Double Coats in Warm Weather

There can not be enough said about the importance of brushing your dog every day. Especially, if it is double coated. Many "winter" dogs have double coats.

To name a few of these breeds: Husky, Akita, Malamute, German Shepard, Great Pyreneese, and Saint Bernard on the large dog side.

American Spitz, Pomeranian, Scottish Terrier, West Highland Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Schnauzer, Shitzu, Yorkie, and Bichon are a few of the smaller dogs with double coats.

 You can keep your dog trimmed short or long it is a personal preference, but shaving it short could put your dog at risk of sun burn.

The best methods for keeping your double coated dog cool during the heat is to ALWAYS have cold water available, hang around the shade when you're outside, and keep your dog brushed out.

The andis deshedder (basically furminator but cheaper)is amazing and really helps to pull the undercoat. You can find recommendations on the furminator site for how often to use it. De-shed tools for double coated dogs be found practically anywhere.

So just to recap...

 

WATER

 

 

PLENTY OF SHADE

 

 

DE-SHED With DE-SHED Tools

 

 

For more information on dog care check out the Golda's Grooming Website.

Golda's Grooming

 "We Care About Your Pets" 3629 Western Ave. Knoxville, TN 37931 Right off of I-40. Or 
Schedule an Appointment for a Pet Grooming via email here:

Golda's Grooming Schedule Your Pet 

 

 

 

 

 

What to Do About Ticks and Allergies Spring and Summer 2015

Spring Fever is Here and the Ticks are predicted to be the worst here in Tennessee than they've been in years. Ticks carry a number of infectious agents. Larvae hatch from eggs within days and generally feed on small animals. After feeding for a number of days they will then leave the host and become an eight legged nymph, who will then find another host and feed until they are able to morph again into an adult tick. That is why ticks are considered three-host parasites. Ticks feed for 12-14 days in all three stages.

The brown dog tick is one of the most common ticks to be found on dogs. It looks like this...

The dog tick is of concern because it is known to carry the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.


Ticks are most easily removed from the skin with tweezers or tissue, but it is important to remove the entire tick including the head of the tick. If the head or mouth is left attached inflammation can occur.



Tips to Removing Ticks: Never Burn Them and the Use of Chemical Agents such as Alcohol Are Not Necessary

The best preventive methods for ticks are to see your vet before travelling to wooded areas and fields where tick may be more populated. Your vet can prescribe preventive flea / tick medication that will keep ticks at bay.

Photo Credit: Drs. Foster and Smith

Unfortunately, Spring is also the time for allergies and your pet is just as susceptible to hay fever as you are. Signs of spring fever include itching ad scratching during ragweed season. Animal tests have demonstrated common areas for scratching can be more predominant in hairless areas such as arm pits, groin, and the toes.)

 Foot and ankle chewing can be manic and can often be attributed to growing bacterial infections from saliva. Saliva can also stain these areas. It is common to see multiple signs on a single pet. The signs have also been known to worsen with age.

The vet can run allergy tests on your pet similar to the tests for human patients where tiny injections of possible allergens are made to test subject skin reactions. Therapy can include medicated baths, change of diet, and medications.

Sources Cited: Family Dog May / June 2015 issue
                        The Dog Encyclopedia
                        Drs. Foster and Smith Website

For more information on dog care check out the Golda's Grooming Website.

Golda's Grooming

 "We Care About Your Pets" 3629 Western Ave. Knoxville, TN 37931 Right off of I-40. Or 
Schedule an Appointment for a Pet Grooming via email here:

Golda's Grooming Schedule Your Pet