dog needs eye drops, you should try sitting with your dog between your knees and angling their head up so you can hit them with the drops from behind.

Additional Help

Whatever medication your dog is receiving, it’s obviously important that you stay calm during administration, because your dog will almost certainly resist. If you need a veterinarian to give you tips on how to give your dog medication, don’t hesitate to use TalkLocal to find a vet in your area! We will connect you with up to three local veterinarians within minutes!

You might wonder, how can I tell if my pet has worms?  There are five main types of worms you should worry about your pet contracting: tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and heartworms. They each have different symptoms, and can range from essentially harmless to extremely dangerous for your pet.

Tapeworms:

Tapeworms are the most common parasite to infest your pet. Your pet will often either do the infamous carpet scoot or continuously lick around the anus area in an attempt to get rid of the itch caused by the worms. You can tell if your pet has tapeworms by checking for worms or worm eggs in its stool. Tapeworm eggs look like grains of rice, and will be located in your pet’s stools, around its anus, or even on your carpet. Pets that have tapeworms will have an increased appetite, but will often be thinner than usual due to the worms using up the consumed nutrition. Other common symptoms include stomach aches, constipation, fevers, and coughing.

Roundworms:

Roundworms are common in puppies and kittens because they pass from mother to offspring. The roundworms first form cysts in the mother that remain dormant and cannot be treated by medication. These roundworms cysts are then activated when the mother becomes pregnant, and are passed onto the offspring. Roundworms can also be transferred through the mother’s milk. Symptoms of roundworms, particularly in newborn animals, are distended stomachs that are bloated with worms. Animals may also have a loss of appetite and weight, in addition to diarrhea and vomiting. Just like tapeworms, roundworms will also cause an itchy anus.

Hookworms:

Hookworms “hook” themselves onto the interior wall of your pet’s intestines by biting onto the sides. Their eggs are not visible to the human eye, and will require a microscopic examination at the vet to diagnose. At worst, hookworms can cause anemia and bloody stools, posing a big threat to your pet’s health.

Whipworms:

Whipworms are very thin worms about two to three inches long that attach themselves to interior walls of your pet’s intestines. They are hard to detect even with multiple stool screenings, but signs of a heavy infection are bloody stools, chronic or acute diarrhea, mucoid stools, and even anemia.

Heartworms:

Probably the most dangerous type of worm, heartworms live inside an animal’s lung vessels and can take up the chambers and vessels of the heart if the infection is serious enough. They can cause respiratory problems, major lung damage, and even cardiac arrest. Heartworms are also very hard to detect, which means the infection could quickly spiral out of control. You’ll notice coughing and a lack of stamina in active dogs, but for sedentary dogs, heartworms are difficult to detect. When you notice weakness and a lack of luster in the fur, heart damage has already occurred. Heartworms are more prevalent in dogs because heartworms that infect cats die out quickly before they can multiply.

Many of these worms can be controlled through deworming medications, such as Iverhart Max, which provides protection against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Usually, you’ll only need to give your pet one dose every month, but check the labeling for the specific dosage for your pet’s weight. You should also go for regular vet checkups for your pet to discover infestation cases before they get out of hand. There’s no better way to book an appointment with a high quality local veterinarian than through TalkLocal.

Pet turtles are cute, low maintenance animals.  They require a little attention and general feedings, but usually don’t take up a lot of your time.  Turtles are uncomplicated creatures, but ones who sometimes do strange things.  For example, people often complain, “My turtle is eating rocks.”  This strange eating habit is not good for the turtle; read the information provided below on how to fix this situation.

Why is your turtle eating rocks?

Your turtle could be eating rocks for a number of reasons, including:

– By mistake

– Because it needs more calcium

– Out of boredom

– Intentionally

Sometimes turtles will mistakenly intake pebbles because it is searching for food.  Turtles frequently search for sunken food and eat whatever is at the bottom of the tank on accident.  Another reason turtles eat rocks is because they are looking to get more calcium.  You should try to get it a cuttle bone to chew on so that it gets the necessary nutrition it needs.  Furthermore, when your turtle is bored it will begin to eat the sand and pebbles.  You should transfer your pet into a larger tank with more foliage/room to move around.  Finally, for some unknown reason, turtles will occasionally eat rocks intentionally.  There is no nutritional value, so the reason as to why it eats small amounts of this substance is unknown.

These rocks are not good for your turtle.  The gravel can get stuck in their digestive system and impact.  This will cause a larger problem in the long run.  The turtle will continue to eat rocks until it’s stomach is completely swollen and this is quickly followed by death.

If you notice your turtle eating the rocks at the bottom of its tank you should take action immediately.  Remove all the gravel and sand as soon as possible.  A bare tank floor will trap less food and create less smells as well.  If you want to keep the rocks at the bottom of the tank, you should use colorful sand/rocks so your turtle will not confuse it as food.  You should also use large rocks that are at least bigger than the turtle’s head because this way your pet will be unable to eat them.

If you are looking for a veterinarian to help out with your pet turtle and it’s penchant for eating rock, use TalkLocal.  Simply input your problem, location and availability, and you should be connected to someone who can help you out within minutes.

The gardeners among us are all quite familiar with the use of pesticides and other dangerous chemicals in the never-ending war against insects, weeds and rodents.  For the 30 million Americans who live with dogs in the home, all of these poisons can easily lead to an accidental pet casualty if the proper precautions are not taken.  Are pesticides harmful to dogs?  There are pesticides harmful to dogs in almost every dog-owner’s home, so if you want to keep your furry friend safe, read on for some guideline to pet-safe poison use.

The two poisons that are most commonly involved in accidents with dogs are pesticides containing disulfoton and snail bait containing metaldehyde.  Disulfoton turns up in many different pesticides, and is particularly harmful to dogs if ingested.  To make matters worse, it also has a flavor that is enjoyed by dogs so they are quite attracted to it.  Metaldehyde is commonly found in snail/slug bait, and is also tasty to canines.  Either of these two poisons can be deadly if ingested by your dog, so check any product you use to see if it contains them.  You can still use these products, but be absolutely sure to keep your dog inside or separated from the area for at least 24 hours after application.  In fact, this is a good rule to follow no matter what poison or pesticide you are using.

In addition to keeping your dog away while the chemicals are in use, it is important to store any potentially harmful products in a place where no pets could ever get in to them (or children for that matter).  Proper disposal once you are done with the containers is important as well; keep your trash cans secured from curious paws.  If you suspect that your dog has been exposed to a dangerous substance, some symptoms to check for are: vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hypersalivation, or respiratory failure.  Any of these signs are cause for serious concern and you should get in contact with your veterinarian immediately.  If you need help finding a vet, you can use TalkLocal to get automatically connected to a professional in your area.  All you need to do is enter your name, contact info, and a description of your problem and TalkLocal will have you on the phone with someone who can help in less than two minutes.

Know what type of animals veterinarians work with is important for your pet’s safety and health. There are many types of animals that veterinarians work with, inside and outside of their main offices.  Knowing where to take your animal can be confusing if you do not understand the different types of veterinarians and their roles.  The following is a break down of the types of animals that veterinarians work with.

–  Companion animal veterinarians: These specialized veterinarians are mostly located at the private practices you see while driving through your neighborhood.  In these clinics, vets work with dogs and cats, along with other pets such as rabbits, birds, hamsters and ferrets.  This is the place to go when seeking health related questions and procedures (from operations to vaccinations) for your pets.

–  Equine and Farm: These two types of veterinarians work on horses and farm animals, respectively.  Within this group are horses, cattle, chickens, turkeys, alpacas, sheep and many more.

–  Marine veterinarians: This section of vets work in places ranging from amusement parks to research facilities.  Marine veterinarians work with marine animals such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and sea lions.

–  Research veterinarians: Researchers have an important role in not only developing vaccines but also studying animal behavior while in captivity or around humans.  Usually you can find these vets in research labs within medical facilities or pharmaceutical companies.

–  Food safety veterinarians: A large number of veterinarians fill this category.  These vets have the role of ensuring the food safety of inspecting the products from animals that will go on the market.  They make sure all products are compliant with governmental regulations.

If you are unsure who to call when seeking advice about your animal, or would like to schedule an appointment, use TalkLocal.  Within minutes you will be connected to up to three veterinarians in your area willing to help.

A few times during the year, female cats that haven’t been spayed by a veterinarian will go into estrus or “heat” for two weeks, meaning that they’re looking for potential partners to mate with. What do I do if my cat is in heat?  You’ll first want to make sure that your cat is actually in heat at this time by looking for the common symptoms.  During this time, cats will often hold their tail to the side of their body and constantly raise their hind end.  Cats will also be agitated, constantly looking for more attention and calling out with constant meowing, often times so much so that it becomes extremely irritating for their owners.  Fortunately there are a couple of ways to end or actually fully prevent your cat from going to heat.

Pay more attention to your cat

One of the simplest ways to calm your cat during heat is to give your cat extra physical attention, whether it be through petting, playing, or brushing. The increased physical attention will quell your cat’s desire for sensory stimulation.  

Consider mating your cat

If you mate your cat, you’ll stop the current symptoms of heat, but your cat will also most likely become pregnant. While she will no longer be in heat during the gestation period, you need to be sure that you’re willing to prepared for your cat’s pregnancy and litter.

Hormonal Injection

Talk to your local veterinarian about the possibility of hormonal therapy or other medications to temporarily stop the current cycle. For most owners, this is a rather complicated route and involves expensive upkeep. This method is used mainly with pedigree breeders who only want to stop the cycle temporarily. Ultimately, these are all temporary solutions to help deal with your cat’s estrus cycle. If you want to completely prevent your cat from going into heat, you should consider spaying your cat (only if she’s not currently in heat).  TalkLocal can help you find a high-quality local veterinarian who will take extremely good care of your cat.  You’ll be able to talk with a veterinarian about all your options in just minutes!

Constipation is defined by the inability to defecate normally.  Like in humans, older dogs are more prone to the condition, though it can happen to any dog at any age.  If you notice that your dog is straining when trying to poop, your dog may be constipated.  Read on for tips on what to do when your dog is constipated.

Primary Causes

Swallowing objects that are not easily digested, such as hard pieces of bone, buttons, coins, grass and sticks most commonly causes constipation in dogs.  Other causes include slower intestinal processes, parasites, enlarged prostates, concurrent kidney disease, hernias, or simply swallowing grass or hair.

Immediate Care

If you notice a thread or string in the anus, do not pull it.  This can cause internal damage.  Also note:

–  Always wear rubber gloves when dealing with feces and related anal problems.

–  If you can see grass in the anus, gently ease it out.

–  If feces are matted around the anus, trim carefully with scissors.  (For longhaired dogs, particularly small ones like Yorkies, you may need to soak the dog’s bottom in warm water before you begin trimming to make it more comfortable.)

–  Wash the anal region with warm, soapy water and apply a soothing water-soluble jelly (such as K-Y) to the inflamed area.

–  Take t he dog’s temperature.  If it is abnormally high or there is blood on the thermometer or resistance when inserting the thermometer, see your veterinarian

Veterinarian Care

If your pet has trouble defecating for several days, is vomiting, or seems abnormally uncomfortable, take him to a veterinarian immediately.  The vet will run tests to discover the problem.  Depending on cause, the vet may administer fluids intravenously or even recommend surgery.

Prevention

Since the ingestion of foreign objects is a primary cause of constipation, it is important to control the habit as much as possible.  This includes the ingestion of grass and sticks.  Avoid giving your dog bones.  Instead, substitute a nylon chew toy.  Keep your dog hydrated by providing water regularly.  As your dog ages, change his dog food to a senior-dog brand that has more fiber.  Also, neutering your male dog at an early age will prevent growth of the prostate, which can lead to constipation.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s digestive system, it is important to consult a certified professional.  Use TalkLocal to find a reliable veterinarian quickly and easily!

Even the most avid dog lovers are sometimes unfortunately allergic to dogs.  While it usually is not possible for you to stop being allergic to dogs, there are a variety of actions you can take to mitigate your allergic reactions to your pets.  It’s all about minimizing the amount of allergens in the air, so don’t despair, you can still get a dog!

Visit your allergist

One of the most important first steps you can take is to talk to your allergist so they can help you fight your allergies.  If you have an allergic reaction, they may offer anti-histamine therapy or even immunotherapy allergy shots, depending on the type and severity of the allergic reaction.  Your allergist will be your best resource on minimizing your allergic reactions to your pets.

Allergen control around the house

Make sure you regularly clean or replace your air filters, as pet dander and fur will clog up filters extremely quickly and make them ineffective.  Having clean air filters will help remove additional pet allergens from the air.  Likewise, remove as much carpeting as possible since it traps pet allergens extremely easily.  You may also want to consider vacuuming more often around the house in order to remove as many allergens as possible.

Pet grooming

Take your dog outdoors and thoroughly brush your dog down, as it will minimize the amount of dust and dander within the house.  This becomes increasingly important when shedding season comes around, so be sure to do it regularly outside your home.

Regular rinsing of all the bedding your dog lays on, as well as the dog, will reduce the amount of allergens floating in your home.  You can also wash your walls and floors with soap and water as well to reduce the dander that may have accumulated on the surfaces.

Choose the right dog

There are dogs bred to be hypoallergenic, shed less, produce less dander, etc.  Do your research on these types of dogs to try to find the one that works best for you and your family.

Don’t let a dog allergy keep you from owning a dog if you’re really passionate about them!  It may be a lot of work, but as any allergic pet lover can tell you, the rewards far outweigh the work.  You may also want to talk with a veterinarian as well.  TalkLocal can instantly connect you with high quality local veterinarians advise you on how best to live with your allergies.