Pet Sitting Care by Nanette Gordon
Pet Safety
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Pet Sitter Nanette Gordon, Boca Raton: Posted on Friday, August 05, 2011 10:43 AM
Senior Dogs & Cats: The Signs
Since I am a professional pet sitting service provider and pet care specialist in east Boca Raton, I take care of many senior pets, including dogs, cats, birds and rabbits. It is important for me to be aware of the special care they require due to their age and I also like to help my clients understand their pets better.
Being aware of the normal
aging changes for your senior pet will help you identify when there is a
medical problem that should be addressed.
What is "old age" for dogs?
The old classic "one human year equals seven dog years" is an easy way
to calculate and relate to your dog's age, but isn't the most accurate.
Large breed dogs (i.e. Great Danes) are considered a senior at 6 or 7
years of age, whereas small breeds (i.e. toy poodle), aren't considered a
senior until their teen years. I have seen more than one poodle in the
18 to 20 year range. There are studies to suggest that certain breeds
are more long-lived than others, too.
As a general rule of thumb, a dog who is 7 years or older should be
considered middle to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in
order to determine the best health care maintenance program for your
dog as s/he ages. For smaller breed dogs, your vet (in consultation with
you) may elect to wait a couple of years before doing any geriatric
monitoring.
What things should I expect as my dog ages?
Each dog, like each human, is different. Here are some general things to watch for as a pet ages.  - Slowing down - You may notice that you dog slows down some
with aging. This isn't always the case, but look for subtle changes in
how s/he gets up, lays down, and uses stairs. Is there any hesitation or
stiffness? Does a change in the weather (rainy, cold) make it worse?
Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly large
breeds. Arthritis can occur in any joint, most commonly the legs, neck
and back (spine). There are many different medications available to help
ease the discomfort of arthritis -- see your vet if you notice any
signs of slowing down in your dog. Another potential cause of slowing
down is hypothyroidism , an endocrine disorder common in dogs. This condition is easily diagnosed and treated with proper veterinary care.
- Graying around the face, muzzle - One of my dogs went
prematurely gray at two years of age, but most dogs commonly show a bit
of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years).
- Reduced hearing - Is your dog hard to wake up after
sleeping or does s/he become startled easily if you approach from
behind? Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn't a
lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam
should be done first to rule out other medical problems, such as an
infection, growth, or foreign body in the ear.
If your dog does experience hearing loss, take care to protect
him/her from hazards, such as cars and kids that s/he may not hear (or
see). Dogs do learn and adapt well using hand signals to come, stay,
sit, and so on. It is a good idea to "cross train" your dog early in
life to recognize basic hand signals.
- Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - As they age, dog's eyes often
show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal
effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis.
Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as
cataracts. Cataracts
are white and opaque. Vision can be affected by cataracts, and your vet
needs to be consulted (see "when is it time to see the vet?" below).
- Muscle atrophy - Mild loss of muscle mass, especially
the hind legs, may be seen with old age. Some muscle atrophy, notably on
the head and the belly muscles, can be significant. Be sure to have your vet check this out if any muscle loss is noted.
 Now About Cats
As a general
rule of thumb, a cat who is 10 years or older should be considered middle
to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in order to determine
the best health care maintenance program for your cat as s/he ages.
What things
should I expect as my cat ages? Each cat, like each human, is different. Here are some general things
to watch for as a cat ages.
Slowing
down - Admittedly, this can be hard to discern for many cats!
You know your cat best - do you notice any of the following: - sleeping
more than usual?
- Not
wanting to climb the cat condo as much?
- Any
difficulty grooming the "hard to reach" areas?
- Difficulty
going up or down the stairs, jumping up or down off of favorite perches?
Reduced
hearing - Cats can experience hearing loss. The loss may be barely
noticeable, or, as in the case of some cats, the hearing loss can be
total. Always have your vet examine your cat's ears if there is question
of hearing loss -- to rule out parasites, infection, growths in the
canal, or other medical problems that could interfere with normal hearing.
Cloudy
or "bluish" eyes - Like dogs, cat's eyes often show a
bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal
effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as cataracts.
 Cataracts - are
white and opaque. Vision can be affected by cataracts, and your vet
needs to be consulted (see "when is it time to see the vet?" below).
Thinning
of the iris - - Also known as iris atrophy, some cats eyes,
particularly those lighter in color, may appear to be "moth-eaten"
as they age. This does not appear to affect vision, but some cats may
become more light sensitive. Increased pigmentation in the iris may
indicate a risk for malignant iris melanoma and should be checked by your vet.
Muscle
atrophy - Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may
be seen with old age. If your cat is having trouble walking, see your
veterinarian. Some cats with Diabetes Mellitus can have nerve problems and become "dropped in the hocks" and have trouble walking, see your vet if your cat is having trouble standing or walking.
As a pet sitter, I care for many senior cats and dogs so I recognize the above conditions and act accordingly while they are in my care and recommend to their guardians that veterinary care is necessary. I also like to help my clients with their questions about how to change behavior around senior pets, change exercise routines and generally be more gentle with our senior pet family members.
About the Author: Nanette
Gordon is a professional pet sitter, dog walker and house watcher in Boca Raton, Florida since 2002. She provides her personal, exclusive and qualified services for a localized area to ensure the best care possible. Visit her website for more details: http://nanettegordon.com
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Pet Sitter Nanette Gordon, Boca Raton: Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2011 11:15 AM
Summertime & Hot Weather Pet Care Safety Tips
I take care of many pets during the busy sommer vacation periods - Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekend are very busy periods for me pet sitting in Boca Raton and nearby cites. So I have to know a lot about how to care for dogs, cats and other pets to keep them safe and healthy at all times. And my client's expect me to know what to do in case of emergencies. That is why I am certified in pet first aid and as a Pet Tech Pet Saver.
Hot dogs cooking on the grill may be a tasty summer treat. But a real dog baking in the summer sun is in danger.
Pets aren't as efficient as cooling themselves as
humans, since they don't sweat through their skin. The only sweat glands
they have are on their pads and nose. Dogs depend upon panting to help
cool themselves, a task made more difficulty when high humidity raises
the heat index.
Following are answers to some frequently-asked questions about caring for your pet during the summer months.
Can my pet stay outside in the shade?
On very hot, humid summer days, veterinarians recommend against
leaving animals outside all day -- even in the shade. It's important to
remember that the shade of a tree will move during the day and a pet
can become ill quickly if left in the sun to overheat. Unless your pet
has a cool breezy outdoor area that is shaded throughout the day, he's
safer indoors - especially during midday heat. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a
particularly hard time regulating their body temperature on hot summer
days, as do dogs with snub noses (such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldog)
and overweight animals. All of these pets require close monitoring and
should be kept indoors as much as possible, recommends the American
Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Can I exercise my pet during the summer?
Exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy
weight, which helps his or her body stay cool. However, overdoing it on
hot day can cause your pet to overheat and put him at risk for heat
exhaustion.
 Choose the coolest part of the day - early in the
morning, or in the evening. In addition, the AAHA recommends keeping
summertime dog walks to a gentle pace and making sure your pet has
plenty of water. If he's panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to
stop.
Does my dog need a summer haircut?
Most veterinarians and professional groomers recommend against shaving
your pet for the summer months, because a dog's coat helps to protect
his skin from the sun and provides insulation from the heat. Since dogs
don't sweat to cool themselves (the way people do), they don't need
exposed skin to stay cool.
However, your pet's coat must be well-groomed for it
to serve its purpose. Regular brushing and combing to maintain the coat
are important during the spring and summer months. If your dog is badly
matted or tangled, her coat may actually trap the heat and humidity
close to the skin, adding to her discomfort. A comfort clip early in the
season can help.
Should I put sunscreen on my pet?
Clipped or not, your dog or cat can get sunburned, particularly if he
has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause the same types of
problems that it does in people, including pain, peeling, and skin
cancer.
The AAHA advises keeping your pet out of the sun
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When your dog is outside, applying sunblock
to unprotected areas like the tips of the ears, the skin around the
lips, and the tip of the nose is recommended.
 As a professional pet sitter in Boca Raton, Florida, I see the benefits and hazards of taking care of pets in the tropical, sunny weather conditions we have all year. I recommend shorter haircuts when possible, sunscreen (baby formulas are good) especially on fine coated dogs (like Bichon Frise), fresh, cool water in several bowls around the house and yard, toweling off dogs when they get wet in the rain (so they don't get chilled by the AC when inside) and not engaging in heavy running exercises in the high heat of the midday. Make sure that you have a professional pet sitter when traveling away from home and make sure all family members and caretakers know how to care for you pets in all circumstances. Have a safe and healthy summer with your pets!
About the Author: Nanette
Gordon is a professional pet sitter, dog walker and house watcher in Boca Raton, Florida. She provides her personal, qualified and exclusive services to a localized area to ensure the best care. Visit her website for more details: http://nanettegordon.com
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Boca Raton Pet Sitter Nanette Gordon: Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 10:55 PM
 Be Prepared for Emergencies and Safety with a Special Pet First Aid Kit
Pets catch spring fever, too; they can hardly wait to soak up the
sunshine and warm breezes with you. But with their increased outdoor
exposure comes an additional risk for injuries and accidents.
Since I am a professional and full time pet sitting service provider for my company "All the Best Pet Sitting" in Boca Raton, Florida, it is necessary for me to be prepared at all times to assist the pets in my care during a medical emergency. That is why I am certified in pet first Aid by the American Red Cross and as a Pet Tech Pet Saver and always have my pet first aid kit with me.
So what’s a
concerned pet owner and guardian
to do? Enjoy the season, but be vigilant about your pet’s health by
putting together a first aid kit in a waterproof box for warm-weather
emergencies.
The essential element of any first aid kit is a list
of emergency phone numbers that includes your veterinarian, an
after-hours emergency veterinary hospital and the ASPCA’s Animal Poison
Control Center (888-426-4435). The last thing you want to do in an
emergency is hunt around for 10 minutes looking for these very important
phone numbers. Tape the phone list to the inside of the box.
Then,
be sure to include these key items on the inside:
1. Muzzle: This item is a must in preventing your pet
from defensively biting you while you attend to the injury. Even the
sweetest of our furry friends can bite when frightened or in pain.
2. E-Collar (Elizabethan Collar): A plastic cone (think:
inverted lampshade) that attaches around the pet’s neck, the E-collar
is key in keeping pets from doing more harm to their injuries, such as
licking their wounds, which can introduce harmful bacteria to an open
sore. “There’s nothing owners hate more than the E-collar,” laughs Dr.
Christiansen. “They cannot handle it.” Although silly-looking, it’s a
necessary evil, he adds.
3. Digital Thermometer: Sold at any drugstore, a
thermometer is key in gauging how sick your pet really is. The average
temperature range for a dog or cat is 100°F to 102.5°F. A temperature
lower than 100 or higher than 104 is an emergency that requires
immediate attention from a vet.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide: This household item is useful in
cleaning wounds, but also for inducing vomiting if a pet has swallowed
something dangerous. Always check with your veterinarian or the poison
control center before inducing vomiting, because if the substance
ingested is caustic, it might be more harmful coming back up.
5. Triple Antibiotic Ointment: This is good for keeping
small wounds and lacerations free of infection.
6. Styptic Powder: This helps stop the bleeding from a broken or torn nail, and is sold at most pet supply stores.
You dip the nail into the powder to help form a clot.
7. Bandages: These include nonadhesive gauze pads, gauze
rolls and flexible bandages. However, homemade pet bandages should be
checked and rewrapped by a veterinarian as soon as possible after the
injury.
8. Benadryl (diphenhydramine): To treat allergic
reactions (from insect bites and bee stings), have this over-the-counter
human medication on hand. It comes in a pediatric liquid variety, which
allows you to give a lower dose than the adult tablets. As a rule: Give
1 to 2 mg of Benadryl per pound of weight. For instance, if your cat
weighs 5 pounds, start with 5 mg. If more is needed, increase to 10 mg.
9. Eyewash: Used to flush out harmful substances sprayed
into your pet’s eyes, this is the same eyewash that people use, found
at most drugstores. After flushing the eyes, it is recommended to apply the E-collar to keep the pet from wiping or scratching at the eyes.
10. Tweezers: These are the best tools for removing
splinters and ticks. Avoid using your hands to remove a tick because of
the risk of tick-borne diseases.
You can contact the American Red Cross to purchase a pet first aid kit, get pet first aid training and purchase their pet first aid DVD also. Visit American Red Cross for more information and purchases.
 As a professional pet sitter and someone who cares deeply about the safety of pets and all animals, another handy item that I keep with me at all times in my vehicle is the Pet First Aid instruction manual published by the American Red Cross along with my Pet First Aid kit. It contains thorough information on common pet emergency situations, symptoms of allergic reactions and poison ingestion in pets and the necessary procedures to follow to treat the pets in preparation for transport to an animal emergency center. You can save their lives with proper knowledge and keeping your composure calm in an emergency situation.
About the Author: Nanette
Gordon is a professional pet sitter, dog walker and house watcher in Boca Raton, Florida since 2002. Her business Nanette L. Gordon Enterprises Inc. is incorporated, licensed, insured, bonded and she is certified in pet first aid. Visit her website for more details: http://nanettegordon.com
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