Run With Dogs : Working Too Much

Working Too Much

Posted by: Audrey Post date: March 10th, 2010

I’ve gone from working 6 hours a fortnight at the vet clinic, to 14 hours a week. I still have to fit everything else in around that, so some things are falling by the wayside. One of them is housework. Some may say what else is new? That would be rude. Honest, but rude, LOL.

I’m still managing to fit in a run though, and am getting a bit stronger each time. I’m two weeks away from the Twilight half marathon, but I’m going to drop to the 10km instead. There’s no way I can finish a half at the moment. But, I’ll get there.

Going back to talking about work, I’m always amazed at how many people spend money at the vet’s on things that are totally preventable. A puppy died of hookworm last weekend. He should have been wormed. That sort of thing is just not on. So, here are my top five tips for keeping your animal healthy and saving money in vet expenses.

1. Pet-proof your home. When you have young children, you protect them by keeping them from getting into things that are dangerous to them. The same goes with your pets. Keep medicines out of reach, prevent them getting access to electrical cords and make sure they can’t get into the rubbish bin. Cooked chop bones or peach seeds are not good for dogs! They get stuck in the intestines, and your dog will need $3000 worth of surgery to remove them.

2. Regular vet checkups are important. Now that pets only need to be vaccinated every three years, you still need to have your pet examined every year. A year is a long time in a pet’s life. In that time they may develop severe dental disease, or heart disease, which are best treated early before they make your dog very sick. Your vet can also advise on preventative care, such as intestinal worming with Drontal (which kills hookworms!!!) or flea control with Frontline Plus.

3. Feed your pet properly. This not only means feed the right type of food for your pet, but feed an appropriate amount. The number of obese animals is increasing, and it causes many preventable health problems. I saw a 9kg cat last night, it looked like a footstool! Won’t be able to walk in a year.

4. Exercise your pet. This is easier with dogs than cats. You can take your dog a walk, or play ball with him in the backyard. Or, you can take him running!! Good for both of you. Cats can be trickier, however they often like to chase a laser, and that can keep them moving.

5. Desex them. No unwanted babies, no infected uterus and no male dogs wandering to chase a girl, and getting into fights or bumped by a car in the process.

Anything you feel you’d like to add? It’s not rocket science, it’s just basic common sense.

There! Vent over. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

6 Responses to “Working Too Much”

Sara Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Great advice! I didn:t know that I only had to have my dog vaccinated every three years- we go for a check up every year (but that is because I love being told that Bellas teeth are in the best condition for a dog her age that the vet has ever seen :beams: )
Nice to hear from you again!
Andrew(AJH) Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
What about “Don’t let your dog sleep in your bed, it is bad for your sex life!” – I know this for a fact
Andrew(AJH)´s last blog ..Sit-ups progress …
Maria Says:
March 27th, 2010 at 4:12 am
Feed the right amount of food…the struggle of my life. Every time I deploy and leave my dogs with my parents, I come back to find my older dog very chunky. Of cours,e ti doesn’t help he has a myriad of issues (he is the textbook example of a Cocker Spaniel and all their genetic diseases). But I love him more than anything Thanks for the blog, also. I just started my blog=, my new venture, so check it out when you have time. Have a great weekend!! Maria
Maria´s last blog ..NYC Marathon Here I Come!!!
Toni Says:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I’m a new runner and Looooove my dogs (all three of them) They seem to be too small to run so I just bought a stroller!
Toni´s last blog ..March 28th 2010 Running Blog
Toni Says:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:32 am
I have three dogs and love them dearly! I’ve just started running so I bought them a stroller
Toni´s last blog ..March 28th 2010 Running Blog
Banksie Says:
April 20th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Love the 5 points your listed there, on good doggy ownership. If more people just did those 5 basic things life would be SO much better for many dogs.
good on ya !