"Luv ur Pets" Blog

Use the 2 lb Rule With Small Breed Puppies

2010-06-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

I know a lot people are drawn to the smaller breeds. I am one of those people and I want you to know that it's not as easy as pick the breed, pick the puppy, bring home the puppy. Learn what the average size is for your breed. Be informed about the breed and any health issues they may be prone to.
Your small breeds (such as Yorkie, Maltese, Chihuahua's) have very tiny puppies. There are dangers with these tiny babies that you night be faced with as a puppy owner. One of the dangers is juvenile hypoglycemia which can kill. Juvenile hypoglycemia occurs in puppies less than 3 months of age when the blood sugar or glucose drops too low. Your puppy will get lethargic, trembling or even collapse. Your puppy gets its glucose when it's food is digested. Puppies must eat three to four times a day and not have long periods of time between meals. It's easy to get so wrapped up in the cuteness factor with these little guys that you just want to carry them around with you all the time. Don't forget to give them their time at the food and water bowls. Bringing a new puppy home can sometimes be traumatic and you may see them not eating well. You CAN NOT just think a puppy will eat when it gets hungry enough, a little one under 2 lbs is a good candidate for juvenile hypoglycemia to occur. You have to monitor your puppies eating habits and food intake. If your puppy isn't eating call the breeder or your vet. I recommend supplementing your puppy's diet with Nutri-Cal, a high calorie dietary supplement that's veterinarian approved.
I've experienced the juvenile hypoglycemia with Graycee as a puppy. She was so tiny and had a few bouts of it but I was well informed by my breeder and also by my vet with advice on what to watch out for. I was prepared for it and knew what steps to take to get her sugar up. Please check with your veterinarian for more information on juvenile hypoglycemia, my advice is based on my experience.
Here's some advice on your next purchase of those tiny little babies. A reputable breeder should not let the puppy go before it's eating well but ask if they will keep the puppy until it's 2 lbs. DO NOT bring home a small breed puppy less than 8 weeks old, you're asking for trouble. I highly recommend you to ask the breeder to keep the puppy until it's 10-12 weeks old if you can stand the wait. The older and fatter the better. When you get your puppy home, watch that your puppy is eating well. I recommend that you make sure your puppy has a full tummy before bedtime also. I know that probably means a potty break in the middle of the night but believe me when I tell you that's better than dealing with a crashing puppy. You can take away that late feeding as your puppy gets older and out of the danger zone. When Grayce crashed (hypoglycemic shock), I had to rub her gums with nutri-cal or Karo syrup and get some food into her even by syringe if necessary and I kept her warm. I rushed her straight to the vet when it felt out of my comfort zone. Call your vet for instructions or bring the puppy straight to the vet if you suspect juvenile hypoglycemia with your puppy. Please get informed with juvenile hypoglycemia before you bring home your puppy. Luv ur pets!

Here's a couple of imformative links:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hypoglycemia-in-dogs/page1.aspx
http://www.ehow.com/how_4473517_prevent-hypoglycemia-dogs.html

Is Your Home Pet Proof?

2010-06-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

We child proof our homes for children but do we pet proof our homes for pets? There could be dangers lurking in your home that could harm or even kill your pets. Do you know what they are? Have you even considered the possibility of the dangers?
Here's a few of the things I've done to pet proof my home. Keep in mind that puppies are going to require more drastic measures than the older dog. Puppies are teething and will chew to help bring their teeth in. DANGER:Electrical Cords--Make sure you do not have any electrical cords that a pet can get their mouth on. One way to find problems is to crawl around your home at your pets eye level and see what your pet can get their mouth on. DANGER:Plants--Make sure that your house plants in your home are not poisonous to pets. DANGER:Blind Cords--Make sure the cords on your blinds do not hang down. Tie them up high. I had a friend loose her dog. She jumped up at the window and her collar got caught on the cord. She hung herself while my friend was in the shower. It was so tragic.
These days our furniture can cause harm to our pets. DANGER:Your Recliner-- My sectional has four recliners in it. Always make sure your pet is not under you when you close the recliner. Watch your visitors who wouldn't think twice about an animal being under them. DANGER:Your Bed--Our beds these days are very tall. If you have a pet that sleeps with you, make sure you have pet stairs or ramp for them to get off the bed. Jumping from the bed is NOT good for small breeds. It really jars their little bodies and could give your pet back, leg and hip problems. Broken bones could occur. This is probably not an issue with the larger dogs.
Do not forget to pet proof outside where your pet goes. DANGER:Plants--make sure that your yard plants are not poisonous to pets. I always get rid of the mushrooms that grow in my yard even if I don't see Graycee going around them. DANGER:Pesticides--read the warnings on what ever outdoor poison you use. Some are safe for the pet after a few hours. I never let Graycee outside after my husband has sprayed. DANGER:Holes in the fence--make sure to walk the entire perimeter of the yard for any places your pet can get out. DANGER:Hidden Dangers--walk your yard and LOOK for dangers. A puppy could drown in any item that holds water. Always make sure that your pet has a fresh bowl of water outside even if your pet is an inside dog.
That's a few idea's for you for safety. I would love to hear your safety tips. I am providing a couple of helpful links about what I have mentioned. Luv ur Pets!

Poisonous Plants to pets:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/17-common-poisonous-plants.html
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/plants_poisonous_to_pets.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/plants-toxic.html

Dangers in the home to pets:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/basiccare/tp/birddangers.htm
http://petfairs.com/pdx/2010/06/01/keep-pets-safe-from-household-dangers/

To Choke or Not To Choke? There is an Answer!

2010-06-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many times I see a dog owner letting their dog choke while walking them with a leash connected to their collar. When I'm at the vet's office, at the groomers or even in Petsmart, I see dog's choking. Please be kind to your dog and use a harness. You can be doing damage to your dog's throat. I'm sure some of these pet owners think "He'll learn to quit pulling" or "He always does that". It's true that some dogs don't pull and walk well with a leash connected to the collar but for those dog's tug until they choke, be kind and use a harness. Some dog's are naturally going to pull on the leash trying to get a pat from someone nearby or to go exploring. It's in a dog's nature.
It's bothered me so much to see it that I can't always keep my mouth shut so I've told some dog owners "Hey you know your dog wouldn't choke if you used a harness". With some people it was like a "light bulb going off in their head" and with others it was like "mind your own business". It's so hard not to say something when that poor dog is suffering. I think all small breeds should always be walked with a harness since it is common for some to suffer with a collapsing trachea, my Graycee does. Luv ur Pets!

Here's some informative sites:

Collapsing Trachea in Dogs
http://www.yorkierescue.com/trachea/tracheaindex.shtml

Dog Harnesses Versus Collars
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2917544/dog_harnesses_versus_collars.html?cat=53

Leash Training for Dog or Puppy
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1538&S=1&SourceID=47
http://www.dogtrainingguide.com/leash.htm

Adopting a Dog Versus Buying One? Do Not Discriminate a Pet Lover!

2010-06-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

I am the owner of an online pet supply business who recently was exposed to some pet owner discrimination. I was on twitter when a person I am following stated they do not purchase from online pet suppliers because for them, that would condone buying a dog instead of adopting one. They were totally against anyone purchasing a dog instead of adopting. I did not agree with this logic. This hit close to home for me since I have a pet supply business. I do not ask for a pedigree to sell my products to you, I only have need of a size and quantity. I have a profound gratitude for the people who have rescues and shelters. I have links to rescues on my website and kudos to people who adopt pets. Those people are a unique breed with the biggest of hearts!

I want to set the record straight for dog lovers out there who think the same way as my twitter friend. Being a pet lover is not defined by how you acquired your pet. It is by the quality of care you provide, the amount of love you give and accepting the joy it brings to your heart. I would love to see all the unwanted pets adopted but I am not against purchasing either. Adopting or buying a pet is a personal preference which does not mean you are any less of a pet lover. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but I do not think you should loose sight of what really matters. I know people who will only adopt and I know people who only purchase pure breeds. It is what is in your heart that matters! So don't discriminate against a pet lover. Luv ur pets!