urban paws magazine
DESCRIPTION
August 2014 IssueTRANSCRIPT
Issue 7: Volume 8
Photo by Paw Prints Pet Photography by Jamie Fincher.
contents
EVENT CALENDAR 6August 2014
THE SCOOP 7Canine News and Happenings
BODY & SOUL 1010 Things to Do If Your Pet is Lost
NUTRITION All Nutrients Are Not the Same 12Nutrition 101 16
HEALTH & WELLNESSWhat is Chagas Disease? 18Food Allergy: What it Is and What It Isn’t 20
ADOPTION 24Recycled Poms - Houston
PublisherJennifer Kitchens-Street(281) [email protected]
Advertising(281) [email protected]
Contributing WritersPaul MannScott FreemanValerie A. Fadok, DVM, PhDMary Greene
Staff PhotographerJamie Fincherwww.pawprintsbyjamie.com
Urban Paws MagazinePO Box 1556Spring, TX 77383www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Web: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
© Copyright 2014. No part of thispublication may be reprinted orotherwise reproduced without thepublisher’s written permission.Urban Paws magazine assumes noresponsibility for unsolicited manu-scripts, feature and idea submis-sions, or photographs, and suchmaterial will not be returned. UrbanPaws magazine assumes no liabilityfor the contents herein and has theright to refuse advertising for anyreason. Urban Paws magazine doesnot endorse any specific product orservice contained herein; we doencourage you to support ouradvertisers whenever possible.
Please tell our advertisers thatyou heard about them in UrbanPaws Magazine!
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ARTICLES, EVENTS, CONTESTS & MORE!
AUGUSTevent calendar
AUGUST 2
Splash and Dash at the Lakeland Community
Center off Park Rd. & Fry in the Bridgeland
Community. Dogs and masters will jump
from a dock that extends about 50 feet out
into Lake Bridgeland. RUN1-Mile RunAll dogs
must be leashed for the entire run. The run
is 1-mile and has a hydration station (water,
Gatorade, ice) around the 1/2-mile mark.
The run is a scenic beautiful run around lake
Bridgeland before crossing the finish line and
relaxing at post race with food, drink, music
and friends. For more information, visit
www.cypresstriathlon.com.
AUGUST 16
Tiny Paws Rescue Adoption Event at Funny
Fur, 3268 Westheimer in River Oaks. 12:00
p.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit
www.tinypawsrescue.com.
AUGUST 16
All Texas Dachshund Rescue’s movie night at
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 531 S. Mason Rd.
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Featuring Walt Disney’s
The Ugly Dachshund. Door prizes and silent
auction. For tickets, visit www.atdr.org.
AUGUST 17
4th Annual Bowling for Beagles named in
volunteer Ron H. Smith’s memory. Nothing
beats the August heat like a fun day of bowl-
ing. $50 for three hours of unlimited bowling
and includes the lane, shoes, ball, food, t-
shirt and the trophies. For additional infor-
mation, visit www.houstonbeaglerescue.org.
AUGUST 26
National Dog Day is celebrated annually and
serves to help galvanize the public to recog-
nize the number of dogs that need to be res-
cued each year, and acknowledges family
dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day
to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort.
For more information, visit www.national-
dogday.com.
AUGUST 30
Dog Days of Summer adoption event and
raffle benefiting Operation Pets Alive.
LoneStar Ace Hardware, 2111 Rayford Rd.
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more information,
visit www.operationpetsalive.org.
Follow us on FACEBOOK & TWITTER for the mostup-to-date information, news and events!
For a full list of events, visit:www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events
6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
the scoop
Houston Realtor Donates $1,000Towards Animal Protection AssociationA local realtor is doing something more mean-
ingful than giving his clients a gift basket filled
with treats and a nice bottle of wine. Bruce A.
Nicholson, an avid dog lover, is contributing
$1,000 to the Houston SPCA on behalf of his
clients for every house sold. Nicholson is a real-
tor for the Better Homes and Gardens Real
Estate (BHGRE) Gary Greene Inner Loop
office. Instead of giving his clients a closing gift,
Nicholson will make a donation in their name.
This is a way for Nicholson to thank his clients,
many of whom are dog owners. And he’s get-
ting much appreciation and positive feedback
from his clients. He has lost his two dogs, Abby
and Scotch, and hopes by donating to SPCA he
can help others love a pet as much as he loved
his furry friends.
Local Business On a Mission to HelpHomeless PetsThe Woodlands Heating & Air Conditioning is
on a mission to reduce the homeless pet popu-
lation. This summer, the locally owned, full-
service heating and air company is teaming up
with Operation Pets Alive to help four-legged
friends find homes this summer with the Dog
Days of Summer Fundraiser.
The company's goal is to raise $10,000 by the
end of August. Currently, the fundraiser has
brought in nearly $6,000. The Woodlands
Heating and Air Conditioning matches dona-
tions up to $5,000, dollar for dollar.
Urban Paws Magazine 7
Operation Pets Alive (OPA) is a non-profit
organization bringing awareness to the commu-
nity regarding the No-Kill movement and the
plight of homeless dogs and cats in the com-
munity. They use innovative programs that raise
awareness and reduce the number of dogs and
cats entering shelters, while increasing the num-
ber of dogs and cats that leave.
The Final Party and Adoption Event will be
held at the Lonestar Ace Hardware located at
2111 Rayford Road on August 30th, from 11am
to 3pm. The celebration will be a great oppor-
tunity to see the passionate people at OPA who
dedicate their time to help the homeless animals
right here in The Woodlands area. One hundred
percent of the funds that are raised will be going
directly to helping local pets find their forever
homes. For every $10 donation, participants will
receive one raffle ticket. There will be great raf-
fle prizes and lots of wagging tails!
To donate to the cause online, visit http://the-
woodlandsac.com/content/our-charity-caus-
es/dog-days-of-summer-2013.
Rover Oaks Pet Resort Raises Over $10kfor US War Dogs Rover Oaks Pet Resort recently held a month-
long donation drive, Operation: War Dogs, to
support the United States War Dogs
Association, or USWDA. The drive began on
Memorial Day and ended on July 11, 2014. This
year, Rover Oaks raised a total of $10,210 for
USWDA through Operation: War Dogs.
United States War Dogs Association is an
8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
organization of former and current military dog
handlers and other individuals committed to
promoting the long history of military service
dogs, establishing permanent War Dog
Memorials, and educating the public about the
invaluable service of these canines to our coun-
try. Another main focus of their mission is pro-
viding the funds necessary to provide trans-
portation to veteran War Dogs overseas to bring
them back home to their adoptive families and
new lives. The organization relies completely on
donations, and 100% of money donated goes to
the War Dogs.
During Operation: War Dogs, donations of
$25 received a commemorative dog tag necklace
or commemorative USWDA bandana, and
donations of $100 received a free night of lodg-
ing at Rover Oaks Pet Resort. In addition, Rover
Oaks decorated their facilities with patriotic paw
prints presenting the names of the clients and
community members who contributed to
USWDA. These donations will help provide an
abundance of critically needed items including
K9 medications, food, grooming tools, bedding
and other necessities.
To learn more about Rover Oaks Pet Resort,
the scoop
their services or for directions, visit
www.roveroaks.com. To learn more about the
United States War Dogs Associations their pro-
grams and how they are assisting our country,
visit www.uswardogs.org.
First EarthWise Pet Supply in TexasNow Open in Northwest Houston
EarthWise Pet Supply, located at 22454 Tomball
Parkway next to Sprouts Farmer's Market,
opened in July and celebrated with a grand
opening event on July 12.
The specialty pet store sells all-natural organ-
ic products, including food and treats for cats
and dogs.
The store, which is the only Texas location,
also offers grooming services, in addition to
self-wash stations where customers can wash
their pets. The Spring location offers a home
delivery service, and the store will hold rescue
events where customers can adopt pets.
To learn more, visit
www.earthwisepet.com/houston.
Local Company Launches Line ofEcologically Minded Pet Beds Houston, we have a solution! Dream Doggy, a
local pet bed manufacturer has recently
launched Dream Doggy pet beds, a comfortable
pet bed that is eco-conscious throughout its life
Phot
o co
urte
sy o
f U
.S. A
rmy
cycle.
Owner and founder, Holly Miscovich, wanted
to find a solution to her Beagle’ Miss Bea’s flat,
hair-ridden, licked pet beds that ended up in
landfills. After months of research, material
testing and development, Dream Doggy was
born and is one of the world’s most eco-friend-
ly products on the market today.
Part of the company’s mission is dedicated to
promoting and supporting the Beagle Freedom
Project and 10% of every sale is donated direct-
ly to the cause.
To shop the collection of DayDream loungers
and sheets, visit www.dreamdoggy.co.
the scoop
COMING INSEPTEMBER:
Animal Legislation Issue
COMING INOCTOBER:
Rescue and Adoption Issue
Contact us forspecial advertising opportunities
at 281.384.5431
early one in five lost pets goes missing
after being scared by the sound of fire-
works, thunderstorms or other loud
noises, according to a survey by The American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. And, while losing your pet can be a
traumatic experience for both you and your pet,
have hope as 93% of dogs and 75% of cats
reported lost are returned safely to their homes
according to another survey.
If you do lose your pet, here are 10 top tips to
help reunite you with your furry friend as quick-
ly as possible:
1) Contact or visit your local shelters and ani-mal control organizations. File a lost pet report
with every shelter, dog pound and animal con-
trol office within a 60-mile radius of your home
and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible.
2) Get the word out to all veterinarians in thearea. Sometimes people pick up a stray and drive
it to a distant clinic.
3) Search your neighborhood. Walk or drive
through your neighborhood several times each
day. Enlist friends, family and others to help
you. Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery
people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a
recent photograph of your pet and information
on how you can be reached if your pet is found.
4) Go door to door and speak with your neigh-bors. The more people know you have lost a pet,
and that you are upset, worried and desperately
trying to find your pet, the more people will call
you if they see an animal in the woods or on the
road, or in their backyard.
5) Place posters and flyers throughout theneighborhood. Post notices at grocery stores,
community centers, veterinary offices, traffic
intersections, at pet supply stores, and other
locations. Also, place advertisements in newspa-
pers and with radio stations. Include your pet's
sex, age, weight, breed, color, and any special
markings. To avoid scams, when describing your
pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and
ask the person who finds your pet to describe it.
6) Post info about your pet on all pet recoverywebsites and services. Sites such as
Craigslist.org, TheCenterForLostPets.com and
FidoFinder.com allow you to broadcast your
missing pet info quickly. National pet care
body & soul
10 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
10 Things to Do If Your Pet is Lost
N
providers can be hired to assist you in your
search for your lost pet.
7) Consider using a lost pet recovery service.There are now numerous lost pet alert services,
such as FindToto.com, that will contact homes,
veterinarians, shelters and animal control organ-
izations for a reasonable fee.
8) Place food and water outside your home.Your pet may eventually return to your home
when they get hungry or thirsty. Consider plac-
ing the food in a rented or purchased humane
pet trap to capture them.
9) Tell everyone you see about your pet and ask
Urban Paws Magazine 11
them to keep their eyes open for her. The more
people you alert about your missing pet, the
greater the chance someone will recollect seeing
your pet in their area.
10) Don’t give up. Be aggressive in your search,
get lots of help, get the word out right away –
don’t wait a few hours “to see if she’ll come
home on her own “– you need those early hours
to put up posters and start your search.
Paul Mann is the Founder the CEO of Fetch! Pet Care—thenation’s largest and most trusted franchisor for professionalpet sitting, dog walking, and pet fitness/exercise services. VisitFetch! Pet Care online at: www.FetchPetCare.com.
nutrition
o you think it is healthier for you to get
your required vitamin C from an
orange or from a chemical called ascorbic acid
synthesized in a chemical plant in China? If you
said from an orange, then you concur with the
findings of studies looked at by Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health in
Baltimore1, studies looked at by The National
Cancer Institute2 and research conducted by
prominent pet food ingredient nutritionists3
who all say the same thing.
All three sources say it is better and safer to get
all your needed nutrients from real, functional
foods and not from chemically synthesized vita-
min and mineral supplements created in chemi-
cal plants.
D Until Nature’s Logic pet food became available
in 2006, all pet food companies used and still
use 20 or more added synthetic vitamins and
minerals to their diet formulations. This is done
as a way to inexpensively meet required adequa-
cy instead of creating adequate formulas to sup-
ply all essential nutrients from real, whole foods.
Getting all the nutrients that you and your pet
need from real food, not synthetic supplements,
has been substantiated by science and proven
with results as the way we should eat to be
healthy. Also, getting needed nutrients from real
food is the safest way because on numerous
occasions, excessive doses of synthetic vitamin
supplements have caused poisoning of both
humans and pets.
For more information on this subject
and to learn how Nature’s Logic is a
more logical and healthy way to feed
your pets visit
www.natureslogic.com.
1 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/multivita-min-researchers-say-case-is-closed-supple-ments-dont-boost-health/2 http://consumer.healthday.com/alternative-medicine-information-3/mis-alternative-medi-cine-news-19/heavy-multivitamin-use-may-raise-prostate-cancer-risk-604616.html3 http://www.natureslogic.com/popular-func-tional-whole-ingredients-fruits-and-vegetables/
All Nutrients Are Not The Same
By: Scott Freeman, Nature’s Logic
12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Nature’s Logic is now available at these locations in the Houston area:
Bones 2 Go
Pampered Pet Inn
Spring Creek Feed
• Made Exclusively from Whole Foods & 100% Natural Ingredients
• NO Synthetic Vitamins or Minerals
• NO Ingredients from China
• NO Wheat, Corn, Soy, Rice or Potato
• High Animal Protein
14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
mutt mugs
“Anybody who doesn't knowwhat soap tastes like never
washed a dog.”
- Franklin P. Jones
16 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
nutrition
hoosing the proper food for your dog or
puppy is an important part of your pet’s
health. It is also one of the most confusing and
perplexing areas of pet ownership. Ensuring
proper nutrition by understanding the ingredi-
ents in your dog’s food is one the most signifi-
cant things you can do to positively impact your
dog’s health.
Learning how to compare foods and under-
standing dog food labels takes time and can be
baffling. Staying up to date on dog food recalls,
news and safety concerns can be even more dif-
ficult and time-consuming. With so many dog
foods available, it can be overwhelming to make
a selection you feel safe & comfortable feeding
to your dog. So, where do you begin?
Protein, fat, carbohydrates, along with key vita-
mins and minerals are the necessary basics for a
complete and balanced diet. Always keep in
mind that it is better to support your dog
through all life stages with proper nutrition
using all natural foods with no fillers, no by-
products and no artificial preservatives or chem-
icals.
Every single cell in your dog’s body is made up
of protein. Protein is integral in building skin,
hair, muscles, organs and other tissues. It is also
necessary to repair damaged cells and make new
ones. Many dog foods increase the protein lev-
els using vegetable proteins, however, animal
proteins are crucial for your dog to thrive. High
quality animal-source proteins contain all the
essential amino acids a dog needs, since some
plant-based proteins may be deficient in some
essential amino acids. This is why one or more
of the first few ingredients on a dog food label
should be an animal protein source (chicken,
salmon, etc.).
Fat provides concentrated energy, contributes to
taste, is essential for healthy skin and coat and
provides the body with essential fatty acids. A
dog with a shiny coat is most likely in good
health. The proper balance of omega-6 and
omega-3 fatty acids will give your dog healthy
skin which will produce hair with a nice sheen.
Skin that is dry and lacking in these fatty acids
will lead to hair that easily splits, breaks, and falls
out. Foods with adequate omega-3 fatty acids
also have an anti-inflammatory effect to reduce
itching and other irritations caused by allergies
or environmental conditions.
Carbohydrates provide the fiber that helps aid
digestion and elimination. Natural & holistic
dog foods are formulated so that the necessary
nutrients are readily available for your dog’s
digestive system and easily absorbed by the
body. The proper food for your dog should
offer all the nutrition he needs while producing
only a minimum of stool to be picked up as the
end result.
Nutrition 101
C
By: Mary Green, EarthWise Pet Supply
The vitamins and minerals found in your bag of
dog food work together to keep your dog’s
immune system and metabolism functioning
normally. These vitamins and minerals come
from both plant and animal sources in the diet.
Without adequate levels of vitamins and miner-
als, your pet would eventually become ill.
The key is to make sure you get all of these in
the correct ratio for your specific breed and type
of dog. Working breeds generally thrive with a
higher protein and fat content in their foods.
Most puppies will do well with higher protein
and fat in their foods, however large breed pup-
pies need lower fat and
calcium content than
their smaller
counterparts.
Be willing to
educate your-
self. Read, be
open to switching it
up for your dog. No two
dogs are the same, so don’t
expect the same results for
one dog that you had with
another.
Remember, when you need more
information, your local independent
pet store owners are always willing to
help! And don't worry, you will see
your dog benefit in the long run.
Mary Greene is the owner of EarthWise Pet Supply, locatedat 22454 Tomball Parkway. For more information, visit thestore’s website at www.EarthWisePet.com/Houston.
Urban Paws Magazine 17
18 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
e often hear about the spread of dis-
eases, such as Chikungynya and
Ebola, brought into the United
States by travelers. But what about man's best
friend?
Canines across the state of Texas, from shelter
mutts to purebreds, are becoming infected with
a parasite that causes a potentially deadly disease
in people, Chagas disease (also known as try-
panosomiasis). This parasitic disease is found in
the Americas from the southern United States
through South America.
Although dogs aren't spreading the parasite
directly to people, they are helping to make the
disease more prevalent in the southern U.S.
The kissing bug, or Rhodnius prolixus, is an
insect that transmits the Chagas parasite,
Trypanosoma cruzi. This blood parasite lives in
the bloodstream, inside white blood cells and in
cells of the muscle.
The parasite is spread when the insect bites an
animal (or human) and defecates on the site of
the bite. As the name suggests, kissing bugs got
their name from biting humans around the
mouth while they sleep, as they are attracted to
carbon dioxide. Dogs can also contract Chagas
disease by ingesting an infected bug.
About 300,000 people in the U.S. are infected
with the Chagas parasite, many of whom don’t
even know it. Those infected, likely caught it in
Latin America, where 8 million people are
infected.
Two forms of Chagas disease have been
observed in dogs: acute and chronic. Some dogs
enter an extended asymptomatic period (where
no symptoms develop), which can last from
months to years. During that time, however,
there is a progressive and insidious development
of the parasite, leading to the degeneration and
inflammation of the heart, which can eventually
cause heart failure and death.
Researchers have found, that in the past decade,
Chagas disease spreading in Texas and around
New Orleans. In one study, a Texas A&M vet-
erinarian tested 205 shelter dogs across the state
of Texas. Of them, about 9 percent of the dogs
tested positive. They are also looking at other
dogs in Texas – working dogs, show dogs, etc.
Experts say that the chances of a dog spreading
the parasite to their owner is very low and is not
an indication that shelter dogs are posing a
direct risk to humans. In order for someone to
catch Chagas disease from their dog, the bug
would have to bite the dog and then its owner as
soon as the dog is infected.
What is Chagas Disease?
W
health & wellness
TriatominaeA subfamily of Reduviidae, arealso known as conenose bugs,kissing bugs, assassin bugs ortriatomines.
health & wellness
20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
By: Valerie A. Fadok, DVM, PhDDiplomate, ACVD, North Houston Veterinary Specialists
Urban Paws Magazine 21
llergic skin disease is seen often in our
pets, and the major clinical sign is itch.
The 3 most common allergies include flea aller-
gy dermatitis (in which dogs or cats become
allergic to flea saliva), environmental allergies
(pollens, molds, dusts, danders, mites), and food
allergies. While pure food allergies are the least
common cause of itch in our pets, allergic reac-
tions to food can be part of atopic dermatitis.
If ectoparasites like fleas are well controlled, we
often consider food allergy for pets with non-
seasonal itching
Food allergy in pets can affect the gastrointesti-
nal tract as well as the skin. But not all pets with
food allergies will have both systems affected.
Some pets will have skin disease, others will
have gastrointestinal disease, and some will have
both. Food allergy in pets is poorly understood
and there are a number of myths that we need
to dispel to diagnose and treat it properly. First
of all, not all reactions to food are true allergies.
Some pets, like some people, can be irritated by
certain foods; a good example is lactose intoler-
ance, which has been documented in dogs. True
food allergies can be mediated by the allergic
antibody IgE or can be mediated by other
immune mechanisms. Because there is more
than one mechanism, the current serum allergy
tests for food are not as useful to us, because
they only measure allergic antibody.
Myth #1: Grains are a common cause of food
allergy in dogs and cats. Regardless of what TV
commercials may say, grains are not a common
cause of allergies in dogs and cats. Right now,
the most common cause of food allergy is
chicken! Chicken is a common ingredient in
many pet foods these days, and our pets love it.
Other allergens can include beef, lamb, fish,
milk products, and eggs; occasionally we see
allergies to soy, wheat, or corn. Anything an ani-
mal eats that contains protein can cause a food
allergy, if they eat it consistently. A grain-free
diet will only help pets with food allergy if they
are allergic to grains, and that is not common. A
gluten sensitive intestinal disease similar to coeli-
ac disease has been described in Irish setters but
we don’t understand gluten intolerance well in
pets.
Myth #2: A change in food precedes the devel-
opment of food allergy. Actually true food aller-
gies are caused by particular proteins in the diet
that the dog or cat has eaten for some time.
Itch that occurs immediately after a change in
diet is not likely an allergy; it is more likely an
intolerance to some component in that diet.
The gastrointestinal immune system is meant to
be immunologically unreactive to what we eat.
When food allergy develops, it is likely due to
A
Food Allergy: What It Is and What It Isn’t
22 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
inheritance of food allergy genes as well as
exposure to situations where the gut is inflamed
(e.g. viral infections, parasites, etc.). Then con-
tinual exposure to the protein or proteins in the
diet will stimulate the allergic response over
time.
Myth #3: Certain proteins are naturally hypoal-
lergenic. There is no naturally hypoallergenic
diet. Dogs and cats can become allergic to any
protein in the diet that they eat consistently, if
they are genetically predisposed to do so.
Myth #4: Feeding the hypoallergenic diet fixes
the problem. With food allergy, feeding the rec-
ommended diet is not sufficient. We have to cut
out treats, table scraps, rawhide, and any fla-
vored medications our pets take as well, at least
during the initial diet trial. We can add them
back during the challenges.
Myth #5: Over-the-counter limited ingredient
diets are equal to prescription diets. We know
that prescription diets used for food allergy are
prepared very stringently so that there is no
trace of contaminating proteins. We also know
that the over-the-counter diets are contaminated
with trace amounts of chicken or beef or soy. If
a pet is extremely sensitive to these proteins,
then an over-the-counter diet will not help. It is
best to use the purest diet we can for a food trial
to determine if food allergy is a possibility. If
possible, we want to do the food trial once. It is
not effective to simply change the brand of
food, as many of the over-the-counter diets
share common ingredients.
Myth #6: Serum allergy tests can tell us what to
feed and what not to feed. Unfortunately, this is
not true. The serum allergy tests available to vet-
erinarians only measure one kind of antibody,
the allergic antibody IgE. Other kinds of anti-
bodies or even other immune mechanisms can
cause food allergy, and so a negative serum test
doesn’t tell you that a particular protein is safe.
Often the serum allergy companies will provide
a list of diets to consider, but the list is a sug-
gestion only.
Diagnosis: We diagnose food allergy in pets by
feeding a test diet for 6-8 weeks, sometimes
longer, and then doing food challenges to find
the diets that set off the itch. When we pick a
hypoallergenic diet for our pets, we try to find
one containing a protein that the animal hasn’t
eaten before. For this reason, we need a good
diet history, with a complete list of the different
commercial diets, treats, table scraps, flavored
medications and chews. We try to find a simple
limited ingredient diet with one protein and one
carbohydrate. This diet is fed for several weeks,
and if all of the itch or GI signs are caused by
food allergy, they will disappear. It is critical to
avoid any of the treats that were given before at
least during the trial. Once the itch subsides we
do food challenges to find out what foods the
health & wellness
pet can tolerate and what foods make them itch.
Then we can usually find a commercial diet that
the pet can tolerate and enjoy. And, we can learn
what treats they can tolerate too.
For some pets, it may be easier to consider a
home-cooked diet. Veterinary nutritionists can
help devise a balanced diet that the pet will enjoy
and that will meet the nutritional needs.
Treatment: Food allergy is simple to treat once
we find the offending foods. We simply avoid
them! There are so many varieties of pet food
available today that it is nearly always possible to
find a commercial diet to feed. It is also possible
to continue to feed the test diet as long as it is
complete and balanced. If the sole cause of the
itch is due to food, then our pets should not be
itchy if they avoid the offending foods. If any
residual itch is seen, we recommend evaluation
for environmental allergies.
Urban Paws Magazine 23
Recycled Poms - Houstonwww.recycledpomeranians.com
Recycled Poms-Houston is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is volunteer run. Volunteers givefreely of the time, money and affection to save these Pomeranians and Schipperkes. Our mission is tolocate, pull, foster, vet and place each dog in a forever loving home. We rescue purebred dogs previ-ously used as breeders in puppy mills and backyard breeders, dogs surrendered by their owners forwhatever reason, lost and abandoned Poms, and those that end up in shelters and high kill shelters.We house, feed, socialize, seek medical attention (no matter the cost). We spay/neuter, micro chip,bring current on all shots and do a dental on all Pomeranians and Schipperkes we rescue. Our maingoal though, is to give them love and find the perfect forever home for each and every one. As withevery rescue, Recycled Poms-Houston is in desperate need of foster homes and volunteers. If you areable to foster, please contact Norma at: [email protected].
adoption
Hey everyone! My name is Harper
and I'm a five-year-old, 9 pound
bundle of absolute joy. I am super
sweet and very calm. I love to run
around a fenced yard playing with
my toys, or settle in for a nice long
car ride, or just be loved by my
human. I would love to find my
new forever home. I would do
best in a home without young
children and possibly a young
female as my new BFF. If you are
interested in learning more about
me, please contact Norma at recy-
Our cover dog,
Harper!
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Photo by Paw Prints Pet Photography by Jamie Fincher.
Cappu
Hello everyone, Snickers here. How would youlike something sweet without the calories? Well,that would be me! I am 7 years old and 11 poundsof sweetness. I was once used for puppies, butthose days are gone and now I can learn to loveand play and just be a Pommie. I love my humanand getting lots of attention. I am housebrokenand just looking for someone to love me andsnuggle close to. If you would like to learn moreabout me, please contact Norma at [email protected].
Urban Paws Magazine 25
Snowball here. Check me out–can you believethat I am this handsome and so full of cuteness? Iwas rescued from the Rockwall Animal Shelter. Idon't know what I did wrong. I'm very sweet witha lot of personality but a bit shy at first, but afterI get to know you I'm all yours. I am 4 years oldand weigh 8 pounds. I am deaf, but that doesn'tstop me at all. I am looking for a forever homethat has a lot of love to give, lots of belly rubs andwould like me to go for short walks. I would dobest in a home without young children. If youwould like to learn more about me, please con-tact Norma at: [email protected] or979-417-9180.
Snickers
Join us in helping our four-legged friends
find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!
Hey everyone! My name is Cappu. I'm about 5years old and weigh in at 5 pounds. I was runningthe streets of Ft. Bend County and ended up indoggy jail. RPH took me in and had to shave mebecause I was so matted. I am a very friendly girllooking for my forever home. I get along well withother dogs and cats are okay, too. I would do bestin a home with no small children. Once my hairgrows back, I am going to be a beautiful younggirl. So, if you would like to learn more about me,please contact Norma at [email protected].
Snowball
vet directory 2014
Veterinarians
Clara Scott, DVMMy Family Vet20120 Kuykendahl RoadSpring, Texas 77379(p): 281.288.0500(w): www.myfamilyvet.com
Sunset Blvd Animal Clinic 2525 Sunset Blvd.Houston, Texas 77005(p): 713.526.5881(w): www.sunsetblvdanimalclinic.com
Veterinary Specialists
Laurie Noaker, DVM, DACVIMVERGI8921 Katy FreewayHouston, Texas 77024(p): 713.932.9589(w): www.vergi247.com
Nicholas J. Millichamp, BVetMed, PhD,DVOphthal, DipECVO, MRCVSEye Care for Animals17395 Tomball Parkway #3-HHouston, Texas 77064(p): 281.890.3937(w): www.eyecareforanimals.com
Christie Cornelius, DVMLast Wishes In-Home Pet Hospice and Euthanasia1302 Waugh Drive, Suite 968Houston, Texas 77019(p:) 713.452.0474(w): www.petslastwishes.com
North Houston Vet Specialists 1646 Spring Cypress Road #100Spring, Texas 77388(p): 832.616.5000(w): www.nhvetspecialists.com
If you are interested in having your veterinary practice featured in our Vet Directory,please contact us at 281.384.5431 or [email protected].
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