Archive for the ‘Pet Health’ Category

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.

From SPOT Society:

The reasons for spaying are compelling and well-known:

• Overpopulation and the resulting mass euthanasia and neglect. There can never be enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born, including purebreds.
• It avoids heat cycles, unwelcome visitors fighting on the lawn, accidental pregnancies, unwanted puppies and kittens, inconvenience and expense.
• Better-behaved pets – Spayed pets are less likely to spray or mark or roam. They are less aggressive toward humans and other animals. 85% of dog bites involve intact pets.
• Healthier pets
  • Females spayed before their first heat cycle have 96.4% less risk of breast cancer. Spaying after the first heat but before a litter still reduces the risk by 84%. Breast cancer is four times more common in dogs than in humans.
  • Spayed females have no risk of uterine infection, or uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer.
  • Dogs and cats have their own sexually-transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases.
  • There are many complications associated with pregnancy, having babies, and raising a litter – infections, emergency c-sections (very expensive), seizures due to calcium deficiency, etc. The risk of pregnancy and rearing a litter is far greater than the risk of anesthesia and spaying.

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The reasons for neutering are compelling and well-known:

• Overpopulation and the resulting mass euthanasia and neglect. There can never be enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born, including purebreds.
• It avoids fighting over females, trying to escape looking for females, and the resulting inconvenience and expense that results. Males can smell a female up to 3 miles away, and will often get in trouble out looking for girls. Most of the animals hit-by-cars and lost are intact males. Smaller dogs are often killed by larger ones.
• Neutered pets are less likely to spray or mark or roam. They are less aggressive toward humans and other animals. Eighty-five percent of dog bites involve intact pets. And who can stand the aroma of Tom Cat urine?
• Dogs and cats have their own sexually transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Feline Leukemia, for example, is the leading disease killer of cats in our area, and is spread through fighting and sexual contact. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases.
• Neutered males have no risk of testicular cancer. Prostate cancers, and other prostate problems, are very common in older un-neutered males.

LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER, VETERINARIANS and VACCINATIONS:

• Gwinnett Humane Society- www.gwinnetthumane.com 770-798-7711
• Georgia SPCA- www.georgiaspca.org 678-765-2726- address: 1175 Buford Hwy. Suwanee
• WellPet Humane * low cost veterinarian*- www.wellpethumane.com, 770-455-1101-address: 5342 Peachtree Rd. Chamblee, 30341
• Humane Society of Northeast GA- http://www.humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org 770-532-6617- address: 845 West Ridge Rd. Gainesville, 30501
• Spay Georgia- www.spaygeorgia.org -770-662-4479
• Lifeline Animal Project- www.atlantapets.org 404-292-8800- address: 129 Lake St. Avondale Estates, 30002
• Spay and Neuter Team of Atlanta- www.spay-neuterteam.com 678-581-4055-address: 470 Franklin Rd. Suite 105, Marietta 30067
• Atlanta Humane Society-*low cost veterinarian* www.atlantahumane.org 770-830-2763- address-981 Howell Mill Rd. Atlanta, 30318
• Dekalb County Humane- www.dekalbhumane.org 770-593-1155-address: 5287 Covington Hwy. Decatur, 30035
• Woods Animal Hospital * low cost veterinarian*- (770) 448-6735- address: 11 Thrasher Street, Norcross
• West Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic- www.westgeorgiaspayneuter.com – 678-840-8072- address: 525 E. Montgomery St. Suite B, Villa Rica, 30180
• Athens Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic- www.athenshumanesociety.org – 706-353-CATS- address: 1781 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville
• Crossroads Veterinary Services- *low cost veterinarian* www.crossroadsveterinaryservices.com – (706) 224-3200 or (706) 743-7614- address: 210 West Main St., Lexington, 30648
• Friends of Animals- http://www.friendsofanimals.org/programs/spay-neuter/index.html – 1-800-321-PETS
• The Georgia Animal Project- www.theanimalproject.org – 770-704-PAWS- address: P.O. Box 689, Holly Springs, GA 30142-0689
• Humane Society of Cobb County- www.humanecobb.org – 770-428-5678
• Leftover Pets, Inc.- www.leftoverpets.org – 800-978-5226
• · Pit Bull Rescue Central- www.pbrc.net
• Project Catsnip- www.projectcatsnip.org – 770-455-7077
• Spay Elijay- www.homeward.petfinder.com – (706) 698-HOME
• Save Our Strays, Inc.- http://www.saveourstraysatlanta.com- 770-972-5067
• Cherokee County Humane Society- www.cchumanesociety.org – 770-928-5115
• Pet Assistance and Welfare Society of Athens (PAWS)- Email: operations@pawsofathens.com – 706-310-0663
• Cat Care Hospital (Marietta) - 770-424-6369
• Casper’s Fund- www.caspersfund.org – 678-318-1886
• Forsyth County Project Spay Neuter- www.projectspayneuter.com – 770-887-1565
• Helping Prevent Homeless Pets, Inc.- 770-887-1565
• SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program)- http://www.fultonanimalservices.com- 404-794-0358
• Peach Pets Animal Hospital *low cost veterinarian*- www.peachpets.com – (770)814-9000- address: 6955 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Suite 104, Johns Creek , GA 30097
• Society of Humane Friends of Lawrenceville- www.societyofhumanefriends.com – 770-962-4301
• Humane Society of Hall County Low Income Spay and Neuter Clinic- 770-532-6617, E-mail: hshc1@bellsouth.net
• Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, Inc.- www.moas.org – 706-795-2868, address: 1888 Colbert-Danielsville Rd.  Danielsville, GA 30633
• Humane Society of Morgan County- www.humanesocietyofmorgancounty.org – 706-343-9977
• Paradox Farm Spay and Neuter (Conyers/Oxford)- 770-972-5067
• Paulding County Animal Control- 770-445-1511- E-mail: animalcontrol@paulding.gov
• Paulding County Humane Society- www.pauldinghumanesociety.org – 770-443-3565
• Conyers/Rockdale Humane Society- 770-922-4618

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  ~Dalai Lama

The following video, I found on Facebook and was posted by TNT Pet News. The video can be found on The Truth About Pet Food’s website. It’s a great video- it tells the history of pet food which is very interesting, and it breaks down the ingredients that should not be in your pets’ foods and why. It’s very important that we know what we’re feeding our pets, we’ll save a ton on vet bills, medication, etc. Enjoy the video!

Click below to watch the video:

The Truth About Pet Food

Just like what we feed our children and ourselves, what we feed our pets plays an important role in many aspects of their lives and health.

Do you feed your pets a certain brand of pet food? What is it and why did you choose it?

A kindly gesture bestowed by us on an animal arouses prodigies of understanding and gratitude.

- Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

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.

Browse by Pet Food Brand
Topics on this Page Cat Food Recalls Cat, Dog Food Recalls Dog Food Recalls Dog, Cat Food Recalls Horse Food Recalls Download All Pet Food Recalled Products Cat Products AMERICAS CHOICE AUTHORITY BEST CHOICE CAT’S CHOICE CO-OP GOLD COMPANION COMPLIMENTS DEMOULAS MARKET BASKET DOCTORS FOSTER AND SMITH EUKANUBA FAME FELINE CLASSIC FELINE CUISINE FINE FELINE CAT FOOD LION FOODTOWN GIANT COMPANION GIANT EAGLE HILL COUNTRY FARE HY-VEE IAMS LA GRIFFE LAURA LYNN LI’L RED LOVING MEALS MASTER CHOICE MEIJER MAIN CHOICE NATURAL ULTRAMIX NU PET NUTRIPLAN NUTRO NUTRO CHOICE NUTRO COMPLETE CARE NUTRO MAX NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE PAWS PERFORMATRIN ULTRA PET PRIDE PRESIDENT’S CHOICE PRICE CHOPPER PRIORITY PRIORITY US Prescription Diet Publix ROCHE BROTHERS ROUNDYS SAVE-A-LOT SCHNUCKS SCIENCE DIET SOPHISTACAT SPECIAL KITTY SPECIAL KITTY CANADA SPECIAL KITTY US SPRINGFIELD PRIZE SPROUT STOP & SHOP COMPANION Spa Select TRIUMPH WEGMANS WEIS TOTAL PET WESTERN FAMILY WESTERN FAMILY US WHITE ROSE WINN DIXIE Wild Kitty YourPet Cat, Dog Products BLUE BUFFALO Country Value DIAMOND DINGO DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Venison EVOLVE HARMONY FARMS Health Diet KASCO Cat LICK YOUR CHOPS Natural Balance Nutra Nugget Pounce Professional Royal Canin Dog Products ALPO AMERICAS CHOICE AUTHORITY AWARD American Bullie BEST CHOICE BIG BET BIG RED BLOOM BLUE BUFFALO Beefeaters Berkley & Jensen CADILLAC CANINE CAVIAR Champion Companion Country Value DEMOULAS MARKET BASKET DIAMOND DINGO DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH Dermaxx Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Venison Dollar General Eukanuba FOOD LION Fort Dodge GIANT COMPANION GRREAT CHOICE Gravy Train HARMONY FARMS HILL COUNTRY FARE HY-VEE Happy Tails IAMS Jerky Treats KASCO KIRKLAND LAURA LYNN LOVING MEALS MEIJER MAIN CHOICE MIGHTY DOG MIXABLES MULLIGAN STEW NATURAL BALANCE NATURAL LIFE NUTRIPLAN NUTRO NUTRO MAX NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE NUTRO ULTRA Natural Way Nurture Nutra Nugget NutraGold OL ROY CANADA OL ROY US Ol’ Roy PAWS PET ESSENTIALS PET PRIDE PRESIDENT’S CHOICE PRICE CHOPPER PRIORITY CANADA PRIORITY US PUBLIX Perfect Pals Pet Life ProHeart Professional ROCHE BROTHERS Royal Canin SAVE-A-LOT SCHNUCKS SHEP SHEP DOG SHOP RITE SPRINGFIELD PRIZE SPROUT STATER BROTHERS STOP & SHOP COMPANION Safe-Guard Sensible Choice SmartPak Stater Brothers Thyroxine Thyroxyl WEGMANS BRUISER WEIS TOTAL PET WESTERN FAMILY US WHITE ROSE WINN DIXIE Yourpet Dog, Cat Products AUTHORITY AWARD BEST CHOICE CO-OP GOLD COMPLIMENTS Fort Dodge HEALTH DIET GOURMET CUISINE HILL COUNTRY FARE HY-VEE LA GRIFFE MASTER CHOICE NATURAL LIFE NUPET OL ROY CANADA PERFORMATRIN ULTRA PET PRIDE PRESIDENT’S CHOICE PRIORITY SCHNUCKS SPRINGFIELD PRIZE STATER BROTHERS TRIUMPH TRULY WESTERN FAMILY Horse Products Co-op 11 percent Sweet Horse Feed Coarse Feed Mixes Grain Mix Hoof & Coat for Horses Southern States Wsi Pride
Download All Pet Food Recalled Products Pet Food Recalled Products [Excel - 1062 KB] [PDF - 460 KB] [XML] Download Microsoft Excel Viewer Download Acrobat Reader

I’ve gotten this in my email box quite a few times and it never ceases to make me laugh, so I thought I’d share. Obviously this is NOT the correct way to give a pill to cat. I found a few links that do describe a better way to give your cat a pill and will list them below the article.

How to Give a Cat a Pill (followed by How to Give a Dog a Pill)

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm, as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop in the pill. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor, and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw away soggy pill.

4. Take new pill from foil wrapper. Cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force open the jaws and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl, and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees. Hold front and rear paws, ignoring low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand, while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigourously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, and get another pill from foil wrapper. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth, and set aside for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel, and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat’s mouth open with pencil, and blow down straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans. Drink one beer to take awy taste of pill. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbour’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage, and replace cupboard door on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of Scotch. Pour shot and drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check medical records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw away tee-shirt and fetch another one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve the cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrapper.

13. Tie the little sod’s front paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Fetch heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth, followed by large piece of fillet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash down pill.

14. Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm, and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call in at furniture shop on the way home, to order new dining table.

15. Place “Free Mutant Cat from Hell” ad in local newspaper and ring local pet shop to see if they have any bunnies.

How to Give a Dog a Pill

1. Wrap it in bacon.

Humor put aside, I put a few links together to help you give your cat a pill.

Partners in Animal Health

About.com-Veterinary Medicine

Pet Place

Cats are notoriously sore losers. Coming in second best, especially to someone as poorly coordinated as a human being, grates their sensibility. – Stephen Baker

This article is from page 23 of the PetTech PetSaver program and is helpful if your dog or cat has a seizure.

Seizures-Convulsions

Definition: Involuntary contractions of muscles caused by abnormal cerebral stimulation or dysfunction.

Causes: Seizures or convulsions can be caused by epilepsy, poisoning (from toxic substances like lead, organophosphate and strychnine) or head trauma (mostly caused by being hit by a car or a fall).

A seizure caused by poisoning is an emergency situation. The veterinarian needs to know the amount and type of poison ingested. It is best to bring the suspected container with you.

Signs: Falling, chomping jaws, stiffening of the body, paddling motion of the legs, jerky and uncontrollable movements lasting two to three minutes. Prior to and after the seizure the pet can have a low level of consciousness, be unresponsive and not know who you are. The pet may also empty its bladder and bowels.

Actions For Survival: Stay calm, reduce external stimuli (lights, sounds, people). DO NOT restrain the pet or place anything in its mouth. Clear the area of hard or sharp objects that might cause harm. If possible, pull the pet away from objects and onto a blanket to help reduce injury.

First Aid: Seizures:

• Be sure that your pet has a heartbeat and is breathing. If so, place a rolled-up blanket or towel under the head for protection.
• When the seizure has stopped, monitor breathing. If the pet has no history of seizures, transport to the nearest veterinarian or emergency animal hospital. If the pet has a history of seizures, take note and transport only if the seizure is not like its “normal” seizures
• Keep the pet comfortable in a quiet, dark place
• Clean up any mess and make a note as to the duration and frequency of the seizure for the veterinarian. If the seizure lasts longer than what is “normal” or the pet has repeated seizures, then you should contact its veterinarian.

A seizure caused by head trauma is an emergency situation. Treat as other life-threatening symptoms present themselves (i.e. CPR, Rescue Breathing, shock, bleeding, etc.). Transport the pet to its veterinarian or nearest emergency animal hospital immediately, moving it as little as poss ible.

Note to Pet Owners: Keeping records of a pet’s health is important, especially for a pet that has seizures.

You can contact my instructor, Jennifer Perry at 770-575-1423 or  Jennifer@PetTechAtlanta.com. Her website is http://pfa.pettechatlanta.com/.

May all that have life be delivered from suffering.
– Buddha

I recently (Saturday) took my second pet first aid class, and I found the PetTech class to be invaluable.
Our Pet Tech instructor, Jennifer Perry, also of Safe at Home Pet Sitting, was great and so was her dog, Lily! I learned more than I can put in this article, but some of what I did learn was rescue breathing, CPR, care for fractures and limbs, seizures, and much more.
This class is affordable and can be held at your convenience. Contact Jennifer Perry for more information.

Jennifer Perry
770-575-1423
www.PetTechAtlanta.com
Jennifer@PetTechAtlanta.com

The purity of a person’s heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals ~ Anonymous

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

The definition of puppy mill according to Wikipedia- A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care. Similar types of operations exist for other animals commonly kept as pets or used as feed for other animals.

We’ve all seen the commercials showing these terribly sad, poor dogs and cats in cages with Sarah McLachlan as the spokes person. Most of us, anyway. Our hearts break when we see it and we know that this is happening all over America. What can we do about it? The easiest thing for you to do is do not buy a puppy until extensive research has been done on the breeder. There are a lot of puppy “stores” that will tell you that they do not buy from puppy mills, but ask them for the address of the puppy’s breeder and go there. You need to see the surroundings of the puppy and meet the puppy’s parents. Any breeder that can’t allow this or any puppy “store” that cannot give you an address has something very shady is going on.

There are so many wonderful, adoptable dogs that need a home. My Mom, Vicki Lunceford adopted a Lhasa Apso from Atlanta Pet Rescue, Sassy, and she is a puppy mill rescue. She’s coming around very well, but she has a lot of issues that my Mom has had to find answers to. Before rescued, puppy mill dogs are kept in small cages and never let out, sometimes more than one per cage. This makes it more difficult to teach house training and leash training, among other learned behaviors. Patience and understanding are required to adopt one of these  dogs, but to see the pride on one of these dogs’ little faces when something finally clicks is priceless.

Below is a story that I found on the ASPCA site about a few rescued pups that need a home and some that have been adopted.

The Lucky 34—Meet Our Puppy Mill Survivors

On February 7, 34 dogs who once endured terrible living conditions in a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS, were transported to the Big Apple in search of new forever homes. The dogs, many of whom are small breeds, are not the cute, cuddly pups often displayed in pet shop windows, but mothers and fathers who were used as breeding stock at the puppy mill.

These special pups have spent their entire lives confined to tiny wire cages, which inhibit natural behaviors like running, playing and even stretching. Trading the stark environment of a puppy mill for novel sights, sounds and sensations can be tremendously overwhelming for these sheltered animals. Simple behaviors like potty training, sitting on laps or even walking on a leash are challenging activities. Ample recovery time helps, so too does the dedication of a very special adopter—one who will provide lots of love and unconditional acceptance.

Think you have what it takes to care for one of these special pooches? Here are a few of the extraordinary puppy mill survivors who are just waiting for laps to call their own.

Clementine

Check out teeny Clementine. She’s a bit of a nervous Nelly, but who can blame a girl? Clem needs an experienced adopter—are you that pro? If you can help our little Miss Sunshine come out of her shell and experience the world with freedom and love, you may be the perfect pet parent for her.

Lugini

Lugini is a sweet and shy Chihuahua boy with lots of love to give. He just needs a little time to get comfy—after all, he’s seen a lot in his short life. Like most puppy mill survivors, Lugini is a high flight risk as he startles easily and may bolt. It is wise to always keep him on a leash or enjoy playtime in a fenced-in yard. While a true work in progress, this special munchkin is bound to make you laugh and smile.

For more information about adopting one of these dogs, please visit our Adoption Center online and for expert tips on living with a puppy mill dog, visit ASPCA.org.

JUST ADOPTED!

Buffy

Buffy is a sensitive girl from Mississippi—a true diamond in the rough. A sweet little Rat Terrier, Buffy is healthy physically but fairly damaged emotionally. She lived for years in a mill churning out puppies for money. While she needs a little extra time to warm up to strangers, Buffy’s true colors were recently noticed by a visitor to our Adoption Center. We are happy to report this tiny pup is happily settling in to her new forever home!

Betty and Wilma

These sugary-sweet sisters endured some rough times at the Mississippi puppy mill before landing in the Big Apple—and their lack of experience shows. Both tend to lag a bit behind on walks—like most mill dogs, they have never experienced walking on a leash. And neither of the girls are potty trained—also common with mill dogs who have been forced to relieve themselves in their cages for years. Despite these minor setbacks, these two sisters wowed potential adopters with their sweet-as-pie kisses and have recently been adopted!

We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form.  ~William Ralph Inge, Outspoken Essays, 1922