The Six Most Common Pet Medical Problems

Filed Under Pet Health | 7 Comments



As pet business professionals we are the temporary custodians of our clients pets and we do our best to give them the best care we can. One of the ways we can show we care is to keep an eye on their health and wellness and be on the watch for the most common pet medical problems.  Being aware of the symptoms of these pet diseases can help to diagnose problems early and ensure that the pets have the best chance for treatment and a fast recovery!

Veterinary Pet Insurance reports that the following six diseases are the most common claims filed:

1) Skin allergies

Unlike humans who react to allergies with nasal symptoms dogs typically react with skin problems. Some of the symptoms are itchy red skin, poor coat texture and length, itching and chewing (especially the feet), constant licking, and hot spots.

2) Ear infections

Symptoms of ear infections include scratching at the ears, holding head to one side, or down, and shaking of the head.  Ears may also look bloody, waxy, or swollen.

3) Stomach upsets

Symptoms of intestinal problems include a grumbling stomach, vomitting, and diarrhea. Upset stomach is more prevalent in puppies because they eat and chew everything in sight!

4) Urinary Tract Infection

Symptons of lower urinary tract disease include bloody urine, straining to urinate, urination in unusual places, and excessive licking of the urinary opening.

5) Benign Tumors

Tumors are easily detected by performing an all over body check each time you care for a pet. Lumps and bumps under the skin are often benign tumors caused by deposits of fatty tissue, cysts, or infected hair follicles.

6) Pyoderma

Pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin that is common to dogs and uncommon in cats.  Symptom is a skin rash that may appear as small bumps, pus filled pimples, or blood filled blisters. The disease may be caused by parasites, allergies, or homonal disorders.

Keep an out out for these symptoms in your own and your clients pets. Consult a veteranarian if you feel a pet may be suffering from any of these ailments. If you have any other tips that can help protect the health of our pets please leave you comments and share your knowledge with others…

Have a Back-Up Plan for your Pet Business

Filed Under Pet Business Tips | 3 Comments



This past couple of weeks I’ve had some surprises including flying back to Australia at short notice to attend the funeral services for my grandfather. While this was a sad time for me, I am very thankful that I have a great team of pet sitting contractors and my wonderful husband Todd who could make sure that all my clients were well cared for. It made me think back to the time when I was a solo pet sitter. This situation would have been a great deal more difficult and more stressful if I had to work out how all my jobs would be covered at the last minute.

It drove home the importance of a back-up plan to any pet business owner. As petrepreneurs we bear a lot of responsibility for our clients pets and we shouldn’t leave them without a plan if we can’t be there.

Having a back-up plan can be as simple as making sure someone else knows the location of your business contacts and other vital information. We should have a friend, spouse, employee, or business partner who knows how to find :

1) Keys to the business location or keys to clients homes

2) Customer contracts and client contact information

3) Contact information of contractors, employees, or another pet professional who can take over in an emergency

4) Access to a copy of your appointment schedule

If you are in an accident someone will need to know what appointments that you had planned and be able to contact both the client and someone else that can take over temporarily and at short notice.

The back-up plan is most important for pet sitters, pet boarders, and day care facility owners who would be caring for pets while owners are out of town. If you are a solo operator in any of these businesses consider partnering with another business owner to make sure you can back each other up if one of you becomes unable to care for the pets. This type of arrangement will benefit both of you!

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