Pet Insurance Tips

I was talking to a customer the other day whos dog has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Of course all of us pet lovers treat our dogs and cats like members of the family, and if there’s a serious illness that can be treated, we do whatever we can. What got me to thinking is the customer mentioned it sure would have been great if they had purchased pet insurance when the dog was healthy.

For the past year we at Aussie Pet Mobile have offered discounts with VPI, the nation’s largest pet health insurer. We feel that this is a great option for those who want some peace of mind that comes with having insurance. You can find the discounts at www.petinsurance.com/apm, or you can find a link to VPI with our discount on our website.

For an unbiased view on pet insurance, I recently read a news release put out by the Illinois Department of Insurance. They offer some tips to consumers thinking about this type of insurance:

• Review your options and compare benefits among policies

Insurance can be split into four general categories: accidents, illnesses, wellness, and additional benefits. Make sure your policy has the benefits you are looking for.

• Ask about pre-existing conditions to see if they are covered

• Continuing coverage for long-term conditions when policy is up for renewal

• Understand if there are any exclusions for certain breeds or treatments

• Reimbursement – how does the policy make payments? Will they pay you or the vet?

• Choosing a veterinarian – most policies let you visit any licensed veterinarian, but you should check the policy to make sure.

Of course, you can set aside money each month and essentially self-insure your pets. If you are well disciplined that may work out great. For many of us, however, an insurance policy can be a great option because we don’t need to worry about it. If and when you are faced with an illness it’s great not to have to worry about all of the cost when deciding what treatment options your pet will receive.

Like I said, they’re a part of the family.

Rescuing Special Needs Dogs in Chicago

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Pet month and more and more people are discovering the wonderful opportunties shelters give us to find a special pet.  One shelter that really impressed us was Found Chicago, a shelter on the northwest side that specializes in dogs with special needs - the one's that other shelters don't want to take.  These dogs often become great pets after being rehabilitated.  Some dogs just need medical care, behavioral training, and a lot of love to become the dogs they were meant to be.  It always amazes me how a dog can go through so much pain and come out the other side as a loving pet with the right people working with them. Found Chicago is based out of Stay, a Chicago pet hotel and training facility.  There's a great article in the Chicago Sun-Times, dated Oct. 21, 2010, that tells all about the work of Found Chicago and it's owner, Michael Heltzer.  Check it out at   http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/easy/2821190,ESY-News-EasyDogRisk21a.article

In our area, in the southwest suburbs, there are also excellent shelters.  If you are looking for a pet and can give it the love and attention it deserves, check out these local groups:

PAWS Animal Shelter
8301 W 191st St.
Tinley Park, IL 60487

TLC Animal Shelter
13016 W 151st St.
Homer Glen, IL 60491

Animal Welfare League
10305 Southwest Highway
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415

South Suburban Humane Society
1103 W End Ave.
Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Remember, a pet gives back so much more than it gets. 

For a special coupon for grooming your adopted pet, click the facebook button in the right column.

Does your pet have bad breath?

It seems to be a common problem with our pets, bad breath.  But with a little effort, bad breath does not have to be a problem. The best way to keep your pet's mouth smelling nice and fresh is to brush their teeth. At Aussie Pet Mobile we use a dog-friendly, specially flavored toothpaste.  You can buy dog toothpaste at your local pet store.  If brushing doesn't eliminate the odors, there could be a medical problem. Just like in people, bad breath is a sign of dental disease and requires treatment. Some may believe that pets' mouths naturally clean themselves, but this is not the case. There are some natural enzyme systems in your pets mouth that help, but it will not keep your pet's mouth clean. Debris builds up on the teeth and requires brushing and rubbing.

Cats are also at risk for dental disease and it's not the smelly foods that they are eating that are causing the odor. It is reported that 85% of adult cats have periodontal disease, and that dental disease is the largest single cause of health problems in cats.

Signs your pet maybe suffering from dental disease:

• Bad breath and red gums (healthy gums will be a shrimp pink color)
• Pus oozing from gums
• Facial swelling
• Yellow or brown buildup on teeth
• Pain when eating or chewing

Daily oral hygiene rinses, dental diets and safe chew toys can also help keep your pet's mouth clean, but be sure to call your vet to discuss your pets dental health. Your vet can make recommendations to keep your pet free of periodontal disease.

Surviving the Dog Days of Summer

If you’ve ever sat in your car with the windows rolled up on a hot day, you know how sweltering it can be even for a few minutes. Of course, most of us don’t do that; it’s too uncomfortable. It’s hard to believe, then, that every year so many pets die needlessly because of being kept in a hot car. Temperatures inside a car can easily go over 110 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with the windows cracked. Never ever leave your pets in your car, even for a short time. It’s just not safe.
We travel with our two dogs, but we know that when the weather gets warm, they cannot be left alone in the car. We carry water with us to give them a drink, and our car has an electrical outlet so we have a fan blowing in the back, but even then we never leave them locked in the car. When we stop for lunch on a trip, we choose a restaurant that has outdoor seating, so we can eat with the dogs. There are a lot of fast food places out there that don’t mind dogs on their patio. Sometimes we pack a picnic and find a nice spot for lunch outdoors. If neither of those options are available, we get food to go and eat it in our car with the engine running and the air conditioning on.
During the hot weather, your dog can suffer even just playing outside. Some dogs just don’t know when to stop and rest, and it’s up to their owners to watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and make sure their dogs are safe.
Heatstroke can happen really fast, and can be very serious. Symptoms to watch for are heavy panting, a dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, vomiting, and a dog that is listless and unsteady. If your dog gets heatstroke, get him out of the sun immediately. Not only give him water to drink, but pour cool water on a towel and wrap it around your dog to lower his temperature. You can even get the dog in a bath if one is handy, but use lukewarm water, not cold water. Call your veterinarian right away, as heatstroke can be a deadly condition.
We saw a dog locked in a car this summer at of all places, a dog show. The windows were cracked, but the temperature outside was in the 80’s, so the temp in the car must have been pretty high. We asked one of the officials at the dog show to make an announcement over the loud speaker, and we saw the owner go outside and let her dog out and give it water. I don’t know what would have happened to the dog if it had been left much longer in the car, but I’m glad we didn’t have to find out.
Just like humans, dogs can also get sunburned. For that reason, our groomers never shave a dog all the way down to the skin. If you have a short-haired dog with a risk of getting burned, you can use a sunblock with a rating of at least SPF 15 around their face and ears. Also, watch out for hot asphalt. Pads of the feet can get burned just like our bare feet do. And finally, it’s a good idea to use the early or late parts of the day for outside activities when possible. The hottest part of the day is a good time to go inside and take a nap!
Keep an eye out for overheated dogs this summer, and remember to enjoy the warm weather responsibly. The dog days of summer can be a great time for you and your pet, but only if we all stay safe.

Dogs and Fireworks

Every year many dog owners are faced with the issue of their dog freaking out over fireworks. The loud noises send them running for cover or cowering in the corner, and it can be a real headache for their owners. With the upcoming Independence Day festivities, this is a good time to consider how you are going to handle your dog if loud noises are an issue.

Fortunately, there are some common sense things you can do to minimize the problem. First of all, leave the dog home when you go to the fireworks show. Try leaving him in the crate, if you use one, with his favorite toy to keep him busy and happy. Use the TV for normal “background” noise. Don’t make a big production out of leaving, as this will tell him something big is happening. Make sure your dog is secure. NEVER leave him outside or tied up unattended. Dogs can hurt themselves trying to escape. Animal Shelters always see an increase in dogs after July 4th because so many of them run off trying to get away from the noise and find their owners. Make sure your pets have identification tags or microchips in case they do get away.

If you have been through this before and know your pet is seriously distressed by the loud noises, talk to your vet for ways to help alleviate the anxiety. It’s a good idea to exercise your dog a few hours before dark so they release some energy and hopefully get more tired later on.

With a little planning you and your pets can have a happy, safe holiday.

Dog Dining in Chicago

With the beautiful, warmer weather in Chicago we all want to be outside enjoying the season. I really love to dine 'al fresco' when the weather is nice. Of course, I also like to have my dog me as much as possible, and thankfully, there are many places in Chicago where I can do both. In fact, Chicago is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country, with dog parks and dog beaches and some truly fantastic restaurants that allow dogs in the summer when dining outside.
If you want to take your dog to the big city, I recommend you check out either http://www.bringfido.com/ or http://www.dogfriendly.com/ for more information. I have enjoyed the lakefront many times and dined at Navy Pier with our two dogs. Riva's, Charlie's Ale House, and Harry Carey's all have outside seating and allow dogs. They may ask you to wait for a table near the entrance or away from other diners, and of course you must have a well mannered dog that is under control at all times. Your dog should know the "down" and "stay" commands. Our dogs have either lain under the table or in one case stayed on the other side of the railing next to our table. Never give your dog table food or let him beg.
Here's a partial list of other restaurants in the city, many of which I have tried and enjoyed, although not always with my dogs:

• Brasserie Jo, on W Hubbard


• Four Moon Tavern, W Roscoe


• Bar Louie on Polk St.


• Boston Blackies on Riverside Plaza


• Orange, N Clark


• Adobo Grill, W Division


• DOC Wine Bar, N Clark


• Julius Meinl, Addison and Southport


• Crepe Town, N Sheridan


• Lou Malnati's Pizza, N Wells


• Wishbone, on Washington and on N Lincoln


• Southport Lanes on Southport


• And for a great Chicago steak, Sullivan's on N Dearborn

Remember to check with the restaurant. Being listed on these websites is no guarantee. Also, a well mannered dog doesn't bother other guests or make the restaurant rethink their pet friendly policy. So get out there and enjoy being near one of the world's most beautiful cities. And let me know of other dog friendly places you discover.

Foster a Deployed Military Member's Dog

I saw this article in Dog Fancy (July 2010) and thought it was a great way to help our service families, especially with Memorial Day coming up. The article explains how military families often get moved around a lot and may not get a lot of notice when they are deployed overseas. While pets are a great source of comfort and enjoyment to service people, just as they are to the rest of us, it can be difficult to find someone to take care of the pets when the service member gets deployed. Fostering a military member's dog or cat is one way we can give back for their sacrifice. The last thing they deserve is to have their pet put in a shelter. The magazine goes on to give information on three national groups that help arrange foster care for military family pets. Check them out if you would be able to help. They are:

• Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pet, at www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org
• Military Pets Foster Project, at www.netpets.org/netp/foster.php
• Operation Noble Foster (for cats), at www.operationmobilefoster.org

Also, if you would like to volunteer to foster a pet, check with your local shelter and rescue groups.