Dog Healthcare

Summer may not officially start until Monday, but the weather isn’t waiting.  The hot days are already here, and no doubt you’ve already made steps to beat the heat.  As you pull down your summer clothes, turn on the AC and stock up on water, don’t forget to take care of your dog during these dog days.

DogWatch Hidden Fences has compiled a checklist to help keep your dog healthy in the summer heat.

1)      Keep your home cool

We know that keeping the AC on at home while you are at work can be expensive.  At the same time, it is important to maintain a healthy temperature if you leave your dogs in the house on really hot days.  If you have an air conditioner, setting it to a higher temperature, such as 80 or even 85 degrees, will be a little easier on your wallet while helping to keep the house from getting too hot when the outside temperature reaches 90 or above.

Hydration is also important.  Make sure your dogs have plenty of water during the summer.  Plan to bring along water during long walks and any trips out of the house.

For dogs that stay outdoors during the day, make sure that they have plenty of readily accessible shade and water.  DogWatch Hidden Fence users will want to make sure that there is enough shade in the fence area for their dogs, and that they leave plenty of water for their dog within that area.

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Parts I and II of our Travel Series gave you advice about traveling with your dog.  Whether you choose to travel by airplane or car, you’ve learned that planning ahead is essential.  But what about once you arrive at your destination?

In this last installment of Dog Travels, DogWatch Hidden Fences will guide you through the world of vacationing with your pets.  First we will discuss dog-friendly accommodations, and then show you some ideas of activities that are fun for the whole family – including the four-legged members!

Accommodations

There are plenty of hotels across the country that welcome dogs, and with the explosion of pet-centric websites now in operation, it is easier than ever to find one.  Bring Fido and Petswelcome.com are easy-to-use search engines to help you find pet-friendly hotels at your desired location.  Once you’ve entered the city and state, the site shows a list of applicable hotels, complete with rates, fees, pet-related amenities and contact information.

There are also several national hotel chains that are traditionally pet-friendly.  These chains include several Marriott brands (Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn and Courtyard by Marriott), Hilton Hotels and Holiday Inn. Some hotels limit the number of pet-friendly rooms and some have size limitations, so make sure you check with the hotel before booking to ensure that location has a pet-friendly room available that is appropriate for your pet.

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Summer is the season of barbeques, beach days, and of course, car trips.  Most of us will embark on at least one long car trip to our favorite seaside destination or to a family reunion or to another vacation destination.  Will you bring your pet along for ride?

Part II of the DogTails travel series tackles car travel with your dog.  Far more common and less costly than traveling by air with your furry friend, car travel nonetheless requires careful planning on the part of pet owners.

DogWatch Hidden Fences wants to make this journey easier, safer and happier for you, your family and your pet.  The list is modeled after that other summer tradition – weddings.  It begins with a seating chart, moves on to the menu and finishes with the proper decorations for your special guest.

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About 1 in 3 dogs die of cancer, a statistic which is frighteningly similar to the rate in people. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Melinda Beck wrote about Cancer Risk for Purebred Dogs and losing her Golden Retriever to cancer. She reported that Goldens are one of the breeds at the highest risk for canine cancer along with Boxers, Rottweilers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Other breeds listed as being susceptible to cancer:
High risk-Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, Scottish Terrier, Cocker Spaniel.
Average risk- Irish Setter, Schnauzer, Labrador Retriever, Mixed Breed.
Lower risk-Beagle, Poodle, Collie, Dachshund.

There’s no evidence to suggest that mutts or crossbreeds are less prone to cancer. “Some studies that have compared purebreds in general to mixed breeds find about a 10% increase in lifespan for comparably sized mixed-breed dogs.”

Cancer treatment for dogs includes  surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.  Depending on the type and extent of the cancer, treatment may buy months or years for some dogs.

What’s being done about canine cancer?

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