3 Winter Seminars to help make 2015 the "Year of the Dog"

Conneaut Lake Bark Park will again offer educational seminars for dog owners.  Seminars are open to the public and are held at the Dog House at the Bark Park.  Seminars give the pet owner an opportunity to better understand the commitment and responsibility of owning a dog.  Information about the seminars in January, February and March is listed below.  Because of limited space, pre-registration is required. Seminars are held on the Bark Park property at the new Dog House. To register call the Dog House at 814-382-2267, or Sue at 814-382-2478 or email petcem23@windstream.net. All Bark Park seminars are open to the public

Popular Doggie Massage Seminar Returns January 17th

The first Bark Park seminar for 2015 will be held on Saturday, January 17th , and is entitled Doggie Massage. This seminar is appropriate for pets of all ages. Pet massage promotes socialization, trust and bonding between the owner and the dog. Pup-pies learn owners can touch all parts of the body in a gentle way. Older pets often benefit from the relaxation and muscle warming. Athletic pets can enjoy a sports massage before and after exercise. The sessions will be given by Carol Redlawski from Erie. There will be two identical sessions, each 1 ½ hour long, one beginning at 9:00 am and the other at 10:30 am. Each session is limited to 10 participants with their dog. The cost for the seminar is $9.00 and includes coffee and donuts with lots of fun and laughter. Dogs are definitely invited to attend this seminar.

Dogs 101, Bark Park Seminar February 28^th

The seminar offers a great opportunity for the dog owner to find out answers to those puzzling problems on dog ownership.  Topics will include curbing bad doggie behavior, crate issues, behavior warning signs, proper play, leash aggression, socializing your dog, and most any other questions presented by those in attendance.  This is a two hour seminar, 9:00 am – 11:00 am. and will be held at the Dog House at the Bark Park on Foust Road.   The cost is $9.00 and includes plenty of coffee and donuts.  

First Aid for Dogs, a Practical Approach, March 21st

First Aid for Dogs, a basic first aid class for dog owners, will be held at the Bark Park on Saturday, March 21^st, from 9:00 am  – 12:00.  Coffee and donuts will be provided.  This class will give the dog owner some basic information on dealing with various medical emergencies including CPR, bleeding, poisoning, respiration, pulse, temperature, etc.  Class participants will receive the Dog First Aid Book which includes a reference guide and CD.  Cost of the class which includes the book is $28.00  and will be taught by an American Red Cross instructor but will not include certification for participants. 

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.