Tuesday, February 17, 2015

How To Clip Your Dog's Nails

   

We get alot of questions from people about how to trim their dog's nails. Many of the questions stem from scary stories they've heard from their friends and, more often than that, their vet. But don't fret! It's not as scary as you would think.


Top 5 myths:


1. If I cut the quick on my dog/cat it will lame them for life.
You would have to cut really far up the quick to lame your dog. If you trim their nails properly, this won't even be a worry. The best way, as you'll see later in this post, is to trim a
little bit at a time. If the quick is long, you'll run into a little blood, but it's not a huge deal! a
little styptic powder (like Kwik Stop) and it's good as new.


2. Only a vet can trim nails!


Trimming nails is really easy. You'd have to be pretty careless or there would have to be some
sort of freak accident for something to really go wrong. As long as you take the time and
patience, you'll find that it's not much different than trimming your own.


3. If I cut the quick it will hurt my dog


Have you ever cut too far on your nails or accidentally nick a hangnail? It stings, but nothing
like sawing off your finger. It's the same, only it tends to be a little more messy with dog nails. What does help is the styptic powder and some pressure -- treats definitely couldn't hurt either!


4. My dog would never trust me again if I cut the quick!

Dogs are a "live in the now" creatures. Generally they don't even remember the last time they
even saw a nail clipper. However, some dog breeds hold a grudge. Big deal? Not
as much as you would think! There is one important thing to know however -- how you
treat the incident is everything. You should stop the bleeding and treat them, but then move on
to the next nail. Even if you freak yourself out and have to 'tip' the other nails, the important
thing is to not let the bad experience be the last experience.


5. I'm too freaked out, the nails will take care of themselves anyway...


This is the one thing that can truly lame your animal! Nails continue to grow, especially dog
nails, and can curl back into their flesh or get caught and rip off. Even with long runs and walks on concrete, your pet's nails still should be checked and trimmed regularly.


So, how to trim dog nails...


First, you need to make sure that you have all of the materials needed. You need:


Nail trimmers -- I prefer this kind. I don't like the guillotine style clippers. For some reason they make me feel uneasy and less in control. I find this style of clipper to be much easier. It fits better in my hand, I can see more of what I'm cutting and there's less margin for error. For puppy nails, I actually prefer human nail clippers. Very easy to use, but it's not meant for larger/thicker nails.










Styptic powder -- I really prefer Kwik Stop. I used it at Petco in the grooming salon and I use it now. If you put a little bit on the counter that you're working on, close to the paw, you can quickly and easily dip the exposed quick into it before the dog even realizes that you nicked them. It works really quickly and it has benzocaine to take away the sting. It's definitely a must have. However, if you're in a real pinch, you can use some flour, it just won't work as well.

And... that's it! Really! If you choose to throw in a nail file, some people do that. I personally find it tedious and the vibration doesn't seem to be too comfortable for the pet. So, how do you actually DO the deed?




Generally your dogs nails should be flush with the pads of their feet. Note: this is the IDEAL length depending on the quick. If your dog's quick is very long because of a lack of nail care, this wont be the case and it will take time for the quick to recede (be patient!) So, this is mainly a guideline. You should never just chop the nails to this length, THAT is how dogs get hurt.  






 For light-colored nails -- You're so lucky! These are the easiest nails to clip because you can really see where the quick is. The pink that you see from the side of the nail is the quick. This is the blood vessel that everyone makes such a big deal about. You want to cut about 1-2mm away from the quick. Any further than that and you can cause it to bleed, but remember, it's not a huge deal if you nick it!

I do it a little differently than what I've seen on the internet. I gently take the dog's paw and hold it backwards with the pad up in the air. That allows me to hold the elbow of the dog still so they can't pull away, giving me much more control than just holding the paw. After looking over the paw and checking for any cracks or issues,you want to start at the bottom and take off a little bit at a time. If you and your dog are too uneasy, you can 'tip' the nails, which is just cutting off the very tip of the nail, making it less sharp (but not as effective as trimming the nail.) Work your way up until you're

approximately 1-2mm away from the quick. Do the same for each nail and don't forget the dew claws! That's it!


It should look like this!



For dark-colored nails -- Don't worry, you're still okay! Pull back the paw and look at the bottom of the nail. Sometimes the back is open and you're able to see what is hard nail and what isn't. Use that as your guide as you trim a little bit at a time. Stop at the white.

If the nail isn't open in the back, you'll need to remember that time and patience thing that I mentioned earlier in the post. Trim (if you can, shave) the nail a little bit at a time. If you see that the nail is a solid white in the center, don't worry! Go a little further. You're going to slowly trim until you see the "target" as depicted in the third picture. The quick is where the dark center, stop there. 

Do that for every nail (don't forget that dew claw!) and BREATHE! Because that's it.












Now go get a treat for you and your dog!















Any questions? E-mail Bonnie at two_divas@hotmail.com!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Keep your pet safe this Easter!

 Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner! It's a time full of renewal, rebirth and rejuvenation. It's also time for brightening up your home and yard with flowers, decorations and goodies. However, there are some things that can be harmful/toxic to your fur-baby that you should be mindful of this season.



1. Easter lilies (or any lilies) are highly toxic. All parts of the plant are toxic including the pollen, which means that if your kitty brushes against it and then cleans themselves they could be in immediate danger! The first signs of poisoning are:
  • vomiting
  • lethargy
  • loss of appetite
  • tremors
  • seizures
2. Easter grass looks pretty in baskets, vases and displays but can also be        deadly for our little friends. When ingested, Easter grass (or any kind of          string or ribbon small enough) can quickly become what is called a linear        foreign body. These obstructions can gather and begin to shred the                intestinal tract and other delicate tissues. It is VERY important that if you      see a string, ribbon, piece of Easter grass, etc. hanging out of your pets          mouth or anus NOT to pull on it, but to take them to your vet! These              obstructions can cause alot of damage and can quickly become life-                threatening. If you think your pet has eaten string or string-like objects          and they are:


  • Lethargic
  • Straining to defecate
  • Vomiting
  • Growling at their stomach
  • Showing pain in their stomach region

Then call your vet! 

3. Candy! We all  know that chocolate is poisonous to our pets, but did you know that candies with artificial sweeteners such as xylitol are poisonous, too? Xylitol can be found in candies, gum, lollipops, syrups and even in baked goods. Ingesting xylitol can result in acute liver necrosis and liver failure. Signs to watch out for are:

  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Collapse
  • Vomiting
  • Tremoring
  • Seizures
  • Jaundice
  • Malaise
  • Black-tarry stool
  • Coma
  • Death




We hope that you have a wonderful Spring and Easter and remember that animals are very curious and love to feel like they're a part of the fun.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Don't Lie, Antonovich

I've been trying to contact a few people about what was said by Antonovich's spokesperson. I have a few more e-mails sent out, but the one that I recently got a response to is this:

From:
Bonnie
To punish a breed of dog, or any animal for that matter, is completely unconscionable. Dogs are a reflection of their owners and their past, therefor it is the irresponsible, abusive and neglectful people in their lives that should receive the full force of the law.
As a man who served in the military, I would hope that you would honor the lives of a breed that has such a rich history of heroes including Sgt. Stubby who served in Unit 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I who not only received a medal, but also received a wound stripe while protecting the soldiers in his unit.
Another hero pit bull is L.A.’s very own Diamond who shielded 16 year old Sierra from a fire in her apartment, taking the brunt of the fire and receiving severe burns and smoke inhalation just to keep her human from harm.
And Chief, who saved an 87 year old woman and her granddaughter from a poisonous snake by alerting them and then shielding them from the attack of the snake, taking the bite instead, while taking it down to the ground — giving his life to protect them.
Do not punish responsible and loving pet owners and be a part of ending the lives of innocent dogs in California.
--
This mail is sent via contact form on Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich http://antonovich.com

And what response do I get?

Thank you for your correspondence regarding vicious dogs and the recent fatal mauling of a 63-year old resident in Littlerock. 
While there is currently no effort to change State legislation to ban or restrict any particular breed, Los Angeles County is dedicated to protecting the public from the threat of vicious dogs.  At my direction, the Department of Animal Care and Control will provide the Board of Supervisors with a comprehensive package of recommendations to enhance our efforts to protect the public.
We will work to expand our County’s mandatory spay/neuter ordinance and support vigorous prosecution and severe penalties, fines and jail time for negligent and irresponsible owners who allow their animals to breed, fight, roam and attack people, horses and other animals. 
We will also continue working with the community, our town councils and cities to address this threat to public safety and prevent future attacks. 
To report animal-related public safety concerns, residents are asked to contact the County’s 24-hour call center at(562) 940-6890.
Thank you.
Office of Supervisor Michael D. AntonovichFifth District, County of Los Angeles500 West Temple Street, #869Los Angeles, CA 90012(213) 974-5555(213) 974-1010 - FAXfifthdistrict@lacbos.org

I immediately began contacting Antonovich's office about this response and about what was said by his spokesperson. If anyone needs a refresher on what was said, here is a direct quote:



 "We're going to go back to the state legislature and see if we can change that law, allow the local communities to make up their own minds with regards to breeds... Pit bulls are a different breed of animal. They're capable of incredible damage to humans, to other dogs, to horses."

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Pit Bulls in the Media


What do you know about pit bulls? How much of what you know is from personal experience, being a guardian of a pit bull or from the media?
As we go through our daily lives, we are constantly receiving messages from the media, mainly from the news and Facebook. With the news networks wanting high ratings, reporters are always searching for stories containing the attention-grabbing "buzz words", "pit bull" being one of the highest. According to ASPCA's website:

"Animal control officers across the country have told the ASPCA that when they alert the media to a dog attack, news outlets respond that they have no interest in reporting on the incident unless it involved a pit bull. A quantitative study by the National Canine Research Council of dog-bite reportage in a four-day period proves that anti-pit bull bias in the media is more than just a theory—it’s a fact."

While a Maryland court has declared pit bulls to be "inherently dangerous" and news outlets are constantly reporting “pit bull” attacks (mind you, these are not true pit bulls, but are a generality of “pit bull types”) there are an alarming number of dog attacks that are not being reported or are being down-played by the media.

In April of 2012 in South Carolina a Golden Retriever-Lab mix named Lucky brutally killed and dismembered a 2-month-old baby that was in an infant swing while the father was sleeping. Lucky mauled baby Aiden McGrew and then severed both of his legs. This story barely made it into the news, calling the dog a “pooch” while “pit bull” attacks make national headlines regardless of the severity, calling them “vicious,” “dangerous” and “killers.”

Meanwhile, when there are no “pit bull” attacks to report, we see news reporters revisiting past stories and rehashing them, often asking their viewers questions slanted in a way that no matter how you answer, the outcome will always be negative.



ASPCA.ORG. (2013). Pit Bull Bias in the Media. Retrieved from ASPCA.ORG: http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/advocacy-center/animal-laws-about-the-issues/pit-bull-bias-in-the-media.aspx
Edelman, A. (2013, January 10). Family dog attacks child of South Carolina parents whose infant son was killed by another pooch last year. Retrieved from NY Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/months-infant-mauling-dog-attack-mcgrew-home-article-1.1237732
Viegas, J. (2012, May 15). Are Pit Bulls Inherently Dangerous? Retrieved from Discovery News: http://news.discovery.com/animals/zoo-animals/pit-bulls-dangerous-120515.htm



Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Creature: Hero to 89-Year-Old Dementia Sufferer Carmen Mitchell

On March 1st of this year an 89-year-old woman with dementia in Piscataway, NJ went missing for several hours after wandering away from her home. While people were out searching for Carmen Mitchaell, it was a 2-year-old pit bull named Creature who found the elderly woman and alerted her guardian Cara Jones. Creature found Carmen Mitchell in the woods, lying on the ground, covered in mud and barefoot.
Sadly, while Creature was the one who found Carmen Mitchell, the media originally credited the rescue to a low-flying helicopter and patrol cars. It was Capt. Kenneth Blair of the Piscataway Police Department that finally gave credit to Creature,
“We had people all over the area. We had fire units from every district; 10 police officers, state police helicopter, but it was her dog who found her. The dog actually led (Jones) to the spot"
Carmen Mitchell was rushed to a local hospital found to be okay and only suffering a mild case of hypothermia. If Creature hadn't have found Carmen in time, the story may have had a very different ending.







Attrino, A. G. (2013, March 1). Missing Piscataway woman, 89, is found after helicopter search. Retrieved from NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2013/03/missing_piscataway_woman_89_is.html
Attrino, A. G. (2013, March 1). Who needs K9? Hairstylist's pit bull finds missing 89-year-old in Piscataway woods. Retrieved from NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2013/03/who_needs_k9_hairstylists_pit.html

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Dangers of BSL: Incorrect Use of the Name "pit bull"

BSL or Breed Specific Legislation has many dangers, some quite obvious and some hidden. The biggest danger currently is in the vague use of "pit bull" and what people's perception of what a pit bull is.

There is only one true pit bull and that is the American Pit Bull or Pit Bull for short. However, it is common practice to use "pit bull" when talking about other dog breeds that have similar physical characteristics. The danger in this is due to the over-generalized use of the name "pit bull" it has lumped over 20 different breeds into one category, skewing the statistics and unfairly targeting dogs and dog guardians.

To prove this point, understand-a-bull released a test to see if you could pick the one Pit Bull out the 25 pictures. I clicked on this test thinking that I could easily spot the true Pit Bull and found it much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. Katie then tried and admits that it was a lot harder than she thought it would be, "I thought it would be a piece of cake. I thought 'I've got this!' and I'm a little embarrassed to admit I was wrong."

>>>> you can try your hand at identifying the Pit Bull here <<<<


Diamond the Pit Bull

In response to Antonovich and his office I thought that it would be fitting to post about Los Angeles' very own Diamond the Pit Bull. On October 24th, 2010 Diamond became a hero when she alerted her family to a fire in their apartment. The father, Daryl Steen, was able to find grab his nine-year-old daughter Darahne and send her down to safety, but was unable to find his sixteen-year-old daughter Sierra through the smoke-filled apartment. Springing into action, Diamond found Sierra hiding underneath a mattress and shielded her until firefighters found her and took them both to safety. Because of the selfless and courageous acts of a beautiful dog; Daryl, Sierra and Darahne survived the fire. Sierra and her father spent the next several weeks receiving burn treatment and skin grafts while Diamond spent six weeks at a pet hospital receiving treatment for burns and smoke inhalation. Diamond was hailed as a hero by the SPCA in Los Angeles and was awarded with their 29th annual National Hero Dog Award.
Is this the reward that she is to get from Supervisor Antonovich? Does this hero deserve to be treated like a vicious animal by Antonovich's proposed breed ban and changes in breed specific legislation? 








Brayton, J. (2011, May 5). Meet Diamond, the Hero Pit Bull. Retrieved from NBC Southern California: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Diamond-the-Hero-Dog-121291194.html
CBS. (2011, May 4). Pit Bull Named SPCALA’s Hero Dog Of The Year. Retrieved from CBS Los Angeles: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/05/04/pit-bull-named-spcalas-hero-dog-of-the-year/