All Hands On PET! by Susan E. Davis, PT

Today, we are talking about a book written by Susan E. Davis.  Susan is a licensed physical therapist with over 40 years of experience including both human and animal physical therapy.  Her practice includes patient care to pets, as well as virtual consulting.  Susan is a wonderful and caring advocate who helps animals live more active lives by educating owners on options to promote mobility.  She has written a previous book called "Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Animals...A Guide for he Consumer.

"All Hands On Pet!" is a very detailed "How-To" Guide on home therapy methods for pets.  The first chapter of the book covers the basics...for instance...how to use the book to your advantage.

Chapter 2 covers what's new in physical therapy for animals from staying current through Kinesiology Taping, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Discospondylitis, Cold Laser, Spray and Stretch, Cryosauna, Hyperbaric Oxygen and Negative Pressure Chambers.

Chapter 3 discusses preventing Hip Dysplasia in puppies, patterns of gait, beginning leash walking, and range of motion exercises.

Chapters 4 and 5 cover young adulthood and midlife, building strength, endurance, and agility.  Boating and Outdoor Adventures, Preventing Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Myofascial Trigger Points, Scar Tissue Massage, the effects of weather, and the signs of pain.

Chapter 6 talks about the many different aspects of living with and caring for senior pets.  I personally found this chapter to be very informative as I am sharing my home with three seniors at the moment.  Susan discusses Sensory Stimulation and Frailty Syndrome, Digestive Issues, Managing Canine Hip Dysplasia, promoting mobility with walking aids or wheeled carts, Laryngeal Paralysis and Stridor Respiratory conditions, Congestive Heart Failure, and handling Dementia and End of Life.  Susan gives very good tips for you to use when your senior dog is suffering from symptoms of Dementia.

Chapter 7 is all about the special needs at any stage of life while Chapter 8 discusses warrior mentality, wound care at home, and indoor winter exercises.  

I am very impressed with Susan's attention to detail, especially her suggestions for building ramps for small size dogs.  She even has photos so you can see exactly what she is talking about.

Chapter 9 covers cats, birds, and all the rest while Chapter 10 has tales of courage detailing 7 personal stories.  The interactions that Susan had with each and every patient and their owners is special.  It is evident that she cares deeply for all of her patients and their families.

This book and Susan herself is a true gift to animal lovers.  Her passion for animals shows in every single word and her writing style is very warm and comforting.  Go check out "All Hands on PET!" I highly recommend it!

*I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Coconut Oil is HEALTHY for Pet's Too!

Someone asked me just the other day how did my girls like coconut oil.  Well...let me tell you, they absolutely LOVE the taste of coconut oil...and if I forgot to put it in their food, they probably would not even eat!  THAT is how much they have come to love it!!  I put just about a half of a teaspoon mixed in with their meal.  Both of them are quite happy to lick the spoon!!

Coconut oil can have many so many health benefits if you feed it regularly to your dog– for their skin, digestive and immune systems, metabolic function, even their bone and brain health! Here are the top 10 reasons to add coconut oil to your dog’s diet:

1. Coconut oil improves overall skin health, and clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin.

2. Incredibly emollient, coconut oil helps moisturize the dryest K9 skin and makes a dog’s coat gleam with health – whether you add it to her diet, her shampoo, or both!

3. Applied topically to the skin, coconut oil  promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, bites, and stings.

4. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of coconut oil help reduce doggy odor, and its pleasantly tropical aroma imparts a delightful scent to a dog’s skin and coat.

5. Coconut oil prevents and treats yeast infections, including candida. Its antiviral agents also help dogs recover quickly from kennel cough.

6. Digestion and nutrient absorption are improved by the addition of coconut oil to a dog’s diet. It can, however, cause stool to loosen; if that happens, just add a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin to your dog’s diet (go here for more stool-firming tips).

7. Coconut oil reduces – and sometimes eliminates – doggy breath. Some dog lovers even brush their pets’ teeth with the stuff! Which makes sense, as dogs love the taste of coconut oil, and that makes the chore less arduous for brusher and brushee. 

8. Like cinnamon, coconut oil helps prevent diabetes by regulating and balancing insulin. It also promotes normal thyroid function, and helps prevent infection and heart disease.

9. Helping to reduce weight and increase energy, coconut oil also promotes mobility in dogs with arthritis and other joint issues.

10. Again like cinnamon, coconut oil is excellent for brain health; it’s being used to stave off dementia in humans, and it’s a must to keep senior dogs’ minds from becoming cloudy.

Our thanks to Dogster for this very important health info!!

#Seresto Flea and Tick Protection: 2014 Best New Product Award!

Today, I am introducing you to a new kind of flea and tick protection by Seresto, the manufacturers of Advantage, Advantix, and Frontline.  Living in New York and shuttling between the Finger Lakes Region and the Thousand Islands Region in Northern NY, we encounter MANY kinds of fleas and ticks!!  Our Newf even had a case of sarcoptic mange...which is another GREAT thing about this collar...it aids in the treatment and control of sarcoptic mange!

Seresto for Dogs was Voted Best New Flea and Tick Control* and was awarded the Better Homes and Gardens; 2014 Best New Product Award.

*Consumers participating in the 2014 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards voted Seresto for dogs the best new flea and tick control product.  Based on a survey of 2,485 consumers using a proprietary methodology developed by Brand Spark International using consumer appeal and purchase intent against two competitive products.  Highest score determines the winner, not necessarily statistical significance.  Categories are not a necessary reflection of the total market.  Based on the 2014 BrandSpark/Better Homes and Gardens American Shopper Study of 80,000 voters nationwide. For more information visit www.BestNewProductAwards.com

Seresto has an innovative delivery system and offers breakthrough protection against fleas and ticks for dogs and cats (and puppies and kittens too!)

Seresto kills fleas and repels and kills ticks so they cannot attach and transmit disease 

Seresto is NON-Greasy, Easy to USE, and most of all, ODORLESS!!

The two active ingredients in Seresto are IMIDACLOPRID and FLUMETHRIN

This unique combination of ingredients has been used in products recommended by vets ... for years to control flea infestation.  It also effectively repels and kills ticks, larvae, and nymphs.

Seresto uses Sustained Release Technology that works similar to the monthly topicals; however, a new supply is continuously replenished in low concentrations.  

Seresto is Water Resistant!!

It is NOT necessary to remove the collar before swimming, shampooing, or after it rains.

Effectiveness lasts for 8 months under normal conditions, providing the dog is NOT bathed more than once a month.

For dogs that swim more than once a month or more, the effectiveness of the product is reduced to 5 months.

The collar is easy to put on and Chloe and I are just thrilled with the results so far!!

I will be following up with another post on Chloe's progress in just a couple of weeks.

**This post is sponsored by Bayer / Seresto and the Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Seresto product, but BICHONPAWZ only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Bayer / Seresto is not responsible for the content of this article.**