Beware of foxtails!

Since we are in the summer months, I thought it was important to warn against foxtails.  These innocuous looking weeds can be extremely dangerous! I saw so many dogs come in with these when I worked as a veterinary assistant. Here's what they look like:

 Watch out for these! Even if you live in the city, they grow in parks and even in cracks in the sidewalk.  They can get caught in out-of-sight spots on your dog, like between their paws, in their nose, throat or ears, in their butts and other "private" areas.  They usually need to be surgically removed and have a very dangerous bacteria that can cause severe problems including death!  So if you see any of these while walking your dog stay far away from them!

Have any questions or problems with your pet?

Please post your questions in the comments section.  I have had experiences with most of the vets in San Francisco.  I've worked in, interviewed at or brought my pets everywhere in the last 18 years.  I'd be happy to share my experiences and recommend good vets and groomers too!

cats get sick from new food

My stepmother was telling me recently that she bought a new catfood that was on sale and had a problem with the cats vomiting after eating it.  My suggestion:  Buy a small bag of the old food and mix the food about half and half- old and new for a few days, then mix a quarter old and three quarters new and so on, gradually switching the food.  And if that food is not on sale again, gradually switch back to the old food again.  Sometimes a sudden change in diet can cause stomach upset in dogs and cats.

Butt scooching!

So, recently a friend called me and was wondering if he should give his dog some tapeworm meds that he had leftover when the dog was scooching his butt on the floor and biting at it.  My suggestion:  Check his anal glands.  The anal glands are located around the anus and should naturally express themselves when dogs go to the bathroom.  Sometimes these glands get clogged and will fill up and create angry little cyst-like bumps on the dog's butt. Groomers or your vet can "express" these glands for a small fee. Or if you are one of my friends and this is a problem you are having, give me a call.  I have experience and can help you out!  The friend that asked me about this happened to have worked as a groomer and was able to take care of the problem himself, but do not attempt to express the anal glands without experience!!

Hello and welcome!

Hi! My name is Kara and I am a dogwalker and petsitter in San Francisco.  I do private walks and love to take care of special needs pets.  A little bit more about me and my experience:
I have worked as a veterinary assistant and attended some vet tech courses.
I worked in a doggy daycare as a dog handler,
I am a Pet First Aid Leader, certified by the American Red Cross. 
I have volunteered at the SF Animal Care and Control as a dogwalker and I've attended their dog socialization class.
I've also worked as a field marketing rep for Eukanuba dogfood.
I've taken care of diabetic cats and other special needs pets, such as birds.
I have two dogs, a chihuahua named Coco and a Jack Russell terrier mix named Rio.
I've had cats growing up and also had an iguana.

Friends are always asking my advice on animal care, so I  thought I'd create a blog with some of the questions I've been asked and the responses I've shared.  I welcome any of your questions and hope to be of service to you with anything you may need help figuring out!  I am not a veterinarian and can only offer practical suggestions, based on my experience, not formal medical advice. Thanks for stopping by :-)