GROOMING - ANIMAL HEALTH ARTICLES

June20, 2005

This is the time of year that most people wants their animals groomed. This is also the time that people want their dogs shaved. First i would like to address  the  issue about shaving, most people think their dogs are hot because  of their panting. This is the way dogs regulate their temperature. Unlike humans dogs sweat through their pads and their tongue. Their coat is protection against the harshness of mother nature especially the sun. Long haired coats can be clipped but shaving down to the skin is a no no except in the case of a matted dog. White or light coated dogs should be kept out of the direct sun, and sun protection should be used when needed. A lot of people also want their cat shaved for the summer, when asked for the reason why, most people say it cuts down of hair loss in their homes. We at the animal den explain that shaving the cat does not cut down on the hair loss, but the hair loss will be instead short and spiky. The only way to cut down on the hair loss is to feed good nutrition.  Some people say they want their cat shaved because the cat loves it. We have actually seen this happen to people’s cats and it is truly amazing they seem to love the shave. Once again we will shave a matted cat as matts are detrimental to the animal’s health. In most cases people will change their mind when told cats need their hair for protection. One of the most important part of grooming is the actual bathing, a good clean coat is very important especially if the animal has skin problems. We call this shampoo-water therapy, if the animal has a skin problem we immerse the animal in  a chemical free herbal shampoo and warm water. This bathing does wonders for the coat and skin and should be done on a regular basis until the skin problem is addressed. It was once thought that bathing a dog or cat dries out their skin, this is far from the truth in fact a clean dog or cat is a healthier happier animal. Any dryness of an animal’s skin is a problem from within and related to poor nutrition  causing a deficiency in essential fatty acid’s. This is very evident  by the presence’s of dander ( white flakes ) in the hair. The bathing of the animal will help the condition for a short time or until the underlying cause has been addressed. At this time of the year we are asked a lot of question’s about flea control. With flea’s becoming more of a problem each year a lot of people chose the controlled treatment’s from the vet, but some people have old animals with compromised immune system’s and do not want to use chemical’s for example the most commonly used treatment Advantage flea adulticide contains imidacloprid 9.1%. this is an insecticide ref(1)06/20/2005 David Buffin) and is harmfull if swallowed or absorbed through the skin  acording to the insert, yet the direction’s for use printed on the insert say’s” pull the hair apart between the shoulder blades until you see skin and apply the product to  the skin”?. Needless to say there are many natural pet repellant to try and keep flea’s at bay. If your animal happen’s to get flea’s, your home and  all animals in the home have to treated at the same time.  Prevention is the best, no sugar in diet, frequent vaccuming, good grooming habits.  Tea Tree Oil is a great natural insecticide against flea’s and other insect bites. It is also an antiviral, antibacterial, great for abscess,ringworm and staph infections. I like a product called HALO CLOUD 9 HERBAL DIP, it is a wonderfull blend of natural herbal oils which can be made as a safe and alternative dip to potentially dangerous chemical dips. It can also be sprayed on the animal’s collar making it a safe flea collar.  Now that summer is here please do not leave your pet in a car even for a minute unless the A/C is running. It would also be a good idea not to walk your dog or cat when the pavement is hot, check it out on your own feet first. Wait to walk your animal’s in the cooler evening but this is when the nasty mosquito’s are out so do not forget to spray your animals as well as yourself as we really do not know the true long term effect;s of West Nile Virus. Health Canada reccomend’s people use deet as prevention of mosquito bites as shown in TV comercial’s.  At this time of the year there is a lot of animals getting skunked. This smell is terrible but there are great products for removing the smell from the dogs coat, but when a skunk sprays it spray’s into the face of the dog getting into the mucous membranes inside the mouth. This will take time for the smell to disapate sometimes up to a month. So you just have to have patience and put up with it. Now is the time for the family pool to be opened and it seems a lot of people let their dog’s swim in the pool. Please remember humans in the family take a shower after they swim, the dog does not. and the chemicals in the pool will remain on the dog, and will be absorbed through the skin because of dermal absorption;anything on the skin is like drinking it. When I put an animal on a healthy diet and things do not improve almost immediately, I have to wonder about the water. It still amazes me that people still do not consider their water dangers.

Catherine Stevens

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 REF1www.pan-uk.org/Actives/imidaclo.htm 06/20/2005

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