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Chitter-Chatter! Twitter Party!

Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to cordially invite you to attend PAWSH’s first ever Twitter Party! On Thursday May 5th from 7PM-8PM EST we will be tweeting all things pets, style and fun! Come visit us to chat about our first issue! We’re dying to know what you loved, what you didn’t love and what you’d like to see in our second issue so that we can make our summer edition even better for you! Ask us questions, share your own stories and projects, learn about the many fabulous things happening in the pet world, and connect with the lovely individuals that make up the pet community!

To join the conversation, simply log in to Twitter at 7PM EST on May 5th and use the hash tag #PAWSHtalk. We hope to see you all there and look forward to tweeting up a storm with you!

Feel free to RSVP below if you’d like! We’d love to know who’s coming so we can be sure to say hi!

Take Care of Mum

Image Courtesy of wallcoo
In honour of Mother’s Day (a very special holiday in our books) we thought we’d bring you an article that reflects the importance of taking care of mum. Canine mothers also do extraordinary things for their pups, so we asked an expert, Shannon Brownrigg , a registered veterinary technician and professor of the Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin College, to shed some light on how we humans can take care of pregnant mama dogs.

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Congratulations! You’re expecting puppies! Many dog owners will contemplate the possibility of having puppies at some point during their time as a dog owner. During my time working in veterinary practices, I can’t tell you how many times I have heard, “I would just love to have one litter of puppies.” The best thing you can do for your future puppies and pregnant mama is to be prepared and plan to the best of your abilities.
So where do we begin…
  1. HEALTH OF MUM AND DAD
    Healthy puppies should be the goal of any planned union, so identifying the health status of dam (mother) and sire (father) is of the utmost importance. It is critical to have a good understanding of the health status of the mom especially. Is she up to date on vaccinations, deworming and in good body condition? Is she a suitable candidate to be breeding? Does she have any traits that are undesirable, genetic or otherwise, such as hip dysplasia or behavior concerns. This may sound like a clinical approach, but the health of future puppies is the primary concern and these questions must be addressed. On that note, up to date vaccinations are important to provide protective maternal antibodies to the newborn puppies. If you have the opportunity to plan the union, be sure all these concerns are addressed prior to the breeding season.
  1. ESTABLISH YOUR PET HEALTH CARE TEAM
    Every mother-to-be needs support, including mama dogs! Be sure to have a good relationship with your veterinary team to ensure you and your dog have the most up-to-date and reliable information as you prepare for the birth of your new puppies. Not everything you read on the internet is correct! Be sure to have the tools and resources to validate your information. Have your emergency contact information and procedures in place long before the impending date. Be aware of these questions: do you know where your Emergency Veterinary Clinic is? How do you contact them in case of emergency? Do they accept new clients? What is the payment procedure for emergencies? Being aware of these aspects will help ensure that your dog and puppies get the best care possible.
  1. IDENTIFY YOUR TIMELINE
    Why? So there are no surprises and you know roughly when to expect your litter! Here are some important steps and numbers along the way according to Wendy C. Brooks. Canine gestation is 61-63 days. Confirm pregnancy day 30. Identify size of litter with ultrasound after 25 days. Radiograph 45 days. Whelping 58-68 days.
  1. ANTICIPATE WHELPING EASE
    It is important early in the pregnancy to anticipate how difficult the birth process may be. This depends on an number of factors:
    — Identified breed risks. For example, Bulldogs and Pekinese require C-section birth due to anatomical challenges.
    – If a mixed breed union, one needs to consider the size of sire compared to mother, because that will affect the size of the puppies and thus the birth. The puppies may be too large to whelp naturally. This is easily confirmed by ultrasound or radiograph.
    – Keep in mind the litter size. If litter size is small, 1-2 puppies, or large. A large litter can add strain to the mama dog during final stages of pregnancy and whelping. Being aware of this possibility prior to the birth will help you prepare.
  1. NUTRITION FOR MAMA DOG
    Monitor body condition every 4-5 days. Be sure to examine body condition using both a hands on and visual approach. This can change quickly during pregnancy. Supplementation is generally not required if a well balanced diet is utilized. It is not recommended to make drastic nutritional changes during pregnancy, unless recommended by veterinarian. As pregnancy progresses, more frequent small meals may be required to maintain caloric intake as the uterus begins to crowd the stomach and intestines. Closely monitor caloric intake and always be sure to discuss any concerns with your veterinarian.
  1. MAINTAIN EXERCISE ROUTINE
    Continue normal exercise with your pregnant dog. As pregnancy progresses restrict or eliminate rough play activities with playmates. Maintaining physical condition is important for the whelping process and impending lactation. Avoid contact during late pregnancy with dogs outside the family until weaning to prevent infectious diseases from infecting both the mother and newborn puppies. Bringing puppies into the world is no easy task, so you want to make sure the mama dog is in tip-top physical shape.
  1. PREPARE FOR WHELPING
    Prepare for expected and unexpected events that occur during whelping. There are many great resources and videos to help dog owners prepare, such as The Pet Health Library by Wendy C. Brooks.
  1. PUPPY PLACEMENT PLAN
    Chances are you’ll be tempted to keep all of the puppies yourself, but in reality this is not a practical plan. Inevitably you will be responsible for finding your puppies good homes. There are many unwanted dogs in shelters across the country, so be sure to include puppy placements in your breeding plan.
This is an exciting time for you and your family. With proper preparations you will be able to enjoy the full experience of welcoming healthy puppies into the world. Take the time to prepare and enjoy! Best of luck to you and your future puppies!

~ by Shannon Brownwrigg RVT

April 2011 Pet of the Month…

After an incredible voter turn out for the April 2011 Pet of the Month contest, we are pleased to announce this month’s winner! An adorable little canine who walks with a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye. A shaggy young fellow, who although having a rough start in life drinks in every moment of happiness and wags his tail constantly. A loving little soul who believes whole heartedly in second chances and love. This month’s winner is…

….DIGBY!!!

Congratulations! As the winner of April’s Pet of the Month title you shall be awarded a lovely new collar and leash combo from Peachy Keen Pets! We hope you find a style that truly suits you! (And we’re sure you will because Peachy Keen Pets truly has a style for everyone!)

Thank you everyone for your wonderful votes, nominations and participation! And remember, May has arrived which means we’re on the prowl for our next lucky Pet of the Month, kicking off this week with our regular Thursday Furball nominee! So send us your pet photos for a chance to win! We’ll be announcing May’s prize a little later this week!

Presenting The Royal Hound

Images Courtesy of Graphique’s Shop

Now that the wedding is over, many people are busy speculating about future babies and heirs to the throne. We, however, think Kate and Will deserve a chance to enjoy their honeymoon years without such pressure. So naturally we’re wondering what kind of pet they will be welcoming into their new married life! We predicate that if they decide to go the dog route one of the small to mid-sized breeds would be their preference, simply because as a busy international couple they will be traveling a lot. Wouldn’t it be great if they decided to adopt a sweet little dachshund, a gentle King Cavalier Spaniel or a mix of some sort and name him or her Darcy! What kind of dog (or cat!) do you think would suit the royal newlyweds? And what name would be most fitting of a royal pooch?

Image Courtesy of Graphique’s Shop