Dog Levee Dish

Is your puppy suddenly acting like he’s a guard dog at a palace? Does he bark his head off at sounds you can’t even hear? Dogs bark at things for several reasons including a perceived a threat, a sign of boredom, or a cry for attention. Barking is also a form of communication between dogs and they have distinct sounds and volumes for different expressions. A dog barking in a high pitch is often excited, a dog sort of gurgling in a lower pitch is usually content. A dog emitting a low growl is issuing a warning.

All breeds except the Basenji bark. Some are more vocal than others such as those bred from guard dogs. Puppies are looking for work at this age and, in the case of incessant barking, warning their owner of impending danger is their work. The trash truck is an enemy, the doorbell is an enemy, the dog barking down the street is an enemy.

 

Read On

Fireworks typically only happen once or twice a year so the loud noises and flashes of light can catch your dog off guard and cause anxiety.  Here are a few tips on how to prepare for the evening and help your pet stay calm throughout the festivities.

Always remember a dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than yours!
Tip #1

DO NOT bring your dog to the firework display areas.  Animals may become frightened and nervous.  In addition to the main display other people may have personal fireworks, which are unpredictable and unsafe for pets to be around.  Never leave your pet in the car, this could be a deadly mistake.
Tip #2

If you live near the location of the fireworks display, leave your pet inside in an area where he/she can do the least amount of harm to him or herself and your home.  Leave the TV or radio turned on to a loud volume, which will help keep the unusual and inconsistent loud noises from frightening your pet.

Read more…

Read On

In response to the impending flood throughout the state the LA/SPCA has reached out to all parish and state leaders to offer any and all assistance. We will keep you updated on how and when we are called on to help and what you can do to help us help the animals at that time. Your donations will help provide for the animals we shelter as well as any disaster response deemed necessary.

For Greater New Orleans residents from NOLA City Council:

  Update your personal evacuation plan and be prepared to evacuate on short notice in case of levee failure. Have carriers on hand for all pets and give a trusted friend or neighbor key access to your home if you cannot get back.
  Listen closely to the news and report unusual levee activity or levee seepage to 340-0318 Westbank or 283-9800 Eastbank.
  All levee foot traffic should cease until further notice, including recreational dog walking on or near levees. NOPD and Levee Police will enforce this restriction.
  Do not follow off-leash pets into the river or attempt rescue of animals swept away. The river’s flow rate is hazardous to life and health and will only increase in the short term.

Read On

This week, our tip and trick isn’t really either. It’s just an adorable video that deserves to be shared. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to submit your Pet of the Week for the photo contest. You have a chance to win 2 tickets to Bark in the Park at Zephyr field on May 15th and you can bring your dog!

Are you planning to travel with your dog this summer?  The weather is already getting hot so be careful. When traveling with your canine companion, the safest way is to keep your dog in a crate. Crates are a dog’s natural safe zone because it is cozy and familiar. Crates also keep your dog from distracting you while driving.  If you are going to a new city, be sure that your accommodations are pet friendly, especially for larger dogs. Some hotels have weight restrictions on bigger dogs and even breed restrictions.  Be sure to travel with water and a bowl for your dog; keeping them cool and hydrated makes for an easier ride.  If you know of anyone traveling to the Crescent City, be sure to direct them to http://www.DogLeveeDish.com to help them find pet friendly establishments around town!

Here’s an important word regarding shots: multivalent (mull-tee-VAY-lent). It means bundling up a lot of different vaccinations into a single shot. After all, nobody really likes getting shots, and your dog is no different. Puppies, whose immune systems are still forming, need quite a few shots. Distemper and parvo, for example, require shots at three-week intervals starting at six weeks. Other vaccines can be combined with these for canine hepatitis (hep-uh-TIGHT-us) or parainfluenza (pair-uh-in-flu-EN-za). Rabies shots are required by law and given separately. Once your dog is fully grown, an annual booster for multiple vaccines, plus rabies, is all that’s required to keep your pet immune to the most common doggie diseases.   

*Credit Fox 8 News Online

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals, including wolves, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and (in rare instances) humans. Heartworms are classified as nematodes (roundworms) and are filarids, one of many species of roundworms. Dogs and cats of any age or breed are susceptible to infection.

History

The first published description of heartworm in dogs in the United States appeared more than 100 years ago in an issue of "The Western Journal of Medicine and Surgery."¹ Heartworm in cats was first described in the early 1920’s.^{2, 3}

Since then, naturally acquired heartworm infection in cats and dogs is identified as a worldwide clinical problem. Despite improved diagnostic methods, effective preventives and increasing awareness among veterinary professionals and pet owners, cases of heartworm infection continue to appear in pets around the world.

How Heartworm Happens: The Life Cycle

First, adult female heartworms release their young, called microfilariae, into an animal’s bloodstream. Then, mosquitoes become infected with microfilariae while taking blood meal from the infected animal. During the next 10 to 14 days, the microfilariae mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito. After that, the mosquito bites another dog, cat or other susceptible animal, and the infective larvae enter through the bite wound. It then takes a little over 6 months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms. In dogs, the worms may live for up to 7 years. Microfilariae cannot mature into adult heartworms without first passing through a mosquito.

Read On

We thought this amazing video of Jesse the dog performing all manner of tricks would be an appropriate jumpstart for the Tips & Tricks section of Dog Levee Dish. Enjoy!

Check out Jesse’s YouTube Channel for more goodness.