Comments for Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats http://www.itchmo.com Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:59:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 Comment on Owner Blames Petco For Dog’s Injury During Grooming Appointment by bobbi j http://www.itchmo.com/owner-blames-petco-for-dogs-injury-during-grooming-appointment-4107#comment-265777 bobbi j Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:39:29 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/owner-blames-petco-for-dogs-injury-during-grooming-appointment-4107#comment-265777 I too work for Petco as a groomer for about 4 years now. The problems I see lie with the corporation itself. They hire people that have no experience with pets, they take these people off of the streets and expect them to be groomers with little or no training. They got a bargain with me because I have over 20 yrs dog handling exp.with maybe only 2 -3 minor incidents over the last 4 years. I am beginning to hate it there and am thinking of leaving permanently. I bust my hump every day to make them money, and they never pay me what they owe me. As far as I am concerned it is only a matter of time until they sink into the pit. I too work for Petco as a groomer for about 4 years now. The problems I see lie with the corporation itself. They hire people that have no experience with pets, they take these people off of the streets and expect them to be groomers with little or no training. They got a bargain with me because I have over 20 yrs dog handling exp.with maybe only 2 -3 minor incidents over the last 4 years. I am beginning to hate it there and am thinking of leaving permanently. I bust my hump every day to make them money, and they never pay me what they owe me. As far as I am concerned it is only a matter of time until they sink into the pit.

]]> Comment on Texas Dog Owner Finds Piece Of Plastic In Beef N’ More Dog Food by C. Florence McNeil, Taylor Texas http://www.itchmo.com/texas-dog-owner-finds-piece-of-plastic-in-beef-n-more-dog-food-4481#comment-265772 C. Florence McNeil, Taylor Texas Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:07:12 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/texas-dog-owner-finds-piece-of-plastic-in-beef-n-more-dog-food-4481#comment-265772 This is not spam, you have a ligiament Email address with MSN This is not spam, you have a ligiament Email address with MSN

]]> Comment on Texas Dog Owner Finds Piece Of Plastic In Beef N’ More Dog Food by C. Florence McNeil, Taylor Texas http://www.itchmo.com/texas-dog-owner-finds-piece-of-plastic-in-beef-n-more-dog-food-4481#comment-265771 C. Florence McNeil, Taylor Texas Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:03:36 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/texas-dog-owner-finds-piece-of-plastic-in-beef-n-more-dog-food-4481#comment-265771 Odd things found in food products does not indicate a poor quality product. With the high speed of euipment it is likly that you will find stray material in any food product. The Beef and More product for dogs did not indicate how big this plastic piece was. Seems like he is looking for a free ride with either money or product. I have used this product for years on two medium to large sized dogs and have never had problem with contaminants in the meal. If Sikorski wants to know what the "MORE" is he needs to read the lable if can read, Doesn't have to run the product down. Odd things found in food products does not indicate a poor quality product. With the high speed of euipment it is likly that you will find stray material in any food product. The Beef and More product for dogs did not indicate how big this plastic piece was. Seems like he is looking for a free ride with either money or product. I have used this product for years on two medium to large sized dogs and have never had problem with contaminants in the meal. If Sikorski wants to know what the “MORE” is he needs to read the lable if can read, Doesn’t have to run the product down.

]]> Comment on Pet Owner Reports PetSmart PetsHotel Employee Hit Dogs, Employee Still Has Job by Susan Hurst http://www.itchmo.com/pet-owner-reports-petsmart-petshotel-employee-hit-dogs-employee-still-has-job-3783#comment-265751 Susan Hurst Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:09 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/pet-owner-reports-petsmart-petshotel-employee-hit-dogs-employee-still-has-job-3783#comment-265751 DENVER, CO. We left out twin calico cats at a Petsmart Hotel in Littleton, Colorado so we could go to Seattle without worrying about our cats being 'home alone' for 3 days. We were really thrilled that we could 'look in' on the cats via our computer while we were away! We did 'due diligance' in scoping out the pet hotel, then visiting and finally making a reservation a few weeks ahead of time in order to be assured of getting the 'prime spot' where the kitty condo would face out to the lobby. We left detailed information regarding their eating schedule; likes and dislikes; as per their 'intake form'. We brought their own food, food bowls, along with a single sheet of paper with easy to read instructions (Large type). Which one ate dry and which one ate canned food; as they both got contaminated food a number of years ago (melamine); and PLEASE DON'T PLAY WITH THEM. They were traumatized when some friends brought their daughter over and SHE chased them all over the house no matter how many times we asked her to stop. Not only did they NOT get the reserved kitty condo with a view; but the facility did not have the video connection so we could see how our cats were doing. We left phone numbers and email address's so if anything were to go wrong we could be reached. When we got back the cats were so distressed that they didn't recognise us and hissed and scratched both of us. We left instructions that they were not to be played with; just feed them ~ THAT'S IT! One of the staff said that we could use the LEATHER ORANGE GLOVE to get them into the cat carriers. She said she had to use it when she tried to play with them. This made sense as the cats were so upset; but when they saw her they really were afraid. She apparently used the glove to try to play with them. ???? I asked if they read the instructions we left and we got a blank look and she said 'what instructions?' They apologized, probably due to the blood dripping from my hand from the deep scratch I sustained getting the cats into their carriers. The corporate office NEVER responded to email or phone messages. Just 3 days at Petsmart Pet Hotel took several weeks for them to get over. The previously loving pets now hissed at EACH OTHER and us. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY PETSMART PET HOTEL! DENVER, CO. We left out twin calico cats at a Petsmart Hotel in Littleton, Colorado so we could go to Seattle without worrying about our cats being ‘home alone’ for 3 days. We were really thrilled that we could ‘look in’ on the cats via our computer while we were away!

We did ‘due diligance’ in scoping out the pet hotel, then visiting and finally making a reservation a few weeks ahead of time in order to be assured of getting the ‘prime spot’ where the kitty condo would face out to the lobby. We left detailed information regarding their eating schedule; likes and dislikes; as per their ‘intake form’. We brought their own food, food bowls, along with a single sheet of paper with easy to read instructions (Large type). Which one ate dry and which one ate canned food; as they both got contaminated food a number of years ago (melamine); and PLEASE DON’T PLAY WITH THEM. They were traumatized when some friends brought their daughter over and SHE chased them all over the house no matter how many times we asked her to stop.

Not only did they NOT get the reserved kitty condo with a view; but the facility did not have the video connection so we could see how our cats were doing. We left phone numbers and email address’s so if anything were to go wrong we could be reached.

When we got back the cats were so distressed that they didn’t recognise us and hissed and scratched both of us. We left instructions that they were not to be played with; just feed them ~ THAT’S IT!

One of the staff said that we could use the LEATHER ORANGE GLOVE to get them into the cat carriers. She said she had to use it when she tried to play with them. This made sense as the cats were so upset; but when they saw her they really were afraid. She apparently used the glove to try to play with them. ????

I asked if they read the instructions we left and we got a blank look and she said ‘what instructions?’ They apologized, probably due to the blood dripping from my hand from the deep scratch I sustained getting the cats into their carriers. The corporate office NEVER responded to email or phone messages.

Just 3 days at Petsmart Pet Hotel took several weeks for them to get over. The previously loving pets now hissed at EACH OTHER and us.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY PETSMART PET HOTEL!

]]> Comment on Valentine Dog Poem by Ste http://www.itchmo.com/valentine-dog-poem-4702#comment-265734 Ste Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:25:45 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/valentine-dog-poem-4702#comment-265734 That photo is just brilliant I can't imagine getting my dog to stay still with that on her head lol. That photo is just brilliant I can’t imagine getting my dog to stay still with that on her head lol.

]]> Comment on Mother Dog Gives Birth To 16 Puppies by linda davis http://www.itchmo.com/mother-dog-gives-birth-to-16-puppies-2127#comment-265723 linda davis Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:15:54 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/mother-dog-gives-birth-to-16-puppies-2127#comment-265723 i am so glad to here they are all. good our great dane had two puppies yesterday and they both died it was a sad. the hole family felt our pain just as if a human family member had passed away so good luck with your new babbies. with all my respect linda i am so glad to here they are all. good our great dane had two puppies yesterday and they both died it was a sad. the hole family felt our pain just as if a human family member had passed away so good luck with your new babbies. with all my respect linda

]]> Comment on Dog Dies While Being Groomed At Petsmart by susie http://www.itchmo.com/dog-dies-while-being-groomed-at-petsmart-3602#comment-265674 susie Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:47:38 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/dog-dies-while-being-groomed-at-petsmart-3602#comment-265674 very seldom does something so awful happen. in your grief you think you must blame somebody. You are jeopardizing some poor persons job and livelihood over a tragedy that most likely was not even their fault. You cannot slander petsmart or the associate with no hard evidence. You should be ashamed of yourself. very seldom does something so awful happen. in your grief you think you must blame somebody. You are jeopardizing some poor persons job and livelihood over a tragedy that most likely was not even their fault. You cannot slander petsmart or the associate with no hard evidence. You should be ashamed of yourself.

]]> Comment on Dog May Have Been Used As Bait To Train Fight Dogs by Kate Lacoy http://www.itchmo.com/dog-may-have-been-used-as-bait-to-train-fight-dogs-1144#comment-265626 Kate Lacoy Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:37:32 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/dog-may-have-been-used-as-bait-to-train-fight-dogs-1144#comment-265626 I have a lab of my own and he is the most gentle dog. The fact that people do not care one bit about how these animals feel while they are using them just burns my biscuit. I think that the people who do fight there dogs should get put in prison and don't even get me started on Micheal Vick. I have a lab of my own and he is the most gentle dog. The fact that people do not care one bit about how these animals feel while they are using them just burns my biscuit. I think that the people who do fight there dogs should get put in prison and don’t even get me started on Micheal Vick.

]]> Comment on Dog Product Review: PetSafe’s Ultrasonic Bark Busting Bird House by Suzanne http://www.itchmo.com/dog-product-review-pet-safes-ultrasonic-bark-busting-bird-house-3449#comment-265625 Suzanne Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:22:19 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/dog-product-review-pet-safes-ultrasonic-bark-busting-bird-house-3449#comment-265625 I have a poodle mix who likes to sit on the ledge of our underground garage and watch the world go by. Many in the neighborhood have expressed pleasure at seeing this little "lion king" emissary. We re-homed a standard poodle and the barking at that ledge has become more incessant with big box trucks and school buses the primary offenders. The gentlemen neighbors across the street approached me and we worked out an agreement. I try to keep good tabs on them when they are outside but, if for some reason, they become too loud for them, they are to call me and I will remedy the situation right away. This has happened once. Other times, I have caught it and taken care of the issue. Now, the neighbors, in spite of our agreement, have taken to yelling like maniacs everytime the dogs bark - everytime. This is not only ineffective it breeds resentment. I am considering one of these bird houses but equivocate. Why not continue to talk with me? (I have always, always prooffered friendly neighborhood relations - a home is a sanctuary and everyone is entitled to it.) These same neighbors have now complained about the labrador next door and that would be quite a ways a way since we are on heavily wooded three acre lots. I think neighborhood relationships are challenging - I am actually worried that these offending neighbors (at least to me) are not feeling well. I have let this stick in my craw for over a week and I think it is time I knock on their door and find out how they are doing. Communication is key, friendliness is key, the right approach is key. It's like we all live in these little worlds that need care and respect. Wouldn't it be good if we could swallow our fear and be good ambassadors? I am working on it... I have a poodle mix who likes to sit on the ledge of our underground garage and watch the world go by. Many in the neighborhood have expressed pleasure at seeing this little “lion king” emissary. We re-homed a standard poodle and the barking at that ledge has become more incessant with big box trucks and school buses the primary offenders. The gentlemen neighbors across the street approached me and we worked out an agreement. I try to keep good tabs on them when they are outside but, if for some reason, they become too loud for them, they are to call me and I will remedy the situation right away. This has happened once. Other times, I have caught it and taken care of the issue. Now, the neighbors, in spite of our agreement, have taken to yelling like maniacs everytime the dogs bark - everytime. This is not only ineffective it breeds resentment. I am considering one of these bird houses but equivocate. Why not continue to talk with me? (I have always, always prooffered friendly neighborhood relations - a home is a sanctuary and everyone is entitled to it.) These same neighbors have now complained about the labrador next door and that would be quite a ways a way since we are on heavily wooded three acre lots. I think neighborhood relationships are challenging - I am actually worried that these offending neighbors (at least to me) are not feeling well. I have let this stick in my craw for over a week and I think it is time I knock on their door and find out how they are doing. Communication is key, friendliness is key, the right approach is key. It’s like we all live in these little worlds that need care and respect. Wouldn’t it be good if we could swallow our fear and be good ambassadors? I am working on it…

]]> Comment on Number Of Cats With Diabetes Increasing by Tmica http://www.itchmo.com/number-of-cats-with-diabetes-increasing-4087#comment-265598 Tmica Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:30:43 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/number-of-cats-with-diabetes-increasing-4087#comment-265598 We adopted Pandora from a foster home a year ago. Immediately we noticed that she was drinking large amounts of water and urinating frequently. When we took her to the vet for a routine checkup 3 days after the adoption, we pointed this out, and a blood glucose reading seemed to confirm that she was diabetic (her BGL was 400-ish). The vet wanted to put her on 2 units/day of insulin immediately, in spite of the fact that she didn't fit the profile of a diabetic cat (i.e., she was only 2 years old and she was not overweight.) I quickly got online and read alot of information. We decided to vet-shop and, in the meantime, feed her a high-protein, low-carb diet. The diet change and forced exercise (as much as you can do with a cat!) was successful in lowering her BGL to around 250 almost immediately. The second opinion, cat-only vet was wonderful, he recommended that we continue that course of non-invasive treatment for 3-4 weeks, and we closely monitored her progress by home-testing her BGL every day. After that time period, when things didn't improve, he recommended the LOWEST dose of insulin once a day - 1 Liter. After 3 weeks of shots, she regulated, and has been so ever since (with the exception of one episode where she was thrown off by travel and someone feeding her things she wasn't used to eating - that ended her portability!) There are two points here - one: I am so glad we got a second opinion; had we listened to the first vet and after everything I read online about the dangers of an insulin overdose - I don't think the outcome would have been good for Pandora; two: a diet change can make a critical difference: NO dry food is good for diabetic cats - even if its advertised for diabetics as "low-carb". Cats can adjust to being fed high-protein, wet-food only twice a day. They don't need to "graze" on unhealthy dry food all day, and any cat parent who submits to that theory is just being ignorant or lazy. Make the time and re-arrange your schedule for your health-challenged pet. My husband and I have no children, but two very demanding jobs and feeding time for Pandora - once every 12 hours - is a priority to keep her healthy and regulated. Even though she's exhibited no symptoms of an elevated BGL in 6 months, we wouldn't think of breaking her routine or changing her diet. And if we adopted any more felines, we'd keep them on the same diet and schedule, because after doing much research online and talking to vets, we believe that non-diabetic additions to the family would be healthier following her lead. We adopted Pandora from a foster home a year ago. Immediately we noticed that she was drinking large amounts of water and urinating frequently. When we took her to the vet for a routine checkup 3 days after the adoption, we pointed this out, and a blood glucose reading seemed to confirm that she was diabetic (her BGL was 400-ish). The vet wanted to put her on 2 units/day of insulin immediately, in spite of the fact that she didn’t fit the profile of a diabetic cat (i.e., she was only 2 years old and she was not overweight.) I quickly got online and read alot of information. We decided to vet-shop and, in the meantime, feed her a high-protein, low-carb diet. The diet change and forced exercise (as much as you can do with a cat!) was successful in lowering her BGL to around 250 almost immediately. The second opinion, cat-only vet was wonderful, he recommended that we continue that course of non-invasive treatment for 3-4 weeks, and we closely monitored her progress by home-testing her BGL every day. After that time period, when things didn’t improve, he recommended the LOWEST dose of insulin once a day - 1 Liter. After 3 weeks of shots, she regulated, and has been so ever since (with the exception of one episode where she was thrown off by travel and someone feeding her things she wasn’t used to eating - that ended her portability!) There are two points here - one: I am so glad we got a second opinion; had we listened to the first vet and after everything I read online about the dangers of an insulin overdose - I don’t think the outcome would have been good for Pandora; two: a diet change can make a critical difference: NO dry food is good for diabetic cats - even if its advertised for diabetics as “low-carb”. Cats can adjust to being fed high-protein, wet-food only twice a day. They don’t need to “graze” on unhealthy dry food all day, and any cat parent who submits to that theory is just being ignorant or lazy. Make the time and re-arrange your schedule for your health-challenged pet. My husband and I have no children, but two very demanding jobs and feeding time for Pandora - once every 12 hours - is a priority to keep her healthy and regulated. Even though she’s exhibited no symptoms of an elevated BGL in 6 months, we wouldn’t think of breaking her routine or changing her diet. And if we adopted any more felines, we’d keep them on the same diet and schedule, because after doing much research online and talking to vets, we believe that non-diabetic additions to the family would be healthier following her lead.

]]> Comment on Woman Reunited With Dog After Offering Florida Vacation Reward by clara http://www.itchmo.com/woman-reunited-with-dog-after-offering-florida-vacation-reward-3656#comment-265585 clara Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:49:08 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/woman-reunited-with-dog-after-offering-florida-vacation-reward-3656#comment-265585 This dog is very funny. I'd love to have it This dog is very funny. I’d love to have it

]]> Comment on Pet Insurance Company Examines Effects Of Pet Food Recall by quadrant shower enclosures http://www.itchmo.com/pet-insurance-company-examines-effects-of-pet-food-recall-3424#comment-265584 quadrant shower enclosures Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:48:25 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/pet-insurance-company-examines-effects-of-pet-food-recall-3424#comment-265584 I will come back. I will come back.

]]> Comment on Pet Insurance Company Examines Effects Of Pet Food Recall by quadrant shower enclosures http://www.itchmo.com/pet-insurance-company-examines-effects-of-pet-food-recall-3424#comment-265583 quadrant shower enclosures Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:47:44 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/pet-insurance-company-examines-effects-of-pet-food-recall-3424#comment-265583 You keep up to date on this quite regularly I have been following and agree with everything you comment on, I have linked this blog from my site now.. Thanks. You keep up to date on this quite regularly I have been following and agree with everything you comment on, I have linked this blog from my site now..
Thanks.

]]> Comment on Pet Insurance Company Examines Effects Of Pet Food Recall by bathrooms http://www.itchmo.com/pet-insurance-company-examines-effects-of-pet-food-recall-3424#comment-265582 bathrooms Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:47:08 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/pet-insurance-company-examines-effects-of-pet-food-recall-3424#comment-265582 You keep up to date on this quite regularly I have been following and agree with everything you comment on, I have linked this blog from my site now.. Thanks. You keep up to date on this quite regularly I have been following and agree with everything you comment on, I have linked this blog from my site now..
Thanks.

]]> Comment on Dog Walks 70 Miles Through Desert To Find Marine by maryann fitzgerald http://www.itchmo.com/dog-walks-70-miles-through-desert-to-find-marine-4726#comment-265565 maryann fitzgerald Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:46:37 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/dog-walks-70-miles-through-desert-to-find-marine-4726#comment-265565 Ilove this story there are tears down my face ahat a great guy you are Denise what a great pup you resued wonderful love you both Ilove this story there are tears down my face ahat a great guy you are Denise what a great pup you resued wonderful love you both

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