Dogtopia of Temecula, CA Blog

Dogtopia of Temecula (http://dogdaycare.com/temecula/) is pleased to announce that we are teaming up with Temecula Recycling (http://www.temecularecycling.com/) to collect recyclable materials.  All of the proceeds will benefit Pets of the Homeless (http://www.petsofthehomeless.org/), an organization that provides food and medical services to those that are unable to properly care for their pets.  Dogtopia is also a collection site for food, treats, and bedding for Pets of the Homeless.

From the Pets of the Homeless website:

Pets of the Homeless is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides pet food and veterinary care to the homeless and less fortunate in local communities across the United States and Canada.  Our efforts have effects far beyond the care of the pets themselves.  Read the frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) for details.

• Why?
  3.5 million* Americans are homeless. Between 5% to 10% of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country the rate is as high as 24%.
• Who?
  Each homeless person has a unique story; they are people with mental disorders, addicts, parolees, families, disabled, elderly, abused spouses, teens, and veterans.
• How?
  Our member collection sites accept donated pet food from people like you.  They then deliver it to distributing organizations (food banks, homeless shelter and/or soups kitchens) which have agreed to distribute the pet food to the homeless and poor.

Dogtopia of Temecula is an open play dog daycare, boarding, and spa facility located at 27629 Commerce Center Drive, Temecula, CA 92590.  For more information, you can call Dogtopia at 951-506-1200.

Every so often we see a dog come in with red, irritated patches of skin. They have usually been trying to lick the area in seek of relief from the discomfort. These sores can appear quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours. This sounds like a classic case of pyotraumatic dermatitis, or “hot spots”.

Now the question is usually what to do about them. This boils down to a two-step process: First, treat the symptoms; Second, treat the cause.

Treat the Symptoms

The first thing to do is to remove the hair around the area to make sure you have it isolated and so you can see the edges of the sore. After that, you should wash the area with warm water and a little antibacterial hand soap. If the wound is really bad, you can try a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (3% mixed half and half with water) to further clean it up. Be careful though since hydrogen peroxide can actually damage the healthy skin.   Once you have cleaned the area, look for any stingers or other objects, like stickers, in the area and remove them if needed. Finally, apply an over the counter triple anti-biotic and steroid creams such as Neosporin and Cortizone. You do not want to prevent air flow, so just a dab will do. Finally, try to prevent your dog from licking the area using an Elizabethan Collar if needed.

Treat the Cause

The cause of hot spots is usually one of the following three items:

Matted/Dead/Trapped Hair – regularly brush out tangles and remove dead hair from the undercoat. If the hair is becoming matted, you can remove the mats with scissors in between your regular grooming appointments. The hair can twist up and cause sores, just like if your hair gets twisted up for a long period of time. The undercoat can just trap moisture and cause problems as well.

Allergies – It is possible that the hot spots were caused by an allergic reaction. This could be from a bug bite or something more prevalent like dust or pollen. Sometimes, just making sure the areas around your house are well vacuumed or washed well (to get the dust and buildup from the back yard) is enough. You can also try an over the counter medication like Benadryl. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about starting any medication regimen.

Behavioral – Sometimes dogs can just be so bored, lonely, or stressed that they lick or scratch themselves raw. Dogs like this need exercise and stimulation. Regular daycare is an excellent cure for a dog that needs some love and attention.

If the hot spots do not go away, or appear to be “really bad” you should consult your veterinarian. There are several great links on the web as well so you can get some more information. Just search for “dog hot spots” and read away!

If you think Dogtopia of Temecula is the best game in town, you can cast your vote for “Best Place to Board Your Dog” and “Best Grooming”

http://www.Pe.com/readerschoice/

We now offer grooming services for your dog. Bring them in for a fun filled day of play and take them home refreshed and clean. Just take a look at some of these before and after pictures!

The Husky Meet Up was a blast this past weekend. We had a good turn out and it seemed that all the Huskies had a fun time playing and romping around in our gym. A few even stayed for grooming after their play time. They came out looking fluffy and refreshed! We look forward to hold many more of these meet ups as they are always so much fun to have.

Please join us on Saturday, July 18th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for our annual Charity Dog Wash. We hope to raise hundreds of dollars which will be donated to the Murrieta Police Department’s K9 Unit.

Bring your dog for a brush-out, shampoo and towel dry. A $10 donation is suggested per wash and you get to go home with a clean dog!  The Murrieta K9 Unit will be attending the event and there will be lots of dog friendly vendors as well.