Amy Shojai's Blog, page 4

What Are Dog Bloat Symptoms? What to Do?

What Are Dog Bloat Symptoms? What to Do?

WHAT IS BLOAT IN DOGS?

Gastric dilitation is the painful swelling of the stomach with gas and/or frothy material. Volvulus is the rotation, or twisting, of the stomach. Bloat refers to one or both scenarios, and either can result in death.

When bloat occurs, the stomach contents cannot be expelled either by vomiting, burping, or by passing into the intestines. The stomach distention causes pressure on other internal organs, which results in shock. If the stomach twists, circulation is cut off and the stomach and spleen can die. The rotation also compresses a vein that returns blood to the heart, resulting in severe depression of normal blood circulation.

Learn how to prevent bloat, recognize the signs, and save your dog's life.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Can My Pet Make Me Sick?

Can My Pet Make Me Sick?

Modern headlines scream warnings about the latest animal-to-people diseases including SARS, bird flu, and most recently, a coronavirus outbreak suspected to jump species from critters, originating in China. Technically termed zoonosis, such diseases not only make animals sick but can also jump species from an animal to a human under normal conditions. In rare cases, humans can infect pets. Here are the most common culprits and what you need to know.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

How to Deal with Pet Loss Grief: Love Lives Forever

How to Deal with Pet Loss Grief: Love Lives Forever

I’ve often before about pet loss, the grieving process for both owners and pets, and even whether we can expect our animal friends to be with us in heaven. Whatever your personal belief system, the universal commonality is if you love pets, it hurts to lose them.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

Do your cats sleep under the bed? Cats sleep a lot, often in unusual places. In fact, kitties sleep two-thirds-of their life away, up to 16 hours each day. That’s more than any other mammal, except for the opossum and some bats.

So why do cats sleep so darn much? Here's my take...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Memorial Day & National K9 Veteran’s Day

Memorial Day & National K9 Veteran’s Day

Memorial Day honors the American men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the military. It originally honored those who died in the Civil War, and now honors those who died in any war. It is also known as Decoration Day. This holiday differs from Veterans’ Day which honors all those who served in the military.

There is no Memorial Day for the brave military K9s who served and lost their lives, often heroically saving their human partners. I can’t imagine the bond that must exist between the soldier and his or her war dog—they share things and stand against danger to protect the rest of us against horrors we don’t want to think about. And because of them, we don’t have to worry about such things. Thank you.

I’m eternally grateful to those who sacrifice for our freedom. Losing a beloved animal companion anytime cuts deep. It must be horrific to lose a comrade-in-arms, including those with four feet and fur.

And since I focus on pet issues, I want to shine a light on the dogs of the military. There is a National K9s Veteran’s Day on March 13, too. But here’s an excerpt from my book DOG LIFE  to shine a light on military dogs through the ages.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Weird Stuff Dogs & Cats Eat: Why They Do It

Weird Stuff Dogs & Cats Eat: Why They Do It

Owners fill bowls with nutritious food to keep dogs healthy. So what's up with all the weird stuff dogs eat? Why do dogs eat rocks, eat dirt, eat poop, and even eat dangerous stuff?

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Weather Watch, Tornadoes and Pets

Weather Watch, Tornadoes and Pets

It's that time of year here in N. Texas for storms, rain, hail and (eeek!) tornadoes. Today we're under a weather alert with forecast for lots of rain and possible hail and wind. That could turn into a might big wind that could cause Dorothy to shake in her ruby slippers.

When I grew up in North Indiana, we also had tornadoes, and those events were exciting times for us kids. It meant camping out in the basement...with our parents! How fun is that?

Well... maybe fun for clueless kids. But don't be clueless. Protect yourself and your pets. Here's how.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Tail Talk: What Dog & Cat Wagging Tails Mean

Tail Talk: What Dog & Cat Wagging Tails Mean

Pet tail talk goes beyond happy dog tail wagging. Today is National Dog Day and it’s appropriate to talk about how dogs show happiness. It’s not always about a wagging tail, either. Dogs and cat tail movement meaning speak volumes with their tails, from happiness to fear or even warning. Some studies reported by behaviorists […]

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

5 Kinds of Dog Aggression: #GetTough on Dog Fighting

5 Kinds of Dog Aggression: #GetTough on Dog Fighting

April 8th was DOG FIGHTING AWARENESS DAY, and I've written about dog aggression and stopping dog fights before. It's a good time to review the 5 common kinds of dog aggression and what to do.

According to the ASPCA, dog fighting happens all over the country and in all kinds of communities--rich, poor, middle class, it doesn't matter, it's there festering just beneath the surface. When fight rings are located, cases are built, offenders are prosecuted, and abuse survivors find loving homes.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Why Cats Drool During Petting

Why Cats Drool During Petting

Does your cat DROOL during petting? What's up with that? Here are a few thoughts on the (wet) subject...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing