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  • Avoid Otitis, clean your dogs’ ears now

    Avoid Otitis, clean your dogs’ ears now

    Like human beings ear hygiene is important for dogs as well. Regular cleaning of ears minimizes the risk of ear infections. Dogs often suffer from a common ear disease called “Otitis”, for which uncleaned ears are more prone. Cleaning of ears in every month is recommended. As ears are delicate organs, utmost care should be taken while cleaning the ears to avoid any kind of injuries. Dirt accumulates rather fast and can lead to an infection, especially with floppy-eared canines

    Procedure :

    You can use a cotton ball or a forcep to clean the ears. If using the forcep then wrap the top of forcep with clean cotton. Restrain the dog properly. Adjust the light so the ear canal is clearly visible. Introduce the forcep gently in either of ear and rotate it over the inner surface of ear canal with gentle pressure so the waxy secretion with other dirt can be removed. Repeat the procedure for other ear.

    The rotating should be done in clockwise manner. 3-4 rotations are enough for one ear. The cotton should be changed for every use of forcep. Avoid deep insertion of forcep which may cause injury to the ears and bleeding may occur. Ear cleansers are recommended to clean the ears. 3 to 4 drops of cleanser should be put in the ears first and then the cleaning can be done with the forcep as usual.

    Clean cotton balls without forcep can be used for pups. Ear should be plugged with cotton while bathing the dog. Different ear drops are also available in market if any infection is there. 

    Don’t forget to give your mutt lots of affection and treats when you’re done!      

    Pet Care tips by Pratik Deshpande,
    Veterinary Doctor, Maharashtra

     

  • Make sure your pet’s first aid kit has..

    Make sure your pet’s first aid kit has..

    Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Good pet parents are always fretting about the safety of their little ones. Being prepared to avoid your pet succumbing to potential danger is the key to safe parenting. Hence, it is necessary to have a first aid kit handy.

    Here’s what is required to fill your pet’s first aid box:

    • Wound spray: A quick solution for your pet’s cuts and bruises.
    • Bandage and scissors: To cover your pet’s injuries.
    • Eye wash and ear wash: If your pet scratches his eyes or ears then it would be a good idea to bring it out the pollutant with an eye or ear wash.
    • Dog cone: If your pet has a head injury or stitches, it would be a good idea to cover his head with a cone so that he would not reach the spot with his paws or even lick the area.
    • Muzzle: this would be helpful to prevent the dog from biting or licking his wound. If your dog is aggressive or unfriendly, putting a muzzle will prevent him from harming other people.
    • Leash: a handy tool to keep your dog under your control, so that he does not run away when you are trying to examine his injury.

    After ensuring that your pet has had his first aid care, take him to your vet for professional care.

    Happy parenting!

    Petcare tip by Harshitha
    Reference : ceaserway

     

  • Ch 3 – Fonz & Baasha save the day

    Ch 3 – Fonz & Baasha save the day

    Meow…Meow…

    “You irritating creature! Always committing nuisance on our doormat! Oh! I am itching to whack you!” yelled the cantankerous old man. He held a stick to beat the naughty cat. The clever creature knew that the old man would come charging at her so she runs into Vikram’s compound. She is now safe. It is a daily routine for baasha the cat. She loves to take a nap on the old man’s portico and relieves herself on his comfortable doormat. She also loves to nibble on tidbits of food thrown to her by the old man’s granddaughter. Though she belongs to Nina, she loves to hang around by the old man’s place. Maybe she just loves to infuriate the old man by her mischievous presence thereby keeping him on his feet all day!   

    Baasha is named after Nina’s favourite Rajnikanth movie. She is actually a stray cat who was found by Nina when she was a day old. Her mother had abandoned her at Vikram’s backyard and vanished. Consequently, it was Nina who looked after it and it grew to be her beloved pet. A lot of people believe that cats and dogs can never be friends but I disagree with them. Baasha and I get on reasonably well as we understand and respect each other’s space. Of late, the old man is getting on both of our nerves. Something must be done to stop him. Yesterday he drenched both of us with a bottle of water because Baasha dared to grab a piece of fish thrown to him by his granddaughter. She jumped from their compound to ours and landed where I was having my afternoon nap when the old geezer threw cold water on us! Baasha and I then agreed to put our heads together to teach the old man a well deserved lesson!

    It was a normal day for the old man. He did his grocery shopping and dropped into the bank to update his pass book. He then walked home and was closely followed by two sinister looking men who were just waiting to have him cornered at an empty road. The old man almost reached home when he was stopped by the two men who pointed a sharp looking knife at him and asked him to empty his pockets and hand them his gold rings. The old man started panting and stammering and looked around for someone to help him but not a single soul was present on the road!

    Baasha and I were witnesses to the old man’s predicament. So, I asked Baasha to head out to the men. Baasha promptly ran towards the men and started hissing and made loud threatening noises. I, on the other hand, jumped across to the old man’s compound and gave my loudest bark and started scratching his front door. The old man’s son opened the door and I dragged him to the gate where he saw the commotion and immediately leapt to the old man’s rescue. Just then the police patrol car which was doing its usual round across the neighbourhood arrived. The policemen arrested the men and drove them to the station. The old man was finally safe!

    After an emotionally charged day Baasha and I consigned ourselves to a well deserved nap and were woken up when Nina and Vikram came home. They brought home our favourite cup cakes! Yummy! They were just feeding it to us when the doorbell rang. Nina opened the door and in came the old man into our house. What he did next was too shocking! He went down on his knees and hugged both Baasha and myself! He apologized for all his misdoings and gave us a present. He then related the events of the day to my astounded looking two legged pets. Vikram then opened the presents for us. The old man gifted Baasha a brand new resting mat and a nice chewy bone for me! Vikram and Nina wholeheartedly thanked the old man and assured him that they bore no ill will. Baasha and I became busy with our gifts and congratulated ourselves for finally taming the old man!

    Tip:   Having a pet around you is like having your own personal bodyguard. They will protect you from anti social elements. Dogs and cats have been known to risk their lives to save the life of their master!  Also, abusive behavior towards animals is a punishable offence and has to be reported to the concerned authorities. 

    Feature by Harshitha

     

  • Quick valentine treats for your muffin

    Quick valentine treats for your muffin

    Peanut butter cookies

    If your pet loves peanut butter then he will enjoy this peanut butter recipe. This recipe has the goodness of protein as well as well as fibre that is essential for your pet.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of wheat flour
    • 1 cup of rolled oats
    • 1/3 cup of peanut butter
    • 1 tablespoon of honey
    • ½ tablespoon of olive oil
    • 1 ½ cups of water

    Pre heat the oven. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and roll into a smooth dough. Create shapes with the help of a cookie cutter. Grease the baking tray and place the shaped dough and bake it for 30 to 40 minutes or until they are golden brown. 

    Chicken fingers

    Chicken is a very good source of protein. You can include this in your dog’s regular diet along with vegetables, rice and fruit. Thereby ensuring he has a well balanced diet. This fillet recipe is very delicious and will leave your pet asking for more!

    Ingredients:

    • Chicken breast strips
    • 1 teaspoon of turmeric
    • ½ lime

    Boil the chicken breast strips in water and turmeric till the water is absorbed. In a pan drizzle some olive oil and add the chicken strips and fry till they are golden brown. In a serving plate add the chicken and squeeze the lime and serve when cooled.

    Happy Cooking!

    Recipe by Harshitha

     

  • New born puppy care

    New born puppy care

    During the first few weeks of life, a puppy’s primary activities are feeding, keeping warm and developing social skills. Here are a few tips to consider right after the pups birth –

    • Soon after birth clean the nostrils and mouth cavity of pups with the help of dry cotton or towel.
    • Remove placenta or any debris if present.
    • If respiration do not start itself, rub the chest and face with dry towel and gently press and release the chest 2 to 3 times in 4 to 6 seconds.
    • Every possible care should be taken to protect new born puppies from cold exposure.
    • A temperature range of 200c to 300c is suitable for new born pups.
    • A shelter like wooden boxes or bathing tubs can be provided which will help preventing pups going away from the mother and will protect them from adverse climatic conditions.
    • An artificial source of light and heat like electric bulbs hanging above 3 feet from the box is recommended during winters.
    • Allow the pups to breast feed immediately after whelping is complete and mother is ready to attend new born.


    Pet Care tips by Pratik Deshpande,
    Veterinary Doctor, Maharashtra

    Reference – A Handbook Of Pet Care And Management by Amita Ranjan.

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  • Care & management of a pregnant dog

    Care & management of a pregnant dog

    Is your dog pregnant? You can get it confirmed by using ultrasonogrphic examination after 25 to 30 days after mating or by any other method advised by the veterinarian. When your dog is confirmed to be pregnant then this is the right time to take care of your dog until it delivers the pups.

    • Tips to be followed for good care and management:–
    1. The pregnant bitch should be shifted to a clean quite area of the house about one week prior to the whelping (giving birth) date. The normal pregnancy period is 63 days ± 2 days.
    2. Some bedding in the form of folded blankets and clean old news papers should be provided after 40 days of pregnancy.
    3. Strictly avoid jumping, fighting and exercise during the pregnancy.
    4. Balanced nutrition is crucial for health of pregnant dog as well as proper fetal growth and development, therefore balanced diet should be provided as recommended by the veterinarian.
    5. Hairs present around mammary gland (teats) and vulva should be trimmed and the area should whipped with some mild antiseptic solutions daily, during last week of pregnancy.
    6. Recording the rectal temperature twice daily during last week of pregnancy is advisable.
    7. Usually rectal temperature falls abruptly to 97 to 980 f (normal is 101.5 to 102.5) before 24 hours of normal parturition. 
    • Whelping :-

    There are three stages of whelping. In stage one that lasts for 6 to 12 hours. The bitch become restless and may show open mouth breathing and nesting behavior. In stage two the bitch try to deliver pups. Normally the head of the pup comes out first and then the rest of the body. It may last until delivery of all pups. Generally time taken for delivery of all pups is 2 to 4 hours after onset of second stage.

    In third stage placenta is delivered. The bitch may try to eat placenta therefore remove placenta soon after release. The bitch  get exhausted and hence relaxed and take some time to deliver the next pup. Hot tea or coffee may be offered to provide some energy.

    If the bitch fails to deliver the pups, despite completion of full term or after several hours of labor, rush for veterinary assistance. Bitch which is underweight or going to whelp for the first time or bitch which has suffered abortion, pyometra or dystokia during previous pregnancies warrant medical interventions.

    Pet Care tips by Pratik Deshpande,
    Veterinary Doctor, Maharashtra

    Reference – A Handbook Of Pet Care And Management by Amita Ranjan.

     

  • Preparing your dog for the clinic visit

    Preparing your dog for the clinic visit

    Preparing your dog for the veterinary clinic visit:-

    1) Occasionally, the dog should be brought to a new house to meet new people or other dogs. Outdoor visit should not be only for medical purpose.
    2)  Train your dog at home to sit in relaxed position and allow handling and examination of different body parts like eyes, ears, mouth, feet and abdomen.
    3) Praise or give a treat following good behaviour during examination and treatment.
    4) Apply a neck collar and lead during visit to a veterinary clinic.
    5) Keep a muzzle of suitable size ad a clinical thermometer with you.
    6) Bring all records related to vaccination old health problems and treatment given.
    7) Give details of disease history.
    8) Hiding any fact or observations can lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment.

    Reference book :- A Handbook Of Pet Care And Management by Amita Ranjan.

    Pet Care tips by Pratik Deshpande,
    Veterinary Doctor, Maharashtra

     

     

  • How to handle an injured bird

    How to handle an injured bird

    One day you are strolling across the park. Unexpectedly, a glance underneath a tree reveals an injured bird to your sight. In this situation, what would you do? An injured bird’s survival is dependent on a swift rescue and treatment. If you come across an injured bird, following these steps will help save its life.

    How to identify if a bird is injured?

    From a distance, check for external signs of injury. If the bird is bleeding or has difficulty moving, or flying it is a sign that it is possibly injured. The next step is to call a Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre without delay.

    If the bird is large and belongs to the family Accipitrinae, it is best to wait until the arrival of a rescuer, as the birds can cause significant damage with its talons. Try to avoid feeding or giving water to the bird. 

    How to box a bird?

    Prepare a cardboard box and make holes in it for ventilation. Place paper strips or soft cloth such as a towel at the bottom of the box. The box should be the right fit for the bird’s size.

    Now using a towel or soft cloth gently lift the bird and place it inside the box. Cover the bird with the towel in order to calm the bird. Once the bird is placed inside the box, close the cardboard box and wait for the arrival of a rescuer.

    Hand the injured bird to a wildlife rehabilitator, who will ensure its provided proper treatment and care.

    Do not try to treat and provide for the bird yourself as not only is it illegal for a person without a license to attempt to rehabilitate a wild animal or bird, it may also lead to the further harming the bird.

    Article written by Zuber Ahamed. He is the Content, Design and Publishing Executive at People for Animals (PfA), Bangalore

    PfA : http://www.peopleforanimalsbangalore.org/
    Animal Rescue Helpline : 9980339880

     

  • Quick Recipes : Veggie Khichidi & Bacon Cookies for pets

    Quick Recipes : Veggie Khichidi & Bacon Cookies for pets

    Recipe 1: Vegetable Khichidi

    Khichdi is one the most easily digestible food. It is power packed with nutrients of a balanced diet such as carbohydrates, protein, dietary fibre, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Since its texture is soft it goes easy on the stomach and soothes the intestines. You can make Khichdi more nutritive by adding the vegetables that your pet prefers, to make the dish more enjoyable.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 ½ cups of rice
    • 1 cup moong dal
    • 1 ¼ cups of soya chunks
    • Carrot, cauliflower, potato (any other vegetable that your pet enjoys)
    • 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon of salt

    Soak the rice and moong dal in water for about 20 minutes and then combine the above ingredients in a pressure cooker and cook it for about 15 to 20 minutes.

    Recipe 2: Bacon cookies

    Bacon is one of the tastiest meat with a lot of healthy benefits. When eaten in moderate amount, bacon is a very good source of protein. It lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels and contains choline that helps to increase our level of intelligence as well as memory. 

    Bacon cookies with all the goodness of meat is bound to leave your pet begging for more. Here is a simple method of making it.

    Ingredients:

    • 4 cups of wheat flour
    • 1 cup of rolled oats
    • 1 cup of milk
    • ½ cup of chicken stock
    • 1 ½ cups of bacon chopped into small pieces
    • 1 cup of peanut butter
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon of baking powder

    Preheat the oven and grease the cookie tray. Beat the eggs, in a big bowl, till they are light and fluffy. Add the flour, rolled oats, milk, chicken stock, baking powder, pieces of bacon and peanut butter and roll it into smooth dough. Cut out shapes with the help of a cookie cutter or just roll it into balls and bake it in the oven for 20 minutes or till it is golden brown on both sides. Serve it to your pet when it has cooled down.

    Happy Cooking!

    Recipe by Harshitha

     

  • CHAPTER 2: Fonz turns into love guru

    CHAPTER 2: Fonz turns into love guru

    “You always do this! You are so sloppy….always stuck onto your phone…never remember important dates…” laments Nina.

    “Oh come on honey, I was just sending some important office mails…. The little things that I do not matter to you at all… you are always nagging me…” complains Vikram.   

    That noise! Good God! They are at it again, bickering like school children! Everyday it’s the same scene. These guys just do not understand that their constant squabbling affect me. I hate to be a child of marital discord. It stresses me out to see these two constantly shouting down each other’s throats! I guess it’s high time I did something about it. Ideally, Vikram and Nina used to be such loving pets. Vikram used to often bring home Nina’s favourite flowers and surprise her with tickets to watch the latest plays and Nina used to often prepare his favorite meals and desserts. She also used to tickle his funny bones by sketching caricatures of him along with me as a sidekick. Vikram used to love these strips so much that he had them laminated! Their smiles and laughter used to light up the house.

    I think I know what went wrong! These two have become so wrapped up in their professional lives that it is interfering with their personal life. They come back home late on weekdays and on weekends they are busy with catching up on sleep, grocery shopping and bill payments. I tell you it is not easy being a two legged pet. They have no time to enjoy the best things in life that we four legged animals are known for – sleeping and eating.

    These two are in dire need of my help to solve their relationship crises.  Someone to give them a gentle push to re ignite the flames of love and passion, and so like always its Super Fonzie to the rescue!

    Vikram is the first to leave for work and so I get started. He opens his cupboard to pull out his clothes and I spot the laminated set of comic strips that Nina had penned so lovingly as an anniversary present. Undaunted, I pull it out of the shelf and start barking loudly. Vikram yelps and successfully snatches it from my teeth and scowls at me. These are not for playing, I was solemnly told. It cleverly did the trick! My pet started reminiscing seeing the set of comic strips. Oh Nina! You are so funny, my two legged pet said to himself.

    My next target was his wallet which was lying on the bedside table, so off I go in a tearing hurry to chew on its contents. Vikram charges at me like grease lightning and shakes it off my jaw, at the same time all the contents inside fall out! He soon starts putting back all the contents inside when his glance falls on a photo of Nina, looking gorgeous in a red sari and smiling tenderly at a besotted looking Vikram! My two legged pet is back again in memory lane and he has a wolfish grin on his face as he reminisces about his courtship days. Since I am his unofficial confidante, Vikram has no qualms about sharing his deepest thoughts with me. He says that it’s high time he put an end to all meaningless arguments and make peace with Nina. He soon takes off to work leaving me with my final target – Nina.

    My beautiful two legged pet is busy in the kitchen preparing my meal and packing her lunch box simultaneously. I make my way to the vegetables stand and start playing with potatoes and pull out a few drumsticks. Nina glowers as she pulls me by my collar and drags me over to my resting place, calling me a naughty mongrel. But it did the trick as madam was off to la la land reminiscing about her early marriage days when she would prepare Vikram’s favourite drumstick and potato curry, which would be wiped clean down to the last morsel and be praised lavishly for all the trouble she took to prepare the scrumptious curry. She is now blushing like a school girl, wonder what she is thinking about, I thought tongue in cheek. I then became the unofficial confidante again for my two legged pet, as I was told that she misses Vikram’s loving care and wanted to put an end to all silly misunderstandings. She then left to work and I flounce onto the couch to catch up on my mid morning nap.

    It is evening now and time for my supper. My pets are back home early from work. A beautiful sight beholds me as I wake up from my evening nap. Vikram and Nina wrapped up in each other’s arms talking out their problems and working on possible solutions and sharing a glass of red wine while making a toast to a rosier future! Huh! They think they are so smart but we know that they needed a swift nudge from me to solve all their silly disputes. I must say the things I do for these troublesome pets…!

    Tip:   You can learn a lot from your pet. He teaches you to express your love openly which is very important in any kind of relationship. Your pet is also your confidante as you can share your thoughts and feelings and you will not be judged but loved for who you are. Just his loving presence calms you when you are disturbed mentally. Finally, strain in a relationship and emotional tension at home is most likely to affect your pet’s behaviour, so it is your responsibility as a pet parent to shield him from emotional stress.   

    Story by Harshitha