Author Archives: vlm
Dog Training Classes at Villa La PAWS Maple Shade
Sit, Lay Down, Heel, HELP!
Villa La PAWS Training to the Rescue!
Next Class To Be Decided, Stay Tuned!
Class: Basic Obedience Class
Cost: $200.00 for the 3 week class.
Where: Villa La PAWS Maple Shade Resort
Sign up: at the front desk of the resort or call 1-856-608-7833
Private training also available.
Dog of The Month
Our dog of the Month is Gemma, a beautiful Bernese Mountain dog. Gemma is just one of the happiest dogs we have seen. She plays with all the other pups in her room; and, when it comes to people time, she thinks she is a lap dog. She love her belly rubs and walking between your legs. A trick her mamma taught her. When it is lunch time, she bounces down the hall way, like a puppy. Everyone, and I mean everyone loves Gemma. That smile is a permanent fixture on her.
Get Ready for Flea and Tick Season
‘Tis the season, and ‘tis the reason for my annual April constitutional. Bugs, bugs and more bugs. They’re everywhere! If you thought that this exceptionally frigid winter would have put a dent into the healthy and prolific numbers of fleas and ticks, like me, you were sorely mistaken. An “expert” in the field told me a couple of years ago that it would have to be negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 days before tick larvae would die. I now know that is pretty close to the truth. All of my field and wood-walking friends have already begun the tick-picking season. Since we can’t (and maybe we don’t want to change our winter weather to that degree), we must armor up to do serious battle with these external parasites that can do so much harm with very little effort. Monthly treatment protocols must be vigilantly adhered to. Consult with your veterinary practice on products of choice for superior efficacy.
Here’s mine:
- Monthly application of K-9 Advantix II (every 21 days if needed).
- Weekly application of Adam’s Water-based Flea and Tick Repellent, especially on legs, underbelly, croups, tails and neck.
- Daily spray of Cutter’s or Off “Smooth & Dry” spray bug repellent on ears, toplines and tails.
- Some of my clients swear by Activyl topical, Vectra and the Scalibor collar. There is no doubt that the Scalibor has consistently outperformed other flea and tick collars. Unfortunately, my old standby Frontline Plus seems to have sufficient breakthroughs to investigate another topical. For those whose feline residents have access to the dogs in the house, your product decisions may not be as flexible as those homes who are feline-free.
- Heartworm prevention must still take center stage in our area. The Heartgard product remains one of the most popular, although I prefer Trifexis because of its superior performance with intestinal parasites. Caution needs to be given when administering Trifexis. It must be given with a meal, and some dogs can tolerate it only if famotidine (Pepcid) is given before.
- Last but not least, I am in love with Capstar. Right before I leave for home from a dog show, I pop a Capstar down Cartier and Alize’s throats. It starts killing fleas in 30 minutes, and attains full strength in six hours. I never leave home without it. Its efficacy is only for 24 hours, but it prevents me from coming home with “someone” I didn’t invite!
- Your indoor/outdoor cats are best treated with Advantage Plus for cats, and they can sport an appropriate flea and tick collar for extra protection. My heart goes out to the feral cats, whether they are in a supported colony or not, for the horrific battle they must wage with these voracious and relentless external parasites. Even the biting flies give no reprieve to these ferals, or to our untreated pet dogs. Many a tip of an ear has been lost to these tiny predators.
- Your horses and other livestock need eyes wide open for preventative spraying and treatment. A little effort and expense can go a long way in helping our pets to enjoy the long, hot summer!
Vacation Season means Kennel Cough Season for our Canine Companions
ST. JOSEPH, MO. — The warm, summer weather gives way to vacation season and introduces the dreaded Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), or kennel cough, a highly-contagious respiratory disease for dogs. Kennel cough impacts more than just dogs in kennels – any dog in close contact with other dogs is susceptible to this disease.
“Veterinarians see frequent outbreaks of kennel cough in dogs during summer vacation season, as many dogs enter daycare, kennels or travel with their families for vacation and are in contact with other dogs,” said Richard Meadows, DVM, DABVP, curator’s teaching professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia.
“Dogs that are in close contact with other dogs are at increased risk for contracting kennel cough. If dogs aren’t vaccinated against this disease, they run the risk of infection. As we prepare for summer trips, now is the time to ensure your dog is vaccinated,” said Meadows.
Kennel cough is transferred through the air, which facilitates a quick spread between canine friends. The likelihood of catching the virus increases when dogs are in close proximity to other dogs, such as a dog park or a boarding facility.
Kennel cough is not exclusive to kennels and boarding facilities. Whether you visit the neighborhood dog park or take your dog along on the summer road trip, your dog still runs the risk of encountering kennel cough and other infected dogs. The dry, hacking cough associated with kennel cough releases germs into the air, making the disease easily transmitted to other dogs that are in close approximation. Dogs can potentially pick up kennel cough anywhere.
“Due to its contagious nature, any dog that comes into contact with other dogs should be vaccinated for kennel cough. Accordingly, many kennel and boarding facilities require dogs to be up-to-date on the kennel cough vaccination,” Meadows said.
“There are several different products with different administration methods. As a pet owner, it’s important to know and understand your options for preventing kennel cough. Contact your veterinarian about your options,” he said.
Along with diminished appetite, decreased energy levels and a low fever, there are additional signs of kennel cough that infected dogs may show.
“Pet owners should keep an eye out for a harsh, dry, hacking cough, dripping eyes and runny noses,” Meadows stated. “But, watching for clinical symptoms isn’t enough. Pet owners should talk to their veterinarian about options for the kennel cough vaccination to get ahead of the disease before it becomes a problem for their pet.”
Villa La PAWS Maple Shade Launches its Dog Training Services
Villa LA PAWS Maple Shade NJ is launching its Dog Training Services program with the announcement that Melissa Bernadin will be joining the team.