Pet First Aid & Care

Amazing Kids - Kristen Dougherty

I met Kristen Dougherty on November 12, 2012 in Belmar, NJ when a group of twelve well-meaning pet groomers descended into this town devastated by Hurricane Sandy. We were there to distribute much needed pet food and comfort items as well as to clean up muddy, sea-salted soaked local pets.

Most were local groomers, but a couple traveled an hour or two or three to get there, but Kristen and her father; Bob, made the fifteen hour journey from Michigan to help out. That is not a misprint. They traveled fifteen hours as part of a Hurricane Sandy Volunteer Project. We were but one of several stops. It was because of this sixteen years old enthusiasm, dedication, and organizational skills that the twelve of us we were able to clean up sixty-seven pets.

Kristen spent time in six separate towns over the next eight days preparing meals, helping local residents to replace food and clothing as well as gutting out flood damaged homes.

I was not surprised to find out that Kristen has been helping others since she was nine years old through such organizations such as www.girlsontherun.org and www.youthworks.com. In addition, Kristen volunteers as her local humane society.

I wish this amazing young woman the best in life. For wherever Kristen goes, will be all the better for having her there. 

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is one of my favorite stones. I have it tucked away in so many corners of my mobile grooming van. 

Rose Quartz is a member of the Quartz family. All quartz is silicon dioxide and it's color comes from traces of iron, manganese, and/or titanium. It has a Mohs hardness of 7, which means you can safely get it wet. It is associated with the Heart Chakra and is a water element. The astrological signs it is paired with are Taurus and Libra.

Rose Quartz is also known as the Love Stone. Its gentle energies help to release stress and tension, as well as dissapates anger. I find that it enriches the calm, spa environment I strive for.

Taking care of Rose Quartz is easy. Once a month I place in on my deck railings under the moonlight. If it gets a little hairy, I rinse under running water.

In addition to larger chunks in the van, I drop small tumbled stones into my gallons of shampoo and conditioner. 

Pet Vlog

I have just added a weekly Ask Mary Vlog. Designed primarily for the pet owner. I've included links to the first three. Feel free to share them with your clients.

  

 

  

 

 

Belmar NJ Groomathon

On Monday, October 29^th at 8PM EDT, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Jersey shore impacting a region spanning from Virginia to Massachusetts.  It is estimated that the property damage will top $10 billion and loss of business around $30 billion. What those figures really mean is that thousands lost their homes, their belongings, and their mementos. So many are out of work because of devastated businesses.  When someone is concerned about where they are going to live, putting food on the table, paying their bills, and when is the electricity coming back; it is understandably that grooming the family pet is not a priority. Yet, many of these pets are stressed due to their situation and dirty from seawater and mud.

The town of Belmar, New Jersey was hit hard. Their boardwalk was destroyed and the town flooded. Many residents and pets were rescued from second story windows by kayaks and boats. So many homes and businesses were destroyed.

 But on Sunday, November 11^th, a group descended onto this little town.  It included groomers from Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Seven brought their vans. Most of these groomers were impacted by the storm themselves. Dr. Dave Weiss of Brick Animal Hospital was on hand. Bob Daughtery and his daughter, Kristen, drove 15 hours from Michigan to keep us organized.  In addition to providing clean up for these pets, we provided pet food and other necessities. 

 

At the end of the day, 67 pets were cleaned up and any medical needs attended to. I have never been more proud to be a part of something than I was on Sunday.

 

Hats off to Lisa Correia and Marilyn Wainwright for organizing this event.  And to all who came.

 

 

 

 

The Groomers

 

Jane Cagney

Lisa Elk Carroll 

Lisa Correia

Elaine Chelak

Beth Cronk

Jon Debruler

Nancy Debruler

Mary Kay Erickson

Kellie Klunder

Kate McMahon

Mary Oquendo

Susan Pratt

Monica Villegas

Marilyn Wainwright

 

Our Most Awesome Helpers

 

Wayne Chapman

Brianna Correia

Cody Cronk

Madeline (Janes’ sister)

 

Special thanks goes to Dr. Dave Weiss, who was not only on hand for medical care, but helped with the grooming, and Bob and Kristen Daugherty who kept us organized and on track.

 

There are two more events scheduled for next weekend, November 17^th and 18^th. If you would like more information on how to attend, donate, or help your fellow groomer in need, visit our Facebook page.

 

 

 

Winter Safety Tips 2012

We have a new puppy! This will be his first winter with us. Probably the only reason I am looking forward to it. I want to keep him safe, while he is having fun.

Car Safety

Watch for antifreeze leaks. Its sweet taste attracts dogs and cats, very poisonous, and the bright green color is a DEAD giveaway. It cleans up easily with soap and water.

Outdoor cats looking for warmth frequently sleep on car engines. Banging loudly on the hood before starting your engine should rouse them.

Leaving your pet in your car while you shop at the mall is like leaving them in a refrigerator. The car retains the cold and your pet could suffer from hypothermia. A great way to gauge the interior temperature of your vehicle is with a Too Hot For Spotã window cling. It is a thermometer that tells you if it is too hot OR too cold for your pet. You can source them at www.toohotforspot.com. On the flip side, you do not want to leave them in the car with the engine idling. A couple of years back,  a Long Island, NY man went into a Cool Beans for a cup of coffee and left his car running. His dog knocked the gearshift into drive and proceeded to go for a ride. He ended up IN the business next door. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

The Great Outdoors

Animals that spend a lot of time outside need more food. In particular, a higher protein diet is required.

The very young and the very old have little tolerance for the cold weather. Provide them with outerwear for both body and feet.

According to the ASPCA, more dogs are lost during snowstorms than at any other time. They can lose their scent, become disoriented and lost. Remember, a well-identified dog has a greater chance of returning home.

Use pet safe ice melt. When that is not possible, or you are unsure of what is being used; wash their feet BEFORE they get a chance to lick them.

Indoors

Insects will be coming into our homes for the winter. Watch for spider and insect bites and familiarize yourself with the signs of anaphylactic shock. Insect traps are baited with something tasty, so keep them out of your pet's reach.

The Holiday Season is in full swing.

Decorations

The most common holiday plant is the poinsettia. It is toxic. Keep it out of reach of your pets. Both Pet Poison Helpline (www.petpoisonhelpline.com) and the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) has a database of toxic plants and phone apps.

Chewing on electrical cords can cause cardiac arrest. Tripping on electrical cords can cause broken body parts and sudden blunt force trauma. (OK, maybe more of an issue for me.) Dogs chasing after something have been known to be dragging a Christmas tree behind them after a cord was snagged on a paw.

Glass ornaments pose a problem for those pets that confuse them with tennis balls.

Garland and tinsel is a particular problem for cats. Remember; never pull it out of your cat, as there may be an ornament hook at the other end.

Pine water is poisonous to pets. Fertilizers and pesticides will leach out into the water bowl.

Holiday Food and Drinks

Alcoholic beverages can cause intoxication, coma and death.

Coffee, tea and other caffeine products contain theobromine. It is toxic and affects the cardio and nervous systems.

Ham, fat trimmings and turkey skin can cause pancreatitis.

Cooked bones can cause intestinal obstruction and lacerations of the digestive system.

 

Stuffings may contain sage, onions, mushrooms and raisins.

Too many sweets can cause obesity and diabetes. Artificial sugars cause a fatal drop in blood sugar, especially xylitol.

Holiday snack trays may contain macadamia nuts and grapes.

Chocolate contains theobromine.

A list of the most common people foods that cause problems for pets is found at both Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA’s website.

TIP: Broccoli can cause digestive upset and VERY gassy pets. You may want to keep that to a minimum unless you want your guests running for cover. Of course, if your guests have overstayed their welcome, then broccoli is the way to go.

You also want to provide your pets with a quiet place during the holiday parties. Even small gatherings can be stressful for them.

Cold Injuries

Cold injuries are caused by extreme or prolonged exposure to low temperatures. The most common areas affected are the tail, ears, paws and scrotum. A snout to tail assessment is always a good idea after coming in from the outdoors. Check for ice and salt in the pads and for any signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

The skin can become swollen, red and very painful. In later stages, it can become hard and pale. Additional signs of frostbite and hypothermia include shivering, slow or shallow breathing, lethargy, decreased heart rate and gums either pale or bluish in color.

If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, you should first make sure the pet is out of the cold. DO NOT RUB THE AFFECTED AREA. The frozen ice crystals in the skin can lacerate the skin cells. Contact your vet for rewarming instructions. This is very important so that you can prevent further pain, stave off infection and minimize the possible tissue damage.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season.

The Importance of a Well-Identified Pet

 

 

A couple of months ago, I received a panicked phone call from my husband. Ricky (Yes –THE Ricky) was missing. The only one who was happy about that was Howie the Maltese, who just got a reprieve from grooming as I was now heading home to help look for Ricky.

Could you imagine Ricky in a cold, impersonal kennel with no way of coming home? It is a sad fact that only 15% of dogs and 2% of cats will go back home once they reach a shelter. With over one million lost or stolen pets every year, what can you do to assure their safe return?  A well-identified pet has a better chance of returning home.

Pets can become lost or stolen when their surroundings remain unsecured; an unlatched gate, an open window or a door left ajar. They can disappear when left unattended; in a car while you shop or left in a yard by themselves. We think Ricky took off after a deer while left unsupervised in the yard. The electronic fence or collars are not operating properly, allowing your pet to leave your property. Thunderstorms or fireworks can cause your pet to panic and run away. Winter snowstorms can challenge your pets’ sense of direction causing him to lose his way. In an emergency or natural disaster, your pets can get lost in the confusion.

There are 3 ways to identify your pets: tags, tattoos and microchips.

Tags have the advantage of an instantaneous return if the tag information is current. I recommend using 2 phone numbers on the tag. A landline and a cell number greatly improve the chances of immediate contact. Especially if you are out and about looking for your pet as opposed to being at home. Tags can become worn and the information illegible. A good quality tag is worth the investment.

Tags can fall off a collar. Collar tags are an alternative to hanging tags. They cannot fall off or become caught on something. Another option is collars with phone numbers embroidered on them. Though, in the event of theft, tags and collars can be removed. Also, they are only effective if they are wearing it. Ricky was NOT wearing his collar.

A tattoo is a series of numbers and/or letters in ink. It is a permanent identification.  Common areas tattooed include the ears, groin and belly. A tattoo is useless unless the number is registered with a national database. Once registered, you need to keep the information current. There are 2 registries. The first is the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery. Their website is www.akccar.org. The second is the National Dog Registry. Their website is www.nationaldogregistry.com. What I like about the NDR is that you can empower them to authorize emergency medical care in case contact with you is not immediate. Bernie Rogers of “S-Keemos Kennels” has this to say about NDR, “NDR was the crucial link to the safe return of my Staffie, Ruck. She was tattooed and registered with them, as were all my dogs. There was an occasion when I left the dogs in the care of a pet sitter and Ruck “managed” her way out of my yard. The sitter was afraid to call me, and still searching for her, when Ruck was hit by a city bus. A Good Samaritan transported her to an Animal Emergency Hospital. The hospital proceeded to contact NDR, and received permission to initiate treatment. NDR, not only contacted me immediately, but both of my back-up contacts as well. Ruck and I were reunited with-in hours, before I had even grasped the full situation. She recuperated 100%. ”

The problem with tattoos can be visibility.  If the groin or belly is furry, then the tattoo may go unnoticed. The area needs to be shaved. Laboratories cannot accept branded animals. Tattoos are a brand. Unscrupulous people interested in selling your pet to an animal testing laboratory will remove the tattoo, along with the ear.

Micro Chipping is the implantation of a biocompatible glass encased RFID microchip. The RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Device. The chip is embedded in the upper neck region. A microchip scanner reads and decodes the radio transmission. The code is specific to the pet and to the microchip company. The microchip cannot be removed without surgery.

The problem with micro chipping is no standard exists in the United States. There are 3 frequencies: 125 kHz, 128 kHz and 134.2 kHz. A universal micro scanner is needed to identify all microchip frequencies. Recently, the micro chipping companies have been getting on board with a universal standard. Too many animal shelters and Animal Control Officers do NOT have one. The Coalition of Reuniting Pets and Families reports less than 25% of micro chipped pets are reunited with their families in the United States. In Europe, where they have adopted 134.2 kHz as a standard: the rate of reunited pets is at 47%. The cost of a new universal micro scanner is around $400 and would make a useful Christmas present for your local shelter. The other problem is people who do not register the microchip or keep up the yearly renewal with the company. Craig Simone of the Danbury Animal Control Office says, “I hate to tell you how many times we find a micro chipped dog and could not return it to its owner because they did not register the chip.” Ricky is micro chipped. His information is current with the company and they have a current photo of him in case flyers need to go out.

There is no one foolproof method for identifying your pet. A well-identified pet has a better chance of returning home.

Ricky was found shortly afterwards by a kindly neighbor who recognized him and brought him home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Importance of Snout To Tail Assessments

When I look back on my life, there have been days that ended up as turning points in my life. One such date was April, 9, 2004. That was the day Binngo; a nine year old maltese, died from a heart attack on my grooming table. Many changes were made including beginning each groom with an assessment. It has been just about eight years now and still I begin each session with a pet assessment. A pet assessment is where I go from head to tail with deliberate intent and purpose to determine if they are healthy enough to groom. There may have been changes since the last time I saw them, especially if this is an older pet. On more than one occasion, I have rescheduled a groom due to problems found during the assessment. There is no amount of income that could compensate for the mental anguish over the loss of a pet. I know, because I have been there.

 

For new clients, the assessment should be done with the owner present. You want all preexisting conditions noted before the owner leaves. You do not want to be blamed for something that was there before hand and also serves to reduce “misunderstandings” between yourself and the client. In addition, during the assessment the owner sees how well their pet handles being handled. It presents a good opportunity to educate your clients on pet care and offer and charge for needed extra services. I have always found that educated clients are good clients. The added benefit is that this assessment demonstrates to the pet owner a level of professionalism that sets you apart from your competition.

 

I first look at the pet overall. Is he bouncy with bright eyes? Or is he lethgaric, coughing, or having trouble breathing? Are his eye dull? Coughing may be an indicator of kennel cough, respiratory infections, canine influenza, or a heart condition. Add in runny noses and eyes and you have a serious health concern. None of which you want in your facility. Watch them walk. Does he appear to be in pain? The worse bite I ever received was from an arthritic golden retriever I was helping into my van.

 

If it is a cat, the two things I look for are dilated eyes and heavy panting. Both indicate stress and a cat under stress can have a heart attack fairly quickly. 

 

Before I touch a pet, I keep a muzzle close and my face at a distance. If I am uncomfortable or unable to touch him, he goes home. I will not risk my livelihood by a potentially career ending bite.

 

I start with the mouth. Gums should be pink except for those breeds with mottled or dark gums such as Chows Chows. A yellowish tinge in an indicator of liver failure. Bluish is hypoxic. There is no blood flow. And pale gums are an indicator of shock. Teeth in poor shape cause mouth pain, which in turn, creates snappy dogs. Take this opportunity to educate your clients on dental care. Do you offer dental products for sale?

 

Eyes should be bright and dilate equally. Unequal dilation or rapidly moving eyes are a sign of neurological problems. Hardened discharge may have irritated and raw skin underneath.

 

Foul odor, redness, discharge, and head shaking are all signs of an ear infection. I will not clean or pluck ears in this condition. Very thick looking ears may be a hematoma or severe matting. Use caution when removing severe matting from the ear as blood vessels could rupture as pressure from the matts is released.

 

Arthritis or leg injuries will cause pain when moved or touch. A pet in pain can bite. Pain in the spine can be neurological in origin.

 

Check pads for ingrown nails, debris, or cuts. Even well behaved pets may have feet issues. I groom a couple of pets that do not get their nails done.

 

If the belly area is distended or hard, refer to vet immediately as this could be a sign of bloat. It may be accompanied by drooling and a very uncomfortable looking pet.

 

Notes any lumps, bumps, cysts, and warts on their body. You do not want to shave them off during the groom. Check the skin for irritations, wounds, and parasites. Can you even see the skin? You have no idea what you will find once the matts are removed. I have found open sores than required veterinary treatment. 

 

The first time you perform a pet assessment it will take longer than that of an established client. I do not require the owner to be present during subsequent assessments. Only the first time. For me, it’s part of the greeting process. As I am saying hello to the pet and making kissy faces, I simply run my hands over his body and pay attention to body language.

 

Encourage your clients to continue this at home.  Their pet stands a better chance of recovery when problems are brought to light as early detection means early intervention. Recommend any concerns found followed up at their vet and keep notes on their client card. The assessment form I use can be requested at S2T@pettech.net. Pet Tech will allow you make as many copies as you like and give them to your clients. Just leave the Pet Tech logo intact. Barkleigh makes clients cards that you can keep notes on the pet for yourself.

 

I may have lost Binngo, but I gained a respect for not taking a pet’s health for granted.

 

*Note- This originally appeared in the December 2011 Groomer To Groomer and is reprinted with permission. This was the very first article I wrote for them.

Help Me Choose A Crystal

Your interest is piqued and now you want to buy a couple of crystals and see for yourself. There are many options to buy stones and crystals.

1. Visit your local mineral or new age shop and pick a stone that appeals to you. Hold it in your hand and see if it feels right. Some people like to use a pendulum to "dowse" a stone. Make sure the owner is knowledgeable about stones and buys from reputable sources. I am fortunate that in my area I have several quality shops to choose from. This is my preferred method of purchase.

2. Local gem and mineral shows sponsored by your local gemology society. A listing can be found at www.amfed.org. Even the major events allow the public to attend. Three listing sites are www.intergem.com, www.tgms.org, and www.mineralfest.com.

3. Online sites. There are many to choose from. The one I buy from is www.HealingCrystals.com. They also have a monthly newsletter and many archived articles on crystals and their healing properties.

Like anything, Buyer Beware. Many stones are similar in appearance and can be innocently mistaken or intentional misled by a retailer. In many cases, only a certified gemologist with thousands of dollars of equipment can truly tell the difference. Examples include: Jade (expensive) and Serpentine (inexpensive), Amber (expensive) and Copal (inexpensive) and yellow plastic (yes, it happens), and Turquoise (expensive) and dyed Howelite ot Magnesite Inexpensive).

Members of the American Gem Trade Association must identify all stones for sale with all that applies from the following list:

1. N - Natural. Stones are not treated in any manner.

2. B - Bleaching. To lighten or remove unwanted gem color.

3. C - Coating. To improve the appearance or add special effects.

4. D - Dyeing. To make it look like another stone or to intensify its natural color.

5. F - Filling. Solidified Borax is a by product of heating and it fills in any cracks.

6. G - Gamma Radiation. Used to alter color.

7. H - Heating. Used to alter color.

8. I - Impregnating. Intentionally filling in cracks with glass, plastic, or ceramic.

9. IMIT or MM. Uses manmade products such as glass, plastic, or ceramic to resemble a natural stone.

10. O - Oiling. Fills in cracks with oil or wax to improve appearance. 

11. R - Radiation. Used to alter color.

12. S - Stabilized. Uses a bonding agent to improve durability and appearance.

13. SYN- Synthetic. Uses manmade materials to replicate the optical, physical, and chemical properties of its counterpart.

14. U - Diffusion. Uses chemicals and/or high heat to create star like inclusions in the stone.

15. W - Waxing. Uses wax or paraffin to improve appearance.

As I make therapeutic jewerly for both pets and people, its important to me that I buy my gemstones beads from a member of AGTA. I look at it like an ingredient list on a shampoo bottle. I can make an informed decision on whether or not I want that particular stone.

So, now that you have bought a couple of pocket stones, how do you care for them. That will be the topic of an upcoming blog.

 

Why Crystal Therapy Works

When I became involved with crystals, my early conversations were peppered with a lot of "really" and "seriously." I'm pretty sure they were looking around for the hidden camera.

So, why does crystal therapy have merit?

First, there are the physical properties associated with each crystals. Examples include:

1. Clear quartz. It amplifies other forms of energy and is used in laser surgery.

2. Magnetite. It's magnetic properties are used in MRI's (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

3. Corundum. It's composition is aluminum oxide and is used for microdermabrasion.

Then, there is the scientific principal of entrainment. Entrainment is where the Dominant Resonance (DR) of one object affects the Lesser Resonance (LR) of another object. Remember in grade school when the teacher brought out a couple of tuning forks and placed them around the room. She made one of the tuning forks vibrate and shortly all of them began to vibrate. Another example of entrainment is when the mood of a group changes when a new person enters. That boring party that livens up. Or, on the flip side, the mob now looking for rusty pitchforks.

Crystals have a measureable DR. As they are not subject to environmental factors, it's frequency is stable. Human and animal's DR averages around 7.8Hz. It is not a coincidence that it is also the frequency of the Earth. It's called the Schumann Resonance. Because we are subject to environmental factors such as stress, diet, bacteria, toxins, etc., our frequencies can become unstable and we begin to operate at a LR. 

Choosing the right crystal can help to entrain our LR back to a DR, which allows our bodies to do their jobs and start to heal itself. Crystal Therapy can work in conjunction with traditional medicine. Improving both modalities.

My converstions with my grooming clients, friends, and family have gone from disbelief to "help me choose a crystal.' Which will be the topic of my next blog.

Fall Pet Safety Tips

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Air is crisp, apples on the trees, leaves are changing color, and the weather is in transition. We’re leaving behind the heat and humidity of summer, but the cold, frigid air of winter is not yet upon us. 

 

But with that transition comes the potential for hurricanes, tornados, and other massive storms. While tornados sneak up on us, hurricanes do not. The key to weathering (Ha Ha) these storms is preparation. Education is key. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of survival becomes. One of the webinars I teach is called “Emergency and Disaster Planning With Your Pets.” It can be found in the On Demand Library at www.pawsitiveducationaltraining.com. Might be the best hour and half you spend.

 

These storms can be quite ferocious and may scare your pets. Keep them on a leash when walking them, so they do not run off when a crack of thunder booms. Loss of power is a concern for those who have refrigerated medicines such as insulin. In addition, if you lose power, your electronic fences will not work.

 

This is a good time to make sure your microchip company has updated information as well as a photograph of your pet. If your pet becomes lost, you want their picture, not the generic one being circulated. Make sure collar tags are readable with updated cell and landline numbers.

 

Now is the time to prepare gardens and lawns for winter. When using fertilizers and pesticides restrict your pet’s access to the treated areas. The poison is absorbed through the pads or ingested when licking their paws. Most Fall bulbs are poisonous. Check with your local garden nursery or click on this link for a list of common poisonous plants: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

 

As local wildlife is preparing for winter, they become more active in their search for food. Be aware of the dangers they present to keep your pets from becoming a causality. 

 

Halloween hazards include:

 

Chocolate contains theobromine. Pets cannot metabolize it, so it builds up in their bodies. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. The smaller the pet, the less chocolate it can withstand.

 

Artificial sugars, such as might be found in Halloween candy causes a deadly drop in blood sugar. It doesn’t matter how small or large your pet is. 

 

Candy wrappers can cause intestinal blockages.

 

Candles in pumpkins can get knocked over and start a fire.

 

Secure your pet when trick or treaters come to your door. Don’t give your pets an opportunity to escape out the front door.

 

Thanksgiving hazards include:

 

Turkey bones can pose a choking hazard or splinter causing intestinal damage.

 

Turkey trimmings have a high fat content and can cause pancreatitis.

 

Alcohol can fatally accelerate your pets’ heartbeat.

 

Stuffing may contain both onions and/or raisins.

 

Too many guests, especially small children; can overexcite or annoy your pets. Make sure they have a place to get away from the ruckus. Keep in mind, that for some pets one guest is too many.

 

Inform your guests not to feed your pets without your permission.

 

As always, take a pet first aid class. It can be the difference between life and death and is the best gift you can give them.