Archives : Dog Health

The 7 Deadly Sins of Dog Ownership

There are some things I have seen in veterinary medicine and also as a professional dog trainer that are recipes for disaster and sometimes death.   Although none is a definite death sentence because some people experience extreme luck in very dangerous situations, I believe it is best to arm yourself with the knowledge to keep your dog safe!

#7: Living within the Bounds of a Safe Enclosure

Although some dogs chose and prefer to stay within the realms of their home territory, most dogs like to wander.  Wandering from home to home or across the street to chase cats and squirrels is tantalizing for most dogs.  If you add to this scenario an unneutered male, chances are almost nonexistent that your dog will choose to stay home when he gets a whiff on a female in heat.

Secure fencing is essential for good safe pet ownership.

Thousands of dogs are killed when hit by cars each year.  Several are killed by other dogs and wild animals when they leave the safety of their yard.

If you are on the side of luck and your dog doesn’t die from being hit by a car, or attacked by another dog the trauma of these experiences can affect them for a lifetime!

Make sure your fence is escape-proof.  If you use invisible fencing be sure to check it regularly to ensure it is working properly.

If you cannot provide a safe secure fenced area, walk your dog on a leash for his exercise and elimination requirements.

#6: Not Providing Preventative Medicine

Preventative medicine, means providing your dog with vaccinations, medications, and other veterinary tests in order to prevent disease and problems.  Regular quality veterinary care prevents diseases and tribulations as your dog ages.

Providing your dog with vaccinations and medications like Heartworm Prevention can keep your dog safe and alive!  Waiting to see the signs of disease for heartworm, or distemper may prove to be too late to save the life of your dog!

Recently I spent time with the friend of a friend who’s dog had NEVER been to a vet.  No puppy vaccines, no medications of any kind had ever been given.  The dog was 10 and only recently began suffering from obesity and arthritis.  I was amazed at her luck!

However, no matter how lucky she was…I would never risk my pet’s health.  I am happy to submit to annual and 3 year vaccines, yearly heartworm tests, monthly prevention pills, 2 or more exams per year with blood work and urinalysis as my dogs age.

My theory is if my vet recommends it, it makes sense, and it could potentially extend my dog’s life DO IT!  I will do whatever I can within my power to make sure I provide the best care available to me! Read the rest of this entry »

Pet Insurance, Should You Jump on the Bandwagon?

Did you know that hip replacement for a dog is upwards of $5,000?  A canine MRI can run $2,000.  ACL surgery can run from $2,000 to over $5,000.  And doggy cancer treatment and the possible surgery that goes with it could be around $10,000. Help yourself prepare for the worst case scenario, before you are in need.  I promise 10 years from now when you are faced with cancer treatment, your heart will want to make the investment, when your finances may not be capable!

I have a love hate relationship with the idea of insurance, both for pets, stuff (cars etc.) and human.  I like the security of knowing I am insured, but I hate the idea of gambling against myself.  And, it is nice when I am in need of insurance, but what happens to all that monthly money when I DON’T need it?  That is what makes insurance companies successful, the simple fact that most people don’t need to call in their insurance card very often.

There are nice things about pet insurance, although there is no $5 deductible to have your pet seen like in some human insurances; you also don’t have to deal with the bureaucracy of managed care and insurance companies choosing your veterinarian or denying your pet care.  There aren’t HMOs or PPOs in veterinary care and that can be a good thing because you can go to any emergency care, specialist or any veterinarian and still be reimbursed.

What is most important when looking into insurance for you and your dog is finding the right policy for both of you.  The right policy for me and the right policy for you might be different.  For me I want to consider and compare any and all out of pocket expenses compared with the insurance costs over all. Read the rest of this entry »

Internet Diagnosis and Alternative Therapies

I love to utilize the internet as a tool.  You can basically find ANYTHING on the internet!  And, that is part of the problem.  I think sometimes the internet is overused and abused when it comes to diagnosing ourselves and our pets.

The problem increases with our animals because we cannot as readily see the side effects and the damage that these diagnosis and holistic or alternative therapies may be causing.

For example, if I decide to take Goat Weed to treat my ear infection and I get severe anxiety, muscle tension and confusion I can stop taking it because I recognize something within my body is not right.  But if I give my dog the same medication or something similar I might not see any visual side effects, and it could be doing irreparable damage. Read the rest of this entry »

Veterinary Diagnostics, and The Importance for You and Your Dog

For those of you that regularly read my articles and keep up with me on Twitter or Facebook you know that I have many years of veterinary technician in my background and that I love the world of veterinary medicine.  I should have gone to vet school!

AND for those of you who keep up with me, you know that my main squeeze “NIX” my 11 year old Malinois started having seizures about a month ago.  I have admittedly been devastated.  11 year old dogs typically don’t develop epilepsy or seizure disorders.

He is also having focal seizures and that is typically a sign that something is wrong with a certain part of the brain.  In short, it is most common for dogs of this age to be suffering from a brain tumor if they start having seizures.

Being a tech or a former tech is a double edged sword, you know more information and information is power…but you also know when something really bad happens or something is a really dire sign.  And, it is easier to give someone else the information in such cases than it is to deal with it in your own dog.

When it comes to my own dogs, sometimes all sense of normalcy and the ability to rationalize or interpret information.  I am good in an emergency because that comes down to my hard wiring, but I completely lose it all afterward.

After his first seizure and my panicked visit to the vet early the next morning, I was trying to plot my next move and determining if he needed an MRI or what could come next.

I was assured by my vet that jumping into an MRI after one seizure might be jumping the gun.  “He may never have another seizure again” he said.  But in my gut, I knew I probably wouldn’t be that lucky.

So after his 3^rd seizure in 3 weeks I was forced to make some hard decisions.

How much is too much to spend on your dog for diagnosis and what can you expect?

There is no right or wrong answer to this one, unless I suppose you have all the money in the world but you decide your dog isn’t worth it…and let’s face it, those people aren’t reading this article!

People’s finances are as different as people themselves.  I grew up basically living from paycheck to paycheck and not always having money for food.  We shopped in the black and white “generic isle” when I was a kid.  My father worked in the coal business and often lost his job.  And, I must admit that things are pretty much the same, financially strained, right now.

MRI’s I found out ran about $2,000 not to mention the many hour drive to get to a facility that could do the test on a dog his size.  On top of that they would probably have to do a spinal tap, and a CT scan.

I like black and white information; I detest shades of grey especially in medicine.  This is silly, because I know how medicine works AND I am a fan of watching “House”.  Black and white rarely exists in medicine, especially veterinary medicine.

Fortunately I still have a best friend that is a vet and so I always know I can call on her and at least get appropriate information.  She wont lie to me, sugar coat anything, or press me to make a decision she thinks I should.  She only supplies me with good information and allows me to choose what road I want to take.

I tried to get her to convince me it was a tumor, but diagnostically we both knew an MRI was the next option.  I tried to get her to tell me how much brain tumor surgery would cost, but she accurately reminded me that it would depend on the location of the tumor, if there was a tumor.  See, I knew that information deep down, but I can’t think clearly when it comes to my animals!

I knew there was no true definitive answer until I took the next step, as much as I wanted to make my investment count.

Because of a secret stash, I did have the ability to take him for his test although my transmission went out the same week.  I weighed my options and deciding to spend that kind of money was difficult.  I decided that I needed to do what I could for my best friend for the last 11 years; I would walk everywhere else if I had to!

He wouldn’t hesitate to invest his money (or dog bones) on me if put in the same situation.  I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I hadn’t made the choice to at least see what my next options would become.  I would take one step at a time.

So I scheduled the MRI and prepared to hear the worst news possible.  I even begged my husband to drive me after a nights work, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive home after the visit.

Turns out despite my “half empty” attitude (I was just readying for the storm), he didn’t have a brain tumor.  He actually has autoimmune meningitis.  Meningitis can be lethal, but with treatment the swelling on his brain can probably be controlled and with anticonvulsive we can probably alleviate his seizures.

The treatment isn’t necessarily pretty; the steroids have already made him urinate on himself and my new bed and the Phenobarbital leaves him stumbling around like a drunk.  But, when asked if I was happy with my decision, I couldn’t be more adamant or more emphatically shout YES!  Because of the advances in veterinary medicine I should be able to spend hopefully a few more years with my very best friend and furry soul mate!  I am blessed that we had the ability both financially and geographically to have these tests done!

The Potentially Fatal Dangers of Thanksgiving and Your Furry Friend

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I remember just how busy the vet clinic I worked for was the day after Thanksgiving.  Many dogs suffer from pancreatitis especially after big holiday feasts, their owners don’t realize that extra tasty treats and sharing put your furry friend at risk for this potentially fatal condition.

The pancreas is a v-shaped organ that helps your dog’s body metabolize sugar and produce insulin it also produces enzymes that are vital in digesting your dog’s food.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and is most often seen during the holiday seasons when dog owners are sharing lots of home cooked food that is greasy and high in fat.

Fatty foods are the most common cause of pancreatitis but other factors can also make your dog more prone to falling prey to this condition.

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Middle Age
• Breed (many small breeds are more prone)
• Fatty Diet
• Medications (check with your vet)
• Past incidents of pancreatitis

Symptoms

Dogs that suffer from pancreatitis usually start to show symptoms within a few hours of ingestion of fatty foods.

• Hunched posture and often an unwillingness to lay down
• Painful abdomen  (often severe)
• Distended or swollen large abdomen
• Lethargy
• Poor appetite
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea (often yellow with a greasy consistency)

Symptoms can be quite acute and a dog can become critically and even fatally sick within hours, so an owner who suspects pancreatitis should contact their veterinarian or an emergency veterinary facility as soon as possible.   Your vet will often use a physical exam, blood work, ultrasounds, and x-rays to diagnose your dog.  Treatment will likely include IV fluids, painkillers and an overnight stay with constant monitoring of your dog’s condition.

How Do You Avoid Exposing Your Favorite Furry Friend to Pancreatitis?

• Do not feed your dog high fat foods.
• Tell your guests not to give your dog table scraps or allow him/her to lick off any plates.
• If your guests cannot be trusted to not share with your dog explain the risks or put your dog up for the duration of dinner festivities.
• Prevent your dog from accessing trash, which most certainly will contain an excess of fatty treats.
• Get your dog on an exercise program!  Obesity is a common cause and concern among veterinarians.  After you have had dinner, lace up your shoes, grab your dogs leash and reward him, not with a food treat but with a walk and some time with you.  He would prefer some one and one time and a little exercise with you anyway!

Remember:  Canines cannot metabolize the amount of fat we are use to in our regular diet, when you consider the added butter and fats we cook with during the holidays it only compounds the risks to your dog.   Keep your dog safe by not sharing, keeping food out of his reach and if you must treat your dog on Thanksgiving, find a small low fat, low salt dog treat that you can give him.

The Hidden Killer in Your House

Not everything natural is safe for our furry companions.  Sometimes we don’t even realize the dangers we bring home and leave on the counter or in our cars or purses.  How many women, right now,  have a stick or two of sugar free gum in their purses.  That simple little piece of gum or two could be lethal to your dog.

Xylitol is a sweetener used in sugar-free items like gum, cookies, muffins, candies and even toothpaste.   Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is easily absorbed by the human body, but triggers a significant insulin release in dogs which rapidly drops their blood sugar and can permanently damage the liver.

Recent studies have linked the problems associated with Xylitol to acute liver failure and even death.  Low blood sugar can be treated by your veterinarian, but liver damage, even with aggressive treatment, can make it difficult to save the dog’s life.

What Can You Do?

• Knowledge is the first step to combat this problem!
  

  Keep your dog from getting sick

• Tell everyone in your family especially children, who often share and bring gum home from school.
• Tell  your friends, your dog groomer and pet sitter.
• Dog proof your house by putting up any artificial sweeteners and gum.
• Look through the ingredients of the sugar-free items that you might already have at home and your toothpaste.
• Diligently research the things that you buy.
• We have a Gum Rule at my house.  Any and all gum whether it be sugar-free or not gets locked down!
• Keep an eye on your furry friend, if any items are missing or if your dog is a thief crate training may prove to be safest.

This is a serious problem and a relatively new find to the veterinary world.  Come up with a plan as a family, discuss the dangers of Xylitol and keep your veterinarian’s number handy in case of any emergencies.  The best advice I can give is that human food in general is not safe for your dog, keep human food out of reach and use only dog food/treats and food your veterinarian recommends.  If you are conscientious about the problem and the dangers you can help ensure a long, safe and healthy life for your canine, but sometimes it is difficult to know all the substances that can negatively affect your dog.

For more information or in case of an emergency contact the experts at the Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 a $65 consultation fee may be charged to you, but saving your pets life will be well worth it!  You can also find more information about them and toxins on their website just click on the picture above.

Fleas; Your Dog’s Arch Enemy

This is one of the worst years in my memory for fleas, at least here in the South!  The irony for me is that I am from the North West and I never grew up having to worry about fleas or the carnage they wreak on pets.  In the North West, it gets too cold during the winter for fleas to survive so they don’t pose much of a problem for house pets.  Even when I was a veterinary technician in Denver, Colorado we didn’t see problems with fleas in dogs or cats unless they were actively around wild life.  Truth be told, I hardly recognized fleas when I moved to Georgia four years ago however the education was rapid!

Perhaps the most interesting thing I learned about the flea, is that it can’t be plucked and squished with your fingers.  Fleas have an extremely hard exoskeleton that protects them from being squished and killed easily.  Fleas must be killed by rolling them between your fingers and then squeezing them in between two fingernails, or crushing them between two hard objects.   Fleas can also be killed by using adhesive tape, drowning in water and direct contact with anti-flea pesticides.

Fleas can survive two months to a year between meals. A flea population is unevenly distributed, with 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae, and 5% adults. Their total life cycle can take as little as two weeks, but may be as long as many months if conditions are favorable. Female fleas can lay 500 or more eggs over their life, allowing for phenomenal growth rates.

It is a common Myth at fleas don’t bite people.  Fleas often bite people and can cause itching and rashes and even skin infections in some people.

Prior to an Infestation

Educate yourself about flea products, not all products are created equal.  Flea collars are ineffective and do little to no good for most pets.  Sprays and flea baths can be effective if the product is made by a good manufacturer, however if you use topical flea medications like Frontline® frequent baths can wash away the expensive prescription medication you are using.

Speak to your local veterinarian about prescription products to help keep your best friend flea free.  The recommendation of products depends on your vet, your pet and the dynamics of your particular geographical area and the propensity for flea infestation.  Prescription products are the best, and there is even a monthly pill that can be given to help your pet be more comfortable.  Even ONE flea can cause severe reaction, itching and allergies in some dogs.

After an Infestation

Once you have recognized fleas on your pet and you have sought the assistance of your vet to help kill the fleas on your pet, it is time to deal with the problem so that it doesn’t get worse or continue to plague you.

First is to treat your pet and give him some relief.  If untreated a flea infestation can lead to severe skin infection in pets.

Next you must treat the area your pet goes and resides.  You must treat the residence inside and outside to see improvement in this predicament.  There are products you can get to spray or bomb inside (pets, humans and fish must be removed in order to use indoor bombs) or you can contact a local pest company.

You must also treat the yard and any outdoor area your pet goes.  You can also find products at your local store to treat the outdoor area, or again you can contact a pest company that will treat the area for you.

The MOST IMPORTANT PART

You must treat the inside and the outside area once weekly with whatever product you desire weekly for at least 3 weeks.  Because there are many lifecycles of the flea, you must kill each lifecycle.  When you initially treat the area, you will kill the adult flea but not necessarily the pupae or the eggs which can be very resistant to insecticides.  Care must be taken for several weeks to kill all of the fleas and their offspring in the environment both indoors and out.

Flea infestation can cause severe problems for the humans and the pets in the environment.  Speak to your vet and come up with a plan to keep your home flea free, and if an infestation does erupt just be diligent in making sure all fleas have been killed and good luck!

Help! I Found a Lump on My Dog

I often get asked by pet owners what to do when they find a lump on their dog.  So I thought I would share some tips of the trade for you, that I learned while I was working as a vet tech.

1. First:  mark the area with a black sharpie if you have a light colored dog, a silver sharpie for a dark colored dog or, (my favorite) shave the area
   

   2 Lumps Marked and Shaved

2. Next: make note of the size of the lump by measuring it and writing it down, you can also take a photo for your records
3. Then: schedule an appointment to see your veterinarian

Often people feel lumps on their dog, but are unable to find them again when they come into the vet clinic.  Although a good vet can be adept at finding a large lump, and even some small bumps, they do not know your dog’s body like you do and stress and lack of time can make it more difficult for you to locate the area while in your vet’s office.  Shaving is my favorite way to help me locate and monitor a lump, because it is the easiest to relocate.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dog's Trust launches canine Christmas menu

We all need to be reminded, especially during the holidays, of just how dangerous it can be to give your dog certain human foods, no matter how good the intention.

Press Association

Feeding dogs human food at Christmas can seriously damage their health, leading canine charity the Dogs Trust has warned.

Speaking at the launch of the Doggy Christmas Menu, a veterinary-approved list of foods safe for consumption by the animals, Dogs Trust veterinary director Chris Laurence said feeding dogs with turkey bones, grapes, mince pies, Christmas puddings, cheese and alcohol could lead to poisoning or even death. Read the rest of this entry »

Will Vaccines keep your pet from getting the flu?

I don’t know about you guys, but when this whole swine flu “epidemic” started to get national attention, I looked at some of the facts and thought, “this really isn’t a big deal”.

The reason I don’t think it’s a big deal is because our bodies create better natural imunity to diseases when we actually get the disease, instead of just getting the vaccine for the disease.

That’s why a lot of older people aren’t getting sick with the flu right now, because the swine flu swept through our nation several decades ago and while a lot of people got sick, all those people are now more imune then a vaccine could ever make them.

And I think it’s the same with dogs…  which is why I don’t give my dog the “kennel cough” vaccine before he goes to doggy day care when I board him.  Because getting sick is sometimes the best thing for our pets.
Read the rest of this entry »