It’s tick season which means you need to be even more diligent about checking your pets daily for ticks. No one wants their fur baby to be struck with the dreaded Lyme disease. Lyme disease (borreliosis) is an infectious, tick-borne disease first recognized in dogs in 1985. It is caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. The Western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus, is the primary carrier of the B. burgdorferi bacteria in the western United States. Although Lyme Disease is uncommon in Washington State, it is most common in the Western half of the state. History and Occurrence Not all ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme […]

Lice are parasites that live on the skin of an affected dog. They are actually a small insect that feeds by chewing on the skin of the dog or by sucking the blood, depending on the type of louse. Left unchecked, they can grow to be an infestation on the dog’s body. Dog lice are not as common as dog fleas, and are most often seen in situations where sanitary practices are poor. NOTICE: Because canine lice is highly spreadable, I cannot groom any pet with lice. Please check your pets before arriving for your Sonny’s Spaw appointment. If I spot lice, I will not be able to groom your […]

Every year around this time, coyotes become active across Western Washington. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging owners of small pets to keep a closer eye on them. As well, keep small pets, like dogs and cats, in at night year-round and don’t leave their food out. KOMO News reported on a dog attacked by a coyote in its backyard and what to do it you see a pet being attacked by a coyote, read the full story >>

Nail care is essential for EVERY dog but extra attention is a necessity for working dogs. Service dogs are on their feet more than pet dogs. Long nails can do long term damage to the joints, causing retirement earlier than what would have been necessary. SaveSave

There’s a conversation going on in the grooming world, and it’s one our clients should be privy to. The topic? Doodles. And I’m talking labradoodles, goldendoodles, sheepadoodles, bernedoodles – anything that has been mixed with a standard (sometimes mini) poodle or already existing doodle. The truth is, the popularity of doodle dogs is on the rise but the education that potential owners are getting regarding their care and maintenance is dropping. This can be attributed to a few factors, ranging from a breeder spreading lies to sell a puppy, to a family so entranced by the cuteness of a fluffy puppy, they overlook the potential high maintenance of what they’re […]

Dogs don’t use their skin to perspire, like humans, because of their insulating coat. Their coat keeps them both cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather. Dogs do have sweat glands, located in the pads of their feet and in their ear canals, but sweating plays a minor role in regulating body temperature. When the temperature is very hot and especially when it is humid, everything heats up…including a dog’s body. His body responds by trying to cool off and it basically attempts to use conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. He will seek a cool place in the shade to lie down to absorb the coolness (conduction). His […]

Every pet parent loves to see their dog run in grass. However, there are some wild grasses with seed awns that are extremely dangerous to dogs. Now is the time of year to be vigilant – your dog’s life may depend on it. Please check your pups carefully after every romp in the field. The following article, Foxtail Grass Can Kill Your Dogs, provides helpful tips and signs to watch for: [excerpt] The awns on foxtails are barbed, razor-sharp needles, designed to burrow into the ground with the seed. However, they can also burrow through a dog’s skin and enter soft tissue where they can cause serious injury, infection and even death. […]