Vet Insights

Weight Loss with Whistle: Beep Beep Jeep’s Journey - Whistle
August 21, 2023
6 minute read
Weight Loss with Whistle: Beep Beep Jeep’s Journey

When senior Chihuahua Beep Beep Jeep was adopted, he was 10 pounds overweight. Then his pet parents used Whistle’s activity and weight-tracking features to create a personalized weight loss plan. Nine months later, BBJ achieved his goal weight and a whole new lease on life.

Healthy Habits: How often to walk your dog? - Whistle Health & Nutrition
September 30, 2024
9 minute read
Healthy Habits: How often to walk your dog?

You have to spell w-a-l-k and the seeing the leash makes your dog race to the door. Daily walks around the neighborhood are the best parts of your dog’s day and they make sure to stop and smell all of the roses (and the trees and fire hydrants) along the route.

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Celebrate July 4th Safely with your Dog - Whistle Tips & Tricks
July 01, 2024
6 minute read
Celebrate July 4th Safely with your Dog

Fireworks might be as American as apple pie on the 4th of July but the loud noises and bright lights can be super stressful for your pup. Having a plan to keep your dog calm when the fireworks begin is important to maintaining their wellbeing.

How to Keep Your Dog Healthy with Whistle - Whistle Whistle 101
June 26, 2024
7 minute read
How to Keep Your Dog Healthy with Whistle

How do you know if your dog is healthy? Monitoring their eating, drinking, exercise and sleeping habits and changes to behaviors like licking and scratching, and provide important clues.

Navigating Dog Anxiety - Whistle Vet Insights
May 09, 2024
4 minute read
Navigating Dog Anxiety

When trying to sort out how to best help your dog's anxiety, having a solid record of what behaviors they are showing and the situations they present them is invaluable.

Spring Allergy Season: A Closer Look at Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs - Whistle Health & Nutrition
April 18, 2024
3 minute read
Spring Allergy Season: A Closer Look at Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs

As the buds bloom and the world reawakens, spring brings with it not just beauty but challenges for dogs with atopic dermatitis. Commonly known as atopy, this chronic condition affects an estimated 10-15% of the dog population and can significantly impact their quality of life. With no cure currently available, understanding and managing atopy is crucial for ensuring that affected dogs enjoy spring without suffering.  Understanding Atopic Dermatitis Atopic dermatitis in dogs is an inflammatory condition triggered by environmental allergens such as pollens, molds, and dust mites. When these allergens contact the weakened skin barrier of atopic dogs, they cause an intense allergic response. This condition is often rooted in genetics, with certain breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Bulldogs being more predisposed. Mixed breeds are also affected depending on what they inherited from their parents. Symptoms and Diagnosis The primary symptom of atopy is excessive itchiness, leading to behaviors like scratching, licking, and rubbing. This can cause hair loss, redness, and secondary skin infections that exacerbate the dog's discomfort. Diagnosing atopy involves a detailed clinical examination and a careful review of the dog's medical history, as there is no definitive test for the condition. Managing Atopic Dermatitis During Spring Minimizing exposure to known allergens is crucial. This can involve: • Keeping windows closed during high pollen days. • Using air purifiers to reduce indoor allergens. • Regularly wash your dog’s bedding and toys with hypoallergenic soap. Medical Treatments Treatment for atopy is tailored to the individual dog and may include: • Topical Therapies: Medicated shampoos and creams help soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation. • Oral and Injectable Medications: These can control the immune response and alleviate itching. Options include corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and newer treatments like Apoquel or Cytopoint. • Allergen-specific Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots): This involves gradually exposing the dog to small amounts of allergens to desensitize their immune system. • Don't forget flea control: Fleas also enjoy spring in most areas and can hatch in great numbers quickly. If you are using increased bathing to help your dog stay comfortable, make sure you are using an oral flea prevention. Technological Aids Devices like the Whistle are invaluable for early detection and management of atopy. They track a dog’s behavior, alerting owners to increased scratching or licking, which can indicate a flare-up. Intervening before the increasing itching leads to further damaged skin can help prevent secondary infections. Springtime Tips for Dogs with Atopy • Dietary Considerations: There are special diets that have been tested and have shown to strengthen the skin’s barrier and support overall skin health. • Bathing Routines: Use hypoallergenic or medicated shampoos to wash away allergens and soothe irritated skin. • Vet Visits: Keep up with regular check-ups to adjust treatment plans as needed and catch any secondary infections early. Managing atopic dermatitis in dogs requires a comprehensive approach that includes veterinary care, environmental management, and the strategic use of medications and technology. With the right strategies, dogs with atopy can enjoy the spring season with minimal discomfort, maintaining a joyful and active lifestyle. References: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/atopic-dermatitis-atopy https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/health-and-wellbeing/how-your-dogs-diet-affects-their-skin

Dog GPS Trackers Vs Microchips - Whistle Whistle 101
September 26, 2023
7 minute read
Dog GPS Trackers Vs Microchips

Looking for the best way to track your dog? Microchips and GPS trackers are both common tools used by dog owners. Both options offer their own unique benefits, find out which is best for you.

Weight Loss with Whistle: Beep Beep Jeep’s Journey - Whistle Whistle 101
August 21, 2023
6 minute read
Weight Loss with Whistle: Beep Beep Jeep’s Journey

When senior Chihuahua Beep Beep Jeep was adopted, he was 10 pounds overweight. Then his pet parents used Whistle’s activity and weight-tracking features to create a personalized weight loss plan. Nine months later, BBJ achieved his goal weight and a whole new lease on life.

Whistle App Update: Food Pantry - Whistle Whistle 101
June 22, 2023
4 minute read
Whistle App Update: Food Pantry

Whistle is back with a new feature, your pup's very own food pantry. Now you can keep tabs on what their eating to better understand how diet changes affect health and weight.

Whistle Itch Detection: How We Got Here - Whistle Vet Insights
June 01, 2023
7 minute read
Whistle Itch Detection: How We Got Here

Because of how common skin and coat issues are, and because of the impact on quality of life, we’ve been hard at work figuring out how to interpret your dog’s scratching and itching patterns with the goal of empowering you with information about your dog’s skin health.

Do I need pet insurance? - Whistle Whistle 101
May 10, 2023
5 minute read
Do I need pet insurance?

Your dog’s companionship might be priceless but their vet care can come at a cost. Even if you have savings to cover unexpected vet bills, treatment for emergencies or serious illnesses like cancer can take a major toll on your bank account. Pet insurance can help.

Can Itchiness be Seasonal? - Whistle Vet Insights
May 01, 2023
4 minute read
Can Itchiness be Seasonal?

Scratching. Every dog does it. But, did you know that it can be seasonal, meaning your dog may be more affected in the warmer months? That’s right. Your dog may have allergies.

Whistle App Update: New Journaling Features - Whistle Whistle 101
April 18, 2023
2 minute read
Whistle App Update: New Journaling Features

Identifying patterns in your dog’s behavior can provide important clues about their health—and that’s where Whistle comes in.Back in the fall of 2022, Whistle introduced journaling in the Whistle app to allow you to rate how your pet is feeling and log information about their daily mood; you can even leave optional notes with more information.

Vet Series: Seasonal Scratching - Whistle Vet Insights
March 29, 2023
11 minute read
Vet Series: Seasonal Scratching

Scratching. Every dog does it. But, did you know that it can be seasonal, meaning your dog may be more affected in the warmer months? That’s right. Your dog may have allergies.

Ready to be even more proactive about your pet’s health? - Whistle Whistle 101
February 27, 2023
4 minute read
Ready to be even more proactive about your pet’s health?

Whether you've had your pet for two weeks or 12 years, staying ahead of routine pet care and planning for the growing expenses as much as possible is always the goal. By pairing modern tools like a Whistle smart device with a Wagmo Wellness Plan you can do just that.

Whistle Subscription Update: Whistle Health Report - Whistle Whistle 101
January 25, 2023
2 minute read
Whistle Subscription Update: Whistle Health Report

You depend on your Whistle device to provide accurate information about all aspects of pet health from eating, drinking and sleep habits to changes in licking and scratching behaviors. The information isn’t just helpful for tracking dog habits; the dog health tracker also provides valuable information about pet health to your veterinarian.

Managing your pup's weight - Whistle Health & Nutrition
January 11, 2023
3 minute read
Managing your pup's weight

There is no denying that your pup has packed on the pounds. You love your dog regardless of the number on the scale but know that obesity in dogs could put them at risk for serious health problems.

New Year, New Pet Wellness Goals - Whistle Tips & Tricks
December 21, 2022
3 minute read
New Year, New Pet Wellness Goals

New Year’s resolutions don’t last long, but Whistle is ready to help you make things stick for your pet. Explore dog friendly places and events for New Year's.

Staying Active in the Winter - Whistle Tips & Tricks
December 07, 2022
4 minute read
Staying Active in the Winter

Your dog is eager to get outside and explore the neighborhood but frigid temperatures, icy sidewalks and steep snowbanks can make it challenging to take daily walks in the winter.

Whistle App Update: Introducing Daily Check-ins - Whistle Whistle 101
November 16, 2022
3 minute read
Whistle App Update: Introducing Daily Check-ins

Dogs are living, breathing, feeling creatures, with changing emotions and moods just like us. To help you better understand how different factors affect their emotional and physical health Whistle has launched a new daily check-in feature.