Pet Nanny wants to send out a message about two lost dogs in Tega Cay.  A friend of the Pet Nanny called today to inform us that she found a lost Chocolate Lab and a Bassett Hound.  The Lab is a neutered male estimated to be around 7 years old.  The Bassett is a female, believed to be slightly younger.  Neither have any I.D. and the local shelters have no info to report from any possible owners. 

If you know of any information that would be helpful to help these two sweeties find their way home, please contact the Pet Nanny at :  803-367-3068  or Michelle@TegaCayPetNanny.com

Thanks,

Michelle Shirley

Pet Med Mobile is part of the Richland Creek veterinarian Clinic based in Greenville SC. The clinic has a team of five licensed mobile veterinarians. The Pet Med Mobile vans travel from York County through the state and as far south as Aiken, offering mobile vaccination care at a scheduled day, time, and location.

Pet Med Mobile provides “preventive” health care for healthy dogs and cats. The Pet Med mobile is not a full service vet and a sick animal needs to be treated at your local veterinary clinic. The Pet Med Mobile has a pet manners guide (really a pet owners guide) that you need to read before coming to the mobile visit.

In our Fort Mill/Tega Cay area the Pet Med Mobile sets up in the Food Lion shopping center parking lot at the corner of Hwy 160 and Gold Hill Road. The next schedule mobile stop is January 3, 2010 at 4pm. Click here to check the Pet Med Mobile Schedule.

Artwork from www.akc.org

What’s your favorite dog? There are are many popular dogs. The America Kennel Club produces annually a top ten most popular dog list based on data from their registration information. After several years of having dogs of my own and taking care of my clients dogs, I decided to share with you my top ten dog list.

Here are the Pet Nanny’s top 10 dogs.

1. Golden Retriever
2. Labrador Retriever
3. Mastiff
4. Great Dane
5. Boxer
6. Burmese Mountain Dog
7. Dachshund
8. Standard Poodle
9. Blood Hound
10. Bulldog

Here is what the AKC has to say about Golden Retriever’s

The Golden Retriever, with its intelligence and eager to please attitude, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States according to AKC® registration statistics. The working ability that has made the Golden Retriever such a useful hunting companion also make him an ideal guide, assistance and search and rescue dog. The golden-colored coat is the hallmark of this versatile breed, and can range from light to dark gold.

A Look Back

The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s and was used predominantly for hunting. The breed was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, whose goal was to create a superb retriever suited to the Scottish climate, terrain and available game. He crossed his original “Yellow Retriever” with the Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) found on his estate. Later integrations of Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and more Tweed Water Spaniel produced the retriever we know today.

I’d like to hear what’s your favorite dog.

So who’s motto is: “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep me from
my appointed rounds.”

Is it:

• A:  The Pet Nanny
• B:  The Postman (postperson)
• C:  Both

The answer is “C” both A & B!

Close your window Michelle and stay warm!

More Shelter info:

Financial assistance to the HSYC is desperately needed! The Humane Society of York County, serving Fort Mill, Rock Hill and surrounding areas, receives NO funding from York County, the state of South Carolina, or any animal welfare organization. The sole source of funds for the HSYC is donations from local residents/businesses. The future of the Humane Society of York County depends on the public, please help us continue to help the homeless animals.

If you can not adopt a pet please consider a donation to the shelter. Here is HSYC ’s donation wish list

• Cat Litter and Small Litter Pans (not clumping type)
• Kitten Chow (Purina) & Puppy Chow (Purina)
• Purina Dog & Cat Chow
• Canned Puppy and Kitten Food
• KMR Kitten or Puppy Milk Replacer Formula (dry formula in can available at Petsmart)
• Pine-Sol and Bleach
• Newspapers
• Old Towels, Blankets and Sheets
• 55 gallon garbage bags
• Metal Bowls
• Dog and Cat Toys
• Dog and Cat Treats
• Cat Beds
• Laundry and Dish Detergent
• Paper towels
• Soft baby blankets & Fleece to make little blankets
• Moist towelettes or wipes (like Wet Ones)

HSYC Shelter is located at 2036 Carolina Place Fort Mill, SC.

Directions From I-77, Exit 85, take Hwy. 160 West towards Tega Cay. Turn right at the first stop light onto Carolina Place (Same road as BP, Lowes & Chick-fil-a.).  The shelter is down on the right at 2036 Carolina Place, Fort Mill, S.C.

Shelter Hours:

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The shelters website:

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC76.html

Below is the national average top ten lists with a compare over the last decade.

Labrador retrievers have stayed number 1 over the last decade including the Charlotte Metro area and Fort Mill, SC.

There are approximately two breeds that have had significant movement on the top ten lists over the last ten years.

Boxers have inched their way up the top ten list and stayed in the middle of the chart for the last 5 years.

Bulldogs made a significant leap to the top ten list in the last couple years.

How does the Charlotte Metro area including Fort Mill and Tega Cay SC differ from the nation top ten most popular dog breed List?

There are two breeds that are on the Charlotte top ten list that are not on the national list. They are Miniature Schnauzer and Rottweiler.

The two breeds on the national top ten list but not on the Charlotte list are Beagle and Bulldog.

Data is from the AKC (American Kennel Club) For more in depth research on dog breeds go to the AKC website Link: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3408

The HSUS is offering the following suggestions to help keep all pets safe through the cold winter months.

* Don’t leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops below freezing. Dogs need outdoor exercise but take care not to keep them out for lengthy periods during very cold weather. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks. Dogs and cats are safer indoors in all sorts of weather. Animals should never be left outdoors unattended as they risk being stolen or otherwise being harmed.

Signs of hypothermia include: weak pulse, dilated pupils, decreased heart rate, extreme shivering, pale or blue mucous membranes, body temperature below 95 degrees, stupor and unconsciousness. Consequences of extreme hypothermia may include neurological problems including coma, heart problems and kidney failure. Check with your veterinarian for more information.

* Wind-chill can threaten a pet’s life, no matter what the temperature. Outdoor dogs must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.

* Pets spending a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter. Keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and not frozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

* Warm car engines are dangerous for cats and small wildlife. Parked cars attract small animals who may crawl up under the hood looking for warmth. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them away before starting your engine.

* De-icing chemicals are hazardous. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe the feet with a damp towel every time after coming in from outdoors – even if you don’t see salt on walkways.

* Antifreeze is a deadly poison. However, it has a sweet taste that attracts animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol; if swallowed in small amounts, it will not hurt pets, wildlife, or people.

If you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss them with you.

Halloween is a fun time for kids. But what about pets? If you want your pet to be the life of your Halloween party or neighborhood trick or treat walk, you can find plenty of sources to find pet costumes. The picture above is from costumecraze.com which is one of many internet costumes websites.

But Halloween can be a dangerous time for your pet too. The ASPCA put together a top ten saftey list for your pet to consider at Halloween.

Here is the ASPCA’s top ten Halloween pet safety tips:

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy.

• Chocolate in all forms-especially dark or baking chocolate-can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate-and even seizures.
• Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.
• Ingesting tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are swallowed.

3. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturel or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you