Author: Andrea C

The Guinness World Record for the oldest doggie is a Portuguese guard dog, a Rafeiro do Alentajo. His name is Bobi. He was born on May 11, 1992 and is still alive and well today!

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-dog

Bobi is a miracle dog not only because he has made it to 31 years of life, but he narrowly escaped death as a puppy. Bobi’s siblings were unwanted and buried alive shortly after their birth. However, instead of being taken for burial with his siblings, the newborn Bobi alluded death by being mistakenly left behind and subsequently managed to became a part of the family.

Bobi still lives in the Portuguese village where he was born and is allowed to freely roam the land surrounding his home. He drinks a lot of water and eats human food (without the seasonings).

Bobi’s long life is being celebrated by people from all around the world and was given a fabulous party. At the party, he performed with a dance troupe and local meats and fish were served.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/05/13/worlds-oldest-dog-narrowly-escaped-death-as-a-puppy-owner-reveals

Regardless of how long our fur babies live, they always leave us too soon. May Bobi live another healthy 31 years or more! I wish him the best!

Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a resource for information on canine influenza? The CDC website notes that canine influenza (also known as dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs. Virus H3N8 originated in horses and Virus H3N2 originated in birds- and has been reported to spread to cats from dogs.

Although there has not been a single case of human infection with canine influenza virus reported, the CDC notes that the virus is constantly changing. Thus, it is possible that at some point it could infect and spread easily between people.

The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite. But not all dogs will show signs of illness. Most dogs recover in 2 to 3 weeks. However, some dogs may develop secondary bacterial infections which may lead to more severe illness and pneumonia.

According to CDC, there is testing as well as vaccines available for dog flu. The CDC recommends that you contact your veterinarian for more information.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/other/canine-flu/keyfacts.html#what

I recently attended a local event in Richmond, VA. One of the vendors was selling a variety of dog treats, which caught my eye. The most interesting snack that he offered was freeze dried chicken feet! He said dogs love them. I was a bit taken aback by the look of the chicken feet, especially the sight of a whole bucket full…

When I returned home and did a little research online, I learned there are quite a few health benefits. If purchased from a reputable source, the key benefits can include:

• Glucosamine and Chondroitin to support joint health and mobility
• A fully digestible dental chew, which helps to remove plaque and tartar
• Without nails- are safe for your dog to ingest
• No antibiotics, hormones, steroids, additives or preservatives
• Can be sourced and made in the USA
• Can be animal welfare certified by Global Animal Partnership (GAP)

If you try this out- let me know how your dog likes it!

Moving? Dissatisfied with your own Vet? Got a new puppy or kitten? If so, you need to find a veterinary hospital or clinic that suits your needs!

Don’t be overwhelmed! You can start with recommendations from family, friends and neighbors. Once you have a few possibilities, just walk in one day to check out the place. Here are some things to consider:

• Are they accepting new clients? Recently, I’ve heard many veterinary hospitals and clinics say that are not accepting new clients or there is a long wait for a vet visit because many people adopted pets during the COVID 19 pandemic- which caused a huge increase in the number of their patients.
• Location & Operating Hours- How close are they to your home? Are they open during hours that work for you?
• Are their Accreditations, Training, Experience & Reviews Online in good standing?
• Do their fees suit your budget? Do they accept pet insurance? Are payment plans available for large bills?
• Does their wellness approach and philosophy match yours? Is your pets diet a priority for them? How do they handle cancer treatments, euthanasia and elderly pets? How about holistic medicine and cancer treatments?
• What other services are on-site? Surgeries? Specialists like Oncologists and Cardiologists? What about grooming, boarding and daycare?
• Do they offer telemedicine appointments? Perhaps you need the convenience of a virtual visit. What about mobile or in-home pet care?
• What animal species do they cover? Have something besides a dog or cat? Like a bird, rabbit, guinea pig, snake, or something more exotic? Can they help you?

I hope these tips were helpful. Good luck on your new venture!