Pawcific Northwest Pet Sitting

Michelle September 16th, 2008

Although I am a pet sitter and dog walker, I also have dogs of my own and on occasion need pet services just like the rest of the pet owner population.

Everyday I read about all the new services that are out there providing the help that we, as pet owners need. Just recently I read about a new one, (well not so new in the human world), but new to the pet world, Reiki.It was very interesting to read so I thought I would share.

What is Reiki? It is the ancient Japanese healing technique with similarities to it energy cousins, Tai Ch’i. The popularity of Reiki among pet owners is growing rapidly. Animals are extremely sensitive to energy and enjoy the experience. Treating an animal may require several visits, depending on the situation. When a Reiki treatment is being givien for the first time it may rquire that the practioner sit across the room from the anmal and send Reiki; that is especially true for aggresive animals. It is not necessary to touch the animal, as with a person, for the Reiki treament to be effective.

The benefits from Reiki are:

• Speeding healing from injury
• Reduce stress
• Increase energy
• Increase performance
• Relax tight muscles in the animals
• Calms anxious and nervous behavior in the pet
• Eases chronic and acute pain in injured or geriatric animals

There are even Reiki practioners here in the Portland and surrounding areas. To find out more you can go to http://www.juliaspetcare.com/reiki.htm

Since I am all about trying to find natural remedies, after reading about Reiki energy, I would think it would be another alternative to giving your pets certain medications for aniexty and stress.

Tags: Cats, Dog Walking, Dogs, Pet Owners, Pet Sitting, Reiki, Services

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Michelle July 24th, 2008

One of things I enjoy doing on Sundays is grabbing a cup of coffee then heading over to my big comfy chair to read the morning newspaper. This, however is done “after” I have fed all six of my dogs. They would wither up and die of starvation if I didn’t immediately feed them upon cracking open my eyes..or they seem to think so anyway.

I often look for articles about pets. Events, rescues, tips, tricks or the occasional heart warming stories. One Sunday I found an article on “How to save your pet’s life”. I saved the article and came across it again this week, so I thought I would share with you.

What would you do in an emergency? The best thing to do is stay calm, be prepared and act quickly, but be sure to remain cautious. In some case the animal could bite out of fear or pain.

CAR ACCIDENTS
A pet that has been hit by a car needs to see a vet immediately. Internal bleeding is common, and outward signs of distress may not show for several hours. Also, puncture wounds that close rapidly can cause life-threatening infections later on. Enlist someone’s help in moving the animal by sliding a heavy towel beneath it. To avoid being bitten, tie a strip of cloth over your dog’s nose, or cover your cat’s face with a coat.

BLEEDING
Using direct pressure, apply a clean, dry cloth to the wound. If blood soaks through the first layer of fabric, add more so you don’t disrupt any clots that may be forming. Use a tourniquet only as a last resort, and make it just tight enough to significantly reduce the flow of blood. Loosen it every five minutes, and don’t keep it on for longer than 20 minutes. Transport your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

CHOKING
Dogs or cats that are choking may breathe loudly, drool, paw at their mouth, cough, gag, become anxious, or faint. If this happens, gently open your pet’s mouth to locate and manually remove the object. If your pet isn’t breathing and you can’t find what is obstructing its windpipe, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver. With your pet facing away from you, clasp your hands around its waist, just beneath the rib cage. Compress the abdomen three to five times with quick upward thrusts. Repeat as necessary. If that doesn’t work, take your pet to the vet.

LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
If your pet exhibits signs of cardiopulmonary arrest—unconsciousness, a weak or irregular pulse, no heartbeat, and no obvious signs of breathing—begin CPR. The techniques used on humans can be modified easily to work on animals. If possible, enlist someone else’s help—it’s best to perform CPR on your way to the hospital, so that resuscitation can be continued there. Do not attempt it on a conscious animal.

POISONING
Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, excitability, difficulty breathing, disorientation, poor coordination, twitching, convulsions, and collapse. Common sources are medications, household cleaning products, rat poison, antifreeze, insecticides, and plants. Not all poisons are treated alike, so if you think your pet may have ingested something dangerous, head to the vet immediately. Try to bring any plant material, vomit, or toxic substances with you.

As you transport your pet to the hospital, provide a cover for warmth and talk in a soothing voice. That way, it’ll know it’s in good hands.

Do you have a First-Aid Kit for Fido or Kitty?

If not here is a list of things you should have on hand

• Phone number and directions to your nearest vet or 24-hour clinic

• Tweezers, to remove splinters, or ticks

• Antibiotic ointment for wounds

• Gauze bandage and bandage tape

• Wound disinfectant

• Heavy towel or blanket, in case you need to carry your pet

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions

• Sterile saline for flushing eyes

• Disposable latex gloves

• Muzzle or strips of cloth, in case you have to bind the pets mouth

Tags: Beaverton, bleeding, car accidents, Cats, choking, dog walker, Dogs, loss of consciousness, Oregon, Pet, Pet Sitter, poisoning, Portland

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Michelle January 22nd, 2008

It has been mighty cold here in the Northwest this last week. I realized just how cold when I took my four dogs for a walk yesterday. The sun was shining and the sky was clear, I was thinking sun means warmth, however  reality hit when the bitter cold wind slapped me full force as I stepped outside. I did have the foresight to put sweaters (made by their grandma) on each dog. My two biggest have very little hair and are at their appropriate body weight, meaning less fat to keep them warm. I did not, however, have the foresight to bring gloves with me. My fingers were like little icicles. Needless to say, we walked very fast yesterday.Later as my fingers were trying to thaw out, I began to think about how the cold weather affects our pets. I am happy they like the outdoors but want to take precaution against the elements as well, so I went online and found a few cold weather tips for your furry companions: Outerwear:Short-hair or extremely short-hair dogs should have some kind of outerwear if they are going to be outside for length of time. Larger dogs such as the Grey Hound Dobermans, Boxer, or Bully Breeds and smaller dogs, such as Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers, and miniature Dachshunds are the most venerable and should not go out in extreme temperatures.  Paw care:If your dog should start to lift their feet off the ground, whining or dancing from paw to paw or stops when walking, then you should consider booties. Get your dog used to these earlier in the year when the weather is no so extreme. Once they are used to the booties, they will appreciate the effort. Watch for ice balls on longer haired dogs. These can be painful and feel like small rocks in between their toes. Keep the fur trimmed around the pads of their feet and in between the toes. You can also apply cow balm or Vaseline to their feet before hitting the snow bound paths or trails. Cooking spray does the trick as well. Be sure that anything you apply is safe for your dog to eat. If your walking your dog on salted sidewalks or roads be sure to wash their feet when you get home. Salt can irritate and crack the dogs foot pads. Outdoor pets:If you must keep your dog outside for any length of time, be sure they have the appropriate shelter. A covered dog house or shelter is the best. Keep these supplied with dry bedding, such as straw, blankets or strips of blankets. Since the dog goes in and out, they are bringing in the wetness with them, so make sure these items are changed on a regular basis. Keep your dogs weight up as this provides a layer of fat that can be beneficial to the outdoor temperatures. Provide plenty of clean water and check frequently to make sure it is not iced over. Most of all be aware of the cold temperatures and prepare accordingly. A little prevention goes a long way to happy, healthy pet.

Tags: Cats, cold, conditions, Dogs, pets, safety, weather

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