Treat Toys Provide Enrichment and Mental Exercise for your Pet
Like it or not, winter's here and we'll be spending more time indoors with our pets. Older pets and those with injuries or disease are usually more homebound than their more physically-abled pals. Whether due to weather, injury, disease, or age, pets that need to stay indoors can benefit greatly from enrichment activities and mental stimulation. Enrichment activities are tasks that improve a pet's quality of life and activities in which...
Custom Boot for Homer, the Desert Tortoise
At 75+ years old, Homer, the California Desert Tortoise, is by far Thera-Paw's oldest "customer". Homer is Daryl Goldstein's tortoise, and Daryl has owned him for over 35 years. Homer's foot problems "started two years ago when I decided to change from using hay to reptile bark as hibernation bedding for my three California Desert Tortoises" said Daryl. "Reptile bark was recommended by my local pet shop and I decided to...
When Your Dog Hurts, What Should You Do?
A few weeks ago, I shared that my 14-year-old mixed-breed, Otto, was showing signs of age-related dementia. He’s also showing more discomfort related to his osteoarthritis. The post struck a chord with more than a few readers, and many of you mentioned things that had worked for your own dogs in the past, or a dog you knew. The suggestions included: Crating at night Herbal remedies, including California Poppy, Passionflower, and Chamomile Selegiline...
Are You lasering the Brain Yet? No? Well, Get On With It Already!!
Laurie Edge-Hughes, BScPT, MAnimSt, CAFCI, CCRT is, in a word, the "guru" of animal rehabilitation and physiotherapy. We can indeed call her a "pioneer" in this field, and she continues to educate, innovate, and even provoke with her weekly tutorials. For many of us in this field, she is inspiring. Veterinary professionals interested in following Laurie should check her out here FOURLEG. Below is Laurie's thought-provoking pitch on lasering the brain. ...
Fostering Adolescent Dogs Takes Patience and Experience
We all have different breaking points as dog owners. I’m currently fostering a dog who is really barky – whose immediate, reflexive response to every new stimuli is to let loose with an ear-piercing BARK! – and this is proving to be my Achilles heel. A friend adopted this dog from Craigslist, knowing full well that she had to travel out of town for a month two weeks after adopting...
How to Keep Your Dog or Cat Hydrated
Adequate water intake is essential to good health, particularly during the hot summer months. Here’s why, along with tips on keeping your dog or cat hydrated. As summer arrives, fresh adventures await our four-legged friends and their human companions. Maintaining proper health is vital to enjoying these grand adventures, and one key component, especially for outdoor enthusiasts, is maintaining adequate hydration. Take a look at why keeping your dog or...
The Hair that Binds...The Shedding Edition
Products to remove pet hair from you, your home, and your furry friends. That is some hairy business! When I decided to sell my car, I had it detailed first because Haley, my yellow lab, spent a good part of her life riding in that back seat. Needless to say, there was Haley hair all over the car, even after weekend trips to the car wash and its vacuum stalls. I thought...
He Can Barely Walk but Can't Be Stopped - Moozie's Story
Moozie (AKA “Asher”) was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with a debilitating neurological condition; he wasn't expected to survive much more than a year. Now, nearly 6 years later, Moozie shows no signs of stopping (the video at the end of this article proves his determination). Moozie is nearly blind, needs tons of help to walk, can't feed himself or drink on his own. But here he is chewing on a big yellow ball,...