Bark N Wag 15 Minute Vet Talk

Welcome to Bark & Wag’s 15 Minute Vet Talk – I am your host Polly ReQua   Today we are talking to Dr. Laura Brown, a Veterinarian and owner of Green Tree Animal Hospital in Libertyville, IL as we discuss dental health. Dr. Brown, thank you for taking the time to talk about dental health with our dogs.  Welcome and please let us know more about our dog’s teeth? Vet Clinic Hygiene Why it is important to have professional cleanings? How often? Why is it so important to your pet’s overall health? How it is done? Home Oral Hygiene Home oral hygiene can make a tremendous difference in your dog’s comfort and health.  There are several home care oral hygiene options from which to choose, but keep in mind that anything you can do to help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation will pay big dividends. What really matters is whether or not home oral hygiene will be provided over the long haul – considerable effort applied only for a short period or only occasionally will be of no long-term benefit.   Options for home

Welcome to Bark & Wag’s 15 minute Vet Talk. Today we are talking to one of our favorite vets, Dr. Susan McMillan, owner of Vet to Pet Mobile Veterinary Service in Burlington, Vermont as we answer a question from a listener about suggestions for her poor dog, Pepper, who has seasonal allergies.

Tips for Controlling Your Dog’s Barking at the Door Brought to you by the AKC GoodDog! Helpline – the AKC’s 7-day-a-week training support service By Hilarie Erb, AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Would you like to be able to hear the doorbell without your dog getting into a frenzy? It is a natural and sometimes even desirable reaction for dogs to alert their people when someone is at the door. But you can teach them that everything is okay and that they can stop barking when you want to open the door. First, think about what you do when the doorbell rings. You don’t realize it, but you have already taught your dog that it’s a very exciting thing because you drop whatever you are doing at the moment and rush to the door…every single time. This is an excellent example of how consistency makes for good dog training! You have reinforced Fluffy’s natural watchdog instincts. Now let’s make a conscious effort to use consistency to your advantage. Place Command Teach your dog to go to her place, such as a comfortable b

Dear Polly, I'll be hosting my next Animals and Emotions webinar next Wednesday, October 23rd at 6 PM PST. This is a completely free interactive webinar that focuses on animals and their emotions. In this Animals & Emotions webinar, I will be answering questions, showing off some live demos and lots more.   Remember, this is a free webinar! Register HERE to receive your webinar link and event details. If you have any questions, please drop me an email. I love to listen! The Happy Listener, Cindy Cindy@BeAnAnimalListener.com BeAnAnimalListener.com  

What to look for when searching for a Vet for your pooch with Dr. Susan McMillan, owner of Vet to Pet Mobile Veterinary Service in Burlington, Vermont. Well, you have taken home your new BFF, now what? Just like humans today's pets are living longer and having healthier lives. This is due to the availability of high quality veterinary, preventive care, and all of us pet owners' careful monitoring our animals. Today we are going to be talking to Dr. Susan McMillan about tips that can help you find a vet that will become your pet's health care provider? Susan, Welcome to Bark & Wag’s 15 minute Vet Talk – It is a pleasure to have you on the podcast today. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your practice before we begin on the top tips when looking for a vet. Where to look for a veterinarian Ask a friend Animal-owning friends are generally good sources of information. Ask them why they chose their veterinarian. If you believe their expectations of service are similar to yours, you may want to sche

Essential Oils and Pets: A Quick How-To You love to share essential oils with your family, so it makes sense that you want to share them with your pets as well! Before you begin using essential oils for pets, you need to know the answers to some important questions: Can you use essential oils on dogs, cats, and other pets the same way you use them on yourself? How much should you use? What is the best way to administer oils for topical and internal use? Check out our quick and easy how-to guide for tips and info that will answer your questions about essential oils for dogs, cats, and other animals!* It is important to note that animals cannot tell us if something is working or not, so it is our duty to exercise due caution and approach using oils on animals safely and responsibly. Please note that these are general recommendations for use. If your veterinarian suggests other usage, defer to your veterinarian. If your pet is pregnant, nursing, or has a medical condition, consult a veterinarian prior to use. B

Cindy Myers Ambassador to Animals, Humans and Spirit   I’ve always been a good listener. However, twenty years ago, I would have found it hilarious if you told me that I’d be working as an intuitive energy healer while living on an alpaca farm! But, here I am with a herd of 24 alpacas, 3 dogs and 3 cats working as a Medical Intuitive! I believe that the sum of our life experiences can lead us to our true calling in life. There are many paths to finding our way to our authentic selves.   It took many years, multiple and diverse career paths, and tough life challenges to finding my true calling. The life lessons were invaluable that led me to this meaningful life. I learned about frequencies and Radars while working as an Engineer for the Navy and now I am a Radar! I learned all about stress and how harmful it is to our body, mind and spirit while being my mom’s caregiver through her final years. And there was an amazing gift I created out of the house fire I experienced due to an arsonist. Losing my belongings

  10 Most Common Household Pet Toxins   By Amanda Carrozza     Pets are curious—it’s part of what makes them so lovable. However, that same inquisitiveness can be dangerous, especially when the target of an animal’s interest is a cleaning product, medication or food known to be poisonous to pets. Because how do animals investigate new objects? They eat them, of course. In 2017 alone, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) received 199,000 cases concerning possible pet poisonings, a 10% increase from the previous year. RELATED: Assessing Cases of Animal Poisoning Top 3 Toxins for Animal Poison Control To help raise awareness about potential hazards in and around the average home, ASPCA APCC released a list of the 10 most common pet toxins it received reports about last year. This list serves as a great point of reference for veterinary clients, as well as veterinary team members who may be taking a patient history to understand the cause of illness in a pet. 10. Garden Products Fertilizers and

By Lynne Miller   You quickly run your hands along your dog’s head, back, and belly, and, finding no ticks, you think your job is done.   Actually, finding ticks on your dog is not so simple. These tiny bloodsuckers are good at playing hide-and-seek, particularly when their host is covered in thick, dark hair. Ticks can latch on to your furry friend and live in hiding, feasting on blood for several days at a time. Even dogs with flea and tick collars and other forms of protection can be targeted by these parasites.   Checking your dog carefully for ticks is extremely important since these parasites can make pets and humans seriously ill. Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick paralysis are just a few of the potential diseases caused by tick bites.   The Companion Animal Parasite Council predicted that 2016 would be a big year for illnesses transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, noting that the threat of diseases continues to spread into new areas, “creating a year-round menace to bot

Bark & Wag CBD is on the market! The hemp extract used in our tinctures are sourced locally from a farm in Boulder, CO and are manufactured in Colorado as well. The isolate is refined to 99%+ purity with 0ppm THC. Having a THC-Free product is critical for pets. Bark & Wag Pet Tinctures are formulated with the best raw materials which have passed a 6 panel test: potency, residual solvents, terpene content, bio-contaminants (including mold), pesticides, and heavy metals. Our tinctures come in 4 strengths: 300mg, 750mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg. Please see our suggested dosing chart. We are certified by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Metric. A portion of Bark & Wag profits support local animal rescues and The Humane Society.

OUR FRIENDS, CAMPING WITH DOGS, SHARE HELPFUL TIPS FOR CAMPING, HIKING AND ENJOYING THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH FURRY FRIENDS. Camping with Dogs is a lifestyle brand built on a community of people who love outdoor adventure shared with their beloved pets. What began as an Instagram account featuring photos of dogs exploring the outdoors with their owners has now become so much more. Connecting people around their world through a shared love, who better to gather some of the best expert tips for camping and hiking with dogs? TIPS FOR HIKING AND CAMPING WITH DOGS FROM THE EXPERTS 1. LOOK UP THE REGULATIONS IN THE AREA OF TRAILS OR CAMPGROUNDS BEFOREHAND Some may not allow dogs are have restrictions. Keep your dog close, or on leash because others camping may not want to be bothered with your dog, and leashing up can also protect your dog against any wildlife that may come after your furry friend, or prevent them from wrestling in the bushes that may have poisonous plants. – @west_coast_heeler_pack 2. PACK PLENTY

Actress and animal lover Kate Walsh knows first-hand that dogs can be “off their game” because of allergic itching, which can get in the way of dogs doing what they love. When her dog Rosie was diagnosed with allergies, Kate learned that scratching can be more than just an itch and can lead to more serious problems if not treated by a veterinarian. That’s when she knew it was time for Rosie to get her A-Gameback.    Many dogs itch, so it’s hard to tell when an itch is more than just an itch, or if it’s caused by an underlying condition, like allergies. Kate is encouraging pet owners to be advocates for their dog’s health by paying attention to how skin issues are affecting their pets’ well-being.   August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month and Kate is sharing her experience finding her dog’s A-Game and why the K-9 Courage™ Program is near and dear to her heart.   By sharing a photo or video of your dog’s A-Game, using the #MyDogsAGame hashtag, it will trigger a donation to the K-9 Courage™ Program, which supp

I’m Cindy Myers, Animal Listener   I would like to share a little about what I do and how I got here working with both animals and two-leggers (humans...you will understand that terminology in a few minutes;) One of the frequently asked questions I get from my clients and workshop attendees is if I have always been able to communicate intuitively with animals and have empathic energy skills. The answer to that question is no, not really. I’ve always loved animals, but I was not aware of having any intuitive senses or that I could do healing energy work until I was an adult. I’ve always been a good listener. But, if twenty years ago, someone told me I’d be living on a farm with about 30 alpacas, 3 dogs, and 2 barn cats working as an intuitive energy healer and animal communicator, I would have laughed and thought that was the craziest thing I ever heard!   Why I call myself An Animal Listener...   Communication entails two elements; talking and listening. It has been my experience that when you

Several years ago, local Boston resident Ryan DeRoche was in a mountain bike accident that resulted in a severe spinal cord injury and left him with little to no use of his arms and legs. His life changed in an instant. But through Massachusetts-based National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS), Ryan was matched with service dog Oliver, who just completed his training at a Boston-based jail. The two have been inseparable ever since. Oliver is specially trained to help Ryan be independent – assisting him with daily tasks like opening and closing doors and getting things in hard-to-reach places. Emotionally, he also has a way of knowing if Ryan is sad, angry or frustrated, and knows exactly how to cheer up his human buddy with attention and kisses. Oliver changed Ryan’s life, and he couldn’t imagine a life without his furry sidekick.   Ryan and Oliver are working with Merck Animal Health and NEADs to highlight the critical role service dogs play and the importance of keeping them healthy. The campaig

  From PETA....do not be dumb with your dog Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car—even for “just a minute”—while they run an errand. Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting. If you see a dog left alone in a hot car, take down the car’s color, model, make, and license plate number. Have the owner paged in the nearest buildings, or call local humane authorities or police. Have someone keep an eye on the dog. Don’t leave the scene until the situation has been resolved. If the authorities are unresponsive or too slow and the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a wit

10 SAFETY AND CALMING TIPS FOR DOGS DURING FIREWORKS By:  Lisa SpectorFireworks can be fun for humans, but dogs don't have the same reaction. In the United States, July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with canines in the U.S. declare this day the worst day of the year for their dogs. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most trafficked day in their offices, with clients coming in to get drugs for their dogs. A few years ago, I found a lost dog on the 4th of July. He was obviously a well fed, groomed, and trained dog that escaped his yard when he heard the fireworks. When I called our local Humane Society, I was informed that it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S. 10 Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household: Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day. Keep your dogs inside during firew

Dear Polly,  I'll be hosting my next Animals and Emotions webinar next Wednesday, June 19th at 6 PM PST Learn How to Comfort Your Pet During Stressful Events - Including 4th of July Fireworks! Do you have pets or animals where you: Wonder how are they feeling - physically and emotionally? Wonder what are they thinking? Want a deeper understanding of the reasons they are showing pain, fear, distress? Do you ever feel like: You are worried that they are not happy in you home? You did something wrong? You don’t know how to help your pets? What if you could: Learn to communicate better with your animal… Understand their needs and what they want in case of pain or illness... Understand their behavior & moods and what they are actually telling you... Well - You Can! Learn how to create a deeper relationship with your pet and create a true ‘bond’. Learn how to enjoy their personalities so you can share your lives better, together! Register Now - It's FREE!

TICKS Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the outside of an animal. Ticks are fairly common ectoparasites of dogs (and cats). How often you see ticks on your dog and how severe a tick assault will be depends on the region of the country in which you live, the time of year (tick activity varies in warm and cool weather), the habits of your dog, and how and when you use tick control products. Some ticks can infest dogs that spend most of their time indoors, and even dogs that only spend brief periods of time outside can have ticks.  How will ticks affect my dog? Ticks attach to your dog by inserting their mouthparts into your dog’s skin. Many ticks also produce a sticky, gluelike substance that helps them to remain attached. After attaching to your dog, ticks begin feeding on your dog’s blood. The places where ticks attach can become red and irritated. Although rare, ticks can consume enough of your dog’s blood to cause a deficiency called anemia. Certain female ticks can also cause a rare paralysis in do

Essential oils are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds that come from the seeds, bark, stems, flowers and roots of plants. If you’ve used them before, I’m sure you’re already familiar with how incredibly potent, fragrant and beneficial they can be to your health, but have you ever tried essential oils for pets? According to the American Kennel Club, “Preliminary research suggests that these potent oils may have some health benefits for dogs and humans, and many holistic veterinarians incorporate essential oils into their practices.” Many pet owners today are turning to essential oils for a variety of health concerns in their pets, including flea and tick prevention, skin issues, and behavior problems like anxiety. (1) While using essential oils for pets is known to have its benefits, it’s vital to know which oils are safe to use, how to use them, and to remember that, like people, each animal is different and may react uniquely to a particular essential oil. Similar to the use of oils with childr

Canine Influenza in Dogs   There are two strains of the virus that causes dog flu (Influenza Type A): H3N8 and H3N2. Both primarily infect the respiratory system and are extremely contagious. While some dogs become very ill with dog flu, others can be exposed to the virus and fight off infection without ever getting sick.   Symptoms and Types of Canine Influenza   Dogs that are infected with the canine influenza virus may develop two different syndromes:    Mild – These dogs will have a cough that is typically moist and can have nasal discharge. Occasionally, it will be more of a dry cough. In most cases, the symptoms will last 10 to 30 days and usually will go away on their own. It’s similar to kennel cough but persists longer. These dogs may benefit from dog flu treatment to reduce the duration or severity of symptoms.   Severe – Generally, these dogs have a high fever (above 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and develop signs very quickly. Pneumonia can develop. The canine influenza virus affects the capillaries in