Archive for the ‘Dog Health’ Category

Here in Georgia, it gets way too hot to take our dogs on long walks for exercise, or even to throw the ball outside for more than a few minutes. We have a shih tzu, Gizmo, and dogs with short snouts over-heat even more easily than dogs with longer snouts. We are extra careful to avoid heatstroke in our pups, and in the pups that we pet sit. I’ve listed a  few fun activities to get your dog’s blood moving that you can do in the comfort of the air conditioning below.

Here are a few fun things to try with your dogs when the weather prevents you from taking your fur kids to the park or out for a walk:

• Laser Pointer- some dogs chase it, some don’t. A lot of cats do, too! Make sure you don’t put it near your pet’s eyes.
• Obedience Training-it can be fun! Make sure you use positive reinforcement, like Victoria Stilwell and Patricia McConnell. Only train in intervals of 15 minutes or less a few times per day, or it will stop being fun.
• Fetch- down a long hallway
• Hide And Seek- One person holds the dog, another person (treats in hand) runs and hides and calls the dog. When the dog finds you, reward them with a treat!
• Hide your pet’s favorite toy or treat and guide them to help them find them, but don’t give it away! It’s good exercise, both physically and mentally for your dog!
• Toys that dispense treats are a good mental exercise for your dog
• Rope Toys- for a good old fashioned game of Tug-O-War (not recommended for aggressive dogs)
• Got a basement? How about some soccer or fetch down there?
• For good time killers, try Nylabones or Kongs

Just remember to keep it light, fun and positive!

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.  ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

I receive a newsletter from the Sunbear Squad. The Sunbear Squad transforms animal lovers into animal welfare defenders, with knowledge, tools and inspiration. They have a great website, I highly suggest you checking them out! OK, here’s the article:

Signs Of Heat Stroke in Animals

Do you know WHAT to do?

SIGNS

The signs depend upon the extent of heat stroke. In the early stages, your pet will pant rapidly, have thick, ropey saliva, and have bright red gums. His body temperature will be between 104-106°F.

As the body temperature climbs above 106°F, your pet will go into shock with subsequent organ shutdown.

He will have pale gums, be weak and dizzy, with vomiting and diarrhea. The brain becomes affected and he may seizure or fall into a coma. In this case, he requires immediate, life-saving veterinary intervention.

The normal body temperature of a dog or cat ranges between 38 – 39°C or 103°F. Our pets maintain this temperature through panting, however sometimes they are unable to lose enough heat. Dogs and cats probably do suffer from heat cramps and heat exhaustion like us humans but the symptoms are mild and we don’t recognize them. The condition that we see is heatstroke, and it may cause the death of a pet.

CAUSES

BEING IN A HOT CAR. Never leave your pet in a parked car in sunlight. The car heats up to be like a sauna even on mild days.

EXCESSIVE EXERCISE ON A HOT DAY. Minimize exercise in the heat of the day. Avoid exercising your dog in unusually hot or humid conditions especially at the start of summer. Most heatstroke cases are seen at the start of summer.

NOT ENOUGH SHADE OR COLD WATER. Make sure your pet has plenty of shade to escape to during the day. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh cool water (the water should be placed in the shade) available at all times.

SOLUTIONS

AWAY FROM THE HEAT. Remove your pet from the hot environment. Get him out of the car and away from the sun.

TO THE VET ASAP. If you suspect severe heatstroke and your pet has collapsed, get your pet immediate veterinary care. In this case, the organs may be shutting down and he needs specialized care to survive. While in transit it is important to continue to apply cool wet towels to the back of the neck and groin area.

WHAT’S THE TEMP? Use a rectal thermometer and find your pet’s exact temperature: if it is 104°F or higher, he has heatstroke, and you need to take action.

COOL DOWN. Run cold water over the back of your pet’s head. Place cold packs wrapped in towels between the back legs, on the belly and in the armpits. Wet towels can be used instead. You can use a garden hose to run the water over the back of his head.

ALCOHOL SOLUTION. Rubbing alcohol will also speed up heat loss; it can be applied to the belly and groin, cooling as it evaporates. Liberally spread it on the skin; the most important thing is reducing the temperature in a controlled way.

DO NOT IMMERSE IN COLD WATER. This treatment does bring your pet’s temperature down, but tends to overcorrect it and then your pet may be seriously unwell, cold and wet.

RE-HYDRATE. Let your pet drink as much cold water as he can. If you have an electrolyte replacement, such as Gatorade, then add this to his water. If your pet drinks lots of water at once it is very likely to vomit. Once your pet is refusing water you can leave the bowl of water with it.

WATCH FOR SHOCK. Pets with severe heatstroke are at risk for shock. In this case you don’t want to wrap him in a blanket, but you can at least provide sugar. Rub corn syrup or honey on his gums while you are in transit to your vet.

DO NOT OVERCOOL. When your pet stops panting, they are likely at a normal temperature. You can check this by taking their temperature again. If it’s 103°F or 38 °C then stop the cooling.

SPECIAL CASES. Certain breeds are at a high risk for heatstroke, namely the brachycephalics (dogs with pushed-in faces). These include Pugs and Bulldogs; they snore and snort and have difficulty breathing at the best of time. In spite of them being a veterinarian’ s best friend, you should avoid exercising them on hot days, and always be on the lookout for early signs of heatstroke.

Be an earth angel. Adopt a not-quite-perfect dog or cat that needs you, and help it heal. Such a companion will teach you much about selfless love, generosity, and tolerance—becoming an earth angel for you.

www.sunbearsquad.org

This article was written by The Sunbear Squad and is very important for everyone to know. I learned in my Pet Tech First Aid Class how quickly a car gets hot. Please read this and pass along.

It’s already happening: dog deaths due to heat stroke in hot cars

I had another tip prepared for this week, but after reading four news articles this week about dogs dying of heat stroke, I changed my plans. It’s only April but spring is early this year. And as I learned, even the most dedicated animal rescue volunteers can lose track of time with deadly results.

Nine rescue dogs were waiting in the back of a closed truck without air conditioning while two animal rescue volunteers readied their adoption setup in a Georgia Petsmart on April 2, 2010. It was an unseasonably warm sunny day. When the volunteers returned to the truck to bring the dogs inside, they found unimaginable hell.

They found four dead puppies, one dead adult dog, one adult dog in extreme distress from heatstroke, and the three dogs suffering and deteriorating. They attempted to revive the dogs and then went the vet clinic, where the adult dog in extreme distress was euthanized. Three dogs lived. The volunteers and the rescue operator (who was not present) were devastated and suspended their rescue operations. The two volunteers are each charged with nine counts of animal cruelty. (Staged photo—no animal was harmed.)

Be prepared to take action to help save a dog from dying of heat stroke

What can you do if you see or hear an animal stuck in a hot vehicle? First, observe the situation carefully but quickly. Walk all around the vehicle, looking at all window openings, and notice if the motor is running with air conditioning on. Is there some shade? Is the dog or cat panting heavily and continuously? Or is the panting intermittent and related to the stress of your approach? Look for signs of drool or spittle around the mouth that might indicate prolonged panting.
If the animal doesn’t appear to be panting heavily and the air conditioning is running, leave, taking note of the time. Return in 15 minutes to check to ensure that the air is still running.
If the animal isn’t panting heavily, and the windows are generously open or the vehicle is in shade, leave, taking note of the time. Return every so often to check that the panting has not increased.
If the animal is already laying down, panting heavily and unable to rise, you must spring into action immediately. Act like a rescuer would, because heat stroke will kill this beloved pet in a few minutes. Enlist a passersby to witness your actions and quickly break a window with your elbow or a heavy object. Ask the witness to dial 911, and ask another one to RUN to the store service desk to insist on an immediate public address to the owner (describe the car and animal). Remove the suffering animal from the vehicle to a shady spot on nearby grass if you can do it safely, and fan the air overhead with anything handy. Ask if anyone has a water bottle; if so, dribble water into the animal’s mouth, and wet his ears and neck to speed cooling. Wait for the authorities and owners to arrive. Ignore any theft alarm; you are not a thief. You are a rescuer saving the life of someone’s pet.
If the animal is standing or sitting upright and panting heavily, you have more time. Write down the vehicle make and model, color, and license plates. Enlist a passerby to go to the service desk to request a public address to the owner. Stay with the dog or cat until the owner returns. If the owner doesn’t return in 10 minutes, and the animal is panting more heavily, call 911.

Why is heat so deadly to dogs?

They can’t perspire to exhaust body heat like we humans can. The only way they can rid their bodies of excess heat is through panting and limited perspiration through their paw pads. Heat stroke is quick to kill, and very young or old, obese, or unhealthy animals are more susceptible. What are the symptoms outside of heavy panting and drooling? Look for signs of restlessness (laying down and rising again and again), lethargy, dark tongue, lack of coordination, and even vomiting.
If you see dogs playing sports or running with their owners on hot days, be sure to say something! Veterinarians will tell stories of how quickly a happy dog can become overcome with heat stroke and die on a hot day. They will play or run until they drop. Vet clinics see them rushed into care by distraught owners, but only some can be saved.

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Please forward to animal lovers you know, and reproduce freely. Please credit Sunbear Squad.

I got this list from the Food and Drug Association. It is really important that you know what you’re feeding your pets. We choose a raw diet from the grocery store and high grade pet foods, such as Taste of the Wild, Canidae and Felidae, Wellness, Innova, Blue Buffalo and California Natural. These are grain free diets, and you don’t see many recalls on them. What brand of food do you feed your pets and why?

Here’s the list:

The recalls on this list are primarily Class I. Definitions of Class I, II, and III recalls. Additional information about how recalls are conducted can be found at FDA 101: Product Recalls – From First Alert to Effectiveness Checks.

Note: This compiled list represents all pet food recalled since January 1, 2006. If and when new information is received, this list will be updated. The “Information Current as of” date provided above indicates when this Web page was updated; it does not indicate the date when the pet food recalls listed below were initiated. Once listed, each of the recalled pet food products remains listed, even if there are no new recalls associated with that product. Although we have taken care to make sure the information is accurate, if we learn that any information is not accurate we will revise the list as soon as possible. For initiation dates of specific recalls, click on the brand name and then the recall numbers that appear on these pages. For recalls that occurred before September 1, 2008, a date range might appear in the initiation date field. The date range indicates the timeframe within which multiple recalls of this product were initiated. For recalls that occur September 1, 2008 and after, the actual initiation date of each recall event is provided for each product. If a new recall is initiated for a product that had previously been recalled before September 1, 2008, the food product will be listed again, with the new recall initiation date. If a new recall is initiated for a product that had previously been recalled after September 1, 2008, the initiation date of the new recall event will be added to the previous date listed.

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This email was sent to me the other day by my good friend, Christy Morrison and I felt the need to share.

Quote:

Last night at agility class, a vet, who is a fellow agility student was telling us about a case she had this week. The dog ate a child’s teddy bear and was very sick. When she opened the dog up to remove what she thought was an intestinal obstruction she found a huge gelatin type mess inside and the dogs intestines were black and the tissue dead. The dog will die; no surgery can fix him up because there was no living intestine left from stomach to colon.

This was not an obstruction.

…. so she called the manufacturer of the teddy bear on a quest to find out what the gel was and what killed the dog. Turns out the stuffing in children’s toys contains ingredients for flame retardants and mite control! It is designed to be come a gel. It is highly toxic. Now you would think a child’s toy would be safe because it is for children, but they don’t expect a child to eat the stuffing of the toys… huummmm that seems a bit scary, too. But we all know dogs demolish stuffed toys.

So do not give or buy your dog any children’s stuffed animals… some people get them at Goodwill, etc. The vet will be posting a warning and story and I will send any other facts as needed and as I learn more. Maybe some children’s toys do not have this ingredient, but better to be safe then sorry. So meanwhile, make sure all your dog toys are for dogs. Please pass this on… it is a horrible death she described and one that can be avoided.

HMM. . . makes me think about all stuffed toys we may buy at retail, thrift stores, or that may be given to our children or pets by others. Also, what about the kennel your dog goes to, or doggy day care or the church nursery? This danger can be far reaching! We get notices about high chairs and cribs – recalled ones should not be “recycled” but how can one person keep up with that info?

For the protection of your children and your pets, allow them to play with only items you have bought. And inspect them daily for tears or breaks, in case some type of poison is leaking out!

I wrote some years ago about my friend’s English Springer Spaniel who got very very sick. No apparent reason. But Buddy loved tennis balls. And he had torn up the outside of a “high quality” tennis ball with a titanium center. After Xrays, the vet found that the titanium center had been swallowed by the dog and was stuck in his digestive track. The affected area was removed, Buddy stayed in the vet hosp for 3 weeks, and finally died. Died at a young age from the leeching of poison from the titanium into his system. It didn’t have to be! But how would she have known the center was toxic? I doubt that PetsMart’s tennis balls carry this in the center (it’s probably empty) but what about those used tennis balls of yours in the doggy toy box?

Please, check out the toys at your house, the kennels, doggy and kiddy day care, etc.

Being a professional pet sitter in Gwinnett County, GA, I want to learn everything that I can possibly learn about every breed of pet that I may encounter. The other day, my friend Cynthia Block of Cynsationally Yours (beautiful, personalized gifts and more) and I were meeting so that I could pick up a gift that she made for my Mom. While we were enjoying our coffees, she told me that her Basset Hound, Herkimer was right down the street at the groomer. Well, I’ve been waiting to meet him, so I just had to go with her to pick him up! He is everything that is dreamy about a Basset and more! I got the idea about doing a series of blogs about different breeds of pets from Herkimer, so he is the star of this blog. The sites that I got the information from are Your Pure Bred Puppy , Ammidan and Dog Breed Info.

Basset Hounds

History and Hunting

Basset Hounds are a direct descendant of the Bloodhound and a very old breed. The Basset’s popularity began in Paris in 1863 when they were first presented at a dog show. The American Kennel Club recognized this long-eared darling in 1885. The name Basset comes from the word “bas,” meaning “low.”

It has been suggested that they may have originated from genetic dwarf dogs born in litters of different types of hunting dogs. Bassets are able to hunt in packs or alone and they are also good at hunting in the open or in the den. They are used to hunt hare, fox, opposum and pheasant.

Personality and Training

Basset Hounds are one of the most easy going and friendly of all breeds. Almost any Basset that you meet is going to be good-natured, outgoing, warm and peaceful with everyone- strangers, other pets, kids- name it! They are sweet, devoted, and naturally well-behaved.

As friendly and happy-go-lucky as a Basset may be, they are not the easiest dogs to train. They can be very stubborn with compliant, lenient owners and need a firm, confident and consistent owner who displays natural authority over the dog. House training is one of the most difficult things to teach this breed, but with positive reinforcement and patient gentle training, anything can be accomplished.

Hard to train, but also very food motivated, keep in mind that tricks for treats is something that a Basset loves to do. Even using treats, you still may expect to see very slow, thought out, deliberate responses from him. Also remember that your Basset has a very strong and unique sense of smell. If they catch an interesting scent, the “Come” command goes in one big ear and out the other. When training or playing outside, keep your Basset either in a fenced area or on a leash or you may not see him again.

Exercise and General Health

Despite short legs, Bassets can weigh between 45-65 pounds. Their average life span is 10-12 years. They need a moderate amount of daily exercise, even if it seems they are perfectly happy snoring away on the couch. Overweight Bassets have concurrent health problems that can be very painful for them including aggravated arthritis, back problems, or heart trouble. Exercise is as important to your dog as it is for you. A long daily walk  (30 minutes or more) will be perfect to keep your dog mentally stable and a good healthy weight. Discourage any jumping or stress to the front legs and remember that Bassets are a hunting breed and it’s difficult to get their attention if they catch a scent they like. Keeping them on-leash or in a fence is crucial.

Bassets will run and play by the hour if allowed, but don’t leave them outside unattended. They tend to howl  when bored and the neighbors may call the cops on you. Also keep in mind that those short legs won’t prevent them from counter surfing, so keep any food or other items as far back on the counter as possible.

These dogs shed quite a lot and it never really stops. They are also prone to be gassy and have a distinct “houndy” odor that some people find offensive. I can’t help but love that “houndy” smell, but that’s probably just my dog addiction. Bassets are also predisposed to bone and joint problems, ear problems and skin diseases.

Bassets are apt  to otitis externa, (smelly yucky ears). This is easily prevented if ear cleaning is done regularly, such as when nails are clipped. Check with your veterinarian for an ear wash, or make a preventative cleaning mix of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% white vinegar. The Basset is also predisposed to Glaucoma.

Over feeding your Basset can cause too much weight on the legs and spine, leading to possible lameness and eventual paralysis. They are also prone to bloat, so feeding them 2 or 3 small meals instead of one large meal is highly recommended. If your Basset eats one big meal, keep an eye out for signs of bloat for the next few hours.~

So, what it comes down to is Bassets are family dogs with great dispositions, but can be very stubborn. If you have patience and you understand your dog’s breed and meet their exercise, diet and daily health care needs, you will have a wonderful family pet! If not, don’t blame the dog!

Here are a few Basset Hound rescues and resources that I found:

Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia

Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama

Carolina Basset Hound Rescue

Suncoast Basset Hound Rescue

Basset Hounds: Basset Hound Dog Forums

Wikipedia: Basset Hounds

“To be happy, use your nose.  Every day is rich in smells. … a cliche, sure, but if you got roses, smell ‘em.”
–dog quote by Trixie Koontz, dog, Life is Good! Lessons in Joyful Living, edited by Dean Koontz

Recently, I attended my monthly meeting with Georgia Network of Professional Pet Sitters and Beth Fasnacht of Pet Watch, Inc. did a fantastic presentation on disaster preparedness. She urged us to share what we learned, so this blog is  focused on disasters and what to do about your pets. I hope you never have to practice anything that you learn from this!

Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit

Whether you are away from home for a week or a day, you’ll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried away easily (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.). Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:

• Pet First Aid Kit
• Medications, vet records and medical records (stored in a waterproof container)
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport the pet safely and ensure that your animals cannot escape (Note: Pets will be scared, so plan for it.)
• Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
• Food, portable eater, bowls, cat litter and litter box, and a can opener
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable

“Until one has loved an animal,  a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ~ Anatole France

Causes and Types

It is a scary sight to see your beloved canine pal having seizures. There are many reasons that your pup may be having seizures. Some of the causes are:

* Brain Tumor or Head Injury

* Distemper

* Epilepsy

* Environment (toxins)

* ‘hypo and ‘hyper conditions such as gastrointestinal disease, hepatic encephalopathy, hyperkalemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, renal disease, tick bites, and toxoplasmosis

If you witness your dog having seizures, it is crucial that you note all of the details. There are many types of seizures:

* Generalized Seizure: Tonic-Clonic (can be grand mal or mild): In the grand mal seizure, the tonic occurs as the animal falls, loses consciousness and extends his limbs rigidly. Respiration stops. This lasts 10-30 seconds before the clonic phase begins. Clonic movements include paddling of the limbs and/or chewing. In both phases, you may see dialation of the pupils, salivation, urination, and defecation. The mild seizure involves little or no paddling or extension of limbs and usually no loss of consciousness.

* Petit Mal Seizure: Usually described as very rare or unrecognized in animals. Signs are a brief duration of unconsciousness, loss of muscle tone, blank stare and upward rotation of the eyes.

* Partial Seizure: Movements are restricted to one area of the body, such as muscle jerking, movement in one limb, turning the head or bending of the trunk to one side, or facial twitches.

* Complex Partial Seizure: Associated with bizarre or complex behavior such as lip-smacking, biting at invisible flies, chewing, aggression, vocalization, hysterical running, cowering, or hiding. Other signs are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal stress, salivation, blindness, unusual thirst or hunger, and flank biting. Obvious lack of awareness, but no loss of consciousness. Abnormal behavior could last minutes or hours and can be followed by a generalized seizure.

* Cluster Seizure: Multiple seizures within a short period of time with only brief periods of consciousness between.

* Status Epilepticus: Can occur as one continuous seizure, lasting 30 minutes or more, or a series of multiple in a short time with no periods of normal consciousness.

If your dog has a seizure, be sure to pay close attention to the details of the seizure or seizures and get your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Sources: www.canine-epilepsy.com and www.K9web.com

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”
–Unknown

You’ve heard of Meals on Wheels, right?  Well think of Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen as Meals on Wheels for pets.

In 1997, Tom Wargo, who’s dog Daffy is pictured below, started this much needed service. Too often people who are having money troubles think that they must give up their beloved pets because they can’t afford them anymore. Daffy’s is there for those folks to provide food every month for their pets. In the last year, Daffy’s has given away over 80 tons of pet food. The only thing that Tom asks for is that the people who come and receive pet food volunteer in the community that for at least 5 hours per month. It doesn’t have to be Daffy’s, although the organization solely depends on volunteers. You could volunteer at your church, the local animal shelter, homeless shelter, or anywhere in between. He just wants to be sure that the good deeds get “paid forward.”

Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen depends on donations. They have a warehouse in Lawrenceville with pet food of all types, but there’s a problem. Daffy’s is running very low on dry dog food and monetary donations. If you can help in any way, it is greatly appreciated and will also warm your heart. If you need pet food, don’t be shy! You will feel welcomed and they are happy to help you keep your pets fed. See the Daffy’s website for the calendar of days that they are open and stop by the warehouse:

2160 Oakland Industrial Court, Suite 100 in Lawrenceville, GA. For more information, see the website at www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com, email at thesosclubofga@yahoo.com, or call 404-345-6821.

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.” – Mark Twain

The Truth about Vaccinations

To Vaccinate or Not?

The purpose of vaccines is to energize the body to generate germ-fighting proteins made by designated white blood cells and “memory” cells, so that if an animal encounters the disease again, his system will be primed and ready to defend against it. Most vaccines are so good at doing their jobs that they don’t need to be administered every year, if at all after the initial shots.

Although your vet may tell you that the shots are needed yearly, he or she may be resisting the overwhelming evidence against vaccines. A few reasons that your vet may resist are 1. because they are afraid of the liability from failing to vaccinate as recommended by the vaccine maker 2. It’s easier to send a yearly post card to remind you about vaccinations than to educate you on the vaccines 3. some simply don’t want to lose the vaccine income.

Vaccines cause major stress to the immune system. They can cause immediate side affects and allergic reactions. Some of the possible long term damages that have been linked to vaccinations include: skin allergies, arthritis, thyroid disease, recurrent ear and respiratory infections, irritable bowel disease, neurological conditions (such as aggression or epilepsy), auto-immune diseases, and cancer.

An initial two or three vaccine series for kittens and puppies is necessary for most vaccines to be effective and should be given 3 weeks apart. Pets should not be under 8 weeks of age and should not be sick or unhealthy. Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most states, so check with your local animal control to see what the requirements are.

Studies have shown that vaccines for parvovirus, canine distemper and feline panleukopenia provide extremely long term protection from disease. 8 to 10 years long.

A blood test called a “titer” can determine if your pet’s antibody levels for parvo, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia are high enough to resist infection.

This information was gathered from Only Natural Pet Store

A vet that I recommend to talk to about vaccinations is Dr. Kim Parker in Roswell.

Lots of people talk to animals…. Not very many listen, though…. That’s the problem.  ~Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh