Top 5 Bark Park Events for June 2014

Top 5 Bark Park Events for June, 2014 

1.       Goods and Services Auction  - Even though this event is not scheduled until  Sunday, June 29th, at 1:30 at the Bark Park, we need everyone’s help to make this a big, successful  Bark Park community event.    This is a great opportunity for Bark Park members, pet therapy handlers, and everyone who has a dog to get involved in a fun community event.  Everyone has a talent, something they can do, a hobby, and favorite pastime.  Now you can share that special talent with others and help the Bark Park raise money to continue with community events, for improvements to the outside Bark Park property, to support community events,  for educational programs, etc.   A member of Paws Hand Delivered or the Bark Park  Board of Advisors will be calling all Bark Park members and PHD members to ask for a donation of a service or even the donation of an item. In addition, you must come to the event and see what bargains are available.  We already have people donating to paint a room, take people on a champagne pontoon boat ride around the lake, a kayak trip on the Geneva swamp, piano lessons, or admission for four to Splash Lagoon just to name a few.    A list of all items to be auctioned will be available the first week of June so we need your donation of a service or item as soon as possible.  If you already know of something to donate, just send me an email at petcem23@windstream.net and we can finalize the information.  So, get involved with this fun event.  And remember, be sure to come to the event and see who bids on the service you are donating, or come and see what bargain you can try to win or be entered in a few special drawings during the event.    For more information, contact Sue at 814-382-2478  .

     

2.        Community Flea Market – Clear out all those items in the attic and cellar that you are no longer using and purchase a table at the Community Flea Market, June 7th, at the Bark Park.  The cost is $12.00 for a table 18’x20’.   If you don’t want the hassle of having your own table, donate your items to the Bark Park table.  Donations can be dropped off every day at the trailer located behind the Dog House.  Finally, come and join the fun and find that hidden treasure waiting for you to discover.  Hours are 8:00 – 2:00, $.50 per person admission fee, refreshments available to purchase.

3.       Canine Carnival – Re-scheduled for June 7th, and will occur at the same time as the Community Flea Market.  General information and schedule available online here.

4.       Training classes begin outdoors at the Bark Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3+4.  Contact Katara Peters, Groovy Pooch training,  at 814-763-5968 for more information and to sign up.

5.       Lure cursing is coming to the Bark Park on Sunday June 22nd.  Dock diving is also scheduled for that day.   Every dog is welcome to try this exciting dog performance sport.  More information will be available online or contact Melanie at the Dog House, 814-382-2267. 

Why we should de-worm our dogs. Part 2: Heart Worms

Our Dog House manager, Melanie has contributed a series on the importance of de-worming and the importance of picking up the poop your dog leaves behind. 

Why we should de-worm our dogs. Part 2: Heart Worms

There are several types of worms that can affect our canine companions.

• Round worms (being the most common)
• Hook Worms
• Whip Worms,
• Tape Worms 
• Heart Worm

 We will discuss Heart Worms  as part two of the series.

HEARTWORMS

Heartworms are common in dogs throughout the United States (cats can have them, too). They are among the most damaging parasites in dogs but they are almost 100 percent preventable. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and, once mature, they live in the heart and large blood vessels of the lungs. Adult heartworms can measure over one foot in length.

How will heartworms affect my dog?

The heartworm larvae deposited by the feeding mosquito eventually migrate to the chambers of the heart or into the vessels of the lungs. Once in the heart, the worms can affect blood flow throughout the body. Heartworm infection can affect many different organs of the dog—heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, for example—so symptoms may be varied. Most commonly though, signs of heart or lung disease are present. A veterinarian may suspect that a dog has been infected if an active animal tires easily or shows shortness of breath or coughing. Early in the disease, dogs are often asymptomatic. Signs are often progressive over weeks to months and untreated, heartworm infection can be fatal.

Testing for heartworm infection

Blood tests are most commonly used to diagnose heartworm infection in dogs. An in-house screening test run by your veterinarian may be followed by a confirmatory blood test sent to an outside lab. Other tests frequently employed in determining the extent and severity of heartworm infection in a dog include blood tests of kidney and liver function, x-rays of the chest and an ultrasound (sonogram) of the heart. Once infection is confirmed, your veterinarian will discuss the most appropriate treatment for your pet.

How do I prevent my dog from getting heartworms?

Heartworms have been found in dogs in all 50 states so all dogs are at risk, even those animals that primarily live indoors. Fortunately, with medication, heartworm infection is almost always preventable.

Ask your veterinarian about heartworm prevention. Preventive treatment should begin at 8 weeks of age in puppies and after tests have been conducted in older dogs to determine if your dog has already been infected. An annual blood test should be run to confirm the dog continues to be negative for heartworms. If your dog does have heartworms, your veterinarian can advise you about treatment options.

Can humans contract heartworm disease?

Isolated and rare cases of human infection have been reported, however, the heartworm is generally not considered a risk to human health and direct transmission of heartworm from dogs to humans is not possible.

The Importance of Poop: Round Worm Risks for dogs and humans

The importance of Poop

Poop is very important to us at the Bark Park and if you get away from a visit, without your dog leaving a present on the property, well frankly we are amazed.  Picking up the poop avoids messes on shoes and paws, keeps the play areas smelling nice and most of all helps keep your dog (and you) healthy.

Our Dog House manager, Melanie has contributed a series on worms and the importance of picking up the poop.

Why we should de-worm our dogs. Part 1: Round Worms

There are several types of worms that can affect our canine companions.

• Round worms (being the most common)
• Hook Worms
• Whip Worms,
• Tape Worms 
• Heart Worm

 We will discuss Round Worms  as part one of the series.

Round Worms.

Roundworms are the most common of the parasitic worms found inside a dog. Almost all dogs become infected with them at some time in their lives, usually as puppies. Roundworms may be contracted in different ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control.

Your dog may be infected with roundworms from the time it is born because often the mother passes the worms to the puppy while it is still in her body. Roundworms can also develop in a puppy after it is born when the puppy eats larvated eggs from the environment or drinks worm larvae (young worms) in the mother's milk. Another way roundworms are passed is when roundworm larvae are present in the tissues of a mouse or another small mammal and the puppy eats the animal.

How will roundworms affect my dog?

Adult roundworms live in the affected dog's intestines. Many dogs do not have signs of infection; however, dogs with major roundworm infections, especially puppies, show diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. The dog may cough if the roundworms move into the lungs.

You may notice the adult roundworms in your dog's feces or vomit. They will appear white or light brown in color and may be several inches long.

How do I prevent my dog from getting roundworms?

Because roundworms can enter your dog's body in many different ways, it is essential to keep your dog's living area clean, remove feces regularly, and, if possible, prevent your dog from eating wild animals that may carry roundworms.

To get rid of roundworms that are passed from the mother dog, puppies should be treated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age and then receive a preventive treatment monthly. Fecal (stool) examinations should be conducted 2 to 4 times during the first year of life and 1 or 2 times each year in adults. Nursing mothers should be kept on monthly preventive and treated along with their puppies to decrease the risk of transmission.

Many heartworm preventives also control roundworms. Ask your veterinarian about prevention and treatment choices that are appropriate for your dog.

Can humans be harmed by roundworms?

Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces.

Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurological problems in people. Children should not be allowed to play where animals have passed feces. Individuals who have direct contact with soil that may have been contaminated by cat or dog feces should wear gloves or wash their hands immediately.

Check with your Veterinarian

Always talk to your veterinarian if you see or suspect round worms have infected your dog or your child's physician if you have concerns about a round worm infection and your children have been exposed.