Chicken Chinnamon Cookies

Chicken Cinnamon Cookies

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup oatmeal
• ¼ corn flour
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 tbl baking powder
• 2 tbls of cinnamon

Pretty simple – just mix the ingredients to dough. Roll out and cut shapes. Cook at 350F/ 180C for around 20 mins.

Feeding Shelter Animals wih Free Kibble

Mini Ausland, a mere 12 year old, has created Freekibble.com to feed hungry animals at local shelters around the country. Partnered with Castor and Pollux to ensure the animals are fed not just any kibble, but a very high quality, all natural delicious dinner.

Already expanding from Oregon to Florida, with no end in sight, her brainchild is not only worthy, but easy, fun and informative! Pick either Bow-Wow Trivia or Meow Trivia, and make a BIG difference in the lives of shelter animals. Just play their online trivia game (you may learn something along the way!) and they’ll donate the kibble.

Remember - every piece of kibble counts!

Visit Free Kibble to learn more or to make a donation.

COLIN'S TENT SALE: this weekend (Fri, Sat & Sun.)

ALL PET CLOTHES ON SALE!!!

For those of you who have visited us before know that the "Assistant Manager" loves to sell things out in front of the store, so this weekend you can benefit from Colin's eagerness to become "The Manager", when he says "We must make room for new designs."

ALL PET CLOTHES ON SALE!!!

Tanks Was $14 NOW $5

Dresses Was $15 NOW $8

Jackets Was $45 NOW $15

Raincoats Was $30-70 NOW $20 (all sizes)

25% of each sale will be donated to local rescue groups

BLOAT: The #2 Killer

BLOAT: THE MOTHER OF ALL EMERGENCIES
There are many injuries and physical disorders which represent life-threatening emergencies. There is only one condition so drastic that it over shadows them all in
terms of rapidity of consequences and effort in emergency treatment. This is the gastric dilatation and volvulus – the "bloat."

WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT SO SERIOUS?
The normal stomach sits high in the abdomen and contains a small amount of gas, some mucus, and any food being digested. It undergoes a normal rhythm of contraction, receiving food from the esophagus above, grinding the food, and meting the ground food out to the small intestine at its other end. Normally this proceeds uneventfully except for the occasional burp.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING BLOAT?
Classically, this condition affects dog breeds which are said to be "deep chested," meaning the length of their chest from backbone to sternum is relatively long while the chest width from right to left is narrow. Examples of deep chested breeds would be the Great Dane, Greyhound, and the setter breeds. Still, any dog can bloat, even dachshunds and chihuahuas.
Dogs weighing more than 99 pounds 
have an approximate 20% risk of bloat
Classically also, the dog had eaten a large meal and exercised heavily shortly thereafter. Still, we usually do not know why a given dog bloats on an individual basis. No specific diet or dietary ingredient has been proven to be associated with bloat. Some factors found to increase and decrease the risk of bloat are listed below:

Factors Increasing the Risk of Bloating

• Feeding only one meal a day


• Having closely related family members with a history of bloat


• Eating rapidly


• Being thin or underweight


• Moistening dry foods (particularly if citric acid is listed as a preservative)


• Feeding from an elevated bowl


• Restricting water before and after meals


• Feeding a dry diet with animal fat listed in the first four ingredients


• Fearful or anxious temperament


• History of aggression towards people or other dogs


• Male dogs are more likely to bloat than females


• Older dogs (7 - 12 years) were the highest risk group

Factors Decreasing the Risk of Bloat

• Inclusion of canned dog food in the diet


• Inclusion of table scraps in the diet


• Happy or easy-going temperament


• Feeding a a dry food containing a calcium-rich meat meal (such as meat/lamb meal, fish meal,chicken by-product meal, meat meal, or bone meal) listed in the first four ingredients of the ingredient list.


• Eating 2 or more meals per day


• Contrary to popular belief, the presence of cereal ingredients such as soy, wheat or corn in the first four ingredients of the ingredient list does not increase the risk of bloat.

In a study done by the Perdue University Research Group, headed by Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman, the Great Dane was the #1breed at risk for bloat. The St. Bernard was the #2 and the Weimaraner was #3.

In the study by Ward, Patonek, and Glickman reviewed the benefit of prophylactic surgery for bloat. Prophylactic surgery amounts to performing the gastropexy surgery (see below) in a healthy dog, usually in conjunction with spay or neuter. The lifetime risk of death from bloat was calculated, along with estimated treatment for bloat, versus cost of prophylactic gastropexy. Prophylactic gastropexy was found to make sense for at-risk breeds, especially the Great Dane, which is at highest risk for bloat.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOG HAS BLOATED
The dog may have an obviously distended stomach especially near the ribs but this is not always evident depending on the dog's body configuration. The biggest clue is the vomiting: the pet appears highly nauseated and is retching but little is coming up. If this is seen, rush your dog to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

WHAT HAS TO BE DONE
There are several steps to saving a bloated dogs life. Part of the problem is that all steps should be done at the same time and as quickly as possible.

FIRST: THE STOMACH MUST BE DECOMPRESSED
The huge stomach is by now pressing on the major blood vessels carrying blood back to the heart. This stops normal circulation and sends the dog into shock. Making matters worse, the stomach tissue is dying because it is stretched too tightly to allow blood circulation through it. There can be no recovery until the stomach is untwisted and the gas released. A stomach tube and stomach pump are generally used for this but sometime surgery is needed to achieve stomach decompression.
ALSO FIRST: RAPID IV FLUIDS MUST BE GIVEN TO REVERSE THE SHOCK
Intravenous catheters are placed and life-giving fluid solutions are rushed in to replace the blood that cannot get past the bloated stomach to return to the heart. The intense pain associated with this disease causes the heart rate to race at such a high rate that heart failure will result. Medication to resolve the pain is needed if the patient’s heart rate is to slow down. Medication for shock, antibiotics and electrolytes are all vital in stabilizing the patient.
ALSO FIRST: THE HEART RHYTHM IS ASSESSED AND STABILIZED
There is a special very dangerous rhythm problem, called a "premature ventricular contraction" or "pvc," associated with bloat and it must be ruled out. If it is present, intravenous medications are needed to stabilize the rhythm. Since this rhythm problem may not be evident until even the next day continual EKG monitoring may be necessary. Disturbed heart rhythm already present at the beginning of treatment is associated with a 38% mortality rate.
Getting the bloated dog's stomach decompressed and reversing the shock is an adventure in itself but the work is not yet half finished.

SURGERY
All bloated dogs, once stable, should have surgery. Without surgery, the damage done inside cannot be assessed or repaired plus bloat may recur at any point, even within the next few hours and the above adventure must be repeated. Surgery, called gastrpexy, allows the stomach to be tacked into normal position so that it may never again twist. Without gastropexy, the recurrence rate of bloat may be as high as 75%!
Assessment of the internal damage is also very important to recovery. If there is a section of dying tissue on the stomach wall, this must be discovered and removed or the dog will die despite the heroics described above. Also, the spleen, which is located adjacent to the stomach may twist with the stomach. The spleen may require removal, too.
If the tissue damage is so bad that part of the stomach must be removed, the mortality rate jumps to 28 - 38%.
If the tissue damage is so bad that the spleen must be removed, the mortality rate is 32 - 38%.
After the expense and effort of the stomach decompression, it is tempting to forgo the further expense of surgery. However, consider that the next time your dog bloats, you may not be there to catch it in time and, according the study described below, without surgery there is a 24% mortality rate and a 76% chance of re-bloating at some point. The best choice is to finish the treatment that has been started and have the abdomen explored. If the stomach can be surgically tacked into place, recurrence rate drops to 6%.

RESULTS OF A STATISTICAL STUDY
In 1993, a statistical study involving 134 dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus was conducted by the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany.
Out of 134 dogs that came into the hospital with this condtion:

• 10% died or were euthanized prior to surgery (factors involved included expense of treatment, severity/advancement of disease etc.)


• 33 dogs were treated with decompression and no surgery. Of these dogs, 8 (24%) died or were euthanized within the next 48 hours due to poor response to treatment. (Six of these 8 had actually re-bloated)


• Of the dogs that did not have surgical treatment but did survive to go home, 76% had another episode of gastric dilatation and volvulus eventually.


• 88 dogs were treated with both decompression and surgery. Of these dogs, 10% (9 dogs) died in surgery, 18% (16 dogs) died in the week after surgery, 71.5% (63 dogs) went home in good condition. Of the dogs that went home in good condition, 6% (4 dogs) had a second episode of bloat later in life.


• In this study 66.4% of the bloated dogs were male and 33.6% were female. Most dogs were between ages 7 and 12 years old. The German Shepherd dog and the Boxer appeared to have a greater risk for bloating than did other breeds.

Meyer-Lindenberg A., Harder A., Fehr M., Luerssen D., Brunnberg L. Treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulus and a rapid method for prevention of relapse in dogs: 134 cases (1988-1991) Journal of the AVMA, Vol 23, No 9, Nov 1 1993, 1301-1307.

Another study published December of 2006 looked at 166 dogs that received surgery for gastric dilatation and volvulus. The point of the study was to identify factors that led to poor prognosis.

• A 16.2% mortality rate was observed. The mortality rate for dogs over age 10 years was 21%.


• Of the 166 going to surgery, 4.8% were euthanized during surgery, and the other 11.4% died during hospitalization (2 of dogs died during surgery). All dogs that survived to go home were still alive at the time of suture removal.


• 34 out of 166 dogs had gastric necrosis (dead stomach tissue which had to be removed). Of these dogs 26% died or were euthanized.


• Post-operative complications of some sort occured in 75.9% of patients. Approximately 50% of these dogs developed a cardiac arrhythmia.


• Risk factors significantly associated with death prior to suture removal included clinical signs of bloating for greater than 6 hours before seeing the vet, partial stomach removal combined with spleen removal, need for blood transfusion, low blood pressure at any time during hospitalization, sepsis (blood infection, and peritonitis (infection of the abdominal membranes).

(Beck, J.J., Staatz, A.J., Pelsue, D.H., Kudnig, S.T., MacPhail, C.M., Seim H.B, and Monnet, E. Risk factors associated with short-term outcome and development of perioperative complications in dogs undergoing surgery because of gastric dilatation-volvulus: 166 cases (1992-2003). Journal of the AVMA, Vol 229, No 12, December 15, 2006, p 1934-1939.)

In is crucially important that the owners of big dogs be aware of this condition and prepared for it. Know where to take your dog during overnight or Sunday hours for emergency care. Avoid exercising your dog after a large meal. Know what to watch for. Enjoy the special friendship a large dog provides but at the same time be aware of the large dog's special needs and concerns.

Houston Zoo Welcomes Miles

He’s very tall and very cute and brand new. Early Friday morning, January 30 the Houston Zoo welcomed the birth of a bouncing baby boy Masai giraffe. “He was born around 6:30 a.m. and by 7:50 a.m. he was standing on his own,” said Houston Zoo Supervisor Laurie McGivern. “He’s 69 and a half inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. He’s has all the appearances of a strong and healthy boy,” said McGivern.

Miles can now be visited at Houston Zoo giraffe exhibit. “When Miles is in his barn stall Zoo guests can view him through the stall window at the rear of the giraffe exhibit,” said McGivern. “The staff will also be presenting Meet the Keeper Talks with him at various times during the day,” added McGivern. Zoo guests are encouraged to visit the Zoo’s Web site at http://www.houstonzoo.org/ for the Meet the Keeper Talk schedules at the giraffe exhibit.

CLINIC: Crystal & Color Therapy for Animals

When: Sunday, February 22nd
Location: Kim’s farm near Manvel/Alvin, off 288, 30 minutes south of Houston medical center
Time: 9am-5pm
Cost: $125 w/$75 deposit (Paypal and checks accepted)

The use of crystals dates back to at least 25,000 BC. Today, even the medicine men or shamans of the American Indians, Aborigines, and Bushmen still use stones and crystals. Scientists have proven that crystals emit a certain energy vibration. All crystals have healing properties that can help people and animals.

Crystals can help with:
*Physical conditions such as wounds, digestive problems, arthritis, inflammation, pain, allergies, respiratory conditions, and circulatory problems.
*Emotional conditions such as anxiety, shyness, fear, aggression, compulsive behavioral issues, and hormonal imbalances.

Colors also emit energy and can having healing effects, whether it is color on a piece of paper, fabric, or from a crystal.

You will learn the following:
Brief (and fascinating) history of crystals
Benefits of crystals for animals
Healing properties of 19 different crystals
Healing properties of colors
How to administer crystal healing
How to administer color therapy
How to make a custom crystal flower essence including making one as part of workshop
Using a crystal massage wand
Using a crystal pendulum
Animal reactions to crystals
How to properly cleanse crystals
Crystal resources
Bring your animals or photos and muscle test to find out which crystals and colors would be helpful.
You can also muscle test yourself to find out which crystals and colors are helpful for you.
Workshop includes manual, pocket reference card, and a certificate of completion.

Various crystal options are available for purchase.
Crystal beads (6mm & 8mm) can be purchased individually
Set of 19 crystal beads
Metal jewelry cages to hold crystal beads (that go on collar or halter)
Lemurian seed crystals
Crystal massage wands
Crystal pendulums for energy work
Sage is an excellent way to cleanse your crystals

For more information, contact Kim Shotola, 713-822-4382 or visit www.TheLightfootWay.com

Proper Nail Care for Dogs & Cats

Grooming: Proper Nail Care for Dogs & Cats

When you groom your pet, it is important to incorporate nail care into the routine. Untrimmed nails can be a problem whether it’s scratching up floors and furniture to deformed feet for your pet. In some cases, pain and discomfort can also accrue. (Consider weekly or by-weekly pedicures for your pet)

When is it time?

When your dog walks for instance, if you hear a little pitter patter, in other words, a clicking sound of nails hitting the floor, you’ll know for sure it’s time for a trim. But, with proper weekly nail care for your dog, it shouldn’t reach that point. For cats it can be jumping up or sitting on your lap kneading. You may even notice damage to your walls or furniture. When will I need?

First, invest in a good pair of dog nail trimmers for an appropriate size for your pets nails. Cat nail clippers for cats or puppy size will be satisfactory. With the right size nail trimmers, they can last a very long time. Replace clipper after a year if used on a weekly basis or two years if used on a monthly basis. Next you will need a septic power for any accidents that may happen. Finally a good file board to smooth out any rough edges.

Incorporate nail care into your dog’s weekly or monthly routine. Not only is it good for proper care, it will alert you to possible foot problems which may be lurking.

Remember!

If you are NOT an accomplish nail care trimming pro, please visit your us and we will either assist you in showing your proper technique or will do the trimming for you. Be careful not to cut too close to the quick and don’t forget the dewclaws!! If they haven’t been removed on your dog, dewclaws are approximately one to four inches above the feet on the inner side of the legs. If they’re not trimmed, they can grow incredibly long to curl up and grow into the soft tissue, not unlike an ingrown toenail.

So, once you incorporate weekly, by-weekly or monthly nail care into your pet’s grooming routine, it will become a habit for both you and your pet. At Haute Dogs & Glitzy Paws nothing is more important than your pets’ health and overall well being.

For more information about nail care for your pet, call us at 281-353-4347 or visit us at http://www.hautedogsglitzypaws.com/


Ingrown declaw on a cat
broken declaw on a maltipoo

Dog Training Classes

Our Tuesday and Thursday obedience classes only has two more availability spaces open. Our class meets locally. Please contact us for more information.

Mutt Strutt & Runway Race: March 7th

Each step you take in the 2009 Houston SPCA Mutt Strut and Runway Race brings an animal that much closer to finding a loving, permanent home. This is a race we can all win!

Once you sign up, you can customize your personal Web page with a picture of your pet and tell the world your reason for walking for the animals. Send e-mails to your family and friends to raise pledges for the animals in our care. Even if you can’t participate on event day, you can still help homeless pets by signing up for the event as a Cat Napper and raising pledges online.

CHECK IN 6:30AM-8:00AM

WALK STARTS @ 8AM

ACTIVITIES FROM 8AM -NOON

LOCATION: BUSH INT. AIRPORT

Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Mardi Gras Parade in Galveston: February 22nd

Annual Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Mardi Gras Parade in Galveston

Join the Houston SPCA as we proudly serve as the Parade Grand Marshalls for the 11th Annual Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Mardi Gras Parade in Galveston and recognized by the Galveston Island Humane Society for our relief efforts in regards to Hurricane Ike. Cruelty Investigators, volunteers, staff and their pets will be on hand to represent the Houston SPCA for this memorable event!

Sunday, February 22nd

Parade kicks off at 1pm at 27th and Seawall and travels west to 41st

Dogs & Hockey? SCORE!!!: MARCH 12TH

Mark your calendars for Odessa Jackalopes Dogs and Ice Night!

March 12, 2009Game starts at 7:00 PM - gates open at 6:00 to approximately 9:30

PMA dmission: $3.00 "Pooch Pass" for dog, plus tickets

Benefiting: Lone Star SPCALet your dog expereince a professional hockey game courtesy of the Odessa Jacklaopes, Pet Mystique and Lone Star SPCA. Pooch Pass proceedss benefit the Lone Star SPCA. The first 200 dogs will get a name tag. There will be deomonstartions, a celebrity dog walk, vendor tables, the chance to get your pooch's picture taken with SlapJack, the mascot. There will also be contests, icncluding the Paul Gillis, the head coach, look-alike contest!

For more information, please call (432) 552-7825 or email blevy@jackalopes.org.

Join us for some fun & help Boxer Rescue: FEBRUARY 6TH

Join us for our 2nd Annual Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament. All proceeds will go towards our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome boxers in need.

Online Registration is now open - click here to register!

Date February 6, 2009
Time 7pm – Player Check-In, Buffet Dinner, and Silent Auction
8pm – Poker Tournament Begins
Where SPJST Hall - 1435 Beall Street, Houston, TX 77008

Info http://www.lonestarboxerrescue.com/

Registration Options see website for details
Space limited to 200 players
Professional tables and dealers provided by iHOSTPoker.com
Players are eliminated when they lose all their chips. Tables are consolidated to a final table; then when the playing is finished one final winner is declared.
Consolation Tables
Players not advancing in the tournament can continue to have fun playing at consolation poker tables.

Silent Auction and Raffle items & gifts by:
A Romantic Nights Stay at the Houstonian Hotel (Great Valentine’s Day Gift)
Spa Package from Trellis Spa at the Houstonian
Scuba Diving Lessons from Dive Tech
Rockets Game Tickets
Kate Spade Designer Sunglasses from Insight Optical
Garmin Nuvi GPS from Audio Video Direct
Dinner Certificate from Perry’s Steakhouse Grill
Sports and Entertainment Memorabilia
Massage From Massage Envy
Beautiful Designer Copper Mirror from Janet Gust Design Group
Stunning Glenda Geis Weekend Bag from Janet Gust Design Group
Many More Items
Current Sponsors & Support
TMC Telecom Management
Slick Rick’s Poker Tables
Janet Gust Design Group
Massage Envy
Perry’s Steakhouse Grill
Audio Video DirectInsight Optical
Dive Tech
The Houstonian