When it comes to feeding our dogs there are some key things to keep in mind. The size of the dog, the activity level of your dog, their general health or preexisting medical conditions, overall personality of your dog, and finally their food preferences (you may find they enjoy or dislike certain foods more than others, and there may be good reason for this). Also keep in mind, when changing your dogs diet, be sure to consult with your Veterinarian (or find a holistic vet at www.holisticvetlist.com ) to aid you for a smooth transition. I have noticed that more health aware folks tend to feed their dogs a certain way, one thing in common, no kibble or chemical ridden bits in these homes. The first step away from the traditional dry dog food would be an simple switch to an Organic dry (or canned) dog food (ask your local small pet shop what their favorites are and why). These come in many varieties including grain-free formulas. Some experts believe that dogs should be raised on a diet consistent of that what they ate in the wild, like their wolf cousins, which excludes any grains. Some dogs also have a sensitivity to grains, just like people sensitive to wheat, so these varieties are excellent for them. Always when purchasing commercially produced foods, be sure to look at the ingredients and make sure that in the top 5, are animal proteins and whole foods (NO animal by-products). The next step away from commercial dog foods would be home prepared meals (easier than it sounds). Then there comes the question, Raw or Cooked? I personally use a combination of both, since both have great nutritional values that improve the health of our dogs. That brings us to the importance of the quality of our ingredients at home. I prefer to use only organic ingredients for Sasha’s food (as well as my own), this eliminates the chance of her getting unnecessary hormones or antibiotics from the meats and harmful chemicals from her fruits and veggies. If youselect to home prepare your dog food

If a dog has been hurt and needs to be moved to assure its and your safety you will need to follow a few pointers to safely remove it from danger. You will need to first assess the hurt dog’s injuries to determine how to keep from causing further damage.

A lot of severe injuries occur by dogs getting hit by vehicles. You will need to try to take the dog away from traffic or if it is walking or running, you might need to try to slow or stop traffic to keep the dog from becoming reinjured by a vehicle. Also, keep in mind an injured animal may bite so take precautions to prevent injury to yourself or others. A towel loosely wrapped around the muzzle, or even a shoestring will help keep the mouth closed.

Spinal and Head Trauma

A dog with a possible spinal injury or head trauma will exhibit the following signs: unconsciousness, different sized pupils, shock, blood in the ear, nose, mouth, or anus, and/or paralysis. If you suspect these types of injuries you’ll need to find an object with a solid, flat surface (such as plywood, a sled, or a stiff piece of cardboard) that is large enough that the entire animal can comfortably fit.

Gently ease the dog onto the top surface, making sure he’s lying on his side. Try not to twist the dog’s body or neck as you move him. If you’re unable to find a solid surface you can use a towel or blanket. Gently ease the dog onto the material. In both cases, try to secure help to transport the animal onto the surface and into your vehicle.

Pelvic and Leg Injuries

An injured dog with a pelvic fracture or leg injury may show the following signs: limping, swelling, or extreme pain. To safety transport the animal to the veterinarian’s office you will want to prevent further limb injury.

If the dog can stand, but doesn’t bear weight on the limb you can try to create a simple splint to prevent further swelling or dislocation of any broken bones in the leg. If the dog allows, you can gently wrap the leg in a large, folded towel to prevent bumping of the leg as the dog walks to your car. A towel can be placed under the stomach, and then you can hold the two ends above the back to make a sling to assist the dog in walking.

A dog with a fractured pelvis or one which is unable to stand should be transported as with a spinal or head trauma. Be extremely careful when trying to ease your dog onto your transport device as he may be extremely painful and try to bite or escape due to pain.

Safety on the Ride to the Veterinarian

Your dog will need to be restrained in yourAutomobile once you are able to get him inside. Large dogs should have someone sit near them, to protect them from any sudden turns and to keep them still. Small dogs should be placed in a kennel which is securely fastened in your vehicle. Keeping the animal still at all times is paramount to prevent any further injury, and to keep both you and the dog safe.

If a dog has been injured and needs to be moved to assure its and your safety you’ll need to follow a few pointers to safely remove it from danger. You will need to first assess the hurt dog’s injuries to determine how to keep from causing further damage.

A lot of severe injuries occur by dogs getting hit by vehicles. You will need to try to take the dog away from traffic or if it is walking or running, you might need to try to slow or stop traffic to keep the dog from becoming reinjured by a vehicle. Also, keep in mind an injured animal may bite so take precautions to prevent injury to yourself or others. A towel loosely wrapped around the muzzle, or even a shoestring will help keep the mouth closed.

Spinal and Head Trauma

A dog with a possible spinal injury or head trauma will exhibit the following signs: unconsciousness, different sized pupils, shock, blood in the ear, nose, mouth, or anus, and/or paralysis. If you suspect these types of injuries you will need to find an object with a solid, flat surface (such as plywood, a sled, or a stiff piece of cardboard) that is large enough that the entire animal can comfortably fit.

Gently ease the dog onto the top surface, making sure he’s lying on his side. Try not to twist the dog’s body or neck as you move him. If you are unable to find a solid surface you can use a towel or blanket. Gently ease the dog onto the material. In both cases, try to secure help to transport the animal onto the surface and into your vehicle.

Pelvic and Leg Injuries

An injured dog with a pelvic fracture or leg injury may show the following signs: limping, swelling, or extreme pain. To safety transport the animal to the veterinarian’s office you’ll want to prevent further limb injury.

If the dog can stand, but doesn’t bear weight on the limb you can try to create a simple splint to prevent further swelling or dislocation of any broken bones in the leg. If the dog allows, you can gently wrap the leg in a large, folded towel to prevent bumping of the leg as the dog walks to your car. A towel can be placed under the stomach, and then you can hold the two ends above the back to make a sling to aid the dog in walking.

A dog with a fractured pelvis or one which is unable to stand should be transported as with a spinal or head trauma. Be extremely careful when trying to ease your dog onto your transport device as he may be extremely painful and try to bite or escape due to pain.

Safety on the Ride to the Veterinarian

Your dog will need to be restrained in yourAutomobile once you’re able to get him inside. Large dogs should have someone sit near them, to protect them from any sudden turns and to keep them still. Small dogs should be placed in a kennel which is securely fastened in your vehicle. Keeping the animal still at all times is paramount to prevent any further injury, and to keep both you and the dog safe.