newz master (Page 3)

VOL. 31, NO. 2
Visit us on the WEB at www.shampoochez.com
FEB.-MAR. ‘15
February is National Pet Dental Health Month
Dog owners have become more
aware of the importance of
good dental health for their pets
If your dog’s kisses come with
smelly bad breath, it can be a
major turnoff and a sign of serious
and the products available have
health issues.
become increasingly dog owner
The American Veterinary
friendly.
Medical Association estimates that
Dental health results are really
80% of dogs have some form of
noticed. Dog owners can smell
periodontal disease by the age of
the difference in their pets’ breath two. Dog owners may not realize,
as well as the difference in the
but to keep their pets healthy,
redness of the gums. Taking care they really need to make oral
of your pets’ teeth can help you
hygiene a part of the dog’s daily
help your dogs live longer.
grooming.
Arriving home from a “long
Without a daily dental routine
day” of work and being greeted by more serious health issues can
your four-legged friend can often
occur. Tooth decay and infection
be the highlight of a stressful day. can lead to painful gums or
The Leader in LID Diets
now available at Shampoo Chez
difficulty in chewing. It can even
lead to problems with your pet’s
heart, kidneys, circulatory and
immune systems.
Many dogs will not stand for
brushing. They will not like the
feel of a toothbrush in their
mouth. It will be difficult to get
to the molars and other hard-toreach places.
Smaller breeds tend to require
cleaning more often because their
teeth are crowded closer together.
Also, compared with larger dogs,
smaller dogs usually aren’t as fond
of chew toys, which may clean
teeth as they work on them. ■
Saturday,
February 28th
10am – 3pm
Satisfaction and Performance guaranteed
Stella & Chewy’s
Representative will be here
for questions & answers.
Samples
Available
Letters from the Westside
by Tica Cunningham
ince I last wrote (in the Dec-Jan
Shampoo Chez Newz) my
sprained right front ankle has
healed and I have been chasing
frizbees out on Lighthouse Field almost
every morning. I am still working with little
kids trying to teach them the art of throwing
a "good-friz"... It is very rewarding to see
the smile on their faces and the joy that they
have when they are able to throw the "friz"
just right so that I can jump up and make an
acrobatic catch.
It is also very fun for me to find someone
who is skilled at throwing the "friz"... The
best person who I have worked with is a
lady by the name of Sabrina. She walks on
West Cliff almost every morning with her
friend Ellen. Sabrina throws the frizbee as
almost nobody else can. She almost always
has a perfect spin and the "friz" sails out in
such a way that I most always can jump up
in the air and catch it with a leap that makes
people take notice. Another very good "friztosser" is a good friend of mine by the name
of Rick. He walks with his wife, Barbara,
almost every morning also. Rick is left
handed which poses many very interesting
aerodynamic challenges for me. With a leftcontinued on page 3
S
Saturday,
March 14th
10:30am – 3:30pm
Natural Balance Representative
will be here for
questions & answers.
Samples
Available
Tica
Freeze-Dried
Dog Food
Save
$
200
Available in 2 sizes: 6 oz. bag & 16 oz. bag
THE CAT’S MEOW
Talk
Customers’ Corner Tick
by Ken Cholden, D.V.M., All Pets Veterinary Clinic
Our 13-year-old small Chihuahua had terrible breath and plaque build up. After one
bottle of Pro Dental SolutionTM his breathe
was greatly improved and much of the plaque
dissolved. The other two dog’s breath is much
better also.
Mike & Jacki
Santa Cruz
I feed my Shih Tzu the four star nutritionals from Fromm. My dog loves it and is
thriving on it. Another plus is…you can rotate
the flavors daily, weekly, monthly or however
you choose to do so. GREAT FOOD!
Robin
Felton
Chauncy has been on Fromm Duck &
Sweet Potato for over 2 years. He loves
the food and I trust them to use only quality
ingredients.
I have been using the new “Soggy Doggy”
towel. It is a really great product. I have tried
numerous “quick drying towels” in the past and
always been very unimpressed. The “Soggy
Doggy” actually works very well. I am able to
get dogs dry faster. My best friend has a 6
month old, very long haired, standard poodle
puppy that finds any way to get wet great fun.
She purchased one and is extremely pleased
with the results it provides.
Shampoo chez Groomer
Rhoda
Ticks are quite abundant here in
Santa Cruz. Most commonly in
our region, we have the Western
Black legged tick which can carry
Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis; and the
American Dog tick which can carry Rocky
Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia.
Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disease I see. It can be difficult to
diagnose. Often the signs are vague and
seemingly unrelated. They can be different
for each dog.
At first a fever and lethargy sometimes
accompanied by poor appetite can be seen.
This is usually overlooked especially when
the dog gets better in a few days. Days,
weeks, or even months later, is when the
chronic signs appear.
The most classic is a shifting –leg
lameness that comes and goes but usually
worsens over time. Kidney damage,
lethargy, fever, and lack of appetite can also
be seen. The damage to joints and kidneys
can become irreversible if not treated.
Thankfully, screening for tick borne
diseases is now easier and less expensive
than ever before. I strongly recommend
this as part of a regular annual evaluation
along with heartworm testing. Lyme disease
is a complex disease process caused by an
organism called Borrelia Burgdorferi.
In order for disease transmission to
occur, an infected tick must be attached for
24 hours. Ticks will often walk around on
the host for many hours before embedding.
It is therefore very important to check your
pets (and yourselves) multiple times after
every exposure. Prevent disease by getting
those ticks off quickly. Frontline, Advantix,
and Preventic collars are the best products
to help minimize the number of ticks on
your pets, but they have their risks and
won’t completely eliminate the threat.
I definitely recommend a Lyme vaccine
for at-risk pets. Be advised, there are
several different vaccines available. Many,
less expensive Lyme vaccines use the entire
B. Burgdorferi organism. They are not as
safe or effective as I would like. In fact
some of these Lyme vaccines can actually
cause Lyme disease.
I recommend ONLY the DNA
recombinant vaccine which kills
B.Burgdorferi WHILE IT IS STILL IN
THE TICK, before transmission can
occur. This vaccine is safer and much more
effective. Always, the risks and benefits
must be evaluated for each individual
before deciding to vaccinate for any disease.
A consultation with your veterinarian who
knows your dog, their health issues, and
any medications is recommended before
giving any vaccines. n
T
Integrating conventional, alternative and holistic methods
focus on wellness, nutrition and complete care.
KEN CHOLDEN, D.V.M.
•
JEN BERRY, D.V.M.
1226-B SOQUEL AVENUE
SANTA CRUZ CA 95062
©
(831) 425-0945
FAX (831) 425-3704
Bonding With Your Feline Friend
Crave For Catnip
The Power of Petting
One out of two cats craves catnip, the fragrant herb from the
mint family. The plant’s buds contain an essential oil called
Nepetalactone that evokes such feline antics as chin and neck
rubbing, rolling and kicking, and even leaping into the air.
Shampoo chez carries only organic catnip.
Scientists report that people who pet their cats experience an
increase in Theta waves, a brain wave pattern that shows a reduction
in feelings of anxiety. Petting your cat for just a few minutes releases
a healthy amount of positive biochemicals, those “feel good”
hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Research
shows that the good feelings work both ways, meaning that your cat
benefits as well.
Nothing signifies bliss better than a happy purr. In their
dignified way, cats enhance our lives. n
©
page 2
Soggy Doggy
Doormat
by Joanna Rein
Soggy Doggy Productions
’m the mother of four young
children and one unruly rescue dog, Buddy. I created the
Soggy Doggy Doormat out of
necessity. I could not train my kids
to wipe the dog’s paws before he
came in from the wet yard! No matter how many doormats, rags and
towels I left by the backdoor there
was endless mess in my house.
Inspiration came at a kids’ swim
meet. As I watched a young diver
dry off with a super-absorbent
shammy, lightbulbs went off! If that
small piece of material could dry an
entire child, why wasn’t there
something similar for 4 wet, mucky
dog paws? I decided to make my
own doggy-doormat.
After rounds of experimentation I
finally found the perfect doormat
material in the microfiber chenille
shag we use today. Its “noodley”
fibers not only make it
exceptionally absorbent, but they
also snag a tremendous amount of
debris (great for snowy boots and
dirty cleats, especially those used on
crushed-rubber turf fields).
Honestly, we were astounded by the
shag’s absorbency and dirt-catching
ability. But best of all? Buddy, fell so
in love with his super-soft doormat
that he insisted on using it as a bed!
That’s the true story of the Soggy
Doggy Doormat. Four un-trainable
children, one messy dog, and a
simple idea. And the response to
our product has been overwhelming!
So we continue to look for simple,
practical solutions for soggy dogs
and their “parents.” When they’re
Buddy-approved, we bring them
to you! n
I
Letters from the Westside
(continued from page 1)
handed toss, the "friz" sails totally differently
than with a right handed toss.
When chasing after a frizbee one has
many different variables one must calculate
in order to jump just right and snatch the
sailing object out of the air. I must not only
be aware of whether or not the person
throwing the "friz" is right handed or left
handed.... I must judge the pitch of the toss
in order to calculate how it will sail. I then
must make adjustments in order to
compensate for the wind.... if there is any.
Most people have no idea how many
variables I must take into consideration
when racing across the lawn trying to leap
and catch the "friz"...
One thing that I have come to conclude
is that a person who seems to be a natural at
throwing a frizbee most likely is either a
"recovered-hippie" or maybe even an
"active-hippie"... Most hippies played with
frizbees in their youth or when they were at
college. It is generally very easy to spot a
person with "hippie tendencies" by the ease
with which they can throw a perfect "friz"..
People often refer to the
human walking with a dog as
being the "master" or "owner"
of that particular dog. Most of
us dogs take offense at either of
those characterizations. We
feel that we have a lot to teach
people who are willing to look
and listen to us. I feel that most dogs do not
reach their innate potentials because the
humans they live with are not tuned in to
working with them as equals who have
much to learn and also much to teach.
The poet Billy Collins (who was appointed
Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to
2003) speaks to the relationship of a dog to
his "master" in his very wonderful poem The
Revenant… (the verb in french "venir" is to
come... a "Revenant" is someone who comes
back or a ghost)... This poem is a must read
for anyone who wants to know what some
dogs think of a "master" or "owner" who
had no respect... This poem is written
through the eyes of a very dissatisfied dog
who died not loving the human he/she had
to live with...
Another good read is the book The Art of
Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. This is a
wonderful book that shows how a wise old
dog Enzo can tech humans how to be better
beings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and
recommend it to anybody who wants to
evolve personally...
Well that's the Newz from the
West Side…
Until next time… remember…
Wag More and Bark
and Bite Less… n
page 3
NEW AT
Don’t Shed
On Me
by Ark Naturals
Shedding is normal for 95% of all
dogs and cats. Excessive shedding is
not. It’s a problem for you the pet
owner. Excess shedding can be due
to environment geography and chemicals pets come in contact with such
as lawn pesticides or detergents used
on things pets lay on. A percentage
is due to stress health issues or environmental issues.
Don’t Shed On Me helps to moisturize pet’s coat and reduce excessive
shedding in your house, your clothes
and on your furniture. Super easy to use and smells fabulous.
For all dogs and cats 12 weeks and older. Shake well. Spray
onto your pet’s’ coat and massage down to the skin. If your pet
is OK with brushing, do so first to remove pets loose fur.
Price: 8 oz. spray $10.97
Soggy Dog
Soggy Doggy is superabsorbent microfiber chenille
which soaks up to 7x more
water and muck; the perfect material blend in the
microfiber chenille shag.
Its “noodle” fibers not only
make it exceptionally
absorbent, but they also
snag a tremendous amount
of debris, especially those
used on crushed-rubber
turf fields. The shag’s
absorbency and dirt-catching ability are fantastic.
Price:
$20.97
Green Slow Feeder
Green Slow Feeder is a revolutionary way to turn your dog’s
meal into a challenging game all while helping to slow down
eating time, which can reduce the risk of bloat.
Price:
$20.97
Bark Bars
Natural Dog Treats
by American Health
Peanut Butter
Ingredients: Wheat flour, water,
peanut butter, peanut flour, rye flour, brewer’s dried yeast, bran
flour, sunflower oil, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract
Price: $1.17 per cookie
The Natural Flea
& Tick Spray
Natural Chemistry Flea & Tick Spray
for Dogs features a new breakthrough
technology that kills fleas on contact.
It has a residual effect of up to one
week after the spray. Your pet will be
left with a delightfully light clove and
cinnamon scent on body.
Price: $11.97
MORE
Any Dog Can Bite.
Here's How You Can Prevent It.
by Melanie Sobel, General Manager, Santa Cruz Animal Shelter
ven the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pup can bite if provoked. Most
people are bitten by their own
dog or one they know. Although
media reports and rumors often give
the impression that certain breeds of dog are
more likely to bite, there is little scientific evidence to support those claims, according to
the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Each year, more than 4.5 million people in
the U.S. are bitten by dogs and almost 1 in
5 of them require medical attention.
Children are the most common victims of
dog bites and are far more likely to be
severely injured.
• Most dog bites affecting young children
occur during everyday activities and while
interacting with familiar dogs.
• It is important to remember that ANY DOG
CAN BITE. Information and education are
the best solutions for this public health
crisis.
Here are some possible reasons why dogs bite:
• The dog is protecting a possession, food or
water dish, puppies or resting place.
• The dog is protecting his owner or the
owner’s property.
• The child has done something to provoke or
frighten the dog (e.g., hugging the dog,
moving into the dog’s space, leaning or
stepping over the dog, trying to take
something from the dog).
• The dog is old and grumpy and having a
bad day and has no patience for the actions
of a child.
• The dog is injured or sick.
• The child has hurt or startled the dog by
stepping on him, poking him or pulling his
fur, tail or ears.
• The dog has not learned bite inhibition and
bites hard by accident when the child offers
food or a toy to the dog.
• The child and dog are engaging in rough
play and the dog gets overly excited.
• The dog views the child as a prey item
because the child is running and/or
screaming near the dog or riding a bicycle
or otherwise moving past the dog.
• The dog is of a herding breed and nips
while trying to “herd” the children.
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to
address and avoid dog bites, from properly
training and socializing your pets, learning to
read your dog’s body language and recognizing
the triggers, to educating your children (and
adults) on how – or if – they should approach
a dog and to safely interact with the dog.
Here are some simple rules to help prevent
dog bites:
• Do not stare into a dog's eyes.
• Always ask the person handling the dog
if it's OK to greet the dog before you walk
up to him.
E
page 5
• Do not greet a dog by leaning over him and
reaching for his face or over his head.
• Do not grab or hug a dog.
• Do not tease or play with dogs behind
fences or dogs that are chained up in a yard.
• Do not approach a dog running loose (offleash) outside. If you see a loose dog call
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter
(831) 454-7203 ext. 1
• Never run from a loose dog that approaches
you! Be safe and stand perfectly still with
your hands in your pockets until the dog
moves away.
• Never touch or play with a dog while he or
she is eating, sleeping, has been injured or
has puppies.
• Never approach a dog with stiff body
language which is a sign of a dog that does
not want interaction. A happy dog has a
loose body. An afraid or uneasy dog will
stiffen and put their ears back with a hard
stare.
Children and pets should never be left
unsupervised. Here are some signs to take very
seriously that indicate a dog is saying “I have
been very patient with this child, but I am
nearing the end of my patience”:
• The dog gets up and moves away from the
child.
• The dog turns his head away from the child.
• The dog looks at you with a pleading
expression.
• You can see the “whites” of the dogs eyes, in
a half moon shape.
• The dog yawns while the child approaches
or is interacting with him.
• The dog licks his chops while the child
approaches or is interacting with him.
• The dog suddenly starts scratching, biting or
licking himself.
• The dog does a big “wet dog shake” after the
child stops touching him.
From For the Love of a Dog by animal
behaviorist Patricia McConnell, PhD:
“I don’t know how many times brokenhearted clients have told me that Barney had
been doing so well; he’d handled the noise and
chaos of the family picnic all day long, but just
when everyone was about to leave, he fell
apart and snapped, or nipped, or bit…If
people could just see the signs of exhaustion
or worry on their dogs’ faces, there’d be a lot
fewer bites in the world, a lot fewer tears, and
a lot more dogs living to old age.”
Always remember to be your dog’s
advocate. Every dog has the right to say no.
If your dog is saying “no,” you have to
respect that.
And teach your kids to respect that.
Because at the end, it’s the person AND
the dog that pay the price. Let’s make our
families and communities safer through
education and responsible pet ownership. n
Allergies
by Debbie Mathis, DVM, CVA
pring is just around the corner and
so is allergy season. There are
many ways to test for allergies.
Allergies that come up seasonally
are often to things that your pet breathes in
or cause skin reaction. This could be fleas,
grass, tree or flower pollens, dust, molds,
mildews, even tiny mites.
Allergic reactions can include sneezing,
watery eyes, reverse sneezing, coughing,
wheezing, skin rashes, itching, wheals or
welts, even ear infections or vomiting.
There are different ways to help your pet
deal with the symptoms of allergies. Avoid
the allergen if possible. Use effective flea
treatments. Antihistamines help with some
cases but you should always talk to your
vet before giving them as the doses vary
with different animals and they can have
interactions and side effects.
Wiping your pet down with a moist
cloth after they come in from outside can
help sometimes. Always use a clean cloth
so you aren't decontaminating them. Using
HEPA filters in the house can help cut
down on allergens inside. Giving small
doses of the honey made by bees close to
your house can be helpful. The bees gather
pollen from many different plants so the
hives need to be near where your pet lives.
This method is simple to alert shots and
takes a long time.
If you want to go farther you can talk to
your veterinarian about different types of
testing and treatments. The gold standard
would be where they inject different
allergens under the skin. This require
shaving a large area on your pet but isn't
too painful. It is the most accurate. There
are blood tests for allergens which have
varying degrees of efficacy.
Once allergens are identities they will
design an immunotherapy tailored to your
pet. This is usually shots or oral sprays.
Often allergic animals have more than one
type of allergy. Food allergies, dust mite
allergies and mildew allergies often are seen
year round and less likely to be seasonal.
But seasonal allergies can become year
round over time.
Keep a good diary of when your animal
is having reactions and bring it with you to
the vet to help them decide what the best
treatment for your pet will be. Eliminating
one allergy will often help with others as
they seem to be additive. In Chinese
Medicine allergies are Wind invasions and
often related to Blood deficiencies. Talk to
your veterinarian to design the best
treatment plan for your pet. n
S
To schedule a housecall appointment,
call 408-499-3647. See ad on back page.
Check out my website,
www.5elementvet.com.
Professional
Dog & Cat Grooming
by appointment
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in the Self-Service Area
4 Individual Bathing Booths
1380 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz CA 95062
(831) 427-BATH (2284)
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Behavior
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
SHAMPOO CHEZ NEWZ
is published bimonthly
by SHAMPOO CHEZ TM, INC.
Anne Singer, Editor
Deborah Mathis, DVM, CVA
(408) 499-3647
Fax: (408) 867-9463
www.5elementvet.com
1380 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-427-BATH
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