Her & Her Dogs

PLUS THE CAT - RESCUES ADVOCATING FOR RESCUES

INTRODUCING KISSABLE K9 CARE

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IN CELEBRATION OF PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY LITTLE VALENTINE, REESE

Before singing this dynamic organization’s praises, let me first explain why I am passionate about dental health care for canines.

As the pet parent to puppy mill rescues, I am all too aware of the result of malnutrition and neglect. Two of my dogs received extensive dental cleaning while under anesthesia; they also had multiple teeth removed.

It is customary to sign a consent form before such procedures. Because Reese had a grade four heart murmur, I received additional verbal details of possible complications during the surgery.

It is generally estimated that approximately 1 in 100,000 animals will have some sort of reaction to an anesthetic agent.

VCA Hospitals

I will never forget how nervous and guilty I felt handing Reese to Dr. Mudde and walking out of the clinic. I felt nauseous and cried the entire drive home. Yes, I had to leave my baby overnight!

My beautiful little Valentine, Reese

Because of her heart murmur, Dr. Mudde had to adjust the standard procedure and closely monitor the patient to avoid a cardiac episode.

I cried again, with relief, when I learned Reese had come through the procedure without complication. After overnight monitoring and hydration Reese would be ready to go home the next morning.

Why did I put Reese through that?

Our vet felt that reducing inflammation by treating her periodontal disease by extracting a rotten tooth and thorough cleaning would be less risky than leaving her system to fight this infection.

Always consult your vet regarding the medical concerns of your pet.

Dental Disease Increases the Risk for Dog Heart Disease

I thought I was thorough; I brushed my dog’s teeth regularly and used supplements to aid with plaque removal, my efforts in vain.

THE BOTTOM (GUM)LINE:

Maintenance is what happens AFTER treatment. I’m not sure how I expected to remove that amount of plaque and tartar with a rubber finger brush and toothpaste!

Dental disease is more than just a cosmetic issue, and Kissable K9 Care is more than just a cosmetic teeth cleaning service.

Your dog’s teeth are cleaned while your dog is awake!

The girls in pink treating clients. Photo courtesy of Kissable K9

Our dog groomer had a poster in the window advertising an upcoming teeth cleaning clinic with Kissable K9 Care. An affordable cosmetic tooth cleaning includes brushing and scaling with hand instruments above the gum line to remove tartar gently. Although Jack is fearful, he desperately needed treatment, so we booked him an appointment.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT

Upon arrival, you are greeted by your Kissable K9 technician. While you complete your client form, the procedure is explained, as well as any questions answered.

Our technician, Maddie, assured me Jack would be fine and would call me to get him if he was too nervous.

We inform our clients that if their dog, for whatever reason, doesn’t want it done, we call the owner without charge. The health and wellbeing of the dog is our top priority

Maddie took the greatest care ensuring Jack was relaxed and comfortable, swaddling him in a towel and cradling him in her lap, providing a gentle massage and soft-spoken conversation to gain his trust. Soft music playing in the background and lavender in the air. No, sorry, they do not treat pet parents.

Once the scaling was done, Jack’s teeth were brushed and polished, and Maddie sent me a before and after photo by text.

Jack’s before and after images

The treatment only took one hour, and the results were incredible!

Another happy customer. Photo courtesy of Kissable K9

When I arrived to collect a very calm and relaxed Jack, I was encouraged to maintain the results with an at-home dental care routine, outlined by the technician: book an annual cleaning appointment, and brush pup’s teeth at least three times a week.

Kissable K9 Founder Jill says,

I would love pet owners to start brushing as soon as they get their pup. Get them used to toothbrushes and chew toys. Oral care is critical. Parents should feel free to contact us anytime with questions

ABOUT KISSABABLE K9

As a certified dog groomer for eight years and seeing how many dogs needed help, Jill Thompson was inspired to find a way to help her clients. After attending a veterinarian facilitated course in the United States, Jill started Kissable K9 in 2012, the first person to bring this service to Ontario.

My clients were my inspiration as I was up and close and personal with these dogs brushing their teeth during the grooming process didn’t make a dent. They needed something more. Some pups can’t go under for health reasons. I’ve always been clear that our service is not a substitute for vet care. What we do should be in combination with veterinary care.

The Kissable K9 team comprises wonderfully talented individuals; a paramedic, Vet tech, breeder/trainer, and Vet Assistant. Each is invested in the animal community outside of the company. All members go through an intensive training program.

Each day, Kissable K9 Care team members drive to their scheduled clinic across Ontario to provide service at 70+ Pet Valu stores, grooming salons, and doggy daycares. The number of locations is rapidly growing. They also hold clinics for animal charities. Each team provides treatment to twelve dogs per day.

Click here to find a clinic near you.

THE EXCEPTION

If a dog is a fear biter, this is not the service for them. Most dogs can be calmed. Dogs with a history of aggression are not candidates for this service.

The Mobile service is excellent for clients who don’t drive, their dog is not good with other dogs, or they get car sick. The van is completely sterilized, climate-controlled, and very comfortable.

Amanda is the mobile technician. Photo courtesy of Kissable K9

Kissable K9 has completed thousands of cosmetic cleanings with 680 five-star reviews in the last two years.

Please consider booking your beloved pet a treatment. It is my pleasure to introduce Kissable K9, and I hope this information helps others avoid the need for anesthesia and tooth extraction.

Are you paying attention to your pet’s oral health? Do you get their teeth cleaned professionally? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

 

CARING FOR KATNISS

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A HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER

Not unlike her namesake, Katniss Everdeen, the main character in The Hunger Games, this pretty little feline and her sister were not born into a life of luxury. For the sake of this post, we’ll refer to Katniss’ sister as Primrose. Unlike the Everdeen girls, however, our feline sisters did not get along. Primrose became violent with Katniss each time our heroine approached the food, thinking she would eat all of what little food they had between them. Let The Hunger Games begin!

Holiday Portrait Fundraiser

The girls were surrendered to Finley Cat Rescue (link unavailable at this time). Primrose was adopted into a loving home and is doing very well. Let’s not feel bad for Katniss, though. During her time alone, Katniss has blossomed into a happy, loving, playful, and more confident cat (yay). I guess we all benefit from some alone time.   

Everything seemed to be going as well as any rescue can hope, and then, Katniss’s carer discovered a lump near one of the cat’s nipples. Because of Katniss’s newfound confidence, comfortably displaying her belly, her carer could easily monitor the mass. The lump disappeared only to return two months after her spay surgery.   

Initially, the vet suspected mammary cancer due to the location of the lump

Upon removing some fluid from the mass, the vet and rescue volunteer were shocked to find it contained milk. Even though Katniss hadn’t been pregnant and is spayed, her hormones caused her to lactate.

Photo provided by Finley Cat Rescue

Due to the unique situation, the vet reached out to a specialist vet at the OVC Health Sciences Centre. The specialist confirmed hormones were triggered before the spay and lactation occurred at the end of a pseudopregnancy.

To say the rescue was relieved Katniss did not have cancer is an understatement:

I had prepared myself for the worst-case scenario. If necessary, Katniss would stay with me in palliative care for as long as she wanted

Katniss was self nursing, encouraging her body to produce more milk, as though nursing kittens. It became a vicious cycle. The rescue organization reached out to other groups to find kittens in need of a nursing mother. There weren’t any.

Katniss was fitted with an e-collar to prevent her from nursing, but because the milk did not dry up, and she continued to lactate, the vet prescribed medication for her.

 

Katniss has learned to ‘sit’ for treats (see video).

The vet(s) and rescue organization expect that Katniss will make a full recovery and be ready for adoption in approximately one month. We will keep you posted on her journey.

I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun

― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

In the meantime, to assist with medical costs, I am creating holiday-themed e-cards. These are digital files that I will make as close to your likeness(es) as possible. Of course, upon receipt, you can print a hard-copy of your portrait if you choose to.

I am donating 50% of proceeds from each portrait to Katniss’s medical expenses. Additional profits to cover cost of program and other digital requirements.

Prices start at $20 Cdn for (up to) two people and (up to) two pets.

Please email me for details and to request an application form at sadiemae.co@gmail.com

Family Portrait

 

Thank you for your support,

 

 

 

AT HOME GROOMING TIPS

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IN SUPPORT OF GEORGINA FERAL CAT COMMITTEE

Great news! It looks like groomers in Ontario have been allowed to open shop as early as next week!

Not so great news, our groomer has a waitlist of 300+ customers.

It looks like I’ll have to do at least one more (x 3) at home makeovers.  

How does this support rescue? Independent Scentsy consultant, Jennifer Carter rescued her cats, Trix, and Toby from Georgina Feral Cat Committee (GFCC). It is kitten season, and sadly, as is the case with most rescues, COVID-19 has prevented many fundraising opportunities. Jennifer is offering to donate 20% of the commission from party sales to GFCC. In addition, hostess gifts will be donated as auction items for future fundraising events.

Jennifer provided me with samples from Scentsy’s new Pet Line. Products include Pet Shampoo, Detangling Spray, and Deodorizing Spray and are available in the following gentle fragrances: 

  • Oatmeal & Aloe
  • Honey & Chamomile
  • Orange Zest & Nectar
  • Tea Tree & Peppermint

Check them out, and link to the party (click here)

Products ship within Canada and U.S.A.

I am a fan of this line and will add more to my Scentsy wish list.

Scentsy S’paw Package

Regular grooming is essential to pet health. Regardless of breed, nail trimming prevents discomfort and reduced traction. Too long nails may cause a slip and fall. Additionally, if nails curl back into the paw, the pads may be cut, or the nail could grow into the pad, and the paw could become infected. Split or torn nails can be very painful and, depending on severity, may need to be treated. Long term effects include splayed feet (to compensate), and injured tendons.

I admit I was terrified to clip my dogs’ nails and hope the following tips help you feel confidant.

TIPS FOR NAIL TRIMMING

Not all tools are created equally

  • unless you have a large dog, scissor-type clippers are recommended as they are less likely to put pressure on the nail and pinch the toe
  • ensure clippers are sharp; worn or dull clippers may also cause pressure and may split or pull the nail. NEVER use equipment that has become rusty as may cause infection as well as being extremely uncomfortable
  • hold paw firmly and project nail by using additional pressure with your thumb
  • clip a tiny bit at a time. If you make this a regular habit, a tiny bit is likely all you will need to do, at regular intervals

IF YOU CUT THE QUICK (nail bed)

use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. If you don’t have this on hand, tightly pack a small container with corn starch; this is equally effective

If you are only clipping a small amount of nail, these accidents are less likely to occur.

THE RIGHT BRUSH

This will depend on your dogs’ coat.

Bristle brushes are great for short-haired, smooth-coated dogs that frequently shed.

The FURminator® is also used for de-shedding. This toothed metal comb has a release button for collected fur, which collects quickly with our cat, Goose. It works on flat, short, combination, heavy and double coats; it can help reduce shedding up to 90%. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NON-SHEDDING DOGS (like mine).

Slicker brushes works with all coat types. The rows of thin wire pins easily remove loose fur and help detangle the mats.

The Undercoat Rake is designed to get deep into double and heavy coats. Look for one with pins that roughly match your dog’s hair length. If pins are too short, they will miss the inner layer of undercoat; rakes that are too long might irritate the skin. 

There are many different types of tools; research what grooming products will work best for your companions.

TRIMMING HAIR

  • use non-pointed, round-ended scissors
  • hold your dog’s muzzle, comfortably yet firmly while trimming
  • clip away from eyes
  • never trim too close to sensitive areas

RUB-A-DUB-DUB

TIPS FOR THE TUB (or shower)

First of all, your dog’s breed will determine how often you choose to bathe your dog. For example, short-haired breeds require bathing less frequently as they can easily maintain their hygiene.  

Dogs with water-repellent coats need to preserve their natural oils. This is also the case with dogs that have skin sensitivities and allergies. In some cases, the oil reduces itching. My guy, Henry, is a sensitive boy.

Double-coated or thick-coated dogs may also need fewer baths. Instead, plenty of brushing will help remove loose hair and stimulate and distribute natural oils that keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.

If your dog has come into contact with an unnatural grease or oil, apply shampoo directly to this area and massage into the hair, prior to wetting the dog. This is also the case with skunks – albeit a special shampoo will be recommended.

  • Make bathtime fun. My dogs know there is a treat waiting for them.
  • Reassure your pet during the process. Henry and I sing in the shower together (no, there will not be an audio clip)
  • Make sure the water is a comfortable temperature – Lukewarm
  • Use shampoo formulated for your pet as their PH is different from ours
  • Rinse, rinse, and then rinse. This is a very important point as shampoo left in their coat may irritate their skin. It feels gross, and your dog won’t be too happy having to go back for a rinse later
  • Towel-drying is good fun. After which, my dogs tear through the house, all squeaky clean. Henry and Rosie love having their locks blow-dried. I use the lowest heat and only for a brief floof. Otherwise, they air-dry as it is better for their skin

There are many different shampoos on the market. Again, do your research. I choose only the most natural products.

Please Pin

Saving a few trips to the groomer each year could be part of ‘the new norm’ and save you money.

Those eyes!

Please feel free to share your tips with a comment below.

Stay safe,

 

 

 

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