Celebrate the Season with Puppy Safety!

As we jingle all the way into the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of giving our furry friends their preventative medicine. After all, we want our pups to have a paw-some holiday, filled with belly rubs, treats, and wagging tails!

Upcoming Events: Guiding Paws Events Calendar

• December 1, 2025: Gift puppies their preventatives
• December 5, 2025: Middle School Health Class Puppy Visit
• December 12, 2025: Drone Light Show and Wilmington Riverwalk
• December 15, 2025: Guiding Paws Holiday Party Meeting
• January 19, 2026: Guiding Paws Meeting

A Note on Safety:

Watch those festive feasts! With all the holiday treats and festive foods around, remember to be very mindful of what your pups can get into. An unattended plate could lead to some unexpected puppy mischief! In the rare occasion your puppy ingests something inappropriate or harmful, it’s crucial to call Kim W. before treating on your own or heading to emergency. If you’re advised to induce vomiting, please have hydrogen peroxide on hand – just make sure it’s not expired and is less than six months old (if opened).

Let’s make this holiday season a tail-wagging good time for all! Keep those puppies healthy and happy, and enjoy the festivities!

A Note on Kennel Cough from the Manual: https://puppyraisermanual.seeingeye.org/?s=Sneezing&Token=

Kennel cough is a common name for infectious tracheobronchitis of dogs. Its most common sign is a harsh, dry cough which, when severe enough, can produce gagging. It can be caused by a variety of organisms, some viruses (such as parainfluenza), and some bacteria. Our pups are vaccinated when they leave The Seeing Eye and given a booster (check your inoculation card for the date). Occasionally puppies or dogs can get mild signs of kennel cough after receiving an intranasal bordetella vaccine because this is a modified live vaccine. Signs are usually self-limiting and do not require treatment. If coughing is severe, inform your Area Coordinator and, if the puppy is lethargic, have your puppy seen by your veterinarian. They can rule out a more severe infection (for example pneumonia) and prescribe something for the cough.