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THE

Monthly Barker

September, 2019

PET BIRTH DEFECT AWARENESS DAY -- SEPTEMBER 13th

Visually and hearing impaired doesn’t stop this dog from having one heck of a fun-filled life!  He has two daddies who adore him, tons of fans and a pack of canines all his own.  Learn about the Adventures of Chatopotomus on his very own Facebook page!

 

WHAT ARE BIRTH DEFECTS?

To a certain degree, that is an open discussion as to how each of us see our pets and life itself.  A limitation to one is a challenge to another, and a challenge that can be overcome with love and perseverance.  A birth defect however, is defined as a congenital (meaning structural) abnormality but it can also be an emotional one.  David Rogers, as part of MB Jungle’s efforts to bring awareness to the interactive role humans play in our pet’s physical birth defects as well as their mental health, marks September 13th as Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day so that we can begin this conversation and make a lasting positive impact for future generations.

 

WHAT CAUSES BIRTH DEFECTS?

Genetics.  What mom or dad or even grand pappy canine or grandma feline had, may be passed down to several generations of puppies and kittens.  This can be the piercing green eyes, fabulous silky coat or less fortunate…entropion, a propensity for bloat or ventricular hypertrophy as examples.

 

 

Breed-related Conditions.  Here is a brief excerpt from my book, “The Autumn & Winter of Your Pet:  Make Those Senior Years Golden”…

  • Bichon Frises, Border Terriers and Cocker Spaniels are prone to cataracts while a different eye disease, Entropion, is more common in Sharpeis.
  • Dachshunds and Basset Hounds are at risk for spinal injuries while most working and herding breeds are more likely to experience Hip Dysplasia or Cruciate Ligament Ruptures to their knee joints.
  • Doberman Pinschers, Setters, Rottweilers are most inclined to get Von Willebrand Disease, where blood has difficulty clotting.
  • Your Manx could develop Spina Bifida, damage to the spinal nerves, due to genetics of his shortened tail.
  • Ragdolls are susceptible to a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  • Abyssinians may become anemic or develop loose knee caps (patellar luxation), while…
  • Scottish Fold cats may develop a painful and disabling condition of the joints.

 

The American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation has a more complete list to help you learn about which conditions your canine best friend is most predisposed to while University of Glasgow (via www.dr-addie.com) keeps a comprehensive listing by cat breed.  None of these conditions are guaranteed to occur, but it’s helpful to know what your breed is most at risk for and maybe then you can find ways to prevent or manage it.

 

Infection, toxins or trauma. to any one of the mother’s many systems including extreme body temperature, infections or exposure to chemicals or drugs can result in birth defects in her young.  These abnormalities may be noticed at birth or shortly thereafter.  Some are quite obvious: cleft palates, umbilical hernia, inguinal hernia and limb deformities while others may require veterinary examination (heart murmur for instance). Still others, such as retained testicles, liver shunts or hip dysplasia, may not be apparent until the pet matures.  All newborn puppies and kittens MUST be examined by a veterinary professional soon after book to be evaluated and discuss treatment options.

 

Pet Parents & Veterinarians Must Works as a team…

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Treatments for many common pet birth defects are now available, but I also hope to remind my fellow humans to not judge an animal by anything you consider out of the norm and carry on that outlook towards other people as well.  We are all more than just the sum of our parts and shouldn’t be made to feel less because of an attribute that differs from the majority.  These are our own personal challenges but also the things that make us unique and help us to see life from our individual perspective.  This is just one of many things that we can learn from animals – not to carry around baggage but to be in the moment living each moment to the fullest letting nothing hold us back.  Please consider this when bringing a four, or three-legged, loved one into your family.  Accommodations may be needed to keep your sightless, hearing-impaired pooch safe, but his or her lifetime as well as your own, can be multiplied in happy moments for you doing so!

Cleft palate: Puppies and kittens with cleft palates should be fed with a long-nippled bottle which will force the food beyond the cleft and into the back of the throat.  Feeding tubes may be needed for severe cases but proper nutrition is a must.  At about 3-4 months of age, surgery can be performed and birth defect, no more!

Limb Deformities: Since newborns don’t walk, this may be an unknown until puppies and kittens begin wobbling about.  Proper nursing is a must for healthy development.  Surgery can assist some pets but depending on the situation, padded braces, splints or wheels may be needed to help dogs and cats become mobile.  The good thing again is that they don’t dwell on their differences, but embrace their lives thanks to amazing humans who have created such devices.  www.Gingerlead.com and www.handicappedpets.com are just two of many wonderful companies that help you help your pet and make their life furtastic!

Deformities of the eyes, nose, palate, heart defects, hernias, retained testicles, liver shunts, etc. require veterinary assessment and treatment and their quality of life will vary, but with a loving human by their side, it can be awesome no matter the length!

Of utmost importance is finding a veterinarian you trust and doing as suggested.  For pets with challenges and those without, proper nutrition, regular check-ups, fresh water, high quality protein and other minerals as well as proper sanitation, deworming and disease/parasite prevention is a must.  Socialization, fresh air and exercise does a body good no matter if its feline, canine or human.  Together you and your best friend can overcome challenges and delight in all that is good in your world!

Mental Illness:  Many cultures over time have thought that satanic possession or religious punishment was a reason for mental illness.  Hippocrates believed that mental illness could be helped by improving one’s environment and began treating psychiatric patients with herbs.  Charles Darwin professed that animals too could endure forms of mental illness similar to humans and research is now being done worldwide.  In the early 1980s, Nicholas Dodman noticed a dog in his clinic that appeared anxious.  He tried out an anti-anxiety drug on the canine and the improvement was extraordinary.  In more recent years, dogs have been trained to lie motionless so that an MRI scanner can take pictures of their brain and the results are concluding that “dogs are people too!” The more we learn how similar illnesses affect them, the more we can do to help, but…we must also realize that we are responsible for some of the discomfort they endure:  exposure to toxins, over vaccination, improper nutrition, poor breeding, lack of socialization and abuse can cause more than physical harm.  Learn proper pet parenting, become a team with your veterinarian, groomer, obedience trainer and professional pet sitter, love, nurture and treat your pet as a family member for their lifetime!

 

Wouldn’t it be just the best if we could think of defects as gifts?!  Overcoming challenges (not necessarily solving but making lemonade out of lemons) brings out new insights, kindness, accomplishments that we didn’t know we had in us!  Some abnormalities can be prevented but others were meant to be to teach us acceptance and motivate us onward.  Please take care in never leeting an animal or person think they are less.  Each of us is a once in a lifetime special creation!
 

Article written by Denise Fleck and reprinted with permission. Check our her Pet Safety Crusader website here!

 

It's never too early to book a reservation!
Thanksgiving and Christmas are only a couple of months away and it's always good to be prepared when it comes to pet-care for your fur kids! Be sure to submit your holiday requests now to ensure we have availability!
 
Schedule a Reservation

Pet of the Month

Rawlings
 
September's Pet of the Month is our Golden Retriever friend Rawlings! This sweet, happy girl is eager to please and is your instant pal the moment she meets you. Always excited to have company, she likes to explore outside and LOVES to chase squirrels. She is gentle and super affectionate and always ready for a belly rub!
 
September Calendar

Sept 8: National Hug Your Hound Day

Sept 8: National Pet Memorial Day

Sept 13:
Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day

Sept 21: Responsible Dog Ownership Day


Sept 21: Puppy Mill Awareness Day

Sept 16-22: Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet-Week

Sept 22-28: National Dog Week

Sept 23: Dogs in Politics Day (recognizing the dogs of politicians)

Sept 28: World Rabies Day

Did you know...
 
Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw.
National Dog Week
 



Sept 22-28 is National Dog Week. Founded in 1928 by Captain Will Judy, former publisher of Dog World Magazine, National Dog Week was created to educate dog owners of their responsibilities and teach them about the proper care of their dogs. Here are some ways you can help your pup enjoy the week:
  • Give your dog some new toys or treats
  • Take at least 15 minutes to play with your dog
  • Bring your dog to the vet for a check up and to get shots if needed
  • Take them for a walk... or for a change of scenery take them for a hike on a local trail!
  • Bring your dog inside your local Starbucks and ask for a puppachino. This is simply a cup of whipped cream and is perfectly safe for your pup to consume – not to mention a delicious treat!
 
Other ways you can honor National Dog Week:

 
  • Donate money or food to your favorite pet chartiy
  • Throw a doggy block party for your neighborhood pups
  • Adopt a dog from your local shelter

 
Vacation Reminder from Christina & Mike
 
Just a reminder that we will be on our yearly vacation from Sunday October 6 - Sunday October 13th. During that week we will be pausing operations and will not be available for pet sitting. We also will not be taking calls, answering messages or scheduling new requests during that week. We are truly grateful for our Top Dog family and thank you for understanding as we take this time to relax and recharge.  We will resume our pet sitting services on Monday October 14th!
Blessing of the Animals


Come celebrate God’s good creation with Trinity Anglican Church, Douglas County Humane Society, and Top Dog Pet Sitter of Villa Rica.  In observance of St. Francis Day we will conduct a service of the Blessing of the Animals in the parking lot of Trinity Anglican Church located in historic downtown Douglasville.

The Public is Invited:  
Bring your pet for a blessing.  Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier.
 
When:     Saturday, October 5 at
               11:00am.
 
Where:    Trinity Anglican Church   
                (in the parking lot)
                8486 Bowden St.
                Douglasville, GA 30134

Parking:  Parking is available at the Conference Center Parking lot on Church Street.

Bring a Pet Food Donation:
We are also collecting food donations for the Douglas County Animal Services Pet Pantry.  The pet food pantry provides pet food to low income families.  Bring dry or canned dog and cat foods, or make a monetary donation.


For details visit us at:


www.trinityanglicanchurch.com
www.topdogpetsitter.com
douglascountyhumanesociety.com
Super Simple Sweet Potato Dog Treats

 
Ingredients
 
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prick sweet potato several times with a fork.
  2. Heat sweet potato in a microwave on high until tender, about 6 minutes. Cut potato in half and scoop flesh out of the skin into a bowl; discard skin. Mash potato with a fork or potato masher and transfer about 1 cup to a large bowl. Save any remaining sweet potato for another use.
  3. Mix whole wheat flour, applesauce, and eggs in the large bowl with the sweet potato until a dough forms. Turn dough out on a well-floured surface and roll dough to about 1/2-inch thick. Cut out shapes using a cookie cutter or cut dough into strips with a pizza cutter. Arrange cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
  4. Bake until crisp, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
 
Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children.

~ Michael Morpurgo
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