Good Bloggie!

Just a small reminder: even with today’s tight security, pets don’t need to go through the x-ray machine at the airport, just the carrier or crate. You are allowed to walk or carry your pet through the metal detector.
TSA Press release

If you have a pet which is acting up, and are worried about releasing him/her from a carrier or crate, you can ask for a private screening room.

(And in case you did send Fido down the screening belt, here’s the scoop on the effects.)
Effects and security screening

It’s a busy time for boarding facilities and pet-sitters. This is the time of year when many people travel and take vacations. Prepping your pets and checking out the facility is all part of it.
American Boarding Kennels Association
ASPCA tips on boarding
Denver Post article on boarding

If you are boarding your pet, most facilities will require up-to-date shots and a Bordetella booster. It’s best if you can give the booster 7-10 days prior so immunity has time to develop. What is Bordetella? It’s a type of dog flu, also called “Kennel Cough.” Not fun for your dog or for you.

If you are using a house sitter, make sure they have good references and/or are insured and bonded. Most good sitters will want to meet prior to the first sitting service to meet your pet and discuss their services with you.
10 Recommended Quality Standards for Pet Sitters

The last thing you want to do on a vacation or your time off is worry about your pets. Making sure you have a quality boarding facility or pet-sitter lined up will make your time off much more enjoyable and relaxing.

Happy holidays and safe travels!

No sense in restating what’s been stated so well already. But if you are thinking of giving a holiday puppy, please visit these sites and read the pros and cons. There IS a right and a wrong way to do it.
No Christmas Puppies, Please!
Christmas Puppies? Hanukkah Kittens?
Puppies as Christmas presents?
A puppy for Christmas? Not quite…
The Christmas Puppy

And never thought of this, vets dread and look forward to the holiday-pet aftermath.
Look out! Holiday pets are on their way.

Below is a link to a story of how imported dogs are raising the fears of a resurgence of rabies in the US.
USA Today

Here is an article posted not too long ago of how canine rabies is now considered eradicated from the U.S. dog population, as of this year. (But in light of the story above, may not be true now):
Reuters

And here is the Center for Disease Control’s policy on imported pets:
Center for Disease Control (CDC)

If you’ve ever considered an import Frenchie or other canine, all very good things to take into account and know beforehand.

The weather is moving into the 90°s here in Central Texas (it’s a damp heat!) and that means taking extra precautions with the Snorty Set. Frenchies and other short-snouted dogs just can’t take the heat!

First up, found this really interesting item online. Would love to hear from anyone using it for their Frenchie.

Here’s some things which work for us:

Ice Cubes
If one of our guys has come in from a walk panting hard, we take ice cubes and rub their ears, armpits, and tummy. A dog’s ears act as a blood-cooling device and this is a quick way to cool down their blood and body temperature. However, don’t immerse an overheated dog in ice-cold water. This could shock their system. Cool water is fine. They like that!

You can also use rubbing alcohol to cool down a dog. Pour it over their tummy, paws, and body. It evaporates faster, thus cools faster. Just be careful not to let them drink any.

Ice cubes are also great for tossing on the back deck for a pup-cooling treat and for gnawing fun.

Cooling Collars
These have a water-retaining gel. You soak them in water for a few minutes and the collar cools with evaporation. Great for walks. There are many variations. Check your local pet store or try these online places.
Too Cool Dog Collars
Cooling Bandana

Cooling Coats
Cool Coats
Kool Koat 

Crate Fan
Use these for trips in the car. Keeps a breeze going across those ears.
Battery-operated crate fan

Schedule Adjustments
We try to make vet appointments and errands early in the day. Same with walks. Either earlier or later in the day. For later walks, we wait till the sun is lower and the sidewalks have cooled a bit. Because, even though the breeze may be cool topside, it can be several degrees hotter at pup level from radiant heat coming off the sidewalk. We also try to walk on the shady part of the street, but look on the sunny side of life. (Boo hiss!)

Spray Bottles
Have seen many handlers spraying down their bulldogs at shows with a spray bottle of water. Nothing like having your own personal mister.

Haven’t used these. Would love to hear from anyone who has.
Cooling Beds
Cool Bed
Body Cooler Pet Mat

HEAT STROKE
The hints above are for mild overheating and to prevent heat stroke. Heat stroke is a serious and life-threating condition for a French Bulldog. Now is the time to review the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what you can do to treat or prevent them. If you see the symptoms below, act immediately to cool down your dog and get him/her medical attention.

Symptoms of heat stroke

• extremely heavy panting
• staggering
• loss of consciousness
• seizures, convulsions
• high body temperature (107°F+)

Your dog is having a medical emergency and needs to be cooled immediately! But careful with giving them water. If the airway is blocked from swelling, they could choke on the water. Give water in small amounts or wait till they have cooled down a bit before offering water.

This is an excellent article on how to treat a Frenchie having a heat stoke:
Heat Stroke - The Sudden Killer

Here’s more on the topic:
Dog First Aid
Heatstroke and the French Bulldog

Of course, never leave any dog in the car, even with the windows cracked. Summer heat just turns a car into an Easy-Bake Oven. And the last thing you want is to do, is come back to a crispy critter.

Follow up: Refrigerating the cooling collars helps quite a bit. Thought of freezing them, but didn’t want anyone to get frost-bite around the collar.