K-9 Obesity

Obesity causes many health problems in our dogs. Not only that, but research suggests that being overweight shortens a dog's lifespan by as much as two years. So, an overweight dog doesn't live as long as a lean animal, and their quality of life is significantly reduced.

Canine obesity is dangerous because it can lead to a great number of health problems. It may also adversely affect an existing health issue. The following diseases and disorders may be caused or worsened by obesity:

• Cardiac disease
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Orthopedic injuries (such as cruciate ligament rupture or patellar luxation)
• Osteoarthritis
• Respiratory disorders
• Various forms of cancer

                                                  Determining if your dog is Obese 

A dog who is a healthy weight will have palpable ribs, with some-- but very little-- fat covering them. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily, without having to strain or struggle. If it is difficult to feel your dog's ribs, he is likely overweight. If it is impossible, he is probably obese.

Like the ribs, the spine's visibility and palpability are clear indicators of a pet's health when it comes to weight. While underweight dogs have prominent spines and healthy dogs have spines that feel bony, overweight pets tend to have thick deposits of fat on and around the spine.

A healthy animal shows a visible "abdominal tuck." The area between the ribs and the groin is visibly lean and tucked. Overweight animals have little abdominal tuck and obese dogs might lose the tuck entirely, instead having a distended belly that sags downward.

How to help your overweight dog

Before beginning any weight loss programs, make sure to have your dog thoroughly evaluated by your veterinarian to identify any medical problems that could be causing weight gain.

Start your plan by knowing your dog's ideal weight. Not only can your veterinarian help you do this, but he/she can also screen your pet for certain conditions that can contribute to obesity such as:

• Diabetes
• Cushing’s Disease
• Hypothyroidism

Your veterinarian can also help you to determine how much to feed your dog. a weight loss program should be considered if your dog is overweight. 

Generally, weight loss for dogs is similar to weight loss for people, starting with such things as:

• Portion Control: Be sure to follow the feeding guidelines on your pet foods packaging. Always use a measuring cup to ensure proper measurement. If you feed more than once per day, figure out your pets daily allowance and 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening.
• Treats: One of the biggest mistakes pet owners do is offer too many treats. Instead try to offer a healthier option, such as baby carrots, snap green beans, apple wedges, plain rice cakes (with no salt or sugar added). You can also make healthy treats by mixing plain canned pumpkin and non-fat plain yogurt in equal portions and freezing them into bite sized snacks! It is important to remember that even too much of a good thing can be bad, so offer these treats in moderation. Please stay away from grapes, onions, macadamia nuts, and raisins as they can be toxic.
• Exercise: Exercise increases energy and promotes calorie burning, as well as toning muscle. Begin slowly by walking your dog on a leash for 10 minutes a day. Depending on your dogs condition you can increase a little each week until you reach 30 minutes per day. Not only will your dog benefit from this, but so will you!

Remember this is a life change not an easy fix... Your dog will become obese again if you go back to your old feeding and exercise habits. 

What To Do If Your Dog Is Choking!

The other day I was asked what should they do if their pet was choking. I figured this would be a good subject to write about.

Dogs are curious — second only to exploring with their noses, they use their mouths to investigate new and interesting things. Dogs can choke on just about anything that is the size of the opening to the trachea, but the most common offenders are small balls, rawhide and real bones, cellophane, and children’s plastic toys.

A choking dog makes retching motions and will look panicked, often pacing back and forth and pawing at Its mouth. the dogs chest may be heaving but it isn't making any airway noises. If your dog is still breathing go directly to the Vet!

Fortunately, a foreign body in the larynx is not common. Most objects are expelled by the pet itself by forceful coughing

If you think your dog is choking, and unable to breath, Open your dogs mouth, pull out its tongue as far as you can, sweep your fingers from side to side, grasp the object, and remove it.

If the object cannot be easily removed, do not try to get around it with your fingers. This will force it further down the throat. Instead, proceed to the Heimlich Maneuver.


Do Not Remove String Or Thread From Your Pets Throat! It May Have A Needle Or Hook Attached To The Other End!!! Proceed Directly To Your Vets Office Or Emergency Clinic!!!



                              K-9 Heimlich Maneuver

Large Dog Technique 

Do not try to pick up, shake, or swing a large dog; you're more likely to do further damage due to the animal's size. Instead, perform the equivalent of the Heimlich maneuver:


1.  If the dog is standing, put your arms around her belly, joining your hands. Make a fist and     

     push firmly up and forward, just behind the rib cage. Place the dog on his side afterward.

2.  If the dog is lying down, place one hand on the back for support and use the other hand to     

     squeeze the abdomen upwards and forwards.

3.  Check the dog's mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodges with your        

     fingers.

Note that the object might be quite a way back towards the throat, so you might have to hunt around and hook it out with your finger. 

Credit: Photograph courtesy of Angela Koeller



Small Dog Technique

1.  Kneel behind the dog, with the dog facing away from you.

2.  Put your arms around the dog's waist.

3.  Instead of making a fist, use a few knuckles of one hand and place them just below your 

     dog's last set of ribs on the soft part of the abdomen.

4.  Place your other hand flat on the dog's back to keep him steady.

5.  Give a quick, hard poke with your knuckles.

6.  Press in and up four to five times gently, in a thrusting motion. Do not repeat more than 

     four to five times.

7.  If the dog is lying down, place one hand on the back for support and use the other hand to 

     squeeze the abdomen upwards and forwards.

8.  Check the dog's mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodged with your 

     fingers.

Note that the object might be quite a way back towards the throat, so you might have to hunt around and hook it out with your finger. 

Credit: Photograph courtesy of Angela Koeller




It is likely objects stuck in the throat have caused damage. Depending on the length of time the dog was without oxygen and the damage to the throat, the dog may require hospitalization for a few days. In some cases, bronchoscopy (whereby a small camera is inserted into the windpipe to visualize and remove the foreign body) may be recommended.



Prevention

The best way to prevent choking is to treat your dog as you would a small child. Although it’s almost impossible to stop them putting things in their mouth, you should always be present and keep an eye on what they’re chewing. Avoid moisture-swollen chew toys or sticks.

Skin Problems in Dogs

I've had several people ask me to Post about skin problems so here it is. This will be my last post until after my finals on Dec. 16th.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy!


Your dogs skin indicates your dogs overall health. When a skin problem arises your pet may respond with itching, scratching, licking and chewing. They cause of these symptoms may be external parasites, infections, allergies, metabolic problems and stress, or a combination of these may be affecting your dog’s skin.

Most Common Symptoms

• Scratching, Licking, Chewing
• Redness or Inflammation
• Scabs
• Round scaly patches on face and paws
• Rubbing face on carpet or furniture
• Dry flaky skin
• Hair loss / bald spots
• Rashes
• Lesions
• Drainage of blood or pus
• Swelling

Causes of Skin Problems

• Fleas: Bites and dropping for these insects can irritate your dogs skin, some dogs can have an allergic reaction to the fleas saliva following a bite.

• Ringworm: This is a highly contagious fungal infection that can cause inflammation, scaly skin and hair loss. Ringworm needs to be treated immediately to avoid other pets and people in the household from becoming infected.

• Seasonal Allergies: Scratching may be due to sensitivity to allergens from common substances like pollen, weeds, dust, mites, trees, mold or grasses.

• Food Allergies: dogs develop allergies to common ingredients in dog foods, such as beef, chicken, wheat, corn or soy. Even fillers and colorings can be seen as foreign by your dog’s immune system and lead to itching and rashes.

• Skin Infections: Dogs can develop bacterial or yeast infections when the skin is damaged due to the presence of another skin disorder.

• Sarcoptic Mange: This skin disease caused by infection from the Sarcoptes scabei mite results in extreme itching and skin inflammation similar to an allergic response.

• Grooming Products: Certain shampoos and grooming products can irritate your dog’s skin. Be sure to only use grooming products that are meant for use on dogs.

• Stress or Boredom: A dog may lick her skin excessively for many reasons. Some lick when not given adequate opportunity for activity or mental stimulation.

• Hormonal Problems: Several common hormonal problems can cause change in skin color, coat consistency, thickness and distribution.

• Seasonal Changes: Many dogs, like people, get dry, flaky skin in the winter.

When is it Time to See the Vet

There are many causes of skin abnormalities in dogs, and identifying the underlying cause is not always simple. Therefore, you should visit your vet for an exam as soon as you notice any abnormality in your pet’s skin or hair, or if your pet begins to excessively scratch, lick and/or bite areas on his fur.

Diagnosing Skin Problems


After obtaining a history and performing a thorough physical exam, your vet may perform diagnostic tests in order to find the cause of your dog’s symptoms. These include:

•  Skin biopsy
• Testing for Ringworm
• Microscopic examination of the hair and skin for presence of parasites or infection
• Allergy testing, which may include a diet change
• Blood tests to assess your dog’s overall health

How Can Skin Problems Be Prevented?

• Use natural, hypoallergenic soaps and shampoos recommended for use in dogs.

• Brush your dog regularly to prevent matting of hair.

• Feed your dog a healthy, balanced diet without fillers or artificial ingredients.

• Use parasite-prevention or a flea-treatment program as recommended by your veterinarian.

• Regularly clean and vacuum your home (and remember to always throw away the bag).

• Provide calm living conditions for your dog.

• Your vet may prescribe certain shampoos and oral supplements to prevent skin problems.

How Can Skin Problems Be Treated?

Ask your vet about the following treatments:

• Topical products including shampoos, dips or spot-on products to prevent and treat parasites

• A balanced diet to help maintain healthy skin and coat

• A dietary supplement containing essential fatty acids

• Antibiotic, anti-fungal or anti-itching medications

• Corticosteroids and antihistamines may be prescribed to control itching.

• Hypoallergenic diet for food allergies

• Injections to decrease dog’s reaction to allergens

 

Why Not to Buy from a Pet Store!!!

People often get tired of me talking about the cruelty of Puppy Mills. In my opinion we can't talk enough about them. So here we go!!!

WARNING VIDEOS CONTAIN SENSITIVE MATERIAL!!!

Do Not Buy a Puppy From a Pet Store or from a

Back Yard Breeder!!

____________________________________________________________

First thing we need to remember is that pet stores view dogs and cats as merchandise and not living creatures. Most if not all pet stores get their puppies from a retail distributor. That distributor is either a puppy broker, that buys entire litters from a breeder or from a puppymill, where large numbers of puppies are produced and sold each day. Puppymills do not care about the health of their adult dogs all they care about is the bottom line....How much money will each dog bring. These dogs are nothing but "Cash Cows" to them.

Some of their practices include:

• Breeding females each heat cycle, as early as 6 months old, and not allowing enough healing time in between each litter.

• Breeding unhealthy dogs with known hereditary genetic flaws or breeding until they can't produce anymore or just die from complications

• feed the dogs the cheapest foods, many times just the dust remnants from produced dog foods.

• Bowls are usually full of maggots, bacteria, dirty or just simply empty, which causes dogs to fight for food when it is available.

• Dogs are kept in metal cages barely big enough for 1 dog, much less a litter of puppies. Those cages are usually stacked on top of each other 10 high and are so old and worn that they are hazardous to the dogs causing cuts on legs and paws which leads to infection and sometimes amputation.

• Puppymillers even practice de-barking techniques, this is where the miller takes a rod, pipe or something of the like and ram it down the puppies throat to damage the vocal cords, so the puppy or dog can no longer bark, so the neighbors won't be alarmed by the constant barking and report the mill.

• Most dogs and puppies are unhealthy and sick from being left in urine and feces which exposes them to disease. Most do not get proper vaccines or vet care.

• Long-haired breeds never see a comb or brush. Ulcers will form under the solid mats of fur matted to the skin, sometimes maggots can be found in these ulcers.The validity of being a purebred is always in question.

• Most of the time dogs are not registered to any association and if they are it's ussualy with one that doesn't care about ancestry. If the puppy is registered with the AKC the puppy may have been registered under a number of a different dog.

• Puppymills may sometimes have actions. If you have ever been to one as I have you know how cruel they are. Hundreds sometimes even thousands of dogs are crated and stacked and bid on for the purpose of continuing the cycle.

• When the dogs are auctioned off or sold it's usually to another breeder who plan on doing the same thing . many times the dogs are pregnant or even delivering during the auction. Other reasons for auctions are because the females have become too old and non productive. This is mostly by the age of 5. If an auction is not an option, they are just shot, drowned, or just dumped somewhere to fend for their selves.

• Below are some video clips that are not for the light-hearted. I have seen this treatment first hand. I have been to the auctions and waited untill it was over and rescued the dogs that were going to be killed at the end of the day, had them vetted and found living homes for them.

Video Clips Of PuppyMills

*Warning....some of this video is very disturbing.

1	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/puppy-mill-crueltydont-buy-from-petstores/3592199110
2	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/im-alive-puppy-mill-documentary-full-version/4050537848
3	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/spca-officers-rescued-the-pup-on-christmas-eve/1055854811/?icid=vidurvpet01
4	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/puppymill/751658526
5	http://video.yahoo.com/watch/228191/1810923
6	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/wthr-indianas-puppy-pipeline-part-2/1098075394
7	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/the-truth-behind-licensed-breeders/4236447418
8	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/the-usda-and-puppy-mills/844514934
9	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pets-of-bel-air-peddling-puppy-mill-pups/1608690119
10	http://video.aol.com/video-detail/tribute/2138610886

Pancreatitis In Dogs

With the holiday season coming up I would like to discuss a very common aliment our beloved pets can suffer from. It called Pancreatitis. I'm sure most dog and some cat owner has had their battle with Pancreatitis. Here is a brief description of what it is and what causes this disease and most importantly what steps we should take to prevent it.

Pancreatitis In Dogs


Pancreatitis is simply an inflammation of the pancreas.

So what's a pancreas?


It's a little gland located near the stomach.

The pancreas has two main jobs.

Its first job is to produce enzymes that help digest food. Its other job is to produce insulin, which regulates the blood sugar level.

Pancreatitis can be acute and only occur once in a dog's lifetime or it can become chronic and keep returning over and over again. It can be a rapidly life threatening illness or a mild attack of pain that resolves in a few hours or a day or so. There's another very severe form of this condition called necrotizing pancreatitis, in which the damage is so severe that portions of the pancreas are actually destroyed. Some authors refer to this as hemorrhagic pancreatitis. This form of pancreatitis can be fatal and requires early intervention and aggressivereatment.

Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Multiple factors can contribute to the development of pancreatitis. Certain medications, infections; metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia (high amounts of lipid in the blood) and hypercalcemia (high amounts of calcium in the blood); and trauma and shock can be associated with the development of pancreatitis. Middle-aged dogs appear to be at increased risk of developing pancreatitis; as a breed, Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers appear to be more prone to pancreatitis. Nutrition also plays a role. Dogs with diets high in fat, or dogs who 'steal' or are fed greasy 'people food' seem to have a high incidence of the disease. Going to places where there is an open water source that may be contaminated with bacteria may also play a role.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of the acute form of pancreatitis in dogs include a very painful abdomen, abdominal distention, lack of appetite, depression, dehydration, a 'hunched up' posture, vomiting, diarrhea and yellow, greasy stool. Fever often accompanies these symptoms. Animals with more severe disease can develop heart arrhythmias, sepsis (body-wide infection), difficulty breathing, and a life-threatening condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which results in multiple hemorrhages. If the inflammation is severe, organs surrounding the pancreas could be 'autodigested' by pancreatic enzymes released from the damaged pancreas and become permanently damaged.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pancreatitis is made through information obtained from the history, the physical exam, and laboratory testing. Dogs with pancreatitis generally have an increased blood levels of the pancreatic enzymes called amylase and lipase. If the liver also becomes inflamed, liver enzymes as measured in the blood may be increased. A rather new test, serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity, may prove to be a valuable diagnostic aid. The white blood cell count is generally increased in acute pancreatitis. Radiography (x-rays) and ultrasound can also help in making the diagnosis. Biopsy can result in a conclusive diagnosis, but is not commonly performed.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to rest the pancreas, provide supportive care and control complications. Treatment always begins with a withholding of food, water, and oral medications for at least 24 hours. The lack of oral intake stops the stimulation of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. Depending upon the animal's response, food intake can be started again after a few days. The dog is generally fed small meals of a bland, easily digestible, low-fat food. Over the course of a week or more, the size of meals and quantity of food fed are increased. The dog may need to stay on the special diet for life, or it may be possible to gradually reintroduce the former diet.

The second major component of treatment is fluid therapy. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common in dogs with acute pancreatitis, and water intake is often restricted so fluid therapy is usually needed. Fluids are either given subcutaneously or intravenous.

Dogs who are experiencing severe pain can be treated with pain relievers such as meperidine or butorphanol. Antibiotics are often administered prophylactically to protect against infection.

If the pancreatitis was caused by a medication, the medication should be stopped. If it was caused by a toxin, infection, or other condition, appropriate therapy for the underlying condition should be started.

In rare instances, where there are intestinal complications or the development of a pancreatic abscess, surgery may be necessary.

Long-Term Management and Prognosis

Pancreatitis can be a very unpredictable disease. In most cases, if the pancreatitis was mild and the pet only had one episode, chances of recovery are good, and avoiding high fat foods may be all that is necessary to prevent recurrence or complications. In other cases, what appears to be a mild case may progress, or may be treated successfully only to have recurrences, sometimes severe.

Dogs with severe pancreatitis can recover, but may also develop fatal complications. The risk of developing fatal pancreatitis is increased in dogs who are overweight, or have diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal tract disease, and epilepsy. Pets who have repeated bouts of pancreatitis may need to be fed low-fat diets to prevent recurrence. Even so, some animals develop chronic pancreatitis, which can lead to diabetes mellitus and/or pancreatic insufficiency, also called 'maldigestion syndrome.'

In pancreatic insufficiency, the nutrients in food are passed out in the feces undigested. An animal with this disease often has a ravenous appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. Even though he is eating, he could literally starve to death. Treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is lifelong and expensive, but is possible. The pet's digestive enzymes are replaced through a product processed from pancreases of hogs and cattle which contain large quantities of the digestive enzymes. A change in diet with added nutritional supplements may also be necessary.

Summary

Acute pancreatitis can be a life-threatening condition, and early recognition and treatment can improve chances of recovery. In dogs, fever, lack of appetite, depression, and vomiting are the most common signs. Treatment is based upon stopping all oral intake to rest the pancreas, correcting the dehydration and maintaining proper fluid and electrolyte balances, and treating any complications or underlying conditions.

References

Hess, RS; Kass, PH; Shofer, FS; Van Winkle, TJ; Washabau, RJ. Evaluation of risk factors for fatal acute pancreatitis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Association. 1999;214(1):46-51.

Stewart, AF. Pancreatitis in dogs and cats: Cause, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 1994;16(11):1423-1431.

Williams, DA. Exocrine pancreatic disease. In Ettinger, SJ; Feldman EC (eds): Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 2000;1347-1355.

Early Detection Is The Key!

Siberian Husky, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and other breeders and dog fanciers: On November 8, 2010, Veterinary Diagnostics Institute (VDxI), Inc., announced a highly specific blood test to detect canine LYMPHOMA and HEMANGIOSARCOMA. "VDxI-TK" is now positioned to become the standard of care for two common forms of cancer in dogs." THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR THE CANINE COMMUNITY.

Holiday Pet Safety Tips

Holiday Pet Safety Tips



Holidays provide great opportunities for friends and family to gather together and reminisce about the past, celebrate the present and plan the future.  Although most people enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can become quite stressful on the family pet regardless of whether that pet has fur, feathers or scales. 

Routine is important to all pets, but especially cats and anxious or geriatric dogs. Sudden, dramatic changes in routine can cause pets to act out of character.  Even pets that usually are “party animals” and happily jump into the action greeting visitors and opening presents can become stressed from the ongoing stream of activities that seem to begin at Halloween and don’t end until New Year’s Day.  Remember, times change and so do pets:  animals that once enjoyed celebrations as youngsters might have had a change of heart in their senior years.   

Signs of stress can manifest themselves through sudden changes in behavior such as; hiding, restlessness, vocalization, anorexia, vomiting, panting, house soiling and, in some cases, snapping at guests or other defensive behavior. Vigilant owners monitor their pets carefully and are prepared to intercede at the first signs of their best friend’s anxiety.  Some steps owners can take to decrease the effects of stress include:

• Crating or confining your furry friend in a safe, quiet part of the house. Avoid making it seem like punishment by including your pet’s favorite blanket and toy. Anxious pets often benefit from a radio in the room, with the volume set low, playing easy listening or classical music.

• Bird owners can set up a separate cage in a quiet room several weeks prior to any visitors arriving.
Use the cage as a nighttime sleeping area so the bird becomes comfortable spending time there.  

• Maintain your pet’s regular feeding and medication schedules as much as possible during this time.

• Discourage guests from sharing their holiday meal with your pet. Sudden changes in diet can result in digestive problems, and some people food is actually dangerous for your pet. 

• Do not force your pet into any interaction with people or other animals. Let your pet decide about the relationship.

• Set aside time to spend with your pet alone in a quiet area, especially if your house is usually very tranquil.
This time can be devoted to petting, brushing and providing your pet with some individualized attention.

• Supervise all interactions between your pet and guests.
You know your pet better than any one else and can intercede if necessary.

Following these guidelines can help make the holiday season a positive experience for you and your pets.